Five Fingers - Old Time Radio Espionage

0:00Do you like a good scare? Do you have a dark and disturbing imagination? I can hear you nodding. You've come to the right place. Welcome to the shiver show. I'm your host, Mary Libry, here with co-host with the mo host, Greg Flynn. Good evening, Mary. Greg, I think we need trench coats and fedoras. Are you ready? Mary, it's all right for you, your brave, but in my case, I'm not cut out to be a spy. Too much tension, high likelihood of being killed, and frankly, spies work terrible hours. But that said, I'm really looking forward to hearing James Mason starring in this spy drama. Five fingers, let's go. Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight we bring you another of our 20 greats, five fingers, a thrilling drama of a clever spy who sold his services to the highest bidder, and recreating his original role of the infamous

1:04traitor in this 20th Century Fox picture will be James Mason. And as his co-star, his charming wife, Pamela Kalino. Now act one of five fingers, starring James Mason as the yellow, and Pamela Kalino as Countess Stavisky. This account begins in 1944. The war was at its height, but some nations still were neutral, among them Turkey. One evening late in March, an utter share of the German Embassy at Ankara, a man named Moysich, was about to enter his quarters when a stranger appeared from out of the shadows. Who are you? What do you want? Take me to your office. Either you tell me who you are. Don't be fooled. I brought you the opportunity of a lifetime. I can make you the envy of the entire German Foreign Service. Now open the door. The stranger was in his middle 30s, well dressed, and as Moysich soon found out exceedingly

2:06sure of himself. Let me warn you Moysich, not one word of this must reach anyone except your ambassador. My life will depend on your discretion. Responsibility I do not choose to accept. I'm afraid you have no choice. Your life will depend upon it too. You see, certain British documents, classed as most secret, have come into my possession. The price is 20,000 pounds. English pounds sterling. 20th up. Who are you? I am a spy, obviously. I'm also a businessman. And you consider it sound business to pay 20,000 pounds on unidentified amateur for a set of so-called secret, not so-called, not secret. I said most secrets. You will inform half on property of my offer, naturally you'll have to check with Berlin. I'll telephone you on Friday, for his answer. I must have more information. If you accept I'll return at 7 o'clock on Friday evening with two roles of film containing photographs of the document. And I will receive from you the sum of 20,000 pounds in English bank notes. For each subsequent role of film, the price will be 15,000 pounds.

3:08Is this clear? It's not clear at all. What documents? Only what? For one thing, the English have been discussing with the Turks their possible participation in the war. A matter of pure supposition. I have the minutes of their secret talks. Your ambassador, heaven-puppen, would be enlightened by them and perhaps a little frightened. What else? The latest allied plans for the shuttle bombing of certain Balkan targets, when and by whom and how many? Go on. Don't be greedy, Moisés. What do you expect for 20,000 pounds? How did you obtain such information? That is no concern of yours. Noise my identity and please do not have me followed. You Germans have no talent for you to keep wanting to get ahead of the people you follow. Yes, destiny extended hand till you all take it and hold on. Good night, Moisés. The men left. Moisés did not have him followed. But had he done so, he'd have discovered that his visitor was in the employ of the British embassy. The ambassador's valid.

4:08And like any braver valet, he was at his post when the ambassador returned shortly before midnight from a reception. A present reception, sir. A diplomatic reception is a never pleasant deal. The faces may be, but never the motives. Your coach, sir, alameen. Speaking of pleasant faces, the yellow. At one time, weren't you in the service of the Countess Davisky? I was relatively only a husband there at the court of St James. She was at the reception. She was. As charming and lovely as ever, but not so well-off. The Nazis and Poland have confiscated everything she owns. I'm sorry to hear it, sir. She was a lady of great wealth. And she used it well. More than anyone I've ever known, Countess Davisky symbolized the world in which she lived. The world of beauty and luxury. Gone forever, I'm afraid. Let us hope not, sir. I put the survey of Turkish manganese beside your bed to get it with your journal. Oh, yes. Thank you. That will be all. The along. One moment, sir. Your capsule. Dear Lord, have you ever considered the possibility that you might just for once.

5:08Forget something? Often, sir. I don't think you'd ever get over it. No, do I. Good night, sir. Three days later, the German ambassador, Franz von Baben, sent for his aid, Moysig. He had just received a dispatch from Berlin. Well, it's here, Moysig. Read it. Transaction approved. Take every precaution. Essential you determine identity of agent. Expect immediate report. It was sent by Carlton Brunner. Well, here's the money. 20,000 pounds, eh? There's no need to count it, Moysig. I have not taken any of it. Sir, but I can have such intention. Believe me, I've asked you. Are you sure you can handle this alone? Yes, sir. And I can develop the film myself. Good. A few of people who know about this are better. Particularly if this fellow makes fools of us. What was your impression, Moysig? Arrogant, spoiled, cynical. A British aristocratic. I have a song, sir. Fantastic.

6:08Now, by the way, a code name has been assigned to him. He used to be referred to as Cicero. The name is the personal choice of her ribbon drop. Is it any significance, sir? None that I know of, except the surprising fact that her ribbon drop had ever even heard of Cicero. He'll be here tonight. And he said seven o'clock, sir. Can I keep your wits sharp? A great deal depends on you. Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Yeah, Moysig. Yes, excellent. The money here. You forgot it. Excellent. Bromply at seven o'clock, the yellow arrived at Moysig's office. On the desk, lady, pilot bank notes. Ah, you have the money, I see. Thank you, Moysig. The film. Here. Two rows. Oh, fetch me a drink while I count it. Will you scotch whiskey, please? I'm sure you must have some. We have the best of everything. One of the pleasures of duty in a neutral country. You Germans can drink fine scotch whiskey. And your enemies can fill up on fine German beer. You can count the money later. It goes into the safe now until I've developed the film.

7:09Are you going to develop the film yourself? Yeah. There's a dark one down the hall. And perhaps you better drink this. You're trembling like a butterfly. We'll remain here until I come back. I lock the door. I won't open it to anyone but you. Moysig was stunned by the contents of the film as well he might have been. Back in his office, he did his best to hide his excitement. Interesting snapshot, aren't they? Yeah. The documents seem to be genuine. Don't be compressed, Moysig. My government has authorized me to make further arrangements with you. Splendid. 15,000 pounds for each additional role of film. Oh, and about my present fee. I've counted the money. It was all there. But that money isn't the safe. It was. You opened the safe. It's open. You see, I said to myself, if I were an ambitious attache like Moysig, what would be the combination of my safe? Oh, dear. And the answer was 130, 33 the day it looked into power. I imagined that I would open half the safe in Germany. What an unimaginative lot you are. Well, don't be upset, Moysig.

8:09There was nothing else worth taking. My. My government is prepared to pay 10,000 pounds per roll. No more. We won't, Hagel. I risked my life to get these photographs. My price is quite reasonable. You will pay it. Not until we know who you are and how you obtain such information. That is my business. I will tell you this. I work at the British Embassy. Sooner or later you'll find that out anyway. You have been assigned a code name. C-sevel. C-sevel. A man of nobility, eloquence and dissatisfaction. I like that name. When will you bring more film? A week from tonight. Have some money ready? Oh, unchanged in the number of the combination. May I suggest one? Try six, eighteen, fifteen. That's the date of the Battle of Waterloo. Good night, Moysig. The Olo left. Then he took a walk. Which led him to a rather shabby section of town. And to a rooming house. The quarters of Countess Arnostovsky.

9:09Oh, it's you, the Olo. Well, come in. Do you want to disturb you, madam? Not at all. Fortunately, I have a new invitation. God, he's an undersecretary. And he used to wake him. Any particular undersecretary, madam? Undersecretaries are never particular, dear Lord. Perhaps that's why they take me to dinner. This far more likely that in madam's presence they feel like ambassadors. So all the diplomats I've ever known, you're still there. Is my good fortune that you have known so few valets. Dear Lord Jesus. I've spoken to you before, but you're the valet to the British ambassador, not to me. Now sit down and tell me the God. I'll begin with the British ambassador, madam. He finds you the most radiant, the most sought after lady in Ankara. To him, you're a symbol of everything worth having and wanting. The symbol of the good old days. You see this yellow? I am both. The last of the lot. I want you to take this to the pawn shop tomorrow. I couldn't face another trip. But it not be present to me just one more trip, madam. This time to redeem your jewels with English pounds.

10:12Here. Where did you get that money? It's yours, 5,000 pounds. But it can't be real. There's nothing as real as money. But I may never be able to pay this back. I don't want it back. I can't permit you, I might be the savings of a lifetime. Not savings, madam. I'm not a saving man. A business venture of mine has paid off handsomely. But what has it you do with me? I propose to advance you 5,000 pounds in return for certain favors. I have here another 15,000. I couldn't possibly keep that time to the end, because you know that I want to go attention vital by the positives in a bank. Madam, could keep it for me. Who aren't you? You could leave this globy room, rent an attractive villa, live as you please. But how would all that be a favor to you? From time to time, I shall want to transact my business in privacy. You would set aside certain quarters for me. I see. If all goes well, I shall have some 200,000 pounds within 12 weeks. That's the amount I've set as my goal. And then? South America. A new life, a new name. That, of course, will require a passport,

11:13visas, letters of credit. You could be of great help obtaining them for me. Oh. I'll explain that when the time comes. Is there anything else? Nothing. Except all I've told you must remain extremely confident. It seems that it's enough to ask for 5,000 pounds. Are you going to tell me what your business is? Sometimes, perhaps. Not now. This is quite a trust you put in me. You seem very sure of yourself. I'm sure of you, Madam. Oh. For three years, I was valid to your late husband. It is said that no man is a hero to his valid. It is also true that no woman is a mystery to her husband's valid. You know me that well. Well enough. The source of your money has never concerned you any more than the source of your electric light. There became water some only when they were shut off. Quite true, but there is pride. I have pride. A great deal. I'd apparent upon your pride. You'll find it intolerable to have it known that your wealth was the gift of a servant. So, you will keep your mouth shut tight. Get me a brandy.

12:13There on the table. Of course. No, dear Lord. Not too blind. I shall drink only out of one, thank you. Do you know why I discharged you after my husband died? I think I do, Madam. Because you made me uneasy. I felt you had an evil genius for something. Little did I know it was for making money. That's a lie. That wasn't why I made you uneasy. No. No. You were attracted to me. It was upsetting to feel that way about a valid and to feel that the valid knew it all the time. Have I offended you? You'll soon be very rich. Everything worth having and wanting. The ambassador didn't say that about you. I did. That's how I've always thought about you. I'm now you want me to go with you to Stathomatics? Yes. Away from the war, the intrigue, the fear, and the poverty. And it would be right for us now. Because now, now and last, we are equal. Yes.

13:13Equals. Who's lying now, dear Lord? How are you going? Madam has a dinner engagement and we seem suddenly to have run out of gossip. You made me a business proposition. I agree to that part of it. As for the rest, not an impossibility. It's really an impossibility. And above all, an impediment. Because I address you as an equal? No. Because you address me as a servant. Because in the manner of an inferior, you tried to buy something. You didn't think you'd meditate on your own. Now, let's get down to the decals of business. As madam wishes. My name is Anna. Yes, Anna. Thank you. It was inevitable, of course, that the British Embassy would discover that many of their cavalry-guarded secrets were now known to the Nazis. When this disturbing news reached London, a counter-resby in our agent named Travers was sent to the Ambassador at Ankara. We've made all sorts of preliminary checks, Mr. Towers, so far we failed.

14:15I haven't the slightest idea how the German Embassy is getting this information. And if I were to assume that the source is someone here, here at the Embassy, sir, not all our personnel and permanent employees have had security clearance from London. Don't forget me, but I've never known a self-respecting spy without security clearance. And when do you store your estate paper, sir? Right here in my study, and that's safe. What about the code room? Fatten. And that's all that. The code room is under constant guard. Nightingale. So Frederick, don't you think that this lamentable lapse in security could be due to a slip of the lip at some party or reception? My lips are not in the habit of slipping Mr. Towers. I don't know why I implied that they are, sir, but our secret information does pass through other hands. It might pass through other lips. Now, MacFadden's been telling me about an attached lady, a certain countess to visc. It is possible. Is it not that... I beg your pardon, Your Excellency. What is it, dear Lord? It's time for your captioning time. Oh, thank you, dear Lord. You've said it, don't you? Yes. You were saying feathers. Are you on Venice? Yes.

15:15He's been with me for years. Well, about the countess. According to MacFadden, her circumstances have taken a startling change for the better. Does anyone know the source of her a certain good fortune? I'm not able to answer that. However, she has many friends. I'll either side. I'll hide in access. Oh, by the way, you'll be interested to know I am not the only new comatier anchorer. Colonel Van Richter was also on the train from East Ambul. For Richter? The Gestapo. Traveling under a Swiss passport. He calls himself Rudolph Houdler, a tobacco buyer from Bern. He went directly to the German Embassy, sir. Now, Dad, he's reporting to Van Papen as I'm reporting to you. If we only knew what they're saying. Yes, sir. Very good. If we only knew. Van Papen's reception of Van Richter was anything but cordial. Van Papen had good reason to be around. So you come here seeking confirmation of the documents we bought from Cicero. You had your confirmation on the 5th of April. We sent you the British plans to bomb the BlueHD oil fields.

16:16Where? Where they bombed? Or weren't they? Thousands of dead. Millions of gallons of precious oil destroyed. What is the need for further confirmation, Herr Van Richter? Regarding Cicero, it remains the opinion of General Carlton Prunand myself that all this still could be a British trap. You seem very certain about a connection between the contest of Iskia and Cicero. May I ask why? Because it is obvious. Why else would he choose her new home for his next meeting with Moises? Strange and sudden and perfect relationship. Too strange, too sudden, too perfect. The unknown Cicero and the well-known contest, well known for her anti-German sentiment. Yet only a month ago she pleaded with me for an opportunity to work in our interests. For love, Herr Van Papen or for money. For money, of course. Alone until the time when we return her property, we've confiscated in Poland. I want to talk to Cicero myself. Moises, when do you meet with him next? First the evening, Herr Carl. Then you will arrange for Monsieur Haudler the Swiss businessman to be present.

17:17On Thursday night, the Countess Tavisky was again entertaining. Among her guests was the tobacco buyer from Switzerland. During the evening, she led him through the house to his occluded wing, where someone was waiting for him. You will find your man in that room with your Haudler. I shall see that you are not disturbed. Thank you, Madame. Are you two a diplomat with you, like Herr Moiseach? I suppose you could call me a middleman. There are so many sweet middlemen. It seems to be a national occupation. And what could be more natural? After all, we Swiss have been in the middle for hundreds of years. Just not going to do with you. Colonel von Richter, sit down please. Moiseach tells me that you are to be the new intermediary. That's is correct. Moiseach is too well known here. It will be safer for me to deal with you. I'm happy to hear it. I share your concern. The Countess, have you told her why? Of course not. Because she knows the nature of your business.

18:17No. Then just what is her relation? My dear Colonel, I did not invite you here to discuss my personal affairs. We have some business to translate. Did you bring the money? You will be paid after we have developed the film. During the past weeks, I have sold Moiseach 50 photographs. All of genuine secret documents. That's proof enough of my good faith. Henceforth, you will pay on delivery. No? Well, possibly, you are no longer interested in the strategic plans of the Allies for the entire Mediterranean area. A second plan? I do not know the number of the front. I do know that in these documents Mr. Churchill keeps referring to the soft underbelly of Europe. Of course, I could take the film Mr. von Paprin and ask that he himself query the German high commanders to their interests. Very well. Here. 15,000 pounds. Why you had it with you all the time? Who are you anyway? If I told you I was the valet of the British ambassador, would you believe me? Certainly not.

19:17You see. At least tell me why you are selling us this information. I thought it was self-evident for money. No, but you must have some other motive. Perhaps you share our disgust with British decadent. If I ever disgust for everything, it is simply for poverty. You sell us information which will help us win the war. Yet you insist upon being paid in money with a very dubious future. British pounds. What makes you think I think Germany will win the war? Apart from the money we pay you, you attach little importance to these documents. Why? In the first place, I cannot sell you the intelligence to make the proper use of them. In the second place, by informing a man about to be hanged of the exact size, location and strength of the rope, you do not remove either the hangman or the certainty of his being hanged. And now I'm sure you all want to rejoin your party. One week from tonight, I shall have some more film for you.

20:17Good night, Colonel. I thought your meeting was a happy one, Mr. Holdler. Five? Satisfactory, thank you. And you will honor us soon again. The honor will be mine. Good night, Madame. How charmingly you sweet, click your heels. Good night, Monsieur. Two weeks went by. The man known to the British is Diolo the Palette and to the Nazis as Cicero the spy continued his audacious operations. How did he get his information? Months before he had learned the combination of the safe in the Ambassador's study, removing the documents he would place them under a lamp. But the ordinary electric light bulb was not bright enough. So he would substitute a much more powerful one. And then with a tiny pocket camera, quickly photograph each new document. In a matter of moments, the papers would be back in the safe and the original bulb restored to the lamp. Simple and incredibly bold and bound sooner or later to be discovered.

21:22But not yet. No, not yet. Come in, Diolo. Another profitable evening. Profitable enough to bring the total to 75,000 pounds. Why don't you stop now? Why go on playing with fire? What makes you think I am? Don't treat me like an idiot child. Your friend, hold like he is in Switzerland. I know I'm brushing when I see one. Does it matter to you? Your safety matters to me. My security depends upon yours. Oh, forgive me. I keep thinking of myself as a man. I keep forgetting that I'm a Palette who plays dividend. I can't be by a man as rich as you should go on pressing the trousers of the British Empire. That's where I get my money. I steal the loose change from his pockets. Before you go, get me a drink, will you? Tell me, where do you plan to settle when you go to South America? Real. There's no city like it in the world. When did you decide to go there? Many years ago. I was a cabin boy on a dirty tramp steamer. I can remember looking up at a villa high on a mountainside above the harbour.

22:23I could see a man on a balcony. He was wearing a white dinner jacket. He seemed close enough to touch him yet he was beyond the reach of anyone. I swore then that someday I would be that man. My drink, please. Do you have a nationality deal? You are not an native Englishman, are you? Albanian, English by the option. In England, it seemed profitable to become a gentleman, so I went into service. As you have pointed out, I am not yet a gentleman, but I am the best of the gentleman's gentleman. Which reminds me the ambassador will be wondering what has kept me. The yellow? Yes, Anna. I think I shall find Rio very much to my liking. You have waited a long time to kiss me. You don't have to wait any longer. Anna? Yes, the yellow. Get me a drink. Get me a drink. During the following weeks, the yellow's fortune grew to 155,000 pounds.

23:28And yet despite the unerring accuracy of the information which he sold to the Germans, they stubbornly and amazingly refused to act upon it. Still afraid that the yellow was really a British agent. At a British embassy, Travers, the counter-espionage officer, continued on the merry-go-round which had led him exactly nowhere. But one morning he asked the ambassador to send for the yellow. We feel you can help us. The yellow? After all, you were valid to the husband of Countess Viscay for some time. I am sure you will learn more about both of them than we could in a lifetime of investigation. infinitely more, Mr. Travers. Eltony, did you ever hear the Countess express sympathy for the Nazis? To my knowledge, the Countess never spoke of countries or of political parties there. The world to her was made up of individual people whom she either liked or disliked. Well, would you consider her to have been pro-German? The Countess was capable of being pro anything, sir, if it made for a congenial dinner party. And would you consider it possible for her to have become a German agent? Only for my nature.

24:28Love which she has suddenly acquired the most generous supply. I know nothing about spies, of course. But I can remember that the Countess had a remarkable talent for receiving confidences from important people. The late Countal was relied upon her for providing information. Oh, thank you, dear, that's all. Oh, I'll be dining at the American Embassy. You may take the evening off. Oh, thank you, sir. Oh, clever chap. You told us nothing. The fact remains that von Papen still anticipates everything we make. Well, Travers. No argument. No, your Excellency. No argument. That same evening, Colonel Von Richter was once again at Countess Tabisky's home. Meeting with the Olo. You're very nervous tonight, Colonel. Is something troubling you? This house is far too dangerous a meeting place for us. I wouldn't be surprised if the British were watching it. Not yet, but they will.

25:28They suspect the Countess is a German agent. Are you serious? And all the while, you suspect that she was a British agent. Amusing, isn't it? We should never have met here. From now on, we won't. Do you know the Azlanahane mask in the old quarter? No, it's what we'll find it for you. We'll meet there a week from tonight. A week is too long. It must be sooner. Really? Why? Because there is something about which we must secure information as quickly as possible. A certain code word has appeared in several of the documents you brought us last week. The word is overload. We are convinced that overload is the name for their so-called second plant. What we must know is the place and date, the where and the when. I can understand your curiosity. I will pay you well for it. 40,000 pounds. Generous of you. But is information of that nature likely to turn up at the British Embassy in Ankara? Don't you read the documents you sell us? I photograph everything that's stamped secret, most secret and top secret. I'm not particularly interested in what they contain. You photographed the dispatch last week stating that the ambassador would receive a copy

26:29of the revised strategic plan for overload within 10 days. 40,000 pounds, you said. For the where and the when. We'll meet at the Aslan Harmi Mosque, first and I. Bring the money with you. In the morning, Mr. Travers, for the first time, had some good news for the ambassador. The British had succeeded in breaking the diplomatic code of the Nazi ambassador, Font Parvin. And now for a change, sir. You all can each drop on Font Parvin. All right, McFerden, read the message. This is from Font Parvin, sir, to the right foreign minister in Berlin. In reply to your query concerning the authenticity of documents obtained from Cicero, I am firmly convinced the material is genuine. Cicero lives within the British Embassy. Obviously, he has access to top secret information. Lives here. Carlton Bronner's failure to evaluate the documents and von der Richter's refusal

27:29to make them available to me is a tragic blunder. I strongly urge you to bring this matter to the personal attention of the Führer, without delay, signed von Papp of Cicero. A code name for the informer, sir. Now, with your permission, I'll order a house search at once. Open search, we'll put him right on his gun. Well, that can't be helped. We can't catch him, we've got to fight him. And have to make him stop for a while. As you know, I'm expected and chiral to bother evening. Until I return, take any security measure you'll think necessary. Well, for one thing, I suggest the combination on your safety chains and safety devices in store. It doesn't, members of the staff here, have access to Mr. Joe's secret documents. There's also McFadden and you, and I. This, though, could be any one of us. Yes, sir, any one of us. I won't, McFadden, better start changing that combination. How long will it take? Oh, a few days, sir. But I can install an alarm bell and a metal alarm. I'm sorry, Mr. Biser, about to drop the car. Shall I back here, uniform? I won't be needing them. Thank you, dear. I'm sorry, sir. By the way, dear. Don't be upset if these gentlemen ransacked my quarters while I'm gone.

28:31Or there'll be no need for that, I'm sure, sir. On Thursday night, Moesage and Onerester appeared as scheduled at the offensive of the Aslan Hanay Mass. But the man they were looking for was not there. It's never been late before, sir. Never. Could it be possible, sir, that the British have found him all? It is more possible that the British have known about him all the time. He's very curious. I easily, Cicero, acquired the documents he wanted to sell. And when only once we named the information we want to buy, how mysteriously he failed to deliver it. What does the Colonel propose to do now, sir? Precisely nothing. All spies in time hardly have the uselessness. I'm afraid Moesage said. Your friend Cicero has just about outlived his. Now drive me back to the embassy. No, Diolo did not appear that night at the mosque. He wouldn't step to call on the counters of his feet. So you can be very proud of me, Diolo. You have everything you ask for.

29:31Your passport, your visas, and your tickets. Your name is now Roberto Antoneini. Well done. Senora Antoneini. He do has nothing. One of my many pleasant, wifely duties. How much do they cost? 5,000 pounds. Another 1,000 for birth and marriage tickets. And the tickets. Two first class compartments, separate cars on the Istanbul Express, leaving tomorrow evening. And the ship. An Argentine passenger freighter, sailing from Istanbul directly to the air. Day after tomorrow at Sundan. Now remember, you have to take no notice of me whatsoever on the train. When we reach Istanbul, we will go aboard the ship at once. How does it go at the bank? The bank manager seemed extremely curious. But the papers will be ready tomorrow morning. How much? And half a thousand. And all my powers of persuasion decide of respectability. That leaves roughly $130,000. In dollars, about $600,000 in Brazilian Crusaders, about $11,500,000. Plus, the $40,000 you got tonight. No, I withdrew from that transaction. The market's getting shaky. I decided to retire.

30:33You have before you an Argentine gentleman of leisure. About to take up residence in Brazil. I'm glad. We have more than enough anyway. We? We have more than enough? Right, Jason, you're down to the knee. But I came from a man's money. Is he the owner? And if his wife is a good wife, he gives her some from time to time. Whatever you say, Roberto. Will you miss being a Countess? Not for a moment, darling. Not for a moment. No. In the morning, Mr. Travers, for the first time, had reasoned to specifically question the ambassadors' valid. Hello. May I ask what you're doing with those letters? Please, sir. Mr. Martin gave them to me. The ambassadors' personal mail, sir. Oh, right. I see. Perhaps you better take charge every second until he returns from Cairo. Yes, I think we'd better put it in the safe. How many letters are there? Five, sir. This one seems quite personal. A lady's handwriting.

31:33You were looking at it, weren't you? It's perfumes. It struck me as such a pity that so few ladies use perfume letter paper these days. By the way, Dealer, weren't you away from the embassy last night between nine and ten? Yes, sir. Would you mind accounting for your movements? Not at all, sir. And what for a while on the bullfrog? Stop for a drink at the Yooksell Palace? Then back to the embassy. One other question about the Countess. Do you remember any particularly close friend she may have had in Switzerland? Did she go there often? Oh, very often, sir. She was extremely fond of Switzerland. How did that explain? Countess Tavisca left by plane for Switzerland this morning. I hope she can enjoy it in the style to which she is accustomed to. Now, that shouldn't be any problem. She took with her 130,000 pounds. I wonder where she got it. Yes. I wonder, sir. To be all over the news was unthinkable.

32:33Anna Tavisca had stolen his money and gone to Switzerland. He heard it away from the embassy. Went to a cafe and telephoned Moisésage. Looking carefully, Moisésage. Tell Colonel Von Richter, I've decided to get the information about overload. I need the money. But I'm being watched. I'll arrange a meeting place in Istanbul. I'll call you there tomorrow at the German Consulate. For the phone call, DLO came directly back here to the embassy. Did he speak to anyone at the bar? No, no one. I think you're on the wrong track sniffing off to DLO. After all, he didn't bat an eye when you told him about the contest. But why go to a cafe to make a telephone call? And why did he... Oh, maybe you're right. Where's he now? Upstairs. If he should leave again, he'll be followed, of course. Yes, DLO was upstairs, staring at the ambassador's safe. And they newly installed wiring that led up to the hall to an electric alarm bill.

33:36In the safe was a secret worth 40,000 pounds. But one turn of the dial in the entire British embassy would descend upon him. But then he smiled. How simple it would be. DLO walked down the hall to a broom closet. And it was a fuse box. He removed the fuse that served the ambassador's study and thus broke the current to the alarm bill. Two minutes later, he was taking photographs of half a dozen papers containing the word overload. And then there was no time to return the documents to the safe. No time for anything but to find out who was at the door. What do you want? I am the porter, sir. I clean the office now. No, not now. A vexalancy won't be back until tomorrow. But it needs necessary... Not now, sir. I said, come back later. But the porter was not one to quickly surrender. If he could not tidy up the study, at least he could vacuum the carpet from the corridor. But when he turned on the vacuum cleaner, there was no electricity. So I went to the broom closet, observed that a fuse was missing, and promptly replaced it.

34:42There we are. Come on, Sam. Come on, Sam. Hey, may I tell you something? That man, where did he go? Did you see him? What man? Who? The man. He'll get away. Where's the other, my friend? I guess right now. The back's dead. He's chasing someone. Johnson? Yes, sir. You and Kim will follow him. Find him and stick with him. Right out. Morrison, get it this back off the London. I want all the available information on the other side here at once. All right, Maxette. Let's take a look at the safe. Well, the papers are all here. I don't know. What about the letters? A batch of mail that came to the ambassador. There were five letters. One letter's missing. The one with a delicate perfume. One letter gone, but none of the papers. I want to wait. What's that light in the bedroom, huh? The laptop. And an evening bright lamp, isn't it? Come here. Oh, the graphic bulb. Why is he photo- All right, all right. We have boroughs in Murray. What's the German embassy? We've got to keep him from delivering that film. Red in the public? Our Turkish friends might not watch us.

35:42If we can't kidnap him, Maxette, we'll have to kill him. There's a little matter called overlord. We've got to consider. Now send a man out to the airport. After Johnson gets back, you and I will get out the railroad station. If he doesn't share up with their embassy, you can be sure he's leaving town. At the German embassy, Colonel Bon Richter, was also making plans. Based on the other's phone call, from the cafe to Molde. We'll be doing community samples. Very well. I see, but you understand. Take the train. Molde station. I have a go-back lane. Sisters bound to be on one or the other. Shall we go armed, Colonel? Naturally. You ought to protect Sysro from the British at all costs. Until we get that film. And after that, sir? And after that, Molde station. It will be up to Sysro to protect him, Ted. From the British and from us. At the crowded railroad station, four men kept their fence watch for the other. Two British. Two Nazis. But there was no sign of the Olo. Not until the train started to move from the platform. And then from his hiding place,

36:42the Olo dashed through the crowd on a freight. I've gone to the last three cars. No sign of them. He's in the car just ahead. Second can hide. The doors fell. Well. There's nothing to do between here and Istanbul. But make sure that none of them get off. Them? Down there. The old familiar officers. Same to the stolen station. But what if he's given them a gun? They wouldn't be playing watchdog for them if he didn't. So, what's your gun away, McFeddin? And light up your pipe. It's a long ride, isn't it? In his compartment, the Olo was reading a letter. A letter with the delicate scent. A dress to the British ambassador. And so, by the time you receive this letter, I shall far from Ankara. Far from uncertainty and hunger and jurisdiction. I shall be set to die hope in a new life of security and death respect. You have spoken to me so often my dear ambassador of the Olo.

37:42The perfect fact. Surely I can offer no greater proof of my devotion to be a light cause than to inform you that your trusted dear Olo is a German spy. I know both you and your government. Early the following morning, the Olo left his compartment and headed another. Good morning, gentlemen. Sleep well. I accept extremely well guards to the right. I'll meet guards to the left on me. You are my bodyguard, aren't you? Or are you my assassin? They are here to see that no harm comes to you from the British. They will stay at your side till you reach the German consulate. They'll be whimsical. I'm here only to give you a message from Moisés. Tell him to meet me at Harkingham's restaurant at 6 o'clock this evening. They would prefer the consulate. No, thank you. So many more people go into German consulate than come out of it. They must have some guarantee that your film is genuine. Here is a little strip of film.

38:42Have Moisés to develop it and you will see a piece of the document the Colonel von Richter wants to buy. I'll deliver the rest of it when Moisés pays me £100,000. £100? I forgot to tell you I'm just waiting for my price. At 6 o'clock in Istanbul, at a restaurant called Harkingham's, Moisés kept his appointment with the yellow. Some moments later they were followed there by travers and Lecphaten. What is he doing, gentlemen? You wish a table? I'm looking for a friend. He, uh, he'll be in a private room. There is a private room over there. It is occupied. Good. And he's here. I am sorry. He does not wish to be disturbed. No, but he's expecting us. I am sorry. If you care to wait, please do be seated here. He's here, my friend. And Moisés is in there with him. Now, he has a time for using your wits and a time for blasting away. It's capable. No, we've no monopoly. I'm blasting away in this place. Huh? I'll not defend again. The dim-witted Superman would drop us before we got to the table.

39:43But he may be handing over the film this minute. As of this minute, we don't want the film. Fans can be changed. You know, we want the yellow. We've got to know just how much the nudges have found out. I'm going to send him a note. Just a word of two to let him know we're protected. Oh, you're farming. Are you jumping? Oh, are you? If you don't mind? Yes, sir. My friend may not know we're waiting for him. Would you give him a note? Let's note it, Oscar. Who is it from? What does it say? Ah, you're troubled, Moisés. Because you know that I haven't much longer to live. The two Gestapo men are here to protect you from the British. What two men? Really, Moisés. It's you and your duty conscience and your big mouth. Well, the money is all in order. And here is the film. God. As it occurred to you that our roles are now reversed. That the British may try to kill you. Well, Moisés, shall we go?

40:45There you come. Heading towards the heavens. Your myth went. Mr. Traver. I'm touched by your solicitude. Imagine me, whole men, with a British sword and a British shield. That's why I'd rather let your foes impractical. In that case, I'd be unable to tell you the things you want to know. You've no idea how confused the Nazis are to see you protecting me. They're still half the spec. I've been a British plant all along. We have a car outside. We'll see you safely to the British country. No, no, thank you. We'll walk away together and then say goodbye. We'll get the Turkish police to arrest you. Is that a gun in your pocket, Mr. McFadden? It's against the law here to cover your weapon, didn't you know? Come along. Of course. You'll disapprove of me, don't you, Mr. Traver. You're the most cold-blooded traitor I've seen in our lifetime of looking at human trash. What a pity. I'm of a hope to have a placid gentleman. They left the restaurant. Behind them came the two Gestapo men, Sebert and Storvin.

41:45But Deolo had known exactly what he was doing when he picked Harkim as the meeting place. But a narrow street was jammed with people in traffic. They walked in at more than 50 feet when he suddenly darted away and was lost to the crowd. Meanwhile, Moysich had rushed to the German consulate with a roll of film that had cost a hundred thousand pounds. The film is still out of town. I have exactly the information you wanted. Oh, have you? It took you long enough. I was so nervous, I spoiled the first print. But here it is, sir. The day for Operation Overlord, is tentatively said for early June, along the coast of Normandy and the Sherborg Peninsula. Colonel, did you hear me? Now you hear this, sir. An urgent effect from von Papen. von Papen? Have just received personal letter from Countess Anna Stavisky, naming Cicero as British-18. I'm unable to confirm accusation because Countess is now in Switzerland. But in due past efforts to ingratiate herself with us, I'm compelled to believe her charge is true.

42:45I cannot believe it. I have always believed it from the first. But the documents were genuine. Events prove some genuine. Of course they had to be. So that we would swallow that big lie that's running your hand. I knew it. All along I knew it lies, lies, lies. Yes, the yellow at one. And as Roberto and Anita, he sailed away to Rio. He bought a magnificent home, high on a hill, overlooking the Harvard. And he wore a beautiful white dinner jacket every night. But one evening as his valet was serving dinner out on the balcony, two gentlemen came to call on him. This is an unexpected pleasure, senior de Costa. And may I present my friends, senior Santos? I am honored, senior. Are you two associated with the bank? No, sir. With the Brazilian Department of Investigation. And you have discovered some irregularity, my papers.

43:46Your papers are all perfectly in order. There is any regularity. However, your account at the banks are yours. I'm overdrawn. As of yesterday, I had approximately three, seven million cruiseros in my account. I was referring to the 25,000 pound in cash, with which you purchased this villa. The money has been returned. It is counterfeit. You have a distorted sense of humor, senior. So as the money which you have changed for Brazilian currency, it is all counterfeit. The most skillful I have ever seen. I implore you to cooperate. Those counterfeit notes were printed in Germany. The British have just established that beyond the top. And so far, they have turned up in three places. Here in Brazil, in Turkey, and in Switzerland. Switzerland? Over 100,000 counterfeit British pounds. Confiscated there two days ago. In the possession of a political refugee, a lady comes. It will be to your interest in yours to tell us where and how you got this money.

44:47Switzerland? Not really missing yours. This is no laughing matter. It is my unhappy opportunity to inform you. You are under arrest. Anna! It is your time. Anna, pull it, Anna! Put it on my cash, right? The William Conrad is the narrator. Hans Conrad is Moysich. Kurt Butterfield is Sir Frederick. John Doddsworth is Travers. A group barrier is von Papen. Polly Barr is von Richter. The old bread is McFadden. And Vick Peren, Luke Kruckman. Lauren Stubkin and Eddie Marr. Greg, we've just listened to five fingers. A lux radio theater production. 1952. What did you think? One of the most fascinating things about this play was that the action is true. The story is based on that Albanian-born spy, who, in this case, they are called Ulysses,

45:47but his first name is Elissa. Basna. And he was a valet at the British Embassy. And all those points are true. There's a novel also, isn't there? So this was pretty fun. It was actually really interesting to research at all. So the first thing that happened was, well, of course, the real-life events that took place during World War II, again, into that minute, I suppose. But then they made this into a film in 1952, with the director was Joseph McEwitts and James Mason in the starring role. And this production literally came out, like within six months of the film's release, as a radio production. And the only difference in the casting, I suppose, is that it's now Pamela Kalino. Yes, his wife? Yeah, his wife, as Countess Daviski. I should point out that I kept saying, it's true, it's true, it's true. But she is a new character. She wasn't in the original story. I, the true story.

46:48So she's this counter, she's Polish. She's lost all her money, and she's fallen from her, you know, the lifestyle that she's become accustomed to. And she's, I suppose, the romantic interest in the story, which I thought was a fun addition. But what did you think about this as a bit of a spy thriller? Did it tick the boxes for you? It had all the elements. It was reasonably evenly paced. There was no dramatic moments. There was no car chases and, you know, street fights with hatchets. But nevertheless, it had credibility. And the fact that Ludwig Moysich, who is the SS and diplomatic attache to the German Embassy in Anker in Turkey in 40 to 44, he actually wrote the book on which he was based. So he was a real life character. He wrote Operation Cicero, which was the Cicero thing,

47:48the codename, as we know, for the spy. So those elements just added, they added more depth to what would be a relatively straightforward, linear spy drama. Yeah, that's right. When I looked, when I started researching Buzna, I was astounded by his background and all the things that he did leading up to, you know, the events that are in this drama. So he was, he was always involved in diplomatic circles before he became a valet to Hugh. So I'm going to have a go at saying this, Greg. A natch-booty-hugasin. Close enough. All I've got him down is the cast character, which was Fredrick. Yeah, Fredrick, yes. So he was the British ambassador to Ankara, Turkey. And if listeners are interested, the full version of this is available on YouTube, the film.

48:48So you can watch it for free on YouTube. You know, it's about an hour and a half long. It's filmed in Istanbul. So it's pretty great film location. And so that's, that's kind of fun if you enjoy this story. But this gentleman was notorious and got into a lot of trouble. Once all the, you know, the novel came out and the film came out because he did not look after the documents that were laying around in his office. And apparently many of these were taken and photographed by the valet. While he was, well, this is what the valet reported. He did it when he was sleeping, when he was having a bath, and when he used to play the piano in the afternoon. So these were three periods of time when he could go in there and take photographs of all these documents which were just laying around on his desk. Well, naughty, naughty, naughty. Yes, those are the sort of elements. You can imagine him with one of those little spy cameras.

49:50You know, there's the old school spy cameras sneaking around while Sir Frederick, as I like to think, whom is having a sitting in his bath with bath with these rubber ducks. Now, that's a picture I'm not going to be able to get out of my mind for the rest of this. So he was actually charging an outrageous amount for these documents. And I know Greg, because you are the expert at this, I'm going to ask you if you know what the, what was the present value of some of these? The first he did 20,000 British pounds for the first set of documents. What would that have cost in today's dollars, do you know? I haven't looked it up. That's got to be a lot of money. Well, it was all a shed load of money. I imagine at the time and indeed now. But one of the things I did love, and it's so, you can picture it. The Germans didn't trust the information they were getting. The information was true. But the German Foreign Office, they questioned the reliability of this intelligence. So there's the spy Cicero giving them all the good,

50:53all the good oil, you know, all this information is important information and they're going, not, can't be, it can't be true. This is just, it's too, literally too good to be true. Yeah, and this is after they've paid for it. And then we discover they're paying for it with counterfeit money. I know, horrifying. Who knew you couldn't trust the Gestapo and the wider SS. I mean, there's a group of gentlemen for you. I was shocked. I mean, I thought that I just, I was just shocked. Paying with counterfeit money, how dare they? And it was true, apparently. In real life, that's what happened. Not all the money, but quite a lot of it. And that was another thing about the actual radio player. I did like those multiple little twists at the end. There's sort of double crossing of the triple crossing with a Polish contest. No, not only shoots off with what she discovers later as counterfeit money, presumably. But she then dobs in, as we say in Australia,

51:55she dobs in the spy Cicero to both the British and the Germans. She, I mean, I was like, what a... My perception of James Mason, first of all, he's, he's, you know, very handsome, beautiful diction, very intriguing actor. But you know, after seeing Lolita, I could never sort of wash that perception off. He had this sort of morally compromised decadent kind of aura from then on for me. I don't know. Do you have that experience? Well, I must say that I haven't seen Lolita, but I have seen him in North by Northwest, out of Master Spy, and then he was the good guy in a journey to the center of the earth. So I take the, because I haven't seen that particular film he mentioned, I take the first part of your comment, which he was a bane, you know, is highly polished, unflappable, sophisticated in his roles and possibly in real life as well. So I always saw him as a little, just a little bit crooked,

52:59smooth, but crooked. Yes, yes, yes, yeah, yeah. I don't think that he ever kind of shed that perception, actually, for me, after I saw that film. But we've also got his wife playing the Countess, so her name was Pamela Calino. And I thought she was fine, very fine, but I thought her accent was a bit slippery. You're so judgmental Mary, so judgmental. I thought the same thing. I'm not certain that she was put her heart and soul into that role. Well, I mean, when you look at the film, and I don't know whether you've checked that out, but it is, it does have fabulous filming locations, lots of very cool night shots with shadows cast down, you know, winding narrow alleys, and also lots of cool interior shots with James Mason, you know, wearing a smoking jacket, of course. I mean, the man is always in a smoking jacket, and sipping on a brandy and, you know, chatting with gentlemen about various things.

53:59So it does, it is kind of a, I recommend it if the listeners enjoyed this story, check it out. It looks cinematography is good. Yep, I'll definitely check it out. And in speaking about the way you and I would pronounce V-A-L-E-T as in valet. Apparently, the British do pronounce a valet when they're referring to a gentleman's gentleman, somebody who can, you know, who's acting in the role of something, or something along the lines of the butler. So, nevertheless, it's, was slightly of putting when you keep hearing somebody say valet, valet, valet, but nevertheless, you and I, you know, you and I, we go for the valet. I have to say, if there's one thing the British love to do, it's butchered the French language. So anything that is French by origin, the British intentionally mispronounced it. Now, I have a little bit of a comment about this great because when you, you chose this one, and I think it's fabulous choice, and this was actually a bit of a problem.

55:00Did you notice that when you were listening to it? No. No, was it? No? I go on and tell me about the sound. Well, what we would call the levels, which is just a way of saying volume. The levels in this were all over the place. So it's just going to be a little bit, sorry, I should say, when I actually put it together with the show, it will be, it is a little bit of a challenge to clean that up. Mary, it's a very good point. I did notice there was one stage where the narrator, the wonderful William Conrad, who we saw on TV as canon, his voice slowed down, and then speeds up here. Oh, that's right. There's some of that too. Yes. That was the only one I did notice. Yeah, yeah, his voice slows down and then speeds up, and then there's some problems with the volume. But listeners, let me know what you think. I tried to recondition it so that it all sounded pretty great. So I'd love to hear your comments.

56:00If you think I did an okay job, you can give me a gold star, where maybe needs improvement. That's right, sticky gold star. And on the side, only a subject of sound and the sound effects. There's a little bit of what you would call walla. There's people speaking in the background and there's the train station and there's footfalls. And I thought that was fine, but it's not really a sound effect, but the sound included the audience laughing at some very small jokes made by within the script, but also some guy having a coughing fit. It's absolutely true. In fact, the thing I noticed about this live audience in the way it was recorded is the audience seemed a lot closer to the mic. So often it's quite distant and muted. But with this one, it's in close. You can hear it quite well. The volume is actually on that crowd. Audience noise is quite high. Did you notice that? I did. I did. We usually hear when there's a coughing fit.

57:00It doesn't sound like the audience member is actually sitting on the stage with the actors. Yeah. So now the one thing I found very interesting about this, the real-life story part of this, is our spy Cicero after the war. Because he wasn't paid in proper dollars, he actually tried after the war to get paid properly by the West German government and surprisingly, Greg, the government of West Germany said, no. Oh, really? I'm shocked. I didn't know that, but I didn't know that he had to go back to work doing basically those sorts of the jobs he did, you know, working for other people in what might be considered, might be considered by some slightly humbling jobs for someone who had imagined himself in South America, you know, white double-breasted suit with a cigar. Yeah, with a, you know, some kind of like a coffee plantation or something, but he ended up, you know,

58:01toward the end of his life. He was, I wouldn't say destitute, but he wasn't well off. And he worked as a night watchman. He taught singing lessons, and he also sold used cars, in Turkey. The car he was, well, he was certainly entrepreneurial. Greg, any final thoughts on five fingers? I keep saying time and time again, I'm not cut out to be a spy, but if I was going to be a cash-only spy, I not take credit cards, I'd be holding those, you know, the bills, the bank bills up against the light, trying to check to see whether they're okay or not. Now, sadly, I only know Australian currency very well, so you can give me a done euro, and I don't have no idea it was okay. So I'm going to have to, that's a little detail. I'm going to have to work out for my spy career. Well, all I have to say is, this is not, in my opinion, a sensible way to make a living. And so I think I'll just continue to be

59:02an underpaid, underloved radio and podcast producer, Greg. Frankly, I've got to leave it to it. I'm going to head off of my treacher code and snap ridden for Dora. There's money out there to be made, even if it's counterfeit. Good night, Greg. Good night, Mary. That's our show for tonight. You may not know this, if you're listening to us on the radio, but we are also a podcast, and we are also on YouTube. We are on all the podcasting platforms, Apple podcasts, Spotify, and others. And we're also on YouTube. The address is youtube.com forward slash the shiver show. We thank you once again for your company tonight, and we look forward to shivering with you again next week.