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In this gripping episode of CBS Radio Mystery Theater, we delve into the story of "The Book of Avaca," a mysterious and potentially world-changing manuscript. The narrative unfolds with the sinking of the Abaca, a tanker carrying 3,000,000 gallons of oil, leading to an environmental catastrophe. Captain Bauer, burdened by guilt and responsibility, entrusts the ship's logbook to his engineer, Karn, before succumbing to the sea. This logbook holds the key to exposing the negligence and corruption of the ship's owners, the Tarrier Corporation.
As the story progresses, we follow the dangerous aftermath of the Abaca's sinking. Karn, the chief engineer, becomes a target for those who wish to suppress the truth. A professional hitman, Porky Adams, is hired to retrieve the logbook, leading to a deadly confrontation. Lieutenant Foster and Officer Leoni work tirelessly to uncover the conspiracy, ultimately finding the logbook through a serendipitous mistake. This episode explores themes of justice, corporate greed, and the power of truth, leaving listeners on the edge of their seats.
(00:15) Introduction to the Mystery
(02:03) The Sinking of the Abaca
(09:28) The Log Book's Secret
(17:00) The Plot Thickens
(27:08) The Investigation Begins
(35:37) The Unraveling of the Mystery
(42:04) The Revelation of the Book
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CBS Radio Mystery Theater presents
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Come
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in. Welcome. I'm EG Marshall. That was a fine poetic sentiment when it was first written about, a hundred years ago, but it may not have stood the test of time. For one thing, smoking has fallen into disfavor, and not too many books written today are designed to brighten and delight. These are grim times, my friends, and don't just take my word for it. Read some of the recent books, especially the one we're about to consider.
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With this book, we can do justice.
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With this book, we can get rich. Do you know what this book can mean to the world? I want only what it can mean to you and me. But I don't want money.
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This isn't just money. This is millions. Millions. Justice is more important. Captain, if you can't see it,
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well, only one of us is gonna walk out of here with a book.
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Our mystery drama, The Book of Avaca, was written especially for the mystery theater by Sandehan and stars Alan Swift. It is sponsored in part by XLACS and Buick Motor Division. I'll be back shortly with act one. What is the most valuable book in the world? The original Gutenberg Bible? A first folio Shakespeare? The answer is no to them or to any other famous first editions you could think of. There is a book, and it was written by a man most people never even heard of that can be worth millions. The book of Abaca. The Abaca was a 20,000 ton tanker that flew the Silenian flag.
On June 3 at twenty three hundred hours or 11:00PM, she was approximately 100 miles east of Cape May, New Jersey. Her captain was on the bridge when he heard a frantic voice from the engine room. Captain Bauer. Captain.
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What is it, Engineer? We're sinking.
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Sinking? The water's rushing into the engine room. Man, the pumps. The plates have sprung. I said man, the pumps. What pumps? I switched them on and the motors blew. We're sinking. I can't stop the water. We we can't sink. We've got 3,000,000 gallons of oil on board. I'm hip deep in water now. You know what that means?
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I only know we're sinking. I'm coming below. What more? You wanna drown down here?
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Every plate in the hull's beginning to buckle. This tub is gone. Do you know what this oil spill will do to the East Coast Of America?
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Captain, don't you realize it's over? God. I never lost a ship in my entire career. Captain, can't you understand? This one is gone. We'll be lucky to get out of her alive. All hands. All hands. Prepare to abandon the ship. I'm gonna All hands.
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All hands. Prepare to abandon ship. Captain,
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what are you doing in the cabin? Captain, are you alright?
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No.
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I'm not alright. The the crew is away.
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That's good. Come on, captain.
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Where? Well, then there's a life raft left for you and me. Let's go. We don't have five minutes. You go ahead, Karn. What do you mean I should go ahead? Just what I said. Wait a minute. You're not gonna do what I think you're gonna do. I am. I'll go down with my ship. Oh, no. That's for books, for movies.
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I cannot leave this ship with a good conscience.
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But can't we argue later? 3,000,000 gallons of crude oil.
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You know what this will do to the coastline, to the fish, to the birds? It'll destroy the livelihood of thousands, the enjoyment of millions. How can I face people? But it isn't your fault. Yes. It is my fault. I should never have sailed on the Abaca. I knew she was Auntie Willy, but I
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let myself be convinced. But I I still say it isn't your fault. Vanity. My vanity. I'm old. I'm too old to command a ship.
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Why didn't I accept it gratefully? Captain, before it's too late. But they flooded me. They said, captain Bauer, you're the best there is. Take Kriemaka. Verity. I was so happy for a command. A ship? Didn't I know she was little more than a heap of scrap metal? Everybody knows that. Everybody does not know that. This phony flag, this two bit monarchy of Solania,
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It's all a dodge to register rotten ships and crooked corporations. Captain, there's nothing we can do about it. Oh, you're wrong. There's plenty we can do about it, but I cannot do it if I drown here like a rat in this death trap. Oh, good. Let's go. Yes. Yes. Let us leave my waterproof bag, and I'll need Captain, there's no time to look around the book.
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A book. It will destroy them. The book of the Abacha.
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The log book of the Abacha.
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You alright, captain.
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Yeah. I'm alright.
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The seas aren't too bad. We we can stay afloat on this raft. We're bound to be picked up as soon as it gets light. Come on.
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Listen to me. Hey. Sure, captain. Well, in this book.
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In this book. Anthony,
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something wrong?
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I'm dying.
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Well, what's the matter?
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I don't know. I'm
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dying. You wrap wrap yourself in this blanket. Won't help. Hold on, captain. In a couple of hours, we were bound to be picked up. Come on. Listen.
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Don't don't don't say anything. Just listen.
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The Terry Incorporation. Yeah?
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Terry Incorporation.
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Yeah. Oh, okay. They they only are back. Yes.
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25 or 50. Who knows how many are they right nuns see where they come? Don't get yourself excited. A carrier corporation. But tell him you tire a cabinet. You're just getting excited for nothing. No. No. No. It's for something. But tell them you carry it by these unseaworthy
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hulks, and he Captain, just take it easy, please. No. No. I don't have time. The Bakker should have been scrapped twenty years ago. But tell them you tell them we'll go down with the Abaca. This book, my love book, will tell you. It will prove that he was negligent, that we were unfit to sail. But I'm going to die. But don't say that. That. I am going to die of shame. You take this book
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and turn it over to the United States Coast Guard. You would do that.
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Promise me. Promise? Yeah. Captain, I I promise. Yes? Oh, yes. Have him come in. I'll have a scone. I have a chair. Oh, thank you. Cigar? Thank you again. You were chief engineer on my Avaca. I don't believe we ever met before. But, we're meeting now. Too bad about the Avaca. Yeah. Fine. Trim ship. Was she? Wow. Wasn't she? She was a rusty old tub that could hardly keep afloat. How can you say that? She was given a most searching inspection by the authorities before she was permitted to leave port. By the Solanian authorities? No. No. Of course. And unless she has met the standards of the Solanian Maritime Commission Which is a joke all over the world. She would not be permitted to leave the harbor.
The only time one of your ships flying a Solanian flag is prevented from leaving a Solanian harbor is when you have failed to bribe the proper, or should I say improper authority. Now see here, miss Khan, which hardly ever happens. Mister Khan, what is the purpose of this visit? The Tarrier lines. All those ships that fly the big red t under the Selenium flag, of course, I should say alleged ships, because a tarry line is little more than a floating scrap heap, a temporary floating heap. West Khan, I am a busy man. I know. But I am empowered to arrange matters for you to become a gentleman of leisure.
I can retire you from business a hopeless bankrupt. I must ask you to come to the point. What was I doing on the Abakar? I'm a good engineer, but I'm a drunk. The tarry line is the only one who take me as a chief. Well, I must say you display remarkable gratitude. Embarrass. Who else wanted a captain his age? But we're okay for Tarion. Why? Because the price is right. Well, I fail to understand your complaint. Your ship, the Abaca, is down on the bottom, a 100 miles out, and there's a mammoth oil spill 3,000,000 gallons thick headed this way. An unfortunate circumstance of our technological edge.
And you sit there fat and happy, convinced you'll even make a buck on this this tragedy. You actually think you're gonna collect insurance for ship and cargo. I know I'm going to collect. Now the insurance company can prove negligence. What negligence? My poor man, you're evidently suffering from your ordeal. Negligence cannot be proved. The equipment failed. Really? All of it. Obsolete, faulty. And who will testify to that? I'll testify. To what? You're drunk. You're unfit. Then why did you hire me? You concealed that condition from us. I admit we would have a problem if the captain had survived.
Then, you do have a problem because he did. He what? He survived. He's dead. He was dead when the coast guard picked you up. I know. But his testimony survived. His book. The log. The log book of the Abaca. The log book. I've made a photocopy of several entries. They're chosen here and there at random. They're fascinating reading for a board of inquiry. Can't look through it? Let me read this. I was afraid of the worn engine cylinder. I beg Carrier to have it repaired. Carrier replied, it would last the trip. It had been causing heavy vibration.
I think we may spring some of the plates. Radioed the office for permission to put in a Tangiers for repairs. Was told to proceed to New York. I will not be responsible for the results of this action. This is not the juiciest either. It goes on and on, gets worse and worse. You have, I assume, the log of the Avaca? Oh, yes. This is my property. Of course. I could have you arrested. Why don't you do that? I will then turn the book over to the American authorities, and, I'm sure they'll be eager to look through it under the circumstances. Well, isn't that your intention in any event to turn the book over to the authorities?
It was captain Bauer's intention. He was a very old man with a very guilty conscience. He was out to sync the tarot line. And what is your intention? What do you want? What do I want? A life I always dreamed of. Life of ease and grace. A life completely secure from storms. Is such a life possible? Enough money makes anything possible. And how much is enough? $2,000,000. 2,000,000. 2,000,000. 2,000,000. A large book of the Avaca. Well, that's a rather expensive book. They're true. But think of how much more expensive it would be if it were ever published.
$2,000,000 for an unpublished manuscript.
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Even in these overinflated times, that's an extremely substantial sum. 2,000,000? And it doesn't even have any sex in it. Mister terrier looks across his desk at mister Karn. What do you suppose his answer will be? Don't guess. Just wait for act two. What are the wild waves saying? Asks the poet. In our story, we have seen an oil tanker go down off the Jersey Coast. And it's not so much what the wild waves are saying, but what they are doing, which is bearing a thick fish killing oil slick closer and ever closer to shore where it will have a most depressing effect on the economy and the environment.
$2,000,000.
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A not unreasonable sum, mister Tarian. Damages, claims, and fines could go at least 50,000,000. 2,000,000 is what? 4%? Now, mister Tarrier, you are getting a bargain. Actually, the buy of the century. The log is in your possession? Yeah. It is immediately available, ready to change hands at an hour's notice. Well, you realize, of course, I do not have $2,000,000 in my pocket. Where may I reach you? Well, we can't do it that way. I'll be in touch with you. How much time do you require? A day. Fine. I'll, call you this time tomorrow. Oh, Cosmo is rolling about.
Good. A man named Khan, he just left my office. He's six feet tall, thin, red hair. You should be headed for the elevators. Rowlands to follow him. Find out where he lives. Yeah. That's right. I'll have other instructions for you later. Yes? You got a mister Khan living here?
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Khan. No. I don't believe I rented a room to anyone named Khan. Ernesto Khan. No. I don't have a roomer by that name.
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Let me ask you that again. A fellow, six feet tall, thin, red hair. Oh, You're gonna ask me who I am. What do I want him? Well yeah. Yeah. Well, I'm used to questions like that. I'm from the FBI. Oh. And we have to talk to this man. Oh, well, of course. This is FBI. That's different.
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Well, and he answers that description. His his name is Edwards. Edwards. It's very significant. Arthur k Edwards. That's gonna be a phony. Oh, I knew there was something suspicious about that one the minute I laid eyes on him. Did you? Oh, yes. You don't fool Edna Miller. I'm an excellent judge of character. Yeah. Yeah. Sure.
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Well, now I gotta see this fella. You better stay here.
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Oh, you mean he's he's dangerous? Nothing
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like that.
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Just tell me what room he's in. Oh, well, Number 6. It's it's up the stairs and first door on your right. Upstairs. Alright. First door on the right. You'll see the Number 6 on it. It's it's a very nice room. Really. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks, ma'am.
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You better keep out of sight. Oh oh, I will. I will.
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Hi there, mister Khan. Who are you? Well, I got something to show you. What? This. This is a 45 caliber automatic pistol. Now, let's close the door. I what do you want? Well, I'll tell you how it is. I'm an agent for a book collector. Oh, yeah. I see. Now that you see, we can save a lot of time. You hand over the book, and you're entitled to something for your trouble. My client's really a very big hearted guy. He told me to give you thousand bucks. Oh, that's, very generous. Sure. Considering he don't have to give you nothing at all. And, if I refuse.
Come on, Chump. This thing's too big for you. You know how to handle yourself. You'd never get into a spot like this to begin with, so I hand it over. Wait. You don't think I keep it in a room, do you? I don't know. You're an amateur. Who could be dumb enough to do anything? Okay. So it's not here. Let's go get it. And suppose I refuse? I can make a phone call, and in five minutes, I could get a guy up here. And before you know it, you'd be begging him to listen. Yeah. Well, you you can't threaten me. I've got the aces. Only I know where the book is. That proves how stupid you are. My client don't need the book. All he has to do is to make sure it never gets seen. If you had any brain, should have said, if anything ever happens to me, I'd arrange to have that book delivered, to so and so.
But you're an amateur. Come on. Come on. Get out of it while you're still alive. Well, what do you say? Well, listen, mister. Only a professional can make a killing. An amateur can only get killed. Thousand bucks, and you're out of it. Okay. You win. Hand it over. Now you're talking.
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Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help
[00:23:02] Unknown:
Hello there, Porky. Oh, well, the ordained lieutenant Foster. How do you feel, Porky? Well, I wouldn't wanna go dancing tonight, Carpa. Now the doctor tells me he'll be okay. So what do you wanna talk about? Who was he, Pocky? Who was who? The dead man. What dead man? The one you killed. Did I kill somebody? I didn't wanna play that game. The name of that game, copper, is democracy. I didn't kill nobody unless, Senan Tew, a jury of my peers, says so. Porky, we've got you nailed. You were running from a house with a smoking pistol. Your bullet killed him. The jury won't even have to leave the box.
We could make a deal. A deal? Who bought you, Porky, and why? Hey. That's what you wanna know. What do you give me? I can't promise anything. No? Well, I'll do it my way. I'll keep my mouth shut and trust my connections. Nothing helps when it's murder one. Yeah. Yeah. Well, copper, you and me, we're small potatoes. We're just an extension of big haunches. You see what I mean? Now my haunches knows how to put the heat on your haunches. You'll need a miracle to beat this one. It's just what my haunches are. They're in the miracle business.
Hello, Lucan Foster. I'm Patron Leoni. Oh, you're the cop who colored Porky Adams? Yes, sir. Well, that was a good job. What are you doing here? Well, the old name, missus Miller owns a roaming house. Is she okay? Well, the doc says she's still in some kind of shock. Precinct assigned me to keep an eye on the place. I came here to talk to her. Missus Miller? Who
[00:25:15] Unknown:
who are you? I'm a police officer. If you're a policeman, why aren't you wearing a uniform? I'm a detective. I don't believe you.
[00:25:23] Unknown:
Officer Leonie, will you tell missus Miller who I am? Yeah. He's a detective, miss Miller. Are are you sure? Missus Miller, would I lie? Well, no. It's alright for you to answer these questions. Now the man who was shot.
[00:25:40] Unknown:
I don't wanna think about it. What was his name?
[00:25:43] Unknown:
I don't remember. Miss Miller, the man who was shot in Room Number 6, don't you have a rent book where you keep records? Is this the book on the table?
[00:25:55] Unknown:
Hand it to me, Leonie. That that's my book. You have no right to look at that. Of course.
[00:26:00] Unknown:
You look in the book and tell me who was Number 6.
[00:26:04] Unknown:
I don't have my glasses.
[00:26:06] Unknown:
Officer Leoni, what would you Yeah. Yeah. Sure thing, miss Miller. Alright. Room Number 6. Here it is. Mister Arthur k Edwards. That's the last entry. Then his name was Edwards?
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If it says so in the book.
[00:26:24] Unknown:
Alright. Now the killer. How did the killer get into the house? Well, he he rang the bell. And? Well, he said he was
[00:26:34] Unknown:
from the FBI, and he asked for mister Edwards. Mhmm. And then what happened?
[00:26:39] Unknown:
He rang the bell, and he asked for mister Edwards. Is that what happened?
[00:26:44] Unknown:
No. No, officer Leoni. That's not what happened. What you just said? He didn't ask for mister Edwards. He he asked for someone else.
[00:26:54] Unknown:
Someone else? Who? Think.
[00:26:58] Unknown:
I can't think. I'm I'm scared out of my wits. I was there when a human being was was murdered.
[00:27:07] Unknown:
Who did the killer ask for? I don't know. I I don't wanna know. What what was the name the killer asked for to you? I I can't remember. I know it's hard, but try. Promise me you'll try. Yes. Obviously, Leonie. Alright. The name. The I mean, did it sound Italian like mine or or maybe German or Irish or Polish? What's the name like yours? Miller or Foster? I can't remember. Yeah. It's alright, miss Miller. I I know you're trying so hard. Honest. I I'm doing my best. Sure you are.
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Honest. Honest. Well, that's his name.
[00:27:48] Unknown:
His name is Ernest? Yes.
[00:27:51] Unknown:
No. No. No. It's it's Ernest. That's right. The the killer, he he rang the bell and he asked, did I rent a room to a mister Ernest L. Karn? That's who he asked for, Ernest l Carn.
[00:28:10] Unknown:
Well, what's in a name?
[00:28:13] Unknown:
Everything or nothing? It depends on whose name it is. For instance, Ernest l Carn is, as we know, the name of the missing chief engineer of the wrecked tanker, Abaca. But where will knowledge of that name take Lieutenant Foster? It will take us into act three, which I shall present shortly. Not that we wish to seem profound, but any story, every story that deals with human beings is basically a story about mankind. We happen to be the order that stands on top of the animal kingdom. The reason for that is we are smarter than the beasts below us, and that's the problem.
We are so smart, we tend to outsmart ourselves. We and the beasts share the same environment, but everything the other animals
[00:29:34] Unknown:
Lieutenant, why is that name familiar? Ernest l Khan.
[00:29:38] Unknown:
It's not some hood. No way. But I remember hearing that now. Khan. Oh, I know. You do? Yeah. I I heard it on the news, and I I read it in the papers. Who is he, missus Miller? He was rescued from that ship.
[00:29:52] Unknown:
Karn. That's right. That's right, Leonie. He was on that tanker. Oh, yeah. Right, lieutenant. The one that went down with all that oil. Karn was the chief engineer. The one that's missing. Lieutenant. A top professional like Porky Adams. What would he wanna knock off? Khan. Well, Khan was the target. Corky asked for him by name. Wasn't mistaken identity. Why? Why did anyone want to knock off Khan? Yes, lieutenant. What may I do for you? Mister terrier, would you be good enough to identify this picture? Well, if I can. What?
I've never seen such a serene face. Yeah. He should be. He's dead. Oh, of course. I know this man. I should say I know him. It's Khan. He was chief engineer on the Abakar. Why is he dead? Someone shot him. Oh my goodness. Why? Well, that's what we're trying to determine. Do they have they got the killer? Yes. And that's what has us in the dark. Why do you say that, lieutenant? Well, the killer is a professional. Yes. He only kills on assignment. I I don't follow you. He kills because he's hired. Who would hire him to kill mister Khan, and why?
Well, I'm afraid I can't answer either question, lieutenant. How well did you know Khan? Well, he applied for a position as chief engineer. Did you interview him personally? He was extremely qualified. I hired him. May I ask you this? Your line has a reputation for low pay and hard work. Who says that? Well, I do some checking. If Khan was extremely qualified, why did he take a job with you? Well, a, because jobs are scarce, b, no one else would hire him, c, because he was a drunk, and, d, may I suggest a reason why he was killed? I do appreciate it. It's possible that Khan may have been bringing drugs into the country, isn't it? Well, now drugs, as I understand it, are controlled by the syndicate, an organization.
Is that true? It it would appear to be. Mhmm. Karn probably got himself in trouble with the syndicate, and for that reason, he was killed. That would account for a professional assassin, wouldn't it? Yes. Well, then that would be your case, couldn't it? It, it could. Mhmm. Thank you so much for your time, mister Terry. I hope I've been helpful. Well, I'm sure you have. Lieutenant pastor, could I talk to you for a few minutes? Sure, Leon. Where are you on the con? Nowhere. Look. I've been doing some thinking, and I, do you wanna hear this? Okay.
Well, this oil tanker, the Abaca, now it goes down. You know the kind of damage it's gonna create. Mhmm. Now the company that owns the boat is known as, Hasselah back outfit. Right? Yeah. Maybe it's their fault, she's saying. If it is, you know what they can be hit for? Woah. Who can prove it's their fault? The two best people for that are gone. The captain dies at sea and the chief engineer is assassinated. The terrier company is motive. Leoni, that's one of those excellent theories. Looks good. Sounds great. The problem is there's no proof.
On the other hand Yes, lieutenant? It could be good enough to scare Porky out of us. Hey, lieutenant. Nice of you to come to visit us, a friend. You're through, Porky? You're in this all by yourself. Come on, Foster. You and me, we've been around long enough. Who was this guy they bought you to knock off? I don't know what you're talking about. His name was Khan. Ernest l Khan, wasn't it? Well, this is your story, lieutenant. You know who he was? No. Who was he? Chief engineer of that oil tanker that went down. Well, looks like he was unlucky all the way around, Donald. So you see the connections are off.
The fix is out. Oh, Ray Vaughan. Forster Ray Vaughan. I'll tell you what the DA's got. Khan was all killed because he could prove that the tanker sank through company negligence. That's why a professional killer, Porky Adams, was employed. The way the public is up in arms about it, you think there can be a fix? All I gotta do is keep my mouth shut. Nobody's got nothing. Untrue. We've got you for murder. Murder won. And the death penalty is back in style. Well, Porky, now or later? We're, say, for the sake of argument. Yeah? What kind of a deal could I make?
I can't promise anything, Portfolio. Sure. Sure. You have to say that. What I'm gonna say is just conversation. You see what I mean? Yeah. You can never prove I said it. This terrier guy, he says to me, Khan has a book. We need it. Here's his address. Go get it. Scare him. Promise him a thousand bucks for it. But if you have to, knock them off. What kind of a book is it? I ask. Khan will know what you're talking about, Terry says. So I go there, ready to deal one way or the other. When they chump price the table with me, Valorice, you know.
And you'll give that to the DA? In writing. Now the DA has to sit down with my mouthpiece and work out the deal. Hey there. Officer Leoni. Hello, lieutenant. Oh, I thought I'd come by and tell you your days of walking a beat may be numbered. Oh, I like being on the street. You might like being a detective better. When I wrote up the report, I said it was your lead. Wow. Thanks, lieutenant. You know, Leonie, I've been a cop twenty years, and this is the biggest thing I've ever had. It involves millions of people. It has to do with the whole country. Not everybody has a chance to do something like this. Something important. Yeah. That that's how I feel too.
I want this guy, Tarrier, to be bagged. I never felt this personal about anything in my life. Hi there, mister Adams. Is it? That's me, Porky Adams. Who are you? I'm the new resident doctor. You must be an important man. I see there's a policeman at the door. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I'm getting more important every day. And I should be honored that I've been chosen to give you a shot. A shot? What am I getting a shot for? Well, according to the chart, it's an antibiotic. You still have some traces of the infection from that gunshot wound. The surgeon wants it cleaned up. Will it hurt? Come on. Roll over. You won't feel a thing.
Joseon Foster. Yes, sir. Who? He what? What do you mean Corky Adams is dead? But at the hospital? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I know. Right. Lieutenant Foster. What may I do for you? It's not what you can do for me, mister Terrier. It's what you've done to me. Really? What have I done? Well, you, just to make a fast buck, you're willing to destroy the whole world. I don't follow it. You had bulky Adam's killer and his cum. You can't prove that. Notice your instinctive reaction. You don't deny it. You simply say I can't prove it. And you can't. When you found out Porky was willing to talk, you arranged to have him murdered at the hospital.
You can't prove that either. You hired a killer who poses a doctor. Doctor. You can't prove any of it. You hired Porky to get a book from Khan. The only book it could be is the log book of the abacus. None of this is provable. Which means the book exists. And I came here to tell you one thing. I'll find that book. There is such a thing as justice. You won't be allowed to get away with it. Well, we're tired. We turned the place upside down. There's nothing to be found. Where could he have hidden the book? He had to have it handy. There's nowhere in this room.
But where could it be?
[00:40:01] Unknown:
Now look. Look what you get to the room.
[00:40:04] Unknown:
We'll see that it's put together again, missus Miller. Missus Miller, where could Conn have hidden something? Well, you looked, didn't you? I don't know.
[00:40:14] Unknown:
A book.
[00:40:15] Unknown:
It would have to be a pretty good size. Well, it's it's it's not in this room. He's asked it someplace. We'll never know. That's how Terry wins. He doesn't need the book. He just has to make sure it's never found. Oh, he mustn't win. We have to stop him. But there's nothing here, lieutenant. Oh, you're right. Okay, missus Miller. I'm sorry we troubled you. Oh, that's alright.
[00:40:45] Unknown:
Goodbye, miss Miller. Bye.
[00:40:48] Unknown:
Is
[00:40:49] Unknown:
is there something wrong, miss Miller? No. No. Nothing. Nothing at all. You sure? Yeah. Sure. I'm sure.
[00:40:57] Unknown:
Now look. If if if something's wrong, you know, you can tell me I'm your friend. Cop on the beat, topso leonnie. Well,
[00:41:06] Unknown:
look. I I was terrified. I'd have to testify against against that killer, but he died mysteriously in the hospital. So nobody would need me for anything. So I'm out of it. Right? Absolutely. Which is where I wanna be, out of it. But but I'm afraid I'm in it again. So a letter that came a few days ago for mister Arthur k Edwards. You know, the name mister Khan used when he was here. You'd better let us see that letter. I'm in it again. I'm in it again. Letter, please. I wanted to destroy it, but I was afraid. It's a criminal offense to do that to the US mail. So whatever I do it, I'm
[00:41:50] Unknown:
so scared. Where is the letter?
[00:41:53] Unknown:
In my bag. Here.
[00:41:58] Unknown:
It's from the National Bank. Miss Jones, I have a court order here to open the safety deposit box, the name of Arthur k Edwards. Oh, yes, lieutenant.
[00:42:12] Unknown:
I remember mister Edwards. He he rented this box just about a week ago. Is he in trouble? He's dead.
[00:42:19] Unknown:
Oh. You say he just signed up for this box a week ago? Yeah. See? See, here it is, on the card. This notice sent to his address says he owes a year's rental.
[00:42:28] Unknown:
Oh, well, you know why that was sent out? Mhmm. It was a mistake on the part of the computer. Mistake? Yeah. 8787. This is the one. Yes. The computer is always following up on the billing. A lot of customers get mad. Oh, this is a big box. What what did he keep in there? I wonder. What? It's a book. A leather bound book. What does it say?
[00:43:07] Unknown:
You know what it says? The book of Habakkuk
[00:43:11] Unknown:
and how it was found. The way many things are found. By mistake. The computer made a mistake. Or the fingers that punched the computer made a mistake. It happens every day. So many good things and bad are the result of mistakes, but there is a peculiar significance and irony to the fact that the book of Avaca should be found through a computer mistake, And I'll tell you why in a few moments. The Abaca comes from a Greek word, Abax, which means just what you think it means, Abacus, which was the first primitive computer. The Greek word Abax comes from the Hebrew word, which means dust.
Because when you wanted to add in those paperless days, you scratch the figures on the ground. So from dust on the ground, to strings in a box, to fantastic electronic circuits, the Abak becomes the computer of today. Therefore, it is altogether fitting that somehow a mistake of a computer reveals the story of the Avaca. Our cast included Alan Swift, Robert Dryden Court Benson, and Bryna Rayburn. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Buick Motor Division and Exlax. This is E. G. Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre.
Until next time. Pleasant
[00:45:05] Unknown:
dreams.
[00:45:46] Unknown:
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[00:00:16] Unknown:
CBS Radio Mystery Theater presents
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Come
[00:00:39] Unknown:
in. Welcome. I'm EG Marshall. That was a fine poetic sentiment when it was first written about, a hundred years ago, but it may not have stood the test of time. For one thing, smoking has fallen into disfavor, and not too many books written today are designed to brighten and delight. These are grim times, my friends, and don't just take my word for it. Read some of the recent books, especially the one we're about to consider.
[00:01:25] Unknown:
With this book, we can do justice.
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With this book, we can get rich. Do you know what this book can mean to the world? I want only what it can mean to you and me. But I don't want money.
[00:01:38] Unknown:
This isn't just money. This is millions. Millions. Justice is more important. Captain, if you can't see it,
[00:01:49] Unknown:
well, only one of us is gonna walk out of here with a book.
[00:02:03] Unknown:
Our mystery drama, The Book of Avaca, was written especially for the mystery theater by Sandehan and stars Alan Swift. It is sponsored in part by XLACS and Buick Motor Division. I'll be back shortly with act one. What is the most valuable book in the world? The original Gutenberg Bible? A first folio Shakespeare? The answer is no to them or to any other famous first editions you could think of. There is a book, and it was written by a man most people never even heard of that can be worth millions. The book of Abaca. The Abaca was a 20,000 ton tanker that flew the Silenian flag.
On June 3 at twenty three hundred hours or 11:00PM, she was approximately 100 miles east of Cape May, New Jersey. Her captain was on the bridge when he heard a frantic voice from the engine room. Captain Bauer. Captain.
[00:03:17] Unknown:
What is it, Engineer? We're sinking.
[00:03:20] Unknown:
Sinking? The water's rushing into the engine room. Man, the pumps. The plates have sprung. I said man, the pumps. What pumps? I switched them on and the motors blew. We're sinking. I can't stop the water. We we can't sink. We've got 3,000,000 gallons of oil on board. I'm hip deep in water now. You know what that means?
[00:03:41] Unknown:
I only know we're sinking. I'm coming below. What more? You wanna drown down here?
[00:03:52] Unknown:
Every plate in the hull's beginning to buckle. This tub is gone. Do you know what this oil spill will do to the East Coast Of America?
[00:04:00] Unknown:
Captain, don't you realize it's over? God. I never lost a ship in my entire career. Captain, can't you understand? This one is gone. We'll be lucky to get out of her alive. All hands. All hands. Prepare to abandon the ship. I'm gonna All hands.
[00:04:14] Unknown:
All hands. Prepare to abandon ship. Captain,
[00:04:23] Unknown:
what are you doing in the cabin? Captain, are you alright?
[00:04:28] Unknown:
No.
[00:04:30] Unknown:
I'm not alright. The the crew is away.
[00:04:33] Unknown:
That's good. Come on, captain.
[00:04:36] Unknown:
Where? Well, then there's a life raft left for you and me. Let's go. We don't have five minutes. You go ahead, Karn. What do you mean I should go ahead? Just what I said. Wait a minute. You're not gonna do what I think you're gonna do. I am. I'll go down with my ship. Oh, no. That's for books, for movies.
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I cannot leave this ship with a good conscience.
[00:05:03] Unknown:
But can't we argue later? 3,000,000 gallons of crude oil.
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You know what this will do to the coastline, to the fish, to the birds? It'll destroy the livelihood of thousands, the enjoyment of millions. How can I face people? But it isn't your fault. Yes. It is my fault. I should never have sailed on the Abaca. I knew she was Auntie Willy, but I
[00:05:29] Unknown:
let myself be convinced. But I I still say it isn't your fault. Vanity. My vanity. I'm old. I'm too old to command a ship.
[00:05:39] Unknown:
Why didn't I accept it gratefully? Captain, before it's too late. But they flooded me. They said, captain Bauer, you're the best there is. Take Kriemaka. Verity. I was so happy for a command. A ship? Didn't I know she was little more than a heap of scrap metal? Everybody knows that. Everybody does not know that. This phony flag, this two bit monarchy of Solania,
[00:06:10] Unknown:
It's all a dodge to register rotten ships and crooked corporations. Captain, there's nothing we can do about it. Oh, you're wrong. There's plenty we can do about it, but I cannot do it if I drown here like a rat in this death trap. Oh, good. Let's go. Yes. Yes. Let us leave my waterproof bag, and I'll need Captain, there's no time to look around the book.
[00:06:39] Unknown:
A book. It will destroy them. The book of the Abacha.
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The log book of the Abacha.
[00:06:54] Unknown:
You alright, captain.
[00:06:57] Unknown:
Yeah. I'm alright.
[00:07:01] Unknown:
The seas aren't too bad. We we can stay afloat on this raft. We're bound to be picked up as soon as it gets light. Come on.
[00:07:11] Unknown:
Listen to me. Hey. Sure, captain. Well, in this book.
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In this book. Anthony,
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something wrong?
[00:07:26] Unknown:
I'm dying.
[00:07:27] Unknown:
Well, what's the matter?
[00:07:28] Unknown:
I don't know. I'm
[00:07:31] Unknown:
dying. You wrap wrap yourself in this blanket. Won't help. Hold on, captain. In a couple of hours, we were bound to be picked up. Come on. Listen.
[00:07:42] Unknown:
Don't don't don't say anything. Just listen.
[00:07:48] Unknown:
The Terry Incorporation. Yeah?
[00:07:51] Unknown:
Terry Incorporation.
[00:07:53] Unknown:
Yeah. Oh, okay. They they only are back. Yes.
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25 or 50. Who knows how many are they right nuns see where they come? Don't get yourself excited. A carrier corporation. But tell him you tire a cabinet. You're just getting excited for nothing. No. No. No. It's for something. But tell them you carry it by these unseaworthy
[00:08:21] Unknown:
hulks, and he Captain, just take it easy, please. No. No. I don't have time. The Bakker should have been scrapped twenty years ago. But tell them you tell them we'll go down with the Abaca. This book, my love book, will tell you. It will prove that he was negligent, that we were unfit to sail. But I'm going to die. But don't say that. That. I am going to die of shame. You take this book
[00:09:07] Unknown:
and turn it over to the United States Coast Guard. You would do that.
[00:09:13] Unknown:
Promise me. Promise? Yeah. Captain, I I promise. Yes? Oh, yes. Have him come in. I'll have a scone. I have a chair. Oh, thank you. Cigar? Thank you again. You were chief engineer on my Avaca. I don't believe we ever met before. But, we're meeting now. Too bad about the Avaca. Yeah. Fine. Trim ship. Was she? Wow. Wasn't she? She was a rusty old tub that could hardly keep afloat. How can you say that? She was given a most searching inspection by the authorities before she was permitted to leave port. By the Solanian authorities? No. No. Of course. And unless she has met the standards of the Solanian Maritime Commission Which is a joke all over the world. She would not be permitted to leave the harbor.
The only time one of your ships flying a Solanian flag is prevented from leaving a Solanian harbor is when you have failed to bribe the proper, or should I say improper authority. Now see here, miss Khan, which hardly ever happens. Mister Khan, what is the purpose of this visit? The Tarrier lines. All those ships that fly the big red t under the Selenium flag, of course, I should say alleged ships, because a tarry line is little more than a floating scrap heap, a temporary floating heap. West Khan, I am a busy man. I know. But I am empowered to arrange matters for you to become a gentleman of leisure.
I can retire you from business a hopeless bankrupt. I must ask you to come to the point. What was I doing on the Abakar? I'm a good engineer, but I'm a drunk. The tarry line is the only one who take me as a chief. Well, I must say you display remarkable gratitude. Embarrass. Who else wanted a captain his age? But we're okay for Tarion. Why? Because the price is right. Well, I fail to understand your complaint. Your ship, the Abaca, is down on the bottom, a 100 miles out, and there's a mammoth oil spill 3,000,000 gallons thick headed this way. An unfortunate circumstance of our technological edge.
And you sit there fat and happy, convinced you'll even make a buck on this this tragedy. You actually think you're gonna collect insurance for ship and cargo. I know I'm going to collect. Now the insurance company can prove negligence. What negligence? My poor man, you're evidently suffering from your ordeal. Negligence cannot be proved. The equipment failed. Really? All of it. Obsolete, faulty. And who will testify to that? I'll testify. To what? You're drunk. You're unfit. Then why did you hire me? You concealed that condition from us. I admit we would have a problem if the captain had survived.
Then, you do have a problem because he did. He what? He survived. He's dead. He was dead when the coast guard picked you up. I know. But his testimony survived. His book. The log. The log book of the Abaca. The log book. I've made a photocopy of several entries. They're chosen here and there at random. They're fascinating reading for a board of inquiry. Can't look through it? Let me read this. I was afraid of the worn engine cylinder. I beg Carrier to have it repaired. Carrier replied, it would last the trip. It had been causing heavy vibration.
I think we may spring some of the plates. Radioed the office for permission to put in a Tangiers for repairs. Was told to proceed to New York. I will not be responsible for the results of this action. This is not the juiciest either. It goes on and on, gets worse and worse. You have, I assume, the log of the Avaca? Oh, yes. This is my property. Of course. I could have you arrested. Why don't you do that? I will then turn the book over to the American authorities, and, I'm sure they'll be eager to look through it under the circumstances. Well, isn't that your intention in any event to turn the book over to the authorities?
It was captain Bauer's intention. He was a very old man with a very guilty conscience. He was out to sync the tarot line. And what is your intention? What do you want? What do I want? A life I always dreamed of. Life of ease and grace. A life completely secure from storms. Is such a life possible? Enough money makes anything possible. And how much is enough? $2,000,000. 2,000,000. 2,000,000. 2,000,000. A large book of the Avaca. Well, that's a rather expensive book. They're true. But think of how much more expensive it would be if it were ever published.
$2,000,000 for an unpublished manuscript.
[00:15:50] Unknown:
Even in these overinflated times, that's an extremely substantial sum. 2,000,000? And it doesn't even have any sex in it. Mister terrier looks across his desk at mister Karn. What do you suppose his answer will be? Don't guess. Just wait for act two. What are the wild waves saying? Asks the poet. In our story, we have seen an oil tanker go down off the Jersey Coast. And it's not so much what the wild waves are saying, but what they are doing, which is bearing a thick fish killing oil slick closer and ever closer to shore where it will have a most depressing effect on the economy and the environment.
$2,000,000.
[00:16:53] Unknown:
A not unreasonable sum, mister Tarian. Damages, claims, and fines could go at least 50,000,000. 2,000,000 is what? 4%? Now, mister Tarrier, you are getting a bargain. Actually, the buy of the century. The log is in your possession? Yeah. It is immediately available, ready to change hands at an hour's notice. Well, you realize, of course, I do not have $2,000,000 in my pocket. Where may I reach you? Well, we can't do it that way. I'll be in touch with you. How much time do you require? A day. Fine. I'll, call you this time tomorrow. Oh, Cosmo is rolling about.
Good. A man named Khan, he just left my office. He's six feet tall, thin, red hair. You should be headed for the elevators. Rowlands to follow him. Find out where he lives. Yeah. That's right. I'll have other instructions for you later. Yes? You got a mister Khan living here?
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Khan. No. I don't believe I rented a room to anyone named Khan. Ernesto Khan. No. I don't have a roomer by that name.
[00:18:42] Unknown:
Let me ask you that again. A fellow, six feet tall, thin, red hair. Oh, You're gonna ask me who I am. What do I want him? Well yeah. Yeah. Well, I'm used to questions like that. I'm from the FBI. Oh. And we have to talk to this man. Oh, well, of course. This is FBI. That's different.
[00:19:03] Unknown:
Well, and he answers that description. His his name is Edwards. Edwards. It's very significant. Arthur k Edwards. That's gonna be a phony. Oh, I knew there was something suspicious about that one the minute I laid eyes on him. Did you? Oh, yes. You don't fool Edna Miller. I'm an excellent judge of character. Yeah. Yeah. Sure.
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Well, now I gotta see this fella. You better stay here.
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Oh, you mean he's he's dangerous? Nothing
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like that.
[00:19:36] Unknown:
Just tell me what room he's in. Oh, well, Number 6. It's it's up the stairs and first door on your right. Upstairs. Alright. First door on the right. You'll see the Number 6 on it. It's it's a very nice room. Really. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks, ma'am.
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You better keep out of sight. Oh oh, I will. I will.
[00:20:02] Unknown:
Hi there, mister Khan. Who are you? Well, I got something to show you. What? This. This is a 45 caliber automatic pistol. Now, let's close the door. I what do you want? Well, I'll tell you how it is. I'm an agent for a book collector. Oh, yeah. I see. Now that you see, we can save a lot of time. You hand over the book, and you're entitled to something for your trouble. My client's really a very big hearted guy. He told me to give you thousand bucks. Oh, that's, very generous. Sure. Considering he don't have to give you nothing at all. And, if I refuse.
Come on, Chump. This thing's too big for you. You know how to handle yourself. You'd never get into a spot like this to begin with, so I hand it over. Wait. You don't think I keep it in a room, do you? I don't know. You're an amateur. Who could be dumb enough to do anything? Okay. So it's not here. Let's go get it. And suppose I refuse? I can make a phone call, and in five minutes, I could get a guy up here. And before you know it, you'd be begging him to listen. Yeah. Well, you you can't threaten me. I've got the aces. Only I know where the book is. That proves how stupid you are. My client don't need the book. All he has to do is to make sure it never gets seen. If you had any brain, should have said, if anything ever happens to me, I'd arrange to have that book delivered, to so and so.
But you're an amateur. Come on. Come on. Get out of it while you're still alive. Well, what do you say? Well, listen, mister. Only a professional can make a killing. An amateur can only get killed. Thousand bucks, and you're out of it. Okay. You win. Hand it over. Now you're talking.
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Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help
[00:23:02] Unknown:
Hello there, Porky. Oh, well, the ordained lieutenant Foster. How do you feel, Porky? Well, I wouldn't wanna go dancing tonight, Carpa. Now the doctor tells me he'll be okay. So what do you wanna talk about? Who was he, Pocky? Who was who? The dead man. What dead man? The one you killed. Did I kill somebody? I didn't wanna play that game. The name of that game, copper, is democracy. I didn't kill nobody unless, Senan Tew, a jury of my peers, says so. Porky, we've got you nailed. You were running from a house with a smoking pistol. Your bullet killed him. The jury won't even have to leave the box.
We could make a deal. A deal? Who bought you, Porky, and why? Hey. That's what you wanna know. What do you give me? I can't promise anything. No? Well, I'll do it my way. I'll keep my mouth shut and trust my connections. Nothing helps when it's murder one. Yeah. Yeah. Well, copper, you and me, we're small potatoes. We're just an extension of big haunches. You see what I mean? Now my haunches knows how to put the heat on your haunches. You'll need a miracle to beat this one. It's just what my haunches are. They're in the miracle business.
Hello, Lucan Foster. I'm Patron Leoni. Oh, you're the cop who colored Porky Adams? Yes, sir. Well, that was a good job. What are you doing here? Well, the old name, missus Miller owns a roaming house. Is she okay? Well, the doc says she's still in some kind of shock. Precinct assigned me to keep an eye on the place. I came here to talk to her. Missus Miller? Who
[00:25:15] Unknown:
who are you? I'm a police officer. If you're a policeman, why aren't you wearing a uniform? I'm a detective. I don't believe you.
[00:25:23] Unknown:
Officer Leonie, will you tell missus Miller who I am? Yeah. He's a detective, miss Miller. Are are you sure? Missus Miller, would I lie? Well, no. It's alright for you to answer these questions. Now the man who was shot.
[00:25:40] Unknown:
I don't wanna think about it. What was his name?
[00:25:43] Unknown:
I don't remember. Miss Miller, the man who was shot in Room Number 6, don't you have a rent book where you keep records? Is this the book on the table?
[00:25:55] Unknown:
Hand it to me, Leonie. That that's my book. You have no right to look at that. Of course.
[00:26:00] Unknown:
You look in the book and tell me who was Number 6.
[00:26:04] Unknown:
I don't have my glasses.
[00:26:06] Unknown:
Officer Leoni, what would you Yeah. Yeah. Sure thing, miss Miller. Alright. Room Number 6. Here it is. Mister Arthur k Edwards. That's the last entry. Then his name was Edwards?
[00:26:21] Unknown:
If it says so in the book.
[00:26:24] Unknown:
Alright. Now the killer. How did the killer get into the house? Well, he he rang the bell. And? Well, he said he was
[00:26:34] Unknown:
from the FBI, and he asked for mister Edwards. Mhmm. And then what happened?
[00:26:39] Unknown:
He rang the bell, and he asked for mister Edwards. Is that what happened?
[00:26:44] Unknown:
No. No, officer Leoni. That's not what happened. What you just said? He didn't ask for mister Edwards. He he asked for someone else.
[00:26:54] Unknown:
Someone else? Who? Think.
[00:26:58] Unknown:
I can't think. I'm I'm scared out of my wits. I was there when a human being was was murdered.
[00:27:07] Unknown:
Who did the killer ask for? I don't know. I I don't wanna know. What what was the name the killer asked for to you? I I can't remember. I know it's hard, but try. Promise me you'll try. Yes. Obviously, Leonie. Alright. The name. The I mean, did it sound Italian like mine or or maybe German or Irish or Polish? What's the name like yours? Miller or Foster? I can't remember. Yeah. It's alright, miss Miller. I I know you're trying so hard. Honest. I I'm doing my best. Sure you are.
[00:27:44] Unknown:
Honest. Honest. Well, that's his name.
[00:27:48] Unknown:
His name is Ernest? Yes.
[00:27:51] Unknown:
No. No. No. It's it's Ernest. That's right. The the killer, he he rang the bell and he asked, did I rent a room to a mister Ernest L. Karn? That's who he asked for, Ernest l Carn.
[00:28:10] Unknown:
Well, what's in a name?
[00:28:13] Unknown:
Everything or nothing? It depends on whose name it is. For instance, Ernest l Carn is, as we know, the name of the missing chief engineer of the wrecked tanker, Abaca. But where will knowledge of that name take Lieutenant Foster? It will take us into act three, which I shall present shortly. Not that we wish to seem profound, but any story, every story that deals with human beings is basically a story about mankind. We happen to be the order that stands on top of the animal kingdom. The reason for that is we are smarter than the beasts below us, and that's the problem.
We are so smart, we tend to outsmart ourselves. We and the beasts share the same environment, but everything the other animals
[00:29:34] Unknown:
Lieutenant, why is that name familiar? Ernest l Khan.
[00:29:38] Unknown:
It's not some hood. No way. But I remember hearing that now. Khan. Oh, I know. You do? Yeah. I I heard it on the news, and I I read it in the papers. Who is he, missus Miller? He was rescued from that ship.
[00:29:52] Unknown:
Karn. That's right. That's right, Leonie. He was on that tanker. Oh, yeah. Right, lieutenant. The one that went down with all that oil. Karn was the chief engineer. The one that's missing. Lieutenant. A top professional like Porky Adams. What would he wanna knock off? Khan. Well, Khan was the target. Corky asked for him by name. Wasn't mistaken identity. Why? Why did anyone want to knock off Khan? Yes, lieutenant. What may I do for you? Mister terrier, would you be good enough to identify this picture? Well, if I can. What?
I've never seen such a serene face. Yeah. He should be. He's dead. Oh, of course. I know this man. I should say I know him. It's Khan. He was chief engineer on the Abakar. Why is he dead? Someone shot him. Oh my goodness. Why? Well, that's what we're trying to determine. Do they have they got the killer? Yes. And that's what has us in the dark. Why do you say that, lieutenant? Well, the killer is a professional. Yes. He only kills on assignment. I I don't follow you. He kills because he's hired. Who would hire him to kill mister Khan, and why?
Well, I'm afraid I can't answer either question, lieutenant. How well did you know Khan? Well, he applied for a position as chief engineer. Did you interview him personally? He was extremely qualified. I hired him. May I ask you this? Your line has a reputation for low pay and hard work. Who says that? Well, I do some checking. If Khan was extremely qualified, why did he take a job with you? Well, a, because jobs are scarce, b, no one else would hire him, c, because he was a drunk, and, d, may I suggest a reason why he was killed? I do appreciate it. It's possible that Khan may have been bringing drugs into the country, isn't it? Well, now drugs, as I understand it, are controlled by the syndicate, an organization.
Is that true? It it would appear to be. Mhmm. Karn probably got himself in trouble with the syndicate, and for that reason, he was killed. That would account for a professional assassin, wouldn't it? Yes. Well, then that would be your case, couldn't it? It, it could. Mhmm. Thank you so much for your time, mister Terry. I hope I've been helpful. Well, I'm sure you have. Lieutenant pastor, could I talk to you for a few minutes? Sure, Leon. Where are you on the con? Nowhere. Look. I've been doing some thinking, and I, do you wanna hear this? Okay.
Well, this oil tanker, the Abaca, now it goes down. You know the kind of damage it's gonna create. Mhmm. Now the company that owns the boat is known as, Hasselah back outfit. Right? Yeah. Maybe it's their fault, she's saying. If it is, you know what they can be hit for? Woah. Who can prove it's their fault? The two best people for that are gone. The captain dies at sea and the chief engineer is assassinated. The terrier company is motive. Leoni, that's one of those excellent theories. Looks good. Sounds great. The problem is there's no proof.
On the other hand Yes, lieutenant? It could be good enough to scare Porky out of us. Hey, lieutenant. Nice of you to come to visit us, a friend. You're through, Porky? You're in this all by yourself. Come on, Foster. You and me, we've been around long enough. Who was this guy they bought you to knock off? I don't know what you're talking about. His name was Khan. Ernest l Khan, wasn't it? Well, this is your story, lieutenant. You know who he was? No. Who was he? Chief engineer of that oil tanker that went down. Well, looks like he was unlucky all the way around, Donald. So you see the connections are off.
The fix is out. Oh, Ray Vaughan. Forster Ray Vaughan. I'll tell you what the DA's got. Khan was all killed because he could prove that the tanker sank through company negligence. That's why a professional killer, Porky Adams, was employed. The way the public is up in arms about it, you think there can be a fix? All I gotta do is keep my mouth shut. Nobody's got nothing. Untrue. We've got you for murder. Murder won. And the death penalty is back in style. Well, Porky, now or later? We're, say, for the sake of argument. Yeah? What kind of a deal could I make?
I can't promise anything, Portfolio. Sure. Sure. You have to say that. What I'm gonna say is just conversation. You see what I mean? Yeah. You can never prove I said it. This terrier guy, he says to me, Khan has a book. We need it. Here's his address. Go get it. Scare him. Promise him a thousand bucks for it. But if you have to, knock them off. What kind of a book is it? I ask. Khan will know what you're talking about, Terry says. So I go there, ready to deal one way or the other. When they chump price the table with me, Valorice, you know.
And you'll give that to the DA? In writing. Now the DA has to sit down with my mouthpiece and work out the deal. Hey there. Officer Leoni. Hello, lieutenant. Oh, I thought I'd come by and tell you your days of walking a beat may be numbered. Oh, I like being on the street. You might like being a detective better. When I wrote up the report, I said it was your lead. Wow. Thanks, lieutenant. You know, Leonie, I've been a cop twenty years, and this is the biggest thing I've ever had. It involves millions of people. It has to do with the whole country. Not everybody has a chance to do something like this. Something important. Yeah. That that's how I feel too.
I want this guy, Tarrier, to be bagged. I never felt this personal about anything in my life. Hi there, mister Adams. Is it? That's me, Porky Adams. Who are you? I'm the new resident doctor. You must be an important man. I see there's a policeman at the door. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I'm getting more important every day. And I should be honored that I've been chosen to give you a shot. A shot? What am I getting a shot for? Well, according to the chart, it's an antibiotic. You still have some traces of the infection from that gunshot wound. The surgeon wants it cleaned up. Will it hurt? Come on. Roll over. You won't feel a thing.
Joseon Foster. Yes, sir. Who? He what? What do you mean Corky Adams is dead? But at the hospital? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I know. Right. Lieutenant Foster. What may I do for you? It's not what you can do for me, mister Terrier. It's what you've done to me. Really? What have I done? Well, you, just to make a fast buck, you're willing to destroy the whole world. I don't follow it. You had bulky Adam's killer and his cum. You can't prove that. Notice your instinctive reaction. You don't deny it. You simply say I can't prove it. And you can't. When you found out Porky was willing to talk, you arranged to have him murdered at the hospital.
You can't prove that either. You hired a killer who poses a doctor. Doctor. You can't prove any of it. You hired Porky to get a book from Khan. The only book it could be is the log book of the abacus. None of this is provable. Which means the book exists. And I came here to tell you one thing. I'll find that book. There is such a thing as justice. You won't be allowed to get away with it. Well, we're tired. We turned the place upside down. There's nothing to be found. Where could he have hidden the book? He had to have it handy. There's nowhere in this room.
But where could it be?
[00:40:01] Unknown:
Now look. Look what you get to the room.
[00:40:04] Unknown:
We'll see that it's put together again, missus Miller. Missus Miller, where could Conn have hidden something? Well, you looked, didn't you? I don't know.
[00:40:14] Unknown:
A book.
[00:40:15] Unknown:
It would have to be a pretty good size. Well, it's it's it's not in this room. He's asked it someplace. We'll never know. That's how Terry wins. He doesn't need the book. He just has to make sure it's never found. Oh, he mustn't win. We have to stop him. But there's nothing here, lieutenant. Oh, you're right. Okay, missus Miller. I'm sorry we troubled you. Oh, that's alright.
[00:40:45] Unknown:
Goodbye, miss Miller. Bye.
[00:40:48] Unknown:
Is
[00:40:49] Unknown:
is there something wrong, miss Miller? No. No. Nothing. Nothing at all. You sure? Yeah. Sure. I'm sure.
[00:40:57] Unknown:
Now look. If if if something's wrong, you know, you can tell me I'm your friend. Cop on the beat, topso leonnie. Well,
[00:41:06] Unknown:
look. I I was terrified. I'd have to testify against against that killer, but he died mysteriously in the hospital. So nobody would need me for anything. So I'm out of it. Right? Absolutely. Which is where I wanna be, out of it. But but I'm afraid I'm in it again. So a letter that came a few days ago for mister Arthur k Edwards. You know, the name mister Khan used when he was here. You'd better let us see that letter. I'm in it again. I'm in it again. Letter, please. I wanted to destroy it, but I was afraid. It's a criminal offense to do that to the US mail. So whatever I do it, I'm
[00:41:50] Unknown:
so scared. Where is the letter?
[00:41:53] Unknown:
In my bag. Here.
[00:41:58] Unknown:
It's from the National Bank. Miss Jones, I have a court order here to open the safety deposit box, the name of Arthur k Edwards. Oh, yes, lieutenant.
[00:42:12] Unknown:
I remember mister Edwards. He he rented this box just about a week ago. Is he in trouble? He's dead.
[00:42:19] Unknown:
Oh. You say he just signed up for this box a week ago? Yeah. See? See, here it is, on the card. This notice sent to his address says he owes a year's rental.
[00:42:28] Unknown:
Oh, well, you know why that was sent out? Mhmm. It was a mistake on the part of the computer. Mistake? Yeah. 8787. This is the one. Yes. The computer is always following up on the billing. A lot of customers get mad. Oh, this is a big box. What what did he keep in there? I wonder. What? It's a book. A leather bound book. What does it say?
[00:43:07] Unknown:
You know what it says? The book of Habakkuk
[00:43:11] Unknown:
and how it was found. The way many things are found. By mistake. The computer made a mistake. Or the fingers that punched the computer made a mistake. It happens every day. So many good things and bad are the result of mistakes, but there is a peculiar significance and irony to the fact that the book of Avaca should be found through a computer mistake, And I'll tell you why in a few moments. The Abaca comes from a Greek word, Abax, which means just what you think it means, Abacus, which was the first primitive computer. The Greek word Abax comes from the Hebrew word, which means dust.
Because when you wanted to add in those paperless days, you scratch the figures on the ground. So from dust on the ground, to strings in a box, to fantastic electronic circuits, the Abak becomes the computer of today. Therefore, it is altogether fitting that somehow a mistake of a computer reveals the story of the Avaca. Our cast included Alan Swift, Robert Dryden Court Benson, and Bryna Rayburn. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Buick Motor Division and Exlax. This is E. G. Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre.
Until next time. Pleasant
[00:45:05] Unknown:
dreams.
[00:45:46] Unknown:
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