WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:01.000 Suspense. 00:30.000 --> 00:34.000 The hushed voice and the prowling step in the dead of night. 00:35.000 --> 00:37.000 The crime that is almost committed. 00:38.000 --> 00:41.000 The stir of nerves at the ticking of the clock. 00:42.000 --> 00:44.000 The rescue that might be too late. 00:44.000 --> 00:47.000 Or the murderer who might get away. 00:48.000 --> 00:51.000 Mystery and intrigue and dangerous adventure. 00:52.000 --> 00:56.000 We invite you to enjoy stories that keep you in... 00:56.000 --> 01:00.000 Suspense. 01:03.000 --> 01:09.000 For Suspense, tonight we present The Body Snatchers by John Dickson Carr. 01:18.000 --> 01:23.000 Beware of the body snatcher who prowls after dark. 01:23.000 --> 01:26.000 Beware of the graves he robs. 01:27.000 --> 01:32.000 Beware of the murders he commits to provide new corpses for the doctors. 01:35.000 --> 01:40.000 Up to the year 1832, the body snatchers terrorized England. 01:40.000 --> 01:47.000 According to the law, only four bodies a year could legally be supplied to the surgeons for anatomical study. 01:47.000 --> 01:53.000 And even these were a monopoly granted to the barbers and surgeons company of London. 01:53.000 --> 01:56.000 But the study of surgery had to go on. 01:57.000 --> 02:05.000 In hundreds of medical schools all over England, perfectly reputable doctors were compelled to buy bodies and ask no questions. 02:06.000 --> 02:13.000 In 1828, burst the scandal of Burke and Hare, who found grave robbing too slow... 02:13.000 --> 02:18.000 and murdered 16 persons in order to supply Dr. Knox of Edinburgh. 02:19.000 --> 02:24.000 And so out of basic good purpose sprang the evil of... 02:24.000 --> 02:27.000 The body snatcher. 02:34.000 --> 02:39.000 Turn back the clock now to a cold night just 110 years ago. 02:39.000 --> 02:45.000 Look into the brick kitchen of a house on Wandsworth Common, not far from London. 02:46.000 --> 02:52.000 There in the light of a tallow dip sits old Mother Slade in her draggled body. 02:52.000 --> 02:59.000 What's a keep in them? Two hours. Two mortal hours by the Dutch clock. 02:59.000 --> 03:01.000 And they're not here yet. 03:01.000 --> 03:02.000 Mother Slade! 03:02.000 --> 03:05.000 On the graveyard not half a mile off. 03:05.000 --> 03:10.000 And once I thought I heard church bells ring and one... 03:10.000 --> 03:12.000 Mother Slade, did you call? 03:12.000 --> 03:14.000 No, my girl, I did not call. 03:14.000 --> 03:15.000 But I thought I... 03:15.000 --> 03:17.000 And what are you doing up at this hour, my girl? 03:17.000 --> 03:19.000 I was only locking up, Mother Slade. 03:19.000 --> 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? 03:24.000 --> 03:25.000 Please, Mother Slade. 03:25.000 --> 03:31.000 And given you a good ome and brought you up practically like a lidy with only the housework to do? 03:31.000 --> 03:35.000 I'm sorry, Mother Slade, only I wish you wouldn't talk like that about me own mother. 03:35.000 --> 03:39.000 And what do you do, Peggy Lester? 03:39.000 --> 03:44.000 You stop up until this hour. You mislay me snap-box twenty times a day. 03:44.000 --> 03:48.000 I was only going to say I thought I heard a horse and cart in the lane. 03:48.000 --> 03:49.000 In our lane? 03:49.000 --> 03:52.000 Yes, Mother Slade. There it is now. 03:52.000 --> 03:59.000 Yes. Easy, my dears. Drive easy with the merchandise. 03:59.000 --> 04:03.000 The doctors don't like it if you bump the merchandise. 04:03.000 --> 04:06.000 Merchandise, Mother Slade? What's that? 04:06.000 --> 04:08.000 I'll tell you what it is, my girl. 04:08.000 --> 04:10.000 I didn't mean anything, Mother Slade. 04:10.000 --> 04:15.000 It's your Uncle Matt and your cousin Rob are coming home from their business. That's what it is. 04:15.000 --> 04:17.000 You hear that, Peggy Lester? 04:17.000 --> 04:19.000 I didn't mislay you, snuff-box. It's on the table. 04:19.000 --> 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? 04:24.000 --> 04:26.000 Yes, Mother Slade. 04:26.000 --> 04:32.000 I'm a-coming, my dears. Don't be impatient. I'm a-coming. 04:32.000 --> 04:37.000 Nasty, dim light this candle gives. 04:37.000 --> 04:43.000 Oh, Mother Slade has got the romantic so cruel she can hardly move. 04:43.000 --> 04:48.000 Just pull back the bar, open the door. 04:48.000 --> 04:51.000 Wilmette, did you get it? 04:51.000 --> 04:56.000 Did we get it? Strike me blind, but that's a good one, ain't it, Rob? 04:56.000 --> 05:00.000 Still the gab, can't you get? Get inside and close the door. 05:00.000 --> 05:01.000 They ain't after you. 05:01.000 --> 05:04.000 Ain't they? Can't you hear anything? 05:04.000 --> 05:06.000 I thought I heard church bells. 05:06.000 --> 05:09.000 More like a perishing funeral bell if you ask me. 05:09.000 --> 05:13.000 Take it easy, Rob, take it easy. We've shaken them off. 05:13.000 --> 05:18.000 Have we? I wish I was a servant of some people. The spades and sack is still in the cart. 05:18.000 --> 05:21.000 Let them stay. Who's a-coming to find them? 05:21.000 --> 05:24.000 Then you didn't get it after all, you sick scull perra. 05:24.000 --> 05:26.000 Now don't you start a-blaming us. 05:26.000 --> 05:30.000 Now you shut your potato trap, Mother Slade, or Matt will make you shut it. 05:30.000 --> 05:31.000 What happened? 05:31.000 --> 05:34.000 I'll tell you what happened. 05:34.000 --> 05:40.000 He was too quick, that's what. The girl was only buried this afternoon. 05:40.000 --> 05:46.000 The sooner the better, my dear. What's the good of the merchandise if it ain't fresh, eh? 05:46.000 --> 05:49.000 You hold your noise and listen. 05:49.000 --> 05:54.000 We left the awesome cart outside like we always do. 05:54.000 --> 05:59.000 We creeped up to the litch gate of the churchyard. 06:00.000 --> 06:04.000 Walk softly, Matt. Walk softly, Rob. 06:04.000 --> 06:07.000 In your oily beaver hats and neck claws. 06:07.000 --> 06:10.000 Under the starlight and the white frosted elms. 06:10.000 --> 06:13.000 Take care of the graves, too. 06:13.000 --> 06:16.000 Spring guns may be set in some of them. 06:16.000 --> 06:19.000 To protect the dead from rodders. 06:19.000 --> 06:25.000 And if the coffin is one of those new iron ones, all your labor will be in vain. 06:25.000 --> 06:28.000 Open the gates softly. 06:29.000 --> 06:32.000 Can't make such a bloody rye with them shovels. 06:32.000 --> 06:36.000 I can't help it. I'm loaded down with all this stuff. 06:36.000 --> 06:40.000 Oh? And who'll do all the work when we do get there? 06:40.000 --> 06:42.000 I will. 06:42.000 --> 06:43.000 Matt. 06:43.000 --> 06:44.000 Aye? 06:44.000 --> 06:45.000 Listen. 06:45.000 --> 06:48.000 I can't hear nothing except your teeth, Jetherin. 06:48.000 --> 06:52.000 Matt, there's other people besides us in the sea churchyard. 06:52.000 --> 06:57.000 Aye, two or three hundred deaders. But they won't bother us. 06:57.000 --> 06:59.000 I means living people. 06:59.000 --> 07:01.000 Don't talk so. 07:01.000 --> 07:06.000 Somebody's got a dark lantern. I see it flash past the gravestones. 07:06.000 --> 07:08.000 Oh? Where? 07:08.000 --> 07:11.000 Can't you see it there? It's a-coming straight toward us. 07:11.000 --> 07:14.000 Yes. I see them. Come on. 07:17.000 --> 07:19.000 They've seen us, Matt. 07:19.000 --> 07:22.000 Let them have it, Matt. 07:24.000 --> 07:27.000 He's a-down beyond the gravestones. 07:27.000 --> 07:29.000 Cratch Dan! 07:29.000 --> 07:32.000 They can't shoot through stone. 07:32.000 --> 07:36.000 Matt, it says he's sacred to the memory of her- 07:36.000 --> 07:39.000 It's the girl's relatives. They've been watching her grave. 07:39.000 --> 07:43.000 They want to get out now. They'll have to climb the wall. 07:43.000 --> 07:44.000 Oh, Strews. 07:44.000 --> 07:46.000 If only I had me barkers. 07:46.000 --> 07:50.000 First time in two years I've gone without a brace of pistols and this apple. 07:50.000 --> 07:53.000 But you ain't got your barkers, Matt Patterson. 07:53.000 --> 07:56.000 I got what's just as good. 07:56.000 --> 07:57.000 Give me a shovel. 07:57.000 --> 07:59.000 What are you going to do? 07:59.000 --> 08:03.000 Charge them. This year's shovel's got a nice edge. 08:03.000 --> 08:04.000 Are you daft? 08:04.000 --> 08:09.000 They'll have to take time out to reload, won't they? 08:09.000 --> 08:13.000 Do you hear that? Somebody started a bill. 08:13.000 --> 08:16.000 That'll bring down every peeler within a mile. 08:16.000 --> 08:21.000 If you want a tyvan ticket and a neck in your own rope, stop where you are. 08:21.000 --> 08:26.000 But if you don't want to get scragged before your time, follow me. 08:28.000 --> 08:31.000 That's all there is to it, Mother Slade. 08:31.000 --> 08:35.000 We went out by the gate and blow me if they could stop us. 08:35.000 --> 08:37.000 You're perishing nuns, cows. 08:37.000 --> 08:38.000 Did they recognize you? 08:38.000 --> 08:41.000 No. We had our neckaches, they ran our eyes. 08:41.000 --> 08:43.000 And did you do it? 08:43.000 --> 08:46.000 I don't know. There's blood on the shovel. 08:46.000 --> 08:49.000 No, there ain't, Mother Slade. I wiped it off. 08:49.000 --> 08:51.000 Anyway, we're here. 08:51.000 --> 08:57.000 What I want now is a Christian fire to sit by and a drop of spirits to warm my stomach. 08:57.000 --> 08:59.000 There's no spirits in the house, Matt Patterson. 08:59.000 --> 09:01.000 Don't you lie to me, you ugly mother. 09:01.000 --> 09:04.000 Let go of me, Matt Patterson. I'm warning you. 09:04.000 --> 09:06.000 You'd better let him go, Matt. 09:06.000 --> 09:10.000 There's no spirits. Only half a loaf of bread. 09:10.000 --> 09:14.000 Don't I know it. I haven't tasted a drop of gin all day. 09:14.000 --> 09:17.000 Black dogs on me back. 09:17.000 --> 09:19.000 Well? 09:19.000 --> 09:21.000 Mark it what I say. 09:21.000 --> 09:25.000 The doctor was promised a corp tonight. 09:25.000 --> 09:29.000 All right, dearie, he gets a corp tonight. 09:29.000 --> 09:32.000 Oh, there's that funeral bell again. 09:32.000 --> 09:35.000 What's the clock, old hag? Come on, spit it out. 09:35.000 --> 09:41.000 A nice young corp without any trouble or bother. 09:41.000 --> 09:43.000 Aye. 09:43.000 --> 09:47.000 What about young Peggy upstairs? 09:47.000 --> 09:50.000 Strike me blind. 09:50.000 --> 09:53.000 What about it, eh? 09:53.000 --> 09:56.000 You'd have to be mighty careful. 09:56.000 --> 09:57.000 Why? 09:57.000 --> 10:02.000 You'd have to smother her with a pillow while I sit on her legs. 10:02.000 --> 10:05.000 That's what Burke and Eyre done up in Eddebury. 10:05.000 --> 10:08.000 Then you don't leave any marks on them, see? 10:08.000 --> 10:10.000 Here you are, for a tick weight. 10:10.000 --> 10:15.000 If the doctors see they've been polished off, just plain murdered, 10:15.000 --> 10:18.000 they won't have nothing to do with it. 10:18.000 --> 10:20.000 These two eyes, they don't like it. 10:20.000 --> 10:24.000 They like it or not, dearie, they all do. 10:24.000 --> 10:26.000 Who's buying the beef tonight? 10:26.000 --> 10:28.000 Dr. George Arnold. 10:28.000 --> 10:31.000 Him? The young fella out full and white? 10:31.000 --> 10:33.000 That's the man, dearie. 10:33.000 --> 10:37.000 But I thought he was too pious and holy to play. 10:37.000 --> 10:39.000 That's what Dr. Arnold thought too, 10:39.000 --> 10:42.000 till they started putting the screws on him at Bart's college. 10:42.000 --> 10:45.000 No corp, they said to him, no lecture. 10:45.000 --> 10:47.000 No lecture, no students. 10:47.000 --> 10:51.000 They all come to it, dearie, sooner or later. 10:51.000 --> 10:55.000 What beats me is why they got to have these bodies. 10:55.000 --> 10:58.000 You'd think the doctors killed enough people as it is 10:58.000 --> 11:01.000 without a bayonet after they was dead. 11:01.000 --> 11:04.000 Don't you question the ways of Providence, Matt Harrison. 11:04.000 --> 11:07.000 You can't do it, Matt. You can't do it, Mother Slade. 11:07.000 --> 11:09.000 You stole that noise by plenty. 11:09.000 --> 11:11.000 Do you want to wake the poor girl upstairs? 11:11.000 --> 11:15.000 But you can't do it. This Cove Arnold, he knows her. 11:15.000 --> 11:16.000 Arnold knows who? 11:16.000 --> 11:18.000 He knows Peggy. 11:18.000 --> 11:21.000 Peggy Fair worships the ground he walks on. 11:21.000 --> 11:23.000 Oh. 11:23.000 --> 11:26.000 He set her on once when Mother Slade broke it, 11:26.000 --> 11:29.000 accidental-like, and she can't forget him. 11:29.000 --> 11:32.000 What's Arnold going to think when he opens up the sack and he finds us... 11:32.000 --> 11:34.000 What can Arnold do? 11:34.000 --> 11:36.000 He's bought her, ain't he? 11:36.000 --> 11:39.000 He can't go to the police and say he's bought her. 11:39.000 --> 11:42.000 Peggy. Peggy left her. 11:42.000 --> 11:44.000 Don't do it, Mother Slade. Don't do it. 11:44.000 --> 11:49.000 And how do you two sickheads know what Mother Slade is going to do? 11:49.000 --> 11:52.000 You're going to kill her, ain't you? 11:52.000 --> 11:55.000 Peggy. Peggy left her. 11:55.000 --> 11:59.000 I... I thought I heard her moving about upstairs. 11:59.000 --> 12:05.000 You did, Mr. Milkenwater. She's on the stairs now. 12:05.000 --> 12:08.000 Rob, you're the least to be depended on. 12:08.000 --> 12:10.000 Go out and fetch in the sack. 12:10.000 --> 12:13.000 Don't do it. It'll bring us all bad luck. 12:13.000 --> 12:17.000 Matt, you're a lad after me, aren't you? 12:17.000 --> 12:20.000 You stop where you are and do just as I tell you. 12:20.000 --> 12:24.000 Trim the candle. Let's have it all nice and snug. 12:24.000 --> 12:26.000 What does she bring, do you think? 12:26.000 --> 12:30.000 Fifteen guineas. Maybe twenty. Maybe more. 12:30.000 --> 12:34.000 Twenty guineas? Strike me blind. 12:34.000 --> 12:38.000 But this is a way of doing business that I like. 12:38.000 --> 12:41.000 Listen. Did you call me Mother Slade? 12:41.000 --> 12:45.000 That's right, my ducky. That's right, my little pet. 12:45.000 --> 12:49.000 Put your wrapper round you and your slippers to keep your feet warm 12:49.000 --> 12:54.000 and come right down here to Mother Slade. 12:54.000 --> 13:13.000 I'm coming, Mother Slade. I'm coming. 13:13.000 --> 13:18.000 Who in those times would be a surgeon and still be an honest man? 13:18.000 --> 13:21.000 At that drugged hour of the night, 13:21.000 --> 13:24.000 look into the sitting room of a spacious house. 13:24.000 --> 13:27.000 Many candles are still alight there, 13:27.000 --> 13:31.000 though they have burned down nearly to their silver sockets. 13:31.000 --> 13:36.000 There is Chinese paper on the walls and a turkey carpet underfoot. 13:36.000 --> 13:40.000 In front of the fire, now almost out, 13:40.000 --> 13:52.000 sits Dr. George Arnold with his bottle-green coat and heavy hair. 13:52.000 --> 13:54.000 Dr. Arnold, sir? 13:54.000 --> 13:57.000 I beg your pardon, Mrs. Tankred. 13:57.000 --> 14:00.000 Dr. Arnold, sir, it's gone two o'clock. 14:00.000 --> 14:02.000 Yes, yes, oh yes, so it has. 14:02.000 --> 14:05.000 You've got a lecture to deliver tomorrow and you'll be all worn out. 14:05.000 --> 14:07.000 Why don't you go on up to bed? 14:07.000 --> 14:08.000 Mrs. Tankred. 14:08.000 --> 14:09.000 Yes, sir? 14:09.000 --> 14:12.000 I'm not a housekeeper. I admire you and I can't do without you, 14:12.000 --> 14:15.000 but would you please go away and let me alone? 14:15.000 --> 14:18.000 Sure, I'm very sorry, sir. No offense intended. 14:18.000 --> 14:23.000 Stop, I shouldn't have said that. I'm thinking too much, perhaps. 14:23.000 --> 14:27.000 Smoking too many cigars, if you'll excuse me. 14:27.000 --> 14:30.000 Why must they keep tolling that bell at East Hill Church? 14:30.000 --> 14:32.000 Why must they keep it up all night? 14:32.000 --> 14:35.000 Well, sir, Elsie says the parson told them to do it. 14:35.000 --> 14:38.000 Wait, who is Elsie? 14:38.000 --> 14:42.000 Oh, I know you're always up in the clouds, mooning over books and whatnot, 14:42.000 --> 14:45.000 but I did think you'd recognize the name of your own parlour maid. 14:45.000 --> 14:48.000 Oh, of that Elsie, I see. Well? 14:48.000 --> 14:52.000 Elsie says it's because of the murder in the churchyard. 14:52.000 --> 14:53.000 What murder? 14:53.000 --> 14:56.000 Two resurrection men, body snatchers, sir. 14:56.000 --> 14:59.000 Oh, you wouldn't know anything about such people. 14:59.000 --> 15:00.000 No, no, no, of course not. 15:00.000 --> 15:04.000 They were caught trying to rob a grave, but they got away. 15:04.000 --> 15:07.000 One of them was a horrible big fella. 15:07.000 --> 15:11.000 Split Willie Kendrick's head open with the edge of a shovel. 15:11.000 --> 15:12.000 Is anything wrong, sir? 15:12.000 --> 15:14.000 No, not exactly. 15:14.000 --> 15:17.000 Well, I thought for a second, seeing how you looked. 15:17.000 --> 15:19.000 Did they get the body? 15:19.000 --> 15:21.000 Yes, sir, it was Willie Kendrick. 15:21.000 --> 15:23.000 His head was split open with a shovel. 15:23.000 --> 15:27.000 No, no, I mean, did these resurrection men get what they were after? 15:27.000 --> 15:28.000 No, sir. 15:28.000 --> 15:29.000 Thank God. 15:29.000 --> 15:31.000 Oh, you may well say that, doctor. 15:31.000 --> 15:34.000 Wasn't exactly speaking in the religious sense, but never mind. 15:34.000 --> 15:38.000 Elsie says there are what she calls peelers all over the place. 15:38.000 --> 15:39.000 Peelers? 15:39.000 --> 15:42.000 Yes, these new policemen, after Sir Robert Peel, 15:42.000 --> 15:44.000 and somebody from the new detective police 15:44.000 --> 15:46.000 that they're using instead of the Bow Street Runners. 15:46.000 --> 15:49.000 Well, Mrs. Tankred, I'm going to smoke one more cigar, 15:49.000 --> 15:51.000 and then I'm going to bed. 15:51.000 --> 15:53.000 Very good, sir. 15:53.000 --> 15:58.000 You see, sometimes you give orders, then it's too late to recall them. 15:58.000 --> 16:00.000 Whatever the medical practice is, 16:00.000 --> 16:03.000 you can't look your conscience in the face afterwards. 16:03.000 --> 16:06.000 Then I can't tell you how or why. 16:06.000 --> 16:09.000 A miracle comes along and saves you, and you're free. 16:09.000 --> 16:12.000 What was that? 16:12.000 --> 16:14.000 Sounds like a horse and cart in the drive, sir. 16:14.000 --> 16:15.000 Mrs. Tankred. 16:15.000 --> 16:16.000 Yes, doctor. 16:16.000 --> 16:18.000 Will you please go upstairs? Now, make haste. 16:18.000 --> 16:20.000 Well, if it's visitors, sir, or even a patient. 16:20.000 --> 16:22.000 Mrs. Tankred, you heard my instructions. Obey them. 16:22.000 --> 16:24.000 Sir, there's the front door, then. 16:24.000 --> 16:26.000 Yes, I heard it. For the last time, go away. 16:26.000 --> 16:28.000 I will admit whatever visitors we have. 16:28.000 --> 16:33.000 Yes, sir. 16:36.000 --> 16:38.000 Good evening, dearie. 16:38.000 --> 16:41.000 Oh, come into the sitting room here, Miss... 16:41.000 --> 16:42.000 Mrs. Slade. 16:42.000 --> 16:45.000 Oh, sir, just call me Mother Slade. 16:45.000 --> 16:49.000 You don't hardly seem natural or friendly to hear anything else. 16:49.000 --> 16:52.000 It's a pleasure to curtsy to you, doctor. 16:52.000 --> 16:55.000 Cool. What a lovely room. 16:55.000 --> 16:56.000 I... I suppose... 16:56.000 --> 17:00.000 Your candles is going out, though. One by one. 17:00.000 --> 17:03.000 Poof! Then you'll be in the dark. 17:03.000 --> 17:05.000 I suppose you've come to report failure. 17:05.000 --> 17:07.000 Failure, dearie? 17:07.000 --> 17:10.000 I... I understand you didn't get what you went after. 17:10.000 --> 17:14.000 Bless you, dearie. We got something just as good. 17:14.000 --> 17:17.000 Finest piece of merchandise you ever saw. 17:17.000 --> 17:19.000 You haven't got it here. 17:19.000 --> 17:23.000 Bless you, dearie. Mother Slade always keeps her word. 17:23.000 --> 17:27.000 Bring the merchandise in, my dears, so the doctor can see it. 17:27.000 --> 17:28.000 Quiet, please. 17:28.000 --> 17:31.000 Oh, it's crossed, dearie. I forgot. 17:31.000 --> 17:34.000 The big seller with the black eyebrows is Uncle Matt. 17:34.000 --> 17:38.000 The little seller with the watery eyes is Cousin Rob. 17:38.000 --> 17:42.000 And between them, in that sack, they're carrying... 17:42.000 --> 17:44.000 Who is it in the sack? 17:44.000 --> 17:48.000 Nineteen-year-old girl, dearie. 17:48.000 --> 17:51.000 Finest anatomical specimen you ever saw. 17:51.000 --> 17:53.000 Merciful heavens. 17:53.000 --> 17:56.000 Where do you want this thing dumped, Governor? Easy now, Matt. 17:56.000 --> 17:58.000 Why did you bring it here? 17:58.000 --> 18:00.000 That's where you told us to bring it, dearie. 18:00.000 --> 18:03.000 Why did you bring it to the front door? Why not to the surgery? 18:03.000 --> 18:06.000 Only place in the house where there was lights, Governor. 18:06.000 --> 18:08.000 Hurry up. Now, where do you want it? 18:08.000 --> 18:09.000 Well, take it... 18:08.000 --> 18:10.000 Yes, dearie? 18:10.000 --> 18:13.000 Take it over and put it in the cupboard there, where I'm pointing. 18:13.000 --> 18:15.000 This cupboard here, sir? 18:13.000 --> 18:16.000 Yes. Then close the cupboard door. 18:16.000 --> 18:18.000 Shame on you two. 18:18.000 --> 18:22.000 Cracking your muddy boots over the doctor's lovely turkey carpet. 18:22.000 --> 18:24.000 Easy, my dears. Easy now. 18:24.000 --> 18:26.000 All right, Robin. 18:27.000 --> 18:30.000 Don't bruise the merchandise. 18:30.000 --> 18:33.000 Whatever you do, don't bruise the merchandise. 18:33.000 --> 18:35.000 Right, me blind, what's the odds? 18:35.000 --> 18:37.000 You can't feel it now? 18:39.000 --> 18:41.000 Here's your body, Mr. Sawbones. 18:41.000 --> 18:43.000 Now, let's see your money. 18:43.000 --> 18:46.000 Just one moment before I give it to you. 18:46.000 --> 18:49.000 There ain't no itching. This is... 18:49.000 --> 18:51.000 better not be. 18:51.000 --> 18:54.000 No, I made a bargain with you and I'll stick to it. 18:54.000 --> 18:58.000 Thank you. That's uncommon genteel of you. 18:58.000 --> 19:01.000 Kind of stand back, sir. You're two stone a fat heavier than I am, 19:01.000 --> 19:03.000 and you don't impress me. 19:01.000 --> 19:04.000 Easy, Matt. Take it easy. 19:04.000 --> 19:07.000 I want to ask only one question. 19:07.000 --> 19:09.000 Where did you get that body? 19:09.000 --> 19:14.000 That's a question, dearie, what people in your profession don't ask. 19:14.000 --> 19:15.000 Why not? 19:15.000 --> 19:18.000 Because they don't dare, that's why. 19:18.000 --> 19:21.000 Would the police be interested in where you got the body? 19:21.000 --> 19:27.000 No, dearie, not as so interested in as where we brought it to your house. 19:27.000 --> 19:29.000 It's your responsibility now. 19:29.000 --> 19:32.000 Yes, I suppose it is. 19:32.000 --> 19:37.000 The victim wouldn't be by any chance that pretty little girl you used to treat so unmercifully? 19:37.000 --> 19:40.000 You old your noise about how I treated her. 19:40.000 --> 19:42.000 I was rather fond of Peggy. 19:42.000 --> 19:46.000 Strike me blind. I think the saw both of you. 19:46.000 --> 19:48.000 Get out of this house, all of you. Go on, get out. 19:48.000 --> 19:52.000 Not without that money, dearie. It's 20 guineas now. 19:52.000 --> 19:54.000 There's money on the table under that newspaper. Take what you want. 19:54.000 --> 19:56.000 Get out of here before I... 19:56.000 --> 19:58.000 Oh, what was that? 19:58.000 --> 20:00.000 Aye. What was it? 20:00.000 --> 20:02.000 A late visitor, I imagine. 20:02.000 --> 20:04.000 Was you expecting anybody? 20:04.000 --> 20:05.000 No. 20:05.000 --> 20:09.000 Don't drop the lovely money, Rob. Don't drop it all over the carpet. Pick it up. 20:09.000 --> 20:11.000 Is that the back way, are these? 20:11.000 --> 20:14.000 Yes, it's the way you should have come. Through that arch and down the passage. 20:14.000 --> 20:19.000 Thank you for the rhino, cabinet. And no games, mind you, if you know what's good for you. 20:19.000 --> 20:25.000 Good night, dearie. Remember, you've got the body now. 20:25.000 --> 20:30.000 Yes, I've got the body now. 20:34.000 --> 20:36.000 Poor, poor little devil. 20:36.000 --> 20:37.000 Dr. Arnold, sir? 20:37.000 --> 20:40.000 In heaven's name, Mrs. Tancred. Haven't you gone to bed yet? 20:40.000 --> 20:42.000 I had to get up, sir, to answer the bell. 20:42.000 --> 20:44.000 Oh, yes, yes, of course. I'm sorry. 20:44.000 --> 20:46.000 Dr. Arnold, what's the matter with you? 20:46.000 --> 20:47.000 The matter? 20:47.000 --> 20:50.000 You're as white as a ghost and you're almost crying. 20:50.000 --> 20:53.000 Am I? Well, we must remedy that. 20:53.000 --> 20:56.000 It's so dark in here, I could barely see a city there. 20:56.000 --> 20:59.000 The candles going out one after another. 20:59.000 --> 21:03.000 Nothing but smoke and an ugly smell of grease and that cupboard door. 21:03.000 --> 21:04.000 What about that cupboard door? 21:04.000 --> 21:08.000 I always declare, sir, it won't keep shut without any latch or bolt. 21:08.000 --> 21:09.000 If you'll excuse the level... 21:09.000 --> 21:11.000 Mrs. Tancred, keep away from that cupboard. 21:11.000 --> 21:14.000 Dr. Arnold, sir? Are you ill or anything? 21:14.000 --> 21:16.000 No, but keep away from that cupboard. 21:16.000 --> 21:18.000 Who rang the bell? 21:18.000 --> 21:20.000 Oh, dear, I was almost forgetting. 21:20.000 --> 21:22.000 It's that man Elsie was talking to us about. 21:22.000 --> 21:23.000 What man? 21:23.000 --> 21:26.000 The officer of the detective police, sir. He wants to see you. 21:26.000 --> 21:30.000 Well, I'll see him, but in some other room, not here. 21:30.000 --> 21:32.000 As you say, there's not enough light. 21:32.000 --> 21:34.000 Not a bit of it, doctor, not a bit of it. 21:34.000 --> 21:37.000 Never too dark, as you might say, were the police are concerned. 21:37.000 --> 21:40.000 I couldn't help it, sir. He must have followed me down the hall. 21:40.000 --> 21:41.000 Are you...? 21:41.000 --> 21:46.000 That's right, doctor. I'm Stalker at your service, Inspector Stalker. 21:46.000 --> 21:50.000 How do you do, inspector? Mrs. Tancred, you may go. 21:50.000 --> 21:54.000 By your leave, sir. I'll just get some more candles and put them in that bracket by the cupboard. 21:54.000 --> 21:55.000 It's not in use. 21:55.000 --> 21:56.000 No, you needn't trouble. 21:56.000 --> 21:58.000 It's no trouble, sir. Excuse me. 21:58.000 --> 22:03.000 First of all, doctor, I must apologize for intruding as late as this. 22:03.000 --> 22:06.000 Not at all, inspector. Will you be seated? 22:06.000 --> 22:08.000 Thank you, sir. Thank you kindly. 22:08.000 --> 22:12.000 Now, I dare say you're wondering why I'm here. 22:12.000 --> 22:14.000 Well, yes, I am, rather. 22:14.000 --> 22:16.000 It's a bad business, doctor. 22:16.000 --> 22:18.000 A very bad business. 22:18.000 --> 22:21.000 You mean the murder in the churchyard? 22:21.000 --> 22:23.000 Oh, you've heard about it. 22:23.000 --> 22:28.000 Well, my housekeeper said something about a man being killed with a shovel. 22:28.000 --> 22:31.000 That's right, doctor. Not much doubt about who did that. 22:31.000 --> 22:32.000 No? 22:32.000 --> 22:36.000 No. The little fellow dropped his dark lantern with the initials on it. 22:36.000 --> 22:42.000 They're professional body snatchers. We've had our eye on them for a long time. 22:42.000 --> 22:44.000 Speaking of body snatchers, doctor... 22:44.000 --> 22:46.000 Well? 22:46.000 --> 22:49.000 I expect this anatomy law is pretty hard on you surgeons. 22:49.000 --> 22:51.000 It's an infamous law, sir. 22:51.000 --> 22:54.000 Oh, the same, doctor. It is the law. 22:54.000 --> 22:57.000 Yes. 22:57.000 --> 23:03.000 And if any surgeon happened to be caught with a body, especially a murder body... 23:03.000 --> 23:05.000 What are you hinting at? 23:05.000 --> 23:07.000 Nothing, doctor. Nothing. 23:07.000 --> 23:10.000 By your leave, I only want to ask a question. 23:10.000 --> 23:12.000 Well? 23:12.000 --> 23:15.000 What time did your friends leave? 23:15.000 --> 23:20.000 Now, come, doctor. As one man of the world to another, do you see any green in my eye? 23:20.000 --> 23:26.000 You're not going to say you had no guests when their horse and cart are still at your front door. 23:26.000 --> 23:29.000 They didn't get away. 23:29.000 --> 23:35.000 No, doctor, they didn't. They met a little reception committee as they left by the back door. 23:35.000 --> 23:38.000 Derby's on the wrists. Snap. 23:38.000 --> 23:43.000 Just as I might reach out and touch your wrist. Like this. 23:43.000 --> 23:45.000 What do you mean by derby's? 23:45.000 --> 23:48.000 Pancas. I've got a pair in my pocket. 23:48.000 --> 23:51.000 Gags into their mouths. That's to keep them from biting. 23:51.000 --> 23:55.000 Look, do we have to go on with this? You already seem to know everything I could tell you. 23:55.000 --> 23:58.000 Not exactly everything. 23:58.000 --> 24:02.000 I don't know, for instance, where you've hidden the girl's body. 24:02.000 --> 24:05.000 You're a very diligent man, Inspector Stalker. 24:05.000 --> 24:07.000 Pancas, sir, I try to do my duty. 24:07.000 --> 24:09.000 You said a girl? 24:09.000 --> 24:15.000 These gin muddled degenerates have been watched every second since they left East Hill Churchyard. 24:15.000 --> 24:18.000 They hadn't a body then, but they brought one here. 24:18.000 --> 24:22.000 And there's only one other person who lives in the same house with them. 24:22.000 --> 24:23.000 Dr. Arnold, sir. 24:23.000 --> 24:25.000 Mrs. Tankred, listen to me. 24:25.000 --> 24:26.000 Yes, sir? 24:26.000 --> 24:31.000 Must you always break in with the most completely ill-timed entrances at all the worst period of my life? 24:31.000 --> 24:33.000 I was only trying to be helpful, sir. 24:33.000 --> 24:35.000 That's right, madam. Always be helpful. 24:35.000 --> 24:38.000 You had to have some light. Here's the candle, sir. 24:38.000 --> 24:42.000 Five of them in a big candle album. We can hang them in the bracket. 24:42.000 --> 24:44.000 Ma'am, hold up that light. Hold it high. 24:44.000 --> 24:47.000 Really, sir? I'm not in the habit of being spoken to as... 24:47.000 --> 24:48.000 Hold it high, I tell you. 24:48.000 --> 24:51.000 Do as the Inspector tells you, Mrs. Tankred. 24:51.000 --> 24:55.000 This is a very fine carpet you've got here, doctor. 24:55.000 --> 24:58.000 Yes. Others have admired it tonight. 24:58.000 --> 25:03.000 But it oughtn't to have footprints on it. Muddy footprints. 25:03.000 --> 25:11.000 Footprints leading from the door, past the sofa, past the half, over to... 25:11.000 --> 25:14.000 To that cupboard. Quite correct. 25:14.000 --> 25:16.000 I think that's done it, Dr. Arnold. 25:16.000 --> 25:18.000 I think it has, Inspector Stalker. 25:18.000 --> 25:22.000 We couldn't have proved anything against you for that churchyard business. 25:22.000 --> 25:23.000 But this... 25:23.000 --> 25:26.000 Let me open Bluebeard's cupboard, Inspector. 25:26.000 --> 25:29.000 Let me be the first to show you what's inside. 25:29.000 --> 25:34.000 Who wanted a certain body, it appears you've come to the right place. 25:34.000 --> 25:40.000 Now, look. Lord Almighty. 25:40.000 --> 25:45.000 I'm the body, Mr. Police. Standing up, I'm very much alive. 25:45.000 --> 25:48.000 And I'm wearing a nice new dress that the doctor gave me. 25:48.000 --> 25:49.000 But I gave you. 25:49.000 --> 25:51.000 Don't say anything. Please don't say anything. 25:51.000 --> 25:53.000 Stop a bit, Miss. Aren't you Peggy Lester? 25:53.000 --> 25:57.000 Yes. Just because the doctor has to be so terribly respectable... 25:57.000 --> 26:00.000 and a girl who's fond of him has to come here in secret... 26:00.000 --> 26:03.000 Wait a minute, everybody. Peggy Lester, you're lying. 26:03.000 --> 26:05.000 I am not lying. 26:05.000 --> 26:09.000 So that's it. Why didn't I guess it? 26:09.000 --> 26:12.000 It's the oldest body snatcher's trick in the world. 26:12.000 --> 26:13.000 Is it? 26:13.000 --> 26:16.000 Of course, the old pinch penny like Mother Slade... 26:16.000 --> 26:18.000 couldn't sacrifice a good household grudge. 26:18.000 --> 26:20.000 Of course they brought the body here. 26:20.000 --> 26:24.000 Instead of taking it to the surgery, where it might get locked up. 26:24.000 --> 26:29.000 Could you be persuaded, Inspector, to tell us just what you're talking about? 26:29.000 --> 26:30.000 The body snatcher, sir. 26:30.000 --> 26:32.000 Well, what about them? 26:32.000 --> 26:35.000 They take a living accomplice and put him into a sack... 26:35.000 --> 26:38.000 and sell him to a green doctor as a dead man. 26:38.000 --> 26:39.000 Yes, but see here... 26:39.000 --> 26:41.000 They get the best price they can. 26:41.000 --> 26:45.000 In the middle of the night, their accomplice gets up and robs the doctor's house. 26:45.000 --> 26:49.000 And the doctor can't tell us because he's bought illegal goods. 26:49.000 --> 26:51.000 I never intended to go through with it. 26:51.000 --> 26:52.000 No, young woman. 26:52.000 --> 26:54.000 I tell you, I wasn't going to rob the house. 26:54.000 --> 26:55.000 They made me do this. 26:55.000 --> 26:59.000 I was going to tell Dr. Arnold when I found out where they were taking me. 26:59.000 --> 27:02.000 I pretended to go through with it so I could warn the doctor. 27:02.000 --> 27:06.000 They can hurt so much, you'll agree to almost anything. 27:06.000 --> 27:11.000 That sounds like the truth, but it puts me in a funny position and no mistake. 27:12.000 --> 27:17.000 Oh, your three murderers, Inspector, seem to be leaving. 27:17.000 --> 27:19.000 Yes, they're leaving right enough. 27:19.000 --> 27:22.000 Trussed up like fowls and under guard. 27:22.000 --> 27:25.000 Does anybody go with them? 27:25.000 --> 27:27.000 How can anybody go with them? 27:27.000 --> 27:30.000 I'm willing to believe this girl acted under threats. 27:30.000 --> 27:32.000 She's committed no crime. 27:32.000 --> 27:35.000 And I don't for the life of me see how we can touch you. 27:35.000 --> 27:37.000 Can't touch me? 27:37.000 --> 27:38.000 No, sir. 27:38.000 --> 27:41.000 I confound you for making me lose a night's sleep. 27:41.000 --> 27:43.000 There's no body. 27:43.000 --> 27:45.000 You didn't even buy a body. 27:45.000 --> 27:48.000 Will you tell me, doctor, just what crime you've committed? 28:00.000 --> 28:04.000 And so ends the Body Snatchers. 28:04.000 --> 28:09.000 The story of London at midnight, a hundred years ago. 28:09.000 --> 28:12.000 And tonight's story of... 28:12.000 --> 28:35.000 Suspense. 28:35.000 --> 28:40.000 Columbia presents these tales of mystery and intrigue and dangerous adventure. 28:40.000 --> 28:44.000 For your relaxation and enjoyment. 28:44.000 --> 28:48.000 Next Tuesday, there will be another in this series. 28:48.000 --> 28:55.000 Same hour, 9.30 Eastern wartime. 28:55.000 --> 28:59.000 William Spear, the producer, John Deet, the director, 28:59.000 --> 29:03.000 Alexander Semmler, the composer, conductor, 29:03.000 --> 29:06.000 and John Dixoncar, the author, 29:06.000 --> 29:10.000 are collaborators on... 29:10.000 --> 29:13.000 Suspense. 29:13.000 --> 29:37.000 This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.