by Hal Erickson
synopsis
In dire need of money for his wife's operation, Mr. Crabtree (John Qualen) accepts a job from a certain Mr. X (played by a decidedly pre-Bonanza Lorne Greene). Crabtree's assignment should he decide to accept it (as if he has any choice) is to murder a blackmailer. Our hero goes along with scheme, taking great pains to make it appear as if the blackmailer has committed suicide -- but just before the murder is to be carried out, Fate takes a hand in matters. The role of the presumed blackmailer is played by Malcolm Atterbury, best remembered as the fellow who notices the crop duster "where there aren't any crops" in Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 movie classic North by Northwest.
