WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:11.200 Auto Light and its 98,000 dealers bring you Mr. Peter Lawford in tonight's presentation 00:11.200 --> 00:19.200 of Suspense. 00:19.200 --> 00:24.120 Tonight Auto Light presents part two of the first detective novel ever written, a tale 00:24.120 --> 00:30.520 considered by many to be the greatest ever written, Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone, our 00:30.520 --> 00:33.520 star Mr. Peter Lawford. 00:33.520 --> 00:38.960 Hello, Mr. McStorley. 00:38.960 --> 00:40.760 Have you got your Thanksgiving bird yet? 00:40.760 --> 00:43.240 I got it all right, Harlow, but not for Thanksgiving. 00:43.240 --> 00:44.240 What do you mean? 00:44.240 --> 00:48.160 Well, I got the bird for my wife because my car battery is a turkey. 00:48.160 --> 00:52.280 I forget to fill it with water and it's cold as a cranberry bog in December. 00:52.280 --> 00:56.440 Well, you should have an Auto Light Stay Full battery, Mr. McStorley. 00:56.440 --> 01:00.160 That's the famous battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. 01:00.160 --> 01:03.280 Ah, yes, the battery would long and have a light. 01:03.280 --> 01:04.280 Right. 01:04.280 --> 01:07.800 Fiberglass retaining mats protect the power of every positive plate to reduce shedding 01:07.800 --> 01:12.640 and flaking and give that Auto Light Stay Full longer life as proved by tests conducted 01:12.640 --> 01:15.080 according to accepted life cycle standard. 01:15.080 --> 01:20.000 So, friends, to quickly locate your Auto Light battery dealer whose service is all makes 01:20.000 --> 01:24.680 of batteries, just call Western Union by number and ask for operator 25. 01:24.680 --> 01:28.880 I'll tell you the location of your nearest Auto Light battery dealer where you can get 01:28.880 --> 01:33.640 an Auto Light Stay Full, the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal 01:33.640 --> 01:34.640 car use. 01:34.640 --> 01:39.880 And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 01:39.880 --> 01:45.760 And now, Auto Light presents the concluding portion of Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone, 01:45.760 --> 02:05.120 starring Mr. Peter Lawford, hoping once again to keep you in suspense. 02:05.120 --> 02:08.440 Tell me, Mr. Blake, the diamond had belonged to your uncle? 02:08.440 --> 02:10.520 Yes, Sergeant Cuff. 02:10.520 --> 02:13.800 His will stated that I was to give it to his niece, Rachel, on her birthday. 02:13.800 --> 02:16.240 And you say this Moonstone had a curse on it? 02:16.240 --> 02:22.920 It has been said, yes, because it's believed he took it from an idol, an Indian moon god. 02:22.920 --> 02:27.440 And those Indian jugglers you saw at the jail, you believe they stole it? 02:27.440 --> 02:28.440 Yes. 02:28.440 --> 02:32.120 They were in the garden outside the house when the diamond was given to Rachel. 02:32.120 --> 02:35.000 But I've shown you our prison records, Mr. Blake. 02:35.000 --> 02:36.560 The Indians couldn't have stolen it. 02:36.560 --> 02:38.800 They were behind bars all last night. 02:38.800 --> 02:40.840 Who else was at the party? 02:40.840 --> 02:41.840 Let's see. 02:41.840 --> 02:48.360 Rachel, her mother, Lady Julia Verinder, our cousin, Godfrey Abelwhite, Dr. Candy, their 02:48.360 --> 02:49.360 family physician. 02:49.360 --> 02:52.000 And the servants, what of them? 02:52.000 --> 02:54.360 Betridge and a new housemaid. 02:54.360 --> 02:56.200 Her name, I believe, is Rosanna. 02:56.200 --> 02:58.920 All right, Mr. Blake, we'll look into it. 02:58.920 --> 03:02.880 Ah, there's the house. 03:02.880 --> 03:10.440 As soon as we entered the house, Sergeant Cuff went into Rachel's sitting room, hardly 03:10.440 --> 03:14.400 bothering with the cabinet from where the moonstone had been stolen. 03:14.400 --> 03:17.760 His eyes seemed to be much more taken with the door Rachel had painted and decorated 03:17.760 --> 03:20.240 with cupids the afternoon of her birthday. 03:20.240 --> 03:23.400 Hmm, that's quite good work. 03:23.400 --> 03:26.000 There's a smudge on one of the cupids. 03:26.000 --> 03:27.000 Pity. 03:27.000 --> 03:29.000 Anyone know how it happened? 03:29.000 --> 03:31.000 Mr. Betridge? 03:31.000 --> 03:34.400 One of the maids petticoats with all the commotion this morning. 03:34.400 --> 03:35.400 Pity. 03:35.400 --> 03:37.120 Paint dry now. 03:37.120 --> 03:39.640 Does anyone know which petticoat did it? 03:39.640 --> 03:41.600 I don't think any of them, Sergeant. 03:41.600 --> 03:44.520 That part of the door was the last to be painted. 03:44.520 --> 03:45.760 Couldn't have happened this morning. 03:45.760 --> 03:47.680 You're quite sure, Mr. Blake? 03:47.680 --> 03:50.560 I watched her finish it about four yesterday afternoon. 03:50.560 --> 03:56.600 It would have dried in about ten hours, about two in the morning then. 03:56.600 --> 04:00.160 You may have put something valuable in our hands, Mr. Blake. 04:00.160 --> 04:04.600 The smeared petticoat or whatever will bring us to the truth. 04:04.600 --> 04:06.120 You think it was worn by the thief? 04:06.120 --> 04:09.080 I think it was worn by someone. 04:09.080 --> 04:13.520 There's no evidence of thievery as yet, only that the diamond is missing. 04:13.520 --> 04:22.960 Mr. Betridge, would you tell Lady Verinded I'd like ten minutes of her time, please? 04:22.960 --> 04:29.400 Repost, Sergeant. 04:29.400 --> 04:31.640 All my servants have been with me for years. 04:31.640 --> 04:35.080 If I allow you to search their clothes, it means I suspect them. 04:35.080 --> 04:36.960 They're as honest as you are. 04:36.960 --> 04:39.040 I'm sure they are, Your Ladyship. 04:39.040 --> 04:42.120 It's only a question of their help, the women especially. 04:42.120 --> 04:47.760 Now, if they knew I was going to inspect the wardrobes of everyone from your ladyship downwards... 04:47.760 --> 04:50.680 Your servant, is this necessary? 04:50.680 --> 04:55.560 Before we can make another step, I've also asked Mr. Betridge to get me the washing book, 04:55.560 --> 05:00.280 to account for all the linen in case the article was sent to the washer and destroyed, and 05:00.280 --> 05:02.720 to ask your daughter for her wardrobe keys. 05:02.720 --> 05:04.320 Where will you start? 05:04.320 --> 05:07.320 With Mr. Blake here, if he'll consent. 05:07.320 --> 05:08.320 Of course. 05:08.320 --> 05:09.320 Don't forget me, Sergeant. 05:09.320 --> 05:10.320 I'm in the next room. 05:10.320 --> 05:13.800 Then we'll do you next, Mr. Abelwhite. 05:13.800 --> 05:15.840 And when you finish, may I leave for London? 05:15.840 --> 05:17.320 Oh, it's a mere formality. 05:17.320 --> 05:18.320 You'll all be free to go. 05:18.320 --> 05:20.000 Here's the wash book, Sergeant. 05:20.000 --> 05:22.360 Ah, thank you, Mr. Betridge. 05:22.360 --> 05:23.360 And Miss Verinded's keys. 05:23.360 --> 05:26.920 And my young lady refuses to have her wardrobe examined. 05:26.920 --> 05:27.920 Ah-ha. 05:27.920 --> 05:29.400 Betridge, was it explained to her? 05:29.400 --> 05:30.400 Yes, sir. 05:30.400 --> 05:32.720 She started to cry and said, I won't because I won't. 05:32.720 --> 05:35.880 Well, you may return the wash book, Mr. Betridge. 05:35.880 --> 05:38.120 Mr. Abelwhite, you may leave at any time. 05:38.120 --> 05:39.120 Thank you, Sergeant. 05:39.120 --> 05:41.600 That'll be all, Mr. Betridge. 05:41.600 --> 05:43.400 Then you aren't going to serve? 05:43.400 --> 05:45.360 All or none, sir. 05:45.360 --> 05:46.360 Why should Rachel? 05:46.360 --> 05:47.360 I don't understand. 05:47.360 --> 05:52.260 Pardon my being personal, Mr. Blake. 05:52.260 --> 05:55.160 Would it be wrong to say you're in love with Miss Verinded? 05:55.160 --> 05:57.560 No, it wouldn't be wrong. 05:57.560 --> 05:59.560 Love blinds to a great extent. 05:59.560 --> 06:00.560 Look here, are you implying that... 06:00.560 --> 06:01.560 Oh, just a moment. 06:01.560 --> 06:02.560 Out there, in your... 06:02.560 --> 06:03.560 Out there! 06:03.560 --> 06:04.560 Won't you come in? 06:04.560 --> 06:05.560 Rosanna? 06:05.560 --> 06:10.640 Excuse me, I was looking for Mr. Betridge. 06:10.640 --> 06:12.320 I was told he was here. 06:12.320 --> 06:14.320 He just left, my girl. 06:14.320 --> 06:15.320 Thank you. 06:15.320 --> 06:16.320 Excuse me. 06:16.320 --> 06:17.320 Rosanna? 06:17.320 --> 06:18.320 Rosanna is the monastic. 06:18.320 --> 06:19.320 You know her? 06:19.320 --> 06:26.680 I've seen her once before, Mr. Blake, about five years ago. 06:26.680 --> 06:28.680 In prison for theft. 06:28.680 --> 06:29.680 In prison? 06:29.680 --> 06:31.360 Well, that's the answer. 06:31.360 --> 06:33.160 Well, it's not the old answer, Mr. Blake. 06:33.160 --> 06:36.520 Well, you promised to hold your temper. 06:36.520 --> 06:38.440 If I see sense in what you say. 06:38.440 --> 06:39.440 All right. 06:39.440 --> 06:44.800 Tell me, why does Miss Verinded refuse to cooperate to have her wardrobe examined? 06:44.800 --> 06:45.800 Because she... 06:45.800 --> 06:46.800 Because... 06:46.800 --> 06:47.800 Exactly. 06:47.800 --> 06:51.600 Because she knows more about the diamond than she's willing to tell. 06:51.600 --> 06:55.600 Couple that with Rosanna Spearman, who was a thief, who knows how to raise money and 06:55.600 --> 06:57.280 pledge a value without question. 06:57.280 --> 06:58.920 Now, that is preposterous. 06:58.920 --> 07:00.200 Why should Rachel need money? 07:00.200 --> 07:04.640 Well, for reasons she doesn't want to disclose, something that would force her to go to great 07:04.640 --> 07:05.640 length. 07:05.640 --> 07:08.680 Scandal, if you'll pardon the word, sir. 07:08.680 --> 07:10.840 This is the detective's mind, isn't it? 07:10.840 --> 07:15.360 Suppose Miss Verinded were to suddenly decide to leave this house, refuse point blank to 07:15.360 --> 07:16.960 help, as I think she will. 07:16.960 --> 07:18.680 I'm sorry, Sergeant. 07:18.680 --> 07:19.680 You don't know her. 07:19.680 --> 07:21.680 Ah, it's a dirty little world, Mr. Blake. 07:21.680 --> 07:24.160 And I've had a deal of experience. 07:24.160 --> 07:26.200 I'll be the first to admit it if I'm wrong. 07:26.200 --> 07:35.240 But I don't think I am. 07:35.240 --> 07:40.320 The night came on and a heavy muffle mood of suspicion settled over the house. 07:40.320 --> 07:43.240 Rachel stayed locked in her rooms and would speak to no one. 07:43.240 --> 07:45.560 The Sergeant was wrong about her. 07:45.560 --> 07:46.880 He had to be. 07:46.880 --> 07:52.120 But I couldn't push the torture of his logic from my mind. 07:52.120 --> 07:56.560 I was afraid, deeply afraid of the coming day. 07:56.560 --> 08:01.560 The first news that terrible morning was that Rachel was going to leave the house. 08:01.560 --> 08:05.080 The Colonel's vengeance was working in ways he never dreamed. 08:05.080 --> 08:11.200 Miss Verinded, I'd like to say once more that your leaving is a great obstacle to the recovery 08:11.200 --> 08:12.560 of your diamond. 08:12.560 --> 08:15.280 Now, knowing that, you still intend to leave? 08:15.280 --> 08:16.280 I do. 08:16.280 --> 08:19.760 Rachel, please, Rachel, you can't. 08:19.760 --> 08:21.760 I have nothing to say to you, Mr. Blake. 08:21.760 --> 08:22.760 Drive on. 08:22.760 --> 08:35.520 I stood there helplessly watching it go. 08:35.520 --> 08:40.080 There was nothing left but the truth of Sergeant Cupp's words. 08:40.080 --> 08:42.360 A scandal. 08:42.360 --> 08:45.600 Some terrible secret she dare not tell. 08:45.600 --> 08:49.040 I had to find out if I was going to help. 08:49.040 --> 08:55.360 Rosanna, if she had helped Rachel plot the theft, she would also know her secret. 08:55.360 --> 08:58.760 I went to the servant's hall only to find Betridge and Sergeant Cupp ahead of me. 08:58.760 --> 09:02.320 One of the gardeners said he saw her running toward the beach walk. 09:02.320 --> 09:05.560 Then there's a hiding place down there, if I'm not mistaken. 09:05.560 --> 09:06.560 Hiding place? 09:06.560 --> 09:07.560 It's almost all quicksand. 09:07.560 --> 09:10.000 The jewel had to be kept somewhere. 09:10.000 --> 09:13.560 Possibly the stained article of clothing, too. 09:13.560 --> 09:17.520 Miss Verinded's accomplice recovers the diamond to take to her later. 09:17.520 --> 09:19.280 Aye, we'd better hurry. 09:19.280 --> 09:25.000 Will you join me, Mr. Blake? 09:25.000 --> 09:26.960 We raced down the walk to the beach. 09:26.960 --> 09:29.440 Rosanna was nowhere in sight. 09:29.440 --> 09:30.440 Only her footprints. 09:30.440 --> 09:33.880 They led us finally to the very edge of the quicksand. 09:33.880 --> 09:36.280 Look as we might, there were no footprints returning. 09:36.280 --> 09:41.040 At almost the same moment, the terrible meaning dawned on us both. 09:41.040 --> 09:44.040 Did she know there was quicksand? 09:44.040 --> 09:47.240 Yes, Sergeant, she knew. 09:47.240 --> 09:51.160 The first time I saw her was here. 09:51.160 --> 09:53.800 She walked into that muck, deliberately. 09:53.800 --> 09:57.920 Ah, Rosanna wasn't the kind to scare, Mr. Blake. 09:57.920 --> 10:08.800 She must have had her own good reason. 10:08.800 --> 10:13.280 Back at the house, the news of Rosanna's death deepened the unhappy pall. 10:13.280 --> 10:19.600 That afternoon, Sergeant Cuff was dismissed from any further investigation, and Lady Julia 10:19.600 --> 10:23.560 left for London to join Rachel. 10:23.560 --> 10:29.960 Later I left the house myself, feeling terribly depressed and useless. 10:29.960 --> 10:33.360 I would have given my life to help Rachel. 10:33.360 --> 10:36.640 There was no avenue left open. 10:36.640 --> 10:41.280 I took ship for the continent the next morning, hoping that time and distance would let me 10:41.280 --> 10:44.120 forget. 10:44.120 --> 11:03.240 Almost a year was to pass before I returned. 11:03.240 --> 11:08.240 Auto Light is bringing you Mr. Peter Lawford in Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone. 11:08.240 --> 11:14.640 Tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 11:14.640 --> 11:29.200 Well, Harlow, now I can eat turkey instead of crow on a turkey. 11:29.200 --> 11:32.160 Got yourself an Auto Light staple battery, eh, Mr. McSorley? 11:32.160 --> 11:33.480 That I did, Harlow. 11:33.480 --> 11:36.560 Then you've got the battery that stays right on the case. 11:36.560 --> 11:39.520 Needs water only three times a year in normal car use. 11:39.520 --> 11:42.520 Why that Auto Light staple just snaps my engine to life, Harlow. 11:42.520 --> 11:47.960 Yes, sir, Mr. Mac, a fast dependable start every time and for a long time. 11:47.960 --> 11:52.280 Thanks to those fiberglass retaining mats, they surround every positive plate to reduce 11:52.280 --> 11:57.840 shedding and flaking, and give the Auto Light staple longer life, as proved by tests conducted 11:57.840 --> 12:00.320 according to accepted life cycle standards. 12:00.320 --> 12:06.400 So, friends, see your Auto Light battery dealer for the best in battery service and the famous 12:06.400 --> 12:11.280 Auto Light staple, the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car 12:11.280 --> 12:12.280 use. 12:12.280 --> 12:17.040 To quickly locate your nearest Auto Light battery dealer, phone Western Union by number 12:17.040 --> 12:18.640 and ask for operator 25. 12:18.640 --> 12:22.520 That's right, call the Western Union operator 25. 12:22.520 --> 12:27.560 And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 12:27.560 --> 12:34.160 And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood sound stage Mr. Peter Lawford in Elliot Lewis's 12:34.160 --> 12:41.240 production of the concluding act of Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone, a tale well calculated 12:41.240 --> 12:55.840 to keep you in suspense. 12:55.840 --> 12:59.360 I returned to London in June, 1849. 12:59.360 --> 13:02.840 I was informed of all that had happened in the year that I'd been away by the family 13:02.840 --> 13:06.120 lawyer, Mr. Brough. 13:06.120 --> 13:10.800 Rachel's mother had died some months ago, and Rachel had been engaged to marry Godfrey 13:10.800 --> 13:11.800 Abelwhite. 13:11.800 --> 13:15.040 He broke off, of course, right after Lady Verinda died. 13:15.040 --> 13:19.400 Seems he was only interested in Rachel's money. 13:19.400 --> 13:21.160 Where is Rachel, Mr. Brough? 13:21.160 --> 13:25.400 Here in London, living with the guardian appointed by her mother. 13:25.400 --> 13:27.840 Has she ever spoken of me? 13:27.840 --> 13:34.320 Not once, to my knowledge, as for the Moonstone, we've all respected her silence on that. 13:34.320 --> 13:36.360 Why does she resent me, Mr. Brough? 13:36.360 --> 13:41.440 I think it was your attempt to help in an affair she once kept secret, whatever her 13:41.440 --> 13:42.440 reason. 13:42.440 --> 13:47.080 I just can't believe that Rachel stole her own diamond. 13:47.080 --> 13:48.800 I'm going to find out who did. 13:48.800 --> 13:53.880 I won't presume to stop you, but how will you go about it? 13:53.880 --> 13:56.800 I'll start where it all took place. 13:56.800 --> 14:00.440 The house in Yorkshire. 14:00.440 --> 14:11.560 By the Lord, Harry, Mr. Franklin, it's good to see you. 14:11.560 --> 14:13.800 It hasn't been very happy here since you... 14:13.800 --> 14:15.240 I know, Betridge. 14:15.240 --> 14:16.240 That's why I'm back. 14:16.240 --> 14:17.240 The Moonstone, sir? 14:17.240 --> 14:21.600 Don't you think you should leave a sleeping dog later? 14:21.600 --> 14:23.280 Suppose you find Miss Rachel had... 14:23.280 --> 14:24.920 It won't make me stop loving her. 14:24.920 --> 14:27.000 That's all I wanted to know, sir. 14:27.000 --> 14:28.540 So I don't see how am I helping. 14:28.540 --> 14:29.540 You can be wrong. 14:29.540 --> 14:33.120 Do you remember that poor girl of ours, Rosanna Spearman? 14:33.120 --> 14:34.120 Of course. 14:34.120 --> 14:35.800 How could I forget? 14:35.800 --> 14:39.040 You left a coat here, sir, and I found a letter in one of the pockets. 14:39.040 --> 14:41.640 The rest are you, from Rosanna. 14:41.640 --> 14:44.640 Here it is. 14:44.640 --> 14:50.400 Sir, please follow the enclosed instructions. 14:50.400 --> 14:53.480 Do it when you're not observed. 14:53.480 --> 14:57.360 Go to the shivering sand at the turn of the tide. 14:57.360 --> 14:59.480 There's a rock ledge covered with seaweed. 14:59.480 --> 15:05.080 And attached to the rock is a chain which drops into the quicksand. 15:05.080 --> 15:12.400 Pull up the chain. 15:12.400 --> 15:13.400 There's the ugly place. 15:13.400 --> 15:15.720 The tide's almost out. 15:15.720 --> 15:16.720 There's only one rock ledge. 15:16.720 --> 15:17.720 You go ahead, sir. 15:17.720 --> 15:18.720 The note said do it alone. 15:18.720 --> 15:19.720 That's her grave, too. 15:19.720 --> 15:20.720 I'd like to hear it. 15:20.720 --> 15:25.720 I went under the rock ledge. 15:25.720 --> 15:33.240 The last surge of the sea fell away, and I walked out gingerly on the edge of the quicksand. 15:33.240 --> 15:37.120 Getting down on all fours, I fell under the glistening seaweed. 15:37.120 --> 15:40.960 After a moment, my hand touched the rusty links of the chain. 15:40.960 --> 15:41.960 Came up easily. 15:41.960 --> 15:46.200 Attached to the end was a rusted metal box. 15:46.200 --> 15:47.200 I forced it open. 15:47.200 --> 15:53.480 It was filled with a white cloth on top of which was another letter bearing my name. 15:53.480 --> 15:57.120 I carried it all to the dry beach and unrolled the cloth. 15:57.120 --> 16:00.440 It was a night shirt. 16:00.440 --> 16:03.800 On its sleeve was a smear of paint from Rachel's sitting room. 16:03.800 --> 16:08.200 And I recalled the words of Sergeant Cuff. 16:08.200 --> 16:13.280 Find the smeared article of clothing, and you will know who took the diamond. 16:13.280 --> 16:16.280 I looked to see if it was marked with the owner's name. 16:16.280 --> 16:19.320 Seeing the mark, I read Franklin Blake. 16:19.320 --> 16:20.320 My own name. 16:20.320 --> 16:22.240 I looked again. 16:22.240 --> 16:23.240 My own name. 16:23.240 --> 16:29.840 Plainly marked with my own name. 16:29.840 --> 16:33.800 The next thing I remember was being back in Betridge's room with a drink of whiskey in 16:33.800 --> 16:34.800 my hand. 16:34.800 --> 16:36.000 One thing for sure. 16:36.000 --> 16:37.520 That nightgown's a liar. 16:37.520 --> 16:39.320 A pure liar. 16:39.320 --> 16:41.640 My nightgown, Betridge. 16:41.640 --> 16:43.960 I couldn't have taken the diamond, but it's my nightgown. 16:43.960 --> 16:44.960 Then it's foul play. 16:44.960 --> 16:47.800 That's how I read it. 16:47.800 --> 16:50.760 What about Rosanna's letter, sir? 16:50.760 --> 16:52.400 Yes. 16:52.400 --> 16:56.320 Sir, I have a confession. 16:56.320 --> 16:59.320 A confession of my own misery in three words. 16:59.320 --> 17:00.320 I love you. 17:00.320 --> 17:01.320 Me? 17:01.320 --> 17:02.320 What does she mean? 17:02.320 --> 17:05.320 That's what the servants believe, sir. 17:05.320 --> 17:10.440 They used to see her mooning at you, puttering around your room every chance she could. 17:10.440 --> 17:11.440 Yes, I remember. 17:11.440 --> 17:14.280 But it never entered my mind. 17:14.280 --> 17:17.160 What more does she say? 17:17.160 --> 17:19.640 I will be dead and gone. 17:19.640 --> 17:24.880 The morning the moonstone was stolen, I went to do my work in your room. 17:24.880 --> 17:29.600 Your nightgown lay across your bed, and I saw the stain of paint. 17:29.600 --> 17:32.440 I hate Miss Rachel because you love her. 17:32.440 --> 17:36.440 It was hard to believe you had stolen her diamond. 17:36.440 --> 17:40.280 I had once been a thief and been in prison for it. 17:40.280 --> 17:43.600 The nightgown is my only bond with you. 17:43.600 --> 17:49.080 I could have helped you, but I dared not speak outright, fearing your anger that I knew your 17:49.080 --> 17:50.080 secret. 17:50.080 --> 17:52.880 Miss Rachel has left. 17:52.880 --> 17:55.320 You will soon be leaving, too. 17:55.320 --> 18:01.560 I know there is no chance you're ever returning my love, but I will keep your secret. 18:01.560 --> 18:06.920 I go now to the shivering sands which have always drawn me. 18:06.920 --> 18:07.920 Remember me kindly. 18:07.920 --> 18:08.920 Rosanna's Sins. 18:08.920 --> 18:20.440 I was at a complete loss. 18:20.440 --> 18:24.240 My search for the thief had led directly to myself. 18:24.240 --> 18:28.360 So now Rachel's attitude was no longer a mystery. 18:28.360 --> 18:32.560 She had left because she believed I had stolen the diamond. 18:32.560 --> 18:34.880 I went back to London and told Mr. Brough everything. 18:34.880 --> 18:38.800 I suggest you do something for me, Mr. Blake. 18:38.800 --> 18:44.160 Rosanna, I received a letter this morning from Dr. Kendi. 18:44.160 --> 18:47.560 He was at the birthday party the night the diamond was stolen, if you remember. 18:47.560 --> 18:52.080 Driving home from the party that night, he nearly caught his death in the rain. 18:52.080 --> 18:53.080 He's been ill ever since. 18:53.080 --> 18:58.360 His letter suggests he has something of great importance to discuss with you. 18:58.360 --> 19:03.280 Will you please go see him? 19:03.280 --> 19:11.080 Good of you to come out of your way to see me, Mr. Blake. 19:11.080 --> 19:12.080 Thank you, Doctor. 19:12.080 --> 19:13.080 You're looking well. 19:13.080 --> 19:15.440 I'd like to apologize to you, Mr. Blake. 19:15.440 --> 19:16.440 Apologize, sir? 19:16.440 --> 19:20.920 The night of Miss Verinda's party, you and I sat next to each other. 19:20.920 --> 19:24.000 There was some joking about the diamond, you recall? 19:24.000 --> 19:25.600 Not distinctly, no, sir. 19:25.600 --> 19:26.600 Just something unpleasant. 19:26.600 --> 19:33.080 I told you I suspected you hadn't been sleeping well and to let me give you a course in medicine. 19:33.080 --> 19:35.240 I don't think I had been sleeping well. 19:35.240 --> 19:38.800 I decided to prove my medicine to you. 19:38.800 --> 19:42.360 If I could give you a good night's sleep without you knowing it... 19:42.360 --> 19:43.360 What? 19:43.360 --> 19:46.920 I was going to come back the next day and ask you how you slept. 19:46.920 --> 19:50.920 You would have said, fine, and without medicine. 19:50.920 --> 19:55.360 And I was going to say, ah, but you did have medicine, sir. 19:55.360 --> 19:58.560 Dr. Kendi, did you give me something that night? 19:58.560 --> 20:03.520 It was a dose of laudanum, part of the opium family, in your nightcap. 20:03.520 --> 20:06.600 I hope you'll accept my apology. 20:06.600 --> 20:10.240 Mr. Blake? 20:10.240 --> 20:14.400 If I took the diamond, what did I do with it? 20:14.400 --> 20:19.000 I feel I owe you all the help I can give. 20:19.000 --> 20:20.680 Are you willing to try an experiment? 20:20.680 --> 20:22.440 I'd do anything, Doctor. 20:22.440 --> 20:29.560 Just a chance that under the right conditions, taking a similar dose of laudanum, you might 20:29.560 --> 20:32.920 repeat exactly what you did the night of the birthday. 20:32.920 --> 20:37.520 You might very well have hidden the diamond somewhere in the house. 20:37.520 --> 20:41.240 With witnesses to watch, it would prove you're innocent. 20:41.240 --> 20:43.920 Yes, but it would have to be done at the Verenda house. 20:43.920 --> 20:48.600 Well, I'll write to Miss Rachel with your permission, telling her everything. 20:48.600 --> 20:54.400 I'm sure she wants your innocence proved as much as you yourself. 20:54.400 --> 21:03.920 It was a very nervous time for me, waiting for Rachel's answer. 21:03.920 --> 21:08.840 With great relief, a letter came saying she accepted Dr. Kendi's explanation. 21:08.840 --> 21:14.000 The house was at our disposal, and she wished us all success for the experiment. 21:14.000 --> 21:17.720 I wrote Mr. Brough, asking him to be one of the witnesses. 21:17.720 --> 21:21.360 Then Dr. Kendi and I left for the Verenda house. 21:21.360 --> 21:26.360 Ready, Mr. Blake? 21:26.360 --> 21:29.120 Of course, Doctor. 21:29.120 --> 21:30.120 Get on with it. 21:30.120 --> 21:31.920 You want my opinion, the whole thing is unbound. 21:31.920 --> 21:35.040 All right, Mr. Brough, we have your opinion. 21:35.040 --> 21:42.480 Forty minims laudanum in week brandy and soda. 21:42.480 --> 21:43.840 You're witnessing, Mr. Brough? 21:43.840 --> 21:44.840 I'm witnessing. 21:44.840 --> 21:45.840 Yeah. 21:45.840 --> 21:46.840 Yeah. 21:46.840 --> 21:47.840 Drink it, Mr. Blake. 21:47.840 --> 21:48.840 A waste of time. 21:48.840 --> 21:49.840 No, Mr. Blake, you may retire to your bed. 21:49.840 --> 21:50.840 How long before this is supposed to work? 21:50.840 --> 21:51.840 No, not before midnight. 21:51.840 --> 21:52.840 Look, it's moving. 21:52.840 --> 21:53.840 Moonshine. 21:53.840 --> 22:16.840 Indian devils. 22:16.840 --> 22:24.600 Kill Rachel. 22:24.600 --> 22:29.280 It's getting up. 22:29.280 --> 22:32.280 In that cabinet. 22:32.280 --> 22:33.280 Lock on it. 22:33.280 --> 22:34.280 They'll take it. 22:34.280 --> 22:37.280 It's going out of the room. 22:37.280 --> 22:38.280 Take off your boots. 22:38.280 --> 22:39.280 Come on. 22:39.280 --> 22:47.880 Went right to the cabinet. 22:47.880 --> 22:48.880 Amazing. 22:48.880 --> 22:54.640 There's a piece of crystal to simulate the diamond in the drawer. 22:54.640 --> 22:58.040 There, there, he's found it. 22:58.040 --> 23:02.200 It doesn't look like he knows what to do. 23:02.200 --> 23:03.200 He dropped it. 23:03.200 --> 23:05.080 Going over to that sofa. 23:05.080 --> 23:08.240 He couldn't have done that before. 23:08.240 --> 23:10.640 The sedative effect is coming on. 23:10.640 --> 23:14.760 He slumped on the couch. 23:14.760 --> 23:15.760 It's all over. 23:15.760 --> 23:25.080 Let him sleep there. 23:25.080 --> 23:29.400 When I awoke the next morning, they told me what I had done. 23:29.400 --> 23:34.720 I proved only that Dr. Candy's joke at cause was caused by my unconscious behavior. 23:34.720 --> 23:40.920 But now, and what had happened afterwards was still a mystery. 23:40.920 --> 23:45.640 We had come to another blank wall. 23:45.640 --> 23:52.360 It was a month later. 23:52.360 --> 23:54.560 An item in the newspaper caught my eye. 23:54.560 --> 23:58.960 Some East Indian jugglers had been in a fight in a tavern in one of the lowest parts of 23:58.960 --> 24:00.640 London. 24:00.640 --> 24:02.160 One of them had been stabbed. 24:02.160 --> 24:04.560 The others had escaped. 24:04.560 --> 24:08.760 Just at the same moment, I received an urgent message from Mr. Brough to meet him at the 24:08.760 --> 24:12.080 wheel of fortune, the tavern mentioned in the news dispatch. 24:12.080 --> 24:14.920 Up these stairs, Mr. Blake, quickly. 24:14.920 --> 24:15.920 What is it, Mr. Brough? 24:15.920 --> 24:16.920 In this room here. 24:16.920 --> 24:17.920 Good Lord. 24:17.920 --> 24:25.960 It's almost dawnfall, poor big guy. 24:25.960 --> 24:29.680 On the bed lay a man dressed in sailor clothes. 24:29.680 --> 24:34.080 On the floor next to him was a small wooden box, open and empty. 24:34.080 --> 24:37.360 The box that had held the moonstone. 24:37.360 --> 24:39.400 I looked down at the man's face. 24:39.400 --> 24:43.440 There was a brown mark beneath on the bedsheet. 24:43.440 --> 24:47.280 I saw that his dark skin was only stained. 24:47.280 --> 24:49.800 I looked hard. 24:49.800 --> 24:56.520 Beneath the stain and the heavy growth of beard was the face of Godfrey Abelwhite. 24:56.520 --> 24:59.360 Hello, Cotton. 24:59.360 --> 25:00.800 Godfrey. 25:00.800 --> 25:02.800 Surprised, Cotton. 25:02.800 --> 25:07.200 Godfrey, you took the diamond. 25:07.200 --> 25:09.200 Oh, good joke. 25:09.200 --> 25:12.040 Saw you come out of Rachel's sitting room. 25:12.040 --> 25:13.040 You dropped it. 25:13.040 --> 25:16.760 I picked it up. 25:16.760 --> 25:17.760 And you kept it. 25:17.760 --> 25:19.760 I like money. 25:19.760 --> 25:21.760 Better reason. 25:21.760 --> 25:26.160 Those Indians have been after me for a year. 25:26.160 --> 25:28.160 Thought I could fool them. 25:28.160 --> 25:31.160 Didn't, did I? 25:31.160 --> 25:36.880 Moonstone, that's an eating jewel. 25:36.880 --> 25:38.880 Exquisite. 25:38.880 --> 25:41.880 Almost worth your life. 25:41.880 --> 26:06.000 It was some months later that a small news item appeared on an inner page of the Times. 26:06.000 --> 26:11.360 It stated that the worshippers of an ancient forehanded moon god were rejoicing over the 26:11.360 --> 26:18.480 return of a fabulous yellow diamond to a recess in their idol's foyer. 26:18.480 --> 26:20.760 It was a small item. 26:20.760 --> 26:43.480 I doubt if many people read it. 26:43.480 --> 26:45.200 Suspense. 26:45.200 --> 26:46.200 Presented by Auto Light. 26:46.200 --> 26:49.960 Tonight's star, Mr. Peter Lawford. 26:49.960 --> 26:54.920 This is Harlow Wilcox speaking for Auto Light, the world's largest independent manufacturer 26:54.920 --> 26:57.680 of automotive electrical equipment. 26:57.680 --> 27:03.520 In 28 plants from coast to coast, Auto Light makes over 400 products for cars, trucks, 27:03.520 --> 27:06.600 tractors, planes, boats, and industry. 27:06.600 --> 27:12.240 These products include dial indicating and recording thermometers, bumpers, die castings, 27:12.240 --> 27:16.600 and batteries such as the famous Auto Light Stay Full, ignition engineered Auto Light 27:16.600 --> 27:22.560 spark plugs, both standard and resistor types, voltage regulators, wire and battery cable, 27:22.560 --> 27:27.880 Auto Light bullseye sealed beam units, and Auto Light original service parts for all 27:27.880 --> 27:30.360 Auto Light electrical systems. 27:30.360 --> 27:34.680 Auto Light is proud to serve the greatest names in the industry. 27:34.680 --> 27:48.160 So from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 27:48.160 --> 27:52.760 Next week, it will be our pleasure to present the first radio adaptation of one of the most 27:52.760 --> 27:55.680 amazing human documents ever written. 27:55.680 --> 28:01.500 The personal diary of Emily Wooldridge called The Wreck of the Maid of Athens. 28:01.500 --> 28:05.880 Our star, the first lady of suspense, Miss Agnes Moorhead. 28:05.880 --> 28:18.600 That's next week on Suspense. 28:18.600 --> 28:23.400 Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucian Morawick 28:23.400 --> 28:25.880 and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. 28:25.880 --> 28:31.560 Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone was adapted for Suspense by Richard Chandley. 28:31.560 --> 28:36.720 Featured in tonight's cast were Betty Hofford, Ellen Morgan, Norma Varden, William Johnstone, 28:36.720 --> 28:41.920 Ben Wright, Herb Butterfield, Eric Snowden, and Alastair Duncan. 28:41.920 --> 28:46.080 Peter Lawford will soon be seen co-starring in the Columbia picture, It Should Happen 28:46.080 --> 28:47.600 to You. 28:47.600 --> 29:10.240 And remember, next week, Miss Agnes Moorhead in The Wreck of the Maid of Athens. 29:10.240 --> 29:32.000 This is the CBS Radio Network.