1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:09,120 Suspense. 2 00:00:09,120 --> 00:00:13,560 Among wine stewards, the men who are responsible for the wine selections in the cellars of 3 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:26,320 famous hotels and restaurants, the choice is C-R-E-S-T-A, V-L-A-N-C-A, Cresta Blanca, 4 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:28,040 Cresta Blanca. 5 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:33,000 Yes, with professional hosts who know how to please the palates of America's most 6 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:39,160 discriminating guests, Cresta Blanca California wines richly bespeak gracious hospitality. 7 00:00:39,160 --> 00:00:45,120 So, compliment your guests by serving the best. For distinguished entertaining, pour 8 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:50,600 magnificent Cresta Blanca sherry, port, muscatel, or any Cresta Blanca wine. 9 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:54,360 From the finest of the vines, it's Cresta Blanca wine. 10 00:00:54,360 --> 00:00:58,560 Shenley's Cresta Blanca wine company, Livermore, California. 11 00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:02,560 And now, Shenley brings you Radio's outstanding theater of thrills. 12 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:05,560 Suspense. 13 00:01:05,560 --> 00:01:12,560 Presented by Roma Wines. That's R-O-M-A. Roma Wines for your everyday enjoyment. 14 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:18,560 Tonight, Roma Wines of Fresno, California bring you Mr. Walter Abel in Quiet Desperation, 15 00:01:18,560 --> 00:01:25,560 a suspense play produced, edited, and directed for Shenley by William Spear. 16 00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:32,840 It was during my lunch hour one day. Funny, I can't even remember the name of the book. 17 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:39,840 Anyway the sentence was, the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. 18 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:46,840 I couldn't seem to get past that sentence. Quiet desperation. 19 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:54,240 That was me the author was talking about, Homer Bigelow. 20 00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:59,600 And suddenly I thought, why should I go on like that? I was desperate, okay, but why 21 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:05,320 should I be quiet? Why shouldn't I do something about it? Get myself out of the rut? 22 00:02:05,320 --> 00:02:12,320 All I needed was the right break. It came a lot sooner than I expected. 23 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:20,600 One day, just before my vacation, I happened to overhear Mr. Pearson, he's president of 24 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:24,600 the bank, talking to one of the bank's directors, Corbin Vandergriff. 25 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:28,200 Usually their conversation is about debentures or first mortgages or government issues. 26 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:31,880 That stuff didn't interest me. Today their talk was a horse of another color. 27 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:37,320 It was a hot day and the door of the boss's office was open. They didn't even know I was 28 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:39,400 alive. I understand she's no great beauty, but it's 29 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:43,080 just as well she doesn't attract too much attention going through customs at both ends. 30 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:47,200 You mean to say, Corbin, that a young girl is willing to take the risk of violating her 31 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:51,000 country's currency controls? Evidently. Of course she feels exactly as the 32 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:54,280 father does, that they should be free over there to spend their own money wherever they 33 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:57,360 choose. Old Vale would break every law they've written 34 00:02:57,360 --> 00:03:00,800 there just for the satisfaction of knowing he's outwitted them. And Hester probably feels 35 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:03,920 the same way about it. Well, then he'll get quite a kick out of 36 00:03:03,920 --> 00:03:08,240 slipping 20,000 pounds out of the country. They're not pounds, John, but they might as 37 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:11,440 well be. They're just about as negotiable as cold cash. 38 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:14,960 By when that girl turns them over to me, I can walk into any dealer in the city and get 39 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:19,720 full market value in 10 minutes. And I intend to do it for them. I'm in complete sympathy. 40 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:23,680 No government on earth could tell me where and when and how to spend my own money. 41 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:25,880 Once she gets the money, what's she going to do with it? 42 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:29,760 Oh, I don't know. I don't care. My guess is that she's going to do some shrewd buying 43 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:34,160 highly scarce products for shipments back abroad. Leave it available to find a profitable 44 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:36,360 deal. When is she arriving? 45 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:39,320 Monday on the Elizabeth. I've engaged a suite for her at the Ambassador. 46 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:41,280 Good. I wrote them that I'd meet her at the boat, 47 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:46,200 take her to the hotel, get the negotiables and exchange them for her. 48 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:49,000 That afternoon she can throw the dollars out the window for all that matters to me. My 49 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,440 duty will be over. Well, aren't you going to entertain her while 50 00:03:51,440 --> 00:03:55,040 she's here, see that she has a good time? Entertain her? I should say not. 51 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:57,640 What? I don't even know the girl. Besides, I'm a 52 00:03:57,640 --> 00:04:00,040 little too old for that sort of thing. Oh, come on. 53 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:07,040 You keep it chilly in here. You know, I'm in the... 54 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:11,040 I wondered what Mr. Pearson would say if any of us employees at the banks were to play 55 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:15,480 fast and loose with the law the way Corbyn Vandergriff and that snooty dame Hester Vale 56 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:19,800 were doing. He wouldn't be quite so sympathetic and understanding. You can bet your bottom 57 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:25,000 dollar on that. That kind of skullduggery was labeled strictly for the rich. 58 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:29,040 I should have put the whole thing out of my mind, but somehow I couldn't. 59 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:36,040 20,000 pounds, 80,000 dollars in American money. 60 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:44,760 I stood there outside Mr. Pearson's office. I was shaken up of my quiet desperation. 61 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:50,680 Somehow, I just stood there dreaming about romance and adventure that you could buy with 62 00:04:50,680 --> 00:04:55,160 money. Well, Homer, you're all set for your vacation? 63 00:04:55,160 --> 00:05:00,200 Oh, yes, yes, sir. Leaving Friday for good old Eel River. My 13th year there. 64 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:03,840 Who the hell I envy you, son. I won't be going up until September. 65 00:05:03,840 --> 00:05:06,680 Then you'll be fishing up at Eel River again this summer. 66 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:10,720 Oh, yes, yes. I wouldn't miss it for anything. I wrote a meal and told him to expect me. 67 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:14,520 We'll be quite a party this year, five of us, you know. Say, did I tell you about the 68 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:18,400 trout I caught last year? Yes. The bank president and his lowly employee 69 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:22,040 both went to the same place for their vacation, but what a difference. 70 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:26,000 When he went out fishing, he had two guides per man with him to pack and carry, to paddle 71 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:29,480 and cook, to set up camp, to do everything that needed to. 72 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:32,600 Whereas, I had to do everything for myself and by myself. 73 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:37,080 Well, have a good time, Homer. I'll see you when you return. I'll say goodbye now. I won't 74 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:44,080 be back anymore today. Goodbye, sir, and thanks. 75 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:51,080 I had my lunch that day as I usually did in the boardroom. Jenny, Mr. Pearson's secretary, 76 00:05:52,280 --> 00:05:56,880 had left the door to his office open so that if the phone rang, I could take the message 77 00:05:56,880 --> 00:06:00,880 while she was out. The phone did ring, and it was Corbin Vandergriff. 78 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:04,960 Who is this? This is Homer Biglow, Mr. Vandergriff. 79 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:11,200 Oh, yes, Homer. Sorry. Make sure to give this message to Mr. Pearson. I'm laid up here in 80 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:16,920 the country with a cold. I won't be able to get to the city for that appointment on Monday. 81 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:21,480 Mr. Pearson knows all about it. Ask him to meet Miss Vale at the boat for me and see 82 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:25,240 to it that she's settled at the hotel. Tell him not to expect me back in the city until 83 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:26,880 next Wednesday at the earliest. Yes, sir. 84 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:31,240 Tell him I'll take care of that financial matter for Miss Vale when I get in. It can 85 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:33,320 wait until Wednesday. Yes, sir. 86 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:37,200 And tell him not to bother to call me. I'm going to spend this week in bed, and I don't 87 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:39,280 want to be disturbed. Yes, sir. 88 00:06:39,280 --> 00:06:47,960 Thank you, Homer. So Mr. Vandergriff was indisposed. Too bad. Now the girl would have to be met 89 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:54,080 by a substitute, a stranger. Well, she didn't know either Vandergriff or Pearson from a 90 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:58,440 hole in the ground, so what did it matter? And if it came to that, why did the substitute 91 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:09,040 have to be Mr. Pearson? Why couldn't it be me? 92 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:14,440 For Suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you Walter Abel in quiet desperation. Roma Wines 93 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:22,480 presentation tonight in Radio's Outstanding Theatre of Thrills, Suspense. 94 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:33,040 Suspense, Radio's Outstanding Theatre of Thrills is being brought to you by Roma. That's R-O-M-A. 95 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:41,240 Roma Wines, America's Largest Selling Wines. Mark Twain once said, everybody talks about 96 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:45,080 the weather, but nobody does anything about it. Well, that may have been true in Mark 97 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:51,720 Twain's time, but today it's a different story. Today there's an easy way to beat the heat. 98 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:57,080 Just half fill a glass with better tasting Roma wine, such as rich Roma Toque, fruity 99 00:07:57,080 --> 00:08:05,000 Roma Zinfandel or mellow Roma Claret. Add ice, fill up with soda, sweeten to taste, and garnish 100 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:12,480 with fragrant mint or fruit slices. Then lean back and enjoy Roma Wine and Soda, America's 101 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:19,280 smartest, coolest summer drink. I'm sure you'll agree that Roma Wine and Soda, so delicious, 102 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:26,200 so refreshing, so cool to come home to, is the perfect warm weather thirst quencher, 103 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:32,720 perfect for summer entertaining, so inexpensive too. It's a hot idea to treat your family 104 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:41,120 and friends to cold, refreshing Roma Wine and Soda made with better tasting Roma Wines, 105 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:47,120 America's favorite wines. And now Roma Wines bring back to our Hollywood Soundstage, Walter 106 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:53,880 Abell as Homer Bigelow with Kathy Lewis as Hester Vale in Quiet Desperation, a play well 107 00:08:53,880 --> 00:09:09,080 calculated to keep you in suspense. My days of quiet desperation were over. Anyone taking 108 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:13,480 a real close look at me that Friday wouldn't have been sure I had a fever. My face felt 109 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:18,440 hot and every now and then I had a fit of trembling. But evening finally came. I gulped 110 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:22,520 down some food at the cafeteria, picked up my bags at home and went to the station. The 111 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:27,000 next day I was saying hello to Emil on the platform of the Eel River Station. 112 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:30,120 Hello, Homer. Comment ça va? 113 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:31,920 Hello, Emil. Glad to see you again. 114 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:33,800 How is my bon ami, Mr. Pearson? 115 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:36,600 Fine. Fine. He sends his regards. How's the fishing? 116 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:39,120 Oh, magnifique. The best ever. 117 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:40,640 Are many others on the river, Emil? 118 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:45,480 Oh, not a one. The fish, they are hungry like anything and not the one to give them small 119 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:49,240 flight to eat. Now you come, Homer, and they will be all for you. 120 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:53,040 Ah, that's fine. I'll get started right up. Is everything all set? 121 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:55,640 Oui, tout prêt. Everything is ready, eh? Come. 122 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:08,000 In half an hour I was at the camp on the shore of the Eel River. I had lunch, changed my 123 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:12,680 clothes, put my city clothes into my pack instead of into my suitcase which I was going 124 00:10:12,680 --> 00:10:18,240 to leave in camp. And by three o'clock I was a good eight miles up the Eel River. By four 125 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:22,240 I had hidden my canoe and equipment in some bushes along the bank and dressed again in 126 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:25,960 city clothes was walking slowly through the woods toward Loudon's Corners three miles 127 00:10:25,960 --> 00:10:30,040 away. It was a local stop on the railroad just below Eel River and the train south was 128 00:10:30,040 --> 00:10:35,400 due in at nine at night. I had plenty of time to catch it and make the transfer at Boston 129 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:39,960 for the night train to New York. In the Boston station I bought a cheap suitcase and a couple 130 00:10:39,960 --> 00:10:44,280 of shirts and when the train dropped me at Grand Central early Sunday morning I went 131 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:49,080 straight to the 49th Street Hotel which was just a couple of blocks from the Ambassador. 132 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:54,080 I scrawled the name Henry Smith in the register and was shown to my room. I had a whole day 133 00:10:54,080 --> 00:11:15,520 and a night to wait and for once with all that time on my hands I didn't read a book. 134 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:20,520 Excuse me where could I find a Miss Vale one of the passengers. What name? Hester Vale. 135 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:26,000 Vale look over there by the fence. She hasn't gone through she's probably there. Thank you. 136 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:33,200 Miss Vale Miss Vale. Over here. Good morning Miss Vale I'm. You're Mr. Vandegrave. That's 137 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:36,920 right. So good of you to come my father promised he would meet me. How is your father? He's 138 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:41,840 very well thank you. Still growling about Europe's ruin. It's been a beastly nuisance 139 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:47,800 this waiting. Is there anything I can do to help? Thank you. That chap's finally finished 140 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:52,000 mucking about with my boxes. Think I was an adventurer smuggling something priceless into 141 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:56,280 your country. I have nothing to declare you know. Came with empty trunks. Suspect to fill 142 00:11:56,280 --> 00:12:00,880 them up while I'm here. Can't buy a thing in Europe you know. Europe's a dreadful nightmare. 143 00:12:00,880 --> 00:12:04,640 So I understand. Father walked you all about it did he? Foolish of him to write. Mail might 144 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:09,200 have been opened. Oh no after all the war's over. Is it? Well shall I take you to your 145 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:13,480 hotel you probably want to rest. Rest? Not at all. I'm scooting out to the shops right 146 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:17,680 off. Oh you you have enough money for shopping? They allowed me a hundred pounds. I still have 147 00:12:17,680 --> 00:12:23,560 most of it. That'll do for a starter. They'd only known about you know. Yes if if you'd 148 00:12:23,560 --> 00:12:29,600 care to turn over the the contraband I could see about converting it into dollars for you. 149 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:34,080 Contraband eh? Spies and all that sort of thing. That describes it exactly. It's very nice. 150 00:12:34,080 --> 00:12:37,440 But not now. I'll take them out of the hotel. All right. Is there anything you'd like me 151 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:41,680 to do this evening or you'd like to do this evening? Oh dear I don't want to impose on 152 00:12:41,680 --> 00:12:46,000 your time. Oh you're not imposing. It's a pleasure. But I'd like to see a play. One 153 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:50,320 of your bright American musicals is possible. Well I think that can be arranged. Suppose 154 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:53,880 I call for you at seven. We can have dinner and then go to the theater. That's splendid. 155 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:59,240 It's right beside. Forget it. I haven't seen a musical myself. Well not for a long time 156 00:12:59,240 --> 00:13:11,720 anyway. I took her to her suite of the ambassador. Then I went back to my room to think over 157 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:16,720 my plan. It was almost too simple. As soon as she turned the securities over to me I'd 158 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:20,840 take them to a broker and collect. Then I'd catch the night train back to Loudon's Corner 159 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:24,720 then through the woods to Eagle River. By tomorrow afternoon I'd be in my canoe again 160 00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:28,880 as if nothing had happened. A few days after that the canoe would come drifting down the 161 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:34,560 river wrong side up and my stuff would be found floating in a quiet backwater. Under 162 00:13:34,560 --> 00:13:39,280 another name I'd go out west. With eighty thousand dollars I'd never have to go back 163 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:45,760 to that old life of quiet desperation. No sir I was through with that forever. As for 164 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:51,800 the man who posed as Corbin Vandegrift he'd never be found and no one would ever connect 165 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:56,120 him with the Homer Bigelow who was drowned on a fishing trip in the swift waters of the 166 00:13:56,120 --> 00:14:10,800 Eagle River two hundred and fifty miles away. Good evening Miss Vale. Hello right on time. 167 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:14,880 How was the shopping? Oh I say it left me quite speechless. I can't wait until I can 168 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:25,040 really go on a spree. Are we ready? If you are. Quite. Oh dear. There now will you hold 169 00:14:25,040 --> 00:14:28,720 this key for me. There's simply no room in my bag for it. Sure I'll keep it in my pocket 170 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:37,320 for you. Thank you. I picked a quiet little restaurant where I was sure I wouldn't meet 171 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:42,000 anyone who knew me. The theater was going to be an ordeal of all those people but that 172 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:47,040 couldn't be helped. I had to play my part until she handed over those securities. I 173 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:51,280 couldn't afford to look too anxious about them either but I knew that worried. While 174 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:54,600 we were waiting for the dessert she opened her bag and pulled out a package of about 175 00:14:54,600 --> 00:15:00,800 a dozen small envelopes different sizes and different shapes. Here you are Mr. Vanderbilt. 176 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:12,360 Take good care of them. Are these? They are. I put them in my inside pocket. All the way 177 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:18,520 down Broadway in the taxi I felt them. The envelopes were too small it seemed to me to 178 00:15:18,520 --> 00:15:24,560 hold securities. Maybe if they were folded over but even then they would have to be bulked 179 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:29,480 here than they were. I had to look into those envelopes to know if the securities were really 180 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:33,720 there but I had no chance and it wasn't until the taxi dropped us in front of the theater 181 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:39,880 that I was able to make one. Well here we are. Miss Vale I I wonder if you'd mind seeing 182 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:44,440 the show alone. Oh dear. I don't know what did it to me but I've suddenly gotten a terrific 183 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:48,080 headache. Oh that is too bad. Oh it'll be all right. I just thought the music and the 184 00:15:48,080 --> 00:15:51,480 excitement wouldn't help much. No I should think not. Suppose you take me back to the 185 00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:55,360 hotel and then you can go right home. But wouldn't you like to see the show by yourself. Oh. You 186 00:15:55,360 --> 00:15:59,800 could you know and then take a taxi back to the ambassador. Yes I suppose I could. Why 187 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:03,760 should I think the headache of mine spoiled your whole evening. Here take the tickets 188 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:08,280 and go on in. Well thank you I will. I'm dreadfully sorry you have to miss it. Oh I'll make up 189 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:12,680 for it another time Miss Vale. There are plenty of musicals you want to see. You'll be sure 190 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:18,920 to take something for that headache now won't you. I will. Thanks a lot for being so considerate. 191 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:29,480 Good night Miss Vale. Have a good time. Oh I'm sure to. Good night Mr. Vandergrove. 192 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:34,680 Back in my hotel room with shaking hands I opened the envelopes. They were nothing but 193 00:16:34,680 --> 00:16:38,760 letters from her friends. Sent to her from different parts of the world not a single 194 00:16:38,760 --> 00:16:47,640 security in any of them. Could it have been a mistake. Did she hand me the wrong package. 195 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:53,000 Didn't seem possible. Maybe she suspected something was wrong and played a trick on 196 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:58,280 me. I was sweating and reached for my handkerchief and that's when I felt her hotel key still 197 00:16:58,280 --> 00:17:04,720 in my pocket. I threw the package of letters into my suitcase and walked over to the ambassador 198 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:11,040 two blocks away. Her key opened the door and I was alone in her suite. I had until at least 199 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:15,160 eleven thirty two and a half hours. I took my time about it making sure to put everything 200 00:17:15,160 --> 00:17:19,680 back exactly as I found it. I searched her baggage the bureau the drawers the closet every 201 00:17:19,680 --> 00:17:26,280 conceivable place even under the rugs and pond. Exactly nothing. She had them on her 202 00:17:26,280 --> 00:17:33,720 then. I turned the light off and went into the bedroom to wait. Soon after eleven thirty 203 00:17:33,720 --> 00:17:39,480 I heard the outer door open. Really I'm terribly sorry to have caused this trouble Mr. Vandergrove 204 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:42,800 was suddenly taking the headache or I'm sure he wouldn't have forgotten to return my key. 205 00:17:42,800 --> 00:17:47,120 It really doesn't matter miss. You can use this duplicate until he returns it to you. 206 00:17:47,120 --> 00:17:52,000 Oh it is bothering though. Oh not at all Miss Vale. Happens often. Well good night. Thank 207 00:17:52,000 --> 00:18:01,960 you good night. Oh dear. What are you doing here? I'm sorry to disturb you Miss Vale but 208 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:08,000 I had to come back you see you forgot to give me the securities. Securities? Yes the securities 209 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:12,960 I was to have sold for you. Oh my dear but I did. Oh no there wasn't anything in the 210 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:18,360 package except some letters from friends of yours. Who are you? You're not Mr. Vandergrove. 211 00:18:18,360 --> 00:18:21,840 Miss Vale what my name is doesn't matter very much by this time it's enough for you to know 212 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:25,120 that I want those securities and I need to get them hand them over. You get out of here. 213 00:18:25,120 --> 00:18:30,200 I warn you Miss Vale I don't want to get nasty but I'm not going to leave without them. Stay 214 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:37,440 away from me. The securities Miss Vale. No no no. Where are they Miss Vale. Tell me. 215 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:43,120 I don't want to hurt you. The more she struggled the tighter I gripped her throat. Her arms 216 00:18:43,120 --> 00:18:47,600 beat weakly against my side and suddenly I got so mad at her that I. Where are they. 217 00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:52,200 Where are they. Tell me where are they. My fingers tightened and strained against her 218 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:56,680 soft flesh then suddenly she quit struggling and when I loosened my grip she fell down 219 00:18:56,680 --> 00:19:00,680 on the floor unconscious. Where was that purse of hers out there. I ripped it over nothing 220 00:19:00,680 --> 00:19:04,400 there but a powder compact and lipstick and some change. Where could they be. She'd have 221 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:14,080 to tell me I'd make her miss fail wake up miss fail. She didn't move. And then I saw. 222 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:26,560 That she wasn't breathing anymore. I'd killed her. I never meant to kill the girl I hadn't 223 00:19:26,560 --> 00:19:33,960 any idea I was choking her that hard all I wanted was. Now I had to get away. I couldn't 224 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:38,320 stay there with that limp body of sprawled on the road but I had to be careful. Couldn't 225 00:19:38,320 --> 00:19:43,360 afford to make any mistake now. I remember everything I've read in detective stories 226 00:19:43,360 --> 00:19:47,800 you had to be careful about fingerprints. I ran to the bathroom and grabbed the towel 227 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:52,520 and with it wiped every surface I might have touched. Then I dragged the body to the bedroom 228 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:59,800 and put it on the bed. I shut the door behind me. Turn the lights off in the sitting room. 229 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:04,600 I listened a couple of seconds at the outer door. Everything was quiet. I ducked out and 230 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:10,080 went to the stairs. The lobby was empty. I crossed over and went on to Park Avenue. Five 231 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:16,920 minutes later I was in my hotel. It was twelve thirty. I could still catch the one o'clock 232 00:20:16,920 --> 00:20:33,920 train for Boston. Fine mess I've made. The best thing that could happen to me now. Mind 233 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:39,600 you the best thing would be to get back home to the boarding house to the bank to that 234 00:20:39,600 --> 00:20:45,640 horrible hopeless rot I tried to get away from. That was the best I had to look forward 235 00:20:45,640 --> 00:20:53,560 to. The worst. I didn't even have the courage to think of it but then what could they pin 236 00:20:53,560 --> 00:20:57,120 on me if anybody had anything to worry about it wasn't me it was Vandegrift he had the 237 00:20:57,120 --> 00:21:02,240 date with her and not I. As far as anybody knew I didn't know any such person as Hester 238 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:07,040 Vale ever existed. Vandegrift was the guy she told the desk clerk she'd given the key 239 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:13,440 to but the poor sap wouldn't even be able to prove an alibi for late last night midnight. 240 00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:23,520 I could go back to my fishing and forget the whole thing forget it ever happened I was 241 00:21:23,520 --> 00:21:31,640 safe. Fine consolation that was after all the beautiful plans I made but at least I 242 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:44,800 was safe. Boston I checked the new suitcase I could pick it up on the way home the local 243 00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:49,000 dropped me at Loudon's corner by noon I was sitting over my campfire having a bite just 244 00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:53,320 like any other fellow out on a fishing trip. Ten days later on a Saturday morning I was 245 00:21:53,320 --> 00:22:01,440 back at a meal camp. Mr Bigelow I was fishing fine a meal. Oh you get nice sunburn. I'm 246 00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:09,320 not sure. Did I really get that brown. Well like Barry. Really nice and quiet. I have 247 00:22:09,320 --> 00:22:14,680 no party fishing before August when Mr Pearson come with four friends. Yes I know he told 248 00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:21,080 me. He's some fisherman Mr Pearson always try for record but you don't care for record 249 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:28,240 that means the big love you leave the simply the quiet life. I guess I do. You enjoy it. 250 00:22:28,240 --> 00:22:35,800 I try my best. You have other hobby maybe. No I don't have any hobbies except reading. 251 00:22:35,800 --> 00:22:39,920 Mr Pearson and me we have same hobby. That's why we such good friends. Oh I didn't know 252 00:22:39,920 --> 00:22:47,080 that. Oh we we we great one for a philately the time. You know someday I'll show you my 253 00:22:47,080 --> 00:22:52,280 collection. It's been three albums but I have no so good collection like Mr Pearson but 254 00:22:52,280 --> 00:22:58,480 then I have no so much money. Neither have I. You make joke. Mr. Pearson even wealthy 255 00:22:58,480 --> 00:23:04,480 I know but still a meal can give him some stamp for once in a while. I have few duplicate. 256 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:09,440 You do me big favor and give them to Mr. Pearson. I think me compliment. Oh sure I'd be glad 257 00:23:09,440 --> 00:23:23,920 to. Now I drive you to station. Next year you come again. No yes I'll come again. Well 258 00:23:23,920 --> 00:23:30,080 Homer you're back. Did you enjoy your rest. Yes it was fine Mr Pearson. Good good good. 259 00:23:30,080 --> 00:23:36,000 I can't say we've had any enjoyment back here. Have you heard about Mr Vandegrift. Mr. Vandegrift 260 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:41,480 knows there's something wrong wrong. I'll say there is he's been arrested for murder. 261 00:23:41,480 --> 00:23:46,240 He insists he's innocent but the police have a strong case against him very strong. That 262 00:23:46,240 --> 00:23:52,160 looks bad bad indeed. So are we all it means I'll have to give up my fishing trip this 263 00:23:52,160 --> 00:23:58,240 summer for one thing I can't desert old man be at such a time. I have to worry me and 264 00:23:58,240 --> 00:24:02,480 I just got a letter from him telling me he had everything arranged to yes he told me 265 00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:08,200 he was expecting you. Oh well can't be helped. Oh say by the way he wrote that he sent some 266 00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:14,160 duplicates on to me and your care stamps you know. Stamps. Oh that's right he did. Sorry 267 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:18,120 I forgot about them Mr. Pearson I must have them at home. I'll bring them in tomorrow. 268 00:24:18,120 --> 00:24:22,520 No hurry no hurry I have no mind for them now anyway. Well back to work come on back 269 00:24:22,520 --> 00:24:32,440 to work. That night I looked for the stamps but I couldn't find them. How I ever made 270 00:24:32,440 --> 00:24:37,320 them I managed to lose them I'll never know. Now I'd have to explain to Mr. Pearson. No 271 00:24:37,320 --> 00:24:42,600 I wouldn't have to explain. I still had those letters her letters. They were from foreign 272 00:24:42,600 --> 00:24:46,840 countries. I'd take the stamps from those envelopes and give them to Mr. Pearson. He'd 273 00:24:46,840 --> 00:24:50,400 never know the difference. I knew how fussy he could get about little things like lost 274 00:24:50,400 --> 00:24:56,000 stamps rather than get him started on the lecture. I got out the package of letters 275 00:24:56,000 --> 00:25:01,960 cut the stamps off and then burned the letters and the envelopes. The next day. Yes. Here 276 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:05,800 are those stamps sir I found them at home all right. Oh well just put them on the desk 277 00:25:05,800 --> 00:25:14,380 Homer thank you very much. Oh don't mention it Mr. Pearson. I was having my lunch later 278 00:25:14,380 --> 00:25:19,240 in the boardroom when Mr. Pearson came in he had a stranger with him a tall man with 279 00:25:19,240 --> 00:25:25,680 an angry face. Here you are Homer. Yes sir. I want you to meet Mr. Scott. How do you do? 280 00:25:25,680 --> 00:25:31,800 I do. Those stamps you gave me Homer are you sure you got them from a meal. Oh yes sir 281 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:37,000 just before I left he gave them to me for you. No Homer no I just called him he told 282 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:42,800 me he gave you some recent French issues. Those weren't the stamps you gave me. Well 283 00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:46,960 Mr. Pearson I guess you found me out you see I lost the stamps Amiel gave me and I didn't 284 00:25:46,960 --> 00:25:50,000 want to disappoint you so I went to a stamp dealer and picked up a dozen odd stamps to 285 00:25:50,000 --> 00:25:56,080 replace them. I didn't think it would make much difference. Is that your story big alone. 286 00:25:56,080 --> 00:26:01,240 What do you mean it's true. They were very rare and very valuable stamps Homer. You must 287 00:26:01,240 --> 00:26:06,160 have shelled out a pretty penny for them. I don't know Mr. Pearson feels a man in your 288 00:26:06,160 --> 00:26:12,440 position couldn't afford to buy stamps like those unless. Unless what. Unless you didn't 289 00:26:12,440 --> 00:26:18,440 buy them at all big alone unless you got them from the late Miss Hester Vail. Well what's 290 00:26:18,440 --> 00:26:24,240 the matter Homer is the name familiar to you. No I know sir I I never heard of what makes 291 00:26:24,240 --> 00:26:29,760 us think so is that the stamps Miss Vail smuggled into this country were the same issues and 292 00:26:29,760 --> 00:26:40,000 worth exactly as much. Eighty thousand dollars. Worth eighty thousand. Could it be a coincidence 293 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:58,160 Mr. Big Lone. Quiet desperation. I've been catching up on my reading here in prison while 294 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:26,040 waiting. I found another good quote. Happiness is the absence of pain. Suspense. Quiet desperation 295 00:27:26,040 --> 00:27:32,400 starring Walter Abel and presented by Roma wine. That's our O.M.A. Roma wine. Those better 296 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:40,480 tasting wines selected for your pleasure from the world's greatest reserves of fine wine. 297 00:27:40,480 --> 00:27:46,840 More Americans enjoy Roma wines than any other wines because Roma wines taste better to create 298 00:27:46,840 --> 00:27:53,040 this better taste. Roma begins with natural juices gently pressed from California's choicest 299 00:27:53,040 --> 00:27:59,680 grapes then Roma master ventures with ancient skill and unmatched wine making resources 300 00:27:59,680 --> 00:28:06,520 guide these luscious grape treasures unheard of late to taste perfection. Then these better 301 00:28:06,520 --> 00:28:12,480 tasting wines are placed with mellow Roma wines of years before and from these the world's 302 00:28:12,480 --> 00:28:19,480 greatest wine reserves Roma later selects for your pleasure. Right now a wonderful way 303 00:28:19,480 --> 00:28:26,840 to discover the better taste of Roma wines is to serve Roma wine and soda iced for cool 304 00:28:26,840 --> 00:28:33,160 lip smacking refreshment. Enjoy delicious Roma wine and soda made with your favorite 305 00:28:33,160 --> 00:28:40,360 Roma wine. That's Roma America's largest selling wine. Walter Abel will soon be seen in the 306 00:28:40,360 --> 00:28:47,440 Hal Roach production Fabulous Joe. Tonight's suspense play was by George and Gertrude Fass. 307 00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:55,280 Last Thursday same time you will hear Donald O'Connor at Star of Suspense produced and 308 00:28:55,280 --> 00:29:19,200 directed by William Spear for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno California. In the coming 309 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:26,080 week Suspense will present such stars as Edmund O'Brien, John Lund, Lloyd Nolan and others. 310 00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:42,160 Make it a point to listen each Thursday to Suspense, radio's outstanding theatre of thrill. 311 00:29:42,160 --> 00:29:52,600 This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system.