Cloak and Dagger: The Trap

Welcome to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Cloak and Dagger. But first, I do want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, to follow us using your favorite podcast software. And I also want to encourage you to become one of our Patreon supporters at Patreon dot Great Detectives dot net.

Are you willing to undertake a dangerous mission behind the enemy lines knowing you may never return alive.

What you have just heard is the question asked during the war to agents of the OSS. Ordinary citizens who do this question answered yes.

This is Cloak and Dagger.

Black warfare, espionage, international intrigue. These are the weapons of the OSS. Today's story The trap about an OSS agent who prevented an American advance onto German soil from turning into a massacre is suggested by actual incidents recorded in the Washington files of the Office of Strategic Services, a story that can now be told.

Did you ever notice the name Erwin signed in a fancy flourish on the covers of those kid comic books you know all about moonmen chasing the earthmen into the stratosphere. Well that's me Irwin Hazen. I'm a little guy about five foot four. Before the war, I loved flashy ties and babies, girl babies, about twenty one. So what was Erwin doing being an OSS spy and a German held

Good Good, fast works hunt.

Thank you, sir.

I'll look them over now. In the meantime, I want you to do something for me. Yes, sir, I've just had word that one of our agents, Lieutenant Miller, who was sent ahead and the Royere for Advanced Reconnaissance, has returned.

Lieutenant Miller, Yes, sir, I know him.

He's in that tavern about a mile from the headquarters, getting very drunk. I can't understand. It doesn't sound like Miller. No, sir, you should have reported immediately. I want you to go down and bring him back to headquarters. Yes, colonel, right away, sir. Oh, hayzen, I saw that cartoon you submitted to Yank. Oh they're good good. Not very flattering of me, though.

No, sir, I'll love I'll get Lieutenant Miller for you. Colonel, sir. Not all of the twelve thousand people working with the OSS parachuted blind into enemy territory. Some of them stayed in Washington making up secret codes. Some of them, like me, sat behind a desk in France and drew maps. But I was through sitting behind a desk. The minute I walked into that tavern, Lieutenant Miller was slumped over the bar, swaying back and forth, and he looked very drunk. Hey, lieutenant,

Oh that's you Erman.

Oh you get your ear chewed off of this? What's the idea? Couldn't this wait till later?

I couldn't wait he didn't make it otherwise, I get to the colonel, say.

Bartender, how many has he had?

Only two?

One?

Oh?

Yeah, Tell colonel couldn't make it otherwise. Then you came, I can't make it now? Maybe what are you talking about? Tell Colonel bir heavily fortified. One We thought I saw myself eighty pieces of one hundred and five millimeters artillery behind the lines.

Germans are digging in.

Well, come on back and telling me yourself. Hey, couldn't you have celebrated later?

Made it this far?

Needed a drink the regular all the way. Tell colonel we're heavenly fortified, heavily.

Miller, the lieutenant he is puss out. The lieutenant he is dead. You see, Miller had been slumped over the bar. Colonels I couldn't see those bullet wounds in his chest until he fell over.

Germs must have caught on to him and given him a chase. So wonder he got as far as he did. Sergeant, you're sure about everything you told you, yes, sir, But we were positive the Germans didn't have that much artillery on the Seventh Army Front. If this is true, and we had walked in not knowing him over the head ah Man would have been massive. Thank you, Sergeant. You may go now, Colonel.

If you're going to send another agent into that territory to get a more complete picture of what's going on, I'd like to volunteer.

And a mission like this cause for an agent who's had experience along here.

Yeah, yeah, I know, but you see, Lieutenant Miller was a friend of mine. Besides, I'm sick of spending the war behind a drawing Boardgeant. Look, I can do it, Colonel. I can speak French fluently, and I'll do more than just look around and come back. I'll come back with sketches and maps and diagrams everything you want to know. Look, Colonel, the next time I send a cartoon to Yank, I'll I'll make a very flattering one of you. Please, Colonel,

The German stupish me. Son it me do the talking.

Well, I hope we get away with it.

You're not ary out of necessity. I have become a debt at making up very convincing lie.

Yeah, but do you think that Germans don't believe this phonny story?

What the reason will they have to disbelieve it? Besides I am well known and respected in town. These Germans have in of trouble now without staring at the antagonism of the people by disciplining me for so small it is.

Well.

All I can say is I hope it works.

We have a chance to find out. Now there's the town ah, and there is a welcoming committee. Let me do the talking. Say while bonjour, I am father.

Robert, priest of the church in this town. And this man, friend, if you're from this town, what are you doing behind the border? Do you have permission? Let mess your papers?

Passes?

Most Unfortunately I did not wait to request a pass our silence. He's a harpy harm with me to the command on some of his week.

Pleasure come my friend mine as well. There's no way back now, Father.

You have been given too much freedom in this town. Father a there, this insolence is air.

It's too much with monsieur le commando, this poor lad.

You'll be as your name again, Francois, Francois V. Call me by my title, Francois Here Commandan.

I'm going with your story, father abre.

It is a sad, sad story of a dying woman and her last wish to see her neview this lad, last remaining member of her family, Her husband and two sons were killed in the early days of the war. You see, I have the holy oils with me to give this poor woman the last sacrament.

And why did you not ask permission to get this bar?

I was afraid, Monsieur le Commandore, that by the time the permission was granted, it might be too late, the woman might die, So I slipped out.

When did you last see your aunt John?

Why? Over three years ago, her Commandan.

And this is most irregular.

I'm surely the request of a dying woman.

Well, I'll let you go this time. Father over there.

There's enough unresting this time without starting a tempest in a teapot. One more question, Yes, monsieur, if you managed to slip so of the lines going out, why is it you did not attempt to sneak back into town instead of walking boldly after the bar the line.

Sneak back into town, Why, Monsieur Commando, that would be against regulations.

But I do not understand the father, Abella, how is it that you did not try to sneak back in the air?

Her American friend Irwin a battle rose, he can tell you that.

Well, you see, Madame Jellette, this way, if the Germans know I'm in town and supposedly staying with an ant, I can move freely about without being suspected.

Oh, I see.

I see the time is late. I must go now, Oh Joe, if monsieurle Commandant should inquire, I did administer the last rights to you at the sight of your dear nephew, brought life flowing back into your veins.

Of course, we do not have something to eat before you go. I have not much to a.

Much work to do. By the way, at last meeting of the underground went very well, What do you think?

Well?

Very well?

Indeed, well, I can't thank you enough, father for everything you've done.

Oh my PEPs, we should meet again. Who knows if not, can't be with you on your mission. Thank you, father, and my son. Be very careful, Monsieur le Commando is not very bright, but unfortunately he is not a complete idiot.

Why that was the last I saw, Father, Robert. It happened like that all during the war. A member of the underground would come along, get us over a rough spot, and then disappear. But without all the help from all the little people along the way, none of the work of the OSS could have been done. They helped, they wished us luck.

They left.

After a few days of staying with Madame Jeanette, I almost felt that she was a relative. The old girl practically adopted me Erwin h One King.

What fore, Robert tool they coming down? He does not alive?

Well?

What was that?

I did lose my husband and two sons in the early.

Days of the war.

Oh, I'm sorry, but.

It has been good these last days, cooking for you, making up another bed as if I had my family again.

Are you being very careful?

Well?

I mind my own business. Look around the town. All I can tell Arah, just a handful occupying it. Just the way headquarters, though it looks like a pushover.

Perhaps it is perhaps the agent was here before he was mistaken.

Miller, the Nazis didn't pump air into him for nothing. He saw something, Madame Miche d here.

Let me feel your play the game.

Look what's the best way to get through the forest to the river north of Brier. I'm going to take a look around there.

Perhaps there may be something there. The guard is always posted. I thought it was just to keep the townspeople from leaving. But perhaps perhaps there's something else.

Is there a way past the guard?

Ah, I have lived here all my life. I know away. I will show you, even take you partway myself.

The woods began aout one hundred yards back of Madame Jeanette's little house, and earlier the next morning we started through them. I followed her through the thick brambles, through the narrow paths she knew so well, through the brush and the high grass that moved gently in the wind. Madame Jeanette's skirt caught on the brambles, and she stopped just long enough to rip off that part of her hem and leave it behind, swaying in the wind. Then she moved on me right behind her. Maybe this would

Back now erin we term later the we we came.

You remember, yes, yes, I remember.

Go now along the outskirts of this little wood. You'll see a hill. From there you will have a good view of the river and anything.

That might be there. All right, I see you later, careful, careful now. A minute afterwards, who was swallowed up in the woods. A little while after that, I was on top of that hill, flat on my stomach, under a clump of bushes, looking down through strong binoculars. My hunter was right. It was all there, and I began to sketch it quickly but accurately. From somewhere the Nazis had gotten reinforcements, and their high command had decided to make a stand, dig in and hold there at the river.

Slip and lutman. See that more guards are posted at the edge of the town. The commandant wants no one snooping around here.

No one got to get through.

There were too many of them all around. I knew it would be crazy to try to get any further without a plan. I had to have time to think about a way. I waited until they left. Then I slipped back the way. I came up the hill and through the woods to Madame Jeanette's. I went around the back, so I didn't see the commandant until I walked in. You are back, yes, I uh, Monsieur hair Commandant. I have been waiting for well, is there something wrong?

No, no, oh, of course not once.

Well, I am here to talk with them as well as you, m I believe Father Robert told me that it's your name that is correct. It was through the kindness and understanding of the German high command here that you were allowed to see your sick aunt. You understand that you're not. Oh, yes, I appreciate that it was irregular, but we'll let you in. However, I am here to tell you that you had better have no illusions about leaving Brienn now going back to the American lines, to your village there.

No, no, I have no wish to leave. Why you've anticipated me, her, Commandant, I was going to request permission to stay here with my aunt from now on. I was in the square today looking for work.

And they are good, as long as you understand, madam, if you will allow me to say.

So, you look very well.

Indeed, oh, she was very ill when I came.

Father Robert gave her last right media tirstpression. I'm not talking to you.

My nephew is correct, But there are you here, Commandant. I was very ill, but I'm very well now.

Well, that's all I wanted, how are going out? But remember you are not to live for yea.

What the commandwan didn't know was that I had no intention of leaving until I made the sketches of the west bank of the river. Late that night, Madame Jeannette helped you bury the plans and diagrams I had already grown.

You are right, I really do very busier by andy. Rather than leave them inside, did you say.

Okay, that's deep enough. Now I put this rock on top of them. There. That's done. Now you will go back tomorrow. No, I've got to get a good look at the west bank of the river.

It is wise you did not try to we's further.

Ahead the day.

It would have been too dangerous. I know another.

Way through the forest, or tell me it is a roundabout we but it will bring you closer into the.

West, or close enough at least so that you will have a better view than before.

Ah.

But if there are so many troops, as you said, do not get too close.

When you have finished, come back to the woods the same way. I will be waiting.

I did exactly, she said, took the long way round the cross little streams, watched for landmarks, dropped from high rocks and landed on rough little paths that were hidden by the brush. I did everything she said except one thing. I got too close.

Er relining those minds too far far?

What you're doing when these the fencers will be ready for anything right now?

I decided I better get up there. And as I started, a twig under me. Snap.

What was that?

Did you hear something in the brush? M hmm, probably some small animal in the forest. Oh see that happened. M there's nothing here helping make sure?

Remember the fragment of a woman's dress we found in the woods this morning.

I was crouched down behind a rock and the German lieutenant came so close I could have reached out and touched his mud kit boot. He stopped for a minute, and then he walked right past me.

There was nothing there. It can't be too careful. I'm with you.

There's something I want to tell you.

I had everything indicated on my sketches, Minefield's tank positions. I knew everything about the west bank of the river. I wanted to know when the coast seemed clear. I started back, but I didn't get very far. Here's your answer. In the air, I took a couple of steps and then slammed myself into a shallow ditch. I remember German bird guns and rifles cracking around me. A bullet went through the hill of my hood and sent a shock up my leg that made me wonder if it had

Perhaps another taste of your fist.

Great, get them up, put them back on that chair.

Now listen to me.

Joever, whatever your name is, we found this sketch of the bridge at the west bank of the river in your pocket.

Look, I don't know, I don't know anything.

That part of the sketch is quite complete, every detail. The rest is diagrammed in lightly. There are the rest of these plans, I don't know. Have you hidden them?

Where?

Have you given them to somebody?

Whom?

There are the rest of them?

Kind of antvalt eh, but not right. Twisting his arm again.

Oh ah hah, yes, fainted.

Have him thrown in Assel. I will question him more tomorrow.

That was the German way of questioning, beating you up, twisting your arm. I was sure they had a lot more ways of questioning, but I didn't intend to stay and find out what they were. I had to figure out a way to escape. And then I noticed it. The glass of the window in front of the bars had been shattered. I broke off a piece, and then I cut myself severely about the face. I guess it doesn't sound pretty, and it didn't look very pretty, but that was the effect I wanted. I heard the guard

You come and don wants to see you.

No, what's the stars her?

If I must get her?

My hair was matted with blood, and my cut up face looked pretty horrible. Not that the God was worried about the state of my health. He was afraid of what the commandant would do to him if I wasn't able to be questioned. He left the cell door open and ran and so did I in the other direction. I ran up the stairs to the second floor of the small town jail. The Germans had taken over down below. I could hear voices, wh I didn't wait to hear anymore.

Yes, what do you want?

What Madame Jeannette? Where is she? I've got to see her? Who cannot, but I've got to It's important. Look, who are you? Where's Madame Jeanette?

She died?

What did you say?

She died?

Yesterday?

Died but I do the Germans.

If there after you go, I want to travel.

Go. That motorcycle ride through enemy held territory with that car full of Nazis firing at me was wilder than the stories in the comic books I used to draw. For there was a phosphorus grenade on the ammunition belt I had taken from the soldier outside the prison. I took the pin with my teeth and tossed it back over my shoulder. Through the side MIRRECTULD see the German car slowing down. It stopped right over the grenade, and a minute later there was a car full of very

Did your sketches look anything like this? Sudan?

What?

But those are the sketches I don't understand.

Where did you standing? The woman?

Woman? What?

Woman?

I don't get this, that's why. Man, Hello, madam Jeanette, I heard you were dead?

Your face? What happened to your face?

Never mind? Just tell me?

Oh, when I learned you were arrested, I dug up the plan and with other ground help I got them through the.

Lines to deliver them for you. Just what that woman, she had her orders? She was doing as I told her.

Colonel you know that tavern about a half mile from headquarters? Yes, I well, do you mind very much if I go there and get very drunk.

The maps, diagrams and information which Sergeant Urban Hazen provided allowed the American Army to prepare a counter offensive. Three days later they were on German soil, and the report of another OSS agent closes with the.

Words mission accomplished.

Listen again next week to another adventure based on actual incidents from the files of the OSS on.

Cloak and Dagger.

Heard in today's Cloaken Dagger Adventure as Irwin was Everett Sloane, the priest Barry Kroger, the Commandant Stefan Schnabel, Madame Jeannette Virginia Payne, the Colonel Raymond Edward Johnson. Others were Carl Weber, Jerry Jarrett, Ralph Bell, and Lattistovitzky. The script was written by Winterfred Wolf and Jack Gordon, and the music was under the direction of John Gart Today's true OSS adventure was based on the book Cloaken Dagger by Corey Ford and Allister McMain.

This has been a Lewis G.

Cohen production in association with Alfred Hollander and was under the direction and supervision of Sherman Marx program Get Your Programs Here. Simon Templar plays Hide and Seek with a friendly killer who has been commissioned by underworld sources to handle the Saint Hear another top notch adventure with the Saint and also listening for the Sam Spade Gaper with Howard Duff starring as America's favorite fast moving, fast talking

Welcome Back. Really a great episode that delivered some very tense moments that really exemplifies what makes this such a great adventure series. This does make me a little curious what comic book artists secretly served in the OSS. Several comic book artists were drafted in the war, but we shouldn't speculate too much that it some comic book artists that were well known. There was a whole boom of comic book artists before and during World War two and