 Get this and get it straight. Crime is a sucker's road and those who travel it wind up in the gutter the prison of the grave This time inside of two hours a lavish mansion seethe was suspicion a sealed cabin filled with gas in an artist's retreat Had a corpse on the floor all because one man was too good-looking to be true to anyone From the pen of Raymond Chandler outstanding author of mystery comes his most famous character and crimes most deadly enemy as we present The adventures of Philip Marlowe Now with Gerald Moore starred as Philip Marlowe we bring you tonight's exciting story the lady killer Longer I sat in my office with my feet up on the desk and thought about it the more convinced I became Paul Niles was unquestionably the handsomest man I'd ever seen Yet a face that belonged on a Greek god only his features were better more finely chiseled They looked as though they've been molded out of alabaster from a blueprint by some inspired genius And the classic side view we presented made the great profile show up like a bowl full of shredded wheat In fact the guy was much too good to be true in more ways than one Which had been my original impression of Niles when I'd first met him just two hours ago at the corner of sunset in Cahuenga and at his insistence of driven him around the quieter streets of Hollywood in my car Well, he tried to hire me. He was scared stiff That was all he would admit to and as he talked I wondered what it would be like to have a face like that Must become quite a problem Women cluttering up your life. No, you're not listening to me Unless you help me. I I'm gonna be killed soon tomorrow tonight. Maybe in the next 10 minutes I must have protection from what who's after you a girl her name is Nora Kirby She's threatened my life and now she's here in town. She actually intends to go through with it I I'm not where she's staying. I went there to talk to her, but she was out. Why is killing you so important to her? Well, I I don't even know for sure. It's it's something ridiculous Nora Kirby obviously doesn't think so. Let's have it Niles. Why I I can't tell you that I see Also, I suppose you don't want to take this to the police where it belongs and you can't give me the reason for that Either yes, I came to you because I need private help and I'm willing to pay well for it Now you don't have to concern yourself for the reasons Simply see that Nora doesn't get to me now here as a starter. Here's $200 for just that keep it I only accept money from the people I work for You mean you won't help me. I just want to know where I'm going before I start now wait You don't get off here. Don't you understand my life's in danger? I'm scared not enough to loosen your tongue any Yeah, this is as far as I go, but tell me one thing first just for laughs. What business are you in? I'm a composer. I write music. Mm-hmm. Where you said it's either a front or a hobby. How do you get your dough? I have friends wealthy ones who have faith in me. That's more than I can say for Marlowe So long mr. Niles Go on out. All right, but here at least take my card and please call if you change your mind I'm desperate Marlowe. I'll pay you even more if you're only good. Bye mr. Niles That was the way I'd left it two hours ago at eight And I spent the time in between trying to referee a tug-of-war in progress with the feeling I had that I've been stuffy on one end and I undernourished bank account on the other and was slowly but surely getting no place So when the break came I grabbed at it. Hello. Marlowe speaking Marlowe, this is Paul Niles again. Oh, I've thought it over. I'll tell you everything if that's the only way Because I've got to have help before it's too late. That's better. Where are you in my studio 38 93 Avenida del Sol 38 93 That's off cold water Canyon isn't it? Yes, I'll get over here right away. Well, you might wait a minute Marlowe There's someone here now what Niles who's there when Niles phone went dead I hung up random my car and was headed for cold water Canyon before I stopped to think of what I'd heard on the telephone Could very easily have been bait for a patsy routine Because I had nothing more to go on now than before except Niles promised to tell all that I got no further than gunshots But I was already well on one easy way to find out so I caught screwed my way over the mountains to Avenida del Sol And followed it's number 38 93 Which was a straight-up driveway inch narrowly into the hill face that ended on a gravel shelf just big enough for the redwood and glass Studio a generous helping of imported jungle for landscaping in a circular parking space as my headlight slashed across the tangle of overhanging trees in the center They trapped the figure of a woman running she stopped crouched and looked back into glare like a cat does and dotted for the Dawkins again, but I caught her at the corner of the house Just a minute, baby not so fast on the curve. Oh, let me go. Let me go Not until we've been properly introduced and had a chance to talk a lot of things over Nora Nora, yeah Nora Kirby girl with murder on a mind. Oh, no. No, you got the wrong person. My name is not Nora. It's Lynn. I Don't know anyone like that. Lynn. What? Horton Lynn Horton Okay, Lynn Horton what's inside the gut you're so panicky you can hardly stand up. Is it Paul Niles? Yes I gotta get away from here. It actually happened. Huh? He was shot. Is he dead? I don't know. I think so How did you know about it? Who are you names Marlowe? Come on Lynn Horton? Let's take another look. No, no, I couldn't bear it Can't see him through the window means you must have been inside inside. No, no, I wasn't a look Maybe you're too jittery to try to lie. Let's have the key. Come on give It's better After you go on inside now. Where is it? Come on Lynn come over here away from me. I can't believe What's your connection with him? I Was just a friend. I tried to help him with his music The price on the merchandise you're wearing you must be one of those mentioned. What do you mean? You got dough and it shows we'll skip that Assuming you didn't kill him. You must have had some reason for showing up here at night. What was it? I only wanted to Did you hear that? Someone's outside. Yeah, get the light There on the terrace something moved down there going out to see what is and listen There's no such thing as welcome visitor just now, baby. So you stay here understand and don't budge I felt my way out the door down the stone steps to where we'd seen the movement along the wall of the far end of the terrace There was no sound nothing Whoever it made the noise had gotten away clean so I hit it back for the house And that's when I heard it I started after a bit my shin against the first rock garden stopped me cold Instead I I listened to her drive away Called myself a few unpleasant names and concluded that Lynn Horton or whatever her real name was Had been quite as scared as she acted After I limped inside turned on the light and reached for the phone I Stopped at the word Nora above a pretty girl's picture on a newspaper clipping sticking out of Paul Niles pocket It carried a New York dateline and said that Nora Kirby convicted of manslaughter in a traffic accident Had been released after serving three years At the bottom of the story is crawled an ink was the message Three years for something. I didn't do to get something. I couldn't have It's not fair Paul. I'll be seeing you Was signed Nora I Picked up the phone again in a few minutes later detective lieutenant Matthews at homicide was up to date Okay, I'll be right out You say this girl Nora Kirby did it Marlo. I said Paul Niles was expecting her to and it looks like she did They looked there's another angle though the woman who just beat it away from here the one who called herself Lynn Barton Yeah, yeah, there's that somebody else who was snooping around outside, too Now wait a minute when you see this joint you'll understand besides I'm in this for curiosity only now my paycheck got murdered remember And furthermore, I yo never have matches when I want them I said I'm looking for some matches No, here's some The strangest matches I've ever seen I got a velvet cover on him Hey, hey Matthews, do you ever hear the name negrotto negrotto? Yeah Sure You know I got a dandy hunch I'm gonna go have a talk with mr. Negrotto lieutenant. Okay on one condition be careful what you say Marlo and Keep in touch Good evening. You aren't mr. Negrotto. Are you? No, I'm not I'm Garrett Horton. Mr. Negrotto is busy Horton. Yes, something wrong with that. No No, it's a more common name than I suspect that that's all Well, you tell mr. Negrotto I'd like to see him for a few minutes on an urgent matter names Marlo perhaps you didn't understand me Mr. Negrotto and I are in the middle of a business conference. We can't be disturbed Oh, you can't be disturbed Well, look mr. Horton a man was murdered tonight and one trail leads from the car straight to this front door Either Negrotto talks to me here now or later at police headquarters. You decide Well, that's where you feel come in you're an officer. Not exactly. I'm a private detective. I see Well, follow me follow me He led the way through what looked like the outer lobby of the Taj Mahal And down a silk padded corridor to a set of carved doors that would have fit any round house in the country We walked in a man glanced up a moustache of papers and with a pair of eyes that belonged on a shock It is best to look a hole through me Horton introduced us. This is mr. Marlo private detective Mr. Negrotto. I'm looking for a girl named Nora Kirby in connection with a murder of one Paul Niles tonight She either committed the murder or knows who did because she was there and saw it and what exactly brings you to my house Well, I found this book of matches near the door of the dead man's studio. I I think it's yours It is Go on any idea how it got there none whatever and until you mentioned their names I'd never heard of either Nora Kirby or Paul Niles. How about you mr. Horton? No, I'm afraid not Oh, well, there's my wife. Oh, I'm sure you'll want to give her the third degree to just a moment Lynn Lynn darling. I'm in here, please Lynn this is mr. Marlowe How do you do mr. Marlowe? I'm glad to know you. I'm sure Thanks, I'm pleased to meet you Mrs. Negrotto your brother and I've been trying to convince Marlowe here that we didn't commit murder tonight But he thinks we did because he found this book of our matches near the corpse Can you explain it my dear? Why no I? Can't imagine man's name was Niles Lynn Paul Niles mean anything. No, nothing. How about Nora Kirby? I don't think I've ever heard the name before well Marlowe That would seem to take care of the book of matches not completely. It was found at the house of the dead man remember We've had hundreds of these made up past them out freely I think you've taken up quite enough of our time with this absurd business Marlowe So now I'll ask you to leave. I'll show you all don't bother Listen to grotto and listen closely. I've been taking it easy so far But somebody in this room is absolutely certain how those matches got out there. I know that for a fact And I'm a private detective. Don't forget So if you suddenly remember something that needs talking over I'll be in my office for one hour, but not one single minute longer Good night all In just a moment the second act to Philip Marlowe, but first Every Sunday afternoon CBS brings you two outstanding programs of music Gems from the great composers played by the symphonet and the sweet memorable songs of the outstanding modern composers and semi-classicists sung by the Corlears Each program is designed especially for fine Sunday afternoon listening here both the symphonet and Corlears this Sunday afternoon On most of these same CBS stations Now with our star Gerald Moore we return to the second act of Philip Marlowe and tonight's story the lady killer When I started back from my office on Cawenga I figured that there was an even chance of the double talk I'd left in my weight might stack up in the center of the negrotto living room floor like so much dynamite Which if touched off by the book of matches could cause an explosion that would jar loose a few facts about the lives and loves of the late Paul Niles Facts that would make finding Nora Kirby and clearly understanding our motives something less than impossible In 20 minutes later when I was slouched behind my desk and listening to the It's the cuttle report of a pair of high heels clicking sharply toward my door. I Had a hunch that my theory of violent detonation was not just wishful thinking When the door opened without the formality of a knock that hunch turned a sure thing because the visitor was the not-quite-lady called Lynn Before she could speak of peace the phone rang and sure thing graduated to cinch It was another negrotto the one named able Yeah, I think so hold a wire. Will you I need a light within a second mrs. Negrotto all right, but what I have to say is important Marla, so make it fast Will you just as fast as I can I don't think your husband as much as say to me That's able you're talking. Yeah, how do you mind handing me those matches there? Thanks Hello Sorry to have kept you waiting mr. Negrotto. I never seem to be able to hang out of matches The reason for the call You know as well as I do that servants guests anyone who's ever been in my home Could have left those matches near the body of that Paul Niles. That's right, mr. Negrotto anybody which also includes you your wife your brother-in-law and others in the family I have still to meet what's your point, please. I'm in a hurry very well Mano, I called to find out if you're holding anything back from me if this murder concerns the negrotto's beyond the appearance of those matches I can't say Because there is something because I don't know anything else Yes, there is To be honest, I admire the way you handle the situation What's your address? I may have worked for you soon tonight. Thanks, mr. Negrotto, but I don't think I'll be available at least not till I get through with the job I'm on which is what handling dynamite while I play with books of matches Good night, sir What do they want more among other things and express desire to hire me to do what? Report on you. I suppose he didn't say what makes you think that's what he wanted Addition mrs. Negrotto A rich old husband a beautiful but bored young wife and an unemployed at Donna's always add up the same way Also, you were here in my office just about clinches things not to mention your presence near the corpse the key you use and I've heard enough Marlowe Look, I didn't want to get mixed up with Paul. I couldn't help myself. I swear I couldn't He was different Marlowe Handsome more charm than I'd ever known in anyone. Yeah, real lady killer. I know what are you getting at just this? I'll pay you any price your name only don't tell Abel that I had anything to do with Niles He's a jealous man Marlowe insanely jealous if he knew about us. He Killed mrs. Negrotto I Don't know Marlowe What do you want right now everything you know about Nora Kirby, but I've never heard of her before tonight. I'm not it's the truth No Now what do you want? Nothing good night. Yeah, you mean you won't say anything. Oh Marlowe, I don't know how to thank you. Don't try Also, don't get mixed up about me, baby. The fact that I won't blackmail you doesn't mean I don't like you The door mrs. Negrotto leave it open on your way out. Will you I'm expecting another visitor. No my husband No, just another man The anchor man in the triumvirate. I once left some dynamite with I Won't bother explaining that goodbye mrs. Negrotto You great big beautiful My name mr. Horton, I've been waiting for you Not exactly it's more a matter of intuition high explosives and the fact that both your brother-in-law and sister have already paid their respects What can I do for you? I'm not at all sure it's the first time I'm only here because I noticed something very strange about the way my sister looked at you when you spoke of the murder of this Paul Niles When she left the house shortly after you did I followed her here all of which makes the next question Why mr. Horton because I don't trust her and more important every penny I own is tied up in a business venture of mine that her husband is backing She originally met Abel through me and if she should in some way be in trouble the kind of trouble that her husband Wouldn't pull up with I might suffer for it in the long run right along with her Uh-huh and By the trouble mr. Horton you're referring to something specific I am Lin has had a very Well a very mixed up background while oh, so it's entirely feasible that in some way she's connected with this Nora You spoke of who killed Paul Niles you mean isn't accomplice or even his accessory before after the fact Pretty thoughts about your own sister which I can't help I doubt that you have anything to worry about mr. Horton However, I will say this that if Nora Kirby hadn't gotten a Paul Niles sooner a lady would have had plenty to worry about You mean I mean that now is a great time you to go home and sit on your investment All is well mr. Horton for the time being Moment after Horton left the office I came to the hollow conclusion that although my little bombshell had exploded on schedule Damages have been lightened a jar loose neither fact nor fancy about the late Paul Niles and much less about the elusive miss Nora Kirby So my next move had to be a second trip to have a needed El Sol in a report the detective lieutenant Matthews Which is what I was about to do when it came from someplace outside Around the length of the car to our side my daughter and belted down the single-fighter stairs to the street We're in the half light of a distant lamppost Saw the shadowed figure of a girl slip behind my car then dot taught a storefront nearby I started after and stopped at a noise behind me, which was a old mistake Oh, it's you you're the one who screamed Honey, you have got it bad. Listen. This is just Sally. Hello, Salon Relax, honey. You're lucky a cop didn't come along first being drunk is one thing the DT's is something else I know last year I was in the same shape and it took me three months now. Wait a minute. Holy will you look? I was slugged not slipped on Mickey Slugged honest If you don't mind giving me a hand, I'll get up Sorry, I figured you're all wrong never thought you was slugged any idea who done it Oh, no, look tell me didn't you see anything before you found me? I mean an era girl screams here on the way Honey, you must have been out longer and you thought maybe I'll tell you why I'll tell you more than that You know who slugged your honey a polite guy a very polite guy Who left this cardion graved in all Paul miles knowing I used to won't work sweets Niles gave me that card earlier than I must have dropped it just now also Niles is dead not you And what back of that car there in pencil give me that would you graze Motel 1010 Monica Boulevard bungalow 9 Sweetheart, I may have something good here about who slugged you better than that about who killed Niles and where she can Be found but I love his fight for your trouble and bless you as I piled into my car I knew that putting Niles conversation piece about having just come from Nora's place when he first met me Together with the address on the back of his car was taking a lot for granted I sold myself that playing a long shot was better than not betting on anything at all and I kept driving fast When I came to a stop away from the place, which was run down spread out and quiet I had a feeling that what I had earmarked long shot was quickly moving up to even money And when I was standing next to the Motel bungalow mark 9 That feeling became fact because inside and piled in an awkward heap on the floor Was a still form of a girl the newspaper clipping it labeled Nora Kirby It was another full second before I realized something even more important on a hot night in August There wasn't a single window open Nora Kirby was held close to a gas heater that was on but showed no flame I picked up a stone at my feet took one deep breath Then crashed the pane of glass unlocked the window and got inside no for the girl Why figured was taking the hasty way out of a murder that she no doubt had a very personal reason to commit I stopped figuring when I was nearly next to her. I knew that she was still alive And that a man gripping a 45 in his hand to just open the front door Well comes a switch Brother-in-law Garrett Horton. I never would have guessed you wouldn't have had to try if you kept your nose clean Why she can die as a suicide with the police will chalk off as logical since she's already wanted for murder that you No doubt committed exactly Because there isn't anything worse one can do to a blackmailer. That's it Niles Lady killer was blackmailing your sister. You found out and killed him before he could cause too much trouble Family trouble that would end up hurting the good thing you've got with husband able, huh? Yes, shut up and get away from her. We're going outside. You're kidding Marlowe I'll shoot you if you don't start walking. You're still kidding Horton, you can't kill me without killing yourself This room is jammed tight with the gas you turned on after you brought her in here unconscious at the Aceptor outside of my place because she was on her way to see me and tell me that you had murdered Niles the flash from that gun in your hand Horton will blow us all the bits face it brother for you. It's all or nothing at all. Go on shoot go on try it try it You can see Miss Kirby now mr. Marlowe she's gonna be all right, but hold it down to a few minutes All right, doctor just a few minutes Hello Nora been a long time getting together But not through any fault of mine. Mr. Marlowe. I followed you from the moment you left Paul's place But I wanted to see you alone. So I kept waiting for my chance Which was canceled out when Horton's what did you after he left my office? Gotta learn to run faster honey. He had to take time to knock me out and still he caught up with you So did you I'm very glad to say Even though you probably weren't trying to save me at the time Frankly honey and until Horton stepped back into that bungalow to keep me from interfering with things I figured you were it. I might have been Marlowe If Paul hadn't been killed just before I got to him At least I did hit him with something hard. I had motive you know. Yeah, I read all about it Three years in prison for something he didn't do But tell me if Niles framed you and you knew it. Why didn't you go to the police? Couldn't have been that irresistible But he was Marlowe And more as a matter of fact, he didn't frame me in the first place It was my own idea. You see Paul was driving the car when we we had that accident three years ago Not me you switch places. Well, why? Already had his license revoked for reckless driving. They'd have sent him away for ten years at least as against my three Believe it or not at the time. I couldn't think of waiting that long for it No Hello Matthews we checked her story. It's true enough even if it's the kind of thing. We're not supposed to be able to understand Paul was strictly a lady killer remember. Yeah, so he was well I guess that ties everything in huh quite well. I just finished taking a statement from Horton. There's one more question Never made you so sure that in a room half filled with gas a gun exploding would blow everything up Oh, well, that's simple. I I You what well, I figured you see I thought that that Yes, well good night miss Kirby good night, mr. Marlowe so long lieutenant so long lucky By the time I got back to the quiet of my apartment on Franklin was a little better than two in the AM As I sank into an easy chair without bothering to turn on the lights. I realized it for the moment. I was tired tired of people They're troubles that petty little jealousies Lady killing Makes one man a lady killer and another No, well I little last cigarette and I thought about the mountain of trouble a classic Grecian profile had built for Paul Niles. I Stopped thinking when the flare of the match in my hand showed in a mirror opposite me The mirror that also reflected the face of the guy holding the match hmm It was a long way from being in a Donis In fact Slightly on the mud fence side And at the moment glad of it the adventures of Philip Marlowe bringing you Raymond Chandler's most famous character and crime's most deadly enemy Star Gerald Moore and are produced and directed by Norman McDonald Script is by Meldon L.A. Robert Mitchell and Gene Levitt Feature in the cast were Gene Bates Paul Dubov Ted Von Elts and Morrison Don Randolph and Edmund McDonald The special music is by Richard Orant Be sure and be with us again next week when Philip Marlowe says It started with a man on trial for his life and a day one citizen eager to testify But there it was interrupted and it wasn't until I found a corpse in a bubbling bath Gunplay in the woods and lots of blackmail That the real ego witness had a chance to talk It will be New Orleans city of romance and drama which sends its detectives into action on gangbusters tonight The superintendent of the New Orleans police department himself will narrate gangbusters amazing story the case of the sledgehammer sigh You'll also find Basil Rathbone engaged in another of his exciting exotic mysteries So be sure to hear them on most of these same CBS stations Gangbusters and Basil Rathbone's newest mystery adventure in fact stay tuned right now for the gangbusters program Yes, it follows immediately on most of these same stations. This is Roy Rowan speaking This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system