May 9, 2025 • 30 mins
Original Release Date: February 22, 2010
Dan Holiday receives a child's copy book in the mail. When a couple who claim it's their's lies to him, he becomes suspicious.
Original Air Date: May 5, 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
Dan Holiday receives a child's copy book in the mail. When a couple who claim it's their's lies to him, he becomes suspicious.
Original Air Date: May 5, 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
Mark as Played
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.Do you have any comments, email them
to me Box thirteen at Great Detectivesdot net. Please cast your vote for
the show on Podcast Ali podcast Alleydot Great Detectives dot net. And remember
our listener survey survey dot Great Detectivesdot net. I found yet another show
(00:54):
that used the device of an adin the newspaper prominently in the show,
along with Let George Do It andBox thirteen, and I mentioned that the
whole device had its origin in AgathaChristie's Tommy and Tuppins. This one was
a show called Results Incorporated. Actuallywas made during the war, and to
(01:19):
me it sounded like pretty much arip off of the of Agatha Christie's device,
with actually the whole young man youngwoman detective team actually set up just
like in Christie's novel. So Idon't know if I'll actually end up showing
(01:42):
that one. I've I've got tolisten to a few episodes. I wasn't
terribly impressed with the one I heard, but I would always always want to
give more than just one episode beforedeciding about a series. All right,
well we're gonna get into today's showwith not a whole lot of additional ado.
We'll have brief commercial message and thenwe will get into today's episode of
(02:05):
Box thirteen. This one is calledThe Sad Night. This is Adam Graham
for Johnny Dollar Air dot Com,which is Priceline. When it comes to
travel, Priceline gives you choices.Either name your own price on hotels,
rental cars, airline tickets, cruisesand even more. Or save money with
published specials for great deals on traveland to support great old time radio.
(02:28):
Remember Johnny Dollar air dot Com Boxthirteen with the style Fliamount pictures Allen lad
As, Dan Holiday, you're dribbling, old idiot. Why did you do
(02:53):
with it? I'm not going totell you. We've got to find out
what he did with that copy book. We've what's the matter? Look,
he's dead. Did you killed him? I'll be stupid. He he just
died. As no one can proveanything. Just keep your mouth shut and
(03:16):
help me find out what he didwith the copybook. Well, well,
well somebody sends me a copybook throughBox thirteen. Now I wonder why.
(03:39):
And now back to Box thirteen.And then Holiday's newest adventure, The Sad
Night. It was just a child'scopybook, and on the front cover was
the name Marina Layton. On aday the yearn I study living a child,
(04:02):
he strolled handwriting, I revel throughthe pages. There was nothing adventuest
at least that's the way it lookedthen. But Susie thought differently. Maybe
it's some kind of a coldness toHoliday, like like one to a buried
treasure. Susie, with your imaginationof my type Friday, we could go
places. Well, see the kindof money will he found? A great
treasures Monte Cristo, Susie, twodifferent people, Well they both had beards.
(04:27):
Oh, block, that's it.It's a letter to Box thirteen.
Listen Box thirteen. A day orso ago you may have received a child
copybook in the nail. If youdid, I should appreciate it, if
you'd bring it to the address below, yours truly to Reef Layton. M
Let me see that, Susie.Six eight two one Lake Shore Boulevard,
(04:53):
Swiky neighborhood. Are you going totake it back, mister Holiday? Oh
yes, Susie, if only tosee how the other half so I went
to six eight two one Lake Shore, Boulavar. I tossed the copy book
in the backseat of my command hadpassed on the floor. Maybe I was
thinking about anything but the book.But when I rang the doorbell at the
(05:13):
Big House, I suddenly remembered I'dleft the book in the car. I
just about started back down after itwhen the door opened. Yes, I'm
looking for Teresa Layton. I'm missusLayton. You Holiday, Dan Holiday,
I'm sorry Box thirteen. Oh ofcourse, please come in, mister Holiday
in the library. Please thank you. Won't you sit down, mister Holiday,
(05:40):
thanks very much. Yes, it'svery kind of you to come all
this way to return the book.You see, it belongs to my little
girl. And I suppose she sentthe book to you in well mischievously,
your little girl. Yes, Marina, sometimes I think she's a problem to
r Really how old is she?Miss Leyden seven? Did she tell you
(06:04):
she sent the book to Box thirteen? Well, no, as a matter
of fact, she wouldn't say.Then her father found a newspaper with an
advertisments cut from it, and wegot hold of a paper with the same
Dayton compared the page. Nice Detectivework, mister Leyden. I suppose all
this uproar over a child's book seemswell stupid, doesn't Oh no, no,
no, not at all. Butthere's one question I'd like to ask.
(06:28):
Yes, mister Holiday, you sayMarinas seven years old? That's right.
There's a date in the book nineteenthirty. It seems to have been
written the same hand as the restthat date. Would it would make her
quite a big little girl, wouldn'tit? She put down that date,
I suppose well, not thinking.Oh yes, of course, where is
(06:49):
she now, missus Leyden, She'sdead, mister Holiday. Mister Holiday,
this is my husband, Carl.How do you do. I'm very happy
to know you, mister Holiday.Do you have book? You'll get right
to the point, don't you,mister Holiday. Our daughter Marina is dead.
We want the book merely for sentimentalreasons. I can understand that if
your wife had lied to you bluntly. Yes, there is day when you
(07:15):
excuse us, Yes, I'll beupstairs. My wife isn't well, mister
Holiday. It's not an easy thingfor me to say, but she imagines
our daughter is still alive. Book, mister Leyden, if I'd ever written
a story with as many holes andit as yours. I'd be laughed out
of the writing game. What doyou mean your wife says Marinas sent me
the books? Yet you say Marinais dead. You know you two should
(07:39):
get together, all right, misterHoliday. How much do you want for
the book? Oh? Now we'regetting someplace. What's it worth? Five
hundred? Oh that's a lot ofmoney for a child's copy book. You
asked how much, and I toldyou? Now, may I have the
book? I don't think so.It's worth nothing to you, mister Holiday.
Believe me, it's absolutely nothing toyou. All right. Maybe I'm
(08:01):
just curious. Tell me why youwant the book, and may we will
do business. I can't tell you, or you won't tell me. Is
that it? I want that book? Now? I haven't got it with
me. You're lying, all right? Search me. I haven't got it
with me. I forgot it.You're going to be difficult. Look,
(08:22):
the book was sent to Box thirteen, obviously not by you, your wife
or your daughter. You found outit was sent when you traced my head,
right all right? That means someoneelse sent it to me. I'll
return the book when I find outwho and why. Mister Holiday, I'm
going to get that book, allright, all right, we'll play a
(08:43):
game book book book. Who's gotthe book? Now? Goodbye, mister
Leyton, goodbye, mister Holiday.You can find your way out, I
hope, I think so. Anytime you want to tell me the reason
behind all this, we may beable to do business. I think we'll
do business, mister Holiday. LaterI left, and when I got home
(09:07):
I spent the rest of the dayand most of the evening trying to figure
out why anyone would be so anxiousto get hold of the book. It
was filled with a kid's scrawling handwritingsums, in addition problems and subtraction alphabets.
Then I came to one page andstopped. It was filled with strange,
(09:28):
weird looking figures, as a kidwould try to draw human beings.
But there was something about them thatdidn't look like a kid's work. They
were grotesque, almost fiendish faces anddistorted, twisted bodies, and underneath were
three words in Spanish lache chi staythe sad night. The words were scrolled
(09:52):
too, but somehow they were differentfrom the rest of the book. I
kept turning back to that page,wondering, trying to connect something in my
mind with those figures in the book. And I must have dozed off,
because the next thing I knew itwas three in the morning, turned off
my light, lay back in bed. Then I was getting company unexpected,
(10:18):
and I wasn't in the mood toentertain. Well, whoa, whoa,
what a wonderful thing. A skeletonkey is like the magic words open sessame.
Somebody was looking for something and itwasn't East Eggs on the White House
lawn. I waited and then lookingfor something. Buddy, whatever it was,
(10:45):
didn't wait for the floor show.I turned on the light. Yeah,
he had grabbed a book, buthe had left a knife behind,
one that I picked up with ahandkerchief. If there were fingerprints, he
would introduce me to the gentle andCling could do me that thing. Man,
(11:07):
Any idea? Who it was holiday? I haven't cling. We had
our walts in the dark. Musthave been romantic. Oh yes, yes,
I was overcome. Look can youget prints off that knife handle?
Seems to me you could pick aneasier way of meeting people. Oh I
like the hard way. It makesfor lasting friendships. Look did he try
to knife you? Well? Idon't think he was doing kp with it.
Why was he af you? Hewasn't. Oh see he breaks in
(11:31):
at three in the morning. Yousurprise him. He pulls a knife on
you, but he wasn't after you. It was just a social call.
Or maybe he was a visiting nurse. Claily. You see about those prints,
Yeah, if you'll prefer charges,maybe, But more important, he
took something I want back, buta child's copybook a chat, you know,
(11:52):
Holiday. The more I see ofyou and his box thirteen gimmick your
run, the more I believe inelves and pixies. Why did you have
the child's colleye book? I'm learningto write. You're gonna keep this all
to yourself, so I find outwhat it's all about. Okay, Well,
from what you say about the cookiewho disturbed your betty by this morning,
he might have a record. Inthat case, you can tell me
(12:13):
who he is. You don't wantme to pick him up, No,
I'd rather have the pleasure. Yousee. He hung one on my chin.
He hung one out here, allright? Come back in an hour,
(12:35):
Oh, mister Holiday she I've beentrying to get in touch with you
all morning. I was a headquarters, Susan. Oh what you do.
Oh no, don't jump the conclusions. Why are you trying to get in
touch? When did this come?This morning? I picked up back thirteen
nail at the start time, sincethat note was in it. Well,
as I say in the books,Susie, the plot thickens. In fact,
(12:58):
it's so thick now, Aunty athing. How'd you get that bruise
on your chin? I shaved witha baseball bat this morning? Oh?
Well, are you going to meetMarina Layton? That's what she asked me
to do in a letter. Soif you want me, I'll be at
where she said, the lobby ofthe Camden Hotel. So I got to
the lobby of the Camden Hotel.It wasn't hard to find Marina Layton,
(13:22):
stress she said she'd bed. Itook a good look before walking over to
her. She was about about twentyfour, not pretty, but one of
those faces that always says a wonderfulday, isn't it? Okay? So
maybe now i'd find out what allthe excitement was about. I walked over.
Oh, pardon me, are youMarina Layton? Yes? And you
(13:46):
are. That's a box thirteen.You know, I didn't think there was
such a thing I thought this wouldall turn out to be some sort of
a joke. Well do we sithere if you like? Well? May
I have it? Missed you holiday? First name is Dan? All right,
may I have the book? Dan? I haven't gotten Marina, but
(14:09):
you must have it. Mark saidhe sent it to you. Oh no,
No, another character in the show. And who's Mark? He was
my father's dearest friend. But surelyyou ought to know that. Look,
Marina, I don't know a thing. I wait a moment. Here here's
his letter to me. You wantme to read it? Yes, Dear
(14:33):
Marina. The years I've kept somethingfrom you that your father wanted you to
have. Now I know someone elsewants it, but you can have it
by writing to Box thirteen care ofthe Star Times. I want to write
more, but I don't. DareJust remember your own name is a clue
(14:54):
love Mark? Well, well,what if your father wanted you to have
what he gave to this Mark?Why didn't he try to get it from
me? Who who tried to getwhat from you? Your father and mother?
They that's crazy. My mother diedwhen I was born, and my
father disappeared almost five years ago.Oh now it begins to make some sense,
not much, but a little.What are you talking about? The
(15:16):
character who said he was your father? He wanted that copybook of yours?
He must have found out in someway that Mike had it. Who was
the man? I don't know hesaid he was your father. I don't
understand all this next two of us. But listen, what's the matter.
How do I know you're Marina Layton? But I am? Yeah, yeah,
(15:37):
I guess you are, because sincesomeone already took the copy book from
earlier this morning, it'd be alittle senseless to try to get it this
way? All right, Marina,what do you know about a copybook yours
with the date nineteen thirty written init? Copy book nine? But nothing?
Nothing at all? When I'll waita minute, all this business has
(15:58):
to mean something. Don't you evenremember a copybook? I suppose I must
have had one? Not wait,of course, black ragged looking alphabet's in
it. That's it? Now?What about it? Oh? Nothing?
It was just an ordinary book Iscribbled in it is did you say nineteen
thirty? Yes, because in nineteenthirty I was with my father in Mexico.
(16:22):
I had the book then because Iwas being tutored by Mark, and
I used it for my lessons.Did you write anything in it? It
might well, it might be important. No, not a thing, you
must have I didn't. Did youwrite the Spanish words launch chister that means
the sad night? Yes? Iknow? Did you write them? No?
I don't think so. Then yourfather must have. But why are
(16:45):
you sure those words were in thebook? Of course I am Oh what
Mark? Though? Mark? WhyMark's dead? And now back to the
Sad Night? Another Box thirteenth adventurewith Alan Land as Dan Holiday. We
(17:15):
went to the place where Mark hadlived. Yes, he was dead.
Heart fed of the doctors said.We learned something else that he had had
visitors the night he had died,and from the description of them, they
could have only been a man anda woman, who poses Marina's parents.
And I learned a few things morefrom Marina that her father was an archaeologist
in nineteen thirty who was excavating Aztecruins outside Mexico City. It was on
(17:40):
the way back to Kling's office inmy car that she told me some more.
Father disappeared in Brazil almost five yearsago. Then the remains of this
expedition were found, and your fatherhe died, but he left records that
it's for the museum and anything foryou? No? Nothing? Are you
(18:00):
sure? Yeah? Uh wrote lettersof the museum, yet nothing for his
daughter. Why do you sit likethat? Doesn't seem other? He should
leave letters and wreck us for everyonebut you. Yes, there are a
lot of things to seem odd youwait here, Marine, I'll be buy
out your office. Oh where doyou find on? You were distinguished company
(18:30):
this morning, little Georgie Goshi strongman general hoodlum. I didn't think it
was a little evil. Want meto pick him up? I love your
company. Okay, thing, let'sgo. I want to ask Georgie a
few questions. Took cling about fiveminutes to get Georgie to talk. He
told us he had been hired toget that fucking from his description of the
(18:52):
guy who hired him, that couldn'thave been anyone else but the man who
poses late in the day before andI quick chip to the house on Lake
sharp of oars. We might aswell have stood in bed the faith.
Mister and missus Layton were gone andwith them the copy book and left us
at a dead end. But butas a mort of the start times,
Marina and I learned something else.Huh. I think we got lots of
(19:15):
stuff on Albert Layton, Josie.Yeah, he's the one who got himself
lost in Brazil about five years ago, isn't Yeah, that's right. Yeah,
here's a folder on him, newsclips, photos, that's that.
Look who's this, Josie, Letme see. Oh that's the guy who
found Layton or what was left atthe expedition name Acarle Bremer. Oh,
(19:37):
mister Bremer and the gent who wantedthat book are one and the same.
Did you ever see Marina, Notthat I remember. What were you when
your father went to Brazil in schooland you didn't see him again after you
left for Brazil. No, Josie, you know a lot of things.
One of the Spanish words la she'sstaying to you nothing except them in the
(20:02):
sad night? Is that all?Yeah? Why? Because they need more
than that, Marina. Can youget a sample of your father's handwriting?
Oh? Yes, of course.And I've got a hunch that Bremer and
his wife are leaving from Mexico.Hey Dan, Yeah, Look, this
Layton was an archaeologist. Why don'tyou go to the museum to find out
about him? Good? Idea,Johnsy. Thanks, but I've got a
phone call to make first. Ifmy hunt is correct, we've got to
(20:22):
stop Breamer from getting to Mexico.Let me get this straight, DWN.
You want this bremowner's wife picked upon Yeah, that's it. What's the
charge? You pick them up offof her charges? And maybe one of
them will be a murder. Whatwill you doing? Well, what if
(20:45):
they're out of the country by now, extradite them. You've got to have
a strong charge. I have onecausing the death of an old man by
trying to force something out of him, two hiring Georgie guys to bake into
my apartment, and three attempting todefraud. Is that enough? Yeah?
You get him and I'll make himstick. Luria got a sample of her
(21:15):
father's handwriting. Is this what youwanted? You sure? This is your
father's handwriting? Of course, that'sa letter from him just before he left
for the interior of Brazil. Butwriting in the book it was it was
something like this. Well maybe hedidn't write it. He must if he
wait a minute, mind, ifI mind, if I write on the
(21:37):
other side of this paper, No, okay, now watch I'm right handed.
But suppose I write like this withmy left hand, what's it look
like? Just a scraw sure,as a kid would write as you would
have written in nineteen thirty. Whywould he have done that to make it
look as though you had written it? That doesn't make sense. It does
make sense if you realize that yourfather had learned something, something that was
(22:00):
big enough to make him want tohide it, And why would he hide
it in a place no one wouldever think of looking for it? A
kid's copybook? No, No,he kept his notebooks. Everything he did
was in his own notes, butnot this. You were with him in
nineteen thirty. What was he doing? Oh? I told you, working
on the Aztec ruins outside of MexicoCity. And what did he find?
His findings were published the museum,all the museum, the museum. What's
(22:23):
the matter with me? Come on, Marina, Maybe we're getting someplace.
Yes, of course I know AlbertLeyton's work. He was a great man.
The world has lost a genius,Miss Leyton. Too bad. Look,
mister Dougat, we want you tohelp us. I'll do my best.
(22:44):
He said over the phone that itwas important, had something to do
with our Mexican antiquities here at themuseum. Yes, that's right. Why
did professor Layton send here? Well, come in here into the Astec.
I remember all these things. Ofcourse, everything isn't here. The Mexican
museums were given their share. Andpardon me, Look what's the matter.
(23:07):
Look Look on that far wall.Look at those figures. Oh? Yes,
were their only copies? Quite welldone. Of course, the original
paintings were lost when the Spaniards destroyedthe temples. There jealous because on the
far wall were the same figures I'dseen in that copy book, the same
growth tesse quired figures with their twistedbodies and savage faces. There were three
(23:30):
of them. Their painted eyes lookedout at us, seemed to accuse us.
I turned to the curator, misterDougal. Yes, mister Holiday,
what what are those figures? Well, there as tech guards. The one
over here in the upper left isquetzal Quato, supreme god of the Aztecs.
The one in the upper right isWhitsi Lapotli. He's one of my
(23:53):
favorites, a god of war.The one at the base of the triangle
is to Lak, god of rain. Those were the figures in your copybook,
and they were above the words LaNoche Trieste. But why why should
dad have done that? Mister Dougal? What is that triangle? Well,
where each of those figures is paintedwas a temple long ago destroyed by the
(24:14):
Spaniards under Cortes. In the centerwas one of the causeways that led to
to note tid lawn that's today's MexicoCity. It was over that causeway that
the Spaniards made their escape on LaNoche Trieste. La Noche Trieste. Look
said down, mister Dougall, Iwant you to tell me a lot more.
(24:37):
The curator talked for an hour,and what he told Marina and me
all added up the copybook, thefigures of those old Aztec gods. All.
Marina's father had something, all right, and he hid it in that
copy book. No wonder Bremer wantedit, No wonder all Market kept it
in. The whole thing made astory that went back over four hundred years,
a story of greed and bloodshed,one that reached out to touch me,
(25:02):
Marina, Old Mark Breemer, allof us later in Kling's office,
facing the Breemers, with Marina sittingthere too. All right, Holiday.
Let's have it first. I'll takethat copybook, Breemer, all right,
what good will it do you?None? And it wouldn't have done you
any good either. What do youmean you caused the death of one man
(25:23):
to get this another man famous respecthad lost his head and tried to keep
what he had found. But itwouldn't have done your father any good,
Hiven, right, No, Iknow what's the story? Then? Well
it really begins cling When Breemer foundthe remains of the Latent expedition in Brazil,
he found letters, records. Hebrought some of them back with him,
(25:45):
but some he didn't. That right, Bremer, you know everything you
tell it? Thank you, Iwill. One of the letters was to
Marina, Marina, whose name isthe same as the Indian girl who was
Cortez's consort. That was the oneyou kept, Breamer, a letter telling
Marina about the copy book and whatit contained. All right, all right,
what is it, Holliday. Let'sgo back to July first, fifteen
(26:08):
hundred and twenty to an end.Cortez in his army, the army that
marched through Mexico and destroyed the AztecEmpire. That's got something to do with
or list everything. On that night, the Aztecs rose up in fury against
the Spaniards. They had thought Cortesand his men were gods, but they
found out differently. They determined todrive the Spaniards out forever. Spaniards took
(26:32):
all the gold they could carry.The Aztecs went after them. They trapped
Cortes in his army on one ofthe causeways that led to the city.
The causeways were narrow, There werethousands of Indians and canoes all night long.
The battle went on until till inthe morning four hundred and fifty.
The Spaniards were dead and thousands ofAztecs, but Cortez and a remnant of
his army escaped, got to themainland and the coffee book. Those three
(26:57):
words la noche chi say the sadnight, are written into Mexican history as
the night Cortez and his army andthe Aztecs fought and killed each other until
the canals were choked with them.The goal the Spaniards took with him didn't
no good. They couldn't fight withit or eat it, so sobbing and
(27:18):
screaming, they dumped the treasure intothe waters of the canal, and it's
sank into the mud of the bottom. It's never been found. Marina's father
thought he had located it. Butlook, here's a map of modern Mexico
City where the causeways once ran.There are streets and houses. So you
(27:38):
see, no one will ever findthat goal. And maybe maybe it's just
as well. It's it's too redwith blood to be of any use to
anyone. But tea, mister Hardy. If all had goals there, why
(28:06):
didn't somebody go after? Oh youtwo Sussie? Oh no, I guess
not. But oh, tell mesomething, mister Hardy, What was the
means of those dad kick gods?Quick h wink and blankin and not?
Good nights, Sussie? Next week, same time? Through the courtesy of
Paramount Pictures. Allen Ladd stars asDan Holiday in Box thirteen. Marx thirteen
(28:32):
is directed by Richard Sandville, withan original story by Russell Hughes. Original
music is composed and conducted by RudySchrager. Part of Susie is played by
Sylvia Picker and that of Lieutenant Clingby Edmund McDonald. Production is supervised by
Burne Carstenson. This is a Mayfairproduction from Hollywood watch for Alan Ladd in
(28:56):
his latest Paramount picture Welcome Back.When they referred to a child's copybook,
I didn't quite know what they weretalking about at first, just because you
know, when I was growing up, we did penmanship in books but called
penmanship books, but never copybooks.That was kind of interesting takeaway. Overall,
(29:26):
a pretty philosophical ending with and agood overall episode. Don't have a
whole lot to say about this episode. Tomorrow we'll have a lot of commentary
because we've gotten a lot of feedback, but it most appropriately belongs in Pat
Novac for Hire. Tomorrow, ofcourse, we'll be our last episode of
(29:47):
Pat Novac and then we'll be ontoJohnny Madero coming next week. Johnny Madero
every Tuesday, well for two weeks, so definitely be planning on listening to
that. I got any comments again, send it to me Box thirteen at
Great Detectives dot net. Cast yourvote for the show on podcast Alley,
and that one is at podcast Alleydot Great Detectives dot net. From Boise,
(30:11):
Idaho, this is your host,Adam Graham signing off
Welcome to the Great Detectives of OldTime Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
is your host, Adam Graham.Do you have any comments, email them
to me Box thirteen at Great Detectivesdot net. Please cast your vote for
the show on Podcast Ali podcast Alleydot Great Detectives dot net. And remember
our listener survey survey dot Great Detectivesdot net. I found yet another show
(00:54):
that used the device of an adin the newspaper prominently in the show,
along with Let George Do It andBox thirteen, and I mentioned that the
whole device had its origin in AgathaChristie's Tommy and Tuppins. This one was
a show called Results Incorporated. Actuallywas made during the war, and to
(01:19):
me it sounded like pretty much arip off of the of Agatha Christie's device,
with actually the whole young man youngwoman detective team actually set up just
like in Christie's novel. So Idon't know if I'll actually end up showing
(01:42):
that one. I've I've got tolisten to a few episodes. I wasn't
terribly impressed with the one I heard, but I would always always want to
give more than just one episode beforedeciding about a series. All right,
well we're gonna get into today's showwith not a whole lot of additional ado.
We'll have brief commercial message and thenwe will get into today's episode of
(02:05):
Box thirteen. This one is calledThe Sad Night. This is Adam Graham
for Johnny Dollar Air dot Com,which is Priceline. When it comes to
travel, Priceline gives you choices.Either name your own price on hotels,
rental cars, airline tickets, cruisesand even more. Or save money with
published specials for great deals on traveland to support great old time radio.
(02:28):
Remember Johnny Dollar air dot Com Boxthirteen with the style Fliamount pictures Allen lad
As, Dan Holiday, you're dribbling, old idiot. Why did you do
(02:53):
with it? I'm not going totell you. We've got to find out
what he did with that copy book. We've what's the matter? Look,
he's dead. Did you killed him? I'll be stupid. He he just
died. As no one can proveanything. Just keep your mouth shut and
(03:16):
help me find out what he didwith the copybook. Well, well,
well somebody sends me a copybook throughBox thirteen. Now I wonder why.
(03:39):
And now back to Box thirteen.And then Holiday's newest adventure, The Sad
Night. It was just a child'scopybook, and on the front cover was
the name Marina Layton. On aday the yearn I study living a child,
(04:02):
he strolled handwriting, I revel throughthe pages. There was nothing adventuest
at least that's the way it lookedthen. But Susie thought differently. Maybe
it's some kind of a coldness toHoliday, like like one to a buried
treasure. Susie, with your imaginationof my type Friday, we could go
places. Well, see the kindof money will he found? A great
treasures Monte Cristo, Susie, twodifferent people, Well they both had beards.
(04:27):
Oh, block, that's it.It's a letter to Box thirteen.
Listen Box thirteen. A day orso ago you may have received a child
copybook in the nail. If youdid, I should appreciate it, if
you'd bring it to the address below, yours truly to Reef Layton. M
Let me see that, Susie.Six eight two one Lake Shore Boulevard,
(04:53):
Swiky neighborhood. Are you going totake it back, mister Holiday? Oh
yes, Susie, if only tosee how the other half so I went
to six eight two one Lake Shore, Boulavar. I tossed the copy book
in the backseat of my command hadpassed on the floor. Maybe I was
thinking about anything but the book.But when I rang the doorbell at the
(05:13):
Big House, I suddenly remembered I'dleft the book in the car. I
just about started back down after itwhen the door opened. Yes, I'm
looking for Teresa Layton. I'm missusLayton. You Holiday, Dan Holiday,
I'm sorry Box thirteen. Oh ofcourse, please come in, mister Holiday
in the library. Please thank you. Won't you sit down, mister Holiday,
(05:40):
thanks very much. Yes, it'svery kind of you to come all
this way to return the book.You see, it belongs to my little
girl. And I suppose she sentthe book to you in well mischievously,
your little girl. Yes, Marina, sometimes I think she's a problem to
r Really how old is she?Miss Leyden seven? Did she tell you
(06:04):
she sent the book to Box thirteen? Well, no, as a matter
of fact, she wouldn't say.Then her father found a newspaper with an
advertisments cut from it, and wegot hold of a paper with the same
Dayton compared the page. Nice Detectivework, mister Leyden. I suppose all
this uproar over a child's book seemswell stupid, doesn't Oh no, no,
no, not at all. Butthere's one question I'd like to ask.
(06:28):
Yes, mister Holiday, you sayMarinas seven years old? That's right.
There's a date in the book nineteenthirty. It seems to have been
written the same hand as the restthat date. Would it would make her
quite a big little girl, wouldn'tit? She put down that date,
I suppose well, not thinking.Oh yes, of course, where is
(06:49):
she now, missus Leyden, She'sdead, mister Holiday. Mister Holiday,
this is my husband, Carl.How do you do. I'm very happy
to know you, mister Holiday.Do you have book? You'll get right
to the point, don't you,mister Holiday. Our daughter Marina is dead.
We want the book merely for sentimentalreasons. I can understand that if
your wife had lied to you bluntly. Yes, there is day when you
(07:15):
excuse us, Yes, I'll beupstairs. My wife isn't well, mister
Holiday. It's not an easy thingfor me to say, but she imagines
our daughter is still alive. Book, mister Leyden, if I'd ever written
a story with as many holes andit as yours. I'd be laughed out
of the writing game. What doyou mean your wife says Marinas sent me
the books? Yet you say Marinais dead. You know you two should
(07:39):
get together, all right, misterHoliday. How much do you want for
the book? Oh? Now we'regetting someplace. What's it worth? Five
hundred? Oh that's a lot ofmoney for a child's copy book. You
asked how much, and I toldyou? Now, may I have the
book? I don't think so.It's worth nothing to you, mister Holiday.
Believe me, it's absolutely nothing toyou. All right. Maybe I'm
(08:01):
just curious. Tell me why youwant the book, and may we will
do business. I can't tell you, or you won't tell me. Is
that it? I want that book? Now? I haven't got it with
me. You're lying, all right? Search me. I haven't got it
with me. I forgot it.You're going to be difficult. Look,
(08:22):
the book was sent to Box thirteen, obviously not by you, your wife
or your daughter. You found outit was sent when you traced my head,
right all right? That means someoneelse sent it to me. I'll
return the book when I find outwho and why. Mister Holiday, I'm
going to get that book, allright, all right, we'll play a
(08:43):
game book book book. Who's gotthe book? Now? Goodbye, mister
Leyton, goodbye, mister Holiday.You can find your way out, I
hope, I think so. Anytime you want to tell me the reason
behind all this, we may beable to do business. I think we'll
do business, mister Holiday. LaterI left, and when I got home
(09:07):
I spent the rest of the dayand most of the evening trying to figure
out why anyone would be so anxiousto get hold of the book. It
was filled with a kid's scrawling handwritingsums, in addition problems and subtraction alphabets.
Then I came to one page andstopped. It was filled with strange,
(09:28):
weird looking figures, as a kidwould try to draw human beings.
But there was something about them thatdidn't look like a kid's work. They
were grotesque, almost fiendish faces anddistorted, twisted bodies, and underneath were
three words in Spanish lache chi staythe sad night. The words were scrolled
(09:52):
too, but somehow they were differentfrom the rest of the book. I
kept turning back to that page,wondering, trying to connect something in my
mind with those figures in the book. And I must have dozed off,
because the next thing I knew itwas three in the morning, turned off
my light, lay back in bed. Then I was getting company unexpected,
(10:18):
and I wasn't in the mood toentertain. Well, whoa, whoa,
what a wonderful thing. A skeletonkey is like the magic words open sessame.
Somebody was looking for something and itwasn't East Eggs on the White House
lawn. I waited and then lookingfor something. Buddy, whatever it was,
(10:45):
didn't wait for the floor show.I turned on the light. Yeah,
he had grabbed a book, buthe had left a knife behind,
one that I picked up with ahandkerchief. If there were fingerprints, he
would introduce me to the gentle andCling could do me that thing. Man,
(11:07):
Any idea? Who it was holiday? I haven't cling. We had
our walts in the dark. Musthave been romantic. Oh yes, yes,
I was overcome. Look can youget prints off that knife handle?
Seems to me you could pick aneasier way of meeting people. Oh I
like the hard way. It makesfor lasting friendships. Look did he try
to knife you? Well? Idon't think he was doing kp with it.
Why was he af you? Hewasn't. Oh see he breaks in
(11:31):
at three in the morning. Yousurprise him. He pulls a knife on
you, but he wasn't after you. It was just a social call.
Or maybe he was a visiting nurse. Claily. You see about those prints,
Yeah, if you'll prefer charges,maybe, But more important, he
took something I want back, buta child's copybook a chat, you know,
(11:52):
Holiday. The more I see ofyou and his box thirteen gimmick your
run, the more I believe inelves and pixies. Why did you have
the child's colleye book? I'm learningto write. You're gonna keep this all
to yourself, so I find outwhat it's all about. Okay, Well,
from what you say about the cookiewho disturbed your betty by this morning,
he might have a record. Inthat case, you can tell me
(12:13):
who he is. You don't wantme to pick him up, No,
I'd rather have the pleasure. Yousee. He hung one on my chin.
He hung one out here, allright? Come back in an hour,
(12:35):
Oh, mister Holiday she I've beentrying to get in touch with you
all morning. I was a headquarters, Susan. Oh what you do.
Oh no, don't jump the conclusions. Why are you trying to get in
touch? When did this come?This morning? I picked up back thirteen
nail at the start time, sincethat note was in it. Well,
as I say in the books,Susie, the plot thickens. In fact,
(12:58):
it's so thick now, Aunty athing. How'd you get that bruise
on your chin? I shaved witha baseball bat this morning? Oh?
Well, are you going to meetMarina Layton? That's what she asked me
to do in a letter. Soif you want me, I'll be at
where she said, the lobby ofthe Camden Hotel. So I got to
the lobby of the Camden Hotel.It wasn't hard to find Marina Layton,
(13:22):
stress she said she'd bed. Itook a good look before walking over to
her. She was about about twentyfour, not pretty, but one of
those faces that always says a wonderfulday, isn't it? Okay? So
maybe now i'd find out what allthe excitement was about. I walked over.
Oh, pardon me, are youMarina Layton? Yes? And you
(13:46):
are. That's a box thirteen.You know, I didn't think there was
such a thing I thought this wouldall turn out to be some sort of
a joke. Well do we sithere if you like? Well? May
I have it? Missed you holiday? First name is Dan? All right,
may I have the book? Dan? I haven't gotten Marina, but
(14:09):
you must have it. Mark saidhe sent it to you. Oh no,
No, another character in the show. And who's Mark? He was
my father's dearest friend. But surelyyou ought to know that. Look,
Marina, I don't know a thing. I wait a moment. Here here's
his letter to me. You wantme to read it? Yes, Dear
(14:33):
Marina. The years I've kept somethingfrom you that your father wanted you to
have. Now I know someone elsewants it, but you can have it
by writing to Box thirteen care ofthe Star Times. I want to write
more, but I don't. DareJust remember your own name is a clue
(14:54):
love Mark? Well, well,what if your father wanted you to have
what he gave to this Mark?Why didn't he try to get it from
me? Who who tried to getwhat from you? Your father and mother?
They that's crazy. My mother diedwhen I was born, and my
father disappeared almost five years ago.Oh now it begins to make some sense,
not much, but a little.What are you talking about? The
(15:16):
character who said he was your father? He wanted that copybook of yours?
He must have found out in someway that Mike had it. Who was
the man? I don't know hesaid he was your father. I don't
understand all this next two of us. But listen, what's the matter.
How do I know you're Marina Layton? But I am? Yeah, yeah,
(15:37):
I guess you are, because sincesomeone already took the copy book from
earlier this morning, it'd be alittle senseless to try to get it this
way? All right, Marina,what do you know about a copybook yours
with the date nineteen thirty written init? Copy book nine? But nothing?
Nothing at all? When I'll waita minute, all this business has
(15:58):
to mean something. Don't you evenremember a copybook? I suppose I must
have had one? Not wait,of course, black ragged looking alphabet's in
it. That's it? Now?What about it? Oh? Nothing?
It was just an ordinary book Iscribbled in it is did you say nineteen
thirty? Yes, because in nineteenthirty I was with my father in Mexico.
(16:22):
I had the book then because Iwas being tutored by Mark, and
I used it for my lessons.Did you write anything in it? It
might well, it might be important. No, not a thing, you
must have I didn't. Did youwrite the Spanish words launch chister that means
the sad night? Yes? Iknow? Did you write them? No?
I don't think so. Then yourfather must have. But why are
(16:45):
you sure those words were in thebook? Of course I am Oh what
Mark? Though? Mark? WhyMark's dead? And now back to the
Sad Night? Another Box thirteenth adventurewith Alan Land as Dan Holiday. We
(17:15):
went to the place where Mark hadlived. Yes, he was dead.
Heart fed of the doctors said.We learned something else that he had had
visitors the night he had died,and from the description of them, they
could have only been a man anda woman, who poses Marina's parents.
And I learned a few things morefrom Marina that her father was an archaeologist
in nineteen thirty who was excavating Aztecruins outside Mexico City. It was on
(17:40):
the way back to Kling's office inmy car that she told me some more.
Father disappeared in Brazil almost five yearsago. Then the remains of this
expedition were found, and your fatherhe died, but he left records that
it's for the museum and anything foryou? No? Nothing? Are you
(18:00):
sure? Yeah? Uh wrote lettersof the museum, yet nothing for his
daughter. Why do you sit likethat? Doesn't seem other? He should
leave letters and wreck us for everyonebut you. Yes, there are a
lot of things to seem odd youwait here, Marine, I'll be buy
out your office. Oh where doyou find on? You were distinguished company
(18:30):
this morning, little Georgie Goshi strongman general hoodlum. I didn't think it
was a little evil. Want meto pick him up? I love your
company. Okay, thing, let'sgo. I want to ask Georgie a
few questions. Took cling about fiveminutes to get Georgie to talk. He
told us he had been hired toget that fucking from his description of the
(18:52):
guy who hired him, that couldn'thave been anyone else but the man who
poses late in the day before andI quick chip to the house on Lake
sharp of oars. We might aswell have stood in bed the faith.
Mister and missus Layton were gone andwith them the copy book and left us
at a dead end. But butas a mort of the start times,
Marina and I learned something else.Huh. I think we got lots of
(19:15):
stuff on Albert Layton, Josie.Yeah, he's the one who got himself
lost in Brazil about five years ago, isn't Yeah, that's right. Yeah,
here's a folder on him, newsclips, photos, that's that.
Look who's this, Josie, Letme see. Oh that's the guy who
found Layton or what was left atthe expedition name Acarle Bremer. Oh,
(19:37):
mister Bremer and the gent who wantedthat book are one and the same.
Did you ever see Marina, Notthat I remember. What were you when
your father went to Brazil in schooland you didn't see him again after you
left for Brazil. No, Josie, you know a lot of things.
One of the Spanish words la she'sstaying to you nothing except them in the
(20:02):
sad night? Is that all?Yeah? Why? Because they need more
than that, Marina. Can youget a sample of your father's handwriting?
Oh? Yes, of course.And I've got a hunch that Bremer and
his wife are leaving from Mexico.Hey Dan, Yeah, Look, this
Layton was an archaeologist. Why don'tyou go to the museum to find out
about him? Good? Idea,Johnsy. Thanks, but I've got a
phone call to make first. Ifmy hunt is correct, we've got to
(20:22):
stop Breamer from getting to Mexico.Let me get this straight, DWN.
You want this bremowner's wife picked upon Yeah, that's it. What's the
charge? You pick them up offof her charges? And maybe one of
them will be a murder. Whatwill you doing? Well, what if
(20:45):
they're out of the country by now, extradite them. You've got to have
a strong charge. I have onecausing the death of an old man by
trying to force something out of him, two hiring Georgie guys to bake into
my apartment, and three attempting todefraud. Is that enough? Yeah?
You get him and I'll make himstick. Luria got a sample of her
(21:15):
father's handwriting. Is this what youwanted? You sure? This is your
father's handwriting? Of course, that'sa letter from him just before he left
for the interior of Brazil. Butwriting in the book it was it was
something like this. Well maybe hedidn't write it. He must if he
wait a minute, mind, ifI mind, if I write on the
(21:37):
other side of this paper, No, okay, now watch I'm right handed.
But suppose I write like this withmy left hand, what's it look
like? Just a scraw sure,as a kid would write as you would
have written in nineteen thirty. Whywould he have done that to make it
look as though you had written it? That doesn't make sense. It does
make sense if you realize that yourfather had learned something, something that was
(22:00):
big enough to make him want tohide it, And why would he hide
it in a place no one wouldever think of looking for it? A
kid's copybook? No, No,he kept his notebooks. Everything he did
was in his own notes, butnot this. You were with him in
nineteen thirty. What was he doing? Oh? I told you, working
on the Aztec ruins outside of MexicoCity. And what did he find?
His findings were published the museum,all the museum, the museum. What's
(22:23):
the matter with me? Come on, Marina, Maybe we're getting someplace.
Yes, of course I know AlbertLeyton's work. He was a great man.
The world has lost a genius,Miss Leyton. Too bad. Look,
mister Dougat, we want you tohelp us. I'll do my best.
(22:44):
He said over the phone that itwas important, had something to do
with our Mexican antiquities here at themuseum. Yes, that's right. Why
did professor Layton send here? Well, come in here into the Astec.
I remember all these things. Ofcourse, everything isn't here. The Mexican
museums were given their share. Andpardon me, Look what's the matter.
(23:07):
Look Look on that far wall.Look at those figures. Oh? Yes,
were their only copies? Quite welldone. Of course, the original
paintings were lost when the Spaniards destroyedthe temples. There jealous because on the
far wall were the same figures I'dseen in that copy book, the same
growth tesse quired figures with their twistedbodies and savage faces. There were three
(23:30):
of them. Their painted eyes lookedout at us, seemed to accuse us.
I turned to the curator, misterDougal. Yes, mister Holiday,
what what are those figures? Well, there as tech guards. The one
over here in the upper left isquetzal Quato, supreme god of the Aztecs.
The one in the upper right isWhitsi Lapotli. He's one of my
(23:53):
favorites, a god of war.The one at the base of the triangle
is to Lak, god of rain. Those were the figures in your copybook,
and they were above the words LaNoche Trieste. But why why should
dad have done that? Mister Dougal? What is that triangle? Well,
where each of those figures is paintedwas a temple long ago destroyed by the
(24:14):
Spaniards under Cortes. In the centerwas one of the causeways that led to
to note tid lawn that's today's MexicoCity. It was over that causeway that
the Spaniards made their escape on LaNoche Trieste. La Noche Trieste. Look
said down, mister Dougall, Iwant you to tell me a lot more.
(24:37):
The curator talked for an hour,and what he told Marina and me
all added up the copybook, thefigures of those old Aztec gods. All.
Marina's father had something, all right, and he hid it in that
copy book. No wonder Bremer wantedit, No wonder all Market kept it
in. The whole thing made astory that went back over four hundred years,
a story of greed and bloodshed,one that reached out to touch me,
(25:02):
Marina, Old Mark Breemer, allof us later in Kling's office,
facing the Breemers, with Marina sittingthere too. All right, Holiday.
Let's have it first. I'll takethat copybook, Breemer, all right,
what good will it do you?None? And it wouldn't have done you
any good either. What do youmean you caused the death of one man
(25:23):
to get this another man famous respecthad lost his head and tried to keep
what he had found. But itwouldn't have done your father any good,
Hiven, right, No, Iknow what's the story? Then? Well
it really begins cling When Breemer foundthe remains of the Latent expedition in Brazil,
he found letters, records. Hebrought some of them back with him,
(25:45):
but some he didn't. That right, Bremer, you know everything you
tell it? Thank you, Iwill. One of the letters was to
Marina, Marina, whose name isthe same as the Indian girl who was
Cortez's consort. That was the oneyou kept, Breamer, a letter telling
Marina about the copy book and whatit contained. All right, all right,
what is it, Holliday. Let'sgo back to July first, fifteen
(26:08):
hundred and twenty to an end.Cortez in his army, the army that
marched through Mexico and destroyed the AztecEmpire. That's got something to do with
or list everything. On that night, the Aztecs rose up in fury against
the Spaniards. They had thought Cortesand his men were gods, but they
found out differently. They determined todrive the Spaniards out forever. Spaniards took
(26:32):
all the gold they could carry.The Aztecs went after them. They trapped
Cortes in his army on one ofthe causeways that led to the city.
The causeways were narrow, There werethousands of Indians and canoes all night long.
The battle went on until till inthe morning four hundred and fifty.
The Spaniards were dead and thousands ofAztecs, but Cortez and a remnant of
his army escaped, got to themainland and the coffee book. Those three
(26:57):
words la noche chi say the sadnight, are written into Mexican history as
the night Cortez and his army andthe Aztecs fought and killed each other until
the canals were choked with them.The goal the Spaniards took with him didn't
no good. They couldn't fight withit or eat it, so sobbing and
(27:18):
screaming, they dumped the treasure intothe waters of the canal, and it's
sank into the mud of the bottom. It's never been found. Marina's father
thought he had located it. Butlook, here's a map of modern Mexico
City where the causeways once ran.There are streets and houses. So you
(27:38):
see, no one will ever findthat goal. And maybe maybe it's just
as well. It's it's too redwith blood to be of any use to
anyone. But tea, mister Hardy. If all had goals there, why
(28:06):
didn't somebody go after? Oh youtwo Sussie? Oh no, I guess
not. But oh, tell mesomething, mister Hardy, What was the
means of those dad kick gods?Quick h wink and blankin and not?
Good nights, Sussie? Next week, same time? Through the courtesy of
Paramount Pictures. Allen Ladd stars asDan Holiday in Box thirteen. Marx thirteen
(28:32):
is directed by Richard Sandville, withan original story by Russell Hughes. Original
music is composed and conducted by RudySchrager. Part of Susie is played by
Sylvia Picker and that of Lieutenant Clingby Edmund McDonald. Production is supervised by
Burne Carstenson. This is a Mayfairproduction from Hollywood watch for Alan Ladd in
(28:56):
his latest Paramount picture Welcome Back.When they referred to a child's copybook,
I didn't quite know what they weretalking about at first, just because you
know, when I was growing up, we did penmanship in books but called
penmanship books, but never copybooks.That was kind of interesting takeaway. Overall,
(29:26):
a pretty philosophical ending with and agood overall episode. Don't have a
whole lot to say about this episode. Tomorrow we'll have a lot of commentary
because we've gotten a lot of feedback, but it most appropriately belongs in Pat
Novac for Hire. Tomorrow, ofcourse, we'll be our last episode of
(29:47):
Pat Novac and then we'll be ontoJohnny Madero coming next week. Johnny Madero
every Tuesday, well for two weeks, so definitely be planning on listening to
that. I got any comments again, send it to me Box thirteen at
Great Detectives dot net. Cast yourvote for the show on podcast Alley,
and that one is at podcast Alleydot Great Detectives dot net. From Boise,
(30:11):
Idaho, this is your host,Adam Graham signing off
Popular Podcasts
Fudd Around And Find Out
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!