 For your listening enjoyment, John Lawn as Johnny Donner. So about hydroelectric power dams. Not a thing, should I? The Trevers can take a look at it. Well, that's very thoughtful of you, but no thanks. There's a time for him, Venezuela. Eastern Indemnity Insurance Company in Hartford, Connecticut. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the sulfur and brinstone matter. Expense account item one, $273.50. Airfare and incidentals between Hartford and Caracas, Venezuela. I was met at the Macatea Airport by the deceased trevers' partner, Senor Gatulio Matarsa, who wasted little time on the amenities. 10 minutes later, we were aboard a twin-engine Cessna with Matarsa at the controls, flying west toward the Sierra de Avalidam. As to who may appeal to your travels or why I can tell you nothing, it is possible Capitan borros of the teller of police will have more information for us when we arrive. Why federal authority is on a homicide matter? Ove Sierra de Avalidam is being partially financed by governmental funds. Naturally, the federal authorities are interested. Now, what's your opinion about Aza Trevers' report that somebody's trying to sabotage them? When it is true we have had some breakdown of equipment, some vital materials lost or stolen. I do not believe anyone is attempting to delay construction by physical means. What do you believe? In many police organizations in your dollar day, even in yours, in the United States, there will always be a small percentage of dishonest men, you're talking about Captain Borros. And it approaches the Sierra de Avalidam. Two diligent police investigations would cause disastrous work stoppages. The vital delays which could carry us far beyond the contract deadline. And at 5,000 a day, that could turn out to be pretty rough. And either you or Trevers try to prove this little theory of yours. It can be of the damn shortness in your dollar and your investigation can begin. It would not put have to be wise of me to attempt to give you any preconceived ideas. Maybe you should have thought of that before you tried so hard. Some 20 minutes later, Matassa put the plane down on a bare earth field in the midst of a jumble of giant steam shovels, earth movers, and bulldozers. Overlooking it all was the great bulk of the Sierra de Avalidam. Matassa made some excuse about having to check on a turbine insulation. So I made my way alone to the shack with the construction headquarters of the project. Who's in the center? My fault. I know I look here. I've got a way to send you off. Yeah. I'm an insurance investigator. I'm looking for Captain Borros. Insurance investigator. That's all we need out here now. Who's paying you off, Borros or Matassa? Maybe we better start over again. My name is Daller. I'm an insurance investigator. Who are you? Bill Anthony. I'm Strawboss with his outfit. And let's get one thing straight right now. I'm here to build this dam, and it's going to get built despite of you or Borros or Matassa or anyone else. Very admirable. Now where's Captain Borros? Last I heard he was going over to Traverse House. And where's that? Near the town of Puerto Acasas. I'm 10 miles north of here. We got some jeeps parked down on the other side of the hill. Don't run the boys. I said he should drive you out there. You're mighty accommodating all of a sudden. We'll get you out of my hair for a while. Yeah, that's what I figured. Oh, by the way, who's the girl I bumped into on my way in? Tell me, that's Strawboss. Ada's daughter? It's Widow, Pa. You must have been discussing some pretty important business. What makes you think so? Neither one of you remembered to wipe the lipstick off your chin. There were a few questions I wanted to put to Matassa regarding Bill Anthony and Aza Traverse commonly young widow, Filomena. But I didn't see him around. So I made my way to the motor pool and got myself transportation and a guide to take me to Aza Traverse's home. He's through then that the senior North Americano has come here under that matter of Senior Traverse Day. Well, the work's gotten around pretty fast, isn't it, Federal? Well, one has lived in the Tiena Roja as long as it's better than a quest anything strange or different become quickly known. Well, and maybe it's better than a quest to know something about why Senior Traverse was killed. I know only that when men make an evil thing, it will bring evils. You're talking about the building of the dam? Yes, senior. Why should that be an evil thing? It is not right for men to change the things which are natural to the earth, and you're too forced to throw in waters of a river or backward upon them hell. This is not a good thing, senior. You've got like a plantation on it, Federal. No, no, senior. My father was but a poor farmer who worked hard that I might go to the school of the workers here. But Federal knows this is not a good thing what is being done here today. The evil that men create will destroy him as it has already done to Senior Traverse, and there will be more. It will destroy, senior. Many, many more. Now, that's a happy thought. Aza Traverse's house was a neat white stucco bungalow half hidden by a mass of flowering bougainvillea. I left Federal de la Cuesta with his loomy thoughts while I went up to see if anyone was around. It soon became evident that somebody was. The house came from a low barn-like building at the rear of the property, and I wasted no time getting over there to see if Federal's prophecy had already been fulfilled. Hello, Senor. So we meet again, huh? Yeah. Oh, but you look so stout. You're almost as though you had expected to find a body in here. Well, I hadn't expected to find a shooting gallery, Senor Traverse. If I had it built for my amusement. I have always found fire on fascinating ever since I was a little girl. And there is little else with which one may amuse oneself out here in this wilderness. I have become quite proficient at it. What's the gun? 38 caliber on a .45 frame? Yes, Senor. And you are thinking perhaps that it is the same caliber bullet which caused the death of Asta? The thought had occurred to me, yeah. Well, it is regrettable one was disappointed, Senor. Capitán Boros has already checked the gun. Oh, no. I see. Where is the good captain? Oh, he left perhaps 20 minutes ago. We didn't pass him on the road. Are you always so suspicious of other persons' statements, Senor Dollar? Let's say I'm curious. And you find something to be curious about concerning me? Oh, a number of things. Oh. Well, I haven't told you who I am or why I'm here, but you seem to know. But of course, Senor. Phil Anthony has called me on the telephone and informed me. And you don't seem particularly grief-sticken over the death of your husband. I have a philosophy of life, Senor. It is always to look forward, never back. It is only the future when they possibly control. Never the past. Sometimes the past has a nasty habit of affecting one's future. Only if one has been guilty of some crime. And you haven't? Would you believe me if I said no? Senor Dollar, it's Senor Dollar. In here, Matassa. Senor. Senor, you must return with me to the dam at once. Why? What's up? It is a Capitán Boros. He has just ordered an immediate stoppage of all work on the dam. Senor Dollar, already the work has come to a halt. Nothing is moving, please. Team shovels, the concrete mixtures, nothing. Uh-huh. Where's Captain Boros? In the construction check with Bill Anthony. Let's talk with him. I tell you, Senor Dollar, there is only one answer for this action. Capitán Boros is looking for the payoff. We'll talk to him. I'm about ready to shoot. Well, it's about time you got here, Dollar. Have you can talk some sense into this bullheaded jackass who calls himself Captain of Police? I have listened to enough of this kind of talk, Senor Anthony. I'm willing to talk sensibly and calmly with anyone. But violent words or actions will not dissuade me the least. Well, that makes sense, Captain. Can you do the same about this sudden clampdown order of yours? Quite simply, Senor, I had no alternative. It was necessary to halt work upon the dam in order to prevent possible irreparable damage to the construction. What kind of nonsense is that, Captain? It is a statement of fact, Senor Metaza. I discovered this afternoon that Senor Anthony was about to dynamite a passageway for the new riverbed. He was employing an excessive amount of dynamite. That would bring the hillside down upon the cut that has already been made. You're lying in your teeth, Boros. I am no engineer, Senor Anthony. But when a specification is called for 25 cases of dynamite, and I find 50 such cases are being employed, drastic action of some kind is certainly called for. How about that, Anthony? He thought it's rock or dollar. I issued the specifications for the job. 25 cases were called for, and only 25 cases were taken out of the powderhouse. Seems to be a little difference of opinion, Captain. Suppose we go down and take a look at those dynamite charges. If you wish, Senor. But I can assure you, you will be able to learn nothing that will alter my decisions. Until I get to the bottom... Dynamite charges, we've set to blast the new riverbed. Somebody send them off. We bring you the second act of your truly Johnny Dollar. Subsequent investigations show that Bill Anthony's specifications for 25 cases of dynamite had cleared through the powderhouse just that way. And the explosive experts there said that only an amount greatly in excess of that could have caused the damages that had been done. And we discovered that the blast had been touched off by a crude homemade sparking contraption we found in the brush on one of the nearby hills. It was dark by the time we got back to the construction check. Matarsa was waiting for us with the report on the results of the investigating he and Bill Anthony had done. The original damage is not as great as we feared, Senor. Yeah? How's that, Matarsa? Well, it is through the explosion buried the new cot. It is only for a relatively short distance. We can bypass it through a natural canyon on the other side of the hill. The work will be completed by Friday. You are forgetting something, are you not, Senor? Your work suffages orders, Capitan Borros? No. I am flying to Caracas tonight. There are higher authorities there who can quite easily countermand your orders. I am certain they will prevent you from interfering any longer in the construction of this Sierra de Abarre dam. When I thought this, Senor, it looks like he's calling your hand, Captain. See, then I have no doubt he will succeed, Senor. There are those in Caracas who, for a handful of silver, will sell practically anything, including their souls. You know, Matarsa has the same idea about you. He's not the first, nor will he be the last. People he sufficiently always suspect. There are but few who realize that there are other considerations besides those of money. How about naming me one, Captain? Eight men have died so far in the construction of this dam, Senor. All of them during the so-called accidents which have occurred. What if I should tell you that my reason for holding construction until we get to the bottom of this consists solely of a desire to save more lives? Well, I'd say it sounds reasonable. A construction project like this Sierra de Abarre dam has not much to do at night except eat and sleep. In the mess hall, I was served up a beautiful thing called Cazuela. I was seriously considering presenting my compliments to the chef when I was called to the phone in Bill Anthony's office. I trust I did not interrupt anything too important, Senor Dahler, but I'm about to leave this dreary wilderness for the much more pleasant surroundings to be found in Caracas. Getting tired of target practice? Oh, I'm tired of many things, Senor. So perhaps when you're finished with your business there, you would care to look me up in Caracas. I will be at the Grand Palacio. That's not what you called me about. Not everything, perhaps. What's the rest of it? Well, after you left, I happened to recall what my dear husband Esau once said to me concerning the dam and the accidents which had been occurring there. What was it? The works of the dam will always carry the order of sulfur and brimstone with them. What else did he say? It is all, Senor. But it's cryptic, isn't it? It means nothing to you. Should it? Would it help any if I were to tell you that very close to where the dynamite explosion occurred this afternoon, there's an old abandoned sulfur mine? It might. And somewhere around here, Pedro. I know that there is one, Senor, but he has not been worked. There has been no one near it for many years. It could be of no importance to anyone. Suppose we find out? Not even. What is it this, Senor, hopes to discover here? I'm not sure, Pedro. Up ahead there. What's your guess? There's wooden boxes. How would I know? You've been working on the construction job, Pedro. Take it closer, look. It is the explosives, Senor. The boxes of dynamite? Yeah, come empty. I'll answer one question. What questions, Senor? Well, the excess dynamite came from that blew up half that mountain today. And take a look behind those stacked cases. Looks like we got more answers than we bargained for. When we got back to the camp, I rounded up Captain Boros. He agreed with me heartily in all respects. Senor Dolar, I would say your little treat to the sulfur mine has supplied us with several answers. Finding the dynamite, the body of Senor Bilantini... Let's not forget the gun, Captain. Hmm, 38 caliber. The same caliber that kills Senor Travert. The initials on the butt are GM. And when you consider that the sulfur mine is owned by Senor Hetulio Metarsa... Yeah, yeah. How soon are you leaving for Caracas? Immediately. Perhaps you would like to return with me. That's the second best offer I've had in Venezuela. Oh, to leave first to you. Well, I should find the answer to that at the Gran Palacio. A half later, I checked into the Gran Palacio. Valet Service did a fairly good job of removing the clinging yellow sulfur dust from my clothes, while a hot shower did the same for my skin. But nothing could help the chemical reaction of the sulfur dust that had tarnished the silver coins in my pocket until they were almost black. When I asked for Senora Travert's, I was told she would be at the Hippodromo Nacional. Expensive on item two. $3.50. Cab fare from the Gran Palacio to Caracas's sumptuous Hippodromo Nacional. Good evening, Senora. Senor Donald. Surprise. In a way, I was not expecting to see you here tonight. Do you always accept the invitation so hurriedly? Well, only under unusual circumstances. Do you find this one unusual? Well, let's say the widow's lack of grief over her husband's passing was rather marked. You're not being very amusing. Neither was your explanation about that sulfur mine. It's leading Captain Boros to Catulio MacArthur just about now. Catulio? Well, he's the one who's too bad. Why? He had promised to take care of my expenses during my stay here in Caracas. Well, you'd better start looking for another philanthropist. I, um, do not suppose... I don't think I could afford it. Oh, unfortunately. Well, in that case, I would not consider asking you to pay for my drink. I'm still not too happy about that sulfur mine explanation. Please, nothing more I can say than yours. Not even where you got that coin? Coin? The one you just threw on the bar. Tarnished. Almost black. In case you didn't know, that's what sulfur does to silver. I see. Well? It was given to me 24 years today, senora. It was the wish of a giver that I purchased a candle with to burn for my husband. Who gave it to you? Pedro de la Cuesta. It didn't take long to find Captain Boros so to make the return flight to Sierra de Abali. Locating Pedro de la Cuesta was another matter. When we finally made it, Dawn was already hitting the hills. Unfortunately, it looked like we were a little too late. And your daughter? Yeah, I see him. That box he has with him. Another spark he make a little. The dynamite must be buried in the hill beside him. Isn't the river on the other side? It is. If he explodes that dynamite, the river will break into a new channel and sweep down upon the dam. Hold it, Boros. There is no other way, senor. Only a bullet can stop him now. He can explode the charge at any time before we reach him. Let me take a crack at it. It's no good, Pedro. What you're doing is no good. It will destroy the evil, senor. It will prevent the good earth from being drowned by the wicked water. For a while, maybe, but only for a while. No matter what you do here today, that dam will be built. No, senor. It will be taken as an oven. At a time from heaven, the evil thing will be left alone to drown. Dear Pedro, who is she? You want to destroy the dam, Pedro? Because of Maria's grave? She belongs there, senor. In the good earth, we stick as so much of our strength and evil man, senor. And senor Anthony? Ah, he's obsessed. It's all for mine. I had no choice, senor. And you have given me none now. Put the bark down. It is unfortunate you must die with me. Put it down. It is too late, senor. Well, it's necessary that I miss. What if I hit the box and it caused contact? It looks unhappy thoughts. So was the one I had. What was that, senor Adola? The same thing could have happened just now when it hit the ground. $41.60. Hotel bill and incidentals in Caracas. Expense account item four, $267. Airfare and incidentals from Caracas back to Hartford. Expense account total, $585.60. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.