1. Murder Mansion

It's 1934 and a New York warehouse is ablaze on the Lower East Side. A gang of gun-runners are holed-up until their supply of ammo explodes.

Tough-nut hero, Secret Agent X-9 receives a phone call from wealthy industrialist, Tarleton Powers asking for his help.

Starring Stuart Milligan and Connie Booth.

The heroic agent's adventure from the comic strip created by Dashiell Hammett and Alex Raymond. Syndicated by King Features, it ran from 1934 to 1996.

Dramatised in four parts by Mark Brisenden,

X-9 ...... Stuart Milligan
Grace Powers ...... Connie Booth
The Top ...... William Hootkins
Evelyn Powers ...... Rachel Power
Deacon ...... Peter Marinker
Matthew ...... Michael John Paliotti
Captain Brady ...... John Guerrasio
Jude ...... Bruce McGregor
Cop 1 ...... Clive Rowe

All other parts played by the cast.

Originally agent X-9 had no name, but opted to call himself "Dexter" in the opening tale.

Dashiell Hammett wrote The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man, while Alex Raymond famously created sci-fi comic hero Flash Gordon.

Producer: Chris Wallis.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in January 1994.