WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:18.520 Auto Light and its 98 pairs bring you Mr. Van Heflin in tonight's presentation of Suspense. 00:18.520 --> 00:24.180 Tonight Auto Light tells of one of the great mysteries of the sea as we recreate the mystery 00:24.180 --> 00:33.760 of the Marie Celeste, our star Mr. Van Heflin. 00:33.760 --> 00:34.760 Hello Harlow. 00:34.760 --> 00:35.760 Goodbye, Hap. 00:35.760 --> 00:36.760 Goodbye. 00:36.760 --> 00:39.840 Sure, this is our last show till fall, Hap. 00:39.840 --> 00:44.320 Last chance to tell folks about switching to those inspiring, incomparable, and inevitable 00:44.320 --> 00:46.120 Auto Light spark plugs. 00:46.120 --> 00:50.560 The spark plugs that are ignition engineered for the finest performance money can buy. 00:50.560 --> 00:52.240 What are you going to do this summer, Harlow? 00:52.240 --> 00:57.040 Keep an eye out for exasperated drivers with poorly performing cars, Hap. 00:57.040 --> 01:01.920 And then I'll say visit your Auto Light spark plug dealer for a brisk brace of Auto Light 01:01.920 --> 01:07.000 spark plugs like the amazing Auto Light resistor spark plugs, the double life spark plugs that 01:07.000 --> 01:09.800 make riding as smooth as a summer breeze. 01:09.800 --> 01:13.680 So call Western Union by number and ask for our friend, Operator 25. 01:13.680 --> 01:14.680 Yes, sir. 01:14.680 --> 01:19.200 Operator 25 will tell you the location of your nearest Auto Light spark plug dealer. 01:19.200 --> 01:24.520 The man with ignition engineered Auto Light spark plugs, both standard and resistor type. 01:24.520 --> 01:30.040 And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 01:30.040 --> 01:36.560 And now, Auto Light presents the mystery of the Marie Celeste, starring Mr. Van Heflin, 01:36.560 --> 01:47.880 hoping once again to keep you in suspense. 01:47.880 --> 01:56.600 On December 9th, 1872, the American brigantine, Marie Celeste, was discovered adrift and derelict 01:56.600 --> 01:59.440 close off the coast of North Africa. 01:59.440 --> 02:03.800 She had sustained some storm damage, but she was still an able ship. 02:03.800 --> 02:09.640 Her sails were set, her cargo was intact, conditions in her cabins and focals seemed 02:09.640 --> 02:10.640 normal. 02:10.640 --> 02:13.680 There was no evidence of violence. 02:13.680 --> 02:18.520 Yet not a sign was found of the crew that had manned her. 02:18.520 --> 02:22.600 Officers, men, and the captain's wife had vanished. 02:22.600 --> 02:29.400 And no acceptable explanation of their disappearance has ever been advanced. 02:29.400 --> 02:32.240 Perhaps this is that story. 02:32.240 --> 02:38.440 It would start a New York City's harbor district on the night of November 7th, 1872, the eve 02:38.440 --> 02:45.200 of the Marie Celeste's departure from that same harbor. 02:45.200 --> 02:48.200 Stop! 02:48.200 --> 02:59.480 Doctor, I'll shoot! 02:59.480 --> 03:08.920 What is it, officer? 03:08.920 --> 03:12.240 What's the matter? 03:12.240 --> 03:14.160 Did you see a man running past this way? 03:14.160 --> 03:16.160 No, I didn't see anybody. 03:16.160 --> 03:17.160 I heard the shots. 03:17.160 --> 03:18.160 Who is it you're after? 03:18.160 --> 03:20.160 He just killed some people. 03:20.160 --> 03:21.160 No. 03:21.160 --> 03:22.160 Listen. 03:22.160 --> 03:26.440 I thought I heard something. 03:26.440 --> 03:27.440 But I don't now. 03:27.440 --> 03:29.680 Who did this man kill? 03:29.680 --> 03:32.000 A young girl and the man she was with. 03:32.000 --> 03:33.880 And then he killed the girl's mother. 03:33.880 --> 03:35.640 He's a maniac that we've got to get. 03:35.640 --> 03:36.640 I'll look down this way. 03:36.640 --> 03:37.640 I'll help if I can. 03:37.640 --> 03:38.640 All right. 03:38.640 --> 03:54.640 More men from the force will be here shortly. 03:54.640 --> 03:58.000 I didn't remember killing her mother. 03:58.000 --> 04:00.200 Grace I killed because I couldn't help it. 04:00.200 --> 04:03.040 The man because he came after me when Grace was down. 04:03.040 --> 04:06.520 But I never, never meant to kill her mother. 04:06.520 --> 04:18.560 When I heard that I had, I wondered if the officer was right and that I was insane. 04:18.560 --> 04:21.400 There wasn't time to think of it then. 04:21.400 --> 04:23.120 Only time to think of getting away. 04:23.120 --> 04:27.800 And through that night I searched for a ship that was leaving soon. 04:27.800 --> 04:31.200 One that was badly guarded so I could slip aboard. 04:31.200 --> 04:33.040 When I found her she was the Marie Celeste. 04:33.040 --> 04:38.880 And a drunken deck watch stayed in his sleep until I was hidden in the number two hole. 04:38.880 --> 04:42.720 There I passed two days and a dream. 04:42.720 --> 04:47.360 Neither fully awake nor asleep but always thinking of the horror I'd done. 04:47.360 --> 04:49.200 And I knew that escape was wrong. 04:49.200 --> 04:58.800 That I could never be sane until I cleared my soul. 04:58.800 --> 05:04.000 On the third morning I proceeded to make my presence aboard known. 05:04.000 --> 05:08.280 So that I can go to the captain and tell him of my crime and take the consequences I so 05:08.280 --> 05:10.160 richly deserve. 05:10.160 --> 05:13.520 I climbed to the deck and I'm immediately seen by a crew man. 05:13.520 --> 05:14.520 Hey, Little Ray, look. 05:14.520 --> 05:15.520 Who's there? 05:15.520 --> 05:16.520 We'd better find out. 05:16.520 --> 05:19.320 Who are you on this turn? 05:19.320 --> 05:21.000 What are you doing aboard? 05:21.000 --> 05:27.160 My name is Sam Newcomb and I want to talk to your captain. 05:27.160 --> 05:29.400 You'll talk to him right enough whether you want to or not. 05:29.400 --> 05:31.080 How'd you get aboard? 05:31.080 --> 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 05:35.360 --> 05:38.120 when it was. 05:38.120 --> 05:40.040 You're up a deeper stall way, aren't you? 05:40.040 --> 05:41.400 You're no better than a thief. 05:41.400 --> 05:42.400 Well, I admit that. 05:42.400 --> 05:44.680 Look, I want no trouble with you. 05:44.680 --> 05:45.680 Please take me to your captain. 05:45.680 --> 05:48.720 I'll talk to him and no one else. 05:48.720 --> 05:49.720 You take them, Bull. 05:49.720 --> 05:50.720 I'd better stay forward. 05:50.720 --> 05:51.720 Come on, Newcomb. 05:51.720 --> 05:58.280 If you're going to make the rest of the trip with us, you better drop your airs or there'll 05:58.280 --> 05:59.280 be trouble. 05:59.280 --> 06:00.280 I don't have any airs. 06:00.280 --> 06:03.000 And I don't think you'll be trouble with my company. 06:03.000 --> 06:04.000 Oh? 06:04.000 --> 06:06.360 You mean you don't think you'll quarter with the crew? 06:06.360 --> 06:07.360 No. 06:07.360 --> 06:09.960 You expect to be with the officers like an honored guest? 06:09.960 --> 06:10.960 No. 06:10.960 --> 06:11.960 Where then? 06:11.960 --> 06:13.760 Well, I don't know. 06:13.760 --> 06:16.000 You act like you're daft. 06:16.000 --> 06:17.000 Don't say that. 06:17.000 --> 06:18.000 I'll... 06:18.000 --> 06:19.000 Do what? 06:19.000 --> 06:20.000 Nothing. 06:20.000 --> 06:23.000 I'm sorry. 06:23.000 --> 06:24.920 I want to talk to your captain. 06:24.920 --> 06:29.120 You'll watch what you do and say or you'll be over the side. 06:29.120 --> 06:30.120 Here. 06:30.120 --> 06:31.120 Yes, come. 06:31.120 --> 06:32.120 Watch your language. 06:32.120 --> 06:39.120 The skipper's wife is in the next cabin after. 06:39.120 --> 06:40.120 His wife? 06:40.120 --> 06:41.120 Now, who's this? 06:41.120 --> 06:42.120 He just got here. 06:42.120 --> 06:43.800 Who's this? 06:43.800 --> 06:45.480 He just came out of number two hold, sir. 06:45.480 --> 06:46.480 His name is Sam Newcomb. 06:46.480 --> 06:49.360 Got aboard on the 12 to 4 watch hour last night in. 06:49.360 --> 06:50.360 Hubbard's watch. 06:50.360 --> 06:52.360 He'll answer for it. 06:52.360 --> 06:56.320 Well, Newcomb, what do you have to say to yourself? 06:56.320 --> 07:02.680 I'd like it if I could talk to you alone, sir. 07:02.680 --> 07:03.680 That's all, Bull. 07:03.680 --> 07:06.120 Tell Hubbard I want to see him as soon as he's off watch. 07:06.120 --> 07:08.120 Yes, sir. 07:08.120 --> 07:15.400 Now, you realize, Newcomb, that you've committed a crime by boarding this ship without permission 07:15.400 --> 07:18.480 and probably without passport or any other papers, I suppose. 07:18.480 --> 07:19.720 I know, sir. 07:19.720 --> 07:25.960 But when I tell you why, I'm not a bad man, sir. 07:25.960 --> 07:29.040 Nothing like this has ever happened before, but something drove me. 07:29.040 --> 07:31.920 I didn't know what I was doing. 07:31.920 --> 07:34.560 Another one who's always wanted to go to sea, I suppose. 07:34.560 --> 07:35.560 No, sir. 07:35.560 --> 07:37.080 I've been sailing for 10 years. 07:37.080 --> 07:38.760 I'm an able hand. 07:38.760 --> 07:43.480 I came aboard because, well, I had to get away. 07:43.480 --> 07:45.480 You were in trouble? 07:45.480 --> 07:47.480 Yes, sir. 07:47.480 --> 07:51.520 I don't think it was my fault, but I am wrong. 07:51.520 --> 07:53.000 What kind of trouble? 07:53.000 --> 07:57.000 Well, there was a girl, sir, who I was in love with. 07:57.000 --> 08:01.680 And well, I don't know what came over me, but... 08:01.680 --> 08:05.480 What did you do to her? 08:05.480 --> 08:12.880 I found her with another man, and I just had to get away, sir. 08:12.880 --> 08:15.280 A love sick young calf, huh? 08:15.280 --> 08:16.720 Well, that doesn't condone... 08:16.720 --> 08:17.720 Ben. 08:17.720 --> 08:18.720 Oh, yes, my dear. 08:18.720 --> 08:19.720 Oh, I'm sorry. 08:19.720 --> 08:21.720 I thought I heard you talking. 08:21.720 --> 08:24.400 Yes, this is Mr. Newcomb. 08:24.400 --> 08:27.520 He came aboard illegally the night before we left. 08:27.520 --> 08:29.960 Well, where has he been? 08:29.960 --> 08:30.960 It's three days. 08:30.960 --> 08:33.520 In number two hole, ma'am. 08:33.520 --> 08:35.200 Have you had food and water? 08:35.200 --> 08:36.200 No, ma'am. 08:36.200 --> 08:38.960 Why haven't you come to us before this? 08:38.960 --> 08:42.120 I don't know, ma'am. 08:42.120 --> 08:45.240 He was going to tell me why he came aboard. 08:45.240 --> 08:52.840 I don't suppose it's important to anyone but me, but I felt that I had to get away, and... 08:52.840 --> 08:54.560 It was a girl. 08:54.560 --> 08:56.960 I almost guessed that. 08:56.960 --> 08:59.240 A broken heart? 08:59.240 --> 09:01.560 I thought it was. 09:01.560 --> 09:06.880 I know it sounds silly, but to me it seemed awfully serious, and I couldn't think of another 09:06.880 --> 09:08.960 way to leave as quickly as I wanted to. 09:08.960 --> 09:13.800 Well, there's no other way I can allow an affair of the heart to influence what I must 09:13.800 --> 09:14.800 do in this case. 09:14.800 --> 09:17.000 Now, by reputation, I'm a fair and legal man. 09:17.000 --> 09:18.000 But I'm a seaman, sir. 09:18.000 --> 09:19.240 I could work my way. 09:19.240 --> 09:23.320 I'm not so sure that you deserve the chance. 09:23.320 --> 09:24.320 Whatever you say, sir. 09:24.320 --> 09:25.320 Ben. 09:25.320 --> 09:26.320 Oh, please, Grace. 09:26.320 --> 09:27.320 Great. 09:27.320 --> 09:30.320 What's the matter with you? 09:30.320 --> 09:32.720 Nothing, sir. 09:32.720 --> 09:33.720 My name. 09:33.720 --> 09:38.080 Grace is the name of the girl. 09:38.080 --> 09:43.840 Yes, ma'am. 09:43.840 --> 09:48.320 It was learning that the captain's wife was aboard that made me change my mind about telling 09:48.320 --> 09:50.600 him the truth. 09:50.600 --> 09:56.540 When I talked to him, especially after his wife came in, everything was turned about. 09:56.540 --> 10:00.780 It was as though I was the captain and the stowaway was someone else. 10:00.780 --> 10:06.640 It was as though my wife, my Grace, had come in from the next cabin and together we talked 10:06.640 --> 10:08.360 to the stowaway. 10:08.360 --> 10:18.220 And we felt sorry for him and we wanted to be kind to him. 10:18.220 --> 10:21.600 The wife can't be more than three or four years older than I. 10:21.600 --> 10:23.280 And I feel close to her right away. 10:23.280 --> 10:28.680 I think that even if she doesn't know what I've done, she understands me. 10:28.680 --> 10:32.480 It's a good feeling to have one friend on the ship. 10:32.480 --> 10:37.640 To her please, I'm sure I'm not restrained and instead sent to take my place with a crew 10:37.640 --> 10:39.680 in their folks home. 10:39.680 --> 10:41.680 There I find no friends. 10:41.680 --> 10:44.480 Well, what are you doing here? 10:44.480 --> 10:46.240 Couldn't you find a better place to quarter? 10:46.240 --> 10:48.040 I was told where to come. 10:48.040 --> 10:49.040 Hey, Hubbard. 10:49.040 --> 10:50.040 Wake up. 10:50.040 --> 10:53.040 Here's the one who came aboard during your watch. 10:53.040 --> 10:54.040 What? 10:54.040 --> 10:56.080 What'd you figure you'd be fine? 10:56.080 --> 10:57.080 A week's pay? 10:57.080 --> 10:58.080 Yeah, that's right. 10:58.080 --> 10:59.080 Newcomer, huh? 10:59.080 --> 11:00.080 Yes. 11:00.080 --> 11:01.080 Why'd you come aboard? 11:01.080 --> 11:09.760 Why, uh, I wanted to get away from New York. 11:09.760 --> 11:13.040 Man's gotta have a better reason than that. 11:13.040 --> 11:14.680 You running away from the police? 11:14.680 --> 11:15.680 No. 11:15.680 --> 11:16.680 What then? 11:16.680 --> 11:18.760 Well, it wouldn't interest you. 11:18.760 --> 11:19.760 It's not important. 11:19.760 --> 11:22.360 It's important to me. 11:22.360 --> 11:26.160 And I want you to know how I feel about it. 11:26.160 --> 11:32.960 Are you gonna get up? 11:32.960 --> 11:33.960 No. 11:33.960 --> 11:36.240 I don't want any trouble with you. 11:36.240 --> 11:38.160 You don't want no trouble. 11:38.160 --> 11:40.160 You caused me trouble, haven't you? 11:40.160 --> 11:43.240 I'll be called up in front of the captain because of you. 11:43.240 --> 11:44.240 Well, that's done. 11:44.240 --> 11:47.920 There's no, no way I can change it. 11:47.920 --> 11:52.160 We got three weeks before we make Naples. 11:52.160 --> 11:54.360 Don't pay for it. 11:54.360 --> 12:01.120 I'll see to that. 12:01.120 --> 12:04.840 Through the following days, I knew no peace. 12:04.840 --> 12:07.920 There were four deckhands and the first officer. 12:07.920 --> 12:12.400 And although I had reason to fight because of the way they beat me and used me, I didn't. 12:12.400 --> 12:16.080 I was afraid of my own violence now that I'd killed. 12:16.080 --> 12:17.920 The one named Hubbard, he was the worst. 12:17.920 --> 12:20.080 His eyes were always on me. 12:20.080 --> 12:22.840 Now, I wondered why. 12:22.840 --> 12:25.960 There was a night when I woke to find him bending over my bunk. 12:25.960 --> 12:27.680 He was smiling. 12:27.680 --> 12:37.600 And from that moment on, even in sleep, I felt him watching me. 12:37.600 --> 12:39.320 On another night, I'm on deck. 12:39.320 --> 12:41.400 I'm crossing from the port to St. Albert. 12:41.400 --> 12:46.920 And when I pass under the maniard, a marlin spike falls from aloft and sticks in the planks 12:46.920 --> 12:49.200 beside me, narrowly missing my head. 12:49.200 --> 12:52.600 I look up to see Hubbard smiling down at me from the reggae. 12:52.600 --> 12:56.000 I try to avoid him, but he drops to the deck to face me. 12:56.000 --> 12:57.640 I dropped my spike. 12:57.640 --> 13:00.000 Yes, I know you did. 13:00.000 --> 13:03.080 What are you going to do about it? 13:03.080 --> 13:04.080 Nothing. 13:04.080 --> 13:08.720 You take more than any man I've ever known, Newcomb. 13:08.720 --> 13:10.400 I'm not proud of that. 13:10.400 --> 13:12.120 Well, why do you keep after me? 13:12.120 --> 13:13.720 Why don't you leave me alone? 13:13.720 --> 13:15.720 Because I'm a curious man. 13:15.720 --> 13:19.480 I want to know truly why you're on this ship. 13:19.480 --> 13:24.080 Your story of the captain about trouble with some woman just doesn't set right. 13:24.080 --> 13:26.560 Well, no, that's the truth. 13:26.560 --> 13:27.560 Not all of it. 13:27.560 --> 13:31.200 Why do you say that? 13:31.200 --> 13:48.280 Anybody ever tell you you're talking your sleep? 13:48.280 --> 13:54.040 Auto Light is bringing you Mr. Van Heflin in The Mystery of the Marie Celeste. 13:54.040 --> 14:01.040 Tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 14:01.040 --> 14:10.880 Well, Harlow, this is it. 14:10.880 --> 14:15.360 It sure is, Hap, the Auto Light Resistor Spark Plug, the double life spark plug. 14:15.360 --> 14:20.160 That's the greatest advance in spark plug design for automotive use in the past 25 years. 14:20.160 --> 14:22.920 I didn't mean the resistor spark plug, Harlow. 14:22.920 --> 14:25.560 I meant this is our last meeting till fall. 14:25.560 --> 14:26.560 Too bad. 14:26.560 --> 14:29.560 Too bad, three bad, no matter how many spark plugs are bad. 14:29.560 --> 14:30.920 Get them all replaced. 14:30.920 --> 14:34.240 With a set of sensational Auto Light Resistor Spark Plugs. 14:34.240 --> 14:38.560 The spark plugs that last twice as long and give smoother engine performance and really 14:38.560 --> 14:39.560 quick starts. 14:39.560 --> 14:44.200 And the Auto Light Resistor Spark Plug is only one of a complete line of Auto Light Spark 14:44.200 --> 14:47.040 Plugs, ignition engineered for every use. 14:47.040 --> 14:49.960 Is Operator 25 going on vacation too, Harlow? 14:49.960 --> 14:54.720 No, sir, Hap, she'll be standing by to tell folks the location of their nearest Auto Light 14:54.720 --> 14:56.320 Spark Plug dealer. 14:56.320 --> 15:00.720 Just call Western Union by number and ask for Operator 25. 15:00.720 --> 15:05.920 And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 15:05.920 --> 15:11.880 And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage, Mr. Van Heflin in Elliot Lewis's 15:11.880 --> 15:14.920 production of The Mystery of the Marie Celeste. 15:14.920 --> 15:31.240 A true report, well calculated to keep you in suspense. 15:31.240 --> 15:37.160 I'd never been told that I talked in my sleep until the one named Hubbard said I did. 15:37.160 --> 15:39.800 He may have been lying, but I couldn't chance that. 15:39.800 --> 15:44.560 Therefore, I carefully abstained from regular sleeping habits, allowing myself short naps 15:44.560 --> 15:48.640 only when I knew that Hubbard was at the helm or some other ship's business that he couldn't 15:48.640 --> 15:49.640 leave. 15:49.640 --> 15:55.840 The horror of what I had done became a secret that pressed against my head, wanting escape. 15:55.840 --> 16:06.440 But I held it in, and I took the abuse of the men aboard. 16:06.440 --> 16:11.280 The only kindness and relaxation I find are during the moments when I chance to meet the 16:11.280 --> 16:13.800 captain's wife. 16:13.800 --> 16:16.880 Just watch one night when it's not safe to sleep. 16:16.880 --> 16:20.720 I'm alone taking a cup of tea in the galley when she comes in. 16:20.720 --> 16:21.720 Oh, Mrs. Briggs. 16:21.720 --> 16:22.720 Why, Mr. Newcomb, I've been thinking of you. 16:22.720 --> 16:23.720 I haven't seen you. 16:23.720 --> 16:24.720 You look ill. 16:24.720 --> 16:25.720 Is something wrong? 16:25.720 --> 16:26.720 No, no, nothing, ma'am. 16:26.720 --> 16:27.720 My sleep hasn't been so good. 16:27.720 --> 16:28.720 And your cheek is bruised. 16:28.720 --> 16:29.720 What happened? 16:29.720 --> 16:30.720 Oh, it's nothing serious. 16:30.720 --> 16:31.720 Just some trouble with the other hands. 16:31.720 --> 16:32.720 Have you taken a nap? 16:32.720 --> 16:33.720 I've been thinking about it. 16:33.720 --> 16:34.720 You've been thinking about it? 16:34.720 --> 16:35.720 I've been thinking about it. 16:35.720 --> 16:36.720 I've been thinking about it. 16:36.720 --> 16:37.720 I've been thinking about it. 16:37.720 --> 16:38.720 I've been thinking about it. 16:38.720 --> 16:39.720 I've been thinking about it. 16:39.720 --> 16:40.720 I've been thinking about it. 16:40.720 --> 16:47.260 I've been thinking about it. 16:47.260 --> 17:09.720 I've been thinking about it. 17:09.720 --> 17:13.280 hands for one thing. They're a rough lot I know. 17:13.280 --> 17:15.820 No worse than most men, ma'am. 17:15.820 --> 17:18.820 You're very unhappy, aren't you? 17:18.820 --> 17:24.660 This girl, Grace, I know this is hard for you to understand, 17:24.660 --> 17:29.300 but really, no one girl is worth ruining your life for. 17:29.300 --> 17:31.900 Not even losing sleep over. 17:31.900 --> 17:33.500 Yes, ma'am. 17:33.500 --> 17:36.100 I wish you'd stop calling me ma'am. 17:36.100 --> 17:40.480 Perhaps if you did, you could talk to me about this girl. 17:40.480 --> 17:43.220 I think it'd do you good, don't you? 17:43.220 --> 17:44.580 Well, I don't know. 17:44.580 --> 17:46.380 Tell me about her. 17:46.380 --> 17:49.720 I'm sure she's quite beautiful. 17:49.720 --> 17:51.160 I thought so. 17:51.160 --> 17:52.700 And you plan to be married? 17:52.700 --> 17:54.060 Yes. 17:54.060 --> 17:56.560 But she changed her mind? 17:56.560 --> 17:59.700 She was never sure. 17:59.700 --> 18:01.360 She was ambitious for me. 18:01.360 --> 18:02.360 That's natural. 18:02.360 --> 18:05.740 And I disappointed her like I did my family, my mother. 18:05.740 --> 18:07.500 Everybody. 18:07.500 --> 18:10.280 I'm always thinking that I'm doing my best, 18:10.280 --> 18:12.580 but I always disappoint people. 18:12.580 --> 18:14.940 What did she want you to be, this girl? 18:14.940 --> 18:17.080 A ship's master, like your husband. 18:17.080 --> 18:19.480 We dreamed of the day when she could sail with me, 18:19.480 --> 18:20.980 like you do on this ship. 18:20.980 --> 18:22.760 Well, you mustn't lose faith in yourself. 18:22.760 --> 18:25.420 It took my husband years to get his papers. 18:25.420 --> 18:27.860 There are no years for me anymore. 18:27.860 --> 18:28.860 She wouldn't wait? 18:28.860 --> 18:29.960 No. 18:29.960 --> 18:31.860 No, she wouldn't wait. 18:31.860 --> 18:34.260 You must have waited, but she wouldn't. 18:34.260 --> 18:36.100 Tell me. It'll be good for you. 18:36.100 --> 18:38.340 She promised to wait, but she didn't. 18:38.340 --> 18:40.700 She never understood that it took time. 18:40.700 --> 18:42.400 She was ambitious, and she pushed me 18:42.400 --> 18:45.540 for my officer's papers, and I failed. 18:45.540 --> 18:47.140 My family pushed me, too. 18:47.140 --> 18:50.180 But when I wasn't ready, they made me fail. 18:50.180 --> 18:53.220 And I went away, a six-month trip to South America. 18:53.220 --> 18:56.180 I tried to jump overboard, and they stopped me. 18:56.180 --> 18:58.220 And then I got back and found her married 18:58.220 --> 18:59.920 to a ship's captain. 18:59.920 --> 19:02.320 Her mother was there, laughing at me. 19:02.320 --> 19:05.260 I tried to tell them that I was happy about it. 19:05.260 --> 19:08.560 Then Grace smiled at me, and something happened. 19:08.560 --> 19:09.560 Mr. Newcomb. 19:09.560 --> 19:10.660 I was only going to kill her. 19:10.660 --> 19:12.700 I didn't even know that the others were there. 19:12.700 --> 19:15.540 I hit her, and she went down, and then this man came after me, 19:15.540 --> 19:16.900 and I hit him, too. 19:16.900 --> 19:19.340 When you get mixed up like that, 19:19.340 --> 19:21.240 you don't know what you're doing, 19:21.240 --> 19:23.740 and time means nothing, like everything else. 19:23.740 --> 19:24.740 Mr. Newcomb. 19:24.740 --> 19:25.740 Then her mother. 19:25.740 --> 19:27.140 I don't remember that. 19:27.140 --> 19:29.520 But she's dead, too, and they blame me. 19:29.520 --> 19:31.460 Maybe I did. 19:31.460 --> 19:32.960 Mrs. Briggs, where are you going? 19:32.960 --> 19:33.960 Stay away from me. 19:33.960 --> 19:34.960 No, no, no. 19:34.960 --> 19:35.960 You've been nice to me. 19:35.960 --> 19:38.220 Why did it have to be you that I told everything? 19:38.220 --> 19:40.860 No, no, I like you. 19:40.860 --> 19:41.860 Why did it have to be you? 19:41.860 --> 19:42.860 No, no, no. 19:42.860 --> 19:43.860 No, no, no. 19:43.860 --> 19:45.900 I don't want to kill you. 19:45.900 --> 19:46.900 I never wanted to kill anybody. 19:46.900 --> 19:47.900 Let me go. 19:47.900 --> 19:48.900 No, no, I won't hurt you. 19:48.900 --> 19:49.900 You've been nice to me. 19:49.900 --> 19:50.900 Stay away from me. 19:50.900 --> 19:51.900 No, no, no. 19:51.900 --> 19:52.900 I won't touch you. 19:52.900 --> 19:53.900 But you've got to promise that you won't tell. 19:53.900 --> 19:54.900 I don't know why I said those things. 19:54.900 --> 19:55.900 They're not true. 19:55.900 --> 19:56.900 See, I get mixed up. 19:56.900 --> 19:57.900 I dream of you. 19:57.900 --> 19:58.900 I dream of you. 19:58.900 --> 19:59.900 I dream of you. 19:59.900 --> 20:04.580 See, I get mixed up, I dream things, and then they seem real after I wake up. 20:04.580 --> 20:05.860 That's why I'm such a liar. 20:05.860 --> 20:09.580 I always lie. 20:09.580 --> 20:11.540 There's nothing that I told you was the truth. 20:11.540 --> 20:13.140 Do you believe that? 20:13.140 --> 20:14.140 Yes. 20:14.140 --> 20:17.700 And you won't tell anybody what I said? 20:17.700 --> 20:19.700 I won't tell anyone. 20:19.700 --> 20:20.700 Oh, I'm glad. 20:20.700 --> 20:24.740 Now, come, Mrs. Briggs, and finish your tea. 20:24.740 --> 20:26.980 Come on, we'll talk about something else. 20:26.980 --> 20:29.180 No, I've got to go to my cabin. 20:29.180 --> 20:40.500 Mrs. Bates, don't, don't tell. 20:40.500 --> 20:42.980 I knew she would tell. 20:42.980 --> 20:43.980 So I hid. 20:43.980 --> 20:47.900 I went back to the number two hole where I'd felt safe before. 20:47.900 --> 20:50.020 They found me there. 20:50.020 --> 20:56.500 I don't know how much time passed. 20:56.500 --> 21:00.020 I see their landing as they come closer. 21:00.020 --> 21:02.020 The truth is out. 21:02.020 --> 21:04.500 There's no place for me to go. 21:04.500 --> 21:06.500 So I stand up and wait. 21:06.500 --> 21:11.500 Captain, Captain, I hear him, I think. 21:11.500 --> 21:12.500 Here's Hubbard. 21:12.500 --> 21:13.500 Keep your pistol ready. 21:13.500 --> 21:14.500 You have to be careful. 21:14.500 --> 21:15.500 Yes, sir. 21:15.500 --> 21:16.500 There he is, sir. 21:16.500 --> 21:17.500 Come out of there, Newcomb. 21:17.500 --> 21:18.500 Keep your landing down, Hubbard. 21:18.500 --> 21:19.500 Keep us under the light. 21:19.500 --> 21:20.500 He's dangerous. 21:20.500 --> 21:21.500 No, I won't. 21:21.500 --> 21:22.500 I'm not going to. 21:22.500 --> 21:23.500 I'm not going to. 21:23.500 --> 21:24.500 I'm not going to. 21:24.500 --> 21:25.500 I'm not going to. 21:25.500 --> 21:26.500 I'm not going to. 21:26.500 --> 21:27.500 I'm not going to. 21:27.500 --> 21:28.500 You're the most dangerous person in the world. 21:28.500 --> 21:29.500 I won't. 21:29.500 --> 21:30.500 I won't cause any trouble, sir. 21:30.500 --> 21:31.500 Get him out of there. 21:31.500 --> 21:32.500 I won't cause any... 21:32.500 --> 21:33.500 It's alright, sir. 21:33.500 --> 21:34.500 He's down. 21:34.500 --> 21:46.760 Dirty little scum, lock him up. 21:46.760 --> 21:50.000 I'm not sure how many days passed. 21:50.000 --> 21:53.980 But I found comfort in being locked up because I could sleep without the fear of Hubbard leaning 21:53.980 --> 21:54.980 over me. 21:54.980 --> 21:57.480 for what I might say. 21:57.480 --> 22:00.680 Then there was one night when shouting on deck woke me up. 22:00.680 --> 22:06.680 I couldn't hear the words being in the middle of the ship. 22:06.680 --> 22:11.380 Soon the shouting stopped and there was silence. 22:11.380 --> 22:14.820 It was a new silence that I studied for a long time. 22:14.820 --> 22:16.260 I heard no footsteps on the deck. 22:16.260 --> 22:17.260 I heard no voices. 22:17.260 --> 22:20.440 I heard no creaking timbers. 22:20.440 --> 22:24.780 It was a dead ship. 22:24.780 --> 22:29.680 I wait for the one daily meal that they allow me and no one comes. 22:29.680 --> 22:32.780 And then I shout, let me out! 22:32.780 --> 22:34.780 Let me out of here! 22:34.780 --> 22:40.520 Somebody come and let me out! 22:40.520 --> 22:44.420 If one were insane he'd surely break at a moment like that. 22:44.420 --> 22:48.980 I was locked up and alone on a ship that was held motionless as if gripped by some great 22:48.980 --> 22:49.980 hand. 22:49.980 --> 22:52.420 But I didn't break. 22:52.420 --> 22:57.420 I dismantled my bunk and from the wood fashioned a ram with which I attacked the door. 22:57.420 --> 23:03.460 The task of freeing myself consumed most of the day and such was my concentration that 23:03.460 --> 23:09.020 I didn't realize the exact moment that the ship began moving as if a great hand had released 23:09.020 --> 23:12.740 its grip and set her free. 23:12.740 --> 23:19.740 And I was free. 23:19.740 --> 23:26.100 I come out on deck to find a cloudless sky and empty sea horizons all around as if I'm 23:26.100 --> 23:31.260 alone in the world, the wheels spinning idly with no one to attend it. 23:31.260 --> 23:35.900 I lash it after fitting a new course to the sails she's wearing. 23:35.900 --> 23:38.980 The whole ship is mine. 23:38.980 --> 23:42.340 I am master and crew. 23:42.340 --> 23:49.620 I found peace and well-being as if I've been absolved of any wrongs I ever did. 23:49.620 --> 23:55.620 Because what if not Providence held the ship that night and sent the others to certain 23:55.620 --> 23:58.020 death in the endless sea? 23:58.020 --> 24:04.340 What if not kind Providence decided that I alone would survive? 24:04.340 --> 24:08.800 The meek and the humble shall inherit the earth. 24:08.800 --> 24:12.780 This narrative I swear to be true. 24:12.780 --> 24:20.140 And on the second day of December, the year of our Lord, 1872, I hereby sign it and seal 24:20.140 --> 24:26.140 it in a bottle to be delivered to the ocean's currents in the hope that someday it'll drift 24:26.140 --> 24:45.860 back to the hated world from which I am forever parted. 24:45.860 --> 24:50.860 According to scientific theory, a strange phenomenon takes place now and again off the 24:50.860 --> 24:56.460 coast of Africa near where the Marie Celeste was found, great rivers of sand are swept 24:56.460 --> 24:58.500 out from the coastal deserts. 24:58.500 --> 25:03.620 When certain conditions prevail, this sand is concentrated by the ocean's currents. 25:03.620 --> 25:08.820 Millions of tons are massed until an island is born, lives briefly, and then is swept 25:08.820 --> 25:12.260 away by a shift in the currents that created it. 25:12.260 --> 25:16.580 One such island formed under a small ship during World War II, held it for a number 25:16.580 --> 25:23.340 of hours, then released it, much in the same manner that Sam Newcomb's Providence acted. 25:23.340 --> 25:30.420 A like occurrence could have caused the abandonment of the Marie Celeste, but no one knows. 25:30.420 --> 25:35.940 According to some reports, Sam Newcomb's signed confession did drift ashore many years later. 25:35.940 --> 25:40.260 If that is true, perhaps another of the many mysteries surrounding the Marie Celeste has 25:40.260 --> 25:42.100 been solved. 25:42.100 --> 25:46.900 That mystery was a short length of line that reportedly was found secured to the stern 25:46.900 --> 25:52.140 of the ship, close up under the transom where someone would hide. 25:52.140 --> 25:59.340 Attached to this line was a man's leather belt that had parted in the middle. 25:59.340 --> 26:04.500 Could Sam Newcomb have hidden there when the salvage crew was put aboard to sail the ship 26:04.500 --> 26:06.920 to Gibraltar? 26:06.920 --> 26:12.500 Could he have hung suspended there against the weakening belt until it parted and let 26:12.500 --> 26:38.260 him sink silently into the sea? 26:38.260 --> 26:48.320 This is Harlow Wilcox speaking for Autolite, world's largest independent manufacturer of 26:48.320 --> 26:50.800 automotive electrical equipment. 26:50.800 --> 26:54.280 Autolite is proud to serve the greatest names in the industry. 26:54.280 --> 26:58.980 They are members of the Autolite family, as well as are the 98,000 Autolite distributors 26:58.980 --> 27:04.460 and dealers in the United States and thousands more in Canada and throughout the world. 27:04.460 --> 27:09.200 Our family also includes the nearly 30,000 men and women in 28 great Autolite plants 27:09.200 --> 27:14.840 from coast to coast and Autolite plants in many foreign countries, as well as the 18,000 27:14.840 --> 27:19.080 people who have invested a portion of their savings in Autolite. 27:19.080 --> 27:24.200 Every Autolite product is backed by constant research and precision built to the highest 27:24.200 --> 27:26.880 standards of quality and performance. 27:26.880 --> 27:39.040 So remember from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Autolite. 27:39.040 --> 27:43.060 And now I'd like to bring to the microphone a member of the Autolite family, the producer 27:43.060 --> 27:46.160 director of Suspense, Mr. Elliot Lewis. 27:46.160 --> 27:49.260 Tonight's suspense program is the last for this season. 27:49.260 --> 27:52.280 Suspense on television will continue through the summer. 27:52.280 --> 27:56.560 Starting next week at this same time, CBS Radio will present a new series of true crime 27:56.560 --> 28:01.860 mysteries, crime classics by name, which I heartily recommend to be worth your listening 28:01.860 --> 28:04.720 until Suspense returns in September. 28:04.720 --> 28:08.800 And so until that time, all of us of the Autolite family, thank you for your support and attention 28:08.800 --> 28:10.680 during this last season. 28:10.680 --> 28:18.560 We'll see you in September on Suspense. 28:18.560 --> 28:22.880 Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucian Morrowick 28:22.880 --> 28:27.800 and conducted by Lud Gluskin, the mystery of the Marie Celeste was adapted for Suspense 28:27.800 --> 28:28.800 by Gil Dowd. 28:28.800 --> 28:34.960 Featured in the cast were Joseph Kearns, Jeanette Nolan, Paul Freeze, Dan O'Hurley, Hal Gerard 28:34.960 --> 28:38.840 and William Conrad. 28:38.840 --> 28:44.280 Van Heffelin may currently be seen in Shane, a George Stevens production for Paramount. 28:44.280 --> 28:52.080 You can buy Autolite resistor or standard type spark plugs, Autolite electrical parts 28:52.080 --> 28:55.880 and Autolite stay full batteries at your neighborhood Autolite dealers. 28:55.880 --> 28:57.920 Switch to Autolite. 28:57.920 --> 29:08.720 Have a good summer and good night. 29:08.720 --> 29:25.080 This is the CBS Radio Network.