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Speaker 1: Hello, this is your host, Adam Graham. The Great Adventurers

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of Old Time Radio is taking a break from posting

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the new episodes, but we are sharing some adventure themed

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episodes of other podcasts I've done over the years until

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we return on January eleventh for the premiere of Tarzan

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in the Meantime. Please enjoy this episode, which was originally

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released as part of our World War II series The War,

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and if you'd like to listen to more episodes of

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that series, check it out at Thewar dot Great Detectives

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dot net. Now on with today's show.

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Speaker 2: Blome.

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Speaker 3: Welcome to the War from Boise, Idaho. This is your host,

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Adam Graham. If you have a common email it to

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me Box thirteen, a great active net. Christmas Time, America

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spent four Christmases at war, and each one brought with

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it to challenges. With families separated by war, many husbands

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and fathers thousands of miles away from home. It could

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be a lonely and difficult time, and it also could

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be a refreshing time. Time to find joy and happiness

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in the midst of horrific death, toolls find solace in

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the peace on earth that Christmas promises. Wartime Christmas shows

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could be heartwarming and hilarious and occasionally a little bit

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we are depending on who was writing them, but often

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it would also include a call renew our dedication and

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to be resolute in the dedication when a just peace.

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Over the course of the next ten days, we're going

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to play what I think is some of the best

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wartime Christmas programs, and we'll start off with an unusual

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place as we begin our journey through World War two

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era Christmas programs with The Whistler. The Whistler was one

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of radio's most iconic series, but it's not one you

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think of when you are looking for a heartwarming Christmas program.

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The Whistler began in nineteen forty two. Early episodes had

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it as a kind of mystery suspense program, with a

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few shows even having a few elements of.

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Speaker 4: Horror in them. However, what The Whistler.

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Speaker 3: Became known for was its amazing sense of dramatic irony.

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Often a program would feature its central character planning some crime,

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often murder, and thinking of how clever they were and

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how they had it all figured out right until the

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ironic closing. An example of a typical Whistler episode that's

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perhaps easiest to explain is that a man's wife and

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her lover plot against him. They sabotage his plane with

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the goal of having it crash. Unfortunately for them, the

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husband decides to go buy the house and wave to

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his wife, and that's when the plane conks out. Plane

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crashes into the house, kills the wife and kills the lover,

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while the husband survives the crash.

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Speaker 4: Dramatic irony.

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Speaker 3: So how would the Whistler do Christmas?

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Speaker 1: We're going to find out.

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Speaker 3: So here from December the twenty fifth of nineteen forty

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four is the Christmas bonus.

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Speaker 5: That every ghost signal reminds you that you do go

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further with signal Gasoline, the signal oil program, the signal

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Oil company, and your neighborhood signal dealer. Bring you another

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curious story by the Whistler to night Lie or Consequences.

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Speaker 4: I am the Whistler, and I know many things. For

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I walk by night. I know many strange tales, many

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secrets hidden in the hearts of men and women who

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have stepped into the shadows. Presently I'll tell you of

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nameless terrors of which they dare not speak. Within the

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human character, the line between good and evil is a

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waving one, and very often the one small impulse for

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good will outweigh and nullify the bed. Such was the

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case with Michael car Mike wasn't bad. Really, it happened

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while he was a kid, before he knew any better.

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He'd gotten into trouble, gone to prison, served a stretch.

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Now he's out. Then he's learned his lesson. He's proving

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that he's going straight, working hard at his job in

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the office of a large department store. He's married to

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a girly loves and happy, delicious, delicious.

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Speaker 6: Oh, nobody can cook a better breakfast than you, dolling,

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thank you, sir.

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Speaker 4: Now, Ma, don't vote your coffee.

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Speaker 6: I gotta run. I'll be late. A couple of minutes

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won't make any difference.

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Speaker 7: Well, maybe not most days, but today is going to

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be a big one, the last shopping day before Christmas.

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You know, stores will be jammed, We'll be swamp with

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work until late tonight. Be shy, got I want to

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spoil my record. Six months and I haven't been late

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to work one.

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Speaker 6: I know, I know, it's fine. I'm sure the still appreciated.

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Speaker 7: Yeah, Lene, I think they do too. I really think

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they like me down there. I'm work and everything.

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Speaker 6: Oh sure, Mike, how could they help liking you? No?

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Speaker 7: No, I mean well, I'm begin to feel like all

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that stuff is all forgotten, almost like something that never happened.

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Speaker 6: It is, it is forgotten, Mike.

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Speaker 4: Everything's different now.

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Speaker 6: Yeah, yeah it is. Oh, this is going to be

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a lot different Christmas than the last one, isn't that.

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Speaker 7: Yes, Mike, you're a wonderful lame coming to see me,

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sticking by me, donning. I promise you there'll never be

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another Christmas like that, never.

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Speaker 6: I know that won't, Mike. But now on they're all

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going to be really merry Christmas. Yeah you better.

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Speaker 7: Oh gosh, that reminds me. I haven't got your present yet.

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I'll have to run out for lunch. I don't find something.

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Speaker 6: No, no, Mike, you're not going to go spending a

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lot of money on me. Maybe next year.

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Speaker 8: Will be morning.

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Speaker 7: Never you learn, I'll get you what I don please,

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Oh my gosh, how I will be later, I don't run.

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Speaker 6: Here's here's your hat ks. Oh, good bye, Dolly, but

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don't get home before midnight.

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Speaker 8: Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas.

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Speaker 4: Yes, it looks like a merry Christmas for you would laugh,

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doesn't it, Mike, For the first time in your life,

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Almost a real merry Christmas. You notice the smiles on

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people's faces as they walk down the street. You get

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sort of a kick out of the fancy red and

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green drape windows of the store. The holly smells good

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in the elevator, and you chuckle as you pass the

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toy department with a perspiring Santa Claus pulling on his

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red coat. Then into the office, everybody's smiling. Yeah, you

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know what, Mike, maybe you're getting that thing they call

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the Christmas spirit.

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Speaker 6: Well, morning, George, Merry Christmas, Mike, very cheerful this morning?

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Oh why not? It's almost Christmas? But they have good

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cheer Who hell, what's the matter with you, sour person?

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Speaker 7: Nuts humbles on the rare page again, Well, what is

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it this time?

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Speaker 6: You haven't heard?

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Speaker 9: Somebody lifted another thousand bucks out of the receipts last night?

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Speaker 6: What again?

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Speaker 9: Yeah, it makes about ten grand that's been missing in

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the last six months.

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Speaker 6: Well, no wonder, mister Hombod's upset.

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Speaker 9: The detectives are in there with them right now, and

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they've got old gusts a night watchmen in for questioning.

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I suppose we'll all be on the carpet like the

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last time.

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Speaker 7: See that's not so good. Ten thousand dollars. Hey, that's

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grand lasting.

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Speaker 9: And the cops are probably getting pretty sore about not

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pinning it on somebody. And look it comes old guess

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price from the inquisition.

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Speaker 10: Ah, yeah, dank you, mister homeborn Gus, Hey, Gus, I'm

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mister Osborne.

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Speaker 6: We're playing questions and answers in there again.

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Speaker 10: Guess Yeah times that time the only time I got

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to sleep when they called me down here for this.

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Speaker 6: What f would I want to steal money for? I

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got it right?

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Speaker 10: Fine, right, four kids, I steal money, I go to

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jail is style?

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Speaker 6: What for would I steer? Uh? Sure, guess? But I

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know why you so worked up about it.

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Speaker 9: Yeah, you probably had to admit where you were last

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night between twelve and one o'clock. How come you know,

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Duck the high bosh go on. Everybody in the store

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knows that Gus is a standing joke. Everybody knows you

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eat your lunch every morning between twelve and one. You know,

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you go up to the thirteenth floor and stretch out

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on one of those dive ends in the lowire, the

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fifteenth room, the classes in the joint.

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Speaker 10: Okay, so what's wrong with duck? I got to eat?

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Why not in style?

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Speaker 9: Only for that hour? Anybody could come in and move

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out the other twelve floors and.

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Speaker 6: You'd never know it.

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Speaker 10: All right, So what maybe Dutch has been somebody stole money.

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I do not know. I only know I did not steal.

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Just it the only time I got to sleep one.

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They have to go asking me.

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Speaker 6: A character. Hey, is that true about his breakfast from

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the top to one? Shure, there's a night watchman for you.

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Speaker 7: That probably explains why they're so sure the thief is

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somebody inside the store, somebody who knows about Gus and

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what time he won't be on this floor.

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Speaker 9: It could be Oh that's humble, yes, mister Humboldt, Yes

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right away, sir, that's as I thought.

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Speaker 6: It's my turn now. Man. If I start screaming, you'll

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know he's putting me on the rack. Okay, I'll bring

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a branding iron to your rescue.

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Speaker 9: Don't laugh yet, you'll probably be next. If Humboldt really

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decides to catch a thief, he'll catch one by hook

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or crook.

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Speaker 4: Merry Christmas. Mike, Oh now, what's the matter. You don't

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seem as happy as you were. Something happened to dampen

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the Christmas spirit. Maybe something you can't describe, can't even

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put your finger on, just a funny, sinking feeling, forget it.

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George Osburn has been in and out of Humbold's office,

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and almost the whole day has gone by, and nothing's happened,

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and everything seems to have calmed down.

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Speaker 11: In fact, if George's turned to have the Christmas year,

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I really didn't expect it this year, But there at

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once in my payin ball, nice and crisp and green

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with the best Christmas wishes of the J. C.

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Speaker 6: Davis. Still, Oh gee, that swelled your.

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Speaker 9: Yeah, real honesty, guys, Christmas bonus I can show you

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who couldn't. I don't know whether you get one or not. Mike,

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you've only been here six months. Then maybe, by the way,

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why don't you mosey in and pick up your pay

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It's almost nine o'clock with those in five minutes.

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Speaker 7: Well, I guess I've better wait for mister Humbold to

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call me. Oh yeah, I felt we get paid earlier.

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I still haven't bought Awaye's present. Oh well, don't worry.

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Most of the smaller stores we'll still be open for

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a couple of hours. Yeah sure, but I I've thought

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I get her something she liked. We'll wet a little

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store up on tenth, are you. Oh well, it'll be

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open till late.

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Speaker 6: Say.

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Speaker 9: I wonder if they've found out anything about the ten

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grand where they've really questioned everybody around them.

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Speaker 6: They didn't question me. In fact, they've never questioned me

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about it. I don't quite understand that. Oh well, I

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don't know. I guess you got your an honest face

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or something.

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Speaker 9: Yeah, yes, mister Humble, Yes, yes, or I'll send them

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right in.

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Speaker 6: Maybe we spoke too soon. He wants to see it all.

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On the other hand, maybe he just wants to hand

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your Christmas bonus in person. And for all you are

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getting to be the fair haired boy around here these days.

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I better go in. You might even be in line

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for a promotion. You can't tell.

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Speaker 7: Okay, okay, you want to see me, mister Humble?

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Speaker 12: Yes, oh yes, cave covers down.

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Speaker 6: Thanks. Have you been with us six months now?

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Speaker 4: Yes?

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Speaker 12: And I must admit that in that time you've demonstrated

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an admirable aptitude.

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Speaker 6: For the work. Thanks, mister Humble.

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Speaker 12: Yes, in fact, there's been some discussion of raising your salary,

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promoting you. I even talked to mister Prenis, a manager

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about it myself. Well, thanks, mister Humble. Yes, and that's

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why I regret very much to tell you this. I

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must inform you that we're forced to dispense with your

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services as of tonight.

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Speaker 6: This spense you you mean I'm.

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Speaker 12: Five, I'm free, that's it. Yeah, you're two weeks pays

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in this envelope. Wait a minute, I've been so good.

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Why am I being fired? I am not at Liberty.

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Don't offer any explanations. I have my orderes.

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Speaker 7: It's got something to do with this miss money, hasn't it.

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I told this is your way of telling me. You

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think I took it?

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Speaker 6: Isn't it? Now?

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Speaker 7: I did it, isn't it? Mister Humboldt. You've questioned everyone

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else in the department with me. You figure questions are unnecessary,

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don't you.

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Speaker 12: Well, since you put it that way, come naturally we

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mistaken the consideration.

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Speaker 7: You're a You know about my prison record. I told

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you about it. What I've told you about if I

250
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was going to steal again. I'm not accusing you of

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stealing again. I only say we can't afford to take chances.

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We simply find an advice. All right, I understand, I

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understand a lot of things now, mister Humboldt. Thanks, thanks,

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mister Humboldt for the Christmas bonus.

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Speaker 6: Hey hey, Mike, Mike, wait a minute, hell did you

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get it? Can you give you a Christmas bonus? Yeah? Yeah,

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I got a Christmas bonus? Off like, hey, what's up?

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What's the matter or nothing else. I'll tell you about

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it later.

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Speaker 9: I'm leaving now. Oh yeah, you're in a hurry. But wait,

261
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I almost forgot it with my bonus. I can you

262
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pay you that thirty bucks?

263
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Speaker 6: El you? Huh here, yn Y very not other help

264
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with that present for your wife?

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Speaker 13: Huh yeah? Yeah, thanks George. Thanks Merry Christmas, Mike. Yeah,

266
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that premonition you had this morning was right, wasn't it?

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Speaker 4: That funny sinking feeling? Now? You know, don't you?

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Speaker 6: Mike?

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Speaker 4: You know it all the time. Really, all this past

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six months, you've been kidding yourself. That dream bubble has burst.

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Merry Christmas. Mic The crowds are still cheerful on the streets.

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Speaker 14: The windows are still bright and gay, and the holly

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still spices the air.

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Speaker 4: But you don't see your feel as smell. No, there's

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only the sensation of a chill wind cutting you to

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the bone. You wonder the dark streets, not knowing or

277
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caring where you are.

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Speaker 6: Hello, Michael, merry Christmas.

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Speaker 7: Huh oh, hollow reverend you would I didn't see you

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so I noticed.

281
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Speaker 6: I was just getting home for my last minute chopping.

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Speaker 2: Won't you come in for a moment cup of tea?

283
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Speaker 6: Perhaps? Why? No?

284
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Speaker 2: I I ah, come on, I haven't seen you for

285
00:15:26,879 --> 00:15:30,159
a long time. That is for a chat side. It's

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00:15:30,279 --> 00:15:32,879
chilly out, A cup of hot tea warm up. You

287
00:15:32,919 --> 00:15:36,080
look as if you could stand warming up. Michael, come in, No, no,

288
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I've I've got to get along. Ah, come now, that

289
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lovely wife. If you're miss you for a few more minutes,

290
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I tell you I've got to go. Very well, Michael,

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I won't keep you.

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Speaker 6: Oh, I'm I'm sorry, repend I didn't mean it. You

293
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know well, I understand it's troubled. Anything I can do. No, now,

294
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I'm all right. I know you too well, Michael. I

295
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know you all my life.

296
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Speaker 2: Oh, I've helped you before, haven't I.

297
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Speaker 4: I don't know.

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Speaker 6: I don't know whether you did or not.

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Speaker 7: All that stuff you told me about turning over a

300
00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:13,159
new leaf for getting the past, I believe that, Yes,

301
00:16:13,279 --> 00:16:15,360
of course, how maybe you should have told some other

302
00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:17,519
people instead of me. It just don't work, reference, It

303
00:16:17,720 --> 00:16:20,600
just don't work. All that stuff about being good and

304
00:16:20,679 --> 00:16:23,039
doing good now, it don't pay off.

305
00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:26,720
Speaker 2: It does, Michael, it does. You must believe that even

306
00:16:26,759 --> 00:16:29,720
a little good done brings a great reward, maybe to

307
00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:32,320
some people only. Maybe some of us are behind an

308
00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:34,960
eight ball. We can't get around like, oh, please come in.

309
00:16:35,399 --> 00:16:38,159
Speaker 7: I feel I must talk. Not to night referend, but

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all the talking I can stand. I'm gonna do my

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own thinking. I know what I'm gonna do.

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Speaker 6: You can that? Just sweet life, I know just what

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I'm gonna do.

314
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Speaker 4: Yes, your mind is made up, now, isn't it. Mike

315
00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:02,480
Humbold made up up for you, didn't they? You hate him,

316
00:17:02,519 --> 00:17:05,480
don't you? Mike? And all the smug people like him,

317
00:17:05,759 --> 00:17:09,200
never done a stretch and stir there? Your enemies, aren't they, Mike,

318
00:17:09,359 --> 00:17:11,400
whether you wanted them to be or not. And you're

319
00:17:11,599 --> 00:17:14,880
just one of the cell rats. Okay, If that's the

320
00:17:14,920 --> 00:17:19,160
way it is, that's the way you'll play it. What's that?

321
00:17:20,279 --> 00:17:23,359
What's steps following you? Maybe if you stop by this

322
00:17:23,519 --> 00:17:30,000
slighted window. Yeah, you were right, Mike. They're following you,

323
00:17:30,079 --> 00:17:32,200
all right, two of them. You saw them duck into

324
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that doorway when you stopped and turned around.

325
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Speaker 6: Tailor me.

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Speaker 7: They got Dick's tailor me. Why sure, you're dope. They

327
00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:42,559
would let you just walk out of there. They think

328
00:17:42,599 --> 00:17:45,119
you took the money, They're gonna tell you hound you

329
00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:49,279
track it down. Okay, okay, if they think I took

330
00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:51,839
the money, I'll give them reason to It's time I

331
00:17:51,920 --> 00:17:52,519
will take it.

332
00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:03,359
Speaker 5: You are listening to the whistler brought to you by

333
00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:08,039
your friend, the Signal Oil Company. Marketers are famous. Signal

334
00:18:08,079 --> 00:18:12,319
Gasoline your best buy today. Remember to let every go

335
00:18:12,599 --> 00:18:26,400
Signal remind you you do go farther with Signal Gasoline.

336
00:18:37,039 --> 00:18:43,400
Speaker 4: Merry Christmas night, A very merry Christmas. Isn't it? Six

337
00:18:43,440 --> 00:18:45,759
months of going straight and you've given it up. You're

338
00:18:45,799 --> 00:18:48,640
going back back to the store and get your share

339
00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:52,799
of those days receipts. Yes, it's all so simple as midmind.

340
00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:56,640
He'll son be twelve o' pat midnight, and old gusts

341
00:18:56,680 --> 00:18:59,440
will be up in the Louis fifteenth room, the thirteenth floor,

342
00:19:00,119 --> 00:19:02,640
the safe and Humboldt's office will be a cinch. You've

343
00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:05,759
seen it many times. And as for the two dicks

344
00:19:05,759 --> 00:19:08,519
tailing you, now, it'll be duck soup to shake him.

345
00:19:08,599 --> 00:19:12,200
Duck soup. That's right, you're heading up tenth Avenue. Now

346
00:19:12,319 --> 00:19:18,079
you can double back. And what's wrong, mate? Why are

347
00:19:18,079 --> 00:19:21,599
you stopping? Going to be that tune? The brightly lighted window,

348
00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:25,160
the old man standing back there. Of course, now you

349
00:19:25,240 --> 00:19:29,200
remember tenth Avenue. This is all, mister Samuel, the little store.

350
00:19:29,559 --> 00:19:31,720
This is it where you're going to buy a Lane

351
00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:35,200
her Christmas present. And there it is what you heard,

352
00:19:35,240 --> 00:19:37,920
the music box sitting on the counter next to the

353
00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:40,079
open door, playing.

354
00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:48,440
Speaker 10: Good evening, Michael, and Merry Christmas. Hi mister Samuel, who

355
00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:50,480
came in just in time. I was just about to

356
00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:53,079
close up. I guess down at your big store you've

357
00:19:53,119 --> 00:19:55,960
been closed for a long time. But here her the

358
00:19:56,079 --> 00:19:58,119
little fellows have to stay open to get all the

359
00:19:58,160 --> 00:19:59,240
business we can.

360
00:20:00,039 --> 00:20:03,400
Speaker 6: Can I do for you? Is this the music box

361
00:20:03,400 --> 00:20:04,759
that laying like so well? Ah?

362
00:20:04,880 --> 00:20:08,079
Speaker 10: Yes, that is the one. She was very taken with it.

363
00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:12,119
Her eyes sparkled when she looked at it. Yeah, there's

364
00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:15,240
a part of pupper someone inside is that is right?

365
00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:18,319
And when you open it it plays the little tune.

366
00:20:18,640 --> 00:20:27,160
So yes, she was saying, how it was her favorite tune.

367
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Speaker 6: Okay, how much is a bear?

368
00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:33,799
Speaker 10: It's usually priced at seventy five, but I'll give it

369
00:20:33,839 --> 00:20:35,559
to you and the young lady.

370
00:20:35,640 --> 00:20:37,759
Speaker 6: For fifty fifty dollars.

371
00:20:37,839 --> 00:20:41,119
Speaker 10: Well, yes, you see, it's a januine antique and it's

372
00:20:41,160 --> 00:20:42,559
the best thing I have in this store.

373
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Speaker 6: Well, I'm I'm sorry, but that's more than I'm being out.

374
00:20:45,279 --> 00:20:46,319
I'm sorry too.

375
00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:48,599
Speaker 10: I would have let you have it for less if

376
00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:51,240
I could, but fifty is the lowest show show.

377
00:20:52,039 --> 00:20:54,680
Speaker 6: Well, okay, forget, I'm sorry, come back again.

378
00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:05,720
Speaker 4: Now, what's the matter, Mike? Why are you stopping? Could

379
00:21:05,720 --> 00:21:08,240
it be you can't make up your mind? Could it

380
00:21:08,279 --> 00:21:12,880
be your thinking about the music box, about Elaine, about Christmas? Yes,

381
00:21:13,599 --> 00:21:15,519
this may be your last Christmas with her, you know,

382
00:21:15,960 --> 00:21:18,119
your last chance to give her a decent present with

383
00:21:18,279 --> 00:21:22,119
clean money, money you earned. It might be a nice gesture.

384
00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:25,160
I might a little token of all that might have been.

385
00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:32,799
Speaker 6: Oh, mister Seamus, I'll take wrap it up to get them.

386
00:21:32,920 --> 00:21:33,400
I'll take that.

387
00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:44,880
Speaker 4: Merry Christmas, Mike. That's what's written across the package. It

388
00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:47,119
was going to be a symbol for a wonderful new life,

389
00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:50,839
wasn't it. And now it's an ironic farewell. Your last

390
00:21:50,839 --> 00:21:54,480
attempt at doing good is Reverend Hewitt called it too bad.

391
00:21:54,519 --> 00:21:57,359
It won't bring you that great reward, he promised. It

392
00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:00,519
won't have a chance because there are those two dick

393
00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:05,279
still following you and you you're heading for J. C.

394
00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:10,279
Deaver's department store Officeite Henry Humble the interior of its safe.

395
00:22:10,799 --> 00:22:13,720
It's almost twelve midnight. I have to duck those guys.

396
00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:16,720
Speaker 9: Hey girls, thirty the guiter sattle showing Tom Starling could

397
00:22:16,799 --> 00:22:19,880
fill a van and thurdy raving beauties and who shall

398
00:22:20,079 --> 00:22:23,640
just started only for the same ticket with it. Oh yeah, yeah,

399
00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:27,319
all he says, thank you, sir, and who show just started. Hurry, hurry, hurry,

400
00:22:27,400 --> 00:22:28,200
ladies and gentlemen.

401
00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:40,079
Speaker 4: You're doing great, Mike. Those dix Wills follow you in,

402
00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:44,039
but you won't be there, will you. No, You're heading

403
00:22:44,079 --> 00:22:47,160
for that exit sign down at the side, through the curtains,

404
00:22:47,359 --> 00:22:51,680
push out through the door, and there you are in

405
00:22:51,759 --> 00:23:00,839
the alley three. Okay, Now up to the street, lose

406
00:23:00,839 --> 00:23:03,880
yourself in the crowd. Turn down fifth or the store.

407
00:23:04,160 --> 00:23:06,519
You're okay now, don't need to look back.

408
00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:07,920
Speaker 6: Or is there?

409
00:23:11,279 --> 00:23:14,680
Speaker 4: They're there. You didn't shake them, after all, they were

410
00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:16,559
wise to that trick, and they were waiting for you

411
00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:19,559
outside the theater. Yes, you should have known. Now what

412
00:23:20,559 --> 00:23:23,759
you've got an idea, Yes, a good idea. A honey,

413
00:23:24,480 --> 00:23:27,519
why not lead them to the store. Sure, that's where

414
00:23:27,519 --> 00:23:30,079
they expect you to go, But beat them there and

415
00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:32,519
hide down in the freight dock behind one of those

416
00:23:32,559 --> 00:23:35,839
big crates. They'll never find you in that mess. Then

417
00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:38,279
when they get tired looking, you'll be able to slip

418
00:23:38,319 --> 00:23:53,839
in and do the job. All that. Brilliant, Yes, brilliant. Yes,

419
00:23:53,920 --> 00:23:56,480
here's the store. There, they are a quarter of a

420
00:23:56,519 --> 00:23:59,240
block behind. When you hit the alley, you'll run for it,

421
00:23:59,279 --> 00:24:01,680
make a dash back to the back, and you'll be

422
00:24:01,799 --> 00:24:04,559
so far ahead then they won't know whether you've got

423
00:24:04,559 --> 00:24:07,720
in or not, and you'll fool him entirely. You'll have

424
00:24:07,759 --> 00:24:16,279
them searching the whole store. Okay, here it is, Okay,

425
00:24:16,319 --> 00:24:18,559
you made it. You left them way behind. Here's the

426
00:24:18,559 --> 00:24:19,079
freight doc.

427
00:24:23,200 --> 00:24:26,400
Speaker 6: Okay, come on copp it, just try and find me

428
00:24:26,440 --> 00:24:32,480
in here on it now it laughs? Do you know

429
00:24:32,559 --> 00:24:35,799
we were following them? Sure? Sure, let's not waste time.

430
00:24:36,079 --> 00:24:38,640
You have plenty of time to get in probably with employees.

431
00:24:38,759 --> 00:24:41,720
Speaker 12: Key okay, okay, get out your skelleton, and then let's

432
00:24:41,720 --> 00:24:48,480
go in after him.

433
00:24:48,839 --> 00:24:51,759
Speaker 4: Work like a charm, doesn't it, Mike. You're sitting here

434
00:24:51,759 --> 00:24:55,519
in your crate comfortably waiting while they searched the entire store.

435
00:24:56,240 --> 00:24:58,680
They've been there long enough to do it. It's almost one.

436
00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:01,680
If they don't hurry, have gust to worry about. Not

437
00:25:01,799 --> 00:25:06,359
that that's too much of a worry, but wait, bullets.

438
00:25:05,599 --> 00:25:06,680
Speaker 6: Yeah, let's do it.

439
00:25:07,359 --> 00:25:12,319
Speaker 7: Yeah too bad, hey, light as your lighter up could

440
00:25:12,319 --> 00:25:13,759
have dumped in one of these crazy.

441
00:25:13,720 --> 00:25:15,640
Speaker 6: Yeah yeah yeah. If we never find went.

442
00:25:15,599 --> 00:25:17,680
Speaker 2: Man, we can play hide and seek with us there

443
00:25:17,720 --> 00:25:20,920
for days, right, because I'll call the day.

444
00:25:21,039 --> 00:25:24,279
Speaker 6: There's a fine way to spend Christmas Eve. Anyway, go on,

445
00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:26,119
let's go home, okay, right?

446
00:25:26,160 --> 00:25:38,480
Speaker 14: Besides, well, my merry Christmas. This is better than you expected.

447
00:25:38,839 --> 00:25:42,200
Speaker 4: They're leaving, actually going away, leaving the place to your

448
00:25:42,519 --> 00:25:45,519
tender mercies. You won't have to dodge him coming out.

449
00:25:45,799 --> 00:25:48,319
They aren't going to camp out in Humboldt's office and

450
00:25:48,440 --> 00:25:53,960
actually walking away down the alley and your set good.

451
00:25:55,119 --> 00:25:59,000
Speaker 6: Something's wrong that's going I can't stop. I can't. Yeah,

452
00:26:00,359 --> 00:26:06,720
come on right over here, get right here, and it's

453
00:26:06,759 --> 00:26:08,920
great time touly.

454
00:26:09,559 --> 00:26:13,240
Speaker 2: Okay, Cob, we finally cornered your come on out now.

455
00:26:13,119 --> 00:26:14,759
Speaker 12: You're hanging in there now, Cab, come on, come on,

456
00:26:14,799 --> 00:26:16,440
come on. We want to talk it. Yeah, yeah, I

457
00:26:16,480 --> 00:26:21,960
know I got the idea. Okay, okay, you got me.

458
00:26:22,839 --> 00:26:26,480
Thanks for the music. Let us right to the dance floor. Yeah,

459
00:26:26,559 --> 00:26:28,720
that's the great reward. The minister was talking about it.

460
00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:31,720
Speaker 6: Great. I don't get you now, you wouldn't. It's a

461
00:26:31,759 --> 00:26:32,960
private little joke on me.

462
00:26:33,559 --> 00:26:36,759
Speaker 2: Yeah, well that music maybe did you a big favorite,

463
00:26:36,759 --> 00:26:37,640
Cob Tava.

464
00:26:37,759 --> 00:26:39,799
Speaker 12: That's right, and you'll see what I mean if you'll

465
00:26:39,799 --> 00:26:41,039
answer a few questions for us.

466
00:26:41,119 --> 00:26:42,160
Speaker 6: I don't see why I should.

467
00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:44,279
Speaker 2: You got nothing to be afraid of, kid, If you

468
00:26:44,440 --> 00:26:46,799
just answer a couple of questions straight, probably answer one.

469
00:26:46,799 --> 00:26:47,279
Speaker 6: I didn't do it.

470
00:26:47,279 --> 00:26:49,119
Speaker 12: I had nothing to do with Okay, okay, you had

471
00:26:49,119 --> 00:26:50,799
nothing to do with it. We didn't ask you that question.

472
00:26:51,119 --> 00:26:53,759
I'm going to answer this. You bought that music box

473
00:26:53,759 --> 00:26:55,319
at the store on tenth Avenu.

474
00:26:55,119 --> 00:26:56,680
Speaker 6: A while ago. Now you know, I did your sonny

475
00:26:56,720 --> 00:26:57,319
fire and you.

476
00:26:57,279 --> 00:26:59,880
Speaker 12: Paid for it with two twenties ten Yeah, well, part

477
00:26:59,880 --> 00:27:02,480
of that money was marked. It was money that had

478
00:27:02,480 --> 00:27:05,039
been stolen from diver's departments. I said, it wasn't stolen.

479
00:27:05,079 --> 00:27:06,799
Speaker 6: It with the door. I got my pay envelope all

480
00:27:06,880 --> 00:27:09,480
of it. Didn't somebody else give you a part of it? No,

481
00:27:09,799 --> 00:27:12,039
I just earned the whole thing. Didn't George Osborn give

482
00:27:12,039 --> 00:27:15,920
you a part of it? Oh? Yeah, yeah he did.

483
00:27:16,960 --> 00:27:20,200
He paid me thirty dollars a year. Okay, now this

484
00:27:20,319 --> 00:27:21,079
is very important.

485
00:27:21,880 --> 00:27:24,640
Speaker 12: Had Osburn pay yet in what denomination of bills?

486
00:27:24,759 --> 00:27:24,960
Speaker 6: Well?

487
00:27:26,160 --> 00:27:30,720
Speaker 7: Yeah, yeah, I remember he gave me three times tens.

488
00:27:31,440 --> 00:27:34,599
You're sure, sure, I'm sure. And the twenties came to

489
00:27:34,640 --> 00:27:37,880
you in your pay en blip. Yeah, you'll swear to

490
00:27:37,960 --> 00:27:43,960
that in coin of course. Okay, that does it? Thanks

491
00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:48,680
cam Hey, Wait, you mean that's what you wanted me for.

492
00:27:49,079 --> 00:27:49,839
Speaker 6: It was enough.

493
00:27:50,599 --> 00:27:53,039
Speaker 2: You just proved for us who stole that ten grand

494
00:27:53,079 --> 00:27:55,480
from the store, And the way you were acting, we

495
00:27:56,119 --> 00:27:58,720
almost thought it was you. We hadn't known better all

496
00:27:58,759 --> 00:27:59,119
the time.

497
00:28:16,079 --> 00:28:18,559
Speaker 5: But that's not the end of the story. The whistler

498
00:28:18,559 --> 00:28:21,359
will bring it to you in just a moment. Meantime,

499
00:28:21,440 --> 00:28:25,279
Signal Oil Company joins with eighteen hundred Signal Gasoline dealers

500
00:28:25,319 --> 00:28:28,680
throughout the West, from Canada to Mexico, and hoping that

501
00:28:28,759 --> 00:28:31,640
this has been a good Christmas for you. It wasn't

502
00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:34,200
the Christmas we had all hoped and prayed for. There

503
00:28:34,200 --> 00:28:36,880
were too many empty places at the table, too many

504
00:28:36,920 --> 00:28:40,759
empty places in our hearts. As we look back, we

505
00:28:40,880 --> 00:28:44,200
may wonder if perhaps we didn't give quite enough, not

506
00:28:44,319 --> 00:28:47,440
quite enough, of our effort, of our money and of

507
00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:50,000
our blood, which can mean life itself to a boy

508
00:28:50,039 --> 00:28:53,319
at the front. Yet, even the regrets that may tinge

509
00:28:53,359 --> 00:28:56,640
this season's gladness can prove its greatest blessing if they

510
00:28:56,759 --> 00:29:00,880
fire us to new determination, to new and greater effort

511
00:29:01,119 --> 00:29:04,559
through the coming year, until our prayers are finally answered

512
00:29:05,039 --> 00:29:10,319
and peace again returns to heal this confused and torn whirl. Yes,

513
00:29:10,519 --> 00:29:13,599
if as this Christmas of nineteen forty four draws to

514
00:29:13,640 --> 00:29:17,839
a close, we will rededicate ourselves to this our job,

515
00:29:18,640 --> 00:29:21,799
we may each of us hasten the realization of that

516
00:29:21,880 --> 00:29:28,519
ancient promise, peace on earth, goodwill toward men. And now

517
00:29:28,960 --> 00:29:30,160
back to the whistler.

518
00:29:37,960 --> 00:29:41,839
Speaker 4: Well, quite surprising, isn't it. The police didn't suspect Mike

519
00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:44,559
at all. You see, it was this way because of

520
00:29:44,599 --> 00:29:46,960
his record. The cops began to tail Mic in the

521
00:29:47,039 --> 00:29:49,920
very beginning when the money first began to be missed.

522
00:29:50,480 --> 00:29:52,880
Twice they had him under observation at the very time

523
00:29:52,920 --> 00:29:55,440
the money was stolen, so they knew he didn't do it,

524
00:29:55,880 --> 00:29:57,799
but they kept watching him in the hope he would

525
00:29:57,839 --> 00:30:00,759
leave him to the real scene. And he did, yes,

526
00:30:00,880 --> 00:30:03,920
because when things got hot, the thief finally tried to

527
00:30:03,960 --> 00:30:06,279
frame Mike by giving him some of the stolen money

528
00:30:06,880 --> 00:30:11,599
marked money this time George Osborn. Oh No. In fact,

529
00:30:11,640 --> 00:30:14,680
Osborne almost dumbed things up by paying his debts. The

530
00:30:14,720 --> 00:30:17,559
detectives hadn't counted on that. That's why they had to

531
00:30:17,599 --> 00:30:21,680
be sure which bills Osborne gave Mike. The tens weren't marked,

532
00:30:21,759 --> 00:30:24,759
the twenties were the twenties. Mike got an his pay

533
00:30:24,839 --> 00:30:30,640
envelope from Humboldt. Yes, Henry Humboldt, the office manager. You see,

534
00:30:30,759 --> 00:30:33,160
things were getting too hot for him, The trail was

535
00:30:33,200 --> 00:30:35,839
getting too close. He knew the money was marked, and

536
00:30:35,880 --> 00:30:38,519
he knew the detective were watching Mike, so he gave

537
00:30:38,599 --> 00:30:40,799
him some of the marked bills and his severance pay,

538
00:30:41,240 --> 00:30:44,240
trying to frame him. It couldn't have worked, of course,

539
00:30:44,319 --> 00:30:47,720
but Humboldt didn't know that, and neither did Mike, and

540
00:30:47,880 --> 00:30:51,559
Mike almost did something he regretted all his life. He

541
00:30:51,640 --> 00:30:55,160
almost went back to a life of crime. Yes, it's

542
00:30:55,160 --> 00:30:58,599
a music box. Hadn't of jammed and started playing just

543
00:30:58,680 --> 00:31:01,920
when it did, and that actives had gone off, Mike's

544
00:31:01,960 --> 00:31:05,000
life would have gone down the skid because it did

545
00:31:05,000 --> 00:31:08,759
play when it did. Well, next week he'll be back

546
00:31:08,759 --> 00:31:11,680
at the store in a better job. Yes, and he

547
00:31:11,759 --> 00:31:14,440
got a Christmas bonut to him. They saw to that

548
00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:18,440
after Humboldt was arrested, and all because the music box played.

549
00:31:19,240 --> 00:31:20,880
Maybe that's why Mike said.

550
00:31:21,480 --> 00:31:24,279
Speaker 7: No, sir, that music box sits right there on the

551
00:31:24,279 --> 00:31:25,839
table where everybody can see it.

552
00:31:26,359 --> 00:31:28,359
Speaker 6: Darling, I really think it means as much to you

553
00:31:28,480 --> 00:31:29,680
as it does the lame book.

554
00:31:30,160 --> 00:31:33,440
Speaker 7: I guess maybe it does, Alain, Just like the revenue,

555
00:31:33,480 --> 00:31:36,240
it says, a little good brings a great reward.

556
00:31:36,960 --> 00:31:38,400
Speaker 6: Yeah, the rest.

557
00:31:38,279 --> 00:31:40,960
Speaker 7: Of my life, that little gadget's going to mean a

558
00:31:41,079 --> 00:31:44,400
Merry Christmas, Darling.

559
00:31:45,599 --> 00:31:48,119
Speaker 4: Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Mike.

560
00:32:17,480 --> 00:32:20,240
Speaker 5: Next Monday at nine o'clock, the Signal Oil Program will

561
00:32:20,240 --> 00:32:24,000
bring you another strange tale by the Whistler. The Signal

562
00:32:24,039 --> 00:32:26,960
Oil Program is broadcast for your entertainment by the Signal

563
00:32:26,960 --> 00:32:31,000
Oil Company, marketers of signals famous Go Farther Gasoline and

564
00:32:31,039 --> 00:32:34,319
motor oil, and by your neighborhood signal oil dealer, who

565
00:32:34,359 --> 00:32:36,920
is at your service daily to keep your car running

566
00:32:36,960 --> 00:32:41,039
for the duration. The Signal Oil Program, produced by George

567
00:32:41,119 --> 00:32:44,480
w Allen with music by Wilbur Hatch, is transmitted to

568
00:32:44,519 --> 00:32:48,880
our troops overseas by the Armed Forces Radio Service. Bob Anderson,

569
00:32:48,920 --> 00:32:53,119
speaking for your friend, the Signal Oil Company, and suggesting

570
00:32:53,160 --> 00:32:56,799
once again that you let every go signal remind you

571
00:32:57,200 --> 00:33:01,599
that you do go farther with signal gasoline. This is CBS,

572
00:33:01,599 --> 00:33:19,680
the Columbia Broadcasting System.

573
00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:24,640
Speaker 3: Welcome back. Every now and again the whistler will get

574
00:33:24,680 --> 00:33:29,400
you with a happy ending. And I think that there

575
00:33:29,440 --> 00:33:33,039
would probably be no better time for that sort of

576
00:33:33,079 --> 00:33:37,039
happy ending than in the midst of all the challenges

577
00:33:37,119 --> 00:33:40,480
being faced in World War Two. Well, that will do

578
00:33:40,559 --> 00:33:44,960
it for today. Our Christmas series continues tomorrow. If you

579
00:33:45,000 --> 00:33:47,720
would like to share your experience, or that of a

580
00:33:47,759 --> 00:33:51,480
loved one during World War Two. Please email your stories

581
00:33:51,480 --> 00:33:55,559
to Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net. We'll consider

582
00:33:55,640 --> 00:33:58,359
all stories to be shared on the air. We also

583
00:33:58,440 --> 00:34:01,839
welcome your suggestion as to future programs. This program is

584
00:34:01,920 --> 00:34:04,960
dedicated to those who fought and died in World War

585
00:34:05,039 --> 00:34:07,720
Two and is presented as a service of the Great

586
00:34:07,759 --> 00:34:11,559
Detectives of Old Time Radio. Great Detectives dog Net