The Adventures of Abbotts: The Blood Red Diamond (EP4707)

Summary

Summary of "The Adventures of Abbotts: The Blood Red Diamond (EP4707)"

Podcast Title: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Host/Author: Adam Graham, Radio Detective Podcasts
Episode Title: The Adventures of Abbotts: The Blood Red Diamond
Release Date: May 19, 2025

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Introduction

In this riveting episode of The Adventures of Abbotts, listeners are plunged into the high-stakes world of baseball intertwined with a gripping murder mystery. Hosted by the esteemed Adam Graham, this installment, "The Blood Red Diamond," stands out not only for its intricate plot but also for the special appearance of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, marking his dramatic radio debut.

Plot Overview

The story centers around the Abbotts—Pat and Gene—dedicated detectives navigating the murky waters of corruption and personal vendettas within the sports arena. The narrative begins with the shocking murder of Marty Phillips, a revered catcher for the Yellow Sox, whose refusal to partake in game-fixing schemes leads to his untimely demise.

Key Characters

• Pat Abbott: A seasoned detective, relentless in his pursuit of justice.
• Gene Abbott: Pat's wife, equally sharp and determined to solve the case.
• Marty Phillips: Star catcher of the Yellow Sox, whose murder sets the investigation in motion.
• Ned Tilton: Manager and player for the Yellow Sox, deeply affected by Marty's death.
• Freddie Manning: Star pitcher for the Yellow Sox, whose sudden death raises suspicions.
• John Stafford: Official of the baseball commission, involved in the investigation.

Detailed Plot Progression

The Murder of Marty Phillips ([02:52] - [05:38])

The episode opens with Gene Abbott contemplating the ramifications of being a detective's spouse. Pat Abbott introduces Marty Phillips's murder, revealing that Marty was coerced to throw a crucial game for a hefty sum but bravely refused, leading to his death. Pat emphasizes, "75 grand's a lot of lettuce, kid. You'll be washed up. Someday you'll wish you'd taken it. It's awful easy to throw the game, Marty." ([04:03])

Investigation Begins ([05:59] - [08:25])

Pat is summoned by John Stafford to delve deeper into Marty's murder. They visit Ned Tilton, who is distraught yet remains steadfast, asserting, "I think it was some crooked mob, Mrs. Abbott." ([07:34]) Gene suspects ulterior motives beyond mere game-fixing, hinting at deeper, personal grudges.

Suspicions Grow ([08:37] - [15:58])

Back at home, Gene gears up to take a more hands-on approach. Disguising herself, she befriends Freddie Manning, aiming to uncover if there's a bribe involved. Their interaction is laced with tension and subtle hints of personal entanglements. Gene muses, "The possibility of my solving the case entirely on my own was too tempting to resist." ([09:08])

Pat, suspicious of Gene's late-night activities, confronts her, leading to a playful yet revealing interrogation about Gene's loyalty and the implications of their investigative methods.

Baseball Game and Freddie's Death ([16:29] - [23:06])

The narrative shifts to the highly anticipated Yellow Sox game, where Freddie Manning pitches brilliantly until a sudden collapse halts the game. Commissioner Stafford's frantic announcement, "Freddie Manning is dead," ([20:24]) sets off alarm bells. Pat deduces foul play, suggesting a possible poisoning: "It was a violent heart attack. Might have been caused by nitroglycerin." ([22:10])

Connecting the Dots ([23:22] - [24:05])

Gene recalls seeing a mysterious woman associated with the team, linking her to a picture in Pat's scrapbook. This revelation suggests a personal connection between Ned Tilton and Freddie Manning, deepening the mystery and pointing towards jealousy as a potential motive.

Climactic Confrontation ([24:22] - [27:26])

Determined to uncover the truth, Pat and Gene infiltrate the empty stadium, where Ned Tilton is found tampering with his locker. The confrontation escalates as Ned confesses his jealousy over his wife’s affair with Freddie, leading to a tense standoff. Ned reveals, "I placed heavy bets against my own team. Hired a guy to threaten Marty," ([24:39]) before attempting to eliminate Pat. The seasoned detective overpowers Ned, ensuring justice is served.

Resolution and Reconciliation ([27:21] - [29:29])

With the case closed, Pat and Gene reflect on their tumultuous relationship, ending on a light-hearted note as Gene persuades Pat to remarry her, highlighting the depth and complexity of their partnership.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Pat Abbott to Marty:
  "75 grand's a lot of lettuce, kid. You'll be washed up. Someday you'll wish you'd taken it. It's awful easy to throw the game, Marty." ([04:03])

• Gene Abbott on Investigating Alone:
  "The possibility of my solving the case entirely on my own was too tempting to resist." ([09:08])

• Pat Abbott on Cancellation:
  "I think if we cancel the game, it'll seem as though something rotten had been going on." ([06:12])

• Pat Abbott’s Confrontation:
  "Get some morning papers here. Marty Phillips murdered. Find Big Lee. Catch his body in hotel room." ([05:38])

• Ned Tilton’s Confession:
  "I placed heavy bets against my own team. Hired a guy to threaten Marty." ([24:39])

Host's Commentary and Insights ([33:09] - [29:37])

Adam Graham provides a thoughtful analysis of the episode, highlighting Jackie Robinson's unique role and the historical context surrounding the narrative. He notes:

• Jackie Robinson's Appearance:
  "This was his dramatic radio debut and probably the only time he had played a character who was not himself." ([33:09])

• Historical Context:
  "This episode originally aired in the spring of 1955, right after a Giants World Series win... But here we are playing it in late winter after the Giants next World series win after 1955 or 1954." ([33:09])

• Plot Complexity:
  "There was a mystery here... two different motives kind of mixed together... financial reasons and then the jealousy motive. So that I think kind of made it a difficult one to crack." ([33:09])

• Relationship Dynamics:
  "The Abbotts' relationship is definitely a complex one... Gene's undercover work reveals underlying tensions and deepens their partnership." ([33:09])

Graham also connects this episode to broader themes and other detective stories, enriching the listener’s appreciation for the intricate storytelling and character development.

Conclusion

"The Blood Red Diamond" is a masterfully crafted episode that blends the excitement of baseball with the suspense of a detective thriller. Through meticulous plot development and dynamic character interactions, Pat and Gene Abbott navigate through deceit, jealousy, and murder, ultimately restoring justice while reinforcing their complex relationship. Adam Graham's insightful commentary further enhances the listening experience, making this episode a standout installment in The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio series.

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Transcript

[Pat Abbott]

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[Adam Graham]

Hello, this is Adam Graham. I hope you're enjoying this week's baseball themed encores. As a reminder, any offers or information contained in these episodes is not valid unless it's currently reflected on the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. And remember to listen to the amazing world of Radio starting on Wednesday 28 May for the summer of Robert Louis Stevenson. Now enjoy another baseball related encore. Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, go ahead and send it to me. Box Thirteenreatetectives.net Follow us over on Twitter radiodetectives and become one of our friends on Facebook facebook.com radiodetectives and remember to cast your vote for the show once a month on podcast alley podcastally.greatdetives.net well, before we get started with today's show, I do want to remind you, if you haven't already, to please check out our book, Tales of the Dim Night. It's a fantastic superhero story with a strong family storyline. Also going with it, we've got some reviews posted as well as interviews, excerpts and much [e-mail] that's dimnight.com well, let's get into today's episode of the Abbotts. This one is called the Blood Red Diamond.

[Gene Abbott]

After all. Suppose you were a detective's wife working on a case involving a baseball team and one of the star players tried to get to first base.

[Pat Abbott]

The National Broadcasting Company presents the Adventures of the Abbotts. Starring Claudia Morgan and Les Damon as Pat and Gene Abbott. Tonight we are fortunate to have with us making his dramatic debut, the man America knows and loves as number 42 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, one of America's great athletes and a great guy, Jackie Robinson. Our story is a tale of homicide in the ballpark and here is Gene Abbott to set the stage for this puzzle. In In Murder.

[Gene Abbott]

Pat and I'd gone for a spin in our convertible. Meantime, in a hotel room in San Francisco, Marty Phillips, the best catcher the yellow socks ever had was entertaining a visitor.

[Pat Abbott]

I told you to stay away from me, Louie. I told you I'd be back. Marty. It's funny. You're a very smart apple on a ball field, but you ain't using your head. Now get out of here. I ain't gonna ask you again. You're a SAP, Marty. Look, the boss says his syndicate's got 400 grand tied up in Tuesday's game. The boss says you can make yourself 75 grand just by losing. I ain't taking a cent of that dirty dough. 75 grand's a lot of lettuce, kid. You'll be washed up. Someday you'll wish you'd taken it. It's awful easy to throw the game, Marty. You lose a foul ball in the sun, you make a slow throw to second. Little things like that, nobody'd notice. Will you scram out of here? The boss says if you don't want to take his dough, you're not gonna play Tuesday. You're not gonna play ever. Marty. I'm giving you one last chance. You take the dough and lose on Tuesday. No. Now. I told you I'd break you. Okay, Marty. Hey, put down that gun. I'm awful sorry, kid. The boss just can't afford to lose that 400 G's. Louie, don't. Yeah, Just like I said, you were a very smart ball player. But really, you were just a jerk, kid. Just a jerk. Get some morning papers here. Marty Phillips murdered. Find Big Lee. Catch his body in hotel room. Killer gets Marty Phillips. Get your morning papers here. Get your morning papers.

[Gene Abbott]

When we got home that night, John Stafford, an official of the baseball commission, telephoned and asked Pat to go to his apartment immediately. Pat, as usual, tried every trick in the book to keep me off the case. But later on, in John Stafford's apartment, yours truly was in the case right up to her little ears.

[Pat Abbott]

I'm not calling off the game next Tuesday, Mr. Abbott. You're not, Mr. Staffan? No. I think it would be the worst thing we could possibly do. I want the boys to go ahead and play as though absolutely nothing had happened.

[Gene Abbott]

But do you think that'll convince the people that the Yellow Sox are playing an honest ball game?

[Pat Abbott]

I do, Mrs. Abbott. If we cancel the game, it'll seem as though something rotten had been going on. Of course. Meantime, you've got to find out who killed Marty Phillips. That is your job, Mr. Abbott. You say whoever shot him didn't leave any clues in that hotel room? None. You know Marty? Well, yes. Ever since he played high School ball. You know anything about his private life? Something that might be a lead as to who killed him? I know nothing of the sort. Plenty of blind alleys in this case, aren't there? Does the case phase you, Mr. Abbott, simply because the killer has been rather ingenious? No, no, it doesn't faze me. Who's going to catch for the Yellow Socks on Tuesday? Ned Tilton. He's a manager player, you know. How does Ned feel about all this? I don't know. Why don't you ask him? Thanks, I will. Maybe he'll be more helpful.

[Gene Abbott]

Maybe. Pat and I went to visit Ned Tilton, the manager player. Ned was kind of husky. Gruff, but sentimental. And quite broken up about the death of his pal Marty.

[Pat Abbott]

Marty was a great catcher, Mr. Abbott. Baseball won't see the likes of Marty for a long, long time, as we know, Ned. I love that kid. Yeah, I used to sit in the dugout and get goose pimples just watching him behind the plate. He had that. That magic, like Willie Mays. I busted out crying when I heard Marty was dead.

[Gene Abbott]

Ned, have you any idea at all who might have wanted to get Marty?

[Pat Abbott]

I think it was some crooked mob, Mrs. Abbott. Couldn't have been any of his friends. They were all crazy about him. Anybody ever approach you, Ned, try to get you to toss a game for dough? I. I'd break their necks the minute they open a trap. Okay, Ned. We'll be moseying along. Thanks. Yeah. Give a year's salary to get my hands on the guy who plugged Marty. Well, maybe we can dig him up for you. Bye. Yeah, so long. Sorry I couldn't serve you folks anything. I don't drink myself. I never touch it.

[Gene Abbott]

Bye, Ned. We'll do everything we can to even up the score for you.

[Pat Abbott]

Yeah, well, thanks. I'll be praying that you do.

[Gene Abbott]

Pat and I went home and he sprawled out in his favorite chair. He began toying with his chin thoughtfully.

[Pat Abbott]

You know, dear, there's one thing that might open up this can of peas.

[Gene Abbott]

What is it, dear?

[Pat Abbott]

The Yellow Socks pitcher, Freddie Manning. Suppose a mob did get to Phillips. He and Freddie Manning are the whole team. Anyway, Phillips is out of the way, so their only hope would be to.

[Gene Abbott]

Reach the pitch of Freddy. I have an absolutely sensational idea.

[Pat Abbott]

Well, naturally.

[Gene Abbott]

Well, now, if you go to talk to Freddy Manning, it'll be no dice. But if I.

[Pat Abbott]

Stop right there.

[Gene Abbott]

Well, Pat, you know how a man will talk to a woman. They're. They're putty in our hands.

[Pat Abbott]

I don't Relish the idea of you alone somewhere with Freddy Manning, twisting him into a piece of putty.

[Gene Abbott]

Well, suppose I meet him. They say he's a wolf. And now suppose he doesn't know that I'm Mrs. Abbott. Suppose he doesn't even know I'm Mrs.

[Pat Abbott]

The answer is still no. I won't allow you to do it.

[Gene Abbott]

But if it'll solve the case, I.

[Pat Abbott]

Am not going to risk some gangs using you for target practice.

[Gene Abbott]

But I just want to find out if anyone's tried to bribe him. I just want their name. I. I just want him to get palsy wowzy.

[Pat Abbott]

Yes, I know. Well, there are degrees of palsy wowzy.

[Gene Abbott]

It just means taking off my wedding ring for a few hours.

[Pat Abbott]

Means what?

[Gene Abbott]

Well, so that Freddy doesn't know I married. So that he'll get friendly. All right, Pat.

[Pat Abbott]

No.

[Gene Abbott]

Oh, okay, Warden. I won't try to make a break for it now, but someday I will. I'll get out a stir. Wait and see. The possibility of my solving the case entirely on my own was too tempting to resist. One afternoon while Pat was at the office, I met a sports writer who was a longtime friend. He introduced me to Freddie Manning. Then with a double talk story about my old maid aunt being sick, I gave Pat the slip for a night and went out on a date with Freddy. He was young, dark, terribly handsome. A dreamboat. We went to a nightclub together. I was launching my dreamboat with champagne.

[Pat Abbott]

Ginny, baby, you have just connected with a guy who's going places. You know that?

[Gene Abbott]

Sure, Freddie, I know.

[Pat Abbott]

Matheson Johnson, Carl Hubble. Those guys had muffin compared to your little Freddy. And you're in line to be my ever loving baby, huh, Jeannie?

[Gene Abbott]

You bet. You're going to be wonderful out there on the mound this Tuesday, aren't you?

[Pat Abbott]

I can't miss. I'm in perfect shape. You know, the doc says there isn't a huskier guy in the league.

[Gene Abbott]

Tell me a secret.

[Pat Abbott]

Anything my honey wants to know.

[Gene Abbott]

Did anybody offer you money to throw the game Tuesday?

[Pat Abbott]

What do you want to talk about that for? Give me a baby.

[Gene Abbott]

Oh, Friday. People. People are watching.

[Pat Abbott]

All right, then. Let's go to my apartment. I got a gorgeous terrace. We make some drinks at my bar. You know, if you stand on tiptoe on my terrace, you can reach right up and grab a chunk of the moon.

[Gene Abbott]

Well, it, It. It's awfully.

[Pat Abbott]

I got some music you like, too. Moody, low down stuff. Shearing, Art Tatum, Ellington. What do you say? Well, I. I show you my Scrapbook. Time I was in Hollywood and all the movie stars gave me a big party. I got autographed pictures from all of them. To the best pitcher in baseball. That's me, honey.

[Gene Abbott]

Okay, Freddie, let's go.

[Pat Abbott]

Good. Now you'll like it on the terrace. Nobody will be watching us but the man in the moon, and he. Don't.

[Gene Abbott]

Freddy took me to an exquisite ultra modern penthouse overlooking the bay. He kept the place dimly lit. He played a few records, and then the ball players started to pitch.

[Pat Abbott]

Come here, Genie. Honey, give me a kiss.

[Gene Abbott]

No, no, no, no, wait.

[Pat Abbott]

Why, what's the matter?

[Gene Abbott]

Well, I. I thought you were going to show me your scrapbook.

[Pat Abbott]

Oh, that can wait.

[Gene Abbott]

But I. I want to see where it says, to the best picture.

[Pat Abbott]

Okay. Scrapbook's here, right under this table.

[Gene Abbott]

Must have cost a lot of money to fix up this place, didn't it?

[Pat Abbott]

Yeah.

[Gene Abbott]

Why? I was just wondering. I know the yellow socks pay you.

[Pat Abbott]

Plenty, but maybe I could be picking up some extra dough on the side for throwing a few games.

[Gene Abbott]

I wouldn't blame you for it. You ever do that, Freddie? You think that's why Marty Phillips was killed?

[Pat Abbott]

Get this. The cops went through that whole routine with me. I don't know anything about it, so forget it.

[Gene Abbott]

Freddy, you're hurting my arm.

[Pat Abbott]

Unless you like to get slapped around, forget it.

[Gene Abbott]

All right, all right. Don't get so excited. Now, let's see the scrapbook. That's better. I say, who's she?

[Pat Abbott]

Oh, give me that picture. That doesn't belong in there.

[Gene Abbott]

To my darling, my own adorable sweetheart. Should I be jealous?

[Pat Abbott]

No. She's an old flame, gone and forgotten. Go on, look at the rest of the book. Look at. Look at the big shots I'm with.

[Gene Abbott]

Oh, that's Commissioner Stafford, isn't it? Well, Guy, he ask you much about Marty?

[Pat Abbott]

What the devil do you keep hopping on that for? What are you up to?

[Gene Abbott]

Nothing. Nothing. Oh, come on, play another record for me. Then we'll go out on the terrace and see if we can really touch that moon.

[Pat Abbott]

Good evening, Jean.

[Gene Abbott]

Hello, Pat.

[Pat Abbott]

Or should I say, good morning?

[Gene Abbott]

Oh, it is late, isn't it?

[Pat Abbott]

How's your aunt?

[Gene Abbott]

Much better, thank you.

[Pat Abbott]

Amazing old girl, isn't she?

[Gene Abbott]

Yes, amazing.

[Pat Abbott]

Especially the way she has people sit up with her when she's sick.

[Gene Abbott]

What's wrong with sitting up with a.

[Pat Abbott]

Sick old aunt in a strapless evening gown?

[Gene Abbott]

Oh. Oh, the hat. Well, you see, my other dress. Dress? Well, I. I mean, this dress.

[Pat Abbott]

What'd you find out from Freddie Manning?

[Gene Abbott]

Freddie Manning?

[Pat Abbott]

You're not wearing your wedding ring, dear. And you've been dancing with somebody who's clumsy on his feet. Your slippers wouldn't look like that after a taxi ride to your aunt's house. Not much fun being married to a detective, huh, Pat?

[Gene Abbott]

I went to my aunt's house.

[Pat Abbott]

I said, what did you find out from Freddy Manning?

[Gene Abbott]

He wouldn't talk.

[Pat Abbott]

You were with him all evening and you didn't get a lead?

[Gene Abbott]

No, no. I tried very hard, Patty. He was kind of touchy when I spoke about Marty, that's all.

[Pat Abbott]

No, I ought to get the hairbrush and spank the daylights out of you.

[Gene Abbott]

I was only trying to help, dear. Pat Abbott, I have half a mind. You.

[Pat Abbott]

You have a half a mind, period? After I told you not to fool around? In this case, after I told you to stay away from Freddy?

[Gene Abbott]

After I. Jealous, Pat?

[Pat Abbott]

No, I certainly am.

[Gene Abbott]

Not worried about me tonight?

[Pat Abbott]

I never gave it a thought.

[Gene Abbott]

You're as amazing as my aunt.

[Pat Abbott]

Why do you say that?

[Gene Abbott]

You don't get jealous? You don't worry?

[Pat Abbott]

Nope.

[Gene Abbott]

But you smoke two whole packs of cigarettes.

[Pat Abbott]

Oh, that.

[Gene Abbott]

Not much fun being married to an observant wife.

[Pat Abbott]

In just a moment, act two of tonight's adventure of the Abbotts. What do you know about your government? Do you know, for example, who is responsible for your personal security? The security which comes from being healthy, having a good education and being well taken care of when we are unable to care for ourselves? A new secretary has been added to the President's cabinet as head of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Actually, the department handles the work of several governmental agencies. The United States Public Health Service, which safeguards the general health of the American people. The Food and Drug Administration, which makes certain that our food is pure and safe. The Social Security Board, which takes care of older people, children and the blind who may need help. And the United States Office of Education, which, through research, acts in an advisory capacity for the various state boards of education. All these agencies, through the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, are ever watchful of our personal security. That's how your government works. Now for Act 2 of the Blood red diamond.

[Gene Abbott]

Tuesday afternoon, Pat and I went to the final game in the Yellow Sox series. The stands were packed. There had been no break in the case. Freddie Manning, my boyfriend, was pitching as sweet a ball game as you've ever seen. Ned Tilton, the manager player, was giving him wonderful support at the plate. Pat and I knew Tom Whitley, the sportscaster. Tom was the sportscaster who sounded strangely like Jackie Robinson. And we sat right beside the mic as he broadcast the game. Pat's eyes kept searching the stands, the dugout and the field watching for a tip off if there was to be any dirty work.

[Pat Abbott]

This is Tom Whitley, fans. The game's tied at 1 0. It's the last of the sixth at the bottom of the batting. While they're coming up it'll be Freddie Manning, the pitcher who is doing a great job out there today. The game has been a rough and tumble affair. Not as dignified as the games we have at Everetts field where we never tried to influence the umpires. It just happens that the field over there in Brooklyn is the only one in the world where they serve right and left handed pop bottles. Yes, this has been a wild game and the only thing that's missing at a brawl like this is Leo derosa. I know a great new gag about Leo but he's on top of the world now and we'll just let him have his day. Well, here's Manning. Get ready to step in. He gets a great big hand. There are two down, nobody on. There's the wind up the pitch. It's a hard grounder, wide of third. Kittles over, comes up with the ball. This will be close but Manning falls down and the throw is there for the third out. Teddy seems to have tripped as he headed for a first. He's not getting up. The lad must have twisted an ankle or something. Everyone running towards Freddy and he isn't moving. He's got his face right down in the dirt. The crowd's tense. This may mean he's out of the ball game. Ned Tilton, his catcher going over to him now. He's waving for the doctor. There goes Commissioner Stafford leaving his box, heading for Freddy. Stands are quiet now, very quiet. One woman seems to have broken past the field police. Oh yes, a good friend of the team's Mrs. Tilton, Ned Tilton's wife. Now there goes my man on the field and he's gonna signal me as soon as the doctor find out what's wrong. He's waving at me now. He's saying freddy why, why that's impossible.

[Gene Abbott]

That's.

[Pat Abbott]

Ladies and gentlemen, Freddie Manning is dead.

[Gene Abbott]

Hadn't I raced the yellow socks locker room fighting our way through the shocked milling crowd. Commissioner Stafford was there and Ned Tilton, a policeman stood guard over the dead body. Stafford was very pale.

[Pat Abbott]

Well, Mr. Rabbit, I. I really don't know what to say. The usual words don't. Don't mean anything. What is the doctor's opinion, Mr. Stafford. Looks like a heart attack. No signs of violence? Nothing at all. It was a hurried diagnosis. But from the blood that gushed from Freddie's mouth and nostrils, and from what he could see in just a quick glance, the doctor says Freddie's heart just popped. And. And the boy died. He the regular team doctor? Ever examined Freddy before? Yes. That's what's so puzzling. He examined Freddy last week for an insurance policy. His heart was perfect.

[Gene Abbott]

But that doesn't make sense. He could.

[Pat Abbott]

First it was Marty, now it's Fred. Are we cursed or something?

[Gene Abbott]

Try not to take it so badly, Ned.

[Pat Abbott]

And find my wife. I gotta go home. I don't feel right. I can't stand this.

[Gene Abbott]

I'll find her. Ned. Ned. Did I ever meet her?

[Pat Abbott]

I. I don't know. I don't think so. I've got to find her.

[Gene Abbott]

I could swear I'd seen her before today. Let Ned sit down. Oh, that's it.

[Pat Abbott]

How could it happen? How could this happen? Can you answer that, Mr. Rabbit? I think so. Exactly what do you mean? Freddie was probably murdered?

[Adam Graham]

What?

[Pat Abbott]

A boy in his condition doesn't have a heart attack out of a clear blue sky? It's very unlikely. The attack was probably induced by poison. Poison? He played six innings slow. Poison, Ned. Poison from his glove or from the ball or the bat.

[Gene Abbott]

But how would he have swallowed the poison?

[Pat Abbott]

I'm not sure yet, dear. It was a violent heart attack. Might have been caused by nitroglycerin. That works very slowly till the system has a lethal dose. Shows no immediate signs. Then suddenly it explodes the heart. Doctors use it for its expansive effect in small doses for arterial tension. Sounds fantastic. Now all you have to do is to find out which person out of the 25,000 people here engineered that. Rather difficult odds, eh, Mr. Rabbit? And I'll use your favorite word, Mr. Stafford. Maybe.

[Gene Abbott]

Pat and I finally left the stadium and went home with Pat frowning, mulling the problem over and over late that night at home. What's bothering, Eugene? You look troubled. Well, I have a feeling it'd help if I knew.

[Pat Abbott]

You knew what?

[Gene Abbott]

Mrs. Tilton. Ned's wife. The woman who ran out on the field when Freddie fell. I could have sworn I'd seen her before. But where?

[Pat Abbott]

She's with the team very often. What difference does it make?

[Gene Abbott]

No, no, it's something peculiar. Where did I see her? It wasn't at the ballpark, Pat. I've got it. Her picture was in the scrapbook.

[Pat Abbott]

Freddy's the one he showed you that night.

[Gene Abbott]

That's right.

[Pat Abbott]

Well, why wouldn't her picture be in the scrapbook? She's been with the team ever since Tilton joined them.

[Gene Abbott]

But. But the inscription, Dean.

[Pat Abbott]

What inscription?

[Gene Abbott]

On her picture. She wrote, to my darling Freddy, my own adorable sweetheart.

[Pat Abbott]

Are you sure about that?

[Gene Abbott]

Positive. I didn't know who she was when I saw it, so I just passed it by. But isn't that kind of.

[Pat Abbott]

I'll be back.

[Gene Abbott]

But where are you going?

[Pat Abbott]

To the stadium. Now, you wait here. This will be too dangerous.

[Gene Abbott]

I certainly will not. Wiley, be so dangerous to go to the stadium.

[Pat Abbott]

Because the killer may be there alone and very much in the mood for a few more bloody murders.

[Gene Abbott]

Naturally, Pat couldn't shake me off. We bribed the night watchman to let us into the stadium. It was deserted, but there was a light shining through the door of the Yellow Sox locker room. Pat opened the door. Ned Tilton was there emptying his locker.

[Pat Abbott]

Mr. Abbott. What are you doing here so late? We've just had an idea, Ned, about Marty and Freddy. Well, come on, come on, tell me about it. You told us when we visited your place that you never drink, Ned. Huh? No, I don't. There's a Scotch bottle in your locker. Oh, that I know. There isn't any Scotch in it, is there? Got the nitroglycerin in the bottle, Ned? Yeah. And if you or that wife of yours makes a move, I'll throw it on the floor. There's plenty left in the bottle. It'll blow us all to bits. You put the liquid nitro on your catcher's mitt, didn't you, Ned? Just enough to wet the ball. He kept throwing to Freddy. Freddy was tossing spitballs. It's against the rules. I know, but Freddie knew a way around the rules. He was sneaking a few across the plate that way. It's happened before. You were the only person who knew he threw spitballs. You knew he'd keep licking his fingers to wet the ball. You knew he'd swallow little bits of the poison that way. That right, Ned? Shut up, Abbott, and move out of the way. You got a very attractive wife, Ned. And Freddie was quite a wolf. He and your wife were more than just two people interested in the team, weren't they? Aye. They're pictures in Freddy's scrapbook with a greeting that's a little too affectionate. It burned you up, didn't it? I said, get out of my way. Started out to make a fortune, Ned. You placed heavy bets against your own team. Hired a guy to threaten Marty. The guy had to kill him. Then you went after Freddy, but not because you wanted him to throw the game. Things were too hot to rig it that way. No, you wanted to kill him yourself for a personal reason. I've got nothing to lose if I drop this bottle of nitro. Now, look, Ned. Keep away from me. Abby.

[Gene Abbott]

Be careful, Pat.

[Pat Abbott]

I'll be getting out of here. Now, if you don't mind, don't follow me. All I have to do is toss this juice in front of you and the misses. Stay right where you are. I'm watching you. I can still see you. Don't move.

[Gene Abbott]

There he goes, Pat. See him? He's running into the grandstand.

[Pat Abbott]

Stay here, Gene. I'll get him.

[Gene Abbott]

Come back, Pat. You'll be killed. Lost him.

[Pat Abbott]

Must have ducked behind the benches.

[Gene Abbott]

Come back, Pat.

[Pat Abbott]

I told you not to follow me out. Get down, Pat.

[Gene Abbott]

He's going to throw the nitro. Pat, are you all right? I can't see out there, Pat.

[Pat Abbott]

I'm all right. Stay where you are. Now, Ned, you and I are going to play a little tag. You come for me and I'll break your neck. You picked a bad spot, Ned. That exit is closed. Where you run to now. Keep your hands off Abbott. I'll kill you. So help me, I'll kill you. Hello. I'm gonna choke the life out of you.

[Gene Abbott]

You.

[Pat Abbott]

Had enough, Ned? Oh, had enough.

[Gene Abbott]

As I came running up the ramp, Ned was out cold. Pat still had strength to haul Ned's body to the locker room where we waited for the police. When Ned was revived, he identified the gunman who'd killed Marty Phillips. I guess someone should have told Ned that Pat Abbott was a Marine veteran who'd been on the receiving end of the dirtiest fighting the Japs could ever think of. Very late that night, it was almost sunrise. Pat, isn't it about time for me to put my wedding ring back on?

[Pat Abbott]

I suppose so.

[Gene Abbott]

Go ahead. You put it back on my finger.

[Pat Abbott]

How do you know I want to marry you again?

[Gene Abbott]

Well, don't you?

[Pat Abbott]

No.

[Gene Abbott]

Oh, come on. Marry me again.

[Pat Abbott]

I said I don't want to.

[Gene Abbott]

Would you marry me again? For all the rice in China?

[Pat Abbott]

No.

[Gene Abbott]

For all the smorgasbord in Sweden?

[Pat Abbott]

No.

[Gene Abbott]

For all the Muller in Fort Knox?

[Pat Abbott]

No.

[Gene Abbott]

For a kid.

[Pat Abbott]

You talk me into it.

[Gene Abbott]

Moral of the story. Husbands who wonder if their wives still love them should let them, their wives, spend an evening dancing with a handsome stranger. I know a perfect nightclub they can go to. And the management is not responsible for hats, coats or stolen hearts.

[Pat Abbott]

The National Broadcasting Company has presented the Adventures of the Abbotts, starring Claudia Morgan and Les Damon as those popular personalities of detective fiction. Pat and Gene Abbott, created by Francis Crane, Also heard tonight were Everett Sloan, Mandel Kramer and Kenny Delmar. The Adventures of the Abbotts was written by Howard Merrill, original music composed and conducted by Dewey Bergman, produced by Ted Lloyd and Bernard L. Shubert, directed and recorded by Harry Frazee. Next week, same time, same station, another exciting adventure in crime with Pat and Gene in the Adventures of the Abbotts. SA this is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. Sam SA.

[Adam Graham]

You can make a difference in someone's life, including your own, with a job in home care. These jobs offer flexible schedules, health care, retirement options and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime. Visit oregonhomecarejobs.com to learn more and apply. That's oregonhomecarejobs.com welcome back. Well, this is definitely a notable episode for the appearance of Jackie Robinson. And as they said, this was his dramatic radio debut and probably the only time he had played a character who was not himself. And even then it's somewhat close on that matter because the way that Jackie Robinson talked with the Ebbets Field references, he certainly sounded quite a bit like himself. Of course, this wasn't his dramatic debut per se, because he had, of course, made the movie the Jackie Robinson Story, which was something that he shared with Babe Ruth in starring in a film about yourself. That's not been done in quite a while. Of course, from a dramatic standpoint, it's easy to see why his interest never became much more than just an occasional distraction. By the way, the reference to Leo Derocher was deroacher was the manager of the Giants, the Dodgers crosstown rivals, and Jackie Robinson played for the Dodgers. And Derocher had won his first World Series as a manager just the previous season win. The Giants swept the Cleveland Indians in four straight, which makes this show kind of an interesting one to listen to at this time. This episode originally aired in the spring of 1955, right after a Giant after a Giants World Series win. And here we are playing it in late winter after the Giants next World series win after 1955 or 1954. Of course, Jackie Robinson would get his own World Series win later on that year when the Brooklyn Dodgers at last won a world title with him on the team. But on to the mystery. Yeah, yeah, there was a mystery here. This one was kind of clever because it mixed. It had two different motives kind of mixed together. You had the throwing the game motive for financial reasons and then the jealousy motive. So that I think kind of made it a difficult one to crack. I did detect a wee bit of hypocrisy in the attitude of Pat Abbott thinking back just a couple weeks ago to the episode the Yellow Chip where he went undercover and hid the fact that he was married. But I guess we can say the Abbotts relationship is definitely a complex one. This past week I got an email from Elizabeth who says, hi Adam. I'm usually a day behind on hearing the podcast as I listen at work, but your mention of Serb Rubinstein piqued my interest. I'm sending you a few news articles about Mr. Rubenstein. They make for interesting reading. Indeed they do. I'd mentioned that they had preempted an episode of the Adventures of the Abbotts to talk about the death of Serge Rubinstein. And I guess the best way to briefly explain him is that he was the Bernie Madoff of his day and was alleged to have basically committed huge financial scams on four different continents. In addition to this, he was also a draft dodger and he was found strangled to death in what is still an unsolved murder. New York seems to have quite a few of those very famous unsolved murders. And if you want a connection to one of our other detective shows, the year after Rubenstein's death, there was actually a movie made about a fictionalized version of Rubenstein murder called Death of a Scoundrel. That film starred George Sanders, who was the brother of Tom Conway, who plays Sherlock Holmes on our Thursday edition. So there the connections are all made clear now. Well, that'll do it for now. We'll be back tomorrow with Nero Wolf. In the meantime, send your comments to box [e-mail]. remember to cast your vote for the show on Podcast alley, podcast alley, greatdetectives. Net, and you can always give us a call. 2 oh, 899-14783. From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.