WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:11.660 Auto Light and its 98,000 dealers bring you Mr. David Miven in tonight's presentation 00:11.660 --> 00:20.160 of Suspense. 00:20.160 --> 00:24.860 Tonight Auto Light presents a story based on fact, the true report of a man who had 00:24.860 --> 00:26.540 everything going for him. 00:26.540 --> 00:31.080 But since all his dealings were illegal, it became necessary to move around more frequently 00:31.080 --> 00:32.720 than was usual. 00:32.720 --> 00:39.360 It's called Grand Theft, our star, Mr. David Miven. 00:39.360 --> 00:46.640 Hey, Hap, what's the rush? 00:46.640 --> 00:48.600 Well, not much time, Harlow. 00:48.600 --> 00:49.600 For what? 00:49.600 --> 00:52.040 Why, to enter that Auto Light family charity drawing? 00:52.040 --> 00:53.400 Ah, you're right, Hap. 00:53.400 --> 00:57.600 And friends, if you haven't signed up in the greatest charity event of all time, you'd 00:57.600 --> 00:59.040 better hurry too. 00:59.040 --> 01:02.400 You may make it possible for your own church or hospital... 01:02.400 --> 01:04.000 Or your school or club... 01:04.000 --> 01:10.600 Or any other recognized local or national charity to share in $100,000 in cash. 01:10.600 --> 01:12.440 Tell them how simple it is to enter, Harlow. 01:12.440 --> 01:17.480 Why, all you do is sign your name and address on a registration form at any Auto Light family 01:17.480 --> 01:18.760 car dealer. 01:18.760 --> 01:22.820 There's nothing to try or buy, nothing to solve or write. 01:22.820 --> 01:28.200 But if you're one of the 25 persons selected, you will name any recognized charity you wish 01:28.200 --> 01:31.040 to share in $100,000. 01:31.040 --> 01:34.080 So visit any or all of these car showrooms. 01:34.080 --> 01:41.000 De Soto, Hudson, Plymouth, Studebaker, Dodge, Willis, Nash, Packard, Kaiser, or Chrysler. 01:41.000 --> 01:45.320 There's not much time left to enter the Auto Light family charity drawing. 01:45.320 --> 01:48.080 So why not sign up tomorrow? 01:48.080 --> 01:55.400 And now, Auto Light presents Mr. David Nevin in Grand Theft, hoping once again to keep 01:55.400 --> 02:06.480 you in suspense. 02:06.480 --> 02:07.880 Here's how it works. 02:07.880 --> 02:09.360 You appraise things. 02:09.360 --> 02:14.200 You stroll through a house, take your notes, make your calculations, and eventually you 02:14.200 --> 02:16.880 come up with some interesting figures on which they pay you. 02:16.880 --> 02:19.880 Of course, it's interesting work. 02:19.880 --> 02:24.840 And if one is resourceful and competent and ambitious when no one is looking, one might 02:24.840 --> 02:26.480 turn out to be wealthy. 02:26.480 --> 02:32.000 Oh, there you are, Mr. Bentley. 02:32.000 --> 02:33.480 I was afraid you might get away. 02:33.480 --> 02:37.080 Oh, no, my dear Mrs. Payne, just waiting to say goodbye to you. 02:37.080 --> 02:39.080 Oh, Mr. Bentley. 02:39.080 --> 02:40.560 Oh, Mrs. Payne. 02:40.560 --> 02:42.720 Well, I'm glad you did wait to say goodbye. 02:42.720 --> 02:47.200 I feel I've really come to know you these last three days while you've been at our home 02:47.200 --> 02:48.680 appraising all of our goods. 02:48.680 --> 02:51.480 And I to know you, dear Mrs. Payne. 02:51.480 --> 02:52.520 I really must hurry now. 02:52.520 --> 02:54.000 My plane leaves in an hour. 02:54.000 --> 02:58.440 Mr. Bentley, I know you've seen many lovely homes in your line of work. 02:58.440 --> 03:00.320 What do you think of bars? 03:00.320 --> 03:02.000 Oh, one of the loveliest I've ever seen. 03:02.000 --> 03:03.000 Oh, truly, Mrs. Payne. 03:03.000 --> 03:06.360 Did the insurance company ask you to appraise the jewelry, too? 03:06.360 --> 03:08.480 No, no, they didn't, Mrs. Payne. 03:08.480 --> 03:10.080 Oh, oh, dear. 03:10.080 --> 03:15.080 Well, we had such a delightful chat while you were here, and I do feel I know you. 03:15.080 --> 03:17.880 You did see my bracelet, the platinum one at dinner last night. 03:17.880 --> 03:19.760 Oh, I couldn't help but notice it, Mrs. Payne. 03:19.760 --> 03:23.200 Well, it's a matter of curiosity, and I know you do have this knowledge. 03:23.200 --> 03:25.160 What do you think Roger paid for it? 03:25.160 --> 03:26.920 Well, not a cent under $5,000. 03:26.920 --> 03:29.640 Oh, then he does love me. 03:29.640 --> 03:31.240 Be most assured of that, Mrs. Payne. 03:31.240 --> 03:33.040 Oh, I really must go now. 03:33.040 --> 03:36.880 Well, whenever you're in Denver again, call us, won't you? 03:36.880 --> 03:38.520 Won't you, Mr. Bentley? 03:38.520 --> 03:41.160 Of course I will. 03:41.160 --> 03:46.120 Goodbye, Mrs. Payne. 03:46.120 --> 03:53.520 You say goodbye, you take a cab to the airport, get on an airplane, and try to forget her 03:53.520 --> 03:55.760 fat face on the way to New York. 03:55.760 --> 04:00.600 However, once there in a little pawn shop you know of on 3rd Street, that face looms 04:00.600 --> 04:02.920 before you just for one painful second. 04:02.920 --> 04:03.920 Hi, Ben. 04:03.920 --> 04:04.920 Hi. 04:04.920 --> 04:06.920 Well, what you got this time? 04:06.920 --> 04:08.800 Let's see. 04:08.800 --> 04:11.600 Mm, platinum, eh? 04:11.600 --> 04:12.600 So I understand. 04:12.600 --> 04:13.600 What's your price? 04:13.600 --> 04:15.360 Give you $1,500 for the thing. 04:15.360 --> 04:16.360 Take it or leave it. 04:16.360 --> 04:17.360 What? 04:17.360 --> 04:19.200 He didn't love her enough. 04:19.200 --> 04:28.200 I'll take it. 04:28.200 --> 04:30.680 But that way is very small stuff. 04:30.680 --> 04:33.440 Cheesecake instead of caviar, if you will. 04:33.440 --> 04:38.080 No, one must broaden one's horizons, enlarge one's activities, launch into greater, more 04:38.080 --> 04:39.080 productive fields. 04:39.080 --> 04:42.960 In short, one must never be satisfied with $1,500. 04:42.960 --> 04:45.960 That would be decadent. 04:45.960 --> 04:52.880 Well, punctual as usual. 04:52.880 --> 04:57.000 Oh, I always like to make my little visits on time. 04:57.000 --> 05:01.040 I love you. 05:01.040 --> 05:03.520 And how is your dear old grandmother today? 05:03.520 --> 05:04.520 Is she comfortable? 05:04.520 --> 05:06.600 She's as good as can be expected. 05:06.600 --> 05:07.600 When do we get the money? 05:07.600 --> 05:08.600 Soon, very soon. 05:08.600 --> 05:09.600 I don't be impatient. 05:09.600 --> 05:12.200 I'm going to speak to the insurance adjuster later on today. 05:12.200 --> 05:14.800 But first I'd like to speak to Mrs. Mullen seriously. 05:14.800 --> 05:16.800 She'll be the key person in this situation. 05:16.800 --> 05:17.800 Ben, wait. 05:17.800 --> 05:18.800 What? 05:18.800 --> 05:23.320 You and I, Ben, we're two of a kind, but grandmother's not like us and she doesn't 05:23.320 --> 05:24.960 know about us. 05:24.960 --> 05:29.040 I...all I want to do is just get enough money to get out of here and get married and go 05:29.040 --> 05:30.400 to Paris and forget everything. 05:30.400 --> 05:32.000 So do I, my dear. 05:32.000 --> 05:36.640 Well, whatever we do, I mean, does she have to be involved? 05:36.640 --> 05:38.280 Only in a small way, love. 05:38.280 --> 05:39.280 She's old, Ben. 05:39.280 --> 05:41.560 She's never done anything wrong in her whole life. 05:41.560 --> 05:44.760 Look, when you talk to her, be gentle. 05:44.760 --> 05:48.880 For some reason, she thinks the sun rises on your shoulders. 05:48.880 --> 05:49.880 Why, I don't know. 05:49.880 --> 05:52.440 Well, your granny is a woman of supreme taste. 05:52.440 --> 05:54.440 You might as well come along. 05:54.440 --> 05:58.600 Oh, terrible house. 05:58.600 --> 05:59.600 Ghastly knickknacks. 05:59.600 --> 06:02.040 It's all she has left in her life. 06:02.040 --> 06:03.040 These things, her memories. 06:03.040 --> 06:06.800 Too bad she doesn't have any money any longer. 06:06.800 --> 06:07.800 She broke her glasses yesterday. 06:07.800 --> 06:08.800 They're being fixed. 06:08.800 --> 06:11.800 You have a visitor, grandmother. 06:11.800 --> 06:12.800 Mrs. Mullen? 06:12.800 --> 06:13.800 Mrs. Mullen? 06:13.800 --> 06:15.800 Ah, granny, granny, dear, good morning. 06:15.800 --> 06:19.640 Ben, it's a wonderful morning, Ben. 06:19.640 --> 06:20.640 Yes, it is, dear. 06:20.640 --> 06:22.600 Have you been enjoying yourself? 06:22.600 --> 06:23.600 You're looking well. 06:23.600 --> 06:26.800 Oh, Ben, it's such a lovely morning. 06:26.800 --> 06:29.000 Dear, I've something to talk to you about. 06:29.000 --> 06:30.600 Will you listen carefully, dear? 06:30.600 --> 06:32.240 Ben, be gentle. 06:32.240 --> 06:34.800 Sometimes she'll answer, sometimes she won't, but she hears you. 06:34.800 --> 06:36.760 What is it, Ben? 06:36.760 --> 06:40.960 Now, I want you to be a very good girl and do as I ask you, dear. 06:40.960 --> 06:41.960 Yes, Ben. 06:41.960 --> 06:46.800 Sooner or later, possibly before the end of this week, a man will call on you. 06:46.800 --> 06:47.800 Yes. 06:47.800 --> 06:51.800 Now, I don't know his name, but he will represent an insurance company. 06:51.800 --> 06:55.600 Now, he will ask you certain questions about some family jewelry. 06:55.600 --> 06:58.160 Do you remember about the family jewelry? 06:58.160 --> 07:02.440 Do you remember what I told you about the family jewelry, Mrs. Mullen? 07:02.440 --> 07:03.440 Granny? 07:03.440 --> 07:06.800 Yes, I remember, Ben. 07:06.800 --> 07:09.800 What did I tell you? 07:09.800 --> 07:13.040 Maud's grandfather gave it to me. 07:13.040 --> 07:20.560 Then I gave it to Maud when she was 21, and she's had it ever since until it was stolen 07:20.560 --> 07:21.560 from her. 07:21.560 --> 07:23.720 Very good, dear, very, very good. 07:23.720 --> 07:27.960 And that is exactly what you will tell this man when he comes here. 07:27.960 --> 07:29.440 He'll ask you all about it. 07:29.440 --> 07:30.440 Yes, Ben. 07:30.440 --> 07:31.440 What's this all about? 07:31.440 --> 07:32.440 I thought the claim was all right. 07:32.440 --> 07:35.120 It's just that I'm going to stir things up a bit. 07:35.120 --> 07:38.080 The insurance adjuster's bound to get here the next day or two. 07:38.080 --> 07:39.080 He'll talk to you too, Maud. 07:39.080 --> 07:40.080 You know what to tell him. 07:40.080 --> 07:42.360 Ben, are we going to get in trouble? 07:42.360 --> 07:43.360 Shh. 07:43.360 --> 07:46.360 Now, no one's going to get into any trouble as long as dear old Granny does what she's 07:46.360 --> 07:47.360 told. 07:47.360 --> 07:48.360 Ben, dear. 07:48.360 --> 07:50.360 Yes, Granny dear? 07:50.360 --> 07:55.160 There never was any jewelry in this family, Ben. 07:55.160 --> 07:56.320 Never. 07:56.320 --> 07:59.560 I've never told a lie, Ben. 07:59.560 --> 08:00.560 Never in my life. 08:00.560 --> 08:11.520 You just say what I told you to say, dear, and everything will be fine. 08:11.520 --> 08:16.240 You judge the picture of an old woman who never lied, and you wonder about it. 08:16.240 --> 08:21.520 But you feel that the larger gain, the promise of it, the Paris of it, the unutterable delight 08:21.520 --> 08:26.080 of being financially exhilarated, demands that you continue the action. 08:26.080 --> 08:30.280 So you make a phone call to a certain insurance company. 08:30.280 --> 08:38.360 Then you go home and await developments. 08:38.360 --> 08:43.160 I believe you called Great Atlantic Underwriters yesterday about a claim. 08:43.160 --> 08:44.160 I did. 08:44.160 --> 08:46.880 The people who made it asked me to find out what's delaying the matter. 08:46.880 --> 08:49.600 I'm from Allied Adjustment Bureau, Mr. Bentley. 08:49.600 --> 08:50.600 Great Atlantic. 08:50.600 --> 08:51.600 Turn it over to me. 08:51.600 --> 08:52.600 My name's Coombs. 08:52.600 --> 08:54.320 I'm happy to know you, Mr. Coombs. 08:54.320 --> 08:55.320 Come in. 08:55.320 --> 08:56.320 Thank you. 08:56.320 --> 09:00.200 I just took a chance and thought I'd drop by this morning. 09:00.200 --> 09:04.000 I'd like to ask you some questions about the claim, if I may. 09:04.000 --> 09:06.320 Party name of Mullen, Maud Mullen? 09:06.320 --> 09:07.320 Yes. 09:07.320 --> 09:09.160 Look, I'm just getting ready for an appointment. 09:09.160 --> 09:10.160 I don't want to be late. 09:10.160 --> 09:13.400 Oh, be all right with me if you want to go undressing while we're talking, Mr. Bentley. 09:13.400 --> 09:16.400 Well, it would be nice to get this settled for Miss Mullen. 09:16.400 --> 09:17.400 Yes. 09:17.400 --> 09:19.720 Oh, I see you paint. 09:19.720 --> 09:22.240 No, no, I don't paint, Mr. Coombs. 09:22.240 --> 09:23.240 Other people paint. 09:23.240 --> 09:24.240 I just collect paintings. 09:24.240 --> 09:25.240 Oh. 09:25.240 --> 09:28.840 The pursuit of art is a natural activity with me. 09:28.840 --> 09:31.520 Paintings or any other work that I can put in my home. 09:31.520 --> 09:35.200 Anything to remind me that man is creative and not destructive. 09:35.200 --> 09:37.600 Now let's see if I have all this right. 09:37.600 --> 09:40.800 Chalmers Bentley, B-E-N-T-L-E-Y. 09:40.800 --> 09:41.800 No initial? 09:41.800 --> 09:42.800 No. 09:42.800 --> 09:43.800 And you're an appraiser, Mr. Bentley? 09:43.800 --> 09:44.800 Oh, yes. 09:44.800 --> 09:45.800 Mm-hmm. 09:45.800 --> 09:46.800 How about now? 09:46.800 --> 09:48.400 Are you with anybody now? 09:48.400 --> 09:49.400 No. 09:49.400 --> 09:52.240 No different insurance companies call on me at different times to make appraisals. 09:52.240 --> 09:53.240 I see. 09:53.240 --> 09:54.800 You're in the same business, Mr. Coombs. 09:54.800 --> 09:56.200 Different ends, of course. 09:56.200 --> 10:02.640 I appraise fine objets d'art, rare household furnishings, jewelry, and, well, Mr. Coombs, 10:02.640 --> 10:06.520 all of those things upon which the ordinary person would have no idea how to place a price. 10:06.520 --> 10:08.080 Does that answer you? 10:08.080 --> 10:09.080 Yes. 10:09.080 --> 10:11.320 Do you work in New York all the time? 10:11.320 --> 10:12.320 Most of the time. 10:12.320 --> 10:16.400 But of course I have to travel and sometimes even live away from here, wherever my work 10:16.400 --> 10:17.440 takes me. 10:17.440 --> 10:19.240 You have any family here? 10:19.240 --> 10:20.240 No. 10:20.240 --> 10:21.240 What's on your mind? 10:21.240 --> 10:22.960 Is there something wrong with the Mullen claim? 10:22.960 --> 10:27.480 Well, you reported the burglary for these people six weeks ago. 10:27.480 --> 10:31.960 You claimed that Maude Mullen was robbed of $18,000 worth of family jewelry, which you 10:31.960 --> 10:33.240 had assessed. 10:33.240 --> 10:36.800 The claim for the loss was filed three days later by you. 10:36.800 --> 10:39.960 It should have been signed, sealed, and paid off by now, don't you think, Mr. Coombs? 10:39.960 --> 10:43.640 Well, ordinarily, it would have been paid by now, Mr. Bentley. 10:43.640 --> 10:47.440 If I wore a tweed, do you think I could get by without a top coat? 10:47.440 --> 10:48.440 Oh, I think so. 10:48.440 --> 10:49.440 It's quite warm outside. 10:49.440 --> 10:53.120 I get so tired wearing a coat every time I go out, Mr. Coombs, don't you? 10:53.120 --> 10:54.120 Excuse me. 10:54.120 --> 10:55.720 Now, what's holding up the claim? 10:55.720 --> 10:57.680 Well, several things. 10:57.680 --> 10:59.720 First, the burglary they reported. 10:59.720 --> 11:03.520 The police found no evidence of a forced entry in that old house of theirs. 11:03.520 --> 11:04.520 I know all that. 11:04.520 --> 11:06.840 But then I'm not a policeman and I'm not the burglar. 11:06.840 --> 11:08.920 And it wasn't my jewelry that was stolen. 11:08.920 --> 11:11.560 So I can't very well tell the police where to find the evidence. 11:11.560 --> 11:12.560 Now, can I, Mr. Coombs? 11:12.560 --> 11:16.800 Well, it's a point to consider, Mr. Bentley, and you did file the claim for them. 11:16.800 --> 11:18.120 Oh, just as a favor. 11:18.120 --> 11:19.120 You keep mentioning that. 11:19.120 --> 11:21.640 There's another point, too. 11:21.640 --> 11:24.320 I don't understand why they put a button in the back of some of these shirts. 11:24.320 --> 11:25.800 Can you get it for me, Mr. Coombs? 11:25.800 --> 11:28.040 Oh, yes, of course. 11:28.040 --> 11:34.400 Now, as I understand it, that jewelry had been in the Mullin family some 60 years. 11:34.400 --> 11:36.720 But in all that time, it had never been insured. 11:36.720 --> 11:42.120 Now, they take out a policy three months ago, and just a month after your assessment, the 11:42.120 --> 11:44.400 jewelry's stolen. 11:44.400 --> 11:47.240 That strike you as something for us to look into, Mr. Bentley? 11:47.240 --> 11:48.720 No, not at all. 11:48.720 --> 11:49.720 Oh, thank you. 11:49.720 --> 11:50.720 Oh, of course. 11:50.720 --> 11:53.280 Why didn't they insure it before, Mr. Bentley? 11:53.280 --> 11:54.280 Now, I don't know. 11:54.280 --> 11:55.280 I have no way of knowing. 11:55.280 --> 11:56.280 I see. 11:56.280 --> 11:57.960 Were you in Denver last month? 11:57.960 --> 11:58.960 Yes. 11:58.960 --> 11:59.960 Why? 11:59.960 --> 12:01.440 Appraise some things in the house of a family named Payne? 12:01.440 --> 12:02.440 Payne. 12:02.440 --> 12:03.880 Yes, I believe that was their name. 12:03.880 --> 12:04.880 Yes. 12:04.880 --> 12:09.440 Did you know that two days after you left, Mrs. Payne discovered a platinum bracelet missing? 12:09.440 --> 12:11.080 No, I didn't know. 12:11.080 --> 12:12.360 I know. 12:12.360 --> 12:15.160 One of the companies I represent held a policy. 12:15.160 --> 12:16.540 Mr. Coombs. 12:16.540 --> 12:19.300 This has the flavor of an intimidating conversation. 12:19.300 --> 12:20.640 Why do you mention the incident in Denver? 12:20.640 --> 12:23.320 It has nothing to do with the claim with the Mullen family? 12:23.320 --> 12:26.840 Well, in a way it has, but I won't go into that right now. 12:26.840 --> 12:27.840 Oh. 12:27.840 --> 12:29.580 Mostly, that's why the payment's been held up. 12:29.580 --> 12:31.960 We just want to look into it a little more. 12:31.960 --> 12:32.960 Mr. Coombs. 12:32.960 --> 12:33.960 Yes? 12:33.960 --> 12:38.160 I know you have your little task to perform, and the very nature of your work requires you 12:38.160 --> 12:40.360 to suspicion everyone and everything. 12:40.360 --> 12:43.360 However, I appraised the jewelry in the Mullen home. 12:43.360 --> 12:45.520 I saw something of the circumstances there. 12:45.520 --> 12:47.480 They asked me to file a claim for them. 12:47.480 --> 12:51.400 When I tell them what you've just told me, perhaps they'll ask me to notify the insurance 12:51.400 --> 12:52.400 commissioner. 12:52.400 --> 12:55.640 Well, of course you can do that for them, Mr. Bentley. 12:55.640 --> 12:58.800 That's what the insurance commissioner's there for. 12:58.800 --> 13:02.640 But I'll tell you what they'll be up against. 13:02.640 --> 13:06.320 We aren't convinced there was a burglary, and we aren't sure there was ever that much 13:06.320 --> 13:07.940 jewelry in the Mullen family. 13:07.940 --> 13:13.080 And if there was, and you assessed it, Mr. Bentley, we aren't so sure that something 13:13.080 --> 13:21.760 like what happened to Mrs. Payne's platinum bracelet didn't happen to their stuff. 13:21.760 --> 13:22.760 That's how it is. 13:22.760 --> 13:23.760 Goodbye, Mr. Bentley. 13:23.760 --> 13:24.760 Goodbye, Mr. Coombs. 13:24.760 --> 13:49.000 Auto Light is bringing you Mr. David Niven in Grand Theft, a story based on fact. 13:49.000 --> 14:04.320 Auto Light's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 14:04.320 --> 14:08.440 During recent months, it has been Auto Light's privilege to salute leading car manufacturer 14:08.440 --> 14:12.780 members of the Auto Light family and their dealers throughout the world for many years 14:12.780 --> 14:14.880 of close association. 14:14.880 --> 14:19.500 Car dealers from coast to coast have held open house, and some 30,000 Auto Light men 14:19.500 --> 14:25.180 and women have visited special automobile showings set up in 26 Auto Light plants. 14:25.180 --> 14:29.400 This third annual Auto Light family salute program will be brought to a brilliant close 14:29.400 --> 14:33.820 with the opening this coming Wednesday of the famous Easter Parade of Stars automobile 14:33.820 --> 14:39.000 show in the grand ballroom of the Waldorf Historia Hotel in New York City. 14:39.000 --> 14:44.420 Here against a colorful background of thousands of living wildflowers, record breaking crowds 14:44.420 --> 14:49.000 will see latest car models produced by members of the Auto Light family. 14:49.000 --> 14:53.160 If you are in New York City this week, we cordially invite you to the Easter Parade 14:53.160 --> 14:55.840 of Stars Auto Show at the Waldorf. 14:55.840 --> 15:01.080 And wherever you live, remember more than 400 Auto Light products are famous throughout 15:01.080 --> 15:04.360 the world for outstanding quality and performance. 15:04.360 --> 15:10.040 Yes, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 15:10.040 --> 15:16.120 And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood sound stage Mr. David Niven in Elliot Lewis's 15:16.120 --> 15:22.840 presentation of Grand Theft, a story based on fact and well calculated to keep you in 15:22.840 --> 15:34.640 suspense. 15:34.640 --> 15:40.320 When one's problems become complex, one must rely on experience to carry one through. 15:40.320 --> 15:45.200 A suspicious insurance investigator can only operate on single track theories. 15:45.200 --> 15:50.360 A resourceful insurance appraiser is quite aware of these methods and therefore regards 15:50.360 --> 15:51.760 them in the proper light. 15:51.760 --> 15:56.240 Naturally, one must be practical and bend all efforts to know where one stands. 15:56.240 --> 15:57.240 Ben. 15:57.240 --> 15:58.240 Well, Maude. 15:58.240 --> 15:59.880 I've been waiting for you, Ben. 15:59.880 --> 16:01.120 Mr. Coombs was at the house. 16:01.120 --> 16:02.120 Of course. 16:02.120 --> 16:03.120 He was here yesterday afternoon. 16:03.120 --> 16:05.480 I tried to call you to tell you about it, but you weren't in. 16:05.480 --> 16:07.400 He spent an hour with Grandmother talking to her. 16:07.400 --> 16:08.400 What did he ask her? 16:08.400 --> 16:09.400 What did she say? 16:09.400 --> 16:10.400 I don't know, Ben. 16:10.400 --> 16:11.400 You know how she is sometimes. 16:11.400 --> 16:13.280 She just won't talk to anybody no matter what you ask her. 16:13.280 --> 16:14.280 Where were you? 16:14.280 --> 16:15.280 That's just it. 16:15.280 --> 16:19.560 I told him she was ill and might not understand him, but he insisted on talking to her alone. 16:19.560 --> 16:20.560 There was nothing I could do. 16:20.560 --> 16:21.560 It would have looked bad if I... 16:21.560 --> 16:23.800 I've got to find out what she told him. 16:23.800 --> 16:24.800 Wait. 16:24.800 --> 16:25.800 No, not now. 16:25.800 --> 16:29.100 Something's happened to her right after Mr. Coombs left. 16:29.100 --> 16:30.840 Some sort of shock. 16:30.840 --> 16:32.800 The doctor doesn't know what it is. 16:32.800 --> 16:33.800 Wait till tonight. 16:33.800 --> 16:35.240 Maybe she'll be better then. 16:35.240 --> 16:36.240 No, Ben. 16:36.240 --> 16:37.240 Let go. 16:37.240 --> 16:38.240 I said I have to see her. 16:38.240 --> 16:39.240 Mrs. Mullen? 16:39.240 --> 16:40.240 Mrs. Mullen? 16:40.240 --> 16:41.240 Granny? 16:41.240 --> 16:42.240 Ben. 16:42.240 --> 16:43.240 That's right, Granny. 16:43.240 --> 16:44.240 It's me. 16:44.240 --> 16:45.240 I want to ask you something, dear. 16:45.240 --> 16:47.280 It's important or I wouldn't have disturbed you. 16:47.280 --> 16:59.960 Is it a nice day, Ben? 16:59.960 --> 17:00.960 Lovely day, dear. 17:00.960 --> 17:01.960 Lovely. 17:01.960 --> 17:04.400 Mr. Coombs spoke to you yesterday afternoon about that little matter. 17:04.400 --> 17:06.000 Do you remember? 17:06.000 --> 17:09.920 Do you remember Mr. Coombs, Granny? 17:09.920 --> 17:11.720 Granny tell me, did... 17:11.720 --> 17:12.720 What did he ask you? 17:12.720 --> 17:13.720 What did he say? 17:13.720 --> 17:14.720 Mr. Coombs? 17:14.720 --> 17:15.720 Oh, Ben. 17:15.720 --> 17:20.600 He was very, very nice. 17:20.600 --> 17:24.240 He smoked a pipe like Maud's grandfather. 17:24.240 --> 17:31.040 I told him all about the jewelry, the brooch, the ring and the necklace. 17:31.040 --> 17:38.160 I told him it had been in the family 60 years, Ben, and that I gave it to Maud when she was 17:38.160 --> 17:39.160 21. 17:39.160 --> 17:41.160 Is that right, Ben? 17:41.160 --> 17:44.160 Granny, that's exactly right, dear. 17:44.160 --> 17:45.800 Did he ask you anything else? 17:45.800 --> 17:47.560 Did you tell him anything else? 17:47.560 --> 17:50.560 That was all, Ben. 17:50.560 --> 17:51.560 That was all. 17:51.560 --> 17:54.160 Now, you go back to sleep, dear. 17:54.160 --> 17:56.160 I'm sorry to have disturbed you. 17:56.160 --> 17:57.160 Ben? 17:57.160 --> 17:58.160 Yes, dear? 17:58.160 --> 18:03.720 There never was any jewelry in this family, Ben. 18:03.720 --> 18:04.720 Never. 18:04.720 --> 18:07.120 Of course there was, Granny. 18:07.120 --> 18:09.600 Didn't you tell Mr. Coombs all about it? 18:09.600 --> 18:13.840 Yes, I told him. 18:13.840 --> 18:21.360 But oh, Ben, I'm an old woman and I shouldn't have lied. 18:21.360 --> 18:22.800 Now, don't you worry. 18:22.800 --> 18:23.800 It's all right. 18:23.800 --> 18:28.800 Maud? 18:28.800 --> 18:32.200 Well? 18:32.200 --> 18:33.200 Everything's all right. 18:33.200 --> 18:34.200 What? 18:34.200 --> 18:35.200 I'm telling you, we're in business. 18:35.200 --> 18:36.200 Paris and all. 18:36.200 --> 18:37.200 Pack your things. 18:37.200 --> 18:38.200 Well, wait, Ben. 18:38.200 --> 18:39.200 How is she? 18:39.200 --> 18:40.200 Your grandmother. 18:40.200 --> 18:41.200 Oh, my dear girl. 18:41.200 --> 18:42.200 We don't have to worry about her anymore. 18:42.200 --> 18:43.200 You'll put her in a nice home. 18:43.200 --> 18:45.520 Now, pack and smile. 18:45.520 --> 18:47.160 You sure we'll get the money on the claim? 18:47.160 --> 18:57.640 I'm going over to get it now. 18:57.640 --> 18:59.680 Now you finish it off. 18:59.680 --> 19:05.240 Of course, there never was any jewelry, even though I assessed some. 19:05.240 --> 19:08.440 And there never was any theft, even though one was reported. 19:08.440 --> 19:14.040 However, there was a claim that in any adjuster's eyes, word on the evidence of it appeared 19:14.040 --> 19:16.040 to be absolutely legitimate. 19:16.040 --> 19:19.600 Oh, glad you came by, Mr. Bentley. 19:19.600 --> 19:20.600 I was going to phone you. 19:20.600 --> 19:21.600 This will save time. 19:21.600 --> 19:25.200 That is precisely why I'm here, Mr. Coombs, to save time. 19:25.200 --> 19:26.760 When will the Mullins receive their money? 19:26.760 --> 19:29.600 Well, I'm afraid that's something I can't answer, Mr. Bentley. 19:29.600 --> 19:33.000 Mr. Coombs, a valid claim has been placed with the company you represent. 19:33.000 --> 19:36.200 And I'm sorry they have so many reservations about honoring it. 19:36.200 --> 19:38.920 However, I know something of the workings of insurance companies. 19:38.920 --> 19:41.560 I know that you, not the company, are holding it up. 19:41.560 --> 19:42.560 That's quite right. 19:42.560 --> 19:43.560 Why? 19:43.560 --> 19:47.520 I understand that you had the effrontery to call on that poor, sick old lady. 19:47.520 --> 19:48.840 Wonderful person. 19:48.840 --> 19:51.680 I doubt if many people call on her nowadays. 19:51.680 --> 19:53.280 Most of her friends must be dead by now. 19:53.280 --> 19:54.280 I'll tell you why I'm here. 19:54.280 --> 19:56.160 Miss Mullin asked me to come. 19:56.160 --> 19:58.600 She wants her $18,000, Mr. Coombs. 19:58.600 --> 19:59.600 The policy was written. 19:59.600 --> 20:00.600 The money is owed. 20:00.600 --> 20:01.600 Now, where is it? 20:01.600 --> 20:03.000 The grandmother made a sworn statement. 20:03.000 --> 20:04.000 All checks out there. 20:04.000 --> 20:05.720 Oh, you're satisfied then. 20:05.720 --> 20:07.920 Mr. Bentley, I want to tell you something. 20:07.920 --> 20:10.880 This is off the record, just between you and me. 20:10.880 --> 20:15.000 When I was at your apartment the other day, I couldn't help noticing the stuff on the 20:15.000 --> 20:16.000 wall. 20:16.000 --> 20:18.240 And I just asked around. 20:18.240 --> 20:21.640 Some of those paintings in your place are worth $2,000 or $3,000. 20:21.640 --> 20:25.240 That's a lot of money, even for a man who gets paid as high as you do. 20:25.240 --> 20:27.280 Now, what am I leading up to? 20:27.280 --> 20:28.840 Well, just this. 20:28.840 --> 20:33.440 Not only the Denver thing, but you worked a case in Dayton, Ohio a year and a half ago, 20:33.440 --> 20:37.480 pray some things for Midwestern indemnity at the home of some people named Vansing. 20:37.480 --> 20:39.680 Do you remember Vansing? 20:39.680 --> 20:44.880 Two days after you'd done your work, the Vansings found out that a diamond ring worth $8,500 20:44.880 --> 20:46.080 was missing from their house. 20:46.080 --> 20:47.080 I see here... 20:47.080 --> 20:49.120 Now, just let me go on. 20:49.120 --> 20:51.600 Similar thing happened in Omaha three years ago. 20:51.600 --> 20:54.880 Family named Van Cleave reported 6,000 worth of jewelry missing. 20:54.880 --> 20:58.840 It happened that you appraised their household goods just a week before. 20:58.840 --> 21:03.160 Now, here's one from San Francisco and there's another one from St. Paul. 21:03.160 --> 21:07.680 I mean, you see, you talk as though you expected to find stolen jewelry hanging on the walls 21:07.680 --> 21:08.680 of my apartment. 21:08.680 --> 21:14.880 No, no, but jewelry can be turned into money to buy paintings, can't it? 21:14.880 --> 21:16.640 None of these things are any of my business. 21:16.640 --> 21:19.160 Even those nice paintings hanging in your apartment, none of my business. 21:19.160 --> 21:22.880 I have nothing at all to do with these people and their $18,000 claim with us. 21:22.880 --> 21:26.360 Now, as you said, Mr. Coombs, all of this has nothing to do with their claim. 21:26.360 --> 21:28.280 They want their $18,000, Mr. Coombs. 21:28.280 --> 21:29.640 They want it within 24 hours. 21:29.640 --> 21:30.640 You understand? 21:30.640 --> 21:33.360 Now, that's pretty clear, Mr. Bentley. 21:33.360 --> 21:35.960 But you can tell them they're going to be disappointed. 21:35.960 --> 21:37.440 You see, it's out of my hands. 21:37.440 --> 21:38.440 What? 21:38.440 --> 21:40.600 I've turned the matter over to the Federal District Court. 21:40.600 --> 21:45.440 I've asked them to find the insurance company not liable under the policy. 21:45.440 --> 21:47.960 But it... take weeks for a hearing. 21:47.960 --> 21:49.520 Yeah, I'm afraid so. 21:49.520 --> 21:53.260 And if the court decides against them, Mr. Bentley, the grand jury will have grounds 21:53.260 --> 21:56.480 to indict you for an attempted insurance fraud. 21:56.480 --> 22:00.560 Oh, oh, that's a pretty rough thing to beat. 22:00.560 --> 22:06.840 But now, if I had a statement from you right now, we might consider withdrawing from the 22:06.840 --> 22:09.080 court and letting the entire matter drop. 22:09.080 --> 22:10.080 I see. 22:10.080 --> 22:12.680 Well, what do you say, Mr. Bentley? 22:12.680 --> 22:16.680 Do you want to make that statement and clear all this up? 22:16.680 --> 22:22.160 Mr. Coombs, I'm due on Long Island at 2 o'clock, an appraisal job for Eastern States underwriters. 22:22.160 --> 22:23.440 They called me this morning. 22:23.440 --> 22:24.920 I'm late now. 22:24.920 --> 22:27.000 Then you don't want to make the statement. 22:27.000 --> 22:38.520 Mr. Coombs, I simply wouldn't know what to say. 22:38.520 --> 22:42.280 You really do know what to say, but under the circumstances, it would be inadvisable 22:42.280 --> 22:44.400 to confide it to Mr. Coombs. 22:44.400 --> 22:46.120 Two words suffice. 22:46.120 --> 22:47.380 Get out. 22:47.380 --> 22:51.940 What had looked good and promising in Parisian had suddenly turned into an ugly accusation 22:51.940 --> 22:58.520 of theft, which was not the case, but which did definitely close the door on $18,000. 22:58.520 --> 23:01.320 So one more crack at the old game. 23:01.320 --> 23:06.280 And if you have to, Paris alone. 23:06.280 --> 23:08.240 Would you care for tea or a drink? 23:08.240 --> 23:09.800 Mrs. Prescott, I'm in rather a hurry. 23:09.800 --> 23:10.800 Thank you. 23:10.800 --> 23:11.800 Some other time. 23:11.800 --> 23:16.200 You've been so efficient, going from room to room, wandering all over the house. 23:16.200 --> 23:20.040 I'll just wait and not one single object escaped your eye. 23:20.040 --> 23:23.680 Oh, did you happen to notice my daughter's diamond earrings? 23:23.680 --> 23:24.680 Aren't they lovely? 23:24.680 --> 23:25.680 Her graduation present. 23:25.680 --> 23:26.680 Earrings? 23:26.680 --> 23:27.680 Oh, oh, yes. 23:27.680 --> 23:28.680 Oh, lovely. 23:28.680 --> 23:29.680 Yes. 23:29.680 --> 23:30.680 Yes, I believe I did notice them. 23:30.680 --> 23:32.920 You see, we do have to be very thorough, Mrs. Prescott. 23:32.920 --> 23:33.920 You understand that. 23:33.920 --> 23:35.920 Oh, of course, of course. 23:35.920 --> 23:38.920 Tell me, Mr. Bentley, did you see my son's bedroom? 23:38.920 --> 23:40.280 Yes, I believe so. 23:40.280 --> 23:42.280 Second door to the right top of the landing. 23:42.280 --> 23:43.280 Yes. 23:43.280 --> 23:47.440 Did you happen to see that little jade vase? 23:47.440 --> 23:48.440 The jade vase. 23:48.440 --> 23:49.440 Oh, yes. 23:49.440 --> 23:54.360 Oh, Mr. Bentley, I know this is asking for information that should come officially from 23:54.360 --> 23:55.840 the insurance company. 23:55.840 --> 23:58.880 But what is it worth? 23:58.880 --> 23:59.880 Forty dollars. 23:59.880 --> 24:00.880 Forty dollars? 24:00.880 --> 24:04.160 Oh, dear, and I thought it was worth thousands. 24:04.160 --> 24:05.840 I bought it in Hong Kong. 24:05.840 --> 24:06.840 What did you pay for it? 24:06.840 --> 24:07.840 Forty dollars. 24:07.840 --> 24:10.840 I'm just going to show you. 24:10.840 --> 24:13.920 Are you sure you won't have any tea or something? 24:13.920 --> 24:14.920 Quite sure. 24:14.920 --> 24:15.920 If you'll excuse me. 24:15.920 --> 24:16.920 Good day, Mrs. Prescott. 24:16.920 --> 24:17.920 Good day, Mr. Bentley. 24:17.920 --> 24:19.600 I do hope you'll come back again someday. 24:19.600 --> 24:21.560 I want to talk to you about your work. 24:21.560 --> 24:22.560 Goodbye. 24:22.560 --> 24:23.560 Goodbye. 24:23.560 --> 24:24.560 Hello. 24:24.560 --> 24:33.840 Mr. Bentley, this is Detective Ivers. 24:33.840 --> 24:35.080 Central Division, Mr. Bentley. 24:35.080 --> 24:36.080 What is this? 24:36.080 --> 24:37.360 Mr. Coombs, have you lost your mind? 24:37.360 --> 24:38.800 Your full name is Chalmers Bentley? 24:38.800 --> 24:39.800 Well, of course it is. 24:39.800 --> 24:40.800 He knows that. 24:40.800 --> 24:43.000 I understand your occupation is appraising, is that right? 24:43.000 --> 24:44.000 It certainly is. 24:44.000 --> 24:45.000 Now, I have a question. 24:45.000 --> 24:46.000 Just a minute. 24:46.000 --> 24:47.000 I'd like to see that briefcase, Mr. Bentley. 24:47.000 --> 24:48.000 What? 24:48.000 --> 24:49.000 Sorry. 24:49.000 --> 24:51.640 Now, put it all back. 24:51.640 --> 24:52.640 You're behind this, Coombs. 24:52.640 --> 24:54.760 I bet you think what will happen when I call my attorneys. 24:54.760 --> 24:56.920 It's just a little idea, Mr. Bentley. 24:56.920 --> 24:57.920 I had to risk it. 24:57.920 --> 24:58.920 Now, you can hear. 24:58.920 --> 25:02.360 Nothing but a day's work, all unassorted, thanks to you. 25:02.360 --> 25:03.360 Sorry. 25:03.360 --> 25:04.360 Mind standing still? 25:04.360 --> 25:05.360 I certainly do. 25:05.360 --> 25:06.360 Now, take your hands off me. 25:06.360 --> 25:07.640 I've got authority to search your person, Mr. Bentley. 25:07.640 --> 25:08.920 It'll be done sooner or later. 25:08.920 --> 25:09.920 What are you looking for? 25:09.920 --> 25:10.920 A gun or something? 25:10.920 --> 25:13.320 We have reason to believe you've taken some jewelry from this home. 25:13.320 --> 25:14.760 That's why I looked over the briefcase. 25:14.760 --> 25:15.760 That's why I have to search. 25:15.760 --> 25:18.520 Oh, empty your pockets. 25:18.520 --> 25:23.720 Give me a hat. 25:23.720 --> 25:26.720 Hold still. 25:26.720 --> 25:29.720 Nothing? 25:29.720 --> 25:31.360 Can you finish it downtown? 25:31.360 --> 25:33.280 Now, see here, I've been subjected to just about enough of this. 25:33.280 --> 25:35.840 All right, it's not a necklace or a bracelet. 25:35.840 --> 25:37.160 We'd have found it by now. 25:37.160 --> 25:42.240 It's something smaller, a ring or a pin, or maybe you just pulled something out of a set, 25:42.240 --> 25:46.040 but it's on you somewhere in your shoe or taped under your arm or somewhere. 25:46.040 --> 25:49.040 Come on, now, what did you take this time? 25:49.040 --> 25:50.040 Diamond earrings. 25:50.040 --> 25:51.040 Where are they? 25:51.040 --> 25:52.040 Here, right under my belt. 25:52.040 --> 25:55.040 It's for the pay for my passage to Paris. 25:55.040 --> 26:01.480 You're very good at your job, Mr. Coombs. 26:01.480 --> 26:02.840 I'm an expert. 26:02.840 --> 26:03.840 That's a real compliment. 26:03.840 --> 26:06.240 Okay, let's get in the car. 26:06.240 --> 26:08.320 Wait, Mr. Coombs. 26:08.320 --> 26:09.800 How did you find out? 26:09.800 --> 26:12.640 Well, I talked to your girlfriend's grandmother. 26:12.640 --> 26:14.000 I don't understand. 26:14.000 --> 26:15.080 I wanted you to talk to her. 26:15.080 --> 26:16.080 She was my ace. 26:16.080 --> 26:18.680 Oh, she told us the right story, Bentley. 26:18.680 --> 26:19.680 Your story. 26:19.680 --> 26:22.680 It broke that old lady's heart to lie. 26:22.680 --> 26:23.760 Just broke it. 26:23.760 --> 26:24.760 That's how we found out. 26:24.760 --> 26:29.600 I bet that old lady never told a lie in her whole life before. 26:29.600 --> 26:32.480 A two-year-old kid would have known she was lying. 26:32.480 --> 26:34.480 Yes, I should have thought of that. 26:34.480 --> 26:38.440 You never can trust these beginners. 26:38.440 --> 27:03.960 I should have worn my top coat. 27:03.960 --> 27:05.760 Suspense. 27:05.760 --> 27:11.480 And now, the car. 27:11.480 --> 27:17.080 Say, Harlow, just who's eligible to enter the Auto Light family charity drawing? 27:17.080 --> 27:18.400 Anyone and everyone. 27:18.400 --> 27:20.560 18 years or over, Hap. 27:20.560 --> 27:22.520 And just what do you have to do, Harlow? 27:22.520 --> 27:25.440 Why, Hap, it's as simple as signing your name and address. 27:25.440 --> 27:27.520 In fact, that's all you do. 27:27.520 --> 27:32.000 Just visit any Auto Light family car dealer showroom, sign your name and address to a 27:32.000 --> 27:34.680 registration form, and nothing more. 27:34.680 --> 27:40.320 There are no sentences to complete, no puzzles to solve, nothing to try or buy. 27:40.320 --> 27:45.920 If you're one of the lucky 25 persons selected, you will name any recognized local or national 27:45.920 --> 27:50.980 charity you wish to share in $100,000 in cash. 27:50.980 --> 27:52.800 It costs nothing to enter. 27:52.800 --> 27:58.900 So give your favorite charity this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collect thousands. 27:58.900 --> 28:05.680 Get one or all of these car dealers, De Soto, Hudson, Plymouth, Studebaker, Dodge, Willis, 28:05.680 --> 28:08.600 Nash, Packard, Kaiser, or Chrysler. 28:08.600 --> 28:21.080 Not much time left, so sign up tomorrow. 28:21.080 --> 28:26.720 Next week, the story of a man whose welcome home party promised little gaiety and many 28:26.720 --> 28:27.880 tears. 28:27.880 --> 28:30.840 And surely, his death. 28:30.840 --> 28:33.560 It's called Parole to Panic. 28:33.560 --> 28:36.160 Our star, Mr. Broderick Crawford. 28:36.160 --> 28:52.320 That's next week on Suspense. 28:52.320 --> 28:57.520 Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis, with music composed by Lucian Morrowick 28:57.520 --> 29:00.120 and conducted by Lud Bluskin. 29:00.120 --> 29:03.880 Grand Theft was written for Suspense by E. Jack Newman. 29:03.880 --> 29:09.720 In tonight's story, Mary Jane Croft was heard as Maude, Florence Walcott as Grandmother, 29:09.720 --> 29:11.720 and Joseph Kearns as Coombs. 29:11.720 --> 29:18.880 Featured in the cast were Trude Marston, Paula Winslow, and Vic Perrin. 29:18.880 --> 29:26.200 David Niven may soon be seen in the Love Lottery. 29:26.200 --> 29:33.480 And remember, next week, Mr. Broderick Crawford in Parole to Panic. 29:33.480 --> 29:56.720 This is the CBS Radio Network.