Many people have been confused with the phrase forgiveness of taxes. Remember
this, there is no forgiveness of the second installment of your 1942 federal
income tax. This installment must be paid by midnight tonight, so be sure to put
your check in the mail before that time.
Suspense!
This is the man in black, here again to introduce Columbia's program, Suspense.
Heading our Hollywood cast is a young lady known simply as Margot, whose talent
for the art of suspense has been heard before on this series. Tonight, Margot,
using the name of Jacqueline Blaine, tells of strange happenings on a dude
ranch, including the hurried and unexplained departure of an important
guest. Appearing with Margot is Mr. Kent Smith, a newcomer to our microphone, as
Gil Blaine, a young man forced by unrelenting circumstances into many odd
and mysterious actions. Margot will soon be seen in Behind the Rising Sun, and
Kent Smith is currently appearing in This Land is Mine, both RKO radio
productions. The story by Cornell Woolrich called Last Night is tonight's
tale of suspense. If you have been with us on these Tuesday nights, you will know
that suspense is compounded of mystery and suspicion and dangerous adventure. In
this series, our tales calculated to intrigue you, stir your nerves, to offer
you a precarious situation, and then withhold the solution until the last
possible moment. And so it is with Last Night and the performances of Margot and
Kent Smith, we again hope to keep you in suspense.
Miss Blaine, Miss Blaine, it's late, ain't you thinking on giving up at all?
Huh? Oh, oh yes. I'll be down in a minute, Leona. Go away now.
I lay there looking up at the ceiling. Strange, I hadn't slept well last night.
All night I had tossed and turned. Worry, that's what it was. Worry, the weekend was
over and Gil and I hadn't raised the $2,500. We were right back where we
started from, stuck here in the Hudson Valley with our addued ranch that wasn't
paying expenses and the debts piling up like new snow. That was Gil in the shower.
I lay still and listened to the hiss of the water. Poor Gil, it had been a tough
weekend for him, trying to be nice to Mr. Burroughs, neglecting the other guests to
play up to him, flattering him, agreeing with everything he said. What was the
use? I knew he'd never lend us the money, I knew it from the first. I never even
wanted to invite him and his secretary up, but Gil had pinned his hopes on it.
He'd worked so hard. Worked, funny word to apply to it. Maybe if Gil had done some
real work now and then instead... Morning, Jackie. Morning. Well, how did you make out?
How did you make out with Mr. Burroughs? Gil, I'm talking to you. Is he still here?
Who? Mr. Burroughs. Oh, no, he left. Well, I'm glad I didn't have to say goodbye to
him. I got pretty tired of being nice to him, didn't you? Yeah. Took the eight o'clock
train? Eight o'clock. He took the milk train. The milk train? How do you know?
Well, I drove him to the station, that's how I know. Well, what were you doing up at
that hour? Well, I hadn't come to bed yet, that's all. But what got into him, the
milk train? Why, that hits here about 4.30 in the morning, doesn't it? About.
Well, I can't get it into my head why they should bolt off like that. They? He went
alone, his secretary's still here. You mean he left without Marsh? Yeah, Marsh was
up in his room sleeping at the time. I guess Burroughs didn't want to wait for
him. He went off and left his secretary behind? Well, now, that's the strangest
thing I ever heard of. Why did he bring him in the first place? You had a
row with him, Gil. He turned you down and you let it get the best of you.
I did not. That's why he suddenly decided to leave like that. I did not, I tell you.
Why should I say I didn't if I did? Oh, I don't know. Everything is so mixed up.
Gil, dear, want to toss me my dressing gown? It's on the chair there. Here you are, honey.
Jackie? Yes? Jackie, I got it out of him. What? I got the 2,500.
Gil! He finally came in when I was driving him to the station. Well, you got
all of it? The works. I didn't think he would. I mean, the way he was acting. Yes, I
know, I know, but he began to soften up after you'd gone to bed. When I asked him, he
came through. But, Gil, you mean he carries that much cash around with
him? Well, there it is, isn't it? That's funny. You know, he came to me only
yesterday and asked me where he could cash a $25 check. Oh, yes, I know about
that. I cashed it for him. But the 2,500? Well, he had that all ready for deposit
when he got back to town Monday. Couldn't get it to the bank on time on
Friday. He didn't want to touch it, but when I told him I'd rather have cash
than the check, well, he just went the whole way and accommodated me. Well, if
there wasn't any friction, why did he leave at such an unearthly hour? I don't
know. But, Gil... And I don't care. Look, baby, we got the money. Let's just be
thankful. Well, of course I'm thankful. It's just that... Miss Blaine? Miss Blaine? Yes, Leona?
Well, just about to give you two up. Miss Roeville and Mr. Carver's almost finished
with the breakfast. Ain't you two coming? Yes, in a minute, Leona. Come on, Gil. Let's
hurry. It's hard enough to get paying guests without neglecting the ones we
have. Well, I done fixed up Mr. Burroughs' room while I was waiting for you. Mr. Burroughs' room?
You didn't have to bother. He won't be using it anymore. He won't? No, he left.
He didn't leave? Why, yes. Leona, what's the matter? And what about all them suits and
things he left hanging up in the closet? His clothes left in the closet? What about
that, Gil? Well, he... he left in an awful hurry, that's all. Oh, leave me alone. Don't
let's talk about it. All right. But somehow I feel that something very
strange happened last night.
That's what happened, Miss Rose. I told him I wouldn't take any more stuff from him. Next time he tries it, it'll be too bad for him.
Here comes Gil and Jackie. Have some more eggs, Carmen. Oh, hello, Gil. What do you do so chummy about?
Why, we were just talking about Mr. Burroughs. Mr. Burroughs? Why, yes. Mr. Carmen had an
appointment to play golf with him today. Golf? Yes, fine player, fine player. Oh, by the way,
where is he? I haven't seen him all morning. He's... he's not here. Not here? Well, what
do you mean? He's left. He left? Yes, can't a guy leave if he wants to? Sure, sure I...
Well, for one, I'm glad. He was an old goat. He's mad because he made a pass at her. Well,
you didn't like him too well either, Carmen. You see, Carmen had a run-in with him back
in the days of bootleg gin. Oh. Well, let's not talk about it. Gil's right. Mr. Burroughs
is gone. Let's forget it. What's this? Oh, Mr. Mark. What did you say about Mr. Burroughs
leaving? Do we have to go through this again? Gil, please. Mr. Burroughs left on an early
train. Oh, you're joking. No, no, no. But I don't understand. Well, you're his secretary.
You ought to know what he's going to do. That's right, Gil. I should know. That's why it's
so strange. He told me we definitely were going to stay until this afternoon. Well,
he changed his mind. Blaine's right. Oh, yes, I can see him. Just a minute. Is Blaine?
Is Blaine telephone? Coming. Excuse me. Hello. Mrs. Blaine. Yes, I'm here. Hello. Hello.
Mrs. Blaine. Yes. This is Mrs. Burroughs. Oh, how do you do? We were awfully sorry you
couldn't come out with Mr. Burroughs for the weekend. I'm sure you've been good. I think
it was most inconsiderative of Homer not to let me know he was staying over an additional
day. And you can tell himself for me. I think the least he could have done was phone me or
send a wire. Mrs. Burroughs. I don't doubt he finds it attractive up there. Mrs. Burroughs,
wait a minute. He isn't here anymore. He did leave early this morning. Early this morning?
What do you mean? Well, he took an early train. He should have been in at... Now let me see.
At 8.30 this morning. 8.30? Well, then where is he? Why hasn't he come? Well, maybe he
went directly to his office. Oh, no. I called his office. They haven't heard from him. You
see, that's why I'm calling you. Oh, I don't understand all this. It does seem that Marsh
would at least get in touch with me. Marsh? Well, Marsh is still here, Mrs. Burroughs.
Marsh is still there? Yes. He went off without Marsh? Oh, oh, now I know there's something
wrong. Why, he's never done that before. Please, please, Mrs. Burroughs. I'm sure there's nothing
wrong. He's just... Well, I better let you talk to Marsh. Well, yes. Yes, please, please
get him. Mr. Marsh, Mr. Marsh, Mrs. Burroughs is on the phone. She wants to talk to you.
Better take the extension in the front room. All right. She's very upset. We have to calm
her. Hello, Mrs. Burroughs. Marsh is coming. Oh, something's wrong. I know it. Hello, Mrs.
Burroughs. Oh, Marsh, is that you? Yes. Marsh, did you know Mr. Burroughs was going to leave?
No, he didn't say anything to me. Well, Mrs. Blame says he's deaf. Should have been here,
and he isn't. Well, I don't... He probably was just delayed. Oh, no, no, something's happened.
Charles, Marsh, he had that important package in his inside pocket. He did? Yes. Oh, I don't
know what to do. Shall I call the police? The police? That's not necessary. Mrs. Blame's
right. Let me take care of it. I'll wait a few hours, and if he hasn't shown up by then...
All right. Do what you think best. Hello? Hello? She hung up, Mrs. Blame. Important package.
The $2,500. The $2,500 Gill got. Oh, Gill. That was Mrs. Burroughs. She was awfully upset.
Burroughs didn't show up. She wants me to call the police. The police? Oh, now, wait a minute.
You don't have to call the police. Why shouldn't I call the police? After all, Mr. Burroughs
is missing. Oh, he may show up yet. Certainly, he may show up yet. Carmen's right. You don't
have to call the police now. And why don't you want the police? Why, there's something
strange here, all right. Why didn't Mr. Burroughs say a word to me about leaving? Well, you
were asleep. I guess he didn't want to wake him. Oh, I've never known him to be considerate
in my life. I suppose he knew what he was doing. I'm not so sure. What do you mean? Well, if
he knew what he was doing, why did he leave his return ticket on the dresser?
A strange silence fell over the entire group. Marsh was suspicious. Soon he would call
the police. And I had a strong feeling that Gill knew more about this than he let on.
After breakfast, the group broke up and I stayed to help Leona clear the table. And I
saw Gill and Carmen walk out on the porch together. Cigarette, Gill? Yeah, thanks. Here.
Fine morning. You didn't ask me out here to speak about the weather. No, no I didn't.
I want the money you owe me. Yeah, that's what I thought. It was due long ago. With the
list, it adds up to 2,500. I can't pay you now. Why not? You said you'd pay it today.
Well, it's not that I haven't got it. It's... It's what? Well, it's... Well, everything's
so mixed up now. You know... You mean Burroughs' disappearance? Look, give me another 24 hours.
I'd like to, Gill, but... Gill, Gill! Here comes Jackie. All right, 24 hours and no more.
I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something important. Oh, no, no. We were just talking about the
weather. It is lovely, isn't it? Yeah. Well, I'd better get up to the golf course. Oh, say,
Gill, could you lend me the car to drive up? It's pretty far and I'll do plenty of walking
when I get there. Well, as a matter of fact, Carmen, I'm going to use it myself. Oh. Well,
in that case, I'd better start walking. So long. Goodbye. He was after the money, wasn't
he? Yeah, but I didn't give it to him. Why not? Mr. Burroughs gave it to you and we do owe
it to Carmen. Can't you leave me alone for a minute? Say, you two, why the frown? Hello,
Miss Robles. I don't want to interrupt a private fight, so I'll state my business quickly.
How about lending me the car, Gill? I want to drive and... I'm sorry, Miss Robles, but
I need it. I'm driving into town and right now...
Gill drove off. The rest of the day went by in a haze. Gill didn't come back. He stayed
away all day without even phoning me. He had never done that before. It almost seemed as
though he avoided me intentionally. Good evening, as I was putting the finishing touches on
dinner, Leona came up to me. Has a man yet to see you, Miss Blaine? Where is he? In the
front room. Well, who is it? Somebody I ain't never seen before. All right, I'll talk to
him. You look after things here, Leona. Yes, I will. Good evening. My name's Ward. I'm
Mrs. Blaine. You wanted to see me? I wanted to have a few words with Mr. Blaine. Oh, I
see. What was it about? You know what it's about. It's about Burroughs. His office sent
me down. Mr. Burroughs? How about about him? He was a guest here, wasn't he? Yes. When did
he leave? Last night. My husband drove him to the station. Really? How interesting. What
do you mean? We happened to know that he never got on that train. I thought maybe your husband
could tell me a few things I'd like to know. I'll see if he's here. Just a moment. I'd
also like to see some of the other guests. Well, I'm sorry, but nobody's here just now.
Miss Robes is out walking and Mr. Carman hasn't come. Carman? Carman? A short, fat Italian?
Why, yes. How did you know? Mr. Burroughs always ran into him before. Now I'd like to see
your husband. Please sit down. I'll see if I can find him. Thank you. Leona, Leona. Yes,
Mrs. Blaine? Hasn't Mr. Gill come back yet? No, ma'am. I ain't seen him since he drove
off this morning. I see. Well, tell the gentleman to wait. I'm going out on the veranda. I went
out on the veranda. Up and down the length of the porch and back again I walked, my eyes
glued to the dark highway that ran past the house, hoping against hope that Gill would
show up before the detective came looking for me. Gill had the 2,500 on him. Burroughs'
his cash. That important package Mrs. Burroughs spoke of to Marsh. I had to see Gill first
and suddenly I saw a car speeding down the road. Gill's car. I could tell by the one
dim headlight. It toiled through the dark at top speed. Then swerved through our gate
and into the garage. I was about to run down the steps when another pair of headlights
flipped the gloom of the highway. As the car came on, I recognized the taxi from town.
A figure climbed out quickly. Gill! Jackie, did you see the car? Oh, car? Yes, Gill. It
went through the garage. Who was driving it? Well, I couldn't see. What is it, Gill? Are
you in... No time to talk. No time to talk. Where are you going? The garage. I'm coming
with you. The doors are closed. There. Nobody here. Anyone in the car? No. Whoever it was,
beat it. I'd like to know who it was. Gill, I don't understand what this is all about.
Well, frankly, I don't either. I... Well, that is... I was parked in front of the store
in town. I came out and saw somebody hop in my car and drive off like mad. That's odd.
I don't know what he was after, but I don't think he got it. I chased the car all the
way here in the taxi. I saw it coming down the road. I thought it was you. Well, let's
go back to the house. Gill. Yes? Gill, there's somebody here to see you. A man named Ward.
Ward? Who's he? What does he want? He wants to talk to you about Burrows. He's a detective.
Oh. And you'd better let me have the wallet with the money just to be on the safe side.
I'll look. I don't want you mixed up in anything. Why, it'll be all right. Please, give it to
me. Well, okay. Now you'll have to go in and talk to him. Yeah, I suppose so. I went up
to my room and lay there in the dark, trying to distinguish the murmur of voices from below.
But all I could hear was a blur of sound. I got the 25,000. Something's happened. The
next time it'll be too bad for him. He made a pass at me. He left in a hurry. Let me alone.
Why don't you want the police? Why don't you want the police? Why don't you want the police?
Jackie, you awake? Yes. Here, sit down, Gil. You look tired. I am, very. What did Ward
say? That much. But I know he's suspicious. He's going to stay tonight. Oh. Well, let's
go to bed. I'm tired. Oh, by the way, did you see the key to the rumble seat? The key
to the rumble seat? I know. Must have lost it. Good night. Gil, you've never told me.
You've never told me one way or the other. Gil, you've got to tell me. All right. All
right, Jackie. I will. Burroughs never gave me the 2,500. He refused me. We quarreled
and I was mad. I suppose he was afraid of me, afraid of what I might do to him. Anyway,
that's why he left so suddenly. Made me drive him to the station. Did you see him get on
the train? No, I left him at the station. Left my car there and walked down the street.
I was sore. I had to think. I heard the train come and go. And when I went back, Burroughs
was gone. I got in the car and drove home. And the 2,500? I lied when he said he had
that cash. Then where did you get it? Remember the $25 check I cashed for him? Yes. I added
two zeros after the 25. Oh, Gil. I wrote in the word hundred. There was a space for it
made to order. Then I cashed it. Gil, Gil. Oh, I know I'm low, Jackie, but I didn't kill
him. I didn't. Then what became of him? Where is he? I don't know. I wish I did. What's
that? Somebody's out there. Whoever it is is trying to open the garage door. I can't
see who it is. It's not a woman. Not Miss Robles. I can see that much. It could be Carmen.
What are you doing in that drawer? Just getting this gun. Now quiet. No, Gil. Give me that
gun. You can't shoot anybody in the dark like that. Please, Jackie. I'm going to turn all
the lights. Don't, Jackie. Yes, Gil. He's running away. Gone. Who was it? I couldn't
see. Would you? No, Gil. Now it just means waiting until the next time. Oh, Jackie, what
am I going to do? I don't know, dear, but we'll get out of it somehow. How? I'm all
mixed up. There's one clear thing. Somebody is awfully interested in that car. I lay awake
until the sun was up. Then a shallow feverish sleep came. But when I awoke, it was almost
evening. Gil's bed was empty. There were the indistinct sounds of life in the house below.
I rose and as my mind cleared, my words of the night before broke through the edges of
my consciousness. There's one clear thing. Somebody is awfully interested in that car.
I dressed slowly. A tantalizing thought hovered just beyond my grasp. The car. What was there
about the car? I slowly walked down the hallway, my eyes half closed, thinking I had to talk
to Gil. Leona, Leona. Yes, sir? Where's Mr. Gil? Oh, he done went to town with Mr. Ward.
He went with Ward? Yes, and right after breakfast. Mr. Carmen gave him a lift down and... Carmen?
Yes, but Mr. Gil, he done left you this note. Oh, let me see it. Jackie, I've gone downtown
with Ward. I'm going to tell him about the check. And whatever happens will have to happen.
No, Gil. No, Gil, no. Mr. Jacqueline! Leona, I've got to stop him. I'm going to drive to
town. I've got to get there before Gil. Mrs. Blaine, Mrs. Blaine, where are you going?
I'm going to town, Mr. Marsh. Well, may I come along? Well, I... Oh, I suppose so. Hurry
up and get in. Getting dark. Yes. I hope you don't mind me driving so fast. I'm in a terrible
hurry. No. Pull down the next side road. What? I said pull down the next side road. The gun?
Yes, a gun. Now do as I say. There's something in this car I want. I won't. I must get to
Gil. Let go of that wheel. Let go of that wheel. I said there's something here I want. There's
a car coming. Let go. Let go! I tried to move. Miraculously, we were alive. The other car
had careened beyond us up the road. I saw that the side was smashed in. Then I heard
Marsh's voice. I ought to kill you for this. That was a police car. Keep your mouth shut.
Here he comes now. Now remember, there's a gun pointing at your back. Hey, you maniacs.
What's the idea? You trying to kill somebody? Oh, sorry, officer. We had a little trouble
with the steering wheel. Well, you won't have any more trouble with it. This is the end of
your license. Oh, see here, officer. I'm in a terrible hurry. If you let me drive to the
station... Ah, wait a minute, buddy. Let's have your names. What's yours? Come on. Marsh.
Charles Marsh. Oh, Marsh. What's yours, lady? This is Gilbert Blayne. And yours? Well, come
on. What's yours? What's your name? Who are you talking to? That guy in the rumble seat.
The rumble seat? Mr. Burroughs. Oh, it's Burroughs, is it? Why don't you say so? Hey, what are
you, a wise guy sitting there like a mummy? Come on, answer me, will you? Wait a minute.
This guy's dead. You did this. The rumble seat flew open when we crashed. Officer, he's got
a gun. He murdered that man. I'm warning you. Keep back or I'll... That takes care of him.
We're all right now, sister. Yes. I'm all right now. Well, that job's finished. Nothing left
for me to do but go back to town. So it was, Marsh, after all. Yeah. I don't understand
why... He was contemplating a change from secretary to husband. Naturally, with Mr. Burroughs
dead, Mrs. Burroughs would inherit all the money. I see. Marsh followed Gill and Mr.
Burroughs that night to the station. Gill was gone, he killed Burroughs, stuffing him into
the rumble seat, locked it, and kept the key. Well, the thing I don't understand is why Marsh
kept fiddling with the car. What was it that he wanted? Seems to me he was in the clear
if he left well enough alone. That's what tripped him up. Remember when he talked to
Mrs. Burroughs on the phone? They said something about an important package. Oh, yes. I assumed
it to be the 2,500 Gill told me about. But of course it wasn't. There was a package of
letters that Mr. Burroughs had gotten hold of. I get it. Those letters were written by Marsh
to Mrs. Burroughs. Right. And they would incriminate him. He found out about them after the murder.
Right again. Oh. He had to get them to make it perfect. Well, I guess I'll shove off.
So long and thanks. Oh, by the way, you may want to deposit, oh, say, $2,500 to Mr. Burroughs
account. Yeah, I see what you mean. Thanks. Goodbye. Goodbye. Jackie. Yes. Our debts,
there's still $2,500 that have to come from somewhere. We went a long way around to get
right back where we started from. We come through all that trouble and end up broke.
Yes, darling. That's the way it ends.
And so closes the story called Last Night starring Margot and Kent Smith. Tonight's tale of
suspense. 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 when John Sutton and George
Zuko will star in the suspense play by John Dickson Carr called The Man Without a Body.
The producer of these broadcasts is William Spear, who with Ted Bliss, the director,
Ladd Gluskin and Lucian Mahawick, conductor and composer, and Cornell Wurich, the author,
collaborated on tonight's suspense. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.