Counterspy: The Case of the Illegal Radio Station (A0070)

Summary

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Podcast Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Counterspy: The Case of the Illegal Radio Station (A0070)
Host: Adam Graham
Original Air Date (Drama): March 1, 1943
Podcast Release Date: March 14, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode features the Golden Age radio drama Counterspy in the thrilling episode “The Case of the Illegal Radio Station.” The story revolves around espionage, stolen military secrets, and a cunning enemy spy ring working within the United States during World War II. Counterspy David Harding is tasked with unraveling the murder of an Army courier and uncovering the clandestine operation of an illegal radio broadcast intended for Berlin. A central twist reveals a trusted ally may in fact be the very mastermind behind the deadly plot.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Mission and the Murder

• Lt. John O’Brien is tasked with secretly transporting vital military documents concerning West Coast artillery. (03:00)
• O’Brien is warned to be discreet, traveling by train and not attracting attention.
• While en route to San Francisco, the train is delayed by a storm; the lights are cut, chaos ensues, and O’Brien is murdered—thrown from the train and left by the tracks, with signs pointing to a highly organized crime. (06:37)
• Investigation reveals the assailant escaped in a waiting car, suggesting military-level planning. (07:15)

“This job has all the earmarks of a high class, sophisticated plot, Davis.” – David Harding (08:08)

2. Recruiting an Undercover Agent

• Harding seeks someone in high society to assist with undercover surveillance. He consults Lady Ashton, who suggests Norma Braylee, a glamorous French refugee. (09:32)
• Harding secretly recruits Norma for a dangerous mission, hinting at her great courage and insider potential. (11:08)
• Norma is instructed to have untraceable contact with Harding, using public payphones in a coordinated maneuver. (13:16)

“Would you take some risks if you thought you really could be of help against our mutual enemies?” – David Harding (11:27)

“Oh, I’d do everything in the world. Everything is a risk nowadays.” – Norma Braylee (11:33)

3. The Social Web and The Suspect

• Lady Ashton arranges a gathering so Norma can meet Sir Harold Palmer, a suspected spy recently arrived from Canada. (13:50)
• Norma establishes a relationship with Sir Harold under the pretext of social engagements, tailing him through dinners, drives, and theatre outings, all while under discreet surveillance by Harding’s operatives. (16:08)
• Norma’s attempted infiltration leads her to Sir Harold’s hotel, where she steals incriminating documents. (18:28)

4. Clandestine Radio Station and Sting Operation

• As the plans change, Norma is tasked with a late-night rendezvous to eavesdrop on a shortwave radio broadcast from an illegal station operated by enemy agents. (21:41)
• The radio transmission confirms stolen documents have made it to Berlin and reveals plans to intercept revised secret plans—information only Harding and Norma would know. (23:29)
• A raid is executed, capturing the radio operators and implicating Norma’s inner circle. (24:54)

“This short wave set won’t be used anymore tonight or any other night.” – David Harding (24:58)

“They were really captured by your men!” – Norma Braylee (25:17)

5. Breaking the Spy Ring: Final Revelations and the Twist

• The suspects are brought to a secret holding facility described as a private “prison,” emphasizing the seriousness of wartime espionage. (25:50)
• Harding recaps the murder plot, revealing the real orchestrator was the supposed ally: Norma Braylee.
• Sir Harold Palmer is revealed as an operative, but not the ringleader. Harding exposes Norma as the true leader of the spy ring, having fed critical information to the enemy. (29:07)
• The coup de grâce: Harding had anticipated this betrayal, fed Norma false information, and sabotaged her weapon’s bullets.

“While you were stealing the papers, David here was putting blank cartridges in the gun you had in your handbag. Killing comes pretty easy to you, doesn’t it?” – David Harding (29:35)

“You were very unobserving...This very cell was reserved for you. This is the place that you’re going to stay.” – David Harding (30:03)

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Host Commentary & Analysis

Adam Graham returns post-radio drama to provide context and share his critique.

• Graham notes the slightly misleading title—though a radio station is central, the episode’s real focus is espionage and double-cross.
• He highlights the rare “brilliant reversal” in the episode: having the protagonist recruit the very enemy agent he’s seeking. (31:30)
• Harding’s apparent openness about Counterspy methods—such as the elaborate payphone ruse—may have been just for show, suspecting Norma all along.
• Graham admires Harding’s calculated risk: “Just a really masterful move by Harding.” (32:00)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dangerous Social Engineering:

  “I need someone who’s never been connected with counterspying in any way. Someone of courage, insight, sophistication.” – David Harding (11:38)

• Dramatic Turnabout:

  “Ms. Brayley, you are under arrest by the United States government.” – David Harding (29:16) “French refugee. Right from Berlin. You never saw France in your life.” – David Harding (30:24)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Lt. O’Brien’s Mission & Murder: 03:00–07:26
• Norma’s Recruitment & Set-up: 09:32–13:16
• Surveillance and Bugged Social Encounters: 15:08–18:28
• Sting & Radio Broadcast Interception: 21:41–24:54
• Spy Ring Exposed & Norma’s Arrest: 25:50–30:33
• Host Adam Graham’s Commentary: 31:30–35:00

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Tone & Reception

The episode expertly blends suspenseful drama, high-stakes espionage, and a satisfying twist. Listeners are guided through a maze of deception that leads to a standout reversal—subverting expectations of who the true villain is. Graham’s commentary is insightful, enthusiastic, and appreciative of the writing’s craft, particularly praising how the story’s structure and Harding’s character outsmart both the spies and the audience.

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Listener Comments (Selected)

• Mechanic66 (Spotify): Calls out witty wartime writing and notes on the depiction of weather and regulations.
• Harrison (Spotify): Humorously complains about period character naming and notes parallels to passive Netflix viewing habits.
• Alan & Reinzer (YouTube): Enjoy the spy gadgets and “super secret” Counterspy headquarters.
• Mark: Recommends the movie The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming as an entertaining tie-in.

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Final Thoughts

The Case of the Illegal Radio Station is a standout “Counterspy” entry on The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, notable for its clever plot, wartime tension, and the uncommon twist of the mole within. Adam Graham’s host segment enriches the experience for longtime and new listeners alike.

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Transcript

[David Harding]

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the great adventures of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we are going to bring you this week's episode of Counterspot. But first, I do want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, to follow us using your favorite podcast software and our listener support and appreciation campaign continues. You can become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.greatdetives.net but now, from March 1, 1943, here is the case of the illegal radio station.

[David Harding]

Washington calling Counterspy.

[Adam Graham]

Foreign.

[David Harding]

Washington calling Counter spy. Harding counterspy calling Washington. Harding counterspy calling Washington. The blue network presents philip h. Lord's counter spy. Germany has its Gestapo, Italy at Dobra and Japan its Black Dragon. But matched against all of these secret enemy agents are on Uncle Sam's highly trained counter spies. Visualized ace counterspy of them all as David Harding. In Washington, Brigadier General Whitcomb sat in his private office at a large oak desk. Standing in front of him was First Lieutenant John o'. Brien. Lieutenant o'? Brien. Yes, sir. I have another mission for you. A most important mission. Yes, General. Let's see. You've been my official messenger for seven years, correct? Nine years, sir. Nine years. Well, Lieutenant, you've been most methodical, resourceful and diligent. Thank you, sir. Now, this envelope contains certain very important documents. They concern changing some of our heavy artillery on the West Coast. Carry it inside your uniform. Now, I want you to deliver these to the commander of the San Francisco fortifications. Deliver them right into his own hands and to no other living person. Yes, Sir. Shall I fly, sir? No, I don't want to call attention to your mission in any way. Just quietly get on the train as though you were carrying nothing of any importance. There's a transcontinental train tonight at 10 o'. Clock. Return. Yes, sir, there is. All I've got to do is go back to my hotel room and cancel several engagements I had. Sis. Hello? Hello? Oh, this is Lieutenant o' Brien calling. No, no, I can't take you to the theater tonight.

[Norma Braylee]

No, I am not foolish.

[David Harding]

A new dress. Honestly, I'm awfully sorry, but I've just received instructions to leave for San Francisco. Yes, San Francisco. Well, I'll be back in about a week and then I'll see you. Tickets, please. Oh, here, conductor. Oh, going to San Francisco, Lieutenant? Don't you want to have birds in a sleeper? Got several vacancies? No, thank you. I guess I'll sit up. San Francisco's a long way to ride in the day coach. No, I'm used to it. Is the storm delaying us much? Well, let's see. Actually, midnight now. We're about half an hour late. Thank you. Well, Lieutenant, I hope you don't get.

[Norma Braylee]

What's wrong with the light. Why'd they go out?

[David Harding]

It may have something to do with the storm, madam.

[Norma Braylee]

I'm afraid it's so dark.

[David Harding]

Who you are? Take your hands off me. Have the lights back on in just a minute.

[Norma Braylee]

Connector. Something terrible has happened.

[David Harding]

What happened, madam?

[Norma Braylee]

We h the fight. A glass of breaking.

[David Harding]

Where?

[Norma Braylee]

About three or four seats are front of me. Turn your flashlight upstairs.

[David Harding]

We can't get the lights on. Somebody's cut the wires right there. See why the glass is broken out. And blood.

[Norma Braylee]

That's where the army officer was sitting.

[David Harding]

He must have been thrown out the window. Hold on, everybody. I'm going to pull the emergency. Calling in D8. Calling in Mr. Harding. This is Harding. Go ahead. We located place by tracks where Lieutenant o' Brien's body landed. There was a great deal of blood. We traced footprints from there a hundred yards to the main road. Somebody had a car parked there. There were some treadmarks of car and dirt beside road. Are you making plaster casts of footprints in the car tread? Yes, sir. They'll be ready by morning, sir. Good. Stand by for further instructions. Throwing o' Brien off that train was certainly a carefully planned job, Mr. Harding. Yes, Davis. It was no ordinary job. The only ones who knew about those plans being sent were the higher ups I made. Every move Lieutenant o' Brien made checked carefully. This job has all the earmarks of a high class, sophisticated plot, Davis. I want somebody to do some special work for me who travels in high Washington circles. Couldn't we get one of our own operators into that circle? We could, but I want somebody already there. Some prominent person who wouldn't be suspected of working with us. I'm going to talk to Lady Ashton. She's helped you before. She's a social leader and she can be trusted. Lady Ashton, I need a woman who's fairly young, beautiful, sophisticated, worldly, who travels in Washington's higher social.

[Norma Braylee]

I see.

[David Harding]

Have you anyone specially in mind?

[Norma Braylee]

Mr. Hardy?

[David Harding]

Yes. Norma Braylee. She's a French refugee. She's invited everywhere. She's continental and very beautiful. You're. You're sure this is all business, Mr. Harding? She is attractive, but if Miss Braley would be willing to work with me and follow my instructions, she could be of great help. And you wish me to give a dinner so that you may meet her? Well, in Washington. Here, Lady Ashton, I'm often watched very carefully. I'd like to have the meeting appear to be a chance one.

[Norma Braylee]

How about dinner Friday?

[David Harding]

I see that you meet Miss Bradley socially, then. That'd be fine, Lady Ashton. I'll be there.

[Norma Braylee]

Yes, but you must have some opinions on how the war is going, Mr. Harding.

[David Harding]

I know how it's going to go, Miss Br. Walk over to the other side of the room for a minute.

[Norma Braylee]

Yes, certainly. You know, I think Lady Ashton gives the most entertaining evening of any hostess in Washington.

[David Harding]

She's a very charming person, Miss Braylee.

[Norma Braylee]

Yes.

[David Harding]

I don't want to be seen talking to you too long, so I'll come right to the point.

[Norma Braylee]

You sound Very serious, Mr. Harding.

[David Harding]

You're a French refugee, Ms. Braley. You fled Paris just before it fell. Your entire family is still there.

[Norma Braylee]

Well, how did you know that?

[David Harding]

More. More people are investigated nowadays than they think. I'm Miss Braley.

[Norma Braylee]

Right.

[David Harding]

Would you take some risks if you thought you really could be of help against our mutual enemies?

[Norma Braylee]

Oh, I'd do everything in the world. Everything is a risk nowadays.

[David Harding]

I need someone who travels in Washington's best society. I need someone who's never been connected with counterspying in any way. Someone of courage, insights, sophistication.

[Norma Braylee]

You mean me?

[David Harding]

Yes. On a very hard and difficult case. Right now I need someone just like you. In fact, you.

[Norma Braylee]

But I. I don't think I'm qualified for such an important undertaking, Mr. Harding. I. I've never had any training.

[David Harding]

You won't need any, Miss Brady. You'll do exactly As I tell you,

[Norma Braylee]

if you really think I can help very definitely. Then I'll do anything you ask. It's the least I can do.

[David Harding]

You will be in danger. The ring I refer to has just murdered one army officer.

[Norma Braylee]

I'm not easily frightened, Mr. Harding. I went through a good deal before I escaped to the United States.

[David Harding]

Then it's agreed. Now, I believe something very important is going to break later tonight. Now, any calls I make to you must be made in such a way that they can't be traced. Tomorrow morning at 10:30, go to the Far Endless Drugstore on Maple Street. There are three telephone booths there. Go into the middle booth. Make several telephone calls so you can hold the booth so no one else will be using the phone. Now hang up the receiver at exactly 11:30. Now I have that phone number. I'll do the same thing on the other end of town so that my call to you will be from one telephone booth to another so the call can't be traced.

[Norma Braylee]

I'll be there, Mr. Harding. Right to the second.

[David Harding]

And be sure. And don't call me by name over the phone. Hello. How are you?

[Norma Braylee]

I'm in a telephone booth by appointment for a call at exactly 11:30.

[David Harding]

Good. Now listen carefully. Sir Harold Palmer arrived late last night in Washington from Ontario, Canada. We've been watching him up there for over three months. He's not really of the nobility. We believe his credentials are false, but we've not been able to make sure. Yes, this is the first time that Sir Harold has left Canada and it's so close to that event which happened on a train four nights ago. We believe there may be some connection. I've arranged for Lady Action to give a ball on this coming Wednesday evening. Somehow it will be arranged so Sir Herald will be there. I want you to meet Sir Harold Palmer at that ball. Lady Ashton will introduce you to him. Flattering. Get to know him.

[Norma Braylee]

I'll do my best.

[David Harding]

You have a small automatic one you can carry in your purse? Yes. Keep it with you at all times. That's all for now.

[Norma Braylee]

Sir Harold. We're so delighted you came this evening.

[David Harding]

Very kind of you to invite me, Lady Ashton. I. I just come down from Canada. I'm really quite a stranger. Morten.

[Norma Braylee]

Mr. Harold. I want you to meet a guest of mine. It's really.

[David Harding]

Oh, how do you do, Miss Whaley?

[Norma Braylee]

Good evening, Sir Harold.

[David Harding]

I. I've been admiring Ms. Whaley all evening, hoping I might have the opportunity of meeting her there. Norma.

[Norma Braylee]

Men gave up saying things like that to me years Ago. Oh no, they didn't. Lady Ashton.

[David Harding]

Will you dance this one with me, Ms. Waley?

[Norma Braylee]

I'd love to. Admiring your branching.

[David Harding]

V8 reporting. The gentleman in question and lady spent the evening at the theater. Later attended Press club and he has just now taken her home late. Operator 7 is made on his floor at hotel. That is all. G8 reporting. Gentleman in question and lady went for a drive out of Washington. Stopped at Mayflower club on Highway 3 for dinner and dancing and just returned to Washington. If gentleman orders theater tickets for play opening Friday, she gets two aim seats in fourth row, center aisle. That is all. D8 reporting. Operator six followed couple in question this morning she went shopping and he accompanied her. Overheard conversation indicating they are planning to meet this evening in his hotel room.

[Norma Braylee]

You know, Sir Harold, it is rather unusual in this country for a young woman to go up to the hotel room with a man unless they're engaged or something. Is that so?

[David Harding]

Very interesting. Well, continuing, we had our in our home we many years. What I should call as fine a collection of cat art as he is outside of a museum. He very seldom went out of the museum. Paintings are so beautiful. Landscaping of all kinds.

[Norma Braylee]

Yes, I see.

[David Harding]

Am I boring you with this long dissertation on art material?

[Norma Braylee]

It was just a question.

[David Harding]

Did you yawn?

[Norma Braylee]

Oh, no. Oh, almost certainly not. Continue. Tell me more about these oil paintings in Dorchester.

[David Harding]

You shouldn't have come here. I'm coming.

[Norma Braylee]

I'm sorry, Mr. Harding, but I didn't

[Adam Graham]

know what to do.

[David Harding]

I know, but it's 2 o' clock in the morning. Norma. Come up to my hotel room and support those who might be watching me. Wise to the fact that you're working with me.

[Norma Braylee]

But something terribly important has happened, Mr. Harding.

[David Harding]

What?

[Norma Braylee]

Well, Sir Harold kept talking and talking about art so late that I asked him to order some food. And when he went into the adjoining room to telephone room service, I had a chance to look in several drawers and I found these papers.

[David Harding]

Let me see them.

[Norma Braylee]

I had this little gun with me in my bag. But no woman would ever have to show it to Sir Harold. Here.

[David Harding]

Have you looked at these?

[Norma Braylee]

Yes. They're reports and they state very clearly they concern confidential information between the United States and Canada.

[David Harding]

Yes, and this one even goes so far as to mention certain fortifications.

[Norma Braylee]

Well then it's is the information you want?

[David Harding]

Not the exact information, but it very definitely shows Sir Harold is working against the interests of the United States and Canada. But you should not have come here, Norma. In fact, you shouldn't have taken these papers.

[Norma Braylee]

Yes, but why? Now you've got proof against your Harold.

[David Harding]

Yes, but he'll miss these papers and he'll know you've tricked him and disappear.

[Norma Braylee]

Then I haven't helped?

[David Harding]

Oh, yes. Yes, you've helped.

[Norma Braylee]

You suppose that someone who saw me come up here to your room had I caused you more trouble.

[David Harding]

Unless I miss my guess, this is a report that Sir Harold has already left. Hello. G8 reporting. Sir Harold has checked out of hotel. Has ordered car from nearest garage. Shall I replace your first? No, too dangerous at this point. Drop his trail. Tell operator 37 to pick it up. Yes, sir.

[Norma Braylee]

I never felt so badly in my life, Mr. Harding. I feel that I've bungled the whole thing.

[David Harding]

Don't feel that way, Nona. You just accomplished so much more than I expected. I wasn't ready for it.

[Norma Braylee]

You're not just saying that?

[David Harding]

No, I mean it.

[Norma Braylee]

Somehow I'd rather hear you say something like that than anyone else.

[David Harding]

Now, of course, the artillery plans which were stolen from Lieutenant o' Brien have already been changed. Changed? A new set of plans is being sent to California Saturday night by plane. We'll wait and see if the Gestapo makes an attempt to get those new plans. Saturday night.

[Norma Braylee]

I see. But what can I do, Mr. Harding?

[David Harding]

Tomorrow night, dress very simply. Take the bus, the Maryland bus, to the end of the line. Get off there and wait for me. Things have taken a pretty serious turn. Tomorrow night should tell us a lot,

[Norma Braylee]

Mr. Harding. Can you tell me now where we're going?

[David Harding]

To a little farmhouse about 10 miles further down the road.

[Norma Braylee]

Well, why are we going there?

[David Harding]

We have a short wave listening set there. There's nothing near the farmhouse. The reception is excellent.

[Norma Braylee]

And you still think I can be of help?

[David Harding]

Very definitely. But I can't tell how until we hear this short wave broadcast tonight. See, every Tuesday and Saturday night from 1:15 to 1:30 in the morning, there's a short wave wave broadcast by a bootleg station to Germany. We've been listening in on it for several weeks.

[Norma Braylee]

But who's doing the broadcasting?

[David Harding]

Gestapo agents. In fact, we'll both listen in tonight.

[Norma Braylee]

Oh, never seems so much electrical equipment, Mr. Harding.

[David Harding]

Now, you sit down here beside me.

[Adam Graham]

Normal.

[David Harding]

Now, take these earphones. I'm calling another short wave station of our own. One of my men's operating it. 42B. 42B. Come in on 24.5 megacycles. Come in. Your signal is weak, but I can get it. Come in. Proceed according to schedule. That will be 3 minutes and 20 seconds. Then meet me at appointments. You get it exactly 3 minutes 10 seconds and we'll contact. That is all.

[Norma Braylee]

Was that a short way station in another farmhouse?

[David Harding]

No, with a portable sending and receiving set in a car. That's why I didn't have too much power. Now you don't understand German, do you know?

[Norma Braylee]

No, I don't.

[David Harding]

Then I'll interpret for you. Broadcast we should be picking up right now. Now take these earphones. Making contact. You'll hear him in a minute.

[Norma Braylee]

And this radio station you're hearing is operating illegally in direct contact with Berlin.

[David Harding]

Yes, but we've got it spotted. He's just saying he's got some real news tonight. Talking about the west coast fortification papers that were stolen from it. Telling Berlin that the Gestapo had the papers. But the question is how to get them out of the country. Now he's saying revised plans are to be sent to the west coast this Saturday night.

[Norma Braylee]

Who are you?

[David Harding]

Get out of here. You make a move, I'll shoot. The United States counter spy. Now get your hands up. Move away from that broadcasting microphone.

[Norma Braylee]

They're in captish.

[David Harding]

But this is just an amateur sending, sir.

[Adam Graham]

Oh yeah.

[David Harding]

Put the cups on him, Frank. We've already got the cups on your three pals. The two downstairs and one in the other room. Take him out, boys. Remember, these four are the ones who murdered Lieutenant o'. Brien. This short wave set won't be used anymore tonight or any other night. Well, Norma, you really heard something that

[Norma Braylee]

time they were really captured by your men.

[David Harding]

They certainly were. Right now they're being taken away so fast they don't know what's happening.

[Norma Braylee]

Yes, but how did it happen just right then?

[David Harding]

That was the message I sent out. The first thing I came into this room. We had everything set. Come on, I want to drive back and face them.

[Norma Braylee]

Where are we going?

[David Harding]

Nowadays we've got a place where we hide people like them away for a while.

[Norma Braylee]

A prison?

[David Harding]

Sort of a private prison with their steel bars and escape proof devices. That's what you mean. After that, it's the firing squad. All these people in these cells, Norma, are agents of the Gestapo or the Japanese. Black Dragon. Let's go into this cell. I'll wait.

[Norma Braylee]

Oh, it's horrible. These prisoners just look at it. You can see in their eyes they. They know they're going to be shot.

[David Harding]

Oh, God. Check and see if a Sir Harold Palmer has been brought in yet. If he has, bring him to this cell. Here, sit down on this card, Norma. We may have quite a little weight.

[Norma Braylee]

Dave, how did you catch your hound?

[David Harding]

We'll let him do the talking when he gets here. Let me tell you something, because something very startling is about to happen. Lieutenant John o' Brien was a confidential messenger for the Army. On his last mission, he was murdered in a train while the lights were out, the window was broken and his body thrown out the. Harold. Be in just a minute, Mr. Harding. Oh, good. Alona, we checked O', Brien, the movement, everything he did. After he received those confidential instructions, o' Brien went back to his hotel room. And the only thing he did besides packing was to put in five telephone calls. Three were called to the army department, one was a call to his mother and one was a call to a girl. We traced that call. It showed in the hotel record. We immediately started investigating that girl. And it gradually showed up that her background wasn't quite what she claimed it to be. In other words, she found out that Lt. O' Brien was a trusted government messenger. She'd become acquainted with him and started seeing a good deal of him. And when he telephoned her on this certain night and said he was going to San Francisco, she knew it must be on important business. And as he was a confidential government messenger, she knew he'd probably have the papers with him. So she passed the word on, gave orders for the two men to board the train and after a little while cut the electric light wires in that car. Murder o', Brien, throw his body off. At a certain prearranged time, two other men in an automobile were waiting and carried his body away because they were afraid he might have important papers on his person.

[Norma Braylee]

Well, were those men who were running the short rail station the ones who murdered Lieutenant o'?

[Adam Graham]

Brien?

[David Harding]

Yes, but they received their instructions from the woman to do it. The woman was the real murderer. Did you send for me, sir? Yes, I believe you know Ms. Brayley. Oh, yes, I. I've had that privilege.

[Norma Braylee]

The Harold Palmer.

[David Harding]

That's right. So, Harold, are you Ms. Bry? What a counter spy to me, George

[Norma Braylee]

Davis, he's a counter spy. Well, he's the Canadian you sent me to watch. He's the one I stole the papers from.

[David Harding]

And a very good job of stealing the new dead too. Ms. Brayley, you are under arrest by the United States government.

[Norma Braylee]

Oh, no, no, no. I'll kill you. I'll kill myself.

[David Harding]

Take it away from her, Davis. Give it a While you were stealing the papers, David here was putting blank cartridges in the gun you had in your handbag. Killing comes pretty easy to you, doesn't it?

[Norma Braylee]

You rat. You smile.

[David Harding]

I wasn't absolutely positive that you were the woman, Ms. Braylee. Till we heard that broadcast tonight. And your spies passed on word about the revised fortification papers being sent to the coast Saturday night. Then I knew that you were the one we wanted. Because that was just a made up story. And you and I were the only two in the whole world who knew it.

[Norma Braylee]

What are you going to do with me?

[David Harding]

You were very unobserving. You should have noticed that. This is the woman section. And half an hour before we arrived, this very cell was reserved for you. This is the place that you're going to stay. Come on, David.

[Norma Braylee]

You can't do this to me. You guys don't have a friend's birthday. Do you understand? I'm afraid French refugee.

[David Harding]

French refugee. Right from Berlin. You never saw France in your life. We checked your family. They live on connection str you called you refuge.

[Norma Braylee]

America is a spiner.

[David Harding]

She's about the most vicious spy we've taken in since the war started. Harding. I have a feeling she's responsible for a lot of important information leaking out David. But one thing certain, he won't get up.

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. The sound quality wasn't the best and the title, which can be confirmed from newspaper reports, is a bit inapt for what this story is about. Certainly there's a radio station involved. Involved, but that's not even the central point of what's happening in the episode. But those are my two complaints. I really found myself impressed with this episode and what is interesting and what happens I think all too rarely is you had a story where the protagonist actions don't make sense. But I love the twist that the lady Harding recruited or seemed to recruit was actually the head of the spy ring. It is such a great reversal and it flips so much that happened in the episode on its head because he did this at the very least strongly suspecting that she was an enemy agent. So we can't actually trust much of what he may have said about the operation of counterspy. Things like calling her from a phone booth in case that gestapo had tapped the line of the head of counterspy may have just been for show, but I really do love this twist of Hardy putting the likely enemy agent by making her his operative. Just a really masterful move by Harding. The listener comments and feedback now. And we have some comments starting with Spotify and we have some comments regarding the case of the gasoline barge. Mechanic 66 says giving out weather conditions is now prohibited, but there was a bad storm tonight. I'm fairly certain a bad storm is a weather condition condition. And that's a good point. And again, I do think that the implementing the ban on forecasting weather about a fictional location at a fictional time was a silly concedent. I guess that's another part of it. Harrison said Bud Bixby and Baxter and Baxter boy couldn't throw in a Mr. Smith or Mr. Morris to make it easier on multitasking modern listeners. I digress. Well, this isn't Mr. Keen, tracer of lost persons or a wartime version, I guess. Mr. Keen's tracer of lost spies. I actually thought of Mr. Keen recently when I heard the news that Matt Damon, I believe, said that filmmakers are being pressured by Netflix to have people repeating the names of characters over and over again for folks who are passively listening to Netflix while they're doing other things. So trends come around. Harrison also added, my favorite bit of comedy was I'm afraid this gas is being obtained by counterfeit coupons, funds to be used to refuel enemy submarines and Harrison quotes. You think it goes that deep? Honestly, that is such a good catch I didn't miss it. All the lines were delivered in a very straightforward way. But that one, that one had to be the writer deciding, yeah, there's a war going on, but I can work In a little joke over on YouTube regarding the loganberry Point Spy, Alan writes a favorite episode of mine. Reinzer writes, operator, get me the super secret headquarters of Counter spy in Washington D.C. i'd read your comment, Reinzer and I couldn't help but think for most of the episode, given how hard Hearty was describing his job in terms of being able to do recruitment, it seems like either he should not be a public face of the agency or if he is going to be the public face, somebody else had better be doing all of the top secret work because being as well known as he apparently is is a bit of a detriment. And finally, Mark writes, try the movie the Russians Are Coming. The Russians Are Coming. Well, thanks so much as always appreciate the recommendations. Well, now it is time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. Thank you to Peter Patreon, supporter since December, currently supporting the podcast at the cadet level of $2 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support Peter and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please post, follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We will be back next Saturday with another episode of counterspy, but join us on the Great Adventurers on Tuesday for Tarzan. And join us back here tomorrow for our final listener support and appreciation special on the Great Detective of Old Time Radio Podcast. In the meantime, do send your comments to box Thirteenreatetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram instagram.com greatdetectives From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, son and all.

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[David Harding]

We've planned for the plot twists, so

[Commercial Announcer]

support is always available because a great trip starts with peace of mind. Are you really buying a car online

[David Harding]

on Autotrader right now?

[Commercial Announcer]

Really?

[David Harding]

At a playground?

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah, really. Look at these listings from dealers. Wow, your search can really get that specific. Really?

[David Harding]

And you just put in your info and boom. Car's in your budget. Mom needs a second.

[Commercial Announcer]

Honey, you can really have it delivered? Really? Or I can pick it up at the dealership.

[David Harding]

One sec, sweetie.

[Commercial Announcer]

Mommy's buying a car.

[David Harding]

Mommy, look. I think your kid is walking up the slide.

[Adam Graham]

Kyle.

[Commercial Announcer]

Again?

[Adam Graham]

Really?

[Commercial Announcer]

Autotrader? Buy your car online? Really? When you manage procurement for multiple facilities, every order matters. But when it's for a hospital system, they matter even more. Grainger gets it and knows there's no time for managing multiple suppliers and no room for shipping delays. That's why Grainger offers millions of products in fast, dependable delivery so you can keep your facility stocked, safe and running smoothly. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.