WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:01.000 Suspense! 00:01.000 --> 00:28.000 This is the man in black, here again to introduce Colombians to the world. 00:28.000 --> 00:32.000 Here again to introduce Colombia's program, Suspense! 00:32.000 --> 00:37.000 Our distinguished stars tonight are two of the world's acknowledged masters of the art of suspense. 00:37.000 --> 00:41.000 They are Mr. Charles Lawton and Miss Elsa Lanchester. 00:41.000 --> 00:46.000 Mr. Lawton, who will soon be seen in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, The Man from Down Under, 00:46.000 --> 00:52.000 is here to play a remarkable character, created by England's noted thriller author, Agatha Christie. 00:52.000 --> 00:59.000 A mild-mannered character whose initials were ABC, and about whom revolved a series of savage murders, 00:59.000 --> 01:02.000 all neatly and alphabetically arranged. 01:02.000 --> 01:07.000 ABC was stamped upon all his belongings, those being his rightful initials, 01:07.000 --> 01:12.000 and ABC was stamped too upon the large railway timetable he always carried. 01:12.000 --> 01:18.000 But there was nothing so odd about that detail, since no traveler in the British Isles would dream of planning a journey 01:18.000 --> 01:22.000 without consulting this famous railway schedule, the ABC. 01:22.000 --> 01:28.000 And so, with the ABC murders by Agatha Christie, written for radio by Robert Tallman and William Spear, 01:28.000 --> 01:32.000 and with the performance of Charles Lawton, we again hope to keep you in... 01:32.000 --> 01:34.000 Suspense! 01:34.000 --> 01:44.000 When the time for closing bell rang in the public library, 01:44.000 --> 01:51.000 Alexander Bonaparte Cust started, picked up his battered briefcase for the almost faded initials ABC, 01:51.000 --> 01:55.000 closed the book he had been reading, and shuffled over to the librarian's desk. 01:55.000 --> 02:00.000 It's a most interesting book, librarian. I shall like to come back sometime and read another chapter of it, if I may. 02:00.000 --> 02:04.000 Quite. Yes, Mr. Clark. Can I help you, sir? 02:04.000 --> 02:05.000 No hurry. 02:05.000 --> 02:07.000 Well, I'll be going along now. Thank you. 02:07.000 --> 02:14.000 Brum little chap, that. What do you think he was reading? Studies in epileptic somnambulism. 02:14.000 --> 02:19.000 Medical stuff, eh? Oh, I say, the little fellow left his briefcase. I'll catch him at the door. 02:19.000 --> 02:22.000 I say, sir, just a moment. You left something. 02:22.000 --> 02:27.000 Oh, dear, it's my briefcase. I'm terribly sorry. I seem to be getting more and more forgetful lately. 02:27.000 --> 02:31.000 Why, only the other day I left it on the couch in a tobacco shop. 02:31.000 --> 02:36.000 Lucky you have those initials. Not many people with the initials ABC sticks in your mind. 02:36.000 --> 02:37.000 What do you mean by that, sir? 02:37.000 --> 02:43.000 Well, after all, they're the first three letters of the alphabet. Practically the first thing we learn, you know, isn't it? Our ABCs. 02:43.000 --> 02:46.000 Don't mention those letters to me. They've brought bad luck to me in more ways than one. 02:46.000 --> 02:47.000 Really? How's that? 02:47.000 --> 02:53.000 Well, I used to be a travelling salesman, and I used to carry one of those railway town tables in my pocket, the Thretney kind, 02:53.000 --> 02:56.000 in which they list the towns and all the railroads alphabetically. 02:56.000 --> 02:59.000 Oh, of course. Printed right on the cover, isn't it? ABC. 02:59.000 --> 03:03.000 Yes, that's right, sir. Well, Stockings was my line, sir. I did door-to-door selling. 03:03.000 --> 03:07.000 Whenever I finished one town, out would come that timetable, and I'd look up the next stop on my route. 03:07.000 --> 03:13.000 I got sick of the sight of that ABC railway guide, I can tell you, sir. It was like a symbol of failure to me. 03:13.000 --> 03:18.000 One dingy little town after another, and all listed in that railway guide with ABC printed on the cover. 03:18.000 --> 03:23.000 My own initials staring out at me from every new stand in every dirty little railroad station in the Midlands. 03:23.000 --> 03:25.000 Oh, come on. It couldn't have been as bad as all that. 03:25.000 --> 03:29.000 Matter of fact, I never noticed it till I began to get the headaches. 03:29.000 --> 03:31.000 Oh, you suffer from headaches? 03:31.000 --> 03:32.000 Yes. 03:32.000 --> 03:33.000 Have you seen a doctor about it? 03:33.000 --> 03:37.000 Oh, no, no. I wouldn't want to see a doctor about it. I already know what brings the man up. 03:37.000 --> 03:39.000 Well, if you'd rather not talk about it... 03:39.000 --> 03:43.000 Oh, no, no. It isn't that at all, sir. It was just such a long time ago. 03:43.000 --> 03:46.000 During the last war, in fact, Chateau Thierry. 03:46.000 --> 03:50.000 Chateau Thierry? Oh, I see. What a coincidence. I was in the thick of that myself. 03:50.000 --> 03:54.000 Yes, we must get together for a drink one day to talk over old times. 03:54.000 --> 03:56.000 Franklin Clark is my name. 03:56.000 --> 03:59.000 I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Clark. My name's Cust. 03:59.000 --> 04:02.000 Alexander Bonaparte Cust. 04:02.000 --> 04:05.000 Well, they must have expected great things of you, giving you a name like that. 04:05.000 --> 04:08.000 I'm afraid they did, Mr. Clark. Yes. 04:10.000 --> 04:12.000 I'm very much afraid they did. 04:20.000 --> 04:23.000 Mr. Cust. Oh, Mr. Cust. 04:23.000 --> 04:24.000 Who is it? 04:24.000 --> 04:28.000 It's me, Mr. Cust. I've brought you out a spot of tea. 04:28.000 --> 04:31.000 Oh, it's you, Miss Marbury. That was very thoughtful of you. 04:31.000 --> 04:34.000 Oh, nonsense. You know, Mother Dotes on you. 04:34.000 --> 04:36.000 You're her favourite lodger. In fact... 04:36.000 --> 04:40.000 Why, Mr. Cust, you're patting your things. 04:40.000 --> 04:42.000 You're not leaving us, are you? 04:42.000 --> 04:45.000 Oh, no, I'm just taking a little trip over the bank holiday, you know. 04:45.000 --> 04:48.000 Now, now, don't try to deceive me, Mr. Cust. 04:48.000 --> 04:51.000 You're embarrassed about owing us, aren't you? No. 04:51.000 --> 04:54.000 You needn't be, Mr. Cust. Really, you needn't. 04:54.000 --> 04:57.000 Oh, you are a nice girl, Miss Marbury. You really are a nice girl. 04:57.000 --> 05:00.000 As a matter of fact, I'm not going just for the bank holiday. 05:00.000 --> 05:03.000 I've something rather important, some very important matter to take care of. 05:03.000 --> 05:06.000 You know, it's very possible that my mother didn't have me christened 05:06.000 --> 05:09.000 Alexander Bonaparte Cust for nothing. 05:09.000 --> 05:12.000 Have you got a position, Mr. Cust? What is it? 05:12.000 --> 05:15.000 Come, Mr. Cust. You can tell me, can't you? 05:15.000 --> 05:17.000 Well, Miss Lillie, I can tell you this much. 05:17.000 --> 05:19.000 I shall be travelling quite a lot. 05:19.000 --> 05:22.000 In fact, where did I leave that ABC Railroad guide? 05:22.000 --> 05:25.000 Oh, yes, here it is. First stop, Andover. 05:25.000 --> 05:27.000 Andover? That's not very far. 05:27.000 --> 05:30.000 No, no, no, but I must be getting on if I don't want to miss that train. 05:30.000 --> 05:32.000 Now, let me see. Have I got everything? 05:32.000 --> 05:37.000 There's the spectacles and me overcoat, me typewriter, me walking stick. 05:37.000 --> 05:40.000 Did I ever tell you the history of this walking stick, Miss Marbury? 05:40.000 --> 05:42.000 It's a Scottish piece, very old. It's always used as antique. 05:42.000 --> 05:44.000 You know, they used to kill people with these 05:44.000 --> 05:46.000 back in the days of the old clan wars in Scotland. 05:46.000 --> 05:49.000 I wonder how many heads this one has bashed in. 05:49.000 --> 05:53.000 Oh, Mr. Cust. Oh, please, what a terrible way to talk. 05:53.000 --> 05:57.000 Yes, I'm sorry, Miss Marbury. I am a little bit surprised at myself talking like that. 05:57.000 --> 06:00.000 It must be my new job. It's gone to my head a bit. That's it. 06:00.000 --> 06:04.000 It's gone to my head. Have you got an aspirin by any chance? 06:04.000 --> 06:06.000 I've got an order. 06:12.000 --> 06:15.000 Yes, gentlemen? What'll it be? 06:15.000 --> 06:19.000 A packet of Goldfix for me. Yes, sir. And the other gentlemen? 06:19.000 --> 06:21.000 Three Havana's, the Schilling Cigars. 06:21.000 --> 06:23.000 You gentlemen must be up from London. That's right. 06:23.000 --> 06:25.000 Is that your name on the window of this shop? 06:25.000 --> 06:27.000 That's right, sir. Olivia Asher. 06:27.000 --> 06:33.000 Been in business right here in Andover and right here in St Andrew's Place for 20 years. 06:33.000 --> 06:37.000 All A's. Andover, St Andrew's Place and Asher. 06:37.000 --> 06:40.000 Funny, ain't it? Never so much as crossed the line before. 06:40.000 --> 06:42.000 Well, Mrs. Asher, we're from Scotland Yard. 06:42.000 --> 06:45.000 We have reason to believe there may be a homicidal maniac at large in Andover. 06:45.000 --> 06:48.000 Gawd, Blonde! We don't want to frighten you, Mrs. Asher. 06:48.000 --> 06:50.000 For all we know, this may be just a practical joke. 06:50.000 --> 06:54.000 You see, we received an anonymous letter, typewritten, and signed A-B-C. 06:54.000 --> 06:55.000 A-B-C? 06:55.000 --> 06:58.000 This murderer, if there's anything in his story, is planning a series of murders. 06:58.000 --> 07:00.000 His mania seems to be centered on the alphabet. 07:00.000 --> 07:03.000 If he follows his plan through, his first murder will be committed in Andover. 07:03.000 --> 07:05.000 And the victim will be a person whose name begins with an A. 07:05.000 --> 07:08.000 The Lord help me, sir. You don't think... 07:08.000 --> 07:11.000 We don't think anything. Scotland Yard has taken its precautions. 07:11.000 --> 07:13.000 Oh, a woman takes a terrible chance. 07:13.000 --> 07:17.000 There's probably nothing to be alarmed about, but it won't hurt to keep a sharp lookout. 07:17.000 --> 07:18.000 Who's next on your list, Mackenzie? 07:18.000 --> 07:20.000 Next is Arthur Atwood. 07:20.000 --> 07:24.000 All right. Let's be on our way, then. Good day, madam. Don't worry. 07:24.000 --> 07:27.000 Thank you, sir. And good day to you, sir. 07:29.000 --> 07:34.000 A murderer lunatic in Andover of all prices. 07:38.000 --> 07:41.000 Yes, sir. What'll it be for you, sir? 07:42.000 --> 07:43.000 These. 07:43.000 --> 07:46.000 That'll be one and six, sir. 07:46.000 --> 07:50.000 I said that'll be... Oh, no, no, no! 07:50.000 --> 07:52.000 Ah! 07:54.000 --> 07:57.000 Sixth-thirty newspaper sensation. 07:57.000 --> 07:59.000 Homicide of maniac in Andover. 07:59.000 --> 08:04.000 Alphabet murderer destroying next-to-the-best-sale latest on ABC. 08:04.000 --> 08:06.000 Oh, boy, let me have one of those. 08:06.000 --> 08:07.000 Yes, sir. News of Stanton, sir. 08:07.000 --> 08:08.000 Both. Here you are. 08:08.000 --> 08:12.000 Oh, thank you, sir. Sixth-thirty newspaper sensation. 08:12.000 --> 08:14.000 Nasty business, eh, mister? 08:14.000 --> 08:16.000 Oh, yes. Very, very. 08:16.000 --> 08:19.000 You never know with lunatics. They don't always look bomber, you know. 08:19.000 --> 08:21.000 Sometimes they look the same as you on me. 08:21.000 --> 08:23.000 Eh? Yes, I suppose they do. 08:23.000 --> 08:27.000 Oh, it's a fact. Sometimes it's the war on Ingram. 08:27.000 --> 08:29.000 Never been right since. 08:29.000 --> 08:30.000 Yes, I expect you're right. 08:30.000 --> 08:34.000 You know, I dealt old with wars. I hope this'll be the last. 08:34.000 --> 08:37.000 You don't hold with wars, eh? Well, young man, I don't hold with plague 08:37.000 --> 08:39.000 and sleeping sickness and famine and cancer, 08:39.000 --> 08:42.000 but they happen all the same. And murder happens all the same. 08:42.000 --> 08:44.000 They can't prevent them. 08:44.000 --> 08:48.000 I'm sorry, sir. I expect you had a rocky time of it in the last one, eh? 08:48.000 --> 08:51.000 Yes, yes. My poor head's never been the same since. 08:51.000 --> 08:53.000 I get terrible headaches. 08:53.000 --> 08:55.000 Oh? Well, I'm sorry about that, sir. 08:55.000 --> 08:57.000 Sometimes I oddly know what I'm doing. 08:57.000 --> 08:59.000 You don't say. I forget things. 08:59.000 --> 09:02.000 You know, for instance, I could have sworn I had an ABC railway guide 09:02.000 --> 09:04.000 in my pocket an hour ago. 09:04.000 --> 09:07.000 Do you know they found one of them, ABC railway guides? 09:07.000 --> 09:10.000 And the poor tobogganist lady that he murdered. 09:10.000 --> 09:12.000 Who? 09:12.000 --> 09:14.000 He. ABC. Whoever he is. 09:14.000 --> 09:16.000 Maybe he don't know himself. 09:16.000 --> 09:18.000 Let us stop to think of that. 09:18.000 --> 09:20.000 Maybe he's so bomb he don't remember. 09:20.000 --> 09:22.000 I wonder. 09:22.000 --> 09:27.000 Baxill, Baxill, did you say Baxill? That's my train. 09:27.000 --> 09:29.000 Well, goodbye, young man. 09:29.000 --> 09:31.000 Goodbye. 09:31.000 --> 09:59.000 MUSIC 09:59.000 --> 10:01.000 May I have your order, sir? 10:01.000 --> 10:03.000 Well, I don't think I'll have the air-mide. 10:03.000 --> 10:05.000 I'm for breakfast. Yes, I think I'll have the mutton pie. 10:05.000 --> 10:07.000 One mutton pie. Yes, sir. 10:07.000 --> 10:09.000 What's the matter with you? You're trembling, young woman. 10:09.000 --> 10:11.000 Is something wrong? 10:11.000 --> 10:13.000 Oh, sir, if you only knew. 10:13.000 --> 10:16.000 I have to walk home tonight after they close our beer. 10:16.000 --> 10:19.000 And there ain't hardly a light in Benson Terrace where I live. 10:19.000 --> 10:21.000 Benson, Benson Terrace in Baxill? 10:21.000 --> 10:23.000 Yes, sir. 10:23.000 --> 10:25.000 You're afraid of the ABC murderer, aren't you? 10:25.000 --> 10:27.000 He follows the alphabet, don't he? 10:27.000 --> 10:29.000 He's got a way down in Andover. 10:29.000 --> 10:32.000 Hey, and does your name begin with a B? 10:32.000 --> 10:34.000 Barnard's my name. Mary Barnard. 10:34.000 --> 10:36.000 Oh, dear me, Miss Barnard. 10:36.000 --> 10:38.000 Well, I don't like to appear forward. 10:38.000 --> 10:40.000 Well, anyway, I'm old enough to be your father. 10:40.000 --> 10:43.000 Would it make you feel easier if I saw you home tonight? 10:43.000 --> 10:46.000 Oh, you don't know, sir. You just don't know what it would mean. 10:46.000 --> 10:48.000 Well, what time do they close up here? 10:48.000 --> 10:51.000 At nine o'clock. All right, I'll wait outside for you. 10:51.000 --> 10:53.000 At nine o'clock? All right. 10:53.000 --> 10:58.000 I'll be waiting outside. 10:58.000 --> 11:02.000 Ladies, waitress brutally murdered in Baxill. 11:02.000 --> 11:05.000 ABC strikes again. Here you are, sir. 11:05.000 --> 11:07.000 Stotland Yard received third murder note. 11:07.000 --> 11:10.000 Alphabet murderer to strike again in Chaston. 11:10.000 --> 11:12.000 Here you are. 11:12.000 --> 11:13.000 Yes, sir? 11:13.000 --> 11:23.000 Third class single to Chaston. 11:23.000 --> 11:25.000 Give me a pint of half and half, please. 11:25.000 --> 11:27.000 Yes, sir. 11:27.000 --> 11:29.000 There you are, sir. 11:29.000 --> 11:30.000 You up from London, sir? 11:30.000 --> 11:33.000 Yes, I come directly from London. 11:33.000 --> 11:34.000 Ah, salesman? 11:34.000 --> 11:35.000 Stockings is my line. 11:35.000 --> 11:38.000 Rough going these days, what with rationing, eh? 11:38.000 --> 11:40.000 Well, well, well. 11:40.000 --> 11:43.000 It isn't my old friend Alexander Bonaparte Cust. 11:43.000 --> 11:44.000 I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't remember. 11:44.000 --> 11:46.000 We met in the library, remember? In London. 11:46.000 --> 11:48.000 Yes, had quite a talk. 11:48.000 --> 11:49.000 Franklin Clark, remember? 11:49.000 --> 11:51.000 Yes, of course. You'll forgive me, Mr. Clark. 11:51.000 --> 11:55.000 My memory, it seems to be getting worse and worse. 11:55.000 --> 11:57.000 But you must have come under better times, Mr. Cust. 11:57.000 --> 12:00.000 New briefcase, I see. Nice, bright new initials. 12:00.000 --> 12:03.000 Well, I got a job shortly after I saw you, Mr. Clark, 12:03.000 --> 12:05.000 from Ballinger Limited. Stockings is my old line, you know. 12:05.000 --> 12:08.000 But to tell you the truth, I haven't been doing very well. 12:08.000 --> 12:10.000 Oh, those headaches again? 12:10.000 --> 12:13.000 Yes, the headaches. And the murders. 12:13.000 --> 12:16.000 The murders have upset me something terrible. 12:16.000 --> 12:18.000 Oh, why, you're shaking like a leaf, man. 12:18.000 --> 12:19.000 No. 12:19.000 --> 12:21.000 Hey, Jonathan, a brandy for Mr. Cust. He needs it. 12:21.000 --> 12:22.000 Thank you, sir. 12:22.000 --> 12:25.000 The trouble with you, Cust, is you're inclined to be morbid. 12:25.000 --> 12:28.000 I remember that book you were reading the day we met, 12:28.000 --> 12:29.000 stuff about epilepsy. 12:29.000 --> 12:32.000 Well, it might be epilepsy, mightn't it? 12:32.000 --> 12:33.000 What? 12:33.000 --> 12:36.000 Well, they discharged me from the army before the war ended. 12:36.000 --> 12:38.000 You see, I had a kind of a fit, you know. 12:38.000 --> 12:40.000 Never had anything like it again, have you? 12:40.000 --> 12:43.000 No, I didn't have a fit again, just the headaches. 12:43.000 --> 12:45.000 I forget what happens hours at a time. 12:45.000 --> 12:47.000 Do you know, once I was sitting in a station waiting room 12:47.000 --> 12:50.000 and a newsboy came by and I bought a paper from him, 12:50.000 --> 12:53.000 it was all about that first murder in Andover. 12:53.000 --> 12:54.000 It said the police had got another note, 12:54.000 --> 12:56.000 another typewritten note, Mr. Clark, 12:56.000 --> 12:59.000 and the murderer was going to strike next in Bexhill. 12:59.000 --> 13:02.000 And suddenly I realized I was in Bexhill. 13:02.000 --> 13:05.000 And I'd been in Andover the day before when the first murder happened. 13:05.000 --> 13:07.000 How did you happen to go from Andover to Bexhill? 13:07.000 --> 13:10.000 Well, that's the way I'm supposed to go, on my route, 13:10.000 --> 13:12.000 selling the stockings. 13:12.000 --> 13:14.000 I'm supposed to take the towns alphabetically. 13:14.000 --> 13:16.000 Oh, well, then it's not so surprising 13:16.000 --> 13:18.000 you should have been in Bexhill after all, is it? 13:18.000 --> 13:19.000 Just a coincidence. 13:19.000 --> 13:22.000 Well, the waitress in Bexhill there, I... 13:22.000 --> 13:25.000 I walked home with her that night, Mr. Clark, 13:25.000 --> 13:26.000 the night she was murdered. 13:26.000 --> 13:27.000 Oh, good heavens, Cust, 13:27.000 --> 13:30.000 you don't think you killed Mary Barnard, do you? 13:30.000 --> 13:32.000 I don't know, Mr. Clark. 13:32.000 --> 13:35.000 It's said in that book that people who have had epileptic fits 13:35.000 --> 13:37.000 often do things and don't remember them. 13:37.000 --> 13:39.000 They even commit crimes. 13:39.000 --> 13:41.000 I said good night to her, and after that I don't know what... 13:41.000 --> 13:44.000 Well, now, look, the notes, those typewritten notes, 13:44.000 --> 13:46.000 wouldn't you have remembered if you'd written them? 13:46.000 --> 13:48.000 I don't know. 13:48.000 --> 13:51.000 Well, now, I know a little something about psychology myself, Cust, 13:51.000 --> 13:55.000 and I'd stake everything I own on the fact that the man who wrote those notes 13:55.000 --> 13:57.000 was conscious of what he was doing. 13:57.000 --> 13:58.000 Do you really think so, Mr. Clark? 13:58.000 --> 13:59.000 Positive of it. 13:59.000 --> 14:01.000 Now, pull yourself together, man. 14:01.000 --> 14:03.000 Incidentally, my sister-in-law lives here in Churston. 14:03.000 --> 14:05.000 My brother is Lord Cameron Clark, 14:05.000 --> 14:07.000 and I have to know she needs some new stockings. 14:07.000 --> 14:10.000 Pop over there in the morning, will you, and show the old girl your line? 14:10.000 --> 14:11.000 Here, here's the address. 14:11.000 --> 14:13.000 Might cheer you up to make a good sale. 14:13.000 --> 14:15.000 Oh, I'm sure it would, Mr. Clark, I'm sure it would. 14:15.000 --> 14:16.000 Well, good night, Mr. Clark, 14:16.000 --> 14:18.000 and thank you again for all your kindness, I'm sure, Cust. 14:18.000 --> 14:19.000 Good night. Good night. 14:19.000 --> 14:21.000 Oh, wait a minute, you've forgotten something again. 14:21.000 --> 14:24.000 Oh, dear me, that's my typewriter. 14:24.000 --> 14:26.000 I shall certainly need that. 14:26.000 --> 14:27.000 Oh? 14:27.000 --> 14:29.000 Oh, well, it's to type up my report to the home office 14:29.000 --> 14:32.000 in case I should make that sale tomorrow. 14:32.000 --> 14:34.000 Oh, of course. Oh, yes, yes. By the way, Cust, 14:34.000 --> 14:36.000 better watch out. 14:36.000 --> 14:38.000 Somebody in Churston is going to be murdered tomorrow. 14:38.000 --> 14:41.000 Old A, B, C is up to the letter C, you know, 14:41.000 --> 14:42.000 and your name is Cust. 14:42.000 --> 14:44.000 Oh, I see. Good heavens. 14:44.000 --> 14:45.000 Mine is Clark. 14:55.000 --> 14:58.000 Well, thank you again for your generous order, Lady Clark. 14:58.000 --> 15:00.000 I hope you'll be pleased. 15:00.000 --> 15:02.000 This line of woollen line of stockings is one of 15:02.000 --> 15:04.000 Barringer's best buys right now, Lady Clark. 15:04.000 --> 15:07.000 My brother-in-law told me that you'd had some unfortunate times 15:07.000 --> 15:10.000 lately, Mr. Clark, but I really did need the stockings, 15:10.000 --> 15:11.000 and I shall be... 15:11.000 --> 15:12.000 Hello again, Cust. 15:12.000 --> 15:14.000 I'll be stuffing myself with bacon and eggs. 15:14.000 --> 15:15.000 Make a sale, old boy? 15:15.000 --> 15:17.000 Oh, yes, Mr. Clark, thank you very much. 15:17.000 --> 15:19.000 Good, good. Louise is filthy with money, 15:19.000 --> 15:21.000 and her ladyship's legs are in constant need of recovering. 15:21.000 --> 15:22.000 Oh, I wouldn't say that. 15:22.000 --> 15:24.000 Yes, really, she wanted the stockings. 15:24.000 --> 15:26.000 Well, thank you very much, my lady. 15:26.000 --> 15:29.000 I hope I shall have the privilege of serving you again next year. 15:29.000 --> 15:31.000 Goodbye, Mr. Cust, and good luck. 15:31.000 --> 15:32.000 Cheerio, Cust. 15:33.000 --> 15:35.000 Such a nice little man, Franklin. 15:35.000 --> 15:37.000 He's a bit off his nut, I'm afraid. 15:37.000 --> 15:41.000 Last night he tried to convince me that he was the ABC murderer. 15:41.000 --> 15:42.000 His initials, you know. 15:42.000 --> 15:44.000 He has minor lapses of memory. 15:44.000 --> 15:47.000 That little man, a murderer? Oh, really, Franklin. 15:48.000 --> 15:49.000 Good Lord, what was that? 15:50.000 --> 15:51.000 One of the maids. 15:51.000 --> 15:53.000 Where is that girl? What's going on? 15:53.000 --> 15:55.000 In the master's bedroom, my lady. 15:55.000 --> 15:57.000 You'd better go with her, Mr. Franklin. 15:58.000 --> 16:01.000 Brothers, what ever are you doing here? 16:01.000 --> 16:03.000 Oh, my lady, the master, Lord Clark, 16:03.000 --> 16:06.000 has been murdered, stabbed with a knife, 16:06.000 --> 16:07.000 and bled to death. 16:07.000 --> 16:09.000 Murder? Good heavens. 16:09.000 --> 16:11.000 Why, look, look there on the floor. 16:11.000 --> 16:13.000 A railway guide, an ABC. 16:13.000 --> 16:14.000 Take me out of here, Franklin. 16:14.000 --> 16:16.000 Oh, Louise, I'm sorry you had to see this. 16:16.000 --> 16:19.000 Oh, Cameron, my poor Cameron. 16:19.000 --> 16:21.000 He never made an enemy in his life. 16:21.000 --> 16:23.000 The man who did this was a maniac. 16:23.000 --> 16:25.000 And I'm afraid I know who he is. 16:25.000 --> 16:27.000 He always carried a walking stick 16:27.000 --> 16:29.000 with a heavy carved handle. 16:29.000 --> 16:30.000 That's how the other murders were committed, 16:30.000 --> 16:31.000 with a heavy stick. 16:31.000 --> 16:34.000 But he wasn't carrying his stick today. 16:34.000 --> 16:36.000 Must have grabbed a knife up there somewhere 16:36.000 --> 16:37.000 to kill Cameron with. 16:37.000 --> 16:38.000 But when? 16:38.000 --> 16:40.000 Were you with him every minute? 16:40.000 --> 16:42.000 Well, I went upstairs to get my checkbook. 16:42.000 --> 16:44.000 It took me a little while to find it. 16:44.000 --> 16:45.000 That gave Custy's opening. 16:45.000 --> 16:47.000 Oh, to think that all that time. 16:47.000 --> 16:49.000 Oh, no. No, I'll never forgive myself, Franklin. 16:49.000 --> 16:50.000 No, none of that now, Louise. 16:50.000 --> 16:52.000 The important thing now is to stop him 16:52.000 --> 16:53.000 before he can commit another murder. 16:53.000 --> 16:55.000 But what are you going to do, Franklin? 16:55.000 --> 16:56.000 I'm going to the police 16:56.000 --> 16:57.000 and see if they'll let me help. 16:57.000 --> 16:59.000 Let's have a look at this ABC railway guide 16:59.000 --> 17:01.000 he left beside poor Cameron. 17:01.000 --> 17:02.000 Hmm. 17:02.000 --> 17:04.000 Look here. All checked. 17:04.000 --> 17:05.000 See there? 17:05.000 --> 17:07.000 Andover, Bexhill, Churston. 17:07.000 --> 17:09.000 Each with a check mark after it. 17:09.000 --> 17:10.000 Oh. 17:10.000 --> 17:11.000 Where's the next one? 17:11.000 --> 17:12.000 Ah, see? See London. 17:12.000 --> 17:14.000 He's through with ABC. 17:14.000 --> 17:27.000 He's gone home, and I'm going after him. 17:27.000 --> 17:28.000 Yes? 17:28.000 --> 17:31.000 Well, Mr. Cust, come in. 17:31.000 --> 17:33.000 What ever kept you away so long? 17:33.000 --> 17:35.000 Miss Lily, I've got to talk to you alone. 17:35.000 --> 17:36.000 Oh, well, I'll go up with you. 17:36.000 --> 17:37.000 I want to show you the new curtains 17:37.000 --> 17:38.000 I put up in your room anyway. 17:38.000 --> 17:39.000 Oh, you are a nice girl, Miss Lily. 17:39.000 --> 17:40.000 Really, you are a nice girl. 17:40.000 --> 17:41.000 Let me carry one of these, Mr. Cust. 17:41.000 --> 17:42.000 The typewriter. 17:42.000 --> 17:43.000 No, no, no. I'll carry my own things. 17:43.000 --> 17:44.000 Thank you. 17:44.000 --> 17:45.000 Oh, Mr. Cust, you're trembling. 17:45.000 --> 17:46.000 Oh dear, you do look a fright. 17:46.000 --> 17:47.000 Look, I'm going to straighten you a hot foot bath. 17:47.000 --> 17:48.000 No, no, not now, please. 17:48.000 --> 17:49.000 Not now, Miss Lily. 17:49.000 --> 17:50.000 There's no time for it. 17:50.000 --> 17:51.000 What is it, Mr. Cust? 17:51.000 --> 17:52.000 Close the door and lock it. 17:52.000 --> 17:53.000 Are you in some trouble, Mr. Cust? 17:53.000 --> 17:54.000 I'm in terrible trouble, Miss Lily. 17:54.000 --> 17:55.000 I want you to hear the story first from me. 17:55.000 --> 17:56.000 You're the only one who has ever been my friend. 17:56.000 --> 17:57.000 Oh, I've had a lonely life, Miss Lily. 17:57.000 --> 17:58.000 Oh, poor Mr. Cust. 17:58.000 --> 17:59.000 Poor Mr. Cust. 17:59.000 --> 18:00.000 That's what they always say about me. 18:00.000 --> 18:01.000 Poor Mr. Cust. 18:01.000 --> 18:02.000 I thought you were different. 18:02.000 --> 18:03.000 Oh, don't take on so, Mr. Cust. 18:03.000 --> 18:14.000 It was only a manner of speaking. 18:14.000 --> 18:15.000 Oh, you don't need to worry. 18:15.000 --> 18:16.000 I'm all right now. 18:16.000 --> 18:19.000 I never get two spells in one day. 18:19.000 --> 18:20.000 Spells? 18:20.000 --> 18:21.000 Mr. Cust, I don't understand. 18:21.000 --> 18:22.000 What do you... 18:22.000 --> 18:23.000 Well, you heard of the ABC murders. 18:23.000 --> 18:24.000 Shocking affairs. 18:24.000 --> 18:25.000 But, Mr. Cust, why are you saying... 18:25.000 --> 18:26.000 Miss Lily, the police will be here at any minute. 18:26.000 --> 18:27.000 Please let me finish. 18:27.000 --> 18:28.000 I don't want you to think harshly of me, Miss Lily. 18:28.000 --> 18:29.000 I'm sorry. 18:29.000 --> 18:30.000 I'm sorry. 18:30.000 --> 18:31.000 I'm sorry. 18:31.000 --> 18:32.000 I'm sorry. 18:32.000 --> 18:33.000 I didn't plan it ahead. 18:33.000 --> 18:34.000 My instructions told me where to go. 18:34.000 --> 18:36.000 Some people can't help what they do. 18:36.000 --> 18:37.000 There are diseases. 18:37.000 --> 18:38.000 Epilepsy, for instance. 18:38.000 --> 18:39.600 You do things you don't remember. 18:39.600 --> 18:40.600 You commit crimes. 18:40.600 --> 18:41.600 I'm like that. 18:41.600 --> 18:42.680 Oh, Mr. Cust, I can't believe it! 18:42.680 --> 18:45.560 When I was a child, Miss Lily, they used to badger me about my name. 18:45.560 --> 18:47.660 My mother worshipped strength. 18:47.660 --> 18:51.400 She named me after the strongest people she knew about in history. 18:51.400 --> 18:53.320 Alexander and Bonaparte. 18:53.320 --> 18:57.520 But nobody ever called me by those names. 18:57.520 --> 18:59.100 They called me ABC. 18:59.100 --> 19:00.100 ABC! 19:00.100 --> 19:02.180 C-A-B-C. 19:02.180 --> 19:05.980 I used to dream I was boiling in a kettle of alphabet soup. 19:05.980 --> 19:08.380 I was a terrible disappointment to my mother. 19:08.380 --> 19:10.340 Mr. Cust, you're unsettled and tired. 19:10.340 --> 19:11.940 You've got to hear me out, Miss Lily. 19:11.940 --> 19:13.260 Oh, my eyes! 19:13.260 --> 19:15.140 Now listen to me, Miss Lily. 19:15.140 --> 19:17.980 I could have been a hero once in the army in the last war. 19:17.980 --> 19:18.500 I was happy. 19:18.500 --> 19:20.420 I could have made something of myself. 19:20.420 --> 19:22.020 Then I started getting the headache. 19:22.020 --> 19:22.740 Let me go, Mr. Cust! 19:22.740 --> 19:24.140 You must hear me out, Miss Lily. 19:24.140 --> 19:26.380 I started forgetting things after they discharged me 19:26.380 --> 19:26.940 from the army. 19:26.940 --> 19:28.420 Shut, they called it. 19:28.420 --> 19:30.060 I used to have dreams. 19:30.060 --> 19:31.540 I was a great ruler. 19:31.540 --> 19:34.060 The destiny of men was in my hands. 19:34.060 --> 19:36.660 I had the power over them of life and death. 19:36.660 --> 19:37.660 Let me go! 19:37.660 --> 19:38.660 Please let me go! 19:38.660 --> 19:41.340 First there was Andover, that tobacco list. 19:41.340 --> 19:43.380 I can't even remember what she looked like. 19:43.380 --> 19:44.860 Then there was Bexhill. 19:44.860 --> 19:46.860 I walked home with a waitress from the station restaurant. 19:46.860 --> 19:48.620 She was murdered, too. 19:48.620 --> 19:50.940 In Cheston, I sold a dozen pair of stockings to a lady. 19:50.940 --> 19:53.060 And while she was upstairs getting her checkbook, 19:53.060 --> 19:56.620 her husband was murdered on the floor where I was waiting. 19:56.620 --> 19:59.660 And now I've come back here. 19:59.660 --> 20:03.020 Maybe the alphabet charm is over. 20:03.020 --> 20:04.060 Or is it? 20:04.060 --> 20:05.380 This is London. 20:05.380 --> 20:08.420 L, your name is Lily. 20:08.420 --> 20:11.220 Are you trying to frighten me, Mr. Cust? 20:11.220 --> 20:13.660 I am trying to convince you. 20:13.660 --> 20:15.020 You, murderer? 20:15.020 --> 20:16.420 Ha, ha, ha. 20:16.420 --> 20:18.340 I'd soon believe it. 20:18.340 --> 20:19.220 My own mother. 20:19.220 --> 20:20.940 What about this? 20:20.940 --> 20:21.860 Look at it. 20:21.860 --> 20:22.780 Oh, no, no. 20:22.780 --> 20:24.100 Look closely at it. 20:24.100 --> 20:27.220 I found it in my briefcase when I came on the train, Miss Lily. 20:27.220 --> 20:30.300 This knife murdered a man in Cheston just three hours ago. 20:30.300 --> 20:31.300 No! 20:31.300 --> 20:32.060 No! 20:32.060 --> 20:33.060 No! 20:33.060 --> 20:34.060 Ah! 20:34.060 --> 20:35.060 Ah! 20:35.060 --> 20:36.060 Ah! 20:36.060 --> 20:37.060 Ah! 20:37.060 --> 20:38.060 Ah! 20:38.060 --> 20:39.060 Ah! 20:39.060 --> 20:40.060 Ah! 20:40.060 --> 20:41.060 Ah! 20:41.060 --> 20:42.060 Ah! 20:42.060 --> 20:43.060 Ah! 20:43.060 --> 20:44.060 Ah! 20:44.060 --> 20:45.060 Oh, no. 20:45.060 --> 20:46.060 There, there, Miss Marbury. 20:46.060 --> 20:47.060 Don't take that on yourself. 20:47.060 --> 20:49.060 He's all hand-cut pretty as you please in the next room. 20:49.060 --> 20:51.060 But he was such a nice man. 20:51.060 --> 20:54.060 I still can't hardly believe it. 20:54.060 --> 20:56.060 Is this the knife he threatened you with, Miss Marbury? 20:56.060 --> 20:57.060 Yes. 20:57.060 --> 20:59.060 What have you got here in the nick of time, Ethan? 20:59.060 --> 21:00.060 Hey, that's a wicked-looking knife. 21:00.060 --> 21:02.060 It's the Cheston murder knife right enough, Mr. Clark. 21:02.060 --> 21:03.060 No doubt of it. 21:03.060 --> 21:04.060 Well, let's take inventory. 21:04.060 --> 21:05.060 Typewriter. 21:05.060 --> 21:06.060 Checks with the murder notes. 21:06.060 --> 21:07.060 Walking stick. 21:07.060 --> 21:09.060 Same markings as on the heads of the first victims. 21:09.060 --> 21:12.060 And the psychiatrist's report says the murders were premeditated 21:12.060 --> 21:13.060 and the notes could not possibly have been written 21:13.060 --> 21:16.060 except by a person who was conscious and in his right mind. 21:16.060 --> 21:18.060 Well, that breaks down any idea Cust may have had 21:18.060 --> 21:20.060 of entering an insanity plea. 21:20.060 --> 21:21.060 Right. 21:21.060 --> 21:23.060 I think he'll sign the confession without any difficulty. 21:23.060 --> 21:24.060 Bring him in. 21:24.060 --> 21:25.060 Bring the prisoner in. 21:25.060 --> 21:28.060 Well, Cust, are you ready to sign your confession? 21:28.060 --> 21:29.060 I don't know, Inspector. 21:29.060 --> 21:32.060 A moment ago I was certain I must have done it. 21:32.060 --> 21:33.060 But why? 21:33.060 --> 21:35.060 That's what worries me. 21:35.060 --> 21:36.060 Why? 21:36.060 --> 21:39.060 Mr. Clark, why do you think I did it? 21:39.060 --> 21:41.060 You're wasting valuable time, Cust. 21:41.060 --> 21:42.060 I don't care why you did it. 21:42.060 --> 21:44.060 You killed my brother and I want to see you hang for it. 21:44.060 --> 21:46.060 I don't care how balmy you are. 21:46.060 --> 21:47.060 You ought to be ashamed of yourself 21:47.060 --> 21:50.060 talking to our Mr. Cust in that bloodthirsty manner. 21:50.060 --> 21:52.060 I don't know what you're thinking. 21:52.060 --> 21:55.060 I don't know what's getting into the gentry, I'm sure. 21:55.060 --> 21:57.060 He tried to murder you, didn't he? 21:57.060 --> 21:59.060 Well, he couldn't help himself, poor thing. 21:59.060 --> 22:01.060 He's been terribly upset of late. 22:01.060 --> 22:03.060 You are a nice girl, Miss Lily. 22:03.060 --> 22:04.060 You are a nice girl. 22:04.060 --> 22:07.060 The murders were willful and premeditated. 22:07.060 --> 22:11.060 They couldn't have been premeditated, Mr. Clark. 22:11.060 --> 22:13.060 Why do you say that, Cust? 22:13.060 --> 22:16.060 Well, because I didn't go to any of those places of my own choice. 22:16.060 --> 22:19.060 I had my instructions from Bellingers Limited. 22:19.060 --> 22:23.060 And those instructions were sent to me after the police got the warnings 22:23.060 --> 22:25.060 of the murders that were printed in the papers. 22:25.060 --> 22:27.060 There never were any such instructions. 22:27.060 --> 22:29.060 We ransacked all your things, Cust. 22:29.060 --> 22:31.060 There wasn't any letter of instructions, was there, Inspector? 22:31.060 --> 22:32.060 No. 22:32.060 --> 22:33.060 Oh, yes, there was. 22:33.060 --> 22:34.060 All right, we'll ring up Bellingers. 22:34.060 --> 22:36.060 May I use your telephone, Miss Marbury? 22:36.060 --> 22:37.060 Oh, certainly, Inspector. 22:37.060 --> 22:40.060 The number is Regent 3313, Inspector. 22:46.060 --> 22:48.060 Bellingers, are you there? 22:48.060 --> 22:49.060 Get me on to personnel. 22:49.060 --> 22:51.060 Oh, Mac, start packing those exhibits, will you? 22:51.060 --> 22:52.060 Aye, aye, sir. 22:52.060 --> 22:54.060 Chrome speaking, Scotland Yard. 22:54.060 --> 22:58.060 At what date did you employ a commercial traveler named Alexander Bonaparte Cust? 22:58.060 --> 22:59.060 No, Cust. 22:59.060 --> 23:00.060 A.B. Cust. 23:00.060 --> 23:02.060 Initials A, B, C. 23:02.060 --> 23:03.060 Yes, yes. 23:03.060 --> 23:05.060 Never employed by you. 23:05.060 --> 23:06.060 You're absolutely certain? 23:06.060 --> 23:08.060 Did you send a man to Andover or Bexhill last week? 23:08.060 --> 23:09.060 Not on your route. 23:09.060 --> 23:10.060 Thank you. 23:10.060 --> 23:12.060 That's all I wanted to know. 23:12.060 --> 23:13.060 Too bad, Cust. 23:13.060 --> 23:16.060 I guess this knocks out your last ghost of a chance, doesn't it? 23:16.060 --> 23:17.060 No, Mr. Clark. 23:17.060 --> 23:21.060 Because you see, the instructions were in a letter, and that letter is right in this room. 23:21.060 --> 23:22.060 Well, let's have a look. 23:22.060 --> 23:24.060 Come on, Mackenzie, give me a hand. 23:24.060 --> 23:25.060 Let's go through these things again. 23:25.060 --> 23:27.060 It won't do you any good to look there, Mr. Clark. 23:27.060 --> 23:29.060 I have the letter. 23:29.060 --> 23:31.060 Would you like to see it, Mr. Chrome? 23:31.060 --> 23:32.060 Let's see it. 23:32.060 --> 23:33.060 Well, I'll be... 23:33.060 --> 23:34.060 Where did you get that? 23:34.060 --> 23:35.060 It wasn't on him, Inspector. 23:35.060 --> 23:37.060 I'll swear to that. 23:37.060 --> 23:38.060 Where did you have this hidden? 23:38.060 --> 23:44.060 Well, Inspector, it isn't generally known, but I do wear a smaller hairpiece. 23:44.060 --> 23:46.060 Not out of benefit of mind, do I find it necessary for the business? 23:46.060 --> 23:47.060 Let's see that letter. 23:47.060 --> 23:48.060 Oh, gladly. 23:48.060 --> 23:52.060 Dear Mr. Cust, in close, fine advance, typewriter is being posted today. 23:52.060 --> 23:53.060 You will... 23:53.060 --> 23:54.060 What a lot of nonsense, Inspector. 23:54.060 --> 23:56.060 Look at the typeface of the letter. 23:56.060 --> 23:58.060 It's obviously written on Cust's typewriter. 23:58.060 --> 24:00.060 Yes, that's right, Mr. Clark. 24:00.060 --> 24:03.060 And the man who wrote that letter was the murderer. 24:03.060 --> 24:10.060 Cool as you like, he sent the typewriter to me and instructions on one of Ballinger's letterheads and the money and everything else. 24:10.060 --> 24:12.060 What kind of stunt are you trying to pull here, Cust? 24:12.060 --> 24:13.060 No stunt. 24:13.060 --> 24:17.060 It's just that when you made that telephone call, Inspector, and Ballinger said I'd never worked for them, 24:17.060 --> 24:20.060 I knew that the typewriter must have been sent to me by the murderer. 24:20.060 --> 24:26.060 And the more I thought about it, the more it seemed to me that the murderer must be Mr. Clark. 24:26.060 --> 24:27.060 What? 24:27.060 --> 24:29.060 This is too utterly fantastic, Inspector, really. 24:29.060 --> 24:37.060 Well, the murderer would have to know something about me, something I'd never confided to anyone but to Mr. Clark, about my... well, my headaches. 24:37.060 --> 24:40.060 I'd been reading a book in the public library, Inspector, a book on epilepsy, 24:40.060 --> 24:43.060 and it seemed to me that what I suffered during the last war might have been epilepsy. 24:43.060 --> 24:45.060 And it was on my mind, see? 24:45.060 --> 24:49.060 It said that epileptics might commit crimes and not remember them under certain conditions. 24:49.060 --> 24:53.060 Without that to go on, the murderer couldn't possibly have pinned the crime on me. 24:53.060 --> 24:58.060 That works two ways, Cust. You might have told me that story deliberately, just so you could cook up this story now. 24:58.060 --> 25:04.060 Well, I couldn't cook up your fingerprints, Mr. Clark, and I'll wager anything. Your fingerprints are on that letter. 25:04.060 --> 25:05.060 Ah, calm down, really. 25:05.060 --> 25:07.060 Well, that's easily settled. We can do it right here. 25:07.060 --> 25:12.060 Won't take a moment. Take a set of Mr. Clark's fingerprints, Mackenzie. You examine the prints in the letter meantime. 25:12.060 --> 25:17.060 Right, Inspector. Just press your fingers down firmly on this ink pad, Mr. Clark. 25:17.060 --> 25:19.060 What is it, Mr. Clark? It's quite simple, really. 25:19.060 --> 25:21.060 Yes, yes, it's so simple it isn't even necessary. 25:21.060 --> 25:25.060 I'm afraid this is necessary, Mr. Clark. Only a matter of routine, you know. 25:25.060 --> 25:29.060 I tell you it isn't necessary because Cust is right. I am the murderer. 25:29.060 --> 25:34.060 You? But wait, then, you killed your brother Cameron Clark so that you would inherit the estate? 25:34.060 --> 25:35.060 Yes, exactly. 25:35.060 --> 25:37.060 But the others, the A and B murders in Andover and Bexhill and... 25:37.060 --> 25:39.060 I committed them, all of them. 25:39.060 --> 25:40.060 Yes, but... 25:40.060 --> 25:44.060 Come now, gentlemen. Surely you'll give me credit for thinking this thing through. 25:44.060 --> 25:49.060 If only my brother, Lord Clark, had been murdered, I, being the only heir, would have had a lot of explaining to do. 25:49.060 --> 25:57.060 So I invented my own little crime wave to make it appear as though he were just one of the victims of a homicidal maniac. 25:57.060 --> 26:02.060 And I must say, it almost came out thanks to the unknowing cooperation of Mr. Cust here. 26:02.060 --> 26:04.060 Thank you just the same, Mr. Cust. 26:04.060 --> 26:05.060 You're very welcome. I mean... 26:05.060 --> 26:08.060 Oh, Mr. Cust, I knew you couldn't be a murderer, not really. 26:08.060 --> 26:11.060 Oh, you are a nice girl, Miss Lily, really, you are a nice girl. 26:11.060 --> 26:14.060 You forgot those headaches, Mr. Cust. Why don't you go to an oculist? Those headaches. 26:14.060 --> 26:16.060 Maybe you just need a new pair of glasses. 26:16.060 --> 26:19.060 I think I'll do that, Miss Lily. Do you really think... 26:19.060 --> 26:21.060 Of course, I'll wait till that's what's been the trouble with me all of these clothes. 26:21.060 --> 26:23.060 You know, you need someone to take care of you. 26:23.060 --> 26:31.060 Oh, I do, Miss Lily, I do, really. If only you... Oh, but no, you couldn't ever think of... 26:31.060 --> 26:32.060 What, Mr. Cust? 26:32.060 --> 26:38.060 Well, I mean, Miss Lily, I was just thinking it would be really too much to ask anyone. 26:38.060 --> 26:43.060 Mrs. Alexander Bonaparte Cust... 26:43.060 --> 26:49.060 But when we're married, please don't wear that toupee. It's very conspicuous. 26:49.060 --> 27:14.060 Oh, you are a nice girl, Miss Smith, really, you are. I do hope people won't call you Mrs. ABC. 27:14.060 --> 27:21.060 And so closes the ABC Murders, starring Charles Lawton with Elsa Lanchester and Bramwell Fletcher. 27:21.060 --> 27:24.060 Tonight's tale of suspense. 27:24.060 --> 27:32.060 This is your narrator, the man in black, who conveys to you Columbia's invitation to spend this half hour in suspense with us again next Tuesday, 27:32.060 --> 27:45.060 when Agnes Moorhead will return to our stage as star of the suspense play called She Overheard Murder Speaking. 27:45.060 --> 27:49.060 The producer of these broadcasts is William Spear, with Ted Bliss, the director, 27:49.060 --> 28:06.060 Lud Cluskin and Lucian Mahawick, conductor and composer, and Robert Tallman, the radio author, collaborated on tonight's suspense. 28:06.060 --> 28:20.060 This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.