Originally Aired: June 27, 1950
Philo Vance #103, "Argyle Murder Case," a mysterious body is discovered by ferry boat deckhands Danny and Joey during their 3 a.m. run. The victim has been shot and is dressed head to toe in brand new clothing - a blue suit, black shoes, shirt, and tie - but wears brown argyle socks that don't match. District Attorney Markham and amateur detective Philo Vance examine the corpse in the morgue, where Vance deduces that the mismatched socks are the key to the victim's identity. He theorizes the killer dressed the body in new clothes to prevent identification but forgot to replace the socks. From the woolen argyle pattern and a loose tie clasp, Vance concludes the victim habitually wore tweeds and woolen ties, leading him to a theatrical company.
Vance confronts Mr. Starr, owner of a dramatic troupe, and identifies the dead man as John Stanley, a missing actor who supposedly quit show business. As Vance questions Starr about the murder and announces his intention to make the killer nervous by revealing what he knows, a woman named Lila Martin arrives at Vance's residence with information that may crack the case wide open.