WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:01.000 Suspense. 00:31.000 --> 00:37.000 This is The Man in Black, here again to introduce Columbia's program, Suspense. 00:37.000 --> 00:43.000 Our star tonight is Miss Mary Astor, one of Hollywood's most charming and resourceful actresses. 00:43.000 --> 00:48.000 And a lady who is no stranger to the art of keeping audiences in suspense. 00:48.000 --> 00:54.000 Ask anyone who saw her in the Maltese Falcon or across the Pacific. 00:54.000 --> 01:02.000 The story called In Fear and Trembling by J. Donald Wilson is tonight's tale of suspense. 01:02.000 --> 01:12.000 If you have been with us on these Tuesday nights, you will know that suspense is compounded of mystery and suspicion and dangerous adventure. 01:12.000 --> 01:20.000 In this series, our tales are calculated to intrigue you, stir your nerves, to offer you a precarious situation, 01:20.000 --> 01:25.000 and then withhold the solution until the last possible moment. 01:25.000 --> 01:32.000 And so it is with In Fear and Trembling and Miss Mary Astor's performance, we again hope to keep you in... 01:32.000 --> 01:34.000 Suspense. 01:41.000 --> 01:49.000 At the edge of the cliff, overlooking the sea, sits a grey stone mansion, weathered beaten by the storms of several decades. 01:49.000 --> 01:55.000 To this mansion, Gilbert Durant brought his bride Lucia. That was four years ago. 01:55.000 --> 02:02.000 Gilbert and Lucia were quite happy until a year ago, when Lucia's half-sister Beverly came to live with them. 02:02.000 --> 02:05.000 Gradually, something began to happen. 02:05.000 --> 02:12.000 Lucia felt it, felt that some insidious horror was beginning to gnaw at her happiness. 02:12.000 --> 02:16.000 She began to know that Gilbert's ardor was beginning to cool. 02:16.000 --> 02:19.000 He became more absorbed in his writing. 02:19.000 --> 02:26.000 Then she felt the cold clamminess of the great stone structure creeping about her, clutching at her heart. 02:26.000 --> 02:35.000 Anyone who saw her could tell that fear was growing in her mind, a fear of something which she could not or would not explain. 02:35.000 --> 02:42.000 One evening, Lucia, having excused herself at dinner, tossed on her bed in a fretful sleep. 02:42.000 --> 02:48.000 No, don't, don't, get away from me! 02:48.000 --> 02:53.000 Mrs. Durant, Mrs. Durant, what's wrong? 02:53.000 --> 02:55.000 Oh, Benson, come in. 02:55.000 --> 02:57.000 What on earth is wrong? Why were you screaming? 02:57.000 --> 03:00.000 Oh, Benson, I must have been dreaming. It was horrible. 03:00.000 --> 03:02.000 No, quite as a ghost and shitting like that. 03:02.000 --> 03:07.000 Yes, I know. Oh, Mrs. Benson, I can't stand it. It's driving me mad. 03:07.000 --> 03:12.000 That makes the fourth or fifth time I've dreamed the same thing, the same in every detail. 03:12.000 --> 03:14.000 I've never heard you scream before. 03:14.000 --> 03:16.000 No, that's probably because... 03:16.000 --> 03:17.000 What? 03:17.000 --> 03:22.000 Oh, it always comes a little closer to me. Tonight it almost reached me. 03:22.000 --> 03:24.000 It? What do you mean? 03:24.000 --> 03:29.000 I don't know what it is. It's a figure, a human figure, but I can't tell whether it's a man or a woman. 03:29.000 --> 03:36.000 It comes through that door and walks slowly across the room with its arms outstretched, reaching for me. 03:36.000 --> 03:38.000 Are you sure you were dreaming? 03:38.000 --> 03:43.000 Now that I think of it, it isn't like a dream, an ordinary dream. 03:43.000 --> 03:47.000 Its reality seems to carry over even after I'm awake. 03:47.000 --> 03:49.000 That's what's made you so ill. 03:49.000 --> 03:57.000 This dream, if it is a dream, means something? Is that what you think? It's a premonition? 03:57.000 --> 03:59.000 Perhaps. 03:59.000 --> 04:01.000 What time is it? 04:01.000 --> 04:03.000 Nine o'clock. 04:03.000 --> 04:04.000 Where's Gilbert? 04:04.000 --> 04:06.000 Your husband went horseback riding over an hour ago. 04:06.000 --> 04:08.000 Did he go alone? 04:08.000 --> 04:10.000 Your sister went with him. 04:10.000 --> 04:13.000 Beverly? Why didn't he ask me to go? 04:13.000 --> 04:17.000 Well, you've not been yourself lately. Not been feeling well. 04:17.000 --> 04:19.000 Yes, yes, of course. 04:19.000 --> 04:22.000 Well, if you're feeling better, I'll go back to my room. 04:22.000 --> 04:26.000 Oh, yes, I'll be all right. Thank you, Miss Benson. Good night. 04:26.000 --> 04:28.000 Good night. 04:28.000 --> 04:30.000 Beverly. 04:30.000 --> 04:32.000 Gilbert. 04:32.000 --> 04:34.000 Good night. 04:38.000 --> 04:45.000 Lucia lay there for a while, staring wild-eyed at the patch of moonlight on the bedroom door, 04:45.000 --> 04:49.000 listening, waiting. 04:49.000 --> 04:54.000 Then, as the clock struck half past ten, the door opened, 04:54.000 --> 05:00.000 and a figure stepped into the room and moved noiselessly through the moonlight to Lucia's bed. 05:00.000 --> 05:02.000 Suddenly, Lucia opened her eyes. 05:04.000 --> 05:06.000 Gilbert, don't, don't! 05:06.000 --> 05:08.000 Lucia, what's wrong with you? 05:08.000 --> 05:10.000 What are you doing in my room? 05:10.000 --> 05:12.000 I just wanted to know how you felt. 05:12.000 --> 05:14.000 How long have you been standing there? 05:14.000 --> 05:16.000 Oh, just a few seconds. 05:16.000 --> 05:19.000 I was dreaming, I guess. When I woke up, you startled me. 05:19.000 --> 05:21.000 Why were you yelling, don't, don't? 05:21.000 --> 05:24.000 I don't know. I haven't the slightest idea. 05:24.000 --> 05:26.000 I talked with Dr. Handy about you today. 05:26.000 --> 05:30.000 I told him I'll run down you were, and he suggested that I get a tonic for you. 05:30.000 --> 05:32.000 I'll drop in at the drugstore on my way home tomorrow evening. 05:32.000 --> 05:34.000 A tonic? 05:34.000 --> 05:35.000 Yes. 05:35.000 --> 05:37.000 What, what is it? 05:37.000 --> 05:40.000 Oh, I don't remember. Something, something in strychnine. 05:40.000 --> 05:41.000 Strychnine? 05:41.000 --> 05:44.000 Yes, he said it would give you an appetite. 05:44.000 --> 05:46.000 Where have you been, Gil? 05:46.000 --> 05:48.000 Oh, I've been riding. 05:48.000 --> 05:50.000 Nice moonlight night. Very pleasant. 05:50.000 --> 05:52.000 Did Beverly enjoy it? 05:52.000 --> 05:54.000 Yes, she's an excellent rider. 05:54.000 --> 05:56.000 I've decided to buy that filly from Thompson. 05:56.000 --> 05:58.000 I'm going over there tomorrow afternoon. 05:58.000 --> 06:00.000 Is Beverly going with you? 06:00.000 --> 06:02.000 Yes. She's a good judge of horse flesh. Why? 06:02.000 --> 06:04.000 Nothing, I just asked. 06:04.000 --> 06:08.000 Well, good night, Lucia. 06:08.000 --> 06:10.000 See you at breakfast? 06:10.000 --> 06:13.000 Yes. Good night. 06:17.000 --> 06:19.000 Something, something in strychnine. 06:19.000 --> 06:22.000 Something, something in strychnine. 06:22.000 --> 06:26.000 Lucia jumps from her bed, rushes down to the library, 06:26.000 --> 06:29.000 snaps on the light and steps to the shelf holding the encyclopedia. 06:29.000 --> 06:33.000 She runs her fingers down the long line of books, L-M-N-O-P-R, 06:33.000 --> 06:37.000 and then she stops and stares. 06:37.000 --> 06:40.000 The S to P is missing. 06:40.000 --> 06:43.000 Then she sees it on the desk, the missing volume. 06:43.000 --> 06:46.000 She rushes to the desk and stares down at the open page. 06:46.000 --> 06:49.000 Yes, yes, that's it. 06:49.000 --> 06:52.000 Strychnine. 06:52.000 --> 06:55.000 I'll tell you what, Beverly, I'll leave the deal entirely up to you. 06:55.000 --> 06:58.000 Up to me? Oh, Gil, that's not fair. 06:58.000 --> 06:59.000 Why not? 06:59.000 --> 07:01.000 Well, suppose she turns out to be a lemon. 07:01.000 --> 07:04.000 I don't think she will, because you're going to have the job of training her. 07:04.000 --> 07:06.000 Oh, you certainly flatter me. 07:06.000 --> 07:08.000 Not in the least. 07:08.000 --> 07:10.000 Oh, good morning, Lucia. 07:10.000 --> 07:13.000 I just realized what time it was. You'll be leaving in a few minutes. 07:13.000 --> 07:15.000 Yes, it's nine this very minute. 07:15.000 --> 07:17.000 I'll step on it. More coffee, Beverly? 07:17.000 --> 07:19.000 No, thanks. How do you feel, Lucia? 07:19.000 --> 07:21.000 Better, much better. 07:21.000 --> 07:22.000 You'd better eat something. 07:22.000 --> 07:23.000 No, no, I can't. 07:23.000 --> 07:24.000 At least some coffee. 07:24.000 --> 07:25.000 Yes, I'll have some coffee. 07:25.000 --> 07:27.000 I've got to run. See you later, Lucia. 07:27.000 --> 07:28.000 Yes, Gil. 07:28.000 --> 07:30.000 And I'll see you this afternoon at two, Beverly. 07:30.000 --> 07:35.000 Yes, I'll meet you in town at two. Oh, Gil, don't forget Lucia's medicine. 07:35.000 --> 07:39.000 No, I won't. Bye, Lucia. 07:40.000 --> 07:42.000 Are you meeting Gil in town, Beverly? 07:42.000 --> 07:45.000 Yes, he wants me to decide on that filly he's interested in. 07:45.000 --> 07:48.000 Where did you learn so much about horses? 07:48.000 --> 07:52.000 Oh, seems to be natural. Why don't you get interested in horses, Lucia? 07:52.000 --> 07:54.000 Why should I? 07:54.000 --> 07:56.000 What are you interested in? 07:56.000 --> 08:01.000 Well, I am interested in a few things. My husband in particular. 08:01.000 --> 08:03.000 You don't act interested in anything. 08:03.000 --> 08:04.000 Really? 08:04.000 --> 08:08.000 Well, if you'll take my advice, you'll snap out of this coma and get some pep. 08:08.000 --> 08:10.000 Does Gil like women with pep? 08:10.000 --> 08:13.000 No man cares about a woman who sits around and mopes. 08:13.000 --> 08:15.000 I think you're a hypochondriac. 08:15.000 --> 08:16.000 Do you? 08:16.000 --> 08:18.000 You should do something about it. 08:18.000 --> 08:22.000 I intend to. I intend to do something about it. 08:22.000 --> 08:28.000 I'm glad to hear it. Get out, do things. Play games, golf, tennis, swim and ride. 08:28.000 --> 08:30.000 Maybe this medicine will fix you up. 08:30.000 --> 08:32.000 You know all about it, do you? What is it? 08:32.000 --> 08:36.000 I don't know. It's a tonic, a builder-upper. 08:36.000 --> 08:37.000 I wish I could believe that. 08:37.000 --> 08:40.000 But at least you can try it. It won't hurt you. 08:40.000 --> 08:42.000 No? 08:42.000 --> 08:44.000 I wonder. 08:51.000 --> 08:53.000 Oh, come in, Dr. Handy. 08:53.000 --> 08:55.000 Well, Lucia, why did you call me out here? What's wrong? 08:55.000 --> 08:57.000 I just couldn't make it into town. 08:57.000 --> 08:59.000 Oh, it can't be as bad as Orlando. 08:59.000 --> 09:01.000 Did Gilbert talk to you about me yesterday? 09:01.000 --> 09:06.000 I saw Gil for a few moments at the club during lunch. Said you were run down. 09:06.000 --> 09:08.000 Did you give him a prescription for me? 09:08.000 --> 09:11.000 Oh, never do that until I've examined the patient. 09:11.000 --> 09:13.000 You didn't give him a prescription? 09:13.000 --> 09:14.000 Well, no. 09:14.000 --> 09:16.000 What did you suggest for me? 09:16.000 --> 09:20.000 Oh, I don't know. I mentioned a few tonics he might get for you. 09:20.000 --> 09:24.000 I spoke of beef iron and wine and cherry and eggs and... 09:24.000 --> 09:25.000 Oh, I don't remember what else. 09:25.000 --> 09:27.000 Then you mentioned nothing specifically. 09:27.000 --> 09:29.000 I don't think so. 09:29.000 --> 09:31.000 I see. 09:31.000 --> 09:34.000 Now, what seems to be wrong with you, Lucia? 09:34.000 --> 09:39.000 I don't know exactly, but something has been happening to me that... 09:39.000 --> 09:43.000 Well, frankly, I'm afraid I'm losing my mind. 09:43.000 --> 09:46.000 We all feel that way at times. 09:46.000 --> 09:49.000 I'm serious. Things happen to me in the night. 09:49.000 --> 09:50.000 What sort of things? 09:50.000 --> 09:55.000 At first I thought they were just nightmares, but when you have a nightmare, you wake up and the fear is gone. 09:55.000 --> 10:00.000 You realize the truth. But this vision that comes to me haunts me through the waking hours as well. 10:00.000 --> 10:01.000 Vision? 10:01.000 --> 10:05.000 Something. I think it's a person. Comes through my bedroom door. 10:05.000 --> 10:10.000 Comes toward my bed with outstretched arms as though it intends to strangle me. 10:10.000 --> 10:12.000 Each time it comes a little closer. 10:12.000 --> 10:16.000 And my fear is that eventually it will get to me before I wake up. 10:16.000 --> 10:18.000 I see. 10:18.000 --> 10:21.000 Or was dream the same dream? 10:21.000 --> 10:23.000 If it is a dream, yes. 10:23.000 --> 10:24.000 And who is the person? 10:24.000 --> 10:26.000 I don't know. 10:26.000 --> 10:28.000 You don't think it's really a dream? 10:28.000 --> 10:31.000 No. I think it's a premonition. 10:31.000 --> 10:33.000 Hmm. 10:33.000 --> 10:36.000 Have you any basis for such a fear in real life? 10:36.000 --> 10:38.000 Is there someone or something that you're afraid of? 10:38.000 --> 10:41.000 Doctor, I'm convinced they're not dreams, that I'm not asleep. 10:41.000 --> 10:42.000 Oh, nonsense. 10:42.000 --> 10:44.000 I'm positive they're not mere dreams. 10:44.000 --> 10:48.000 Well, I think it's all due to your rundown condition. 10:48.000 --> 10:50.000 You probably don't sleep as soundly as you should. 10:50.000 --> 10:53.000 So you transfer sounds in the night to dreams and nightmares. 10:53.000 --> 10:55.000 That's exactly what I mean. 10:55.000 --> 11:00.000 If I'm only half asleep, I may be transferring actual movements and sounds into dreams. 11:00.000 --> 11:03.000 In other words, if someone slams a door in the night, 11:03.000 --> 11:06.000 I may half hear it and attribute it to a dream. 11:06.000 --> 11:10.000 But then perhaps I'm not dreaming. Don't you see? 11:10.000 --> 11:13.000 Hmm. 11:13.000 --> 11:17.000 I think you'd better come into town and have a thorough physical. 11:17.000 --> 11:19.000 You mean a checkup by a psychiatrist? 11:19.000 --> 11:22.000 Oh, I may have someone help me. It's the usual thing, you know. 11:22.000 --> 11:25.000 Oh, Doctor, I'm so drunk. 11:25.000 --> 11:27.000 No, no, no, no, no. 11:27.000 --> 11:29.000 Everything's going to be all right. 11:29.000 --> 11:35.000 I'm afraid, afraid that I'm going to die, that someone is trying to kill me. 11:35.000 --> 11:38.000 Oh, you're not going to die. That's ridiculous. 11:38.000 --> 11:40.000 I'll call you and make an appointment. 11:40.000 --> 11:42.000 That's better. 11:42.000 --> 11:45.000 Very well. In the meantime, try not to think about it. 11:45.000 --> 11:47.000 Keep your mind on the brighter side. 11:47.000 --> 11:50.000 Yes. I'll try. 11:52.000 --> 11:55.000 All afternoon and on into the evening, 11:55.000 --> 11:59.000 that awful gnawing of jealousy and fear occupied every moment. 11:59.000 --> 12:04.000 Gill and Beverly, how could they do such a thing? 12:04.000 --> 12:08.000 And how far will they go to get you out of the way, Lucia? 12:08.000 --> 12:11.000 Will they stop even at murder? 12:22.000 --> 12:23.000 Are you asleep, Lucia? 12:23.000 --> 12:26.000 No, I'm not asleep. 12:29.000 --> 12:31.000 How are you feeling? 12:31.000 --> 12:33.000 I seem to have developed a headache. 12:33.000 --> 12:35.000 Have you eaten anything today? 12:35.000 --> 12:37.000 No, I didn't care for anything. 12:37.000 --> 12:39.000 Well, this will help you. 12:39.000 --> 12:41.000 I'll take a dose now. I'll measure it for you. 12:41.000 --> 12:43.000 What is it? 12:43.000 --> 12:45.000 It's the tonic. 12:45.000 --> 12:47.000 Did Dr. Hanby prescribe it? 12:47.000 --> 12:51.000 Yes. Yes, he did. 12:51.000 --> 12:52.000 Where's Beverly? 12:52.000 --> 12:53.000 Down in the library. 12:53.000 --> 12:54.000 Did you buy the horse? 12:54.000 --> 12:56.000 Yes, Beverly thought she was a fine animal. 12:56.000 --> 12:58.000 I didn't know Beverly knew so much about horses. 12:58.000 --> 13:00.000 She's a horsewoman after my own heart. 13:00.000 --> 13:01.000 Is she? 13:01.000 --> 13:03.000 Rides like the wind, too. 13:03.000 --> 13:05.000 She had intended to go home tomorrow. 13:05.000 --> 13:07.000 Is she staying on? 13:07.000 --> 13:09.000 She's got to. I wouldn't think of her leaving now. 13:09.000 --> 13:10.000 Why not? 13:10.000 --> 13:13.000 Well, for one thing, she's going to train the horse. 13:13.000 --> 13:15.000 And what else? 13:15.000 --> 13:18.000 Why, nothing else. 13:19.000 --> 13:20.000 Here, take this. 13:20.000 --> 13:22.000 It's a little bitter, but you'll get used to it. 13:22.000 --> 13:23.000 Yield. 13:23.000 --> 13:24.000 Go ahead, it won't hurt you. 13:24.000 --> 13:25.000 I don't want it. 13:25.000 --> 13:26.000 And why not? 13:26.000 --> 13:28.000 It has poison in it. 13:28.000 --> 13:30.000 I suppose it does have a little, yes. 13:30.000 --> 13:32.000 But only enough to act as a tonic. 13:32.000 --> 13:34.000 I don't want it. I won't take it. 13:34.000 --> 13:35.000 Are you going to act like a child? 13:35.000 --> 13:36.000 Take it and quit arguing. 13:36.000 --> 13:37.000 I won't. I won't. 13:37.000 --> 13:38.000 Take it, swallow it down. 13:38.000 --> 13:40.000 I can't take it. 13:40.000 --> 13:42.000 You're impossible to shake. 13:42.000 --> 13:43.000 I'm afraid. 13:43.000 --> 13:45.000 You need this medicine, but you're so 13:45.000 --> 13:47.000 confoundedly stubborn you'd rather sit around and mope all day. 13:47.000 --> 13:49.000 Very well, there it is. You can take it or not. 13:49.000 --> 13:51.000 I'm disgusted trying to help you pull out of this. 13:51.000 --> 13:52.000 Good night. 13:52.000 --> 13:53.000 No, no, no, no. Wait, Gilla. 13:53.000 --> 13:54.000 I'll take it. I'll take it. 13:54.000 --> 13:56.000 I don't care whether you do or not. 13:58.000 --> 14:00.000 There. I've taken it. 14:01.000 --> 14:02.000 Terribly bitter. 14:02.000 --> 14:04.000 Well, that's more like it. 14:04.000 --> 14:06.000 Now take another dose around eleven. 14:06.000 --> 14:07.000 Yield. 14:07.000 --> 14:09.000 Where's Mrs. Benson? 14:09.000 --> 14:11.000 Why, I told her she could have the night off. 14:11.000 --> 14:13.000 Thought she might like to spend the evening in town. 14:13.000 --> 14:15.000 You let her off? 14:15.000 --> 14:17.000 Yes, she's been sticking pretty close lately. 14:17.000 --> 14:19.000 Yes, yes, she has. 14:20.000 --> 14:21.000 Good night. 14:21.000 --> 14:23.000 Good night, Lucia. 14:29.000 --> 14:31.000 What's wrong, Gil? You look upset. 14:31.000 --> 14:33.000 I am. 14:33.000 --> 14:34.000 Lucia didn't want to take it. 14:34.000 --> 14:36.000 No? Why not? 14:36.000 --> 14:38.000 She's afraid of medicine. 14:38.000 --> 14:39.000 What are you going to do? 14:39.000 --> 14:41.000 She finally took a dose of it. 14:41.000 --> 14:43.000 But if I know her, she'll never take another drop. 14:43.000 --> 14:45.000 She's got to take it, Gil. 14:45.000 --> 14:47.000 We've got to figure out a way to make her take it. 14:47.000 --> 14:50.000 It can't be disguised. It's too bitter. 14:50.000 --> 14:52.000 Try something else. 14:52.000 --> 14:54.000 I'll try and coax her into it again. 14:54.000 --> 14:57.000 Isn't there something that tastes more pleasant, or... 14:57.000 --> 15:00.000 something you could put in milk or orange juice? 15:00.000 --> 15:02.000 I don't know. 15:02.000 --> 15:04.000 But I'll find something. 15:04.000 --> 15:06.000 Of course you will. You've got to. 15:06.000 --> 15:07.000 She's... 15:07.000 --> 15:09.000 Wait a minute. 15:09.000 --> 15:11.000 There's someone listening outside the door. 15:12.000 --> 15:14.000 Oh. Oh, sir. 15:14.000 --> 15:17.000 Well, Benson, what are you doing standing here in the dark? 15:17.000 --> 15:20.000 Why, I was just going upstairs to see if Mrs. Durant 15:20.000 --> 15:22.000 wanted anything before I went out. 15:22.000 --> 15:23.000 I see. 15:23.000 --> 15:25.000 By the way, I'm staying home for a couple of days, 15:25.000 --> 15:28.000 and I thought that since you've been staying so close to the job, 15:28.000 --> 15:30.000 you'd welcome a few days leave. 15:30.000 --> 15:31.000 Leave? 15:31.000 --> 15:33.000 Why, yes. 15:33.000 --> 15:36.000 But Mrs. Durant may prefer that I stay. 15:36.000 --> 15:38.000 I think you'd better take a little rest yourself. 15:38.000 --> 15:40.000 You needn't come back till Friday. 15:40.000 --> 15:43.000 But I... I don't need to rest. 15:43.000 --> 15:45.000 You come back Friday. 15:45.000 --> 15:47.000 Yes, very well. 15:47.000 --> 15:49.000 But that night for once, 15:49.000 --> 15:52.000 the good Mrs. Benson disobeys orders. 15:52.000 --> 15:56.000 A few minutes before 12, she returns to the mansion. 15:56.000 --> 15:58.000 No lights are burning. 15:58.000 --> 16:01.000 So she makes her way quietly through the back entrance, 16:01.000 --> 16:03.000 slips up the stairs, 16:03.000 --> 16:06.000 and taps lightly on Lucia's bedroom door. 16:06.000 --> 16:09.000 Mrs. Durant? Mrs. Durant? 16:10.000 --> 16:12.000 Then she turns the knob, 16:12.000 --> 16:14.000 opens the door, 16:14.000 --> 16:16.000 and snaps on the light. 16:16.000 --> 16:18.000 Mrs. Durant, are you here? 16:18.000 --> 16:20.000 Then Benson steps quickly toward the bed. 16:20.000 --> 16:22.000 The bed is empty, 16:22.000 --> 16:24.000 but a horrible sight meets her eyes. 16:28.000 --> 16:29.000 Blood! 16:29.000 --> 16:31.000 Blood all over the bed! 16:31.000 --> 16:37.000 Get me the police department! 16:41.000 --> 16:42.000 All right, Mrs. Benson. 16:42.000 --> 16:45.000 Now just calm down and tell us what happened this evening. 16:45.000 --> 16:47.000 Well, earlier in the evening, 16:47.000 --> 16:50.000 Mr. Durant promised that I could have the night off 16:50.000 --> 16:53.000 since I'd been staying close to Mrs. Durant for some time. 16:53.000 --> 16:57.000 And then later he said he decided to let me off until Friday. 16:57.000 --> 16:59.000 I didn't want to go, but he insisted. 16:59.000 --> 17:01.000 Was there anyone else in the house? 17:01.000 --> 17:03.000 Yes, Mrs. Durant's half-sister, Beverly. 17:03.000 --> 17:05.000 Did you leave the house? 17:05.000 --> 17:07.000 Yes, but I sneaked up the back stairs 17:07.000 --> 17:09.000 and told Mrs. Durant I'd be back about midnight. 17:09.000 --> 17:11.000 Hmm. 17:11.000 --> 17:13.000 If you had until Friday, 17:13.000 --> 17:15.000 why did you come back at midnight? 17:15.000 --> 17:17.000 Because we were both frightened. 17:17.000 --> 17:18.000 Of what? 17:18.000 --> 17:21.000 Well, Mrs. Durant had been having premonitions 17:21.000 --> 17:23.000 that someone was trying to kill her. 17:23.000 --> 17:25.000 Who was trying to kill her? 17:25.000 --> 17:27.000 She didn't know, but she knew. 17:27.000 --> 17:30.000 She didn't know, but she was terribly frightened. 17:30.000 --> 17:32.000 Is that all? 17:32.000 --> 17:33.000 No. 17:33.000 --> 17:35.000 Her husband tried to get her to take some medicine 17:35.000 --> 17:37.000 he had brought home. 17:37.000 --> 17:39.000 She refused, and he got angry. 17:39.000 --> 17:41.000 How do you know he was angry? 17:41.000 --> 17:44.000 I heard him talking about it to Beverly. 17:44.000 --> 17:46.000 They were in the library. 17:46.000 --> 17:48.000 And he told Beverly that Lucia was stubborn. 17:48.000 --> 17:51.000 Beverly said that he'd have to think of some other way. 17:51.000 --> 17:54.000 Did Mrs. Durant suspect her husband and Beverly 17:54.000 --> 17:56.000 of trying to do away with her? 17:56.000 --> 17:58.000 Yes. 17:58.000 --> 18:00.000 Yes, she did. 18:00.000 --> 18:02.000 She was convinced that Mr. Durant and Beverly 18:02.000 --> 18:04.000 were in love and wanted her out of the way. 18:04.000 --> 18:06.000 I see. 18:06.000 --> 18:08.000 Mm-hmm. 18:08.000 --> 18:10.000 Well, so you came back tonight because you anticipated 18:10.000 --> 18:12.000 that something was going to happen. 18:12.000 --> 18:13.000 Yes. 18:13.000 --> 18:16.000 House was dark, so I came up the back stairs, 18:16.000 --> 18:18.000 knocked on her door. 18:18.000 --> 18:20.000 When I got no answer, I came in, turned on the lights, 18:20.000 --> 18:22.000 saw she was gone. 18:22.000 --> 18:25.000 And then I saw the bed, all covered with blood. 18:25.000 --> 18:30.000 She wouldn't take the poison, so they did it another way. 18:30.000 --> 18:32.000 That's what they planned in the library. 18:32.000 --> 18:34.000 Where are they now? Any idea? 18:34.000 --> 18:36.000 Well, they didn't expect me back tonight, 18:36.000 --> 18:38.000 so they've probably gone to dispose of the body, 18:38.000 --> 18:42.000 intending to come back here and clean the place up later. 18:42.000 --> 18:44.000 I see. 18:44.000 --> 18:46.000 Anybody else know about Mrs. Durant's fears? 18:46.000 --> 18:48.000 Yes. She talked to Dr. Hanvey. 18:48.000 --> 18:50.000 I called him right after phoning the police 18:50.000 --> 18:52.000 and told him about it. He knows. 18:52.000 --> 18:54.000 Dr. Hanvey, Captain Drake? 18:54.000 --> 18:56.000 What in the world is the meaning of this? 18:56.000 --> 18:58.000 From all indications, Mrs. Durant has been murdered 18:58.000 --> 19:00.000 and the body disposed of. 19:00.000 --> 19:02.000 Dr. Hanvey, Mrs. Durant told you that she was afraid 19:02.000 --> 19:04.000 that something was going to happen to her, 19:04.000 --> 19:06.000 that she was going to die. 19:06.000 --> 19:08.000 Who told you that? 19:06.000 --> 19:08.000 Mrs. Benson here. 19:08.000 --> 19:10.000 I see. Well, she did call me in this morning. 19:10.000 --> 19:12.000 She'd been having strange dreams. 19:10.000 --> 19:12.000 Premonition, she called them. 19:12.000 --> 19:14.000 I called them hallucinations. 19:12.000 --> 19:14.000 What do you think it was? 19:14.000 --> 19:16.000 She couldn't tell whether it was a man or a woman, 19:16.000 --> 19:18.000 but someone was always approaching her bed 19:18.000 --> 19:20.000 without stretched arms, trying to choke. 19:20.000 --> 19:22.000 Do you think it was more than a dream? 19:22.000 --> 19:24.000 I asked her to come into town 19:24.000 --> 19:26.000 where I could give her a thorough examination. 19:26.000 --> 19:28.000 I didn't take her story too seriously, 19:28.000 --> 19:30.000 but this certainly puts a different slant 19:30.000 --> 19:32.000 on the entire picture. 19:30.000 --> 19:32.000 Yes. 19:32.000 --> 19:34.000 We haven't found the body, but I have men out looking now. 19:34.000 --> 19:36.000 We'll find it. 19:36.000 --> 19:38.000 Yes, Mr. Durant and his sister-in-law, 19:38.000 --> 19:40.000 they found them about half a mile down the beach. 19:40.000 --> 19:42.000 How are you, Durant? 19:40.000 --> 19:42.000 What in the world goes on here? 19:42.000 --> 19:44.000 What's wrong, doctor? 19:44.000 --> 19:46.000 Take a look at that bed. 19:46.000 --> 19:48.000 What happened? 19:48.000 --> 19:50.000 Lucia. 19:50.000 --> 19:52.000 Where is she? 19:52.000 --> 19:54.000 We thought you might enlighten us on that point. 19:54.000 --> 19:56.000 What do you mean, where is she? 19:56.000 --> 19:58.000 Is Lucia dead? 19:58.000 --> 20:00.000 Oh, Gil, what... 20:00.000 --> 20:02.000 What happened? 20:02.000 --> 20:04.000 We think your wife has been murdered. 20:04.000 --> 20:06.000 Murdered? What are you doing here, Mrs. Benson? 20:06.000 --> 20:08.000 I thought you were gone until Friday. 20:08.000 --> 20:10.000 Why did you tell her to go until Friday? 20:10.000 --> 20:12.000 I thought she needed to rest. 20:12.000 --> 20:14.000 She'd been having long hours. 20:14.000 --> 20:16.000 Where is Lucia? 20:16.000 --> 20:18.000 Where have you and your sister-in-law been? 20:18.000 --> 20:20.000 I slipped upstairs and saw Lucia was asleep, 20:20.000 --> 20:22.000 so we decided to take a little ride down the beach. 20:22.000 --> 20:24.000 It was still early. 20:24.000 --> 20:26.000 Mm-hmm. 20:26.000 --> 20:28.000 Didn't take anything, will you? 20:28.000 --> 20:30.000 Certainly not. 20:30.000 --> 20:32.000 What do you mean by that? What would we take? 20:32.000 --> 20:34.000 I don't know, I just ask. 20:34.000 --> 20:36.000 Did you two try to get Lucia to take some medicine? 20:36.000 --> 20:38.000 No. 20:36.000 --> 20:38.000 Wait a minute, Beverly. 20:38.000 --> 20:40.000 That won't do any good. 20:40.000 --> 20:42.000 Yes, we did. 20:42.000 --> 20:44.000 Lucia was run down and needed a tonic, 20:44.000 --> 20:46.000 but she refused to take medicine. 20:46.000 --> 20:48.000 Maybe she was afraid of being poisoned. 20:48.000 --> 20:50.000 Poisoned? 20:50.000 --> 20:52.000 Why should I want to poison her? 20:52.000 --> 20:54.000 Lucia was my wife. 20:54.000 --> 20:56.000 How long has your sister-in-law Beverly 20:56.000 --> 20:58.000 been here with you? 20:58.000 --> 21:00.000 I don't know. Quite some time. 21:00.000 --> 21:02.000 Just a minute. 21:02.000 --> 21:04.000 Are you inferring that Gil and I... 21:04.000 --> 21:06.000 I'm not inferring anything. 21:06.000 --> 21:08.000 I merely asked you a question. 21:08.000 --> 21:10.000 Gil, tell him that... 21:10.000 --> 21:12.000 Just a moment, Beverly. Mrs. Benson, what have you been saying? 21:12.000 --> 21:14.000 What did you tell them? 21:12.000 --> 21:14.000 I told them the truth. 21:14.000 --> 21:16.000 You think I planned to kill Lucia, is that it? 21:16.000 --> 21:18.000 Yes, you and this woman. 21:18.000 --> 21:20.000 You're out of your mind. 21:18.000 --> 21:20.000 You tried to get her to take some medicine. 21:20.000 --> 21:22.000 She knew you were in love with her sister 21:22.000 --> 21:24.000 and that you were trying to poison her. 21:24.000 --> 21:26.000 And how did she come to that conclusion? 21:24.000 --> 21:26.000 She had premonition. 21:26.000 --> 21:28.000 That means nothing. 21:26.000 --> 21:28.000 And besides, I heard you talking, 21:28.000 --> 21:30.000 you and Beverly planning the whole thing. 21:30.000 --> 21:32.000 What? 21:30.000 --> 21:32.000 She's lying. 21:32.000 --> 21:34.000 I heard you. 21:34.000 --> 21:36.000 When you realized Lucia wouldn't take the medicine, 21:36.000 --> 21:38.000 Beverly said you'd have to think of some other way. 21:38.000 --> 21:40.000 Some other way to what? 21:38.000 --> 21:40.000 To get rid of her, to kill her. 21:40.000 --> 21:42.000 There must be some... 21:42.000 --> 21:44.000 Dr. Hanby, you know better than this. 21:44.000 --> 21:46.000 Do you think I had a reason 21:46.000 --> 21:48.000 back of wanting to know about various medicines? 21:48.000 --> 21:50.000 Well, no, no, I didn't. 21:50.000 --> 21:52.000 Not at the time, but now... 21:52.000 --> 21:54.000 Now what? 21:52.000 --> 21:54.000 Well, I'm sorry to say 21:54.000 --> 21:56.000 it all adds up to something suspicious. 21:56.000 --> 21:58.000 Seems more than just coincidental. 21:58.000 --> 22:00.000 Do you... 22:00.000 --> 22:02.000 Do you think I killed Lucia? 22:02.000 --> 22:04.000 Look about you. 22:04.000 --> 22:06.000 Look at the room. What else am I to think? 22:06.000 --> 22:08.000 What was the tonic you tried to give your wife? 22:08.000 --> 22:10.000 It had strychnine in it. 22:10.000 --> 22:12.000 Is that right, Durant? 22:12.000 --> 22:14.000 Yes. It was one of the things Dr. Hanby mentioned. 22:14.000 --> 22:16.000 It was... 22:16.000 --> 22:18.000 Iron, quinine, and strychnine. 22:18.000 --> 22:20.000 Did you mention that, Doctor? 22:20.000 --> 22:22.000 Well, I suppose I did. 22:22.000 --> 22:24.000 It's a commonly known tonic. 22:24.000 --> 22:26.000 Did you add anything else to it, Durant? 22:26.000 --> 22:28.000 Certainly not. 22:26.000 --> 22:28.000 How about it, Sergeant? What's the report? 22:28.000 --> 22:30.000 The bottle contained iron, quinine, and strychnine 22:30.000 --> 22:32.000 and a heavy content of arsenic. 22:32.000 --> 22:34.000 Arsenic? 22:34.000 --> 22:36.000 But that isn't possible. 22:36.000 --> 22:38.000 I put nothing in it. 22:38.000 --> 22:40.000 Where would I get arsenic? 22:40.000 --> 22:42.000 It was in there, just the thing. 22:42.000 --> 22:44.000 Good heavens. 22:44.000 --> 22:46.000 Doctor, this isn't true. You know it isn't. 22:46.000 --> 22:48.000 I hate to say it, Gil. 22:48.000 --> 22:50.000 The evidence looks bad for you. 22:50.000 --> 22:52.000 Fancy knows what this is all about. 22:52.000 --> 22:54.000 She's lying. She knows Gil wouldn't do such a thing. 22:54.000 --> 22:56.000 She's back at it all. 22:54.000 --> 22:56.000 Why? 22:56.000 --> 22:58.000 I don't know. But believe me, I'll find out if I have... 22:58.000 --> 23:00.000 That'll do. That'll do. 23:00.000 --> 23:02.000 Under the circumstances, I think it all better come down to headquarters 23:02.000 --> 23:04.000 so we can keep you separated. 23:04.000 --> 23:08.000 Come on. And no more talking. 23:08.000 --> 23:10.000 After 48 hours, 23:10.000 --> 23:12.000 hours of relentless grilling, endless questioning, 23:12.000 --> 23:14.000 Gil and Beverly are released 23:14.000 --> 23:16.000 on a writ of habeas corpus. 23:16.000 --> 23:18.000 Weeks go by, 23:18.000 --> 23:20.000 and Lucia's body has not been discovered. 23:20.000 --> 23:22.000 So the district fraternity makes a public announcement 23:22.000 --> 23:24.000 that no murder charges can be 23:24.000 --> 23:26.000 preferred against them 23:26.000 --> 23:28.000 due to lack of corpus delicti, 23:28.000 --> 23:30.000 the failure to produce the body, 23:30.000 --> 23:32.000 Lucia's body. 23:32.000 --> 23:34.000 Then one evening, Beverly and Gil 23:34.000 --> 23:36.000 talk in the library. 23:36.000 --> 23:38.000 Beverly, I want you to know how wonderful 23:38.000 --> 23:40.000 I think you've been. 23:40.000 --> 23:42.000 You've stuck right beside me, never lost your nerve, 23:42.000 --> 23:44.000 and, well, 23:44.000 --> 23:46.000 you're one girl in a million. 23:46.000 --> 23:48.000 Oh, thanks, Gil, but it isn't over yet. 23:48.000 --> 23:50.000 They won't stop their search 23:50.000 --> 23:52.000 for Lucia's body, and if they find it, 23:52.000 --> 23:54.000 we haven't a chance. 23:54.000 --> 23:56.000 I know, but what can we do about it? 23:56.000 --> 23:58.000 Well, why couldn't we leave the country? 23:58.000 --> 24:00.000 Together? 24:00.000 --> 24:02.000 We could go separately, 24:02.000 --> 24:04.000 in different ways, and... 24:04.000 --> 24:06.000 And meet some place later on, is that what you mean? 24:06.000 --> 24:08.000 Yes, that's what I mean. 24:08.000 --> 24:10.000 It seems a bit mad, 24:10.000 --> 24:12.000 and it'll be equal to an out-and-out confession. 24:12.000 --> 24:14.000 Oh, but, Gil, if they find Lucia's body, 24:14.000 --> 24:16.000 we haven't a chance. It's too strong against us. 24:16.000 --> 24:18.000 We could never come back, Beverly. 24:18.000 --> 24:20.000 What of it? 24:20.000 --> 24:22.000 I don't want to die, Gil, 24:22.000 --> 24:24.000 and I don't want anything to happen to you. 24:24.000 --> 24:26.000 Beverly, I... 24:26.000 --> 24:28.000 No, I don't know what to say. 24:28.000 --> 24:30.000 I'm frightened, Gil. I can't stay here 24:30.000 --> 24:32.000 with such horrible fear hanging over me. I'll go mad. 24:32.000 --> 24:34.000 If you don't go, then I will. 24:34.000 --> 24:36.000 I'll leave tonight. Please, Beverly, 24:36.000 --> 24:38.000 I need you more than ever now. Please don't go. 24:38.000 --> 24:40.000 Don't worry, Gilbert. 24:40.000 --> 24:42.000 She won't leave you. 24:42.000 --> 24:44.000 Goddamn it, Lucia. I won't let her leave you. 24:44.000 --> 24:46.000 I'll see that you both go together, 24:46.000 --> 24:48.000 and stay together for a long, long time. 24:48.000 --> 24:50.000 Lucia, what? 24:50.000 --> 24:52.000 Lucia. We thought you were dead. 24:52.000 --> 24:54.000 Disappointed, aren't you? 24:54.000 --> 24:56.000 Where have you been? What are you going to do with that gun? 24:56.000 --> 24:58.000 You thought I was dead. Well, I'm not. 24:58.000 --> 25:00.000 I'm live enough to pull this trigger. 25:00.000 --> 25:02.000 I've been hiding for weeks, 25:02.000 --> 25:04.000 and I've been behind those curtains 25:04.000 --> 25:06.000 for the last 20 minutes. 25:06.000 --> 25:08.000 I heard every word. 25:08.000 --> 25:10.000 Now I know you're in love with each other. 25:10.000 --> 25:12.000 Now I know you wanted to do away with me. 25:12.000 --> 25:14.000 In love? Beverly and I... 25:14.000 --> 25:16.000 From the day she came here, 25:16.000 --> 25:18.000 she took you away from me. 25:18.000 --> 25:20.000 I did not. We never thought of such a thing. Never. 25:20.000 --> 25:22.000 Never, Edith Armand. Why lie about it? 25:22.000 --> 25:24.000 You've let your imagination run away with you, Lucia. 25:24.000 --> 25:26.000 You think so? Well, if I am, it's your fault. 25:26.000 --> 25:28.000 Yours and Beverly's. 25:28.000 --> 25:30.000 You've driven me insane, both of you. 25:30.000 --> 25:32.000 I had a plan to get even with you, to make you pay for what you've done, 25:32.000 --> 25:34.000 but it failed. What plan? 25:34.000 --> 25:36.000 You see, I didn't know about the law of corpus delicti, 25:36.000 --> 25:38.000 but I do now. 25:38.000 --> 25:40.000 And this time there will be a body. 25:40.000 --> 25:42.000 Two bodies. Yours and Beverly's. 25:42.000 --> 25:44.000 You're a suspicious-minded devil, Lucia. 25:44.000 --> 25:46.000 I planned to trap you on a murder charge. 25:46.000 --> 25:48.000 My murder. But it's going to be your murder now. 25:48.000 --> 25:50.000 You were convinced that Beverly and I were in love? 25:50.000 --> 25:52.000 Of course. 25:52.000 --> 25:54.000 I never needed a dream nor a premonition. 25:54.000 --> 25:56.000 I cut myself and smeared blood on the bed and disappeared. 25:56.000 --> 25:58.000 When I found they couldn't touch you without the corpus delicti, 25:58.000 --> 26:00.000 I came back to kill you. 26:00.000 --> 26:02.000 Lucia, you fool! 26:02.000 --> 26:04.000 You vicious-minded fool! 26:04.000 --> 26:06.000 I'm going to tell you something. 26:06.000 --> 26:08.000 Then go ahead and shoot me, if you will. 26:08.000 --> 26:10.000 Lucia, not until now, this very moment, 26:10.000 --> 26:12.000 has the thought of loving Beverly ever occurred to me. 26:12.000 --> 26:14.000 You never loved me. 26:14.000 --> 26:16.000 You never loved me. 26:16.000 --> 26:18.000 You never loved me. 26:18.000 --> 26:20.000 You never loved me. 26:20.000 --> 26:22.000 You never loved me. 26:22.000 --> 26:24.000 No. But I can tell you this, Lucia. 26:24.000 --> 26:26.000 Not that I've seen you as you really are. 26:26.000 --> 26:28.000 I could never love you again. Never. 26:28.000 --> 26:30.000 Gail! 26:30.000 --> 26:32.000 Wait, Beverly. 26:32.000 --> 26:34.000 But I... 26:34.000 --> 26:36.000 I was sure... I was convinced that you would ever... 26:36.000 --> 26:38.000 You were sure only because your warped, 26:38.000 --> 26:40.000 jealous mind convinced you that there was something between us. 26:40.000 --> 26:42.000 You mean I... 26:42.000 --> 26:44.000 You certainly made a sorry mess of your life, Lucia. 26:44.000 --> 26:46.000 Then I... 26:46.000 --> 26:48.000 All I've done is... 26:48.000 --> 26:50.000 All I've done is... 26:50.000 --> 26:52.000 killed your love. 26:52.000 --> 26:54.000 Oh, Gil! 26:54.000 --> 26:56.000 Yes, Lucia. And you've no one to blame. 26:56.000 --> 26:58.000 No one but your own miserable self. 26:58.000 --> 27:00.000 No one but your own miserable self. 27:00.000 --> 27:02.000 Gil! 27:02.000 --> 27:04.000 Lucia! Don't, Lucia! 27:08.000 --> 27:10.000 Oh, Gil! 27:10.000 --> 27:12.000 Gil! 27:12.000 --> 27:14.000 Yes, yes, Beverly. 27:14.000 --> 27:16.000 But it's... 27:16.000 --> 27:18.000 probably the best thing 27:18.000 --> 27:20.000 for her and for us. 27:40.000 --> 27:42.000 And so closes 27:42.000 --> 27:44.000 in fear and trembling 27:44.000 --> 27:46.000 starring Metro Golden Mayor's 27:46.000 --> 27:48.000 Mary Astor, tonight's tale of... 27:48.000 --> 27:50.000 suspense. 27:56.000 --> 27:58.000 The broadcast originated in Columbia Square 27:58.000 --> 28:00.000 in Hollywood. 28:00.000 --> 28:02.000 This is your narrator, the Man in Black, 28:02.000 --> 28:04.000 who conveys to you Columbia's invitation 28:04.000 --> 28:06.000 to spend this half hour in suspense 28:06.000 --> 28:08.000 with us again next Tuesday, 28:08.000 --> 28:10.000 when another of the screen's 28:10.000 --> 28:12.000 lovelier leading ladies 28:12.000 --> 28:14.000 Geraldine Fitzgerald 28:14.000 --> 28:16.000 will star in the uneasy drama called 28:16.000 --> 28:18.000 Will You Walk into My Parlor? 28:24.000 --> 28:26.000 William Spear, the producer, 28:26.000 --> 28:28.000 Ted Bliss, the director, 28:28.000 --> 28:30.000 Matt Gluskin, the musical director, 28:30.000 --> 28:32.000 Lucian Morrowick, the composer, 28:32.000 --> 28:34.000 and J. Donald Wilson, the author, 28:34.000 --> 28:36.000 collaborated on tonight's... 28:36.000 --> 28:38.000 suspense. 28:38.000 --> 28:40.000 Tonight's... suspense. 28:48.000 --> 28:50.000 This is the Columbia 28:50.000 --> 29:08.000 Broadcasting System.