1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:18,520 Auto Light and its 98 pairs bring you Mr. Van Heflin in tonight's presentation of Suspense. 2 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:24,180 Tonight Auto Light tells of one of the great mysteries of the sea as we recreate the mystery 3 00:00:24,180 --> 00:00:33,760 of the Marie Celeste, our star Mr. Van Heflin. 4 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:34,760 Hello Harlow. 5 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:35,760 Goodbye, Hap. 6 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:36,760 Goodbye. 7 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:39,840 Sure, this is our last show till fall, Hap. 8 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:44,320 Last chance to tell folks about switching to those inspiring, incomparable, and inevitable 9 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:46,120 Auto Light spark plugs. 10 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:50,560 The spark plugs that are ignition engineered for the finest performance money can buy. 11 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:52,240 What are you going to do this summer, Harlow? 12 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:57,040 Keep an eye out for exasperated drivers with poorly performing cars, Hap. 13 00:00:57,040 --> 00:01:01,920 And then I'll say visit your Auto Light spark plug dealer for a brisk brace of Auto Light 14 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:07,000 spark plugs like the amazing Auto Light resistor spark plugs, the double life spark plugs that 15 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:09,800 make riding as smooth as a summer breeze. 16 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:13,680 So call Western Union by number and ask for our friend, Operator 25. 17 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:14,680 Yes, sir. 18 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:19,200 Operator 25 will tell you the location of your nearest Auto Light spark plug dealer. 19 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:24,520 The man with ignition engineered Auto Light spark plugs, both standard and resistor type. 20 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:30,040 And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 21 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:36,560 And now, Auto Light presents the mystery of the Marie Celeste, starring Mr. Van Heflin, 22 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:47,880 hoping once again to keep you in suspense. 23 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:56,600 On December 9th, 1872, the American brigantine, Marie Celeste, was discovered adrift and derelict 24 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:59,440 close off the coast of North Africa. 25 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:03,800 She had sustained some storm damage, but she was still an able ship. 26 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:09,640 Her sails were set, her cargo was intact, conditions in her cabins and focals seemed 27 00:02:09,640 --> 00:02:10,640 normal. 28 00:02:10,640 --> 00:02:13,680 There was no evidence of violence. 29 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:18,520 Yet not a sign was found of the crew that had manned her. 30 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:22,600 Officers, men, and the captain's wife had vanished. 31 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:29,400 And no acceptable explanation of their disappearance has ever been advanced. 32 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:32,240 Perhaps this is that story. 33 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:38,440 It would start a New York City's harbor district on the night of November 7th, 1872, the eve 34 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:45,200 of the Marie Celeste's departure from that same harbor. 35 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:48,200 Stop! 36 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:59,480 Doctor, I'll shoot! 37 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:08,920 What is it, officer? 38 00:03:08,920 --> 00:03:12,240 What's the matter? 39 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:14,160 Did you see a man running past this way? 40 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:16,160 No, I didn't see anybody. 41 00:03:16,160 --> 00:03:17,160 I heard the shots. 42 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:18,160 Who is it you're after? 43 00:03:18,160 --> 00:03:20,160 He just killed some people. 44 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:21,160 No. 45 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:22,160 Listen. 46 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:26,440 I thought I heard something. 47 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:27,440 But I don't now. 48 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:29,680 Who did this man kill? 49 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:32,000 A young girl and the man she was with. 50 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:33,880 And then he killed the girl's mother. 51 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:35,640 He's a maniac that we've got to get. 52 00:03:35,640 --> 00:03:36,640 I'll look down this way. 53 00:03:36,640 --> 00:03:37,640 I'll help if I can. 54 00:03:37,640 --> 00:03:38,640 All right. 55 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:54,640 More men from the force will be here shortly. 56 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:58,000 I didn't remember killing her mother. 57 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:00,200 Grace I killed because I couldn't help it. 58 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:03,040 The man because he came after me when Grace was down. 59 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:06,520 But I never, never meant to kill her mother. 60 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:18,560 When I heard that I had, I wondered if the officer was right and that I was insane. 61 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:21,400 There wasn't time to think of it then. 62 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:23,120 Only time to think of getting away. 63 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:27,800 And through that night I searched for a ship that was leaving soon. 64 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:31,200 One that was badly guarded so I could slip aboard. 65 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:33,040 When I found her she was the Marie Celeste. 66 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:38,880 And a drunken deck watch stayed in his sleep until I was hidden in the number two hole. 67 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:42,720 There I passed two days and a dream. 68 00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:47,360 Neither fully awake nor asleep but always thinking of the horror I'd done. 69 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:49,200 And I knew that escape was wrong. 70 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:58,800 That I could never be sane until I cleared my soul. 71 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:04,000 On the third morning I proceeded to make my presence aboard known. 72 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:08,280 So that I can go to the captain and tell him of my crime and take the consequences I so 73 00:05:08,280 --> 00:05:10,160 richly deserve. 74 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:13,520 I climbed to the deck and I'm immediately seen by a crew man. 75 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:14,520 Hey, Little Ray, look. 76 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:15,520 Who's there? 77 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:16,520 We'd better find out. 78 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:19,320 Who are you on this turn? 79 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:21,000 What are you doing aboard? 80 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:27,160 My name is Sam Newcomb and I want to talk to your captain. 81 00:05:27,160 --> 00:05:29,400 You'll talk to him right enough whether you want to or not. 82 00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:31,080 How'd you get aboard? 83 00:05:31,080 --> 00:05:35,360 You'll be lucky if you didn't stand the 12 to 4 watch here last night in port because that's 84 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:38,120 when it was. 85 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:40,040 You're up a deeper stall way, aren't you? 86 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:41,400 You're no better than a thief. 87 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:42,400 Well, I admit that. 88 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:44,680 Look, I want no trouble with you. 89 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:45,680 Please take me to your captain. 90 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:48,720 I'll talk to him and no one else. 91 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:49,720 You take them, Bull. 92 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:50,720 I'd better stay forward. 93 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:51,720 Come on, Newcomb. 94 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:58,280 If you're going to make the rest of the trip with us, you better drop your airs or there'll 95 00:05:58,280 --> 00:05:59,280 be trouble. 96 00:05:59,280 --> 00:06:00,280 I don't have any airs. 97 00:06:00,280 --> 00:06:03,000 And I don't think you'll be trouble with my company. 98 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:04,000 Oh? 99 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:06,360 You mean you don't think you'll quarter with the crew? 100 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:07,360 No. 101 00:06:07,360 --> 00:06:09,960 You expect to be with the officers like an honored guest? 102 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:10,960 No. 103 00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:11,960 Where then? 104 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:13,760 Well, I don't know. 105 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:16,000 You act like you're daft. 106 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:17,000 Don't say that. 107 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:18,000 I'll... 108 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:19,000 Do what? 109 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:20,000 Nothing. 110 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:23,000 I'm sorry. 111 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:24,920 I want to talk to your captain. 112 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:29,120 You'll watch what you do and say or you'll be over the side. 113 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:30,120 Here. 114 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:31,120 Yes, come. 115 00:06:31,120 --> 00:06:32,120 Watch your language. 116 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:39,120 The skipper's wife is in the next cabin after. 117 00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:40,120 His wife? 118 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:41,120 Now, who's this? 119 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:42,120 He just got here. 120 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:43,800 Who's this? 121 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:45,480 He just came out of number two hold, sir. 122 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:46,480 His name is Sam Newcomb. 123 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:49,360 Got aboard on the 12 to 4 watch hour last night in. 124 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:50,360 Hubbard's watch. 125 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:52,360 He'll answer for it. 126 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:56,320 Well, Newcomb, what do you have to say to yourself? 127 00:06:56,320 --> 00:07:02,680 I'd like it if I could talk to you alone, sir. 128 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:03,680 That's all, Bull. 129 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:06,120 Tell Hubbard I want to see him as soon as he's off watch. 130 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:08,120 Yes, sir. 131 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:15,400 Now, you realize, Newcomb, that you've committed a crime by boarding this ship without permission 132 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:18,480 and probably without passport or any other papers, I suppose. 133 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:19,720 I know, sir. 134 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:25,960 But when I tell you why, I'm not a bad man, sir. 135 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:29,040 Nothing like this has ever happened before, but something drove me. 136 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:31,920 I didn't know what I was doing. 137 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:34,560 Another one who's always wanted to go to sea, I suppose. 138 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:35,560 No, sir. 139 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:37,080 I've been sailing for 10 years. 140 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:38,760 I'm an able hand. 141 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:43,480 I came aboard because, well, I had to get away. 142 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:45,480 You were in trouble? 143 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:47,480 Yes, sir. 144 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:51,520 I don't think it was my fault, but I am wrong. 145 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:53,000 What kind of trouble? 146 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:57,000 Well, there was a girl, sir, who I was in love with. 147 00:07:57,000 --> 00:08:01,680 And well, I don't know what came over me, but... 148 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:05,480 What did you do to her? 149 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:12,880 I found her with another man, and I just had to get away, sir. 150 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:15,280 A love sick young calf, huh? 151 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:16,720 Well, that doesn't condone... 152 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:17,720 Ben. 153 00:08:17,720 --> 00:08:18,720 Oh, yes, my dear. 154 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:19,720 Oh, I'm sorry. 155 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:21,720 I thought I heard you talking. 156 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:24,400 Yes, this is Mr. Newcomb. 157 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:27,520 He came aboard illegally the night before we left. 158 00:08:27,520 --> 00:08:29,960 Well, where has he been? 159 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:30,960 It's three days. 160 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:33,520 In number two hole, ma'am. 161 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:35,200 Have you had food and water? 162 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:36,200 No, ma'am. 163 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:38,960 Why haven't you come to us before this? 164 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:42,120 I don't know, ma'am. 165 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:45,240 He was going to tell me why he came aboard. 166 00:08:45,240 --> 00:08:52,840 I don't suppose it's important to anyone but me, but I felt that I had to get away, and... 167 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:54,560 It was a girl. 168 00:08:54,560 --> 00:08:56,960 I almost guessed that. 169 00:08:56,960 --> 00:08:59,240 A broken heart? 170 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:01,560 I thought it was. 171 00:09:01,560 --> 00:09:06,880 I know it sounds silly, but to me it seemed awfully serious, and I couldn't think of another 172 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:08,960 way to leave as quickly as I wanted to. 173 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:13,800 Well, there's no other way I can allow an affair of the heart to influence what I must 174 00:09:13,800 --> 00:09:14,800 do in this case. 175 00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:17,000 Now, by reputation, I'm a fair and legal man. 176 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:18,000 But I'm a seaman, sir. 177 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:19,240 I could work my way. 178 00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:23,320 I'm not so sure that you deserve the chance. 179 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:24,320 Whatever you say, sir. 180 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:25,320 Ben. 181 00:09:25,320 --> 00:09:26,320 Oh, please, Grace. 182 00:09:26,320 --> 00:09:27,320 Great. 183 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:30,320 What's the matter with you? 184 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:32,720 Nothing, sir. 185 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:33,720 My name. 186 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:38,080 Grace is the name of the girl. 187 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:43,840 Yes, ma'am. 188 00:09:43,840 --> 00:09:48,320 It was learning that the captain's wife was aboard that made me change my mind about telling 189 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:50,600 him the truth. 190 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:56,540 When I talked to him, especially after his wife came in, everything was turned about. 191 00:09:56,540 --> 00:10:00,780 It was as though I was the captain and the stowaway was someone else. 192 00:10:00,780 --> 00:10:06,640 It was as though my wife, my Grace, had come in from the next cabin and together we talked 193 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:08,360 to the stowaway. 194 00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:18,220 And we felt sorry for him and we wanted to be kind to him. 195 00:10:18,220 --> 00:10:21,600 The wife can't be more than three or four years older than I. 196 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:23,280 And I feel close to her right away. 197 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:28,680 I think that even if she doesn't know what I've done, she understands me. 198 00:10:28,680 --> 00:10:32,480 It's a good feeling to have one friend on the ship. 199 00:10:32,480 --> 00:10:37,640 To her please, I'm sure I'm not restrained and instead sent to take my place with a crew 200 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:39,680 in their folks home. 201 00:10:39,680 --> 00:10:41,680 There I find no friends. 202 00:10:41,680 --> 00:10:44,480 Well, what are you doing here? 203 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:46,240 Couldn't you find a better place to quarter? 204 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:48,040 I was told where to come. 205 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:49,040 Hey, Hubbard. 206 00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:50,040 Wake up. 207 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:53,040 Here's the one who came aboard during your watch. 208 00:10:53,040 --> 00:10:54,040 What? 209 00:10:54,040 --> 00:10:56,080 What'd you figure you'd be fine? 210 00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:57,080 A week's pay? 211 00:10:57,080 --> 00:10:58,080 Yeah, that's right. 212 00:10:58,080 --> 00:10:59,080 Newcomer, huh? 213 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:00,080 Yes. 214 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:01,080 Why'd you come aboard? 215 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:09,760 Why, uh, I wanted to get away from New York. 216 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:13,040 Man's gotta have a better reason than that. 217 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:14,680 You running away from the police? 218 00:11:14,680 --> 00:11:15,680 No. 219 00:11:15,680 --> 00:11:16,680 What then? 220 00:11:16,680 --> 00:11:18,760 Well, it wouldn't interest you. 221 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:19,760 It's not important. 222 00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:22,360 It's important to me. 223 00:11:22,360 --> 00:11:26,160 And I want you to know how I feel about it. 224 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:32,960 Are you gonna get up? 225 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:33,960 No. 226 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:36,240 I don't want any trouble with you. 227 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:38,160 You don't want no trouble. 228 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:40,160 You caused me trouble, haven't you? 229 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:43,240 I'll be called up in front of the captain because of you. 230 00:11:43,240 --> 00:11:44,240 Well, that's done. 231 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:47,920 There's no, no way I can change it. 232 00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:52,160 We got three weeks before we make Naples. 233 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:54,360 Don't pay for it. 234 00:11:54,360 --> 00:12:01,120 I'll see to that. 235 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:04,840 Through the following days, I knew no peace. 236 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:07,920 There were four deckhands and the first officer. 237 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:12,400 And although I had reason to fight because of the way they beat me and used me, I didn't. 238 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:16,080 I was afraid of my own violence now that I'd killed. 239 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:17,920 The one named Hubbard, he was the worst. 240 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:20,080 His eyes were always on me. 241 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:22,840 Now, I wondered why. 242 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:25,960 There was a night when I woke to find him bending over my bunk. 243 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:27,680 He was smiling. 244 00:12:27,680 --> 00:12:37,600 And from that moment on, even in sleep, I felt him watching me. 245 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:39,320 On another night, I'm on deck. 246 00:12:39,320 --> 00:12:41,400 I'm crossing from the port to St. Albert. 247 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:46,920 And when I pass under the maniard, a marlin spike falls from aloft and sticks in the planks 248 00:12:46,920 --> 00:12:49,200 beside me, narrowly missing my head. 249 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:52,600 I look up to see Hubbard smiling down at me from the reggae. 250 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:56,000 I try to avoid him, but he drops to the deck to face me. 251 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:57,640 I dropped my spike. 252 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:00,000 Yes, I know you did. 253 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:03,080 What are you going to do about it? 254 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:04,080 Nothing. 255 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:08,720 You take more than any man I've ever known, Newcomb. 256 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:10,400 I'm not proud of that. 257 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:12,120 Well, why do you keep after me? 258 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:13,720 Why don't you leave me alone? 259 00:13:13,720 --> 00:13:15,720 Because I'm a curious man. 260 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:19,480 I want to know truly why you're on this ship. 261 00:13:19,480 --> 00:13:24,080 Your story of the captain about trouble with some woman just doesn't set right. 262 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:26,560 Well, no, that's the truth. 263 00:13:26,560 --> 00:13:27,560 Not all of it. 264 00:13:27,560 --> 00:13:31,200 Why do you say that? 265 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:48,280 Anybody ever tell you you're talking your sleep? 266 00:13:48,280 --> 00:13:54,040 Auto Light is bringing you Mr. Van Heflin in The Mystery of the Marie Celeste. 267 00:13:54,040 --> 00:14:01,040 Tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 268 00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:10,880 Well, Harlow, this is it. 269 00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:15,360 It sure is, Hap, the Auto Light Resistor Spark Plug, the double life spark plug. 270 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:20,160 That's the greatest advance in spark plug design for automotive use in the past 25 years. 271 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:22,920 I didn't mean the resistor spark plug, Harlow. 272 00:14:22,920 --> 00:14:25,560 I meant this is our last meeting till fall. 273 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:26,560 Too bad. 274 00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:29,560 Too bad, three bad, no matter how many spark plugs are bad. 275 00:14:29,560 --> 00:14:30,920 Get them all replaced. 276 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:34,240 With a set of sensational Auto Light Resistor Spark Plugs. 277 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:38,560 The spark plugs that last twice as long and give smoother engine performance and really 278 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:39,560 quick starts. 279 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:44,200 And the Auto Light Resistor Spark Plug is only one of a complete line of Auto Light Spark 280 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:47,040 Plugs, ignition engineered for every use. 281 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:49,960 Is Operator 25 going on vacation too, Harlow? 282 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:54,720 No, sir, Hap, she'll be standing by to tell folks the location of their nearest Auto Light 283 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:56,320 Spark Plug dealer. 284 00:14:56,320 --> 00:15:00,720 Just call Western Union by number and ask for Operator 25. 285 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:05,920 And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 286 00:15:05,920 --> 00:15:11,880 And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage, Mr. Van Heflin in Elliot Lewis's 287 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:14,920 production of The Mystery of the Marie Celeste. 288 00:15:14,920 --> 00:15:31,240 A true report, well calculated to keep you in suspense. 289 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:37,160 I'd never been told that I talked in my sleep until the one named Hubbard said I did. 290 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:39,800 He may have been lying, but I couldn't chance that. 291 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:44,560 Therefore, I carefully abstained from regular sleeping habits, allowing myself short naps 292 00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:48,640 only when I knew that Hubbard was at the helm or some other ship's business that he couldn't 293 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:49,640 leave. 294 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:55,840 The horror of what I had done became a secret that pressed against my head, wanting escape. 295 00:15:55,840 --> 00:16:06,440 But I held it in, and I took the abuse of the men aboard. 296 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:11,280 The only kindness and relaxation I find are during the moments when I chance to meet the 297 00:16:11,280 --> 00:16:13,800 captain's wife. 298 00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:16,880 Just watch one night when it's not safe to sleep. 299 00:16:16,880 --> 00:16:20,720 I'm alone taking a cup of tea in the galley when she comes in. 300 00:16:20,720 --> 00:16:21,720 Oh, Mrs. Briggs. 301 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:22,720 Why, Mr. Newcomb, I've been thinking of you. 302 00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:23,720 I haven't seen you. 303 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:24,720 You look ill. 304 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:25,720 Is something wrong? 305 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:26,720 No, no, nothing, ma'am. 306 00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:27,720 My sleep hasn't been so good. 307 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:28,720 And your cheek is bruised. 308 00:16:28,720 --> 00:16:29,720 What happened? 309 00:16:29,720 --> 00:16:30,720 Oh, it's nothing serious. 310 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:31,720 Just some trouble with the other hands. 311 00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:32,720 Have you taken a nap? 312 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:33,720 I've been thinking about it. 313 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:34,720 You've been thinking about it? 314 00:16:34,720 --> 00:16:35,720 I've been thinking about it. 315 00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:36,720 I've been thinking about it. 316 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:37,720 I've been thinking about it. 317 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:38,720 I've been thinking about it. 318 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:39,720 I've been thinking about it. 319 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:40,720 I've been thinking about it. 320 00:16:40,720 --> 00:16:47,260 I've been thinking about it. 321 00:16:47,260 --> 00:17:09,720 I've been thinking about it. 322 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:13,280 hands for one thing. They're a rough lot I know. 323 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:15,820 No worse than most men, ma'am. 324 00:17:15,820 --> 00:17:18,820 You're very unhappy, aren't you? 325 00:17:18,820 --> 00:17:24,660 This girl, Grace, I know this is hard for you to understand, 326 00:17:24,660 --> 00:17:29,300 but really, no one girl is worth ruining your life for. 327 00:17:29,300 --> 00:17:31,900 Not even losing sleep over. 328 00:17:31,900 --> 00:17:33,500 Yes, ma'am. 329 00:17:33,500 --> 00:17:36,100 I wish you'd stop calling me ma'am. 330 00:17:36,100 --> 00:17:40,480 Perhaps if you did, you could talk to me about this girl. 331 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:43,220 I think it'd do you good, don't you? 332 00:17:43,220 --> 00:17:44,580 Well, I don't know. 333 00:17:44,580 --> 00:17:46,380 Tell me about her. 334 00:17:46,380 --> 00:17:49,720 I'm sure she's quite beautiful. 335 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:51,160 I thought so. 336 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:52,700 And you plan to be married? 337 00:17:52,700 --> 00:17:54,060 Yes. 338 00:17:54,060 --> 00:17:56,560 But she changed her mind? 339 00:17:56,560 --> 00:17:59,700 She was never sure. 340 00:17:59,700 --> 00:18:01,360 She was ambitious for me. 341 00:18:01,360 --> 00:18:02,360 That's natural. 342 00:18:02,360 --> 00:18:05,740 And I disappointed her like I did my family, my mother. 343 00:18:05,740 --> 00:18:07,500 Everybody. 344 00:18:07,500 --> 00:18:10,280 I'm always thinking that I'm doing my best, 345 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:12,580 but I always disappoint people. 346 00:18:12,580 --> 00:18:14,940 What did she want you to be, this girl? 347 00:18:14,940 --> 00:18:17,080 A ship's master, like your husband. 348 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:19,480 We dreamed of the day when she could sail with me, 349 00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:20,980 like you do on this ship. 350 00:18:20,980 --> 00:18:22,760 Well, you mustn't lose faith in yourself. 351 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:25,420 It took my husband years to get his papers. 352 00:18:25,420 --> 00:18:27,860 There are no years for me anymore. 353 00:18:27,860 --> 00:18:28,860 She wouldn't wait? 354 00:18:28,860 --> 00:18:29,960 No. 355 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:31,860 No, she wouldn't wait. 356 00:18:31,860 --> 00:18:34,260 You must have waited, but she wouldn't. 357 00:18:34,260 --> 00:18:36,100 Tell me. It'll be good for you. 358 00:18:36,100 --> 00:18:38,340 She promised to wait, but she didn't. 359 00:18:38,340 --> 00:18:40,700 She never understood that it took time. 360 00:18:40,700 --> 00:18:42,400 She was ambitious, and she pushed me 361 00:18:42,400 --> 00:18:45,540 for my officer's papers, and I failed. 362 00:18:45,540 --> 00:18:47,140 My family pushed me, too. 363 00:18:47,140 --> 00:18:50,180 But when I wasn't ready, they made me fail. 364 00:18:50,180 --> 00:18:53,220 And I went away, a six-month trip to South America. 365 00:18:53,220 --> 00:18:56,180 I tried to jump overboard, and they stopped me. 366 00:18:56,180 --> 00:18:58,220 And then I got back and found her married 367 00:18:58,220 --> 00:18:59,920 to a ship's captain. 368 00:18:59,920 --> 00:19:02,320 Her mother was there, laughing at me. 369 00:19:02,320 --> 00:19:05,260 I tried to tell them that I was happy about it. 370 00:19:05,260 --> 00:19:08,560 Then Grace smiled at me, and something happened. 371 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:09,560 Mr. Newcomb. 372 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:10,660 I was only going to kill her. 373 00:19:10,660 --> 00:19:12,700 I didn't even know that the others were there. 374 00:19:12,700 --> 00:19:15,540 I hit her, and she went down, and then this man came after me, 375 00:19:15,540 --> 00:19:16,900 and I hit him, too. 376 00:19:16,900 --> 00:19:19,340 When you get mixed up like that, 377 00:19:19,340 --> 00:19:21,240 you don't know what you're doing, 378 00:19:21,240 --> 00:19:23,740 and time means nothing, like everything else. 379 00:19:23,740 --> 00:19:24,740 Mr. Newcomb. 380 00:19:24,740 --> 00:19:25,740 Then her mother. 381 00:19:25,740 --> 00:19:27,140 I don't remember that. 382 00:19:27,140 --> 00:19:29,520 But she's dead, too, and they blame me. 383 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:31,460 Maybe I did. 384 00:19:31,460 --> 00:19:32,960 Mrs. Briggs, where are you going? 385 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:33,960 Stay away from me. 386 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:34,960 No, no, no. 387 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:35,960 You've been nice to me. 388 00:19:35,960 --> 00:19:38,220 Why did it have to be you that I told everything? 389 00:19:38,220 --> 00:19:40,860 No, no, I like you. 390 00:19:40,860 --> 00:19:41,860 Why did it have to be you? 391 00:19:41,860 --> 00:19:42,860 No, no, no. 392 00:19:42,860 --> 00:19:43,860 No, no, no. 393 00:19:43,860 --> 00:19:45,900 I don't want to kill you. 394 00:19:45,900 --> 00:19:46,900 I never wanted to kill anybody. 395 00:19:46,900 --> 00:19:47,900 Let me go. 396 00:19:47,900 --> 00:19:48,900 No, no, I won't hurt you. 397 00:19:48,900 --> 00:19:49,900 You've been nice to me. 398 00:19:49,900 --> 00:19:50,900 Stay away from me. 399 00:19:50,900 --> 00:19:51,900 No, no, no. 400 00:19:51,900 --> 00:19:52,900 I won't touch you. 401 00:19:52,900 --> 00:19:53,900 But you've got to promise that you won't tell. 402 00:19:53,900 --> 00:19:54,900 I don't know why I said those things. 403 00:19:54,900 --> 00:19:55,900 They're not true. 404 00:19:55,900 --> 00:19:56,900 See, I get mixed up. 405 00:19:56,900 --> 00:19:57,900 I dream of you. 406 00:19:57,900 --> 00:19:58,900 I dream of you. 407 00:19:58,900 --> 00:19:59,900 I dream of you. 408 00:19:59,900 --> 00:20:04,580 See, I get mixed up, I dream things, and then they seem real after I wake up. 409 00:20:04,580 --> 00:20:05,860 That's why I'm such a liar. 410 00:20:05,860 --> 00:20:09,580 I always lie. 411 00:20:09,580 --> 00:20:11,540 There's nothing that I told you was the truth. 412 00:20:11,540 --> 00:20:13,140 Do you believe that? 413 00:20:13,140 --> 00:20:14,140 Yes. 414 00:20:14,140 --> 00:20:17,700 And you won't tell anybody what I said? 415 00:20:17,700 --> 00:20:19,700 I won't tell anyone. 416 00:20:19,700 --> 00:20:20,700 Oh, I'm glad. 417 00:20:20,700 --> 00:20:24,740 Now, come, Mrs. Briggs, and finish your tea. 418 00:20:24,740 --> 00:20:26,980 Come on, we'll talk about something else. 419 00:20:26,980 --> 00:20:29,180 No, I've got to go to my cabin. 420 00:20:29,180 --> 00:20:40,500 Mrs. Bates, don't, don't tell. 421 00:20:40,500 --> 00:20:42,980 I knew she would tell. 422 00:20:42,980 --> 00:20:43,980 So I hid. 423 00:20:43,980 --> 00:20:47,900 I went back to the number two hole where I'd felt safe before. 424 00:20:47,900 --> 00:20:50,020 They found me there. 425 00:20:50,020 --> 00:20:56,500 I don't know how much time passed. 426 00:20:56,500 --> 00:21:00,020 I see their landing as they come closer. 427 00:21:00,020 --> 00:21:02,020 The truth is out. 428 00:21:02,020 --> 00:21:04,500 There's no place for me to go. 429 00:21:04,500 --> 00:21:06,500 So I stand up and wait. 430 00:21:06,500 --> 00:21:11,500 Captain, Captain, I hear him, I think. 431 00:21:11,500 --> 00:21:12,500 Here's Hubbard. 432 00:21:12,500 --> 00:21:13,500 Keep your pistol ready. 433 00:21:13,500 --> 00:21:14,500 You have to be careful. 434 00:21:14,500 --> 00:21:15,500 Yes, sir. 435 00:21:15,500 --> 00:21:16,500 There he is, sir. 436 00:21:16,500 --> 00:21:17,500 Come out of there, Newcomb. 437 00:21:17,500 --> 00:21:18,500 Keep your landing down, Hubbard. 438 00:21:18,500 --> 00:21:19,500 Keep us under the light. 439 00:21:19,500 --> 00:21:20,500 He's dangerous. 440 00:21:20,500 --> 00:21:21,500 No, I won't. 441 00:21:21,500 --> 00:21:22,500 I'm not going to. 442 00:21:22,500 --> 00:21:23,500 I'm not going to. 443 00:21:23,500 --> 00:21:24,500 I'm not going to. 444 00:21:24,500 --> 00:21:25,500 I'm not going to. 445 00:21:25,500 --> 00:21:26,500 I'm not going to. 446 00:21:26,500 --> 00:21:27,500 I'm not going to. 447 00:21:27,500 --> 00:21:28,500 You're the most dangerous person in the world. 448 00:21:28,500 --> 00:21:29,500 I won't. 449 00:21:29,500 --> 00:21:30,500 I won't cause any trouble, sir. 450 00:21:30,500 --> 00:21:31,500 Get him out of there. 451 00:21:31,500 --> 00:21:32,500 I won't cause any... 452 00:21:32,500 --> 00:21:33,500 It's alright, sir. 453 00:21:33,500 --> 00:21:34,500 He's down. 454 00:21:34,500 --> 00:21:46,760 Dirty little scum, lock him up. 455 00:21:46,760 --> 00:21:50,000 I'm not sure how many days passed. 456 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:53,980 But I found comfort in being locked up because I could sleep without the fear of Hubbard leaning 457 00:21:53,980 --> 00:21:54,980 over me. 458 00:21:54,980 --> 00:21:57,480 for what I might say. 459 00:21:57,480 --> 00:22:00,680 Then there was one night when shouting on deck woke me up. 460 00:22:00,680 --> 00:22:06,680 I couldn't hear the words being in the middle of the ship. 461 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:11,380 Soon the shouting stopped and there was silence. 462 00:22:11,380 --> 00:22:14,820 It was a new silence that I studied for a long time. 463 00:22:14,820 --> 00:22:16,260 I heard no footsteps on the deck. 464 00:22:16,260 --> 00:22:17,260 I heard no voices. 465 00:22:17,260 --> 00:22:20,440 I heard no creaking timbers. 466 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:24,780 It was a dead ship. 467 00:22:24,780 --> 00:22:29,680 I wait for the one daily meal that they allow me and no one comes. 468 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:32,780 And then I shout, let me out! 469 00:22:32,780 --> 00:22:34,780 Let me out of here! 470 00:22:34,780 --> 00:22:40,520 Somebody come and let me out! 471 00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:44,420 If one were insane he'd surely break at a moment like that. 472 00:22:44,420 --> 00:22:48,980 I was locked up and alone on a ship that was held motionless as if gripped by some great 473 00:22:48,980 --> 00:22:49,980 hand. 474 00:22:49,980 --> 00:22:52,420 But I didn't break. 475 00:22:52,420 --> 00:22:57,420 I dismantled my bunk and from the wood fashioned a ram with which I attacked the door. 476 00:22:57,420 --> 00:23:03,460 The task of freeing myself consumed most of the day and such was my concentration that 477 00:23:03,460 --> 00:23:09,020 I didn't realize the exact moment that the ship began moving as if a great hand had released 478 00:23:09,020 --> 00:23:12,740 its grip and set her free. 479 00:23:12,740 --> 00:23:19,740 And I was free. 480 00:23:19,740 --> 00:23:26,100 I come out on deck to find a cloudless sky and empty sea horizons all around as if I'm 481 00:23:26,100 --> 00:23:31,260 alone in the world, the wheels spinning idly with no one to attend it. 482 00:23:31,260 --> 00:23:35,900 I lash it after fitting a new course to the sails she's wearing. 483 00:23:35,900 --> 00:23:38,980 The whole ship is mine. 484 00:23:38,980 --> 00:23:42,340 I am master and crew. 485 00:23:42,340 --> 00:23:49,620 I found peace and well-being as if I've been absolved of any wrongs I ever did. 486 00:23:49,620 --> 00:23:55,620 Because what if not Providence held the ship that night and sent the others to certain 487 00:23:55,620 --> 00:23:58,020 death in the endless sea? 488 00:23:58,020 --> 00:24:04,340 What if not kind Providence decided that I alone would survive? 489 00:24:04,340 --> 00:24:08,800 The meek and the humble shall inherit the earth. 490 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:12,780 This narrative I swear to be true. 491 00:24:12,780 --> 00:24:20,140 And on the second day of December, the year of our Lord, 1872, I hereby sign it and seal 492 00:24:20,140 --> 00:24:26,140 it in a bottle to be delivered to the ocean's currents in the hope that someday it'll drift 493 00:24:26,140 --> 00:24:45,860 back to the hated world from which I am forever parted. 494 00:24:45,860 --> 00:24:50,860 According to scientific theory, a strange phenomenon takes place now and again off the 495 00:24:50,860 --> 00:24:56,460 coast of Africa near where the Marie Celeste was found, great rivers of sand are swept 496 00:24:56,460 --> 00:24:58,500 out from the coastal deserts. 497 00:24:58,500 --> 00:25:03,620 When certain conditions prevail, this sand is concentrated by the ocean's currents. 498 00:25:03,620 --> 00:25:08,820 Millions of tons are massed until an island is born, lives briefly, and then is swept 499 00:25:08,820 --> 00:25:12,260 away by a shift in the currents that created it. 500 00:25:12,260 --> 00:25:16,580 One such island formed under a small ship during World War II, held it for a number 501 00:25:16,580 --> 00:25:23,340 of hours, then released it, much in the same manner that Sam Newcomb's Providence acted. 502 00:25:23,340 --> 00:25:30,420 A like occurrence could have caused the abandonment of the Marie Celeste, but no one knows. 503 00:25:30,420 --> 00:25:35,940 According to some reports, Sam Newcomb's signed confession did drift ashore many years later. 504 00:25:35,940 --> 00:25:40,260 If that is true, perhaps another of the many mysteries surrounding the Marie Celeste has 505 00:25:40,260 --> 00:25:42,100 been solved. 506 00:25:42,100 --> 00:25:46,900 That mystery was a short length of line that reportedly was found secured to the stern 507 00:25:46,900 --> 00:25:52,140 of the ship, close up under the transom where someone would hide. 508 00:25:52,140 --> 00:25:59,340 Attached to this line was a man's leather belt that had parted in the middle. 509 00:25:59,340 --> 00:26:04,500 Could Sam Newcomb have hidden there when the salvage crew was put aboard to sail the ship 510 00:26:04,500 --> 00:26:06,920 to Gibraltar? 511 00:26:06,920 --> 00:26:12,500 Could he have hung suspended there against the weakening belt until it parted and let 512 00:26:12,500 --> 00:26:38,260 him sink silently into the sea? 513 00:26:38,260 --> 00:26:48,320 This is Harlow Wilcox speaking for Autolite, world's largest independent manufacturer of 514 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:50,800 automotive electrical equipment. 515 00:26:50,800 --> 00:26:54,280 Autolite is proud to serve the greatest names in the industry. 516 00:26:54,280 --> 00:26:58,980 They are members of the Autolite family, as well as are the 98,000 Autolite distributors 517 00:26:58,980 --> 00:27:04,460 and dealers in the United States and thousands more in Canada and throughout the world. 518 00:27:04,460 --> 00:27:09,200 Our family also includes the nearly 30,000 men and women in 28 great Autolite plants 519 00:27:09,200 --> 00:27:14,840 from coast to coast and Autolite plants in many foreign countries, as well as the 18,000 520 00:27:14,840 --> 00:27:19,080 people who have invested a portion of their savings in Autolite. 521 00:27:19,080 --> 00:27:24,200 Every Autolite product is backed by constant research and precision built to the highest 522 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:26,880 standards of quality and performance. 523 00:27:26,880 --> 00:27:39,040 So remember from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Autolite. 524 00:27:39,040 --> 00:27:43,060 And now I'd like to bring to the microphone a member of the Autolite family, the producer 525 00:27:43,060 --> 00:27:46,160 director of Suspense, Mr. Elliot Lewis. 526 00:27:46,160 --> 00:27:49,260 Tonight's suspense program is the last for this season. 527 00:27:49,260 --> 00:27:52,280 Suspense on television will continue through the summer. 528 00:27:52,280 --> 00:27:56,560 Starting next week at this same time, CBS Radio will present a new series of true crime 529 00:27:56,560 --> 00:28:01,860 mysteries, crime classics by name, which I heartily recommend to be worth your listening 530 00:28:01,860 --> 00:28:04,720 until Suspense returns in September. 531 00:28:04,720 --> 00:28:08,800 And so until that time, all of us of the Autolite family, thank you for your support and attention 532 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:10,680 during this last season. 533 00:28:10,680 --> 00:28:18,560 We'll see you in September on Suspense. 534 00:28:18,560 --> 00:28:22,880 Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucian Morrowick 535 00:28:22,880 --> 00:28:27,800 and conducted by Lud Gluskin, the mystery of the Marie Celeste was adapted for Suspense 536 00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:28,800 by Gil Dowd. 537 00:28:28,800 --> 00:28:34,960 Featured in the cast were Joseph Kearns, Jeanette Nolan, Paul Freeze, Dan O'Hurley, Hal Gerard 538 00:28:34,960 --> 00:28:38,840 and William Conrad. 539 00:28:38,840 --> 00:28:44,280 Van Heffelin may currently be seen in Shane, a George Stevens production for Paramount. 540 00:28:44,280 --> 00:28:52,080 You can buy Autolite resistor or standard type spark plugs, Autolite electrical parts 541 00:28:52,080 --> 00:28:55,880 and Autolite stay full batteries at your neighborhood Autolite dealers. 542 00:28:55,880 --> 00:28:57,920 Switch to Autolite. 543 00:28:57,920 --> 00:29:08,720 Have a good summer and good night. 544 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:25,080 This is the CBS Radio Network.