WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:21.120 Roman wines present, Suspense. 00:21.120 --> 00:27.160 Roman wines, made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 00:27.160 --> 00:28.160 Salute. 00:28.160 --> 00:30.280 To your health, Senor. 00:30.280 --> 00:32.440 Roman wines toast the world. 00:32.440 --> 00:39.120 The wine for your table is Roman wine, made in California for enjoyment throughout the 00:39.120 --> 00:40.120 world. 00:40.120 --> 00:47.040 The Roman Wine Company of Fresno, California welcomes you again to this weekly half hour 00:47.040 --> 00:48.040 of Suspense. 00:48.040 --> 00:53.280 Tonight from Hollywood, Roman wines bring you a star, Mr. Herbert Marshall. 00:53.280 --> 00:59.240 Mr. Marshall is with us to play in Nicholas Blake's powerful story of vengeance and retribution, 00:59.240 --> 01:00.240 The Beast Must Die. 01:00.240 --> 01:07.000 But before we raise the curtain on tonight's tale of Suspense, here is a message from Roman 01:07.000 --> 01:08.000 wines. 01:08.000 --> 01:13.760 In Havana, Cuba, one gathering place of fashionable people is the charming Pan American Club. 01:13.760 --> 01:20.480 A dinner party is in progress and the Cuban host has risen to compliment, return a compliment 01:20.480 --> 01:23.680 which has just been paid him by a guest from the United States. 01:23.680 --> 01:26.960 Lifting his glass he says, thank you my friend. 01:26.960 --> 01:31.280 Thank you also for telling us about the perfect climate and soil of California from which 01:31.280 --> 01:35.040 we import these supremely delightful Roman wines. 01:35.040 --> 01:40.100 Now we can understand how such perfection is possible, such magnificent quality as we 01:40.100 --> 01:42.500 enjoy in Roman wines. 01:42.500 --> 01:47.840 You will agree, it is a tremendous tribute when other countries find Roman wines so superior 01:47.840 --> 01:51.960 they import them as rare and expensive delicacies. 01:51.960 --> 01:57.360 Such international esteem can only mean that Roman wines are truly magnificent in quality. 01:57.360 --> 02:02.760 But remember, you here in the United States can enjoy these distinguished wines at almost 02:02.760 --> 02:04.960 unbelievably low cost. 02:04.960 --> 02:09.200 For you pay no high import duties, no expensive shipping costs. 02:09.200 --> 02:14.960 You enjoy the unique combination which makes Roman wines so superlatively fine, the combination 02:14.960 --> 02:20.560 of California's perfect soil and climate and age old wine making skill plus Roma's 02:20.560 --> 02:25.120 modern quality controls for only pennies a glass. 02:25.120 --> 02:30.160 Discover the delightful flavor and goodness which have made Roma wines America's largest 02:30.160 --> 02:31.720 selling wines. 02:31.720 --> 02:42.720 Ask for ROMA, Roma wines made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 02:42.720 --> 02:48.840 And now with the beast must die and with the performance of Herbert Marshall as Felix Lane 02:48.840 --> 02:51.080 who wrote a diary of death. 02:51.080 --> 03:06.160 We again hope to keep you in suspense. 03:06.160 --> 03:08.360 I am going to kill a man. 03:08.360 --> 03:09.360 I don't know his name. 03:09.360 --> 03:11.520 I don't know where he lives. 03:11.520 --> 03:13.440 I have no idea what he looks like. 03:13.440 --> 03:19.720 But I am going to find him and kill him. 03:19.720 --> 03:21.320 Well Mr. Lane. 03:21.320 --> 03:24.760 I wrote those words if that's what you're asking Inspector. 03:24.760 --> 03:25.760 And I meant them. 03:25.760 --> 03:27.040 Apparently you did. 03:27.040 --> 03:30.880 Who would ever possess you to write such a document? 03:30.880 --> 03:32.720 Vanity for one thing I suppose. 03:32.720 --> 03:35.900 The record for posterity of the perfect crime. 03:35.900 --> 03:37.720 As you know I'm a writer by profession. 03:37.720 --> 03:39.840 I think more clearly on paper. 03:39.840 --> 03:43.480 By keeping this diary I was able to plan my murder step by step. 03:43.480 --> 03:47.080 Details, little things that happened in the course of a day which might so easily have 03:47.080 --> 03:51.360 been forgotten or overlooked were written down in this diary where I could refer back 03:51.360 --> 03:53.520 to them and make use of them if need be. 03:53.520 --> 03:58.240 But you found out that a real life murder could not be carried out so easily as the 03:58.240 --> 04:02.120 murders you wrote about in your detective novels eh Mr. Lane? 04:02.120 --> 04:04.280 I wouldn't go so far as to say that Inspector. 04:04.280 --> 04:09.040 In fact except for the ending I think this diary is quite the best murder story I've 04:09.040 --> 04:10.040 ever written. 04:10.040 --> 04:14.160 Yeah and quite the most incriminating document I've ever known a prospective murderer to 04:14.160 --> 04:15.640 leave lying around. 04:15.640 --> 04:16.640 Incriminating? 04:16.640 --> 04:18.640 In a way I suppose. 04:18.640 --> 04:21.880 In another way this diary might turn out to be my best defense. 04:21.880 --> 04:23.880 How do you figure that Mr. Lane? 04:23.880 --> 04:28.480 Oh supposing I read some part of it aloud to you and let you decide for yourself. 04:28.480 --> 04:29.480 Very well Mr. Lane. 04:29.480 --> 04:30.480 Far away. 04:30.480 --> 04:33.800 That was my first entry. 04:33.800 --> 04:39.520 June 18th. 04:39.520 --> 04:44.040 Yes I'm going to kill a man. 04:44.040 --> 04:46.760 It takes great singleness of purpose to commit a murder. 04:46.760 --> 04:53.440 But if ever for a moment I stray from that purpose I've only to think of Ronnie. 04:53.440 --> 04:55.880 Ronnie was my son. 04:55.880 --> 04:59.240 One evening two weeks ago he was crossing the road outside our house. 04:59.240 --> 05:02.600 He had gone into the village to buy some candy. 05:02.600 --> 05:06.520 For him it could have been only a paralyzing blaze of headlights around the corner. 05:06.520 --> 05:08.680 A moment's nightmare. 05:08.680 --> 05:11.840 And then the impact turning everything to darkness forever. 05:11.840 --> 05:14.720 His body was hurled into the ditch. 05:14.720 --> 05:17.040 He was dead at once. 05:17.040 --> 05:20.640 The motorist who killed Ronnie did not stop. 05:20.640 --> 05:22.160 The police have failed to trace him. 05:22.160 --> 05:25.600 They say he must have been going 50 around that blind corner for the child's body to 05:25.600 --> 05:28.240 have been thrown and injured as it was. 05:28.240 --> 05:31.080 The man who drove that car. 05:31.080 --> 05:40.000 He is the man I have got to find and kill. 05:40.000 --> 05:41.000 June 25th. 05:41.000 --> 05:43.720 I found my first clue today. 05:43.720 --> 05:44.720 My mind was on Ronnie. 05:44.720 --> 05:47.000 I was driving toward a neighboring town. 05:47.000 --> 05:49.000 The hills around were green. 05:49.000 --> 05:52.040 The boxwood hedges still damp from last night's rain. 05:52.040 --> 05:55.320 Translucent like giant chunks of emerald. 05:55.320 --> 05:58.120 Suddenly the front wheels of my car hit into a great puddle. 05:58.120 --> 06:01.880 A sheet of water splashed up over the front of the windshield and drenched me from the 06:01.880 --> 06:02.880 side. 06:02.880 --> 06:04.960 I pulled up at the far side of the water splash. 06:04.960 --> 06:10.280 I got out cursing myself for my preoccupation and began mopping away at the windshield. 06:10.280 --> 06:12.800 A man leaning over a farm gate addressed me. 06:12.800 --> 06:13.800 Whoa. 06:13.800 --> 06:16.160 Looks like you got a proper shower bath, mister. 06:16.160 --> 06:17.160 Yes. 06:17.160 --> 06:19.960 They've petrified the county for months to repair that hole. 06:19.960 --> 06:23.360 People always driving into it splash themselves all over. 06:23.360 --> 06:27.680 Ponticing of all though was about a fortnight ago when a chap tried to use it to get a free 06:27.680 --> 06:28.680 car wash. 06:28.680 --> 06:29.680 Oh really? 06:29.680 --> 06:30.680 Yeah. 06:30.680 --> 06:31.680 It was my wife's birthday to be exact. 06:31.680 --> 06:36.440 About eight o'clock we was on our way to Chelanum to see the picture show. 06:36.440 --> 06:40.880 Just coming out of the gate this chap driving one of those loose long sports jobs hits the 06:40.880 --> 06:42.360 water splash. 06:42.360 --> 06:43.360 You don't say. 06:43.360 --> 06:44.360 Oh. 06:44.360 --> 06:47.000 And then the fellow says something to the girl he's driving with. 06:47.000 --> 06:49.080 What do you suppose they do? 06:49.080 --> 06:52.440 They back up and run through the splash again. 06:52.440 --> 06:53.440 And then again. 06:53.440 --> 06:55.440 They did it four times. 06:55.440 --> 06:58.800 Eight o'clock. 06:58.800 --> 07:02.560 Your wife's birthday wouldn't be June 3rd would it? 07:02.560 --> 07:04.240 Oh right, yeah. 07:04.240 --> 07:05.240 But how'd you know? 07:05.240 --> 07:10.240 Well you see a friend of mine was celebrating that night. 07:10.240 --> 07:13.240 He was driving toward, toward. 07:13.240 --> 07:14.240 Severnbury. 07:14.240 --> 07:17.000 That's where this fellow and his lady friend were going. 07:17.000 --> 07:20.440 I remember his lady friend says George ask the man whether he had turned to the right 07:20.440 --> 07:22.360 or the left at the next fort. 07:22.360 --> 07:23.360 George. 07:23.360 --> 07:24.360 George. 07:24.360 --> 07:25.360 Yes that's right. 07:25.360 --> 07:26.360 George's name. 07:26.360 --> 07:27.360 And um Severnbridge. 07:27.360 --> 07:28.360 Yes. 07:28.360 --> 07:29.360 Yes. 07:29.360 --> 07:36.840 The way he drives ought to have brought him here by just around eight o'clock. 07:36.840 --> 07:41.000 He, he didn't have a crumpled right front fender did he? 07:41.000 --> 07:42.840 Oh that he did. 07:42.840 --> 07:44.040 And that bloke was your friend. 07:44.040 --> 07:45.680 He sure is a proper nut. 07:45.680 --> 07:47.480 Well peculiar at least. 07:47.480 --> 07:48.480 Yes. 07:48.480 --> 07:50.080 Yes he is peculiar. 07:50.080 --> 07:52.960 Driving through that water splash all over again and again. 07:52.960 --> 07:53.960 Four times he does it. 07:53.960 --> 07:54.960 He wasn't laughing either. 07:54.960 --> 07:57.560 Didn't seem like a joke somehow. 07:57.560 --> 08:01.760 Looks like he's trying to get a free car wash. 08:01.760 --> 08:03.600 Funny way I'd say to get the mud off. 08:03.600 --> 08:04.600 Yes. 08:04.600 --> 08:05.600 Yes. 08:05.600 --> 08:06.600 Maybe it was tar though. 08:06.600 --> 08:07.600 Yes. 08:07.600 --> 08:08.600 Or blood. 08:08.600 --> 08:09.600 July 12th. 08:09.600 --> 08:10.600 At Severnbridge. 08:10.600 --> 08:24.880 Have talked to any number of the town's people and I've met a number of Georges. 08:24.880 --> 08:29.560 But not one of them have owned or driven a low slung sports job. 08:29.560 --> 08:32.080 Not like the one I've been looking for anyway. 08:32.080 --> 08:34.960 It may be that I have to start all over again. 08:34.960 --> 08:35.960 On some other tack. 08:35.960 --> 08:43.680 I was returning to the inn this afternoon when I noticed a car parked on the side of 08:43.680 --> 08:44.680 the road up ahead. 08:44.680 --> 08:49.600 A girl with bright hair was working the rear wheel and a small lad beside her was doing 08:49.600 --> 08:50.600 his best to help. 08:50.600 --> 08:52.600 I pulled up beside them. 08:52.600 --> 09:03.200 It was a long low slung sports job. 09:03.200 --> 09:04.200 I say can I help? 09:04.200 --> 09:06.200 Well, what do you think Phil? 09:06.200 --> 09:07.200 Oh yes sir. 09:07.200 --> 09:09.160 Yes if you would lend a hand. 09:09.160 --> 09:13.000 I'm afraid we're not quite heavy enough to weight the jack handle down for another tour. 09:13.000 --> 09:15.160 Now here fellow let me have a go at it. 09:15.160 --> 09:20.000 I say the paint doesn't seem quite to match on the right front fender. 09:20.000 --> 09:21.000 The fender? 09:21.000 --> 09:23.560 Well dad had a new fender put on a while back. 09:23.560 --> 09:24.920 It got bunged up or something. 09:24.920 --> 09:27.960 I can't tell you how awful nice it is of you to help us out. 09:27.960 --> 09:28.960 Not at all. 09:28.960 --> 09:33.640 By the way I wonder if you and Phil here wouldn't stop for tea with me at the inn afterwards. 09:33.640 --> 09:34.640 Not far you know. 09:34.640 --> 09:36.360 We're expected at home sir. 09:36.360 --> 09:38.360 Perhaps you could come along with us. 09:38.360 --> 09:39.360 What do you do sir? 09:39.360 --> 09:41.040 Why I'm a writer Phil. 09:41.040 --> 09:43.440 Oh you really must come to see us. 09:43.440 --> 09:45.240 It's Gables on Devon Road. 09:45.240 --> 09:46.760 My brother-in-law's place. 09:46.760 --> 09:47.760 The name's Rattery. 09:47.760 --> 09:50.280 We'll give you a ring tomorrow and set a date. 09:50.280 --> 09:54.200 My sister will love meeting a real author and so will George. 09:54.200 --> 09:59.920 Did you say your brother-in-law's name is George? 09:59.920 --> 10:03.400 July 16th. 10:03.400 --> 10:08.160 I've met him. 10:08.160 --> 10:13.120 I've spent an evening talking to him. 10:13.120 --> 10:16.120 George Rattery. 10:16.120 --> 10:22.760 So you're a friend of Lena's eh? 10:22.760 --> 10:23.760 Storybook detective. 10:23.760 --> 10:24.760 A writer. 10:24.760 --> 10:28.760 Easy enough to write about a dead body. 10:28.760 --> 10:37.080 But I'd like to see an author that guts enough to look at one. 10:37.080 --> 10:40.440 I had been more than a little afraid that George might turn out to be a sympathetic 10:40.440 --> 10:41.440 character. 10:41.440 --> 10:44.800 That need not concern me any longer. 10:44.800 --> 10:47.800 I shall have no compunction at all about putting his light out. 10:47.800 --> 10:56.280 It appears that George is the half owner of a garage down in town. 10:56.280 --> 10:59.280 A man by the name of Carfax is the other partner. 10:59.280 --> 11:00.280 A garage. 11:00.280 --> 11:04.200 That would explain how the damaged fender got itself fixed without the police knowing. 11:04.200 --> 11:16.840 How can a beast like George have a fine young son like Phil? 11:16.840 --> 11:20.200 This afternoon I was rounding the corner of the tea house in the Rattery's garden when 11:20.200 --> 11:21.200 I heard voices. 11:21.200 --> 11:23.400 It was Lena and George. 11:23.400 --> 11:27.560 I stopped in my tracks and eavesdropped shamelessly. 11:27.560 --> 11:30.760 Sir neat rig you are wearing today Lena. 11:30.760 --> 11:33.120 Is that for Felix Lane's benefit? 11:33.120 --> 11:35.400 Give your compliments for that Carfax woman. 11:35.400 --> 11:36.400 Jealous. 11:36.400 --> 11:38.560 Don't make me laugh. 11:38.560 --> 11:42.120 But some day you're going to find out that business partner of yours isn't as mild as 11:42.120 --> 11:43.120 he looks. 11:43.120 --> 11:46.120 I wonder what he'd say if he knew that his wife was. 11:46.120 --> 11:48.040 Shut up will you. 11:48.040 --> 11:51.440 And since when did you get so high and mighty? 11:51.440 --> 11:53.920 It wasn't so long ago that you yourself weren't glad enough to. 11:53.920 --> 11:58.120 If you ever open your mouth about any of that I swear I'll kill you. 11:58.120 --> 12:00.660 Talking big now aren't we Miss Snow White? 12:00.660 --> 12:03.320 Just try something and you'll find out. 12:03.320 --> 12:06.280 Remember there are quite a few people who might like to know about that poor kid you 12:06.280 --> 12:08.120 ran down last June. 12:08.120 --> 12:09.840 If it weren't for Violet and Phil I'd. 12:09.840 --> 12:11.840 Stop that kind of talk. 12:11.840 --> 12:12.840 You hear. 12:12.840 --> 12:22.600 Just remember you were with me that night. 12:22.600 --> 12:24.680 August 5th. 12:24.680 --> 12:27.320 Had a look around the Rattery Carfax garage this afternoon. 12:27.320 --> 12:31.480 Told George it might come in useful as material in my book. 12:31.480 --> 12:35.280 All at once I heard a shot and there stood George blazing away over the plotting back 12:35.280 --> 12:36.280 with a rifle. 12:36.280 --> 12:39.280 I went up to him. 12:39.280 --> 12:41.160 There. 12:41.160 --> 12:43.480 That's another one of the pests out of the way. 12:43.480 --> 12:44.480 We've tried everything. 12:44.480 --> 12:45.480 Traps. 12:45.480 --> 12:46.480 Poisons. 12:46.480 --> 12:47.480 Rat hunts. 12:47.480 --> 12:48.480 We can't keep them down. 12:48.480 --> 12:49.480 That's a nice rifle. 12:49.480 --> 12:50.480 Yeah. 12:50.480 --> 12:54.720 Gave it to Phil when he came back from school in Switzerland. 12:54.720 --> 12:55.720 Much too good for him. 12:55.720 --> 12:59.600 Yeah, I'd like to have a go at him. 12:59.600 --> 13:01.760 I raised the rifle and sighted. 13:01.760 --> 13:03.440 George's back was to me. 13:03.440 --> 13:06.600 By shifting a few inches to the right the bullet should enter the base of the brain. 13:06.600 --> 13:11.360 Who could prove that George hadn't suddenly stepped in my way? 13:11.360 --> 13:13.720 My finger tightened on the trigger. 13:13.720 --> 13:16.880 I say George I can't find that new tin of rat poison. 13:16.880 --> 13:18.960 Phil spreading some out in the dump yesterday. 13:18.960 --> 13:20.960 I wonder where he put it. 13:20.960 --> 13:22.960 Oh hello there Lane. 13:22.960 --> 13:23.960 Hello Carfax. 13:23.960 --> 13:27.600 Hey, watch out where you're pointing that gun. 13:27.600 --> 13:33.080 We wouldn't want anything to happen to the senior partner, right? 13:33.080 --> 13:34.080 Not very funny. 13:34.080 --> 13:44.320 I am now a guest in the house of the man I am going to kill. 13:44.320 --> 13:47.880 Violet, Phil's mother, suggested that I come and stay with him for a fortnight and help 13:47.880 --> 13:50.080 Phil in odd hours with his Latin. 13:50.080 --> 13:54.080 George, much to my surprise, joined in heartily with the idea. 13:54.080 --> 13:55.080 I wonder why. 13:55.080 --> 13:58.480 I must watch him very closely because of what happened last night. 13:58.480 --> 14:02.640 We were having coffee in the drawing room after dinner when the conversation took a 14:02.640 --> 14:04.320 most extraordinary turn. 14:04.320 --> 14:09.040 They were talking about Violet's new rose bushes. 14:09.040 --> 14:12.840 I suppose they'll be very nice but I can't for the life of me see why you went to all 14:12.840 --> 14:13.840 that trouble. 14:13.840 --> 14:15.760 Well, the old ones weren't doing very well. 14:15.760 --> 14:17.600 They were still alive, weren't they mother? 14:17.600 --> 14:21.880 Oh yes dear, but I'm not one to keep something going when it's only half alive. 14:21.880 --> 14:24.960 Oh, I'm glad you're talking about rose bushes. 14:24.960 --> 14:27.520 I should hate to think you felt that way about people. 14:27.520 --> 14:30.000 Of course not. 14:30.000 --> 14:35.320 But on the other hand, I do think if a person were incurably ill that they ought to, well, 14:35.320 --> 14:39.680 that is they ought to have the right to ask their doctor to put them out of their misery. 14:39.680 --> 14:41.680 Don't you think so, Felix? 14:41.680 --> 14:42.680 Well, I... 14:42.680 --> 14:47.260 Oh, speaking of doctors reminds me, George, don't forget your tonic. 14:47.260 --> 14:48.760 I said after every meal. 14:48.760 --> 14:49.760 Tonic. 14:49.760 --> 14:50.760 Pass it here. 14:50.760 --> 14:51.760 Yeah. 14:51.760 --> 14:52.760 How old stuff. 14:52.760 --> 14:53.760 Bitter as gall. 14:53.760 --> 14:54.760 Poison. 14:54.760 --> 14:55.760 That won't kill you, George. 14:55.760 --> 15:04.760 Felix, would you really be in favor of doing away with all unfortunate? 15:04.760 --> 15:06.760 Well, I... 15:06.760 --> 15:11.880 Well, what about your incurable social pest, the person who makes life miserable for everyone 15:11.880 --> 15:13.280 else around him? 15:13.280 --> 15:15.960 I think a person would be justified in killing someone like that. 15:15.960 --> 15:19.240 I do think you're all getting a little morbid. 15:19.240 --> 15:21.760 The kind of a person I describe has no right to life. 15:21.760 --> 15:26.240 Of course, that's to say I would if I could do it without running my neck into a noose. 15:26.240 --> 15:29.720 Now in my book, I'm working on a very pretty murder. 15:29.720 --> 15:31.320 Quite my masterpiece, I think. 15:31.320 --> 15:33.320 Well, he's darn close about it. 15:33.320 --> 15:36.320 Locked doors, sealed lips and all that. 15:36.320 --> 15:40.600 Of course he sees he's writing a thriller, but we've no proof, have we? 15:40.600 --> 15:43.760 I think you would show us the man you're scoffing at, don't you, Lena? 15:43.760 --> 15:44.760 I can't. 15:44.760 --> 15:45.760 I'm sorry. 15:45.760 --> 15:46.760 I'm sorry. 15:46.760 --> 15:47.760 I've got a complete, unfinished manuscript of mine. 15:47.760 --> 15:48.760 I'm funny that way. 15:48.760 --> 15:51.280 Oh, Felix, please, get it and read some of it. 15:51.280 --> 15:52.880 Come on, don't be a spoilsport. 15:52.880 --> 15:53.880 I'll go and get it myself. 15:53.880 --> 15:54.880 Read it out loud. 15:54.880 --> 15:58.200 If the blushing author is too coy, by heaven, I'll go upstairs and pitch it now. 15:58.200 --> 15:59.200 You'll do nothing of the sort. 15:59.200 --> 16:00.200 I've read it. 16:00.200 --> 16:02.640 I will not have people snooping about among my manuscripts. 16:02.640 --> 16:04.440 That was close. 16:04.440 --> 16:09.920 After all, there is no book but this diary. 16:09.920 --> 16:13.600 I must keep it well hidden in my room. 16:13.600 --> 16:17.240 At last, I have my plan. 16:17.240 --> 16:26.040 It took a great deal of subtle taunting and persuasion, but it came off at last. 16:26.040 --> 16:31.800 George is going sailing with me this afternoon, and he can't swim. 16:31.800 --> 16:34.240 Drowning is very painful, they say, in the early stages. 16:34.240 --> 16:35.240 That's good. 16:35.240 --> 16:36.240 I'm glad. 16:36.240 --> 16:40.960 George's lungs bursting, the top of his head shrieking with pain, his hands scrabbling 16:40.960 --> 16:43.880 pain into thrust against the giant weight of the water. 16:43.880 --> 16:49.720 But if I cannot kill George today on the open sea with the wind in my favor and myself the 16:49.720 --> 16:55.440 undisputed master of the situation, if I fail today, then I will know that it is not my 16:55.440 --> 17:12.640 destiny to be a murderer, and I will make no further attempt on the life of George Rattory. 17:12.640 --> 17:18.640 And that, Inspector Blount, is the last entry in my diary. 17:18.640 --> 17:21.880 But you and George did go sailing, didn't you? 17:21.880 --> 17:23.720 Yes, it was after lunch on the same day. 17:23.720 --> 17:25.640 We walked down to the docks together. 17:25.640 --> 17:31.240 George, as you can imagine, was rather clumsy about a boat, but it was only a few minutes 17:31.240 --> 17:35.440 after he clambered aboard that we were out in the main water, sailing free. 17:35.440 --> 17:39.720 George had his feet braced against the centerboard case, and his hands gripped the gunnel. 17:39.720 --> 17:42.720 A squall was coming up. 17:42.720 --> 17:48.240 Hey, that motorboat is getting pretty close, isn't it? 17:48.240 --> 17:49.240 Uh-huh. 17:49.240 --> 17:50.240 There'll be plenty of room, George. 17:50.240 --> 17:53.400 Power vessels have to give way to sailing vessels, you know. 17:53.400 --> 17:54.400 Give way? 17:54.400 --> 17:57.400 Why do you think about that size is going to give way to a crate like this? 17:57.400 --> 17:58.400 Hey there, what are you up to? 17:58.400 --> 17:59.400 Look out, I tell you, you can't. 17:59.400 --> 18:00.400 What? 18:00.400 --> 18:01.400 What if you ran into us? 18:01.400 --> 18:02.400 I'll bloody well hang on to your... 18:02.400 --> 18:03.400 We're both drowned. 18:03.400 --> 18:04.400 What are you doing? 18:04.400 --> 18:05.400 What? 18:05.400 --> 18:06.400 A bit close, but perfectly safe. 18:06.400 --> 18:07.400 Perfectly safe. 18:07.400 --> 18:08.400 That barge didn't miss us by a yard. 18:08.400 --> 18:21.880 The same thing happened the other day when I was out with Phil. 18:21.880 --> 18:22.880 He didn't lose his nerve. 18:22.880 --> 18:23.880 Oh, he didn't, eh? 18:23.880 --> 18:26.880 By the way, you better not stand up in the boat again. 18:26.880 --> 18:28.880 That's one thing that's not safe. 18:28.880 --> 18:29.880 Very well, my friend. 18:29.880 --> 18:33.880 But I shouldn't try any of those funny tricks you've been planning. 18:33.880 --> 18:34.880 Tricks? 18:34.880 --> 18:35.880 What tricks? 18:35.880 --> 18:36.880 You know what I mean, you filthy snake. 18:36.880 --> 18:41.880 I searched your room just before lunch, and I found your diary. 18:41.880 --> 18:50.880 Yes, I posted that precious diary of yours after my solicitor just before I came out here. 18:50.880 --> 18:53.880 I posted it, mind you, just before we went sailing. 18:53.880 --> 18:58.880 So you see, it'll be most unfortunate for you if you let me drown. 18:58.880 --> 19:01.880 Well, what's the matter? 19:01.880 --> 19:04.880 Must your lying tongue have you? 19:04.880 --> 19:07.880 I ought to break your jaw for you. 19:07.880 --> 19:11.880 I've a good mind to hand over your diary to the police. 19:11.880 --> 19:12.880 Don't be silly. 19:12.880 --> 19:14.880 You know perfectly well you won't do anything of the kind. 19:14.880 --> 19:17.880 I'm for the very good reason that you don't want the police to haul you in on a charge 19:17.880 --> 19:20.880 of manslaughter for killing my son. 19:20.880 --> 19:23.880 Well, you can't prove I ran over your son. 19:23.880 --> 19:25.880 Aren't you forgetting that Lena was with you that night? 19:25.880 --> 19:27.880 The police will get a confession out of her in no time. 19:27.880 --> 19:29.880 Why, you... 19:29.880 --> 19:34.880 You, if ever I see you again after today, you slugger, I'll bash you into a jelly. 19:34.880 --> 19:37.880 Oh, shut up, George. 19:37.880 --> 19:39.880 I guess we've both been a little too clever. 19:39.880 --> 19:56.880 It looks like a stalemate. 19:56.880 --> 19:59.880 I docked the boat and George stormed off the minute we landed. 19:59.880 --> 20:01.880 I came straight here to the inn. 20:01.880 --> 20:03.880 Yes, I know. 20:03.880 --> 20:05.880 Perhaps it's just as well I didn't succeed. 20:05.880 --> 20:08.880 Going back to writing detective stories after committing the perfect crime, 20:08.880 --> 20:12.880 would be like going back to playing with tin soldiers after winning the Battle of Waterloo. 20:12.880 --> 20:15.880 You seem to be awfully sure of your alibi. 20:15.880 --> 20:18.880 Well, after all, there's no crime in planning a murder, is there? 20:18.880 --> 20:20.880 Providing nobody's hurt? 20:20.880 --> 20:23.880 Unfortunately, somebody has been hurt. 20:23.880 --> 20:25.880 What do you mean? 20:25.880 --> 20:26.880 What are you trying to tell me? 20:26.880 --> 20:33.880 George Rattery died yesterday evening of the effects of strychnine poisoning. 20:33.880 --> 20:37.880 George dead? Strychnine poisoning? 20:37.880 --> 20:41.880 Oh, my planning. All my high on tragic purpose. 20:41.880 --> 20:45.880 And the beast ends by taking his own life. 20:45.880 --> 20:49.880 Poison. I remember now he used to talk about suicide quite a lot. 20:49.880 --> 20:52.880 But I thought he only did it because the subject was so upsetting to his wife. 20:52.880 --> 20:54.880 I never dreamed. 20:54.880 --> 20:55.880 How did he take it? 20:55.880 --> 20:57.880 With his tonic. 20:57.880 --> 21:00.880 But it couldn't possibly have been suicide, Mr. Lane. 21:00.880 --> 21:03.880 But who? What else could it have been? 21:03.880 --> 21:05.880 It could have been murder. 21:05.880 --> 21:09.880 Unfortunately, we have no evidence except this diary of yours. 21:09.880 --> 21:11.880 What would the bottle lead to the tonic? 21:11.880 --> 21:15.880 George Rattery died almost instantly after taking his tonic at dinner. 21:15.880 --> 21:19.880 But before the doctor arrived, that bottle disappeared. 21:19.880 --> 21:21.880 Well, any suspects? 21:21.880 --> 21:26.880 Every person closely associated with George Rattery had enough motive to murder him. 21:26.880 --> 21:29.880 But you had the strongest motive. 21:29.880 --> 21:33.880 After all, George Rattery did kill your son. 21:33.880 --> 21:35.880 Am I under arrest? 21:35.880 --> 21:37.880 Not officially as yet. 21:37.880 --> 21:39.880 But naturally, I posted a guard outside your room. 21:39.880 --> 21:41.880 In the meantime... 21:41.880 --> 21:43.880 But, man, you can't go in there. He told him. 21:43.880 --> 21:46.880 Officer, let me by. I tell you, I've got to see Inspector Blum. 21:46.880 --> 21:48.880 Please, Mother. I say it's no good. 21:48.880 --> 21:50.880 Be quiet, Phil. Why couldn't you stay at home? 21:50.880 --> 21:52.880 Officer, let me by. I must see. 21:52.880 --> 21:55.880 Now, let them come in, Officer. 21:55.880 --> 21:57.880 Good afternoon, Mrs. Rattery. 21:57.880 --> 21:58.880 Phil. 21:57.880 --> 21:59.880 Hello, Phil. 21:59.880 --> 22:00.880 Hello, Felix. 22:00.880 --> 22:03.880 Please. Please, I can't stand it any longer. 22:03.880 --> 22:05.880 They're accusing Felix here of murdering my husband. 22:05.880 --> 22:06.880 He had nothing to do with it. 22:06.880 --> 22:08.880 Mother said she doesn't know what she's saying. 22:08.880 --> 22:10.880 For heaven's sake, Phil, will you be quiet? 22:10.880 --> 22:12.880 It was I who killed George. 22:12.880 --> 22:15.880 He treated me very badly. He was unspeakable to Phil. 22:15.880 --> 22:17.880 There was another woman... 22:17.880 --> 22:18.880 I can't go on. 22:18.880 --> 22:22.880 Are you trying to tell me, Mrs. Rattery, that you gave your husband poison? 22:22.880 --> 22:23.880 Yes. 22:23.880 --> 22:24.880 Mother. 22:24.880 --> 22:26.880 I tell you, I poisoned him. 22:26.880 --> 22:29.880 Where did you get the poison, Mrs. Rattery? 22:29.880 --> 22:32.880 Well, I bought it at that chemist shop. 22:32.880 --> 22:33.880 What chemist shop? 22:33.880 --> 22:36.880 The one on Abbey Lane near the corner of High Towers. That's it. 22:36.880 --> 22:38.880 Uh-huh. 22:38.880 --> 22:42.880 What became of the bottle of tonic after your husband's death? 22:42.880 --> 22:44.880 I broke it. I buried it. 22:44.880 --> 22:47.880 I'm sorry, Mrs. Rattery. The police have checked. 22:47.880 --> 22:50.880 You didn't buy any poison at the chemist's. 22:50.880 --> 22:52.880 Mother, I told you it was no good. 22:52.880 --> 22:55.880 Sir, Mother is trying to save me. 22:55.880 --> 22:57.880 It was I, sir. I killed him. 22:57.880 --> 22:58.880 What? Phil, you don't... 22:58.880 --> 23:01.880 Don't believe him. Don't believe him. He's just a foolish child. 23:01.880 --> 23:02.880 He doesn't know what he's saying. 23:02.880 --> 23:03.880 Go on, Phil. 23:03.880 --> 23:06.880 Well, you see, sir, I left the note. 23:06.880 --> 23:10.880 I was running away, but Mother found the note before I quite got out the door. 23:10.880 --> 23:12.880 A boy gets such strange ideas. He couldn't have done it. 23:12.880 --> 23:14.880 He's just a boy. You know he couldn't. 23:14.880 --> 23:19.880 You see, sir, when they accused Felix here, I couldn't stand it any longer. 23:19.880 --> 23:22.880 That's why I wrote you the note that Mother found it first. 23:22.880 --> 23:25.880 She said if she confessed, that they wouldn't do much to her, 23:25.880 --> 23:27.880 that the police would understand. 23:27.880 --> 23:30.880 Felix makes them believe me. I can prove I did it. 23:30.880 --> 23:34.880 Now, go on, Phil. You say you can prove it. What do you mean? 23:34.880 --> 23:38.880 I have it here in my pocket, sir. I've had it hit ever since. 23:38.880 --> 23:42.880 See, here it is. It's still half full. It's Dad's bottle of tonic. 23:42.880 --> 23:43.880 Phil! 23:43.880 --> 23:44.880 Phil, where did you get that? 23:44.880 --> 23:47.880 I took it off the buffet after the doctor said Dad was dead. 23:47.880 --> 23:50.880 This is very serious, Phil. You know that. 23:50.880 --> 23:52.880 He's lying. He couldn't have. He's just a little boy. 23:52.880 --> 23:54.880 Please, all of you, have a favor to ask. 23:54.880 --> 23:56.880 Let me talk to Phil alone for a few minutes. 23:56.880 --> 24:00.880 It won't hurt anything. I think I may be able to help solve this whole thing. 24:00.880 --> 24:02.880 Phil didn't do it. Well, that's right. 24:02.880 --> 24:03.880 Yes, but the bottle... 24:03.880 --> 24:06.880 Just give Phil and me ten minutes alone. 24:06.880 --> 24:08.880 Very well. We'll wait outside. 24:08.880 --> 24:11.880 Ten minutes, mind you, Phil. No more. 24:12.880 --> 24:14.880 Come here, Phil. 24:14.880 --> 24:15.880 I'm a murderer, Felix. 24:15.880 --> 24:18.880 You are not a murderer, Phil. No one could ever tell me that. 24:18.880 --> 24:19.880 I left a note. 24:19.880 --> 24:21.880 We've gone all over that. 24:21.880 --> 24:24.880 I killed him. He beat Mother. I killed him, I told you. 24:24.880 --> 24:26.880 Stop that, Phil. I know better. 24:26.880 --> 24:28.880 They thought you did it, Felix. 24:28.880 --> 24:30.880 I heard them talking about your diary. 24:30.880 --> 24:32.880 You wanted to kill him. You said so in your diary. 24:32.880 --> 24:34.880 Maybe I did, but... 24:34.880 --> 24:35.880 They hang you, Felix. 24:35.880 --> 24:38.880 So that's why you wrote the note and pretended you did it. 24:38.880 --> 24:41.880 Yes, I saw you in the pantry with Dad's bottle of tonic 24:41.880 --> 24:43.880 before you went for the sale with him. 24:43.880 --> 24:47.880 You saw me? Oh, I'm sorry, Phil. Sorry you saw me. 24:47.880 --> 24:50.880 Naturally, you jumped to the conclusion that I... 24:50.880 --> 24:52.880 Poor little man. 24:52.880 --> 24:54.880 There's nothing for you to worry about now, Phil. 24:54.880 --> 24:56.880 You mean they're not going to hang you, Felix? 24:56.880 --> 24:58.880 They're not going to hang me. 24:58.880 --> 25:00.880 You won't let them do anything to you? Promise me. 25:00.880 --> 25:03.880 No, I won't let them do anything to me. 25:03.880 --> 25:07.880 But, Phil, there are other things for you to think about now. 25:07.880 --> 25:11.880 Now that your father's gone, you are head of the house. 25:11.880 --> 25:14.880 That's a man's job, Phil. 25:14.880 --> 25:18.880 There's a lot you've learned about courage these last few days. 25:18.880 --> 25:21.880 Living takes a lot of courage. 25:21.880 --> 25:24.880 I've just pretty grown up talk, Phil. Do you understand me? 25:24.880 --> 25:26.880 I'm trying, Felix. 25:26.880 --> 25:28.880 You remind me a lot of my own son. 25:28.880 --> 25:29.880 You mean the boy my father ran... 25:29.880 --> 25:32.880 That's right, Phil. Yes, you're a lot like him. 25:32.880 --> 25:34.880 Would he have gone sailing with us? 25:34.880 --> 25:37.880 Oh, yes. I think Ronnie would have been quite a sailor. 25:37.880 --> 25:39.880 Can we go sailing tomorrow, Felix? 25:39.880 --> 25:40.880 Not tomorrow, Phil. 25:40.880 --> 25:42.880 Are you going away, Felix? 25:42.880 --> 25:45.880 Yes, but not as far as most people might think. 25:45.880 --> 25:47.880 You sound very strange, Felix. 25:47.880 --> 25:50.880 I have a note to write. I have to make everything ship-shaped. 25:50.880 --> 25:54.880 You go on out to your mother and tell them they may join me in a few minutes. 25:54.880 --> 25:56.880 Can't I wait, Felix? 25:56.880 --> 25:58.880 No, Phil. Go ahead now. 25:58.880 --> 25:59.880 But... 25:59.880 --> 26:01.880 Those are orders. Keepers orders. 26:01.880 --> 26:03.880 Aye, aye, sir. 26:03.880 --> 26:05.880 Goodbye, son. 26:08.880 --> 26:13.880 I thought I'd made the last entry in this diary, but there will have to be one more. 26:13.880 --> 26:15.880 This diary was kept for only one purpose. 26:15.880 --> 26:20.880 To make George and the police believe that I planned to kill the beast by drowning him. 26:20.880 --> 26:24.880 Death was already waiting for George Rattery at home in the bottle of his tonic... 26:24.880 --> 26:29.880 where I had placed three pellets of rat poison taken by me from the garage. 26:29.880 --> 26:31.880 My plan was almost perfect. 26:31.880 --> 26:34.880 The only thing I didn't expect was that someone loved me enough... 26:34.880 --> 26:38.880 to try to destroy the evidence I had so carefully planted... 26:38.880 --> 26:40.880 in an effort to help me... 26:40.880 --> 26:44.880 and even to confess to my crime in order to save my skin. 26:44.880 --> 26:48.880 I know now that my life ended with the death of my son, Ronnie. 26:48.880 --> 26:54.880 It seems that I must have just come back to life for a few weeks to save Phil. 26:54.880 --> 26:57.880 Yes, I killed George Rattery. 26:57.880 --> 26:59.880 I have no regrets. 26:59.880 --> 27:03.880 I might have known that the matter would be taken care of fiddly. 27:03.880 --> 27:07.880 It says in the Bible, the beast must die. 27:07.880 --> 27:10.880 But the man dieth also. 27:10.880 --> 27:14.880 Yea, they both must die. 27:14.880 --> 27:17.880 George was right about that tonic of his. 27:17.880 --> 27:19.880 It is very bitter. 27:33.880 --> 27:36.880 And so closes The Beast Must Die... 27:36.880 --> 27:43.880 starring Herbert Marshall, tonight's tale of Suspense. 27:43.880 --> 27:46.880 Suspense is produced and directed by William Spear. 27:46.880 --> 27:51.880 Have you discovered the age-old secret of famous chefs and lovers of fine food? 27:51.880 --> 27:57.880 Namely, how good wine makes even the simplest, most inexpensive meals really exciting events? 27:57.880 --> 28:02.880 How Roma wines perform flavor miracles in bringing out rich new savoriness? 28:02.880 --> 28:06.880 Well, the next time you cook any of the red meats, stews, fish, or poultry, 28:06.880 --> 28:14.880 add a generous portion of any Roma California table wine, delicious sautern, hearty burgundy, or tasty claret. 28:14.880 --> 28:18.880 Then put the same bottle well chilled on the table with your meal. 28:18.880 --> 28:25.880 You will be amazed at the wonders Roma wine performs in bringing out all the appetizing goodness of even the simplest foods. 28:25.880 --> 28:31.880 Remember, Roma wines, these marvelous aids to greater enjoyment of daily meals, 28:31.880 --> 28:33.880 cost only pennies a glass full. 28:33.880 --> 28:37.880 So any home can afford the pleasure they give to everyday living. 28:37.880 --> 28:43.880 Ask for R-O-M-A, Roma wines, America's largest selling wines, 28:43.880 --> 28:48.880 made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 28:48.880 --> 28:54.880 This is Herbert Marshall, and at the request of the United States Army, I'm addressing this to every soldier listening. 28:54.880 --> 28:58.880 Volunteers are once more being accepted for immediate training by the parachute troops. 28:58.880 --> 29:02.880 Paratroopers receive $50 extra per month in base pay. 29:02.880 --> 29:04.880 Officers get $100 extra per month. 29:04.880 --> 29:09.880 If you think you can qualify for the paratroops, apply to your company commander immediately. 29:09.880 --> 29:14.880 Mr. Marshall appeared to the courtesy of Metro Golden Mayor, producers of White Cliffs of Dover. 29:14.880 --> 29:21.880 Next Thursday, same time, you will hear Mr. Peter Lorre with Richard Conte as stars of Suspended. 29:21.880 --> 29:28.880 Presented by Roma wines, R-O-M-A, made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 29:28.880 --> 29:56.880 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.