1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,500 Yes, Roma wines taste better because only Roma selects from the world's greatest wine 2 00:00:08,500 --> 00:00:11,880 reserves for your pleasure. 3 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:21,400 And now Roma wines, R-O-M-A, Roma wines present Suspense. 4 00:00:21,400 --> 00:00:29,520 Tonight Roma wines bring you Mr. Van Heflin in Three Blind Mice, a suspense play produced, 5 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:35,240 edited and directed for Roma Wines by William Spear. 6 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:43,920 Suspense, radio's outstanding theater of thrills is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. 7 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:51,120 That's R-O-M-A, Roma wines, those better tasting California wines enjoyed by more Americans 8 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:55,640 than any other wine, for friendly entertaining, for delightful dining. 9 00:00:55,640 --> 00:01:01,600 Yes, right now a glass full would be very pleasant as Roma wines bring you Van Heflin 10 00:01:01,600 --> 00:01:06,000 in a remarkable tale of Suspense. 11 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:17,000 Lockwood, Bentley and Walt's Publishing, it still said it on the big brass name play. 12 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:18,000 Going down. 13 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:20,000 Oh, good evening Mr. Lockwood. 14 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:21,000 Good evening. 15 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:25,920 Sure, the elevator operators were nice to me, most of the office boys remembered to knock 16 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:31,520 on my door before they came in and even some of the stenographers still spoke to me. 17 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:35,200 But everybody else above the rank of junior story reader knew it was just a question of 18 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:39,120 time before that big brass name play in the lobby came down and another one went up in 19 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:42,160 its place, Bentley and Walt's Publishing. 20 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:44,360 No more Lockwood. 21 00:01:44,360 --> 00:01:48,400 If ever a man hated his partners, I did. 22 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:49,400 Main forcer. 23 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:54,280 I went out of the building and across the street to the Savoy Fidenna. 24 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:58,120 Even the head waiter must have heard the rumor he gave me the dime sized table over in the 25 00:01:58,120 --> 00:02:02,480 corner that's generally reserved for out of town ribbon clerks. 26 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:05,920 It's all right, Bob, there'll be another day. 27 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:09,120 I'd gotten to coffee and dessert when I saw Helen Conover. 28 00:02:09,120 --> 00:02:12,200 Well, that just about summed it up. 29 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:17,040 There were two things that I wanted in this world to get my hands back on that corporation 30 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:18,040 and Helen Conover. 31 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:22,640 Well, she saw me and I waved to her and she waved back and started over to my table. 32 00:02:22,640 --> 00:02:24,500 She was head of our promotion department. 33 00:02:24,500 --> 00:02:29,040 She was smart and ambitious and she could have personally modeled for any pin up art 34 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:30,040 that you ever saw. 35 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:33,720 But she was reserving anything along that line for my partner, Dick Walsh. 36 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:36,840 Okay, sister, there'll be another day. 37 00:02:36,840 --> 00:02:37,840 Hello, Arthur. 38 00:02:37,840 --> 00:02:38,840 Dining alone? 39 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:42,320 Yes, it's a habit that I could break it under the right conditions. 40 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:43,800 Oh, but you're all finished. 41 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:44,800 That's all right. 42 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:46,280 I'm just a big book publisher. 43 00:02:46,280 --> 00:02:47,280 I've got nothing to do. 44 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:50,520 Well, if it's not against office regulations to have dinner with the boss. 45 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:51,520 Regulations? 46 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:53,000 Well, they never bothered you now, did they? 47 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:54,680 No, Arthur, let's keep this clean. 48 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:55,680 Does Madame wish to order? 49 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:57,360 Yes, the steak dinner, please. 50 00:02:57,360 --> 00:02:58,360 No soup and no potatoes. 51 00:02:58,360 --> 00:02:59,360 Very good, madam. 52 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:01,120 You're working kind of late, aren't you? 53 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:02,120 Not working. 54 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:04,120 Dick wanted me to see him off on the train. 55 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:05,120 Train? 56 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:06,120 Where's he going? 57 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:07,120 Chicago. 58 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:08,120 What for? 59 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:09,120 Business, I suppose. 60 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:10,120 Didn't he tell you? 61 00:03:10,120 --> 00:03:11,120 You know, they never tell me anything anymore. 62 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:13,920 Well, it wasn't anything very important, I guess. 63 00:03:13,920 --> 00:03:16,880 Well, I'd know even less if it had been. 64 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:18,720 Maybe you can tell me about Sam. 65 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:19,720 About Sam? 66 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:21,960 Did he get his report from the doctor? 67 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:24,840 Oh, yes, he did, as a matter of fact. 68 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:25,840 How is it? 69 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:26,840 I'm afraid it's pretty bad. 70 00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:27,840 How bad? 71 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:28,840 Well, it's his heart, all right. 72 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:31,320 They don't give him much more time. 73 00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:32,320 Six months at the most. 74 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:35,320 Well, that means they'll have to work fast. 75 00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:36,320 Or I will. 76 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:37,320 What? 77 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:38,320 Wouldn't you say so? 78 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:41,720 Arthur, I don't understand you. 79 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:45,320 I just told you that one of your partners has only six months to live and you don't even 80 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:46,320 seem to care. 81 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:48,400 Look, let's be grown up about it, at least. 82 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:51,640 Sam Bentley and Dick Walsh have been trying to ease me out of the firm for the last year. 83 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:52,960 Now Sam's going to kick off. 84 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:54,560 Why should I care? 85 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:56,120 You really hate him, don't you? 86 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:57,120 Me? 87 00:03:57,120 --> 00:03:58,120 I don't hate anybody. 88 00:03:58,120 --> 00:04:01,640 I just hope he kicks off tonight instead of waiting six months and the Dick Walsh's train 89 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:02,920 runs into the Hudson River. 90 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:03,920 That's all. 91 00:04:03,920 --> 00:04:04,920 I don't hate anybody. 92 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:05,920 I just wish they were dead. 93 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:08,240 Oh, Arthur, how can you? 94 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:09,240 What's the matter with that? 95 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:11,600 I wish my partners were out of the way and you wish... 96 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:15,520 Well, I know what you wish, too, only I'm honest about it and you're not. 97 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:17,200 This isn't a very pleasant conversation. 98 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:19,240 There's always a better one. 99 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:21,320 For instance, what are you doing tonight? 100 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:23,920 I'm going home and get a good night's sleep for a change. 101 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:26,080 By the way, how long is Dick going to be away? 102 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:27,080 About a week. 103 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:29,280 You'll be kind of lonely, won't you? 104 00:04:29,280 --> 00:04:30,880 I don't see why I should. 105 00:04:30,880 --> 00:04:32,440 That's what I was thinking. 106 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:35,400 You know, I've always had a sort of a yen for you, Helen. 107 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:38,720 Why, Mr. Lockwood, why don't people tell me these things? 108 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:41,160 People don't have to tell people like you those things. 109 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:45,440 Now that you mention it, I do seem to have noticed a sort of a leer every so often. 110 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:48,240 That wasn't any leer, baby, that was the real McCoy. 111 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:53,880 Look, Arthur, this may sound kind of corny, but I'm in love with Dick and he's in love 112 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:54,880 with me. 113 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:55,880 It does. 114 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:56,880 What? 115 00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:57,880 Sound corny. 116 00:04:57,880 --> 00:04:58,880 Why doesn't he marry you? 117 00:04:58,880 --> 00:04:59,880 You know why. 118 00:04:59,880 --> 00:05:00,880 Sure, that wife that won't divorce him. 119 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:03,240 You know, he's been using that one for the last ten years. 120 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:04,960 Please, Arthur, I'd rather not talk about it. 121 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:09,720 Okay, okay, not to change the subject, but what do you expect to get out of it? 122 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:10,720 Get out of what? 123 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:14,160 The reorganisation, the big day when they kick old Arthur out of the firm. 124 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:16,400 You think maybe they'll make you a vice president? 125 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:18,320 I really don't know what you're talking about, Arthur. 126 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:21,880 Well, you ought to think about it, because you can never tell, I might be able to make 127 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:22,880 you an even better proposition. 128 00:05:22,880 --> 00:05:26,880 I'm afraid I'm not interested in your propositions, Arthur. 129 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:27,880 Any of them. 130 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:34,560 Okay, baby, there'll be another day. 131 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:42,120 It was mostly bluff and she knew it, but there was one thing that she didn't know. 132 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:46,240 There was a chance that my smart partners had actually been holding out on me, and if 133 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:51,160 they had, the way our incorporation papers were drawn, then I could really mail them. 134 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:55,280 Well, I'd been snooping through the files at night lately, and I'd already dug up a 135 00:05:55,280 --> 00:05:58,200 couple of things, and this night I went back at it again. 136 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:03,480 I let myself into the side door of the building and walked up the two flights to the office. 137 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:08,280 Everything was dark and deserted, barely make out the long lines of desks. 138 00:06:08,280 --> 00:06:16,920 And then I saw the light under Sam's door, and I crossed the office very quietly and listened. 139 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:18,400 Hmm, nothing. 140 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:20,840 I tapped on the door. 141 00:06:20,840 --> 00:06:26,760 Still nothing, so I opened it, and there was Sam. 142 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:31,000 There was Sam, leaning back in his chair and staring at me with those cold and slightly 143 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:35,640 protruding blue eyes, much the way he always did. 144 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:43,560 But tonight, there was a small hole in the right side of his head, and Sam Bentley was 145 00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:47,680 dead. 146 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:50,800 The gun was lying on the carpet where it had fallen out of his hand. 147 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:51,800 It was his, all right. 148 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:52,800 I recognized it. 149 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:57,200 His other hand had fallen against an open drawer of the desk, and his wristwatch was 150 00:06:57,200 --> 00:06:58,200 broken. 151 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:04,520 It had stopped at five after eight, and I picked up the phone to call the police. 152 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:08,280 And then I noticed a letter on his desk. 153 00:07:08,280 --> 00:07:10,240 It was addressed to Richard Walsh. 154 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:16,680 Well, I put up the phone and looked at that letter, and then I opened it. 155 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:18,200 Well, it was about what I figured. 156 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:23,820 The doctor's report on his heart, the usual all-around apology, and then a detailed explanation 157 00:07:23,820 --> 00:07:29,360 of how Dick Walsh could use the corporate insurance to pay off Sam's family for his 158 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:33,560 share of the business, and then take it over himself, because Sam didn't want me to have 159 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:35,120 any part of it. 160 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:38,880 The signature was a little scrawly, but it was Sam's, all right. 161 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:42,720 So there it was, the double cross. 162 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:47,440 And yet it's funny, but almost before I got through reading it, I knew the answer. 163 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:51,040 I looked at that broken wristwatch of his again. 164 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:53,920 Five after eight, it said. 165 00:07:53,920 --> 00:08:01,000 An hour later, I was home in bed, sleeping like a baby, knowing that Dick Walsh, too, 166 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:07,040 was going to die. 167 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:10,640 I strolled into the office the next morning, about 10, just to be on the safe side. 168 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:13,120 But of course, they'd already found him. 169 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,840 All over the office, there were little huddles that broke up frantically in my approach. 170 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:21,120 Well, I played it for what it was worth and headed for the largest and most important 171 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:23,600 huddle, the executive huddle outside of Sam's door. 172 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:26,840 They were all there, including Helen Conover. 173 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:29,280 And she was looking pretty sick. 174 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:31,400 Well, what is all this? 175 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:32,680 Just a minute, who are you? 176 00:08:32,680 --> 00:08:34,120 Oh, I'm Arthur Lockwood, also. 177 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:35,120 What's all this about? 178 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:39,440 Oh, just wait here, please, Mr. Lockwood. 179 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:40,840 What's going on here, anyway? 180 00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:41,840 Somebody robbed the till? 181 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:42,840 Arthur. 182 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:43,840 What? 183 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:44,840 Arthur, it's Sam. 184 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:45,840 What? 185 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:46,840 His heart? 186 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:47,840 No, he was shot. 187 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:48,840 Shot? 188 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:49,840 Arthur, the police say it's murder. 189 00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:50,840 Will you come in, please, Mr. Lockwood? 190 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:51,840 Yes, certain. 191 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:52,840 The captain would like to see you again, too, please, Miss Count, Arthur. 192 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:53,840 Oh, yes, all right. 193 00:08:53,840 --> 00:09:01,960 Well, we went in. 194 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:02,960 Sam was still there. 195 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:07,480 But by this time, somebody had thrown a towel over his face. 196 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:11,240 Big gangling guy came across the room toward me with his hand out. 197 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:12,240 Mr. Lockwood? 198 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:13,240 Yes. 199 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:15,240 The captain gave him his homicide. 200 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:18,120 Is... is that Sam, Sam Bentley? 201 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:19,120 Yes. 202 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:22,320 I know it must be something of a shock to you, sir, but I'm afraid I'm going to have 203 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:23,320 to ask you a few questions. 204 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:24,320 Oh, yes, of course. 205 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:25,840 Please go right ahead. 206 00:09:25,840 --> 00:09:28,040 Know anybody who want to kill your partner, Mr. Lockwood? 207 00:09:28,040 --> 00:09:32,960 Are you sure it was... I mean, I mean, couldn't it have been suicide? 208 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:34,960 Why would he want to kill himself? 209 00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:38,240 Well, he's been pretty depressed lately. 210 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:39,240 His health has been bad. 211 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:42,800 Only yesterday he got a report from his doctor that he probably wouldn't live more than six 212 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:43,800 months. 213 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:46,720 No, won't hold, Mr. Lockwood. 214 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:50,520 Not unless you figure that Bentley shot himself and then carried the gun into your other partner's 215 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:51,520 office. 216 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:52,880 That's Mr. Walsh, isn't it? 217 00:09:52,880 --> 00:09:53,880 Mr. Walsh. 218 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:54,880 Yes. 219 00:09:54,880 --> 00:09:55,880 Was that surprising? 220 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:56,880 Why, yes, it... 221 00:09:56,880 --> 00:10:00,360 Do you mean the two found the gun in... in Mr. Walsh's office? 222 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:02,000 In the wall safe. 223 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:05,080 How many people have the combination of that safe, Mr. Lockwood? 224 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:06,960 Why, just the three of us, I think. 225 00:10:06,960 --> 00:10:08,600 The three partners. 226 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:12,600 We each have a safe, but somebody else has to have the combination, too, just in case... 227 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:15,120 Well, you know... 228 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:17,880 Did you trust your partners, Mr. Lockwood? 229 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:20,840 Well, captain, I'll be frank with you. 230 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:26,920 There hasn't been a great deal of love lost between us lately, but, yes, we trusted each 231 00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:28,480 other in our own way. 232 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:30,600 Where were you at ten after seven, Mr. Lockwood? 233 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:33,600 I was having dinner at the Savoy across the street. 234 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:35,080 You can prove that, I suppose? 235 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:36,080 Yes, of course. 236 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:40,440 As a matter of fact, Miss Conover here came over and later joined me. 237 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:45,800 I understand Miss Conover was seeing your other partner, Mr. Walsh, off on the 735 in 238 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:46,800 Chicago. 239 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:47,800 Yes, so she told me yes. 240 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:49,440 You're sure of the train time? 241 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:50,440 Yes, of course. 242 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:53,120 Well, it's the one Dick Walsh always takes to Chicago. 243 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:54,600 But why this interest in time? 244 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:58,400 Have you set the time of the... of when it happened? 245 00:10:58,400 --> 00:10:59,400 Bentley's watch was broken. 246 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:02,280 It stopped at ten after seven. 247 00:11:02,280 --> 00:11:03,280 Oh. 248 00:11:03,280 --> 00:11:05,720 Either of you see this before? 249 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:08,240 Where did that come from? 250 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:09,240 Recognize it? 251 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:11,600 Yes, of course, that's Mr. Walsh's watch charm. 252 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:12,600 He keeps losing it. 253 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:14,200 He loses it all the time. 254 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:16,080 Yes, he does. 255 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:19,360 We found it in the chair behind Bentley's body. 256 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:21,600 Oh, now wait a minute, Captain. 257 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:23,640 You don't seriously mean to suggest that... 258 00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:25,080 How does it add up to you? 259 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:28,080 Well, I mean that watch charm doesn't mean anything. 260 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:31,920 It's true that he did lose it all the time, but he could have lost it in here any time. 261 00:11:31,920 --> 00:11:34,040 Not in a chair, Mr. Lockwood. 262 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:36,760 It wouldn't stay there very long, not without being found. 263 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:38,520 Oh, Captain, there must be some mistake. 264 00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:39,520 There must be. 265 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:40,520 You can go now, Miss Conover. 266 00:11:40,520 --> 00:11:41,520 But please. 267 00:11:41,520 --> 00:11:42,520 I said you could go now, Miss Conover. 268 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:43,520 Come on, Helen. 269 00:11:43,520 --> 00:11:44,520 I guess that's it, Harry. 270 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:45,520 I guess it is. 271 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:48,520 Better call Chicago and issue a warrant. 272 00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:51,120 You're under arrest for a suspicion of murder. 273 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:52,120 No, it's... 274 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:53,120 All right, all right. 275 00:11:53,120 --> 00:11:54,120 It's nothing now. 276 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:57,120 She's just fainted. 277 00:11:57,120 --> 00:12:09,160 For Suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you Van Heflin in Three Blind Mice. 278 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:14,040 Roma Wines' presentation tonight in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 279 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:27,240 between the acts of suspense this is Ken Niles for Roma wines next time you have 280 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:31,040 friends over in the evening try this simple gracious way to add warmth to 281 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:34,560 their welcome serve delicious Roma California sherry 282 00:12:34,560 --> 00:12:41,720 port or muscatel delightful with cheese nuts cake or any tasty snack you're sure 283 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:47,360 to please every guest with better tasting Roma wines for Roma wines are 284 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:53,840 favorites from coast to coast enjoyed by more Americans than any other wine the 285 00:12:53,840 --> 00:13:00,160 reason Roma wines taste better because Roma starts with choices grapes because 286 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:04,880 Roma with patient skill and America's finest wine making resources guides 287 00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:11,520 these naturally finer grapes unhurriedly to tempting taste perfection because 288 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:16,280 Roma then places this luscious grape treasure with Roma wines of years before 289 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:22,120 to await selection from the world's greatest reserves of fine wines for your 290 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:32,000 pleasure so insist on Roma roma Roma wines made in California for enjoyment 291 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:37,360 throughout the world and now Roma wines bring back to our Hollywood soundstage 292 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:43,240 Van Heflin as Arthur Lockwood with Kathy Lewis as Helen Conover in free blind 293 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:49,800 mice a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense 294 00:13:49,800 --> 00:14:04,880 the defendant will rise and face the court 295 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:13,160 does the defendant wish to make a statement before sentences pass if not 296 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:18,480 we will proceed Richard Leonard Walsh having been tried and found guilty of 297 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:23,760 the murder of Samuel Bentley in the first degree you are hereby remanded to 298 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:29,400 the custody of the warden of the state penitentiary where at such time as the 299 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:34,680 state shall deem appropriate you will be executed in the manner of scribe by law 300 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:39,960 it's a nice way of getting along in the publishing business if you're lucky one 301 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:43,560 of your partners commit suicide you rig the evidence to frame the other partner 302 00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:48,920 for his murder net result a new firm Arthur Lockwood incorporated Arthur 303 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:53,600 Lockwood be me of course there were the usual appeals and the thing dragged on 304 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:58,120 but that didn't worry me I had other things to think about and number one on 305 00:14:58,120 --> 00:15:04,120 that list was Helen Conover but there I'll admit I was surprised because Dick 306 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:07,200 knew that he'd been framed and must have suspected me and Helen was supposed to 307 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:12,400 be a mother with big well I played it very carefully the paternal approach the 308 00:15:12,400 --> 00:15:16,160 sorrowing friend dinner in the theater and stuff like that but never a word 309 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:20,760 never a wrong word or gesture and then one night about a week before Dick Walsh 310 00:15:20,760 --> 00:15:25,000 was scheduled to be executed I just brought Helen home from a sedate little 311 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:30,280 tour of some of our most upper crust hot boxes and we were at her apartment 312 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:35,080 this well evening Arthur you've been awfully sweet to me well it's the least 313 00:15:35,080 --> 00:15:40,200 I can do Helen oh you mustn't feel that way Arthur what way but you but you sort 314 00:15:40,200 --> 00:15:43,600 of owe me something oh you're something well why should I it's just that I I know 315 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:48,680 how you feel and if you do well yes I think so you've been awfully brave about 316 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:54,080 it but I I think I know Arthur once you said that something I said was corny 317 00:15:54,080 --> 00:16:02,320 remember yes I remember it was it wasn't even true you want you weren't in love 318 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:06,880 with him afraid I'm a pretty heartless little girl Arthur I'm afraid I love 319 00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:11,480 myself too much to be really in love with anybody that's not heartless that's 320 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:19,360 just honest you know that that tease to be executed next week don't you yes then 321 00:16:19,360 --> 00:16:25,280 he's not much good to me now is he even if he did want to marry me now you know 322 00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:34,040 I'm heartless and cold-blooded and cruel I ought to but I don't know I don't have 323 00:16:34,040 --> 00:16:42,960 to be that way I can be other ways what are the ways like this 324 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:56,320 that was that I didn't care about anything after that even marriage we 325 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:59,840 made a quick trip down to Virginia where names in the publishing business wouldn't 326 00:16:59,840 --> 00:17:04,520 mean a thing even hours and it was all very quiet no publicity no fuss nothing 327 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:08,680 when we got back we took a little place in these 50s although of course she kept 328 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:11,800 her apartment I kept mine it had to be that way for a while at least until 329 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:16,400 after Dick's execution and the things had cooled down a bit well I knocked off 330 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:21,360 early at the office that day for the looks of the thing and Helen was already 331 00:17:21,360 --> 00:17:28,360 home when I got any particular reason no no no particular reason 332 00:17:28,360 --> 00:17:34,960 penny for your thoughts darling my thoughts oh nothing special I guess I 333 00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:40,040 was just thinking I don't know that I know what you were thinking about dick 334 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:46,000 he's going to die tonight well maybe I was I don't know well I'm glad you did 335 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:48,920 come home anyway darling because I wanted to have a little talk with you 336 00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:53,320 sure about what you really shouldn't let it bother you you know like what bother 337 00:17:53,320 --> 00:17:58,840 me the execution why should it bother me he killed a man didn't he why should I 338 00:17:58,840 --> 00:18:06,280 worry about what the law does to him are you so sure so sure of what so sure that 339 00:18:06,280 --> 00:18:14,040 he did kill a man right then it hit that all the time I've been thinking how slick 340 00:18:14,040 --> 00:18:18,640 everything was something was wrong terribly wrong that all this time she'd 341 00:18:18,640 --> 00:18:23,600 been playing with me like a smart young cat with a silly blind old mouse 342 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:29,000 pretty nice and one of them dead and another with him as good as dead and I 343 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:34,760 was left all the evidence and everything wasn't like dick to do a thing like that 344 00:18:34,760 --> 00:18:42,680 you don't think he killed him Arthur do you remember oh it's a long time ago you 345 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:46,720 asked me what I expected to get out of it if Sam and Dick squeezed you out of 346 00:18:46,720 --> 00:18:54,080 the firm yeah I remember and you said you might have a better proposition well 347 00:18:54,080 --> 00:19:01,800 I've decided what I want sure you really want to be a vice president we can fix 348 00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:05,640 that easy enough although I sort of had the idea that you'd be pulling out after 349 00:19:05,640 --> 00:19:12,560 a while now that we're married your price list no I'm afraid a vice 350 00:19:12,560 --> 00:19:16,080 presidency isn't at all what I have in mind and I don't know where you got the 351 00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:23,640 idea that I'd be pulling out of the firm ever all right what do you want I want a 352 00:19:23,640 --> 00:19:33,400 full partnership Arthur a partnership yes that's a strange well we are partners 353 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:40,240 now in a way you're my wife no I mean a real partnership a corporate partnership 354 00:19:40,240 --> 00:19:44,160 look Helen you're asking me out of a clear sky to give you a half a share in a 355 00:19:44,160 --> 00:19:52,280 million dollar business yes well I that'll take some thinking about yes I 356 00:19:52,280 --> 00:19:59,680 suppose it will I'm saying it was strange about that evidence for instance 357 00:19:59,680 --> 00:20:04,120 there was the letter what letter the letter that was on Sam's desk when he 358 00:20:04,120 --> 00:20:09,880 killed himself it disappeared you must be crazy am I and what about the 359 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:15,320 wristwatch when he died it said five after eight but when they found him it 360 00:20:15,320 --> 00:20:21,120 said ten after seven and the gun it was lying on the carpet by his hand but 361 00:20:21,120 --> 00:20:26,400 somehow it got into Dick's wall safe you knew all that and you let an innocent 362 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:36,520 man go to the chair you are priceless I let an innocent man go to the chair you 363 00:20:36,520 --> 00:20:42,720 know of course that a wife can't testify against her husband oh no no a wife can't 364 00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:50,800 be forced to testify against her husband but she can if her conscience all right 365 00:20:50,800 --> 00:20:58,720 what do you want I thought I'd mentioned it the partnership I see now you're not 366 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:04,320 going to be unreasonable about it are you darling no Helen I'm not going to be 367 00:21:04,320 --> 00:21:14,520 unreasonable she'd even turned her back on me now she was gazing out of the 368 00:21:14,520 --> 00:21:20,200 window dreaming of the future her future just the way she planned it I couldn't 369 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:24,000 guess how she knew she must have been hiding somewhere and seen me but that 370 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:27,520 didn't matter much now I only knew that I was right back where I'd started from 371 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:32,400 the business slipping out of my hands and someday no business and no Helen I 372 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:37,280 had to think fast and act fast it was a bronze statuette on the end table I 373 00:21:37,280 --> 00:21:42,800 picked it up and hefted it it was just about right so I stepped over behind her 374 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:49,560 the officers then will be just exactly the same except for that darling you 375 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:53,000 won't mind that will you duck 376 00:21:54,920 --> 00:22:02,240 I hit her hard but not too hard because this was one suicide that was going to 377 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:06,040 come off right I carried her out to the kitchen and propped her up in the chair 378 00:22:06,040 --> 00:22:09,920 in front of the kitchen table and then I went into the bathroom got some towels 379 00:22:09,920 --> 00:22:14,560 that wouldn't leave any marks and I tied her hands and feet and gagged her so 380 00:22:14,560 --> 00:22:19,040 that even if she did come to in a few minutes it wouldn't matter all I had to 381 00:22:19,040 --> 00:22:22,520 do was come back in a couple of hours and put the towels we make everything 382 00:22:22,520 --> 00:22:26,680 look just as natural as I could was a risk those two hours and I knew it the 383 00:22:26,680 --> 00:22:30,720 whole thing was a risk but it was the best I could do I looked at her once 384 00:22:30,720 --> 00:22:37,720 more before I left she hadn't moved a muscle and then I turned on the gas 385 00:22:42,360 --> 00:22:47,200 by the time I got back to my apartment I was shaking all over this time I had 386 00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:52,120 really killed somebody but why would anybody connect me with it I told 387 00:22:52,120 --> 00:22:55,800 myself why would anybody think it was anything but suicide she had the motive 388 00:22:55,800 --> 00:23:00,240 this day of all days everybody knew that she was in love with watch and even if 389 00:23:00,240 --> 00:23:07,160 her marriage to me came out the motive would still hold and then they the doorbell 390 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:11,760 rang I jumped the foot at first I wasn't gonna answer it and then I thought I'd 391 00:23:11,760 --> 00:23:16,240 better whoever it was would establish that I was here at home and that I could 392 00:23:16,240 --> 00:23:24,240 brush them off before I had to leave hello mr. Lockwood busy why no no no 393 00:23:24,240 --> 00:23:34,240 come right in thanks right here have a seat cigar thanks pretty good cigar 394 00:23:34,240 --> 00:23:40,920 must be doing pretty well for yourself nowadays better let me light it myself 395 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:48,800 you seem kind of nervous well you know how it is I mean today the oh mean your 396 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:54,280 partner Walsh going to the hot seat I try not to think about it but well yeah 397 00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:59,840 you'll be sitting down there pretty soon now pretty soon they say it doesn't hurt 398 00:23:59,840 --> 00:24:06,760 I don't know you ever see one look do we have to talk about it makes you feel 399 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:15,480 kind of bad I wouldn't wonder why did you do it lock one do what frame it I 400 00:24:15,480 --> 00:24:21,320 don't know what you're talking about sure you do you change the time stash the 401 00:24:21,320 --> 00:24:27,480 gun tore up the suicide note in fact as I was saying you framed him no Walsh 402 00:24:27,480 --> 00:24:30,840 killed him you you know he did he was convicted of killing him all the evidence 403 00:24:30,840 --> 00:24:35,560 was that he killed him oh sure Walsh killed him all right what Walsh killed 404 00:24:35,560 --> 00:24:41,920 him he told us he did just today but it was uh they look what is this Walsh 405 00:24:41,920 --> 00:24:47,000 killed him framed it to look like suicide then you came along and pinned it 406 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:51,040 back on Walsh where it belonged in the first place he gave us a full confession 407 00:24:51,040 --> 00:24:56,920 just this afternoon then then you so I don't know whether we ought to thank you 408 00:24:56,920 --> 00:25:02,720 for making it easy for us so try to pin a wrap on you but the DA is willing to 409 00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:09,000 let it go so all right with me he wants a statement though oh sure sure anything 410 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:16,480 anything you say by the way what about that dame what what dame the one in your 411 00:25:16,480 --> 00:25:23,640 office that was supposed to be sweet on walls we want her the worst way you why 412 00:25:23,640 --> 00:25:29,400 accessory to murder she was in it up to over years 413 00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:35,360 yeah so that was all that's how she had known and I'd taken my life on my hand 414 00:25:35,360 --> 00:25:39,680 for nothing she was up there dying right now I was murdering it while Gibbons sat 415 00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:44,400 there risking my life to do something that the law would have done for me maybe 416 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:50,080 it still wasn't too late but Gibbons just sat there talking and talking and talking 417 00:25:50,080 --> 00:25:55,400 well you were you just go down there to the DA's office and give him that 418 00:25:55,400 --> 00:26:01,800 statement eh sure sure tomorrow the very first thing you know you sure are a heel 419 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:06,520 knock one but you're a lucky heel 420 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:13,000 it's ten blocks away I didn't dare take a cab I didn't dare even run for fear 421 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:17,480 that somebody would see me and remember in case it was too late by the time I got 422 00:26:17,480 --> 00:26:21,920 there I was gasping for breath of swine so I'd run every second so I let myself 423 00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:25,440 in the smell of gas he can just like a brick wall I put my handkerchief over my 424 00:26:25,440 --> 00:26:31,360 face and rushed in I threw open the window shut off the gas she was sitting 425 00:26:31,360 --> 00:26:36,760 there just as I left her well I got her up on the table I dragged it over toward 426 00:26:36,760 --> 00:26:40,040 the window I got the gag out of her mouth and I began working her arms 427 00:26:40,040 --> 00:26:44,800 artificial respiration I knew that much I worked over by that window until it was 428 00:26:44,800 --> 00:26:49,080 wet was running down my face but I couldn't tell I couldn't tell yet the 429 00:26:49,080 --> 00:26:52,440 towels that I tied her feet with were still there but I I didn't bother with 430 00:26:52,440 --> 00:26:55,760 them or anything else I just kept working over up and down up and down as 431 00:26:55,760 --> 00:27:06,200 though yes as though my life depended on it it did I'm afraid you're too late 432 00:27:06,200 --> 00:27:11,840 Lachwin I'm afraid your wife is dead 433 00:27:18,600 --> 00:27:25,320 he was a smart cop that Givens he knew a lot he says now he's pretty sure it 434 00:27:25,320 --> 00:27:33,480 doesn't hurt the electric care I mean well tonight I'm gonna find out 435 00:27:33,480 --> 00:27:49,400 you 436 00:27:49,400 --> 00:27:57,920 suspense presented by Roma wines our OMA Roma America's favorite wine well this 437 00:27:57,920 --> 00:28:01,040 is Ken Niles bringing back to our microphone the distinguished star of 438 00:28:01,040 --> 00:28:05,240 tonight's suspense play Van Heflin Van you played the part of a publisher 439 00:28:05,240 --> 00:28:10,080 tonight how about publishing a few tips on Roma wines well with wine like Roma 440 00:28:10,080 --> 00:28:15,360 Ken all you need to do is publish the facts well fact number one is that Roma 441 00:28:15,360 --> 00:28:19,760 America's greatest vintner has asked me to present you with this basket of Roma 442 00:28:19,760 --> 00:28:23,520 wines for your wonderful performance tonight well that's a very good beginning 443 00:28:23,520 --> 00:28:29,120 Ken my my thanks to you and to Roma a fact number two Van is that your friends 444 00:28:29,120 --> 00:28:33,880 will enjoy the Roma California sherry in your gift basket for gold and amber 445 00:28:33,880 --> 00:28:38,960 fragrant Roma sherry with tempting nut-like taste is the perfect first call 446 00:28:38,960 --> 00:28:43,520 to dinner the ideal wine for entertaining anytime right Ken but tell 447 00:28:43,520 --> 00:28:47,600 the people why Roma sherry is so good give them the facts my boy the facts 448 00:28:47,600 --> 00:28:52,960 all right you are professor Heflin the fact number three Roma sherry like all 449 00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:58,920 Roma wines begins with California's choices greats then Roma vintners with 450 00:28:58,920 --> 00:29:04,000 America's finest wine making resources guide these select grapes unhurried lay 451 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:08,880 it to tempting taste perfection and place them with Roma wines of years 452 00:29:08,880 --> 00:29:14,920 before later Roma selects from this vast taste treasure the world's greatest wine 453 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:19,560 reserves for your pleasure Ken you're hired thank you and good night 454 00:29:19,560 --> 00:29:23,560 Van Heflin may currently be seen in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Technicolor musical 455 00:29:23,560 --> 00:29:28,640 till the clouds roll by with Van Johnson Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra tonight's 456 00:29:28,640 --> 00:29:32,800 suspense play was written by Kenneth Pettis and Robert Richards next Thursday 457 00:29:32,800 --> 00:29:38,200 same time you will hear mr. Glenn Ford as star of suspense 458 00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:42,400 produced and directed by William Spear for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno 459 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:59,240 California this is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system