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our listeners. Thanks so much for all your support. Here now is today's
episode of Let George Do It Personal not as stange as my stock and trade.
If the job's too tough for you to hand it, you've got a
job for me. George Valentine. Rightful details. Standard Oil Company of California
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Now tonight's story Once a crook, a transcribed adventure or George Valentine.
You must find my brother. It's a Valentine before the police find him.
But if I do find him, Miss Connor, he'll only go back to
jail. He mustn't. He's in us. He may be, dear,
but from what you yourself told us, the case against him is open and
shut. Two open and two shut. There is such a thing, well,
isn't there? All right, let's go through it again. Your brother
Ralph went to prison two years ago because he stole some money from the bank
where he worked, a large sum of money. He made a mistake,
but he paid for it right now. Yesterday he came back to Sageville,
to your uncle's house, and during the night apparently tried to rob the safe.
Your uncle surprised him, Ralph half killed him with a blow on his
head, and then he ran away. It's not fair. You're making it
too simple, too horrible, Betty. Look, mister Valentine is just trying
to make you see the fact. Doesn't it matter that I know my brother
better than anyone else in the world. Does he would have done that to
Uncle John. He ran away and the safe is empty. That's one of
the things that's all wrong. Ralph knew that Uncle John never kept any real
money or valuables in that safe, so why would he want to break into
I don't know, Betty. He may have known something we don't know.
Ralph lived all his life in Sageville. He never knew how to blow a
safe open, and you learn all sorts of things in jail. I'm afraid
Ralph came home from prison with absolutely nothing but the clothes on his back,
and he didn't leave the house. He had no tools and nothing with which
he could have blown that safe open. Pretty please believe me. I'm not
trying to be cruel, but the police will say that he made plans with
some safe cracker in from jail, he lent him into the house. If,
as your uncle says, there wasn't anything of value in the safe home,
it's just too bad Ralph failed and ran. No, your uncle,
how is he he's in the hospital pretty bad, but I say you'll pull
through. He won't stop until Ralph go's back to jail and stays there.
He may not do that. You don't know, Uncle John. He's a
fanatic on the subject of honor. But all I could do to talk him
into letting Ralph come home at all runs a crook, always a crook.
That was one of the kinder things Uncle said, And now he's more convinced
than ever. After Ralph got into trouble, people might have forgiven him.
Stage Builds a small town. We were raised there after our parents died.
Uncle John never forgave Ralph. Of all the people, he never did.
Benny, let's be practical. You have no idea where Ralph might have have
you? No, My chances of finding him are much smaller than the sheriff's.
So even if I do raf his ring, and if we don't find
them, you'll be running for the rest of his life, even if he's
innocent. He's scared, buddy. Why don't you go back to the hotel.
Your train doesn't leave till this evening. Well, I'll let you know
what I decide. Oh, Miss Brooks, can't you go on Betty,
what is it, George? Somebody's outside? Don't you know it's impolite to
eavesdrop? Must say eavesdrop? Is that the way you talk to a colleague?
Valentine, Oh, it's you. If it isn't, mister Ridley,
I'll leave the doorl from George. We need the air always, clown and
ain't your miss Brooks? Nope? I thought you lost your private investigators license
in this state. I got me another one in another state. I got
friends, I bet what's on your mind? Oh? I am on the
cage, the croner cage. Do you know the gentleman? Betty? Oh,
don't worry. I'm hired nice and legitimate in this cake. You have
my home professional ethics. That's why I'm following the little lady. I thought
i'd give you a chance to join up with me, Valentine doing what finding
Ralph Proner and bringing him to justice. The fee will be picking enough for
both. But you said, okay, punk, you wish you had a
chance to work with me. I'll make you sorry you ever opened your big
mouth. Okay, you scared me. I'll see it. This man,
Why would you follow me all the way from Stageville? Maybe he thought you're
leaving to your brother. Come on, Brooksy, get going. You don't
have much time to pack a bag. Yes, sir Methic. If a
character like al Ridley is in the middle of this case, it's the best
recommendation your brother has. Betty, we'll meet you on the train. Staying
here with Betty, Brooksy, I want to look around see if there are
any familiar faces. You didn't see it, you're really in the Valentine.
Sure he isn't here. Be careful, Valentine, sure, angels, sure
lookin for me. Valentine, Oh yeah, no, wonder I couldn't smell
you through the compartment door. Keep cracking wise while you can. You know,
Marco, don't you. Oh? The case must really be a big
one to bring you a killer friend with you. I could sue you for
libel jack, but I'm a peaceable man. We just bumped into each other
on a train, Valentine. Honestly, that's happy, happy coincidence, and
we're having a day to get it. See now, I would like you
to come with me to the black platform, Valentine. I want to talk
to you alone some other time. Busting, I said, now, Oh,
I see hopped up. Punk with a knife is a dangerous playmate,
even for you, relieve, go with him. Sure, sure, it's
a shame. That's hardly anybody on this train. Hey, Jack, Yeah,
a shame out there. Okay, I's on your mind. I want
to tell you something I didn't want no company, Damn. I think you
should stay out of this case. Jack, get on the next train going
back and blow. That's what I think. Thanks for the advice. It's
not advice, it's an order. You don't say a knife kills somebody too
quick, Jack, much too quick? You should know. But I've broken
did by ball, knife and jacket. That could really be some fun before
a knife finishes the job. Then that's right, Jackie Jong and again he
crazy Punk should should of course. I'm not doing anything now, just talking
to him, just giving you a good tip. Now we'll go back inside.
Forgot we was mad on each other. We can look around the ranch,
mister Valentine. I'll show you where the safety all right. Hey,
this is quite a place, way from the rest of town and from the
edge of the desert. Uncle John always liked to stay away from people.
Stage brush and cact us all around instead of a lawn Uncle John says he
left them to remind himself and the rest of us that life hasn't harsh responsibilities
as well as pleasures. Sounds like a lovable old Fellah. He really isn't
bad. It's just old fashioned and strong. Will Yeah, Okay, let's
get going. Ralph was staying in his old room. That one right there.
Let me see the library where the faces it's well us right down the
hall. Where's your uncle's room over there? Oh, it's safe for sure
enough a mess. I heard the explosion. I came running. It's dark
in here. I turned on the lightning song. Uncle John lying on the
floor, and well, Ralph was gone, and these big French doors were
open. It was a disgraceful assault and a poor, defenseless man. I
was waiting for you, Betty. It's mister Boone, Miss Brooks, mister
Valentinel. Mister Boone is Uncle John's lawyer and a friend of the fan,
and in the capacity of both, I want you to get off the case,
mister Valentine. Oh why what are you talking about? Mister Bowen.
Mister Croner is determined that no help whatsoever to be given Ralph. He must
be feeling better. And I must interpret anything that Betty does as intended to
help Ralph. But he's innocent, I must help him. That's hardly unnaturalism,
mister Bowne. That's the same. I must advise you, mister Valentine,
that Betty is under age, nearly award of mister Croners, she has
no money of her all. I'll speak to Uncle John. All can stay
very bad. Don't worry about the money. Forget about that bar. Besides,
I think mister Bowen's interest in this case is, shall we say,
more than just casual And what is that supposed to mean? Young man?
Well, I was just wondering who hired that sterling character al Ridley, And
now I know it was you. Wasn't a mister Bowden. Why how else
would you have known about me so quickly unless al Ridley reported to his client.
But I tell you what, all right, why not? I was
determined to do what I could to help the police bring a criminal to John.
And don't protest too much, mister Boon. Yeah, yeah, Now,
I think I'll speak to mister Croner in the hospital a private little talk.
Oh dear dear, it's no use, mister valencont how many times must
I tell you my mind is made up? But look, look, please,
mister Cromer, if you didn't actually see who attacked you, there's at
least a chance that it wasn't Ralph. There was nobody else in the house,
and Ralph ran away. You know, as what was I do with
innocent people? Don't run away and have it. Ralph deserves the benefit of
any doubt. I'll listen, mister Valcot, and I I may be an
old fashioned man, but I have some very strong feelings about Honor. Now.
When Ralph stole that money from a bank, I washed my hands off
and completely understand. No longer a nephew of mine. Yes, so I
heard, so I heard, go to Honor's a stern one. It must
have no compromises. I listened to Betty and told he let Ralph come here
when he was released from prison. He didn't disappoint me. Once a crook,
always a crook. We look, can I have to say something,
mister Comer. I haven't lived as long as you have, but I know
what you just said isn't so I don't want you in this case. You
understand that you'll do yourself a favor, you'll stop meddling in our affairs.
I've leave Sageville. I feel very sorry for you, mister Corner. There's
no place in life for fanatics, even for fanatics about such noble things as
honor. Oh my word, mister Falline, will pay you for whatever expenses
you've encouraged so far. Now, please please leave me alone, will you.
I'm still a very sick man, George, George Waite, Yeah,
what is it? Ready? That does may be very important, mister Valentine.
I told miss Brooks, and she's a bit strange, George, and
so I thought I was sure of it right away. Okay, okay,
bother to simmer down with it, George. We were walking down the street
and Betty pointed at the man, and she said she saw him get off
the train the day she came down to the station, met the day he
came from Prison's valent I looked at the man. Do you know what it
was? Marco? Marco, that's right. But al Ridley claims he was
hired only after Ralph ran away and his favorite hoard was in stage bill a
day before. Oh what does this all mean? There's something wrong here,
mister Valentine. You aren't going to leave now, are you? Oh?
No, No, I just spoke to the sheriff, Sam Gunter. He
told me he didn't need any help from outsiders. He told me to get
going. Ridley and Marco Born and Prony and now the sheriff. Yeah,
the advice is unanimous. Stay out. Maybe that's why I'm going to disregard
it and stay in. We'll return to tonight's adventure of George Valentine in just
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mean we take better care of your car. Once a crook, always a
crook. That's the stern code by which John Kroner swears, and apparently it's
been vindicated in the case of his nephew Ralph, for on the very day
that Ralph was released from prison, he assaulted his uncle, robbed his safe,
and ran. It seems open and shut. But if your name is
George Valentine, at least two points need explanation. Why is al Ridley Assended,
a shady private investigator involved in this case? And why did Ridley strong
arm boy and killer stand Marco show up in Sageville on the very day that
Ralph returned home from prison. This room of Rouse hasn't been touched, hasn't,
Betty? I know? To Valentine, Oh, Sheriff Gunner was in
here. He looked around, but he didn't disturb anything. His mind was
already made up about Ralph like everyone else's. Oh, I don't know what
you or I can do for Ralph raw or at least goin to try to
get it the true how we buddy, Oh yes, that's all we can
do, and you must help it. Of course, I'm sorry I tell
me this. This rome is kind of barren, isn't it. I mean,
no personal things to rouse. I think once your about, I think
I'm a dresser. Well, when Ralph went to prison, Uncle John st
all his things out, didn't want anything to remind him of a jail bird.
He said, yeah, no, he told me that himself. Someday
I'm going to sit down with this Uncle John and tell him a thing or
two. He's as hard on himself as he is on anybody else. The
code of honor is a stern test master. Let's review this as how I
got it. Ralph came here after dinner. That's right now, isn't it.
Oh no, no, I see he talked to Uncle John for a
while. I don't know how long, because I went to my room first.
I see. Well, he must have sat here and smoked for quite
some time. All these surette stubs in the ashtray. Jeff Gunner said that
proved his point all the more that Ralph was waiting for Uncle John to fall
asleep so that he could rob the safe the closet. Is there anything in
the closet? Well, I don't think so. Let's take a look,
pretty bar, No clothes, not even What have you found, George?
What is it? I'm the corner over there? What a minute? A
pair of shoes? Rals shoes? Are you sure the yes had the heavy,
clumsy shoes they gave them in prison? I know, because you see
I noticed him when I first met him at the train. That's funny.
Well, it won't help the case much. They'll say he took his shoes
off before he went into the library so he wouldn't make any No, Ralph
had no other shoes, No, no house slippers, nothing like that.
No, I told you before. No. All right, take a look
right here in the other corner, on the dust on the floor. Ralph's
room was closed all these years. Yeah, but not the big heavy ones
for ralph shoes. The man who stood here wore smaller shoes with pointed toes.
What does that mean, mister Valentine. I'm not sure, But come
on, Betty, you've got to be our guide while we go sightseeing,
says, brush and cactus and the house straight up to the bench. Road
up there, desert as far as the eye can see, and mountains in
the distance. Those are the Dead Hills. Dead Hills bandits are supposed to
have hid out there in the old days. They tell me that road up
there? Where does it lead both ways? Well, this way it goes
into town. The other way it goes into the hills. Any other way
of getting out of the hills only a much longer way. About four or
five miles from here, there's a fork in the road. Well, the
fort follows the hills and hollows across the highway, fifteen miles after it leaves
the main road. George, what are you trying to find out? I
think I have foundered what and you'll go back to the house of Betty.
I want to get together a little meeting in John Crowner's hospital room, mister
Valentine, I told you what the nurse said. Mister Croner is a sick
man, and it's late. Yeah. Let the young fellow have his sayboard,
thanks, Yeah, let him have his say and get out of town.
I can help him leave. Never mind, Ridley, all I have
to say, gentleman, is very simple. Ralph Croner didn't run away.
He was kidnapped. This guy is I said Ralph was kidnapped. That's clear
enough. What makes you think so Ralph was raised on your ranch, mister
Croner. He knows this country well. He knows he couldn't get very far
along the cactus and sage brush without his shoes. What shoes are you talking
about? I'm talking about his prison shoes, the only Perry owned. Oh
nonsense. If he did a selt you in the library, mister Croner,
all he had to do is spent another couple of seconds to go back to
his room, get his shoes in the closet, and then run. Who
kidnapped a kid? A ghost? Yes? Who is nobody else in the
house? Are you sure? I saw the footprints of another man in the
closet, Ridley? Could it have been your playmate Marco? But I don't
know what you're talking ab? You know? And I think that whoever was
hiding in the closet slugged Ralph then dragged him out through the French doors in
the library. But why, yes, that Ralph is innocent. Why would
anyone take a chance on kidnap me. Why not leave him behind him?
That's something I don't know yet, but I have a little theory. I
think that Ralph is being kept prisoner by someone up there in those dead hills.
You you're just guessing, aren't you, mister Bellentine. At the moment,
I am yes. But mister Croner, you ought to help me make
sure in the morning, i'd like you to arrange a searching party. Well,
you owe that much to a man you think is guilty. It's a
waste of time. Still, I can't see in the arm in it,
okay, And gentlemen, that said, unless there are other questions, no
questions, friend, no, no, nothing good good. Then we'll see
what tomorrow morning you'll bring. And I think we'll do for a little surprise.
I know it's lad Sheriff, but I think what I told you it
really were. Well, I don't know, Valantine, and only you can
help me. Look, please, Sheriff. We know there's no other way
out of the hills except the Fork road, and any car will have to
go into second gear to go up that mountain at that point she told me
about that's for sure, all right. Then I think we better get going.
Can we get out of town without being seen? I don't want anybody
to recognize your car. Shuff use the car as being painted in Matt Green's
gruge, as long as the cousin of card Greg get out through the side
doors. All right, thank you. Don't make me feel like one of
them big city police Lutherans. And this would takeular said you're pushing car.
I wouldn't try to slough of them for one of you. And quiet,
it's all early. A soul ever pairs is on this road. Valantine.
Oh, i'd like you to have a full moon. Look, they have
a spot where we can hide and not be seen. How long we're gonna
see you? Robert grinding Sharon, y'all guess this is as good as mine?
Oh sure? Getting cold? Yeah? That is that? That's I
hear it going in the second. That's to slow down. He recognize it,
recognize car but not Shad good? Wait, whoa why old? Let's
Billie Billie Johnson Shilopy Shore. Yeah, the girl with him just out enjoy
riding into Oh great, you know I think you were all up on a
goose chase fellas. Oh but sheriff, they wouldn't take a chance on the
highway. They must take this road now, please please, sheriff wait a
little longer, wait, I guess wait a minute, hey listen, this
could be in ready getting closeh this is a strange one. That's it.
That's it, and I wait, okay, okay, let's go. Hey,
hold on, stop that car, this is the sheriff. Stop.
They will light you waiting to hot right in the shoulder. We got him,
shoff, we got him. Come on out of that car and keep
him hot. Hold on, let's start shooting. You got me? Thank
you? Up stand there? Well? Well, will company Marco and Ridley
go enjoy writing? All right, and surprise Ralph Kroner, I guess sure,
oh Christ up and Gay well, not sure we'll get the whole story
straight. I know it might have been foolish, but I wanted to be
the one to return the money that I stole well by. I never suspected
that you still had it. At first, I thought it would buy me
anything that I want. But then somehow I knew I couldn't do that.
And you knew that, didn't you, born Hell, I suspected it.
I didn't think Ralph had a chance to spend it. Then I paid him
a visit in jail. He told me he was going to do something that
would make mister Kroner believe in him again. So you hired Ridley to help
you find the money, and that's why Marco came here. Yes, yes,
but Ridley double across me. I thought Ralph had really run away.
Those two men were going to make me tell them where the money was.
The safe was broken into to confuse the issue. I guess I was waiting
for everyone to go to sleep so I could get the money. It was
hidden outside the house. I heard the laws of the library. Must have
been Ridley who knocked me out. Ridley and Marco came out to the shack
tonight, said the place was going to be searched tomorrow morning, and he
had to get me out of there tonight. Why that's that's what you hadn't
mind all along, mister Bellon. That's the corner. I was hoping a
little trick might flush out the birds. It'd be a pretty hopeless job searching
those hills. No, I want to make an ass for you, Born,
just explain it to the sheriff. I got my work cut out for
me explaining all this to a couple of curious ladies who missed all the excitement.
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at you before must have told you how we both feel. Me Advalance,
Marco and there so mad at each other. They haven't stopped selling the beam
yet. Yeah, and Bowen will need all his lawyer's eloquence to get off
with a short prison term. I think the stopist man and all this is
Uncle John. I wouldn't be surprised. I think it'll be a lot less
positive about things in the future, such things as honor, for instance,
its code of Honor bud, he said. Even cactus isn't all severe and
unbending. It has beautiful flowers to start in it. Miracles of nature all
around this. Even bachelor's buttons he couldn't suddenly change into orange blossoms. This
is that, I think your pardon, it's a prop joke of longstanding.
I'm sure mister Valentine can explain. The only thing mister Valentine will say at
this moment is a good night. Tonight's transcribed Adventure of George Valentine has been
brought to you by Standard Oil Company of California, on behalf of independent Chevron
Gas Stations and Standard Stations throughout the West. Robert Bailey is starred as George,
with Virginia Gregg as Brooksy let George do. It is written by David
Victor and directed by Kenneth Webb. G. G. Pearson was Hurt as
Betty Lester, j as Marco, Frank Gristle as Ridley, Victor Rodman as
Croner, and Bill Bouchet as Born. Music by gay Lord Carter, your
announcer John Heaston. Listen again next week, same time, second station to
Let George Do It. Let George is heard overseas to the worldwide facilities of
the Armed Forces Radio Service. Give to the United Crusades. Seven great services
in one you give, but once give enough for all. Listen to What
George Do It again next Monday night at eight p m. This is the
Mutual Dony Broadcasting System. Welcome back. Well a pretty powerful story here,
at least in terms of the overall message that even honor has to be tempered
with mercy, and of course a pretty good capture by George Valentine. Good
job of setting the trap, and we're all pretty nice episodes. So all
right, when we turn down a listener comments and feedback, and Tammy says,
I wanted to say thank you Adam for all you do. I stumbled
upon your podcast on tune in about six months ago, and now I am
now exploring your website, listening to the shows and the insight that you share
has been wonderful. I'm introducing my children to these they just love them.
Well, Thanks so much, Tammy. I appreciate you listening that will actually
do it for today, join us tomorrow for Sherlock Holmes. Remember coming up
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