Nero Wolfe: Room 304 04/27/1951

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. If it is, tell them no. I will not. Hello, hello. Depending on how she do, as I say. Uh-huh. Hello. Hello, is this Mr. World's Resident? Yes. Is this Mr. World? Uh, yes, yes, Mr. Wolf's speaking. Oh, I am in very much trouble when I see you please immediately. Well, no, yes. What kind of trouble, miss? Give me the phone, I don't know. Hello. Sorry, I had to turn the radio down too loud, you know. Oh, I may see you right away. Well, I, uh...

1:00Yes, yes, yes indeed, I'll take the case. Come right over. The address is 601 West 35th Street. I can't ask Mr. Wolf. I just cannot come there. Well, where do you live? I am staying in the polo del room 304. Hello? Well, that was a shot. Hello? Hello? Ladies and gentlemen, it's that renowned genius who is the bulkiest, bulkiest, most ponderous, and most brilliant detective in the world. Yes, none other than that chair-born mass of unpredictable intellect, Nero Wolf, created by Rex Stout and brought to you in a new series of adventures over this NBC network in the person of Mr. Sidney Green Street. We've usually referred to this story as the case room 304.

2:07The girl on the phone had a decided bar and accent. I wasn't quite able to decide what nationality she was, but it sounded like French. Anyway, there was what sounded like a shot, and then dead silence for a second or two. Hello? Hello? Hello? Well, I see another woman bar. Mr. Wolf, I heard a shot, and then the line clicked off. Trouble. Women always trouble. I said I heard a shot on the phone. Indeed. I'm going over to her hotel and see what goes on. That all means, Mr. Wolf. Huh? Now that I've been inserted to the tone of being called a radio. I'm sorry, Mr. Wolf, but we needed the money, and this was $1,000. If you would excuse me, I have to attend to my orchids, Mr. Wolf. What about the girl, the shot? Hmm. Fascinating, isn't it? You figured it out. Okay. I've got to get over there. Room 304, Paul Hotel. Salon Boss. Good luck, Mr. Wolf. Please phone me from time to time.

3:11And 301, 302, 304. What do you know? The door's open. Oh, hello. Who are you? Archie Goodwin, now it's your turn. I'm Jay Bream, pilot for Jan Airlines. You're seen? Yeah, I guess you have. This girl's been shot. Oh, that's all? Yeah, dead. Real dead. What do you know about this? I don't know anything. Say, who are you? Looks like you're in a spot, pal. You better start digging, hadn't you? I got here a few seconds before you did. I knocked on the door. The door was partially open, so I pushed it wide. Oh, there was no answer. I couldn't see anyone, so I came in. Oh, there she was. You know her? Yes, why do you think I came here? It's what I'm trying to find out. Look, what right have you got asking me all these questions? What's it to you?

4:11Do you ever hear a narrow wolf? Of course, who hasn't? Like I said before, I'm Archie Goodwin. Wolf's assistant. And would you rather talk or should I call a police? I've told you all I know. Who is she? Helen Rennie. French? I don't know. You're okay in any way. Why'd you come here tonight? I have a dinner date with her. You mean you did have? Yeah. Let's turn her over. There. Hmm. An automatic in her hand. Yeah. I never saw it before. Hey, hey, I wouldn't use the phone. Fingerprints. It's okay. I'll use this hackajuff. Who are you calling? My boss. Near a wolf speaking. Archie, boss. Archie, I got you a near a wolf. You sound very much like him. Please, boss. Be serious. Over to him. I'm here at the girls' apartment. The one who called me. She's dead. Beautiful. Yes, was very beautiful. She would be.

5:11Hmm. I didn't have. Shot. Neat round hole in her right temple. She's married and looks like she shot herself. When I turned her over, I saw a wedding ring on her finger and a 32 automatic still in her hand. You alone? No. I fell a name Jay Bream, a pilot. He was here when I arrived. I won her in the shot. Apparently not. No one showed up yet. Hey, interesting. What do you do now, Mr. Wolf? Should I call Inspector Kramer? No. Is there anything to anyone? Get over here at once. And bring Mr. Bream the pilot with you. Goodbye. That's all you know about him, Mr. Bream. That's right, Mr. Wolf. Just like I told Mr. Goodman here. The whole thing sounds. Hey, I just thought of something. Pre-Telagi. It can't be suicide. Oh, and why not? How can a dead woman hang up a foe? You finally arrived at that, Archie. Amazing.

6:11Of course she couldn't. She was murdered. Murdered? Yes, Mr. Bream. But I thought she committed suicide. Please, Mr. Bream. It'll be better if you don't think. Where are you staying? 321 West 19th Department 5. And your job? I've ten days vacation. I started yesterday. One thing, Mr. Bream, I suggest you don't leave town. Furthermore, talk is not advisable. I strongly recommend that you adopt precautions. Yes, sir. Show Mr. Bream to the door, Archie. Yes, sir. Right this way. Good night, Mr. Wolf. Good night. I didn't want to tell you in front of Mr. Bream. But I found this in a purse when I sent him for his sheet to cover the body. Thousand dollar check. Made out to Mr. Nero Wolf. Well, boss. I think it's time we've owned Inspector Kramer. Who else, Archie? Who else? My apologies. I forgot how heavy that phone really is.

7:11Archie. Oh. Do you want me to talk to the Inspector? I do the talking. Should I hold the phone for you? Then give me some beer. Inspector Kramer. One moment. Here you are. Mr. Nero Wolf, Inspector. I think you had better go over to the Paul Hotel. And why? I believe you'll find a dead woman there. A dead woman? What is this, a gag wolf? I am afraid not, Inspector. How did you know about it? Have you been over there? Delipathy, Inspector. Mantleton? Well, if I'm too busy today to listen to nonsense, tell the liberty. Don't give me that kind of stuff. I find a body I like you and good one up. You watch your blood pressure, Inspector. Have a mind about my blood pressure. One thing, Inspector. Would you hold off the press for the present? Why? What are you holding back, Wolf? Where do you stop your idiotic jabbing to what I ask?

8:13Okay. By the way, we'll find suppose you know the girl's room number. Naturally, Inspector. It is room 304. So hurry. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Dear Inspector Creamy, so fond of me. Archie. Yes, sir? I suggest you call the bank in the morning and find the person who is handing Mr. Renee's account. Try to bring all her cancel checks over here. And what if they won't hand them off? Then, Creamy will get an order issued to do so. Simple? Coming. Well, where's Wolf? Where do you think he'd be in this big chair? Leave me, Inspector. I expected you before this, Inspector. What kept you so long? If I told you I had a flat tire, would you believe me?

9:13Mm-hmm. Now start giving Wolf. What did you know about the dead girl? Inspector Creamy, do sit down, relax. Nervous tension is such a deadly thing. How does he hear Wolf? Would you like some beer? Most soothing, you know. Come on, what's the dope on this case? Fill the inspector in on the details, Archie. I was here talking to the girl over the phone. It was a shot, and then I went over to her hotel and found her the same as you did dead on the floor. The phone was placed back on the hook. Come on, Wolf. There's more to this than that. Let's have it. Really, Inspector? Who was she? You don't know? I mean, what do you know about her? Now get this straight, Wolf. Please, Wolf. What's this all about? A girl's been shot. Her name is Helen Ranny. What's the dope? Did you have a ballistic support made on the gun? Well, not in a short time, but I will. How did you make that your report? Suicide, naturally. Archie was talking to the girl on the phone at the time she was shot. So she chooses to kill herself talking to your assistant?

10:15Why, you big, flat-footed inspector. Precisely how can a dead girl hang up a phone? Why, she... You see, Inspector, quite impossible. And now I suggest you make out your report murder. Murder? Wolf, tell me, why is it you're always mixed up in these cases? That inspector would be as difficult to answer as it would be to convince Archie of the danger of the female of the species. Oh, what's the use? No one ever answers my questions. I give up. Oh, Inspector, I do hope you will bring the girls cancer checks tomorrow if they don't turn them over to us. What? The inspector is just going to Archie, please, him to the door. I'm not helpless. Good night, Inspector. Good night. Please, boss, can't we have just a little errand here?

11:16You're not all the morning, isn't that enough? Get me an oxygen tank to use in here. Did you contact the bank regarding the girls account? I did. I finally talked to the head of the accounting department. He told me about her personal agent here, Mr. Renfrew. He was handling all her financial affairs. What to see Renfrew? Who had it he had to say? Very little. But he seemed very upset when he learned of her death. I didn't tell him how she died. He said Helen Renay was here buying technical equipment for her government in Europe. Technical equipment? What kind? A laboratory stuff. Did she make any definite purchases? From the arrow company here in town, a Mr. Paul Morio, as the headman of this arrow company. Mr. Renfrew, her agent, gave us quite a bit of an argument about coming over here today, said it was very irregular to show bank statements. But he finally gave in. I didn't need the inspector's help. What time do we have the honor? He said he'd be here at noon. No. You know I'll be busy that time. Well, I didn't think you'd let... How do you never do? Yeah, lunch will keep just this once, Mr. Wolf. Not this once, though any other time, Angie.

12:17You know I have lunch precisely at noon, not after, not before. Understand? Yeah. Hey, some eyes you have the address of the other lab's supply company. Yes, sir. You want me to go have a talk of Mr. Morio runs the place? Sometimes, Angie. Your conclusions are fantastic. I'm leaving. Who wants more? And? After you return from your visit with Mr. Morio, would you be so kind as to entertain Mr. Renfrew until after my lunch? And don't stand there with the door open. Sorry, boys. I'll go out through the cold shoe. Do forgive me. Oh, supply company. Well? Oh, Mr. Morio, in? Yeah, I'm Morio. My name's Archie. Archie Goodwin. What can I do for you, Goodwin? Neural Wolf's assistant.

13:17You've heard of Neural Wolf? I don't get around much. Tell me about him. How should I answer that? Anywhere you like. Neural Wolf's a detective. Do you ever hear of a Mr. Renfrew? Stop shadow boxing, Mr. Goodwin. What's on your mind? I understand you saw Mr. Renfrew some laboratory equipment. Is it a jail term? Now listen, Mr. Goodwin. I have a nice respectable business here, so what do you want? Spill it. When did you last see Mr. Renfrew? Two days ago. You were since? Once on the phone. But time was out. Yesterday morning. You called up from your office here? No, from my hotel room. Now look, let's quit playing cat and mouse. Why all the questions? Mr. Renfrew is dead. Dead? Who did it? Now wait a minute. You don't think I had anything to do with it? I'd make you think anyone did it. Is the only reason cops are getting to it? You know Morio, I'm beginning to wonder just how long you've been in the lab's supply business. You know what a retort is? Don't tell me it's a snappy comeback. Now what's the matter? Goodwin, what's it for you? Look, Morio. I came here to find out something about Helen Renfrew. Just what sort of equipment did you sell it? It was heavy stuff. Heavy chemical work. Where is it? We don't have samples. Just pictures. Yeah, we ship it direct. Oh. So the purchase of never sees what he's buying?

14:17That's right. Could I see what she purchased? The freight not good one besides what difference would it make? Did Mr. Renfrew see what she bought? No, I already explained that. Now I'm busy. Goodwin, so if you don't mind. Okay, I'll run along. Good afternoon, Mr. Morio. I'm sure we'll meet again soon. Mr. Renfrew. You know what I'm speaking? Archie Boss. Yes, Archie. Just left the arrow lapse of black company and as far as I've concerned, something's rotten at Denmark. Indeed. This guy Morio who runs the company doesn't sound like a legitimate lab supply man. I think he's running some kind of a rack. What makes you believe that, Archie? Just not the type to be in legit business. Things just don't jive. And she didn't see what she bought. You believe then that he would have reason to want Mr. Renny out of the way? Yeah. The guy made me see red. I wanted to take a poll game. Archie, you're an idiotic hothead. He said it was all having lab stuff she bought

15:18and was too late for me to see it. Forget it now. I'll get over here soon as you can. Immediately? Immediately. Have you forgotten you have an appointment with Mr. Renfrew at noon? Goodbye. Coming. Coming. Hello, Mr. Goodwin. Mr. Renfrew. Wow. Who's this? My goodness. Come in. Yes. Come in, my dear. Thank you. Mr. Goodwin, I brought my secretary along. I hope you don't mind. Mine. Why, Mr. Renfrew. How could anyone object? Goodwin, Mr. Bennett. Oh, Miss Bennett. First name? Gee. Do you always use this approach, Mr. Goodwin? Only at noon time in my name's Archie. Well, this is a happy surprise. Please sit down, Gene. Allow me. Thank you. Wow. Wasn't it Mr. Renfrew you wanted to see? Uh, yes. Mr. Wolf will be down shortly, Mr. Renfrew.

16:18Please be seated. Thank you. Is something wrong, Mr. Goodwin? Not a thing, Miss Bennett. Not from where I sit. I don't believe what he says. Miss, is judgment concerning? Women is not to be trusted. Thank you, Mr. Wolf. You're so kind. Mr. Wolf, Miss Bennett. How do you know? Mr. Wolf? Yeah. Mr. Renfrew, I presume. Yes. Now we can get down to business at hand, Mr. Renfrew. Yes, yes, by all means. I don't understand why we couldn't have discussed this on the phone, Mr. Wolf. The whole thing is highly irregular. Of course, I know you're trying to do your duty, but... I prefer not to discuss the dead girl's business affairs on the phone. As on the phone, Mr. Renfrew. You should appreciate that. Yes, yes. I see. Now what? What is it you wish to know? How long have you known me here in Rennie? About a month. When's the last time you talked to her? Yesterday. For time. Why, about 230?

17:18I called her for my room. She was here on government business. You brought the cans of jigs? Yes. Here you are, Mr. Wolf. Quite sizable amounts, Mr. Renfrew. Very interesting indeed. Yes. You see, Mr. Rennie made some very large purchases, Mr. Wolf. Of course, they were all quite legitimate. Would you mind if I kept these jigs overnight? Well, thank you, Mr. Renfrew. By the way, was Mr. Rennie right or left-handed? Why, left-handed, Mr. Wolf? Why? Just inquisitive. Now if you would excuse me. Mr. Renfrew, I have a very urgent appointment. Well, I can be of any more service. No, hesitate to call on me, Mr. Wolf. Thank you, Mr. Renfrew. Oh, dear. Poor Mr. Rennie. I hope the person who did this dreadful thing is dealt with properly. Indeed. I must run along now. Yes, this way.

18:19Would you go to Mr. Renfrew? Good day, Mr. Wolf. I must. Good day. See you soon, Mr. Renfrew. Well, boss, what do you think? Is this your beauty? I'm sure I'm at a fair judge, Archie. Do you have to know where the money or warehouse is? Well, yes. It's at the other end of town near the river. Oh, no, not again. Nine o'clock tonight. Okay, okay. I suppose you want me to take a gander at what's in the warehouse, break in like a burglar. Archie, if you're mind the free of women, I do believe you could reach phenomenal heights. In this, your chosen profession. I'm not around here with a bunch of old tubes and glassware. I hope Wolf knows what he's doing. All right.

19:19Stand where you are. What's it? Lift the lights on, Joe. That's better. Now, sing up and tell me what you're doing here. I beg your pardon. I'm a little deaf. I couldn't hear you. I said, what are you doing here? Oh, Ellen, I was supposed to meet her here. Make sense, will you? You think I can? What's the matter, Mike? This is it. And this bird refuses to talk. Well, in Nakarata. You two talk it over. Don't bother telling me how it comes out. I wait a minute, Joe. You ain't leaving. All right, you will. This night is just full of surprises. Ain't it? Let's see what you're talking about. Hey, what do you think you're shoving around? Just full of questions, ain't it? You know, someday you're going to end up by getting into trouble. It's a legal to push people around. I guess you better understand. Hey, you kidding? Get the point. Now, get out of here. I'll talk. Why you still want to play, huh? He's up like a light, Mike. What are you going to do with it? He won't do any more snooping around here. You know something, Mike?

20:19You've got an awful disposition. I'm actually scared of you. You let me in. Yeah. I'll dump him outside. Hey, boss. That's me, Archie. Remember? Archie, these interruptions are the testable. Can't you see I'm busy? Is that you, Archie? I've been busy too, boss. Look at my face. I had an accident. I'm your appearance. I say that so many hours had been busy. All right, Mr. Gurun, as long as you insist upon interrupting my meditation, start at the beginning. Mr. Wolf, I arrived at the warehouse. I went inside. I saw a lot of packing cases in a bunch of old glassware, worn out junk. Two men jumped me. I came to lying in the alley. I staggered to a cab and made it home. End of story. Archie, your repertoire of words is most astonishing.

21:20And your description of Muriel's warehouse is without doubt most enlightening. I thought you'd like it. And now, Archie, I suggest you get Fritz to give you a piece of beef steak for that I have your. And after that? I've arranged the gathering for five o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Then I shall repair to my bed to suffer in silence. You should be more careful on these nefarious expeditions. You might get hurt sometimes. Yes, I've been a careless fellow, Mr. Wolf. Good night. Good night, Archie. Good and dreams. Mr. Wolf, I'm glad you called me early. I was just about to leave town for a couple of days. What is this conference about? None of this time, sir, if you please. I'm glad you could come along, Mr. Wolf. I'll be happy to assist in any way I can, Mr. Goodwin. Archie, right.

22:21Well, good evening, Mr. Muriel. I knew we'd meet again. No fault of mine, Goodwin. Please come in. Come in, Mr. Muriel. You don't want to keep the rest of the guests waiting. What do you want with me? Or why what? Nothing. Mr. Wolf, this is Mr. Muriel. Sit down, sir. I think you read leather chair. For special guests, Mr. Muriel. Now, gentlemen, you're probably wondering why I asked you here. Naturally, you know it has to do with the death of Helen René. Oh, well. Mr. Muriel, I understand you and Mr. René had some business transactions that involved quite a sum. That you purchased laboratory equipment. That's right. Archie told me that your warehouse contained nothing with second-hand junk. It was a shame, Mr. Muriel, that this shipment was delayed by a shipping shortage. Otherwise, you might have gotten away with it. Is this why you called me over here? It is in material to the keys at hand. Actually, I'm only interested in hitting René's murder. Hey, wait a minute. You don't think I did it? Didn't you? No.

23:21Mr. Wolf, I admit everything you said about the equipment. Well, I've had no partner any more to it. All right, see? Mr. Briewin, you're the pilot of Warfly. If you had shot the girl and wanted it to look like Suicide, in which hand would you put the gun? Why, uh... Her right hand. Indeed. Where did you first meet Mr. René? Boarding the plane at the Orley Field Europe. Mm-hmm. Mr. Renfru. Now, look here, Wolf, this has gone too far. I won't be put through any third degree. If you excuse me, I have to get to the... Sit down, Renfru. Mr. Renfru. I'm astonished that anyone would be as amateur as they were in this case. I don't understand. Could it be that you killed Mr. René? And attempted to make it look like Suicide, because he was about to tell me that, through forgeries, her bank account was $50,000 short. Well, what reason would I have to kill her? You told me yourself, you phone Mr. René from your hotel the day she died.

24:23Yet, there was no outgoing calls charged to your account. Oh, this is nonsense, ridiculous. She suddenly became suspicious of you. And you are probably the only person here who knew that she was left-handed. Well, what does that have to do with it? She was shot through the right temple, Mr. Renfru, while talking on the telephone. The gun in her left hand, when it'd be awkward for her to twist her arm around her face, and shoot herself. In your excitement, you forgot you had shot her in the right temple. And what else do you know, Mr. Wolf? That you once worked in Europe where you met Mr. René. Rains to represent her in this country. Only you would know how much he had in the account here. I've heard it up of this nonsense. Yesterday, you made a statement. Quote, I hope whoever did this dreadful thing is dealt with properly. Only the police and I and you, Ms. René, are not naturally. How did you know that?

25:24Unless you are the murderer. Don't make a move any of you. I was forced to eliminate her. She accidentally learned about the shortage and she became most unreasonable about it. Pond you about it. Oh, dear me. So utterly weary of these melodramatic foot of that gun. I spent 15 years sweating, trying to get enough money to live the way that I want. Now I have it, and neither you nor anybody is going to take it away from me. I'll kill anyone who tries to follow me out of this house. All of us, Wolf, stand back. Mr. Renfru, don't, please. I will take that gun from you and... What the hell? Well, Inspector, you certainly arrived at the proper time, even if you are late. What do you mean late? I've been standing out there listening to Renfru for five minutes. Boy, that's too close. Glad he missed you, Inspector. Well, good night, Mr. Wolf. And not so fast, Mr. Mario. I suggest you hold Mr. Mario here for spending Mr. René and her government. And Ajie.

26:24Yes, sir. You know how to care for a person who is fainted? I certainly do. And look behind you, your pretty Miss Bennett has collapsed. I'll get it. Hello. Is this Miss Jean, Ben? Yes. Glad you put her in there? Well, yes, just a minute. It's for you, Ajie. For me? No one knows I'm here. Hello? Hey, not I'd find you there, Ajie. How'd you know I was here? I figured it'd be the skill you expressed in reviving a patient from a deep faint. Actually, on the way home, I want you to stop at a dedicated test and pick up the following things. And beer, cheese, olives. My boss. How do you know you were here? Pure deduction. That's why he's called the world's greatest detective. Really? Come here. Come here.

27:24I just gave you this. Ajie, you shouldn't have... Oh. Ajie. Ajie! You listening to me? Oh well, I guess you didn't hear a word of it. A night, Ajie. You haven't listened to the new adventures of Nero Wool, starring Sydney Green Street. Tonight's transcribed story by Virgil Rimer was based on the characters created by Rex Stout.

28:27This is an Edwin Fatteman production produced and directed by J. Donald Wilson. In the cast were Harry Bartell as Archie Goodwin, and Lucille Alex, Val Brown, Bill Johnstone, Hal Gerard, Betty Lou Gerson, Vic Rodman, and Ed Bailey. This is Don Stanley speaking. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. Just listen to the stars on this Sunday's Big Show. Jimmy Duranty, Ethel Merman, Milton Burle, and Gordon McRae. Plus Meredith Wilson and his orchestra. Your MC on the Big Show, of course, is the glamorous Tallula, and you're invited. And on theater guild on the air this Sunday, you'll hear the comedy The Man in Possession, starring Rex Harrison and Lily Palmer. Now forget here, Ethel Merman on the Big Show Sunday on NBC. And on the Big Show Sunday, you'll hear the comedy The Man in Possession and Lily Palmer.