Get this and get it straight. Crime is a sucker's road and those who travel it wind up in the gutter of the prison of the grave. There's no other end but they never learn. This time it started as a routine search for a rich girl's fiance and the trail led to a silent house haunted by a face at the window and blood in an open cedar chest. But before it was over it became a search for a corpse that wouldn't sit still. From the pen of Raymond Tranfer, outstanding author of mystery, comes his most famous character and crime's most deadly enemy as we present the Adventures of Philip Marlowe. Now with Gerald Moore starred as Philip Marlowe we bring you tonight's exciting story, The Busy Body. Phone jerked me up off my back and out of the sports page at 9.30 in the evening of an already too long day. On the other end was a warm feminine voice, edged with a kind of self assurance that means money and lots of it. But the words were both hurried and panicky so after I hung up I reluctantly waded through the sports section with my feet instead of my eyes and headed for the coffee shop at Franklin and Bronson where my new client would identify herself as Liz Stewart said she'd be waiting. A pair of blue eyes at a table in the corner measured me from haircut to shoelaces so I took the cue and walked over. After we introduced ourselves I was waved into the chair opposite her. She leaned toward me and started with a rush. Mr. Marlowe I've got to find a man named Dean Howard as soon as possible. Not exactly a new switch. He's my fiance. We plan to notify my Uncle Hanley of our engagement tonight. Who is Uncle Hanley? Uncle Hanley Stewart of Stewart Aluminum. Okay go ahead. Dean, Dean Howard was to meet me at seven but he didn't show up. And then about a quarter to eight he called. He started to tell me something about something that he referred to as a horrible mistake but before he could get it out we were cut off. Well I tried to call him back. Want some coffee? Coffee! No, no. Okay. I tried to call him back but there was no answer so I went to his house but it was locked and dark and yet his car was still parked outside. Uh huh well look Miss Stewart why don't you save yourself fifty bucks go home and wait for an apologetic phone call huh? What do you mean? Well this stacks up as being a case of cold feet or a little celebration that got out of hand. Either way there's nothing to worry about. I've come to you for help Marlowe not a pat on the head. Okay, okay. I'll assume it's my error for the moment. How long have you known this Dean Howard? I met him at a party about three months ago. Uncle Hanley and I both liked him tremendously right from the first. I suppose you've considered the possibility of another woman? Well of course I'm not a child. I can see that. Dean has been deeply troubled for the past week. He wouldn't tell me why but I'm certain that this business tonight is tied in with it. Something's wrong and I want you to find out what it is. All right but I'm no leg man for cupids so if it turns out to be nothing more than a guy's heart beating in double time I drop it. Fair enough? Fair enough. She gave me a short list of posh joints she and Dean Howard sometimes visited and his address which was 312 Normandy. She said I could reach her at home which was 28 Roxbury Drive in Beverly Hills. Well fifty bucks is fifty bucks so after she left I spent a handful of nickels checking the list by phone and drew a complete blank. So I drove out Los Feliz to Normandy and found the number 312. As I walked up the door and leaned on the bell I got the feeling that I was being watched. There was no answer so I tried the door. It was locked. I threw a look over my shoulders I walked around the side of the house and caught a glimpse of a face in a window next door just before the curtain was dropped back into place. The back door of 312 was locked too I found out as did the face next door which was watching me again from one of the real windows. There was one answer to that so I went out in the street and up the steps of the house next door and knocked good and loud. What do you want? My name's Marlow lady I'm a detective you may be able to help me. A detective? Well come right in Mr Marlow it's about time's all I have to say. I'm Agatha Lambrigger. What's he been up to? Who? Well you're investigating that bachelor next door aren't you? Yes oh how'd you know? Huh, since the reason. I've known all along he's a suspicious character. He is? Lived there a year now comes and goes at all hours drives that fancy car out there wears fine clothes but nobody seems to know what he does or where he gets all his money. Well look Mrs Lamb. And girls. Oh. Well believe you me they don't come to clean his house. Never gets cleaned but they come just the same. Why only tonight there was one some blonde in a white dress. I tell you I never. Mrs Lambrigger did the girl go inside? Well no but she tried to the door was locked and it's Miss Lambrigger. Oh how stupid of me is. Well tell me did you notice Mr Howard come home tonight? Well I didn't exactly seen him come home but he was over there all right and not alone either. Is that another girl? No there was only some man. Oh. But it still bears out what I've been saying because I just happened to glance out of my window at this one here across from that one of his you see. Yes. Well a light was on over there and I could look straight down the hallway and do you know what? What? Those two grown men were roughhousing like a pair of Hooglands in that hall. Wrestling they were like ordinary ruffians. I tell you I never saw the light. I got a good look at him and I'd certainly know him if I saw him again. Well how'd the fight come out? Fight? Yeah. What the? Oh oh the fight. Well I can't say about that my phone rang. It was Lenore Crowley she simply talks it ear off you when she gets out. She was so when I finally got back to the window well when I happened to look out again it was dark over there so I never did find out what actually happened. Yes well thanks very much for your help I really must run. Oh and another thing the noise and the drinking that's gone on in that house why you wouldn't believe it. Oh you're leaving? As soon as possible here. But you still haven't told me what he's up to. Well I'm not at liberty to do that I. Oh well that's a shame. Yeah. Well I'll be here all the time you know and I'll certainly keep an eye on that house. Oh I can't tell you how much I appreciate from your going to all this trouble just for me. Bonsoir Miss Lambrigge. I backed out of that wind tunnel got in my car and drove noisily around the corner. Then I cut my lights turned quietly into an alley behind the house and stopped. Slipped through Howard's back gate and up the side of the house found a window that could be persuaded and went in. Howard was a lousy housekeeper and everything that didn't get brushed off and normal traffic was covered with dust. I found my way to the room opposite Agatha Lambrigge's observation window and ran smack into her first line. Where she said there was a hallway there was a solid wall papered with purple roses and hung with four dingy pictures and bronze frames. Two on each side of a big ugly mirror. There were two hallways but no angle at which either could be seen from her window. Furthermore there was no sign of a struggle. One fall led to the study the other the bedroom and I checked both. But still there was no indication of a fight. On my way out I balked my shin on the nose of a lion carved on the corner of an oversized cedar chest. Just as the abrupt sound of someone at the door brought me to a rigid halt. Whatever it was it was the patience of an eight year old on circus day. So I set myself up as a type of might live in a joint like this and answered. What's the matter with the lights out blow a fuse. How could this be some new economy measure. I like it this way. I don't think I know you. You should Howard you should. I called you yesterday about a certain money matter. The name is Leo. Don't go for your gun Howard. Well since yours is pointed at my third rib why should I. Like I told you on the phone my boss is anxious. You're way overdue Howard I want that fifty grand the boss loaned you three months ago. Give it for me the day after tomorrow all of it without fail. He knows I'm good for my debts why all the pressure. Maybe figures your investment and so smart like maybe you've been blowing too much on that second rate canary Carol. Oh yeah Carol remember. She's your girl. Well it's none of my business see you there for tomorrow about the same time and if you get a headache from worrying about paying off just think of the one you'll have if you don't think. It'll be like ten times. Good night. The forty five in his hand caught the side of my head. And I went out cold. When I opened my eyes the room shrunk until there wasn't enough space left to stretch out. The crime to my feet. It was as easy as roller skating for a log jam. It wasn't until I found a match and had a light that I knew why. Somebody had moved me from the front door and cram into a broom closet like a bag of wet wash. When I got out I saw that my cubby hole was off the hall of the bedroom. Listen but there was no sound in the house so I started moving. But stop when I notice something else. The big cedar chest with carved lines on the corners that had been closed before and I was standing open. I struck another match. Inside on the bottom was a thick red puddle of blood. Blew out the match and was in the middle of a mental apology to Lou Stewart when it came. I ran for the front door in time to see Agatha charge out of the driveway and down the street. Start terror twisting her face. Hey Miss Lambrigga hold it. What is it? What happened? I saw him Mr. Marlow. I saw him up by the alley near the hedge. He's dead Mr. Marlow. Dead in my backyard. All right all right now take it easy Agatha. Who was it? He's there now lying on his back close to the hedge and he's dead. What will we do? Come on we'll have a look. You can show me where he is. All righty. He's right back here. I happened to look out my rear window and I saw something move. The dogs had been getting in my pansies lately and I thought this was another. So I came out to chase him away. That's when I saw the body. It's right back here. It's gone. Now look Miss Lambrigga. I've got a headache. I'm getting a little tired of this. You saw a body here just like you saw a fight in the hallway from your window. You're so anxious to be in the middle of things you'd make up any kind of a story. No I'm not. I'm not. I saw that Python. I saw Dean Howard's body too. It was here I tell you. Where? Show me exactly. Right about there I'd say. Oh sure sure and I suppose it. Hey wait a minute. Yeah. My apologies baby there is something here. Could be blood. It's two dimes and a bar receipt from the tulip room on the strip. Oh good heavens. What will you do now? Raid the place? You can use my phone. Thanks but until we know where the body is we better play it cagey. Now let's keep this a secret between us. That'll take a lot of courage I know but I can trust you can't I? I won't open my mouth to a soul Mr. Marlow. Well that's great. That's splendid. Now you better go inside and stay there until you hear from me. Who knows you may yet be a heroine Miss Lambrigga. The bar receipt was a long shot. When I was still two blocks away from the tulip room I knew it had paid off because a fluorescent banner four by twelve draped over the front of a squat square building extolled the vocal virtues of one Carol Cody. I parked across the street went in and found a dressing room door and knocked. She distinctly said come in but when I did I thought the room was empty until a small handful of spangled satin costume hopped up from behind a screen in the corner. I made a sight unseen introduction. It was only a moment later that it's Hall Brunette. Filling a white silk blouse and snug dark slacks stepped out. Tossed a few pounds of glossy black hair away from her face and gestured me into a chair. Which paper did you say you were from Marlow? I didn't honey I'm a private detective. I can't use it. Don't give odds on it baby not yet anyway huh. Let's talk first. For instance what's with you and Dean Howard? Dean Howard is a low crawling thing. That's strange. How did you love him? I didn't till tonight when I found out that he has two heads. That's so he can lie and keep a straight face with one while he laughs up his sleeve with the other. Nuts to him nuts to Liz Stewart and her money and nuts to you. I hate Dean Howard enough to kill him and I might just do that. I don't think you will no because somebody beat you to it. You you mean Howard's dead? Looks that way yeah. I'm not sure because he won't stay in one place long enough. If you're trying to shock me you're wasting your time. I'm not sorry one. I think we've got company. Keep talking I'll get him. Uh as you say my friend the music business is just as lousy as any other Dodge and I can prove it. Come here. You're a good listener bud so join the party. Who are you? Why are you listening out there? Come on. No no no just just a minute. I wasn't listening. I was looking for you Marlowe. I'm Ward Oldham Mr. Hanley Stewart's assistant. You're doing fine. Don't stop now. Well I ever since I learned that Miss Stewart hired you Marlowe I've been trying to talk to you. I I followed you here from that place on on Normandy because I must know what you found out so far. Why? What business is it of yours? Because Mr. Marlowe I doubt very much that you even know of the robbery. Robbery? What robbery? More than 40 thousand dollars worth of negotiable securities were stolen from Mr. Stewart's safe this evening. You get all your information at keyholes? Hmm and I have reason to believe that the man you're looking for took them. Of course I don't dare accuse him without proof of his relationship with Liz, Mr. Stewart's niece. If I were wrong it would cost me my job. Oldham did Liz know about the robbery when she hired me? Why of course. Oh brother look see this her name is Carol. She's involved right up to her mascara in the whole mess. Don't let her out of your sight till I get back. Me? Why you cheap shut up. And as for being cheap I'll take care of you when I get back. In just a moment the second act to Philip Marlowe but first three gentlemen with highly varying but equally effective approaches to dealing with crime entertain you with their deeds of daring on CBS every Sunday. Jethro Dumont alias the Green Llama, Police Commissioner Bill Grant of Call the Police and Dashiell Hammett Sam Spade. These three sterling gentlemen all make their appearances tomorrow on most of these same CBS network stations. And now with our star Gerald Moore we return to the second act of Philip Marlowe and tonight's story the busy body. After convincing Ward Oldham that his greatest contribution to the cause would be staying close but not too close to the violent lady in slacks I piled into my car and started for Beverly Hills and a beautiful liar named Liz. I didn't stop until I was at number 28 Roxbury drive out of my car and walking fast up the semicircle of gravel driveway that led to the carefully antique front door. But then for two good reasons I stopped again. The first the squad car parked ahead of me that said everybody except Marlowe knew all about the bonds Mr. Hanley Stewart could no longer call his own. The second reason and more important was my client Liz Stewart sneaking out of a side door and hurrying toward a gray coupe. I stepped back into the shadow of a squat palm and waited for her to come abreast of me late date Miss Stewart. Marlowe why you you start with me considering everything it's the least I can do. What do you mean? I don't like clients who lie to me. So if you don't mind I'll just stroll along with you while you assure me you can explain everything. But I can Marlowe just give me a chance please. All right why didn't you tell me that 40 grand went from negotiable bonds disappeared from your uncle's safe at the same time as Howard. Because I didn't want you to be prejudiced to be looking for a thief from the start. If Dean did take those bonds he had a reason. Like being fond of money? No like being forced to do what he did. All right let's say he was forced what then? Well then I wanted to help him get to him before the police they'd arrest him in a minute. And you on the other hand would get the bonds back to your uncle convince him it was all a mistake and talk him out of telling the law huh? And with your own dough you would help Howard out of the spot he was in is that it? Yes. But you haven't proved that Dean took the bonds. No I haven't. Could have been anyone who knew the combination of the library safe. Which includes how many? Aside from Uncle Han and myself just the the family lawyer and Mr. Odom. Yeah what about Odom? Could he have done it Liz? No I don't think so as much as I dislike him. You see Marlowe for years Odom's been very close to Uncle Han. He's had a thousand opportunities to steal if he wanted to or like this afternoon for instance. He had ten thousand dollars worth of the bonds with him today. What was he doing with all that dough paying gas bills? He was going to sell them for my uncle but the transaction fell through so he brought them back to the house and put them back in the safe. Anyway Marlowe I don't think he'd have the courage to steal. I know what you mean. I've already met Mr. Odom. When? About a half hour ago in a night club called the tulip room. Odom thinks Dean is guilty Liz but he's afraid to mention it publicly till he knows a little more. What's the nightclub got to do with Dean? Carol Cody. Who? She's Dean's girlfriend. Marlowe you're crazy. I talked to her honey. She's a singer there told me that she and Howard were more than chummy but that she gave in the air tonight when she found out about you. And you believe that? Now that I've had a little time I believe even more. The tales that she never bothered to mention the tales like Dean Howard and Carol Cody playing you for a sucker. He gains your confidence then the combination of the safe then goodbye. But you see the end was a switch Liz Dean didn't. Dean didn't what? What is it Marlowe? What are you staring at? Back in my car there. That's not gas dripping on the driveway. The color's too red. Liz stay back. No Marlowe I don't want to. I want to... Marlowe it's Dean. He's dead Marlowe. Yeah that Liz is the switch I was talking about. I think Dean Howard not only crossed you but Carol Cody as well. She did it. She killed him. She killed him because she found out about me. All right all right now listen get inside tell the police about this do you hear me? But first give me a five minute lead. I'll take your car. I want to get to Carol Cody before the law does. Without saying another word Liz Stewart her face drawn and streaked with tears handed me the keys to her car. Turned and walked slowly back to the house. I took one long look at the bloodstain. Shirt front on the body I'd had been a step behind all night. Then got into Liz's car and pointed it back toward the tulip room. Twenty minutes later when my knock on the locked dressing room door brought no answer I had kicked my way in. Alone and half conscious in the middle of the floor was Ward Odom. A man I had assigned to stand sentry over the brunette. Oh Marlowe. Marlowe she tricked me. Asked for a cigarette and I went to light it. She swung. Made ads Odom and you're lucky she let it go with that. Was more permanent in Howard's case. Oh well then you found his body Marlowe. Yeah in the trunk of my car. Oh how awful. And she did all that this Carol Cody. Yes and no. She must have had help Odom because first of all it takes something stronger than a chanteuse to keep shifting a corpse from seat to chest to garden to car. The rate that Howard was being moved and second an old crow named Agatha Lambrigger saw a man roughhousing with Howard over at his own place not a woman. You mean there was a witness to the murder Marlowe. More or less. And you have no idea who the murderer is. No. That Odom is all the more reason why I want to catch up with Carol Cody. Happen to know where she lives. Yes yes yes yes at the Grayfield apartment hotel on North Havenhurst Drive. North Havenhurst. It's a room. Room 118. 118. And I think that it's Marlowe. Oh wait no my top coat is gone. Why. Yes and she was wearing slacks remember. Marlowe maybe she's leaving town disguised as a man. It's a point Odom. I still think I'll try the apartment hotel first. Come in the door is open. The bag is over there boy. Did you get the cap. Marlowe. What are you doing here. Not doubling for a bellhop so get over there sit down and keep your hands in your lap because if I have to I'll shoot. I don't understand. I'll make it real plain. I think you murdered Dean Howard because he double crossed you after he emptied Hanley Stewart's safe. And I think you're out of your mind. Which brings us to a position called stalemate and that in turn makes this a good time to call the cops. I didn't kill Dean I swear I didn't. Oh listen to me. What you said about Dean double crossing me after he stole the bonds is true. But not the way you think it is. Second verse. He didn't want to just cut me out of my share Marlowe. He wanted to return all the bonds intact. He really fell in love with Liz Stewart and decided to play all American boy. You mean he decided to call it all off after he'd stolen the bonds. Yes Marlowe. That was the reason we argued tonight. Oh it's a stronger reason than one I already had for your committing murder. Baby you wanted that money bad. You know you're wrong. Come back here. Why did you belt Odom and run. And don't bother denying that you did because I just left him. And he's minus good health and that top coat over there. So if you think that you. I can explain that. I was scared that a confession out of Dean would get me into hot water and when you showed and then Odom. Just a minute Carol. Just a minute will you. I think I've got the answer. What answer. It's dust Carol. Dust and what an old gossip swear she saw from a window. Right now I've got to get over to her place before she ends up looking like the late Mr. Howard. Then you believe me Marlowe about not killing Dean. I don't know. But since you've been in and it's cheap swindle from the start we'll just tuck you into an old fashioned wardrobe. Just for safe keeping baby. Outside in Liz's car I slammed my foot down hard against the accelerator and didn't ease up until I screeched to a stop. Away from 310 North Normandy where I knew murder was scheduled to happen again. I was next to a pair of half open French doors to which I could see Agatha Lambregger sitting erect in a straight back chair. I was happy that I hadn't taken any longer in getting there. I was also happy that the man standing opposite a gun in hand the man who would murder Dean Howard had his back to me. I got a firm grip on the 38 my hand and so nosy Miss Lambregger and it's too bad that Marlowe had to let me know you've been a witness when I killed Dean Howard. A rough house I think you called it. A rough house is what I thought at the time. But when I saw Dean Howard's body out in the alleyway I knew. You knew I killed him. Everything would have been simple if you hadn't had your nose out a mile. I was going to run over him and it would have looked like an accident but I had to move the body after you saw it. Marlowe's car looked good until I could dispose of it. But there's no point telling you all this. You won't be able to gossip about it Miss Lambregger. I'm sorry. Sorry but that's the way it has to be. You or me. I vote for you Orton. Drop your gun before I close the polls for good. Real noisy like. Come on drop it. No. No don't shoot. I dropped it. I dropped it. Okay. I'll move to the middle of the room hands high. Marlowe. Marlowe I didn't want to do it but I had to kill him. I had to. Dean Howard was going to return the bonds he took. Marlowe please listen to me. And that would have left you in a spot wouldn't it. Because Howard only stole 30 grand out of that safe. You were taking 10 grand legitimately self for your boss. I know what happened. And when you went to return them you saw there had been a theft. And you decided to make the most of it and let somebody else take the rap for the whole 40 grand. Marlowe can't we sit down. Don't worry a man who shoots another man in the back has no guts. He won't try anything while I'm looking at him. No. No Marlowe. I don't have any more guts than it takes to jump behind a woman's skirt. A lady outshots to death. If you take one more step. Now lower your gun and listen. All right. Let her go Odom. Sure. Sure I'll let her go. Just as long as you cooperate Marlowe. Marlowe. Marlowe don't be a fool. Shut up. Shut up. Don't shoot. You'll kill me anyway. Shoot. Shoot. Shoot. Marlowe don't shoot. Don't shoot. Don't shoot. Huh. You were right Marlowe. No guts. It was an ambulance, a half a dozen squad cars and a police captain included and three long hours of questions and answers and triplicate later. Before 310 North Normandy and environs settled back to being just another quiet house on just another quiet street. With of course the exception of Miss Agatha Lambrigger who now would never return to normalcy. As we sipped hot tea together and a clock someplace deep in another room struck twice. She was still going strong. Dean Howard owed money so he and that worthless singer decided that he should get friendly with your well paid client and enter the propitious moment robbing her uncle correct? Correct. But what I don't understand is how you knew it was that awful man Odom. Well there were two things honey. His anxiety to get me to Carol together with a streak of dust the length of Odom's top coat sleeve all added up to a hunch. That Philip I don't understand. Well you got to take him in reverse order. I saw dust on Odom's top coat sleeve when I was in Carol Cody's apartment. That reminded me of the dust all over Howard's place. Oh a mess that house. Yeah luckily and the dust was the length of the sleeve as though somebody had brushed against the wall coated thick with it. As one would in searching for something. That's right that's right. Now there's another thing. You saw Howard and another man roughhousing in a hall by looking out of that window there. Where Miss Lambrigan no hall is visible but where there is a mirror. Oh then you mean I actually saw a reflection. Yes darling you did. Dean Howard hid the bonds behind the mirror. Which tilted so that I saw the reflection of a side hall. That's right. Well now Philip one last question. Why did Odom move the body? Well if it's the last I'll answer it. Because he didn't want Howard's death to appear a murder on the night the bonds were stolen. It was better if he died accidentally and wasn't connected with a theft. Oh I see. Yeah well now look Miss Lambrigan. Excuse me I'll only be a minute. Yeah but Miss Lambrigan. Hello. Oh hello Judith. Yeah. Yes wasn't it through. Miss Lambrigan really I. Oh darling it all started so innocently. My part I mean. Miss Lambrigan I have. Philip I'll be with you in a minute. Philip who? Why the detective? The one I mentioned earlier. A long minute I'm sure. Who? When you call the suitor. They have to do it very well don't you? Well anyway we'll leave it there. So have a good one. Goodbye girl. When I got outside the silence was deafening. Then I remembered that I still had a client up on Roxbury Drive who I had to see. And that they were automobiles to be exchanged and maybe if I could find them. Some right words to say to a girl who had a very rough night. So I started driving that way slowly. But ten minutes later when I was halfway there I stopped. Turned around and headed back for 310 North Normandy. And my 38 that I'd forgotten after a handful of policemen had finished examining it. It wasn't until I was at Agatha Lambrigan's front door again that I realized something more important. Well then this Odum this killer grabbed me as a shield Judith. And told Marlow he had guts enough. Guts was his word my dear. Yes well I could get my gun another day. The Adventures of Philip Marlow bringing you Raymond Chandler's most famous character and chronic star Gerald Moore and are produced and directed by Norman McDonald. The script is by Mel Dennelly Robert Mitchell and Gene Levitt. Featured in the cast were Lois Corbett, Lorette Philbrant, Lynn Allen, Peter Leeds and John Stevenson. The special music is by Richard O'Ronk. Be sure and be with us again next week when Philip Marlow says. It began as the threat of a beating adjourned into murder with a brown eyed blonde, a jovial hippopotamus and a tough ex-soldier of fortune. All complicating the problem until I got next to the key man. Will you be listening when fifty one thousand dollars go on the block during sing it again tonight. Twenty six thousand in fabulous prizes for solving the mystery of the phantom voice. And additional twenty five thousand in cold hard cash for answering only one more question about the phantom. There's many another prize too for un-rattling the smart tuneful little riddle songs that keep sing it again. Moving at a terrific clip for the hour that it's on the air. It'll be here a little later on most of these same CBS network stations. This is Roy Rowan speaking. Stay tuned now for gangbusters which follows immediately over most of these same CBS stations. This is CBS the Columbia Broadcasting System.