1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:17,720 And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 2 00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:20,220 Tonight we bring you a story from your newspaper. 3 00:00:20,220 --> 00:00:22,660 It is based upon absolute fact. 4 00:00:22,660 --> 00:00:25,080 Only certain portions have been dramatized. 5 00:00:25,080 --> 00:00:27,920 We call it, The Greatest Thief in the World. 6 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:44,680 So now, starring Mr. Ben Wright, here is tonight's Suspense play, The Greatest Thief in the World. 7 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:50,680 The files of criminal record office in Scotland Yard contain two bulky folders. 8 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:53,760 One relating to the evidence against Peter Marion. 9 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:57,720 The other against a criminal known only as the Squire. 10 00:00:57,720 --> 00:01:01,400 Between Peter Marion, we're in possession of a number of facts. 11 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:05,320 Some we gain through our own investigation, others through interested parties. 12 00:01:05,320 --> 00:01:08,920 Concerning the Squire, we know a good deal less. 13 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:12,960 That for some five years he committed dual thefts amounting to half a million pounds 14 00:01:12,960 --> 00:01:14,600 is common knowledge. 15 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:19,640 That at no time until the end did we find one scrap of evidence is further stated in 16 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:21,000 the file. 17 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:25,120 The question that the Yard has not been able to satisfactorily answer is whether Peter 18 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:28,560 Marriott and the Squire were one in the same. 19 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:30,640 The case is a mathematical fantasy. 20 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:36,280 For example, we know that Peter Marriott attended a shooting party in the West Riding as the 21 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:39,240 guest of Sir Leslie and Lady Bandrick. 22 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:47,560 We know the gist of what transpired, but was the Squire present at that time? 23 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:55,600 Good shooting, Marriott. 24 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:57,160 Oh, thank you, sir. 25 00:01:57,160 --> 00:01:59,360 Best if I know how you do it. 26 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:02,720 Every time I get a shot of them, those blinking parties seem to know it's me. 27 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:04,200 Oh, it's just bad luck, sir. 28 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:05,200 It'll get better. 29 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:06,200 But they do, you know. 30 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:08,200 They fly off screaming with laughter. 31 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:09,720 It's old band bridge. 32 00:02:09,720 --> 00:02:10,720 Come on, you chaps. 33 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:11,720 Nothing to worry about. 34 00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:12,720 Oh, really, sir. 35 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:13,720 Oh, well. 36 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:14,720 Perhaps tomorrow. 37 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:15,720 I'm for a drink. 38 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:16,720 Why don't you? 39 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:17,720 Why don't you? 40 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:21,040 By the way, be meaning to ask you ever since you got here. 41 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:23,600 It keeps slipping my mind. 42 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:27,240 Anything new in London about that the Squire chap? 43 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:28,640 I don't think so, sir. 44 00:02:28,640 --> 00:02:29,640 Not since his last haul. 45 00:02:29,640 --> 00:02:31,640 You've heard about him out here, too. 46 00:02:31,640 --> 00:02:33,800 Well, who doesn't hear about him? 47 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:34,800 It's a disgrace. 48 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:37,280 I can tell you I've read in the letter for times. 49 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:38,880 Parliament should do something. 50 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:41,480 No, I understand Scotland Yards up a tree. 51 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:42,480 Bunglers. 52 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:43,480 Not like the old days. 53 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:47,120 Catch the man and give him a horse, whip him in, send you to Dartmoor. 54 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:48,480 That's what we'd have done. 55 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:50,480 Well, they say he's quite clever. 56 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:51,480 Clever? 57 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:52,480 Nonsense. 58 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:55,480 Papers are making a hero of the blighter. 59 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:56,480 The Squire. 60 00:02:56,480 --> 00:02:57,480 Impudence. 61 00:02:57,480 --> 00:02:58,480 Man's not a gentleman. 62 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:01,480 He's just a blasted little jewel thief. 63 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:05,480 Well, I don't imagine the Honourable Percy Pindell considers him little. 64 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:06,480 Oh, yes. 65 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:08,480 That was the last one, wasn't it? 66 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:12,480 According to the paper, 20,000 pounds, an emerald necklace and two diamond rings. 67 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:13,480 Percy's a fool. 68 00:03:13,480 --> 00:03:15,480 Always told himself, too. 69 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:18,480 A child could have opened that safe of his. 70 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:22,480 I'd like to see the Squire try his game with me. 71 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:24,480 A different story, I can tell you. 72 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:26,480 Well, I might want to do it, sir. 73 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:29,480 By the way, did you tell me that you used to dabble in the diamond market? 74 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:31,480 Oh, that was a few years ago, sir. 75 00:03:31,480 --> 00:03:32,480 Nothing much. 76 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:36,480 This evening I must show you one or two nice little things I bought Lady Pavlain in Italy. 77 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:44,480 I'd love to see them, sir. 78 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:52,480 Two days after the shooting party, Sir Leslie Banbridge reported that jewels amounting to the sum of 8,000 pounds had been stolen from his safe. 79 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:54,480 It was the Squire's work. 80 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:59,480 No prints, just the unmistakable methods that had tantalised us for five years. 81 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:04,480 At that time, there was no more reason to suspect Peter Marriott than the other 18 guests, 82 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:07,480 all of whom had seen the jewels in question. 83 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:11,480 We know now that there was a girl in Peter Marriott's life, 84 00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:27,480 a girl whom we felt to be a rather odd acquaintance for a man in his position. 85 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:28,480 Hello, Ginny. 86 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:30,480 Well, where you been? 87 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:32,480 Thought you was coming by last week. 88 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:33,480 Oh, I'm sorry I was away. 89 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:34,480 You brass knobs on. 90 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:35,480 No, honestly. 91 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:38,480 I brought you a present. 92 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:39,480 You have? 93 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:41,480 Oh, you are a duck. 94 00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:42,480 Well, I've missed you. 95 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:44,480 Give me a kiss. 96 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:47,480 Oh, you have missed me, haven't you? 97 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:49,480 Where's the present? 98 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:56,480 Here. 99 00:04:56,480 --> 00:04:58,480 Oh, Peter. 100 00:04:58,480 --> 00:05:00,480 Oh, it's lovely. 101 00:05:00,480 --> 00:05:02,480 Thanks ever so. 102 00:05:02,480 --> 00:05:03,480 Is it real? 103 00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:04,480 Oh, absolutely. 104 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:05,480 You couldn't find a better ruby anywhere. 105 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:06,480 Doesn't look real. 106 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:08,480 Well, you take my word for it. 107 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:09,480 It is. 108 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:10,480 Oh, how lovely. 109 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:11,480 Oh, you shouldn't have. 110 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:13,480 Must have cost a packet. 111 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:16,480 Well, you're my girl, aren't you? 112 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:18,480 Oh, Ginny, look, you see this parcel? 113 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:20,480 I want you to keep it for me just for a little while. 114 00:05:20,480 --> 00:05:21,480 Oh, what is it? 115 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:22,480 Oh, it's nothing important. 116 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:24,480 You don't have to open it up. 117 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:26,480 I wouldn't. 118 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:30,480 Well, as a matter of fact, it's like the other parcel I gave you a few months ago. 119 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:32,480 Oh, gone. 120 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:33,480 Pictures. 121 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:34,480 Right. 122 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:36,480 Oh, you'll get in trouble one of these days, you will. 123 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:38,480 Anyway, I don't believe you. 124 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:40,480 I bet those aren't pictures in there. 125 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:41,480 Oh. 126 00:05:41,480 --> 00:05:42,480 What do you really do? 127 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:44,480 I mean for a living. 128 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:46,480 Well, I've told you nothing very much. 129 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:47,480 Dark exchange. 130 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:48,480 I have some money. 131 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:49,480 Why? 132 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:50,480 I wondered. 133 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:52,480 What made you wonder? 134 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:54,480 Well, I think maybe you're a bit shady. 135 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:56,480 Oh, what an odd thought. 136 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:57,480 Is it? 137 00:05:57,480 --> 00:05:58,480 Well, what's so odd about it? 138 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:00,480 Why don't you ever take me nowhere? 139 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:04,480 Why do we always have to meet here, never go dancing or nothing? 140 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:05,480 Well, Jenny, isn't it nice here? 141 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:06,480 No, it ain't. 142 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:09,480 You're ashamed of me because I'm not a swell like you. 143 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:10,480 Jenny, it isn't that. 144 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:12,480 It's only that I want to be with you alone. 145 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:14,480 Yes, I don't think. 146 00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:17,480 Well, what do you want me to say then? 147 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:20,480 I don't know, but there's something funny about you. 148 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:22,480 Oh? 149 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:24,480 A man was here the other day. 150 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:25,480 A man? 151 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:26,480 Who? 152 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:27,480 What do you mean? 153 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:29,480 Oh, so there is something. 154 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:31,480 Jenny, tell me about it. 155 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:34,480 He was just asking about the gent who visited me last night. 156 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:36,480 That was you, Peter. 157 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:37,480 What did you say? 158 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:40,480 I told him I wasn't the avid, a gas, and was strange, isn't it, Oppet? 159 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:41,480 Well, what did he look like? 160 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:44,480 Look here, I don't like the way you're talking like a ruddy copper. 161 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:46,480 I don't think I'm going to tell you anything. 162 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:49,480 Well, I'm sorry, Jenny, but please, go on. 163 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:51,480 No, I don't feel like it. 164 00:06:51,480 --> 00:06:53,480 Now, look, I've got to know. 165 00:06:53,480 --> 00:06:55,480 It's important. 166 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:59,480 Well, 999, ask the police. 167 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:01,480 I think you'd better tell me. 168 00:07:01,480 --> 00:07:03,480 You eat me. 169 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:05,480 What did he look like? 170 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:06,480 Jenny? 171 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:07,480 Was he all right? 172 00:07:07,480 --> 00:07:09,480 Maybe a little thinner, black hair. 173 00:07:09,480 --> 00:07:10,480 He looked something like you. 174 00:07:10,480 --> 00:07:11,480 Well, how was he dressed? 175 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:12,480 I don't know. 176 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:13,480 All right, I suppose. 177 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:15,480 Gray overcoat, bowler. 178 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:17,480 He wasn't a copper, I don't think, if that's what's worrying you. 179 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:18,480 He was too polite. 180 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:19,480 Any name? 181 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:20,480 No. 182 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:22,480 Said he was a friend of yours from abroad. 183 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:26,480 Said when I saw you to say something about Canada. 184 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:28,480 You know what he meant. 185 00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:30,480 That can't be. 186 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:32,480 He's dead. 187 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:34,480 It can't be. 188 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:45,480 Immediately following the bandage robbery, the squire was inactive. 189 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:51,480 We kept an eye out for the stolen jewels, but as in the past, there was no sign of them. 190 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:59,480 However, we learned one interesting fact, that Peter Marriott had attended several parties given by victims of the squire. 191 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:06,480 Although it was a very slight chance and quite possibly coincidental, we felt it advisable to assign a plainclothesman to watch him. 192 00:08:06,480 --> 00:08:12,480 On September 7th, 1949, the detective made his routine report. 193 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:16,480 Follett's suspect, a lion's teeshot, knotting hill gate. 194 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:18,480 He sat at a corner table alone. 195 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:24,480 Five minutes later, he was joined by another man, was unable to hear the conversation. 196 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:29,480 Hello, Peter Marriott. 197 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:30,480 Hello. 198 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:31,480 Sir Don. 199 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:34,480 I don't think I would have recognized you. 200 00:08:34,480 --> 00:08:36,480 You've had quite a job done on your face, haven't you? 201 00:08:36,480 --> 00:08:37,480 Yes. 202 00:08:37,480 --> 00:08:41,480 Well, rather like old times, eh? 203 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:43,480 What happened? I thought you were... 204 00:08:43,480 --> 00:08:46,480 Not now, my dear fellow. It's a long story. 205 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:48,480 Don't worry, you'll hear about it. 206 00:08:48,480 --> 00:08:50,480 How long have you been in London? 207 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:51,480 Ages. 208 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:52,480 Nearly six years. 209 00:08:52,480 --> 00:08:54,480 Funny, you took so long getting in touch. 210 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:55,480 Yes, isn't it? 211 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:58,480 You look prosperous, I must say. 212 00:08:58,480 --> 00:08:59,480 So do you. 213 00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:01,480 I suppose that girl told you I'd been inquiring. 214 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:02,480 Yes. 215 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:05,480 Well, I thought it best to make sure. One doesn't want to make mistakes, does one? 216 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:08,480 Look here, will you get to the point? What do you want? 217 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:10,480 Same dear fellow, aren't you? 218 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:13,480 All right. First, what about my name? 219 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:16,480 I thought you were dead, there's no harm there. 220 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:18,480 You know I couldn't use my own name after I left Canada. 221 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:23,480 Yes, but my dear fellow, Peter Marriott, there can't be two of us, you know. 222 00:09:23,480 --> 00:09:24,480 Why not? 223 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:27,480 Because when I found out five years ago that you were calling yourself that, 224 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:29,480 I had to change my name to something else. 225 00:09:29,480 --> 00:09:32,480 Well, now I think I want my own back. 226 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:33,480 You can have it. 227 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:35,480 There must be more than a few Peter Marriott's in the world. 228 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:38,480 Definitely, but we're special, you and I. 229 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:40,480 Very special. 230 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:41,480 Oh, go on. 231 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:45,480 You see, I've been reading a lot about you. You're quite a toff. 232 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:50,480 Races, hunt balls and all that. I've followed you very closely. 233 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:54,480 You can be a great help to me, old man. Great help indeed. 234 00:09:54,480 --> 00:09:55,480 What's the game? 235 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:58,480 We can do business together, just like old times. 236 00:09:58,480 --> 00:09:59,480 I don't think so. 237 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:12,480 But I do. You and I and the Squire. 238 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:18,480 For the next month, well into October, Peter Marriott, as a suspect, became a dad. 239 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:23,480 He led an exemplary life and we began to feel that once again we'd made a mistake. 240 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:26,480 He attended several parties and no robbery attempts followed. 241 00:10:26,480 --> 00:10:34,480 However, it was two days after a ball given by a wealthy sportsman that our detective assigned to Marriott made his report. 242 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:42,480 October 28th. Suspect left his flat at 5.30 p.m. and walked toward Tube Station, followed but lost him. 243 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:47,480 Cannot be certain whether he made this move on purpose or not. 244 00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:48,480 Is that the house? 245 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:49,480 Yes. 246 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:51,480 Well, you're not going to drive up to it, are you? 247 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:53,480 Oh, look, I didn't ask you to come along, you know. 248 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:57,480 Well, I suppose you know what you're doing. 249 00:10:57,480 --> 00:10:58,480 Now, you can stay here. 250 00:10:58,480 --> 00:10:59,480 But there are lights on in there. 251 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:00,480 Servants' quarters. 252 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:03,480 But what if I say if a bobby comes along? 253 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:04,480 You see that switch under the dash? 254 00:11:04,480 --> 00:11:05,480 Where? Oh, here? 255 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:08,480 Flick it. Then step on the starter. 256 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:11,480 The motor won't catch. You can say you're having motor trouble. 257 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:34,480 All right. 258 00:11:34,480 --> 00:11:40,480 Come on. Did you get it? 259 00:11:40,480 --> 00:12:09,480 I think I went in for a cup of tea, do you? Of course I got it. 260 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:25,480 You are listening to The Greatest Thief in the World, the night's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 261 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:33,480 Mr. Smith, no relation to the one you know, planned for a nest egg to start saving with United States savings bonds someday. 262 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:36,480 He put off starting month after month, year after year. 263 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:38,480 And you know what happened? 264 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:41,480 All the money he didn't save wasn't there when he needed it. 265 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:43,480 Don't you be like our Mr. Smith. 266 00:12:43,480 --> 00:12:51,480 Be like many smart Americans who purchase United States savings bonds regularly for a nest egg that is there. 267 00:12:51,480 --> 00:13:04,480 Now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage Mr. Ben Wright, starring in tonight's production, The Greatest Thief in the World, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 268 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:25,480 Once again the squire had struck, this time to the tune of 14,000 pounds in Oriental jewels. 269 00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:30,480 Once again the resources of Scotland Yard were unable to discover one shred of evidence. 270 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:35,480 It was useless to bring Peter Marriott in for questioning because we had no proof of his complicity. 271 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:44,480 There was nothing to do but intensify our surveillance and hope that a piece of the stolen jewelry would turn up or that one of our informers would uncover something. 272 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:51,480 On November 26, 1949, Marriott drove down to Kent and the estate of Lord Simon Lettington. 273 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:52,480 John. 274 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:53,480 Hello. 275 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:55,480 Just running over to Patty Puth. 276 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:56,480 Want to come? 277 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:56,480 Yeah, love to. 278 00:13:56,480 --> 00:13:57,480 Hop in. 279 00:13:57,480 --> 00:14:01,480 Oh. 280 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:02,480 Hey, Dave. 281 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:03,480 Murderous. 282 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:04,480 Too much for me last night. 283 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:05,480 Take an aspirin. 284 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:06,480 You'll need it for tonight. 285 00:14:06,480 --> 00:14:08,480 If I have one more hot buttered rum, I'll die. 286 00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:10,480 Oh, not you, Peter. 287 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:14,480 I say, Daddy was furious with me this morning. 288 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:15,480 Why? 289 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:16,480 For behaving the way I did with you. 290 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:17,480 Oh? 291 00:14:17,480 --> 00:14:19,480 He saw us kissing in the playroom. 292 00:14:19,480 --> 00:14:23,480 Said I had no right to lead you on, that you were a very nice young man and deserved a better fate. 293 00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:26,480 His lordship is a discerning man. 294 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:27,480 Peter. 295 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:28,480 Hmm? 296 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:31,480 What were you doing in the library this morning? 297 00:14:31,480 --> 00:14:32,480 Nothing. 298 00:14:32,480 --> 00:14:33,480 Why? 299 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:37,480 I saw you looking at the safe, just like a burglar. 300 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:38,480 Very suspicious. 301 00:14:38,480 --> 00:14:39,480 Oh, a rot. 302 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:42,480 There's probably nothing in it, anyway. 303 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:43,480 Ha. 304 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:46,480 Besides, no self-respecting cracksman would touch a thing like that. 305 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:47,480 It's too easy to open. 306 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:49,480 I bet the squire would. 307 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:50,480 Ah, rank amateur. 308 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:52,480 He learned everything from me. 309 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:54,480 Do you want anything in the village? 310 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:56,480 Oh, you might drop me at the pillar box. 311 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:57,480 I have a couple of cards to post. 312 00:14:57,480 --> 00:14:58,480 Right. 313 00:14:58,480 --> 00:15:01,480 I'll meet you in half an hour outside the cinema. 314 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:11,480 Our man followed Marriott when he left Lady Joan Lettington's card in Paddock Wood. 315 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:16,480 Marriott posted two cards, then strolled down the road to the Hotel Rackham. 316 00:15:16,480 --> 00:15:19,480 He entered there, went into the tavern. 317 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:21,480 Our man remained outside. 318 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:22,480 And what are you, sir? 319 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:24,480 Oh, er, double scotch. 320 00:15:24,480 --> 00:15:25,480 Double scotch? 321 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:26,480 Yes, sir. 322 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:27,480 Make a Johnny Walker, will you? 323 00:15:27,480 --> 00:15:28,480 All right. 324 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:29,480 Right you are, sir. 325 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:32,480 A bit of pre-Christmas cheer, eh? 326 00:15:32,480 --> 00:15:33,480 Listen, I don't like this. 327 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:34,480 Outside. 328 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:35,480 See in the mirror? 329 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:37,480 I think it's a man from the yard. 330 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:39,480 I've noticed him hanging about. 331 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:41,480 Yeah, that won't do at all. 332 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:43,480 What does it look like in the house? 333 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:44,480 How the devil should I know? 334 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:45,480 Give me time, can't you? 335 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:47,480 You're a bit touchy, aren't you? 336 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:50,480 My dear old boy, in this business one can't get nervous. 337 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:52,480 You ought to know that. 338 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:53,480 You should have stayed in London. 339 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:54,480 No, it's better this way. 340 00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:56,480 We can keep an eye on one another, eh? 341 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:58,480 Oh, this will buck you up. 342 00:15:58,480 --> 00:15:59,480 Double scotch, sir. 343 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:11,480 On November 30th, Marriott returned to London. 344 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:16,480 We had an idea that he'd contacted someone in Rackham Hotel Tavern. 345 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:20,480 Possibly the elusive stranger we knew to be meeting Marriott from time to time. 346 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:23,480 In any event, we kept a man at Paddock Wood. 347 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:28,480 No attempt was made during the next three weeks upon Lord Leadington's house, 348 00:16:28,480 --> 00:16:30,480 and we could do nothing but wait. 349 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:37,480 On December 21st, it was noted that Peter Marriott visited Virginia Hibbert in Hammersmith at a late hour. 350 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:38,480 How are you? 351 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:42,480 You really have no consideration for me at all, really, you haven't. 352 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:44,480 What fine time of night to come calling. 353 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:47,480 Oh, I'm sorry, Ginny, but I had to talk to you. 354 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:48,480 Oh, what's up? 355 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:50,480 Please listen. 356 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:54,480 Now, I may have to go away, and I may not be able to see you again. 357 00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:55,480 Ever? 358 00:16:55,480 --> 00:16:56,480 Ever. 359 00:16:56,480 --> 00:16:58,480 You're a good girl. 360 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:02,480 Sometimes I haven't been kind, but I've always known that I could trust you. 361 00:17:02,480 --> 00:17:05,480 It hasn't just been making use of you. 362 00:17:05,480 --> 00:17:07,480 I hope not. 363 00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:10,480 Ginny, that man who came to ask you about me... 364 00:17:10,480 --> 00:17:12,480 Has he got something to do with it? 365 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:13,480 Yes. 366 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:18,480 I knew him a long time ago in Canada. 367 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:19,480 Cool. 368 00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:20,480 We worked together. 369 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:22,480 It was in a mining town. 370 00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:26,480 One night there was a game, a poker game. 371 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:28,480 It ended in a fight. 372 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:32,480 My face was badly slashed, and I shot a man. 373 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:33,480 Lummy. 374 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:34,480 I ran away. 375 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:36,480 The doctor did plastic surgery on my face. 376 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:38,480 I changed my name, too. 377 00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:40,480 The bloke who came back, is he the man you... 378 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:42,480 No, no, no, no. 379 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:44,480 The man I shot was a miner. 380 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:47,480 The fellow who came back was the one I worked with. 381 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:50,480 I thought he'd been killed in the fight. 382 00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:53,480 You see why I was afraid when you told me about him. 383 00:17:53,480 --> 00:17:55,480 He knows about that man that I killed. 384 00:17:55,480 --> 00:17:56,480 Dirty water. 385 00:17:56,480 --> 00:17:57,480 Black Malaigne? 386 00:17:57,480 --> 00:17:59,480 Yes, Ginny. 387 00:17:59,480 --> 00:18:01,480 And I'm going to have to do something about it. 388 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:02,480 The police are following me. 389 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:06,480 You see, I can't let this go on. 390 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:09,480 Now, look, there's some money in here, and I want you to take it. 391 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:11,480 You don't have to do that. 392 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:12,480 You've treated me all right. 393 00:18:12,480 --> 00:18:15,480 I don't want your money, and I don't want you to go away. 394 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:17,480 No, no, please, it's for you. 395 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:18,480 There's a thousand pounds here. 396 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:20,480 No. 397 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:22,480 Take it and get out of London, Ginny. 398 00:18:22,480 --> 00:18:25,480 Go to a nice little town and get married. 399 00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:27,480 No, I want to be with you. 400 00:18:27,480 --> 00:18:28,480 Take me with you. 401 00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:30,480 I could learn to be a lady, honest. 402 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:32,480 I'd try. 403 00:18:32,480 --> 00:18:36,480 You are, dear Ginny. 404 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:39,480 Oh, don't go, Peter. 405 00:18:39,480 --> 00:18:41,480 Don't go, please. 406 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:43,480 Maybe I'll come back, and if I do, I'll look for you. 407 00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:44,480 Truly? 408 00:18:44,480 --> 00:18:45,480 Truly. 409 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:47,480 Give us a kiss. 410 00:18:54,480 --> 00:19:00,480 On the morning of December 22, 1949, our file on Peter Marriott was still inconclusive. 411 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:07,480 He was a strong suspect, but there was the other man whom we knew he had seen from time to time. 412 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:11,480 There was now the possibility that he was the squire. 413 00:19:11,480 --> 00:19:17,480 We expected an attempt on Lord Leadington's house and kept our detective in Paddock Wood. 414 00:19:17,480 --> 00:19:20,480 That same night on the 22nd, Lord Leadington's safe was opened, 415 00:19:20,480 --> 00:19:23,480 and a large amount of currency as well as jewelry was stolen. 416 00:19:23,480 --> 00:19:29,480 The plain clothesman we'd left to guard the estate was later found unconscious in some bushes. 417 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:32,480 You were an idiot to come back to the hotel. 418 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:33,480 They'll be looking for you. 419 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:34,480 Or for you. 420 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:38,480 Ah, quite a haul. I like the paper best. 421 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:41,480 Diamonds are pretty, but they're a bloody nuisance to get rid of. 422 00:19:41,480 --> 00:19:43,480 You won't have to worry about that anymore. 423 00:19:43,480 --> 00:19:44,480 Huh? 424 00:19:44,480 --> 00:19:47,480 I'm fed up. Things were all right with me before you turned up. 425 00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:51,480 Think how much nicer it is for me. You've been such a help. 426 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:53,480 I can do so much better business with you. 427 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:54,480 It's finished. 428 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:58,480 Oh, come on now. You'll feel better after a drink. 429 00:19:58,480 --> 00:20:01,480 We'll have to get away from here. At least you'll have to. 430 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:04,480 I imagine half of Scott and Yard will be here soon. 431 00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:05,480 What about that detective? 432 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:07,480 Oh, I put him out. He'll live. 433 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:10,480 Not a very nice Christmas present, I'm afraid. 434 00:20:10,480 --> 00:20:12,480 I meant it, you know, about us. 435 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:14,480 Oh, no, you didn't. 436 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:16,480 Because you wouldn't like people to know, would you? 437 00:20:16,480 --> 00:20:17,480 It doesn't matter. 438 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:19,480 Oh, but it does. 439 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:22,480 What do they do to murderers in Canada? Hang them? 440 00:20:22,480 --> 00:20:25,480 Or that delightful American system, electricity? 441 00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:26,480 You're a fool. 442 00:20:26,480 --> 00:20:30,480 You think I've spent these years getting where I have to allow you to come along and muck it up? 443 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:34,480 You've had it too soft, Peter. You're spoiled. 444 00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:39,480 You're the one who's had it soft. I could talk, too. 445 00:20:39,480 --> 00:20:43,480 You know, I have an idea that you're threatening me. 446 00:20:43,480 --> 00:20:45,480 That's not very healthy, is it? 447 00:20:45,480 --> 00:20:46,480 No. 448 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:50,480 I shouldn't try it, Peter. Whatever you're thinking. 449 00:20:50,480 --> 00:20:52,480 Turn around. 450 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:53,480 Why? 451 00:20:53,480 --> 00:20:56,480 I don't want to shoot you in the back. 452 00:20:56,480 --> 00:20:59,480 Is that what you're going to do? Kill me? 453 00:20:59,480 --> 00:21:01,480 Turn around. 454 00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:04,480 We're in a hotel, you know. There's bound to be noise. 455 00:21:04,480 --> 00:21:07,480 I'll count to three. 456 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:10,480 Don't do it, old boy. I have a gun, too. 457 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:11,480 One. 458 00:21:11,480 --> 00:21:14,480 I was always a better shot than you. Remember? 459 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:15,480 Two. 460 00:21:15,480 --> 00:21:18,480 Last chance. Put down your gun. 461 00:21:18,480 --> 00:21:32,480 Three. 462 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:37,480 We found the body in the bedroom of the hotel raccom, Panicwood Kent. 463 00:21:37,480 --> 00:21:40,480 A single shot had been fired through the head. 464 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:42,480 The pistol lay on the floor. 465 00:21:42,480 --> 00:21:46,480 The jewels stolen from Lord Lettington's safe were on the dressing table. 466 00:21:46,480 --> 00:21:48,480 The currency was missing. 467 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:52,480 However, there were one or two points still left unanswered. 468 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:55,480 The gun was devoid of fingerprints. 469 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:59,480 The deceased was not wearing gloves at the time his body was discovered. 470 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:06,480 There was further the question of an open window and scuff marks on the sill. 471 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:12,480 Scotland Yard still is not certain who went through that window. 472 00:22:12,480 --> 00:22:15,480 The real Peter Marriott? 473 00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:17,480 The imposter? 474 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:21,480 Or the one known as the Squire? 475 00:22:21,480 --> 00:22:41,480 Suspense. 476 00:22:41,480 --> 00:22:47,480 In which Mr. Ben Wright starred in tonight's true story of the greatest thief in the world. 477 00:22:47,480 --> 00:22:51,480 Next week, the story of a pet cat and the fear it carried with it. 478 00:22:51,480 --> 00:22:54,480 We call it The Black Death. 479 00:22:54,480 --> 00:23:06,480 That's next week on Suspense. 480 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:10,480 Suspense is produced and directed by Anthony Ellis, who wrote tonight's script. 481 00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:14,480 The music was composed by René Garagin and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. 482 00:23:14,480 --> 00:23:25,480 Featured in the cast were John Dodsworth, Joseph Kearns, Betty Harford, Ella Morgan, Edgar Barrier, and Raymond Lawrence. 483 00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:40,480 You'll enjoy romance every Saturday in the daytime on the CBS Radio Network. 484 00:23:55,480 --> 00:24:20,480 You'll enjoy romance every Saturday in the daytime on the CBS Radio Network.