Nick Carter: Strands of Murder

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That's five two four dot Great Detectives dot Net. Well, now it's time for today's episode of Nick Carter as we play another previously uncirculated episode, the original air date December seventeenth, nineteen forty four, and this one is Strands of Murder. Question matter, what is it? A case for that color might put detective. Yes, it's another case for that most famous of all a man hunters, the detective wassability. It's solving crime is unequaled in

the history of detective fiction. Nick Carter, Rustive Detective. Today's Curious Adventure Grands of Murder or Nick Carter and the Mystery of the Grecian Daggers. And now for today's mysterious Adventure with Nick Carter. As we commence today's story, we find Nick and Patsy strolling through one of the streets in the West forties,

in the heart of the Theater district. It's mid afternoon. Oh gosh, Nick can certainly looks different here in the Theata district the day, don't they crue enough Patsy, But if we only knew what's going on behind the walls or some of these theaters along here, we might find mystery and excitement right now, even in broad daylight. No instance. Look over they in front of the Wisdale Theater. Well, oh yes, that's Rally's essential cord. It certainly is. There's one of his men on guard at the front

door of the theater. Connick, let's see what's doing. That's the theater where Risdale was rehearsing his new super colossal spectacled play The Sacrifice, if I remember correctly. Oh that's right, Nate Leo Fain sang lead. There are three leading women, Mara god Bray, Leader Lineman and Bella Meath. Gosh, I'll bet there's going to be a super duper when it opens. Easy, Patsy, see if I know this man on guard here? No, I don't. You can get inside here. You're telling who you are.

Maybe Riley doesn't want us inside and we better play. Say having out of here, you wait here a second, Okay, good luck to you. This will be easy and be saying hello to Riley in just a minute. Say fella, let your car off then, So what your mind if the kids let air out of the cars. Say, if those kids are playing around, come on, Patty, let's crool in and see what Riley's doing here right with you? Nick? Oh, gosh, Nick, isn't this

the swanker still? And you never saw? Yeah, and evacuations cost Rizvio plenty. He built the theater, you know, the houses, super terrific productions. Well, let's see what's inside. Gosh, I'll had his excitement in here. Let's find Riley. Don't see what goes on the one of a senior directing here, Riley, that's part of a usual Curtis the usual year Patsy clients those women down, will you tell me? Because you got your years, I devotis. I got him by the simple laws of cause

and effect, Riley housing effect. They don't get it. Very simple. I called your man if the daughter leave his post, and then I effected an ent prince. Somebody ought to teach you not to stick your noise in what it is wanting. And now that it is struck in, well thell right, but but then you know this is my teasing. They don't want nor that you're filing the North Midlands. They don't want go ba ah. I think if they's been a murder, what end? Where is the deceased?

Is neoprene? Americans? Sweethearts and cartunes gift to women and the party who bumped him off field get in day. I don't know about Leo running around the aree prayer? Well are them your train acts are badly You had to kill him to teach him a lesson. Oh this is awful, mister Carter. I am rowing mis will finish me as a producer. Everything I have in the world is sinking this play. I lose my theory to it. Oh it's the end of everything from me. He come on, put

yourself again a man. Rumor can be believed. You won't lose as much as all that. And I heard that you had your stars ensured against that thing. Oh sure, the big stars. Yes, frames appears in the show. Is insured to fix a thousand knows Myra DeBras. I've already put a lot more than footwe thousand of this thing. Cap that you will get over it. I think we all losing to play alone. That would have got to Minimus Brain in the lead. The part was written for him.

You can't go on without him. I hope it's not as bad as all that. I tell me what happened, Okay, Leo Frain was stabbed half an hour ago. There were only seven people in the city. Three women, Deli, Claire, Myra, Debra Little Limen, four men, frame, my stage manager, the doorman and myself. And was on the way to my office when he was killed, just the foot of the stairs leading to my office. It's backstage. There any idea who would have been interested

in seeing him killed? I think Fraying has struggled everyone here at some time or another. This safternoon. Lynn wouldn't fought with him. Myra putt of him. Della and he had a big argument. He'ven had an argument with the stage manager. How about you? You fight with him too? Who would have life nothing better? But I didn't. Acts are hard enough to handle anyway without fighting with him. I'm not showing me the victim. Dai very well, come on this slay keep bought it here. I would have

gone door. Did anybody needs a stake till he get back? Sure needs your body is here? Well, Allan, I never expected to find you in Americase without all those so called experts. You have down a ten corners you with three bumpops in the bronx and tour him Brooklyn. He would be busy anyway. I don't need him here. We are else over at the foot of the stairs. I hold it's tricking back to you to see him. H leo. Brain had certainly taken his last bomb. Very prettish papers

to card, but not very helpful. Thought. I wasn't supposed to be helpful. We don't had this cand around going nothing. Now that you're here, Oh, here's where it looks for me. I was in my office and it sent word to Frame to meet me there. He was just about to go up the stairs when he met somebody and started to talk with him, probably one of the women. I should say, why did you say that? Because I had died, a Frame would have stopped to talk to

a man, but he always had time for a woman. Also, a woman could have been holding a dagger in her hand and he'd never noticed it, because it was part of all the women's customs in this act. While he was talking to her, she stabbed him, and he fell back into that chair for he is now. And she pulled a curtain across the old kop and went back to her addressing room. Okay, the dagger that was used on Afraid. He is part of the costume. Yes, all the

women wore him in their hair for the big sacrifice. Same. Oh, because there were a lot of water lighting all I identically the same? How many to be all together? That's three six, eight nine nine at all? Razail? He said, you thought a woman killed Bran. This would suddenly prove your staymok what did them two long black hairs caught in the handle of this dagger and Braine's cat did it? Why is a woman? Did woman is black here? Unless little woman of she's a blonde? Yeah?

Yeah, sure, She's like, hey, give me them? Here is Nick there? Evidence thinks gives her retained which to the women and his black hair and untilius this position and we got the killer. Let's take up under the dagger, stay, Brizail. Where's the dressing room down here in the kill him? Don't tell a Claire dagger in her hair when I saw her on the stage a few minutes ago. She's still in costume. The other daggers ought to be here. This is women's dressing room. There's her dagger

on the different tables is which leaves Mader the blade dagger. Nothing coming for her. The brade dressing rooms over here, and they're on the table, Lieutenant, is another pretty silver dagger? Oh well, what do you know? Just this, Raley? If one of those three women did it, she didn't use her own dagger, But where did the daggers comes room? Could have been one of the chorus naggers. Or the killer could have used

your own dagger and then borrowed one from the cars he placed her. Sure, let's see if one of the carrent saggers is missing over here, the tell him or all they're on the dressing table. I see five seven eight, No, seven? Who said this would be nine? Risdale? I believe two missing. Yes, we've got the stage manager Hill. No, can you call him from here? No? But the other end of this corn leaves right out in the orchestra. Five. I'll get him at one.

Hey, wait coming at razdails. Yes you're saying, if you can get from here directly to the archestratid. Oh yes, why when you were telling me the story earlier, you said that you send your stage manager macin couch Outs from to get your script just before frame was killed, didn't you? Well? Yes, but and mackin Tisch and you were the two are expecting frame to come up with in your office. I believe I mentioned again,

Oh Mac and Tich is rehere. He could get to this part of the the EDG where frame was killed and back out tight again quickly he was out DNT. Yes, yes, yes, but so I had a card. The frame in your frame would be here in the corners, just about them, and he know all about them. That proves anything, Riley. Let's get on with our investigation. Well, god, I wish we had to take nice with a microscope here. That's a kel who belongs to them?

Here? Is fast enough? Quite true, Riley? If a dagon the tail frame was taken from the cars pressing room, those hairs could have come from any dark head girl in the corner. Look, we aren't doing anything, just standing here. Let's do something. Supposed a man to tell us anything, well we can ask him, but he's a little death. If he already told us he didn't hear anything unusual, well I'll ask him

anyway. Call him, of course, Henry, Henry, come in here, we will Yes, what minute blister Ridge day, Yes, Henry, Lieutenant Riley wants to ask you a few questions, now, Henry asking everybody else to live? Did you pay any attention to what went on down here after everybody else had left? Did you notice what went on down here? That ain't my job. You didn't hear anything? People passing the carking a

cry nurses once or twice. I heard a door shut, I think, And just before we found mister Frain, I heard him with his dressing woman slam his door. Anything else? I thought I heard a door shut, very quiet like right after that, But I can't be sure. I don't hear as well as I used to. You'll say you heard a door closed quietly? Any idea which one it was? No, sir, I'm even sure I heard it. Looks she said somebody snook out into the cart who

has a frain, scouted into the steers and killed him. Maybe they planted, but maybe they just thought they was along and done it. Oh. I don't like this. We're getting nowhere fast? Ah? Do I feel hot in here? Mine? Just rest? What's the matther? I just got that hand of your using the hankerson a dead? Whose is it? Wh mine? Why? The cause? There's blood on it? Fresh blood? Stands? Is it possible at Risdale himself is the killer of Leo Frame

or is this some new and unexpected twist of the case. We'll see him just a moment, and I'll back to our story. We left Brisdale trying to explain to Nick and Lieutenant Riley how I happened to be fresh blood stains on his hand trick tips anyways, playing those blood stains Risdale blood the mad But I can't wait. Yes, of course, now I remember, this isn't my handkerchief. As I came down the steps looking for Frames and Mad, I found this at the foot of the stairs. I picked it up

without thinking. Well, just a moment later when I found frames body, I must have stuck with my pocket without thinking what I was doing. May I said? Oh? Of course? Here? Hm, it was small for a man hankerchiefs and here are some initials. It is fancy and I should say they were a baby. He's miss Bray got black hair with him. Yes, yes, that handled it. He wrapped it around the handle of the head gadget to keep the blood off her hands and to keep her

finger prints off the handle. The lost handkerchief and then black hairs we found in the dagger will tender right to the chair if the hairs are heard, Riley, And don't forget how easy to be for anyone to pick up a lost hankerchief and use it for a false clue. I'll look here, Niko, Who will you stop trying to tell me how to run my own gym? Just trying to point out to you, Riley, that if those hairs didn't come from mister Bray's head, you're right back where you started, hankerchief

and all you're all right, all right? Then what do we do now? Well, there's any of my business. But I have an idea that might work. I'll let's have it. By all means. Suppose whoever left this handkerche just near the body didn't do it intentionally. Suppose they just don't do without noticing him. Now nobody but us noticed them found. But whoever lost it is bound to think about it. When the excitement dies down a

little, them should get scared and maybe look for it. Suppose we give it the chance to find it. How do you mean you give her a chance? But I like this, They put the handkerchief right back where I found it, only hid him a little more. Then We'll send the three women back to their dressing room. Then we give them a chance to sneak out. Advance to think, experiment Riley, even if it doesn't prove a name curious here try it? But where can we hight somebody to watch?

There's a vacant men's dressing room just down the hall here. Suppose I put Henry here. I'm guarding there. There's a phone there. He can phone us as soon as he sees anybody come out, we'll be in my office. We'll tie you. Got that, Henry? Sure, sure, I can do it. Henry. You can sit right here, leave the door open a crack, and as soon as you see one of them leaving your dressing room, call me at once. Yeah, I got mister Risdale. I'll watch real good. Now, let's get those women. Do let me

outside nothing? How can apport it take you to think? If you make so much noise? Now, Patsy, what's the trouble? Nick? Everything was peasable enough, And suddenly Della jumped up and came over here and started yelling at miss Lindman, and she started yelling back. In a minute, there was a swell fight going on. He didn't Guy say I watched no noise here. Well, I minute, I don't want to sound out of

any of you. I'll go back to your jetting rooms and stay there and be quiet, and don't turn out of them until I say you can, mister bray Yes, mister carl Well, things around you this afternoon really as bad as Risdale say as they were. Yes, mister Carley, it even I lost my cample once claims especially unpartulate all afternoon to day. But he even crawls with Mashintosh, who generally never takes the trouble to crawl with anyone.

That Macintosh over there. I'd be a little moon. But I guess all right how to frame take all the argument that would go on John talking of cupping the shoe, and Luca had told on the log all the rest I was just loving. I'd better going back to my dressing room before the lookout. That's not before you go, mister Brayley, borrow your handkerchief at the moment I don't have it. I must the glassing my dressing my side.

Come on, liking the radio job, isn't see what happens. If anything, you don't expect this to produce much from the ray of his own will come on anyway. Even Luke could be wrong, you know, Oh it's waiting the cup game, isn't It's rather be doing something. We had a microscope, we could save time. Let me have those hairs they found,

would you rally? What do you want to think for enough just to mess them up with these hairs especialmen, the player's hair and that raised I have a product magnifying glass here, but I says, like a massed up sure here, huh m, Yes, the braids hair is finer than Claire's. And if as a faint ripple that Claire's doesn't have as round. There's almost no question. But what the hair is found on the dagon. That's the braids hairs there as I can tell. Oh, look, I'm going

crazy sitting here. I can't take man lives. I could take rabbit. Yeah, she's the one you got an asking ask, not me, Sorry Rainsdale. I don't care let either. Oh my head is splitting it. I think my secretary keeps some of her desk in the next orfice. She doesn't a fire. So, by the way, the rings for this office is two short ones. All the office forms are in the same way, and I'll be here two short rings. It'll probably be Henry. You better

answer fast. I'll be right back. Raisdale seems to have the head, so judeh, you was moving a hundred grand, even if it wasn't at your own money. What about them here? I feel sure the hairs of the braids are right, but I'm not yet positive that's what they proved. Oh that's Henry, Yeah, Nintennis really speaking. I can't be sure what it is, but they're doing a woman the handkerchiefs Now, that's Henry. What is it? What happened? Something happened to Henry. Happened to Henry.

Yeah, let's go the store. I wasn't locked when I left it. We're opening for Henry could see who was going down the quarter. But the handkerchief she was on the inside. I don't get it. Lem's got a kid that'll open it. Yes, I have a master key, Henry another. Wonder him Vegas, Yes, right in the middle of his back. He's dead, all right. She must have seen him looking out or heard him talking to me. She pushed the door open and stabbed him before

he could turn around. It's gone. The handkerchiefs has gone from where we left no wars. Tolumn will break her door down if we have too everything, Riley, take it easy. What do you mean take it easy? You want a live prison or a dead one. Look here, Christa Berry is guilty and you break her door down, she'll know you have the good donner. Well, he still has one of those baggers. If I know her, she'll use it on herself if she is guilty. So much further

furthermore, Henry said he couldn't be sure who it was. He thought him it couldn't be anybody but that Ray. Even if you'll right, Riley, if you letther think she's gotten away with it, you can search her dressing room and she's out of it. Then you can find the handkerchief and the key she locked this room with. They'll be hidden somewhere, and then all the rooms are private wars rooms. She might try to put the key in the hankers she's done in one of the dreams. They'll take a plumber to

get at them. If she doesn't. In by gully, we'll get a promer and care out every pipe in the place. I'll right this day. He'll get him out it's your idea. Get their women out of the dressing room so he can search him. All right, Gordon, I was up to my office. I'll call him from there, and then asked him to come. Okay, okay, good going. How much handy do we have to wait here? Mister Carter won't be wrong now. We just wanted to get all three of you out of the way while Lieutenant Riley pigs up the

evidence that will send somebody to the electric chair. You know that human hair can be identified just the same as fingerprints can, and just as exactly I didn't. All right, I can you call him, mister cardis the king in the handkerchief? There was both in the thing type caught in the first tract which room to Japan? The man, Miss Bray, How do you explained this handkerchief and team which was hounding or this room? Let me see that I clid explit, determis is not my handkerchiefs, not yours. No,

it's it's my MISTI I thought so clear. It was very a lot, but none of them hardly anybody would rougle, but it is BC would both look something like my mom Kansas that my mom's gone very plane simple, Yeah, whom I would be. I did you cling him anyway? You

hold on, Riley, why did you find that key and handkerchief? He murdered the brays britten room, right, And since mister Bray wouldn't have put it in there in her own dressing room, and Delachoir couldn't have And since mac and Poss wasn't on the scene at all, and Henry was murdered, the only other possible person who could have killed both Braine and Henry. You mean met a movement, no, Riley, I mean Mark Risdale. Oh god, MC, I don't think how you figuring out a lot of trance

as you did. There would do many clues, Patsy, the black hairs and the dagger were the clue. The handkerchief with the Bray's initials on it was a clue by both together were just a little too peck Nobody leaves several incriminating clues around bothered me until I found that it wasn't Deir Breis handerchief. Then everything fell right into place, really everything well, riz Bill had a flop on his hands, and he knew it. He was built. We're

going to lose his theater. But the appearance of Frain and Debrey was insured for fifty thousand dollars each. That is, wise, Bill got fifty thousand dollars if either Frame or Debrey did not appear in the show for any reason except voluntary withdraw. So if he could kill Frame and hang the killing on Myra Debrey, he could collect a hundred thousand dollars cash and that would put him on his foot again. So send everybody home except for seven who had

to be there. Then he went to his office, sent for Frame, and then laid in wait for him at the foot of the stairs, having arranged that no one else should be around at the time. And after killing him, he went back to his office and waited until the body was frowned and he handed the hand to Stair. It was mad, bad breath, that's it. It was easy enough for him to plant the hairs on the

bagger, But how didn't he kill him? We were all there together, we're in too, and he was clever enough to make it look so he planted Henry in the vacant dressing room, and we all started up there. He probably they had invented some excuse to stay behind, but Lindon started screaming just then, and we all rushed up on the stage. Well, that gave Rizdale a couple of minutes to slipped back into the corner stable. Henry locked the door, placed the key and handkerchief in the drain, and Debray's

room, and then join us in the office. When riding onto the phone. Didn't know Patsy, I didn't I heard Rizdale impersonating Henry. I don't recall he s listen to the next office to get some ass him. Well, he used the house phone in there called his own office, impersonated Henry. Remember he used to be an actor years ago, and then takes the blow in the fall. It was almost a beautiful alibi. And if he hadn't a stake in Billow's hand, because for Mars, who might has got

asked Patsy and that was a fatal error. Either of the handkerchief or the hairs of the dagger would have been excellent proof. But he was so anxious to be sure that Bray was the goat that he planted too much. He wrote too many swamps through the web, and one of them rip. Well. So long for now, so long everybody, and so long to you Nick and Patsy. Nick Carter's Master Detective is featured in Street and Smith's magazines.

Ron Clark has starred as Nick, with Helen Charter as Patsy. Original music is played by Low White, and the programs are written and directed by Jock McGregor. Nick Carter Master Detective is presented at this time and over these same stations each week by the three Great LINEX Home Bright News. This is mutual welcome back. Well a good solid mystery. One thing I noticed on this particular episode, and I think really stood out, is just how strong

the organ music is on this series. And I think it stood out maybe just because so much of the other portions of the program, in terms of commercials and teasers for other episodes that were part of Nick Carter This Tom and It's history We're missing. But you do see just this really strong use of

organ music. You know, it's the very stereotypical use of the organ to kind of key dramatic moments, and it kind of is interesting to contrast with Boston Blackie, which we'll hear on Thursday, where where the use of organ music is often to just go to the next scene and is often a lot lighter but here it's really really heavy and used to try and bring about dramatic

effect. I also have to point out one of those unusual coincidences that we have where we have two straight cases where a dagger is the murder weapon, and you know, nive is one thing, but a dagger specifically, that's a really unique setup. We'll see if Rocky Jordan continues that dagger streak tomorrow and join us back here next Tuesday for another previously uncirculated episode of Nick Carter.

In the meantime, send your comments to Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, follow us on Twitter, Radio Detectives, and check out our YouTube archive, YouTube dot com, Rate Detectives dot net. From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham's son and Off