1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,000 Suspense. 2 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:34,000 The hushed voice and the prowling step in the dead of night. 3 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:37,000 The crime that is almost committed. 4 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:41,000 The stir of nerves at the ticking of the clock. 5 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:44,000 The rescue that might be too late. 6 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:47,000 Or the murderer who might get away. 7 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:51,000 Mystery and intrigue and dangerous adventure. 8 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:56,000 We invite you to enjoy stories that keep you in... 9 00:00:56,000 --> 00:01:00,000 Suspense. 10 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:09,000 For Suspense, tonight we present The Body Snatchers by John Dickson Carr. 11 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:23,000 Beware of the body snatcher who prowls after dark. 12 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:26,000 Beware of the graves he robs. 13 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:32,000 Beware of the murders he commits to provide new corpses for the doctors. 14 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:40,000 Up to the year 1832, the body snatchers terrorized England. 15 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:47,000 According to the law, only four bodies a year could legally be supplied to the surgeons for anatomical study. 16 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:53,000 And even these were a monopoly granted to the barbers and surgeons company of London. 17 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:56,000 But the study of surgery had to go on. 18 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:05,000 In hundreds of medical schools all over England, perfectly reputable doctors were compelled to buy bodies and ask no questions. 19 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:13,000 In 1828, burst the scandal of Burke and Hare, who found grave robbing too slow... 20 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:18,000 and murdered 16 persons in order to supply Dr. Knox of Edinburgh. 21 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:24,000 And so out of basic good purpose sprang the evil of... 22 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:27,000 The body snatcher. 23 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:39,000 Turn back the clock now to a cold night just 110 years ago. 24 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:45,000 Look into the brick kitchen of a house on Wandsworth Common, not far from London. 25 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:52,000 There in the light of a tallow dip sits old Mother Slade in her draggled body. 26 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:59,000 What's a keep in them? Two hours. Two mortal hours by the Dutch clock. 27 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,000 And they're not here yet. 28 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:02,000 Mother Slade! 29 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:05,000 On the graveyard not half a mile off. 30 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:10,000 And once I thought I heard church bells ring and one... 31 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,000 Mother Slade, did you call? 32 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,000 No, my girl, I did not call. 33 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:15,000 But I thought I... 34 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:17,000 And what are you doing up at this hour, my girl? 35 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:19,000 I was only locking up, Mother Slade. 36 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:24,000 Ain't it enough to have taken you over from a good-for-nothing mother not worth a gunpowder to blow her up? 37 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:25,000 Please, Mother Slade. 38 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:31,000 And given you a good ome and brought you up practically like a lidy with only the housework to do? 39 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:35,000 I'm sorry, Mother Slade, only I wish you wouldn't talk like that about me own mother. 40 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:39,000 And what do you do, Peggy Lester? 41 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:44,000 You stop up until this hour. You mislay me snap-box twenty times a day. 42 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:48,000 I was only going to say I thought I heard a horse and cart in the lane. 43 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:49,000 In our lane? 44 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:52,000 Yes, Mother Slade. There it is now. 45 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:59,000 Yes. Easy, my dears. Drive easy with the merchandise. 46 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:03,000 The doctors don't like it if you bump the merchandise. 47 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:06,000 Merchandise, Mother Slade? What's that? 48 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:08,000 I'll tell you what it is, my girl. 49 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:10,000 I didn't mean anything, Mother Slade. 50 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:15,000 It's your Uncle Matt and your cousin Rob are coming home from their business. That's what it is. 51 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:17,000 You hear that, Peggy Lester? 52 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:19,000 I didn't mislay you, snuff-box. It's on the table. 53 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:24,000 And if you don't want me to take my fingernails to you instead of a strap, you get on up to bed this minute. Do you hear? 54 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:26,000 Yes, Mother Slade. 55 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:32,000 I'm a-coming, my dears. Don't be impatient. I'm a-coming. 56 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:37,000 Nasty, dim light this candle gives. 57 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:43,000 Oh, Mother Slade has got the romantic so cruel she can hardly move. 58 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:48,000 Just pull back the bar, open the door. 59 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:51,000 Wilmette, did you get it? 60 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:56,000 Did we get it? Strike me blind, but that's a good one, ain't it, Rob? 61 00:04:56,000 --> 00:05:00,000 Still the gab, can't you get? Get inside and close the door. 62 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:01,000 They ain't after you. 63 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:04,000 Ain't they? Can't you hear anything? 64 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:06,000 I thought I heard church bells. 65 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:09,000 More like a perishing funeral bell if you ask me. 66 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:13,000 Take it easy, Rob, take it easy. We've shaken them off. 67 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:18,000 Have we? I wish I was a servant of some people. The spades and sack is still in the cart. 68 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:21,000 Let them stay. Who's a-coming to find them? 69 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:24,000 Then you didn't get it after all, you sick scull perra. 70 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:26,000 Now don't you start a-blaming us. 71 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:30,000 Now you shut your potato trap, Mother Slade, or Matt will make you shut it. 72 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:31,000 What happened? 73 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:34,000 I'll tell you what happened. 74 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:40,000 He was too quick, that's what. The girl was only buried this afternoon. 75 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:46,000 The sooner the better, my dear. What's the good of the merchandise if it ain't fresh, eh? 76 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:49,000 You hold your noise and listen. 77 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:54,000 We left the awesome cart outside like we always do. 78 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:59,000 We creeped up to the litch gate of the churchyard. 79 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:04,000 Walk softly, Matt. Walk softly, Rob. 80 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:07,000 In your oily beaver hats and neck claws. 81 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:10,000 Under the starlight and the white frosted elms. 82 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:13,000 Take care of the graves, too. 83 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:16,000 Spring guns may be set in some of them. 84 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:19,000 To protect the dead from rodders. 85 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:25,000 And if the coffin is one of those new iron ones, all your labor will be in vain. 86 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:28,000 Open the gates softly. 87 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:32,000 Can't make such a bloody rye with them shovels. 88 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:36,000 I can't help it. I'm loaded down with all this stuff. 89 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:40,000 Oh? And who'll do all the work when we do get there? 90 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:42,000 I will. 91 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:43,000 Matt. 92 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:44,000 Aye? 93 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:45,000 Listen. 94 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:48,000 I can't hear nothing except your teeth, Jetherin. 95 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:52,000 Matt, there's other people besides us in the sea churchyard. 96 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:57,000 Aye, two or three hundred deaders. But they won't bother us. 97 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:59,000 I means living people. 98 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:01,000 Don't talk so. 99 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:06,000 Somebody's got a dark lantern. I see it flash past the gravestones. 100 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,000 Oh? Where? 101 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:11,000 Can't you see it there? It's a-coming straight toward us. 102 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:14,000 Yes. I see them. Come on. 103 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:19,000 They've seen us, Matt. 104 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:22,000 Let them have it, Matt. 105 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:27,000 He's a-down beyond the gravestones. 106 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:29,000 Cratch Dan! 107 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:32,000 They can't shoot through stone. 108 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:36,000 Matt, it says he's sacred to the memory of her- 109 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:39,000 It's the girl's relatives. They've been watching her grave. 110 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:43,000 They want to get out now. They'll have to climb the wall. 111 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:44,000 Oh, Strews. 112 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:46,000 If only I had me barkers. 113 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:50,000 First time in two years I've gone without a brace of pistols and this apple. 114 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:53,000 But you ain't got your barkers, Matt Patterson. 115 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:56,000 I got what's just as good. 116 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:57,000 Give me a shovel. 117 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:59,000 What are you going to do? 118 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:03,000 Charge them. This year's shovel's got a nice edge. 119 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:04,000 Are you daft? 120 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:09,000 They'll have to take time out to reload, won't they? 121 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:13,000 Do you hear that? Somebody started a bill. 122 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:16,000 That'll bring down every peeler within a mile. 123 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:21,000 If you want a tyvan ticket and a neck in your own rope, stop where you are. 124 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:26,000 But if you don't want to get scragged before your time, follow me. 125 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:31,000 That's all there is to it, Mother Slade. 126 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:35,000 We went out by the gate and blow me if they could stop us. 127 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:37,000 You're perishing nuns, cows. 128 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:38,000 Did they recognize you? 129 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:41,000 No. We had our neckaches, they ran our eyes. 130 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:43,000 And did you do it? 131 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:46,000 I don't know. There's blood on the shovel. 132 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:49,000 No, there ain't, Mother Slade. I wiped it off. 133 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:51,000 Anyway, we're here. 134 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:57,000 What I want now is a Christian fire to sit by and a drop of spirits to warm my stomach. 135 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,000 There's no spirits in the house, Matt Patterson. 136 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:01,000 Don't you lie to me, you ugly mother. 137 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:04,000 Let go of me, Matt Patterson. I'm warning you. 138 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:06,000 You'd better let him go, Matt. 139 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:10,000 There's no spirits. Only half a loaf of bread. 140 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:14,000 Don't I know it. I haven't tasted a drop of gin all day. 141 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:17,000 Black dogs on me back. 142 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:19,000 Well? 143 00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:21,000 Mark it what I say. 144 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:25,000 The doctor was promised a corp tonight. 145 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:29,000 All right, dearie, he gets a corp tonight. 146 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:32,000 Oh, there's that funeral bell again. 147 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:35,000 What's the clock, old hag? Come on, spit it out. 148 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:41,000 A nice young corp without any trouble or bother. 149 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,000 Aye. 150 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:47,000 What about young Peggy upstairs? 151 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:50,000 Strike me blind. 152 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:53,000 What about it, eh? 153 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:56,000 You'd have to be mighty careful. 154 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:57,000 Why? 155 00:09:57,000 --> 00:10:02,000 You'd have to smother her with a pillow while I sit on her legs. 156 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:05,000 That's what Burke and Eyre done up in Eddebury. 157 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:08,000 Then you don't leave any marks on them, see? 158 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:10,000 Here you are, for a tick weight. 159 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:15,000 If the doctors see they've been polished off, just plain murdered, 160 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:18,000 they won't have nothing to do with it. 161 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:20,000 These two eyes, they don't like it. 162 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:24,000 They like it or not, dearie, they all do. 163 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,000 Who's buying the beef tonight? 164 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:28,000 Dr. George Arnold. 165 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:31,000 Him? The young fella out full and white? 166 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:33,000 That's the man, dearie. 167 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:37,000 But I thought he was too pious and holy to play. 168 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,000 That's what Dr. Arnold thought too, 169 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:42,000 till they started putting the screws on him at Bart's college. 170 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:45,000 No corp, they said to him, no lecture. 171 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:47,000 No lecture, no students. 172 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:51,000 They all come to it, dearie, sooner or later. 173 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:55,000 What beats me is why they got to have these bodies. 174 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:58,000 You'd think the doctors killed enough people as it is 175 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:01,000 without a bayonet after they was dead. 176 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:04,000 Don't you question the ways of Providence, Matt Harrison. 177 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:07,000 You can't do it, Matt. You can't do it, Mother Slade. 178 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:09,000 You stole that noise by plenty. 179 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:11,000 Do you want to wake the poor girl upstairs? 180 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:15,000 But you can't do it. This Cove Arnold, he knows her. 181 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:16,000 Arnold knows who? 182 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:18,000 He knows Peggy. 183 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:21,000 Peggy Fair worships the ground he walks on. 184 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:23,000 Oh. 185 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:26,000 He set her on once when Mother Slade broke it, 186 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:29,000 accidental-like, and she can't forget him. 187 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:32,000 What's Arnold going to think when he opens up the sack and he finds us... 188 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:34,000 What can Arnold do? 189 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:36,000 He's bought her, ain't he? 190 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:39,000 He can't go to the police and say he's bought her. 191 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:42,000 Peggy. Peggy left her. 192 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:44,000 Don't do it, Mother Slade. Don't do it. 193 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:49,000 And how do you two sickheads know what Mother Slade is going to do? 194 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:52,000 You're going to kill her, ain't you? 195 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:55,000 Peggy. Peggy left her. 196 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:59,000 I... I thought I heard her moving about upstairs. 197 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:05,000 You did, Mr. Milkenwater. She's on the stairs now. 198 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:08,000 Rob, you're the least to be depended on. 199 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:10,000 Go out and fetch in the sack. 200 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:13,000 Don't do it. It'll bring us all bad luck. 201 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:17,000 Matt, you're a lad after me, aren't you? 202 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:20,000 You stop where you are and do just as I tell you. 203 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:24,000 Trim the candle. Let's have it all nice and snug. 204 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:26,000 What does she bring, do you think? 205 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:30,000 Fifteen guineas. Maybe twenty. Maybe more. 206 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:34,000 Twenty guineas? Strike me blind. 207 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:38,000 But this is a way of doing business that I like. 208 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:41,000 Listen. Did you call me Mother Slade? 209 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:45,000 That's right, my ducky. That's right, my little pet. 210 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:49,000 Put your wrapper round you and your slippers to keep your feet warm 211 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:54,000 and come right down here to Mother Slade. 212 00:12:54,000 --> 00:13:13,000 I'm coming, Mother Slade. I'm coming. 213 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:18,000 Who in those times would be a surgeon and still be an honest man? 214 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:21,000 At that drugged hour of the night, 215 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:24,000 look into the sitting room of a spacious house. 216 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:27,000 Many candles are still alight there, 217 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:31,000 though they have burned down nearly to their silver sockets. 218 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:36,000 There is Chinese paper on the walls and a turkey carpet underfoot. 219 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:40,000 In front of the fire, now almost out, 220 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:52,000 sits Dr. George Arnold with his bottle-green coat and heavy hair. 221 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:54,000 Dr. Arnold, sir? 222 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:57,000 I beg your pardon, Mrs. Tankred. 223 00:13:57,000 --> 00:14:00,000 Dr. Arnold, sir, it's gone two o'clock. 224 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:02,000 Yes, yes, oh yes, so it has. 225 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:05,000 You've got a lecture to deliver tomorrow and you'll be all worn out. 226 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:07,000 Why don't you go on up to bed? 227 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:08,000 Mrs. Tankred. 228 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:09,000 Yes, sir? 229 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:12,000 I'm not a housekeeper. I admire you and I can't do without you, 230 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:15,000 but would you please go away and let me alone? 231 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:18,000 Sure, I'm very sorry, sir. No offense intended. 232 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:23,000 Stop, I shouldn't have said that. I'm thinking too much, perhaps. 233 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:27,000 Smoking too many cigars, if you'll excuse me. 234 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:30,000 Why must they keep tolling that bell at East Hill Church? 235 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:32,000 Why must they keep it up all night? 236 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:35,000 Well, sir, Elsie says the parson told them to do it. 237 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:38,000 Wait, who is Elsie? 238 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:42,000 Oh, I know you're always up in the clouds, mooning over books and whatnot, 239 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:45,000 but I did think you'd recognize the name of your own parlour maid. 240 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:48,000 Oh, of that Elsie, I see. Well? 241 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:52,000 Elsie says it's because of the murder in the churchyard. 242 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:53,000 What murder? 243 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:56,000 Two resurrection men, body snatchers, sir. 244 00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:59,000 Oh, you wouldn't know anything about such people. 245 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:00,000 No, no, no, of course not. 246 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:04,000 They were caught trying to rob a grave, but they got away. 247 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:07,000 One of them was a horrible big fella. 248 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:11,000 Split Willie Kendrick's head open with the edge of a shovel. 249 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:12,000 Is anything wrong, sir? 250 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:14,000 No, not exactly. 251 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:17,000 Well, I thought for a second, seeing how you looked. 252 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:19,000 Did they get the body? 253 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,000 Yes, sir, it was Willie Kendrick. 254 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:23,000 His head was split open with a shovel. 255 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:27,000 No, no, I mean, did these resurrection men get what they were after? 256 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:28,000 No, sir. 257 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:29,000 Thank God. 258 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:31,000 Oh, you may well say that, doctor. 259 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:34,000 Wasn't exactly speaking in the religious sense, but never mind. 260 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:38,000 Elsie says there are what she calls peelers all over the place. 261 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:39,000 Peelers? 262 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:42,000 Yes, these new policemen, after Sir Robert Peel, 263 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:44,000 and somebody from the new detective police 264 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:46,000 that they're using instead of the Bow Street Runners. 265 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:49,000 Well, Mrs. Tankred, I'm going to smoke one more cigar, 266 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:51,000 and then I'm going to bed. 267 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:53,000 Very good, sir. 268 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:58,000 You see, sometimes you give orders, then it's too late to recall them. 269 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:00,000 Whatever the medical practice is, 270 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:03,000 you can't look your conscience in the face afterwards. 271 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:06,000 Then I can't tell you how or why. 272 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:09,000 A miracle comes along and saves you, and you're free. 273 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:12,000 What was that? 274 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:14,000 Sounds like a horse and cart in the drive, sir. 275 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:15,000 Mrs. Tankred. 276 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:16,000 Yes, doctor. 277 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:18,000 Will you please go upstairs? Now, make haste. 278 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:20,000 Well, if it's visitors, sir, or even a patient. 279 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:22,000 Mrs. Tankred, you heard my instructions. Obey them. 280 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:24,000 Sir, there's the front door, then. 281 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:26,000 Yes, I heard it. For the last time, go away. 282 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:28,000 I will admit whatever visitors we have. 283 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:33,000 Yes, sir. 284 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:38,000 Good evening, dearie. 285 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:41,000 Oh, come into the sitting room here, Miss... 286 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:42,000 Mrs. Slade. 287 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:45,000 Oh, sir, just call me Mother Slade. 288 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:49,000 You don't hardly seem natural or friendly to hear anything else. 289 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:52,000 It's a pleasure to curtsy to you, doctor. 290 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:55,000 Cool. What a lovely room. 291 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:56,000 I... I suppose... 292 00:16:56,000 --> 00:17:00,000 Your candles is going out, though. One by one. 293 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:03,000 Poof! Then you'll be in the dark. 294 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:05,000 I suppose you've come to report failure. 295 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:07,000 Failure, dearie? 296 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:10,000 I... I understand you didn't get what you went after. 297 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:14,000 Bless you, dearie. We got something just as good. 298 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:17,000 Finest piece of merchandise you ever saw. 299 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:19,000 You haven't got it here. 300 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:23,000 Bless you, dearie. Mother Slade always keeps her word. 301 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:27,000 Bring the merchandise in, my dears, so the doctor can see it. 302 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:28,000 Quiet, please. 303 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:31,000 Oh, it's crossed, dearie. I forgot. 304 00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:34,000 The big seller with the black eyebrows is Uncle Matt. 305 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:38,000 The little seller with the watery eyes is Cousin Rob. 306 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:42,000 And between them, in that sack, they're carrying... 307 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:44,000 Who is it in the sack? 308 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:48,000 Nineteen-year-old girl, dearie. 309 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:51,000 Finest anatomical specimen you ever saw. 310 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:53,000 Merciful heavens. 311 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:56,000 Where do you want this thing dumped, Governor? Easy now, Matt. 312 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:58,000 Why did you bring it here? 313 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,000 That's where you told us to bring it, dearie. 314 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:03,000 Why did you bring it to the front door? Why not to the surgery? 315 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:06,000 Only place in the house where there was lights, Governor. 316 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:08,000 Hurry up. Now, where do you want it? 317 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:09,000 Well, take it... 318 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:10,000 Yes, dearie? 319 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:13,000 Take it over and put it in the cupboard there, where I'm pointing. 320 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:15,000 This cupboard here, sir? 321 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:16,000 Yes. Then close the cupboard door. 322 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:18,000 Shame on you two. 323 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:22,000 Cracking your muddy boots over the doctor's lovely turkey carpet. 324 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:24,000 Easy, my dears. Easy now. 325 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:26,000 All right, Robin. 326 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:30,000 Don't bruise the merchandise. 327 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:33,000 Whatever you do, don't bruise the merchandise. 328 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:35,000 Right, me blind, what's the odds? 329 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:37,000 You can't feel it now? 330 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:41,000 Here's your body, Mr. Sawbones. 331 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:43,000 Now, let's see your money. 332 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:46,000 Just one moment before I give it to you. 333 00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:49,000 There ain't no itching. This is... 334 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:51,000 better not be. 335 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:54,000 No, I made a bargain with you and I'll stick to it. 336 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:58,000 Thank you. That's uncommon genteel of you. 337 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:01,000 Kind of stand back, sir. You're two stone a fat heavier than I am, 338 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:03,000 and you don't impress me. 339 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:04,000 Easy, Matt. Take it easy. 340 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:07,000 I want to ask only one question. 341 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:09,000 Where did you get that body? 342 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:14,000 That's a question, dearie, what people in your profession don't ask. 343 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:15,000 Why not? 344 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:18,000 Because they don't dare, that's why. 345 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:21,000 Would the police be interested in where you got the body? 346 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:27,000 No, dearie, not as so interested in as where we brought it to your house. 347 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:29,000 It's your responsibility now. 348 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:32,000 Yes, I suppose it is. 349 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:37,000 The victim wouldn't be by any chance that pretty little girl you used to treat so unmercifully? 350 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:40,000 You old your noise about how I treated her. 351 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:42,000 I was rather fond of Peggy. 352 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:46,000 Strike me blind. I think the saw both of you. 353 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:48,000 Get out of this house, all of you. Go on, get out. 354 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:52,000 Not without that money, dearie. It's 20 guineas now. 355 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:54,000 There's money on the table under that newspaper. Take what you want. 356 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:56,000 Get out of here before I... 357 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:58,000 Oh, what was that? 358 00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:00,000 Aye. What was it? 359 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:02,000 A late visitor, I imagine. 360 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:04,000 Was you expecting anybody? 361 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:05,000 No. 362 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:09,000 Don't drop the lovely money, Rob. Don't drop it all over the carpet. Pick it up. 363 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:11,000 Is that the back way, are these? 364 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:14,000 Yes, it's the way you should have come. Through that arch and down the passage. 365 00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:19,000 Thank you for the rhino, cabinet. And no games, mind you, if you know what's good for you. 366 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:25,000 Good night, dearie. Remember, you've got the body now. 367 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:30,000 Yes, I've got the body now. 368 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:36,000 Poor, poor little devil. 369 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:37,000 Dr. Arnold, sir? 370 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:40,000 In heaven's name, Mrs. Tancred. Haven't you gone to bed yet? 371 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:42,000 I had to get up, sir, to answer the bell. 372 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:44,000 Oh, yes, yes, of course. I'm sorry. 373 00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:46,000 Dr. Arnold, what's the matter with you? 374 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:47,000 The matter? 375 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:50,000 You're as white as a ghost and you're almost crying. 376 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:53,000 Am I? Well, we must remedy that. 377 00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:56,000 It's so dark in here, I could barely see a city there. 378 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:59,000 The candles going out one after another. 379 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:03,000 Nothing but smoke and an ugly smell of grease and that cupboard door. 380 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:04,000 What about that cupboard door? 381 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:08,000 I always declare, sir, it won't keep shut without any latch or bolt. 382 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:09,000 If you'll excuse the level... 383 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:11,000 Mrs. Tancred, keep away from that cupboard. 384 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:14,000 Dr. Arnold, sir? Are you ill or anything? 385 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:16,000 No, but keep away from that cupboard. 386 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:18,000 Who rang the bell? 387 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:20,000 Oh, dear, I was almost forgetting. 388 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:22,000 It's that man Elsie was talking to us about. 389 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:23,000 What man? 390 00:21:23,000 --> 00:21:26,000 The officer of the detective police, sir. He wants to see you. 391 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:30,000 Well, I'll see him, but in some other room, not here. 392 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:32,000 As you say, there's not enough light. 393 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:34,000 Not a bit of it, doctor, not a bit of it. 394 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:37,000 Never too dark, as you might say, were the police are concerned. 395 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:40,000 I couldn't help it, sir. He must have followed me down the hall. 396 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:41,000 Are you...? 397 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:46,000 That's right, doctor. I'm Stalker at your service, Inspector Stalker. 398 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:50,000 How do you do, inspector? Mrs. Tancred, you may go. 399 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:54,000 By your leave, sir. I'll just get some more candles and put them in that bracket by the cupboard. 400 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:55,000 It's not in use. 401 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:56,000 No, you needn't trouble. 402 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:58,000 It's no trouble, sir. Excuse me. 403 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:03,000 First of all, doctor, I must apologize for intruding as late as this. 404 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:06,000 Not at all, inspector. Will you be seated? 405 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:08,000 Thank you, sir. Thank you kindly. 406 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:12,000 Now, I dare say you're wondering why I'm here. 407 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:14,000 Well, yes, I am, rather. 408 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:16,000 It's a bad business, doctor. 409 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:18,000 A very bad business. 410 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:21,000 You mean the murder in the churchyard? 411 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:23,000 Oh, you've heard about it. 412 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:28,000 Well, my housekeeper said something about a man being killed with a shovel. 413 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:31,000 That's right, doctor. Not much doubt about who did that. 414 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:32,000 No? 415 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:36,000 No. The little fellow dropped his dark lantern with the initials on it. 416 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:42,000 They're professional body snatchers. We've had our eye on them for a long time. 417 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,000 Speaking of body snatchers, doctor... 418 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:46,000 Well? 419 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:49,000 I expect this anatomy law is pretty hard on you surgeons. 420 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:51,000 It's an infamous law, sir. 421 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:54,000 Oh, the same, doctor. It is the law. 422 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:57,000 Yes. 423 00:22:57,000 --> 00:23:03,000 And if any surgeon happened to be caught with a body, especially a murder body... 424 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:05,000 What are you hinting at? 425 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:07,000 Nothing, doctor. Nothing. 426 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:10,000 By your leave, I only want to ask a question. 427 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:12,000 Well? 428 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:15,000 What time did your friends leave? 429 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:20,000 Now, come, doctor. As one man of the world to another, do you see any green in my eye? 430 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:26,000 You're not going to say you had no guests when their horse and cart are still at your front door. 431 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:29,000 They didn't get away. 432 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:35,000 No, doctor, they didn't. They met a little reception committee as they left by the back door. 433 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:38,000 Derby's on the wrists. Snap. 434 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:43,000 Just as I might reach out and touch your wrist. Like this. 435 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:45,000 What do you mean by derby's? 436 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:48,000 Pancas. I've got a pair in my pocket. 437 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:51,000 Gags into their mouths. That's to keep them from biting. 438 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:55,000 Look, do we have to go on with this? You already seem to know everything I could tell you. 439 00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:58,000 Not exactly everything. 440 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:02,000 I don't know, for instance, where you've hidden the girl's body. 441 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:05,000 You're a very diligent man, Inspector Stalker. 442 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:07,000 Pancas, sir, I try to do my duty. 443 00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:09,000 You said a girl? 444 00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:15,000 These gin muddled degenerates have been watched every second since they left East Hill Churchyard. 445 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:18,000 They hadn't a body then, but they brought one here. 446 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:22,000 And there's only one other person who lives in the same house with them. 447 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:23,000 Dr. Arnold, sir. 448 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:25,000 Mrs. Tankred, listen to me. 449 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:26,000 Yes, sir? 450 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:31,000 Must you always break in with the most completely ill-timed entrances at all the worst period of my life? 451 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:33,000 I was only trying to be helpful, sir. 452 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:35,000 That's right, madam. Always be helpful. 453 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:38,000 You had to have some light. Here's the candle, sir. 454 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:42,000 Five of them in a big candle album. We can hang them in the bracket. 455 00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:44,000 Ma'am, hold up that light. Hold it high. 456 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:47,000 Really, sir? I'm not in the habit of being spoken to as... 457 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:48,000 Hold it high, I tell you. 458 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:51,000 Do as the Inspector tells you, Mrs. Tankred. 459 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:55,000 This is a very fine carpet you've got here, doctor. 460 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:58,000 Yes. Others have admired it tonight. 461 00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:03,000 But it oughtn't to have footprints on it. Muddy footprints. 462 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:11,000 Footprints leading from the door, past the sofa, past the half, over to... 463 00:25:11,000 --> 00:25:14,000 To that cupboard. Quite correct. 464 00:25:14,000 --> 00:25:16,000 I think that's done it, Dr. Arnold. 465 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:18,000 I think it has, Inspector Stalker. 466 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:22,000 We couldn't have proved anything against you for that churchyard business. 467 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:23,000 But this... 468 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:26,000 Let me open Bluebeard's cupboard, Inspector. 469 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:29,000 Let me be the first to show you what's inside. 470 00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:34,000 Who wanted a certain body, it appears you've come to the right place. 471 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:40,000 Now, look. Lord Almighty. 472 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:45,000 I'm the body, Mr. Police. Standing up, I'm very much alive. 473 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:48,000 And I'm wearing a nice new dress that the doctor gave me. 474 00:25:48,000 --> 00:25:49,000 But I gave you. 475 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:51,000 Don't say anything. Please don't say anything. 476 00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:53,000 Stop a bit, Miss. Aren't you Peggy Lester? 477 00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:57,000 Yes. Just because the doctor has to be so terribly respectable... 478 00:25:57,000 --> 00:26:00,000 and a girl who's fond of him has to come here in secret... 479 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:03,000 Wait a minute, everybody. Peggy Lester, you're lying. 480 00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:05,000 I am not lying. 481 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:09,000 So that's it. Why didn't I guess it? 482 00:26:09,000 --> 00:26:12,000 It's the oldest body snatcher's trick in the world. 483 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:13,000 Is it? 484 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:16,000 Of course, the old pinch penny like Mother Slade... 485 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:18,000 couldn't sacrifice a good household grudge. 486 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:20,000 Of course they brought the body here. 487 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:24,000 Instead of taking it to the surgery, where it might get locked up. 488 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:29,000 Could you be persuaded, Inspector, to tell us just what you're talking about? 489 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:30,000 The body snatcher, sir. 490 00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:32,000 Well, what about them? 491 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:35,000 They take a living accomplice and put him into a sack... 492 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:38,000 and sell him to a green doctor as a dead man. 493 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:39,000 Yes, but see here... 494 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:41,000 They get the best price they can. 495 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:45,000 In the middle of the night, their accomplice gets up and robs the doctor's house. 496 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:49,000 And the doctor can't tell us because he's bought illegal goods. 497 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:51,000 I never intended to go through with it. 498 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:52,000 No, young woman. 499 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:54,000 I tell you, I wasn't going to rob the house. 500 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:55,000 They made me do this. 501 00:26:55,000 --> 00:26:59,000 I was going to tell Dr. Arnold when I found out where they were taking me. 502 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:02,000 I pretended to go through with it so I could warn the doctor. 503 00:27:02,000 --> 00:27:06,000 They can hurt so much, you'll agree to almost anything. 504 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:11,000 That sounds like the truth, but it puts me in a funny position and no mistake. 505 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:17,000 Oh, your three murderers, Inspector, seem to be leaving. 506 00:27:17,000 --> 00:27:19,000 Yes, they're leaving right enough. 507 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:22,000 Trussed up like fowls and under guard. 508 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:25,000 Does anybody go with them? 509 00:27:25,000 --> 00:27:27,000 How can anybody go with them? 510 00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:30,000 I'm willing to believe this girl acted under threats. 511 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:32,000 She's committed no crime. 512 00:27:32,000 --> 00:27:35,000 And I don't for the life of me see how we can touch you. 513 00:27:35,000 --> 00:27:37,000 Can't touch me? 514 00:27:37,000 --> 00:27:38,000 No, sir. 515 00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:41,000 I confound you for making me lose a night's sleep. 516 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:43,000 There's no body. 517 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:45,000 You didn't even buy a body. 518 00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:48,000 Will you tell me, doctor, just what crime you've committed? 519 00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:04,000 And so ends the Body Snatchers. 520 00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:09,000 The story of London at midnight, a hundred years ago. 521 00:28:09,000 --> 00:28:12,000 And tonight's story of... 522 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:35,000 Suspense. 523 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:40,000 Columbia presents these tales of mystery and intrigue and dangerous adventure. 524 00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:44,000 For your relaxation and enjoyment. 525 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:48,000 Next Tuesday, there will be another in this series. 526 00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:55,000 Same hour, 9.30 Eastern wartime. 527 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:59,000 William Spear, the producer, John Deet, the director, 528 00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:03,000 Alexander Semmler, the composer, conductor, 529 00:29:03,000 --> 00:29:06,000 and John Dixoncar, the author, 530 00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:10,000 are collaborators on... 531 00:29:10,000 --> 00:29:13,000 Suspense. 532 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:37,000 This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.