Ellery Queen: The Armchair Detective (Encore) (EP4681)

Summary

Summary of "Ellery Queen: The Armchair Detective (Encore)" (Episode EP4681)

Introduction

In this encore presentation of "Ellery Queen: The Armchair Detective," hosted by Adam Graham on The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio podcast, listeners are transported back to March 27, 1948. This episode delves into a quintessential Golden Age of Radio mystery, showcasing Ellery Queen's trademark detective acumen as he unravels a cunning plot unfolding within his very own radio program.

Plot Overview

The episode centers around a live radio broadcast where Ellery Queen invites Dr. Monty McKing, a renowned college professor and host of his own radio show, McKing's English, to serve as the guest detective in the armchair detective role. Fifteen minutes before the scheduled airtime, an unexpected twist occurs—Dr. McKing mysteriously collapses, seemingly poisoned, within the studio.

The Murder During the Broadcast

As Ellery Queen and his brother Bud McKee prepare to air the program, Dr. McKing joins them. During the live broadcast, Dr. McKing suddenly exhibits signs of distress, prompting Ellery to announce that he knows the culprit behind the fictional crime being discussed. In a swift move, Ellery and Bud rush to the "armchair detective's room," only to find Dr. McKing dead from what appears to be poisoning.

Clues and Suspicion

Ellery meticulously pieces together the clues:

• The Poisoned Glass: At [12:05], Ellery reveals, “The poison is in that glass of water,” indicating that someone tampered with Dr. McKing’s drink.
• The Missing Poison Container: There is no trace of the poison container on Dr. McKing’s body or in the room, raising suspicions about those present.
• A Mysterious Note: A crucial hint lies in a note found in the rosemary jar of the spice cabinet. Ellery discovers that the note containing grammatical errors was not authored by Dr. McKing, suggesting foul play.

Unraveling the Motive

Through sharp deduction, Ellery identifies Rosemary McKing, Dr. McKing’s wife, as the murderer. The motive stems from Rosemary's desire for financial gain, as Dr. McKing's will left everything to her. To divert suspicion, Rosemary forged a note accusing Elsie Woolen, the secretary, exploiting her position of trust.

Key Highlights and Themes

• Meta-Narrative Elements: The episode cleverly blurs the lines between fiction and reality, with Ellery Queen solving a murder that occurs within the radio show's narrative.
• Language and Miscommunication: Dr. McKing's role as a language expert is pivotal, as his grammatical mistakes in the forged note become the linchpin for solving the mystery.
• Psychological Manipulation: Rosemary's manipulation of the murder scene and evidence showcases her cunning nature and deep-seated greed.

Notable Quotes

• Ellery Queen on Solving the Crime:

  • [12:10] “Solve the murder. Yes, solve the murder.”

• Discovery of the Forged Note:

  • [29:50] “It reveals not one, not two, but three of the commonest errors of usage. Incredible conclusion. Dr. McKing did not write the note.”

• Ellery's Final Accusation:

  • [31:18] “Old Rosemary McKing for the murder of my armchair detective.”

Resolution

Ellery Queen meticulously connects the dots, revealing that Rosemary McKing orchestrated the murder to inherit her husband's wealth. She ingeniously planted the forged note to implicate Elsie Woolen, ensuring that suspicion fell elsewhere. However, Ellery's attention to linguistic details and the inconsistencies in the note's grammar expose Rosemary's deceit, leading to her confession and the resolution of the mystery.

Conclusion

"The Armchair Detective" episode stands out as a masterful blend of intrigue and intellectual puzzle-solving, characteristic of Ellery Queen's detective stories. Through its intricate plot and clever use of linguistic clues, the episode not only entertains but also engages listeners in the art of deduction. Adam Graham's presentation of this classic mystery underscores the enduring appeal of old-time radio detective dramas.

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Note: This summary encapsulates the main narrative and key elements of the "Ellery Queen: The Armchair Detective" episode, providing an engaging overview for those unfamiliar with the original broadcast.

Transcript

[Kristen Bell]

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[Dax Shepard]

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[Kristen Bell]

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[Dax Shepard]

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[Kristen Bell]

Make sure all the kids stuff fits nicely.

[Dax Shepard]

Make sure our stuff fits nicely.

[Ellery Queen]

Oh the right.

[Dax Shepard]

Still need to buy the car ahead of ourselves here.

[Kristen Bell]

Buy your car with Carvana today.

[Adam Graham]

From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. As I'm taking a recording break, please enjoy this special encore presentation. Please note this episode was recorded in 2019, so any offers or information in the episode may not be valid unless they're reflected on the Great detectives [e-mail] now on with our podcast.

[Sheila Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email it to me, box13greatdetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and become one of our friends on Facebook facebook.com RadioDetectives Today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. And I want to thank Carol Ann for becoming our latest Patreon supporter at the psalmist level of $4 or more per month. Thank you so much your support, Carol Ann and you can join her over at patreon.greatdetectives.net yout can also become a one time supporter over at support.greatdetectives.net or by using the Z app. Sending donation to box [e-mail] or by mail to Adam Graham, peelbox 15913 Boise, Idaho 83715. That's Adam Graham, peelbox 15913 boise, Idaho 83715. Our listeners choice countdown continues. Today we're going to bring you the number 18 series and this will be Ellery Queen, which we played back during season six on this episode. The original air date is March 27th of 1948 and this one is the armchair detective.

[Paul Masterson]

Ellery Queen.

[Unknown]

In the interest of a safer American home, a happier American community, a more United States, the American broadcast company and its affiliated stations bring you Hillary Queen.

[Ellery Queen]

I dedicate this program to the fight against crime. Not only crimes of violence and crimes of dishonesty, but also crimes of intolerance, discrimination and bad citizenship. Crimes against America.

[Unknown]

The American broadcasting Company presents another case in the career of Ellery Queen, celebrated fighter of crime. As usual, Ellery invites you to match wits with them as he relates the mystery. And before revealing the solution, he gives you a chance to solve it. Tonight, Ellery's guest, Armchair Detective, who will represent you home Armchair Detectives is the popular Hollywood columnist, Ms. Sheila Graham. And now, Ellery Queen, your host for the next half hour.

[Ellery Queen]

Thank you, Paul Masterson. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. You've heard me investigate crimes in just about every imaginable place. Well, our crime tonight took place in the strangest local of all, right? In my own radio program.

[Unknown]

I call it the Paul Ellery, hold it, will you?

[Ellery Queen]

What's the matter, Paul? What is it?

[Unknown]

Ellery, you can't do this. You'll have to switch. Give us another.

[Paul Masterson]

Why?

[Unknown]

Murder on the Queen Show.

[Ellery Queen]

Are you crazy?

[Unknown]

Scare the bejinkers out of people, Ellery. They'll think it's actually happening in this studio during the broadcast.

[Ellery Queen]

Very good point, Paul. Yes, very good. Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to be sure and keep in mind throughout the next half hour that you're listening to a case from the past, a crime that occurred a long time ago. Satisfied, Paul?

[Unknown]

Thanks, sir.

[Ellery Queen]

It's a case I've always called the Armchair Detective. Veteran Queen fans will recall that in the early days of our radio show, as today, I invited some well known person to come to the studio and sit in the guest detective's armchair. Then, as now, it was usually fun, but on the night I had in mind, things didn't quite go in the usual way that night, about 15 minutes before we were scheduled to go on the air.

[Unknown]

Everybody got the cut?

[Paul Masterson]

I think so.

[Ellery Queen]

Tell how are we on time? We'll have to pick up 15 seconds.

[Paul Masterson]

Hill again.

[Ellery Queen]

All right, coming. Who was it tonight?

[Nikki]

Dr. Money McKing. Who? You know, the college professor who has his own radio show, King's English.

[Elsie Woolen]

Oh.

[Ellery Queen]

Oh, correct. English Crusader.

[Nikki]

That's right.

[Ellery Queen]

Better brush up my grammar after you, Nicky.

[Nikki]

Thanks, Duke. Dr. McKinney, Ellery Queen in the body.

[Ellery Queen]

How do you do, sir? I'm almost afraid to answer, Dr. McKing. I might hang a participle or something, darling. Oh, Rosemary. I'm sorry.

[Paul Masterson]

My dear, may I present Mr. Ellery Queen.

[Ellery Queen]

How do you do, Mr. McKee? And this character is my brother and business manager, Bud McKee.

[Paul Masterson]

Oh, hello there. Hi.

[Ellery Queen]

I think our paths have crossed in radio.

[Paul Masterson]

That's a small business.

[Ellery Queen]

Hey, Elrie, seeing that we're pals, how.

[Paul Masterson]

About tipping Marty off for tonight's solution?

[Ellery Queen]

Sorry, we. I'LL rebuff and.

[Unknown]

Oh, yes, sorry.

[Ellery Queen]

Say, my secretary, Ms. Woollen. Ms. Woolen.

[Elsie Woolen]

This is really a real Mr. Queen. I'm a. I'm a dy in the wool Queen fan.

[Nikki]

Why, isn't that nice?

[Ellery Queen]

Thank you, Ms. Woolen. Oh, Dr. McKin, we haven't too much time. Shall we go into the guest detective room?

[Elsie Woolen]

Modest to sit in a special room, Mr. Queen.

[Ellery Queen]

Right in here, Mrs. McKing.

[Paul Masterson]

All right, isn't it?

[Ellery Queen]

You see, we try to duplicate a home address. Oh, Nikki, would you pour me a glass of water, please? My throat.

[Nikki]

You know, you can't see. Oh, is that you? Just hear it as you would in your own home.

[Paul Masterson]

Program pipe in here from the control room. Marty, you get it through that. That loudspeaker.

[Elsie Woolen]

Helpful.

[Paul Masterson]

So I see. But at the proper time, Mr. Queen.

[Ellery Queen]

I take it I extemporize in that microphone above the table. Yes, Doctor. Strictly an ad lib spot. Immediately after my announcement on the air that I know who committed the crime, Nikki and I dash into this room from the studio, seat ourselves on the other side of the table from you, and then we'll we hold a sweet corn as post mortem over the corpse.

[Elsie Woolen]

Not Dr. McKinney's corpse, I hope.

[Ellery Queen]

Elsie, do I detect an unconscious secretarial wish to achieve my destruction?

[Elsie Woolen]

Marty, I don't find that a bit funny.

[Unknown]

Don't come road, Mary.

[Elsie Woolen]

But Mrs. McKing, I didn't know.

[Ellery Queen]

Oh, right, Mickey. Yes, I should explain. No one's allowed in this room but our guest at the evening. So, Nikki, if you'll show the rest of Dr. Machine's party. Now, if you get thirsty during the broadcast, Doctor, here's a picture of water right on the table.

[Elsie Woolen]

Oh.

[Ellery Queen]

Oh, yes, thank you. Oh, Bill. Yes, H. How about a quick level? Whenever he's ready. Uhhuh. Honest. You'll be seated, Dr. Mc King. Go and pay something. If it might at all just voice level sense. I left Dr. McKing alone in the armchair detective's room. We went on the air with our program, and in due course I reached the point in our mystery where I.

[Paul Masterson]

Was able to say, but, Ellery, do you mean to say.

[Ellery Queen]

Yes, dad. Now I know who committed the murder. Mickey and I hurried to the armchair detective's room as usual. There was Dr. McKing, a little nervous, but otherwise himself. I said into the table, and there, ladies and gentlemen, you have the mystery. Now let's see what our guest, armchair detective has to say.

[Nikki]

And tonight, ladies and gentlemen, our guest is the famous Dr. Monty McKing, founder and leading light of that popular radio program, McKing's English.

[Ellery Queen]

All I can think of at this moment, Dr. McKing, is McQueen's ignorance. You're too, murmured Emery.

[Paul Masterson]

You're not the worst offender by any means. Oh, you're sometimes guilty of ellipsis.

[Nikki]

Is that bad, Doctor?

[Paul Masterson]

But you usually avoid committing such truly foul crimes against our mother tongue as.

[Ellery Queen]

Needless variants, irrelevant allusions, pleonasms, periphery, surrender. But to get away from the English language. And how not to. Dr. McKing, I hear you're famous in a different sphere altogether.

[Nikki]

Yes, you're said to be able to whip up a mean bouillah base, doctor.

[Paul Masterson]

Oh, yes, Nicky, I am an enthusiastic amateur chef.

[Nikki]

Doesn't your wife resent it?

[Ellery Queen]

On the contrary, Nicky.

[Paul Masterson]

Mrs. McKing is only too happy to.

[Ellery Queen]

Leave the solution of our household's culinary mysteries to me. Ah, talking about solving mysteries, Dr. McKing. Oh, dear.

[Paul Masterson]

I find that drought has certainly attacked my vocal cords.

[Ellery Queen]

Dimple will irrigate him. Nikki, would you obly.

[Nikki]

I'm way ahead of you, Alice. Here you are, Dr. McKing. A nice wet glass of water oil.

[Ellery Queen]

Thank you. Now, as soon as you're through oiling your larynx, Doctor, suppose you tell us who committed the murder in the police commissioner's office. Don't let the water glass warrior, Doctor. All commission. You nervous to speak, eh, Dr. McKing? Well, it happens to the best of us. In just a moment, I'll give you the solution to tonight's mystery.

[Paul Masterson]

But first.

[Ellery Queen]

The control room. Cut our armchair detective's room off the air that night, just in time as Mickey and I hurried around the table to Dr. McKee King's chest.

[Nikki]

He fell off his chest.

[Ellery Queen]

Dr. Queen. Queen.

[Paul Masterson]

I. I poisoned.

[Ellery Queen]

Poisoned by what?

[Paul Masterson]

Dr. King.

[Ellery Queen]

What?

[Paul Masterson]

Then search Rosemary, Dr. Serge Rosemary.

[Nikki]

That's his wife, Dr. McCain. Hillary, call a doctor a Rotniki.

[Unknown]

Hillary, what's going on in here?

[Paul Masterson]

What's happened to your guest?

[Ellery Queen]

Hey. Dead Phil, Dead.

[Elsie Woolen]

But we're still on the air.

[Ellery Queen]

The poison is in that glass of water. McCain just drank our water from the pitcher. Pitcher's loaded with it, too. Smell this, Phil.

[Paul Masterson]

Huh? What am I doing? Ellery, for the love of Mike, we're still on. You've got to finish the show.

[Ellery Queen]

Solve the murder. Yes, solve the murder. Yet Phil had this room guarded till we're off the air. Nikki.

[Nikki]

Yes, Hillary?

[Ellery Queen]

Back to the mic.

[Nikki]

I don't know how we got through the rest of the program. My mind's a blank on the whole thing. But the minute we went off the air that evening, Ellery hurried back to the guest room to solve a very different kind of murder. The murder of his own armchair detective.

[Elsie Woolen]

No, I didn't inspect the queen.

[Nikki]

I didn't.

[Paul Masterson]

I tell you, Mrs. McLean, your husband's dying words would have searched you.

[Nikki]

Well, you didn't find anything on me, did you?

[Paul Masterson]

The idea of murder's ridiculous, Queen.

[Ellery Queen]

My brother probably committed suicide.

[Paul Masterson]

Impossible.

[Ellery Queen]

But the poison that killed him comes only in liquid form, so it must have been in the container.

[Paul Masterson]

And there's no poison container of any kind either on Dr. McKean's body or in this room. Inspector. Billy, I found it. Ah, the bottle's empty, Inspector, but smell it. This is it.

[Ellery Queen]

All right, Sergeant, where'd you find that bottle?

[Paul Masterson]

On the floor of that glass enclosed booth where Ms. McKing, Bud McKing and Ms. Woolen watched the broadcast months ago.

[Ellery Queen]

Oh, Nicky. Feeling better?

[Nikki]

Oh, yes. Well, no one else is in that booth, Inspector. Just his wife, his brother and his secretary.

[Paul Masterson]

Sort of simplifies it, all right. You sure the water in this picture was okay when the mcking party first came in here with you and Nikki.

[Ellery Queen]

Before we went in the air? Positive, Inspector.

[Nikki]

Hillary, glass full of it in.

[Paul Masterson]

So One of these three dropped the poison into the picture before Ms. Porter escorted him out.

[Ellery Queen]

Afraid we forced the poisonous hand, Nicky, by sending them into that pool.

[Paul Masterson]

Mrs. McCain, it looked as if your husband had noticed you fooling around with that picture.

[Elsie Woolen]

If Marty had seen me drop poison.

[Nikki]

Into the water, would he have drunk any of it?

[Ellery Queen]

Rosemary's got a point there, Inspector.

[Paul Masterson]

He probably didn't get the significance of what he'd seen until he realized he was poisoned. But when he does realize it, he says to search you for the bottleman.

[Elsie Woolen]

But why should I murder Marty? I loved my husband. I loved him dearly. Life won't be the same. I'll say it won't.

[Ellery Queen]

Ms. Woollen, what do you say?

[Elsie Woolen]

Oh, nothing, nothing.

[Paul Masterson]

What did you mean, Ms. Wallen?

[Elsie Woolen]

Yes, go on, Elsie, say it. All right, I will. Dr. McCain was the kindest husband in the world to her, and all she cared about was money. Money for clothes, furs and jewelry. When he had to close down her charge account, she.

[Ellery Queen]

She poisoned him out of revenge.

[Paul Masterson]

I Miss Will?

[Elsie Woolen]

No, for he's a Satan. His will leaves everything to her. That's why Mrs. McKing poisoned him for his money.

[Ellery Queen]

Well, Mrs. McKing, what can I say?

[Nikki]

Mr. King, you're a. I've already told you that a dozen times.

[Ellery Queen]

True.

[Elsie Woolen]

I've been extravagant and I was angry when Marty clamped down on me, but Commit murder for money. The man I loved.

[Ellery Queen]

Henry.

[Paul Masterson]

Come out with me a minute.

[Ellery Queen]

Boy is dead.

[Paul Masterson]

Shut the door. Well, shut it.

[Ellery Queen]

It shut that.

[Paul Masterson]

Oh, he's playing Radio door. What do you think so?

[Ellery Queen]

I don't know.

[Paul Masterson]

King did put the finger on his wife.

[Ellery Queen]

It may have been no more than a stab in the dark, dad. Certainly none of us will hold her.

[Paul Masterson]

I think I'll send her home. Have Billy come through the house on the qt. Might send Nikki home with her tool.

[Ellery Queen]

Good idea, dad.

[Paul Masterson]

She could snoop out information where they wouldn't give us the time of day.

[Ellery Queen]

Blasted.

[Paul Masterson]

Sure. But what, dad?

[Ellery Queen]

Ever since MCKing said search rosemary, I've had the weirdest feeling that.

[Paul Masterson]

That he meant something else.

[Ellery Queen]

I don't know. I have the feeling there's a clue. A clue I've missed or forgotten. A clue that ties in with McKing's dying words. Maybe something that happened during a. Of course. You've got it. No, dad. No. But I know where I can get it.

[Paul Masterson]

Oh, thank.

[Ellery Queen]

Well, they always make recordings. The Queen shows, dad. Now, you go ahead with your plans. I'm going to take a recording of tonight's show home and play it back all night if necessary. The spot that whatever it is, that.

[Paul Masterson]

Drought has suddenly attacked my vocal cords.

[Ellery Queen]

Simple. We'll irrigate him. Nick.

[Paul Masterson]

What?

[Ellery Queen]

You oblige.

[Nikki]

I'm way ahead of you, Ellery. Here you are, Dr. McKing. A nice wet glass of water boil.

[Ellery Queen]

Thank you. Oh, it's here. It's here somewhere.

[Unknown]

Modest.

[Ellery Queen]

Ellery, you're not the worst offender by any means. Oh, you're sometimes guilty of a listing. Can't be there.

[Paul Masterson]

Various irrelevant illusions.

[Ellery Queen]

Leonas said to be able to whip.

[Nikki]

Up a mean boy face. Doctor.

[Paul Masterson]

Oh, yes, Nikki. I am an enthusiastic amateur chef.

[Nikki]

Wait a minute.

[Ellery Queen]

Chef.

[Paul Masterson]

On the Contrary, Nikki.

[Ellery Queen]

Chef. Mrs. McKen.

[Paul Masterson]

Chef.

[Ellery Queen]

Can it be that amateur chef?

[Nikki]

Doesn't your wife.

[Paul Masterson]

That's it.

[Nikki]

Is that all of this?

[Ellery Queen]

Who's that?

[Nikki]

Who is this?

[Paul Masterson]

Porter.

[Nikki]

But McKinnon. Wait a minute.

[Ellery Queen]

What do you want?

[Paul Masterson]

I saw the light under your door.

[Nikki]

I've been reading. What are you doing back at your brother's house, Mr. McCain? I thought you left. After we got Rosemary to bed.

[Paul Masterson]

I went home. But then I thought. Monty. Well, Rosemary in such a spot. May I come in and chin for a while?

[Nikki]

I'm sorry, it's after three. Three?

[Paul Masterson]

What do you want? Get to death.

[Nikki]

Good night.

[Paul Masterson]

What's your hurry?

[Nikki]

Your foot, Mr. Mc.

[Paul Masterson]

Well, you're full of that murder off, too, aren't you? As he made you afraid of me?

[Nikki]

Please take your foot away. I want to go to be off. Thank.

[Paul Masterson]

Gary's pulling the wool over my eyes. You're a spy. He planted you here. Thank God Monty wasn't murdered. It was suicide.

[Nikki]

You've been drinking.

[Elsie Woolen]

Get out.

[Paul Masterson]

I know what you think. That I'm in love with Rosemary. That I killed my brother to get his wife. If you don't go away, there's never been a thing between Rosemary and me. Not a thing.

[Nikki]

Sergeant B. Sergeant, you still down there? What's better? Oh, nothing. Nothing, Sergeant. I just want to make sure you were there. Everything okay up there, mister? Well, yes. Yes. I talked to O'Mary MCKing and said he lied. Half past ten. This woman went to her room hours ago.

[Paul Masterson]

You sound shaky. You sure everything's all right?

[Nikki]

Well, Sergeant Button mcking just came back to the house.

[Paul Masterson]

I know I saw him go in, but he didn't try to sneak in. So maybe I better come in at that.

[Nikki]

What was that?

[Ellery Queen]

Oh, heavenly sake.

[Paul Masterson]

What's wrong now?

[Nikki]

Don't you hear it, Sergeant? Sounds as if someone was breaking up the house.

[Paul Masterson]

I better go see what's in.

[Nikki]

No, wait till I get downstairs. Honey, stop. Who.

[Elsie Woolen]

Who's that Downstairs?

[Nikki]

What happen?

[Paul Masterson]

Water. Ms. Porter. Ms. Porter.

[Ellery Queen]

You're okay, Ms. Porter. See, the inspector's here.

[Paul Masterson]

He just came. How you feeling, Inspector Queen? She's still groggy.

[Nikki]

I was upstairs.

[Paul Masterson]

Well, you're downstairs now. Nikki Bailey carried you here from the upper hall where he found you now cold. Then he phoned me at headquarters. I'd been working late.

[Nikki]

Oh, what's the matter with my head?

[Paul Masterson]

Somebody used it for target practice, Ms. Porter.

[Ellery Queen]

Well, they scored a bullseye.

[Nikki]

Oh, who was it?

[Ellery Queen]

Who did it?

[Paul Masterson]

Neely was too late, Nikki. But it's somebody who was in the house. I checked right away, but the two women were in their room sleeping. I'll make them believe they were sleeping. And I found Bud mcking on a couch in the upstairs hall, snoring off a load. Got him locked in separate rooms. Dad. Hillary, where the heck have you been? Maestro, I tried calling you at home, but no answer.

[Ellery Queen]

Just been on my way over here, so I. Mickey.

[Nikki]

Hi, Mr. Cub.

[Ellery Queen]

Mickey, you're hurt.

[Paul Masterson]

Got a crack on the skull, son.

[Nikki]

Maybe I have a concussion.

[Ellery Queen]

Oh, Mickey.

[Nikki]

Valerie.

[Ellery Queen]

Hold me close, baby. What are you two standing here for?

[Unknown]

Did you call a doctor?

[Ellery Queen]

Nikki, honey.

[Nikki]

Closer.

[Paul Masterson]

Oh, she's okay. My stroke.

[Nikki]

I am not. Sergeant.

[Ellery Queen]

Why, you. Nicky, what were you doing?

[Nikki]

Snooping.

[Unknown]

Why?

[Nikki]

Well, I heard someone going berserk in some room. Downstairs?

[Ellery Queen]

Really?

[Paul Masterson]

By the time Nicky got out into the upstairs hall, it was all over. And she bumped into the. Whoever it was. In the dark, he grabbed her.

[Ellery Queen]

Downstairs, the kitchen, wasn't it?

[Paul Masterson]

How'd you know?

[Ellery Queen]

I want to see it. Which way? Come on, hurry up, Nikki.

[Paul Masterson]

Probably too late.

[Ellery Queen]

I should have foreseen that the killer.

[Paul Masterson]

Talking about Ellery me half killed his kitchen, and then he won't even wait.

[Nikki]

Well, f. Look at this place.

[Unknown]

A wreck.

[Nikki]

Dishes broken, furniture knocked over.

[Paul Masterson]

His search or something. But why, then? Why in the kitchen?

[Ellery Queen]

Remember Dr. McKing's dying words?

[Nikki]

Search Rosemary.

[Paul Masterson]

Meaning his wife?

[Ellery Queen]

Not necessarily.

[Nikki]

Not his wife, but ellery rosemary.

[Paul Masterson]

That's Mrs. McKing's first name, sir.

[Ellery Queen]

It's also the name of something else. Dr. McKing was an amateur chef, an enthusiastic cook. This ought to be the spice cabinet.

[Nikki]

Spice cabinet?

[Paul Masterson]

Just that crack on my head.

[Ellery Queen]

Anyway, old clothes, thyme, mace, marjoram, sage, basil. But old ginger. Ah, look.

[Paul Masterson]

Rosemary. Huh?

[Nikki]

Rosemary and herb.

[Paul Masterson]

Using cookie, he said search rosemary. Meant to finish a sentence.

[Nikki]

Or search rosemary jar in spice cabinet, or something like that.

[Paul Masterson]

Search rosemary jar. Well, search it.

[Ellery Queen]

I might. There'll be something in this jar unless the searcher beat us to it.

[Paul Masterson]

He missed it.

[Nikki]

There is a wad of typewriter paper message.

[Paul Masterson]

The king left it.

[Ellery Queen]

What's it say, Hillary? Dated 10 days ago. Due to a recent disturbing episode, I am writing this notice of a caution. If anyone finds it, I'm the only one who uses the spice cabinet until it's safe against accidental discovery. It will be because they are investigating my murder. The other night, a certain person close to me threatened my life. I was inclined to at first dismiss it as hysteria. Now I am not so sure. If anything happens to me, the person who threatened to kill me was.

[Nikki]

Who? Ellery?

[Paul Masterson]

Come on. Maestro.

[Ellery Queen]

Elsie Woollen, my secretary. Signed Marty McKing. Really?

[Paul Masterson]

Get that Woolen girl down here. And it is true, Ms. Licky Ann, you did threaten Dr. McCabe's life.

[Elsie Woolen]

Yes, but I died. You threaten him. Come on.

[Ellery Queen]

Nikki, you tackle her.

[Paul Masterson]

Me?

[Ellery Queen]

Give us some of the old Porter treatment. You know, the kind you use on me.

[Nikki]

You'll buy a better look of her. Miss Woolen. Elsie.

[Elsie Woolen]

Oh, Ms. Porter, they just don't understand.

[Nikki]

Yes, well, they're men, dear. But they'll see. They'll find out eventually. It's much better to tell the truth. They're really not ogre. You can't blame them, dear. If you refuse to talk at it looks as if you have something to conceal. Why not tell the whole story? Come on now. I loved him. Secretary loves both.

[Ellery Queen]

Vicky, shut up.

[Elsie Woolen]

I kept it locked up for so long, but one night it came out. Marty told me he loved his wife. I guess I. That's some foolish things. But I didn't poison him last night. I didn't. You can't prove I did because I didn't. Try to prove it.

[Nikki]

Go ahead, try.

[Paul Masterson]

It's all right, Felix. She's not going anywhere because she's right. We can't prove it. All this does is to uncover another possible motive. This is a tough one.

[Nikki]

This would be about the time for the great Ellery Queen to come up with one of his miraculous solutions, wouldn't it?

[Ellery Queen]

Well, Nikki, how did you know?

[Paul Masterson]

Oh, no. Allen Ray.

[Ellery Queen]

Yes, dad. Now I know who murdered Dr. McKing. And there, ladies and gentlemen, you have the mystery. Now, suppose you home armchair detectives and our guests in the studio compare solutions.

[Nikki]

Thank you, Ellery. I'm happy to introduce the charming proprietress of one of Hollywood's most popular syndicated columns, Ms. Sheila Graham.

[Ellery Queen]

Good evening, Ms. Graham, and welcome to the armchair.

[Elsie Woolen]

Thank you.

[Unknown]

But after listening to your mystery tonight, I'm a little worried about occupying this post.

[Ellery Queen]

Oh, you had nothing to be afraid of. Perhaps you'd like a glass of water to help you relax.

[Elsie Woolen]

Heaven, no.

[Unknown]

That's the last thing in the world I'd want.

[Ellery Queen]

Well, I can't say that I blame you. But now suppose we get down to business. Tell me, who do you think is the criminal in tonight's story?

[Unknown]

Well, it's very complicated tonight, sure, But I think Ms. Woollen, the secretary, did it.

[Ellery Queen]

I see. And you see it?

[Unknown]

Well, it was a very subtle murder. It takes a smart girl to murder a man like that and took a lot of preparation. Secretaries are usually rather smart. And she knew this man. She knew that he might get thirsty. He obviously got thirsty very often in his office. And also he said that somebody very hysterically threatened his life previously.

[Ellery Queen]

You mean in the note he left?

[Unknown]

Yes, in the note he left. And she was a very hysterical woman. So I think Ms. Woollen did it.

[Ellery Queen]

Thank you very much. Michelagram. We'll find out in just a moment if your solution is correct. Now, here is Paul Masterson.

[Unknown]

A second great war has in the not too distant past drawn to a close. The magnificent self sacrificing work of the International Red Cross will long be remembered at home. The American Red Cross has always been on the job. Whenever disaster struck, whether it was a tornado, earthquake, fire or flood, Flood. It is our duty and our privilege to help make the 1948 Red Cross campaign the best ever. The quota is set at $75 million. By giving to the Red Cross, you are giving directly to your relatives and friends in the armed forces and here at home. Let's make 1948 the banner year in donations to the American Red Cross.

[Nikki]

I don't care. I don't want to hear it. He's just too. Too smart. Always knows the answer to mysteries.

[Paul Masterson]

Well, I want to hear it. Fight down. What have you got, Ellie?

[Nikki]

Swelled head.

[Ellery Queen]

It's all right, dad. It's that crack on the skull. Well, now, what was Dr. Monty McKing's profession? What was he most famous for?

[Paul Masterson]

His radio program. McKing's English authority on the correct usage of the English language.

[Ellery Queen]

Then let's take another look at that note we just found in the rosemary jar. I quote, due to a recent disturbing episode, I am writing and so forth.

[Paul Masterson]

Something wrong there, maestro?

[Ellery Queen]

Sergeant, you too, in that sentence is hopelessly encouraged.

[Paul Masterson]

Oh, it is, sir.

[Ellery Queen]

It should read, because of a recent disturbance, I am writing so for you two can never be used adverbially.

[Paul Masterson]

Is that so?

[Ellery Queen]

And this. If anyone finds it, it'll be because they are investigating my murder.

[Nikki]

Anyone must be followed by he. One can't possibly mean the plural.

[Ellery Queen]

Oh, Ms. Porter is with us. Yes, Nick? Another mistake. And this I was inclined to at first dismiss.

[Paul Masterson]

A split infinitive. A split in what?

[Ellery Queen]

In other words, this short note, purportedly from the pen of an authority on correct English, reveals not one, not two, two, but three of the commonest errors of usage. Incredible conclusion. Dr. McKing did not write the note.

[Paul Masterson]

It's a folding. I mean, a forgery.

[Ellery Queen]

And since the note was not written by Dr. McKing, it was not left in the roseberry jar by Dr. McKing either. Someone else left the note in the jar. Obviously. The real writer of the note, the Fort Hillary.

[Paul Masterson]

Why? What was accomplished by it?

[Ellery Queen]

Well, a great deal there. It made us believe that the word Rosemary inducted the King's dying statement. Search. Rosemary meant Rosemary the herb, rather than Rosemary the name of a woman. And who gains by our thinking that the victim was not accusing a woman named Rosemary, but was merely telling us to look for a note in a spice jar.

[Nikki]

Only Rosemary McCain herself, she did poison.

[Paul Masterson]

Her husband, tried to twist his accusation of her to mean something entirely different because she had a guilty conscience.

[Nikki]

So tonight, after I put her to bed, she. She forged her husband's signature to a note accusing Elsie Woolen, then sneaked downstairs, left the note in the rosemary jar as A blind.

[Ellery Queen]

And then Nikki deliberately led us to that jar.

[Paul Masterson]

Wait a minute, wait a minute. Led us to the jar, maestro.

[Ellery Queen]

By wrecking the kitchen. Sergeant, what was that but a clever device to draw our attention to it, to make us search it and find her plant in the rosemary jar.

[Nikki]

And then on her way back upstairs, she bumped into me in the dark and let me have it.

[Ellery Queen]

At that Rosemary's attempt to lead us down a false trail might have succeeded if only she'd learned from her victim the rules governing the English language.

[Paul Masterson]

Well, here's where she learned something about the rules governing murder. Billy.

[Ellery Queen]

Old Rosemary mcking for the murder of my armchair detective.

[Paul Masterson]

Yes, sir.

[Ellery Queen]

And there, ladies and gentlemen, you have the solution to our mystery. Thank you again, Ms. Sheila Graham, for serving as our guest armchair detective this evening. As mementos of the occasion, I have for you a copy of my latest mystery anthology, the Queen's Awards 1947, and a subscription to Ellery Queen's mystery magazine. Ah, Paul, Feeling all right?

[Unknown]

Well, I guess we're okay. There have been no calls yet asking if our armchair detectives really been knocked off.

[Ellery Queen]

And what are you worried about?

[Unknown]

Among other things, Ellery, next week.

[Nikki]

Never mind about next week.

[Unknown]

What's the matter, Nikki? What gives next week? That it darkens the fair brow and brings lightning into those beauteous orbs?

[Nikki]

Why, Paul?

[Unknown]

Well, it's nothing, Nikki. I. I guess you bring out the.

[Ellery Queen]

Poet in me, Paul. Nikki, Remember me?

[Unknown]

Go away. Not you, Nikki.

[Nikki]

Yes, I remember you, Ellery. Q. I remember that female, too.

[Unknown]

What female?

[Ellery Queen]

Think he's referring to next week's problem, Paul.

[Nikki]

I'll say she was a problem.

[Unknown]

What was her. I mean, its name. Ellery.

[Ellery Queen]

You were right the first time, Paul. I call her. I mean it. The farmer's daughter, Mrs. Ellery Queen, saying good night until next week and enlisting all Americans every night and every day in the fight against bad citizenship, bigotry and discrimination, the crimes which are weakening America.

[Unknown]

All names used on this program are fictitious and do not refer to real people, either living or dead. Among the members of tonight's cast were Larry Dobkin, Herb Butterfield, Kay Brinker, Alan Reed, Joan Banks, Bill Johnston, Charles Seal, Anne Morrison and Joe Kern. Music was by Rex Corey. Direction by Dick Woolen. Entire production under the supervision of Ellery Queen. Now, a listening reminder for a hilarious combination of spring fever and spring house cleaning. Listen when Woolly Piper, spring fever combats his wife's feverish energy on Tales of Willie Piper.

[Ellery Queen]

Tonight, the preceding program came to you by transcription. The best time to plan for the future of your children is when they're small. That's the time to set up a nest egg for their education. And your banker will tell you that the best way to do it is.

[Sheila Graham]

To put the money welcome back. Well, I wish that Ellery Queen's retention policy for radio programs was the same as in this radio program, given that most old time radio programs had a policy of getting rid of old transcription desk. If Ellery Queen had actually saved each episode, well, we wouldn't have less than 20 episodes of the series throughout its more than 300 episode run. And this is definitely a series that I really would love to hear more of. I enjoyed this one particularly just for the Armchair Detective focus. I decided to play this as I think it's probably one of the most meta radio programs just with, you know, all the stuff that's going on with this being a situation where Ellery is actually working on recording his own program and having a story where he has to solve the murder of the armchair detective. This feature is really good and it's to me it's really integral to the whole Ellery Queen experience just with doing the shows as they're written. In fact, for those episodes that were missing their segment when we played the Ellery Queen series, I actually got some of our listeners to play the Armchair Detectives. It's a really unique and fun aspect of this particular program. Alright, listener comments and feedback. Now Tam writes regarding Pete Kelly's Blues, which was number five on the Short Division list. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed Pete Kelly's Blues. Thanks for reminding me. Well, thank you Tim. And that's one of the outcomes that I hope for with the Listener's Choice countdown of people being able to hear and remember some favorites that we haven't played for a while now. I'd like to thank our Patreon of the Day. Thank you so much to Larry, who has been one of our patreon supporters since September 2016, currently supporting us at the Master Detective level of $15 or more per month. Thanks once again for your support, Larry. Alright, that will do it for today. Join us back here tomorrow for Standby for Crime. Next Monday your Listeners Choice countdown continues with number 17 in the standard Division. And then next Tuesday we'll see the Return a series we've previously played with a new episode and that will be Dr. Tim detective. In the meantime, send your comments to Box 13@Great Detectives.net follow us on Twitter Radio Detectives and become one of our friends on Facebook, facebook.com Radiodetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.