WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:01.000 Suspense. 00:30.000 --> 00:43.360 The thrill of the night time, the hushed voice and the prowling step, the stir of nerves 00:43.360 --> 00:50.000 at the ticking of the clock, the rescue that might be too late, the crime that is almost 00:50.000 --> 00:55.680 committed, mystery and intrigue and dangerous adventures. 00:55.680 --> 01:06.040 We invite you to enjoy stories that keep you in suspense. 01:06.040 --> 01:10.640 Can a man stake his life against $25,000? 01:10.640 --> 01:15.440 Can another and clever man track him down like a hunter, stalking his prey and kill 01:15.440 --> 01:18.040 him within five hours? 01:18.040 --> 01:22.960 Can you make a bet with death and win? 01:22.960 --> 01:38.640 For Suspense, tonight we present Will You Make a Bet with Death by John Dixon Carr. 01:38.640 --> 01:44.680 On the island on a summer day, there's the beach bright colored with bathing suits. 01:44.680 --> 01:48.440 There's the boardwalk, all straw hats and summer dressings. 01:48.440 --> 01:51.440 There's the Ferris wheel and the rollercoaster. 01:51.440 --> 01:59.000 There is all humanity, eating hot dogs and having a good time. 01:59.000 --> 02:02.640 And over there beyond that souvenir shop is the haunted mill. 02:02.640 --> 02:05.280 You get into a little boat. 02:05.280 --> 02:10.040 You float through a narrow tunnel into the dark while witches scream. 02:10.040 --> 02:14.800 But that fools nobody, does it? 02:14.800 --> 02:16.720 There couldn't be any real terror. 02:16.720 --> 02:17.720 Could there? 02:17.720 --> 02:22.480 While the bands are playing and the crowd goes by and... 02:22.480 --> 02:25.480 Ladies and gentlemen, a unique attraction. 02:25.480 --> 02:29.520 It hurts me to see you stand there and miss this. 02:29.520 --> 02:35.200 Only ten cents, one dime, the tenth part of a dollar to go through the old haunted mill 02:35.200 --> 02:37.200 and get the thrill of your life. 02:37.200 --> 02:39.120 An overstatement if you ask me. 02:39.120 --> 02:40.120 One ticket please. 02:40.120 --> 02:41.120 Did you say one ticket, lady? 02:41.120 --> 02:42.120 That's right, one ticket. 02:42.120 --> 02:43.120 What's the thrill? 02:43.120 --> 02:44.120 A big point, lady. 02:44.120 --> 02:45.120 I said what's the thrill? 02:45.120 --> 02:48.120 The girls who come here with their boyfriends don't have to ask that. 02:48.120 --> 02:51.120 Ten cents please, this way and mine the gate. 02:51.120 --> 02:54.120 Step right up, ladies and gentlemen. 02:54.120 --> 02:59.120 Get your ticket for the old haunted mill where ghosts will walk and... 02:59.120 --> 03:00.120 Give me some tickets. 03:00.120 --> 03:01.120 Hurry. 03:01.120 --> 03:02.120 Just a minute, young fellow. 03:02.120 --> 03:05.120 I know you want to get into the old haunted mill, but there's plenty of time. 03:05.120 --> 03:06.120 How many tickets? 03:06.120 --> 03:07.120 I don't know. 03:07.120 --> 03:08.120 You better give me ten. 03:08.120 --> 03:09.120 Ten tickets? 03:09.120 --> 03:10.120 Do you hear that, ladies and gentlemen? 03:10.120 --> 03:13.120 Here's a young fellow who likes the old haunted mill so much. 03:13.120 --> 03:16.120 He buys ten tickets. 03:16.120 --> 03:17.120 Don't call everybody's attention. 03:17.120 --> 03:20.120 Listen, I've got a better idea. 03:20.120 --> 03:21.120 Whatever boat comes after mine... 03:21.120 --> 03:22.120 Yeah? 03:22.120 --> 03:24.120 I'll give you an extra dollar to send that boat through empty. 03:24.120 --> 03:25.120 What's the matter, son? 03:25.120 --> 03:26.120 The cops ain't happy, are they? 03:26.120 --> 03:27.120 No, no, no, no. 03:27.120 --> 03:28.120 It's nothing like that. 03:28.120 --> 03:29.120 Will you do it? 03:29.120 --> 03:30.120 Well, money talks, young fellow. 03:30.120 --> 03:31.120 Okay, go ahead. 03:31.120 --> 03:34.120 Isn't there an empty boat here? 03:34.120 --> 03:35.120 Well, really? 03:35.120 --> 03:41.120 You've got such a great objection to riding in the same boat with me. 03:41.120 --> 03:42.120 Oh, I... 03:42.120 --> 03:43.120 I'm sorry. 03:43.120 --> 03:44.120 I didn't mean that at all. 03:44.120 --> 03:45.120 Don't misunderstand. 03:45.120 --> 03:47.120 Then you'd better get in if you want to go. 03:47.120 --> 03:49.120 This boat's starting to move. 03:49.120 --> 03:50.120 Yeah, I... 03:50.120 --> 03:52.120 I better sit down. 03:52.120 --> 03:54.120 You certainly had. 03:54.120 --> 03:55.120 Look, here I... 03:55.120 --> 03:56.120 I want to apologize. 03:56.120 --> 03:57.120 That's quite unnecessary. 03:57.120 --> 04:00.120 This place is rather childish anyway, isn't it? 04:00.120 --> 04:02.120 Yes, isn't it? 04:02.120 --> 04:06.120 But I've seen everything else, so I may as well see this. 04:06.120 --> 04:08.120 Here we go in the dark. 04:08.120 --> 04:10.120 What was that? 04:10.120 --> 04:14.120 One of the ghosts, I imagine, from a machine. 04:14.120 --> 04:16.120 It sounded like him laughing. 04:16.120 --> 04:18.120 There isn't anybody in the boat behind us, is there? 04:18.120 --> 04:19.120 I can't see. 04:19.120 --> 04:20.120 It's pitch dark. 04:20.120 --> 04:22.120 Listen, Miss... 04:22.120 --> 04:23.120 Miss... 04:23.120 --> 04:25.120 My name is Andrews, Betty Andrews, 04:25.120 --> 04:28.120 if it's customary to exchange names in a place like this. 04:28.120 --> 04:31.120 Mine's Penderel, Bob Penderel. 04:31.120 --> 04:33.120 Did you say Penderel? 04:33.120 --> 04:34.120 Yes. 04:34.120 --> 04:35.120 Do you know it? 04:35.120 --> 04:36.120 Oh, no, no, not exactly. 04:36.120 --> 04:38.120 It's an unusual name, that's all. 04:38.120 --> 04:41.120 I... I don't want you to think I'm out of my mind, 04:41.120 --> 04:43.120 though I very nearly am. 04:43.120 --> 04:45.120 But I've got five hours to go. 04:45.120 --> 04:47.120 Just five hours. 04:47.120 --> 04:51.120 At the end of that time, either I'll have won $25,000 or... 04:51.120 --> 04:52.120 or else... 04:52.120 --> 04:53.120 Or else? 04:53.120 --> 04:56.120 Or else I'll be dead. 04:56.120 --> 05:00.120 You know, I wish I'd kept you away from this boat. 05:00.120 --> 05:02.120 There's nothing to get alarmed about. 05:02.120 --> 05:03.120 For you. 05:03.120 --> 05:06.120 I can't tell you much, but I had to tell somebody that 05:06.120 --> 05:08.120 or I'd have started yelling. 05:08.120 --> 05:09.120 There's just one other thing. 05:09.120 --> 05:10.120 Is there? 05:10.120 --> 05:14.120 In these places, they've usually got little dim-lighted rooms along the way. 05:14.120 --> 05:15.120 Yes, ghosts and things. 05:15.120 --> 05:16.120 Exhibits. Yes. 05:16.120 --> 05:18.120 Well, when we come to one, 05:18.120 --> 05:20.120 I'm going to get out of this boat and hide there. 05:20.120 --> 05:22.120 Just don't get alarmed, 05:22.120 --> 05:24.120 and don't tell anybody when you go out. 05:24.120 --> 05:25.120 Why should you do that? 05:25.120 --> 05:27.120 I think I see a light ahead. 05:27.120 --> 05:28.120 There is a light, but... 05:28.120 --> 05:29.120 Dim, too. 05:29.120 --> 05:30.120 That's all but the good. 05:30.120 --> 05:31.120 It's... 05:31.120 --> 05:32.120 Yes? 05:32.120 --> 05:34.120 We're coming around the corner. 05:34.120 --> 05:37.120 Look, I'm going to have company when I get off. 05:37.120 --> 05:40.120 A waxed dead man on a pile of straw. 05:42.120 --> 05:45.120 I hope I can stand these noises. 05:45.120 --> 05:46.120 Goodbye, Betty Andrews. 05:46.120 --> 05:48.120 I wish we'd met at a different time. 05:48.120 --> 05:49.120 Mine, the boat! 05:49.120 --> 05:50.120 Here! What are you doing? 05:50.120 --> 05:51.120 Getting off, too! 05:51.120 --> 05:53.120 Don't be an idiot. What's the idea? 05:53.120 --> 05:55.120 You'll need looking after Mr. Penderel. 05:55.120 --> 05:58.120 And if we must hide, I suppose this is as good a place as any. 05:58.120 --> 05:59.120 I won't have it. 05:59.120 --> 06:01.120 Quick, quick! There'll be more boats along. 06:01.120 --> 06:04.120 Over behind that dead man on the straw. He'll hide us. Hurry! 06:04.120 --> 06:06.120 Well... 06:07.120 --> 06:10.120 Now, Mr. Penderel, in the queerest place I ever get into, 06:10.120 --> 06:12.120 please tell me what this is all about. 06:12.120 --> 06:13.120 I can't tell you. 06:13.120 --> 06:14.120 You said it yourself. 06:14.120 --> 06:16.120 If you don't tell somebody, you'll go crazy. 06:16.120 --> 06:18.120 Maybe you're right. 06:18.120 --> 06:21.120 It's against the strict terms of the bet. 06:21.120 --> 06:23.120 But this is the last day, 06:23.120 --> 06:25.120 and I tell you I can't hold out any longer. 06:25.120 --> 06:31.120 You'd better slow your voice, or the boat will come. 06:31.120 --> 06:32.120 I wonder... 06:32.120 --> 06:36.120 I wonder if you ever heard of my stepfather, John Destry. 06:36.120 --> 06:37.120 Yes? 06:37.120 --> 06:39.120 I imagine everybody has. 06:39.120 --> 06:43.120 He's a millionaire, and I'm not. 06:43.120 --> 06:47.120 I'm just a chemist, an analytical chemist. 06:47.120 --> 06:49.120 Not very successful. 06:49.120 --> 06:52.120 If I'd had time, if I'd had money, 06:52.120 --> 06:54.120 I might have worked out a process that would have... 06:54.120 --> 06:56.120 Well, I think it would have helped him in the war. 06:56.120 --> 06:57.120 But he's got money. 06:57.120 --> 06:59.120 Yes, he's got money. 06:59.120 --> 07:02.120 Well, my mother died years ago. 07:02.120 --> 07:06.120 This Destry's a big, white-haired, fine-looking fella. 07:06.120 --> 07:08.120 You'd think butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. 07:08.120 --> 07:11.120 He's got an apartment in the East 60s, secretary, 07:11.120 --> 07:15.120 I never met her, ballot, cook, that kind of thing. 07:15.120 --> 07:19.120 Well, he used to invite me there. I wouldn't go. 07:19.120 --> 07:22.120 Then he got hold of a book I had to have, 07:22.120 --> 07:24.120 a German work on chemicals. 07:24.120 --> 07:26.120 So I went. 07:26.120 --> 07:29.120 After dinner, and that study of his, over the brandy. 07:47.120 --> 07:50.120 Oh, my dear Robert, you're quite welcome to the book. 07:50.120 --> 07:52.120 Don't mention it. 07:52.120 --> 07:55.120 Oh, what do you think of this brandy, by the way? 07:55.120 --> 07:56.120 It's excellent, thanks. 07:56.120 --> 07:58.120 Yes, yes, I thought you'd like it. 07:58.120 --> 08:02.120 And now that we're all relaxed, comfortable after dinner, 08:02.120 --> 08:04.120 tell me something. 08:04.120 --> 08:05.120 Yes, Mr. Destry? 08:05.120 --> 08:08.120 You hate me, don't you? 08:08.120 --> 08:11.120 Frankly, I do. And I always have. 08:11.120 --> 08:13.120 Good, good. 08:13.120 --> 08:17.120 Then you'll be relieved to hear I've always felt the same about you. 08:17.120 --> 08:19.120 But tell me something else. 08:19.120 --> 08:22.120 Did you ever know me to break my word? 08:22.120 --> 08:25.120 No, I never did. I'll give you that. 08:25.120 --> 08:29.120 I asked you, Robert, because I want to make a little bet with you. 08:29.120 --> 08:33.120 That is, if you have the nerve, which I doubt. 08:33.120 --> 08:36.120 Well, I'm afraid I can't afford to make bets. 08:36.120 --> 08:39.120 You were always careless with money, Robert. 08:39.120 --> 08:41.120 Well, I've been thrifty. 08:41.120 --> 08:44.120 I saw that when your mother was alive. 08:44.120 --> 08:47.120 But you can afford to make this bet. 08:47.120 --> 08:51.120 Look here, in my desk. 08:51.120 --> 08:52.120 Well? 08:52.120 --> 08:55.120 Twenty-five thousand dollars, Robert. 08:55.120 --> 09:00.120 Twenty-five thousand dollars in five one hundred dollar bills. 09:00.120 --> 09:03.120 And what would I have to bet against that? 09:03.120 --> 09:05.120 Your life. 09:05.120 --> 09:06.120 My life? 09:06.120 --> 09:09.120 There's the money in the drawer. Look at it. 09:09.120 --> 09:11.120 What wouldn't you give for that money? 09:11.120 --> 09:15.120 What wouldn't you give to have it for this precious work of yours 09:15.120 --> 09:20.120 that you're so fond of and that you've failed in miserably? 09:20.120 --> 09:22.120 So far I've failed, yes. 09:22.120 --> 09:25.120 Oh, I've had a fairly good life as lives go. 09:25.120 --> 09:29.120 My heart isn't as good as it might be, but the doctors say I've... 09:29.120 --> 09:31.120 I'll last a little while yet. 09:31.120 --> 09:35.120 But before I go, there's one pleasure, 09:35.120 --> 09:39.120 one little exquisite thrill for me to experience. 09:39.120 --> 09:42.120 I want to commit a murder. 09:42.120 --> 09:45.120 Yes, I said a murder. 09:45.120 --> 09:49.120 My bet is that I can kill you within six months 09:49.120 --> 09:53.120 and that you can't stop me. 09:53.120 --> 09:56.120 And that I'll never be punished for it. 09:56.120 --> 09:58.120 What do you say? 09:58.120 --> 10:01.120 Yes or no? 10:01.120 --> 10:03.120 I believe you mean that. 10:03.120 --> 10:05.120 Of course I mean it. 10:05.120 --> 10:09.120 And just how would you propose to kill me? 10:09.120 --> 10:12.120 Ah, that would be telling. 10:12.120 --> 10:15.120 You know, if I had time to think this thing over... 10:15.120 --> 10:17.120 There's no thinking it over. 10:17.120 --> 10:21.120 Now, yes or no? 10:22.120 --> 10:24.120 Yes. 10:24.120 --> 10:26.120 You must need the money badly, Robert. 10:26.120 --> 10:28.120 I do need it. 10:28.120 --> 10:31.120 But oddly enough, Mr. Destry, that isn't why I'm doing this. 10:31.120 --> 10:32.120 No? 10:32.120 --> 10:33.120 No. 10:33.120 --> 10:36.120 I want to show you you can't play the Lord Almighty and get away with it. 10:36.120 --> 10:37.120 Are you challenging me? 10:37.120 --> 10:38.120 Yes. 10:38.120 --> 10:39.120 You don't think I can do it? 10:39.120 --> 10:41.120 I know you can't. 10:42.120 --> 10:45.120 We mustn't get excited, Robert. 10:45.120 --> 10:49.120 There will be conditions to the bet, you understand? 10:49.120 --> 10:50.120 What conditions? 10:50.120 --> 10:54.120 First of all, you'll never mention this matter to anyone. 10:54.120 --> 10:56.120 All right. That seems fair enough. 10:56.120 --> 11:00.120 You'll remain within the city limits of New York for six months. 11:00.120 --> 11:06.120 You'll spend at least one hour of every day walking the open streets alone. 11:06.120 --> 11:08.120 All right. 11:08.120 --> 11:13.120 You'll spend at least one hour every evening in your own room, alone. 11:13.120 --> 11:19.120 I may come to see you, or I may not. 11:19.120 --> 11:21.120 Trying to scare me already, are you? 11:21.120 --> 11:25.120 Finally, you'll write out a little note and give it to me. 11:25.120 --> 11:28.120 There's pen and paper on the desk in front of you. 11:28.120 --> 11:29.120 Write it now. 11:29.120 --> 11:32.120 Let's hear what I have to write before I do anything like that. 11:32.120 --> 11:33.120 You will write? 11:33.120 --> 11:35.120 I am a failure. 11:35.120 --> 11:37.120 You can't stop harping on that, can you? 11:37.120 --> 11:41.120 I am a failure, and this was the only way out. 11:41.120 --> 11:43.120 I wouldn't have done it otherwise. 11:43.120 --> 11:45.120 A suicide note? 11:45.120 --> 11:51.120 Yes. I intend to use it when I, uh, operate. 11:51.120 --> 11:53.120 And if I won't write it? 11:53.120 --> 11:56.120 Then there's no bet. 11:56.120 --> 11:58.120 All right. I'll do it. 11:58.120 --> 12:04.120 It's now, uh, let's see, nine o'clock on the night of January the 10th. 12:04.120 --> 12:06.120 If you're alive and not in a madhouse... 12:06.120 --> 12:08.120 Does that go into the bargain, too? 12:08.120 --> 12:13.120 Yes. At nine o'clock on the night of June 10th, given those conditions, 12:13.120 --> 12:17.120 you will receive $25,000. 12:17.120 --> 12:21.120 Can't you hear the dice rattle, Robert? 12:21.120 --> 12:24.120 You're playing with death now. 12:24.120 --> 12:26.120 I know it. 12:26.120 --> 12:30.120 Aren't you going to finish your brandy? 12:30.120 --> 12:31.120 No, thank you. 12:31.120 --> 12:35.120 Oh, then pour it back into the decanter. 12:35.120 --> 12:37.120 You heard me. 12:37.120 --> 12:40.120 Pour it back into the decanter. 12:40.120 --> 12:46.120 If you were as careful as I am, you, uh, you wouldn't be where you are now. 12:46.120 --> 12:50.120 That's right. 12:50.120 --> 12:52.120 Always be thrifty. 12:52.120 --> 12:55.120 I can promise you, by the way, that you'll always be perfectly safe, 12:55.120 --> 12:57.120 as long as you're in this apartment. 12:57.120 --> 13:00.120 But that's the only concession I make. 13:00.120 --> 13:05.120 Oh, I notice your hands are steady at the moment. 13:05.120 --> 13:10.120 I wonder what they'll be like a month from now. 13:10.120 --> 13:12.120 Ha ha ha ha ha. 13:12.120 --> 13:34.120 So you were fool enough to make a bet with John Destry. 13:34.120 --> 13:38.120 Listen, Betty, I want to tell you what else happened the same night. 13:38.120 --> 13:43.120 I got on a Fifth Avenue bus and started to look through that book that Destry gave me. 13:43.120 --> 13:46.120 It was a book that I wanted about poisons. 13:46.120 --> 13:50.120 Well, just as I opened it, I felt something sharp prick my fingers. 13:50.120 --> 13:54.120 I looked down and my hands were covered with blood. 13:54.120 --> 13:59.120 He had sewn safety razor blades in a line down the inside into the cover. 13:59.120 --> 14:00.120 Oh, no. 14:00.120 --> 14:04.120 A little white card fell out of the book, and I read it. 14:04.120 --> 14:08.120 It said, see how easy it is to take you off guard. 14:08.120 --> 14:12.120 Those razor blades aren't poisoned, but they might have been. 14:12.120 --> 14:15.120 Take warning. 14:15.120 --> 14:18.120 Betty, that was six months ago. 14:18.120 --> 14:23.120 Six months less, five hours of careful, refined torture. 14:23.120 --> 14:26.120 And now I've got only five hours to go. 14:26.120 --> 14:27.120 What's he done in the meantime? 14:27.120 --> 14:28.120 Nothing. 14:28.120 --> 14:30.120 Nothing? I don't understand. 14:30.120 --> 14:32.120 Nothing at all. That's the cleverness of it. 14:32.120 --> 14:34.120 He's left me waiting, waiting, waiting. 14:34.120 --> 14:35.120 Expecting something. 14:35.120 --> 14:39.120 Expecting it every hour of the day or night. 14:39.120 --> 14:45.120 Once at the laboratory where I work, I opened a box that I thought was full of chemical supply house. 14:45.120 --> 14:51.120 And a Mexican tarantula, one of those furry spiders about as big as your fist, ran out across my hand. 14:51.120 --> 14:54.120 It was a toy tarantula. 14:54.120 --> 14:58.120 He enclosed a card asking whether I didn't admire it. 14:58.120 --> 14:59.120 Bob, this can't go on. 14:59.120 --> 15:01.120 I used to think I didn't have a nerve in my body. 15:01.120 --> 15:06.120 I could hold a test tube at arm's length absolutely steady for minutes at a time. 15:06.120 --> 15:07.120 Now look at me. 15:07.120 --> 15:08.120 Don't, please, don't. 15:08.120 --> 15:10.120 But the waiting's almost over now. 15:10.120 --> 15:13.120 Walking the streets, wondering who's behind you. 15:13.120 --> 15:18.120 Sitting alone at night, listening for every step on the stair. 15:18.120 --> 15:22.120 He's got very little time left now, and he's got to do something. 15:22.120 --> 15:25.120 The question is, what's he going to do? 15:25.120 --> 15:27.120 Well, maybe he doesn't mean it. 15:27.120 --> 15:29.120 Maybe he's only doing it to scare you. 15:29.120 --> 15:31.120 Lose all that money? 15:31.120 --> 15:34.120 Oh, you don't know my stepfather. 15:34.120 --> 15:35.120 Listen. 15:35.120 --> 15:37.120 Huh? 15:37.120 --> 15:39.120 I, I don't hear anything. 15:39.120 --> 15:41.120 That's just it. 15:41.120 --> 15:44.120 There's no sound of running water. 15:44.120 --> 15:46.120 The boats have stopped. 15:46.120 --> 15:49.120 Then we're all by ourselves in here. 15:49.120 --> 15:50.120 Or with him. 15:50.120 --> 15:52.120 Yes. 15:52.120 --> 15:54.120 Oh, Lord, how I wish I hadn't gotten you into this. 15:54.120 --> 15:56.120 Oh, I'm all right. 15:56.120 --> 16:00.120 Or at least I think I am. 16:00.120 --> 16:05.120 I thought I saw him in the crowd outside, but I couldn't be sure. 16:05.120 --> 16:06.120 I'm seeing him everywhere. 16:06.120 --> 16:07.120 Now, Bob, just a minute. 16:07.120 --> 16:09.120 Just tell me one more thing. 16:09.120 --> 16:13.120 Did you ever see Mr. Destry, I mean, face to face, after that first night? 16:13.120 --> 16:14.120 Oh, many times. 16:14.120 --> 16:15.120 He came to see you? 16:15.120 --> 16:19.120 He came to my laboratory once, yes, but mostly I went to see him. 16:19.120 --> 16:20.120 And why? 16:20.120 --> 16:23.120 Because it was the only place in the world I could feel safe. 16:23.120 --> 16:26.120 He's promised that nothing should happen to you while you were in his apartment. 16:26.120 --> 16:28.120 Don't you see it was part of a torture? 16:28.120 --> 16:34.120 Night after night he'd invite me, and I'd go right up until last night. 16:34.120 --> 16:36.120 Last night. 16:36.120 --> 16:41.120 We were in that study of his with the devil masks on the walls. 16:41.120 --> 17:00.120 And he was sitting behind the big mahogany desk. 17:00.120 --> 17:11.120 My dear Robert, I am pleased and even touched to have you here on the last night before you... 17:11.120 --> 17:13.120 Why don't you say die and get it over with? 17:13.120 --> 17:15.120 Oh, well, let's not say die. 17:15.120 --> 17:16.120 No. 17:16.120 --> 17:19.120 The clergy contend that we never die. 17:19.120 --> 17:20.120 We only change. 17:20.120 --> 17:23.120 Now let that be a consolation for you. 17:23.120 --> 17:25.120 Must you be going so early? 17:25.120 --> 17:29.120 There's that one hour at home rule to our bet, if you remember. 17:29.120 --> 17:32.120 I remember. You're keeping to the rules. 17:32.120 --> 17:35.120 Yes, and I mean to beat you at this if it's the last thing I ever do. 17:35.120 --> 17:38.120 The last thing I ever do. 17:38.120 --> 17:43.120 That's an unfortunate choice of phrase, Robert. 17:43.120 --> 17:46.120 My boy, you haven't a chance. 17:46.120 --> 17:51.120 Something's going to happen to you within the next 24 hours when you least expect it. 17:51.120 --> 17:55.120 Will you answer me one question? 17:55.120 --> 17:57.120 If I choose. 17:57.120 --> 18:01.120 Have you decided how you mean to kill me? 18:01.120 --> 18:03.120 I decided that six months ago. 18:03.120 --> 18:05.120 And you still think you can get away with it? 18:05.120 --> 18:09.120 It's a method which has never been known to fail. 18:09.120 --> 18:12.120 I give you my word of honor on that. 18:12.120 --> 18:15.120 Is it... is it sudden? 18:15.120 --> 18:20.120 Yes, and no. 18:20.120 --> 18:23.120 Wouldn't you like to know what it is? 18:23.120 --> 18:26.120 Good night, Mr. Destry. I think I'd better be leaving. 18:26.120 --> 18:29.120 No, no, my dear boy, you mustn't go yet. 18:29.120 --> 18:32.120 Sit down. Pour yourself a glass of brandy. 18:32.120 --> 18:33.120 No, thanks. 18:33.120 --> 18:36.120 Then perhaps you wouldn't mind pouring me a little. 18:36.120 --> 18:42.120 My doctor allows brandy, though I'm forbidden spirits. 18:42.120 --> 18:47.120 I notice your hands are shaking quite a good deal. 18:47.120 --> 18:50.120 They weren't like that six months ago, were they? 18:50.120 --> 18:53.120 No, no. You were full of confidence then. 18:53.120 --> 18:57.120 Oh, and it grieves me to see you waste tobacco 18:57.120 --> 19:00.120 by lighting a cigarette and putting it out immediately. 19:00.120 --> 19:02.120 Oh, it's no use lying to you. 19:02.120 --> 19:04.120 But I'm going to beat you just the same. 19:04.120 --> 19:06.120 You wouldn't like to back out now? 19:06.120 --> 19:08.120 After what I've been through. 19:08.120 --> 19:10.120 You'd still have your life. 19:10.120 --> 19:12.120 I'll keep it, thanks. 19:12.120 --> 19:15.120 That's very unwise of you, Robert. 19:15.120 --> 19:17.120 Still, you must decide. 19:17.120 --> 19:20.120 I was expecting my secretary a little later 19:20.120 --> 19:22.120 to dictate some letters. 19:22.120 --> 19:26.120 But now I think I'll leave her a message 19:26.120 --> 19:29.120 that I've gone to bed and turn in myself. 19:29.120 --> 19:34.120 Tomorrow is likely to prove an interesting day for both of us. 19:34.120 --> 19:37.120 Here's your hat, here's your briefcase, 19:37.120 --> 20:05.120 and let me wish you a fun, peaceful and happy good night. 20:05.120 --> 20:08.120 That was last night, Betty. 20:08.120 --> 20:10.120 I saw I had five hours to go. 20:10.120 --> 20:12.120 It's less than four hours now. 20:12.120 --> 20:14.120 If I can keep away from the old devil until nine o'clock. 20:14.120 --> 20:16.120 I wish those boats would start running again. 20:16.120 --> 20:17.120 Why? 20:17.120 --> 20:20.120 Because it's almost as spooky in here as a real old mill. 20:20.120 --> 20:21.120 I know. 20:21.120 --> 20:23.120 Even that wax dummy on the straw. 20:23.120 --> 20:24.120 Any minute now I'll... 20:24.120 --> 20:26.120 You're expecting to see him move? So am I. 20:26.120 --> 20:27.120 Now don't stand up. 20:27.120 --> 20:28.120 It doesn't matter. 20:28.120 --> 20:29.120 If the boats aren't running, 20:29.120 --> 20:31.120 we can hear anybody who comes along. 20:31.120 --> 20:32.120 I hope so. 20:32.120 --> 20:34.120 Do you think Destry's got in? 20:34.120 --> 20:36.120 Bobby can't have got in. He can't even be here. 20:36.120 --> 20:37.120 Why not? 20:37.120 --> 20:38.120 Because Mr. Destry told me. 20:38.120 --> 20:40.120 Mr. Destry told you? 20:40.120 --> 20:42.120 I'm his secretary. 20:42.120 --> 20:48.120 You know, Betty Andrews, 20:48.120 --> 20:50.120 I'm sorry it was you who did this. 20:50.120 --> 20:51.120 Did what? 20:51.120 --> 20:52.120 You can't guess, can you? 20:52.120 --> 20:54.120 Oh, Bob, I didn't come here to trap you or spy on you. 20:54.120 --> 20:56.120 If that's what you're thinking, I swear I didn't. 20:56.120 --> 20:57.120 No. 20:57.120 --> 20:59.120 You only got me to tell you the whole story and lose my bet. 20:59.120 --> 21:02.120 I haven't heard a single word you said. 21:02.120 --> 21:03.120 Bob, please believe that. 21:03.120 --> 21:04.120 He didn't send you here, of course. 21:04.120 --> 21:05.120 No, no. 21:05.120 --> 21:07.120 And of course you never saw me at his apartment last night. 21:07.120 --> 21:08.120 No, I swear I didn't. 21:08.120 --> 21:10.120 I got there late. He'd gone to bed. 21:10.120 --> 21:13.120 I didn't even take off my hat or gloves before I left again. 21:13.120 --> 21:15.120 Don't you understand, Bob? I hate him too. 21:15.120 --> 21:18.120 I want to see you beat him. You've got to beat him. 21:18.120 --> 21:19.120 You mean that? 21:19.120 --> 21:22.120 Look at me and see if I mean it. 21:22.120 --> 21:27.120 Betty, I almost believe you. 21:27.120 --> 21:29.120 You must believe me. 21:29.120 --> 21:30.120 And? 21:30.120 --> 21:32.120 Anything else? 21:32.120 --> 21:35.120 We'd better hide behind that dead man, hurry. 21:35.120 --> 21:37.120 Those boats have started up again. 21:37.120 --> 21:39.120 I wish I could tell you, Betty, what that means to me. 21:39.120 --> 21:40.120 Come on, come on, hurry. 21:40.120 --> 21:42.120 Wait a minute, you two. 21:42.120 --> 21:44.120 Stay just where you are. 21:44.120 --> 21:45.120 Where's that voice coming from? 21:45.120 --> 21:47.120 Along the tunnel, I think. 21:47.120 --> 21:48.120 But it's not Destry's voice. 21:48.120 --> 21:49.120 No, it's a man standing up in a boat. 21:49.120 --> 21:51.120 He's coming around the corner. I can see him now. 21:51.120 --> 21:52.120 Hurry. 21:52.120 --> 21:55.120 The old haunted mill, eh? 21:55.120 --> 21:59.120 My golly, if this ain't some place to make a pinch, I never heard of one. 21:59.120 --> 22:01.120 What do you mean, make a pinch? 22:01.120 --> 22:02.120 Just what I said. 22:02.120 --> 22:04.120 Your name Robert Penderel? 22:04.120 --> 22:05.120 Yes. 22:05.120 --> 22:07.120 Who are you and what do you want? 22:07.120 --> 22:08.120 Police headquarters. 22:08.120 --> 22:10.120 You know, you ought to come along with me. 22:10.120 --> 22:12.120 I want to see you over in New York. 22:12.120 --> 22:13.120 About what? 22:13.120 --> 22:17.120 I wouldn't know, lady, but it might be about the murder of John Destry. 22:17.120 --> 22:18.120 Oh, no! 22:18.120 --> 22:22.120 Did you say the murder of John Destry? 22:22.120 --> 22:23.120 That's right. 22:23.120 --> 22:26.120 Somebody poisoned him last night with mercury cyanide. 22:26.120 --> 22:29.120 I wouldn't have got you at all, maybe, if the balker outside there 22:29.120 --> 22:32.120 hadn't thought the cops were after you to start with. 22:32.120 --> 22:33.120 Betty. 22:33.120 --> 22:35.120 Yes, Bob? 22:35.120 --> 22:36.120 He's beaten me. 22:36.120 --> 22:37.120 He hasn't beaten you. 22:37.120 --> 22:39.120 Oh, yes, he has. 22:39.120 --> 22:42.120 And I know now the weapon Destry was going to use in killing me. 22:42.120 --> 22:43.120 What weapon? 22:43.120 --> 22:46.120 It never fails. 22:46.120 --> 22:47.120 The electric chair. 22:51.120 --> 22:52.120 You mustn't talk like that. 22:52.120 --> 22:53.120 Don't you see? 22:53.120 --> 22:56.120 He never once intended to kill me in the way I thought. 22:56.120 --> 22:58.120 Are you coming quietly, Mr. Penderel? 22:58.120 --> 22:59.120 Just a minute. 22:59.120 --> 23:00.120 He's poisoned himself. 23:00.120 --> 23:03.120 But he's left evidence to show I did it. 23:03.120 --> 23:06.120 He's killing me the worst way possible. 23:06.120 --> 23:08.120 He's won the bet. 23:08.120 --> 23:10.120 The money doesn't matter now. 23:10.120 --> 23:12.120 If I'm in the death house for murder, 23:12.120 --> 23:34.120 what use have I got for all the money in the world? 23:34.120 --> 23:36.120 Mr. Penderel, let me introduce myself. 23:36.120 --> 23:39.120 My name's Mullen, Inspector Mullen. 23:39.120 --> 23:41.120 It's a pleasure to meet you, Inspector. 23:41.120 --> 23:44.120 It's a pleasure to be safe again. 23:44.120 --> 23:47.120 I've had you brought here to my office for a little quiet talk. 23:47.120 --> 23:49.120 You're in a jam, son. 23:49.120 --> 23:51.120 And I want you to realize how bad it is. 23:51.120 --> 23:53.120 You think I don't realize it? 23:53.120 --> 23:55.120 John Destry was poisoned with mercury cyanide 23:55.120 --> 23:57.120 administered in a glass of brandy. 23:57.120 --> 24:00.120 And only my fingerprints were on the glass besides his own. 24:00.120 --> 24:02.120 I can guess. 24:02.120 --> 24:03.120 Mr. Destry's body was found this morning 24:03.120 --> 24:05.120 lying behind the desk in the study. 24:05.120 --> 24:09.120 There was an empty glass with traces of brandy and cyanide. 24:09.120 --> 24:11.120 Now, we haven't had the full autopsy report, 24:11.120 --> 24:14.120 but the smell of that stuff is pretty distinctive. 24:14.120 --> 24:17.120 They tell me you're a chemist, Mr. Penderel. 24:17.120 --> 24:19.120 That's right. 24:19.120 --> 24:22.120 The boys find that eight grains of mercury cyanide 24:22.120 --> 24:24.120 are missing from your laboratory. 24:24.120 --> 24:25.120 Where he visited me a month ago. 24:25.120 --> 24:26.120 And in your briefcase, 24:26.120 --> 24:28.120 which you took away from his apartment last night... 24:28.120 --> 24:30.120 He handed it to me. I remember. 24:30.120 --> 24:33.120 ...we found over a thousand dollars in cash. 24:33.120 --> 24:35.120 Now, take a look at this note. 24:35.120 --> 24:37.120 You ever see it before? 24:37.120 --> 24:39.120 No. 24:39.120 --> 24:41.120 Yes. 24:41.120 --> 24:42.120 I wrote it. 24:42.120 --> 24:43.120 You admit that? 24:43.120 --> 24:44.120 Yes, yes, yes. 24:44.120 --> 24:45.120 It says, 24:45.120 --> 24:48.120 I was a failure and this was the only way out. 24:48.120 --> 24:50.120 I wouldn't have done it otherwise. 24:50.120 --> 24:51.120 Where did you find it? 24:51.120 --> 24:53.120 Torn up in little bits. 24:53.120 --> 24:55.120 You started to write a confession, 24:55.120 --> 24:57.120 and then you couldn't face the consequences. 24:57.120 --> 25:00.120 But you shouldn't have left the pieces behind. 25:00.120 --> 25:01.120 You're infamate, my boy. 25:01.120 --> 25:03.120 Unless... 25:03.120 --> 25:05.120 Unless what? 25:05.120 --> 25:07.120 I had to confess here and now, 25:07.120 --> 25:10.120 and maybe we did a little deal about second-degree murder. 25:10.120 --> 25:12.120 Oh, Inspector, why bother to string me along? 25:12.120 --> 25:14.120 What do you mean, string you along? 25:14.120 --> 25:16.120 There's no second-degree murder on a poison charge. 25:16.120 --> 25:18.120 It's the death house or nothing. 25:18.120 --> 25:19.120 He saw to that. 25:19.120 --> 25:22.120 It's too bad you had to go and kill him, son. 25:22.120 --> 25:25.120 Didn't you know he had an aneurysm? 25:25.120 --> 25:26.120 A what? 25:26.120 --> 25:28.120 Fatal heart disease. 25:28.120 --> 25:30.120 He said that he had heart trouble, but... 25:30.120 --> 25:31.120 Heart trouble? 25:31.120 --> 25:34.120 His doctor says he couldn't have lived eight or ten months anyway. 25:34.120 --> 25:37.120 And you might have got something in the will. 25:37.120 --> 25:39.120 So that's why he did it. 25:39.120 --> 25:40.120 Did what? 25:39.120 --> 25:40.120 Killed himself. 25:40.120 --> 25:43.120 You still stick to that crazy story you told the boy? 25:43.120 --> 25:45.120 He's going to kill me, isn't he? 25:45.120 --> 25:47.120 With 3,000 volts of electricity. 25:49.120 --> 25:50.120 Inspector Mullen. 25:50.120 --> 25:51.120 What are you doing here, Sergeant? 25:51.120 --> 25:53.120 Didn't I say I wasn't to be disturbed? 25:53.120 --> 25:56.120 All the same, Inspector. I thought I'd better do it. 25:56.120 --> 25:58.120 There's a young lady here, Miss Betty Andrews. 25:58.120 --> 25:59.120 I think you'd better see her. 25:59.120 --> 26:01.120 I'll see her when I'm good and ready. 26:01.120 --> 26:03.120 I think you'd better see her, Inspector. 26:03.120 --> 26:05.120 We've just heard from Mr. Destry's lawyer. 26:05.120 --> 26:06.120 Well? 26:06.120 --> 26:08.120 He said that that young fellow there, Mr. Penderel, 26:08.120 --> 26:12.120 inherits 25,000 bucks in Mr. Destry's new will. 26:12.120 --> 26:13.120 Did you hear that, son? 26:13.120 --> 26:16.120 Do you see what you'd have gotten if you hadn't gone and killed him? 26:16.120 --> 26:19.120 He was keeping his promise, that's all. 26:19.120 --> 26:21.120 The fine lot of good it'll do me now. 26:21.120 --> 26:24.120 But look, Inspector, I've just talked to the medical examiner 26:24.120 --> 26:27.120 and he says there's no poison in Mr. Destry's body. 26:31.120 --> 26:32.120 Say that again? 26:32.120 --> 26:35.120 There's no poison in the old man's body. 26:35.120 --> 26:37.120 Somebody's kidding you. 26:37.120 --> 26:40.120 An empty glass with the smell of mercury cyanide 26:40.120 --> 26:43.120 and a dead man with a congested face behind the mask. 26:43.120 --> 26:45.120 What did kill him then? 26:45.120 --> 26:47.120 Well, if you'd like to listen to Miss Andrews, Inspector, 26:47.120 --> 26:48.120 she's right here now. 26:48.120 --> 26:50.120 I think you'd better listen, Inspector. 26:50.120 --> 26:52.120 I've been trying to tell you all afternoon. 26:52.120 --> 26:53.120 Go ahead, Miss Andrews. 26:53.120 --> 26:55.120 I've been over and over it. 26:55.120 --> 26:57.120 But until they got the medical report, nobody would listen. 26:57.120 --> 26:59.120 Can you tell us what killed John Destry? 26:59.120 --> 27:01.120 Yes. Poison killed him. 27:01.120 --> 27:04.120 But the sergeant's just been saying there was no poison in the body. 27:04.120 --> 27:06.120 Inspector, will you listen? 27:06.120 --> 27:09.120 I was at Mr. Destry's apartment late last night. 27:09.120 --> 27:11.120 Well, so what? You didn't kill him, did you? 27:11.120 --> 27:13.120 The servant said he'd gone to bed. 27:13.120 --> 27:16.120 So I looked into the study to see if there were any instructions. 27:16.120 --> 27:18.120 Was Mr. Destry dead then? 27:18.120 --> 27:19.120 I don't know. 27:19.120 --> 27:23.120 I couldn't see his body because it was hidden behind the desk. 27:23.120 --> 27:26.120 I didn't even learn he was dead until late this afternoon. 27:26.120 --> 27:29.120 But I did see a full glass of brandy. 27:29.120 --> 27:31.120 A full glass, did you say? 27:31.120 --> 27:35.120 Yes. So I picked up the glass and poured the brandy back into the decanter. 27:35.120 --> 27:37.120 That's what he always made us do. 27:37.120 --> 27:41.120 And I didn't leave any fingerprints because I was still wearing my gloves. 27:41.120 --> 27:44.120 And that was the same glass you later found empty. 27:44.120 --> 27:50.120 But you still are not telling us what was the poison that killed John Destry? 27:50.120 --> 27:52.120 It was the poison in his own system. 27:52.120 --> 27:54.120 He worked out this plot to convict Bob Penderel. 27:54.120 --> 27:57.120 Only just as he stretched out his hand to drink the cyanide... 27:57.120 --> 27:59.120 Dr. I think I see it. 27:59.120 --> 28:01.120 It was his last great hour. 28:01.120 --> 28:04.120 He couldn't resist such gloating as he'd never known before. 28:04.120 --> 28:06.120 That's it. His heart wouldn't stand it. 28:06.120 --> 28:08.120 And he fell dead behind the desk. 28:08.120 --> 28:12.120 And I think if you study the expression on his face, 28:12.120 --> 28:27.120 you'll find he died laughing. 28:27.120 --> 28:32.120 And so ends Will You Make a Bet with Death. 28:32.120 --> 28:37.120 Tonight's story of suspense. 28:37.120 --> 28:41.120 The part of Bob Penderel was played by Michael Fitzmorris. 28:41.120 --> 28:43.120 The metty was played by Leslie Woods. 28:43.120 --> 28:46.120 John Destry was played by Nicholas Joy. 28:46.120 --> 28:51.120 And in supporting roles were Ted D'Corsia and Charles Slattery. 28:51.120 --> 28:55.120 Again next Tuesday at 9.30 p.m. Eastern wartime. 28:55.120 --> 28:58.120 A story dedicated to the thrill of the nighttime. 28:58.120 --> 29:01.120 The hushed voice and the prowling step. 29:01.120 --> 29:05.120 Another adventure in...suspense. 29:05.120 --> 29:07.120 William Spear, the producer. 29:07.120 --> 29:10.120 Mark Slobe, the director in the absence of John Deets. 29:10.120 --> 29:13.120 And John Dixoncar, the author. 29:13.120 --> 29:29.120 Our collaborators on...suspense. 29:29.120 --> 29:46.120 This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.