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About this Episode
A collection of gripping detective stories featuring sharp-witted investigators, puzzling crimes, and clever resolutions. Each episode showcases the art of deduction and the thrill of the chase.
Hosts & Guests
Transcript
I'm looking over for a way.
And I just have to look after this.
Something curvy wrong with my ties, I do.
Looks okay to me.
Those old models stand up at.
They don't make them like that nowadays.
I could hope they don't.
Somebody shot it.
That's Q.P. again.
No, the alphabet.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
That's Q.P. again.
No, the alphabet is all right, man.
It's just the one key.
One missing?
No, but it's them.
Just one year, Sam.
The app and staff.
That makes sense.
You want to eat it for this one? Come on in.
Sam, wasn't I smart?
I got the answer right away.
The answer to what?
The answer to what?
The answer to what?
The answer, that's the answer, right off the window.
See, in the inside there,
over the messy block.
control, and a plate.
Stay.
That doesn't quite the answer.
What did he say?
Senator North Kelly from this space.
1 375-096, subject the SQL-P tapering.
The minute she walked into my office, I smelled trouble.
But it also smelled like $50 an ounce.
It was small and promet.
Her eyes were large, appealing, and moist.
But her pitch was just disappointing.
And now I realize that what he really came to tell me
to go for was to be with her.
This isn't the first time he's to stay.
There have been others.
I don't know who this woman is, and I don't care.
This time I intend to do something about it.
They're registered at the Belvedere Hotel.
And I want you to go with me.
Yeah, just a moment.
Yes.
I think I know what you're leading up to.
You wanted detectives to go with you and be a witness
so you'll have grounds for the force, is that it?
Yes.
I can't go on any longer with a man I can't trust.
Oh, it's so humiliating.
Yes, please.
I do sympathize with you, honest.
I do, but I can't take the job.
That's right. I poured out my heart for you.
Exposed myself.
Oh, my place is not as bad as that.
It happens every day.
It's just that I don't take the force cases.
But I don't know if the detectives will help you.
You'll be much better off with me.
But I'm sure I feel much better with you.
I may be asking you the force, isn't it?
Patricia, my friend told me so.
All right, Sad. I'll see what I can do.
The Belvedere Hotel, look at that.
It's a tiny stove around here.
Tell them Sam's face.
Who is in this estate?
A friend of mine.
He wants to take us to the Belvedere.
But he likes to take up an extra seat on it.
Sam.
Tiny?
Sam?
Tiny?
Sam.
Roger.
Oh?
Look at Tiny, I'll stop if you will.
Oh, all Sam.
Yes.
What's with you?
About a guest in your register.
Peers, Donalds, Mr. and Mrs.
Oh, yeah, yeah, sure.
Clark gave you the high sign on his.
Peers, yeah.
Checked him alone, but registered for both, Sam.
Said the wife will be along later,
okay, she finally got here.
Yeah?
The wife is in my office now.
Ah.
Do you want to crash the party?
Oh.
Oh, I get it.
Want the job?
Well, Sam, I can't take it for a private fee.
It's against the house original.
Oh, good bad.
But wait, wait, wait, Sam.
I go off duty and have an hour.
Maybe I could do an income unit cuddle.
Send her around, Sam.
Okay, Tiny, we'll do it.
Will he help me, Mr. Singh?
Yeah.
Ask it the best for Tiny's to decide.
But don't let that put you off.
Oh, thank you, Mr. Sage.
You've been very kind.
Goodbye.
Good luck.
Hey, what happened?
Why do you feel quickly?
Well, the same reason you shouldn't have let her in
in the first place, Abby.
There was a divorce job.
Oh, but, Sam, she looks so refined in all.
And being the first of the month, I thought you might take it.
I do.
Well, you know, best, Sam.
But the things for me, you might rock on a little chain down there.
I know you feel it's underneath you, but it's a nice thing, Sam.
Thank you, Sam.
It's me, Nine and Midnight alone.
You could...
Effie, there are two words for that kind of work.
What do you mean?
Never mind.
Damn, baby.
Dad, did I do something?
Oh, just a moment, Mr. Gold.
Tiny's over there.
What does he want?
I don't know.
I think he's crying.
Okay.
Tiny?
Hello, Sam.
Yeah.
What's up, Tiny?
That day you said over here, listen up.
I better not take time telling you.
Get over here.
Room 418.
Come in the side effort to walk up.
What happened?
I cannot tell you over the phone.
Just get over here, Sam, and hurry.
It's me, Tiny.
Sam, open up.
Oh, Sam.
I'm in, Sam.
Sort of ease in with you.
He's lying in the way of the door.
The first thing I saw as I squeezed through the narrow crack of the door
was the brunette that visited my office that afternoon.
She was handcuffed to a chair, and a gag had been stuffed into a mouth.
Tiny's frightened eyes shifted uneasily from her to the body on the floor.
What kind of a caper is this?
You better tell me, Tiny.
What happened?
Who handcuffed it to the chair?
I did.
We broke in just like it says in the book.
Only there was no dang here, just him.
He starts to jump to wife, and I grab him.
The next thing I know, he's got my gun.
I try to twist it out of his hand.
The next thing I know, bang.
He's right where he's laying now, when he's bad.
The next thing I know, the dang was grabbing from the phone and screaming that I murdered him.
That's when I decided I better shut her up for a while for you and me.
Can't compare notes on this thing.
First, we better get some notes to compare.
Listen, Pat, I'm going to pull his gag out of your mouth.
But if you start screaming, it's going right back here.
Get it?
No, let me out of these.
These handcuffs.
We'll get around to that.
First, I want to put you straight on something.
I know that Tiny here, whenever it's on the level, which is more than I know about you.
So if there are any angles in this table, besides the story you told in my office,
let's have them now before the cops get here.
I lied to you.
I never saw this man before in my life.
Shut up, Tiny.
Go on.
I was hired by a man named Christopher.
He advertised for a photographer.
He said he specialized in photographs for legal evidence.
And this man Lombard's wife wanted...
Well, she wanted a divorce.
I didn't want to do it at first, but the pay was good.
And he said it was good experience for newspaper work, which is what I want to do.
So I took it.
Why didn't you tell me that in my office?
Those were his instructions.
He said that's the way they did it.
And then he detected what I understand.
And I was sure you did when you wouldn't take the job.
Hey, wait a minute.
I don't get it, Sammy.
She's some nut or something, or she just don't.
I get some just dumb.
Well, Connard, let's get some spice, your name.
Patricia Venge.
My friend called me top.
That part of my story was true.
I studied photography at Berkeley.
Yeah, yeah. Now where this guy that hired you?
Well, he isn't also in the fidelity building.
We're all the divorce lawyers on.
Full name?
Calvin Christopher.
It says on his office door, public relations counsel.
That's what we make 42 on the back.
You want to swallow, Michiano, or your spade?
Finally, go sit on it.
I didn't say nothing else.
Check.
Now, uh, Pat, is this your story?
You and Fini came in here together.
Long barged juncture.
Gini grabbed him.
There was a scuffle and a gun went off.
Yes. I just opened my purse to take my camera.
Where's the camera?
I don't know.
It's in the excitement.
Oh, that looks like it over there.
Over there by the phone.
Be careful. There's some exposed film in it.
It might have a clue.
What did you shoot?
Old sensation, both.
And when I speak to Mr. Christopher himself.
And some action shots of what just happened here.
Do you think the police will confiscate my camera?
No, I will. I saw it first.
Hey, Sam, where you going?
I'm going to do some fishing.
Sam, you can't leave me holding the bag.
You got me under this.
You want to get out, don't you?
Yeah, but wait.
Okay, keep me in the clear.
You'll have somebody working for you.
I felt like a cab, Donnie.
But there was nothing I could tell you
that they couldn't tell better as I was.
And so I left him there to face you
and your homicide boy is alone.
My first stop after leaving the Belvedere
was Ledkins' lightning photo finishes
where I left Pat's camera and filmed.
Then I must have crossed time to the fidelity building.
It's set on the door.
Sure enough, Room 842,
Calvin Christopher, Public Relations Council.
Well, sir.
What can I do for you?
You, uh, Calvin Christopher?
I am.
I'd like to ask you some questions.
Detective?
You hired a girl named Patricia Vane
to take some pictures in the Belvedere Hotel, right?
Well, I know. I advertise for photographers
with so far no applicants.
What do you need a photographer for, Mr. Christopher?
Well, that's, uh, with all due respect,
it's none of your business.
There's nothing illegal in advertising for a photographer.
And if I had employed one, I would tell you so.
That's a straight answer.
And your story is that you did not employ Mrs. Vane
and that you have no knowledge of her.
That is my story.
A girl's story is that she was here in this office
and even snapped the picture up.
That film is being developed now.
Do you want to stick with that statement?
Uh, look, Frank.
You do not have to be acquainted with the person
in order to have your pictures taken by her.
Or her, as the case may be.
I know that, but if your picture shows
in that film, I'll know your line.
Mind if I use your phone, Frank.
Ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo.
Homicide.
What's in it, Dundee?
Uh, Dundee Sam Spade.
That's, uh, girl you're holding in the pierce-death hotel, Velvet Inn.
What year's that, who's pierced?
Finally, Storva gave me the rumble.
He dead, didn't he?
Not yet, Sam.
Well, you're getting it now.
Step in Room 418.
Gunshot. I'll meet you there.
And I did. I won't dwell on that part of the tenant there. You were crossed with me, and I didn't blame it.
Here's his body was still there, and it was still dead. But there was no brunette, no house stick, no gun, and no bullet wounds.
The medic called it death from natural causes. Part of that. But the worst was yet to come.
When I rushed down the mudkins to get those pictures just to prove the other I wasn't completely out of my mind,
there were no fishing boats, no pickets, no Mr. Christopher, and no struggle.
Nothing but pictures of a complete set of dental X-rays. There was a date on 714-48, and some initials.
SQP.
The United States Armed Forces Radio Service is presenting the weekly adventure of National Hammond's famous private detective, Sam Space.
The United States Armed Forces Radio Service
SQP. It seemed very familiar somehow.
Society of quail prevention? Mm-hmm. Too neat.
After you and your boys are cleared out, Dundee, I went back to room 418.
I wondered who would fire the shot that both Pinyon and the brunette believed that children would appear.
I didn't find out, but I did find a 38 slug in the floor under the rug pad.
The fibrous material had been scuffed by somebody's foot to hide the bullet hole.
Pinyon had been reaching for the phone as I left.
According to the operator, there had been no flash on her board in 418.
That meant that whoever had stopped him had done so in a matter of seconds.
I didn't know whether it had been done with a kiss, at gun pointer with a blunt instrument.
I doubted anybody would have knocked Piny out because he was too heavy to carry down eight flights of stairs.
I checked Pinyon's room in the first floor.
There have been a rift of pieces by somebody who, obviously, has been searching for something no better than say a roll of film.
About there, I decided to go and tell you my respects to the lightness of fear.
Good evening, sir. I'm from the desert.
You never remember me, do you?
Was it in connection with the Columbarium?
No, we decided against it.
Oh, which was your dear deposit?
Pyrs, Donald Pyrs.
Quite often, I don't check out the bell there.
Oh, dear, he's still on the flat.
I mean, he's not quite that easy, you would.
Would you like to see the photo triggers that truly lovely?
From my beer, right?
Mision's keys.
A truly lovely trigger.
Small but perfect.
A heart-shaped breeze without initials in a twine.
D-T from F-T.
So, yes, that isn't S-Q-P.
No, sir. The middle initially usually omitted.
That is, if desired, in a thirty-two, fifty-titties.
Of course, I'll close them.
I, Joe, I do remember you.
The detective, Mr. Pate.
Good heavens.
Powerfully in regard to our Mr. P.
I'm not sure, Mr. Rathrid, but maybe you can help.
A repatriate.
Did you check and see over here?
Why, surely.
Oh, then the next phase.
Needn't spend the time.
No, yours?
No, T.
A completely denser subject.
For a good ten years, I would say.
Oh, pardon me.
Something, Madam.
How's one with me?
Oh, yes, if you're just waiting.
Do you know, Mr. Pate?
Oh, they told me in the hotel.
Very fortunate to hear Mr. Pate.
Well, I'll go and see how things are, that's Pate.
I'll see you later.
Oh, this awful thing that the people must go through when they just come.
No, it's not pleasant.
Were you married long?
Two years, you were married in Sydney, weren't you?
Why?
I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise.
You mean we're both here with good happens of any time.
You mean you've been sick quite a while?
Yes, calm, I read it too.
Hard trouble, then.
And you agree that's what killed them?
I read it.
Do you have any reason to think otherwise if you say?
Well, I think you know more about it than I do.
It's physical condition.
Let's start with yours.
How are you, T?
I don't understand.
These, your ex-wraith?
What?
No, this is a man's mouth.
Where did you get this?
What are they supposed to mean?
I think they mean blackmail.
T.
I think they think a person is the best identity clincher.
These are nationals, SQP.
Could they sound like something fierce?
How yours?
No.
So the initials SQP mean anything to you?
Well, only I saw the prison.
So what?
Sincredible prison.
Sincredible.
Oh, I've been stupid, that's what you meant married in prison.
Of course, I thought you knew.
Ronald was headed to the Prison Dental Laboratory
and therefore 11 years.
11 years. I slapped on and gave that. She went on telling me how she'd been his
assistant at the prison. How he'd had to quit because the prison routine was
too tough for his heart condition. And how he'd fatter a fearful farewell because
he didn't have any prospects and couldn't ask him to marry.
And then the first day he arrived at the office, the Scooby-Ward, he'd come to her
immediate. They'd be married. Related to die and left in $20,000 and more
was coming in. It wouldn't even have to work anymore. It's a retire. That was
wonderful because he really wasn't well enough to work. They're not listening to me.
What are you thinking about? $20,000 from a relative's event. Never
explained it any better than that, huh? No. Man came, the lawyer I
yes it was. I brought the money to the bank next morning. Where were you?
Donald sent me out of the room, but I was afraid to go too far away. He was so excited.
And he was feeding me that giant of him. I just stayed outside in the hall.
I couldn't hear anything. He said, but then the door opened and the man stood there
and said, Don, I had no idea your sicker was so bad. Someday somebody was
going to say, Booty, when you'll drop dead. That's what I figured in his
experience. I think your husband was murdered. He was literally frightened of that.
I had almost all of it now. Just the name and a number were missing. And I
thought I might have them in my office under SQP. It was a light showing in my
outer offices. I came down the hall. It went out as I turned the door now.
Stopped right where you are. I've got it done. That's you Pat. How would you
say? You were so long I was looking at. Hey, hey, don't do that here. Come on, honey.
Don't give up like that. Here. What happened?
I'm so tired. My ankle, I think I broke it. I jumped out of the car.
Let's see. I think it's just the spring. Christmas time.
We were in the back. He slowed down on the red. There was something stuck in my mouth.
I couldn't make a sound. What's funny? Sorry, baby. You seem to have spent the entire day
bounding gag. I'm sorry. Go on. I'll see you left us in that awful hotel room. He came
in. He was furious. He wanted to know why we had spoiled everything by letting the
gun go off. Even though Mr. Sober explained that it was only at together. And then he
started laughing and said he was only fooling. And he would take charge. So Mr. Sober
left. And then Mr. Christopher held a gun on me and took me down the hall to another
room. He pushed me in there and then he tied me to a chair and put the gag in me.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry, honey. So he let you cool off in there until it got dark and
nothing late. And get you downstairs and in the car without attracting too much attention.
You were saying he was heading over the bridge to Oakland, huh?
Yeah. Why are you shouting so? I guess I'm just excited. And I was. But not over
past story. It was something I just seen. The shadow of a man against the frost and
glass of my office door. I went on talking. I hope loud enough for him to hear every
word I said. I don't know how to tell you. This is going to make you feel bad. But sooner
or later you'll have to know about it. This guy named Calvin Christopher. That isn't his
right name. And just a minute I think I'll have that too. He gave you a funny pitch about
a photography assignment to help somebody get to the voice. But what he had in mind from
the beginning was to use you as a murder weapon. Me? A murder weapon. You and whichever
detective happened to go there with you. You see, Pierce was a black man. He'd been
a dentist at Sam Clapton. And who did he run into? One day here in San Francisco, but
an escaped con whose teeth he had worked on and of home by a happy chance. He had a complete
set of dental X-rays. This con bought the X-rays from him for 20 grand. He's still at large.
I think he's safe now that Pierce is dead. But what he doesn't know is that Pierce took
snapshots of the X-rays before he turned the originals over. The cameras got switched.
And I have the X-rays right here. Look at him, sweetheart. What are you getting down
to? He came in shooting. I kicked a lamp out and answered him. All shots in the dark
of mine came closer because he had him profile against the light. My third shot was the lucky
one. It's not the gunner that is there. Just like in the Weston, but I was just prior
to feel proud. Snap on that light, Pat, and push the phone over here, would you? Stand
over away from that door, Christopher. By the way, what is that name?
Rusty on me, you. Don't bother to smile.
Who was that?
Lieutenant Dundee.
Yes, Mr. Chip. Lieutenant Dundee.
Dundee, come over to my office and take out Victor Grafty on his 39 Caucasians. Sam
Clinton, Leifer, broke out July 14th this year. You owe me $11 for damage done to my
office.
Period. End of FQ paid.
Oh, Sam, say did that surprise you, please? Oh, yes, that's a minute. He's right here.
It keeps the timing still without you.
Hello?
Hi, I'm signing.
Hi.
Who?
No tiny hair. Can I draw you back?
Uh-oh.
To town.
An agent interested in what happened to me?
I got a close, Sam. What were those initials again?
SQP.
That's it. SQP. I'm here now.
Where?
Seymour Kelly's pool room.
Seymour Kelly's pool room?
Yeah.
Look, tiny, don't even you realize that Kelly isn't spelled in a queue?
Just when, Sam?
Kelly is without a queue.
Oh, I'm not, Sam. I think you must be wrong. He's chalky.
He's chalking up now. His shot's coming up.
Good night, tiny.
A fan?
Tiny. I'd like to go around again with you, but this airtime costs plenty.
As you'll know, if you ever get your own radio show, which, if you did, would be sponsored by the makers of SP, stupid pills.
Hey, Sam, you're sure to see this.
Seymour just made a three-question shot with a handcuffs on.
You're sure to see this.
Sam?
Good night, honestly, tiny.
Anything for me, Sam?
Just go tight that up, sweetheart, and have it back in exactly thirty-fourth second.
Where did Sam?
I'm confused about who we're getting divorced.
Sam, you shouldn't accept the divorce cases.
Effie, it was not a divorce case.
You actually mean we require the usual partial recap?
Possibly.
The general X-ray would have shown that wouldn't be.
Effie, you're not happy here.
What?
You have no one to talk properly to.
Have you ever thought about maybe a tiny stover?
Oh, thanks.
A lonely man, Effie.
All these evenings free, forced to pool rooms for the version.
Sweetheart, you could take him away from all that snooker.
Oh, thanks.
I could fix it up for you with, tiny.
Thanks.
Come here, sweetheart.
There's anyone I've ever told you how lovely you are.
Don't you know what always happened to the devil in this stuff?
I just...
I know.
My earring's hot in the face.
Oh.
Well.
Say, I'll let you stay out another week.
I'll be there.
Thanks for everything.
Forget it.
Good night, Sam.
Good night, sweetheart.
The adventures of Sam Spade,
National Hammett's famous private detective,
are produced and directed by William Spear.
Sam Spade is played by Howard Dove.
The re-instuttle is epic.
The adventures of Sam Spade,
private detective, is a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service,
the voice of information and education.
Thank you.
