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This is the relic radio show, Old time radio entertainment still standing the test of time from relicradio.com welcome back to the Relic Radio Show. One hour from the golden age of radio. Every Tuesday@ Relic Radio.com Our first story comes from Theater 5. We'll hear their episode from February 12, 1965, titled The Chain. After that, it's Box 13 and diamond in the Sky. That story aired November 21, 1948. The other five presents the chain. And now, gentlemen, in summation, we've weighed everything. Our military strength, position, their strength, the politics, the economics, everything relevant. And as of this moment, the scales are in perfect balance. General, are you saying we've reached a stalemate? No, senator. A stalemate occurs when both sides have exhausted their forces. But unless there is bilateral disarmament of nuclear forces, we can only adhere to the present policy. Since nuclear disarmament seems a long way off, then the suggested course would be to bend all efforts to preventing brush fires. Yes, but sometimes a brush fire seems to start without a match. Where does it begin? Who or what kindles the flame that starts a fire which can become a holocaust? Every event is formed from links in endless chains. The largest event may begin with a seemingly insignificant link. The United nations building, please. Yes, sir. Beautiful day, isn't it, sir? What? Oh, oh, yeah, right. Yes, it is. Yeah, My wife's always beefing. Says I'm working on all the nice days. Comes my day off, it rains. What does she want from me? Like I got. Some people letting their dogs run around loose. Like to give a guy a heart attack. Hey, mister, you okay? I mean. I mean, you didn't bang your head or nothing when I stopped, did you? No, no, no, I'm not hurt. Could you move on, please? Yeah, yeah, sure, sure. Now, maybe I better take you to a hospital. I'm all right. Just shaking a bit. Well, I got some forms here in the glove compartment, if you'll sign. Forms? Yeah, yeah. All it says is that I offered to take you to a doctor and you refused. That lets me off the hook if you sue. I have no intention to sue. Well, it's okay to sue, but like I said, it just takes me off the hook. Just sign there at the bot. Look, will you please watch where you're driving? Wasn't my fault. That big slob cut me off. That's 60 cents. And will you sign a form, mister? Here's a ballpoint. All right, all right, all right. Beckley. Fletcher. There. Hey. Hey, you. Change. Keep it. Cab 603 12th Ave. Yes, sir. Beautiful day, isn't it, sir? An ordinary event like countless others in every day. A simple link in a chain of human affairs. Hello, this is Fletcher. Will you connect me with Mr. Douglas, please? Jediyah Douglas. It's rather urgent. Hello, Jed? Yeah, I'm at the U.N. i'm afraid I've committed a super goof. I. My briefcase in a cab. I had all the copies of the Riganda report in it. Well, en route, he stopped suddenly to avoid hitting a dog. And I was a bit shaken, and I realized a moment after I got out of the cab that. Well, no, I haven't told the chairman yet. Well, I was hoping that you could have some additional copies of the report run off and flown up in a diplomatic pouch. Yeah, I realize it's Friday. I suppose it can wait till Monday. In the meantime, I'll try to trace the cab. If I can get my briefcase back within a few hours, I won't have to ask for a delay. No, I certainly won't mention that I lost the ripping a cab. I know a particular delegate who would make diplomatic mincemeat of such a truthful admission. Well, Riganda has waited 3,000 years for economic aid, so I don't suppose another weekend will make that much difference. So long, Jet. If Beckley Fletcher had not hailed that particular cab, if that dog had not run out into the street, if he had forgotten his briefcase. But no matter. It's only a small embarrassment. Probably no more important than a link in a chain. Look, lady, I know we came in here, I picked him up outside the UN and took him to this here place, 603 12th Ave well, how long ago was this? My last fare? No more than five, five, six minutes after I spotted the briefcase on the floor of my cab, I put up the off duty sign and swung around the block. I. I must have passed up maybe. Maybe like six fans. Well, there was Mr. Westworthy. He came in with Ms. Davis. The guy was alone before that Mr. Gregson himself came by. Mr. Brooks Gregson? He's the head of the agency. Yeah, look, I. But that doesn't look like his briefcase. I don't think it's. Oh, say, that is good quality, lady. How about skipping the appraisal, huh? I got a care park at the curb. Maybe getting a ticket. So let me leave this and go. Oh, wait a minute. I'll bring his office. Hello, Sybil, this is Jeanette. There's a cab driver out here who thinks Mr. BG left his briefcase in a taxi. Thanks, Mike. I know. Yeah, yeah, I know. Mm, Tonight? Oh, no, no, no, not tonight, sweetie. I promised Mother I'd watch TV with her. But I'd love to meet him for client. Okay, I'm sorry, but Mr. Gregson is in conference. Yeah, yeah, so just leave the briefcase. I'll see that he gets it. Look, I'm sure it's his. Do you want to hang around for the reward, lady? Oh. Goodbye. You're ready. No, Jeanette, that is not my briefcase. The cab driver swore that he. Sure he did. Well, what should I do with it? Well, it's. Open it and you know it'd be locked. Oh, now that really takes the cake, doesn't it? Imagine some poor guy locks his briefcase so no one can open it and then loses the whole darn thing. Probably just contains the salesman's order book. Did cabby leave his name? No, no, he didn't. And I suppose we'd better send it over to the hack bureau. Call a messenger. Okay, but, well, you know how it is on Fridays, Mr. Gregson. They take forever. Well, Monday morning won't make a differ. For months, the country of Rwanda has waited and waited. For months the government of the United States has said they were making a care view of the situation. Months during which countless Gandians patiently starved while they waited for a simple little report to the United Nations Committee on Economic Development. My own country offered aid time and again, but Roganda refused because she believed the United States would grant aid which would be administered by the United Nations. And at last the reading of the report is found on the agenda. At last. But now Rwanda is told there will be a small delay. The United States gives no reason for the delay. The delegate merely promises that on Monday the report will be read. I submit that on Monday he will say Tuesday, and on Tuesday he will say Wednesday. And eventually the session will end without a report being presented where thousands of Roganbians live and die in the vain believe. The usual diplomatic thrust the words, but the tune remains the same. Had the report been delivered on time, the same delegate would have condemned it as interference in the internal affairs of Roganda. Surely, when this report is presented on Monday, this particular chain of minor events will end in an insignificant circle. Good evening, this is Baldwin Andrews with the on the hour news. The top story of the day broke within the last few minutes. Early this evening, the United States Consulate in Roganda was stoned by an angry mob carrying signs of protest against Yankee imperialism. First reports gave little hint as to the reasons for the sudden flare up. And for several hours the Roganian government imposed strict censorship on all dispatches. But we now have a report from a reliable source. The neutralist government of Premier Batry has been deposed by a military junta. A government overthrown. Coincidence? No. An inevitable event forged from successive links in a chain still growing, link by link, threatening to envelop the earth. Hello. Put them on. Hello, Jed. Well, I received the copies of the Ruganda report this morning. And a few minutes after I got him, I heard from the hack bureau my briefcase was turned in. I'm up to my ears in copies, but I don't know what to do with them. Well, the way I see it, we're hanged if we do and hanged if we don't. We can't make the offer of aid to the new government until. Oh, wait a minute, Jed. That's about the largest dose of diplomatic buck passing I've heard. Well, all right, you can call it the straw that broke the camel's back. But there was a lot of what I haven't any more idea that than you do. What does National Intelligence say? Hold on, Jeff. Suppose I present the report and hear the reaction. Maybe it'll give us the answer. It is very interesting to note that after promises of several months, the United States government chooses this day to present its plan for aid to Rwanda. This very day, when the delegate from Rwanda is not a legal representative of his government and can accept only in behalf of the imperialist puppet regime which no longer rules Rwanda. This is clearly an attempt to foster counter revolution against Republic of Rwanda. I move that the Chairman table the reading of the report until the legal representative of the government of Rwanda can accept in behalf of the people of its country. And if I may add, I will not be surprised if the United States government will withdraw its plan for aid when the legal representative of Uganda is seated. The great powers debate charge and countercharge. But both east and west are aware of the dangers in upsetting the balance of the scales. An anxious world watches and waits, fearing that one of the great powers will make a military commitment which will cause a counter commitment from the other side. And here in a taped interview, General Austin Barron gave his views on In Roganda. There's certainly no cause for panic about the change of government in Roganda. We've received assurances that the rights of American citizens will be respected. What about their announced plan to nationalize the tin producing industry? General, the tin mines are American and British investments. That's a matter to be settled between our governments. I can't comment on it. Do you have plans to enlarge our military establishment in Roganda? No. There have been several reports that the Roganda government is receiving supplies of arms from the East. No such reports have been verified. And I might say it doesn't help the situation for you reporters and commentators to present such rumors. Well, General, we always mention it when reports are unconfirmed. Sir, have you taken any special precautions to safeguard the security of our missile base in Roganda? All personnel are confined to the base in order to avoid any incident. Then you would say the missile base has been placed on alert? No, sir. I want to state emphatically that the situation does not call for an alert. I must ask you not to throw such terms around. The general and all military men on both sides have learned to fear escalation. A chain of events which increases too rapidly to control. To the great powers, there is little to gain and everything to lose. The military status quo must be maintained. At the United nations, national interests are temporarily put aside. The United States is to be commended on its speedy recognition of the People's Government of Rwanda and and its offer of economic aid to be administered by the United Nations. My government wishes to join with the United States in the interest of international and therefore will match the United States offer dollar for dollar. The political generals as well as the military ones recognized the danger. An unusual show of international cooperation is beginning to result from a series of events which could have led to war if the great powers had tried to gain a small advantage from the situation. Stability and balance have become the watchwords of our time. An extraordinary development has taken place in Rwanda, coming on the heels of pledges of economic aid from both east and West. A dispatch from Washington informs us that Cartesia, Roganda's northern neighbor, has charged Roganda with aggression. In retaliation, an armored column has crossed the Roganian frontier and is speeding toward the capital. Cartesia is a nation solidly aligned with the west and receives both economic and military aid from the United States. Charge the United States with instigating aggression by Cartesia against the People's Republic of Rwanda. My government proposes that the United nations call for an immediate cheat. Our ambassador condemned the charge against the United States as irresponsible, but joined in the plea for an immediate ceasefire. Latest dispatches from Organa are conflicting, but it seems certain that Cartesian troops have penetrated far into the interior of the. Who is to blame for the threat to the balance of the scales? Roganda. Cartesia. What caused the outbreak of war between these Tiny nations. Who fired the first shot? These are questions that need no answering at the moment. What is important is that this brush fire be contained before it spreads. Deserted the capital. Observers report the evacuation was orderly. Apparently the decision was made in order to physical damage to the capital. The government has issued no statement of surrender and it is presumed that it intends to continue the fight from more strategic ground. In the mountain areas of Rogana. There are reports that the Roganians are receiving military support from volunteer units coming from an eastern nation. I must repeat, these are unconfirmed. There's absolutely no evidence that the Roganian army is being reinforced by volunteers. The personnel at our missile base is on standby duty. But the base is located far from the center of hostilities. I have every reason to believe that Bulganian troops have seized the United States missile base. Units of the 7th Airborne Battalion have launched an attack in a desperate effort to recapture the base. Wait. Wait. This is the latest dispatch. A missile. I repeat, a missile has just been launched from our base, presumably by the Roganians. We have no information concerning the missile itself. It may be equipped with a nuclear warhead. And we have no information about the missile's destination. How did it begin? What was the first link in the chain of events? The scales of war were in perfect balance until. Until a dog ran into a. The5 has presented the chain, written by Leonard Stad, produced and directed by Warren Somerville. In the cast, Robert Dryden, Gil Max, Stan Watts, George Petrie and Natalie Priest. Audio engineers Neil Pulse and Marty Folia. Sound technician, Ed Blaney. Script editor, Jack C. Wilson. Original music by Alexander Vlastotzenko Orchestra under the direction of Glenn Osser. Executive producer for theater five, Lee Bowman. We invite your comments right to theater five, New York, 23 New York. That's theater five, New York, 23 new York. This is Fred Foy speaking. This has been an abc radio network production. Foreign. Box 13, with the star of Paramount Pictures, Alan Ladd as Dan Holiday. Box 13, care of start times. You advertised for adventure. I have it for you if you will go. Any place I can offer. Paris. If you will do anything. You are the man I need. If you are interested, call at my office any day between the hours of 10am any day between the hours of 10am and noon. I am at 247 Wabash Place. Signed, William Martin, Paris. Adventure. What a dream that could have been. It was, but the awakening was different. And now back to box 13 and Dan Holiday's newest adventure. Diamond in the sky sounded Great. A trip to Paris and adventure for the frosting on the cake. Whoever Mr. William Martin was, he must have known that waving a deal like that in front of anyone was making it a sure thing. But Susie, as usual, had something to say. I don't know Mr. Holiday. Maybe it's just somebody kidding you. That's the girl, Susie. Get out the wet blankets. Spread him around. Then again, maybe this Mr. Martinez is beyond approach. The word Susie is reproach. But I've got a brilliant idea. What, Mr. Holliday? It's all very simple. I go to see Mr. William Martin at 247 Wabash Place. Wabash Place was one of those little streets filled with small businesses. The number 247 was by itself no display window in front. Like the others. I thumbed a bell button that had a card under it with William Martin engraved on it. One minute later, after introductions, I was looking across the desk at a short, stocky, apple cheeked man who said, no one knows you have come here, Mr. Holiday? No, just my secretary. Oh, but she won't say anything. You're positive? I am. Good. Cigarette, Mr. Holiday? Oh yes, thanks. And a light. You do not like my brand? All this lacks is a fuse. What's in it? My special tobacco. But here's an ashtray. Thanks. Well, Mr. Martin, you wrote that letter to box 13 and here I am. Ah, good. Down to business. Then he opened a drawer, took out a photograph and slid it across the desk for me. What I saw was a picture of a diamond. But what a piece of ice. I was studying it when Martin spoke again. I see by your expression, Mr. Holiday, that you are properly impressed. Oh, I'm impressed, Mr. Martin. What is this, the Rock of Gibraltar or something? Not quite. That is the Mirabilis diamond. Oh, you've heard of it then? Yes, yes, but how does it concern me? Here? These credentials will tell you who I am. William Martin. Well that's my name. Yes, but. Well you look. Martin passed me a sheaf of papers with his photo on them. It was William Martin, representative of Jason Van Vander Clare. Name sounded familiar. Martin read my expression again. And Mr. Vanderklyff is a diamond merchant. He has recently purchased the Mirabilis for a million dollars. That's a lot of hay for a lot of ice. I beg your pardon. I'm sorry. Go ahead, Mr. Martin. The gem is in Paris. I am to get it and bring it over here. I see. And box 13. You will go with me, Mr. Holiday. I have reservations for you on the. Just a minute. I'm not a bodyguard, Mr. Martin, or a private detective. Please, nothing so crude, Mr. Holiday. No, I have a much better plan. But first, let me tell you something. There is no jewel thief in the world who would not risk everything to get the Mirabilis. He could never sell it. No, no, but it could be cut up. And any one of the smaller stones would more than repay the thief for their trouble. Yes, I guess you're right. Okay, where do I come in? It is very simple. But like all simple things, it is brilliant. I thought of it. Congratulations. Thank you. Now you will pick up the diamond in Paris. I will go on the same plane. But we shall be complete strangers to each other. Do you begin to see, Mr. Holiday? Sure. If anyone's wise that you're going over to get the stone, they'll follow you. Exactly. But I won't have it. You will. I shall stroll around Paris as a. As a tourist. Anyone following me will be, shall we say, following a red mackerel. All right, let's say it. Oh, but there's only one thing wrong. Wrong? I did not think of something important. Yeah, that's. That's right. Me. Suppose this plan doesn't fool anyone. Then I'm set up like a clay pigeon. You lose a Mirabilis and I'm just another claim for the insurance company. Oh, no, no, I love. You have no worry. Well, maybe I worry easily, Mr. Martin. Especially if I'm carrying a million dollars worth of bait. Mr. Holiday, only you and I know of this. There can be no leak of information unless you tell someone. Oh, sure, I'll go around telling everyone that Dan Holiday's a setup. Here I am, fellas. Come and get me. That's right. And thieves would kill to get a diamond they have already. Why, I can tell you the history of the stone. Calcutta murder, London murder, Vienna. Two deaths. Mr. Martin, skip the cook's tour of the morgue, will you? But you advertised for adventure, Mr. Holiday. You will go any place, do anything. Well, touche. A little below the belt, but touche. And you've added one more to the population of Paris. Martin's plan was simple. And if it worked, a good way to get the Mirabilis into the United States. I said if. Hey, who invented that word? Well, it was three days later that I was ready to leave. Passport okay, papers in order. And a phone call from Martin warning me not to recognize him. When we were on the plane, I gave instructions to Susie and left for the airport. A few hours later, I out over the Atlantic. Martin sat well in front of me and never once looked back. So I played it his way and beyond. A quick look paid no attention to him. Then, as I was settling down to watch the ocean go past underneath. Mr. Holiday? Mr. Dan Holiday? Yes, I'm Holiday. I'm Irene Carson, your stewardess. Oh, how are you? Fine, and you? Wonderful, thank you. Good. Here's a letter for you. Letter? Your shirts for me, Mr. Holiday? Seat 19, Flight 12. Check all the way through on that. All right. Thanks, Ms. Carson. You're welcome. Oh, Ms. Carson, is there something you want? Well, just an answer to a question. Who gave you this? Why, no one. It was among last minute letters and packages and gifts for our passengers. Oh, I see. Thanks again, Ms. Carson. Not at all, Mr. Holiday. The letter was from Martin, brief and to the point. I was to go to an address in Paris and stay there until he called. Well, Mr. Martin was playing them close to his vest. Maybe he didn't trust me. And who could blame him with a million dollars worth of diamond for an auntie Wasn't dealing all the cards at once. Well, all I had to do was wait until morning. And Paris. Early next morning, we landed at the Bourget field. I stuck close behind Martin leaving the plane, but he didn't give me a tumble. So, well, I guess my cue was to hold up at the address mentioned in the letter. Until he got in touch. I was trying to flag down a taxi. When is this the last time you saw Paris, Mr. Holliday? Oh, hello there, Ms. Carson. Looks like you're having trouble. Yes, a little. Say, how do you get one of these rounded grasshoppers to stop? You wave in French like this. Oh, just like that? Just like that. Teach me to wave like that and I'll be able to get a taxi in Paris. Of course, if you lend me your face. There's nothing to it. Oh, I. I almost forgot. I came out here to find you. Oh. Something wrong? Passport papers? No, but I believe this is yours. How did you get this? I found it on the floor of the plane just after you left. Oh. What's the matter? I. Nothing. Can I give you a lift? No, thanks. I have my reports to make out. Maybe some other time if we're still in Paris, huh? Well, I'll be for three days before the hop back to the States. No. I see. Well, Thanks a lot, Ms. Carson. I'll be seeing you. I hope so, Mr. Holliday. She walked away from me. In my hand was the letter from Martin telling me where to stay until I heard from him. I hopped into the cab gave the driver the address and then leaned back in the seat to do some thinking. The letter was in my inside coat pocket. Pretty hard for anything to fall out of there. But my coat had been on a hanger and I'd been away from it just long enough for anyone to pick up that letter. So if anyone was wise to the way the game was being played, Martin was home safe while I stood a better than even chance of being picked off of first base. A half hour later, I was sitting in the little room at the address given me when. Yes, we. Hello? Yes. Oh, Martin. Yes, Everything was all right. Fine. Now what? You are sure no one knows where you are? Well, I. Holiday. All right, no one knows. Now what? Here is an address. Go to it. There you will pick up the package. Okay. Now, don't write this down. Remember it. All right, all right. I can remember it. 45 Rue de la Guerre. No, no, no. Do not repeat it there. Just remember it. All right, all right. Please, Mr. Holliday, you understand my concern. Look, my neck's out of yard too, Martin. Of course, of course. Now, listen. There is a Monsieur Corre. Ask for him. Identify yourself with these words. I've come from the sky. You hear that? I got it. Then what? There will be no question. Those words are our code. Now, I am registered at the Vendome Hotel. Leave the package for me at the desk. Just like that, I leave a package. I know what I am doing. Now, that is all. The rest is up to you, Mr. Holiday. Okay. And Mr. Holiday. Yes, what? Now, for your sake, I sincerely hope nothing goes wrong. And now back to box 13 and diamond in the sky with Alan Ladd as Dan Holiday. The rest was up to me. Martin said all I had to do was collect a Marabolis diamond. See that? I wasn't cut off base. Delivered to Martin. And then? That was all. I hailed a cab on the street. Catra San, Rue de la Guerre. Be governor. With an accent like that, just talk English, huh? Guess it wasn't very good, huh? Are you an American? No, a Londoner from Limehouse hopping, sir. That was 45 Rue de la Guerre, wasn't it? Yes, that's right. How did you know I was American? You kidding? I drove a cab. Three years in Brooklyn. He wants to to know how I know he's an American. Okay, Limous, then you should know what this means. Step on it. Never mind the tickets, huh? Blame me. I ain't heard that since the days in Flatbush. Hold on, pal. Here we go. You're here. Governor, Want me to wait? Yeah. And keep that motor hot. Hey, what's up? I don't know. Something hot. Just wait. Okay, Governor. I'll be here. I went into the house. As for Monsieur Corre. Gave him the code words, I've come from the sky. And without a word, he went to the fireplace, lifted out a brick and handed me a velvet case. After all this, I. I had to take a look inside the case. Well, the Mirabilis looked like a piece of something that would make any crook risk his neck or mine. I snapped the case shut. Hooray. Said nothing. Just watched me, showed me out. All right. Limehouse Vanhome Hotel on the way. Don't bother to fly along. I don't know what this is all about, sir, but when you went in that house, that car pulled up back of us and stopped, huh? And they kept their motor hot, too. Limehouse was right. It looked as though somebody had talked, but not me. And so do not, Martin. We pulled away the big car, tail after us. Turned his head to talk to me. They're tailing us. All right. Can you get away with this act? The three cylinders still working. I got asthma. You gotta make it. What did you do, pinch the crown jewels? You're warm. Step out and do your best, will you? Did you pull a heist? No. Okay. You've got an honest face. All right, Governor. There's nothing keeping this act together but termites holding hands. But here we go. That big car in the back didn't lose an inch. Limehouse and I had to go through an empty stretch of road. So I told him I thought that's where the mugs in the big car would make their pitch. And. Sure, right. But I've got an idea. Well, I can use it. Listen, look down the street. See that turn to the right? Yeah. I'll get close to the curb as I can and you get ready for a jump, huh? Jump? Sure. I'll act like I'm going straight, but where I showed you, I'll turn fast to the right. You jump out, roll in a doorway or something. What about you? I'll make a U turn back out and pull the mugs down the street after me. You got it? Got it. Oh, here's your fare. Plus, ain't had so much fun since Coney Island. Okay, pal. Try for the brass ring. Nah. Attaboy, Limehouse. It worked. I collected a few bruises, but I still had the diamond. Farther down the road. Limehouse stopped. He had to, because the boys in the big car angle in front of his cab. I waited long enough to make sure Limehouse was going to keep his health. Then I doubled back and forth until I came out on the main street. There I took a bus. I. I felt like having lots of people around. I got to the Vendome Hotel, walked to the desk and told the clerk I wanted to leave a package for Monsieur William Martin. Oh brother. I got the surprise of my life when the clerk told me there was no Monsieur William Martin registered there. Well, I sat down to figure that one out. Then just when I was about to give up, I holiday. No, no, no, don't look at me. Martin. What the devil. Pretend that you are not speaking to me. Now you have the stone. Yes, but I almost did that. What happened? It's a long story. You want to hear it now? No, no, no. We have not enough time. Look, I will put part of my newspaper on the sofa between us. Then when no one is looking, put the diamond under the paper. Okay. Then what? After a minute I will pick up the newspaper and leave. And I hope this ice goes with you, Mr. Martin. It will, don't worry. Well, that looked like it all finished. I counted chickens that weren't there. A half hour later I went to the room of my hotel. I just had the door open when. I woke from my deep dream of peace with a knot on my head and a distaste for the whole proceedings. And the room, well, it was in shambles. Somebody had fine combed it after drumming on my head. The manager knew nothing about it. That made us even because I couldn't figure why somebody took the trouble to slug me and search the room when I didn't have the diamond. Unless. Unless somebody thought I was still carrying that somebody. I had an idea. And 40 minutes later I was sitting across from Irene Carson at a little sidewalk cafe. Mr. Holliday, you. You're insane. I will be after another knock on the head. But why do you accuse me? Because no one but Martin knew where I was going to stay in Paris. And you. But this is ridiculous. How should I know? The letter you said dropped out of my pocket. It did drop from your pocket and I did not read it. Really? I. I think this is a ridiculous story. A Mr. Martin who wasn't at his hotel to pick up a diamond worth a million dollars. Men chasing you, hitting you, searching your room. And now simply because I had my hands on a letter you accused me of. Who else knew? You're Mr. Martin. And that's another thing. I never saw you with anyone on that plane. You spoke to no one. You got off alone? Really, Mr. Holliday, it's a fantastic story. No one saw me with Martin. Exactly. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to get back to Le Bourget. You've taken up too much of my time already. I. All right, Ms. Carson. But will you do me a favor? What? Confess to the whole thing. Admit I'm a notorious international jewel thief. No, I. Just get me on a plane back to the States. Look, I. I apologize. All right, all right. I accept the apology. And I'll do my best to get you out of Paris. You. You seem to be allergic to trouble here. You're so right, Ms. Carson. You're so right. After that rigmarole in Paris, New York's LaGuardia Airport sure looked good to me. I was leaving the field when. Welcome home, holiday. Well, cling. What a nice surprise. I've got more. Come on. Hey, wait a minute. What is this? You're a writer. Write a line for yourself. Now, what are you talking about? I'm talking about a pinch, Holiday, which this is. Arrested. Wait a minute. It didn't make sense. Nothing made sense on the way into the city. Kling wouldn't say a word for every question I ask. He growled. But finally in his office. Where's the diamond, Holiday? Diamond? Mirabilis Schmirabolis. Where is it? I smuggle it in, Kling. So you got through customs. Now quit stalling. Where is it? Are you kidding? A million and ice and nobody kids. Nobody. Now, wait a minute. Why did you pick me up? I stopped in at your office to say hello. And Susie told me that you were in Paris. Yesterday we got word from Jason Vanderklyff that the Mirabilis diamond he was to get from Paris hasn't shown up. We checked with the Paris police. A guy named Corey described me. Is that it? Susie tells me you're in Paris. Coret describes you and two or two make four. Now start talking. Well, I told Cling the story, starting with Martin's letter to box 13 and ending with my return to the States. Can you approve that yarn? Get Martin and ask him. That'll be a little tough. He's dead. What? Yeah. When did you leave for Paris? Day before yesterday. Martin's body was found in the river that day. We didn't get an identification out of yesterday. Vanderklyff identified him. Clingy, you're. You're crazy. I tell you, Martin went to Paris on the same plane with me. Here's Martin's photograph. Take a Good. Look, this isn't Martin. Vander Clef ought to know his own agent. And the Martin. The Martin I went with was a fake. Yeah, who probably killed the real Martin, took his place, used his own photo and the credentials he showed you. I. That's a brilliant remark, but the crooks who chased me in Paris, my being hit over the head after I got the diamond, I. Yeah, it's easy to figure. Now, your fake Martin sent those hoods after you to get the diamond and get rid of you for good. So you couldn't identify him. That's why he wasn't registered at the hotel. Because he didn't expect me to show up at the diamond and the crack over the head. Your room, sir. Sure, sure, sure. When I got away from his boys, he sent them to my room, thinking I might go back there. Before I went to the Vendome. I walked in while they were searching the room and they slugged me. Don't you see, Kling? I'm in the clear. Yeah? How? Well, because I had nothing to do with the holiday. You've got your story, but only Martin can keep you out of jail. Then you've got to find Martin. How? He must have taken an earlier flight from Paris. But how could he get the diamond through customs? I don't know. You know, Holliday, this looks like the end of box 13 for you. Martin loses himself in a city of 7 million, lays low and leaves you to take the rap. What if I find him? You'll still have to make him talk. Listen, cling. You know I've never been mixed up in anything shady. Maybe I've been roped in because I follow things through, but. But never deliberately. What are you getting at? Well, will you let me find Martin? How? You're our only link with him and you don't know a thing about him. He could dye his hair, leave off his glasses. I know, I know, but. But if I don't find him, I mean, I'm in trouble. Is that right? You've never been more right in all your life. All right. If I don't find him in 24 hours, I'll walk back in here and you can do what you want with me. Is that a deal? You know, Holiday, when I was a kid, I always wanted to be a cop. My father wanted me to be a sign painter. Now I realize my father was a smart man. All right, go ahead. A needle in a haystack. I was hunting for it. It was a pretty sharp needle. Any character who could think up a frame as neat as this one would be tough to locate if he was still in town. But I had to go ahead. It took me two hours to remember something that would help me, seven hours more to follow it up and an hour to get hold of Irene Carson and take her with me. Then called Cling and give him the setup. It was later that night that I knocked on the door. Yes, who is it? Telegram from Mr. Benjamin Slade. One moment. Hello, Martin. I used to be a salesman. I'm good at sticking my foot in doors. Who are you, Mother Hubbard? And I've come to take a look in your cupboard, Mr. Martin. My name is Slade, Benjamin Slade. So you did dye your hair. And you're much prettier without glasses. I have never seen you before in my life. Yes, but I've seen too much of you. Come on, Slater. Martin, give it up, will you? What brought you here? One of your peculiar cigarettes. I remembered I tried to smoke one when I first met you. You are insane. Yeah, I went to your fake office in Wabash Place. There was an ashtray with some cigarette butts still in. Took me seven hours to run down the dealer who makes your cigarettes clever. But I still deny ever having seen you before in my life. Oh, okay. Let's try something else. Come in, please, will you? Martin, this is Miss Carson, our stewardess on the trip over. Remember? Miss Carson, is this the man who gave you the letter to give to me? I? Yes, that's the man. I did not. Slips countenance gay, Martin. Besides, your handwriting in the letter can be identified. You're too much too clever. Duck, Ms. Carson. Oh, okay, Martin. Without a gun, you're just another sitting duck. Now get up and come on. But, Mr. Holliday, how did Mr. Martin get the diamond over here? He was too smart for that, Suzy. He left it in Paris. He got out and planned to return later. The Paris police, you know, he was pretty silly. Silly? Oh, how'd you figure that out, Susie? Well, a million dollars. Jeepers, look at all the income tax he'd have to pay on it, huh? Oh, good night, Susie. Next week, same time, Alan Ladd stars as Dan holiday in box 13. Alan Ladd appears through the courtesy of Paramount Pictures watch for him in his latest Picture, Saigon. Box 13 is directed by Richard Sanville with an original story by Sal Shore. Adapted for radio by Russell Hughes. Original music is composed and conducted by Rudy Schrager. The part of Susie is played by Sylvia picker and Lt. Kling by Edmund McDonald. Production is supervised by Vern Carstenson. This is a Mayfair production from Hollywood. That's our show for this week. You can find more from theater 5, box 13. This podcast and all of the other Relic Radio podcasts at the website relicradio.com there's a shoutcast stream there streaming away 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with even more old time radio. Lots of to listen to, made possible by your support. If you'd like to help out, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of the support links in the show notes. Thanks again to all who have helped us out this year. Thanks for joining me this week. Be back tomorrow with an hour of mystery on Case Closed and next Tuesday with our next episode of the Relic Radio Show.
