Boston Blackie: Mary Disappears 11/01/1945

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Well, Inspector Faraday, would you like a cup of tea or would you say your visit was an official one?

Sure, I'd say it, Miss Wesley. Why shouldn't I say it? It is official.

And I'm giving you an official message for your friend, Boston Blacky. Why don't you give it to him yourself?

Because I can't find him, that's why. I never can't find him when I want him.

Oh dear, sometimes I have the same trouble.

All right, so you have trouble too. Well listen, I've got Shorty and Jail, I'm gonna keep him there.

Because he stuck up a gas station right before last. Do you get that?

Well yes, only Shorty told Blacky didn't do it. But it was a fellow named Donald Bolton with me.

Donald Bolton, we've only been looking for him for two years. He's probably wearing cement shoes right now.

Now you've got the message I want you to give Blacky.

Yes, I hear from him.

All right, if you hear from him. Now you know what to tell him?

Oh no, no, that's the detail you forgot to mention.

Huh?

It's all right, so I'm remembering now.

Tell him to keep his nose out of this case. The Shorty's Gilly and he's going to trial.

I don't forget to tell Blacky what I said.

Yes.

Yeah, I know, if you hear from him. Good bye, Miss Wesley.

Goodbye, Inspector.

All right, Blacky, you've gone. You can come and get now.

Cash.

Beneficial finance company has the cash you want for any good reason.

Yes, say the word.

Call up. Tell us how much you want and when you want it.

You're the boss.

Yes, you're the boss.

And beneficial.

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The instant way to clean up bills.

Buy the things you need. Do the things you want.

For service, it's just a little friendlier and faster.

Come to Beneficial for ready cash.

Cash.

Just say the word.

When you want cash, for any good reason, just tell us how much you want and when you want it.

You're the boss. You're the boss.

And beneficial.

Beneficial finance company.

And now meet Dick Colmer as Boston Blacky.

Enemy to those who make him an enemy.

Friend to those who have no friend.

Well, Blacky, do I look like a girl looking for a job?

I think you're a little too well fed.

But that gingham dress does make you look like a country girl, Mary.

Well, that's the general idea, isn't it?

For me, it's the next self-made who doesn't know where her next tale is coming from.

That's it, but I'm going to start the car in a while.

You're going to get out and walk to that farmhouse on the hill.

Then what?

Then you're going to ask the farmer if he could use a hired girl.

And you're going to get the job.

I hope.

Then what?

One more, then what?

And you'll retain permanent possession of that expression.

Then you're going to find out if Donald Bolton is hiding out of his parents' farm.

Blacky, isn't this about the time I ought to begin getting scared?

If it is, do it now and get it over with.

Donald Bolton's parents are decent, hardworking people.

You won't have any trouble with them.

Maybe they're hiding out this son.

If they are, I want to know it.

If they are, I'll find out, Blacky.

Gee, I hate to ask you to do this, Mary.

But if I went snooping around, Donald would either hold up or skip.

Oh, sure.

Well, as far as I go.

If you do low-key Bolton there, call me, you know.

Come out from the city and make him talk.

The only way I know to get shorty out of jail.

If he's there, I'll find him, Blacky.

That is providing I get the job.

Wish me cold.

Cold?

Sure.

That's luck. Fill backwards.

Everybody's selling things backwards lately.

It started with advertising slogans or something.

Oh, Blacky, don't you know anything?

I guess, Tom.

That's not spelled in reverse.

Now get going, Mary.

I don't care how you pronounce your words.

But don't be backward about getting the information we need.

I'm awfully glad you've come to work for us, Mary.

You'll like it here, I hope.

We'll try to make you feel at home.

Mr. Mary, we sure will.

And it'll be a lot less lonesome now.

This pretty big house for just mom and me and the hired man's living.

Oh, thank you very much for everything.

I would like to telephone my mother and say I'm all right.

May I?

Well, of course, dear.

Pa and I are going to bed.

Life begins kind of early on the farm.

You coming, Pa?

Well, I was going to wait up for the hired man to come in.

But I reckon he ain't coming back from town early.

You'll meet him in the morning, Mary.

All right.

Yeah, I'll go with you, Mom.

Good night, Mary.

Good night, both of you.

And thanks again.

Good night, Mary.

Hello.

Hello.

This is Mary Wesley.

I'm at the Bolden Farm.

And I would like to get Barclay 1-4-5-77 in the city, please.

Certainly.

You're the new hired girl out of the farm.

Well, yes, yes, I am.

I'll be so stressed to you that I know that.

I know there isn't much in a small town that a telephone operator doesn't know.

Oh, I can imagine that.

It's funny.

Thank you.

Hello.

Hello, Brackett. This is Mary.

Yes, Mary.

Brackett, will you get out here first thing in the morning?

I can't tell you why over the phone.

Oh, OK, yeah.

Are you all right, Mary?

Does anybody suspect anything?

Not a thing.

Now, I've got to go now.

Good night, Brackett.

And don't worry.

Nobody here has any idea who I am.

Oscar Nell.

What?

That's backwards for so long.

So nobody knows who you are.

Oh, I am.

Turn around and look at me.

Open your mouth to yell, my fine hired girl.

And I'll cut you a throat right here.

Come in.

Good morning.

Good morning.

You're on the spoke, my imagine.

Yes, I am.

But I don't think we'd be interested in buying anything right now.

Oh, I'm not selling anything, Mr. Bowdoin.

I'd like to see Mary Westay, I may.

Mary Westley?

Yes, the girl you hired, yes, staffed Nell.

Oh, must be some mistake.

We didn't hire no girl yesterday.

Why, I can't understand this.

Mary told me on the telephone she was working here.

No, maybe some other farm.

There's Tom Gordon's place over past four corners.

Or Ed Stan is farm, but two miles down the road.

Did you try there?

No.

No, I didn't, I suppose I might, though.

To say that young fellow working on the fence over there, is that your son?

We don't have no son.

I'm sorry, believe me.

That's a hired man, Judgashney.

Been with us for years.

And if I talk to him?

No, go right ahead.

I'm sorry, it couldn't help me, young man.

That's all right.

Now, what's this all about?

Hey, Judge.

Me, me.

Yes.

Stick there for a second, William.

I'd like to talk to you.

Here all day, Mara.

Next week, fixing this fence.

What's on your mind, stranger?

Well, I need some help.

Last night, a girl named Mary Wesley telephoned me.

She said she was speaking from this farm, and that she'd been hired by Mr. and Mrs. Bolton yesterday afternoon.

Don't know nothing about that.

You didn't see a girl about 23 blonde and blue eyes about this high?

Since the carnival came to town last year, I ain't.

You say she telephoned you?

Yes, and she said she was here at this farm.

Well, telephone sent was located in town, a couple of miles down the road.

You could get there and find out about any call made from here.

You'll be able to find the town, all right?

I think so.

I wish I could be assured of finding Mary.

Excuse me, please.

I saw you drive up from that direction.

Can you tell me how far the Bolton farm is from here?

About three for miles, soldier. I just came from there.

Hey, it's ex-soldier, if you don't mind.

Took me three years to get that ex added to the word, and I kind of like to keep it on now.

Nice, you what you mean?

Sam and a rush. I'll drive you back to the farm if you want to wait while I go into the telephone office here.

Oh, that's swell. I'm Eddie Adams.

Glad to meet you, Eddie. I'm Boston Blackie.

Boston Black? Hey, you're not V Boston Blackie.

Who isn't a great deal of hurry right now?

Yes, I am.

Wait for me, Eddie. I won't be long.

Okay, Blackie, I'll be here.

Hello.

I wish somebody wouldn't walk here sometime and say something besides, hello.

I'm a little sick of that word.

I can understand why.

Tell me something, honey.

Well, you're working at the switchboard last night at about 10.30.

Yes. On the operator on duty.

10 at night and 10 in the morning.

It's quite a stretch, isn't it?

Yes, quite.

Well, I want to know if a telephone call was made from the Bolton Farm at 10.30 last night.

Well, I can look it up if you like, but I can tell you right now that wasn't.

If there was, I'd remember.

Good, good, perfect. Tell you what we're saying, too.

Don't get myself to do what night except with a minute on calls.

Say, you look a little tired. You know that?

Tired isn't the word, young lady, but welded would be a whole lot better.

Apple, nice of you to drive me out to the farm, Blackie.

It's nothing, Eddie.

Boston, Blackie, my chauffeur.

I'm getting up in the world. One day, I'm a soldier. The next day, I'm a farm owner.

And today, I got a chauffeur.

Farm owner?

Yeah, sure. I bought the Bolton Farm yesterday.

Saw it last week through an agent in town and bought it yesterday at my price.

How much?

$15,000. It's a steal.

They won a $25,000 for it, but 15 was all I could raise, so they took it.

Got the papers in my pocket.

Aged and signed them last night.

So the Bolton sold it from, huh?

Yep.

Look, you're the new owner, right?

Sure, I bought it yesterday.

Well, I want to go through that farmhouse with you as soon as we get there.

I want to go through it from top to bottom.

If I don't find what I'm looking for, I'm going to take everything

and that place apart, starting with poor bull.

Hello. What can I do?

Oh, it's you again.

Yes, me again, Mr. Bolton. I want to come in.

Sorry. We ain't receiving visitors today.

Mom, hand me my shotgun.

What's the trouble for?

I look Mr. Bolton. We don't want any trouble.

Is the gun for?

I don't want no trouble either, son.

That's why you're going to move on.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

I'll take care of it.

That's why you're going to move of my property now

and you're going to stay off it from now on.

It isn't your property any more, Miss Bolton.

I don't know. Who says so?

I do. I bought your farm from Mr. Willis.

You're eight and last night.

I paid cash for it and I got the papers approved.

Yeah?

I don't care what papers you get.

Nobody had no right to sell this farm except me.

And I didn't say no papers?

And I get going both of you.

And first,

Blacky, what am I going to do? That money was all I had in the world. I had a borrow

half of it at that. I've got my own problem to worry about. Any my girlfriend Mary has

disappeared. But there's just a chance your problem and mine are connected in some way.

Who soldier the farm? A Mr. Willis. He was registered at the hotel in town. Only if

this is a phony deal, he's probably skipped by now. That's right, he probably has. But we'll

go back and see, just make sure. Maybe talking to a guy who sells real estate will help

you do a little groundwork.

A clerk said Mr. Willis hadn't checked out. And this is his room, Blacky, number 928.

Okay, maybe I better go in alone. Do a lot?

Separarily, but only temporarily, believe me. Gosh, Blacky, I'd heard you get open anything

and now I'm actually watching you do it. You mean you actually watched me? Man, that's

it. The Willis is probably not in. One in any. We'll make ourselves the homes we get to.

Hey, Blacky, that's Mr. Willis lying on the floor. He's been stabbed.

Yes, Eddie, it looks like the end of the road from Mr. Willis and the end of the trail for us.

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And now back to Boston-Blacky.

Boston-blacky knew that if he could find Donald Bolton,

Then racketeer son of a farming couple, he could get his friend shorty out of jail.

He sent Mary to the Bolton's farm to find out if they were hiding their son.

And though Mary telephoned Blacky that she was there and asked him to come out the next

morning, Blacky found no trace of her when he arrived.

In town, he met an ex-soldier who had developed a swindled out of $15,000, which he had put

up for the purchase of the Bolton farm.

And Blacky and the soldier go to look for the agent who negotiated the deal and find

him dead.

It's a few minutes later in Inspector Faraday's office, please sit down.

Yeah, yeah, I know, lady.

I know, lady.

Sorry, lady.

We haven't had any word of your husband.

The Bolton farm.

Okay.

Try us again later, lady.

Her husband isn't missing.

Just ran away to get away from her voice.

Yeah?

Faraday speaking.

Are you Inspector Faraday?

Yes.

You're a sheriff cock in, Inspector.

Okay, so a sheriff cock in.

What about it?

He's being Inspector Blacky.

Wait a minute, don't hang on.

No, I shouldn't hang on.

What's the idea of putting on that fawny voice?

I'm sure you'd talk to me Faraday.

I'm an agent.

Well, who are they?

I'm serious, Faraday.

I need help.

You ever try advertising in the papers?

We got to make that way once.

Please, Inspector, this is important.

Mary is missing.

I can't find it.

First, she can't find you.

Now you can't find her.

You know, I get an idea.

It's a game.

You can't find her.

I need you and a warrant to get into the old farmhouse

of Erin Green County.

Sorry, it's out of my territory.

Anything else I can't do for you today?

Listen, you've got to come up here.

Mary has disappeared.

It's a police case.

You are a police officer, Roger.

Sure.

Let me remind you, I'm in the homicide department.

Then I have to be a murder to get me out.

I've got that too, a real estate agent for the name of Sam

Willis has been stabbed.

I'm in his hotel room now.

Oh, yeah?

Maggie, why don't you do it?

I'll get you for this.

Oh, I see.

You don't, you.

Just a gag to get me out there.

I'm sorry, Blanky, it didn't work.

But there has been a murder here, Inspector.

So, report it to the local cops.

I get no authority up there anyhow.

You want to know that?

I've got your authority to accompany.

This killing is a lead to Donald Bolton.

I've got reason to believe he's alive.

How'd you like to bring him in to head borders

on a murder route?

I'd rather bring you in on one.

But I'll settle.

Where did you say you were?

The beacon hotel, North Hill.

It's about 200 miles.

OK, keep the local local cops away from that body,

and I'll fly up there.

And, Blanky, don't kill anybody else.

At least until I get there.

I'm sorry we have to keep you up here in the air.

Here.

What's going on?

Why must you?

I brought you some hands.

We smoked with ourselves.

And some milk.

So, thank you, Blanky, please let me out.

Please, please.

I'm sorry.

What's that noise?

That's nothing to get excited about.

It's the higher hand in the next rule.

Mrs. Bolton, I've got to get out and right now.

Now, I don't like to do this, but don't come near me, Mary.

Oh, I'm not saying you don't have to use this.

Oh, gone.

Mrs. Bolton, just what are you?

I'm going to have to go now and lock you again.

You don't make any disturbance.

Fine.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Judd, Judd, can you hear me through this wall?

Yeah, I can hear you all right.

What's up?

Well, I've got $20.

I'm pushing through this crack in the board.

Say it.

Now take it and get in touch with a man named

Boston Blacky on the city.

You tell him that I'm being held prisoner here in the attic.

And, and Judd, Judd, please, please hurry.

OK, Blacky, so it's a body.

And according to the clerk, it's Sam Willis, a real estate agent.

So what?

So he was a swindler, Faraday.

He took 15,000 from Miss Soji here

and gave him a worthless tea for the Bolton farm.

OK, so he's a swindler and he got murdered.

If he was alive, all he'd get is maybe 20 years.

He got paid off better than the lock, or do it.

Sure, I know that.

But get this, Faraday.

Suppose Donald Bolton was hiding out on his parents' farm.

All right, I'm supposing.

What do I do next?

You use your head.

Donald sells his folks an idea.

They ought to sell the farm for $25,000

and go somewhere to make a fresh start.

You know, maybe I'm a little dumb, like you always say,

like him.

I must be.

I'm still listening.

I'll make jokes when I'm finished making sense.

The Bolton's user real estate agent, named Willis,

handled it the tales.

He double crosses everybody concerned

and pockets Eddie Adams 15,000.

Donald Bolton finds out about the cross and kills him.

It could be.

But where does Mary fit into this?

I don't know unless she's in Donald's hiding place

and they're holding her somewhere on that farm right now.

I hope.

Come on, Faraday.

Let's you and Eddie and I break into that farmhouse

and break this case wide open.

Come on, open up and add this is the law.

Open up.

Well, it's about time.

All right, come on in, Blakey.

You too, Eddie.

Don't worry, Faraday.

I'm with you.

I'm with the Bolton.

Where is she?

Where's Mary?

Well, I'll handle this, Blakey.

This is the guy you say is keeping Mary prison.

That's the man Inspector.

OK, you want you to do with that girl?

Come on, come on, talk before I go to work on you.

Where's Mary Wesley?

Come on.

Come on in, Blakey.

You too, Eddie.

Don't worry Faraday.

I'm with you.

Almost a Bolton.

Where is she?

Where's Mary?

Mary Wesley?

Don't give me that innocent stuff.

Where's Mary Wesley?

Where have you got her hidden?

Come on, come on, start talking before I get tough.

Mary, where?

Oh, if you mean our new hired girl, she's here.

We know she's here, but where?

Well, just a second.

I think she's in the kitchen.

You want me to call her?

I certainly do.

She's bluffing.

Mary, Mary, come on in a minute, please.

Hey, Blacky, this whole thing's mixed up worse than ever.

No, listen, I haven't seen Mary yet.

I don't even face you.

Oh, hello, Mary.

Hello, Blacky.

And instructor Faraday.

Well, what are you doing here?

What do you mean?

What is he doing here, Mary?

What have they been doing to you?

Oh, nothing, nothing.

It's wonderful here.

I love it.

Oh, fine.

Well, you're going to love it from a distance.

You're leaving right now.

You know, wait a minute, Blacky.

I don't want to go.

Mary, I don't understand.

You don't understand.

There are lots of things at headquarters.

I don't understand.

And you make me travel 200 miles to get confused.

Come on, Blacky.

I'm not leaving without Mary.

Well, Mary.

Oh, I'm staying.

Well, Blacky, I haven't slept as well in months as I do out here.

You know, people have been looking for years for the land of Nod,

and I found it right here.

This is the land of Nod.

Goodbye, Blacky.

I'll call me sometime.

Come on, Faraday.

Let's go any time.

Hey, what about my money, Blacky?

You said you'd take care of that.

Later, Eddie.

Well, I'll speak to you.

Chairman, before I lose my temper in front of Mary.

Goodbye, Mr. Bolton.

Sorry to have bothered you.

You won't be annoyed again.

I'm sorry, is it?

OK, Blacky, now talk.

What's this all about?

As if you'll know.

I do know.

Keep walking on this path, Inspector,

until we get to those bushes.

And you and Eddie hide them.

Well, if that was a genius like you, I suppose I'd know why.

That's right.

Because we've got to go back in the house

and surprise the Bolton, says why.

Donald Bolton is there, Mary, told me.

Oh, Mary told you, huh?

Where was I all this time?

I didn't hear of say anything, Blacky.

And nothing about any Donald Bolton.

She said it just the same.

Here, hide these bushes when I get to try out.

Another new game, Blacky.

All right, listen.

When Mary said this was the land of nod,

she emphasized nod.

Spell that backwards.

It's done, done for Donald.

She was trying to tell me Donald was there, and he is.

Probably with a gun pointing at her from the kitchen

to make sure she said nothing about him.

Not means done?

Sure, spelled in reverse.

That should have been easy for you.

You were a backwards child.

Now wait here.

You probably are watching the road to see if we drive off.

I'll take the car into town and pick up the local police.

Just make sure nobody leaves.

This is just like a foxhole inspector.

With branches.

Yeah, maybe.

If it leaves me, I don't feel like any fox.

What am I doing here, anyhow?

She, don't you know?

When Blacky's around, I don't know anything.

Okay, both of you.

What?

That's pushing me a hand so quick.

Hey, what's that?

Who are you?

Never mind.

I know who you are.

I've been looking at pictures of you for two years.

Recognize me even with this beard, huh, Inspector?

Well, just borrow your gun and kitchen.

Hey, wait.

Hey, wait.

Donald Bolton, huh?

So you were hiding out on this farm?

Sure.

I was the hired hand.

I watched him the house and saw you two hiding here.

When Blacky gets back, you'll find your buddies.

Is it gonna matter?

You or me, and I'm selfish that way.

What about this soldier store, Bolton?

What's that story?

That.

I told Willis to take 15,000 bucks from him

and give him a phony deed.

Then I bumped Willis and took the 15 grand.

Simple.

Are you and I so just start walking toward the house, Faraday?

Well, it's suddenly gonna have a fire to take place there.

Wait a second.

Did you pull the gasoline station hold up Monday night?

Sure.

I've been operating from here since I split with the gang.

Now, walk.

My buddy's got a chance to find either of your friend,

or when Blacky gets back.

Propaganda, I'm Blacky back now.

What?

I said.

That's just that let you know that this is no toy I'm carrying.

Okay, Blacky.

The gun's on the ground.

I thought you drove away.

That's just what I wanted you to think.

Okay, now.

That's all of us go into the house and have a little reunion.

It's getting a little dark out here.

Darken up on me to get away.

Give me that gun, Blacky here.

Oh!

Got him.

And I hope he lives long enough to tell us where he stash

your 15 grand, Ken.

Jay, I hope so.

Wait for me here.

I'm gonna get married.

Be saying you too.

My home, my.

There's nothing like a nice peaceful day in the country.

You had the whole story figured right, Blacky.

All the time I was talking to you in Inspector Ferret, eh?

Donald Bolton was watching through the sights of a loaded rifle from the kitchen.

Were you scared, Mary?

Not a bit.

Mary?

Why should I have been scared?

The gun was pointed at you.

I see what you mean.

Tell me what happened after you hung up the telephone and asked me to come out the next morning.

Well, whoever grabbed me.

No, no.

It was Donald.

Any of the handyman.

So I knew his identity.

So he parked me in the attic.

What was it you wanted to tell me that you couldn't say on the phone?

Oh, that.

But I missed you.

And that I wanted to come back to the city.

Well, no, I couldn't very well tell you that with the operator listening in.

Yes, I knew she was doing.

Of course she was listening.

She was Donald's girlfriend, we found out, which is why she lied about the call ever coming

from the farmhouse.

Yeah.

I was lucky I'm glad Faraday didn't prefer charges against Pa and my Bolton.

They were really very sweet.

They wouldn't have harmed me.

All they actually did was try and protect their son.

Yes.

Yes, I know.

Well, Shorty's on a jail.

You're off the farm and he Adams is in the 15,000 Faraday recovered from Donald.

I guess the Bolton case is closed.

Well, you know, Blackie, I kind of liked it on her farm.

Someday I think I'll get married and live a simple life in the house.

Up a dawn, milk the cows, maybe, raised chickens.

Raised chickens, Mary?

Is that something spelled backwards?

Oh, no, Blackie.

That's them.

Well, that is until the real thing comes along.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.