 Well, you're listening enjoyment John Lund as Johnny dollar Philip James Johnny. Oh, hello, mr. James got a job for you. I'm available. This is a Narsen case We ensure the business of a mr. Lester Madsen plastics old factory burnt down $700,000 police found definite evidence that rules out accident How was it set some kind of high-octane fuel any suspects? No, not yet Lieutenant rich with New York headquarters will fill in the details What can you leave? Oh a couple of hours Mind if I break in here for a moment to say a few words Just the other day I was having lunch with a group of newspaper reporters We were talking about the government and what goes into its operation when a thought struck me It's a funny thing. I said they call one branch of the government the State Department When it handles all of our foreign affairs can any of you fellows explain that? Well, one of the reporters who writes political news piped up and said Actually the State Department does more than handle foreign affairs it also publishes all of the laws that have been passed by Congress and Issues all the passports and visas for anyone traveling outside the United States Well, just then the waitress brought us our coffee and she entered the conversation Don't forget she said if you were ever on a quiz show You can maybe win a trip to the moon by telling them that the State Department has the job of making sure the great seal of the United States doesn't get lost and it acts sort of like a governmental Emily post too While she was making out our checks she added this bit of information Did you ever hear of the division of protocol? That's part of the State Department too It's the outfit that makes sure foreign diplomats who visit America get introduced the way they should and Get seated in the right places at official dinners and things like that Well after she gave us all that information we tipped her and went back to work and now I think it's time We got back to our program Expense accounts submitted by special investigator Johnny dollar to home office Columbia all risk insurance company Hartford, Connecticut The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the Lester Mattson matter Expense account item one seventeen dollars and fifty-five cents trained fair and incidentals between Hartford and New York City I arrived in New York registered at a hotel and rented a car which I drove to police headquarters Lieutenant Ridgeway was a tall nice looking man with a pleasant smile and a firm handshake Glad to help you as much as I can mr. Dollar sit down. Thanks lieutenant Now how much do you know so far only that the Mattson plastic factory burned down not all the way but nearly and that you suspect arson Positively we made our report to your company mr. James young He told me about the high octane fuel and a 10 gallon can Night watchman heard the explosion but by the time he got there the fire was out of control He could see the can and the fuel burning he could smell it to no suspects No, not yet any leads the owner You think he did it? No, no, he couldn't have with his daughter at a dinner party and you think he had someone else No, no, no, I don't think so, but you said he was a suspect. No, no, I said I had a lead. He's it Something wrong dollar. I don't know what it is first. I just put it down to the natural behavior of a man Just lost his business later on when I talked with him further Well, I can't really put my finger on it, but I think he's hiding something, you know something about that fuck scared And that's it. That's it. I'm pretty sure he didn't have anything to do with it It's too successful nice bank account wonderful home wonderful daughter Well, the factory was really worth a whole lot more than what he'll collect on the insurance wasn't well That's what mr. Uh, your boss a James. Yeah, that's what he said. Yes, that's the business. We're in the millions. Yeah No, anything this will really be tough on Mattson have to build again dies molds Well, I think I'll stop out and see him. Yeah, let me know what you think. I'll do that Mattson home was across the river in Jersey a big white colonial with a long circular drive that led up to the front door a Butler showed me into a spacious study and I was told mr. Mattson would be down shortly While I waited I walked around in case some of the first editions on the bookshelves Hello, I'm Christine I'm Johnny dollar miss Mattson. I'm waiting for your father. Oh, yeah I'm an insurance investigator About the fire. Oh, yeah, you have a beautiful house. Thank you beautiful Wonderful collection of books. Yes. I don't imagine one person could read them all not in a lifetime. No, I suppose not Do you like to read mr. Dollar? Oh, I'm sorry. I'm so bad with names. So am I Yes, I like to read but I don't get much time Been playing tennis, huh? Mm-hmm. You just got back. Do you not anymore? I used to play a little Nice meeting you meeting you Will you be saying I mean will you be around for any length of time while you're investigating the fire? Well, that's hard to say I Hope so Oh, hi, dad. How was the game? Fine Mr. Dollar. Yes, sir. I'm Lester Mattson. How do you do you two have met? Yes. Yes, I was just on my way upstairs See you later dad. Goodbye. Mr. Dollar. Goodbye Your company notified me you'd be coming down mr. Dullin you have a seat You're an Investigator that's right. The police have already made a pretty thorough investigation. Yes, I've talked with lieutenant Ridgway Well, I can't tell you any more than I've already told them You were at a party the night of the fire. That's correct. It's all in the report with your daughter Yes, when did you find out about the fire when I arrived home? I Mr. Dullin I explained to you that you've said everything to the police. Yes, that's right There's absolutely nothing I can possibly add. Mr. Mattson. You're insured with my company for a lot of money Only what I lost in the fire I'm aware of that but I have a job to do and this is an arson case That's what the police say a night watchman says so he could have been mistaken and the excitement Mr. Mattson, what difference does it make it makes a great deal of difference your factory burned you've suffered a considerable loss I certainly have I can understand how that would make a difference The fires of fire if you didn't have anything to do with it I most certainly did not then why so much concern about whether it was deliberately said or not Wouldn't you be concerned if somebody deliberately set fire to one of your factories about the fire? Yes, but buildings burn down all the time fires are started deliberately all over the country I am sure this one was an accident. Well accident or the work of a pyromaniac if you're clear you'll get the insurance you You think this is the work of a pyromaniac seems like a pretty reasonable assumption But you're sure it was an accident I don't know I Just don't like the idea of a fire like that being started deliberately. I admit. It's a little frightening. Yeah You have to understand a business like mine so many inflamables It's a little terrifying to think someone would deliberately start a fire What if it had happened during working hours? That's not very probable Read about fires in hotels people burned to death Deliberately started by some madman. Yes, the fire bug would have a good chance in a hotel He wouldn't be seen so easily most of the people in their rooms and he could get in and out easily And most of those fires are started during the night sometime But a busy factory in the daytime isn't very likely Well, I I sincerely hope you're right. I'm just going by the records. You see I I have two more plants Let's hope I don't turn out to be the exception to the rule. I doubt it Now if you don't mind mr. Mattson, I've still got to make a full report to my company. Oh I'll give you all the information I can Lieutenant Ridgeway had been right Something was troubling Mattson Until I'd suggested the possibility of a fire bug He was determined to convince me the fire was simply an accident and he'd been resentful of the impending interrogation Then the pyromaniac angle had given him some kind of an out because he'd relaxed immediately While I questioned him about the details of the fire. He seemed actually cheerful He even resurrected a few old bromides that I politely chuckled along with But he told me nothing I hadn't already learned from the lieutenant So I thanked him shook his hand at the front door and climbed back into my car as I drove off I felt sorry. I couldn't have seen the daughter again because it was certainly a sight worth seeing again And again, I arrived back at the hotel went up to my room and put in a call to Lieutenant Ridgeway Yeah, something's bothering him Did you ever mention the possibility of a fire bug having been responsible for the fire? Yeah Well, I mentioned it to him and he liked it Until I did he was determined to call the whole thing an accident When I suggested a pyro he made a complete about face Oh, he was subtle about it, but he forgot the accident theory Yeah, he seemed actually relieved. I don't know it could mean he knows who started the fire If he thought we were looking for a pyro and not some specific person that could incriminate him That would account for his letting go of the accident theory Agree with a pyro theory and hope we do the same Oh, what could he gain financially he ends up in a hole. Yeah insurance doesn't figure Oh, he's loaded got all the money he needs and it's something else Somebody started that fire and I'm pretty sure Matt's and knows who and why We've got to do is find the who and why well, I don't mind working on the case for a while Have you seen his daughter? Yeah Maybe she started the fire She's the type that could I just met her for a minute and I'm still smoldering The lieutenant suggested a stakeout for Lester Mattson. I Told him I checked with him later Took the cold shower it changed and went down to the hotel bar to freshen up a bit It was about 430 and I was pretty fresh when a page came wandering through calling my name He told me I was wanted on the phone Johnny dollar, this is Christine Madsen Mr. Dollar. Yes Hello, I found out where you were staying from your company. Well, that's nice Why did you find out where I was staying from my company? All right, why I don't want to meet you at your hotel. I have to be very careful. Well, so do I If certain parties saw me with you my father's life would be in danger. Is this about the fire? Yes, it is Sure, I'll be the guy with a fire extinguisher and have attained the highest office in our land the presidency of the United States Can you guess the name of this man? He has been called a lawyer by profession a fighter by choice and a politician by force of circumstance And he was outstanding in all three fields In 1788 at the age of 21 he was appointed public prosecutor for the region, which is now, Tennessee As president he was the first to introduce the national convention for the nomination of presidential candidates During his campaign for the presidency His opponents attempted to smear him by an unwarranted attack on his wife Rachel Who never recovered from the ordeal and died just before her husband's inauguration? If you don't have his name by now, here's one more clue During the battle of New Orleans as major general of the army. He accepted the help of the pirate Jean Lafayette Who was he? Andrew Jackson seventh president of the United States His life is part of your American heritage And now with our star John Lund We bring you the second act of yours truly Johnny dollar as long as the lovely miss Madsen was picking me up in a cab I left the rented car behind and charged up expensive count item two $1.65 cents for cab fare from the hotel the fifth and 115th streets It was getting dark by the time I arrived I waited for about ten minutes until Christine Madsen's cab pulled up at the curb and she opened the door for me Go ahead driver Well, good evening Not a bit Where are we going? I just told him to drive around Mr. Dollar my father's being blackmailed in connection with the fire. He had nothing to do with the fire mr. Dollar But he knows who did yes They burned the factory to frighten him to make him pay the blackmail you mean someone is shaking him down Well about a week ago. He was approached by two men. They demanded he paid him a certain percentage of the profits from his business in Return for the percentage they guaranteed him protection So he didn't pay and they set fire to the factory. That's it. Why didn't he go to the police? Well, he was frightened. Well, he couldn't have been too frightened if he refused to pay them. He was frightened for me But maybe he could bluff them by not paying But he didn't want to take a chance and go to the police before they might really do something serious losing a million dollar business It's pretty serious. He tried to bluff them and it didn't work Now he's really frightened He knows they mean business and they told him if the police ever find out They'll do something a whole lot worse than just start a fire do something to you Dad's afraid of and you're not of course. I am Aren't you taking a pretty big chance telling me about it? Well, you're not the police and I have been very careful. I Was hoping you could help without it being necessary to start a wide open police investigation You're not giving the police much credit if you told them the same story that have kept it completely under cover Oh, I thought about it, but too many people would have to know about it There's always the chance of someone saying something or slip up. How do you know about all this? Well, my father told me of course just like that daughter darling two men have been trying to blackmail me silly He said nothing at first. He kept it from me But is he my father and I are very close mr. Dollar. We've never had any secrets After the fire when I saw how disturbed he was I made him tell me does he know you've come to see me He made me promise not to tell anyone Well, I just had to He's agreed to pay the minute you know what that means Mr. Dollar, will you help? Well, I'll do what I can but it's gonna be tough without your father's cooperation And you'll never be safe until these men are caught. He's afraid of what might happen before they're caught Wait, they find out there's no middle of the road in something like this. He's got to understand it I think he does but Well, he'd rather lose everything than lose me I'm all he's got and he's pretty important to you, isn't he more than anything in the world Without his cooperation. I doubt if I'll be able to do much and if he gives into this Man like your father. It'll keep growing until it kills him What do you want me to say tell the driver to take us to your father? Say it's all right for me to talk to him. She looked as though she might cry But she didn't She gave the driver her address then sat back in the seat and kept looking straight ahead While the cab headed across the bridge for New Jersey Expensive car item three $11.75 cab fare which I insisted upon paying after we arrived at the Mattson home The butler met us at the door and Chris led me into the study where her father rose to greet us Hello my dear Mr. Donner. Good evening, Mr. Mattson Dad I Told I had to believe me. Mr. Mattson. It's the best thing Chris My dear girl this this can be very serious dad. It's already serious. I know I know but Tell me do you intend to bring in the police mr. Donner? I promised your daughter. I wouldn't unless It was absolutely necessary. I see you you know everything. Yes, dad. I Told him everything, but you've said nothing to the police as yet No, I haven't Mr. Donner if these men find out that you know who are these men mr. Mattson Mr. Donner I Would like to tell you something In the past I've always confided in my daughter This time I hesitated because of the the possible consequences But nevertheless I I told her I Did so with the provision that she keep the affair a complete secret. I I'm not angry my dear Believe me I'm sure you did what you thought was best Unfortunately, you just didn't realize the gravity of the situation Certainly, I realized it. Yeah, you couldn't have you couldn't have these men aren't fooling They've already destroyed a million dollar business. It was just lucky. There wasn't anyone in the building So you're gonna give them what they want? Yes, mr. Dollar, I am You can't win I'm not expecting to win I'm just thinking of my business my family What would you do in the same situation to dollar? I? Think you'd do exactly what I'm doing. I don't think so That's easy to say look mr. Mattson. I know you're in a tough spot You said these men aren't fooling and you're right They'll do anything to scare you into paying their blackmail They'll burn down a building threaten you and your family even kill if it comes to that But you wouldn't do what I'm doing maybe if I had some assurance it would stop there But don't you know what happens once you give in to them? Don't you think I've thought about that? Don't you think I've considered every possibility? They'll bleed me and bleed me until there's nothing left. I realize that But there's no alternative It's that all afraid. They'll kill me Chris. You're my whole life Well, then dad consider me a little consider Good lord. That's what I'm doing. That's all I'm doing not now What about a year from now two years five years? If you give into these men, what will it do to you? What will you have left five years from now? The business doesn't matter. I'm not talking about the business We can both get along without the business if we have to we did once we can do it again I'm talking about you What will happen to you if you get into this terrible blackmail? There'll be nothing left of you It'll kill you Mr. Madsen in some states there's a death penalty for kidnapping But this kind of blackmail is worse than that These men kidnap the one thing that people like you and me can't live without freedom My daughter's life is worth my freedom seven days a week. Mr. Donner. If that happened, I just assumed he'd dead Daddy would ruin you and that most certainly would ruin me There'd be nothing left of us nothing of what we had We'd just be alive Makes a lot of sense. Mr. Madsen. I hope you'll see it and help me get these men Whether you do or don't I've got a job I'll try to steer clear of the police as long as I can because I made a promise to your daughter But I'm gonna try and get those guys They have to be gotten please I Don't know Chris. I Where the man mr. Madsen Talked off with the window and caught Madsen in the chest It was a swell punctuation point for my pep talk and freedom Before Madsen hit the rug I was on my way to the study door with my gun in my hand outside I circled at a spot near the window where the gunman had been standing. I stopped and listen Inside the house. I could hear Christine Madsen phoning for a doctor And from not too far away toward the front of the house. I heard a car start I ran out to the drive and spotted the car pulling away about 50 yards from the house Get back in the house Chris. But dad's bleeding. I can't stop the bleeding. How bad is it? I can't tell I called Dr. Phillip get back in that house and wait I got the car, but there's a man in that car with a shotgun. He may still be able to use it Now go on I started down the driveway for the wrecked car It was on its side Wrapped around a big oak the only thing moving was the right front wheel still spinning slowly. I Reached the car and looked in The shotgun twisted by the impact lay on the floor The man who fired it was halfway through the windshield his life running out all over the hood The driver's seat was empty And your gun back over your shoulder Okay, I'll walk back to the house police will be coming any minute. I just want a car Borrowing one of mr. Madsen's how far do you think you'll get? Not how far I'm going to get how far we're going to get You're an insurance man. You're gonna be my insurance You're gonna get us just as far as you can It all depends What's your life's worth to the law? I? Couldn't see his face Kept behind me with his gun pointed at my back We went around to the other side of the house to the garage and stopped He shoved the gun hard into my spine open the door I Started to open the big garage door a car swung in the driveway And we were suddenly framed in the glare of its headlights I knew it was the doctor the man with a gun in my back didn't he turned expecting the police Doctor yes Your patience in the house Lester Madsen lived and later identified both men as those that had tried to shake him down They both had long records both had done time The man with a shotgun was named Ernie starbuck the other Stan Cole Starbuck they buried in Potter's Field While Cole looked unhappy not because he lost a partner more because he'd gained a new one a Cell made in sing sing he'd have to put up with for the rest of his natural life After the doctors said her father was out of danger. I went back over to Jersey to say goodbye to Christine Madsen Do you have to go right away? Case closed expense account likewise you um you live in Hartford. Yeah Sometimes I drive up that way That would be nice When did you train leave? 430 I Don't catch that one. There's not another one until 1215 Will you be saying goodbye to dad? I thought I'd stop by the hospital on my way to the station Are you going in to see him? Mm-hmm? Driving with me we can see him together Maybe have a quick drink afterwards. I don't like quick drinks No Johnny Yeah Would it make so much difference if you took the later train? Oh, it sure would but I'll take it Expense account items four and five one hundred three dollars and seventy five cents car rental and hotel bill Item six nineteen dollars and eighty cents train fare and incidentals back to Hartford Expense account total one hundred fifty four dollars and fifty cents yours truly Johnny dollar truly Johnny dollar stars John Lund in the title role and was written by Blake Edwards with music by Eddie Dunstetter Featured in tonight's cast for John Larch built Lillian by F. Hal March and William Johnstone Yours truly Johnny dollar is produced and directed by Jaime del Valle Yours truly Johnny dollar starring John Lund has come to you through the worldwide Facilities of the United States Armed Forces radio and television service