Counterspy: The Sweepstakes Murder (A0124)

0:00This is Matt Rogers from Lost Culture East. It's with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. This is Bowen Yang from Lost Culture East. It's with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. You know when people try a new food and suddenly it's like, OK, hold on. I got a new favorite food. That's the reaction a lot of people are having when they first try Cupid Mayon. Yeah, it's the one with the red cap and the little baby on the bottle. You've probably seen it at the grocery store. And this mayo is different. Mm-hmm. Most mayonnaise uses whole eggs. Cupid only uses egg yolks, which gives it this rich umami flavor. It's smoother, deeper, almost buttery. Once people try it, they start putting it on everything. Egg sandwiches, fries, burgers, chefs use it, restaurants use it, people who really care about flavor use it, put it on just about anything. Then you'll understand Cupid, the original Japanese mayonnaise. During Lowes Pro Savings Days, My Lowes Pro Rewards Members can save up to 20% when they buy more job-site materials. Save 20% when you buy 30 or more select bats and rolls of fiberglass insulation. 24 more cartons or pales of joint compound tape and bead.

1:01Or when you spend $200 or more on free and painting and job-site essentials, members get more at Lowes. Valetue 925, while supplies last. Selection fares by location. Program subject to terms and conditions. Celoes.com slash terms for details. Subject to change. Welcome to the great adventurers of Old Time Radio. From Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Counter-Spot. But first, I want to encourage you if you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And our listener support and appreciation campaign concludes. And you can become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net. But now from October 4, 1949, here is the sweepstakes murder. Pepsi Cola, P-E-P-S-I, that's your smartest cola buy.

2:17Pepsi Cola presents Counter-Spot. Washington calling David Harding, Counter-Spot. Washington calling David Harding, Counter-Spot. Harding, Counter-Spot calling Washington. United States Counter-Spot. It's first we appointed to investigate and combat the enemies of our country both at home and abroad. Tonight, the case of the sweepstake murder. Another Counter-Spot report to the American people. Gras you each Tuesday and Thursday by Pepsi Cola. Pepsi Cola, Kitsonspots, two full glasses, Angela. That's right, you heard what they said. Two full glasses of sparkling Pepsi from one big 12-ounce bottle.

3:20You're getting an extra glassful. And what a delicious glassful. The most refreshing delightful cola that ever tickled your taste. You can't top Pepsi's tangy flavor. And that big, big bottle saves you money goes twice as far. Pepsi's America's big, big favorite. And America's biggest cola value. So why take less when Pepsi is best? Whenever you reach for refreshment, remember. Why take less when Pepsi's best? And now, to Counter-Spot. It was a moonless night and a small southern town of Gulfport near the Mexican border. An adimly-let evil smelling corridor of a rooming house. Two shadowy men stood before a closed door. Tom, you sure this room. Positive, Sheriff. Let's go in.

4:21Wait, wait, Tom. Get away from the door. But get back alongside it. That's it. Let's see if it's unlocked. It is unlocked. No light in the room. Now listen, I'm going to shut the door open, shine my lighting. You stay right where you are till I take it. OK, Sheriff. What the? Come on, Tom. What is it? Look, there on the floor. What? It's Frenchy. What's left of him? His chest. Look at his chest. What? I don't know what did it. I never seen anything like this.

5:21It's obvious Uncle Ty. The big shots in the sweepstakes rack. I found out Frenchy was going to talk to a newspaper reporter. Me? So they killed him. I never saw anything so horrible. There's an outrage, Tom. But they think they've stopped me. They got another thing coming. I found something in Frenchy's room tonight. It just might lead me to the men we want. What did you find? Now, I'll tell you all about it when I bring in the story. I've got to be on my way. No, no, Tom. One man's been murdered already. I don't want anything to happen to you. Oh, now look, Uncle Ty. This is a terrific story. Thousands and thousands of Americans are buying tickets on what's supposed to be an official Mexican sweepstakes. But the Mexican government says it doesn't know anything about it. Yes, yes, yes. And tonight the racketeers prove their murderous tool. Is the Gulf port gazette going to laugh that off? That's not the point, Tom. I can't let my own nephew risk his life. Your nephew has to take the same chance as any other reporter would take. See you later, Uncle Ty. Hello?

6:28Is Tom fishing there? No, he's not. But this is his wife, Ruth. Can I take a message? Yeah. Can't until they off to big stories working on it. Unless he wants the same thing to happen to him. That happened to Frenchy. Tom, that man on the phone frightened me. Don't even please drop the story over to Ron. Drop the biggest story that ever came my way? Don't be silly, Ruth. But I don't want anything to happen to you. Nothing is going to happen to me. Now, where it is? What's that? Oh, something I picked up in Frenchy's room. Looks like a poker chip. Well, we've got to get moving. Where are you going? Oh, no, no. You're forgetting the rules. When Papa goes out on a big story, Mama doesn't ask questions. Tom, don't go. Hey, stop it now. Relax. I'll be back soon.

7:28Hey, you in the lunch. You got room for one more. I'm going out to the Gallyship, too. Number 22. Number 22. We have to end here. Number 22. We have to end here. Number 22. Hi, it's Harrow. Yes, Mark. Big spending crowd aboard tonight, Harrow. Here's the take from the wheel so far. A much monk. 2100 bucks. And the lunch is still bringing the suckers out here to the ship. Not bad, huh? No, he's not bad. What do you count for? Don't you trust me? Just as far as, how do you say? I can see you.

8:28Oh, no, look, Tom. No, no. Who I'm enjoyed to count the money. Much money. You're going to be having the time of your life then. The waiting stuff is rolling in. The door, Mark. The back door. Okay. Where's it? Hey, Johnny, over there. All right. Get in here. Oh, hey, okay. That's gone out of my back. What's that? At Tom Fischer's or a quarter? What? That's right, Tarot. Got him snooping around below decks. You know where. Sores and your fishing. You have found what you expected below, huh? Well, I don't know what you mean. You're a poor liar, senior. Nora, you wise. You should have heated the advice, conveyed to your wife. Then she would not become a widow. What? Now, listen to her. Hello, senior. That I was once a mothador, a fighter of bulls.

9:31No, I... This case contained two of my favorite swords. This gold-hilted one was presented to me by enthusiastic officials in Mexico City after a corridor in which I dispatched six of the bravest and fiercest bulls ever seen in any arena. As you see, from the side the blade appears to be a stain. But if you hold it this way, observe how the blade curves to penetrate to the bull's heart. Now, senior bull. I am sighting on your heart. You go! From counters by field office, Charleston, South Carolina, a David Harding Washington.

10:42Still another distributor of phony, Mexican sweepstakes tickets, apprehended here. Terrified, the man pleaded his arrest to be kept secret. Denied knowing leaders of racket, but said had been warned. At any squeal, air-made, horrible death by a golden sword. Attention! All counters by statistical apartment personnel. This is David Harding, referring to counterfeit, Mexican sweepstakes tickets. This case has some strange angles and is high on the counters by a doctor. We've had an official request for help from the Mexican government. Further, thousands of Americans are being swindled. All murders of last three months are to be reclassified as to method of homicide.

11:44The counterfeit tickets themselves on hand here are to be given to by assistant Harry Peters for laboratory analysis. Here it is, David. The paper of those phony sweepstakes tickets were printed on as a 34-pound super-new sprint stock. It was made by the southwest pulp and paper mill in a rango Texas. Texas, huh? You get a list of their customers, did you? We can't get that for a day or two. The mill had a fire last week, the record is in a minute. Oh, fine. There are a couple of hundred newspapers by super-new spin for their rotogovier sections. This particular grade, in addition to printers all over the country. Yes, ma'am. I told you this would be tough. Well, maybe we can make some bad matters. What does the lab say about the ink used on the phony ticket? Well, it's a standard black ink sheet. A solid ink or it's some special variation of black might be traced. The standard black is practically impossible. How about the printing press? There's a flat dead press. Printing in large sheets of paper, not continuous roll.

12:45Well, as soon as we get that list from the paper mill, I'll instruct our agents. Yes, what is it, Mr. Ferguson? This report just innocent. Texting is hard and I think you want to see it. I'm sorry. Well, I'd like you new head, do Alan. Thank you, Mr. Peters. Only it's not you. Oh, what is it that? This report two nights ago, a man called Frinchie, a small-time grafter, was found murdered in a rooming house in Gulf, Fort Texas. It's been killed by a long stiletto or sword that mutilated his chest and went completely to his body. Oh, wait. Earlier the following morning, the body of a young newspaper reporter Tom Fisher was found in the Gulf, just off Gulf Fort. He'd been murdered in exactly the same way. Say that report my son off of the cop of the figure who was peddling the phony sweepstakes ticket. Didn't he say something about a sword? Right, Peter. He said that anyone in the racket who squealed died horribly by a golden sword. I think I look at this map here.

13:46What is it? Here's a ringo where you said that paper mill is located. And here's Gulf Fort. About 100 miles away. Peter, we've got the short cut the job of tracing this paper. I want you to grab the first plane for Gulf Fort and go to work. Now, Mrs. Piggie, try to recall. Did your husband tell you where he was going that night for the last time you saw him? I asked him, but he wouldn't tell me, Mr. Peter. I begged him not to go on. I'll try to put this up. I'm sorry. Now, Tom's editor, example, said Tom didn't have any real clue to the men behind the phony sweepstakes racket. Did Tom tell you anything that he didn't tell his uncle?

14:49No. Tom said he just looked around the room about poor men who've been murdered. Frenchy, yeah. Now, try to remember, Mrs. Piggie, this is very important. Tom may have said something which we might use as a clue, some little things. But he didn't. We had a rule. It was something of poker chip, a golden poker chip. A poker chip? Only this one was gold and it had the picture of a bull on it. Tom said he found it in Frenchy's room. A laudinary poker chip found it in his little gold. They're white red or blue. But they do have gold chips behind price ones in gambling houses. Are there any gambling houses in Gulf Fort? Nothing's found. There's a ship out in the Gulf converted yachts where people go to die and dance and gamble. El Toro, it's very popular. El Toro. Toro means bull in Spanish and there was a picture of a bull on the chip your husband had.

15:51People cheated. Do you think that's where Tom went that night? It could be. That's where I'm going now. I'll go with you. Not on the situation. This might be the day. I don't care. I want to find a man who kills my husband. That's my jam. You stay here and I'll pick you up. I'll see you later. I think I'm going to get a little bit of a decision. I'll be ready. I'll be ready. I'll be ready. I'll be ready. I'll be ready. I'll be ready. I'll be ready. I'll be ready. I'll be ready. Good evening. What are you doing here? I told you I want to find a man who kills my husband. I told you to... What's the use here now? Have you found out? No, not yet. I've been circulating around in a crowd. Say that is again. What? You hear that sound? Dole hammering.

16:51It's coming from the low-dice. Yes, I hear it. It's probably the yacht's entrance. Is that a little punch? No. Oh, it's coming from the middle of us. Oh, it's coming from the middle of us. Oh, it's coming from the middle of us. There's too much noise in here. Come out on deck, but we can hear better. Yes, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Mr. Peter. Yes, my George. I think I know what that sound is. What? A printing press. A printing press out here on the board? I'm sure it is. It seems to be coming from the low-dice. Come on, Mrs. Fischer. The stairs are over there. Look out, Mr. Peter. There are too many behind you. What? You killed Mr. Peter.

17:57In just a moment, we'll return to counters five. Brought to you by Pepsi Cola. Pepsi Cola hits the spot. Two full glasses. That's a lot. Plus more value. Plus more zest. Why take less when pens is best? More and more among fellows and girls, among mothers and dads. You hear that same and sensible question. Why take less when Pepsi is best? No budget. No allowance. Ever had a better friend. Tangy sparkling Pepsi Cola. Because one big 12-hour Pepsi bottle gives you two delicious drinks. That's twice as much tangy taste. Twice as much delicious Pepsi to go just twice as far. That's why more and more families say, Why take less when Pepsi is best? Yes, families like yours and mine. Families all over America. They're all saying, why take less when Pepsi is best? Pepsi Cola hits the spot. Taste terrific when you're hot. More and better than the rest.

18:57Why take less when Pepsi is best? Today, tomorrow, always. Get America's biggest Cola value. Take home a carton of six big, big, big Pepsi bottle. In cyst on Pepsi at the store. And say Pepsi at the fountain. Say Pepsi at the stand. Say Pepsi whenever you reach for refreshment. Remember. Why take less when Pepsi is best? A mouth back to Calpher Spy and David Harding in Washington. Miss Ferguson. Yes, the dog. Any words from feeders can go for it yet. Not a thing. I'm worried, Miss Harding. Oh, am I? I'm flying down to go for it. I was hoping you'd say that. I'm going to complain ready. Then call Merck Kennedy at the field office in Dallas. Tell him to meet me and go for it. I'm leaving in one.

20:01Wake up, senior feeders. Wake up, I say. Stop hitting him, you brute. You'll be silenced in your efficient. Or you'll get it too. Senior feeders, wake up. It's morning. You're going to sleep all night. Johnny should get my mouth'll track on my noggin, Carl. Everybody's not dead yet. Wake up, you pig of a Caldish spy. What? What? Coming to. Well, it's these ropes off my arms and up. You're doing nothing. You're saying you're. Except what I tell you. Who you are? I am El Toro. El Toro. You run this gambling ship and the... See? See, the gambling ship and all else you came to find. Amigo, you wish both yourself and the charmings and your efficient to live, huh?

21:01Naturally. Well, then all you need to do is to send a telegram to your... ...chief. In Washington. Great David Harding. You say to him you have invested in it. And the headquarters of the sweepstakes is nothing. Golfport, as you think first. Who didn't do you small town of Ernoche over in Mexico? And you say, but they're not. Hey, that's good, sir. And after I send this wire, taking the heat off, you'll miss a station I get pumped off, huh? Oh, no, no, Amigo. After a short while, you're made free. I think I'm dumb enough to believe that. I know you killed that poor bum, Frenchie, and you killed Tom Fisher. Oh, you grieved me, Amigo, to doubt my word. But you listen to me then. You, I promise nothing. Words send the telegram. And this, and you, I'll tell you. I'll tell you. I'll tell you. Nothing.

22:01Words send the telegram. And this, and you, will not be harmed. I promise. I wouldn't trust you as far as I could throw the animal, your name, doctor. Sorry, where's Anzany Opedius? Observe. Here is my gold-hilted mutador sword, with which I dispatched the treacherous Frenchie and reporter. Now, you do, as I say, or I killed Senora Fischer here right before you write. No! How are you saying, you? Okay, I'll send the one. I'll tell you. Where, where, where? Is the telegram cut here on my desk and threatening? No, right. All right. I'll tell you. And, you know, and I'd hear my desk and tれlimited in, and I'll write. All right. On my hands. With this sword,

23:01I'll put dry in nothing rash, I think, or? I know what I'm little? All right, see, not much ink in the sink, or- Oh, there's enough for the purpose. Not the blinds you're from? I'm blind! You don't want saying to my eye? To the hall, to the monk. Give me that gun. There are your monkeys. That luck, Toro got away. Are you start running out into another trap? Bruce, help me push the desk against the door. I want to try and figure something out. All right. Got him. Got him. My motorbub. I'm here. Here they come. I'll be able to hold them off with monks gun for a while. There's only one bullet left in it.

24:08I just had a session with Gulfport Sheriff, Mr. Harding. Two fellows killed. A Frenchie and Tom Fisher. Two folks disappeared. Featers and Mrs. Fisher. The sheriff has blown out ideas. We'll have to find the Featers and Mrs. Fisher without him in Kennedy. Did you see the newspaper editor? Cyrus Manning, yes. He's young Fisher's uncle and he's afraid of something. And I have an idea, but I can't do anything about it until I hear. Let me see that's the call I want now. Harding speaking. Oh yes, Mr. King. Have you got that chipping figure? Good. Let's have it. Four, four, point, six, seven, ten. Thanks very much. No, no, that's all I need right now. Thanks again. Goodbye. My hunt was right Kennedy. Oh, I've got a plan, but I'll need your help. I'm going back to see Cyrus Manning editor of the Gulfport district. Good night.

25:08You want your niece Ruth Fisher to be found? And you want the killers of your nephew brought to justice, isn't that right? Yes, you're right, Mr. Harding. Then tell me who killed your nephew and who's responsible for your niece's disappearance. I don't know. You're afraid to talk. You're afraid you'll be killed too by the golden sword. That's not cool. Mr. Manning, the man you're protecting can't afford to let you live. You know too much. Your only chance to save your life is to confide in me. Those fellows may be planning to murder you at this very moment. Look out, Mr. Manning. Come on on the floor. Somebody shot at you from the window. Come back here. Who got Mr. Manning? He got away. Come on in. Go on right. Yeah, he is. I think so. Good idea. Hey, I told you. You were in great danger. You, your headman, talk before it's too late. Get away from the door for all I'll shoot again.

26:13I have caught in your car, senior. You don't have no bullet stress. Now come on in because we've raised down the door. Ah, who's got us? You want to compete it? I rolled the bullet really gone. Yes, Ruth. I tried to bluff him and he called my bluff. Oh, I'll take it. Mr. Peter, the door is cracking. The freighted won't be long now. Well, there's the gambling ship, Mr. Arty, the El Coro. Right, Kennedy. Bring us in alongside Lieutenant. Yes, Mr. Arty. Aren't you scared there's innocent patrons aboard? The launches have come out of your old egg, Kennedy. I'd man, check your weapon. Prepare to board. Lieutenant, head is in. Cut your engines.

27:13There's no body inside, Mr. Arty. The deck's empty. I don't like it, Kennedy. I sent six men down the port side. You want us to go up on this side? Let's go. I'm going to go. I'm going to go. I'm going to go. I'm going to go. I'm going to go. I'm going to go. I'm going to go. I'm going to go. Now let's go. That's the trap. Hit the deck, man. Return our fire. There he is, Mr. Arty. El Coro himself caught hiding up forward. Peter's must have winged him. Coro, meet Mr. Arty. I...

28:13I bowed to a great hummusador. Then my... I save that baloney for your trial, Coro. All right, Kennedy, handcuffed and hold him aboard our cutter. Peter, you all right. Found us a donatez? Good. So these are the princess's thorough use for printing the phony sweepstakes tickets. Yes. Pretty clever setting them up down here in the holden. Well, he never print any more tickets, Peter. The next bullfighter is going to the electric chair. By the way, they've Kennedy told me about the trick you and he pulled on Manning that he was paper editor. Firing blank shots near him to make him think Coro was after him, so he'd talk no fortunately at work. How did you happen to suspect that smooth old Mint Zoolopus part of this gang? Well, in the southwest paper mail reporter that the Gulfort Gazette bought super newsprint from, then I checked their shipping records against Manning's daily inventory. The inventory was short, which made me suspect that Manning was diverting paper tutorial for his sweepstakes tickets. Well, it was all a well-concealed connection day. And Toro was very clever with his gold and sword, but he'll find it won't cut the lock to the death house door.

29:27When your friends drop in, be generous, but be thrifty too. Serve plenty of delicious Pepsi Cola. Pepsi's big 12-ounce bottle gives you not just one sparkling glass full but two. Get a carton of six and serve 12 delicious drinks. Yes, Pepsi is America's biggest Cola value. You get twice the tangy taste, twice the refreshment, twice the Pepsi. So why take less when Pepsi is best? Whenever you reach for refreshment, remember. Pepsi Cola hits the spot through Colesas and the locks, lots for value, lots more zest. Why take less when Pepsi is best? This is David Harding, a special word to employers. Give work to our handicapped veterans. Next time a job opens right to Captain Maurice Witherspoon, Masonic Veterans Committee, 71 West 23rd Street, New York City. Give our fighting men a fighting chance for rehabilitation. June and every Tuesday on Thursday, same time, same station to counters by.

30:28Listen on Thursday for the exciting counters by case of the genuine counterfeit. In the case of the genuine counterfeit, we face a baffling situation of mixed identities. Two men died. Yet who were they? One man lived while another hovered between life and death. And a subtle criminal came within minutes of getting away with a long prepared, carefully rehearsed plot. The decisive clue, a knife in a man's hand. And thank you to be tuning on Thursday, day after tomorrow for the case of the genuine counterfeit on counters by. The knives counters by program originated in New York, was directed by Leonard L. Bass and featured Don McLaughlin and Mandel Kramer with music by Jesse Crawford. Counter-spy is a Phillips H. Lord production for Pepsi Cola. Enjoy some Pepsi, ice cold tonight.

31:42I was out for a quick walk between meetings, passing the same row of shops I always do. The smell of fresh bread from the bakery, delivery trucks unloading boxes, when a travel magazine in a storefront window caught my eye. On the cover was a photo of a boutique hotel in Copenhagen I stayed at years ago, the one with the cozy lobby fireplace and those big windows overlooking the canal. In that moment, my head wasn't on work anymore. I went from a sidewalk full of errands to picturing myself right back in that hotel. Getting from that everyday moment to that memory didn't feel complicated. Booking.com made it easy to find that same stay again. The search, the options, the clarity around what I was booking. It reminded me how quickly a small spark can turn into a real plan when you have the right help. We all have that one place that pops up out of nowhere, the one that's been sitting quietly in the back of your mind. Once somewhere gets into your head, booking.com is an easy way to get there.

32:42Go on, book that trip. It's easy. Booking.com. Booking. Yeah. Welcome back. Welcome back. I recognize the voice of Maurice Torplin, aka Inspector Faraday from Boston, Blackie as one of the hoods. I think he may have even done multiple parts. Now with counterspie, there are some weeks where they try to be a pretty straight lace. Is that stands close to the reality of the sort of cases the FBI investigates? And then there are others where they make the chief of the operation an evil Matador who uses the tool of his former profession to dispatch his enemies in a way that is very traceable. Well, I do appreciate harding sagacity in identifying that the newspaper editor was in on it.

33:44And I think there's some good common sense in that. I'm not certain why it worked that a guy known for stabbing people would necessarily be behind a shooting, but any right harding did get it done. Alright, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. Thank you to Julie, Patreon supporter since September 2018, currently supporting the podcast at the first mate level of $7.14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Julie. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We will be back next Saturday with another episode of counters by great adventures returns on Tuesday with Tarzan great detectives tomorrow. Join us for our third all time radio snack wagon smorgasbord in the meantime.

34:49We'll do send your comments to box 13 at great detectives.net. Follow us on Twitter at radio detectives and check us out on Instagram Instagram.com slash great detectives from Boise, Idaho. This is your host Adam Graham signing off. Hey, it's Tories, belling with back to school season here. The focus at my house has shifted to classes assignments and after school activities and good nutrition is especially important. Lean beef is packed with protein iron zinc and other essential nutrients that help kids thrive in the classroom and stay energized throughout the day. Visit back to school California dot com for money saving offers on beef delicious recipes and more back to school nutrition starts with back to school California dot com. Hey, it's Ryan C crest for Albert since and Tom thumb now through September 29 save on all your favorite personal care essentials and earn four times of points shop in store or online for items from your favorite brands like native panting crest always gelette oral

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