New Adventures of Nero Wolfe: Careless Cleaner

Stay tuned for Nero Wolf, which follows transcribed in 30 seconds. What's on the menu at Duffy's Tavern tonight? Hell, there's a full serving of laughs with Archie the Manager, played by Ed Gardner, and his unpredictable friend, Miss Duffy, Clifton Finnegan, and Eddie the Waiter.

It's Duffy's Tavern, later this evening, over most of these NBC stations. And this Sunday, the big show comes your way once again, with Bob Hope, Jimmy Durati, Perry Como, Jose Ferrer, Mindy Carson, Eddie Catter, Meredith Wilson, and his orchestra, and many, many more.

And of course, your MC once again will be Tallulah Bankhead. That's this Sunday for the Big Show. Now, ladies and gentlemen, we take you to the most famous Brown Stone House in New York City, the one located at number 601 West 35th Street.

Oh, Mr. Wolf. Mr. Wolf. When's any idea? Would you be interested in taking on a case involving a woman who was found stabbed to death in one of New York's fancier men's clubs. Can't you see I'm already occupied Archie? My own city and hybrid is alien.

But sir, cash, C-A-S-H. Remember you need it to live on? Well, you're actually learning to spend. You'd better learn to count. We're broke. Thank you Mr. Goodwin. Now if you just go away and stop interfering.

Oh, just a minute. Yes sir? On your way out, switch on the fan. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it's that one and only man of moves. The most famous detective in modern fiction. That corpulent orchid-raising beer-drinking gourmet who also happens to be a genius.

Rex stops incomparable Nero Will, starring Mr. Sidney Greenstreet. Tonight, Nero Will's long-suffering assistant Archie Goodwin tells us of the case of the careless cleaner. No clay Michelson very well at the time, or Mr. Wolf at Hunn one of the Michelson's paintings in the Library War.

But then I guess we should have considered ourselves lucky not to have known him or his wife, Fela. Two weeks ago they had a quarrel. Oh, oh, Clay, darling, I didn't expect you home so soon, I thought you were going to the museum to see the van goes.

I decided not to, Fela. Oh, well if you were planning to paint this afternoon, I'll get out of the studio. I want to run some errands anyway. Why don't you make your phone call from here, Fela?

Phone call? Who is he, Fela? He? Who are you waiting for this afternoon? Please, Clay, don't stop that jealousy routine again. Don't try to kid me. You're being stupid, Clay. I'm stupid, all right, but I'm getting wise pretty fast.

I'm through, Fela. I've had enough. I'm leaving you. So stay out of my way and keep your boyfriend out of my way, too, whoever he is, or I'll kill him. What can I do, Fela?

I'm safe here. I want to have a drink and go to bed. I'm sorry, sir. The Garrison Club's a private establishment. No rooms available to the public. You think I'm drunk? Oh, no, sir. Why do you suppose I came here?

And I'm sure I wouldn't know, sir. I'll tell you why I came here to see my old pal, Lou Saunders. That's why. You know, Mr. Saunders. Do I look? Look, I've painted him, Lou Salzim.

Mr. Saunders is your agent. I'm Clay Michelson. Just call Mr. Sondron. Play. What in the world? Look, Dallas, guy, why? But I'm sorry, Mr. Sondron. It's all right, Mr. Martin. You see? Let's go have a drink.

Yeah, sure, K. You know what, Lou? I left feeler. Yeah, but I walked out on her. Is this something I can do, Mr. Sondron? Yeah, have someone fix a bed in the other room with my sweet.

Mr. Michelson will be staying with me. At least for tonight. Mr. Wool? Yes, I do. It's Friday. Friday. Good. Fish for dinner then. Nope. I was not referring to dinner. You were not? I can think of nothing more interesting at the moment.

Oh, I can. My salary. Of course, according to the Julian Gannon. We're on the Gregorian, so let's stick to it. Today is Friday. Today I get paid. Pachi, there's a drop. Oh, don't exaggerate. You can't be getting the cold shutters just because I'm asking for my money.

I can distinctly feel fresh air flowing into the room. It's possible I might have opened a window six inches. You're insane. it it wins nope you're trying to blackmail me think about work never in the window stays open you're fine I accept your offer all you have to do is pay up I have

hired you again oh mr. Wolf you've cleaned out the bank balance again well that is well had to see news mutinias would I have voluntarily given up my paycheck for them or it's a very beautiful mr. Wolf but blam the do it I am unemployed and found you'd maybe a kind and if it is and we can extract the

feed and follow me I'm already on my way to the door. Mr. Wolf I've got to see him at once. Well come in. Thank you. Mr. Wolf? This is my name is Sunda's Mr. Wolf. We've met before. Yes I remember as a matter of fact you saw me a painting of Michelson.

Yes well that's why I'm here. It's about Michelson Mr. Wolf that I've come. Frankly, I think the man's about to go mad. He and his wife have split up and... I... I just spread it out his too, pity.

I don't know what to do. He's drinking like a fish. For two weeks I've been letting him live in part of my suite at the Garrison Club. He's just steadily getting worse. They try a hospitaler.

I can't. The publicity. Mr. Wolf, Clay had warned you so that time we all had dinner after the painting transaction. I thought maybe you could talk to him. you could get him on his feet again not a doctor mr. John but I'm sure he'd listen to you excuse me I'm on this on this

yeah no more speaking expect a good evening inspector yes he's here we'll see to it that he did hardly do that in spec I have no reason to the team mr. Saunders Bernard yeah what's happened how are you Do you know I miss Hilda Lungren's honors?

Hilda Lungren? I've never heard of her. He seems to have chosen your sweet to be married in. I'd better get right over there. Mr. Sorners says to tell you he'll be right over in Spicke.

No reason, Wolf. Good day. He's back there. Murdered. Murdered in my sweet. Mr. Wolf, you've got to come with me. Mr. Goodwin will accompany him after the formality of a retainer, Mr. Sorners. of a routine amister so on anything you say here you're always a check yeah five hundred five hundred five my friend and assistant is the good one will go with you

have great confidence in his ability to bring back every detail of a murder particularly where a woman's involved okay you photographers picnic so before tonight pick up your stuff and get out of here Sound real mean today, Inspector Cramer?

Well... If it is a Nero Wolf's favorite stools... What are you doing here, Goodwin? I got bored with my knitting. Look, I wasn't asking for humor. I'm very soundless, Inspector. Sonders? Ever seen that woman before?

I... Yes. Yes, I believe I have. I can't remember where, but the face looks familiar. Mmm... Lovely looking woman. Blonde and really built. Now, she ought to look familiar. She's one of the cleaning women here at the club.

She is cleaning well since one of gals like this been reduced to cleaning floors What's happening to the world or to be a law? There is she was killed with a knife where haven't you had time to notice? That's not a knife inspector cramer That's one of clay's Chinese letter-oblers. He was what was that?

Well nothing nothing at all. Yes, it is a strange life. What were you saying mr. Saunders? I? Just said that that looked like one of the letter-oblers belonging to one of my friends. Who is this clay?

Clay. Clay, Michelson, the artist. You can't possibly think he'd do a thing like this. I think everybody did it until we know otherwise. When were you lashed up here, Mr. Saunders? Me? I just a little while ago.

I changed my clothes just before I went to see Mr. Wolf. She wasn't here then? Well, I don't know. I didn't come into this room, just in my part of the suite. Your part? Who occupies this room?

Mr. Michelson. You've been staying with me. Strange wounds. No blood. What do you think you are good when a medical examiner? Oh, but I... Yeah, yeah, yeah. The killer probably wiped the blood away. Saunders, have you any idea where your artist friend might have run off to?

I haven't seen Clay all afternoon. He spends a lot of time down on the bar. Well, he'd hardly sit in a bar if he's killed somebody. But why would he pick on the cleaning woman?

Oh, this is no ordinary cleaning woman. Get a load of that figure. Well, I'd shit good when watch it. You're liable to stretch your brain. What's wrong in spite of everything Clay's still terribly in love with his wife?

He wouldn't... Oh hello? Why did you get it? Yeah, who's this? Clay! Who are your friends, Lou? They won't serve me any more liquor to have to bar. I gotta find my flask. Mr. Michelson, may I introduce you to Inspector Kramer of the police?

Who's this guy, Lou? He's near the most assistant. Whoa! The police? Well, what do you all want? Somebody park over time? Where's my flask? the one with my initials. I just bought it this morning.

Mr. Michelson, do you know that somebody was murdered here in your room? Murdered. Why don't you guys go and joke with somebody else? Where's my flash? You better get hold of yourself. I said there's been a murder. Understand?

You serious? Yep. And I wouldn't be surprised if Inspector Kramer here considers you top suspect. Me? They think I did it? You better pull yourself together, Clay. Yeah, because I got a lot of questions.

Excuse me, the phone. I sit down, Mr. Saunders. I'll answer it. This is Inspector Kramer. Hello? Hello? Who is she feeling? Anyone else? Well, that's my wife. Your wife? I want to speak to her.

Come back here, Michael. She'll let me alone. You'll not be going anywhere. I was stayed back there. You're wrong, Inspector. I am going somewhere. Junior's got a gun. Yes, Inspector. You should be more careful about your gun when you're shoved people.

I'll look, Mr. Michael. I'll see Mr. Wolf myself. Stay back and you have a chance. We'll now view before you get a block away. No, just jerk these phone wires Now lock the doors that should hold you long enough Good night. I was speaking The Big

Good-bye. Mm-hmm. Come in. Mr. Wolf? Yes. My name is Clay Michelson. Yes, I'd rather expect you. You've got to help me. They think I murdered someone. You shouldn't have run away from the breeze. I've been drinking a lot, but I wouldn't murder anyone.

Feel it, tell you that. No way. Is she the model in that painting of yours I purchased? What difference does that make? I tell you, they're after me for murder. You obviously love your wife deeply at the time you painted her.

Oh, here you are, Mr. Wolf. It's... Michaelson. Clay! Good lord, man. The police are on their way over here. He came for my help, Mr. Saunders. Oh, I'm glad he did, Mr. Wolf. But if he left Inspector Kramer talking from a phone booth, he'd be here any minute.

And we have only a minute to decide why anyone would want to kill a teeny woman. I didn't kill anybody. He was a beautiful woman, Mr. Wolf. I gathered that Archie from your unusual interest in the piece.

She was stabbed with a letter opener for Mr. Michelson's house. Which might add Mrs. Micerson to our suspectless... Theela? You can't suspect Theela. You're very gallant to Micerson. Yes, how was this beautiful young cleaning woman, this Miss London stamp?

Um, in the heart. Her eyes were wide open, pupils dilated with shock. And I... It is later, Archie. Kramer will be here shortly, the moment I would like to know where everyone was. Well, Mr. Saunders was here with us, you remember?

I don't know where Mrs. Michelson was, but I could go see her and find out. No, I won't be necessarily asking. Mr. Michelson, where were you? Me? Well, I'm not sure. I can't seem to remember.

It's certainly what we would call helpful. I was drunk. Maybe I went to feel it. I've been over there lots this week trying to talk to her. Yet I must have gone over there. You ever seen the murdered woman before? No, I never saw her before in my life.

I've seen him before, Mr. Sonders. I've seen her remember your area statement of the country. Well, I didn't know her name, but when I saw her, I remembered her. I understand she was quite an alcoholic.

Hmm. Unfortunate woman. Beautiful woman. A look who's here in specter creme. Ah, here you are, Michelson. And as you didn't have the courtesy to ring the bell and speak then. And give you a chance to get this guy out of here?

Nothing doing, Wolf. Now, come on. We're gone ahead, Quads. Mr. Wolf, you can't let him take me. I didn't do it. I'm afraid there's not much I can do about it, Mr. Maheson. Come on. You come along too, Saunders. I gotta get a statement from you.

Of course. This way. Come on. I just got an angle. Really, aren't you? Sure. It's simple. Saunders been going for this beautiful cleaning, babe. Clay worms in. Saunders kills her. Perhaps there was a general system where in this case I was in.

We are all speaking. This is Microsoft's delicious beer. Another canerci. And now, Microsoft's Microsoft's and Mary-Arts, how you found out there was a murder in the first place? A policeman came to see me. He told me what had happened.

That they were looking for Clay. I don't know what to think. He's temperamental. He's jealous. He's sometimes violent. But can't imagine anything like this. Not Clay. Maybe some of those friends of his. You don't care of your husband's friends.

No. They all live often. often. They're leeches. Mrs. Mykerson did your husband come to see you this afternoon. It's afternoon? No. Quite positive? Yes. That was his alibi for the time of the matter. He said he went to see you. Of course, he was fuzzy, usually effective alcohol on the brain cells.

But Mrs. Mykerson, might I be a little in this street for a moment? In this street. Have you been seeing some other man? I don't know what you're talking about. Please, Mrs. Michaels, am I afraid your face gives way more than you tell?

I thought we'd be here to talk about a murder, Mr. Wolf. Indeed. But your husband's jealousy might wear a fitting to that category. Play-imagine things. You're a very beautiful woman, Mrs. Michaels. Now, if you would try telling me the truth, perhaps we can accomplish something.

But I tell you... All right. So I thought I was in love with another man. Your husband suspected but didn't know. No. He played it no. He wouldn't have given me a divorce anyway. You sound as though you want your husband back?

I did, but I didn't even know where he went. Indeed, Mrs. Myles. How she informs me that the murdered woman was quite lovely. What are you trying to suggest? You said yourself you wanted your husband back.

Yeah, one woman jealous of another. That's always murder. Why that stupid play wouldn't play around with a maid. That stupid play loves me, I'm not jealous of anyone. No one do you understand? Archie, if you see Mrs. and my own home.

Yes sir. Thank you, I can find my own way. I prefer Archie to cue Mrs. and my husband you wanted my husband in you. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. and my husband. If you were just wait outside for a moment, please.

What have you got in mind, Mr. Wolf? exercising your own judgment just one side. You mean she's the one who's jealous? Perhaps Archie. Perhaps she may want us to think she was jealous. Perhaps she actually doesn't want her husband back at all, or need to pin a murder on him.

You see, in this case, it would be simpler than divorce. Yeah. She might just be trying to get rid of them. She might, Archie. But then she's a woman who don't count on anything. She might even be telling the truth.

This is where I live, Mr. Goodwin. Nice, very nice. I like Greenwich Village. I'm trying to figure out why Mr. Wolf sent you along with me. I'm a sucker for beautiful women. I wonder. Archie...

Does Mr. Wolf believe me? He hasn't made an official statement yet. Nice furniture and things. You sound like an appraiser or someone looking for something. That's because it's November. Mr. Wolf sent you to search my apartment.

You could be wrong. I don't... What's the matter now? thought you said your husband hadn't been here today you you wasn't and what's this flash doing among these papers in the desk very bitterly decorated with his initials he was looking for it at the club i don't know what it's doing there sure you're trying to help play right into the

electric chair is only alibi was his being here this afternoon and you said he wasn't and what is this last doing here he said he just bought it this morning so he must have been here today i don't know what you're talking about where your phone but you've got things wrong i don't know anything about that

last The lights, who switched off those lights? Feel I'll put those lights on. What on those lights? Oh, the lights. We get to the lights. That flask gone. We're all speaking.

Where's Peter Michelson? Feel I? Perhaps you might try the Lawson Palm Inspector. Oh, look, I thought you were interested in Clay Michelson. When will it be ready, by the way? I believe you had a date with Archie.

Why do you want to? Your thinking is beginning to bear an amazing resemblance to our children's background. Right in Spain, yeah. Yeah, you are. Oh, I really don't know. In Spain, perhaps it's the last resort of course you might try her home.

Good night, Inspector. Inevitable. Remember the name of the room. Come in. Mr. Wolf. Oh, thank heavens, you're here. I always am. Where's Mr. Goodman? I don't understand how it happened. I swear I don't. What happened?

I haven't got any idea how it got there. Good way. Calm down, Mrs. Michaels. I have. Now, just what got where? Clay's new flask. Your assistant, Archie. He came home with me and that new initial flask was there.

He thinks Clay was there this afternoon and I'm trying to frame him or something. Oh, here you are. He's here, therefore. This is our gal, Mr. Wilkes. He's been lying right down the line. I tell you, Clay wasn't there.

Then why did you give me this cloud on the head and grab the evidence and run? I didn't hit you, I ran, but I didn't hit you, and I didn't take that flask either. Oh, next thing, she'll say there wasn't any flask.

Stop gaping in Mrs. Magazine, you know, open the door. Yeah, sure. Well, Mr. Wolf, then let's play in me. Go for it. See that? What are you doing here? I have your visit this afternoon, Mr. Saunders.

She decided to come down and see me. After my visit? What makes you think I was a feeler? It was Mr. Saunders not your husband who came to visit you this afternoon and wasn't it mrs. My cousin I Don't have anything to do with mr. Saunders In matter as were you called him today. I wasn't calling him. I was calling clay

You told me earlier yourself that you didn't know where mr. Mcgason was All right, so what if it was mr. Saunders who came this afternoon as he has for many afternoons What are you trying to get at, Mr. Worsandez, he and Fela?

Yes, Mr. Worsandez, the artist, friend and agent, happens to be the one who was making a fool of the artist. But that's all over. I told him. That's what I was talking to Mr. Worsandez about this afternoon.

I didn't want Clay to know. Clay would never have come back. All right, so it was feeling me. I admit it, but that's not murder. I suggest that it is, Mr. Worsandez. I suggest that one of you two murdered the cleaning woman.

Whichever one of you carelessly lip the whiskey flowers can feel his apartment. This is murder, Mr. Wolf. Not a joke. Not a drawlager. You see, a cleaning woman was not murdered by the knife found in her body.

She was poisons. What is it? Not by the knife. Poison, she and Saturday drank from Michelson's flask, where she was working in his room at the Garrison Club. But she was stabbed. True. However, this London was an alcoholic.

Sondas mentioned that and I checked with the grab manager. But how does that prove there was poison in the flask that she was poisoned? Archie, would you mind repeating your description of the dead Miss London first as to the wound?

Okay, there was no blood. Someone advanced a fantastic theory about wiping the blood away and now Archie, the description of the body of Miss London. I mentioned the fact that her eyes were wide open, the pupils were dilated.

Hey, dilated pupils? Yes, and lack of blood had already made me wonder about the entire affair. When you added the dilated pupils... What special about dilated pupils? In death there is a common symptom of poison by a certain vegetable drug of considerable potency.

But what was the point of stabbing that? Poison did the job. However, the killer later used the letter knife in an effort to deceive the police. Have a very unhappily forgot that the dead don't bleed.

I think you're guessing, Mr. Wolf. Am I? Well, all I can say is that I was at the pool in the early afternoon. Mm. You're very certain you were at the club pool and the matter was committed, Mr. Zorna.

Certainly. From one until three. Excuse me, Breen. Wolf speaking, he died of drinking a fatal dose of poison known as deadly night's shade. Inspector, do they know what time she died? Thank you, Inspector.

Oh, incidentally, if you care to drop over here, you may pick up the murderer. Goodbye. I heard him, Wolf. She died at 2.30. As I told you, I was in the pool at 2.30. Which is exactly how you prove yourself a murderer, Mr. Saunders.

I proved myself. Even the police didn't know what time she died. Until just now, and the body wasn't found until the evening. How did you know you died between one and three? I didn't know, but...

You probably were at the pool of the time, and they may drink the poison whiskey. You put in the flask of your friend Clay Michelson. I tell you, you're crazy. You planned to get rid of Clay, who stood in the way of your marrying Fela.

When you came back to your room at three and found that the maid had drunk it instead, you stabbed her with Clay's letter of nether cover up the real cause of the murder and threw a suspicion on Clay.

Oh, this is nonsense, ridiculous, not today. And then, when you learn that the woman for whose love you were willing to commit murder was through with you, you took Michelson's new flash to feel his home confident that it would be found there.

Yes, and then he attacked me and stole that flask again in order to make it look like feeler had done it. Exactly Archie. Mr. Saunders, the chances are that your fingerprints will be found on that whiskey flask, and they will be able to trace the poison to wherever you purchased it.

The chances are... Oh, no, you don't. Careful now, all of you. Gans bore me, Saunders. Oh, yeah? I'm leaving. I'm leaving. Yes, Mrs. Michelson. Your husband has been there for some time. Clay, are you all right?

Yeah, I'm all right. Well done, Mr. Michelson. I think you proved that an artist's life may indeed be exciting. I've been an awful fool, Mr. Orr. Mr. Michelson, you might remember for the future that unreasoning and unjustifiable jealousy Sometimes creates the very conditions that it fears.

You're being very kind to me, Mr. Wolf. How can we ever thank you? My prompt remittance of your check on the seat of my bill in the morning. Good day, Mr. McAfee. Good day, Mr. Wolf.

Good day. As a matter of our asking, you look plumb. Yeah. I always have the lousiest luck. Meaning? A hectic case with two beautiful names. Michelson gets one, the undertaker gets the other, and what do I get?

Hey, that reminds me. You got a fee. I get paid. You have been listening to the new adventures of Nero Wilt starring Sidney Green Street. Tonight's transcribed story was written by Cheryl Henrichs and based on the famous characters created by Rex Star.

This is an Edwin Fademan program produced and directed by J. Donald Wilson. In the cast were Larry Dobkin as Archie Goodwin and Betty Lou Gerson, Howard McNier, Dan O'Hurlahy, Vic Perron and Bill Johnstone. Next week at this same time, Nero Wilford Archie will bring you the Case of the Beautiful Archer, Don Stanley speaking.

Three Chimes Mean Good Times on NBC. There's fun and laughs with the chimes later this evening when Ed Gardner stars in Duffy's Tavern. usual, Duffy won't be there, but Archie the Manager will definitely be on hand. This read is whimsical advice where it'll do the most damage. Tomorrow night there's action on NBC with Herbert Marshall, starring as the man called X in another exciting battle against

the forces of international intrigue. Next, Sam Spade, later William Bendix, on NBC.