December 3, 2024 • 40 mins
Today's Mystery: Inspector Hearthstone investigates the murder of a man which occurred after that man's stepson, recently released from prison, threatens him.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: January 18, 1949
Originating from New York City
Starring: Alfred Shirley as Inspector Hearthstone; James Meighan
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Original Radio Broadcast Date: January 18, 1949
Originating from New York City
Starring: Alfred Shirley as Inspector Hearthstone; James Meighan
Support the show monthly at https://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 at http://survey.greatdetectives.net
Give us a call at 208-991-4783
Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives
Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from
Voice Adaho. This is your host, Adam Grant. In a moment,
we're going to bring you a newly circulated episode featuring
Hearthstone of the Desk Squad. But if you are enjoying
the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software.
(00:53):
I do want to encourage you to check out our
other podcast. Today, I am focusing on the Old time
Radio Snackwagon. This is great because every week we bring
you some really interesting and unique, little snack size bit
of old time radio. And it can be from a
(01:13):
variety of genres. It can be comedy, drama, music, it
can be an excerpt of a longer program or a
short program from long ago. This season, we've served up
a sampler of commercials, featured excerpts from the Family Theater,
as well as played episodes a family Doctor Unsolved, Mysteries,
(01:36):
adventures and research and so much more. And we have
some great features coming up this month. You can check
it out at snackwagon dot net. Now let's talk about
today's episode, and it does need some context. Now, well,
this is an episode that features Hersestone of the Desk Squad.
It's not actually an episode of a series called Carstone
(02:00):
of the Desk Squad. Now, it's worth noting that the
special we played last week was part of the Molay
Mystery Theater that aired over NBC. Well, that Mystery Theater
program ended in June of nineteen forty eight, and a
new Mystery Theater program began airing over CBS. Frank and
(02:23):
Ann Hummert became involved in the production of this new
Mystery Theater. Herstone of the Desk Squad was an original
character the Hummertz introduced and who eventually became the sole
focus of the series, and in nineteen fifty one, Mystery
(02:45):
Theater would be renamed Hertstone of the Desk Squad. And
indeed the three episodes we played previously were from those
fifty seven episodes that were released in nineteen fifty one
and fifty one two. This is actually from Mystery Theater
and relatively early in his run. I tend to view
(03:09):
Horstone as the Hummerts third detective, and I'll talk a
little bit about why I view it that way. But
here from January eighteenth, nineteen forty nine is the fifty
Dollars Murder case.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
And now the Mystery Theater with Heartstone of the Death Squad,
presented by the makers of Genuine Bear asprun and Phillip's
Milk of Magnesia tablets.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Welcome to the Mystery Theater, presenting the exploits of the
famous Death Squad Implacable man Hunters of the Metropolitan Police.
The night's case is assigned to Inspector Hearthstone of the
Death Squad and is entitled the Fifty Dollars Murder Case
from the original story by Frank Hummert. With Mary Roth
(04:23):
as Ella Hopkins and James Meehan as Richard Hopkins. Now
at one of the Mystery Theater presenting Inspector Hearthstone of
the Death Squad in the Fifty Dollars Murder Case. It
is a tense moment in the home of Wilbur Hopkins.
(04:45):
For any minute, Wilbur hopkins adopted son Richard, is expected
to return home after three years in state's prison for
having forged his foster father's name to a series of
fifty dollars checks, and as the scene opens, we hear
a heated quarrel between Wilbur Hopkins, his own son James,
and james wife Ella.
Speaker 4 (05:04):
I tell you James again that bygones are to be
bygones that when Richard comes into this house, it would
be as my son.
Speaker 5 (05:10):
As your jailbird adopted son. You mean, father, a convict
who threatened to kill you for giving evidence against him
at his trial. Are you completely insane?
Speaker 4 (05:17):
Father, Loving my adopted son as much as my own
flesh and bud is insanity, then I am insane. If
carrying out your dead mother's wishes about Richard is insanity,
I'm twice insane. So I tell you Jim, and I
tell you father, if you let Richard in this house,
he'll wind up by killing you.
Speaker 6 (05:32):
James, Father, please don't quarrel about this. Remember James, this
is father's house. I beg both of you not to quarrel.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
Still, sweet and Richard, are you Ella? You remember that
you're my wife. That's Richard. Now I know he's ring.
I'll open the door. Richard, my boy, welcome to your home.
Let's cut all that out. I learned enough in prison,
not the fall for soft talk, my son, My boy,
that's a laugh. After your testimony helped put me behind bars.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
All I did, Richard was a identified. The check says
forger is. I didn't say that you forged them. Well
I didn't forge them. I was framed and your testimony
put me in prison. If it helps you to know it,
I'm going back to that prison, going back what for
for killing whoever framed me and sent me there in
the first place?
Speaker 5 (06:14):
What did I tell you?
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Father?
Speaker 5 (06:15):
Shut up James wor I'll smash your face. Oh Richard,
please Keepella double cross me too, Please Richard? Please? You
know I always loved me. Sure you love me. You
have to promise to marry me and then marry James
six months after I was put in prison. Well, so
far as I'm concerned, you can all go to the devil.
Speaker 4 (06:31):
Don't talk that way, Richard, my son, come in here.
Speaker 5 (06:33):
I want to talk to you. Dry up your tears,
my dear foster father. I'm staying in this house only
long enough to pick up my clothes and then well
you'll find out soon enough. Goodbye, my dear family. Goodbye.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
Later that night, in methrob AND's slippers, preparing for bed,
the father Wilbur Hopkins suddenly turns as someone appears that
his door.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
He says, come in, what do you want? Put down
that gun? Themember? Heaven's what's wrong with you put it down,
I tell you. Oh. Oh, mister Hopkins, her shots shouts
from mister Hopkins' room. Oh Heaven help me. Oh, mister
Hopkins is dead. Help hell. Mister James, wake up, wake up.
Speaker 6 (07:26):
Your father's been killed. Hurry, hurry, What is it, Sarah,
mister Hopkins has been murdered, shot to death. Hell Hell,
call the police, Sarah, call a doctor. Wake up, Jim,
wake up. Something terrible has happened to your father.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
A short time later, a police car shrieks to a
stop at the Hopkins' home, and a tall, gray haired
man with eyes as cold as steel, jumps out and
rings the bell.
Speaker 5 (08:01):
Oh the police, Inspector Hartstard of the Dead Squad, Office
of Criminal Investigation. We reported a murder here, Yes, who
was killed? Where is the body? And who are you?
Speaker 6 (08:13):
My father in law, Wilbur Hopkins was murdered. I'm Ella Hopkins,
his daughter in law. His body was discovered by our
maid here. Sarah.
Speaker 5 (08:20):
You are Sarah? You found the body? I did, sir,
and a terrible sight it was. I heard two shots.
Speaker 6 (08:28):
Had ran to his room and there he lay dead.
Speaker 5 (08:31):
Lead me to the body of Sarah. Come along, Sam, coming,
Inspector has the rightest way. Please, there's the body. Two
bullets in their hearts. Sam, whoever did this job was
a good shot, Inspector. Evidently the murdered man, Wilbur Hopkins
was preparing for bed. Yeah, fancy bathrow. He was wearing.
See that the photographers get a clear picture of it.
(08:52):
Sam looks new unusual pattern. A brooqete. I'll take care
of the pictures, Inspector, And now Sam, let's talk to
the family, Oh.
Speaker 6 (09:00):
Inspector Hoston, was my father in law really shot? I
couldn't even look into the room.
Speaker 5 (09:05):
Whoever killed him looked into it? All right, missus Hopkins,
I assume this gentleman is your husband, Yes, Inspector Houston.
I'm James Hopkins, and I warned Ellen. I warned my
father against whom against my foster brother, Richard Hopkins. I
told my father if he led him in this house,
he'd kill it. Richard Hopkins, do you mean the man
released from prison yesterday? Was he your foster brother? Yes?
(09:26):
He served three years for forging fifty dollars checks in
my father's name. Richard never forgave my father for testifying
at his trial. He said he'd kill the one responsible
for sending him up. When did your foster brother make
that threat before he went to prison? And again last
evening when he came home, Inspector Hoston, is Richard Holme? Now, No,
we haven't seen him since eleven last night he came here.
(09:46):
He was very nasty. He told us all to go
to the devil and packed up some clothes of his
and left the house. He left it eleven last night.
Did you get any disturbance after that? I know? I
went to sleep shortly after eleven. I didn't wake up
until my wife called me and said something terrible had
happened to my father and you, missus Hopkins.
Speaker 6 (10:05):
I slept soundly. I didn't hear a thing until the
maid Sarah heard the shots and called me. I told
her to.
Speaker 5 (10:11):
Call the police. See now, tell me, Jim Hopkins, what
places did your foster brother Richard frequent before he went
to prison. Well, the Cannon Brush Club, Inspector Houston. That's
a rendezvous for artists. Richard was a commercial artist, and
so are you. Yes, How did you know I've seen
your name on a number of illustrations in magazines. Any
other places Richard frequented The Blue Owl Tavern, on Tenth Avenue.
(10:35):
That was his real hangout. He cashed his forged checks there, Jim.
Speaker 6 (10:39):
Richard wouldn't go back to that place. I'm sure Richard
didn't murder your father, Jim, I don't care what you say.
Speaker 5 (10:44):
Follow I'd expect that from you. Ella. I thought you'd
rush to Richard's defense. You see extraordinarily fond of Richard,
Missus Hopkins. What's the connection between you? Connection that there
isn't any better? Tell me the truth about this thing.
It's better for everybody.
Speaker 6 (10:58):
I was in love with Richard, engaged to.
Speaker 5 (11:01):
Marry, but while he was in prison, you married Jim here. Yes, yes,
I did, the quick change of a fiction. Tell me
why did you marry Jim?
Speaker 6 (11:09):
I was Wilba Hopkins Ward. He was my father's best friend.
After Richard went to prison, he persuaded me to marry Jim.
He said he wanted to keep.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
Me in the family, and no doubt, to make you
legally an heir to his estate.
Speaker 6 (11:20):
What do you mean my father in law never said
anything about that to me.
Speaker 5 (11:23):
Now, Jim Hopkins, your father was a fairly rich man.
Tell me who stands to inherit his estate? I have
no idea but this isn't a murder for money, Inspector Harston.
My foster brother Richard practically told my father last night
that he was going to kill him. But the question
is did he Of course he did, and if you
ever find him, you'll know that I'm right. I understand
your theory perfectly. Jim Hopkins. You think your foster brother
(11:45):
Richard killed your father because he testified against him at
his trial. That's an exactly Inspector. Then I put it
to you that your father's testimony wasn't the major factor
in Richard's conviction. What I remember the trial very clearly.
Testimony that actually sent your foster brother, Richard up was
given by a man named gallupas a tavern keeper who
cashed the forged checks. Oh yes, i'd forgotten all about Glopus.
Speaker 6 (12:09):
Isn't that wonderful to him? I told you Richard didn't
do it, and now Inspector Hortstone says he didn't.
Speaker 5 (12:15):
Let me correct you, Ella, I didn't say he did
or he didn't. Detective Cook and I are now going
to see this men Glupus at the Blue Owl Tavern
on tenth Avenue, and I have a hunch we'll find
Richard Hopkins. There, this tavern of Gallopus is about as
(12:40):
low as they come, Inspector Astar Sam. Sorry to hang
out for criminals. In fact, I see some of our
old friends. There's Lefty Louis over there, sitting with the legs. McCoy.
Look Sam in that booth in the corner. That's the
young man we're looking for. Richard Hopkins. Come on right
behind you, Inspector Hopkins. Yes, I'm Hopkins. I'm inspector has
(13:02):
turned of the death squad, and this is Detective Cook.
What do you want now? Aren't you cops done with
me yet? Hardly? You see we investigating the murder of
your foster father, Wilbah Hopkins' father murdered, Yes, and we
have every reason to believe you kill him. Richard Hopkins, No, No,
I didn't. I was right here all the time, you
were here all night. Why I came here Because I
was framed when I was sent to prison, and because
(13:24):
Gollupus had something to do with it, Great Scott, I
couldn't kill fathers. Say different. Listen. Inspector Gallupus testified I
cashed one of those forged checks in this tavern, but
I'd never been in this tavern. And I never saw
Galloupus before the trial. And I say, the question is,
did you kill your foster father for revenge and then
come here to do the same thing to Gallupus? No,
No one's beat a hearts. Do listen. When I was
(13:45):
in jail, I talked to the other prisoners. They told
me that Collopus was a great front for a frame up.
So last night, after I left father's house, I came here.
I wanted to get a line on Glupas, find out
how I was framed. I never heard a crook yet
who didn't claim he was framed or not. But I
swear I didn't even know my father was murdered until
you just told me. I've been here all the time. Ah,
(14:06):
what's the use might have known? You? Cops wouldn't believe me,
Sam being Gloupas over here, Bright Inspector hast Richard, you
threatened to kill your foster father, Wilba Hopkins. I was sore,
he testified at my trial. Those fifty dollars forged checks
were on his bank. I lost my head when I
threatened father, but I didn't mean what I said. Is Gallupus,
inspector has done Look I'm no one trouble with the cops.
(14:27):
I only want you to answer one question, Galupus, was
this man in your tavern all night? This young feller
I'm notice him as Hopkins tell him you saw me here, Gallupus,
I'm sorry. He's not been near the place all night.
The first time I see him is when he come
in half an article. He's ly hit your coat, Richard,
you're coming back to your father's house with me. He's lying,
Inspector Gallupus is lying. Hit your coat, and don't try anything.
(14:48):
We've got your colored all right, Glupish, you can go,
Thank you, Inspector Carson. Sam, take this menu I had
picked up and put it in a safe place. You'll
notice it's got a drawing on it, drawing of a
pretty girl in evening dress on a surfa. He's heard it,
so he's sketching. Look at the evening dress, Sam. The
full skirt is patterned, and with the same pattern as
(15:10):
that on the brocaded bathrobe Bilbah Hopkins was wearing when
he was murdered. And this sketch practically convects Richard. If
we can prove that he drew it, it will Sam,
(15:30):
all right, now go into the living room, Richard. I
didn't kill father. It's back the hostile Glupus was lying.
I tell you move on, Richard. The rest of the
families in that room and I want them to see you.
All right, put that gun away, Detective Coop. Oh, it's
back to Aarston. This is my aunt Marion with us. Well, Jim,
(15:51):
Ella and Aunt Marion? What are you doing with that desk?
Why are you're breaking it open? What's Ella? She remembered
that the desk has a secret drawer. Father said, if
anything ever happened, we were to open it.
Speaker 6 (16:00):
We looked for you, Inspector. We wanted you to be here.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
Really, I see you've got him. You've got Richard, and
you're glad of it, aren't you. Jim, You're done right.
I could put on the juice myself.
Speaker 7 (16:09):
You stop talking to Richard that way, You stay out.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
Of this and marry in just a minute. I assume
you have no key to this desk you're trying to
break open. Where is the secret draw supposed to be under? Here?
Is anyone objective I break it open? No one, inspector hostile?
All right, Sam, Let's see what we can do, right,
I'll get out of from down here, Inspector, Yes, got it, Sam,
(16:33):
and get your hand in.
Speaker 6 (16:34):
What's inside, Inspector Hotstone?
Speaker 5 (16:37):
An envelope? Ella? Open it? I am Jim. Well this
is interesting.
Speaker 7 (16:43):
What is it, Inspector Hotstone.
Speaker 5 (16:44):
Miss marry in? This paper is the last will and
testament of Wilbah Hopkins. Extraordinary that Ella knew just where.
Speaker 6 (16:51):
To look for it, Inspector Hostile.
Speaker 5 (16:53):
You remember I suggested to you before that this marriage
might result in your being an heir to the estate
of the murdered man. How horrible read this? Will I,
Wilba Hopkins, being of sound mind, to bequeathedreek quarters of
my estate to my own son, James Hopkins, and the
remaining quarter to James' wife, Ella Hopkins. Well that can't
be right. To my adopted son Richard, I leave the
(17:14):
summer of fifty dollars in the hope that this fifty
dollars inheritance will remind him always of the fifty dollars
chicks he forged in my name and will lead him
towards a decent, honest life. Oh, but that's impossible.
Speaker 7 (17:26):
My brother wilburt O always said his estate was to
be divided equally between his two sons, Jim and Richard.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
Did he, Miss Hopkins, well.
Speaker 7 (17:32):
I Wilbur always told me that no matter what Richard
had done, when he came out of prison, bygones would
be bygones.
Speaker 5 (17:38):
He said Richard was going to get as much as Jim.
He never told you he changed his mind, Miss Madam.
Speaker 7 (17:44):
I don't remember, Inspector Hartstone. Perhaps he did change his.
Speaker 5 (17:48):
Mind, Sure he did. Father turned against me like the
rest of you, and that's why you killed father. Richard.
Tell Jim don't perhaps you killed him. Jim, You and
Ella you'll get nearly one hundred thousand dollars by that.
Speaker 6 (17:59):
Will Richard, how can you say such a thing about
Jim about me?
Speaker 5 (18:02):
In my position? All I can't trust anybody, not even you.
That is astute observation. Richard, what do you mean, Inspector Houston, You,
Jim Hopkins and all of you are under suspicion of murder,
and don't believe for one moment that you're not.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
This is Jeffrey Barnes again in Just a Moment at
two a Mystery Theater.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
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Speaker 3 (19:47):
Now, this is Jeffrey Barnes returning you to the Mystery
theater and Act two of Hotstone of the Death Spot
in the fifty Dollars Murder Case, the discovery of the
murdered Wilbur Hopkins will, leaving his estate to his son
(20:09):
Jim and Jim's wife Ella, and leaving fifty dollars to
his adopted son.
Speaker 5 (20:14):
Richard.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
The convicted forger, has set Inspector Hothstone on a new trail.
We find him in Wilbert Hopkins study, saying to Detective Sam.
Speaker 5 (20:22):
Cook, there's something fishy about this will. Sam. Every instinct
tells me so fishy. How do you mean, Inspector hearstin.
I think it's forged. Why should Richard Hopkins forge your will?
It cuts him off with fifty dollars. It could be
to throw suspicion of his father's murder off him and
onto somebody else. But easy, now, Sam, Here comes Richard.
(20:43):
When I talked to him, you go upstairs and get
what I told you to get. Okay, inspected, How do
you think you're doing, Inspector hostile? Hello, Richard? Come in?
Oh making a copy of the will exactly, Richard, wills
have been forged, you know, forge? What do you mean?
I mean that I'm seeing every typewriter in this house
to see which one, if any, was used to type
(21:04):
your foster father's will. Inspector Heartstone, do you mean Jim
and Ella may have forged the will and then killed
father for the money, but you're not sure I did it.
It's possible you forced it to throw suspicion on Jim
and Ella. Ruce a forger, always a forger. Very interesting.
This typewriter is not the one that wrote the will.
(21:24):
Find another portable typewriter upstairs, Inspector put it on the table, Sam, Well,
who's this following you? Jim and Ella? What's the idea
of all this, Inspector.
Speaker 6 (21:32):
Hoston, Yes, what do you want with my typewriter?
Speaker 5 (21:35):
Oh, it's your typewriter, and just put a sheet of
paper in and see how it works. What are you doing? Testing, Jim? Testing?
I'll do without your opinion, Bridger, I.
Speaker 6 (21:44):
Can't stand it. I can't stand it, all these suspicion.
Speaker 5 (21:47):
Was it her typewriter, Inspector Hoarstone, Was the will type
on Ella's machine? No, Richard, it was not, you see,
Inspector Haston. That's what comes of your ridiculous suspicions. Nothing.
I disagree, Jim Hopkins. It's significant that none of the
machine in this house was used to type Wilbur Hopkins will.
If he wrote it himself, where would he have typed it,
but in his own house. I'll take that phone. Hello, hello,
(22:09):
Inspector Hartstone. Yes, this is Marion Hopkins. I have something
very important to tell you. I can't tell you over
the phone. Is it about the will? Miss Hopkins? I'd
rather not say on the phone. I must see you,
all right, I'll be right over.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
No, I'm not home.
Speaker 5 (22:23):
Come in two hours, very well, it's two o'clock. Now,
I'll see you it for this thing gets more and
more horrible, more and more. You mustn't fail me, Inspector.
You mustn't fail me. Right on time, Inspector Hearthstone. Four o'clock. Yes,
(22:49):
why the devil doesn't end? Marion Hopkins? Answer her doorbell,
I'll try to n it was locked. Use your keys,
Sam Quick fa just kept a previous appointment. Previous appointment,
her previous appointment with murder. Yes, there's her body. Mallion
Hopkins is dead. Sam shot, very still warm, Inspector. She
(23:11):
was going to tell us something about that will. Who
killed her? It could have been anyone, Sam, All of them, Hello,
Jim Richard. They all knew she had something to tell
me about the will. They were all there when Mallion
Hopkins phoned and they heard me mention the will to her.
That's right, I remember, Sam. There's one typewriter we haven't
tested yet, the typewrider Rover in the corner in Glupus Tavern.
(23:32):
I saw it when I was there. I wanted to
test that typewriter, Sam, But I want to test it
in a hurry, because this killer will strike again. Sam.
Here's Glupus Tavern. Now for that typewriter over there. Inspector hurts, Oh,
(23:54):
Inspector hurts, don't you want something again? I just want
to use your typewriter, gloupas she had of Piper's my typewriter.
What do you wanna do that for? Hey, you cannot
do this to me. I don't know an respectable place.
Leave my typewriter, Alonge and back alyopis stack the hast
down of the what he wants?
Speaker 8 (24:09):
Cops, you gotta ask me when you want to do
something around here.
Speaker 5 (24:12):
You start now in a minute, Theloopus. How come you
use my typewriter? I don't want to get mixed up
with anything. I don't want trouble. There's a sample of types, Sam,
give me that paper. Give it to me, quiet, Glupus.
I put it to you This typewriter of yours was
used in typing of forest will Wilbur Hopkins. I don't
understand what will the will of Wilbur Hopkins, who was
(24:32):
murdered two nights ago? What part did you have in
that murder? Geloupas, I know nothing about him, more that
I know nothing about any will Wilver's typed on your machine.
Speaker 8 (24:40):
Anyone can come in and use the typewriter. You see
it on the table here in the open. I don't
watch closely. I don't want problem.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
You washed Durstly Galloopus, a man of Wilbur Hopkins standing,
wouldn't come to this criminals to type his last will
and testament. I tell you, mister Copper, I know nothing
about it. And I tell you Gallupus, Jim Hopkins made
no mistake telling me to look you up. Jim Hopkins
till you to look me up. He's a liar. If
he said I had anything to do with this, you'd
be surprised to know what else he told me. Gaelopus,
(25:08):
things look pretty bad for you, pretty bad, indeed, Sam,
take a Loopus typewriter. It's evidence. Come on, let's go, Jack,
let'speak a hardstone. Listen, listen, boy, what a noisy Greek well.
It looks like Wilburt Hopkins jail bird son Richard typed
and forged that well right in Gelloupus's tavern. Inspector maybe
(25:29):
SAMs around the Hopkins house with a cordon of men.
Gordon the man. Okay, we're going to watch that house tonight. Sam.
I think the murderer will strike again. This is Jeffrey
Barnes again.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
And just a moment we return you to Hearthstone of
the death squad in the fifty dollars murder case.
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(26:44):
Bayar Aspirin, not just for aspirin alone. Get the one
hundred tablet bottle, and you get Bayer Aspirin tablets for
less than a penny apiece.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
And now this is Jeffrey Barnes returning you to Act
three of the Mystery Theater presenting Hearthstone of the Death
Squad in the fifty Dollars murder case. Inspector Hearthstone, implacably
(27:30):
on the trail of the double killer of Wilbur Hopkins
and his sister Marian, has discovered that hopkins will was
forged typed in the tavern run by the Greek Gelupus. Now,
Inspector Hartstone and Detective Sam Cookan are hidden in the
dark hallway of the Hopkins house.
Speaker 5 (27:46):
It is the middle of the night. They wait and
watch three o'clock. Inspector that Stone, do you think anything
will break? I know it. It was on the prowl tonight, Saim.
He's just like his pitch the murderers. Sam, put on
your flashlights. This way Sam. Jim Hopkins, somebody's trying to
(28:11):
kill him. Gallupus, Collopus, don't.
Speaker 6 (28:13):
Move what happened?
Speaker 5 (28:14):
Don't shot expect your housman. He saved my life at
Greek Coloupus. He tried to kill me and under arrest
Galloopus for the attempted murder of James Hopkins. I'll kill
you with my bare hands. Jim Hopkins, you put your
cups on me. He's killing up Calamus rock back your
head up and with a sky. I'll kill you for this.
Speaker 8 (28:32):
Jim Hopkins trying to put it up on me for
killing your old man.
Speaker 5 (28:35):
He's the one who killed Lup Hopkins In's pecker heartstone,
hut up, you'll full the cups of tricks. You'll squealer.
Speaker 8 (28:40):
Nobody treat me until you hurt on this Jim Hopkins
type that phony wheel on the typewrite in my restaurant, Callopus, what.
Speaker 5 (28:46):
Are you trying to do for us? Both on the chair,
nobody's putting me in. It's said for what you've done,
right you are, Galloopus. You'll get off easy for telling
the truth. What are you talking about, Hastorm. This man
just tried to murder me. James Hopkins, I arrest you
for the murders of your father and your aunt Marion Hopkins.
You're crazy, hostoral. I'm not in your not Jim Hopkins,
you murdered your father and tried to put the crime
on your foster brother Richard the day he was released
(29:08):
from prison for the crime he never committed. That's a lie.
You're the one who panted those forge checks on your
brother and then bribe Glupas here to testify your brother
passed them. That's right, inspect Hertstone. Then Dorry Squiller tried
to pin murder on it. And then, Jim Hopkins, you
forged your will, leaving all your father's money to you
and your wife. Ella.
Speaker 6 (29:25):
I had nothing to do with her, Inspector Hortstone, I
swear I didn't.
Speaker 5 (29:28):
That's all right, Ella. He did it to get more
money for a girl. He was infatuated with the girl
he uses a model. I got the girl's one statement here,
Inspector Jim.
Speaker 6 (29:35):
How could you murder your own father?
Speaker 5 (29:37):
And then when he heard his aunt Mary and phone me,
he got the idea she might have his father's real will,
so he murdered her. Try to prove that hostile. Here's
the real will. Jim Hopkins then have to scribble note
in her room, giving the name of her lawyer. Was
holding your father's will in safekeeping? That gun Hopkins a
al trellia. The real will leaves all will, the Hopkins
money to his two beloved sons, James, my own son,
(29:59):
and Richard, my adopted son, in equal parts. That's not
evidence of murder, Hostile, Sam, give me that sketch. Look
at it, Jim Hopkins. You drew it, you adopted in
Glopus tavern. The pattern in the girl's skirt in the
picture is the same as the pattern on your father's
bathroom the night you murdered him. You drew this unconsciously,
(30:20):
not knowing whether it would lead you. That's right, I
I glupus so improy it myself, scribbling like all the
Martins do. You are a murderer, Jim Hopkins, and I
have the evidence to put you in the death chamber. Alad,
I confess, I confessed to everything. Just stop publing at me,
as take him away, saying come along you too. Don't
try anything on me.
Speaker 6 (30:43):
I think I was married to a murderer. Inspector hostile,
I you will find.
Speaker 5 (30:47):
Another life A happier one Ella, and I think it
will be with the adopted son who was good, and
you'll soon forget the real son who was bad.
Speaker 3 (31:14):
And thus Inspector Hearthstone ends the fifty dollars murder Case,
writes so across the index card.
Speaker 5 (31:22):
At police Headquarters. The part of.
Speaker 3 (31:25):
Inspector Hearthstone was played by Alfred Shirley. This is Jeffrey
Barnes inviting you to listen again next Tuesday night at
the same time when the Mystery Theater presents the meat
Market Murder Case.
Speaker 9 (31:43):
If you suffer from dandruff, remember this. It's just a
waste of time and money to find it by using
preparations that merely remove loose dandruff. Even plain water and
brushing will do that. To get real relief, you must
destroy the germ petty ross Bormel Valley, which many authorities
say causes them most common kind of danders. A remarkable
preparation called double danderine kills this germ on contact. Even
(32:07):
in some of the most stubborn cases, results with double
danderine have been amazing. So for real relief, try double danderine.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
Missus dan Seymour saying good night until next Tuesday Night
at the same time when the Mystery Theater will present
the meat Market murdered case.
Speaker 10 (32:57):
This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
Welcome back. So our killer decided to substitute a fake
will without having any control or knowledge of where the
real will was held, and the real will was actually
with the decedent's lawyer. Okay, that's about par for the
course for Humbert villains. Now, it's worth noting that James
(33:38):
Mihan appeared in this episode, and he starred in The
Falcon for two years and appears in the first two
circulating episodes we were able to play. However, he was
far better known as someone who worked in the soap operas,
and most of the crime dramas he was known for,
such as a LEAs Jimmy Valentine, were in conjunction with
(34:01):
the Hummer, so hearing him in a humber production is
not a surprise. It was kind of weird to have
more than just the League credited on a Humbert show,
but that may go back to this having that sort
of mystery theater format working for it. Now, I said
I would talk about where I place Hearthstone, who is
(34:26):
played by Albert Shirley. Albert Shirley, by the way, and
I'm saying some of this stuff because it's been such
a long time since we've played Harstone of the Desk Squad.
But Alfred Shirley is best remembered for playing Doctor Watson
in the nineteen forty seven to forty eight series of
(34:49):
the New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes with John Stanley as Holmes,
but in his time was just a mainstay of the
New York radio acting community. He been acting in radio
since nineteen twenty five. So once again you have the
Hummerks connections and their ability to bring in quality people
(35:09):
paying off. I think that Horstone was the third detective,
although I think it's pretty close between Horstone and Chameleon.
Of course, mister Keene had been around since the thirties.
Mister Cameleon premiered on July twenty first of nineteen forty eight.
(35:31):
The Mystery Theater series came over to CBS on June
twenty ninth of nineteen forty eight, and Horstone was a
feature that was introduced that kind of took over the
whole series. But we don't actually have any indication as
to which episode he was introduced in for sure. The
(35:55):
old digital Delai website had a log of all of
the History Theater episode titles, as well as information from
the Wisconsin State Journal listing information about all the episodes.
None of these reference Horstone in the early episodes. One
(36:17):
strong candidate for a first appearance for Horstone would be
the twelfth episode of the series, The Clock Strikes Murder Case,
as that fits with a sort of naming convention that
the Homwerks would tend to use on their detective programs,
although not universally, you could probably if you found in
(36:39):
episodes like Death and the Weeping Bride, Murder in the Family,
or The Garden of Death Murder. Those could all be
plausible enough introductions for Horstone based on the title, which
might mean he premiered as early as August twenty fourth.
I probably wouldn't date his first appearances anytime before that.
(37:03):
News Stan Maggie, which the Wisconsin State Journal described as
a tale of Luss for Evan, sounds more like a
standard mystery program. The Squealer actually adapted, which was the
program previous to that on August tenth, actually adapted a
(37:23):
story by Edgar Wallace, so Hearthstone premiered a month or
two after Chameleon, and probably in about fifteen months was
airing nearly every week, and so there was a period
where the Hummerks were producing three different detective programs that
(37:47):
were all on the air at the same time for CBS.
But that's all we have for Horstone for now. The
next time we returned to the worlds of and In
Frank hummert it will be to bring you mister Cameleon.
All right, Well, now it's time to thank our Patreon
supporter of the day, and I want to go ahead
(38:08):
and thank Mick. Mi's been one of our Patreon supporters
since June of twenty fifteen, currently supporting the podcast at
the shawmus level of four dollars or more per month.
Thanks so much for your support, Mick, and that will
actually do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast,
please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if
(38:30):
you are enjoying the podcast, be sure to like the video,
subscribe to the channel, and mark the notification bell all
those great things that help YouTube channels to grow. We
will be back next Tuesday with Operation Danger, but join
us back here tomorrow for Broadways My Beat, where.
Speaker 5 (38:48):
Oh and't found him and called me.
Speaker 11 (38:50):
I'd like to talk with Fred on on father.
Speaker 5 (38:52):
Of course, it's sister.
Speaker 6 (38:54):
That's impossible.
Speaker 5 (38:55):
Father.
Speaker 6 (38:56):
Fred must have gone home to the day. It's finding
Jimmy dead by a knife. It undoubtedly made him ill.
It is very sensitive boy.
Speaker 11 (39:06):
Surely did Jimmy have any visitors?
Speaker 7 (39:08):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (39:09):
Yes, I have them here, mister Clover. At least I
call to tell them of Jimmy.
Speaker 11 (39:14):
If you don't mind, sister, Yes, I don't understand routine, sister,
simply to complete a file. Hey, is that all, mister Clover?
A few more things. I'll want the attendant's address and
a question. Could anyone, anyone at all? Attendant, visitors, anybody?
Could someone have come in here and murdered Jimmy?
Speaker 5 (39:34):
What do you see? Please? Yes, it could have been done,
mister Clover.
Speaker 11 (39:39):
What are you getting at? Jimmy was stabbed in the side,
too close to his back to make him a suicide.
Jimmy was murdered. You can say rights now, father.
Speaker 1 (39:47):
I hope you'll be with us then in the meantime.
Send your comments to Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net,
follow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives, and check us
out on It, Instagram, Instagram, dot com, slash great detectives
from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham signing off.
Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from
Voice Adaho. This is your host, Adam Grant. In a moment,
we're going to bring you a newly circulated episode featuring
Hearthstone of the Desk Squad. But if you are enjoying
the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software.
(00:53):
I do want to encourage you to check out our
other podcast. Today, I am focusing on the Old time
Radio Snackwagon. This is great because every week we bring
you some really interesting and unique, little snack size bit
of old time radio. And it can be from a
(01:13):
variety of genres. It can be comedy, drama, music, it
can be an excerpt of a longer program or a
short program from long ago. This season, we've served up
a sampler of commercials, featured excerpts from the Family Theater,
as well as played episodes a family Doctor Unsolved, Mysteries,
(01:36):
adventures and research and so much more. And we have
some great features coming up this month. You can check
it out at snackwagon dot net. Now let's talk about
today's episode, and it does need some context. Now, well,
this is an episode that features Hersestone of the Desk Squad.
It's not actually an episode of a series called Carstone
(02:00):
of the Desk Squad. Now, it's worth noting that the
special we played last week was part of the Molay
Mystery Theater that aired over NBC. Well, that Mystery Theater
program ended in June of nineteen forty eight, and a
new Mystery Theater program began airing over CBS. Frank and
(02:23):
Ann Hummert became involved in the production of this new
Mystery Theater. Herstone of the Desk Squad was an original
character the Hummertz introduced and who eventually became the sole
focus of the series, and in nineteen fifty one, Mystery
(02:45):
Theater would be renamed Hertstone of the Desk Squad. And
indeed the three episodes we played previously were from those
fifty seven episodes that were released in nineteen fifty one
and fifty one two. This is actually from Mystery Theater
and relatively early in his run. I tend to view
(03:09):
Horstone as the Hummerts third detective, and I'll talk a
little bit about why I view it that way. But
here from January eighteenth, nineteen forty nine is the fifty
Dollars Murder case.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
And now the Mystery Theater with Heartstone of the Death Squad,
presented by the makers of Genuine Bear asprun and Phillip's
Milk of Magnesia tablets.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Welcome to the Mystery Theater, presenting the exploits of the
famous Death Squad Implacable man Hunters of the Metropolitan Police.
The night's case is assigned to Inspector Hearthstone of the
Death Squad and is entitled the Fifty Dollars Murder Case
from the original story by Frank Hummert. With Mary Roth
(04:23):
as Ella Hopkins and James Meehan as Richard Hopkins. Now
at one of the Mystery Theater presenting Inspector Hearthstone of
the Death Squad in the Fifty Dollars Murder Case. It
is a tense moment in the home of Wilbur Hopkins.
(04:45):
For any minute, Wilbur hopkins adopted son Richard, is expected
to return home after three years in state's prison for
having forged his foster father's name to a series of
fifty dollars checks, and as the scene opens, we hear
a heated quarrel between Wilbur Hopkins, his own son James,
and james wife Ella.
Speaker 4 (05:04):
I tell you James again that bygones are to be
bygones that when Richard comes into this house, it would
be as my son.
Speaker 5 (05:10):
As your jailbird adopted son. You mean, father, a convict
who threatened to kill you for giving evidence against him
at his trial. Are you completely insane?
Speaker 4 (05:17):
Father, Loving my adopted son as much as my own
flesh and bud is insanity, then I am insane. If
carrying out your dead mother's wishes about Richard is insanity,
I'm twice insane. So I tell you Jim, and I
tell you father, if you let Richard in this house,
he'll wind up by killing you.
Speaker 6 (05:32):
James, Father, please don't quarrel about this. Remember James, this
is father's house. I beg both of you not to quarrel.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
Still, sweet and Richard, are you Ella? You remember that
you're my wife. That's Richard. Now I know he's ring.
I'll open the door. Richard, my boy, welcome to your home.
Let's cut all that out. I learned enough in prison,
not the fall for soft talk, my son, My boy,
that's a laugh. After your testimony helped put me behind bars.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
All I did, Richard was a identified. The check says
forger is. I didn't say that you forged them. Well
I didn't forge them. I was framed and your testimony
put me in prison. If it helps you to know it,
I'm going back to that prison, going back what for
for killing whoever framed me and sent me there in
the first place?
Speaker 5 (06:14):
What did I tell you?
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Father?
Speaker 5 (06:15):
Shut up James wor I'll smash your face. Oh Richard,
please Keepella double cross me too, Please Richard? Please? You
know I always loved me. Sure you love me. You
have to promise to marry me and then marry James
six months after I was put in prison. Well, so
far as I'm concerned, you can all go to the devil.
Speaker 4 (06:31):
Don't talk that way, Richard, my son, come in here.
Speaker 5 (06:33):
I want to talk to you. Dry up your tears,
my dear foster father. I'm staying in this house only
long enough to pick up my clothes and then well
you'll find out soon enough. Goodbye, my dear family. Goodbye.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
Later that night, in methrob AND's slippers, preparing for bed,
the father Wilbur Hopkins suddenly turns as someone appears that
his door.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
He says, come in, what do you want? Put down
that gun? Themember? Heaven's what's wrong with you put it down,
I tell you. Oh. Oh, mister Hopkins, her shots shouts
from mister Hopkins' room. Oh Heaven help me. Oh, mister
Hopkins is dead. Help hell. Mister James, wake up, wake up.
Speaker 6 (07:26):
Your father's been killed. Hurry, hurry, What is it, Sarah,
mister Hopkins has been murdered, shot to death. Hell Hell,
call the police, Sarah, call a doctor. Wake up, Jim,
wake up. Something terrible has happened to your father.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
A short time later, a police car shrieks to a
stop at the Hopkins' home, and a tall, gray haired
man with eyes as cold as steel, jumps out and
rings the bell.
Speaker 5 (08:01):
Oh the police, Inspector Hartstard of the Dead Squad, Office
of Criminal Investigation. We reported a murder here, Yes, who
was killed? Where is the body? And who are you?
Speaker 6 (08:13):
My father in law, Wilbur Hopkins was murdered. I'm Ella Hopkins,
his daughter in law. His body was discovered by our
maid here. Sarah.
Speaker 5 (08:20):
You are Sarah? You found the body? I did, sir,
and a terrible sight it was. I heard two shots.
Speaker 6 (08:28):
Had ran to his room and there he lay dead.
Speaker 5 (08:31):
Lead me to the body of Sarah. Come along, Sam, coming,
Inspector has the rightest way. Please, there's the body. Two
bullets in their hearts. Sam, whoever did this job was
a good shot, Inspector. Evidently the murdered man, Wilbur Hopkins
was preparing for bed. Yeah, fancy bathrow. He was wearing.
See that the photographers get a clear picture of it.
(08:52):
Sam looks new unusual pattern. A brooqete. I'll take care
of the pictures, Inspector, And now Sam, let's talk to
the family, Oh.
Speaker 6 (09:00):
Inspector Hoston, was my father in law really shot? I
couldn't even look into the room.
Speaker 5 (09:05):
Whoever killed him looked into it? All right, missus Hopkins,
I assume this gentleman is your husband, Yes, Inspector Houston.
I'm James Hopkins, and I warned Ellen. I warned my
father against whom against my foster brother, Richard Hopkins. I
told my father if he led him in this house,
he'd kill it. Richard Hopkins, do you mean the man
released from prison yesterday? Was he your foster brother? Yes?
(09:26):
He served three years for forging fifty dollars checks in
my father's name. Richard never forgave my father for testifying
at his trial. He said he'd kill the one responsible
for sending him up. When did your foster brother make
that threat before he went to prison? And again last
evening when he came home, Inspector Hoston, is Richard Holme? Now, No,
we haven't seen him since eleven last night he came here.
(09:46):
He was very nasty. He told us all to go
to the devil and packed up some clothes of his
and left the house. He left it eleven last night.
Did you get any disturbance after that? I know? I
went to sleep shortly after eleven. I didn't wake up
until my wife called me and said something terrible had
happened to my father and you, missus Hopkins.
Speaker 6 (10:05):
I slept soundly. I didn't hear a thing until the
maid Sarah heard the shots and called me. I told
her to.
Speaker 5 (10:11):
Call the police. See now, tell me, Jim Hopkins, what
places did your foster brother Richard frequent before he went
to prison. Well, the Cannon Brush Club, Inspector Houston. That's
a rendezvous for artists. Richard was a commercial artist, and
so are you. Yes, How did you know I've seen
your name on a number of illustrations in magazines. Any
other places Richard frequented The Blue Owl Tavern, on Tenth Avenue.
(10:35):
That was his real hangout. He cashed his forged checks there, Jim.
Speaker 6 (10:39):
Richard wouldn't go back to that place. I'm sure Richard
didn't murder your father, Jim, I don't care what you say.
Speaker 5 (10:44):
Follow I'd expect that from you. Ella. I thought you'd
rush to Richard's defense. You see extraordinarily fond of Richard,
Missus Hopkins. What's the connection between you? Connection that there
isn't any better? Tell me the truth about this thing.
It's better for everybody.
Speaker 6 (10:58):
I was in love with Richard, engaged to.
Speaker 5 (11:01):
Marry, but while he was in prison, you married Jim here. Yes, yes,
I did, the quick change of a fiction. Tell me
why did you marry Jim?
Speaker 6 (11:09):
I was Wilba Hopkins Ward. He was my father's best friend.
After Richard went to prison, he persuaded me to marry Jim.
He said he wanted to keep.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
Me in the family, and no doubt, to make you
legally an heir to his estate.
Speaker 6 (11:20):
What do you mean my father in law never said
anything about that to me.
Speaker 5 (11:23):
Now, Jim Hopkins, your father was a fairly rich man.
Tell me who stands to inherit his estate? I have
no idea but this isn't a murder for money, Inspector Harston.
My foster brother Richard practically told my father last night
that he was going to kill him. But the question
is did he Of course he did, and if you
ever find him, you'll know that I'm right. I understand
your theory perfectly. Jim Hopkins. You think your foster brother
(11:45):
Richard killed your father because he testified against him at
his trial. That's an exactly Inspector. Then I put it
to you that your father's testimony wasn't the major factor
in Richard's conviction. What I remember the trial very clearly.
Testimony that actually sent your foster brother, Richard up was
given by a man named gallupas a tavern keeper who
cashed the forged checks. Oh yes, i'd forgotten all about Glopus.
Speaker 6 (12:09):
Isn't that wonderful to him? I told you Richard didn't
do it, and now Inspector Hortstone says he didn't.
Speaker 5 (12:15):
Let me correct you, Ella, I didn't say he did
or he didn't. Detective Cook and I are now going
to see this men Glupus at the Blue Owl Tavern
on tenth Avenue, and I have a hunch we'll find
Richard Hopkins. There, this tavern of Gallopus is about as
(12:40):
low as they come, Inspector Astar Sam. Sorry to hang
out for criminals. In fact, I see some of our
old friends. There's Lefty Louis over there, sitting with the legs. McCoy.
Look Sam in that booth in the corner. That's the
young man we're looking for. Richard Hopkins. Come on right
behind you, Inspector Hopkins. Yes, I'm Hopkins. I'm inspector has
(13:02):
turned of the death squad, and this is Detective Cook.
What do you want now? Aren't you cops done with
me yet? Hardly? You see we investigating the murder of
your foster father, Wilbah Hopkins' father murdered, Yes, and we
have every reason to believe you kill him. Richard Hopkins, No, No,
I didn't. I was right here all the time, you
were here all night. Why I came here Because I
was framed when I was sent to prison, and because
(13:24):
Gollupus had something to do with it, Great Scott, I
couldn't kill fathers. Say different. Listen. Inspector Gallupus testified I
cashed one of those forged checks in this tavern, but
I'd never been in this tavern. And I never saw
Galloupus before the trial. And I say, the question is,
did you kill your foster father for revenge and then
come here to do the same thing to Gallupus? No,
No one's beat a hearts. Do listen. When I was
(13:45):
in jail, I talked to the other prisoners. They told
me that Collopus was a great front for a frame up.
So last night, after I left father's house, I came here.
I wanted to get a line on Glupas, find out
how I was framed. I never heard a crook yet
who didn't claim he was framed or not. But I
swear I didn't even know my father was murdered until
you just told me. I've been here all the time. Ah,
(14:06):
what's the use might have known? You? Cops wouldn't believe me,
Sam being Gloupas over here, Bright Inspector hast Richard, you
threatened to kill your foster father, Wilba Hopkins. I was sore,
he testified at my trial. Those fifty dollars forged checks
were on his bank. I lost my head when I
threatened father, but I didn't mean what I said. Is Gallupus,
inspector has done Look I'm no one trouble with the cops.
(14:27):
I only want you to answer one question, Galupus, was
this man in your tavern all night? This young feller
I'm notice him as Hopkins tell him you saw me here, Gallupus,
I'm sorry. He's not been near the place all night.
The first time I see him is when he come
in half an article. He's ly hit your coat, Richard,
you're coming back to your father's house with me. He's lying,
Inspector Gallupus is lying. Hit your coat, and don't try anything.
(14:48):
We've got your colored all right, Glupish, you can go,
Thank you, Inspector Carson. Sam, take this menu I had
picked up and put it in a safe place. You'll
notice it's got a drawing on it, drawing of a
pretty girl in evening dress on a surfa. He's heard it,
so he's sketching. Look at the evening dress, Sam. The
full skirt is patterned, and with the same pattern as
(15:10):
that on the brocaded bathrobe Bilbah Hopkins was wearing when
he was murdered. And this sketch practically convects Richard. If
we can prove that he drew it, it will Sam,
(15:30):
all right, now go into the living room, Richard. I
didn't kill father. It's back the hostile Glupus was lying.
I tell you move on, Richard. The rest of the
families in that room and I want them to see you.
All right, put that gun away, Detective Coop. Oh, it's
back to Aarston. This is my aunt Marion with us. Well, Jim,
(15:51):
Ella and Aunt Marion? What are you doing with that desk?
Why are you're breaking it open? What's Ella? She remembered
that the desk has a secret drawer. Father said, if
anything ever happened, we were to open it.
Speaker 6 (16:00):
We looked for you, Inspector. We wanted you to be here.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
Really, I see you've got him. You've got Richard, and
you're glad of it, aren't you. Jim, You're done right.
I could put on the juice myself.
Speaker 7 (16:09):
You stop talking to Richard that way, You stay out.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
Of this and marry in just a minute. I assume
you have no key to this desk you're trying to
break open. Where is the secret draw supposed to be under? Here?
Is anyone objective I break it open? No one, inspector hostile?
All right, Sam, Let's see what we can do, right,
I'll get out of from down here, Inspector, Yes, got it, Sam,
(16:33):
and get your hand in.
Speaker 6 (16:34):
What's inside, Inspector Hotstone?
Speaker 5 (16:37):
An envelope? Ella? Open it? I am Jim. Well this
is interesting.
Speaker 7 (16:43):
What is it, Inspector Hotstone.
Speaker 5 (16:44):
Miss marry in? This paper is the last will and
testament of Wilbah Hopkins. Extraordinary that Ella knew just where.
Speaker 6 (16:51):
To look for it, Inspector Hostile.
Speaker 5 (16:53):
You remember I suggested to you before that this marriage
might result in your being an heir to the estate
of the murdered man. How horrible read this? Will I,
Wilba Hopkins, being of sound mind, to bequeathedreek quarters of
my estate to my own son, James Hopkins, and the
remaining quarter to James' wife, Ella Hopkins. Well that can't
be right. To my adopted son Richard, I leave the
(17:14):
summer of fifty dollars in the hope that this fifty
dollars inheritance will remind him always of the fifty dollars
chicks he forged in my name and will lead him
towards a decent, honest life. Oh, but that's impossible.
Speaker 7 (17:26):
My brother wilburt O always said his estate was to
be divided equally between his two sons, Jim and Richard.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
Did he, Miss Hopkins, well.
Speaker 7 (17:32):
I Wilbur always told me that no matter what Richard
had done, when he came out of prison, bygones would
be bygones.
Speaker 5 (17:38):
He said Richard was going to get as much as Jim.
He never told you he changed his mind, Miss Madam.
Speaker 7 (17:44):
I don't remember, Inspector Hartstone. Perhaps he did change his.
Speaker 5 (17:48):
Mind, Sure he did. Father turned against me like the
rest of you, and that's why you killed father. Richard.
Tell Jim don't perhaps you killed him. Jim, You and
Ella you'll get nearly one hundred thousand dollars by that.
Speaker 6 (17:59):
Will Richard, how can you say such a thing about
Jim about me?
Speaker 5 (18:02):
In my position? All I can't trust anybody, not even you.
That is astute observation. Richard, what do you mean, Inspector Houston, You,
Jim Hopkins and all of you are under suspicion of murder,
and don't believe for one moment that you're not.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
This is Jeffrey Barnes again in Just a Moment at
two a Mystery Theater.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Our word from Dan Seymour when you're out for the
evening and the acid indigestion threatens to spoil your fun.
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(19:00):
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(19:22):
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Speaker 3 (19:47):
Now, this is Jeffrey Barnes returning you to the Mystery
theater and Act two of Hotstone of the Death Spot
in the fifty Dollars Murder Case, the discovery of the
murdered Wilbur Hopkins will, leaving his estate to his son
(20:09):
Jim and Jim's wife Ella, and leaving fifty dollars to
his adopted son.
Speaker 5 (20:14):
Richard.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
The convicted forger, has set Inspector Hothstone on a new trail.
We find him in Wilbert Hopkins study, saying to Detective Sam.
Speaker 5 (20:22):
Cook, there's something fishy about this will. Sam. Every instinct
tells me so fishy. How do you mean, Inspector hearstin.
I think it's forged. Why should Richard Hopkins forge your will?
It cuts him off with fifty dollars. It could be
to throw suspicion of his father's murder off him and
onto somebody else. But easy, now, Sam, Here comes Richard.
(20:43):
When I talked to him, you go upstairs and get
what I told you to get. Okay, inspected, How do
you think you're doing, Inspector hostile? Hello, Richard? Come in?
Oh making a copy of the will exactly, Richard, wills
have been forged, you know, forge? What do you mean?
I mean that I'm seeing every typewriter in this house
to see which one, if any, was used to type
(21:04):
your foster father's will. Inspector Heartstone, do you mean Jim
and Ella may have forged the will and then killed
father for the money, but you're not sure I did it.
It's possible you forced it to throw suspicion on Jim
and Ella. Ruce a forger, always a forger. Very interesting.
This typewriter is not the one that wrote the will.
(21:24):
Find another portable typewriter upstairs, Inspector put it on the table, Sam, Well,
who's this following you? Jim and Ella? What's the idea
of all this, Inspector.
Speaker 6 (21:32):
Hoston, Yes, what do you want with my typewriter?
Speaker 5 (21:35):
Oh, it's your typewriter, and just put a sheet of
paper in and see how it works. What are you doing? Testing, Jim? Testing?
I'll do without your opinion, Bridger, I.
Speaker 6 (21:44):
Can't stand it. I can't stand it, all these suspicion.
Speaker 5 (21:47):
Was it her typewriter, Inspector Hoarstone, Was the will type
on Ella's machine? No, Richard, it was not, you see,
Inspector Haston. That's what comes of your ridiculous suspicions. Nothing.
I disagree, Jim Hopkins. It's significant that none of the
machine in this house was used to type Wilbur Hopkins will.
If he wrote it himself, where would he have typed it,
but in his own house. I'll take that phone. Hello, hello,
(22:09):
Inspector Hartstone. Yes, this is Marion Hopkins. I have something
very important to tell you. I can't tell you over
the phone. Is it about the will? Miss Hopkins? I'd
rather not say on the phone. I must see you,
all right, I'll be right over.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
No, I'm not home.
Speaker 5 (22:23):
Come in two hours, very well, it's two o'clock. Now,
I'll see you it for this thing gets more and
more horrible, more and more. You mustn't fail me, Inspector.
You mustn't fail me. Right on time, Inspector Hearthstone. Four o'clock. Yes,
(22:49):
why the devil doesn't end? Marion Hopkins? Answer her doorbell,
I'll try to n it was locked. Use your keys,
Sam Quick fa just kept a previous appointment. Previous appointment,
her previous appointment with murder. Yes, there's her body. Mallion
Hopkins is dead. Sam shot, very still warm, Inspector. She
(23:11):
was going to tell us something about that will. Who
killed her? It could have been anyone, Sam, All of them, Hello,
Jim Richard. They all knew she had something to tell
me about the will. They were all there when Mallion
Hopkins phoned and they heard me mention the will to her.
That's right, I remember, Sam. There's one typewriter we haven't
tested yet, the typewrider Rover in the corner in Glupus Tavern.
(23:32):
I saw it when I was there. I wanted to
test that typewriter, Sam, But I want to test it
in a hurry, because this killer will strike again. Sam.
Here's Glupus Tavern. Now for that typewriter over there. Inspector hurts, Oh,
(23:54):
Inspector hurts, don't you want something again? I just want
to use your typewriter, gloupas she had of Piper's my typewriter.
What do you wanna do that for? Hey, you cannot
do this to me. I don't know an respectable place.
Leave my typewriter, Alonge and back alyopis stack the hast
down of the what he wants?
Speaker 8 (24:09):
Cops, you gotta ask me when you want to do
something around here.
Speaker 5 (24:12):
You start now in a minute, Theloopus. How come you
use my typewriter? I don't want to get mixed up
with anything. I don't want trouble. There's a sample of types, Sam,
give me that paper. Give it to me, quiet, Glupus.
I put it to you This typewriter of yours was
used in typing of forest will Wilbur Hopkins. I don't
understand what will the will of Wilbur Hopkins, who was
(24:32):
murdered two nights ago? What part did you have in
that murder? Geloupas, I know nothing about him, more that
I know nothing about any will Wilver's typed on your machine.
Speaker 8 (24:40):
Anyone can come in and use the typewriter. You see
it on the table here in the open. I don't
watch closely. I don't want problem.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
You washed Durstly Galloopus, a man of Wilbur Hopkins standing,
wouldn't come to this criminals to type his last will
and testament. I tell you, mister Copper, I know nothing
about it. And I tell you Gallupus, Jim Hopkins made
no mistake telling me to look you up. Jim Hopkins
till you to look me up. He's a liar. If
he said I had anything to do with this, you'd
be surprised to know what else he told me. Gaelopus,
(25:08):
things look pretty bad for you, pretty bad, indeed, Sam,
take a Loopus typewriter. It's evidence. Come on, let's go, Jack,
let'speak a hardstone. Listen, listen, boy, what a noisy Greek well.
It looks like Wilburt Hopkins jail bird son Richard typed
and forged that well right in Gelloupus's tavern. Inspector maybe
(25:29):
SAMs around the Hopkins house with a cordon of men.
Gordon the man. Okay, we're going to watch that house tonight. Sam.
I think the murderer will strike again. This is Jeffrey
Barnes again.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
And just a moment we return you to Hearthstone of
the death squad in the fifty dollars murder case.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
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Speaker 3 (27:08):
And now this is Jeffrey Barnes returning you to Act
three of the Mystery Theater presenting Hearthstone of the Death
Squad in the fifty Dollars murder case. Inspector Hearthstone, implacably
(27:30):
on the trail of the double killer of Wilbur Hopkins
and his sister Marian, has discovered that hopkins will was
forged typed in the tavern run by the Greek Gelupus. Now,
Inspector Hartstone and Detective Sam Cookan are hidden in the
dark hallway of the Hopkins house.
Speaker 5 (27:46):
It is the middle of the night. They wait and
watch three o'clock. Inspector that Stone, do you think anything
will break? I know it. It was on the prowl tonight, Saim.
He's just like his pitch the murderers. Sam, put on
your flashlights. This way Sam. Jim Hopkins, somebody's trying to
(28:11):
kill him. Gallupus, Collopus, don't.
Speaker 6 (28:13):
Move what happened?
Speaker 5 (28:14):
Don't shot expect your housman. He saved my life at
Greek Coloupus. He tried to kill me and under arrest
Galloopus for the attempted murder of James Hopkins. I'll kill
you with my bare hands. Jim Hopkins, you put your
cups on me. He's killing up Calamus rock back your
head up and with a sky. I'll kill you for this.
Speaker 8 (28:32):
Jim Hopkins trying to put it up on me for
killing your old man.
Speaker 5 (28:35):
He's the one who killed Lup Hopkins In's pecker heartstone,
hut up, you'll full the cups of tricks. You'll squealer.
Speaker 8 (28:40):
Nobody treat me until you hurt on this Jim Hopkins
type that phony wheel on the typewrite in my restaurant, Callopus, what.
Speaker 5 (28:46):
Are you trying to do for us? Both on the chair,
nobody's putting me in. It's said for what you've done,
right you are, Galloopus. You'll get off easy for telling
the truth. What are you talking about, Hastorm. This man
just tried to murder me. James Hopkins, I arrest you
for the murders of your father and your aunt Marion Hopkins.
You're crazy, hostoral. I'm not in your not Jim Hopkins,
you murdered your father and tried to put the crime
on your foster brother Richard the day he was released
(29:08):
from prison for the crime he never committed. That's a lie.
You're the one who panted those forge checks on your
brother and then bribe Glupas here to testify your brother
passed them. That's right, inspect Hertstone. Then Dorry Squiller tried
to pin murder on it. And then, Jim Hopkins, you
forged your will, leaving all your father's money to you
and your wife. Ella.
Speaker 6 (29:25):
I had nothing to do with her, Inspector Hortstone, I
swear I didn't.
Speaker 5 (29:28):
That's all right, Ella. He did it to get more
money for a girl. He was infatuated with the girl
he uses a model. I got the girl's one statement here,
Inspector Jim.
Speaker 6 (29:35):
How could you murder your own father?
Speaker 5 (29:37):
And then when he heard his aunt Mary and phone me,
he got the idea she might have his father's real will,
so he murdered her. Try to prove that hostile. Here's
the real will. Jim Hopkins then have to scribble note
in her room, giving the name of her lawyer. Was
holding your father's will in safekeeping? That gun Hopkins a
al trellia. The real will leaves all will, the Hopkins
money to his two beloved sons, James, my own son,
(29:59):
and Richard, my adopted son, in equal parts. That's not
evidence of murder, Hostile, Sam, give me that sketch. Look
at it, Jim Hopkins. You drew it, you adopted in
Glopus tavern. The pattern in the girl's skirt in the
picture is the same as the pattern on your father's
bathroom the night you murdered him. You drew this unconsciously,
(30:20):
not knowing whether it would lead you. That's right, I
I glupus so improy it myself, scribbling like all the
Martins do. You are a murderer, Jim Hopkins, and I
have the evidence to put you in the death chamber. Alad,
I confess, I confessed to everything. Just stop publing at me,
as take him away, saying come along you too. Don't
try anything on me.
Speaker 6 (30:43):
I think I was married to a murderer. Inspector hostile,
I you will find.
Speaker 5 (30:47):
Another life A happier one Ella, and I think it
will be with the adopted son who was good, and
you'll soon forget the real son who was bad.
Speaker 3 (31:14):
And thus Inspector Hearthstone ends the fifty dollars murder Case,
writes so across the index card.
Speaker 5 (31:22):
At police Headquarters. The part of.
Speaker 3 (31:25):
Inspector Hearthstone was played by Alfred Shirley. This is Jeffrey
Barnes inviting you to listen again next Tuesday night at
the same time when the Mystery Theater presents the meat
Market Murder Case.
Speaker 9 (31:43):
If you suffer from dandruff, remember this. It's just a
waste of time and money to find it by using
preparations that merely remove loose dandruff. Even plain water and
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destroy the germ petty ross Bormel Valley, which many authorities
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(32:07):
in some of the most stubborn cases, results with double
danderine have been amazing. So for real relief, try double danderine.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
Missus dan Seymour saying good night until next Tuesday Night
at the same time when the Mystery Theater will present
the meat Market murdered case.
Speaker 10 (32:57):
This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
Welcome back. So our killer decided to substitute a fake
will without having any control or knowledge of where the
real will was held, and the real will was actually
with the decedent's lawyer. Okay, that's about par for the
course for Humbert villains. Now, it's worth noting that James
(33:38):
Mihan appeared in this episode, and he starred in The
Falcon for two years and appears in the first two
circulating episodes we were able to play. However, he was
far better known as someone who worked in the soap operas,
and most of the crime dramas he was known for,
such as a LEAs Jimmy Valentine, were in conjunction with
(34:01):
the Hummer, so hearing him in a humber production is
not a surprise. It was kind of weird to have
more than just the League credited on a Humbert show,
but that may go back to this having that sort
of mystery theater format working for it. Now, I said
I would talk about where I place Hearthstone, who is
(34:26):
played by Albert Shirley. Albert Shirley, by the way, and
I'm saying some of this stuff because it's been such
a long time since we've played Harstone of the Desk Squad.
But Alfred Shirley is best remembered for playing Doctor Watson
in the nineteen forty seven to forty eight series of
(34:49):
the New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes with John Stanley as Holmes,
but in his time was just a mainstay of the
New York radio acting community. He been acting in radio
since nineteen twenty five. So once again you have the
Hummerks connections and their ability to bring in quality people
(35:09):
paying off. I think that Horstone was the third detective,
although I think it's pretty close between Horstone and Chameleon.
Of course, mister Keene had been around since the thirties.
Mister Cameleon premiered on July twenty first of nineteen forty eight.
(35:31):
The Mystery Theater series came over to CBS on June
twenty ninth of nineteen forty eight, and Horstone was a
feature that was introduced that kind of took over the
whole series. But we don't actually have any indication as
to which episode he was introduced in for sure. The
(35:55):
old digital Delai website had a log of all of
the History Theater episode titles, as well as information from
the Wisconsin State Journal listing information about all the episodes.
None of these reference Horstone in the early episodes. One
(36:17):
strong candidate for a first appearance for Horstone would be
the twelfth episode of the series, The Clock Strikes Murder Case,
as that fits with a sort of naming convention that
the Homwerks would tend to use on their detective programs,
although not universally, you could probably if you found in
(36:39):
episodes like Death and the Weeping Bride, Murder in the Family,
or The Garden of Death Murder. Those could all be
plausible enough introductions for Horstone based on the title, which
might mean he premiered as early as August twenty fourth.
I probably wouldn't date his first appearances anytime before that.
(37:03):
News Stan Maggie, which the Wisconsin State Journal described as
a tale of Luss for Evan, sounds more like a
standard mystery program. The Squealer actually adapted, which was the
program previous to that on August tenth, actually adapted a
(37:23):
story by Edgar Wallace, so Hearthstone premiered a month or
two after Chameleon, and probably in about fifteen months was
airing nearly every week, and so there was a period
where the Hummerks were producing three different detective programs that
(37:47):
were all on the air at the same time for CBS.
But that's all we have for Horstone for now. The
next time we returned to the worlds of and In
Frank hummert it will be to bring you mister Cameleon.
All right, Well, now it's time to thank our Patreon
supporter of the day, and I want to go ahead
(38:08):
and thank Mick. Mi's been one of our Patreon supporters
since June of twenty fifteen, currently supporting the podcast at
the shawmus level of four dollars or more per month.
Thanks so much for your support, Mick, and that will
actually do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast,
please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if
(38:30):
you are enjoying the podcast, be sure to like the video,
subscribe to the channel, and mark the notification bell all
those great things that help YouTube channels to grow. We
will be back next Tuesday with Operation Danger, but join
us back here tomorrow for Broadways My Beat, where.
Speaker 5 (38:48):
Oh and't found him and called me.
Speaker 11 (38:50):
I'd like to talk with Fred on on father.
Speaker 5 (38:52):
Of course, it's sister.
Speaker 6 (38:54):
That's impossible.
Speaker 5 (38:55):
Father.
Speaker 6 (38:56):
Fred must have gone home to the day. It's finding
Jimmy dead by a knife. It undoubtedly made him ill.
It is very sensitive boy.
Speaker 11 (39:06):
Surely did Jimmy have any visitors?
Speaker 7 (39:08):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (39:09):
Yes, I have them here, mister Clover. At least I
call to tell them of Jimmy.
Speaker 11 (39:14):
If you don't mind, sister, Yes, I don't understand routine, sister,
simply to complete a file. Hey, is that all, mister Clover?
A few more things. I'll want the attendant's address and
a question. Could anyone, anyone at all? Attendant, visitors, anybody?
Could someone have come in here and murdered Jimmy?
Speaker 5 (39:34):
What do you see? Please? Yes, it could have been done,
mister Clover.
Speaker 11 (39:39):
What are you getting at? Jimmy was stabbed in the side,
too close to his back to make him a suicide.
Jimmy was murdered. You can say rights now, father.
Speaker 1 (39:47):
I hope you'll be with us then in the meantime.
Send your comments to Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net,
follow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives, and check us
out on It, Instagram, Instagram, dot com, slash great detectives
from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham signing off.
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