 The Equitable Life Assurance Society presents this is your FBI This is your FBI the official broadcast from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation transcribed and presented as a public service by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and the Equitable Society is representative in your community Tonight we have in our radio audience thousands of people who will be listening for the middle commercial all because of a postcard Yes, a postcard. They received in the mail this morning from a representative of the Equitable Life Assurance Society But whether you received a postcard from your equitable man or not the Equitable Society and its representatives Urge you to listen to tonight's middle commercial. It's an important message describing the Equitable Society's independent 60s plan a practical workable plan for people who want to be independent at the age of 60 I'll be back in approximately 14 minutes to give you full information on this special plan Offered by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States Tonight's FBI file the transatlantic shakedown In the old days before there was such a thing as the Federal Bureau of Investigation Crime was a localized affair It was possible in those days if the crime was discovered soon enough To isolate an entire community until the criminal had been apprehended And even in those instances where he made good his escape The criminal could not get very far because the means of transportation at his disposal were meager Even if he lived in one of the nation's largest cities Today however, all of that has changed in this age of jet propulsion It is possible for a man to commit a crime in one city and for him to take refuge in another city 3,000 miles away Before the very crime has been discovered It is true that the progress made in transportation has also Made it easier for the special agents of your FBI to cover a tremendous amount of territory But the greater advantage has come to the criminal For he and he alone is the one who decides the exact moment at which a crime will be committed Because he is by occupation an opportunist He chooses that moment which will afford him the greatest lapse of time Between his crime and the beginning of the search for him Tonight's case from the files of your FBI for example is international in scope because of that ease of modern-day travel And takes us first to the city of eternal gaiety Paris Tonight's file opens in an elevator which is slowly climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris The elevator operator also acts as guide The time is clear today and when we arrive on the first floor in a moment you can see just for 30 kilometers At your right you see the oldest Isn't this a beautiful view mother? Yes, Pa. All right, but at 5 kilometers I I don't understand all this. Oh coming here. Yes. I have a very special reason I'll explain it when we get to the top Very well Look, there's a hotel. Oh Goodness, I forgot now clearly things could be seen from here Wait there, let's go this way where we can be alone. All right Take a good look you may not see Paris again for quite some time What do you mean? We're leaving But for where the States? Paul I've got to go back to see Don Jackson But you just went to London to clear up the Jackson matter. I went to London to see Mr. Jackson's representative What happened? He wanted to settle my entire claim against Don Jackson for five thousand dollars Why that's ridiculous. That's what I told him and He got very angry. He threatened me and well, I was forced to use violence That's why I've got to go back to see Don Jackson in person Just because you had a fight with his representative mother. I killed him a Few days later back in the United States in an FBI field office Agent Keith Thompson approaches the desk of special agent Jim Taylor Jim I just got your note. Oh, hi Keith. What's this stuff about a closed file? That's what we're working on a closed case That's right closed since 1945. Well at last. This is the case. I've been waiting to work on one That's already been solved. Oh, it's not that simple Keith. This is a file on a man named Paul Black The first entry we have is dated July 11th 1935 Now on that date we received a complaint that Paul Black had possibly swindled two old women out of some real estate in this city What kind of real estate Jim? They owned the terminal building here Oh, but the time they discovered that black was a swindler He had sold the property to a man named Don Jackson a Jackson swore that he bought it in good faith So the only chance the women had to recover their money was to ask the courts to intervene and set aside the transaction And I assume that when prosecution was started black was among the missing mm-hmm We made a rather complete search for him, but no lead turned up for three years, which would have been 1938 That's right. Well at that time we found that he'd gone to France in some way He had managed to get himself a passport in his own name. No used an alias We notified the French your day, but they had no success in locating him then came the war and early in 1945 We got a report on black from the army our army Yeah, as they were moving through France toward the German border. They found the body of a man who carried the identification papers of Paul Black Body was terribly mutilated, but the identification papers carried his picture So they sent that picture back to this country. Well, was it identified as black? That's right Well, they buried him we made a notation on his file that he was dead and the file was closed I don't understand what we're doing with it now Jim two days ago Washington got a routine report from Scotland yard to check some fingerprints Keith Those prints belong to Paul Black How could that be? Well, that's what the SAC wants us to find out Here's the whole file right here. Let's go through it again and see if we can find an answer to that Is that you mother? Yes, dear. How was your walk? Very enjoyable fine Have you spoken to Don Jackson yet? No, I called but he wasn't in oh His secretary said she'd have him call me Paul you'd be amazed at the way things have changed since we left new buildings new stores Say do you remember that bank that was closed and somebody turned it into one of those speakeasies? It's a bank again And you should see the place right across Hello That's right Hello, Don. Who is this Paul black? Paul black I Didn't think it would be very smart to leave my name at your office. So I just left the number I see I'd appreciate you're canceling any appointments you have for the next hour or so down Why because I'm going to pay you a visit and I think you'll want to see me alone I just got that report from Scotland yard on Paul black indirectly it was about a man named John Ross Who's he on American who was found dead in a London Hotel room 10 days ago? Paul blacks fingerprints were found in that room was this Ross murdered apparently one thing that hasn't been found yet Though is his passport? You know, I think black might attempt to use it. How about notifying immigration? I already have they're going to be on the lookout for him. I ran down elite myself Oh, what was it? I checked on blacks wife I tried to find some indication on whether she left the country with him any results Yeah, I found a bank account in her name at the security national the last deposit was made shortly before black disappeared He left in a hurry didn't he Jim? Yeah Well if she left the account that would indicate that she went with him and I'd say we could assume that if he's coming back So is she mmm Keith Why don't you call the bank and ask them to call you if Mrs. Black shows up for the money? I've already covered that Oh, it's well. Oh our records also show that she also had a favorite beauty shop and a favorite dressmaker You might check on them too. We'll do meanwhile. I'll wait here for some word from the code room What's doing up there? They're decoding a message that came in from the Paris your day a little while ago on this case Yes, and as soon as that message is decoded and translated we should have a lot more information on mr. Paul black Mr. Jackson yes, miss Crawford. What is it and mr. Black to see you? I Them come in. Yes, sir. You may come in mr. Black. Thank you miss Hello, Don. Hello. It's good to see you again My my you haven't changed a bit. I was just saying to my wife this morning. I wonder if done Paul let's get this over with as soon as possible Very well did a representative of mine contact you from London a man named Ross. Yes, I saw him Did he offer you a cash settlement? Yes, but I turned the offer down. Why? $5,000 isn't a very fair settlement Paul you've been blackmailing me for 14 years now Just this morning. I compiled my payments to you. They total more than $55,000 you figures are very accurate and how much more do you want from me? Well, let's explore my assets I don't have to remind you that if I were to let the police come into possession of certain papers You'd go to the police. Oh, I could do it without revealing my own identity and if I did This building would not only be returned to those two old ladies. We Acquired it from but you'd be in jail. Do you realize that John? Yes Splendid then I'd say I want another $50,000 50 felt that's my price. That's a fortune That's why I wanted and I wanted in cash by tomorrow afternoon Keith I think I found something that might help us we can use it I started to check into the background of John Ross the man who was murdered in London I found that he used to work for a man here in town named Don Jackson. He's the one who owns the terminal building Mm-hmm, and as you recall he bought it from black That's interesting. Well, I called Jackson's office a little while ago, but he was in conference His secretary said that she'd contact me as soon as he was through good Jim I've just finished going over this report from the Paris suretake and and we know now for sure that Paul black is Back in this country. How they located the missing passport of John Ross They did where in the hands of a black market passport operator in Paris and under questioning this operator admitted that he made a deal with Paul Black on he took the Ross passport from black and gave him one in the name of Howard pool That pins the murder on black But why do you say we know that he's back in this country now because I checked immigration and their records show that a Howard pool flew from France to New York this week. That was Paul black, of course using the forged passport Special Agent Taylor speaking. Hello, Mr. Taylor. This is Miss Crawford. Mr. Don Jackson secretary. Oh, yes, Miss Crawford Something terrible has happened. Mr. Jackson just committed suicide We will return in just a minute to tonight's exciting case from the official files of your FBI Tonight on the 8th of July when we stand midway between America's Independence Day July 4th and France's Independence Day on July 14 Seems a specially suitable time to invite you to take advantage of the equitable society's famous independent 60s plan The equitable society created this plan for self-reliant Americans who want to keep on being Independent after they reach the age of 60 who want to be self-supporting and self-respecting when it's time for them to retire Many equitable members who have cashed in on this plan live in spots where the weather is ideal all year long My wife and I make our home in Asheville, North Carolina What a climate cool all summer never cold and winter people who have retired on equitable Independence 60s plans can afford to travel they've time for their hobbies my hobby is my workshop down in the basement You ought to see some of the furniture I've built since I retired and to think that for years I thought I couldn't afford a plan like this. What do you mean? I thought you had to be rich to go in for an independent 60s plan What opened your eyes my equitable society representative? He showed me that I was already halfway towards independent 60s Thanks to social security and the life insurance. I already own that's a fact in many cases only a small amount of additional insurance Is required to enable a man to look forward with complete confidence to Independent 60s a few extra dollars a week did it for me So why not see your equitable representative without delay phone him soon or send a postcard care of this station to the Equitable Society that's equi ta BLE the equitable life insurance society of the United States And I'm back to the FBI file the transatlantic shakedown The Federal Bureau of Investigation has under its jurisdiction the enforcement of some 120 federal statutes Statutes which cover crimes ranging alphabetically from arson to willful murder All of those crimes are prosecuted with equal vigilance For no crime can be said to be less serious than another When any of them might and frequently does involve the lives of decent human beings However, it is doubtful if the special agents take as much personal interest in apprehending any criminal as they do in bringing to justice The most despicable of the lawbreakers the extortioner Here is a man who prays on the weaknesses of his fellow human beings and who in almost every instance is more ruthless than even a professional killer As you have seen in tonight's case from the files of your FBI There are no lengths to which the extortioner will not go No crime. He will not commit to maintain his point of vantage In tonight's case it so happens that the extortion victim was himself a criminal, but that is rare For the most part the victim is a decent, but thoroughly frightened citizen If by any chance you are being victimized by a blackmailer Your FBI advises you to take the only course of action that is open to you The only course of action which will free you and at the same time defeat the blackmailer That course of action is To call your local police Tonight's file continues in the apartment of mr. and mrs. Paul black Yes, mother. Oh, I didn't see you Why you're not dressed yet. I know But you said to hurry home so we could go to dinner and a show mother the roof has fallen in What I called Don Jackson's office this afternoon to find out when to pick up the money. Didn't he have it? He'd committed suicide What a dreadful thing to do to you. You don't know how dreadful we spent all our money to get over here mother We haven't enough left to get even one of us back to Paris. Oh, don't worry about that mother if anyone finds out that We're in this country. I have a way for us to get back to Paris. Oh, well, I was going through my trunk today I found all sorts of old things Stationary I hadn't used a list of people we sent Christmas cards to in 1934 does that get us back to Paris? I also found an old bank book an account that I have at the security bank Don't you remember that account? Yes. Yes, I do How much have you got in it a little over? $1100 splendid As soon as the bank opens tomorrow morning go down and get the money. We'll be on our way back to Paris tomorrow night I beat you to it anything coming overnight on poor black You suppose it's possible that black would return to this country without coming here Wouldn't think it was very probable that he would Jim. Oh, yes, George. I have a message for you No, what is it? I'm mr. Hughes at the security bank called in. Oh, hey Keith Isn't that the man you went to see yesterday? That's right, Jim. What do you say George? Mrs. Black was in there about 15 minutes ago. He's saying about a man being with her No, mr. Hughes tell you whether or not Mrs. Black left any address or phone number. Yeah, here it is. Hey, fine. Thanks Keith Keith, this is what we've been waiting for. I'm gonna pay a call on Mrs. Black Mother, where are you? Where have you been? Just doing a little shopping. Did you get the money at the bank? No Not yet. Why not? That sounds like they were stalling. How can they call you mother? You told them we were living here Yes, that explains it. I heard a man at the door a little while ago. Oh Bank was probably waiting for you. They must have called the police as soon as you left Well, they must be watching our place I'll tell you what you come on home. All right, by the time you get here. I'll have something figure down Good afternoon. Are you Mrs. Mary blank? That's right. I'm a special agent of the FBI. Oh Oh Here are my credentials Well, won't you come in mr. Taylor? Yes. Thank you now What can I do for you? We're looking for your husband, Mrs. Black My husband is dead. We have reason to believe otherwise Why he was killed during the war in a little town about a hundred miles from Paris called Compey and we believe that story at one Time to now we have definite proof that he's alive. Oh No, have you seen him not since the day he left this country 10 years ago. You weren't in Europe with him No, I'd say it's quite a coincidence that you should return here the same week that he did Mr. Taylor, I Have proof that I was not in Europe with my husband. Oh, what kind of proof? Letters letters that Paul wrote to me from the time he went away until he was killed How did he know where to write to you? Well, I moved a lot, but I always left a forwarding address May I see the letters, please? Yes, surely. I have them right here in my trunk. Oh If Paul were alive, he'd still be writing to me. I know he would Yes, here are the letters Thank you. Now this one dated January 23rd, 1945 This is the last letter received from him That was written the day before Paul was killed He wrote beautiful letters. Do you mind if I take these back to the office with me? Will you promise to return them? I promise, Mrs. Blake. I'll return them as soon as I possibly can. Thank you Goodbye. Goodbye Paul. Has he gone? Yes. Did you give him the letters? I did. That should clear you As soon as he returns them, you go to the bank and we'll get out of here Mother? Yes, Paul. What time is it? Almost six. I won't be able to go to the bank now till tomorrow. I know Did you make reservations? Yes, our plane leaves tomorrow at noon. Well, I hope... Wait, wait, wait. I'll get the bedroom. Yes Just a minute. Good evening, Mrs. Blake. Oh Hello. May I come in, please? Surely. Thank you. I Didn't expect my letters back this soon. Men in our laboratory can work very quickly May I have them? Yes, yes, of course Here you are. I Trust they were proof enough. No, I'm afraid they weren't. What do you mean? Those letters weren't written by your husband on the dates indicated. Oh, but they were You can tell by the stationery. Some of it's so old. It's beginning to turn yellow Paul did write those letters. No, I'm not denying that But you said you and your husband counted on the fact that we would be thrown off the trail because of the age of the paper We tested it. It's quite true that the paper is as old as you say it is Well, one thing you didn't know is that our laboratory keeps a standard of every ink that's manufactured in this country The test show the ink on these letters was made in 1949. That's not true. Mrs. Black, I want your husband What? I know that he's here so you might as well surrender him And we can all discuss these letters together Paul and Mary Black were convicted for a violation of the National Stolen Property Act and sentenced to a federal penitentiary Detainers were also filed for the extradition of Paul Black to England to be tried for murder Evidence developed in the criminal proceedings was later used by the two women who were the original property holders to have the Transaction by Jackson set aside and thus they regained the property that was rightfully theirs That the clue which led to the solution of tonight's case from the files of your FBI Was supplied to special agent Taylor by the FBI crime laboratory Will come as no surprise to anyone who has followed the progress made in the field of crime investigation in that field Science has made tremendous strides and its use of such machines as the spectrograph the Geiger counter the microscope and Every other scientific aid that man has yet devised is Increasing daily in the old days. It was a rare case when the crime lab helped on a case Now it is an equally rare case when it doesn't in addition to the lab though There was an added factor which helped in the solution of tonight's case an added factor, which is of equal importance That was the close cooperation among three international law enforcement agencies Scotland Yard the French surety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Your FBI at this time wishes not only to thank those two agencies But also to convey the hope that their future cooperation will continue to be as close as it has been in the past In just a moment, we will tell you about next week's exciting case from the files of your FBI Now two final questions on the equitable society's Independent 60s plan when I start one of these plans What happens to the life insurance I now have your equitable representative will show you how to integrate it with your plan How much in cash does this plan pay me after I'm 60 you receive a check every month the exact amount depending on your present income And your future needs it takes only a few minutes to work it out and your equitable society representative will be glad to do it for you Ask him to drop around for a friendly visit phone him soon or right care of this station to the equitable life Assurance society of the United States Next week we will dramatize another case from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation a dramatic story of a criminal double-cross It's subject murder. It's title the merchant of death The incidents used in tonight's equitable life insurance society's broadcasts are adapted from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation However, all names used are fictitious and any similarity they love to the names of persons living or dead is accidental Tonight's broadcast was transcribed and the music was composed and conducted by Frederick Steiner The author was Jerry D. Lewis your narrator was William Woodson and special agent Taylor was played by Stacy Harris Others in the cast were Grace Albertson John B. Ed Begley Jeanette Nolan Gaylord Pendleton and Don Randolph This is your FBI is a Jerry divine production This is Larry Keating speaking for the equitable life assurance society of the United States and the equitable society is representative in your community and Inviting you to tune in again next week at the same time when the equitable life assurance society Will bring you another thrilling story from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation The merchant of death on this is your FBI This is ABC the American Broadcasting Company