 The FW Fitch Company presents Dick Powell as Private Detective Richard Rogue in Rogue's gallery. I'd like to get my hands on that cup that got me through the shoulder last night. Too bad it was through the shoulder, Mr. Crane. It should have been through your heart. You know, I like you. I like my women with a lot of spirit. I may just take you with me when I make my break from here. You'll have to kill me first. Oh, company. Come in and keep your hands right on that tray. I'd hate to have to shoot a beautiful girl like you. I brought up some coffee. That's thoughtful of you. Keep your hands in the air and stay away from me. Don't take any chances, Sandra. The scene would rather shoot you than not. Rogue speaking, that little scene takes me back to a night a cup of months ago. The night I met some scared people in a seaside mansion. In just a minute, I'm going to tell you the story of the House of Fear. But first, here's Jim Doyle. 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It doesn't become dry and make your face feel parched and uncomfortable. Fitch's brush and Fitch's no-brush shaving cream come in generous 25 and 50-cent sizes. Try it for real shaving comfort. Thank you, Jim. And now, I'd like to go on with my story. Okay, here's Dick Powell as Private Detective Richard Rogue in another personally conducted tour through Rogue's Gallery. Remember that scene you just heard? Well, one day a couple of months ago, I was in my office playing a bit of gin rummy with Herb Heidi, the bookie from the cigar store in the lobby, and Mr. J. McDonnell called from the Great Western Insurance Company. I knew what he wanted. I'd read the morning papers. I hated to leave the game because I was winning for some reason, no and only, to Herb Heidi, who plays cards with all the warm human abandon of an adding machine. But I have learned to love a cash case like a bookie loves a losing horse and Great Western Insurance is a good client. So I picked up my two dollars and 35-cent's winnings and made tracks for the plush offices of Mr. J. McDonnell. Sit down, Mr. Rogue. I have a case I want to discuss with you. Well, thank you. What's on the fire, Mr. McDonnell? I suppose you read of the theft of the Somali land diamond from the home of James E. Lee? Oh, sure, sure. Last night during a party given by his granddaughter, Sandra Lee, that much I know. Great Western had that diamond covered, Mr. Rogue. It was insured for $50,000. $50,000. No kidding. Well, that's a lot of money. Must have been some diamond. We're offering $5,000 award for the recovery of the stone. It's one of the largest in existence. Well, bring me up to date a little, will you? It was a slip crane job, wasn't it? The papers used his name. That's right. Three members of the family identified him from Rogue's gallery pictures. There's no doubt that he was the man. He had an accomplice, but we have no line on him at all. And all you want me to do is pinch Crane and get the Somali land diamond back, right? Yes. Crane left the Lee mansion in a yellow convertible sedan which the police found wrecked between the Lee estate and Los Angeles. There was blood on the seat, and it's thought that either Crane or his accomplice was wounded. I believe to be here in the Los Angeles area. Huh? They haven't made any attempt to run the police blockade. Okay, Mr. McDonald, if he's here in this town, I'll have him. And that's all the information I have for you, Rogue. I've had our order to make you out of check for $1,000. Oh. That's your retainer. And of course, if you do manage to recover the diamond, there will be another $4,000 due you. Oh. Uh-huh. Thanks. And here are your credentials, identifying you as our investigator. And now, Mr. Rogue... Uh, remember, I'm not promising anything. Oh, yes. There is one more thing. The Lee family has been extremely uncooperative today. Extremely so. They practically refused to talk with either the newspapers or the police. Well, how do you figure that? I mean, what do you suppose is their angle? That is what we are paying you to discover, Mr. Rogue. It was about five in the afternoon when I took off the Lee mansion, which was a show place up the coast about 20 miles. Old Man Lee is an eccentric millionaire. His picture is always in the Rottergevier section with his two granddaughters, Sandra and Virginia, who live with him. A heavy fog billeted in about 10 minutes before I reached the Lee house, and though I drove the rest of the way by ear. By the time I pulled up at the house, my windshield was colored like the side of a battleship and was just about as easy to see through. So I parked in the circular driveway and ran up on the huge front porch. Yes. Richard Rogue, I want to see Mr. Lee, please. I'm sorry, Mr. Lee is not in. Then I'd like to see Miss Sandra Lee, then. I'm sorry, Miss Sandra is not in. Well, I'll just take a look. Oh, no, no, you cannot come in. Oh, you could be wrong, dear. There. I'm in. Who is it, Marie? This man is trying to force his way in, Mr. Lee. Good evening, Mr. Lee. I hope you remember me. Richard Rogue. Oh, the detective. Of course. Thank you very much, Marie. Come into the study, Mr. Rogue. I hope you don't think I'm a heathen walking in here like this, Mr. Lee. It's my business. You know, I had to see you. Oh, I suppose so. It's about that darn Somali land diamond. I tell you, Mr. Rogue, we've just been pestered to death all day long about that robbery. I finally had to tell the police and the newspaper people to go away and let me alone. Well, I don't like to be a pest, but... Oh, we have another guest, Sandra, my dear. The detective, Richard Rogue. Mr. Rogue, I'd like you to meet my granddaughter, Sandra Lee. We've met, Graham. And, Mr. Rogue, I'd like to introduce you to John Wood. He's a houseguest. I'm very happy to know you, Mr. Wood. Thank you. I suppose you're here to question us about the Somali land diamond. Well, that's, uh, it's my job, Miss Lee. I suppose it is. Now, now, Sandra, please. Oh, my goodness. Oh, Graham, stop fidgeting. We're terribly tired of talking about the robbery, Mr. Rogue. We've talked to the police and reporters about the dozens. Well, there's just not anything left to say. You must understand, Rogue, that Mr. Lee has been driven to the verge of a breakdown by this affair. Can't you give your information from the police? No, no, I can't. You know, I can see why you're tired of explaining what happened, but I'm in a little different position than the newspaper boys. I represent the insurance company. They had that diamond covered for $50,000, and, naturally, they're quite interested in knowing the facts of the case. I assure you, Mr. Rogue, that I have no intention of filing a claim against the insurance company. Oh? No intention at all. I just don't want to hear any more about the diamond or the robbery. But, Mr. Lee... Oh, please, Mr. Rogue, it's Graham's own business if he wants to take the loss, isn't it? Well, yes, I suppose it is, but it's a little unusual, and I don't think he should make any such decision under the present circumstances. It's easy to see that you're all upset and jittery, but for all... And with good reason, really, Mr. Rogue, Mr. Lee has not been well. Couldn't you talk with him tomorrow? No. I'm, uh... I'm sure you won't mind, Mr. Lee, if I have a chair here in front of the fireplace. No. That's a terrible night out. Had a tough drive the last few miles. Fog is awful. Yes, I have noticed that the fog is in a little heavier than usual tonight. It's depressing, isn't it? Fog on top of everything else. Oh, Mr. Rogue, I'm so upset. Maybe you better start back to town, Mr. Rogue. It'll be slow going in this fog. What's the matter with you, Miss Lee? You're not the hysterical type. Will you please leave, Mr. Rogue? No. I'm an investigator, and I've got a job to do. I'd be a lousy investigator if I didn't try to get to the bottom of this situation. Who are you protecting? What are you afraid of? Are you accusing us of complicity and the disappearance of that diamond? I don't even know you, Mr. Wood. I'm talking to the Lee's. I'm not accusing them of anything. Look, Mr. Lee, crime is my business. I know how to deal with crime and criminals. Why don't you tell me what's on your mind, Mr. Lee? I'm sorry, Mr. Rogue, but as far as I am and my family are concerned, the theft of the Somalil and diamond is a closed matter. I have my reasons now. Please go. Yes, you... You can't do any good staying here. Where's your other granddaughter, Mr. Lee? Where's Virginia? She's returned to her school in the city. Oh, I see. Oh, Grant, please, make it clear. Now, now, dear, I'm sure Mr. Rogue will be going. Did you ring, Mr....? Yes, Mary. Will you please show Mr. Rogue to the door? Okay, okay, okay. But if you ever feel like you need any help in whatever it is that's forcing you to act like this, Mr. Lee, call me, will you? I'll be waiting for your call. Yes, yes, I will. I'm sorry, Mr. Rogue. Good night. Good night. Good night, Mrs. Lee and Mr. Wood. Good night. Good night. This way, Mr. Rogue. You are the detective. Yes, that's right. There are strange things going on in this house, Mr. Rogue. There was not a drop. Well, can you tell me about it, Mary? Well, I... Mary? Yes, Mr. Wood. Mr. Lee wants to see you in the library. Good night, Mr. Rogue. As I got in my car and sneaked down the hill through the fog, I told myself I was wasting my time. That I was looking for a man named Slip Crane, the jewel thief, and that I had no business getting mixed up in the family affairs of the leaves. There was a filling station, and the general stored the spot where the highway joined the private road that led up to the Lee estate. Sam's filling station for you and your car. I stopped in there for a sandwich and a cup of coffee. Great night to be driving around, Mr. Yeah, yeah, it is. Hey, uh, give me a slice of that pumpkin pie, will you? Well, sure. Here you are. Just came down the hill from the Lee house, didn't you? Yeah, yeah, that's right. Well, sir, there was plenty of excitement around here last night. Yep, cops all over the place. Newspaper men. Best business I've done in years. The whole district is still full of cops. They've thrown up a roadblock in every direction. Hey, you policemen? That's for a fashion. You working on the case? Yeah. That must have been some diamond. You know, those leaves are nice people. The old man's a little fidgety, but the rest of them are swell people. Well, he's all right, too. Yes, sir, nice guy. You know them? Know them? Well, sure know them. Know them all for years. The kids, Sandra, Virginia, have been eating my hamburgers ever since they was old enough to toddle down here. Yeah? You know what school Virginia goes to up in the city? Well, sure. Same one Sandra used to go to. Uh, let me say, Mrs. Whipple School. Oh, well, thanks. Hey, uh, what's the toll charge to call the city? Two bits for the first three minutes. There's a phone booth right over there. Thank you. Yes, sir, those little lead girls are the salt of the earth. I've known them for 10 years, I guess. I knew their daddy well, too. Went to school with him. He's a colonel now. An eagle colonel in Washington. A big shot. Hello, operator. Please get me bragate 63645 in the city. You too. Oh, hello. I, uh, I would like to speak with Virginia Lee, please. Miss Lee. She is? Are you sure? Oh, yes. Not expected back until Monday morning. Thank you. Get your party? Yeah, yeah. Hey, uh, give me another cup of coffee, will you, Sam? Oh, sure. Oh, uh, tell me, Sam, uh, I know the whole Lee family, except Virginia. She's only about 14, isn't she? Jenny? Oh, no. No, she's 19 to 20. 20, I think. She's a wilder than that youngster. She's all for having fun. Nothing at all like her sister Sandra. Oh, well, I guess I'll be on my way. Can't sit here all night. Don't envy your drive, nun. Better take it easy in that fog. It was all as plain as a nose on an anteater's face now. They told me Virginia was back at her school. She wasn't. Sam told me Virginia was a wild one. I knew Slip Crane. He was a smoothie. So one-in-one mixed two, and these two were Virginia Lee and Slip Crane. She'd run away with him. That's why the old man didn't want the case followed any further. That's why he was willing to take the loss rather than have the police arrest his daughter with Slip Crane when they caught him for the theft of the Somaliland diamond. I got in my jalopy and drove back to the Lee estate. I wanted to have a talk with that maid, Marie. I parked at the turn in the driveway and walked through the fog toward the servant's cottage at the rear of the main house. I could see a halo of light back there pointing its fingers through the haze. I headed for it across the lawn. I heard a movement behind me and then... Oh! Oh, I caught my dream train for cloud eight. And who was waiting for me there? Was my alter enemy, Ugor. What happened, Midget? Oh, who hit me? I didn't see them. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. It was a dame that hit me, wasn't it? I remember the perfume. I remember getting a sniff of it just as you let me have it. That's you, Chief. Oh, you'd think I'd get used to this, but I don't, do I? You haven't time to talk with me tonight. Oh, just let me rest a while, will you? Oh! Please, don't push me. Please, I'm tired. Here I go again. I could hear voices fading in and out. I couldn't focus my mind's eye on them, but I listened without quite knowing what it was all about. Oh, Mr. Rogue. Please, please wake up. Sandra, don't move. I see you and I have you covered. All right. I'm not moving, Mr. Wood. What are you doing? Who's that lying there? It's Richard Rogue, the detective. Oh, Rogue? What happened to him? I knocked him out with this poker. I thought it was you. You followed me when I left the house, huh? Yes. I was going to try to kill you. Really? How interesting. Instead of that, you fixed it so I'll have to kill Richard Rogue. We'll return to our story in just a moment. But first, I'd like to tell you that one of Hollywood's foremost hair stylists remarked recently that most women do not shampoo their hair often enough. She pointed out that movie stars' hair is frequently shampooed every day because they know that beautiful hair must be kept sparkling clean at all times. Now, you're probably thinking, isn't it hard on hair to wash it so often? Doesn't it become dry and difficult to manage? The answer is no, not if you use Fitch's saponified coconut oil shampoo. Thousands of women in the United States and Canada have found they can wash their hair as often as they like with this shampoo and their hair is always soft, lustrous, and easy to set. Fitch's saponified shampoo does not dry the hair because it's made from mild coconut and vegetable oils. These pure natural oils are kind to your hair. It makes swirls of rich, fragrant lather that rinses out completely for Fitch's saponified shampoo contains its own patented rinsing agent. Just rinsed with plain water and the rinsing agent goes to work to remove all remaining particles from your hair, leaving it soft and full of natural highlights. You can get a generous six-ounce bottle of Fitch's saponified shampoo for 50 cents and the economical 16-ounce size for $1. Use it often to keep your hair shining and lovely. Now back to Rogue's gallery. Richard Rogue is telling our story. I was telling you about the time the Somaliland diamond was stolen from the home of wealthy old gem collector James E. Lee. The insurance company put me on the case and I went out to Lee's secluded country mansion, but got no place. He wouldn't even talk to me about the robbery. I left, picked up a few more clues, and returned. I was walking across the lawn in a piece of fog when I was knocked unconscious by Sandra Lee, the old man's granddaughter. And when I returned to consciousness, I played possum and listened to the conversation between Sandra and John Wood, a mysterious house guest at the leaves. So you followed me when I left the house, huh? Yes. I was going to try to kill you. Instead of that, you fixed it so I have to kill Rogue. Do you think that would be smart? He doesn't know anything. No? Come on, help me carry him into the house. There's a certain permanence about being killed that made me act deader than a ghost town on Monday night. I was just limp as a wet sock when they picked me up and carried me into the house. Wood, who was a very strange house guest, lifted the rod out of my shoulder holster before they laid me out on the van and the study. Old Mr. Lee was very upset when he saw me. He immediately started patting my hands while Wood poured some very good brandy down my throat. I was in no hurry to face facts, but eventually I figured that one more sip of brandy would be overdoing it, so I snapped out of it. He's coming out of it. What happened to me? Oh, my head. Oh, dear, I knew something like this could happen. I hit you. I didn't know who you were. Should know better than to be caught prowling around the lawn after what happened last night. Yeah, yeah, I suppose you're right. What did you hit me with? A poker. Oh, Sandra. I don't know what your father would say. What were you doing on the lawn at this time of night, Rogue? You're lucky you didn't get shot, you know that? Yeah, yeah, I suppose I am. Oh, well, I didn't think of that. Could I have another drink of that brandy? It makes me forget my headache. Of course, Mr. Rogue. Here you are. Thanks, y'all. Oh, that's strong. You know, Mr. Lee, I came back to tell you I've got the deal figured. What do you mean? I mean, Mr. Lee, you told me that your other granddaughter Virginia had gone back to her school. Yes. I called Mrs. Whipple's school and found out she wasn't due back until Monday. Yes? Oh, you called the school? She wasn't there? That's right. So right away I knew why you were so anxious to get me to drop the case today. You've got it all figured out, haven't you, Rogue? Sure. I'm right, aren't I? Virginia, your granddaughter, eloped with the thief. That's right, isn't it, Mr. Lee? I guess we might as well admit it to you, Rogue. Nothing else we can do. Is there, Mr. Lee? No, I guess not. That's not for publication, you know, Rogue. We'll make it worth your while to forget it. Won't we, Mr. Lee? Well, of course. If you say so, Mr. Wood, I mean... It'll cost you. I'm not in business for my health. For a thousand bucks, I forget what I know. That would be satisfactory. It's nothing of a loss, aren't you, Rogue? Something. You can call me a loss if you'll give me that grand. You got that much in the house, Mr. Lee? I believe I have, in the safe. You want me to get it for you, Gramps? We might as well get Mr. Rogue paid off and out of here. No, that's the kind of talk I like to hear. Yes, Sandra. Will you get it for me, dear? So that's what you came back for. The shakedown. You private dicks are all alike. For the first time since I'd been carried into the house, Wood was loosening up. My attempt at the shakedown had sold him on the fact that I was just a chiseler, and I could see the hand he had on that gun in his coat pocket relaxed a little. That brandy had given me a transfusion, and I was feeling all of my faculties falling back into place. I was tense as the e-string on a hyphid's fiddle, and just as ready to play, when I saw Sandra sneak in the door and grab up that poker, she'd use so effectively on me. I figured it was my move. So I started to get up. I wanted to get Wood concentrating on me. Oh, you know... I think I've got a concussion. My head is spinning like a top. Look, is this skin-broken wood? I don't know, and I don't care. Well, you can look, can't you? Come here. Better take it easy, Rogue. You're in no shape to make any sudden moves. No, I just want to see if I can set up. That's all. My God! Take it, Sandra. I've got his gun arm. Let's go on that. Oh, nice work, Sandra. Get his gun? Sure. He's got one of mine, too, that I want back. Sandra, how could you dare with Virginia? I had to do it, Grand. Give me your belt, will you, Mr. Lee? I want to use it to tie up this character's legs. He's one of the men who stole my diamond. He was with that crane man. They worked together. Yeah, I'm a... I'm still a little confused. Sandra. Yes? Give me your handkerf, will you? I want to gag our friend. Incidentally, I was conscious when you explained to him that you'd knocked me sully by mistake. Please, we must get to Virginia. Poor Virginia. We will, Gramps. We will. Just leave it to us. Where is Virginia? She's upstairs, with Crane holding a gun on her. She's been up there ever since five this morning. What? Well, here, here. Fill it in a little. What happened? These men came back here last night. I'll tell you, Gramps. You mean Crane and Wood robbed you and then came back here and hit up after they wrecked their car and couldn't get through the police blockade? Yes. Crane was wounded. They waited until the police were gone about five this morning, then they came in. They kidnapped Virginia and held her in a room. Crane stayed with her and Wood made us introduce him to the police and newspaper man all morning. Okay. House guest. Okay, okay. Now this guy's all taken care of. Let's go get Crane. Where is he? He's in one of the front suites upstairs. In a room that has windows out onto the porch? Yes. The first window at this end of the porch. All right, now listen. In exactly five minutes, you knock on the door to that room. Right? This sounds dangerous. I shenied up the pillar at the far end of the porch. I looked my rod over to see that it was in good working order and then I inched over to the window of the room where Crane was holding Virginia. Virginia was tied in a chair. Crane was babying a bloody shoulder. I could hear them talking. Oh, I'd like to get my hands on that cop that got me in the shoulder last night. Too bad it was through the shoulder, Mr. Crane. It should have been through your heart. You know, I like you. I like my women with a lot of spirit. I may just take you with me when I make my break from here. You'll have to kill me first. Ah, company. Come in and keep your hands right on that tray. I'd hate to have to shoot a beautiful girl like you. I brought up some coffee. That's thoughtful of you. Keep your hands in the air and stay away from me. Don't take any chances, Sandra. Drop that gun, Crane. My next shot goes right through your back collar button. That's about the end of the story except that I took the Somaliland diamond from him and won the five grand reward, which I spent on Sandra Lee during the next few months. I thought, son, of asking her to marry me. And believe me, I think she was all in the mood to give him the nod. No, no, really, really. But I thought better of it and stayed single, making me one of those select eligible young men who has never made the same mistake once. You know what I mean? Mr. Stig Paligan, ladies and gentlemen, did you miss the murder in tonight's story? Or do you think we can get along without one once in a while? Ray Buffham wrote tonight's yarn. Leith Stevens composed and conducted the music in D. Engelbach produced and directed. Don't forget to tune in again next Thursday night. We're going to present an exact story about a horse, a jockey, and a murder. But last race. So make a date with us, will you? Thanks for listening and good night all. Now here's Jim Doyle. Don't forget to tune in again next Thursday, same time. Oh, and by the way, be sure to see Dick Powell in his newest RKO picture, cornered at your local theater soon. And as I was saying, don't forget to tune in again next Thursday, same time, same station. When you will again hear Dick Powell as Richard Rogue in Rogue's gallery. Remember if Dandruff is your problem, ask for Fitch's Dandruff Remover Shampoo. Remove Dandruff the first time it is used. Fitch's Dandruff Remover Shampoo is the only shampoo who's guaranteed to remove Dandruff is backed by one of the world's largest insurance companies. This statement can be made by no other shampoo. Ask for Fitch's Dandruff Remover Shampoo at your drug and toilet goods counter, Barber or Beauty Shop. 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