 From Hollywood, it's time now for Johnny dollar John. This is Harry Branson a Philadelphia mutual liability and casualty company Well, hi Harry. What is it this time fraud murder arson? No, no, none of them What kind of a case has you in a dither this morning as a matter of fact John? There is no case. Oh, now. Don't tell me you're spending company money on just a social call. Why Harry, of course not John I wish you to take a motor trip with one of our very important clients. Well now that depends perhaps you've heard of her Betty Charlene Winters. Uh, no, but she sounds interesting. She is. She's one of the most charming people very wealthy too. John You'll love her. Oh, tell me more. I want you to accompany her to her summer place on Lake Wawayande in northern, New Jersey. Sounds better all the time On expense account of course plus a fee of $1,000 for the week or any fraction thereof. How can I lose Harry? I'll grab the first train Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action-packed expense account America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours truly, Johnny Duller Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Duller to the Philadelphia mutual liability and casualty company Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the wayward widow matter Expense account item one twenty one fifty fair and incidentals Hartford to Philadelphia At his office on Walnut Street Harry Branson looked as though he'd been just sitting there waiting for me ever since his phone call I'll get straight to the point John. Well good. Good. You don't mind if I sit down first though. Do you know? No, of course not As I told you on the telephone Mrs. Winters is one of our missus You didn't tell me that her husband died just a short time ago. Oh And you the old friend of the family have been consoling the lovely widow. I John yeah when you pick him You really pick him Harry Hey, do you remember that little brunette you went for in the last case? John that has nothing whatsoever to do with the matter at hand. Yeah, okay, maybe not. Oh, but you sly dog I'm betting right now. You wish you could make this trip to the lake instead of me. Of course. I do The beautiful forests and mountains up there at this time. Oh sure just for the scenery Alright now tell me off. Well the winters were very wealthy Betty Charlene winters still is Thanks among other things to the half million dollars. She received on her late husband's double indemnity policy half a million You make this sound more attractive every minute John Well, you don't suppose the gorgeous babe helped him have an accident in order to collect that John you are being absurd Am I tell me this was he older than she? Yes, he was haha and two and two make four and you are making no sense at all Hey, you have got a case on her, haven't you? Will you please stop this nonsense and listen to me? Now as I started to say their lovely home is out between Ardmore and Brynmore I go on their home which mr. Winters inherited from his father and his grandfather before him is a veritable art gallery I see but she is going to dispose of most of it to the better-known museums and galleries She plans to sell the family mansion to just as soon as the estate is settled doesn't go for the old stuff Oh, you're quite right. Her taste is more for the modern. That's the way. I like them. I beg your pardon Nothing go on Harry. Yes Some of the things however she is taking up to the summer home on Lake Wawayanda. Oh, well now wait a minute Harry Am I taking Betty Charlene? Mrs. Winters John, please okay? I'll stay out of your territory for the time being But am I being hired to take her up to the lake or just some of this junk you've been talking about both ah You see there's one thing in particular some Statue or other that she wants help with statue on so you and she and the statue will make the trip Now that's the kind of chaperone. I like what do we start I must confess It's quite a relief to get out of that office for a while. Oh, I don't try to kid me Harry The only reason you wouldn't let me find my own way out to this winter babes home babe Honestly, John you sometimes carry this levity much too far by the way, how long ago did her husband die about Four months ago. Oh brother. You don't even wait for the ashes to get cold. Do you John? I tell you that he died Well, it was an accident yeah in the car during a little trip that they were making south of here He'd taken over the wheel from the chauffeur They struck the abutment of a bridge over a tidal creek leading out to Delaware Bay Oh He was thrown out and his body was carried into the bay was never recovered And so our tasty little dish was left with a quarter million life insurance a huge A sign I simply will not listen to any more of this sort of nonsense Besides this is the driveway up to the house Lovely place isn't it? It was lovely There must have been over an acre of perfectly tended lawns and gardens And in the middle of top of slight rise was the main house built of solid white stone of some sort old too But in beautiful condition This was wealth. All right and plenty of it. Harry's year old car looked almost toddler in this setting We stopped one of the broad front steps and across a wide porch and rang the doorbell Oh, mr. Branson, that's right. Mrs. Winters is waiting for you in the sun. Thank you. Come John The butler led us through a large reception room a huge living room Both of them hung with beautiful prints and paintings through the Walnut panel library with its high ceiling and hundreds of letter bound books Finally after passing through a long corridor lined with statues and magnificent bosses. We entered the spacious Sun Room They are standing in front of a chair at the window as a chauffeur and in the chair set Betty Charlene Witters Mrs. Winters may I present special investigator John Dollar Well, she was a cute little thing that I will say But instead of a young blonde and beautiful Let's face it. She was 70 if she was a day All my dreams of a high old time during a week at a mountain lake suddenly vanished into thin air Investigated did you say mr. Branson? Yes, I see Well, don't just stand there sit down and be comfortable both of you. Thank you. Uh, yeah Something wrong, Mr. Dollar. No, no, not at all. Oh Haskins here's my chauffeur in general handyman. Hi, Haskins. Mr. Dollar I've just asked him to get the statue ready for our little trip. You may go now. I ask him. Oh, thank you My dad. No, wait, please. I uh, I wonder if I might see this thing We're taking up to the lake Mrs. Winters. Well, of course, it's right there in the corner behind you, Mr. Dollar The chair did chairman. Oh, I This isn't it beautiful Well, it was a chair of all right about four feet high with a couple of doves flooding around his feet at least That's what I gathered from the garish paint on it Believe me, it looked like something a third grader had slapped together as a joke on his modeling glass Now I'm no artist But so help me I could have done better myself with a handful of mud with my eyes closed No family peace, Mr. Dollar and tea. I started to say what I was thinking But then Haskins lifted the atrocity off its pedestal and left with it Haskins has made a special box for it. He'll place it in the car so we can leave with it tomorrow You are ready to leave on such short notice aren't you Mr. Dollar? Well, now look Mrs. What is I yes his luggage is right outside in my car Mrs. What is then Eric you may fetch it and put it in one of the guest room. Yeah, very good madam But by the way, I hope you know how to drive a piercero. Oh, Mr. Pierce or did you think perhaps Haskins would drive us up to the lake? Well, I don't know. No Haskins is leaving today on his vacation And I wonder if he will come back. Why do you say that Mrs. Winters? Oh I've been having some trouble with him. Oh, I thought you were always eminently satisfied with Haskins until recently until the death of my husband He's been If he doesn't come back, I should have to replace him But now Mr. Blanton. Yes, you're a bit of a rascal You didn't tell me you were bringing a detective to go along with me Investigator Mrs. Winters insurance investigator Since the company wouldn't permit me to issue any special insurance on that that thing But I thought you were going to bring me just some straw Bodyguard I have known John for many years Mrs. Winters, and I assure you now don't apologize I think this is fine. I just hadn't expected so much Such a nice good-looking young But now come Mr. Dollar, and I'll show you the rest of the house We spent the next hour or so on a tour of the place and Mrs. Winters pointed out the various works of art Destined for specific museums and galleries all over the country after she moved out after the estate was settled Then every caught up with us and announced that Haskins had created the statue and placed it in the car You know, I was curious about that car. So we went out to the garage and inspected it It was a pierce arrow. All right, vintage of 1928 complete with headlights on top of the fenders and as bright and shiny as the day was made When I tried to starter it purred like a contended kitten with a bass voice that Along about five o'clock Mrs. Winters with a sparkle in her eye announced it was cocktail time Harry being a teetotaler decided to leave but not before I button-hold him for a quick conference What doesn't make sense John? Oh, that silly statue Harry all the fuss over that piece of junk after all John with all the big Policy she carries with us on the legitimate artwork. Well, we just can't afford to displease it But if it had any real value perhaps it does to her how can it unless she has a lot of jewelry hidden away in the base of it or so What John a cocktail she said and I'm sure ready for him go on back to Philly Harry and wait for my final report Well, I must admit that Betty Charling Winters turned out to be a charming hostess a very interesting conversationalists Even long after dinner over brandy and cigarettes. We chattered away like a couple of magpies. I Didn't question her about the statue because I wanted to find out more about it on my own hook Finally about midnight. We decided to retire had a nightcap and went to our respective room But instead of going to bed I sat around and read for a few minutes turned off the light waited a few minutes more Then quietly I slipped out of my room That was a mistake or as I reached the end of the long hall to the stairway a door behind me suddenly open Huh, who's there? I Said who's Well of yours truly Johnny dollar in a moment with the bigger more impressive Kaleidoscopic change of events on the world scene today We sometimes forget the smaller kaleidoscope the child's toy with its ever-changing designs and color The kaleidoscope is a fantastic experience for any child. That is any child who can see But one of those children who cannot experience the ecstatic pleasures of form and color in the ever-changing world about them This problem has bothered many and many such people have tried to solve it One-time soldier in the United States Army Robert Neiman is one of them Captain Kenneth Moyer also of the Army is another Both men while stationed in Japan recently said about the task of raising funds for the purpose of providing eye examinations and operations for sightless Japanese children in Return for this gesture Japanese eye surgeons did not charge for their services For those children who could not be cured Braille typewriters were purchased and donated for training purposes in the hope of giving a few more people useful lives Both Neiman and Moyer worked independently of each other neither knew of the others interest in such a gratifying project Both have continued the work with enthusiasm The results of their efforts when a blind child sees again or perhaps for the first time That is their reward For a child as for an adult new site leads to understanding and Understanding is a building block of freedom the right of all men Everywhere and now act two of yours truly Johnny dollar and the wayward widow matter When I came to it was morning and I found myself in my pajamas lying comfortably in my bed in the guest room There was nothing comfortable about the lump on the back of my head Whoever had slugged me out there in the hall had meant business. I got up painfully went down the hall I made a quick check of the room from which the attacker had surprised me. It was just another guest. I Showered dressed and went downstairs where I found Mrs. Winters at the breakfast table She was very much distressed over what had happened and suggested we go out and look in the trunk of the car immediately There now you see mr. Dollar the box with the statue and it hasn't been touched. I don't understand it Where is your chauffeur, Mrs. Winters? I asked him left on his vacation last evening. I thought I told you, but surely you don't think has Well, you said you were having trouble with him Maybe we'd better open that box to make sure that it hasn't been touched and I'm the only one who has a key to that little lock on it Yeah, I see But now it's pretty logical to assume that whoever slugged me last night was interested in Hey, Mrs. Winters, how long has Eric your butler been with you? Why Eric the dear boy has been with me for nearly 30 years But good heavens, you surely don't suspect him of anything like this. He's a very fine person mr. Dollar and a perfect gentleman Oh certainly more of a gentleman than my late husband ever was in spite of his money Oh, I must confess that although his death was a terrible shock Well, life has been a great deal easier for me since he passed away Just how do you mean that this is what it's nowhere. Why talk about it something that? Oh No, I not talk about it I'm married Charles for his money mr. Dollar I'd never got any further than the front line of the chorus until he came along Would you believe that I was a chorus girl? Well, it's a matter and the wealth and the luxury that he could give me was very attractive was very satisfying for a long long time But for the past 10 or 15 years maybe more he insisted that we just stay penned up in this musty old Museum he called a home and what happened well all our friends were traveling around the world seeing new places and new people We just sat here looking at four walls and that each other Except for a couple of blessed months up at the lake You'll love the place up there mr. Dollar. It's new and fresh and modern. I Built over his protests people young people came to see us and it was such a relief from a Well, I'm sorry this must be so boring for you to hear not at all now look Why don't we call the police and about this thing that has happened to you? Come we'll go right back into the house and wait a minute. No, that's not a bunch of policemen parling around would scare him off Whoever he is suppose you're attacked again at least I'm ready for it now I just don't like you're taking this chance Of course we could leave go up to the lake run away from him Yes Of course it might prove whether he's interested in the statue if he follows us. I mean oh dear Why don't you let me call the police only if you think they ought to be around here to protect the house while we're going No, no, that isn't necessary. We have a very efficient burglar alarm system Well, it doesn't look as always working very well last night does it? Unless it was someone in the house who attacked me Who else is there besides you and Eric? No one except the cook male or female? Oh, no No, sit down and not Martha why the poor deal is nearly as old as I am and the real companion for me Strange I know but we're really nice friends. All right. Let's go back in have our breakfast pack our things and go on up to the lake Eric who served the breakfast and whom I hadn't seen since dinner last evening kept giving me around a strange look And as soon as breakfast was over I quickly stuffed my things into my handbag and headed down to the garage Eric is waiting for me there He insisted that he put my things into the trunk of the car Which killed any chance I might have had to pry open the box with a statue I Started a question about the night before But as it turned out my questions were quite unnecessary. Yes, mr. Dollar It was I who carried you back to your room and put you to bed. Oh You see I was making a fine inspection of the house as I always do after everyone else has retired I'm always concerned about the many valuable things we have. I don't blame you Well, I was on my way up the main staircase when I heard you fall I was slugged forgive me, sir But when I found you there at the head of the stairs, I thought your condition was due to you must pardon me Sir, but it was due perhaps to having imbibed too much brandy after dinner Not a bit of it somebody barge out of that guest room and struck me from behind But I saw no sign of anyone else about you're sure most certain sir Was this fancy burglar alarm system you have turned on yes, sir Well, then whoever did it either stayed in the house until this morning or knew the place well enough to get out without setting off the alarm But I don't see how that would be Have you called the police, sir? No, we're not going to Mrs. Winters and I are leaving for the lake just as quickly as possible But don't you think this is sufficiently serious to Warren don't forget one thing Eric. It was pretty dark in that hall The attack might have been intended for you. Good heavens, but why sir? I don't know Eric you may fetch my bags from my room on mr. Dollar and I planned the trip very well madam No, you don't know how glad I'll be to get there Such a relief from this place and All the things associated with it I'll be so glad one child's estate is settled and I can sell this old house and just Martha and I can stay at the lake Oh I know all the paintings and things are all very fine and valuable But I'm so tired of looking at them. Well, then why do you take this so-called? I beg your pardon the statue up to the lake. Well This is different. Oh, yeah, I'll grant you it is a bit different from the other things that oh Let's talk about it along the way But we didn't simply because I didn't bring up the subject again. Why not? Because a couple of pretty wild ideas had begun to peck away at the back of my brain Ideas just crazy enough to have some basis in fact The 1928 Pierce arrow ran like a dream in spite of its advanced stage and Mrs. Winters in spite of her advanced age kept the conversation going in a merry clip There was a sparkling almost buoyancy about her and the hunch that had hit me began to grow We crossed the Delaware River at New Hope on route 202 and in Lambertville We stopped at the sign of the flying red horse to gas at the car. That's item 2470 While the antenna was busy with that and checking the tires and battery and so forth I made some excuse or other and stepped around to the telephone booth at the back Harry Branson here Harry I want you to drive out to the Winters home at Brynmore again Just do it right away then call me up at the lake for whatever you say John, but I wish you'd tell me gotta go now. Goodbye The rest of the trip through the pretty north Jersey countryside was uneventful and Finally north and east of the little town of Andover. We came to Lake Waweyanda We drove along a private road to the far end of it and they're pushed on a little cliff above a deep basin was a real Smart modern brick and glass home Little hill I just hope we can make it right Here I hope the brakes will hold for this thing could roll right on back into the lake And the lake is so deep right there nearly a hundred feet an old mine or something before the water came up This is a pretty dangerous driveway Yeah, now let me help you. Thank you One of the first things I'm going to do is have this driveway built up and leveled off in a big stone wall built around Yeah, you'd better Careful now. This is pretty steep. Oh Listen, yeah Telephone is ringing inside the house. Oh, let me have the key and I'll go in and answer I suspected the call was from me, but didn't want to say as much So I opened the car trunk Proceeded to take out the luggage the big clumsy box for the statue Box was heavy very heavy And I wondered how Haskins the chauffeur had been able to pick up and carry the statue so easily back in Bremenauer I Finally got the box perched on the edge of the car trunk and this is what is called to me. Oh Okay, I'll take it Leaving the box there on this precarious perch. I went on up to the house Mr. Dollar all right, thanks. I'll go on out to the car and get my coat. Yeah Johnny dollar John, this is awful terrible as I just told Mrs. Winters This is well, I couldn't believe it. What how did you know how did I know what Eric the butler? Yeah, dad He's dead and John I had from what? How did he die? He apparently fell down the main staircase the poor cook Martha is the only the person in the house She's beside herself. Yeah, I'll bet she is but whatever made you suspect something was wrong out here Call the police Harry make sure they look for a possible blow on the head that might have been delivered before he fell So long Harry fell off the back of the car Yes, the big box I must have bumped it when I reached into the trunk for my weekend case bounce right down into the lake Yes, my beautiful little statue is at the bottom of the lake. Oh, well, don't worry Mrs. Winters We'll get it back. I'll have a diver come up here. No No It's all right We'll leave it there. Ah, no. No, you were right It only been other memory of the musty old house in Benoit Really has no place here where everything is so fresh and you wouldn't clean We'll get it back, but it really had no actual value. You were right, Mr. Dollar. It's better to just Yes We'll leave it there. Sorry, Mrs. Winters, but that's where you're wrong. Why Mr. Dollar? We'll get it back all right and Whatever's in it. Oh dear I suppose I might have known Expense account item three two hundred ninety dollars even for the diver who came over from New York and retrieved the box from the deep hole in the lake Two boxes as a matter of fact one with Haskins body in it and the other with a body of Charles Wetters The body that was supposed to have been washed out to sea after a car accident the story After Haskins got rid of Charles for me. I had to do something about him. Oh rather we did Martha, you know such a wonderful friend. Was Haskins the one who slugged me? Yes He's so foolish of him wasn't it? But he'd heard Mr. Branson say you were an investigator and it frightened him worried me a little too Well, he might have killed you too, Fyrik hadn't stopped him And of course Eric knew that Haskins had unwittingly made this second box for his own body So now Eric's gone Martha, huh? Yes, she did it But she had to put him away. Oh, yeah, you see he was the one who took care of Haskins for us And we couldn't have him around knowing everything. Oh dear Martha and I had planned so many wonderful things together, but now Oh dear Expense account total including incidentals and transportation back to Hartford 365 50 remarks Well, I'd rather not say how I feel about a case like this Harry a Whole crime wave by a couple of apparently sweet old ladies The legal procedures and there'll be plenty of them are up to you and the company as well as recovery of the insurance paid on poor old Charles winners Hey next time give me a case. It doesn't turn my stomach. Well, yeah yours truly Johnny doll Now here's our star to tell you about next week story next week a taste of the old West and a taste of lead from a 38 colt Join us. Won't you yours truly Johnny doll yours truly Johnny doll Bob Bailey originates in Hollywood. It is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone who also wrote tonight's story heard in our cast were Virginia Greg Harry Bartell Eric Snowden and Frank Gerstin Be sure to join us next week same time and station for another exciting story of Yours truly Johnny dollar. This is Joe Walters speaking armed forces radio and television service