Latest / Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Volume 2|Mystery Audio Dramas / A Life in Your Hands: The Rooming House Murder (EP0827)

Transcript

A Life in Your Hands: The Rooming House Murder (EP0827) · Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Volume 2|Mystery Audio Dramas

0:28
Merry Christmas. Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise,
0:32
Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment,
0:35
email it to me Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, Follow us
0:40
on Twitter at Radio Detectives, and become one of our friends on Facebook,
0:45
Facebook dot com Slash Radio Detectives. Well. Today's episodes brought to you by
0:51
the financial support of our listeners. Thanks so much for your support. Welcome.
0:56
Now it's time for today's episode of A Life in Your Hands. This
0:59
one is called The Rooming House Murder and it comes from September thirteenth, nineteen
1:04
forty nine. Please enjoy present Earl Santley Partner's a light in your hands.
1:15
Did you hear the shut fired? Where were you standing? When did you
1:23
miss the gun? Listen while we place a light in your hands. You
1:48
never know when you step from the safety of your home when you may witness
1:52
a violent death and be called upon to testify as to what you saw and
1:57
heard, and suddenly find yourself with a light in your hand. Murder is
2:07
a dark enigma that strikes fear into the heart of man, strains battling mysterious
2:15
but the darkest crime one man can invent, another man can unravel. Such
2:19
a man is Jonathan Kay, created by Earl Stanley Gardner, the world's most
2:23
popular Right Earl's Mystery, Ladies and gentlemen, mister Jonathan Kay. Good evening,
2:34
As each of us has the right trial by jury, so each of
2:38
us has the duty to bear witness truthfully, and were called upon to do
2:42
so, it might happen to you tomorrow. Let sound far fett. Don't
2:49
be too sure, or even now, somewhere in the city there may be
2:53
a crime in the making. Come in, dares unlocked. I'm sorry to
3:05
bribing you, missus, O'Malley, but I can't find any towels in my
3:07
room. My goodness, I believe I did forget to put fresh towels in
3:12
there. I'll get them for you right away. I like the rule,
3:15
so I just love it so bright and Mary, Oh what you're making curtains?
3:20
Oh yes, I made all the curtains in the house, no matter
3:23
of fact. Things. All I do is bowls, make my bowls with
3:27
covers. It's not everything I do? Is I all electric machine gold?
3:30
A lot of the time. Click wonderful, missus, O'Malley. I wish
3:34
I could do things like that. I'll be glad to show you how I
3:36
do here any time. Oh hear your towels? Thank you? Oh well,
3:39
what time is supper? Six thirty sharp? You'll meet all the other
3:44
boarders there, and there's one of mister Smith, who can be a little
3:49
difficult where you'll get used to it. Be sure you're on time. I
3:53
will, And don't worry missus O'Malley. You're missus Smith. Won't bother me,
4:04
says mister Color. Oh no, thank you, missus O'Malley. I
4:06
couldn't need another thing. You're tougher as usual. What's delicious? Your hustle
4:12
another way to a man's heart. Too bad the leaf? Mister O'Malley isn't
4:17
still here to enjoy this wonderful fool, isn't it? Yes? It is?
4:24
Do you care for anything else? Mister Smith? Don't you think you're
4:28
luckymos wessip to find a place to live with a cook like he'll earth?
4:31
Why? I think missus O'Malley is a very good cook alone. You've been
4:36
in town with whimper about ten days. I just got a job at Parker
4:41
in all the advertising agency. What do you do well? So far,
4:45
I'm just learning the ropes. I majored in advertising at colleague and this is
4:49
my first job. Well, say, now i've met Tom Parker. Maybe
4:54
I could put in a word for you that never hurts you. No,
4:58
that'd be very kind, mister Smith, what are you trying to do?
5:00
Bill? Get up? Fire? You haven't minded my doing? You famous?
5:03
Ruby? Have you haven't? I? Please? Please? We don't
5:06
want Miss Winthrop to get the wrong impression. Do you won't be getting any
5:10
wrong impression by finding up until smithers a hell I'll do. I don't care
5:15
for bipp ring in my and I I don't care for that seft flug.
5:17
Why don't you pull him out? What's he got on? You? Don't
5:20
take hom Sorry? Ruby? You and me a good friends. Hey?
5:25
How's that boy you're getting along in school? Are you define you so?
5:30
Fol Excuse me? Please? I'm going to my room. That gets every
5:41
time she can't stand it. Hey, you see, miss Winthrop, Ruby
5:45
is a slipper and a joint on Third Street. You got a boy in
5:48
military school. He's about fourteen. Now you don't know how mamma makes a
5:55
living? If you will excuse me, please, missus o'melly, I'm meeting
5:59
a friend I expect to being around here. What's the matter with her?
6:02
There are people who don't think you're very funny, mister Smith. Oh yeah,
6:08
well, don't think there isn't something about that heighty twenty young lady.
6:11
She wouldn't want broadcast. And I'll find out what it is. I suppose
6:16
you will now for all who off her offertation, there, go ahead.
6:21
I'll be through with my coffee in just a few seconds. Mister O'Malley.
6:25
Take your time, mister corn there's no hurry. So now you'll try to
6:30
get something on that girl. Why do you always have to get something on
6:34
everybody? Tell me why you don't want money? And I'll tell you.
6:39
Is he when Bill Smith says jump, I like to see folks jump.
6:45
They know they'd better by the way, Jacob, how are things in the
6:50
albanating? Some day you're yearning for power? Her? Who'll go too far?
6:59
Some day Bill Smith is going to say jump the wrong person? Why
7:24
so quiet, don't a little effric I don't want to make a bad impression
7:28
on my landlady. The first night she's still up, I can hear the
7:31
electric sewing machine going. If you never get in later than this, you'll
7:35
be a star boarder. Say, how do you think you're gonna like your
7:40
new job? Give me a chance, Bruise Hardy study, I know I'm
7:44
gonna like having your work there? Now? How could you know that?
7:46
Fel me, Missy before you after me? He worry? I know,
7:50
just o, No, don't be like that. Come in. Why did
7:56
you hear something? All I hear is the music that sings in my ears.
8:00
I'm with you serious. It sounded like a shot, probably a car
8:03
backfiring. Forget it? How about that? Kidding? No, stop coach
8:07
my Hardy. You know look like you kids are? Haven't fun? Missus
8:13
Dale, I didn't know you're here, obviously. Don't mind me, kid?
8:20
What are you doing up this late late? I'm just going out to
8:22
work. What's that? Issy? What are you doing about? I'm going
8:28
out there. I'll fall away about this slip? Call the police. Somebody
8:35
chose them. N It's very kind of you to receive me, mister Kig.
8:56
I know how busy you are, but I simply had to talk to
9:00
you. If I can be as service, I'm only too happy. My
9:03
husband is Colonel James van Ryn, the commandant of Making Military Academy. Yes,
9:07
the mother of one of our students, Robby Lasselle, is on trial
9:11
for the murder of a man named Smith. Oh, yes, that's the
9:15
case. The papers have called the rooming House murderer. I've read about it
9:18
as far as I can tell, mister k Ruby, la Selle is going
9:22
to be convicted of that killing. And she didn't do it. I'm sure
9:24
she didn't. But how can you be sure, Missus van Ryn, As
9:30
I recall, the murder was committed with her gun, and she had plenty
9:33
of motives. That's just it, mister k The Monty, the district attorney,
9:37
says, she kills this man Smith so he wouldn't tell her son she
9:41
made her live in as stripper. Oh he knows now. Who not only
9:48
knows how his mother made the money to support him, he also thinks she
9:50
may be a murderer. She must have known this, that's what happened.
9:54
How stut had she to gain by killing the Smith? People do many strange
9:58
things under emotional strain, Missus Vannerin. I've met her, mister Kig,
10:03
She's been to the school several times. She may not have had all the
10:07
educational advantages in the world. She may not earn her living in the most
10:11
conventional way, but I swear that she's a good woman, not a murder.
10:18
Please, your honor, I request the court permission who entered the case
10:31
of the States versus Ruby Lassal as altas curii? Why muskeg Are there facts
10:37
of which the court not aware? I have been persuaded that that is positible,
10:41
your honor. What fact I don't know yet, Your Honor, I
10:46
hope for other cross examination will reveal such facts. I'm afraid the court cannot
10:50
grant your request from that basis, Mister Kig, sit the court please.
10:54
The state deserves the Ruby Lassal killed William Smith in order that her son would
10:58
not discover how she earned her living. And to strengthen the document it has
11:03
shown the helpful years Ruby has struggled and sacrificed to provide for that son,
11:09
and the light of that struggle, and for the sake of that son,
11:11
let us leave nothing undone to find the truth looks for me a little like
11:16
a fishing expedition, mister Kagg. But in view of the many services you
11:22
have rendered this cord, I will permit it. Ladies and gentlemen of the
11:28
jury. Miss kagg is very well known for his ability to learn the truth
11:31
to cross examination. As to make his curry, I he will serve neither
11:37
the prosecution or the defense. He will speak the truth, no matter who
11:41
it helped her make. Thank you, your honor. I would like to
11:46
recall the defendant, Ruby Lassalle. Missus lassal has been established that William Smith
11:56
was killed with a twenty five caliber automatic pistol which belonged to you. Where
12:01
did you keep that gun in the door of the night table brom my bed.
12:07
When was the last time you saw it? I'm not sure. A
12:11
couple of weeks before the murder. I guess when did you notice it was
12:13
gone? I didn't, let's say, know it when the cops sounded.
12:18
I had bills, Bobby. Did you keep the door to your room locked
12:20
when you were out? No, so there are no locks in any of
12:24
the room. In other words, anyone in the house could have gone into
12:28
your room and taken that gun. Tell me, Missus Lassalle, were you
12:33
and mister Smith friendly? I hated him? Yes, it has been testified
12:39
that you went out with him on several occasions. Why did you do that.
12:43
I never wanted to go, but Bill said he'd tell Bobby, my
12:48
son, well my job at the club if I didn't do what he said.
12:56
Missus O'Malley, how long had you known mister Smith? For over thirty
13:01
years? Bill and my late husband used to travel for the same company.
13:05
How long ago did he come to live at your boarding house? About twelve
13:09
years ago. When mister O'Malley died, I took the insurance money and bought
13:13
the house. Mister Smith was my first boarder. Did you ever have any
13:16
trouble with him? Well, not exactly trouble. He was loud and overbearing,
13:22
and several people moved out rather than put up with him, but there
13:26
was never any real trouble. Where were you when the shot was fired?
13:30
I was in my room sawing. Did you hear the shots? No?
13:33
No, the sawing machine was making a good deal of annoyed. The first
13:35
thing I heard was mister Cohan shouting, thank you, Missus Omalley. That
13:39
will be all I should like to recall, mister Isador Cohen. Mister Cohan
13:45
take the stand, mister Collins, how long had you known mister Smith?
13:52
About the three years since I come to live at Missus O'Malley. Was Missus
13:58
Lassau living there at the time. No, No, Rugby moved in about
14:01
six months later. Dib Smith and Missus Lastile seemed friendly, well the first
14:07
day didn't. Then after a while I noticed he was. He was needling
14:11
her about the boy needling. Please explain what you mean, mister Cohen.
14:18
Oh, he'd say stuff like this. Wouldn't Bobby be proud if he knew
14:20
Mama was a stripper, you you know, the kind of thing. And
14:24
he did it to everyone. He needles everyone. Yeah, yeah, that's
14:28
right, there was. There was something queer about Smith. He couldn't be
14:31
happy till he found out something about everyone in there in the middle. Then
14:35
he drove five quarters out of that house in the three years I lifted.
14:39
That's very interesting, it's Chord. Tell me what do you do for a
14:45
living. I'm a bookkeeper for the John Hill Company. Tom, Tom,
14:50
How long have you worked there? About three years? I see, it's
14:54
Cohn. What did Bill Smith have on you? What did he needle you
15:00
about me? Right? Well, nothing, nothing at all that You've just
15:05
testified that Smith needled everyone. You've lived in that house for three years.
15:09
Surely he needed you too, What about Bill Smith has nothing on me?
15:16
Would you mind stepping down for justin moments, mister Cohan, I would like
15:18
to recall Missus Lassell for a few questions. Missus Lassal, you've heard of
15:26
mister Cohan has said about missus habits of needling people? In your opinion?
15:33
Is that the truth? That's right? Do you recall what particular remarks he
15:37
would make the mister Cohen that seemed to upset him? Well, and Bill
15:41
will get on is and he usually made some crack about Albany all of him?
15:48
Did he ever say anything else? Oh? Yeah he has sometimes he
15:52
called him Jacob. That is really live con wild. Thank you, Missus
15:58
Lasell. That is all? How much to call? Will you please return
16:00
to the sand or mister Cohen. The suppose we were to investigate in Albany
16:08
or someone named Jacob, we probably got into some sort of trouble about three
16:14
years ago. That's when you came to live at missus o'mellan. What do
16:18
you think we'd find? What did Smith have on you? I told you
16:23
he Oh what's the us to find out? Anyway? My real name is
16:33
Jacob Bomb and I'm wanted in Albany for Embever, Smith found out about it
16:37
somehow. I did he try the blackmail? No? That that was the
16:41
crazy time of the guy. He just just needled all the time. Where
16:45
were you when the shot was fired? I was in my room reading.
16:48
And what did you do? I listened for minutes and I went out in
16:53
the hall Smith Charles's a jar. I looked in the room, son lying
16:59
dead. Then I yelled for help. When you listened after the shots,
17:03
what did you hear? I didn't hear anything, not anything, No,
17:08
No, I don't think so. Then then, with that sewing machine going
17:12
in Missus O'Malley's room, I probably wouldn't have hurt any anyone who was trying
17:17
to be quiet. I see. And how long after the shot did you
17:21
go out into the hall? Oh? Must have been about a minute.
17:26
Maybe I wasn't sure it was a shot. I debated a while before I
17:30
went out. That's all, your daughter. Two facts have been brought out
17:36
that indicate we need further witnesses. Cart will call anyone you want, Missus
17:40
Keig, and that person must test fash. Jonathan Keag is about to call
17:47
of witnesses two people who had absolutely no connection with a crime, except that
17:52
they happened to be in a certain space at a certain times. If one
17:56
of the next witnesses we use you recall what you have heard, your responsibility
18:03
would be great, for you would hold a light in your hands. After
18:26
a brief resess, going with Jonathan kake Is back to Marcha to bring the
18:30
new the pivot to the courtroom. The court has reconvened, and then a
18:33
Winterrip has been called with the stand Winfrip. Where were you when the shot
18:38
was fired? I was standing just inside the front door talking to Bruce Foss.
18:44
Did you hear the shot distinctly? Well, it was a little muffled,
18:48
but I thought it came from inside the house. Then what happened?
18:52
We were discussing it when Ruby Lasare came up and spoke to us, missus
18:56
Lassau leaving the house. Yes, that she was going to work. Tell
19:00
me, miss winterb Did much time elapse between the shots and when Ruby came
19:06
to the front door, No, not a long time, long enough for
19:08
her to leave this room and come downstairs so quietly. You didn't hear her.
19:14
I think it would have been possible. You see the stairs or carpeted
19:18
and with the sewing machine going. I don't think we'd have heard her.
19:22
Thank you, Miss Winwood. That will be all for the moment. I'd
19:25
like to call mister Bruce Foster to the sand. Mister Foster, did you
19:33
hear the shot? I didn't notice, especially No, you were standing talking
19:37
to Miss Winter. He heard the shot and you didn't. Can you explain
19:41
that? Frankly, I had my mind on something else, if you must
19:47
know, mister Keg, I was trying to get ready there gives me good
19:49
night, and it wasn't going too well. I think I understand after Miss
19:59
Winter heard the shot? Did you stop talking and listen? I don't think
20:03
so. I remember thinking that Betty was just trying to distract me so I
20:07
wouldn't kiss her, and I didn't want to be put off. Did you
20:11
hear the sewing machine going? Yeah? Yeah, Betty mentioned it as we
20:15
came in, and that's how we knew Missus omaley was still up your honor.
20:18
We had Missus O'Malley's electric sewing machine here in court. I would like
20:22
the court's permission to conducted an external I'm not sure I follow your line of
20:26
questioning, Miss Kegs. Can you connect all this up, Yes, your
20:30
honor, I can and very quickly now that case, can I proceed,
20:33
bailiff? When you connect that machine to an outlet? And by that's going
20:37
on, I'd like missus O'Malley to identify this machine. Missus O'Malley, when
20:41
you please step forward and identify the sewing machine. I have to say things
20:45
to come to a pretty pass. People don't take your sewing machine. Is
20:48
that your machine? Yes? It is? How do you operate the machine?
20:53
Missus O'Malley, press this lever here with your knee. See, thank
21:00
you, Missus Malling. You may sit down now. Mister Foster, I
21:03
want you to listen as I turn on this machine. Is that the sound
21:10
you have heard that night? Yeah? I think so. It was upstairs,
21:14
of course, but that's what it sounded like. Now did it go
21:18
off and on like this? I don't know. I don't remember it sound
21:29
me like that? Did it keep glowing like this? That sounds more like
21:37
it. And that's all, mister Foster. I would like Miss Winterthrop back
21:40
on the sand. Miss Winthrop, you heard the sewing machine just now.
21:48
Is that the sound you heard that night? Yes? Mister kid. Do
21:51
you remember the machine going off? At all? Or did it run continuously?
21:56
I hadn't thought of it before. But no, I recall that it
21:59
never stop one un he'll miss the coin shouting. That's all, Miss wins
22:03
vith. I'd like to recall, Hilda a malade, missus a malle?
22:11
What were you sewing that night? Why? I believe I was hemming napkins?
22:17
Yes, I'm sure I was. Here is a large hackerchif you step
22:21
over to the machine and show me how you would hem that, that's ridiculous.
22:25
Besides, this already has a him. Do as I asked, please,
22:27
Oh all right, that's fine, This is amla. When you put
22:41
in a hem, you run one edge through the machine, then stop and
22:45
got another edge. Is that correct? Yes? I guess. So what
22:48
sort of him were you putting? It? A napkin that kept that machine
22:52
going continuously for five minutes? It didn't go for five minutes. They're lying.
22:59
We know Bill Smith had to have a club over everybody. You.
23:03
What did he have on you? He didn't have anything on me. I'm
23:07
a rest Did he pay I don't remember. You don't remember because Bill Smith
23:11
didn't pay any rank. He had a tremendous hold over you. Hill or
23:15
Malley. So you tied that knee press back so the throwing machine would run,
23:19
and went into his room and shut him with a gun you stole from
23:22
Ruby Letara. What did he have on you? It isn't true. It's
23:26
a pot. I'm so confused. How did the late lit girl Malley die?
23:30
He'll there you know everything all night. I killed Bill Smith. He
23:40
deserved it. My husband was drunk one night and by mistake, he look
23:45
at those of Arsenic where he was around the gardens. Bill was there at
23:48
the time. He advised me not say anything so there'd be no complications with
23:52
the insurance. Then the doctor finally got there. He thought it was a
23:56
natural depth and still Son stuffed me, threatening to have about the accused.
24:00
I'm glad I killed it. Honor or in the court, Yeah, guy,
24:08
The adest is in knowing how you arrived it true. Three people could
24:12
have your honor. We knew the motives of missus Lathal and mister Cohen.
24:18
Neither seemed strong enough to lead the murders. I didn't know if Hildo Malley
24:23
had a motive, but I felt she must have had one. I'm not
24:27
sure I found Jill Smith made a point almost effecting of knowing something about everyone
24:33
with whom he was associated, something they wanted to hide. It was almost
24:38
a mathematical certainty that he knew something of that kind about hilder outlook At at
24:44
timing, Sith seemed to live at Hilda's boarding house right after her husband died.
24:48
It seemed possible that Hilda's guilty secret was connected with the death of her
24:53
husband. If Saw and Smith knew of it, it would give her a
24:57
powerful reason to kill that the sawing the team is keg. That seemed to
25:02
give her a perfect alibi. Why was everyone in the house conscious of the
25:06
sewing machines at night? Your honor, It hurt it so often, it
25:10
must have been the most normal sound of the world to them, and yet
25:12
they were all strangely aware of us that one night. There had to be
25:18
something as normal about the way it ran. Once I knew that, then
25:22
hilled this alibi evaporated, gag. You've again through the accuracy of your prime
25:27
reputation. I should like to extend to you the courts and fears. Thanks
25:33
and compactly, thank you, your honest the most interesting line of reasoning,
25:47
mister Kang, Thank you mister Wallace, Let's call our listeners attention to a
25:51
most interesting event to be heard during this half hour next week. That is
25:55
to return to the air my good friend art link Letter as the star of
25:59
that popular program People Are Funny. Then the place us to be with you
26:03
these last week, and I sincerely urge you to listen every Tuesday nights at
26:08
the same time for lots of fun and laught People Are Funny. Thank you,
26:15
good night, Good night, mister Kay and friends join again with your
26:19
old friend art link Letter for the rollicking fund that we heard on People Are
26:23
Funny every Tuesday at the same time. A Life in Your Hands is created
26:41
by Old Stanley Gardner with script by Bob McKee. The program is produced by
26:45
Jack Simpson and directed by Homer Heck, with musical effects by Adela Stop.
26:48
Jonathan Kagg is played by net La feb. This is Myron Wallace inviting you
26:52
to be with us. Next week we'll return to the air that popular program
26:57
People Are Funny. This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company. Welcome back.
27:14
Well a great case and an audio clue which I think is wonderful for
27:21
radio overall. Just another well done, well told episode of course, this
27:27
was the last appearance of nid Lafif as Jonathan Keg. He would not return
27:34
to the role in the future. And I will say that People Are Funny
27:41
is really one of my one of my favorite old time radio game shows.
27:48
Really, just if you get a chance to listen to it, it's a
27:53
fantastic show. All of it's done in good humor, so truly a great
28:00
series. Next week we'll be back with the nineteen fifty episodes of Alife in
28:06
Your Hands and join us tomorrow for Let George Do It in the Meantime as
28:11
sand your comments to Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, follow us on
28:15
Twitter at Radio Detectives, and give us a call two eweight nine nine one
28:19
four seven eight three. But from Boise, Idaho, this is your host,
28:23
Adam Graham's signing off and wishing you a wonderful Christmas a happy New Year.