1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,800 Now, the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California presents... 2 00:00:06,800 --> 00:00:09,800 Suspense! 3 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:24,080 Tonight, Roma wines bring you the suspenseful play called The Burning Court, starring the 4 00:00:24,080 --> 00:00:29,080 distinguished actor whose current performance you have admired in the picture Laura Clifton-Webb. 5 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:37,520 Suspense is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. 6 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:40,480 That's R-O-M-A, Roma Wines. 7 00:00:40,480 --> 00:00:44,840 Those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live, 8 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:49,280 to your happiness and entertaining guests, to your enjoyment of everyday meals. 9 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:55,760 Yes, right now a glass full would be very pleasant, as Roma Wines bring you a remarkable 10 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:57,800 tale of suspense. 11 00:00:57,800 --> 00:01:03,240 And with the strange events detailed in John Dixon Carr's novel, The Burning Court, and 12 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:08,960 with the performance of Mr. Clifton-Webb as its U-Bane narrator, Godin Cross, Roma Wines 13 00:01:08,960 --> 00:01:11,080 hope indeed to keep you in... 14 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:12,080 Suspense! 15 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:36,080 A pleasant fire, charming company, and a hostess who realizes that tea served in the Russian 16 00:01:36,080 --> 00:01:40,560 manner is the only manner in which tea should ever be served. 17 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:48,360 Yes, a heartwarming evening, Mr. Covington, in an extremely gracious setting. 18 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:54,000 How fortunate that your uncle had the wealth to satisfy such an explicit taste. 19 00:01:54,000 --> 00:02:02,080 And what a pity I have so little time to tell you which one here... murdered him just last 20 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:03,080 week. 21 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:14,480 Now, I believe we're all here. 22 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:20,880 Ted and Mary Covington, Mrs. Henderson, the housekeeper, Captain Brennan, I believe. 23 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:25,680 Yes, and incidentally yourself, just who did you say you were? 24 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:29,760 No wonder you police have had so much difficulty with the case. 25 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:32,880 My name is Cross, Godin Cross, the writer. 26 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:35,720 Oh, well why don't you say so? 27 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:39,160 That book, A History of European Murder, that's yours, isn't it? 28 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:41,960 Extraordinary, a policeman who reads. 29 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:46,520 As a matter of fact, Captain, it's because of my latest book, Poisoning Throughout the 30 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:50,000 Ages, that I happen to be with you now. 31 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:54,040 Ted Covington there is a member of the firm which publishes my work. 32 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:59,000 I'd never seen him until tonight, when he himself told me what happened. 33 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:04,240 He went back to last Friday afternoon, before it was then that he began reading my manuscript 34 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:08,280 for the first time. 35 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:13,320 He began it on the train, the commuter's train, which every afternoon deposits him safely 36 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:16,960 and soundly in this charming suburb of Crispin. 37 00:03:16,960 --> 00:03:20,940 That is, if you care for suburbs. 38 00:03:20,940 --> 00:03:26,360 At any rate, I imagine he was almost home by the time he finished the first chapter. 39 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:32,040 When he turned the page, attached to the following leaf was a picture and, looking at it, the 40 00:03:32,040 --> 00:03:36,880 young man stiffened suddenly and all but cried out his shock. 41 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:40,760 It was a picture of a woman. 42 00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:51,200 Under it was printed, Marie Dubranich, convicted of arsenic poisoning, St. Petersburg, Russia, 43 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:53,640 1731. 44 00:03:53,640 --> 00:04:07,120 Ted Covington was looking at a picture of his own young wife. 45 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:13,040 His 25-year-old wife in an early 18th century costume, the face, the features were identical, 46 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:14,600 even the name. 47 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:17,920 Dubranich is his wife, or was his wife's maiden name. 48 00:04:17,920 --> 00:04:21,160 No, no, no, it was ridiculous. 49 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:26,880 This woman in the picture was one of his wife's ancestors, simply an amazing family resemblance. 50 00:04:26,880 --> 00:04:31,320 He wondered why Marie had never told him about. 51 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:35,800 Ted Covington glanced down at the chapter to which the picture had been attached. 52 00:04:35,800 --> 00:04:48,080 It was entitled, The Affair of the Non-Dead Woman. 53 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:53,120 But then the train was approaching the station and he rose and walked out to the platform. 54 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:56,960 Standing there for a moment, his eyes ran down the page. 55 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:03,320 Marie Dubranich, it appears, was quite the continental charmer in her day. 56 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:08,400 With the beneficent assistance of arsenic, she had disposed of half a dozen husbands 57 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:11,040 before she'd been caught. 58 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:13,960 But caught she was. 59 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:17,960 She was sentenced to death, the chapter concluded. 60 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:33,200 And then beheaded and burned. 61 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:38,120 And there, waiting for him at the curb by the suburban station, was the wife he knew 62 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:40,120 so well. 63 00:05:40,120 --> 00:05:45,720 She was leaning toward him now to open the door, smiling in that way he knew so well. 64 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:49,080 Ted, what on earth are you staring at? 65 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:51,640 A soft fire in your eye. 66 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:54,120 Oh, it's the street light, I guess. 67 00:05:54,120 --> 00:05:56,120 Oh, darling, you're silly and overworked. 68 00:05:56,120 --> 00:06:06,120 Come on, get in the car. 69 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:10,360 Thus, like a wind, thin wisp of smoke, it was gone. 70 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:12,760 The unspeakably foolish concept. 71 00:06:12,760 --> 00:06:14,760 Laughable? 72 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:16,760 That's what it really was. 73 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:22,600 All right, let's hear it. 74 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:23,600 What's so funny? 75 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:25,520 Oh, nothing, nothing at all, darling. 76 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:27,000 I guess I just feel good. 77 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:29,200 Oh, fine mood for dancing tonight. 78 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:30,200 Dancing? 79 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:31,200 No, Ted, you promise. 80 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:35,200 You said if Uncle Miles showed a noticeable improvement, we could go to the club. 81 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:36,200 You mean he's really better? 82 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:37,200 There's no comparison. 83 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:39,200 The doctor agreed with me. 84 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:43,640 Darling, there's no reason in the world why we shouldn't let Mrs. Henderson stay awake 85 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:44,640 for a change. 86 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:45,640 Do her good, the old witch. 87 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:46,640 What is the matter with you? 88 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:51,640 Oh, it's just that I started to call her a witch. 89 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:54,640 It's a private joke, darling. 90 00:06:54,640 --> 00:06:58,640 A private joke. 91 00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:04,640 And by the time they were home, it was even less than that. 92 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:05,640 Ted was sitting in the living room. 93 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:10,640 When Marie entered it and moved toward the fireplace, he studied her as she struck the 94 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:11,640 match on the half-stone. 95 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:15,640 Touched it through the little roll of newspaper. 96 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:20,640 Stood back to watch the licking flames catch the charcoal, then the logs. 97 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:25,640 As the light rose, illuminating her face and the lips barely parted in that ineffably curious 98 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:31,640 smile, he would remind her again of her fragile loveliness and his absurd reaction to the 99 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:32,640 manuscript. 100 00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:33,640 He glanced around. 101 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:38,640 There it was on the table where he placed it when he'd come in. 102 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:42,640 Deliberately, he turned from it and then back again. 103 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:49,640 The manuscript had been moved only an inch or so, but moved. 104 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:53,640 Keeping his back to his wife, he thumbed through that early chapter and discovered, just as 105 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:58,640 he was afraid he would, that the picture itself was gone. 106 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:04,640 For a long moment, he thought of what to do. 107 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:07,640 Then, slowly, he turned around. 108 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:10,640 This, this book of crosses I brought home. 109 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:11,640 Yes, dear. 110 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:14,640 There was a story of a poisoner in it. 111 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:17,640 It's funny, her name happens to be the same as yours. 112 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:19,640 Your maiden name, that is. 113 00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:23,640 Look, darling, was she a relative of yours? 114 00:08:23,640 --> 00:08:26,640 Why, Ted, you're serious. 115 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:27,640 In a way, yes. 116 00:08:27,640 --> 00:08:29,640 I don't mean it's really important. 117 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:33,640 It's just that, well, when you run across a person who was a top flight poisoner a couple 118 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:38,640 of hundred years ago, and who's a dead ringer for your own wife, you want to hear about it, 119 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:39,640 that's all. 120 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:43,640 Ted, what on earth are you talking about? 121 00:08:43,640 --> 00:08:45,640 Darling, be honest with me. 122 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:48,640 Didn't you look at this manuscript when I was out of the room? 123 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:49,640 No. 124 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:52,640 You didn't take out a picture of a poisoner named Marie de Brunnich? 125 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:54,640 I most certainly did not. 126 00:08:54,640 --> 00:08:56,640 Somebody took that picture out of the manuscript. 127 00:08:56,640 --> 00:08:57,640 Oh, but who could it be? 128 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:00,640 Mrs. Henderson has been in the back ever since we came in. 129 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:04,640 And Uncle Miles, he's in bed in his room. 130 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:05,640 I'm sorry, darling. 131 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:06,640 It'll turn up. 132 00:09:06,640 --> 00:09:08,640 Forget it. 133 00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:09,640 Maybe I am overworked. 134 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:12,640 I guess a little dancing is just the thing I need tonight. 135 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:16,640 When they returned home, it had happened. 136 00:09:19,640 --> 00:09:22,640 Mrs. Henderson met them at the door. 137 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:24,640 Ted's uncle had taken a sudden turn for the worse. 138 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:26,640 Hurry as fast as you can. 139 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:30,640 You'll be right there. 140 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:42,640 Marie, if you don't mind, I... 141 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:45,640 Yes, yes, Ted. 142 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:50,640 Come, Mrs. Henderson, let's go into the living room. 143 00:09:50,640 --> 00:09:54,640 He had wanted to be alone in the room, 144 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:57,640 not because of his great attachment to his uncle, 145 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:02,640 who, say, for Ted himself, was the last of his branch of the Covingtons, 146 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:06,640 but because he had seen something. 147 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:11,640 It was the silver cup under the edge of the bed, 148 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:16,640 the cup of the late patient had used for his medicine. 149 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:20,640 Ted moved over to it, stood down. 150 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:23,640 There were still a few drops at the bottom. 151 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:27,640 And then, just as he was rising to his feet, 152 00:10:27,640 --> 00:10:30,640 his heart seemed to mislead. 153 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:34,640 He had seen the other thing, Uncle Miles' cat, 154 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:38,640 two feet away from the cup, further under the bed. 155 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:40,640 She was lying on her side. 156 00:10:40,640 --> 00:10:43,640 Fearfully, he extended his hand. 157 00:10:43,640 --> 00:10:48,640 The cat was still warm, but quite dead. 158 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:57,640 No-one must know, not yet. 159 00:10:57,640 --> 00:11:00,640 There would be a funeral, a normal official interment 160 00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:02,640 in the family crypt on the grounds. 161 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:05,640 Meanwhile, the cat must be buried, disposed of, 162 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:07,640 and the contents of the cup. 163 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:13,640 The next day, at the chemists, he was told it contained arsenic. 164 00:11:21,640 --> 00:11:25,640 For Suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you a star, Mr. Clifton Webb, 165 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:29,640 whom you have heard in the first act of The Burning Court by John Dixon Carr, 166 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:37,640 which is Roma Wines' presentation tonight of Suspense. 167 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:46,640 Between the acts of Suspense, this is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines. 168 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:50,640 We now quote a brief word from the renowned hostess, Elsa Maxwell. 169 00:11:50,640 --> 00:11:54,640 I've found that one of the smartest ways to entertain during warm weather 170 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:59,640 is to serve tall, iced, thirst-quenching Roma refreshers 171 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:02,640 made with distinguished Roma California wines. 172 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:06,640 And it's so easy to enjoy frosty, satisfying Roma wine and soda. 173 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:10,640 Simply half-fill tall glasses with Roma Burgundy or Sauternes. 174 00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:14,640 Add ice cubes and sparkling water, and sugar if you wish. 175 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:19,640 For a decorative touch, garnish with cherries and slices of fruit. 176 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:23,640 And be sure to use Roma, for Roma wine is always uniformly good. 177 00:12:23,640 --> 00:12:26,640 The happy result of selected grapes. 178 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:30,640 Carefully picked at the very peak of character in California's choicest vineyards, 179 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:34,640 gently pressed, then guided unhurriedly to perfection 180 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:37,640 for the ancient skill of Roma's famed wineries. 181 00:12:37,640 --> 00:12:43,640 Yet, good as it is, Roma wine costs only pennies a glass. 182 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:48,640 Remember, because of uniformly fine quality at reasonable cost, 183 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:53,640 more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. 184 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:57,640 R-O-M-A, Roma wines. 185 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:01,640 And now Roma wines bring back to our Hollywood sound stage, 186 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:07,640 Clifton Webb as Go Down Cross, writer and authority on Murder Through the Ages 187 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:13,640 in The Burning Court, a play well calculated to keep you in suspense. 188 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:16,640 Now let me understand one thing, Mr. Cross. 189 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:19,640 You're simply relating what Mr. Covington here told you. 190 00:13:19,640 --> 00:13:22,640 Yes, less than 15 minutes ago, Captain. 191 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:25,640 Then why not have Mr. Covington tell it himself? 192 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:28,640 Primarily because I can tell it more beautifully. 193 00:13:28,640 --> 00:13:30,640 Uh, Mr. Covington. 194 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:31,640 More tea. 195 00:13:31,640 --> 00:13:32,640 I'll get it for him, Madam. 196 00:13:32,640 --> 00:13:37,640 Oh, you're very kind, Mrs. Henderson, but I'd rather you didn't miss even one facet of the story. 197 00:13:37,640 --> 00:13:40,640 Oh, well, I'm not leaving, sir. The samovar's right over here. 198 00:13:40,640 --> 00:13:41,640 Excellent. 199 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:47,640 I think that you should know that earlier tonight, just three days after his uncle's burial, 200 00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:52,640 Ted Covington sat alone in this room, contemplating some astonishing plans. 201 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:56,640 This very night, long after Marie would retire, 202 00:13:56,640 --> 00:14:01,640 he himself would open the vault and exhume his uncle's body. 203 00:14:01,640 --> 00:14:05,640 A chemist had been engaged for a private autopsy. 204 00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:08,640 He was to look for traces of poison, yet, 205 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:14,640 Ted Covington wasn't so sure he could go through with such a plan. 206 00:14:14,640 --> 00:14:19,640 The door opened, and Marie came into the room, 207 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:24,640 walking now quite softly across to the great fireplace. 208 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:28,640 He studied her closely as she struck the match, 209 00:14:28,640 --> 00:14:32,640 then touched it with the crumpled scraps of paper. 210 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:37,640 Oh, I thought you might have been a little too excited. 211 00:14:37,640 --> 00:14:40,640 I thought you might be a little chilled. 212 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:46,640 Chilled? If only she knew the chill that was wrapped around his heart. 213 00:14:46,640 --> 00:14:49,640 If only she... 214 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:52,640 He stopped short in his thoughts, 215 00:14:52,640 --> 00:14:56,640 for now the glow had risen against that somewhat childlike face, 216 00:14:56,640 --> 00:15:02,640 and suddenly he saw, for the first time, the faint wrinkles of age at her eyes. 217 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:06,640 Now the light was higher, and there, there it was. 218 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:13,640 A thin light creased, like an almost invisible star that encircled the mountain. 219 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:23,640 Marie du Brunnet, beheaded and burned in 1731. 220 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:30,640 Yes, he was sure of it now. He had to go through with his plan. 221 00:15:30,640 --> 00:15:40,640 So, by the dim light of a lantern, he set about his task, 222 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:45,640 pounding his way through the thick concrete that now covered the family tomb, 223 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:52,640 drawing open the great subterranean door, descending to the ink-black chamber below. 224 00:15:52,640 --> 00:15:58,640 He found the coffin, wrested it from its crib, placed it upon the floor. 225 00:15:58,640 --> 00:16:05,640 He unclamped the lid, opened it, and then, then... 226 00:16:05,640 --> 00:16:08,640 The word of shock leapt from his throat. 227 00:16:08,640 --> 00:16:17,640 Empty! Empty! 228 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:19,640 Empty! Empty, you say? 229 00:16:19,640 --> 00:16:21,640 Huh? Who's that? Who said that? 230 00:16:21,640 --> 00:16:23,640 I did, Mr. Covington, up here. 231 00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:24,640 Who are you? 232 00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:28,640 I'm Captain Brennan from the Office of the Commission of Police. 233 00:16:28,640 --> 00:16:31,640 Police? How did you... Who sent you here? Who told you about this? 234 00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:34,640 Why, your housekeeper, of course. 235 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:38,640 You didn't think Mrs. Henderson saw the dead cat, did you? But she did. 236 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:42,640 She also saw you bury it. That, as you know, was three days ago. 237 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:46,640 So, I've had a chance to do some delving. 238 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:51,640 I must admit, Mr. Covington, that when I learned your wife's maiden name was Du Brunnet... 239 00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:54,640 Marie Du Brunnet, child, was really quite a trick. 240 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:56,640 Why? What difference does that make? 241 00:16:56,640 --> 00:17:00,640 Perhaps you don't know it, but that's a rather important name in crime history. 242 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:02,640 Oh, but the same name, that's all. It's a coincidence, Captain. 243 00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:05,640 Yeah, isn't it? The case is full of them. 244 00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:09,640 Learned most of her poison tricks, for example, from a lover of long standing, 245 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:13,640 a fellow by the name of Kroszitov. Godin Kroszitov. 246 00:17:13,640 --> 00:17:17,640 Kros... Godin Krosk, let's say. 247 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:20,640 Hasn't you affirmed published books by a man by that name? 248 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:22,640 Kros? Oh, this is some kind of a joke. 249 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:26,640 But what's even more interesting, Mr. Covington, is the fact that the name of the judge 250 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:31,640 who sentenced Marie Du Brunnet to death by the burning court just happened to be Covington. 251 00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:32,640 Covington? 252 00:17:32,640 --> 00:17:33,640 Thurman Covington. 253 00:17:33,640 --> 00:17:36,640 An ancestor, wouldn't you say, of the man who just died? 254 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:39,640 Or was murdered? An ancestor of yours, am I dead? 255 00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:41,640 Oh, but you can't believe any of this. 256 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:46,640 This nonsense about a long time lover and a vengeance through the ages. 257 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:48,640 Captain? Captain Brunnet? 258 00:17:48,640 --> 00:17:50,640 Yeah, down here, Freddy. 259 00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:53,640 Oh. No luck, sir. No answer at all. 260 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:54,640 The place seems to be vacant. 261 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:55,640 The Covington house? 262 00:17:55,640 --> 00:17:56,640 What? 263 00:17:56,640 --> 00:17:57,640 Yes, sir. Couldn't wait to sell. 264 00:17:57,640 --> 00:17:58,640 Get out of my way. 265 00:17:58,640 --> 00:17:59,640 Hey, Covington, come back here. 266 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:00,640 All things happened to my wife. 267 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:01,640 You want me to stop him, Captain? 268 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:03,640 Let him go. We'll follow him. 269 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:14,640 Marie? Marie? Where are you? 270 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:16,640 It's me, Ted. 271 00:18:16,640 --> 00:18:19,640 Marie, what have you done? What? 272 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:24,640 Good evening, Mr. Covington. 273 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:25,640 Who are you? 274 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:28,640 My name is Cross, Good Ann Cross, the writer. 275 00:18:28,640 --> 00:18:31,640 Cross? My wife. What have you done to her? 276 00:18:31,640 --> 00:18:34,640 You fiend. What have you done to my wife? 277 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:37,640 Stop it. Listen to me. Why are you here? 278 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:39,640 Why am I here? 279 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:44,640 Because your wife, reading my chapter on Marie du Brunnet, 280 00:18:44,640 --> 00:18:48,640 realized I knew more about the family than even she did, 281 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:52,640 because she found my phone number on the front cover of the manuscript, 282 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:56,640 and because I know an exceptional case when I hear one. 283 00:18:56,640 --> 00:18:57,640 Does that answer your question? 284 00:18:57,640 --> 00:19:00,640 No, you know it doesn't. Can't you see I've got to... 285 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:01,640 I've got to know whether... 286 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:05,640 I see. Whether your wife is really Marie du Brunnet, 287 00:19:05,640 --> 00:19:09,640 who was burnt by order of the burning court. 288 00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:15,640 You're quite sure, no doubt, that I'm Good Ann Cross who first wooed her. 289 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:21,640 No, my boy, Marie du Brunnet is no more your wife's real name 290 00:19:21,640 --> 00:19:23,640 than mine is Good Ann Cross. 291 00:19:23,640 --> 00:19:24,640 What? 292 00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:28,640 Your esteemed wife, Mr. Covington, was adopted by people named du Brunnet, 293 00:19:28,640 --> 00:19:31,640 remote members of the real family of Poisoners. 294 00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:34,640 I can't believe it. What didn't she tell me? 295 00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:39,640 Because until I told her half an hour ago, she didn't know it herself. 296 00:19:39,640 --> 00:19:41,640 I'd learned it through my research. 297 00:19:41,640 --> 00:19:43,640 Oh, that's too wonderful. 298 00:19:43,640 --> 00:19:47,640 For years, Mr. Covington, that young woman has been haunted by the fear 299 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:50,640 that she might be a Poisoner by blood. 300 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:54,640 You can see, can't you, why she was willing to lie, steal a picture, 301 00:19:54,640 --> 00:19:59,640 do anything to hide her past from the man she wanted to hold. 302 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:00,640 Yes, yes, I can see that now. 303 00:20:00,640 --> 00:20:01,640 But Mrs. Covington... 304 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:02,640 You mean she's... 305 00:20:02,640 --> 00:20:03,640 Yes, Mr. Cross. 306 00:20:03,640 --> 00:20:06,640 Oh, Marie, darling, you're all right. 307 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:11,640 That will be our old, old friends, the police. 308 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:14,640 Will you take them into the front room, Mrs. Covington? 309 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:18,640 Meanwhile, you, my friend, will tell me everything that's happened up to now. 310 00:20:18,640 --> 00:20:21,640 Having just delivered your wife from the burning court, 311 00:20:21,640 --> 00:20:34,640 I'll see if I can't save her from the electric chair. 312 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:37,640 Sugar? 313 00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:40,640 Just pass it, please, Mr. Covington. 314 00:20:40,640 --> 00:20:43,640 There. Thank you. 315 00:20:43,640 --> 00:20:48,640 Ah, yes. Truly excellent tea. 316 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:50,640 Don't you agree, Mrs. Henderson? 317 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:52,640 What? Oh, yes, yes, it's very nice. 318 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:58,640 Yes. Well, that Captain Brennan completes Ted Covington's personal account 319 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:01,640 of the events leading up to the present. 320 00:21:01,640 --> 00:21:04,640 Let us now consider that supernatural hocus-pocus 321 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:07,640 of the body that walked out of the sealed-in tomb. 322 00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:11,640 That body, let's agree, that never was in that tomb. 323 00:21:11,640 --> 00:21:12,640 Never in that tomb? 324 00:21:12,640 --> 00:21:16,640 No, Mr. Covington. It was disposed of long before. 325 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:18,640 But who could have done it? 326 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:20,640 Who could have kept that body out of the tomb? 327 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:24,640 Who, Mr. Covington? Why, you, sir. 328 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:25,640 What are you saying? 329 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:27,640 What are you driving at? 330 00:21:27,640 --> 00:21:28,640 I don't understand what you're... 331 00:21:28,640 --> 00:21:30,640 It's very simple. 332 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:32,640 You had to get rid of the body, Mr. Covington. 333 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:36,640 You knew that eventually there was going to be an investigation. 334 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:38,640 This is a joke, isn't it? 335 00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:42,640 A rather bad joke on your wife. 336 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:44,640 From a few historical coincidences, 337 00:21:44,640 --> 00:21:47,640 you built a murderess in your own wife's image. 338 00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:49,640 I won't listen to this any more. 339 00:21:49,640 --> 00:21:51,640 Why should you? Look, Cross, 340 00:21:51,640 --> 00:21:53,640 why would Covington here spend an hour 341 00:21:53,640 --> 00:21:56,640 smashing into a crypt for a body he knew wasn't there? 342 00:21:56,640 --> 00:21:58,640 Obviously, my dear captain, 343 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:00,640 to induce you to ask such a question, 344 00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:03,640 to impress you with his own innocence 345 00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:06,640 and his desperate concern for his wife's guilt. 346 00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:09,640 No, this isn't true. It can't be true. 347 00:22:09,640 --> 00:22:10,640 Of course not. 348 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:13,640 Cross, just how, for example, could I have been in this house 349 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:15,640 to poison my uncle and also at the dance that night? 350 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:19,640 Easily. You simply left the dance that night. 351 00:22:19,640 --> 00:22:21,640 I left the... It was Marie who... 352 00:22:21,640 --> 00:22:23,640 I explained how I looked for her. 353 00:22:23,640 --> 00:22:25,640 So you did. 354 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:27,640 And you didn't see her, Mr. Covington, 355 00:22:27,640 --> 00:22:29,640 for the very good reason you weren't there. 356 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:30,640 No, wait a minute. 357 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:32,640 You were here, my friend, in this house, 358 00:22:32,640 --> 00:22:33,640 just as you had planned. 359 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:34,640 No, no, you... 360 00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:36,640 Who but you, the nephew, could so naturally 361 00:22:36,640 --> 00:22:38,640 have handed his uncle a cup, 362 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:40,640 a cup presumably of medicine. 363 00:22:40,640 --> 00:22:41,640 Don't listen to him. 364 00:22:41,640 --> 00:22:43,640 And who but you of all those here 365 00:22:43,640 --> 00:22:45,640 have the strength to carry that body to the furnace, 366 00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:48,640 where it's now probably nothing but ashes? 367 00:22:48,640 --> 00:22:50,640 Lies. All lies. 368 00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:52,640 Why should I do such a thing? 369 00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:54,640 Why would I murder my own uncle? 370 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:56,640 For the best reason that ever existed. 371 00:22:56,640 --> 00:22:57,640 A fortune. 372 00:22:57,640 --> 00:22:58,640 Stop! 373 00:22:58,640 --> 00:22:59,640 You were the only heir. 374 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:02,640 You'd get the estate, the money, the independence. 375 00:23:02,640 --> 00:23:04,640 Please, Marie. Brennan, he's making this up. 376 00:23:04,640 --> 00:23:05,640 He's... 377 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:08,640 Now, now, now. It isn't as bad as all that. 378 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:12,640 Why, the police can never touch you. 379 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:15,640 After all, where's the body? 380 00:23:15,640 --> 00:23:17,640 Where's the evidence? 381 00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:25,640 A truly delightful beverage. 382 00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:27,640 Yes, Mr Covington, 383 00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:29,640 I'm sure you'll be quite comfortable 384 00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:32,640 in an asylum for the insane. 385 00:23:32,640 --> 00:23:33,640 And that is... 386 00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:35,640 Mr. Crofts. 387 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:36,640 What is it? 388 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:38,640 Here, stand back. 389 00:23:38,640 --> 00:23:40,640 Stand back, let me get to... 390 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:41,640 Mr. Crofts. 391 00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:42,640 What? 392 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:44,640 What's the matter, Captain? 393 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:46,640 This man's dead. 394 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:47,640 Dead? 395 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:49,640 And from poison, if I know anything. 396 00:23:49,640 --> 00:23:51,640 Poison from that glass of tea. 397 00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:53,640 Ted! 398 00:23:53,640 --> 00:23:54,640 You! 399 00:23:54,640 --> 00:23:56,640 That glass was right beside you, Covington, 400 00:23:56,640 --> 00:23:58,640 and nobody knew what it was. 401 00:23:58,640 --> 00:24:00,640 You're a fool. 402 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:01,640 You're a fool. 403 00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:04,640 It was right beside you, Covington, and nobody else. 404 00:24:04,640 --> 00:24:06,640 Nobody else was near. 405 00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:08,640 Too bad he didn't drink it as soon as you hoped. 406 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:09,640 I didn't do what I did. 407 00:24:09,640 --> 00:24:10,640 Because a second ago, Covington, 408 00:24:10,640 --> 00:24:11,640 we had no evidence, 409 00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:13,640 no body to use against you. 410 00:24:13,640 --> 00:24:16,640 But we have now, Mr. Covington, we have now. 411 00:24:16,640 --> 00:24:31,640 I arrest you for the murder of Godin Cross. 412 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:47,640 Godin? 413 00:24:47,640 --> 00:24:48,640 Godin? 414 00:24:48,640 --> 00:24:53,640 You're much too far away, my love. 415 00:24:53,640 --> 00:24:54,640 Godin. 416 00:24:54,640 --> 00:24:57,640 Much too far from the flame. 417 00:24:57,640 --> 00:25:02,640 So you've come back, dear Godin. 418 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:05,640 Back within the hour. 419 00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:08,640 Back for you, Mary. 420 00:25:08,640 --> 00:25:10,640 Far with all the Covingtons, 421 00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:16,640 disposed of now, with the old score settled at last. 422 00:25:16,640 --> 00:25:18,640 I know. 423 00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:22,640 There's no need to tarry longer. 424 00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:25,640 You were brilliant as ever, Godin. 425 00:25:25,640 --> 00:25:29,640 Superb in building the case against him. 426 00:25:29,640 --> 00:25:34,640 Magnificent in the suicide. 427 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:41,640 I never even saw you take the poison. 428 00:25:41,640 --> 00:25:46,640 And I thought I'd taught you all the tricks. 429 00:25:46,640 --> 00:25:49,640 Closer now, much closer. 430 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:50,640 Yes. 431 00:25:50,640 --> 00:25:53,640 Closer to the flame, Mary. 432 00:25:53,640 --> 00:25:54,640 Yes. 433 00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:55,640 Yes, Godin. 434 00:25:55,640 --> 00:25:56,640 Closer to me, my love. 435 00:25:56,640 --> 00:26:21,640 That night, the Covington house burned to the ground. 436 00:26:21,640 --> 00:26:30,640 The body of Marie de Brontich Covington was never recovered. 437 00:26:30,640 --> 00:26:32,640 And so closes the burning court 438 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:34,640 in which Roma wines have brought you Clifton Webb, 439 00:26:34,640 --> 00:26:36,640 as star of tonight's study in... 440 00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:38,640 Suspense. 441 00:26:38,640 --> 00:26:43,640 Suspense is produced, edited, and directed by William Spear. 442 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:45,640 Before Mr. Webb returns to the microphone, 443 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:49,640 let me say a word for Roma Wines, the sponsor of Suspense. 444 00:26:49,640 --> 00:26:52,640 Elsa Maxwell makes this timely suggestion 445 00:26:52,640 --> 00:26:54,640 for Father's Day next Sunday. 446 00:26:54,640 --> 00:26:57,640 Show Dad how much you really appreciate him 447 00:26:57,640 --> 00:27:00,640 by making next Sunday's dinner a festive occasion. 448 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:04,640 Serve glorious golden amber Roma California Cherrie 449 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:06,640 as first call for dinner. 450 00:27:06,640 --> 00:27:08,640 Dad will enjoy the light nut-like flavor 451 00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:10,640 of this distinguished Roma wine. 452 00:27:10,640 --> 00:27:12,640 Serve cool. 453 00:27:12,640 --> 00:27:14,640 Miss Maxwell has made a grand suggestion. 454 00:27:14,640 --> 00:27:16,640 And why not further delight Father 455 00:27:16,640 --> 00:27:19,640 with a gift package of delicious Roma wine. 456 00:27:19,640 --> 00:27:22,640 Good Roma wines, always delightful, 457 00:27:22,640 --> 00:27:26,640 always uniformly delicious, are reasonably priced. 458 00:27:26,640 --> 00:27:30,640 And the next time you use vermouth, choose Roma vermouth. 459 00:27:30,640 --> 00:27:32,640 Zestful, full-flavored Roma vermouth, 460 00:27:32,640 --> 00:27:34,640 blended and developed with all the traditional 461 00:27:34,640 --> 00:27:37,640 winemaking skill of Roma wineries, 462 00:27:37,640 --> 00:27:41,640 is made and bottled in the heart of California's famous vineyards, 463 00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:43,640 yet surprisingly low-priced. 464 00:27:43,640 --> 00:27:47,640 Try Roma vermouth soon, won't you? 465 00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:49,640 This is Clifton Webb. 466 00:27:49,640 --> 00:27:51,640 And now a serious word. 467 00:27:51,640 --> 00:27:55,640 This great Seventh War lone drive must be a success 468 00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:59,640 if our war against Japan is to be a success. 469 00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:03,640 Our fighting men are depending upon you to put your job over. 470 00:28:03,640 --> 00:28:07,640 It's up to you to buy bigger bonds, 471 00:28:07,640 --> 00:28:10,640 and more of them than ever before. 472 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:12,640 So please, do it now. 473 00:28:12,640 --> 00:28:15,640 Ladies and gentlemen, next Thursday, same time, 474 00:28:15,640 --> 00:28:20,640 Ann Richards will be your star of Suspense. 475 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:26,640 Presented by Roma Wines, R-O-M-A, 476 00:28:26,640 --> 00:28:43,640 made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 477 00:28:56,640 --> 00:29:02,640 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.