1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:12,000 The Columbia Network takes pleasure in bringing you suspense. 2 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:39,000 Suspense, Columbia's play theater of outstanding thrillers, produced and directed by William Spear and scored by Bernard Herman. 3 00:00:39,000 --> 00:01:04,000 The notable melodramas from fiction and stage and screen, from the world's great literature of entertaining excitement, presented each week to bring you to the edge of your chair, to keep you in suspense. 4 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:11,000 Tonight's adventure in suspense is from the pen of Dorothy Sayers. She called it the Cave of Alibaba. 5 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:23,000 Like the tale told by Scheherazade, a distinguished ancestress in the storytelling art, Miss Sayers' thriller deals with forty thieves and with two magic words. 6 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:31,000 For your uneasy listening then, suspense presents... 7 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:44,000 The Cave of Alibaba. 8 00:01:44,000 --> 00:02:02,000 On a Saturday afternoon in January, in the grim and narrow house in Lambeth, a man sat eating kippers and reading the daily paper. He was smallish and spare, with brown hair rather too regularly waved and a strong brown pointed beard. 9 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:14,000 His double-breasted navy blue suit, his socks, tie and handkerchief were all scrupulously matched, and his brown boots just a trifle too highly polished. 10 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:34,000 He did not look a gentleman, not even a gentleman's gentleman, yet there was something about his appearance which suggested that he was accustomed to the manner of life in good families. A superior butler perhaps, yet not old enough to be retired. A footman who had come into a legacy, yes. 11 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:52,000 He had just finished eating and he was sipping his coffee when a slight noise at the front door caught his ear. Swiftly, too swiftly for a quiet little man sitting eating kippers and reading his paper on a Saturday afternoon, he sprang up, he dashed through the small hallway and he flung the door open. 12 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:58,000 Of course, no one in sight. The society is at least dramatic in its delivery of its correspondence. 13 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:14,000 And as if he knew what he could find, he shut the door and turned to the hat stand in the hall. An envelope had been placed there. It was addressed to Joseph Rogers. So Mr. Rogers opened the note. 14 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:30,000 Number 21, an extraordinary general meeting will be held tonight at the house of number one at 1130. You will be absent at your peril. The word is finality. 15 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:35,000 Finality. Yes, I think so. 16 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:48,000 The man called Joseph Rogers stood for a moment studying the note. Then he strode to the rear of the house to a tall safe built in the wall. Carefully, he manipulated a dial. He swung the safe door open. 17 00:03:48,000 --> 00:04:07,000 He stepped inside into a small strong room. He opened a drawer marked correspondence, placed the note inside and then came out again. A moment to reset the lock for a new combination. And then he went back into the living room. 18 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:23,000 He reached for the telephone. He lifted it from the cradle and then reconsidered. Too dangerous. He hurried upstairs and clambered into an attic. In the furthest corner, he searched for and found a knothole in the woodwork. 19 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:37,000 He pressed it. A concealed trap door swung open and he was on the loft of the adjoining house. He paused before three cages, in each of them a carrier pigeon. Carefully, he wrote a note. 20 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:56,000 He stripped it under a pigeon's wing. There you are, my pretty. There, take it easy now. There you go. Fly straight. 4.30. I'll send another pigeon at five and the third at six. 21 00:04:56,000 --> 00:05:12,000 I'll answer by nine thirty at the latest. Oh, I forgot one thing, most important. Mr. Rogers moved through the trap door, back into the attic of his own house. And once again, he stood before the tall safe built in the wall. 22 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:27,000 He opened the door, stepped into the strong room, moved for a moment quietly in the dark and then spoke gently. Now, be good, my sweetheart. I'm depending on you. 23 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:38,000 Open sesame. Come on now, old thing. Open sesame. Open sesame. 24 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:49,000 That's better. That's very much better. 25 00:05:49,000 --> 00:06:08,000 By nine thirty, his answer was back. All the little piece of paper said was a hasty OK. At a quarter before eleven, he took his revolver from a locked drawer, inspected it carefully. Yes, loaded it with cartridges from an unbroken packet and left the house. 26 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:34,000 He walked quickly, keeping well away from the wall. And when he climbed on a bus, he sat next to the conductor where he could watch all who got on and off. By twenty five minutes after eleven, he was out on lonely Hampstead Heath, pausing in the shadow of a large tree to adjust a black velvet mask on which in white thread was stitched the number twenty one. 27 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:43,000 Then he stepped briskly to the door of the villa that lay before him and. 28 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:49,000 What is it? Finality. Come in. 29 00:06:49,000 --> 00:07:00,000 Go right on through. Number one will check you in. Right. 30 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:05,000 Twenty one, sir. Lift your mask. 31 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:21,000 Very well, twenty one. You may go on to the meeting room. Thank you, sir. 32 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:31,000 The room of the villain, which was the Rogers now still was a large one, brilliantly lighted room as a gramophone in one corner, blaring out a jazz tune to its rhythm. 33 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:42,000 Couples, masked men and women were dancing somewhere in evening dress, some in tweeds and jumpers in another corner of the room was the bar. 34 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:52,000 Mr. Rogers went up to it and asked the masked man in charge for a double whiskey. Consumed it slowly, leaning on the bar. 35 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:56,000 The room filled. 36 00:07:56,000 --> 00:08:02,000 Someone moved across to the gramophone and stopped it. Mr. Rogers looked around. 37 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:08,000 Number one, the massive gentleman in evening dress who had checked him in appeared on the threshold. 38 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:17,000 Someone in black stood beside him. Her mask, embroidered with a white number two, covered her hair and her face completely. 39 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:28,000 Only her, her fine bearing, her white arms and her dark eyes shining through the eyes, it's proclaimed there is a woman of power, a physical attraction. 40 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:33,000 The masked dancers were silent now as number one spoke. 41 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:39,000 Ladies and gentlemen, we are short two members tonight. 42 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:46,000 I need not inform you of the disastrous failure of our plan for obtaining the plans of the court Wendell Sam Helicopter. 43 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:55,000 Our courageous and devoted friends, number 15 and number 38, were betrayed and taken by the police. 44 00:08:55,000 --> 00:09:01,000 Some of you might fear that under examination these two would break down and give away our society. 45 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:04,000 There is no need for such a fear. 46 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:10,000 I gave the usual orders and their tongues have been silenced. 47 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:14,000 Their dependence will be discreetly compensated in the usual manner. 48 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:21,000 I call upon number 12 and 34 to undertake this agreeable task. 49 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:24,000 They retained me at my office for the instructions after the meeting. 50 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:31,000 Will the numbers I have named kindly signify by raising their hands that I are able and willing to perform this duty? 51 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:33,000 Thank you. 52 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:40,000 Ladies and gentlemen, please take your partners for the next dance. 53 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:43,000 The gramophone struck up again. 54 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:46,000 Mr. Rogers turned to a girl near him in a red dress. 55 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:50,000 She nodded and they slipped into the movement of a foxtrot. 56 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:54,000 The couple's gyrated solemnly and in silence. 57 00:09:54,000 --> 00:10:00,000 Their shadows were flung against the blinds as they turned and stepped to and fro. 58 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,000 The girl in red spoke to Mr. Rogers. 59 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:05,000 What's happened? I'm frightened, aren't you? 60 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:07,000 I feel as if something awful was about to happen. 61 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:09,000 It does take one a bit short. 62 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:13,000 Number one's way of doing things, but it's safer like that. 63 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:14,000 Oh, those poor men. 64 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:16,000 No talking, please. You know the rules. 65 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:21,000 Sorry. 66 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:25,000 In silence, the dance continued. 67 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:27,000 And then it came to an end. 68 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:35,000 And then when it had finished, the dancers came again to where number one sat and waited with tense eagerness for him to speak. 69 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:41,000 Ladies and gentlemen, you may wonder why this extraordinary meeting has been called. 70 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:44,000 The reason is a serious one. 71 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:47,000 The failure of our recent attempt was no accident. 72 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:50,000 The police were not on the premises that night by accident. 73 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:53,000 We have a traitor amongst us. 74 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:56,000 This last failure was not the first. 75 00:10:56,000 --> 00:11:01,000 You'll remember the unfortunate way in which the affair of the Dinglewood Purls turned out. 76 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:04,000 And there were others. 77 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:08,000 However, I am happy to say that our minds can now be easy. 78 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:11,000 All these troubles have been traced to their origin. 79 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:16,000 The offender has been discovered and will be removed. 80 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:25,000 The misguided member who introduced the traitor to our ranks will be placed in a position where his lack of caution will have no further ill effects. 81 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:28,000 There's no cause for alarm. 82 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:39,000 Ladies and gentlemen, please take your partners for the next dance. 83 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:45,000 Again the gramophone took up its bizarre monotony and the masked dancers glided and turned. 84 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:48,000 And their movements were sharper, more staccato. 85 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:53,000 The girl in red was claimed by a tall mask and evening dress. 86 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:56,000 A hand laid on Mr. Rogers' arm made him start. 87 00:11:56,000 --> 00:12:04,000 A small, plump woman in a green jumper slipped a cold hand into his. 88 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:13,000 The dance went on. 89 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:19,000 When it stopped, everyone stood detached, stiffened in expectation. 90 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:21,000 The endless interval was over. 91 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:23,000 Number one raised his voice. 92 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:28,000 Ladies and gentlemen, you will no doubt wish to be relieved of the questions on your mind. 93 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:32,000 I will name the persons involved. 94 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:34,000 Number 37. 95 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:37,000 Silence! 96 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:40,000 You have failed in discretion. 97 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:42,000 You will be redeemed. 98 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:44,000 If you have anything to say in defense of your folly, I'll hear it later. 99 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:45,000 Sit down. 100 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:47,000 Number 37 sank down upon a chair. 101 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:51,000 He pushed his handkerchief under the mask to wipe his face. 102 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:54,000 Two tall men closed in upon him. 103 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:55,000 The rest fell back. 104 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:59,000 Ladies and gentlemen, I will now name the traitor. 105 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:01,000 Stand forward. 106 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:04,000 Number 21. 107 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:07,000 Take off your mask. 108 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,000 Number 37. 109 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:13,000 This man was introduced to our society by you under the name of Joseph Rogers, 110 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:18,000 formerly second footman in the service of the Duke of Denver, dismissed for petty thievery. 111 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:20,000 Did you take steps to verify the statement? 112 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:22,000 I did. I did as God my witness. 113 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:23,000 It was all straight. 114 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:25,000 I had him identified by two of the servants. 115 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:27,000 I asked all over about him. 116 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,000 The story was true elsewhere it was. 117 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:31,000 Number 21. 118 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:34,000 Your name has been given as Joseph Rogers. 119 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:36,000 Is that your real name? 120 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:38,000 Answer me. 121 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:40,000 Is that your real name? 122 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:42,000 No. 123 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:44,000 What is your name? 124 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:46,000 Peter Death Bredden Whimsey. 125 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:50,000 Silence! 126 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:52,000 My compliments, your lordship. 127 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:54,000 We thought Lord Whimsey was dead. 128 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:56,000 He was killed so the paper said two winters ago. 129 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:58,000 I shoot a big game in Africa. 130 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:01,000 He even left a will proved to 500,000 pounds. 131 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:04,000 To his mother I believe, the Dowager Duchess of Denver. 132 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:06,000 Lord Peter Whimsey indeed. 133 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:09,000 Well known book collector, man about town, distinguished criminologist. 134 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:12,000 Took an active part in the solution of several famous mysteries. 135 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:14,000 Taking an active part if you don't mind. 136 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:17,000 So you deliberately led us to think you were dead. 137 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:22,000 And became Joseph Rogers to gain entrance to our society. 138 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,000 What has become of the real Joseph Rogers? 139 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:27,000 He died abroad. I took his place. 140 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:30,000 At the end of your impersonation to uncover our society. 141 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:31,000 Precisely. 142 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:32,000 I see. 143 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:35,000 The robbery of your own set upon which we congratulated ourselves. 144 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:38,000 And which you helped to execute was arranged. 145 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:39,000 Obviously. 146 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:41,000 The robbery of the Duchess, your mother, was arranged by you. 147 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:43,000 It was. It was a very ugly tiara. 148 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:45,000 No real loss to anybody with decent taste. 149 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:47,000 The burglary of the Winthrop Mansion. 150 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:49,000 The theft of the necklace at Covent Garden. 151 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:51,000 The others as well. You arranged them all. 152 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:52,000 All. 153 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:53,000 May I smoke by the way? 154 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:56,000 You may not. 155 00:14:56,000 --> 00:15:00,000 Numbers fifteen, twenty-two, thirty-nine. 156 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,000 You have watched the prisoner. 157 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:05,000 Has he made any attempt to communicate with anybody? 158 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:06,000 None. 159 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:08,000 His letters and parcels have been opened. 160 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:10,000 His telephone tapped and his movements followed. 161 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:15,000 Even the water pipes in his house have been under observation for Morse code signals. 162 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:16,000 You're certain? 163 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:17,000 Absolutely. 164 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:20,000 Then we may be sure that he has been alone in this adventure. 165 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:23,000 Well, ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. 166 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:26,000 Very well. 167 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:28,000 Take the prisoner away. 168 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:33,000 And be sure you explain carefully to him first the manner of his death. 169 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:35,000 I'm sure he'll enjoy it. 170 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:38,000 Wait. Wait. At least you can let me die decently. 171 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:39,000 Take him away. 172 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:41,000 Stop. I have something to say. Something to sell. 173 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:42,000 We make no bargains with traitors. 174 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:45,000 No, but listen. Do you think I haven't thought of this? 175 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:47,000 I'm not a fool. I've left a letter. 176 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:48,000 To whom? 177 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:50,000 To the police. If I don't return tomorrow, it'll be open. 178 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:52,000 It's a bluff. The prisoner sent no letter. 179 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:53,000 He's been strictly watched for months. 180 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:55,000 I left the letter before I came to Lambeth. 181 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:57,000 Then it can't contain no information of any birth? 182 00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:59,000 Oh, but it does. The combination of my safe. 183 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:01,000 Indeed? Has the man's safe been searched? 184 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:03,000 Yes. What did it contain? 185 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:05,000 No information of importance, sir. 186 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:07,000 An outline of our organization, the name of the house, 187 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:10,000 nothing that can't be altered and covered before morning. 188 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:12,000 And did you investigate the inner compartment of the safe? 189 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:14,000 You hear what he says, did you? 190 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:16,000 He's trying to bluff. There is no inner compartment. 191 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:19,000 I hate to contradict you, but I'm really afraid you must have overlooked it. 192 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:21,000 And what did you say was in the compartment, if it does exist? 193 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:23,000 The names of every member of this society 194 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:26,000 with their addresses, photographs and fingerprints. 195 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:28,000 And how did you say you had come to try to get this information? 196 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:30,000 By doing a little detective work on my own. 197 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:31,000 But you've been watched. 198 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:34,000 True. The fingerprints of my watch has adorned the first page of the collection. 199 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:36,000 That statement can be proved? 200 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:38,000 Certainly. The name of number 40, for example... 201 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:40,000 Stop! Stop! 202 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:44,000 If you mention names here, you will certainly have no hope of mercy. 203 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:46,000 Bring the prisoner to my office. 204 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:49,000 Ladies and gentlemen, take your partners for the next dance. 205 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:51,000 Yes, sir. 206 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:02,000 Well, he might have gone on. 207 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:05,000 I've proved that I know your gang from number one through number 25. 208 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:07,000 Do you want me to prove that I know the others as well? 209 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:09,000 My lord, your story fills me with regret 210 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:11,000 that you are not in fact a member of our society. 211 00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:15,000 What courage and industry are valuable in an association like ours? 212 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:17,000 I fear I cannot persuade you. 213 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:20,000 No, I suppose not. 214 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:26,000 Yes? 215 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:29,000 Ask the members kindly to proceed to the supper room. 216 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:44,000 Ladies and gentlemen, I'll not conceal from you the seriousness of the situation. 217 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:48,000 The prisoner has recited to me 25 names and addresses 218 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:52,000 which were thought to be unknown except to their owners and to me. 219 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:54,000 There has been great carelessness. 220 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:57,000 Fingerprints have been obtained. He showed me some photographs of them. 221 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:00,000 He tells me that the book of names and addresses 222 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:03,000 is to be found in the inner compartment of his safe, 223 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:07,000 together with certain letters and papers stolen from the houses of members 224 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:10,000 and several objects with fingerprints. 225 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:12,000 I believe he tells the truth. 226 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:16,000 He offers the combination of the safe in exchange for a quick death. 227 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:19,000 I think his offer should be accepted. 228 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:21,000 What is your opinion, ladies and gentlemen? 229 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,000 The combination is known already. 230 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:25,000 Fool! 231 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:28,000 This man is Lord Peter Whimsy, a scientist of crime. 232 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:30,000 Do you think he will have forgotten to change the combination? 233 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:33,000 Oh, I say give him the product. I'm getting short. 234 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:36,000 You agreed? 235 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:39,000 It's a bargain, Whimsy. What is the combination? 236 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:42,000 The word of the combination is unreliability. 237 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:44,000 And the inner door, the inner compartment? 238 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:47,000 In anticipation of the visit of the police, the inner door is open. 239 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:50,000 Good. Number 12 and 36. 240 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:53,000 You will go to the prisoner's house and watch it anymore. 241 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:56,000 That's right. 242 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:59,000 I agree. Nobody ought to be trusted. 243 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:01,000 Then what, ladies and gentlemen, do you suggest? 244 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:04,000 You go yourself. You're the only one that knows all the names. You go yourself. 245 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:06,000 I second that motion. 246 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:09,000 I second that motion. Is the wish of the meeting, then, that I should go? 247 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:12,000 No. I say no. 248 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:15,000 No, don't go. Number one is our president, 249 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:18,000 the head and soul of our society. 250 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:21,000 If anything should happen to him, where should we be? 251 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:23,000 You've all blundered. 252 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:26,000 We have your carelessness to thank for all this. 253 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:29,000 Do you think we should be safe for five minutes if he were not here 254 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:31,000 to repair your follies? 255 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:33,000 Well, there's something in that. 256 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:36,000 Pardon my suggesting it. The lady appears to be in a position 257 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:39,000 peculiarly favorable for the reception of the president's confidences. 258 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:42,000 The contents of my modest volume will be no news to her. 259 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:44,000 Why should she not go herself? 260 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:47,000 Because I say she must not. 261 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:50,000 If it is the will of the meeting, I'll go. 262 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:52,000 Give me the key of the house. 263 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:54,000 Here. Is your house watched? 264 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:57,000 No. If I have not returned in two hours, 265 00:19:57,000 --> 00:20:00,000 act for the best to save yourselves. 266 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:03,000 And do what you like with the president. 267 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:16,000 The president has been gone two hours. 268 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:19,000 Traitor! What's happened to him? 269 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:22,000 How should I know? Perhaps he's looked after himself and gone 270 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:25,000 while the going was good. Liar! 271 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:28,000 He'd never do that. What have you done with him? 272 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:31,000 Speak, or I'll make you speak. 273 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:33,000 I can only form a guess, madam. 274 00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:36,000 I'm afraid that your president may quite inadvertently have left the door 275 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:39,000 of the inner compartment closed behind him, in which case... 276 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:42,000 Let me explain the mechanism of my safe. 277 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:44,000 The inner compartment has two doors. 278 00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:47,000 The outer most most opens outward with an ordinary key. 279 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:50,000 Who do you think that the president is so stupid as to be caught 280 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:52,000 in an obvious trap? 281 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:55,000 Undoubtedly he will have wedged open that inner door. 282 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:59,000 But the sole purpose of that inner door is to appear to be the only one. 283 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:03,000 Hidden behind the hinge of that door is another, a sliding panel, 284 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:06,000 also left open. Inside the compartment is the big heavy ledger 285 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:09,000 containing all the information about this society. 286 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:13,000 This ledger lies on a steel shelf. Do I make myself clear? 287 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:15,000 Yes, yes, yes, go on. 288 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:17,000 The steel shelf is balanced on a concealed spring. 289 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:20,000 When the weight of the book, the ledger, is lifted, 290 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:22,000 the shelf rises almost imperceptibly. 291 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:24,000 And in rising it makes an electrical contact. 292 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:26,000 Now let me draw a picture. 293 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:29,000 Your president steps into the inner compartment, sees the book, 294 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:32,000 takes it up anxiously to examine to see if it's the right one. 295 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:35,000 The shelf rises, the electrical contact is made, 296 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:38,000 and the steel panel behind him slides into place. He's trapped. 297 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:40,000 You devil! 298 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:43,000 What is the word that opens the inner door? Quick, the word! 299 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:46,000 Do you remember the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves? 300 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:50,000 Well, when I had this safe constructed, my mind went back, 301 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:53,000 well, call me sentimental if you will, to my childhood. 302 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:57,000 The words that open the door are open sesame. 303 00:21:57,000 --> 00:22:00,000 How long can a man live in this devil's trap of yours? 304 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:02,000 Oh, I should think he might hold out for a few hours 305 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:06,000 if he didn't use up all the oxygen by hammering and yelling. 306 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:09,000 I imagine if we go there at once we'll be able to get him out all right. 307 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:10,000 I'll go myself. 308 00:22:10,000 --> 00:22:11,000 I think you'd better take me with you. 309 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:12,000 Why? 310 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:14,000 Well, I'm the only person who can open the door. 311 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:16,000 But you've given me the word. 312 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:19,000 Yes, you have the word, but this door of mine, 313 00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:21,000 I'm rather proud of it. You know, it's my own invention. 314 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:23,000 It's the latest thing. 315 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:26,000 It will open to the words open sesame all right, 316 00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:28,000 but to my voice only. 317 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:31,000 Your voice? I'll chop your voice from my hands! 318 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:32,000 Don't! 319 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:34,000 What do you mean, your voice only? 320 00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:36,000 Don't clutch my throat like that. 321 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:40,000 You'll wreck my voice and then the door might not recognize it. 322 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:42,000 That's better. 323 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:46,000 The door got stuck for a week once and when I had a cold. 324 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:49,000 Is what he says true? Is it possible? 325 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:51,000 Perfectly possible, madam. 326 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:53,000 It'll have a microphone arrangement. 327 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:54,000 Could be done also with light vibrations. 328 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:56,000 We must let him go. 329 00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:57,000 Take the ropes off him. 330 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:58,000 Let him go? Nothing. 331 00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:00,000 He doesn't go to blab to the police. 332 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:02,000 The president's done in, that's all. 333 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:04,000 And we'd all better make traps while we can. 334 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:06,000 It's all up boys. 335 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:08,000 Right, chuck this fellow down the cellar and fasten him in. 336 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:10,000 I'll go and destroy the ledgers. 337 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:12,000 Thirty-two, you know where the switch is. 338 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:13,000 Give us a quarter of an hour to clear, 339 00:23:13,000 --> 00:23:15,000 then he can blow the place to glory. 340 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:18,000 No, no, you can't leave one to die. 341 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:20,000 He's your president, your leader. 342 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:21,000 I won't let it happen. 343 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:23,000 I won't. I'll free this man myself. 344 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:24,000 Here, none of that. 345 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:25,000 Let me go. Let go of me. 346 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:27,000 Think, Larkin, think. 347 00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:28,000 It's be light in an hour or two. 348 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:30,000 The police may be here in any moment. 349 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:31,000 Please. 350 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:32,000 Oh yes. 351 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:34,000 Yes, you're right. 352 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:38,000 No, we mustn't imperil the safety of all for just one man. 353 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:40,000 He himself would not wish it. 354 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:52,000 Throw this man in the cellar and let's get out of here while it's dying. 355 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:54,000 Here. 356 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:56,000 This is good enough. 357 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:58,000 Leave him here. 358 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:00,000 Right. 359 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:02,000 Now let's go. 360 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:04,000 Hey, you chaps. 361 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:05,000 Yeah? 362 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:06,000 Should have gagged him. 363 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:08,000 I say, it's lonesome down here in this cellar. 364 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:10,000 You might at least leave the light on. 365 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:12,000 Don't worry about the dark. 366 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:14,000 That ticking you here is the time tube for the bomb 367 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:16,000 that's going to blow out this place. 368 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:17,000 It's all set. 369 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:19,000 You won't have long to wait. 370 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:21,000 Not long. 371 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:33,000 Who is it? Who's there? 372 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:35,000 Shh. 373 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:37,000 Hold still so I can cut the ropes. 374 00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:39,000 Well, if it isn't two. 375 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:41,000 My compliments, madam, on your loyalty to your presence. 376 00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:43,000 Quick, quick. They've set the time fuse. 377 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:44,000 The house is mined. 378 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:46,000 Follow me as fast as you can. 379 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:48,000 Number one must be saved. 380 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:49,000 And only you can do it. 381 00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:50,000 Well, how did you manage to? 382 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:52,000 There's no time for questions. 383 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:53,000 Get up and follow me. 384 00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:54,000 You will release him. 385 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:55,000 You promise? 386 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:56,000 I promise. 387 00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:58,000 But I warn you, madam, that this house is surrounded. 388 00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:01,000 When my safe door closed, it gave a signal to Scotland Yard. 389 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:03,000 All the members of the society had taken it. 390 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:04,000 Never mind them. 391 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:05,000 Here. 392 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:06,000 Outside. 393 00:25:06,000 --> 00:25:07,000 Quick. 394 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:11,000 All right. Who's there? 395 00:25:11,000 --> 00:25:12,000 Is that you, Inspector? 396 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:13,000 Get your fellows away, quick. 397 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:15,000 The house is going up in a minute. 398 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:32,000 Where is he? Lord, where is he? 399 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:34,000 It's Inspector Parker, old man. 400 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:35,000 Are you all right? 401 00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:36,000 I'm a bit winded. 402 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:37,000 What happened, Inspector? 403 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:39,000 About half a dozen of them got blown up. 404 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:40,000 The rest we bagged. 405 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:41,000 Hurry. We must hurry. 406 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:42,000 Who's this? 407 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:43,000 One of the gang. 408 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:44,000 She's called number two. 409 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:46,000 We must save him. We must. 410 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:48,000 I can't forget the gentleman at the safe. 411 00:25:48,000 --> 00:25:49,000 Parker, where's your car? 412 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:50,000 It's down the lane. 413 00:25:50,000 --> 00:25:51,000 Send one of your men down to get it. 414 00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:53,000 Right. Johnson, bring that car here. 415 00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:54,000 Yes, sir. 416 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:56,000 I've got the number one of the whole company 417 00:25:56,000 --> 00:25:58,000 quietly asphyxiating at home. 418 00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:00,000 I promise we'll get back and save him. 419 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:02,000 He's the bloke that we've been wanting. 420 00:26:02,000 --> 00:26:04,000 The man at the back of the Morrison case 421 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:07,000 and the Hope Wilmington case and hundreds of others. 422 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:19,000 Is this it? 423 00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:20,000 Quite a contraption. 424 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:22,000 Yes. I only hope he hasn't upset the adjustment 425 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:23,000 by something about it. 426 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:25,000 Oh, please, hurry. 427 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:27,000 I hope you haven't heard my voice. 428 00:26:27,000 --> 00:26:28,000 You sound all right. 429 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:30,000 I can only be conversational. 430 00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:31,000 Come on, old thing. 431 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:34,000 Show us your paces. 432 00:26:34,000 --> 00:26:37,000 Open sesame. 433 00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:39,000 Open sesame. 434 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:42,000 He confounded you. 435 00:26:42,000 --> 00:26:45,000 Open sesame. 436 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:50,000 Open sesame. 437 00:26:55,000 --> 00:26:56,000 He's dead. 438 00:26:56,000 --> 00:26:58,000 Let me see. 439 00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:00,000 No, he's not. 440 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:03,000 He lived to stand his trial. 441 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:26,000 And so all's right with the world, 442 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:29,000 as it always is when Lord Peter Whimsy is involved. 443 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:32,000 The Cave of Alibaba by Dorothy Sayers 444 00:27:32,000 --> 00:27:36,000 was the story which gave us tonight's Suspense. 445 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:38,000 Suspense is produced by William Spear. 446 00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:42,000 Our guest director for this evening was Robert Louis Shea. 447 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:44,000 Tonight's radio drama was written by Peter Lyon 448 00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:46,000 and scored by Bernard Herman. 449 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:48,000 Romney Brent was Peter Whimsy. 450 00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:50,000 William Moulton played number one. 451 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:53,000 And Ira Gerald, the lady in the case. 452 00:27:53,000 --> 00:27:55,000 Others in the cast were Kathleen Cordell, 453 00:27:55,000 --> 00:27:58,000 Victor Beecroft, Roland Bottomley, 454 00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:00,000 J.W. Austin, William Podmore, 455 00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:03,000 Ian Martin, and William Moulton. 456 00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:06,000 Next Wednesday, Suspense will not be heard 457 00:28:06,000 --> 00:28:08,000 because of a special all-star Hollywood broadcast 458 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:11,000 which Paramount Pictures will present. 459 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:13,000 Two weeks from tonight at this time, 460 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:16,000 Columbia will bring you another selected story 461 00:28:16,000 --> 00:28:19,000 from the world's great literature of thrills. 462 00:28:19,000 --> 00:28:22,000 Another study in... 463 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:28,000 Suspense. 464 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:54,000 This is Barry Kroger 465 00:28:54,000 --> 00:29:22,000 and this is the Columbia Broadcasting System. 466 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:28,000 .