Michael Shayne: Signed, Rem 09/03/1945

0:00Welcome to Choice Classic Radio, where we bring to the greatest old-time radio shows. Like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, and thank you for donating at choiceclassicradio.com. Union Oil Company, present. The adventures of Michael Shane, private detective starring Wally Mayor and Kathy Lewis. If Mike Shane were a painter, right now he might be gazing rapidly from his office window at the Sun, setting directly into San Francisco's Golden Gate.

1:02If Mike Shane were a poet, he might be gazing dreamily at Tillers Night, his office associate. Seeing simply a very practical private detective, Mike's eyes are focused upon a typewritten letter on his desk, while he and fillers share the telephone, talking to the inspector of homicide. And it goes this way, Inspector, dear Mr. Shane, my life is in great danger. I dare not come to your office for fear I shall be followed. This note is to acquaint you with the fact, so that when I telephone to you, you may come instantly without question and well armed, and it's signed with the initials REM. When you get it, Mike? Or would you go Tuesday Inspector? No return address given and it's typed on the very cheapest paper. Sounds a little different from the usual crackpot thing, Mike. But I think that's all it is. Audi Department gets a dozen of those letters every day. I know Inspector, but this afternoon I got a phone call from the guy. Still wouldn't give his name. Said he wasn't really desperate, Paral now. He was going to risk coming to see Mike anyway at four o'clock.

2:04And so? Well, at six o'clock and we're still waiting. And forget it, Mike. Guys just a screwball. It would really been seriously to have gotten in touch with the police. Yeah, yeah, I suppose so. Oh, by the way, Mike, what are you doing this evening? Oh, Mike and I are going to go to dinner and maybe a movie. You want to make it a force? Well, my wife is spending the night down on the peninsula with our folks. Oh, okay, Inspector. Look, I'm going back to my apartment and change shirts. Say, what do you say you mean to stay in a few minutes, huh? I'm on my way there right now. Hope you kids don't mind my inviting myself along like this. Oh nonsense. We love to have you, but I make one condition. No shop talk on you kids tonight. Well, it'll be a painfully quiet evening. Let me see. Let me see any mail in my box. No, not today.

3:11All right, make yourselves the home children. It won't take me a minute to shave and put on a clutch. What under this star? Mike. Huh? They're in the floor. Holy Mike, what do you want? What did you get it? It's a head. A mummified human head. Yeah, it's been shrunk. The head's no larger than a baseball. And the skin is almost black. That long hair. Oh, it gives me the shudders. Mike, how am I deviled it to get in here? Somebody pulling a gag on you? I know, Inspector. And what I've read, I'd say it's a trophy of some headhunting tribe. Probably Sarawak or a Borneo. The cheekbones look more like an Indian's to me. You know, they say they have headhunders in Martinique and up the Amazon. You're right, Phil. It's a South American Indian. But how did it get in here? The front door was locked. Same goes for the windows. Unless maybe the one in the bedroom. Inspector? Yes, first. Look, look on my bed, a body. These slight markings on the throat are conclusive, Mike. He was strangled. Yeah. And with a good deal of finesse, it was done with something, some soft noose, a gorilla, something.

4:33First, we find a mummified Indian head and then a man strangled. Well, kids, there must be a connection between the two. Yeah, Phil, but what did the killer leave the head for Mike or did this man drop? Hey, hey, something on the floor. Man's wallet. Driver's license gives his name as R E Macintyre 1198 California Street, born April 5th 1896 listed as married. R E Macintyre. R E Inspector. Yeah, my initials on that letter. R E M R E Macintyre. This is our man. Yeah, but what in the places was he doing in your bedroom? I thought he was to meet you at your office. Well, maybe he was being followed Inspector decided he'd be safer if he could hide in Mike's apartment till Mike came home. Yeah, it's just the anyway. You look at it is almost a hundred dollars here in his wallet. He's dressed like a knob hill millionaire. Yet he wrote to me on the cheap paper schoolboy would you? Yeah, let's go through his pockets and see what else we can find. Okay, first the wallet here. Gold pen and pencil initial R E M. Yeah, there's a checkbook key ring gold knife. Couple dollars and small change one pack of cigarettes match folder. That's all. Yeah, it doesn't tell us anything. Hand me the phone, Mike. I'm going to call headquarters for the squad and after they get here, we're leaving for 1198 California Street and the lady who was Mrs Macintyre.

6:02When did I last see my husband? Well, we ate lunch at the palace hotel and then Mr Macintyre said he had some business to attend to. What time was that, Mrs Macintyre? I would say two o'clock. That's just about when he telephoned the office. He told me he was coming to see Mike at four o'clock. Did your husband tell you, Mrs Macintyre, that his life was in danger? That apparently he was being followed everywhere he went. Mr Macintyre never talked over his affairs with me. However, I did notice that the past several weeks, he seemed very nervous. I thought he was brooding over some business matter. And just what was his business? Mining, he and his partner Anthony Locke owned a big tin mine in South America. South America? That's where the dried Indian head came from. It did mean something. Mrs Macintyre, do you know if your husband had any enemies? I've answered that. Mr Macintyre did not talk over his affairs with me. Well, he certainly provided a beautiful and expensive home. Mrs Macintyre, can you explain why he should write us that letter on the cheapest sort of paper and then sign only his initials?

7:07Max done that trick before. He wanted you to think he was a poor man, so you might work for him at less money. She would even introduce himself by some false name that would fit his initials. Yes, he thought that much of a nickel. Except when he could spend it on himself. I presume, Mrs Macintyre, your husband left the will. Mr Shane, I'm getting very weary of repeating this. My husband did not talk over his business with me. Of course he had a will. And of course I'm the beneficiary. You must realize, Mrs Macintyre. I realize that for one half hour I've been subjected to highly imprudent questions. I know nothing which can help the police department. And there the matter ends. Mike, for two cents I'd go back to the house and haul that royal lady down her headquarters. I think she decided to answer our question. Let's forget her for the time being inspector. We've got the talk to Macintyre's business partner Anthony Lark. Hey, kids, I just saw a man duck behind that front gate.

8:07Give in. Okay, let's have a look. Hey, he got in that car. We'll follow him. Here, jump in. Come on. He's gotten away, angel. The wires have been pulled loose from my ignition switch. We'll return to the adventures of Michael Shein and Justin Mullin. Many motorists have been amazed at the way the new 76 gasoline performs in traffic and on hills. Well, the reason is simple. It's because the new 76 contains components of the same 100 octane gasoline. Many motorists have been amazed at the way the new 76 gasoline performs in traffic and on hills. Well, the reason is simple. It's because the new 76 contains components of the same 100 octane gasoline. Union oil compineries are produced for the air forces. That means the new 76 gasoline for your car is packed with extra power, greater than pre-war.

9:16You'll notice its instant response as soon as you come down on the accelerator. You like its quieter, faster action, and you like its price too for 76s and non-premium gasoline and still sells at regular prices everywhere. So for a real thrill in driving, put in a tank full of the powerful new 76 gasoline. Nearly all Union oil minotman stations have the new 76 on hand now. Just look for the sign of the big orange and blue 76. Thank you. Tonight at Triple Mystery Dogs, Mike and Phyllis, why was a mummified Indian head left in Mike's apartment? Why was a man strangled to death in Mike's bed? Who pulled the ignition wires loose in Mike's automobile? Mike Phyllis and the inspector have gone to the home of the murdered man's partner Anthony Locke, the dining room door open. Mr. Locke asks if you would please join him in the dining room.

10:16Why, certainly. Thank you. Good evening. I was just beginning my dinner. Hope you haven't eaten. I'll have water set extra plates. I'm afraid you don't understand, sir. I'm the inspector of homicide. This is Mr. Shane and Miss Knight, private detectives. Oh, really? Well, I misunderstood waters, bit hard of hearing. You know too much quinine, touch of malaria. Sit down, sit down. I, despite eating alone, happy to have your company. Mr. Locke, this is not a social call. No, can't recall inviting you. Don't know what you're doing here. But how about some terrapin soup? It's excellent tonight. Sir, I'm from the police department. Your partner, Mr. McIntyre, has been killed. Murdered. Strangler death. When? Tonight in my apartment. And in the next room, we found a dried, mummified human head. Mr. Locke? Mr. Locke, are you all right? The sign of death. You know what it means? Yes. Yes, McIntyre came to me with an anonymous letter. It said he was going to die.

11:16When was this? About ten days ago. I tried to get him to go to the police, he wouldn't. Finally, he said he'd hire a private detective. We both knew Santa letter. But I didn't think he'd actually kill. Hmm? That's what that had mean. He, who? Please, Mr. Locke. His name is Ferd Stockel. He lives in Bolivia. McIntyre and I bought our plantation from him about five years ago. Mm-hmm. Just jungle and bare mountains. Then we dug the tin mine. Stockel said we cheated him out of it. He swore he'd get even. Huh. This scar on my cheek. He did that with the machete. Then you think he's in San Francisco? He must be. The letter was postmarked from here. But gentlemen, this isn't the end. I have received the same letter. The same death threat? Yes. Okay, let's have a look at that, never. Well, that's a strange thing. I had it on my desk, then suddenly it disappeared. Then we better move fast. I wanted a description of this Ferd Stocke. I can give you that. He's about five feet seven. He has black hair, black eyes, red dark skin. Uh-huh. He'd be about forty now.

12:18He speaks English with a peculiar hissing accent. Good. Now Mike, we better get moving. But how can you catch him? What can you do? Lenny, we're going back to headquarters and broadcast a general alarm. All right, boys. That's the man's description. Get that on the radio right away. See that all squad cars are contacted. Yes, sir. Smith, your men will cover all airports. Train depots, bridge control stations, and highways. He might try to skip down. Yes, sir. Russell, new boys, go over the registrations at all hotels. See if you can get me the immigration authorities. Yes, all right. That's all, get busy. Inspector, we made an inventory of everything in McIntair's pocket. Ordered, we, Sergeant. Or then you know about the folder matches. Matches, what about it?

13:18Address on the cover there. That's the third rate, please. John and Ann Bacchidero. Hardly a place for rich men like McIntair. You're right, Sergeant. Not only right inspector, I suggest we visit that third rate hotel on the embacadero right now. Well, that's what I said. Ain't nobody named a ferd Stark Hold registered here. Well, he may be under another name. You got any man registered from South America? I heard him he'd think now. South America. Oh, yeah. Yeah, room 307. That great big guy with the beard signed in from Lima, Peru. When? Oh, maybe two weeks ago. Name Z Badger, he says. Two weeks ago. Time fits if the description doesn't. Okay, I guess this time we walk up.

14:18Yes, I come up from Lima. What about it? Before I've missed a Badger by any chance for you in Bolivia. Oh, now I'm on. You've been talking to McIntair. What's McIntair doing running to the police just because I, uh, well, I, uh, I thought he had some sense. You were going to say just because you were what? Well, now, chance it was a good deal. I figured Mr. McIntair, Mr. Lockwood, mind owning the second tin mine down in all believe. I could fix it so they get older, but really big one. Few thousands played in the right place, you know. But if Mac is going to turn Sunday school boy on me. Mr. Badger, you, uh, you work for McIntair and Lock. I was boss of the mind, Madam, until they were looking for an excuse to get rid of me. But Edge, Badger, is not one of old, odd feelings. When did you last see McIntair? Well, he'd come to the hotel here yesterday. Now, I'm not going to do Mac dirt. You ought to know that. So if you gentlemen will, give me an idea what this is all about. Mr. McIntair has been murdered. Oh, that's not so good.

15:19No, no. Mr. Badger, you mind telling us where you've been for the past three hours? Oh, I see what you mean. Well, life has been right here in my room. And, oh, maybe a couple of trips to the bar. Did Mr. McIntair tell you that he'd received a letter threatening his life? No. A letter that he'd received. No, a letter there. So that's what was wearing old Mac. I figured he was having trouble with his wife. Why you were down in Bolivia, Mr. Badger. Did you know a man named Starkle, third Starkle? Oh, did I know third? There's a cutthroat for you. Oh. Now, if you were to ask me a third Starkle would kill Mac? I'd say yes. I'm Mac and Lock, really cross-seam up once. Have you seen him in San Francisco? Yeah, no. He's down in Bolivia. When did you last see him there? A couple of months ago, I say. Yeah. You mean you think he's in town? I wouldn't like that, Jensy's a bad one. You said a moment ago your first Mac and Towers having trouble with his wife. Where did you get that idea? Where are you? I only thought I don't know.

16:19Go on, go on, please. I don't know anything. Mac just said something about his wife, Nagan and I. I hope you gentlemen won't tattle act to her. I may have to do business with her and Lock. Hey, you want say anything with you? That's for us to decide. Mr. Badger, is there anything further you can tell us? Anything else that comes to your mind? No, I can't. Think of anything. Mm-hmm. Inspector, my mind-time got a slightly different angle on this case. I'd like to go back to Mac and Towers' house and have a look at his private papers. Whether Mrs. Mac and Towers likes it or not. I bet I know what you're thinking, Mike. You'll figure Ed Badger is in this deep within Hill Admit. Now you want to get some proof in black and white. Well, that's part of it. Yeah, he'd tell us just what he wanted us to hear and no more. So he's a shady character. But probably he's never risen to the point of the story. I think he's not going to be the one to tell us. I'm going to tell you something. No, he's a shady character. But probably he's never risen above petty larceny and confidence games.

17:22No, he doesn't look like the... The type, yes, sir. You know, someday Angel, the inspector and I are going to take you down to Rogue's gallery and show you the pictures of every convicted murderer for the past 10 years. You'll save most of them. Look as innocent as the inspector or myself. That's no recommendation. Oh, get her. Here we are, kids. I'll pull up in the driveway. The car. Quick. There's that man, the man who tore the wires out of Mike's car. Yeah, he's running down the walk. Hey, you stop. Stop her off shoot. That's stopped him. Come on. Vector, if you've hidden. Don't worry, I ain't with the pavement. He's pretty shaking the legs. Put some big idea. Got a chill of me. Listen, if I wanted to hit you, I couldn't miss it that short range. You can't get away with this. Stickin' up a guy right. I'll have a law on you. You're talking to him, buddy. I'm Inspector of homicide. And we want to know why you were sneaking around outside this heart. Why you pulled the wires loose in our car. I'm a private detective. I was paid to watch this house. Who paid you? Back and tired. I'm watching his wife.

18:23Oh, that's so. Then Inspector, suppose we give him a chance to do more than watch her. Suppose we make him talk to her. The man's lying. Why would my husband hire a detective to watch me? Where we don't know that he isn't detective. I got a license. Here, see if he has so. Mm-hmm. Your name Andy Blackmore? Yeah. License was issued last month. I never heard of him before. So what? I never heard of you before. I knew it's her, Susco. Mr. Blackmore. When did Mr. McIntyre hire you to shot her with his wife? Last week? It's preposterous. I tell you he's lying. My orders were to watch her and a fellow named Locke. Well, get McIntyre. He'll tell you if I'm lying or not. McIntyre was gay but murdered. He's what? Mr. Blackmore. Just what were you supposed to find out about Mrs. McIntyre and Locke?

19:24I don't know. I was supposed to keep track of her and everybody she was in contact with. Especially Locke. And what happened? I got myself half strangled to death and then you shoot at her. Wait a minute, hold on. Who strangled you when? Oh, some big guy with a beard. He was leaving here a couple of nights ago and when I... Hello? I see Inspector there. Yes, he's here. It's for you Inspector. Thank you. Hello? Inspector? Yes. Mr. Locke just phoned headquarters. Says he discovered a brilliant parking clue. All right, Sergeant. Tell him we'll be right over. You made us there. Oh. Mike, I don't like this at all. Mr. Locke's front door opened. The electric light saw. Not only off. There's no electricity at all. You guys aren't going to mix me up in this. I'm going out and waiting for the car. You're staying right here, Mr. Locke. Mr. Locke. Mr. Locke.

20:26I'm not a sound. We're at the servants. I want to find the telephone. Mike, throw your flashlight around. Oh, Mike! Huh? Throw it this way. I just kicked something. It rolled. There it is. A head. Another head. Yeah. Right behind it. On the couch. Mr. Locke. Mr. Locke. Oh. Mr. Locke. Oh. Mr. Locke. Oh. Mr. Locke. Oh. Mr. Locke. Mr. Locke. And just a moment, we'll return to Mike and Phyllis in their adventures. We don't say that driving with the needle 76 gasoline will eliminate all your traffic problems. But we do say it will make your driving a lot more pleasant. Even the oldest cars perk up and come alive when you put in the new 76.

21:26That's because this new post-war fuel contains components of the same 100 octane gasoline that Union oil companies' refineries are producing for the air forces. That means it's packed with extra power greater than pre-war. You'll notice this as soon as you come down on the accelerator, you'll like the quieter, faster action of the powerful new 76 gasoline. And you'll like its price, too. For 76 is a non-premium gasoline and still sells at regular prices everywhere. So for a real thrill in driving, put in a tank full of the new Super 76. The new 76 gasoline is now going on sale at all Union oil Minuteman stations. Just look for the sign of the big orange and blue 76. Thank you. In the darkened house of Anthony Locke, Mike, Phyllis and the inspector have discovered a second,

22:27mummified human head. But this time, the murderer has failed. Our trio have arrived just in time. Anthony Locke himself has been revived. In the yellow light of Mike's flashlight, the victim gasps out his story. Thank heavens, you got here. You thought he had killed me? We did too. The garage was still wrapped around your neck. Was it? No. It was stockle. Ferd stackle. It must have been. It couldn't seem. No. Now I came home and found the servant's gone. I got scared. I phoned the police. And I heard a window smash. Where? The breakfast room in there. Suddenly the lights went off. Somebody grabbed me. I felt something, tightened around my throat. That's the last I remember. He left you for dead, then ran out the front door and left it open. It must have happened in the past 15 minutes. You were all right when you phoned us. Yes. Oh, please, that flashlight hurts my eyes. You can light the candles on the mantle. I like them. Who's that, man? They're beside you.

23:27And they blacked more on the private detective. He claims Mac and I had him to shadow Mrs. Mac and Harron you. Mac, I didn't...no, no, he's lying. I tell you what's the truth. I'll listen to you guys aren't going to rip me into this. Mr. Locke. Mr. Locke, you said on the phone that you were discovered some important clue. Yes, I found the letter. Good. The letter threatening my life. I've got it in my pocket. Good, it may be the key to the whole case. No, I'm sure I...no, it's gone. I had it right here in my pocket. He took it. Dog gone just when we thought... You've got to catch, Stalker. You've got to. He's mad. He'll try again. We'll do our best, Mr. Locke. But I'm worried about these missing servants. How many are in your employ? The Butler and their French cook. Why would they disappear? Is that the front door? It's the side door. It's the side door. It's the side door. Oh. And Ed Badger. And why not? Gentlemen, I was suspicious. I couldn't see any lights except a couple of candles. Because somebody pulled the light switch. I tried to murder Mr. Locke. No, Mr. Locke, too. Are you all right now, sir?

24:27He is. But what were you doing outside? Why I was coming to CM. After you, gentlemen, left me the hotel. I figured I'd better talk over my business with him personally. He's the man I was trill on the other night. He's the one that tried to strangle me. Here we are again. Now look here, friend. Remember what I told you about messing the things that don't concern you? Inspector. Yeah, mate. Before the trill gets hotter. We'd better look for clues. The killer may have dropped something. Right. Let's start with the broken window. Mr. Locke said it was in the next room. There's the glass scattered all around the window. The whole sliding window. Let's raise it and check for footprints outside. Mr. Locke, cement paving. Oh. He smashed the glass called through the window. But he didn't cut himself or snide his cold. Well, let's look around the room. Mike, let me have that flashlight a minute. Oh, what is it, Angel? Look.

25:27Look, this window has an upper and lower half. Yeah, and the bottom half is smashed. Yeah, but there are little pieces of glass scattered along the wooden frame here. On the top of the lower half. How could glass from below the frame get on top the frame? Angel, Angel, you hit it. The top half of the window was lowered first. I want it was raised again. The glass was transferred from one frame to the other. Then that window was smashed from the inside. Wait a minute, his wait a minute. Remember, Mr. Locke said he got a threatening letter just like Macintyres? Yeah, the one he just said was stolen for the second time. But only Macintyres did anything about it. I see what you mean. Hmm. Well, Mr. Locke, yes. Mr. Locke, where is the power switch that turns on the electric lights? Right down in the basement. And immediately after the window was smashed, the lights went out and somebody grabbed you? Yes. Mr. Locke would take several minutes to get from that window down into the basement, then flumble back upstairs in the dark.

26:28What? Why are you afraid? You are afraid the whole thing. You said that window yourself. You got rid of the sir. No, no, it was ferd stockle. You set up a dramatic story for us to swallow it. But your own partner didn't believe it. That's why Macintyres hired a detective to watch his wife and you. You were the one who insisted on going to the police about Macintyres threatening letter. But you also got a letter. You never went to the police. You didn't hire a detective. Because you knew there was no danger, Mr. Locke. Because you are the murderer. No, no, no. Somebody followed Macintyres. I had to change the apartment. Somebody climbed through the window and strangled him. Thank you, Mr. Locke. Thank you, as sweet as confession as I ever heard. None of us told you that the killer got into my apartment through the window, but you're perfectly correct. Well, Inspector, I guess that's all the proof the DA will ask of you. Mike, do you realize we haven't had a single bite of dinner tonight?

27:33Oh, Mike's telling me to forget it. Oh. The inspector told me he'd made us at Fisherman's office until he finishes at headquarters. I hope you find out where Locke got those gruesome Indian heads. Oh, he probably brought them with him from South America. Yeah, maybe so. Anyway, Mike, I think I can guess Locke's motive for the killing. He was in love with Mrs. Macintyres. He wanted the husband out of the way. Uh-huh. Locke's elaborate buildup was just to disguise a very simple, sorted murder. I don't believe Mrs. Macintyres had the slightest interest in Locke, or even suspected his intentions. Well, it just goes to show you, Angel. When some men are in love, they'll stop at nothing. Uh-huh. Well, that's not my problem. Mm-hmm. It's when some men are in love and will do nothing. Why, Angel?

28:39I don't know. I don't know. Till now, again, next week at 8 o'clock, for another adventure with Michael Shane, private detective, starring Wally Mayer and Kathy Lewis, with Joe Corte as the inspector. Tonight's story was written by Richard Degraff, and based on the character created by Brett Halliday. Music was composed and directed by Bernard Kets. This is John Lang, saying good night for the people who make the new 76 gasoline, and Triton Motor Oil, Union Oil Company. This is the Mutual Donnelly Broadcasting System.