 Get this and get it straight crime is a suckers road knows who traveled wind up in the gutter the prison of the grave This time I started with a Romanian from left field got misled in the Philippine jungles chased a beautiful blonde clear to Venice and Wound up with a friend from Siam all without ever leaving Los Angeles. It happened like this From the pen of Raymond Chandler outstanding author of crime fiction comes his most famous character in the adventures of Philip Marlowe Oh with Gerald Moore starred as Philip Marlowe. We bring you tonight's exciting story the sword of say boo Where is the office of Philip Marlowe the detective maybe yeah, sure right around the corner here to your left. Oh, thank you very much My friend you you know this mr. Marlowe. Well. Yes. Yeah, I think you could say I know him Tell me he is a reliable man. Well, that depends on what you want to rely on him for excuse me Well, yeah, I want to unlock the door You are Philip Marlowe. Hey, you're so right come on in mr. Never mind now listen to me I will pay you twice what Henry Pound has offered to you. Also. I will add to that $1,000 for a bonus wait a minute wait a minute. What is this Henry Pound a thousand please? Please I have not the time for haggling we make it $2,000 But you must work for me not for Henry Pound you only pretend to work for him Now look button the first place I haven't heard from Henry Pound since I worked for him four years ago Second place. I still don't know who you are or what you want. Maybe a better sit down over there start at the beginning and tell me The short dumpy man with wild black hair turns suddenly savage swung a hard fistful of knuckles at my front teeth and piled me back up against my office desk By the time I got out into the hall. He was gone I was gonna follow him with my phone screaming for attention inside stop me Decided to be philosophical about it after all screwballs find me all the time. Hello Marlowe speaking Phil Yes, yes, I just had a reminder. I've been trying to get hold of you for two hours my boy Where have you been out to dinner now? Listen, mr. Pound? I just What I need your help again Yeah, no doubt includes a stubby crumb with a head full of wild black hair and a nasty temper that left you on the run 10 seconds ago Whatever you call them. It's probably it He's the one man. I have reason to fear Marlowe come out here to my place at once Well, you my boy old Henry pounds future is dangling over a very deep abyss by the nearest thread all because the sword is gone What sword what sort of you're talking about mr. Pound on the island of sebu in the Philippines a sword of sebu What it means everything to me and it's gone finished. I must have it back hurry Marlowe 20 minutes later I pulled up in front of the wall in jungle Henry Pound called home and zigzagged in through an Okinawan ad evil spirit gate Waited past the grove of dripping elephant ears and ragged banana trees and finally made the front door The house itself from turned up eaves to thatch neeper lanai must have been gathered piecemeal on pacific islands All the way from Hokkaido to the new Hebrides was Henry Pound himself once the door You know the only thing wrong with you is I never get to see you except what I'm in trouble. That's the business. I'm in Come in come in Hey, it's quite a place. You have here, mr. Pound the islands my boy. Yes Since business keeps me away from them. I brought their atmosphere here to me even the music All but the mosquitoes Now stay away from underfoot will you? Shushu that's an albino Siamese. Yeah. Yes quite unusual But he sheds that abominable quite fur of his like any common cat this time of year By the way, did you see my servant Hideki was I supposed to when I couldn't reach you by phone? I sent him down to your office to wait. Well, he must have gotten lost then No matter let's get out of cases my boy. Now sit down sit down. Would you please and listen closely? My my major business as you remember is Importing pearls from the orient and since you work for me last I acquired a partner a fine fellow named boss in Manila with his contacts there and mine here in the States We've been extremely successful was he the one who sent you that sword you mentioned yes He'd arrived two days ago, but he said over half the curios you see in this room That's why I failed to realize that there was anything Special about the sword of Cebu. What is so special about it, mr. Pound here read this letter. I got for me Henry I'm certain now. There's gonna be trouble from one Kurt the best school in particular Yeah, I see However, I've taken every precaution rest assured Henry that if anything ever happens to me I shall somehow get the complete list of my contacts here into your hands Sincerely Eugene boss well Eugene boss was murdered four days ago in Manila murdered for that list of Contacts you think the sword ties in in some way well positive of it What's it look like? Well, it's a three feet long Marlowe the handle and the sheaths are from the same gorgeous piece of white mahogany and Literally covered with intricate and exquisite carving sounds wonderful Oh, it is when the sword is in the sheath the two pieces form a complete pattern I thought of it at once of course, but when I came in to examine it again. It was gone stolen Naturally, I called you instead of the police. I've got to get it back Marlowe intact and without publicity Wait, that's sorties with Hey, he's hurt Miss a palm I think he very sorry. He did not see honorable miss a maro. I think he was Outside the minute he left by a stocky guy with wild black hair. Oh, yes. Yes He find out where I think he was going then he hit I think that all I think he remember until few minutes ago When he worked up again, we're here. Do you need a doctor? I think oh, no. No, thank you Just the same miss a palm I think he already feel much better. Well, if you sure if you Well, now you better go lie down anyway. So so thank you. We wash your head first time to be ship-shaped no time Be very sorry. I think it was Now that explains how Babisco got to your office my boy. He's our man. All right Yeah, but I don't think Babisco has the sword you see he's looking for it He offered two thousand bucks to me to double-cross you. Oh I can't understand it Babisco is the only one who might know the truth about the sword if he didn't take it then who oh Stupid cat get out there I knew it now see what you've done broken my silent. He was playing with a piece of paper over there. Wait a minute. Oh Here it is. It's a rent receipt made out of somebody somebody named Saunders Let me see sure Received $40 rent one month in advance for 812 front Street, Venice is dated yesterday Marlowe I've never heard of this Saunders person yet. This thing was dropped here in my house Perhaps by our thief Marlowe. Do you realize what a break this is dropped isn't the word. This was deposited Oh, what do you mean? It's a plant it's a plant complete with name address and date It was left here by someone who wanted it to be found because whoever has the sword of Cebu right now Might also have it up for sale. I think you're right my boy What do you plan to do the only thing I can do go to Venice and strike a bargain in our favor? I hope I'll call you mr. Pound I Pushed my way out through the jungle of my car turned around at the dead end of the street and went down the way I'd come At the first intersection leaning against the lamppost was six feet of lantern jord redhead and a turtleneck sweater and semen's jacket Gave me a hard steady once over until I was out of sight Later halfway to Venice I picked up a pair of very sticky headlights in my rear view mirror Lost them again. I turned out a front street and finally found number 812 all by itself out at the far end I parked the block away and walked back Was a battered rickety beat shack Moved in gently and found a crack wide enough to look through There was no furniture just one big packing crate a kerosene lamp and a And a blonde What a blonde she belonged in that joint like an orchid and a blacksmith One hand she held a cigarette and the other a small automatic Went quietly to the back of the house found a tin can and throw it And I plastered my back up beside the door and waited She came out slowly gun first and when there was enough showing to get a hold of That's better now we can go in and talk, huh You think you're so clever I get by Hey Cozy little spot you picked you got here so it serves its purpose. Who are you Philip Marlowe Henry Ponds private detective? Where's the sword we things to talk over your bargaining position is lousy Miss Saunders? What's the offer zero baby? I'm getting it back for free now. Where is it your hands off me? The sword is here in the house But the scabbard isn't and one's quite worthless without the other you know You're not taking a lot of chances. Are you kidding the sword has already brought me $5,000 Marlowe and I've only just begun So make an offer and make it good. You're a liar. So it's not worth one tenth that not of itself No, but this one's special and I know why and I'll tell you something else. You bet you will you'll tell me where it isn't fast Now you can turn around Lantern Joe with red hair So you were telling me after all Now wait a minute shut up, but I get out Now you mr. Now what now we sit down a couple of smart guys and find a good sensible way to work this out Only I'm just a little smarter because I got the only gun keep talking what you say the sword was Speak up fellow times running out sounds like times not the only thing that's running out red Somebody's in a back room Sorry to see but now this only works one Oh Couldn't tell how long I've been out I felt like I'd lost at least a weekend in somebody's boiler factory. I Got back far enough to realize that something was Going through my pockets It was snaggle tooth had a week's growth of beard and Put the room in need of a healthy spring of sweet air Yeah, that's that's a little better. I thought you was done in there for a minute. Yeah, who are you? What happened anyway, yeah, that's what I'd like to know Call me sit. Okay. It's it. Yeah. Thank you I was walking along the beach out there like an hour. He's doing all of a sudden there to scream You know like I was a wounded cat Came from in here and I know this house has been empty for years. Was it you was green? Oh, no, I went out too fast. Yeah Well, I come a-running and just when I stepped up in the porch and fell on the p-jacket come charging out and beat it down The street. Yeah, yeah, remember Raiden the noise in the back. Oh Have you been in there that back room me? I just looked this far and I found you What what's it all about? What's back in there? They bring that kerosene lantern. Will you yeah Yeah, a wild-haired Romanian named Bebesco With a sword of sebu sticking clear through him Dead center. Oh with our star Gerald Moore We continue with the second act of Philip Marlowe and tonight's story the sword of sebu While the beachcomber gape like a marionette with broken jaw strings of the impaled body of Kurt Bebesco slumped at our feet I Quickly covered the room in the back porch was led to the beach outside looking for the wooden sheath that belonged to the sword of sebu just in case Claire Saunders have been bluffing But five minutes of that got me nothing more than a little exercise and a lot of salt air ought to do now mr. Call the cops. Yeah, I guess so Sure would like to take that sword so would I junior the homicide boys a kind of narrow-minded you see they like their corpses as is Yeah, come on. Let's get the phone. Okay, there's one's a couple blocks away. You got a car. Yeah, it's out front Got a light. Yeah, here's some matches. Thanks Hey, wait a minute, huh? What do you do with the conga club me? Yeah, all their matches ain't mine. Just pick them up off in that barrel Just pick them up You know where it is. Yeah, sure. It's right here in Venice a X-Marine runs it kind of while though cops raided it once they had some dancing Where is it? Where is it come on? It could be important straight down Front Street Broadway then left one block and you're there Now look you call the cops and get back here and wait till they come tell him my name is Philip Marlowe. I'm a private detective Yeah, oh No, sir, not me. I ain't waiting here alone 10 bucks You heard me here. Tell the law I'll get in touch as soon as I can Also, sit. I'll match that 10 the next time we meet if you've kept your mind on your work. Yeah. Yeah, okay Okay, but where like to learn me went to the conga you catch on fast the conga junior Well, it'd be max scotch and a little information Girl named Claire Saunders dressed in a white linen. I never heard of a man. Oh, I see so many people Yeah, sure. Now you get what I mean, don't you make? Oh, of course Well, you better make that a double scotch. I'm through He should have known better Trusting a fast name with every cent of his war bonus. Wait a minute. Huh? War bonus. Yeah. Oh, who should have known better? Well, I Yeah, I'll be with you in a minute Kelly wait a minute Who should have known better my kid brother back in New York? He's a vet marines He got his check from the state and he turned it over to this Claire Saunders They're gonna get married. That's what she said and that was her last he saw of her. Oh Well, it happens every day. He'll know better the next time there's I Just happen to remember You do yeah But around a couple of days now. It's pretty flush. All right. Now. Where's she staying? Yeah, sure Ritzi Motel about four blocks from here the pavilion a villain. Yeah, she got bungalow 10 there I know because she was complaining about it being the end one and too long a run for the bellhop and a crack You go get a Mac and when you do tell a kid brother that another ex-marine tipped you off. Yeah, you bet. I will Bellhop ice And you made it we're gonna straighten it out right now Quiet down Duchess now sit down over there don't as much as bad a false eyelash Take inventory, baby. I know you're alone because I played peeping Tom before I played bellhop Shame amaze do a much-needed job on bedspreads Now what are you gonna do with it and without the sword you kidding Duchess? You don't think I missed that back room at the cottage. Do you you found the sword there and Kurt Babesco Who's wearing the sword the hard way through his insides? Somebody was killed with a sword. Oh, come on. Come on. It's a little late for that wide-eyed pitch, baby It doesn't your carrot top partner tell you every time he kills. Oh, you got everything wrong. Oh sure sure But just for laughs, let's pass it and you will honor the cops Everything Isn't my partner. He hardly knows me. That's better. I just who's Turner the man with the red hair Believe me. I can explain everything. Okay. Let's try it. Did you steal a sword from my client Henry pound? Yes, or no? Yes, why? Let me start at the beginning a week ago in Manila, please. All right. Let's have it It was late in the afternoon and I was shopping for a handbag just looking in store windows Suddenly I noticed a man hurrying down the opposite side of the street Man who turned out to be Eugene boss Henry pounds partner. Maybe that's right I Could tell he was afraid of something Marlo. He darted into a curio shop nearby a minute later. I saw Turner You know him just slightly we we'd met once Obviously he was following boss But he didn't go into the curio shop instead. He he hid close by And then when boss came out he shot him Marlo just like that It was going before anyone knew what had happened I ran over to boss to see if there was anything I could do to help But there wasn't he was dying it. Oh It's right Please Marlo. I'd like a drink there on the desk when you're through going going what happened next Oh, he told me to take the money in his billfold $5,000 to take it all for delivering a message about the sword. Yes I was to get in touch with Henry pound here in Los Angeles and tell him that the sword which Boss had just purchased in the curio shop was on its way. He should pay special attention to it And then he died Well, you decided that five thousand bucks was an awful lot for playing messenger boy So you said nothing that the police grabbed the first plane for LA got the Pounds place here and swipe the sword, right? If a delivering message was worth $5,000 the sword itself would be worth a lot more But you had no idea why Cold in the pattern of the design and the jewels and the handle probably not the sword itself. Yeah, you figured right little schemer Yeah, here's your drink The rest of the rest of the story I can fit together myself You knew you had something which you didn't know what so you swipe the sword you left an obvious clue to an empty cottage that Rent receipt you counted on it to start the ball rolling and it certainly did What would that be I don't know find out Who is it just a minute you still sure you're not All right answer it I'll wait here in the closet with the door open wide enough for the barrel of a 38 Just in case you've never been to Manila Go on When I slugged over the cottage Wasn't that when I went back just some ball my scared away went back. Yeah. Yeah, I went back after you ran There was some excitement sweets first. I slugged the people because I heard some noise in the back I thought was you me. I never returned to the cottage. I know it was a loss named Babesco. I got him, all right With a very sword he was after the little number right here in my hand He was competition so were you sweet except that I doped your angle a long time ago. What do you mean? Was told you something before he died in Manila. I stopped after I ran doll. I even came back I saw you go for his billfold some mumble something When I ran into you again here in LA, I knew you were swinging in the dark. It was a nice try sweet But you missed now. Give me the sheath. These two belong together Come on hand it over. You don't need to be rough for your dog. No Here Here it is. Well, that's better Like I said, they belong together Together that's funny. They should fit it What are you laughing at the answer sweet to slip a paper with a list of people on it I think it's crumpled in the bottom of the sheath here, and that's why the sword won't go all the way Yeah, here it is a piece of paper a valuable piece of paper sure names and numbers of all the players Dead isn't yeah It's about as dead as a guy named Eugene Vos was last week on a sidewalk in Manila or the party called Vibesco What is it turn is dead, but I don't think his partner is Molly you thought I was his partner. Hmm. Oh, yes. Yes, and I thought wrong Claire Now I got a little more to go on. I'll see you, honey Oh, no way. What am I supposed to do call the police and explain it all away as a practical joke? Molo have a heart where you're going back to my client little dreamer I think he can give me a line on that partner be good I was an hour plus driving slowly back to the transplanted world on Crestline Drive and all the way I kept adding and subtracting all the screwball figures I'd run into Hoping that someplace I'd find a mistake When I was there through the junior jungle and standing at the front door. I knew that my hunch was right Molo you've got the sword sword and sheath alike mr. Pounder in my car. Also. I got news the best goes dead I'm not sorry. So is Turner I don't know any Turner, but why haven't you brought the sword and sheath in with you Because they don't count mr. Pound There wasn't any code in the pattern on either one the answer was a slip of paper jammed down in the sheath Here that we were after Yes, yes, Molo. This is it. Oh, I knew he wouldn't fail me. I knew boss was loyal I knew it better than that mr. Pound you counted on it and don't move a finger happy It's a great night for killing now go on into the study. We're gonna use the phone Molo you're insuring sure sure I am so much so that I let the hairs from an affectionate time He's cat changed my mind about everything keep moving What do you mean? I mean the Turner who shot Eugene Vossum in the low-murdered Babesco out at the beach who I just killed before he could kill me had white hairs from a molting white Siamese cat all over his cute the same kind of white hairs I got on mine when shoo shoo rubbed against me I go on open that door In other words pound Turner was a friend here not foe and from there on in it all figures Well, do you still think I'm insane? You bet I'm right Turner was in this with me a partner. You might say You see I knew that Eugene Voss was worried about competitors like the best go go on Well, I I knew that boss would see I got his clients list the pearl dealers If his life was really in danger and gave you a brilliant idea put his life in danger So you sent Turner to Manila to kill boss once the list was on its way. Oh neat Tell me clean cut. Why didn't you let Turner know about the sword at once? Because he was tricked boss planted a fake list at his hotel Hoping the Turner would find it and go his merry way which Turner did He didn't know it was fake until he arrived here this morning, which of course didn't affect the scheduled murder Nice and thorough aren't you or if you left out some little detail I should know like why you bothered having Turner get mixed up in this at all tonight I would have brought the sword and sheath back for you without him I know you would Marlowe. That's why I heard you but I also knew that there was a good chance that in finding the Sword you would also find that ideal in opium not pearls, you know Fine And Turner was right behind me all the way ready to kill me if I found that out from from say babesco, huh? Turner was right behind you Marlowe even as high-decky is right behind you You fool. Why do you think I kept talking here kept confessing speak up? I did he talk he can't Mr. Pound. What I did he is very unconscious. She's what I hit him with a base of Marlowe you've got him ma behind the curtain There's nothing there honey, I think more than a friendly cat named Shushu it took a long time It always does But finally the police in Los Angeles and the police in Manila knew exactly who had done what to whom and why All of which left Henry Pound the vicious little character who wouldn't even recognize honor among thieves with a short unpleasant future And I thought about him in every rotten thing he'd done as I walked through his imported island jungle to my car Thought about him in Babesco about Turner the house boy about Eugene Varson I didn't think about Claire Saunders until I got to my car was in behind the wheel headlights on The words were written in lipstick the length and breadth of my windshield. I stepped out when nobody was looking But don't fret Because from here on out I'm playing doesn't leave until morning Would you like to help me wait for it at the airport cafe? They have good food in their open all night Claire Airport cafe It's an hours drive Unless I hurry The adventures of Philip Marlowe bringing you Raymond Chandler's most famous character star Gerald Moore are produced and directed by Norman McDonnell and Are written for radio by Robert Mitchell and Gene Levitt Gerald Moore can currently be seen starring in Republics the blonde bandit Featured in our cast were Gene Bates, Junius Matthews, Barney Phillips, Byron Kane, Paul Freese and Anthony Barrett. The special music is composed and conducted by Richard Arant Be sure and be with us again next week when Philip Marlowe says This time an old Spanish woman who cared a red head and a mink who didn't and a green suede button beside a corpse All led me to a wounded man with a gun in his hand cornered on a warehouse roof Stay tuned for pursuit which follows immediately on most of these same CBS stations. This is Roy Rowan speaking This is CBS where Burns and Allen are heard every Wednesday night the Columbia Broadcasting System