
Today's Mystery: An international smuggling ring is threatened when a federal grand jury closes in on one of its American front companies. To cover their tracks, the organization's ruthless mastermind summons a professional arsonist to destroy the...
Loading summary
A
Some people think it's wrong to be this into fitness, but my new Galaxy Z Fold 8 from Samsung is just the right size for scrolling my feed for health trends. I can also unfold it to watch a virtual marathon on its immersive screen. It's like I'm really there instead of running on a treadmill at my windowless gym. Wait, did I just finish a marathon? Where's my banana? Whatever you're into, the all new Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the right size. To get really into it, save up to $1200 with eligible trade in when you pre order NZ6 while supplies last see trade in terms and conditions that apply to samsung.com all new drinks are now at McDonald's with refreshers like the Strawberry Watermelon Refresher and the Mango Pineapple
B
Refresher with Popping Boba to crafted sodas
A
like the Sprite Berry Blast with berry
B
flavors and cold foam. Who knew ice cold drinks could be so fire six? All new drinks are here now at McDonald's.
A
Refreshers contain caffeine Foreign.
B
Welcome to the great adventurers of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment we're going to bring you this week's episode of CounterSpy. If you are enjoying the program, I do encourage you to follow us using your favorite podcast software. Also, today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one time basis a number of ways by going to support.greatdetectives.net or become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. Just go to patreon.greatdetectives.net but now, from September 6, 1949, here is the arrogant arsonist.
A
Pepsi Col. That's your smartest solar buy. Pepsicola presents Counter Spy. Washington calling David Harding Counted by Washington Calling David Harding Counted by Harding Countered by calling Foreign. To investigate and combat the enemies of our country both at home and abroad. Tonight, the case of the arrogant arsonist. Another counter spy report to the American people. Brought to you each Tuesday and Thursday by Pepsi Cola. Pepsi Cola Glasses. That's a lot. That's right. Right. You heard what they said. Two full glasses of sparkling Pepsi from one big 12 ounce bottle. You're getting an extra glass full. And what a delicious glass full. The most refreshing, delightful cola that ever tickled your taste. You can't top Pepsi's tangy flavor and that big big bottle saves you money. Goes twice as far Pepsi is America's big, big favorite. And America's biggest soul of value. So why take less when Pepsi is best? Whenever you reach for refreshment, Remember why take less when Pepsi best. And now the counters five. One of the most despicable of all times is the malicious setting of fire. Vilest of all criminals is the professional arsonist. We go back some years to a winter evening in Berlin, Germany. Two men stand back from the cloud. Watching the firemen fight their hopeless battle against the flames swiftly devouring the large building. The small man smiled proudly and turns to his uniformed companion. Exquisite. Exquisite, Mr. Beatrice. Yes. Christ. Very beautiful. Did you ever see such wonderful things? They dance like the lovely girls of her ballet. Grant. Tonight will be a turning point in history. I have no interest in history, Mr. Dietrich. I'm an artist. Even with good business. Then, now that my work is done, there's a good matter of the 50,000 marks. You have earned your money. Well, Grass. When you put the torch to the right stock, you've spotted a flaming symbol that will rage for years to come. That was February 27, 1933. The infamous Reichstag fire in Berlin. And though Hitler's Germany has since been crushed. Sparks of that fire still smolder. The greed and ruthlessness that started it still survive and flourish. Three weeks ago in Tangier, North Africa, Carl Dietrich, still calm, still arrogant, waited in his sumptuous office. Your phone call to Wolf in New York is ready, Mr. Dietrich. Thank you, Lena. Hello, Wolf. Dietrich. Did. Did you get my message, Mr. Dietrich? Yes, Ms. Campo decoded it properly. Ah, then I'll go right ahead and destroy the account books. As I said in the message, you'll do nothing of the kind. But. But Mr. Dietrich. The federal grand jury meets here in New York at the end of next week. They're going to investigate all exporting companies. So you said, Wolf. So they'll subpoena our books. They'll have a record of all the transactions. Don't let it worry you. But don't you see? They'll find out that my exporting company is just a dummy for supplying your combine with potential war materials. Just leave it to me, Wolf. So what can you do, Mr. Diedrich? You're thousands of miles away. I'll be ruined. I'll kill myself before I let them put me in jail. Wolves, stop talking like an idiot. I'll handle everything. I'm taking the first plane for New York. Attention, Mr. Harding, statistical department. Mr. Harding is statistical. Please come to communication section immediately. Urgent call. Radiogram just received from Tangier. All right, Peters, switch that message to channel four. Justice, Peter return to the police. Right, Mr. Honey. These electronic decoders the laboratory boys developed certainly save time. And we have to decode in a hurry. Oh, hold it. Started from the beginning, Agent robeson. Counterspy transmitter LC4, Tangier, North Africa. To Harding headquarters, Washington. Carl Dietrich and his secretary Nina Campo left here by plane 1500 tangier time. According to passports, their destination is New York. Investigation shows Dietrich's departure was hasty and unexpected. It followed an overseas phone call with New York. That is all. That tip you passed along the grapevine to Eric Wolf in New York? Woods are, Dave? Looks that way, Peter. He certainly pegged Wolf for the jittery type. He smells trouble and right away he sends a Papa Dietrich. That was a smart step not to pull Wolf into questioning. Well, Wolf's only a small cog in Dietrich said a Peter. He's just the man who ships the supplies to the Marshall Plan countries. You want the big boys, Dietrich? Yes. It's Dietrich who engineers the trick of getting such war potential items as oil, steel and chemicals trans shipped to his customers and nations outside the Marshall Plan. Well, it looks like we'll be able to reel in the big space now. Yeah, as long as Dietrich was operating from his Tangier headquarters, he was out of our reach. Now all we have to do is nail him when he steps off the plane in New York. Well, I'm not having Dietrich picked up Peter yet. Dietrich's a shrewd operator. We need direct evidence against him. So we go to New York. Here. That's right, Peters. We go to New York. And we stand by until Dietrich and Wolf give us the evidence we want. Day 12 to Mr. Harding. New York field office. Go ahead. J12 Diedrich and Secretary Nina Campo. Registered at Hotel Tremont Suites 1803 and 1804. Eric Wolf was waiting for them in lobby. The three have just entered Dietrich suite. That is all. Walt, you join us in the drink, huh? No. No, thank you, Mr. Dietrich. You Nina? Usually. The usual, Mr. Dietrich. Mr. Dietrich. The grand jury convenes at the end of the week. Yes, well, I know. How can you be so calm? I have a calm nature. I won't have a chance. My books will. They'll expose everything. I'll be finished. Something's got to be done. You've got to finish. Save me, Mr. Beining. Here's your drinking, man. Thank you, mister. Be well. Don't you realize I have as much to lose as you have? More. You think I ran the risk of coming here? Just for pleasure. I have millions of split. But if our account books are taken before the grand jury. Let me worry about those books. Ah, that should be Grass. The gentleman I'm expecting. Need I let him enter? Mr. Dietrich. And Nina. Here's Mr. Dietrich. Keep that door to the foyer closed in case it is not dry. Certainly. Hello, Nina. Welcome in. Why are you dressed in overalls? It was Dietrich's idea. Precautioned. I'm posing at the hotel utility man. I need to beat you to the other room. Waiting for you. And you, Nina. This will give you an idea. Call Nina, darling, you shouldn't be chanted like this. Yes, how long do I have to go on working for Beatrice? No, you took the job with D. Trixel. You'd have inside information on anything especially good. But what's wrong with these knowing about us? Then Dietrich wouldn't trust you. If we're going to get what we want, he must have complete faith in you. Mina, darling, I promise you, after this deal, you'll have enough money to be free of Dietrich forever. Now help me with these overalls. I better get inside. Oh, Grass, the man want you to meet Mr. Wolf. Mr. Grot. Mr. Wolf. How do you do? A pleasure. Well, if my old friend Grass going to attend to your account books, he's going to destroy them. What? Destroy them? Why don't you give us away? You said so yourself. I believe you have a supply of kerosene oil on hand in your warehouse. Yes, for export next week. That kerosene is not going to be exported. Not your warehouse is going up in smoke. I had Gratz come up from Argentina especially for the assignment. Gratz specializes in fires. You're right. Stark was my masterpiece. Tomorrow morning, Wolf Gratz will visit you at your warehouse. He will pull as an insurance inspector. You will show me through the building and I will select the best way to approach the public. Good evening. After night, Wolf, your warehouse will be destroyed. An unfortunate accident. But Mr. Dietrich, what if they find out it isn't an accident, Wolf, I. Hans Gratz, I'm a perfectionist. When I create an accidental fire, believe me, it's accidental. Peters in Patrol Car 3, the Harding, New York field office. Go ahead, Peters. Wolf just came out of the Hotel Tremont. They visited Dietrich for an hour. All right, Peters, have J12 keep on Wolf's trail. Gotcha. Also tell J9 to stick close to Dietrich when an if he leaves the hotel. And one more thing, Peter. Assign a man to shadow Dietrich's secretary. I'm curious to see where Nina Campbell fits into this picture. Scott. I waited for you this afternoon at your hotel. What happened? My work at Wilkes, where half took longer than I expected. I was going to call you here at your hotel, but I didn't want to take a chance with Beatrix around. It'll be coming out of the living room in a minute at least. I want to know something. Anything. Darling, you said last night that after this year we'd be free of him. He will, I promise. But he's doing the only 5,000. Darling, that's not enough money for us to get away and live. I have a plan, Nina. A plan that will build that 5,000 into 100,000. Oh, hello, Mr. Dietrich. Sorry to keep your weddings on. Did Ms. Campbell keep you entertained? I'm afraid I'm dull company, Mr. Dietrich. I don't think Gratz thinks so, do you, Gratz? This camper is always present to be less than I would say. Well, Gratz, how did your inspection job go? Excellent. Excellent. I'm going back to the warehouse tonight to prepare for tomorrow evening. And Wolf understands what his part is to be perfectly. I don't want any mistakes. Grass, Mr. Dietrich. There'll be no mistakes. Tomorrow night. Everything will go according to plan. The radio telephone with a report for you. Good. This is Harding. Relay J12 in on circuit five. J12, patrol car four reporting to Harding. Go ahead, J12. Wolf left his apartment at 9pm and drove around town for 50 minutes. He just parked his car outside his warehouse. He's been sitting there about. Wait a second. What is it? He got out of his car. Now he's opening the warehouse door and going in. Sam, Patrick 12. Don't follow him in. I don't want to scare him. Peters and I are on our way down. This may be it. Peters? You think Wolf's going into his warehouse for his records? Dave? That's the way I expected him to react. If he does take those books out, he may deliver them. Dietrich, let's go. Crack. Crack. Over here, Wolf. Near the rear door. Your three minutes sleep, Wolf. I waited outside a little first. You told me to make sure I wasn't seen coming in here. Is everything ready? Of course. Amazing how simply Mr. Dietrich solves such difficult problems. I thought I'd never get out of this difficulty. But soon my worries will be over. Yes, Mr. Dietrich is a remarkable gentleman. Hadn't we better get over to the kerosene drums so you can start? Fire will start right here with this pile of excelsior. But the kerosene at the other end of the building near the office where the account books are. Perhaps we can't take a chance. The fireman may get here and put the file out before it gets that far. I told you, Wolf, I'm a perfectionist. Nothing can save this warehouse once I put a match to the sexual. How can you be sure? How can you? My dear Wolf, there are secrets to every trade. For example, look over there on the floor behind you. What do you mean? I don't see anything to take you out. As you said before, Wolf, soon all your worries will be over. You were right. You and all your worries are going up in smoke. Back to Counter Spy in just a moment. But first, Pepsi Colon kitchen pots and fruitful glasses. That's a lot, lot more value, lot more zest. Why take less when you more and more among fellows and girls, among mothers and dads. You hear that sane and sensible question? Why take less when Pepsi is best? No budget, no allowance. Ever had a better friend than tangy sparkling Pepsi Cola. Because one big 12 ounce Pepsi bottle gives you two delicious drinks that's twice as much tangy taste, Twice as much delicious Pepsi to go just twice as far. That's why more and more families say why take less when Pepsi is best? Yes, families like yours and mine, families all over America, they're all saying why take less when Pepsi's best? Pepsi Cola gets the spot. Tastes terrific when you're hot More and better than the rest. Why take less when Pepsi's best? Today, tomorrow always get America's biggest toll of value. Take home a carton of six big Pepsi bottles. Insist on Pepsi at the store and say Pepsi. At the fountain, say Pepsi. At the stand, say Pepsi. Whenever you reach for refreshment, remember, why take less when Pepsi's best? And now back to Counter Spy. The street before the Wolf warehouse is a black mass of people as three fire companies despite the towering flames back of the fire lines, David Harding in a Counter Spy patrol car with his assistant Harry Peters is receiving a report from another agent. I was waiting outside the warehouse for Wolf as you ordered. About five minutes after he had entered, I saw the flames. I tried to get in there to save Wolf, but no go. You better get those burns on your hands. Attendance to Edwards. Right, chief. I don't get it. Wolf walks into that warehouse and five minutes later it goes up like a matchbox. It's got the fire marshal puzzle to be that warehouse was equipped with every fire prevention device, including a sprinkler system. The only angle I can see is that Wolf became panicky he was afraid we were getting too close. So he decided to get rid of his books by faking an accidental fire. But he was trapped in a warehouse. You go wrong with me. Well, that's a possibility, Peter. But there's also a possibility that Wolf got out by a rear exit. We should have had an agent at that rear record. Yes, but Dave, you agree with me about the books? Yes, Peter. But I'm holding off any other speculation until we get a laboratory analysis of that fire. Nina. Come in, darling. I can only stay a minute, girl. I told Dietrich I was going for a short walk. He said you told him everything went according to plan. Almost. Dietrich said it was perfect. It was Mina for us, but not for Dietrich. I don't understand you. I told you, I'm going to build that $5,000 into a hundred thousand. Remember in that fire tonight, Dietrich got only one of the two things he wanted. Wolf's back. Unfortunately, the second thing. The account books. They were not burned in the flames. What do you mean? I removed the account books from the warehouse. They are now right here in my closet. It would have been a crime to destroy them for only $5,000. After all, Nina, such valuable document really a crime. Don't you agree, darling? Yes. Yes. Peter could do anything to get his hands on those books, wouldn't he? A hundred thousand will be enough. He mustn't be pissed. Oh, that. You're wonderful, Nina. I can hardly wait to see Carl Dietrich's face when I tell him the price is $100,000. $100,000? And well worth the price, Dietrich, don't you think? $100,000. Whack me. And to think I once costed you gra. We all make mistakes, Diedrich. Some are more expensive mistakes than others. Yours will cost you $100,000. And what if I don't pay? How can you afford not to pay? An illicit trading business is worth millions of dollars to you. Why should you jeopardize it for a paltry hundred thousand? The grand jury meets Friday, Dipzik. I shall give you until Thursday to deliver the money. I got your message to get over here to the field office right away. Dave, what's up? The laboratory analysis on that fire is ready for us, Peter. First, that warehouse was set ablaze by probably the cleverest arsonist in the business. Oh. Next, the flames spread quickly because of oil in the warehouse at Black Smoke. We guessed that last night. Yeah, but here's something we didn't guess. Our chemists found globules of kerosene Oil in the sprinkler system, pipes and valves. Sprinkler system was apparently loaded with kerosene instead of water. As the lab reconstructed, the arsonist started a small fire in the rear of the warehouse. The heat opened the sprinkler valves and the kerosene took care of the rest. That's right. A real professional job. Now, about Wolf. Traces of human bone were found in the ruins. There's no doubt Wolf died in that fire. As a good possibility he was murdered, yes. Might have been convenient for Dietrich to get Wolf out of the way. Very convenient. Diedrich would be burning two birds with one match. We can't pick Dietrich up on that rat. She. According to our reports, he was in his hotel room all evening. As I know. But there's another J12 reporting, sir. Go ahead, J12. Nina Campbell left her room at the Tremont Hotel. She's now visiting room 907 at the Hotel Sergeant. Okay, J12. Let me have a full report when Nina Campo returns for the sergeant. All right. Nina Campo, Hotel sergeant. What's that about this Dietrich secretary, Nina Campbell, left her hotel last night. Peters, think. Maybe she's the one who put the torch to the warehouse? No. Nina Campbell walked out of her Hotel at 11. Almost an hour after the fire began. Where'd you go? The same place where she is now. Room 907 in the hotel sergeant. And, Peter, the occupant of 907 is a man named Gratz. Gratz? A checkup shows he arrived in New York Sunday on a plane from Argentina. And maybe Gratz is the firebug. It could be. There's more. Day 12 got into the room next to his. He overheard Nino Campo and Gratz making arrangements to meet there this afternoon. Again. Oh, too bad we haven't got a detective phone in there. We have. I had it installed this morning. Oh, I might have known. Peters, I'm very anxious to hear the recording of the conversation between Grafton, Nina Campo. There's no telling what interesting things those two are saying to each other. What did Dietrich say? Nina? You'll get the money tomorrow. Glass. That's very sensible of Dietrich. No, it's wonderful. See him squirm, grass. Are the books still in that closet? Yes, of course. Why? Well, they mean so much to us. I was concerned about your leaving them here. They're perfectly safe, Nina. You could never tell, Nina. Except myself. Only one person knows where those books are. And I can trust you, can't I? Of course, darling. Always. Well, Peter, Dave, this record winds it up for us. Not Quite, aren't you, Evans? Have a sign? Yes. When I'm sure the people like Gratz and Dietrich get what they deserve. The electric chair. Then what's next? What's up to Gratz and the way he feels about Nina Campbell? What do you mean? Well, something Grapp said to Ms. Campbell. He said, and I can trust you, can't I, Peters? I have an idea that Grapp's faith in this Campo is going to be sadly twisted. Come in. Gart, You haven't brought the books with you guys? I have the money ready. But you were to bring the book. I brought this instead. What do you expect to accomplish with a gun? Hold me up. Talk about it in the other room. Move along. Very well. Stand right. There's Nina Temple. Why? Where is she? In the next room. Tell her to come in here. What is she to do with it? Dietrich, this gun can do ugly damage. Tell Nina Campo to come in here. Nina, come in here. Please. Not away. Now really, Gratz, what is this all about? As if you didn't know. I was taken aback by Grox's gun, too. Nina. I don't understand. Grox. You can suffer from both of you. Mr. Dieter with gruff Nina. You really had me fooled. Every minute you spent with Nina for him. Gato, I don't know what you're talking about. You are just using me all the time. I don't understand. Where are they, Nina? Dave. The books. Ropes. Account books. The ones you stole from the closet in my hotel room. I didn't get. You must believe me. I didn't. A nice scheme. Using me to keep tabs on me. Very clever. Believe me, I didn't steal those bits. You were the only one who knew where they were. And that's why you were so worried yesterday. You were afraid I'd hidden them somewhere else. No. And when I was old, this morning you came into my room. That's not true. Ask Mr. Dietrich. Tell him, Mr. Dietrich. Tell him. I haven't left here all day. But you know you did. That's a lie. You know I haven't started here. Tell him the truth. Mr. Dietrich, meanwhile, left the hotel this morning and was gone for an hour. What a pity, Pittwick. It's a pity for both of you to lose me. Glass, I have nothing to do with this. It's all quite new to me. Evidently, Nina has played us both for fools. One word, be quicker. You're both going to die. White. Glass. Don't shoot. Oh, I'm not going to shoot. I'm a perpetualist, remember? Ideal in fire. Dietrich. You and me now will have the same accident which disposed of Wolf. See this? Metal tube and incendiary. All I do is release the cap. Then lock the store from the outside. In no time at all, it will be over for you two. Stop that gunpowder. Never. Get his gun. Peter. Beside that chair. Peter gave the killer. Thank heaven you arrived. Whoever you are, Dietrich, I don't think you'll like who we are. What? This is David Harding, Chief of the United States Counterspies. Those account books of Wolf. They're in the counterspy New York seal office. Ready for presentation to the federal grand jury in the morning. What? Yes. Glad we got them out of your room. Not Mina Campo. I had an idea that their sudden absence would provide the evidence I wanted. And it did. Evidence Grant that will finish both your career and Dietrich in the electric chair. When your friends drop in, be generous, but be thrifty too. Serve plenty of delicious Pepsi Cola. Pepsi's big 12 ounce bottle gives you not just one sparkling glass bowl, but two. Get a carton of six and serve 12 delicious drinks. Yes, Pepsi is America's biggest cola value. You get twice the tangy taste, twice the refreshment, twice the Pepsi. So why take less when Pepsi's best? Whenever you reach for refreshment, remember, press the cola, hit the spots. Who's more glasses. Rest Cola.
B
Lots more.
A
Better, lots more. Tune in every Tuesday and Thursday. Same time, same station through Counter Spy. Listen on Thursday for the exciting Counter Spy case of the courageous. Come on. Our counter Spy case on Thursday is one of the most unusual we've yet presented. In this case, you will meet the girl who was good at being bad until she saw a blind spot. The promoter who believed the sword was mightier than the pen and used it to escape. And the extraordinary half man who had enough courage for two ordinary men. Be sure to be tuned in on Thursday, day after tomorrow. To date of the courageous. Come on on Counter Spy. Tonight's counterspy program, originated in New York, was directed by Leonard L. Bass. Written by Edward J. Adamson and featured Don McLaughlin and Mandell Kramer. With music by Jesse Crawford. Counterspy is a cemetery Lord production for Pepsi Cola. Enjoy some Pepsi. Ice cold tonight. Looking for a little Hollywood style fun? Check out Ryan Seacrest. 10k ways. Exclusively at Chumba Casino. There's 10 30,000 ways to play get spinning for free@chumbacasino.com no purchase necessary. VGW Group Void.
B
We're prohibited by law.
A
CTS and C is 21 sponsored by Chumba Casino.
B
Well, a really fun story. And kudos to Phillips Lord for having a reasonable counterintelligence reason for them to investigate. Because certainly the illegal shipping of potential war supplies would be a job for Counterspy, even if the typical arson case would not. And of course this was not a typical arson. This was big. Very, very big. And I loved it for that, even though it would probably not be a plausible arson method. For one thing, if you're looking at a wet pipe sprinkler system, it was either connected to a dedicated water source or to city water. Regardless, you would probably need a truck for all the kerosene, hundreds of gallons of kerosene to replace the water supply, if not thousands. And that's before you even get into whether it would work like Counterspy says. But it is nice to imagine and you don't need to worry about an effects budget on radio Listener Comments and feedback now. And we have a comment from Lawrence coming via email regarding the second part of the Cold Blooded Professor. Hi Adam, just wanted to mention that the character of Professor Emory Horn was probably the most despicable villain that I've ever heard on old time Radio. I was more than happy to see him get his comeuppance in part two of this story. Continued success. Well, thanks so much. We have run into some really despicable people over the years through all the various podcasts that we've done. Whether talking about Superman, Wright detectives, what have you, or you can think about even some of the villains we've had, like Atea in the Tarzan series on Tuesdays on the Great Adventurers. I do think there's something in Ralph Bell's performance that makes it stand out. It's almost as if he doesn't play Horn like a pulp villain and instead has a bit more grass grounded and dare I say, realistic feeling that makes it feel extra sadistic and cruel. And I do think that with a title like the Cold Blooded professor, that's what they were going for. Then on a completely different note regarding part one, random Spotify user writes true story or not, this is such a great episode to think about. A disguise so far in advance is such a great idea. I'm taking notes now in case I turn to a life of crime. Well, I will say as a disclosure, I think it's safe to say that Professor Horn did kinda choose to do things the hard way. Alright, well thanks so much. Appreciate the comment. Now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the day and I want to thank Tony Patreon supporter Since March of 2023, currently supporting the podcast at the Secret agent level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support Tony and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. On the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio will return on Monday with the Saint and on Tuesday Great Adventurers returns with a special. And of course we'll be back on Saturday with CounterSpy. In the meantime, do send your comments to box13@greatdetives.net From Boise, Idaho, this is your host Adam Graham signing off.
A
The next time you're at the checkout register look for the balloon because a donation to Children's Miracle Network has the power to change lives. Children's miracle network supports 170 children's hospitals across the United States and Canada. These non profit hospitals provide provide care for all kids from routine checkups to life changing treatments. So look for the balloon and make a big change for a kid near you. Learn more@cmn.org whether it's help with hormone therapy, weight management or sexual health, every woman should have access to affordable prescription medication and personalized care that understands the whole woman. Join me Dr. Doug Lucas, clinical Lead of Hormone Optimization and longevity at LifeMD. Along with other leading experts on the podcast. Here's something good on women's health and longevity. To learn more, go to lifemd.com iheart hey guys, it is Ryan. For years, Chum has been setting the bar for online social casino fun and it just keeps getting better. With new games released every week and daily bonuses to collect, the fun never stops. So claim your welcome bonus now@chumbacasino.com.
B
no purchase necessary.
A
BGW Group Boy, we're prohibited by law. See terms and conditions 21+.
Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Episode: Counterspy: The Arrogant Arsonist (A0108)
Host: Adam Graham
Date: July 25, 2026
This episode of Counterspy delves into an intricate international conspiracy involving a notorious arsonist, illicit trading, and wartime profiteering. As the titular “arrogant arsonist” travels from Berlin to Tangier and finally New York, it becomes clear that setting fires is just one facet of a much larger criminal apparatus. David Harding and his team at Counterspy must unravel a web of intrigue, track a lethal firebug, and bring down a transnational crime syndicate risking American security.
Scientific Analysis: The Counterspy lab reveals that the arsonist replaced the warehouse sprinkler water with kerosene, ensuring a catastrophic fire—an expert, if unlikely, feat.
Analysis:
“Warehouse was set ablaze by probably the cleverest arsonist in the business… Sprinkler system was apparently loaded with kerosene instead of water.” – Harding (26:40)
Surveillance: Agents eavesdrop on Gratz and Nina, confirming their plot and using the theft of the books as a trap to incriminate all parties.
Host Insight:
Adam Graham reflects on the plausibility of the arson method and applauds the show for integrating genuine counterintelligence stakes, not just routine arson.
“A really fun story. Kudos to Phillips Lord for having a reasonable counterintelligence reason for them to investigate… even though it would probably not be a plausible arson method.” – Adam Graham (31:43)
He also reads listener comments:
Graham thanks Patreon supporter Tony and wraps with gratitude for the show's audience.
The episode maintains a tense, dramatic tone consistent with classic radio detective stories, blending international intrigue, personal betrayal, and methodical detective work. The interplay between the criminal masterminds and Counterspy agents provides satisfying twists, and Adam Graham's warm, knowledgeable commentary grounds the episode in both historical and genre context, engaging fans of old-time radio mysteries.
For more episodes and classics, visit: greatdetectives.net