 And now the Mole Mystery Theater, presented by M-O-L-L-E. Mole, the heavier brush with shaving cream for tender skin. Good evening. This is Jeffrey Barnes, welcoming you to the Mole Mystery Theater, the program that presents the best in mystery and detective fiction. Tonight's story, St. Louis Lady by Irene Winston, is about three things. Some are heat, a woman, and a little black book. What is there about some women that makes men want to kill for them? And what kind of a man lives methodically in a little black book? His victims, his expenses, and his net profits from their debts. Add to this the kind of heat that pushes people into things they never meant to do. You have St. Louis Lady by Irene Winston. Well, Mr. Barnes, I guess I can't add much to that, but give me a subject like shaving and I'd add a few quick words like this. Men, if your morning shave is worse than a hundred nightmares, chances are you have wiry whiskers or a tender skin. So try Mole. Yes, sir, with Mole, it's smooth. So smooth. It's slick. So slick. It's a smooth, smooth, slick, slick shave you get with M-O-L-L-E. Mole, the heavier brushless shaving cream for tender skin. That's right, Mole is the cream you need if you have tough whiskers or a tender skin. Because Mole is a heavier cream, it not only softens your whiskers, it stands them up straight and lets your razor cut them right off. So you shave faster, closer, easier, and you shave painlessly with Mole. The heavier brushless shaving cream for tender skin. And now for tonight's Mole mystery, St. Louis Lady. Day to see that evening sun go down. Honest, it's so hot a person be better off dead. For a price, I'd accommodate you, lady. Our scene, St. Louis. Summer heat and tempers at the boiling point. Somewhere in the slums of baby cries. Somewhere a fight breaks out, a forerunner to a summons of the plea. Honest, it was so hot I kinda lost my temper. Only fools walk in this summer heat. Fools and men like Joe Higgins who have trains to catch. To women they love. Got half an hour before my train. Well, might as well get a beer. Well, will you wait here? I've got an extra. Here, take this table. Here you are. Anything else? Oh, yeah, ham sandwich. Ham sandwich. Hi. You alone too, Mr. Higgins? Oh, yeah, yeah. Mind if I sit with you? Uh, no. Want a drink, Smitty? Got one, thanks. That sounds good. What does? My name, Smitty. The way they treat me around this town you'd think I was a leper or something. That guy shouldn't drink in this heat. Why do you? I drink so I can take it when they call me Stooley. Oh, yeah, yeah. After that I drink so I can remember when I was a big shot instead of broken down stool pigeon. We'll sing it ten bucks the song. Oh, forget it. Somebody's got to do it. Sure, sure. And it's better than solitary. I tell myself, what's my life now? Still solitary, except my cell takes in the whole town. Yeah, Collins is dead. We don't know about it. We don't know about it. We used to be partners back in the 20s. Hey, what's your right, Mr. Higgins? Oh, writing down my expenses. I like to know where my money goes. I'm one guy who's not going to wind up broke. The killer keeping the budget. That's a hot one. Don't call me that. Okay, okay, don't get sore. Yeah, yeah, maybe I ought to keep one too. Item, ten bucks for putting a finger on big Al Connors. Say, what'd you get for knocking him off? Let's see that book. Give it back. Okay, no business. One hundred and fifty. And I only got ten bucks for the tip. Lawyer voice. That included his wife. You get her too? Yeah, yeah. I didn't like the idea of working on a woman. If you didn't do it, they'd get someone else for the job. There's always someone else. Yeah, sure. What are you going to do with the money? Well, less fifteen dollars expenses for two days. I've exactly one thirty-five left. My girl saw a wrist watch. Well, well, well, if it isn't the little man. Hello, killer Joe. Feed it to me. I want to talk to Joe. Okay, okay. Goodbye, Mr. Higgins. The Joe has nice talking to you. He'll recognize me. Don't you, killer Joe? Don't call me that. I got nothing to say to you. Maybe I ought to introduce myself anyhow. Seeing as how you subbed for me for a while. George Larson at your service. Oh, waiter. My check. How's Jesse? He's one of this. Think I bothered talking to you if it wasn't for Jesse? She's going to be my wife. You could kind of say that she was my girl for a while. Boy, you're good for... Here's your check. A dollar fifty. This is on me. There you are, waiter. Keep the change. Oh, thanks. That's the least I could do for you, Joe. After you looking out for Jesse, for me. Are you going to catch the milk train? What? No answer, none. Well, I'll walk to the station with you. Oh, boy. I thought it was hot in there, but it's worse out here on the street. Stop whistling that. It gets on my nerves. Well, that's Jesse's favorite song, isn't it? Take your time. The train isn't due for five minutes. We won't miss it. We? Joe, I'm going into your one horse town just long enough to pick Jesse up. You leave her alone or I'll kill you. You're just the guy who can do it too, killer Joe. I thought I had it bad. She sure got you tied to her apron strings. Well, there she comes. As soon as we get there, I'll check into a hotel, get a shave and a shower, and then I'll pick Jesse up. Jesse wants to, I'll marry him. How would you support her? You never did a day's work in your life. So what? See this role? I got plenty of money. Yeah? The evening papers say that a gas station was held up. Yeah, yeah, there's been a terrific crime waiver on this town. Listen, killer Joe, if you're thinking of singing, remember with the police you got to have proof with Jesse. It's your word against mine. Besides, I got a hunch she don't know what you've been up to. Look, Larson, to me one killing's just like another. You leave Jesse alone or I'll kill you. I swear it. As the curtain falls on Act One of tonight's mole mystery, it looks as though Mr. Larson is going to have trouble on his hands. Serious trouble, eh Dan? Yeah, Mr. Barnes, but you know, some fellow might say he was in clover compared to them. For instance, the fellow who's got double trouble from shaving tough whiskers or a tender skin. He can be pretty bad off unless he learns about mole, the heavier brushless shaving cream. That's right, man, shaving hard to cut whiskers or a tender skin needn't be painful. Not when you shave with mole. Because mole is a heavier cream, it not only softens your whiskers, it stands them up straight while your razor cuts them off close and clean. With mole, you shave faster, closer, easier, and you shave painlessly. Try it. See if you don't say, it's smooth, so smooth. It's slick, so slick. It's a smooth, smooth, slick, slick shave you get with M-O-L-L-E. Mole, the heavier brushless shaving cream for tender skin. This is Jeffrey Barnes again returning you to Act Two of St. Louis Lady. Uh-huh. That's $130 including the tax, but it's a beauty. I'll take it. Wrap it up. Jesse'll love it. By the way, how does she like at the boarding house? Oh, fine, fine. Wrap it up special-like, will you? I'll tie it up with white ribbon. Oh, on a day like this, the person should live in the bathtub. Hey, Mr. Higgins, I know your girl's going to be surprised. I'll be with you in a minute, sir. I'll take your time. Well, hello again, killer Joe, buying Jesse going away presently. Nonny, your... Here's the money, miss. Hi. Jeff? Well, he's still sore at me, I guess. I never saw Mr. Higgins lose his temper before. You know him well? Sure, I know him. He's, uh, well, sort of a cousin, you might say. Oh, well, a family fight. I guess everybody has them. Uh, what can I show you? Something that'll knock a lady's eyes out. Do you miss me? Of course, darling. It's been two days, Jesse. What did you do when I was gone? Don't laugh at me. No. I stayed in the bathtub. It was so hot. For two days? Well, I got out to eat. Honest, Joe, this town was like a furnace. Must have been awful upstate. I was to tell you the truth, Jesse. I was so busy, I didn't even notice the weather. Well, anyhow, it's a shame you had to work in this heat. Well, close your eyes, Jesse. Oh, darling, not another present. Close your eyes and open your hand. There. What is it? Open it and see. All tied up with white ribbons. Yeah. Someday I want you all tied up with white ribbons, Joe. That's for nothing. Oh, it's so pretty. I hate to untie it. Go ahead. Shall I answer it, Jesse? No. No, let it ring. I don't want to talk to anybody else now that you're home. Honest, Jesse. Do you really miss me? Of course I did. Look how pretty the watch looks, Joe. Joe. Yes, Jesse. Ask me what time it is. Go on, ask me what time it is. Listen, Joe, it's a new record dinner. You kept looking out the window and you hardly ate a thing. It's too hot to eat. Well, if you just sit quiet, you wouldn't mind it so much. There's a nice breeze here on the porch. Why do you keep looking up and down the street, expecting something? No, no, I... Let's go down to the inn for a drink, Jesse. Get a drink. I can get you one here. Well, I just feel kind of sociable tonight. Come on, Jesse, it'll do us good to get out for a while. All right, Joe. I think you're crazy to go out in this heat. We won't stay alone. Oh, the telephone, Jesse. I'll get it. Where should we take the car? It may as well drive. It'll be cooler. What is that phone call important, Jesse? Well, I know, Joe. At least I don't think so. Pop Kelly had the in-air condition. Yeah. Oh, wait a pop, will you? He's been trying to catch your eye. Where is he? I'm so nearsighted lately. I'm going to have to get glasses. But you can see Larson, can't you, Jesse? I didn't want to come to the inn tonight, Joe. You can't leave me, Jesse. I didn't want to come to the inn tonight. Not tonight, I... He called you, didn't he? That was him on the phone. Yes. Are you afraid of him, Jesse? I'm afraid. You told me once that he beat you. Oh, I'm not afraid of that anymore and never do that again. Then what are you afraid of? Me. What? That's why I didn't want to come to the inn tonight. What can I do, Jesse? I'll do anything for you. Don't leave me. He's no good. He's a cheap crook. Let's go home. Joe, I have to talk to him. I'm afraid now. Don't you see, Joe, if I come back after, I'll never leave you again. Not even for a little while. Don't you see? He's always been with us, hasn't he? I could feel him around all the time, pushing, crowding me out, watching me. I'm sorry, Joe. Let me go for an hour. All right, Jesse. I'll stay here. As soon as I leave here, he'll follow me. Nobody will know, Joe. Yeah. Nobody but me. All right, Jesse, I'll meet you at the boarding house in an hour. Thank you, Joe. This way we'll know once and for all. Yeah. We'll know. Oh, Mr. Higgin? Oh, hello, Pop. How are you? Like any fat man when it's hot. Oh, sit down and have a drink with me, huh? Yeah, sure. Hey, had a spat with Jesse? Huh? Yeah, I thought I saw you come in together. Oh, she thinks maybe she didn't disconnect her electric ion. Women. Yeah. You doing well, Pop? Business couldn't be better. I ain't seen you around for a while. You been away? Yeah, yeah, business trip upstate. Well, I see by the papers where a couple of convicts escaped and a couple of them got home. Yeah. It seemed like old times reading about big Al Connors again. Did it? Yeah. Never thought anybody'd get big Al. He was the big shot. Well, but times have changed, I guess, since I was a kid in Chicago. Maybe not so much as you think. Huh? Well, I mean, with all this robbery going on, aren't you afraid you'll get held on? Wish I would, but usually a little excitement. Paper tonight made me feel old. Oh, maybe. Maybe these gangsters are heading this way. You'd be a natural for them to stick up. It could be. Hey, you ought to get a gun, Pop. Huh? A gun. I teach how to use it. Oh, the size of you teaching me. I told you once I lived in Chicago. Oh, sorry, Mr. Higgins. I didn't mean to make any cracks about your size. That's all right. And thanks for worrying about me. I can handle anything, old as I am and fat as I am. Yeah. This ought to cover my bill. Huh? Are you leaving now? I thought you was going to wait for Jesse. I'm not going to wait. Not anymore. Watch, Joe. The cooler outside the nun. Come into the house, anyhow. Don't worry, honey. I can handle it. Don't fight, please. You don't have to tell me anything, Jesse. I can tell by looking at you. I'm sorry, Joe. I guess I knew it all the time. Well, as long as we know where we stand, let's all have a drink. Thank you, Joe. I'll get some life. If I'd have known how you would finally take it, Joe, I wouldn't have needled you. Don't forget it. It's like this. Jesse is a... she's a part of me like I'm a part of her. We're no good with anyone else. Hey, I said forget it. Oh, I'm sorry. You want a smoke? Oh, thanks. Put a lot of ice in the glasses. Here you are. Thanks. Joe. Thanks. Well, here's... Do you blossom? The rest of your natural life. I've seen things like this in the movies. When people are in the same fix we're in, they have a drink together. I was wondering what they felt. What do you feel, Jesse? Well, that's what's so funny. I don't feel anything. I'm... I'm sorry I didn't stay away the full hour like I promised, Jesse, but I... talking to Pop Kelly and a guy can take just so much Pop Kelly. He's the fat old guy who runs the bar? Yeah, yeah, crazy fool. Oh, how come? Oh, he forgets he's not as young and as strong as he was. And ever since the summer folks have been coming around, business has been booming. You remember, Jesse, when my uncle was sick and we needed money and a hurry after the banks were closed, remember how much he had in his pocket? Joe, what are you trying to do to us? Hon, don't worry, honey. I told you I'd go straight, didn't I? I thought you wished his luck. Telling George about Pop's money, that's rotten. You're trying to... Oh, take it easy, honey. I promised you I'd go straight, didn't I? Listen, let's get out of this town right away. Will that make you feel better? There's no train until morning. Well, come on down to the inn with me then, if you don't trust me. She's not leaving this house tonight. What? Well, I... I have to live here after Jesse leaves. I don't want the whole town to know about it. I'm sorry, Joe, I didn't think. Now, Joe's right. I'll meet you at the station in the morning. I don't like to leave you alone with him. Don't be silly. There's a house full of people. I'll go to the door with you. Okay, honey. Door. Advice. Thank you, Joe, for taking it like this. Don't thank me. I know just how you feel about him. Do you? Sure. Exactly how I feel about you. Oh, you're forgetting time, Joe. Did you forget him? Maybe there wasn't enough time. Maybe if he had waited longer. But I'll have time to wait, Jesse. I'll have time. Oh, I wish it... Better go upstairs. I don't want to talk now. All right. Night, Joe. Wait and see Larson get his neck straight. Jeffrey Barnes again. In just a moment, we'll bring you Act 3 of St. Louis Lady. Thousands of people who suffer the social and business handicap of Dandruff are discovering that the way to combat it effectively is with double dandering. You see, double dandering is unlike many hair preparations available today. For such products, really do know more to fight a common type of dandruff than plain water does. That is, they simply wash loose dandruff away. But double dandering actually combats this dandruff by killing the germ that many outstanding authorities contend as its cause. And double dandering kills this germ on contact. Results with double dandering have been amazing, even in the most stubborn cases. A special ingredient named Alzan is the reason for double dandering's astonishing effectiveness. Alzan is an active antiseptic so remarkably efficient, many hospitals use it. Of all hair preparations, only double dandering has it. So try double dandering and see if you don't agree that most ordinary hair preparations can't compare with its dandruff combating effectiveness. If you're not completely satisfied, return the empty bottle and get your money back. Buy double dandering at your drugists. Well, it's been four and a half hours. Well, that's not a long time to wait. It'll work. I know it will. I'll see him hang yet. There it is. Hello, operator. This is Joe Higgins on Fairview Road. Send the constable here right away. So soon? Where's Jesse? Jesse... Couldn't wait until morning, could you? I got a car to take us to the next town to catch the train there. Jesse, hurry up. I'll be ready in a minute. Who do you think you're kidding, Larson? You think I'm going to let you get away with this? You're crazy. Out of my way, Runt. Ready, Jesse? Yes. Jesse, you're upstairs again. He's nothing but a chief crook. I'm sorry, Joe. All right, then. Go with him. Go on. You're nothing but a dirty little... I'd try to be nice to you, but all you can understand is a beating. Well, he'll beat you when you aren't running away from the police. Come on, Jesse. Come on in. The door is unlocked. What's your call, Mr. Higgins? What's up? Oh, Steve, there's the man who held up Pop Kelly. Easy, Pop. Now, use this gun. Let me take the quiet. Now, stick out your wrists. That'll hold you. Okay. Now what a sucker I was. I played right into your hands, didn't I? Why do you hear what a sucker you are, little man? Huh? Yeah? What are you here? Pop Kelly died at the hospital. What? Yeah, you're facing a murder rap, son. Oh, no. I told you I'd kill you, didn't I, Larson? I told you to stay away from Jesse or I'd kill you. It's only happened a half an hour ago, Mr. Higgins. How'd you know? He knew he knew before it happened. You ready, lady? What do you want with her? I couldn't stop him, Joe. So I went with him. What? No. No, it couldn't be. You couldn't have left the house without my seeing you. You went down the back stairs, Joe. I couldn't stop him, so I had to go with him. I'll always go with him. But it's a murderer. Jesse, you... You're a murderer. And she'll go with me to the chair, too. You figured on getting me, Joe, but you never figured on getting Jesse, too. Ah, rain. It's about time. We'll cool off, all right, but Joe won't. He'll burn hotter than we will. Jesse, I'll swear you didn't leave the house. That's no use, Mr. Higgins. Pop Kelly identified him both. Jesse! You did what you had to do, Joe. And he's not through yet. How are you, Joe? What more can he do? A lot more. You wanted pretty things. And how do you think he got them for you? He killed for you. No! That watch you're wearing. He got that for knocking off Big Al Connors and his wife. But he never... Oh, he did it legally. Don't worry about that. Legally? Sure. Didn't you know? He's the public executioner. What? Yes, the state hangman. Push a button, drop a body. That's your Joe. Oh, I can't... Maybe I ought to thank you, killer Joe. After all, you're going to make sure that Jesse and me spend the rest of our lives together. Leave him alone. Why? Why? He had it all figured out. He'd get me. It was his idea to kill me. Leave him alone! How do you think he'll feel when it's my turn to die? And now this is Jeffrey Barnes bringing down the final curtain on tonight's presentation of St. Louis Lady. Be sure to join us next week when we present Nightmare by your favorite mystery author, William Irish. A young man has a ghastly dream of committing murder and wakes up to find the murder weapon in his room. He knows that somewhere, somehow, a man lies dead by his hand. So be with us next week for suspense and excitement when a nightmare comes true. Music for the Mollay Mystery Theater is by Jack Miller. St. Louis Lady was written by Irene Winston. Elspeth Eric, Gilbert Mack, and Frank Lovejoy were featured in tonight's program. This is Dan Seymour saying goodnight until next Friday at this same time when the Mystery Theater presents Nightmare. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.