WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:16.000 And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 00:16.000 --> 00:27.480 Tonight, in answer to many requests, we bring back a charming fantasy about a small boy 00:27.480 --> 00:32.720 who discovered a new world and lived forever after in its enchantment. 00:32.720 --> 00:34.880 We call it The Cave. 00:34.880 --> 00:42.280 So now, starring Richard Beals with Billy Chapin, here is tonight's Suspense play, The 00:42.280 --> 00:43.280 Cave. 00:43.280 --> 01:09.840 It's on days like this that I remember how it used to be before I found The Cave. 01:09.840 --> 01:14.120 This day in particular, of course it's hard to see everything as it really was. 01:14.120 --> 01:17.840 Time has a habit of distorting the memories. 01:17.840 --> 01:25.400 Memories, Christmas, Christmas Day, what a long time ago that was. 01:25.400 --> 01:30.500 I was ten and an unpopular uncle had distinguished himself by giving me a flashlight. 01:30.500 --> 01:36.140 It was enormous, four batteries and a most incredible glean to its metal case. 01:36.140 --> 01:40.140 I couldn't wait to try it out and because it was still early afternoon, I could think 01:40.140 --> 01:45.120 of only one place that was dark enough for the exciting test, The Cave. 01:45.120 --> 01:50.440 The big cave whose mouth was near the sand dunes and whose recess was rumored to be miles 01:50.440 --> 01:51.440 deep. 01:51.440 --> 01:57.380 George Fennell and I had never ventured more than 200 yards or so inside, but on that Christmas 01:57.380 --> 02:02.920 afternoon I knew that the cool darkness of the cave would have no fears for George and 02:02.920 --> 02:03.920 me. 02:03.920 --> 02:08.880 We went to the sand dunes as arranged to compare notes on our respective Christmas presents. 02:08.880 --> 02:13.000 It was quite warm and the snow was beginning to melt in patches. 02:13.000 --> 02:15.000 A few gulls were wheeling about nearby. 02:15.000 --> 02:18.720 It was as I have remembered it all my life. 02:18.720 --> 02:20.720 That's key. 02:20.720 --> 02:23.960 Listen, I did work like a searchlight tonight. 02:23.960 --> 02:24.960 I guess it would all right. 02:24.960 --> 02:30.480 Maybe they'll let us stay up tonight if it doesn't get too cold and we could play pirates. 02:30.480 --> 02:33.480 I could use my new gun. 02:33.480 --> 02:37.120 I thought we might go in the cave this afternoon. 02:37.120 --> 02:39.320 Hey, that's key. 02:39.320 --> 02:42.320 Uh oh, maybe they'll get sore. 02:42.320 --> 02:43.960 I had to get all dressed up today. 02:43.960 --> 02:44.960 We won't get dirty. 02:44.960 --> 02:48.560 Besides, we could go a real long way inside with this. 02:48.560 --> 02:50.040 I wouldn't want to go in too far. 02:50.040 --> 02:53.160 They say the cave goes off in a lot of tunnels. 02:53.160 --> 02:54.520 We could get lost. 02:54.520 --> 02:56.520 Maybe if you haven't got a flashlight. 02:56.520 --> 02:58.800 Sure, that's right. 02:58.800 --> 02:59.800 And with my gun. 02:59.800 --> 03:00.800 Sure, we can explore. 03:00.800 --> 03:01.800 Come on. 03:01.800 --> 03:14.800 I'll race you to the cave. 03:14.800 --> 03:18.760 I won the race and we stood at the entrance of the big cave. 03:18.760 --> 03:24.440 The arch had a span of about 25 feet, but just inside it widened until the walls were 03:24.440 --> 03:28.040 70 feet apart and the ceiling over 50. 03:28.040 --> 03:34.000 As we passed from sunlight to shadow, I turned for a moment and looked down to the sea. 03:34.000 --> 03:38.840 At the water's edge, a gull stood motionless, looking up at us. 03:38.840 --> 03:44.440 Then solemnly, as though with disapproval, it too turned about and gazed out over the 03:44.440 --> 03:45.960 water. 03:45.960 --> 03:51.960 The opening of the cave receded and became small and we went deeper and deeper. 03:51.960 --> 03:56.520 Hey, shut it up there, Dan. 03:56.520 --> 03:57.520 Way up. 03:57.520 --> 03:58.520 Okay. 03:58.520 --> 03:59.520 Gee, I'll bet that's high. 03:59.520 --> 04:00.520 Well, a mile, I guess. 04:00.520 --> 04:01.520 You're silly. 04:01.520 --> 04:02.520 Maybe 100 feet. 04:02.520 --> 04:03.520 Boy, that's the cave. 04:03.520 --> 04:04.520 Sounds like a real gun. 04:04.520 --> 04:05.520 Come on. 04:05.520 --> 04:06.520 Looks like the cave turns down there. 04:06.520 --> 04:07.520 See? 04:07.520 --> 04:08.520 Okay, but we better not go too far. 04:08.520 --> 04:09.520 You scared? 04:09.520 --> 04:10.520 Heck no, but, well, I've got to get back for dinner. 04:10.520 --> 04:11.520 They'll be awful sore if I'm late. 04:11.520 --> 04:12.520 You won't be late. 04:12.520 --> 04:13.520 Come on. 04:13.520 --> 04:14.520 I want to see what's around there. 04:14.520 --> 04:15.520 Okay. 04:15.520 --> 04:16.520 Hold on. 04:16.520 --> 04:17.520 I'll go get you. 04:17.520 --> 04:18.520 Okay. 04:18.520 --> 04:19.520 I'll go get you. 04:19.520 --> 04:20.520 Okay. 04:20.520 --> 04:21.520 I'll go get you. 04:21.520 --> 04:22.520 Okay. 04:22.520 --> 04:23.520 I'll go get you. 04:23.520 --> 04:24.520 Okay. 04:24.520 --> 04:25.520 I'll go get you. 04:25.520 --> 04:26.520 Okay. 04:26.520 --> 04:27.520 I'll go get you. 04:27.520 --> 04:28.520 Okay. 04:28.520 --> 04:29.520 Hold the light on my gun. 04:29.520 --> 04:30.520 I've got to reload. 04:30.520 --> 04:31.520 Fish? 04:31.520 --> 04:32.520 Who ever heard of fish in a stream like this? 04:32.520 --> 04:33.520 Where's it come from? 04:33.520 --> 04:34.520 Where? 04:34.520 --> 04:35.520 I don't know. 04:35.520 --> 04:36.520 They say there are fish in caves sometimes. 04:36.520 --> 04:37.520 Flying fish. 04:37.520 --> 04:38.520 You're silly. 04:38.520 --> 04:39.520 What are you stopping for, George? 04:39.520 --> 04:40.520 We've got to go back now. 04:40.520 --> 04:43.520 Who ever heard of fish in a stream like this? 04:43.520 --> 04:45.520 Where'd they come from? Where? 04:45.520 --> 04:49.520 I don't know. They say there are fish in caves sometimes. 04:49.520 --> 04:50.520 Flying fish. 04:50.520 --> 04:51.520 You're silly. 04:51.520 --> 04:54.520 What are you stopping for, George? 04:54.520 --> 04:56.520 We gotta go back now. 04:56.520 --> 04:57.520 Why? 04:57.520 --> 05:01.520 Because it's late. How do you know which tunnel we took? How? 05:01.520 --> 05:02.520 Maybe we could get more. 05:02.520 --> 05:06.520 Listen, George, maybe if we kept on going, we'll find treasure in here. 05:06.520 --> 05:07.520 Treasure? 05:07.520 --> 05:12.520 Stands to reason. Maybe like in the pirate book, somebody came here and buried treasure. 05:12.520 --> 05:13.520 Henry Morgan or somebody. 05:13.520 --> 05:14.520 No. 05:14.520 --> 05:19.520 Sure, stands to reason. Everybody's like you. They say no, but just suppose. 05:19.520 --> 05:21.520 If no one's looked, how would they know? 05:21.520 --> 05:27.520 I think we better get back. Maybe tomorrow we can look. The cave's getting awful narrow. 05:27.520 --> 05:30.520 We might even find old pirate's bones and swords. 05:30.520 --> 05:36.520 You've got too much imagination. I've heard them say so at home. I don't want to go any further. 05:36.520 --> 05:37.520 Well, I'm going to. 05:37.520 --> 05:39.520 Okay, give me the flashlight. 05:39.520 --> 05:44.520 No. You want to go back? You go back. In the dark. 05:44.520 --> 05:50.520 Oh, I don't want to go back. You go back in the dark. They'll be mad at sleep. 05:50.520 --> 05:54.520 Well, just for a little while. If we don't find anything, we'll go back. 05:54.520 --> 05:59.520 All right, but only a little while. 05:59.520 --> 06:00.520 I'm thirsty. 06:00.520 --> 06:03.520 You better not drink out of that water. It's probably poison. 06:03.520 --> 06:07.520 Oh, why, here, hold the light. I'm going to have a drink. 06:07.520 --> 06:14.520 There you are. See? I told you. Now you'll probably die. It's poison. 06:14.520 --> 06:17.520 No, no, it's soft. It's like the ocean. 06:17.520 --> 06:19.520 Hey, look. 06:19.520 --> 06:20.520 What? 06:20.520 --> 06:24.520 There, coming down the stream. That white thing. 06:24.520 --> 06:25.520 Yeah. 06:25.520 --> 06:27.520 Looks like a piece of paper. 06:27.520 --> 06:29.520 I'm going to get it. Hold on to my hand. 06:29.520 --> 06:30.520 You'll fall in. 06:30.520 --> 06:34.520 No, no, I won't. 06:34.520 --> 06:36.520 What is it? 06:36.520 --> 06:39.520 Well, it looks like a handkerchief. 06:39.520 --> 06:43.520 That's silly. It's too small. Who uses a handkerchief like that? 06:43.520 --> 06:46.520 Well, my mother does. 06:46.520 --> 06:50.520 Gee, hate to blow my nose on that. You can almost see through it. 06:50.520 --> 06:52.520 How'd it get down here? 06:52.520 --> 06:53.520 Who cares? 06:53.520 --> 06:54.520 Maybe it's a message. 06:54.520 --> 06:55.520 Huh? 06:55.520 --> 06:56.520 Like from someone in distress. 06:56.520 --> 06:57.520 I'm going home. 06:57.520 --> 07:01.520 Like a damsel in distress in the pirate book. We've got to find out. 07:01.520 --> 07:04.520 Give me my flashlight. We'll follow the stream. 07:04.520 --> 07:14.520 We followed the stream. We walked by it as the cave twisted and curled. 07:14.520 --> 07:20.520 We didn't notice the passageway, which had been getting smaller all the time, suddenly widen out. 07:20.520 --> 07:26.520 And the stream, which was becoming a river. And the river is a river. 07:26.520 --> 07:29.520 Hey. 07:29.520 --> 07:30.520 What? 07:30.520 --> 07:33.520 Where's the other side of the water? 07:33.520 --> 07:40.520 There isn't any. It keeps going. It's like a lake. 07:40.520 --> 07:43.520 Maybe a sea. There's a lot of waves. 07:43.520 --> 07:44.520 Dan? 07:44.520 --> 07:45.520 Huh? 07:45.520 --> 07:49.520 Turn the light around. 07:49.520 --> 07:52.520 The walls have gone. There's no walls. 07:52.520 --> 07:55.520 There must be. It's a cave. 07:55.520 --> 07:57.520 There's no top to it either. 07:57.520 --> 07:59.520 It's just too high to see. That's all. 07:59.520 --> 08:02.520 Let's go home. Let's go home right now. 08:02.520 --> 08:03.520 What are you afraid of? 08:03.520 --> 08:09.520 I'm not. But I'm hungry and it's Christmas. And well, I've got things to play with. 08:09.520 --> 08:16.520 Come on, Dan. Come on. I want to get outside. 08:16.520 --> 08:18.520 What'd you do that for? 08:18.520 --> 08:19.520 Turn on the light. 08:19.520 --> 08:20.520 Turn it on. 08:20.520 --> 08:22.520 Don't you notice something? 08:22.520 --> 08:24.520 Turn that on. Give it to me. 08:24.520 --> 08:26.520 Wait a minute. I want you to see something. 08:26.520 --> 08:27.520 Give it to me. 08:27.520 --> 08:32.520 I'm not going to lose you. 08:32.520 --> 08:35.520 See what you've done? You dropped it in the water. 08:35.520 --> 08:39.520 It's all your fault. I didn't want to come here anyway. 08:39.520 --> 08:41.520 How are you going to get back? It's dark. 08:41.520 --> 08:44.520 No, no it isn't. That's what I wanted you to see. 08:44.520 --> 08:46.520 Look up there. 08:46.520 --> 08:47.520 I don't see anything. 08:47.520 --> 08:50.520 You will? 08:50.520 --> 08:55.520 Oh, it's like stars way, way up there. 08:55.520 --> 09:05.520 That's what it is. It's stars. 09:05.520 --> 09:15.520 We stood there, George and I, ten years old, and for a moment no longer afraid because of the wonder of the thing. 09:15.520 --> 09:20.520 There was light from a sky, a sky I knew I had never seen before. 09:20.520 --> 09:28.520 Yet I knew I was still in the big cave because when I spoke the echo of my voice returned. 09:28.520 --> 09:30.520 It's beautiful. 09:30.520 --> 09:33.520 I can't find the flashlight. The water's too deep. 09:33.520 --> 09:35.520 That's funny. 09:35.520 --> 09:39.520 You're always saying that. It's not going to be funny when you can't get home. 09:39.520 --> 09:40.520 Listen. 09:40.520 --> 09:45.520 Dan! Dan! 09:45.520 --> 09:47.520 Now you do it. 09:47.520 --> 09:49.520 What for? It's just an old echo. 09:49.520 --> 09:51.520 Go on. 09:51.520 --> 09:59.520 Uh, George! George! 09:59.520 --> 10:03.520 There. How can there be an echo when there's no cave anymore? 10:03.520 --> 10:08.520 You're just kind of scaring. Well, I'm going. You can come too if you want. 10:08.520 --> 10:10.520 Dan? Please? 10:10.520 --> 10:14.520 I'll bet nobody's ever been in here ever. I'll bet we're the first. 10:14.520 --> 10:18.520 Except for pirates, maybe. Oh, I wish we could see more. 10:18.520 --> 10:22.520 If my mother hadn't taken our matches away, we could find our way out. 10:22.520 --> 10:31.520 Gee, Dan, it's night. Come on, please. I'm hungry. 10:31.520 --> 10:34.520 Somebody's here. Somebody else. 10:34.520 --> 10:36.520 Sounds like it's over there. 10:36.520 --> 10:40.520 No, don't go, Dan. 10:40.520 --> 10:44.520 Dan, I'm scared. I don't like this place. 10:44.520 --> 10:48.520 Go home if you want. 10:48.520 --> 10:51.520 I can see someone. Look. 10:51.520 --> 10:55.520 Gee, he's deeper than the sand. 10:55.520 --> 10:57.520 Don't. Let's not go any closer, Dan. 10:57.520 --> 10:59.520 Let's go. I want to see what he's doing. 10:59.520 --> 11:01.520 No, no. Look. 11:01.520 --> 11:05.520 There's some other people. They got swords. 11:05.520 --> 11:10.520 Aha! I caught you, Namby, you scurvy wretch. Look at him, bully. 11:10.520 --> 11:14.520 No, don't hit me, Captain. I just wanted to see if the treasure was still there. 11:14.520 --> 11:15.520 The strews are dead. 11:15.520 --> 11:17.520 I'll show you what's there, you pot-billy. 11:17.520 --> 11:19.520 Soon! 11:19.520 --> 11:22.520 No! 11:22.520 --> 11:24.520 No! 11:24.520 --> 11:25.520 No! 11:25.520 --> 11:28.520 Nobody's touching the treasure, don't hit me, Dan. Don't kill me. 11:28.520 --> 11:31.520 See, I haven't started a killing yet, Namby. 11:31.520 --> 11:36.520 Come on, bullies, lay on. We'll exercise our appetite for the feast. 11:36.520 --> 11:39.520 Yeah! 11:52.520 --> 11:55.520 You are listening to The Cave, 11:55.520 --> 12:01.520 tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 12:10.520 --> 12:15.520 A new superhighway, a throughway, attracts the bad as well as the good, 12:15.520 --> 12:18.520 as you well know if you've driven along a superhighway recently. 12:18.520 --> 12:24.520 But it's not the speeders and reckless drivers the FBI goes after tomorrow night on CBS Radio. 12:24.520 --> 12:30.520 It's a smooth schemer and swindler who's in operation as soon as a new superhighway is announced. 12:30.520 --> 12:34.520 He's cooked up a lovely plan for getting farmers and other landowners 12:34.520 --> 12:37.520 along the proposed right-of-way to fall for his tricks. 12:37.520 --> 12:41.520 The resulting story is timely and essential. 12:41.520 --> 12:49.520 Hear it tomorrow night when the FBI in Peace and War comes this way on most of these same stations. 12:49.520 --> 12:57.520 And now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage, Richard Beals with Billy Chapin, 12:57.520 --> 13:04.520 starring in tonight's production, The Cave, a tale well calculated to keep you in... 13:04.520 --> 13:07.520 Suspense. 13:07.520 --> 13:22.520 In that faint light from the stars of another world, the world of the big cave, George and I watched. 13:22.520 --> 13:28.520 We could only see shadows until someone lit a lantern, and then I knew I'd been right. 13:28.520 --> 13:32.520 Pirates! Pirates! I want to go home! 13:32.520 --> 13:38.520 Pirates they were, the most glorious and gaudiest pirates to sail under the Jolly Roger. 13:38.520 --> 13:44.520 The leader was a huge man with a fine, bushy beard and a voice like the trombone in the village band. 13:44.520 --> 13:48.520 How shall we cook him, bullies? Right out of the steam. 13:48.520 --> 13:50.520 No, Captain, no, no! 13:50.520 --> 13:55.520 Oh, he's too tough a morsel for that, Captain. I says roast him! 13:55.520 --> 13:57.520 I shall roast him! 13:57.520 --> 14:01.520 There's nothing like roastmumby, I always say. 14:01.520 --> 14:05.520 But we'll cut out his heart first and feed it to the dog. 14:05.520 --> 14:07.520 All right! 14:07.520 --> 14:12.520 Now, you lily-livered aggravation, say your prayers. 14:12.520 --> 14:16.520 He's gonna kill him! I don't want to watch, Dan! Dan! 14:16.520 --> 14:18.520 Shut up! 14:20.520 --> 14:22.520 Who was that? 14:22.520 --> 14:24.520 I don't know, Captain. 14:24.520 --> 14:26.520 Sounded like a boy. 14:26.520 --> 14:29.520 A boy? A boy? 14:29.520 --> 14:31.520 It may have been the Lady Alicia. 14:31.520 --> 14:34.520 Build, shivvy, in the dungeon, Gonfalon. 14:34.520 --> 14:36.520 Aye, that's true. 14:36.520 --> 14:38.520 It came from over there. 14:38.520 --> 14:40.520 Hold the lantern high, shiv. 14:40.520 --> 14:42.520 Aye, Captain. 14:43.520 --> 14:46.520 They'll get us. Dan, we've got to run. 14:46.520 --> 14:50.520 Don't be afraid. If you're not afraid, nothing can happen. 14:50.520 --> 14:52.520 Do you see anything, Gonfalon? 14:52.520 --> 14:54.520 Oh, no, but... 14:55.520 --> 14:57.520 Save us all! Disaboy! 14:57.520 --> 14:59.520 Nate, there's two of them! 14:59.520 --> 15:01.520 Scumpery! 15:01.520 --> 15:03.520 Boys! 15:03.520 --> 15:05.520 Hold the little dreamer! 15:05.520 --> 15:08.520 That's it! Boys! 15:08.520 --> 15:11.520 Two small boys! 15:11.520 --> 15:13.520 Ha-ha! 15:13.520 --> 15:17.520 And now what shall we do with them, Captain? 15:17.520 --> 15:19.520 Hang them. I'll say, hang them. 15:19.520 --> 15:21.520 Maybe after the treasure. 15:21.520 --> 15:26.520 You! Were it not Christmas, Namby, I should have turned you inside out! 15:26.520 --> 15:29.520 Hold your blistering, blattering jaw, you! 15:29.520 --> 15:31.520 Aye, Captain, sir. Aye, aye. 15:31.520 --> 15:33.520 Boy! 15:33.520 --> 15:36.520 Boy, what's your name? 15:36.520 --> 15:38.520 Dan Ilbury, sir. 15:38.520 --> 15:39.520 And that one? 15:39.520 --> 15:40.520 George... 15:40.520 --> 15:42.520 He's my friend, George. 15:42.520 --> 15:45.520 George Fennel. His father's a policeman. 15:45.520 --> 15:47.520 Ha-ha! 15:48.520 --> 15:51.520 Where do you come from, boy? 15:51.520 --> 15:53.520 Greenfield. That's outside the cave. 15:53.520 --> 15:55.520 Cave? What cave? 15:55.520 --> 15:57.520 What cave? 15:57.520 --> 15:59.520 What do you do here? 15:59.520 --> 16:02.520 Who spies? The answer up now! 16:02.520 --> 16:05.520 We were just exploring, and we got here, that's all. 16:05.520 --> 16:08.520 Exploring? Where be your ship? 16:08.520 --> 16:10.520 We didn't come in a ship. 16:10.520 --> 16:11.520 No ship? 16:11.520 --> 16:14.520 They're boys, Captain. What harm can they do? 16:14.520 --> 16:17.520 Grum, it's Christmas. I say feed them and send them on their way. 16:17.520 --> 16:19.520 What's Christmas got to do with it? 16:19.520 --> 16:22.520 If they be spies, it's the plight! 16:22.520 --> 16:25.520 No, no, we're not spies, honest! 16:25.520 --> 16:27.520 Ah, we look into this further. 16:27.520 --> 16:31.520 Meantime, the goose and suckling pig should be ready. 16:31.520 --> 16:33.520 I say it's time for the feast! 16:33.520 --> 16:35.520 How say you, buddy? 16:35.520 --> 16:37.520 Be a hungry boy. 16:37.520 --> 16:38.520 Yes? 16:38.520 --> 16:39.520 And him. 16:39.520 --> 16:40.520 He's hungry, too. 16:40.520 --> 16:42.520 Then join us at a Merry Christmas, 16:42.520 --> 16:47.520 for no man can say Captain Blackton lacks the Christian spirit. 16:47.520 --> 16:48.520 Am I right, Namby? 16:48.520 --> 16:52.520 Oh, you're right, Captain. Right as I've been. 16:52.520 --> 16:56.520 Ah, I'd have slicked your gullet if you said me nay. 16:56.520 --> 16:59.520 Merry Christmas and break out the rum! 16:59.520 --> 17:01.520 Hooray! 17:11.520 --> 17:14.520 I remember that day, that long ago. 17:14.520 --> 17:18.520 The great dining board set upon trestles, the fruits and wine, 17:18.520 --> 17:23.520 roast goose and pig, the pirates rough in their colorful patched clothing, 17:23.520 --> 17:29.520 the songs and drinking, stories, stories of home and sea. 17:29.520 --> 17:34.520 Such Christmas as I've dreamt of, and I had dreamed it to come true. 17:34.520 --> 17:38.520 George sat next to me, eyes wide and unbelieving. 17:38.520 --> 17:42.520 After the plum pudding, we were called upon to sing a carol. 17:42.520 --> 17:49.520 Silent night, holy night. 17:49.520 --> 17:52.520 As we sang, they became quiet, 17:52.520 --> 17:57.520 and each sat lost with his own thoughts of sweetness and sadness. 17:57.520 --> 18:03.520 The little man, Namby, birdlike and asleep, gone fallen thin as a twig, 18:03.520 --> 18:08.520 a patch over one eye, the other kindly and wise. 18:08.520 --> 18:13.520 A chill and a captain, tears coursing down their cheeks. 18:13.520 --> 18:17.520 These were my pirates, my own. 18:17.520 --> 18:21.520 Sleep in heavenly peace. 18:21.520 --> 18:29.520 Sleep in heavenly peace. 18:29.520 --> 18:37.520 Pfft! Well done, I say! Well done! A double rum for the boys! 18:37.520 --> 18:40.520 Captain, Captain, it's been a happy day with us. 18:40.520 --> 18:43.520 Let's share it with those less fortunate. 18:43.520 --> 18:46.520 Less fortunate who? We are all well-matched. 18:46.520 --> 18:48.520 With the lady, Alicia. 18:48.520 --> 18:54.520 Nay, she be our prisoner, and until ransom be paid, so she will remain. 18:54.520 --> 18:57.520 Oh, what matter if she grace our table for the evening? 18:57.520 --> 19:01.520 It's been a long time since a woman has been with us. 19:01.520 --> 19:03.520 Very well. 19:03.520 --> 19:08.520 Send the prisoner here! Fetch her from the dungeon! 19:08.520 --> 19:17.520 Then I thought of the fine lace handkerchief we had found in the stream. 19:17.520 --> 19:22.520 Would this prisoner, the lady Alicia, would she have sent the message of distress? 19:22.520 --> 19:27.520 And how? 19:27.520 --> 19:31.520 They brought her in, and to me, she looked as she should have looked. 19:31.520 --> 19:34.520 The most beautiful lady in the world, 19:34.520 --> 19:38.520 gowned in silks with a pale but proud face. 19:38.520 --> 19:50.520 I fell in love with her, and I was ten. 19:50.520 --> 19:55.520 As the night wore on, the pirates grew drowsy, and one after another their heads drooped, 19:55.520 --> 19:58.520 and soon all were asleep. 19:58.520 --> 20:02.520 Even George, sitting small in his great chair, nodded. 20:02.520 --> 20:06.520 I went to the lady Alicia's side. 20:06.520 --> 20:09.520 It was your handkerchief we found in the stream, wasn't it? 20:09.520 --> 20:11.520 Yes, I had not dared to hope. 20:11.520 --> 20:13.520 But they have you locked in a dungeon. 20:13.520 --> 20:15.520 Beyond my window is a running brook. 20:15.520 --> 20:20.520 I prayed that when I dropped the kerchief, it would by some happy chance be discovered. 20:20.520 --> 20:22.520 I found it all right. 20:22.520 --> 20:25.520 You are very brave to have come here. 20:25.520 --> 20:27.520 Well, how long have they kept you prisoner? 20:27.520 --> 20:29.520 Six months now. 20:29.520 --> 20:31.520 We were sailing to the Indies. 20:31.520 --> 20:35.520 Our ship was taken, and I...I alone survived. 20:35.520 --> 20:37.520 Now they hold me for ransom. 20:37.520 --> 20:38.520 Oh, that's terrible. 20:38.520 --> 20:41.520 Gosh, I wish I could do something to save you. 20:41.520 --> 20:43.520 There is nothing. 20:43.520 --> 20:46.520 I know I'm not very big, but maybe I could fight them. 20:46.520 --> 20:48.520 They are too many for you. 20:48.520 --> 20:51.520 Dan, Dan, they're all asleep. 20:51.520 --> 20:53.520 Come on, we can get away now. 20:53.520 --> 20:54.520 Let's go home. 20:54.520 --> 20:55.520 Home? 20:55.520 --> 20:57.520 Sure, our folks are going to be mad. 20:57.520 --> 20:59.520 George, we've got to save them. 20:59.520 --> 21:02.520 If you could but escape and deliver a message to my father. 21:02.520 --> 21:04.520 Sure, okay. Where does he live? 21:04.520 --> 21:08.520 London. Lord Basenstoke. He would reward you well. 21:08.520 --> 21:10.520 Sure, but we've got to go now. 21:10.520 --> 21:13.520 I don't want to leave you. They'll be angry when they wake up. 21:13.520 --> 21:15.520 My hope will rest in you. 21:15.520 --> 21:18.520 I shall pray for your safety and return. 21:18.520 --> 21:20.520 Gee, Wiz, Dan, come on. 21:20.520 --> 21:23.520 You go ahead. I'll be right along. 21:23.520 --> 21:27.520 Okay, but hurry up. I'll wait by the water. 21:30.520 --> 21:32.520 Will you be all right? 21:32.520 --> 21:33.520 Yes. 21:33.520 --> 21:35.520 Suppose I come back and you're not here. 21:35.520 --> 21:38.520 I shall try to leave a message. 21:38.520 --> 21:40.520 I'm Dan. 21:40.520 --> 21:41.520 I know. 21:41.520 --> 21:44.520 When I get older, I shall marry you. 21:44.520 --> 21:46.520 You're beautiful. 21:46.520 --> 21:48.520 I'll wait for you. 21:48.520 --> 21:50.520 Now you must go before they awake. 21:50.520 --> 21:52.520 I don't want to go. 21:52.520 --> 21:55.520 You'll come back to me here. 21:57.520 --> 21:59.520 I love you. 22:02.520 --> 22:05.520 Hurry up, Dan. Gee, Wiz. 22:05.520 --> 22:08.520 I want to get home. They'll be mad. 22:08.520 --> 22:10.520 Mother said not to be late for dinner. 22:10.520 --> 22:12.520 We've got to save Lady Alicia. Don't forget. 22:12.520 --> 22:15.520 Okay, but hurry up. 22:16.520 --> 22:19.520 It's kind of dark, but I know which way to go. 22:19.520 --> 22:23.520 I don't want to fall in the stream and get all wet. 22:23.520 --> 22:25.520 I've got my good clothes on. 22:25.520 --> 22:27.520 You won't. 22:27.520 --> 22:29.520 I'm sorry I dropped your flashlight, Dan. 22:29.520 --> 22:31.520 I'll save up and get you another. 22:31.520 --> 22:33.520 I don't mind. 22:33.520 --> 22:35.520 I'll bet it's awful late. 22:35.520 --> 22:38.520 I'm glad it's Christmas. Maybe they won't mind. 22:44.520 --> 22:46.520 We followed the tunnels one to the other. 22:46.520 --> 22:49.520 The stream flowed with us, urging us on. 22:49.520 --> 22:51.520 It was dark, but I knew the way. 22:51.520 --> 22:54.520 We felt along the damp walls of the cave, 22:54.520 --> 22:58.520 and at every step we moved further away from my world. 22:58.520 --> 23:00.520 Suddenly, from a great distance, 23:00.520 --> 23:03.520 we saw a tiny circle of light, 23:03.520 --> 23:06.520 a dot which grew and grew, 23:06.520 --> 23:09.520 until it was the size of a golden sovereign. 23:09.520 --> 23:11.520 There it is, Dan. It's the entrance. 23:11.520 --> 23:13.520 And it's still light out. 23:13.520 --> 23:15.520 I won't be late for dinner. 23:15.520 --> 23:17.520 And I was afraid. 23:17.520 --> 23:19.520 I was afraid because I knew 23:19.520 --> 23:21.520 that when I stepped out into that sunlight, 23:21.520 --> 23:24.520 I should never be able to find my way back again. 23:24.520 --> 23:26.520 Never. 23:26.520 --> 23:28.520 Hey, what are you stopping for? 23:28.520 --> 23:29.520 Why? 23:29.520 --> 23:31.520 George. 23:31.520 --> 23:33.520 If we can run, 23:33.520 --> 23:35.520 we can make it home before the sun goes down. 23:35.520 --> 23:37.520 For Pete's sake, Dan. 23:37.520 --> 23:39.520 What's the matter with you? 23:39.520 --> 23:41.520 I'm not coming with you. I've got to go back. 23:41.520 --> 23:43.520 Go back? 23:43.520 --> 23:45.520 Why do you want to do that for? 23:45.520 --> 23:47.520 I've got to. I don't want to leave her. 23:47.520 --> 23:49.520 The pirates. I want to go back. 23:49.520 --> 23:51.520 Pirates? Who? 23:51.520 --> 23:53.520 Lady Alicia. 23:53.520 --> 23:55.520 Gee whiz, Dan. Come on. 23:55.520 --> 23:57.520 It's only a game. Come on. 23:57.520 --> 23:59.520 You've forgotten. I knew you would. 23:59.520 --> 24:01.520 I'm not going with you. 24:01.520 --> 24:03.520 You better. I'll tell your mother, 24:03.520 --> 24:05.520 and you'll get it. 24:05.520 --> 24:07.520 Goodbye, George. 24:07.520 --> 24:09.520 Dan? 24:09.520 --> 24:11.520 Dan, come back, Dan. 24:11.520 --> 24:13.520 What's the matter with you? 24:13.520 --> 24:15.520 Dan? You'll get lost, Dan. 24:15.520 --> 24:17.520 Dan, don't go in there. 24:17.520 --> 24:19.520 We've played long enough. 24:19.520 --> 24:21.520 Come back. 24:21.520 --> 24:23.520 Come back, Dan. 24:23.520 --> 24:25.520 Dan. 24:25.520 --> 24:27.520 Hey, Dan. 24:33.520 --> 24:35.520 I had turned away from George 24:35.520 --> 24:37.520 and the speck of light that was outside. 24:37.520 --> 24:39.520 His voice had followed me, 24:39.520 --> 24:41.520 disdainful and lonely. 24:41.520 --> 24:43.520 Then as I found the stream again, 24:43.520 --> 24:45.520 there was no sound 24:45.520 --> 24:47.520 but that of gentle water and my own steps. 24:47.520 --> 24:49.520 And the stream became a river, 24:49.520 --> 24:51.520 and the river broadened, 24:51.520 --> 24:53.520 the walls of the cave fell away, 24:53.520 --> 24:55.520 and I'd found my pirates again. 25:05.520 --> 25:07.520 God rest ye merry gentlemen, 25:07.520 --> 25:09.520 let nothing you do 25:09.520 --> 25:11.520 It's on days like this that I remember 25:11.520 --> 25:13.520 how it used to be before I found the cave. 25:13.520 --> 25:15.520 This day in particular. 25:15.520 --> 25:17.520 Sometimes I wonder 25:17.520 --> 25:19.520 what happened to George 25:19.520 --> 25:21.520 and what it's like outside the cave. 25:21.520 --> 25:23.520 But I don't really mind. 25:23.520 --> 25:25.520 After all, the Lady Alicia 25:25.520 --> 25:27.520 kept her promise and waited 25:27.520 --> 25:29.520 for me until I grew up. 25:29.520 --> 25:31.520 Now everything is as I'd always 25:31.520 --> 25:33.520 dreamed it in the books. 25:33.520 --> 25:35.520 Oh, Captain Blaketon? 25:35.520 --> 25:37.520 He's still here. 25:37.520 --> 25:39.520 A little less ferocious perhaps than 20 years ago. 25:39.520 --> 25:41.520 Captain? 25:41.520 --> 25:43.520 Yes, Blaketon? 25:43.520 --> 25:45.520 If you and my Lady are ready, sir, 25:45.520 --> 25:47.520 the turkeys be cooked and the men wait in your pleasure. 25:47.520 --> 25:49.520 Very well, Blaketon. Thank you. 25:49.520 --> 25:51.520 And a Merry Christmas. 25:51.520 --> 25:53.520 Thank you, Captain. 25:53.520 --> 26:11.520 And a Merry Christmas to you, sir. 26:11.520 --> 26:13.520 Suspense. 26:13.520 --> 26:15.520 In which Richard Beals 26:15.520 --> 26:17.520 with Billy Chapin 26:17.520 --> 26:19.520 starred in tonight's presentation of 26:19.520 --> 26:21.520 The Cave. 26:21.520 --> 26:23.520 Next week, we bring you 26:23.520 --> 26:25.520 one of the great mysteries of the sea. 26:25.520 --> 26:27.520 A ship found drifting in perfect 26:27.520 --> 26:29.520 condition with no human aboard. 26:29.520 --> 26:31.520 We call it 26:31.520 --> 26:33.520 The Mystery of the Marie Celeste. 26:33.520 --> 26:35.520 That's next week on 26:35.520 --> 26:51.520 Suspense. 26:51.520 --> 26:53.520 Suspense is produced and directed by 26:53.520 --> 26:55.520 Anthony Ellis, who also wrote tonight's script. 26:55.520 --> 26:57.520 The music was composed by 26:57.520 --> 26:59.520 Rene Garagang and conducted by 26:59.520 --> 27:01.520 Wilbur Hatch. Featured in the cast 27:01.520 --> 27:03.520 were John Danaer, Hans Conreread, 27:03.520 --> 27:05.520 Ben Wright, Lawrence Dobkin, 27:05.520 --> 27:07.520 Ellen Morgan, and Raymond Lawrence. 27:07.520 --> 27:09.520 Next Saturday, 27:09.520 --> 27:11.520 Christmas Eve, the whole nation is invited 27:11.520 --> 27:13.520 to the largest carol services ever held. 27:13.520 --> 27:15.520 CBS Radio is bringing you its great 27:15.520 --> 27:17.520 star, Bing Crosby, 27:17.520 --> 27:19.520 in a full hour of the beloved Christmas hymns 27:19.520 --> 27:21.520 and songs and airs from olden 27:21.520 --> 27:23.520 times to the present. 27:23.520 --> 27:25.520 You and your family are cordially invited to 27:25.520 --> 27:27.520 gather around your own Christmas tree 27:27.520 --> 27:29.520 as millions of other families gather around their 27:29.520 --> 27:31.520 trees and sing with this wonderful 27:31.520 --> 27:33.520 dear. From points all over the 27:33.520 --> 27:35.520 country and the world, Bing 27:35.520 --> 27:37.520 will also bring you the Yuletide 27:37.520 --> 27:39.520 songs of special localities and 27:39.520 --> 27:41.520 foreign nations. Next Saturday, 27:41.520 --> 27:43.520 Christmas Eve, as America 27:43.520 --> 27:45.520 sings with Bing, on most 27:45.520 --> 27:47.520 of these same CBS radio stations, 27:47.520 --> 27:49.520 you and your family 27:49.520 --> 27:51.520 join in. 27:51.520 --> 27:53.520 Stay tuned now for five minutes of 27:53.520 --> 27:55.520 CBS radio news to be followed 27:55.520 --> 27:57.520 on most of these same stations by 27:57.520 --> 27:59.520 The Jack Carson Show. 27:59.520 --> 28:01.520 ... 28:01.520 --> 28:03.520 ... 28:03.520 --> 28:05.520 ... 28:05.520 --> 28:07.520 ... 28:07.520 --> 28:09.520 ... 28:09.520 --> 28:11.520 ... 28:11.520 --> 28:13.520 ... 28:13.520 --> 28:15.520 You hear America's favorite shows on the CBS 28:15.520 --> 28:17.520 Radio Network. 28:17.520 --> 28:19.520 ... 28:19.520 --> 28:21.520 ... 28:21.520 --> 28:23.520 ... 28:23.520 --> 28:25.520 ... 28:25.520 --> 28:27.520 ... 28:27.520 --> 28:29.520 ... 28:29.520 --> 28:31.520 ... 28:31.520 --> 28:33.520 ... 28:33.520 --> 28:35.520 ... 28:35.520 --> 28:37.520 ... 28:37.520 --> 28:37.520 ... 28:37.520 --> 28:39.520 ... 28:39.520 --> 28:41.520 ... 28:41.520 --> 28:43.520 ... 28:43.520 --> 28:45.520 ... 28:45.520 --> 28:47.520 ... 28:47.520 --> 28:49.520 ... 28:49.520 --> 28:51.520 ... 28:51.520 --> 28:55.520 ...