WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:01.000 Suspense. 00:01.000 --> 00:29.200 This is the Man in Black, here again to introduce Columbia's program, Suspense. 00:29.200 --> 00:34.040 From Hollywood tonight we bring you the noted British actor, Mr. Edmund Gwen, the star of 00:34.040 --> 00:38.800 an unusual murder study by his distinguished compatriot, Miss Dorothy Sayers. 00:38.800 --> 00:44.040 The story called The Fountain Plays is tonight's tale of suspense. 00:44.040 --> 00:49.080 Currently appearing in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer technical production, Lassie Come Home, following 00:49.080 --> 00:54.720 such successes as foreign correspondent in the stage plays The Wookie and the Three Sisters, 00:54.720 --> 00:59.680 it is Mr. Gwen's particular pleasure to embody on the stage and the screen the eternal middle 00:59.680 --> 01:04.340 class Englishman, the common man of Britain, and proud of it. 01:04.340 --> 01:09.040 The character Mr. Gwen portrays in our play tonight, Mr. Archibald Spiller, conservative 01:09.040 --> 01:13.000 John Bull that he may be, has lately had a bit of luck. 01:13.000 --> 01:18.600 Mr. Spiller lives on a little country estate with a cook and a manservant, and in the garden, 01:18.600 --> 01:20.600 yes, a fountain. 01:20.600 --> 01:25.200 Of all these little luxuries, it is the fountain which pleases him the most. 01:25.200 --> 01:30.800 An interesting sort of hobby for such a man, a fountain, perhaps more interesting than 01:30.800 --> 01:35.800 even Mr. Spiller himself realized at the beginning of that memorable evening. 01:35.800 --> 01:40.600 These events were really quite unusual, and with their publication, and with the performance 01:40.600 --> 01:44.640 of Mr. Edmund Gwen as Archie Spiller, we again hope to keep you in. 01:44.640 --> 01:49.280 Suspense. 01:49.280 --> 01:51.040 The Fountain Plays. 01:51.040 --> 02:08.480 Now then, Mr. Spiller, what about it? 02:08.480 --> 02:09.840 Have a cab of the fountain, Sam. 02:09.840 --> 02:10.840 Get wet if you stand too close. 02:10.840 --> 02:11.840 Fountain? 02:11.840 --> 02:14.840 You and your plastic fountain wasting your money on a do-dead. 02:14.840 --> 02:16.840 It's not expensive, Sam. 02:16.840 --> 02:19.260 It's very ingenious, really. 02:19.260 --> 02:21.400 You use the same water over and over again, you see? 02:21.400 --> 02:22.400 Don't try and put me off. 02:22.400 --> 02:23.400 What about it? 02:23.400 --> 02:26.400 Well, I told you I'd talk to you about it later, the scene later. 02:26.400 --> 02:27.400 Later? 02:27.400 --> 02:29.480 Well, I want to talk about it now. 02:29.480 --> 02:31.120 I want a straight answer to my question. 02:31.120 --> 02:32.120 I've given you an answer. 02:32.120 --> 02:35.120 Mr. Spiller, you've given me nothing but bluff and bluster. 02:35.120 --> 02:37.200 Do I get it or don't I? 02:37.200 --> 02:39.160 That's what I want to know, and if I don't... 02:39.160 --> 02:42.160 Now, now, butch, please, please, my guests are arriving. 02:42.160 --> 02:43.160 I'll talk to you tonight. 02:43.160 --> 02:45.160 You'd better talk straight, too. 02:45.160 --> 02:47.160 It'll be your last chance, Miller. 02:47.160 --> 02:48.160 Hello! 02:48.160 --> 02:49.160 Hello, everybody! 02:49.160 --> 02:50.160 They're just in time for a cocktail. 02:50.160 --> 02:51.160 Come in, come in. 02:51.160 --> 02:53.360 Master Seb would find you here, Daddy. 02:53.360 --> 02:54.360 I hope we're not interrupting. 02:54.360 --> 02:55.360 Certainly not. 02:55.360 --> 02:56.360 Certainly not. 02:56.360 --> 02:58.360 You know Mr. Gooch, don't you, my dear? 02:58.360 --> 02:59.360 Of course. 02:59.360 --> 03:01.360 And this, sir, this is my neighbor, Mrs. Digby, Mr. Gooch. 03:01.360 --> 03:02.360 How do you do, Mr. Gooch? 03:02.360 --> 03:03.360 Uh... 03:03.360 --> 03:04.360 I'm Ronald Prowford, my daughter's fiance. 03:04.360 --> 03:05.360 How do you do, sir? 03:05.360 --> 03:06.360 How do you do? 03:06.360 --> 03:07.360 Do help yourselves, everybody. 03:07.360 --> 03:10.360 You'll find all the fixings right there on the stone setting. 03:10.360 --> 03:11.360 Oh, yes. 03:11.360 --> 03:13.360 Betty, you play hostess, will you, dear? 03:13.360 --> 03:14.360 All right, Dad. 03:14.360 --> 03:15.360 I'll take mine neat. 03:15.360 --> 03:18.360 I'm just showing Mr. Gooch the wonders of my little fountain. 03:18.360 --> 03:21.360 Oh, Daddy, you do make such a fuss over that fountain. 03:21.360 --> 03:24.360 Oh, well, even so, I always say that there's nothing quite like a bit of ornamental water 03:24.360 --> 03:25.360 to set a place up. 03:25.360 --> 03:27.360 Sort of like the Versailles Gardens, what? 03:27.360 --> 03:29.360 Oh, it's really lovely, Mr. Stiller. 03:29.360 --> 03:33.360 And so secluded with the rhododendrons and the lilac hedge all around. 03:33.360 --> 03:34.360 Ah, you like that, eh? 03:34.360 --> 03:37.360 Oh, you know, I was thinking of cutting out some of these lilacs. 03:37.360 --> 03:38.360 Oh, I wouldn't. 03:38.360 --> 03:40.360 Well, to make a vista, so to speak. 03:40.360 --> 03:44.360 You can't even see it from the house with these bushes on all four sides. 03:44.360 --> 03:46.360 Well, now, perhaps that might add something. 03:46.360 --> 03:50.360 But if you like the lilacs, Mrs. Digby, the lilacs shall stay. 03:50.360 --> 03:52.360 Oh, Mr. Stiller. 03:52.360 --> 03:54.360 I'm no authority, I'm sure. 03:54.360 --> 03:57.360 Well, if you want an authority, I'd say it's a mess. 03:57.360 --> 03:59.360 Plus the backstop and all. 03:59.360 --> 04:00.360 A mess, see? 04:00.360 --> 04:01.360 A mess? 04:01.360 --> 04:03.360 Yes, a mess. 04:03.360 --> 04:07.360 Oh, maybe Mr. Gooch means the way the backstop arches up above the stray. 04:07.360 --> 04:09.360 It rather overshadows it, you know. 04:09.360 --> 04:10.360 Oh, I have to have that, you know, my dear. 04:10.360 --> 04:12.360 Prevailing winds from the south. 04:12.360 --> 04:15.360 Loads of the jet of water right out onto the grass. 04:15.360 --> 04:19.360 If it weren't for that backstop, I'd have a regular swamp over there, wasteful, too. 04:19.360 --> 04:20.360 Well, I'm glad I know that. 04:20.360 --> 04:25.360 You always were a fool, aren't you, squandering money on a fountain? 04:25.360 --> 04:27.360 Oh, no, no, no, indeed. 04:27.360 --> 04:31.360 It uses the same water over and over again. 04:31.360 --> 04:33.360 Like the ones in Trafalgar Square, you know. 04:33.360 --> 04:35.360 Most ingenious, really. 04:35.360 --> 04:37.360 Why, isn't that a wonderful idea? 04:37.360 --> 04:39.360 Well, I have to be careful, of course, even so. 04:39.360 --> 04:43.360 Turn it off every night to save leakage and waste and so on. 04:43.360 --> 04:45.360 Same old Spiller. 04:45.360 --> 04:47.360 A proper miser, if ever there was one. 04:47.360 --> 04:48.360 Oh, I see now. 04:48.360 --> 04:49.360 Mr. Spiller, sir. 04:49.360 --> 04:50.360 Yeah? 04:50.360 --> 04:51.360 The dinner is, sir. 04:51.360 --> 04:53.360 What? Oh, thank you, master, thank you. 04:53.360 --> 04:54.360 Well, what do you say? 04:54.360 --> 04:55.360 Everybody ready for a bit of dinner? 04:55.360 --> 04:57.360 Hey, are you going then, chubby? 04:57.360 --> 04:58.360 Come on, let's go in there. 04:58.360 --> 04:59.360 I got it, I got it. 04:59.360 --> 05:01.360 You'll get some later. 05:02.360 --> 05:05.360 Why, Mr. Spiller, your modest little fountain. 05:05.360 --> 05:08.360 When you're past the bushes, by all at once you can scarcely hear it at all. 05:08.360 --> 05:11.360 Yes, quite impossible to hear it from the house. 05:11.360 --> 05:13.360 Can't hear it at all. 05:28.360 --> 05:30.360 Another glass of wine. 05:30.360 --> 05:31.360 Won't you have one here? 05:31.360 --> 05:33.360 What is it, masters? 05:33.360 --> 05:34.360 Will that be all then, sir? 05:34.360 --> 05:35.360 Yes, thank you, masters, yes. 05:35.360 --> 05:36.360 Excellent dinner. 05:36.360 --> 05:38.360 My compliments to the cook, please. 05:38.360 --> 05:39.360 Yes, sir. 05:39.360 --> 05:40.360 And coffee in the drawing room. 05:40.360 --> 05:41.360 Very good, sir. 05:41.360 --> 05:42.360 Well, shall we adjourn? 05:42.360 --> 05:43.360 Shall we what? 05:43.360 --> 05:44.360 Ajourn. 05:44.360 --> 05:46.360 Going to the drawing room, what? 05:46.360 --> 05:48.360 Quite a tough you've become, eh, Archie? 05:48.360 --> 05:50.360 Big change from the old days. 05:50.360 --> 05:53.360 Ajourn to the drawing room. 05:55.360 --> 05:56.360 Yes, yes. 05:56.360 --> 05:58.360 Well, we'll all have a spot of coffee now, eh? 05:58.360 --> 05:59.360 Coffee? 05:59.360 --> 06:01.360 Is that the best you've got to offer? 06:01.360 --> 06:03.360 Oh, no, by no means. 06:03.360 --> 06:04.360 Have anything you like, old man. 06:04.360 --> 06:06.360 That's better. 06:06.360 --> 06:08.360 What would you think, Mr. Spiller, 06:08.360 --> 06:10.360 about a rubber or two of bridge? 06:10.360 --> 06:12.360 Oh, excellent suggestion. Splendid. 06:12.360 --> 06:15.360 Good thing I don't play, eh, Archie? 06:15.360 --> 06:18.360 I see I'm counted out before we start. 06:18.360 --> 06:20.360 Oh, Mr. Gooch, I'm so sorry. 06:20.360 --> 06:21.360 Do take my place. 06:21.360 --> 06:22.360 I'm really very tired. 06:22.360 --> 06:24.360 No, thanks. 06:24.360 --> 06:27.360 We didn't play bridge where I come from, 06:27.360 --> 06:28.360 and neither did Archie. 06:28.360 --> 06:31.360 Although I see he picked it up quick enough once he got... 06:31.360 --> 06:33.360 Well, it's never too late to learn, you know. 06:33.360 --> 06:36.360 I've got better ways than that to spend my time 06:36.360 --> 06:38.360 when I visit an old pal. 06:38.360 --> 06:40.360 Where's that fellow Masters? 06:40.360 --> 06:42.360 Was there something you wished, sir? 06:42.360 --> 06:46.360 Oh, well, take the whiskey and soda down by that fountain. 06:46.360 --> 06:50.360 Whiskey and moonlight and jolly old fountain. 06:50.360 --> 06:53.360 That's the proper way to spend an evening, eh, my lad? 06:53.360 --> 06:55.360 Uh, quite, sir. 06:55.360 --> 06:57.360 Mind you bring the full decanter. 06:57.360 --> 07:01.360 One drink's only a starter for a chap like yours truly. 07:01.360 --> 07:02.360 Very good, sir. 07:02.360 --> 07:04.360 While I'm at it, 07:04.360 --> 07:07.360 I'd better take a few of these here coronas. 07:07.360 --> 07:11.360 Only the best for your old pals, eh, Archie? 07:11.360 --> 07:13.360 Yes, yes. 07:13.360 --> 07:15.360 See you folks later. 07:15.360 --> 07:18.360 See you later on. 07:18.360 --> 07:19.360 Oh, Mr. Digby, 07:19.360 --> 07:21.360 shall it be you and me against the youngsters? 07:21.360 --> 07:22.360 Daddy. 07:22.360 --> 07:23.360 Yes, dear? 07:23.360 --> 07:25.360 Will you tell me why you put up with that man? 07:25.360 --> 07:26.360 Gooch? Oh, come. 07:26.360 --> 07:28.360 He's not a bad sort, really. 07:28.360 --> 07:30.360 Had a drop too much this evening, perhaps. 07:30.360 --> 07:31.360 He always has a drop too much. 07:31.360 --> 07:32.360 And he is a bad sort. 07:32.360 --> 07:34.360 He's a rude, unpleasant, terrible man. 07:34.360 --> 07:38.360 Well, old friend, you know, not much a chap can do. 07:38.360 --> 07:40.360 Oh, Daddy, you're so soft-hearted. 07:40.360 --> 07:42.360 But if you can't do anything, I can. 07:42.360 --> 07:44.360 Now, please, dear, please, he'll be gone in a day or two. 07:44.360 --> 07:45.360 Right time. 07:45.360 --> 07:48.360 What does he mean, talking to you that way in your own home? 07:48.360 --> 07:49.360 Uh, shall we, uh, cut for deal? 07:49.360 --> 07:50.360 Yes, shall I, uh... 07:50.360 --> 07:51.360 Well, I don't care. 07:51.360 --> 07:53.360 Beshant put me off. 07:53.360 --> 08:05.360 This is the last time that man is going to come into this house. 08:05.360 --> 08:09.360 There you are. 08:09.360 --> 08:10.360 Game and rubber. 08:10.360 --> 08:13.360 I guess you folks aren't so slow after all, eh, partner? 08:13.360 --> 08:15.360 Now, don't get Daddy all puffed up. 08:15.360 --> 08:16.360 You did have all the cards. 08:16.360 --> 08:17.360 Oh, not a bit of this. 08:17.360 --> 08:18.360 Jolly well played, sir. 08:18.360 --> 08:19.360 Say one more. 08:19.360 --> 08:20.360 Oh, I'm afraid not. 08:20.360 --> 08:24.360 I don't want to put a damper on the party, but it's 10.30. 08:24.360 --> 08:26.360 My word so it tears. 08:26.360 --> 08:28.360 Last hour or so passed in no time. 08:28.360 --> 08:30.360 Oh, that's probably Mr. Gooch. 08:30.360 --> 08:31.360 Wonder where he is. 08:31.360 --> 08:32.360 I could guess. 08:32.360 --> 08:34.360 He said he was going out by the fountain. 08:34.360 --> 08:36.360 Dead to the world, that's what he is. 08:36.360 --> 08:37.360 Why, Betty. 08:37.360 --> 08:38.360 Oh, from drinks, silly. 08:38.360 --> 08:39.360 Oh, of course. 08:39.360 --> 08:41.360 Well, I'm not superstitious, you know, but... 08:41.360 --> 08:44.360 Oh, Gooch will take care of himself, I dare say. 08:44.360 --> 08:46.360 Why, Mrs. Digby, if you really must? 08:46.360 --> 08:48.360 I'm afraid I really must. 08:48.360 --> 08:50.360 Well, then perhaps I can see you home. 08:50.360 --> 08:52.360 Well, if it wouldn't be inconvenient. 08:52.360 --> 08:53.360 Oh, not a bit of it. 08:53.360 --> 08:55.360 It's a pleasure I've been looking forward to all the evening. 09:06.360 --> 09:07.360 Well, here we are. 09:07.360 --> 09:08.360 Yes. 09:08.360 --> 09:10.360 It's been such a lovely evening, Mr. Spiller. 09:10.360 --> 09:12.360 Yeah, you know, I've been thinking... 09:12.360 --> 09:15.360 I'm awfully lucky to have found a neighbour like you... 09:15.360 --> 09:17.360 at my time of life, I mean. 09:17.360 --> 09:19.360 Maybe it's not luck at all. 09:19.360 --> 09:22.360 It's fate, you mean, eh, Mrs. Digby? 09:22.360 --> 09:23.360 Hmm? 09:23.360 --> 09:27.360 Or may I... may I call you Rosalind? 09:27.360 --> 09:28.360 Of course. 09:28.360 --> 09:31.360 And you call me Archibald, eh? 09:31.360 --> 09:34.360 Silly name, but it's the only one I've got there. 09:34.360 --> 09:35.360 All right. 09:35.360 --> 09:37.360 You know, it was true what I said tonight... 09:37.360 --> 09:40.360 that the place will be needing a new hostess soon. 09:40.360 --> 09:42.360 With Betty getting married, you mean? 09:42.360 --> 09:44.360 You must be very happy for her. 09:44.360 --> 09:47.360 I am, I am, but what I mean is... 09:47.360 --> 09:52.360 I mean that, well, we're both alone in the world now and... 09:52.360 --> 09:53.360 Yes? 09:53.360 --> 09:59.360 Rosalind, there's something I want to talk to you about soon. 09:59.360 --> 10:01.360 I can't just now. 10:01.360 --> 10:03.360 There are arrangements I have to make, but... 10:03.360 --> 10:07.360 but I do want to talk to you really seriously. 10:07.360 --> 10:10.360 Well, I'll always be here, you know. 10:10.360 --> 10:11.360 But it's late now. 10:11.360 --> 10:13.360 Yes, yes, it is. 10:13.360 --> 10:17.360 Good night, Rosalind. It has been a lovely evening. 10:17.360 --> 10:20.360 Good night, Archibald. 10:37.360 --> 10:40.360 Hello, Masters. Tell me, where's everybody? 10:40.360 --> 10:43.360 Mr. Ronald left five or ten minutes since, sir... 10:43.360 --> 10:45.360 and Miss Elizabeth has retired. 10:45.360 --> 10:46.360 Oh. 10:46.360 --> 10:48.360 Well, has Mr. Gooch come in yet? 10:48.360 --> 10:51.360 I couldn't say, sir. Shall I go to see? 10:51.360 --> 10:53.360 No, no, no, never mind. You can cut along to bed now. 10:53.360 --> 10:54.360 I'll lock up. 10:54.360 --> 10:56.360 Very good, sir. 10:56.360 --> 10:59.360 Over the way, Masters. Is the fountain turned off? 10:59.360 --> 11:03.360 Yes, sir. I turned it off myself at half past ten... 11:03.360 --> 11:04.360 seeing you were engaged. 11:04.360 --> 11:07.360 Oh, fine, fine. Well, good night, Masters. 11:07.360 --> 11:10.360 Good night, sir. 11:17.360 --> 11:19.360 Oh, hello there. 11:19.360 --> 11:21.360 Just coming out to look for you, Gooch. 11:21.360 --> 11:22.360 Hello. 11:22.360 --> 11:23.360 Have a nice evening? 11:23.360 --> 11:25.360 A nice evening. 11:25.360 --> 11:29.360 Not as nice an evening as you had with the obliging little widow, eh? 11:29.360 --> 11:30.360 No, no, that's enough of that now, sir. 11:30.360 --> 11:33.360 Oh, it is, is it? That's enough, is it? 11:33.360 --> 11:34.360 That's a good one. 11:34.360 --> 11:38.360 Would you think I am talking to me like that? One of your ruddy servants? 11:38.360 --> 11:42.360 Well, I'm not. I'm the boss here. Get that into your head. 11:42.360 --> 11:44.360 I'm the boss, and you know it. 11:44.360 --> 11:47.360 All right, all right. 11:47.360 --> 11:49.360 But buzz off to bed now, like a good fellow. 11:49.360 --> 11:51.360 It's getting late, and I'm tired. 11:51.360 --> 11:53.360 Oh, you don't. 11:53.360 --> 11:55.360 You think I'm drunk, don't you? 11:55.360 --> 11:59.360 Well, I'm not drunk enough so I don't remember the little business I've got with you. 11:59.360 --> 12:00.360 Well, can't we talk about it in the morning? 12:00.360 --> 12:03.360 No. We'll talk about it right now. 12:03.360 --> 12:07.360 I'm short of cash. It's high time you kicked in with some more. 12:07.360 --> 12:09.360 Now, look here, Sam. I pay you your allowance as we agreed, 12:09.360 --> 12:12.360 and you stay here whenever you like, but that's all. 12:12.360 --> 12:14.360 Oh, it is, is it? 12:14.360 --> 12:18.360 Getting pretty iron mighty, aren't you, number 4132? 12:18.360 --> 12:20.360 Sam, quiet, for heaven's sake. 12:20.360 --> 12:24.360 You're in a fine spot to tell me what you're going to do, aren't you? 12:24.360 --> 12:31.360 Quiet the servants, my dear. Quiet Betty, my dear, or Ronald Fatdoodle, whatever his name is. 12:31.360 --> 12:34.360 Sam, you're drunk. Sure I'm drunk. 12:34.360 --> 12:37.360 I'm not an escaped jailbird, am I? 12:37.360 --> 12:41.360 I'm not liable to be all back to work out ten years' odd labor for forgery, am I? 12:41.360 --> 12:44.360 Listen, Sam, listen, I'll give you a little extra, just this once. 12:44.360 --> 12:50.360 When I think a man like me that was only in for the short stretch anyway, 12:50.360 --> 12:56.360 worked it out all good and proper, depended on the charity, mind you, of a pal what's rolling in wealth. 12:56.360 --> 12:59.360 I'm not rolling in wealth, and you know it. 12:59.360 --> 13:02.360 But if you'll promise me faithfully that this is the last time... 13:02.360 --> 13:07.360 Sure I'll promise. For an old pal I'll promise anything. 13:07.360 --> 13:09.360 You just give me 5,000 down. 13:09.360 --> 13:10.360 Five thousand? 13:10.360 --> 13:15.360 That's right. I've got a great opportunity. All I need is a little ready cash. 13:15.360 --> 13:20.360 Now, don't be an idiot, Sam. What do you think I'm going to lay hands on that much, just like that? 13:20.360 --> 13:21.360 I'll give you a check for 500. 13:21.360 --> 13:26.360 Oh, trying to rend it on your old pal, eh? I said 5,000 and 5,000 it is, 13:26.360 --> 13:28.360 or you'll find yourself back on the rock pile, see? 13:28.360 --> 13:29.360 I tell you, I haven't got it. 13:29.360 --> 13:33.360 Haven't got it? You've got enough to go buying fancy fountains, playing around with a widow next door. 13:33.360 --> 13:34.360 Now you leave Mr. Digby out of this. 13:34.360 --> 13:37.360 I'll leave around a bit, all right? I'll leave the old pastry to you. 13:37.360 --> 13:38.360 What? 13:44.360 --> 13:47.360 I told you that was enough of that, and I meant it. 13:47.360 --> 13:50.360 Now pull yourself together and go to bed. 13:50.360 --> 13:53.360 Go on. I'll talk to you in the morning. 13:53.360 --> 13:55.360 You hear me, Sam? 13:55.360 --> 13:59.360 Sam. Yeah, come on. Come on. 13:59.360 --> 14:02.360 I didn't hit you that hard, you know. 14:02.360 --> 14:04.360 Go on. Get up on your feet now, Sam. Go on. 14:04.360 --> 14:07.360 Sam. Sam. 14:11.360 --> 14:12.360 Sam. 14:18.360 --> 14:22.360 It is head on the corner of the table. 14:22.360 --> 14:25.360 Phew. No blood. 14:25.360 --> 14:28.360 Now there it is, just over the temple. 14:28.360 --> 14:31.360 Soft, spongy. 14:31.360 --> 14:34.360 Mr. Gooch's fall had made quite a racket, too. 14:34.360 --> 14:36.360 Somebody must have heard it. 14:36.360 --> 14:38.360 They'd be calling out in a moment. 14:38.360 --> 14:41.360 Footsteps coming down to find out what's the matter. 14:41.360 --> 14:44.360 Have to think fast. 14:44.360 --> 14:47.360 What was that? 14:47.360 --> 14:50.360 Oh, just the old clock. 14:50.360 --> 14:52.360 Nobody on this side of the house, anyway. 14:52.360 --> 14:54.360 Nobody could have heard. 14:54.360 --> 14:56.360 Steady now and face the facts. 14:56.360 --> 14:59.360 He's dead. Murdered. 14:59.360 --> 15:01.360 Oh, it didn't feel like murder, 15:01.360 --> 15:03.360 but the police won't care about that. 15:03.360 --> 15:07.360 First off, they'll take fingerprints, and then... 15:07.360 --> 15:10.360 If I could make them suspect somebody else, 15:10.360 --> 15:12.360 confuse them. 15:12.360 --> 15:15.360 An alibi. Yes, that's what's needed. 15:15.360 --> 15:17.360 An alibi. 15:17.360 --> 15:20.360 Make it seem he was alive 15:20.360 --> 15:23.360 when he was already dead. 15:23.360 --> 15:25.360 Yes. 15:25.360 --> 15:28.360 How do they do it in the stories? 15:28.360 --> 15:31.360 Dress up like the dead man and impersonate him. 15:31.360 --> 15:35.360 No, no, no, you imitate him, 15:35.360 --> 15:37.360 speaking over the phone, or... 15:37.360 --> 15:40.360 No, you make a gramophone record of his voice, 15:40.360 --> 15:42.360 or you forge a letter. 15:42.360 --> 15:45.360 Oh, no, no, no, forgery. 15:45.360 --> 15:47.360 No, I don't want to get mixed up in that old game again. 15:47.360 --> 15:50.360 No, no, no, no, no. 15:50.360 --> 15:54.360 Oh, wait a minute, though. 15:54.360 --> 15:56.360 The time. 15:56.360 --> 15:59.360 The time. Earlier, not later. 15:59.360 --> 16:02.360 Say 10.30, while everyone was playing bridge. 16:02.360 --> 16:05.360 If he could have died some time before that. 16:05.360 --> 16:07.360 But how to prove it? 16:07.360 --> 16:10.360 What happened at 10.30? 16:10.360 --> 16:12.360 10.30. 16:12.360 --> 16:14.360 Think. Think. 16:14.360 --> 16:16.360 The fountain. 16:16.360 --> 16:19.360 Yes, the fountain. 16:19.360 --> 16:22.360 Mr. Spiver went out to the French windows to the garden, 16:22.360 --> 16:24.360 then turned on the fountain, 16:24.360 --> 16:27.360 then down the garden path. 16:27.360 --> 16:30.360 Stopped and called a name. 16:30.360 --> 16:32.360 A name. 16:32.360 --> 16:34.360 Sam! 16:34.360 --> 16:36.360 Gooch! 16:36.360 --> 16:38.360 Gooch! 16:38.360 --> 16:41.360 Doing...careful with the flashlight. 16:41.360 --> 16:43.360 They can't hear the fountain from the house, 16:43.360 --> 16:45.360 but they can see that. 16:45.360 --> 16:47.360 Ah, there's the whiskey. 16:47.360 --> 16:49.360 Still half full. 16:49.360 --> 16:51.360 Pour most of it out, 16:51.360 --> 16:55.360 so that it will look as though we had even more to drink. 16:59.360 --> 17:03.360 Now back to the house. 17:03.360 --> 17:06.360 That'll do. 17:06.360 --> 17:10.360 Now back into the house. 17:10.360 --> 17:13.360 Looked for him and didn't find him. 17:13.360 --> 17:15.360 It was dark. The moon had gone down. 17:15.360 --> 17:18.360 But from now on, quiet. 17:18.360 --> 17:21.360 Quiet as he is, lying over there. 17:21.360 --> 17:23.360 The wheelchair. 17:23.360 --> 17:25.360 The whole closet. 17:25.360 --> 17:27.360 The wheelchair used to be Mrs. Spillers. 17:27.360 --> 17:29.360 Remember how she... 17:29.360 --> 17:31.360 No, no, not time to think of that now. 17:31.360 --> 17:33.360 Just left him into it. 17:33.360 --> 17:37.360 Who would have ever thought old Sam was so heavy? 17:37.360 --> 17:40.360 Now out the other door. 17:40.360 --> 17:43.360 But quietly this time. 17:46.360 --> 17:49.360 Down the back path. 17:49.360 --> 17:52.360 Carefully. 17:52.360 --> 17:55.360 Feel like running. 17:55.360 --> 17:57.360 Feel as though every window in the house 17:57.360 --> 18:00.360 were thronged with white staring faces. 18:00.360 --> 18:03.360 Watching, watching. 18:03.360 --> 18:07.360 The manufacture of an alibi. 18:10.360 --> 18:12.360 Here we are. 18:12.360 --> 18:14.360 Now to lift him up again. 18:14.360 --> 18:16.360 There. 18:16.360 --> 18:18.360 Laying down on the edge of it. 18:18.360 --> 18:20.360 One hand in the water. 18:20.360 --> 18:24.360 The bruise on his head right up against the stone corner of the basin. 18:24.360 --> 18:26.360 There. 18:30.360 --> 18:32.360 What's that? 18:32.360 --> 18:34.360 He's alive. 18:34.360 --> 18:36.360 Gooch is alive. 18:36.360 --> 18:38.360 After all that trouble. 18:38.360 --> 18:40.360 After committing practically the perfect crime. 18:40.360 --> 18:42.360 He's alive. 18:44.360 --> 18:46.360 Sam! 18:46.360 --> 18:48.360 What? 18:48.360 --> 18:50.360 Bring him to life again? 18:50.360 --> 18:53.360 More black bail for the rest of her life? 18:53.360 --> 18:55.360 What about Mrs. Digby? 18:55.360 --> 18:57.360 Rosalind? 18:57.360 --> 18:59.360 What about Betty? 18:59.360 --> 19:01.360 She at least deserves something better. 19:01.360 --> 19:03.360 Murder? 19:03.360 --> 19:05.360 All right, murder. 19:05.360 --> 19:08.360 He's dead already as far as the rest of the world is concerned. 19:08.360 --> 19:10.360 Now! 19:10.360 --> 19:13.360 What are you saying? 19:13.360 --> 19:15.360 Now or never. 19:15.360 --> 19:17.360 His face is right by the water's edge. 19:17.360 --> 19:18.360 Push him under. 19:18.360 --> 19:20.360 Now! 19:20.360 --> 19:22.360 Now! 19:22.360 --> 19:34.360 And so it's done. 19:34.360 --> 19:36.360 Remorse? 19:36.360 --> 19:38.360 Why remorse? 19:38.360 --> 19:41.360 Does the mouse feel remorse that the cat is killed? 19:41.360 --> 19:45.360 Does the prisoner feel remorse when he leaves his prison? 19:45.360 --> 19:47.360 No. 19:47.360 --> 19:48.360 No, it's done. 19:48.360 --> 19:49.360 And well done. 19:49.360 --> 19:52.360 Nothing left but the finishing touches now. 19:52.360 --> 19:54.360 Take back the wheelchair. 19:54.360 --> 19:56.360 Let the fountain run another hour. 19:56.360 --> 19:58.360 And then to bed. 19:58.360 --> 20:00.360 And when the police come in the morning, 20:00.360 --> 20:02.360 the perfect crime. 20:02.360 --> 20:04.360 Remorse? 20:04.360 --> 20:05.360 Nonsense. 20:05.360 --> 20:07.360 Congratulations would be more like it. 20:07.360 --> 20:20.360 Yes, congratulations, Mr. Spiller. 20:20.360 --> 20:22.360 Inspector Frampton, sir. 20:22.360 --> 20:24.360 Oh, yes, come in, Inspector. Come in. 20:24.360 --> 20:26.360 I hate to trouble you, Mr. Spiller. 20:26.360 --> 20:27.360 Regulations, you know. 20:27.360 --> 20:29.360 Of course, of course. 20:29.360 --> 20:31.360 Everyone here who was present the night of the... 20:31.360 --> 20:33.360 that is, last night. 20:33.360 --> 20:34.360 Yes, Inspector, yes. 20:34.360 --> 20:36.360 Mrs. Digby, my neighbor, my daughter Elizabeth, 20:36.360 --> 20:38.360 her fiance, Mr. Ronald Prowfoot, 20:38.360 --> 20:40.360 and the servants, of course. 20:40.360 --> 20:41.360 Excellent. 20:41.360 --> 20:44.360 Well, now if you'll all bear with me, 20:44.360 --> 20:46.360 I have to ask you all a few questions, you know. 20:46.360 --> 20:47.360 But, Inspector, it was... 20:47.360 --> 20:49.360 That's what we have to find out. 20:49.360 --> 20:51.360 You know, there was a blow on the head. 20:51.360 --> 20:52.360 Oh. 20:52.360 --> 20:54.360 Now, as I understand it, 20:54.360 --> 20:58.360 the deceased was last seen alive at about 8.30, 20:58.360 --> 20:59.360 just after dinner. 20:59.360 --> 21:01.360 Let me see you. 21:01.360 --> 21:03.360 You were the last to see him, amen, amen? 21:03.360 --> 21:04.360 Yes, sir. 21:04.360 --> 21:06.360 I believe so, sir. 21:06.360 --> 21:09.360 You took the whiskey and soda down to the fountain in the garden 21:09.360 --> 21:11.360 and left it there with Mr. Gooch. 21:11.360 --> 21:15.360 And that was the last time he was seen alive by any of you, eh? 21:15.360 --> 21:16.360 Yes, yes. 21:16.360 --> 21:18.360 The four of you then played cards, I believe. 21:18.360 --> 21:19.360 Yes. 21:19.360 --> 21:20.360 Until what time? 21:20.360 --> 21:22.360 Oh, about 10.30. 21:22.360 --> 21:25.360 And no one left the room during those two hours? 21:25.360 --> 21:26.360 No, no, no. 21:26.360 --> 21:28.360 And, Mr. Spiller, 21:28.360 --> 21:30.360 you accompanied Mrs. Digby to her home. 21:30.360 --> 21:31.360 Yes. 21:31.360 --> 21:32.360 Is that correct, Mrs. Digby? 21:32.360 --> 21:33.360 Yes, Inspector. 21:33.360 --> 21:35.360 Now, when you returned, 21:35.360 --> 21:37.360 you were met in the hall by Masters. 21:37.360 --> 21:38.360 Yes. 21:38.360 --> 21:39.360 What time was that, Masters? 21:39.360 --> 21:41.360 About 10.45, sir. 21:41.360 --> 21:45.360 And Mr. Spiller at that time inquired after Mr. Gooch? 21:45.360 --> 21:46.360 Yes, sir. 21:46.360 --> 21:48.360 He asked if I had seen him, 21:48.360 --> 21:51.360 and as I had not, he suggested a nitric tire, 21:51.360 --> 21:53.360 that he himself would lock the house. 21:53.360 --> 21:55.360 And the others had all left? 21:55.360 --> 21:56.360 Yes, sir. 21:56.360 --> 21:59.360 That is to say, Mr. Ronald had left. 21:59.360 --> 22:01.360 I heard him drive off in his car, 22:01.360 --> 22:03.360 and Miss Elizabeth had retired. 22:03.360 --> 22:06.360 Then you were alone in the downstairs part of the house. 22:06.360 --> 22:07.360 Is that so, Mr. Spiller? 22:07.360 --> 22:08.360 Yes. 22:08.360 --> 22:10.360 You tell me, please, what you did then. 22:10.360 --> 22:12.360 Well, I was worried about Gooch. 22:12.360 --> 22:13.360 He'd been drinking quite a lot, 22:13.360 --> 22:15.360 and so I went to look for him. 22:15.360 --> 22:17.360 Went down to the end of the garden by the fountain. 22:17.360 --> 22:19.360 You didn't go through the lilac hedge to the fountain? 22:19.360 --> 22:22.360 No, no. It was dark by then. I couldn't see. 22:22.360 --> 22:24.360 I called Gooch several times. 22:24.360 --> 22:27.360 Did anyone here, here, Mr. Spiller, call? 22:27.360 --> 22:29.360 Oh, I did, sir. 22:29.360 --> 22:32.360 I was half asleep, as you might say. 22:32.360 --> 22:35.360 But I did hear Mr. Spiller call out. 22:35.360 --> 22:37.360 And then what did you do, Mr. Spiller? 22:37.360 --> 22:38.360 I came back into the house, 22:38.360 --> 22:40.360 sat up in the library, read for a while, 22:40.360 --> 22:43.360 and about one o'clock I went to bed. 22:43.360 --> 22:46.360 Now, now this is very important. 22:46.360 --> 22:48.360 Who turned off the fountain? 22:48.360 --> 22:49.360 I did, sir. 22:49.360 --> 22:51.360 At what time? 22:51.360 --> 22:53.360 At ten-thirty, sir. 22:53.360 --> 22:54.360 You're quite sure of that? 22:54.360 --> 22:56.360 Yes, sir. It was the usual time. 22:56.360 --> 23:00.360 I see. And no one would have turned it on again, of course. 23:00.360 --> 23:02.360 I can't think why, sir. 23:02.360 --> 23:06.360 Ah. Well, I think that makes everything very clear, Mr. Spiller. 23:06.360 --> 23:07.360 Yes, yes. 23:07.360 --> 23:08.360 When the body was found, 23:08.360 --> 23:11.360 it was still wet from the spray of the fountain. 23:11.360 --> 23:13.360 Therefore, death must have occurred 23:13.360 --> 23:16.360 some time before the fountain was turned off at ten-thirty. 23:16.360 --> 23:20.360 And as all of you here were occupied till then, 23:20.360 --> 23:23.360 from the time the deceased was last seen alive... 23:23.360 --> 23:26.360 Accident, of course. I said so from the beginning. 23:26.360 --> 23:28.360 Well, it might have been either, you know. 23:28.360 --> 23:32.360 There had been a blow and there was water in the lungs. 23:32.360 --> 23:35.360 And when the man apparently fell due to his intoxicated condition, 23:35.360 --> 23:37.360 struck his head, falling into the water, 23:37.360 --> 23:39.360 from which he was unable to rest himself. 23:39.360 --> 23:42.360 Well, seems to be the obvious conclusion, doesn't it? 23:42.360 --> 23:43.360 Poor fellow. 23:43.360 --> 23:45.360 Well, thanks, everyone. 23:45.360 --> 23:47.360 I don't think we shall have to trouble you again, Mr. Spiller. 23:47.360 --> 23:53.360 Well, I hope not. And thank you, Inspector. 23:57.360 --> 24:00.360 It is the verdict of the coroner, township of Alton, 24:00.360 --> 24:01.360 county of Hampshire, 24:01.360 --> 24:04.360 that in the case of the deceased Samuel Gutch, 24:04.360 --> 24:17.360 death was due solely to accidental causes. 24:17.360 --> 24:20.360 Oh, Daddy, I'm so glad. I was afraid for a while. 24:20.360 --> 24:23.360 Oh, there was nothing to be afraid of there. 24:23.360 --> 24:26.360 Poor old Gutch just lost his footing and fell, that's all. 24:26.360 --> 24:28.360 I know. I was afraid of him. 24:28.360 --> 24:29.360 Of him? 24:29.360 --> 24:32.360 I know it was silly, but he was so strange. 24:32.360 --> 24:34.360 I thought he had some sort of hold over you. 24:34.360 --> 24:38.360 Oh, nonsense, darling. Just an old friend. 24:38.360 --> 24:41.360 And I am a sentimental old fool. 24:41.360 --> 24:43.360 You are an old dear. But I've got to run now. 24:43.360 --> 24:44.360 What, off at Ronald? 24:44.360 --> 24:45.360 Uh-huh. 24:45.360 --> 24:47.360 Daddy, are you going to be off here lonely when I've gone? 24:47.360 --> 24:49.360 Oh, you know I'll miss you. 24:49.360 --> 24:51.360 Maybe Mrs. Digby. 24:51.360 --> 24:53.360 Now, now, now, my darling. 24:53.360 --> 24:55.360 Oh, she's such a darling. 24:55.360 --> 24:58.360 Oh, she is rather nice, isn't she? In fact, I, 24:58.360 --> 25:01.360 I thought I might pop over to see her this afternoon, 25:01.360 --> 25:02.360 as long as you're going to be out. 25:02.360 --> 25:05.360 Daddy, I knew it. I won't keep you another second. 25:05.360 --> 25:06.360 I'll ask her over to dinner. 25:06.360 --> 25:09.360 Well, perhaps I shall. You be on time, though. 25:09.360 --> 25:10.360 I will. Bye. 25:10.360 --> 25:11.360 Bye. 25:22.360 --> 25:23.360 Beg pardon, sir. 25:23.360 --> 25:25.360 Huh? Oh, Master, yes? 25:25.360 --> 25:28.360 If it's convenient to you, sir, 25:28.360 --> 25:30.360 I should like to have my bedroom changed. 25:30.360 --> 25:31.360 Hmm? 25:31.360 --> 25:34.360 I should like to sleep in doors in the main house. 25:34.360 --> 25:35.360 Oh? 25:35.360 --> 25:36.360 Why that, Master? 25:36.360 --> 25:41.360 I'm a very light sleeper, sir, and noises keep me awake. 25:41.360 --> 25:42.360 Noises? 25:42.360 --> 25:45.360 The weather vane, sir, above the garage. 25:45.360 --> 25:48.360 When the wind changes, it creeps. 25:48.360 --> 25:50.360 Well, a little oil perhaps would suit. 25:50.360 --> 25:53.360 I hardly think that would do, sir. 25:53.360 --> 25:57.360 Because when the wind changes, there are other noises. 25:57.360 --> 26:00.360 They can be most disturbing, sir. 26:00.360 --> 26:03.360 What other noises? 26:03.360 --> 26:05.360 The fountain, sir. 26:06.360 --> 26:07.360 Fountain? 26:07.360 --> 26:09.360 Yes, sir. 26:09.360 --> 26:12.360 Ordinarily, I'm quite unable to hear it, 26:12.360 --> 26:15.360 any more than you can in the main house, sir. 26:15.360 --> 26:17.360 But when the wind is from the west, 26:17.360 --> 26:21.360 the faster back stop acts quite like a sounding board 26:21.360 --> 26:23.360 in the direction of my room, sir. 26:23.360 --> 26:27.360 In fact, I can hear not only the fountain itself, 26:27.360 --> 26:31.360 but I can hear even the faintest noises in the grove, 26:31.360 --> 26:34.360 around it, quite clearly. 26:35.360 --> 26:37.360 I see. 26:37.360 --> 26:39.360 Quite, sir. 26:40.360 --> 26:44.360 For instance, on the night Mr. Gooch sustained 26:44.360 --> 26:46.360 his unfortunate accident, 26:46.360 --> 26:49.360 the wind changed a little after eleven. 26:49.360 --> 26:53.360 The weather vane awakened me, and then I heard the fountain. 26:53.360 --> 26:58.360 I seem to hear other noises too, if I may say so, sir. 26:59.360 --> 27:01.360 You heard? 27:01.360 --> 27:03.360 Yes, sir. 27:03.360 --> 27:07.360 I might add that after hearing the police inspector's observations, 27:07.360 --> 27:11.360 I took the precaution of pressing your dinner jacket. 27:11.360 --> 27:15.360 The sleeve seemed quite wet, sir. 27:15.360 --> 27:17.360 Oh. 27:17.360 --> 27:19.360 Yes, yes, yes. 27:19.360 --> 27:23.360 I think, sir, all things taken into consideration, 27:23.360 --> 27:28.360 you might find it worth your while to retain me permanently in your service, 27:28.360 --> 27:33.360 at, shall we say, double my present wage, for now. 27:33.360 --> 27:35.360 Eh? 27:35.360 --> 27:37.360 Oh. 27:37.360 --> 27:40.360 Oh, yes, yes, of course. 27:40.360 --> 27:44.360 I'm very much obliged to you, sir. 27:44.360 --> 27:48.360 Is there anything else, sir? 27:48.360 --> 27:50.360 No. 27:50.360 --> 27:52.360 No, nothing else. 27:52.360 --> 28:00.360 I'm, uh, going to sit here by the fountain. 28:02.360 --> 28:05.360 Very ingenious. 28:05.360 --> 28:07.360 The fountain? 28:08.360 --> 28:10.360 Yes. 28:10.360 --> 28:16.360 Yes, most ingenious, my fountain. 28:17.360 --> 28:29.360 Costs so little to run, because it uses the same water over and over again. 28:31.360 --> 28:35.360 Over and over again. 28:35.360 --> 28:39.360 Over and over again. 28:54.360 --> 28:58.360 And so closes the fountain play starring Edmund Gwen 28:58.360 --> 29:02.360 and the Dorothy Sayers story, which was tonight's tale of 29:02.360 --> 29:06.360 Suspense. 29:06.360 --> 29:10.360 The producer of these broadgasses, William Spear, who with Ted Bliss director, 29:10.360 --> 29:12.360 Bernard Herman and Lucy Ann Marroway, 29:12.360 --> 29:16.360 conductor and composer, and Robin L. Richards, the radio author, 29:16.360 --> 29:20.360 collaborated on tonight's Suspense. 29:20.360 --> 29:24.360 And now CBS is pleased to announce that starting next week at the same time, 29:24.360 --> 29:29.360 Mr. Robert Young will begin a brand new series entitled Passport for Adams. 29:29.360 --> 29:32.360 Passport for Adams will bring you each week the adventures of an American 29:32.360 --> 29:36.360 newspaper reporter among the people of the United Nations. 29:36.360 --> 29:40.360 Next week's broadcast will be written and directed by Norman Colwin with music 29:40.360 --> 29:46.360 by Bernard Herman and the stars, we've said, will be Robert Young. 29:48.360 --> 29:52.360 This is your narrator, the man in black, who invites you to be with us for 29:52.360 --> 29:57.360 Suspense one week from Saturday at 730 to 8 Eastern wartime and from 8 to 830 29:57.360 --> 30:03.360 Pacific wartime when with Miss Agnes Moorhead and with a repeat performance by 30:03.360 --> 30:08.360 popular request of the play called Sorry, Wrong Number. 30:08.360 --> 30:14.360 We again hope to keep you in Suspense. 30:14.360 --> 30:26.360 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.