 The FW Fitch Company makers of those fine Fitch products presents Dick Powell as private investigator Richard Rogue In Rogue's gallery Richard Rogue speaking. Hello, Mr. Rogue. This is Stark McVeigh in Minden, California. Yeah, I want to talk to you Rogue Well, you're talking I want you to come up here to Minden and do a little job for me I don't want you to let anybody in this town know who you are You can register at the hotel as a traveling man a salesman or something Hold it hold it make of a I can't get away right now. I wired you $500 expense money It should be at your office now. We'll talk over the rest of the deal when you get here. Oh, five bills, huh? Well, what kind of a case is it a case that pays money you can get out of there at seven o'clock And if you want to take a train, I'll drive I'll leave as soon as the 500 arrive. Take me about two hours to get there Want it? That's right. I'll contact you at the hotel tonight about nine. Okay. See you then How are your bags? Oh, yeah, yeah, I want to check in here. Thanks Hey clerk. Yes, you got a room. Well, I don't know I didn't ask the price Did I I'll take anything from a broom closet to the bridle suite Here buy yourself a box of cigars to smoke while you're thinking it over. Oh, thank you, sir You'll just register. I think we can take care of you. Hmm. Thanks. Have my bag sent up with you I'll pick up my key in a minute Hey, sonny got an evening paper. Yes, sir, but all the news isn't in that paper, mister Believe me, what do you mean? There was a murder in town tonight just a little while ago as a matter of fact a man was shot killed Dead hmm all that Menden is an enterprising community who got the business a fellow by the name of stark McVeigh We'll return to our story in just a moment But first he has gemdoyle to give you some smooth talk on a smooth subject Yes smooth is the word for a dick that describes pitches no brush shaving cream to a tee But it has a rich creamy consistency that spreads over your face like a cool April breeze There's nothing heavy or greasy about pitches no brush yet It does a man-sized job when it comes to wilting a tough beard You see pitches no brush is a blend of three important shaving ingredients These are balanced in such a way that you get efficiency and softening whiskers plus a skin conditioning action that protects your skin from irritation Yes, they all add up to a shave. That's really solid comfort You men who say there's nothing like lather for a swell smooth shave will like pitches brush cream It gives lots of dense lather that stays moist all during the shave and rinses off easily It too contains the special skin conditioner for sensitive skins both pitches brush and pitches no brush shaving cream come in handy jars Big 25 and 50 cent sizes for smoother happier shaves switch to fish And now we return you to dick Paul as private investigator Richard rogue in rogues gallery Well, this case looked like it was officially over before it started The man I was working for had just been killed I found that out while I was registering in Mendon's Mendon's only hotel with the running water a Bellboy gave me the news and while I was just standing there with my mouth hanging open a big beefy guy eased up to me and said Richard rogue aren't you? Oh, my name's Richard. Yeah, I know your rogue I've seen your picture in the paper too often to be mistaken. I want to talk to you Why because I'm chief of police in this town. Oh You just want to have a social talk, huh? Yeah About a murder. Come on rogue. Let's retire to the bar and play questions and answers What about about what you're doing in town among other things? Come on get moving big shot Rogue suppose you start talking. What are you doing in Mendon under the name of Richard? Hey, bartender You put too much sugar in this old-fashioned. Oh, so you think I like to hear myself talk I said, what are you doing here? I'm on a vacation. Does a man named Stark McVeigh always finance your vacations McVeigh Yes, well the name sounds familiar I'll bet it does he had a calling for you all day down at the city He reached at the hunt bar room a little before five o'clock and he wired you five hundred dollars to your office this afternoon Maybe that's why his name sounds familiar. Well, it could be that well What was it that made McVeigh think he'd need you five hundred dollars worth of rogue? He didn't say Who was McVeigh anyway? I never met the guy never heard of him till he called me You think I'll believe that how do I know what you believe? I'm telling you the truth That's all I can be sure of and what's the idea the pressure you got ambitions to hang McVeigh's murder on me Oh, you know he's been murdered. How did you know that the bell boy told me who did it rogue? Who was McVeigh afraid? I don't know anything about the guy. I didn't murder him. I hardly ever murder strangers and now Thanks for the drink and so long wait a minute you leave in town rogue. I don't think so. No I like the climate here. It's it's so peaceful. Well, don't you leave without seeing me? Or you'll come back with your hands cuffed behind you lying down Well, if there's anything I love it's a clever conversation Huh, huh now I'll make a rule egghead don't put any of your rural gumshoes on my tail if you like them personally I don't like to be shattered Here's your ice water. Mr. Rowe. The name is Richard skippet skippet. I heard you talking to chief Reese I know who you were anyway. Oh, you're a smart lad, huh? Did you know stock McVeigh? Sure. He used to be around here quite a bit in the bar. What was his racket? What did he do for a living? How long had he been living here in Menden? Nobody knows where he made his money He didn't work since he moved here about two years ago retired. I guess that's what everybody thought always seemed to have plenty of money Oh, yeah, huh who were his friends was he married look if I'm gonna answer all of those questions I want to work on the case with you. You need somebody who knows the town I'm an ex GI I work with intelligence. I can be a big help to you. Okay, okay, you're working now Was McVeigh married? No didn't run around with women much either I mean here some blind came down the same once in a while over Cadillac convertible look like a movie star Didn't make very make many trips. Was he out of town much? He traveled quite a bit. Hmm. Did he have any enemies in town? Nobody knew him well enough to hate him. He was a kind of a strangey. Mr. Rowe Nobody got to know him very well. You live alone. Yeah, he had a woman come in a couple of times a week to clean up That's all good. Who do you think killed him? I don't know Any suspicious looking characters been seen around town lately not that I know of but they could have been here without me knowing it Okay. Hey, what's your name? Buzz Walters. What time of your duty about an hour nine o'clock good I'll see you then in the lobby, right? Yeah, what are you gonna do now? Well, I'm going out to the house McVeigh's house and take a look around. You know where it is. I'll find it. See you at nine Who is it turn on the lights who is it? Is that you Hank? Yeah Turn on the lights. Hey, hey, you're not Hank. Who are you? What are you doing here? Well, you turn on the light so we can talk this thing over junior. Oh You're the guy who bump McVeigh, huh? Okay, junior staying right where you are and let you shoot at me. That doesn't sound practical I've got my gun out now. How about taking another shot so I can spot you who are you the law? Okay, junior throw that gun away don't don't shoot anymore. Yeah, you hit me. Let me hear that gun hit the wall throw it Okay Now maybe we can talk keep your hands down to your sides. Look I'm shot I'm bleeding you got to do something for me later later first junior you're going to answer some questions Hey, did I startle you? Huh? Just hold that pause Who is this guy shorty? I don't know he he came in here, and I I thought it was you I I took a shot at him and but he but he got me. Yeah, I see Well, you better get somebody to take care of your friend here. He's got a bad chest. Don't let that worry you You're gonna have worse before long And we'll start you out Like this How's everything on cloud eight? Oh, I missed you last week. Oh, I had the flu Yeah, I didn't uh, didn't Dennis a Keith come up to see you Say who did it this time? I don't know I don't know but I'm gonna get him If it's the last thing I do all you better hurry back downstairs, then you're getting further away every minute, huh? What do you mean? It's got a surprise coming Rogi. You're a side door tourist right now. Huh? Oh Well, that's settled it I'm going over the side So long you goer. Come on fellow come out of it. Huh? Hey, this thing's moving sure friend It's okay. You're in a freight car. Hmm a freight car Well, it seems somebody wrapped you over the skull and threw you in here. I don't know you were here when I got here Don't worry. You'll be okay. Well, thanks for the first date. I Well, I'll about ten miles out of Minden This red ball got a hotbox and was held up. We're on the big grade going into the mountains. Thanks Hey Well, you got around my head. Yeah, you were bleeding. I tore up your shirt made a bandage of it Hey, hey, wait a minute. Where you going? I'm gonna jump out of this thing. Are you crazy? Okay, I've still got my wallet. Yeah, I'm you didn't lift it. I didn't think of it Yeah, it's a 20. Thanks. Okay Well, here goes nothing I Was knocked out and robbed and left on the road. I I gotta get back to Minden to report it to the cops Oh, but I got a revolver here and don't try any funny stuff for me. I don't want to try anything I I just want to get back to Minden. I'll take you into Minden. Get in. Thanks. Let me out here Oh, no, just stay right where you are. Hmm. Hey, what's the idea? Will you get that heater out of my face? I'll tell you where to get out When will that be when we get to the police station? That's where you're going mister I did a police station chief. He looks suspicious to me and nice work, mr. Pollard. We'll take care of him. Thanks I hope I did the right thing. Yeah, you sure did. Thanks for the ride, mr. Pollard. Goodbye. You just go right ahead Pollard I'll see you later No, no, no so long Well, I see your back rogue. I told you you're getting trouble nosing around this time Now you're gonna talk. Well, I have it much to say Reese. I went out to McVeigh's house The door was open. I walked in some guy took a shot at me. I shot back Got him and while I was trying to find out what it was all about another guy sneaked up behind me and been a rod over my head I woke up in a freight train 10 miles out of town This this Pollard gave me a ride in and that's the end of the story Well, how do you figure it? I don't know But I want to get back out to that house you coming with me Well, what do you expect to find out there? We combed the house one end to the other Well, there's something going on in your charming little town that needs taken care of chief And how come you don't have men at that house that was a murder there a few hours ago Now don't you tell me my business wrong something smells come on. Let's get out to McVeigh's house I want to do a little calming myself. Now you'd better stay in line rogue. After all, I'm the chief here Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've read your star. Yeah, I don't know whether you're a dumb chief or a smart operator But we're going to make vase house and we're going to tear it to pieces until I get a lead now come on I'll try the door don't knock it may be open. Okay, close the door. All right. All right now the lights don't work The main switch must be pulled. We'll get by with this flashlight. Come on. Let's take a look around You see with that lamp is in the floor over there Yeah, well the guy who was shooting it be was lying right with the side of it after I got him Oh, look, there's blood on the floor. You see it. What was that? See to come from that closet somebody's in there Come on out Come on out or I'll shoot that door so full of holes. We can pull you out through. Well, hello buzz Welcome to the party. What are you doing here? Well, mr. Rogue told me he was coming out here and he was supposed to be back to meet me in the lobby at 9 o'clock He didn't come back so I decided I'd run out here and look for him got here a little late Oh, no, I didn't well. It was a little late to do you any good, but I saw plenty. I saw them walking around it Wait a minute. What do you mean them two men and a girl the blonde girl it used to come here to see mr. McVeigh. Oh You mean she was here. Yep. I hid outside of the window and watched them They were carrying stuff up from the basement That is the girl in this man were and putting it in the car buzz did you hear them talk to the girl mentioned his name No, no, she just called him sweetheart or honey or something like that. There was something funny about the other guy What he never did come out the other two came out got into that Cadillac convertible and drove away about 10 minutes ago Well, then there must still be a man in the house. Yep. He'd been shot. He had trouble getting around must have been the guy I shot I've been looking for him. Well, why didn't you call me? I was working for mr. Rogue. I know he'd be here. Oh good boy buzz my come on Let's shake this house down if that fog is in here. We better find him before he finds us This is the best-kept basement I ever saw in a bachelor's house buzz. How about it? It's your clean Hmm. Hey look, there are a few muddy footsteps going this way. They're going both ways mr. Rogue Right over here and then back out. Hmm. That's funny They walk right up to this blank wall and then back again Maybe the stuff they were carrying out of the basement was stacked up against the wall. I doubt it Hey, there's nobody up here shook down every room every closet up here. There's nobody well Or even there's nobody down here either. I tell you that guy that calls shorty never came out of the house I was watching and I know he didn't you're imagining things kid People don't just disappear if he was here. We could see him now. Couldn't we if we could find him? Hmm I've got an idea. Yeah. Oh, there must be a hidden door or something in this wall here someplace. Oh Wait a minute Okay, so I've been reading too many comic books, but I'm making my guess and I'm gonna see if I'm right You see these footprints coming over here and going back again. Oh, yeah That's what it is. Maybe there's a loose tile in the wall or something. Yeah, listen now There it is we should die hard you hear that it's hollow in there now come on, let's figure this thing out Here is a loose tile right here. Hmm. Let me see Well, I'll be sure you surprise sheriff. Hey, there's a regular doorknob in there Yeah, there is Well, it's locked, but I think I can take care of that look out now that ought to do it Place your lighting there Reese. Okay Hmm. Oh Brother look at that. Huh? Hey He's dead We'll return to our story in just a moment, but now I'd like to ask the ladies a question Have you ever had the shampoo blues the shampoo blues? Of course is that dejected feeling you get when your hair becomes dry and unmanageable after a shampoo if that's been your Experience then here's a way to beat those blues. Try Fitch's saponified coconut oil shampoo Use this clear golden liquid shampoo as often as you like it will never leave your hair dry or difficult to manage That's because Fitch's saponified shampoo is made from pure natural oils Just a little makes oceans of cleansing lather Rinses out easily too for Fitch's saponified shampoo Contains its own patented rinsing agent. It leaves your hair soft lustrous and easy to manage even right after you shampoo it Yes, you can always use Fitch's saponified shampoo with complete confidence and freedom from the shampoo blues So use it regularly buy an economical bottle at your drug or toilet goods counter or ask for a professional Application at your beauty shop Now we return to Dick Powell as private investigator Richard rogue in rogues gallery Well you could have knocked me down with an atom bomb when we opened that secret door in the basement of McVeigh's house and saw what was inside It was an air-conditioned room With fluorescent lighting and strictly occupational furniture and sitting at the table in the swivel chair Was the body of the man named shorty Buzz the bellboy said hey, he's dead Yeah, yeah, they let him have one right through the temple good lord Two murders in one day in Minton. It'll put the place on the map warning. I wonder why they killed him Well, it looks pretty simple to me I got him through the chest when he shot at me and the wounded man is a kind of a handicap to a mob That's trying to make a getaway with a set of counterfeit plates Counterfeit is that what they were doing? Yeah, this place is one of the best equipped and graving shops. I've ever been in You knew that right away Denjuris. Oh Sure That's what Nick Bay's racket was, huh? Yeah, come on. Let's take a look around Yeah, lookie here. Hmm. What did you find exhibit a a whole stack of $10 bills? Let me see Yeah All over the same serial numbers. Oh, there's phonies of course girls accent. Hmm Well Reese, let's get back to town and get some post-mortem fingerprints off your late pal McVeigh And some information on the license number buzz got off that Cadillac Do you think we'll get a mr. Rogue over a lead pipe sense buzz? You know if you hadn't been sharp enough to jot down that license number We'd have been out of luck. You but Reese can trace that. Yeah, I think it could use a guy like me Regular mr. Rogue. Oh, well, I'm sorry kid. I I'm a I'm a lone wolf But you'll make some dough out of this case you can bet your shirt. There's a reward out for this mob We'll split it. Oh, you know junior if you hadn't been around that house and seen those two drive away without shorty This crime may have never been solved. That's right. I guess nobody would ever have looked for the secret room You know, I've always wanted to be a detective. Well, Rogie The Department of Motor Vehicles says this is the address that cars registered to miss Sylvia Adams 1924 Euclid Avenue in Los Angeles. Well, that makes it my me breeze. Oh, oh, yeah Come on boys. You want to drive to LA with me? Sure. Mr. Rogue. I want to be in at the kill on this case Well, this is the house Miss Sylvia Adams 1924 Euclid Avenue. What are we gonna do? Well first you go see if the cars in the garage Well, I take a look around okay Hey buzz buzz. Come here. Wait a minute. Yeah. Hey look in that window out there that man He's the one who knocked me out Hmm. No, is that the man and the blonde woman you saw leaving McVeigh's house? Yep. That's them Looks like they're having a beef. That's good Buzz We're gonna do a little listening. Oh, are you gonna get in back door? Come on, but it's probably locked Yeah, could be but if I haven't a skeleton key on my chain that'll open that door I'm gonna get a new locksmith Now quiet Come on. You didn't have to kill them both Hank. You're a trigger-happy fool. Will you stop harping on that dead dead? That's all there is to it. We're rid of them and we got the counterfeit plates We got no more troubles, baby From now on it's you and me It is What do you mean just that I don't have to put up with you anymore either One word out of me and the cops will put you under the jail Hank That's what they do with killers, you know, I don't like you I Never did like you But you're gonna keep me in money and minks and everything I want as long as I live Killer that may not be long you little double-crossing with that gun away Hank Hank No, so you were gonna double cross me Hank. No, so all that sweet talk was just an act. No Well, here's my The gun pick it up us. Yeah Well now that's not very flattering I'm Richard rogue But we'll talk about that later. Lovely right now. I get up against that wall both of you start singing and make the lyrics cover a Couple of murders. Come on sing Well, that was the end of that story It all happened over a woman almost everything does when I got through chatting with Sylvia. I had the whole story McVeigh and Hank had a sweet little counterfeiting deal all set up and running smoothly McVeigh a master engraver made the plates and hand-printed them in his shop in Menden Hank wholesale the stuff Everything was just too too divine Until Hank moved in on McVeigh's girl Sylvia and got caught at it McVeigh wanted to hire me to front for him and exposing Hank is a counterfeiter And that's what started all of the excitement and the murders We found the counterfeiting plate and Sylvia's Cadillac And I collected five grand reward for cracking case. I Split it with buzz. He was a happy kid Yes, well as I've always said sure she left them to coin a phrase It means find the woman and by the way if you have any luck sure she won for me, too Will you I'm feeling much better and not knowing a thing tonight You know what I mean This is Dick Parley again, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you enjoyed our story tonight Ray Buffham wrote it Leith Stevens composed and conducted the music and D Engelbach produced and directed Don't forget now. You've all got a date with us next Thursday night We have a story for you about a man of the million dollars a beautiful wife and an overpowering jealousy We call it best laid plans So make a date with us with you Thanks for listening and now here's Jim Doyle Don't forget to tune in again next Thursday same time and be sure to see Dick Powell in his newest RKO picture Cornered at your local theater soon and remember tune in again next Thursday same time same station When you will again hear Dick Powell as Richard rogue in rogues gallery Remember if dandruff is your problem ask for Fitch's dandruff remover shampoo It's the only shampoo made who's guaranteed to remove dandruff is backed by one of the world's largest insurance firms No other shampoo can make this statement Ask for Fitch's dandruff remover shampoo at your drug or toilet goods counter barber or beauty shop Fitch is spelled FITCH