WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:10.000 Now, Roma Wines, R-O-M-A, made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 00:10.000 --> 00:14.000 Roma Wines presents Suspense. 00:17.000 --> 00:23.000 Tonight, Roma Wines bring you Mr. Alan Hale, a star of The Leading Citizen of Pratt County, 00:23.000 --> 00:32.000 a suspense play produced, edited and directed for Roma Wines by William Spear. 00:32.000 --> 00:39.000 Suspense, Radio's outstanding theater of thrills, is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. 00:39.000 --> 00:42.000 That's R-O-M-A, Roma Wines. 00:42.000 --> 00:46.000 Those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live, 00:46.000 --> 00:51.000 to your happiness and entertaining guests, to your enjoyment of everyday meals. 00:51.000 --> 00:57.000 Yes, right now a glass full would be very pleasant, as Roma Wines bring you Alan Hale, 00:57.000 --> 01:00.000 in a remarkable tale of Suspense. 01:04.000 --> 01:08.000 I'm an old man now, and I'm afraid I'm not a very good old man. 01:08.000 --> 01:13.000 In fact, by every conceivable standard, I am a thoroughly bad old man. 01:13.000 --> 01:18.000 Not that such a thing is known or even suspected in Pratt County, to the contrary. 01:18.000 --> 01:22.000 Here it is the universal and unshakable opinion that I combine the wisdom of Solomon 01:22.000 --> 01:25.000 with the virtues of the Twelve Apostles. 01:25.000 --> 01:29.000 But since I now have every reason to believe that I must shortly shuffle off this mortal coil, 01:29.000 --> 01:33.000 both honor and what I freely confess to be a perverted sense of humor, 01:33.000 --> 01:38.000 impel me to expose this pleasant notion for the outrageous fraud that it is. 01:38.000 --> 01:43.000 And so it happens that I hereby leave to my heirs and assigns this true account 01:43.000 --> 01:48.000 of how I became the leading citizen of Pratt County. 01:53.000 --> 01:57.000 It was some 20 years ago that I first found myself driving through this part of the country 01:57.000 --> 02:02.000 with an associate of mine, after the completion of a fairly successful operation on the west coast, 02:02.000 --> 02:05.000 which necessitated our speedy trip east. 02:05.000 --> 02:09.000 We had been driving along the banks of a lovely stream across a grassy plateau 02:09.000 --> 02:14.000 known in some western states as a park, and were heading toward a lush and fertile valley 02:14.000 --> 02:19.000 of farmland that could be seen some miles below. 02:19.000 --> 02:24.000 But for some unaccountable reason, the intervening area was the hottest, the dustiest, 02:24.000 --> 02:31.000 the most desolate and altogether poisonous strip of country it has ever been my misfortune to encounter. 02:31.000 --> 02:37.000 And right in the middle of this desert was a, I use the word loosely, a town. 02:37.000 --> 02:43.000 And it was right on the outskirts of this town that my partner at last forced me to divulge certain unfortunate facts 02:43.000 --> 02:47.000 that were destined to alter the entire direction of my life. 02:47.000 --> 02:50.000 Why, you crook, you dirty lousy old crook. 02:50.000 --> 02:53.000 No, Harry, how was I to know the horse would lose? 02:53.000 --> 02:56.000 You knew that half the dough was mine, didn't you? You knew that much. 02:56.000 --> 03:01.000 But I thought I was doing you a favor, Harry. I had the most positive assurances that that horse... 03:01.000 --> 03:06.000 Our whole take lost. Six months' work. Every dime we made on that oil stock racket. 03:06.000 --> 03:11.000 And now you tell me. Now. A thousand miles from civilization in the middle of a dust ball somewhere. 03:11.000 --> 03:14.000 Oh, I'm sorry, Harry. I'm truly sorry. 03:14.000 --> 03:18.000 And I give you my solemn promise that such a thing will never happen again. Why, that horse... 03:18.000 --> 03:24.000 You bet your life it won't, because you and me are through. As of now. Through. Finished. Washed up. 03:24.000 --> 03:28.000 Oh. Now, now, now, wait a minute, Harry. Let's not be hasty. 03:28.000 --> 03:29.000 You heard me. Out. 03:29.000 --> 03:32.000 Just a moment. By what right do you presume... 03:32.000 --> 03:33.000 By this right. 03:33.000 --> 03:34.000 Oh. Oh. 03:34.000 --> 03:39.000 And here's your suitcase. And I wish you all the tough luck in the world. Goodbye. 03:39.000 --> 03:42.000 Oh. Oh. 03:42.000 --> 03:43.000 Oh. 03:43.000 --> 03:44.000 Oh. 03:44.000 --> 03:45.000 Oh. 03:45.000 --> 03:47.000 Gracious. What happened? Are you all right? 03:47.000 --> 03:48.000 Oh. 03:48.000 --> 03:49.000 Oh, here. Help me with the mop. 03:49.000 --> 03:50.000 Yes, of course. 03:50.000 --> 03:53.000 Help with the... Why, that poor fellow's about all in. 03:53.000 --> 03:56.000 We've got to take him inside. He ought to lay down for a spell. 03:56.000 --> 03:57.000 Brush him off here. 03:57.000 --> 03:59.000 Say, can you make him scream? 03:59.000 --> 04:02.000 Well, yes. Yes. Thank you. You're very kind. 04:02.000 --> 04:04.000 Oh, that's all right. It's a pleasure. 04:04.000 --> 04:08.000 Oh, you're the first stranger to stop off here in Pratsville since about... 04:08.000 --> 04:09.000 ...1929. 04:09.000 --> 04:11.000 You able to walk all right? 04:11.000 --> 04:13.000 Yes. Yes. Thank you. 04:13.000 --> 04:16.000 Oh, my gracious. What in the world ever happened? 04:16.000 --> 04:19.000 Oh, young scoundrel. Hitchhiker. 04:19.000 --> 04:22.000 Picked him up a few miles back and the next thing I knew, he assaulted me. 04:22.000 --> 04:24.000 Took my money and made off with my car. 04:24.000 --> 04:26.000 Well, I can tell you. Come on into the house. 04:26.000 --> 04:27.000 Yes. 04:27.000 --> 04:30.000 Well, yes. You see, it's not that I care about the money and the car is heavily insured. 04:30.000 --> 04:32.000 Of course, it's the inconvenience. 04:32.000 --> 04:37.000 I suppose that I shall have to stay over somewhere until my agent can send me funds. 04:37.000 --> 04:39.000 Now, don't you give it another thought. 04:39.000 --> 04:42.000 You can stay right here with us just as long as you have a mind to. 04:42.000 --> 04:45.000 You can have this very room, Sonny's room. 04:45.000 --> 04:48.000 Well, Sonny will be coming home any day now, though, Ma. 04:48.000 --> 04:51.000 Then he can have the spare room. Sonny's our boy. 04:51.000 --> 04:53.000 He's up at State University. See? 04:53.000 --> 04:55.000 Here's his picture with the swimming team. 04:55.000 --> 04:56.000 He's captain of it. 04:56.000 --> 04:57.000 He's the captain. 04:57.000 --> 04:59.000 And here he is with the lacrosse team. 04:59.000 --> 05:04.000 Yes, yes. Well, believe me, I am deeply grateful for your hospitality, 05:04.000 --> 05:08.000 but I'm afraid the air here wouldn't agree with my constitution, heart, you know. 05:08.000 --> 05:10.000 Now, don't you worry none about the air. 05:10.000 --> 05:15.000 Of course, it is a little hot and dusty this time of the year, but it won't hurt you none. 05:15.000 --> 05:17.000 Other times of year, it's different, eh? 05:17.000 --> 05:18.000 Mm-hmm. 05:18.000 --> 05:21.000 The rainy season. It gets real muddy there. 05:21.000 --> 05:23.000 Yeah, well, I see how it would. 05:23.000 --> 05:25.000 Well, there's a funny thing about this town, though. 05:25.000 --> 05:30.000 I do say that when it was first settled, it was one of the prettiest little places you could find in the whole state. 05:30.000 --> 05:32.000 Of course, that was a long time ago. 05:32.000 --> 05:34.000 Oh, yeah. It must have been. 05:34.000 --> 05:36.000 You, uh, you come down through the park, didn't you? 05:36.000 --> 05:37.000 Well, of course you did. 05:37.000 --> 05:40.000 You notice that fine-looking river flowing alongside the road? 05:40.000 --> 05:41.000 Yeah. 05:41.000 --> 05:45.000 Well, sir, that river used to flow right through the center of town. 05:45.000 --> 05:47.000 You can still see where it did. 05:47.000 --> 05:51.000 And then about, oh, 89 years ago, there was a tremble or something way up the mountains, 05:51.000 --> 05:56.000 and a big hole opened up in the ground, and that river just dropped plum out of sight right on the edge of the park. 05:56.000 --> 05:57.000 Is that...? 05:57.000 --> 06:02.000 Yeah. She'd come out of the ground and get knocked clear down the valley about ten miles away. 06:02.000 --> 06:04.000 That's why it's a dry apiece. 06:04.000 --> 06:06.000 Well, well, you don't say. 06:06.000 --> 06:07.000 Yeah, yeah. 06:07.000 --> 06:12.000 A few years back, there was talk about the WPA closing up that hole so the river would run right through the town again. 06:12.000 --> 06:17.000 Oh, I tell you, folks here got pretty excited about it, even after putting up half the money. 06:17.000 --> 06:19.000 And they raised it, too, they did. 06:19.000 --> 06:21.000 They did, eh? 06:21.000 --> 06:22.000 Yes. 06:22.000 --> 06:23.000 They raised the money? 06:23.000 --> 06:24.000 That's right. 06:24.000 --> 06:28.000 Oh, there's folks around here that got money all right when they got a mind to let loose of it. 06:28.000 --> 06:29.000 Oh, I see. 06:29.000 --> 06:33.000 And would it be too much to ask how much they raised? 06:33.000 --> 06:36.000 Oh, come to pretty near $50,000 as the town share of it. 06:36.000 --> 06:40.000 But then some fella come up from Washington and look things over, and he said, 06:40.000 --> 06:44.000 we closed up the hole, let it dry up the valley down below and ruin all the farmers down there. 06:44.000 --> 06:47.000 So then, of course, we just had to give up the whole idea. 06:47.000 --> 06:49.000 Well, now, that is interesting. 06:49.000 --> 06:51.000 Most interesting, Mr.... 06:51.000 --> 06:53.000 Neff. Woodrow Neff. 06:53.000 --> 06:55.000 Of course, this is Mrs. Neff. 06:55.000 --> 06:57.000 A great pleasure, Mr. Neff. Mrs. Neff. 06:57.000 --> 06:58.000 Thank you. 06:58.000 --> 07:02.000 My name is Witherspoon. Alonzo P. Witherspoon. 07:02.000 --> 07:04.000 Professor Witherspoon. 07:04.000 --> 07:08.000 A professor? My weight of sunny heels, we got a real professor in the house. 07:08.000 --> 07:14.000 Yes. As I say, Mr. Neff, this is most interesting, particularly interesting to me, 07:14.000 --> 07:18.000 as it happens that I am a professor of geology, and in that capacity, 07:18.000 --> 07:24.000 I serve as technical advisor to Senator Cotton of the Committee of National Parks and Monuments 07:24.000 --> 07:27.000 and Subterranean Waterways. You've heard of Senator Cotton? 07:27.000 --> 07:29.000 Oh, why, sure, sure. 07:29.000 --> 07:33.000 Well, say, maybe you've already heard of this river, Vars. Green River, it's called. 07:33.000 --> 07:36.000 Precisely what I was coming to, Mr. Neff. 07:36.000 --> 07:40.000 As you were speaking, I began to remember the discussions we had had in committee. 07:40.000 --> 07:42.000 It was some years ago, wasn't it? 07:42.000 --> 07:44.000 1936, wasn't it, Pa? 07:44.000 --> 07:46.000 The summer of 1936 was when the flutter came out here. 07:46.000 --> 07:52.000 Exactly, and I remember telling Senator Cotton at the time that we must look into the whole project again, 07:52.000 --> 07:56.000 when the sedimentary substrata had been given time to settle. 07:56.000 --> 07:59.000 Then, of course, it was forgotten in the press of other matters. 07:59.000 --> 08:01.000 You know how those things are in Washington. 08:01.000 --> 08:07.000 And now, by the merest chance, I am given the perfect opportunity of examining Green River for myself. 08:07.000 --> 08:11.000 Oh, it's an ill wind that blows nobody good, eh, Mr. Neff? 08:11.000 --> 08:14.000 Well, say, now you will have to stay with this a while. 08:14.000 --> 08:19.000 Yes, yes, Mr. Neff, I think I must. I really think I must. 08:27.000 --> 08:33.000 For Suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you as star Alan Hale in The Leading Citizen of Pratt County, 08:33.000 --> 08:35.000 a radio play by Robert Richards. 08:35.000 --> 08:41.000 Roma Wines' presentation tonight in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 08:48.000 --> 08:53.000 Between the acts of Suspense, this is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines. 08:53.000 --> 08:58.000 One of the best-natured men I know has a knack for enjoying life's leisure moments. 08:58.000 --> 09:01.000 He's a hard worker on the job, but when he comes home, 09:01.000 --> 09:05.000 he and his wife make a ritual of a quiet, companionable chat 09:05.000 --> 09:09.000 and a glass or two of delightful Roma California Sherry before dinner. 09:09.000 --> 09:13.000 Millions of other men look forward daily to such a welcome with Roma Sherry. 09:13.000 --> 09:20.000 For millions of wives have made gold and amber Roma Sherry America's favorite first call to dinner. 09:20.000 --> 09:27.000 Yes, Roma Sherry, with its mellow, inviting nut-like taste, makes mealtime more welcome, 09:27.000 --> 09:31.000 helps you appreciate more keenly the good food to come. 09:31.000 --> 09:37.000 Enjoy the tempting fragrance and satisfying taste luxury of Roma Sherry yourself. 09:37.000 --> 09:41.000 Make glorious Roma Sherry your first call to dinner, as I do. 09:41.000 --> 09:46.000 If friends drop in later on, greet them graciously with Roma Sherry, 09:46.000 --> 09:49.000 the keynote of friendly hospitality. 09:49.000 --> 09:56.000 Best of all, Roma, America's favorite wine, costs no more than ordinary wines. 09:56.000 --> 10:02.000 So tomorrow, insist on Roma, R-O-M-A, Roma wine. 10:02.000 --> 10:08.000 Remember, more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. 10:08.000 --> 10:13.000 And now, Roma wines bring back to our Hollywood sound stage, Alan Hale, 10:13.000 --> 10:18.000 as Professor Alonzo P. Witherspoon in The Leading Citizen of Pratt County, 10:18.000 --> 10:26.000 a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 10:26.000 --> 10:33.000 And thus in Bonney-Prattville, I became a professor of astrology, geology, 10:33.000 --> 10:36.000 and advisor to a senator whom I had never met, 10:36.000 --> 10:39.000 and a Senate committee of which I was not even sure, existing. 10:39.000 --> 10:45.000 Of course, at first I had no way of knowing whether this pitch, as we call it in the trade, 10:45.000 --> 10:50.000 was merely good for the cashing of a modest check on one of my many non-existent accounts, 10:50.000 --> 10:53.000 or whether it could be run up into something really big. 10:53.000 --> 10:58.000 But as a firm believer in aiming always at the maximum objective, I made my plans accordingly. 10:58.000 --> 11:03.000 And that night, with the aid of certain gadgets I never permit myself to be without, 11:03.000 --> 11:06.000 I wrote myself a couple of checks on the Federal Treasury, 11:06.000 --> 11:11.000 contrived some quite impressive looking business cards, and was ready to go to work. 11:11.000 --> 11:15.000 And then, Sonny arrived. 11:15.000 --> 11:19.000 That's right, Sonny, Professor Alonzo P. Witherspoon, and he's staying right here with us. 11:19.000 --> 11:21.000 Come on, I'll introduce you to him. 11:21.000 --> 11:23.000 A professor from Washington? Wow! 11:23.000 --> 11:26.000 Ah, I knew at a glance that Sonny would be troublesome. 11:26.000 --> 11:31.000 He was a student at the State University, and his education had progressed just sufficiently 11:31.000 --> 11:36.000 to fill him with a lot of bright ideas, but not enough to acquaint him with the worldly advantages 11:36.000 --> 11:43.000 of a good, sound, dishonest proposition. In other words, Sonny was smart and could not be had. 11:43.000 --> 11:47.000 Gee, Professor, Pop tells me maybe you're going to put old Pratsville on the map. 11:47.000 --> 11:50.000 Possibly, possibly. Certainly worth trying, eh, my boy? 11:50.000 --> 11:55.000 You bet. You know, I've been thinking along those very same lines myself lately. 11:55.000 --> 11:59.000 After all, what's Colorado Springs got, or Tucson, Arizona, 11:59.000 --> 12:02.000 or any of those places that we haven't got right here in Pratsville? 12:02.000 --> 12:08.000 We've got the altitude, the sunshine. All we need is water, and they can do terrific things with irrigation nowadays. 12:08.000 --> 12:12.000 Precisely, my boy. Precisely what I've always told Senator Cotton. 12:12.000 --> 12:15.000 And you really know Senator Cotton? I mean that well? 12:15.000 --> 12:20.000 Oh, yes, yes, intimately. I might say that we're very close. 12:20.000 --> 12:24.000 Gee, I was reading something about him just the other day. 12:24.000 --> 12:28.000 But say, you're really sure something can be done without drying up the valley? 12:28.000 --> 12:32.000 It would be terrible for those farmers down there if their water was cut off. 12:32.000 --> 12:35.000 Sonny's got a girl down there. That's the reason he's so worried. 12:35.000 --> 12:38.000 I guess the professor knows his business a little better than we do, Sonny. 12:38.000 --> 12:45.000 Oh, sure, I know. Say, you must know Dr. Hawks, up at State U. He's a geologist too. 12:45.000 --> 12:48.000 Ah, Hawks? Let me see. 12:48.000 --> 12:51.000 Ah, you must know him. John Lyman Hawks. 12:51.000 --> 12:55.000 Oh, of course, of course, John Lyman Hawks. Yes, yes. 12:55.000 --> 12:58.000 Gee, I'll bet he'll be excited when he knows you're here. 12:58.000 --> 13:01.000 He's supposed to be quite an authority on this part of the country, you know. 13:01.000 --> 13:04.000 Yes, yes, but I wouldn't trouble Dr. Hawks about this just yet. 13:04.000 --> 13:08.000 Not until we're a little more sure of our ground. 13:08.000 --> 13:09.000 Well, sure, of course. 13:09.000 --> 13:13.000 Oh, now, now, Sonny, press hasn't got all day to stand around here talking to you. 13:13.000 --> 13:15.000 He's got to go down to the bank and see Henry Wing. 13:15.000 --> 13:20.000 Oh, sure, but gee, I sure want to talk to you some more about all this, Professor. 13:20.000 --> 13:22.000 This thing can be terrific. 13:22.000 --> 13:27.000 Oh, it will be terrific, all right, my boy. You don't know the half of it. 13:32.000 --> 13:34.000 You can see what I mean about Sonny. 13:34.000 --> 13:37.000 Now, Henry Wank, on the other hand, was quite another proposition. 13:37.000 --> 13:42.000 He was and still is the town's mayor, only banker, and chief real estate owner, 13:42.000 --> 13:45.000 and the answer to a confidence man's prayer, 13:45.000 --> 13:49.000 because he was always so busy thinking what a smart crook he was 13:49.000 --> 13:52.000 that it never occurred to him that he might be dealing with someone 13:52.000 --> 13:55.000 who was even smarter and crooketer. 13:55.000 --> 14:00.000 Mr. Wank had larceny in his heart, and I knew we were going to do business. 14:00.000 --> 14:01.000 Well, what's your proposition? 14:01.000 --> 14:06.000 Well, well, it's always refreshing to meet a man with whom one can get right down to business. 14:06.000 --> 14:08.000 All right, all right, let's get down to it. 14:08.000 --> 14:13.000 Very well. You know, of course, Mr. Wank, that if this Green River project goes through, 14:13.000 --> 14:17.000 and if we do run the river through town, real estate values here will skyrocket. 14:17.000 --> 14:21.000 And when they do, somebody is going to make an awful lot of money. 14:21.000 --> 14:23.000 Yeah, meaning mostly me, that's right. 14:23.000 --> 14:24.000 Well, what about it? 14:24.000 --> 14:26.000 Well, now let me ask you something. 14:26.000 --> 14:31.000 About these farmers in the valley, if their water were cut off, if they were inconvenienced... 14:31.000 --> 14:34.000 They'd be more than inconvenienced. They'd be finished, and you know it. 14:34.000 --> 14:38.000 Yes, but how much would you be concerned financially? 14:38.000 --> 14:43.000 Well, I'd be sorry to see it happen, but financially it wouldn't worry me a bit. 14:43.000 --> 14:44.000 I see. 14:44.000 --> 14:48.000 The courier quoted you as saying that wouldn't happen, that we could have our river 14:48.000 --> 14:50.000 and the farmers would get their water just the same. 14:50.000 --> 14:53.000 Oh, you know how inaccurate the newspapers are, Mr. Wank. 14:53.000 --> 14:55.000 No, then it would happen. 14:55.000 --> 15:02.000 Mr. Wank, have you ever stopped to consider how much you personally would make if this did go through? 15:02.000 --> 15:06.000 Well, I'd say it could run up to three or four million in time. 15:06.000 --> 15:09.000 Well, you can sometimes get things done in Washington for... 15:09.000 --> 15:11.000 Aha! I knew you had a proposition. 15:11.000 --> 15:15.000 You realize, of course, Mr. Wank, that I'm an essential factor in this whole thing. 15:15.000 --> 15:18.000 You just can't send anybody to Washington on a thing like this. 15:18.000 --> 15:24.000 You have to have someone who is in on the inside, who enjoys the complete confidence of the... of the right people. 15:24.000 --> 15:28.000 I know all about that. I just want to know how you get yours. 15:28.000 --> 15:33.000 By the very simple expedient of becoming your partner, Mr. Wank, in a small way. 15:33.000 --> 15:36.000 How small? 15:36.000 --> 15:39.000 Well, I have here a government check for $2,500. 15:39.000 --> 15:41.000 I suggest we form a little syndicate. 15:41.000 --> 15:47.000 I think this check should entitle me to a modest share of, uh, say, five percent. 15:47.000 --> 15:50.000 Then you figure the whole thing can be swung for, uh, $50,000? 15:50.000 --> 15:53.000 Approximately. Can you raise the money? 15:53.000 --> 15:56.000 Well, it's a lot, but I can get it. 15:56.000 --> 15:58.000 Uh, we'd better put this in writing. 15:58.000 --> 16:03.000 Oh, now really, Mr. Wank. One hardly puts things of, uh, this nature in writing. 16:03.000 --> 16:05.000 Then how do I know you'll come through with your end? 16:05.000 --> 16:08.000 Well, you have my check. I'll endorse it to you. You hold it. 16:08.000 --> 16:13.000 Any investigation of how a man in my position happened to be giving you $2,500 16:13.000 --> 16:16.000 would be seriously embarrassing for me. 16:16.000 --> 16:18.000 Heh, heh. Yes, it sure would, at that. 16:18.000 --> 16:20.000 One more thing, Mr. Wank. 16:20.000 --> 16:24.000 You understand that all of this must be kept in the strictest confidence, 16:24.000 --> 16:27.000 and all transactions will have to be in cash. 16:27.000 --> 16:29.000 Don't you worry about what I understand. 16:29.000 --> 16:32.000 I wasn't born yesterday, neither. 16:32.000 --> 16:37.000 The technique is scarcely new, but almost invariably successful. 16:37.000 --> 16:41.000 The victim is made to feel that he is the chief conspirator, 16:41.000 --> 16:43.000 and his own dishonesty and greed accomplishes the rest. 16:43.000 --> 16:45.000 So with Henry Wank. 16:45.000 --> 16:49.000 Next afternoon, for the sake of appearances, Mr. Wank and I headed a small group 16:49.000 --> 16:53.000 to look over once again the crucial spot where Green River dips into the earth 16:53.000 --> 16:55.000 to begin its subterranean wanderings, 16:55.000 --> 17:00.060 and once again I clambered down over the 17:00.060 --> 17:04.000 mass of rocks through a little ledge some 20 feet above the water. 17:04.000 --> 17:07.000 Now, look down there, Professor. 17:07.000 --> 17:10.000 You see, it falls into that big pool down there, 17:10.000 --> 17:12.000 and then it just disappears. 17:12.000 --> 17:15.000 Ah, yes, yes. Excellent possibilities. Excellent. 17:15.000 --> 17:17.000 There, there, you see, gentlemen? 17:17.000 --> 17:21.000 The Professor figures to begin the concrete work just about here. 17:23.000 --> 17:27.000 The trap was baited, set, and ready to be sprung. 17:27.000 --> 17:31.000 All seem for the best in this best of all possible worlds. 17:36.000 --> 17:39.000 Well, good evening, sunny lad. 17:39.000 --> 17:42.000 Huh? Oh, hello, Professor. 17:42.000 --> 17:44.000 What's the matter, my boy? 17:44.000 --> 17:46.000 Do you have a spat with that young lady of yours? 17:46.000 --> 17:48.000 No, nothing's the matter. 17:48.000 --> 17:49.000 Well, how are things? 17:49.000 --> 17:51.000 Well, things are definitely progressing, 17:51.000 --> 17:54.000 and that reminds me I shall be leaving you soon, 17:54.000 --> 17:56.000 within the next day or two. 17:56.000 --> 17:58.000 What? You're leaving, Professor? 17:58.000 --> 18:00.000 Oh, just for a short time. 18:00.000 --> 18:02.000 Have to get things started in Washington, you know, 18:02.000 --> 18:04.000 have a talk with Senator Cotton, and so on. 18:04.000 --> 18:06.000 Well, but you will be coming back. 18:06.000 --> 18:08.000 Oh, by all means. 18:08.000 --> 18:10.000 Say, uh, Professor Witherspoon. 18:10.000 --> 18:11.000 Yes, my boy? 18:11.000 --> 18:14.000 Oh, look, I'm going down to see Jane Austerman 18:14.000 --> 18:16.000 and her mother for a little while this evening, 18:16.000 --> 18:19.000 saying you may not have another chance to meet them for a while. 18:19.000 --> 18:21.000 Why don't you come along? 18:21.000 --> 18:22.000 Well, uh... 18:22.000 --> 18:24.000 Jane's a girl, but the Professor don't want to go 18:24.000 --> 18:26.000 traipsing way down in the valley tonight, sonny. 18:26.000 --> 18:29.000 Well, why not? He's never even seen the valley. 18:29.000 --> 18:32.000 I think before he goes to Washington, he ought to see it. 18:36.000 --> 18:38.000 I didn't want to go, of course, 18:38.000 --> 18:41.000 but every instinct told me that there was something in the wind 18:41.000 --> 18:42.000 and that I should. 18:42.000 --> 18:44.000 Contrary to my expectation, however, 18:44.000 --> 18:47.000 the evening was a quiet one, and indeed a most pleasant surprise. 18:47.000 --> 18:50.000 Jane Austerman turned out to be a very charming little thing, 18:50.000 --> 18:52.000 and her mother was a most attractive, 18:52.000 --> 18:55.000 and in fact an altogether stunning woman. 18:55.000 --> 18:57.000 And it was with genuine regret 18:57.000 --> 19:00.000 that I found myself at last standing on their veranda 19:00.000 --> 19:03.000 under a brilliant moon saying goodbye. 19:03.000 --> 19:05.000 It's been grand, Professor. 19:05.000 --> 19:08.000 I do hope you'll drop in on us again before you come back. 19:08.000 --> 19:11.000 My dear lady, wild horses couldn't keep me away. 19:11.000 --> 19:14.000 Oh, that's a promise, then. Good night. 19:14.000 --> 19:16.000 Good night, my dear. 19:18.000 --> 19:20.000 Well, what do you think, Professor? 19:20.000 --> 19:23.000 They're charming people, my boy, charming people. 19:23.000 --> 19:25.000 And isn't Mrs. Austerman nice? 19:25.000 --> 19:27.000 Nice is hardly the word. 19:27.000 --> 19:29.000 In fact, I'm quite smitten. 19:29.000 --> 19:33.000 Yeah, it'd be terrible if anything was to happen to people like that. 19:33.000 --> 19:37.000 I mean, this whole valley, they're all like that. 19:37.000 --> 19:40.000 I mean, if anything was to happen to hurt them... 19:40.000 --> 19:42.000 Why, Sonny, what have you got on your mind? 19:42.000 --> 19:45.000 Oh, heck, I have something on my mind, Professor, 19:45.000 --> 19:48.000 and I just thought if you could see these people, 19:48.000 --> 19:51.000 like the Austermans, you'd understand better how I feel. 19:51.000 --> 19:54.000 All right, all right, my boy, out with it. What is it? 19:54.000 --> 19:58.000 Well, I just remembered today what it was I saw about Senator Cotton. 19:58.000 --> 19:59.000 Senator Cotton? 19:59.000 --> 20:01.000 Yeah, in Time magazine. 20:01.000 --> 20:03.000 He's just been indicted for graft. 20:03.000 --> 20:06.000 He's been indi... Senator Cotton? Indicted? 20:06.000 --> 20:09.000 Yeah, some sort of land-grab scandal. 20:09.000 --> 20:12.000 Why, why, I can't believe it. There must be some mistake. 20:12.000 --> 20:14.000 No, it's true, all right. 20:14.000 --> 20:15.000 Oh, that's it. 20:15.000 --> 20:20.000 Oh, but surely, my boy, you don't think that I'm involved in anything like that. 20:20.000 --> 20:23.000 Oh, no, of course I don't. I couldn't, but... 20:23.000 --> 20:27.000 Well, don't you see, I thought he might be fooling you some way. 20:27.000 --> 20:29.000 I see, I see. 20:29.000 --> 20:33.000 If there was something wrong, if something did happen to all these people in the valley, 20:33.000 --> 20:35.000 well, it'd be terrible. 20:35.000 --> 20:39.000 Yeah, well, I'd better get off a telegram to Washington right away. 20:39.000 --> 20:42.000 Oh, look, Professor, I've got a telegram here in my pocket. 20:42.000 --> 20:43.000 You have? 20:43.000 --> 20:47.000 To Dr. Hawks up at the university. I want him to come down here. 20:47.000 --> 20:48.000 Oh. 20:48.000 --> 20:52.000 Oh, it's not that I don't trust you, but, well, two heads are always better than one. 20:52.000 --> 20:55.000 And if he says it's all right, then I'll know. 20:55.000 --> 20:57.000 But you haven't sent this telegram yet. 20:57.000 --> 21:02.000 Well, I was going to, but, well, I didn't think it'd be fair without telling you. 21:02.000 --> 21:04.000 You do understand, don't you? 21:04.000 --> 21:06.000 Of course, of course, my boy. 21:06.000 --> 21:09.000 Boy, is that a weight off my mind. 21:09.000 --> 21:14.000 But I think I have even a better idea. Look, why don't you and I, first thing tomorrow, 21:14.000 --> 21:18.000 get in the car and drive up to the university and bring Dr. Hawks back for this? 21:18.000 --> 21:21.000 That way we could explain the whole situation to him. 21:21.000 --> 21:25.000 Gee, that is an idea. If you ask him, he'd be sure to come. 21:25.000 --> 21:28.000 Ah, gee, Professor, you're sure a wonderful guy. 21:28.000 --> 21:30.000 Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. 21:30.000 --> 21:39.000 And you won't even have to bother with that telegram. We'll just, ah, ah, tear it up. 21:39.000 --> 21:44.000 I had grown quite fond of Sonny, but when it's a matter of fifty thousand dollars, 21:44.000 --> 21:51.000 particularly to one of my advancing years, sentiment must yield to necessity. 21:51.000 --> 21:56.000 And so when Sonny and I started out in the family car next morning, I had my plans prepared. 21:56.000 --> 22:00.000 I also had the fifty thousand dollars in cash. 22:00.000 --> 22:04.000 We ought to be there sometime this afternoon. It's only about three hundred miles. 22:04.000 --> 22:08.000 Splendid, splendid. Well, look here. 22:08.000 --> 22:11.000 We're right about to go past the place where Green River goes underground, aren't we? 22:11.000 --> 22:12.000 Uh-huh. 22:12.000 --> 22:17.000 Well, why don't we stop a moment? You know, there's a couple of things that you really ought to see for yourself 22:17.000 --> 22:20.000 before we talk to Dr. Hawks. That's John Lyman Hawks, that is. 22:20.000 --> 22:23.000 Well, all right. 22:23.000 --> 22:28.000 I may, ah, I may be able to prove to you right here on this spot that the old professor's ideas 22:28.000 --> 22:31.000 aren't quite so wild-eyed as you may suppose. 22:31.000 --> 22:33.000 Ah, Professor, you know I don't think that. 22:33.000 --> 22:37.000 Oh, just joking, my boy, just joking. Come along. 22:37.000 --> 22:40.000 Now, careful climbing down over those rocks. They're a bit treacherous, you know. 22:40.000 --> 22:41.000 Yeah, I'll be careful. 22:41.000 --> 22:45.000 Well, there we are. Now, come out to this little ledge. You see, plenty of water here. 22:45.000 --> 22:48.000 Perhaps, ah, perhaps we wouldn't need to divert at all. 22:48.000 --> 22:49.000 Mm-hmm. 22:49.000 --> 22:55.000 Now, notice the formation of this, this rock. Typical of the, ah, the Neo-Berstezene period 22:55.000 --> 23:00.000 and, ah, a marked tendency to form vast caverns with underground springs. 23:00.000 --> 23:05.000 Oh, you mean you've got some idea about there being caves under there? 23:05.000 --> 23:08.000 Well, yes, that is in a way. Oh, that's exactly it. 23:08.000 --> 23:11.000 Just step a little closer to the edge. 23:11.000 --> 23:14.000 Shine your flashlight down there. I wouldn't be surprised if you could see the beginnings 23:14.000 --> 23:18.000 of some quite extensive, carnivorous formations even here. 23:18.000 --> 23:25.000 Yeah, yeah, I say, gee, maybe if there wasn't so much water, people could even go down there and explore. 23:25.000 --> 23:29.000 Ha-ha. The rock was quite slippery. 23:29.000 --> 23:33.000 And he was very near the edge when I slipped against him. 23:33.000 --> 23:35.000 Ah! 23:41.000 --> 23:45.000 I saw his flashlight bobbing for a moment in the dark pool below, 23:45.000 --> 23:49.000 and then the current swept it on, and it was gone. 23:54.000 --> 23:59.000 It was with a heavy heart, at all possible speed, that I headed for the Mexican border. 23:59.000 --> 24:03.000 I was on the main highway, booming along and just coming out into the valley 24:03.000 --> 24:06.000 when I saw the thing that spelled my doom. 24:06.000 --> 24:12.000 For there, dead ahead were two police cars and a group of men standing in the middle of the road, 24:12.000 --> 24:17.000 prominent among them, dripping wet and wildly waving his arms, was Sonny. 24:17.000 --> 24:19.000 There he is! He's the one I was telling you about. 24:19.000 --> 24:21.000 Yes, sir. Are you Professor Witherspoon? 24:21.000 --> 24:22.000 Yes, yes. 24:22.000 --> 24:24.000 Well, we've got a young fellow here who would like to talk to you. 24:24.000 --> 24:25.000 Well, I haven't any time now to talk. 24:25.000 --> 24:28.000 I know you've come down this way after what you said about the caves. 24:28.000 --> 24:29.000 What caves? Charges. 24:29.000 --> 24:31.000 When I slipped and fell in, gee, I was scared for a minute. 24:31.000 --> 24:32.000 Well, when I... 24:32.000 --> 24:34.000 You must have known it all the time, didn't you? 24:34.000 --> 24:35.000 Known? Known what? 24:35.000 --> 24:37.000 About the caves. And boy, what caves. 24:37.000 --> 24:38.000 Yeah. 24:38.000 --> 24:40.000 You know, I'm quite a swimmer, and I had my flashlight, 24:40.000 --> 24:43.000 and I just went along with a car all the way down and came out the other end here. 24:43.000 --> 24:46.000 And what I saw, boy, were you ever right. 24:46.000 --> 24:48.000 Uh, uh, was I? 24:48.000 --> 24:50.000 Look about your mammoth cave of Kentucky. 24:50.000 --> 24:51.000 What? 24:51.000 --> 24:55.000 Oh, gosh, once we've diverted some of the river out of there, boats could go all the way down. 24:55.000 --> 24:56.000 That's what I was telling you before. 24:56.000 --> 24:58.000 With Henry Wayne's money, we could put in lights and everything. 24:58.000 --> 24:59.000 Big lights, yes. 24:59.000 --> 25:00.000 People would come from all over the country. 25:00.000 --> 25:01.000 Of course. 25:01.000 --> 25:02.000 Honestly, they're one of the seven wonders of the world. 25:02.000 --> 25:03.000 Yeah, we might find another one. 25:03.000 --> 25:05.000 They're terrific. Well, gee whiz, aren't you excited? 25:05.000 --> 25:10.000 Excited? My boy, I think I'm going to faint. 25:10.000 --> 25:19.000 And so, if you have ever been in this part of the country, 25:19.000 --> 25:22.000 you will surely have heard of the marvelous underground river of Pratt, 25:22.000 --> 25:28.000 a source of endless delight to tourists and a very substantial revenue to our citizens 25:28.000 --> 25:30.000 and our famous falls, Pratt Falls. 25:30.000 --> 25:36.000 And now Pratt'sville not only enjoys the wonders of irrigation, but of innumerable hot dog stands, 25:36.000 --> 25:41.000 motels, gambling casinos, and all the other adjuncts of those noisome communities known as resorts. 25:41.000 --> 25:47.000 As for myself, I am the general manager of the caverns at a very handsome stipend 25:47.000 --> 25:53.000 and have been living for many years in solid and respectable domesticity with the former widow Osterman. 25:53.000 --> 25:55.000 What I have done is really nothing. 25:55.000 --> 25:57.000 Really nothing. 25:57.000 --> 26:01.000 It's no more than any public-spirited man would have done, but I must confess that, 26:01.000 --> 26:07.000 call it vanity if you will, it is a source of enormous and constant enjoyment to me 26:07.000 --> 26:14.000 whenever I am proudly pointed out to the admiring newcomers as the leading citizen of Pratt County. 26:14.000 --> 26:23.000 Suspense! 26:23.000 --> 26:31.000 Presented by Roma Wines, R-O-M-A. Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 26:31.000 --> 26:37.000 Before we hear again from Alan Hale, the star of The Leading Citizen of Pratt County, tonight's Suspense Play, 26:37.000 --> 26:40.000 this is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines. 26:40.000 --> 26:47.000 When the butcher can't help you and you come home with ground beef instead of that choice juicy steak you had ordered, 26:47.000 --> 26:50.000 here's a sure way to save the day. 26:50.000 --> 26:56.000 Join the millions of clever homemakers who've discovered that serving delicious Roma California Burgundy 26:56.000 --> 27:00.000 makes even plain hamburger a meal to remember. 27:00.000 --> 27:07.000 Yes, your simple meals will delight the most particular palates when served with red, robust Roma Burgundy. 27:07.000 --> 27:13.000 For Roma Burgundy brings out subtle hidden food flavors usually lost to the taste. 27:13.000 --> 27:19.000 Yet Roma, the nation's favorite wine, costs no more than ordinary wines. 27:19.000 --> 27:27.000 When you shop tomorrow, insist on Roma, R-O-M-A, Roma Wines, America's first choice. 27:27.000 --> 27:32.000 And remember, to make a bridal shower or wedding reception truly memorable, 27:32.000 --> 27:37.000 serve pale gold, sprightly dry Roma California Champagne. 27:37.000 --> 27:43.000 And for the bridal couple, Roma Champagne makes the perfect going away gift. 27:43.000 --> 27:46.000 Friends, this is Alan Hale. 27:46.000 --> 27:50.000 Well, it's been a real pleasure to appear on Suspense, a long time favorite of mine. 27:50.000 --> 27:55.000 I'm sure you won't want to miss next Thursday's show when that fine actor, Mr. Robert Young, 27:55.000 --> 28:00.000 will star in a suspense play about a man who wakes up one morning to find that he has lost track of several months 28:00.000 --> 28:05.000 and that the room in which he finds himself is a cell in an insane asylum. 28:05.000 --> 28:06.000 I know you'll be listening. 28:06.000 --> 28:07.000 I will. 28:07.000 --> 28:08.000 Thank you. 28:08.000 --> 28:13.000 Alan Hale appeared to the courtesy of Warner Brothers, producers of Night and Day. 28:13.000 --> 28:24.000 Next Thursday, same time, Roma Wines will bring you Robert Young as star of Suspense, Radio's outstanding theater of thrill. 28:24.000 --> 28:29.000 Produced by William Spear for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California. 28:29.000 --> 28:31.000 Here is a message from your government. 28:31.000 --> 28:35.000 Millions of men, women and children in Europe and Asia today face starvation. 28:35.000 --> 28:41.000 America, the best fed nation in the world, can relieve this crisis by making available to foreign purchases 28:41.000 --> 28:45.000 increased amounts of wheat, rice, fats and oils. 28:45.000 --> 28:47.000 You can help vitally. 28:47.000 --> 28:49.000 Eat more of the plentiful foods. 28:49.000 --> 28:50.000 Don't waste food. 28:50.000 --> 28:52.000 Turn in all used fats. 28:52.000 --> 28:59.000 And give in money or canned goods, but preferably in money, to your local emergency food collection. 28:59.000 --> 29:25.000 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.