1 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:35,920 Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This 2 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:39,799 is your host, Stadam Graham. If you have a comment, email it 3 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:46,759 to me Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, Follow us on Twitter at 4 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:53,560 Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram, dot com slash 5 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:58,479 Great Detectives. Today's program is brought you in part by the financial support of 6 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:03,000 our listeners and support the show on a one time basis support dot Great Detectives 7 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:07,560 dot net, and you can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for 8 00:01:07,719 --> 00:01:14,159 as little as two dollars per month by just going to Patreon dot Great Detectives 9 00:01:14,239 --> 00:01:19,200 dot net. Well, now it is time for this week's episode of the 10 00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:25,280 Adventures is Sam Spade. The original air date April twentieth, nineteen fifty one 11 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:36,719 and the title is The Rowdy Dowser Caper. The National Broadcasting Company presents The 12 00:01:36,799 --> 00:01:51,200 Adventures of Sam Spade, Detective. Since they Detective Agency, Hello, Hello, 13 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:56,840 Hello, same at this hour on this network you were expecting maybe Mary 14 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:00,200 Margaret mcbrin. I haven't mistaken anything, Sam, After all that, have 15 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:05,480 you dropped out of sight like that? Needing not a ripple on the surface 16 00:02:05,719 --> 00:02:09,879 for four whole days. Mister Livingstone is Frandy. Mister Livingstone, the man 17 00:02:09,919 --> 00:02:14,360 you rented the car from me. He's ready to send on a search party, 18 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:17,879 Sammy and Livingstone with a reverse twist. It's no joke, stand nothing. 19 00:02:20,039 --> 00:02:24,400 You have no right to worry me like this. It's not wre you 20 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:30,840 for the only spot on Earth as yet unvisited by the National Geographic Society, 21 00:02:30,879 --> 00:02:34,599 Sweetheart, the Veil of Takoloma. And don't try to find it on a 22 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:38,599 map because it isn't set yourself for my saga of a crooks tour of the 23 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:44,280 hinterlands with just a touch of mysticism, which is why I call it the 24 00:02:44,439 --> 00:02:49,560 rowdy Dowser Caper. All right, Murgatroyd, these will do? Why are 25 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:58,400 you calling songs a tailor shop? I had to leave without my pants. 26 00:02:58,599 --> 00:03:04,120 For NBC, Williams Radio's outstanding producer director of mystery and crime Drama brings you 27 00:03:04,159 --> 00:03:09,360 the Greatest Private Detective of mal starring Stephen Dunn in the Adventures of Sam Spade. 28 00:03:13,159 --> 00:03:20,319 Dumb Doda, Dam dumb Tom. When you and I were young, 29 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:30,479 Effie, who else decent? You said you lost your pants? Oh, 30 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:36,919 how do they look, well, isn't it a little early for Halloween? 31 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:42,400 Ooh, you made a joke. You're ready woman. They fill it in 32 00:03:42,479 --> 00:03:46,639 two Constable Ali Shuttle, North Taklhoma, California, from Samuel's Spade license number 33 00:03:46,639 --> 00:03:51,159 one three, seven, five, nine six, subject the Rowdy Dowser Caper, 34 00:03:51,639 --> 00:03:57,840 Dear Ali. On Wednesday. It was when I returned to my office 35 00:03:57,879 --> 00:04:01,120 of a fine spring morning, the fire and a note lying on my desk 36 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:06,000 like a big juicy piece of cheese and a mouse trap. Quote mister Spade 37 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:18,360 called North taka Takaaloma three. Unquote North Takaloma. Where have I North Takohoma 38 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:26,279 three? Yes, so one moment, would you repeat the number players North 39 00:04:26,399 --> 00:04:33,439 Taklhoma three, North Tacalhoma three pie diction, that is North Takhoma. I'm 40 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:36,360 not kidding, looking up, girl, look it up, yes, sir, 41 00:04:36,439 --> 00:04:42,399 North Tacalhoma three. Well, she must have found it in the book, 42 00:04:42,439 --> 00:04:46,199 because soon we had encouraging buzzes and clicks. Six operators later we had 43 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:49,759 punched our way north to the farm at Slattery Flat. Then we knocked off 44 00:04:49,759 --> 00:04:54,959 for lunch while Slim Slattery repaired the windmill that made the juice for the last 45 00:04:55,040 --> 00:05:00,879 lap. At two o seven pm, victory was in sight. Yeah, 46 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:06,079 Sam, this is operated Nan for the tenth time. Oh fine, are 47 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:12,199 we doing, Millie Samby? I am actually ringing North Takalhoma City. Oh 48 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:21,000 good girl. Hello, Hello, this is the same Spade. I have 49 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:24,759 a know here too. Yes, yes, mister Spade. You were out 50 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:29,000 of town when I came. Perhaps you remember me, Wendell Wisby of Oak 51 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:32,199 Tree Lane, North Tacalhoma, California. I employed you a year ago to 52 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:35,720 find a girl who vanished the magician. You made the girl disappear and couldn't 53 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:39,959 bring her back. Correct. You may well ask, mister Spade, how 54 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:46,600 anything could be worse than that? Well? This this is Oh there, 55 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:49,199 Wendell. There, boy, take it easy. I can't talk. I 56 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:53,199 just can't talk about it. Fine, fine, then write me a nice 57 00:05:53,360 --> 00:05:56,319 long letter. You know this is a long distance call, and I don't 58 00:05:56,360 --> 00:06:00,279 know. No. No, I am sorry, mister Spade, but this 59 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:03,360 has affected me very deeply. Look, you promised you'd lay off the magic. 60 00:06:03,399 --> 00:06:05,959 Wendell, how do you do? Misplaced half a woman this time? 61 00:06:06,079 --> 00:06:11,040 Now I have given up magic, mister Spade. I am currently employed as 62 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:15,439 third Vice President of the Second National Bank of North Taklahoma. All that, 63 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:18,519 yes, sir, all my star was rising, my future seemed assured. 64 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:23,879 But now a shadow has fallen over my good name. Booted along. Will 65 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:26,800 you, Wendell, this is costing me money. I cannot tell you more 66 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:29,639 on the phone, mister Spade. You must come at once. It is 67 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:32,120 extremely urgent. I see well, Frankly, Wendell, I have a feeling 68 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:39,199 I'll be tied up if the chances are I'll What was that I just said, 69 00:06:39,199 --> 00:06:42,720 There's one hundred dollars under your desk blotter for a retainer. I left 70 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:45,560 it when I came with the note. But if you have a collection to 71 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:54,120 make, suppose now, Wendell, that is the collection. And so it 72 00:06:54,199 --> 00:06:58,000 befell that. Shortly before lunch on the following day, I guided my rented 73 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:01,800 hack across the ford A Club Creek, up the high road, through Possum 74 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:06,000 Notch and down into the Vale of Pacoloma, where I muscled my way through 75 00:07:06,040 --> 00:07:11,720 a flock of geese in the main street and tied up before the imposing stone 76 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:15,319 facade of the Second National Bank. Inside, sitting in front of the door 77 00:07:15,399 --> 00:07:20,800 marked Urban Route, President said a secretary, whose facade looked colder and even 78 00:07:20,959 --> 00:07:26,199 more imposing than the banks. She was shriveling one of the customers a meek 79 00:07:26,279 --> 00:07:30,879 little milk toast in a salt and pepper soup. As I informed you, 80 00:07:30,959 --> 00:07:33,399 my good man President, who is extremely tied up at the moment. Oh, 81 00:07:33,399 --> 00:07:35,959 I'm quite aware of that, miss. I wouldn't bother him for the 82 00:07:35,959 --> 00:07:39,600 world. But you see, I know I don't see. And since you 83 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:43,240 refuse to say the nature of your business, I refuse you most certainly did 84 00:07:43,439 --> 00:07:46,240 dear me. I didn't mean to refuse anything. It's just that it's sort 85 00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:50,000 of personal and it may I go in. You may sit down until I 86 00:07:50,079 --> 00:07:54,160 tell you to go in. Is that clear? Yes, ma'am, Yes, 87 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:58,759 I understand. I don't mind waiting, don't mind at all. And 88 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:01,959 now you, sir, what do you want. I have an appointment with 89 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:05,040 Wendell Wisby, and Misterby's in conference with the President. Thanks. If you 90 00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:11,079 sit down just a minute, and you must understand, President Route, this 91 00:08:11,319 --> 00:08:15,920 is a matter of family honor. I shall do. Oh, I Wendell 92 00:08:16,199 --> 00:08:18,199 from mister Spade. Oh sorry I couldn't get here sooner, but it's a 93 00:08:18,319 --> 00:08:22,240 long haul. Well, uh, mister Spade is a friend of mine, 94 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:26,480 President Route, from my solid days as a magician, A very confident detective 95 00:08:26,519 --> 00:08:31,000 by my dad. Well, thank you, Wendell. Hey see we uh, 96 00:08:31,279 --> 00:08:33,039 we are indeed fortunate to have him with us in this matter. Good 97 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:37,440 good, Please sit down, mister Speed. Thanks you are away of mister 98 00:08:37,440 --> 00:08:41,360 Speed. This matters to be held in strictest confidence. Word must be kept 99 00:08:41,360 --> 00:08:46,399 from the depositors at all cost until. But remember, President Route, remember 100 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:50,639 the code of the Wisby's. Should worst come to worst, I shall make 101 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:54,600 good. I shall make good if it takes me. Understand Wesby, I 102 00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:56,480 understand. Well, mind if I admit I don't, what is it? 103 00:08:56,559 --> 00:09:03,519 Wendell match whom uncle perce our forma cash here, mister Speed perce snatcher Whisby's 104 00:09:03,559 --> 00:09:09,840 uncle purse snatcher? What about him? Everything? He has disappeared, absconded? 105 00:09:09,960 --> 00:09:13,440 That is a harsh word, President Route. I would prefer to say 106 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:16,840 he disappeared until we have further proof that money's gone, isn't it? How 107 00:09:16,919 --> 00:09:22,759 much money? Fifty three thousand dollars from uncle Purse's accounts it Maybe he has 108 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:26,559 absconded, President Route. But we must remember that despite the snatcher surname Uncle 109 00:09:26,639 --> 00:09:31,480 Purse is a Wisby, and the Wisby never lived? Who got away with 110 00:09:31,519 --> 00:09:35,960 fifty three thousand dollars? All right? Wisbye? He disappeared? Yes? 111 00:09:37,039 --> 00:09:39,960 May I ask when he disappeared last Friday night about nine o'clock? Anyone see 112 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:45,159 him go? Almost everyone his car stall at Maynard for Simmons. Several people 113 00:09:45,159 --> 00:09:48,159 saw him trying to start it. He was acting very strangely. Oh how 114 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:54,960 is that? Wendell Well, Clem Clobber and Charity Fed and several others spoke 115 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,200 to him from the curb, but he wouldn't answer them. He didn't say 116 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:01,279 a word to anyone, which is not at all like Uncle Purse snatcher. 117 00:10:01,720 --> 00:10:05,000 Wisbye man to me? Would you feel sociable with the setch are full of 118 00:10:05,039 --> 00:10:09,159 stolen money on the seat beside you? Well, there you have a point, 119 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:11,960 President Rul. I can't blame you for the way you feel, President 120 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:15,679 Route, but I must continue to believe the best of Uncle Purse until mister 121 00:10:15,799 --> 00:10:22,279 Spade discovers the worst. And in that dismal eventuality, please know I intend 122 00:10:22,279 --> 00:10:26,600 to pay off the fifty three thousand dollars plus interest on the installment plan five 123 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:31,360 dollars and thirty seven cents per week for forty eight years. You have my 124 00:10:31,519 --> 00:10:41,639 word on it, sir, the word of a wisbye, with which solemn 125 00:10:41,679 --> 00:10:46,879 pronouncement. Wendell marched out, closely followed by me Salt and pepper soup mill 126 00:10:46,039 --> 00:10:50,960 Toast was still fingering his hat fram looking hopefully at Miss ice Water for the 127 00:10:50,039 --> 00:10:54,960 sign. At Wendell's suggestion, I hustle out to the Snatcher homestead for a 128 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:58,639 word with Percy's wife, a timid little woman with her heart and her eyes 129 00:11:00,039 --> 00:11:03,360 on from one end of the valley to the other as ants wistful. I 130 00:11:03,399 --> 00:11:09,240 can hardly think straight these days, mister Spad, so full of puzzlement. 131 00:11:09,399 --> 00:11:13,320 This thing has left me, of course, aunt wistful. Have another dipper 132 00:11:13,519 --> 00:11:22,080 side from mister Spare getting down, not you, no thanks, Sam whisper 133 00:11:22,919 --> 00:11:26,679 first, wasn't hisself since the well run dry. We had a pescel of 134 00:11:26,759 --> 00:11:31,120 dry winters here in the valley, you know, but never before. This 135 00:11:31,399 --> 00:11:35,639 is the well run dry first, and know which way to turn. Pipe 136 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:39,279 ends two miles down the road. Couldn't afford to bring it in here, 137 00:11:39,639 --> 00:11:45,440 I see, He took to muttering to hisself, saying strange things, coming 138 00:11:45,519 --> 00:11:48,200 home from his work at the bank with a frown on his face, stayed 139 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:54,399 there all evening. What do you mean, strange thing? I don't recollect 140 00:11:54,639 --> 00:11:58,440 very well? Do you know? A law book? Home? One night 141 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:03,600 though out of a clue, Sky who says to me, wristful, honey, 142 00:12:03,159 --> 00:12:09,120 do you know the punishment for embezzlement is five to ten years in prison? 143 00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:13,440 I asked what he meant by that, and he said he thought it 144 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:16,559 might be a good thing for a banker. And no, well he had 145 00:12:16,639 --> 00:12:22,399 something there. The night after that he come home all cheerful, said he 146 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:28,200 thought he'd figured a way out, found a fellow to help her out. 147 00:12:28,039 --> 00:12:35,639 Get down. I had no idea what purse was thinking? What fellaw Urban? 148 00:12:35,759 --> 00:12:41,279 Rude? I suppose, Oh it's Urban's bank he was fixing to steal 149 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:46,000 from. But then I got rid from my sister Aileen, over to fog 150 00:12:46,159 --> 00:12:50,960 to grove. So Thursday I left, and when I got back Saturday he 151 00:12:50,159 --> 00:12:56,759 gone. Did he take his things mostly sunny? He did one strange thing 152 00:12:56,919 --> 00:13:03,799 for this time of year. He left his corn teeth behind corn teeth, 153 00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:09,559 a spare pair of store teeth for corn on the cobs, missing novis summer 154 00:13:09,639 --> 00:13:15,919 coming on, Yes, blessing. You know, ever since spring I'm been 155 00:13:16,039 --> 00:13:20,480 have to pierce to spay up my flower bed by the window. He did 156 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:26,679 it for a lift now that there's no water to grow things with. I 157 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:35,879 loved him so much, mister speed in this awful way for marriage to good 158 00:13:35,039 --> 00:13:48,840 die well. I started at Maine and for Simon Streets and worked south farm 159 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:52,039 by farm. Everyone seemed to have been sitting on his front stool Friday night 160 00:13:52,080 --> 00:13:58,279 because all remembered Perse Snatcher driving out on the South Road and his nineteen nineteen 161 00:13:58,399 --> 00:14:03,679 went in sex up to a point that is somewhere between North Takolhoma and Fogerty 162 00:14:03,759 --> 00:14:07,399 Grove. I ran out of witnesses and in piny Crutch, of all places 163 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:13,039 the time beyond, they could guarantee purse didn't pass through because the main drag 164 00:14:13,159 --> 00:14:18,240 was roped off all Friday night for a square dance, and thus matters stood. 165 00:14:18,320 --> 00:14:20,639 On the third day, when I limped back to the bank for some 166 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:24,039 reason, a crowd had gathered in the alleyway next door, riding it off 167 00:14:24,039 --> 00:14:28,879 as a floating crap game. I walked inside, bowed formally to miss ice 168 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:33,840 Water, then plunked myself down at Wendell's desk. Oh Shaw, I just 169 00:14:33,879 --> 00:14:39,879 found I miscalculated on the interest at five dollars and thirty seven cents per week. 170 00:14:39,279 --> 00:14:41,840 I won't have this paid off until I'm one hundred and thirty four. 171 00:14:41,919 --> 00:14:45,840 Who knows by then you may even have a wife and children to support. 172 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:50,200 Look, don't you think you were a little impetuous with that retainer? What 173 00:14:50,399 --> 00:14:54,080 retainer? Mine? One hundred dollars? One hundred dollars, Wendell, the 174 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:56,840 one hundred dollars. You're stuck under my desk body. When you hired me, 175 00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:01,559 I hired you. You came my office when I was out of town. 176 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:03,039 Window. You left a note for me to call you. I talked 177 00:15:03,039 --> 00:15:07,600 to you on the telephone. Well didn't I, mister Spade, something is 178 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:11,679 very wrong. I did not talk to you on the telephone at all. 179 00:15:11,879 --> 00:15:16,600 What I thought you were employed by President Route? Well? Where is President 180 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:20,320 Ruth? I don't know. He stepped out some time ago, and there's 181 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:24,200 someone waiting for him in his office. Oh you do need to do him, 182 00:15:24,279 --> 00:15:28,360 Miss Icewater. Oh't tell me, Prudy meaning out there anymore. I'll 183 00:15:28,519 --> 00:15:35,960 like you youat toasted, but with a difference. The salt and pepper suit 184 00:15:37,039 --> 00:15:41,679 had gone very bow time, plaids for jacket with a racing form sticking out 185 00:15:41,679 --> 00:15:48,039 of the pocket, maroon plus fours, and wolf socks with tassels. He 186 00:15:48,080 --> 00:15:50,240 took one of President Rooth's cigars out of his pocket, bit off the end 187 00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:56,960 and lit it and smiled, or rather leered at Miss ice Water. Well, 188 00:15:56,039 --> 00:16:00,279 honey, I'm sorry, Oh twenty three skeedo sweat stuff. It's not 189 00:16:00,399 --> 00:16:03,159 meant to be back shortly if you row, don't be a back number, 190 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:10,759 beautiful Mama. I don't know what to say. Learn, tell cookie, 191 00:16:10,799 --> 00:16:19,519 I'll be back. Live a little baby, live a little golly golly indeed. 192 00:16:21,399 --> 00:16:26,679 Uh, Miss ice Water, Hey, Oh what was that? I 193 00:16:26,679 --> 00:16:30,519 don't know his name? A friend of peasant roots here, he's rather a 194 00:16:30,639 --> 00:16:40,080 checked did you think? Only now as I went outside in his way did 195 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:45,080 I see what had caused the crowd in the alleyway The first sport model convertible 196 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:48,960 into Locoma Valley since Wally Reid came through on location, and the first pink 197 00:16:49,039 --> 00:16:56,200 one I'd ever seen. Wondering the new mill post, I walked into the 198 00:16:56,279 --> 00:17:02,360 drug store, fouled a phone book and checked all twenty five names North Takoloma 199 00:17:02,480 --> 00:17:07,880 three belonged to the Automic Auto Courts and Restaurant Charity Find proprietress. She was 200 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:11,960 riding herd on a griddle full of lamb chops when I pulled up at the 201 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:15,839 county. How was that again? Sunny? Short, you say, short 202 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:18,759 and scamped on top, with a cringe of hair like sould. Yeah, 203 00:17:18,759 --> 00:17:21,319 and a wicked leer in his eye. That's my man. Well he wasn't 204 00:17:21,319 --> 00:17:23,599 wearing no Barrett Hapner plaid code. When I see the salt and pepper suited 205 00:17:23,680 --> 00:17:26,200 wise, yeah, I know who is he? Well, he didn't register, 206 00:17:26,319 --> 00:17:30,640 but they say his dowser dowser. Don't know his first name. Do 207 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:33,799 you know where he come from? Satan room six till two days ago? 208 00:17:33,799 --> 00:17:37,400 I ain't seen him around since? When did he come here? Let me 209 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:44,759 see a codfish ball? Oh, that'd be Friday night late. The funny 210 00:17:44,759 --> 00:17:47,559 thing now I think of it. He come afoot. Not by the road 211 00:17:47,599 --> 00:17:49,440 room Pogrity rove, mind you, but by the trail over the ridge. 212 00:17:49,559 --> 00:17:53,359 Where does it go to? Anne Charity winds up the old Clover place. 213 00:17:53,440 --> 00:17:56,960 Bandon? Now, thanks, I'll be you mean nothing. We're just right 214 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:00,279 down where you are and your record coup around this. Ain't no growing boy 215 00:18:00,319 --> 00:18:04,480 going hiking over the ridge without supper. Clean it up now, every scrap, 216 00:18:06,039 --> 00:18:15,319 yes small. It had been dark about two hours when carrying one of 217 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:18,279 Aunt Charity's best coal oil lanterns, I topped the ridge and looked down on 218 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:22,720 clem Clover's abandoned barn, nestling in a grove of ancient oaks at the very 219 00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:26,680 foot of the hill. The moon was bright enough to show up a pair 220 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:29,880 of grassy ruts leading from the rear of it down the gully toward the road 221 00:18:29,880 --> 00:18:33,279 the Fogerty Grove a couple of miles away. On general principles, I blew 222 00:18:33,319 --> 00:18:37,400 out the lantern, then scrambled down the side hill and up to the barn 223 00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:44,720 doors. I couldn't make out anything inside at first, and then finally something 224 00:18:44,799 --> 00:18:48,920 took shape, a dark hulk in the middle of the floor. Stupid me, 225 00:18:48,119 --> 00:18:52,920 I lit a match. It was an automobile, to be exact. 226 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:56,759 It was Perse Snatcher's nineteen nineteen Went and six, his hat in the twee 227 00:18:56,799 --> 00:19:00,319 overcoat everyone saw him wearing Friday night. Where lying across the front seat, 228 00:19:00,799 --> 00:19:04,799 I held the match higher and bent over for a closer look, where upon 229 00:19:04,920 --> 00:19:15,240 Spade and the match went out together. You are listening to the weekly adventure 230 00:19:15,240 --> 00:19:34,079 of radio's most famous detective, Sam Spade. Three times mean good Times on 231 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:37,680 NBC. There's fun for you Sunday with two of your favorite families, The 232 00:19:37,680 --> 00:19:41,839 Blandings and the Harrises. Mister and Missus Blandings stars Carry Grant and Betsy Drake 233 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:45,519 in the title roles as the proud but somewhat bewildered owners of the famous dream 234 00:19:45,559 --> 00:19:49,039 House. The Phil Harris Alice Fay Show stars Phil and Alice of course, 235 00:19:49,359 --> 00:19:53,319 plus ever helpful Frankie Reremley, brother William and delivery boy Julius. Yes, 236 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:56,839 there laughs this Sunday and every Sunday, but the Phil Harris Alice Fay Show 237 00:19:56,920 --> 00:20:07,079 and Mister and Missus Blandings. And now back to the rowdy Dauser Caper Tonight's 238 00:20:07,119 --> 00:20:18,480 adventure with Sam Spade. I must apologize constable for succumbing once again to the 239 00:20:18,519 --> 00:20:22,319 traditional nemesis of the private eye. But the ball facts are simply that I'd 240 00:20:22,319 --> 00:20:26,279 bend over for a closer look at the Winton six and was struck a dastardly 241 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:30,279 blow on the rear of the head. How long I remained in communicado, 242 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:34,440 I know not, but I awoke presently and with good reason. My pants 243 00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:41,839 were on fire. As a matter of fact, the entire barn was on 244 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:45,680 fire, and I was lying in the tonneau the Winton six wearing purse snatcher's 245 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:48,880 overcoat. The door i'd come in was a wall of plane likewise the stalls 246 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:52,359 on both sides, but at the rear were a few square feet of rotten 247 00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:56,039 sighting that hadn't caught yet. I ordinarily I'd have fought twice, but when 248 00:20:56,039 --> 00:20:59,839 your pants are a fire, you only think once. So I ran right 249 00:21:00,039 --> 00:21:03,519 through it and took a flying header into the creek behind the barn. It 250 00:21:03,640 --> 00:21:07,200 was just as well I only thought once, since at this moment the flames 251 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:18,160 reached the Winton's gas tank. Good laws, I'm mighty, what have you 252 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:22,720 been up to? Boys? Smoking corn silk behind Clawbery's barn? Match got 253 00:21:22,759 --> 00:21:26,119 away from me? Well stay right there, left hind ma goose screen hold 254 00:21:26,119 --> 00:21:27,920 on on a later ant charity. How about the key to six the dowser 255 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:32,319 fella, Yeah, won't need no keys hunting door open if he left it 256 00:21:32,359 --> 00:21:36,000 open. He's in there now, Barrett hat, flat coat and twenty five 257 00:21:36,039 --> 00:21:52,119 cents, Skeigar help yourself. Well, well, mister Spaden, right your 258 00:21:52,319 --> 00:21:57,480 dogs dowd business. Yes, yeah, that's right, Dowser, and you 259 00:21:57,519 --> 00:22:02,960 can call me Alonzo. No, no, I'll stand. Oh you're lucky 260 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:04,440 you caught me. I was just leaving, so I see. I was 261 00:22:04,480 --> 00:22:10,640 detained, as you probably know, over at Klobber's Barn. The okay, 262 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:12,799 Dowser, we'll let that do for the preliminaries. Now, why'd you just 263 00:22:12,799 --> 00:22:17,160 try to kill me? Kill you? Well, good heavens man, I 264 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:19,519 did not get careless at a weenie baked Dowzer. I just woke up in 265 00:22:19,519 --> 00:22:22,599 the middle of a three alarm fire, and I don't like it. As 266 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:25,519 a matter of fact, I'm a little burnt up to use the phrase loosely, 267 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:27,920 and I just might kick your teeth in. I believe me. I 268 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:32,440 haven't been near Klobber's Barn since Friday. I had nothing to do with with 269 00:22:32,599 --> 00:22:34,359 whatever happened. Sure, and you had nothing to do with one hundred buck 270 00:22:34,400 --> 00:22:37,359 retainer in the phone call from Wendell Wisby. Well, as a matter of 271 00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:41,640 fact, you figured with a curious city fellow like me on the premises Urban 272 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:45,519 Root might shake down easier, bigger apples from the same old tree. Right, 273 00:22:45,480 --> 00:22:49,079 All I did was negotiate a personal low rofit. Will you Root had 274 00:22:49,119 --> 00:22:52,240 his hand on the tail at the bank, a big hand fifty three thousand 275 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:55,880 dollars worth, and snatcher found out about it. What about you? How'd 276 00:22:55,880 --> 00:23:00,640 you get into the angle? The loan, the shakedown? Where go purse 277 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:06,000 Salonzo out of town somewhere? I suppose he look, I can't tell you, 278 00:23:06,039 --> 00:23:08,119 mister Spain first got as far as the road to Clem Clubber's barn last 279 00:23:08,160 --> 00:23:12,839 Friday night? Or did he? No? No, he didn't get that 280 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:18,079 far. You know, I'd begun to suspect as much. How far did 281 00:23:18,079 --> 00:23:21,559 he get? I'm sorry, I can't tell you anymore. Rupe killed him, 282 00:23:21,559 --> 00:23:25,359 didn't I? No, I'll come. I do know what he's more? 283 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:27,519 Please, what do you do with the body? Rude wore the coat 284 00:23:27,519 --> 00:23:30,839 and drove Pursu's car out of town so everyone had to see him. Now, 285 00:23:30,839 --> 00:23:34,039 where's the body? Let me go, Let me go, Dowzar Dozer. 286 00:23:40,319 --> 00:23:41,799 He squirted it out of my hands like a watermelon sea, leaving me 287 00:23:41,839 --> 00:23:45,880 with a plaid coat, and took off down the line of automic cabins. 288 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:48,880 Toward the Automic Restaurant. A nice high knee action for a little guy. 289 00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:52,839 And what with my burns and contusions, I'm forced to admit he was widening 290 00:23:52,839 --> 00:23:56,640 the gap between us when he rounded the corner of the Automic Restaurant, making 291 00:23:56,720 --> 00:24:02,759 possibly the gravest era of his career. Aunt Charity was rounding the same corner, 292 00:24:02,799 --> 00:24:14,759 coming the other way with an armload of wood. Who you don't reckon? 293 00:24:14,799 --> 00:24:17,519 He got hisself a brain conclusion, do your honey? I don't know, 294 00:24:17,559 --> 00:24:21,160 but he's a weak witness and Charity a week witness. What you got 295 00:24:21,160 --> 00:24:25,480 there? Oh, shoe bosh, fifteen hundred dollars, a few odds and 296 00:24:25,720 --> 00:24:30,640 m's and this, well, it looks like an oversized slingshot for it? 297 00:24:30,039 --> 00:24:34,559 Slingshot? What do you mean slingshot? Well? Who cares? Soe whittles? 298 00:24:34,799 --> 00:24:38,519 Where'd you get the idea? His name was Dowser? H driver's license 299 00:24:38,559 --> 00:24:44,000 in his wallet? Alonzo P. Skaggins, who said his name was Dowser? 300 00:24:44,279 --> 00:24:47,759 You did? I never said his name was Dowser. I said he 301 00:24:48,039 --> 00:24:52,480 was a dowser. Oh oh, and then what's a dowser? And Charity 302 00:24:52,640 --> 00:24:55,880 a guy who finds water for people at swat. Well, that's nice if 303 00:24:55,880 --> 00:25:00,599 you could finds water. Yeah, how well, I'm no experts, honey, 304 00:25:00,759 --> 00:25:04,319 but as near as I can recollect you take this here sling shop port 305 00:25:04,480 --> 00:25:15,759 soho, and mister Spade, I can't go through it and hold yourself, 306 00:25:15,799 --> 00:25:21,160 Wendell, remember the cold of the Wisbey. But this sinister revelation has virtually 307 00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:23,480 prostrated me, mister Spade, And you must remember it is now over a 308 00:25:23,559 --> 00:25:27,400 year since my salad days as a magician tout windle, stout, fellow, 309 00:25:27,480 --> 00:25:30,599 stiff upper. And further, even at the peak of my career, I 310 00:25:30,799 --> 00:25:36,960 was only sketchly acquainted with the feel of dazzery. Hold it. There they 311 00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:40,960 are, Aunt Whistle is sitting on the back porch with President Ruod, mister 312 00:25:41,039 --> 00:25:45,599 Spade. The code of the Wisbe's, Wendell, Yes, sir, let's 313 00:25:45,640 --> 00:25:56,000 go. I just can't tell you how'll pull up with gratefulness? No, 314 00:25:56,000 --> 00:25:57,920 no, in wishful, don't take on show. It's nothing at all. 315 00:26:00,920 --> 00:26:04,680 Uh you remember mister Spade, President Route He of course, of course, 316 00:26:04,799 --> 00:26:08,680 hardly seems any time at all since we met the President Root. Mister Spade, 317 00:26:10,160 --> 00:26:15,240 President Root's going to buy the farm isn't that wonderful touching? And he's 318 00:26:15,319 --> 00:26:19,680 allowing me ten thousand against the money per stow. That's a generous offer. 319 00:26:21,119 --> 00:26:23,680 I thought you, considering there's no water on the farm, he said many 320 00:26:23,720 --> 00:26:29,400 times, it wouldn't be worth forty dollars nake into that water. Well, 321 00:26:30,880 --> 00:26:34,839 did you say something, Wendell, Yes, Aunt Whistful, I have great 322 00:26:34,880 --> 00:26:37,240 news for you. It may not be necessary to sell the farm. What 323 00:26:37,279 --> 00:26:41,119 do you mean, Wendell, we made a deal here. Maybe the signals 324 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:44,000 are off for now. President Roade. You recall uncle person he'd found a 325 00:26:44,039 --> 00:26:47,400 man to solve his problem, Ant Whistle. I am now ready to step 326 00:26:47,440 --> 00:26:52,480 forward and bring it into the open. I am that man you what do 327 00:26:52,519 --> 00:26:56,400 you mean, Window? Since entering the banking field, I divorced myself from 328 00:26:56,400 --> 00:26:59,960 magic and the Allied Dark Arts, Aunt Whistle, so I wish to keep 329 00:27:00,079 --> 00:27:03,279 my other talents, sub Rosa, What are you talking about, Wisbee? 330 00:27:03,799 --> 00:27:07,519 President Route, I am a part time dowser, and he just happens to 331 00:27:07,599 --> 00:27:11,279 have his dozing rod along, right, Wendell, Right, I have reason 332 00:27:11,319 --> 00:27:15,039 to believe there is water here. If I can just douse it out, 333 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:19,519 Window, you're out, Shut up, dows away Wendow dows away very well. 334 00:27:21,480 --> 00:27:29,440 Now I hold the dowsing fork before me. Thus, then I turn. 335 00:27:30,160 --> 00:27:33,319 Thus, where does your point Wendell? Let me see toward Aunt Whistful's 336 00:27:33,319 --> 00:27:37,799 flower bed. This is ridiculous. Shut up, proceed Wendell proceed with the 337 00:27:37,880 --> 00:27:51,640 dowsery one step two three. Wore all the rod's pointing down right. I'll 338 00:27:51,640 --> 00:27:56,079 make that twenty thousand, twenty thousand dollars for the pome cash see not quit 339 00:27:56,160 --> 00:28:02,000 it cash hold out twenty five. It's a right here is where we did 340 00:28:02,119 --> 00:28:06,559 he Circui circ thousand. It has already been dug up. Looks as if 341 00:28:06,599 --> 00:28:08,240 uncle person had dug a hole and then fill it back up. Last Friday 342 00:28:08,319 --> 00:28:11,720 night, just before nine o'clock, right President route, you came down for 343 00:28:11,759 --> 00:28:15,599 a showdown on those shortages. He turned up, found him digging the well 344 00:28:15,599 --> 00:28:18,599 here and got a better idea. No, I've talked to the guy who 345 00:28:18,640 --> 00:28:25,559 saw you do it. All right, all right, I killed him. 346 00:28:26,920 --> 00:28:37,319 He's right here, yes, right, which is where you came in, 347 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:41,359 Constable, And since you can take it from here, I shall close, 348 00:28:41,400 --> 00:28:45,799 as always with period and the report right another trial, sam, another new 349 00:28:47,240 --> 00:28:49,759 sphere of effort. No feel is safe from my talent, sweetheart, you 350 00:28:49,799 --> 00:29:03,680 will please preserve it for posterity during the following fifteen second announcement scootool three times 351 00:29:03,759 --> 00:29:07,279 Mean Good Times. On NBC This Sunday, The Glamorous and Unpredictable Tallulah brings 352 00:29:07,319 --> 00:29:11,480 you another hour and a half broadcast of The Big Show starring Fred Allen, 353 00:29:11,559 --> 00:29:15,799 Judy Holiday, Joan Davis, Frank One and many more. And this Sunday's 354 00:29:15,799 --> 00:29:18,799 Theater Guild on the Air production is The Broadway Comedy the first Year. Starring 355 00:29:18,839 --> 00:29:32,599 in this Theater Guild presentation are Richard Woodmark and Catherine Grayson. Here is Ah 356 00:29:32,759 --> 00:29:38,200 effishent Girl? Yeah yeah, Elly, this is Sam Boy. What's happen? 357 00:29:40,440 --> 00:29:47,960 Oh? Oh, thanks Milly. They just relayed a message from Fogerty 358 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:52,640 grovef Wendell is being installed a second vice president tomorrow night at the Moose Hall. 359 00:29:53,000 --> 00:29:57,720 Oh. He wants me to come and bring a girl. Are you 360 00:29:57,880 --> 00:30:02,920 game, little one? That's one way to get the report, a constable 361 00:30:02,960 --> 00:30:06,880 Ali shuttle. I'll do it, Sam, good girl, pack up an 362 00:30:06,880 --> 00:30:10,480 emergency ration of sorghum and hominy grids. S I'll pull up at your doorstep 363 00:30:10,559 --> 00:30:14,559 in the morning at Aircock Wait I'll Wear my Son do It and Mother Hubbard 364 00:30:15,759 --> 00:30:30,559 Good Night, Sam, good Night Sweet. The Adventures of Sam Spade are 365 00:30:30,599 --> 00:30:34,039 produced, editor and directed by William Spear. Sam Spade was played by Stephen 366 00:30:34,079 --> 00:30:37,240 Dunn, Loreen Tuttle as Effie. Also in the cast were Peggy Weber, 367 00:30:37,279 --> 00:30:41,519 Berna Fulton, Sidney Miller, Alice Welldon, Charles Smith, and Nestra Piva. 368 00:30:41,880 --> 00:30:45,200 Script Fortnight's Adventure by Harold Swanton, Musical scoring by lud Gluskin, conducted 369 00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:53,000 by Robert Armbuster. Join us again next week, same time for another adventure 370 00:30:53,079 --> 00:31:03,200 with Sam Spade. Tomorrow, Your Hip Parade plays the Hip Tunes on NBC. 371 00:31:15,799 --> 00:31:21,759 Welcome back. After The Denny Shane Keeper and The Civic Pride Keeper, 372 00:31:22,160 --> 00:31:26,599 two of the heavier and more serious episodes of the Done era, the series 373 00:31:26,759 --> 00:31:32,839 was due for something lighter this week. We might have gotten a little bit 374 00:31:32,880 --> 00:31:40,039 of an overcorrection. This is a story with a lot of absurdities in terms 375 00:31:40,039 --> 00:31:45,799 of the names of characters, in terms of both the performances and the writing. 376 00:31:45,079 --> 00:31:48,599 Now, in some ways I think this calls to mind some of the 377 00:31:48,839 --> 00:31:56,680 past Sam Spade scripts with Howard Duff, such as The Fairly Broughtkeeper from nineteen 378 00:31:56,759 --> 00:32:02,160 forty eight. However, that was back and Gildowd and Bob Towman were writing 379 00:32:02,200 --> 00:32:07,279 the series, and they carried it off a little bit better as it was. 380 00:32:07,359 --> 00:32:13,079 I think this had some points that definitely didn't hit, but I still 381 00:32:13,160 --> 00:32:15,839 enjoyed it for the most part, even though it was over the top. 382 00:32:16,039 --> 00:32:22,839 But your tolerance for absurdity and your detective shows may determine how much you enjoy 383 00:32:22,960 --> 00:32:29,880 this episode. The Radio Gold Index, usually but not always, a straightforward 384 00:32:29,960 --> 00:32:37,079 log of cast and plots for various programs, had this note for writing credits 385 00:32:37,119 --> 00:32:42,119 for this episode Harold Swanton, writer who ought to be ashamed of himself, 386 00:32:43,240 --> 00:32:47,759 So definitely I expect some people ought to be quite amused by this episode. 387 00:32:49,000 --> 00:32:53,359 Well, now it's time to think our Patreon supporter of the day, and 388 00:32:53,599 --> 00:32:58,279 I want to go ahead and think our Patreon supporter of the day, and 389 00:32:58,319 --> 00:33:02,839 I want to thank Dan's been one of our Patreon supporters since March twenty sixteen, 390 00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:08,200 currently supporting the podcast at the Detective Sergeant level of seven dollars and fourteen 391 00:33:08,240 --> 00:33:12,839 cents or more per month. Thank you so much for your support, Dan, 392 00:33:13,319 --> 00:33:15,319 and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying this podcast, 393 00:33:15,359 --> 00:33:22,240 please follow us using your favorite podcast software. If you're enjoying the podcast on 394 00:33:22,319 --> 00:33:25,079 YouTube, be sure to lock the video, subscribe to the channel, and 395 00:33:25,240 --> 00:33:30,759 mark the notification ballot, all those great things that help channels to grow. 396 00:33:30,039 --> 00:33:36,799 We'll be back next Monday with our final episode from the Steve dun run of 397 00:33:36,920 --> 00:33:42,319 Sam Spade. Join us back here tomorrow for the start of our next Yours 398 00:33:42,319 --> 00:33:45,680 truly, johny Dollar, Cereal. Where I did it the way any cub 399 00:33:45,680 --> 00:33:49,759 would have any worse. I had a three o'clock deadline. I wanted to 400 00:33:49,759 --> 00:33:52,960 make it. I could have waited till the skipper came to said Pearling wasn't 401 00:33:52,960 --> 00:33:57,119 aboard. I could have contacted Pearling's hotel found out he was safely there. 402 00:33:57,160 --> 00:34:00,240 I didn't do any of that. I just phoned in my story. The 403 00:34:00,279 --> 00:34:04,440 rest. Every wire service in the country picked it up. Yes, I 404 00:34:04,480 --> 00:34:08,800 was lucky. I wasn't fired. You want another glass of beer? No 405 00:34:09,039 --> 00:34:15,119 offense. You've been pretty nice. I'm sure you're not all insurance investigator. 406 00:34:16,119 --> 00:34:20,480 Notice I haven't asked you exactly what you're investigating. Yeah, I noticed that 407 00:34:21,599 --> 00:34:25,800 you're gonna tell me, possibly right now. Something worries me. You were 408 00:34:25,800 --> 00:34:29,760 down at the landing when the boat caught fire. I hope you'll be with 409 00:34:29,880 --> 00:34:34,280 us then. In the meantime, do send your comments to Box thirteen at 410 00:34:34,320 --> 00:34:39,039 Great Detectives dot net, follow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives, and check 411 00:34:39,119 --> 00:34:45,920 us out on Instagram, Instagram, dot com slash Great Detectives from Boiseadohol. 412 00:34:45,519 --> 00:34:49,360 This is your host, Adam Graham signing off.