Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Blinker Matter (EP4830)

Summary

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The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar – The Blinker Matter (EP4830)
Date: October 24, 2025
Host: Adam Graham
Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar

Episode Overview

In today's episode, host Adam Graham presents an installment from "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar," entitled The Blinker Matter. Johnny Dollar, insurance investigator, is dispatched to San Francisco to look into the mysterious disappearance of Andrew Foreman, an importer insured for $50,000. The story weaves together an enigmatic visitor named Blinker, a worried young wife, a secret love affair, and a surprising link to drug smuggling. The detective drama unravels suspensefully, with Graham offering commentary and listener feedback after the story concludes.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Introduction & Case Setup

(02:28 – 03:15)

• Johnny Dollar is contacted by Fred Wills from Surety Mutual regarding the sudden disappearance of Andrew Foreman, an insured client in San Francisco.
• Foreman is an importer, and his wife, Marcia, is his sole beneficiary on the policy.

Johnny Dollar: “Have you ever heard of an importer getting exported?”
Fred Wills: “I don’t get you, Fred.”
(02:48)

2. Meeting Marcia Foreman

(04:35 – 07:32)

• Dollar visits Foreman’s upscale apartment. Marcia recalls the night Foreman vanished: a strange man named Blinker (with a sailor’s jacket, scar on cheek, and peculiar blinking) visits, Foreman leaves to help him find a hotel, and never returns.
• Marcia denies knowing Blinker before and seems very certain her husband had no reason to disappear.

Johnny Dollar: “Suppose Blinker had nothing to do with your husband’s disappearance…can you think of any reason at all why your husband might want to disappear?”
Marcia Foreman: “No, Mr. Dollar. Absolutely not.”
(07:22)

3. Consultation with Detective Lieutenant Scapella

(07:32 – 09:17)

• The police haven’t found Blinker or Foreman at any hotel. Scapella is skeptical about Marcia’s story due to the detailed description she gave of Blinker.
• Motive is discussed: Marcia would gain $50,000 if Foreman is dead.

Scapella: “Smelling a fake’s one thing, proving it’s another. What do we got for motive?”
(08:29)

• News arrives: Foreman’s lawyer, Wayne Arnold, has just received a call from Blinker demanding $10,000.

4. The Ransom Call & Unfolding Suspicions

(12:12 – 14:57)

• Dollar questions Wayne Arnold, who received a ransom demand from an agitated Blinker. Neither Arnold nor Marcia had heard of Blinker before the incident.
• Dollar tails Arnold and discovers he meets with Marcia in Golden Gate Park. Their intimate interaction suggests an affair.
• Dollar confronts Marcia, who confesses to the affair but insists she didn't fabricate Blinker nor harm her husband.

Johnny Dollar: “The story you told me about this man Blinker… There’s no such person, is there? You and Arnold made it up.”
Marcia Foreman: “I know that’s not true!”
(15:17)

• Marcia finally hints Foreman’s business profits seemed suspiciously high, possibly evidence of illegal activity.

5. The Investigation Turns to Smuggling

(16:56 – 20:43)

• Dollar investigates Foreman’s office and traces recent shipments to the freighter “Indian Princess.” At the waterfront, he consults Gus, a tough, humorous café owner.
• Gus identifies Blinker as a real sailor frequenting the Indian Princess, who recently seemed unusually pleased and was last seen with a carved elephant figurine—possibly worth a lot of money.

Gus: “He showed me the elephant. Said it was going to make him a lot of money.”
(20:17)

6. The Carved Elephant and Blinker's Fate

(21:04 – 22:06)

• Gus reveals he’s storing Blinker's belongings in a back room.
• In Blinker's seabag, Dollar finds a carved elephant with a hollow leg containing white powder—heroin or narcotics.
• Just then, Gus takes Dollar to a body found near the pier: it’s Blinker, shot and killed.

Johnny Dollar: "Looks like it’s been in the water quite a few hours. Gus."
Gus: "Yep, it’s Blinker, all right."
(22:01)

7. Confrontation and Solution

(22:06 – 24:21)

• Dollar rushes to the warehouse containing Foreman’s shipment of carved elephants, confirming all are full of narcotics.
• Foreman appears, gun in hand; Dollar deduces Foreman killed Blinker to silence his blackmail after Blinker realized the true nature of the import. Foreman confesses under pressure.

Johnny Dollar: "You know, Foreman, it doesn’t much matter. You’ve got even bigger troubles than that staring you in the face."
(23:49)

8. Resolution

(24:35 – 25:18)

• Dollar summarizes the case: Foreman is arrested for murder, closing the insurance investigation.
• Adam Graham wraps up with brief commentary and listener feedback.

Adam Graham: “A solid mystery that had a great hook and then developed a lot of room to guess at what was going on.” (28:37)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Distinctive description of Blinker:
  “Seaman’s jacket. Beady, blinking eyes, scar on the right cheek. He sounds real distinctive.” – Detective Lt. Scapella (08:18)

• Twist revelation:
  “Oh, Gussie, you’re the most beautiful thing that’s happened to me all day.” – Johnny Dollar, delighted at a lead (17:59)

• The final confrontation:
  “The missing man himself. Andrew Foreman. Look, I think they found out what you were importing in those carved elephants.” – Johnny Dollar (23:08)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Case Introduction: 02:28
• Interview with Marcia Foreman: 04:35 – 07:32
• Police Insight with Lt. Scapella: 07:32 – 09:17
• Ransom Call & Love Affair Exposed: 12:12 – 15:59
• Marcia’s Admission about Business: 16:24 – 16:56
• Waterfront/Sailor & Gus Interview: 17:21 – 22:06
• Discovery of Blinker's Body: 21:47 – 22:06
• Warehouse Showdown & Arrest: 22:06 – 24:21
• Host Wrap-up and Listener Feedback: 28:37

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Host Commentary & Tone

Adam Graham’s delivery is warm, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable, providing a sense of comfort and continuity for regular listeners. His brief post-episode remarks highlight the narrative’s effective misdirection and layered suspense:

“Blinker went from being perhaps an invention of Mrs. Foreman or the person who kidnapped Mr. Foreman to actually being a blackmailer and Mr. Foreman's murder victim.” (28:37)

He closes with gratitude to Patreon supporters, answers listener emails, and teases upcoming episodes, maintaining an engaging, conversational tone.

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Summary

This episode of "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar" offers a well-crafted, twisting mystery, blending marital intrigue, blackmail, and an illicit smuggling operation. The story keeps listeners guessing with shifting suspicions, leading to a dramatic reveal and confession. Host Adam Graham contextualizes the drama with friendly commentary, making the episode accessible for mystery fans old and new.

Transcript

[Interviewer]

What do you think makes the perfect snack?

[Snack Enthusiast]

Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.

[Interviewer]

Could you be more specific?

[Snack Enthusiast]

When it's cravinient.

[Narrator]

Okay.

[Snack Enthusiast]

Like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter, available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at a.m. p.m.

[Interviewer]

I'm seeing a pattern here.

[Snack Enthusiast]

Well, yeah, we're talking about what I.

[Interviewer]

Crave, which is anything from AM PM.

[Snack Enthusiast]

What more could you want?

[Narrator]

Stop by AM PM where the snacks.

[Snack Enthusiast]

And drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's cravenience.

[Narrator]

A.m. p. M. Too much. Good stuff.

[Interviewer]

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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 bring you this week's episode of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. But first, I do want to encourage you. If you are enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. I also want to encourage you as you're making your travel plans, remember johnnydoller air.com johnnydoller air.com is a Priceline affiliate link, so part of your purchase price supports the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio at no additional cost to you. So remember, when making your travel plans, check johnnydollerair.com first. Well, now, from July 6, 1958, here is the blinker matter.

[Narrator]

From Hollywood. It's time now for.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny Dollar, Fred Wills, Assurity Mutual Limited. Johnny. Oh, hi, Fred. What's on your mind at the moment? San Francisco. Oh, nice town to have on your mind. What's new out there? That's what I hope you're going to tell me. What do you mean, Johnny? There's an importer out there name of Andrew Foreman. We're carrying a $50,000 policy on his life. So? So have you ever heard of an importer getting exported?

[Narrator]

I don't get you, Fred.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm afraid that's what's happened to Foreman. Last night he disappeared. I'm on.

[Narrator]

Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the Action packed. Expense account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Narrator]

And now act one of yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to the home office Surety Mutual Limited, Hartford, Connecticut. Following as an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Blinker matter. Expense Account Item 1, $178.50. Transportation and incidentals to San Francisco. On the flight out, I studied the dope. Fred Wills at Samplane. Andrew Foreman, age 51. Occupation, importer. Health good. Judging from the hefty premium he had to pay, his importing business must be okay. Wife, Marcia Foreman, age 35. Sixteen years younger than her husband. And Marcia was the sole beneficiary. My plane landed about 8 in the morning. An hour later I was at the Foreman's apartment. It was spacious, modern, with a lot of glass and the kind of view of the bay that you had to pay plenty for. Yeah, there was money written all over the place. And Marcia Pullman looked right at home.

[Marcia Foreman]

I'm just having coffee on the terrace, Mr. Dollar. Won't you join me?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, thanks. I could use some out here. You sure got a beautiful view here.

[Marcia Foreman]

Yes, I never get tired of watching the bay, the ships. There's always something going on. Well, here you are.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thanks.

[Marcia Foreman]

What is it, Mr. Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I'm just looking up the bay.

[Marcia Foreman]

Alcatraz? Yeah, Such a grim looking place.

[Johnny Dollar]

It's a real exclusive club, but I managed to get a couple of new members into it.

[Marcia Foreman]

I don't think I care for the kind of job you have, Mr. Dollar. Trouble wherever you go.

[Johnny Dollar]

Suppose we talk about your troubles.

[Marcia Foreman]

All right. I told the police all I know when I filled out the missing persons reports. But I'll go over it again for.

[Johnny Dollar]

You, if you don't mind. Your husband disappeared the night before last.

[Marcia Foreman]

Yes, that's right.

[Johnny Dollar]

What time?

[Marcia Foreman]

I'm. I'm not sure. Around 9:00 clock that night, somebody came to see him. A strange sort of man.

[Johnny Dollar]

How do you mean strange?

[Marcia Foreman]

Well, he was dressed in rough clothes, a seaman's jacket. He said he was an old friend of my husband's.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did he give you his name, Mrs. Foreman?

[Marcia Foreman]

Only blinker.

[Johnny Dollar]

Blinker?

[Marcia Foreman]

Yes, he said that's what everybody called him, I guess because he kept blinking his eyes very rapidly.

[Johnny Dollar]

I see.

[Marcia Foreman]

Well, I showed this, this Blinker person into the den where my husband was and left the two of them together. A few minutes later my husband came out and told me he was going to drive Blinker downtown and find him a hotel room. So I went to bed. I Was tired, went right to sleep. And, well, my husband and I have adjoining bedrooms. When I went in to call him yesterday morning, he was gone. The bed, it hadn't been slept in. I called his office thinking he might have decided to work late, but they hadn't seen him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then you call the police?

[Marcia Foreman]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

Mrs. Foreman, had your husband ever mentioned this man Blinker before?

[Marcia Foreman]

No, I'm quite certain he hadn't.

[Johnny Dollar]

Can you describe him?

[Marcia Foreman]

Well, he. He wasn't above medium height. Age? Oh, maybe in the 40s. A scar on his right cheek. Thin nose and dark, rather beady eyes. I'm afraid that's the best I can do.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, considering that you only got a brief look at him, I'd say that was a pretty complete description.

[Marcia Foreman]

Mr. Dollar, do you think this person, Blinker, could have done anything to my husband?

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't know, but I'm sure the police are looking for him. Just one more question, Mrs. Foreman. Suppose blinker had nothing to do with your husband's disappearance?

[Marcia Foreman]

I. I'm afraid I don't follow you.

[Johnny Dollar]

What I mean is, can you think of any reason, any reason at all why your husband might want to disappear?

[Marcia Foreman]

No, Mr. Dollar. Absolutely not.

[Johnny Dollar]

Marsha Foreman sounded pretty certain of that last answer. Maybe just a little bit too certain. Expense account item 2. $1.80. Cab fare to the office of an old friend of mine, Detective Lieutenant Scapella Jono.

[Narrator]

If Foreman took this character Blinker to a hotel, it's no hotel we ever heard of. We've covered them all.

[Johnny Dollar]

You think Blinker could have killed Foreman?

[Narrator]

It's a possibility. What's another? Maybe there is no Blinker.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, Capella, I thought about that too.

[Narrator]

General. Didn't it hit you there was something strange about Mrs. Foreman's story? She said she let Blinker in the apartment. She showed him to the den. Now, she could have only seen him.

[Johnny Dollar]

A couple of minutes, yet she rattled off a complete description of him.

[Narrator]

Sure it to me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Scapella, right between the eyes and the way she described.

[Narrator]

Yeah, I know. Seaman's jacket. Beady, blinking eyes, scar on the right cheek. He sounds real distinctive.

[Johnny Dollar]

Real distinctive or real faked?

[Narrator]

I'm at the picture. Trouble is, smelling a fake's one thing, proving it's another. What do we got for a motive?

[Johnny Dollar]

For one thing, 50,000 bucks she was format, sole beneficiary.

[Narrator]

That's interesting. That's real interesting. Excuse me, John Capella.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh.

[Narrator]

Oh, yes. What? I see.

Yes.

Okay.

Yes.

All right. Thanks, Mr. Arnold. John, it looks like we better back up and start all over.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean?

[Narrator]

That was Wayne Arnold, that's Foreman's attorney. He had a telephone call this morning.

[Johnny Dollar]

From Foreman?

[Narrator]

No, but from somebody just as interesting.

[Johnny Dollar]

Blinker.

[Narrator]

Yeah, Blinker.

Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

In a moment. Many of us on the job are clock watchers and time clock punches just waiting for time to quit. When is it really time to quit? The man with a set day of work has a schedule to adhere to. But the fighting man quits only when the job is done. And to him capture by the enemy does not mean the end, but perhaps only the beginning of the most important part of his job. One of the points of the code of conduct for the American fighting man says, quote, if I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy. The strong ideals set forth there are the same ideals that gave great determination to one young officer of the United States Navy. Half an hour after Lieutenant Edward V.M. isaac's ship was sunk by three torpedoes in the Atlantic Ocean in May 1918, at the height of World War I, he was taken prisoner by the commander of the German submarine U90. During the U boats trip back to Germany, Lieutenant Isaac learned a great deal of vital secret information about U boat movements. Determined to make this information available to the United States and Allied naval authorities, Lieutenant Isaac, while on his way to a prisoner of war camp, risked his life by jumping through the window of a rapidly moving train. Severely injured by his fall, he was again captured. Months later, aided by several American army officers who short circuited the prison lighting system, Lieutenant Isaac escaped through barbed wire fences and amid heavy rifle fire from the guards. After seven days and nights of rugged travel over the mountains and with only raw vegetables for food, he swam the swift current of the Rhine river right under the noses of the enemy sentries. Evading many enemy soldiers, he reached the American legation in Bern, Switzerland and completed his self assigned mission. For risking his life many times above and beyond the call of duty, Lieutenant Edward Isaac was awarded the Medal of Honor. His personal code of conduct had made him realize that war doesn't end with confinement as a prisoner of war. That is when the real responsibility may begin.

And now, act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Blinker Matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

Like Scapella said, we had to back up and start all over again. Just when we talked ourselves into thinking Marsha Foreman's story about Blinker was phony, her missing husband's lawyer phoned and told us he just heard from blinker. Item 3, $70k. Upgraded. The office of Wayne Arnold, Foreman's attorney. I met him just coming out his door. Did you wish to see me, Mr. Arnold?

[Narrator]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm Johnny Dollar.

[Narrator]

Oh, yes, the insurance investigator. Mrs. Foreman told me you'd been questioning her. Look, I'm sorry, but I'm in rather a hurry. I have an appointment and I'm late for.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sorry, but this will only take a minute or two. I was in Lt. Scapella's office when you phoned a while ago about this man Blinker. Mr. Arnold.

[Narrator]

Oh, yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

When did you hear from him? Just a little while ago.

[Narrator]

I called Marsha Foreman right away, and she thought I ought to call Scapella.

[Johnny Dollar]

What did Blinker say on the phone?

[Narrator]

It was a strange conversation. He sounded nervous, excited, almost out of breath. Said he wanted money, $10,000. If he didn't get it, he'd. And that's as far as he got. He stopped suddenly, said he'd contact me later, then hung up. What do you make of it, Mr. Duller?

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't know. Could be he's holding Foreman for ransom.

[Narrator]

That's what it sounded like to me.

[Johnny Dollar]

I take it you don't know this Blinker.

[Narrator]

I never heard of him until Marsha told me about him showing up night before last.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay. Just one more thing, Mr. Arnold. How long have you been foreman's attorney?

[Narrator]

Three, four years.

Why?

[Johnny Dollar]

Any reason you know of why he might want to disappear?

[Narrator]

None that I can think of.

[Johnny Dollar]

Another woman, maybe?

[Narrator]

I doubt it very much.

[Johnny Dollar]

How about his importing business?

[Narrator]

As far as I know, it's in excellent shape.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay.

[Narrator]

Thanks.

[Johnny Dollar]

Mr. Arnold.

[Narrator]

Mr. Dollough. Yeah? This man Blinker, why would he have it in for Andrew Foreman?

[Johnny Dollar]

Good question. I know. Sorry, I don't have an answer to it. I went down the elevator and outside. I stopped at the corner to get some cigarettes. And that was my first lucky break. Because just as I was leaving the counter, I saw Arnold come outside. And the way he looked up and down the street made it plain he wanted to see if anybody was watching him. He got into his car and drove off. I grabbed a taxi, that's item four, and trailed him. He drove into Golden Gate park and stopped. I got out down the road and worked my way toward him behind some bushes. Pretty soon a woman came over and got into his car. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I didn't need to, because when I saw the kiss, I got the message. The woman was Marcia Foreman. I Went back into town and waited for Marsha outside her apartment door. She showed up about half an hour later.

[Marcia Foreman]

What? Hi, Mr. Dollar. What is it? Is something wrong?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, Something's real wrong. Mrs. Foreman, I want to talk to you.

[Marcia Foreman]

All right, come in. But I've already told you all I know.

[Johnny Dollar]

The story you told me about this man Blinker. There's no such person, is there?

[Marcia Foreman]

What?

[Johnny Dollar]

You and Eino made it up.

[Marcia Foreman]

I know that's not true.

[Johnny Dollar]

What about you and Arnold, Mrs. Foreman?

[Marcia Foreman]

I. I don't know what you're talking about.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, then tell me. Did you enjoy your visit with him in Golden Gate park an hour ago?

[Marcia Foreman]

Oh, that.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Marcia Foreman]

Well, all right. Mr. Dollar. Wayne Arnold and I have. We've been in love for some time.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did your husband know?

[Marcia Foreman]

I'm not sure. We were trying to find the right time to tell him. I don't think he'd really have cared very much. My husband and I haven't gotten along very well the last year or two. I guess I really didn't know him when I married him. Mr. Dollar, this has nothing to do with my husband's disappearance. You must believe that.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's so.

[Marcia Foreman]

I didn't make up the story about Blinker. I didn't kill my husband, if that's what you're thinking.

[Johnny Dollar]

Has he been killed?

[Marcia Foreman]

I. I don't know. You've got me confused.

[Johnny Dollar]

If you didn't do it, how about Arnold?

[Marcia Foreman]

No, he'd have no reason. Sadie wasn't even in town the night before last.

[Johnny Dollar]

I can check that.

[Marcia Foreman]

I know you can.

[Johnny Dollar]

Mrs. Foreman. Maybe you're telling me the truth and maybe you're not. Sooner or later, I'm gonna find out.

[Marcia Foreman]

Which I am telling you the truth.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then can you give me any reason at all why your husband has disappeared?

[Marcia Foreman]

There's. There's one possibility, Mr. Dollar. It might have something to do with his importing business.

[Johnny Dollar]

What's that mean?

[Marcia Foreman]

My husband. Well, he seems to have made a lot of money out of his importing business. More than the kind of thing he usually imports would warrant.

[Johnny Dollar]

What does he import?

[Marcia Foreman]

Oh, trinkets. Curios from the Orient, mostly.

[Johnny Dollar]

Have you a key to your husband's office?

[Marcia Foreman]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

Let me have it. I want to take a look around. I went over the papers in Foreman's office and found out his last shipment had come in three days ago on the Indian princess. Mrs. Foreman had said Blinker was wearing a seaman's jacket. I headed for the waterfront, but the ship was gone. Near the pier was a beat up eating place called Gus's Cafe. A woman with an apron came over. She was about 6ft tall and almost that wide.

[Gus]

What can I do for you, buddy?

[Johnny Dollar]

Want to talk to the owner.

[Narrator]

Gus?

[Gus]

That's me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Your Gus?

[Gus]

Short for Gussie? What's on your mind, buddy?

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny. Johnny Dollar. I want some information.

[Gus]

You a cop, buddy?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, I'm not a cop.

[Gus]

You look like. I can't.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now, listen. That freighter that shoved off from this pier, The Indian Princess.

[Gus]

Doc's there regular.

[Johnny Dollar]

You know any of the sailors from her?

[Narrator]

Just about all of them.

[Gus]

They all come in here.

[Narrator]

Hey, look.

[Johnny Dollar]

Gussie.

[Gus]

Gus.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, Gus. You ever happen to hear of a sailor named Blinker?

[Narrator]

Sure.

[Johnny Dollar]

You know him?

[Narrator]

Sure.

[Johnny Dollar]

About medium height, scar on the right cheek. Blinks his eyes all the time.

[Gus]

I said I know him. What do you want, an affidavit?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, Gussie, you're the most beautiful thing that's happened to me all day.

[Gus]

That's what they all tell me, buddy. Flattery don't get them a thing. Might help you, though. You're kind of cute.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. Look, did Blinker sail on the Indian Princess?

[Marcia Foreman]

Nope.

[Narrator]

Then where is he?

[Gus]

Fact is, I don't know. Blinker's disappeared.

[Narrator]

Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

In a moment.

Times have changed, and so has the man. Through the ages, man has advanced both physically and mentally. Prehistoric man's concept of war and living was like that of an animal. His implements were crude, his knowledge simple. It was survival of the fittest. From his club and stones to bows and arrows and spears, from muskets and sabers to atomic rifles and missiles. Man has progressed in the art of attack and defense. With each new phase, man's knowledge has developed. Today, the warrior, if he can be called such, is not a stone thrower, a bowman or a swordsman. He's a technician who needs knowledge of all that science has developed. He's a sonar man, a radar man, a rifleman or a torpedo man, a missile man or a pilot. But whatever his job, he needs the skill and the technical know how to do the job and do it well.

Yes.

Times have changed, and so has the man.

And now, Act Three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Blinker matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then you don't have any idea where Blinker is now, Gus?

[Gus]

Not the slightest, buddy.

[Narrator]

Oh, crap.

[Johnny Dollar]

Great. And I'm right back where I started from.

[Gus]

Blinker was mixed up in something, all right.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean?

[Gus]

The Indian Princess docked the other night. Blinker, come in here for a cup of coffee. That's one thing the sailors around here all Miss, when they're out to sea, my coffee is. No one makes coffee like me. Why, there's nobody on the whole.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I know about Blinker now.

[Gus]

Well, seemed pretty pleased with himself. Said he was onto something good.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did he say what he meant by that? No.

[Gus]

Just sat there looking pleased with himself.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yeah.

[Gus]

He showed me the elephant. That it was going to make him a lot of money.

[Johnny Dollar]

What elephants?

[Gus]

He had a carved elephant about 6 inches high. Must have picked it up somewhere. Maybe he was going to sell it.

[Narrator]

I don't know.

[Johnny Dollar]

Foreman imported curios from the Orient. His last shipment came in on the Indian Princess. That elephant could have been part of it.

[Narrator]

Foreman?

[Gus]

Who's he?

[Johnny Dollar]

Never mind. Well, I wonder where I go from here.

[Gus]

I wonder what I'm gonna do with all Blinker's stuff if he don't show up for it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Maybe I'm. What did you say about Blinker's stuff? What stuff?

[Gus]

I got a back room where I let the boys keep their gear when they're ashore.

[Johnny Dollar]

You've got Blinker's things there now?

[Gus]

Sure have.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why didn't you tell me?

[Gus]

You never asked me.

[Johnny Dollar]

In the back room, I went through Blinker's seabag. Near the bottom, I found a carved elephant. An ordinary looking elephant. Until I twisted one of the legs loose. It was hollow. And inside, a little paper packet full of white powder. Suddenly, the whole deal slid into place. And just as suddenly, the whole deal made me slightly sick. Now, I wanted to see the rest of those elephants real bad. According to the records informant's office, the shipment was in a warehouse. I went outside. Nobody appear.

[Narrator]

Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Huh? Oh, Gus.

[Gus]

Come here a minute. Johnny, look.

[Johnny Dollar]

Look, I'm in a hurry. Thanks for everything. I'll see you later.

[Gus]

You got time to see this over here near the pier.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wait a minute.

[Gus]

Yeah, the body all right. One of the boys just fished it.

[Narrator]

Out of the water.

[Gus]

I sent him to call the cops.

[Johnny Dollar]

Looks like it's been in the water quite a few hours. Gus.

[Gus]

Yep, it's Blinker, all right.

[Johnny Dollar]

I knew I had to work fast now. I headed out on the pier for the warehouse. Once I thought I heard footsteps somewhere behind them. I stopped and listened. There was no sound. It was dark inside the warehouse. But with the help of matches, I located foreman shipment. I took a crowbar and opened one of the crates. It was full of carved elephants. I picked up one of them. Yeah, it had a hollow leg. And the hollow leg was full of the same white powder. I hit the floor fast. The shot had come from over near the door. I eased my gun out and waited. Five, ten minutes went by. I kept quiet. Then suddenly, a shadow loomed up near the crates. We saw each other at the same time.

[Narrator]

My shoulder.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, well. The missing man himself. Andrew Foreman. Look, I think they found out what you were importing in those carved elephants. He tried to blackmail.

[Narrator]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, sure, sure. You probably told him you'd pay off. That's when you drove him downtown, night before last. Then you tried to kill him. But he must have got away. He called your lawyer, tried to put the squeeze on through him, but he had to hang up in a hurry. You were probably getting close. You finally caught up with him, didn't you, Foreman?

[Narrator]

Look, you've got no proof of anything.

Why should Blinker try to blackmail me?

[Johnny Dollar]

Like I say, he found out about the narcotics in those hollow elephants, was.

[Narrator]

Put there without my knowledge. You have no proof I was involved.

[Johnny Dollar]

You know, Foreman, it doesn't much matter. You've got even bigger troubles than that staring you in the face.

[Narrator]

I don't understand.

[Johnny Dollar]

Blinker's body has been recovered from the bay.

[Narrator]

I wouldn't know anything about that. We've got no proof of that either.

No.

[Johnny Dollar]

There were two bullet holes in blinker. Five will get you 10. The slugs in them came from this gun of yours.

[Narrator]

The gun?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. This is something that can be proved.

[Narrator]

Well.

All right.

I just didn't have any choice.

[Johnny Dollar]

Item 5, $183. Even transportation and incidentals. Home expense account total $434.50. Remarks. Andrew Foreman made a complete statement to the police. The murder case against him is open and shut. So it looks like he's going to beat the narcotics rap after all the hard way. Yours truly, Johnny Doll.

[Narrator]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, originates in Hollywood and is produced and directed by Jack Gemstone. Today's story was written by Robert Stanley. Heard in our cast were Paula Winslow, D.J. thompson, Gary Bartel, Stacy Harris, Vic Perrin and Bob Bruce. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station, for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Roy Rowan, Spe.

Sam.

Johnny$ has come to you through the worldwide facilities of the United States Armed.

Forces Radio and Television Service.

[Snack Enthusiast]

This is the story of the 1. As head of maintenance at a concert hall, he knows the show must always go on. That's why he works behind the scenes, ensuring every light is working, the H Vac is humming, and his facility shines with Grainger's supplies and solutions for Every challenge. He faces +24.7 customer support. His venue never misses a beat. Call quick Granger or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. A solid mystery that had a great hook and then developed a lot of room to guess at what was going on. Blinker went from being perhaps an invention of Mrs. Foreman or the person who kidnapped Mr. Foreman to actually being a blackmailer and Mr. Foreman's murder victim. All right, well, listener comments and feedback now. And Reinzer had some feedback on that whole discussion about car phones in the Delectable Damsel Matter writing Perry White had a car phone in the Adventures of Superman in the early mid-50s. Well, thanks so much, Ryan. So I appreciate the comment. I've seen some of the Adventures of Superman, but I might have missed the episode that has the car phone in it, or else I'm not remembering it. But thank you so much. Appreciate the sighting there. Well, now it is time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to thank you all patreon supporters since March 2023, currently supporting the podcast at the shamus level of $4 or more per month. Thank you so much for your support. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We will be back next Friday with another episode of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. But join us back here tomorrow as we take a listen to the great adventurers of old time radio and cloak and dagger wear.

[Pilot]

This will be a snap, huh? Nothing to it, huh? How'd I know we'd run into a chap 0? Right back at you, buddy. Now, he dived too fast for you, Harry. I'm gonna grab more sky. Maybe I can lose him up there. He's on a tail. Maybe not for long. Hang on, boy. Most of the way up, the air was thin enough so that I could see the nose of the that zero following us. And then at 7,000ft, the air became thick and we lost him. But the plane had taken quite a beating. How bad is it looking, Pete? Well, we haven't more than 50 miles to go. Then we can sit down and cutchen territory, make repairs before heading back to India. Okay, instead of dropping that document, we'll deliver it in person when we get there.

[Narrator]

Huh?

[Pilot]

If we get there.

[Narrator]

What?

[Pilot]

What's that wing? It's coming off where he hit us.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box 13@Great Detectives.net From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.