October 10, 2025 • 30 mins
Original Release Date: July 12, 2010
Dan is one of four people on board a luxury yacht. The owner claims that one of them is a killer and Dan must find who if he wants to get off the boat alive.
Original Air Date: September 15, 1948
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Dan is one of four people on board a luxury yacht. The owner claims that one of them is a killer and Dan must find who if he wants to get off the boat alive.
Original Air Date: September 15, 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.
(00:44):
Welcome to the Great Detectives of OldTime Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
is your host, Adam Graham.Got a comment, feel free to email
my Box thirteen at Great Detectives dotnet. Encourage you to cast your vote
for the show on podcast ally that'sover at the podcast alley dot Great Detectives
dot net, and you can alsobecome one of our fans on Facebook,
(01:07):
Facebook, dot Great Detectives dot net. The episode we did a couple of
weeks ago, find Me Find Death, was pretty popular with our listeners.
Sony Ritson, ooh, this episodewas great, one of my favorites.
And Bess says Adam, You're commentat the end of the show cracked me
up. I have to agree thatguy was the biggest night Holiday has ever
(01:27):
dealt with. Wow, Well,Dan Holidays have to hand out a new
golden acorn. Well, we'll findout who he gets to deal with in
today's episode of Box thirteen. Beforewe do get started, I want to
let you know a little bit aboutour sponsor. If you want the flexibility
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(01:48):
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(02:12):
For the special offer, visit Goto Meeting dot com slash podcast.
That's Go to Meeting dot Com slashpodcast. Now let's get into today's adventure
with Box thirteen. One of thesefour Box thirteen with the style of paramount
(02:34):
pictures Alan Ladd As Dan Holiday,William William. Yes, may they're ready
to leave at a moment's notice?Hundred Yes, sir very well. Please
put this in the man before manOh, you're better take it ashore and
post it there. I am ratherexist to see who the box the tenneys.
(03:06):
The letter I received was short andto the point. Enclosed with it
was a plane ticket and another ticketfirst class on the biggest luxury liner Afloat,
and the letter read be at theend of Pier nine tomorrow night at
eight please be prompt. That wasall a command, not a request.
(03:27):
When I received it, I wonderedwho'd written it. Well I found out.
And now back to box thirteen andDan Holiday's newest adventure one of these
(03:52):
four. But mister Hallidate, doyou want to go on another? Oh?
Not if I can help it,Susie. But someone paid for these
tickets first class on the biggest lineof the float, and no name or
address. You can't send it back, but I can bring it back.
(04:14):
You mean you're going to Pier nineto night? Like it says here,
Susie, I'm going to Pier ninetonight. I got to Pier nine promptly
at eight o'clock. There was noline there. There was nothing but a
called fog that penetrated to my skinand made me shiver in the dim,
hazy light from my half hearted streetlamp a block away. I looked at
(04:38):
My watch was exactly eight, Iused to Holiday. Yes, I'm down,
Holiday. Do you have the letterthat I'm sent to you? Were
you? My name is William,Sir, I'm a steward steward on watch
ship. If you'll be so goodas to show me the letter, mister
Holiday, we can talk later ifyou please. Okay, here you are
(04:59):
very good, sir. If you'llcome with me where there's a boat waiting,
sir, to take you out tothe yacht. Yacht? What yacht?
Look? What about this ticket?That will be explained later, mister
Holliday. Now would you come withme? Sir? He stood there waiting
for me to follow him. Iwanted whether to or not. Well,
i'd advertise for adventures and who blameswhom in a case like this? Then
(05:23):
are you coming, sir? Ithink you've talked me into it? Okay?
William lead the way. Ten minuteslater, I was aboard a yacht,
but what a yacht? It wassea going, and from what I
could see in the bad light,ready to go anywhere and do anything.
(05:44):
William led the way along the deckto go down this companion way, mister
Holiday. And it's nice to knowwe're going somewhere. Your cabin, mister
Holiday, mine, Yes, sir, I think you'll find everything in order,
the jams too, thrush everything thatyou need for the night. Oh
wait a minute, if you're hungry, sandwich isn't coffee? Good night?
(06:04):
Hey just a minute, hey,open up, come on, open the
door, William William And that,as they say, was that I was
locked in. I thought of breakingin the door, but one good look
put that idea out of my head. The door was ironed. There was
one porthole in the cabin. Icouldn't have crawled through it if I had
(06:27):
been dehydrated. While I sat downand figured this out, then it was
figured out for me. The yachtwas moving around to the porthole. The
lights of the city had already beenswallowed up for the darkness. Mister Dan
Holiday was going on a trip.But where and why, mister Holiday,
(06:55):
Mister surprise funny man. I alwayshide behind doors of people coming. Now
talk. My arms breaks easily.I'm glad to hear that. Now,
come on talk. This will doyou no goodness to Holiday. We've been
underway all night. Maybe you're right, Thank you, sir. I hope
you slept well. Oh sure?Now what's all this about? Breakfast is
(07:18):
being served in the main dining SALONSAI get great answers to my questions.
You will soon find out, sir. Now, if you please go ahead,
I'll follow me as you wish.Sir found the swamps to Holiday.
I followed him down the passage,then under the dining salon, and they're
seated around a table where two menand a woman. They looked up as
(07:41):
I entered, and one of themen spoke, look here, what's the
big idea you're talking to me?I certainly am, If I may have
a word, go ahead. Allfour of you are in the same position.
Do you mean each of us waskidnapped? No, sir, invite
him, invited my foot. Iwas locked up on the cabinet, Susie
and me too. Well, well, well, and when do we learn
why? William? As soon asmister Mary wishes to tell you, sir,
(08:05):
now breakfast is served, I shalllocked sludor well, I'll wonder what
the gag is. If it isa gag, we might as well get
acquainted. My name is Holiday,Dan Holiday, I'm Stanley Wearing. How
do you do? I'm Philip Clayton. Hello, my name's Lancing, Captain
Lancing. Well, so we knowas much as we did before we got
(08:26):
to get out of here. Obviouslythis is some some sort of insane joke.
I wonder, if it is Wearing, what person in his right mind
would kidnap for people like this?What do you say Clayton. I don't
know. Take a look out theporthole were obviously far at sea. How
well can you swim? Well,maybe we could get to one of the
lifeboards. I don't think so.Why not? Something tells me the rest
(08:48):
of the crew are like William thesteward. I don't think we'd be able
to get to a boat even ifwe got out of this salon. I
guess you're right. Holiday. Well, what do we do, mister Waring?
I suggest we have breakfast. Ithink better on a full stomach.
(09:11):
One hour later, William came andunlocked the salon door and took us back
to our cabins. I caught sightof some of the crew. They paid
no attention to us, but wenton with their work. Lunch was,
to say, locked in the salon, then back to the cabins. But
at dinner time, good evening,mister Holiday, hallo William. I see
the dinner jacket fits you, sir. Very thoughtful of someone to provide the
(09:33):
correct size, sir, Thank you, and will be be honored by mister
Mallory's presence this evening. I can'tsay, mister Holiday, Perhaps say William,
where are we? I'm not anavigator, sir, I have no
idea. Still a notion under us, isn't it? But I last looked
it, say sir, I'll leadon William, Thank you, sir.
(10:01):
Oh good evening holiday all wearing MissLancing say, look, we've got to
do something about this. We've gotto Why do you suggest, Clayton?
Well, I I don't know,but we've got to think. What are
they going to do with this?Why did they bring us here dinner?
Why you chok it? You lethim go, Clayton, come on,
come on, let him go,let him good? Will let do you?
(10:22):
Mister cleon, mister Mallory, sir, that will be all with you.
You may go and turn that thingoff, will you? Pretty good?
You're an impetuous man, mister Clinton, So your Mallory sit down.
Please, we'll have dinner just aminute before we have anything else, we'll
have an explanation. Mallory your holiday, aren't you? That's right? Fiction?
(10:46):
Later? Aren't you? What's Igot to do with this routine?
Please? Sit down? It's Lancing. I'm my right. Please just to
wearing that chairs to Clayton on myleft, holiday sit at the other end
facing me. Please, you wantan explanation. I promise you'll get one
after dinner, or would you ratherwait another night than another day? I'll
(11:07):
sit down, thank you, musLancing. All right, Yes, the
explanation. It'd better be good.Oh it will be, mister Clayton,
and mister Holiday, Yes, I'llwager you've never written anything to match it.
Well, we sat down. MisterMallory enjoyed his dinner. We didn't.
(11:28):
I watched him. He was abig man. His huge head was
covered with a shock of iron grayhair that matched the mustache and his sharp,
thin nose, and he was chimingculture. In spite of the fantastic
situation, we found ourselves listening tohim after dinner as we sat in the
salon. The eighteenth dynasty was Egypt'sgreatest. It's pharaoh's conquered and re conquered.
(11:48):
It's art reached a beauty and subtletynever before or since reached. Hi.
Yes, great people. But maybeI'm boring you, not at honister
Mallory. You're very kind, AnaMallory. The explanation, of course,
mister Waring, Well Mallory, Iam choosing my words carefully. Mister Clainton,
(12:09):
they'd better be good they will be, Miss Lansing, gentlemen, I
investigated each of you before inviting youaboard my yacht wearing what you advertised in
the paper for a job, preferablyin a foreign country. That you have
no family. Is that correct?Yes, that's right, you answered my
ad correct, Miss Lansing, Yes, you advertise for a companion position.
(12:33):
You too have no family. Andmister Clayton, you ran an ad offering
your services in any capacity. You'resort of a soldier of fortune, if
you want to call it that.I shall. Lastly, mister Holiday,
box thirteen adventure wanted will go anyplace to anything? Yes, that's my
(12:54):
ad. Now does any one ofyour sea striking similarity please? You must
have? You mean the prolonged absenceof any one of us would go well,
we'll go on notice exactly all right, you're clever, mister Malory.
Will admit that you've got us ina spot where you could do anything.
(13:15):
Now would you mind telling us why? Mister Holiday, you're a fiction writer.
Have you ever written a story abouta perfect crime? Crime? Or
be alarmed? Miss Lansing, Well, Holliday, No, I've never written
one, but there have been perfectcrimes murders in which the killer has never
been caught. Yes, I supposeso. Yet suppose someone knows the killer
in such a murder, then itwould no longer be perfect. What are
(13:39):
you driving at? Justice? Oneof the four of you is a murderer.
A murderer. I use the wordmurderer in the sense that it can
be either masculine or feminine. Youknow that I do. One of you
here is a killer. Twelve yearsago a man was killed a friend of
mine. The killer was never caught. I worked on it. I now
(14:01):
have proof who that person is.Why didn't you go to the police ten
years ago? I would have.But now I'm in a position to enjoy
myself, to watch the murderer squirmand wriggle. You're insane? What's to
prevent us from jumping on me?My crew is well paid, loyal,
They've been with me for years.Money is an effective silence, sir,
(14:24):
Perhaps blood Valerie. The keller knowsyou've learned who is or she I'm not,
perhaps not, miss Lantsine, butyou were saying holiday. The keller
knows you know his or her identity. What's to prevent him from killing you?
My attorneys in the city, havean envelope. In that envelope is
the name of the person and alldetails. If I do not return within
a certain time, that envelope willbe opened. What's the time limit?
(14:48):
Wouldn't you like to know, misterWerry, or just a minute to have
a question? Holiday? Yes,I don't think you've finished your explanation.
I haven't here. It is inthree days we will at Havanna. If
by that time the killer's identity isnot known to the other three of you,
I will release all four of youand the killer will go free.
Yes, but if we do learn, I am sure the killer will do
(15:11):
all in her power to prevent that. How can we find that out?
I will give clues. You willhave to recognize them. I see,
And if the killer realizes he's beingtrapped, then he or she may kill
to prevent that knowledge from getting outand miss lancing gentleman, I shall not
lift a finger to prevent it.Do you think you can get away with
(15:33):
us? Why? Of course hecan. A very wrong gentleman. No
one could prove you came aboard thisyap. No one knows you'll stand by
and see three people killed her cleverestwill survive. Now here's your first clue.
Are you ready? The Roman godJanus Janus, the Roman god?
Yes? And now good night,and may the cleverest among you live to
(16:00):
see Havana. And now back toone of these four another Box thirteen Adventures
(16:22):
Darring Alan ladd as Dan Holiday.So there we were, the four of
us, and one of us amurder? What's on our he said?
Was he lying? If he wasn't, then he'd cooked up a fantastic situation.
After dinner that same night, Iwent to my cabin and sat down
trying to figure out what the Romangod Janus had to do with a killer?
(16:45):
When come in? May I comeinto holiday? Please do, mister
Mallory, it's your yacht mind.If I sit down, it is also
your chair. I like your senseof you, but I like yours.
It's just like an open grave.Don't you think you could get a story
(17:07):
out of this? Mister Holiday?What else will I get out of malony?
Do you believe my explanation? Idon't know. Yeah? Take this
it's loaded too. Why the gunto protect yourself against what a whom?
Against the murderer? It is loaded, isn't it? Yes? Yes?
(17:29):
And it's pointed right a few soI see. But strangely enough, I'm
not worried. What's to prevent mefrom forcing you to order the shot back
to land. Your sense of adventure, your own willingness to see this through,
your desire for a good story.Aren't you placing to higher value on
your ability to judge people? Imade no mistake in your holiday. That's
why I gave you the gun.You mean you're actually going through this incredible
(17:52):
thing? Yes, one of theother three is the killer a slant side,
mister Wearing or mister Clinton. Supposesuppose none of us learns with the
Killer. I intend to keep myyacht on the high seas until you do.
But you said we again of annin three days. We don't have
to be You had better be Holiday. I had my own reasons for this
incredible thing. I've come to youbecause I've watched you and listen to you.
(18:14):
Of the four, you are theone who seems the most resourceful.
You alone, acted with calm andsends a dinner. Thank you, mister
Mallory, not at Allmos Talliday.Now I'll leave you alone, and mister
Holiday, the cabin doors are nolonger locked. They cannot be locked because
the keys are gone. Good night, And that was that. Mallory's statement.
(18:41):
The cabin doors were no longer lockmeant at the killer, if there
was one, could go and comefreely, and whoever it was would be
watching, waiting our Mallory was clever, he was safe because of that envelope.
With his attorneys and the rest ofus, well, we'd have to
do something to protect ourselves. Itwas midnight when I got up from the
(19:03):
bed. I hadn't undressed. Ikept my eyes on the door. Then
I thought again about Janus, Janusthe Roman god. What kind of a
clue was that? I decided tofind out there were books in the main
salon. Maybe maybe I could learnsomething from them. I stepped into the
(19:23):
passage. Way was dark. Ihave a light showing. I groped my
way along the passage toward the mainsalon. I opened the door. Who's
that is that? Yes? Whatare you doing in here? I was
afraid I was in my cabin.I was afraid I had to get out.
(19:45):
It was so small. I felthis look, mother, why did
you come in here? I don'tknow? Why didn't you turn on the
lights. I tried to. Icouldn't find the switch. Did you see
anyone else? Had you? Betterget back to your cabin. Oh,
I can't want to go back there. Mister Mallory said the door couldn't be
locked. Ah, mister Holiday,I didn't kill anybody. I need please
(20:07):
please get me all the start inthe middle of an ocean. We can
get a boat. We got too. They wouldn't have a chance in the
world alone became. Come on,come on, I better get you back
to your cabin. Come on,No, I don't go. I won't
go. I don't get a sterical. That won't help. What makes you
think I can you? You meanyou won't help. I didn't say that.
(20:30):
I. Oh you're the murderer.You're the one. Oh right,
that's good advice. Be quiet.The lights will go on. Turn them
on now. I can't the mainswitches off. I hadn't turned off because
ah, there we are all right, turn off the main switch. Nower.
(20:52):
I add a protection. And who'snot screaming? Swearing? Mister Clay
can come with you? Yes,yes, I'm here. What happened?
I see that, mister Holiday inMiss lance Holiday? What about it?
Wearing? What were you doing?In here? Yes, what were you
doing in here? Perhaps he couldn'tsleep just a moment. I walked to
the bookshelves on for a moment whilethey all watched It's still there, was
(21:17):
the Holiday. What's still there?A book of mythology? Mythology? What
are you talking? Mister Mallory gavethe Roman god Janus as a clue.
No Janus would up here in abook of mythology. M here it is.
You're very clever, mister Holiday.Would you mind looking in the index
(21:37):
for Janus j A n Us.I can spell. There you are age
eighty six? Turned to it.There's no page eighty six. That's right.
Someone torn out of here exactly,And that's the only book of mythology
on board. It's obvious to kill. I took it out to prevent the
(22:00):
others from finding the clue. Inother words, the killer know they're reading
that page were given away, Yes, provided the reader was sufficiently acute.
But the killer forgot one thing,Yes, forgot what he or she is
the biggest clue of all. Whatdo you mean by that? I mean,
mister wearing, there's something about himor her that gives away the show
(22:21):
and ties in with Janus, whatis it not? Find that out and
you'll have the person, mister Clayton, look at one another and remember what
I said good night? Which oneof us took that page in the book?
He did not radio deliberately so wecould go on with this preposterous game.
I wonder there was someone in herewhen I came in. You don't
(22:44):
know who it was. No,I left the door open when I came
in. I couldn't find the lightswitch. I think someone slipped out when
I came in, and you Holiday, you were here, Yes, yes,
I was one of it. Whatdo you think? What were you
going to do here? Holiday?I came here. He's turned off the
lights again. I don't think thatanyone should move. We'd better get back
(23:06):
to our cabins. I don't likebeing in the dark with a killer.
The next morning, on deck,I saw Wearing standing at the aft rail.
I stopped because he looked around,as though seeing if anyone were near.
Then he raised his arm and threwsomething into the sea. I wondered
what it might be, and heturned quickly and came toward me. Hello
(23:30):
Holiday, Hello Wearing. Nice day, isn't it I had noticed? Has
anything happened. I don't know,has it. What's the matter with you?
What did you throw overboard? Wearingthrow overboard? Me? Nothing?
Luck, Wearing. We're all inthis together. We've got to cooperate.
One of us is a killer.I won't cooperate with anyone. Oh,
(23:52):
let me get past, all right, all right, go ahead. He
left me standing there. I walkedtoward my cabin, down the passageway and
opened the door. Clayton, wellholiday, Well, I thought, your
own day. Oh I'm not whatare you doing it here? I just
(24:14):
I wanted to see you. Hecan't find me in that drawer. Really
it was open when I came in. It was not all right, it
wasn't so what that's my question?What are you looking for? The missing
page from that book? Stop lying? Where did you get that gun?
What are you gonna do? Enough? Please don't get out of here,
go on, get out. I'mgonna tell Malory that you have a gun.
Sat down. Things were moving fast. I thought about Catherine Lansing.
(24:38):
She had been in the salon.I thought about Wearing, who had thrown
something overboard. And what he hadthrown hadn't been paper, so it wasn't
the page from the book, andI thought about Clayton searching my cabin.
Which of the three was the killer? By now I believe Mallory's story then,
(24:59):
and I remembered something something about Janisand had tied in with what Mallory
had said, tied in with thekiller and something I'd seen. I left
my cabin and hurried down the passage. I was almost to the end when
(25:21):
feeling better, Sir, who hitme? We don't know? Holiday?
Whoever hit me? To the gunyou gave me, Mallie You Mallory,
you gave him the gun? Whatwas the idea? Where is it?
Now? That's what I'd like toknow, obviously, mister Holliday, the
killer has it. It's right.This is going to be an interesting lunch.
(25:45):
You may serve William very good,sir, h Now I I know
who has that gun? Of courseyou do, mister Halliday. Who is
it? Miss Lansing? When wereyou born? What month? Mom?
Go ahead? Holiday? Go on? Well, Miss Lansing? Would you
lie? Why? That right?That's right? Clayton? What is this?
(26:07):
Answer? The same question? December? He's telling the truth. Holiday
and wearing When were you born?September? Is that right? Holiday?
No, I don't think so.Wearing you were born in January, the
month named after the Roman god Janus. Be careful, Holiday. What you
throw overboard was a ring, Aring with a dark red stone. Your
(26:30):
burst stone a garnet. That's perfectlytrue. Holiday. Keep your hands on
the table, Hall of you,and thank you for this gun. Mister
Holliday, you are not welcome.What do you intend to do, Wearing
kill all of us? I'm notthat stupid. You'll killed my brother,
yes, but I'm not going tohave Fanna or any place else on this
yacht. I'll stay where you are. I'll shoot the first person who gets
up from that table, and I'llshoot to kill William. No. Six
(26:53):
stable let him go, Let himgo, Yes, the crew has instructions
to let anyone go. They won'tsee him take the life boat. They'll
let him go. You'll get away, I don't think so. He'll be
picked up. You see, MissLancing, we haven't been many miles from
shore. Now shall we go onwith our lunch? Miss Lancing. Mister
(27:15):
Clayton, you have been put toa lot of trouble. I hope these
checks will make you feel happier.I think they will mister Holiday, you've
got a story, I hope.Oh yes, I did you see,
mister Halliday, I had to doit this way. I had no proof
that Wearing was the murderer. Ispent ten years getting evidence, but no
proof. I had to hope thathe would break, put him under tension.
(27:37):
But that envelope with your attorneys,mister Holiday, there was no envelope.
(28:02):
They picked up that Wearing. Huh, yes, Mallory radio the police.
If he kept quiet, no onewould have known. Yes, I
know, but mister Mallory is avery clever man. Go are you well?
Thank you? Susan Oh day.What about that ticket on the liner?
Oh I never thought about that.Hey, Susie, maybe I can
still use it here it is Holiday, what's the matter? Look the date
(28:30):
the boat failed yesterday? Oh fine, Good nights, Susie's the same time.
Through the courtesy of Paramount Pictures,Alan landstars as Dan Holiday in Box
thirteen. Box thirteen is directed byRichard Sandville, with this week's original story
(28:51):
by Russell Hughes. Original music iscomposed and conducted by Rudy Straker. Bart
of Susie is played by Sylvia Picker, and production is SUPERVI by Burn Carstens
Watch thirteen as a Mayfair production fromWatch Browlin Ladd in his latest Tremont picture,
(29:15):
Welcome Back. You know, Ithink Dan Holiday needs to add an
exception to his ad we'll go anywhere, We'll do anything except serving as a
clay page and in Richmond's games,because this is, uh, this is
something that's happened to him at leasttwice, but at least uh Mallory had
a reason for had a reason fordoing it. I have to admit the
(29:38):
clue didn't kind of type me bysurprise because I was sitting there thinking about
Janice and the two faced thing,and um, it didn't occur to me
just a month of January. Thatwas that. And maybe I was overthinking
it, but that was a prettyuh, that was a pretty good move.
(30:00):
All Right, Well, we gotone more comment and we're gonna wrap
it up. All right. Wegot a comment from Kathleen on podcast Allay,
Hey, don't you think the transitionmusic for Box thirteen sounds like the
transition music for the Adam West batMan TV show. I can kind of
hear a similarity, and it's notobviously exactly the same, but yeah,
(30:22):
a little bit similar, and thenjust I love the show. Well,
thanks so much for listening, Kathleen, much appreciated. Well, let's we'll
wrap it up for today. We'llbe back tomorrow with Jeff Reagan. Got
a comment, email it over toMay Box thirteen, A Great Detectives dot
net. Cast your vote for theshow on podcast Alley, Podcast Alley dot
Great Detectives dot net, and youcan follow us over on Twitter at Radio
(30:45):
Detectives from Boise, Idaho. Thisis your host, Adam graham Son and all
Welcome to the Great Detectives of OldTime Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
is your host, Adam Graham.Got a comment, feel free to email
my Box thirteen at Great Detectives dotnet. Encourage you to cast your vote
for the show on podcast ally that'sover at the podcast alley dot Great Detectives
dot net, and you can alsobecome one of our fans on Facebook,
(01:07):
Facebook, dot Great Detectives dot net. The episode we did a couple of
weeks ago, find Me Find Death, was pretty popular with our listeners.
Sony Ritson, ooh, this episodewas great, one of my favorites.
And Bess says Adam, You're commentat the end of the show cracked me
up. I have to agree thatguy was the biggest night Holiday has ever
(01:27):
dealt with. Wow, Well,Dan Holidays have to hand out a new
golden acorn. Well, we'll findout who he gets to deal with in
today's episode of Box thirteen. Beforewe do get started, I want to
let you know a little bit aboutour sponsor. If you want the flexibility
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(01:48):
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For the special offer, visit Goto Meeting dot com slash podcast.
That's Go to Meeting dot Com slashpodcast. Now let's get into today's adventure
with Box thirteen. One of thesefour Box thirteen with the style of paramount
(02:34):
pictures Alan Ladd As Dan Holiday,William William. Yes, may they're ready
to leave at a moment's notice?Hundred Yes, sir very well. Please
put this in the man before manOh, you're better take it ashore and
post it there. I am ratherexist to see who the box the tenneys.
(03:06):
The letter I received was short andto the point. Enclosed with it
was a plane ticket and another ticketfirst class on the biggest luxury liner Afloat,
and the letter read be at theend of Pier nine tomorrow night at
eight please be prompt. That wasall a command, not a request.
(03:27):
When I received it, I wonderedwho'd written it. Well I found out.
And now back to box thirteen andDan Holiday's newest adventure one of these
(03:52):
four. But mister Hallidate, doyou want to go on another? Oh?
Not if I can help it,Susie. But someone paid for these
tickets first class on the biggest lineof the float, and no name or
address. You can't send it back, but I can bring it back.
(04:14):
You mean you're going to Pier nineto night? Like it says here,
Susie, I'm going to Pier ninetonight. I got to Pier nine promptly
at eight o'clock. There was noline there. There was nothing but a
called fog that penetrated to my skinand made me shiver in the dim,
hazy light from my half hearted streetlamp a block away. I looked at
(04:38):
My watch was exactly eight, Iused to Holiday. Yes, I'm down,
Holiday. Do you have the letterthat I'm sent to you? Were
you? My name is William,Sir, I'm a steward steward on watch
ship. If you'll be so goodas to show me the letter, mister
Holiday, we can talk later ifyou please. Okay, here you are
(04:59):
very good, sir. If you'llcome with me where there's a boat waiting,
sir, to take you out tothe yacht. Yacht? What yacht?
Look? What about this ticket?That will be explained later, mister
Holliday. Now would you come withme? Sir? He stood there waiting
for me to follow him. Iwanted whether to or not. Well,
i'd advertise for adventures and who blameswhom in a case like this? Then
(05:23):
are you coming, sir? Ithink you've talked me into it? Okay?
William lead the way. Ten minuteslater, I was aboard a yacht,
but what a yacht? It wassea going, and from what I
could see in the bad light,ready to go anywhere and do anything.
(05:44):
William led the way along the deckto go down this companion way, mister
Holiday. And it's nice to knowwe're going somewhere. Your cabin, mister
Holiday, mine, Yes, sir, I think you'll find everything in order,
the jams too, thrush everything thatyou need for the night. Oh
wait a minute, if you're hungry, sandwich isn't coffee? Good night?
(06:04):
Hey just a minute, hey,open up, come on, open the
door, William William And that,as they say, was that I was
locked in. I thought of breakingin the door, but one good look
put that idea out of my head. The door was ironed. There was
one porthole in the cabin. Icouldn't have crawled through it if I had
(06:27):
been dehydrated. While I sat downand figured this out, then it was
figured out for me. The yachtwas moving around to the porthole. The
lights of the city had already beenswallowed up for the darkness. Mister Dan
Holiday was going on a trip.But where and why, mister Holiday,
(06:55):
Mister surprise funny man. I alwayshide behind doors of people coming. Now
talk. My arms breaks easily.I'm glad to hear that. Now,
come on talk. This will doyou no goodness to Holiday. We've been
underway all night. Maybe you're right, Thank you, sir. I hope
you slept well. Oh sure?Now what's all this about? Breakfast is
(07:18):
being served in the main dining SALONSAI get great answers to my questions.
You will soon find out, sir. Now, if you please go ahead,
I'll follow me as you wish.Sir found the swamps to Holiday.
I followed him down the passage,then under the dining salon, and they're
seated around a table where two menand a woman. They looked up as
(07:41):
I entered, and one of themen spoke, look here, what's the
big idea you're talking to me?I certainly am, If I may have
a word, go ahead. Allfour of you are in the same position.
Do you mean each of us waskidnapped? No, sir, invite
him, invited my foot. Iwas locked up on the cabinet, Susie
and me too. Well, well, well, and when do we learn
why? William? As soon asmister Mary wishes to tell you, sir,
(08:05):
now breakfast is served, I shalllocked sludor well, I'll wonder what
the gag is. If it isa gag, we might as well get
acquainted. My name is Holiday,Dan Holiday, I'm Stanley Wearing. How
do you do? I'm Philip Clayton. Hello, my name's Lancing, Captain
Lancing. Well, so we knowas much as we did before we got
(08:26):
to get out of here. Obviouslythis is some some sort of insane joke.
I wonder, if it is Wearing, what person in his right mind
would kidnap for people like this?What do you say Clayton. I don't
know. Take a look out theporthole were obviously far at sea. How
well can you swim? Well,maybe we could get to one of the
lifeboards. I don't think so.Why not? Something tells me the rest
(08:48):
of the crew are like William thesteward. I don't think we'd be able
to get to a boat even ifwe got out of this salon. I
guess you're right. Holiday. Well, what do we do, mister Waring?
I suggest we have breakfast. Ithink better on a full stomach.
(09:11):
One hour later, William came andunlocked the salon door and took us back
to our cabins. I caught sightof some of the crew. They paid
no attention to us, but wenton with their work. Lunch was,
to say, locked in the salon, then back to the cabins. But
at dinner time, good evening,mister Holiday, hallo William. I see
the dinner jacket fits you, sir. Very thoughtful of someone to provide the
(09:33):
correct size, sir, Thank you, and will be be honored by mister
Mallory's presence this evening. I can'tsay, mister Holiday, Perhaps say William,
where are we? I'm not anavigator, sir, I have no
idea. Still a notion under us, isn't it? But I last looked
it, say sir, I'll leadon William, Thank you, sir.
(10:01):
Oh good evening holiday all wearing MissLancing say, look, we've got to
do something about this. We've gotto Why do you suggest, Clayton?
Well, I I don't know,but we've got to think. What are
they going to do with this?Why did they bring us here dinner?
Why you chok it? You lethim go, Clayton, come on,
come on, let him go,let him good? Will let do you?
(10:22):
Mister cleon, mister Mallory, sir, that will be all with you.
You may go and turn that thingoff, will you? Pretty good?
You're an impetuous man, mister Clinton, So your Mallory sit down.
Please, we'll have dinner just aminute before we have anything else, we'll
have an explanation. Mallory your holiday, aren't you? That's right? Fiction?
(10:46):
Later? Aren't you? What's Igot to do with this routine?
Please? Sit down? It's Lancing. I'm my right. Please just to
wearing that chairs to Clayton on myleft, holiday sit at the other end
facing me. Please, you wantan explanation. I promise you'll get one
after dinner, or would you ratherwait another night than another day? I'll
(11:07):
sit down, thank you, musLancing. All right, Yes, the
explanation. It'd better be good.Oh it will be, mister Clayton,
and mister Holiday, Yes, I'llwager you've never written anything to match it.
Well, we sat down. MisterMallory enjoyed his dinner. We didn't.
(11:28):
I watched him. He was abig man. His huge head was
covered with a shock of iron grayhair that matched the mustache and his sharp,
thin nose, and he was chimingculture. In spite of the fantastic
situation, we found ourselves listening tohim after dinner as we sat in the
salon. The eighteenth dynasty was Egypt'sgreatest. It's pharaoh's conquered and re conquered.
(11:48):
It's art reached a beauty and subtletynever before or since reached. Hi.
Yes, great people. But maybeI'm boring you, not at honister
Mallory. You're very kind, AnaMallory. The explanation, of course,
mister Waring, Well Mallory, Iam choosing my words carefully. Mister Clainton,
(12:09):
they'd better be good they will be, Miss Lansing, gentlemen, I
investigated each of you before inviting youaboard my yacht wearing what you advertised in
the paper for a job, preferablyin a foreign country. That you have
no family. Is that correct?Yes, that's right, you answered my
ad correct, Miss Lansing, Yes, you advertise for a companion position.
(12:33):
You too have no family. Andmister Clayton, you ran an ad offering
your services in any capacity. You'resort of a soldier of fortune, if
you want to call it that.I shall. Lastly, mister Holiday,
box thirteen adventure wanted will go anyplace to anything? Yes, that's my
(12:54):
ad. Now does any one ofyour sea striking similarity please? You must
have? You mean the prolonged absenceof any one of us would go well,
we'll go on notice exactly all right, you're clever, mister Malory.
Will admit that you've got us ina spot where you could do anything.
(13:15):
Now would you mind telling us why? Mister Holiday, you're a fiction writer.
Have you ever written a story abouta perfect crime? Crime? Or
be alarmed? Miss Lansing, Well, Holliday, No, I've never written
one, but there have been perfectcrimes murders in which the killer has never
been caught. Yes, I supposeso. Yet suppose someone knows the killer
in such a murder, then itwould no longer be perfect. What are
(13:39):
you driving at? Justice? Oneof the four of you is a murderer.
A murderer. I use the wordmurderer in the sense that it can
be either masculine or feminine. Youknow that I do. One of you
here is a killer. Twelve yearsago a man was killed a friend of
mine. The killer was never caught. I worked on it. I now
(14:01):
have proof who that person is.Why didn't you go to the police ten
years ago? I would have.But now I'm in a position to enjoy
myself, to watch the murderer squirmand wriggle. You're insane? What's to
prevent us from jumping on me?My crew is well paid, loyal,
They've been with me for years.Money is an effective silence, sir,
(14:24):
Perhaps blood Valerie. The keller knowsyou've learned who is or she I'm not,
perhaps not, miss Lantsine, butyou were saying holiday. The keller
knows you know his or her identity. What's to prevent him from killing you?
My attorneys in the city, havean envelope. In that envelope is
the name of the person and alldetails. If I do not return within
a certain time, that envelope willbe opened. What's the time limit?
(14:48):
Wouldn't you like to know, misterWerry, or just a minute to have
a question? Holiday? Yes,I don't think you've finished your explanation.
I haven't here. It is inthree days we will at Havanna. If
by that time the killer's identity isnot known to the other three of you,
I will release all four of youand the killer will go free.
Yes, but if we do learn, I am sure the killer will do
(15:11):
all in her power to prevent that. How can we find that out?
I will give clues. You willhave to recognize them. I see,
And if the killer realizes he's beingtrapped, then he or she may kill
to prevent that knowledge from getting outand miss lancing gentleman, I shall not
lift a finger to prevent it.Do you think you can get away with
(15:33):
us? Why? Of course hecan. A very wrong gentleman. No
one could prove you came aboard thisyap. No one knows you'll stand by
and see three people killed her cleverestwill survive. Now here's your first clue.
Are you ready? The Roman godJanus Janus, the Roman god?
Yes? And now good night,and may the cleverest among you live to
(16:00):
see Havana. And now back toone of these four another Box thirteen Adventures
(16:22):
Darring Alan ladd as Dan Holiday.So there we were, the four of
us, and one of us amurder? What's on our he said?
Was he lying? If he wasn't, then he'd cooked up a fantastic situation.
After dinner that same night, Iwent to my cabin and sat down
trying to figure out what the Romangod Janus had to do with a killer?
(16:45):
When come in? May I comeinto holiday? Please do, mister
Mallory, it's your yacht mind.If I sit down, it is also
your chair. I like your senseof you, but I like yours.
It's just like an open grave.Don't you think you could get a story
(17:07):
out of this? Mister Holiday?What else will I get out of malony?
Do you believe my explanation? Idon't know. Yeah? Take this
it's loaded too. Why the gunto protect yourself against what a whom?
Against the murderer? It is loaded, isn't it? Yes? Yes?
(17:29):
And it's pointed right a few soI see. But strangely enough, I'm
not worried. What's to prevent mefrom forcing you to order the shot back
to land. Your sense of adventure, your own willingness to see this through,
your desire for a good story.Aren't you placing to higher value on
your ability to judge people? Imade no mistake in your holiday. That's
why I gave you the gun.You mean you're actually going through this incredible
(17:52):
thing? Yes, one of theother three is the killer a slant side,
mister Wearing or mister Clinton. Supposesuppose none of us learns with the
Killer. I intend to keep myyacht on the high seas until you do.
But you said we again of annin three days. We don't have
to be You had better be Holiday. I had my own reasons for this
incredible thing. I've come to youbecause I've watched you and listen to you.
(18:14):
Of the four, you are theone who seems the most resourceful.
You alone, acted with calm andsends a dinner. Thank you, mister
Mallory, not at Allmos Talliday.Now I'll leave you alone, and mister
Holiday, the cabin doors are nolonger locked. They cannot be locked because
the keys are gone. Good night, And that was that. Mallory's statement.
(18:41):
The cabin doors were no longer lockmeant at the killer, if there
was one, could go and comefreely, and whoever it was would be
watching, waiting our Mallory was clever, he was safe because of that envelope.
With his attorneys and the rest ofus, well, we'd have to
do something to protect ourselves. Itwas midnight when I got up from the
(19:03):
bed. I hadn't undressed. Ikept my eyes on the door. Then
I thought again about Janus, Janusthe Roman god. What kind of a
clue was that? I decided tofind out there were books in the main
salon. Maybe maybe I could learnsomething from them. I stepped into the
(19:23):
passage. Way was dark. Ihave a light showing. I groped my
way along the passage toward the mainsalon. I opened the door. Who's
that is that? Yes? Whatare you doing in here? I was
afraid I was in my cabin.I was afraid I had to get out.
(19:45):
It was so small. I felthis look, mother, why did
you come in here? I don'tknow? Why didn't you turn on the
lights. I tried to. Icouldn't find the switch. Did you see
anyone else? Had you? Betterget back to your cabin. Oh,
I can't want to go back there. Mister Mallory said the door couldn't be
locked. Ah, mister Holiday,I didn't kill anybody. I need please
(20:07):
please get me all the start inthe middle of an ocean. We can
get a boat. We got too. They wouldn't have a chance in the
world alone became. Come on,come on, I better get you back
to your cabin. Come on,No, I don't go. I won't
go. I don't get a sterical. That won't help. What makes you
think I can you? You meanyou won't help. I didn't say that.
(20:30):
I. Oh you're the murderer.You're the one. Oh right,
that's good advice. Be quiet.The lights will go on. Turn them
on now. I can't the mainswitches off. I hadn't turned off because
ah, there we are all right, turn off the main switch. Nower.
(20:52):
I add a protection. And who'snot screaming? Swearing? Mister Clay
can come with you? Yes,yes, I'm here. What happened?
I see that, mister Holiday inMiss lance Holiday? What about it?
Wearing? What were you doing?In here? Yes, what were you
doing in here? Perhaps he couldn'tsleep just a moment. I walked to
the bookshelves on for a moment whilethey all watched It's still there, was
(21:17):
the Holiday. What's still there?A book of mythology? Mythology? What
are you talking? Mister Mallory gavethe Roman god Janus as a clue.
No Janus would up here in abook of mythology. M here it is.
You're very clever, mister Holiday.Would you mind looking in the index
(21:37):
for Janus j A n Us.I can spell. There you are age
eighty six? Turned to it.There's no page eighty six. That's right.
Someone torn out of here exactly,And that's the only book of mythology
on board. It's obvious to kill. I took it out to prevent the
(22:00):
others from finding the clue. Inother words, the killer know they're reading
that page were given away, Yes, provided the reader was sufficiently acute.
But the killer forgot one thing,Yes, forgot what he or she is
the biggest clue of all. Whatdo you mean by that? I mean,
mister wearing, there's something about himor her that gives away the show
(22:21):
and ties in with Janus, whatis it not? Find that out and
you'll have the person, mister Clayton, look at one another and remember what
I said good night? Which oneof us took that page in the book?
He did not radio deliberately so wecould go on with this preposterous game.
I wonder there was someone in herewhen I came in. You don't
(22:44):
know who it was. No,I left the door open when I came
in. I couldn't find the lightswitch. I think someone slipped out when
I came in, and you Holiday, you were here, Yes, yes,
I was one of it. Whatdo you think? What were you
going to do here? Holiday?I came here. He's turned off the
lights again. I don't think thatanyone should move. We'd better get back
(23:06):
to our cabins. I don't likebeing in the dark with a killer.
The next morning, on deck,I saw Wearing standing at the aft rail.
I stopped because he looked around,as though seeing if anyone were near.
Then he raised his arm and threwsomething into the sea. I wondered
what it might be, and heturned quickly and came toward me. Hello
(23:30):
Holiday, Hello Wearing. Nice day, isn't it I had noticed? Has
anything happened. I don't know,has it. What's the matter with you?
What did you throw overboard? Wearingthrow overboard? Me? Nothing?
Luck, Wearing. We're all inthis together. We've got to cooperate.
One of us is a killer.I won't cooperate with anyone. Oh,
(23:52):
let me get past, all right, all right, go ahead. He
left me standing there. I walkedtoward my cabin, down the passageway and
opened the door. Clayton, wellholiday, Well, I thought, your
own day. Oh I'm not whatare you doing it here? I just
(24:14):
I wanted to see you. Hecan't find me in that drawer. Really
it was open when I came in. It was not all right, it
wasn't so what that's my question?What are you looking for? The missing
page from that book? Stop lying? Where did you get that gun?
What are you gonna do? Enough? Please don't get out of here,
go on, get out. I'mgonna tell Malory that you have a gun.
Sat down. Things were moving fast. I thought about Catherine Lansing.
(24:38):
She had been in the salon.I thought about Wearing, who had thrown
something overboard. And what he hadthrown hadn't been paper, so it wasn't
the page from the book, andI thought about Clayton searching my cabin.
Which of the three was the killer? By now I believe Mallory's story then,
(24:59):
and I remembered something something about Janisand had tied in with what Mallory
had said, tied in with thekiller and something I'd seen. I left
my cabin and hurried down the passage. I was almost to the end when
(25:21):
feeling better, Sir, who hitme? We don't know? Holiday?
Whoever hit me? To the gunyou gave me, Mallie You Mallory,
you gave him the gun? Whatwas the idea? Where is it?
Now? That's what I'd like toknow, obviously, mister Holliday, the
killer has it. It's right.This is going to be an interesting lunch.
(25:45):
You may serve William very good,sir, h Now I I know
who has that gun? Of courseyou do, mister Halliday. Who is
it? Miss Lansing? When wereyou born? What month? Mom?
Go ahead? Holiday? Go on? Well, Miss Lansing? Would you
lie? Why? That right?That's right? Clayton? What is this?
(26:07):
Answer? The same question? December? He's telling the truth. Holiday
and wearing When were you born?September? Is that right? Holiday?
No, I don't think so.Wearing you were born in January, the
month named after the Roman god Janus. Be careful, Holiday. What you
throw overboard was a ring, Aring with a dark red stone. Your
(26:30):
burst stone a garnet. That's perfectlytrue. Holiday. Keep your hands on
the table, Hall of you,and thank you for this gun. Mister
Holliday, you are not welcome.What do you intend to do, Wearing
kill all of us? I'm notthat stupid. You'll killed my brother,
yes, but I'm not going tohave Fanna or any place else on this
yacht. I'll stay where you are. I'll shoot the first person who gets
up from that table, and I'llshoot to kill William. No. Six
(26:53):
stable let him go, Let himgo, Yes, the crew has instructions
to let anyone go. They won'tsee him take the life boat. They'll
let him go. You'll get away, I don't think so. He'll be
picked up. You see, MissLancing, we haven't been many miles from
shore. Now shall we go onwith our lunch? Miss Lancing. Mister
(27:15):
Clayton, you have been put toa lot of trouble. I hope these
checks will make you feel happier.I think they will mister Holiday, you've
got a story, I hope.Oh yes, I did you see,
mister Halliday, I had to doit this way. I had no proof
that Wearing was the murderer. Ispent ten years getting evidence, but no
proof. I had to hope thathe would break, put him under tension.
(27:37):
But that envelope with your attorneys,mister Holiday, there was no envelope.
(28:02):
They picked up that Wearing. Huh, yes, Mallory radio the police.
If he kept quiet, no onewould have known. Yes, I
know, but mister Mallory is avery clever man. Go are you well?
Thank you? Susan Oh day.What about that ticket on the liner?
Oh I never thought about that.Hey, Susie, maybe I can
still use it here it is Holiday, what's the matter? Look the date
(28:30):
the boat failed yesterday? Oh fine, Good nights, Susie's the same time.
Through the courtesy of Paramount Pictures,Alan landstars as Dan Holiday in Box
thirteen. Box thirteen is directed byRichard Sandville, with this week's original story
(28:51):
by Russell Hughes. Original music iscomposed and conducted by Rudy Straker. Bart
of Susie is played by Sylvia Picker, and production is SUPERVI by Burn Carstens
Watch thirteen as a Mayfair production fromWatch Browlin Ladd in his latest Tremont picture,
(29:15):
Welcome Back. You know, Ithink Dan Holiday needs to add an
exception to his ad we'll go anywhere, We'll do anything except serving as a
clay page and in Richmond's games,because this is, uh, this is
something that's happened to him at leasttwice, but at least uh Mallory had
a reason for had a reason fordoing it. I have to admit the
(29:38):
clue didn't kind of type me bysurprise because I was sitting there thinking about
Janice and the two faced thing,and um, it didn't occur to me
just a month of January. Thatwas that. And maybe I was overthinking
it, but that was a prettyuh, that was a pretty good move.
(30:00):
All Right, Well, we gotone more comment and we're gonna wrap
it up. All right. Wegot a comment from Kathleen on podcast Allay,
Hey, don't you think the transitionmusic for Box thirteen sounds like the
transition music for the Adam West batMan TV show. I can kind of
hear a similarity, and it's notobviously exactly the same, but yeah,
(30:22):
a little bit similar, and thenjust I love the show. Well,
thanks so much for listening, Kathleen, much appreciated. Well, let's we'll
wrap it up for today. We'llbe back tomorrow with Jeff Reagan. Got
a comment, email it over toMay Box thirteen, A Great Detectives dot
net. Cast your vote for theshow on podcast Alley, Podcast Alley dot
Great Detectives dot net, and youcan follow us over on Twitter at Radio
(30:45):
Detectives from Boise, Idaho. Thisis your host, Adam graham Son and all
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