September 26, 2025 • 31 mins
Original Release Date: June 28, 2010
Dan receives a letter to Box 13 from a man who promises to kill him in 4 days.
Original Air Date: September 1, 1948
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Dan receives a letter to Box 13 from a man who promises to kill him in 4 days.
Original Air Date: September 1, 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):
The Great Detectives of Old Time Radiofrom Boise, Idaho. This is your
host, Adam Graham. Gotta comment, Email me Box thirteen at Great Detectives
dot net. Cast your vote forthe show on Punk Cast Alley, Podcast
Alley dot Great Detectives dot net,and become a fan of the show on
Facebook, Facebook, dot Great Detectivesdot net. We begin with a comment
(00:51):
from Dan Dagan, who writes,it was funny to hear my last name
used in the show. Dagon isa very odd last name, and that's
in rough the show A one onethree point five, which we did about
five weeks ago, and it's interesting. I think a lot of writers take
kind of a stalk approach to namesthat they give their characters. I know,
(01:15):
with Dragment, I tended to heara lot of the same last names
being given to characters. And thatmay be one of the big challenges when
you're writing new characters every week,is you've got to come up with first
and last names for them all.So definitely a challenge. And keep listening
and then if you and you mayhear your last name as well. All
(01:38):
right, Well, before we doget started, I want to remind you
if you have not already check outAudible. Audible is a great service.
It gives you the flexibility of beingable to get one audiobook per month of
your choice. So you can listento a fantastic old time radio set,
or you can play the latest sellerto help you grow your business. Or
(02:00):
you can sit back and relax listento a classic or listen to a more
recent book that's of interest to you, such as the Monk Novels brought to
audio books. Just go to audiblepodcast dot com slash Oldtime Radio. That's
Audible podcast dot com slash Oldtime Radio. Now let's get into today's episode,
Find Me Find Death Box thirteen withthe style of Paramount Pictures, Alan lad
(02:34):
As, Dan Holiday, Hello,Susy, come for box thirteen mail?
Uh huh is there any kindy chair? A lot of it, but here's
one that's different. Yeah. Well, look at the paper and it didn't
come by Meio, it was justput on the counter here. I wonder
(02:59):
why. Yeah, it was funny, all right, that was the letter
that said Box thirteen. I've beenwatching your ad up here in the Star
Times day after day. Do youwant adventure? Very well? I think
I can offer that I'm going tofind out who you are, and when
(03:22):
I do, I'm going to killyou within four days. That gives you
four days to find out who Iam. If you learn that, you
may stop me from killing you.But if you don't, at least you
will have four days of different adventure. Now back to box thirteen and Dan
(03:50):
Holiday's newest adventure, find Me findThem. If you learn not, at
least you will have had four daysof different adventure. Oh gee, maybe
you'd better go to Lieutenant Clean.Mister Holliday, Why, Susie, Well,
you don't want to be killed,do you. I'll try my best
(04:12):
to avoid that ugly possibility. Youthink it's just a just a dad,
don't you? Well it could be. And then again, I'm Susie.
What mister Halliday know why this letterwas delivered to the Star Times by hand
rather than through the regular mail.No, so whoever wrote it could see
who picked up the mail there andfind out who you are? And you
(04:33):
you worry I am? Now?Gee, it could be a psychic culler
who wrote it. Psychopathic Susie.Anyway, I don't think we should take
it too seriously. Yeah, that'swhat I said, don't take it too
seriously. I didn't at first.I'd almost forgotten about the letter until that
(04:59):
night when I went home. Iwalked into my apartment building and was passing
the desk when the clark called outto me. What's your holiday? Oh,
mister Holiday? Oh hello there?How are you fine? So you
certainly were deep in thought when youcame in. Yes, I guess I
was. Here's a letter for you. Oh, thank you? You're welcome.
Is anything wrong, mister Holiday.I don't know who gave you this?
(05:24):
No one, no one? Whatdo you mean? Well, it
was on the floor just inside thelobby door. I thought maybe you dropped
it. No, I didn't.You didn't see anyone who might have thrown
it on the floor. I'm sorryI didn't, mister Holiday. I've been
at the switchboard all evening and Ican't see the entrance from there I see.
Is anything wrong? I mean,bad news? Anything like that?
Here? I read this. I'mready, mister Holiday. Are you?
(05:50):
That's a funny kind of note?Very funny. Has I been any Monday
here asking for me? Not asoul, at least not since I've been
on duty seven this evening. Anycalls him your show. No one came
in, well, not that Isaw you look worried, mister Holiday.
Do I okay? Forget it?Good night, good night, mister Holiday.
(06:12):
Oh if there are any calls,do you want them? Yes,
bring me in my apartment, surewill, sir, good night, good
night. Maybe it was a joke, a little gruesome, but nevertheless a
joke. I went up to myapartment and I don't know why I did
it, but I tried the doorsoftly and carefully before I put the key
in and unlocked it. I stoodthere for a moment in the dark.
(06:34):
Then I switched on the lights.I told myself I was being a little
silly that this was a choke.I walked to the window and opened it.
I stood there looking out and downthe street below. The pavement in
front of the apartment building was empty, no one there. Then I I
(06:55):
went to the phone and I madea dozen calls and got a great reputation
among my friend ends for being wella little off the rails. No one
admitted the choke, maybe just maybebecause it wasn't a choke. Good morning,
(07:15):
mister Holiday. Gee, you lookas though you haven't slept. You
looked tired. Oh, I sleptbadly? Did you have into um?
Couldn't you sleep? Where's the mail, Susie? Oh right here? Oh
thank you? What's the matter,mister Holiday? Oh? I think Susie
is getting a little angry, that'sall at me. Oh no, Susie,
(07:38):
not at you. What is it? Same paper, same handwriting?
Huh? What is it? Asletter? But this time it was sent
through the mail? Mister Holiday?What's wrong? Yeah? Read it?
Oh sure, dear mister Holiday.Now I know who you are. You
must know it because you got myMatthew to last night. But what I
(08:01):
didn't tell you in my last letterwas that if you go to the police
you won't get four days. I'llkill you as soon as you make a
move to contact them. Play thegame fairly, mister Holliday, and you'll
have four days. Good luck.Let me have that letter, su See
what are you going to do?Hey? A visit to the police.
(08:22):
Oh but mister Holliday, you ohno, not to the police. I'm
just going to satisfy myself about something. Will you come in, mister Holliday?
Oh thank you. Doctor please sitdown. Thanks now. The nurse
said that you seemed rather anxious aboutsomething I don't usually see people without a
(08:43):
point I know, and I appreciatethis. Oh, here are three letters,
doctor, I'd like you to readthem, and well, as a
psychiatrist, tell me what you thinkabout them. That is, let me
see, can you reapel? Italked? Certainly good? Right ahead,
Well, here's my advertisement in theStar Times, the one mentioned in the
first letter you're reading. Now.I'll explain about the letter later, but
(09:03):
first, would any person be liableto write such letters as those? No,
no normal person, mister Holiday,But an abnormal person might. Have
you thought of the possibility of aprank or joke? Well, I have
no one admits it. Well,no one would if it is a joke,
Doctor, what kind of a personwould write letters like those? Leaving
out the gagangle I need, misterHolliday, If I try to well go
(09:28):
into motives thoroughly, you be hereall day listening to me. However,
there are people who, to allappearances, the external appearances seem perfectly normal.
Yet those same persons, once thestimulus is applied the motivation furnished,
will do terrible things, even commitmurder. Yeah, our records are full
of such case histories. Why misterHolliday, what little we know about such
(09:52):
things tells us that these persons needeven actually crave a bolster to their egos.
Now, if the person who wrotethese letters really kills you, as
he says, then he'd feels superiorto you and the rest of the world.
That's oversimplifying it, of course,but basically that's it and all I
pick on me. We look atyour advertisement, mister holiday box thirteen adventure
(10:15):
wanted, will go any place?Do anything? You mean that adds a
challenge to the person who wrote theletter. Exactly, you supplied the stimulus,
the motivation to this person. Inother words, barring a joke,
I'm in trouble. Why don't yougo to the police. You read the
third letter. If I go tothe police, I'll be killed before the
four days are up. I thinkyou've got to take that chance. Maybe,
look, doctor, can this bekept confidential? Well if you want
(10:39):
it that way for a while anyway, thanks very much? Or would you
send your bill in my office?Oh? No charge, I'm one condition
condition? What's that? Come tosee me after four days, doctor,
I'll be very happy to see anyoneafter four days. That night I tried
to sleep, but I couldn't.I told myself a million times that it
(11:03):
was stupid and silly to let thisget me. It was a joke.
It had to be that I heardSusie reading that letter. I know who
you are. I'll kill you.Those same persons once the stimulus is applied,
the motivation furnished will do terrible thing. I'm going to find out.
And when I grew up, killyou would get burga holiday. That is
(11:28):
a challenge. You'll go to thepolice. I jumped out of bed as
i'd been shot. I thought Ihad, but it was a car back
firing the street below. Well,that made up my mind for me.
I was going to the police.I got dressed and went downstairs, going
(11:48):
up. Mister Holiday, Yeah,for a little while, can't sleep.
It's a little tough, yes,sir. Pretty noisy outside That car backfiring
woke me up. You were sleeping, well, just dozing. That's all
supposed to stay awake. Anyone couldget in or out. I'm sorry,
mister Holiday. I just no,I'm sorry. I'm jumpy. I guess
I get it. Oh, ifthere are any calls, I'll be back
(12:11):
in an hour. Yesterday, misterHoliday. Good nights are good night.
I walked out of my apartment building. There were a lot of people in
the streets, coming home from shows, maybe going out for a bite to
eat, or to the store fora package of cigarettes. I looked at
their faces. They were the samekind of face as I saw every other
day, except now now they weredifferent in a subtle way. I wondered
(12:39):
which one might be. Hey,Bud, what you got the time?
I scared you? Hey? Youlooked like he was a million miles away.
I wish I were, mister,and I wish I would Oh,
here you are? Hey, Hey, I yes, for the time,
not a handout, It's all right, You're welcome. Hey, cab,
(13:00):
take me to the nearest police stationand make it fast, they argue the
change. The street in front ofthe police station was empty. The tail
light of the cab I just leftreceded in the distance and then disappeared.
(13:24):
The headlights of a car coming downthe street were yellow and misty. I
started toward the stairs, but stoppedto watch the car coming down the street.
It slowed up a little, andthen an envelope hit the pavement.
I picked it up. The carfrom which it had been tossed, disappeared
down the street and around a corner. I tore open the envelope. The
(13:48):
note was in the same handwriting.It was short, sweet mister Holiday,
if you try to go into thatpolice station, a bullet will kill you
before you can get inside. Andnow back to find me find that another
(14:15):
Box thirteen adventure with Ellen Ladd asdamn Holiday. I didn't go into the
station. Somehow I believe that notedone. The next day at the office,
Susie and I talked it over.Please you'll be careful, won't you,
mister Holiday. Careful? Yeah?Sure? But how look Susie knows
(14:39):
where I live. He knows everymove I make. But I haven't got
the slightest clue as to who heor she is. You've got to find
out. Yes, I know,but how I'm no superman, Susie.
I've only got two more days.Maybe if you left town, mister Holliday,
I wouldn't do any good. I'dbe sure to follow it. What's
the matter? It's you think ofcompany? No? No, you did?
(15:01):
I did? Yes, you,Susie leave town. That's the answer.
But you just said he'd value Ifit's not a joke, you will
now wait, let's think this outby train. No, too many people
to check on the train. I'dnever be able to narrow the choice down.
Go buy bust, mister Halliday bus. That's it, Susie. Bus.
(15:22):
Not a big one, one ofthose small lines that make only about
a three or four hundred mile run. How many people can get on one
of those? Maybe twenty years thirtyat one time? Sure, twenty or
thirty. And I've got an idea. Come out of the station one,
Susie me. You'll see I meanthat small bag you can attack. No,
(15:43):
the bag will be just a prop. Now come on, let's go
now, look, Susie, I'mgoing to buy a ticket on that bus
to one month on the schedule,leaving in five minutes. I'm going to
buy a ticket all the way throughto the end of the line. Then
I'm going to get off that busbefore the end of the line and come
(16:03):
right back here. See it soundsold. I don't get it, don't
you see, Susie. If he'sfollowing me, he'll buy a ticket all
the way through and he'll have toget off before the end of the line
to keep track of me. Well, so long, Susie. I took
(16:25):
a good look at my fellow passengerson the bus wasn't crowded. There were
only ten beside me. I wonderedwhich of the ten of any was the
person who was after me? Thenexcuse me, oh excuse me? Oh
yes, would you do me afavor? Please? Oh I can?
I'm sure? What is it?This is my little boy, Harold.
(16:45):
All the seats next to the windowsare taking He likes to look out.
I wondered if you'd mind if bejust oh certainly nice, here you eyes
Sonny climb in. Oh thank you, Harold. Be careful of your lobs.
Lollipop now, don't get it allover the knife man like the ride
sunny. It's pretty out there,isn't it. Kid? Don't talk much,
does he? Oh no, notmuch? Going all away? That's
(17:08):
all away, and you all away. You want one of these books to
read help pass the time? Oh, thank you, it's nothing. Here's
a good murder mystery. You likemurders? M nothing like them, most
of the murderers and them books aresure done. Now, if I was
(17:29):
going to kill somebody, nobody,even though I was gonna do it,
I bet I could kill somebody andget away with him. That is,
if I wanted to kill somebody,and do you Sometimes I do, mister,
sometimes I do. Well, I'lllet you do your reading, Harold.
You can come with me now,thanks for your kindness. Mister.
(17:52):
There's a seat next to the windowupfront. Now, Harold, where's your
loty? Pop? Here you are? This is it? Oh? Thank
you? Oh I just ran myfingers through my hair and there it was.
Oh, thank you. Come on, Harold. The rest of the
passers who sat silently and quietly intheir seats, some reading, some just
staring out of the window. ThenI saw one man who was just looking
(18:15):
at me with a little smile onhis face. Smile widened. I smiled
back. He came over to me. Mind if I sit down? No,
not at all, right, Imean all kinds of people on a
bus. That's why I like toride on him. Do you make a
habit of it? Well, Iguess you could say I do him.
How about you? Well, Idon't ride buses as a rule. I
(18:36):
see you have a business trip.Hello. I guess you could say I
am a salesman. No, I'mI'm a writer. A writer? Is
that funny? I'm sorry? Soam I a writer. I mean,
is that so? My name isTrevor. We Dida'm Trevor. Mine's Holiday
Dan Holiday. Wow. Be amystery fiction writer, aren't cha? Yes,
(19:00):
that's right. My stuff runs moreof the scientific. But I get
a lot of material on these buses. You do, for example, Well,
a couple of years ago I wroteon the same bus with a man
who killed three men. Oh,I talked with him. I had a
couple of coffee with him at astop, and would have thought of him
as a killer. He was nodifferent room you or me or that fellow
who gave you the book a fewminutes ago. I suppose lots of people
(19:22):
who appear normal aren't really as normalas they see. I guess that going
far. Then that's all the way. Well, i'll leave you. You're
reading, oh murder mystery? Doyou like him? Sometimes? I do?
It all depends on how I feel. What you mean? Well,
I think i'll try a little.After a few minutes, i'll see you
better. He went back to hisseat. I sat, pretended to read,
(19:48):
but no one else spoke to me. A petty attention to the bus
went on on. The bus madeits first stop after an hour's ride,
I got off, as did therest of the passengers. Everyone took a
stretch and then what all about?Me? All about? I looked behind
(20:11):
a post and waited, waited untilthe bus pulled out. I looked around.
I was just going to board areturn bust. Yeah, I thought
you were going all the way.I changed my mind as a traver.
I thought you were going all theway. Did I say that? I
don't think so. I may haveimagined it, I could be. I
(20:34):
know I didn't say it. Well. I kissed the step of my tickets
once as far as this stop.He was right, This ticket was punched
only as far as it stopped.I looked at him. You must have
seen the expression on my face,because don't you feel well, Yes,
I'm all right? Why you hada kind of funny look on your face,
as though you expected, well expectedsomething to happen but didn't. Or
(20:57):
maybe I'm imagining things. Now you'regoing back to the city, Yeah,
sure, come on, let's returnbus. Looks like we'll be able to
get a seat. Hey, Trevor, Trevor, Oh we're back. Huh,
(21:21):
Well, I'm short tripping A merryone, A merry one that could
be say I wonder if you cometo my place some evening for a chit
chat. My wife would love tomeet somebody who's successful with his writing.
What's the matter with you? I'mafraid I'm not that a picture of the
successful writer. I've had a lotof disappointment. Oh I see, I'll
be glad. Could you make ittonight? Well I don't. We're having
some people over. My wife wouldget a big kick out of having a
(21:42):
real, live writer, a goodone, that is. Come over to
that house all right if I findI'm afraid I'll be that. Hey,
ye gets my name and address.She my wife kick out of this here.
Please try to make it, willyou? Sure? Sure, I'll
try. Okay, see you laterand thanks. He got off with the
bus ahead of me and walked away. I wondered. I wondered about a
(22:07):
lot of things. Trevor had beenthe only one of the original passengers who
had taken the return bus with me, yet his ticket was punched for the
first stop. If he'd wanted tokeep track of me, would have bought
a ticket all the way through.Because because he couldn't have known I'd get
off, I decided to accept hisinvitation because well, I had to find
(22:29):
out sooner or later, And sothat night I stood on the doorstep outside
Trevor's home. Inside a radio wasplaying. I could hear people laughing talking.
I rang the doorbell and waited.Holiday you did come? Huh?
Are you surprised? Sure I am. Those invitations usually work out and nobody
(22:52):
goes any place. Come on andmeet the gag. Oh I'm glad to
look ole man. If those goonsin their start chewing your head the questions
and I get bored, you justgive me the high sign and we'll break
it off. Okay, mister Travor, you have no idea how glad I
am to be among people. Whatdo you mean? Oh? Nothing,
nothing at all. I just likepeople. That's all I see in here.
Holiday, surprised, Holiday, yourwife and some guests. I'll turn
(23:22):
it off. That's an excellent record. It's used for sound effects and radio.
I believe. Open that door.Not yet, sit down, Holiday
travel, listen to me or allfull even to try to get away with
us. Oh I've got away withit before five times. To be exact,
I don't force me to shoot youyet. Sit down five times?
(23:48):
Yes, But this one is themost exciting sit down holiday estimate. Now,
I must say that that bus trickof yours was very clear holiday,
but my trick a little more so. You actually bought a ticket as far
as the first stop. Of course, if you've gone on, it would
have been a simple matter for meto pay the difference in fair But you
(24:08):
are clever, traver. Listen tome. You're not well, now,
let's stop this, honest right now? Not well. I'm well, all
right. The rest of the worldis made up of fools and idiots.
But I like you holiday so muchso that I'm going to give you a
chance. Chance, what kind ofa chance? You sit at one end
of that long table. I'll sitat the other. Go ahead, now
(24:33):
what now, neither of us canreach the other. I have two guns
here, one for you and onefor me. You're you're going to give
me a gun? Exactly? Doyou ever hear of Russian roulette? I
see you have. I put onebullet in each gun, one and only
one. I'll spend the cylinders oneach revolver, so that neither of us
(24:56):
knows in which chamber the bullet is. Nah, the bullet in your gun
maybe in the chamber under the hammer, or it may not the same for
mine. He catch Traver for thelast time. I'll be out of here.
You play the game. Point thegun at me, Holiday, as
(25:17):
I point mine at you. Soif your bullet is under the hammer,
you'll kill me. If mine isunder the hammer, Ready, squeeze the
trigger. Holiday, because I'm goingto Craver. Stop it. I'm rather
tired. Holiday. This may bethe end when I come three one,
(25:47):
two, three, We're both lucky, all right? Once more? There
was one long chance to my Iwas the only light in the room,
a student lamp on a small table. I waited to know. Trevor counted
to three, then died for thelamp. It was dark. I heard
(26:07):
Trevor moving them. Hollida, Holiday, stay where you are, Trevor,
don't try to get out the door. Holiday. I know exactly where it
is. Now fire, I've gota pull of two ha ha. Have
you you think I'm a fool You'vegotta make in your gun? You try
it? Well, this is moreexciting than I ever imagined it would be.
(26:29):
Holiday. You made me take itnow because you'll never get out alive.
Go ahead, fire at me.When do you think you'll get the
loaded chamber, Trevor. I'm goingto kill you. I must kill you.
The next chamber is the one,Trevor, and you'd better hit me.
I'll wait. I'll wait until Ican see you. Will you?
Then you'll have to wait until morning. By that time I'll be missed and
(26:49):
my secretary knows where I've gone.Then they'll come here, Trevor. They'll
come here and take you away.They'll put you where you'll get better,
because you're sick, Trevor, verysick. Think of it, Trevor.
Long nights and days where you can'tget out, long nights and days.
They'll come for you, Trevor.They'll come for you in the morning.
(27:11):
Holoday, Holiday, Holoday, hmhm. You you poor devil, You
(27:37):
poor devil. I'm sorry. Andyou were locked up in that dark room
(28:02):
with him. Yes, Susie,it wasn't nice. But now he's locked
up or he can't harm anyone orhimself. You know what, mister Holliday.
You need a nice long rest.Oh, say it again, Susie,
say it again. You sure do. Why don't you take a nice
breast ride? Sound pray? Butgood night, Susie. Next week,
(28:29):
same time, through the courtesy ofParamount Pictures. Allen Ladd stars as Dan
Holiday in Box thirteen. Box thirteenis directed by Richard Sandbough, with this
week's original story by Russell Hughes.Original music is composed and conducted by Rudy
Schrager. Part of Susie is playedby Sylvia Picker, and production is supervised
by Berne Carstenson. Box thirteen isa Mainfair production from Hollywood. Watch Roll
(29:00):
and Ladd in his latest Paramount picturedWelcome Back. Wow, that has to
be the biggest, the biggest notto actually a contact Box thirteen. I
was kind of surprised that he wasas blause about it as usual. Oh
well, it's probably just a joke, but it made for a fascinating,
(29:23):
well together, well put together mysterystory. And apparently Holiday's book sales are
good enough that he can continue totake the rest just ay, you know,
selling a lot of books, sowe'll continue to run the ad despot
the rest. All right, Well, we got a comment. Thanks for
the common effort that goes into gettingthese outis. My favorites are Box thirteen
(29:47):
and Let George do It. ButI'm hopeful you'll get to Nemurowolf here well,
we definitely out to and I shouldprobably just update everybody and where we're
at, like when we might seesome new changes to the lineup. Well,
this was our thirty sixth episode ofBox thirteen, so we have sixteen
weeks of Box thirteen life, andincluding tomorrow's show, we have five episodes
(30:12):
of Jeff Reagan with Jack Webb andthen another thirteen episodes of Jeff Reagan with
Frank Ram, so we'll probably startwe'll see some other show as being added
in November. We have more thanone hundred and fifty episode to Let George
Do It and even more than thaton Sherlock Holmes and Johnny Dowler. So
(30:33):
that's where we stand. So you'llbe seeing some shows collin to the rotation
in November, and I will talkabout what some of those shows will be
in August. But that's it fortoday's episode. Send your comments to me
Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, cast your vote for the show on
podcast Alley Podcast Alley dot Great Detectivesdot net, and you can always follow
(30:57):
us on Twitter at a Radio Detectivesfrom Boise, Idaho. This is your
host, Adam Graham signing off.
The Great Detectives of Old Time Radiofrom Boise, Idaho. This is your
host, Adam Graham. Gotta comment, Email me Box thirteen at Great Detectives
dot net. Cast your vote forthe show on Punk Cast Alley, Podcast
Alley dot Great Detectives dot net,and become a fan of the show on
Facebook, Facebook, dot Great Detectivesdot net. We begin with a comment
(00:51):
from Dan Dagan, who writes,it was funny to hear my last name
used in the show. Dagon isa very odd last name, and that's
in rough the show A one onethree point five, which we did about
five weeks ago, and it's interesting. I think a lot of writers take
kind of a stalk approach to namesthat they give their characters. I know,
(01:15):
with Dragment, I tended to heara lot of the same last names
being given to characters. And thatmay be one of the big challenges when
you're writing new characters every week,is you've got to come up with first
and last names for them all.So definitely a challenge. And keep listening
and then if you and you mayhear your last name as well. All
(01:38):
right, Well, before we doget started, I want to remind you
if you have not already check outAudible. Audible is a great service.
It gives you the flexibility of beingable to get one audiobook per month of
your choice. So you can listento a fantastic old time radio set,
or you can play the latest sellerto help you grow your business. Or
(02:00):
you can sit back and relax listento a classic or listen to a more
recent book that's of interest to you, such as the Monk Novels brought to
audio books. Just go to audiblepodcast dot com slash Oldtime Radio. That's
Audible podcast dot com slash Oldtime Radio. Now let's get into today's episode,
Find Me Find Death Box thirteen withthe style of Paramount Pictures, Alan lad
(02:34):
As, Dan Holiday, Hello,Susy, come for box thirteen mail?
Uh huh is there any kindy chair? A lot of it, but here's
one that's different. Yeah. Well, look at the paper and it didn't
come by Meio, it was justput on the counter here. I wonder
(02:59):
why. Yeah, it was funny, all right, that was the letter
that said Box thirteen. I've beenwatching your ad up here in the Star
Times day after day. Do youwant adventure? Very well? I think
I can offer that I'm going tofind out who you are, and when
(03:22):
I do, I'm going to killyou within four days. That gives you
four days to find out who Iam. If you learn that, you
may stop me from killing you.But if you don't, at least you
will have four days of different adventure. Now back to box thirteen and Dan
(03:50):
Holiday's newest adventure, find Me findThem. If you learn not, at
least you will have had four daysof different adventure. Oh gee, maybe
you'd better go to Lieutenant Clean.Mister Holliday, Why, Susie, Well,
you don't want to be killed,do you. I'll try my best
(04:12):
to avoid that ugly possibility. Youthink it's just a just a dad,
don't you? Well it could be. And then again, I'm Susie.
What mister Halliday know why this letterwas delivered to the Star Times by hand
rather than through the regular mail.No, so whoever wrote it could see
who picked up the mail there andfind out who you are? And you
(04:33):
you worry I am? Now?Gee, it could be a psychic culler
who wrote it. Psychopathic Susie.Anyway, I don't think we should take
it too seriously. Yeah, that'swhat I said, don't take it too
seriously. I didn't at first.I'd almost forgotten about the letter until that
(04:59):
night when I went home. Iwalked into my apartment building and was passing
the desk when the clark called outto me. What's your holiday? Oh,
mister Holiday? Oh hello there?How are you fine? So you
certainly were deep in thought when youcame in. Yes, I guess I
was. Here's a letter for you. Oh, thank you? You're welcome.
Is anything wrong, mister Holiday.I don't know who gave you this?
(05:24):
No one, no one? Whatdo you mean? Well, it
was on the floor just inside thelobby door. I thought maybe you dropped
it. No, I didn't.You didn't see anyone who might have thrown
it on the floor. I'm sorryI didn't, mister Holiday. I've been
at the switchboard all evening and Ican't see the entrance from there I see.
Is anything wrong? I mean,bad news? Anything like that?
Here? I read this. I'mready, mister Holiday. Are you?
(05:50):
That's a funny kind of note?Very funny. Has I been any Monday
here asking for me? Not asoul, at least not since I've been
on duty seven this evening. Anycalls him your show. No one came
in, well, not that Isaw you look worried, mister Holiday.
Do I okay? Forget it?Good night, good night, mister Holiday.
(06:12):
Oh if there are any calls,do you want them? Yes,
bring me in my apartment, surewill, sir, good night, good
night. Maybe it was a joke, a little gruesome, but nevertheless a
joke. I went up to myapartment and I don't know why I did
it, but I tried the doorsoftly and carefully before I put the key
in and unlocked it. I stoodthere for a moment in the dark.
(06:34):
Then I switched on the lights.I told myself I was being a little
silly that this was a choke.I walked to the window and opened it.
I stood there looking out and downthe street below. The pavement in
front of the apartment building was empty, no one there. Then I I
(06:55):
went to the phone and I madea dozen calls and got a great reputation
among my friend ends for being wella little off the rails. No one
admitted the choke, maybe just maybebecause it wasn't a choke. Good morning,
(07:15):
mister Holiday. Gee, you lookas though you haven't slept. You
looked tired. Oh, I sleptbadly? Did you have into um?
Couldn't you sleep? Where's the mail, Susie? Oh right here? Oh
thank you? What's the matter,mister Holiday? Oh? I think Susie
is getting a little angry, that'sall at me. Oh no, Susie,
(07:38):
not at you. What is it? Same paper, same handwriting?
Huh? What is it? Asletter? But this time it was sent
through the mail? Mister Holiday?What's wrong? Yeah? Read it?
Oh sure, dear mister Holiday.Now I know who you are. You
must know it because you got myMatthew to last night. But what I
(08:01):
didn't tell you in my last letterwas that if you go to the police
you won't get four days. I'llkill you as soon as you make a
move to contact them. Play thegame fairly, mister Holliday, and you'll
have four days. Good luck.Let me have that letter, su See
what are you going to do?Hey? A visit to the police.
(08:22):
Oh but mister Holliday, you ohno, not to the police. I'm
just going to satisfy myself about something. Will you come in, mister Holliday?
Oh thank you. Doctor please sitdown. Thanks now. The nurse
said that you seemed rather anxious aboutsomething I don't usually see people without a
(08:43):
point I know, and I appreciatethis. Oh, here are three letters,
doctor, I'd like you to readthem, and well, as a
psychiatrist, tell me what you thinkabout them. That is, let me
see, can you reapel? Italked? Certainly good? Right ahead,
Well, here's my advertisement in theStar Times, the one mentioned in the
first letter you're reading. Now.I'll explain about the letter later, but
(09:03):
first, would any person be liableto write such letters as those? No,
no normal person, mister Holiday,But an abnormal person might. Have
you thought of the possibility of aprank or joke? Well, I have
no one admits it. Well,no one would if it is a joke,
Doctor, what kind of a personwould write letters like those? Leaving
out the gagangle I need, misterHolliday, If I try to well go
(09:28):
into motives thoroughly, you be hereall day listening to me. However,
there are people who, to allappearances, the external appearances seem perfectly normal.
Yet those same persons, once thestimulus is applied the motivation furnished,
will do terrible things, even commitmurder. Yeah, our records are full
of such case histories. Why misterHolliday, what little we know about such
(09:52):
things tells us that these persons needeven actually crave a bolster to their egos.
Now, if the person who wrotethese letters really kills you, as
he says, then he'd feels superiorto you and the rest of the world.
That's oversimplifying it, of course,but basically that's it and all I
pick on me. We look atyour advertisement, mister holiday box thirteen adventure
(10:15):
wanted, will go any place?Do anything? You mean that adds a
challenge to the person who wrote theletter. Exactly, you supplied the stimulus,
the motivation to this person. Inother words, barring a joke,
I'm in trouble. Why don't yougo to the police. You read the
third letter. If I go tothe police, I'll be killed before the
four days are up. I thinkyou've got to take that chance. Maybe,
look, doctor, can this bekept confidential? Well if you want
(10:39):
it that way for a while anyway, thanks very much? Or would you
send your bill in my office?Oh? No charge, I'm one condition
condition? What's that? Come tosee me after four days, doctor,
I'll be very happy to see anyoneafter four days. That night I tried
to sleep, but I couldn't.I told myself a million times that it
(11:03):
was stupid and silly to let thisget me. It was a joke.
It had to be that I heardSusie reading that letter. I know who
you are. I'll kill you.Those same persons once the stimulus is applied,
the motivation furnished will do terrible thing. I'm going to find out.
And when I grew up, killyou would get burga holiday. That is
(11:28):
a challenge. You'll go to thepolice. I jumped out of bed as
i'd been shot. I thought Ihad, but it was a car back
firing the street below. Well,that made up my mind for me.
I was going to the police.I got dressed and went downstairs, going
(11:48):
up. Mister Holiday, Yeah,for a little while, can't sleep.
It's a little tough, yes,sir. Pretty noisy outside That car backfiring
woke me up. You were sleeping, well, just dozing. That's all
supposed to stay awake. Anyone couldget in or out. I'm sorry,
mister Holiday. I just no,I'm sorry. I'm jumpy. I guess
I get it. Oh, ifthere are any calls, I'll be back
(12:11):
in an hour. Yesterday, misterHoliday. Good nights are good night.
I walked out of my apartment building. There were a lot of people in
the streets, coming home from shows, maybe going out for a bite to
eat, or to the store fora package of cigarettes. I looked at
their faces. They were the samekind of face as I saw every other
day, except now now they weredifferent in a subtle way. I wondered
(12:39):
which one might be. Hey,Bud, what you got the time?
I scared you? Hey? Youlooked like he was a million miles away.
I wish I were, mister,and I wish I would Oh,
here you are? Hey, Hey, I yes, for the time,
not a handout, It's all right, You're welcome. Hey, cab,
(13:00):
take me to the nearest police stationand make it fast, they argue the
change. The street in front ofthe police station was empty. The tail
light of the cab I just leftreceded in the distance and then disappeared.
(13:24):
The headlights of a car coming downthe street were yellow and misty. I
started toward the stairs, but stoppedto watch the car coming down the street.
It slowed up a little, andthen an envelope hit the pavement.
I picked it up. The carfrom which it had been tossed, disappeared
down the street and around a corner. I tore open the envelope. The
(13:48):
note was in the same handwriting.It was short, sweet mister Holiday,
if you try to go into thatpolice station, a bullet will kill you
before you can get inside. Andnow back to find me find that another
(14:15):
Box thirteen adventure with Ellen Ladd asdamn Holiday. I didn't go into the
station. Somehow I believe that notedone. The next day at the office,
Susie and I talked it over.Please you'll be careful, won't you,
mister Holiday. Careful? Yeah?Sure? But how look Susie knows
(14:39):
where I live. He knows everymove I make. But I haven't got
the slightest clue as to who heor she is. You've got to find
out. Yes, I know,but how I'm no superman, Susie.
I've only got two more days.Maybe if you left town, mister Holliday,
I wouldn't do any good. I'dbe sure to follow it. What's
the matter? It's you think ofcompany? No? No, you did?
(15:01):
I did? Yes, you,Susie leave town. That's the answer.
But you just said he'd value Ifit's not a joke, you will
now wait, let's think this outby train. No, too many people
to check on the train. I'dnever be able to narrow the choice down.
Go buy bust, mister Halliday bus. That's it, Susie. Bus.
(15:22):
Not a big one, one ofthose small lines that make only about
a three or four hundred mile run. How many people can get on one
of those? Maybe twenty years thirtyat one time? Sure, twenty or
thirty. And I've got an idea. Come out of the station one,
Susie me. You'll see I meanthat small bag you can attack. No,
(15:43):
the bag will be just a prop. Now come on, let's go
now, look, Susie, I'mgoing to buy a ticket on that bus
to one month on the schedule,leaving in five minutes. I'm going to
buy a ticket all the way throughto the end of the line. Then
I'm going to get off that busbefore the end of the line and come
(16:03):
right back here. See it soundsold. I don't get it, don't
you see, Susie. If he'sfollowing me, he'll buy a ticket all
the way through and he'll have toget off before the end of the line
to keep track of me. Well, so long, Susie. I took
(16:25):
a good look at my fellow passengerson the bus wasn't crowded. There were
only ten beside me. I wonderedwhich of the ten of any was the
person who was after me? Thenexcuse me, oh excuse me? Oh
yes, would you do me afavor? Please? Oh I can?
I'm sure? What is it?This is my little boy, Harold.
(16:45):
All the seats next to the windowsare taking He likes to look out.
I wondered if you'd mind if bejust oh certainly nice, here you eyes
Sonny climb in. Oh thank you, Harold. Be careful of your lobs.
Lollipop now, don't get it allover the knife man like the ride
sunny. It's pretty out there,isn't it. Kid? Don't talk much,
does he? Oh no, notmuch? Going all away? That's
(17:08):
all away, and you all away. You want one of these books to
read help pass the time? Oh, thank you, it's nothing. Here's
a good murder mystery. You likemurders? M nothing like them, most
of the murderers and them books aresure done. Now, if I was
(17:29):
going to kill somebody, nobody,even though I was gonna do it,
I bet I could kill somebody andget away with him. That is,
if I wanted to kill somebody,and do you Sometimes I do, mister,
sometimes I do. Well, I'lllet you do your reading, Harold.
You can come with me now,thanks for your kindness. Mister.
(17:52):
There's a seat next to the windowupfront. Now, Harold, where's your
loty? Pop? Here you are? This is it? Oh? Thank
you? Oh I just ran myfingers through my hair and there it was.
Oh, thank you. Come on, Harold. The rest of the
passers who sat silently and quietly intheir seats, some reading, some just
staring out of the window. ThenI saw one man who was just looking
(18:15):
at me with a little smile onhis face. Smile widened. I smiled
back. He came over to me. Mind if I sit down? No,
not at all, right, Imean all kinds of people on a
bus. That's why I like toride on him. Do you make a
habit of it? Well, Iguess you could say I do him.
How about you? Well, Idon't ride buses as a rule. I
(18:36):
see you have a business trip.Hello. I guess you could say I
am a salesman. No, I'mI'm a writer. A writer? Is
that funny? I'm sorry? Soam I a writer. I mean,
is that so? My name isTrevor. We Dida'm Trevor. Mine's Holiday
Dan Holiday. Wow. Be amystery fiction writer, aren't cha? Yes,
(19:00):
that's right. My stuff runs moreof the scientific. But I get
a lot of material on these buses. You do, for example, Well,
a couple of years ago I wroteon the same bus with a man
who killed three men. Oh,I talked with him. I had a
couple of coffee with him at astop, and would have thought of him
as a killer. He was nodifferent room you or me or that fellow
who gave you the book a fewminutes ago. I suppose lots of people
(19:22):
who appear normal aren't really as normalas they see. I guess that going
far. Then that's all the way. Well, i'll leave you. You're
reading, oh murder mystery? Doyou like him? Sometimes? I do?
It all depends on how I feel. What you mean? Well,
I think i'll try a little.After a few minutes, i'll see you
better. He went back to hisseat. I sat, pretended to read,
(19:48):
but no one else spoke to me. A petty attention to the bus
went on on. The bus madeits first stop after an hour's ride,
I got off, as did therest of the passengers. Everyone took a
stretch and then what all about?Me? All about? I looked behind
(20:11):
a post and waited, waited untilthe bus pulled out. I looked around.
I was just going to board areturn bust. Yeah, I thought
you were going all the way.I changed my mind as a traver.
I thought you were going all theway. Did I say that? I
don't think so. I may haveimagined it, I could be. I
(20:34):
know I didn't say it. Well. I kissed the step of my tickets
once as far as this stop.He was right, This ticket was punched
only as far as it stopped.I looked at him. You must have
seen the expression on my face,because don't you feel well, Yes,
I'm all right? Why you hada kind of funny look on your face,
as though you expected, well expectedsomething to happen but didn't. Or
(20:57):
maybe I'm imagining things. Now you'regoing back to the city, Yeah,
sure, come on, let's returnbus. Looks like we'll be able to
get a seat. Hey, Trevor, Trevor, Oh we're back. Huh,
(21:21):
Well, I'm short tripping A merryone, A merry one that could
be say I wonder if you cometo my place some evening for a chit
chat. My wife would love tomeet somebody who's successful with his writing.
What's the matter with you? I'mafraid I'm not that a picture of the
successful writer. I've had a lotof disappointment. Oh I see, I'll
be glad. Could you make ittonight? Well I don't. We're having
some people over. My wife wouldget a big kick out of having a
(21:42):
real, live writer, a goodone, that is. Come over to
that house all right if I findI'm afraid I'll be that. Hey,
ye gets my name and address.She my wife kick out of this here.
Please try to make it, willyou? Sure? Sure, I'll
try. Okay, see you laterand thanks. He got off with the
bus ahead of me and walked away. I wondered. I wondered about a
(22:07):
lot of things. Trevor had beenthe only one of the original passengers who
had taken the return bus with me, yet his ticket was punched for the
first stop. If he'd wanted tokeep track of me, would have bought
a ticket all the way through.Because because he couldn't have known I'd get
off, I decided to accept hisinvitation because well, I had to find
(22:29):
out sooner or later, And sothat night I stood on the doorstep outside
Trevor's home. Inside a radio wasplaying. I could hear people laughing talking.
I rang the doorbell and waited.Holiday you did come? Huh?
Are you surprised? Sure I am. Those invitations usually work out and nobody
(22:52):
goes any place. Come on andmeet the gag. Oh I'm glad to
look ole man. If those goonsin their start chewing your head the questions
and I get bored, you justgive me the high sign and we'll break
it off. Okay, mister Travor, you have no idea how glad I
am to be among people. Whatdo you mean? Oh? Nothing,
nothing at all. I just likepeople. That's all I see in here.
Holiday, surprised, Holiday, yourwife and some guests. I'll turn
(23:22):
it off. That's an excellent record. It's used for sound effects and radio.
I believe. Open that door.Not yet, sit down, Holiday
travel, listen to me or allfull even to try to get away with
us. Oh I've got away withit before five times. To be exact,
I don't force me to shoot youyet. Sit down five times?
(23:48):
Yes, But this one is themost exciting sit down holiday estimate. Now,
I must say that that bus trickof yours was very clear holiday,
but my trick a little more so. You actually bought a ticket as far
as the first stop. Of course, if you've gone on, it would
have been a simple matter for meto pay the difference in fair But you
(24:08):
are clever, traver. Listen tome. You're not well, now,
let's stop this, honest right now? Not well. I'm well, all
right. The rest of the worldis made up of fools and idiots.
But I like you holiday so muchso that I'm going to give you a
chance. Chance, what kind ofa chance? You sit at one end
of that long table. I'll sitat the other. Go ahead, now
(24:33):
what now, neither of us canreach the other. I have two guns
here, one for you and onefor me. You're you're going to give
me a gun? Exactly? Doyou ever hear of Russian roulette? I
see you have. I put onebullet in each gun, one and only
one. I'll spend the cylinders oneach revolver, so that neither of us
(24:56):
knows in which chamber the bullet is. Nah, the bullet in your gun
maybe in the chamber under the hammer, or it may not the same for
mine. He catch Traver for thelast time. I'll be out of here.
You play the game. Point thegun at me, Holiday, as
(25:17):
I point mine at you. Soif your bullet is under the hammer,
you'll kill me. If mine isunder the hammer, Ready, squeeze the
trigger. Holiday, because I'm goingto Craver. Stop it. I'm rather
tired. Holiday. This may bethe end when I come three one,
(25:47):
two, three, We're both lucky, all right? Once more? There
was one long chance to my Iwas the only light in the room,
a student lamp on a small table. I waited to know. Trevor counted
to three, then died for thelamp. It was dark. I heard
(26:07):
Trevor moving them. Hollida, Holiday, stay where you are, Trevor,
don't try to get out the door. Holiday. I know exactly where it
is. Now fire, I've gota pull of two ha ha. Have
you you think I'm a fool You'vegotta make in your gun? You try
it? Well, this is moreexciting than I ever imagined it would be.
(26:29):
Holiday. You made me take itnow because you'll never get out alive.
Go ahead, fire at me.When do you think you'll get the
loaded chamber, Trevor. I'm goingto kill you. I must kill you.
The next chamber is the one,Trevor, and you'd better hit me.
I'll wait. I'll wait until Ican see you. Will you?
Then you'll have to wait until morning. By that time I'll be missed and
(26:49):
my secretary knows where I've gone.Then they'll come here, Trevor. They'll
come here and take you away.They'll put you where you'll get better,
because you're sick, Trevor, verysick. Think of it, Trevor.
Long nights and days where you can'tget out, long nights and days.
They'll come for you, Trevor.They'll come for you in the morning.
(27:11):
Holoday, Holiday, Holoday, hmhm. You you poor devil, You
(27:37):
poor devil. I'm sorry. Andyou were locked up in that dark room
(28:02):
with him. Yes, Susie,it wasn't nice. But now he's locked
up or he can't harm anyone orhimself. You know what, mister Holliday.
You need a nice long rest.Oh, say it again, Susie,
say it again. You sure do. Why don't you take a nice
breast ride? Sound pray? Butgood night, Susie. Next week,
(28:29):
same time, through the courtesy ofParamount Pictures. Allen Ladd stars as Dan
Holiday in Box thirteen. Box thirteenis directed by Richard Sandbough, with this
week's original story by Russell Hughes.Original music is composed and conducted by Rudy
Schrager. Part of Susie is playedby Sylvia Picker, and production is supervised
by Berne Carstenson. Box thirteen isa Mainfair production from Hollywood. Watch Roll
(29:00):
and Ladd in his latest Paramount picturedWelcome Back. Wow, that has to
be the biggest, the biggest notto actually a contact Box thirteen. I
was kind of surprised that he wasas blause about it as usual. Oh
well, it's probably just a joke, but it made for a fascinating,
(29:23):
well together, well put together mysterystory. And apparently Holiday's book sales are
good enough that he can continue totake the rest just ay, you know,
selling a lot of books, sowe'll continue to run the ad despot
the rest. All right, Well, we got a comment. Thanks for
the common effort that goes into gettingthese outis. My favorites are Box thirteen
(29:47):
and Let George do It. ButI'm hopeful you'll get to Nemurowolf here well,
we definitely out to and I shouldprobably just update everybody and where we're
at, like when we might seesome new changes to the lineup. Well,
this was our thirty sixth episode ofBox thirteen, so we have sixteen
weeks of Box thirteen life, andincluding tomorrow's show, we have five episodes
(30:12):
of Jeff Reagan with Jack Webb andthen another thirteen episodes of Jeff Reagan with
Frank Ram, so we'll probably startwe'll see some other show as being added
in November. We have more thanone hundred and fifty episode to Let George
Do It and even more than thaton Sherlock Holmes and Johnny Dowler. So
(30:33):
that's where we stand. So you'llbe seeing some shows collin to the rotation
in November, and I will talkabout what some of those shows will be
in August. But that's it fortoday's episode. Send your comments to me
Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, cast your vote for the show on
podcast Alley Podcast Alley dot Great Detectivesdot net, and you can always follow
(30:57):
us on Twitter at a Radio Detectivesfrom Boise, Idaho. This is your
host, Adam Graham signing off.
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