 For your listening enjoyment, John Lund as... $30. Mitchell, Johnny, what do you know about the land of milk and honey? Oh, at 4.30 in the morning. Son's been up for three hours in fever. Ensured by you? Uh-huh. How much is Cunningham happy about? $90,000. Sir, don't blame him. Good night, Mitch. They up went down in calm weather on a smooth sea, Johnny. I've always wondered what milk and honey taste like. We'll return to our program in a moment. But first, I'd like to talk to you about housekeeping. Recently, a woman was interviewing a prospective maid and asked her how she was on white housekeeping. Well, I'm sorry, ma'am, said the young lady. I never kept a lighthouse. I admit that's an old joke, but it generally gets a laugh. However, housekeeping is no joke. That's a job from which no one can escape, whether he lives in a house, an igloo, a military barracks, or a governmental building. Yes, housekeeping is a very important job, even in our government. Someone has to see that the plumbing doesn't leak, that electricity, oil, and coal aren't wasted, that the garden is kept in good shape, that the animals are fed, and that the people have a place outdoors in which to enjoy themselves. Actually, all these governmental household tasks are the work of the Department of the Interior, which at one time was called the Home Department. The biggest job of the Department is conservation, the protection of the things that make our country a good place in which to live. The land, water, oil, coal, forests, minerals, fish, and wildlife. These are our natural resources. If it weren't for the conservation work of the Interior Department, before too long, all the farm and grazing lands would be washed or blown away, and all the wildlife would disappear from our fields and forests. Another important job of the Department is the development of new natural resources and the caring for our national parks, where people are free to go sightseeing or set up camp. And during wartime, the Secretary of the Interior has a special job. Namely, making sure that sufficient oil and other fuels are available to our armed forces and defense industries. Yes, our governmental housekeeper, the Department of the Interior, has a most important and vital job in maintaining the comfort and welfare of every citizen of the United States. The expense accounts submitted by Special Investigator Johnny Dollar to Home Office, Eastern Indemnity and Insurance Company in Hartford, Connecticut. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the milk and honey matter. Expense account item one, $666.45, airfare and incidentals between Hartford and Beirut, Lebanon. Quite a fabulous land is one of Lebanon for ancient mosques and biblical ruins and hand-in-hand with the most altar of modern hotels. And quite a fabulous character that's Brent Cunningham. I located him exactly 35 minutes after checking in at the St. George Hotel. He was just where everyone I questioned said he'd be. At the S. S. Whitehead, a swank gambling casino just outside of town on the Beirut Damascus Highway. He was standing at one of the wheels, all six-foot-four, face flushed and grinning, surrounded by stacks of chips and a young spelt brunette who clung to him with one hand and a champagne cocktail with the other. Face bourgeois, mes amis. Face bourgeois. Please say we try 13 again, huh? That would be real short, sir. Real short. Okay, maybe 13 of these. Are you Brent Cunningham? Okay, Charlie, let her spin. My name is Johnny Dollar. I'd like to talk to you for a minute, Cunningham. Some other time. It's pretty important. Don't spin her so hard the next time, Charlie. It takes too long to get action for my money. You are American, you know, mister? That's right. And I just think you are. He is yours, Mr. American. Well, thanks a lot. It's about that yacht of yours, Cunningham. Insurance? Yeah. I figured. Great. Hey, how about that? Back him up for me, Charlie. We miss you. It's gonna be a big night, baby. A big night. Oh, we bet. How about that yacht? You got my check with, you know? That comes later. What comes now? Some routine questions, such as... Such as, how come your yacht went down in a smooth sea and calm weather? Aw, worried about a fraudulent claim? Are you? They put these on double-o, Charlie. Well, Mr. Cunningham? Oh, oh, yeah. Well, she hit a derelict, dove in the bow, went down in less than three minutes. Just like that. Why not? I don't know. Well, maybe you'd like to find out, eh? Well, no harm trying. Oh, sure. You do that, darling. You'll find me right here when you're ready to pay off. Expense account item two. Seven dollars and fifty cents. Cab fare to the casino and back to the harbor in Beirut. Obviously, I was getting nowhere, trying to compete with a wind streak in the South Ray Nadja for Brett Cunningham's attention. But I figured I might do better with the man who sent in the official report on the thinking of Cunningham's yacht. Port Commissioner Floreau. I found Commissioner Floreau on the second floor of a baked clay office building, which was surrounded by bales of drying sheepskins cast of olive oil and dates. A wheezing electric fan fought a losing battle with the overpowering heat, but it did succeed in spreading the odors around to maximum effect. I regret that you have been welcomed by this unseasonably dweeve, Monsieur Delin. It's a very unusual weather for Beirut at this season of the year. I'll overlook the weather, Commissioner, in exchange for some information. Or you have not read my official report on the thinking of Monsieur Cunningham's yacht? I read it, yes. Are you not explicit enough for your purposes? Well, I'm not sure. But you're mind running over the highlights for me again. Oh, not at all. At approximately 10.23, the evening of the 28th of November, Monsieur Cunningham's yacht, the happy time, Spark has submerged derelicts from 200 meters off the coast of Lebanon. It went down within three minutes' time. There's no question about that being the cause of the thinking. We have a swarm happy day and we're proud of the crew of eight who survived the sinking with him. Now, are there witnesses? No. Anything else to back up their statement? A Lebanese gunboat proceeded to the scene the next day. It found considerable floating debris, such as the trail, life-preserver, and a large pool of oil. Also, it located the derelicts, which was reportedly responsible for the accident, and destroyed it with gunfire. No sign of the yacht itself. Sounding equipment located it, where was Cunningham going when he hit that derelict? He was on route from Istanbul, Turkey to Beirut. Pleasure trip? Every. What about Cunningham himself? He has visited Beirut several times during the past year. Apparently wealthy. He saw that income is unknown to us. He devotes much of his time to gambling while here. Any business associates? Friends? Only the couple here. And that girl, Nadja? Many like her here in Beirut. With Mr. Cunningham, it is a different one each visit. Mm-hmm. Well, thanks for your trouble, Commissioner. However, I have the feeling you are not entirely satisfied with the results of this interview. It was a clear moon at night, Commissioner. A calm sea. There must have been lifeboats aboard, but he saw it. I was just wondering why only two survivors out of a crew of eight. You'll find he said he's still being backed up, don't you? Don't you? If you are my duty ends, we've just backed you up for a thing or whatever, tell me if you've done that. So does mine. Before I left him, Commissioner Floral gave me the name and the address of the sailor who survived the sinking. I found him deep in the native quarter behind the bazaar on a narrow, twisting street, black with shadows. It was called LXBOT. It is to be regrettable, Effendi. It is to be most regrettable. What is? My sweet heart, Effendi. They are so delicate, so sensitive. It is a feeding time. Interruptions dissolve them. You understand? You talking about those birds in there? My sweet heart, Effendi. My lovely feathered darlings. They are so sensitive. I cannot talk now. You understand? You will excuse me. Oh, just a minute. Your chasm around that skill? It is so, Effendi. My name is Daller. Insurance and that's together. I'd like to ask you a few questions about the sinking of Brett Cunningham's yacht. But what is there that Casimir and Deschue, a humble sailor, could tell you about that? Effendi. That's what I'd like to find out. Very well. Come in, if you please. Effendi. Please be seated on this shaft, boy. If it does not offend you by its humbleness. Well, it'll do fine. Now, if you do not mind, I will feed the half of my half. Well, we talk. They are so hungry. Poor things. And there's so many things to do. Oh, go right ahead. I have collected them from all over the world, Effendi. My favorites, such as Fatima Hill, I take with me on all my voyages. I'm interested in your last voyage. What happened? It was so unfortunate, Effendi. It was about ten o'clock on the night on the 28th of November, from 200 meters off the shore of Lebanon. The Archies took it there. They went down in less than three minutes. So unfortunate. Now tell me what really happened. Effendi. I swore to this information before the Commissioner of the Port. I read the report. I don't have to believe it. Yes. Dear Krishna, Beloved of all, Beloved of all, Beloved too. For you, my precious one. Well, Mr. Andesco? Effendi, I am but a poor man. How much? You understand, it is not for myself that I ask Effendi if it's for these poor ones here. How much? Andesco is a reasonable man. He will ask only for the ten percent of the claim. Nine thousand dollars. I couldn't ask anyone to be that reasonable. Is it, uh, a... Six thousand, perhaps? Five hundred. Effendi, my ancestors would show me in paradise. Well, that would show pretty good taste. Five hundred. This is most regrettable, Effendi, but Andesco can tell you no. Okay. It is not the dire mercenary, Effendi, so far his money is concerned. I would not ask one dinner for myself if you understand what I am saying, Effendi. Oh, sure. It's strictly for the birds. Expensive account item three. Twenty-seven dollars and fifty cents. A radiogram to intelligence division. Turkish police in Istanbul. Expensive account item four. Three dollars and fifty cents. Cab fare out to the Escovado casino. The return trip being occasioned by a phone call just as I was climbing into bed for the night. Johnny Dollar. Brett Cunningham, Dollar. Oh, what's on your mind, Cunningham? That check for ninety grand. Well, you sound anxious. You're wind-sleeked, Peter Art? No. Being cryptic doesn't suit your personality. How about honesty? I'll be happy to read any character references in the morning. Would you rather read my signature on a quit claim to that insurance tonight? You don't sound as though you've been drinking. I haven't. Why the sudden change of attitude? You went quit claim. Where are you? At the casino. I'll be right there. You know, many great men have attained the highest office in our land, the presidency of the United States. Can you guess the name of this man? The son of a Baptist minister, he entered Union College, connected in New York at the age of fifteen. He was the fourth vice president to become president through the death of the chief executive. One of his first acts as president was the signing of the Civil Service Act. The territory of Alaska was organized during his administration and standard time was adopted throughout the country. If you don't know his name by now, here are two more clues. While he was president, the American Federation of Labor was organized and the Brooklyn Bridge was completed. Who was he? Chester Allen Arthur, twenty-first 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 your truly Johnny Dollar. I was stopped at the edge of the casino parking area by an efficient-looking Lebanese police sergeant. Over his shoulder, I could see portable floodlights, a rope-backed crowd, a twisted heap of metal that was once an automobile, and the slim dapper figure of Port Commissioner Floreau. I managed to catch Floreau's eye and he waved me inside the rope and passed the guard. May I ask, why you have returned here to the casino at this hour, Mr. Dalar? Well, I'm not a gambling man, Commissioner. It's good to see Mr. Cunningham, then. That's a reasonable guess. You've arrived too late, Mr. Cunningham. Is that Cunningham's car? Explosive wire to the starter. His death must have been practically instantaneous. Yeah, efficient if not neat. Why did you wish to see Mr. Cunningham at the hour? He called me. He said he was ready to sign a release on his insurance claim. Oh, and why should he do that? I don't know. And this won't help to clarify it, any. For the next three quarters of an hour, Commissioner Floreau conducted a crisp, thorough investigation and came up with nothing. Police sergeants drove me back to my hotel. Nadja was waiting for me in the lobby. Hello, Mr. Dalar. Well, hello, Nadja. I see you're not wearing mourning. You know you are real cute, Mr. Dalar. Nadja likes you. Nadja liked Brett Cunningham, too. Oh, sure. Brett, he was real yours. Only now, Brett is real dead. So now Nadja liked Mr. Dalar. Oh, sure. Only Nadja liked something better than both of them. Well, now that couldn't possibly be money, could it? You're so funny, Mr. Dalar. But of course it is money. $90,000. American. Did Cunningham promise you that insurance money? Oh, yes. Oh, you're too smart to have fallen for a line like that. And you must know that now, if the claim proves valid, it goes to Cunningham's heirs. Sure. That is where Nadja comes in. He named you and his will? No. He married me. Nadja is Mrs. Brett Cunningham. Is that not real crazy, Mr. Dalar? After Nadja dropped her little bombshell and took her giggling departure, I checked with Commissioner Floreau, who in turn checked with the Public Records Administration. Brett Cunningham and Nadja had been married the evening before in the manager's office at the S. Sowido Casino. Expensive account item 6, $17.25. Radio phone call to Istanbul, Turkey. I spoke with Chief Inspector Dabriki. $1,000. Well, that happens, Inspector. What have you run into? We know that Mr. Cunningham's Istanbul on the afternoon of the 24th November bound for Beirut. Who's saying? Yeah, well, who's saying? What's that? Oh, a ship of Lebanese registry. 400 tons launched in 1923. It has been told by Mr. Cunningham's yacht. Who is the registered owner, Inspector? That is what has taken the time, Mr. Cunningham. I've run over to the native quarter, verified what I was already pretty sure of. And Descu had flown with his birds of a feather. Expensive account item 6, $55 for the rental of a motor launch. A clip with skipper, hand winch, a hundred fathoms of good steel chain, and a number of grappling hooks. We sailed out of Beirut harbor and headed northward up the coast of Lebanon. It was in 35 boring minutes later, that is the rune tower which you see. That's Commissioner Floreau's description, all right? And now, I think we'll do some fishing. I dropped about 70,000s of chain overboard with grappling hooks attached, and we began trolling slowly back and forth, some 200 meters offshore. Approximately two hours before sundown, we got our first flight. We have hooked up the amending. Well, it's about time. Let's see what it is. I think someone objected to our finishing the job. Excuse me, Commissioner. I think to be concerned about something I've told you. It almost did. I will try to understand it. Okay. Watch it. If you have any success on your first, Mr. Delareau. Well, that's a matter of definition. I've acquired a bad case of sunburn, a healthy respect for a Tommy gun. And this. That. What do you think, Monsieur? Well, it looks like part of the transom of a life, folks. Care to look at the name on it? Sir? I couldn't make happy times out of it, either. Eh, you say? What do you think about, Monsieur Delareau? I think I'd better get some sunburn lotion. Who is Delareau? Oh, what has happened to your face? It looks so funny. I was hoping you'd skip the compliments and invite me in. Oh, sure, Johnny. Thanks. You come here not to pay night of the check, Johnny? I'm going to do something better than that. You're real crazy, Johnny. Neither likes you. How well do you like Kazimer and Desco? Him. He's a nothing. Why do we talk about him? Well, if we don't, somebody might get the idea that you're guilty of fraud and murder. Johnny. No, you're not being real crazy anymore. No, you didn't do these things, you say? Somebody murdered her husband, Brett Cunningham. Oh, sure, but no, you didn't do this. And somebody tried to defraud an insurance company out of $90,000 by sinking an ancient wreck called the El Hussein instead of a yacht. Oh, Johnny. Can you know about this? And no, no, you will not get the money? That's the general idea. That is not nice, Johnny. Why should you tell anyone? If Nadia gets the money she will give you half. That would be a real judge, no? You're missing a point somewhere, Nadia. But didn't you know that you can't spend money in prison? If Nadia tell you about Kazimer and Desco, then she does not have to go? That depends on what she tells me. Nadia will tell you the truth. Oh, that will be refreshing. You see, my Brett, he was gambling in Istanbul. He lose much money to Kazimer and Desco, $15,000. And he cannot stay. Kazimer does not like this. Well, I don't blame him. That's a lot of money for a sailor not to collect. Johnny, Kazimer is not sailor. He's a big gambler, big smuggler, a real business man. My apologies to Kazimer. Anyway, for Brett to pay off, Kazimer and Sally want to do about the boat and they will make me 50-50 on insurance. That's a good sense, no? Let's not stop to discuss ethics at this point, shall we? Well, anyway, afterwards, Brett comes here. He's gambling in Winby. So you want to pay Kazimer back, but he owes from Istanbul. Brett figured he could collect all the insurance himself then. It was smarter, you know? Oh, sure. But Kazimer's saying no, and Brett gets angry. And that's when he pulled his dog in the manger bit. What, Johnny? He told Kazimer that if he couldn't have it all, he'd see that Kazimer didn't have any. So he phoned me to call the whole thing off. Just a bluff to scare Kazimer into giving him a better deal. Oui. Only Kazimer's eager to get angry, too. And wired Brett's car for him. Oui. Where's Kazimer now? I think he's with the yacht, Johnny. And where is that? Up north, just beside Sripoli, there's a small fishing village. Kabadi. Maybe you friend him there. Maybe? It's some 80 kilometers up the coast road from Beirut to Kabadi. Commissioner Floro's car made it in slightly less than an hour. It took some 40 minutes longer to make a few discreet inquiries and to locate the yacht in a well-concealed inlet. Even in the dark, the hasty remodeling work was apparent. A dummy stacked paint job from false superstructure work. He couldn't have looked much like the trim yacht that had departed Istanbul a week or so ago. And even in the pitch dark below decks, it wasn't too tough to tell where Kazimer and Descu was keeping himself. Please, Efendi, I regret, but that is hard enough. We want to talk with you, Andescu. I regret it so much, but it is nice and sweet time for my sweet heart. They are so sensitive. To have their slumber disturbed would upset them for days. You weren't that considerate about Brett Cunningham. Oh, that one. A man of immoral structure, Efendi, without honesty or scrups to talk to one, the fate which befell him was most just. You pulled a few fast shuffles in your time, too. Efendi, you are attempting to approach with me. I should dislike very much to be served my beloved with the sound of the firearms. You have no idea how objectionable the noise is to Fatima and the others. You weren't so particular about the noise you made with that Tommy gun. Ah, yes. A regrettable incident. Now, unfortunately, the heat reflection upon the water disturbed my aim. Obviously, your fishing expedition was successful. Do you expect well enough to provide ground for your arrest on charges of fraud and murder, Mr. Andescu? Ah, yes. That is not regrettable, Efendi. I must ask you to drop whatever weapons you have and return to Beirut in my custody. Oh, but you must understand that I cannot do that, Efendi. I simply cannot do that. There would be no one left to care for my sweet heart. Watch it, Paul! See? Andescu should not have attempted to battle his way out, Bala. It was the wrong thing for him to do. He was right about one thing, though. Oh, those birds did object to the noise. Expense account item 7, $703. Airfare and incidentals from Beirut, Lebanon back to Hartford. Expense account total $1,480.20. Incidental remarks? I'd still like to know what milk and honey taste like. Here's to these Johnny Dollars.