Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The King’s Necklace Matter (EP0580)

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1:00time EV buyers and prior EV owners. Choose the sleek busy, the adventurous busy woodland or the sporty CHR. But don't wait. These special savings won't last. We make it easy. Toyota, let's go places. Welcome to the great detectors of old time radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host Adam Graham. If you have a common email, it to me, boxthirteen at greatdetectors.net. Give us a call 208-9914-783 and become one of our friends on Facebook.com slash radio

2:04detectors. This episode of the old great detectors of old time radio is brought to you by the support of our listeners. I want to specially say thank you to Robert for a very nice donation. He writes in. I've been listening to your podcast for almost a year now. Great job. Thank you so much Robert and as we do with all donations of $7 or more, we'll be sending along access to our premium site. Well, there was one episode between last week showing this one. It was actually John Lund's version of the birdie basketball band which we heard earlier last year from Edmond O'Brien. This episode is actually the first Johnny Dollar episode that we play that was a Armed Forces Radio Services rebroadcast. There is also a network version of this episode and for the most part the sound quality on

3:07the Armed Forces Radio Services version is just light years better. However, we're going to play the first about 45 seconds of the network version so that you can hear the interaction between the beginning between Johnny Dollar and the insurance company man. For whatever reason, the AFRS version did not include that interaction. There was also a sponsor announcement at the start of that show which they cut and I don't know maybe they got a little too eager. But here now is the King's necklace matter.

4:12The King made it easy. Toyota, let's go places. Ridley's spearman's touring done. The rest of the King didn't just speak to the touring enjoyment. So that's for your listening enjoyment. John Lund as Johnny Dollar. The King there was with his premium paid even as you and I. He stole his soul from quite a soul for Ruby's diamond specials and old even as you and I. Marty, thank you. Hi Johnny. How's your hit the sack Marty? You'll feel better in the morning. How feel better when I see you Johnny? My name is Marty at 7.15 a.m. We hear in Miami when you get in. Good night Marty. And there's a King involved Johnny. I'd imagine a quarter million in lovely stone. General C. Breeze is one of the most funguses in an old friend's age. You? Speak. I'll be there. Expensive counts submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to Home Office, Eastern Indemnity

5:20and Insurance Company Hartford, Connecticut. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the King's necklace matter. Expensive count item one, $134.70. Airfare and incidentals between Hartford and Miami. Being at the airport is promised with your Southern State Agency manager Marty Fetton. Over a cup of brew in the coffee shop he briefed me on the assignment. Ever hear of King Rawlings, Johnny? King Rawlings, financial title and wasn't he? Retired some 15-20 years ago? That's the lead. Many years ago he wrote a policy and a quarter of a million dollar necklace for the own which has suddenly turned up among the missing. And not yet. You expected too? We got a letter from him day before yesterday. He claimed somebody attempted to break into his safe. I think they were after the necklace. I'm usually sent for after the crimes been committed. True, my lab, true.

6:20Oh, fast and sugar. What do you think? Sure. So what am I doing here now? The policy is coming up for renewal, Johnny. There have been nasty rumors circulating around about Rawlings' present financial condition. Are you afraid he's starting a build-up to put in a fraudulent claim? And done before. The boys in Hartford get pretty stuffy about that kind of skull-duggery. And we want you to check around Los Panios and see what you come up with. Is that where the gentle sea breeze is wafted through the palm trees? 2000 imported ones. Los Panios' Rawlings own personal island off the coast of Cuba. He's lived there for 20 years, surrounded by his memories, his dreams, and his collection. Of precious stones? People. Oh, your plane's waiting, Johnny. A hard little amp-fib to fly. Let's brush off the collection of people. Who might have prejudiced a stalwart investigator about to brave the dangers of Rawlings' isle? On your way, lad. May the blessings of Eastern Indenmity fallier even under the ends of Los Panios.

7:25After one and a half hours of white clouds and blue sky, the plane put down in an even bluer sea and taxied over to a landing dock on a picture book island. King Rawlings had collected palm trees, alright, but I didn't know about the people. From where I stood, there was nothing to be seen with the landing dock, a gravel path, and those trees. The path led through a seemingly deserted tangle of exotic flowers, sweet-scented vines, and the ever-present palm trees. It was like a tropical paradise, peaceful, serene, untouched by men. I just about decided that nobody on this island ever made use of this lush garden spot when I learned that I couldn't have been more wrong. Over here, please. Well, hello. Wherever you are. Over here, in the hearings, you're right. Hello.

8:25Who are you? My name's Johnny Dollar. I am Nita Valdez, Mr. Dollar. Well, glad to know you, Mr. Valdez. You are the man who arrived on the plane a few minutes ago, no? I didn't think anyone had heard. The hospitality is overwhelming. You have become a customer. Everyone here is too occupied with himself to bother concerning anyone else. Like me, I have been too busy Sunday. Yes, so I noticed. If it bothers you, you could hand me my room. Oh, no, no. That won't be necessary. Sit down, Mr. Dollar. Thanks. You have come to see the king about the attempt to steal his necklace. Currently, sunbathing hasn't interfered with your learning about that. You obviously do not know King Rowling very well. Why do you say that? Everyone on this island has been accused of attempting to say it. Including you? Why should I be an exception? Well, just wondering. Because I'm young and beautiful, you think perhaps I hold some special place at a steam in King Rowling's house. I'm a steam in King Rowling's house.

9:26Well, do you? Can you read St. Barbara's son, then, lotion? Yes, sure. The back of my shoulder, would you mind? It is a difficult place for me to read. Oh, I'll be glad to. About the necklace, Mr. Dollar, I would not be too concerned about it if I were you. Oh, why not? Well, if anyone had actually made an attempt to steal it, the king knows who he is. But he still accused everybody here, huh? He'd afford him a great deal of pleasure to make others squirm and be uncomfortable. You don't like him very much, do you? I do. And why do you stay here? Same reason as everyone else. Money? Oh, that will do nicely, thank you. You're welcome. You mind explaining that bit about money, Ms. Valdes? I'm later perhaps. I still warm and I wish to take advantage of it. We will meet again. A polite dismissal if I ever heard one.

10:26You're wondering perhaps who I start to talk this way? The thought had occurred to me, yes. When you meet the king, you get to know him a little. I think you will understand who I am. And if I don't? I Sunday here every day this time. I'll think about that, too. I found the Rawlings, like all good kings, lived in a castle. This one obviously imported stone by stone from some Morish province. A nervous little man came to the main gate and escorted me inside to the Baronio Hall. Harley is my name, Mr. Dollar. Timothy B. Harley. And Mr. Rowling Sikrishee. In here. Mr. Rowling's study, he'd be down to join you shortly. Thanks, Mr. Harley.

11:28I presume you're here about the necklace, Mr. Dollar. A favorite topic of conversation around here, isn't it? A big apart. The necklace. Oh, yes, it is, of course. Well, under the circumstances you see the attempted theft and all. The theft. As someone else mentioned it to you. Any reason why they shouldn't? Oh, no, no, no, no, no. No, no, no. You just did well. Was it not about the... About any change? What makes you think so? Oh, I nothing. Oh, no, no, nothing at all. Only you see it was where I... Tell me the truth. I've suspected something for a long time. It's come to my attention. You took too much, Harley. Oh, Mr. Rowling. I didn't hear you come in. I was just telling the truth. Get out. So, but, I'm supposed to go. You're from the insurance company? That's right. Johnny Dollar. Why you instead of money, Fenton? He's an agent. I'm a special investigator.

12:29I didn't request an investigation. You made a report of an attempted robbery. What did you want me to do? Have you declared a policy void? Because I didn't. What do you want us to do? Thank you for letting us pay out a quarter of a million. If the necklace turns up missing. Over here, darling. There's the safe I keep it in. Hmm. Pretty substantial job. Fenton supervised the installation himself. Those scratches near the combination. Those would make you think somebody tried to force it. Only a hammer and chisel could make those marks. I'd like to see the necklace. Boy. What do you think was after it? Either Harley or my protégé. You need a ballad-es. Why suspect them? They love money and hate me. You care to go into that? They're investigating the necklace, dollar, not my relationships

13:32with the people on this island. There it is. Beautiful workmanship. What else did you expect for a quarter of a million dollars? A little more than this, Rollings. Hmm. I'm no expert on precious stones, but Ten will get you 20 if these aren't tasty. Let me see. Hmm. You're right, now. Any explanations? No. You know idea how the switch was pulled? I have not. Unless the last time the necklace was appraised. When the policy was written, the wealth has the combination of its safe. No one? Can it put you in a spot, doesn't it? Not at all. I'm insured. The law says we don't have to pay off on fraudulent claims. I know. The law also says you have to prove that fraud exists.

14:33I broke the news to Marty, and looked around for something to improve the shining hours while waiting for him to arrive. I found it. Dressed in a clinging silk gown and a patio overlooking the sea, it was obviously the cocktail hour. Mind if I join you? Please do. I can't make up my mind. Too hard, Mr. Donner. Which shows you off to greater advantage? That dress or the sun's you? For that you may have a choice of rewards. It's got to or what, teeny. Nothing, thanks. Really? What did you think of him? A king? Yeah. I'm more interested in what you think of him. I have already told you. I know. He confirmed your statement. Where I hear him?

15:33He can believe it. I do. What I want to know is why. King Rawlings is a collector. Stamps, butterflies, out of state lights and splashes. A people in Mr. Donner. How does this fascinating game of his work? He specializes in aspiring artists with little and no talent. Actress, like my stand. It would be poised like Harley. He bates his trap with a promise of money to aid the careers. He'd been dangling as long as they can amuse him and feed his ego. Then he'd cast them off. Very amusing. Yeah, it did not. But if you know what he is, why stay on? Much easier to cling even to a remnant of a dream and to face the harshness of reality. How tough would it be to face reality with a quarter of a million dollars? The necklace is gone. Is that surprising? No. It was too great a temptation. For you or Harley?

16:33For either of us, if we had none the combination to the same. And now Mr. Dalaiit, what the king himself was tempted. Well, that doesn't figure. Now with his money. If he still has it. Why do you think he hasn't? What other answer could there be? It might be interesting to try to find out. Oh, you would be wasting your time if it don't. I've got some despair. Perhaps I could find you. I don't have any money. Oh, that was rather cruel. I'm sorry. Mr. Dalaiit, is that you out? Oh, yes, yes, of course it is. Why are the excitement, Harley? Tell me, is it true that the necklace has been stolen? Looks like it. Why? I wonder if that could possibly count for it. For what? I think he's dead.

17:48Timothy B. Harley couldn't have been more right. King Rawlings was lying stone-cold dead on the second floor landing. When Marty Fenton flew in three hours later, accompanied by a captain for the wenties of the Havana police, I gave them a fast briefing. Marty's reaction was predictable. Nobody gets off this island until we learn what's happened to that necklace. Right, Captain Fondish? Yes, I agree. Senior Fenton, up to a certain point. What point? What do you mean? The good captain apparently feels there might be something more important about all this than a missing necklace. What could be more important than a quarter of a million stolen jewels? How about murder? Never ended my mind. Not really not. Eastern and damnity only ensured Rawlings stones on his life. Guess I had that coming. Senior Dalaiit is quite correct, however. Because of Senior Rawlings' death, he's not the parent at the moment. It will require an autopsy to determine. And if it's murder, we must then regard everyone who was present upon this island with suspicion.

18:52What help can you give us regarding that, Senior Dalaiit? Well, just when I've told you, outside of the servants only Harley, Miss Valdez and I were among those present. Who was the last to see Senior Rawlings alive? As far as I know, I was. But Harley could have been with him after Rawlings left me in the study. For that matter, Miss Valdez could have seen him too. Before I little tatted tatted on the patio. Look, fellows, me lads. I don't want to appear single-minded about this little affair, but we don't know whether Rawlings was murdered or not. However, we do know Eastern indemnities are a cool 250G's of that necklace doesn't turn up. Fair bull, of course, too. Senior Rawlings is safe. Sure. Who cares who it's payable to? What I'm interested in is not paying it. Thinking of passable motives, Kevin? The heir to Senior Rawlings' fortune might well be suspect. So do whoever stole the necklace, if Rawlings had tumbled to him. And there's always plain hate, isn't there? You have something specific in mind, Senior Dollar? Hmm, just a suggestion, Kevin.

19:54Wendy's had his plain fly Rawlings body back to Ivana for posting. Well, he conducted a very thorough, if unenlightening questioning of those present. Apparently no one had seen Rawlings after he left me in the study. Had any idea how he died, or what had happened to that necklace. Wendy's knocked off around midnight, and everyone ostensibly went to bed. I still had a few unanswered questions kicking around, so I went up to Harley's room to try them out. Well, yes, Mr. Dollar. Mr. Rawlings had a will, but as I told Captain Fuyente's, it's locked in the safe. And it'll take a court order and some professional safe crackers to get at it, I know. But what about the copy? Copy? It's customary for the attorney who drew it up to retain a copy. Oh, yes, of course I hadn't thought. Senior Shavviz must have one in Ivana. He's an attorney, though? Yes, matter of fact, he handled most of Mr. Rawlings' financial affairs. Well, he must have a copy.

20:54Oh, why don't you ask him? Oh, I will. But first, I'd like to know why you were planning to leave Los Banjos. Leave? Well, how did you know? Well, maybe you can think of another reason for having a half-filled suitcase laying there on your bed. Oh, yes, of course. I was planning to leave. You know, the reason why I shouldn't after all my employment here has been terminated. Have you discussed the idea with Captain Fuyente's? Well, no, but why should he object? I'm not guilty of anything. Just a thought, Holly. Mind if I take a look at that suitcase. No, don't touch that. Well, what do you know? A brown paper parcel neatly wrapped in a tie. You mind telling me what's in it? It's none of your business. Put that down. It wouldn't be a necklace by any chance, would it? Put it down, darling. Oh, sure, right away. Well, that's interesting. All new, crisp, and $100 denominations.

21:58Hmm. Must be close to $10,000 here. Well, what of it? It's mine. Oh, I don't doubt that. I'm just wondering where you've got it. I've saved it. Working for Rawlings? Yes, why not? I saved it working for Rawlings. It's mine. Okay, Holly. I don't want it. Don't you really know why Captain Fuyente's my object you're leaving now? No. I most certainly don't. Hmm. Remarkable. There wasn't anything I could do before morning rolled around except smoke a last cigarette and try to think things out. So I went out in the same patio where Anita and I had had our talk and lit up. The one cigarette turned into two. Then I started to light a third one. That was a mistake. I saw the muzzle flash. It came from somewhere inside a clump of palm trees. But with a full moon behind me, I wasn't going to get heroic about it.

23:00I made a die for a concrete retaining wall. I didn't think the shot side snapped out of Dunony Gooden. I had no intention of finding out. Now with that moon lighting things up. So I made myself comfortable with my back to the wall and waited for the Cuban Marines in the person of Captain Fuyente's to come charging to the rescue. Some 15 minutes later, Marty, the Captain and I held a council of war on our way down to the landing ducts. I found these two empty shells under one of the palm trees in your dollar. But that was all. No trace of the person who fired them. What about Harley? He's not in his room. So far I've been unable to locate him. Harley seems reasonable, Johnny. What could be so important about that money you saw to make him want to kill you? I don't know that he did, Marty. But I'd like to ask him a couple of questions about it. But why come down here to the Boothhouse, sir? Well, with your plane gone, there's only one way off this island, crawling speed boats.

24:03We'd better make sure they're locked up tight. One of the slips is empty. I wasn't when I got here. We heard no boat there, sir. Well, that's nothing that a paddle and a pair of willing arms can't explain. Harley? That's my guess. And it's 10 to 1. He has the necklace with him. Expensive count item two, $5.65. Breakfast for two in Havana. Well, Martin Fett and I found the book in Villa and the tourist rates in full bloom. We wanted to talk to Senor Chavez, Rawlings lawyer. And after a rough trip on one of the speed boats and that rougher breakfast tab, we made our way to his office. See, I have a copy of Senor Ollings' will. But you understand I cannot disclose its contents until the court's order. We don't want to need the tales, Senor Chavez.

25:05But I understood you were inquiring about beneficiaries. All we want to know is if he left anything to a Timothy Harley or a Nita Valdez. I see. Now we've explained the circumstances in your chavez. It can't violate any professional ethics to give us a yes or no to those two names. No, I do not believe it is on ethical to tell you this much. No individuals were named in the way, only charitable and public welfare institutions. Well, it eliminates the heir apparent angle, Jenny. One more thing, Senor Chavez. There have been rumors that Rawlings' fortune was almost gone. Any truth to them? Not they've been. All his investments were most judiciously placed. It was perhaps wealthier at the time of his death than at any time during his life. Then you've been a big help. Thanks. Or now, if he's an eternal duty to obey the laws, you know. Any time you are here in a van, a place to stop being me, would be my pleasure.

26:08Now we'll do this, Senor Chavez. Thanks again. Ah, it was a great help. I cleaned up some loose ends. It's a loose necklace I'm worried about, Jenny. Where do we go from here? Or we can check out the local police. See if they've picked up anything on Holly. Good as anything I guess. Oh, which way? We pass it on the way up here. We'll go right. Senor Dollar, it is most fortunate that you're still here. There is a phone call for you in my office from the island of Los Vannios. Oh, thanks, Senor Chavez. There, I don't mind this, Senor. Jenny Dollar. This is Captain Puente, Senor Dollar. I have some information for you. Oh, what is it, Captain? First of all, the autopsy report on Senor Rollings has come in. Natural death? See, that is correct. From an old, aggravated heart condition. But how did you know?

27:08No real reason for anybody to murder him. What else? We are bouncing your Harley's body at the north end of the island. Apparently his motor stopped and he surfed dashed him against the rocks. His skull was fractured. You didn't find the necklace on him? No, but he is the one who stole it. What makes you think so? In his wallet we found a slip of paper, Senor. On it was written, the combination of the safe. Expense account item three, $35, transportation of speedboat back to Los Bernes. With Captain Puente's report, there was no need to report directly to the island. And Marty was anxious to get back to the office and bring you up to date. So he charted a plane and we took off from Miami. Well, Johnny Malad, we took up another happy collaboration. Yeah, you might call it that money. The king there was.

28:08Yeah, somehow I don't think Rollings was a very happy man with all these dough. Hold up on that island, nothing but hate around him. Now money is not the answer to everything. Now, but as the saying goes, it sure helps. But then I guess it didn't help hardly much either. Now I wonder if we'll have a finite necklace. It'll turn up. Pretty optimistic, aren't you? No, I'm sure of it. Come on, Johnny, give. What do you think it is? Right there in your briefcase. It's not a very funny gag, Johnny. No, Marty. It's not. And how about changing the snapper? I wish I could, Marty. But it figured all along. Looking for every possible loophole, I guess. But they all closed up on me. Where did I slip? Where they all slip at the very beginning when you first thought of it. What tipped you?

29:08Rollings swore that only he knew the combination of that safe. He was wrong. One other man knew it. The one who supervised its installation. You should have known you tumble with that. The paste pinned it down even closer, Marty. The reproduction was too good. Now, I wonder, you had every descriptive detail in your copy of the policy. Wates, dimensions, photographs, everything. I didn't go back to the island, Johnny. How could I make the switch? That's where Harley came in. You slept him the combination, and he made the switch. That's why the 10,000 payoff. And why you had to kill him. And frame it as an accident. Maybe I should have killed you too, and I had the chance on the patio. You still got your gun? Yeah. Let's see you. You're wrong all the way. Besides, I never could out-shoot you.

30:10Expensive Count Item 4. $32.15. Hotel Bill and Incidentals in Miami. Item 5.141.10. Plane Fair and Incidentals Back to Hartford. Expensive Count Total $348.60. Remarks. With all due deference to my chosen profession, sometimes this is a lousy business. Here's truly Johnny Dollar. Yours truly Johnny Dollar stars John Lund in the title role

31:12and was written by Sydney Marshall with music by Milton Charles. Featured in tonight's cast where Jack Moils, Lillian Bia, Tom Tully, Howard McNair, Nestor Piva, and Don Diamond. Yours truly Johnny Dollar is produced and directed in Hollywood by Jaime Del Valle. This is Charles Lyon inviting you to join us again next week at this same time when from Hollywood John Lund returns as yours truly Johnny Dollar.

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33:37That's RAKU-TEN. Welcome back. I did not figure this out until the last minute or so of the program. I figured out a little bit before Johnny revealed it because I basically just went through my head, said, okay, well, who do we have left as a potential suspect? And even though we would not traditionally think of the insurance agent as suspect, it goes back to Holmes' advice. Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. The sound quality, I think that listeners heard that 45-second intro, and then the AFRS version will agree. We made the right choice with the version we chose to play. And Armed Forces Radio Services, it's going to be crucial in Johnny Dollar's history.

34:40There are hundreds of episodes out there that we would not have if it were not for the preservation of the Armed Forces Radio Service. But we turn now to listener comments and feedback. And here are a couple from podcast now. I keep up the good work at them. And this one, we're in praise of the app. This is the best app on my iPhone. I plug in my earphones and sleep with it every night. I love, love, love it. Thanks so much, Terry. Gladiar listening out there. And of course, have a pleasant nut sleep. Well, that will actually do it for this week. Thank you so much, Melissa. And we'll be back next week with another episode of yours, Truly Johnny Dollar. I bet you can join us on Monday for very great confidential investigator. In the meanwhile, send your comments to box 13 at ratedetectives.net. Follow us on Twitter, radio detectives, and give us a call 208-9914783. But from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham signing off.