1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,177 Nocturne Hall presents an original audio drama intended only for an adult audience.   2 00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:16,139 Devils walk among us. Some just a mile north of the White House. 3 00:00:16,139 --> 00:00:21,481 Whether conjured or elected, they prey on the innocent all the same. 4 00:00:23,070 --> 00:00:30,000 Most won't even listen, so folks knock on the one door in the District of Crime who will.   5 00:00:34,578 --> 00:00:36,359 Dupont Investigations. 6 00:00:36,359 --> 00:00:39,567 [Music: I never thought my heart would mend] 7 00:00:39,567 --> 00:00:43,189 [Music: You taught me how to love again] 8 00:00:43,189 --> 00:00:46,296 [Music: It's you and me until the end] 9 00:00:46,296 --> 00:00:49,625 [Music: Oh, we?ll paint this whole town red] 10 00:00:49,625 --> 00:00:55,083 [Music: Just the devils, the devils of Dupont] 11 00:00:56,645 --> 00:01:03,185 [Music: Just the devils, the devils of Dupont] 12 00:01:03,185 --> 00:01:08,326 This is The Scourge from Carthage Part 3. 13 00:01:08,326 --> 00:01:20,364 [PICKING UP TELEPHONE RECEIVER. DIAL TONE. SIX ROTARY DIALS. TWO RINGS.] 14 00:01:20,364 --> 00:01:21,596 Nesbit Residence. 15 00:01:21,596 --> 00:01:25,529 Hi, Angel. I know it's early, but I've got a favor to ask. 16 00:01:25,719 --> 00:01:30,416 Torsten, is that you? I was just reading about you in yesterday's Evening Star. 17 00:01:30,607 --> 00:01:34,686 Some story, wasn't it? Look, I'm in a bit of a rush this morning. 18 00:01:34,686 --> 00:01:40,875 Do you have a copy of the Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas in your Roman lit collection? 19 00:01:40,875 --> 00:01:42,550 In English or Latin? 20 00:01:42,550 --> 00:01:47,361 Oh, Rowena, Latin's a dead language. It killed off all the Romans, and it'd probably 21 00:01:47,361 --> 00:01:50,213 kill me if you can't track down the translation. 22 00:01:50,213 --> 00:01:51,317 Wait one minute. 23 00:01:56,721 --> 00:02:01,366 Alright, you're in luck. I've got the latest translation of their martyrdom by W.H. Shewing. 24 00:02:01,366 --> 00:02:07,163 Thank the gods. Would you be a peach and bring it to my office as soon as possible? 25 00:02:07,163 --> 00:02:10,508 Torsten. What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time? 26 00:02:10,508 --> 00:02:13,808 I don't just sit around all day waiting for you to call, you know. 27 00:02:13,808 --> 00:02:18,400 But I suppose I could bring it by around  half past eleven. But only if it's important-- 28 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:22,400 Oh, terribly important. I'd say a life  depends on it, but he's already dead.   29 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:23,619 My word. 30 00:02:23,619 --> 00:02:26,956 I'll have to catch up with you another time, though. I'm headed out myself, but 31 00:02:26,956 --> 00:02:32,206 remember, I always keep the outer door unlocked in case I ever get another prospect willing to wait. 32 00:02:32,206 --> 00:02:36,775 I remember. And I have another translation I'll bring over as well. 33 00:02:36,775 --> 00:02:38,263 Another ancient tome? 34 00:02:38,263 --> 00:02:42,760 No, far more recent, but also set in Carthage. It's not a historical text, 35 00:02:42,760 --> 00:02:45,038 but Gustave Flaubert's Salammbo. 36 00:02:45,038 --> 00:02:48,517 Now, Rowe, why would I waste my time with some nineteenth-century novel? 37 00:02:48,517 --> 00:02:51,685 Oh, Torsten. Sometimes you lack all imagination-- 38 00:02:51,685 --> 00:02:53,378 Angel, I really am in a rush-- 39 00:02:53,378 --> 00:02:58,874 Salammbo is set during the Mercenary Revolt on the heels of Carthage's First Punic War with Rome. 40 00:02:58,874 --> 00:03:04,070 I recall that one didn't turn out so well for Carthage. But that's what--some four 41 00:03:04,070 --> 00:03:06,254 hundred years before Perpetua's martyrdom? 42 00:03:06,254 --> 00:03:10,381 To understand the ancient people of  Carthage, you must appreciate their Gods. 43 00:03:10,381 --> 00:03:13,602 Flaubert treats them with the reverence they commanded. 44 00:03:13,602 --> 00:03:17,071 To a modern reader, it's all too simple to dismiss them outright, 45 00:03:17,071 --> 00:03:21,735 but Torsten, to those people, they didn't just mean a great deal--they meant everything. 46 00:03:21,735 --> 00:03:25,917 Enough to send early Christians to their slaughter. Of course, you're right. 47 00:03:25,917 --> 00:03:30,145 I promise to give it a scan. But I'm afraid I do need to ring off now. 48 00:03:30,145 --> 00:03:31,659 I'll leave the texts while you're out. 49 00:03:31,659 --> 00:03:33,888 Swell, Angel. I'll owe ya one. 50 00:03:33,888 --> 00:03:35,850 And Torsten. Be careful. 51 00:03:35,850 --> 00:03:38,308 I'll do my best, Angel. Bye now. 52 00:03:38,308 --> 00:03:40,020 [HANG UP THE RECEIVER.] 53 00:03:40,020 --> 00:03:41,410 Torsten. Are you in there? 54 00:03:41,410 --> 00:03:43,054 Yeah, Nige. Come on back. 55 00:03:43,054 --> 00:03:45,324 [THE FRONT OFFICE DOOR SHUTS. FOOTSTEPS.] 56 00:03:45,324 --> 00:03:48,000 I thought you were headed to the coroner's office first thing-- 57 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:52,314 Get a load of this. Today's Herald reports Steeples Tobacco heir, Phillip 58 00:03:52,314 --> 00:03:56,311 Steeples, went missing during his stay in Washington, possible kidnapping. 59 00:03:56,441 --> 00:03:59,006 That's blood in the water. Did you  warn Mrs. Barr? 60 00:03:59,006 --> 00:04:01,740 The sharks will be circling the Mayflower at any moment. 61 00:04:01,740 --> 00:04:06,333 I called on her before coming here. Although she didn't seem surprised. 62 00:04:06,333 --> 00:04:09,142 What about the ME's report? 63 00:04:09,142 --> 00:04:10,116 I wasn't sure they'd let me leave with a copy. 64 00:04:10,116 --> 00:04:14,409 So, hoping next of kin might have better odds, we sent Lilah's husband to fetch it. 65 00:04:14,695 --> 00:04:20,577 It'll be interesting if the ME's report shows any scrapes or contusions on his extremities. 66 00:04:20,577 --> 00:04:23,339 And what would you expect would have caused them? 67 00:04:23,339 --> 00:04:24,729 You better have a seat. 68 00:04:24,729 --> 00:04:28,069 Ahh, is your hunch from reading Calder's journal? 69 00:04:28,069 --> 00:04:28,690 Yeah. 70 00:04:28,690 --> 00:04:32,865 After you called, I eventually fell asleep again and got caught in a vivid 71 00:04:32,865 --> 00:04:36,711 dream of me just wandering around some old ruins. 72 00:04:37,374 --> 00:04:38,382 Were they circular? 73 00:04:38,889 --> 00:04:39,493 What? 74 00:04:39,716 --> 00:04:40,915 The ruins. 75 00:04:40,915 --> 00:04:47,182 Come to thank of it they were. I kept going around and around, 76 00:04:47,627 --> 00:04:52,436 but I was drawn to a central spot near one end with a twisting column 77 00:04:52,436 --> 00:04:54,197 crowned by a stone cross. 78 00:04:54,959 --> 00:04:57,537 What do you think it means--if anything?   79 00:04:58,236 --> 00:05:00,929 Hard to say at this point,  but I'm looking into it.   80 00:05:00,929 --> 00:05:01,429 How? 81 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:05,107 A friend is bringing by a text later, which might prove relevant.  82 00:05:05,685 --> 00:05:09,889 But there's an entry in the journal which bears a fair similarity to your dreams.   83 00:05:09,889 --> 00:05:13,400 I'd suggest you have a go at it, but the handwriting is tough--   84 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:14,593 Tell me then. 85 00:05:14,593 --> 00:05:17,939 Let's not get ahead of ourselves and start from the beginning. 86 00:05:17,939 --> 00:05:23,285 The first part is a familiar tale I've heard from other vets returning from the front. 87 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:28,920 They spend weeks training in the states without gaining any useful skills whatsoever. 88 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:32,833 Once they hit France, it's a big game of hurry up and wait. 89 00:05:32,833 --> 00:05:37,188 Calder Evans' company purchases some horses, then they load and 90 00:05:37,188 --> 00:05:41,108 unload fleets of train cars  come day or night, rain or shine. 91 00:05:41,108 --> 00:05:48,595 Excitement finally hits when they arrive at the front at the commencement of the Battle of Saint-Mihiel. 92 00:05:48,595 --> 00:05:52,285 General Pershing's big push to overtake the German lines, right? 93 00:05:52,285 --> 00:05:57,005 Sure, but dear Calder never heard a word of the plan until the sky overhead 94 00:05:57,005 --> 00:06:01,032 explodes with fire, and the forest shakes from unabated shelling. 95 00:06:01,032 --> 00:06:03,153 Hmm. Dreadful. 96 00:06:03,153 --> 00:06:06,675 As they advance as part of the Meuse-Argonne offensive, they pitched their 97 00:06:06,675 --> 00:06:10,982 pup tents within enemy firing range. The Huns shell them so 98 00:06:10,982 --> 00:06:16,599 severely he should have been killed. But, as fate would have it, he barely got a scratch. 99 00:06:16,599 --> 00:06:21,539 Still, an overzealous medic tends to his wound--and considering the cut deeper 100 00:06:21,539 --> 00:06:27,420 than it was or just trying to give the guy a break--Calder gets his first taste of morphine. 101 00:06:27,420 --> 00:06:28,111 Christ. 102 00:06:28,420 --> 00:06:31,621 Oh, we'll get to him in a minute. Or at least his followers. 103 00:06:31,621 --> 00:06:33,710 I don't like where this is going. 104 00:06:33,710 --> 00:06:35,938 Too bad. You're already along for the ride. 105 00:06:35,938 --> 00:06:42,166 So, Calder starts hoarding morphine tablets from every medical station he can manage. 106 00:06:42,166 --> 00:06:46,269 And he's not alone. There's a whole underground racket. 107 00:06:46,269 --> 00:06:50,420 According to him, most men in his company were keen to partake in 108 00:06:50,420 --> 00:06:53,546 excessive dosages of anything they could pop down the hatch. 109 00:06:53,546 --> 00:06:58,947 Then one night, Calder's so doped up that he's unable to move after they're  ordered to clear the trench. 110 00:06:58,947 --> 00:07:01,608 The enemy advances, and he plays dead. 111 00:07:01,608 --> 00:07:05,668 At that point, he says he  wants to die. And that's when it happens. 112 00:07:05,797 --> 00:07:06,742 What happens? 113 00:07:06,932 --> 00:07:12,000 Stop interrupting, and you'll hear about it. His eyes open to a luminous glow. 114 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:18,000 Before him, a ladder of gold appears from nowhere, bright as Saint Peter's gates, 115 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:20,884 stretching high above the trenches to the clouds. 116 00:07:21,297 --> 00:07:25,707 Over the whistles, artillery, and small arms fire, he hears instruments. 117 00:07:25,707 --> 00:07:27,955 Lyres and drums. 118 00:07:27,955 --> 00:07:29,069 How's that possible? 119 00:07:29,069 --> 00:07:30,000 It ain't. 120 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:35,109 He muscles the rungs and begins his ascent. It's a slow climb, 121 00:07:35,109 --> 00:07:39,335 which is good as he soon notices it's lined with sharp hooks and daggers. 122 00:07:39,883 --> 00:07:46,065 Then he hears the grumbling of  a beast below. He feels hot breath on his shins, 123 00:07:46,065 --> 00:07:49,696 and the thing snarls with a preternatural howl. 124 00:07:49,696 --> 00:07:54,360 He hastens his ascent, snagging himself here or there on the odd sword and saber. 125 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:56,068 He must have been high as a kite. 126 00:07:56,068 --> 00:08:01,488 Well, sure, but he journaled this all on his return voyage to the States. Sober as a judge. 127 00:08:01,488 --> 00:08:03,471 I assume he made it to the top? 128 00:08:03,471 --> 00:08:06,534 First, he saw a man above waving him up. 129 00:08:06,534 --> 00:08:09,087 He took the encouragement and kept climbing. 130 00:08:09,087 --> 00:08:15,470 Topside, he discovered a merry little band in age-old garb 131 00:08:15,470 --> 00:08:18,686 playing instruments in a sprawling  garden. 132 00:08:18,686 --> 00:08:23,484 He couldn't understand their language, but they stopped playing and brought him 133 00:08:23,484 --> 00:08:26,145 over to an old geezer milking a goat. 134 00:08:26,654 --> 00:08:33,327 With just one pensive gaze from the old man, Calder awoke in a medic's tent 135 00:08:33,327 --> 00:08:35,035 five miles from the trench. 136 00:08:36,148 --> 00:08:38,936 They'd found him not far away, caught in barbed wire. 137 00:08:39,436 --> 00:08:41,335 He had run there all on his own. 138 00:08:41,716 --> 00:08:43,519 Even with all that dope in his system? 139 00:08:43,519 --> 00:08:44,852 So he claims. 140 00:08:45,583 --> 00:08:48,611 But what does one hophead's  story have to do with Phillip? 141 00:08:49,183 --> 00:08:51,153 Suppose it's a matter of belief. 142 00:08:51,153 --> 00:08:52,066 Belief in what? 143 00:08:52,225 --> 00:08:53,402 Coincidences. 144 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:57,721 Are you trying to say Phillip fell at the judge's house in some botched 145 00:08:57,721 --> 00:08:59,677 attempt to climb to heaven? 146 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,708 That's total malarkey. 147 00:09:01,708 --> 00:09:04,935 I can't say. He's not here to speak for himself, either. 148 00:09:04,935 --> 00:09:08,900 Maybe we'd have a better clue if we could track down his manuscript. 149 00:09:08,900 --> 00:09:12,648 Still, we've got two morphine addicts and one free fall. 150 00:09:12,648 --> 00:09:15,149 But Calder didn't plummet, right? 151 00:09:15,562 --> 00:09:20,847 I'm not even sure he ever left the ground. Maybe he just climbed out of that trench. 152 00:09:20,847 --> 00:09:22,257 What about the woman from my dream? 153 00:09:23,528 --> 00:09:27,588 Not quite sure yet. Neither is Calder,  but we've got our suspicions. 154 00:09:27,779 --> 00:09:32,706 Shoot, it's half past nine. I've gotta let some movers into Phillip's place at quarter till. 155 00:09:33,374 --> 00:09:34,918 Isn't that what the manager's for? 156 00:09:34,918 --> 00:09:38,565 We'd like to keep the number of utterances of Phillip Steeples to a minimum 157 00:09:38,565 --> 00:09:40,612 now that the press is on the trail. 158 00:09:41,152 --> 00:09:42,493 That's probably for the best. 159 00:09:42,843 --> 00:09:45,918 After the Cairo, I'll swing by the hotel and review the ME's report. 160 00:09:46,467 --> 00:09:47,852 Shall we meet somewhere for lunch? 161 00:09:47,852 --> 00:09:50,861 I'd love to, but I'm not sure how  long I'll last. 162 00:09:50,861 --> 00:09:53,062 Plus, one bite in me, and I'll be dozing off. 163 00:09:53,857 --> 00:09:57,084 I want to cover this  last bit of lit before taking a siesta. 164 00:09:57,688 --> 00:10:02,097 Why don't you have an automobile?  We're always taking cabs everywhere? 165 00:10:02,097 --> 00:10:05,267 You kiddin'. I drink too much to get behind the wheel. 166 00:10:05,752 --> 00:10:08,529 Besides, cabbies are a great source of information. 167 00:10:08,529 --> 00:10:11,232 You wouldn't believe the  things they pick up from their passengers. 168 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:15,575 So, shall we split a cab then to the Theosophy meeting-- 169 00:10:15,575 --> 00:10:19,018 Heck, no. We shouldn't arrive together.  Lest they make us from the jump. 170 00:10:19,463 --> 00:10:22,749 True. We aim to get the jump on them. 171 00:10:22,749 --> 00:10:25,842 Oh, they'll have you pegged as a skeptic from the start. 172 00:10:25,842 --> 00:10:29,151 Without you by my side, I at least have a chance of blending in. 173 00:10:29,628 --> 00:10:31,623 But you're the one that's so well-known. 174 00:10:32,036 --> 00:10:34,800 Ah, but the papers never printed a picture of me, see. 175 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:36,413 I never let them take one. 176 00:10:36,413 --> 00:10:40,417 So, those Theosophists won't know this mug from Methuselah's. 177 00:10:40,417 --> 00:10:48,223 [UPBEAT MUSIC. 178 00:10:48,223 --> 00:10:51,480 MODERATE AUDIENCE APPLAUSE.] 179 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:55,146 Thank you, Mr. Kendall, for your lovely overview of Theosophy. 180 00:10:55,718 --> 00:11:00,859 If you're a newcomer tonight--and I see several new faces, which excites us-- 181 00:11:01,272 --> 00:11:05,084 please know that it can all be a bit overwhelming at first. 182 00:11:05,619 --> 00:11:10,321 But, in time, you'll come to recognize and internalize the fundamentals. 183 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:15,225 One of my anchor points is a passage from the first volume of 184 00:11:15,225 --> 00:11:19,741 Ms. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky's magazine Lucifer. 185 00:11:21,315 --> 00:11:27,516 She regarded Theosophy not as a religion but rather since all religions 186 00:11:27,516 --> 00:11:31,140 spring from universal wisdom, which unites us-- 187 00:11:31,458 --> 00:11:36,512 Theosophy represents the universal brotherhood of religion itself. 188 00:11:37,465 --> 00:11:38,692 [COUGH FROM THE AUDIENCE.] 189 00:11:39,423 --> 00:11:45,222 As Mr. Kendall kindly stated in his introduction, my name is Ms. Irma Krause. 190 00:11:45,222 --> 00:11:46,539 She say Krause? 191 00:11:46,539 --> 00:11:47,452 Shush now. 192 00:11:47,452 --> 00:11:52,458 We reserve this time to receive updates on the latest scholarship from our members. 193 00:11:53,095 --> 00:11:58,528 It is my distinct pleasure tonight to share with you my findings upon returning from Baltimore, 194 00:11:58,528 --> 00:12:02,534 where I attended an illuminating lecture by Mr. Fritz Kunz. 195 00:12:02,820 --> 00:12:05,036 [MEAGER AUDIENCE APPLAUSE.] 196 00:12:06,182 --> 00:12:13,674 A few of us are undoubtedly familiar with Mr. Kunz's pamphlet entitled, Sex Concepts for the New Age. 197 00:12:14,299 --> 00:12:16,992 However, I'm sure many of you are uninitiated. 198 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:22,589 At our lecture, Mr. Kunz first reminded the ladies and gentlemen of the audience 199 00:12:22,589 --> 00:12:29,807 that despite our separate physical forms, our astral selves drive our physical bodies. 200 00:12:30,412 --> 00:12:36,163 Even our present form, which we wear like clothing, is the product of Nature's evolution-- 201 00:12:36,163 --> 00:12:43,397 as old as the time when our planet cooled, and the very first creatures came into corporeal shape. 202 00:12:43,397 --> 00:12:50,127 And just as the age of man derives from the giant Saurians, Nature's evolution continues. 203 00:12:50,127 --> 00:12:59,090 For the past decade, Mr. Kunz observed the emergence of a queer, intermediate sex across our country's population. 204 00:12:59,598 --> 00:13:06,198 In the New Age coming, he believes women will become more liberated in their clothing. 205 00:13:06,198 --> 00:13:11,570 Men will change too, but he sees a more marked advancement among women. 206 00:13:12,397 --> 00:13:16,978 He claims that this new race, humanity's Sixth Sub-race, 207 00:13:16,978 --> 00:13:24,463 will not recognize their gendered differences but will only come to regard the burning aura of their souls. 208 00:13:26,843 --> 00:13:27,580 Thank you. 209 00:13:27,580 --> 00:13:32,710 [MODERATE AUDIENCE APPLAUSE. MOVEMENT.] 210 00:13:32,710 --> 00:13:35,841 What color do you think they'd attribute to my soul's burning aura? 211 00:13:35,841 --> 00:13:40,139 You? Same color as your fedora. Now forget these nuts and focus on 212 00:13:40,139 --> 00:13:43,713 convincing this dame to have a little private chat with us elsewhere. 213 00:13:43,872 --> 00:13:46,606 Alright. Do you have a spot in mind? 214 00:13:46,606 --> 00:13:50,514 Sure do. And best let me do most of the talking. 215 00:13:53,446 --> 00:13:59,589 Ms. Krause. You wouldn't by any chance happen to be any relation to Judge Krause from the Municipal Court? 216 00:13:59,813 --> 00:14:01,877 Why yes. He's my father. 217 00:14:02,450 --> 00:14:04,325 I hope you'r e not cross with him. 218 00:14:04,325 --> 00:14:06,622 Not at all. I hold him in high regard. 219 00:14:07,004 --> 00:14:11,089 Whew. He's always putting someone  behind bars, so you can never tell. 220 00:14:11,089 --> 00:14:15,372 Nature of his position, I suppose.  My name's Torsten Somersby. 221 00:14:15,372 --> 00:14:16,190 How do you do? 222 00:14:16,190 --> 00:14:21,088 And I, too, am a lingering admirer of yours Ms. Krause. Name's Nigel Clemmons. 223 00:14:21,088 --> 00:14:25,182 Somersby. Why does that name sounds familiar? 224 00:14:25,182 --> 00:14:29,762 I dabble in occult literature. Perhaps  you've read some of my work, 225 00:14:29,762 --> 00:14:32,543 although I'm most fascinated by your comments tonight. 226 00:14:33,084 --> 00:14:36,000 I found Mr. Kunz's lecture enthralling as well. 227 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:39,929 If you're free after the meeting, I must  insist you allow me to buy you a drink   228 00:14:39,929 --> 00:14:42,847 at the Show Boat Tap Room just around the corner. 229 00:14:42,847 --> 00:14:48,470 You'll find there that the queer, intermediate sex is indeed upon us. 230 00:14:48,470 --> 00:14:52,086 Do you suppose Mr. Kunz would be interested in her observations? 231 00:14:52,086 --> 00:14:55,705 Undoubtedly, Mr. Clemmons. Why you, too, should tag along. 232 00:14:56,069 --> 00:14:58,542 Well, I'm not sure, gentleman. 233 00:14:58,542 --> 00:15:01,957 Please, ma'am. It would be our treat to be your escort. 234 00:15:01,957 --> 00:15:07,918 Ms. Krause, is all you see before you two men not two burning auras, 235 00:15:07,918 --> 00:15:10,818 eager to share your pursuit of truth? 236 00:15:10,818 --> 00:15:12,400 Did you say it's close? 237 00:15:12,400 --> 00:15:14,236 Just around the corner. 238 00:15:14,544 --> 00:15:15,998 We'll wait for you outside. 239 00:15:15,998 --> 00:15:20,531 Alright. I do love a good cocktail on a Friday night. 240 00:15:20,531 --> 00:15:31,140 [TRANSITION MUSIC. VIGOUROUS AUDIENCE APPLUASE AND CHEERS.] 241 00:15:31,140 --> 00:15:36,313 There you have it, folks, another terrific set from Chloe and Lover Boy. 242 00:15:36,313 --> 00:15:42,172 These canaries will take a short break but stick around for more tunes in ten minutes' time. 243 00:15:43,031 --> 00:15:48,000 You're right, Torsten. In this joint, I  can hardly tell whose male or female. 244 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:50,002 Ah, there he is with another round. 245 00:15:50,002 --> 00:15:50,985 Here you are. 246 00:15:50,985 --> 00:15:55,045 So, Irma. How was the Belvedere?  I've never stayed there before. 247 00:15:55,045 --> 00:16:00,000 It was lovely, but how did you know  that's where I lodged in Baltimore? 248 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:02,773 We read your telegram to Phillip Steeples. 249 00:16:02,901 --> 00:16:04,320 Why ever would you-- 250 00:16:04,320 --> 00:16:06,684 We're two private dicks working his case. 251 00:16:06,684 --> 00:16:10,310 I must protest. You've lured  me here on false pretenses. 252 00:16:10,310 --> 00:16:13,697 C'mon. We've not done anything objectionable but buy you drinks. 253 00:16:13,697 --> 00:16:16,627 And we delivered on our promise that this place would interest you. 254 00:16:16,627 --> 00:16:18,432 I'm afraid I must be going. 255 00:16:18,432 --> 00:16:22,530 Not so fast, sister. Unless you want me to ring that pestering leech of a 256 00:16:22,530 --> 00:16:26,641 reporter I know at the Star who would be very interested to learn how Judge 257 00:16:26,641 --> 00:16:33,147 Krause's daughter corresponded with the corpse they found on the Judge's back patio early Wednesday morning. 258 00:16:33,147 --> 00:16:39,195 Or I could let a certain detective from  the Metropolitan Police Department in on this little development. 259 00:16:39,195 --> 00:16:41,821 What corpse? I don't know what you're talking about. 260 00:16:41,821 --> 00:16:46,084 Not very convincing. Look, we know your parents are in Portugal, and 261 00:16:46,084 --> 00:16:51,416 there's no sign of any staff at the house. So, that leaves you with the key to the front door. 262 00:16:51,416 --> 00:16:58,633 Good lord. It's not what you think. I was out late on Tuesday at some rathskeller off Connecticut. 263 00:16:58,919 --> 00:17:04,171 I left around midnight only to find Phillip glassy-eyed, mumbling on a storefront stoop. 264 00:17:04,457 --> 00:17:09,028 He's been good for such a long time, but lately, he's been worrisome. 265 00:17:09,028 --> 00:17:10,495 Worrisome, how? 266 00:17:10,495 --> 00:17:15,167 He's pretty modest in his consumption of alcohol. And often judgmental of 267 00:17:15,167 --> 00:17:19,281 those who've imbibed in excess. Why I've seen him scold one stupid drunk so 268 00:17:19,281 --> 00:17:24,000 aggressively, it would have warmed the heart of the old Hatchet Granny herself. 269 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:27,392 I didn't have Phillip pegged for the Carrie Nation type based on the 270 00:17:27,392 --> 00:17:29,800 missing vial of morphine we found in his room. 271 00:17:29,800 --> 00:17:32,031 Vial of morphine. Good lord. 272 00:17:32,477 --> 00:17:34,504 So, that's what he was on that night? 273 00:17:35,013 --> 00:17:36,659 Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. 274 00:17:37,550 --> 00:17:41,722 You see, we weren't far from my parent's house. I live in Woodley Park, 275 00:17:41,722 --> 00:17:45,043 so we'd have to take a cab in his condition, but few were operating. I got 276 00:17:45,043 --> 00:17:50,106 him to his feet and lured him to my parent's house. The walk helped him come to. 277 00:17:50,106 --> 00:17:54,364 He became talkative again. We had a glass of sherry as a nightcap, 278 00:17:54,364 --> 00:17:58,960 but I left him alone for one minute and lost him. I ventured outside and found 279 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:03,314 him on the Spanish Steps rambling nonsense about hearing music, but 280 00:18:03,314 --> 00:18:05,278 it was quiet as a church mouse at that hour. 281 00:18:05,278 --> 00:18:06,269 What kind of music? 282 00:18:06,269 --> 00:18:09,111 I couldn't say. It was thirty degrees outside. 283 00:18:09,111 --> 00:18:12,215 All I cared about was getting him back inside and hitting the hay. 284 00:18:12,215 --> 00:18:14,688 What do you suppose knocked Phillip off the wagon? 285 00:18:15,339 --> 00:18:18,132 I hate to comment on a man's personal affairs. 286 00:18:18,267 --> 00:18:22,712 I knew Phillip from growing up. I'm sure he'd want us to understand what led to 287 00:18:22,712 --> 00:18:26,068 his demise. No matter how unpleasant the scenario.   288 00:18:27,086 --> 00:18:31,689 It's a complicated tale. Do  you know a Mr. Calder Evans?   289 00:18:31,689 --> 00:18:36,608 We understand they were pretty close.  Perhaps more than casual acquaintances.   290 00:18:36,608 --> 00:18:38,682 For better or for worse. 291 00:18:38,969 --> 00:18:43,385 They met at one of our Friday night classes almost a year ago. Mr. Evans 292 00:18:43,385 --> 00:18:48,723 had a sincere interest in past lives,  but he lost interest in the overall 293 00:18:48,723 --> 00:18:54,000 teachings of Theosophy. Still, he was a welcome social presence. 294 00:18:54,241 --> 00:18:58,234 He and Phillip became involved--I'm not sure the extent to which-- 295 00:18:58,234 --> 00:19:00,609 We get it, sister. No need to beat around the bush. 296 00:19:00,992 --> 00:19:03,115 Alright, fine. They had a romance. 297 00:19:03,115 --> 00:19:03,615 Had? 298 00:19:03,615 --> 00:19:08,209 Correct. They seemed fine until a week ago when Calder discovered Phillip 299 00:19:08,209 --> 00:19:13,132 hadn't quite kicked his dope habit. I swear, no one unaware would ever 300 00:19:13,132 --> 00:19:16,730 suspect Phillip as a hophead. He was adept at hiding it. 301 00:19:16,730 --> 00:19:20,502 I thought you said when you spotted  Phillip at that store front off Connecticut 302 00:19:20,502 --> 00:19:22,694 Avenue you didn't know he was doped? 303 00:19:22,694 --> 00:19:27,013 I knew he was gone alright, but not what substance was responsible for his condition. 304 00:19:27,586 --> 00:19:29,072 How did Calder find out? 305 00:19:29,072 --> 00:19:33,401 I'm not sure, but his discovery precipitated a real row between them. 306 00:19:33,401 --> 00:19:34,982 And the timing couldn't have been worse. 307 00:19:34,982 --> 00:19:35,679 Why's that? 308 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:40,541 Phillip was already terribly behind on his manuscript. He went incommunicado 309 00:19:40,541 --> 00:19:44,370 for a few days after their tete-a-tete, which wasn't out of the ordinary. 310 00:19:44,370 --> 00:19:50,312 So, let's see. I came to take him to lunch on Tuesday since 311 00:19:50,312 --> 00:19:51,874 we were barreling toward our deadline. 312 00:19:51,874 --> 00:19:52,724 What deadline? 313 00:19:52,724 --> 00:19:56,861 I was to take his manuscript to the Theosophist lecture series in Baltimore. 314 00:19:57,465 --> 00:20:02,081 Some successful publishers with proficiency in selling similar works were attending. 315 00:20:02,081 --> 00:20:07,466 I promised to share Phillip's work with them, but if any offered to review the complete manuscript, 316 00:20:07,466 --> 00:20:09,722 he needed to complete the text. 317 00:20:09,722 --> 00:20:11,273 Holding package. 318 00:20:11,496 --> 00:20:12,045 Pardon? 319 00:20:12,045 --> 00:20:16,651 It's what you wrote in your telegram to  Phillip. I assume you held his manuscript. 320 00:20:16,651 --> 00:20:20,846 Good graces, yes. And, much to my delight, more than one publisher was 321 00:20:20,846 --> 00:20:25,593 interested in the piece, but I'd promised Phillip I would obtain his blessing before 322 00:20:25,593 --> 00:20:30,686 sending it off with anyone. There was much to consider in such a decision, 323 00:20:30,846 --> 00:20:32,638 but I never got ahold of him. 324 00:20:32,638 --> 00:20:33,737 So, he never rang you back? 325 00:20:34,150 --> 00:20:34,650 No. 326 00:20:34,873 --> 00:20:36,266 What did you do with the manuscript? 327 00:20:36,266 --> 00:20:40,573 I still have it. Not on me, of course, at my home in Woodley Park. 328 00:20:40,573 --> 00:20:45,593 Sadly, now that Phillip's passed, its value is apt to rise significantly. 329 00:20:45,816 --> 00:20:46,316 How so? 330 00:20:46,793 --> 00:20:50,050 Works by posthumous artists tend to gain substantial value. 331 00:20:50,050 --> 00:20:52,109 But, who will profit from its sale? 332 00:20:52,586 --> 00:21:01,679 Phillip's estate, I suppose. I also have a valid contract as his agent. So, if I 333 00:21:01,679 --> 00:21:06,629 can still manage to sell it, I should  be entitled to my cut of the profits. 334 00:21:06,629 --> 00:21:09,665 It seems Phillip's more valuable  to you dead than alive. 335 00:21:09,665 --> 00:21:13,060 That's very cold. I loved Phillip just like a brother. 336 00:21:13,060 --> 00:21:19,486 He's already got a sister, sister. And she's in town trying to figure out why you shoved her brother off your parents' roof. 337 00:21:19,486 --> 00:21:22,977 Good lord. I was fast asleep when whatever occurred to Phillip. 338 00:21:22,977 --> 00:21:25,955 Wait, when did you discover there'd been an incident? 339 00:21:25,955 --> 00:21:28,127 Until you sat me down, I hadn't heard anything-- 340 00:21:28,127 --> 00:21:33,368 Save it. If I hear one more false word drip from that pretty trap, so help me, Zoroaster, 341 00:21:33,368 --> 00:21:36,249 you'll be having this conversation behind bars. 342 00:21:36,707 --> 00:21:41,312 Look. I wasn't asleep long before I felt a strong draft coming from downstairs. 343 00:21:41,312 --> 00:21:46,591 Phillip left the living room door open. I was aghast at the sight of his lifeless body. 344 00:21:46,591 --> 00:21:51,285 I went over to check on him, but he hadn't any pulse. I wasn't supposed to 345 00:21:51,285 --> 00:21:55,642 be there in the first place, and I presumed no one had seen me arrive with him earlier. 346 00:21:55,642 --> 00:22:00,189 Given his placement on the back patio, I locked the doors and grabbed my mother's 347 00:22:00,189 --> 00:22:05,115 mink coat. I couldn't find a taxi, so I walked the entire length of the Taft Bridge 348 00:22:05,115 --> 00:22:08,432 in the wee morning hours back to  my home. I must have appeared to 349 00:22:08,432 --> 00:22:11,313 onlookers like a regular nymph of the pave. 350 00:22:11,313 --> 00:22:13,656 You were so sure he was dead; you didn't even call for an ambulance? 351 00:22:13,656 --> 00:22:18,833 I panicked. I admit it wasn't my best decision. I'd been out drinking late into 352 00:22:18,833 --> 00:22:22,940 the night before encountering Phillip. Honestly, I just wanted to get some rest. 353 00:22:22,940 --> 00:22:26,561 And I couldn't sleep somewhere knowing there was a corpse downstairs. 354 00:22:26,561 --> 00:22:30,911 He could have been rotting out there for days without the intervention of a curious canine and his owner. 355 00:22:30,911 --> 00:22:34,963 So, you would have waited 'till when to alert anyone of Phillip's condition? 356 00:22:34,963 --> 00:22:36,322 It's a moot point. 357 00:22:36,322 --> 00:22:40,776 Something tells me Irma here is used to other people cleaning up her messes.   358 00:22:40,776 --> 00:22:44,778 It's a dreadful affair. I was afraid  someone might gain the false impression   359 00:22:44,778 --> 00:22:46,519 I had something to do with it. 360 00:22:46,519 --> 00:22:51,056 You gave a morphine addict alcohol. Ever hear of laudanum, lady? 361 00:22:51,056 --> 00:22:57,056 I didn't know. I'd never seen him in such a state. Honestly, I just thought he was very drunk. 362 00:22:57,470 --> 00:23:02,287 And, unlike some men, I didn't envision such a delicate boy could transform into 363 00:23:02,287 --> 00:23:08,232 something so garish as, say, a mean drunk. I couldn't imagine a drop more of 364 00:23:08,232 --> 00:23:13,446 sherry would upset the apple cart.  It makes me sick even considering it might have-- 365 00:23:13,446 --> 00:23:17,861 Contributed directly to his untimely death. Why a jury might even call that manslaughter? 366 00:23:17,861 --> 00:23:25,853 Be reasonable, now. If you speak  another word of criminal liability, I'll sue you for defamation of character. 367 00:23:25,853 --> 00:23:30,273 Whoa. Easy counselor. He's just pointing out why you need to help us get to the bottom of this. 368 00:23:30,273 --> 00:23:31,365 What bottom is there? 369 00:23:31,365 --> 00:23:35,254 Would it surprise you that we found Mr. Calder Evans searching Phillip's room last night? 370 00:23:35,754 --> 00:23:38,545 He was after his journal and Phillip's manuscript. 371 00:23:38,545 --> 00:23:42,952 Good graces. What a little sneak. And after all the trouble he's caused poor Phillip. 372 00:23:42,952 --> 00:23:47,843 Is there anything in the manuscript that Calder might consider unsuitable for publication? 373 00:23:47,843 --> 00:23:54,000 I haven't read the entire thing. My word, no. It's an opus. But knowing what little I 374 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:58,786 understand of Calder's past, there would be specific personal stories he might 375 00:23:58,786 --> 00:24:03,322 object to being made public. Its core thesis is on overcoming material 376 00:24:03,322 --> 00:24:08,657 dependence. So, naturally, Calder's  wraith spirit encounter featured prominently 377 00:24:09,389 --> 00:24:11,415 Wraith spirit, do you mean a ghost? 378 00:24:11,415 --> 00:24:14,014 I've got that angled covered. I'll fill you in later. 379 00:24:14,141 --> 00:24:17,228 Bananas. Now there's a ghost to worry about too? 380 00:24:17,228 --> 00:24:21,463 Lemme get this straight. An addict's  guide to kicking an addiction. Who dies 381 00:24:21,463 --> 00:24:25,246 from falling off the wagon. I think  you'll need to work on your sales pitch. 382 00:24:25,786 --> 00:24:28,004 How quickly can you deliver the manuscript? 383 00:24:28,196 --> 00:24:31,502 I feel I owe it to Phillip to try my utmost to get it published. 384 00:24:31,502 --> 00:24:37,959 Lady, we ain't interested in selling it. We just need to understand if all these strange connections add up to something. 385 00:24:37,959 --> 00:24:42,469 But I don't understand. How would Phillip's manuscript have anything to do with his death? 386 00:24:42,469 --> 00:24:45,020 We haven't ruled anyone out, including you. 387 00:24:45,020 --> 00:24:47,312 Best you cooperate with our investigation. 388 00:24:47,596 --> 00:24:51,923 I'm considering it, as well as procuring legal counsel. 389 00:24:51,923 --> 00:24:55,349 Lady, you won't need a good lawyer if the press gets wind of this story. 390 00:24:55,349 --> 00:24:59,106 They'll have sent you to the gallows before they even start jury selection. 391 00:24:59,288 --> 00:25:02,714 Now, what's it going to be? Are you going to help us or not? 392 00:25:03,278 --> 00:25:03,969 [GLASS IS SET DOWN ON THE TABLE.] 393 00:25:04,255 --> 00:25:12,143 I never want to see either one of you  again. I'll have a courier bring it over in the morning. Will that suffice? 394 00:25:12,143 --> 00:25:15,090 You can leave it for me at the reception desk of the Mayflower Hotel. 395 00:25:15,558 --> 00:25:19,440 Very well, gentleman. I bid you adieu. 396 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:23,769 [THE DRUMS ARE WARMING UP.] 397 00:25:23,769 --> 00:25:28,403 It looks like the band is heating up. Time for us to bolt if you want to chat about our new friend. 398 00:25:28,403 --> 00:25:31,453 Sure, but first, I need you to fill  me in about this ghost story. 399 00:25:31,453 --> 00:25:35,598 As soon as we get out of here and find a pint of bourbon. Then I'd be glad to regale 400 00:25:35,598 --> 00:25:39,026 you all about it. Doubt you'll believe a word of it, though. 401 00:25:39,026 --> 00:25:40,096 How can you be so sure? 402 00:25:40,096 --> 00:25:44,664 'Cause to men like you, ghosts  only exist in A Christmas Carol. 403 00:25:44,919 --> 00:25:48,970 Hey, there's something you should know. I didn't think much of it before. 404 00:25:48,970 --> 00:25:50,075 The spot where Phillip fell-- 405 00:25:50,075 --> 00:25:51,148 Or was pushed. 406 00:25:51,148 --> 00:25:55,664 Sure. A circular sculpture is on the house's exterior, some twenty feet up. 407 00:25:55,664 --> 00:25:59,118 Two Greek or Roman gals in  togas are playing instruments with a child. 408 00:25:59,118 --> 00:26:02,174 A Roman rondel frieze. Interesting. 409 00:26:02,174 --> 00:26:03,829 And the babe's playing too? 410 00:26:03,829 --> 00:26:06,695 Yup. Irma said Phillip heard music. I just wonder if-- 411 00:26:06,695 --> 00:26:08,563 [MUSIC INTRO FOR PERFORMERS. APPLAUSE.] 412 00:26:08,563 --> 00:26:13,129 C'mon, let's make tracks. It's time you understood what we're up against. 413 00:26:13,129 --> 00:26:21,765 [OUTRO MUSIC.] 414 00:26:21,765 --> 00:26:29,353 Dupont Investigations is written by Marc Benjamin Langston and directed, edited, and sound-designed by Bryce Bowyn. 415 00:26:29,353 --> 00:26:34,022 Keep your ears in the 1930s by becoming a DUPONT INVESTIGATOR. 416 00:26:34,181 --> 00:26:37,646 Access our private discord server "The Inside Scoop" 417 00:26:37,646 --> 00:26:41,785 or explore Torsten Somersby's recovered case file by visiting 418 00:26:41,785 --> 00:26:45,277 nocturnehall.com/investigator 419 00:26:45,277 --> 00:26:49,467 Dupont Investigations: The Scourge  from Carthage Part 3 features   420 00:26:49,817 --> 00:26:52,576 Lindsay Gee as ROWENA NESBIT 421 00:26:52,576 --> 00:26:55,772 Marc Benjamin Langston as TORSTEN SOMERSBY 422 00:26:56,282 --> 00:26:58,723 Jacob Lowman as NIGEL CLEMMONS 423 00:26:58,857 --> 00:27:01,555 Kara Turner as IRMA KRAUSE AND 424 00:27:01,555 --> 00:27:03,869 Bryce Bowyn as M.C. 425 00:27:04,251 --> 00:27:08,735 The Original theme song, "Devils of Dupont," written and performed by 426 00:27:08,735 --> 00:27:13,581 Bryce Bowyn, is available wherever you stream music. For individuals and families 427 00:27:13,581 --> 00:27:18,337 facing mental health or substance use disorders in the United States, listeners can 428 00:27:18,337 --> 00:27:23,839 call the free, confidential National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. 429 00:27:23,839 --> 00:27:28,138 That's 1-800-662-H-E-L-P.