Standard of California, on behalf of independent Chevron gas stations and standard stations throughout the west invite you to let George do it. The roundabout murder, another adventure of George Valentine. Personal notice, danger is my stock in trade. If trouble is a noose around your neck and it's getting tighter, you got a job for me, George Valentine. Write full details. Dear Mr. Valentine, they say I killed Cleo Dawson and I did kill her, but I didn't murder her. There is a difference. My story may sound weak, even ridiculous, but it's true. Yet what chance do I stand? My own lawyer doesn't believe me. My wife turns away when I try to explain. The police say I'm not even a good liar. I don't know why I should expect you not only to believe me, but help me do something about it. Let's say right now I'm just grabbing at straws, it's signed Arnold Kyle. You don't have to look at me like that, Miss Brooks. I know all about that letter. I saw it before it was mailed. Oh. I don't get it, Lieutenant. This may put us on opposite sides of the fence. Since when does that bother you, Valentine? Anyway, just between you and me and that blindfolded lady called Justice, I want you to see what you can do for this guy. Well, I've never known you to undermine your own case, Lieutenant. Miss Brooks, you haven't met Arnold Kyle. He looks at you with those big blue innocent eyes and he makes you feel all dirty, all over. For even questioning that simple-minded story of his. I tell you, I can't sleep. I wake up dreaming about his open-faced mug and I... Oh, there you sentimental Irishman. Pull up your suspenders and tell me what's making this such a hassle for you. The facts. The facts. You can't beat them, Valentine. Now get this picture and tell me what you do. Yeah? We're up in Cleo Dawson's cheap hotel room. The coroner had just examined her body. Arnold Kyle's been standing there all the time, taking it all in. All right, all right. You heard the coroner, Mr. Kyle. This isn't suicide. This girl was killed by some quick-acting poison and whiskey. Now what do you know about it? Nothing. Nothing, I tell you. Who is she? Cleo Dawson, here from somewhere in the Middle West. I just met her two days ago. Well, you work fast, don't you? What were you doing up here in this room tonight? She came out here to get a job with a carnival. It didn't pan out. She was stranded without a cent. And so you decided to play the good Samaritan. Well, what's wrong with that? If my kid's sister were in a jam like that, wouldn't I be glad if someone tried to help her? Never mind that. Go on, go on. I got Cleo this room and even fixed it with a friend so she could start working today to drive him downtown. Come on, what about tonight? Well, she didn't show up at the job, so I dropped by to see what was the matter. She had a rotten cold, so I told her she ought to take a drink and stay in bed. Kyle, why did you poison this bottle? Did Cleo threaten to make trouble between you and your wife? Don't be crazy. It was nothing like that. I was going to take a drink myself, except all of a sudden she keeled over, just like that. Okay. Where did you buy this liquor? I didn't buy it. Some fella gave it to me. A guy down at Donovan's Tavern, name of Walt. I never met him before. If I told you that story, would you believe it? But it's the truth. Why would I call downstairs for a doctor? Why didn't I run away? Nobody knew I was here. If I were guilty... There you are. That's the story, Valentine. Now, come on, come on, Kyle. Cell is right down this column. Now you're gonna have Brooksy and me sharing your insomnia, Lieutenant. I don't suppose you found any stranger named Walt. Yeah, don't think we haven't tried. Well, here we are. Okay. I think it'll be better if you wait for me downstairs, Angel, and we'll have dinner. I shouldn't be very long. Okay, George. Here's somebody to see you, Kyle. Drop by and see me before you leave, Valentine. Ah, sure. Yes? What do you want with me? My name is Valentine, George Valentine. Oh, then you don't think my story is crazy, do you? You wouldn't be here, would you? Now calm down, would you? No, no, look at me. What makes me such a freak because I tried to help a poor girl who was down on her luck? And I know how the rest of it sounds. We don't have to go over that now. I've already checked. Well? How about this man in Donovan's Tavern who gave you the bottle of whiskey? Can you remember anything about him? I mean something that might have slipped your mind when you were talking to the police? Well, that's the trouble. He looked like a dozen other people you might meet in a place like that. He wore a leather jacket and... Yes, sir? Sure. Sure, there is something. Something that made me notice him in the first place. He wore one of those wide studded leather belts, the kind you see on guys when they're driving motorcycles. Huh? What did this Walt say to you when he offered you the bottle? I want his exact words. Let me see. He said, uh, here, maybe you'd like to have this, Mr. Morrison Club. The best. I don't want it because I got no use for the Joe who gave it to me. And you ended up at Cleo's with your present. Oh, what's the use? It's even beginning to sound cock-eyed to me. Now listen, Arnold, you've stuck to your gun so far, this is no time to run out on your side. I know. We're gonna go over everything that happened that night till it comes out of your ears and then some more. Now shove over so I can sit down. Oh, George, I want you to meet Charlie Drake. He's been waiting for you too. What can I do for you, friend? You can brace yourself for a big moment, Valentine. I'm supposed to present you to that nationally known radio commentator and high caliph of corn, Wayne Medford. What is this? What's the game? Well, you know his program, big dramas and small lies. I'm sorry, Brooks. I'm strictly a Terry and the Pirates addict. I dig up the great one's material and write it for him so he can prove to the world that he can read. He does have a honeysuckle baritone though. Now look, Drake, I'm in a hurry. Medford's interested in the Arnold Kyle case. He thinks he might make it a cause celeb. Big dramas and small lies. Uh-uh, nothing doing. I'm not supplying any grist for a corn mill. This isn't just another human interest story. Touchy. The truth is he thinks he can help you. He's got something on his mind. Why don't you hear him out? Shall we go? Drink, Miss Brooks, Mr. Valentine. Don't you find a disconcerting Medford having a bar in your office? And so well stocked. What's worth doing is worth doing well. Wayne always says, uh, don't you? We can do without your sarcasm, Charlie. Here, Valentine, take a look at this bottle. Morrison Club. But that's the same brand the man in the bar gave Arnold Kyle. Exactly. That's what first attracted me to this extraordinary case. This is the only kind of whiskey I drink. I always have a nightcap here at the office after I finished my next day's program. Yep. Wayne is a stickler about that. He always likes to read what I've written for him at least once before he gets on. Look, I'm wasting an awful lot of my client's time. Very well. Here's the point. First, the coincidence of the brand name. It intrigues me. And then I discovered that the plight of Arnold Kyle caught up in a web of incredible circumstance is the very stuff that makes the heart of my program. Big dramas in small lives. I believe Mr. Drake mentioned something about you being able to help. And I can. I happen to know, Valentine, that Arnold Kyle isn't too well fixed for money. Don't let that limit your investigations. I'll foot the bills, including your fee. Well, now, that's very generous. What's in it for you? Naturally, I shall dramatize the cause of Arnold Kyle on my program, including all the new facts you bring to light. Oh, naturally. But it can only help. Someone may even come forward with information about that man in the leather jacket, perhaps, and other information you might not ordinarily get. What do you say, Valentine? Well, I... Oh, Mr. Medford, excuse me. You'll have to come back, Molly. I thought maybe you were out to dinner and I'd have a chance to clean your office, but, er, it can wait. Oh, no, no, Molly, come here. I'll show you what I mean, Valentine. Yes, Mr. Medford? I was just talking to these good people about your son, Molly. I'm sure they'd like to hear more about him. My boy. He's a big man now. Oh, excuse me. Only four years ago, he was a nobody. Then he went east to a town named Clinton, New York. He's the biggest lawyer there now, makes hundreds of dollars a week. And he's married to a beautiful society girl, isn't he? Oh, yes. You see this belt I'm wearing, Miss? Yes, Molly. It's all hand woven. He sent it to my sister to give to me if she ever ran across me. You see, he doesn't know where I am. I don't want him to. All his friends might find out that his mother's just a poor, ignorant woman who scrubs floors. Oh, well, excuse me. I have to get on with my work. Oh, Molly, how are you feeling these days? I know why you asked me that, Mr. Drake. Well, I promised the building manager I wouldn't touch a drop. And I won't. See what I mean, Valentine? Yes, I see, Medford. Big dramas and small lines. Yes. Lord knows what her son is really like, but she has her illusions. Could Hollywood dream up anything more corny? All right, you're a slave to your hobby. Let's put it this way, then. All you want is to see justice done one way or the other in the life of one little man named Arnold Kyle, is that it? Valentine, I couldn't put it better myself. OK, since you're my client, too, I'd better get busy and stop loafing on your time. Nah, nah, not at Donovan's. Our customers can't afford to drink Morrisons, let alone give it away. The man was wearing a leather jacket. Yeah, one of those wide motorcycle belts. Nah, nah. Look, this is my busy time. Can I get you something beside conversation? Nah, nah, Buster. Let's get out of here. Yeah, just a minute, Angel. What's going on? Going back in there. Don't you know when you're as welcome as a crack in a glass eye? The bartender made a beeline straight for the phone. I'll be right with you, Buster. It's about time you answered the phone, lady. Let's go up to Walt Nielsen's room and call him, will you? Tell him it's Chester over at Donovan's place. All right, then, wake him up and be sleeping. It's important. Thank you, Chester. I know it's kind of late to be phoning, Mr. Grant, but as president of the Daredevil Motorcycle Club, you shouldn't mind a little excitement. Pardon me. Well, I just have to get Walt Nielsen's address and telephone number so I can tell him I can't go riding with him tomorrow. Pardon me. Oh, don't be silly, Mr. Grant. I bet Walt has dozens of girlfriends. I'll wait. You were right, George, this Walt character is a man. Good, good. Oh, yes, Mr. Grant. Yeah, I'm putting it down. Rooming house at... Yeah, yeah. Oh, oh, I don't know how to thank you. Pardon me. Oh, and happy motorcycling to you too, Mr. Grant. That must be his room right ahead, George. Yeah, I'm just trying to figure out what to expect, how to approach this character. What do you mean, darling? Now we know Kyle is telling the truth. There is a man named Walt and he's hiding out. But why? Well, he did pass on the bottle of poison liquor that killed Cleo Dawson. Well, even if he did it innocently, he's not too anxious to show his face. Well, there's another angle. According to Arnold, Walt had some kind of a fight with the person who gave him the bottle. If Nielsen was marked for murder, maybe that's why he's holding up there. Hi, you folks. What are you doing here, Drake? Don't worry. It wasn't another coincidence. I was following you. That wasn't part of my deal with Medford. Yeah, I know, but I like to be close to the news when and if it happens. Well, you're real close now, Buster. But just stay from under my feet. See that the gentleman isn't bored, Brooksie. I got work to do. Okay. Okay. Yeah, come in. All the way in, Bob, and stand over there. Okay, Walt. I never play AC Doocy with a 38. So you've been packing. Yeah, leaving town. Holding a kind of crazy bottle of liquor. I should have thrown it down the sewer, but no, I got to go be nice to somebody. Guy I never even seen before. Who gave the bottle to you, Walt? And why? You're getting nothing out of me, copper. Nothing but this. Just to make sure I got enough time. Hey, you. Crazy bottle of liquor. We'll return to tonight's adventure, George Valentine, in just a moment. 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The young lady promptly dies. Said man who winds up as your client protests he didn't mean to do it. He says a stranger gave him the lethal bottle as a present. So surprising even yourself you find that big-hearted stranger and he has a present for you too. A sculling that's a work of art. If you're like George Valentine when you come to the recently acquired lump doesn't keep you from asking. Oh Brooksie, why did Walt Nielsen jump me like that? What made him so desperate? Darling, please sit down. You don't know what corner you're in. You're woozy. Oh never mind about me. I think better walking around in circles. Now what was that you said about Charlie Drake? Okay maybe this time it'll sink in. When I saw a man come out of the house with a bag I thought it might be Walt. Yeah yeah. So when he hopped a cab I told Charlie to follow him in his car. Then I found you sprawled out here on the floor. All right okay. There's only one answer about Walt Angel and it's got to be that. Got to be what? It says in all the textbooks they give rookie detectives murder has to have a motive. Walt had nothing against Arnold. Kyle didn't even know him. Yeah that's right. So Walt thought the liquor was okay. He was still another innocent go-between for this flagging of coffin varnish. And that's something he could explain to the police. Well he's trying to hide something else. Something he can't afford to talk over with the police. Where's the beginning of all this? Oh I don't know. I don't know. It may go back to the person who gave it to Walt or even further back than that. Oh Angel this seems to be a very round-up out murder. Well Charlie said he was going to call us here on the hall phone as soon as he finds out where Walt is headed. It's 11 o'clock now. Oh what a game Brooks. He bottle bottle who passed the bottle. Hello. Valentine. Yeah Charlie what'd you find? I followed your man. That was Nielsen all right. He stopped off at a flea bag called the Palace Hotel down on Ritter Street. I saw him take the self-service elevator and I slipped the desk clerk of Ben and she told me that our friend always visits somebody called Tim Farrell in 4F. Well is Nielsen there now? No he only stayed a few minutes. I followed him to the Union Station and I got fouled up with the traffic lights and I lost him. I see. Well that's about it Valentine. Okay thanks a lot Charlie. Sorry to put you to the trouble when I was uh indisposed. See you in the morning. Tim Farrell? No I didn't see him go out. Shall I ring him? Never mind lady he's expecting us. The elevator's right across the lobby. Oh there's no boy on it only self-service after 12 o'clock. Will manage. Easy Brooksie. Oh this lets Tim Farrell out as a source of influence. Yeah. Walt didn't do a very neat job but you can't say he wasn't thorough. Well Valentine, I'm sorry I'm late. I'm sorry. Well Valentine it's about time you showed up. Tell me lieutenant what did you find out about the late Tim Farrell? Well I got it right here. Timothy Fowl, age 28, crimes include illegal entry, assault, armed robbery, etc etc. Committed to Dannemora State Penitentiary January 4, 1945 and oh so on so on. In other words just a cheap crook. Yes yes but this this is the payoff. Lately he's been teaming up with Walt Nielsen. Well that is something. And Nielsen is a really a bad boy. A three-time loser. One more arrest and he'd have to collect his old age pension in jail. So that's what it was then. That's why I'd have none of the police. Yeah so now it lines up like this. They have a fight and Tim tries to slip his pal a Mickey Finn that works for keeps. Before leaving town, Walt drops by the Palace Hotel and slits Timothy's throat. It could be. And just where does that leave Arnold Kyle? Well right where he is. Why? Well at least until we pick up Nielsen. After he talks then our saintly hero can go home to his wife. I'm... hold on a second. Hello. Yeah let's have a Thompson. What? Yes yes okay. What is it? Oh of all the things to have happened. Now this. What is this? Where's this case gonna wind up? Now it's Walt Nielsen. They found him. Oh what's the matter with that? Where is he? They found him last night on the railroad tracks. He the jump fella was pushed off the Garland Street bridge. Then the train got him. The 1140 coastliner. Valentine I want you to trace this thing back one more step. Don't you see someone who still has his heart set on murder is walking around loose. Yeah I don't know that for a fact. Well man why do you stand here? Why? Dear here I go walking in again before you're ready to leave. Please excuse me Mr. Medford. That's all right Molly. Hey Molly have you heard any more exciting news about your son? My son? What's the matter? Aren't you feeling well? I oh I'm fine. I'll clean up when I come around later. I'm sorry Mr. Medford. Excuse me. About my son Mr. I can tell you he's better off now than he ever was. Poor creature. Well Valentine we're still in business aren't we? Uh-huh. At least until I find out one thing. What's that? How a man can be murdered after 12 o'clock by someone who was dead at least 20 minutes before the witching hour. You mind shedding a little light on that Valentine? Yeah. Soon now gentlemen very soon. Come on let's go Brooksie. Whether you know it or not you're a very important witness to this discrepancy in time. Am I? What do you know? I'll be in touch with you gentlemen. Good night. Good night. What do we do George? Stand here in count 10 before we go back in. That ought to be enough time if I'm right. It's a long way from Pio Dawson's hotel room to. It begins. George! Oh my shoulder! He shot me! I'll take that Medford though but listen there in time. Don't just stand there give me a doctor. Brooksie call me get Charlie on the couch. Yeah George yeah. Just as soon as you and Miss Brooks left he came at me with a lot of wild talk. I just got the gun out of the desk drawer but I didn't shoot him. What are you talking about? You'll see when they get the bullet out of him. The shot came through the French doors on the balcony. Where does that balcony lead? It goes right around the building. I just thought of something. Brooksie. Yeah. Call Lieutenant Riley and tell him what happened. Medford and I'll be right back. Okay. Valentine I was prepared for almost anything in this fantastic. Go ahead and Molly now I have your gun. Please Lieutenant Riley I don't know the answers myself yet. Oh all right goodbye. Well friends now the circle is neatly closed. I don't understand. That Fondle of Morrison club came from this office. I should have known that when Lieutenant Riley read the late Tim Ferrell's police record. I'm sorry Molly. Your son wasn't he? Oh. You tried to build him into something decent in your mind. Big lawyer in Clinton New York. That's where the Danimora State Penitentiary is. Big success in four years. That was the length of Tim's term. He was committed in 45. Yeah that's right now I remember. And this leather belt you're so proud of Molly. This is what the prisoners make in the Danimora workshops. All right now you know Mr. Tim got that bottle from you didn't he Molly? Yes. I I stole it from your bar Mr. Medford. Tim took it away from me because I'm not supposed to drink. But who poisoned it and why? You may as well answer that Charlie and you know you can. Yeah all right Valentine. I poisoned the liquor. If people hadn't started passing it around this egotistical windbag here would have been called just another suicide. I knew it was you Charlie. That's why I hired Valentine and didn't want him to stop until he found out the truth. But what and Tim? Unfortunate casualties Miss Brooks just like Cleo Dawson. Except with them I was forced to get rid of them if I was going to save my own neck. I thought the whole thing was your fault because you hated Mr. Medford. That's why I carried the gun to Tim's. Tonight from the balcony I heard you admit what you did and I oh I wish I had killed you. Now Mrs. Farrell. Sorry Medford but this is one story you'll have to write for yourself but uh how about a switch huh? A small drama in the life of a man who couldn't stand to see you so big. Oh you don't know what a relief it was to send Arnold Kyle home to his ever-loving wife. Yeah I could imagine Lieutenant. You know the public ought to know more about this sentimental streak in our police officers. Well it's a fact that guy was beginning to gnaw on my conscience. I couldn't sleep. I walked up and down all night and Mrs. Riley thought I was going crazy. George I'm still not quite sure about what you meant by discrepancy in time. Well Charlie Drake understood. That's why he went after Medford the moment we left the room. If he was going to get caught at least he was going to finish what he started. Well I know Walt Nielsen was hit by the 1140 coast liner but but Charlie told me on the phone that he saw Walt use the self-service elevator at the Palace Hotel and you'll remember the clerk said it became self-service only after midnight. Oh yeah that's right. Charlie Drake pushed Walt off the bridge then came back and killed Tim Ferrell because he had to use the self-service elevator. He took it for granted that's the way it worked all the time. Isn't George positively brilliant Lieutenant. Oh fine. Back to normal again. Now it's Mrs. Riley's turn to stay awake all night. If you're looking for ways to tighten up your budget how about the family car particularly the care of your car's engine. Of course you can pick an oil at random and hope for the best but for protection you trust get compounded RPM motor oil. 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Next week when we catch up with George Valentine in his office there'll be a ring on the phone and then hello hello Valentine oh yeah now listen friend what's this all about you sound as though you know this is I should you said you'd call at this hour but assuming you did kill those three people tomorrow I'm going to kill again I'm even going to give you the name of the victim George Valentine. Tonight's adventure of George Valentine has been brought to you by Standard of California on behalf of independent chevron gas stations and standard stations throughout the west. Let George Do It stars Robert Bailey as George with Francis Robinson as Bruxy. Wally Mayer appears as Lieutenant Riley. Tonight's story was written by David Victor and Herbert Little Jr. and directed by Don Clark also heard in the cast were Byron Cain as Kyle, Larry Dobkin as Medford, Herbert Vigran as Drake and Virginia Greg as Molly. The music is composed and presented by Eddie Dunstetter your announcer John Heston. Listen again next week same time same station to let George Do It. This is the mutual Don Lee broadcasting system.
