1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:11,200 Auto Light and its 98,000 dealers bring you Mr. Peter Lawford in tonight's presentation 2 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:19,200 of Suspense. 3 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:24,120 Tonight Auto Light presents part two of the first detective novel ever written, a tale 4 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:30,520 considered by many to be the greatest ever written, Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone, our 5 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:33,520 star Mr. Peter Lawford. 6 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:38,960 Hello, Mr. McStorley. 7 00:00:38,960 --> 00:00:40,760 Have you got your Thanksgiving bird yet? 8 00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:43,240 I got it all right, Harlow, but not for Thanksgiving. 9 00:00:43,240 --> 00:00:44,240 What do you mean? 10 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:48,160 Well, I got the bird for my wife because my car battery is a turkey. 11 00:00:48,160 --> 00:00:52,280 I forget to fill it with water and it's cold as a cranberry bog in December. 12 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:56,440 Well, you should have an Auto Light Stay Full battery, Mr. McStorley. 13 00:00:56,440 --> 00:01:00,160 That's the famous battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. 14 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:03,280 Ah, yes, the battery would long and have a light. 15 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:04,280 Right. 16 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:07,800 Fiberglass retaining mats protect the power of every positive plate to reduce shedding 17 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:12,640 and flaking and give that Auto Light Stay Full longer life as proved by tests conducted 18 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:15,080 according to accepted life cycle standard. 19 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:20,000 So, friends, to quickly locate your Auto Light battery dealer whose service is all makes 20 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:24,680 of batteries, just call Western Union by number and ask for operator 25. 21 00:01:24,680 --> 00:01:28,880 I'll tell you the location of your nearest Auto Light battery dealer where you can get 22 00:01:28,880 --> 00:01:33,640 an Auto Light Stay Full, the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal 23 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:34,640 car use. 24 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:39,880 And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 25 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:45,760 And now, Auto Light presents the concluding portion of Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone, 26 00:01:45,760 --> 00:02:05,120 starring Mr. Peter Lawford, hoping once again to keep you in suspense. 27 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:08,440 Tell me, Mr. Blake, the diamond had belonged to your uncle? 28 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:10,520 Yes, Sergeant Cuff. 29 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:13,800 His will stated that I was to give it to his niece, Rachel, on her birthday. 30 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:16,240 And you say this Moonstone had a curse on it? 31 00:02:16,240 --> 00:02:22,920 It has been said, yes, because it's believed he took it from an idol, an Indian moon god. 32 00:02:22,920 --> 00:02:27,440 And those Indian jugglers you saw at the jail, you believe they stole it? 33 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:28,440 Yes. 34 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:32,120 They were in the garden outside the house when the diamond was given to Rachel. 35 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:35,000 But I've shown you our prison records, Mr. Blake. 36 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:36,560 The Indians couldn't have stolen it. 37 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:38,800 They were behind bars all last night. 38 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:40,840 Who else was at the party? 39 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:41,840 Let's see. 40 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:48,360 Rachel, her mother, Lady Julia Verinder, our cousin, Godfrey Abelwhite, Dr. Candy, their 41 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:49,360 family physician. 42 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:52,000 And the servants, what of them? 43 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:54,360 Betridge and a new housemaid. 44 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:56,200 Her name, I believe, is Rosanna. 45 00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:58,920 All right, Mr. Blake, we'll look into it. 46 00:02:58,920 --> 00:03:02,880 Ah, there's the house. 47 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:10,440 As soon as we entered the house, Sergeant Cuff went into Rachel's sitting room, hardly 48 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:14,400 bothering with the cabinet from where the moonstone had been stolen. 49 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:17,760 His eyes seemed to be much more taken with the door Rachel had painted and decorated 50 00:03:17,760 --> 00:03:20,240 with cupids the afternoon of her birthday. 51 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:23,400 Hmm, that's quite good work. 52 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:26,000 There's a smudge on one of the cupids. 53 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:27,000 Pity. 54 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:29,000 Anyone know how it happened? 55 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:31,000 Mr. Betridge? 56 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:34,400 One of the maids petticoats with all the commotion this morning. 57 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:35,400 Pity. 58 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:37,120 Paint dry now. 59 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:39,640 Does anyone know which petticoat did it? 60 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:41,600 I don't think any of them, Sergeant. 61 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:44,520 That part of the door was the last to be painted. 62 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:45,760 Couldn't have happened this morning. 63 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:47,680 You're quite sure, Mr. Blake? 64 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:50,560 I watched her finish it about four yesterday afternoon. 65 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:56,600 It would have dried in about ten hours, about two in the morning then. 66 00:03:56,600 --> 00:04:00,160 You may have put something valuable in our hands, Mr. Blake. 67 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:04,600 The smeared petticoat or whatever will bring us to the truth. 68 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:06,120 You think it was worn by the thief? 69 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:09,080 I think it was worn by someone. 70 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:13,520 There's no evidence of thievery as yet, only that the diamond is missing. 71 00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:22,960 Mr. Betridge, would you tell Lady Verinded I'd like ten minutes of her time, please? 72 00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:29,400 Repost, Sergeant. 73 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:31,640 All my servants have been with me for years. 74 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:35,080 If I allow you to search their clothes, it means I suspect them. 75 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:36,960 They're as honest as you are. 76 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:39,040 I'm sure they are, Your Ladyship. 77 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:42,120 It's only a question of their help, the women especially. 78 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:47,760 Now, if they knew I was going to inspect the wardrobes of everyone from your ladyship downwards... 79 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:50,680 Your servant, is this necessary? 80 00:04:50,680 --> 00:04:55,560 Before we can make another step, I've also asked Mr. Betridge to get me the washing book, 81 00:04:55,560 --> 00:05:00,280 to account for all the linen in case the article was sent to the washer and destroyed, and 82 00:05:00,280 --> 00:05:02,720 to ask your daughter for her wardrobe keys. 83 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:04,320 Where will you start? 84 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:07,320 With Mr. Blake here, if he'll consent. 85 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:08,320 Of course. 86 00:05:08,320 --> 00:05:09,320 Don't forget me, Sergeant. 87 00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:10,320 I'm in the next room. 88 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:13,800 Then we'll do you next, Mr. Abelwhite. 89 00:05:13,800 --> 00:05:15,840 And when you finish, may I leave for London? 90 00:05:15,840 --> 00:05:17,320 Oh, it's a mere formality. 91 00:05:17,320 --> 00:05:18,320 You'll all be free to go. 92 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:20,000 Here's the wash book, Sergeant. 93 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:22,360 Ah, thank you, Mr. Betridge. 94 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:23,360 And Miss Verinded's keys. 95 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:26,920 And my young lady refuses to have her wardrobe examined. 96 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:27,920 Ah-ha. 97 00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:29,400 Betridge, was it explained to her? 98 00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:30,400 Yes, sir. 99 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:32,720 She started to cry and said, I won't because I won't. 100 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:35,880 Well, you may return the wash book, Mr. Betridge. 101 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:38,120 Mr. Abelwhite, you may leave at any time. 102 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:39,120 Thank you, Sergeant. 103 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:41,600 That'll be all, Mr. Betridge. 104 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:43,400 Then you aren't going to serve? 105 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:45,360 All or none, sir. 106 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:46,360 Why should Rachel? 107 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:47,360 I don't understand. 108 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:52,260 Pardon my being personal, Mr. Blake. 109 00:05:52,260 --> 00:05:55,160 Would it be wrong to say you're in love with Miss Verinded? 110 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:57,560 No, it wouldn't be wrong. 111 00:05:57,560 --> 00:05:59,560 Love blinds to a great extent. 112 00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:00,560 Look here, are you implying that... 113 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:01,560 Oh, just a moment. 114 00:06:01,560 --> 00:06:02,560 Out there, in your... 115 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:03,560 Out there! 116 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:04,560 Won't you come in? 117 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:05,560 Rosanna? 118 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:10,640 Excuse me, I was looking for Mr. Betridge. 119 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:12,320 I was told he was here. 120 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:14,320 He just left, my girl. 121 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:15,320 Thank you. 122 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:16,320 Excuse me. 123 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:17,320 Rosanna? 124 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:18,320 Rosanna is the monastic. 125 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:19,320 You know her? 126 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:26,680 I've seen her once before, Mr. Blake, about five years ago. 127 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:28,680 In prison for theft. 128 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:29,680 In prison? 129 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:31,360 Well, that's the answer. 130 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:33,160 Well, it's not the old answer, Mr. Blake. 131 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:36,520 Well, you promised to hold your temper. 132 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:38,440 If I see sense in what you say. 133 00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:39,440 All right. 134 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:44,800 Tell me, why does Miss Verinded refuse to cooperate to have her wardrobe examined? 135 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:45,800 Because she... 136 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:46,800 Because... 137 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:47,800 Exactly. 138 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:51,600 Because she knows more about the diamond than she's willing to tell. 139 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:55,600 Couple that with Rosanna Spearman, who was a thief, who knows how to raise money and 140 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:57,280 pledge a value without question. 141 00:06:57,280 --> 00:06:58,920 Now, that is preposterous. 142 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:00,200 Why should Rachel need money? 143 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:04,640 Well, for reasons she doesn't want to disclose, something that would force her to go to great 144 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:05,640 length. 145 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:08,680 Scandal, if you'll pardon the word, sir. 146 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:10,840 This is the detective's mind, isn't it? 147 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:15,360 Suppose Miss Verinded were to suddenly decide to leave this house, refuse point blank to 148 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:16,960 help, as I think she will. 149 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:18,680 I'm sorry, Sergeant. 150 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:19,680 You don't know her. 151 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:21,680 Ah, it's a dirty little world, Mr. Blake. 152 00:07:21,680 --> 00:07:24,160 And I've had a deal of experience. 153 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:26,200 I'll be the first to admit it if I'm wrong. 154 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:35,240 But I don't think I am. 155 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:40,320 The night came on and a heavy muffle mood of suspicion settled over the house. 156 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:43,240 Rachel stayed locked in her rooms and would speak to no one. 157 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:45,560 The Sergeant was wrong about her. 158 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:46,880 He had to be. 159 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:52,120 But I couldn't push the torture of his logic from my mind. 160 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:56,560 I was afraid, deeply afraid of the coming day. 161 00:07:56,560 --> 00:08:01,560 The first news that terrible morning was that Rachel was going to leave the house. 162 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:05,080 The Colonel's vengeance was working in ways he never dreamed. 163 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:11,200 Miss Verinded, I'd like to say once more that your leaving is a great obstacle to the recovery 164 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:12,560 of your diamond. 165 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:15,280 Now, knowing that, you still intend to leave? 166 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:16,280 I do. 167 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:19,760 Rachel, please, Rachel, you can't. 168 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:21,760 I have nothing to say to you, Mr. Blake. 169 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:22,760 Drive on. 170 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:35,520 I stood there helplessly watching it go. 171 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:40,080 There was nothing left but the truth of Sergeant Cupp's words. 172 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:42,360 A scandal. 173 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:45,600 Some terrible secret she dare not tell. 174 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:49,040 I had to find out if I was going to help. 175 00:08:49,040 --> 00:08:55,360 Rosanna, if she had helped Rachel plot the theft, she would also know her secret. 176 00:08:55,360 --> 00:08:58,760 I went to the servant's hall only to find Betridge and Sergeant Cupp ahead of me. 177 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:02,320 One of the gardeners said he saw her running toward the beach walk. 178 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:05,560 Then there's a hiding place down there, if I'm not mistaken. 179 00:09:05,560 --> 00:09:06,560 Hiding place? 180 00:09:06,560 --> 00:09:07,560 It's almost all quicksand. 181 00:09:07,560 --> 00:09:10,000 The jewel had to be kept somewhere. 182 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:13,560 Possibly the stained article of clothing, too. 183 00:09:13,560 --> 00:09:17,520 Miss Verinded's accomplice recovers the diamond to take to her later. 184 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:19,280 Aye, we'd better hurry. 185 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:25,000 Will you join me, Mr. Blake? 186 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:26,960 We raced down the walk to the beach. 187 00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:29,440 Rosanna was nowhere in sight. 188 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:30,440 Only her footprints. 189 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:33,880 They led us finally to the very edge of the quicksand. 190 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:36,280 Look as we might, there were no footprints returning. 191 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:41,040 At almost the same moment, the terrible meaning dawned on us both. 192 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:44,040 Did she know there was quicksand? 193 00:09:44,040 --> 00:09:47,240 Yes, Sergeant, she knew. 194 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:51,160 The first time I saw her was here. 195 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:53,800 She walked into that muck, deliberately. 196 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:57,920 Ah, Rosanna wasn't the kind to scare, Mr. Blake. 197 00:09:57,920 --> 00:10:08,800 She must have had her own good reason. 198 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:13,280 Back at the house, the news of Rosanna's death deepened the unhappy pall. 199 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:19,600 That afternoon, Sergeant Cuff was dismissed from any further investigation, and Lady Julia 200 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:23,560 left for London to join Rachel. 201 00:10:23,560 --> 00:10:29,960 Later I left the house myself, feeling terribly depressed and useless. 202 00:10:29,960 --> 00:10:33,360 I would have given my life to help Rachel. 203 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:36,640 There was no avenue left open. 204 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:41,280 I took ship for the continent the next morning, hoping that time and distance would let me 205 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:44,120 forget. 206 00:10:44,120 --> 00:11:03,240 Almost a year was to pass before I returned. 207 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:08,240 Auto Light is bringing you Mr. Peter Lawford in Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone. 208 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:14,640 Tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 209 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:29,200 Well, Harlow, now I can eat turkey instead of crow on a turkey. 210 00:11:29,200 --> 00:11:32,160 Got yourself an Auto Light staple battery, eh, Mr. McSorley? 211 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:33,480 That I did, Harlow. 212 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:36,560 Then you've got the battery that stays right on the case. 213 00:11:36,560 --> 00:11:39,520 Needs water only three times a year in normal car use. 214 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:42,520 Why that Auto Light staple just snaps my engine to life, Harlow. 215 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:47,960 Yes, sir, Mr. Mac, a fast dependable start every time and for a long time. 216 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:52,280 Thanks to those fiberglass retaining mats, they surround every positive plate to reduce 217 00:11:52,280 --> 00:11:57,840 shedding and flaking, and give the Auto Light staple longer life, as proved by tests conducted 218 00:11:57,840 --> 00:12:00,320 according to accepted life cycle standards. 219 00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:06,400 So, friends, see your Auto Light battery dealer for the best in battery service and the famous 220 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:11,280 Auto Light staple, the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car 221 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:12,280 use. 222 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:17,040 To quickly locate your nearest Auto Light battery dealer, phone Western Union by number 223 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:18,640 and ask for operator 25. 224 00:12:18,640 --> 00:12:22,520 That's right, call the Western Union operator 25. 225 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:27,560 And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 226 00:12:27,560 --> 00:12:34,160 And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood sound stage Mr. Peter Lawford in Elliot Lewis's 227 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:41,240 production of the concluding act of Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone, a tale well calculated 228 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:55,840 to keep you in suspense. 229 00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:59,360 I returned to London in June, 1849. 230 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:02,840 I was informed of all that had happened in the year that I'd been away by the family 231 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:06,120 lawyer, Mr. Brough. 232 00:13:06,120 --> 00:13:10,800 Rachel's mother had died some months ago, and Rachel had been engaged to marry Godfrey 233 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:11,800 Abelwhite. 234 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:15,040 He broke off, of course, right after Lady Verinda died. 235 00:13:15,040 --> 00:13:19,400 Seems he was only interested in Rachel's money. 236 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:21,160 Where is Rachel, Mr. Brough? 237 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:25,400 Here in London, living with the guardian appointed by her mother. 238 00:13:25,400 --> 00:13:27,840 Has she ever spoken of me? 239 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:34,320 Not once, to my knowledge, as for the Moonstone, we've all respected her silence on that. 240 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:36,360 Why does she resent me, Mr. Brough? 241 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:41,440 I think it was your attempt to help in an affair she once kept secret, whatever her 242 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:42,440 reason. 243 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:47,080 I just can't believe that Rachel stole her own diamond. 244 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:48,800 I'm going to find out who did. 245 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:53,880 I won't presume to stop you, but how will you go about it? 246 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:56,800 I'll start where it all took place. 247 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:00,440 The house in Yorkshire. 248 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:11,560 By the Lord, Harry, Mr. Franklin, it's good to see you. 249 00:14:11,560 --> 00:14:13,800 It hasn't been very happy here since you... 250 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:15,240 I know, Betridge. 251 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:16,240 That's why I'm back. 252 00:14:16,240 --> 00:14:17,240 The Moonstone, sir? 253 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:21,600 Don't you think you should leave a sleeping dog later? 254 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:23,280 Suppose you find Miss Rachel had... 255 00:14:23,280 --> 00:14:24,920 It won't make me stop loving her. 256 00:14:24,920 --> 00:14:27,000 That's all I wanted to know, sir. 257 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:28,540 So I don't see how am I helping. 258 00:14:28,540 --> 00:14:29,540 You can be wrong. 259 00:14:29,540 --> 00:14:33,120 Do you remember that poor girl of ours, Rosanna Spearman? 260 00:14:33,120 --> 00:14:34,120 Of course. 261 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:35,800 How could I forget? 262 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:39,040 You left a coat here, sir, and I found a letter in one of the pockets. 263 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:41,640 The rest are you, from Rosanna. 264 00:14:41,640 --> 00:14:44,640 Here it is. 265 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:50,400 Sir, please follow the enclosed instructions. 266 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:53,480 Do it when you're not observed. 267 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:57,360 Go to the shivering sand at the turn of the tide. 268 00:14:57,360 --> 00:14:59,480 There's a rock ledge covered with seaweed. 269 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:05,080 And attached to the rock is a chain which drops into the quicksand. 270 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:12,400 Pull up the chain. 271 00:15:12,400 --> 00:15:13,400 There's the ugly place. 272 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:15,720 The tide's almost out. 273 00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:16,720 There's only one rock ledge. 274 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:17,720 You go ahead, sir. 275 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:18,720 The note said do it alone. 276 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:19,720 That's her grave, too. 277 00:15:19,720 --> 00:15:20,720 I'd like to hear it. 278 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:25,720 I went under the rock ledge. 279 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:33,240 The last surge of the sea fell away, and I walked out gingerly on the edge of the quicksand. 280 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:37,120 Getting down on all fours, I fell under the glistening seaweed. 281 00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:40,960 After a moment, my hand touched the rusty links of the chain. 282 00:15:40,960 --> 00:15:41,960 Came up easily. 283 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:46,200 Attached to the end was a rusted metal box. 284 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:47,200 I forced it open. 285 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:53,480 It was filled with a white cloth on top of which was another letter bearing my name. 286 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:57,120 I carried it all to the dry beach and unrolled the cloth. 287 00:15:57,120 --> 00:16:00,440 It was a night shirt. 288 00:16:00,440 --> 00:16:03,800 On its sleeve was a smear of paint from Rachel's sitting room. 289 00:16:03,800 --> 00:16:08,200 And I recalled the words of Sergeant Cuff. 290 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:13,280 Find the smeared article of clothing, and you will know who took the diamond. 291 00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:16,280 I looked to see if it was marked with the owner's name. 292 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:19,320 Seeing the mark, I read Franklin Blake. 293 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:20,320 My own name. 294 00:16:20,320 --> 00:16:22,240 I looked again. 295 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:23,240 My own name. 296 00:16:23,240 --> 00:16:29,840 Plainly marked with my own name. 297 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:33,800 The next thing I remember was being back in Betridge's room with a drink of whiskey in 298 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:34,800 my hand. 299 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:36,000 One thing for sure. 300 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:37,520 That nightgown's a liar. 301 00:16:37,520 --> 00:16:39,320 A pure liar. 302 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:41,640 My nightgown, Betridge. 303 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:43,960 I couldn't have taken the diamond, but it's my nightgown. 304 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:44,960 Then it's foul play. 305 00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:47,800 That's how I read it. 306 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:50,760 What about Rosanna's letter, sir? 307 00:16:50,760 --> 00:16:52,400 Yes. 308 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:56,320 Sir, I have a confession. 309 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:59,320 A confession of my own misery in three words. 310 00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:00,320 I love you. 311 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:01,320 Me? 312 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:02,320 What does she mean? 313 00:17:02,320 --> 00:17:05,320 That's what the servants believe, sir. 314 00:17:05,320 --> 00:17:10,440 They used to see her mooning at you, puttering around your room every chance she could. 315 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:11,440 Yes, I remember. 316 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:14,280 But it never entered my mind. 317 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:17,160 What more does she say? 318 00:17:17,160 --> 00:17:19,640 I will be dead and gone. 319 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:24,880 The morning the moonstone was stolen, I went to do my work in your room. 320 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:29,600 Your nightgown lay across your bed, and I saw the stain of paint. 321 00:17:29,600 --> 00:17:32,440 I hate Miss Rachel because you love her. 322 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:36,440 It was hard to believe you had stolen her diamond. 323 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:40,280 I had once been a thief and been in prison for it. 324 00:17:40,280 --> 00:17:43,600 The nightgown is my only bond with you. 325 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:49,080 I could have helped you, but I dared not speak outright, fearing your anger that I knew your 326 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:50,080 secret. 327 00:17:50,080 --> 00:17:52,880 Miss Rachel has left. 328 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:55,320 You will soon be leaving, too. 329 00:17:55,320 --> 00:18:01,560 I know there is no chance you're ever returning my love, but I will keep your secret. 330 00:18:01,560 --> 00:18:06,920 I go now to the shivering sands which have always drawn me. 331 00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:07,920 Remember me kindly. 332 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:08,920 Rosanna's Sins. 333 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:20,440 I was at a complete loss. 334 00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:24,240 My search for the thief had led directly to myself. 335 00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:28,360 So now Rachel's attitude was no longer a mystery. 336 00:18:28,360 --> 00:18:32,560 She had left because she believed I had stolen the diamond. 337 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:34,880 I went back to London and told Mr. Brough everything. 338 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:38,800 I suggest you do something for me, Mr. Blake. 339 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:44,160 Rosanna, I received a letter this morning from Dr. Kendi. 340 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:47,560 He was at the birthday party the night the diamond was stolen, if you remember. 341 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:52,080 Driving home from the party that night, he nearly caught his death in the rain. 342 00:18:52,080 --> 00:18:53,080 He's been ill ever since. 343 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:58,360 His letter suggests he has something of great importance to discuss with you. 344 00:18:58,360 --> 00:19:03,280 Will you please go see him? 345 00:19:03,280 --> 00:19:11,080 Good of you to come out of your way to see me, Mr. Blake. 346 00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:12,080 Thank you, Doctor. 347 00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:13,080 You're looking well. 348 00:19:13,080 --> 00:19:15,440 I'd like to apologize to you, Mr. Blake. 349 00:19:15,440 --> 00:19:16,440 Apologize, sir? 350 00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:20,920 The night of Miss Verinda's party, you and I sat next to each other. 351 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:24,000 There was some joking about the diamond, you recall? 352 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:25,600 Not distinctly, no, sir. 353 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:26,600 Just something unpleasant. 354 00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:33,080 I told you I suspected you hadn't been sleeping well and to let me give you a course in medicine. 355 00:19:33,080 --> 00:19:35,240 I don't think I had been sleeping well. 356 00:19:35,240 --> 00:19:38,800 I decided to prove my medicine to you. 357 00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:42,360 If I could give you a good night's sleep without you knowing it... 358 00:19:42,360 --> 00:19:43,360 What? 359 00:19:43,360 --> 00:19:46,920 I was going to come back the next day and ask you how you slept. 360 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:50,920 You would have said, fine, and without medicine. 361 00:19:50,920 --> 00:19:55,360 And I was going to say, ah, but you did have medicine, sir. 362 00:19:55,360 --> 00:19:58,560 Dr. Kendi, did you give me something that night? 363 00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:03,520 It was a dose of laudanum, part of the opium family, in your nightcap. 364 00:20:03,520 --> 00:20:06,600 I hope you'll accept my apology. 365 00:20:06,600 --> 00:20:10,240 Mr. Blake? 366 00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:14,400 If I took the diamond, what did I do with it? 367 00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:19,000 I feel I owe you all the help I can give. 368 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:20,680 Are you willing to try an experiment? 369 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:22,440 I'd do anything, Doctor. 370 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:29,560 Just a chance that under the right conditions, taking a similar dose of laudanum, you might 371 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:32,920 repeat exactly what you did the night of the birthday. 372 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:37,520 You might very well have hidden the diamond somewhere in the house. 373 00:20:37,520 --> 00:20:41,240 With witnesses to watch, it would prove you're innocent. 374 00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:43,920 Yes, but it would have to be done at the Verenda house. 375 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:48,600 Well, I'll write to Miss Rachel with your permission, telling her everything. 376 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:54,400 I'm sure she wants your innocence proved as much as you yourself. 377 00:20:54,400 --> 00:21:03,920 It was a very nervous time for me, waiting for Rachel's answer. 378 00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:08,840 With great relief, a letter came saying she accepted Dr. Kendi's explanation. 379 00:21:08,840 --> 00:21:14,000 The house was at our disposal, and she wished us all success for the experiment. 380 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:17,720 I wrote Mr. Brough, asking him to be one of the witnesses. 381 00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:21,360 Then Dr. Kendi and I left for the Verenda house. 382 00:21:21,360 --> 00:21:26,360 Ready, Mr. Blake? 383 00:21:26,360 --> 00:21:29,120 Of course, Doctor. 384 00:21:29,120 --> 00:21:30,120 Get on with it. 385 00:21:30,120 --> 00:21:31,920 You want my opinion, the whole thing is unbound. 386 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:35,040 All right, Mr. Brough, we have your opinion. 387 00:21:35,040 --> 00:21:42,480 Forty minims laudanum in week brandy and soda. 388 00:21:42,480 --> 00:21:43,840 You're witnessing, Mr. Brough? 389 00:21:43,840 --> 00:21:44,840 I'm witnessing. 390 00:21:44,840 --> 00:21:45,840 Yeah. 391 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:46,840 Yeah. 392 00:21:46,840 --> 00:21:47,840 Drink it, Mr. Blake. 393 00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:48,840 A waste of time. 394 00:21:48,840 --> 00:21:49,840 No, Mr. Blake, you may retire to your bed. 395 00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:50,840 How long before this is supposed to work? 396 00:21:50,840 --> 00:21:51,840 No, not before midnight. 397 00:21:51,840 --> 00:21:52,840 Look, it's moving. 398 00:21:52,840 --> 00:21:53,840 Moonshine. 399 00:21:53,840 --> 00:22:16,840 Indian devils. 400 00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:24,600 Kill Rachel. 401 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:29,280 It's getting up. 402 00:22:29,280 --> 00:22:32,280 In that cabinet. 403 00:22:32,280 --> 00:22:33,280 Lock on it. 404 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:34,280 They'll take it. 405 00:22:34,280 --> 00:22:37,280 It's going out of the room. 406 00:22:37,280 --> 00:22:38,280 Take off your boots. 407 00:22:38,280 --> 00:22:39,280 Come on. 408 00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:47,880 Went right to the cabinet. 409 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:48,880 Amazing. 410 00:22:48,880 --> 00:22:54,640 There's a piece of crystal to simulate the diamond in the drawer. 411 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:58,040 There, there, he's found it. 412 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:02,200 It doesn't look like he knows what to do. 413 00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:03,200 He dropped it. 414 00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:05,080 Going over to that sofa. 415 00:23:05,080 --> 00:23:08,240 He couldn't have done that before. 416 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:10,640 The sedative effect is coming on. 417 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:14,760 He slumped on the couch. 418 00:23:14,760 --> 00:23:15,760 It's all over. 419 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:25,080 Let him sleep there. 420 00:23:25,080 --> 00:23:29,400 When I awoke the next morning, they told me what I had done. 421 00:23:29,400 --> 00:23:34,720 I proved only that Dr. Candy's joke at cause was caused by my unconscious behavior. 422 00:23:34,720 --> 00:23:40,920 But now, and what had happened afterwards was still a mystery. 423 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:45,640 We had come to another blank wall. 424 00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:52,360 It was a month later. 425 00:23:52,360 --> 00:23:54,560 An item in the newspaper caught my eye. 426 00:23:54,560 --> 00:23:58,960 Some East Indian jugglers had been in a fight in a tavern in one of the lowest parts of 427 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:00,640 London. 428 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:02,160 One of them had been stabbed. 429 00:24:02,160 --> 00:24:04,560 The others had escaped. 430 00:24:04,560 --> 00:24:08,760 Just at the same moment, I received an urgent message from Mr. Brough to meet him at the 431 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:12,080 wheel of fortune, the tavern mentioned in the news dispatch. 432 00:24:12,080 --> 00:24:14,920 Up these stairs, Mr. Blake, quickly. 433 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:15,920 What is it, Mr. Brough? 434 00:24:15,920 --> 00:24:16,920 In this room here. 435 00:24:16,920 --> 00:24:17,920 Good Lord. 436 00:24:17,920 --> 00:24:25,960 It's almost dawnfall, poor big guy. 437 00:24:25,960 --> 00:24:29,680 On the bed lay a man dressed in sailor clothes. 438 00:24:29,680 --> 00:24:34,080 On the floor next to him was a small wooden box, open and empty. 439 00:24:34,080 --> 00:24:37,360 The box that had held the moonstone. 440 00:24:37,360 --> 00:24:39,400 I looked down at the man's face. 441 00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:43,440 There was a brown mark beneath on the bedsheet. 442 00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:47,280 I saw that his dark skin was only stained. 443 00:24:47,280 --> 00:24:49,800 I looked hard. 444 00:24:49,800 --> 00:24:56,520 Beneath the stain and the heavy growth of beard was the face of Godfrey Abelwhite. 445 00:24:56,520 --> 00:24:59,360 Hello, Cotton. 446 00:24:59,360 --> 00:25:00,800 Godfrey. 447 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:02,800 Surprised, Cotton. 448 00:25:02,800 --> 00:25:07,200 Godfrey, you took the diamond. 449 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:09,200 Oh, good joke. 450 00:25:09,200 --> 00:25:12,040 Saw you come out of Rachel's sitting room. 451 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:13,040 You dropped it. 452 00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:16,760 I picked it up. 453 00:25:16,760 --> 00:25:17,760 And you kept it. 454 00:25:17,760 --> 00:25:19,760 I like money. 455 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:21,760 Better reason. 456 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:26,160 Those Indians have been after me for a year. 457 00:25:26,160 --> 00:25:28,160 Thought I could fool them. 458 00:25:28,160 --> 00:25:31,160 Didn't, did I? 459 00:25:31,160 --> 00:25:36,880 Moonstone, that's an eating jewel. 460 00:25:36,880 --> 00:25:38,880 Exquisite. 461 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:41,880 Almost worth your life. 462 00:25:41,880 --> 00:26:06,000 It was some months later that a small news item appeared on an inner page of the Times. 463 00:26:06,000 --> 00:26:11,360 It stated that the worshippers of an ancient forehanded moon god were rejoicing over the 464 00:26:11,360 --> 00:26:18,480 return of a fabulous yellow diamond to a recess in their idol's foyer. 465 00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:20,760 It was a small item. 466 00:26:20,760 --> 00:26:43,480 I doubt if many people read it. 467 00:26:43,480 --> 00:26:45,200 Suspense. 468 00:26:45,200 --> 00:26:46,200 Presented by Auto Light. 469 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:49,960 Tonight's star, Mr. Peter Lawford. 470 00:26:49,960 --> 00:26:54,920 This is Harlow Wilcox speaking for Auto Light, the world's largest independent manufacturer 471 00:26:54,920 --> 00:26:57,680 of automotive electrical equipment. 472 00:26:57,680 --> 00:27:03,520 In 28 plants from coast to coast, Auto Light makes over 400 products for cars, trucks, 473 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:06,600 tractors, planes, boats, and industry. 474 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:12,240 These products include dial indicating and recording thermometers, bumpers, die castings, 475 00:27:12,240 --> 00:27:16,600 and batteries such as the famous Auto Light Stay Full, ignition engineered Auto Light 476 00:27:16,600 --> 00:27:22,560 spark plugs, both standard and resistor types, voltage regulators, wire and battery cable, 477 00:27:22,560 --> 00:27:27,880 Auto Light bullseye sealed beam units, and Auto Light original service parts for all 478 00:27:27,880 --> 00:27:30,360 Auto Light electrical systems. 479 00:27:30,360 --> 00:27:34,680 Auto Light is proud to serve the greatest names in the industry. 480 00:27:34,680 --> 00:27:48,160 So from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 481 00:27:48,160 --> 00:27:52,760 Next week, it will be our pleasure to present the first radio adaptation of one of the most 482 00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:55,680 amazing human documents ever written. 483 00:27:55,680 --> 00:28:01,500 The personal diary of Emily Wooldridge called The Wreck of the Maid of Athens. 484 00:28:01,500 --> 00:28:05,880 Our star, the first lady of suspense, Miss Agnes Moorhead. 485 00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:18,600 That's next week on Suspense. 486 00:28:18,600 --> 00:28:23,400 Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucian Morawick 487 00:28:23,400 --> 00:28:25,880 and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. 488 00:28:25,880 --> 00:28:31,560 Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone was adapted for Suspense by Richard Chandley. 489 00:28:31,560 --> 00:28:36,720 Featured in tonight's cast were Betty Hofford, Ellen Morgan, Norma Varden, William Johnstone, 490 00:28:36,720 --> 00:28:41,920 Ben Wright, Herb Butterfield, Eric Snowden, and Alastair Duncan. 491 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:46,080 Peter Lawford will soon be seen co-starring in the Columbia picture, It Should Happen 492 00:28:46,080 --> 00:28:47,600 to You. 493 00:28:47,600 --> 00:29:10,240 And remember, next week, Miss Agnes Moorhead in The Wreck of the Maid of Athens. 494 00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:32,000 This is the CBS Radio Network.