In this thrilling episode of "Masters of Mystery," we delve into the gripping melodrama "Death by Proxy." The story unfolds with Bart Lane, a mining engineer presumed dead, who returns from the Amazon jungle to find his wife, Mildred, has moved on with her life, believing him dead. As Bart navigates the complexities of his return, he discovers a web of deceit involving his own supposed death, a mysterious car accident, and a life insurance policy worth $30,000. With the help of a reporter, Jeff Cobb, Bart seeks to uncover the truth behind the identity of the man who died in his place and the role his wife and her new husband, Malcolm Dean, played in the sinister plot.
As the tension mounts, Bart confronts his wife, only to be drawn into a dangerous game orchestrated by Malcolm Dean. The episode takes listeners on a suspenseful journey through deception, greed, and murder, culminating in a dramatic showdown that reveals the true extent of the conspiracy. With the law closing in, Bart must navigate the treacherous waters of betrayal to uncover the truth and bring justice to those responsible for the deadly scheme. Tune in to experience the twists and turns of "Death by Proxy," a tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Listen to our radio station Old Time Radio https://link.radioking.com/otradio
Listen to other Shows at My Classic Radio https://www.myclassicradio.net/
Entertainment Radio | Broadcasting Classic Radio Shows | Patreon
Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio
[00:00:12]
Unknown:
It's mystery time Time now for the best in mystery tonight on masters of mystery an exciting melodrama entitled Death by Proxy.
[00:00:32] Unknown:
Sure. I can prove I'm Bart Lane. What are you getting at, Cobb? Nothing much. Just that you're dead. Dead. That's right. Take a look at this. You my friend were buried in New Lawn Cemetery A Year ago.
[00:00:59] Unknown:
Good evening. This is Don Dowd, your host for Mystery Time. Back again to introduce another in ABC Radio's great Monday through Friday lineup of mystery drama. Every night at this time, a new and different story. Our drama tonight on masters of mystery presented live from New York is written by Jerry McGill. Listen now to the story of a man who confronted his wife with a ghost of the past himself as masters of mystery brings you death by proxy.
[00:01:39] Unknown:
Death by proxy was plenty of beat. It started in night court after Bart Lane got out of a disorderly conduct charge with a $50 fine and cost. He was a big handsome guy sunburned the color of copper. I was curious. I latched onto him and got him into a neighborhood bar. He had trouble. Love them. Jeff Cobb. So you're a newspaper guy. Yeah. What's your line? Mining engineer, prospector. What were you looking for in that apartment you crashed? My wife. Oh, so that's why you slugged the guy that opened the door? No. He thought I was after his wife. He got nasty and I lost my temper. The Amazon jungle makes you jumpy. How long were you there?
Five years. I got lost. And you came back and expected to find your wife in the same apartment? Yeah. It was foolish considering we'd almost call it quits before I left for South America. But you know, some women are like jungle fever. You never really get over it. It goes but usually comes back. I gotta find her. Find out if I'm cured. Let me buy a drink, pal. Maybe I can help you find your wife. Thanks. The bartender, two more doubles. Okay. How can you help me, Jeff? Well, it's a lot harder for people to get lost in the city than in the jungles of the Amazon. You, leave her any money when you went prospecting?
5,000 in joint savings and bonds. She closed the account and sold the bond. Mhmm. Any chance she could have used it to get a Mexican divorce? Maybe. And you still want to find her? I was reported missing probably dead. But you wanna find her? Yeah. Okay, Bart. We won't find her here. Skip the drink. Let's go dig the morgue file and see what gives. I took Bart Lane to the news leader office and left him in the reception room to cool his heels while I dug through the Borg file for a lead on his wife. I found it alright, but with a twist that sent me out to the reception room for a fast double check on his story.
You find anything, Jeff? Yeah. Plenty. Boss, where is she? Well, first, I wanna know when you got back in The States? Yesterday. By plane. From Rio. Why? Under what name? My own name. Say, what is this?
[00:04:15] Unknown:
Can you prove that you're Bart Lane, the mining engineer who was lost in the Amazon Jungle 5 Years ago? Sure. I can prove it by my passport.
[00:04:18] Unknown:
Alright. Jungle 5 Years ago? Sure. I can prove it by my passport. Alright. Let's see it. Picture doesn't look much like me anymore. Yeah. The jungle does things here. Oh, what's the big idea? You're dead. Dead? Yeah. Dead. Killed. Oh, that? Sure. Missing and presumed dead in the jungle. Not many get out once they're lost. No. No. I don't mean that. What do you mean? Here. Look at this. Martin Lane, a mining engineer only recently returned from South America was instantly killed when his car went out of control on West Highway. That's impossible.
I never came back. I don't own a car. In spite of the fact that his body was partly destroyed by fire that followed the crash, the remains were positively identified by his widow, missus Mildred Lane of 10 Highwood Avenue. That's my wife's name Mildred. Then you are legally dead and buried in New Lawn Cemetery. When did I die? 05/10/1956. About a year ago. Yeah. Now what goes? I don't know, But I'm gonna find out. What was that address when Mildred was living Oh, no. Wait a minute. Hold it. You're in a spot. What do you mean I'm in a spot? Well, stop and think. Somebody was killed driving a car registered in your name and your wife identified the body and buried it. Why?
That's what I'm gonna find out. Were you carrying any life insurance when you left five years ago? Yeah. 30,000. Who is the beneficiary? Mildred, my wife, but the policies must have lapsed. She could have kept up the payments. Couldn't wait seven years to have you declared legally dead. Yeah. But who was in that car? Somebody was killed. Ah, now you're getting it. If you were Bart Lane on a line, somebody else died for you by proxy and it was probably murder. If it wasn't Mildred, she wouldn't have the nerve to try it. No. She may have had help. 30,000 would buy a lot of help.
I gotta find her talk to her. Yeah. And I'm going along for the interview, But you keep your shirt on. If you don't you're liable to trade it in for a sheet on a slab in the morgue. And I don't mean our newspaper file. I got my car out of the garage and drove Bart Lane over to the last known address of his wife. Number ten Highwood Avenue turned out to be a fairly plush apartment building. I questioned the switchboard operator.
[00:06:51] Unknown:
Well, I'm sorry, but there isn't anyone by the name of missus Mildred Lane living here. Mhmm. How long you've been working here? About six months.
[00:06:59] Unknown:
Mildred Lane's husband was supposed to have been killed in an auto accident about a year ago.
[00:07:04] Unknown:
She gave this address when she claimed the body. I heard about that from the girl around the switch board before I took the job. What did you hear? Oh, just that her husband was killed right after he came back to South America
[00:07:14] Unknown:
and north in the jungle or something. That's the woman. What happened? She move out? No. She's still here. Well, under what name? Well, I'm not supposed to give out information about our tenants. How about making an exception to the rule and just giving us her new name? Well, who are you anyway? Well, I'm a reporter following up the story of her husband's death. Who's the other gentleman? I'm Mildred Lane's dead husband.
[00:07:39] Unknown:
Dead husband?
[00:07:41] Unknown:
Oh, yes, Shelby. No, he's not. Now do you wanna give us her new name or do you wanna tell the police?
[00:07:48] Unknown:
Where she is? She's married again. What's her husband's name? Mister Dean. Malcolm Dean. They live in the penthouse now. What's his business? He's a builder. He has a new development out on Sunset Heights. Are they in now? Well, mister Dean isn't coming yet. But missus Dean, I mean, your wife is. And do you know when Dean moved into this building? Oh, about two years ago, I think.
[00:08:11] Unknown:
I see. Thanks. Well, what do you make of it? It could mean that your wife knew this Dean guy before you died. And it could also mean that he was in on your accidental death. So what? Well, that would mean that we're dealing with two murderers not just one. I don't give a hoot. I'm going up to her apartment. Sure sure but just let's play this smart. Let's get some proof then let the police handle it. How? Well you go up there like these the prodigal returning for the fatted calf. Like you didn't know that you're supposed to be dead. What good will that do? You might find out a lot of things. Try it. Keep your shirt on. See how she reacts, what she says, what she wants to do about it.
I don't know if I can carry it off. Try it. You can always call the cops and I'll be waiting right here. Well, okay. I'll try it.
[00:09:29] Unknown:
Yes. What is Bart?
[00:09:33] Unknown:
Hello, Mildred.
[00:09:35] Unknown:
Bart, is it really you? You're supposed to be dead. Yeah. I know.
[00:09:41] Unknown:
Lost in the jungle.
[00:09:43] Unknown:
How did you find me?
[00:09:46] Unknown:
Compared to getting out of the Upper Amazon, it was a cinch.
[00:09:50] Unknown:
When did you get back in The States? Yesterday. Mildred, you don't seem very glad to see me. I I am. Believe me. I am, boy. It's such a shock.
[00:10:02] Unknown:
I thought you were dead. The report was exaggerated as they say. Well, aren't you gonna ask me into your swank apartment? Oh, yes. Of course.
[00:10:14] Unknown:
It could come in for a moment, but But what? Bart, it's awful. I I don't know how to tell you. I'm married again.
[00:10:24] Unknown:
So I gathered from a new name in this place.
[00:10:28] Unknown:
You did alright. But I've got to talk to you and explain but not here not now. Afraid of this new guy you married? Dean? Malcolm Dean? No. But he's he's coming home in a while. Good. I'd like to meet him. No, please, Bart. Let me talk to him first alone.
[00:10:42] Unknown:
Why?
[00:10:45] Unknown:
Well, it's explained to him and it'll be
[00:10:49] Unknown:
The same gal, the same Mildred. How much time? Until
[00:10:55] Unknown:
until tomorrow. Where are you staying?
[00:10:58] Unknown:
Nowhere. I been looking for you ever since I landed.
[00:11:03] Unknown:
Oh, do I still mean that much to Bart?
[00:11:07] Unknown:
What do you think, baby?
[00:11:09] Unknown:
Don't Bart, please. Give me time.
[00:11:12] Unknown:
Wow. Wow. This Dean guy must be pretty good.
[00:11:16] Unknown:
Not like you, Bart. Older and different. But he's very tired. I don't wanna hurt him.
[00:11:24] Unknown:
You've changed, honey.
[00:11:26] Unknown:
But tell me, have you any money? I'm I'm in enough to stay somewhere near here until I can settle things with Malcolm. Yeah. I guess I can manage to live a few days. Well, there's a motel down on the highway at the end of the street. Could could you go there and wait till I phone you?
[00:11:41] Unknown:
When? Okay. Okay, Mildred.
[00:11:48] Unknown:
Oh, you darling. I'll save that. Alright. Bye. Tell me, do any of our old friends know that you're back? Just Just you, honey. I wanted it to be a surprise. I'm glad. Please go now, Bart. Please. I'll call you at the motel later tonight.
[00:12:24] Unknown:
Okay, Bart. You're all set. I told the motel manager you're expecting an important call and he'll switch it to this cabin. Thanks Jeff. I don't know that I wanna go through with it. Why not? I don't know. This is the way I thought it was gonna be. Well how did you think it was gonna be? I I thought I'd want to get Mildred back at any price or killer. And how do you feel? Sick, tired, old, almost as if I were really dead. Oh, come on. Snap out of it. You can't stay dead all your life. Why not? Look, aren't you forgetting that you didn't just die a natural death? It looks like you were murdered for your insurance.
It looks like your wife and this guy guy Dean are parlaying your money into a fortune. I don't care about the money. Well then think about the guy they must have killed to take your place. You owe him something. And I owe you a story, don't I? No. There'll be a story no matter what you do. I know enough already to be certain a crime has been committed. Now if you don't want to help find out how and why, I'm calling the cops. Okay. You're right. Besides I would like to know what Mildred's gonna do. I've got a pretty good notion and I don't think we'll have long to wait.
Hello. Sunset Heights Development. Malcolm.
[00:14:01] Unknown:
Oh, hello, Mildred. Why haven't you come home? Well, I'm busy. I told you I'd be late. You've you've got to come home right away. Something terrible has happened. What? I I can't tell you over the phone. So I'm afraid to leave the apartment.
[00:14:14] Unknown:
What's happened? He
[00:14:17] Unknown:
he's alive. He didn't die in the jungle. He's back here in The States. Found me somehow. Came here just a while ago.
[00:14:26] Unknown:
Alone? Yes. Does he, does he know about the accident?
[00:14:33] Unknown:
He didn't act as if
[00:14:35] Unknown:
comedian. How long has he been back? Only since yesterday.
[00:14:38] Unknown:
Where does he know? I persuaded you to give me a chance to talk to you first alone. He's gone to the highway motel and promised to wait until I call him later tonight. Yeah. Well, good girl. Good girl. I was using your head. But what are we gonna do? What did he find out about? How did he act? What did he say? Does he wanna meet me? Yes. He wants to talk to you. He acted strange. Not at all surprised I married again. Oh, good. Good. That gives us time a chance. To do what? To sound him out. Maybe buy him off. He said he had money.
[00:15:08] Unknown:
He looked fast. Does he want you to get an annulment? Go back to him? No. He didn't say.
[00:15:13] Unknown:
I I made him leave. Go to the motel until I could talk to you. Okay. Okay. That was smart.
[00:15:19] Unknown:
Now listen, you call him and get him to come up here to the development. Get your car out of the garage, pick him up at the motel, bring him up here to the office. But what if he won't take money to go away? Well, in that case, there'll have to be another accident. Now you call him. No matter what you have to say or do, get him up here tonight. There's your call, Bart. Take it. Well, she wants to come here. Well, let her come. Listen to what she has to say. I'll get out.
[00:16:01] Unknown:
Yes? Are you Mr. Maine? Yes. Who's calling? I'm the girl on the switchboard at your wife's apartment building. Oh, yes. Look, I don't know if I should be telling you this because I I really shouldn't have been listening. But your wife called your husband, her husband, I mean, her other husband, mister Dean, at his office. Alright, miss. Why did you call me? Yeah. Missus Dean, I mean, your wife is gonna call you. Yes. I know that. But she's gonna get you to go out to the new developer Sunset Heights and meet mister Dean.
[00:16:31] Unknown:
Good. But why are you calling and telling me this? Because
[00:16:35] Unknown:
because I think if you don't take money to go away, they're gonna kill you.
[00:16:46] Unknown:
Once in a blue moon, you run into a yarn that has more twists than the rope that hangs a lot of people who think they can get away with murder. When Bart Lane told me what the switchboard operator had passed on to him, I knew it was time to call him the long arm of the law. But before I could persuade Lane never mind the cops. That'll be Mildred. Let me handle this my way. Not a chance Lane. If you go with Mildred, it's an even bet somebody will be killed. Maybe Hello?
[00:17:18] Unknown:
Hello, boss? Listen, I've just talked to Malcolm at the at the office. What did he say? Well, actually, it was a terrible shot.
[00:17:26] Unknown:
How did he take the news? I'm alive. Oh, but he's so kind.
[00:17:31] Unknown:
So understanding. What's he gonna do about it? He wants to see you at his office. Meet you and talk to you. I'm willing. When? I'll come for you in my car. Wait for me on the highway outside the motel. I'll be there in ten minutes.
[00:17:46] Unknown:
Alright, Mildred. I'll be waiting ten minutes. Okay, Bart. You've made your date. Now let me make mine. Who are you gonna call? The homicide squad just in case Mildred and her new hubby decide to kill you a second time.
[00:18:15] Unknown:
How much farther, Mildred? How much better head. In the woods along the ridge.
[00:18:24] Unknown:
What what are you stopping for? Bart, let's talk for a moment. Why? What's there to talk about? You?
[00:18:34] Unknown:
I what really happened?
[00:18:38] Unknown:
I got lost. Died. Remember?
[00:18:41] Unknown:
I I mean,
[00:18:43] Unknown:
did you find what you went after? You mean the gold? Yes. Did you find any? A little. Much? Enough. What do you care? You seem to have done pretty well. Oh, not really. Malcolm is rich.
[00:18:55] Unknown:
Is real estate development a speculation, but that isn't what I'm getting at.
[00:19:02] Unknown:
What are you getting at?
[00:19:04] Unknown:
Oh, Bart, you know. Couldn't we try again? Go away out of the country far away. What about Malcolm? Oh, I can handle him. He would dare say anything. We might even be able to get some money out of him if you haven't enough.
[00:19:25] Unknown:
You'd do anything for money, wouldn't you, Mildred?
[00:19:28] Unknown:
But don't say that. I'm only thinking of you. Oh, how you must have suffered all these years. Stop it, honey. You're breaking my heart. Oh, Pa, don't you believe me? No, Mildred. He doesn't. Welcome.
[00:19:40] Unknown:
Yes. I saw your headlights from the office. I saw you park here in fact. I thought I'd come over and see how you two were getting on. Great. I gather you got an earful. Yes. Yes. Quite an earful, Elaine. And don't bother to get out of the car. We're going on from here. Where? Well, I wanna show you our new development. It's quite interesting. We have several excavations dug all ready for the pouring of the concrete. One of them will make a very nice grade. Malcolm, you said? Just too much has been said, my dear. Now start the motor. I'll get in the back of the car. Wait a minute. What's the idea of the gun? Let's have it on the line. It's really very simple, Lane.
You're a dead man. You died in an automobile accident over a year ago. Yeah. So I found out. Malcolm, he knows. Yes. I suspected as much. I think he came here to blackmail us. Bleed us white as the price of silence. Wrong, Dean. Dead wrong. It doesn't matter. What about Mildred, our loving wife? I haven't quite made up my mind. Malcolm, I was only leading him on trying to find out if he had any money. Oh. Well, now that was greedy, Mildred. Foolish. But you've always been greedy, haven't you? Never quite satisfied with what you have. His insurance wasn't enough. How well he knows you my dear.
And by the way, Mildred, who is the guy you identified who died in the car in my place?
[00:21:09] Unknown:
Go ahead. Tell him, Mildred. It doesn't matter. You did it. You arranged it. Pick up that hit hiker, rake the car, or burn the body. Oh, so that's how it was done. Yes.
[00:21:20] Unknown:
So now let's go over to the side of my first Dean. Drop that gun. You. And without turning around. That was smart. I'd hate to have to shoot anybody in the back. You better get out of that car, Bart. You died in one last year, remember? Yeah. Thanks, Jeff. Where are the cops? Oh, I thought they might be a little tardy so I tagged along behind when you drove off with Mildred. They'll be here any minute. Oh, help me. Believe me, I didn't kill that hitchhiker.
[00:21:59] Unknown:
Malcolm did. He planned the whole thing from the very beginning. It was his idea. It won't do my dear.
[00:22:07] Unknown:
Murder isn't like your kind of marriage. We're in this together, Mildred, until death do us part.
[00:22:34] Unknown:
This is Don Dowd again, your host for Mystery Time. You have just heard Masters of Mystery live from New York. Tonight's play, Murder by Proxy, was written by Jerry McGill and produced by Clark Andrews in association with Ronald Dawson and Robert Arthur. Featured in tonight's drama were Everett Sloane, George Petrie, Kathleen Cordell, and Lyle Sudrow. Next Wednesday and every Wednesday night, another presentation of masters of mystery. Tomorrow night, mystery time brings you mystery classics presenting death rides the storm by John West. Be with us then, won't you? This is Don Dowd, your host for mystery time.
See you tomorrow night. This program came to you live from New York. This is the ABC Radio Network.
It's mystery time Time now for the best in mystery tonight on masters of mystery an exciting melodrama entitled Death by Proxy.
[00:00:32] Unknown:
Sure. I can prove I'm Bart Lane. What are you getting at, Cobb? Nothing much. Just that you're dead. Dead. That's right. Take a look at this. You my friend were buried in New Lawn Cemetery A Year ago.
[00:00:59] Unknown:
Good evening. This is Don Dowd, your host for Mystery Time. Back again to introduce another in ABC Radio's great Monday through Friday lineup of mystery drama. Every night at this time, a new and different story. Our drama tonight on masters of mystery presented live from New York is written by Jerry McGill. Listen now to the story of a man who confronted his wife with a ghost of the past himself as masters of mystery brings you death by proxy.
[00:01:39] Unknown:
Death by proxy was plenty of beat. It started in night court after Bart Lane got out of a disorderly conduct charge with a $50 fine and cost. He was a big handsome guy sunburned the color of copper. I was curious. I latched onto him and got him into a neighborhood bar. He had trouble. Love them. Jeff Cobb. So you're a newspaper guy. Yeah. What's your line? Mining engineer, prospector. What were you looking for in that apartment you crashed? My wife. Oh, so that's why you slugged the guy that opened the door? No. He thought I was after his wife. He got nasty and I lost my temper. The Amazon jungle makes you jumpy. How long were you there?
Five years. I got lost. And you came back and expected to find your wife in the same apartment? Yeah. It was foolish considering we'd almost call it quits before I left for South America. But you know, some women are like jungle fever. You never really get over it. It goes but usually comes back. I gotta find her. Find out if I'm cured. Let me buy a drink, pal. Maybe I can help you find your wife. Thanks. The bartender, two more doubles. Okay. How can you help me, Jeff? Well, it's a lot harder for people to get lost in the city than in the jungles of the Amazon. You, leave her any money when you went prospecting?
5,000 in joint savings and bonds. She closed the account and sold the bond. Mhmm. Any chance she could have used it to get a Mexican divorce? Maybe. And you still want to find her? I was reported missing probably dead. But you wanna find her? Yeah. Okay, Bart. We won't find her here. Skip the drink. Let's go dig the morgue file and see what gives. I took Bart Lane to the news leader office and left him in the reception room to cool his heels while I dug through the Borg file for a lead on his wife. I found it alright, but with a twist that sent me out to the reception room for a fast double check on his story.
You find anything, Jeff? Yeah. Plenty. Boss, where is she? Well, first, I wanna know when you got back in The States? Yesterday. By plane. From Rio. Why? Under what name? My own name. Say, what is this?
[00:04:15] Unknown:
Can you prove that you're Bart Lane, the mining engineer who was lost in the Amazon Jungle 5 Years ago? Sure. I can prove it by my passport.
[00:04:18] Unknown:
Alright. Jungle 5 Years ago? Sure. I can prove it by my passport. Alright. Let's see it. Picture doesn't look much like me anymore. Yeah. The jungle does things here. Oh, what's the big idea? You're dead. Dead? Yeah. Dead. Killed. Oh, that? Sure. Missing and presumed dead in the jungle. Not many get out once they're lost. No. No. I don't mean that. What do you mean? Here. Look at this. Martin Lane, a mining engineer only recently returned from South America was instantly killed when his car went out of control on West Highway. That's impossible.
I never came back. I don't own a car. In spite of the fact that his body was partly destroyed by fire that followed the crash, the remains were positively identified by his widow, missus Mildred Lane of 10 Highwood Avenue. That's my wife's name Mildred. Then you are legally dead and buried in New Lawn Cemetery. When did I die? 05/10/1956. About a year ago. Yeah. Now what goes? I don't know, But I'm gonna find out. What was that address when Mildred was living Oh, no. Wait a minute. Hold it. You're in a spot. What do you mean I'm in a spot? Well, stop and think. Somebody was killed driving a car registered in your name and your wife identified the body and buried it. Why?
That's what I'm gonna find out. Were you carrying any life insurance when you left five years ago? Yeah. 30,000. Who is the beneficiary? Mildred, my wife, but the policies must have lapsed. She could have kept up the payments. Couldn't wait seven years to have you declared legally dead. Yeah. But who was in that car? Somebody was killed. Ah, now you're getting it. If you were Bart Lane on a line, somebody else died for you by proxy and it was probably murder. If it wasn't Mildred, she wouldn't have the nerve to try it. No. She may have had help. 30,000 would buy a lot of help.
I gotta find her talk to her. Yeah. And I'm going along for the interview, But you keep your shirt on. If you don't you're liable to trade it in for a sheet on a slab in the morgue. And I don't mean our newspaper file. I got my car out of the garage and drove Bart Lane over to the last known address of his wife. Number ten Highwood Avenue turned out to be a fairly plush apartment building. I questioned the switchboard operator.
[00:06:51] Unknown:
Well, I'm sorry, but there isn't anyone by the name of missus Mildred Lane living here. Mhmm. How long you've been working here? About six months.
[00:06:59] Unknown:
Mildred Lane's husband was supposed to have been killed in an auto accident about a year ago.
[00:07:04] Unknown:
She gave this address when she claimed the body. I heard about that from the girl around the switch board before I took the job. What did you hear? Oh, just that her husband was killed right after he came back to South America
[00:07:14] Unknown:
and north in the jungle or something. That's the woman. What happened? She move out? No. She's still here. Well, under what name? Well, I'm not supposed to give out information about our tenants. How about making an exception to the rule and just giving us her new name? Well, who are you anyway? Well, I'm a reporter following up the story of her husband's death. Who's the other gentleman? I'm Mildred Lane's dead husband.
[00:07:39] Unknown:
Dead husband?
[00:07:41] Unknown:
Oh, yes, Shelby. No, he's not. Now do you wanna give us her new name or do you wanna tell the police?
[00:07:48] Unknown:
Where she is? She's married again. What's her husband's name? Mister Dean. Malcolm Dean. They live in the penthouse now. What's his business? He's a builder. He has a new development out on Sunset Heights. Are they in now? Well, mister Dean isn't coming yet. But missus Dean, I mean, your wife is. And do you know when Dean moved into this building? Oh, about two years ago, I think.
[00:08:11] Unknown:
I see. Thanks. Well, what do you make of it? It could mean that your wife knew this Dean guy before you died. And it could also mean that he was in on your accidental death. So what? Well, that would mean that we're dealing with two murderers not just one. I don't give a hoot. I'm going up to her apartment. Sure sure but just let's play this smart. Let's get some proof then let the police handle it. How? Well you go up there like these the prodigal returning for the fatted calf. Like you didn't know that you're supposed to be dead. What good will that do? You might find out a lot of things. Try it. Keep your shirt on. See how she reacts, what she says, what she wants to do about it.
I don't know if I can carry it off. Try it. You can always call the cops and I'll be waiting right here. Well, okay. I'll try it.
[00:09:29] Unknown:
Yes. What is Bart?
[00:09:33] Unknown:
Hello, Mildred.
[00:09:35] Unknown:
Bart, is it really you? You're supposed to be dead. Yeah. I know.
[00:09:41] Unknown:
Lost in the jungle.
[00:09:43] Unknown:
How did you find me?
[00:09:46] Unknown:
Compared to getting out of the Upper Amazon, it was a cinch.
[00:09:50] Unknown:
When did you get back in The States? Yesterday. Mildred, you don't seem very glad to see me. I I am. Believe me. I am, boy. It's such a shock.
[00:10:02] Unknown:
I thought you were dead. The report was exaggerated as they say. Well, aren't you gonna ask me into your swank apartment? Oh, yes. Of course.
[00:10:14] Unknown:
It could come in for a moment, but But what? Bart, it's awful. I I don't know how to tell you. I'm married again.
[00:10:24] Unknown:
So I gathered from a new name in this place.
[00:10:28] Unknown:
You did alright. But I've got to talk to you and explain but not here not now. Afraid of this new guy you married? Dean? Malcolm Dean? No. But he's he's coming home in a while. Good. I'd like to meet him. No, please, Bart. Let me talk to him first alone.
[00:10:42] Unknown:
Why?
[00:10:45] Unknown:
Well, it's explained to him and it'll be
[00:10:49] Unknown:
The same gal, the same Mildred. How much time? Until
[00:10:55] Unknown:
until tomorrow. Where are you staying?
[00:10:58] Unknown:
Nowhere. I been looking for you ever since I landed.
[00:11:03] Unknown:
Oh, do I still mean that much to Bart?
[00:11:07] Unknown:
What do you think, baby?
[00:11:09] Unknown:
Don't Bart, please. Give me time.
[00:11:12] Unknown:
Wow. Wow. This Dean guy must be pretty good.
[00:11:16] Unknown:
Not like you, Bart. Older and different. But he's very tired. I don't wanna hurt him.
[00:11:24] Unknown:
You've changed, honey.
[00:11:26] Unknown:
But tell me, have you any money? I'm I'm in enough to stay somewhere near here until I can settle things with Malcolm. Yeah. I guess I can manage to live a few days. Well, there's a motel down on the highway at the end of the street. Could could you go there and wait till I phone you?
[00:11:41] Unknown:
When? Okay. Okay, Mildred.
[00:11:48] Unknown:
Oh, you darling. I'll save that. Alright. Bye. Tell me, do any of our old friends know that you're back? Just Just you, honey. I wanted it to be a surprise. I'm glad. Please go now, Bart. Please. I'll call you at the motel later tonight.
[00:12:24] Unknown:
Okay, Bart. You're all set. I told the motel manager you're expecting an important call and he'll switch it to this cabin. Thanks Jeff. I don't know that I wanna go through with it. Why not? I don't know. This is the way I thought it was gonna be. Well how did you think it was gonna be? I I thought I'd want to get Mildred back at any price or killer. And how do you feel? Sick, tired, old, almost as if I were really dead. Oh, come on. Snap out of it. You can't stay dead all your life. Why not? Look, aren't you forgetting that you didn't just die a natural death? It looks like you were murdered for your insurance.
It looks like your wife and this guy guy Dean are parlaying your money into a fortune. I don't care about the money. Well then think about the guy they must have killed to take your place. You owe him something. And I owe you a story, don't I? No. There'll be a story no matter what you do. I know enough already to be certain a crime has been committed. Now if you don't want to help find out how and why, I'm calling the cops. Okay. You're right. Besides I would like to know what Mildred's gonna do. I've got a pretty good notion and I don't think we'll have long to wait.
Hello. Sunset Heights Development. Malcolm.
[00:14:01] Unknown:
Oh, hello, Mildred. Why haven't you come home? Well, I'm busy. I told you I'd be late. You've you've got to come home right away. Something terrible has happened. What? I I can't tell you over the phone. So I'm afraid to leave the apartment.
[00:14:14] Unknown:
What's happened? He
[00:14:17] Unknown:
he's alive. He didn't die in the jungle. He's back here in The States. Found me somehow. Came here just a while ago.
[00:14:26] Unknown:
Alone? Yes. Does he, does he know about the accident?
[00:14:33] Unknown:
He didn't act as if
[00:14:35] Unknown:
comedian. How long has he been back? Only since yesterday.
[00:14:38] Unknown:
Where does he know? I persuaded you to give me a chance to talk to you first alone. He's gone to the highway motel and promised to wait until I call him later tonight. Yeah. Well, good girl. Good girl. I was using your head. But what are we gonna do? What did he find out about? How did he act? What did he say? Does he wanna meet me? Yes. He wants to talk to you. He acted strange. Not at all surprised I married again. Oh, good. Good. That gives us time a chance. To do what? To sound him out. Maybe buy him off. He said he had money.
[00:15:08] Unknown:
He looked fast. Does he want you to get an annulment? Go back to him? No. He didn't say.
[00:15:13] Unknown:
I I made him leave. Go to the motel until I could talk to you. Okay. Okay. That was smart.
[00:15:19] Unknown:
Now listen, you call him and get him to come up here to the development. Get your car out of the garage, pick him up at the motel, bring him up here to the office. But what if he won't take money to go away? Well, in that case, there'll have to be another accident. Now you call him. No matter what you have to say or do, get him up here tonight. There's your call, Bart. Take it. Well, she wants to come here. Well, let her come. Listen to what she has to say. I'll get out.
[00:16:01] Unknown:
Yes? Are you Mr. Maine? Yes. Who's calling? I'm the girl on the switchboard at your wife's apartment building. Oh, yes. Look, I don't know if I should be telling you this because I I really shouldn't have been listening. But your wife called your husband, her husband, I mean, her other husband, mister Dean, at his office. Alright, miss. Why did you call me? Yeah. Missus Dean, I mean, your wife is gonna call you. Yes. I know that. But she's gonna get you to go out to the new developer Sunset Heights and meet mister Dean.
[00:16:31] Unknown:
Good. But why are you calling and telling me this? Because
[00:16:35] Unknown:
because I think if you don't take money to go away, they're gonna kill you.
[00:16:46] Unknown:
Once in a blue moon, you run into a yarn that has more twists than the rope that hangs a lot of people who think they can get away with murder. When Bart Lane told me what the switchboard operator had passed on to him, I knew it was time to call him the long arm of the law. But before I could persuade Lane never mind the cops. That'll be Mildred. Let me handle this my way. Not a chance Lane. If you go with Mildred, it's an even bet somebody will be killed. Maybe Hello?
[00:17:18] Unknown:
Hello, boss? Listen, I've just talked to Malcolm at the at the office. What did he say? Well, actually, it was a terrible shot.
[00:17:26] Unknown:
How did he take the news? I'm alive. Oh, but he's so kind.
[00:17:31] Unknown:
So understanding. What's he gonna do about it? He wants to see you at his office. Meet you and talk to you. I'm willing. When? I'll come for you in my car. Wait for me on the highway outside the motel. I'll be there in ten minutes.
[00:17:46] Unknown:
Alright, Mildred. I'll be waiting ten minutes. Okay, Bart. You've made your date. Now let me make mine. Who are you gonna call? The homicide squad just in case Mildred and her new hubby decide to kill you a second time.
[00:18:15] Unknown:
How much farther, Mildred? How much better head. In the woods along the ridge.
[00:18:24] Unknown:
What what are you stopping for? Bart, let's talk for a moment. Why? What's there to talk about? You?
[00:18:34] Unknown:
I what really happened?
[00:18:38] Unknown:
I got lost. Died. Remember?
[00:18:41] Unknown:
I I mean,
[00:18:43] Unknown:
did you find what you went after? You mean the gold? Yes. Did you find any? A little. Much? Enough. What do you care? You seem to have done pretty well. Oh, not really. Malcolm is rich.
[00:18:55] Unknown:
Is real estate development a speculation, but that isn't what I'm getting at.
[00:19:02] Unknown:
What are you getting at?
[00:19:04] Unknown:
Oh, Bart, you know. Couldn't we try again? Go away out of the country far away. What about Malcolm? Oh, I can handle him. He would dare say anything. We might even be able to get some money out of him if you haven't enough.
[00:19:25] Unknown:
You'd do anything for money, wouldn't you, Mildred?
[00:19:28] Unknown:
But don't say that. I'm only thinking of you. Oh, how you must have suffered all these years. Stop it, honey. You're breaking my heart. Oh, Pa, don't you believe me? No, Mildred. He doesn't. Welcome.
[00:19:40] Unknown:
Yes. I saw your headlights from the office. I saw you park here in fact. I thought I'd come over and see how you two were getting on. Great. I gather you got an earful. Yes. Yes. Quite an earful, Elaine. And don't bother to get out of the car. We're going on from here. Where? Well, I wanna show you our new development. It's quite interesting. We have several excavations dug all ready for the pouring of the concrete. One of them will make a very nice grade. Malcolm, you said? Just too much has been said, my dear. Now start the motor. I'll get in the back of the car. Wait a minute. What's the idea of the gun? Let's have it on the line. It's really very simple, Lane.
You're a dead man. You died in an automobile accident over a year ago. Yeah. So I found out. Malcolm, he knows. Yes. I suspected as much. I think he came here to blackmail us. Bleed us white as the price of silence. Wrong, Dean. Dead wrong. It doesn't matter. What about Mildred, our loving wife? I haven't quite made up my mind. Malcolm, I was only leading him on trying to find out if he had any money. Oh. Well, now that was greedy, Mildred. Foolish. But you've always been greedy, haven't you? Never quite satisfied with what you have. His insurance wasn't enough. How well he knows you my dear.
And by the way, Mildred, who is the guy you identified who died in the car in my place?
[00:21:09] Unknown:
Go ahead. Tell him, Mildred. It doesn't matter. You did it. You arranged it. Pick up that hit hiker, rake the car, or burn the body. Oh, so that's how it was done. Yes.
[00:21:20] Unknown:
So now let's go over to the side of my first Dean. Drop that gun. You. And without turning around. That was smart. I'd hate to have to shoot anybody in the back. You better get out of that car, Bart. You died in one last year, remember? Yeah. Thanks, Jeff. Where are the cops? Oh, I thought they might be a little tardy so I tagged along behind when you drove off with Mildred. They'll be here any minute. Oh, help me. Believe me, I didn't kill that hitchhiker.
[00:21:59] Unknown:
Malcolm did. He planned the whole thing from the very beginning. It was his idea. It won't do my dear.
[00:22:07] Unknown:
Murder isn't like your kind of marriage. We're in this together, Mildred, until death do us part.
[00:22:34] Unknown:
This is Don Dowd again, your host for Mystery Time. You have just heard Masters of Mystery live from New York. Tonight's play, Murder by Proxy, was written by Jerry McGill and produced by Clark Andrews in association with Ronald Dawson and Robert Arthur. Featured in tonight's drama were Everett Sloane, George Petrie, Kathleen Cordell, and Lyle Sudrow. Next Wednesday and every Wednesday night, another presentation of masters of mystery. Tomorrow night, mystery time brings you mystery classics presenting death rides the storm by John West. Be with us then, won't you? This is Don Dowd, your host for mystery time.
See you tomorrow night. This program came to you live from New York. This is the ABC Radio Network.
