WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:06.800 Now, the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California presents... 00:06.800 --> 00:09.800 Suspense! 00:09.800 --> 00:24.080 Tonight, Roma wines bring you the suspenseful play called The Burning Court, starring the 00:24.080 --> 00:29.080 distinguished actor whose current performance you have admired in the picture Laura Clifton-Webb. 00:29.080 --> 00:37.520 Suspense is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. 00:37.520 --> 00:40.480 That's R-O-M-A, Roma Wines. 00:40.480 --> 00:44.840 Those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live, 00:44.840 --> 00:49.280 to your happiness and entertaining guests, to your enjoyment of everyday meals. 00:49.280 --> 00:55.760 Yes, right now a glass full would be very pleasant, as Roma Wines bring you a remarkable 00:55.760 --> 00:57.800 tale of suspense. 00:57.800 --> 01:03.240 And with the strange events detailed in John Dixon Carr's novel, The Burning Court, and 01:03.240 --> 01:08.960 with the performance of Mr. Clifton-Webb as its U-Bane narrator, Godin Cross, Roma Wines 01:08.960 --> 01:11.080 hope indeed to keep you in... 01:11.080 --> 01:12.080 Suspense! 01:12.080 --> 01:36.080 A pleasant fire, charming company, and a hostess who realizes that tea served in the Russian 01:36.080 --> 01:40.560 manner is the only manner in which tea should ever be served. 01:40.560 --> 01:48.360 Yes, a heartwarming evening, Mr. Covington, in an extremely gracious setting. 01:48.360 --> 01:54.000 How fortunate that your uncle had the wealth to satisfy such an explicit taste. 01:54.000 --> 02:02.080 And what a pity I have so little time to tell you which one here... murdered him just last 02:02.080 --> 02:03.080 week. 02:03.080 --> 02:14.480 Now, I believe we're all here. 02:14.480 --> 02:20.880 Ted and Mary Covington, Mrs. Henderson, the housekeeper, Captain Brennan, I believe. 02:20.880 --> 02:25.680 Yes, and incidentally yourself, just who did you say you were? 02:25.680 --> 02:29.760 No wonder you police have had so much difficulty with the case. 02:29.760 --> 02:32.880 My name is Cross, Godin Cross, the writer. 02:32.880 --> 02:35.720 Oh, well why don't you say so? 02:35.720 --> 02:39.160 That book, A History of European Murder, that's yours, isn't it? 02:39.160 --> 02:41.960 Extraordinary, a policeman who reads. 02:41.960 --> 02:46.520 As a matter of fact, Captain, it's because of my latest book, Poisoning Throughout the 02:46.520 --> 02:50.000 Ages, that I happen to be with you now. 02:50.000 --> 02:54.040 Ted Covington there is a member of the firm which publishes my work. 02:54.040 --> 02:59.000 I'd never seen him until tonight, when he himself told me what happened. 02:59.000 --> 03:04.240 He went back to last Friday afternoon, before it was then that he began reading my manuscript 03:04.240 --> 03:08.280 for the first time. 03:08.280 --> 03:13.320 He began it on the train, the commuter's train, which every afternoon deposits him safely 03:13.320 --> 03:16.960 and soundly in this charming suburb of Crispin. 03:16.960 --> 03:20.940 That is, if you care for suburbs. 03:20.940 --> 03:26.360 At any rate, I imagine he was almost home by the time he finished the first chapter. 03:26.360 --> 03:32.040 When he turned the page, attached to the following leaf was a picture and, looking at it, the 03:32.040 --> 03:36.880 young man stiffened suddenly and all but cried out his shock. 03:36.880 --> 03:40.760 It was a picture of a woman. 03:40.760 --> 03:51.200 Under it was printed, Marie Dubranich, convicted of arsenic poisoning, St. Petersburg, Russia, 03:51.200 --> 03:53.640 1731. 03:53.640 --> 04:07.120 Ted Covington was looking at a picture of his own young wife. 04:07.120 --> 04:13.040 His 25-year-old wife in an early 18th century costume, the face, the features were identical, 04:13.040 --> 04:14.600 even the name. 04:14.600 --> 04:17.920 Dubranich is his wife, or was his wife's maiden name. 04:17.920 --> 04:21.160 No, no, no, it was ridiculous. 04:21.160 --> 04:26.880 This woman in the picture was one of his wife's ancestors, simply an amazing family resemblance. 04:26.880 --> 04:31.320 He wondered why Marie had never told him about. 04:31.320 --> 04:35.800 Ted Covington glanced down at the chapter to which the picture had been attached. 04:35.800 --> 04:48.080 It was entitled, The Affair of the Non-Dead Woman. 04:48.080 --> 04:53.120 But then the train was approaching the station and he rose and walked out to the platform. 04:53.120 --> 04:56.960 Standing there for a moment, his eyes ran down the page. 04:56.960 --> 05:03.320 Marie Dubranich, it appears, was quite the continental charmer in her day. 05:03.320 --> 05:08.400 With the beneficent assistance of arsenic, she had disposed of half a dozen husbands 05:08.400 --> 05:11.040 before she'd been caught. 05:11.040 --> 05:13.960 But caught she was. 05:13.960 --> 05:17.960 She was sentenced to death, the chapter concluded. 05:17.960 --> 05:33.200 And then beheaded and burned. 05:33.200 --> 05:38.120 And there, waiting for him at the curb by the suburban station, was the wife he knew 05:38.120 --> 05:40.120 so well. 05:40.120 --> 05:45.720 She was leaning toward him now to open the door, smiling in that way he knew so well. 05:45.720 --> 05:49.080 Ted, what on earth are you staring at? 05:49.080 --> 05:51.640 A soft fire in your eye. 05:51.640 --> 05:54.120 Oh, it's the street light, I guess. 05:54.120 --> 05:56.120 Oh, darling, you're silly and overworked. 05:56.120 --> 06:06.120 Come on, get in the car. 06:06.120 --> 06:10.360 Thus, like a wind, thin wisp of smoke, it was gone. 06:10.360 --> 06:12.760 The unspeakably foolish concept. 06:12.760 --> 06:14.760 Laughable? 06:14.760 --> 06:16.760 That's what it really was. 06:16.760 --> 06:22.600 All right, let's hear it. 06:22.600 --> 06:23.600 What's so funny? 06:23.600 --> 06:25.520 Oh, nothing, nothing at all, darling. 06:25.520 --> 06:27.000 I guess I just feel good. 06:27.000 --> 06:29.200 Oh, fine mood for dancing tonight. 06:29.200 --> 06:30.200 Dancing? 06:30.200 --> 06:31.200 No, Ted, you promise. 06:31.200 --> 06:35.200 You said if Uncle Miles showed a noticeable improvement, we could go to the club. 06:35.200 --> 06:36.200 You mean he's really better? 06:36.200 --> 06:37.200 There's no comparison. 06:37.200 --> 06:39.200 The doctor agreed with me. 06:39.200 --> 06:43.640 Darling, there's no reason in the world why we shouldn't let Mrs. Henderson stay awake 06:43.640 --> 06:44.640 for a change. 06:44.640 --> 06:45.640 Do her good, the old witch. 06:45.640 --> 06:46.640 What is the matter with you? 06:46.640 --> 06:51.640 Oh, it's just that I started to call her a witch. 06:51.640 --> 06:54.640 It's a private joke, darling. 06:54.640 --> 06:58.640 A private joke. 06:58.640 --> 07:04.640 And by the time they were home, it was even less than that. 07:04.640 --> 07:05.640 Ted was sitting in the living room. 07:05.640 --> 07:10.640 When Marie entered it and moved toward the fireplace, he studied her as she struck the 07:10.640 --> 07:11.640 match on the half-stone. 07:11.640 --> 07:15.640 Touched it through the little roll of newspaper. 07:15.640 --> 07:20.640 Stood back to watch the licking flames catch the charcoal, then the logs. 07:20.640 --> 07:25.640 As the light rose, illuminating her face and the lips barely parted in that ineffably curious 07:25.640 --> 07:31.640 smile, he would remind her again of her fragile loveliness and his absurd reaction to the 07:31.640 --> 07:32.640 manuscript. 07:32.640 --> 07:33.640 He glanced around. 07:33.640 --> 07:38.640 There it was on the table where he placed it when he'd come in. 07:38.640 --> 07:42.640 Deliberately, he turned from it and then back again. 07:42.640 --> 07:49.640 The manuscript had been moved only an inch or so, but moved. 07:49.640 --> 07:53.640 Keeping his back to his wife, he thumbed through that early chapter and discovered, just as 07:53.640 --> 07:58.640 he was afraid he would, that the picture itself was gone. 07:58.640 --> 08:04.640 For a long moment, he thought of what to do. 08:04.640 --> 08:07.640 Then, slowly, he turned around. 08:07.640 --> 08:10.640 This, this book of crosses I brought home. 08:10.640 --> 08:11.640 Yes, dear. 08:11.640 --> 08:14.640 There was a story of a poisoner in it. 08:14.640 --> 08:17.640 It's funny, her name happens to be the same as yours. 08:17.640 --> 08:19.640 Your maiden name, that is. 08:19.640 --> 08:23.640 Look, darling, was she a relative of yours? 08:23.640 --> 08:26.640 Why, Ted, you're serious. 08:26.640 --> 08:27.640 In a way, yes. 08:27.640 --> 08:29.640 I don't mean it's really important. 08:29.640 --> 08:33.640 It's just that, well, when you run across a person who was a top flight poisoner a couple 08:33.640 --> 08:38.640 of hundred years ago, and who's a dead ringer for your own wife, you want to hear about it, 08:38.640 --> 08:39.640 that's all. 08:39.640 --> 08:43.640 Ted, what on earth are you talking about? 08:43.640 --> 08:45.640 Darling, be honest with me. 08:45.640 --> 08:48.640 Didn't you look at this manuscript when I was out of the room? 08:48.640 --> 08:49.640 No. 08:49.640 --> 08:52.640 You didn't take out a picture of a poisoner named Marie de Brunnich? 08:52.640 --> 08:54.640 I most certainly did not. 08:54.640 --> 08:56.640 Somebody took that picture out of the manuscript. 08:56.640 --> 08:57.640 Oh, but who could it be? 08:57.640 --> 09:00.640 Mrs. Henderson has been in the back ever since we came in. 09:00.640 --> 09:04.640 And Uncle Miles, he's in bed in his room. 09:04.640 --> 09:05.640 I'm sorry, darling. 09:05.640 --> 09:06.640 It'll turn up. 09:06.640 --> 09:08.640 Forget it. 09:08.640 --> 09:09.640 Maybe I am overworked. 09:09.640 --> 09:12.640 I guess a little dancing is just the thing I need tonight. 09:12.640 --> 09:16.640 When they returned home, it had happened. 09:19.640 --> 09:22.640 Mrs. Henderson met them at the door. 09:22.640 --> 09:24.640 Ted's uncle had taken a sudden turn for the worse. 09:24.640 --> 09:26.640 Hurry as fast as you can. 09:26.640 --> 09:30.640 You'll be right there. 09:39.640 --> 09:42.640 Marie, if you don't mind, I... 09:42.640 --> 09:45.640 Yes, yes, Ted. 09:45.640 --> 09:50.640 Come, Mrs. Henderson, let's go into the living room. 09:50.640 --> 09:54.640 He had wanted to be alone in the room, 09:54.640 --> 09:57.640 not because of his great attachment to his uncle, 09:57.640 --> 10:02.640 who, say, for Ted himself, was the last of his branch of the Covingtons, 10:02.640 --> 10:06.640 but because he had seen something. 10:06.640 --> 10:11.640 It was the silver cup under the edge of the bed, 10:11.640 --> 10:16.640 the cup of the late patient had used for his medicine. 10:16.640 --> 10:20.640 Ted moved over to it, stood down. 10:20.640 --> 10:23.640 There were still a few drops at the bottom. 10:23.640 --> 10:27.640 And then, just as he was rising to his feet, 10:27.640 --> 10:30.640 his heart seemed to mislead. 10:30.640 --> 10:34.640 He had seen the other thing, Uncle Miles' cat, 10:34.640 --> 10:38.640 two feet away from the cup, further under the bed. 10:38.640 --> 10:40.640 She was lying on her side. 10:40.640 --> 10:43.640 Fearfully, he extended his hand. 10:43.640 --> 10:48.640 The cat was still warm, but quite dead. 10:54.640 --> 10:57.640 No-one must know, not yet. 10:57.640 --> 11:00.640 There would be a funeral, a normal official interment 11:00.640 --> 11:02.640 in the family crypt on the grounds. 11:02.640 --> 11:05.640 Meanwhile, the cat must be buried, disposed of, 11:05.640 --> 11:07.640 and the contents of the cup. 11:07.640 --> 11:13.640 The next day, at the chemists, he was told it contained arsenic. 11:21.640 --> 11:25.640 For Suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you a star, Mr. Clifton Webb, 11:25.640 --> 11:29.640 whom you have heard in the first act of The Burning Court by John Dixon Carr, 11:29.640 --> 11:37.640 which is Roma Wines' presentation tonight of Suspense. 11:41.640 --> 11:46.640 Between the acts of Suspense, this is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines. 11:46.640 --> 11:50.640 We now quote a brief word from the renowned hostess, Elsa Maxwell. 11:50.640 --> 11:54.640 I've found that one of the smartest ways to entertain during warm weather 11:54.640 --> 11:59.640 is to serve tall, iced, thirst-quenching Roma refreshers 11:59.640 --> 12:02.640 made with distinguished Roma California wines. 12:02.640 --> 12:06.640 And it's so easy to enjoy frosty, satisfying Roma wine and soda. 12:06.640 --> 12:10.640 Simply half-fill tall glasses with Roma Burgundy or Sauternes. 12:10.640 --> 12:14.640 Add ice cubes and sparkling water, and sugar if you wish. 12:14.640 --> 12:19.640 For a decorative touch, garnish with cherries and slices of fruit. 12:19.640 --> 12:23.640 And be sure to use Roma, for Roma wine is always uniformly good. 12:23.640 --> 12:26.640 The happy result of selected grapes. 12:26.640 --> 12:30.640 Carefully picked at the very peak of character in California's choicest vineyards, 12:30.640 --> 12:34.640 gently pressed, then guided unhurriedly to perfection 12:34.640 --> 12:37.640 for the ancient skill of Roma's famed wineries. 12:37.640 --> 12:43.640 Yet, good as it is, Roma wine costs only pennies a glass. 12:43.640 --> 12:48.640 Remember, because of uniformly fine quality at reasonable cost, 12:48.640 --> 12:53.640 more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. 12:53.640 --> 12:57.640 R-O-M-A, Roma wines. 12:57.640 --> 13:01.640 And now Roma wines bring back to our Hollywood sound stage, 13:01.640 --> 13:07.640 Clifton Webb as Go Down Cross, writer and authority on Murder Through the Ages 13:07.640 --> 13:13.640 in The Burning Court, a play well calculated to keep you in suspense. 13:13.640 --> 13:16.640 Now let me understand one thing, Mr. Cross. 13:16.640 --> 13:19.640 You're simply relating what Mr. Covington here told you. 13:19.640 --> 13:22.640 Yes, less than 15 minutes ago, Captain. 13:22.640 --> 13:25.640 Then why not have Mr. Covington tell it himself? 13:25.640 --> 13:28.640 Primarily because I can tell it more beautifully. 13:28.640 --> 13:30.640 Uh, Mr. Covington. 13:30.640 --> 13:31.640 More tea. 13:31.640 --> 13:32.640 I'll get it for him, Madam. 13:32.640 --> 13:37.640 Oh, you're very kind, Mrs. Henderson, but I'd rather you didn't miss even one facet of the story. 13:37.640 --> 13:40.640 Oh, well, I'm not leaving, sir. The samovar's right over here. 13:40.640 --> 13:41.640 Excellent. 13:41.640 --> 13:47.640 I think that you should know that earlier tonight, just three days after his uncle's burial, 13:47.640 --> 13:52.640 Ted Covington sat alone in this room, contemplating some astonishing plans. 13:52.640 --> 13:56.640 This very night, long after Marie would retire, 13:56.640 --> 14:01.640 he himself would open the vault and exhume his uncle's body. 14:01.640 --> 14:05.640 A chemist had been engaged for a private autopsy. 14:05.640 --> 14:08.640 He was to look for traces of poison, yet, 14:08.640 --> 14:14.640 Ted Covington wasn't so sure he could go through with such a plan. 14:14.640 --> 14:19.640 The door opened, and Marie came into the room, 14:19.640 --> 14:24.640 walking now quite softly across to the great fireplace. 14:24.640 --> 14:28.640 He studied her closely as she struck the match, 14:28.640 --> 14:32.640 then touched it with the crumpled scraps of paper. 14:32.640 --> 14:37.640 Oh, I thought you might have been a little too excited. 14:37.640 --> 14:40.640 I thought you might be a little chilled. 14:40.640 --> 14:46.640 Chilled? If only she knew the chill that was wrapped around his heart. 14:46.640 --> 14:49.640 If only she... 14:49.640 --> 14:52.640 He stopped short in his thoughts, 14:52.640 --> 14:56.640 for now the glow had risen against that somewhat childlike face, 14:56.640 --> 15:02.640 and suddenly he saw, for the first time, the faint wrinkles of age at her eyes. 15:02.640 --> 15:06.640 Now the light was higher, and there, there it was. 15:06.640 --> 15:13.640 A thin light creased, like an almost invisible star that encircled the mountain. 15:13.640 --> 15:23.640 Marie du Brunnet, beheaded and burned in 1731. 15:23.640 --> 15:30.640 Yes, he was sure of it now. He had to go through with his plan. 15:30.640 --> 15:40.640 So, by the dim light of a lantern, he set about his task, 15:40.640 --> 15:45.640 pounding his way through the thick concrete that now covered the family tomb, 15:45.640 --> 15:52.640 drawing open the great subterranean door, descending to the ink-black chamber below. 15:52.640 --> 15:58.640 He found the coffin, wrested it from its crib, placed it upon the floor. 15:58.640 --> 16:05.640 He unclamped the lid, opened it, and then, then... 16:05.640 --> 16:08.640 The word of shock leapt from his throat. 16:08.640 --> 16:17.640 Empty! Empty! 16:17.640 --> 16:19.640 Empty! Empty, you say? 16:19.640 --> 16:21.640 Huh? Who's that? Who said that? 16:21.640 --> 16:23.640 I did, Mr. Covington, up here. 16:23.640 --> 16:24.640 Who are you? 16:24.640 --> 16:28.640 I'm Captain Brennan from the Office of the Commission of Police. 16:28.640 --> 16:31.640 Police? How did you... Who sent you here? Who told you about this? 16:31.640 --> 16:34.640 Why, your housekeeper, of course. 16:34.640 --> 16:38.640 You didn't think Mrs. Henderson saw the dead cat, did you? But she did. 16:38.640 --> 16:42.640 She also saw you bury it. That, as you know, was three days ago. 16:42.640 --> 16:46.640 So, I've had a chance to do some delving. 16:46.640 --> 16:51.640 I must admit, Mr. Covington, that when I learned your wife's maiden name was Du Brunnet... 16:51.640 --> 16:54.640 Marie Du Brunnet, child, was really quite a trick. 16:54.640 --> 16:56.640 Why? What difference does that make? 16:56.640 --> 17:00.640 Perhaps you don't know it, but that's a rather important name in crime history. 17:00.640 --> 17:02.640 Oh, but the same name, that's all. It's a coincidence, Captain. 17:02.640 --> 17:05.640 Yeah, isn't it? The case is full of them. 17:05.640 --> 17:09.640 Learned most of her poison tricks, for example, from a lover of long standing, 17:09.640 --> 17:13.640 a fellow by the name of Kroszitov. Godin Kroszitov. 17:13.640 --> 17:17.640 Kros... Godin Krosk, let's say. 17:17.640 --> 17:20.640 Hasn't you affirmed published books by a man by that name? 17:20.640 --> 17:22.640 Kros? Oh, this is some kind of a joke. 17:22.640 --> 17:26.640 But what's even more interesting, Mr. Covington, is the fact that the name of the judge 17:26.640 --> 17:31.640 who sentenced Marie Du Brunnet to death by the burning court just happened to be Covington. 17:31.640 --> 17:32.640 Covington? 17:32.640 --> 17:33.640 Thurman Covington. 17:33.640 --> 17:36.640 An ancestor, wouldn't you say, of the man who just died? 17:36.640 --> 17:39.640 Or was murdered? An ancestor of yours, am I dead? 17:39.640 --> 17:41.640 Oh, but you can't believe any of this. 17:41.640 --> 17:46.640 This nonsense about a long time lover and a vengeance through the ages. 17:46.640 --> 17:48.640 Captain? Captain Brunnet? 17:48.640 --> 17:50.640 Yeah, down here, Freddy. 17:50.640 --> 17:53.640 Oh. No luck, sir. No answer at all. 17:53.640 --> 17:54.640 The place seems to be vacant. 17:54.640 --> 17:55.640 The Covington house? 17:55.640 --> 17:56.640 What? 17:56.640 --> 17:57.640 Yes, sir. Couldn't wait to sell. 17:57.640 --> 17:58.640 Get out of my way. 17:58.640 --> 17:59.640 Hey, Covington, come back here. 17:59.640 --> 18:00.640 All things happened to my wife. 18:00.640 --> 18:01.640 You want me to stop him, Captain? 18:01.640 --> 18:03.640 Let him go. We'll follow him. 18:11.640 --> 18:14.640 Marie? Marie? Where are you? 18:14.640 --> 18:16.640 It's me, Ted. 18:16.640 --> 18:19.640 Marie, what have you done? What? 18:22.640 --> 18:24.640 Good evening, Mr. Covington. 18:24.640 --> 18:25.640 Who are you? 18:25.640 --> 18:28.640 My name is Cross, Good Ann Cross, the writer. 18:28.640 --> 18:31.640 Cross? My wife. What have you done to her? 18:31.640 --> 18:34.640 You fiend. What have you done to my wife? 18:34.640 --> 18:37.640 Stop it. Listen to me. Why are you here? 18:37.640 --> 18:39.640 Why am I here? 18:39.640 --> 18:44.640 Because your wife, reading my chapter on Marie du Brunnet, 18:44.640 --> 18:48.640 realized I knew more about the family than even she did, 18:48.640 --> 18:52.640 because she found my phone number on the front cover of the manuscript, 18:52.640 --> 18:56.640 and because I know an exceptional case when I hear one. 18:56.640 --> 18:57.640 Does that answer your question? 18:57.640 --> 19:00.640 No, you know it doesn't. Can't you see I've got to... 19:00.640 --> 19:01.640 I've got to know whether... 19:01.640 --> 19:05.640 I see. Whether your wife is really Marie du Brunnet, 19:05.640 --> 19:09.640 who was burnt by order of the burning court. 19:09.640 --> 19:15.640 You're quite sure, no doubt, that I'm Good Ann Cross who first wooed her. 19:15.640 --> 19:21.640 No, my boy, Marie du Brunnet is no more your wife's real name 19:21.640 --> 19:23.640 than mine is Good Ann Cross. 19:23.640 --> 19:24.640 What? 19:24.640 --> 19:28.640 Your esteemed wife, Mr. Covington, was adopted by people named du Brunnet, 19:28.640 --> 19:31.640 remote members of the real family of Poisoners. 19:31.640 --> 19:34.640 I can't believe it. What didn't she tell me? 19:34.640 --> 19:39.640 Because until I told her half an hour ago, she didn't know it herself. 19:39.640 --> 19:41.640 I'd learned it through my research. 19:41.640 --> 19:43.640 Oh, that's too wonderful. 19:43.640 --> 19:47.640 For years, Mr. Covington, that young woman has been haunted by the fear 19:47.640 --> 19:50.640 that she might be a Poisoner by blood. 19:50.640 --> 19:54.640 You can see, can't you, why she was willing to lie, steal a picture, 19:54.640 --> 19:59.640 do anything to hide her past from the man she wanted to hold. 19:59.640 --> 20:00.640 Yes, yes, I can see that now. 20:00.640 --> 20:01.640 But Mrs. Covington... 20:01.640 --> 20:02.640 You mean she's... 20:02.640 --> 20:03.640 Yes, Mr. Cross. 20:03.640 --> 20:06.640 Oh, Marie, darling, you're all right. 20:08.640 --> 20:11.640 That will be our old, old friends, the police. 20:11.640 --> 20:14.640 Will you take them into the front room, Mrs. Covington? 20:14.640 --> 20:18.640 Meanwhile, you, my friend, will tell me everything that's happened up to now. 20:18.640 --> 20:21.640 Having just delivered your wife from the burning court, 20:21.640 --> 20:34.640 I'll see if I can't save her from the electric chair. 20:36.640 --> 20:37.640 Sugar? 20:37.640 --> 20:40.640 Just pass it, please, Mr. Covington. 20:40.640 --> 20:43.640 There. Thank you. 20:43.640 --> 20:48.640 Ah, yes. Truly excellent tea. 20:48.640 --> 20:50.640 Don't you agree, Mrs. Henderson? 20:50.640 --> 20:52.640 What? Oh, yes, yes, it's very nice. 20:52.640 --> 20:58.640 Yes. Well, that Captain Brennan completes Ted Covington's personal account 20:58.640 --> 21:01.640 of the events leading up to the present. 21:01.640 --> 21:04.640 Let us now consider that supernatural hocus-pocus 21:04.640 --> 21:07.640 of the body that walked out of the sealed-in tomb. 21:07.640 --> 21:11.640 That body, let's agree, that never was in that tomb. 21:11.640 --> 21:12.640 Never in that tomb? 21:12.640 --> 21:16.640 No, Mr. Covington. It was disposed of long before. 21:16.640 --> 21:18.640 But who could have done it? 21:18.640 --> 21:20.640 Who could have kept that body out of the tomb? 21:20.640 --> 21:24.640 Who, Mr. Covington? Why, you, sir. 21:24.640 --> 21:25.640 What are you saying? 21:25.640 --> 21:27.640 What are you driving at? 21:27.640 --> 21:28.640 I don't understand what you're... 21:28.640 --> 21:30.640 It's very simple. 21:30.640 --> 21:32.640 You had to get rid of the body, Mr. Covington. 21:32.640 --> 21:36.640 You knew that eventually there was going to be an investigation. 21:36.640 --> 21:38.640 This is a joke, isn't it? 21:38.640 --> 21:42.640 A rather bad joke on your wife. 21:42.640 --> 21:44.640 From a few historical coincidences, 21:44.640 --> 21:47.640 you built a murderess in your own wife's image. 21:47.640 --> 21:49.640 I won't listen to this any more. 21:49.640 --> 21:51.640 Why should you? Look, Cross, 21:51.640 --> 21:53.640 why would Covington here spend an hour 21:53.640 --> 21:56.640 smashing into a crypt for a body he knew wasn't there? 21:56.640 --> 21:58.640 Obviously, my dear captain, 21:58.640 --> 22:00.640 to induce you to ask such a question, 22:00.640 --> 22:03.640 to impress you with his own innocence 22:03.640 --> 22:06.640 and his desperate concern for his wife's guilt. 22:06.640 --> 22:09.640 No, this isn't true. It can't be true. 22:09.640 --> 22:10.640 Of course not. 22:10.640 --> 22:13.640 Cross, just how, for example, could I have been in this house 22:13.640 --> 22:15.640 to poison my uncle and also at the dance that night? 22:15.640 --> 22:19.640 Easily. You simply left the dance that night. 22:19.640 --> 22:21.640 I left the... It was Marie who... 22:21.640 --> 22:23.640 I explained how I looked for her. 22:23.640 --> 22:25.640 So you did. 22:25.640 --> 22:27.640 And you didn't see her, Mr. Covington, 22:27.640 --> 22:29.640 for the very good reason you weren't there. 22:29.640 --> 22:30.640 No, wait a minute. 22:30.640 --> 22:32.640 You were here, my friend, in this house, 22:32.640 --> 22:33.640 just as you had planned. 22:33.640 --> 22:34.640 No, no, you... 22:34.640 --> 22:36.640 Who but you, the nephew, could so naturally 22:36.640 --> 22:38.640 have handed his uncle a cup, 22:38.640 --> 22:40.640 a cup presumably of medicine. 22:40.640 --> 22:41.640 Don't listen to him. 22:41.640 --> 22:43.640 And who but you of all those here 22:43.640 --> 22:45.640 have the strength to carry that body to the furnace, 22:45.640 --> 22:48.640 where it's now probably nothing but ashes? 22:48.640 --> 22:50.640 Lies. All lies. 22:50.640 --> 22:52.640 Why should I do such a thing? 22:52.640 --> 22:54.640 Why would I murder my own uncle? 22:54.640 --> 22:56.640 For the best reason that ever existed. 22:56.640 --> 22:57.640 A fortune. 22:57.640 --> 22:58.640 Stop! 22:58.640 --> 22:59.640 You were the only heir. 22:59.640 --> 23:02.640 You'd get the estate, the money, the independence. 23:02.640 --> 23:04.640 Please, Marie. Brennan, he's making this up. 23:04.640 --> 23:05.640 He's... 23:05.640 --> 23:08.640 Now, now, now. It isn't as bad as all that. 23:08.640 --> 23:12.640 Why, the police can never touch you. 23:12.640 --> 23:15.640 After all, where's the body? 23:15.640 --> 23:17.640 Where's the evidence? 23:22.640 --> 23:25.640 A truly delightful beverage. 23:25.640 --> 23:27.640 Yes, Mr Covington, 23:27.640 --> 23:29.640 I'm sure you'll be quite comfortable 23:29.640 --> 23:32.640 in an asylum for the insane. 23:32.640 --> 23:33.640 And that is... 23:33.640 --> 23:35.640 Mr. Crofts. 23:35.640 --> 23:36.640 What is it? 23:36.640 --> 23:38.640 Here, stand back. 23:38.640 --> 23:40.640 Stand back, let me get to... 23:40.640 --> 23:41.640 Mr. Crofts. 23:41.640 --> 23:42.640 What? 23:42.640 --> 23:44.640 What's the matter, Captain? 23:44.640 --> 23:46.640 This man's dead. 23:46.640 --> 23:47.640 Dead? 23:47.640 --> 23:49.640 And from poison, if I know anything. 23:49.640 --> 23:51.640 Poison from that glass of tea. 23:51.640 --> 23:53.640 Ted! 23:53.640 --> 23:54.640 You! 23:54.640 --> 23:56.640 That glass was right beside you, Covington, 23:56.640 --> 23:58.640 and nobody knew what it was. 23:58.640 --> 24:00.640 You're a fool. 24:00.640 --> 24:01.640 You're a fool. 24:01.640 --> 24:04.640 It was right beside you, Covington, and nobody else. 24:04.640 --> 24:06.640 Nobody else was near. 24:06.640 --> 24:08.640 Too bad he didn't drink it as soon as you hoped. 24:08.640 --> 24:09.640 I didn't do what I did. 24:09.640 --> 24:10.640 Because a second ago, Covington, 24:10.640 --> 24:11.640 we had no evidence, 24:11.640 --> 24:13.640 no body to use against you. 24:13.640 --> 24:16.640 But we have now, Mr. Covington, we have now. 24:16.640 --> 24:31.640 I arrest you for the murder of Godin Cross. 24:46.640 --> 24:47.640 Godin? 24:47.640 --> 24:48.640 Godin? 24:48.640 --> 24:53.640 You're much too far away, my love. 24:53.640 --> 24:54.640 Godin. 24:54.640 --> 24:57.640 Much too far from the flame. 24:57.640 --> 25:02.640 So you've come back, dear Godin. 25:02.640 --> 25:05.640 Back within the hour. 25:05.640 --> 25:08.640 Back for you, Mary. 25:08.640 --> 25:10.640 Far with all the Covingtons, 25:10.640 --> 25:16.640 disposed of now, with the old score settled at last. 25:16.640 --> 25:18.640 I know. 25:18.640 --> 25:22.640 There's no need to tarry longer. 25:22.640 --> 25:25.640 You were brilliant as ever, Godin. 25:25.640 --> 25:29.640 Superb in building the case against him. 25:29.640 --> 25:34.640 Magnificent in the suicide. 25:34.640 --> 25:41.640 I never even saw you take the poison. 25:41.640 --> 25:46.640 And I thought I'd taught you all the tricks. 25:46.640 --> 25:49.640 Closer now, much closer. 25:49.640 --> 25:50.640 Yes. 25:50.640 --> 25:53.640 Closer to the flame, Mary. 25:53.640 --> 25:54.640 Yes. 25:54.640 --> 25:55.640 Yes, Godin. 25:55.640 --> 25:56.640 Closer to me, my love. 25:56.640 --> 26:21.640 That night, the Covington house burned to the ground. 26:21.640 --> 26:30.640 The body of Marie de Brontich Covington was never recovered. 26:30.640 --> 26:32.640 And so closes the burning court 26:32.640 --> 26:34.640 in which Roma wines have brought you Clifton Webb, 26:34.640 --> 26:36.640 as star of tonight's study in... 26:36.640 --> 26:38.640 Suspense. 26:38.640 --> 26:43.640 Suspense is produced, edited, and directed by William Spear. 26:43.640 --> 26:45.640 Before Mr. Webb returns to the microphone, 26:45.640 --> 26:49.640 let me say a word for Roma Wines, the sponsor of Suspense. 26:49.640 --> 26:52.640 Elsa Maxwell makes this timely suggestion 26:52.640 --> 26:54.640 for Father's Day next Sunday. 26:54.640 --> 26:57.640 Show Dad how much you really appreciate him 26:57.640 --> 27:00.640 by making next Sunday's dinner a festive occasion. 27:00.640 --> 27:04.640 Serve glorious golden amber Roma California Cherrie 27:04.640 --> 27:06.640 as first call for dinner. 27:06.640 --> 27:08.640 Dad will enjoy the light nut-like flavor 27:08.640 --> 27:10.640 of this distinguished Roma wine. 27:10.640 --> 27:12.640 Serve cool. 27:12.640 --> 27:14.640 Miss Maxwell has made a grand suggestion. 27:14.640 --> 27:16.640 And why not further delight Father 27:16.640 --> 27:19.640 with a gift package of delicious Roma wine. 27:19.640 --> 27:22.640 Good Roma wines, always delightful, 27:22.640 --> 27:26.640 always uniformly delicious, are reasonably priced. 27:26.640 --> 27:30.640 And the next time you use vermouth, choose Roma vermouth. 27:30.640 --> 27:32.640 Zestful, full-flavored Roma vermouth, 27:32.640 --> 27:34.640 blended and developed with all the traditional 27:34.640 --> 27:37.640 winemaking skill of Roma wineries, 27:37.640 --> 27:41.640 is made and bottled in the heart of California's famous vineyards, 27:41.640 --> 27:43.640 yet surprisingly low-priced. 27:43.640 --> 27:47.640 Try Roma vermouth soon, won't you? 27:47.640 --> 27:49.640 This is Clifton Webb. 27:49.640 --> 27:51.640 And now a serious word. 27:51.640 --> 27:55.640 This great Seventh War lone drive must be a success 27:55.640 --> 27:59.640 if our war against Japan is to be a success. 27:59.640 --> 28:03.640 Our fighting men are depending upon you to put your job over. 28:03.640 --> 28:07.640 It's up to you to buy bigger bonds, 28:07.640 --> 28:10.640 and more of them than ever before. 28:10.640 --> 28:12.640 So please, do it now. 28:12.640 --> 28:15.640 Ladies and gentlemen, next Thursday, same time, 28:15.640 --> 28:20.640 Ann Richards will be your star of Suspense. 28:22.640 --> 28:26.640 Presented by Roma Wines, R-O-M-A, 28:26.640 --> 28:43.640 made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 28:56.640 --> 29:02.640 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.