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In Summerfield, the sun shines warm through the office of the Water Commissioner, and he feels a touch of Spring fever. He and Bessy talk about a new criminal, the Whistling Bandit. Just then, the mayor drops a new job responsibility on Gildy.
The Mayor and the Police Commissioner are going to do what Gildy tried last week, and play some hooky. Gildersleeve is made acting Police Commissioner to cover for them while they are out for a couple days.
Though Gildy is in the dumps about it, Marjorie, and Leroy are excited over it. The story even made it to the newspaper. Birdie gets a kick over the new job, and plans to take advantage of the situation. It gets Gildy thinking of the benefits of the office.
Gildy assumes a take charge posture as he talks with his assistant. The Judge pops n to tease Gildersleeve, but Gildy discovers how much he likes this job when he can give the judge a ticket for double parking. Next, Gildy hits the streets in his new capacity as a cop. He goes to talk to Peavey, and get some lunch. Then, the judge comes in with the report that the Whistling Bandit has not only hit Summerfield, but cracked the safe in the Water Department. It looks as though Gildy’s policeman skills are about to be put to the test. Now how did I know that would happen?
Though they tell him otherwise, the Chief and the police get some late breaking tips on the bandit, and are on the watch. Gildersleeve worries over the robbery, and questions Bessy over the incident. During the interview with her over the crime scene, a man claiming to be a part time detective talks with Gildersleeve about catching the Whistling Bandit. The man drops enough hints that even the audience reaction is one of suspicion that the man is really the Whistling Bandit, but Gildersleeve remains oblivious.
In the guise of preventing the next robbery, together, Gildy and the stranger break into the bank. The two go in, armed to the teeth, and as Gildy waits, the man sneaks off, robs the bank, but will Gildy be able to stop him from leaving with the cash?
With the aid of a tear gas bomb, and some gut reaction, the bandit is captured, and. Soon the Mayor and Police Commissioner are back, and marvel over the capture. They ask Gildy how he managed it, (bad move on their part) and he does a recreation of the events, complete with setting off another tear gas bomb, and choking everybody with it.
Gildy is offered a permanent job as Police commissioner. of course, Gildy settles for remaining Water Commissioner. Wise move.
