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In this thrilling episode of Mystery Theater, we delve into a tale of intrigue and deception centered around a mysterious kidnapping. The story begins with Sam Jacobs, a young attorney, and Samson O'Malley, a retired cop turned private investigator, who share an office. They are approached by Moira Flynn, a housekeeper who believes she is being followed. As the plot unfolds, Moira's employer's baby is kidnapped, and the two Sams find themselves embroiled in a complex case involving deceit, hidden pasts, and a ransom demand. The investigation leads them to uncover surprising connections and motives, as they work against the clock to solve the mystery and ensure the child's safe return.

As the story progresses, the layers of deception unravel, revealing that the kidnapping may not be as straightforward as it seems. The two Sams navigate through a web of lies, discovering that the child's mother, Gloria, has a hidden past involving a previous marriage to Ed Morse, the child's biological father. The episode explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. With a mix of suspense and detective work, the episode keeps listeners on the edge of their seats, culminating in a resolution that challenges the characters' perceptions of justice and morality.

(00:22) Introduction and Setup

(01:20) The Two Sams and Their New Case

(03:19) The Mysterious Follower

(06:02) The Kidnapping Incident

(14:15) Investigation Begins

(24:19) The Ransom Demand

(38:23) The Plan to Retrieve the Baby

(42:58) Resolution and Reflections

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[00:00:18] Unknown:

Coming in.   Welcome.   I'm EG Marshall.   Jonathan Swift, who made quite a study of little people caught in the world of giants, once said,   laws are like cobwebs,   which may catch small flies,   but let wasps and hornets   break through.   Aden,   Tibetan,   conspiring,   Kaludin, the kidnaps   are all punishable by life in the state.   Give her the facts of life imprisonment,   Jim,   and you'll be doing your daughter a   big favor.   Our mystery drama,   The Two Fans,   was especially written for the mystery theater by Geraldine   and stars Fred Gwynne and Russell Horton.   It is sponsored in part by Contact,   the twelve hour cold capsule.  

I'll be back shortly   with X1.   Let me give you a rundown on who is who in our tale today.   Who are the two Sams?   One is young Sam Jacobs. You'll find him down the hall in the Law Building, Room 1111.   His name is on the door. Sam Dickens, attorney at law.   The other Sam   is Samson O'Malley,   55,   a retired cop. You'll find his name on the same door. Lower right hand corner, small letters,   Samson O'Malley,   private investigations.  

[00:02:21] Unknown:

Let's go in.  

[00:02:23] Unknown:

Hey, Sam. Don't make me tell you on the telephone. The office is yours. We share.  

[00:02:28] Unknown:

Tell me when. Whether  

[00:02:31] Unknown:

the desk for you, a chair for you,   telephone for corporates.   When we make our first big buck, you can have a phone of your own.   Sam, I've even got your name on the door. Samson O'Malley, private investigation.   Sam, hold on a moment. Someone just come in. I'll I'll call you back. Okay?   No. No. No. I won't. You just get yourself over here pronto.   Yes. What what can I do for you?  

[00:03:00] Unknown:

I'm calling to see mister O'Malley.  

[00:03:02] Unknown:

Well, mister O'Malley is not in right now. Was he expecting you? Oh, no.  

[00:03:07] Unknown:

He's don't need to know me. I know about him from my side.  

[00:03:11] Unknown:

Oh, I,  

[00:03:12] Unknown:

I see. You have the same volunteer fire department.   My father said mister O'Malley was the man to see about my problem. Mister O'Malley and I are sort of partners.   I'm someone's   following me.   I work for mister and missus Howard Bryce.   I am Laura Smith.   I am the new housekeeper.   But missus Bryce has a little baby boy.   Every morning, I take him for a ride in his tram as a beauty car.   There's a path in Central Park that I take in this parlor with the driver of the cars go.   For two months now, I've been noticing this big black fluidity   with a sofa wearing   black glasses driving slow   about   as fast as I walk.  

And the whole time my nose is watching me.  

[00:04:03] Unknown:

Is there someone in the car? No.  

[00:04:06] Unknown:

Only the sofa at front.   Uh-huh. And you're sure it's always the same car? I'm not even sure it's the same sofa. And always wear that glasses.   It is hard to tear.   Because the simplest explanation is that this chauffeur finds you very attractive, missus Flynn. Oh, go along with you. And I am, mister Pickett, unfortunately. You're still   miss Flynn.   Have you told your employer? No. I haven't. But why not? Because   I'm afraid they'll let me go. Are you?   Whisker.   Where can we be reached, miss Glenn?   I wish mister O'Malley was here. Okay. Why?  

[00:04:49] Unknown:

You both catch your whiskey.   Yeah. You must have rubbed the glass inkwell.   Here I am.   Thompson O'Malley.   Oh,   nice little place you got here, Sam. Sam, nice place we've got here.   How are you doing? I'm Marislyn,  

[00:05:08] Unknown:

Tim Flynn's daughter.  

[00:05:10] Unknown:

She's a preservice.   I thought I'd recognize you, but miss Flynn is being followed. I was trying to experience this gentleman.   Sam Jacob.  

[00:05:20] Unknown:

To you said, Jacob. Why I had not told mister and missus Bryce about it, but it's because of my boyfriend?  

[00:05:28] Unknown:

What?   Moira is a housekeeper for some rich family in a Fifth Avenue townhouse,   aren't you, dear? Mhmm.   Of course, you can't tell them someone's casting evil eye upon you.  

[00:05:40] Unknown:

They may find out about Roger. Yes, mister O'Malley. It's perfectly true. But what can I do?  

[00:05:46] Unknown:

Sam, who who's Roger? Aaron, Roger.   The unearthful dodger.   He's a worthy to kiss the hem of this lady's garment.   Roger is a cheap chiseler, a conniver, and I have told you to admire,   so that's no secret.  

[00:06:02] Unknown:

Oh. This girl, Pam, is about as bum as they come when it comes to selecting companionship. Martha is a very nice man who happens to be devoted to horse racing, an entirely honorable court.   I like him.  

[00:06:17] Unknown:

Yeah. Well, I don't. He's a creep.   Now do you understand, Tammy, why this idiot daughter of my best friend, Jim Flynn, cannot tell her employer she thinks she's been followed? Can you help me?   Much as I need the work, dear, I wouldn't touch this with a 10 foot chennai. What can I do?  

[00:06:35] Unknown:

I'm afraid to take the baby out. Well, you might report to the police.  

[00:06:39] Unknown:

We used to have a fairly capable bunch of decent men when I was on the force.   Good day, dear,   and give my regards to your dad.  

[00:06:52] Unknown:

Mister Bright, we're going out now.   Mhmm. Not bad. Who's going out now? I'm taking the baby up for his non unconstitutional   in Central Park.  

[00:07:01] Unknown:

Why do you tell me?  

[00:07:03] Unknown:

Because mister Bryce isn't up here. He always likes to know when I move with the baby and when I get back. Oh, yeah. That's right. Good. Alright. Run along with her. Brenda,  

[00:07:13] Unknown:

if the morning meal has come, I'll often bring it up with you. Yes, sir, mister Blake. Good morning, sir.  

[00:07:21] Unknown:

I was   out of our home.   Oh, yes, Gloria.   Can you come into the bedroom in the morning? Oh, I'm reading the paper. Can it wait?   Oh,   oh, you are so   spoiled.   Morning, guys.   Oh, you're so grouchy.   Of course, my fault. I suppose we're rotten before we were married, and now you won't risk a single Well, you got paid well, and don't you forget it. A $100  

[00:08:02] Unknown:

a day for nursing a man with a bad heart.   Highway robbery.  

[00:08:07] Unknown:

$10 an hour for being a Tibetan car or a cracker than a rich old man  

[00:08:13] Unknown:

at some point. I married you did not know.  

[00:08:17] Unknown:

Wow. You got the best deal of your life marrying me.   Now it's twenty four hours a day on the job with no pay.  

[00:08:26] Unknown:

No pay, is it? A closet full of clothes, dressing table full of jewels, charger cups, travel. What do you need money for? I'm surprised we get along as well as we do. Well, I'm not. People will do anything for money.  

[00:08:40] Unknown:

So what to be so surprised about? Well, not everybody would do anything for money, darling.   Maybe for love,   Oh, you married me for love, did you? Well, you know, son, well, I did.   You you made sure everything fits Well, I suppose you mean the agreement.   Yes. I do.   You wouldn't expect I'd go right ahead and sign it straight off just like that. Alright.  

[00:09:06] Unknown:

First surprise I have in years.   A woman who'll marry me and accept so little money after my death.  

[00:09:13] Unknown:

So, Bryce, I did love her after all. You big complainants. Did?   I guess I still do. Even after six months.   You're not a bad guy, really.   I always love you, Howard, for what you've done for the baby.  

[00:09:29] Unknown:

You mean giving it my name?  

[00:09:32] Unknown:

But a sweet old fashioned thing to say.   Mhmm.  

[00:09:37] Unknown:

Giving the baby your name. Well, what else would you call it?   When he goes to college, he'll be Bill Brush.  

[00:09:45] Unknown:

I can never thank you enough.   I don't know anyone who would have been that better to marry a girl with a baby out of wedlock.  

[00:09:54] Unknown:

It's all worked out fine for me, Gloria.   You know, I didn't know I like babies that much. You're very darn cute. Oh, cute as a button. And tell you what else, Billy knows me. Oh, yes. He does.   Recognizes me the minute I go into the nursery at eight months.   Real smart.   I love that child, Gloria.  

[00:10:18] Unknown:

Little Billy loves you too, Howard.  

[00:10:28] Unknown:

Hello?   Jim. Jim Flynn.  

[00:10:32] Unknown:

I said you. How's your name, Eddie? The one and only.  

[00:10:37] Unknown:

Listen, Jim. I'm calling about Moira.   You, sent her over to my new office. Yep.  

[00:10:42] Unknown:

She thinks she's being honest. Yeah. Well, look, Jim.  

[00:10:46] Unknown:

I'm starting out in the private investigation business, and,   I wanna start out clean. You know?   I put in thirty years in the force, never took something that didn't belong to me, and,   I aim to keep that reputation in private investigating.  

[00:11:02] Unknown:

Well, I said I was putting a good thing in your way. These people were I was, unloaded. They'll probably pay you two c notes today. I was doing you a favor. Jim,  

[00:11:12] Unknown:

don't do me no favors like that.   So long as your daughter keeps dating Roger,   the unheartful   Dodger.   Her whole story looks fishy to me. I don't want no part of it. You don't like how many they  

[00:11:27] Unknown:

respect your judgment?  

[00:11:29] Unknown:

You ought to have a little fatherly talk with Moira, Jim.   Give her the facts of life.  

[00:11:35] Unknown:

Oh, forgive me. Me?  

[00:11:38] Unknown:

Yeah. Aiden, Aiden, a veteran,   inspiring,   lewd and kidnapped are all punishable by life, Jim, in the state.   Give her the facts of life imprisonment,   Jim, and you'll be doing your daughter a big favor. Well,   better hang up now and open my mail.   We've,   got a busy office here.  

[00:12:04] Unknown:

Hello?   Did Laura take Billy to the process line? She did. She stuck her head in before she left. Oh, you're doing just great as a daddy.  

[00:12:14] Unknown:

I'll tell you, Liz. It's kind of a novelty to be a stepfather at 16.  

[00:12:19] Unknown:

I kinda like it. I'm glad that woman's working out so well.   I have you to thank for that, Holly.  

[00:12:26] Unknown:

I never taken her on. No reference. Well, you have to know people. I sized up more of Flynn almost right away. I checked her background.   Respectable family.   She's taken care of her little brothers and sisters.   Mother's gone. Takes care of her father. Runs the whole family. Willing to work.   And she's devoted   to you. Answer that for me, will you, Gloria?  

[00:12:54] Unknown:

Hello?   Who is it?   Kuwait.   What?   Yes. Marceline works for us. What's the matter?   Well, what do you mean you're gonna send somebody over? Why don't you tell me now?   Just   Just now?   The baby was   oh, no.   Oh my lord. No.   Yes. Of course. We'll go right over to where?   The the the police in 02/1974.   Yes. Right away.   Alright.   Billy's been kidnapped. What? The the police were phoning from the park.   I thought the toga happened to be passing by. I'm always screaming our head off. Get out in broad daylight. Hurry. Hurry, darling. Put your tie on. We gotta go to the precinct house immediately.  

[00:13:54] Unknown:

Did you hear that?  

[00:13:55] Unknown:

Hurry, darling, and put your tie on, I mean. What a wild thing for a mother to say at a time like this.  

[00:14:02] Unknown:

I'll be back shortly with act two.   In an office in a law building, a young attorney, Sam Jacobs, has subletched space, a desk, a chair, the use of a telephone,   and an answering machine,   to another Sam,   Samson O'Malley,   a retired policeman.   The one case O'Malley,   now a private investigator, did not want to pursue was that of a housekeeper who had reported she was being followed.   But in the sleuth business, you can't always pick and choose.   Mister Bryce, let me begin by telling you I am in possession of certain facts relating to the kidnapping of your son   several days ago.  

Excuse me, mister O'Malley. The child is not my son, but   my stepson.   My wife's son by a former, shall we shall we say, liaison?   Do do you mean, mister Bryce, your wife had not been married before you married?   Yes. That's right.   And are you saying what you know that I should know?   Yeah.   The day before the kidnapping,   your housekeeper, Mordor Flynn, came to see me to say she was being followed. Yes. I know all that. In fact, it was at her recommendation that we engaged you. Her father and I are old friends, and I was aware that miss Flynn was dating a man of questionable reputation.   In fact, you might say his reputation is lousy.  

He's a known gambler and not unknown in criminal circles in the city.   I'm sorry to hear that. My wife will be also.   We had great confidence, said Moira.   Will you see what I'm getting at?   Yes. An inside job. That's what you're telling me.   Quite possibly.   Now if I may, I'd like to have a few words with missus Brice. So would I, but she was in such a state of shock, our doctor has kept her rather heavily sedated.   Since her child disappeared, she's done very little else but sleep.   I see. When does the doctor think missus Brice can be interviewed? Well, he hasn't said, but he is coming over later today, and I'll ask him that. Yeah. Well, we'll need to talk to her. It's, very important.   And as soon as possible.  

Time is essential in these cases.   Recollections,   well, I needn't go into all of it. But if it's at all possible for us to talk to her, we can come over anytime,   even this evening. You said, we, mister O'Malley.   Yes. I have an associate, a prominent younger attorney who I may bring into the case.   His name is Sam Jacob. Well, if it's helpful, why certainly?   Mister Bryce,   no word from the kidnappers yet? Not a thing.   Does no news mean good news or bad news?   Neither.   I expect they'll be communicating with you by letter or telephone.   Should you receive such a letter, I would like you to immediately notify me even before opening it up. How would I know it's from them? I receive a great deal of mail. Any envelope that looks unfamiliar.  

Who handles the mail first? Our man, Hopkins. Yeah. We'll instruct him to wrap it in a handkerchief   and bring it to you.   Oh, I I understand, guys. You wish to examine it for fingerprints, right? Then   too, we'll attach an automatic recording device to your telephone   so that all calls out or in will be recorded on tape. What good is that?   It'll help with identification   should the kidnappers telephone you.   We can run all taped conversations   through a stress analyzer   which computes the amount of stress in the human voice. I've heard of those, but I thought they were used to find out whether a voice is telling the truth or not. Quite important.   Our instructions you were given bonafide.  

When you are told where to drop the ransom,   is the kidnapper testing you or giving you a false lead?   Does he mean it when he tells you where the child can be found?   And even   what is the health of the child? I have no idea that could be analyzed.   Oh,   when you speak to my wife, I hope you won't go into such details.   Here's my card.   The answering machine is on day and night, mister Bison. I'm always checking it.   I understand you will leave Moyer Flynn over duties to this is cleared up. I thought it best.   Well, I'm on my way over to see you now.   Let me know if   the doctor commits me to talk to your wife.  

Moira,   I've seen a transcript of what you told the police, but I'd like you to try and remember it again for me. Mister O'Malley,  

[00:19:00] Unknown:

it's all like locking the stable door after the mayor has been stolen.   Why didn't you listen to any of the other dealers?   I told the police everything.  

[00:19:10] Unknown:

Laura, sometimes when you go over a story, dear, things come back.  

[00:19:14] Unknown:

The details which could be very helpful. Alright.   I was walking along with little Billy in his pram, and he sat on a bench.   I don't know for how long. And all of a sudden, someone behind me reached around, held a cloth over my face,   and they passed out.   You were gone, hon. When I came to, little Billy was gone.   And I screamed.   And the cops came in a patrol car, and I told them the whole story.  

[00:19:44] Unknown:

Did you struggle when that hand was putting chloroform into your face? I think I did a little  

[00:19:50] Unknown:

until I began to gag.   And then   explain.   In his other hand, he was squeezing my throat.  

[00:19:59] Unknown:

Did you have your eyes open or closed, my Open. Of course.  

[00:20:03] Unknown:

And you didn't turn around? No. I couldn't. Did you see anything?  

[00:20:08] Unknown:

Or was he a servant wearing gloves for instance? No. He wasn't.  

[00:20:13] Unknown:

They were long fingers.   Almost like a wound.   It's stronger, I think. So he did see his hand. And the one holding the cloth. Oh. I'm gonna use it O'Malley.   I do remember something I clearly forgot.   On the first end of his hand, there was a ring.   A gold ring with a stone in it. Did you see what kind of stone   or color? Yes. I did. It was a turquoise.  

[00:20:48] Unknown:

This is Samson O'Malley, private investigator.   I am sorry I am not in the office to answer your call.   If you leave your name, number, and message, I'll get back to you within an hour.   Start talking when you hear the tone.   Mister Manny, this is Howard Price.   You asked me to call you if missus Price could be interviewed.   I, I'm afraid not today. The   doctor says maybe tomorrow. Okay?   Samson, this is Sam Jacobs.   Meet me in the City Archives And Record Building, Second Floor. As soon as you get this message, it's important.  

[00:21:34] Unknown:

Over here, Samson. What you got?   Samson, you see before you the ledgers of life. Now in this volume,   recorded births,   and these have marriages month by month. My dear young friend, I know all of our city hall records. What have you found? And I marked this ledger with a slip of paper.   And   checking into our client, Howard Bryce,   put that up there.   Record of his marriage to Gloria Steadman.   Hold on. Okay. Maiden name Gloria Steadman. Now let's pick up this ledger   quite some time earlier.   Here where my paper marker is.   Look at that.  

Stedman.   Gloria   Stedman.   Oh, wow. What do you think of that?   You know, this is real nice detective work.   Let me copy that,   Morris   Edward   14 Locust,   Pendleton, New Jersey.   I'll go get this page for a standard, and then let's,   go somewhere for a shot.   It's that great feeling, isn't it? Hell,   relief and exhilaration when things start to break your way.   Sam Jacobs,   you're a lovely man.   A lovely man.   Good morning, my love.   How are you today?   Hi. You look well rested this morning.   How'd you like to get up?  

[00:23:13] Unknown:

Anywhere at all from the kidnappers.   No. Nothing.  

[00:23:17] Unknown:

But, I've hired two excellent men to help the police   speed things up.   They were here yesterday, wanted to see you, but the doctor said that was out of the question. Why did they wanna talk to me? I don't know anything.   I know.   I've given them and the police all the snapshots I could find of Billy.   Now, these detectives, they've installed a tape machine that goes on automatically every time our telephone is used. Records everything.   What's that? Every time our telephone someone   uses the phone, it's on tape? Yeah. Isn't that a great idea?  

[00:23:53] Unknown:

Oh, I miss my little boy so much.   When are they gonna ask for a ransom?  

[00:23:59] Unknown:

Darling, what are we gonna do? Mister O'Malley, is sure they'll be contacting us soon by letter or phone?  

[00:24:06] Unknown:

And how much are they gonna ask?  

[00:24:08] Unknown:

It doesn't matter to me if they want every cent I've got.   I'll get your little boy back.   Slow down, Sam.   Dogers ought to be off the right.   You,   turn here.   Well, are you sure this is Locust?   That's what the street side said.   Derrick Road.   You,   City Number 14?   I think it's the next one.   The White House with the red bar next to it. Yeah. Yeah. Slow down. Mhmm.   Wanna see the name on that mailbox.   Stop.   Pull over and stop.   Is the name we're looking for.   Thank you mailbox.   Ed Morse.   Just like in the marriage records.   Well,   let's knock on mister Morse's door and hand him our special delivery.  

How'd you locate me? The yellow pages?   What would we be looking under, mister Morris? Limousine service.   Sometimes they call it livery service. I'm listing in both New York and Jersey books.   Is that why you stopped in to see me?   Not exactly.   I don't know whether mister O'Malley made it clear when we introduced ourselves. He's a private investigator,   and I'm an attorney. Oh, I'm not concerned what you do. We rent to all kinds of people. I have five limousines, and we rent them by the day or the week or the month. I mentioned that I'm a lawyer, mister Morse, because I thought I might be in a position to advise you against any illegality.   What is this? A protection racket? What do you guys want?  

Merely information.   Oh, okay. You had me scared for a minute. To begin with Sam, why don't we,   have a look at mister Morse's limousines? You can call me Ed.   Say, both you guys called Sam? Oh, he's Samson, the strong man. I'm just plain Sam.   Okay, Ed. You lead the way. Oh, the barn's out in the back.   That's where we keep all our wheels. I wonder if I could use your phone. I'd like to check my office for any messages. Sure. Help yourself. Yeah. I I won't be a minute. I'll,   join you as soon as I've made my call.   This is certainly a nice selection of limos. Hey. And growing every day.  

I plan really to expand in a couple of months.   Doesn't that require a lot of capital? Sure does. But,   I got some Wall Street interest in delivery service.   I wonder what's keeping Sam. I'd like him to see all these. Oh, there are two more, but they're out on a regular basis   by the year, I hope. You hope? Well, I haven't been in the car rental business that long, mister Jacobs,   so we'll see how good business gets. Oh,   here's your friend.   Sir, I took so long.   Oh,   see. This is a beautiful sextet.   Oh, and how you keep them?   I'll bet there's quite an investment there. Well,   they're not all paid for yet. If you're a Wall Street investor, makes good, you shouldn't have any problems.  

Wall Street interest, is it?   Well, Ed,   let's get down to what we're here for. Sure. Great. Shoot.   For starters, Ed, I'd like you to have a look at this photostat   of an entry in the city records.   You'll note, mister Morse, that a certain Edward Morse married a certain   Gloria   Stedman.   What do you guys wanna know?   Anything you wish to tell us, sir? I think we'd also be interested, mister Morse,   in this turquoise   ring.   I,   happened to find it in your bathroom   hidden in a box of talcum   powder,   and I was,   just wondering   how it got there.  

The two Sams have asked two questions.  

[00:28:21] Unknown:

Here are mine.   Who kidnapped the infant?  

[00:28:25] Unknown:

Why?   If Laurie was once married to Ed Morris,   why did she keep that from her present husband, Howard Bryce?   Is she legally married to Bryce?   We ought to be relatively close to all the answers since there's only one more act to go.   Act three.   I shall return with it shortly.   An eight month old infant   has been taken from its carriage.   The police are scouring for clues.   The two Sams have honored some hard evidence,   and the baby's mother waits for word from the kidnappers.   Meanwhile,   in a barn   filled with limousines   Look. I haven't done anything.  

What do you guys want? Is this ring yours? Yeah. Sure. Sure. It's mine. So what? Is that where you usually keep your jewelry?   In a talcum powder box. But it's my business, isn't it?   Not when a turquoise ring has been identified as worn by a man who chloroformed a woman in Central Park and kidnapped a baby. Hey. Wait a minute. What is this? There must be a million guys who wear those rings.   Not a million guys   who hide them.   Okay. Okay. I   I I I can explain.   Sure. I read about Gloria's baby being snatched and and what the housekeeper said. And I had this turquoise ring, and who knows? Sometimes cops can put two and two together, and instead of four, they make it 22.   Like you guys did. I didn't wanna take any chances, so I I hid it.  

That's the truth. Believe me. You were afraid you might be implicated, so help me. Because it's your baby. Isn't that right, Ed? Yeah. Sure. It's mine.   Hey.   You guys really know your stuff.   How did you know what to look for when you came here? Morris,   Nobody can wear a ring for a long time without it making an indentation   on the finger.   Third finger, the right hand.   Look at yours, Ed.   See the mark?   The same finger on the same hand,   the chloroformed   Moira Flynn.   What are you accusing me of, Moors?   Where were you on the twenty second,   the day the child was kidnapped? What what time? Between 11:00   and twelve.  

On the Jay z time frame,   fixing a flat. Now can I ask you something? What about the ring that costs money? I'd like to have it back. I want more of it to have a look at this. Well, Samson, I think it's a waste of time, but, I'll see you get your ring back, Ed. Don't you worry. Thanks a lot. And, Ed, I know you're just as worried as we are over who snatched little Billy and how fast we can get him back to Gloria.   So if I have any questions, is it okay if I give you a call? Oh, sure. Sure. And you're right. I am worried. I've been worried all along.   Just because Gloria got remarried to this Howard Bryce guy don't mean I'm not head up over the safety of my own kid.  

Call me anytime.   Anything I can do.   Sam, I don't understand you at all.   There's no question in my mind Ed Morse is the kidnapper.   Why were you so easy on him?   We should have turned on the heat then and there,   made him take us to where he's hidden the chive and wrapped up the case.   That's the problem.   That's what problem? Because it's Ed's child.   He admitted it was. If the child's legal father is really Ed Morris and he removed it from a baby carriage and the mother brings no charges,   the court of law may not consider it kidnapping.   Well, that's your job, Sam. Open the right book, and you might find the right president when we have a case.  

No one's even asked for a ransom so far as I know.   So what harm does it do to try to be on friendly terms with our   delivery man?   Hello, mister Bryce?   I'm glad to see you, gentlemen.   We've got news for you.   What is it? Ransom.   Yes. Why why don't you tell them? Gloria, you spoke to them.  

[00:32:54] Unknown:

About an hour ago,   a man called and he said,   if you watch a boy alive,   lose $1,000,000   in new bills at 03:00 tomorrow afternoon in the course of this. No big bills, no mock bills, no cops,   no funny business.  

[00:33:13] Unknown:

Did he tell you how Billy was? Yes.  

[00:33:17] Unknown:

He he said he's getting you back to care.  

[00:33:19] Unknown:

The baby's what he eats and everything.   And that's all he said? I think so.  

[00:33:26] Unknown:

I always can't have it.  

[00:33:27] Unknown:

Where in the cloisters?  

[00:33:29] Unknown:

That's a big area. I wrote it down,   but it's here. So you show the crux, sir, under left stone bench.  

[00:33:37] Unknown:

I guess it's my move.   1,000,000.   Oh, god. No. I'll get it. Don't worry.   Now if you fellas don't mind, I've gotta go talk to some bankers.   I'll call you from downtown, Gloria, when I'm on my way home.   Missus Bryce,   now that we're alone, don't you think you ought to notify the child's father that you've been contacted for a ransom?  

[00:34:03] Unknown:

No. Don't   mean Howard.  

[00:34:08] Unknown:

No. No. I mean his real and natural father.  

[00:34:12] Unknown:

So Howard told you.   Do we spot it?   I don't know where you  

[00:34:19] Unknown:

Yeah. I think your story is also you don't know   who he is.  

[00:34:23] Unknown:

Right? Boy, I'm ashamed to say I don't.  

[00:34:27] Unknown:

You do the there was a party and And, you had a little too much to drink, so you didn't know what happened.  

[00:34:35] Unknown:

Yeah.   Funny.  

[00:34:38] Unknown:

Ed Morse knows what happened, and,   he didn't say anything about a party.   It's an act, I tell you. No one goes on crying like that for two hours.   It's because we caught her out in a terrible lie. This poor woman's nerves have been there breaking for a week.   I wish your husband would come home. I don't like to walk out on him when she's sobbing away in the bedroom, Sam.   You may know all about your law books, but people don't live by the book.   Sam, you'd never make a detective. You're not suspicious   enough. Your honor, may I quote you Charles Dickens who said if there were no bad people,   there would be no good lawyers.  

I rest my case.   Kid. You'd,   better get your case off that sofa.   Howard Bryce is back. Are you still here? Where's Gloria?   Sir, I think our questions upset her. She went to the bedroom to lie down. No wonder.   Been a terrible strain. A terrible strain.   But,   I'll have the money tomorrow. The bank's putting it into two attache cases.   A million is a lot of paper.   Then what? I'd say you bring it down to our office.   Can they give you an armed guard? I will. And at three, it'll be dropped off at the cloisters   by us. And you'd better wait here for the call telling you where the baby is. You think it'll go alright? No hitches.   Well, no one knows for sure.  

In my experience, the less false move one makes, the more chances of nothing going wrong.   You've got to remember anyone who would snatch your child is just as frightened as you are.   Everyone knows what the penalty is these days, so nobody wants to make a mistake. Oh,   Sam, the, the tape recorder. We haven't checked it.   Who knows?   I may be able to identify the voice.   You know, I've heard an awful lot of birds singing   in over thirty years.   Isn't   that charming?   What is it?   Mister Bryce, would you mind coming in here? So what's the matter, mister O'Malley?   Some kind soul   pulled out the AC wire.  

I plugged it in here.   You happen to know anything about this, mister Bryce? You mean the tape machine didn't record any phone conversations?   Not without   power. Well, could it have been an accident?   People don't usually pull clogs out of walls accidentally. Well, I don't know anything about it, and I'm sure missus Bryce doesn't either.   So we'll have to rely entirely on her recollection of time and place and   go along and drop off the money. What about the police? Well, of course, we'll notify them. But the message said no cop. Mister Bryce, we're not going to have a squad of the boys in blue marching in formation into the cloisters. Cloisters. Well, I don't have much faith in them. You had better, mister Bryce. We're gonna be working with them. We'd be crazy not to.   Let's say you get Billy back safely.  

You want people like that running around terrorizing   other parents?   Of course, we're gonna work with the police.   If you're sure it's the right thing to do, mister Bryce,   this isn't fiction, you know. We're two super sleuths outwit the crooks, outwit the cops, and do it all single handedly.   This is fact, mister Bryce.   And the fact is   Sam and I   need all the help we can get.   Sam,   I was,   thinking about this office. Mhmm.   Couldn't my name on the door be in larger   letters?   No one's gonna find me. Is it well, if we keep racking up rich clients like Howard Bryce, why not?   He's sure a trusting soul.  

Why? Because he came down the office with his million and left it with us. And who who where could we go with a million dollars?   Are you kidding?   Honest men don't do that.   How much time do we allow to get to The Cloisters from here?   I wanna say with the West Side Highway torn up, forty five minutes.   But, Sam, you're not golden.   I am.   Well, you're not taking a million dollars in cash alone up at The Cloisters.   Sam, you wouldn't do me any good up there. I got a better job for you.   You're gonna be the doorman next door to the Bryce Town House on Fifth. You're gonna keep watch.   It's all set up.  

Get there early and put on the doorman's uniform. How do we keep in touch?   Our nice little reliable telephone answering machine.   There's a phone on your corner of Fifth, and I'll locate one of the cloisters.   We'll just,   keep calling in and checking each other out.   Samson, I sure am learning a lot about being an investigator.   Next job, it'll be your turn to give me a crash course in law. I noticed you said our machine is reliable   because no one pulls out the plug.   That's why you want me to stake out the Bryce house. On the button.   People who aren't used to criminal acts don't know how to cover their tracks.  

That AC plug, Sam, didn't fall out of the wall.   Someone didn't want their phone calls to be recorded.  

[00:40:19] Unknown:

Report from The Cloisters.   02:10PM.   Got here faster than I thought.   Nobody suspicious hanging around.   I'm in a full booth with inside of the stone bench.   I'm not leaving the money there until I have to.   This is,   doorman, Sam Jacobs at 02:30.   Ed Morris just drove up in a limousine dressed in a chauffeur's outfit.   He's carrying a baby carryall. I'm sure of it. He's gone inside.   O'Malley.   The Cloisters.   02:55.   Just stash the two attests shake cases behind the bench.   03:15.   No one showed up at the cloisters yet.   I'll give them fifteen more minutes.   03:30.  

Cloisters.   Unbelievable.   What a jerk.   Amateur   are amateurs.   Sam,   I'll meet you at the Bryce Town House at 05:00   on the button.   Over  

[00:41:28] Unknown:

about.   Oh,   tell him.   He's just a chip.   They're not very back safe and sound.   He's here.   Oh, I wish Howard was back.  

[00:41:41] Unknown:

Where is your husband, missus Bryce?  

[00:41:43] Unknown:

He got your call to come to the cloisters.  

[00:41:46] Unknown:

I recognized your voice, mister Jacobs, and I told him. Oh, isn't that great, Sam? Missus Bryce recognized my voice calling for mister Bryce from The Cloisters.   What time did they bring little Billy back? Well, I don't know. After three, I guess.   I can tell you, missus Bryce.  

[00:42:06] Unknown:

It was 02:30.   How's it that three?   The ransom wasn't to be picked up till three?  

[00:42:13] Unknown:

03:30.   Your,   husband,   Ed Morse,   couldn't possibly   make it uptown after leaving the baby here   at 02:30.  

[00:42:27] Unknown:

What did you say?  

[00:42:30] Unknown:

Nice try, Gloria   Morse.   You and Ed Morse cook it all up.   Why?   She are not even divorced.  

[00:42:41] Unknown:

There's there's no.  

[00:42:43] Unknown:

Answering questions at police headquarters.   And,   I'm sorry, but   you're next,   missus Moore.   500 apiece.   That's good money. Sam, it cost old Howard Bryce much more than that. Oh, what do you mean he got his million back? Sam, remember how he prided himself unknown human nature?   When it came to the girl he thought he was married to,   he knew less than nothing.   What bugs me, Sam, is   how to pin a wrap on Gloria or Ed?   It can't be done.   Nobody wants to prosecute.   Howard just wants to forget the whole thing. The child was taken by its real father and well taken care of. How about getting Gloria on a bigamy charge? Do you really see the DA involved in a case like that?   So,   you know, I'm so glad I moved in with you.  

I'll,   I'll get you a larger lettering on the door.   Coming from a man of letters, Sam,   That's   a real   compliment. Often when the curtain descends on mystery theater,   I'll drag in some some ancient applicable   quote and say,   you see,   Shakespeare   said thus and so.   Or a great philosopher or doctor or detective once said so and so, and isn't it true? And what did I tell you?   This time, when I return,   I think I'll eat my words.   Remember when you were told   two wrongs do not make a right   or   two goods   sell the meat?   What's good for the plant   is ill for the peat.  

Or two proud men   cannot ride one horse.   All nonsense.   I'd say today's story of the two Sams proves I think,   a partnership   can work,   but two heads   are better than one.   Now why didn't I think of that?   Our cast included Fred Gwynn, Russell Horton, EV Juster, and Ian Martin.   The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.   This is E. G. Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater   for another adventure in the macabre.   Until next time.   Pleasant.