May 30, 2025 • 32 mins
Original Release Date: March 15, 2010
Dan Holiday goes to help an old college professor friend whose fiance unexpectedly leaved him when her uncle died. The professor ends up facing a murder charge and Holiday has to clear him.
Original Air Date: May 19, 1948
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Dan Holiday goes to help an old college professor friend whose fiance unexpectedly leaved him when her uncle died. The professor ends up facing a murder charge and Holiday has to clear him.
Original Air Date: May 19, 1948
Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net
Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.‘
Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715
Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net
Give us a call 208-991-4783
Become one of our friends on Facebook.
Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
Check out our social media at https://www.greatdetectives.net
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:28):
Welcome to the Great Detectives of OldTime Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
is your host, Adam Graham.If you have any comments, email them
to meet Box thirteen at Great Detectivesdot net. Please cast your vote for
the show on Podcast Ali Podcast Alidot Great Detectives dot net, and remember
to follow the show on Twitter atRadio Detectives. Everybody enjoyed the Multese Falcon.
(00:53):
Because I'm actually recording eight days before, I'm just starting to get comments
regarding the movie. Laurie Holt says, uh, sorry, but I just
love this old stuff. And shealso says she just loves the old radio
podcast, and Jennifer Moulding says,don't apologized, Linda, I love the
(01:15):
first podcast movie. Sherlock Holmes thatyou're refreshing to watch old black and white
movies as they were first screen.I hate the colorized movies. The late
mister Jemmy Stewart would definitely agree withyou. He was such a crusader against
colorizing old black and white movies thathe testified before Congress on it. I
(01:38):
actually I have to say, therereally can be a certain beauty in an
art about the black and white movies. If they're preserved right and reproduced right.
I saw one great example of thisis the Voice of Terror, the
(01:59):
first of the universal Sherlock Holmes films, and the colorization it looked just so
fain. I mean not the colorization, but the black and white. They
just preserved it so well and itlooks so well. Some of the prints
we're going to have to deal withfor our shows are not in as good
as shape, but still it's niceto see the black and white. Well,
(02:21):
we're gonna get into today's episode ofBox thirteen. It's called this one's
called The Professor and the Puzzle.Before we do that, though, I
do want to let you know abouta product I found a very useful.
It's my Roku. A Roku isa great device that you're able to use
with an Internet connection to bring thebest of the Internet to your television.
(02:44):
I've talked about how it can workgreat for Netflix. You can also purchase
digital movies off of Amazon and beable to watch them right on your television
with the Roku. You can useit with your Flicker account also with MLB
TV. Encourage encourage you to checkout a Roku trot for yourself. It
started as little as eighty dollars.Go to Great Detectors dot net, click
(03:07):
on the Roku link or go toRoku dot Great Detectives dot Net. But
now let's get into today's episode ofBox thirteen. Box thirteen with the star
of Paramount Fixtures, Alan Ladd asDan Holiday. Dear Dan, I know
(03:38):
all about your Box thirteen ad andthe Star times, but I'm writing to
you as a friend to come andsee it. As you know, I'm
teaching at Radell College, not toofar from where you are. Thankfully.
I've got a problem. I don'tknow whether it's anything matter of the fact,
(03:59):
it's sort of personal, but well, will you come to see me?
Bob Lann Yeah, it was apersonal problem all right at first.
Then the whole thing got tangled aroundup to my neck. And now back
(04:24):
to Box thirteen and Dan Holiday's newestadventure, The Professor and the Puzzle.
Maybe you'll be a kind of avacation for you, mister Holiday. Good
days, Susie. But somehow Ihave a habit of running into trouble or
its runs into meet Well, whydon't you be careful? In Oh no,
(04:44):
who has fun that way? Rememberthat old thing never trouble, trouble
until it. Oh no, that'swrong, it's it's never trouble trouble until
No, it's next. Tell youwhat, Susie, you keep working on
it. I'll be back in say, say a week. But out College
is the northern part of the state, was one of those little places where
(05:08):
classes are more important than football,and education is still a prime reason for
the buildings being there. I droveto the campus, found the teachers Club
where Bob stayed he was a bachelor, and later at dinner, I don't
know, Dan, maybe all thisis silly, but oh I thought perhaps
you could help. I can't unlessI know I wasn't troubling you. Well,
I I was engaged to be married. Was who changed whose mind?
(05:32):
Evelyn? I mean she changed hers? Oh oh, I'm sorry, Bob.
What happened? Well, I don'tknow, Dan. Everything was fine
for a while and then poof,it's all off. And you don't know
why. Now they just say something, do anything, not that I know
of, But but what, Bob, listen, let's forget it. I
(05:53):
almost sent your wire telling you toforget my letter, but you didn't,
which means you've got something else onyour mind. Wander spellin. All right,
but don't let Evelyn know I toldyou. Well, of course not
everything was fine as I said,until until her uncle committed suicide. Suicide.
Oh I'm sorry. Run now she'sgoing to marry ed Macklin. Oh
(06:15):
no, wait a minute. Heruncle killed himself and that makes a breaker
engagement with you and tie up withthis Macklin doesn't make much sense, doesn't
not enough to do much good,that's all, you know. Yes,
just a day or so before beforehe died, Evelyn sent back my ring
just like that. Oh there wasa note, but it wasn't an explanation,
(06:36):
just that she thought it wouldn't work. No, hinted that before uncle's
dad. None, dam absolutely none. That's what's got me stumped. But
I could understand it if Ufre wasn'tEd Macklin. He's lots older than she
has white. It was a kindof a joke between us that he is.
Who is Ed Macklin. Well,he was her uncle's assistant assistant.
(06:58):
I'm making this as clear as amud puddle. But Evelyn's uncle, or
Professor Gardner, was professor of mineralogy. Macklin was his laboratory assistant and that's
all I know. You're sure,of course, all right. Now the
sixty four dollar question, why didProfessor Gardner kill himself? Dan, believe
(07:20):
me when I tell you he didn'thave a reason in the world, not
a single reason. Well, thatmade as much sense as double talk from
Alice in Wonderland. Bob stuck toit too. The Professor Gardner didn't have
a reason to kill himself. Evelynseemed had been raised by him. He
(07:43):
was like a father too. Hewas respected, well liked, famous in
a small way for his pamphlein's articles. And I got an explanation of his
speciality later from Bob in his rooms. He was a crystallographer, Dan.
That means he studied the crystallization ofmen gerals. You see, each mineral
has its own particular crystalline formation.Salt, for example, it's common table
(08:05):
salt crystallizes in a particular way,Galina. We used to call it the
crystal in the old radio sets.You remember, that has another form of
crystallization. A Professor Gardner was anexpert. Was he working too hard?
I don't think so. It wasnever worked for him. Oh, I
see, Well, what do Ido now? I don't know. I
(08:28):
thought maybe you could. Well,I guess it's hopeless. Look, Bob,
is it certain the Professor Gardner killedhimself? What do you mean?
Well, you said there was noreason for suicide. That wasn't Would anyone
have wanted to kill him? No, you're sure, But I said no,
(08:48):
everybody liked him. Maybe somebody didn't. I didn't know of anyone.
Suddenly Evelyn breaks off and engaging withyou just after. Oh look, Dan,
I'm sorry I got you up here. I guess I was stupid to
write to you. Go back andforget the whole thing. Afraid Ovens involved.
That's what's in the back of yourmind. But you're faid to say,
okay, okay, okay, Bob, still want me to go back?
(09:09):
Well, no, now you findout what you can, Dan without
getting anyone in trouble. Trouble asI've had a habit of popping him.
I don't want it to But youstill want me to stay. I guess
so. All right, But getthis straight, Bob. I am not
(09:31):
a detective. What do you meanby that? If I find anything fishy
about this, I'll have to callthe police. They've already been in all
right, I'll start from here.For the rest of the evening, we
(09:52):
sat and talked. Bob was nervous. He wanted me to help because,
well because he was in love withEvelyn. But he didn't want me to
help because he was afraid of whatmight turn up. Well, what could
turn up? I found out.It was the next morning that I put
him a call to Lieutenant Clean.Waited a half hour, then ambled down
(10:13):
to the local police department of adelOh here's mister holiday. Lieutenant Clean call
here told me about you. Iasked him to names Carson. I'm chief
please here, Yes, I knowI can do for you. Son.
Well, if I'm butting in orI don't belong, just say so.
Will You can't tell that he's beenout? What's on your mind? Chief
(10:35):
Carson leaned back, lighted the corncob pipe and waited for me to stop
talking. I liked him. Behindthat pink face was a good shrewd mind.
I told him I had come toAdele and when I'd finished, you
ain't a detective, No, noteven a private one. He used to
helping a friend me. That's all. Well, can't say as I can
(10:56):
tell you any more than Bob Lenhamdid. You're sure, yep, Tom
Professor Gardner in his laboratory. Oh, at the college. No, he
had little workshop back of his house. He was shitting at his table there,
his own gun in his hand,shot himself through the heart. Oh
something sound odd to you, sir? Yes, A man doesn't usually kill
(11:18):
himself that way, that's right,usually in the head. But that's the
way it was. Mmmm. Tommy, are you satisfied with the case?
Chief Custon not a be son,which means you're not nor here son.
I'm only a small town policeman,but I do my work best to can.
Yes, I know. And thething that's puzzling you is wise,
(11:39):
should Professor Gardner have killed himself?Eh? Or if he didn't, who
else would it? And as noone else nobody stood to gain? Nothing?
Wasn't a rich man his niece mNo, I'm sure she didn't.
What about Ed macklan? And nothingto gain? Can it? Mark down
a suicide? Son? Hes deadends a blind rabbit burrow? And so
(12:09):
it was a dead end. Ididn't press Chief Constant any further. He
was shot enough to look for clues, and it just won't any I went
back to Bob's rooms and stopped outsidethe door. Sona as though a squad
as we're going on with hot music. I held him the dark fast all
right, break it up, comeon, come on, freak it up.
Bodn, get out of the way. I cut it out, let
(12:35):
him, come on, get outof here, Maclin. But now sure,
I'm trying to see even once more, and I'll be heading in this
a. He's a little bigger thanyou are, Bob, all around,
I'll kill him. No, no, take it easy. What happened?
I I tried to see evil inthis afternoon. She wouldn't talk to me.
(12:58):
Macklin came in a couple of minutesago, and and you saw what
was happening? Yeah, yeah,I did. It's a nice eye you've
got there. Shut up. Ohno, look remember me. I'm sorry
Dan. Okay, so that's Macklin. Sit down, bom, I don't
want to sit down. Sit down, all right? Now, that's better.
(13:22):
Now how far do you think you'regoing to get by running into his
fist? Oh listen, Dan,I've got to see Evelyn. I've got
to find out what's going on.All right, maybe we will. Why
is Macklin a friend to let youtalk to Evelyn. I don't know,
Dan, I take it he's wellto use an old fashioned word of rival.
I never thought so. But then, but then, just before her
uncle's suicide, she suddenly switches toMacklin. But why why should she?
(13:46):
If you find the answer to that, Bob will find out a lot of
things. Now, let's get aside of beef and fix up that eye.
You're gonna look pretty silly teaching classtomorrow with a shiner. He didn't
look silly in class, you see, you never got there. The next
(14:07):
morning, I was pulled out ofa nice deep sleep by nobody. Who
oh, hello Dan? Yeah,sure, Bob, Yeah, Dan,
I'm in trouble. Great, Howcould you get in trouble at six in
the morning. That's too early.It's I'm in jail for what we're killing
(14:33):
it him. I believe here,But look, Hown't you got any alibi
at all for last night? No? And you left me. I went
for a walk to think things over. Fine, fine, everybody goes for
walks when somebody gets killed. Thetime was maclan kill just about the time
(14:56):
I was out for that walk.No day, nice, hello, chief?
You want some breakfast? Son?No? No, nothing, You
gotta eating. That's some ham andegg nothing. I said, bring it,
Chief, you'll eat it. Youwant anything? Meaning me? Yeah,
okay, thanks? Not cool?Looks bad doing it? Yeah.
(15:18):
Why did you arrest Bob? Youought no sin? So the fight there
was heaven. One of the teachersliving next door to Bob here heard it.
Uh yeah, well it looks likeyou've got a motive. Chief,
Mac then takes his girl. Theyget in the fight. I didn't kill
him now, I want to believethat, But Chief, I'd like to
talk to Bob. I can't.H Oh, all right, get the
(15:41):
ham and eggs, be back inmaybe ten minutes. Don't you believe me,
Dan? Oh, of course Ido. Bob. Look, how
was Macklin killed knife his own?Uh? Huh, I'll listen. I
got to see Evelyn. What for? Because I believe everything goes back to
her uncle and his death. HowI don't know. I'd like to find
(16:06):
out. Nothing makes sense. Nobodyhad a motive for killing Professor Gardner,
and everyone says he couldn't have killedhimself because he didn't have a reason.
So what have you got? Whathave I got? Bye? Bye?
I haven't the faintest idea yet.And now back to the professor on the
(16:34):
puzzle for another Box thirteen adventure withAlan Land as Dan Holliday. I didn't
have a thing, not a thingto go on. Bob was in a
spot, but a good one.He had motive opportunity, Yet I didn't
think he'd kill I believed he couldn't. And I kept thinking that Professor Gardeners
(17:00):
suicide had something to do with Backland'smurder. But how a harmless professor kills
himself? His niece suddenly breaks offher engagement and switches to another man,
and that man is killed, andand who gets the brass ring on this
marry go around? Well, itwas about time to see miss Evelyn Gardner.
(17:21):
I found the address, drove thereand no one answered the door,
but I heard someone in the back, so I walked around the side of
the house and putting some papers intoan incinerator, was a girl of maybe
twenty four twenty five. She seemedto be in a hurry, anxious to
get it over with. Then sheturned when she heard my steps. Who
(17:44):
are you? I'm sorry, myname is Dan Holiday. Oh yeah,
I've heard Bob speak of you.I'll go ahead denish what you were doing
well, I haven't got a match. I wanted to burn this this rubbish.
No, there's a match. I'lllight it for you. Oh no,
no, I can do it.Oh it's still trouble. I said
(18:06):
i'd do it. Hello, righthere, here's the match. Thank you.
Whatever she was bunning, she wasanxious to get it over with,
but she was a little nervous inthe match, went on, Oh,
please have you another match? No, no, I'm sorry. I'm afraid
that was the last one I had. Well, I'll have to get some.
(18:30):
Will you come into the house?Thank you? Did Bob come with
you? Mister holiday? Bob,haven't you heard heard? Heard what?
No, no one's told you.Tell me what what are you talking about?
Bob? Then arrested for the murderof Ed Macklin. Oh no,
(18:52):
no, we didn't. How doyou know who we got to see?
That might help? But how howcan you be sure Bob didn't do it?
Oh we couldn't have. Then whodid? I don't know. I
don't know. But it wasn't Bob. But it has something to do with
your uncle's death, doesn't it.No, no, nothing, How could
there be a connection. I'm askingyou. I'm going to she was gone.
I watched to drive away. ThenI hurried back to the incinerator was
(19:15):
sapers. I dragged them out,newspapers, wrapping paper, and then a
little sheaf of receipts registered mail receiptsfor parcel post packages. The signature of
the sender was M. A.Gardner, Professor martinege Gardner. Why was
(19:37):
Evelyn burning these? I looked alittle longer and found something else, a
carbon copy of a letter. Itwas was partially torn, and all I
could read of it was and thisis the last job, because it's the
biggest. I want more than myusual fee. If I don't get it,
you'll never get the finished products.And it was signed with the initials
(20:00):
MG. Martinique Gardner. Okay,so I had a lead. Why would
it get me? I found out? I didn't go back to the jail
because I wanted to look a littlelonger at those papers i'd found. There
was also a bank book, andthe deposits totaled over twelve thousand dollars,
(20:22):
but it was in the name ofSamuel Stoner. The bank was in the
city nothing Adell. Back at myhotel, I was trying to figure this
out when although you know that thing'sliable to go off. Yeah, it
(20:48):
could. Mind if I sit down, I wasn't expecting company. I'll sit
down anyway. Okay, now thatyou're rested, goodbye in a hurry.
That's right. Not so fair,sweetheart, stay sitting that's better. What
(21:11):
do you want? What you havegot right there? Please? That's right.
Push them across the table, keepyour hands on top. Scared,
not at all? Now, lighta fire in that great and softly warm?
Don't you think it could get hotter? Go ahead, light a fire
in that great Step on it.Oh, we're going to toast marshmallows,
(21:34):
aren't we could be? Now putsome papers on it. Oh, pardon
me. You don't have a logwith you, do you? I'll bring
one the next time. No,throw that stuff on the fire, all
of it that I haven't looked itover yet, throw it on Oh what
could I do? Right? Threwall the stuff on the fire. Watched
(21:56):
it burn away. My company didtoo, watched it burn on me.
It was a cool cookie, then, pretty, isn't it. I used
to sit in front of a fireplaceand read when I was a kid.
That you didn't get to day president. No, that's true, pop it
up a little, See that it'sall burned. It is good. Now
(22:18):
I'm going. Oh, I washoping you'd stay for dinner. We could
put up a spit and roasted chicken. Oh. I almost forgot. You
just stopped nosing around. Well,well, I guess I have to.
Well that stuff burned. That wasthe idea. Yes, I suppose you'd
have killed me as you killed Macklinshot in the dock. That it hit
(22:38):
his face not so bad before Igot twisted up. His fingers typed on
the trigger of his gun. Butthen he smiled, you'll have to prove
it. And something tell me you'llnever see me again. So long.
Okay, maybe the things were burned. But I remember one thing. An
(23:02):
address, the address on the registeredmail receipts where Gardner had sent the packages,
and there was the name Samuel Stoner. Something told me Stoner and Gardner
were the same, and that bankaccount was his. But why why was
he paid that much money? Whatwas he doing? And there was only
one way to find out, Gointo the city and go to the address
(23:26):
written on those receipts. I droveinto the city. The address was an
office building and there were fifty firmsdoing business in that building. I looked
at the director in the lobby.No good. How could I visit fifty
places and get right answers? ButI saw him, the man who made
(23:47):
me burn the papers. He wentinto the building. He didn't see me.
I tailed him, watched him getinto an elevator. I got close
enough to hear him say seventh floor. There were other people in the elevator.
The chances are'd make a lot ofsteps before he got to seven.
Okay, the steps for holiday.I wonder if i'd made it. Then
(24:25):
went into an office that had noname on the door. I waited.
Then there was an outer office withno one in it, and I heard
voices. Are we clear, Nichelins? Did you killed him? Huh?
But it looks like someone else did. It was a perfect setup for a
(24:45):
frame. Oh the nice business huh? Yeah. Oh, And there was
another guy nosing around. He pickedup some stuff the girl was going to
burn. Who is he? Whydidn't come up? Two bump offs?
That run up? Only signed forthe Gardner job. All right, here's
your money. Now that I knowwhat the gimmick was, I want more.
(25:06):
Oh yeah, don't reach for anything. All right, I'll cut you
here on this better wait a minute, this out of don't worry. I
made him burn the stuff he tookfrom the incenterator. You should I told
you killing Mackman wasn't in on thedeal, but he had this. I
had to kill him to get it. Are you sure you're clean on the
(25:26):
gardener thing? I know I am. I kill him with his own gun.
While the machines on that chop wererunning. Nobody heard the shot.
Suicide. All right, now getout of here. You know I'm taking
this with me. Put that down. Don't worry, we'll split on it.
I just want to make sure there'sno double cross. Now, see
you later. I stepped back,waited, Then as he came to the
(25:48):
door, I knocked the gun outof his hand and grabbed it. Stay
where you are, Well, soyou are, I'll take what you brought
back. No hand it over cooking. Come on? Well, well,
well okay, let's all take achip headquarters. Well, the those two
(26:08):
sweethearts safely tucked away. I beganto put the pieces together. I did
some reading. Then I went backto Adell, went back to see Bob
Dan where you been playing tag witha man Bob call holiday from the city.
You're letting me out, I thinkthey are. Yep, no more
(26:30):
free meers on the town, Bobon. But but Dan, what happened?
We've got to go see even rightaway and straight not a few things
sit down, both of you.Even, Yes, I think I know
(26:52):
the whole thing. Yes, Iguess you'd do. What's everyone talking about?
Why was I let out jail?Because you didn't kill Macklin? And
Professor Gardner didn't commit suicide? Hedidn't. How do you know he was
killed? Look, Evelyn, Bobwould have been convicted of Macklin's murder if
(27:14):
I hadn't. Well, Bob,Professor Gardner was doing illicit diamond cutting what
yes? Is he in a perfectsetup for it? The shopper he worked
cutting and polishing his mineral specimens.The stolen diamonds were sent to him here.
He cut and polished them so theycould be offered for sale, Isn't
(27:36):
isn't the right of him? Yes? But but Macklin, I think you
had better telling Evelin ed Macklin foundout then my uncle was killed and Macklin
knew why hear me, he threatenedto exposure uncle if you didn't marry him.
Yes, he wasn't sure until afterafter Uncle Martin was killed by a
(28:00):
hired killer, hired by the manwho was sending the diamonds to be recut.
Professor Gardener was going to quit,but he received one last diamond,
the biggest. He wanted more thanhis usual fee, or he would keep
the diamond. But Evelyn, howdoes she come into it? Well,
naturally, Evelyn wanted to protect heruncle's name, but Macklin's death prevented it.
(28:22):
You see, Macklin found the bigstone and he was killed because he
did. Welcome back, Mi toholiday. Do you have an ice vacation,
(28:44):
Susie? It was just as ifI'd never been away. You mean
you didn't take a vacation at all. Not exactly, Susan. Oh,
you mean it was like a typicalholiday. What I made joke? Ah,
good night, Sizzy, next week, same time. Through the courtesy
(29:10):
of Paramount Pictures, Alan Ladd starsas Dan Holiday in Box thirteen. Box
thirteen is directed by Richard Sandville withan original story by Russell Hughes. Original
music is composed and conducted by RudySchrager. The part of Suez is played
by Sylvia Picker. Production is supervisedby Verne costumeson This is a Mayfair production
(29:30):
from Hollywood. Watch for Allen Laddin his latest Paramount picture, well welcome
back up. Listening to Dan Holidayduring the episode talk about I'm not a
(29:51):
detective, some people might go,well, wait, how did you end
up on this show this podcast?U. I think the one thing whether
when I look at a detective series, I'm looking at for somebody who solves
mysteries actively, and we're following thisone person along in an adventure. And
(30:15):
there are a lot of shows inthe nineteen forties that had this very strong
detective element. Box thirteen is ashow that could be viewed in a couple
of different ways. If I'd optedto start the great adventure shows of old
time radio, could it could havebeen featured there as well. But really
most episodes he deals with mysteries.So it's kind of funny when he claims
(30:38):
not to be a detective. AndI think in this case he's thinking of
detective is just a job title,when I tend to think of it as
a bit more functional. So he'sthinking, I'm not a detective. I
just go around and solve a lotof mysteries, Okay, Dan and I
did love Susie's upon at the end, and I don't usually like them because
(31:02):
they're just like little pronunciation mistakes,but this one was pretty clever. He
didn't have a vacation, it wasjust a normal holiday. Love that a
listener identifying themselves as old time radiorods in Box thirteen is a good old
time radio show. My favorite thoughhis Sam Spay. I've definitely heard that
(31:25):
quite a bit. That's probably oneof the more requested shows we get,
and I'm leaning towards doing that,and it's really listener feedback that I think
has really pushing that direction. AllRight, Well, that's all for today.
We'll be back tomorrow with the premiereof Jeff Reagan Investigator, another great
(31:48):
series getting started. I hope he'lljoin us for it. Got any comments?
Sent him to me Box thirteen atGreat Detectors dot and net cast your
vote for the show on podcast Alleyat podcast Alley dot eight detectors dot in
it, and you can call andleave a voicemail for the show by calling
two O eight nine nine one Greatd that's two O eight nine nine one
(32:12):
four seven eight three. But fromBoise, Idaho. This is Adam Graham signing off
Welcome to the Great Detectives of OldTime Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
is your host, Adam Graham.If you have any comments, email them
to meet Box thirteen at Great Detectivesdot net. Please cast your vote for
the show on Podcast Ali Podcast Alidot Great Detectives dot net, and remember
to follow the show on Twitter atRadio Detectives. Everybody enjoyed the Multese Falcon.
(00:53):
Because I'm actually recording eight days before, I'm just starting to get comments
regarding the movie. Laurie Holt says, uh, sorry, but I just
love this old stuff. And shealso says she just loves the old radio
podcast, and Jennifer Moulding says,don't apologized, Linda, I love the
(01:15):
first podcast movie. Sherlock Holmes thatyou're refreshing to watch old black and white
movies as they were first screen.I hate the colorized movies. The late
mister Jemmy Stewart would definitely agree withyou. He was such a crusader against
colorizing old black and white movies thathe testified before Congress on it. I
(01:38):
actually I have to say, therereally can be a certain beauty in an
art about the black and white movies. If they're preserved right and reproduced right.
I saw one great example of thisis the Voice of Terror, the
(01:59):
first of the universal Sherlock Holmes films, and the colorization it looked just so
fain. I mean not the colorization, but the black and white. They
just preserved it so well and itlooks so well. Some of the prints
we're going to have to deal withfor our shows are not in as good
as shape, but still it's niceto see the black and white. Well,
(02:21):
we're gonna get into today's episode ofBox thirteen. It's called this one's
called The Professor and the Puzzle.Before we do that, though, I
do want to let you know abouta product I found a very useful.
It's my Roku. A Roku isa great device that you're able to use
with an Internet connection to bring thebest of the Internet to your television.
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I've talked about how it can workgreat for Netflix. You can also purchase
digital movies off of Amazon and beable to watch them right on your television
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TV. Encourage encourage you to checkout a Roku trot for yourself. It
started as little as eighty dollars.Go to Great Detectors dot net, click
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on the Roku link or go toRoku dot Great Detectives dot Net. But
now let's get into today's episode ofBox thirteen. Box thirteen with the star
of Paramount Fixtures, Alan Ladd asDan Holiday. Dear Dan, I know
(03:38):
all about your Box thirteen ad andthe Star times, but I'm writing to
you as a friend to come andsee it. As you know, I'm
teaching at Radell College, not toofar from where you are. Thankfully.
I've got a problem. I don'tknow whether it's anything matter of the fact,
(03:59):
it's sort of personal, but well, will you come to see me?
Bob Lann Yeah, it was apersonal problem all right at first.
Then the whole thing got tangled aroundup to my neck. And now back
(04:24):
to Box thirteen and Dan Holiday's newestadventure, The Professor and the Puzzle.
Maybe you'll be a kind of avacation for you, mister Holiday. Good
days, Susie. But somehow Ihave a habit of running into trouble or
its runs into meet Well, whydon't you be careful? In Oh no,
(04:44):
who has fun that way? Rememberthat old thing never trouble, trouble
until it. Oh no, that'swrong, it's it's never trouble trouble until
No, it's next. Tell youwhat, Susie, you keep working on
it. I'll be back in say, say a week. But out College
is the northern part of the state, was one of those little places where
(05:08):
classes are more important than football,and education is still a prime reason for
the buildings being there. I droveto the campus, found the teachers Club
where Bob stayed he was a bachelor, and later at dinner, I don't
know, Dan, maybe all thisis silly, but oh I thought perhaps
you could help. I can't unlessI know I wasn't troubling you. Well,
I I was engaged to be married. Was who changed whose mind?
(05:32):
Evelyn? I mean she changed hers? Oh oh, I'm sorry, Bob.
What happened? Well, I don'tknow, Dan. Everything was fine
for a while and then poof,it's all off. And you don't know
why. Now they just say something, do anything, not that I know
of, But but what, Bob, listen, let's forget it. I
(05:53):
almost sent your wire telling you toforget my letter, but you didn't,
which means you've got something else onyour mind. Wander spellin. All right,
but don't let Evelyn know I toldyou. Well, of course not
everything was fine as I said,until until her uncle committed suicide. Suicide.
Oh I'm sorry. Run now she'sgoing to marry ed Macklin. Oh
(06:15):
no, wait a minute. Heruncle killed himself and that makes a breaker
engagement with you and tie up withthis Macklin doesn't make much sense, doesn't
not enough to do much good,that's all, you know. Yes,
just a day or so before beforehe died, Evelyn sent back my ring
just like that. Oh there wasa note, but it wasn't an explanation,
(06:36):
just that she thought it wouldn't work. No, hinted that before uncle's
dad. None, dam absolutely none. That's what's got me stumped. But
I could understand it if Ufre wasn'tEd Macklin. He's lots older than she
has white. It was a kindof a joke between us that he is.
Who is Ed Macklin. Well,he was her uncle's assistant assistant.
(06:58):
I'm making this as clear as amud puddle. But Evelyn's uncle, or
Professor Gardner, was professor of mineralogy. Macklin was his laboratory assistant and that's
all I know. You're sure,of course, all right. Now the
sixty four dollar question, why didProfessor Gardner kill himself? Dan, believe
(07:20):
me when I tell you he didn'thave a reason in the world, not
a single reason. Well, thatmade as much sense as double talk from
Alice in Wonderland. Bob stuck toit too. The Professor Gardner didn't have
a reason to kill himself. Evelynseemed had been raised by him. He
(07:43):
was like a father too. Hewas respected, well liked, famous in
a small way for his pamphlein's articles. And I got an explanation of his
speciality later from Bob in his rooms. He was a crystallographer, Dan.
That means he studied the crystallization ofmen gerals. You see, each mineral
has its own particular crystalline formation.Salt, for example, it's common table
(08:05):
salt crystallizes in a particular way,Galina. We used to call it the
crystal in the old radio sets.You remember, that has another form of
crystallization. A Professor Gardner was anexpert. Was he working too hard?
I don't think so. It wasnever worked for him. Oh, I
see, Well, what do Ido now? I don't know. I
(08:28):
thought maybe you could. Well,I guess it's hopeless. Look, Bob,
is it certain the Professor Gardner killedhimself? What do you mean?
Well, you said there was noreason for suicide. That wasn't Would anyone
have wanted to kill him? No, you're sure, But I said no,
(08:48):
everybody liked him. Maybe somebody didn't. I didn't know of anyone.
Suddenly Evelyn breaks off and engaging withyou just after. Oh look, Dan,
I'm sorry I got you up here. I guess I was stupid to
write to you. Go back andforget the whole thing. Afraid Ovens involved.
That's what's in the back of yourmind. But you're faid to say,
okay, okay, okay, Bob, still want me to go back?
(09:09):
Well, no, now you findout what you can, Dan without
getting anyone in trouble. Trouble asI've had a habit of popping him.
I don't want it to But youstill want me to stay. I guess
so. All right, But getthis straight, Bob. I am not
(09:31):
a detective. What do you meanby that? If I find anything fishy
about this, I'll have to callthe police. They've already been in all
right, I'll start from here.For the rest of the evening, we
(09:52):
sat and talked. Bob was nervous. He wanted me to help because,
well because he was in love withEvelyn. But he didn't want me to
help because he was afraid of whatmight turn up. Well, what could
turn up? I found out.It was the next morning that I put
him a call to Lieutenant Clean.Waited a half hour, then ambled down
(10:13):
to the local police department of adelOh here's mister holiday. Lieutenant Clean call
here told me about you. Iasked him to names Carson. I'm chief
please here, Yes, I knowI can do for you. Son.
Well, if I'm butting in orI don't belong, just say so.
Will You can't tell that he's beenout? What's on your mind? Chief
(10:35):
Carson leaned back, lighted the corncob pipe and waited for me to stop
talking. I liked him. Behindthat pink face was a good shrewd mind.
I told him I had come toAdele and when I'd finished, you
ain't a detective, No, noteven a private one. He used to
helping a friend me. That's all. Well, can't say as I can
(10:56):
tell you any more than Bob Lenhamdid. You're sure, yep, Tom
Professor Gardner in his laboratory. Oh, at the college. No, he
had little workshop back of his house. He was shitting at his table there,
his own gun in his hand,shot himself through the heart. Oh
something sound odd to you, sir? Yes, A man doesn't usually kill
(11:18):
himself that way, that's right,usually in the head. But that's the
way it was. Mmmm. Tommy, are you satisfied with the case?
Chief Custon not a be son,which means you're not nor here son.
I'm only a small town policeman,but I do my work best to can.
Yes, I know. And thething that's puzzling you is wise,
(11:39):
should Professor Gardner have killed himself?Eh? Or if he didn't, who
else would it? And as noone else nobody stood to gain? Nothing?
Wasn't a rich man his niece mNo, I'm sure she didn't.
What about Ed macklan? And nothingto gain? Can it? Mark down
a suicide? Son? Hes deadends a blind rabbit burrow? And so
(12:09):
it was a dead end. Ididn't press Chief Constant any further. He
was shot enough to look for clues, and it just won't any I went
back to Bob's rooms and stopped outsidethe door. Sona as though a squad
as we're going on with hot music. I held him the dark fast all
right, break it up, comeon, come on, freak it up.
Bodn, get out of the way. I cut it out, let
(12:35):
him, come on, get outof here, Maclin. But now sure,
I'm trying to see even once more, and I'll be heading in this
a. He's a little bigger thanyou are, Bob, all around,
I'll kill him. No, no, take it easy. What happened?
I I tried to see evil inthis afternoon. She wouldn't talk to me.
(12:58):
Macklin came in a couple of minutesago, and and you saw what
was happening? Yeah, yeah,I did. It's a nice eye you've
got there. Shut up. Ohno, look remember me. I'm sorry
Dan. Okay, so that's Macklin. Sit down, bom, I don't
want to sit down. Sit down, all right? Now, that's better.
(13:22):
Now how far do you think you'regoing to get by running into his
fist? Oh listen, Dan,I've got to see Evelyn. I've got
to find out what's going on.All right, maybe we will. Why
is Macklin a friend to let youtalk to Evelyn. I don't know,
Dan, I take it he's wellto use an old fashioned word of rival.
I never thought so. But then, but then, just before her
uncle's suicide, she suddenly switches toMacklin. But why why should she?
(13:46):
If you find the answer to that, Bob will find out a lot of
things. Now, let's get aside of beef and fix up that eye.
You're gonna look pretty silly teaching classtomorrow with a shiner. He didn't
look silly in class, you see, you never got there. The next
(14:07):
morning, I was pulled out ofa nice deep sleep by nobody. Who
oh, hello Dan? Yeah,sure, Bob, Yeah, Dan,
I'm in trouble. Great, Howcould you get in trouble at six in
the morning. That's too early.It's I'm in jail for what we're killing
(14:33):
it him. I believe here,But look, Hown't you got any alibi
at all for last night? No? And you left me. I went
for a walk to think things over. Fine, fine, everybody goes for
walks when somebody gets killed. Thetime was maclan kill just about the time
(14:56):
I was out for that walk.No day, nice, hello, chief?
You want some breakfast? Son?No? No, nothing, You
gotta eating. That's some ham andegg nothing. I said, bring it,
Chief, you'll eat it. Youwant anything? Meaning me? Yeah,
okay, thanks? Not cool?Looks bad doing it? Yeah.
(15:18):
Why did you arrest Bob? Youought no sin? So the fight there
was heaven. One of the teachersliving next door to Bob here heard it.
Uh yeah, well it looks likeyou've got a motive. Chief,
Mac then takes his girl. Theyget in the fight. I didn't kill
him now, I want to believethat, But Chief, I'd like to
talk to Bob. I can't.H Oh, all right, get the
(15:41):
ham and eggs, be back inmaybe ten minutes. Don't you believe me,
Dan? Oh, of course Ido. Bob. Look, how
was Macklin killed knife his own?Uh? Huh, I'll listen. I
got to see Evelyn. What for? Because I believe everything goes back to
her uncle and his death. HowI don't know. I'd like to find
(16:06):
out. Nothing makes sense. Nobodyhad a motive for killing Professor Gardner,
and everyone says he couldn't have killedhimself because he didn't have a reason.
So what have you got? Whathave I got? Bye? Bye?
I haven't the faintest idea yet.And now back to the professor on the
(16:34):
puzzle for another Box thirteen adventure withAlan Land as Dan Holliday. I didn't
have a thing, not a thingto go on. Bob was in a
spot, but a good one.He had motive opportunity, Yet I didn't
think he'd kill I believed he couldn't. And I kept thinking that Professor Gardeners
(17:00):
suicide had something to do with Backland'smurder. But how a harmless professor kills
himself? His niece suddenly breaks offher engagement and switches to another man,
and that man is killed, andand who gets the brass ring on this
marry go around? Well, itwas about time to see miss Evelyn Gardner.
(17:21):
I found the address, drove thereand no one answered the door,
but I heard someone in the back, so I walked around the side of
the house and putting some papers intoan incinerator, was a girl of maybe
twenty four twenty five. She seemedto be in a hurry, anxious to
get it over with. Then sheturned when she heard my steps. Who
(17:44):
are you? I'm sorry, myname is Dan Holiday. Oh yeah,
I've heard Bob speak of you.I'll go ahead denish what you were doing
well, I haven't got a match. I wanted to burn this this rubbish.
No, there's a match. I'lllight it for you. Oh no,
no, I can do it.Oh it's still trouble. I said
(18:06):
i'd do it. Hello, righthere, here's the match. Thank you.
Whatever she was bunning, she wasanxious to get it over with,
but she was a little nervous inthe match, went on, Oh,
please have you another match? No, no, I'm sorry. I'm afraid
that was the last one I had. Well, I'll have to get some.
(18:30):
Will you come into the house?Thank you? Did Bob come with
you? Mister holiday? Bob,haven't you heard heard? Heard what?
No, no one's told you.Tell me what what are you talking about?
Bob? Then arrested for the murderof Ed Macklin. Oh no,
(18:52):
no, we didn't. How doyou know who we got to see?
That might help? But how howcan you be sure Bob didn't do it?
Oh we couldn't have. Then whodid? I don't know. I
don't know. But it wasn't Bob. But it has something to do with
your uncle's death, doesn't it.No, no, nothing, How could
there be a connection. I'm askingyou. I'm going to she was gone.
I watched to drive away. ThenI hurried back to the incinerator was
(19:15):
sapers. I dragged them out,newspapers, wrapping paper, and then a
little sheaf of receipts registered mail receiptsfor parcel post packages. The signature of
the sender was M. A.Gardner, Professor martinege Gardner. Why was
(19:37):
Evelyn burning these? I looked alittle longer and found something else, a
carbon copy of a letter. Itwas was partially torn, and all I
could read of it was and thisis the last job, because it's the
biggest. I want more than myusual fee. If I don't get it,
you'll never get the finished products.And it was signed with the initials
(20:00):
MG. Martinique Gardner. Okay,so I had a lead. Why would
it get me? I found out? I didn't go back to the jail
because I wanted to look a littlelonger at those papers i'd found. There
was also a bank book, andthe deposits totaled over twelve thousand dollars,
(20:22):
but it was in the name ofSamuel Stoner. The bank was in the
city nothing Adell. Back at myhotel, I was trying to figure this
out when although you know that thing'sliable to go off. Yeah, it
(20:48):
could. Mind if I sit down, I wasn't expecting company. I'll sit
down anyway. Okay, now thatyou're rested, goodbye in a hurry.
That's right. Not so fair,sweetheart, stay sitting that's better. What
(21:11):
do you want? What you havegot right there? Please? That's right.
Push them across the table, keepyour hands on top. Scared,
not at all? Now, lighta fire in that great and softly warm?
Don't you think it could get hotter? Go ahead, light a fire
in that great Step on it.Oh, we're going to toast marshmallows,
(21:34):
aren't we could be? Now putsome papers on it. Oh, pardon
me. You don't have a logwith you, do you? I'll bring
one the next time. No,throw that stuff on the fire, all
of it that I haven't looked itover yet, throw it on Oh what
could I do? Right? Threwall the stuff on the fire. Watched
(21:56):
it burn away. My company didtoo, watched it burn on me.
It was a cool cookie, then, pretty, isn't it. I used
to sit in front of a fireplaceand read when I was a kid.
That you didn't get to day president. No, that's true, pop it
up a little, See that it'sall burned. It is good. Now
(22:18):
I'm going. Oh, I washoping you'd stay for dinner. We could
put up a spit and roasted chicken. Oh. I almost forgot. You
just stopped nosing around. Well,well, I guess I have to.
Well that stuff burned. That wasthe idea. Yes, I suppose you'd
have killed me as you killed Macklinshot in the dock. That it hit
(22:38):
his face not so bad before Igot twisted up. His fingers typed on
the trigger of his gun. Butthen he smiled, you'll have to prove
it. And something tell me you'llnever see me again. So long.
Okay, maybe the things were burned. But I remember one thing. An
(23:02):
address, the address on the registeredmail receipts where Gardner had sent the packages,
and there was the name Samuel Stoner. Something told me Stoner and Gardner
were the same, and that bankaccount was his. But why why was
he paid that much money? Whatwas he doing? And there was only
one way to find out, Gointo the city and go to the address
(23:26):
written on those receipts. I droveinto the city. The address was an
office building and there were fifty firmsdoing business in that building. I looked
at the director in the lobby.No good. How could I visit fifty
places and get right answers? ButI saw him, the man who made
(23:47):
me burn the papers. He wentinto the building. He didn't see me.
I tailed him, watched him getinto an elevator. I got close
enough to hear him say seventh floor. There were other people in the elevator.
The chances are'd make a lot ofsteps before he got to seven.
Okay, the steps for holiday.I wonder if i'd made it. Then
(24:25):
went into an office that had noname on the door. I waited.
Then there was an outer office withno one in it, and I heard
voices. Are we clear, Nichelins? Did you killed him? Huh?
But it looks like someone else did. It was a perfect setup for a
(24:45):
frame. Oh the nice business huh? Yeah. Oh, And there was
another guy nosing around. He pickedup some stuff the girl was going to
burn. Who is he? Whydidn't come up? Two bump offs?
That run up? Only signed forthe Gardner job. All right, here's
your money. Now that I knowwhat the gimmick was, I want more.
(25:06):
Oh yeah, don't reach for anything. All right, I'll cut you
here on this better wait a minute, this out of don't worry. I
made him burn the stuff he tookfrom the incenterator. You should I told
you killing Mackman wasn't in on thedeal, but he had this. I
had to kill him to get it. Are you sure you're clean on the
(25:26):
gardener thing? I know I am. I kill him with his own gun.
While the machines on that chop wererunning. Nobody heard the shot.
Suicide. All right, now getout of here. You know I'm taking
this with me. Put that down. Don't worry, we'll split on it.
I just want to make sure there'sno double cross. Now, see
you later. I stepped back,waited, Then as he came to the
(25:48):
door, I knocked the gun outof his hand and grabbed it. Stay
where you are, Well, soyou are, I'll take what you brought
back. No hand it over cooking. Come on? Well, well,
well okay, let's all take achip headquarters. Well, the those two
(26:08):
sweethearts safely tucked away. I beganto put the pieces together. I did
some reading. Then I went backto Adell, went back to see Bob
Dan where you been playing tag witha man Bob call holiday from the city.
You're letting me out, I thinkthey are. Yep, no more
(26:30):
free meers on the town, Bobon. But but Dan, what happened?
We've got to go see even rightaway and straight not a few things
sit down, both of you.Even, Yes, I think I know
(26:52):
the whole thing. Yes, Iguess you'd do. What's everyone talking about?
Why was I let out jail?Because you didn't kill Macklin? And
Professor Gardner didn't commit suicide? Hedidn't. How do you know he was
killed? Look, Evelyn, Bobwould have been convicted of Macklin's murder if
(27:14):
I hadn't. Well, Bob,Professor Gardner was doing illicit diamond cutting what
yes? Is he in a perfectsetup for it? The shopper he worked
cutting and polishing his mineral specimens.The stolen diamonds were sent to him here.
He cut and polished them so theycould be offered for sale, Isn't
(27:36):
isn't the right of him? Yes? But but Macklin, I think you
had better telling Evelin ed Macklin foundout then my uncle was killed and Macklin
knew why hear me, he threatenedto exposure uncle if you didn't marry him.
Yes, he wasn't sure until afterafter Uncle Martin was killed by a
(28:00):
hired killer, hired by the manwho was sending the diamonds to be recut.
Professor Gardener was going to quit,but he received one last diamond,
the biggest. He wanted more thanhis usual fee, or he would keep
the diamond. But Evelyn, howdoes she come into it? Well,
naturally, Evelyn wanted to protect heruncle's name, but Macklin's death prevented it.
(28:22):
You see, Macklin found the bigstone and he was killed because he
did. Welcome back, Mi toholiday. Do you have an ice vacation,
(28:44):
Susie? It was just as ifI'd never been away. You mean
you didn't take a vacation at all. Not exactly, Susan. Oh,
you mean it was like a typicalholiday. What I made joke? Ah,
good night, Sizzy, next week, same time. Through the courtesy
(29:10):
of Paramount Pictures, Alan Ladd starsas Dan Holiday in Box thirteen. Box
thirteen is directed by Richard Sandville withan original story by Russell Hughes. Original
music is composed and conducted by RudySchrager. The part of Suez is played
by Sylvia Picker. Production is supervisedby Verne costumeson This is a Mayfair production
(29:30):
from Hollywood. Watch for Allen Laddin his latest Paramount picture, well welcome
back up. Listening to Dan Holidayduring the episode talk about I'm not a
(29:51):
detective, some people might go,well, wait, how did you end
up on this show this podcast?U. I think the one thing whether
when I look at a detective series, I'm looking at for somebody who solves
mysteries actively, and we're following thisone person along in an adventure. And
(30:15):
there are a lot of shows inthe nineteen forties that had this very strong
detective element. Box thirteen is ashow that could be viewed in a couple
of different ways. If I'd optedto start the great adventure shows of old
time radio, could it could havebeen featured there as well. But really
most episodes he deals with mysteries.So it's kind of funny when he claims
(30:38):
not to be a detective. AndI think in this case he's thinking of
detective is just a job title,when I tend to think of it as
a bit more functional. So he'sthinking, I'm not a detective. I
just go around and solve a lotof mysteries, Okay, Dan and I
did love Susie's upon at the end, and I don't usually like them because
(31:02):
they're just like little pronunciation mistakes,but this one was pretty clever. He
didn't have a vacation, it wasjust a normal holiday. Love that a
listener identifying themselves as old time radiorods in Box thirteen is a good old
time radio show. My favorite thoughhis Sam Spay. I've definitely heard that
(31:25):
quite a bit. That's probably oneof the more requested shows we get,
and I'm leaning towards doing that,and it's really listener feedback that I think
has really pushing that direction. AllRight, Well, that's all for today.
We'll be back tomorrow with the premiereof Jeff Reagan Investigator, another great
(31:48):
series getting started. I hope he'lljoin us for it. Got any comments?
Sent him to me Box thirteen atGreat Detectors dot and net cast your
vote for the show on podcast Alleyat podcast Alley dot eight detectors dot in
it, and you can call andleave a voicemail for the show by calling
two O eight nine nine one Greatd that's two O eight nine nine one
(32:12):
four seven eight three. But fromBoise, Idaho. This is Adam Graham signing off
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