Speaker 1: The Perfect Crime by H. A. Ripley. Peter Johansson had
one burning ambition to commit a perfect crime. After much
thinking and careful planning, he chose burglary for his experiment
and a large brown stone mansion for the scene of
his action. Learning its occupants had left town, he arrayed
himself in a business suit of conservative cut, flung a
light top coat over his arm, picked up a gladstone
bag covered with foreign labels, and set out. He had ascertained,
of course, when the policeman patrolling the beat was furthest
away at such a time. He drove up in his
swanky sports roadster, swung jauntily to the sidewalk, skipped up
the steps, and fitted a skeleton key into the lock,
which yielded easily. So far, so good, he thought. Inside,
he adjusted a black mask to his eyes and silk
gloves to his hands, the former for a bit of
local color, he couldn't resist, the latter for more practical purposes.
What a jolly thing this burglary was. He quickly filled
his Gladston with silver and other valuables. Hurrying out. He
removed his gloves after closing the door. Done, and not
a single clue left, he said to himself. As he
was about to descend the steps, he saw out of
the corner of his eye the policeman rounding the corner.
Feigning disinterest. He quickly pushed the bell button and stood
there whistling. Hey you, shouted the policeman, now standing at
the bottom of the steps. What are you doing there? Damn,
people ain't home. Howdy officer, how goes it? Said our
hero blithely, as he turned to greet the blue coat.
I know they're not home. Been trying to raise someone
for five minutes. Annoying too after running out to see them.
Oh well, he continued, I'll be going along, as he
unconcernedly picked up his bag. You bet you will write
to the hooscal bellowed the guardian of the piece. Your story,
I might have believed, but come on now, I'm taking
you down. Alas Peter Johansson had forgotten to remove his
mask on leaving the house. Whoever thinks a perfect work
to see thinks that ne'er was, nor is nor e'er
shall be the end of the perfect crime.