 Johnny dollar This is Dennis Taylor star mutual insurance company here in Colorado spring. Yes, Mr. Taylor an important client of ours Mr. Dollar his name is Melvin's Lockerty. Yes Well, he's spending the summer at one of our nearby guest ranches and he's having some visitors for a week or so He's invited them. They'll be his guests. So a dollar of Mr. Lockerty believes that given half a chance One of them will try to murder murder so if you're free if you can find the time to come out here, Mr Taylor, I'm on my way The CBS radio network brings you Mandel Kramer and the exciting adventures of the man with the action-packed expense account America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator yours truly Johnny dollar Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny dollar to the star mutual insurance company Colorado Springs office Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the fours a crowd matter Expense account item one a hundred and forty six twenty for a cab to Bradley Field a plane to New York and a jet The rest of the way to Denver the mile-high city in the middle of the most beautiful mountain country I know of and the home of radio station KLZ Item two seven thirty for a ferry plane to Colorado Springs Taylor was there to meet me. He's a short stocky gray haired man of about fifty who takes himself a bit too seriously In spite of the funny way his glasses keep slipping down his pudgy little nose I have one of my own cars right over there If you will drive me back to my office, it's yours for as long as you're here good enough Mr. Taylor now about this man Lockerty. Did you say yes, Melvin Lockerty? And he's convinced mr. Dollar that one of these relatives coming to see him wants to murder Relatives the only surviving ones he has Oh You see they're the children of his younger brother Henry who died a few weeks ago at the age of 71 Oh, I say how old is he? Well according to his policy 74 now what I point the way to go right? and His beneficiaries these three who are coming here When they're due today So you best get over to the no-name ranch where he stayed just as quickly as possible Turn here Tell me how much do you know about these relatives these heirs of his not very much I'm afraid outside of their names have a crooks or something. He's so scared of him any crook in that family It's Lockerty himself. How do you mean? Well now? How do you think he ever got hold of enough money to afford nearly a half million worth of insurance? I'm sure I don't know well then let me tell you by Horns swaggering his brother Henry out of some mining properties over near Cripple Creek That's how no properties that Henry spent a whole lifetime developing to the point where they finally began to pay off I said tricked his brother out of them and then sold them and kept the money himself a rotten thing to do Mr. Dollar and Henry had been a very close friend of mine. This Lockerty sounds like a nice selling He's a crook of the first water and if you ask me Lockerty was completely responsible for his brother's death You see it was by his own hand and you want me to protect a man like that. I know I know but with the company It's purely a matter of dollars and cents personally. I don't care what happens to it You really hold a grudge against him, don't you? No, no, no. I did not say that You didn't need to the guest ranch was on a broad level spot hacked out of the side of a mountain part of the rampart range About a half mile up from highway 24 It consisted of about a dozen neat modern comfortable cabins and from the front window of mine I had a view of not only pikes, but several other peaks that hem didn't colorful youth pass all very beautiful Yes, my name is Lockerty taking you long enough to get here. Why haven't you been to see me? Well, I want one thing understood dollar right from the beginning when these relatives of mine get here haven't arrived yet I'm still alive ain't I now I don't want them to know what you're here for you understand Yes, but mr. Lockerty look you look and listen I invited him up to spend a week with me to try and make peace with them After all they're the only relatives I got so I understand and to try to find out once and for all which one of Me is out to get me to get you why why because their father just before he died He made one of them promise to get even with me for Well, I sort of done him out of some money once your own brother wasn't it? Yes, well brother. What of it? What difference does that make? Well, how do you know about that promise because he told me before he died And which one of the three do you suspect? Well, how should I know? Haven't even seen them not for years, but now I've been getting letters telling me my time is about up threatening letters Yes, I hope you've kept them. No, I haven't I'm worried. So that's the reason I've called him here for showdown. I mean that to patch it up Here they are now Wait a minute. Mr. Lockerty Are you trying to tell me that that those three who just got out of that car? Yes, the one of them might be plotting to murder you Somebody is crazy Oh While you're smoking a new port remember this hit You Sneaked out the back door of my cabin I stood there by the window and looked long and carefully at the new arrivals while they pulled their luggage out of the car They're in front of ranch office and all I can tell you is that it was a pleasure the one who'd been driving was 267 And Another perhaps a couple years younger was a boom that a real doll Beyond saying that despite of her heavy horn-ridden glasses a plain cotton dress She was one of the loveliest most naturally beautiful girls. I've ever seen so as Casually as possible. I walked out of my cabin and salt her over to them Well, hello, we're here. I'm kitty Lockerty Oh, we all met in Colorado Springs and Mary and had a car so that's why we all got here together. Well, hi I'm Johnny dollar dollar. Oh, I thought the manager's name was what you say it was second up Oh, mr. Crawley nucleario something who cares now. Hi Johnny freckler Mm-hmm like it unusual name. Oh, I'm an unusual girl John. Yes, I can see that Your own can you think I saw him first so what darling so you can now stop you to it's manager about mr. Dollar Oh, it's Johnny and I'm Marion Marion Lockerty. Hi And the answers no he drove into Manitou Springs right after I got here, but if I can give any help What do you Johnny? I think we're supposed to have cabins eight nine and ten Johnny at least that's what uncle Melvin said on the phone Well, why don't we see if they're open? Of course, you never can tell After getting them settled in their respective cabins and calling attention to the square dance posted for that evening I went back to my own cabin and simply waited watching a While later the three of them got together and went over to mr. Lockerty's cabin Then even with his door closed I could hear him shouting at them and finally The girls went back to their own cabins separately and not speaking to each other Then I dropped in on Lockerty Crazy So you come in here for all the fireworks about mr. Lockerty. I was nice to him dollar I said I'd pay all the bills and give them anything they want up here and then I told him young I Told him that I knew one of them was after me. What'd they say to that? What do you think they acted like they never heard of such a thing, but I knew better dollar I knew better I know that Harry before he died made one of them promise to kill me. Yes, but which one? How should I know? I told you I don't know but look at them that peckless of land one Oh, quite a bitch. She's all wrapped up in herself and nobody else don't care about nobody else You think she wouldn't kill me huh because of promise make her share of the money in addition Do you think she would and so would Catherine kitty that black-haired one hot tempered little minks with those dark Shifty eyes and wish try to laugh it off when I said I was wise and how about Marion the one with the glasses Sure the quiet one but smart Just don't you forget that old saying dollar that's still waters on deep anyhow. I told him you told him just exactly what mr That whichever one thinks she's going to kill me. She won't get away with it, so she'd better admit it That's what don't you see darling? I can't sleep. I can't rest it this thing is it driving me crazy That's the understatement of the week. No, what? Look if it's a rest you want mr. Lockerty, I see by the bulletin board if there's a barn dance tonight So at least you can get some sleep while that's going on I'll try to see that they do okay, but but but don't you worry. I'll be sleeping with a gun at my side You carry a gun always do you ask me mr. Lockerty? Well, yeah, well if I ask you what? Nothing forget it Oh For my money this sausage twisted little old man was out of his mind was far more dangerous than any of the girls And yet if one of them had made a promise to kill him Well, there was only one way to find out or at least to try I Sashade on over to the barn dance It was quite an affair far more than just the guest population of the ranch with My lying mightily about my ability as a square dancer I've persuaded all three of the girls to be present then although it took a bit of an eggling Kitty and that's where we're having a high old time with some of the local boys. I managed to get them aside Separately of course for a little walk in the clean cool mountain there I know Johnny it I guess the whole ranch must have heard him ranting and raving at us Why oh he has the silly notion that one of his promise to daddy to kill him to something that happened one What did you one of you? Well, I know I didn't but I'll tell you this darling, but if I had I would have done it I mean after what he did to daddy. Oh, and what's he living for anyhow? I mean, well, don't think I'm nice. It'll be when he leaves us all is nice and money. Hmm. Yes It's getting chilly out here darling. Oh, I'm sorry. Uh, should we go back in and dance some more? Well, if you want to but it might not seem so cool, Johnny You know come to think of it. I promised another fling with your sisters, too. Oh Okay, Johnny Okay, if you want to go back in let's go back in But later Maybe yeah, maybe Why not Kitty who was the next one I managed to get away from the dance But it's the least that could happen to uncle Melvin after what he did You know all I have to say is I wish somebody would get rid of that old coot Well, why don't you do it then kitty? Well, then don't talk like that Johnny. You're talking about murder. weren't you well I know it may have sounded that way, but I didn't mean it. I hope not What are we talking about him for? Such a beautiful night and all the moonlight through the trees and Johnny she would be kind of ashamed to waste it now wouldn't it You know, it's kind of chilly to But that's an old line. Well, then it must be a good one I mean if it works and does it No, no Oh Mary and you for your fortune like an old mother hand. Well, that's what you think but Johnny promise teach me to text Star and that's what they're going to dance next. You did promise Johnny. You got to give a promise kitty. Oh John Maybe later. Yes I never dreamed that a hard-boiled insurance investigator could wait a minute now man. What did you see? Oh now look there Didn't you think I'd know the minute I heard your name? You know suppose that you're here because old uncle Melvin has this ridiculous idea that one of us is going to kill him Is it ridiculous man? Don't you know why the three of us met in Denver and came here when he asked us to why? To shield my hand so he wouldn't get silly and write us out of his insurance and his will That's all Can you see a pretty little secretary like kitty committing a murder or a softy like that? Who wouldn't have to fly my but you married me an old maid school teacher? Now what do you think John? Well, Johnny Isn't it a shame to waste all this lovely? Oh, no, why couldn't I have had a teacher like you? After the barn dance the local folks went home the ranch guests who went back to their cabins Except for kitty and feckler who'd left me flat and paired off with a couple of boys with a fancy car After delivering Marion to a cabin I sat watching at the window of my own until her lights went out then I dropped in on mr. Lockerty again Yes, I get plenty of sleep, but if you're going to bed now doll. I'm gonna stay up now look mr. Lockerty I'm going to sit here and read the rest of the night All right, never you say but fecklin kitty are out somewhere with a couple of boys and Marion's going to bed So if you ask me, oh, yeah, how is she what about the light that just went on again there and Marion's captain? Look see it. Oh Okay All right, then I'll stick around till she goes to bed again and the others come in Look if you are going to sit here for the rest of the night. Why don't I pull down this window shade? Yes? That's a good idea. Yeah I Shot was just outside the window where that was meant for you or for me Mr. Lockerty mr. Lockerty Dead now I could be brought the ranch guests out of their cabins just as quickly as they could throw something out of the Germans Except for kitty and feckler and their boyfriends who were there within minutes The short-term later Marion appeared in bathrobe and slippers. I had the ranch manager phone for the sheriff and then Terrible in spite of the way I was talking to my kitty. Well, I don't think it's so terrible. It's about time I think that's no way to talk regardless of how we may have thought about Uncle Melvin kitty That's when you two got here in quite a hurry. Where were you when it happened Johnny? You don't think it either of I don't get emotional second and Johnny thick and I and Pete Wally Oh, excuse me Johnny dolly. This is Pete and Kenzie and Wally Thatcher. Hi, mr. Dollar Well, didn't I see you for take off a while back? Yes. Yes, sir We took the girls down the road for beer after the dance Yes, Johnny We just got back and we're on our way to the cabins and we heard the shot so we came over here instead Yes, sir. That's just the way it was. I've seen and aren't you going to ask about me Johnny? What do I need to marry him? No, no Johnny you don't what's that kitty as we came up the drive We saw Marion's light go on there in her cabin. I couldn't sleep Johnny So I decided to make some cocoa and read a while, but before I could even What's the matter Johnny? motive Who else around here could possibly have a motive but Johnny honey? Surely you didn't think that one of I'm afraid I did That clever with Pete and Wally with you two and both mr. Lockerley and I saw the light go on in your cabin Marion Wait a minute There's another possibility Item three thirty five cents for a phone call the Colorado Springs to the one other person the man who said he didn't care What happened to Lockerley? Yes, dollar. Oh, then you are at home Then you couldn't possibly have fired the shot and got all the way back there by now The sheriff and his men arrived and I'll say this for them They were very thorough Also, they convinced me that disposal of a murder weapon could have been a cinch In a deep mucky little pond in back of the road cabins At the time it was fished out if it was there Fingerprints if any wouldn't mean a thing and nobody but nobody was able to give any clue to the killer Maybe so But one of those girls One of them had recognized me the only really clever one The one who'd know the value of an airtight alibi and She'd made a couple of points to me before it happened like their reason for coming and She pointed a finger at the others while seemingly defending them Only trouble was done it but not only I but others had seen that she was in her cabin when it happened That she just turned on her light in there. We'd seen it. I'd seen it Then I remembered a Little device that people use to protect their homes So item four in Manitou Springs that morning 11 25 for a gadget. I hoped would turn the trick Then that night the girls and I sat together on the porch of the office unit What did you say Johnny a trick on your powers of observation Peckler? I don't get it Johnny you will kitty now Look in through this window into the office To the wall clock Okay Now look over there at my cabin I left the lights off right which gets there up in my cabin to all right now I'm going to leave you and I want to know to the second what time I get inside my cabin and turn on the light in it Sure, and then Johnny Then you'll see Certainly taking Johnny long enough to get over there just relax back I think he has something up his sleeve if you want the truth though I can think of nicer things with Johnny than playing games Where for you to look look his nights are on things Okay, so he got there at exactly the time is exactly four and a quarter four and a half minutes Don't bother kitty. I'm right here Johnny. Johnny. I Just now so you turn on your lights way over there on your cat. So you would have sworn That's where I was wouldn't you of course so would our Johnny the way you and the boys swore that Marion was in her cabin When your uncle was killed but she wasn't My lights went on over there just now because of a simple clockwork device that I put on the lamp cord earlier and Automatic switch. That's right. People use them to put on the lights in their homes while they're away and then turn them off in the Mornings to make the house look occupied when they're not there The way Marion made it look Made it look as though she were in her cabin. Oh, no, that's right Marion But Johnny Johnny he didn't deserve to live Maybe not Marion But nobody deserves to be mooted Expense account total including the trip home call it $400 even yours truly Johnny dollar Now here is our start to tell you about next week story next week a Case with a real switch to the finish tune in won't you yours truly Johnny dollar Can you get premium gasoline performance at regular gasoline price? Find out what so many other car owners have found in free out of five cars Regular price Sinclair dyno gasoline matches performance of premium gasoline saves you up to four cents a gallon Almost anywhere you see the Sinclair sign you can save up to four cents a gallon with dyno and still get premium performance and mileage Drive with care and buy Sinclair dyno gasoline Johnny dollar is written by Jack Johnstone produced and directed by Fred Hendrickson Johnny dollar is played by Mandel Kramer Also featured in our cast with Bill Smith Edgar Staley Freddie Chandler Netty Galen Constant Simons and Randall Douse book music supervision by Ethel Huber sound patterns by Walter Otto Technical supervision by Mike Chauskas Be sure to join us next week same time same station for another exciting story of yours truly Johnny dollar This is our time to speak This is the CBS radio network