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In this thrilling episode of the CBS Radio Mystery Theater, hosted by EG Marshall, we delve into the intriguing world of the famous French detective Eugene Valmont. Set in the late 1800s in England, the story unfolds with Valmont being approached by London's chief inspector, Spencer Hale, to solve a perplexing case involving counterfeit silver coins. As Valmont navigates through the foggy streets of London, he encounters a web of deceit, involving a mysterious character named Ralph Summertrees, who is suspected of being part of a counterfeiting ring. However, as Valmont digs deeper, he uncovers a more complex scheme involving absent-minded clients and fraudulent installment plans.
Join us as Valmont uses his sharp wit and keen analytical skills to unravel the mystery, revealing a clever swindle that has been operating under the guise of legitimate business. With a cast of intriguing characters, including the elusive Dr. Willoughby and the cunning Angus MacPherson, this episode promises a captivating tale of deception and intrigue. As the plot thickens, listeners are left on the edge of their seats, wondering how Valmont will outsmart the criminals and bring justice to those who have been wronged. Tune in for a classic detective story that showcases the brilliance of Eugene Valmont and the timeless allure of mystery and suspense.
(00:30) Introduction to the Mystery
(02:07) Setting the Scene: England in the 1800s
(04:00) The Counterfeit Conundrum
(10:00) The Investigation Begins
(17:00) Uncovering the Secret Passage
(27:00) The Absent-Minded League
(36:00) The Confrontation and Confession
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[00:00:00]
Unknown:
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[00:00:31] Unknown:
CBS radio mystery theater presents Welcome. I'm EG Marshall. The famous French detective Eugene Balmain rarely, in his brilliant international career, came across such an equal as he meets in the story about to unfold. A war of nerves turned into a battle of wits, which I am happy to report to you from the front lines. Junk hair. Shine your flashlight onto the desk so that I can examine the papers. And mister Van Ma. It's hard to believe doctor Willoughby could be up to something so underhanded. Are you speaking of doctor Willoughby, alias, the agent messenger, alias Ralph Summerfield? I doubt if he is as innocent as he looks, but let us wait and see what I find here.
Our mystery drama, adapted from the classic story by Robert Farr, has been dramatized especially for the mystery theater by Geraldine and stars Norman Rose. It is sponsored in part by Buick Motor Division. I'll be back shortly with Act One. We are in England, the late eighteen hundreds. An American president has just been elected, and the London newsboys are shouting something about the defeat of free silver. A man with deep set eyes and sharp features wearing a long cape spy the newspaper, and her his home. He is Eugene Valmont.
I simply could not find a cab in the fog, so I walked all the way to my flat. After dinner, I opened the paper and sat before the fire. The eloquent mister Brian had been defeated in the election. I was sorry to read that. A man with such a gift of words. Come in, Jean Pierre. What is it? Mister Bernard. Inspector Spencer Hale gives you the seal. At this hour? I'll show him in then. I will, mister.
[00:03:02] Unknown:
Glad to find you, round robin.
[00:03:05] Unknown:
Mind if I shut the door? Of course. It is only the barbaric Americans who leave all the doors in their houses open. But since you make a point of asking, inspector, I presume you have something of a very confidential nature to discuss. I would say so. A totally unnecessary precaution. My man, Jean Pierre, is also my assistant. When I decided to retire from the service, he asked to retire with me, to sit by the fire and select her. Yeah.
[00:03:34] Unknown:
I, see you reading the evening paper. I'm glad that Mount Brian was defeated.
[00:03:40] Unknown:
Caesar Merrickets, such strange people. Of course, he was defeated. A millionaire running for the presidency in a democracy where the average voter is as poor as a French peasant. Now, what important matter has brought London's chief inspector to my poor apartment on such a night?
[00:04:00] Unknown:
Hello, ma'am. You're a clever man. So when I tell you the question which has brought me here tonight is the same on which the American election was put, I know I need to say no more.
[00:04:13] Unknown:
Free? Silver, Inspector. Yes. Entirely too free. Tell me, dear friend, have they eluded you? Who? Wife. The counterfeiters. Oh, please. Remember, that was just a lucky shot. Perhaps. Well, tell me how you guessed it. Very simple, mon ami. The question on which the American election was fought was the price of silver, which is so low it ruined William Jennings Bryan. Silver troubles America, ergo, silver troubles Scotland Yard. It is not the theft of silver, but the price of silver, the very low price. Ergo, someone must be counterfeiting British coins
[00:04:58] Unknown:
and making a large pottery. Very well, you've hit it. I'll say that for you. Buying it right on the noggin. Listen, there's a gang of expert counterfeiters who are putting out real silver money and making a clear shilling on a real ground.
[00:05:15] Unknown:
I gather you do not know who the counterfeiters are. No. But we know the man who's shoving the stuff. So you go from a to b and find out? To still find the luck, which is why I've come to see you tonight. To see if you would do one of the old French tricks for us on the quiet. And what French tricks, Monsieur Haire? Oh, no offense intended.
[00:05:38] Unknown:
And I need someone to go to a man's house without a search warrant, spot the evidence, let me know, and then we'll rush the place before he's out of time to hide the goods. I see. Who is this man and where does he live? Well, his name is Ralph Summertrees and he isn't a very posh forestall in Park Lane. And why do you suspect him? Park Lane is an expensive distillate to live in. Not if Summertrees has no more ostensible business. And every Friday, he goes to the United Capital Bank in Piccadilly and deposits bags
[00:06:17] Unknown:
of silver coins. And they are, of course, the real thing, not counterfeit. Naturally. But it's no great problem to go round numbing with a bucket full of counterfeit fire chilling pieces, buy this, that, and another, get the change, and come home with legitimate guy. Why don't you nab him on his way out when he's got a puppet full of counterfeits? Well, we saw that,
[00:06:41] Unknown:
but we wanna land the whole gang. Hope we arrest him for pardon.
[00:06:45] Unknown:
Whoever doing a counterfeiting will escape. And you know for certain this summer season A summer string. Yes. That he is not the counterfeiter. Well Of course you do. You've got one of your own men working in his house. Unfortunately, your man has not come up with any evidence. Yeah. I'll visit it again, Grandma.
[00:07:05] Unknown:
I've got a man called Podgers working his butler there for stealing. He's come up with nothing,
[00:07:12] Unknown:
Tell me, how does the money get to this,
[00:07:15] Unknown:
summer trees in Park Lane? Well, it's brought there every night by a man who looks like an elderly respectable city clerk. He puts him in a large safe in a dining room on the Ground Floor. Have you had the clerk followed? Of course, certainly.
[00:07:30] Unknown:
Oh, what do you take us for? Nah. According to a party's, he sleeps every night in a Park Lane house. In the morning, goes to an antique shop in Cottoncourt Road, spends her day there, and, otherwise, returns to Park Lane with a bag of money. And you would rather not arrest and question him either? All for the same reason. He's merely a messenger. What go will it till you put the girl between them to drink letting the real criminals escape? Nothing suspicious about the antique shop? There's nothing awaiting discover. Let us see what I can discover. Do you happen to have a counterfeit 5 shilling piece on you? Yes. I do. Good. Give it to me. I may be able to put it to good use.
Oh, my. It certainly is a faithful reproduction.
[00:08:23] Unknown:
Using pure silver discount so that it can make a 5 shilling piece of blood to do nothing. Oh, and the actual silver is worth no more than 6p.
[00:08:32] Unknown:
Fancy that. Now to get back to your suspect, Summer Lee That man is Summer Tree. Yes. Of course. That's what I meant. But but does he have any, any women servants in his house? No. All men. A butler, a valet,
[00:08:45] Unknown:
and a French cook. I know. A French cook.
[00:08:49] Unknown:
This case begins to interest me. Are you French cooking? You know, I might take your man Pardo's place and play the butler since I gather he has not discovered anything. Oh, he's done a good job. Everything a man can do.
[00:09:02] Unknown:
Naturally, he doesn't have the experience.
[00:09:05] Unknown:
Now, what does this summerfield do all day? Apodger thinks he's a writer. Look, since they're fucked from one winter evening and stubby. Doesn't he come out for lunch?
[00:09:16] Unknown:
Now he has a hot plate and he's studying. Makes his own coffee. Has a little ponchine and a sandwich. Well, pretty frugal fare for Park Lane. Oh, he makes up all in the evening when he has a long dinner with all those
[00:09:30] Unknown:
fine dishes you'll be able to eat, turn up by Swiss Cook. Sensible man. I must tell you, inspector, my opinion of your suspect has been gradually rising, and at the same time, my estimate of your puncture has been steadily declining. However, bring the man here tomorrow, and I will ask him a few questions.
[00:09:56] Unknown:
Monsieur Rammons, this is Sergeant Porges. How do you do, sir?
[00:10:01] Unknown:
Porters, has this man's summer trees ever stopped you from entering any of his rooms in Park Lane?
[00:10:08] Unknown:
No, sir. He's been quite open with me, you might say. Last Friday, he went to the safe, took out the money, had me count over his shilling, and sent me to the bank to deposit, sir. Two deposits,
[00:10:21] Unknown:
sir. What do you think of that Vermouth? Well, frankly, I think he has seen through Poggio's disguise and been very sure the scheme is amused by the masquerade. Now then, Poggill, about this aged clerk. He arrives every day with the money at, what time? At prompt six. Does he ring or let himself in with a latch key? With a latch key. How does he carry the money? In a locked leather satchel, sir. And you'll see him go directly to the dining room, unlock the safe, and put in the money? Yes, sir. So it is the agent, Clark, who unlocks a leather money bag? Yes, sir. Let me see. That is three keys used within as many minutes. Did you ever see mister Summer Tree with his bunch of keys? For instance, the time he opened the safe and you counted the money and took it to the bank, what key did he use?
I don't remember, sir. Once the money is in and the safe locked up, what does the clerk do? Grows his room, sir. Where is it? On the Third Floor. Where do you sleep, Rogers?
[00:11:35] Unknown:
On the Fourth Floor,
[00:11:36] Unknown:
the rest of the servants. Mhmm. And mister Francois? On the Second Floor, joining his study, sir. The house consists of four stories in the basement, and you have gone through it all. Yes, sir. And you can let me in so that I can make an examination test? Oh, yes, sir.
[00:11:54] Unknown:
Thursdays is the help stay off and mister Summer Tree is always locked in his room, sir. I've never disturbed him. Roger, you are a sharp, alert, observant man. Thank you, sir. What happens that strikes you as
[00:12:09] Unknown:
unusual? I can't rightly say, sir. Call to mind some of the other households in which you have been an undercover man. Is there any way in which mister Summer Tree's establishment
[00:12:21] Unknown:
differs from them? Well, sir, he does stick to his room writing
[00:12:26] Unknown:
pretty close. Anything else, no matter how trivial. He seems fond of reading too.
[00:12:32] Unknown:
This way, he's fond of newspapers. He takes all the morning and evening papers.
[00:12:37] Unknown:
And what is done with them after he has read them? For they're sold to the ragman, once a week. Do they appear to have been read carefully? Anything cut out of them?
[00:12:49] Unknown:
Not that I could see, sir. I can't see what the one's reading habits have to do with anything. Oh, a great deal.
[00:12:56] Unknown:
Pocho, today is Wednesday. Tomorrow morning, I would like you to bring here to my assistant Jean Pierre whatever newspapers you have gathered this week to be sold. Au vermont, what's all this mystery about the newspapers? Mister? Oh, compare, inspector. I would say the entire case is perfectly plain. What's perfectly plain? You suspect, Summer Tree, is not a counterfeiter. Nor is he in any way connected with counterfeiters? What is he then? Something far more interesting. And, and, and that is what I plan to find out. As the great Sherlock Holmes would say, hello? What have we here?
Obviously, his French counterpart, Eugene Dalmont, has an unusual analytical mind. I'll admit to you he's several steps ahead of me. Where those steps lead, I hope we shall discover when I return shortly with that too. Have you ever noticed how poised and alert is a hunting dog when his senses telling his prey is not far off? Our Eugene Verma has picked up a scent, but where does it lean? To whom? A fox? A wolf? Perhaps a man disguised in sheep's clothing? The following day, our French detective arrives at the Parkway house. Policeman dodgers leads him to the Third Floor.
And, this, I take it, is the room where the aged clerk who delivers the money spends his evenings
[00:14:46] Unknown:
and nights. Yes, sir. I advise you to come here today, monsieur Valmont, because I accidentally opened the study of mister Summer Tree and he's not there. I'm sure he'll be out for quite a few hours. Oh, good.
[00:15:03] Unknown:
Now, to make a thorough search. What are you looking for, sir? An escape hatch. You tell me that this clerk arrives with the money, put it in the safe, goes up to this room for a manger or evening or night, and leaves in the morning. Quite right, sir. Oh, don't you find it peculiar he should arrive at six and go to bed hungry? No dinner? Oh, I never told her that, sir. And you never told me what he looked like either?
[00:15:34] Unknown:
The clerk, quite old. Grey hair.
[00:15:39] Unknown:
Grey beard. Yes. And your muscular summer trees. How would you describe him? Well, a younger man.
[00:15:47] Unknown:
Quite keen shame.
[00:15:50] Unknown:
That's the closet door you are tapping on, sir? Yes, I know it is. And I shall go inside the closet and continue tapping. And there must be a latch here somewhere. Why would anyone hang a pair of trousers on a hook back here? Now suppose we give this hook a little twist.
[00:16:14] Unknown:
Good Lord.
[00:16:15] Unknown:
The panel in the back of the closet is Willow. So it is. Potters, I want you to go down one flight into mister Summertree's study and wait there for me. Now, sir? The sooner, the better. Potters. Martyrs, are you there?
[00:16:34] Unknown:
Mister Velmar,
[00:16:36] Unknown:
how did you get down the end of mister Sanofi's closet? I walked down Pajos. There are two closed closets, one directly above the other, and behind them are connecting secret stairs. You see why this would be useful, Pajos? Not entirely, sir. The aged messenger who has all the keys puts the money in the safe, then goes up to his room on the Third Floor, into the closet, back down the secret stairs to the Second Floor closet, removes his beard, changes clothes, and so forth, and becomes who he really is, mister Somatres.
He has an excellent dinner prepared by an excellent French cook. And the next morning he reverses the procedure, becomes the aged messenger and goes off to this shop on Tottenham Court Road. Part of I fear you've been watching empty rooms on the Second And Third Floors and a suspect who wasn't in them for over two weeks. Well, how did,
[00:17:35] Unknown:
why would he do all that?
[00:17:37] Unknown:
There is a trade deal of safety in a one man operation. The following day, Friday, my assistant, Jean Pierre and I, stood outside a certain antique shop in Tottenham Court Road, gazing at the bristlebras in the window. Look at the trash people sell as an peep. No worse, Jean Pierre, than what people will buy. Did the rather stout sergeant porter deliver a handful of newspapers this morning? Ah, yes. I've got them for you. Not for me, Jean Pierre, for you. When we return home, I would like an analysis and a full report by tea time. Oh, in a sec. Now shall we go inside the shop? What can I do for you gentlemen? There's a small clock my friend and I saw in your window, standing on a big seashell and covered with little seashells.
Tell me, how much is it? 7 and 6, shall I get it out so you can have a look at it by all means? Get it out and wrap it up. We shall buy it. Jean Pierre, do you happen to have any small change about you? I am afraid I don't. Nothing smaller than a five pound note. Well, then, I still say, sovereign, my good man. 20 shillings. Do you mind the change being all in silver? No. Not in the least. Here we are, sir. I think you find that correct. Thank you. Intriguing place you have here, sir. May I inquire your name? Willowby. Anything else that, cracks your fancy? Well, suppose we browse a bit. Let's have a look around. By all means. By all means. The shop is yours, gentlemen. Now wrap up your seashell clock, if you'll excuse me. But Just take your time. Take your time.
Top here, did you see that young man who just came into the shop? I did. He went directly to the back room and this, willow be right after him. Let me inspect the silver he gave me in change. Half a card, three, two shilling pieces. One, two, three, four separate shillings. Javier, how do they look to you? Well, I would say badly enough made to be the real thing from the British Mint. Agreed. So we know he's not bombing off counterfeit money. When he returns, we'll buy something small and give him the inspector's counterfeit 5 shillings piece and see how he reacts to that. The young man who just came in, he's leaving. I'm going out the door.
Gentlemen, have you found anything else that Kotchera. Yes. This little ink stem. How much is that? 2 shillings. Oh, do take it out of this. 5 shillings. Yes, sir. Here you are, sir. Oh, do do excuse me, will you? I shall I shall be right back. Top here. Another young man. Quite a bit of traffic to the bathroom. At any rate, I'm assured my first conclusion was correct. He took the coin without blinking. So it is highly unlikely anything of a counterfeit nature goes on here. Okay. I'm going to move toward the front door. While our shopkeeper is engaged, I'm going to make a wax impression of the king. Should he return unexpectedly, detain him?
Over by the door is a pile of what looks like pamphlets ready to be mailed. I think I'll help myself to one. Did you make the key impression? I did. Did you secure the pamphlet? I did. I I can see through that back door. The young man is getting up to leave, mister Willoughby. A good time for us to go also. You have the purchases. I have gone over all the newspapers sergeant Rogers left here. Each one is more or less the same, the usual advertisements of pills and soap and so forth. Aside from that, there is one kind of advertisement common to all these papers. It says it can cure absent mindedness.
Well, let me show you, mister. Let's see. Are you absent minded? There is no need to be. You can cure confusion and forgetfulness. Apply by mail for our template. List your personal hobby. No fee, no treatment, no risk. You lose nothing. You may gain peace of mind. Doctor Stanford Willoughby. 1414 Tottenham Court Road, London, WC 1. This is one of his pamphlets I picked up at a shop. At the back, it says, doctor Willoughby will neither see patients nor correspond personally. Read and learn. You need not be absent minded. The good doctor has just secured another patient. I shall write to him that I am very absent minded. That my hobby is, is, what shall I say, Jean Pierre? Collecting rare books.
Excellent. Rare first editions. And I signed my name. What was the name that we used on the Millburn murder case? Alport Webster. So you were Alport Webster? You still have the calling card with that name on it to slip onto my mailbox downstairs? I'll let them do it. There was something else I had on my mind to report to you. What would it be? The key. Did you give me the key? That's it. Of course. Here it is. I finished an hour ago from your wife's impression. Now let me see. I'll put Webster card or mailbox letters. Will it be key to shop? Or what have I forgotten? The ruminate tea. I forgot that. You know, Jean, it occurs to me we are both getting a bit forgetful.
Perhaps doctor Willoughby will teach us more than we hoped for. Good morning, mister Vellum. Good morning, Jean Pierre. There is a mister Angus MacPherson outside. He's come to see a mister Alport Webster. Here. Where is his card? So soon, mister Webster has a visitor. Jean Pierre, Show the gentleman in.
[00:24:04] Unknown:
You Mitchelitza. Mister Webster, how kind of you to receive me.
[00:24:11] Unknown:
Your card reads Angus Mitchelson rare books. Now in what can I serve you? These three books I put before you. Are you interested at all in first editions, mister Webster? It is the only thing I am interested in, but, unfortunately, they often run into a lot of money.
[00:24:32] Unknown:
That's true. If you say you do run into some money, this one, it costs £100. However, it is an excellent value. The last one sold at auction here in London for £150. This book is £40 and this one, £10. I'm sure, mister Webster, you cannot duplicate three such treasures at these prices in any bookshop in Britain. Oh, yes. Quite extraordinary.
[00:25:02] Unknown:
Beautifully covered. Excellent condition. How, sir, for instance, did you learn that I was a collector?
[00:25:10] Unknown:
Mister Webster, I must confess I can't state. I do that very often. I enter a flat like this at a good address, send in my card with a name on the mailbox. And if I'm invited in, I ask what I ask you. Are you interested in prior editions? Then if he says no, I leave. If he says yes,
[00:25:32] Unknown:
then I show my books. Mister MacPherson, since this is the first time you have called upon me, you have no objection if I ask the name of the owner of these books. Who is name? It's mister Ralph Summertree
[00:25:44] Unknown:
of Park Lane. I shall be glad to leave the books with you and come back tomorrow when you made up your money. Oh, no. No. No. It is rather a question of money. I I was going to tell you, I'm a very good friend. And when people find it inconvenient to put down a considerable sum, he pays for the books. Then I make an arrangement with my customer to pay a certain amount each week, installments small enough to suit the client.
[00:26:13] Unknown:
Suppose I take the book at £10, what installment should I have to pay each week? What you like, sir?
[00:26:21] Unknown:
Would 5 shillings be too much? I think not. None, man. If you pay me 5 shillings now, I will leave the book with you and will call on you this day each week for the next installment. Good enough.
[00:26:36] Unknown:
Here you are. Five chilies.
[00:26:39] Unknown:
Until Wednesday next time, mister Webster. A pleasure. Jean Pierre
[00:26:44] Unknown:
I'll have my man to show you out.
[00:26:46] Unknown:
Jean Pierre, before mister Matheson out, good day, sir. Yeah. And thank you. And happy reading. You you've got a treasure there.
[00:26:58] Unknown:
Very fine indeed. Go to the red marker level, more or less. Jean Pierre, has, Armistice Metworsen left? Yes, mister. Oh, it says a pork. You thought, sir? No, Jean. It is cheese for our mousetrap in a most exquisite binding. Unquestionably, we then download it, uncovering a swindle. How it worked, who works it, who gains, who uses are all questions to which you have every right to accept answers. But since when have I ever disappointed you if you remain tuned
[00:27:44] Unknown:
in for act three? I'll be back shortly.
[00:27:58] Unknown:
Some people live by bending the golden rule. Others would melt it down if they could. Satinely has been going on for centuries. Even Samuel Johnson warned saying, if a man really believes, there's no difference between virtue and vice. Why, sir, when he leaves my house, I count my spoons. Good advice, it seems to me, today as it was two hundred years ago. Jean Pierre, point your flashlight over here, over the desk. I want to go through it. Niceness. Let me fix up this. So in this instance, with its seashell clock, it's hard to believe doctor Willoughby could be up to anything underhanded. Doctor Willoughby, earliest the agent messenger clock, earliest of summer fleet. Three.
This goodness knows how many other people no. No. This is not a thing of some store by far. When you look at this collection of calling cards and this McPherson rare coins, and this McPherson jewels to the connoisseur, fine furniture, cards for other accomplices as well, mister Rogers, mister Tills, and these feats. Mister Tills list, mister Fambody's list, mister McPherson's list. There I am, Alport Webster, owing £10 weekly payments, 5 shillings. Except for the calling cards, these sheets are no evidence of wrongdoing, however. Really a record. Names of clients.
Don't care. I am disappointed. A legitimate letter of collections. Not too bad. I'll have a look at one of those ledgers on the shelf overhead. Now this may be something. This is Fred MacPherson's account going back several years. 1896541893. Well, let's see who his clients were then. There is Lord Senthum. I know the gentleman. Absolute minded old godger. See page 47. 47. Lord Semptum purchased Chip and Dale Wingchair £50. Look here. Look. Look here. Look here. Lord Semptum has been paying a pound a week for that chair for more than three years. Look at this. His lordship has already paid in installments £170 Ah, that's it. That is it.
Look at these names of collect loads. This summer fleet has been employing a half dozen collectors who take in weekly installments from these absent minded buyers long after the debts are paid. I'll take this page of Lord Simpom's account and copy out some names and addresses of friend Angus's present clients, and then we'll be off. Of coursely business, buying on the installment plan. Yeah. Especially if you're absent minded.
[00:31:11] Unknown:
I got your message.
[00:31:12] Unknown:
Why are we meeting here in Trafalgar Square? If one has secrets to divulge the most public places, the most private. That's what we were taught in the Paris Youth Day. Yeah. So what is it? You say you already have evidence against a man. Evidence absolute and complete. Well, then who are the counterfeiters? My dear hell, I have told you since the beginning that Summer Tree was neither a counterfeiter nor a confederate. But I believe I have evidence sufficient to convict him of quite another offense, which is probably unique in the annals of crime. Inspector, I would like you to come by to my flat next Wednesday at about, quarter to six to third to make an arrest.
Now, inspector Hale, I should like to stand behind the door so when it opens, voila, this study of mine will be in complete darkness except for a light which will shine on you. Oh, bit like here to lock. So when the young MacPherson fellow enters, he will immediately see you towering there full height in your official uniform, a frightening sight to behold. Thank you. You see, Hale, I am anxious to study MacPherson's face when he realizes he has walked in to confront a policeman. Oh, what time is it? One more minute and our friend will be here to collect his 5 shillings for the book I purchased. Mister Angus McPherson. I assure you, ladies, Jean Pierre. Hale,
[00:32:45] Unknown:
Oh, I, I beg your pardon. I had expected to meet mister Webster. Covid. Covid, miss Watson. Oh, there you are, mister Webster. I didn't see you at first.
[00:33:00] Unknown:
Sit down, Meckelsen. You have called on Lord Senthum this week.
[00:33:06] Unknown:
Sir. And collected a pound from him?
[00:33:09] Unknown:
Yes, sir. Three years ago in October, you sold Lord Senthom a Chip and Bear wing chair for £50. Quite right, sir. When you were here last week, you gave me Ralph Summer Tree as the name of the gentleman who owns the books living in Park Lane. You knew at the time this man was your employer. You also knew that his Summer Tree's of Park Lane was identical with doctor Willoughby of Tottenham Court Road.
[00:33:33] Unknown:
I don't exactly see what you're driving at, sir. It's quite usual for a man to carry on a business under an assumed name. There's nothing illegal about that. We will come to the illegality in a moment.
[00:33:47] Unknown:
You and Rogers and Tyrle and three others are confederates of this doctor Willoughby.
[00:33:52] Unknown:
We are in his employ, but no more confederates and clerks usually are. I think, MacPherson,
[00:33:59] Unknown:
I have said enough to show you that the game is what you English call up. You are now in the presence of mister Spencer Hale of Scotland Yard who is waiting to hear your confession.
[00:34:11] Unknown:
Confession. Confederate. I must say he is extraordinary terms. What are you to say in your defense? Where nothing criminal has been alleged, I see no necessity for defense. If you will be good enough to let me know of what you complain,
[00:34:30] Unknown:
I shall endeavor to make the point clear to you. I show you this ledger sheet. Have you ever seen it before?
[00:34:37] Unknown:
Oh, yes. It's been taken from our fire. It's what I call
[00:34:43] Unknown:
my visiting list. Oh, come, MacPherson. Why continue the charade? We all know about it. You never heard of doctor Willoughby, I suppose. Oh, yes. Yes. He's the author of a silly pamphlet on absent mindedness. You are right. Have you ever met this learned doctor? Oh, yes. Doctor Willoughby is the pen name of mister Sumitris. Really? Well, we are extracting your concession bit by bit. And, McPherson, I think it would be far better if you are honest with us. If you tell me what the charge is, I will then know what to say. We charge you, sir, with obtaining money under false pretenses. A crime that has landed the biggest financiers in jail.
Well, well, won't we? Mustn't threaten. You know? Take for instance, Lord Symptom. You sold him a chair for £50 on the installment plan. He was to pay a pound a week, and in less than a year, his debt was liquidated. But he is an absolute minded man as are all your clients. So you kept on collecting and collecting for more than three years. Now, do you understand the charge?
[00:35:50] Unknown:
What you tell me is really a clever little scheme. The absent minded league on my column. Most ingenious. I quite see how you could make such a mistake. You have jumped to the conclusion that we sold nothing to lordship them except at Chippendale's chair three years ago. However, his lordship is a frequent customer of ours and has had many things from us at one time or another. And we keep a sort of, running contract with him
[00:36:20] Unknown:
by which he pays us a pound a week. Are you telling me that all your customers deal on the same plan? You keep selling and they keep paying?
[00:36:29] Unknown:
That, visiting list on your desk, mister Valmont, is incomplete. To understand it, you must refer to our business encyclopedias. Hey, take Lord Cheptam. His account is the number 102. Turn to that page of the encyclopedia of 1893, and you will see a list of all the items his lordship has purchased. If you will allow me to use your telephone for a moment, I will ask mister Psoletree to bring you the encyclopedia for 1893. And in fifteen minutes, you'll be satisfied that everything is legitimate. And may I use your phone? Just a moment. I'll do the telephone. What's his number?
Hyde Park 140. Hello, Central? Get me Hyde Park 140, please. These encyclopedias contain the real secret of our business and our captain, mister Summer Tree, is safe. Is is this a lesson to mister Summer Tree? Or is that your partner? Is mister Summitree's in? Oh, very well. This is Ale.
[00:37:42] Unknown:
Armand Valmont's flat. Yes. Yes. Where you were the other day.
[00:37:47] Unknown:
Very well. Now go to mister Summer Tree's and say to him that mister McPherson wants encyclopedia of 1893. Did you get that? Oh, yes. Yes. He'll understand what it is. A mister McPherson wants it. Right. No. No. No. Don't mention my name at all. Try and say that mister McPherson wants it and that you're the brain. And you get into a cabin to me as quickly as possible.
[00:38:17] Unknown:
We're writing.
[00:38:21] Unknown:
Of course, Inspector Haley, you know your business best. But if your man arrests summer trees, you'll make me the laughing stock of London. But while we're waiting, mister Valmont, may I remind you you owe me 5 shillings this week's installment?
[00:38:41] Unknown:
Of course. I hear you are.
[00:38:44] Unknown:
Are you connected with Scotland Yard,
[00:38:47] Unknown:
mister Valmont? No. Not at all.
[00:38:51] Unknown:
Well, I can't think of anything else to say to pass the time. I suppose we shall just have to sit back and wait. Buzzers, give me the book. Let's see. The Encyclopedia
[00:39:12] Unknown:
Sport 1893. What sort of joke is this next person?
[00:39:19] Unknown:
Oh, no. I might have known this had happened. If you'd allowed me to telephone, I should have made it perfectly clear to mister Summertree. It's what we wanted. There's an increasing demand for out of date books on sport, and he thought this is what I meant. There is nothing for it but to send your man back to Park Lane and tell mister Summertree we wanted the locked volume of accounts of eighteen ninety three. Hello? Yes. Yes. This is Michelle, but I'm not present.
[00:40:13] Unknown:
Well, the but wait. Who is this? Speaking. Doctor Willowbray. Hello? Hello?
[00:40:21] Unknown:
Oh, he's running off. Hell, stop him. Stop it, Justin. What? What's he down? He took that seat from the ledger and threw it into the fire. He's destroyed evidence.
[00:40:29] Unknown:
Let's first say, how dare you burn that seat? Because, my dear Monsieur Valmont, it did not belong to you. Because you stole it. Because you had no right to it. And because you have no official standing in this country. I have always maintained these sheets and ledgers should not be checked. Mister Summertree, however, persisted, but he made this concession. If I ever telephoned him the world encyclopedia, he would at once burn his records. When done, he was to telephone back to me the world. The encyclopedia is out of print.
Now, gentlemen, either put me formally under arrest or see me to the door. This farce is now over. A very good evening to you, Inspector Hale, and a good evening to you, Eugene Valmont. I shall give myself the pleasure of calling next Wednesday at six for my 5 shillings.
[00:41:41] Unknown:
Believe it or not, the inspector from Scotland Yard and the retired detective from the French USA are still friends. However, there's one certain case they never talk about, nor do the words absent mindedness or counterfeiting ever come into their conversation. And if one of them happens to say every cloud has a silver lining, the other turns pale.
[00:42:09] Unknown:
I shall be back
[00:42:18] Unknown:
shortly. In the world of the wicked, a certain kind of swindle is regarded as a very great act, the one that's fearful. And the greatest artist is the one who takes the least risk. I dare say among the hundreds of tales of rogues and nays I brought you on the mystery theater, this is the first in which dream plan flourishes. I hope it is the last. Our cast included Norman Rose, Robert Dryden, and Lloyd Bautista. The entire production is under the direction of Hyman Brown.
[00:42:57] Unknown:
And now, a preview of our next tale. The spirit, having achieved the ultimate understanding, leaves the body and tries to become one with the universe. Leonard, I'm drowning. The time is not yet, and so it must be born anew in another body. Leonard, is this you, Reggie? I am finally free. I know at last. I know. The guru showed me who I am. Who are you? I have been born again. We created. Although, realistically I never died. Yes? Once again I walk the world. I think. I dream. I create. But who are you? That is who do you think you are? I know who I am. Yeah? Yeah.
I'm Leonardo Da Vinci.
[00:43:52] Unknown:
This is E. G. Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time.
[00:44:02] Unknown:
Pleasant dream.
Bring along an American Express card to open the door to rewards wherever you go. Morning coffee run with an old friend? Earn cash back. Weekend getaway? Earn miles. Dinner at the hottest restaurant in town, you get the idea. No matter the place or the plan, Amex rewards your inner explorer. See if you prequalify for an American Express card with no impact on your credit score. Learn more at americanexpress.com/check-4-offers. Your credit score may be impacted if you accept a card. Terms apply.
[00:00:31] Unknown:
CBS radio mystery theater presents Welcome. I'm EG Marshall. The famous French detective Eugene Balmain rarely, in his brilliant international career, came across such an equal as he meets in the story about to unfold. A war of nerves turned into a battle of wits, which I am happy to report to you from the front lines. Junk hair. Shine your flashlight onto the desk so that I can examine the papers. And mister Van Ma. It's hard to believe doctor Willoughby could be up to something so underhanded. Are you speaking of doctor Willoughby, alias, the agent messenger, alias Ralph Summerfield? I doubt if he is as innocent as he looks, but let us wait and see what I find here.
Our mystery drama, adapted from the classic story by Robert Farr, has been dramatized especially for the mystery theater by Geraldine and stars Norman Rose. It is sponsored in part by Buick Motor Division. I'll be back shortly with Act One. We are in England, the late eighteen hundreds. An American president has just been elected, and the London newsboys are shouting something about the defeat of free silver. A man with deep set eyes and sharp features wearing a long cape spy the newspaper, and her his home. He is Eugene Valmont.
I simply could not find a cab in the fog, so I walked all the way to my flat. After dinner, I opened the paper and sat before the fire. The eloquent mister Brian had been defeated in the election. I was sorry to read that. A man with such a gift of words. Come in, Jean Pierre. What is it? Mister Bernard. Inspector Spencer Hale gives you the seal. At this hour? I'll show him in then. I will, mister.
[00:03:02] Unknown:
Glad to find you, round robin.
[00:03:05] Unknown:
Mind if I shut the door? Of course. It is only the barbaric Americans who leave all the doors in their houses open. But since you make a point of asking, inspector, I presume you have something of a very confidential nature to discuss. I would say so. A totally unnecessary precaution. My man, Jean Pierre, is also my assistant. When I decided to retire from the service, he asked to retire with me, to sit by the fire and select her. Yeah.
[00:03:34] Unknown:
I, see you reading the evening paper. I'm glad that Mount Brian was defeated.
[00:03:40] Unknown:
Caesar Merrickets, such strange people. Of course, he was defeated. A millionaire running for the presidency in a democracy where the average voter is as poor as a French peasant. Now, what important matter has brought London's chief inspector to my poor apartment on such a night?
[00:04:00] Unknown:
Hello, ma'am. You're a clever man. So when I tell you the question which has brought me here tonight is the same on which the American election was put, I know I need to say no more.
[00:04:13] Unknown:
Free? Silver, Inspector. Yes. Entirely too free. Tell me, dear friend, have they eluded you? Who? Wife. The counterfeiters. Oh, please. Remember, that was just a lucky shot. Perhaps. Well, tell me how you guessed it. Very simple, mon ami. The question on which the American election was fought was the price of silver, which is so low it ruined William Jennings Bryan. Silver troubles America, ergo, silver troubles Scotland Yard. It is not the theft of silver, but the price of silver, the very low price. Ergo, someone must be counterfeiting British coins
[00:04:58] Unknown:
and making a large pottery. Very well, you've hit it. I'll say that for you. Buying it right on the noggin. Listen, there's a gang of expert counterfeiters who are putting out real silver money and making a clear shilling on a real ground.
[00:05:15] Unknown:
I gather you do not know who the counterfeiters are. No. But we know the man who's shoving the stuff. So you go from a to b and find out? To still find the luck, which is why I've come to see you tonight. To see if you would do one of the old French tricks for us on the quiet. And what French tricks, Monsieur Haire? Oh, no offense intended.
[00:05:38] Unknown:
And I need someone to go to a man's house without a search warrant, spot the evidence, let me know, and then we'll rush the place before he's out of time to hide the goods. I see. Who is this man and where does he live? Well, his name is Ralph Summertrees and he isn't a very posh forestall in Park Lane. And why do you suspect him? Park Lane is an expensive distillate to live in. Not if Summertrees has no more ostensible business. And every Friday, he goes to the United Capital Bank in Piccadilly and deposits bags
[00:06:17] Unknown:
of silver coins. And they are, of course, the real thing, not counterfeit. Naturally. But it's no great problem to go round numbing with a bucket full of counterfeit fire chilling pieces, buy this, that, and another, get the change, and come home with legitimate guy. Why don't you nab him on his way out when he's got a puppet full of counterfeits? Well, we saw that,
[00:06:41] Unknown:
but we wanna land the whole gang. Hope we arrest him for pardon.
[00:06:45] Unknown:
Whoever doing a counterfeiting will escape. And you know for certain this summer season A summer string. Yes. That he is not the counterfeiter. Well Of course you do. You've got one of your own men working in his house. Unfortunately, your man has not come up with any evidence. Yeah. I'll visit it again, Grandma.
[00:07:05] Unknown:
I've got a man called Podgers working his butler there for stealing. He's come up with nothing,
[00:07:12] Unknown:
Tell me, how does the money get to this,
[00:07:15] Unknown:
summer trees in Park Lane? Well, it's brought there every night by a man who looks like an elderly respectable city clerk. He puts him in a large safe in a dining room on the Ground Floor. Have you had the clerk followed? Of course, certainly.
[00:07:30] Unknown:
Oh, what do you take us for? Nah. According to a party's, he sleeps every night in a Park Lane house. In the morning, goes to an antique shop in Cottoncourt Road, spends her day there, and, otherwise, returns to Park Lane with a bag of money. And you would rather not arrest and question him either? All for the same reason. He's merely a messenger. What go will it till you put the girl between them to drink letting the real criminals escape? Nothing suspicious about the antique shop? There's nothing awaiting discover. Let us see what I can discover. Do you happen to have a counterfeit 5 shilling piece on you? Yes. I do. Good. Give it to me. I may be able to put it to good use.
Oh, my. It certainly is a faithful reproduction.
[00:08:23] Unknown:
Using pure silver discount so that it can make a 5 shilling piece of blood to do nothing. Oh, and the actual silver is worth no more than 6p.
[00:08:32] Unknown:
Fancy that. Now to get back to your suspect, Summer Lee That man is Summer Tree. Yes. Of course. That's what I meant. But but does he have any, any women servants in his house? No. All men. A butler, a valet,
[00:08:45] Unknown:
and a French cook. I know. A French cook.
[00:08:49] Unknown:
This case begins to interest me. Are you French cooking? You know, I might take your man Pardo's place and play the butler since I gather he has not discovered anything. Oh, he's done a good job. Everything a man can do.
[00:09:02] Unknown:
Naturally, he doesn't have the experience.
[00:09:05] Unknown:
Now, what does this summerfield do all day? Apodger thinks he's a writer. Look, since they're fucked from one winter evening and stubby. Doesn't he come out for lunch?
[00:09:16] Unknown:
Now he has a hot plate and he's studying. Makes his own coffee. Has a little ponchine and a sandwich. Well, pretty frugal fare for Park Lane. Oh, he makes up all in the evening when he has a long dinner with all those
[00:09:30] Unknown:
fine dishes you'll be able to eat, turn up by Swiss Cook. Sensible man. I must tell you, inspector, my opinion of your suspect has been gradually rising, and at the same time, my estimate of your puncture has been steadily declining. However, bring the man here tomorrow, and I will ask him a few questions.
[00:09:56] Unknown:
Monsieur Rammons, this is Sergeant Porges. How do you do, sir?
[00:10:01] Unknown:
Porters, has this man's summer trees ever stopped you from entering any of his rooms in Park Lane?
[00:10:08] Unknown:
No, sir. He's been quite open with me, you might say. Last Friday, he went to the safe, took out the money, had me count over his shilling, and sent me to the bank to deposit, sir. Two deposits,
[00:10:21] Unknown:
sir. What do you think of that Vermouth? Well, frankly, I think he has seen through Poggio's disguise and been very sure the scheme is amused by the masquerade. Now then, Poggill, about this aged clerk. He arrives every day with the money at, what time? At prompt six. Does he ring or let himself in with a latch key? With a latch key. How does he carry the money? In a locked leather satchel, sir. And you'll see him go directly to the dining room, unlock the safe, and put in the money? Yes, sir. So it is the agent, Clark, who unlocks a leather money bag? Yes, sir. Let me see. That is three keys used within as many minutes. Did you ever see mister Summer Tree with his bunch of keys? For instance, the time he opened the safe and you counted the money and took it to the bank, what key did he use?
I don't remember, sir. Once the money is in and the safe locked up, what does the clerk do? Grows his room, sir. Where is it? On the Third Floor. Where do you sleep, Rogers?
[00:11:35] Unknown:
On the Fourth Floor,
[00:11:36] Unknown:
the rest of the servants. Mhmm. And mister Francois? On the Second Floor, joining his study, sir. The house consists of four stories in the basement, and you have gone through it all. Yes, sir. And you can let me in so that I can make an examination test? Oh, yes, sir.
[00:11:54] Unknown:
Thursdays is the help stay off and mister Summer Tree is always locked in his room, sir. I've never disturbed him. Roger, you are a sharp, alert, observant man. Thank you, sir. What happens that strikes you as
[00:12:09] Unknown:
unusual? I can't rightly say, sir. Call to mind some of the other households in which you have been an undercover man. Is there any way in which mister Summer Tree's establishment
[00:12:21] Unknown:
differs from them? Well, sir, he does stick to his room writing
[00:12:26] Unknown:
pretty close. Anything else, no matter how trivial. He seems fond of reading too.
[00:12:32] Unknown:
This way, he's fond of newspapers. He takes all the morning and evening papers.
[00:12:37] Unknown:
And what is done with them after he has read them? For they're sold to the ragman, once a week. Do they appear to have been read carefully? Anything cut out of them?
[00:12:49] Unknown:
Not that I could see, sir. I can't see what the one's reading habits have to do with anything. Oh, a great deal.
[00:12:56] Unknown:
Pocho, today is Wednesday. Tomorrow morning, I would like you to bring here to my assistant Jean Pierre whatever newspapers you have gathered this week to be sold. Au vermont, what's all this mystery about the newspapers? Mister? Oh, compare, inspector. I would say the entire case is perfectly plain. What's perfectly plain? You suspect, Summer Tree, is not a counterfeiter. Nor is he in any way connected with counterfeiters? What is he then? Something far more interesting. And, and, and that is what I plan to find out. As the great Sherlock Holmes would say, hello? What have we here?
Obviously, his French counterpart, Eugene Dalmont, has an unusual analytical mind. I'll admit to you he's several steps ahead of me. Where those steps lead, I hope we shall discover when I return shortly with that too. Have you ever noticed how poised and alert is a hunting dog when his senses telling his prey is not far off? Our Eugene Verma has picked up a scent, but where does it lean? To whom? A fox? A wolf? Perhaps a man disguised in sheep's clothing? The following day, our French detective arrives at the Parkway house. Policeman dodgers leads him to the Third Floor.
And, this, I take it, is the room where the aged clerk who delivers the money spends his evenings
[00:14:46] Unknown:
and nights. Yes, sir. I advise you to come here today, monsieur Valmont, because I accidentally opened the study of mister Summer Tree and he's not there. I'm sure he'll be out for quite a few hours. Oh, good.
[00:15:03] Unknown:
Now, to make a thorough search. What are you looking for, sir? An escape hatch. You tell me that this clerk arrives with the money, put it in the safe, goes up to this room for a manger or evening or night, and leaves in the morning. Quite right, sir. Oh, don't you find it peculiar he should arrive at six and go to bed hungry? No dinner? Oh, I never told her that, sir. And you never told me what he looked like either?
[00:15:34] Unknown:
The clerk, quite old. Grey hair.
[00:15:39] Unknown:
Grey beard. Yes. And your muscular summer trees. How would you describe him? Well, a younger man.
[00:15:47] Unknown:
Quite keen shame.
[00:15:50] Unknown:
That's the closet door you are tapping on, sir? Yes, I know it is. And I shall go inside the closet and continue tapping. And there must be a latch here somewhere. Why would anyone hang a pair of trousers on a hook back here? Now suppose we give this hook a little twist.
[00:16:14] Unknown:
Good Lord.
[00:16:15] Unknown:
The panel in the back of the closet is Willow. So it is. Potters, I want you to go down one flight into mister Summertree's study and wait there for me. Now, sir? The sooner, the better. Potters. Martyrs, are you there?
[00:16:34] Unknown:
Mister Velmar,
[00:16:36] Unknown:
how did you get down the end of mister Sanofi's closet? I walked down Pajos. There are two closed closets, one directly above the other, and behind them are connecting secret stairs. You see why this would be useful, Pajos? Not entirely, sir. The aged messenger who has all the keys puts the money in the safe, then goes up to his room on the Third Floor, into the closet, back down the secret stairs to the Second Floor closet, removes his beard, changes clothes, and so forth, and becomes who he really is, mister Somatres.
He has an excellent dinner prepared by an excellent French cook. And the next morning he reverses the procedure, becomes the aged messenger and goes off to this shop on Tottenham Court Road. Part of I fear you've been watching empty rooms on the Second And Third Floors and a suspect who wasn't in them for over two weeks. Well, how did,
[00:17:35] Unknown:
why would he do all that?
[00:17:37] Unknown:
There is a trade deal of safety in a one man operation. The following day, Friday, my assistant, Jean Pierre and I, stood outside a certain antique shop in Tottenham Court Road, gazing at the bristlebras in the window. Look at the trash people sell as an peep. No worse, Jean Pierre, than what people will buy. Did the rather stout sergeant porter deliver a handful of newspapers this morning? Ah, yes. I've got them for you. Not for me, Jean Pierre, for you. When we return home, I would like an analysis and a full report by tea time. Oh, in a sec. Now shall we go inside the shop? What can I do for you gentlemen? There's a small clock my friend and I saw in your window, standing on a big seashell and covered with little seashells.
Tell me, how much is it? 7 and 6, shall I get it out so you can have a look at it by all means? Get it out and wrap it up. We shall buy it. Jean Pierre, do you happen to have any small change about you? I am afraid I don't. Nothing smaller than a five pound note. Well, then, I still say, sovereign, my good man. 20 shillings. Do you mind the change being all in silver? No. Not in the least. Here we are, sir. I think you find that correct. Thank you. Intriguing place you have here, sir. May I inquire your name? Willowby. Anything else that, cracks your fancy? Well, suppose we browse a bit. Let's have a look around. By all means. By all means. The shop is yours, gentlemen. Now wrap up your seashell clock, if you'll excuse me. But Just take your time. Take your time.
Top here, did you see that young man who just came into the shop? I did. He went directly to the back room and this, willow be right after him. Let me inspect the silver he gave me in change. Half a card, three, two shilling pieces. One, two, three, four separate shillings. Javier, how do they look to you? Well, I would say badly enough made to be the real thing from the British Mint. Agreed. So we know he's not bombing off counterfeit money. When he returns, we'll buy something small and give him the inspector's counterfeit 5 shillings piece and see how he reacts to that. The young man who just came in, he's leaving. I'm going out the door.
Gentlemen, have you found anything else that Kotchera. Yes. This little ink stem. How much is that? 2 shillings. Oh, do take it out of this. 5 shillings. Yes, sir. Here you are, sir. Oh, do do excuse me, will you? I shall I shall be right back. Top here. Another young man. Quite a bit of traffic to the bathroom. At any rate, I'm assured my first conclusion was correct. He took the coin without blinking. So it is highly unlikely anything of a counterfeit nature goes on here. Okay. I'm going to move toward the front door. While our shopkeeper is engaged, I'm going to make a wax impression of the king. Should he return unexpectedly, detain him?
Over by the door is a pile of what looks like pamphlets ready to be mailed. I think I'll help myself to one. Did you make the key impression? I did. Did you secure the pamphlet? I did. I I can see through that back door. The young man is getting up to leave, mister Willoughby. A good time for us to go also. You have the purchases. I have gone over all the newspapers sergeant Rogers left here. Each one is more or less the same, the usual advertisements of pills and soap and so forth. Aside from that, there is one kind of advertisement common to all these papers. It says it can cure absent mindedness.
Well, let me show you, mister. Let's see. Are you absent minded? There is no need to be. You can cure confusion and forgetfulness. Apply by mail for our template. List your personal hobby. No fee, no treatment, no risk. You lose nothing. You may gain peace of mind. Doctor Stanford Willoughby. 1414 Tottenham Court Road, London, WC 1. This is one of his pamphlets I picked up at a shop. At the back, it says, doctor Willoughby will neither see patients nor correspond personally. Read and learn. You need not be absent minded. The good doctor has just secured another patient. I shall write to him that I am very absent minded. That my hobby is, is, what shall I say, Jean Pierre? Collecting rare books.
Excellent. Rare first editions. And I signed my name. What was the name that we used on the Millburn murder case? Alport Webster. So you were Alport Webster? You still have the calling card with that name on it to slip onto my mailbox downstairs? I'll let them do it. There was something else I had on my mind to report to you. What would it be? The key. Did you give me the key? That's it. Of course. Here it is. I finished an hour ago from your wife's impression. Now let me see. I'll put Webster card or mailbox letters. Will it be key to shop? Or what have I forgotten? The ruminate tea. I forgot that. You know, Jean, it occurs to me we are both getting a bit forgetful.
Perhaps doctor Willoughby will teach us more than we hoped for. Good morning, mister Vellum. Good morning, Jean Pierre. There is a mister Angus MacPherson outside. He's come to see a mister Alport Webster. Here. Where is his card? So soon, mister Webster has a visitor. Jean Pierre, Show the gentleman in.
[00:24:04] Unknown:
You Mitchelitza. Mister Webster, how kind of you to receive me.
[00:24:11] Unknown:
Your card reads Angus Mitchelson rare books. Now in what can I serve you? These three books I put before you. Are you interested at all in first editions, mister Webster? It is the only thing I am interested in, but, unfortunately, they often run into a lot of money.
[00:24:32] Unknown:
That's true. If you say you do run into some money, this one, it costs £100. However, it is an excellent value. The last one sold at auction here in London for £150. This book is £40 and this one, £10. I'm sure, mister Webster, you cannot duplicate three such treasures at these prices in any bookshop in Britain. Oh, yes. Quite extraordinary.
[00:25:02] Unknown:
Beautifully covered. Excellent condition. How, sir, for instance, did you learn that I was a collector?
[00:25:10] Unknown:
Mister Webster, I must confess I can't state. I do that very often. I enter a flat like this at a good address, send in my card with a name on the mailbox. And if I'm invited in, I ask what I ask you. Are you interested in prior editions? Then if he says no, I leave. If he says yes,
[00:25:32] Unknown:
then I show my books. Mister MacPherson, since this is the first time you have called upon me, you have no objection if I ask the name of the owner of these books. Who is name? It's mister Ralph Summertree
[00:25:44] Unknown:
of Park Lane. I shall be glad to leave the books with you and come back tomorrow when you made up your money. Oh, no. No. No. It is rather a question of money. I I was going to tell you, I'm a very good friend. And when people find it inconvenient to put down a considerable sum, he pays for the books. Then I make an arrangement with my customer to pay a certain amount each week, installments small enough to suit the client.
[00:26:13] Unknown:
Suppose I take the book at £10, what installment should I have to pay each week? What you like, sir?
[00:26:21] Unknown:
Would 5 shillings be too much? I think not. None, man. If you pay me 5 shillings now, I will leave the book with you and will call on you this day each week for the next installment. Good enough.
[00:26:36] Unknown:
Here you are. Five chilies.
[00:26:39] Unknown:
Until Wednesday next time, mister Webster. A pleasure. Jean Pierre
[00:26:44] Unknown:
I'll have my man to show you out.
[00:26:46] Unknown:
Jean Pierre, before mister Matheson out, good day, sir. Yeah. And thank you. And happy reading. You you've got a treasure there.
[00:26:58] Unknown:
Very fine indeed. Go to the red marker level, more or less. Jean Pierre, has, Armistice Metworsen left? Yes, mister. Oh, it says a pork. You thought, sir? No, Jean. It is cheese for our mousetrap in a most exquisite binding. Unquestionably, we then download it, uncovering a swindle. How it worked, who works it, who gains, who uses are all questions to which you have every right to accept answers. But since when have I ever disappointed you if you remain tuned
[00:27:44] Unknown:
in for act three? I'll be back shortly.
[00:27:58] Unknown:
Some people live by bending the golden rule. Others would melt it down if they could. Satinely has been going on for centuries. Even Samuel Johnson warned saying, if a man really believes, there's no difference between virtue and vice. Why, sir, when he leaves my house, I count my spoons. Good advice, it seems to me, today as it was two hundred years ago. Jean Pierre, point your flashlight over here, over the desk. I want to go through it. Niceness. Let me fix up this. So in this instance, with its seashell clock, it's hard to believe doctor Willoughby could be up to anything underhanded. Doctor Willoughby, earliest the agent messenger clock, earliest of summer fleet. Three.
This goodness knows how many other people no. No. This is not a thing of some store by far. When you look at this collection of calling cards and this McPherson rare coins, and this McPherson jewels to the connoisseur, fine furniture, cards for other accomplices as well, mister Rogers, mister Tills, and these feats. Mister Tills list, mister Fambody's list, mister McPherson's list. There I am, Alport Webster, owing £10 weekly payments, 5 shillings. Except for the calling cards, these sheets are no evidence of wrongdoing, however. Really a record. Names of clients.
Don't care. I am disappointed. A legitimate letter of collections. Not too bad. I'll have a look at one of those ledgers on the shelf overhead. Now this may be something. This is Fred MacPherson's account going back several years. 1896541893. Well, let's see who his clients were then. There is Lord Senthum. I know the gentleman. Absolute minded old godger. See page 47. 47. Lord Semptum purchased Chip and Dale Wingchair £50. Look here. Look. Look here. Look here. Lord Semptum has been paying a pound a week for that chair for more than three years. Look at this. His lordship has already paid in installments £170 Ah, that's it. That is it.
Look at these names of collect loads. This summer fleet has been employing a half dozen collectors who take in weekly installments from these absent minded buyers long after the debts are paid. I'll take this page of Lord Simpom's account and copy out some names and addresses of friend Angus's present clients, and then we'll be off. Of coursely business, buying on the installment plan. Yeah. Especially if you're absent minded.
[00:31:11] Unknown:
I got your message.
[00:31:12] Unknown:
Why are we meeting here in Trafalgar Square? If one has secrets to divulge the most public places, the most private. That's what we were taught in the Paris Youth Day. Yeah. So what is it? You say you already have evidence against a man. Evidence absolute and complete. Well, then who are the counterfeiters? My dear hell, I have told you since the beginning that Summer Tree was neither a counterfeiter nor a confederate. But I believe I have evidence sufficient to convict him of quite another offense, which is probably unique in the annals of crime. Inspector, I would like you to come by to my flat next Wednesday at about, quarter to six to third to make an arrest.
Now, inspector Hale, I should like to stand behind the door so when it opens, voila, this study of mine will be in complete darkness except for a light which will shine on you. Oh, bit like here to lock. So when the young MacPherson fellow enters, he will immediately see you towering there full height in your official uniform, a frightening sight to behold. Thank you. You see, Hale, I am anxious to study MacPherson's face when he realizes he has walked in to confront a policeman. Oh, what time is it? One more minute and our friend will be here to collect his 5 shillings for the book I purchased. Mister Angus McPherson. I assure you, ladies, Jean Pierre. Hale,
[00:32:45] Unknown:
Oh, I, I beg your pardon. I had expected to meet mister Webster. Covid. Covid, miss Watson. Oh, there you are, mister Webster. I didn't see you at first.
[00:33:00] Unknown:
Sit down, Meckelsen. You have called on Lord Senthum this week.
[00:33:06] Unknown:
Sir. And collected a pound from him?
[00:33:09] Unknown:
Yes, sir. Three years ago in October, you sold Lord Senthom a Chip and Bear wing chair for £50. Quite right, sir. When you were here last week, you gave me Ralph Summer Tree as the name of the gentleman who owns the books living in Park Lane. You knew at the time this man was your employer. You also knew that his Summer Tree's of Park Lane was identical with doctor Willoughby of Tottenham Court Road.
[00:33:33] Unknown:
I don't exactly see what you're driving at, sir. It's quite usual for a man to carry on a business under an assumed name. There's nothing illegal about that. We will come to the illegality in a moment.
[00:33:47] Unknown:
You and Rogers and Tyrle and three others are confederates of this doctor Willoughby.
[00:33:52] Unknown:
We are in his employ, but no more confederates and clerks usually are. I think, MacPherson,
[00:33:59] Unknown:
I have said enough to show you that the game is what you English call up. You are now in the presence of mister Spencer Hale of Scotland Yard who is waiting to hear your confession.
[00:34:11] Unknown:
Confession. Confederate. I must say he is extraordinary terms. What are you to say in your defense? Where nothing criminal has been alleged, I see no necessity for defense. If you will be good enough to let me know of what you complain,
[00:34:30] Unknown:
I shall endeavor to make the point clear to you. I show you this ledger sheet. Have you ever seen it before?
[00:34:37] Unknown:
Oh, yes. It's been taken from our fire. It's what I call
[00:34:43] Unknown:
my visiting list. Oh, come, MacPherson. Why continue the charade? We all know about it. You never heard of doctor Willoughby, I suppose. Oh, yes. Yes. He's the author of a silly pamphlet on absent mindedness. You are right. Have you ever met this learned doctor? Oh, yes. Doctor Willoughby is the pen name of mister Sumitris. Really? Well, we are extracting your concession bit by bit. And, McPherson, I think it would be far better if you are honest with us. If you tell me what the charge is, I will then know what to say. We charge you, sir, with obtaining money under false pretenses. A crime that has landed the biggest financiers in jail.
Well, well, won't we? Mustn't threaten. You know? Take for instance, Lord Symptom. You sold him a chair for £50 on the installment plan. He was to pay a pound a week, and in less than a year, his debt was liquidated. But he is an absolute minded man as are all your clients. So you kept on collecting and collecting for more than three years. Now, do you understand the charge?
[00:35:50] Unknown:
What you tell me is really a clever little scheme. The absent minded league on my column. Most ingenious. I quite see how you could make such a mistake. You have jumped to the conclusion that we sold nothing to lordship them except at Chippendale's chair three years ago. However, his lordship is a frequent customer of ours and has had many things from us at one time or another. And we keep a sort of, running contract with him
[00:36:20] Unknown:
by which he pays us a pound a week. Are you telling me that all your customers deal on the same plan? You keep selling and they keep paying?
[00:36:29] Unknown:
That, visiting list on your desk, mister Valmont, is incomplete. To understand it, you must refer to our business encyclopedias. Hey, take Lord Cheptam. His account is the number 102. Turn to that page of the encyclopedia of 1893, and you will see a list of all the items his lordship has purchased. If you will allow me to use your telephone for a moment, I will ask mister Psoletree to bring you the encyclopedia for 1893. And in fifteen minutes, you'll be satisfied that everything is legitimate. And may I use your phone? Just a moment. I'll do the telephone. What's his number?
Hyde Park 140. Hello, Central? Get me Hyde Park 140, please. These encyclopedias contain the real secret of our business and our captain, mister Summer Tree, is safe. Is is this a lesson to mister Summer Tree? Or is that your partner? Is mister Summitree's in? Oh, very well. This is Ale.
[00:37:42] Unknown:
Armand Valmont's flat. Yes. Yes. Where you were the other day.
[00:37:47] Unknown:
Very well. Now go to mister Summer Tree's and say to him that mister McPherson wants encyclopedia of 1893. Did you get that? Oh, yes. Yes. He'll understand what it is. A mister McPherson wants it. Right. No. No. No. Don't mention my name at all. Try and say that mister McPherson wants it and that you're the brain. And you get into a cabin to me as quickly as possible.
[00:38:17] Unknown:
We're writing.
[00:38:21] Unknown:
Of course, Inspector Haley, you know your business best. But if your man arrests summer trees, you'll make me the laughing stock of London. But while we're waiting, mister Valmont, may I remind you you owe me 5 shillings this week's installment?
[00:38:41] Unknown:
Of course. I hear you are.
[00:38:44] Unknown:
Are you connected with Scotland Yard,
[00:38:47] Unknown:
mister Valmont? No. Not at all.
[00:38:51] Unknown:
Well, I can't think of anything else to say to pass the time. I suppose we shall just have to sit back and wait. Buzzers, give me the book. Let's see. The Encyclopedia
[00:39:12] Unknown:
Sport 1893. What sort of joke is this next person?
[00:39:19] Unknown:
Oh, no. I might have known this had happened. If you'd allowed me to telephone, I should have made it perfectly clear to mister Summertree. It's what we wanted. There's an increasing demand for out of date books on sport, and he thought this is what I meant. There is nothing for it but to send your man back to Park Lane and tell mister Summertree we wanted the locked volume of accounts of eighteen ninety three. Hello? Yes. Yes. This is Michelle, but I'm not present.
[00:40:13] Unknown:
Well, the but wait. Who is this? Speaking. Doctor Willowbray. Hello? Hello?
[00:40:21] Unknown:
Oh, he's running off. Hell, stop him. Stop it, Justin. What? What's he down? He took that seat from the ledger and threw it into the fire. He's destroyed evidence.
[00:40:29] Unknown:
Let's first say, how dare you burn that seat? Because, my dear Monsieur Valmont, it did not belong to you. Because you stole it. Because you had no right to it. And because you have no official standing in this country. I have always maintained these sheets and ledgers should not be checked. Mister Summertree, however, persisted, but he made this concession. If I ever telephoned him the world encyclopedia, he would at once burn his records. When done, he was to telephone back to me the world. The encyclopedia is out of print.
Now, gentlemen, either put me formally under arrest or see me to the door. This farce is now over. A very good evening to you, Inspector Hale, and a good evening to you, Eugene Valmont. I shall give myself the pleasure of calling next Wednesday at six for my 5 shillings.
[00:41:41] Unknown:
Believe it or not, the inspector from Scotland Yard and the retired detective from the French USA are still friends. However, there's one certain case they never talk about, nor do the words absent mindedness or counterfeiting ever come into their conversation. And if one of them happens to say every cloud has a silver lining, the other turns pale.
[00:42:09] Unknown:
I shall be back
[00:42:18] Unknown:
shortly. In the world of the wicked, a certain kind of swindle is regarded as a very great act, the one that's fearful. And the greatest artist is the one who takes the least risk. I dare say among the hundreds of tales of rogues and nays I brought you on the mystery theater, this is the first in which dream plan flourishes. I hope it is the last. Our cast included Norman Rose, Robert Dryden, and Lloyd Bautista. The entire production is under the direction of Hyman Brown.
[00:42:57] Unknown:
And now, a preview of our next tale. The spirit, having achieved the ultimate understanding, leaves the body and tries to become one with the universe. Leonard, I'm drowning. The time is not yet, and so it must be born anew in another body. Leonard, is this you, Reggie? I am finally free. I know at last. I know. The guru showed me who I am. Who are you? I have been born again. We created. Although, realistically I never died. Yes? Once again I walk the world. I think. I dream. I create. But who are you? That is who do you think you are? I know who I am. Yeah? Yeah.
I'm Leonardo Da Vinci.
[00:43:52] Unknown:
This is E. G. Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time.
[00:44:02] Unknown:
Pleasant dream.
