 Personal notice, danger's my stock and trade. If the job's too tough for you to handle, you got a job for me, George Valentine. Write full details. Greetings, Mystery Lover. Welcome to another Let George Do An Adventure. This one carries the enlightening title of How Gullible Can You Get? But I don't want you to think for one minute that our boy Valentine got hooked by the old shell game, because he didn't. At least I don't think so. Maybe I better listen along with you and find out just what the authors did have in mind. Mr. Valentine, he's Mr. Valentine. Yeah, right here. Come in. Thanks, I am. So I know this. What's the hurry? Oh, I'm sorry. Time's a little short, that's all. Who's time? Mine. Oh, no, no. Look, I'm not running away from anything. I just got a lot to do. And you need help. OK, what is it? No, I don't. I can take care of myself. Golden gloves only seven years ago. What do you think of that? Nothing. Oh, look, look here. It's an envelope. You've been waving it around ever since you came in. Well, that's all I need you for, just the envelope. Want me to open it? No, no, it's sealed, wax and everything. Just keep it for me. Why? What's in it? I'll be back within 24 hours. Now, wait a minute. This isn't a check room. No, look, I got no time for kidding. Understand? Neither have I. What's this all about? I'm just playing it safe, that's all. I want to make sure none of the wrong people get hurt. By what? You're by home. Hey, sit down, will you? Oh, now, listen, Mr. Valentine, would you believe a guy who's an expert on guns could get himself killed just cleaning one? Particularly when the guy's got a million bucks? What's all this? You see, I don't believe it either. I ask you, how gullible can you get? No? Okay, I'll see you later. Hey, Buster, not so fast. Oh, here, here it is. My name, Joe Murtry, phone number. It's a Roman house, that's where you can get me. Hey, Joe, look, for the last time... I forgot time to explain, don't you understand? But I'll tell you this, if I don't show up in 24 hours, give that envelope to the district attorney. Okay? He'll know a murder when he sees one. Well, that was a question. Interesting, too. So unformative. Judge, where you going? To see what that half-brain heads for. Hello. Well, same to you. Go on inside, Miss Brooks will take care of you. Oh, no, no, wait, please. Was there a man here? Uh, what type of man would you like? Oh, please don't be funny. His name is Joe. How gullible can you get? What? Never mind, it couldn't be funny if I tried right now. No, no, please, I just wanted to... Go on inside and tell me about it. No, let go of me. Joe, who's Joe? What kind of a guy is he? What's a nice girl like you want with a guy? Let go of me. Hey, hey, hey, take it easy. George, what's going on? I simply asked you a question. Oh, never mind, I'll find Joe myself. But look, ladies... Oh, I know he was here all right. I'm sorry. Thanks anyway, I'm in a hurry. Hey, elevator, hold it, will you? No, no, get away. Hey, wait, elevator, you, whatever your name is. Hey, you... Oh, for the love of... Why don't you try the stairs? Huh? Yeah, quite a little tableau. Maiden's secretary flees from office of prominent detective. Yeah, well, such is life. Look, Puster, it's my bad morning. Don't make it yours. I'll give you about two seconds to tell me something. How I know you're a detective? Because I'm one. Right here, identification. Upstairs, same building. Ah, Jake running. Yeah, I noticed a sign. I mean, how do you know that girl's a secretary? Because I don't have business. Because you do. Because I have time to read the newspaper. Ah, let me see. I saw them barreling in and out of your place and couldn't resist watching. Don't you know who they are? Oh boy, it's a juicy case. You'll get a nice fat commission. Prominent industrialist dies accidentally. Ah! An expert, J.J. Connolly, was fatally wounded last night when repairing a rifle. He was visiting his house guests at the home of Mr.... Sure, that's what Joe was talking about. Look on page three. I always remember to face, that's all. Oh, don't ask me questions, just do in your favor. Yeah, pictures of both of them. Joe Mercury, chauffeur at the death home, will refuse to answer police questions. Get it? The Joe works for Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Hale, so that's it. But a guy who was hosting this man who died. Ah, the man who was Hale's partner. Yeah, thanks for the paper, friend. Oh, I got a case all right. That girl I just chased was Hale's confidential secretary, who also refused to answer questions. You are listening to Let George Do It. Our adventure will continue in just a moment. Now back to Let George Do It and George Valentine. But George, you said you wanted to go over and talk to Mr. Hale as soon as possible. He's the guy they both work for. He's the guy who benefited from this Connolly's debt. But there's envelope. Yeah, Joe's in your handbag. What? Yeah, help me find another one, will you? George, wait, what's in it? One thing at a time. I want another envelope, just like it. Yeah, here we are. Hey, you got some red wax? Oh, and here, some of that touching paper. But what are you doing? I'm fixing myself an envelope. Sure, we'll take care of Joe's form, all right? You mean I will? It goes in the bank, Angel. As soon as you leave it there, we'll go to Lieutenant Johnson, find out all he knows about this case. All right, there we are. See you later, now we're all set. To do what? To turn the tables, Brooks, and to find out how important Joe's envelope is. Yeah, I'm gonna wave mine in front of some faces and see how gullible other people can get. I'm sorry, no. No, no, I won't see anyone, do you understand? Your, uh, name's Hale, isn't it? Now look, if you're from a newspaper... Oh, look, I'll get your foot away from the front. Well, of all the nerve I have... I said I'm sorry, but I have to talk to you. Oh, is that so? You mean you want me to talk, like everyone else, from the police to the reporters? I only read newspapers, Mr. Hale. But I know what you mean, getting a little tired of having the finger pointed at you, huh? Why? I did kill my partner. He died accidentally. Oh, I know, the preliminary police report. But it happened here in your house. Mr. Connolly was the one with the money. You and he never got along very well. And today, you've apparently given out conflicting statements... Stop it! Will you stop it? Well, I know I've been pretty crude, all right, but there's no reason to get that excited. What's the big idea? Oh. This is my wife. Hello. What is it? What is it, Duncan? Oh, it's nothing, my dear. There's no need for you to get in the car. Who are you? What are you here for? Mrs. Hale, I only wanted to see your husband and find a... No, if there's any way I can help, I want to help. Sit down, please. I'm Mary for the love of God. I think everyone should know everything, don't you, Duncan? Mary? There isn't anything to know. That's the absurd part of it. Mary! I'll handle this in my own way. Be quiet. You heard what the lawyers told you. Now you will leave, won't you? Whoever you are, my husband isn't concerned. We've had a very tragic thing happen here. Look, my name is George Valentine. If you don't leave this instance, my husband will prefer charges. And I'll leave this. Please leave this. Goodbye. Uh... My wife is very upset, I'm sure you understand. I'll show you to the door. Is that all right? Yeah. Yeah, that's all right. Goodbye, Mrs. Hale. What changed your mind, Mr. Hale? My name? Well, I've heard of them, naturally. I suppose you get sore again if I say your wife's not a very good actress. Now, what do you want? Well, I have an envelope here. Oh. Oh, yes, I see. Hey, tell me, you have a secretary who wears glasses. What? Oh, Mamie Enverett, yes. Well, but she left me a week or so ago. She's certainly not concerned with what happened. Okay. Okay. You expected me to ask about somebody else, your chauffeur Joe, is that right? That. Meaning yes. Oh, why do you waste my time? How much do you want? Well, the letter? Well, I just naturally assumed. How much did you pay? I'll see you here, Valentine. I haven't admitted anything. Oh, yes, you have. That's all I want to know. See you later. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. I heard you the first time. A man all set to be exonerated of murder is still willing to pay for what's in this envelope. That's all I need to know. Don't give me that. I know you don't. You blackmailer. You're on the wrong side of that kind of action. Yeah, that's better. Okay, see you later, Mr. Hale. Oh, please. Please, Mr. Valentine. I'm sorry, friend. From here on, the police... Are you all right? Oh, you're sure. You must have been something I ate. I came out as fast as I could. You were just lying here. I went to the bank, and then after that I... Yeah, I know. Blackmailing. What? The original envelope. The police can have it. Open it. Whoever knocked me out got just a bunch of blank paper. But Joe has evidence of murder. He must have been planning to blackmail Mr. Hale in there. Well, come on. Pick yourself up. Johnson. Hey, where'd you come from? Standing right here, waiting for you to open your eyes. Listen, no. Hey, Johnson, you get after Joe, would you? What? The chauffeur, if he doesn't plan blackmail, then he's in danger. If he does, he's going to be in worse trouble for figuring me as a gullible stew. Look, Valentine, come to the party. Johnson, I got his name in a dress here. He's a big guy. I know exactly what he looks like. I've seen his body. What? George, your client Joe has been murdered. You are listening to Let George Do It. Our adventure will continue in just a moment. And now, back to George Valentine. How gullible can you get? A man named Joe rushes in with an envelope he wants you to keep. A girl named Mamie rushes in after him. And why? Because apparently Joe knows something about his employer, Duncan Hale, a man whose rich partner died accidentally. Or did he? And anyway, if your name is George Valentine, right now you're mostly concerned with Joe himself because Lieutenant Johnson and Miss Brooks say that now Joe is dead, too. Tell me, what happened, Lieutenant? What happened, he says? Like I'm a news analyst, say something. A man in a boarding house room withholds an imperious. He came right out to get Joe, I thought you'd know something. Only instead, I've been asleep. And the envelope gets taken away from you. Well, that was only the dummy one that George carried, Lieutenant. Yeah, and it wasn't Hale who hit me. I'd already left him standing at the door. I was walking up the pantheon with somebody. But he might have seen it. Come on. What about the death of Hale's partner, Lieutenant? All we know is what we read in the newspaper. Connolly, accident was what the police said. That was their testimony to the coroner. The brilliant police. Now take it easy. I wasn't on it, but a very good man was. He claimed that the door's open. Hale. Mr. Hale. Mr. Hale. I told you. Not to let them hurry. Hey, look here, in the fireplace. He also burned something in a hurry. Piece of wax. He does not burn the rod, and it's still stuck together. George, it was the envelope. Yeah, that's right, Angel. Only how did he get it? If Hale was the one who burned it? I mean, whoever slugged me must have taken it. So how did Hale get it? Riddles yet. And here's another one, the wax. He apparently burned it in such a hurry. He didn't look inside to know there was nothing in it. He'd have seen the paper curving in the flame, at least. He'd have found that out, all right, don't worry. Wait a second. Where are you going? Well, she came from back this way. You're at the hall down to the bedroom. Mrs. Hale. Hey, Mrs. Hale. George, this must be her room here. No, she's not home either. You know, I'm getting a little doubtful myself now about whether that first death was an accident or not. You know, family's sure gone into action, hasn't it? How much of a real family is it? Huh? How'd you know? Now what? Look, the door to the patio is left open too. The garage out there. Only it's empty. Well, I meant here on the dressing table. He's going over some letters apparently. Thinking about a divorce. That's right. They're practically separated. But that didn't have anything to do with Connelly's death. Listen to this. It's so hard to tell what to do, but you know how I feel about you and the minute you divorce Duncan. Here, let me see that. Letter from a boyfriend. They're pretty close-mouthed about the reason for separation. These letters are from a Mr. Connelly lieutenant. What? Yes, the man who was shot accidentally. Her husband's partner. And they're rather close to being love letters. Well, for the love of it... Come on, we gotta move fast. Get out on an alarm. Fine, Mrs. Hale. In the meantime, let's find out what happened to Joe, the chauffeur. Any fingerprints, Sergeant? Anything to show? Who was up here with Joe when he was shot? No, sir, but he sent a wire after he came back here from Valentine's office. The Western Union gave us a copy. Well, what was it? Well, it said the mailbox at 331 East Plaza will be open. My price is 10,000. Take it or leave it. But fast, signed Joe the envelope. Oh, humorous. But who was it sent to? Mr. Hale, sir. You know, but it's a funny thing. Western Union said it was his wife who signed for it. Yeah. There's a little place. Shutters are up. Is it for rent, son? Are you sure that's the right house? Empty house, Angel. Empty house. Perfect place for a payout. Come on, let's go. Well, you've been right all along, I guess. Joe was nothing but a blackmailer, and instead of getting 10,000, he got bullets. Hey, wait a minute. Do people usually park in front of vacant lots? Huh? That old car over there. Nobody in it. Why park there? Well, it's right across from 331, George. Take a look. What are you, Mr. Brooks? Registration? Huh? Somebody's still in the house here. We don't want books in danger. When you move over to this side, I don't want to take any chances. In a minute, I'll give you the signal. Hey! Is that you, Mr. Valentine? Lieutenant? I think it's safe. How's that? Hello, Mr. Hale. Oh, come in here. I need your help. What are you doing out here? One thing at a time, Lieutenant. Mr. Valentine? Is that Mr. Valentine? Oh, no, no, maybe. Well, the secretary, where'd you pick her up? Right here. I'm all right. Gee, I'm perfectly all right now. I bumped into her when I came in a few minutes ago. Yeah, but I'm all right. I was just frightened, that's all. You made me take it easy. What happened? Well, I don't know. I don't know. I was looking for Joe, and when I found him at his place, he was dead. He was dead, but he'd scribbled out a copy of a telegram he sent. And so I came out here, but gee, I had to take the streetcar. So I only got here myself 15 minutes ago. Yeah, just 15 minutes ago. When I came inside, I heard men's voices. Only then I guess they heard me, and then somebody slammed a door in my face and shoved me into a closet. Hey, hey, wait a minute. Hold it, will you forget it? What? You'll get your turn. Yeah. I want to know about Mr. Hale. All right, what about me? Just how you got here. There's a car out there for a man like you. Hey, Mimi, when he came in, did he come in alone? Well, you see, I used to be Mr. Hale's secretary, and when that awful thing happened about Mr. Conley dying, I knew that Mr. Hale couldn't have killed him. But I also knew what kind of a person Joe was, and that he tried something like blackmail, and so I had to... Wait a minute. Don't try to cover up for Hale. That's not what I asked you. I want to know if he came in alone. George, they found Mrs. Hale. What? Your surgeon's outside, Lieutenant. He says they located her. She's back at her house. Oh, what's so funny? The angel that car out there is registered to Rennick, isn't it? Yes. Who? Rennick? Myopic private eye, Lieutenant. Look, Valentine, there are enough people in trouble without training. Hey, where are you, Rennick? Hey, Rennick, come on out. Look, but he works for me now. Rennick, I tell you, you can't do it. Come on, come on out of there. All right, all right, I'll take it easy. Take it easy. What's going on? Who is this boy? I have credentials, Lieutenant. This is the bird who flew into the next room when he saw me coming. You know why? Because he's all we need to put this jigsaw puzzle together. He's also a little shy because he's the one who tapped me on the head. Now, that's all I know, see? I work for Hale, and it's perfectly legitimate. And there's nothing you can do. Right, but will you please? Got everybody in there, Lieutenant? Yeah, also a man from the bank who says Mrs. Hale drew out $10,000. Well, that makes sense. $10,000? Yeah, what about that? Well, I won't say anything about that because I don't know anything about it. She was at the bank, yes. Then what do you know anything about? Park before I take your license away. Oh, look, Johnson, he works for Hale. He's the one who phoned Hale to tell him that Joe had been up to bring me that envelope. Then he went out there, and when Hale didn't get the envelope away from me, he took it away. After that, Mrs. Hale left the house. Yes, she ran out the back way. She'd answered the door for somebody. I don't know who it was. Weston Union. Joe's wire, remember? Well, when Mr. Hale heard her go, he was very upset. So we followed her to the bank. Then we saw her again, just as she was leaving that house in East Plaza. So we stopped and went in. And that's when we came in. Okay, Jake, thanks a lot. Now, look, everything I've done has been perfectly legitimate, Lieutenant. Just because you people think Hale murdered somebody is no reason for you to... The police have never said Hale killed Connolly until maybe now when he started acting like it. Hey, Johnson, how's he acting right now? Yeah, see for yourself. Did you get Joe's real envelope from the bank for me? Yeah, I just got here, so hurry up and open it. Hey, where'd that come from? Two envelopes, buddy. Even a private eye with two heads shouldn't be as gullible as you were. Well, decided to tell us everything you know yet, Mr. Hale? My lawyer will be here in a few minutes. Now, look, Mr. Hale... Leave him alone, Johnson. How about you, Mr. Hale? Oh, no, please. You'll have to talk, lady. You were seen paying $10,000 black mail... Wait a minute, wait just a minute. We only seen her go up and put something in the mailbox and then leave. Now, that's all. Jake, be quiet. Yeah, there wasn't anything in the mailbox when we got there. Sergeant, start searching these people. Oh, wait a minute. You don't need them, do you? Huh? Oh. Oh, of course not. You're right. We've got the answer right in our hands. The envelope. What it was that Joe knew about Connelly's death. No, wait a minute. Please, please. Mary, darling, don't say anything until my lawyer... Hurry up, Valentine. Open up, will you? It is the answer to everything, Johnson. A very simple case. How gullible can you get? There, you see? Just blank paper. Oh, what in the name of... When these people start talking, you'll see how simple it really is. And I know how to make them talk, too. Hey, uh, Maisie, come here, will you? Yeah. Uh, over here with me. Yeah? What is it? What do you want? A confession. Yeah, you were Mr. Hale's secretary. You know there was an unhappy situation there. You knew he didn't like Mr. Connelly. When Connelly died, your fellow must have been murdered despite what the police said. Well, I won't deny that. And Joe, the chauffeur, knew exactly the same thing. So you got together. You didn't have any proof that your former boss was a murderer. Then you didn't really need it, did you? But Joe made a big show of bringing me an envelope, making sure he'd be seen by Jake Renick that would report it back to Hale. Oh, but I wasn't any part of it. I didn't know... The next step was to send a blackmail out. If Hale was a murderer, he'd certainly go into action. He'd think you knew something and be willing to pay. Yeah, a very neat little plan, Maisie. You'd better get flipped over. What do you mean? What are you talking about? The wrong people wanted to action. His wife intercepted the blackmail telegram and paid up, no questions asked. On the other hand, Hale tried to get the envelope from me. He figured it contained some of those incriminating letters between Connolly and his wife. What? Oh, Mr. Valentine, no, that's not true. Why is it people don't seem to believe an accidental death, or that the police know what they're talking about? Because they were unhappy and because each one knew the other had a motive, Mr. and Mrs. Hale each thought that the other might have killed Connolly. And, of course, that proves neither of them did. Nobody killed Connolly at all. It was an accident. Now, look, I really don't see what this has to do with me. It's just that you're the biggest sucker of all, you and Joe. I don't know how that worked. But once the Hale's are eliminated, I don't know who else might have committed Joe's murder. But you, Mammy. I didn't. I swear I didn't. You were chasing him the first time I saw you. What was he doing trying to cut you out of the brilliant stunt? Come on, let's see your hands. Get away from me. So you killed him and went out to collect the money yourself. Only Hale almost caught you. Stop it, let's go with me. Ten thousand bucks and a gun someplace on you, Mammy. Joe stole it. Joe stole it. It was my idea, but he stole it. Oh, that's all, Sister. Back to the conclusion of our Let George Do It adventure in just a moment. And that was it. Did Joe Joe George? Yeah, Bruxy. And cold blood. And for ten thousand dollars. Poor Mr. and Mrs. Hale. Yeah. Yeah, it must have been a little rough. Each one thinking Joe and Mammy had something on the other one. Boy, in a pinch they didn't work for each other. Well, maybe they'll still be able to save their marriage. I hope so. Why is it nobody ever believes the police? Well, I don't know. Private detectives are always much smarter than policemen, don't you think? No, only in fiction. Would you want to be a policeman, George? Yeah. As is his advantage. Are you serious? Well, of course the police are wonderful, but... You know, look, after a case is over, you can just say goodnight to the chief, get promoted a couple of times and go home. Lots of men. What? But then, on the other hand, haven't you noticed the private eye always has to wind up in the arms of a woman? Occupational hazard, I suppose. Good night, Angel. You have just heard how gullible can you get. Let George do it adventure. Robert Bailey was starred as George Valentine with Virginia Greg as Bruxy. David Victor and Jackson Gillis wrote the story with music by Eddie Dunsteader. Now, this is yours truly inviting you to another visit with Valentine when you will again hear what happens when you let George do it.