1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,000 And now, Roma Wines, R-O-M-A, made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 2 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:12,000 Roma Wines presents Suspense. 3 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:21,000 Tonight, Roma Wines bring you Mr. Gene Lockhart as star of Statement of Employee Henry Wilson. 4 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:30,000 A Suspense play produced, edited, and directed for Roma Wines by William Spear. 5 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:37,000 Suspense, radio's outstanding theater of thrills, is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. 6 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:40,000 That's R-O-M-A, Roma Wines. 7 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:45,000 Those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live. 8 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:50,000 To your happiness in entertaining guests, to your enjoyment of everyday meals. 9 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:53,000 Yes, right now a glass full would be very pleasant, 10 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:59,000 as Roma Wines bring you Gene Lockhart in a remarkable tale of Suspense. 11 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:07,000 I, I was aware that I was trembling. 12 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:11,000 I tried walking slowly back and forth in front of the desk, 13 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:16,000 but even in motion my knees felt weak, and my whole body shook. 14 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:22,000 Why was it always I who trembled, and never this pompous insect sitting in front of me? 15 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:27,000 His voice was cool and mocking. His voice was clear and hard. 16 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:33,000 I sympathize with you of course, Wilson, but there were error must be brought to Mr. Larkin's attention. 17 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:38,000 That's quite a big mistake there. Quite a costly mistake. 18 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:41,000 Mr. Larkin must know. In the morning. 19 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:43,000 He wouldn't cover it up. I knew that. 20 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:47,000 Since 1938 I'd been working there, enjoying the work, liking the people. 21 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:50,000 Then he had come, two years ago. 22 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:57,000 Have you ever stood quietly by and watched someone rob your house or steal your pocketbook? 23 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:02,000 I was helpless. He was ambitious. He was clever, and he was fluent. 24 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:09,000 And as of tonight, I was his subordinate. Two years against ten years. 25 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:15,000 Around the office I had a reputation for being casual and carefree, but I hated this man. 26 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:20,000 Every inch of me hated this man. It wasn't a new hatred. 27 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:22,000 Of course there's no question of your honesty. 28 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:27,000 His voice was patronizing. The patient teacher and the unruly pupil. 29 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:33,000 I hated him. He smiled up at me and waved his hand in dismissal. 30 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:40,000 He almost brushed a small iron vase off the top of the desk with a gesture. 31 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:48,000 I'd seen that vase so often, but I'd never seen it out of the eyes that I was looking at it with now. 32 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:50,000 Good night, Wilson. 33 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:54,000 Good night, I said. Good night, clever boy. 34 00:02:54,000 --> 00:03:00,000 I walked out into the corridor and rang for the elevator. 35 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:03,000 Ah, terrible night, ain't it, Mr. Wilson? 36 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:08,000 I heard the boy talking, like he was yelling from some distant mountain at me. 37 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:12,000 He was talking and I was answering, but what either of us was saying I didn't know. 38 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:18,000 I was thinking of something else. And then I heard him say something very clearly. 39 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:23,000 What do you know? It's eleven-thirty already. You've had a long day today, Mr. Wilson. 40 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:29,000 Yes. Mr. Dodds is still in his office. You might drop in and see if he wants anything. 41 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:30,000 I think he'd be very grateful. 42 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:34,000 Oh, I will, sir. I certainly will. Yeah, it'll help pass the time. 43 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:39,000 I walked out of the lobby and came back into the building again when the boy had gotten into the elevator. 44 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:44,000 Four flights up. I took the stairs slowly. I was in no rush. 45 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:47,000 I must let the boy get out of the room first. 46 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:54,000 He said the night passed slowly. This one wouldn't, and yet there'd be an eternity compressed in it. 47 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:59,000 When I got to the fourth floor, I stopped at the top of the stairs and watched the door to Dodds' office. 48 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:03,000 The elevator was parked at the floor, so I knew the boy was in the room. 49 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:08,000 A short while later he came out, and I crouched back in the shadows until he'd gone down in the car. 50 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:13,000 And then I walked into Dodds' waiting room. 51 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:15,000 Who's there? 52 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:19,000 I called out my name and entered the office proper. 53 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:22,000 Yes, what is it, Wilson? 54 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:29,000 He was still sitting down, and the iron vase was still alongside of him, very close to him. 55 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:34,000 I started to talk. I don't know what about business, things in general. I've quite forgotten. 56 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:39,000 I reached across and picked up the iron vase casually, very casually. 57 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:47,000 But his eyes went wild suddenly, and he jumped, and I hit him square on the top of the head with the vase. 58 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:52,000 He started to slump back in the chair. I hit him again, hard, and again, and again. 59 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:58,000 A red streak ran across his forehead, and he... he lay still. 60 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:04,000 I put my hand against his heart. For a moment there was a soft, beating. 61 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:09,000 Then I could feel nothing. 62 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:14,000 I... I'm often very nervous. 63 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:21,000 Ordinary little situations often upset me, like... like getting up to make a speech at the club, or meeting strange young ladies. 64 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:28,000 And I had just taken a life, and I was calmer than I'd ever been before. 65 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:33,000 I wiped the vase off and put it back on the desk. I moved slowly back to the door. 66 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:37,000 I wiped the door now, and I was back to the door. 67 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:43,000 I wiped the door now, looked once around the room before I opened the door, and stepped out into the waiting room. 68 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:46,000 And then... 69 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:51,000 Going home, Mr. Wilson. 70 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:56,000 I stood there, afraid to turn, afraid to think. 71 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:59,000 I slammed the door shut behind me and stood in front of it. 72 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:01,000 Are you... are you all right, Mr. Wilson? 73 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:05,000 I tried to talk, but the words got caught somewhere in my throat. 74 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:09,000 It was the sweeper, Tom Heaney, the night sweeper, crazy Tom. 75 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:12,000 I almost fainted. 76 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:14,000 Everything had been set so nicely. 77 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:18,000 I'd left the building, the elevator boy had come up and found Dodds in good health. 78 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:20,000 Someone had stolen him later and killed him. 79 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:22,000 That would be the elevator boy story. 80 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:23,000 I'd left the building. 81 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:25,000 Are you... are you all right, Mr. Wilson? 82 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:27,000 I had left the building, but... 83 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:31,000 I'm fine, Tom. A bit of a cold, that's all. 84 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:35,000 Mr. Dodds is in this room now, Tom, working very late tonight. 85 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,000 You'd better let his office go for this once. 86 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:40,000 Oh, well, if you say so, Mr. Wilson. 87 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:43,000 Of course, I could give it a quick brush through, though, sir. 88 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,000 I won't disturb him, then, honestly. 89 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:46,000 I stood firm in front of the door. 90 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:47,000 I won't... I won't disturb him. 91 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:51,000 He began to sweep the sitting room, and I stood and watched him. 92 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:53,000 I was nervous again. 93 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:55,000 I had a sickness at the bottom of my stomach. 94 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:59,000 I tried to talk, to talk, and I sounded stupid. 95 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:03,000 Tom looked at me, and then I thought it would be his word against mine. 96 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:08,000 A crazy, rambling old man, crazy Tom, and I had left the building. 97 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:09,000 Well, well, well, well. 98 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:11,000 Look how dirty it was. 99 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:13,000 Say, I'm a good sweeper, you know that? 100 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:15,000 Yes, sir, darn good sweeper. 101 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:16,000 Do you see this broom? 102 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:17,000 I've got a new broom. 103 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:20,000 See? See my new broom? See it? 104 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:22,000 Oh, yes, sir, new broom. 105 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:24,000 I looked at my watch. 106 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:25,000 There's almost 12. 107 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:28,000 All the time I was wasting with him, I could stand no more. 108 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:30,000 Crazy Tom. 109 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:33,000 His story tomorrow would be listed as an idiot's babble. 110 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:36,000 I had left the building an hour ago. 111 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:38,000 I couldn't afford to waste any more time. 112 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:39,000 I walked behind him. 113 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:42,000 He was laughing, and I hit him on the back of the neck. 114 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:44,000 Not, not, not too hard. 115 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:46,000 Just enough to stun him. 116 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:49,000 He pitched forward onto the floor. 117 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:53,000 I dragged him into Dog's office. 118 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:56,000 I lifted him into the chair facing Dog's. 119 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:58,000 I brought his new broom in from the sitting room, 120 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:00,000 leaned it against the desk in front of Dog's. 121 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:04,000 I took the iron, the iron bars, 122 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:07,000 and I curled Tom's hands around it for the fingerprints 123 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:09,000 and dropped it at his feet. 124 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:12,000 Ah. 125 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:14,000 Crazy Tom. 126 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:17,000 An insult, a fight, a killing. 127 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:21,000 I got to the lobby and looked out of the shadows of the elevator. 128 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:24,000 The boy was sitting on a chair outside the car asleep. 129 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:27,000 I came out of the darkness, and I went quickly toward the street 130 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:29,000 and began to walk, rapidly. 131 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:32,000 Then I had a sudden idea. 132 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:34,000 I went into a cafeteria and used the telephone. 133 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:36,000 I called the building I'd just left 134 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:38,000 and got the elevator boy on the phone. 135 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:40,000 Hello there, Jim. 136 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:42,000 This is Mr. Wilson, Jim. 137 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:44,000 Hasn't he been here? 138 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:47,000 Jim, this is Mr. Wilson, Jim. 139 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:49,000 Hasn't Mr. Dog's left yet? 140 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:51,000 The voice that answered me was sleepy, 141 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:53,000 and the words were hard to make out, 142 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,000 but I knew all the answers. 143 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:57,000 Well, listen closely, Jim. 144 00:08:57,000 --> 00:09:00,000 Will you tell him that the address of the place we were talking about 145 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:02,000 is 144 Gray Street? 146 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,000 Yes, 144... 147 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:06,000 That's right. He'll know what I mean. 148 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:08,000 Will you go up and tell him now, Jim? 149 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,000 Thanks a lot, Jim. 150 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:14,000 I was sure the sweeper would be discovered in the room with dogs. 151 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:16,000 The address was a Turkish bath. That's logical. 152 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:20,000 A man working all night might want to go to a Turkish bath afterwards. 153 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:23,000 Jim would walk in there now. 154 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:27,000 The sweeper would be caught like a rat in a trap, babbling nonsense, 155 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:29,000 and with a murdered man sitting across from him. 156 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:33,000 I walked home. 157 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:35,000 I sat up in my room for hours, 158 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:39,000 listening to the sounds Manhattan makes in the night. 159 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:43,000 I heard chimes ring somewhere in the neighborhood. 160 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:45,000 I heard an airplane pass overhead, 161 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:49,000 and across the hall, someone started to play the radio softly, 162 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:52,000 and snatches of music filled it into my room. 163 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:55,000 I... I was frightened. 164 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:58,000 I sat in my chair and prayed. 165 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:01,000 What for? I don't know. 166 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:05,000 Had I done everything to protect myself? Was I safe? 167 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:07,000 I couldn't think clearly now. 168 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:10,000 I'd left the building. 169 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:13,000 Finally, I fell asleep. 170 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:20,000 I sat and slept and dreamed until sunrise. 171 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:35,000 For suspense, Roma wines are bringing Eugene Lockhart 172 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:38,000 in statement of employee Henry Wilson, 173 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:40,000 a radio play by John Shaw. 174 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:46,000 Roma wines presentation tonight in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 175 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:59,000 Between the acts of Suspense, this is Ken Niles for Roma Wines. 176 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:06,000 Right now, in sunny California's famed wine grape districts of Napa, Sonoma, Lodi, and San Joaquin, 177 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:10,000 wine growers are picking nature's grape treasure. 178 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,000 To bring you better tasting wines, 179 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:15,000 each year Roma, America's greatest vendor, 180 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:18,000 starts with the choicest grapes obtainable. 181 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:24,000 This year, as always, Roma is crushing from the prized grapes of California's finest vineyards. 182 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:30,000 Patiently, unhurriedly, the vast, succulent grape treasure is guided to tempting perfection 183 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:34,000 by Roma's unmatched skill and resources. 184 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:37,000 Then, along with Roma wines of years before, 185 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:40,000 this abundance of taste richness awaits selection 186 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:44,000 from the world's greatest wine reserves for your pleasure. 187 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:48,000 And whatever your pleasure may be, an afternoon or evening party, 188 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:50,000 a dinner or carefree evening at home, 189 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:55,000 you'll find there's a Roma California wine to enrich the occasion. 190 00:11:55,000 --> 00:12:00,000 For pleasant entertaining, enjoy gold mellow Roma Muscatel, 191 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:03,000 or serve fragrant nut-like Roma Sherry. 192 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:05,000 Perfect first call for dinner. 193 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:08,000 And to provide tasteful luxury at your dinner table, 194 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:12,000 delicious Roma California Burgundy or Sauternes. 195 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:18,000 Remember, more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. 196 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:20,000 So insist on Roma. 197 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:23,000 R-O-M-A. Roma wine. 198 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:26,000 Largest selling wine in all history. 199 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:31,000 And now, Roma wines bring back to our Hollywood soundstage, 200 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:35,000 Gene Lockhart in statement of employee Henry Wilson, 201 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:40,000 a narrative well calculated to keep you in suspense. 202 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:51,000 When I woke up, I was shaking like some miserable wet cur. 203 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:56,000 I tried breathing deeply. 204 00:12:56,000 --> 00:13:00,000 Somewhere I'd read that deep breathing killed that scared feeling. 205 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:02,000 What was I frightened about? 206 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:05,000 I was safe. I was completely safe. 207 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:09,000 But when I left the house, I was still shaking. 208 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:15,000 I walked all the way around the block the building was on before I went inside. 209 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:20,000 On the floor where my office was, I saw a policeman, then another, 210 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:25,000 and then a world was bounded by a ring of police and plainclothes men. 211 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:27,000 They assembled all of us in the president's office, 212 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:31,000 and one of them, a sharp, alert young man, began to talk. 213 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:38,000 Last night, an attempt was made on the life of one of your associates, Mr. Charles Dodds. 214 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:40,000 Oh, no. 215 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:44,000 I remember when I ran around the room, I was talking with the rest, being surprised with the rest. 216 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:48,000 But what did he mean, an attempt? This was a trick. 217 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:54,000 As a matter of fact, Mr. Dodds was killed. 218 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:59,000 And another man you might know also died last night, Thomas Higbee, the night sweeper. 219 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:03,000 Oh, Higbee, you crazy Tom, dead too. 220 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:08,000 Mr. Dodds was clubbed to death. The night sweeper died of a heart attack. 221 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:11,000 Nothing more is known yet about what happened here last night. 222 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:17,000 You must all consider yourselves at the disposal of the police, till you're told otherwise. 223 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:20,000 Mr. Wilson, will you come this way, please? 224 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:21,000 Yes. 225 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:25,000 Just a little routine question, and that's all. Everyone here will have to undergo it. 226 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:29,000 Why, surely, surely. 227 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:31,000 Sit here, Mr. Wilson. 228 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:33,000 Thank you. 229 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:36,000 Now, remember what time you left the office last night? 230 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:42,000 What time? Why, 11.30. Yes, 11.30. I remember the elevator boy mentioned it. 231 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:44,000 What time did you get home? 232 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:48,000 Oh, summer's about half past 12, I guess. Yes, just about that time. 233 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:49,000 Is there anybody who would swear to that? 234 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:50,000 Well, the elevator boy... 235 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:55,000 I don't mean that. Is there anyone who saw you go into your house at 12.30? 236 00:14:55,000 --> 00:15:00,000 No, I hardly think so. At that time, the streets aren't too well populated, you know, officer. 237 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:03,000 And I live in a house where people mind their own business. 238 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:08,000 I really don't know anybody in the house, and I doubt if anyone saw me go into it. 239 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:12,000 Now, you can check with the elevator boy, though, as to my going home at 11.30. 240 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:14,000 Yes, yes, we already have. 241 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:17,000 You were on the best of terms with Dodds, were you, Wilson? 242 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:21,000 Oh, I responded him, Mark. I don't know what right you have to say a thing like that. 243 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:23,000 Kind of did you out of a job around here, didn't he? 244 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:27,000 Well, he was a smart man. Mr. Dodds was an exceptionally smart human being. 245 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:30,000 It wasn't at all a disgrace to lose a position to him. 246 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:35,000 If I killed a man every time I had a job taken away from me, I'd have quite a long line of victims behind me. 247 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:37,000 You made a phone call to him last night, didn't you? 248 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:44,000 To the elevator boy, yes. I remember Mr. Dodds suggesting that he'd go to a Turkish bath after he'd finished work to sort of tone up. 249 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:48,000 They're very good, you know. And I mentioned that I knew a good one that I could recommend. 250 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:52,000 And then when he asked me the name of it, I couldn't think of the address of the place. 251 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:54,000 But I thought of it later, and I phoned the building. 252 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:55,000 Where'd you phone from? 253 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:56,000 From a little place in the neighborhood. 254 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:57,000 About what time did you phone? 255 00:15:57,000 --> 00:16:00,000 About, uh, 12.25, I guess. 256 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:05,000 I was getting a little mixed up. It couldn't have been then. I was still in the building at 12.30. They were confusing me. 257 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:11,000 You called at 12.55, Mr. Wilson. So you must have miscalculated the time of your arrival at home. 258 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:18,000 However, that isn't important. None of us is expected to time ourselves from place to place, are we? 259 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:23,000 When we find too good an alibi, we get kind of suspicious. 260 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:27,000 Well, I don't think we'll have to bother you anymore, Mr. Wilson. Thank you. 261 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:29,000 Thank you. Thank you. 262 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:38,000 Oh, hello there, Wilson. 263 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:40,000 Very sad. This business is very sad. 264 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:42,000 Yes, Mr. Larkin, yes, sir. 265 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:45,000 But we must go on. Mr. Dodge would want it that way. 266 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:46,000 Yes, sir, he would. 267 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:50,000 It's a responsible job he had, Wilson. You've been with us long enough to know that. 268 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:51,000 Yes, sir. 269 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:54,000 Do you think you can handle it? 270 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:57,000 Well, sir, I think I... Yes, sir, I think I can. 271 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,000 Good. Get your stuff together and take over Dodge's old office. 272 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:04,000 You deserve this, Wilson. I'm sure you'll reward our confidence in you. 273 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:06,000 Thank you very much, sir. I heartily beg you. 274 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:12,000 Oh, on second thought, I think you'd better go into his office right away and sort of straighten out some of the things on his desk. 275 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:13,000 Yes, sir. 276 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:14,000 I'll have one of the boys bring your things in later. 277 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:15,000 Very well, sir. 278 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:17,000 Yes, yes. Well, good luck, Wilson. 279 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:18,000 Thank you, sir. 280 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:24,000 The fat pompous pig. They were in the spot now. Now they needed poor stupid Wilson. 281 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:29,000 They needed me to get them out of a hole. It was funny. 282 00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:36,000 I took a pencil and a small notebook out of my desk and went back out into the corridor. 283 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:41,000 I stood for a moment outside Dodge's door, just like last night. 284 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:45,000 Then I pushed the door open, slowly. 285 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:50,000 The sitting room. Then the door to the office. 286 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:53,000 I opened it, walked inside. 287 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:57,000 I heard the door close softly behind me. 288 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:03,000 And I stood there, smelling the desk in the air. 289 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:07,000 And then, and then I saw it. 290 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:15,000 I tried to yell, but no sound came out. 291 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:23,000 There, there in front of me, sitting in the chair where I'd popped him last night was Tom Hidby. 292 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:26,000 His eyes open, his expression blank and staring. 293 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:29,000 And at his feet was the broom and the vase. 294 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:32,000 The same new broom, the same iron vase. 295 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:34,000 Dodge was all that was missing. 296 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:38,000 I turned, I bolted out into the hole. 297 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:41,000 What's the matter, Wilson? Why you look as if you've seen a ghost. 298 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:43,000 In the office, in the office. Hidby. 299 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:46,000 Hidby? Why, Hidby's dead, man. What's the matter? 300 00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:47,000 Mr. Lockett, Mr. Lockett. 301 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:49,000 What's the matter with you, Wilson? 302 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:50,000 In the office, in the office. 303 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:51,000 What? 304 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:54,000 Nothing's the matter in here. 305 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:57,000 I walked in after him. 306 00:18:57,000 --> 00:19:00,000 There was nothing there. 307 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:05,000 Nothing. No Hidby, no broom, no iron vase. 308 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:08,000 But I'd seen them. I'd seen them. 309 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:14,000 What's that? Was I going crazy? Was I beginning to go mad? 310 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:17,000 I felt Larkin's pat on my shoulder. 311 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:21,000 He remembered something about everybody being a little touchy, a little jumpy. 312 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:27,000 Then he left, and I was alone. No room. 313 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:31,000 Be careful. Be careful. Be careful. 314 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:35,000 I stood and stared at the desk and at the chair. 315 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:40,000 No one was there. No one could have been there. 316 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:45,000 Oh, my imagination. 317 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:46,000 What? 318 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:48,000 Oh, I beg your pardon. 319 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:49,000 Not at all. 320 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:52,000 I seem to be in the wrong room. 321 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:54,000 I'm Mrs. Charles Dodds. 322 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:57,000 I'm looking for that young detective. He doesn't seem to be out here. 323 00:19:57,000 --> 00:20:00,000 I believe he's in the end room, questioning the employees. 324 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:05,000 Oh, yes. Then I don't suppose he'll be able to see me for a little while. 325 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,000 Do you mind if I wait for him here? 326 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:08,000 Well, I... 327 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:09,000 Thank you so much. 328 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:12,000 Excuse me just a second. 329 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:23,000 Frank, will you tell the detective that Mrs. Dodds is waiting for him in... my new office? 330 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:27,000 Mrs. Charles would have liked to see the way everybody is taking his death. 331 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:29,000 Everyone is so kind to me. 332 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:32,000 Mr. Dodds was a fine man. A fine man. 333 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:35,000 Yes. You're Mr. Wilson, aren't you? 334 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:36,000 Yes. 335 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:38,000 He used to talk about you, Mr. Wilson. 336 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:42,000 Thought you were a very bright person. He seemed very fun. 337 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:46,000 I... I just don't know how I'll be able to go on without him. 338 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:49,000 Mrs. Dodds, you mustn't. You mustn't. 339 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:56,000 Sorry. He wouldn't like to see me carrying on like this, would he? 340 00:20:56,000 --> 00:21:00,000 You know, we were going to buy a home in Westchester this summer. 341 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:02,000 Can I ever tell you that, Mr. Wilson? 342 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:03,000 No. 343 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:07,000 Yes, just outside Yonkers. We have two lovely little ones. 344 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:09,000 You know, Toby and little Mary. 345 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:12,000 He loved the New York State countryside. 346 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:16,000 On, on she rambled. He liked this. He didn't like that. 347 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:19,000 The children, yes, and the children. Toby and little Mary. 348 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:21,000 Little Mary and Toby. She was driving me crazy. 349 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:24,000 Stop it, I want to be ill. Get out of here. Leave me in peace. 350 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:26,000 Get out of here, you witch. 351 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:30,000 Oh, Mrs. Dodds, Detective Lewis would like to see you now. 352 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:34,000 Oh. Thank you for everything, Mr. Wilson. Bye. 353 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:37,000 Goodbye. Goodbye. 354 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:39,000 Get out and leave me alone. 355 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:41,000 I hadn't meant to do anything like that. 356 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:43,000 I hadn't wanted to do any of the things I was doing. 357 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:47,000 All I wanted to do was to kill Dodds. All these other things, they weren't mine. 358 00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:51,000 I hadn't killed Higbee. He can't haunt me. His wife can't cry at me. 359 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:57,000 Ah, ah, heart attack. Yes. Higbee died of a heart attack. 360 00:21:57,000 --> 00:22:02,000 I beg your pardon, sir. Have you seen Mrs. Higbee? The detective is looking for her. 361 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:06,000 How would I see her? Am I everybody's guardian? How can anybody get lost in this office? 362 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:10,000 Sorry, sir. Mrs. Higbee? Mrs. Higbee? 363 00:22:10,000 --> 00:22:14,000 Ah, stop it, you fool. You howling idiot. Can't you be looked for quietly? 364 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:16,000 You'll drag Higbee from his grave with your yelling. 365 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:19,000 Two widows. 366 00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:21,000 What? 367 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:29,000 You manufacture widows, don't you, Mr. Wilson? Widows and orphans. 368 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:36,000 Tell me, Mr. Wilson, is it your life's work or is it just a hobby with you? 369 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:38,000 Tell me, Mr. Wilson. 370 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:43,000 Who is that? Who is that talking? Do they think they can make a fool of me? 371 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:49,000 Ah, the office communication system. No, no, it's off. 372 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:55,000 Stop it, Mr. Wilson. You'll go bombing. You've committed the perfect crime. 373 00:22:55,000 --> 00:23:01,000 Don't go crazy and spoil it. Perfection is instinctive with you. 374 00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:02,000 Yes, yes. 375 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:07,000 Not a plan did you make. Spontaneous perfection. 376 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:10,000 There aren't many who could do that. 377 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:15,000 Go on. Voices can't frighten me. They deserve to die, and that's why they're dead. 378 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:28,000 Thou shalt not kill, Mr. Wilson. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not kill. 379 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:35,000 No, not Higbee. I didn't kill Crazy Tom. His heart stopped. Do you hear me? That's all? I didn't kill him? 380 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:40,000 Now, you voices stop. You stop. Do you hear me? Stop. I command it. Stop. 381 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:42,000 Is there something wrong, Mr. Wilson? 382 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:49,000 What? Do you hear them too? You mustn't listen. They lie. Do you hear me? They lie. Now get out. Get out. 383 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:54,000 You must talk only to me. Do you understand me? Only to me. Not to these others. 384 00:23:54,000 --> 00:24:00,000 Don't say anything to these others. Only to me. Only to me. What do you want? 385 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:03,000 Well, I don't know. 386 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:07,000 You think they'll say something bad about me, don't you? Say you can carry me off to jail. 387 00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:12,000 That's what you're waiting for, isn't it? Well, you're going to be disappointed. You see? They're quiet. 388 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:14,000 What's quiet? Who's quiet? 389 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:17,000 You think I'm going to tell you? They won't say anything unless I tell them to. 390 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:20,000 And I'm not going to tell them to say anything. Not one little word. 391 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:25,000 Last night. You want to know about last night? Ask them. But they won't tell you. 392 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:28,000 Come here, Lieutenant. Look at the expression on that man's face. 393 00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:33,000 They saw me hit him, and they won't say anything. They were there, but they won't tell you anything. 394 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:38,000 We could have gotten them out in some other way. You and your psychology. You should leave that stuff in college. 395 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:42,000 All I did was plant Higbee in the office and write Mrs. Dodds in here and talked in the ventilating system. 396 00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:45,000 Well, those voices had me creeping, too. Incidentally, Dodds was single. 397 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:47,000 What? That girl's my fiancee. She's an actress. 398 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:50,000 Well, for crap. Why did you tell him Higbee was dead? 399 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:52,000 Well, I know. Maybe you better not explain. 400 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:54,000 A little word. Psychology, huh? 401 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:58,000 Well, what are we going to do with the confession now? We should have pinched him the moment he walked in here. 402 00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:00,000 I'm lucky I never went to college. 403 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:05,000 There's no use. Why are you waiting here? They won't tell you anything. They're mine. All mine. 404 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:10,000 I tell them what to say. I tell them the wagon up here. I'm not going to walk this thing through the street. 405 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:27,000 Henry Wilson, it is the judgment of this court that you be sent to the Hillview Mental Home and be kept there in close confinement. 406 00:25:27,000 --> 00:25:45,000 On, on the voice went. I'd stopped listening to voices, all but the ones that I couldn't help hearing. 407 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:53,000 But I'm not, I'm not crazy. Not like Tom. I am not crazy. 408 00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:58,000 I tell people that and they look at me clearly. The stupid fools. 409 00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:04,000 The guards here have spread the lie that I have fits. Lies, lies, I tell you. 410 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:10,000 They say every night when the moon comes up, I have fits. Loud, roaring fits. Well, they lie. 411 00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:16,000 It's then I hear the voices. I hear Dodds and his wife and Toby and little Mary. 412 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:25,000 I said, quietly, listen to them. Do you think I could have a fit in front of him? 413 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:52,000 Do you know? I'd be ashamed. I tell you, I'm not crazy. They lie. All of them lies, lies, lies, lies. 414 00:26:52,000 --> 00:27:02,000 Suspense presented by Roma Wines. R O M A. Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 415 00:27:02,000 --> 00:27:11,000 And now this is Ken Niles to tell you sincerely, Mr. Lockhart, that your performance just now was one of the most intense and thrilling we've ever had on suspense. 416 00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:19,000 I know Bill Spear, our producer director, agrees. Yes, I can see him waving his congratulations from the control room. 417 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:27,000 Well, thank you, Mr. Niles, and thank you, Bill. And we want you to enjoy this gift basket of Roma Wines as a token of our appreciation. 418 00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:41,000 Well, thanks again. What a fine assortment. Tell me, Ken, I shouldn't say this very loud, I suppose, but Mrs. Lockhart linked her long lashes at the butcher this morning and for dinner tonight we're having a steak. 419 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:48,000 Which Roma wine do you recommend we serve for the occasion? Well, my choice with steak, Gene, is Roma California Burgundy. 420 00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:54,000 You'll find red Roma Burgundy the perfect flavor mate for a thick, juicy sirloin or porterhouse. 421 00:27:54,000 --> 00:28:03,000 For Roma Burgundy is so good, has such tantalizing taste harmonies with red meats, it makes even plain hamburger an epicure's delight. 422 00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:11,000 Yes, robust Roma Burgundy brings out all the subtle hidden flavors in hearty foods. Adds richly to your enjoyment of any meal. 423 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:18,000 So I'd say that with Roma Burgundy on the table, you're all set for a delightful adventure in dining. 424 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:22,000 Thanks for your advice, Ken. Now I'm looking forward to dinner especially. 425 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:35,000 And Roma Burgundy is so good because only Roma, America's greatest vintner, selects from the world's greatest reserves of fine wines, a treasure of taste from the choicest grapes of California's finest vineyards. 426 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:43,000 So every Roma wine is better tasting every time. No wonder more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. 427 00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:48,000 No wonder indeed. We'll be appearing on Suspense next Thursday, Ken. 428 00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:55,000 One of America's most glamorous stars will be with us next week, the Army's number one pinup girl, Miss Rita Hayworth. 429 00:28:55,000 --> 00:29:04,000 Mr. Spear has been telling me a little about the story. I won't spoil it for you, but you'll want to tune in because lovely Rita Hayworth plays a role completely different from any you've ever seen or do on the screen. 430 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:08,000 Nobody will want to miss that. Certainly not me. Good night. 431 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:09,000 Good night, Gene. 432 00:29:09,000 --> 00:29:18,000 Ladies and gentlemen, due to the ending of Daylight Saving, Suspense will be heard next week at a different time on some of these stations. 433 00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:27,000 Consult your local newspaper for the right time to hear Rita Hayworth next Thursday on Suspense. 434 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:41,000 Presented by the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California.