1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:13,000
Auto Light and its 96,000 dealers present Suspense.

2
00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:21,440
Tonight, Auto Light brings you A Ring for Maria, a suspense play starring Mr. Cornell

3
00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:22,440
Wilde.

4
00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:29,920
Oh, John, it's a beautiful ring.

5
00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:31,320
Oh, you like it.

6
00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:32,520
A nice diamond, huh?

7
00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:34,520
John, I can't tell you how much.

8
00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:39,120
Oh, Maria, I would have done more for you and long ago, but for my business problems,

9
00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:42,640
like a stone around my neck hangs that.

10
00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:44,640
I know, John, the store.

11
00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:45,640
Yes, the store.

12
00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:51,320
That's why it's necessary to do this thing tonight, for both our sakes.

13
00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:57,520
Oh, John, it was crazy of me, I know, but I was worried the way things were between

14
00:00:57,520 --> 00:01:01,640
us that perhaps you didn't love me anymore, but no.

15
00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:06,040
After tonight, Maria, there will be other moments like this, many of them.

16
00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:10,320
When we get our money from the fire insurance company, we needn't rush back into business

17
00:01:10,320 --> 00:01:11,320
again.

18
00:01:11,320 --> 00:01:13,520
After all, we have been working hard for nearly ten years.

19
00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:16,360
We'll go someplace, enjoy ourselves first together.

20
00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:18,360
I can hardly believe it.

21
00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:25,000
Only, only I wish that tonight was over with, when I think of what we must do.

22
00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:29,200
There's nothing to worry about, Maria, in the morning you will be at your aunt's home

23
00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:33,840
in Minneapolis, and I, I will be here to handle everything myself.

24
00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:39,120
Don't you see, you'll be safe, and if I wasn't sure of everything, would I be willing to

25
00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:41,600
stay alone and face all the questioning?

26
00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:44,680
Oh, John, you're willing to do this?

27
00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:49,080
For, for both of us, Maria, for our future.

28
00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:52,160
Now I can tell you how much this ring means to me.

29
00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:58,480
As long as I live, I will never take it off.

30
00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:02,360
Now I will go finish packing my bag.

31
00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:13,080
She kissed me before she went, and then I sat there on the couch and rubbed away at

32
00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:14,080
my mouth.

33
00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:17,640
She always smelled like laundry water, I thought.

34
00:02:17,640 --> 00:02:21,280
She was so big, older than I was.

35
00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:25,560
Now she had never appealed to me as the kind of woman I should have.

36
00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:29,920
If I hadn't been so frightened by America when I first arrived, I would never have married

37
00:02:29,920 --> 00:02:30,920
her at all.

38
00:02:30,920 --> 00:02:36,800
But Maria and the marriage settlement her father offered, he wanted her to have a nice

39
00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:39,600
boy from the old country, he said.

40
00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:44,480
Yes, Maria and the money seemed to go with this great new land.

41
00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:46,000
No more slaving for a living.

42
00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:51,440
I could start a business and this big blonde would work.

43
00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:56,920
But now our business at the store had gone to pieces, so burned the store.

44
00:02:56,920 --> 00:03:02,520
With the fire insurance money, I would have a chance for the kind of life I deserved.

45
00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:06,800
Oh, it was smart touch to give her the ring.

46
00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:10,640
Without blinding her eyes, she'd do whatever I wanted her to do.

47
00:03:10,640 --> 00:03:14,040
And afterwards, there'd be no trouble divorcing her.

48
00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:16,240
I had tested her in quarrels.

49
00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:24,080
She was the kind that takes her beatings silently.

50
00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:28,880
In just a moment, Mr. Cornel Wilde in the first act of a ring for Maria.

51
00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:34,680
Ringing in the new year early, Harlow?

52
00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:37,760
Why no, Hap, those are only the three chimes.

53
00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:38,760
What three chimes?

54
00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:44,280
The three chimes a year an auto light stay full battery needs water in normal car use.

55
00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:48,720
Harlow, you deserve life for that.

56
00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:52,600
And I'll take it if it's the longer life of an auto light stay full, because the stay

57
00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:58,960
full gives 70% longer life as proven by tests conducted according to SAE minimum life cycle

58
00:03:58,960 --> 00:03:59,960
standard.

59
00:03:59,960 --> 00:04:01,820
You're positive, Harlow?

60
00:04:01,820 --> 00:04:02,820
Positive is the word.

61
00:04:02,820 --> 00:04:07,240
Hap, every positive plate in the auto light stay full battery is protected with fiber

62
00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:11,880
glass retaining mats to reduce flaking and shedding and keep the power producing material

63
00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:12,880
in place.

64
00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:16,840
You sure got your battery problem solved for 1951, Harlow.

65
00:04:16,840 --> 00:04:17,880
Right, Hap.

66
00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:22,880
And friends, for the new year, see your neighborhood auto light battery dealer and have him install

67
00:04:22,880 --> 00:04:27,920
an auto light stay full battery, a battery that needs water only three times a year in

68
00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:29,400
normal car use.

69
00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:33,240
And remember, you're always right with auto light.

70
00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:38,760
Now with a ring for Maria and the performance of Mr. Cornell Wild, auto light hopes once

71
00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:50,920
again to keep you in suspense.

72
00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:55,040
Before I left the house, I told Maria to be sure in California around in Minneapolis that

73
00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:56,040
she was coming.

74
00:04:56,040 --> 00:04:59,160
Then I stopped in at a bar and ordered a whiskey.

75
00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:03,600
When the bartender wasn't looking, I spilled this whiskey all over my shirt front.

76
00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:09,200
Next, I telephoned my friend, Frank Laszlo, and told him to stop in at my house at 1115

77
00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:12,160
on his way home from his restaurant.

78
00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:14,640
He would be my alibi.

79
00:05:14,640 --> 00:05:19,320
I was getting ready for the part of the plan I hadn't told Maria about yet.

80
00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:22,600
And I wasn't going to tell her.

81
00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:27,720
That part, that part she was supposed to guess.

82
00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:29,720
John?

83
00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:35,480
Oh, I'm so glad you're back.

84
00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:39,720
I tried not to think of it, but John, you look...

85
00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:41,080
What's the matter?

86
00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:42,680
I can't do it.

87
00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:43,680
What?

88
00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:45,040
I, I can't go.

89
00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:46,240
I can't trust myself.

90
00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:51,240
I even had some drinks to get up my nerve, but no, I've been through too much all these

91
00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:52,240
months worrying.

92
00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:53,240
You have been drinking.

93
00:05:53,240 --> 00:05:54,240
I can smell it.

94
00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:55,240
You never drink.

95
00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:57,600
I told you, I had to do something.

96
00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:02,440
I tried to pretend that I was brave, that this thing tonight, because it meant so much

97
00:06:02,440 --> 00:06:04,720
to us, I would go through with it.

98
00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:06,320
But I can't.

99
00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:07,320
I can't.

100
00:06:07,320 --> 00:06:09,120
It takes a stronger person than I am.

101
00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:13,640
But John, if you mean the fire, burning the store, I'm glad we're not going.

102
00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:15,360
It was a terrible thing anyway.

103
00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:16,360
I'm glad.

104
00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:17,360
What are you glad about?

105
00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:19,480
The insurance is our only hope.

106
00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:21,080
You know what it means without it?

107
00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:22,080
We have nothing.

108
00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:26,760
It's the end of things, of you and me, of everything.

109
00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:29,800
I will have to go away alone.

110
00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:33,840
I couldn't go on with you knowing that I'm a failure as a man.

111
00:06:33,840 --> 00:06:36,360
John, it is not the end.

112
00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:39,040
I can take the store.

113
00:06:39,040 --> 00:06:40,520
We'll begin fresh again.

114
00:06:40,520 --> 00:06:43,400
No, no, it was the only thing.

115
00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:44,560
Now we shall fail.

116
00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:47,720
I shall just go somewhere and disappear and you...

117
00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:48,720
Yes?

118
00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:50,720
Yes, John?

119
00:06:50,720 --> 00:06:51,720
What about me?

120
00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:54,880
That's what I hate to think about.

121
00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:56,920
Then I must leave you.

122
00:06:56,920 --> 00:06:59,640
If only this thing tonight could be done.

123
00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:00,640
It's so simple.

124
00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:01,640
It's all arranged.

125
00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:03,640
We would have had happiness.

126
00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:07,760
John, John, let me do it.

127
00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:11,280
You were willing to stay behind and face everyone while I was safe at my aunt's?

128
00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:15,780
Why shouldn't I be willing to do as much now that this strain has proven too much for you?

129
00:07:15,780 --> 00:07:17,200
You stay here, John.

130
00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:18,600
I will go to the store.

131
00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:21,440
I will do it myself and then get on the train.

132
00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:24,440
It will be as we planned, only.

133
00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:29,080
Just don't talk like that anymore about leaving me, John.

134
00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:30,480
No, shh, shh, shh.

135
00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:31,920
I was just talking.

136
00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:41,040
I was just talking.

137
00:07:41,040 --> 00:07:43,080
It was 11.15.

138
00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:47,920
Mario had been gone 20 minutes when I heard Frank's ring at the door.

139
00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:48,920
Good.

140
00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:53,600
I would keep him a half hour and by then the fire should have been discovered and someone

141
00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:54,600
would call me.

142
00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:55,600
Hello, Frank.

143
00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:56,600
Come in.

144
00:07:56,600 --> 00:07:57,600
Come in.

145
00:07:57,600 --> 00:07:58,600
Good evening, John.

146
00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:03,600
It's so nice of you to let me come so late.

147
00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:06,040
Does the letter mention my mother?

148
00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:07,040
How is she getting along?

149
00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:09,960
Yes, and your brother and his wife, all are well.

150
00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:11,280
Come, sit down here.

151
00:08:11,280 --> 00:08:13,480
I have poured a glass of wine for each of us.

152
00:08:13,480 --> 00:08:14,480
Thank you.

153
00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:15,480
Thank you.

154
00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:16,480
Where is Maria?

155
00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:17,480
Asleep?

156
00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:19,720
No, she went out to visit friends.

157
00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:21,520
At least that's what she said.

158
00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:23,800
You think I should suspect her, perhaps?

159
00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:26,360
Oh, no, no, John.

160
00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:28,200
Everyone knows how Maria feels about you.

161
00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:29,200
Yes, of course.

162
00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:30,200
And I about her.

163
00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:32,400
A good girl, Maria.

164
00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:33,400
But here you want the letter.

165
00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:34,400
Here.

166
00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:35,400
Here it is, Frank.

167
00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:36,400
Go ahead, read it.

168
00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:37,400
I'll pour some wine.

169
00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:48,920
John, a whole bottle of wine we put away.

170
00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:51,840
I'll never be able to sleep, and it's nearly midnight.

171
00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:52,840
Don't be foolish.

172
00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:56,240
It's wine, not that ink you sell for coffee.

173
00:08:56,240 --> 00:08:57,240
You'll sleep.

174
00:08:57,240 --> 00:08:58,240
Well, I'm off.

175
00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:01,360
Thanks for calling me about the letter.

176
00:09:01,360 --> 00:09:02,360
Don't go, Frank.

177
00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:03,960
I don't get to see you often.

178
00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:05,960
Your phone, John.

179
00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:07,680
Answer it.

180
00:09:07,680 --> 00:09:08,680
I will find my way out.

181
00:09:08,680 --> 00:09:09,680
All right, Frank.

182
00:09:09,680 --> 00:09:10,680
It is nearly midnight.

183
00:09:10,680 --> 00:09:11,680
Seven minutes to.

184
00:09:11,680 --> 00:09:12,680
Good night.

185
00:09:12,680 --> 00:09:13,680
Good night.

186
00:09:13,680 --> 00:09:14,680
How long have you been here?

187
00:09:14,680 --> 00:09:19,120
Hello?

188
00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:21,840
Hello?

189
00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:24,600
Is there someone on the line?

190
00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:25,600
What is that?

191
00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:26,600
Who is it?

192
00:09:26,600 --> 00:09:27,600
John.

193
00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:28,600
John.

194
00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:31,600
What did you call for?

195
00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:34,600
John, I'm burned.

196
00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:35,600
What?

197
00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:36,600
What happened?

198
00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:39,840
I fell afterwards, in the dark, in the fire.

199
00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:41,840
I don't understand if you were burned.

200
00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:44,600
I think it's the flames in my breast.

201
00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:45,600
I don't know.

202
00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:47,600
I got up the stairs and ran through the door.

203
00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:49,800
Did you remember to lock the door?

204
00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:50,800
I don't know.

205
00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:51,800
I was in pain, I tell you.

206
00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:52,800
I walked and cried.

207
00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:53,800
I didn't know what to do.

208
00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:54,800
And then I saw a little bar.

209
00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:55,800
I waited till it was almost empty, and that's where I am now, in the telephone booth.

210
00:09:55,800 --> 00:09:56,800
John, will you come?

211
00:09:56,800 --> 00:09:57,800
Do something for me.

212
00:09:57,800 --> 00:09:58,800
But if you're in a bar with people, can't they see?

213
00:09:58,800 --> 00:09:59,800
No.

214
00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:00,800
No.

215
00:10:00,800 --> 00:10:01,800
I took my coat off when I went into the store before I went down to the basement.

216
00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:02,800
I was in the bathroom.

217
00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:03,800
I was in the bathroom.

218
00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:04,800
I was in the bathroom.

219
00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:05,800
I was in the bathroom.

220
00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:06,800
I was in the bathroom.

221
00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:07,800
I was in the bathroom.

222
00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:08,800
I was in the bathroom.

223
00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:20,880
I was in the bathroom.

224
00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:38,440
No, I took my coat off when I went into the store before I went down to the basement.

225
00:10:38,440 --> 00:11:00,000
to anyone don't let anyone see you too closely you understand yes yes yes yes

226
00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:07,640
that's my place why what happened fire in my place

227
00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:11,760
how how bad is it how did it start what's burning don't know any answers

228
00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:15,360
like that yet mr. Marco I understand it's just striking out now and they

229
00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:18,280
haven't been in the place yet to look around you better get down there and

230
00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:22,440
help check shall I get word to them that you're coming yes of course right away

231
00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:39,080
yes yes I will

232
00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:46,320
yes yes but which would I go to first to Mario who sounded in such pain she might

233
00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:50,680
tell everything to the first person who found her or to this door where the fire

234
00:11:50,680 --> 00:11:55,040
people and perhaps the police were waiting to talk to me I wanted to go to

235
00:11:55,040 --> 00:12:00,560
the store but I didn't dare I didn't dare to leave Mario alone just nearly a

236
00:12:00,560 --> 00:12:06,000
half hour after midnight when I drove up to the alley when I told it to wait

237
00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:15,120
Maria Maria yes hurry get in come on

238
00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:23,120
right away right away Maria how badly are you burned are you sure it's dumb

239
00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:26,800
Maria listen to me the police have called me about the store and they are

240
00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:32,800
waiting for me there you understand the police the police are waiting but you

241
00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:37,280
will take me to a doctor first you will can I marry I told them I would be right

242
00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:41,680
down I've lost time driving to pick you up first it will look suspicious very

243
00:12:41,680 --> 00:12:46,600
suspicious if I'm delayed but I must what I do Maria I must leave you

244
00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:49,880
someplace in the car and go the rest away in a cab I will get through with

245
00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:55,160
them as quickly as possible and then I will be back for you I can't wait any

246
00:12:55,160 --> 00:12:58,920
longer you have to Maria don't you understand what it means you must

247
00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:05,520
promise that you will that you will stay in the car quietly until I come all

248
00:13:05,520 --> 00:13:21,680
right all right

249
00:13:21,680 --> 00:13:28,040
so you wouldn't know anything at all about how the fire got started a no I

250
00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:34,120
would not say and you were home with this friend from 1120 until nearly

251
00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:39,800
midnight yes that's right I I was home with my friend Frank Laszlo he owns the

252
00:13:39,800 --> 00:13:44,760
restaurant right on the corner there he always closes up by 11 and tonight he

253
00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:49,120
stopped in to read a letter I received some friends of ours in the old country

254
00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:54,800
all right we'll talk to mr. Laszlo in the meantime mr. Markov you better drop

255
00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:58,520
any of the fire marshal's office in the morning at 10 o'clock you mean that I

256
00:13:58,520 --> 00:14:04,480
know I don't mean anything certainly anything I can do to help I'll be there

257
00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:12,600
of course of course

258
00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:18,640
it had taken a half hour of it talking I knew from their manner that they have

259
00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:24,640
found the kerosene or smelled it and I was back at the car looking at Mario she

260
00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:31,360
appeared unconscious but when I started to drive away I couldn't help it Mario

261
00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:38,480
it wasn't pleasant I you know now no doctor John so he can do something for

262
00:14:38,480 --> 00:14:45,600
me all right all right how are you talking to me you frighten me right and

263
00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:49,240
you what about me don't you think I am frightened what do you suppose will

264
00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:52,360
happen if I take you to a doctor he'll want to know everything and he will have

265
00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:57,640
to report it somewhere John I must have to eat where name the place where taking

266
00:14:57,640 --> 00:14:59,920
you won't be the same as going straight to the police

267
00:14:59,920 --> 00:15:05,360
well then the police anybody anybody who will help

268
00:15:05,360 --> 00:15:07,360
John

269
00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:21,120
I couldn't answer her I was trapped now I thought all I have to do is bring her

270
00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:25,040
in for help anywhere no doctor no hospital would treat her without

271
00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:30,960
reporting the case to police take her home if the police caught me bringing

272
00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:37,680
Maria there if they found that she was burned and I was helping her for hours

273
00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:44,160
seemed I drove that night wondering thinking trying frantically to find some

274
00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:51,920
solution while Maria stared straight ahead not speaking sometimes she would

275
00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:59,440
cry then it was quiet again slept I wanted to get away from other cars from

276
00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:04,760
people they turned on to an old dirt road that led along the river when I got to a

277
00:16:04,760 --> 00:16:11,120
dark spot I stopped yes I'm here Maria

278
00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:18,640
no there is no doctor no there is no doctor there's no hospital and there is

279
00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:23,000
not going to be any you got yourself into this you got me into it when you

280
00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:30,680
are found burned it's prison for both of us John John I said prison separate

281
00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:35,160
prisons thank goodness anything to get away from you now do you understand now

282
00:16:35,160 --> 00:16:45,280
let me hear you say John again once more before I go once more let me touch you

283
00:16:45,280 --> 00:16:51,400
let me just touch you what are you doing get back take your hands away from my

284
00:16:51,400 --> 00:16:53,480
face

285
00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:56,480
God

286
00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:07,920
somehow I got out of the car and away from her it must have been with her last

287
00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:12,160
drink that she attacked me because she she fell back but then when I stopped to

288
00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:15,960
look back she was out of the car standing on steadily on the ground I

289
00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:21,000
called but she didn't hear she turned and I saw that she was trying to reach

290
00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:27,200
the river edge she was weak sagging under her weight but she kept on and made

291
00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:32,320
it almost at the very edge of the river she slumped to the ground in a kneeling

292
00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:40,640
position I started for her inside of me I felt only jelly then as I stood there

293
00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:47,800
I saw she was doing something with her hands as if ringing them then I realized

294
00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:52,760
she was taking off the ring the diamond ring she had said she would keep on as

295
00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:56,680
long as she lived it must have slipped from her hand because she started

296
00:17:56,680 --> 00:18:01,840
pointing around in the dirt then she got it turned and threw it at the car with

297
00:18:01,840 --> 00:18:09,800
all her strength but the effort to her of balance she slowly fell backward like

298
00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:22,360
an old doll into the water she was gone now I was out of it they wouldn't be

299
00:18:22,360 --> 00:18:25,360
able to touch me

300
00:18:25,360 --> 00:18:27,400
you

301
00:18:38,320 --> 00:18:43,800
auto light is bringing you mr. Cornell wild with Irene Tedrow in a ring for

302
00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:48,320
Maria tonight's production and radios outstanding theater of thrills

303
00:18:48,320 --> 00:18:58,160
suspense

304
00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:03,880
hey Harlow what are your plans for this start of a new year same as usual half I

305
00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:08,600
always get the start of the year with an auto light staple battery the battery

306
00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:12,560
that needs water only three times a year in normal car use but aren't you gonna

307
00:19:12,560 --> 00:19:17,280
welcome the year in why sure half year in and year out there's nothing more

308
00:19:17,280 --> 00:19:21,120
welcome than the dependable starting power and extra convenience of the

309
00:19:21,120 --> 00:19:25,880
auto light staple battery you be the life of the party Harlow half my good

310
00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:31,960
man you can't beat the auto light staple for longer life 70% longer life in fact

311
00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:36,960
as proven by tests conducted according to SAE minimum life cycle standard aren't

312
00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:42,040
you gonna raise your champagne glass Harlow you mean fiberglass half because

313
00:19:42,040 --> 00:19:46,160
every positive plate of an auto light staple battery is protected with a fiber

314
00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:50,680
glass retaining mat to reduce flaking and shedding and keep the power producing

315
00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:56,480
material in place but Harlow everybody's going to to start the new year by having

316
00:19:56,480 --> 00:20:00,320
their neighborhood auto light battery dealer install an auto light stay full

317
00:20:00,320 --> 00:20:04,400
a battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use and

318
00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:09,920
remember you're always right with auto light and now auto light brings back to

319
00:20:09,920 --> 00:20:14,520
our Hollywood soundstage mr. Cornell wild in Elliott Lewis's production of a

320
00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:19,520
ring for Mario a tale well calculated to keep you in

321
00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:22,520
suspend

322
00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:32,600
early in the morning I went to a police station I had decided it would look odd

323
00:20:32,600 --> 00:20:37,200
when Maria's body was found if I had not reported her absence they took her

324
00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:41,440
description and then how about jewelry did she have any she might be wearing

325
00:20:41,440 --> 00:20:48,360
only her wedding ring and earrings gold earrings shaped like a hoop nothing

326
00:20:48,360 --> 00:20:53,680
else nothing all right mr. Markoff we'll call you the moment we hear anything

327
00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:57,920
well I think she'll be walking in on you soon that's our experience in these

328
00:20:57,920 --> 00:21:00,160
cases

329
00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:08,140
I breathe easier when I left the station I had almost told him of the diamond

330
00:21:08,140 --> 00:21:12,920
ring I didn't want to because I had failed to find it when I made a hurried

331
00:21:12,920 --> 00:21:17,160
search before leaving the river's edge but I knew the spot and when things

332
00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:21,520
quieted down I planned to go there in daylight and search again it was worth

333
00:21:21,520 --> 00:21:26,000
too much to let go just now the only thing ahead of me was the visit to the

334
00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:30,840
fire marshal's office at 10 o'clock but I wasn't worried about that let them

335
00:21:30,840 --> 00:21:35,840
ask their questions I had an alibi I was home when the fire started the only

336
00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:42,440
person who could implicate me in any way was dead yes I had to admit things had

337
00:21:42,440 --> 00:21:46,840
turned out not bad not bad

338
00:21:51,000 --> 00:22:00,600
oh yes sir my name is John Markov I'm to see the fire marshal this morning oh yes

339
00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:07,200
mr. Markov just a moment mr. Markov is here marshal very well the marshal is

340
00:22:07,200 --> 00:22:16,720
coming out mr. Markov morning mr. Markov had a lot to think about yes I've heard

341
00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:21,240
the fire and then this morning early you reported your wife missing didn't you

342
00:22:21,240 --> 00:22:25,640
yes I was going to tell you about it too I was already informed and I'm afraid I

343
00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:30,480
have what may be bad news for you mr. Markov the police think they found her

344
00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:36,720
found her how where very unusual you reported her as alive only last night yet

345
00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:40,240
this morning a half hour ago her body was found floating in the river the

346
00:22:40,240 --> 00:22:45,720
description tallies exactly floating you mean you mean she was drowned Maria I

347
00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:49,960
don't mean anything of the kind come along mr. Markov please are waiting for

348
00:22:49,960 --> 00:22:53,960
you to make positive identification at the morgue

349
00:22:53,960 --> 00:23:03,400
I didn't like the way the marshal talked or acted with me made me feel as if

350
00:23:03,400 --> 00:23:08,720
something had gone wrong but I told myself to stop worrying they could know

351
00:23:08,720 --> 00:23:13,400
nothing especially if Mario was dead but what did he mean talking as if she

352
00:23:13,400 --> 00:23:18,040
wasn't drowned I was still thinking about this when we got to the undertakers two

353
00:23:18,040 --> 00:23:22,580
men were standing outside in order that the marshal is something told me they

354
00:23:22,580 --> 00:23:27,600
must be detectives then one of them spoke to me you're mr. Markov yes I'm

355
00:23:27,600 --> 00:23:30,740
sergeant Holbrooke with a homicide bureau of the police department mr.

356
00:23:30,740 --> 00:23:34,960
Markov we'd like to take a look through your car is it here why sure go ahead

357
00:23:34,960 --> 00:23:39,000
and let me have your keys you mind we might have to move the car one reason or

358
00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:53,240
another yes all right this way mr. Markov for the identification well mr.

359
00:23:53,240 --> 00:24:01,200
Markov it's hair it's maria but how what happened what happened was a tragedy

360
00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:07,280
mr. Markov but you see those marks on her body yes yes those marks are burns

361
00:24:07,280 --> 00:24:12,880
and there was a fire in your store last night but I don't understand you you

362
00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:17,640
think Mario can I talk to you for a moment oh yes

363
00:24:24,200 --> 00:24:28,720
the mark of did you know your wife telephoned her aunt in Minneapolis last

364
00:24:28,720 --> 00:24:33,000
night and told her she was arriving for a visit there this morning did you or

365
00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:36,440
didn't you know there mr. Markov you're awfully slow answering very simple

366
00:24:36,440 --> 00:24:42,040
questions no no no I did not know I see well anyway she did mr. Markov you might

367
00:24:42,040 --> 00:24:46,920
like to know how we found out would you yes you see when your wife wasn't on the

368
00:24:46,920 --> 00:24:50,680
morning train at 7 o'clock her aunt got worried and telephoned your house but

369
00:24:50,680 --> 00:24:55,000
got no answer I was at the police station reporting Mario's absence right

370
00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:59,600
at 930 your wife's aunt telephoned again but this time to your place of business

371
00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:04,320
naturally she was told the line was out of order now she really was worried and

372
00:25:04,320 --> 00:25:08,200
that's how we found out about it she telephoned the police I talked to her did

373
00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:12,760
you tell her about Mario no mr. Markov I knew a body had been found that answered

374
00:25:12,760 --> 00:25:17,920
the description of mrs. Markov but I wasn't sure yet I'm only sure now but

375
00:25:17,920 --> 00:25:22,440
mrs. Markov's aunt told me something else it seemed that your wife was very

376
00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:26,720
happy about a gift you gave her last night and naturally as women will she

377
00:25:26,720 --> 00:25:32,960
had to talk about it she told her and you remember the gift oh yes yes of

378
00:25:32,960 --> 00:25:37,120
course it slipped my mind in all this that has happened the ring you mean the

379
00:25:37,120 --> 00:25:41,440
diamond ring you mean that's right mr. Markov she was wearing that ring wasn't

380
00:25:41,440 --> 00:25:45,440
she when you last saw her yes yes I forgot she must have been wearing that

381
00:25:45,440 --> 00:25:49,520
right and she left the house before the fire naturally about 11 you reported and

382
00:25:49,520 --> 00:25:55,360
you never saw her after that until this morning here no I did not you're sure

383
00:25:55,360 --> 00:26:00,560
you're very sure of that yes yes I'm sure then how is it mr. Markov that when

384
00:26:00,560 --> 00:26:03,880
we looked at your car just now we saw something that had been caught in the

385
00:26:03,880 --> 00:26:08,200
rain scupper that runs along the side of the body over the windows and this mr.

386
00:26:08,200 --> 00:26:13,120
Markov is what we found stuck in there along with some loose fine gravel this

387
00:26:13,120 --> 00:26:19,000
diamond ring what of it the coroner's physician found no water in your wife's

388
00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:23,040
lungs she didn't drown in his opinion she died from heart failure directly

389
00:26:23,040 --> 00:26:27,880
super induced by her pain and burns how did this terribly injured woman get to

390
00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:31,840
the river miles from the scene of the fire the diamond ring tells us the

391
00:26:31,840 --> 00:26:36,360
answer she was taken there and thrown in thrown in by you who watched her die

392
00:26:36,360 --> 00:26:39,560
even though you might have perhaps saved her life by getting medical aid for her

393
00:26:39,560 --> 00:26:43,440
I didn't throw her in she fell in I tell you she fell in it was an accident

394
00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:49,200
oh mr. Markov we don't talk the same language in mine the death of your wife

395
00:26:49,200 --> 00:27:10,040
was murder

396
00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:18,600
suspense presented by auto light tonight star mr. Cornell wild well see you next

397
00:27:18,600 --> 00:27:23,760
year Harlow okay happen in the meantime don't forget and don't forget what that

398
00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:28,480
auto light makes over 400 product for cars trucks planes and boats in 28

399
00:27:28,480 --> 00:27:32,680
plants coast to coast these include complete electrical systems used as

400
00:27:32,680 --> 00:27:36,840
original factory equipment on many leading makes of America's finest cars

401
00:27:36,840 --> 00:27:41,520
electric windshield wipers starting motors voltage regulators coils

402
00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:46,880
distributors wire and cable generators so friends don't accept electrical parts

403
00:27:46,880 --> 00:27:51,520
supposed to be as good ask for and insist on original factory parts at your

404
00:27:51,520 --> 00:27:56,240
neighborhood service station car dealer garage or repair shop and because all

405
00:27:56,240 --> 00:28:00,160
auto light parts are original factory parts you can be sure you're right

406
00:28:00,160 --> 00:28:05,560
because you're always right with auto light next week on suspense mr. Mickey

407
00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:10,560
Rooney a star of alibi me and in weeks to come you will hear such famous stars

408
00:28:10,560 --> 00:28:15,240
as ginger Rogers Eve Arden and it's your pincer all appearing in tales well

409
00:28:15,240 --> 00:28:20,080
calculated to keep you in suspense

410
00:28:20,160 --> 00:28:24,160
suspense is produced and directed by Elliott Lewis with music composed by

411
00:28:24,160 --> 00:28:28,920
Lucien Morrowek and conducted by Ludd Bluskin a ring for Maria was written

412
00:28:28,920 --> 00:28:33,720
for suspense by Lewis Pollock Cornell wild is next to be seen in the new RKO

413
00:28:33,720 --> 00:28:37,960
Technicolor production sons of the musketeers and remember next week on

414
00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:48,880
suspense mr. Mickey Rooney in alibi me this is Harlow Wilcox again to wish each

415
00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:54,040
and every one of you on behalf of suspense and 96,000 auto light dealers

416
00:28:54,040 --> 00:28:58,060
from coast to coast a happy and prosperous new year this is CBS the

417
00:28:58,060 --> 00:29:13,200
Columbia Broadcasting System