Latest / The Falcon Collection / The Falcon - The Case Of The Un-Silent Butler
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- Hello, Yes, this is the Falcon speaking. Oh Vivian, I'm glad you called. You have to pass me by the night Angel. I'm all tied up with some practical joker. H This boy thinks the only way to get a bang out of life is by using a gun. This is Edhurly, he friends, inviting you listen to the Adventures of the Falcon. Sorrying Leastamon. You met the Falcon first in his best selling novels. That you saw him in his thrilling motion picture series. Now join him on the air when the Falcon suls the Case of the Unsilent Butler, Now the Case of the Unsilent Butler. It's early afternoon in New York and in the swank officers of the Conried Oil Company. The president of the outfit plumbs through a stack of correspondence. It's quite obvious that mister Conried is a big operator. And if you're wondering how he got there, just watch him in action. What is it, miss Rodgers. I'm sorry about you, mister Conray, but there's a Daniel Lyons here to see you. Daniel Lyons he used to be with the Cooper Detective Agency. He says he has a three thirty point. Oh, yes, yes, send him in. Conray will see you now, mister Lyons, Miss Rodgers, yes, you see that, were not disturbed Conray. That's right. I'm Dannel Lyons. Is indeed a pleasure, sir, won't you say? Darn thanks? You're probably wondering why I sent for you, now that you mention it. I am your company has its own staff of troubleshooters. Well, the assignment I had in mind for peculiar talents, and I don't think our boys are equipped to handle it. What makes you think I am? Weren't you the detective whose license was revoked for your part in a Nordon affair? Yeah, but I was framed. I'm terribly sorry to hear that. What do you mean, the man with an imagination capable of figuring out the method of swindling mister Norton should go far? Could you use someone like that? I could, and I'm your boy. What's the patch, mister Lyons? I don't know how much you know about the oil business, very little. Have you any idea how we locate a well? I always assumed you just kept digging in hope for the best. Oh, it's a little more scientific than that. However, there's still a great deal of guesswork involved, so much so that last year alone my company lost six million dollars sinking new well's. Oh that's tough, but that's one of the gambles of your ragged isn't it. Yes. Indeed, however, three months ago an engineer named Robert Butler invited to that takes practically eighty percent of the guests work out of locating oil wells. He called it the Butler Petroleum Detector gemck like that ought to be worth a fortune. If it is, then it seems to me I'd get hold of this Butler character. You should give me credit for that much intelligence, sir. But you see, Robert Butler died in an accident two weeks ago. What happened to the invention? He left it to his brother Arthur, who unfortunately contracted to sell it to an independent prospector named Just Stevens before he heard from us. What if he did sell it to Stephens? Couldn't you arrange with Arthur Butler to give you a set of plans? There are no plans. They were all destroyed in the accident that killed the inventor. The only thing that exists is a twelve inch working model. Need I add, mister lyons as such, it's extremely valuable. What do you call valuable? If we got it instead of Stephens, it would be worth one hundred thousand dollars And no questions asked, mister Connor, And no questions asked, mister Lions Taxi taxi? All right, driver, let's go to the Oh excuse me a moment, uh say, mister hey, yeah, what's the trouble, No trouble. My name's Arthur Butler. I like to make things easy for people. Huh. I got a date with a fellow named Jess Stevens. Why I'm supposed to meet him at Mike Warren's apartment at the Belmore. What's that supposed to mean to me? Well, it should mean something. You've been trailing me ever since Friday, and seeing as how I'm only going to be in town another few hours, I wouldn't want to lose you now, so long, All right, driver, let's go. Hmmm? Is uh at the right time? Like more or less? Stevens? What's keeping our friend? Mister Butler? Now relaxed, Jess, He's only five minutes late. He'll probably be here. What did I tell you come in? Well, good afternoon, gentlemen. All right, Butler, we were just talking about you. I'm sorry, I'm late, that's okay. I just didn't want to miss my plane in San Francisco. I've got to leave in half an hour, and we get going. I don't see why not. All right, Mike, suppose you take over? Well, I don't think there's much for us to do. Did you bring the model of the petroleum detective with you? Butler? Yes, sir, I got to write in this grip, change them my wrist. All right, get your key ready. According to the contract you would to get twenty five thousand dollars. Stevens give you a thousand when the contract was signed. And right here I have his check for the ballot. Is it certified? No? But I can assure you it's good. How do I know that? M m? Well, this is on a San Francisco check. I'm sorry, gentlemen. I won't do now. Look here, Butler, we made a D'll take it easy, Jess, I'll handle this. Listen, Butler, trak is legal in binding. You try to renege on it. Oh, I have no intention of reniggan, mister wearing. But until I see that twenty four thousand dollars ballance in cash, I'm not turning over this model. And where can we cash or check this size? On Saturday afternoon? All that's your problem. All I can say, Butler, that you picked an awfully queer time to turn suspicious. Maybe I did, But you can't blame me. I don't know you people too well, and I don't meaning no offense, sir. But what guarantee have I that mister Stevens isn't trying to flim flam me? Why? Why you? That's easy? Easy? What do you mean, Butler? That's what I said? If everything's on the up and up about this deal? Well, why is mister Stevens in such a hurry to leave New York? And why's he had me? Followed followed Have you had a tail on him? Jess? Has he helped me? Mic? The guy's crazy? He must be imagining things, Butler, And don't tell me that I've seen the same gentleman too often. Yesterday posed as a bill collector. This morning he was a telephone repair man. What did he look like? He's a heavy set lad, must weigh about two hundred and ten pounds brown curly hair. Across the bridge of his nose was a small scar. Sounds like Danny Lyons lion. Who's he? The private detective who recently lost his license for being mixed up in some swindle? Now tell me I'm imagining things and I look, Butler, Stevens didn't hire a lion? And who did? I don't know? Maybe I can guess who? Carl Conrad? Carl Conried? Who's he? Oh? One of my competitors. Listen, Mike, is this man lying is dangerous enough? Then I want you to leave that model here? But later you're crazy. I'm not letting this out of my sight to like collect that twenty four thousand dollars I got coming. You'll have it monday morning, just as soon as my bank opens in San Francisco. Yeah, you'll get the detector. Then. Well, the least you can do in the meantime is to hire a bodyguard. Don't you worry about me, mister Waring. I'dn't look after myself. Oh sure, last man I heard say that was guest of honor of the autopsy last week. All right, Butler, we'll supply the bodyguard. Yes, is John Webster in well, I think you will see me. Where is he in there? Just a second? It's all right. I'm an old friend of the family. What goes on here? Hello? Johnny? Mike wearing time to stop in Webster That it's okay, Pat. This is the falcon we used to play hockey together. Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know. How could you sit down? Mike? Thanks, I haven't seen you in months. How's it going, Johnny? Oh? It couldn't be better, right Pat? Oh? Yes, everybody seems to want to hire this webs Well, what about the well, the furniture, Well, I was referring to the lack of it. Oh, we took it out, do we We ordered a new batch, you know that modern chrome stuff. Pat thinks it's kind of flashy for a private dick's office, But I didn't. What do you say, Mike, Well, I say I'm a prey, glad to hear you doing so well. Yeah, I'm working on a case. Now that's a hum dinger five thousand dollars fee. Well, I guess I have to find myself out of the boy. What do you mean? Oh, I had a little routine bodyguarding job, but I could see you and be interested. Whoa, whoa, whoa sit down? I really got to go, Johnny, not until I get that job. But this would only last forty eight paid twenty bucks a day. That's forty more than Pat and I saw all week. I was bluffing, Mike. I haven't had a case in months. Do I get yours? Sure? Johnny? Thanks? What's the story? What is a man named Arthur Butler staying at the belvedere? He'll give you all the dope either, boy, you want me to keep an eye on, You're not to let him out of your sight for a minute. He's got an oil detector gadget on him. That's worth a fortune, expecting me. Yeah, but I got a call and tell him you're on your way. Oh Mike, huh, it don't work. The phone company and me a feuding. You mean they're sore because you don't pay your boo? Is that ridiculous? Oh? Okay, Johnny. If one of him outside it does a booth in the lobby. Yeah, I'll see. It's a long pat, but nice knowing you? Thank you? Well? Baby? What do you think? I don't like it? Johnny? Why don't ask me? I just don't like it, don't be silly bad. I got a hunch this is where our luck starts to change. Forty dollar case. Guys have made fortunes in this racket starting with less. I wonder how much that catch, if this public character owns, is worth. Oh go away, look, will you please go away? There's nobody home that you wearing. So sorry, mister wedding, not the goddess. I scotch you on it. Don't be funny? Eh? Who is this author? Butler? Oh? Do you realized what time it is? Butler? I'm sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to congratulate you and your buddy mister Stevens for that cute stunt you pull. Stunt, Yeah, signing around at Johnny Webster. It's the matter with Johnny. Well, that all depends on your point of view. From yours, he couldn't have done much better. Look, buddy, you're not making sense. Let me talk to Webster put him on. Well that's a nice act, fellow, but it won't sustain. What are you talking about? Your friend? Johnny skipped? Johnny skipped? What about the model? Oh, don't feel badly, he didn't know the look it. He's got it all right, But I want it back, Wearing, And if I don't hear from you within one hour, you'll be hearing plenty from me. Now back to the Adventures of the falcon. An hour has passed since Arthur Butler informed Mike that Johnny Webster removed not only himself but the Butler petroleum detector as well. Now in his hotel room, mister Butler seems strangely annoyed. Well, what have you got to say for yourself? Wearing? You told me that Johnny Webster was trustworthy. You said, with him on the job, I had nothing to worry about. How did you learn that he skipped? Butler? I woke up at three in the morning and discovered this. That's the change you had on the grip, isn't it. Yeah, you always sleep with a chain, dear, risk, only since I got to New York. But as you can see, somebody took a pair of wire clippers to it. Where did you leave Johnny before you went to bed on a sofa? He said he was going to read for a while, or so, he claimed. I listened, Butler. You've got to bleed me. I recommended Johnny Webster in good faith. I'll get back that model for you. Why as soon as I can find him, Now that may be years, and I can't afford to wait. I'm going to the police wearing. No, you don't want to do that, Nona, you just watch Look you're wrong, Butler. Publicity is the last thing you want in this case. No use talking. I made up my mind. Did you ask your cab? Do we now? There's usually one down at the corner, and it seems like you're out of luck. Taxi, Hey, Taxi, wait a minute, Butler, I said, you're not going to talk me out of this. No. Look over there, Look over there, that's Chevy Park across the street. Or what about it? That's Johnny Webster's heap what, I'm sure of it? But I remember correctly. The rear right fender was off. If this is some kind of a gag whearing, well, what would be the point. What did I tell you? This is Johnny's car? Al right? Why do you suppose he left it here? Maybe he ran out of gas. No, what Johnny ran out of was luck. But behind the front seat, what do you mean? Oh, that's right, he's dead, and judging by that knife in his back, it wasn't due to an overdose of sleeping. Yes, I'm looking for a party named Danny Lyons Lions. I'm sorry, mister Wearing, Mike Wearing, you have the wrong apartment. There's no such person here, are you, Carl Conry, that's right? Come here, thank you. I was giving to understand that Lions is working for you? And where did you hear that from the usual reliable source, you know how trustworthy they generally are, so well, this came from a friend of mine, man named Jess Stevens. Ever hear of him? Stevens, I don't believe I have. He's in the oil business too, though not on the scale you people are. Oh, of course, he prospects for oil on his own, what we call wildcatter. And mister Stevens led you to believe that this Lion's chap was in my employe, that's right, doing what trying to get hold of the Butler petroleum detective. Believe me, mister Wearing, I've been in this business thirty five years and I never heard of that. Just what is that contraption supposed to do? Take a lot of the guesswork out of locating new oil fields. It must be extremely valuable, Yes, must be someone I have a private detective named Johnny Webster to get it last night. Surely, mister Wearing, you don't think, Yes I do. I don't know whether you're aware of it, sir, but you're being very insulting. If I am, it's entirely intentional, then you can understand under the circumstances I must ask you to leave. Oh sure, and I'll be back. You needn't bother, mister Wearing. First of all, I don't believe any such object as the Butler petroleum detector exists. That's your privilege. Oh just the moment, sir. I wouldn't want you to go off feeling I'm one of those diehards who doesn't believe there's anything new under the sun. As I said, I don't believe any such invention exists. However, I'd be willing to pay one hundred thousand dollars to the man who can furnish the necessary proof that I I'm wrong. I hope I'll be seeing you, mister Wearing. Where do we go from here, mister Waring? Or don't you know? And I'm convinced that Conried was lying to meet Pat But I'm sure he doesn't have the Butler detector, yet he practically offered me one hundred grand to turn it over. On the other hand, I'd swear it came as no surprise to him that your boss was murdered. It came as no surprise to me either. I told Johnny I didn't want to get mixed up in this. Why isn't that obvious? No? Who could foresee that Johnny would be hurt? This was a routine job as a secretary. You ought to know that. I only know he's dead. Kind of went for the guy, didn't you. What do you think I think if I never accomplished another thing, I'm going to find this killer now. Who knew that Johnny got the job to nurse Butler along? No one sure there wasn't no leak. I'm positive Johnny left this office a couple of minutes after you did. Did you tell anyone? Did I tell anyone? Inadvertently or otherwise? Got your nerve? I'm sorry, Pat, but I can't afford to overlook any possibilities. How long did you work for him? That's none of your business, and he couldn't have been paying you very much. If my memory serves me right. He said this was the first case he'd had in months. Do you think you can rob beat me because I'm a woman. I knows you haven't tried it with Danny Lyons. I haven't been able to locate mister Lyons yet. Well, what about your friend Jess Stevens? What about him? What seems to me if you're going to ask personal questions he ought to take his turn in answering him. How well do you know him? Well enough? I was in the army with him, So what does that prove? Just because a man wears a uniform, does that make him a solid citizen? Suppose Butler was right about what that check Stevens tried to give him for twenty four thousand dollars. Suppose it was robber and since Butler wouldn't accept it, Stevens knew that the only way he could get the model was to steal it. And Johnny caught him in the act. Got it all figured out, haven't you. Well? It makes as much sense as any theory I've heard you advance. Yes, it does. Even I'll have to admit it's worth looking into. I'll let you know how I make out, Barender backender. Let me have a bourbon and water there you are? Yes? No, And they told me at the desk I find you in the barn anything you, Mike? Oh yes, no, what do you say we squat? Huh? I've been doing a lot of blake work this morning. Okay, you want to drink and no, I'll sit this one on, say bartender, serve that drink over here, will you? Oh story, Mike, how long you think it'll be before we can locate that model? You seem more concerned about finding that than nabbing Webster's murderer. Okay, if you want an honest answer, yes, I want to get my hands on that detector for me. That's all what counts. Well, let me tell you something, Jess. I don't care if I never see that miracle machine again. I'm only interested in one thing. I'll bet you are give it in touch with conraid, haven't you? What's that supposed to mean? Just what it sounded like? But the offer you you accusing me of selling you out? All I know is you seem to have forgotten suddenly that you're supposed to be a friend of mine. Now, well, friendship works two ways, Jess. We have a mutual agreement. I can drop you just as you can cancel me out. Thanks for reminding me, Mike, I have to do just that. Just a second, Hello lions, mister Conrad, what are you doing here? Well, if that mountain wouldn't come to Muhammad, Muhammad must necessarily go to the mountain. While I was keeping out a side, you might have at least phoned me, Lion, I had nothing to tell you, Mike wearing head. He told me that a chap named Johnny Webster lost his life last night trying to prevent a theft from Butler's hotel room. So so I'm merely putting two and two together. Sometimes you wind up with twenty two that way. I mean ask you a question, mister Conrad. I suppose I told you I haven't got Butler's what you McCall it. I wouldn't believe you. I thought you'd say that. How high will you go for it? We made a bargain last week life. Yeah, but the whole thing was strictly speck. Then if I guarantee to bring it over to your place in an hour, what it'd be worth to you? I still think the stipulated price of one hundred thousand is more than ample. Will you go fifty more twenty five and that's my limit. Okay, what time you got now? At nine o'clock, body your office, start counting it out. I'll see you at ten. Now back to the Adventures of the Falcon. An hour has passed since Danny Lyon's promised to deliver the Butler petroleum detector to mister Conrid. Now at Mike Wearing's apartment, the Falcon is just returning home. Come on in, Wearing, the water's fine. What are you doing in my apartment? Lines, don't ask so many questions. Just shut the door like a good boy. You mind pointing that gun elsewhere? I don't tell me it makes you nervous? Yes, very you have no idea how easy those things go off? What makes you think I don't? Well, I assumed you preferred knives. What kind of a crack is that I was thinking of? Johnny Webster Lesson Wearing. Don't get me any more annoyed than I am. Now. I made an appointment for ten o'clock and it's five after already. That's too bad. Yeah, I phoned my party a couple of minutes ago, and he's getting real impatient. But don't let me keep your fellow you are. Where's the thing of the jig? You mean the Butler patroleum detector? Yeah? I don't know. And what's more, I don't care well, I care plenty, So open up wearing a careful friend. I just had the sup press. I listen. I never liked you, and I wouldn't need much excuse to pot your hair with this cannon. So let's not have any smart answers. You understand. I just can't help it. I used to be a quiz kid like car Lions. Drop it out, drop it wearing right where it does the must do it? Wear it, wear it? I cut it out? Butler? You all right? How can I tell what? You slapping me? Silly? I'm sorry? Can I get you anything? You wouldn't happen to have a spare head on you? I'm afraid now what happened? Well, it would take too long to tell you. How'd you find me? I came up to see if you had any more information? What about the police? There's nothing new there, you know? If they were spoken to Pat Dryden? Yet Pat Dryden, who's he? It's a she? She was Johnny Webster secretary or what she got to do with this She's a gall with plenty of ideas. Here. She hooked up with Stevens because I'm convinced he's the boy I'm after. I'll bet you anything you want. He killed Webster and stole my model. I looked by her. Don't misunderstand me, Wearing. I don't think you had anything to do with it. Thanks? What times you got? Uh? Ten thirty? Why? Because I've got a hunch, and with a little luck, I may be able to wrap this whole thing up in a couple of minutes. Who you calling? Oh, Conry, You're barking up the wrong tree. I've been riding a Meeric around for the past twenty four hours. It's time I got lucky and caught the gold ring. Hello. Hello about you? Conried? Yes, Mike Wearing, I have nothing to say. You don't hang up, Conray, You'll be sorry. Remember that proposition you made me this afternoon? No, all right, I'll refresh your memory. You offered me a ou of thousand dollars for the working model of the Butler Petroleum Detective. I'm no longer interested, mister Wearing. What I don't care to buy, I'll sell it for seventy five. I guess there's only one way to convince you I'm not interested. Hell conried Conry and he hung up forget the number back. There's no need to do that. I proved my point. Oh what was it? Oh I'm sorry, but I thought you knew. I was just proving that you killed Johnny Webster. The one thing I can't decide like is just who owes whom an apology? Now? I suppose we call the honors, even, Jess, we both made mistakes. You sure you didn't make one in turning Archer Butler over to the police. Oh no, there's no question about that. Butler killed Johnny all right? Why all the convincers that the detector had been stolen from him and it never happened. But why should a man steal from himself? No reason except he could make a very handsome profit there. But I don't get it. Another contract here with Butler. Yeah, well, after Butler signed it, Conrad offered him more for the model, but by then it was too late. Butler knew he couldn'treak the contract with you. Course you sued and collected every penny he had. He followed me. I think so? Is that why Butler refused to accept my check. Sure he knew it was good, He just wanted to stall. And that's when he decided on this brilliant scheme of robbing himself. Hmm. That was the only way he could wheezle out of the contract. Now you've got it. The Butler Patoleum detector was unique if it was stolen, so there's nothing you could do about it. He couldn't ask him to turn over the plans because none existed. Guy, still don't see why he killed Johnny. Well, he had to the webster on the scene every minute of the time. Butler's story of the theft would never stand up. But this way, with Johnny dead, it looked even better. Yeah, yeah, but how did you learn the truth? At ten o'clock to night, Conried was ready to buy the model from Lions. Allions didn't have it, otherwise he wouldn't have come to my place, and he couldn't have gotten them from me because I never had it to begin with. So so when I found Conrad just half an hour later, he was no longer interested in the model, not at any price. All that convinced me that we'd already had it. A man doesn't cool off like that, So the only one he could have brought it from was Butler. Once I hit Anot, the rest was easy. I see. It's simple enough now, but we all should have realized it right at the beginning. Why you don't know your detective stories and practically all of them. So was the butler who did. Good Night, Jed