Plot Summary for
"Perry Mason" The Case of the Fickle Fortune (1961)

County tax man Ralph Duncan inventories a house after the owner died intestate. He finds a cache of old greenbacks, "shin plasters," worth $153,000. When he arrives home to show his wife Helen and cousin, Charlie Nickles, the surprising find, the money is gone. Unknown to Duncan, Nickles has the money and fences it to Lloyd Farrell, and import/export merchant. Farrell turns to another county employee, Norma Brooks, to find elderly, infirm Josiah Ames, who is near death. Farrell plants the money in Ames' effects, which are bequeathed to his accountant, Albert Keller. Duncan consults Perry Mason, who speaks with Keller. Farrell is found dead and Duncan is arrested. Written by richardann

While conducting an inventory of a home whose owner died intestate, tax official Ralph Duncan comes across $150,000 in very old currency hidden under a drawer. Duncan is an honest man who would never think of stealing the money but he decides to take it home to show his wife and cousin Charlie Nickles who lives with them. Before he can do so the money is stolen from his briefcase and he consults Perry Mason. The thief tries to get Lloyd Farrell, who usually specializes in art objects, to fence the money and Farrell devises an elaborate scheme involving an elderly man in a retirement home. When Farrell is found dead however, it's Duncan who is charged with murder and Perry who defends him. Written by garykmcd

Related Links