WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:14.260 And now, Auto Light and its 60,000 dealers and service stations present... 00:14.260 --> 00:16.260 Suspense! 00:16.260 --> 00:28.540 Tonight, Auto Light brings you James Mason and Pamela Colino in Agatha Christie's, Where 00:28.540 --> 00:35.520 There's a Will, a suspense play produced and directed by Anton M. Leader. 00:35.520 --> 00:42.360 Friends, have you ever been in a dilemma, I mean in a fix, like having to get started 00:42.360 --> 00:44.480 in a hurry and your motor won't turn over? 00:44.480 --> 00:49.120 Well, what you need is an Auto Light, stay full battery, that dandy dynamic battery you 00:49.120 --> 00:51.280 can definitely depend on. 00:51.280 --> 00:55.160 Why by Cornelius an Auto Light, stay full battery needs water only three times a year 00:55.160 --> 00:56.760 in normal car use? 00:56.760 --> 01:02.520 You can say bravura for that aqua pura, plenty of extra liquid reserve, yes siree, and it 01:02.520 --> 01:07.320 has extra plates in every cell, that means longer life and stronger life. 01:07.320 --> 01:11.520 What's more, those plates are protected against loss by fiberglass insulation. 01:11.520 --> 01:16.080 I can't say enough about Auto Light stay full batteries, those marvelous marvels with more 01:16.080 --> 01:19.600 liquid reserve than Hollywood has stars. 01:19.600 --> 01:22.560 So get wise, get an Auto Light stay full. 01:22.560 --> 01:26.320 Remember, you're right with Auto Light. 01:26.320 --> 01:33.040 And now, Auto Light presents James Mason and Pamela Collino in, a tale well calculated 01:33.040 --> 01:38.680 to keep you in suspense. 01:38.680 --> 01:43.080 And now Mr. Jepson, you really must let me make you a whiskey and soda, I have some excellent 01:43.080 --> 01:44.080 scotch. 01:44.080 --> 01:48.520 Never mind that Ridgeway, I've come to find out when you can raise 10,000 pounds. 01:48.520 --> 01:55.280 I see, yes I see, well Mr. Jepson, 10,000 pounds is a great deal of money. 01:55.280 --> 01:57.320 That's what's needed to cover your notes. 01:57.320 --> 01:59.360 Yes, that's right. 01:59.360 --> 02:04.800 But you know Mr. Jepson, you might just let me write you one more IOU and try again. 02:04.800 --> 02:06.320 Your luck's run out, Ridgeway. 02:06.320 --> 02:10.240 Well, I wasn't much of a gambler anyhow, was I? 02:10.240 --> 02:13.560 Perhaps it's just as well I've learned my lesson. 02:13.560 --> 02:17.280 How long, Mr. Jepson, would you say I have to raise the money? 02:17.280 --> 02:18.280 Four weeks. 02:18.280 --> 02:19.740 I see, four weeks. 02:19.740 --> 02:22.120 And if I should fail to raise the money? 02:22.120 --> 02:23.120 Hmm? 02:23.120 --> 02:24.120 I see. 02:24.120 --> 02:28.080 Well, you make yourself very clear, Mr. Jepson. 02:28.080 --> 02:30.880 But then perhaps all's not lost. 02:30.880 --> 02:37.100 Mrs. Harter, my aunt, has had the foresight to draw up a new will, making me her heir. 02:37.100 --> 02:42.680 The money was to go to a niece, my cousin Miriam, but now a new will's been drawn up. 02:42.680 --> 02:46.400 Aunt Mary finds me much more satisfactory than poor Miriam. 02:46.400 --> 02:52.640 The very spirit of solicitude I am, forever inquiring about her health, about her poor 02:52.640 --> 02:55.720 weak heart. 02:55.720 --> 02:56.720 Four weeks. 02:56.720 --> 02:58.320 Is that right, Mr. Jepson? 02:58.320 --> 03:00.240 That's right, Ridgeway. 03:00.240 --> 03:01.240 Or else. 03:01.240 --> 03:02.240 I see. 03:02.240 --> 03:10.240 Or else. 03:10.240 --> 03:11.240 That's when it began. 03:11.240 --> 03:17.920 That, plus the fortunate circumstance of the new will in my favor, decided me on my plan. 03:17.920 --> 03:20.640 Now murder wouldn't look right. 03:20.640 --> 03:24.860 Nobody else living in the house but Aunt Mary and I, and Elizabeth the maid. 03:24.860 --> 03:30.400 And since I would benefit by 40,000 pounds, no, murder would not look right. 03:30.400 --> 03:34.720 Besides, I was fond of Aunt Mary. 03:34.720 --> 03:43.040 Well, a day or so after Mr. Jepson's visit, there occurred to me a rather whimsical idea 03:43.040 --> 03:44.960 for a practical joke. 03:44.960 --> 03:49.980 The first thing was to determine the degree of weakness of Aunt Mary's weak heart. 03:49.980 --> 03:54.440 And so I arranged an appointment for her with Dr. Menell, the heart specialist in Harley 03:54.440 --> 03:56.080 Street. 03:56.080 --> 03:57.440 Just have a chair, Mr. Ridgeway. 03:57.440 --> 03:58.440 Thank you, Dr. Menell. 03:58.440 --> 04:03.440 Now, Mr. Ridgeway, as you requested, I have gone over your Aunt Mrs. Heart thoroughly. 04:03.440 --> 04:04.440 Yes. 04:04.440 --> 04:06.160 And there is a heart weakness. 04:06.160 --> 04:07.160 How dreadful. 04:07.160 --> 04:10.680 But not terribly serious, Charles, Dr. Menell says. 04:10.680 --> 04:12.760 But my poor dear Aunt Mary. 04:12.760 --> 04:13.760 Dear Charles. 04:13.760 --> 04:16.360 Naturally, you're shocked, Mr. Ridgeway. 04:16.360 --> 04:19.160 But with the least care, she'll live to be 90, I should think. 04:19.160 --> 04:22.040 However, her mind must be kept well distracted. 04:22.040 --> 04:23.040 Mind distracted? 04:23.040 --> 04:24.040 Yes. 04:24.040 --> 04:26.000 Distraction for the mind and no sudden shocks. 04:26.000 --> 04:27.080 That's most important. 04:27.080 --> 04:28.080 No sudden shocks. 04:28.080 --> 04:29.080 I see. 04:29.080 --> 04:30.840 Well, thank you, Doctor. 04:30.840 --> 04:31.840 Not at all. 04:31.840 --> 04:34.160 Out this way, my private exit. 04:34.160 --> 04:36.400 No use going through the waiting room again, eh? 04:36.400 --> 04:38.000 Well, good day, Mrs. Heart. 04:38.000 --> 04:39.000 Good day, Doctor. 04:39.000 --> 04:40.000 Goodbye, Doctor. 04:40.000 --> 04:41.000 Oh, I'd say, Ridgeway. 04:41.000 --> 04:42.000 Yes? 04:42.000 --> 04:44.000 I minimized your aunt's condition just a bit. 04:44.000 --> 04:45.000 Didn't want to alarm her. 04:45.000 --> 04:46.000 You understand. 04:46.000 --> 04:47.000 Yes, of course. 04:47.000 --> 04:53.880 But what I said about no shocks, no frights, most important, a good fright might very well 04:53.880 --> 04:54.880 carry her off. 04:54.880 --> 04:55.880 I see. 04:55.880 --> 04:56.880 I see. 04:56.880 --> 05:06.400 Well, thank you, Doctor. 05:06.400 --> 05:08.800 The next step was the radio. 05:08.800 --> 05:13.400 Aunt Mary must have a radio. 05:13.400 --> 05:16.960 But Charles, you know I don't care for new fangled things. 05:16.960 --> 05:20.080 We've got on quite well without a wireless. 05:20.080 --> 05:21.080 I don't see why. 05:21.080 --> 05:22.080 We should have one now. 05:22.080 --> 05:24.840 But don't you remember what Dr. Menell said, Aunt Mary? 05:24.840 --> 05:26.720 The mind distracted, well distracted. 05:26.720 --> 05:28.920 Those were his very words. 05:28.920 --> 05:30.400 You know, I'm only thinking of your heart. 05:30.400 --> 05:32.880 I know you are, dear Charles. 05:32.880 --> 05:34.320 That's better, Aunt Mary. 05:34.320 --> 05:35.320 That's more like yourself. 05:35.320 --> 05:38.200 You are a comfort to me, Charles. 05:38.200 --> 05:40.000 Thank you, Aunt Mary. 05:40.000 --> 05:41.000 Now about the radio. 05:41.000 --> 05:42.000 But really, Charles. 05:42.000 --> 05:44.400 Now, now, now, you really ought to trust my judgment. 05:44.400 --> 05:47.200 I'm a bit of an expert on radio, you know. 05:47.200 --> 05:49.880 Before the war, I even had a small sender station of my own. 05:49.880 --> 05:52.160 Some of the equipment's still in one of my boxes somewhere about. 05:52.160 --> 05:53.480 So you see, I know. 05:53.480 --> 05:59.320 But the waves, Charles, the electric waves, they might affect me. 05:59.320 --> 06:03.040 There's no more electricity about it than there is about an electric light. 06:03.040 --> 06:04.560 Radio waves aren't electric. 06:04.560 --> 06:09.560 But Charles, I... 06:09.560 --> 06:19.720 Well, I must say, it makes a frightful noise. 06:19.720 --> 06:21.720 Oh, we'll have it tuned in a minute. 06:21.720 --> 06:22.720 Here we are. 06:22.720 --> 06:23.720 What is it? 06:23.720 --> 06:24.720 It's Spanish, Aunt Mary. 06:24.720 --> 06:25.720 Madrid, propaganda. 06:25.720 --> 06:26.720 There's France. 06:26.720 --> 06:27.720 What do you think of that? 06:27.720 --> 06:28.720 You can tune in the whole world, the whole world. 06:28.720 --> 06:45.240 You see, Aunt Mary, radio waves converging from all over the world on this little box. 06:45.240 --> 06:48.440 From Madrid, Paris, New York, and beyond. 06:48.440 --> 06:49.440 Beyond! 06:49.440 --> 06:51.040 Who knows how far beyond? 06:51.040 --> 06:54.200 Well, I must say, Charles, you're quite poetic about it. 06:54.200 --> 06:55.200 Am I? 06:55.200 --> 06:56.200 Yes. 06:56.200 --> 06:57.200 Yes, I suppose I am. 06:57.200 --> 07:05.520 That was the first inkling I had that my little practical joke was going to be fun. 07:05.520 --> 07:11.360 The acting and coaxing poor dear Aunt Mary along bit by bit. 07:11.360 --> 07:16.560 Every evening, she'd sit by the radio, listening to the news on the BBC home service and the 07:16.560 --> 07:19.680 classical music on the third program. 07:19.680 --> 07:24.800 Then one morning, I attached a wire into the radio while she was still in bed, ran it along 07:24.800 --> 07:28.760 under the carpet into the small empty room of the sitting room where the radio stood, 07:28.760 --> 07:32.560 took the hand microphone left over from my amateur sending gaze and hooked it to the 07:32.560 --> 07:33.560 other end of the wire. 07:33.560 --> 07:36.560 And everything was all ready. 07:36.560 --> 07:44.560 That evening, I backed the car out of the garage and started off my regular Wednesday 07:44.560 --> 07:45.560 evening of bridge. 07:45.560 --> 07:50.960 But I drove only a short way, then parked behind a hedge and walked back to the house. 07:50.960 --> 07:55.280 I let myself in the side door and went into the small room of the sitting room where Aunt 07:55.280 --> 08:02.560 Mary sat alone listening to the radio. 08:02.560 --> 08:05.560 It was the third program, a program of Beethoven. 08:05.560 --> 08:07.800 I opened the door the slightest crack. 08:07.800 --> 08:08.800 The moment had come. 08:08.800 --> 08:12.080 And I felt my heart beating with strange emotion. 08:12.080 --> 08:16.560 I saw in my mind's eye Aunt Mary and the dimly lit sitting room. 08:16.560 --> 08:21.280 And I almost felt the mood she must be feeling as she sat dreamily immersed in the shifting 08:21.280 --> 08:23.200 strains of music. 08:23.200 --> 08:26.800 I picked up the microphone and. 08:26.800 --> 08:32.360 Mary, can you hear me, Mary? 08:32.360 --> 08:33.360 This is Patrick. 08:33.360 --> 08:34.360 What? 08:34.360 --> 08:40.400 This is Patrick, your husband speaking from the other side. 08:40.400 --> 08:43.120 I am coming for you soon. 08:43.120 --> 08:45.120 Will you be ready, Mary? 08:45.120 --> 08:46.200 Patrick. 08:46.200 --> 09:05.880 For suspense, Auto Light is bringing you James Mason and Pamela Colino in radio's outstanding 09:05.880 --> 09:09.680 theater of thrills, Suspense. 09:09.680 --> 09:20.600 Say, Hap, I spent Washington's birthday telling my young nephew the story of George Washington. 09:20.600 --> 09:23.200 What a great man he was, how he always told the truth. 09:23.200 --> 09:24.860 Well, it was nice to see, Harlow. 09:24.860 --> 09:27.680 This younger generation should know about George Washington. 09:27.680 --> 09:31.800 And to illustrate, I told him how I always tell the truth about Auto Light's day full 09:31.800 --> 09:32.800 batteries. 09:32.800 --> 09:36.800 Those marvelous, wonderful get up and get batteries with the extra reserve of water. 09:36.800 --> 09:41.280 My son, I told him, a camel is practically dehydrated compared to an Auto Light stay 09:41.280 --> 09:45.680 full battery because an Auto Light stay full battery needs water only three times a year 09:45.680 --> 09:46.960 in normal car use. 09:46.960 --> 09:49.480 But Harlow, you were telling your nephew. 09:49.480 --> 09:51.320 Always tell the truth, I told him. 09:51.320 --> 09:55.200 Like I tell the people about the punchy power for peppy performance packed in an Auto Light 09:55.200 --> 09:59.200 stay full battery because of that ample sample of H2O. 09:59.200 --> 10:03.920 Yes, by Cornelius, I told him an Auto Light stay full battery needs water only three times 10:03.920 --> 10:06.120 a year in normal car use. 10:06.120 --> 10:09.680 That extra liquid reserve means longer life and stronger life. 10:09.680 --> 10:13.680 I told him about the fiberglass insulation between plates that adds months to the life 10:13.680 --> 10:15.160 of an Auto Light stay full battery. 10:15.160 --> 10:18.000 Well, I'm sure the kid learned a lot about George Washington. 10:18.000 --> 10:21.640 But wait, here's suspense. 10:21.640 --> 10:27.800 And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage, James Mason, who will be joined 10:27.800 --> 10:34.760 by his wife, Pamela Colino in Where There's a Will, a tale well calculated to keep you 10:34.760 --> 10:35.760 in. 10:35.760 --> 10:45.400 After I'd spoken with the voice of Aunt Mary's dead husband, I waited a moment. 10:45.400 --> 10:48.400 Then very cautiously, I looked into the sitting room. 10:48.400 --> 10:51.400 Aunt Mary was sitting bolt upright, transfixed. 10:51.400 --> 10:56.240 Then a sob broke from her as she looked toward the radio, which was now innocently transmitting 10:56.240 --> 10:58.400 the BBC third program again. 10:58.400 --> 11:05.640 I had to bite my lips to keep from laughing. 11:05.640 --> 11:08.480 But Aunt Mary said nothing about her experience. 11:08.480 --> 11:15.280 So I was obliged the fourth morning after that at breakfast to say casually, Oh, I say 11:15.280 --> 11:16.280 Aunt Mary. 11:16.280 --> 11:17.280 Yes, Charles. 11:17.280 --> 11:20.600 I was just wondering, last evening. 11:20.600 --> 11:23.200 Yes, Charles. 11:23.200 --> 11:25.840 Aunt Mary, who's that funny old boy up in the spare room? 11:25.840 --> 11:27.160 The picture, that is. 11:27.160 --> 11:30.520 You know, the picture over the mantelpiece, the old boy with the beaver and the side whiskers. 11:30.520 --> 11:33.440 Well, really, Charles, your tone is most disrespectful. 11:33.440 --> 11:34.440 I'm sorry. 11:34.440 --> 11:37.720 It's your uncle, Patrick Charles, my late husband. 11:37.720 --> 11:40.040 Oh, I say I'm sorry. 11:40.040 --> 11:41.040 I had no idea. 11:41.040 --> 11:43.040 After all, I never did know him, Aunt Mary. 11:43.040 --> 11:45.120 Very well, Charles. 11:45.120 --> 11:47.840 You see, I wondered. 11:47.840 --> 11:48.840 It was queer. 11:48.840 --> 11:49.840 Queer? 11:49.840 --> 11:50.840 What's queer? 11:50.840 --> 11:53.040 Are you trying to say something, Charles? 11:53.040 --> 11:54.640 Oh, no, no, no, not really. 11:54.640 --> 11:55.640 It's nothing. 11:55.640 --> 11:56.640 Nothing that makes any sense. 11:56.640 --> 12:00.680 I mean, I wish you would tell me what it was that made you ask me about the picture of 12:00.680 --> 12:01.680 your uncle. 12:01.680 --> 12:06.440 Well, if you will have it, I fancied I saw him. 12:06.440 --> 12:07.440 Saw him? 12:07.440 --> 12:10.880 The man in the picture, I mean, looking out of the end window when I was coming up the 12:10.880 --> 12:11.880 drive last night. 12:11.880 --> 12:12.880 What? 12:12.880 --> 12:13.880 Yeah. 12:13.880 --> 12:16.360 And later on, I happened to drift into the spare room and there was the picture up over 12:16.360 --> 12:18.480 the mantelpiece, the same man. 12:18.480 --> 12:22.040 It's all quite easy to explain, really, I expect, subconscious and all that. 12:22.040 --> 12:25.680 I must have noticed the picture before without realizing it and then just fancied the face 12:25.680 --> 12:27.680 in the window. 12:27.680 --> 12:30.440 Aunt Mary, is something the matter? 12:30.440 --> 12:33.400 Oh, my husband's face. 12:33.400 --> 12:36.000 Did you see it in the end window? 12:36.000 --> 12:37.000 Why, yes. 12:37.000 --> 12:38.000 Why? 12:38.000 --> 12:46.080 Only that that was Patrick's, your late uncle's dressing room, Charles. 12:46.080 --> 12:55.760 The very absurdity of the story I made poor Aunt Mary believe was the fun, the clever 12:55.760 --> 12:59.160 roundabout way I played my role. 12:59.160 --> 13:04.240 The following Wednesday night, I pretended to play off, to go and play bridge again. 13:04.240 --> 13:08.600 I concealed myself in the room off the sitting room just as before, took up the microphone 13:08.600 --> 13:14.160 and spoke from the other world in the same sepulchral tones. 13:14.160 --> 13:21.640 Mary, on Friday, I shall come for you. 13:21.640 --> 13:24.560 Friday at half past nine. 13:24.560 --> 13:27.220 At half past nine. 13:27.220 --> 13:29.640 Do not be afraid. 13:29.640 --> 13:32.160 There will be no pain. 13:32.160 --> 13:41.240 Be ready, Mary. 13:41.240 --> 13:46.560 When I came into her bedroom the next morning, Aunt Mary was speaking to Elizabeth in a most 13:46.560 --> 13:49.000 businesslike manner. 13:49.000 --> 13:50.720 Now here you are, Elizabeth. 13:50.720 --> 13:52.600 I want you to take this letter I've written. 13:52.600 --> 13:53.600 Yes, ma'am. 13:53.600 --> 13:54.600 I wrote it last evening. 13:54.600 --> 13:58.240 If anything should happen Friday evening, you understand me? 13:58.240 --> 13:59.240 Yes, ma'am. 13:59.240 --> 14:00.240 Friday evening? 14:00.240 --> 14:02.280 But that's my night out. 14:02.280 --> 14:04.040 So it is, and you go right ahead. 14:04.040 --> 14:08.560 However, if anything shall have happened by the time you get back on Saturday, I want 14:08.560 --> 14:10.400 this letter delivered to Dr. Mayham. 14:10.400 --> 14:11.400 Yes, ma'am. 14:11.400 --> 14:15.960 Now, the top left-hand drawer of my bureau, it's locked. 14:15.960 --> 14:19.480 The long key with the white label. 14:19.480 --> 14:20.920 Everything in the drawer is ready. 14:20.920 --> 14:21.920 Ready, ma'am. 14:21.920 --> 14:22.920 For my burial. 14:22.920 --> 14:23.920 Oh, ma'am. 14:23.920 --> 14:24.920 Oh, what are you saying? 14:24.920 --> 14:25.920 I thought you was in a site better health. 14:25.920 --> 14:26.920 Oh, ma'am. 14:26.920 --> 14:27.920 Never mind that, Elizabeth. 14:27.920 --> 14:28.920 Don't be maudlin'. 14:28.920 --> 14:29.920 Oh, ma'am. 14:29.920 --> 14:33.720 Elizabeth, did I ever tell you how much I've left you in my will? 14:33.720 --> 14:34.720 Oh, no, ma'am. 14:34.720 --> 14:39.920 Well, I can't seem to remember it was 50 pounds in the old will, but did I raise it 14:39.920 --> 14:40.920 to 100? 14:40.920 --> 14:44.400 Well, at any rate, I want you to have 100 pounds. 14:44.400 --> 14:46.400 I'll have to look into it. 14:46.400 --> 14:50.720 But if anything should happen before I do, then Mr. Charles will see to it. 14:50.720 --> 14:53.640 Did I hear my name mentioned, dear Aunt Mary? 14:53.640 --> 14:55.360 Oh, good morning, Charles. 14:55.360 --> 15:01.880 Yes, I was just saying to Elizabeth, I don't know if I've left her 50 or 100 pounds, but 15:01.880 --> 15:04.920 if anything should happen to me, it's to be 100 pounds. 15:04.920 --> 15:08.480 Well, I must say, that's a gloomy thing to be thinking about. 15:08.480 --> 15:11.800 Oh, Mr. Charles, sir, she's been carrying our most awful just now. 15:11.800 --> 15:12.800 What's this? 15:12.800 --> 15:13.800 That's enough, Elizabeth. 15:13.800 --> 15:14.800 You may go now. 15:14.800 --> 15:15.800 Yes, ma'am. 15:15.800 --> 15:16.800 Yes, ma'am. 15:16.800 --> 15:21.160 Well, now, just what in the world is all this about? 15:21.160 --> 15:24.440 Would you tell me just what's going to happen to dear Aunt Mary? 15:24.440 --> 15:28.000 Charles, what do you plan to be doing Friday evening? 15:28.000 --> 15:29.000 Friday evening? 15:29.000 --> 15:33.320 Well, as a matter of fact, the Ewing's asked me to go in and play bridge. 15:33.320 --> 15:35.240 But if you'd rather I stayed at home... 15:35.240 --> 15:37.760 No, no, Charles, actually, I'd prefer to be alone. 15:37.760 --> 15:39.160 Well, just as you wish. 15:39.160 --> 15:42.600 You know, I think I'll have Mr. Hopkinson send me the will. 15:42.600 --> 15:44.800 I want to find out about the bequest to Elizabeth. 15:44.800 --> 15:48.680 It's either 50 or 100 pounds. 15:48.680 --> 15:52.040 The rest, dear Charles, of course, goes to you. 15:52.040 --> 16:00.360 Yes, dear Aunt Mary, whatever you say. 16:00.360 --> 16:04.960 Friday evening, I'd picked that night because I knew it was Elizabeth's night off and I 16:04.960 --> 16:06.920 wanted to be sure there was no one about. 16:06.920 --> 16:12.080 Friday evening, at eight o'clock, I drove away, waited for an hour to elapse, then slipped 16:12.080 --> 16:14.080 back into the house. 16:14.080 --> 16:18.760 I looked through the crack in the door and saw Aunt Mary sitting in the high-backed chair 16:18.760 --> 16:19.760 beside the radio. 16:19.760 --> 16:25.520 As I listened, the nine o'clock news ended and a program of music was about to begin. 16:25.520 --> 16:31.000 It was a quarter past nine, 15 minutes till the appointed time for the arrival of the 16:31.000 --> 16:32.720 dead Patrick. 16:32.720 --> 16:34.440 This time I did not touch the microphone. 16:34.440 --> 16:39.040 I went upstairs, opened a camphor chest of old clothes in the spare room, took a tube 16:39.040 --> 16:47.960 of spirit gum from my pocket and bent forward intently in front of a mirror. 16:47.960 --> 16:55.880 Sharp on the instant of half past nine, there was a fumbling at the outer door of the house 16:55.880 --> 16:59.920 and the front door slowly opened. 16:59.920 --> 17:05.000 And then there were slow, halting footsteps along the short hall to the sitting room where 17:05.000 --> 17:09.480 an old woman waited. 17:09.480 --> 17:16.720 And then the sitting room door opened. 17:16.720 --> 17:21.840 The time has come, Mary. 17:21.840 --> 17:32.780 Patrick, I'm ready. 17:32.780 --> 17:35.640 My practical joke had worked to perfection. 17:35.640 --> 17:40.020 Aunt Mary's poor old heart couldn't stand the strain of seeing her dead husband Patrick 17:40.020 --> 17:43.440 arrive in person to carry her off into the spirit world. 17:43.440 --> 17:48.280 I stepped over the body, which had fallen dangerously near the burning fire in the grate. 17:48.280 --> 17:52.720 I took the poker and thrust some folds of paper that were lying in the ash into the 17:52.720 --> 17:58.040 fire to bring up a blaze, and in the blaze burned the false beard and side whiskers. 17:58.040 --> 18:02.880 I detached the wire, fixed into the radio, and took wire and microphone upstairs. 18:02.880 --> 18:07.120 I undressed and replaced Uncle Patrick's old-fashioned suit of clothes in the camphor 18:07.120 --> 18:11.040 chest in the spare room where I'd found it. 18:11.040 --> 18:22.880 Then I dressed again and went off to play bridge at the Ewing's. 18:22.880 --> 18:23.880 Two days later. 18:23.880 --> 18:24.880 This is Mrs. Hart. 18:24.880 --> 18:28.520 I mean, this was Mrs. Hart's residence. 18:28.520 --> 18:31.520 Oh, just a moment. 18:31.520 --> 18:34.600 It's Mr. Jepson, sir. 18:34.600 --> 18:36.000 All right, I'll take it. 18:36.000 --> 18:37.000 You may go, Elizabeth. 18:37.000 --> 18:38.000 Yes, sir. 18:38.000 --> 18:39.000 Ridgeway here. 18:39.000 --> 18:40.000 Anything wrong? 18:40.000 --> 18:41.000 Not yet. 18:41.000 --> 18:48.360 I just wanted you to know that I read about it in the Daily Standard, Ridgeway. 18:48.360 --> 18:52.160 A pity about poor dear Aunt Mary, don't you think, Mr. Jepson? 18:52.160 --> 18:53.160 A pity? 18:53.160 --> 18:56.880 And let me remind you, you have one week left. 18:56.880 --> 18:58.320 I haven't forgotten. 18:58.320 --> 19:02.880 Once the newspapers announce my inheritance of 40,000 pounds, I'll have no difficulty 19:02.880 --> 19:03.880 borrowing. 19:03.880 --> 19:05.880 And then I'll pay up. 19:05.880 --> 19:06.880 Good. 19:06.880 --> 19:09.000 Only remember this, Ridgeway. 19:09.000 --> 19:13.200 You don't pay up and I send you to the same place you sent to your Aunt Mary. 19:13.200 --> 19:14.200 You understand? 19:14.200 --> 19:19.320 Or maybe it wouldn't be quite the same place, Ridgeway, now that you've got murder on your 19:19.320 --> 19:20.320 soul. 19:20.320 --> 19:21.320 Understand? 19:21.320 --> 19:24.320 I understand, Mr. Jepson. 19:24.320 --> 19:34.000 And then, that evening, Dr. Mannell came to the house. 19:34.000 --> 19:36.440 I really did think you'd want to see this. 19:36.440 --> 19:38.400 You say Elizabeth brought it to you? 19:38.400 --> 19:39.400 Yes. 19:39.400 --> 19:42.320 She said it was one of Mrs. Harter's last requests that she do so. 19:42.320 --> 19:44.800 As a matter of fact, I do seem to remember. 19:44.800 --> 19:50.120 Yes, and I do recall seeing her give Elizabeth some such envelope as that. 19:50.120 --> 19:51.680 You've read the contents? 19:51.680 --> 19:52.960 That's what's queer. 19:52.960 --> 19:56.800 Here, suppose you have a look for yourself. 19:56.800 --> 19:59.120 All right. 19:59.120 --> 20:08.000 Tonight, Wednesday, at 9.15, I have distinctly heard the voice of my dead husband. 20:08.000 --> 20:13.040 He told me that he would come for me on Friday night at 9.30. 20:13.040 --> 20:18.560 If I should die on that day and at that hour, I should like the facts made known so as to 20:18.560 --> 20:25.880 prove beyond question the possibility of communicating with the spirit world, Mary Harter. 20:25.880 --> 20:29.320 What do you make of it? 20:29.320 --> 20:30.320 I hardly know. 20:30.320 --> 20:32.200 It's a coincidence, to say the least. 20:32.200 --> 20:36.240 She did die at nearly that very hour, 9.30 Friday night. 20:36.240 --> 20:38.160 But I don't understand. 20:38.160 --> 20:45.160 In the circumstances, an autopsy is desirable, you understand, purely as a metal form. 20:45.160 --> 20:46.160 Yes. 20:46.160 --> 20:47.160 Yes, of course. 20:47.160 --> 20:50.960 Why not? 20:50.960 --> 20:57.640 Of course, everything must be done according to form. 20:57.640 --> 20:59.560 What's the matter with you, Charles? 20:59.560 --> 21:03.440 Have you lost your sense of humor? 21:03.440 --> 21:08.640 Finally, five days later. 21:08.640 --> 21:10.640 Mr. Hopkinson is here to see you, sir. 21:10.640 --> 21:11.640 Thank you, Elizabeth. 21:11.640 --> 21:12.640 That'll be all. 21:12.640 --> 21:13.640 Yes, sir. 21:13.640 --> 21:14.640 Good morning, Mr. Ridgeway. 21:14.640 --> 21:15.640 Fightful morning. 21:15.640 --> 21:22.040 Listen, about Mrs. Harter's, my aunt's will... 21:22.040 --> 21:26.080 I did not quite understand your insistent messages to me, Mr. Ridgeway. 21:26.080 --> 21:30.280 You seem to be under the impression the late Mrs. Harter's will was in our keeping. 21:30.280 --> 21:31.280 Why, yes. 21:31.280 --> 21:33.160 I've often heard my aunt say as much. 21:33.160 --> 21:34.160 Oh, quite so. 21:34.160 --> 21:36.160 It was in our keeping. 21:36.160 --> 21:37.160 Was? 21:37.160 --> 21:38.160 That is what I said. 21:38.160 --> 21:42.080 Mrs. Harter wrote to us, however, asking that it be forwarded to her. 21:42.080 --> 21:43.480 There seemed to be some haste to the matter. 21:43.480 --> 21:46.440 At any rate, we got it out to her at once. 21:46.440 --> 21:50.440 She would have received it on Friday, the day of her death. 21:50.440 --> 21:53.440 I do seem to remember her making mention of it. 21:53.440 --> 21:55.200 Something about the bequest to Elizabeth. 21:55.200 --> 21:57.040 She wanted to check the amount. 21:57.040 --> 21:59.480 It must be about the house somewhere then. 21:59.480 --> 22:02.160 Elizabeth has been through Mrs. Harter's personal effects, I believe. 22:02.160 --> 22:03.160 Yes, just a moment. 22:03.160 --> 22:04.160 I'll call her. 22:04.160 --> 22:05.160 Elizabeth! 22:05.160 --> 22:06.160 Yes, Mr. Charles? 22:06.160 --> 22:08.160 Elizabeth, come here a moment, please. 22:08.160 --> 22:09.160 Yes, sir. 22:09.160 --> 22:13.440 Elizabeth, when you went through Mrs. Harter's things, was her will among them? 22:13.440 --> 22:14.440 No, sir. 22:14.440 --> 22:15.440 You're sure, Elizabeth? 22:15.440 --> 22:16.440 Yes, sir. 22:16.440 --> 22:19.440 You see, I know what it looked like. 22:19.440 --> 22:23.920 The poor mistress had it in her hand the very evening of her death when she sent me out. 22:23.920 --> 22:25.400 You're sure of that? 22:25.400 --> 22:26.760 Oh, yes, sir. 22:26.760 --> 22:30.000 She pointed out that about the £50 to me, sir. 22:30.000 --> 22:32.000 She said as she told you to give me the other £50. 22:32.000 --> 22:34.440 Not that I mentioned it to press you, sir. 22:34.440 --> 22:35.440 No, no, no, no, of course not. 22:35.440 --> 22:38.480 The will was in a long blue envelope, sir. 22:38.480 --> 22:39.480 Quite right. 22:39.480 --> 22:44.240 The same blue envelope, Mr. Charles, sir, was lying on the radio table by her chair 22:44.240 --> 22:48.720 the morning after, but empty, sir. 22:48.720 --> 22:53.440 It was the envelope in which I dispatched the will to your aunt, Mr. Ridgeway. 22:53.440 --> 22:57.680 Mr. Ridgeway, was there a fire in the Great on Friday evening? 22:57.680 --> 22:59.160 Yes, of course. 22:59.160 --> 23:00.160 I see. 23:00.160 --> 23:02.560 What are you driving at, Hopkinson? 23:02.560 --> 23:05.680 I'm afraid, Mr. Ridgeway, only one conclusion is possible. 23:05.680 --> 23:08.320 Your aunt sent for her will in order to destroy it. 23:08.320 --> 23:09.320 What? 23:09.320 --> 23:10.320 I'm sorry, Mr. Ridgeway. 23:10.320 --> 23:11.320 But why? 23:11.320 --> 23:12.320 Why? 23:12.320 --> 23:17.280 You, uh, you had no disagreement with your aunt, Mr. Ridgeway? 23:17.280 --> 23:18.280 Not at all. 23:18.280 --> 23:20.800 We were on the most affectionate terms right up to the end. 23:20.800 --> 23:23.800 Of course, quite. 23:23.800 --> 23:25.560 Mr. Ridgeway, you will understand. 23:25.560 --> 23:28.200 Under the circumstances, we were obliged to investigate. 23:28.200 --> 23:29.200 Investigate? 23:29.200 --> 23:30.200 What do you mean? 23:30.200 --> 23:33.640 It happens that there is a former will of Mrs. Harter still extant. 23:33.640 --> 23:38.360 By it, Mrs. Harter leaves everything to her niece, to your cousin, Miriam. 23:38.360 --> 23:39.360 To Miriam? 23:39.360 --> 23:41.360 Yes, but... 23:41.360 --> 23:46.360 As for the more recent will sent by me before her death to Mrs. Harter, it must have been 23:46.360 --> 23:48.360 burned in the Great. 23:48.360 --> 23:49.360 Burned? 23:49.360 --> 23:51.360 The will was burned. 23:51.360 --> 23:54.360 Mr. Charles, can I get you something? 23:54.360 --> 23:56.920 No, no, I'll be all right. 23:56.920 --> 23:58.360 You may go on, Elizabeth. 23:58.360 --> 23:59.360 Yes. 23:59.360 --> 24:02.640 I'll run along too, Mr. Ridgeway, if there is nothing further. 24:02.640 --> 24:05.200 No, I'll, um, I'll telephone. 24:05.200 --> 24:06.200 Quite. 24:06.200 --> 24:08.760 Yet there would seem to be little use for that. 24:08.760 --> 24:11.400 We've notified your cousin, Miriam, of her inheritance. 24:11.400 --> 24:14.600 As a matter of fact, I'm surprised you didn't know all this yourself. 24:14.600 --> 24:18.200 You see, we sent word round to the press yesterday. 24:18.200 --> 24:22.200 Well, um, good day, Mr. Ridgeway. 24:22.200 --> 24:24.360 Good day. 24:24.360 --> 24:30.640 I remembered some folds of paper that I thrust into the fire to make it blaze up and burn 24:30.640 --> 24:36.320 the false beard and side whiskers with which I'd frightened an old lady to death. 24:36.320 --> 24:38.880 And then I remembered something falling. 24:38.880 --> 24:40.600 A paper. 24:40.600 --> 24:42.360 A will. 24:42.360 --> 24:47.880 From an old woman's fingers as she stood frozen in terror too near the fire. 24:47.880 --> 24:51.600 I saw the fire again consuming something. 24:51.600 --> 24:52.600 Consuming the will. 24:52.600 --> 24:53.600 Oh, my cleverness. 24:53.600 --> 25:00.600 Your maid said you went in, but I thought she was lying. 25:00.600 --> 25:03.040 I don't like liars, Ridgeway. 25:03.040 --> 25:04.040 Mr. Jepson. 25:04.040 --> 25:05.920 I read the papers. 25:05.920 --> 25:09.040 I read who's going to inherit your aunt's money. 25:09.040 --> 25:10.880 I don't like liars. 25:10.880 --> 25:15.720 But I did think I was going to inherit or, or, or why would I have killed her? 25:15.720 --> 25:16.720 You killed her? 25:16.720 --> 25:17.720 Of course. 25:17.720 --> 25:19.600 Oh, so you did kill her. 25:19.600 --> 25:21.120 How many times do you want me to say it? 25:21.120 --> 25:22.760 I believe that'll do. 25:22.760 --> 25:25.280 All right, Inspector, that's what I wanted you to hear. 25:25.280 --> 25:26.280 Come in. 25:26.280 --> 25:27.280 What? 25:27.280 --> 25:28.280 Bring in the maid, too. 25:28.280 --> 25:30.720 That was very clever of you, Mr. Jepson. 25:30.720 --> 25:33.560 I must confess, I had my doubts. 25:33.560 --> 25:36.920 Now, Mr. Ridgeway, you'd better come along. 25:36.920 --> 25:38.280 But I was only joking. 25:38.280 --> 25:39.280 Young woman. 25:39.280 --> 25:40.360 Yes, sir? 25:40.360 --> 25:42.800 You heard Mr. Ridgeway say he killed his aunt? 25:42.800 --> 25:45.120 I did, sir, but he must have been joking. 25:45.120 --> 25:46.120 He was... 25:46.120 --> 25:47.120 Never mind. 25:47.120 --> 25:48.120 That's enough. 25:48.120 --> 25:52.800 By the way, Mr. Ridgeway, you'll be interested to know, and I'm sure that we check with 25:52.800 --> 25:55.200 Dr. Menell on the autopsy. 25:55.200 --> 26:00.280 According to his report, your aunt's heart was so weak, she could not have lived another 26:00.280 --> 26:01.280 month. 26:01.280 --> 26:06.000 What... what are you laughing at? 26:06.000 --> 26:08.080 That's your joke, old man. 26:08.080 --> 26:11.080 Oh, your joke. 26:11.080 --> 26:12.080 Yes. 26:12.080 --> 26:18.320 It's just funny, isn't it? 26:18.320 --> 26:19.320 Very funny. 26:19.320 --> 26:49.080 Thank you, James Mason and Pamela Colino for a splendid performance. 26:49.640 --> 26:51.680 Now, Harlow Wilcox. 26:51.680 --> 26:57.760 Friends, Autolite stay full batteries need water only three times a year in normal car 26:57.760 --> 26:58.760 use. 26:58.760 --> 27:04.400 And they're made by Autolite men who make over 400 products for cars, trucks, airplanes, 27:04.400 --> 27:08.280 and boats in 28 Autolite plants from coast to coast. 27:08.280 --> 27:14.040 Yes, siree, Autolite also makes complete electrical systems for many makes of America's finest 27:14.040 --> 27:15.040 cars. 27:15.040 --> 27:19.040 Batteries, spark plugs, generators, starting motors, coils, distributors. 27:19.040 --> 27:24.960 All ignition engineered to fit together perfectly, work together perfectly, because they're a 27:24.960 --> 27:26.800 perfect team. 27:26.800 --> 27:31.400 So folks, don't accept electrical parts that are supposed to be as good. 27:31.400 --> 27:37.000 Ask for and insist on Autolite original factory parts at your neighborhood service station, 27:37.000 --> 27:39.920 car dealer, garage, or repair shop. 27:39.920 --> 27:51.040 Remember you're always right with Autolite. 27:51.040 --> 27:56.080 Now here again is James Mason and wife Pamela Colino. 27:56.080 --> 28:01.720 I hope you both enjoyed being on suspense tonight and especially you, Mrs. Mason, even 28:01.720 --> 28:03.520 though the part of Elizabeth was small. 28:03.520 --> 28:05.360 Oh yes, it was a lot of fun. 28:05.360 --> 28:09.080 You see, James and I learned a long time ago that it's not how loud the part is, but how 28:09.080 --> 28:10.960 much fun you have playing it. 28:10.960 --> 28:15.000 Besides, next time Tony Leader has promised to find a script for me in which James can 28:15.000 --> 28:17.080 play a butler or a cat or something. 28:17.080 --> 28:18.800 How about that, Mrs. Mason? 28:18.800 --> 28:20.680 I'm looking forward to it. 28:20.680 --> 28:27.800 And we're looking forward to, to next week when Joan Fontaine will star in The Lovebirds, 28:27.800 --> 28:38.040 another gripping study in suspense. 28:38.040 --> 28:43.680 James Mason and Pamela Colino have just completed the book, The Cats in Our Lives. 28:43.680 --> 28:48.600 Tonight's suspense play was adapted from the Agatha Christie story by William Fifield. 28:48.600 --> 28:52.560 Music was composed by Lucien Morrowek and conducted by Lud Gluskin. 28:52.560 --> 28:56.920 The entire production was under the direction of Anton M. Leader. 28:56.920 --> 28:58.480 Now here is great news. 28:58.480 --> 29:03.520 Beginning March 1st, Suspense on Television may be seen in many areas of the country, 29:03.520 --> 29:11.960 Tuesdays at 9.30 p.m. Eastern Time. 29:11.960 --> 29:17.320 You can buy auto light electrical parts, auto light resistor spark plugs, auto light staple 29:17.320 --> 29:20.200 batteries at your neighborhood auto light dealer. 29:20.200 --> 29:22.000 Switch to auto light. 29:22.000 --> 29:24.400 Good night. 29:24.400 --> 29:40.040 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.