Episode 21,"The Adventure of the Hardhearted Huckster," begins with the stabbing murder of James Bevin Long (Fred Beir), executive for Quick Silver Cigars, after dismissing the growing importance of television (the series was set in 1947). Suspected employees are essayed by Bob Crane, Eddie Bracken, and Carolyn Jones, with Herb Edelman, who played the Taxi Driver in episode 1, cast in a different role here as the copy writer. Juliet Mills plays Long's married secretary, Florence Ames, who winds up a victim of poison due to her extensive knowledge of her late employer's pattern of behavior. Ken Swofford makes his 5th and final appearance as Gazette columnist Frank Flannigan, whose offer to do radio prior to Long's demise is abruptly switched to television, where he cajoles Ellery to appear with him due to a severe lack of guests. Ellery proceeds to unravel the ingenious method of homicide, and Flannigan makes the mistake of lighting up on the air a cigarette, rather than a Quick Silver cigar, earning a thumbs down from the sponsors (when someone suggests Ed Sullivan, a jealous Flannigan proclaims "that zombie wouldn't last two weeks!") Appearing unbilled are Andrea Howard, as the studio receptionist who shares scenes with both Flannigan and Ellery, providing the final clue during a televised cooking lesson, and Maggie Nelson, making her third and final appearance as faithful Flannigan secretary Vera, seen here preparing her boss for his big TV debut.