September 8, 2025 • 47 mins
CBS Radio Mystery Theater was a noteworthy attempt to revive in American radio dramas like Inner Sanctum (1941-1952) and Suspense (1942-1962). Radio dramas were widely considered "dead" 12 years prior to this series. CBS Radio Mystery Theater, or simply Mystery Theater, was created by Inner Sanctum creator Himan Brown and ran on CBS from 1974-1982. The show, much like older radio dramas, was introduced by a host (E.G. Marshall in this program), who steers us through the creaking door to start the episode. Many voices from the golden age of radio were featured, including Richard Widmark, Bret Morrison, Agnes Moorehead and many more.
Hope you enjoy this episode of Mystery Theater! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Hope you enjoy this episode of Mystery Theater! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Come in, welcome. I'm g Marshall.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
You're acquainted, of course, with the game of chess, so
absorbing a game of skill that Thomas Fuller wrote, when
a man's house is on fire, it's time to break
off chess. If you play the game, you understand what
he meant. Luck plays no part in it. Mistakes do
caused by the superior strategy of your opponent. You're attacked,
(00:47):
you retreat and form your defenses for the king? Can
he be saved from checkmate? Life is like that, isn't it?
Had Jeff Powers made a mistake or had he been
out maneuver Kim Whelan, an insurance investigator, wants to know.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Is this the missing diamond, Jeff?
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Where did you get that? Mister?
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Well and from the bottom of your cigarette package?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Well, that's impossible. Security at Mortalian's Son is thorough and
very tight, while at Shirdby we're one of the biggest
jewelry stores in the city and a lot of gems
have been stolen in the past few years. But I'm
not the faith mister Whale, and I swear before no, no,
no need to I know you're not Jeff. I also
know who is and I'm afraid it'll give you a
(01:33):
bad turn. Our mystery story, Your Move, Mister Ellers, was
written especially for Mystery Theater by Roy Windsor and stars
Jack Grimes and Bobby Reddick. It is sponsored in part
(01:54):
by Contact, the twelve Hour Cold Capsule and Buick Motor Division.
I'll be back shortly with that one. The standard engine
is a V eight, standard tires, steel belted radios. There
are front and rear stabilizer bars, special springs and shock valley,
fast ratio, power steering, and a rally steering wheel. What
(02:15):
makes all this interesting is that it belongs to a
full sized six passenger viewing the nineteen seventy seven the
Sabers Sport Coup You'll have to drive it to believe it.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Here in my hand is a little capsule.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
It's Contact. It contains enough coal medicine to help relieve
coal symptoms caused by every known virus. Think about that
next time you're sick, sneezing, dripping, or clogged up. Then
let us help you with real medicine by Contact.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
We're number one in the whole world. Get your coal
to contact medicine.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
What do you call take only ester red? In many ways,
life is like a game of chess. For instance, what
(03:20):
else could be meant by putting your best foot forward.
All of us try to do just that, appear at
our best to others, evaluate the other person in advance
so he doesn't think you are overly confident arrogant. Again,
to repeat, very much like a game of chess, you
must think about your opponent because he's thinking about you,
(03:41):
and one thoughtless move can be your ruin. Another costly
gem has been stolen from the showroom of Maudley and Son. Gentle,
old mister Ellers is distressed. This is terrible, terrible, mister Waylanle,
My company is very upset.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Of course, it's understand hand the.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Book, we may have to refuse to renew the insurance power.
What Maudlin Sun is the most respect Yes, yes we
realized that. But these unsolved fests have cost us tens
of thousands of dollars over the past few years. Your
company has become a bad risk. Yes, all of us
are aware of that. I don't really know what to say.
(04:21):
I've worked for the firm for thirty five years, proudly
our reputation, but we won't go into that. It's the
times years ago it was unthinkable that anyone would steal
from us. Today today an emerald worth thirty thousand dollars
was stolen from a showcase. Your security officers swear that
(04:43):
no outsider pocketed the gem, and they've said that before,
and they're honest.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
Smith. We know it's checked.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
The thief. Mister Ellis is an employee. But how every
one of us is sir inspected before.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
We leave the store. It's embarrassing but necessary. How how
is it done?
Speaker 2 (05:06):
I'm still trying to find out. You've talked with each
of our employees. I know I'll vouch for every one
of them, so will mister Martley and his son. Members
of our staff are carefully screened. They're dedicated to our
kind of work. They admire our product, appreciate the beauty
and craftsmanship of our jams.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Yes, yes, I've talked with each of them.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Miss Ellers.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
Tell me about Jeff Powers.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
You certainly don't suspect Jeff.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
I suspect everyone, but not Jeff. He's exceptional.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
I expect that young man to advance quickly in the firm.
He's bright, direct and personable. Yes, I agree, I'm very
fond of him. We share an enthusiasm for chess. You
mustn't respect my chess companion. I noticed the men set
up on your side the table. Oh, Jeff and I
often have a game at lunch. I'm over a sandwich
(06:01):
and coffee. He's quite a good player.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Chess is our hobby. I enjoy the game, mister Ellens, do.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
You I'm planned to hear it. We should play sometime.
Jeff and I belong to check and mate a private
chess club. If you'd like to be my guest, well,
thank you. Whenever you're free. Well, this Wednesday, I'll be
at the club after dinner, say nine o'clock. Fine, and
the address, I'll.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Write it down for you. Now.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
He's a fine big chess pieces, classic staunt and kind.
Wouldn't I like the field? Here you are. It'll be
a pleasure to see you, especially after this unpleasant morning.
How how do we solve the unsolvable? The stolen gems
didn't fly away, mister Ellis, and none of the staff
(06:50):
as an artificial limb quote here, Since you've thought of
that and many other possibilities such cares well, I think
it's better if I keep my own counsel or I
could turn you into a spy, but I want to help.
I know that. Just be reassuring to everyone. Keep your
eyes and ears open. Given time, a thief will.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Give himself away. He hasn't so far through.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
But we now have detailed information on everyone who works here.
By a process of elimination. I've reduced the suspects to
only a few, and you have met progress.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
I'll tell mister Mautley he'll be pleased.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
I've already told him.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
He wasn't pleased at all.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Mister Wall, Well, hello, mister Powers. Oh that was some
girling you gave us this morning at the store. The
last person I expected to see here, well, mister Ellis
invited me to have a game with him at nine.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
I'm a little early.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Are you playing? No, I had just finished. Mister Ellie
should be through pretty soon.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Who's the man he's playing with now?
Speaker 2 (07:54):
Oh it's an old pal has Will Minton the regular opponents.
Now Minton's big the queen gamb at the client opening.
But Ellis defends well against anything. He's pretty tough. Malis
and I talked about you and your chest games at lunch.
Always see nothing else. I'm not tailing you. If that's
what's got your back up.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
I'm sorry, but all of us at Martley's are pretty.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Uptight, am I an insurance investigator is supposed to produce results.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Yeah, I understand. Where are you or can't you.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Say I think I have a clue? Well? Can I
be of help? No? I don't mean spying on the others,
but I don't know talking about the staff my impressions.
Isn't that kind of thing useful? I know it is
in books, It's very use I appreciate your offer, mister Powers,
make it, Jeff, I'm tim. You know it bugs me,
(08:50):
it really does. Martley is a fine firm and he's Jim.
That's kind of tarnish its reputation. Now it has to
be one of us employees, and that's creepy. I've got
thought thought about it.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
I'm nowhere.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
You say you've got a clue. That beats me. Now,
it's my job.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
The thefts have been going on for years, and only
today did I see a glimmer of light.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
Oh, I'd like to take you up on your offer
to check. What if I drop round after my game
of your boss? Well, sure you will know where I live.
I know where everyone on the staff lives. What he does.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Spins many more things besides.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Okay, then I'll wait up for you. I'll say good
night to Ellis, games over, Minton's latest king on his side.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
And now there he is, bringing.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
His captured pieces out of his pocket. Ellas is now
ready for you.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Come on, I haven't seen that before.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Why Minton pocketing the pieces he's captured. He always does
that with everyone that's a little crazy hitting mister Ellis,
ah Year and mister Whelan, mister Whelan, will Minton, Will Minton?
My worthy though vanquished ful, I'm glad to make your
acquaint thanks you playing this tricky old devil. When you
make a stupid mistake, will you say I'm tricky. Chess
(10:06):
is the complete game, and luck plays no part in it.
You're so impetuous, bullying and flailing away, but you don't
intimidate me. I wait until you've overextended yourself, and then
I strike. I've been playing for thirty years and I
still have to listen to Edwardella's little sermons of chess truth.
(10:27):
And then I strike, And I ask you, is.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
He far out while having a game with me?
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Well, that's an idea. One condition if you win, which
is unlikely. No thirty second sermons. Agreed, absolutely, I've heard
all of them.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
He has me want at least twice a week.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
There's nothing worse than losing a game of chess. Sit down,
mister Whalen, Well, which hand you choose?
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Yeah, my closed hands, the left?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
The white pieces.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Let me turn the border around here.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
We are handsome, aren't they quite new?
Speaker 1 (11:05):
At least some of the pieces are?
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Well?
Speaker 1 (11:07):
They get hot?
Speaker 2 (11:08):
Use the club replaces the warn of broken wattens.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
All right, sir, begin well, well formed the key four
one more?
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Well, not to night, young man, but thirsty orangy? Ah, lucky.
You heard what Elis said, except for who picks the
white pieces and begins there's no luck and chess I
played like a dummy. Uh. By the way, who's the
guy with Ellis? He introduced him as Tim Whalen, prospective member. Well,
(11:48):
I don't know. Maybe he's an insurance investigator. Did mister
Allis tell you about the latest of models. Yeah, someone
copped an emerald for one of the showcases.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
Well it's a big firm.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Gott to expect the lass. Now, man Whaling give you
a going over, Oh boy, me and everyone else, mister
Ellis told me that our insurance may not be renewed.
It's kind of a slur on Martley. And you know
how mister Ellis feels about the firm. Uh, it's his life.
Oh what does Whaling say? Does he think he knows
(12:22):
who pinched the emerald? Oh? Not yet, but he did
say he had a clue. He told you that. Yeah,
he wouldn't talk about it naturally natrually.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Well, we all have our troubles.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
I'll see you another evening, Jeff, Yeah, sure, now at
thanks for the game. Can I not? By the way, Jeff,
have you any idea who stole the emerald? What? Don't
get that expression on your face? And no, you didn't
swipe it? I should hope not. If I did, i'd
report it.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
That's why I asked the question.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Don't don't? Now? What's that supposed to mean? Someone has
a lot at stake the thief. If he or she
suspects that you or anyone else knows.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Him, you could get wiped out.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
What that's serious as well? But I am rather than
risk exposure, the thief might act so ignorance is bliss?
He was serious? Aren't you very? I know you like
your job?
Speaker 1 (13:24):
But would you give up your life for Maudley and Son?
Speaker 2 (13:37):
Hi, come on in, Tim, thanks nice place. I won't
take up much of your time. Oh that's all right,
I have please sit on here by the way. How'd
you make out with mister Ellis? I'm proud to say
I played him to a drawer. Hey, you must be
good and he's.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
A cautious player. But so am I.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
You both played well.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Well. I like to play a game with you sometime.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
I will do it, I am.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
I don't know quite how to begin.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
Well at the beginning, of course, I think nuts, I'm.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
Going to make you angry.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Oh you are why because you're straight and loyal? I
don't get you. What do you know about Will Minton?
I'll be done. I didn't expect a question like that.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
And tell me what you know about him?
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Well? I like him. He's rough, but he's bright.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
Will's in the import export business.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
It's somewhere in the downtown area, and he and Ella's
are good friends for the best. The Will's a chessbug too.
They've known each other for the years. Will Minton is
another hobby. You wouldn't know anything about it. No, I
don't know him well. Personally, he's offense our receiver. I've
(14:54):
stolen good.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
Deceiver and disposal. The police know about him, and.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
So do I. How about that? So he specializes in
stolen gems? I see. So he's the clue you mentioned.
He doesn't know me, but I recognized him. Mitton's well
known for slick deals. Many of stolen Jim finds its
(15:21):
way into his hands and into Antwerp, where it's cut up.
So far he hasn't been caught.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
And you think he has the emerald stolen from Mauntley?
Speaker 2 (15:29):
SyES where did he get it? Who gave it to him?
If you're thinking what I think you're thinking, I.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Guess you've taken up all of your time.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
I haven't made an accusation, Jeff, not yet.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Yes, but your inference is obvious. Edward Ellis, you're spaced out.
Speaker 2 (15:46):
Mister Ellis is the most trusted.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
Employee at the farm.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Forget it. I respect him and I love the old man, Danny.
He's not so old, he's not sixty yet you can't
suspect him. If you even hinted that both mister Marley
and the son would throw you out, you wouldn't have
a chance to cancel the insurance they cancel it. I'm
quite a speech now that you've got all that off
your chest. Do you think you can listen to reason
(16:13):
you've made your statement? Can you listen to mine? Loyalty
is a virtue, but sometimes loyalty, like love, is blind,
and if it isn't reciprocal. If a loyal person discovers
that he has been deceived, he is stunned, angered and
(16:36):
filled with hatred. He feels diminished.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
Can we trust anyone.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Of course, but each of us, I'm sure, has experienced betrayal,
and it's hard to believe, and it makes us angry.
More on the subject, when I return with Act two,
think of your True Value Hardware store as a first
aid station, the place to find help for disabled battery
operated devices.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Hi Pat Summer all to.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
Tell you about Raiovack heavy duty super cell batteries. They
last far longer than their standard general purpose batteries.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
In fact, they can.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
Last up to two times longer in most sizes, So
they'll keep your camera, radio, tape recorder, calculator, toys, and
all battery operated devices working longer. And Raiovac backs all
these heavy duty super cells with their guarantee. If these
batteries should leak and damage any device in which they're used,
Raiovac will fix or replace that device free of charge.
(17:32):
True Value Hardware stores offer Raiovack Heavy Duty super cells
in a wide range of sizes, and they offer the
six volte LANDN Battery two for just a dollar sixty nine.
Get help for disabled battery operated devices. Railovack heavy Duty
super sell batteries from participating True value hardware stores remember
true value more than just a name their way of
(17:52):
doing business. He who filches from a person's good name
and makes him poor, indeed, is a universal truth because
(18:12):
it obtains every day in every walk of life. A
rumor can ruin a man's business career, and a well
placed hint has destroyed marriages. And this viewpoint applies here.
Jeff Powers is loyal to old Edward Ellers. Is that
loyalty well founded? It would seem to be. The insurance
(18:34):
investigator Tim Whalen has, by inference, filched from the good
name of mister Ellers because of his association with a
man named Will Minton. Hello, yeah, all right, I'll be there.
What's up, Julis you don't dare not so soon after?
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Oh big.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
Go crazy? Please all over the place. Can't we wait
a month or so? Jeff told me last night that
whaling has a clue? Yeah, any idea what it could be? What, Jeffy,
you pen it on him?
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (19:16):
It should work.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
I'll meet you at the club eight.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Okay, remember bring out the Queen rook as soon as
you can.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Yes, I'll have it with me.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Good luck, all right, Jeff? Oh, mister Whalen, can I
sell you anything? String of match pearls, the newest Swiss watch?
Or do you want to hear that? Mister helm over
there across the aisle wears a vest and it's been
dropping jewels.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Into it every time my back is turned.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
I have this mirror, you see. Don't waste your stockcas
of I knee Jeff.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
He he still angry.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
You're bad news. I suspect you're in for a great,
big shock. Jeff, I told you I just couldn't spy
on mister Ellis. He's a friend. He thought I was
spying on him. He be horrified, and it hurt.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
You played chess with him.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
You know that you're playing in his office today at lunchtime.
I guess so, well, enjoy yourself. How can I when
you allows the suspicion stuck in my mind, then you
do share it neither, not at all, but you planted
it in my mind, and it sits there. And do
what I asked. I can't, he'd wonder right away. I'm
(20:34):
no good at being devious. Now, what's devious about examining
the chess pieces? Well, I've never done it before. We play.
I capture a piece and place it on the table
next to the board and wait for his move. Now,
how can I pick up the captured piece and turn
it upside down and study it? You think I'm nuts?
Not if he's innocent, Well, you do what your conscience
(20:56):
tells you to do. I'm sorry if I distressed you,
but my job is to arrect to jewel thief. I've
got the accomplished pig, and his very good friend is
Edward Ellers.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
The natural conclusion. Look, why don't you get lost?
Speaker 2 (21:10):
Are you loyal to the firm or to Ellen's You
want to protect one man at the expense of the others.
You have nothing on Ellis and you know it. Confront them,
make your charge against him, because I'm in the chess
pieces yourself. Why not if I show my hand too, quickly,
I'll come up with a blank. Don't you think that
Ella's is a chess player, has anticipated any move I
might make? Well, of course he has. That's why I
(21:33):
need your help, not your privilege, to refuse, and I'll
have to work through.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Will Minton, will you do that?
Speaker 2 (21:39):
I don't want any party a dirty scheme.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
Okay, don't get caught on the switches?
Speaker 2 (21:45):
And what's that supposed to mean? Elle of Ella's feels
that I've got a clue to the identity of the
thief he'll act. I see Ella's wonders about your interest
in me, suspects that I might be dangerous, and some
dark and gloomy night shoots me with a gun with
a silencer. You know something, Tim, except that all of
(22:06):
this is so ugly. I find it funny. I don't
make that mistake. It isn't funny at all.
Speaker 1 (22:17):
Very well played, Jeff, I congratulate you. You've been studying,
oh little.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
My end game is getting stronger, isn't it? Oh much? Much?
Speaker 1 (22:26):
Very good defense?
Speaker 2 (22:27):
And I may say so again. What you must do
is never to forget the cardinal rule of once attacked,
once defended.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
You know that, But Mike, will you sometimes become habituous.
I enjoyed our game. Come about another cup of coffee?
Speaker 2 (22:43):
Well me too, that I'll get to mister ellis not
only a good chess player, but a gentleman too. While
I won't be but a minute, take your time.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
It's only one o'clock.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
I have a good game. No you again, I told
you to get lost him.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
I'm hard of hearing.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
Okay, now, what did you look at the pieces?
Speaker 1 (23:04):
No?
Speaker 2 (23:05):
I did not come on my way to get some coffee.
Do you want a cup? We'll have it in Ella's
office and you can hold him while I search everything.
You're going to be a check and mate tonight. Don't
tell me you're coming around again. Yes, I think so.
But careful with those cups. Just fill it. I know
what I'd like to do with them. Thank you, Jeff,
(23:27):
Just what I needed. By the way, was that whaling
out there? I thought I noticed him through my door. Yeah,
it was whaling, all right. He's always out there. It
seems he's driving all of us crazy. Oh dear, that's
not right, is it. He's a very conscientious man. I
know he's determined that this time he'll capture the thief.
(23:48):
But I don't want him to harass the staff. I
leave my cigarettes. Oh the chest table. Excuse me, mister Ellis,
you were saying, I'll speak to mister Whalon.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
He's turned all of us inside out and he's found nothing.
I'll ask him to drop the investigation until he has
a lead, and that.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
May be never. Oh he has some kind of clue. Oh,
probably said so last night a check and mate? Is
that so?
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Oh? That's encouraging?
Speaker 2 (24:16):
What is it, Jeff?
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Do you know? No, sir, you don't say that with
much conviction.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Well, that's because I think he's talking to his hat.
He thinks there's a thief and someone who disposes of
what stolen per fence a matter of fact, yes, do
you know about that kind of thing? Offenses or every
knowledgeable jeweler does. Would you believe that at one time
(24:43):
Will Minton was such a man?
Speaker 1 (24:46):
Will, but I thought he was in the emport export business.
He is entirely.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
It was a very long time ago. Will's been my
friend for over twenty five years. Back in the early
fifth he was out of work. A man he'd gone
to school with turned out to be a betty thief
borrowed money from Will in exchange for a stolen watch.
Will sold it at a profit, and for a while
he was in business. I'd never guess.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
Don't mention it.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
This is confidential, Jeff. Oh, of course course, I'd take
credit for making Will come to his senses. I helped
him get started in the import export business.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
You can be sure he's very glad that I did.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
The fence business is far behind him. He'd burn a
hand before he'd handle stolen goods.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
I'm very glad to hear that I knew Whaleen was
off as rocker.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
Oh, he has his eye on Will. I think so,
and I certainly will speak to Whalen. I don't want
Will to have his past raked up and to be
embarrassed by it.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
You know what that could do ruin his business. You see,
I'm thirty. We better get back to work. Good game, Jeff,
thank you for the chats. I'll make quick work. Mister Whlen, good.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
Gracious, mister Alis. You know what that means.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
What's gone?
Speaker 2 (26:18):
Our security says it's that Indian ruby worth fifty thousand.
It's missing from mister helm showcase.
Speaker 1 (26:23):
Hell, it's impossible he's been freed.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
All the same, every one of us will have to
be searched.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
This is an outreach.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
Yeah, I sure agree, and only a day after the
emerald disappeared. We'll have to go through a lie detective test.
Speaker 1 (26:34):
That's humiliating. And think of the devil. What are you
doing here snooping around? I walked in just as the alarma.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
We are sick and tired of your snooping, mister Whlen.
I intend to recommend to mister Maudley that you be
removed from your investigation. You haven't been very effective, and
you've begun to harass the members of our staff.
Speaker 1 (26:59):
You're right, ell, as I have failed.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
I'll withdraw from the case and you'll also, I hope,
withdraw your suspicions about Will Minton. He has a record,
it's true, but he's been straight as an arrow ever
since he went into business. I told him him.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
Now that's obvious.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
Now that's what I call service. This is going to
be a new experience for me or everyone else. I'm
going to be searched. Then maybe I'll be allowed to
help the police. Well are you satisfied, mister Whelen completely?
Why are you so upset? Wouldn't you rather be searched
(27:36):
by me than by a strange cop. No matter who
such is be, it's an indignity. Now, may I put
my clothes on? Yes, and then you may go? Are
you next? I'll go, and I please, mister Whelan, don't
forget this is my Offerlay all right, stick around, I
get going, Jeff, down to the shorts, giving a coat
(27:57):
and your trousers, socks and shoes. The coat, you better
check inside the lining. I've got the ruby taped in
there with a band aid.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
I don't think that hasn't been tried. Coat seems to be.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
All right, wallet, can pencil, set, cigarettes and your handkerchief. Fuck,
perhaps you should cut open each cigarette. Mister Whalen an
ideal hiding place for a duwel Well, that's a thought
for gosh. No, no, no, mister Ellis has a very
clever idea. But I'm not going to go through fifteen
cigarettes right now. Later you're going to keep the cigarettes's
(28:32):
have the rest trousers and then I know.
Speaker 1 (28:34):
I know I'm absurd, Jeff. If you'll excuse me, I'll
see you at the cloud. Yes, sir, all right, put
your clothes on.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Huh, well what about forget your clothes? I have what
I want.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
I want to examine those chest pieces.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
So that's how you got to examine this. But the
police are in on this. Of course, we work together.
I told him about my hunch and they said, play it.
I don't see anything here. Maybe that's good.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
Just what are you looking for?
Speaker 2 (29:05):
You wouldn't believe me if I told you if you
knew what I'd found already, you'd go through the ceiling.
You found something.
Speaker 1 (29:13):
If I hadn't, you'd be in jail.
Speaker 2 (29:16):
Oh, you're really too much. No, these pieces are okay.
Speaker 1 (29:24):
Where's the phony one?
Speaker 2 (29:28):
Jeff? No, no, no, I don't have to ask you.
You came out for coffee about one o'clock.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
Yeah, that's when it was done.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
How, Jeff, give me a straight answer. Where do the
employees hang their coats when they come to work. We've
got lockers downstairs, and the executives we have closets and
their offices. That's Ella's over there.
Speaker 1 (29:52):
Wait a minute.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
He didn't wear a coat when he just left. Yeah,
but he brought one to work. I know that I'm
wearing it. When he went in to see mister Martley
at five o'clock. He was prepared to go home.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
But I found two of you in here just before
the burglar alarm went off.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
Well, mister Alice came back to get some kind of
report from mister Mortley. What's wrong with that? Every day?
So when he left a few minutes ago, he returned
to Mortaly's office and picked up his coat. Well, sure,
I suppose so, I know so, And then he just
slipped away into the track.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
Oh sure, I still don't see it here. No, obviously
you don't.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
When Eerra's left the store that Ruby left with him.
Will you trust me, Jeff, go ahead, invite me to
check and mate tonight for a game of chess. Okay,
I think I know how it's done, but I want
to see for myself. No, i'd better alert the police.
(31:01):
It is only natural that men who are avid chess
players carry their kind of thinking over into the game
of life. So far, mister Ellers seems to be playing
the white pieces and is the aggressor. Kim Whalen, several
times over the years has had to resign. This time, however,
he seems to know his opponent's strategy. We'll find out
(31:24):
more when I returned shortly with Act three, the nineteen
seventy seven Buick Regal. It comes with Buick's terrific V
six engine. It carries six people, lots of Buick comfort.
It's me it's maneuverbal in city traffic. It's the most
luxurious mid sized car.
Speaker 1 (31:40):
Buick bills.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
Yeah, this new regal is pretty much everything a car
should be except one thing. It isn't yours yet, but
it can be. To see a Buick dealer for a
test drive soon. There's a thirteenth century proverb opportunity makes
(32:16):
a thief. That's true enough, I'm sure, but it takes
a certain kind of mentality in a man or woman
to make stealing a career. I leave the explanation to
the psychiatrists. Is a person born a thief? Or do
conditions make him resort to theory? Under certain circumstances, even
an honest man will steal. But what about our mister Ellers?
(32:41):
Is he a thief? If so, why? And what about
his reformed friend Will Minton? Why? Jeff, Hi, Well, you
look as if you'd seen a ghost. Well, what's the matter?
Speaker 1 (32:54):
Nothing surprised me?
Speaker 2 (32:56):
So? Oh I thought you all of you would be
stuck for hours with the police. Oh you heard the latest?
How'd you find out? Was it on the news?
Speaker 1 (33:07):
Why uh?
Speaker 2 (33:08):
Ellis told me he called me, you know, home, said
he might be late because of what happened. Oh is
he here?
Speaker 1 (33:14):
Yeah, in the game room. I just went in.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
I stopped at the bar. Is he all right?
Speaker 1 (33:20):
Why shouldn't he be?
Speaker 2 (33:22):
He was very upset when he left his office. Two
thefts in one week.
Speaker 1 (33:25):
The police found nothing.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
No, when they made a thorough sirch, all of us
had to strip, even mister Ellis.
Speaker 1 (33:32):
I'll bet he liked that.
Speaker 2 (33:33):
Yeah, not much, but he sure was angry with Whalem.
Speaker 1 (33:36):
The insurance guy.
Speaker 2 (33:37):
M You see, he searched Ellis and me. He said
it was okay with the police.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
Unusual. Well, I'll see you later.
Speaker 2 (33:47):
Yeah, if I'm here. But how about a game? Will uh?
And not tonight?
Speaker 1 (33:51):
After I play Ellers, I have to run along some
other time. Thanks just the same, Well, sure sure have
a good game. Will thank you?
Speaker 2 (34:00):
Ful? Yes?
Speaker 1 (34:01):
Who's here?
Speaker 2 (34:01):
I would the ghost of Christmas past? Jeff Powers, that's so.
Speaker 1 (34:08):
Extraordinary. That's how strug me. What went wrong?
Speaker 2 (34:13):
I don't know. Let's begin the game, make a pretense play.
Speaker 1 (34:19):
We better call it off. Cat, you may not have
another chance. I'll play the black pieces.
Speaker 2 (34:27):
Jeff said that Willem searched him and you yes, a
humiliating experience.
Speaker 1 (34:31):
What about williem So won the King.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
For conventional well, Whalen persistant but not much imagination.
Speaker 1 (34:44):
Jeff told me that Whalen has a clue.
Speaker 2 (34:47):
I doubt that.
Speaker 1 (34:49):
Let's not prolong.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
This will surprise me in fifteen minutes it is.
Speaker 1 (34:54):
The Queen's rook has prearranged.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Yes, they're playing now in the game room. Anyone else
playing two.
Speaker 1 (35:08):
Guys I haven't seen before.
Speaker 2 (35:09):
I don't know who they are. Good. That's a funny
thing to say, Tim, You know your cloak and dagger
routine gives me a pain, and of course it does.
The kind of work I do is alien to most
persons who essentially are trusting. I'm not because I can't do.
Speaker 1 (35:24):
You should be able to understand that, and that's allowsy
way to make a living. It's that much different than
being a doctor.
Speaker 2 (35:30):
I'll come off at Tim, No, I'm serious. Crime is
a disease. Without the police or a guy like me,
you wouldn't sleep comfortably tonight, and I won't anyway. Oh
yes you will if the case will be closed within
a very few minutes. You mean you know who's been
stealing the gems yep, and I intend to prove it. Well,
if you know who it is, I want to catch
(35:51):
the thief in the act. You came here tonight to
make the arrest. No, I don't have the authority to
arrest anyone. The police will make the arrest. I came
here to watch Elas and Will Minton play a game
of chess. You can't even see them from this bar.
I realized that. I realized that earlier, when I knew
Las suspected I might have found the clue of the fests.
I wish you hadn't told him I found a clue.
(36:14):
Until then he thought I was just a bumbling amateur detective. Well,
he asked me, No great damage done. Only it did
prevent me from watching for myself. And what would you
be watching for the transfer of that ruby from the
thief to the FETs Elors to Minton? Well, how is
(36:35):
it done? Do you know? Yes, when a chess player
captures a piece, he sets it down behind the chessboard,
not Minton. Well that's true. For some reason, he shoves
the pieces and it was parking it. Damn you got it.
Think about the number of new chessmen that replace old
or broken ones here at the club, and then picture
(36:57):
the chess set in its office. All the piece is
equally worn. Sometimes, isn't there a new knight, king or rook?
I see genius, especially when the thief is the most
trusted man on the firm. Dam You're not gonna arrest
him in the club, certainly not.
Speaker 1 (37:17):
It's a fine old club.
Speaker 2 (37:19):
You don't want it harm by publicity, and neither do I.
Now there are two strangers in the game room right now,
two plain clothesmen. One of your plain clothesmen has just come.
Speaker 1 (37:31):
Out as he's leaving, so is the other man.
Speaker 2 (37:36):
We got what they wanted.
Speaker 1 (37:37):
What are you doing here, mister Whalen? But Jeff invited me,
did he?
Speaker 2 (37:41):
Indeed, after what this man has put us through, Jeff,
I should think you'd have better taste.
Speaker 1 (37:47):
May I buy you something from the bar?
Speaker 2 (37:49):
Jeff? No, thank you, mister Elisy. I was about to leave.
Speaker 1 (37:52):
You mean you and Whalen have already played.
Speaker 2 (37:54):
No, we intend to, but Jeff's a bit depressed, so
am I I'll say goodnight, busy day tomorrow my top car.
I know which one it is, the Chester Few that's
right next to Jeff's reversible.
Speaker 1 (38:07):
You'll find the book about the endgame in my left
hand coat pocket. Thank you, good night, Good night, Jeff.
If you'd like a game, Jeff, No, sir, I really
am kind of done in.
Speaker 2 (38:18):
I'll beget getting along very slow yet tonight. Can't understand it.
I'll see you in the morning. Tim. When does the
action begin? Bye?
Speaker 1 (38:30):
Now it may be over.
Speaker 2 (38:32):
I you susceptible to cools? You flipped? Are you no?
The weirdest gum show I ever heard of? Since one?
Is my health a factor? And who's got the fifty
thousand dollars Ruby? I wanted to know because I'm pretty
sure that your reversible top code has been appropriated. You
don't make any sense. Ella's is a cagy player. He
(38:52):
tipped off Will Minton to get rid of the chess piece.
Ella's missed once today.
Speaker 1 (38:58):
This was his second chance to.
Speaker 2 (39:00):
What put you behind bars? While we're waiting in Captain
O'Hara's office. So I have a surprise for you, Jeff.
So I'll have a cigarette. Yeah, but you don't smoke.
It's your brand.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
Yeah, the package is yours.
Speaker 2 (39:20):
I thought i'd return it. Oh, well, thanks, I remove
all the cigarettes. Okay, look how long.
Speaker 1 (39:28):
We're gonna play games.
Speaker 2 (39:29):
I'm exhausted.
Speaker 1 (39:30):
I want to go home and hit the side.
Speaker 2 (39:31):
Now tip the cigarette package upside down, Okay, and what
do you find?
Speaker 1 (39:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (39:39):
What the diamond good for you? It is a diamond.
It's the one taken from mister Helm's showcase and placed
in your cigarette package where it was supposed to be found. No,
when you stepped out of Ella's office for coffee, he
slipped the diamond into the package. Remember his suggestion that
I cut open the cigarettes. He said it in a
very superior manner, but Inten was very clear. He was
(40:02):
leading me by the nose to the stolen diamond, a diversion.
If you had been found with the diamond, you'd also
be suspected of having stolen the ruby, and that would
have made it much simpler for Ella's to have left
with it. Mister Ellis set out to frame me.
Speaker 1 (40:20):
What else would you call it?
Speaker 2 (40:22):
Shocked? Worse than that, Almost as bad as if my
father had double crossed me. Mister Ellis taught me everything
I know about the jewelry business. He's he's been my
friend white a joke.
Speaker 1 (40:36):
Find out he's got sticky fingers.
Speaker 2 (40:40):
Hey, you know something tim you've talked pretty big for
the last hour. You want proof, let the police have it.
That's why they let me use this office. I wanted
to talk with you alone and uncover this planet evidence.
Prepare you for the ugly truth about gentleal clever mister
Edward Ellens. Now let me show you something else here.
(41:01):
Examine it. It's a black rook. Where'd you get it from?
One of these strangers at your club? The cop that's
right now, examine the bottom of the chest beats, so
bring a little pressure on the bottom of your thumb.
I'll be done. I understand it. It's hollowed out, and
(41:21):
as there's cotton in it, and in the cotton was
that stolen ruby? It's incredible, it sure is. That's why
Ellis and Minton had made a fool of me for years.
Speaker 1 (41:34):
Yes, by and send him in.
Speaker 2 (41:38):
You mean mister Ellis stole gems and hid them in
one of the chess pieces exactly. Then he'd substitute a
new piece for the one at the false bottom, walk
out with the stolen piece and make another exchange at
your chess club with Will Minton, a well known fence.
What mister Ellis said that Will has been straight for
over twenty.
Speaker 1 (41:55):
Years, and you believe everything that Ellis says.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
Am I right, Yes, I do. The me and mister Ellens, Oh, yes,
Ellis and I have to finish the game, don't we,
mister Ellis?
Speaker 1 (42:10):
Is this necessary?
Speaker 2 (42:12):
Mister Whalen, won't you think you owe Jeff an apology?
He's disappointed in me. I feel certain because I usually win. Oh,
I see what you mean, because I took his reversible coat,
which the police took and in which they found this
those two strangers at the club, a move I overlooked,
(42:33):
Will cautioned me, but I had to take chance one
never should you do well to remember that Jeff this
has unrailed him. Just as a matter of curiosity, mister Whalen,
may I ask what gave you a clue? Two facts? First,
as the firm's oldest and most trusted member, you were
in that suspect. Second, Will Minton's habit of stuffing captured
(42:57):
chess pieces into his pocket, and of course the new
chess pieces a new black rook, and we're off a set,
a new black one here on the board where you
and Mitt and played tonight. And then you over extended
yourself about Jeffs cigarette paggage. I underestimated you. I'm afraid
(43:19):
I've denied everything. Of course all the police expected that,
but you won't get away with it.
Speaker 1 (43:25):
Will is a known de fence. My reputation is sterling.
Speaker 2 (43:30):
You've recovered the ruby, and I assume Will was seen
slipping the black rook into Jeff's reversible coat.
Speaker 1 (43:37):
So he'll do time in prison. I won't. There's no
way you can prove that I had any connection with
the theft. What if you've already proven it yourself. Don't
speak in riddles, mister Whitman.
Speaker 2 (43:50):
All right, how about this? Remember your conversation with Will
before you began to play, and the police have that
on tape.
Speaker 1 (43:59):
Mister Ellis.
Speaker 2 (44:01):
That's right, and we will, of course check further into
your financial status. You seem to be an affluent man.
Where's your share of the sales returns? Banked in Antwerp?
Probably easy to find out, Mitton will supply it? Oh
you'll move?
Speaker 1 (44:23):
I have none?
Speaker 2 (44:26):
Check me, check me. The origin of chess is lost
in obscurity. Its invention has been ascribed to the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians,
Persians who originated it. We have a famous array ranging
(44:47):
from King Solomon to Aristotle, to the Brahman Sissa and
the celebrated Persian astronomer chat Renshaw. The game never loses
its appeal because it moves parallel.
Speaker 1 (44:59):
Our own in life.
Speaker 2 (45:00):
As mister Ellers found out, I shall return shortly. Both
Ellers and Minton, of course, were imprisoned for a very
long time where the former could ponder something Thomas Huxley
(45:24):
wrote a hundred years ago. He speaks of a chess
player's opponent, and he says, we know that his play
is always fair, just and patient. But also we know,
to our cost that he never overlooks a mistake or
makes the smallest.
Speaker 1 (45:40):
Allowance for ignorance.
Speaker 2 (45:43):
And that pretty well describes our persistent insurance investigator, Tim Whylan,
so a small bow to him. Our cast included Jack Grimes,
Bobby Reddick, Roger Dukovn, and Jackson Beck. The entire production
was under the direction of Hymon Brown and now a
(46:04):
preview of our next tale. That's my name, that's me
You why that's my name, Harold Kenneth Starbright, That's who
I am. Well, obviously it's a coincidence. Harold Kenneth Starbright
(46:25):
born July first, nineteen thirty seven. That's my birthday, well died.
Look look at that date.
Speaker 3 (46:38):
Look died March fifteenth, nineteen seventy eight. March fifteenth, nineteen
seventy eight. How is that possible? I don't understand. March fifteenth,
nineteen seventy eight hasn't happened yet? Is that what's going
(46:59):
to happen to me?
Speaker 2 (47:00):
Your Mystery Theater were sponsored in part by True Value
Hardware stores.
Speaker 1 (47:06):
This is e g.
Speaker 2 (47:06):
Marshall inviting you to return to our Mystery Theater for
another adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant dreams,
Come in, welcome. I'm g Marshall.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
You're acquainted, of course, with the game of chess, so
absorbing a game of skill that Thomas Fuller wrote, when
a man's house is on fire, it's time to break
off chess. If you play the game, you understand what
he meant. Luck plays no part in it. Mistakes do
caused by the superior strategy of your opponent. You're attacked,
(00:47):
you retreat and form your defenses for the king? Can
he be saved from checkmate? Life is like that, isn't it?
Had Jeff Powers made a mistake or had he been
out maneuver Kim Whelan, an insurance investigator, wants to know.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Is this the missing diamond, Jeff?
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Where did you get that? Mister?
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Well and from the bottom of your cigarette package?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Well, that's impossible. Security at Mortalian's Son is thorough and
very tight, while at Shirdby we're one of the biggest
jewelry stores in the city and a lot of gems
have been stolen in the past few years. But I'm
not the faith mister Whale, and I swear before no, no,
no need to I know you're not Jeff. I also
know who is and I'm afraid it'll give you a
(01:33):
bad turn. Our mystery story, Your Move, Mister Ellers, was
written especially for Mystery Theater by Roy Windsor and stars
Jack Grimes and Bobby Reddick. It is sponsored in part
(01:54):
by Contact, the twelve Hour Cold Capsule and Buick Motor Division.
I'll be back shortly with that one. The standard engine
is a V eight, standard tires, steel belted radios. There
are front and rear stabilizer bars, special springs and shock valley,
fast ratio, power steering, and a rally steering wheel. What
(02:15):
makes all this interesting is that it belongs to a
full sized six passenger viewing the nineteen seventy seven the
Sabers Sport Coup You'll have to drive it to believe it.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Here in my hand is a little capsule.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
It's Contact. It contains enough coal medicine to help relieve
coal symptoms caused by every known virus. Think about that
next time you're sick, sneezing, dripping, or clogged up. Then
let us help you with real medicine by Contact.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
We're number one in the whole world. Get your coal
to contact medicine.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
What do you call take only ester red? In many ways,
life is like a game of chess. For instance, what
(03:20):
else could be meant by putting your best foot forward.
All of us try to do just that, appear at
our best to others, evaluate the other person in advance
so he doesn't think you are overly confident arrogant. Again,
to repeat, very much like a game of chess, you
must think about your opponent because he's thinking about you,
(03:41):
and one thoughtless move can be your ruin. Another costly
gem has been stolen from the showroom of Maudley and Son. Gentle,
old mister Ellers is distressed. This is terrible, terrible, mister Waylanle,
My company is very upset.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Of course, it's understand hand the.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Book, we may have to refuse to renew the insurance power.
What Maudlin Sun is the most respect Yes, yes we
realized that. But these unsolved fests have cost us tens
of thousands of dollars over the past few years. Your
company has become a bad risk. Yes, all of us
are aware of that. I don't really know what to say.
(04:21):
I've worked for the firm for thirty five years, proudly
our reputation, but we won't go into that. It's the
times years ago it was unthinkable that anyone would steal
from us. Today today an emerald worth thirty thousand dollars
was stolen from a showcase. Your security officers swear that
(04:43):
no outsider pocketed the gem, and they've said that before,
and they're honest.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
Smith. We know it's checked.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
The thief. Mister Ellis is an employee. But how every
one of us is sir inspected before.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
We leave the store. It's embarrassing but necessary. How how
is it done?
Speaker 2 (05:06):
I'm still trying to find out. You've talked with each
of our employees. I know I'll vouch for every one
of them, so will mister Martley and his son. Members
of our staff are carefully screened. They're dedicated to our
kind of work. They admire our product, appreciate the beauty
and craftsmanship of our jams.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Yes, yes, I've talked with each of them.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Miss Ellers.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
Tell me about Jeff Powers.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
You certainly don't suspect Jeff.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
I suspect everyone, but not Jeff. He's exceptional.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
I expect that young man to advance quickly in the firm.
He's bright, direct and personable. Yes, I agree, I'm very
fond of him. We share an enthusiasm for chess. You
mustn't respect my chess companion. I noticed the men set
up on your side the table. Oh, Jeff and I
often have a game at lunch. I'm over a sandwich
(06:01):
and coffee. He's quite a good player.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Chess is our hobby. I enjoy the game, mister Ellens, do.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
You I'm planned to hear it. We should play sometime.
Jeff and I belong to check and mate a private
chess club. If you'd like to be my guest, well,
thank you. Whenever you're free. Well, this Wednesday, I'll be
at the club after dinner, say nine o'clock. Fine, and
the address, I'll.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Write it down for you. Now.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
He's a fine big chess pieces, classic staunt and kind.
Wouldn't I like the field? Here you are. It'll be
a pleasure to see you, especially after this unpleasant morning.
How how do we solve the unsolvable? The stolen gems
didn't fly away, mister Ellis, and none of the staff
(06:50):
as an artificial limb quote here, Since you've thought of
that and many other possibilities such cares well, I think
it's better if I keep my own counsel or I
could turn you into a spy, but I want to help.
I know that. Just be reassuring to everyone. Keep your
eyes and ears open. Given time, a thief will.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Give himself away. He hasn't so far through.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
But we now have detailed information on everyone who works here.
By a process of elimination. I've reduced the suspects to
only a few, and you have met progress.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
I'll tell mister Mautley he'll be pleased.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
I've already told him.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
He wasn't pleased at all.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Mister Wall, Well, hello, mister Powers. Oh that was some
girling you gave us this morning at the store. The
last person I expected to see here, well, mister Ellis
invited me to have a game with him at nine.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
I'm a little early.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Are you playing? No, I had just finished. Mister Ellie
should be through pretty soon.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Who's the man he's playing with now?
Speaker 2 (07:54):
Oh it's an old pal has Will Minton the regular opponents.
Now Minton's big the queen gamb at the client opening.
But Ellis defends well against anything. He's pretty tough. Malis
and I talked about you and your chest games at lunch.
Always see nothing else. I'm not tailing you. If that's
what's got your back up.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
I'm sorry, but all of us at Martley's are pretty.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Uptight, am I an insurance investigator is supposed to produce results.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Yeah, I understand. Where are you or can't you.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Say I think I have a clue? Well? Can I
be of help? No? I don't mean spying on the others,
but I don't know talking about the staff my impressions.
Isn't that kind of thing useful? I know it is
in books, It's very use I appreciate your offer, mister Powers,
make it, Jeff, I'm tim. You know it bugs me,
(08:50):
it really does. Martley is a fine firm and he's Jim.
That's kind of tarnish its reputation. Now it has to
be one of us employees, and that's creepy. I've got
thought thought about it.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
I'm nowhere.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
You say you've got a clue. That beats me. Now,
it's my job.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
The thefts have been going on for years, and only
today did I see a glimmer of light.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
Oh, I'd like to take you up on your offer
to check. What if I drop round after my game
of your boss? Well, sure you will know where I live.
I know where everyone on the staff lives. What he does.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Spins many more things besides.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Okay, then I'll wait up for you. I'll say good
night to Ellis, games over, Minton's latest king on his side.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
And now there he is, bringing.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
His captured pieces out of his pocket. Ellas is now
ready for you.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Come on, I haven't seen that before.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Why Minton pocketing the pieces he's captured. He always does
that with everyone that's a little crazy hitting mister Ellis,
ah Year and mister Whelan, mister Whelan, will Minton, Will Minton?
My worthy though vanquished ful, I'm glad to make your
acquaint thanks you playing this tricky old devil. When you
make a stupid mistake, will you say I'm tricky. Chess
(10:06):
is the complete game, and luck plays no part in it.
You're so impetuous, bullying and flailing away, but you don't
intimidate me. I wait until you've overextended yourself, and then
I strike. I've been playing for thirty years and I
still have to listen to Edwardella's little sermons of chess truth.
(10:27):
And then I strike, And I ask you, is.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
He far out while having a game with me?
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Well, that's an idea. One condition if you win, which
is unlikely. No thirty second sermons. Agreed, absolutely, I've heard
all of them.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
He has me want at least twice a week.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
There's nothing worse than losing a game of chess. Sit down,
mister Whalen, Well, which hand you choose?
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Yeah, my closed hands, the left?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
The white pieces.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Let me turn the border around here.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
We are handsome, aren't they quite new?
Speaker 1 (11:05):
At least some of the pieces are?
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Well?
Speaker 1 (11:07):
They get hot?
Speaker 2 (11:08):
Use the club replaces the warn of broken wattens.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
All right, sir, begin well, well formed the key four
one more?
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Well, not to night, young man, but thirsty orangy? Ah, lucky.
You heard what Elis said, except for who picks the
white pieces and begins there's no luck and chess I
played like a dummy. Uh. By the way, who's the
guy with Ellis? He introduced him as Tim Whalen, prospective member. Well,
(11:48):
I don't know. Maybe he's an insurance investigator. Did mister
Allis tell you about the latest of models. Yeah, someone
copped an emerald for one of the showcases.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
Well it's a big firm.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Gott to expect the lass. Now, man Whaling give you
a going over, Oh boy, me and everyone else, mister
Ellis told me that our insurance may not be renewed.
It's kind of a slur on Martley. And you know
how mister Ellis feels about the firm. Uh, it's his life.
Oh what does Whaling say? Does he think he knows
(12:22):
who pinched the emerald? Oh? Not yet, but he did
say he had a clue. He told you that. Yeah,
he wouldn't talk about it naturally natrually.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Well, we all have our troubles.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
I'll see you another evening, Jeff, Yeah, sure, now at
thanks for the game. Can I not? By the way, Jeff,
have you any idea who stole the emerald? What? Don't
get that expression on your face? And no, you didn't
swipe it? I should hope not. If I did, i'd
report it.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
That's why I asked the question.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Don't don't? Now? What's that supposed to mean? Someone has
a lot at stake the thief. If he or she
suspects that you or anyone else knows.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Him, you could get wiped out.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
What that's serious as well? But I am rather than
risk exposure, the thief might act so ignorance is bliss?
He was serious? Aren't you very? I know you like
your job?
Speaker 1 (13:24):
But would you give up your life for Maudley and Son?
Speaker 2 (13:37):
Hi, come on in, Tim, thanks nice place. I won't
take up much of your time. Oh that's all right,
I have please sit on here by the way. How'd
you make out with mister Ellis? I'm proud to say
I played him to a drawer. Hey, you must be
good and he's.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
A cautious player. But so am I.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
You both played well.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Well. I like to play a game with you sometime.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
I will do it, I am.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
I don't know quite how to begin.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
Well at the beginning, of course, I think nuts, I'm.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
Going to make you angry.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Oh you are why because you're straight and loyal? I
don't get you. What do you know about Will Minton?
I'll be done. I didn't expect a question like that.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
And tell me what you know about him?
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Well? I like him. He's rough, but he's bright.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
Will's in the import export business.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
It's somewhere in the downtown area, and he and Ella's
are good friends for the best. The Will's a chessbug too.
They've known each other for the years. Will Minton is
another hobby. You wouldn't know anything about it. No, I
don't know him well. Personally, he's offense our receiver. I've
(14:54):
stolen good.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
Deceiver and disposal. The police know about him, and.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
So do I. How about that? So he specializes in
stolen gems? I see. So he's the clue you mentioned.
He doesn't know me, but I recognized him. Mitton's well
known for slick deals. Many of stolen Jim finds its
(15:21):
way into his hands and into Antwerp, where it's cut up.
So far he hasn't been caught.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
And you think he has the emerald stolen from Mauntley?
Speaker 2 (15:29):
SyES where did he get it? Who gave it to him?
If you're thinking what I think you're thinking, I.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Guess you've taken up all of your time.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
I haven't made an accusation, Jeff, not yet.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Yes, but your inference is obvious. Edward Ellis, you're spaced out.
Speaker 2 (15:46):
Mister Ellis is the most trusted.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
Employee at the farm.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Forget it. I respect him and I love the old man, Danny.
He's not so old, he's not sixty yet you can't
suspect him. If you even hinted that both mister Marley
and the son would throw you out, you wouldn't have
a chance to cancel the insurance they cancel it. I'm
quite a speech now that you've got all that off
your chest. Do you think you can listen to reason
(16:13):
you've made your statement? Can you listen to mine? Loyalty
is a virtue, but sometimes loyalty, like love, is blind,
and if it isn't reciprocal. If a loyal person discovers
that he has been deceived, he is stunned, angered and
(16:36):
filled with hatred. He feels diminished.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
Can we trust anyone.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Of course, but each of us, I'm sure, has experienced betrayal,
and it's hard to believe, and it makes us angry.
More on the subject, when I return with Act two,
think of your True Value Hardware store as a first
aid station, the place to find help for disabled battery
operated devices.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Hi Pat Summer all to.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
Tell you about Raiovack heavy duty super cell batteries. They
last far longer than their standard general purpose batteries.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
In fact, they can.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
Last up to two times longer in most sizes, So
they'll keep your camera, radio, tape recorder, calculator, toys, and
all battery operated devices working longer. And Raiovac backs all
these heavy duty super cells with their guarantee. If these
batteries should leak and damage any device in which they're used,
Raiovac will fix or replace that device free of charge.
(17:32):
True Value Hardware stores offer Raiovack Heavy Duty super cells
in a wide range of sizes, and they offer the
six volte LANDN Battery two for just a dollar sixty nine.
Get help for disabled battery operated devices. Railovack heavy Duty
super sell batteries from participating True value hardware stores remember
true value more than just a name their way of
(17:52):
doing business. He who filches from a person's good name
and makes him poor, indeed, is a universal truth because
(18:12):
it obtains every day in every walk of life. A
rumor can ruin a man's business career, and a well
placed hint has destroyed marriages. And this viewpoint applies here.
Jeff Powers is loyal to old Edward Ellers. Is that
loyalty well founded? It would seem to be. The insurance
(18:34):
investigator Tim Whalen has, by inference, filched from the good
name of mister Ellers because of his association with a
man named Will Minton. Hello, yeah, all right, I'll be there.
What's up, Julis you don't dare not so soon after?
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Oh big.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
Go crazy? Please all over the place. Can't we wait
a month or so? Jeff told me last night that
whaling has a clue? Yeah, any idea what it could be? What, Jeffy,
you pen it on him?
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (19:16):
It should work.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
I'll meet you at the club eight.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Okay, remember bring out the Queen rook as soon as
you can.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Yes, I'll have it with me.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Good luck, all right, Jeff? Oh, mister Whalen, can I
sell you anything? String of match pearls, the newest Swiss watch?
Or do you want to hear that? Mister helm over
there across the aisle wears a vest and it's been
dropping jewels.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Into it every time my back is turned.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
I have this mirror, you see. Don't waste your stockcas
of I knee Jeff.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
He he still angry.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
You're bad news. I suspect you're in for a great,
big shock. Jeff, I told you I just couldn't spy
on mister Ellis. He's a friend. He thought I was
spying on him. He be horrified, and it hurt.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
You played chess with him.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
You know that you're playing in his office today at lunchtime.
I guess so, well, enjoy yourself. How can I when
you allows the suspicion stuck in my mind, then you
do share it neither, not at all, but you planted
it in my mind, and it sits there. And do
what I asked. I can't, he'd wonder right away. I'm
(20:34):
no good at being devious. Now, what's devious about examining
the chess pieces? Well, I've never done it before. We play.
I capture a piece and place it on the table
next to the board and wait for his move. Now,
how can I pick up the captured piece and turn
it upside down and study it? You think I'm nuts?
Not if he's innocent, Well, you do what your conscience
(20:56):
tells you to do. I'm sorry if I distressed you,
but my job is to arrect to jewel thief. I've
got the accomplished pig, and his very good friend is
Edward Ellers.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
The natural conclusion. Look, why don't you get lost?
Speaker 2 (21:10):
Are you loyal to the firm or to Ellen's You
want to protect one man at the expense of the others.
You have nothing on Ellis and you know it. Confront them,
make your charge against him, because I'm in the chess
pieces yourself. Why not if I show my hand too, quickly,
I'll come up with a blank. Don't you think that
Ella's is a chess player, has anticipated any move I
might make? Well, of course he has. That's why I
(21:33):
need your help, not your privilege, to refuse, and I'll
have to work through.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Will Minton, will you do that?
Speaker 2 (21:39):
I don't want any party a dirty scheme.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
Okay, don't get caught on the switches?
Speaker 2 (21:45):
And what's that supposed to mean? Elle of Ella's feels
that I've got a clue to the identity of the
thief he'll act. I see Ella's wonders about your interest
in me, suspects that I might be dangerous, and some
dark and gloomy night shoots me with a gun with
a silencer. You know something, Tim, except that all of
(22:06):
this is so ugly. I find it funny. I don't
make that mistake. It isn't funny at all.
Speaker 1 (22:17):
Very well played, Jeff, I congratulate you. You've been studying,
oh little.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
My end game is getting stronger, isn't it? Oh much? Much?
Speaker 1 (22:26):
Very good defense?
Speaker 2 (22:27):
And I may say so again. What you must do
is never to forget the cardinal rule of once attacked,
once defended.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
You know that, But Mike, will you sometimes become habituous.
I enjoyed our game. Come about another cup of coffee?
Speaker 2 (22:43):
Well me too, that I'll get to mister ellis not
only a good chess player, but a gentleman too. While
I won't be but a minute, take your time.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
It's only one o'clock.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
I have a good game. No you again, I told
you to get lost him.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
I'm hard of hearing.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
Okay, now, what did you look at the pieces?
Speaker 1 (23:04):
No?
Speaker 2 (23:05):
I did not come on my way to get some coffee.
Do you want a cup? We'll have it in Ella's
office and you can hold him while I search everything.
You're going to be a check and mate tonight. Don't
tell me you're coming around again. Yes, I think so.
But careful with those cups. Just fill it. I know
what I'd like to do with them. Thank you, Jeff,
(23:27):
Just what I needed. By the way, was that whaling
out there? I thought I noticed him through my door. Yeah,
it was whaling, all right. He's always out there. It
seems he's driving all of us crazy. Oh dear, that's
not right, is it. He's a very conscientious man. I
know he's determined that this time he'll capture the thief.
(23:48):
But I don't want him to harass the staff. I
leave my cigarettes. Oh the chest table. Excuse me, mister Ellis,
you were saying, I'll speak to mister Whalon.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
He's turned all of us inside out and he's found nothing.
I'll ask him to drop the investigation until he has
a lead, and that.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
May be never. Oh he has some kind of clue. Oh,
probably said so last night a check and mate? Is
that so?
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Oh? That's encouraging?
Speaker 2 (24:16):
What is it, Jeff?
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Do you know? No, sir, you don't say that with
much conviction.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Well, that's because I think he's talking to his hat.
He thinks there's a thief and someone who disposes of
what stolen per fence a matter of fact, yes, do
you know about that kind of thing? Offenses or every
knowledgeable jeweler does. Would you believe that at one time
(24:43):
Will Minton was such a man?
Speaker 1 (24:46):
Will, but I thought he was in the emport export business.
He is entirely.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
It was a very long time ago. Will's been my
friend for over twenty five years. Back in the early
fifth he was out of work. A man he'd gone
to school with turned out to be a betty thief
borrowed money from Will in exchange for a stolen watch.
Will sold it at a profit, and for a while
he was in business. I'd never guess.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
Don't mention it.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
This is confidential, Jeff. Oh, of course course, I'd take
credit for making Will come to his senses. I helped
him get started in the import export business.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
You can be sure he's very glad that I did.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
The fence business is far behind him. He'd burn a
hand before he'd handle stolen goods.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
I'm very glad to hear that I knew Whaleen was
off as rocker.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
Oh, he has his eye on Will. I think so,
and I certainly will speak to Whalen. I don't want
Will to have his past raked up and to be
embarrassed by it.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
You know what that could do ruin his business. You see,
I'm thirty. We better get back to work. Good game, Jeff,
thank you for the chats. I'll make quick work. Mister Whlen, good.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
Gracious, mister Alis. You know what that means.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
What's gone?
Speaker 2 (26:18):
Our security says it's that Indian ruby worth fifty thousand.
It's missing from mister helm showcase.
Speaker 1 (26:23):
Hell, it's impossible he's been freed.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
All the same, every one of us will have to
be searched.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
This is an outreach.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
Yeah, I sure agree, and only a day after the
emerald disappeared. We'll have to go through a lie detective test.
Speaker 1 (26:34):
That's humiliating. And think of the devil. What are you
doing here snooping around? I walked in just as the alarma.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
We are sick and tired of your snooping, mister Whlen.
I intend to recommend to mister Maudley that you be
removed from your investigation. You haven't been very effective, and
you've begun to harass the members of our staff.
Speaker 1 (26:59):
You're right, ell, as I have failed.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
I'll withdraw from the case and you'll also, I hope,
withdraw your suspicions about Will Minton. He has a record,
it's true, but he's been straight as an arrow ever
since he went into business. I told him him.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
Now that's obvious.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
Now that's what I call service. This is going to
be a new experience for me or everyone else. I'm
going to be searched. Then maybe I'll be allowed to
help the police. Well are you satisfied, mister Whelen completely?
Why are you so upset? Wouldn't you rather be searched
(27:36):
by me than by a strange cop. No matter who
such is be, it's an indignity. Now, may I put
my clothes on? Yes, and then you may go? Are
you next? I'll go, and I please, mister Whelan, don't
forget this is my Offerlay all right, stick around, I
get going, Jeff, down to the shorts, giving a coat
(27:57):
and your trousers, socks and shoes. The coat, you better
check inside the lining. I've got the ruby taped in
there with a band aid.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
I don't think that hasn't been tried. Coat seems to be.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
All right, wallet, can pencil, set, cigarettes and your handkerchief. Fuck,
perhaps you should cut open each cigarette. Mister Whalen an
ideal hiding place for a duwel Well, that's a thought
for gosh. No, no, no, mister Ellis has a very
clever idea. But I'm not going to go through fifteen
cigarettes right now. Later you're going to keep the cigarettes's
(28:32):
have the rest trousers and then I know.
Speaker 1 (28:34):
I know I'm absurd, Jeff. If you'll excuse me, I'll
see you at the cloud. Yes, sir, all right, put
your clothes on.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Huh, well what about forget your clothes? I have what
I want.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
I want to examine those chest pieces.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
So that's how you got to examine this. But the
police are in on this. Of course, we work together.
I told him about my hunch and they said, play it.
I don't see anything here. Maybe that's good.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
Just what are you looking for?
Speaker 2 (29:05):
You wouldn't believe me if I told you if you
knew what I'd found already, you'd go through the ceiling.
You found something.
Speaker 1 (29:13):
If I hadn't, you'd be in jail.
Speaker 2 (29:16):
Oh, you're really too much. No, these pieces are okay.
Speaker 1 (29:24):
Where's the phony one?
Speaker 2 (29:28):
Jeff? No, no, no, I don't have to ask you.
You came out for coffee about one o'clock.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
Yeah, that's when it was done.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
How, Jeff, give me a straight answer. Where do the
employees hang their coats when they come to work. We've
got lockers downstairs, and the executives we have closets and
their offices. That's Ella's over there.
Speaker 1 (29:52):
Wait a minute.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
He didn't wear a coat when he just left. Yeah,
but he brought one to work. I know that I'm
wearing it. When he went in to see mister Martley
at five o'clock. He was prepared to go home.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
But I found two of you in here just before
the burglar alarm went off.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
Well, mister Alice came back to get some kind of
report from mister Mortley. What's wrong with that? Every day?
So when he left a few minutes ago, he returned
to Mortaly's office and picked up his coat. Well, sure,
I suppose so, I know so, And then he just
slipped away into the track.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
Oh sure, I still don't see it here. No, obviously
you don't.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
When Eerra's left the store that Ruby left with him.
Will you trust me, Jeff, go ahead, invite me to
check and mate tonight for a game of chess. Okay,
I think I know how it's done, but I want
to see for myself. No, i'd better alert the police.
(31:01):
It is only natural that men who are avid chess
players carry their kind of thinking over into the game
of life. So far, mister Ellers seems to be playing
the white pieces and is the aggressor. Kim Whalen, several
times over the years has had to resign. This time, however,
he seems to know his opponent's strategy. We'll find out
(31:24):
more when I returned shortly with Act three, the nineteen
seventy seven Buick Regal. It comes with Buick's terrific V
six engine. It carries six people, lots of Buick comfort.
It's me it's maneuverbal in city traffic. It's the most
luxurious mid sized car.
Speaker 1 (31:40):
Buick bills.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
Yeah, this new regal is pretty much everything a car
should be except one thing. It isn't yours yet, but
it can be. To see a Buick dealer for a
test drive soon. There's a thirteenth century proverb opportunity makes
(32:16):
a thief. That's true enough, I'm sure, but it takes
a certain kind of mentality in a man or woman
to make stealing a career. I leave the explanation to
the psychiatrists. Is a person born a thief? Or do
conditions make him resort to theory? Under certain circumstances, even
an honest man will steal. But what about our mister Ellers?
(32:41):
Is he a thief? If so, why? And what about
his reformed friend Will Minton? Why? Jeff, Hi, Well, you
look as if you'd seen a ghost. Well, what's the matter?
Speaker 1 (32:54):
Nothing surprised me?
Speaker 2 (32:56):
So? Oh I thought you all of you would be
stuck for hours with the police. Oh you heard the latest?
How'd you find out? Was it on the news?
Speaker 1 (33:07):
Why uh?
Speaker 2 (33:08):
Ellis told me he called me, you know, home, said
he might be late because of what happened. Oh is
he here?
Speaker 1 (33:14):
Yeah, in the game room. I just went in.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
I stopped at the bar. Is he all right?
Speaker 1 (33:20):
Why shouldn't he be?
Speaker 2 (33:22):
He was very upset when he left his office. Two
thefts in one week.
Speaker 1 (33:25):
The police found nothing.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
No, when they made a thorough sirch, all of us
had to strip, even mister Ellis.
Speaker 1 (33:32):
I'll bet he liked that.
Speaker 2 (33:33):
Yeah, not much, but he sure was angry with Whalem.
Speaker 1 (33:36):
The insurance guy.
Speaker 2 (33:37):
M You see, he searched Ellis and me. He said
it was okay with the police.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
Unusual. Well, I'll see you later.
Speaker 2 (33:47):
Yeah, if I'm here. But how about a game? Will uh?
And not tonight?
Speaker 1 (33:51):
After I play Ellers, I have to run along some
other time. Thanks just the same, Well, sure sure have
a good game. Will thank you?
Speaker 2 (34:00):
Ful? Yes?
Speaker 1 (34:01):
Who's here?
Speaker 2 (34:01):
I would the ghost of Christmas past? Jeff Powers, that's so.
Speaker 1 (34:08):
Extraordinary. That's how strug me. What went wrong?
Speaker 2 (34:13):
I don't know. Let's begin the game, make a pretense play.
Speaker 1 (34:19):
We better call it off. Cat, you may not have
another chance. I'll play the black pieces.
Speaker 2 (34:27):
Jeff said that Willem searched him and you yes, a
humiliating experience.
Speaker 1 (34:31):
What about williem So won the King.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
For conventional well, Whalen persistant but not much imagination.
Speaker 1 (34:44):
Jeff told me that Whalen has a clue.
Speaker 2 (34:47):
I doubt that.
Speaker 1 (34:49):
Let's not prolong.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
This will surprise me in fifteen minutes it is.
Speaker 1 (34:54):
The Queen's rook has prearranged.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Yes, they're playing now in the game room. Anyone else
playing two.
Speaker 1 (35:08):
Guys I haven't seen before.
Speaker 2 (35:09):
I don't know who they are. Good. That's a funny
thing to say, Tim, You know your cloak and dagger
routine gives me a pain, and of course it does.
The kind of work I do is alien to most
persons who essentially are trusting. I'm not because I can't do.
Speaker 1 (35:24):
You should be able to understand that, and that's allowsy
way to make a living. It's that much different than
being a doctor.
Speaker 2 (35:30):
I'll come off at Tim, No, I'm serious. Crime is
a disease. Without the police or a guy like me,
you wouldn't sleep comfortably tonight, and I won't anyway. Oh
yes you will if the case will be closed within
a very few minutes. You mean you know who's been
stealing the gems yep, and I intend to prove it. Well,
if you know who it is, I want to catch
(35:51):
the thief in the act. You came here tonight to
make the arrest. No, I don't have the authority to
arrest anyone. The police will make the arrest. I came
here to watch Elas and Will Minton play a game
of chess. You can't even see them from this bar.
I realized that. I realized that earlier, when I knew
Las suspected I might have found the clue of the fests.
I wish you hadn't told him I found a clue.
(36:14):
Until then he thought I was just a bumbling amateur detective. Well,
he asked me, No great damage done. Only it did
prevent me from watching for myself. And what would you
be watching for the transfer of that ruby from the
thief to the FETs Elors to Minton? Well, how is
(36:35):
it done? Do you know? Yes, when a chess player
captures a piece, he sets it down behind the chessboard,
not Minton. Well that's true. For some reason, he shoves
the pieces and it was parking it. Damn you got it.
Think about the number of new chessmen that replace old
or broken ones here at the club, and then picture
(36:57):
the chess set in its office. All the piece is
equally worn. Sometimes, isn't there a new knight, king or rook?
I see genius, especially when the thief is the most
trusted man on the firm. Dam You're not gonna arrest
him in the club, certainly not.
Speaker 1 (37:17):
It's a fine old club.
Speaker 2 (37:19):
You don't want it harm by publicity, and neither do I.
Now there are two strangers in the game room right now,
two plain clothesmen. One of your plain clothesmen has just come.
Speaker 1 (37:31):
Out as he's leaving, so is the other man.
Speaker 2 (37:36):
We got what they wanted.
Speaker 1 (37:37):
What are you doing here, mister Whalen? But Jeff invited me,
did he?
Speaker 2 (37:41):
Indeed, after what this man has put us through, Jeff,
I should think you'd have better taste.
Speaker 1 (37:47):
May I buy you something from the bar?
Speaker 2 (37:49):
Jeff? No, thank you, mister Elisy. I was about to leave.
Speaker 1 (37:52):
You mean you and Whalen have already played.
Speaker 2 (37:54):
No, we intend to, but Jeff's a bit depressed, so
am I I'll say goodnight, busy day tomorrow my top car.
I know which one it is, the Chester Few that's
right next to Jeff's reversible.
Speaker 1 (38:07):
You'll find the book about the endgame in my left
hand coat pocket. Thank you, good night, Good night, Jeff.
If you'd like a game, Jeff, No, sir, I really
am kind of done in.
Speaker 2 (38:18):
I'll beget getting along very slow yet tonight. Can't understand it.
I'll see you in the morning. Tim. When does the
action begin? Bye?
Speaker 1 (38:30):
Now it may be over.
Speaker 2 (38:32):
I you susceptible to cools? You flipped? Are you no?
The weirdest gum show I ever heard of? Since one?
Is my health a factor? And who's got the fifty
thousand dollars Ruby? I wanted to know because I'm pretty
sure that your reversible top code has been appropriated. You
don't make any sense. Ella's is a cagy player. He
(38:52):
tipped off Will Minton to get rid of the chess piece.
Ella's missed once today.
Speaker 1 (38:58):
This was his second chance to.
Speaker 2 (39:00):
What put you behind bars? While we're waiting in Captain
O'Hara's office. So I have a surprise for you, Jeff.
So I'll have a cigarette. Yeah, but you don't smoke.
It's your brand.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
Yeah, the package is yours.
Speaker 2 (39:20):
I thought i'd return it. Oh, well, thanks, I remove
all the cigarettes. Okay, look how long.
Speaker 1 (39:28):
We're gonna play games.
Speaker 2 (39:29):
I'm exhausted.
Speaker 1 (39:30):
I want to go home and hit the side.
Speaker 2 (39:31):
Now tip the cigarette package upside down, Okay, and what
do you find?
Speaker 1 (39:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (39:39):
What the diamond good for you? It is a diamond.
It's the one taken from mister Helm's showcase and placed
in your cigarette package where it was supposed to be found. No,
when you stepped out of Ella's office for coffee, he
slipped the diamond into the package. Remember his suggestion that
I cut open the cigarettes. He said it in a
very superior manner, but Inten was very clear. He was
(40:02):
leading me by the nose to the stolen diamond, a diversion.
If you had been found with the diamond, you'd also
be suspected of having stolen the ruby, and that would
have made it much simpler for Ella's to have left
with it. Mister Ellis set out to frame me.
Speaker 1 (40:20):
What else would you call it?
Speaker 2 (40:22):
Shocked? Worse than that, Almost as bad as if my
father had double crossed me. Mister Ellis taught me everything
I know about the jewelry business. He's he's been my
friend white a joke.
Speaker 1 (40:36):
Find out he's got sticky fingers.
Speaker 2 (40:40):
Hey, you know something tim you've talked pretty big for
the last hour. You want proof, let the police have it.
That's why they let me use this office. I wanted
to talk with you alone and uncover this planet evidence.
Prepare you for the ugly truth about gentleal clever mister
Edward Ellens. Now let me show you something else here.
(41:01):
Examine it. It's a black rook. Where'd you get it from?
One of these strangers at your club? The cop that's
right now, examine the bottom of the chest beats, so
bring a little pressure on the bottom of your thumb.
I'll be done. I understand it. It's hollowed out, and
(41:21):
as there's cotton in it, and in the cotton was
that stolen ruby? It's incredible, it sure is. That's why
Ellis and Minton had made a fool of me for years.
Speaker 1 (41:34):
Yes, by and send him in.
Speaker 2 (41:38):
You mean mister Ellis stole gems and hid them in
one of the chess pieces exactly. Then he'd substitute a
new piece for the one at the false bottom, walk
out with the stolen piece and make another exchange at
your chess club with Will Minton, a well known fence.
What mister Ellis said that Will has been straight for
over twenty.
Speaker 1 (41:55):
Years, and you believe everything that Ellis says.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
Am I right, Yes, I do. The me and mister Ellens, Oh, yes,
Ellis and I have to finish the game, don't we,
mister Ellis?
Speaker 1 (42:10):
Is this necessary?
Speaker 2 (42:12):
Mister Whalen, won't you think you owe Jeff an apology?
He's disappointed in me. I feel certain because I usually win. Oh,
I see what you mean, because I took his reversible coat,
which the police took and in which they found this
those two strangers at the club, a move I overlooked,
(42:33):
Will cautioned me, but I had to take chance one
never should you do well to remember that Jeff this
has unrailed him. Just as a matter of curiosity, mister Whalen,
may I ask what gave you a clue? Two facts? First,
as the firm's oldest and most trusted member, you were
in that suspect. Second, Will Minton's habit of stuffing captured
(42:57):
chess pieces into his pocket, and of course the new
chess pieces a new black rook, and we're off a set,
a new black one here on the board where you
and Mitt and played tonight. And then you over extended
yourself about Jeffs cigarette paggage. I underestimated you. I'm afraid
(43:19):
I've denied everything. Of course all the police expected that,
but you won't get away with it.
Speaker 1 (43:25):
Will is a known de fence. My reputation is sterling.
Speaker 2 (43:30):
You've recovered the ruby, and I assume Will was seen
slipping the black rook into Jeff's reversible coat.
Speaker 1 (43:37):
So he'll do time in prison. I won't. There's no
way you can prove that I had any connection with
the theft. What if you've already proven it yourself. Don't
speak in riddles, mister Whitman.
Speaker 2 (43:50):
All right, how about this? Remember your conversation with Will
before you began to play, and the police have that
on tape.
Speaker 1 (43:59):
Mister Ellis.
Speaker 2 (44:01):
That's right, and we will, of course check further into
your financial status. You seem to be an affluent man.
Where's your share of the sales returns? Banked in Antwerp?
Probably easy to find out, Mitton will supply it? Oh
you'll move?
Speaker 1 (44:23):
I have none?
Speaker 2 (44:26):
Check me, check me. The origin of chess is lost
in obscurity. Its invention has been ascribed to the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians,
Persians who originated it. We have a famous array ranging
(44:47):
from King Solomon to Aristotle, to the Brahman Sissa and
the celebrated Persian astronomer chat Renshaw. The game never loses
its appeal because it moves parallel.
Speaker 1 (44:59):
Our own in life.
Speaker 2 (45:00):
As mister Ellers found out, I shall return shortly. Both
Ellers and Minton, of course, were imprisoned for a very
long time where the former could ponder something Thomas Huxley
(45:24):
wrote a hundred years ago. He speaks of a chess
player's opponent, and he says, we know that his play
is always fair, just and patient. But also we know,
to our cost that he never overlooks a mistake or
makes the smallest.
Speaker 1 (45:40):
Allowance for ignorance.
Speaker 2 (45:43):
And that pretty well describes our persistent insurance investigator, Tim Whylan,
so a small bow to him. Our cast included Jack Grimes,
Bobby Reddick, Roger Dukovn, and Jackson Beck. The entire production
was under the direction of Hymon Brown and now a
(46:04):
preview of our next tale. That's my name, that's me
You why that's my name, Harold Kenneth Starbright, That's who
I am. Well, obviously it's a coincidence. Harold Kenneth Starbright
(46:25):
born July first, nineteen thirty seven. That's my birthday, well died.
Look look at that date.
Speaker 3 (46:38):
Look died March fifteenth, nineteen seventy eight. March fifteenth, nineteen
seventy eight. How is that possible? I don't understand. March fifteenth,
nineteen seventy eight hasn't happened yet? Is that what's going
(46:59):
to happen to me?
Speaker 2 (47:00):
Your Mystery Theater were sponsored in part by True Value
Hardware stores.
Speaker 1 (47:06):
This is e g.
Speaker 2 (47:06):
Marshall inviting you to return to our Mystery Theater for
another adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant dreams,
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.