Personal notice, danger is my stock and trade. If the job's too tough for you to handle, you got a job for me, George Valentine. Write full details. Music Greetings, friend. Time again for Let George Do It. Ooh, which reminds me. How would you like to sit in on a nice little card game? I happen to know four charming fellas who are just dying for a fifth. On the other hand, though, maybe you'd better forget about it, because these boys would not only take your bankroll, they'd just as soon take your life. But it's a pretty good game at that. So while we're waiting for George Valentine to show, let's take a look in on this happy foursome. Bell rings Well, it's ten o'clock already, gentlemen. Shouldn't we... I mean, my watch says ten. Chester has the cards and... Sure, what are we waiting for? We're gonna do it, let's get... No! No. Ames, Salto, this is crazy, it's insane. It was your idea, wasn't it, Norton? Yes, but a man's guilt has no more to be bandied about. I'll get off the words. There's the good name of the man to be thought of afterwards. Let's get it over with now, now! All right. I need a piece of paper. An envelope here in your jacket, do you mind? Of course I do, it's got my name on it. Valentine. George Valentine. What? Oh, your wife's letter from somebody named Valentine. If I'd know her friends. Here's a blank sheet from stationery. Couldn't we get on with it? Dear Mrs. Ames, I am so sorry to hear of your concern over your husband. Naturally, I will do whatever I can to help. Sincerely, George Valentine. You made that. Concern. Out of your life. For heaven's sake, stop the stalling, both of you. All right. I draw one. Go on, draw a card. Me? Go on, Salto. All right. Nine of diamonds. Yeah. Norden. Nine of clubs. Nine again? Give me one of those. Jack. Diamonds. All right, Chester. Chester. Huh? Your turn. Draw. Oh, I'm all right. Draw. Yes. King. King of hearts, look. Chester drew the king of hearts. Shut up. You understand, Chester. High card. Yes. Yes, the paper. Here, here. You can use the pen. I'm all right. I, Jeffrey Chester, hereby confess, one year ago to this date, it was I who murdered Miss Dorothy Fullman. It is after 10 o'clock now, Chester. I'd like to have a drink or two. I'll have to run down to my boarding house. There's a bill I should pay. The watchman's spare gun is in the locker room, and it would look better if you did it at the same place that... Leave him alone, Salto. I'm all right. I could run downtown first, then come back, have the drinks, if I could borrow your car, Mr. Ames. Sure, Chester. Let's go over and get you my car. Sure. Thank you. You can mail my confession of guilt to the police. I got the high card. I'll be dead by midnight. You are listening to Let George Do It. Our adventure will continue in just a moment. Now back to George Valentine and Let George Do It. Where are you, Sylvia? It's the big idea, that letter in my coat pocket. It's Valentine. Who is he? Honey? Oh, there you are. So sorry to hear of your concern over your husband. Victor, please. Hello? This is Mr. Valentine. Miss Brooks, my husband, Mr. Ames. How do you do, Mr. Ames? My foot in my mouth. Just who are you? Did you have a nice time, darling? Where have you been? Oh, over to the club. Yeah, they let me in. Just playing a little cards, that's all. Look, Mr. Ames, I had a letter from your wife. My wife is leaving me. What difference does it make? Go on, get out. She's hired snoopers before, my friend. Victor, your car. Oh, shut up. Listen to me. You were beaten up the other night. Get them out of here. Get yourself out of here, you. Oh, no, no. Stop it. No, listen. What's the matter with you, friend? Victor, that was your car, wasn't it? Driving away? Yes. Yes, I loaned it to him. Somebody needs it for a while. Tonight, he's got some things to do. Mr. Ames, I know I'm butting in, but your wife has been worried, and I want to hear. I'm going back over to the club. There's nothing anybody can do now except to make things worse. What? Darling! Send him home, Sylvia. I'll take care of myself. Oh. I put your letter in his pocket on purpose, Mr. Valentine. He'll never listen to me or believe in it. It was certainly an understatement when you said he was upset. Yes. But you haven't said why yet. Now, just what's going on tonight, Mrs. Ames, where's your husband really been? I don't know. Playing cards, I guess. He doesn't generally, but no harm could come out of that, could it? Maybe not. You said he'd been beaten up. Oh, yes, I know he's in danger. Go on, go on. Your husband's a lawyer, isn't he? He was until a year ago. His practice disappeared on him. What do you mean? Suspicion, distrust, whispers. This is a small town, Mr. Valentine, a very nice town. My husband used to be a very nice person. What happened? Have you ever heard of the Dorothy Folman murder case? Well, yes, yes, I think so only. I don't remember the details. It was never solved. She was murdered, beaten up. It was horrible. They never even found the weapon. Police, experts, everyone's been over it a million times. It was a whole year ago. They'll never get a confession from anyone. Mrs. Ames, was your husband... My husband was very nearly tried for that murder. Oh, I see. But then if he weren't tried, then... There are people in this town who believe, who really believe that he killed her, who will always believe it. There wasn't any actual evidence. But the circumstances, horrible, sordid, awful. Mrs. Ames, just tell me one thing, will you? Do you think your husband killed this Dorothy Folman? Mr. Valentine, I don't want anything worse to happen. I... That's all. I say, excuse me. You're Mr. Valentine, are you? George Valentine? Yeah, yeah, I was looking for the club dorm. My name is Norton. This is quite a pleasure. I've heard of you. Seen your name here and there? Oh, is that so? See, here, join me on the veranda for a cup of coffee, will you? Hospitality of our little club isn't large. I'm sorry, Mr. Norton. I'm looking for a man named Ames. Oh, yes, Victor Ames, splendid chap. Haven't seen him in some time. Might be here later. We can wait together. I said I'm sorry, Mr. Norton. Well, I certainly don't intend to be pushy. Wait a moment. Perhaps I should be a bit more honest and say there's a little matter I'd like your advice on. I'd still go looking for Mr. Ames. Even if I said the little matter concerned, Mr. Ames? You twist my arm. Then we can do better than the veranda, I think. People there. There's a lounge in the locker room. All right. Through here? To your left. Generally closed at night, but... There we are. Okay. Now, what's the story? Nothing so very important, but sit down. Sit down. How do you know who I was out there? Well, Ames had mentioned your coming. You said you haven't seen him lately. Try again. Really, Mr. Valentine? Shh. Shh. Who's that? Hey, anybody in here? Locking up. Blue shirt. Private police? Just a moment. Yes, yes, he is. Mr. Valentine, let go of me. What are you doing here? What do you mean? Stop it. Who are you? Hey, hey, what is it? Jimmy. Jimmy, I found this man. Break it up. Break what up, John? I found him in here. I left my wallet in my locker. Wallet of all the... All right, all right. Oh, it's you, Mr. Norton. He was snooping, Jimmy. Now, my wallet's gone. He took it. He must have. Oh, brother. What am I supposed to do? Search him. Oh, but he won't have it, will he? That's not the way they work. But he's trespassing. You can lock him up for that. I'll see the steward for charges. I'm sorry, Mr. Norton. What? I said I'm sorry. You're not going to prefer anything. Good night. Jimmy, my father was the founder of this club. When I issue an order to one of the paid employees, I expect that... Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sure, sure. Issue away. Only someplace else, huh? I'll handle this end. Good night, Mr. Norton. Jimmy, I have never in my life been sued. Good night. Yes. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. I asked you to see where Mr. Norton, one of the paid quiet of this club, is, and it is available now as a oral certificate. It's absolutely temporary. Please get company. No, I will not get in your way. You're under arrest. Go. My man did do it, Jimmy. exactly figure. Valentine, huh? That's right, only look buster. Why? Why'd you treat him like that? Will him like lettuce before you even know what he had to say? Because I have no use for the high and mighty Mr. Norton. And don't worry, I won't get in trouble either. He may be down-know-it, but he's being eased out the side door of this club anyway. All four of them are. All four? Will you clear that up? You ever hear of the Dorothy Fullman murder? Well, that nice, dignified man there, that Norton, for my money, he's the one that killed her. All right, so you've got your opinions, Jimmy. It's just an opinion. I'll stick to it, Mr. Valentine. But there wasn't any concrete evidence against either him or Victor Ames. And what did you mean all four of them? And why did Norton want to stall me like that? That's all he was trying to do, keep me away from something. You're the detective, mister. Oh, excuse me. Huh? Hello, Mr. Chester. Oh, Jimmy, just standing here having a couple of drinks. I was downtown. Yes, that's done. Looks like you've had enough. Oh, no, no, no, I'm all right. I'm fine. I'm all right. Sure, sure, Mr. Chester. See him? Hmm. Oh, that guy? He is one of them. Say it faster, will you? One of the four. Dorothy Folman was murdered in her house just over the bluffs across the golf course. Yeah. They never got enough evidence. They never will. But the police did prove that it couldn't be anybody else. It had to be one of the four men mixed up with her. Who are they? Mr. Norton, Ames, big fool always in trouble. Another man named Salto. He asked me he couldn't have got to first base with her and Chester there. Oh, I get it. Not much left of Chester, is there? All of them have changed, but he don't even know what he's doing anymore. Hmm. Nobody will confess. No evidence. Oh, Jimmy, Jimmy, come here. Oh, excuse me, Stuart. Back to business. No, no, I'm right behind you. Huh? That's Victor Ames with him, isn't it? With the Stuart? Sure it is. Valentine. Yeah, we catch up again, friend. It's a busy night. Excuse me, gentlemen. Jimmy, there's trouble in here. What? The card room, the one with the back entrance. I put those cards in there myself just this evening. Valentine, I've got to see you alone. Hold it, will you? Go on, Stuart. This deck of cards. Some men have been playing in there, apparently, or drawing high man or something. What is it? What's the matter? Well, sir, it's more puzzling than anything else. At a club like this, someone was being dishonest. A rather hasty job, but here you see, this stick has been marked. You are listening to Let George Do It. Our adventure will continue in just a moment. And now back to George Valentine. Nine of diamonds. Nine of clubs. Jack, diamonds. Your turn, Chester. Draw. Yes, I'm King of Hearts. I hereby confess one year ago, it was I who murdered Miss Dorothy Fullman. I got the high card. I'll be dead by midnight. Only if your name is George Valentine, all you know is that Dorothy Fullman murder case has never been solved. But there were four suspects, but the police have despaired of ever finding out who her murderer was. Yes, all you know is that Mrs. Ames was worried about the strange behavior of her husband. More recently, that four men have been playing cards in the back card room of the local club, and that the steward says the deck of cards is marked. No, no, they can't be. Give me those. Hey, hey, take it easy, Mr. Ames. Let's see, Stuart. They're not marked. What's bothering you so much, Mr. Ames? Kind of a crude job. Yes, Jimmy, little ticks on the edges like this. But the person who did it could tell the cards all right. Get out of here, both of you. Jimmy, Stuart. Hey, hey, slow down, Buster. Look, I've got to see you, Valentine. I've got to see you along. Have you been sampling some of that stuff Chester uses, Mr. Ames? What's so important about Chester? Chester. Hey, where are you going, Miss Ames? He was downtown. He's back now. Buster, will you please? The bar is here in the bar. He's having those last two drinks. Well, there you are. Oh, hello, Angel. Oh, Mr. Ames, I saw your wife to the station. She said to tell you. Yes, yes, of course. Where is he? What? Little guy, Brooks. He was in here a few minutes ago. He was having a couple of drinks. Yeah, he's gone now. Well, I did see somebody leaving just when I came in. He looked like he could use a little sleep. It's five minutes to twelve. Time for you to clear it up, friend. Where is Chester gone? What's happening tonight? Could have been any one of us. I mean, the cards marking them. But I didn't try to save my own skin. I would have gone through it if I'd been high, man. What on earth? I'm trying to remember. The watchman's spare gun, that was it. Quit pulling, Buster. What? Yeah, the closet, the back hall. Come on, hurry, will you? The watchman's gun, that was it. Only the cupboard was bare. He's taken it already. Chester. There's certainly no gun in here. We drew. High man. He had the king of hearts. Little Chester, the weakest one of the whole bunch. Didn't even seem to react. What are you? Look, I know I'm talking wildly. I'll explain later. We've got to find him first. Hurry. We're with you, all right. But who's he going to use this gun on? Isn't it perfectly obvious, Mr. Valentine? On himself. Nice, just like Jimmy said. How so with other bluffs across the golf course? He's certainly deserted looking for sales, for lease. Chester must be here. It's where he'd come. Mr. Dorothy Fullman's house, huh? Where she was killed? Yes, in the living room. Found her body there. Beaten to death. The door's open, you see. Chester. Chester. Well, he's not here. The fall guy. Well, we're a long way on the outside of that old crime now, aren't we? Perhaps we beat him here, missed him in the dark. Chester. What do you mean, George? Ames here knows what I mean. This is where it happened. It wasn't a pleasant crime. And inside a man, a terrible thing like that can get bigger in a year. Mr. Valentine, I didn't kill her. Sure, sure. That's what they all say. Buster, I'm just finally beginning to realize what a hopeless crazy thing is happening tonight. Wait a minute, George. Listen. Upstairs. Come on. Chester. Where are you? Chester. It's me, Victor Ames. Salto. Salto, what are you doing here? Mr. Valentine's all right, Salto. He knows the whole story now. But I didn't mark any cards. It wasn't me. Then what are you doing here, Salto? Hiding? Leave him alone, Ames. Leave him alone. Never mind who marked the cards. But what do you think, Brooksie? Four men actually drawing to see which one would be a fall guy. Which one would confess to a murder? I don't believe it. Oh, yes. It's very easy for the two of you to talk like that. I told them it was ridiculous. Same as Russian roulette. Spin the cartridge wheel. See who gets the bullet. Yeah, they couldn't stand to be pointed at. The suspicion, the shadow of guilt. The crime that would never be solved otherwise. Yes, I told them that but Ames and Norton kept saying that... You were willing enough, Salto. You didn't have any solution, anywhere to keep yourself from going insane. Maybe you can't believe it, Miss Brooks. Why should you? You don't have a private hell to live in. I don't think that's exactly what she meant, Ames. Sure, I know it's not like in books where people just forget about murder. But to try to dig yourself out of a swamp by drawing, taking one chance and four of being tapped for guilt, just to lay all the ghosts for the others. If we did it, so what? We did it. We've nearly killed each other trying to make each other confess anyway. I was thinking about the second part of the bargain. Suicide for the elected guilty one. Yeah, to make sure the police would accept that confession. Mr. Anz, you might have gone through with it. You're that kind. But I just don't believe that most men... Check, Angel. All right, how about it, Salto? That's why you're here, isn't it? To see if Chester would go through with something that you wouldn't do yourself. That I... I'm sorry, Victor. I wouldn't have. I couldn't have. I went along with it. Of course I did. If I'd been high card, I don't know what I would have done. But... Okay, there's one down. Wet feet. By this time, Chester must be aboard the nearest freight train headed for parts unknown. Chester? He signed the confession. But he wouldn't do it. I know he'd been drinking, but... At the last moment, it's a little hard to pull the trigger. Is that so? You're so sure, aren't you? Huh? Moonlight out there. Window. Come in. Look. It's him. It's Chester. But he's not coming toward the house. Just walking. That's the path runs up by the bluffs. Yes, and if anything happens to him, it's our fault, Salto. Come on. Step on it. Run! Chester! Chester! What the matter with him? He doesn't even listen. Don't look out, George. These bluffs are pretty steep, aren't they? Chester! I'm going to climb up this way, too. No, no, you don't, Buster. You just stay behind me with Miss Brooks. Valentine! There's another way this whole thing tonight can work, but I'm going to see that it doesn't. George! Look! He's up on one of the edges! Stand still! Oh! What a... Norton! Get out of here. Leave him alone. Norton, wouldn't you know? Stand still! I'm warning you. I have a gun. Oh, yeah, sure. The one from the watchman's locker? He didn't take it. Chester didn't take it. Hey, what's all this? So you did. Sure, sure. You guys wouldn't just make a deal for somebody to commit suicide. You'd get him to write a confession and then murder him. He killed her. He killed Orphe from when he confessed. George, he's up on the edge. Look at him. Leave him alone. He'll jump, I tell you. Look at the way he's acting. I just followed him. To give him the gun he didn't take. James, listen to me. It will all be over for all of us. You inhuman old... Let it happen. If you don't, it'll be the same thing over and over and over again. George! Yeah, look. We can't stop him from here. And he does look like he wants to jump. Okay, so I've been wrong, so I... Valentine! Get out of the way with that gun! Okay, now you're all right, Morton. Stay there. All of you. Chester! Mr. Chester! I'm all right. Yes? Mr. Chester, now you listen to me. I can't reach you, but... But get away now. There's something I'm going to do. Yeah, I know, I know. Kill yourself. But you were supposed to do it where she died, weren't you? Wasn't that the agreement, Chester, to make it look good? Can you understand me, Mr. Chester? I'm all right. That's it, that's it. Just keep looking at me. It should have been the living room, though. Or were they always wrong? She was beaten, bruised. I remember they said they never found a weapon. Was it really up here that she died? Was she thrown? It would have looked the same if somebody then carried her body back to her house. I'm going to jump, you know. Get back, get back! No, you're not. You're too curious, Chester. This year, since Dorothy Fullman died, must have been the worst for the one who really killed her. Don't you think so, Mr. Chester? What? What do you mean? Well, admitting it is worse. Some people can't ever do that. They'd rather die than do that. I'm going to jump, you can't stop me. But you don't even want your death to be a confession, do you? Well, they gave you a chance, the little card drawing. You knew the masked deck, the marked one, would be found sooner or later. You deliberately left it behind. No, no, no, go away now. The world would say your confession was a fraud, you poor little patsy. Well, any of them could have marked the cards, Norton, Salter, Ains. The high man marked them. The guilty, Manchester. All I've said is build on that. When there's a drawing, a man can't make another man take a certain card. So if he marks them, he only marks them for himself. Check? Yes, yes, I understand, but... To pick his own card. But the lowest card picked tonight was a nine. If a man wanted a low card, that's not very safe, is it, with 52 cards in the deck? You know, it baffled me for a while until I saw that you really did want to die. She was faithless. She was bad. Get out of my way! Oh, no, you don't! Now just hang on. You're going to live, Buster. You're going to write a real confession. Back to the conclusion of our Let George Do It adventure in just a moment. George it did work out that way, didn't it? Yeah, yeah, Brooksie, they pieced it together again. That's why Chester went up to the Bluffs instead of taking the gun. That's how he had killed Dorothy Folman a year back. And if the first confession had gone through, if he'd shot himself, nobody ever would have believed it. Well, the other three would have always thought they railroaded the poor little punchie. Tray their private little hells for new ones. Mrs. Ames weren't still in love with her husband and called you here. George, isn't it remarkable what a woman will do for the man she loves? Remarkable. Forgive? Forget? Protect? I'll remember that. Darling. The very next time I'm suspected of murder. Oh! Good night, Brooksie. You have just heard High Card, another Let George Do It adventure. Robert Bailey was starred as George Valentine with Virginia Gregg as Brooksie. David Victor and Jackson Gillis wrote the story with music by Eddie Dunstetter. Now this is yours truly inviting you to another visit with Valentine when you will again hear what happens when you Let George Do It.
