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This is the Relic Radio Show. Old Time Radio Entertainment still standing the test of time from relicradio.com. This is the Relic Radio Show. Thanks for joining me for the final episode of 2025. If you'd like to help support this and all of The Relic Radio Podcasts 2026, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of the support links in the show notes. And my thanks again to those who have helped out this year. Our hour of radio drama begins with the Zero Hour. This week we'll hear Bend, Spindle and mutilate from July 1, 1974. That's followed by Vincent Price as the saint and his story titled the Old Man's Car. I'm Rod Sterling, you're listening to the Zero Hour. Rest your eyes, Exercise your imagination. Today, Sue Dolan's computer readout of Automated Murder. Ben Spindle and New delight starring Bob Crane. In the Mutual Broadcasting System presentation of the Zero Hour brought to you by the Ford Motor Company and Lazy Boy Recliners. This is the Zero Hour on Mutual Radio. Hello, this is Hugh Downs with a Ford car buyers report on a subject of Car buyers are giving serious thought to the real cost of owning a car which Ford feels involves three considerations. What you pay for it, how much it costs to operate and trade in value. What about purchase price? Well, Ford believes that the 74 Ltd offers car buyers who need and want the six passenger comfort and quiet ride of a full size car. A real alternative to a big full size car. The Ford Ltd up to 400 pounds lighter than some medium priced full size cars. The Ltd is also sticker priced up to $900 less. And you'll be pleasantly surprised at the luxury and driving peace of mind that the LTD offers. The 1974 Ltd is the best selling car in its price class. Evidence that for many people it's the best solution to owning a full size car. The well made Ford the closer you look, the better we. Technology has brought us many things. Machines are now capable of performing services that we as people once had to do. Electronic brains, when programmed, can do our thinking for us today. Bend, Spindle and Mutilate a story about a computer. A machine designed to ease the burden of man's work. But this computer is special. It's been programmed for murder. Hello everybody. Hi Dick. How you doing Reggie? How have you been? Much better since I left this place. Don't say hello Debbie. What's with her? Oh, she and Lewis are having a lover's quarrel. Debbie and Lewis, they've got a Give and take. Relationship. He gives, she takes. They're made for each other. Hey, where's everyone? Mr. Waxman got a new computer that does most of the work. Now Lewis, Debbie, Olga and me are the only ones left. Waxman fired everyone else. It figures. By the way, where's the old Kraut? In there with Henry. Who's Henry? The new computer. Where is Lewis bacon? Oh, hi, Mr. Waxman. Reginald, what have you done to your hair? I let it grow, you know. It's pretty long, huh? What's happening? Still not making yourself clear? I see what's happening. Another phrase coined by illiterate adolescents like yourself, Dick Copsey. Go find me Lewis. Yes, Mr. Waxman. You're not here on business, I take it? Ah, no. Then I suggest you pay your social visits to a man's working power. Hey, can't you knock when you come in here? Dick. Oh, I didn't know Debbie was here with you. No, you weren't doing anything. Mr. Waxman wants to see you, Lois. What about? Henry, I think. Hey, can I see the new computer? No, you cannot. Well, Lewis will be right out. Why are you standing there, Dick? Coxey, get back to work. Yes, see Reggie. Goodbye, Reginald. Yeah, well, look, will you tell Olga I'm sorry I missed her? And I hope Louis and Debbie lived happily ever after. Goodbye, Reginald. Waiter. Zane. And that's the last time you saw Claus Waxman? Three weeks ago, Friday. Look, shouldn't we be down at headquarters or some Officer Yale? Reggie, I told you, I'm not a police officer. I'm a private investigator. Don't you have an office? I mean, why a coffee shop? I don't even drink coffee. Reggie, Claus Waxman left on his vacation later that same day. You were there? Nobody's heard from him since. You mean I'm a suspect? Are you with Missing Persons? Reggie, I'm sorry. It's just a. Well, cops are my thing, you know. Not cops, actually, but they're seen, you know, like handcuffs and badges and shiny shoes and radios that go. Reggie, let's go to my office, huh? We can talk there. Louis Bacon contacted me earlier this week. I've spoken to everyone at the office. Mr. Kotzi mentioned your name. You know, Yale, I'm glad Dick turned you on to me. Together we can solve this thing. I say that someone did the old man in. Reggie, Klaus Waxman is missing. That's all we know. Well, that's what they said about his wife, too. Whose wife? Waxman's, right? When I started working there, the cops came and Everything. What's this? They didn't tell you? Well, look. Waxman's wife didn't come home one night, or so he said. And everyone at the office figured she just split on him. But he freaked out and called the cops. Did she come back? Well, it took him a week to find her. Where was she? Bottom of some canyon. She went through the guardrail on a sharp turn and the car probably did a million flips on the way down and boom. The only way they knew it was her was, you know, like from her teeth. Car accidents happen all the time. Yeah, I know. Everyone said it was just a coincidence. A coincidence? Well, the Waxmans weren't getting along and, well, it wasn't much of a secret. She wanted to move back to the old country and he was for staying. And things weren't going too well then with the business. And after she died, he took over. He bought a computer and suddenly rare sheet music was happening. I got a hand at the Waxman. The guy had a set to timing. Did you say he took over? From whom? From his wife. See, up till then, she called the shots. It was her right. The business belonged to her. Hi, I'm Jim Packus with news about an exciting sale taking place at your La Z Boy dealers today. You may now put a famous Lazy Boy reclining chair into your living room at Unbelievable Savings. The ultimate in beauty and comfort can be yours in the style of your choice to match your favorite decor. Don't just sit, relax and recline sumptuously in a Lazy Boy your choice of quality colors and fabrics. See your La Z Boy dealer today. Do that. Hurry up, he's waiting. Yes, he is. Ramada Inns announced kids that cost less. Your kids 18 and under stay free when they share your room. Now that's a real family plan. And Ramada Inn serve you up great family restaurants with everything from hot dogs and hamburgers to your favorite steak style. 800-228-2828 toll free for reservation. You're always welcome home. Hi, I'm David Steinberg. In my act, I use a great deal of biblical material. The Bible is full of fascinating characters. Folks like Noah, Elisha, the prophet, Jezebel, that whole crowd. The Bible also talks about plagues, disease and pestilence which I never frankly found to be a rich source of humor. Many of the diseases of biblical and more recent times have disappeared. Some are still with us. Cancer is one of them. Yet now, after thousands of years of recorded history, the American Cancer Society believes cancer can be wiped out in our lifetime. But the American Cancer Society needs your help to win a victory over a disease that's been with us for every generation since Adam and Eve. Support vital research and life saving education and services for cancer patients and their families. Please give generously when your American Cancer Society volunteer calls. Thank you. Debbie, how do you like your new stereo set? Oh, it's really far out, Louis. Thanks for the nice present. You're spoiling me. Well, is it. Is it worth the dinner to you? What does the computer say? Ah, Debbie. Can I ever get a straight answer from you? Lewis, you're just like Henry. Temperamental. If you're not programmed right, you go on the blink. There, you see? Oh, you don't know what you're talking about. You have to treat Henry delicately. What's the matter, Henry? Is it something you ate? I'll call for repair. Number. Olga. Can't you stop for just like, you know, a scant minute? No, my work. If I don't finish, the computer takes my chop. Sounds like you've been listening to Waxman. When he comes back. If I'm behind in my work. Yeah, but what if he doesn't come back? What are you doing here? I would like to buy Beethoven's 10th Symphony, then fill out an order form. Wouldn't do any good. He only wrote nine. Oh, Reggie, go take a hike. Where's Dick? How should I know? I'll go. Would you call the repair service? Henry's broken again. But if I don't finish my work. Don't worry, Lewis won't fire you. Has Lewis taken over? He's running things until Mr. Waxom gets back. What's it to you? I'm on a case. It's, you know, good practice. What case? That's it. Play it cool, Debbie. Oh, hello there, Reggie. Hi, Louis. What's happening? Business as usual. What's happening with you? Excuse me. They're sending a man out to fix the computer. Oh, thank you, Olga. Reggie's here looking for trouble. That's all I can get out of him. Hi, Reg. What's happening? Yes, what is happening? See, I'm glad everybody's here. Now I can say what I have to say only once. Reggie, did a man named Yale talk to you? Dominic Yale? Yeah, I called him. Sure, that's right. We're working together. What sort of. You know. He told me about Waxman disappearing. What? It's so funny. Sorry to have to end your new career so soon, Reggie. Apparently your partner didn't pass along the latest information to you. You little snot. Don't tease him. Tell him. Tell me what? We heard from Waxman. He called. That's right. The old man's alive and well in sunny Mexico. He's taking off an extra two weeks. Sorry to disappoint you, Reggie. All right, now, what's everyone standing around for? Come on, there's work to be done. Oh, that poor Reggie. Reggie, don't break the door. Hey, thanks a lot for letting me know you found Waxman. I just made a fool out of myself. We haven't found Waxman. There was a telephone call, but it could have been from anyone. You mean you're not off the case? Officially I am, but. Sit down, Reggie. About what? I was intrigued by what you said about Waxman's wife. Her untimely death. Yeah. So? Legwork, Reggie. It's part of the job. I turned up something you might find interesting. Did you know that Mrs. Waxman was a diabetic? What? She had diabetes. Sugar in the blood. You didn't know that? No. I spoke to the coroner today. Technically, Mrs. Waxman died of burns suffered in the car accident. But she might have died even if she hadn't gone over the cliff. There was no trace of insulin in the body or anywhere in the car. Mrs. Waxman passed out at the wheel. Yale. Here, Reggie. Here. What's happening, Reggie? I've been trying to reach you. Where you been? Here. Where's here? In Waxman's house. How did you get in? Through a window. I found something. You broke in? There's a box here full of Mrs. Waxman's personal stuff. You know, pictures on letters, mostly. Reggie, get out of that house. No needles or medicine or anything like that. But I found some false teeth. Now, look, I know that sounds weird. Look, leave now and get over here. I'll wait for you. I'll bring all this junk. Reggie, hang up the phone. 10 4. Yes, 10 4. 10 4. Did you ever see so much junk in your life? Look at this stupid stuff. Look at these computer punch cards. Do not bend spindle or mutely these dentures. Does Claus Waxman have his teeth? His real teeth? I guess so. I've never seen them take them out. These were in the box? Yeah. You know, these computer cars look funny, different. I mean, we always used another kind at the store. Let me see those. Yeah. Yeah, and they're punched. I wonder what machine they go to. I wonder what they say. You know something, Reggie? No. Why? Something else you said the other day is starting to intrigue me. What'd I say? You said someone did the old man in. You've been hearing some pretty lavish claims recently about miles per gallon. We'd like you to consider something equally important and that's range. Range is the miles per gallon multiplied by the number of gallons your car's tank holds. Range is what makes the Buick Apollo such a special small car. It comes from coupling the Apollo's economical six cylinder engine with a standard 21 gallon tank. It holds a lot, but it doesn't use a lot. Look into the Apollo. It's the Buick of small cars. Hi, this is Jim package with news about why La Z Boy is America's comfort favorite. It appeals to men because of rugged construction and he man comfort. Women love it because there are beautiful styles that match any decor. And there's an amazing choice of hundreds of colors and fabrics. A la Z Boy lets you recline to any position, even full bed. Put a lazy boy in your living room and into your life. See your La Z Boy dealer today? He's waiting. Run down there. Go. Yes indeed. The time is 6:45am oh boy. Already? Well, this ought to get me going. The time is 7:15am Breakfast is ready, Henry. Okay, I'll be right down. The time is 7:30am More coffee, dear? It's maybe half a cup. I'm running a little late this morning. The time is 7:45am how do you like that? Nothing but shortages of this and shortages of that. Well, I noticed there's no shortage of tobacco. Huh? Oh, sorry. Did my cigarette bother you? Yes, doesn't it bother you? The time is 8:05am Hello? Oh, hi, Bill. Hey, hang on a second, will you? Let me grab a cigarette. Now what's happening? If this sounds like a typical day in your life, your life must not mean much to you, does it? Kick the havoc, join the unhooked generation. This reminder from your lung association is a matter of life and breath. John, did you find the computers and Macs I gave you? Sure did. The Tiara 650 good. Yeah. Incidentally, this is the kid I was telling you about. Reggie, meet John Jordan. He's a computer expert. Hello, Reggie. What's happening? What? That's the way he says hello. Oh, what's happening to you too, John? What's in the cards? I can't tell you that, Dominic. Why not? Tiara don't make the 650 no more. Phased it out a year ago. They go with the 2000 now. She really moves. That's no help. I got the catalog. Here's a picture of the 650. She was a Good one, but slow. Recognize it, Reggie? We never had one that looked like that. You sure? Positive. John, won't the newer model process these cards? No way. Unless I can dig up an old 650, it won't do you no good at all. Well, then start digging, Reggie. I'm going to see what I can find out about the dentures. I want you to get some information from me about the computer they have in the office Right now, Henry. But how? They won't let me near it. You'll find a way. Reggie. Hey, Dick. Hey, what's happening? What are you doing here? Why didn't you use the door? It's locked, isn't it? You're lucky that Lewis isn't working late. Look at all this broken glass. Listen, Dick. Dick, you gotta help me. I broke the wrong window. I thought I'd be in the room with a computer. I have a key. But what do you want to get in there for? Police work, Dick. It's very secret. Reggie, I think you've been watching too much television. No, Dick, this is for real. I can't let you in without a reason. If I tell you what it's for, will you? Hmm? Maybe. Well, look, it's against regulations, but okay. Remember when Waxman's wife disappeared? Everyone said it was just a coincidence. John. John, Turn off the machines. Greetings, Dominic. Where's Reggie? Right here. What took you so long? Mr. Jordan's been showing me how these things work, and that's pretty neat. Where's the 650? You said you found one? Right over here. We'll let her warm up. You got anything on those teeth? Waxman had his own. It could mean nothing, but I think they're crucial to this case. I hope so. But if they're not, can I keep them? I won't even ask Wolf why he's ready. All right, let's see what we got. What do you make of this? This is a dosage for insulin, maybe? Yeah, I think so. They match with the prescription I got from Mrs. Waxman's pharmacist. You think somebody use this to knock off the old lady? That's what I think. Where's the rundown you got on the new computer? It's right here. On. Would it be possible to program this type of machine to say something we wanted to? I need the right cards. Like these? Like those? Good. Here's what I want them to say. Nobody move. Easy, Reggie. Hi, Dick. How's the window? Is Lewis here? He's in with Henry. Would you please. Oh, it's you again. Hi, Francis. Hello, monsieur. We've come to feed Henry. Please, I cannot work with all this commotion. Take a break. O But my work. Look, why don't we all go into the computer room, huh? What? Boy? Henry's got something to tell us and I'd like you all to be there. Mr. Yale, Henry is very sensitive and I. I think I should be the one to feed him. Well, I hope Henry doesn't have diabetes. What's that supposed to mean? Nothing. All right, Henry, open up. I know what happened that day when Mrs. Waxman went over the cliff. It was no accident. Like everyone thinks. It was murder. Hey, hey, wait a minute. What? What is this? Keep reading. Klaus Waxman and his accomplice conspired to kill her. And it almost worked. Who's playing games? I know who killed Mrs. Waxman. I know and I'm going to tell. No, no, you can't tell. You're just a machine. Oh, dear. Klaus won't tell his time. Shut it off. Klaus can't tell because you killed him, didn't you, Mrs. Worster? Yeah, I. He had it coming. He lied to me. Without her, we could be together, he said. He showed me how to use the computer to devise the perfect crime. And I did. Claus Rexman was an evil man. An evil man. You want to come downtown, Olga? That's enough. Reggie. This is Worster. The police would like to hear your story. Yale. Here. Reggie here. What's happening? Olga confessed to both killings. They dug up Waxman's body. Hey, did you find out whose false teeth Those were? Olga's. Waxman was keeping them around with the punch cards to stop her from telling the police about their little plot. Hey, weird murder's always weird, Reggie. Yeah, well, look, let me know if you need any help on your next case, Yale. Yeah, I'll do that. In the meantime, try to stay out of trouble. Okay? Ten, four, over and out. You probably know all about Ford pickups. How they work like a truck, ride like a car. How they've got Ford's famous twin I beam front suspension, front disc brakes. Standard choice of an economical 6 or 3 V8s. But maybe you didn't know about Ford's new Super Cab. Super Cabs. The only two door pickup that's roomy enough for a full back seat. I didn't know that. Well, Ford's new Super Cab pickup makes a big difference in capacity to carry people or things. You can do most anything with it. Order Super Cab with an optional bench seat. That's five and A half feet wide. That's room enough for a family of six to ride in sedan like comfort. And the bench seat folds flat to make a load floor. I didn't know that. Or get two facing jump seats optional. They fold out of the way for cargo. Or order Super Cab with no rear seats at all. Then you get a full 44 cubic feet of storage space. I didn't know that either. Ford's new Super Cab. It's news even to people who thought they knew all about Ford pickups. See it now at your local Ford dealer. I'm Rod Serling. Close your eyes, exercise your imagination and join us again on our next presentation of the Zero Hour. Ben Spindle and Mutilate is an original radio drama by Sue Donna. Bob Crane was heard as Dominic Earth. Featured in the cast were Dawes Butler, Jane Webb, Jerry Dexter, Johnny Gunn and Byron Kane. Zero Hour, created by Jay Ncolis, directed by Don Hills, is produced in Hollywood for the Mutual Broadcasting System by Radio Productions Incorporated. Music is composed and conducted by Stanley D. Hoffman. Rochelle Sherman, associate producer. This has been a presentation of the Mutual broadcast. The Adventures of the Saint, starring Vincent Price. The Saint. Based on characters created by Les Charteris, unknown to millions from books, magazines and motion pictures, the Robin Hood of modern crime is now transcribed for radio, starring Hollywood's brilliant and talented actor, Vincent Price as the Saint. What's going on here? This is my car here. No, no, no. Stop it. Hey, cut it out. What's the idea? Now, let that man alone. Look, you keep out of this, buddy, or I'll. Well, that ain't the same teapot. But slightly ungrammatical, Mac. Now, what's the disturbance? They drew up alongside of my car. Him and the other fella. They said, get out. We were taking your car. Why, Mac wouldn't do a thing like that, now, would you, Mac? Nah, of course not. No man's nuts. What Mac would do if he coveted his neighbor's jalopy is plug him with a piece of lead pipe and drive off. Yeah. So. Good night. I get this. Now, wait, Mac. You could satisfy my curiosity a little. Why should you want to steal this gentleman's old automobile when you've got nicer, newer ones to choose from? Yes, ask him, mister. Ask him. Yeah, ask me, son. Go ahead. I'm gonna satisfy a little curiosity of my own. I didn't think you had any, Mac. What shape does it take? I always wondered how you'd look dead. Good night, all. Good night, Mac. Be seeing you. Ew. You let him go? Yes. He convinced Me that I should for now. There's nothing like a.32 in the pocket of a known thug for winning an argument. Did you say there was another fellow in him? Yes. Run off when he heard you coming. It was the same fella tried to buy my car yesterday. Someone tried to buy this car? Why, sure, this fella tried to buy it. And there was a woman made an offer, too. You mean you actually refused? I ain't selling until I find out why they want to buy it so bad. This fellow who tried to. To buy the car, do you know his name? No. He. He looked like a gentleman until you found him consorting with felonous intent with our just departed friends, eh? Tell me, was he well dressed? An annoying little mustache placed just over the sneer he wears for a mouse? Well, yes. Say, how did you. That's easy. Our friend Mac does piece work for him. Fancy Dan Turner is his current alias. But I see you don't keep up with such things. You going to tell the police? Later, perhaps, when there's something to tell them. Right now, I've got a great thirst that needs quenching. Thirst for knowledge, huh? Yeah. What's your name and where do you live? Collins, 302 East 8th Street. Now, put your car in cold storage, old timer, and take care of yourself. Something tells me this is rat's night out. Hello, Smitty. Back making book, I see. You got the wrong joint, Saint. Take a look around. I run a pool room. You interested in a horse? No, no, a man. Well, like I said, Saint, you got the wrong joint. His name's Mac. He hangs out here. Now, where is he? In the back room. I'm the Three Monkeys, Saint. Deep, dumb and blind. The only Mac I know is a truck. Then if you don't mind, I'd like to look in your back room and see if he's parked there. I mind, but you won't even know Smitty. You're deef, dumb and blind. Oh, have a heart, Saint. I ain't got no back room. Besides, last time you dropped in my place, a lot of my customers started patronizing elsewhere. Including you, Smitty. Remember, I've only been back from the gray place a week and I ain't forgetting it. Oh, come on, Saint, be a good guy. Beat it, huh? No, no, Smitty. Let him stay a while. Hello, Mac. I was hoping you were smart enough to go home and get some sleep. How could I sleep with you out roaming the streets, Mac? You know how I worry. Yeah, yeah, too much. What does he want you. Why, Saint? I want to talk with Fancy Dan, Turner. What about? Now let's not be coy, Mac. It doesn't become you. I want to ask Turner why he's trying to stand. Feel a jalopy from an old man. Well, what do you know? I got a surprise for you, Saint. I'll take it to him. The boys say you're looking for me, Saint. The boys are right. So you found me. So I understand you're interested in a certain old car. So what? Probably the smiling Irishman is too. I've broken down. 1929 sedan. Seems a little slow for a fast man like you, Fancy Dan. Well, maybe I like to go slow enough to read the billboards when I drive. What's it to you, Saint? It depends on what it is to you, Turner. What's on the farm you are. There's a handle with care sign on this deal and I don't want just anybody cutting in. You're a fouler upper. You've been stepping high and fancy free too long, Turner. You're beginning to irritate me. The feelings likewise, Saint. Only I got more than fingers in my fist and you haven't. Nice gun you're so bravely wearing, Turner. It must be a pretty big pot to change a small time con artist like you into a fire breathing gunman. Big potatoes, huh? Yeah, plenty big, Saint. So big I wouldn't hesitate to shoot at the slightest move. Am I clear? You couldn't be clearer if you were a day ordered by the Chamber of Commerce. Good. Now it ain't a palace, Saint. It's just the back room of a pool parlor. But please, stay and be my guest, okay? Well, for a little while anyway. Where are the boys? Out. They're wasting their time. Collins won't sell his old wreck. Some old men are stubborn. And Collins seems like a hard man to intimidate. It all depends on who's doing the intimidating, Saint. Now, Max a chowderhead, and Smitty's even worse. But put the two boys together and you get a job of work done. Then I've adopted old man Collins as a friend. Ah. How big are you? Yes, you know how I feel about people who push other people around. Tennis. Especially when the guy getting the shoving is a friend. You know, if I had a glass of beer, I'd cry into it. Sit back and relax, Saint. The boys will be back with what they want after soon enough. And maybe then I'll let you go home. You mean they're coming back with a car or Maybe not the whole car. Sit back and relax. Hey, relax. Hey, hey, hey. What are you doing? Sitting back with my chair to the wall. Turner. You want me to relax, don't you? Yeah. Hey. Let go that cue stick. As my old grandmother used to say, Turner, there's nothing as relaxing as a game of pool. Particularly with a hoodlum's head as the cue ball. Collins. Collins. Open up. You. You wouldn't be from the police now, would you? No, no, I'm no more a policeman than you are, old man. Collins. Come in and be welcome, then. Where's Collins? The old man? He's here. Where? Behind the sofa, if you're of a mind to look at him. Make it a quick look, then. Very. How? Every way. Beaten, stabbed and tortured. Maybe even shot, for all I know. For all I know, maybe you've got a gun with an empty chamber, for all I know. Bless me, no. Me business doesn't allow it. Just what sort of business are you in? Irish? The name's o'. Brien. When a job is pulled and the police go after the boys who pull it, I make an end run and go after the swag. Or at least part of it. Oh, I see. What's the swag here? Colin's wallet. Not in. Lest there's 400 grand in it. 400? Oh, no. I'm afraid you'll find the old man a few cents short. Who killed him? Not I. How do I know? You don't. You're right. What brought you here? Why, I'm here about the old tar, of course. You want to buy it? Certainly. Don't you? Say, maybe you're not being cute. Maybe you really don't know about the. About what? I'm greatly relieved. When I first saw you come through that door, I said to myself, oh, Brian, here comes some more competition. They see you're not. I'm relieved, laddie. Greatly relieved. Turner is competition enough, eh? Yes, but Turner and his ugly ducklings are nothing compared to it. Who? In time. I got here just a minute before you, laddie. The old man was dead when I arrived. Beyond that, I know nothing. Get down, o'. Brien. Oh, Brian. Competition getting worse all the time. I'll call the doctor. No, no, no. Thanks, laddie. Lay. Lay off this frolic. He'll get you next. You're gonna die, mister. You're gonna. Brian, the old man's car. What? Well, I guess I'll have to try another angle. This one's pretty dead. I awakened Mr. Richie as you requested, Mr. Templer. You'll be right Down. Oh, thank you. I hope the fire isn't too serious, sir. Serious enough to awaken Mr. Richie. Oh. Oh, here he is now, sir. Well, well, which plant is the fire in? Who's responsible? How big is the damage? Oh, the fire isn't in any plant, Mr. Mr. Ritchie. What's that then? Where? Inside of me. I'm burning up and I need your help. How dare you sneak away in here three o' clock in the morning by telling me there's a fire. Okay. Who are you? Simon Templar. Oh, yeah, the Saint. I've heard of you. If you have business with me, Mr. Templar, I suggest you phone my secretary for an appointment. Meanwhile, there's no subject on earth can keep me from going back to bed. Not even the subject of $400,000, Mr. Richie? What do you know about it? Nothing, other than that it was stolen from you. Mr. Ritchie, that happened seven years ago. The criminal, John Quailey was caught, tried and convicted. Now, if you'll pardon me. Quayley worked for you, I believe. He was my head accountant. And the money was never found? No. Quealy drew 20 years in the penitentiary. He never revealed where the money was hidden until the day he died. Died? Yes, two weeks ago in prison. And now, Mr. Templer, if you don't mind, I need my rest. I won't detain you much longer, Mr. Ritchie. Just one or two more questions. Well, did Queli have a wife? Yes, he did. If he knew he were dying in prison, it's quite possible he made an attempt to get word to her to tell her where the money was hidden. He may have made the attempt, but he couldn't possibly have succeeded. He was too closely watched. After all, $400,000 is a lot of money. A lot of money? Yes. You could almost buy a second hand car with it. If I hadn't been fully covered by insurance, my firm would have gone under in the face of a loss that large. And now, Mr. Templer, if I might ask a question? Certainly. Why this sudden urgency, this three o' clock in the morning business? An old man was tortured to death. Then a fellow named o', Brien, who came calling on the old man, was shot to death. Before he was killed, O' Brien told me he was tracking down $400,000 that had been stolen. Oh, I see you are in some checking back over how many people have ever had that amount stolen from him? Led you to me. I wonder what I've led you to, Mr. Temper. I wonder, Mr. Ritchie. I wonder. Here. What is it, Mrs. Qualy? What do you want? Several things, Mrs. Qualy. Like what? A murderer. You've got the wrong apartment, mister. An old automobile. No sale. Anything else? Maybe you'll buy this, Mrs. Quailing. Collins was murdered a little while ago, Colin. Oh, the old man. Why? Someone wanted his car. Someone who evidently couldn't wait any longer for the newer model. So? So I saw Collins car in your garage, Mrs. Quinn. Maybe you better come in after all, it. Come in. Careful. Careful enough. Keep those hands high. I don't like you, mister. You're nailing together a frame and you're trying to put my picture into it. Collins sold me that car. When? Tonight. I could have bought a Cadillac for cheaper, mister, but I wasn't in any position to haggle. Yes, I know. What do you know? What I want to find out. I know that Collins car. The car is worth about $20, but it's something else. It's worth in the neighborhood of $400,000. You know, that's an awfully nice neighborhood. Nice and exclusive. Chiselers aren't invited to move in. I've been gathering that impression all evening. Well, what if we hear you name it? An acetylene torch, welder's mask, a few chisels, a hammer, steel wire. Either you've gone to work for Henry Kaiser, or the hand that customarily rocks the cradle is going in for rocking a safe. I had to go into a hardware store to make a phone call, and I just couldn't leave without buying a few things. How fortunate you didn't make your call in an establishment that sells steamrollers. I see you have a set of license plates. You see? Too much from Collins jalopy, aren't they? He's licensed. So that's how Quaily smuggled out his neck. You're getting awfully close to a bullet in your head, mister. Give me those plates. There should be someone at the door. Stay where you are. I'll see you. It is Better not take the license plates with you. Yes, this is Quaily. Hello. This is the devil. The devil. He. He got the place. Yes. Yes, he got them. Don't let him. Oh. Catch him there. Where? Where? Where Johnny worked. Chad. Tom. The worst thing. Mrs. Craly. Collins O'. Brien. And now. Now I have three reasons for wanting to meet a certain party. Taxi. Hey. Hey. Taxi. Taxi. They don't stop sometimes when it's so early in the morning, Saint. Because they're on the way back to the garage. Well, what brings you out so early, Mac? Looking for a drunk to roll? Just looking for you, Saint. Just looking for you. See here what I got in my hand? Ah, there goes that coy streak in you again, Max. All right, so it's a gun. Well, what does it want me to do? Come, go turn handsprings, quote. Shelly, play the bassoon. You have to seek for it, Max. Very funny. Look out. It shouldn't speak for itself, Saint. I and the gun Warn you should get in that there car. You have a most persuasive way of offering a fellow a lift, Mac. Yeah, yeah, a lift. Right now it's a lift. Later on, it may grow into a ride. Come on. Where are we going, Mac? Back to our little gray home in the rear of the pool room, Saint. Fancy Dan Turner wants He should thank you for showing him a new trick. Oh, it really isn't necessary. He feels like it is, Saint. He feels like it is. He's got a couple of tricks he wants to show you. Sounds like fun. Go on into the car, chat. Very little patience. Nice to have you back with this, Saint. I missed you. From the looks of that bandage on your skull, Turner, I'll bet you wished I'd missed. Not now, I don't, Saint. It's a nice feeling having you here, knowing that I owe you something. I Pay my debt, Saint. I pay off. Yes, I know. O' Brien was paid off. So was Mrs. Qualy. Paid off with lead checks. They're dead. Oh, now, save that innocent expression for the jewelry, Turner. You'll need everything you've got. When were they killed, Saint? Okay, I'll stooge for you. They were killed an hour or two after I so abruptly left you before. Oh, well, I'll have to find another pigeon, Saint. My alibi's fat. How fat, Turner? City Hospital having remember the Saint embroidered where a cue stick hit me. And Smitty and Mack were there, too, to see me through it. Hospitals have records, Saint. We're clean. We're clean. Then you've got a competitor you don't know about, Turner. Yeah, looks that way. For a job that was supposed to be as simple as this one, I got too many competitors. I wonder how come. Who fingered the job for you, Turner? Who told you? Quayley got word out to his wife about where the money was. I got nothing for you, Saint. Smitty, wasn't it? Smitty Just finished a stretch up the creek. My guess is he ran into Quale. Maybe shared a cell with him. No, within the jail hospital. They met. Smitty worked there. Quaily was dying off his nut. Smitty made him talk. Yeah. And Smitty, not being mentally suited for solo work spilled the pitch to you, Turner. For a price, of course. For money on the line. Yeah. 10 GS to buy in on a 400,000 job. But what are you driving at? What are you picking Smitty's bones for? I was just wondering, Turner, how much o' Brien paid Smitty for his slice of this exclusive information. And how much your other competitors shelled out the one who happily goes around killing people. What do you mean? You ask me, Turner, your pal Smitty is the sort of rat that even rats on rats. He sold Quelie's secret three times that we know him. Thanks for handicapping it for me, Saint. If you're really grateful, Turner, you can return the favor by telling me what time it's 5:15 in the morning, Saint. But you ain't going nowhere. I have a date to keep. Before 6, Turner. With your competitor? Yes. Ain't that's what you think? Maybe not. Turner, what do you say we play a little pool while we're waiting for the board? Get away from that pool table. I ain't playing any games with you, Saint. Maybe pool was the wrong game. How about a Game of Thrones? Pitch and Catch? What? Yeah, I pitch like this and you catch it like that. Hate to leave you all by yourself there in the side pocket but like I said, I have a date to keep. Well, Mr. Richie, get enough sleep despite my interruption? I wasn't really asleep when you called on me, Mr. Templer. I know, Mr. Richie. Your hair was a little too carefully combed for a man who's been suddenly awakened and told he's having a fire. You're very clever, Mr. Templer. But not clever enough to catch you before you committed three murders. You're a Smitty silent partner. See what Low Company's gotten you into, Richie? Yes, I see. $400,000 buried in the siding of his elevator shaft. And with the help of this acetylene torch, it'll be all mine. A very ingenious fellow, Quailey. And to think the money never left this building. The place where Johnny worked. Yes, he was ingenious. It was very smart of him to use his prison job making automobile license plates as a means of smuggling out the information to his wife. How did he do it, Richie? Very simple, Templar. There's an extra piece of thin metal in this particular plate forming a sort of pocket. And inside the pocket, a note on cigarette paper telling poor Mrs. Qualy how to get the money of course, once he managed to tell her the number of the license plate, well, the rest was easy, wasn't it? Yes. All poor Mrs. Qualy had to do was ask the Motor Vehicle Bureau to whom the plate was assigned. Mr. Collins, in this instance. Poor old fellow. Mr. Templer, would you mind joining me here in the shaft, please? Yes, right on top of the elevator. I'd like to keep an eye on you while I finish burning out this metal partition. You see, I've only until 6 o' clock when this elevator is switched on downstairs. Oh, well, I. Come, come in the shaft, please. Well, really, I. I have a gun, Mr. Templar. Oh, well, that makes it official then. There we are. Careful, Mr. Templar. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you. Anything accidental, that is. You know, it's funny. I've known you such a short time and I have exactly the same sentiments towards you. I've never been astride the top of an elevator before, Richie. And we're right near the top. The shaft, Yes. I don't mean to worry you, Templar, but when this elevator power turns on, in a few minutes it will rise to the top before it descends. How's your treasure hunt coming, Richie? Almost finished. One last strip of metal to cut away and the partition will come off. Then we'll decide your fate, Mr. Templar. Your future. Here goes. A last blow. It's there. It's there. I see it. $400,000 in currency, Templar. Think of it. Think of it. You think of it, Richie. And also think of how much blood was spilled on it. Preaching, Templar. You. I never thought. What's that? The elevator, Richie. Maybe it came to work a little early today. My money. My money. Come on, Richie, come on, get off. No, no. There's still some money left here. I want it. I want it all. Come on, we've got to get off. Jump, Richie, jump. No, no. My money. I must leave the money. Richie, you fool. All right, I got it. I. Yes, Richie, you saved your money. And you saved the state some money too. I'm sure you didn't plan on saving the cost of your execut. You have been listening to another adventure of the saint, the Robin Hood of modern crime. Now here is our star, Vincent Price. These immortal words of Ovid, translated from the Latin express quite well indeed. The justice of our Mr. Ritchie's fate. Nor is there any juster law than that the contrivers of death should perish by their own contrivances. This is Vincent Price inviting you to join us again next week at this same time for another exciting adventure of the Saint. Good night. Tonight's script of the Saint was written by Michael Cramway. Our cast included Laureen Tuttle, Barney Phillips, Tony Barrett, Fred Howard, and Daniel Herlihy. The music was composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman, the Saint of the James L. Safier production, and was transcribed and directed by Thomas A. Macy. All you Saint fans will be glad to know that the Saint comic books are on salid. All Newsstand. Your announcer, Meryl Rod. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System. That's the Relic Radio show for this year. You can find more from the Zero Hour, the Saint, this podcast and all of the Relic Radio shows at the website. You can donate through that website. You can also listen to our shoutcast stream with even more old time radio, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all made possible by your support. Thanks again to those who have helped out. Thanks for joining me this week. Be back again next Tuesday with our next episode of the Relic Radio Show.