The Falcon: The Case of the Missing Patient (EP4569)

Summary

Summary of "The Falcon: The Case of the Missing Patient" (EP4569)

Podcast Information

• Title: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
• Host: Adam Graham, Radio Detective Podcasts
• Episode Title: The Falcon: The Case of the Missing Patient
• Release Date: December 9, 2024

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Introduction

In this episode of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, host Adam Graham presents "The Case of the Missing Patient" from The Adventures of the Falcon, starring Les Damon as Mike Waring, the Falcon. Set in early 1950s New York, the episode delves into a gripping murder mystery intertwined with smuggling operations, showcasing the classic charm of Golden Age radio dramas.

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Plot Overview

1. The Mysterious Death

The episode opens on February 17, 1952, with Mike Waring addressing a concerned Cora via phone at [03:49]. He explains he's engrossed in a case involving a tired patient who died the next morning. This sets the stage for the unfolding mystery of a missing patient and a subsequent murder.

2. Encounter with Mrs. Carl Eberhardt

At [07:52], Mrs. Carl Eberhardt arrives, distressed and seeking Dr. Mike Waring's help after witnessing a violent incident. Her husband, Carl Eberhardt, has been murdered under suspicious circumstances. She claims the police suspect her due to her relationship with Carl, who "had no enemies" ([13:25]).

3. Investigating the Pier Incident

Falcon learns from Sergeant Corbett about two men spotted loading cargo at the waterfront the night of the murder. One, Joey Decker, denies involvement but lacks an alibi. At [27:13], Mike contacts Mrs. Eberhardt, who identifies Ernie Crane—a man she encountered the night Carl was killed—as a suspect with distinctive features and a suspicious injury.

4. The Confrontation and Revelation

Falcon and Sergeant Corbett successfully detain Ernie Crane [30:00], discovering he possesses diamonds implicating him in smuggling. Upon interrogation, Crane reveals connections that indirectly point to Decker as the true culprit. Mrs. Eberhardt's identification confirms that Decker killed Carl to conceal his smuggling activities and prevent the revelation of illicit operations.

5. Resolution and Clearance

With the evidence gathered, including Crane's possession of diamonds and Decker's direct involvement, Falcon clears Mrs. Eberhardt of any wrongdoing. Decker is implicated as the murderer, and the case concludes with justice served, highlighting Falcon's adept investigative skills.

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Key Themes and Insights

• Justice and Integrity: Mike Waring embodies the classic detective archetype, prioritizing truth and justice over personal safety. His determination to solve the case despite lacking initial leads underscores the moral backbone of Golden Age detectives.

• Corruption and Crime: The episode delves into smuggling operations, showcasing the era's societal fears and the shadowy underworld that detectives like the Falcon sought to dismantle.

• Female Resilience: Mrs. Eberhardt's portrayal as a strong, assertive woman seeking help reflects the evolving roles of women in society during the 1950s.

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Notable Quotes

• Mike Waring:

  • "I have to be careful here. Is it worth it? I wonder what's worth. Worry, fear, pain." [10:16]
  • "Everything is going to be all right. I promise." [14:05]
  • "If I hadn't cleared things up after the promises I made, Sergeant Corbett would have razzed the life out of me." [32:14]

• Mrs. Carl Eberhardt:

  • "They seem to have an idea I did it. They were quite unpleasant." [13:15]
  • "My husband has been murdered." [12:34]
  • "I saw the man. This time I can give a description." [27:13]

• Sergeant Corbett:

  • "You should keep in touch with the other departments, Corbett." [23:xx]
  • "Treasury boys hoped to pump him about the smuggling outfit and they couldn't very well." [30:xx]

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Host’s Commentary

Following the drama, host Adam Graham provides insightful commentary at [33:25]. He reflects on the episode's departure from the Falcon's usual stylized narrative, noting its more grounded and realistic approach. Adam appreciates the episode's solid mystery and surprising twists, despite recognizing a shift in the series' tone. He remarks:

"It's written differently. It's not as stylized and feels much more grounded. I think it's still a decent mystery with some action and a big twist and the patient not actually being the killer." [33:30]

Adam also touches upon the period-specific music, likening it to standard NBC dramas of the era, and expresses tentative approval of the episode's quality despite its tonal changes.

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Conclusion

"The Case of the Missing Patient" serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic detective stories. Through Mike Waring's meticulous investigation and unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth, listeners are treated to a compelling narrative that blends suspense, character development, and thematic depth. Adam Graham's adept presentation ensures that both longtime fans and newcomers can appreciate the timeless sophistication of The Adventures of the Falcon.

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Further Listening

Stay tuned for next week's episode, "The Case of the Gold Ring," where Mike Waring delves into the murky intersections of junk deals and criminal endeavors, promising another enthralling adventure.

Transcript

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host Adam Graham. In a moment we're going to get into this week's episode of the Adventures of the Falcon, but if you are enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one time basis by going to support.greatdetectives.net and you can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month by going to patreon.greatdetectives.net and I want to welcome our latest Patreon supporter, Tristan supporting the podcast at the shamus level of $4 or more per month. Thank you so much for your support Tristan. Now there is a big time gap between last week's episode and this week's. The time gap is nearly six months, but there are only 17 missing episodes because the series went off the air for a couple of months. Series had been moved into the time slot of the Great Yelder Slave on August 29th and the great Gildersleeve, which was sponsored by Kraft, returned and the Falcon went off the air. It returned on October 28th as a sustained feature by NBC. And we're missing the first 16 weeks of that series. But now, here from February 17th, 1952, is the case of the Missing Patient.

[Mike Waring]

Hello? Yes, this is the Falcon speaking. Oh, Cora, thanks for the call, but I can't make it tonight, angel. I'm working on a case. Seems the fellow was disturbed in the middle of the night and didn't get any sleep. So by the next morning he was dead tired. Once again, the National Broadcasting Company brings you the transcribed Adventures of the Falcon, starring Les Damon. The Adventures of the Falcon dedicated to private investigators everywhere. Those hard hitting detectives who, like Mike Waring, risked their lives to aid law enforcement agencies. So join him now when the Falcon salves the case of the missing patient. It's late Sunday night as two figures move cautiously among the packing boxes piled in a darkened pier on the New York waterfront. The taller of the two figures carries a flashlight and runs its beam over the faces of the boxes as he moves slowly down the pier. Should be somewhere right along here. Deccan. Yeah, but why? Why don't we come to it? Patience, fellow. We will. Wayne, do you think there's a chance that maybe we made a mistake? Mistake? Warner Street Pier, Section E. Cargo from the Golden Star. There's no mistake. Unless they made one at the other end. Yeah, but then we ought to come to it. Well, I have news for you, Decca. We have, huh? Feast your eyes on that fella. A beautiful little crayon cross. Lovely sight, wouldn't you say? This is it. This is it. Don't tell me. Let's get it open. Well, you have the crowbar, remember? Oh, yeah. Crane. Guess I'm kind of excited. Try to control yourself. We have work to do. I'll hold the light. Okay. Can you see? Yep. You only have to take off two boards. It's supposed to be right on top. Right. All right, now look out. I'll reach in. Okay. You got it? Just a second, fella. Yep, I have something. It's a bag and it feels like. Here, you hold the light. Okay. I'll open it and pour out what's in it? Rudder. Look at them rocks. Well, Decker, looks like we've hit the jet. All at you too? Great. I'm behind this case. Quick, click off the light. Yeah. Come on out of there, both of you. What are we gonna do? Sit tight. And shut up. I thought we left that watchman gift wrapped. That's not the watchman. That's cops. You don't come out, we're coming for you. What are we gonna do? They got their light on us. I don't think they can see to the right of this box from where they are now. Look, I'm gonna try crawling over to that next row of boxes. If nothing happens, you follow, okay? I can see they got you. And the shoulder is. So you're asking for it. Are you going to come out peaceful? All right, let's move in. Looks like they got us now. Ms. Taylor will make a run the other way for the ship. Maybe I could, but you'll never make it. They winged you. I'll stay here. You go do what I say. If you're lucky, you can make the ship. That'll draw them off me. You still want it the hard way? Fellas, he's close. I could get going while this time. If you make the ship duck down behind the rail, they'll lose you. Run for the bow. There's a rope where she's tied up. You can slide down it and you'll wind up near the car. You ought to be able to make the car before they realize what's happened. Yeah, but how about you? Maybe I can get away while they're after you. I'll keep the stones so if they do catch up with you, you're clean. If they don't catch up, go to my place. I'll be there as soon as I see a doctor. I don't know, Crane. It may not work. It'll work. Now get going. But I. Go on. Okay. Hey, hold it.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Oh, Carl, the door.

[Mike Waring]

I hear it.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

You want me to go?

[Mike Waring]

No, no, I'll go as. As soon as I find my sleeper here. Yeah. You're the doctor? Yeah. Good. I'm the patient. So I see. All that blood. Come right in here. Yeah. Sorry to disturb you this time of night, but it was an emergency. No, things happen. Accident? Not exactly. This was intended for me. A bullet. Oh. Well. Sit right here. Right. Now, if we can get off this jacket. Oh, you can't lift arms? No, no. Well, here, I'll help you. Now, easy, easy, easy. We slip the jacket down, all right? Yeah. Yeah, I'm all right. Thanks. Now we see. Well, I have to tear the shirt. Go ahead. Yeah. Mmm. It's very bad. Hmm. Not too bad. I think I can, with not too much difficulty, get it out. Well, I'll get Elza to help with anesthetic. Oh, no, Doctor. No anesthetic. What? I want to know what's going on. It will hurt. An occupational hazard. I'm prepared for it. Well, as you wish. But I don't like to hurt. Shot of schnapps, perhaps? Thanks. If you let me watch you open a bottle. I don't want anything in it. You're a very suspicious man. I have to be. I gather that you've already guessed how this happened to me. I haven't given it much thought. It's my job to cure people, not to judge them. I know. It also happens to be your job to report any shooting formality the law requires. I know what the law requires. We'll dispense with the formality. That's why I'm not gonna be put to sleep. I want to be sure that Elsa, my wife. Tell her to stay out of here. She could tell her to stay out one minute. Elsa. It's all right. Elsa, the patient. I can take care of it.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

But don't you want me to help?

[Mike Waring]

No, no, no, no, no. Go back to bed.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Well, I'll put on some coffee. It'll be on the stove.

[Mike Waring]

All right. Thank you, Elsa. Oh, you shouldn't be so alarmed of Elsa. She wouldn't harm anyone. I told you, I have to be careful here. Is it worth it? I wonder what's worth. Worry, fear, pain. I'm not complaining. Come on. How about getting to work? Yeah. Now we get to work.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Carl, are you sure you don't need me? It's nearly 3:00. How much longer you going to be? Carl? Carl.

[Mike Waring]

Yes?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Hello. Do I have the right apartment?

[Mike Waring]

Well, I don't know. What apartment do you want?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Oh, excuse me. I'm looking for Michael Waring. He's a detective, sometimes called the Falcon.

[Mike Waring]

You have the right apartment. Come in.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Thank you.

[Mike Waring]

Now, what can I do for you?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Are you the Falcon?

[Mike Waring]

Who did you think I am?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Well, I wasn't sure. A friend, perhaps. A secretary or something. I mean. Well, I guess I expected someone. Well, not quite so polished.

[Mike Waring]

The polish is only skin deep, believe me. Underneath is a perfect example of a private eye. Nerves of steel, muscles of iron. And rocks in my head, I suppose. You tell me your name and we'll go on from there.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Oh, yes, I'm Mrs. Carl Eberhardt.

[Mike Waring]

Mm. And just why do you want a detective, Mrs. Eberhardt?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

My husband has been murdered.

[Mike Waring]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

That comes easy, doesn't it?

[Mike Waring]

What?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

I'm sorry, like good day or how are you? Figure of speech. You didn't even know Carl.

[Mike Waring]

What do you want me to say?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

I'm being difficult, aren't I? You'll have to forgive me, Mr. Waring. It's been such a shock. You were so happy. Carl was a good man. Kind. Oh, don't worry, Mr. Waring. I'm not going to break down.

[Mike Waring]

That's all right. Go ahead if it'll make you feel any better.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

No, I've been through all that. I want you to find out who did this thing.

[Mike Waring]

Why not leave it to the police?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

They seem to have an idea I did it. They were quite unpleasant.

[Mike Waring]

Well, at least they didn't lock you up.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Not yet.

[Mike Waring]

Why should they suspect you?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Because they don't know whom else to suspect. Carl had no enemies. I told you, he was a good man. Everyone who knew him liked him.

[Mike Waring]

Including you?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Yes, but I'm considerably younger than Carl. I. I think the police hope to make something of that.

[Mike Waring]

Mm. They're looking for the other man in your life.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Yes.

[Mike Waring]

Is there one?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

You have the same sort of mind. I see.

[Mike Waring]

Well, if you mean one that considers all possibilities, yes. If I'm going to help you, I have to have the facts.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

You have them. I've told you the truth.

[Mike Waring]

All right, then there's no triangle. And your husband had no enemies.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

That's right.

[Mike Waring]

And you have no idea who might have killed him.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Oh, but I do.

[Mike Waring]

What? I thought you said you didn't.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Well, I don't know his name, but a man came in the middle of the night. Carl said it was a patient.

[Mike Waring]

Did you see him?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

No. No, he took him in the office. Well, after more than an hour, when Carl didn't come back to bed, I went in the office. Patient was gone. Carl was dead.

[Mike Waring]

Could it have been one of the regular patients?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

I don't think so. A car would have mentioned his name.

[Mike Waring]

Total stranger. No connection with your husband? Nobody saw him.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

I guess I'm asking the impossible, aren't I? Maybe I better forget the whole thing and let the police think what they want.

[Mike Waring]

No, Mrs. Eberhardt, I'll find the man for you.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

You really think you can?

[Mike Waring]

Yeah, sure. Now, don't you worry. Everything is going to be all right. I promise. You know, Waring, even if I am on the police force, I'm homicide, not traffic. So if you get a ticket, don't expect me to fix it. All right, Corbett. You don't like the way I drive, get out. Well, aren't you a little ray of sunshine today? I offered to give you a lift to headquarters. Yes, Waring. So you could pump me about the Eberhardt case. Well, a lot of good it did me. I told you all we know, Waring. Which adds up to a big fat zero. You haven't any more on the missing patient than I have. If there is a missing patient. There is, Sergeant. You know there is. No, no, no, Waring. Just because you stuck your neck out, don't expect me to follow. Look, I said I'd find that character for a Corbett and I will. More power to you. After all, There are only 10 million people in New York. That's right. So why couldn't at least one of them have seen this guy? Still, assuming there is such a guy. Oh, why couldn't he have left a clue? Why isn't there something one measly lead to his identity? Why can't I keep my big mouth shut? That wearing is the question. Promising Mrs. Eberhardt I'd find the guy when there's not a single thing to go on. Oh, don't worry. Just leave it to me. Everything is going to be all right. You know something, Corbett? I must be nuts wearing. For the first time in my life, I'm inclined to agree with you. In these days, when we are building our military strength for the sake of our country's security, every American has a job to do. At present, the greatest reserve of manpower in our country lies in its woman power. There's an urgent need for women to assume their responsibilities as citizens by joining and serving in the military establishment as active partners of the men of our services. 72,000 enlisted men and women officers are urgently needed and especially in the nine women services. If you are between the ages of 18 and 34 and are a high school graduate in good health without dependent children, one of these careers is open to you. You will learn a skilled job and you will be given an opportunity to develop qualities of leadership and self discipline. Help keep our nation free by enlisting now in the armed forces. And now back to the adventures of the Falcon. A few days have passed since Mike Waring promised to pick a man out of nowhere. Now Mike has cooled off, gone to work on it. And he seems a little more cheerful as he enters Sergeant Corbett's office at headquarters. Hello, Corbett. Well, worrying. You look a little more human today. For you, that's quite a feat. Well, I'm feeling better. Corbett. What happened? Mrs. Eberhardt fire you? No, and I don't think she will. I hate to spoil your fun, Corbett, but I'm on the track of the missing patient. You don't Say. Oh, I do. Say, I've been checking. Two fellows were spotted loading cargo on the waterfront the night of the murder. Yeah, I heard about it. Suspected of being part of a smuggling ring. So what? So the two guys got away, but there was shooting. The cop who spotted them is sure he hit one. Oh, and you think Eberhardt's isn't far from the pier. And if the fellow had a bullet in him, he'd need a doctor. And then he might want to shut the doctor up. Yeah, could be. But if the guys got away, you still don't know who they are. You should keep in touch with the other departments, Corbett. Joey Decker was identified as one of the men. The one who got hit? No, the other one. They pick Decker up the next day. He denies any part of it. Denies he was ever at the pier. But he has no alibi and they booked him. He's out on bail. So if we could crack Decker. That's right, Corbett. If we can make him name his partner, I'm willing to bet we'll have our missing patient. What are we waiting for? Who's waiting? Okay, Waring. Only this time I drive in a squad. Hope Decker's in. Well, he wouldn't be if we announced ourselves. So we can only take a chance. Yeah. Well, now. Hey, sounds like trouble. Yeah. Come on, cuz. Deckers are popping. That's where it's coming from. Yeah. Decker. Decker. What's going on in there? Come on. Wiring. We better try to break this sword in. Yeah, all right. No, wait a minute. Wait a minute. They've stopped. Well, maybe now they'll answer. Come on in there. Open up. Where's it? Police. All right, all right. Just a minute. Well, make it a short minute. Wonder what was going on in there. Just a nice friendly argument. Well, if one of those friends doesn't open this door pretty quick, I'm still gonna kick it in. I think somebody's coming. Well, what do you want? Catch him. Wherein? I've got him here. I'll drag him to this chair. There, brother out cold. Yeah. The way his face is pushed out of shape, he wasn't playing solitary. Which means that whoever did this is probably still in the apartment. I better have a look. Yeah, go to it, Waring. I'll see if I can bring this fellow around. Right. Hey, Corbett. Yeah? What is it? A back door. And it's open. Whoever we're looking for is probably left. Well, he can't be far. Maybe you can catch him. Right. I'm on my way. Homicide. Sergeant Corbin. Hello, Corbin wearing. We're in blazes. Are you? You've been gone 15 minutes. I went down the back way to the street. The fellow was just getting in a taxi, so I followed. Did he spot you? No. He went to the bus station on 34th and picked up a package from a baggage locker. Huh. Then he went down to Penn Station. He's eating now at a lunch stand in the station. I'm calling from a booth where I can watch him. Are you sure he's the guy we're after? Well, he was at Decker's. His left arm's in a sling. Seems to add up. Well, stick with him. I've got an ambulance here for Decker. They don't need me. So where do I find you? Public phone. Where the operator's on duty. Long island side. Penn Station. Yeah. If I'm not here, that means our friend finished his meal and shoved off. Don't worry, Waring. I'll be there before his coffee cools. Hello? Waring. Is he still here? Yeah. Corbett, you made it just in time. He left the stand. He's headed for the subway. Come on. Right. Yeah. There he is passing the newsstand. The tall guy in the tan top coat. Oh, yeah, yeah, I see the sling. What gets me though, Woring, is how he could do the job on Decker with one arm out of commission. Well, I guess he can still hold a gun in his hand. That way he could keep Decker from fighting back. And he could slap him around with his good arm. Hey. Going through the turnstile? Yeah, I thought he might. Sorry, I'd have got down. Ready? Let's hurry it up. We don't want him to hop a train that we can't catch. Right. All right. I put the dime in, Corbett. Go on through. Okay. Over here, Waring. These are the stairs he took? Yeah. Hey, there's a train on the platform. Come on, quick. You see him, Colbert? Yes. He's getting in the last car. Hurry it up, Waring. The doors are closed. Come on. All right, Waring, I've got the sword. Come on, get in. Where? Come in. Oh, that was close. Oh, hey, now I see his face. I know that guy. Huh? He's Ernie Crane. I questioned him on another cake. Uhoh. He sees me and he knows me. Look, he's pushing toward the back. That's all right. The doors are closed. He can't get out. Can't get out? The back door to the tracks. He's opening it. Come on. Excuse me, please. Let's get. Let me through here, please. Pardon me, please. Dog Garnet. He jumped at the train stop. Keep going before it picks up too much bait. I'm sorry, lady. I left him through here. Here we are wary, but we're going pretty fast. Well, I may miss Emma hard, I promise. So I'm keeping you. So long, Corbin. No use, Crane. These openings in the tunnel wall make dandy foxholes. So you and I can keep shooting it out until Corbett comes back with help. You're not getting anywhere. Why don't you give yourself up? Well, I guess that's my answer. Somatic Crane. Out of bullets. Well, here's where we get together then. All right, Crane, stop fumbling with that clip. They should have known you couldn't get it in fast enough with that bum arm. If I can't get it in a gun, maybe it'll do some good. In your face. No. Hey, no you don't. You're not going anywhere. Let's go. I don't know what you're trying to prove, but you can't put up a fight with that arm. I told you. Now why don't you quit? Look out. You tumbled against the third rail as curtains for both of you. Not taking this? This is the way you want it. Here it is. All right, Shum. Now get up. Hurry up. There's a train coming. Here, I'll help you out. Hurry out. Sorry, but if we don't move fast. Come on. Crane and I just managed to drag him out of the way in time. Corbett. Yeah, good that you did, Waring. Treasury boys hoped to pump him about the smuggling outfit and they couldn't very well. If he was mangled. I don't know how far they'll get. He doesn't seem to want to talk. He'll talk. And that package of rocks he had with him would do a lot of talking for him. A couple of diamonds in there that is the size of golf balls. Well, the main thing as far as I'm concerned, is that I've proved Mrs. Eberhardt's story about the midnight visitor. Oh, yeah. I'm calling her now to tell her the good news. Hello? May I speak to Mrs. Eberhardt, please? What? When? I see. All right. Thanks. No. Goodbye. Well, how do you like that? Seeing as how I'm not a mind reader, I wouldn't know how do I like what wearing? That was a nurse. Mrs. Eberhardt is unconscious, huh? Yeah. Seems she was beaten up this afternoon, too. Our American heritage of freedom is one of our most priceless possessions. Over a large part of the world today, totalitarian government has done away with many of the liberties we have in our country, Indeed with the whole list of freedom given us by our Bill of Rights. Keep democracy strong and our American heritage intact by being an active citizen. Serve on school boards, jury panels and in the government of your community. Keep yourself informed about national and international affairs, combat racial and religious prejudice and all attacks on our liberties from whatever source. Don't be a lazy American. Work for your freedoms. It's the only way to keep them working for you. And now back to the Adventures of the Falcon. Half an hour has passed since Mike Waring learned that Mrs. Eberhardt was beaten unconscious. He's gone to see her, and now she opens her swollen eyes.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Is that you, Mr. Waring?

[Mike Waring]

Yes, Mrs. Eberhardt. Now, don't try to talk yet.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Oh, I want to talk. I saw the man. This time I can give a description.

[Mike Waring]

Good. I hope it fits the man we caught.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Oh, you've caught him?

[Mike Waring]

Mm. No, we caught somebody. Now, if we can tie him to you, the whole thing will fit together.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Well, this man was tall, wore a tan topcoat. He had a long face, long, sharp nose, thin lips. And his left arm was in a sling.

[Mike Waring]

Well, I guess that does it.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Is it the same man?

[Mike Waring]

Yes. What did he want with you?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Well, I'm not sure. It was so confusing. He said I knew, but I didn't. He held a gun in his left hand and then hit me with his right hand. Told me to talk. Said I killed Carl.

[Mike Waring]

You killed Carl?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

That's what he said.

[Mike Waring]

Did he mention the diamonds?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Diamonds? What diamonds?

[Mike Waring]

Oh.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Oh, maybe that's what he meant. Stones. He said something about stones that could be diamonds.

[Mike Waring]

Yes, it could.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

But I don't understand. Carl didn't have any.

[Mike Waring]

No. It's all right, Mrs. Eberhardt. Don't try to talk anymore.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

But that man.

[Mike Waring]

Now, don't you worry about him. We've got him where we want him, and he had the diamonds on him. So that angle is taken care of. But the murder was another matter. However, now that you can identify him, I think we can take care of that too. All right, now, Crane, are you gonna talk or aren't you? I hate to disappoint you, Sergeant, but I can't think of a thing to say. Waring, I'd like to give this character a dose of his own medicine. He likes to rough up people. I don't think it's necessary. Corbett. The diamonds on him definitely tie him to the smuggling mob. That's right. And Mrs. Eberhardt's identification will Tie him to Eberhard. Uh huh. And finally, his beating up Decker. Who's Decker? As if you don't know. Oh, you'd be surprised how many things I don't know, Sergeant. You're too modest, Crane. Rizzo. Yes, Sergeant. Send Decker in. Right. All right, Decker, inside. Okay. What do you want with me, Sergeant? We have a friend of yours here. Huh? Him? Yeah, I don't know him. You don't know Crane? I never saw him before in my life. You mean he's not the guy who did that job on your face this afternoon? I told you I never keep it up, Sergeant. You're doing fine. And you might have expected this, Corbett. Decker's been denying any part in the jewel smuggling. Naturally, he's going to deny any tie up with Crane. Yeah. Still I don't see why he's so worried about a smuggling charge when we've got a murder rap to hang on him. What's that, Warren? You heard me, Decca. And you're the one who killed Dr. Eberhard. I never even heard of a Doc Eberhard. He's the doctor Crane went to after the shooting on the pier. You must have followed him there. I didn't. I wasn't on the pier. I didn't go to the doctors. Crane must have passed out while the doctor was working on him. The doctor was going to phone the police. That's when you showed up. You killed him to keep him from calling the police. Oh, you're crazy. Crane had the rocks. Crane went to the doctors. Why do you try to drag me in? How do you know Crane had the rocks unless you were with him on the pier? Well, I mean, I. All right, so I was on the pier. Crane got me into it. But he took the rocks and him and me split up. I didn't even see him again until this afternoon when he tried to scare me into shutting up about him. That's why he beat up a me. You little rat. Wait. That's enough. Lay off. All right, hang on. I've got Deca. Right. Hold on, you. Now that Decca's talking, Corbett, I think you can wrap up the case. You'll bet I'm talking. Crane took the rocks. That's right, Deca. And he killed the doctor. No, that's wrong, Deca. I still nominate you for that. So just keep talking and you'll prove well. Hello.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Oh, hello, Mr. Waring. Come in.

[Mike Waring]

Thank you. Now, how do you feel today?

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Better, thanks. I hear you solved the case.

[Mike Waring]

Uh huh.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

And I understand the man who attacked me wasn't the murderer.

[Mike Waring]

That's right. It wasn't Crane. It was his partner, Decker.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

But how did you know?

[Mike Waring]

Well, I was sure the murderer had the diamonds. Since Crane was looking for them, he obviously wasn't the murderer.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

I see.

[Mike Waring]

He thought you might have them. But you couldn't tell him anything or he wouldn't have had to try Decker. That meant you weren't the murderer.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

And that leaves Decker.

[Mike Waring]

That's right. Crane was able to go directly to the diamonds when he left Decker. So Decca must have told them where they were.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

Mm. Well, I. I don't know how to thank you for clearing this up, Mr. Waring.

[Mike Waring]

Yeah. You hired me to do a job. I did it, that's all.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

And risked your life doing it. Don't minimize it.

[Mike Waring]

Would have been a bigger risk if I hadn't.

[Mrs. Carl Eberhardt]

What do you mean?

[Mike Waring]

If I hadn't cleared things up after the promises I made, Sergeant Corbett would have razzed the life out of me. Good night, Mrs. Eberhard. The case of the Gold Ring. The Case of the Gold Ring. That's the title of next week's Adventure of the Falcon, when Mike Waring learns that those who deal in junk are sometimes paid off in lead. The Adventures of the Falcon are based on the famous character created by Drexel Drake, transcribed and produced by Bernard L. Shubert, written today by Jerome Epstein and directed by Richard Lewis. Les Damon starred as the Falcon, with Chuck Webster as Sergeant Corbett. This program came from New York. This is Fred Collins speaking.

[Adam Graham]

Coming up this week on the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon.

[Mike Waring]

How was things? I asked the uncle, Real gay and carefree. I was shining like the sun overhead one minute and hit by a clap of thunder and a bolt of lightning the next. You're going to the wedding, Davey. I tell you, boy, I kind of wish twas you the girl was marrying.

[Adam Graham]

Listen to the Old time radio snackwagon snackwagon.net or wherever you get your podcast. Welcome back. This is a tough episode to evaluate in terms of the context of the Falcon. It has a very different feel in so many ways. It's written differently. It's not as stylized and feels much more grounded. I think it's still a decent mystery with some action and a big twist and the patient not actually being the killer. But if this is the way the Falcon goes for the rest of Damon's run, it'll take some getting used to. Also, the music on the show sounds like pretty much any other NBC drama of the era, with the sort of standard library music cues. But I thought for what it was. It did a good job even being less tongue in cheek. Well, now it is time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to go ahead and thank Doug. Doug has been one of our patreon supporters since September 2023. Currently supporting the podcast at the master detective level of $15 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Doug. And that will actually do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. We'll be back next Monday with another adventure of the Falcon, but join us back here tomorrow. And next Tuesday we'll be featuring Martin Cain. But join us back here tomorrow for Operation Danger.

[Mike Waring]

Where yours, Selka? That is right. This is Lieutenant Harper, British Intelligence. An honor, Lieutenant. Captain, I think we should speak quickly. I heard steps on the road. I may have been followed. It's your party, Selka. What's the story? It concerns diamonds, Captain Rogers. When the Germans help me prisoner. I worked on the building of a laboratory at Kyle House National Zone, isn't it, Captain? That's right. Go on, Salka. They were using the laboratory for experiment to convert cheap commercial grade diamonds into blue white gemstones. So that's how they get their supply. If the experiments were successful? That I do not know. I was only there six months. Do you know who was in charge of the project? Yes, Captain. Dr. Car? Ner. A nasty scientist, Carl. Nevertheless, I'll check with AMG. The name is familiar. It's more than familiar to me. He struck me one day in the laboratory and I fell against the sermon. Here I flash a light. Look at my hand. Wait, somebody's there on the road. Cut that light. Hey. Running down the road. Yeah, I hear him. Maybe I can.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box13reattactives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetactives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com Great. Detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.