WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:04.000 Now, Roma Wines present... 00:10.000 --> 00:12.000 Suspense! 00:16.000 --> 00:20.000 Tonight, the Fountain plays, starring Charles Lawton. 00:24.000 --> 00:27.000 Suspense is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. 00:27.000 --> 00:31.000 Roma Wines, that's R-O-M-A, Roma Wines. 00:31.000 --> 00:36.000 Those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live. 00:36.000 --> 00:38.000 To your happiness and entertaining guests. 00:38.000 --> 00:41.000 To your enjoyment of everyday meals. 00:41.000 --> 00:46.000 Yes, right now a glass full would be very pleasant, as Roma Wines bring you... 00:46.000 --> 00:48.000 Suspense! 00:51.000 --> 00:56.000 This is the man in black, here for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California. 00:56.000 --> 01:00.000 Who tonight from Hollywood bring an old friend at these proceedings. 01:00.000 --> 01:08.000 Mr. Charles Lawton, as star of an unusual murder study by his distinguished compatriot, Miss Dorothy L. Sayers. 01:08.000 --> 01:10.000 Called the Fountain Plays. 01:10.000 --> 01:16.000 It deals with the fortunes and misfortunes of a middle class Englishman, of the name of Spiller. 01:16.000 --> 01:19.000 Lives on a little country estate with a cook and a manservant. 01:19.000 --> 01:23.000 And in the garden, yes, a fountain. 01:23.000 --> 01:28.000 So with the performance of Charles Lawton as Mr. Ochibald Spiller, we again hope to keep you in... 01:28.000 --> 01:54.000 Suspense! 01:54.000 --> 01:57.000 Now they've missed us, Spiller, what about it? 01:57.000 --> 01:59.000 All right, hey, look out there, Sam. 01:59.000 --> 02:00.000 Look out for what? 02:00.000 --> 02:02.000 Still as blind as a bed, aren't you, Sam? 02:02.000 --> 02:03.000 You really ought to wear glasses, you know. 02:03.000 --> 02:04.000 Don't you try and put me off. 02:04.000 --> 02:07.000 I was only trying to keep you from getting your clothes wet, Sam. 02:07.000 --> 02:09.000 You almost walked right into the spray of the fountain. 02:09.000 --> 02:13.000 Well, never you mind what I need glasses, and never mind your blasted fountain, neither. 02:13.000 --> 02:16.000 I want a straight answer to my question, Mr. Spiller. 02:16.000 --> 02:17.000 I've given you an answer, I've told you. 02:17.000 --> 02:19.000 You've given me nothing but bluff and bluster. 02:19.000 --> 02:22.000 Do I get it all, don't I? That's what I want to know, and if I don't... 02:22.000 --> 02:26.000 My dear fellow, please, my guests are arriving. I'll talk to you tonight. 02:26.000 --> 02:29.000 You'd better talk straight. It'll be your last chance, my lad. 02:29.000 --> 02:32.000 Hello! Hello there, everybody. 02:32.000 --> 02:34.000 We're just in time for a little refreshment. 02:34.000 --> 02:37.000 Master said we'd find you here, Daddy. I hope we're not interrupting. 02:37.000 --> 02:39.000 Oh, certainly not, certainly not. 02:39.000 --> 02:41.000 You know Mr. Gooch, don't you, my dear? 02:41.000 --> 02:42.000 Yes, of course. 02:42.000 --> 02:44.000 And this is my neighbour, Mrs. Digby, Mr. Gooch. 02:44.000 --> 02:45.000 How do you do, Mr. Gooch? 02:45.000 --> 02:48.000 And Ronald Padford, my daughter's fiancée. 02:48.000 --> 02:49.000 How do you do, sir? 02:49.000 --> 02:50.000 How do you? 02:50.000 --> 02:55.000 Well, I was just showing Mr. Gooch the wonders of my little fountain. 02:55.000 --> 02:58.000 Oh, Daddy, you do make such a fuss over this fountain. 02:58.000 --> 03:02.000 Even so, I always say there's nothing like a bit of ornamental water to set a place off. 03:02.000 --> 03:04.000 Sort of like the Versailles garden, what? 03:04.000 --> 03:08.000 Oh, it's really lovely, Mr. Spiller, and so secluded, 03:08.000 --> 03:11.000 with the rhododendrons and the lilac help all around. 03:11.000 --> 03:15.000 You like it, eh? You know, I was thinking of cutting out some of these lilacs. 03:15.000 --> 03:16.000 Oh, I wouldn't. 03:16.000 --> 03:19.000 To make a vista, so to speak. You can't even see it from the house 03:19.000 --> 03:21.000 with these bushes and all four sides. 03:21.000 --> 03:23.000 Well, now, perhaps that might add something. 03:23.000 --> 03:27.000 But if you like the lilacs, Mrs. Ziegve, the lilacs shall stay. 03:27.000 --> 03:31.000 Oh, Mr. Spiller, I'm no authority, I'm sure. 03:31.000 --> 03:34.000 Well, if you want an authority, I'd say it's a mess. 03:34.000 --> 03:37.000 Plus, the backstop and all, a mess, see? 03:37.000 --> 03:38.000 A mess. 03:38.000 --> 03:43.000 Oh, maybe Mr. Gooch means the way the backstop arches up above the spray. 03:43.000 --> 03:44.000 It rather overshadows it. 03:44.000 --> 03:46.000 Well, I have to have that, you know, my dear, 03:46.000 --> 03:48.000 because prevailing winds from the south... 03:48.000 --> 03:51.000 Don't you feel how nice and warm it is tonight? 03:51.000 --> 03:54.000 It would blow the jet of water right onto the grass. 03:54.000 --> 03:57.000 If it weren't for that backstop, we'd have a proper swamp over there. 03:57.000 --> 03:58.000 Wasteful, too. 03:58.000 --> 03:59.000 Well, I'm glad to know that. 03:59.000 --> 04:02.000 You always were a fool, aren't you? 04:02.000 --> 04:04.000 Squandering money on a fountain. 04:04.000 --> 04:06.000 No, no, no, indeed. 04:06.000 --> 04:09.000 It uses the same water over and over again. 04:09.000 --> 04:12.000 Like the one in Schofalger Square. Most ingenious, really. 04:12.000 --> 04:14.000 Why, isn't that a wonderful idea? 04:14.000 --> 04:16.000 Of course, I have to be careful, of course, even so, 04:16.000 --> 04:19.000 to turn it off every night to save leakage and waste and so on. 04:19.000 --> 04:22.000 Mr Spiller, sir. Dinner is served. 04:22.000 --> 04:23.000 Oh, thank you, masters. 04:23.000 --> 04:26.000 Well, what do you say, everybody? Ready for a bit of dinner? 04:26.000 --> 04:27.000 I should say, sir... 04:27.000 --> 04:29.000 Shall we go in, then? 04:29.000 --> 04:32.000 Why, Mr Spiller, your modest little fountain, 04:32.000 --> 04:36.000 when you're past the bushes, all at once you can scarcely hear it. 04:36.000 --> 04:39.000 Yes, it's quite impossible to hear it from the house. 04:39.000 --> 04:53.000 Of course, can't hear it at all. 04:53.000 --> 04:56.000 And what I said is, you see, you're not Napoleon either. 04:56.000 --> 04:57.000 Is that your dinner, sir? 04:57.000 --> 04:59.000 Yes, thank you, masters. 04:59.000 --> 05:02.000 An excellent dinner. My compliments to the cook. 05:02.000 --> 05:03.000 Yes, sir. 05:03.000 --> 05:05.000 And coffee in the drawing room, masters. 05:05.000 --> 05:06.000 Very good, sir. 05:06.000 --> 05:09.000 Well, shall we adjourn? 05:09.000 --> 05:10.000 Shall we what? 05:10.000 --> 05:13.000 Oh, go into the drawing room, you know. 05:13.000 --> 05:15.000 Quite a talk, ain't you, Archie? 05:15.000 --> 05:20.000 Big change from the old days, adjourn to the drawing room. 05:20.000 --> 05:23.000 What would you think, Mr Spiller, about a rubber or two of bread? 05:23.000 --> 05:26.000 That's an excellent suggestion, Mrs Stigley, excellent. 05:26.000 --> 05:28.000 Good thing I don't play in it, Archie. 05:28.000 --> 05:30.000 See, I'm counted up before the start. 05:30.000 --> 05:33.000 Oh, Mr Gooch, I'm so sorry. Do take my place. 05:33.000 --> 05:34.000 I'm really very tired. 05:34.000 --> 05:37.000 No, thanks. We don't play bridge where I come from. 05:37.000 --> 05:38.000 Another did, Archie. 05:38.000 --> 05:41.000 Although I see he picked it up quick enough once he... 05:41.000 --> 05:44.000 Yes, yes, yes. It's never too late to learn, you know. 05:44.000 --> 05:47.000 Oh, mind you don't play too long. 05:47.000 --> 05:50.000 I want to talk to you before this night's over, my lad. 05:50.000 --> 05:52.000 Yes, yes, yes, of course, Sam. 05:52.000 --> 05:55.000 I'll be waiting for you up at your precious fountain, 05:55.000 --> 05:58.000 absorbing the beauties of your precious moonlight. 05:58.000 --> 06:01.000 And I don't want to wait too long, see? 06:01.000 --> 06:03.000 Right you are, old boy. 06:03.000 --> 06:06.000 Yeah, where's the fellow masters? 06:06.000 --> 06:08.000 Was there something you wished, sir? 06:08.000 --> 06:11.000 Yes, a handful of those coronas. 06:11.000 --> 06:14.000 Only the best for your old pals, eh, Archie? 06:14.000 --> 06:16.000 Yes, yes, of course. 06:16.000 --> 06:19.000 Yes, yes, of course. See you later, folks. 06:19.000 --> 06:21.000 Maybe. 06:21.000 --> 06:27.000 Well, Mrs Stigley, shall it be you and me against the youngsters? 06:27.000 --> 06:28.000 Daddy. 06:28.000 --> 06:29.000 Yes, dear? 06:29.000 --> 06:31.000 Will you tell me why you put up with that man? 06:31.000 --> 06:34.000 Gooch? Oh, no, no, no. He's not a bad sort, really. 06:34.000 --> 06:38.000 He is a bad sort. He's a rude, unpleasant, terrible man. 06:38.000 --> 06:41.000 Well, he's an old friend, you know. Not much a chap can do. 06:41.000 --> 06:42.000 Oh, no, of course not. 06:42.000 --> 06:45.000 Daddy, you're so soft-hearted. But if you can't do anything, I can. 06:45.000 --> 06:47.000 No, no, no, please, dear. He'll be gone in a day or two. 06:47.000 --> 06:51.000 In high time. What does he mean, talking to you that way in your own home? 06:51.000 --> 06:52.000 Shall we cut for deal? 06:52.000 --> 06:53.000 Yes, shall I? 06:53.000 --> 06:55.000 Well, I don't care. You shan't put me off. 06:55.000 --> 06:58.000 This is the last time that man's going to come into this house. 06:58.000 --> 06:59.000 I wish it were. 06:59.000 --> 07:01.000 Boreish, nasty. I just can't stand him, Daddy. 07:01.000 --> 07:04.000 Come now, dear. He's not as unpleasant as all that. 07:04.000 --> 07:08.000 What? The only time he'll ever be pleasant is in his grave, that's what. 07:08.000 --> 07:12.000 Oh, dear. What an awful thing to say. 07:12.000 --> 07:28.000 What a perfectly dreadful thing to say. 07:28.000 --> 07:33.000 Tonight for Suspense, Roma wines are bringing you as star Mr Charles Lawton, 07:33.000 --> 07:42.000 whom you have heard in the first act of The Fountain Plays, tonight's tale of suspense. 07:49.000 --> 08:00.000 I have an interesting idea for you tonight from the keen and sensible mind of America's famed expert on parties and smart entertaining, Miss Elsa Maxwell, and I quote, 08:00.000 --> 08:10.000 Serving a nice table wine when friends come to dinner, or with everyday meals, is one of the smartest, most sensible, and truly moderate pleasures of which I know, 08:10.000 --> 08:16.000 and one which any family can regularly enjoy, since the cost of delicious Roma burgundy is very little. 08:16.000 --> 08:23.000 Just serve your Roma burgundy well cooled. Enjoy it with any food, and don't worry about special glasses. 08:23.000 --> 08:26.000 Any glasses available are perfectly correct. 08:26.000 --> 08:31.000 The goodness of the wine, the added enjoyment of your food, these are the things that count. 08:31.000 --> 08:35.000 Miss Maxwell expresses perfectly what we of Roma believe. 08:35.000 --> 08:45.000 In Roma California Burgundy, in all Roma wines, you enjoy the glorious color, aroma, and flavor of superb, sun-ripe grapes. 08:45.000 --> 08:53.000 Our noted wineries located in California's choicest vineyard areas assure you of flavor and quality which are always good, 08:53.000 --> 09:00.000 never varying, always delightful. And so Roma quality is preferred everywhere, 09:00.000 --> 09:06.000 and you are able to enjoy these fine Roma wines at modest prices, only pennies a glass full. 09:06.000 --> 09:12.000 Remember, more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wines. 09:12.000 --> 09:16.000 R-O-M-A, Roma wines. 09:16.000 --> 09:25.000 And now it is with pleasure that we bring back to our soundstage Charles Lawton as Mr. Ochibald Spiller in The Fountain Plays, 09:25.000 --> 09:29.000 a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 09:29.000 --> 09:50.000 Of course, sir, we have a very pleasant garden, Mrs. Digby, and I don't know anything that's given me such enjoyment as that fountain. 09:50.000 --> 09:55.000 Do you know that it uses the same water over and over again? Yes? 09:55.000 --> 10:02.000 It shows you, doesn't it, Mrs. Digby? The simpler pleasures are best. Oh, that's so true. 10:02.000 --> 10:07.000 Oh, well, here we are. It's been such a lovely evening, Mr. Spiller. Oh, yes. 10:07.000 --> 10:12.000 And it was so nice of you to walk me home. Oh, it's my pleasure, I assure you, Mrs. Digby. 10:12.000 --> 10:20.000 You know, I've been thinking, I'm very lucky to have found a neighbor like you at my time of life. I mean... 10:20.000 --> 10:25.000 Maybe it's not luck at all. It's fate, you mean. 10:25.000 --> 10:32.000 Mrs. Digby, may I call you Rosalind? Oh, of course. 10:32.000 --> 10:39.000 And you call me Ochibald. Silly name, only one I've got, though. Why, I think it's a very nice name. 10:39.000 --> 10:48.000 Do you? Well, you know, I've been thinking that it was true when I said tonight that the place will be needing a new host as soon. 10:48.000 --> 10:53.000 With Betty getting married, you mean. Oh, you must be very happy for her. 10:53.000 --> 10:59.000 I am, but what I mean is... I mean, what I mean is that, well, we're both alone in the world now. 10:59.000 --> 11:07.000 Yes. And, uh, Rosalind, there's something I want to talk to you about soon. I can't just now. 11:07.000 --> 11:13.000 There are arrangements I have to make, but I want to talk to you very seriously. 11:13.000 --> 11:22.000 I'll always be here, you know, but it's late now. Yes, it is, yes. Well, good night, Rosalind. 11:22.000 --> 11:29.000 It has been a lovely evening. Good night. Good night, Ochibald. 11:29.000 --> 11:37.000 Ah, Masters. Where is everybody? Mr. Ronald left five or ten minutes ago, sir. Miss Elizabeth has retired. 11:37.000 --> 11:43.000 Oh, well. Is Mr. Gooch still in the garden? I couldn't say, sir. Shall I go and see him? 11:43.000 --> 11:46.000 No, no, never mind. You cut along to bed now. I'll lock up. 11:46.000 --> 12:03.000 Very good, sir. Oh, by the way, has the fountain turned off? Yes, sir. I turned it off myself at half past ten, seeing that you were engaged, sir. 12:03.000 --> 12:20.000 That's fine. Well, good night, Masters. Good night, sir. Oh, good family. Oh, hello there. I was just coming out to look for you. Hello. Have a nice evening. 12:20.000 --> 12:29.000 Nice evening. Not as nice an evening as you had with your bludgeon little widow. That's enough of that now, Sam. Oh, it is, is it? 12:29.000 --> 12:38.000 That's enough, is it? That's a good one. Would you think I am talking to me like that? One of your ruddy servants? Well, I'm not. I'm the boss here. Get that into your head. I'm the boss and you know it. 12:38.000 --> 12:43.000 All right, all right, all right, Sam. But let's buzz off to bed now. We'll talk it all over in the morning. 12:43.000 --> 12:50.000 No. We'll talk it about it right now, Mr. Spiller. I'm short of cash. It's high time you kicked him with some more. 12:50.000 --> 12:55.000 Look here, Sam. I pay you your allowance as we agreed and you stay here whenever you like. But that is all. 12:55.000 --> 13:04.000 Oh, it is, is it? Getting pretty iron mighty, aren't you, number 41632? 13:04.000 --> 13:08.000 Shh, Sam. Quiet for heaven's sake. 13:08.000 --> 13:20.000 You're in a fine spot to tell me what you're going to do, aren't you? Quiet, quiet. The servants, my dear. Quiet, petty, my dear. Oh, Mr. Ronald Flapdoodle, whatever his name is. 13:20.000 --> 13:31.000 Really, Sam, you're quite impossible this evening. Impossible, eh? Impossible. But I'm not an escaped jailbird, am I? I'm not liable to be all decked to work out ten years' hard labour for forgery, am I? 13:31.000 --> 13:36.000 Quiet. Look here, Sam. I'll give you a little extra. This once. 13:36.000 --> 13:47.000 And when I think a man like me was only in for a short stretch anyway and worked it out all good and proper, depended on the charity. Charity, mind you, of a pal who's rolling in wealth. 13:47.000 --> 13:54.000 I am not rolling in wealth and you know it. But if you'll promise me faithfully that this is the last time. 13:54.000 --> 14:01.000 Sure, I'll promise. For an old pal, I'll promise anything. Just give me 5,000 down. 14:01.000 --> 14:02.000 5,000? 14:02.000 --> 14:08.000 That's right. We've got a great opportunity. All I need is a little ready cash. 14:08.000 --> 14:14.000 Don't you be an idiot, Sam. Where do you think I'm going to lay my hands on that much just like that? Now, look, I'll give you a check for 500. 14:14.000 --> 14:22.000 Ah, trying to renegan an old pal, eh? I said 5,000 and 5,000 it is. Or you'll find yourself back on the rock pile. 14:22.000 --> 14:23.000 I tell you, I haven't got it. 14:23.000 --> 14:28.000 Haven't got it. Got enough to go by in fancy fountains or playing around with a widow next door? 14:28.000 --> 14:30.000 You leave, Mrs. Digby, out of this. 14:30.000 --> 14:33.000 I'll leave her out of it, all right? I'll leave the old front to you. 14:33.000 --> 14:37.000 Oh, yeah! 14:40.000 --> 14:47.000 Sorry I had to do that. I told you that was enough of that, and I meant it. 14:47.000 --> 14:53.000 Now pull yourself together and go to bed. I'll talk to you in the morning. Do you hear me? 14:53.000 --> 15:00.000 Sam? Sam? Ah, come on, I didn't hit you that hard. 15:00.000 --> 15:07.000 Get up on your feet now. Sam? Sam? 15:12.000 --> 15:14.000 Oh, I've killed him. 15:15.000 --> 15:17.000 What was that? 15:17.000 --> 15:19.000 Oh, it's just the old clock. 15:19.000 --> 15:28.000 Eh? Eleven o'clock. Seven hours, eight hours perhaps until they find him. 15:28.000 --> 15:32.000 Of course he hit his head when he fell, but the police won't care about that, 15:32.000 --> 15:38.000 and they'll take fingerprints and they'll find out I was number 41632. 15:38.000 --> 15:42.000 No. What you need is an alibi. 15:42.000 --> 15:46.000 And they'll... If I could confuse them. 15:46.000 --> 15:49.000 An alibi. An alibi, that's it. 15:49.000 --> 15:53.000 Make it seem he was alive when he was already dead. 15:53.000 --> 15:57.000 First you have to fix the time, haven't you? 15:57.000 --> 16:00.000 The time, the time, the time, the time. 16:00.000 --> 16:02.000 Well, you've got to make it earlier. 16:02.000 --> 16:06.000 Say 10.30 while everybody was playing bridge. 16:06.000 --> 16:10.000 If he could have died sometime before that, but how do I prove it? 16:10.000 --> 16:15.000 What happened at 10.30? What happened at 10.30? What happened at 10.30? 16:15.000 --> 16:21.000 Oh, yes. The fountain. Masters in the fountain. That's right, the fountain, yes. 16:21.000 --> 16:25.000 The fountain. Now I know what to do. 16:25.000 --> 16:31.000 Go out into the garden, turn on the fountain, 16:31.000 --> 16:36.000 then go down the garden path and call him, call him by his name. 16:36.000 --> 16:43.000 Sam! Sam! Gooch! Gooch! 16:43.000 --> 16:48.000 I think that'll do for them. I'm going to go back to the house. 16:48.000 --> 16:53.000 Say I looked for him and I didn't find him, that it was dark, the moon had gone down. 16:53.000 --> 16:58.000 Yes, but now, how do I move him? 16:58.000 --> 17:03.000 How do I... That's right, the wheelchair. The wheelchair. 17:03.000 --> 17:06.000 It used to be Mrs. Spillett's. I remember how she... 17:06.000 --> 17:11.000 It's not time to think of her now. I'm going to try and lift him into it. 17:14.000 --> 17:18.000 I would never have thought that old Sam was as heavy as this. 17:18.000 --> 17:25.000 Now, out of the other door, but quietly this time, 17:25.000 --> 17:29.000 I wish the wheelchair wouldn't make so much noise. 17:29.000 --> 17:34.000 Down the back path, a careful boy, hold on to yourself. 17:34.000 --> 17:39.000 I feel like running. I feel as though every window in the house was filled with faces watching. 17:39.000 --> 17:44.000 Well, here we are. 17:44.000 --> 17:49.000 I've got to lift him up again. 17:49.000 --> 17:54.000 Lay him down on the edge of the fountain. 17:54.000 --> 17:59.000 Put one hand in the water. 17:59.000 --> 18:05.000 Put the bruise on his head, right up against the stone corner of the basin, 18:05.000 --> 18:08.000 to the right. It's better. 18:08.000 --> 18:11.000 He was half blind anyway and he fell. 18:11.000 --> 18:16.000 And now it's done. 18:16.000 --> 18:20.000 What's that? He's alive. 18:20.000 --> 18:22.000 Gooch is alive. 18:22.000 --> 18:30.000 After all that trouble, after committing practically the perfect crime, and he's alive. 18:30.000 --> 18:33.000 It's all right. It's all right. 18:33.000 --> 18:38.000 Sam? Sam? Wait a minute. 18:38.000 --> 18:44.000 Bring him to life again. More blackmail for the rest of your life. 18:44.000 --> 18:49.000 What about Mrs. Digby? Nice, comfortable Mrs. Digby. 18:49.000 --> 18:52.000 Rosalind. What about Betty? 18:52.000 --> 18:55.000 She at least deserves something. 18:55.000 --> 18:58.000 No, it's better to murder. All right, murder it's going to be. 18:58.000 --> 19:01.000 He's dead already as far as the rest of the world is concerned. 19:01.000 --> 19:04.000 Now, come here. 19:04.000 --> 19:10.000 Now or never. This place is hot by the water's edge. Push him under. 19:10.000 --> 19:13.000 Stand up. 19:22.000 --> 19:28.000 Now it's done. Now it's done, Mr. Spiller. 19:28.000 --> 19:33.000 I suppose I ought to feel remorse. Why should I feel remorse? 19:33.000 --> 19:37.000 Does the mouse feel remorse that the cat's killed? No. 19:37.000 --> 19:41.000 Does the prisoner feel remorse when he leaves his prison? No. 19:41.000 --> 19:46.000 It's done and it's well done. There's nothing left but the finishing touches now. 19:46.000 --> 19:54.000 Well, we take back the wheelchair, let the fountain run another hour, and then to bed. 19:54.000 --> 20:00.000 Why should I feel remorse? No, it's just congratulations a bit more like it. 20:00.000 --> 20:04.000 Yes, that's right. Congratulations, old man. 20:04.000 --> 20:07.000 Doesn't it turn cold? 20:18.000 --> 20:22.000 Inspector Frampton, sir. Oh, yes, sir. Come in, Inspector. Come in. 20:22.000 --> 20:25.000 I used to trouble you, Mr. Spiller, about regulations, you know. Oh, of course, yes. 20:25.000 --> 20:29.000 Everyone here who was present the night of, well, that is, last night. 20:29.000 --> 20:33.000 Yes, Inspector, this is Mrs. Digme. She's my neighbour, my daughter Elizabeth, 20:33.000 --> 20:37.000 and her fiancé, Mr. Rummel, Proudfoot, and the servants, of course. 20:37.000 --> 20:42.000 Excellent. Well, now, if you'll all bear with me, I have to ask you a few questions, you know. 20:42.000 --> 20:44.000 Now, there was a blow on the head. Oh? 20:44.000 --> 20:49.000 As I understand it, the deceased was last seen alive at about 8.30, just after dinner. 20:49.000 --> 20:54.000 Let me see you. You were the last to see him, ain't me, man? Yes, sir. I believe so, sir. 20:54.000 --> 20:58.000 You showed him the way to the fountain in the garden, eh? At his request, yes, sir. 20:58.000 --> 21:03.000 I believe the deceased gentleman's eyesight was rather bad. Yes, terribly bad. 21:03.000 --> 21:07.000 And that was the last time he was seen alive by any of you, eh? Yes, that's right, Inspector. 21:07.000 --> 21:12.000 The four of you then played cards, I believe. Until what time? Until about 10.30. 21:12.000 --> 21:16.000 And no one left the room during those two hours? 21:16.000 --> 21:23.000 Then, Mr. Spiller, you accompanied Mrs. Digme to her home. That's correct, Mrs. Digme? Yes, Inspector. 21:23.000 --> 21:29.000 Now, when you returned, you were met in the old barry, Masters. What time was that, Masters? 21:29.000 --> 21:34.000 About 10.45, sir. And Mr. Spiller at that time inquired after Mr. Gooch? 21:34.000 --> 21:39.000 Yes, sir. He asked if I'd seen him. And as I'd not, he suggested I might retire, 21:39.000 --> 21:43.000 and that he himself would lock up the house. The others had left, eh? 21:43.000 --> 21:50.000 Yes, sir. That is to say, Mr. Ronald had left. I heard him drive off in his car, and Miss Elizabeth had retired. 21:50.000 --> 21:54.000 You were alone in the downstairs part of the house, sir. Is that so, Mr. Spiller? Yes. 21:54.000 --> 21:57.000 Will you tell me, please, what you did then? 21:57.000 --> 22:03.000 Well, I'd promised the poor fellow I'd have a talk with him later in the evening, so I went to look for him. 22:03.000 --> 22:08.000 I went down to the end of the garden by the fountain. But you didn't go through the lilac edge to the fountain? 22:08.000 --> 22:13.000 No, no, I didn't. It was dark by then. I couldn't see. I called Gooch several times. 22:13.000 --> 22:19.000 Did anyone hear Mr. Spiller call? I did, sir. I was half asleep, you might say. 22:19.000 --> 22:23.000 But I did hear Mr. Spiller call out. And then what did you do, Mr. Spiller? 22:23.000 --> 22:30.000 I came back into the house, Inspector, and I sat up in the library and read for a while, and about one o'clock I went to bed. 22:30.000 --> 22:35.000 Now, now, this is very important. Who turned off the fountain? I did, sir. 22:35.000 --> 22:41.000 At what time, masters? At ten-thirty, sir. You're quite sure of that, eh? Yes, sir. It was the usual time. 22:41.000 --> 22:47.000 I see. And no one would have turned it on again, of course. I can't think why, sir. 22:47.000 --> 22:51.000 Ah, I see. Well, I think that makes everything very clear, Mr. Spiller. 22:51.000 --> 22:55.000 When the body was found, it was still wet from the spray of the fountain. 22:55.000 --> 23:00.000 Therefore, death must have occurred some time before the fountain was turned off at ten-thirty. Yes. 23:00.000 --> 23:05.000 And as all of you here were occupied up until then, from the time the deceased was last seen alive... 23:05.000 --> 23:08.000 Oh, of course, it is an accident. I said it was from the beginning. 23:08.000 --> 23:13.000 Well, it might have been neither, you know. There had been a blow, and there was water in the lungs, 23:13.000 --> 23:17.000 but the man apparently fell, missed his footing due to his poor eyesight and struck his head, 23:17.000 --> 23:21.000 falling into the water from which he was unable to rescue himself. 23:21.000 --> 23:25.000 Well, it does seem the obvious conclusion, doesn't it, my my? Poor fellow, do you mean? 23:25.000 --> 23:29.000 Well, thanks, everyone. I don't think he's left the trouble you again, Mr. Spiller. 23:29.000 --> 23:43.000 I hope not. Thank you, Inspector. 23:43.000 --> 23:46.000 Oh, Daddy, I'm so glad. I was afraid for a while. 23:46.000 --> 23:51.000 Nothing to be afraid of, dear, you know. Poor old Gooch just lost his footing and fell, that's all. 23:51.000 --> 23:54.000 I know. I was afraid of him. 23:54.000 --> 23:55.000 Afraid of him? 23:55.000 --> 24:01.000 I know it was silly, but he was so strange. I thought he had some sort of hold over you. 24:01.000 --> 24:05.000 Nonsense, darling. He's just an old friend, and I'm a sentimental old fool. 24:05.000 --> 24:08.000 You're an old dear. But I've got to run now. 24:08.000 --> 24:09.000 Off with Ronald? 24:09.000 --> 24:13.000 Yes. Daddy, are you going to be awfully lonely when I've gone? 24:13.000 --> 24:15.000 You know I'll miss you. 24:15.000 --> 24:17.000 Maybe Mrs. Diggby? 24:17.000 --> 24:20.000 Now, now, now, now, now, my girl. 24:20.000 --> 24:22.000 She's such a darling, Daddy. 24:22.000 --> 24:29.000 She is rather nice, in fact, I thought I might pop over to see her this afternoon, as long as you're going to be out. 24:29.000 --> 24:34.000 Daddy, I knew it. I won't keep you another second. Ask her over to dinner. 24:34.000 --> 24:37.000 Perhaps I shall. You be on time, though. 24:37.000 --> 24:42.000 I will. Goodbye, Daddy. 24:42.000 --> 24:44.000 Make pardon, sir. 24:44.000 --> 24:47.000 Oh, Masters, yes? 24:47.000 --> 24:54.000 It's convenient to you, sir. I'd like to have my bedroom changed. I'd like to sleep indoors, in the main house. 24:54.000 --> 24:56.000 Why's that, Masters? 24:56.000 --> 25:01.000 I'm a very light sleeper, sir, and noises keep me awake. 25:01.000 --> 25:02.000 Noises, Masters? 25:02.000 --> 25:06.000 The weather vane, sir, above the garage. When the wind changes, it's great. 25:06.000 --> 25:08.000 Well, a little oil, perhaps. 25:08.000 --> 25:16.000 I hardly think that would do, sir, because when the wind changes, there are other noises. They can be most disturbing, sir. 25:16.000 --> 25:19.000 What are the noises, Masters? 25:19.000 --> 25:21.000 The fountains, sir. 25:21.000 --> 25:23.000 The fountain? 25:23.000 --> 25:28.000 Yes, sir. Ordinarily, I'm quite unable to hear it, any more than you can in the main house, sir. 25:28.000 --> 25:34.000 But when the wind is from the east, the plaster backstop acts quite like a sounding board in the direction of my room, sir. 25:34.000 --> 25:42.000 In fact, I can not only hear the fountain itself, but I can hear even the faintest noises in the grove around it, quite clearly. 25:42.000 --> 25:47.000 Ah, I say yes, yes. 25:47.000 --> 25:48.000 Quite? 25:48.000 --> 25:50.000 I say yes. 25:50.000 --> 26:01.000 Yes, for instance, on the middle night, Mr. Gooch sustained his unfortunate accident. I noticed the wind changed a little after eleven, because it got very cold. 26:01.000 --> 26:08.000 The weather vane wakened me, and then I heard the fountain. I seem to hear other noises, too, if I may say so. 26:08.000 --> 26:10.000 You heard? 26:10.000 --> 26:11.000 Yes, sir. 26:11.000 --> 26:21.000 I might add that after noting the police inspector's observations, I took the precaution of pressing your dither jacket. The sleeves seem quite wet, sir. 26:21.000 --> 26:22.000 Yes. 26:22.000 --> 26:30.000 I think, sir, all things taken into consideration, you might find it worth your while to retain me permanently in your service. 26:30.000 --> 26:35.000 Oh, yes, of course, sir. I wouldn't dream of ever wanting to replace you, Masters. 26:35.000 --> 26:43.000 At, shall we say, just double my present weight for the present? 26:43.000 --> 26:47.000 Well, yes, yes, yes. 26:47.000 --> 26:52.000 I'm very much obliged to, sir. Is there anything else, sir? 26:52.000 --> 27:00.000 No, nothing else. I'm going to sit here by the fountain. 27:00.000 --> 27:09.000 Very ingenious, the fountain. Most ingenious, my fountain. 27:09.000 --> 27:16.000 Costs a little to run, because it uses the same water over and over again. 27:16.000 --> 27:38.000 Over and over again. Over and over again. Over and over again. 27:38.000 --> 27:49.000 And so closes the Fountain Plays, starring Charles Lawton, tonight's study in Suspense. Suspense is produced and directed by William Spear. 27:49.000 --> 27:55.000 The other day, Elsa Maxwell told us about a friend who had lived many years in wine-loving countries around the world. 27:55.000 --> 28:04.000 I gave him some of our delicious Roma California Burgundy at dinner, and he confessed to me that he thought it every bit as enjoyable as any he had ever had. 28:04.000 --> 28:12.000 So I say, you people who do not regularly serve Roma wine are missing one of the most delightful treats daily living can offer. 28:12.000 --> 28:17.000 It's so good, so smart, yet so very simple. 28:17.000 --> 28:28.000 Take Miss Maxwell's advice. Enjoy Roma wine regularly. It's always good, unvaryingly fine in flavor and quality, and only pennies a glass. 28:28.000 --> 28:38.000 Remember, more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wines. Roma. R-O-M-A. Roma wines. 28:38.000 --> 28:43.000 Next Thursday, same time, we will have the pleasure of bringing to you Mr. Cary Grant. 28:43.000 --> 28:51.000 Make a note now for next Thursday so you won't miss Cary Grant's performance in Suspense. 28:51.000 --> 28:58.000 Presented by Roma Wines, R-O-M-A. Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 28:58.000 --> 29:07.000 Our government has asked us to say emphatically to the women of our audience that 10,000 more registered nurses are needed in the United States Army Nurse Corps immediately. 29:07.000 --> 29:17.000 Registered nurses, those about to graduate and who qualify as senior members of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps up to 45 years of age, are vitally needed. 29:17.000 --> 29:25.000 Write to the Surgeon General, United States Army, Washington, D.C., or call at your nearest Red Cross chapter. 29:25.000 --> 29:48.000 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.