In this intriguing episode, we delve into a mysterious tale involving a garden cleanup that uncovers more than just weeds. London Radley, a wealthy man, hires a team to tidy his garden, but they stumble upon a buried platinum eternity ring, raising questions about its origin. As the story unfolds, we learn about Radley's wife, who was presumed dead in a plane crash over the Irish Sea, yet her ring is inexplicably found in the garden. The plot thickens as the gardeners, Cannon and Baxter, become amateur detectives, piecing together clues that suggest a deeper mystery involving insurance claims and hidden identities.
The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Cannon delivers a mysterious parcel containing £10,000 to a couple in a shady neighborhood, leading to the revelation of a complex love triangle. The episode explores themes of deception, loss, and redemption, culminating in a poignant moment where Radley's wife, presumed dead, is found alive, having orchestrated her disappearance to escape her husband's infidelity. This gripping story keeps listeners on the edge of their seats, blending elements of mystery and human emotion.
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[00:00:00]
Unknown:
With the American Express Platinum Card, you can unlock over $1,500 in value annually with statement credits on select purchases and other benefits. That means getting access to even more of your favorite things. More jet setting, more trend setting, and more resetting. And downward dog. The stage is set for you to do even more with the American Express Platinum part. Learn more at AmericanExpress.com/US/explore-platinum. Terms apply.
[00:00:53] Unknown:
Assignments unlimited. Good afternoon. My name is London Radley. I'm looking for a couple of men to go over my garden and clean it up. It's a bit of a rush job, and Wes, the garden people, haven't got anybody at such short notice. I saw your advertisement in the times. Oh, yes, sir. When do you want the men there? Tomorrow morning first thing, if that's possible. Yes, sir. The address? 28 Hatfield Lane,
[00:01:17] Unknown:
East Croydon. We'll have them there early, mister Camden Madley.
[00:01:20] Unknown:
Can you, give me any idea of the approximate cost? Well, it will be approximate.
[00:01:25] Unknown:
Mister Mason does the costing. I should think somewhere between 20 and £25
[00:01:30] Unknown:
Oh, that's alright. You've only a phone number here. Where should I send the check? 33 Half Moon Street.
[00:01:55] Unknown:
Ring Of Roses.
[00:02:03] Unknown:
London abounds with a profusion of garden suburbs. In fact, some of them bear that name. Welling Garden City being an example. A growing abhorrence of menial labor among the new generation gives cause for many a request to assignments unlimited for assistance in the garden. Here Hamilton once flippantly remarked that in the spring a housewife's fancy likely turns to thoughts of lawnmowers. Requests in wintertime for this type of assignment are so rare as to be, well, virtually non existent. But such a request came to the office and I instructed the telephone girl to pass on the details to Cameron.
[00:02:39] Unknown:
You've got to be there at Sparrow Cheap. He wants the whole place cleaned up in one day. Okay. You, you got the details? Oh, I've written nine for you here. Oh, thanks.
[00:02:48] Unknown:
Mhmm. Hatfield then. You're not who will he take with you? Oh, Baxter, who else? He's an expert on these things. For me the, the digging up of gardens is strictly for the army wise. We'll be there at, what did you say? Sparrow Cheap. Yeah, that's what I thought you said. Said.
[00:03:14] Unknown:
I'm tired. Just have a break for tea.
[00:03:18] Unknown:
I thought you peasants could keep at this all day.
[00:03:21] Unknown:
Now I'm a peasant just because I like gardening. The peasant is the laborer. The horticulturalist,
[00:03:26] Unknown:
the expert. Oh, that makes me the peasant. If you like. Well, in that case, I stand on my constitutional rights and demand the trade union break. You make tea. I brought coffee in a flask. You can't let sit on that anthill. That is a compost heap. All good gardeners keep one. Well, for a good gardener, he sure let this place go to seed.
[00:03:45] Unknown:
Yes. I wonder why. Of course, he may have been away for a time or his wife might have been the gardener and left him. You know, Baxter, you have a sword in mind. I have an eye for detail. That's how I know he's a rose lover. You see that ring of rose bushes there? He's turned the soil inside the ring quite recently. It's the only part of the garden that's been touched. For what good does that do? Turning the soil, and it lets air down to the roots. But I bet he hasn't done it properly. The proper way in winter is to dig a hole in the center of the ring and fill it with compost. His compost heap is still intact.
[00:04:20] Unknown:
You're a regular eagle eye, sexton Blake of the garden. Have you tried fingerprinting catapults? The trouble with you, Canon, is you have no soul. No contact with the good earth. Well, I guess you're right at bed. The earthy things I like in life don't come in rose gardens.
[00:04:37] Unknown:
Well,
[00:04:38] Unknown:
shall we grapple with nature again? Yeah. I suppose so. I'll dig the hole in the center of the rose ring. You can go and get the wheelbarrow and cart comp off over here. Are you, happy with it? Happy?
[00:04:49] Unknown:
Baxter, let me tell you something. As far as I'm concerned, guano is strictly for the birds.
[00:05:04] Unknown:
Cannon.
[00:05:05] Unknown:
Cannon. Cannon. You know what's exciting you? Did you find the new season of first cardling march? Something much more interesting. Come over here. Okay.
[00:05:15] Unknown:
So what is it? I found this. It's only recently been buried in the ring of roses, still in the envelope in which it was posted.
[00:05:22] Unknown:
An eternity ring. Good one too. Solid platinum.
[00:05:26] Unknown:
How do you know it's an eternity ring? From Baxter and Missfield, I'm the expert. Oh. And where was it? It was buried right here.
[00:05:33] Unknown:
Well, maybe it accidentally dropped out of his pocket while he was turning the soil and, he didn't notice it. He wasn't turning the soil. He was digging a hole. I found this at the bottom of the hole he dug. So what? You said that that was the right way to fertilize a ring of rose bushes.
[00:05:46] Unknown:
He didn't use any fertilizer. He just dug a hole.
[00:05:51] Unknown:
Baxter, you should set up as a private investigator. The frustrations of horticulture will send you to your grave.
[00:05:57] Unknown:
This is the only part of the garden that's been touched for months. Why should he dig here if it wasn't to bury the ring? Well, look, maybe he did deliberately bury it. Maybe he had a good reason,
[00:06:07] Unknown:
a a sentimental reason.
[00:06:09] Unknown:
Well, if it's pure platinum, it's worth a packet. You, thinking of keeping it? No. No. Of course not. But the man must be a looly to bury a valuable thing like that. Plenty of people do it. They get buried with their family heirlooms and jewels. There's no law against it.
[00:06:23] Unknown:
I've never met this Gundon Radley, but, by the look of this three storied shack he lives in, he's loaded. So if the women takes him to plant a platinum ring inside his rose ring,
[00:06:33] Unknown:
why kick? You haven't looked at the envelope yet or what came with it? What did come with it? This piece of baseboard, it was tied on with a vent paper clip.
[00:06:43] Unknown:
A big question mark.
[00:06:45] Unknown:
Is that always, just a question mark? Yes. And it was posted in London.
[00:06:50] Unknown:
Well, he, he could have sent for it and, whoever posted it might have questioned the wisdom. But there he is. Now if I were you, I'd put it right back in the hole and cover it up again with ordinary plain soil. You know, he, he might not take kindly to having his private memories sullied with manure. Alright. If you say so. But I still think it smells fishy.
[00:07:09] Unknown:
When we're finished with this garden and it's raked and turned, it'll be impossible to see if anything's been buried here. And what's that supposed to mean? Simply that if mister Gunton Radley did want to bury something secretly, he's certainly gone the right way about it.
[00:07:26] Unknown:
Well, the barman tells me you're interested in our distinguished local resident, Gunton Radley. Oh, my name's Perryman, friend of the family. Perhaps I can help. Oh, that's very nice of you. Won't you sit down? Thank you. What was it you wanted to know? Well, confidentially,
[00:07:41] Unknown:
I'm a horticulturalist, and I was about to plant a garden for him at his home in Hatfield Lane, but, well, I can never get to see
[00:07:48] Unknown:
him. You see, it's important that I have a few details of his family background. Oh, I see. Oh, memorial garden, I suppose.
[00:07:56] Unknown:
In memory of who? His wife. She was killed in an accident three months ago. I see. I didn't know. In that case, I'll have to get hold of mister Glendon Radley in person. Thanks for telling me. It's a pleasure. Anything I can find out about her will help immensely. If his bereavement is so new, well, he might be reluctant to talk about her. I heard that he once bought her a very expensive eternity ring. Oh, that. Oh, yes. Yes. It's true. I remember it well.
[00:08:25] Unknown:
Must be the best part of twenty years ago. No? Yeah. Solid platinum, it was. They were very devoted. As a matter of fact, it turned out to be an eternity ring in more ways than one. In later years, she could never get it off her finger. Yes. And out of mind had the same trouble. She didn't consider it any trouble. I mean, if a ring like that begins to stop the circulation, you can always have it filed off. Yes. I suppose so. But that situation never arose with missus Camden Radley. Mhmm. Where she is, the ring will always be. I don't quite understand that. Oh, no. Of course. Of course, you didn't know about the accident.
She was one of the passengers on that interstate aircraft that crashed into the Irish CEO three months ago. I'm sure you must remember it. Yes. I do. And the claim was never seen again. There were no survivors and no bodies were ever recovered.
[00:09:16] Unknown:
No bodies were ever recovered, Cannon. That's the important part. No. I'm not so dumb. I don't see that. So if she was wearing that ring when she crashed into the RC, how does it come to be buried in Gunden Radley's garden?
[00:09:28] Unknown:
Well, the man said they were devoted. They might just have had a duplicate made in her memory. Then again, if she couldn't get it off her finger, it might have started giving her trouble so that, she had it filed off sometime before the flight. No. No. I took a good look at the ring. It hadn't been filed. Oh, it can't be at the bottom of the Irish Sea and at the bottom of Gund and Radley's garden at the same time. It, it must be a duplicate. You've forgotten about the question, Mark? For that, I'm being reminded now. This is no mere question. This is a full blown conundrum. Oh, should we get to the police? No. No. No. Not not yet. Let's, let's dig up some more dirt on this buried ring first. I'll tell you what. We'll check with the airport, the jewel of the family, doctor. There must be a very simple explanation.
[00:10:12] Unknown:
I, have all the details here, mister Cannon. Crane flew into bad weather over the Irish Sea and developed engine trouble. She was in constant wireless communication right up to the time of the tragedy so that we know almost the exact spot where she went into the sea. Bad weather hindered rescue operations, and when the sea calmed down, there's not a sign of the plane. This must have been very quick. There were no survivors. Mhmm.
[00:10:38] Unknown:
I suppose there can be no doubt that missus Gondon Radley was on board. Oh, no. No doubt whatsoever.
[00:10:44] Unknown:
All passengers are checked aboard on the manifest. Apart from anything else, that's a major requirement of the insurance companies.
[00:10:51] Unknown:
A common practice to keep a record of any piece of jewelry that's valued at more than £500, mister Baxter.
[00:11:00] Unknown:
Do you have a record of this eternity ring?
[00:11:03] Unknown:
Oh, yes. Indeed. Is it possible to look it up for me? No need.
[00:11:08] Unknown:
You're fortunate. It was I who sold that eternity ring to mister Gandon Radley. He's been one of our customers for more than twenty years. It was in platinum encrusted with rubies to form a a ring of roses, a beautiful creation. He made the purchase nearly twenty years ago for his young wife. He tragedy.
[00:11:36] Unknown:
She was killed, you know. Yes. Yes. I suppose he couldn't have had a duplicate made? Well,
[00:11:42] Unknown:
not exactly. Unless we had the original. But we were never asked for a copy to be made. I don't think you'd go elsewhere. In any case, Mrs Glendon rarely would never part with it. She never removed it from her finger.
[00:12:00] Unknown:
She was a robust woman. Hardly a dayzier in her life. Yes. Of course. I remember the ring. She actually consulted me about it. The fingers do tend to swell in middle life, making a ring difficult to remove. There's no danger unless the blood is prevented from circulating properly, and it wasn't in her case.
[00:12:19] Unknown:
Could, could the ring be removed in any way other than by filing through it? Only by surgery.
[00:12:25] Unknown:
It's, quite simple, really. The skin is laid back from the second knuckle joint, but then few people would resort to that method. It's so much easier, surely, to have the ring vial through and join together again.
[00:12:38] Unknown:
Well, that's that. Do we go to the police now? Baxter, you read too much Dick Tracy. But if Mrs. Gandon Radley's eternal resting place is at the bottom of the Irish Sea, how does her ring come to be in her husband's garden? That's what we hope to find out and hope springs eternal.
[00:12:54] Unknown:
I wonder if he murdered her. Oh, don't be a mutt. She walked aboard that aircraft. Baxter, we went back to Hatfield Lane tonight.
[00:13:03] Unknown:
Something tells me there are more than fairies at the bottom of Gund And Radleys Garden. Estate Agents advertising vacant houses in Hatfield Lane refer to it as a haven of tranquility. But then why not? What can be more tranquil than death?
[00:13:19] Unknown:
Oh, I'm sorry to pester you like this all the time, mister Guendenrabbe, but head office has been on my tail screaming for action. Action? Well, it's insurance. Phasiology, sir. If you'll just sign these papers, we can issue you with a check and the business is completed. I told you. I don't want the money. We'd be happy to dispose of the money in any way you wish. Just give us your instructions. Do what you like with it. But you must sign the papers first, sir. A signature on the double indemnity document, and then I can transfer the money to your lawyers. It's a large sum, you know. £10,000.
[00:13:52] Unknown:
Can you prove to me that she's dead?
[00:13:54] Unknown:
Oh, mister Glendon Radley, I
[00:13:57] Unknown:
I I know it's been a terrible shock, and we do sympathize Supposing I took the money and then you discovered that she was still alive.
[00:14:04] Unknown:
But she isn't, sir. We have to face up to the fact. I asked you a question. Well, hypothetically speaking, you'll be in no way to blame. Once the deceased is officially proclaimed dead, you have the right to claim the insurance and we the duty to settle the claim. And I, don't have to account for the money? Oh, naturally not, sir. It's yours to do with as you please. But you must know this, mister Camden Radley. You've been doing business with our firm of insurance brokers for years. Why, I remember drawing cover for your late wife's air trips for the past eight years. Yes.
Eight years. She was a great air traveler, wasn't she? You you know, I've been round the world half a dozen times with her without ever leaving my office. Round the world by air on insurance forms. What's that? I was just reminiscing, mister Gunthermabbey. Now give me the papers. I'll sign them. Oh, that's better, sir. 10,000, you say.
[00:15:04] Unknown:
I want it here in cash tomorrow morning. Cash. Understand?
[00:15:11] Unknown:
That was a good idea of yours, Cannon. Eavesdropping on mister Gulden Radley's visitor. Well, I hope I don't come up with any more bright ideas like that. Anyway, we went there to steal the guy's eternity ring, not to eavesdrop. Look at it on the bright side. If we hadn't overheard that conversation we had with the insurance broker, we'd have dug up the ring. Now you make me feel like a grave robber. I told you in the first place, he buried it for sentimental reasons. It was just that it was supposed to have been lost with her in the sea. Alright. Alright. Let look. Let's bury the whole thing and drink up and when I go home. Hello.
[00:15:41] Unknown:
Mister Baxter, isn't it? We had a conversation the other night about missus Gandon Radley. Yes. Hello, mister Pereman. Meet a colleague of mine, Canon, mister Pereman, an old friend of the Gandon Radley's. Oh, how do you do? How do you do?
[00:15:53] Unknown:
You, started on the Remembrance Garden yet? Yeah. I was telling mister Pereman about the garden I was proposing to do in memory of missus London Radley. You should have had a great imagination. Mr. Cannon's always been very enthusiastic about my work. I feel sorry for him, though. Oh, London Radley.
[00:16:09] Unknown:
His insurance broker asked me to meet him here. He's having trouble with getting him to sign the papers to the insurance on his wife. Accident during travel carries double indemnity. Poor old Gundham's lost in the clouds. Your insurance friends travelled her over them, he signed. Oh, he did? Oh, how do you know that? Oh, no. He's psychic. Yeah. £10,000 I believe it is. Oh, poor woman. To lose a life like that the first time she'd ever flown Oh, come on, Baxter. We've got
[00:16:38] Unknown:
What did you say? What about her?
[00:16:40] Unknown:
Oh, must have been the first time. She couldn't bear the thought of flying. As a matter of fact, I wondered what made her want to fly to Ireland. She was always such an old stay at home.
[00:16:57] Unknown:
Hello, Kevin.
[00:16:58] Unknown:
What did you find out? Well, it's just like the insurance guy said. He He spent half his life flying around the place on business, and it seems he always took his wife with him or she'd fly out to join him. That's what happened on that Irish trip. He was already there when she started out to join him.
[00:17:14] Unknown:
But why should Peregrine tell me a pack of lies? No. He didn't lie about the ring. He could have been mistaken about her aversion to airplanes.
[00:17:21] Unknown:
It seems very unlikely. Unlikely or not. That's the way it is and that's the way it stays. I never want to hear the name Gundren Radley again. I'll get it.
[00:17:32] Unknown:
Yeah. Cannon. Oh, mister Cannon, do you remember a mister Gundon Radley? Oh, no. Not you. Oh, what's the matter? Nothing. What about him? Well, he's just been on the line.
[00:17:41] Unknown:
He has?
[00:17:42] Unknown:
Now what did he want? A man to deliver an important parcel. He was so pleased with your gardening job, he remembered our number. Oh, wasn't that nice? Swinging.
[00:17:51] Unknown:
When does he want this messenger? Now. Tell him I'll ride over. Did you, did you catch it? Yes. You wanna bet that parcel contains $10 in cash? Curiosity killed the cat. Yeah. But the way I figure it, this cat, Gundham Laddly's got nine lives.
[00:18:19] Unknown:
It's an important parcel, Mr. Cannon, and I want you to realize that you're in a position of trust. The address to which you deliver it is 94 Pill Street. It's not a very salubrious area, and it's most important that the recipient of the parcel doesn't know that it comes from me. Alright? Sure. Yeah. You make it sound so mysterious, mister Guenden madly. What is it? A time bomb? It'll come as great a shock to them as a time bomb.
[00:18:43] Unknown:
But, they won't be displeased with it, I can assure you. Well, I hope they accept it. I mean, you you didn't even tell me their name. I suppose that is necessary.
[00:18:52] Unknown:
Mister and missus Perkins.
[00:18:54] Unknown:
Mhmm. Perkins.
[00:18:56] Unknown:
And, what do they look like? I've never seen them. Now you'd better start. Start. Ring me when you've delivered the parcel. I should be anxious about it until you do. Okay. I'll do that. Is that your car standing now? Yep. Complete with chauffeur. All your things in style. I'm glad I can rely on you.
[00:19:16] Unknown:
Goodbye, mister Cannon. We're seeing you. You've got it, I see. Get weaving, friend. It's Number 94 Pell Street.
[00:19:40] Unknown:
It's a rather shady neighborhood. Who do you think London Radley could know in a place like that? Don't let it offend your middle class soul. He's never met the occupants. Occupants.
[00:19:49] Unknown:
Oh,
[00:19:50] Unknown:
I knew there was something fishy about all this. I'm not all that green.
[00:19:55] Unknown:
No. Banks, do you hear or not? But this is Green Banks. You and I could start up a bank with a slot. £10,000. I'm not gonna count it, but, you can count on it. Put your foot down, Baxter. This does hot. 94 Pearl Street. Now shall we go together? You stay here. I want you to keep a lookout for anybody who appears to be watching this place.
[00:20:37] Unknown:
Like who, for instance?
[00:20:39] Unknown:
Like a well dressed dame, for instance. We're hot on the scent backstreet, and I've just about got this figured out. Mister
[00:20:52] Unknown:
Perkins? Yes?
[00:20:54] Unknown:
I got some news for you, mister Perkins. A part of it's good. The other part is very bad. Do you mind if I come in? You better be sitting down before I tell you any of it. Did you hand it over? Yep. Bought 10,000 of it. Does he know what's in the parcel? I opened it for him. He had to know I was on the level. Yeah.
[00:21:15] Unknown:
In that tearoom come fish and chip shop. She's been there for the past half hour. Arrives just after you went into his house. Great.
[00:21:22] Unknown:
I knew our luck would change. Now you stay here, Baxter. Won't be long. Oh, by the way, you got a couple of loose sixnesses? Oh, yes. Yeah.
[00:21:30] Unknown:
Here we are. I always keep them for the phone. Thanks. That's just what I want them for.
[00:21:41] Unknown:
Mrs. Gundenrattle. Yeah.
[00:21:43] Unknown:
What do you want?
[00:21:44] Unknown:
I wanna talk to you. It's not my name. Please go away. I'll call the policeman. Let's see. That's the last person you'd call. Now, I see you've injured your finger, ma'am. It's, badly too because it's a big bandage. I had an accident. Like having a surgeon fold back the skin from the second knuckle so that you could remove an eternity wrong? Who are you? Oh, just a guy who's gonna ask you a favour. Life is very complex, isn't it, Mrs. Guenden Radley? And one member of your Triangle has already lost your life. That was an accident. But there's another tragedy looming on the horizon and this time it won't be an accident. I don't know what you're talking about.
You will. Just listen. In five minutes time, I'm gonna make a phone call. But I don't wanna make that phone call. I want you to make it. Because waiting on the other end of the line is a guy with a service revolver. And if he hears my voice instead of yours, he's gonna cock that gun and blow his head off.
[00:22:43] Unknown:
Yes. For the past eight years, my husband has been associating with another woman. She accompanied him on all his overseas business trips. Something I've never done because I was terrified of flying. I knew nothing about her. She kept his secret very well. Then I heard the news of the air crash when my husband was in Ireland. They gave the names of the victims and there was a Mrs Minerva Gungden Radley, my name. Coincidence was too great so I checked up and discovered the truth. It was the other woman who died, travelling in my name as my husband's wife.
I decided to disappear before he got back from Ireland. He'd no idea where I was and was forced to submit to the condolences of friends over a dead wife he knew to be alive. I knew he'd have difficulty with the insurance too. And you're right about the finger. I did have surgery to remove his eternity ring. I've made him suffer. For three months I've made him suffer terribly. Now I I'm sorry.
[00:23:56] Unknown:
Well, I'm, I'm glad you didn't have the ring filed off. You might want to wear it again one day. You know, you should, you should try flying. It's it's cool these days. Do you wanna make that call now? Yes. Here's a sixpence. Good morning.
[00:24:14] Unknown:
I don't know who titled the file Ring of Roses, but it's quite apt, don't
[00:24:25] Unknown:
you think?
[00:24:44] Unknown:
With the American Express Platinum Card, you can unlock over $1,500 in value annually with statement credits on select purchases and other benefits. That means getting access to even more of your favorite things. More jet setting, more trend setting, and more resetting. And downward dog. The stage is set for you to do even more with the American Express Platinum part. Learn more at americanexpress.com/us/explore-platinum. Terms apply.
With the American Express Platinum Card, you can unlock over $1,500 in value annually with statement credits on select purchases and other benefits. That means getting access to even more of your favorite things. More jet setting, more trend setting, and more resetting. And downward dog. The stage is set for you to do even more with the American Express Platinum part. Learn more at AmericanExpress.com/US/explore-platinum. Terms apply.
[00:00:53] Unknown:
Assignments unlimited. Good afternoon. My name is London Radley. I'm looking for a couple of men to go over my garden and clean it up. It's a bit of a rush job, and Wes, the garden people, haven't got anybody at such short notice. I saw your advertisement in the times. Oh, yes, sir. When do you want the men there? Tomorrow morning first thing, if that's possible. Yes, sir. The address? 28 Hatfield Lane,
[00:01:17] Unknown:
East Croydon. We'll have them there early, mister Camden Madley.
[00:01:20] Unknown:
Can you, give me any idea of the approximate cost? Well, it will be approximate.
[00:01:25] Unknown:
Mister Mason does the costing. I should think somewhere between 20 and £25
[00:01:30] Unknown:
Oh, that's alright. You've only a phone number here. Where should I send the check? 33 Half Moon Street.
[00:01:55] Unknown:
Ring Of Roses.
[00:02:03] Unknown:
London abounds with a profusion of garden suburbs. In fact, some of them bear that name. Welling Garden City being an example. A growing abhorrence of menial labor among the new generation gives cause for many a request to assignments unlimited for assistance in the garden. Here Hamilton once flippantly remarked that in the spring a housewife's fancy likely turns to thoughts of lawnmowers. Requests in wintertime for this type of assignment are so rare as to be, well, virtually non existent. But such a request came to the office and I instructed the telephone girl to pass on the details to Cameron.
[00:02:39] Unknown:
You've got to be there at Sparrow Cheap. He wants the whole place cleaned up in one day. Okay. You, you got the details? Oh, I've written nine for you here. Oh, thanks.
[00:02:48] Unknown:
Mhmm. Hatfield then. You're not who will he take with you? Oh, Baxter, who else? He's an expert on these things. For me the, the digging up of gardens is strictly for the army wise. We'll be there at, what did you say? Sparrow Cheap. Yeah, that's what I thought you said. Said.
[00:03:14] Unknown:
I'm tired. Just have a break for tea.
[00:03:18] Unknown:
I thought you peasants could keep at this all day.
[00:03:21] Unknown:
Now I'm a peasant just because I like gardening. The peasant is the laborer. The horticulturalist,
[00:03:26] Unknown:
the expert. Oh, that makes me the peasant. If you like. Well, in that case, I stand on my constitutional rights and demand the trade union break. You make tea. I brought coffee in a flask. You can't let sit on that anthill. That is a compost heap. All good gardeners keep one. Well, for a good gardener, he sure let this place go to seed.
[00:03:45] Unknown:
Yes. I wonder why. Of course, he may have been away for a time or his wife might have been the gardener and left him. You know, Baxter, you have a sword in mind. I have an eye for detail. That's how I know he's a rose lover. You see that ring of rose bushes there? He's turned the soil inside the ring quite recently. It's the only part of the garden that's been touched. For what good does that do? Turning the soil, and it lets air down to the roots. But I bet he hasn't done it properly. The proper way in winter is to dig a hole in the center of the ring and fill it with compost. His compost heap is still intact.
[00:04:20] Unknown:
You're a regular eagle eye, sexton Blake of the garden. Have you tried fingerprinting catapults? The trouble with you, Canon, is you have no soul. No contact with the good earth. Well, I guess you're right at bed. The earthy things I like in life don't come in rose gardens.
[00:04:37] Unknown:
Well,
[00:04:38] Unknown:
shall we grapple with nature again? Yeah. I suppose so. I'll dig the hole in the center of the rose ring. You can go and get the wheelbarrow and cart comp off over here. Are you, happy with it? Happy?
[00:04:49] Unknown:
Baxter, let me tell you something. As far as I'm concerned, guano is strictly for the birds.
[00:05:04] Unknown:
Cannon.
[00:05:05] Unknown:
Cannon. Cannon. You know what's exciting you? Did you find the new season of first cardling march? Something much more interesting. Come over here. Okay.
[00:05:15] Unknown:
So what is it? I found this. It's only recently been buried in the ring of roses, still in the envelope in which it was posted.
[00:05:22] Unknown:
An eternity ring. Good one too. Solid platinum.
[00:05:26] Unknown:
How do you know it's an eternity ring? From Baxter and Missfield, I'm the expert. Oh. And where was it? It was buried right here.
[00:05:33] Unknown:
Well, maybe it accidentally dropped out of his pocket while he was turning the soil and, he didn't notice it. He wasn't turning the soil. He was digging a hole. I found this at the bottom of the hole he dug. So what? You said that that was the right way to fertilize a ring of rose bushes.
[00:05:46] Unknown:
He didn't use any fertilizer. He just dug a hole.
[00:05:51] Unknown:
Baxter, you should set up as a private investigator. The frustrations of horticulture will send you to your grave.
[00:05:57] Unknown:
This is the only part of the garden that's been touched for months. Why should he dig here if it wasn't to bury the ring? Well, look, maybe he did deliberately bury it. Maybe he had a good reason,
[00:06:07] Unknown:
a a sentimental reason.
[00:06:09] Unknown:
Well, if it's pure platinum, it's worth a packet. You, thinking of keeping it? No. No. Of course not. But the man must be a looly to bury a valuable thing like that. Plenty of people do it. They get buried with their family heirlooms and jewels. There's no law against it.
[00:06:23] Unknown:
I've never met this Gundon Radley, but, by the look of this three storied shack he lives in, he's loaded. So if the women takes him to plant a platinum ring inside his rose ring,
[00:06:33] Unknown:
why kick? You haven't looked at the envelope yet or what came with it? What did come with it? This piece of baseboard, it was tied on with a vent paper clip.
[00:06:43] Unknown:
A big question mark.
[00:06:45] Unknown:
Is that always, just a question mark? Yes. And it was posted in London.
[00:06:50] Unknown:
Well, he, he could have sent for it and, whoever posted it might have questioned the wisdom. But there he is. Now if I were you, I'd put it right back in the hole and cover it up again with ordinary plain soil. You know, he, he might not take kindly to having his private memories sullied with manure. Alright. If you say so. But I still think it smells fishy.
[00:07:09] Unknown:
When we're finished with this garden and it's raked and turned, it'll be impossible to see if anything's been buried here. And what's that supposed to mean? Simply that if mister Gunton Radley did want to bury something secretly, he's certainly gone the right way about it.
[00:07:26] Unknown:
Well, the barman tells me you're interested in our distinguished local resident, Gunton Radley. Oh, my name's Perryman, friend of the family. Perhaps I can help. Oh, that's very nice of you. Won't you sit down? Thank you. What was it you wanted to know? Well, confidentially,
[00:07:41] Unknown:
I'm a horticulturalist, and I was about to plant a garden for him at his home in Hatfield Lane, but, well, I can never get to see
[00:07:48] Unknown:
him. You see, it's important that I have a few details of his family background. Oh, I see. Oh, memorial garden, I suppose.
[00:07:56] Unknown:
In memory of who? His wife. She was killed in an accident three months ago. I see. I didn't know. In that case, I'll have to get hold of mister Glendon Radley in person. Thanks for telling me. It's a pleasure. Anything I can find out about her will help immensely. If his bereavement is so new, well, he might be reluctant to talk about her. I heard that he once bought her a very expensive eternity ring. Oh, that. Oh, yes. Yes. It's true. I remember it well.
[00:08:25] Unknown:
Must be the best part of twenty years ago. No? Yeah. Solid platinum, it was. They were very devoted. As a matter of fact, it turned out to be an eternity ring in more ways than one. In later years, she could never get it off her finger. Yes. And out of mind had the same trouble. She didn't consider it any trouble. I mean, if a ring like that begins to stop the circulation, you can always have it filed off. Yes. I suppose so. But that situation never arose with missus Camden Radley. Mhmm. Where she is, the ring will always be. I don't quite understand that. Oh, no. Of course. Of course, you didn't know about the accident.
She was one of the passengers on that interstate aircraft that crashed into the Irish CEO three months ago. I'm sure you must remember it. Yes. I do. And the claim was never seen again. There were no survivors and no bodies were ever recovered.
[00:09:16] Unknown:
No bodies were ever recovered, Cannon. That's the important part. No. I'm not so dumb. I don't see that. So if she was wearing that ring when she crashed into the RC, how does it come to be buried in Gunden Radley's garden?
[00:09:28] Unknown:
Well, the man said they were devoted. They might just have had a duplicate made in her memory. Then again, if she couldn't get it off her finger, it might have started giving her trouble so that, she had it filed off sometime before the flight. No. No. I took a good look at the ring. It hadn't been filed. Oh, it can't be at the bottom of the Irish Sea and at the bottom of Gund and Radley's garden at the same time. It, it must be a duplicate. You've forgotten about the question, Mark? For that, I'm being reminded now. This is no mere question. This is a full blown conundrum. Oh, should we get to the police? No. No. No. Not not yet. Let's, let's dig up some more dirt on this buried ring first. I'll tell you what. We'll check with the airport, the jewel of the family, doctor. There must be a very simple explanation.
[00:10:12] Unknown:
I, have all the details here, mister Cannon. Crane flew into bad weather over the Irish Sea and developed engine trouble. She was in constant wireless communication right up to the time of the tragedy so that we know almost the exact spot where she went into the sea. Bad weather hindered rescue operations, and when the sea calmed down, there's not a sign of the plane. This must have been very quick. There were no survivors. Mhmm.
[00:10:38] Unknown:
I suppose there can be no doubt that missus Gondon Radley was on board. Oh, no. No doubt whatsoever.
[00:10:44] Unknown:
All passengers are checked aboard on the manifest. Apart from anything else, that's a major requirement of the insurance companies.
[00:10:51] Unknown:
A common practice to keep a record of any piece of jewelry that's valued at more than £500, mister Baxter.
[00:11:00] Unknown:
Do you have a record of this eternity ring?
[00:11:03] Unknown:
Oh, yes. Indeed. Is it possible to look it up for me? No need.
[00:11:08] Unknown:
You're fortunate. It was I who sold that eternity ring to mister Gandon Radley. He's been one of our customers for more than twenty years. It was in platinum encrusted with rubies to form a a ring of roses, a beautiful creation. He made the purchase nearly twenty years ago for his young wife. He tragedy.
[00:11:36] Unknown:
She was killed, you know. Yes. Yes. I suppose he couldn't have had a duplicate made? Well,
[00:11:42] Unknown:
not exactly. Unless we had the original. But we were never asked for a copy to be made. I don't think you'd go elsewhere. In any case, Mrs Glendon rarely would never part with it. She never removed it from her finger.
[00:12:00] Unknown:
She was a robust woman. Hardly a dayzier in her life. Yes. Of course. I remember the ring. She actually consulted me about it. The fingers do tend to swell in middle life, making a ring difficult to remove. There's no danger unless the blood is prevented from circulating properly, and it wasn't in her case.
[00:12:19] Unknown:
Could, could the ring be removed in any way other than by filing through it? Only by surgery.
[00:12:25] Unknown:
It's, quite simple, really. The skin is laid back from the second knuckle joint, but then few people would resort to that method. It's so much easier, surely, to have the ring vial through and join together again.
[00:12:38] Unknown:
Well, that's that. Do we go to the police now? Baxter, you read too much Dick Tracy. But if Mrs. Gandon Radley's eternal resting place is at the bottom of the Irish Sea, how does her ring come to be in her husband's garden? That's what we hope to find out and hope springs eternal.
[00:12:54] Unknown:
I wonder if he murdered her. Oh, don't be a mutt. She walked aboard that aircraft. Baxter, we went back to Hatfield Lane tonight.
[00:13:03] Unknown:
Something tells me there are more than fairies at the bottom of Gund And Radleys Garden. Estate Agents advertising vacant houses in Hatfield Lane refer to it as a haven of tranquility. But then why not? What can be more tranquil than death?
[00:13:19] Unknown:
Oh, I'm sorry to pester you like this all the time, mister Guendenrabbe, but head office has been on my tail screaming for action. Action? Well, it's insurance. Phasiology, sir. If you'll just sign these papers, we can issue you with a check and the business is completed. I told you. I don't want the money. We'd be happy to dispose of the money in any way you wish. Just give us your instructions. Do what you like with it. But you must sign the papers first, sir. A signature on the double indemnity document, and then I can transfer the money to your lawyers. It's a large sum, you know. £10,000.
[00:13:52] Unknown:
Can you prove to me that she's dead?
[00:13:54] Unknown:
Oh, mister Glendon Radley, I
[00:13:57] Unknown:
I I know it's been a terrible shock, and we do sympathize Supposing I took the money and then you discovered that she was still alive.
[00:14:04] Unknown:
But she isn't, sir. We have to face up to the fact. I asked you a question. Well, hypothetically speaking, you'll be in no way to blame. Once the deceased is officially proclaimed dead, you have the right to claim the insurance and we the duty to settle the claim. And I, don't have to account for the money? Oh, naturally not, sir. It's yours to do with as you please. But you must know this, mister Camden Radley. You've been doing business with our firm of insurance brokers for years. Why, I remember drawing cover for your late wife's air trips for the past eight years. Yes.
Eight years. She was a great air traveler, wasn't she? You you know, I've been round the world half a dozen times with her without ever leaving my office. Round the world by air on insurance forms. What's that? I was just reminiscing, mister Gunthermabbey. Now give me the papers. I'll sign them. Oh, that's better, sir. 10,000, you say.
[00:15:04] Unknown:
I want it here in cash tomorrow morning. Cash. Understand?
[00:15:11] Unknown:
That was a good idea of yours, Cannon. Eavesdropping on mister Gulden Radley's visitor. Well, I hope I don't come up with any more bright ideas like that. Anyway, we went there to steal the guy's eternity ring, not to eavesdrop. Look at it on the bright side. If we hadn't overheard that conversation we had with the insurance broker, we'd have dug up the ring. Now you make me feel like a grave robber. I told you in the first place, he buried it for sentimental reasons. It was just that it was supposed to have been lost with her in the sea. Alright. Alright. Let look. Let's bury the whole thing and drink up and when I go home. Hello.
[00:15:41] Unknown:
Mister Baxter, isn't it? We had a conversation the other night about missus Gandon Radley. Yes. Hello, mister Pereman. Meet a colleague of mine, Canon, mister Pereman, an old friend of the Gandon Radley's. Oh, how do you do? How do you do?
[00:15:53] Unknown:
You, started on the Remembrance Garden yet? Yeah. I was telling mister Pereman about the garden I was proposing to do in memory of missus London Radley. You should have had a great imagination. Mr. Cannon's always been very enthusiastic about my work. I feel sorry for him, though. Oh, London Radley.
[00:16:09] Unknown:
His insurance broker asked me to meet him here. He's having trouble with getting him to sign the papers to the insurance on his wife. Accident during travel carries double indemnity. Poor old Gundham's lost in the clouds. Your insurance friends travelled her over them, he signed. Oh, he did? Oh, how do you know that? Oh, no. He's psychic. Yeah. £10,000 I believe it is. Oh, poor woman. To lose a life like that the first time she'd ever flown Oh, come on, Baxter. We've got
[00:16:38] Unknown:
What did you say? What about her?
[00:16:40] Unknown:
Oh, must have been the first time. She couldn't bear the thought of flying. As a matter of fact, I wondered what made her want to fly to Ireland. She was always such an old stay at home.
[00:16:57] Unknown:
Hello, Kevin.
[00:16:58] Unknown:
What did you find out? Well, it's just like the insurance guy said. He He spent half his life flying around the place on business, and it seems he always took his wife with him or she'd fly out to join him. That's what happened on that Irish trip. He was already there when she started out to join him.
[00:17:14] Unknown:
But why should Peregrine tell me a pack of lies? No. He didn't lie about the ring. He could have been mistaken about her aversion to airplanes.
[00:17:21] Unknown:
It seems very unlikely. Unlikely or not. That's the way it is and that's the way it stays. I never want to hear the name Gundren Radley again. I'll get it.
[00:17:32] Unknown:
Yeah. Cannon. Oh, mister Cannon, do you remember a mister Gundon Radley? Oh, no. Not you. Oh, what's the matter? Nothing. What about him? Well, he's just been on the line.
[00:17:41] Unknown:
He has?
[00:17:42] Unknown:
Now what did he want? A man to deliver an important parcel. He was so pleased with your gardening job, he remembered our number. Oh, wasn't that nice? Swinging.
[00:17:51] Unknown:
When does he want this messenger? Now. Tell him I'll ride over. Did you, did you catch it? Yes. You wanna bet that parcel contains $10 in cash? Curiosity killed the cat. Yeah. But the way I figure it, this cat, Gundham Laddly's got nine lives.
[00:18:19] Unknown:
It's an important parcel, Mr. Cannon, and I want you to realize that you're in a position of trust. The address to which you deliver it is 94 Pill Street. It's not a very salubrious area, and it's most important that the recipient of the parcel doesn't know that it comes from me. Alright? Sure. Yeah. You make it sound so mysterious, mister Guenden madly. What is it? A time bomb? It'll come as great a shock to them as a time bomb.
[00:18:43] Unknown:
But, they won't be displeased with it, I can assure you. Well, I hope they accept it. I mean, you you didn't even tell me their name. I suppose that is necessary.
[00:18:52] Unknown:
Mister and missus Perkins.
[00:18:54] Unknown:
Mhmm. Perkins.
[00:18:56] Unknown:
And, what do they look like? I've never seen them. Now you'd better start. Start. Ring me when you've delivered the parcel. I should be anxious about it until you do. Okay. I'll do that. Is that your car standing now? Yep. Complete with chauffeur. All your things in style. I'm glad I can rely on you.
[00:19:16] Unknown:
Goodbye, mister Cannon. We're seeing you. You've got it, I see. Get weaving, friend. It's Number 94 Pell Street.
[00:19:40] Unknown:
It's a rather shady neighborhood. Who do you think London Radley could know in a place like that? Don't let it offend your middle class soul. He's never met the occupants. Occupants.
[00:19:49] Unknown:
Oh,
[00:19:50] Unknown:
I knew there was something fishy about all this. I'm not all that green.
[00:19:55] Unknown:
No. Banks, do you hear or not? But this is Green Banks. You and I could start up a bank with a slot. £10,000. I'm not gonna count it, but, you can count on it. Put your foot down, Baxter. This does hot. 94 Pearl Street. Now shall we go together? You stay here. I want you to keep a lookout for anybody who appears to be watching this place.
[00:20:37] Unknown:
Like who, for instance?
[00:20:39] Unknown:
Like a well dressed dame, for instance. We're hot on the scent backstreet, and I've just about got this figured out. Mister
[00:20:52] Unknown:
Perkins? Yes?
[00:20:54] Unknown:
I got some news for you, mister Perkins. A part of it's good. The other part is very bad. Do you mind if I come in? You better be sitting down before I tell you any of it. Did you hand it over? Yep. Bought 10,000 of it. Does he know what's in the parcel? I opened it for him. He had to know I was on the level. Yeah.
[00:21:15] Unknown:
In that tearoom come fish and chip shop. She's been there for the past half hour. Arrives just after you went into his house. Great.
[00:21:22] Unknown:
I knew our luck would change. Now you stay here, Baxter. Won't be long. Oh, by the way, you got a couple of loose sixnesses? Oh, yes. Yeah.
[00:21:30] Unknown:
Here we are. I always keep them for the phone. Thanks. That's just what I want them for.
[00:21:41] Unknown:
Mrs. Gundenrattle. Yeah.
[00:21:43] Unknown:
What do you want?
[00:21:44] Unknown:
I wanna talk to you. It's not my name. Please go away. I'll call the policeman. Let's see. That's the last person you'd call. Now, I see you've injured your finger, ma'am. It's, badly too because it's a big bandage. I had an accident. Like having a surgeon fold back the skin from the second knuckle so that you could remove an eternity wrong? Who are you? Oh, just a guy who's gonna ask you a favour. Life is very complex, isn't it, Mrs. Guenden Radley? And one member of your Triangle has already lost your life. That was an accident. But there's another tragedy looming on the horizon and this time it won't be an accident. I don't know what you're talking about.
You will. Just listen. In five minutes time, I'm gonna make a phone call. But I don't wanna make that phone call. I want you to make it. Because waiting on the other end of the line is a guy with a service revolver. And if he hears my voice instead of yours, he's gonna cock that gun and blow his head off.
[00:22:43] Unknown:
Yes. For the past eight years, my husband has been associating with another woman. She accompanied him on all his overseas business trips. Something I've never done because I was terrified of flying. I knew nothing about her. She kept his secret very well. Then I heard the news of the air crash when my husband was in Ireland. They gave the names of the victims and there was a Mrs Minerva Gungden Radley, my name. Coincidence was too great so I checked up and discovered the truth. It was the other woman who died, travelling in my name as my husband's wife.
I decided to disappear before he got back from Ireland. He'd no idea where I was and was forced to submit to the condolences of friends over a dead wife he knew to be alive. I knew he'd have difficulty with the insurance too. And you're right about the finger. I did have surgery to remove his eternity ring. I've made him suffer. For three months I've made him suffer terribly. Now I I'm sorry.
[00:23:56] Unknown:
Well, I'm, I'm glad you didn't have the ring filed off. You might want to wear it again one day. You know, you should, you should try flying. It's it's cool these days. Do you wanna make that call now? Yes. Here's a sixpence. Good morning.
[00:24:14] Unknown:
I don't know who titled the file Ring of Roses, but it's quite apt, don't
[00:24:25] Unknown:
you think?
[00:24:44] Unknown:
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