WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:04.000 Now, Roma Wines, R-O-M-A. 00:04.000 --> 00:08.000 Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 00:08.000 --> 00:12.000 Roma Wines present, Suspense. 00:16.000 --> 00:21.000 Tonight, Roma Wines bring you Mr. Gregory Peck, as star of The Lonely Road. 00:21.000 --> 00:31.000 A Suspense play produced, edited, and directed for Roma Wines by William Spear. 00:31.000 --> 00:37.000 Suspense, radio's outstanding theater of thrills, is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. 00:37.000 --> 00:41.000 That's R-O-M-A, Roma Wines. 00:41.000 --> 00:45.000 Those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live. 00:45.000 --> 00:47.000 To your happiness and entertaining guests. 00:47.000 --> 00:49.000 To your enjoyment of everyday meals. 00:49.000 --> 00:52.000 Yes, right now a glass full would be very pleasant. 00:52.000 --> 00:56.000 As Roma Wines bring you Gregory Peck, in a remarkable tale of... 00:56.000 --> 00:59.000 Suspense! 01:01.000 --> 01:04.000 Okay, Lieutenant. Give me a question and I'll... 01:04.000 --> 01:06.000 Thanks, Doc. 01:08.000 --> 01:10.000 Well, hello, Gare. How goes it? 01:10.000 --> 01:13.000 Oh, not bad. You want a statement, I suppose? 01:13.000 --> 01:14.000 Mm-hmm, that's right. 01:14.000 --> 01:19.000 Well, tell me first, is she apt to get the extreme penalty? 01:19.000 --> 01:22.000 Well, that'll depend a lot upon what you have to say. 01:22.000 --> 01:26.000 I see. Well, I'll give it to you straight. 01:26.000 --> 01:29.000 I'm counting on you to do your best for her. 01:29.000 --> 01:32.000 Sure, sure. Now go ahead, shoot. 01:32.000 --> 01:33.000 Okay. 01:39.000 --> 01:43.000 The first time I saw Jenny, she was coming along the road carrying the suitcase. 01:43.000 --> 01:48.000 I knew she was headed for our place because it's the only house from miles around there. 01:48.000 --> 01:52.000 I was trimming the hedge and I got as far as the rear gate when she reached it. 01:52.000 --> 01:54.000 I waited for her to speak. 01:54.000 --> 01:56.000 Is this the Gare place? 01:56.000 --> 01:58.000 That's right. What can I do for you? 01:58.000 --> 02:02.000 You had an ad in the paper for a girl to do general housework. 02:02.000 --> 02:03.000 Oh, yes, of course. 02:03.000 --> 02:07.000 Well, come along into the house. My wife will want to have a talk with you. 02:08.000 --> 02:12.000 This is a beautiful place you've got here, Mr. Gare. 02:12.000 --> 02:14.000 But it's certainly hard to get to. 02:14.000 --> 02:16.000 You've walked from the highway? 02:16.000 --> 02:19.000 Yeah. Must have been almost five miles. 02:19.000 --> 02:22.000 The sun is something fierce. I almost gave up. 02:22.000 --> 02:24.000 Don't any buses run along here? 02:24.000 --> 02:26.000 No, we're pretty isolated. 02:26.000 --> 02:30.000 If there's help in the house, I always manage to give them a lift into town. 02:30.000 --> 02:33.000 That makes it nice, Mr. Gare. 02:34.000 --> 02:35.000 What's your name? 02:35.000 --> 02:36.000 Jenny. 02:36.000 --> 02:37.000 Jenny what? 02:37.000 --> 02:39.000 Jenny'll do. 02:39.000 --> 02:43.000 All right, Jenny, in here, please. And Mrs. Gare is a trifle hard of hearing, 02:43.000 --> 02:45.000 so you'll have to speak up a bit. 02:45.000 --> 02:48.000 Oh, Helen, this is Jenny. She's come in answer to our advertisement. 02:48.000 --> 02:52.000 Oh, yes. I'm very glad to see you, Jenny. Won't you sit down? 03:00.000 --> 03:02.000 She was extraordinarily looking. 03:02.000 --> 03:04.000 Not beautiful or pretty. 03:04.000 --> 03:07.000 Striking, I guess, would be the word. 03:07.000 --> 03:10.000 She had heavy black braids wound about her head. 03:10.000 --> 03:14.000 Her eyes were a clear green and looked straight through you. 03:14.000 --> 03:20.000 She was lean and powerful, like a young animal, a leopard or a panther or something. 03:20.000 --> 03:22.000 Well, my wife engaged Jenny. 03:22.000 --> 03:26.000 That night she cooked an excellent dinner and served it well. 03:26.000 --> 03:29.000 She had on a purple skirt and a... 03:29.000 --> 03:34.000 cerise, I guess you'd call it, blouse, and I could see Helen eye it with this favor. 03:34.000 --> 03:37.000 Every time the girl came close to me, I... 03:37.000 --> 03:39.000 I could feel the strength of her. 03:39.000 --> 03:42.000 And those green eyes watched as if she was sizing us up. 03:42.000 --> 03:45.000 We took our coffee and cigarettes out on the veranda after dinner. 03:45.000 --> 03:48.000 You can look right over the orange grove to the hill. It's nice. 03:50.000 --> 03:53.000 Steve, what do you think about Jenny? 03:53.000 --> 03:57.000 Oh, well, it's a little early to judge. Seems capable enough. 03:57.000 --> 04:00.000 That was a darn good dinner, if you ask me. Maybe we're in luck, darling. 04:00.000 --> 04:03.000 Maybe. What issue do you think? 04:03.000 --> 04:04.000 Mexican? 04:04.000 --> 04:07.000 No, I'd say Slavic with that build and shape of face. 04:07.000 --> 04:09.000 A little more coffee, Helen. Half a cup. 04:09.000 --> 04:11.000 You're probably right. 04:11.000 --> 04:19.000 There's a sort of, oh, gypsy arrogance, boldness about her that makes me... 04:19.000 --> 04:23.000 uneasy as if I'd have something to cope with. 04:28.000 --> 04:30.000 We went up to bed early. 04:30.000 --> 04:33.000 I was pretty exhausted every night with all the physical work I had to do. 04:33.000 --> 04:37.000 I turned out the light and for some reason stepped over to the window. 04:37.000 --> 04:41.000 Jenny's room was downstairs on the same side of the house as ours in the rear. 04:41.000 --> 04:43.000 Her light was still on. 04:43.000 --> 04:49.000 She was getting ready for bed and her shadow, huge and black, lay across the lawn. 04:49.000 --> 04:53.000 Her arms were raised to take down those heavy braids. 04:53.000 --> 04:57.000 There was something actually classic about the thing. 04:57.000 --> 05:02.000 The picture of it stayed in my mind long after I'd gotten to bed. 05:02.000 --> 05:10.000 Well, two or three days went by and Jenny, well, the thing was you were conscious of her all the time. 05:10.000 --> 05:14.000 Wherever she was about the house, whatever she was doing, you thought about her. 05:14.000 --> 05:19.000 I was working in the garage one afternoon when she came out there with the butcher knife. 05:19.000 --> 05:22.000 Mrs. Gair says you have a whetstone out here. 05:22.000 --> 05:24.000 Can I get you to sharpen my knife for me, Mr. Gair? 05:24.000 --> 05:28.000 Of course, just a moment. 05:28.000 --> 05:30.000 What's that you're doing? 05:30.000 --> 05:32.000 Oh, I'm trying to mend this old bear trap. 05:32.000 --> 05:34.000 Oh, are you a trapper, Mr. Gair? 05:34.000 --> 05:38.000 Oh, no, hardly. There's a coyote around that's been stealing the chickens. 05:38.000 --> 05:40.000 I'm hoping to catch him. 05:40.000 --> 05:51.000 There, now then, let's have the knife. 05:51.000 --> 05:53.000 What do you do, Mr. Gair? 05:53.000 --> 05:56.000 Well, Jenny, Mrs. Gair was a concert pianist at the time of our marriage. 05:56.000 --> 06:01.000 I was a manager. Now I take care of her properties, holdings, investments, you know. 06:01.000 --> 06:04.000 You mean you sign things for her like checks and papers and things? 06:04.000 --> 06:06.000 Parl but telly, yes, that's part of it. 06:06.000 --> 06:11.000 Hmm. Pretty soft for you, huh, Mr. Gair? 06:11.000 --> 06:15.000 Oh, on the contrary, it's quite a job. Keeps me busy. 06:15.000 --> 06:20.000 I still say you've got a pretty set up, but she didn't get such a bad deal herself. 06:20.000 --> 06:24.000 She's crazy in love with you. Anybody can see that. 06:24.000 --> 06:30.000 Why not? You're good looking, Mr. Gair, and young. 06:30.000 --> 06:35.000 You must be at least, at least 12 years younger than she is. 06:35.000 --> 06:39.000 Now here's your knife, Jenny. Careful now, it's like a razor. 06:39.000 --> 06:44.000 Thanks a lot. That's the way I want it. I can't stand a dull knife. 06:44.000 --> 06:47.000 So I'll probably bother you often. 06:47.000 --> 06:54.000 A few more days went by. 06:54.000 --> 07:00.000 I finished my trap and set it out near the chicken run hoping I'd catch my thief. 07:00.000 --> 07:04.000 And one night after dinner, we were in the living room. 07:14.000 --> 07:16.000 What's the matter, Helen? 07:16.000 --> 07:20.000 Oh, Steve, it's that girl. She was standing there in the dining room door listening. 07:20.000 --> 07:23.000 Jenny? Well, she probably likes music. What's the harm? 07:23.000 --> 07:26.000 Oh, it isn't that. She's always listening and watching. 07:26.000 --> 07:28.000 It's beginning to get on my nerves. 07:28.000 --> 07:29.000 How about her work? 07:29.000 --> 07:33.000 Oh, well, she works hard enough. She's willing and clean as a pin. 07:33.000 --> 07:38.000 But I have a feeling she doesn't respect me, that I just don't figure in her scheme of things. 07:38.000 --> 07:42.000 She's just simply taking the place over. I don't even run my own house anymore. 07:42.000 --> 07:44.000 Fire or why don't you? 07:44.000 --> 07:45.000 Oh, no, I couldn't. 07:45.000 --> 07:46.000 I'll say the word and I'll do it for you. 07:46.000 --> 07:49.000 No, no, I don't want you to. 07:49.000 --> 07:53.000 Steve, frankly, I'd be afraid to tell her to go. 07:53.000 --> 07:57.000 She might get ugly and set fire to the house or something. 07:57.000 --> 08:00.000 Oh, I've never heard such nonsense in my life. 08:00.000 --> 08:01.000 What is it, Helen? Aren't you well? 08:01.000 --> 08:05.000 I'm just terribly nervous, Steve. Maybe that's why she takes advantage. 08:11.000 --> 08:13.000 Well, that's settled that. 08:13.000 --> 08:19.000 I feel like a heel though, because I was relieved that Helen didn't want to fire Jenny. 08:19.000 --> 08:23.000 I was obliged to admit to myself that the girl was getting under my skin. 08:23.000 --> 08:26.000 Any little service she had to perform for me. 08:26.000 --> 08:31.000 She made very special, standing as close as she dared. 08:31.000 --> 08:35.000 I could feel the magnetism of that strong, perfect body. 08:35.000 --> 08:42.000 Her hair smelled like new apples, and those clear green eyes would linger caressingly in mine. 08:42.000 --> 08:48.000 Then after about two weeks, one night it must have been one or two o'clock. 08:48.000 --> 08:51.000 Steve, Steve, wake up. 08:51.000 --> 08:53.000 What's the matter? 08:53.000 --> 08:58.000 That girl, I think she's out there in the hallway. I think she's been in this room. 08:58.000 --> 08:59.000 Oh, Helen. 08:59.000 --> 09:02.000 I'm frightened, Steve. Please make a light. 09:02.000 --> 09:04.000 Oh, all right. 09:04.000 --> 09:07.000 No one around. Helen, you must have been dreaming, dear. 09:07.000 --> 09:12.000 Perhaps I was. I dream about her often, Steve. 09:12.000 --> 09:14.000 Horrid, confused kind of dreams. 09:14.000 --> 09:18.000 I'm trying to scream for help and can't. It's just... 09:18.000 --> 09:21.000 Good Lord, Helen. I never thought anybody could get you down. 09:21.000 --> 09:24.000 You've got to control yourself somehow. This is just plain silly. 09:24.000 --> 09:27.000 Yes. Yes. 09:27.000 --> 09:34.000 I turned out the light and got back into bed. 09:34.000 --> 09:39.000 In a little while, I could hear Helen's even breathing and knew she was asleep. 09:39.000 --> 09:46.000 I lay there, thinking about Jenny, of course. I never thought of much else. 09:46.000 --> 09:50.000 In a moment, I heard the piano. 09:50.000 --> 09:58.000 So faint, I thought I was imagining it. And it came again. Weird. Ghostly. 10:02.000 --> 10:06.000 I got up again, put on my robe, and slipped downstairs. 10:06.000 --> 10:11.000 The living room was dark, except for the moonlight pouring through the window. 10:11.000 --> 10:13.000 I was in a state of shock. 10:13.000 --> 10:15.000 I thought I was going to die. 10:15.000 --> 10:20.000 The living room was dark, except for the moonlight pouring through the window. 10:20.000 --> 10:24.000 And Jenny's figure, black against the light, was moving towards me. 10:24.000 --> 10:30.000 Almost before I knew it, she pressed close against me, crushing her mouth to mine. 10:30.000 --> 10:35.000 It was like being stung. Sharp, sweet, terrible. 10:41.000 --> 10:43.000 Jenny, what is this? 10:43.000 --> 10:48.000 Don't kid me. You knew this was coming. That it had to come, that nothing could keep us apart. 10:48.000 --> 10:51.000 Now everything's going to be all right. 10:51.000 --> 10:56.000 But... but Jenny... we can't. Helen is no fool. 10:56.000 --> 10:58.000 We can't let her stand in our way. 10:58.000 --> 11:00.000 What... what do you mean? 11:00.000 --> 11:04.000 It won't be hard. Just a matter of figuring the best way. 11:04.000 --> 11:08.000 I don't know what you mean, Jenny. And we can't stay here talking nights any longer. 11:08.000 --> 11:10.000 I... 11:12.000 --> 11:14.000 It'll be just you and me, Steve. 11:14.000 --> 11:17.000 And all that money. Think what we can do with it. Just think. 11:17.000 --> 11:19.000 Are you crazy? 11:19.000 --> 11:23.000 Yeah. Crazy for you. Just like you are for me. 11:23.000 --> 11:27.000 Listen, Steve. Inside of five or six years, you're going to be stuck with a deaf old woman. 11:27.000 --> 11:31.000 What you're going to do? Sit here and grow old with her? Not you. 11:31.000 --> 11:36.000 Sooner or later, you'll clear out. So why not now? With me. 11:36.000 --> 11:40.000 Why? It's not so simple as you make it sound, my dear. 11:40.000 --> 11:44.000 All you have to do is to spread around the town that Helen's going to visit her folks. 11:44.000 --> 11:48.000 Mississippi or someplace. And leave her to me. 11:48.000 --> 11:53.000 Afterwards, you can say your wife's decided to stay down south. 11:53.000 --> 11:56.000 That you're going to... going to sell out and join her. 11:56.000 --> 12:06.000 Then we can turn everything into cash and we're on our way. Easy? 12:06.000 --> 12:09.000 The next few days I worked outside till my hands bled. 12:09.000 --> 12:15.000 And my whole body shrieked with pain. To keep from thinking, I began having nightmares. 12:15.000 --> 12:18.000 I'd wake up in a cold sweat and lie there longing for daylight. 12:18.000 --> 12:22.000 Swearing that as soon as morning came, I'd throw that girl out of the house. 12:22.000 --> 12:30.000 But she'd brush against me or touch my hand. And I'd be wild for her again. 12:30.000 --> 12:36.000 I guess I knew then that sooner or later I'd agree to nearly anything she asked. 12:36.000 --> 12:43.000 For suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you as star Gregory Peck in The Lonely Road by Marion Orth. 12:43.000 --> 13:07.000 Roma Wines presentation tonight in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 13:07.000 --> 13:17.000 Between the acts of suspense, this is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines. 13:17.000 --> 13:23.000 Today is the first day of spring. A welcome time everywhere, but especially at Roma. 13:23.000 --> 13:29.000 For in Roma's carefully kept vineyards located in California's choicest wine growing districts, 13:29.000 --> 13:33.000 the precious vines are already stirring with renewed life. 13:33.000 --> 13:39.000 The eternal miracle of soil and sun is now creating the luscious goodness of tender grapes 13:39.000 --> 13:47.000 that Roma's master ventners patiently, unhurriedly guide to tempting mellow wine perfection for you. 13:47.000 --> 13:53.000 If you've never enjoyed fine Roma California wines, you'll be delighted to discover Roma can offer you 13:53.000 --> 13:57.000 so much taste luxury for so little. 13:57.000 --> 14:03.000 Yes, Roma is America's first choice in wine for every occasion, every day. 14:03.000 --> 14:10.000 Yet you can enjoy fine Roma wine for just pennies a glass about the cost of a soft drink. 14:10.000 --> 14:17.000 And all Roma wines are bottled at the winery to bring you sealed in, unburying goodness always. 14:17.000 --> 14:23.000 So for praise-winning hospitality or for happy family evenings at home, 14:23.000 --> 14:27.000 serve Roma Sherry, Port, Muscatel, or Toquet. 14:27.000 --> 14:32.000 Insist on Roma, R-O-M-A, Roma Wines. 14:32.000 --> 14:37.000 Discover why more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. 14:37.000 --> 14:42.000 And now Roma Wines bring back to our Hollywood soundstage Gregory Peck, 14:42.000 --> 14:49.000 who as Stephen Gare in The Lonely Road, continues a narrative well calculated to keep you in suspense. 14:49.000 --> 14:53.000 Helen began to get on my nerves. 14:53.000 --> 14:58.000 It seemed that every day she looked older, washed out, became deffer. 14:58.000 --> 15:03.000 I began to despise her, to wander out of my way, out of Jenny's in my way. 15:03.000 --> 15:10.000 One morning at breakfast, Jenny came in and stood there looking at me fixately. 15:10.000 --> 15:13.000 Well, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. 15:13.000 --> 15:19.000 Jenny came in and stood there looking at me fixately. 15:19.000 --> 15:22.000 Well, Jenny, what is it? 15:22.000 --> 15:28.000 If you're going to town today, Mr. Gare, I've written down some things for the house. 15:28.000 --> 15:34.000 Very well, Jenny. If you're list ready, give it to me. I'll be leaving in a few minutes. 15:34.000 --> 15:40.000 I knew what she meant. She was getting impatient. 15:40.000 --> 15:47.000 A reply, which she waited for with those green eyes fixed on mine, was virtually a consent to her plan. 15:47.000 --> 15:55.000 As for me, I wasn't sure what I meant to do, but I thought it would do no harm at least to set the ball rolling. 15:55.000 --> 16:00.000 In town, I dropped into the garage and asked the mechanic to look the car over. 16:00.000 --> 16:04.000 I said Mrs. Gare was planning a trip to visit her family in Mississippi, 16:04.000 --> 16:09.000 but I'd have to drive her into Tucson to take the train, and that my tires weren't so good. 16:09.000 --> 16:11.000 After that, I stopped at the realty office. 16:11.000 --> 16:16.000 Really, Mr. Gare, you're thinking of selling that beautiful place of yours? 16:16.000 --> 16:21.000 Oh, it's just a possibility. I don't want any prospective buyers about the places yet, 16:21.000 --> 16:26.000 but my wife is planning a trip south and I may follow her and remain there permanently. 16:26.000 --> 16:30.000 Help's such a problem. Place of ours takes a lot of handling. 16:30.000 --> 16:32.000 A fellow gets fed up after a while. 16:32.000 --> 16:35.000 Well, there'd be no difficulty disposing of the property, Mr. Gare. 16:35.000 --> 16:40.000 Just let me know when you're ready, and meanwhile I won't bother you with people coming. 16:44.000 --> 16:47.000 I drove home in a sort of trance. 16:47.000 --> 16:53.000 I wasn't shocked at what I'd done, and the thing was still wide open if I wanted to back out. 16:53.000 --> 16:57.000 When I got home, I didn't want to go into the house. 16:57.000 --> 17:02.000 So far I'd had no luck with the coyote, so I busied myself setting the trap in another spot. 17:02.000 --> 17:08.000 While I was doing this, Jenny came out with that butcher knife again, and we went into the garage. 17:08.000 --> 17:10.000 Helen was at the piano. 17:18.000 --> 17:20.000 Did you do what I told you to see? 17:20.000 --> 17:21.000 Yes. 17:21.000 --> 17:24.000 Good. I can't stand this much longer. 17:24.000 --> 17:28.000 All right, Jenny, but I can't bear to be here when... 17:28.000 --> 17:30.000 Kiss me, Steve. 17:31.000 --> 17:35.000 Don't worry. It'll be when you're out of the house. 17:38.000 --> 17:42.000 She didn't say any more, just looked at me with a twisted little smile. 17:42.000 --> 17:46.000 I gave her the sharpened knife, and she kissed me and went into the house. 17:46.000 --> 17:48.000 At dinner that night, Helen said... 17:48.000 --> 17:51.000 I had words with Jenny today, Steve. 17:51.000 --> 17:54.000 I can't have her around any longer. 17:54.000 --> 17:56.000 You can fire her tonight, if you will. 17:56.000 --> 17:58.000 What? Oh, no, my dear. 17:58.000 --> 18:00.000 I offered to do it once, and you wouldn't let me. 18:00.000 --> 18:02.000 Now you'll just have to do it yourself. 18:02.000 --> 18:03.000 Steve, I'm afraid of her terribly. 18:03.000 --> 18:05.000 Why, has she been ugly, threatening? 18:05.000 --> 18:08.000 Don't shout so, Steve. I'm not as deaf as all that. 18:08.000 --> 18:10.000 And she'll hear you. 18:10.000 --> 18:14.000 No, no, she hasn't threatened me, nothing like that. 18:14.000 --> 18:17.000 There's just something about her that I don't know. 18:17.000 --> 18:19.000 There's just something about her that fills me with horror. 18:19.000 --> 18:21.000 You're imagining things, Helen. 18:21.000 --> 18:23.000 What possible reason could she have for harming you? 18:23.000 --> 18:26.000 I don't know, but this house has become a dreadful place. 18:26.000 --> 18:30.000 I'm cold all the time, and I'm shaky. 18:31.000 --> 18:34.000 And you seem different. You look at me sometimes as if you hate me. 18:34.000 --> 18:35.000 Now, see here, Helen... 18:35.000 --> 18:36.000 Don't try to reason with me. 18:36.000 --> 18:39.000 If she doesn't get out of this house quick, I'll lose my mind. 18:39.000 --> 18:42.000 She's like a witch or something malignant or evil. 18:42.000 --> 18:45.000 Jenny came in just then to change the plates for dessert. 18:45.000 --> 18:50.000 As she bent over to take the platter, she held that knife in her hand in such a way that... 18:50.000 --> 18:55.000 my blood ran cool for a minute after she'd gone out. 18:55.000 --> 19:02.000 You haven't noticed it, but lately I haven't taken a mouthful of food until I've seen you start to eat for fear she'll poison me. 19:02.000 --> 19:06.000 That's ridiculous. Why shouldn't she poison me as well? 19:06.000 --> 19:07.000 Because she's crazy about you. 19:07.000 --> 19:09.000 Oh, for heaven's sake. 19:09.000 --> 19:12.000 And you're crazy about her. 19:12.000 --> 19:16.000 Don't deny it, Steve. I may be deaf, but I'm not blind, you know. 19:16.000 --> 19:19.000 Look, Helen, I'm going into town for a drive. 19:19.000 --> 19:22.000 If you want to fire Jenny while I'm gone, that's all right with me. 19:32.000 --> 19:35.000 I tried not to dwell on the immediate events, but... 19:35.000 --> 19:39.000 but to think about the time when I'd be free to go away with Jenny. 19:39.000 --> 19:44.000 The drive into town seemed endless, but at last I pulled up in front of the hotel. 19:53.000 --> 19:56.000 Good evening, Mr. Gare. Come for the papers? 19:56.000 --> 19:58.000 Yes, and a cigar, maybe, Fred. 19:58.000 --> 20:01.000 I looked around the little lobby. 20:01.000 --> 20:04.000 There wasn't a soul in there that I knew. 20:04.000 --> 20:06.000 I watched the people. 20:06.000 --> 20:10.000 One minute feeling sorry for them because their lives were so drab, 20:10.000 --> 20:14.000 the next ending them because they were so secure, simple. 20:14.000 --> 20:18.000 I was sitting there staring unseeingly at the local paper 20:18.000 --> 20:22.000 when I suddenly came out of this trance or... 20:22.000 --> 20:28.000 a spell that I'd been under. The shock of realization was frightful. 20:28.000 --> 20:31.000 I didn't want anything to happen to Helen. 20:44.000 --> 20:47.000 I prayed to heaven I'd get home in time. 20:47.000 --> 20:50.000 I kept recalling the time when I was in town. 20:50.000 --> 20:55.000 I kept recalling similar instances of such crimes I'd read in newspapers. 20:55.000 --> 20:58.000 I'd always wondered how people could become involved in such things. 20:58.000 --> 21:01.000 Well, I knew all about it now. 21:01.000 --> 21:05.000 A weak fool to let a coarse preacher like that lead me into such a thing. 21:05.000 --> 21:07.000 If only I could be in time. 21:07.000 --> 21:11.000 I'd throw that girl out and devote the rest of my life to making Helen happy. 21:11.000 --> 21:15.000 Helen, generous, loving, intelligent and talented. 21:15.000 --> 21:18.000 Why hadn't I thought of all this before? 21:18.000 --> 21:20.000 Then I saw the car. 21:20.000 --> 21:23.000 It was parked at the side of the highway right at my turnoff. 21:23.000 --> 21:25.000 I knew it was a police car. 21:25.000 --> 21:27.000 I cursed to myself and prayed, 21:27.000 --> 21:31.000 don't let them take long. I've got to be in time for Helen. Please. 21:31.000 --> 21:34.000 An officer stepped out into the road and waved his flash. 21:34.000 --> 21:37.000 Please, I said to myself. Please. 21:42.000 --> 21:43.000 Hello. 21:43.000 --> 21:44.000 What's up, officer? 21:44.000 --> 21:48.000 Oh, looking for a stolen car, but not a baby like that one. 21:48.000 --> 21:50.000 A local car, was it? 21:50.000 --> 21:51.000 Yeah. 21:51.000 --> 21:54.000 You'd better let me have a look at your operator's car. 21:54.000 --> 21:57.000 You must have been doing about 80 along that stretch. 21:57.000 --> 21:59.000 Oh, sure. Here you are, officer. 21:59.000 --> 22:02.000 Sorry I was overdoing it. I was just in town and I... 22:02.000 --> 22:05.000 I guess I stayed longer than I intended. 22:05.000 --> 22:08.000 My wife's alone in the house and not very well in a... 22:08.000 --> 22:10.000 How's in a hurry to get home? 22:10.000 --> 22:12.000 You live down this road? 22:12.000 --> 22:13.000 That's right. 22:13.000 --> 22:17.000 Say, maybe that car could have got down in there. I think I'll... 22:17.000 --> 22:21.000 No, no, no. I... I mean, I... I would have seen it. 22:21.000 --> 22:22.000 Ah. 22:22.000 --> 22:26.000 Okay, Mr. Gare, just take it easy, will you? 22:26.000 --> 22:53.000 Yeah. Certainly will, officer. And thanks. Good night. 22:53.000 --> 22:58.000 I didn't know what to do. I stood there in the doorway, looking up. 22:58.000 --> 23:01.000 There was a light upstairs in the window of our bedroom. 23:01.000 --> 23:04.000 It threw a radiance on the screen door and burned with a... 23:04.000 --> 23:08.000 a steady glow as if it... as if it had been burning like that for ages. 23:08.000 --> 23:12.000 As if it had witnessed a scene of horror and brooded over it, 23:12.000 --> 23:14.000 keeping the secret to itself. 23:14.000 --> 23:19.000 When I started finally for the house, my legs were so stiff I could... 23:19.000 --> 23:21.000 I could scarcely walk. 23:21.000 --> 23:34.000 I stayed off the gravel, walking on the grass, and went in the back door. 23:34.000 --> 23:36.000 There wasn't a sound. 23:36.000 --> 23:41.000 I tiptoed through the kitchen, through the dining room, across the hall. 23:41.000 --> 23:44.000 Then I could see the light from that lamp spilling down the stairway 23:44.000 --> 23:47.000 at the far end of the dark living room. 23:47.000 --> 23:50.000 My heart pumped so loud I could hear it. 23:50.000 --> 23:55.000 I wanted to call out, but I didn't dare. Whom would I call? 23:55.000 --> 23:57.000 Perhaps everything was all right. 23:57.000 --> 24:01.000 Perhaps Helen was up there in bed. How I prayed she was. 24:01.000 --> 24:05.000 I hesitated on the threshold, thought of glancing into Jenny's room, 24:05.000 --> 24:10.000 but that would have looked queer if... if nothing had happened. 24:10.000 --> 24:12.000 I stepped over the threshold. 24:12.000 --> 24:15.000 Ah! It was that trap, that bear trap. 24:15.000 --> 24:17.000 Somebody had placed it there, ready for me. 24:17.000 --> 24:21.000 Who? He was excruciating. I wrenched him. Who did the thing? 24:21.000 --> 24:23.000 Helen! Jenny! Somebody! 24:23.000 --> 24:25.000 Come and give me a hand! 24:32.000 --> 24:34.000 Who is it? Help me! 24:34.000 --> 24:36.000 Hurry, I'm caught in this trap. 24:36.000 --> 24:38.000 Get the hammer, pliers, anything! 24:42.000 --> 24:46.000 She reached the bottom of the stairs and snapped on the lights. 24:46.000 --> 24:49.000 I've never seen such a sight in my life. 24:49.000 --> 24:52.000 There was blood all over the place. 24:52.000 --> 24:55.000 On the wallpaper, the white paint. 24:55.000 --> 25:00.000 Then I saw Jenny, lying on the floor in a crumpled heap, 25:00.000 --> 25:05.000 her long braids soaking in... Helen's dress. 25:05.000 --> 25:08.000 Her hands and face were spattered with it. 25:08.000 --> 25:12.000 Her hair was disheveled. Her eyes like pinpoints of fire. 25:12.000 --> 25:16.000 And against her side I could see the gleam of that long, sharp knife. 25:16.000 --> 25:19.000 She was coming slowly towards me. 25:19.000 --> 25:22.000 Oh, we were beautifully caught, Jenny and I. 25:22.000 --> 25:25.000 She with her knife, I with my trap. 25:25.000 --> 25:28.000 Helen! Don't look like that! 25:28.000 --> 25:30.000 What's happened? 25:30.000 --> 25:33.000 You planned this together, you two. 25:33.000 --> 25:36.000 But it didn't turn out just as you thought it might. 25:36.000 --> 25:39.000 Helen, please don't look at me like that. 25:39.000 --> 25:42.000 Well, there she is. Look at her. 25:42.000 --> 25:45.000 If I hadn't been ready for her, I'd be lying in her place 25:45.000 --> 25:47.000 and you'd be glad, wouldn't you, Steve? 25:47.000 --> 25:51.000 No, no. Helen, Helen, you insane, drop that knife for heaven's sake. 25:51.000 --> 25:53.000 Listen to me. 25:53.000 --> 25:55.000 She came closer, I made a lunge for her. 25:55.000 --> 25:57.000 With the grip of that steel above my leg, 25:57.000 --> 25:59.000 threw me off balance and I fell forward. 25:59.000 --> 26:02.000 She sprang on me. I fought her off, but that knife came at me. 26:02.000 --> 26:05.000 Face, throat, everywhere like flashes of lightning. 26:05.000 --> 26:07.000 Helen, don't do this to me! 26:07.000 --> 26:09.000 I swear I came back. 26:09.000 --> 26:11.000 Helen, don't! 26:23.000 --> 26:26.000 Well, Lieutenant, 26:26.000 --> 26:29.000 that police car arrived in time to save my life. 26:29.000 --> 26:31.000 But I... 26:31.000 --> 26:34.000 I wish they'd let her finish the job. 26:34.000 --> 26:37.000 Then and there. 26:37.000 --> 26:39.000 Okay, Gare. 26:39.000 --> 26:42.000 Okay, thanks. 26:42.000 --> 26:44.000 I'll send the doc right in. 26:44.000 --> 26:49.000 And Gare, I wouldn't worry too much about Helen. 26:49.000 --> 27:05.000 I think she'll be all right. 27:10.000 --> 27:12.000 Suspense! 27:12.000 --> 27:14.000 Presented by Roma Wines. 27:14.000 --> 27:16.000 R-O-M-A. 27:16.000 --> 27:20.000 Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 27:20.000 --> 27:22.000 Before we hear again from Gregory Peck, 27:22.000 --> 27:25.000 the star of the lonely road tonight's suspense play, 27:25.000 --> 27:29.000 this is Trume Bradley for Roma Wines. 27:29.000 --> 27:31.000 Here's how millions of American homemakers 27:31.000 --> 27:34.000 are relieving the monotony of meatless Lenten meals. 27:34.000 --> 27:38.000 They are adding zest and freshness to otherwise drab menus 27:38.000 --> 27:41.000 by serving a fine Roma table wine. 27:41.000 --> 27:45.000 Yes, Roma wine makes the difference between just eating 27:45.000 --> 27:48.000 and friendly, enjoyable dining. 27:48.000 --> 27:50.000 Try serving Roma California Sauternes 27:50.000 --> 27:52.000 with your favorite fish tomorrow. 27:52.000 --> 27:55.000 Discover how delicate, pale gold Roma Sauternes 27:55.000 --> 27:59.000 lends enchanting new charm and companionship to your table. 27:59.000 --> 28:03.000 How Roma's delightful fragrance and smooth, palatable goodness 28:03.000 --> 28:05.000 make dining more pleasurable. 28:05.000 --> 28:07.000 With baked beans or spaghetti, 28:07.000 --> 28:11.000 serve full-bodied, red Roma California Burgundy. 28:11.000 --> 28:14.000 They are perfect flavor mates. 28:14.000 --> 28:18.000 Tomorrow, Friday, make dinner a treat with Roma wine. 28:18.000 --> 28:20.000 Roma wines cost but pennies a glass. 28:20.000 --> 28:23.000 So little, everyone can enjoy them often. 28:23.000 --> 28:25.000 Insist on Roma. 28:25.000 --> 28:28.000 R-O-M-A. Roma wine. 28:28.000 --> 28:32.000 Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 28:32.000 --> 28:33.000 This is Gregory Peck. 28:33.000 --> 28:35.000 Like everyone else here in the film colony, 28:35.000 --> 28:37.000 I've always admired suspense, 28:37.000 --> 28:39.000 and it's been very exciting to appear here tonight. 28:39.000 --> 28:42.000 I want to thank Maria Palmer, who appeared as Jenny, 28:42.000 --> 28:45.000 and Kathy Lewis, who enacted the role of Helen in tonight's play. 28:45.000 --> 28:48.000 Next Thursday on Suspense, a very famous character of crime fiction 28:48.000 --> 28:50.000 will make his debut on the air. 28:50.000 --> 28:53.000 That'll be Baynard Kendrick's remarkable blind detective, 28:53.000 --> 28:55.000 Captain Duncan McClain. 28:55.000 --> 28:57.000 And Brian Donlevy will play Captain McClain 28:57.000 --> 29:00.000 in a radio play built around one of the most ingenious 29:00.000 --> 29:02.000 and cunning murders I've ever heard about. 29:02.000 --> 29:04.000 I'll surely be listening, 29:04.000 --> 29:07.000 and I know you will want to listen next Thursday to Suspense. 29:07.000 --> 29:10.000 Gregory Peck will soon be seen as star of The Yearling, 29:10.000 --> 29:12.000 produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. 29:12.000 --> 29:14.000 Next Thursday, same time, 29:14.000 --> 29:17.000 Roma wines will bring you Mr. Brian Donlevy 29:17.000 --> 29:22.000 as star of Suspense, radio's outstanding theatre of thrill. 29:24.000 --> 29:26.000 Produced by William Spear 29:26.000 --> 29:29.000 for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California. 29:31.000 --> 29:33.000 Suspense is broadcast from coast to coast 29:33.000 --> 29:36.000 and to our men and women of the Armed Forces overseas by shortwave 29:36.000 --> 29:40.000 and through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. 29:40.000 --> 30:03.000 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.