In this intriguing episode of CBS Radio Mystery Theater, we delve into the mysterious murder of Major Klausoff, set in a provincial Russian village a hundred years ago. The story, adapted from a short story by Anton Chekhov, follows the examining magistrate, Kubikov, and his secretary, Dukovsky, as they unravel the complex web of clues surrounding the murder. As they investigate, they encounter a host of potential suspects, including the major's valet, steward, and even his estranged wife. The plot thickens with each revelation, leading to unexpected twists and turns that challenge the detectives' deductive skills.
As the investigation unfolds, the detectives must navigate through a maze of deceit, jealousy, and hidden motives. The episode masterfully captures the essence of Chekhov's storytelling, highlighting the foibles and pretenses of human nature. With a blend of suspense, humor, and drama, "The Safety Match" keeps listeners on the edge of their seats, questioning the reliability of appearances and the true nature of justice. Join us for a captivating journey into the heart of mystery and human folly.
(00:30) Introduction to the Mystery
(02:27) The Crime Scene Investigation
(11:03) Suspects and Motives
(17:18) The Investigation Deepens
(30:51) The Unexpected Resolution
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Let CBS Radio Mystery Theater presents Come in. Welcome. I'm BG Marshall. Whenever a crime is committed, the police attempt to deduce what happened on the basis of clues found at the scene. Logic and probability are employed to create the most accurate hypothesis possible. And from this, it is hoped the crime may be solved and the criminals apprehended. But logic operates on appearances. And as we all know, things are often not as they seem. Fact number one, the murdered man was an infamous drunkard. Yes. Mhmm. Fact number two, he was also a philanderer and a gambler. Any number of people might have had cause to do away with him. Well, we cannot arrest the entire village. No. But this brings us to fact number three. If we can find out who in the village has recently purchased a box of safety matches, sir, we will have our murderer.
Our mystery drama, The Safety Match, is based on a short story by Anton Chekhov. It was adapted especially for the mystery theater by Percy Grainger and stars Robert Dryden and Russell Horton. It is sponsored in part by Buick Motor Division and Contact, the twelve hour cold capsule. I'll be back shortly with act one. Anton Chekhov, the greatest of all Russian playwrights, was also a master of the short story. A doctor by profession, he came into contact with people from all walks of life. And perhaps his most profound realization was that high born or low, all of us have our foibles and our pretenses.
Even our very dreams and ambitions sometimes make us figures for comedy and can lead us into the unexpected. Our story tonight takes place in a provincial Russian village a hundred years ago. We're in the office of the examining magistrate, Kubikov, and his secretary, Dukovsky. See here, your honest, the Serbians are at war again. No. Put down that newspaper. Surely, you must have some letters to write. The world doesn't end at the edge of our district, your honor. Now don't bore me with politics. Here it is. Excuse me.
Yes. What do you want?
[00:03:37] Unknown:
Is this the office of the examining magistrate? Mother Chupikov, it is. Are you the magistrate?
[00:03:45] Unknown:
No. That's, mister Chupikov there. I'm
[00:03:47] Unknown:
the Kopfsky, the magistrate secretary. I come in. What can I do for you? Your worship, forgive me for intruding like this, but I'm afraid I've come with news of the worst sort. Yes. Well, my name is Andre. I'm a steward at the state of Klausof, major Klausof. We are talking about the retired officer of the horse car? Yes. The the very one. Well, it is to my great sorrow that I must report. Major Clossoff has been or to put it boldly, he's been murdered. What? Murder, you say? Yes. Your worship. But is this possible? Well, you think it's quite true that, not only that, his body is missing. Oh, lord. Have mercy on me. Only last Friday, I saw him at the fair. I had to drink a vodka with him. Hey. Dukovsky, come. We must go at once.
We have none of us seen the master for three days. Three days.
[00:04:59] Unknown:
Have you heard of that Dukovsky? Oh, yes, your honor.
[00:05:02] Unknown:
He was in his room the entire time? So we assumed. But this morning, when the gardener remarked on it,
[00:05:10] Unknown:
somehow I felt something was amiss. Mhmm. There's something in the gardener's tone of voice, no doubt. Oh, no.
[00:05:16] Unknown:
The gardener is an old man. It wouldn't hurt a fly, but I took the liberty of looking in through the window. Gentlemen, you you see for yourselves. Here's the door to the master's bedroom. You see it's locked. Mhmm. Good luck. From the inside, the window that looks out into the garden was open, and that's obviously how the murderer has gained entrance.
[00:05:44] Unknown:
Well, it's locked all night. There's no doubt about that. Well, what are you standing around for, Stuart? Get an axe and a chisel and have some of the peasants break it down. The hinges,
[00:05:54] Unknown:
your your worship. You there and and you. What are you keeping at? Help the magistrate conduct this examination.
[00:06:03] Unknown:
Word of this deed has already spread. That's not good. Wouldn't it pose we'll find in there? Who can say? Man prepared for anything ever since the nature she used to live with is life. She was a good woman and long suffering. If you ask me, her tongue was rather too sharp. Elijah was not an easy man to live with, I'd like to know. And, man sends his wife away. Well, you know, anyway,
[00:06:37] Unknown:
gentlemen, the door is successfully breached. Good. Let us proceed.
[00:06:44] Unknown:
Thanks. Have mercy. The place is assembled.
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Here, Dukovsky, you see a noble by birth, a rich man. And what did he come to?
[00:06:59] Unknown:
He drank, anticipated, gambled, and now this merger vanished under the most sordid of circumstances. And who could have done such a thing? Many people might have had cause. It's true. Those he owed money to, those he insulted while drunk. It's no use speculating. Be good enough to examine the floor for clues. Let's see what's here by the bed. Silver watch, 20 kopeck piece, sofa matches.
[00:07:33] Unknown:
What do you find under the bed? Well, at least, two dozen empty vodka bottles, an old straw hat.
[00:07:41] Unknown:
Oh, one top boot. One? Only one? Yes. I stumbled. The plazons murdered him and dragged the corpse out through the window and is it? The window is open. And look there in the dirt below, Footprints. Your honor, look what I found on the floor, a struck safety match. So it's the window we must examine with all the majors matches of the old fashioned sofa kind. Perhaps we have here an important clue. Oh, do shut up. Instead of chasing matches, why don't you see a guy in the bed? The differ. I see. Window shows no signs of having been forced. This is most interesting.
Oh, what's that? There's no blood, but there are teeth marks here on the pillow. And then there's that one top boot with no sign of the other. Well, whatever. Well, it proves that they strangled him while he was taking his boots off. You see, he hadn't had time to take the second one off. Oh, there you go again with the deductions. How do you know they strangled him? Because of the teeth marks on the pillow. Oh. Oh, yes. Well, I'm into the garden. You'd be better employed there than digging around in here. I can do that without you. That's under the window has been crushed and trampled.
And this wolf here, auto trampled. But look on these twigs. What? What? Some strands of dark blue wood. Andre? Yes, sir? What was the color of the Major's last suit? It was yellow. Excellent. Then the murderers wore blue. They were rather tasty twigs for evidence. Your honor, look here in the grass. Why? What is it? There's a long dark street. You see? Yes. If you look closer, you'll notice it's made up of little spots. Could it be Oh, yes. Yes. Yes. I've seen that before. Alright. There's no possible doubt about that. It bleeds toward those lilac bushes on the far side of the garden. Andre, is there anything there?
Yes. Your worship. The missing boat. Ah. It shows he wasn't strangled, doesn't it, if there is blood? No. No. No. Not at all. They strangled him in the bedroom, but once they were outside with him, fearing he might come around again, they struck him a blow with some sharp object. I see. But about the boots, this confirms completely my idea that they murdered him while he was taking his boots off before going to bed. He'd already taken one off and the other, this one here, he had only time to take half off. Now the half off boot came the rest of the way off while the body was being dragged. When will you learn to stop these speculations?
[00:10:46] Unknown:
It would be much better if you took some of the blood stained graft for analysis.
[00:10:51] Unknown:
And they Yeah. Sure, worship. I will sit through this matter in the parlor. Bring us some tea. I say the murder was committed by an educated man. What evidence do you have of that for the safety match proves it? The peasants here about are not yet acquainted with safety matches. Only a few land owners use them. And furthermore, it's evident that there was not one murderer, but three. Three? At least. Two held him down while a third killed him. The the major was a strong man and the murderers must have known it. Take a tea. Oh, yes. I'm there with some cake. Thank you.
[00:11:36] Unknown:
In in my humble opinion, your worship, I believe I may know the man you're looking for. Yeah. Well, you you do? It was Nicholas, the master's valet. His or her skull of a drunkard, the like of which heaven should not permit. About what makes you suspect this is is Nicholas? Because it was he who always took the master his vodka and put him to bed. He would have been the last person to see the master alive. Do he have any motive? I once heard him boast in the public house that he would kill the major. No. It happened on account of a woman by the name of Sonia. Nicholas was making up to her, but she caught the major's eye, and he made friends with her himself.
Nicholas naturally was furious. Well, where is Nicholas now? Well, that's just it. He's roaming about in the kitchen drunk when telling lies, saying he's sorry for the master. Bring him before me at once. I think I'd want your worship.
[00:12:45] Unknown:
Come, come, come, come, come, come. Your name, it is Nivorous? It is, your honor. Where's your master? Mertured, your worship. Do we know he was murdered? The body. Where is the body? Well, I don't know. How should I know a thing like that? Where were you three nights ago? Three nights. On Saturday. Well, I I don't know. I was, I don't remember. Did you know the woman, Sonya?
[00:13:18] Unknown:
Yes. I I know her. And is it true that the master cut you out with her? No. No, you worship. It wasn't that way at all. How? This man here cut me out. Andre Saikoff, the master steward, the master cut him out.
[00:13:38] Unknown:
Miss Nicholas, that is all for now. Missus. I'll say thank you. You're worship. And, hey, step forward. You're worship. Your honor, look. His trousers. What? With a dark blue, the same color as the strands of thread we found. Excuse
[00:13:58] Unknown:
me, but that must have happened when I looked in through the master's window. I permit me to put a question to you and they,
[00:14:07] Unknown:
of course, you were here last Saturday evening? Yes. Where?
[00:14:13] Unknown:
As a matter of fact, I had supper with the major about 10:00.
[00:14:20] Unknown:
And afterwards?
[00:14:22] Unknown:
I I I don't remember. I I had a good deal to drink with the meal, you see. I don't remember where or when I went to sleep. Why why are you looking at me like that? Where were you when you woke up? In the servant's kitchen. I was right behind the stove. They they they can confirm it. But how I got behind the stove, I don't know.
[00:14:47] Unknown:
Did you know the woman, Sonya? There's nothing extraordinary about that. She first liked you and then preferred the major? Yes. Would you like some more tea? No. No. I agree. I'm quite enough now. Are there? Can I go?
[00:15:09] Unknown:
Thank you. You're worship. I'm a well, a thousand. Thanks.
[00:15:13] Unknown:
Why did you lay him off the hook? You had the man cold. Why didn't you ask him to produce the body? One last pursuit with care. Trust me Dukovsky. I know what I'm doing. Our next step is to speak with Maria Ivanovna, the major's old maid's sister. Yes? Oh, madam Klausoff, I apologize for disturbing your prayers.
[00:15:49] Unknown:
What do you want?
[00:15:50] Unknown:
I'm sure you have heard already that there's a, suspicion that your dear brother has in some way or other been murdered. I I know.
[00:16:03] Unknown:
You know? It is divine retribution.
[00:16:07] Unknown:
The Lord's justice for the desert life he led. Well, could you help us perhaps with some clue, some possible
[00:16:15] Unknown:
explanation? No. No. Don't ask me. I I can tell you nothing. There's nothing that can stop the will of God. What has happened is too horrible, too terrible, too bad talking about.
[00:16:32] Unknown:
We all carry with us the splinters from the cross. There is guilt in each of us. No man is free from his thoughts, and the thought is sometimes father to the deed. On most police blotters, there is a circuit of crime and a dearth of culprits. It seems here we may have the opposite case. I shall return shortly with act two what man's conscience is so clear he can pass an officer of the law without a slight fluttering in his heart and how we flinch should the rolling official eye light on us with its scrutinous talons?
Why do we feel so self conscious before the man in uniform? Is it because somehow his uniform gives him the aura of omniscience? Or because we fear the possible error of his discretion? Confound that woman. There's a major sister. It's clear she knows something and is concealing it. The will of God, the Lord's justice. What is what she meant by that? I'm quite sure she meant exactly what she said. Equally certain that Nicholas, the valet, had something to do with the matter. And you have a staircase back through here? Well, you can see by his face what sort of a person he is. His alibi betrays him. Drunk and doesn't remember. I'm also certain he did not set the thing going. Why can you be so positive of that? He doesn't have brains for it. He was only a hired tool. You agree?
Grind away, axed man. There's a old forest out there. The humble Andre was not without some slight share in the matter. His dark riches the same color as a thread found in a bush. His agitation, his lying behind the stove in a terror after the murder. And
[00:18:31] Unknown:
Sonia? So according to you, whoever knew Sonia is the murderer.
[00:18:36] Unknown:
Idiot. You were one of Sonia's admirers yourself. As a child that you were implicated too. And she was a cook in your house for a month. I'm saying nothing about that. Yes. Well, well, well, whatever. The point is, it's not the woman who matters, your honor. It's the mean, nasty, low spirit of jealousy that matters. They wanted revenge on the majors. Humiliation and and passion. That's quite enough motive for a murder. Oh, be still for a moment. Really? I'm trying to think. We have two of them. But who's the third? Nicholas and Andre held him, but who smothered him?
Andre was shy, timid. He was an all around coward. And Nicholas wouldn't know how to smother his sword using an axe or a club. Some third person did the smothering. But who was it? Pause some what thou will you while I gather my papers at once, your honor. Tell me with all this. What has happened to the body? Eureka. Eureka, your honor. I can't understand how it didn't occur to me sooner. The third person who acted in concert with those scoundrels Nicholas and Andre and and did the actual smothering was a woman. What? A woman? Yes. And I mean none other than a murdered man's sister, Maria. Yes.
At what? Hey. Excuse me. Why are you drunk? Do you have a a pain in your head? I have everything. Perfectly well. Now how do you explain her confusion when we appeared or her refusal to give us any information? What's the other? But Alright. Alright. Now these are trifles. It's true. But consider this. She detested the major. She never forgave him for a living apart from his wife. Your honor, she is a member of the old space. And in her eyes, her brother was a dumbest profligate. That is where the germ of her hatred was hatched. She's a harmless old woman. But look at it from her point of view. They say her brother has succeeded in making her believe he was an angel of Satan. What else should a woman of her fanatical beliefs do? Kill her long brother? Or rid the world of an antichrist? Of course.
In her eyes, it was a religious achievement. It was she and nobody else. Even if you cut me off it. Well, well, hey. Never mind. I'll I'll trace myself.
[00:21:15] Unknown:
Yes?
[00:21:16] Unknown:
What can I do for you? Your worship my name is Daniel. I'm a shepherd for Major Klausoff. The former major Klausoff, that is. God bless you, sir. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Well, look. We're quite busy now, really. What is it you want? It's not up to me to say how important it is, but there is something that, in my humble opinion, may be of use to you. Marty. Marty, come in. Come in. Thank you. Last Saturday night, the night they say the major was murdered, I was a bit drunk, you see, and I was with friends until around midnight. On my way home, because I was drunk, I went into the river for a bath.
I was floating about peacefully when I heard noises. I looked up and saw two men walking along the dam. They were carrying something bulky, and they didn't see me. But as they passed by, I plainly saw it was the master they were carrying away. Major Klausop? Yes. And the two men, could you see their faces? No. Once I saw it was the master they were carrying, I was too frightened to look. Remember the last Just a minute to cost you. You you say you, drunk at the time? Yes. To my shame, I was. But I'm quite sure it was the master. What was he wearing on his feet?
The way nothing. Come to think of it. His feet were bare. It seems obvious to me. It is quite obvious, Dukovsky. I don't need you to tell me it is obvious. Two men, did you say? Yes, Dorsak. Your honor, at last you've arrived. I see you're in your customary agitated state. It's a little earlier than usual today. I just cannot comprehend it, sir. Here it is now nearly a week since you've had the valet and the steward arrested. It's been four days. Well, what of it? You're convinced of their guilt? Why will you not believe in the guilt of the major sister as well? Are there not proof enough for you? I don't say I'm not convinced. I just can't do myself to believe it. Alright? Alright. I'll prove it to you. I have something substantial for you.
What are you going on about? The safety match. The safety match? Mhmm. You'd forgotten about that, hadn't you? But I haven't. I am gonna find out who struck it in the murdered man's room. It wasn't Nicholas. It wasn't Andre. Neither of them had any matches when they were examined. It was the third person, Maria, and I'll prove it to you. Just give me permission to go to the district to find out. That cannot, Sikorsky.
[00:24:28] Unknown:
Sedan, this investigation will be conducted on the basis of my experience and not your impulsiveness. This morning, we will begin our full examination. Philip, bring in Nicholas Depakos.
[00:24:50] Unknown:
Depakoski, Deposse. Who are you hesitating for? Be seated and take out quill and paper to write down this rich and fellow's confession. Yes, your honor.
[00:25:01] Unknown:
Please the scoundrel now. Yes. You worship. In 1879, you were tried in the court of the first division convicted of theft and sentenced to imprisonment.
[00:25:17] Unknown:
Is that not true? Why, Bob, yes. It is.
[00:25:23] Unknown:
In 1882, you were tried a second time for theft and were again imprisoned.
[00:25:28] Unknown:
True? Your your honor, I No.
[00:25:33] Unknown:
Yes. It's no use trying to hide anything from us. We know all. I I I don't know what to say.
[00:25:43] Unknown:
It's true. I have pride in my past. I can't deny. I'm so ashamed. So, please, may may I have permission to watch my plates? Of course.
[00:26:02] Unknown:
Bailiff, take the prisoner out and bring in Andrei Saikoff. Thank you. You're right. Ma'am, is he?
[00:26:12] Unknown:
The valet is at the breaking point. You should not have let him go. He will collect himself. Oh, he's a wounded bull. All that remains is a kill. Now with the educated sort like this fellow Andre, bullying would do no good at all. One must play upon the mind. Ah, Andre. Please have a seat.
[00:26:36] Unknown:
Thank you, your honor. I hope this morning you are going to be reasonable. Confession will lighten your guilt, your soul, and possibly your sentence.
[00:26:48] Unknown:
This is the last time I'm going to talk to you, Andre. If you do not confess today, tomorrow, it will be too late. Now come. Tell us all.
[00:27:00] Unknown:
I don't know anything about the murder. I I don't know anything. Very
[00:27:07] Unknown:
well. I shall relate to you exactly what happened. On Saturday night, you were sitting with the major drinking vodka. Nicholas, of course, was waiting on you. This this much is true. At 01:00,
[00:27:21] Unknown:
the Major announced his intention of going to bed. This was the Major's habit
[00:27:26] Unknown:
to retire just at one. Very good. You see, we know all. So when he was taking off his boots, you and Nicholas seized the drunken man and threw him onto the bed. Oh, no. This cannot be right. One of you sat on his legs, the other on his head. Then a third person entered, a woman in a black dress whom you knew well. She seized the pillow and began to smother him. While the struggle was going on, the candle went out. The woman took a box of safety matches from her pocket and re lit the candle. Was that not so?
I can see by your face that I'm speaking with you. No. I left the matrix. After the deed was done, you pulled him out through the window. Fearing he might come round again, you struck him with something sharp and fenced the foul lead. Then you carried him away across the dam by the river. I may well, what what what the matter with you? I'm suffocating. What? I can't breathe.
[00:28:31] Unknown:
Very well. Have it as you wish. Let me out, please.
[00:28:40] Unknown:
Bailey, Leave this man away. Yeah. Is he? At last, he has confessed. He has betrayed himself. And didn't I get round him cleverly? Caught in nothing. That, my dear Dukovsky, is how one conducts a successful examination. And you'll notice he didn't deny the woman's part in it. Yes. Yes. Yes. In a blank dress. Maria. Good day's work. Now it simply remains to find out what was done with the body. If, if it's all the same to you, your honor, there's something that still torments me. What's that? The safety match. I still have yet to prove to your satisfaction the identity of the third party.
Your honor? Ma? Oh. Oh, Dukovsky. Oh, good. How did your investigation
[00:29:43] Unknown:
go? Oh, it's
[00:29:45] Unknown:
very sad, your honor. Wasted there? No. Don't feel too badly. You don't understand. My investigation has been a success. It has? I have found the third person, the guilty party. The mage's sister? No. No. It isn't her at all. And you'll never believe me when I tell you what I have found out. The rash charge in where wise men think it a waste of time to tread, to modify the old saying. And sometimes they return with more than their sage elders expected. We might have begun to suspect that the examining magistrate and his secretary were overzealous in their pursuit of a solution to Kosov's murder, but now it seems that Dukovsky, much to his superior's chagrin, has found at last some evidence worthy of the name.
I shall return shortly with our final act. This is WBBM in Chicago. The experience of age versus the impulsiveness of youth. It's an eternal conflict. And when one throws into the bargain the pomposity arrogance of the young, it can sometimes seem a wonder that anything is ever accomplished. A miracle that the truth is ever discovered at all. You have discovered the identity of the third party. I went to the Major's Village. Very methodically, I visited all the little shops, public houses, and dram shops on the road everywhere. I asked for safety matches, and everywhere they said there hadn't any. Then I kept this up the whole day, and it was only an hour ago that I got on the track at all.
Three miles from here. Only three miles. I I walked into a shop and asked for the matches, and they gave me a pack of 10 boxes. And, how did this put you on the track? Ah, the packet was supposed to contain 10 boxes, but in fact, there were only nine. Oh, one, wasn't it? Yes. And I asked the shopkeeper who brought the other box. Such and such a one, she replied. She was pleased with them. Then it is a woman at all. Indeed. But not the major sister. Not Maria. No. No. No. You know who she is? You'll never guess. Olga Petrovna, the major's wife. What? His own wife? It was she who killed him.
You're out of your mouth. I tell you there could be no mistake. It was she who bought the matchbox. The shopkeeper knew it well. Olga Petrovna. Quite simple. Now, look, to begin with, she smokes. Secondly, she was fed over heels in love with the major even after he refused to live with her. True. They say she used to beat him because she loved him so much. But, nevertheless, this is just not possible. Think of the humiliation she suffered at her late husband's hands when he sent her off to live with her brother. Now what would such a woman do?
Come along quickly or it'll be dark. Yes. You're reasoning in circles. I have the proof that you demanded of me. I have spent an entire day getting it. The only box of safety matches purchased in the district was by the murdered man's estranged wife.
[00:33:20] Unknown:
It makes such sense. I I kick myself for not having thought of it before.
[00:33:30] Unknown:
What page we are to disturb a poor lady like this? Patience, your honor. In a few moments, we shall have the body and the murderers in hand. Yeah. I'm having very strong, miss Judy. Don't be frightened. We can say that we've broken a spring or or better yet that our horse is split his feet. She won't suspect the same. Oh, you'll become quite the unexpected, hadn't you? I suppose you'll talk of nothing else but a promotion after after this. That we can discuss when I brought this case to its successful conclusion.
The weather must be turning cold and my whole inside is a shivering. I can't remember. I heard unaware. Yes. Yes? Madame Clasoff, it is I, Leonard Suikoff, his eminent majesty. Oh, your honor. Oh, what a pleasant surprise. Oh, still do come in. She seems precious, little upset by recent events. Pardon? Hey. This is, my birthday, Emil Zukovsky, madam. Oh, well, come into the parlour. You're just in time for supper. You see, our horse has And may I take your coat? One, take her unawares. Unawares, I tell you. Oh, yes. Yes. Our horse, he has split his hoof.
Oh. Which is why we well,
[00:35:04] Unknown:
you understand. Excuse me then. While I tell him to set two more places at the table, make you those comfortable gentlemen. I shan't be of the moment.
[00:35:13] Unknown:
Abruptness is of the essence. Now she's gone off to compose herself. If you ease into your accusation, she'll meet you turn for turn and brazen her way out altogether. Well, do it yourself then. What? Get me out of it.
[00:35:27] Unknown:
I have no stomach for it. But but Well, there we are. All taken care of. And the son of I will be out in a moment.
[00:35:36] Unknown:
Madam, we did not drive over here to, take supper with you or or to see your brother. Oh, I'm sorry. I assume We, we came here to ask you, respected madam, where your husband is. My my husband? Mhmm. Whom you have murdered. My husband has been murdered? Surely you do not pretend to not know of his death. But but but but not possible. But more than possible, madam, since it was you who did it. I I don't understand. I asked you in the name of the law, where is the major? It's no use to send them, madam. We know all. You do? But but who told you? He's so good as to show us where he is? But how did you find out? Good, madam.
Show us where you hid the body. Otherwise, we shall have no choice but to arrest you. Arrest? Did you say arrest me? Well, yes. That's the normal procedure. What do you want with my husband? Oh, madam. What is the use of these questions? We ask you to show us the money. Come. I will take you to him. Where are you taking us? Where is it you have hidden the body? In the bathhouse. Note that your honor. Not a shade of remorse. Get your candle and matches ready, Dukovsky. Yes, sir. I see nobody in the dressing room here. He is beyond
[00:37:18] Unknown:
in the bath itself.
[00:37:22] Unknown:
She has a fine sense of the bizarre, I must say. Like your English murderers. Hold up the camera. A table, a dish with ham, plates, cutlery. Has she been eating in here as well? Madam, forgive me, but
[00:37:42] Unknown:
where is the body of your late husband? Up there on the top tier of the sliding frame.
[00:37:51] Unknown:
Parity. I can see his form stretched out. Give me the candle. I'm going to make a positive identification.
[00:37:58] Unknown:
It is the major, my husband. I can assure you of that, your worship.
[00:38:07] Unknown:
What? He moved. Madam, you are making fun of us. This is not the murdered man. Some live fool is lying there. Here. Whoever you are, the devil take you. What? Who's sleeping around here? What do you want? It's the Major himself. Is this possible? Well, of course, it's me. Who who's that? Lukovsky. Whatever do you want here. I I I who's that other fat man down there? Great god. The examining magistrate. What happens if it brings you here, my friend? How on earth did you find me? Olga Petroffner. She's escaped. Oh, please let her go. She'll be back soon enough. Young Lukovsky, what are you looking at?
Did you think I'm a ghost? Major, you must tell us, what are you doing here? Well, why shouldn't I be here as well as any other place if I'm alright? Yeah. I can't have some of this ham. Are you alright? Well, of course. I'm in captivity, as you can see, in solitary confinement, so to speak. And, by the way, where am I? Is it possible you don't know? Well, I'm unconscious when they carried me off. Carried you, for kidnap. You're in your brother in law's bathhouse. Oh, well, no matter. I'm fed. Next week, perhaps, I'll try to escape. This is incomprehensible.
Woah. Why? Why? Why? What's so incomprehensible? How did your boot get into the garden? What boot? We found one boot in your bedroom and one in the garden. What do you wanna know that for? It's not your business. Yeah. Come on. Have a drink. There's an interesting tale to tell that boot. Oliver came to my window and insisted that I come with her. She refused to endure any longer the humiliation of living apart, but I refuse it. I don't like to be bossed. So she planted herself there under my window. In the middle of the night, mind you, she began to abuse me like the shrews yet. You know, well, women are like all of them.
Well, anyway, I I was a bit drunk so I I I took one of my boots. Even I the boot was in the garden because you threw it? Yeah. I figured I would stop her scolding, but it didn't. She climbed right in through the window and beat me up a little, and then she dragged me over here and locked me in. She feeds me now on love, vodka, and ham. Not too bad. Hey. Where where are you going off to? To the
[00:41:24] Unknown:
to the to the to the to the Gokulski. Where are you going?
[00:41:30] Unknown:
Gone. Didn't you, Who fancy that? I went out of work. I won't forget this in a thousand years. But your honor, the safety match. How could I know? Help yourself with your safety match. Don't make me mad or the devil only knows what I'll do with you. I never want to hear one of your feelings again. Cry goeth before a fall. How many times we've heard that phrase, and still it rings as true as ever. And yet, strictly speaking, our young secretary was not amiss in his application of the laws of deductive logic. He simply began with the wrong premise.
How often we act on the basis of appearances only to find out too late. The truth lies in the opposite direction. I shall return shortly with a final word. Anton Seccall died in nineteen o four. His writing career cut short by tuberculosis. As a doctor, he had long since diagnosed his condition, and he knew he was dying even as he created his most brilliant works, which adds a special poignancy to his gentle, brigh observations about the human species. Our cast included Robert Dryden, Russell Horton, Court Benson, and Bryna Rayburn. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.
And now a preview of our next tale. I have summoned you here to ask you a question, comrade Murrow. That's a question. Can you tell me why you should not be brought home where you will either be shot or sent to one of the mines high up in the Arctic Castle? Why? You have failed in your mission. I I wouldn't exactly say I have failed. You were assigned to subvert senator Wilbur k. Hutchison. Yes. I I know that. To make the senator decide that the state of California, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona are legally in the possession of the government of Mexico. I understand that, comrade Snapper. To have Hotchkiss introduce a resolution of the floor of the senate to have these territories restored to their legal and rightful order.
Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by True Value Hardware Stores. This is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time. Pleasant dream.
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[00:00:15] Unknown:
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Let CBS Radio Mystery Theater presents Come in. Welcome. I'm BG Marshall. Whenever a crime is committed, the police attempt to deduce what happened on the basis of clues found at the scene. Logic and probability are employed to create the most accurate hypothesis possible. And from this, it is hoped the crime may be solved and the criminals apprehended. But logic operates on appearances. And as we all know, things are often not as they seem. Fact number one, the murdered man was an infamous drunkard. Yes. Mhmm. Fact number two, he was also a philanderer and a gambler. Any number of people might have had cause to do away with him. Well, we cannot arrest the entire village. No. But this brings us to fact number three. If we can find out who in the village has recently purchased a box of safety matches, sir, we will have our murderer.
Our mystery drama, The Safety Match, is based on a short story by Anton Chekhov. It was adapted especially for the mystery theater by Percy Grainger and stars Robert Dryden and Russell Horton. It is sponsored in part by Buick Motor Division and Contact, the twelve hour cold capsule. I'll be back shortly with act one. Anton Chekhov, the greatest of all Russian playwrights, was also a master of the short story. A doctor by profession, he came into contact with people from all walks of life. And perhaps his most profound realization was that high born or low, all of us have our foibles and our pretenses.
Even our very dreams and ambitions sometimes make us figures for comedy and can lead us into the unexpected. Our story tonight takes place in a provincial Russian village a hundred years ago. We're in the office of the examining magistrate, Kubikov, and his secretary, Dukovsky. See here, your honest, the Serbians are at war again. No. Put down that newspaper. Surely, you must have some letters to write. The world doesn't end at the edge of our district, your honor. Now don't bore me with politics. Here it is. Excuse me.
Yes. What do you want?
[00:03:37] Unknown:
Is this the office of the examining magistrate? Mother Chupikov, it is. Are you the magistrate?
[00:03:45] Unknown:
No. That's, mister Chupikov there. I'm
[00:03:47] Unknown:
the Kopfsky, the magistrate secretary. I come in. What can I do for you? Your worship, forgive me for intruding like this, but I'm afraid I've come with news of the worst sort. Yes. Well, my name is Andre. I'm a steward at the state of Klausof, major Klausof. We are talking about the retired officer of the horse car? Yes. The the very one. Well, it is to my great sorrow that I must report. Major Clossoff has been or to put it boldly, he's been murdered. What? Murder, you say? Yes. Your worship. But is this possible? Well, you think it's quite true that, not only that, his body is missing. Oh, lord. Have mercy on me. Only last Friday, I saw him at the fair. I had to drink a vodka with him. Hey. Dukovsky, come. We must go at once.
We have none of us seen the master for three days. Three days.
[00:04:59] Unknown:
Have you heard of that Dukovsky? Oh, yes, your honor.
[00:05:02] Unknown:
He was in his room the entire time? So we assumed. But this morning, when the gardener remarked on it,
[00:05:10] Unknown:
somehow I felt something was amiss. Mhmm. There's something in the gardener's tone of voice, no doubt. Oh, no.
[00:05:16] Unknown:
The gardener is an old man. It wouldn't hurt a fly, but I took the liberty of looking in through the window. Gentlemen, you you see for yourselves. Here's the door to the master's bedroom. You see it's locked. Mhmm. Good luck. From the inside, the window that looks out into the garden was open, and that's obviously how the murderer has gained entrance.
[00:05:44] Unknown:
Well, it's locked all night. There's no doubt about that. Well, what are you standing around for, Stuart? Get an axe and a chisel and have some of the peasants break it down. The hinges,
[00:05:54] Unknown:
your your worship. You there and and you. What are you keeping at? Help the magistrate conduct this examination.
[00:06:03] Unknown:
Word of this deed has already spread. That's not good. Wouldn't it pose we'll find in there? Who can say? Man prepared for anything ever since the nature she used to live with is life. She was a good woman and long suffering. If you ask me, her tongue was rather too sharp. Elijah was not an easy man to live with, I'd like to know. And, man sends his wife away. Well, you know, anyway,
[00:06:37] Unknown:
gentlemen, the door is successfully breached. Good. Let us proceed.
[00:06:44] Unknown:
Thanks. Have mercy. The place is assembled.
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Here, Dukovsky, you see a noble by birth, a rich man. And what did he come to?
[00:06:59] Unknown:
He drank, anticipated, gambled, and now this merger vanished under the most sordid of circumstances. And who could have done such a thing? Many people might have had cause. It's true. Those he owed money to, those he insulted while drunk. It's no use speculating. Be good enough to examine the floor for clues. Let's see what's here by the bed. Silver watch, 20 kopeck piece, sofa matches.
[00:07:33] Unknown:
What do you find under the bed? Well, at least, two dozen empty vodka bottles, an old straw hat.
[00:07:41] Unknown:
Oh, one top boot. One? Only one? Yes. I stumbled. The plazons murdered him and dragged the corpse out through the window and is it? The window is open. And look there in the dirt below, Footprints. Your honor, look what I found on the floor, a struck safety match. So it's the window we must examine with all the majors matches of the old fashioned sofa kind. Perhaps we have here an important clue. Oh, do shut up. Instead of chasing matches, why don't you see a guy in the bed? The differ. I see. Window shows no signs of having been forced. This is most interesting.
Oh, what's that? There's no blood, but there are teeth marks here on the pillow. And then there's that one top boot with no sign of the other. Well, whatever. Well, it proves that they strangled him while he was taking his boots off. You see, he hadn't had time to take the second one off. Oh, there you go again with the deductions. How do you know they strangled him? Because of the teeth marks on the pillow. Oh. Oh, yes. Well, I'm into the garden. You'd be better employed there than digging around in here. I can do that without you. That's under the window has been crushed and trampled.
And this wolf here, auto trampled. But look on these twigs. What? What? Some strands of dark blue wood. Andre? Yes, sir? What was the color of the Major's last suit? It was yellow. Excellent. Then the murderers wore blue. They were rather tasty twigs for evidence. Your honor, look here in the grass. Why? What is it? There's a long dark street. You see? Yes. If you look closer, you'll notice it's made up of little spots. Could it be Oh, yes. Yes. Yes. I've seen that before. Alright. There's no possible doubt about that. It bleeds toward those lilac bushes on the far side of the garden. Andre, is there anything there?
Yes. Your worship. The missing boat. Ah. It shows he wasn't strangled, doesn't it, if there is blood? No. No. No. Not at all. They strangled him in the bedroom, but once they were outside with him, fearing he might come around again, they struck him a blow with some sharp object. I see. But about the boots, this confirms completely my idea that they murdered him while he was taking his boots off before going to bed. He'd already taken one off and the other, this one here, he had only time to take half off. Now the half off boot came the rest of the way off while the body was being dragged. When will you learn to stop these speculations?
[00:10:46] Unknown:
It would be much better if you took some of the blood stained graft for analysis.
[00:10:51] Unknown:
And they Yeah. Sure, worship. I will sit through this matter in the parlor. Bring us some tea. I say the murder was committed by an educated man. What evidence do you have of that for the safety match proves it? The peasants here about are not yet acquainted with safety matches. Only a few land owners use them. And furthermore, it's evident that there was not one murderer, but three. Three? At least. Two held him down while a third killed him. The the major was a strong man and the murderers must have known it. Take a tea. Oh, yes. I'm there with some cake. Thank you.
[00:11:36] Unknown:
In in my humble opinion, your worship, I believe I may know the man you're looking for. Yeah. Well, you you do? It was Nicholas, the master's valet. His or her skull of a drunkard, the like of which heaven should not permit. About what makes you suspect this is is Nicholas? Because it was he who always took the master his vodka and put him to bed. He would have been the last person to see the master alive. Do he have any motive? I once heard him boast in the public house that he would kill the major. No. It happened on account of a woman by the name of Sonia. Nicholas was making up to her, but she caught the major's eye, and he made friends with her himself.
Nicholas naturally was furious. Well, where is Nicholas now? Well, that's just it. He's roaming about in the kitchen drunk when telling lies, saying he's sorry for the master. Bring him before me at once. I think I'd want your worship.
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Come, come, come, come, come, come. Your name, it is Nivorous? It is, your honor. Where's your master? Mertured, your worship. Do we know he was murdered? The body. Where is the body? Well, I don't know. How should I know a thing like that? Where were you three nights ago? Three nights. On Saturday. Well, I I don't know. I was, I don't remember. Did you know the woman, Sonya?
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Yes. I I know her. And is it true that the master cut you out with her? No. No, you worship. It wasn't that way at all. How? This man here cut me out. Andre Saikoff, the master steward, the master cut him out.
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Miss Nicholas, that is all for now. Missus. I'll say thank you. You're worship. And, hey, step forward. You're worship. Your honor, look. His trousers. What? With a dark blue, the same color as the strands of thread we found. Excuse
[00:13:58] Unknown:
me, but that must have happened when I looked in through the master's window. I permit me to put a question to you and they,
[00:14:07] Unknown:
of course, you were here last Saturday evening? Yes. Where?
[00:14:13] Unknown:
As a matter of fact, I had supper with the major about 10:00.
[00:14:20] Unknown:
And afterwards?
[00:14:22] Unknown:
I I I don't remember. I I had a good deal to drink with the meal, you see. I don't remember where or when I went to sleep. Why why are you looking at me like that? Where were you when you woke up? In the servant's kitchen. I was right behind the stove. They they they can confirm it. But how I got behind the stove, I don't know.
[00:14:47] Unknown:
Did you know the woman, Sonya? There's nothing extraordinary about that. She first liked you and then preferred the major? Yes. Would you like some more tea? No. No. I agree. I'm quite enough now. Are there? Can I go?
[00:15:09] Unknown:
Thank you. You're worship. I'm a well, a thousand. Thanks.
[00:15:13] Unknown:
Why did you lay him off the hook? You had the man cold. Why didn't you ask him to produce the body? One last pursuit with care. Trust me Dukovsky. I know what I'm doing. Our next step is to speak with Maria Ivanovna, the major's old maid's sister. Yes? Oh, madam Klausoff, I apologize for disturbing your prayers.
[00:15:49] Unknown:
What do you want?
[00:15:50] Unknown:
I'm sure you have heard already that there's a, suspicion that your dear brother has in some way or other been murdered. I I know.
[00:16:03] Unknown:
You know? It is divine retribution.
[00:16:07] Unknown:
The Lord's justice for the desert life he led. Well, could you help us perhaps with some clue, some possible
[00:16:15] Unknown:
explanation? No. No. Don't ask me. I I can tell you nothing. There's nothing that can stop the will of God. What has happened is too horrible, too terrible, too bad talking about.
[00:16:32] Unknown:
We all carry with us the splinters from the cross. There is guilt in each of us. No man is free from his thoughts, and the thought is sometimes father to the deed. On most police blotters, there is a circuit of crime and a dearth of culprits. It seems here we may have the opposite case. I shall return shortly with act two what man's conscience is so clear he can pass an officer of the law without a slight fluttering in his heart and how we flinch should the rolling official eye light on us with its scrutinous talons?
Why do we feel so self conscious before the man in uniform? Is it because somehow his uniform gives him the aura of omniscience? Or because we fear the possible error of his discretion? Confound that woman. There's a major sister. It's clear she knows something and is concealing it. The will of God, the Lord's justice. What is what she meant by that? I'm quite sure she meant exactly what she said. Equally certain that Nicholas, the valet, had something to do with the matter. And you have a staircase back through here? Well, you can see by his face what sort of a person he is. His alibi betrays him. Drunk and doesn't remember. I'm also certain he did not set the thing going. Why can you be so positive of that? He doesn't have brains for it. He was only a hired tool. You agree?
Grind away, axed man. There's a old forest out there. The humble Andre was not without some slight share in the matter. His dark riches the same color as a thread found in a bush. His agitation, his lying behind the stove in a terror after the murder. And
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Sonia? So according to you, whoever knew Sonia is the murderer.
[00:18:36] Unknown:
Idiot. You were one of Sonia's admirers yourself. As a child that you were implicated too. And she was a cook in your house for a month. I'm saying nothing about that. Yes. Well, well, well, whatever. The point is, it's not the woman who matters, your honor. It's the mean, nasty, low spirit of jealousy that matters. They wanted revenge on the majors. Humiliation and and passion. That's quite enough motive for a murder. Oh, be still for a moment. Really? I'm trying to think. We have two of them. But who's the third? Nicholas and Andre held him, but who smothered him?
Andre was shy, timid. He was an all around coward. And Nicholas wouldn't know how to smother his sword using an axe or a club. Some third person did the smothering. But who was it? Pause some what thou will you while I gather my papers at once, your honor. Tell me with all this. What has happened to the body? Eureka. Eureka, your honor. I can't understand how it didn't occur to me sooner. The third person who acted in concert with those scoundrels Nicholas and Andre and and did the actual smothering was a woman. What? A woman? Yes. And I mean none other than a murdered man's sister, Maria. Yes.
At what? Hey. Excuse me. Why are you drunk? Do you have a a pain in your head? I have everything. Perfectly well. Now how do you explain her confusion when we appeared or her refusal to give us any information? What's the other? But Alright. Alright. Now these are trifles. It's true. But consider this. She detested the major. She never forgave him for a living apart from his wife. Your honor, she is a member of the old space. And in her eyes, her brother was a dumbest profligate. That is where the germ of her hatred was hatched. She's a harmless old woman. But look at it from her point of view. They say her brother has succeeded in making her believe he was an angel of Satan. What else should a woman of her fanatical beliefs do? Kill her long brother? Or rid the world of an antichrist? Of course.
In her eyes, it was a religious achievement. It was she and nobody else. Even if you cut me off it. Well, well, hey. Never mind. I'll I'll trace myself.
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Yes?
[00:21:16] Unknown:
What can I do for you? Your worship my name is Daniel. I'm a shepherd for Major Klausoff. The former major Klausoff, that is. God bless you, sir. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Well, look. We're quite busy now, really. What is it you want? It's not up to me to say how important it is, but there is something that, in my humble opinion, may be of use to you. Marty. Marty, come in. Come in. Thank you. Last Saturday night, the night they say the major was murdered, I was a bit drunk, you see, and I was with friends until around midnight. On my way home, because I was drunk, I went into the river for a bath.
I was floating about peacefully when I heard noises. I looked up and saw two men walking along the dam. They were carrying something bulky, and they didn't see me. But as they passed by, I plainly saw it was the master they were carrying away. Major Klausop? Yes. And the two men, could you see their faces? No. Once I saw it was the master they were carrying, I was too frightened to look. Remember the last Just a minute to cost you. You you say you, drunk at the time? Yes. To my shame, I was. But I'm quite sure it was the master. What was he wearing on his feet?
The way nothing. Come to think of it. His feet were bare. It seems obvious to me. It is quite obvious, Dukovsky. I don't need you to tell me it is obvious. Two men, did you say? Yes, Dorsak. Your honor, at last you've arrived. I see you're in your customary agitated state. It's a little earlier than usual today. I just cannot comprehend it, sir. Here it is now nearly a week since you've had the valet and the steward arrested. It's been four days. Well, what of it? You're convinced of their guilt? Why will you not believe in the guilt of the major sister as well? Are there not proof enough for you? I don't say I'm not convinced. I just can't do myself to believe it. Alright? Alright. I'll prove it to you. I have something substantial for you.
What are you going on about? The safety match. The safety match? Mhmm. You'd forgotten about that, hadn't you? But I haven't. I am gonna find out who struck it in the murdered man's room. It wasn't Nicholas. It wasn't Andre. Neither of them had any matches when they were examined. It was the third person, Maria, and I'll prove it to you. Just give me permission to go to the district to find out. That cannot, Sikorsky.
[00:24:28] Unknown:
Sedan, this investigation will be conducted on the basis of my experience and not your impulsiveness. This morning, we will begin our full examination. Philip, bring in Nicholas Depakos.
[00:24:50] Unknown:
Depakoski, Deposse. Who are you hesitating for? Be seated and take out quill and paper to write down this rich and fellow's confession. Yes, your honor.
[00:25:01] Unknown:
Please the scoundrel now. Yes. You worship. In 1879, you were tried in the court of the first division convicted of theft and sentenced to imprisonment.
[00:25:17] Unknown:
Is that not true? Why, Bob, yes. It is.
[00:25:23] Unknown:
In 1882, you were tried a second time for theft and were again imprisoned.
[00:25:28] Unknown:
True? Your your honor, I No.
[00:25:33] Unknown:
Yes. It's no use trying to hide anything from us. We know all. I I I don't know what to say.
[00:25:43] Unknown:
It's true. I have pride in my past. I can't deny. I'm so ashamed. So, please, may may I have permission to watch my plates? Of course.
[00:26:02] Unknown:
Bailiff, take the prisoner out and bring in Andrei Saikoff. Thank you. You're right. Ma'am, is he?
[00:26:12] Unknown:
The valet is at the breaking point. You should not have let him go. He will collect himself. Oh, he's a wounded bull. All that remains is a kill. Now with the educated sort like this fellow Andre, bullying would do no good at all. One must play upon the mind. Ah, Andre. Please have a seat.
[00:26:36] Unknown:
Thank you, your honor. I hope this morning you are going to be reasonable. Confession will lighten your guilt, your soul, and possibly your sentence.
[00:26:48] Unknown:
This is the last time I'm going to talk to you, Andre. If you do not confess today, tomorrow, it will be too late. Now come. Tell us all.
[00:27:00] Unknown:
I don't know anything about the murder. I I don't know anything. Very
[00:27:07] Unknown:
well. I shall relate to you exactly what happened. On Saturday night, you were sitting with the major drinking vodka. Nicholas, of course, was waiting on you. This this much is true. At 01:00,
[00:27:21] Unknown:
the Major announced his intention of going to bed. This was the Major's habit
[00:27:26] Unknown:
to retire just at one. Very good. You see, we know all. So when he was taking off his boots, you and Nicholas seized the drunken man and threw him onto the bed. Oh, no. This cannot be right. One of you sat on his legs, the other on his head. Then a third person entered, a woman in a black dress whom you knew well. She seized the pillow and began to smother him. While the struggle was going on, the candle went out. The woman took a box of safety matches from her pocket and re lit the candle. Was that not so?
I can see by your face that I'm speaking with you. No. I left the matrix. After the deed was done, you pulled him out through the window. Fearing he might come round again, you struck him with something sharp and fenced the foul lead. Then you carried him away across the dam by the river. I may well, what what what the matter with you? I'm suffocating. What? I can't breathe.
[00:28:31] Unknown:
Very well. Have it as you wish. Let me out, please.
[00:28:40] Unknown:
Bailey, Leave this man away. Yeah. Is he? At last, he has confessed. He has betrayed himself. And didn't I get round him cleverly? Caught in nothing. That, my dear Dukovsky, is how one conducts a successful examination. And you'll notice he didn't deny the woman's part in it. Yes. Yes. Yes. In a blank dress. Maria. Good day's work. Now it simply remains to find out what was done with the body. If, if it's all the same to you, your honor, there's something that still torments me. What's that? The safety match. I still have yet to prove to your satisfaction the identity of the third party.
Your honor? Ma? Oh. Oh, Dukovsky. Oh, good. How did your investigation
[00:29:43] Unknown:
go? Oh, it's
[00:29:45] Unknown:
very sad, your honor. Wasted there? No. Don't feel too badly. You don't understand. My investigation has been a success. It has? I have found the third person, the guilty party. The mage's sister? No. No. It isn't her at all. And you'll never believe me when I tell you what I have found out. The rash charge in where wise men think it a waste of time to tread, to modify the old saying. And sometimes they return with more than their sage elders expected. We might have begun to suspect that the examining magistrate and his secretary were overzealous in their pursuit of a solution to Kosov's murder, but now it seems that Dukovsky, much to his superior's chagrin, has found at last some evidence worthy of the name.
I shall return shortly with our final act. This is WBBM in Chicago. The experience of age versus the impulsiveness of youth. It's an eternal conflict. And when one throws into the bargain the pomposity arrogance of the young, it can sometimes seem a wonder that anything is ever accomplished. A miracle that the truth is ever discovered at all. You have discovered the identity of the third party. I went to the Major's Village. Very methodically, I visited all the little shops, public houses, and dram shops on the road everywhere. I asked for safety matches, and everywhere they said there hadn't any. Then I kept this up the whole day, and it was only an hour ago that I got on the track at all.
Three miles from here. Only three miles. I I walked into a shop and asked for the matches, and they gave me a pack of 10 boxes. And, how did this put you on the track? Ah, the packet was supposed to contain 10 boxes, but in fact, there were only nine. Oh, one, wasn't it? Yes. And I asked the shopkeeper who brought the other box. Such and such a one, she replied. She was pleased with them. Then it is a woman at all. Indeed. But not the major sister. Not Maria. No. No. No. You know who she is? You'll never guess. Olga Petrovna, the major's wife. What? His own wife? It was she who killed him.
You're out of your mouth. I tell you there could be no mistake. It was she who bought the matchbox. The shopkeeper knew it well. Olga Petrovna. Quite simple. Now, look, to begin with, she smokes. Secondly, she was fed over heels in love with the major even after he refused to live with her. True. They say she used to beat him because she loved him so much. But, nevertheless, this is just not possible. Think of the humiliation she suffered at her late husband's hands when he sent her off to live with her brother. Now what would such a woman do?
Come along quickly or it'll be dark. Yes. You're reasoning in circles. I have the proof that you demanded of me. I have spent an entire day getting it. The only box of safety matches purchased in the district was by the murdered man's estranged wife.
[00:33:20] Unknown:
It makes such sense. I I kick myself for not having thought of it before.
[00:33:30] Unknown:
What page we are to disturb a poor lady like this? Patience, your honor. In a few moments, we shall have the body and the murderers in hand. Yeah. I'm having very strong, miss Judy. Don't be frightened. We can say that we've broken a spring or or better yet that our horse is split his feet. She won't suspect the same. Oh, you'll become quite the unexpected, hadn't you? I suppose you'll talk of nothing else but a promotion after after this. That we can discuss when I brought this case to its successful conclusion.
The weather must be turning cold and my whole inside is a shivering. I can't remember. I heard unaware. Yes. Yes? Madame Clasoff, it is I, Leonard Suikoff, his eminent majesty. Oh, your honor. Oh, what a pleasant surprise. Oh, still do come in. She seems precious, little upset by recent events. Pardon? Hey. This is, my birthday, Emil Zukovsky, madam. Oh, well, come into the parlour. You're just in time for supper. You see, our horse has And may I take your coat? One, take her unawares. Unawares, I tell you. Oh, yes. Yes. Our horse, he has split his hoof.
Oh. Which is why we well,
[00:35:04] Unknown:
you understand. Excuse me then. While I tell him to set two more places at the table, make you those comfortable gentlemen. I shan't be of the moment.
[00:35:13] Unknown:
Abruptness is of the essence. Now she's gone off to compose herself. If you ease into your accusation, she'll meet you turn for turn and brazen her way out altogether. Well, do it yourself then. What? Get me out of it.
[00:35:27] Unknown:
I have no stomach for it. But but Well, there we are. All taken care of. And the son of I will be out in a moment.
[00:35:36] Unknown:
Madam, we did not drive over here to, take supper with you or or to see your brother. Oh, I'm sorry. I assume We, we came here to ask you, respected madam, where your husband is. My my husband? Mhmm. Whom you have murdered. My husband has been murdered? Surely you do not pretend to not know of his death. But but but but not possible. But more than possible, madam, since it was you who did it. I I don't understand. I asked you in the name of the law, where is the major? It's no use to send them, madam. We know all. You do? But but who told you? He's so good as to show us where he is? But how did you find out? Good, madam.
Show us where you hid the body. Otherwise, we shall have no choice but to arrest you. Arrest? Did you say arrest me? Well, yes. That's the normal procedure. What do you want with my husband? Oh, madam. What is the use of these questions? We ask you to show us the money. Come. I will take you to him. Where are you taking us? Where is it you have hidden the body? In the bathhouse. Note that your honor. Not a shade of remorse. Get your candle and matches ready, Dukovsky. Yes, sir. I see nobody in the dressing room here. He is beyond
[00:37:18] Unknown:
in the bath itself.
[00:37:22] Unknown:
She has a fine sense of the bizarre, I must say. Like your English murderers. Hold up the camera. A table, a dish with ham, plates, cutlery. Has she been eating in here as well? Madam, forgive me, but
[00:37:42] Unknown:
where is the body of your late husband? Up there on the top tier of the sliding frame.
[00:37:51] Unknown:
Parity. I can see his form stretched out. Give me the candle. I'm going to make a positive identification.
[00:37:58] Unknown:
It is the major, my husband. I can assure you of that, your worship.
[00:38:07] Unknown:
What? He moved. Madam, you are making fun of us. This is not the murdered man. Some live fool is lying there. Here. Whoever you are, the devil take you. What? Who's sleeping around here? What do you want? It's the Major himself. Is this possible? Well, of course, it's me. Who who's that? Lukovsky. Whatever do you want here. I I I who's that other fat man down there? Great god. The examining magistrate. What happens if it brings you here, my friend? How on earth did you find me? Olga Petroffner. She's escaped. Oh, please let her go. She'll be back soon enough. Young Lukovsky, what are you looking at?
Did you think I'm a ghost? Major, you must tell us, what are you doing here? Well, why shouldn't I be here as well as any other place if I'm alright? Yeah. I can't have some of this ham. Are you alright? Well, of course. I'm in captivity, as you can see, in solitary confinement, so to speak. And, by the way, where am I? Is it possible you don't know? Well, I'm unconscious when they carried me off. Carried you, for kidnap. You're in your brother in law's bathhouse. Oh, well, no matter. I'm fed. Next week, perhaps, I'll try to escape. This is incomprehensible.
Woah. Why? Why? Why? What's so incomprehensible? How did your boot get into the garden? What boot? We found one boot in your bedroom and one in the garden. What do you wanna know that for? It's not your business. Yeah. Come on. Have a drink. There's an interesting tale to tell that boot. Oliver came to my window and insisted that I come with her. She refused to endure any longer the humiliation of living apart, but I refuse it. I don't like to be bossed. So she planted herself there under my window. In the middle of the night, mind you, she began to abuse me like the shrews yet. You know, well, women are like all of them.
Well, anyway, I I was a bit drunk so I I I took one of my boots. Even I the boot was in the garden because you threw it? Yeah. I figured I would stop her scolding, but it didn't. She climbed right in through the window and beat me up a little, and then she dragged me over here and locked me in. She feeds me now on love, vodka, and ham. Not too bad. Hey. Where where are you going off to? To the
[00:41:24] Unknown:
to the to the to the to the Gokulski. Where are you going?
[00:41:30] Unknown:
Gone. Didn't you, Who fancy that? I went out of work. I won't forget this in a thousand years. But your honor, the safety match. How could I know? Help yourself with your safety match. Don't make me mad or the devil only knows what I'll do with you. I never want to hear one of your feelings again. Cry goeth before a fall. How many times we've heard that phrase, and still it rings as true as ever. And yet, strictly speaking, our young secretary was not amiss in his application of the laws of deductive logic. He simply began with the wrong premise.
How often we act on the basis of appearances only to find out too late. The truth lies in the opposite direction. I shall return shortly with a final word. Anton Seccall died in nineteen o four. His writing career cut short by tuberculosis. As a doctor, he had long since diagnosed his condition, and he knew he was dying even as he created his most brilliant works, which adds a special poignancy to his gentle, brigh observations about the human species. Our cast included Robert Dryden, Russell Horton, Court Benson, and Bryna Rayburn. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.
And now a preview of our next tale. I have summoned you here to ask you a question, comrade Murrow. That's a question. Can you tell me why you should not be brought home where you will either be shot or sent to one of the mines high up in the Arctic Castle? Why? You have failed in your mission. I I wouldn't exactly say I have failed. You were assigned to subvert senator Wilbur k. Hutchison. Yes. I I know that. To make the senator decide that the state of California, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona are legally in the possession of the government of Mexico. I understand that, comrade Snapper. To have Hotchkiss introduce a resolution of the floor of the senate to have these territories restored to their legal and rightful order.
Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by True Value Hardware Stores. This is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre. Until next time. Pleasant dream.
