Mr. and Mrs. North: The Letter 10/06/1943

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. The makers of Woodenbury Co. Free, the beauty cream for the skin you love to touch, present, the adventures of Mr and Mrs. North. Pam and Jerry knew Albi Baker couldn't have committed the murder, but there was all that evidence against him. And as his own lawyer said to the Norse one night in their office, I don't like it. I am his lawyer and his story doesn't even sound good to me.

1:05Yeah, I know. Oh, but you must believe in. Albi never killed anyone. What makes you so sure? Why, Jerry and I've known him for years. Well, I'm afraid that Woodenbury would convince a jury, Pamela. Pam's right, though. Albi's no killer. All you have to do is look at him, Mr. Hanson. He has one of the kindest faces I've ever seen. Oh, only there was some way of finding that letter. Yes, if the letter is the only piece of evidence to support Baker's story, then nobody has ever seen it except Baker himself. Al said he showed it to Krug. But Krug denies it. He's lying. Well, it's Baker's word against Krug's, and with all the other evidence against Baker, I'm afraid that Jory will believe Krug. All right, Mr. Baker. Just tell the court your story the way you told it to me.

2:06Now, you've told us a private detective, Anderson, questioned you about the stolen goods in your store. Yes, sir. He asked me where I got the merchandise, and I said for Mr. Warren. But I didn't know where Warren got it. What did the detective say to that? He said he didn't investigate Warren. And then what happened? Well, about a week later, I got a letter from Detective Anderson. He said he thought he had the goods on Warren, and asked me to invite Warren to my apartment. I was to introduce Anderson to Warren as a friend of mine. Well, then. So, Mr. Baker, Detective Anderson wrote you a letter telling you that he wanted to meet Warren in your apartment, did he? Yes, sir. Where is that letter? I don't know. You don't know? I see. Did anyone besides yourself ever see that letter? Yes, yes, I showed it to Wilma Krug. Why? Well, I wanted his advice. After Anderson was murdered in my apartment, I was in a jam.

3:06I thought Wilma would help me. I showed him the letter and asked him what I should do. What did he do with it? I don't know. He must have destroyed it. You'll see him destroy it? No, sir. You didn't see what he did with it? No, sir. I did not. Well, it wasn't that a rather strange thing to do. To give someone such a vital piece of evidence, and then not even notice what he did with it. I was upset and confused. I knew what was happening. Besides, I thought it was my friend. I didn't think of that. Mr. Krug, did the defendant ever show you a letter to him from Frank Anderson? Stating that Anderson was to meet Warren in the defendant's apartment? No, he did not. Oh, no! Oh, no! Oh, no! Oh, no! Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this case is very simple. Stolen merchandise was found in the store of the defendant. This is a Frank.

4:09A man investigating the stolen goods was murdered in the defendant's apartment. This is a Frank. Against these Franks, we have only the defendant's word, and the letter he claims the dead man Anderson wrote him. Very well. Where is that letter? Did anyone but the defendant ever see that letter? No. And why? For the very simple reason that there is no such letter. There never was such a letter. Frank Anderson didn't go to Baker's apartment to see Warren. He went there to see Baker. And it was Baker who killed him. Gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict? We have, Your Honor. We find the defendant guilty of charge.

5:11Jerry, I'm just sick. Think of it. I'll be back or convicted of murder. Meal. Such a nice little fellow. Only there was something we could do. Oh, darling, I don't feel like seeing anyone. Well, I'll go send whoever it is away. Ah, Mr. Noth. Oh, hello, Mr. Krueger. I can in. I have something to tell you. You mean you're ready to tell the truth about that letter? No, I'm ready to produce it. What? Yes. Oh, don't think I've enjoyed playing the part I did. I've been surprised myself. But I'm really a very weak character. And in my own way, I have to look out for myself. Every man for himself in this doggy dog world I always think, skunk would be more like it. But come on in if you really have something to offer. Oh, thank you. Don't be too harsh in judging me. I'm prepared to undo the wrong I've done. Good. But for a price. Ah, Mrs. Noth is lovely as ever, I see. Darling, this worm has decided to take a turn for the better.

6:13He's going to let us have the letter. Oh, good. That's as I mentioned before for a price. All right. What price? Well, it depends on what? On Cupid Warren. What's he got to do with it? Well, the letter while clearing Alby would convict Warren under the circumstances. He'd be willing to bid on the letter too. Do you mean you're going to give that horrible fudge a chance to buy that letter? To practically buy Alby's life? You know we can't match dollars with that gangster? He's big time and I don't have that kind of money. As for Al, the poor fellow sank his last cent on the trial. You have friends? Well, I... I'll see what I can do. Mr. Crogue, you're... you're... Oh, there are no words for you. Well, after all, Mrs. Noth, I do have to eat you now. Why? Well, me, everyone hates me. Well, it's to be expected. But, to one to others, you wind up on the bedline, I always say. It might rather be comfortable and well-fed than popular. So, let's get down to business. Now, tomorrow you come to the address, I'll give you.

7:14Naturally, you won't mention this to the police or the deals off. I'll see to it that you're not followed. You'll go up one flight of stairs, knock on the door three times, and if everything is ready... Ah, ah, Mr. Noth, I've been waiting. Come in. Mr. Noth, allow me to present Mr. Cupid Warren. Oh, ah... Why are you locking the door? So, we won't be disturbed. Well, now let's get started, shall we? Come on, let's table and sit down. All right. All right, bright eyes, where's that letter? In time, Mr. Warren, in time. I ain't got time, and I ain't bitten, I say what I'm bitten on. Very well. Just a moment, and I'll get it. Noth, if you and your Mrs. Smart, you're going to keep your mouth shut when I start bitten. Unfortunately, we're not very smart. Well, don't say I didn't warn you. If you wake up in the morning, he'll know why.

8:15All right, folks, here we are. The one and only genuine Frank Anderson letter to Alby Baker. Let's say that. Ah, Mr. Warren, must not give me that letter. Oh, a gun? Yeah. A hand over that letter. Oh, thank you, thank you, Mr. Noth. You're hitting me that chair just in time, and now I have the gun. I was very foolish. I should have seen to it that he was disarmed before he came in here. Ah, get up, QP, you're all right. Oh, I'll get you for this, Noth. Well, folks, shall we start the bidding? Yes, let's get it over with. Very well. What am I bitten for this 100% foolproof, perfect alibi for Alby Baker? I'll give you a grand. I beg your pardon. You heard me. A grand, he says. $1,000. Don't you realize your life hangs on me? Is that all your life is worth to you, a measly $1,000. His life isn't worth a measly $20. I'll bid $2,000. But Mr. Noth, Alby Baker's life also depends on this paper.

9:17Is $2,000 all you bid for your very dear friend. He was supposed to be your very dear friend, too, remember? Come now. Let's stop this fooling around. I want a real bid. Five grand, and if you open your mouth, Noth, I'll push your face apart back through your head every time you want to bid. You'll have to turn around. Ten thousand. All right, wise guy, you'll get your 10,000-and-bid 10,000. Do I hear 15, come, come gentlemen, what are we waiting for? 15. Why you? Well, now this is more like it. 20 is bid. Do I hear 30, 30? 30? Do I hear 30? Jerry, where are we going to get $20,000? I don't know. 25. 30. Mr. You're just asking for trouble, and don't think you won't get it. Now I'll give you just one more chance. 40 grand, Krug, and that's positively absolutely my last bid. And Noth, if you and the little lady don't want to go swimming in the river with their feet in the bucket of sea, then... No, Mr. Noth, I am 40,000. Will anyone make it 50? 50? Do I hear 50?

10:1740,000, then. It's going at 40,000. Going once? Jerry, we can't let him get away with it. I know, don't. Going twice? Okay, Krug, I'll make it 50. Brother, if that's the way you want to play... 50,000 do I hear 50,000? You don't hear nothing. Let him take it. Okay. Sold Mr. Noth for $50,000. How long can I have to raise the money? You don't have it with you? Don't be funny. Well, how about tomorrow noon? Well, that's pretty fast. I'm not hungry. I want to get this over with. Well, I'll do what I can. All right. Now call you tomorrow and make arrangements. Yeah, better make arrangements for his funeral. Gulley's Jerry, how we ever get that money? We're not millionaires. We're not even 50,000aires. Well, we'd better be before noon tomorrow. We want to get that better. I wonder if it really is the next. That's weird for word. What Albi told me was in the letter. We've just got to get that money. Can we, Jerry? I doubt it.

11:17But you bid for time, darling. There must be some way we can... Jerry, look out that tall. I'll give you a little bit of money. I'll give you a little bit of money. Some way we can... Jerry, look out that tall. Quick, Pam, come here. Oh, Jerry, you put me in at the doorway just in time. Yeah, it seems Cupid's losing no time keeping his promise. Jerry, car's stopping in the next block. It's turning around. Come on, I don't feel like playing target for that dog with a machine gun anymore. Where was going? There's a taxi across the street. Here we are. Quick, get in. Driver, start going. I don't care where I'll only make it fast. Jerry, they're coming. Hurry, driver. Oh, darling. They're still coming. Driver, turn again at the next corner. See if we can get away from that car just following us. Good. I've even shaken you to name your own tip, but if you can't... That's not even think about that, Jerry. After all, I don't have a thing to wear to my funeral.

12:25Oh, I hope I never have to go through anything like that again. No, it was a pretty bad 10 minutes, wasn't it? If our driver hadn't cut through that alley, we never would have shaken them. Well, what do we do now, Jerry? We can't stay cooped up in this hotel room. Got to find some way to raise that money. Let's see. Do we know anybody with $50,000 to spare? Do we know anybody with $50,000? No. Oh, they must have been here. Oh, they must be some way to get our hands on some money. Either big, borrow or steal it. Of course, Jerry. I feel it. Oh, now Pamela, if you think I'm going to rob a bank... Oh, no, no, Jerry, not money, the letter. What? Why don't we steal the letter? Oh. Well, we could... We could just... I don't know. It does seem like a good idea. We don't even know where he keeps it. It was in the back room. Yes, but you can be sure it's well concealed. He probably expects us to try just what you're suggesting. Well, I know how we can find out where he keeps it, Jerry.

13:27You see, when he thinks the house is on fire, he'll go right to the farm. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Why should he think the house is on fire? Because of the smoke, silly. What smoke? From the bomb. Bomb? What have you taken to talk about? A scandal in Bohemia. Oh, what? Don't you ever read, Jerry. Nice publisher. A scandal in Bohemia is a story by Sherlock Holmes. Oh. You know, when Holmes wanted to find out where something was hidden, he had Watson set off a smoke bomb so that the woman who had hidden it had gone get it and then he could get it. Only he couldn't because she was very clever and... Well, that's all right, darling. I remember the story now. Well, how about it, Jerry? Well... You can go see Mr. Crueb to ask for more time or something, and then we can set off a smoke bomb and he'll think the house is on fire and he'll run to get the... All right, sweetheart, all right. You win. Let's go see what happens when smoke gets in his eye.

14:34I can know just what to do, don't you, ma'am. Good. Just watch for my signal. Now his crew's apartment. We've got to be ready to work fast. Got me the help it goes all right. To be... Oh! Yeah, you didn't expect to find me here, did you? But I thought me and the boys ought to drop over and pay Crueb to visit. And now you come to the party too. Well, that's... Well, that's just... Well, come in. Well, I think we better... We were just leaving. I said, come in. That's right. Look, boys, we got company. Okay, butch-luck-ded-ah. Now a brief intermission with a wartime beauty rule for the ladies. These more days, we can't have all we'd like in the way of members.

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16:37And tomorrow when you see your clearer, smoother, more radiant complexion, you want to do that every night. Use woodberry to cleanse your skin in the daytime too. Your makeup will go on with a porcelain perfect finish. Four special softening and smoothing ingredients make woodberry cold cream so beautifying. Another ingredient makes woodberry exceptionally safe. For it works, constantly purifying the cream and the jar in case blemish causing germs get in. No other cream gives you this added protection. Try this complete beauty cream. Get woodberry cold cream tonight. And now back to Mr. and Mrs. North. In their attempt to get the letter that will clear Albi Baker, the North have gone to cruise apartment only to be greeted there by QB1. You know, Mr. and Mrs. North, you just don't seem never to learn.

17:41Should I give them a once over lightly washed yesterday to get the idea yead full of them? Not yet, but you're not through with crew. Leave me alone, don't you? Sure, sure. Soon as you tell us where you got that letter. I'll never tell you. Okay, butch. Right, butch. Now, crew, this is going to hurt you more than it does me. No, no, no, no, no. That was nothing, Mr. North. Butch is just getting warmed up. You're going to talk, Mr. Okay, honey, I like that. No, no, no, no, stop it, stop it. I'll tell you. I'll show you where the letter is. Okay, crew, where is it? I've got it behind this picture. There's a panel. Jerry, he's getting the letter. What do we do? Let's sit off the smoke bomb. Maybe in the excitement. Of course, Jerry. Oh, no, you don't. I'll take that and come on, hand it over. Come on. Okay. Jerry, we're licked. Looks like it. All right. Here's the letter.

18:41Good, bring it here, butch. Yeah, boss. So I was supposed to top 50 grand for this. Hey, crew. Now, I'll just take this cigarette lighter. And I like this corner of the letter. And there goes the last piece of evidence against Cupid Warren up in smoke. There it goes, Jerry. Yeah, $50,000. I'll be chance for freedom. Well, that's that. We say, Jerry. Yeah, we certainly do. Is there any chance of doing anything for Albin now? I'm afraid not. You can only hope. I'll go to you. Ah, hello there, North Omen.

19:42You always have to be so blamed, cheerful. Ah, but I have good news for you. Yeah. What? I'm a liar, a fightful liar. Is that good? But of course. I have a man coming. Okay. Well, darling, crew crawled out from under his rock again. He says he has some good news for us. Hello, hello, Mrs. Noir. Hello. My friends, do you still wish to purchase that lever? What do you mean? It would have been foolish of me to show the real that I wouldn't it when I was dealing with a man like Cupid Warren who might pull a gun at any moment. Yes, it would have been insanely foolish. And, Mr. and Mrs. North, I am not foolish. Week? Yes. Selfish? Yes. But, uh, do you mean that letter crew burned was not the original? Exactly, Mr. North. It was a copy. And the original? Yes. Carefully put away or it shall remain until the money is made ready to change hands. Oh, thank heavens. Jerry, there's still a chance.

20:42Yes. Well, now sir, do we do business or don't we? We do, good. But on different terms. I beg your pardon. You were able to force a high bid from Jerry before by the pressure of Cupid's bidding. But since you can't deal with Cupid anymore. Well, I can't deal with him. Because you tricked him. So he'd never trust you again. He'd never know whether you were holding back a photographic copy or something. And the letter doesn't do him any good unless he's sure that he's destroyed every last copy of it. That's right, crew. So it is. So it is. Distressing thanks. But we'll do business with you because we only have to worry about one copy, the original. But we'll have to make sure it is the original. And we won't pay you anything like $50,000. My trillion pay. Oh, perhaps a thousand? My damn man. You know joking. It wouldn't be worthwhile to bother. You seem to forget Mr. Crewng that if we don't buy that letter, it's worthless. You might just as well take what we offer as its all clear profits. And you seem to forget that if I don't take your offer,

21:44Alby Baker goes to the electric chair. I can sit tight and wait. I think you'll come across. Oh, you're despicable. I certainly am. I hate you. I hate myself. You seem cheerful enough about it. That's right. I'm sure it's because I dislike myself so thoroughly. I enjoy hating me. Oh. The trouble with me is I should have been a poet instead of a black male. I have the heart of a poet, the feeling of a poet, the soul of a poet. Well, then why aren't you a poet? Simple. My poetry stinks. Tell you what, now, let's settle this matter. $10,000. Take it or leave it. Okay. It's a deal. Sherry, do we just stand here on the corner and tell you shows up? Uh-huh. Now that he's ready to show the original letter, he's been asked to cautious. He's not telling us any address afraid we might send the police there. I only hope this time it is the original. Well, I got some samples of Anderson's handwriting. We'll compare them with the letter.

22:44I'm not giving up $10,000 for any part of the letter. I'm not giving up $10,000 for any part of the letter. I'm not giving up $10,000 for any part of the letter. I'm not giving up $10,000 for any for me. I have too much trouble raising it. How will we ever pay it back, Jerry? It won't be easy. $15, $7, $5. Make it a dollar. That's easier. How many weeks are there on a year, Jerry? 52, why? I'm trying to figure out how much we could save if you give up smoking. Oh, I'm afraid it's not very much. It's too bad I don't smoke, then. I could give it up too when we save twice as much. We'll manage some out there, but it won't be easy. You know, Jerry, people shouldn't be allowed a blackmail. Anyone there except very rich people. I think that's crude coming out. Hello, Mr. Nissenoff. Get in please. Okay, go ahead then. All right. Oh, yeah. Now we'll just drive around for a while.

23:44The OPA is not going to like that. I have to make sure we're not being followed. But it'd be cautious and sorry, I always say. And I'm satisfied no one is following. I'll take you to a room I've rented just for this little meeting. Well, Mr. Nissenoff, you're satisfied that that is the real letter? Yeah, it seems to be good. Then if you'll pay me, we can continue to dial it on negotiation. Here you are. Ah, thank you, thank you. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Mm-hmm. Yes, seems to be correct. Well, that's that then. I'll run along now, but just one more thing. You want to wait here for five minutes before leaving. All right. Well, goodbye. And please, just believe me. When I tell you I'm heartily ashamed of myself, goodbye. Well, we've got it at last.

24:46Yep. I can hardly wait to tell Albey. Do they have telephone's of things? Not private ones. It'd be a wonderful surprise for him. It's a good warren's in for a surprise too. Yes. Oh, how I'd like to see his face when he finds out that what he burned was only a copy and that we have the original. What's your sister? Oh. Well, take a good look. I can't keep it here. Yeah, and this time I'm finishing the job. I have had trouble with you two for the last time. What are you going to do? What do you think I'm going to do? Nobody plays me for a second, gets away with it. Oh, but it was Mr. Cruz. I'll take Harry him later. Right now I get business with you. I'll fix you so I don't have no more trouble with you. Oh, wait a minute. Can't we talk? No, I won't wait. I'm finishing you now, Mr. What happened, Harry? Hello, Mr. Mrs. Nah, Cruz. I never thought I'd be glad to see you. I saw a QB coming down the halls, I hit, and then I followed him back here. You saved our lives. I had to. I've ended this room, you see. If you were found dead in it, I'd be suspected, so I couldn't let him kill you. Not here. How did he know we were here?

25:46I don't know. We must have had someone spying. How is he? Did I? I didn't even move. Oh, dear. I'm afraid I've killed him. Looks like it. I only meant to wound him. Oh, dear. Now his body will be found. I'm no better off than if he killed you. Somehow I like it better this way. Look, Ed. I was only trying to protect you. That's true, isn't it? Yes. You'll say that won't you? Or the only witness as you know? You'll testify that he was trying to kill you, won't you? If you don't, they might make a first-degree case out of it. Please don't let me down. After all I saved your life. Yes, you did. So you will tell them what happened, won't you? Sure, we will, don't worry. Thank you. However, it's going to cost you just $10,000. What? Yes, otherwise we might have a sudden lack of memory, isn't it, right, Pam? Mm-hmm. Well, how about it? Well, okay. You win. Here you are. Good. Thanks. Pam, he's a little Vince life. Nothing, venture, nothing gained, I always say. However, it is rather annoying to venture so far and still gain nothing.

26:48Well, it's no more than I deserve, I dare say. It's a lot less than you deserve. You ought to be in jail. However, well enough alone, I always say. But that, cuppy. But you said, you said, oh, I didn't, you did. You're shot Mr. M. Compluty, but it startled him just enough to give me a chance to clip him. He was standing between you and me so you couldn't see it. No, no, no, your gun won't help you. I have cuppy's gun. Now I'm ready to use it. Better put yours on a table. Go on. All right. Ah, me. Things I've played every card wrong, haven't I? Well, I suppose there's nothing left for me to do, but go back to my portrait. Well, Jerry, we have the letter and it didn't cost us a thing. And we've caught cuppy. Everything's turned off for the best, after all, hasn't it? Not quite. What do you mean, Jerry? Think what we've done to love us a portrait.

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28:48Woodberry cold cream. Get a jar tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, give to the National War Fund. This fund helps many great works. It combines the appeals of 17 national relief organizations and your own money for our boys in prison camps. To feed starving children abroad and of course for relief work in your own community. The need is greater than ever. So give when the war chest drive is announced in your community. Give as you never gave before. Music Tune in again next week at this same time for another adventure of Mr and Mrs. Law, starring Alice Frost and Joseph Turkin for thrills and laughs. Be sure to listen, won't you?

29:48This is Ben Grower saying good night for Woodberry cold cream. Lovely to look at, delightful to know, and ever willing to share. La la la la la. This program came to you from New York. This is the national broadcasting company.