Cloak and Dagger Broadcasts

Suspense Radio Shows - The Cave of Ali Baba

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Duration:: 33m
Broadcast on:: 13 Jul 2024
Audio Format:: mp3

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Just download the app or go to fanduel.com/horses to score your no sweat bet up to $500. 21+ in President Colorado. Offer valid on first real money wager of $5 or more. Verify the FD Racing account required. Bonus issued in non-withdrawable racing site credit that expires seven days after issuance. Next refund, $500, restrictions apply. See terms at racing.fanduel.com. Gambling problem, call 1-800-Gambler. My name is Mary Ann Spitz and I'm 14 years old. My mother has a defense job, so I do the marketing for our family. Every morning, mother says to me, "Mary Ann, be sure you buy the most for the least money." So lately, I've been buying all the victory food specials. These are Martha the red, white and blue basket sign with a big red V. The reason I always look for this sign is, well, you've heard the old saying, "An army travels on its stomach. I know Uncle Sam needs lots of food to feed our fighting men. An army that's going places has to have good things to eat. Now steak fried rare with French fried potatoes is my favorite meal. But I'd rather have a soul to eat this dinner than eat it myself, if it will get this war over sooner." So, if you have friends or relatives in the armed forces, think twice before you buy the food they need. Look for the victory specials and help when the war is faster. The Columbia network takes pleasure in bringing you Suspens. Columbia's played theatre of outstanding thrillers produced and directed by William Speer and scored by Bernard Herman, the notable melodrama's conviction and stage and scream from the world's great literature of entertaining excitement presented each week to bring you to the edge of your chair, to keep you in Suspens. Tonight's adventure in Suspens is from the pen of Dorothy Sayers. She called it the Cave of Alibaba, like the tale told by Sheherazade, a distinguished ancestry in the storytelling art, Miss Sayers Thriller deals with forty thieves and with two magic words. For your uneasy listening then, Suspens presents the Cave of Alibaba. On a Saturday afternoon in January and a grim and narrow house in Lambeth, a man sat eating kippers and reading the daily paper. He was smallish in spare with brown hair rather too regularly waved and a strong brown pointed beard. His double-breasted navy blue suit, his socks, tie and handkerchief were all scrupulously matched and his brown boots just a trifle too highly polished. He did not look a gentleman, not even a gentleman's gentleman, yet there was something about his appearance which suggested that he was accustomed to the manner of life in good families. Superior butler perhaps, yet not old enough to be retired, a footman who had come into a legacy, yes, he had just finished eating and he was sipping his coffee when a slight noise at the front door caught his ear, swiftly, too swiftly for a quiet little man sitting eating kippers and reading his paper on a Saturday afternoon, he sprang up, he touched through the small hallway and he flung the door open. Of course, no one in sight. The society is at least dramatic in its delivery of its correspondence, and this if he knew it had been fined he shut the door and turned to the hat stand in the hall. An envelope had been placed there. It was addressed to Joseph Rogers. So Mr. Rogers opened the note. No. 21, an extraordinary general meeting will be held tonight at the House of No. 1 at 1130. You will be absent at your peril. The word is finality. Finality, yes, I think so. The man called Joseph Rogers stood for a moment, studying the note, then he strode to the rear of the house to a tall sea built in the wall. Carefully he manipulated a dial, he swooned the safe door open, stepped inside into a small sprung room. He opened a drawer, marked correspondence, placed the note inside and then came out again. A moment to reset the lock for a new combination and then he went back into the living room. He reached for the telephone, he lifted it from the cradle and then reconsidered. "Too dangerous," he hurried upstairs and clambered into an attic. In the furthest corner he searched for and found a knuckle in the woodwork, he pressed it. A concealed trap-door swung open, then he was in the loft of the adjoining house. He paused before three cages, in each of them a carrier pigeon. "Carefully," he wrote a note, slipped it under a pigeon's wing, "there you are, my pretty. There, take it easy now." "There you go, fly straight, four-thirty, I'll send another pigeon at five and a third at six. I should have my arms, sir, by nine-thirty, at the leading--oh, I forgot one thing most important. Mr. Vod just moved through the trap-door, back into the attic of his own house, and once again he stood before the tall, safe, built in the wall. He opened the door, stepped into the strongroom, moved for a moment quietly in the dark, and then spoke gently. "Now, be good, my sweetheart, I'm depending on you. Open sesame. Come on, now old thing. Open sesame, open sesame, that's better, that's better, that's better." By nine-thirty his answer was back, all the little piece of paper said was a hasty, okay, but a quarter before eleven he took his revolver from a locked drawer, inspected it carefully. Yes, loaded it with cartridges from an unbroken packet, and left the house. He walked quickly, keeping well away from the wall, and when he climbed on a bus he sat next to the conductor, where he could watch all who got on and off. By twenty-five minutes after eleven, he was out on lonely hamstead heat, pausing in the shadow of a large tree to adjust a black velvet mask, on which in white thread was stitched the number twenty-one, then he stepped briskly to the door of the villa that lay before him, and... "What is it?" "Finality." "Come in." "Go right on through, number one will check you in." "Right." "twenty-one, sir, lift your mask, now I wear twenty-one, you may go on to the meeting room." "Thank you, sir." The room of the villa in which Mr. Rogers now stood was a large one, brilliantly lighted room, as a gramophone in one corner blaring out of jazz tubes, to its rhythm, couples, masked men and women were dancing, some were in evening dress, some in tweets and jumpers. In another corner of the room was the bar, Mr. Rogers went up to it and asked the masked man in charge for a double whiskey, he consumed it slowly, leaning on the bar, the room filled. There isn't really someone moved across to the gramophone and stopped it, Mr. Rogers looked around, number one, the massive gentleman in evening dress who had checked him in appeared on the threshold, a tall woman in black stood beside him, her mask embroidered with a white number two, covered her hair and her face completely, only her, her fine bearing, her white arms and her dark eyes shining through the ice mitts, proclaimed there is a woman of power, a physical attraction. The masked dancers were silent now, as number one spoke. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are short to members tonight. I need not inform you of the disastrous failure of our plan for obtaining the plans of the Court Windows M. Elizabeth, our courageous and devoted friends, number 15 and number 38, we are betrayed and taped by the police, some of you might fear that under examination these two would break down and give away our society. There is no need for such a fear. I gave the usual orders and their tongues have been silenced. Their dependence will be this greatly compensated in the usual manner. I call upon number 12 and 34 to undertake this agreeable task. They retained me at my office for the instructions after the meeting. With the numbers I have named kindly signified by raising their hands that are able and willing to perform their duty, thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your partners for the next dance. The gramophone struck up again, Mr. Rogers turned to a pearl near him in a red dress. She nodded and they slipped into the movement of a fox truck. The couples frustrated solemnly and in silence, their shadows were flung against the blinds as they turned and stepped to encore. The girl in red spoke to Mr. Rogers. What's happened? I am frightened, aren't you? I think there is something awful about to happen. It does take one of its shores. Number one's way of doing things, but it's safer like that. Oh, there's two men. No talking phrase. You know the rules. Sorry. In silence, the dance continued and then it came to an end and then when it had finished, the dancers came again to where number one sat and waited at the tense eagerness for him to speak. Ladies and Gentlemen, you may wonder why this extraordinary meeting has been called. The reason is a serious one. The failure of our recent attempt was no accident. The police were knocked on the premises that night by accident. We have a traitor amongst us. This last failure was not the first. You'll remember the unfortunate way in which the affair of the Dinglewood birds turned out and there were others. However, I am happy to say that our minds can now be easy. All these troubles have been traced to their origin. The offender has been discovered and will be removed. The misguided member who introduced the traitor to our angst will be placed in a position where its lack of caution will have no further ill effects. There is no cause for alarm. Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your partners for the next dance. Then the gramophone took up its bazaar monotony and the masked dancers glided and turned and their movements were sharper, more staccato. The girl in red was claimed by a tall mask and evening dress. A hand laid on Mr. Roger's arm made him start. A small, plump woman in a green jumper slipped a cold hand into his. The dance went on. When it stopped, everyone stood detached, stiffened in expectation. The endless interval was over. Number one raised his voice. Ladies and Gentlemen, you will no doubt wish to be relieved of the questions on your mind. I will name the persons involved. Number 37. No, no. I swear it will not. You have failed in discretion. You will be relieved with. If you have anything to say in defense of your party, I'll hear it later. Sit down. Number 37 sank down a cliche. He pushed his handkerchief under the mask to wipe his face. Two tall men closed in upon him. The rest fell back. Ladies and Gentlemen, I will now name the traitor. Stand forward. Number 21. Take off your mask. Number 37. This man was introduced to our society by you under the name of Joseph Rogers. Formerly second footman in the service of the Duke of Denver dismissed for petty theory. Did you take steps to verify the statement? I did. I did as God my witness. It was all straight. I had him identified by two of the servants. I asked all over about him. The story was so unspendous. Number 21. Your name has been given as Joseph Rogers. Is that your real name? Answer me. Is that your real name? No. What is your name? Peter death bread and whimsy. Silence! I complimented your law sheet. We thought Lord whimsy was dead. He was killed so the paper said two windows ago why should he big game in Africa? He even left. The will proved to five hundred thousand pounds. To his mother I believe the dowager that is of Denver. Lord Peter whimsy indeed. Well known book collector. Man about town distinguished criminologist took an active part in the solution of several famous mysteries. Taking an active part if you don't mind. So you deliberately led us to think you were dead and became Joseph Rogers to gain entrance to our society. What has become of the real Joseph Rogers? He died abroad. I took his place. And the end of your impersonation to uncover our society. Precisely. I see. The robbery of your own set upon which we congratulate on ourselves and which you have to execute was arranged. Obviously robbery of the Duchess your mother was arranged by you. It was it was a very ugly tiaran who really lost to anybody with decent taste. The burglary of the Winthrop mansion. The theft of the necklace that come and gone. The others as well. You arranged them all. Oh the mirror spoke by the way. Domain up. Now most fifteen. Twenty two. Thirty nine. You have watched the press now. Has he made any attempt to communicate with anybody. And none. His debt is impossible to be opened. His telephone chat and his movements followed. Even the water pipes in his house had been under observation for Morse code signals. You're certain? Absolutely. Then we may be sure that he has been alone in this adventure. Well. Ladies and gentlemen please take your. (Laughter) Very well. Take the prisoner away. And be sure you explain carefully to him first. The manner of his debt. I am sure he'll enjoy it. Wait. Wait at least you can let me die decently. Take him away. Stop. I have something to say. Something to sell. We make no barges with traitors. No but listen. Do you think I haven't thought of this? I'm not a fool. I've left a letter. Throw him to the police. If I don't return tomorrow it will be open. It's a glove. The prisoner send no letter. He's been strictly watched for months. I left the letter before I came to Lambeth. Then he can't contain no information of any value. Oh but it does. The combination of my safe. It did? Has this man safe been soaked? Yes. What did it contain? No information have been important so. An outline of our organization. The name of the house. Nothing that can't be ordered and covered before more. And did you investigate the inner compartment of the safe? Hear what he says, did you? He's trying to blow. There is no inner compartment. I hate to contradict you but I'm really afraid you must have overlooked it. And what did you say was in the compartment if it does exist? The names of every member of this society with their addresses, photographs and fingerprints. What did you say? Don't try to get this information. If I do a little detective work on my own. Have you been watched? True. The fingerprints of my watch as a dawn. The first page of the collection. That statement can be pulled? Certainly. The name of number 40 for example. If you mention names here, you will certainly have no hope of mercy. Bring the president of my office. Ladies and gentlemen, take your partners for the next class. I prove that I know you're gang from number one through number 25. Do you want me to prove that I know the others as well? My lord, your story first may be regret that you are not in fact a member of our society. What courage and industry are valuable in an association like ours? I fear I cannot persuade you. No, I suppose not. Yes? Ask the members kindly to proceed to the sub-room. Ladies and gentlemen, I will not conceal from you the seriousness of the situation. The president has recited to me 25 names and addresses which were thought to be unknown except to their owners and to me. There has been great carelessness. Fingerprints have been obtained. He showed me some photographs of them. He tells me that the book of names and addresses is to be found in the inner compartment of his sake. Together with certain letters and papers stolen from the houses of members and several objects with fingerprints. I believe he tells the truth. He offers the combination of the safe in exchange for a quick death. I think he's offers should be accepted. What is your opinion, ladies and gentlemen? The combination is known already. True! This man is Lord Peter Whimsey, a scientist of crime. Do you think he will have forgotten to change the combination? No, I say give him the proudest times getting short. You're agreed? It's about Whimsey. What is the combination? The word of the combination is unreliability and the inner door, the inner compartment. In anticipation of the visit of the police, the inner door is open. Number 12 and 36. You will go to the President's house and work in any moment. That's right. I agree. Nobody ought to be trusted. And what, ladies and gentlemen, do you suggest? Do you go yourself? You're the only one that knows all the names. You go yourself! I said on that motion, is there a wish of the meeting then that I should go? No! I say no. No, don't go. Number one is our President, the hidden soul of our society. If anything should happen to him, where should we be? You've all blundered. We have your carelessness to thank for all this. Do you think we should be safe for five minutes if he were not here to repair your father? There's nothing in that. If you will pardon my suggesting it, the lady appears to be in a position peculiarly favorable for the reception of the President's conferences. The contents of my modest volume will be no news to her. Why should she not go herself? Because I say she must not. If it is the will of the meeting, I'll go. Give me the key of the house. Here, is yours watched? No. If I have not returned in two hours, act for the best to save yourselves. And do what you like. We're the President. The President has been going two hours straight out. What's happened to him? How should I know? Perhaps he's looked after himself and gone while the coin was good. No, yeah. Oh. I'd never do that. What have you done with him? Speak. Or I'll make you speak. I can only form a guess, madam. I'm afraid that your President may quite inadvertently have left the door of the inner compartment closed behind him, in which case... Yes. Let me explain the mechanism of my safe. The inner compartment has two doors. The outermost most opens outward with an ordinary key. Who do you think that the President is so stupid as to be caught in an obvious trap? Doubtly he will have wedged open that inner door. Doubtly madam, but the sole purpose of that inner door is to appear to be the only one. Hidden behind the hinge of that door is another, a sliding panel, also left open. Inside the compartment is the big heavy ledger containing all the information about this society. This ledger lies on a steel shelf. Do I make myself clear? Yes, yes, yes, go on. The steel shelf is balanced on a concealed spring. When the weight of the book, the ledger, is lifted, the shelf rises almost imperceptibly. And in rising, it makes an electrical contact. Now, let me draw a picture. Your President steps into the inner compartment, sees the book, takes it up, anxiously, to examine to see if it's the right one. The shelf rises, the electrical contact is made. And the steel panel behind him slides into place, he's tapped. You do? What is the word that opens the inner door? Quick! The word! Do you remember the story of Alibaba in the 40th Eve? Well, when I had this tape constructed, my mind went back, well, call me sentimental, if you will, to my childhood. The words that open the door are open, that's enough. How long can a man live in this devil's trap of yours? Oh, I should think he might hold out for a few hours if he didn't use up all the oxygen by hammering and yelling. I imagine if we go there at once, we'd be able to get him on all right. I'll call myself. I think you'd better take it with you. Why? Well, I'm the only person who can open the door. But you've given me the word. Yes, you have the word, but this door of mine, I'm rather proud of it. You know, it's my own invention, it's the latest thing. It will open to the words, open sesame, all right. But to my voice only. Your voice. Diet, shut your voice in my hands. What do you mean, your voice only? Don't touch my throat like that. You wreck my voice and then the door might not recognize. Hey, that's better. The door got stuck for a week, once and when I had it cold. That's what he says, true. Is it possible? Perfectly possible, madam. If you'll have a microphone arrangement, it could be done also with light vibrations. Oh, we must let him go. Take the ropes off him. Let him go, nothing. He doesn't go to blood to the police. The president's done in, that's all. And we'd all better make traps while we can. It's all our boys. Right. Chuck is felling down the cellar and firstly mean. Aren't going to destroy the ledges. 32. You know where the switch is. Give us a corner of an hour to clear. Then you can blow the place to glory. No, you can't leave once to die. He's your president, your leader. I won't let it happen. I won't. I'll free this man myself. Yeah, none of that. Get out of me. Get out of me. Just think. It's behind in an hour or two. The police may be here in any moment. Please. Oh, yes. Yes, you're right. No, we mustn't him peril the safety of all of her. Just one man. He himself would not wish it. Throw this man in the cellar and let's get out of here while it's done. Here. Now, this is good enough. Leave him here. Right. Now, let's go. You can't. Yeah, I'm sure they got him. I see. It's lonesome down here in the cellar. You might at least leave the light on. Don't worry about the dark. That taking you here is the time to fill a bomb that's going to blow out this place. It's all set. He won't have long to wait. Not long. Who is it? Who's there? Shh. Who is this? So I can cut the ropes. Where is it? It isn't, too. My compliments, madam, on your loyalty to your present. Quick, quick. They've set the time to use the house's mind. Follow me as fast as you can. Number one must be saved. And only you can do so. How did you manage to? Yeah, there's no time for questions. Get up and follow me. You will release him. You promise. I promise. But I warn you, madam, that this house is around it. When my safe third door closed, it gave a signal to Scotland Yard. All the members of the society are taken. Never mind them. Here. I'll try to get quick. All right. Who's there? Is that you, Inspector? Get your fellas away. Quick. The house is going up in a minute. Quickly. More quickly. It's Inspector Parker, old man. Are you all right? Fine. I'm a bit windy. What's happening, Inspector? About half a dozen of them got blown up. The rest, we're back. All right. We're sorry. Who's this? For one of the gang, she's called number two. We've a savior. We must. Dalia, I can't forget the gentleman that's safe. Fuck. Where's your car? It's down the lane. Then we're running them in down to get his drive. Right. Johnson, bring that car here. Yes, sir. I've got the number one of the whole companies. Quietly as fixating at home. I promise we get back and save him. Oh, he's the bloke that we've been wanting. The man at the back of the Morrison case and the Hope Wilmington case and hundreds of others. This is it? Quite a contraption. Yes. I only hope he hasn't upset the adjustment by comfort. Oh, please, I hope he hasn't hurt my voice. You sound all right. I can only be conversational. Come on, old thing. Show us your faces. Open sesame. Open sesame. Can you? Open sesame. Open sesame. Do you see? No, he's not. He'll live to stand his trial. [Music] And so, all is right with the world, as it always is when Lord Peter Whimsie is involved. The Cave of Alibaba by Dorothy Sayers is a story which gave us tonight's suspense. Suspense is produced by William Speer. Our guest director for this evening is Robert Lewis Cheyenne. Tonight's radio drama was written by Peter Lyon and scored by Bernard Herman. Rami Brent was Peter Whimsie. William Moden played number one, and Ira Gerald, the lady in the case. Others in the cast were Kathy and Cordell, Victor Beecroft, Roland Bartley, J.W. Austin, William Padmore, Ian Martin, and William Moden. Next Wednesday, suspense will not be heard because of a special All-Star Hollywood broadcast which Paramount Pictures will present. Two weeks from tonight at this time, Colombia will bring you another selected story from the world's great literature of thrills. Another study in... suspense. [Music] [Music] [Music] This is Barry Kroger, and this is the Colombia Broadcasting System. 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