Paul Temple and the Madison Mystery
Created | Updated Nov 14, 2002
PAUL TEMPLE AND THE MADISON MYSTERY
I never had contact with the late Pat Hetherington, to my regret; while she will always be remembered for her fanatical devotion to Dick Barton, she also had a soft spot for other detectives on the radio, like Paul Temple - among her effects were hand-written summaries of the plots of a number of Temple stories from 1950 onwards, which help to fill the gaps in our collections.
With permission from Roger Bickerton of the Vintage Radio Programme Collectors' Circle (VRPCC), I have transcribed her notes on "Paul Temple and the Madison Mystery" from 1955 (kept originally, I believe, in shorthand, as the episodes were broadcast) with minimal editing from me.
These notes were for Pat's own benefit, and it must be accepted that her narrative lacks "flow" and would benefit from some editorial assistance; Francis Durbridge, of course, wrote this story into the last Paul Temple novel, in 1988, complete with fax machines and the luxuries of life in the late '80s, and the reader might want to compare the two: the original novel is out of print, but ISIS Talking Books have released an unabridged reading, along with others from the Paul Temple series, and this helps the comparison.
The Madison Mystery was originally broadcast in 1949, with Kim Peacock in the title role; Pat's notes, however, come from the 1955 re-make, featuring Peter Coke.
According to Urban Myth, a recording of the later version is supposed to have been lost in the post from Australia to the UK a number of years ago, although I have been unable to trace any reference to recordings of the series having been retained through BBC International (formerly Transcription Services) or BBC Sound Archives; this is the only Temple serial featuring Peter Coke which seems to have been lost completely.
EPISODE ONE: "A Penny For Your Thoughts".
Paul Temple and his wife Steve have just returned home from a holiday in America when Sir Graham Forbes calls to see them. He asks Paul if he met a man called Sam Portland on the ship coming back; Paul remembers Sam Portland and tells Sir Graham that Portland had rather an unusual story.
He was coming over to England to meet a man called Hubert Greene who was the London representative of a private detective called Madison; Portland was President of the Portland Yeast Company in New York, and was one of the wealthiest men in America - being worth at least $20000.
Thirty five years ago (on October 9th, 1914) Sam was found wandering in Portland Avenue, New York; he was suffering from amnesia and has since never been able to recall his true identity. He adopted the name Sam Portland, and his only possession was a penny, which he showed to Paul - he always kept the penny, hoping that one day it may help him to reveal his true identity.
Madison (he was told) had learnt that identity, and he had left America to come and see him; his wife was travelling with him - they had only been married six weeks; he had a daughter, by his first marriage, who had a job in London.
During the voyage Paul and Steve saw quite a lot of Mr. and Mrs. Portland; just as the ship is about to dock, Sam Portland takes ill and dies - the ship's doctor diagnoses heart failure, which may have been brought on by a shock of some kind.
"When we arrived at Southampton",Paul told Sir Graham, "Hubert Greene came aboard. He was a middle-aged, well-dressed man of about forty five".
Paul recalls their conversation - the interesting part being that Greene had never heard of Madison, and told Paul that Sam Portland had come to England to see his daughter, Moira. Later, Mrs. Portland tells Paul that she was always under the impression that Sam was born in Chicago: she, too, had never heard of Madison.
She tells Paul that her step-daughter Moira is very distressed about her father's death. She is engaged to a fellow named Chris Boyer.
Hubert Greene introduces Paul to an American friend of his called George Kelly, who also knows the Portland family. Greene tells Paul that Mrs. Portland has lost Sam's watch-chain with the English penny on, and she is very worried.
When Sir Graham has gone, Steve gets an anonymous telephone call from a man who warns Paul to keep out of the Madison affair; Steve thinks the caller was George Kelly. Paul then telephones Mrs. Portland, who says that the penny and watch-chain are safe, but she doesn't want anyone to know that - she asks Paul to come to her hotel room at 11 o'clock the following morning, and he agrees.
During the night, Paul and Steve are awakened by a man breaking into their flat; he has a revolver, but Paul fights him and prevents him using it, and the intruder beats a hasty retreat.
At 10 o'clock next morning, contrary to arrangements, Mrs. Portland calls to see Paul, telling him she thought she could talk better at his flat than at the hotel. She confirms that she hasn't lost Sam's watch-chain and penny, although she wanted Hubert Greene to think so; she tells Paul Sam's life story, which tallies with the version Sam told Paul. She produces the watch-chain and the penny, which Sam was supposed to have had with him in 1914 - Paul looks at the date on the penny and is astonished to see that it is 1919...
EPISODE TWO: "The Manilla".
Paul is sure that the penny is not the same one as Sam Portland showed him when he met him aboard ship; Mrs. Portland talks a good deal about this affair and repeats that her step-daughter is engaged to a man named Chris Boyer, who works at the Manilla club.
Shortly after she departs, Steve goes to do some shopping and Sir Graham calls; he tells Paul that Scotland Yard are, at the moment, very puzzled about a counterfeit racket. The notes, chiefly Dollars, have been in circulation for some time, and the police think that the headquarters of the racketeers is in this country.
"Now you know why I am not particularly interested in the late Mr. Portland", he said.
Just then the phone rings and Steve speaks to Paul: she tells him her whereabouts in town and asks him to come over at once, as she has just seen the intruder who broke into their flat the previous night - he is in a snack bar, so Paul and Sir Graham waste no time in joining Steve.
Paul goes up to the man and tries to capture him, but the man escapes and runs away; he dashes across the road, straight under the wheels of a car. His death is instantaneous. Paul and Sir Graham look at his diary and see that his name is Mark Kendall, he lives in Chelsea, and on October 18th he has a date with "CB" at 8.45 at the Manilla.
Paul remembers Mrs. Portland mentioning this club, so he and Steve decide to visit it. Sir Graham introduces them to a Scotland Yard "contact" man named Archie Brooks who is a member of the Manilla club, and can get them in without suspicion.
Paul, Steve and Brooks go to the Manilla where they are surprised to meet Hubert Greene, who introduces them to Moira Portland and her fiancé Chris Boyer.
Paul thinks that Chris Boyer is the "CB"who was supposed to meet Mark Kendall, so later Steve goes over to dance with him (he is a professional dancer) to see if she can discover anything.
In the course of conversation, she says she is very sorry to know that his friend Mark Kendall has died; Boyer shows genuine surprise and tells Steve she is mistaken as he doesn't know anyone of that name. Mr. Brooks later tells Steve that Boyer is as good a liar as he is a dancer. Brooks has been interested in the Manilla Club, as some forged money has been found there.
When they leave the Manilla, Brooks tells them that he is going to see his sister; ten minutes later, Paul and Steve arrive at their car to find someone groaning in the back seat - it is Archie Brooks and he is very badly injured.
"Send for an ambulance, Steve!" says Paul.
"No, listen", gasped Brooks.
"There is something I must tell you. You know that man, Mark Kendall? He had an appointment with a man at the Manilla - I'm the man. I'm "CB"".
"You?", said Paul.
"Yes", said Brooks, "'Chunky' Brooks - everybody ... calls me ... 'Chunky'".
"Paul!" murmured Steve.
Temple looked at the injured man: "He's dead", he remarked.
EPISODE THREE: "Eileen".
Steve phones Sir Graham at once to tell him about this. He comes over to Paul's flat to talk the whole thing over. Brooks, he said, had a rather curious position at Scotland Yard: he had been working there for seven years and was a great success as a secret agent.
Later, Paul meets Inspector James who mentions that one of his hobbies is impersonations. He and Paul go to Chunky Brooks' flat to see if they can discover anything of importance.
On the way up in the lift they meet a man named Dr. Elzec who is living in the flat above Paul's, having rented it from a Major Hartley.
Inspector James thinks he has seen Dr. Elzec somewhere before, but the doctor doesn't seem to remember him. They tell him that Chunky has met with an accident.
Just as Paul and the Inspector get inside Chunky's flat, the telephone rings. Paul suggests that the Inspector should impersonate Brooks and answer it, while he listens on the extension in the bedroom. It is a woman's voice on the other end.
"Hello, is that you, Chunky?"
"Who is that?" enquired James.
"Eileen", said the caller, "Who did you think it was? You sound rather strange - is anything the matter?"
"I was asleep", said James, "That's all. It's all right".
"I have found out what you wanted", Eileen continued. "It is tomorrow night, at eleven o'clock".
"Where, Eileen?" asked James.
"At Eppingdale, twelve miles from Canterbury, at Foxdale Farm, or rather in a meadow about a mile and a half from the farm. Be there tomorrow night at eleven".
"Shall I see you there, Eileen?".
"No, of course not. I have got to be careful - very careful, Chunky. You never know what might happen".
So ends the conversation, leaving Paul and the Inspector very puzzled.
That night, Hubert Greene calls to see Paul and Steve and invites them to spend a weekend with him at his house.
"The first time I met you at Southampton, I said to myself 'Now there's a man I'd really like to get to know'", explained Greene.
He then explains that Mrs. Portland, Moira and George Kelly will also be there. He particularly wanted Paul to be there when Moira was there, because she would feel quite sure that nothing unfortunate would happen. She was under the impression that her life was in danger.
"We will be there in time for lunch", said Paul. "You know, the first time I saw you at Southampton, I said to myself 'Now there's someone I would really like to get to know!'".
Paul and Steve leave home just after nine the following morning. They arrange to meet Inspector James on the way and call at Eppingdale to see what will happen. Sir Graham Forbes is with them. They see Inspector James at the arranged place, but he has been murdered: he was stabbed in exactly the same way as Chunky Brooks.
The three friends arrive at Foxdale Farm (which, incidentally, is deserted) and at eleven o'clock they see a plane come down. It is obviously in difficulties and it crashes in a field. There are no survivors, but a penny is thrown from the blazing wreckage; Paul is very interested in the date - 1919.
Paul and Steve arrive at Hubert Greene's cottage 'Brown Acres' and he introduces them to his wife.
"How do you do, Mrs. Greene", said Steve.
"Not 'Mrs. Greene',please", said her hostess.
"For some obscure reason, my wife doesn't like being called 'Mrs. Greene'", said Hubert.
"None of my friends call me 'Mrs. Greene'", said his wife, "It's always 'Eileen'".
EPISODE FOUR: "Hubert Greene Entertains".
Paul realises that Hubert Greene's wife was the lady who telephoned Chunky Brooks when Inspector James took the call. Later that night, Paul explains this to Eileen - she is shocked. He asks her about the aeroplane at Eppingdale, but she refuses to talk and promises to come to the bedroom when everyone is in bed and explain everything. Just then, Moira Portland comes in; she seems to be drunk, and goes straight to bed.
During the course of conversation, George Kelly happens to mention that he once belonged to a travelling circus - he did a knife-throwing act.
Paul receives a personal telephone call from Sir Graham Forbes to say that Scotland Yard have identified the pilot of the plane that crashed, also that they have discovered Dr. Elzec's real name: it is Palmer and he was mixed up in a forging racket in 1937. He was passing money to various shops, etc., at the rate of 30 guineas a week.
When Paul puts the phone down, he tells Steve that someone was listening to their call on the extension, but then he asked Sir Graham to phone him because he expected the call to be overheard.
Later, Steve asks George Kelly why he phoned her asking her to tell Paul to keep out of the Madison Affair. Kelly denies having done this, but Steve doesn't believe him.
In the bedroom that night, Paul remarks "You know, Steve, there's one interesting point about all this".
"What's that?" asked his wife.
"So far, we haven't heard from Mr. Madison".
"It doesn't look as though Eileen is coming", Steve remarked.
"Give her another half hour",said Paul.
Just then, there is a knock at the door and Hubert Greene comes in.
"Have you seen my wife" he asked.
He receives the obvious answer, and at that moment something hits the door: it is a knife with a note on it, saying 'Go to the boat house'.
"Is there a boat house near here?" asked Paul.
"Yes!" said Greene, "I'll take you".
Ten minutes later, all three of them set out in a boat across a miniature lake.
"Mind your head on that branch, Paul", Steve warned, "You'll have to bend low or you'll get it in your eye".
Suddenly Greene gives a gasp.
"What is it, Greene?" Paul asked.
"I thought I saw something in the water", Greene replied.
"What was it?" asked Paul.
"Nothing", said Greene, "It must have been my imagination".
"No, tell me", Paul insisted.
"Well", said Greene, with calm deliberation, "I thought I saw - a hand!"
EPISODE FIVE: "Steve Takes Over".
Further investigation proves Greene to be right: the hand belongs to the body of Eillen. As the three of them pull her out of the water, they see some blood on their hands and realise that she has been stabbed - in the same way as Inspector James and Archie Brooks. Later, Paul shows the murder weapon, a knife, to George Kelly, who immediately claims to own it. He says he always carries about half a dozen knives around with him, because at parties he is often asked to do his circus act. He hadn't noticed that one of the knives was missing.
Later, Inspector Vosper comes down to investigate the murder. He and Paul interview Moira Portland, who tells them that she works for Hubert Greene. She was a close friend of Archie Brooks, and his death was a great shock to her. She told Paul she had called at the village pub the previous night and ordered three pink gins, which accounted for her being drunk - but Paul checked up on this and no-one in the pub remembered her.
Paul later confesses to Sir Graham that he thinks she overheard their telephone conversation and pretended to be drunk to hide her feelings. Sir Graham says that the information that he gave him about Dr. Elzec was true: he was a doctor of music, and not a medical doctor.
As Paul and Steve return to their flat with Sir Graham they meet Sr. Elzec in the lift; he tells Paul that he wants to speak to someone at Scotland Yard, as he is under the impression that he is being followed.
When he has gone, Paul tells Sir Graham that he will have to put another man on to tail him. Sir Graham then explains that Scotland Yard think that the counterfeit racket and the Madison Mystery are closely linked. They have recently discovered another associate who seems to be mixed up in the affair: his name is Don Alfaro. He is a Spaniard and very fond of the ladies! Scotland Yard have learned that he is travelling on a certain plane from Amsterdam to London, so Sir Graham asks Steve to go to Holland, catch that particular plane and, pretending to be a dancer by the name of Gloria Dean, get friendly with Alfaro, if necessary accepting invitations to anywhere he may suggest.
Paul doesn't like the idea, but Sir Graham assures him that Scotland Yard officials will keep her in sight the whole time. Steve agrees to cooperate.
Two days later she catches the plane and the plan begins to take shape. She makes an excuse to go to the front of the plane and sits next to Alfaro; he gets friendly with 'Gloria Dean' and invites her out to dinner. She accepts and, afterwards,, after having two or three drinks, she accompanies him in a taxi, as he tells her he is going to meet some of his business acquaintances.
Steve asks him to open the window, but before he can do so she loses consciousness, as a result of having drunk a 'doctored' drink.
"It worked, alright", he told the taxi driver, who was a member of the gang, "She's asleep".
"Who is she?" asked the driver.
"She picked me up on the plane coming over from Amsterdam", Alfaro explained. "Her name's 'Temple'".
EPISODE SIX: "Just A Red Herring".
Alfaro takes Steve to a cabin cruiser on the Thames.
Before she regains consciousness, Dr. Elzec comes aboard to deliver a package from Madison. He takes great care not to let her see him, but as she comes round she thinks she recognises his voice.
Alfaro then starts calling her 'Mrs. Temple', and she realizes that she is a prisoner. They start asking each other questions, but before any answers can be given one of the crooks lets them know that the police are coming aboard.
Steve calls for help and is rescued by Paul and Sir Graham.
Five minutes after the trio have reached dry land, there is a terrific explosion, as Madison's 'package' blows up ! Steve realises what a lucky escape she has had.
Investigations reveal that Dr. Elzec has disappeared, but Don Alfaro and the rest of the crew have been killed. Steve tells Paul that she was able to overhear some of the conversations on the cabin cruiser and realized that both Dr. Elzec and Don Alfaro knew the identity of "Madison". They were not working in the dark.
Twenty four hours later, Paul reads the newspaper account of the explosion, in which five people lost their lives. He and Steve are having some coffee when Moira Portland telephones; she says that she wants to talk to Paul and asks him to meet her at the Manilla Club at ten o'clock that night. He agrees.
During their conversation, she says "I didn't murder Eileen, you know".
"I never thought you did", Paul assured her.
"Whatever happens, please don't change your mind about me", she said, "I am just a red herring".
Paul is mystified by this statement, and is still wondering about it when Charlie, the butler, announces that George Kelly has come to see him. Kelly has come for a number of reasons: first, he wants to assure Steve that he didn't phone her; he then tells Paul that he didn't murder Eileen, but he is convinced that someone is trying to throw suspicion on him by using one of his knives to kill her. He says he is not mixed up in the Madison affair. He produces a clip which he found in the bushes near where Eileen was murdered, which he thinks belongs to Moira Portland, as he has seen her wearing it.
Before he goes, he, too, mentions that he didn't murder Eileen, as he was "just a red herring"!
Late that evening, Paul and Steve arrive at the Manilla but there is no sign of Moira Portland. They do, however, see Stella Portland and show her the diamond clip which George Kelly found; she immediately recognises it as her own. Sam had bought her two to go on a dance frock and she had lost one of them. She said that Kely would think that it belonged to Moira because she had lent it to her and he would probably have seen her wearing it.
Mrs. Portland goes to join her friends and Paul sees Chris Boyer. He asks him if he has seen Moira, but he says she isn't in the club. He tells him that he had often met Mark Kendall at the club - he was a friend of Chunky Brooks.
"I think you ought to know that I am not mixed up in the Madison Mystery", said Boyer suddenly, "And if you think I am the mysterious Mr. Madison, you're wrong. You know what I am, Temple?".
"No", said Paul, "What are you?".
"I am just a red herring!".
EPISODE SEVEN: "The Four Suspects".
Next day, Chris Boyer comes to see Paul to tell him that he has broken off his engagement to Moira that afternoon.
"Moira's changed a great deal during these last few months", he said.
"She seemed scared to me, when I spoke to her on the phone yesterday", said Paul. "Have you any idea what she was frightened about?".
"No", said Boyer, "Chunky Brooks must have noticed something, too; I overheard him say 'We'll have to talk about this, Eileen. I'll meet you tonight'.That was about the day before Brooks died. I think he knew Moira took drugs".
"When did you last see Moira?", asked Paul.
"This afternoon", replied Boyer, "When I broke off our engagement".
"I'm afraid I've got some very bad news for you", said Paul. "Just before you came, I had a message from Sir Graham: Moira has committed suicide. She gassed herself in her flat".
Boyer is shocked.
"What time did you see her?", asked Paul.
"It wasn't exactly a pleasant afternoon - I arrived about quarter to three and left just after four. During that time, Stella Portland rang up and she and Moira made an appointment to see each other. Why do you think she did it, Temple?".
"I don't think the engagement had anything to do with it", said Paul, "She has been desperately worried for some time now".
When Boyer has gone, Paul tells Steve that there are four first-class suspects in the Madison Case: Stella Portland, Chris Boyer, Hubert Greene and George Kelly.
Later, Paul sees Stella Portland, who tells him that she hasn't seen Moira since the weekend. She then remembers that she spoke to her on the telephone, arranging to have lunch together on Friday afternoon. She told Paul that she got on very well with her step-daughter.
"Have you any idea why she committed suicide?", asked Paul.
"She seemed a little worried and depressed, lately, I thought", said Stella.
"You can't think of any other reason why she killed herself?", said Paul.
"No, I can't. I can't", said Stella urgently.
"I think you can, Mrs. Portland", said Paul.
When he and Steve return to their flat, he discovers he has come out without his key, so he rings the bell; when Charlie answers the door, he tells Paul that George Kelly has arrived and has been knocked about. Kelly tells Paul that he was attacked by a man whom he met in the lift. It was dark, so he couldn't see his assailant. He had come to tell Paul that when he gave him the brooch, he hadn't wanted to throw suspicion onto Moira Portland.
Paul tells him that Moira is dead.
Just then, the phone rings and Paul answers it.
"Is that you, Temple?", said the voice, "This is Elzec. I have got to see you ... Something important to tell you ...".
"What's the matter with you Elzec?", said Paul, guessing that something was wrong.
"I want to tell you about Madison ... Want to tell you about the cottage at Lockdale ... Madison double-crossed me ...".
"Where are you?", asked Paul.
"Upstairs in the flat", said Elzec, "I've been beaten up ...".
"He's in the flat above", said Paul, putting the phone down. "Come on, Kelly, quick!".
They go upstairs and, after breaking down a locked door, they find Elzec but they are too late. He's dead.
"Temple", said Kelly, suddenly, "You know that character I bumped into in the elevator? It looks as though he has visited this poor chap".
"It is possible, Kelly", murmured Paul, "Quite possible".
He asked him to go to Scotland Yard to look at some photographs, to try and identify this man.
When he has gone, Paul contacts Inspector Vosper, asking him to try and locate the cottage at Lockdale which Elzec mentioned. Vosper tells him that he has a theory about Mark Kendall: he thinks Elzec was double-crossing him and he went get his revenge, but he got into Paul's flat by mistake, as it was just underneath.
Next day, Paul receives another visit from George Kelly. He has asked Steve to go out and phone him, telling him that the car has broken down and she wants help. He tells Kelly that he thinks Madison murdered Elzec and it was Madison who bumped into him in the lift.
Just then, Steve rings, as arranged, and Paul tells Kelly that he has to go and help her with the car, and would he stay in the house, as Charlie had the day off and Paul was expecting a caller. Kelly agrees.
When Paul and Steve return, Paul tells him that the reason the car wouldn't go is because it had run out of petrol. Kelly says that there were no callers and no phone messages, so he hastily departs.
Just then, Hubert Greene rings up, saying he was sorry he couldn't keep his appointment, but he was out when Paul's letter arrived - Paul tells him that he didn't send a letter, but asks him to call later and bring it.
Then Stella Portland arrives.
"I've got to talk to you before it's too late", she said to Paul, "I want you to know why Moira committed suicide. I want to tell you what she told me yesterday: I want to tell you - about Madison".
EPISODE EIGHT: "Introducing Madison".
Stella then tells Paul that when Sam was found wandering in Portland Avenue, Chicago, he was suffering from amnesia and his only possession was an English penny. Boyer discovered Sam's identity: he was the son of a swindler maned Cyril Dodsworth. He didn't want anyone to know this, as it would have drastic repercussions on the Portland Yeast Co.
Boyer started to blackmail him and when he died he started to blackmail Moira until the poor girl could not stand it any longer.
A private investigator called Madison discovered this and Moira got hold of the penny and gave it to her lest it should fall into the wrong hands.
She shows Paul the penny. It is dated 1885 - probably the year Sam was born - and has an inscription on it: "To my son, Good Luck, C.D.".
"And that is everything there is to know about Madison, without having a shred of evidence", said Mrs. Portland.
"Oh, no", Paul disagreed with her, "I have got enough evidence to arrest Mr. Madison, when the time comes, Mrs. Portland".
When she departs, Sir Graham phones to say that the police have located the cottage at Lockdale, which contains the whole plant for making counterfeit money. Paul and Sir Graham go down there and meet Chris Boyer, who tells them that he was asked to deliver a parcel of books to George Kelly, who promised to meet him at the cottage, but hadn't turned up. Paul realises that the 'parcel of books'is ticking, so he throws it out of the window, where it explodes without doing any damage. Boyer realizes that Kelly was trying to kill him and destroy the cottage at the same time.
At half past eight that night, Steve tells Paul that she feels tired and decides to go to bed. When she has gone, Hubert Greene arrives with the note which asked him to come to Paul's flat at twelve o'clock that morning. Paul tells him that Sir Graham sent him the note, so that Paul could truthfully say that he didn't, and so get Greene to call in the evening. It was a hoax to get him to call again, because he knew he did call in the morning.
"If I said I didn't call, I didn't call", said Greene, hotly.
"I think it is about time I got to the point", said Paul.
"For quite a while now I have realized that you were Madison, and that you were responsible for the deaths of Inspector James, Chunky Brooks and Eileen. You went in for blackmail, but had you stuck to the counterfeit racket, of which you were the head, I think you could have got away with it.
You blackmailed Mrs. Portland into telling me rather an interesting story, but it was not Chris Boyer who discovered that Sam Portland was the son of a swindler, it was you. Eventually, you hoped to gain the Portland Yeast Company; you murdered Eileen because you found out that she was passing information on to Chunky Brooks. You asked us to your home for the weekend so that you could murder Eileen and throw suspicion onto George Kelly, so that we would think that you were innocent".
"You are going to be fourth on the list", he says, "Turn around so that you are standing with your back to the sideboard".
Just then, Steve appears, holding a gun, and distracts Greene's attention - he dashes out of the door and locks it from the outside.
A few minutes later, Charlie comes in and lets Paul and Steve out.
By this time, Greene has escaped onto the roof, but the police are surrounding the building and he eventually he is arrested.
Steve later explains that she suspected Paul had planned to capture Madison, and had doped her drink to keep her out of the way, but she poured it away and then pretended it had taken effect.
Paul then explained that when he had first met Greene at Southampton he was impressed with his personality - he had realized that Chunky Brooks and Inspector James knew too much about his organization, so he killed them with knives in order to thorw suspicion onto George Kelly.
The plane at Eppingdale crashed with a load of counterfeit money, which it was delivering; the pilot carried the 1919 penny as a means of identification. Paul wanted Steve to phone him that morning because, when Kelly arrived, he wanted him to be alone in the flat in order to speak to Hubert Greene, when he came.
Paul had concealed a tape recorder and was now able to play back the recording: on it, Kelly tells Greene that he knew he had killed Eileen, but wondered why he had thrown suspicion on him. Greene said he wanted to kill Eileen because she was giving Brooks information which he passed on to Temple, but he had dealt with Temple in the lift near his flat. Kelly tells him that it was not Temple, but him whom he had attacked.
Kelly arranges to keep his mouth shut about Greene's affairs, in return for an air passage back to the States. It was on those terms that he worked for Greene in the first place. Greene agrees to this, and, later, the police pick Kelly up at the airport.
So ends the Madison Mystery, but Sir Graham has something up his sleeve.
Paul intends to write another book, but Sir Graham asks him if he will take on another case right away: apparently, a girl has been murdered and wrapped up in a scarf - in her pocket was a hand with an emerald ring on the first finger ...
But Paul isn't listening - Steve has given him a dose of his own medicine and has doped his drink - now he is asleep!
"Don&#'t be stupid, Paul", said Steve, "Wake up!".
"Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha", laughed Sir Graham.
THE END.
"Paul Temple and the Madison Mystery was a new production of the programme first broadcast in 1949".
Original Series Details:
1. 03.10.49
2. 10.10.49
3. 17.10.49
4. 24.10.49
5. 31.10.49
6. 07.11.49
7. 14.11.49
8. 21.11.49
CAST:
Paul Temple: Kim Peacock
Steve Temple: Marjorie Westbury
Sir Graham Forbes: Lester Muddit
Sam Portland: Macdonald Parke
Charlie: Desmond Carrington
George Kelly: John McLaren
Stella Portland: Catherine Campbell
Percy: Stanley Groome
Hubert Greene: Ivan Samson
Mark Kendall: Andrew Faulds
A Purser: Hugh Manning
Don Alfaro: Olaf Olsen
Moira Portland: Wendy Gibb
Eileen Greene: Grizelda Hervey
Re-made Series.
1. 20.06.55
2. 27.06.55
3. 04.07.55
4. 11.07.55
5. 18.07.55
6. 25.07.55
7. 01.08.55
8. 08.08.55
CAST:
Paul Temple: Peter Coke
Steve Temple: Marjorie Westbury
Sir Graham Forbes: Lester Muddit
Sam Portlan: John Gabriel
Charlie: James Beattie
George Kelly: Stan Thomason
Stella Portland: Marjorie Mars
Percy: Brian Haines
Hubert Greene: Richard Williams
Mark Kendall: Michael Turner
A Purser: Richard Waring
Don Alfaro: Ian Sadler
Moira Portland: Peggy Hassard
Eileen Greene: Grizelda Hervey
Archie Brooks: Derek Hart
Chris Boyer: Simon Sack
Inspector James: Manning Wilson
Inspector Vosper: T. St. John Barry
Dr. Elzec: John Carson
Harry: Richard Waring
Written by Francis Durbridge
Produced by Martyn C. Webster
Copyright on PAUL TEMPLE AND THE MADISON MYSTERY obviously remains with the Estate of Francis Durbridge - this extended summary is presented for Research purposes only.
I never had contact with the late Pat Hetherington, to my regret; while she will always be remembered for her fanatical devotion to Dick Barton, she also had a soft spot for other detectives on the radio, like Paul Temple - among her effects were hand-written summaries of the plots of a number of Temple stories from 1950 onwards, which help to fill the gaps in our collections.
With permission from Roger Bickerton of the Vintage Radio Programme Collectors' Circle (VRPCC), I have transcribed her notes on "Paul Temple and the Madison Mystery" from 1955 (kept originally, I believe, in shorthand, as the episodes were broadcast) with minimal editing from me.
These notes were for Pat's own benefit, and it must be accepted that her narrative lacks "flow" and would benefit from some editorial assistance; Francis Durbridge, of course, wrote this story into the last Paul Temple novel, in 1988, complete with fax machines and the luxuries of life in the late '80s, and the reader might want to compare the two: the original novel is out of print, but ISIS Talking Books have released an unabridged reading, along with others from the Paul Temple series, and this helps the comparison.
The Madison Mystery was originally broadcast in 1949, with Kim Peacock in the title role; Pat's notes, however, come from the 1955 re-make, featuring Peter Coke.
According to Urban Myth, a recording of the later version is supposed to have been lost in the post from Australia to the UK a number of years ago, although I have been unable to trace any reference to recordings of the series having been retained through BBC International (formerly Transcription Services) or BBC Sound Archives; this is the only Temple serial featuring Peter Coke which seems to have been lost completely.
EPISODE ONE: "A Penny For Your Thoughts".
Paul Temple and his wife Steve have just returned home from a holiday in America when Sir Graham Forbes calls to see them. He asks Paul if he met a man called Sam Portland on the ship coming back; Paul remembers Sam Portland and tells Sir Graham that Portland had rather an unusual story.
He was coming over to England to meet a man called Hubert Greene who was the London representative of a private detective called Madison; Portland was President of the Portland Yeast Company in New York, and was one of the wealthiest men in America - being worth at least $20000.
Thirty five years ago (on October 9th, 1914) Sam was found wandering in Portland Avenue, New York; he was suffering from amnesia and has since never been able to recall his true identity. He adopted the name Sam Portland, and his only possession was a penny, which he showed to Paul - he always kept the penny, hoping that one day it may help him to reveal his true identity.
Madison (he was told) had learnt that identity, and he had left America to come and see him; his wife was travelling with him - they had only been married six weeks; he had a daughter, by his first marriage, who had a job in London.
During the voyage Paul and Steve saw quite a lot of Mr. and Mrs. Portland; just as the ship is about to dock, Sam Portland takes ill and dies - the ship's doctor diagnoses heart failure, which may have been brought on by a shock of some kind.
"When we arrived at Southampton",Paul told Sir Graham, "Hubert Greene came aboard. He was a middle-aged, well-dressed man of about forty five".
Paul recalls their conversation - the interesting part being that Greene had never heard of Madison, and told Paul that Sam Portland had come to England to see his daughter, Moira. Later, Mrs. Portland tells Paul that she was always under the impression that Sam was born in Chicago: she, too, had never heard of Madison.
She tells Paul that her step-daughter Moira is very distressed about her father's death. She is engaged to a fellow named Chris Boyer.
Hubert Greene introduces Paul to an American friend of his called George Kelly, who also knows the Portland family. Greene tells Paul that Mrs. Portland has lost Sam's watch-chain with the English penny on, and she is very worried.
When Sir Graham has gone, Steve gets an anonymous telephone call from a man who warns Paul to keep out of the Madison affair; Steve thinks the caller was George Kelly. Paul then telephones Mrs. Portland, who says that the penny and watch-chain are safe, but she doesn't want anyone to know that - she asks Paul to come to her hotel room at 11 o'clock the following morning, and he agrees.
During the night, Paul and Steve are awakened by a man breaking into their flat; he has a revolver, but Paul fights him and prevents him using it, and the intruder beats a hasty retreat.
At 10 o'clock next morning, contrary to arrangements, Mrs. Portland calls to see Paul, telling him she thought she could talk better at his flat than at the hotel. She confirms that she hasn't lost Sam's watch-chain and penny, although she wanted Hubert Greene to think so; she tells Paul Sam's life story, which tallies with the version Sam told Paul. She produces the watch-chain and the penny, which Sam was supposed to have had with him in 1914 - Paul looks at the date on the penny and is astonished to see that it is 1919...
EPISODE TWO: "The Manilla".
Paul is sure that the penny is not the same one as Sam Portland showed him when he met him aboard ship; Mrs. Portland talks a good deal about this affair and repeats that her step-daughter is engaged to a man named Chris Boyer, who works at the Manilla club.
Shortly after she departs, Steve goes to do some shopping and Sir Graham calls; he tells Paul that Scotland Yard are, at the moment, very puzzled about a counterfeit racket. The notes, chiefly Dollars, have been in circulation for some time, and the police think that the headquarters of the racketeers is in this country.
"Now you know why I am not particularly interested in the late Mr. Portland", he said.
Just then the phone rings and Steve speaks to Paul: she tells him her whereabouts in town and asks him to come over at once, as she has just seen the intruder who broke into their flat the previous night - he is in a snack bar, so Paul and Sir Graham waste no time in joining Steve.
Paul goes up to the man and tries to capture him, but the man escapes and runs away; he dashes across the road, straight under the wheels of a car. His death is instantaneous. Paul and Sir Graham look at his diary and see that his name is Mark Kendall, he lives in Chelsea, and on October 18th he has a date with "CB" at 8.45 at the Manilla.
Paul remembers Mrs. Portland mentioning this club, so he and Steve decide to visit it. Sir Graham introduces them to a Scotland Yard "contact" man named Archie Brooks who is a member of the Manilla club, and can get them in without suspicion.
Paul, Steve and Brooks go to the Manilla where they are surprised to meet Hubert Greene, who introduces them to Moira Portland and her fiancé Chris Boyer.
Paul thinks that Chris Boyer is the "CB"who was supposed to meet Mark Kendall, so later Steve goes over to dance with him (he is a professional dancer) to see if she can discover anything.
In the course of conversation, she says she is very sorry to know that his friend Mark Kendall has died; Boyer shows genuine surprise and tells Steve she is mistaken as he doesn't know anyone of that name. Mr. Brooks later tells Steve that Boyer is as good a liar as he is a dancer. Brooks has been interested in the Manilla Club, as some forged money has been found there.
When they leave the Manilla, Brooks tells them that he is going to see his sister; ten minutes later, Paul and Steve arrive at their car to find someone groaning in the back seat - it is Archie Brooks and he is very badly injured.
"Send for an ambulance, Steve!" says Paul.
"No, listen", gasped Brooks.
"There is something I must tell you. You know that man, Mark Kendall? He had an appointment with a man at the Manilla - I'm the man. I'm "CB"".
"You?", said Paul.
"Yes", said Brooks, "'Chunky' Brooks - everybody ... calls me ... 'Chunky'".
"Paul!" murmured Steve.
Temple looked at the injured man: "He's dead", he remarked.
EPISODE THREE: "Eileen".
Steve phones Sir Graham at once to tell him about this. He comes over to Paul's flat to talk the whole thing over. Brooks, he said, had a rather curious position at Scotland Yard: he had been working there for seven years and was a great success as a secret agent.
Later, Paul meets Inspector James who mentions that one of his hobbies is impersonations. He and Paul go to Chunky Brooks' flat to see if they can discover anything of importance.
On the way up in the lift they meet a man named Dr. Elzec who is living in the flat above Paul's, having rented it from a Major Hartley.
Inspector James thinks he has seen Dr. Elzec somewhere before, but the doctor doesn't seem to remember him. They tell him that Chunky has met with an accident.
Just as Paul and the Inspector get inside Chunky's flat, the telephone rings. Paul suggests that the Inspector should impersonate Brooks and answer it, while he listens on the extension in the bedroom. It is a woman's voice on the other end.
"Hello, is that you, Chunky?"
"Who is that?" enquired James.
"Eileen", said the caller, "Who did you think it was? You sound rather strange - is anything the matter?"
"I was asleep", said James, "That's all. It's all right".
"I have found out what you wanted", Eileen continued. "It is tomorrow night, at eleven o'clock".
"Where, Eileen?" asked James.
"At Eppingdale, twelve miles from Canterbury, at Foxdale Farm, or rather in a meadow about a mile and a half from the farm. Be there tomorrow night at eleven".
"Shall I see you there, Eileen?".
"No, of course not. I have got to be careful - very careful, Chunky. You never know what might happen".
So ends the conversation, leaving Paul and the Inspector very puzzled.
That night, Hubert Greene calls to see Paul and Steve and invites them to spend a weekend with him at his house.
"The first time I met you at Southampton, I said to myself 'Now there's a man I'd really like to get to know'", explained Greene.
He then explains that Mrs. Portland, Moira and George Kelly will also be there. He particularly wanted Paul to be there when Moira was there, because she would feel quite sure that nothing unfortunate would happen. She was under the impression that her life was in danger.
"We will be there in time for lunch", said Paul. "You know, the first time I saw you at Southampton, I said to myself 'Now there's someone I would really like to get to know!'".
Paul and Steve leave home just after nine the following morning. They arrange to meet Inspector James on the way and call at Eppingdale to see what will happen. Sir Graham Forbes is with them. They see Inspector James at the arranged place, but he has been murdered: he was stabbed in exactly the same way as Chunky Brooks.
The three friends arrive at Foxdale Farm (which, incidentally, is deserted) and at eleven o'clock they see a plane come down. It is obviously in difficulties and it crashes in a field. There are no survivors, but a penny is thrown from the blazing wreckage; Paul is very interested in the date - 1919.
Paul and Steve arrive at Hubert Greene's cottage 'Brown Acres' and he introduces them to his wife.
"How do you do, Mrs. Greene", said Steve.
"Not 'Mrs. Greene',please", said her hostess.
"For some obscure reason, my wife doesn't like being called 'Mrs. Greene'", said Hubert.
"None of my friends call me 'Mrs. Greene'", said his wife, "It's always 'Eileen'".
EPISODE FOUR: "Hubert Greene Entertains".
Paul realises that Hubert Greene's wife was the lady who telephoned Chunky Brooks when Inspector James took the call. Later that night, Paul explains this to Eileen - she is shocked. He asks her about the aeroplane at Eppingdale, but she refuses to talk and promises to come to the bedroom when everyone is in bed and explain everything. Just then, Moira Portland comes in; she seems to be drunk, and goes straight to bed.
During the course of conversation, George Kelly happens to mention that he once belonged to a travelling circus - he did a knife-throwing act.
Paul receives a personal telephone call from Sir Graham Forbes to say that Scotland Yard have identified the pilot of the plane that crashed, also that they have discovered Dr. Elzec's real name: it is Palmer and he was mixed up in a forging racket in 1937. He was passing money to various shops, etc., at the rate of 30 guineas a week.
When Paul puts the phone down, he tells Steve that someone was listening to their call on the extension, but then he asked Sir Graham to phone him because he expected the call to be overheard.
Later, Steve asks George Kelly why he phoned her asking her to tell Paul to keep out of the Madison Affair. Kelly denies having done this, but Steve doesn't believe him.
In the bedroom that night, Paul remarks "You know, Steve, there's one interesting point about all this".
"What's that?" asked his wife.
"So far, we haven't heard from Mr. Madison".
"It doesn't look as though Eileen is coming", Steve remarked.
"Give her another half hour",said Paul.
Just then, there is a knock at the door and Hubert Greene comes in.
"Have you seen my wife" he asked.
He receives the obvious answer, and at that moment something hits the door: it is a knife with a note on it, saying 'Go to the boat house'.
"Is there a boat house near here?" asked Paul.
"Yes!" said Greene, "I'll take you".
Ten minutes later, all three of them set out in a boat across a miniature lake.
"Mind your head on that branch, Paul", Steve warned, "You'll have to bend low or you'll get it in your eye".
Suddenly Greene gives a gasp.
"What is it, Greene?" Paul asked.
"I thought I saw something in the water", Greene replied.
"What was it?" asked Paul.
"Nothing", said Greene, "It must have been my imagination".
"No, tell me", Paul insisted.
"Well", said Greene, with calm deliberation, "I thought I saw - a hand!"
EPISODE FIVE: "Steve Takes Over".
Further investigation proves Greene to be right: the hand belongs to the body of Eillen. As the three of them pull her out of the water, they see some blood on their hands and realise that she has been stabbed - in the same way as Inspector James and Archie Brooks. Later, Paul shows the murder weapon, a knife, to George Kelly, who immediately claims to own it. He says he always carries about half a dozen knives around with him, because at parties he is often asked to do his circus act. He hadn't noticed that one of the knives was missing.
Later, Inspector Vosper comes down to investigate the murder. He and Paul interview Moira Portland, who tells them that she works for Hubert Greene. She was a close friend of Archie Brooks, and his death was a great shock to her. She told Paul she had called at the village pub the previous night and ordered three pink gins, which accounted for her being drunk - but Paul checked up on this and no-one in the pub remembered her.
Paul later confesses to Sir Graham that he thinks she overheard their telephone conversation and pretended to be drunk to hide her feelings. Sir Graham says that the information that he gave him about Dr. Elzec was true: he was a doctor of music, and not a medical doctor.
As Paul and Steve return to their flat with Sir Graham they meet Sr. Elzec in the lift; he tells Paul that he wants to speak to someone at Scotland Yard, as he is under the impression that he is being followed.
When he has gone, Paul tells Sir Graham that he will have to put another man on to tail him. Sir Graham then explains that Scotland Yard think that the counterfeit racket and the Madison Mystery are closely linked. They have recently discovered another associate who seems to be mixed up in the affair: his name is Don Alfaro. He is a Spaniard and very fond of the ladies! Scotland Yard have learned that he is travelling on a certain plane from Amsterdam to London, so Sir Graham asks Steve to go to Holland, catch that particular plane and, pretending to be a dancer by the name of Gloria Dean, get friendly with Alfaro, if necessary accepting invitations to anywhere he may suggest.
Paul doesn't like the idea, but Sir Graham assures him that Scotland Yard officials will keep her in sight the whole time. Steve agrees to cooperate.
Two days later she catches the plane and the plan begins to take shape. She makes an excuse to go to the front of the plane and sits next to Alfaro; he gets friendly with 'Gloria Dean' and invites her out to dinner. She accepts and, afterwards,, after having two or three drinks, she accompanies him in a taxi, as he tells her he is going to meet some of his business acquaintances.
Steve asks him to open the window, but before he can do so she loses consciousness, as a result of having drunk a 'doctored' drink.
"It worked, alright", he told the taxi driver, who was a member of the gang, "She's asleep".
"Who is she?" asked the driver.
"She picked me up on the plane coming over from Amsterdam", Alfaro explained. "Her name's 'Temple'".
EPISODE SIX: "Just A Red Herring".
Alfaro takes Steve to a cabin cruiser on the Thames.
Before she regains consciousness, Dr. Elzec comes aboard to deliver a package from Madison. He takes great care not to let her see him, but as she comes round she thinks she recognises his voice.
Alfaro then starts calling her 'Mrs. Temple', and she realizes that she is a prisoner. They start asking each other questions, but before any answers can be given one of the crooks lets them know that the police are coming aboard.
Steve calls for help and is rescued by Paul and Sir Graham.
Five minutes after the trio have reached dry land, there is a terrific explosion, as Madison's 'package' blows up ! Steve realises what a lucky escape she has had.
Investigations reveal that Dr. Elzec has disappeared, but Don Alfaro and the rest of the crew have been killed. Steve tells Paul that she was able to overhear some of the conversations on the cabin cruiser and realized that both Dr. Elzec and Don Alfaro knew the identity of "Madison". They were not working in the dark.
Twenty four hours later, Paul reads the newspaper account of the explosion, in which five people lost their lives. He and Steve are having some coffee when Moira Portland telephones; she says that she wants to talk to Paul and asks him to meet her at the Manilla Club at ten o'clock that night. He agrees.
During their conversation, she says "I didn't murder Eileen, you know".
"I never thought you did", Paul assured her.
"Whatever happens, please don't change your mind about me", she said, "I am just a red herring".
Paul is mystified by this statement, and is still wondering about it when Charlie, the butler, announces that George Kelly has come to see him. Kelly has come for a number of reasons: first, he wants to assure Steve that he didn't phone her; he then tells Paul that he didn't murder Eileen, but he is convinced that someone is trying to throw suspicion on him by using one of his knives to kill her. He says he is not mixed up in the Madison affair. He produces a clip which he found in the bushes near where Eileen was murdered, which he thinks belongs to Moira Portland, as he has seen her wearing it.
Before he goes, he, too, mentions that he didn't murder Eileen, as he was "just a red herring"!
Late that evening, Paul and Steve arrive at the Manilla but there is no sign of Moira Portland. They do, however, see Stella Portland and show her the diamond clip which George Kelly found; she immediately recognises it as her own. Sam had bought her two to go on a dance frock and she had lost one of them. She said that Kely would think that it belonged to Moira because she had lent it to her and he would probably have seen her wearing it.
Mrs. Portland goes to join her friends and Paul sees Chris Boyer. He asks him if he has seen Moira, but he says she isn't in the club. He tells him that he had often met Mark Kendall at the club - he was a friend of Chunky Brooks.
"I think you ought to know that I am not mixed up in the Madison Mystery", said Boyer suddenly, "And if you think I am the mysterious Mr. Madison, you're wrong. You know what I am, Temple?".
"No", said Paul, "What are you?".
"I am just a red herring!".
EPISODE SEVEN: "The Four Suspects".
Next day, Chris Boyer comes to see Paul to tell him that he has broken off his engagement to Moira that afternoon.
"Moira's changed a great deal during these last few months", he said.
"She seemed scared to me, when I spoke to her on the phone yesterday", said Paul. "Have you any idea what she was frightened about?".
"No", said Boyer, "Chunky Brooks must have noticed something, too; I overheard him say 'We'll have to talk about this, Eileen. I'll meet you tonight'.That was about the day before Brooks died. I think he knew Moira took drugs".
"When did you last see Moira?", asked Paul.
"This afternoon", replied Boyer, "When I broke off our engagement".
"I'm afraid I've got some very bad news for you", said Paul. "Just before you came, I had a message from Sir Graham: Moira has committed suicide. She gassed herself in her flat".
Boyer is shocked.
"What time did you see her?", asked Paul.
"It wasn't exactly a pleasant afternoon - I arrived about quarter to three and left just after four. During that time, Stella Portland rang up and she and Moira made an appointment to see each other. Why do you think she did it, Temple?".
"I don't think the engagement had anything to do with it", said Paul, "She has been desperately worried for some time now".
When Boyer has gone, Paul tells Steve that there are four first-class suspects in the Madison Case: Stella Portland, Chris Boyer, Hubert Greene and George Kelly.
Later, Paul sees Stella Portland, who tells him that she hasn't seen Moira since the weekend. She then remembers that she spoke to her on the telephone, arranging to have lunch together on Friday afternoon. She told Paul that she got on very well with her step-daughter.
"Have you any idea why she committed suicide?", asked Paul.
"She seemed a little worried and depressed, lately, I thought", said Stella.
"You can't think of any other reason why she killed herself?", said Paul.
"No, I can't. I can't", said Stella urgently.
"I think you can, Mrs. Portland", said Paul.
When he and Steve return to their flat, he discovers he has come out without his key, so he rings the bell; when Charlie answers the door, he tells Paul that George Kelly has arrived and has been knocked about. Kelly tells Paul that he was attacked by a man whom he met in the lift. It was dark, so he couldn't see his assailant. He had come to tell Paul that when he gave him the brooch, he hadn't wanted to throw suspicion onto Moira Portland.
Paul tells him that Moira is dead.
Just then, the phone rings and Paul answers it.
"Is that you, Temple?", said the voice, "This is Elzec. I have got to see you ... Something important to tell you ...".
"What's the matter with you Elzec?", said Paul, guessing that something was wrong.
"I want to tell you about Madison ... Want to tell you about the cottage at Lockdale ... Madison double-crossed me ...".
"Where are you?", asked Paul.
"Upstairs in the flat", said Elzec, "I've been beaten up ...".
"He's in the flat above", said Paul, putting the phone down. "Come on, Kelly, quick!".
They go upstairs and, after breaking down a locked door, they find Elzec but they are too late. He's dead.
"Temple", said Kelly, suddenly, "You know that character I bumped into in the elevator? It looks as though he has visited this poor chap".
"It is possible, Kelly", murmured Paul, "Quite possible".
He asked him to go to Scotland Yard to look at some photographs, to try and identify this man.
When he has gone, Paul contacts Inspector Vosper, asking him to try and locate the cottage at Lockdale which Elzec mentioned. Vosper tells him that he has a theory about Mark Kendall: he thinks Elzec was double-crossing him and he went get his revenge, but he got into Paul's flat by mistake, as it was just underneath.
Next day, Paul receives another visit from George Kelly. He has asked Steve to go out and phone him, telling him that the car has broken down and she wants help. He tells Kelly that he thinks Madison murdered Elzec and it was Madison who bumped into him in the lift.
Just then, Steve rings, as arranged, and Paul tells Kelly that he has to go and help her with the car, and would he stay in the house, as Charlie had the day off and Paul was expecting a caller. Kelly agrees.
When Paul and Steve return, Paul tells him that the reason the car wouldn't go is because it had run out of petrol. Kelly says that there were no callers and no phone messages, so he hastily departs.
Just then, Hubert Greene rings up, saying he was sorry he couldn't keep his appointment, but he was out when Paul's letter arrived - Paul tells him that he didn't send a letter, but asks him to call later and bring it.
Then Stella Portland arrives.
"I've got to talk to you before it's too late", she said to Paul, "I want you to know why Moira committed suicide. I want to tell you what she told me yesterday: I want to tell you - about Madison".
EPISODE EIGHT: "Introducing Madison".
Stella then tells Paul that when Sam was found wandering in Portland Avenue, Chicago, he was suffering from amnesia and his only possession was an English penny. Boyer discovered Sam's identity: he was the son of a swindler maned Cyril Dodsworth. He didn't want anyone to know this, as it would have drastic repercussions on the Portland Yeast Co.
Boyer started to blackmail him and when he died he started to blackmail Moira until the poor girl could not stand it any longer.
A private investigator called Madison discovered this and Moira got hold of the penny and gave it to her lest it should fall into the wrong hands.
She shows Paul the penny. It is dated 1885 - probably the year Sam was born - and has an inscription on it: "To my son, Good Luck, C.D.".
"And that is everything there is to know about Madison, without having a shred of evidence", said Mrs. Portland.
"Oh, no", Paul disagreed with her, "I have got enough evidence to arrest Mr. Madison, when the time comes, Mrs. Portland".
When she departs, Sir Graham phones to say that the police have located the cottage at Lockdale, which contains the whole plant for making counterfeit money. Paul and Sir Graham go down there and meet Chris Boyer, who tells them that he was asked to deliver a parcel of books to George Kelly, who promised to meet him at the cottage, but hadn't turned up. Paul realises that the 'parcel of books'is ticking, so he throws it out of the window, where it explodes without doing any damage. Boyer realizes that Kelly was trying to kill him and destroy the cottage at the same time.
At half past eight that night, Steve tells Paul that she feels tired and decides to go to bed. When she has gone, Hubert Greene arrives with the note which asked him to come to Paul's flat at twelve o'clock that morning. Paul tells him that Sir Graham sent him the note, so that Paul could truthfully say that he didn't, and so get Greene to call in the evening. It was a hoax to get him to call again, because he knew he did call in the morning.
"If I said I didn't call, I didn't call", said Greene, hotly.
"I think it is about time I got to the point", said Paul.
"For quite a while now I have realized that you were Madison, and that you were responsible for the deaths of Inspector James, Chunky Brooks and Eileen. You went in for blackmail, but had you stuck to the counterfeit racket, of which you were the head, I think you could have got away with it.
You blackmailed Mrs. Portland into telling me rather an interesting story, but it was not Chris Boyer who discovered that Sam Portland was the son of a swindler, it was you. Eventually, you hoped to gain the Portland Yeast Company; you murdered Eileen because you found out that she was passing information on to Chunky Brooks. You asked us to your home for the weekend so that you could murder Eileen and throw suspicion onto George Kelly, so that we would think that you were innocent".
"You are going to be fourth on the list", he says, "Turn around so that you are standing with your back to the sideboard".
Just then, Steve appears, holding a gun, and distracts Greene's attention - he dashes out of the door and locks it from the outside.
A few minutes later, Charlie comes in and lets Paul and Steve out.
By this time, Greene has escaped onto the roof, but the police are surrounding the building and he eventually he is arrested.
Steve later explains that she suspected Paul had planned to capture Madison, and had doped her drink to keep her out of the way, but she poured it away and then pretended it had taken effect.
Paul then explained that when he had first met Greene at Southampton he was impressed with his personality - he had realized that Chunky Brooks and Inspector James knew too much about his organization, so he killed them with knives in order to thorw suspicion onto George Kelly.
The plane at Eppingdale crashed with a load of counterfeit money, which it was delivering; the pilot carried the 1919 penny as a means of identification. Paul wanted Steve to phone him that morning because, when Kelly arrived, he wanted him to be alone in the flat in order to speak to Hubert Greene, when he came.
Paul had concealed a tape recorder and was now able to play back the recording: on it, Kelly tells Greene that he knew he had killed Eileen, but wondered why he had thrown suspicion on him. Greene said he wanted to kill Eileen because she was giving Brooks information which he passed on to Temple, but he had dealt with Temple in the lift near his flat. Kelly tells him that it was not Temple, but him whom he had attacked.
Kelly arranges to keep his mouth shut about Greene's affairs, in return for an air passage back to the States. It was on those terms that he worked for Greene in the first place. Greene agrees to this, and, later, the police pick Kelly up at the airport.
So ends the Madison Mystery, but Sir Graham has something up his sleeve.
Paul intends to write another book, but Sir Graham asks him if he will take on another case right away: apparently, a girl has been murdered and wrapped up in a scarf - in her pocket was a hand with an emerald ring on the first finger ...
But Paul isn't listening - Steve has given him a dose of his own medicine and has doped his drink - now he is asleep!
"Don&#'t be stupid, Paul", said Steve, "Wake up!".
"Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha", laughed Sir Graham.
THE END.
"Paul Temple and the Madison Mystery was a new production of the programme first broadcast in 1949".
Original Series Details:
1. 03.10.49
2. 10.10.49
3. 17.10.49
4. 24.10.49
5. 31.10.49
6. 07.11.49
7. 14.11.49
8. 21.11.49
CAST:
Paul Temple: Kim Peacock
Steve Temple: Marjorie Westbury
Sir Graham Forbes: Lester Muddit
Sam Portland: Macdonald Parke
Charlie: Desmond Carrington
George Kelly: John McLaren
Stella Portland: Catherine Campbell
Percy: Stanley Groome
Hubert Greene: Ivan Samson
Mark Kendall: Andrew Faulds
A Purser: Hugh Manning
Don Alfaro: Olaf Olsen
Moira Portland: Wendy Gibb
Eileen Greene: Grizelda Hervey
Re-made Series.
1. 20.06.55
2. 27.06.55
3. 04.07.55
4. 11.07.55
5. 18.07.55
6. 25.07.55
7. 01.08.55
8. 08.08.55
CAST:
Paul Temple: Peter Coke
Steve Temple: Marjorie Westbury
Sir Graham Forbes: Lester Muddit
Sam Portlan: John Gabriel
Charlie: James Beattie
George Kelly: Stan Thomason
Stella Portland: Marjorie Mars
Percy: Brian Haines
Hubert Greene: Richard Williams
Mark Kendall: Michael Turner
A Purser: Richard Waring
Don Alfaro: Ian Sadler
Moira Portland: Peggy Hassard
Eileen Greene: Grizelda Hervey
Archie Brooks: Derek Hart
Chris Boyer: Simon Sack
Inspector James: Manning Wilson
Inspector Vosper: T. St. John Barry
Dr. Elzec: John Carson
Harry: Richard Waring
Written by Francis Durbridge
Produced by Martyn C. Webster
Copyright on PAUL TEMPLE AND THE MADISON MYSTERY obviously remains with the Estate of Francis Durbridge - this extended summary is presented for Research purposes only.
