1 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:35,240 Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This 2 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:39,479 is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email it 3 00:00:39,679 --> 00:00:45,920 to me Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net. Follow us on Twitter at 4 00:00:46,079 --> 00:00:51,479 Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram, dot com, 5 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:56,640 slash Great Detectives. If you're enjoying this podcast, please follow us using your 6 00:00:56,719 --> 00:01:00,880 favorite podcast software. And I want to encourage you to check out our other 7 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:06,239 podcast, and I'm highlighting our newest effort, the Old Time Radio snack Wagon. 8 00:01:06,599 --> 00:01:11,040 You can go to snackwagon dot net and with the Old Time Radio snack 9 00:01:11,159 --> 00:01:15,680 Wagon, each week we bring you a short, snack size bit of old 10 00:01:15,719 --> 00:01:22,000 time radio. It can be a short form program or it can be a 11 00:01:22,159 --> 00:01:26,239 self contained excerpt of a longer show. And really, this is a program 12 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:34,000 that was born of my desire to share some of the really neat little gems 13 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:40,200 out there. And we've included programs that have famous stars like Jimmy Stewart and 14 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:45,599 W. C. Fields, as well as those that a lot more obscure, 15 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:49,120 like do you Know Maine? And it's just a nice short biece of 16 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:53,879 entertainment. You can play it on a quick drive or while doing your dishes, 17 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:57,200 just you know, if you don't have a lot of dishes, I 18 00:01:57,200 --> 00:02:00,840 guess check it out at snack wagon dot net. Well, we're gonna get 19 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:06,680 into this week's yours truly, Johnny Dollar Cereal Now, as always, if 20 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:12,840 you would rather listen to all five episodes of the Cereal together, then you 21 00:02:12,879 --> 00:02:17,199 can pause the podcast now and then come back on Friday when all five episodes 22 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:24,639 are available. But now July sixth and seventeenth, nineteen fifty six, Here 23 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:35,759 is the star of Cape Town, manor episodes one and two from Hollywood. 24 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:43,159 It's time now for Johnny Dillon. This is Joe mcnabe, Johnny try Eastern 25 00:02:43,199 --> 00:02:46,199 Indemnity. Oh hi, Joe, what's happening? Start a Cape Town, 26 00:02:46,319 --> 00:02:50,639 start a Cape down, Constellation celebrity, or shipp wrong three times? The 27 00:02:50,639 --> 00:02:53,560 start of Cape Town is a diamond about the size of a jumbo olive. 28 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:57,240 Sounds likely to make a nice ornament for a martini, except I'm strictly a 29 00:02:57,280 --> 00:02:59,560 lemon peel man. This is serious, Johnny. I'd like you to take 30 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:00,919 a look at it. Now. What's so interesting about it? Except it's 31 00:03:00,919 --> 00:03:05,159 probably worth one hundred thousand dollars make it one hundred and fifty. That's what 32 00:03:05,159 --> 00:03:07,479 we've ensured it for. Oh, got quite a history to it. Three 33 00:03:07,479 --> 00:03:10,680 men we know of have been killed over in the last fifty years this stone. 34 00:03:10,719 --> 00:03:13,919 I like to see. Where is it? Name of the stone? 35 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:16,879 Johnny Stark? Hey, wait a minute, in Cape Town, South Africa. 36 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:29,039 That's right. Interested, I'll be right over tonight and every weekday night. 37 00:03:29,159 --> 00:03:32,000 Bob Bailey in the transcribed Adventures of the Man with the Action Packed Expense 38 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:52,400 Account America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Oh it's truly Johnny Dollar. Expense accounts 39 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:58,280 submitted by special Investigator Johnny Dollar to Try Eastern Indemnity Associates home office following as 40 00:03:58,280 --> 00:04:01,240 an accounting of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Star of Cape Town matter. 41 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:09,759 Expencer count outem one a dollar fifty camp fare for my apartment of the 42 00:04:09,759 --> 00:04:14,919 office of Tri Eastern Indemnity Associates. Joe mcnah was waiting for me. Sit 43 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:18,439 down, Johnny, Thanks, So, what about the Star of Cape Town? 44 00:04:18,519 --> 00:04:21,800 Sounds interesting? You're interested? We're worried. What about ever? Hear 45 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:26,639 of Andrew Lanning Forbes? The third wores Forbes? Seems to me have seen 46 00:04:26,639 --> 00:04:30,199 his picture in the papers a couple of times. International playboy type, isn't 47 00:04:30,199 --> 00:04:32,399 he? That's the one he owns The Star of Cape Town now inherited the 48 00:04:32,399 --> 00:04:35,800 stone after the recent death of his aunt Johnny. Like I told you, 49 00:04:35,800 --> 00:04:40,040 we've got that diamond and showed for one hundred and fifty thousand bucks. But 50 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:43,399 Forbes treats it like it was a ten cent store hunk of costume jewelry. 51 00:04:43,399 --> 00:04:46,519 What do you mean? He cuts it from place to place wherever he goes, 52 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:48,240 Paris, Rome, the Riviera, you name it. He's been there, 53 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:51,160 and so is the Star of Cape Town. You mean, oh, 54 00:04:51,199 --> 00:04:54,959 he keeps it in the hotels, safe stuff like that. But that isn't 55 00:04:54,959 --> 00:04:58,560 good enough. We want him to put it in permanent custody somewhere. Yeah. 56 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:00,800 I see your points. I seem to listen to reason, and right 57 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:04,759 now it's a particularly bad period for us. O come Forbes seems to be 58 00:05:04,759 --> 00:05:08,319 in one of his party giving moods. He has them every once in a 59 00:05:08,319 --> 00:05:11,600 while, about three weeks at a time, a big party every night wherever 60 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:14,160 he happens to be. Then he quiets down for a month or two. 61 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:17,079 Yeah, probably resting up. But how come he's in Cape Town now, 62 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:20,160 who knows, who knows why he goes anywhere he does? Oh, brother, 63 00:05:20,279 --> 00:05:23,680 sounds like a real character. Yeah, But what we want you to 64 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:26,279 do is to talk him out of being a character long enough to put that 65 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:29,079 diamond in a safe place and to keep an eye on it until he does. 66 00:05:29,800 --> 00:05:31,839 We got a plane reservation for you to night at midnight tonight, not 67 00:05:31,959 --> 00:05:34,160 just a minute. Look, if it's the money you're worried about, don't 68 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:36,759 be. This means a lot to us. We're willing to pay accordingly. 69 00:05:38,199 --> 00:05:41,120 Sure you may not believe this, but I wasn't thinking about the money. 70 00:05:41,199 --> 00:05:44,519 Then. What those three men who got killed over that diamond? You told 71 00:05:44,519 --> 00:05:46,759 me about them over the phone. Oh that look, the diamond's fifty years 72 00:05:46,839 --> 00:05:50,680 old. Those three killings were twenty thirty years ago. Just the same three 73 00:05:50,759 --> 00:05:54,800 is always a crowd, and I wouldn't like to see it increase by one 74 00:05:57,439 --> 00:06:00,160 expense account at him two three sixty Campfair apartment to pack and thend of the 75 00:06:00,199 --> 00:06:04,399 airport where Joe mcnahb met me and told me three tired jokes in two minutes 76 00:06:04,439 --> 00:06:08,279 in a very subtle attempt to keep my mind off the three dead men. 77 00:06:08,319 --> 00:06:11,680 As He gently steered me to the plane. I had them three plane fair 78 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:20,680 to Cape Town, South Africa. The plane came in over Cape Town in 79 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:25,199 the early afternoon, off to one side, toward the famous Devil's Peak, 80 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:29,079 and down below the bay glittered like Yeah. It looked like everything was trying 81 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:32,079 to remind me of that diamond. As if I could forget a stone worthy 82 00:06:32,079 --> 00:06:35,959 of one hundred and fifty thousand and the lives of three people. I had 83 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:40,399 them five care fair to the residents of Andrew Lanning Forbes. A third he'd 84 00:06:40,399 --> 00:06:43,560 rented a mansion on the side of a hill. I was ushered onto a 85 00:06:43,639 --> 00:06:46,240 terrace overlooking the city in the bay. Forbes was waiting for me with a 86 00:06:46,319 --> 00:06:49,920 drink in his hand. He was a thin faced, elegant, tired looking 87 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:54,879 character whose deep tan didn't hide the lines on his face. He could have 88 00:06:54,879 --> 00:06:58,680 been anywhere from thirty five to fifty. How have you a drink? Dollar? 89 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:01,680 Well, a little early in the afternoon, isn't it? Oh? 90 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:06,759 Is it? It might cool you off? Okay? Thanks? Hey, 91 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:13,040 it's quite a place you have here. Here, it's adequate, you seem 92 00:07:13,079 --> 00:07:17,360 amused. Butler must be fifteen sixteen rooms at least roughly adequate seems kind of 93 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:24,279 like an understatement. Quite positively, you are thanks. Look, dollar was 94 00:07:24,399 --> 00:07:26,920 very thoughtful of the insurance company to send you all the way down here. 95 00:07:26,959 --> 00:07:31,480 But also it was well it wouldn't unnecessary be the word that depends, mister 96 00:07:31,519 --> 00:07:35,519 Forbes. What do you mean? The company I represent is pretty chittery over 97 00:07:35,519 --> 00:07:39,959 that diameter of yours the star of Cape Town? Would you like to see 98 00:07:39,959 --> 00:07:42,600 it? Well? Yes, but I think we are there here it is 99 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:46,600 you carrying around in your pocket? Why not have no holes in the buckets? 100 00:07:46,879 --> 00:07:49,879 Oh now, look Forbes. No, no, no, I'm really 101 00:07:49,879 --> 00:07:53,759 not as bad as that dollar. I was expecting you, so I thought 102 00:07:53,759 --> 00:07:57,399 i'd play a little joke on you, mister Forbes, that kind of humor 103 00:07:57,480 --> 00:08:01,079 shortness my life. Well, I suppose it was a bit cruel. Well 104 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:07,199 there it is. What do you think of it? Mcnaev said it was 105 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:11,439 the size of a jumbo olive. Looks more like a golf ball to me, 106 00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:15,439 cried vulgar, isn't it? Oh what a cutting job they did on 107 00:08:15,519 --> 00:08:20,680 it? Beautiful And there must be a thousand fests, Yeah, all of 108 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:24,199 them glittering, all of them coal, all of them surfers rather like life, 109 00:08:24,199 --> 00:08:26,279 don't you think. Look, mister Forbes, if you don't mind, 110 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:31,639 let's skip the philosophy for a minute and talk about the diamond. Of course, 111 00:08:31,159 --> 00:08:35,840 you're still concerned about his safety. Well, perhaps this will reassure you. 112 00:08:35,919 --> 00:08:39,559 Where do you come with me? Sure? This way? I have 113 00:08:39,559 --> 00:08:43,200 a very efficient wall safe in my bedroom in here, so you see I 114 00:08:43,240 --> 00:09:01,120 do take precautions. Here we are. Yeah, are you reassured? No? 115 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:05,519 No, your bedroom opens off the terrace. It'll be too easy for 116 00:09:05,519 --> 00:09:07,480 somebody to get it. That's safe, Very well, mister Dollar. And 117 00:09:09,039 --> 00:09:11,000 after the night, I shall place the diamond in a bank. That's the 118 00:09:11,039 --> 00:09:15,440 best news I've had all day. Yes, a nice party would be my 119 00:09:15,519 --> 00:09:18,799 last for a while. Party for Agatha. Who's Zagatha? Oh, she's 120 00:09:18,840 --> 00:09:22,759 my elder sister. She's on a world tour, arriving here in Cape Town 121 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:24,440 later this afternoon. I'm going to surprise her. Hey, wait a minute, 122 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:28,360 you came all the way here to Cape Town to throw a surprise party 123 00:09:28,399 --> 00:09:30,720 for your sister. Well, it wasn't doing anything else at the moment. 124 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:33,799 Why not? Well, I can think of a couple of reasons, but 125 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:37,799 they probably wouldn't sound convincing to you. Probably not, although they probably would 126 00:09:37,879 --> 00:09:43,759 sound convincing to Agatha. Oh, she and I are quite different. Half 127 00:09:43,799 --> 00:09:46,120 the time she worries about me, the other the halftime she disapproves of me. 128 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,919 She consists it quite beat the dignity of the Forbes name for me to 129 00:09:50,919 --> 00:09:54,159 go popping around from place to place like this. I see, yeh. 130 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:58,360 She's quite devoted to the cause of the Forbes name, to make sure it 131 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:01,039 keeps standing for whatever it's supposed to end. For I was never quite sure 132 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:05,320 myself. So you're giving her a surprise party in the night? Was she 133 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:09,320 like the idea? Probably not. That's what makes it fun. Oh, 134 00:10:09,399 --> 00:10:11,759 by the way, would you like to come well under the circumstances, I 135 00:10:11,799 --> 00:10:16,919 think i'd better. I wonder if I could have a guest list a guest 136 00:10:16,639 --> 00:10:20,919 good Evans. You mean you don't have one, Well, of course not. 137 00:10:20,039 --> 00:10:22,919 I just invite people here and there wait to see who turns up. 138 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:28,720 Then you don't have any idea who all's coming? Absolutely not, donad. 139 00:10:28,759 --> 00:10:35,320 That's the only thing that makes these parties worthwhile. Oh great, a character 140 00:10:35,799 --> 00:10:39,279 with a coint habit of carrying his diamond in his pocket, throwing a party 141 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:43,519 where he didn't know who was coming. This was a situation not calculated to 142 00:10:43,559 --> 00:10:48,519 help my peace of mind. Believe me, Forbes had his driver take me 143 00:10:48,559 --> 00:10:50,600 back to town. I stopped along the way at police headquarters and talked to 144 00:10:50,639 --> 00:10:54,120 Lieutenant Van Tyle, who agreed to furnish a man to help me keep an 145 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:56,519 eye on the party expense of cond Adam Sex camp Fair. Back out to 146 00:10:56,559 --> 00:11:03,080 forbes house that evening for the party. I thought I was getting there early, 147 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:05,720 but there were already quite a few people about. A stocky bartender shoved 148 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:07,799 a drink in my hand as I walked in, and I took a look 149 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:13,919 around. Quite a brawl. Then I spotted the girl with honey colored hair 150 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:16,879 and a green dress that matched her eyes. Well, it was as good 151 00:11:16,879 --> 00:11:22,080 a place to start as any. Hi. Hi, my name's Johnny. 152 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:26,679 I know. Oh I'm Sheila. You're a friend of Forbes. My you 153 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:31,000 are new around here, aren't you? What of me? You'll find me 154 00:11:31,039 --> 00:11:37,320 at most of Andy's parties. He arranges my transportation. We'll see do you 155 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:41,679 what's your excuse for being here in this gay mad throng? You know friend 156 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:46,159 too? Matter of fact, no, I just met him this afternoon and 157 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:48,799 he invited me to come, that's far for the course. Ah you are, 158 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:52,799 oh Forbes. I'm glad you two got an acquainted enjoying yourself. Sheila 159 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:58,799 delirious? Is she wonderful, Johnny? She's always so gracefully bored. You 160 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:03,080 see, JOHNNYM quite a useful function around here. I'm always good for laughs. 161 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:09,399 Yeah. Well, is your sister and joining the party? Force a 162 00:12:09,519 --> 00:12:13,039 guess, of course. Not. Haven't you met her yet, john No, 163 00:12:13,159 --> 00:12:16,639 No, she's over by the window, the thin, aristocratic, tired 164 00:12:16,679 --> 00:12:20,120 looking at lady. Oh yeah, yeah, I see what you mean. 165 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:24,679 That's her look at the stain. She thoroughly disapproves of this whole party, 166 00:12:24,799 --> 00:12:28,879 and of me, of course, and of me to come along. Johnny, 167 00:12:28,879 --> 00:12:31,000 I'd like you to meet Agatha. Oh you're taking a chance. She 168 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:33,639 probably disapproved of me too. Oh no, no, you look like the 169 00:12:33,639 --> 00:12:37,799 respectable type. Thanks. I guess she thoroughly approved. I see you have 170 00:12:37,799 --> 00:12:41,759 another guest arriving. Would you to excuse me, I'll introduce you to agu 171 00:12:41,799 --> 00:12:45,559 the later Johnny. Yeah, sure, the perfect host when he wants to 172 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:50,000 be. Oh, who's the new arrival. Her name is Helen. Andy 173 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:54,200 met her a day or two ago. Well, I'll say this for her. 174 00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:58,240 Yes, isn't she I'm sorry, don't be. I'm used to it. 175 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:01,639 He knows something she'd do. I don't get you. Oh, I'm 176 00:13:01,639 --> 00:13:05,480 not so hard to figure out, Johnny. I think you are. You 177 00:13:05,519 --> 00:13:07,000 don't like these parties any more than I get there. Oh to watch it, 178 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:11,120 Johnny, you started comparing me to her, and she's going to disapprove 179 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:13,000 of you. Okay, but I still don't get it. You don't like 180 00:13:13,039 --> 00:13:18,639 the parties or Forbes other friends that you keep bagging along. Yeah, I've 181 00:13:18,639 --> 00:13:24,519 got a perfect attendance record. Why well, I guess there's one obvious reason. 182 00:13:24,559 --> 00:13:28,240 But that would sound real corny. Maybe not. So let's just say 183 00:13:28,279 --> 00:13:31,440 that, after you've been riding the merry Ground long enough, standing on solid 184 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:37,720 ground doesn't seem normal. Oh well, maybe if you keep riding that merry 185 00:13:37,759 --> 00:13:43,720 Ground, you'll grab the brass rings someday. Don't better. Sheila drifted over 186 00:13:43,759 --> 00:13:46,879 to the bar, where she sat quietly drinking the rest of the evening. 187 00:13:48,879 --> 00:13:52,399 I somehow felt sorry for her, but I knew she'd bought her own ticket 188 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:56,080 to the Merry Ground, at least for the first ride. I looked over 189 00:13:56,120 --> 00:14:00,919 at Forbes and started sweating. He was showing the diamond off to the party. 190 00:14:00,919 --> 00:14:03,799 But before I could get to him, Agatha did. She must have 191 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:07,360 told him and dignified but firm tones to put the ice on ice. He 192 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:11,000 laughed and took it back to his room, so I relaxed. The party 193 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:13,679 dragged on. Agatha managed to look frigidly pained the rest of the evening, 194 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:18,759 but Forbes was obviously enjoying himself with Helen. They danced and went out on 195 00:14:18,759 --> 00:14:22,120 the terrace. Shela turned her back and concentrated on her drink. Finally, 196 00:14:22,159 --> 00:14:26,840 I went over to the bar, Sorry, Johnny, looked like the bartender's 197 00:14:26,919 --> 00:14:33,279 gone home, and that's probably a good IDEA good night. She headed carefully 198 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:35,759 for the door and went out. Then I realized I hadn't seen Forbes for 199 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:41,360 ten or fifteen minutes. I went out on the terrace, wedy insight. 200 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:50,919 I walked to Forbes's bedroom door. Mister Forbes, Forbes, no answer. 201 00:14:54,679 --> 00:14:58,440 One lamp was lit. Forbes was on the floor. The knife had gone 202 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:03,879 in low under. He probably hadn't made a sound. Nearby was the case 203 00:15:03,879 --> 00:15:16,799 in which he kept the Star of Cape Town. It was open and empty. 204 00:15:24,279 --> 00:15:28,879 Johnny Dollar, this is Lieutenant vent Tyle of the Cape Town Police. 205 00:15:28,919 --> 00:15:31,679 Mister Dollar, Oh yeah, Lieutenant, I've been trying to get you anything 206 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:35,080 new on the Forbes murder. I'm afraid not. How about the diamond it's 207 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:39,759 still missing? Oh so far we're batting zero any suspects. Indeed, how 208 00:15:39,879 --> 00:15:43,559 is it not it? Mister Dollar? They what do you mean, Lieutenant? 209 00:15:43,039 --> 00:15:46,399 How many guests would you say were at Andrew Forbes party last evening? 210 00:15:48,120 --> 00:16:07,360 Sixty? Then we have sixty suspects? Oh great? From special investigator Johnny 211 00:16:07,399 --> 00:16:11,720 Dollar location, Cape Town, South Africa to the home office Tri Eastern Indemnity 212 00:16:11,759 --> 00:16:23,000 Associates assignment the Star of Cape Town matter expense account continued itdem seven Cavefair for 213 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:26,799 my hotel to police headquarters. So far in this job, I'd been a 214 00:16:26,799 --> 00:16:32,000 big, brilliant nothing. I figured Lieutenant Ventile of the Cape Down Police might 215 00:16:32,039 --> 00:16:33,919 be able to supply a few answers, but as it turned out, all 216 00:16:33,919 --> 00:16:38,440 he had on his mind was questions. Now, mister Dollar, I suppose 217 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:42,279 you sit down and explain your connection with this affair, sirrel, Lieutenant, 218 00:16:42,879 --> 00:16:47,840 I can make it short, if not sweet. Andrew Forbes was an international 219 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:52,080 playboy. I am well aware of that. Cape Town has entertained mister Forbes 220 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:56,000 before oh vice versa. Well, then you probably also know that he recently 221 00:16:56,080 --> 00:16:59,320 inherited a very large diamond known as the Star of Cape Town. Yes, 222 00:17:00,039 --> 00:17:02,960 the company I represent was carrying the insurance on that stone, one hundred and 223 00:17:02,960 --> 00:17:06,720 fifty thousand dollars. They didn't like the way Forbes was flashing it around. 224 00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:08,680 They thought he was a bit too careless with it. I was trying to 225 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:11,880 talk him into using a little common sense, and that is why you came 226 00:17:11,920 --> 00:17:15,400 here to Cape Town. Yeah, but it looks like I've struck out struck. 227 00:17:15,519 --> 00:17:19,079 Forbes is dead and the diamond's gone. You were at the party from 228 00:17:19,119 --> 00:17:25,079 some time before Forbeses murder until afterwards, that's right. You stayed in the 229 00:17:25,119 --> 00:17:30,480 main room the entire time. Well yeah, oh now, look, lieutenant, 230 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:33,079 I'd hardly fly all the way here to bump off a guy. That's 231 00:17:33,319 --> 00:17:37,000 questions, mister Dollar, just question. Yeah, but what I need right 232 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:41,559 now is answers, as do I these other guests at Forbeses party? Did 233 00:17:41,599 --> 00:17:45,640 you know any of them? No? Well, I met a girlfriend of 234 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:48,759 his name, Sheila. A couple other people were pointed out to me. 235 00:17:48,799 --> 00:17:52,720 Who were they? Oh, Forbes' older sister Angaa for one, A real 236 00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:56,559 aristocratic type. You can cross her off your list. Oh yeah, she 237 00:17:56,680 --> 00:17:59,519 disapproved of Forbes all right, but not to the extent of sticking a knife 238 00:17:59,559 --> 00:18:03,200 in him. Pretty sure it would have been beneath her dignity, if nothing 239 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:06,920 else. Besides, she didn't leave the main room during the party either. 240 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:11,000 Then there was Helen, Helen who I never did find out our last name. 241 00:18:11,559 --> 00:18:15,680 She arrived at the party late, and Forbes seemed to zero in on 242 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:18,240 her right away. Zero in, I mean, he spent the rest of 243 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:22,119 the evening with her. They danced for a while, and they went out 244 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:25,880 on the terrace, and come to think of it, I never did see 245 00:18:25,920 --> 00:18:29,960 her come back inside, and I didn't see Forbes again either until I went 246 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:33,279 to his roman found him dead. I see, we shall try to find 247 00:18:33,279 --> 00:18:37,680 this Helen. Can you describe her well? I didn't get nearly as close 248 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:41,039 a look as I'd have liked to. Oh yeah, from what I could 249 00:18:41,039 --> 00:18:45,680 see, a real doll, lieutenant dark hare, turn up nose, fine 250 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:49,079 complexion, mister dolla. We need an objective description, not an appreciation. 251 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:53,000 At the time, I was more interested in her as a prospect than a 252 00:18:53,039 --> 00:18:56,880 suspect. I see and you say, who knew none of the other guests. 253 00:18:57,039 --> 00:19:00,319 That's right, We've been unable to find any sort of guest list. 254 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:03,960 I don't waste your time looking. There isn't anything. Forbes explained that he 255 00:19:04,039 --> 00:19:07,880 had a charming habit of inviting whoever he ran into. He said that half 256 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:11,640 of the fun wasn't seeing who turned up. That rather complicates matters, doesn't 257 00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:17,599 he sure does, mister Dollop, diamond fifths are not unknown? Was getting 258 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:21,319 keep down? No? I imagine not. Here are some photos of known 259 00:19:21,440 --> 00:19:26,559 duel thieves mug shots. Please see if you recognize any of these people as 260 00:19:26,559 --> 00:19:30,640 having been at the party. It would be a little hard to remember. 261 00:19:32,680 --> 00:19:34,519 You know, people were drifting in and out all evening, and it was 262 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:41,640 wait a minute, who's this guy? That is Julio Biak at duel thief? 263 00:19:41,720 --> 00:19:47,359 Do recognize him? Starky guy? Mm, certain looks familiar. I 264 00:19:47,440 --> 00:19:49,599 can't see the place him. Could he have been at the party? Oh? 265 00:19:49,759 --> 00:19:52,240 It's possible, but I can't be sure. Perhaps it will come to 266 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:56,799 later. I hope something comes to me sooner or later. That diamond, 267 00:19:56,839 --> 00:20:03,799 for instance, But at this point I had to admit it didn't look very 268 00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:08,119 like one murder sixty suspects. You'd get better odds than that on a rouette 269 00:20:08,119 --> 00:20:12,079 wheel. I left headquarters and decided to walk around a little see if I 270 00:20:12,079 --> 00:20:15,640 could coax up some kind of ideas to my next step. I went down 271 00:20:15,680 --> 00:20:21,599 to the waterfront and looked around. Nice view, no ideas. Then, 272 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:23,720 as I was walking along a narrow, deserted street, I realized I had 273 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:26,880 company. The shadow from the top of the building next to me ran along 274 00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:30,000 the middle of the street and I could see a silhouette. I stopped, 275 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:34,000 so did the shadow on top of the building. I started up again, 276 00:20:34,559 --> 00:20:38,279 so did the shadow. I started edging out away from the sidewalk for a 277 00:20:38,279 --> 00:20:42,519 look. The shadow raised its arms suddenly, and I ducked. A large 278 00:20:42,519 --> 00:20:45,279 building tile crashed at the sidewalk, right where I'd been a second ago. 279 00:20:45,519 --> 00:20:48,200 I jumped for a rickety fire escape over my head and scrambled up to the 280 00:20:48,279 --> 00:20:53,200 roof. Nobody in sight, and roofs stretching out in all directions, warehouses, 281 00:20:53,240 --> 00:20:56,680 loading sheds. Whoever it was could have been a block away by now. 282 00:20:57,400 --> 00:21:00,960 Pretty ironic, somebody trying to take me out of the ball game when 283 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:11,319 I didn't even know which team had the ball. I went back to my 284 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:18,680 hotel room. Two steps inside, I stopped cold. I'd caught a whiff 285 00:21:18,680 --> 00:21:22,440 of what smelled like a pretty expensive perfume. It certainly wasn't my shaving motion. 286 00:21:22,960 --> 00:21:29,640 Hell, Johnny, Wow, she loved? Yeah? Yeah, I 287 00:21:29,640 --> 00:21:33,759 remember. Now you were wearing that perfume at the party last night. I've 288 00:21:33,759 --> 00:21:38,680 been waiting for you. Let's talk uh any particular subject last night? What 289 00:21:38,759 --> 00:21:42,039 happened, Johnny? Me that you were there too? You remember I left 290 00:21:42,079 --> 00:21:45,720 before it happened. I think, what do you mean? You think? 291 00:21:45,920 --> 00:21:48,279 I guess I had a few too many last night. I don't remember some 292 00:21:48,319 --> 00:21:51,400 of it. No, you were making pretty good sense when I was talking 293 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:53,039 to you well after that, I mean, and you were with it enough 294 00:21:53,079 --> 00:21:56,960 to react when Forbes and Helen went out on the terrace together. Don't, 295 00:21:57,000 --> 00:22:02,599 Johnny, did you do it? Oh? Oh, well, now that's 296 00:22:02,599 --> 00:22:03,720 a switch. I'm not kidding, Johnny. You went to his room. 297 00:22:03,759 --> 00:22:07,559 There's only one way you'd know that, Sheila, you were outside somewhere watching. 298 00:22:08,319 --> 00:22:11,920 Yes, After I left, I went around and back, and pretty 299 00:22:11,920 --> 00:22:15,880 soon Helen came out of his room. She was carrying something. Oh what, 300 00:22:17,160 --> 00:22:18,440 don't worry, it wasn't the diamond. I was close enough to see 301 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:22,880 it. Even if I hadn't been, I guess i'd have known what you 302 00:22:22,960 --> 00:22:26,680 mean. It was a small bottle of perfume that was always the first step 303 00:22:27,039 --> 00:22:33,200 perfume, and always the same kind, that kind you're wearing. Yes, 304 00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:40,799 it's got a great name forever. What happened? Then I walked around the 305 00:22:40,799 --> 00:22:42,200 garden a few minutes, trying to decide whether to have it out with Andy 306 00:22:42,240 --> 00:22:45,839 once and for all. I started back toward the terrace. Then I saw 307 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:52,160 you heading for his room, so I left SA I said, don't Johnny, 308 00:22:53,119 --> 00:22:55,680 if I'd done it, would I have told you I was out in 309 00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:57,599 the garden. You would if you were afraid somebody had seen you there and 310 00:22:57,599 --> 00:23:03,039 would tell me about it. And I suppose you figured out a motive for 311 00:23:03,119 --> 00:23:06,680 me too, a couple of possibilities. You told me you'd been on a 312 00:23:06,680 --> 00:23:10,720 merry ground with Fors for a long time. Maybe you couldn't stand the thought 313 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:15,680 of anyone else getting aboard Helen that sort of things happened before, Johnny. 314 00:23:15,799 --> 00:23:18,400 Or maybe you figured the only way to get off that merry ground was to 315 00:23:18,400 --> 00:23:22,079 get rid of the guy who ran it, and the diamond and good bye. 316 00:23:22,160 --> 00:23:26,680 You a lot of rides somewhere else, and I thought I was the 317 00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:30,960 cynic. You really have a nice opinion of people, haven't you. I'm 318 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:34,119 afraid most of the people I get myself involved with on these jobs aren't very 319 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:37,400 nice. Shoot, I didn't do it all right? If you didn't, 320 00:23:37,400 --> 00:23:40,839 I'm sure, Lieutenant vant I I'll find out. I know. I'm on 321 00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:45,319 my way there now. He phoned me an hour ago. I thought i'd 322 00:23:45,319 --> 00:23:49,400 stop buy and talk to you before I went. Johnny, you don't really 323 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:55,480 think I could do a thing like that, do you? I guess not? 324 00:23:55,559 --> 00:24:00,240 You one thing I am interested in, though? What's that You're finally 325 00:24:00,240 --> 00:24:07,200 off the Merry Garand? How does it feel? It isn't real? That 326 00:24:07,319 --> 00:24:15,880 Merry Garand was all I ever knew. She walked down of the room looking 327 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:19,319 well, empty is the best word I can think of, and I kept 328 00:24:19,359 --> 00:24:23,559 wondering what she'd been like before the Merry Garna. The rest of the day 329 00:24:23,599 --> 00:24:29,519 I spent composing soothing cablegrams in reply to angry ones from McNab of tri Eastern 330 00:24:29,559 --> 00:24:33,519 Indemnity. The inquest was the following morning, but the verdict was no help. 331 00:24:33,039 --> 00:24:38,880 Death at the hands of person or person's unknown. Lieutenant Van Tyle told 332 00:24:38,880 --> 00:24:42,559 me that Forbes's sister Agatha had decided to shove off that afternoon on the Southern 333 00:24:42,559 --> 00:24:45,599 Empress. So I went down to the dock at aboard ship an hour before 334 00:24:45,640 --> 00:24:48,920 sailing, hoping I could get in a ward with her. Farewell parties were 335 00:24:48,920 --> 00:24:53,440 clogging the lounges and the passageways. I waited outside Agatha forbes state room until 336 00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:59,920 she arrived. Miss Forbes. Fir oh, mister Dalla, isn't it yes, 337 00:25:00,039 --> 00:25:00,880 So I didn't have a chance to meet you at your brother's party. 338 00:25:00,920 --> 00:25:04,000 Tell me about you. It's too bad you weren't able to persuade him to 339 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:07,960 put that diamond in the safety sooner, Miss Forbes. I wonder if you'd 340 00:25:07,960 --> 00:25:12,240 answer a few questions. Mister Dolan, I am completely exhausted. I don't 341 00:25:12,279 --> 00:25:15,519 wish to talk about it, but I made my statement to the police. 342 00:25:15,599 --> 00:25:19,880 There's nothing further to add about the diamond. In too much publicity about the 343 00:25:21,079 --> 00:25:23,440 entire tragedy as it is, I have no wish to add to it. 344 00:25:23,960 --> 00:25:27,279 I'm very sorry, mister Dolan. It should be in New York in a 345 00:25:27,279 --> 00:25:30,759 month or so. Perhaps I shall have recovered from the experience efficiently by then 346 00:25:30,799 --> 00:25:34,240 to talk about it intelligent. Only trouble is by then the diamond could be 347 00:25:34,279 --> 00:25:40,279 in tim Bucktowhison see you later, Miss Forbes. What snapped me into action 348 00:25:40,359 --> 00:25:41,759 was a glimpse of a girl at the end of the passageway, just entering 349 00:25:41,799 --> 00:25:45,279 the lounge. I couldn't be sure, but it looked like Helen. By 350 00:25:45,279 --> 00:25:48,240 the time I reached the lounge, she was nowhere in sight. Then I 351 00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:52,680 saw another familiar face over in one corner, the mugshot i'd seen at police 352 00:25:52,720 --> 00:25:55,680 headquarters. Fully, o'll be our cuel thief, and now I had him 353 00:25:55,680 --> 00:25:59,559 Peg. He'd been the stocky bartender at Forbes party, the guy who disappeared 354 00:25:59,559 --> 00:26:03,079 just before the murder. He spotted me and ducked into a passageway. I 355 00:26:03,119 --> 00:26:06,160 went after him. He turned a corner, and that was his mistake, 356 00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:10,079 blind alley, So I closed in on we circle. I was at the 357 00:26:10,119 --> 00:26:11,440 blind end, and that was my mistake, because suddenly there was a knife 358 00:26:11,440 --> 00:26:15,000 in his hand. He held it low like an expert. Now, mister 359 00:26:15,160 --> 00:26:17,839 Dollar, Oh, you must have a trunk full of knives. Julio, 360 00:26:18,039 --> 00:26:21,279 Oh, I need these wands just like the one you slipped into Forbes. 361 00:26:21,400 --> 00:26:23,920 Huh you he lunch at me. I ducked to one side and kicked at 362 00:26:23,920 --> 00:26:33,960 the knife steep world and door. But now I had it. I'm glad 363 00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:37,400 you had him, sent us all and locked up. Mister Dolla. It 364 00:26:37,440 --> 00:26:41,240 may be we found our killer, but not the diamond, Lieutenant. It 365 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:45,440 was not on me nowhere, and that can mean just one thing. Either 366 00:26:45,559 --> 00:26:48,880 Julio was working with somebody who was sitting on the Southern Empress, or he's 367 00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:52,599 after somebody aboard who has the diamond. In that case, mister, in 368 00:26:52,599 --> 00:27:00,799 that case, the Southern Empress is going to have another passenger me. I 369 00:27:00,920 --> 00:27:03,000 checked with a purser who agreed to squeeze me aboard. Then I headed back 370 00:27:03,039 --> 00:27:07,119 to my hotel room to pick up my luggage. I could still smell Sheena's 371 00:27:07,119 --> 00:27:11,640 perfume in the room. Then as I bent over to lock my suitcase, 372 00:27:11,680 --> 00:27:12,920 I spotted a movement out of the corner of my eye. I tried to 373 00:27:12,920 --> 00:27:15,920 whirl, but too late. Something hot connect back up my left ear and 374 00:27:15,920 --> 00:27:25,799 I went down and out. I don't know how long it was before I 375 00:27:25,839 --> 00:27:29,400 came to the room was swimming, but I managed to get to the window 376 00:27:29,400 --> 00:27:33,599 and looked out. Then I realized somebody had voted me the man they'd least 377 00:27:33,680 --> 00:27:37,559 like to take a cruise with. The Southern Empress was under way and steaming 378 00:27:37,559 --> 00:27:55,920 out of the harbor. Now here's our star to tell you about tomorrow's intriguing 379 00:27:55,960 --> 00:27:59,440 episode of this week story. Tomorrow, I take a trip, all right, 380 00:28:00,119 --> 00:28:03,920 a one way trip. Join us, won't you? Yours Truly Johnny 381 00:28:03,960 --> 00:28:25,119 Dollar. Yours Truly Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, is transcribed in Hollywood, 382 00:28:25,240 --> 00:28:29,319 written by Robert Rife, It is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. 383 00:28:30,039 --> 00:28:33,680 Be sure to join us tomorrow night, same time in station for the next 384 00:28:33,759 --> 00:29:40,279 exciting episode of Yours Truly Johnny Dollar. Roy Rowan speaking overall, a solid 385 00:29:40,319 --> 00:29:45,200 start to the serial. Johnny Dollar is a series that really should have done 386 00:29:45,400 --> 00:29:52,000 more international adventures, and so I'm thrilled that we're doing that in this episode. 387 00:29:52,000 --> 00:29:56,119 And of course, given Robert Rice's writing on Dangerous Assignment, this is 388 00:29:56,240 --> 00:30:02,799 definitely something he would be comfortable with. Since Rife is writing this, I 389 00:30:02,839 --> 00:30:10,880 am waiting for a character who is a snap salesman who is obsessed with playing 390 00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:17,160 crazy eights. But barring that, I think it's definitely an open question as 391 00:30:17,160 --> 00:30:22,559 to who took the diamond. I'm definitely intrigued by the mystery and eager to 392 00:30:22,599 --> 00:30:26,279 find out what happened, because this is one where I don't remember how it 393 00:30:26,319 --> 00:30:32,039 turned out now. Of course, the different writers have different styles and approaches, 394 00:30:32,519 --> 00:30:37,319 but it's kind of weird to go from a story where Johnny didn't eliminate 395 00:30:37,920 --> 00:30:45,480 the victim's uncle despite there being no reason to suspect him until the end of 396 00:30:45,519 --> 00:30:51,799 the case, who Johnny being willing to tell Sheila in episode two he doesn't 397 00:30:51,839 --> 00:30:56,359 think that she was capable of murder, despite her having been the long term 398 00:30:56,440 --> 00:31:02,599 girlfriend of the victim who had repeatedly cheated on her. I suspect that the 399 00:31:02,880 --> 00:31:10,559 basis of Johnny's professional judgment in this case is that Sheila is significantly more pretty 400 00:31:10,680 --> 00:31:15,039 than Jed Bramler. I guess we'll find out in future episodes whether that was 401 00:31:15,079 --> 00:31:21,000 a solid basis for deduction. Well, now we turn to listener comments and 402 00:31:21,039 --> 00:31:26,480 feedback, and we go to our listener survey, and we start with a 403 00:31:26,640 --> 00:31:33,119 comment from Kenneth in Georgia, who writes, I found radio detective shows during 404 00:31:33,160 --> 00:31:37,319 the lockdown. I started with twenty first precinct. I found you and I 405 00:31:37,480 --> 00:31:41,920 listened to every episode and I wanted more. I found you and the Johnny 406 00:31:41,960 --> 00:31:48,519 Doller radio show. Now I've found your podcast. I love all the different 407 00:31:48,559 --> 00:31:52,880 shows. Well, thanks so much, Kenneth. And it's interesting to hear 408 00:31:52,039 --> 00:31:57,519 you reference finding the show during Lockdown because there were some other growth things, 409 00:31:57,720 --> 00:32:05,279 for example, on Patreon. We've been doing Patreon for about five years pior 410 00:32:05,319 --> 00:32:09,480 to the first COVID Lockdown, and I kind of suspected we would end up 411 00:32:09,759 --> 00:32:19,920 losing Patreon supporters just to people running into financial difficulties, but Patreon actually started 412 00:32:19,920 --> 00:32:23,960 to grow during that period. Next, we've got a comment from Rebecca who 413 00:32:23,960 --> 00:32:30,920 writes, look forward to Johnny Dollar and Adams breakdown of the episode, and 414 00:32:30,279 --> 00:32:36,279 she's writing from Delaware. And then Chris writes from Niagara, been listening for 415 00:32:36,319 --> 00:32:40,880 a few years, enjoy adams entertaining takes after each episode. And Dan in 416 00:32:42,079 --> 00:32:45,799 Beaverton, Oregon rights loveless collection. Well, thanks so much, Dan, 417 00:32:45,319 --> 00:32:51,359 definitely appreciate it. Well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of 418 00:32:51,480 --> 00:32:53,640 the day, and I want to go ahead and thank Rose. Rose has 419 00:32:53,640 --> 00:32:59,839 been one of our Patreon supporters since June, currently supporting the program at the 420 00:33:00,079 --> 00:33:04,359 Shawmas level four dollars or more per month. Thank you so much for your 421 00:33:04,359 --> 00:33:07,039 support, Rose, and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying 422 00:33:07,039 --> 00:33:13,039 the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. We will be 423 00:33:13,079 --> 00:33:16,920 back on Friday with the conclusion of this week's Yours Truly Johnny Dollar Cereal, 424 00:33:17,119 --> 00:33:23,759 but join us back here tomorrow for dangerous assignment where suddenly the selandor swings open 425 00:33:23,759 --> 00:33:27,759 a short, heavy set. Jens stands there with a mask over his face, 426 00:33:28,000 --> 00:33:30,519 a forty five and one hand, a small satchel in the other. 427 00:33:30,960 --> 00:33:35,039 Hi, what are you doing? Shut up, sister, this is a 428 00:33:35,119 --> 00:33:39,200 heist. What I stick up? Yolanda? Hold up, there's the beg. 429 00:33:39,279 --> 00:33:43,480 Gents, let's have your wallets, watches, rings, anything that will 430 00:33:43,480 --> 00:33:46,039 bring a book them in there, just them in his sports Let's good with 431 00:33:46,119 --> 00:33:50,839 it. I ain't got all night, you fist. Make sure only call 432 00:33:50,960 --> 00:33:58,640 me George. Huh, that's me, spot George. Okay, George, 433 00:33:58,680 --> 00:34:01,319 get up. Don't try that again, sye. Next one of your gentle 434 00:34:01,319 --> 00:34:05,079 gets funny winday with a sluggin. Now, come on, shut out. 435 00:34:05,640 --> 00:34:08,320 Hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, do send your comments 436 00:34:08,360 --> 00:34:15,039 to box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, Follow us on Twitter at Radio 437 00:34:15,079 --> 00:34:20,159 Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram, dot com, slash 438 00:34:20,239 --> 00:34:25,119 Great Detectives from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham signing off.