The Beauregard Matter

Originally Aired: January 26, 1954Johnny Dollar #199, "The Beauregard Matter,"Johnny Dollar is called to Rockport, Illinois by Dave Brace of Plymouth Mutual to investigate the theft of a $30,000 sapphire necklace stolen from socialite Ellen Beauregard. The case takes an intriguing turn when the suspected thief, Benny Stark, contacts the insurance company wanting to make a deal. Before Johnny can meet with Benny at a roadside tavern called the Pink Pigeon, he encounters the peculiar Beauregard household. Ellen's uncle Jared visits Johnny's hotel room with cryptic warnings about his headstrong niece, while Ellen's fiancé Phil Avery seems suspiciously cozy with the maid, Lois. Everyone Johnny meets warns him about everyone else, each claiming the others are impulsive but mean no harm.As Johnny investigates the amateurish safe-cracking job at the Beauregard mansion, Benny Stark calls with explosive news: he claims to have been double-crossed and promises information that will "blow the lid off" the case. With a nighttime meeting scheduled at the Pink Pigeon, Johnny senses there's far more to this theft than a simple burglary, and the strange behavior of the Beauregard circle only deepens the mystery.