WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:07.000 Auto Light and its 98,000 dealers bring you Miss Agnes Moorhead in tonight's presentation 00:10.500 --> 00:13.500 of Suspense. 00:13.500 --> 00:20.500 Tonight, Auto Light presents the first radio adaptation of one of the most amazing human 00:22.380 --> 00:27.560 documents ever written, the personal diary of Emily Wooldridge, which she called the 00:27.560 --> 00:34.560 wreck of the made of Athens, our star, the first lady of suspense, Miss Agnes Moorhead. 00:35.560 --> 00:40.560 Hi, Hap. Buying a magazine, I see. 00:40.560 --> 00:41.560 Yes, sure, Harlow. 00:41.560 --> 00:42.920 Well, why not take this one? 00:42.920 --> 00:46.160 Oh, no thanks. Everyone to his own taste, you know, Harlow. 00:46.160 --> 00:51.760 In buying magazines, yes, Hap, but in replacing electrical system parts for your car, definitely 00:51.760 --> 00:52.400 no. 00:52.400 --> 00:53.040 Hmm? 00:53.040 --> 00:57.280 Well, for example, many leading makes of our finest cars have Auto Light electrical systems 00:57.280 --> 00:59.040 as original equipment, right? 00:59.040 --> 00:59.840 Right. 00:59.840 --> 01:04.240 But if replacements are needed, do the owners of those Auto Light equipped cars insist on 01:04.240 --> 01:09.200 Auto Light original service parts exactly the same as those specified by the car manufacturer? 01:09.200 --> 01:13.400 If they don't, they're sure taking a big chance with a big investment, Harlow. 01:13.400 --> 01:19.020 They sure are, Hap, because Auto Light original service parts meet the electrical system specifications 01:19.020 --> 01:24.320 of the car manufacturers, and they know what's best for their cars. So friends, insist on 01:24.320 --> 01:28.800 and be sure you get only Auto Light original service parts for your Auto Light equipped 01:28.800 --> 01:35.360 car. See your car dealer or your dealer handling Auto Light original service parts. And remember, 01:35.360 --> 01:39.640 from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 01:39.640 --> 01:45.080 And now, Auto Light presents Emily Wooldridge's The Wreck of the Maid of Athens, starring 01:45.080 --> 01:54.480 Miss Agnes Moorhead, hoping once again to keep you in suspense. 01:54.480 --> 02:02.040 Eighty-four years ago tonight, they sailed from the port of London, the brigantine made 02:02.040 --> 02:08.120 of Athens. Sixty-some days later, off the cold southern tip of South America, the ship 02:08.120 --> 02:13.320 was afire and sinking in heavy seas. Aboard her, along with the necessary officers and 02:13.320 --> 02:19.400 crew, was the wife of the master, Captain Richard Wooldridge. Her name was Emily, and 02:19.400 --> 02:21.400 this is her story. 02:21.400 --> 02:34.400 First mate's over the side, sir. He was trying to free the port lifeboats. We can't go after 02:34.400 --> 02:36.400 him. Those boats are jammed. We'll never use them. 02:36.400 --> 02:40.400 Very well. Tell the rest of the men to come here. We'll have to abandon ship as quickly 02:40.400 --> 02:43.400 as possible. 02:43.400 --> 02:49.400 Perhaps the most terrible thing of all was the fact that there wasn't room in the lifeboats 02:49.400 --> 02:54.400 for all the men. Always in my memory will live the picture of those who fought to live 02:54.400 --> 02:59.400 and who died so hopelessly in those cold seas. 02:59.400 --> 03:11.400 It was a scene of fearful desolation. Great waves seemed to swallow in their troughs our 03:11.400 --> 03:16.400 two surviving lifeboats, and when we were lifted to their crest, the sight of the burning 03:16.400 --> 03:22.400 ship met our eyes. The gallant maid of Athens. She seemed to me the loneliest thing I'd ever 03:22.400 --> 03:28.400 seen as we deserted her. 03:28.400 --> 03:34.400 Looking the other way by the grace of Providence, we could see a low fringe of land on the horizon. 03:34.400 --> 03:46.400 My husband took this to be the island of San Carlo and perhaps our salvation. 03:46.400 --> 03:51.400 But when we arrived near the shore, we found that instead of safety, we had run on even 03:51.400 --> 03:56.400 greater danger in the heavy surf that pounded the rocky island. To try to land through it 03:56.400 --> 04:00.400 was a fatal risk, as was proved later, but my husband had no other choice than to order 04:00.400 --> 04:01.400 the boats into it. 04:01.400 --> 04:26.400 The second boat there. Turn around. Turn to shore. Keep your bows into the surf. Get 04:26.400 --> 04:42.400 on board, sir. Don't get more inside, sir, for you'll laugh. 04:42.400 --> 04:49.400 Except for the vision of a wave towering over us, high as a mountain and falling on us, I 04:49.400 --> 04:56.400 have no memory of coming ashore. As though waking, no, not quite a waking, from a nightmare, 04:56.400 --> 05:01.400 I saw a boat overturned on a tiny strip of sand. I saw my husband and the men who had 05:01.400 --> 05:06.400 survived the landing, and I saw the bodies of those from the second boat who had not. 05:06.400 --> 05:11.400 My husband was pulling the last of these from the anguished surf, and he was bending over 05:11.400 --> 05:13.400 me where I lay. 05:13.400 --> 05:16.400 Are you, are you all right, my dear? 05:16.400 --> 05:18.400 Yes. And you? 05:18.400 --> 05:22.400 I'm quite all right. But the poor devils in the other boat. 05:22.400 --> 05:24.400 Oh, yes, I know. 05:24.400 --> 05:29.400 Besides us, there are only four left now. Hayward Oaks, Robertson, Old Lawson. There 05:29.400 --> 05:32.400 was nothing I could do to save the others. 05:32.400 --> 05:36.400 Of course there wasn't. Everyone knows you did everything you could do. 05:36.400 --> 05:39.400 I hope so. Can you stand up? 05:39.400 --> 05:40.400 Yes, I think I... 05:40.400 --> 05:41.400 Come on. 05:41.400 --> 05:45.400 Oh, Dick, do the rest of us have a chance? 05:45.400 --> 05:51.400 A very good chance. Come along. We'll go further up the shore and build a shut of some sort. 05:51.400 --> 05:53.400 It's a nasty cold wind. 05:53.400 --> 05:55.400 Hey, Captain! 05:55.400 --> 05:56.400 Yes, Lawson? 05:56.400 --> 06:00.400 He and the others have been talking. We'd like a word with you, if you don't mind. 06:00.400 --> 06:02.400 Of course, of course. What is it? 06:02.400 --> 06:05.400 We've lost a number of our chums, as you well know. 06:05.400 --> 06:08.400 I do know, Lawson. I'm terribly sorry. 06:08.400 --> 06:12.400 Not much good being sorry, is it? Not going to help any of the poor blokes, is it? 06:12.400 --> 06:17.400 Well, just what do you mean, Lawson? I feel our losses greatly, if not greater than you do. Now, what do you mean? 06:17.400 --> 06:25.400 The way we've been talking. It's easy to say how sorry you are after the damage is done, but what we want to know is why wasn't something done to prevent it from happening? 06:25.400 --> 06:30.400 I don't think I quite understand you. Every precaution was taken in London. The cargo and the loading was well supervised. You all know that. 06:30.400 --> 06:33.400 Then why did the ship catch fire? 06:33.400 --> 06:34.400 I don't know. 06:34.400 --> 06:36.400 Nobody said nothing to us about a cargo that would catch fire. 06:36.400 --> 06:38.400 It was not a dangerous cargo, Hayward. 06:38.400 --> 06:40.400 Then why did it catch fire? 06:40.400 --> 06:45.400 I've told you I don't know. Under given circumstances, the most peaceful voyage can go wrong. 06:45.400 --> 06:47.400 What circumstances, Captain? 06:47.400 --> 06:51.400 It's only decent to place the blame when you've lost as many chums as we have. The fine lot they were. 06:51.400 --> 06:58.400 Now listen to me, men. Talked like this won't do any good. I'll admit we've had more than our share of bad luck. 06:58.400 --> 06:59.400 We will say aye to that. 06:59.400 --> 07:04.400 But we six were spared. And if we are to survive, we've got to work together. 07:04.400 --> 07:11.400 And it won't be any more than survival on this filthy island. We haven't got food stores for a week and I'll wait till it doesn't see a ship once a year. 07:11.400 --> 07:14.400 Well, we won't wait to be found by a ship. 07:14.400 --> 07:22.400 Now the mainland of South America is a bit more than 300 miles west. I have the navigational instruments to get us there, if we can repair the boat. 07:22.400 --> 07:24.400 Well, maybe it's not so bad as you thought it was, Lawson. 07:24.400 --> 07:27.400 It's bad enough. We'll have to be lucky to live to tell of it. 07:27.400 --> 07:36.400 It won't be easy, but it is possible. And I can't stress the importance of speed strongly enough. There are two reasons. One is scarcity of food, the other is more important. 07:36.400 --> 07:41.400 We're approaching the storm season in these latitudes and when it arrives the gales are almost constant. 07:41.400 --> 07:44.400 Aye, and we're living our share of bad fortune. It's a fact. 07:44.400 --> 08:03.400 We shall be all right if we work quickly. If we can repair the boat in, say, four days and launch it without accident, I have every confidence that we'll be on our way to safety and home. 08:03.400 --> 08:14.400 Darkness fell as Lawson and the others buried the dead. A thick fog settled on the island, and in spite of exhaustion, the dampness and cold made sleep out of the question. 08:14.400 --> 08:19.400 We spent the night huddled over fires, one for the crew and one for my husband and me. 08:19.400 --> 08:35.400 We were separated from the men by only a few paces, and although nothing further was said, there was a tension between the two groups. 08:35.400 --> 08:46.400 The next morning my husband set the men to work on the boat where her planks had been battered on the rocks, and he set out to search the island, hoping to find a beach better suited to launching through the surf. 08:46.400 --> 08:56.400 No sooner had he disappeared than Lawson, a sullen, unpleasant man from the start of the voyage, walked toward me, and behind I could see the other men leaving their work to follow him. 08:56.400 --> 09:00.400 I trust you spent the night counting your blessings, Mrs. Woolridge. 09:00.400 --> 09:05.400 Why, I'm thankful to be alive as we all should be. 09:05.400 --> 09:09.400 And did you give a thought to the poor boys what went down? And then we buried? 09:09.400 --> 09:16.400 Of course. My husband told you men to repair the boat. Why aren't you doing it? 09:16.400 --> 09:18.400 We want you to hear what we have to say. 09:18.400 --> 09:21.400 What do you want with me? What is it? 09:21.400 --> 09:31.400 The day you stepped aboard in London, I said there was going to be trouble. I told the boys, the ones that's dead and gone now. A woman at sea is a deadly thing. I told them. 09:31.400 --> 09:33.400 We didn't half believe him then, but we do now. 09:33.400 --> 09:37.400 But you can't believe it. There's no truth in it. It's only a superstition. 09:37.400 --> 09:41.400 I am one with some meaning behind it. Do you know the history of the Maid of Athens? 09:41.400 --> 09:42.400 Who did you meet? 09:42.400 --> 09:52.400 Well, I do. Forty-two voices she had. Forty-two, not a sea she hadn't crossed, through fair weather and foul. And she'd never carried a woman until you came aboard. 09:52.400 --> 09:54.400 Well, what do you say to that? 09:54.400 --> 09:56.400 What is it? It doesn't mean anything. 09:56.400 --> 10:02.400 It does. We've got more proof on our side than you have on yours. We saw the ship go down. 10:02.400 --> 10:03.400 It isn't proof. 10:03.400 --> 10:09.400 Listen to this. I've sailed for thirty-two years, with good fortune all the way. That is, until this trip. 10:09.400 --> 10:11.400 How do you answer that? 10:11.400 --> 10:13.400 There is no answer. 10:13.400 --> 10:15.400 But then you admit you're the cause of the trouble. 10:15.400 --> 10:17.400 I do not! You're acting like children. 10:17.400 --> 10:26.400 Children, you say? You should be speaking of the poor fatherless children of them that went down, made orphans by a fire that nobody can explain. Maybe you can. 10:26.400 --> 10:40.400 Well, now, the rest of you, the rest of you, listen to me. There's no one to blame. When you're carrying cotton, and if it gets damp, sometimes the weight of it causes pressure and friction and fires start. It's happened before. 10:40.400 --> 10:41.400 When? 10:41.400 --> 10:45.400 I don't know, but it does happen. My husband told me it did. 10:45.400 --> 10:50.400 Any of you chums ever hear of anything like that, a fire starting because cotton is wet? 10:50.400 --> 10:53.400 In twelve years at sea, I never did. 10:53.400 --> 10:57.400 It happened because a woman at sea is a deadly thing. 10:57.400 --> 10:59.400 You've caused it. There's no doubt of it. 10:59.400 --> 11:00.400 That's not true. 11:00.400 --> 11:02.400 Can you prove that it's not? 11:02.400 --> 11:05.400 Well, one needs facts to disprove something, and you accuse me without facts. 11:05.400 --> 11:10.400 What you mean is you can't prove we're wrong. But we take that as your confession. Hey, lads? 11:10.400 --> 11:13.400 It is not! It is not! I have nothing to confess. 11:13.400 --> 11:21.400 You brought us this trouble, and we all know it. There's nothing you can say to change our minds. And that goes for what you might say for your husband, too. 11:21.400 --> 11:25.400 Good day, Mrs. Woolbridge. Come on, lads. 11:30.400 --> 11:34.400 Quite obviously, there was an unspoken threat in their words. 11:34.400 --> 11:39.400 And although I hoped that I'd maintain my composure in front of them, I was frightened. 11:39.400 --> 11:44.400 Considering the problems already weighing upon my husband, it was my play to keep this fear to myself. 11:44.400 --> 11:48.400 But when he returned, my will weakened, and I told him about it. 11:48.400 --> 11:53.400 My dear, you mustn't let it trouble you. As you told them, they are like children. 11:53.400 --> 11:55.400 What they think today will be forgotten tomorrow. 11:55.400 --> 11:58.400 But I can't forget their faces. They hated me. 11:58.400 --> 12:00.400 Oh, no, no. They only thought that they did. 12:00.400 --> 12:06.400 Well, they must have something to hate because of the situation we're in. Remember, before it was me they blamed? 12:06.400 --> 12:14.400 I suppose you're right. I suppose I'm silly to be frightened, but... Oh, please, Dick, don't leave me alone with them again. 12:14.400 --> 12:20.400 I hope I won't have to. But if I do mind to have courage and know that although they are simple in their logic, 12:20.400 --> 12:24.400 they are good semen and they are very important to us. 12:31.400 --> 12:36.400 His words did give me courage. The men were important to him as semen. 12:36.400 --> 12:43.400 When he said that, I realized that he was more important to them because he was the only one who could set us on a course that would take us to safety. 12:43.400 --> 12:50.400 He was the only one who could navigate. With his importance to them, surely the men would do nothing to me. 12:50.400 --> 13:13.400 That is what I hopefully thought. But I could not forget the expressions of hate on the faces of the four men as I stood before them. 13:13.400 --> 13:34.400 Auto Light is bringing you Miss Agnes Moorhead in Emily Wooldridge's The Wreck of the Maid of Athens, tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 13:34.400 --> 13:41.400 Say, Hap, if a reader asked for a sports magazine, would he let the man substitute detective stories? 13:41.400 --> 13:48.400 Of course not, Harlow. Yet many magazine readers will stand for substitute parts in the vital electrical system of their auto light equipped cars. 13:48.400 --> 13:57.400 But why, Harlow? Well, Hap, I guess it's because readers can easily see what's inside the cover of a magazine, but not what's under the hood of the car. 13:57.400 --> 14:04.400 But it's simple, Harlow. Just insist on auto light original service parts for your auto light equipped car, and then you can't go wrong. 14:04.400 --> 14:14.400 Right you are, Hap. Auto light original service parts meet the exact specifications of leading car manufacturers who specify auto light electrical systems as original equipment. 14:14.400 --> 14:22.400 That means they fit and work as a balanced team with the rest of the electrical system to give you the smoothest performance money can buy. 14:22.400 --> 14:26.400 You don't take substitutes in magazines, so why take them for your car? 14:26.400 --> 14:35.400 Yes, friends. Be sure you get what's best for your auto light equipped car. See your car dealer or your dealer handling auto light original service parts. 14:35.400 --> 14:41.400 And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with auto light. 14:41.400 --> 14:52.400 And now, auto light brings back to our Hollywood sound stage, Miss Agnes Moorhead, in Elliot Lewis's production of Emily Woodridge's The Wreck of the Maid of Athens. 14:52.400 --> 14:58.400 A true story, well calculated to keep you in suspense. 15:07.400 --> 15:13.400 Thinking back to my meeting with Lawson and the men, it was impossible for me to understand how they could be so blind. 15:13.400 --> 15:26.400 But when one remembers the witchcraft trials in Salem and the burning of witches in Europe, then one realizes that humans have often used demons and superstitions when no reasonable cause for a situation can be found. 15:32.400 --> 15:38.400 As the work on the boat continued, it became my responsibility to add to our meager larder. 15:38.400 --> 15:43.400 With some rough hooks fashioned by my husband and some stout cordage secured to the rocks I fished. 15:43.400 --> 15:50.400 Although I checked these set lines often, even at night when sleep was impossible, the results were disappointing. 15:50.400 --> 16:02.400 I thought it possible that the attitudes of the men would soften toward me because of my efforts to better conditions, but there were no indications that this change was taking place, only dark, accusing looks. 16:02.400 --> 16:09.400 One, Hayward, the youngest of them, seemed less hateful than the others. He averted his eyes when I looked at him. 16:09.400 --> 16:17.400 That evening of the second day, Lawson paid a visit on my husband. A visit that made my fears all the more real. 16:17.400 --> 16:20.400 Top of the evening to you, Captain. 16:20.400 --> 16:21.400 Thank you, Lawson. 16:21.400 --> 16:22.400 Mrs. Woodridge. 16:22.400 --> 16:24.400 Good, good evening. 16:24.400 --> 16:31.400 Though the top of the evening ain't worth anything on this rotten, wet island, I hope you don't mind my coming, sir. 16:31.400 --> 16:33.400 Of course not, Lawson. What is it? 16:33.400 --> 16:36.400 Are you satisfied with the way the work is going, sir? 16:36.400 --> 16:46.400 Yes, I am more than satisfied. To be quite honest, considering the mood you men were in the day we arrived, I expected trouble. I'm thankful there hasn't been any. 16:46.400 --> 16:54.400 Ah, a bit upset we were losing all those chums. But it's survival of the fittest, I suppose. When do you think we'll be ready to leave? 16:54.400 --> 17:05.400 I should say it will depend on the surf. The boat should be fit day after tomorrow. If the surf is heavy, we won't be able to launch safely here and we'll have to move to the other beach. That'll take a day. 17:05.400 --> 17:07.400 The fourth day, then? 17:07.400 --> 17:09.400 Yes, I should say so, barring any trouble, that is. 17:09.400 --> 17:17.400 Ah, yes, sir. Now, I wouldn't want you to think that I'm expecting anything bad to happen, sir. It was the boys that asked me to talk to you about this. 17:17.400 --> 17:18.400 About what? 17:18.400 --> 17:24.400 The way they feel, sir. Well, we're all in this together, everybody equal, taking the same chances. 17:24.400 --> 17:25.400 Yes, that's right. 17:25.400 --> 17:31.400 Going through that surf and trying to make the crossing to the mainland, anything might happen to any one of us. 17:31.400 --> 17:32.400 Yes, that's true, too. 17:32.400 --> 17:42.400 Well, what the boys mean, sir, is that right now everybody's not quite equal. That's because you're the only one who can keep us on course once we start. 17:42.400 --> 17:44.400 I suppose I am, yes. 17:44.400 --> 17:50.400 Yes. Well, now, I repeat, we aren't looking for anything bad to happen, but suppose it did to you. 17:50.400 --> 17:57.400 Then where would the rest of us be, what with 300 miles of ocean to cross and none of us knowing how to keep us on a course? 17:57.400 --> 18:01.400 I see. You want me to teach you navigation? 18:01.400 --> 18:02.400 No. 18:02.400 --> 18:04.400 Not just me, sir. All of us. 18:04.400 --> 18:05.400 No, don't do it. 18:05.400 --> 18:06.400 What's come over you, my dear? 18:06.400 --> 18:08.400 Well, they're up to something. 18:08.400 --> 18:18.400 I don't know what's upset you, Mrs. Woolridge. We're thinking of you, too. We the Captain wouldn't want you to drift about until you die the first in case something happens to him. 18:18.400 --> 18:19.400 Right, sir? 18:19.400 --> 18:25.400 That's quite right. But I'll tell you what upset Mrs. Woolridge. Perhaps we can straighten it out. 18:25.400 --> 18:33.400 You told her she was to blame for our misfortune, merely because she was a board. It was a ridiculous thing for you to say, and it frightened her. 18:33.400 --> 18:37.400 Well, some of the chums got to talking about it, and I got a bit excited. 18:37.400 --> 18:40.400 It wasn't the other men. It was you. 18:40.400 --> 18:44.400 I only said what they told me to, Mrs. Woolridge, and I'm sorry that I did. None of us... 18:44.400 --> 18:47.400 Has there been any more conversation about it? 18:47.400 --> 18:58.400 Oh, no, sir, no. The only thing they talk about now is getting home. I don't suppose we're much for brains, sir, but do you think we could learn navigation? 18:58.400 --> 19:06.400 Oh, yes. At least enough to reach the coast. Then one could feel his way until he reached a port. We'll have the first lesson tonight. 19:06.400 --> 19:09.400 Thank you, sir. The boys will be pleased to hear this. 19:09.400 --> 19:11.400 I'll be with you in a moment, sir. 19:11.400 --> 19:13.400 Night, Mrs. Woolridge. 19:13.400 --> 19:25.400 Oh, please, Dick. Please don't teach them. If you do, you won't be important to them any longer. They'll be in control. I know that that's what they want. They're evil men, Dick, capable of anything. What have they left us here? 19:25.400 --> 19:36.400 Oh, Emily, stop it. Stop it. In a situation like this, we must be realistic. It's for the good of all that the men should learn to navigate. 19:43.400 --> 19:49.400 My husband returned an hour later, quite pleased with the spirit of the men and the progress they had made during their first lesson. 19:49.400 --> 19:59.400 I tried to match his confidence with my own, but the next day that became impossible. There was no mistaking the hate for me and the faces of the men when my husband was not present. 19:59.400 --> 20:10.400 But he had no chance to realize this because the expressions changed when he appeared. The men took on a rough good humor and an enthusiasm for their work and the future that completely beguiled him. 20:10.400 --> 20:17.400 At times I doubted my reason, but at others I was sure that I didn't imagine this purposeful change of attitude. 20:17.400 --> 20:28.400 Then during the afternoon, I was able to speak with Hayward, the one I hoped felt less strongly toward me. He was on his way to the spring that supplied our water when I was able to meet him alone. 20:28.400 --> 20:32.400 Mrs. Waldridge, what are you doing here? 20:32.400 --> 20:33.400 I wanted to talk to you. 20:33.400 --> 20:36.400 I don't want to talk to you. I've got nothing to say. 20:36.400 --> 20:39.400 Why did Lawson lie to my husband and me? 20:39.400 --> 20:40.400 I don't know what you mean. 20:40.400 --> 20:44.400 He told us last night that you men didn't blame me for what happened. 20:44.400 --> 20:45.400 Well, we don't. 20:45.400 --> 20:50.400 That you realize how ridiculous the things were that you said to me the first day. That I was the cause. 20:50.400 --> 20:51.400 That's right. 20:51.400 --> 20:53.400 Then why do you hate me? 20:53.400 --> 20:55.400 Hate you? We don't, Mrs. Waldridge. 20:55.400 --> 21:03.400 The expressions on your faces when my husband isn't there couldn't mean anything else. What is it? What are you thinking? 21:03.400 --> 21:07.400 You must be mistaken, Mrs. Waldridge. All we talk about is getting home. 21:07.400 --> 21:10.400 That's what Lawson told you to say if you had to talk to me, isn't it? 21:10.400 --> 21:12.400 I don't know what you mean. 21:12.400 --> 21:19.400 He said the same thing last night in the same words. But he was lying, wasn't he, just like you are. 21:19.400 --> 21:23.400 You've got no reason to say that, Mrs. Waldridge. I don't know what we'd want to lie about. 21:23.400 --> 21:25.400 About what your plans are. 21:25.400 --> 21:30.400 Plans? Why don't we get home as quick as we can? Isn't that what you plan? 21:30.400 --> 21:32.400 You're lying to me. 21:32.400 --> 21:34.400 But, Mrs. Waldridge, why should you say that? 21:34.400 --> 21:37.400 That's not what you're thinking. What are your plans? 21:37.400 --> 21:38.400 What I told you. To go home. 21:38.400 --> 21:40.400 You're lying to me. I can tell from your face. 21:40.400 --> 21:45.400 It's been a trying experience, Mrs. Waldridge. Perhaps your mind is playing tricks. 21:45.400 --> 21:48.400 I don't know what else could upset you like this. 21:55.400 --> 22:02.400 Final repairs on the boat were completed that day, and all of the next was consumed in moving it to the safer beach. 22:02.400 --> 22:09.400 The surf was not as high as the shore was protected by a curve of reef from which I cast my set lines. 22:09.400 --> 22:21.400 The crashing waves caused terrible currents, and the frightening prospect of maneuvering a boat through them was real enough to keep my mind clear of my other fears, which seem to have no basis at the moment. 22:21.400 --> 22:25.400 At nightfall, I was huddled close to our fire as my husband awoke from a short nap. 22:25.400 --> 22:30.400 Oh. Oh. How long have I slept? 22:30.400 --> 22:32.400 No more than an hour. 22:32.400 --> 22:38.400 Seemed like days. I will sleep days once I get into a bed again. What a luxury that'll be, eh? 22:38.400 --> 22:43.400 Oh, I hope everything will be all right tomorrow, with the crossing. 22:43.400 --> 22:46.400 No reason it shouldn't be. A start boat and we're worth the prevailing winds. 22:46.400 --> 22:54.400 You don't have to make it sound easy for me, you know. Just tell me if there's a good chance of reaching safety. 22:54.400 --> 23:02.400 There's a very good chance, Emily. And I must say that I'm happy to see your mood improved. Morale will be most important when we're at sea. 23:02.400 --> 23:03.400 I'll help the best I can. 23:03.400 --> 23:04.400 I know you will, my dear. 23:04.400 --> 23:05.400 Oh, cut! 23:05.400 --> 23:06.400 Ah! 23:06.400 --> 23:09.400 Oh, oh, Lawson, yes, yes, yes. What is it? 23:09.400 --> 23:14.400 I hope you don't mind. The boys are a bit uneasy tonight. They asked me to come. 23:14.400 --> 23:15.400 What is wrong? 23:15.400 --> 23:24.400 Nothing special, sir. They wonder if you could tell them where we'll land. Roughly, that is. They wanted me to ask if you'd talk to them for a bit. 23:24.400 --> 23:27.400 I suppose they are uneasy. Yes, I'll have a word with them. 23:27.400 --> 23:31.400 Oh, they'd like that, sir. You know, myself, I'm not troubled. I'd say it's in the lap of the gods. 23:31.400 --> 23:37.400 So, while you go to see them, I think I'll have a look at the beach again, see how the surf is running. 23:37.400 --> 23:40.400 I think that'd be a good idea. Let me know how the currents are crossing, will you? 23:40.400 --> 23:41.400 Aye, sir. 23:41.400 --> 23:42.400 Well, I'll be back in a few minutes. 23:42.400 --> 23:43.400 No, no, don't leave me. 23:43.400 --> 23:46.400 Only a few moments, Emily, dear. Now, you try to rest. 23:52.400 --> 23:54.400 All right, Mrs. Woodridge. 23:55.400 --> 23:56.400 What are you going to do? 23:56.400 --> 24:02.400 Nothing, Mrs. Woodridge, but you are. Time to tend your set lines out on the surf. 24:02.400 --> 24:06.400 I think I'll go with you in case you have an accident on those slippery rocks in the dark. 24:06.400 --> 24:08.400 No, I'm going to do it in the morning. 24:08.400 --> 24:12.400 You've done it before at night. You've killed enough men and now it's an eye for an eye. 24:12.400 --> 24:16.400 I haven't killed anybody. You're insane. My husband. 24:16.400 --> 24:21.400 You'll kill him if you call for him. The boys are ready to take care of him if you do. We don't need him anymore. 24:21.400 --> 24:23.400 Oh, I knew. I knew. I knew. 24:23.400 --> 24:30.400 It's all up to you, Mrs. Woodridge. Ain't fair of you to risk us all when a slip of the reef will save us. 24:30.400 --> 24:31.400 I won't shout. 24:31.400 --> 24:38.400 Come along then. We've seen what a woman at sea brings about, but it won't happen again in the small boat. 24:38.400 --> 24:46.400 Do you have to do this? Won't you admit that you're wrong, that superstitions are basis, and that you've nothing to fear about my going with you? 24:46.400 --> 24:51.400 We've seen what happens, and what you see is proof. We'll talk no more about it. 24:51.400 --> 24:53.400 No, no, no, you can't do this. 24:53.400 --> 24:56.400 Hey, you're a moron. You can't do it. Let her go. 24:56.400 --> 24:57.400 Let me go. 24:57.400 --> 24:59.400 You're a moron. You can't do it. 24:59.400 --> 25:01.400 You're a moron. You can't do it. 25:01.400 --> 25:03.400 You're a moron. You can't do it. 25:03.400 --> 25:05.400 You're a moron. You can't do it. 25:05.400 --> 25:08.400 You're a moron. You can't do it. Let her go. 25:08.400 --> 25:09.400 Let me go. 25:16.400 --> 25:20.400 It's all right, darling. Everything's all right. 25:21.400 --> 25:25.400 But thank heaven the other men were more human than Lawson. 25:25.400 --> 25:34.400 They let him lead them into the night, but they couldn't justify murder, and told me what he planned to do. 25:34.400 --> 25:56.400 After three weeks, the five survivors of the Maid of Athens reached the port of Stanley in the Falklands. 25:56.400 --> 26:06.400 As Emily Woodridge stated it in her chronicle, in time to hear of the death of Charles Dickens, a sorrowful landfall after all our trials. 26:06.400 --> 26:29.400 Suspense presented by Auto Light. Tonight's star, Miss Agnes Moorhead. 26:29.400 --> 26:36.400 This is Harlow Wilcox speaking for Auto Light, the world's largest independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment. 26:36.400 --> 26:45.400 In 28 plants from coast to coast, Auto Light makes over 400 products for cars, trucks, tractors, planes, boats, and industry. 26:45.400 --> 26:52.400 These products include bumpers, die castings, industrial thermometers and batteries, such as the famous Auto Light Staple, 26:52.400 --> 27:03.400 ignition engineered Auto Light spark plugs, both standard and resistor types, voltage regulators, wire and battery cable, Auto Light bullseye sealed beam units, 27:03.400 --> 27:08.400 and Auto Light original service parts for all Auto Light electrical systems. 27:08.400 --> 27:12.400 Auto Light is proud to serve the greatest names in the industry. 27:12.400 --> 27:25.400 So, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 27:25.400 --> 27:34.400 Next week, we bring to life one of the most famous detectives in literature as we dramatize E.C. Bentley's classic novel of deduction, 27:34.400 --> 27:55.400 Trent's last case, our star, Mr. Ronald Coleman. That's next week on Suspense. 27:55.400 --> 28:04.400 Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis, the music composed by Lucian Morawick and conducted by Lud Bluskin. 28:04.400 --> 28:09.400 Emily Woodridge's The Wreck of the Maid of Athens was adapted for Suspense by Gil Dowd. 28:09.400 --> 28:14.400 The overnight story Joseph Kearns was heard as Captain Woodridge and Ben Wright as Lawson, 28:14.400 --> 28:19.400 featured in the cast were Larry Thor, Richard Peel, and Jack Crouchon. 28:19.400 --> 28:25.400 Agnes Moorhead may soon be seen in the Universal International Picture magnificent obsession. 28:25.400 --> 28:38.400 And remember, next week, Mr. Ronald Coleman in Trent's Last Case. 28:38.400 --> 28:43.400 You can buy Auto Light original service parts, Auto Light standard or resistor type spark plugs, 28:43.400 --> 28:47.400 and Auto Light stay full batteries at your neighborhood Auto Light dealer. 28:47.400 --> 29:04.400 Good night. 29:04.400 --> 29:20.400 This is the CBS Radio Network.