WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:05.000 In just a moment, Auto Light presents, Suspense with Herbert Marshall. 00:06.000 --> 00:11.000 It was the night before Christmas, and in Santa Claus' sleigh, the electrical system was plenty okay. 00:11.000 --> 00:17.000 The ignition was perfect, worked like a dream, and the sleigh ran so smooth it made Santa beam. 00:17.000 --> 00:18.000 What was Santa's secret, Arnold? 00:18.000 --> 00:23.000 I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight. It's no secret at all. It's just Auto Light. 00:23.000 --> 00:24.000 Now, Arnold. 00:24.000 --> 00:28.000 You see, Hap, with all the kids in the world, depending on old Saint Nick, Christmas Eve, 00:28.000 --> 00:33.000 he plays safe by replacing old or worn out parts in his Auto Light equipped car, 00:33.000 --> 00:39.000 sleigh, with Auto Light original factory parts, resistor spark plugs, staple batteries, distributors, 00:39.000 --> 00:42.000 starting motors, coils, generators, wire, and cable. 00:42.000 --> 00:46.000 All famous for their Auto Light ignition engineered dependability. 00:46.000 --> 00:48.000 Santa does it. Why don't you? 00:48.000 --> 01:03.000 Harrow, Harrow, let's switch from Santa to Suspense. 01:03.000 --> 01:09.000 Suspense! 01:09.000 --> 01:14.000 Auto Light and its 60,000 dealers and service stations bring you 01:14.000 --> 01:18.000 Radio's outstanding theater of thrills. 01:18.000 --> 01:26.000 Starring tonight, Mr. Herbert Marshall in Anton Leder's production of John Collier's Holiday Story. 01:26.000 --> 01:36.000 A tale well calculated to keep you in Suspense. 01:36.000 --> 01:42.000 Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingles all the way. 01:42.000 --> 01:49.000 Oh, what fun, just to ride in a one horse open she. 01:49.000 --> 01:50.000 Oh, jingle bells. 01:50.000 --> 01:54.000 Wilfred! Wilfred! 01:54.000 --> 01:55.000 Yes, my dear. 01:55.000 --> 01:57.000 What on earth are you doing down here in cellar? 01:57.000 --> 02:00.000 Why, just doing a little digging. 02:00.000 --> 02:05.000 And why, may I ask, have you chosen this day of all days to dig up the cellar floor? 02:05.000 --> 02:11.000 Well, I thought as the weather's been so damp, this would be a good time to plant that little devil's garden I told you about. 02:11.000 --> 02:13.000 Devil's garden? What kind of nonsense is that? 02:13.000 --> 02:16.000 Oh, that was my little joke about it. 02:16.000 --> 02:21.000 You see, I've managed to get hold of the spores of several unclassified wild orchids. 02:21.000 --> 02:22.000 Oh. 02:22.000 --> 02:26.000 In their wild state, they bloom under damp masses of leaf mold. 02:26.000 --> 02:31.000 The Orukanian Indians call them devil flowers because they appear to bloom under the ground. 02:31.000 --> 02:37.000 Well, I'm sure the Orukanian Indians will be very interested if you succeed in growing these ridiculous flowers under the cellar floor. 02:37.000 --> 02:42.000 Whom else it will interest, I can't imagine. Ooh, what's that terrible smell? 02:42.000 --> 02:44.000 That's the leaf mold. 02:44.000 --> 02:48.000 Chemically identical with the earth blanket they grow under in the wild state. 02:48.000 --> 02:55.000 I suppose I should line the pit with concrete so as to prevent seepage from this foreign soil, but I don't suppose there'll be much time for it now, and I... 02:55.000 --> 02:58.000 I do want to get these started before we close the house. 02:58.000 --> 03:00.000 There certainly will not be time for it. 03:00.000 --> 03:04.000 Do you realize that we're sailing for America a week from today? 03:04.000 --> 03:07.000 And you've made no arrangements, whatever. 03:07.000 --> 03:11.000 Unless you call digging a hole in the cellar making arrangements, I certainly don't. 03:11.000 --> 03:13.000 Devil's garden, indeed. 03:13.000 --> 03:17.000 Sometimes I think you're going soft in the head, Wilfred. 03:17.000 --> 03:22.000 I suppose it is inconsiderate of me. You see, I've been wanting to try this experiment for a long, long time, but... 03:22.000 --> 03:26.000 What with my lectures and seminars at the university, there never seemed to be time. 03:26.000 --> 03:29.000 Well, there certainly isn't any time for it now. 03:29.000 --> 03:32.000 I suppose you've forgotten I made an appointment for you at the barbers this afternoon. 03:32.000 --> 03:35.000 Oh, no, no, no, no. But, uh... 03:35.000 --> 03:37.000 Must I shave off my beard, Hermione? 03:37.000 --> 03:42.000 I thought we'd been through all that. Of course you must. They don't wear beards in America. 03:42.000 --> 03:44.000 Go get your jacket on and do as I tell you. 03:44.000 --> 03:45.000 Yes, Hermione. 03:45.000 --> 03:47.000 And don't forget to take your umbrella. It looks like rain. 03:47.000 --> 03:48.000 Yes, Hermione. 03:48.000 --> 03:50.000 Oh, don't look so put-upon, Wilfred. 03:50.000 --> 03:50.000 No, I... 03:50.000 --> 03:56.000 Someone has to plan things in this house or you'll never even get to the university in time for your lectures, much less make arrangements for a trip to America. 03:56.000 --> 03:59.000 Oh, I know, I know. But what about my specimens? 03:59.000 --> 04:04.000 There'll be plenty of time to plant your precious devil's garden when we get home from America. 04:04.000 --> 04:08.000 We're not going to be gone forever, you know. We'll be back here for the holidays. 04:08.000 --> 04:11.000 Yes, of course, back for the holidays. I've forgotten. 04:11.000 --> 04:15.000 Well, try to remember it. And if you can't do that, just do as I tell you. 04:15.000 --> 04:21.000 I've been making the plans in this house for 20 years. And if there's any digging to be done, I'll manage that as well. 04:21.000 --> 04:22.000 You understand, Wilfred? 04:22.000 --> 04:23.000 Yes, Hermione. 04:23.000 --> 04:28.000 Good. You have just 20 minutes to clean up this mess down here and keep your appointment at the barbers. 04:28.000 --> 04:31.000 And when you finish there, I want you to come straight home. 04:31.000 --> 04:34.000 Oh, I wanted to stop and pick up some books I ordered. 04:34.000 --> 04:39.000 Well, all right. But don't loiter the whole afternoon browsing over those old books the way you usually do. 04:39.000 --> 04:45.000 Now, hurry and clear up this rubbish. Get rid of that smelly stuff. And no more digging, mind you. 04:45.000 --> 04:47.000 Yes, Hermione. 04:49.000 --> 04:51.000 Yes, Hermione. 04:51.000 --> 04:55.000 How many years has it been since I've been saying that? 10 years? 15, 20? 04:55.000 --> 04:56.000 Clear up the rubbish. 04:56.000 --> 05:04.000 Yes, Hermione. Don't forget your umbrella. Yes, Hermione. Do this. Do that. Yes, Hermione. Yes, yes. 05:04.000 --> 05:07.000 How much longer can I stand this? 05:14.000 --> 05:16.000 Good evening, sir. 05:16.000 --> 05:17.000 Good evening, Miss Malcolm. 05:17.000 --> 05:21.000 Why, why, it is Professor Carpenter, isn't it? 05:21.000 --> 05:25.000 Oh, you, you like me better this way? 05:25.000 --> 05:30.000 Oh, you look ever so much younger without the beard. 20 years at least. 05:30.000 --> 05:31.000 20 years. 05:31.000 --> 05:35.000 You'll be glad to know those books you ordered have finally arrived. 05:35.000 --> 05:36.000 Books? 05:36.000 --> 05:43.000 Phytotomy of phalloid gametophytes and coniferous shrubs of North America. Those are the ones you ordered, aren't they? 05:43.000 --> 05:47.000 Yes, thank you. You're very kind, Miss Malcolm. 05:47.000 --> 05:49.000 Why kind, Professor Carpenter? 05:49.000 --> 05:54.000 Not many young ladies in bookshops would go out of their way to look up rare books for an old professor of botany. 05:54.000 --> 05:59.000 Well, you're not old, Professor Carpenter. Really, you look... 05:59.000 --> 06:03.000 And besides, I adore botany. It's my particular hobby. 06:03.000 --> 06:04.000 Oh, really? 06:04.000 --> 06:05.000 Yes. 06:05.000 --> 06:07.000 You never told me that before, Miss Malcolm. 06:07.000 --> 06:12.000 I was afraid to. You were so imposing with the beard and all. 06:12.000 --> 06:13.000 And Miss Malcolm... 06:13.000 --> 06:14.000 Yes? 06:14.000 --> 06:17.000 Forgive me if this sounds foolish, but I... 06:17.000 --> 06:22.000 I feel that shaving off my beard is the most important thing I've done for... 06:22.000 --> 06:24.000 For 20 years. 06:24.000 --> 06:29.000 Oh, it is. I'm sure it is. I'm ashamed that I've been so distant with you all this time. 06:29.000 --> 06:32.000 Oh, there were times when I almost spoke up. 06:32.000 --> 06:36.000 Times when you came in here, tired after a day with your students at the university. 06:36.000 --> 06:40.000 You seemed so alone, the way I'm alone in the world. 06:40.000 --> 06:43.000 I'd like to have asked you to stay a while and talk with me. 06:43.000 --> 06:49.000 But some way or other, I wound up by giving you your change and letting you go on your way. 06:49.000 --> 06:51.000 You say you're all alone in the world? 06:51.000 --> 06:52.000 Since my father died. 06:52.000 --> 06:54.000 Did you never think of marrying? 06:54.000 --> 06:56.000 My father was a very remarkable man. 06:56.000 --> 07:01.000 I never found anyone who seemed to measure up to what he led me to expect of men. 07:01.000 --> 07:02.000 Miss Malcolm. 07:02.000 --> 07:05.000 It's been so long since anyone called me by my first name. 07:05.000 --> 07:10.000 I'd like you to, if you want to. It's Marion. 07:10.000 --> 07:11.000 Marion. 07:11.000 --> 07:12.000 And yours? 07:12.000 --> 07:13.000 Wilfred. 07:13.000 --> 07:17.000 Oh, how long have you been alone, Wilfred? 07:17.000 --> 07:18.000 Alone? 07:18.000 --> 07:22.000 Oh, I knew you were a widower, of course, the first time I saw you. 07:22.000 --> 07:23.000 A widower? 07:23.000 --> 07:27.000 I can always tell. There's a certain sadness in a man's eyes. 07:27.000 --> 07:31.000 A sweet sadness, I think, when he's been married and then... 07:31.000 --> 07:35.000 A widower. I never thought of it in quite that way. 07:35.000 --> 07:38.000 But perhaps I shouldn't be talking like this. 07:38.000 --> 07:42.000 But I've often wondered what she must have been like. Your wife, I mean. 07:42.000 --> 07:43.000 Hermione? 07:43.000 --> 07:44.000 Was that her name? 07:44.000 --> 07:45.000 Yes, Hermione. 07:45.000 --> 07:49.000 She was not an easy woman to forget. Very strong, always managing things. 07:49.000 --> 07:52.000 The house, my wardrobe, my friends. 07:52.000 --> 07:56.000 When we dined at a restaurant, she even ordered my food. 07:56.000 --> 08:00.000 She was always managing things. You might say she... 08:00.000 --> 08:03.000 Yes, she managed herself to death. 08:06.000 --> 08:09.000 Poor woman. She must have loved you very much. 08:09.000 --> 08:11.000 But she needn't have put herself out, sir. 08:11.000 --> 08:14.000 It's plain to see you don't need things managed for you. 08:14.000 --> 08:15.000 Is that so? 08:15.000 --> 08:19.000 You need companionship, I think. Someone sympathetic with your work. 08:19.000 --> 08:23.000 But the last thing on earth you need is a manager. 08:24.000 --> 08:26.000 How well you put it. 08:26.000 --> 08:28.000 The last thing on earth. 08:28.000 --> 08:32.000 THE LAST THING ON EARTH 08:42.000 --> 08:45.000 Well, at last. You certainly took long enough about it. 08:45.000 --> 08:48.000 What do you look so pleased about? 08:48.000 --> 08:50.000 I don't know, Hermione. 08:50.000 --> 08:52.000 Getting rid of the beard, perhaps. 08:52.000 --> 08:54.000 I feel 20 years younger. 08:54.000 --> 08:58.000 Even smaller. Your face looks triangular or something. 08:58.000 --> 09:01.000 I'd forgotten your chin was so weak. 09:01.000 --> 09:05.000 But never mind that. You can grow it back soon enough after the holidays. 09:05.000 --> 09:06.000 Where are you going? 09:06.000 --> 09:11.000 Down in the cellar. I just bought this electric lantern and I thought I'd put it away down there. 09:11.000 --> 09:13.000 Now, whatever possessed you to buy a thing like that? 09:13.000 --> 09:15.000 I don't know. I rather light this lantern. 09:15.000 --> 09:17.000 Might come in handy. Who knows? 09:17.000 --> 09:19.000 Now, Wilfred, don't start digging down there again. 09:19.000 --> 09:22.000 I have a hundred things to do, putting the house in order before we leave. 09:22.000 --> 09:24.000 I want you to carry these boxes upstairs for me. 09:24.000 --> 09:25.000 Yes, Hermione. 09:25.000 --> 09:29.000 And if you are going down to the cellar, take this along and stuff it into the furnace. 09:29.000 --> 09:31.000 This is my old bathrobe. I may need it. 09:31.000 --> 09:34.000 Nonsense. I bought you a new one. Get rid of it. 09:34.000 --> 09:40.000 And don't start puttering down there with that devil's garden or whatever you call it. 09:40.000 --> 09:42.000 I'm through digging, my dear. 09:42.000 --> 09:55.000 I think the pit is quite deep enough now for my devil's garden. 09:55.000 --> 09:59.000 It would all have to be carefully planned, of course. 09:59.000 --> 10:04.000 Just as carefully planned as Hermione was planning the trip to America. 10:04.000 --> 10:08.000 We both went about our arrangements as the days passed. 10:08.000 --> 10:13.000 I spent all the time I could with Marion, and finally she consented. 10:13.000 --> 10:16.000 And then it was the last day, the big day. 10:16.000 --> 10:20.000 The day we were to sail for America. 10:20.000 --> 10:23.000 Operator? Operator, are you there? 10:23.000 --> 10:25.000 I'm still waiting on that call to Salisbury. 10:25.000 --> 10:28.000 Well, put them on quickly. 10:28.000 --> 10:31.000 Hello. Is this Paul Holton, sons? 10:31.000 --> 10:36.000 It's Mrs. Wilfred Carpenter. Did you receive my letter? 10:36.000 --> 10:42.000 I would. Now remember, we'll be back for the holidays, and I want the job done without fail. 10:42.000 --> 10:46.000 What's that? Oh, no, I'm sure he doesn't suspect anything. 10:46.000 --> 10:51.000 Send the bill to me in New York as I instructed you, addressed in my name, of course. 10:51.000 --> 10:55.000 Oh, yes, I've already put them in the mail. You'll get them tomorrow. 10:55.000 --> 10:58.000 Thank you. Thank you so much. 10:58.000 --> 11:02.000 Oh, here you are, Wilfred. Where have you been? 11:02.000 --> 11:05.000 Backstairs. I dismissed the servants. 11:05.000 --> 11:10.000 Dismissed the servants? But I've asked some friends of mine into a farewell tea. 11:10.000 --> 11:12.000 Go and tell them it's a mistake. 11:12.000 --> 11:14.000 I'm afraid it's too late now. They've packed and gone. 11:14.000 --> 11:16.000 You have messed things up properly. 11:16.000 --> 11:20.000 How many times have I told you to leave things to me? I make the plans around here. 11:20.000 --> 11:21.000 Yes, Hermione. 11:21.000 --> 11:25.000 You'll have to do better than this when I plan the trip home, or we'll never in the world be back here for the holidays. 11:25.000 --> 11:28.000 Back here for the holidays, back here for the holidays. Must you keep saying that? 11:28.000 --> 11:31.000 Why not? We are coming back for the holidays, aren't we? 11:31.000 --> 11:34.000 I'm supposing I've offered a professorship in one of those wealthy American universities. 11:34.000 --> 11:37.000 Nonsense. Americans care nothing for botany. 11:37.000 --> 11:39.000 Luther Burbank was an American. 11:39.000 --> 11:45.000 That's different. What have you ever done except muck around in the dirt with a lot of roots and tubers? 11:45.000 --> 11:47.000 They asked me to lecture. That means something. 11:47.000 --> 11:54.000 Of course they ask you to lecture. Americans will pay to hear any foreigner deliver a lecture. Once. 11:54.000 --> 11:57.000 Now, there's no use getting yourself in a state about this, Wilfred. 11:57.000 --> 12:01.000 No doubt this extra money will come in very handy when we arrive back for the holidays. 12:01.000 --> 12:06.000 Precisely. And it's no good you're making a joke of it. 12:06.000 --> 12:10.000 Heaven knows where you'd be today if I hadn't got a sense of time. 12:10.000 --> 12:12.000 Yes, my dear Hermione. 12:12.000 --> 12:18.000 And as you've been so foolish as to dismiss the servants, you may empty the ashtrays and straighten up this room while we're waiting for the guests to arrive. 12:18.000 --> 12:22.000 I'm going upstairs to change. Call me when they get here. 12:22.000 --> 12:31.000 Yes, Hermione. 12:31.000 --> 12:35.000 Marion, it's Wilfred. 12:35.000 --> 12:39.000 No, my darling, nothing's wrong. My plans are the same. And yes, you've changed. 12:39.000 --> 12:47.000 No? We'll meet in New York and be married there. I'll explain why later. You'll have to trust me. 12:47.000 --> 12:49.000 Yes, my darling. 12:49.000 --> 12:50.000 Wilfred? 12:50.000 --> 12:55.000 Sorry, I can't talk any longer. Yes, I'll meet you in New York without fail. Until then, my darling. 12:55.000 --> 12:59.000 Wilfred? Were you talking on the phone just now? 12:59.000 --> 13:00.000 Yes, Hermione. 13:00.000 --> 13:02.000 Whoever was it? 13:02.000 --> 13:04.000 Freddy. Freddy Sinclair. 13:04.000 --> 13:07.000 Didn't I hear you say something about meeting somebody in New York? 13:07.000 --> 13:14.000 Yes. Old Freddy said he might possibly get over there before we leave. I should have caused me to meet him there if he did decide to go. 13:14.000 --> 13:17.000 It seems very peculiar. But then all of your friends are peculiar. 13:17.000 --> 13:18.000 Yes, Hermione. 13:18.000 --> 13:20.000 Just look at your jacket. Have you been digging in that cellar again? 13:20.000 --> 13:21.000 Yes, Hermione. 13:21.000 --> 13:28.000 Well, there's no need for it. You can't possibly get that devil's garden thing finished. Go and change your clothes before the guests arrive. 13:28.000 --> 13:29.000 Yes, Hermione. 13:29.000 --> 13:32.000 Oh, never mind. I see somebody coming up the walk now. Go and let them in. 13:32.000 --> 13:33.000 Yes, Hermione. 13:33.000 --> 13:34.000 Wilfred? 13:34.000 --> 13:35.000 Yes, my dear? 13:35.000 --> 13:39.000 Look out the window. There's Professor and Mrs. Goodenough, but who's that with them? 13:39.000 --> 13:40.000 Why, it's... 13:40.000 --> 13:42.000 Precisely. Freddy Sinclair. 13:42.000 --> 13:47.000 Curiously, you should have been talking to him on the phone not three minutes ago, and now here he is. 13:47.000 --> 13:52.000 Yes, isn't it? But then as you say, Hermione, all my friends are peculiar. 13:52.000 --> 14:01.000 Not half so peculiar as you. Digging in the cellar an hour before we leave for America. Just look at yourself. And now that I think of it... 14:01.000 --> 14:02.000 Yes, Hermione? 14:02.000 --> 14:04.000 Oh, never mind. Go and let them in. 14:04.000 --> 14:08.000 No, you were going to ask me something. The hole I'm digging in the cellar. 14:08.000 --> 14:14.000 Oh, good heavens, stop rolling your eyes about that way. One would think you were digging a grave down there instead of a storage bin. 14:14.000 --> 14:16.000 Yes, Hermione. 14:16.000 --> 14:18.000 What's that? 14:18.000 --> 14:20.000 I said yes, Hermione. 14:20.000 --> 14:25.000 Oh bother, open the door and stop saying yes, Hermione. 14:25.000 --> 14:29.000 I think, my dear, I've said it for the last time. 14:29.000 --> 14:47.000 For suspense, Auto Light is bringing you Mr. Herbert Marshall in Radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 14:53.000 --> 14:57.000 Well, Hap, what kind of presents are you giving your car this Christmas? 14:57.000 --> 14:59.000 My car? Now be sensible, Harro. 14:59.000 --> 15:07.000 I am being sensible, Hap, because the most sensible thing every car owner can do is treat his car to Auto Light, Preventive Service, and Auto Light factory parts now. 15:07.000 --> 15:12.000 Right now, like Santa does. For with an Auto Light check up now, your car won't let you down later. 15:12.000 --> 15:13.000 Here we go. 15:13.000 --> 15:20.000 Look, Hap, Auto Light parts are original factory parts on many makes of our finest cars. The same as those put in the car the day it was made. 15:20.000 --> 15:26.000 Resistor spark plugs, staple batteries, generators, distributors, starting motors, coils, wire, and cable. 15:26.000 --> 15:29.000 Your car uses them all, Auto Light makes them all. 15:29.000 --> 15:36.000 You know, Auto Light parts and your Auto Light equipped car go together, like Damon and Pythias, like Duncan and Fife, like Chip and Dale. 15:36.000 --> 15:38.000 What's one without the other? 15:38.000 --> 15:39.000 Chip and Dale? 15:39.000 --> 15:47.000 So don't accept parts that are supposed to be as good. Get Auto Light parts, for Auto Light parts are built for your car, Santa's car, everybody's car. 15:47.000 --> 15:51.000 Oh, you're wonderful. Well, you've got Santa and everybody switching to Auto Light. 15:51.000 --> 16:03.000 So friends, follow the footsteps of Dasher, Dancer, Dunder, and Blitzen and whip on down to your nearest Auto Light service station or the dealer who sells your make of car and ask for original factory parts and service. 16:03.000 --> 16:06.000 Okay, Harlow, right now, here's suspense. 16:06.000 --> 16:30.000 And now Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage, Mr. Herbert Marshall starring in a gripping tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 16:30.000 --> 16:32.000 Back for the holidays. 16:32.000 --> 16:36.000 Hermione was so positive that we'll be back for the holidays. 16:36.000 --> 16:41.000 That last afternoon pouring tea for a few friends who had come in to say last minute farewells, she kept reiterating it. 16:41.000 --> 16:47.000 Now mind you, Hermione, don't get those Americans lure your husband with one of their fat university jobs. 16:47.000 --> 16:49.000 We absolutely must have you with us for the holidays. 16:49.000 --> 16:51.000 He will be back, I promise you. 16:51.000 --> 16:52.000 It's not absolutely certain, of course. 16:52.000 --> 16:55.000 Wilfred, what do you mean it's not certain? Of course it's certain. 16:55.000 --> 16:59.000 After all, Wilfred, old boy, you've contracted to lecture for only two months. 16:59.000 --> 17:01.000 That's right. But then, of course, anything may happen. 17:01.000 --> 17:04.000 Oh, Wilfred adores being unpredictable. 17:04.000 --> 17:12.000 Now what other man would decide the very day, mind you, before leaving for America to dig a great hole in the floor of the cellar? 17:12.000 --> 17:13.000 In the cellar? 17:13.000 --> 17:18.000 Yes, he's going to put some unclassified wild orchids down there. 17:18.000 --> 17:20.000 A devil's garden, if you please. 17:20.000 --> 17:21.000 Oh, my dear. 17:21.000 --> 17:22.000 Sounds so mysterious. 17:22.000 --> 17:27.000 That's Wilfred, though. It's really quite simple once you find out what he's up to. 17:27.000 --> 17:31.000 Now take that telephone call he put through to you a few minutes before you arrived, Freddie. 17:31.000 --> 17:32.000 To me? 17:32.000 --> 17:36.000 Of course. Wilfred wanted to surprise me about your plan to meet us in New York next month. 17:36.000 --> 17:39.000 Wasn't that why he called? To ask you not to mention it? 17:39.000 --> 17:44.000 But, my dear Hermione, Wilfred couldn't possibly have telephoned me within the past hour. 17:44.000 --> 17:46.000 I've been walking in the park since three. 17:46.000 --> 17:47.000 He didn't telephone you? 17:47.000 --> 17:50.000 How could he? And as for my going to America... 17:50.000 --> 17:52.000 No, no, no, come, Freddie. You may as well own up. 17:52.000 --> 17:53.000 Hermione has found me out again. 17:53.000 --> 17:56.000 But, Wilfred, old chap, I really don't. 17:56.000 --> 17:59.000 You see what a poor liar Wilfred makes. He's as red as a beetroot. 17:59.000 --> 18:03.000 Aren't you ashamed of yourself, Professor? Stringing poor Hermione along like that. 18:03.000 --> 18:07.000 And as for you, Freddie, I'm furious. You said nothing to us about going to America. 18:07.000 --> 18:10.000 But look here, old girl, I've been trying to tell everyone here... 18:10.000 --> 18:14.000 Oh, stuff and nonsense. The game's gone on long enough. 18:14.000 --> 18:16.000 Besides, we must start getting ready. 18:16.000 --> 18:19.000 It was marvelous of all of you to come in to say goodbye. 18:19.000 --> 18:22.000 And don't worry about Wilfred's little jokes. 18:22.000 --> 18:25.000 I will bring him back for the holidays. 18:25.000 --> 18:27.000 You may rely on it. 18:29.000 --> 18:31.000 They all believed her. 18:31.000 --> 18:35.000 For years she'd been promising me for dinner parties, garden parties, committees. 18:35.000 --> 18:37.000 And the promises had always been kept. 18:37.000 --> 18:40.000 This time they wouldn't be. I'd seen to that. 18:41.000 --> 18:44.000 The servants were gone for good. The farewells all said. 18:44.000 --> 18:47.000 I had time to the minute how long it would take to fill in the hole in the cellar. 18:47.000 --> 18:49.000 My devil's garden. 18:49.000 --> 18:53.000 Upstairs in the bedroom I undressed, pulled my clothes over a chair. 18:53.000 --> 18:57.000 Put on my old bathrobe. Then I opened the door into Hermione's room. 18:57.000 --> 19:00.000 Hermione, have you a moment to spare? 19:00.000 --> 19:02.000 Of course, dear. I'm just finished. 19:02.000 --> 19:05.000 Then come in here for a moment. There's something rather extraordinary here. 19:05.000 --> 19:10.000 Oh, good heavens, Wilfred. What are you lounging about in that filthy old bathrobe for? 19:10.000 --> 19:12.000 I told you to put it into the furnace. 19:12.000 --> 19:14.000 I'll do it today. Yes, I really will. I promise. 19:14.000 --> 19:17.000 Well, high time. Now, oh, what is it you want to show me? 19:17.000 --> 19:20.000 It is in the bathroom here. Just look. 19:20.000 --> 19:24.000 Who in the world would suppose dropped a gold chain down the bathtub drain? 19:24.000 --> 19:27.000 Nobody has, of course. Nobody wears such a thing. 19:27.000 --> 19:29.000 Then what's it doing there? 19:29.000 --> 19:31.000 Well, I don't see anything. 19:31.000 --> 19:34.000 Here. I'll hold this flashlight for you. 19:34.000 --> 19:37.000 If you lean right over, you can see it shining deep down. 19:37.000 --> 19:40.000 Such a lot of nonsense. Just as well. 19:40.000 --> 19:42.000 Well, I don't see it, Wilfred. 19:42.000 --> 19:45.000 Go on looking, Hermione. In just a moment... 19:45.000 --> 19:47.000 Wilfred, I absolutely refuse... 19:47.000 --> 19:49.000 Wilfred, what are you doing? Take your hands off my neck. 19:49.000 --> 19:52.000 I will, Hermione, just as soon as I've finished the arrangements for my trip to America. 19:52.000 --> 19:54.000 What are you talking about? 19:54.000 --> 19:57.000 You thought you were the only one who could plan things, didn't you, Hermione? 19:57.000 --> 20:00.000 Well, I've been making some plans on my own this past week. 20:00.000 --> 20:03.000 In exactly one minute and 45 seconds, you'll be dead. 20:03.000 --> 20:05.000 You see, I've planned it very accurately. 20:05.000 --> 20:07.000 You'll never get away with it. 20:07.000 --> 20:10.000 I thought you'd say that, Hermione, but I will get away with it. 20:10.000 --> 20:14.000 You won't mind the smell of the leaf mold down in the cellar when I take you down there today. 20:14.000 --> 20:16.000 Yes, that's where you're going, Hermione. 20:16.000 --> 20:19.000 Into my devil's garden that annoys you so much. 20:19.000 --> 20:22.000 My friends, they all expect me back for the holidays. 20:22.000 --> 20:25.000 And if I don't come back, they'll start asking questions. 20:25.000 --> 20:26.000 No, they won't. 20:26.000 --> 20:30.000 No, because you'll write them letters, Hermione, on the typewriters. You always do. 20:30.000 --> 20:33.000 They'll be signed H in that neat cryptic way. 20:33.000 --> 20:35.000 You always sign your notes to your friends. 20:35.000 --> 20:37.000 Oh, let me up now. 20:37.000 --> 20:38.000 No! 20:38.000 --> 20:41.000 It won't work, Wilfred. You were never any good at planning things. 20:41.000 --> 20:44.000 Ah, but I've changed. I've learned from watching you all these years. 20:44.000 --> 20:46.000 The lecture people in America. 20:46.000 --> 20:48.000 They'll be expecting you to travel with your wife. 20:48.000 --> 20:52.000 I will be traveling with my wife, but not my present wife, Hermione. 20:52.000 --> 20:53.000 What? 20:53.000 --> 20:55.000 Fortunately, they've never met you. 20:55.000 --> 20:59.000 I'll write a few letters home for you, then fewer and fewer. 20:59.000 --> 21:04.000 I might even come back alone in a year or two and sell the place, say you died in America. 21:04.000 --> 21:08.000 Nobody will ever suspect that you're lying under the floor of the cellar in this very house. 21:08.000 --> 21:12.000 Wilfred, it won't work, I tell you. That pit you dug in the cellar... 21:12.000 --> 21:15.000 I can assure you, my dear Hermione, it will serve its purpose well. 21:15.000 --> 21:16.000 Wilfred, you must... 21:16.000 --> 21:19.000 Sorry, my dear, I've got to get this done according to plan. 21:19.000 --> 21:22.000 You have just five seconds to say your prayers. 21:22.000 --> 21:25.000 Wilfred, you must listen! The cellar... 21:25.000 --> 21:42.000 Don't do it, Wilfred! 21:42.000 --> 21:43.000 Oh, Stuart. 21:43.000 --> 21:44.000 Yes, sir? 21:44.000 --> 21:47.000 My wife isn't disposed. She'll be taking her meals in our stateroom. 21:47.000 --> 21:48.000 For the whole voyage? 21:48.000 --> 21:54.000 Yes, for the whole voyage. 21:54.000 --> 21:57.000 Well, I trust your wife is feeling better this morning, Professor Carpenter? 21:57.000 --> 22:00.000 A little, yes, thank you. Not yet well enough to leave her cabin. 22:00.000 --> 22:05.000 Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, by the way, here's a copy of the radiogram you sent for your wife last evening. 22:05.000 --> 22:09.000 Oh, thank you. I'll just check it over. 22:09.000 --> 22:11.000 But look here. 22:11.000 --> 22:14.000 What is it? Did the typist make a mistake? 22:14.000 --> 22:22.000 No. No, nothing important. She can correct it later. 22:22.000 --> 22:26.000 For a moment I had a feeling that Hermione had been leaning over my shoulder again, 22:26.000 --> 22:29.000 correcting what I had written she always did. 22:29.000 --> 22:33.000 I had written the radiogram to Professor Goodenough and his wife. 22:33.000 --> 22:36.000 Have not been out of cabin the whole beastly trip. 22:36.000 --> 22:40.000 Wilfred well. Doubt will be back for the holidays. 22:40.000 --> 22:44.000 The copy read, no doubt will be back for the holidays. 22:44.000 --> 22:47.000 Exactly what Hermione would have written. 22:47.000 --> 22:51.000 Well, the rest of the voyage was uneventful. 22:51.000 --> 22:55.000 And Marion and I met in New York just as I had planned. 22:55.000 --> 22:58.000 Just as I had planned. 23:16.000 --> 23:19.000 Professor and Mrs. Carpenter, we have reservations, I believe. 23:19.000 --> 23:21.000 Yes, we've been expecting you, sir. 23:21.000 --> 23:23.000 Boy. Yes, sir. 23:23.000 --> 23:26.000 Take Professor and Mrs. Carpenter's luggage up to their suite. 23:26.000 --> 23:29.000 You know, Mrs. Carpenter, you're quite a surprise. 23:29.000 --> 23:33.000 The letter reserving the rooms was so thorough, 23:33.000 --> 23:37.000 I was expecting an older, more forbidding sort of person, frankly, ma'am. 23:37.000 --> 23:41.000 No, as a matter of fact, we are just married. 23:41.000 --> 23:43.000 But my letter reserving the room. 23:43.000 --> 23:48.000 I wrote the letter, my dear, and signed it. Mrs. Wilfred Carpenter just as a joke. 23:48.000 --> 23:50.000 What a cunning old fox you are, Wilfred. 23:50.000 --> 23:52.000 Well, rather I think of it, I am rather. 23:52.000 --> 23:54.000 Oh, I almost forgot. 23:54.000 --> 23:56.000 There's a letter for you, Mrs. Carpenter. 23:56.000 --> 23:58.000 That's peculiar. I wonder who on earth... 23:58.000 --> 24:01.000 Well, we'll find out in good time, darling. Come along. 24:01.000 --> 24:18.000 I've got the boy waiting. 24:18.000 --> 24:27.000 Like a cold, brisk shower to put a man to rights. 24:27.000 --> 24:29.000 Wilfred, this letter... 24:29.000 --> 24:31.000 Oh, yes, yes, the letter. 24:31.000 --> 24:33.000 Darling, dry my hair, will you? 24:33.000 --> 24:36.000 Yes, dear. It seems to be a bill of some sort 24:36.000 --> 24:39.000 from a building contractor in Salisbury. 24:39.000 --> 24:41.000 Oh, that's wonderful. 24:41.000 --> 24:44.000 Oh, bother, dry your own hair. 24:44.000 --> 24:46.000 Thank you, my dear. 24:46.000 --> 24:49.000 Let's see this bill or whatever it is. 24:49.000 --> 24:51.000 It's very puzzling, Wilfred. 24:51.000 --> 24:53.000 You were a widower, weren't you? 24:53.000 --> 24:55.000 I mean, Hermione isn't still alive. 24:55.000 --> 24:57.000 Oh, good heavens no. 24:57.000 --> 24:59.000 Let's have that. 24:59.000 --> 25:03.000 Dear madam, it's a good one. 25:03.000 --> 25:05.000 This is to acknowledge your order, 25:05.000 --> 25:09.000 together with the keys to your house in Launceton Place. 25:09.000 --> 25:12.000 Our men had no difficulty in finding the place 25:12.000 --> 25:17.000 where your husband had begun the excavation in the cellar, 25:17.000 --> 25:19.000 but apparently he changed his mind at the last moment 25:19.000 --> 25:21.000 and filled it in again. 25:21.000 --> 25:22.000 What is it, Wilfred? 25:22.000 --> 25:24.000 Our men will begin digging tomorrow. 25:24.000 --> 25:26.000 You may rest assured that it will be a professional job 25:26.000 --> 25:28.000 and will be completed in ample time 25:28.000 --> 25:31.000 for your surprise Christmas present to your husband. 25:31.000 --> 25:33.000 We are happy to be conspirators with you 25:33.000 --> 25:35.000 in this thoughtful gesture 25:35.000 --> 25:37.000 and hope that Professor Carpenter will be pleased 25:37.000 --> 25:39.000 at the results of our work 25:39.000 --> 25:42.000 that he so quaintly calls his devil's garden 25:42.000 --> 25:47.000 very truly yours, Paul Houghton's son's contractors. 25:50.000 --> 25:52.000 What does it mean, Wilfred? 25:52.000 --> 25:56.000 It means that, for my own good, 25:56.000 --> 26:00.000 I will be back for the holidays. 26:00.000 --> 26:02.000 Back for the holidays. 26:02.000 --> 26:04.000 Back for the holidays. 26:04.000 --> 26:06.000 Back for the holidays. 26:06.000 --> 26:32.000 MUSIC 26:32.000 --> 26:36.000 Thank you, Herbert Marshall, for a splendid performance. 26:36.000 --> 26:39.000 Mr. Marshall will return in just a moment. 26:39.000 --> 26:44.000 Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle through the snow. 26:44.000 --> 26:46.000 Your car's all happy, it's full of pep, 26:46.000 --> 26:48.000 with Auto Light, you know. 26:48.000 --> 26:50.000 Right you are, and by Cornelius, 26:50.000 --> 26:53.000 electrical problems won't keep your car down 26:53.000 --> 26:57.000 when you stop at the shop that features Auto Light parts and service. 26:57.000 --> 26:59.000 Sure as Chris Kringle means Christmas, 26:59.000 --> 27:03.000 Auto Light original factory parts and service top the town. 27:03.000 --> 27:05.000 So, friends, stop in tomorrow 27:05.000 --> 27:07.000 at your friendly Auto Light service station 27:07.000 --> 27:09.000 or the dealer who sells your make-of car 27:09.000 --> 27:13.000 and ask for original factory parts and service. 27:13.000 --> 27:15.000 Ring, ring, ring. 27:15.000 --> 27:18.000 Auto Light, you will find Auto Light service stations 27:18.000 --> 27:20.000 listed in your classified telephone directory 27:20.000 --> 27:22.000 under automotive electrical equipment. 27:22.000 --> 27:25.000 And remember, your Auto Light ignition system 27:25.000 --> 27:27.000 is the lifeline of your car. 27:27.000 --> 27:31.000 Yes, friends, and remember, too, Auto Light means spark plugs, 27:31.000 --> 27:34.000 ignition-engineered resistor spark plugs, 27:34.000 --> 27:37.000 Auto Light means batteries, stay full batteries, 27:37.000 --> 27:42.000 Auto Light means ignition system, the lifeline of your car. 27:49.000 --> 27:52.000 And now here again is Mr. Herbert Marshall. 27:52.000 --> 27:55.000 It's a bit of pleasure to appear tonight on suspense, 27:55.000 --> 27:58.000 and it is my pleasure to extend to all of you 27:58.000 --> 28:01.000 for Auto Light, Tony Leader and his suspense cast and crew, 28:01.000 --> 28:05.000 and myself, best wishes for the holiday season. 28:05.000 --> 28:09.000 Next week on Radio's outstanding theater of thrills, 28:09.000 --> 28:14.000 you will hear William Bendix in another gripping study in... 28:14.000 --> 28:16.000 Suspense. 28:18.000 --> 28:21.000 Herbert Marshall will soon be seen with Margaret O'Brien 28:21.000 --> 28:24.000 in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production of The Secret Garden. 28:24.000 --> 28:27.000 Tonight's suspense play was dramatized by Robert Tallman 28:27.000 --> 28:29.000 from a story by John Collier. 28:29.000 --> 28:32.000 Music was conducted, composed by Lucian Moraweck, 28:32.000 --> 28:34.000 and conducted by Lud Bluskin. 28:34.000 --> 28:37.000 The entire production was under the direction of Anton M. Leader. 28:37.000 --> 28:40.000 In the coming weeks, suspense will present such stars 28:40.000 --> 28:43.000 as Ethel Barrymore, Dana Andrews, Robert Montgomery, 28:43.000 --> 28:45.000 Danny Kaye, and many others. 28:45.000 --> 28:48.000 So make it a point to listen each Thursday to Suspense, 28:48.000 --> 28:51.000 Radio's outstanding theater of thrills. 28:51.000 --> 28:54.000 Next Thursday, same time, hear William Bendix. 29:04.000 --> 29:06.000 This is the Auto Light Suspense Show. 29:06.000 --> 29:10.000 While we in North America are enjoying an abundant Christmas, 29:10.000 --> 29:13.000 millions of people in Europe are still hungry. 29:13.000 --> 29:16.000 Your ten dollars sent to K.A.R.E. 29:16.000 --> 29:20.000 will go a long way toward putting some less fortunate European family 29:20.000 --> 29:23.000 back on the road to health, happiness, and freedom. 29:23.000 --> 29:27.000 Good night. Merry Christmas from Auto Light. 29:27.000 --> 29:50.000 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.