1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:18,000 And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 2 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:26,720 Tonight, we bring you a story about a man whose name was synonymous with death. 3 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:29,920 We call it, The Groom of the Ladder. 4 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:35,920 So now, starring Hans Conrede, here is tonight's Suspense play, The Groom of the Ladder. 5 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:53,920 Evening, Mr. Price. 6 00:00:53,920 --> 00:00:55,920 Evening, William. 7 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:57,920 Oh, it's cold enough. 8 00:00:57,920 --> 00:00:59,920 A day for you, Mr. Price. 9 00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:01,920 I must say I'm fair wore out. 10 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:05,920 What you need is a bit of the old warming for the cockles. 11 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:07,920 Ah, true, ah, true. 12 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:09,920 It's cruel work for a man in this weather. 13 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:13,920 You up down to the blue ball, Mr. Price, have yourself a dollop. 14 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:18,920 Oh, I thought of that, but I happen to be a little short of fun tonight, William. 15 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:19,920 I wonder. 16 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:21,920 Oh, and one for me, Mr. Price. 17 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:25,920 Oh, that's very nice of you, I must say. 18 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:27,920 Well, you're very nice. 19 00:01:27,920 --> 00:01:29,920 Good night. 20 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:31,920 Good night, Mr. Price. 21 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:34,920 My kindest regards to your wife, Mr. Price. 22 00:01:34,920 --> 00:01:36,920 Thank you, William. 23 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:39,920 Oh, what a dirty dog. 24 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:49,920 I hope so give him what for, the blue ball. 25 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:52,920 Nasty little rat, that William Hartley. 26 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:55,920 I've got to keep an eye on him. 27 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:57,920 Hartley. 28 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:00,920 What right's he got to look at me like that? 29 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:02,920 I know what he's thinking. 30 00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:03,920 Get my job. 31 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:07,920 If there's a chance of that, I'll see him turned off first. 32 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:10,920 Go, I've got to thirst. 33 00:02:10,920 --> 00:02:12,920 Should go home, I suppose. 34 00:02:12,920 --> 00:02:14,920 Better be grousing out of all neck. 35 00:02:14,920 --> 00:02:15,920 Oh, let her grouse. 36 00:02:15,920 --> 00:02:17,920 I got me rights. 37 00:02:17,920 --> 00:02:27,920 Blue ball for me. 38 00:02:27,920 --> 00:02:29,920 Evening, one and all. 39 00:02:29,920 --> 00:02:34,920 Evening. 40 00:02:34,920 --> 00:02:37,920 Evening, Mr. White, Mrs. White. 41 00:02:37,920 --> 00:02:38,920 Mr. Lowell. 42 00:02:38,920 --> 00:02:42,920 Oi, Brenny, you spryers ever. 43 00:02:42,920 --> 00:02:45,920 What's this all about? 44 00:02:45,920 --> 00:02:53,920 Somebody dead. 45 00:02:53,920 --> 00:02:56,920 That's the way it is, is it? 46 00:02:56,920 --> 00:02:58,920 Keeper, ale. 47 00:02:58,920 --> 00:03:05,920 I said, ale. 48 00:03:05,920 --> 00:03:06,920 Ale. 49 00:03:06,920 --> 00:03:08,920 Perhaps you didn't hear me the first time. 50 00:03:08,920 --> 00:03:09,920 Can you pay for it? 51 00:03:09,920 --> 00:03:11,920 Yes, I can pay for it. 52 00:03:11,920 --> 00:03:13,920 And more, don't you worry about me. 53 00:03:13,920 --> 00:03:15,920 I can pay for anything. 54 00:03:15,920 --> 00:03:17,920 You hear that, all of you? 55 00:03:17,920 --> 00:03:19,920 I don't need a bloody one of you. 56 00:03:19,920 --> 00:03:22,920 You'll all come to me one of these days. 57 00:03:22,920 --> 00:03:25,920 I heard the watchman are out looking for somebody. 58 00:03:25,920 --> 00:03:30,920 He don't pay his debts and he's going to Marshall C. Prism for it. 59 00:03:30,920 --> 00:03:33,920 Who said that? 60 00:03:33,920 --> 00:03:35,920 Who said it? 61 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:39,920 I wonder who's gone to get Jack Ketchy's job when he's out of office. 62 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:41,920 Who called me that? 63 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:44,920 John M. Price. John Price. John Price. 64 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:46,920 John Price. Hear what I say? 65 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:48,920 John Price. 66 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:52,920 I have such an horrible pain in my throat, Mr. Ketchy, dear. 67 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:55,920 Do you have a cure? 68 00:03:55,920 --> 00:04:03,920 Got any old clothes for sale today, Mr. Ketchy? 69 00:04:03,920 --> 00:04:05,920 Shut your face, there's a lot of you. 70 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:07,920 Stop! I'll do you a mischief, that's what. 71 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:09,920 You hear? You! You! Stop it! 72 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:12,920 That's enough! There'll be none of that in here. 73 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:15,920 If you want your ale, come over to the table and drink it. 74 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:17,920 Otherwise, out! 75 00:04:17,920 --> 00:04:21,920 Well, I'm sorry I lost my temper. 76 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:24,920 I'm sorry, I got very tired tonight. 77 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:26,920 Accept my apologies, keep it. 78 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:29,920 I don't accept nothing from you, except your money. 79 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:32,920 I have to serve you, me charter says so. 80 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:35,920 But no trouble for you, or out you go. 81 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:44,920 And that's a fact, and don't forget it. 82 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:46,920 Why do they do it? 83 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:49,920 Why, it's always like this. 84 00:04:49,920 --> 00:04:53,920 Either they don't say a blinking word, or they even that awful way. 85 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:56,920 Can't they understand? I'm just like anybody else. 86 00:04:56,920 --> 00:05:01,920 I do me job, same as anyone. 87 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:08,920 It gets lonely, a man sitting by himself, swilling ale, all by himself. 88 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:10,920 Wish I had some money. 89 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:16,920 I mean, some of the actual, not coppers, oh, I'd have friends then, lots of them. 90 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:19,920 What was it they were saying about the watchmen looking for me? 91 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:21,920 Oh, they can't do that. 92 00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:26,920 I'll pay the debts, what I owe, if I can only get a good job at them. 93 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:33,920 Why don't they let the man alone? Not fair! 94 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:35,920 Not fair. 95 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:38,920 What ain't fair, Mr. Price? 96 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:41,920 Who is it? Oh, William. 97 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:44,920 William Artley, huh? You, huh? 98 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:46,920 You got off late tonight, didn't you? 99 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:48,920 That's right, Mr. Price. 100 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:51,920 Having a bit of a guzzle, eh? 101 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:55,920 I will not stand familiarity, William Artley. 102 00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:58,920 I hardly remember your place and station. 103 00:05:58,920 --> 00:06:02,920 Oh, no offence intended. An untaken, I hope. 104 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:03,920 Granted. 105 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:06,920 Eh, mind if I sit down with my mug? 106 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:08,920 I don't mind. 107 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:09,920 Oh, dear! 108 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:14,920 Long hours, short pay, that's the way of it. 109 00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:18,920 William Artley, why do you talk to me? 110 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:22,920 Why not, Mr. Price? You're my superior, ain't you? 111 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:25,920 In a way, I ask to talk to you. 112 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:29,920 I don't want you to have to. I want you to want to. 113 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:33,920 Nobody wants to talk to me. Nobody wants me. 114 00:06:33,920 --> 00:06:35,920 Could be worse, you know. 115 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:38,920 I don't beat my wife or the kid. I try to do what's right. 116 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:41,920 You're just misunderstood, Mr. Price. 117 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:44,920 Misunderstood. I sympathise. 118 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:49,920 I want a friend. I want people to smile at me in the streets, talk to me, to like me. 119 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:53,920 Oh, you've got a burden, Mr. Price, and no mistake. 120 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:56,920 William, how'd you like to lend me five sovereigns? 121 00:06:56,920 --> 00:07:00,920 I could pay you back with interest. I got one or two odd debts to pay, you know. 122 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:03,920 I heard about that, Mr. Price. Harry White was... 123 00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:07,920 Harry White, what's he know? He's after me job, just like you, William Artley. 124 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:11,920 You don't pull a wool over my eyes. I know, I know. 125 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:14,920 How could you think such a thing, Mr. Price? 126 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:17,920 Why, you remember this. I'm not out of office yet. Remember. 127 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:22,920 You stay nice to me, William, because I have a position. 128 00:07:22,920 --> 00:07:27,920 How about a couple of sovereigns? I know you've got it, so there's no use denying. 129 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:32,920 Well, I'd like to oblige, Mr. Price, so help me. I will, but my wife's expecting again. 130 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:35,920 And you know how it is with another mouth to feed. 131 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:38,920 How about a copper's worth of ale, then? 132 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:43,920 You know, I was going to buy one for you, Mr. Price, but when I reached into me pocket, 133 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:46,920 I found I had just enough for me own mug. 134 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:51,920 William Artley, you are a dirty, sneakin' little liar. 135 00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:52,920 Mr. Price. 136 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:57,920 Don't you ever find yourself in trouble, because if you do, 137 00:07:57,920 --> 00:08:02,920 it's John Price who's going to be there taking loving care of you. 138 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:09,920 Oh, Harry, you are a wad. Stop it, anyone. It's secret. 139 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:12,920 Hello, Mr. White, Mrs. White. 140 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:14,920 Good, come on, Elizabeth. Time for us to be going home. 141 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:16,920 Oh, I'll be all right, Harry. 142 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:21,920 I said, allow, that's all. I didn't do no harm, just allow. 143 00:08:21,920 --> 00:08:24,920 It's me, John Price, you know me. 144 00:08:24,920 --> 00:08:29,920 Can't you say allow? Allow, that's all. 145 00:08:36,920 --> 00:08:40,920 William Artley, he come to the Blue Bull to laugh at me. 146 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:44,920 That's how he gets his pleasure. They all do. 147 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:47,920 And when I get home, it's going to be the same. 148 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:51,920 Oh, I wish I was dead. 149 00:08:59,920 --> 00:09:01,920 John Price, that you? 150 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:07,920 Where you been? I had a piece of matna on the table at six o'clock. 151 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:09,920 Hello, Beth. Where's the kid? 152 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:13,920 Where you been? I've told you for the last time I ain't going to... 153 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:18,920 Oh, Betty, Betty, love, I had a very difficult job today. 154 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:21,920 I'd like to have broke me poor arm. I swore like a pig. 155 00:09:21,920 --> 00:09:23,920 How much did you get? 156 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:24,920 For usual. 157 00:09:24,920 --> 00:09:25,920 Earned it over? 158 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:26,920 No, Beth. 159 00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:30,920 Ah, I should have known. You've been boozing at the Blue Bull. 160 00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:32,920 Spent every blessed penny. 161 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:34,920 I was tired, but I thought a sup would help. 162 00:09:34,920 --> 00:09:37,920 Sup? I've said, for the look of you. 163 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:41,920 Sweetheart, we got a few shillings put by, haven't we? 164 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:42,920 Oh, no, you don't. 165 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:44,920 No, it's desperate, Beth, girl. 166 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:47,920 They'll have me in debtors' prison. I heard them talk tonight. 167 00:09:47,920 --> 00:09:48,920 Do you good? 168 00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:52,920 Don't say that, love, love. It'll only be for a week, two at the most. 169 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:54,920 I got to raise every penny I can. 170 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:57,920 That money's for me and the kid. You don't touch one thub. 171 00:09:57,920 --> 00:09:59,920 I'll lose my job. 172 00:09:59,920 --> 00:10:03,920 Don't make me laugh. Your job. Call that a job? 173 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:07,920 I'm ashamed. I'm ashamed to have people know me name. 174 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:10,920 Now, Beth, I'm your husband. It's your duty to obey me. 175 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:13,920 You give me what money we got in the house, or I'm going to... 176 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:15,920 Or what? What'll you do, Jack Ketch? 177 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:16,920 Now, Betty. 178 00:10:16,920 --> 00:10:20,920 What'll you do to Mrs Jack Ketch, you murderer? 179 00:10:20,920 --> 00:10:23,920 Murderer! 180 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:26,920 Murderer! My husband. What's he do for an honest living? 181 00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:28,920 Why, he's a murderer. 182 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:29,920 No, no, no, don't touch. 183 00:10:29,920 --> 00:10:31,920 Mother, what does daddy do? 184 00:10:31,920 --> 00:10:33,920 He's got a lovely job, sonny. 185 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:35,920 Don't you try me, now, Betty. 186 00:10:35,920 --> 00:10:37,920 Now, your dear old dad turns people off for our bread. 187 00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:38,920 Betty. 188 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:40,920 He's Jack Ketch, the public ankhman. 189 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:41,920 Betty. 190 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:42,920 Ankhman. 191 00:10:42,920 --> 00:10:43,920 Oh, smash her! 192 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:44,920 Smash her! 193 00:10:44,920 --> 00:10:51,920 You are listening to The Groom of the Ladder, tonight's presentation in Radio's outstanding 194 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:58,920 theater of thrills, Suspense. 195 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:05,920 There are twice as many radios in the United States today as there were ten years ago. 196 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:12,920 And the radio is the only one that can make a difference in the lives of the people who 197 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:14,920 are in need of it. 198 00:11:14,920 --> 00:11:21,920 There are twice as many radios in the United States today as there were ten years ago. 199 00:11:21,920 --> 00:11:27,920 Every minute of the broadcast day, millions are listening to radio, most of all to CBS 200 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:33,920 Radio, which has all of the top 25 daytime programs and eight of the top ten once-a-week 201 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:35,920 half-hour evening shows. 202 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:41,920 Yes, leading the way as it goes and grows are the CBS Radio shows. 203 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:49,920 And now we bring back to our Hollywood sound stage, Hans Connery, starring in tonight's 204 00:11:49,920 --> 00:12:00,920 production, The Groom of the Ladder, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 205 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:12,920 I suppose it was wrong to beat her like that. 206 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:15,920 What's a man to do? 207 00:12:15,920 --> 00:12:22,920 So, what with me dancing, what I done to bat, here I am in Marshall C. Prison. 208 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:25,920 Not the first time I've been here ever. 209 00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:27,920 What a stinkin' hole. 210 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:34,920 All of us together, the muck of London, men, women and dogs. 211 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:38,920 There's one lad though that ain't so bad, he come in yesterday. 212 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:44,920 He's got learnin', a gentleman you can see there, Thomas Lovelace's name. 213 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:49,920 He's in debt to his eyes, £2,000. 214 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:53,920 I'll be here until I rock, Price. 215 00:12:53,920 --> 00:12:55,920 Oh, I wouldn't say that, sir. 216 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:57,920 There's always hope. 217 00:12:57,920 --> 00:12:58,920 You've been here before? 218 00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:00,920 Three times, sir. 219 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:01,920 This is my fourth. 220 00:13:01,920 --> 00:13:03,920 And all was for debt. 221 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:05,920 Of course, there was the matter of my wife, Betty, this time. 222 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:07,920 What did you do for a living, Price? 223 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:09,920 What's the matter? 224 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:11,920 Hadn't you noticed? 225 00:13:11,920 --> 00:13:14,920 The others there, they never talk to me. 226 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:16,920 Hadn't you noticed? 227 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:17,920 Not particularly. 228 00:13:17,920 --> 00:13:20,920 I'll tell you why. 229 00:13:20,920 --> 00:13:23,920 Because I was in the employ of His Majesty. 230 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:26,920 In service to the Crown, that's why. 231 00:13:26,920 --> 00:13:28,920 That's why they don't talk to you? 232 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:31,920 Well, I suppose you won't either when I tell you. 233 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:33,920 You'll find out in a day or so, anyhow. 234 00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:35,920 What's the news? 235 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:36,920 I'm... 236 00:13:36,920 --> 00:13:37,920 The Angman. 237 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:38,920 Angman? 238 00:13:38,920 --> 00:13:40,920 But I thought that Jack Ketcham... 239 00:13:40,920 --> 00:13:42,920 That's what they call me. 240 00:13:42,920 --> 00:13:44,920 Oh. 241 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:46,920 I thought so. 242 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:48,920 Go on, sir. 243 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:49,920 I won't trouble you. 244 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:51,920 You're a gentleman. 245 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:53,920 You know what the likes of me. 246 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:55,920 You haven't got a very savory reputation, you know, Price. 247 00:13:55,920 --> 00:13:58,920 It was my job. Somebody had to do it. 248 00:13:58,920 --> 00:14:00,920 I've heard that you rather enjoyed it. 249 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:01,920 That's a lie. 250 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:04,920 What about the poor devils who paid you to put them out of their misery quickly? 251 00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:07,920 I was happy to oblige, poor souls. 252 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:13,920 Sometimes they give me a few pants to help them through the awful passage to heaven. 253 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:15,920 But, Lord bless them, I did my best. 254 00:14:15,920 --> 00:14:17,920 And if they didn't have any money? 255 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:19,920 I wouldn't hold it against them. 256 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:25,920 Of course I'm not denying that a nice rack or press job was worth a few shillings extra. 257 00:14:25,920 --> 00:14:27,920 But wouldn't you have taken the money? 258 00:14:27,920 --> 00:14:29,920 I ask you, wouldn't you? 259 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:31,920 I wouldn't have had your job, Price. 260 00:14:31,920 --> 00:14:33,920 Not for a million pounds. 261 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:35,920 Oh, well. 262 00:14:35,920 --> 00:14:37,920 That's the way of it. 263 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:39,920 Each man to what he knows. 264 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:43,920 Right, Mr. Lovelace? 265 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:45,920 My profession is Angman. 266 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:48,920 Yours is to be a gentleman. 267 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:50,920 Am I right, sir? 268 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:54,920 And we're both of us in debtors' prison. 269 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:00,920 That gave him something to think about. 270 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:03,920 He wasn't so eye-and-mighty after that. 271 00:15:10,920 --> 00:15:12,920 Mr. Lovelace never had visitors. 272 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:14,920 I didn't either. 273 00:15:14,920 --> 00:15:17,920 That is, not till one day, three months after I first come here. 274 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:19,920 And it was William Hartley. 275 00:15:19,920 --> 00:15:23,920 And I didn't like the nasty weasel smile on him. 276 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:30,920 Well, Price, I heard about your misfortune and I came to sympathise. 277 00:15:30,920 --> 00:15:33,920 How thoughtful, William. 278 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:35,920 How do they treat you in here? 279 00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:39,920 Treat? Oh, like a blooming earl, can't you see? 280 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:42,920 Nasty smell down here. 281 00:15:42,920 --> 00:15:45,920 They haven't brought in the fresh roses yet. 282 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:49,920 What about your debts, Price? Any luck? 283 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:52,920 No. It's only a matter of five pounds. 284 00:15:53,920 --> 00:15:55,920 William? 285 00:15:55,920 --> 00:15:57,920 William Hartley, you did... 286 00:15:57,920 --> 00:15:59,920 Did you come here to help me? 287 00:15:59,920 --> 00:16:02,920 You're going to lend me the money. 288 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:05,920 Have I misjudged you, William? Good friend. 289 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:08,920 No, you haven't misjudged me, Price. 290 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:11,920 I didn't come here to lend you nothing. 291 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:15,920 I've come here like a good Christian to see you add your elf and spirits. 292 00:16:15,920 --> 00:16:20,920 And I've brought you a prayer book for your poor soul feeder. 293 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:22,920 Oh, blow on me. 294 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:25,920 Change your ways, Price. Change your ways before it's too late. 295 00:16:25,920 --> 00:16:28,920 I challenge you to change the shape of your head. 296 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:33,920 I'm going to turn you off for a while, Mr. William Hartley. 297 00:16:33,920 --> 00:16:37,920 Price, let him go. Let me let him go. 298 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:40,920 Get away from him, Price. Stop it. 299 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:42,920 Have you gone mad? 300 00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:45,920 You know what they'll do to you with this. 301 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:48,920 You shouldn't have done that, Price. 302 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:51,920 I won't forget. 303 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:54,920 You're paid for that. 304 00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:07,920 I paid 30 lashes and slum goyim for a month. 305 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:10,920 I wasn't going to forget William Hartley. 306 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:13,920 Never in all my life. 307 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:19,920 It was Mr. Lovelace who saved me a crust of two a bread when I was brought up from the black hole. 308 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:22,920 It was the best meal I ever had. 309 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:26,920 And then things were the same again. The weeks went by. 310 00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:28,920 I wrote a song ballad. 311 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:31,920 Mr. Lovelace did the words in writing for me. 312 00:17:31,920 --> 00:17:33,920 I called it... 313 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:40,920 A man of destiny's hard fortune whereby his hopeful harvest is like to be blasted. 314 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:45,920 And nobody bought it, though, though I still didn't have the money to pay me debts. 315 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:49,920 Then I heard about Betty and the kid. They'd run off and left me. 316 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:53,920 And that's when I made up my mind to get out of Marshallsea. 317 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:58,920 That and William Hartley. Oh, I'd play a little court on him. 318 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:02,920 I told my idea to Mr. Lovelace one night. 319 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:04,920 Mr. Lovelace? Yes? 320 00:18:04,920 --> 00:18:06,920 Come closer, sir. 321 00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:09,920 Listen, I'm getting out, see? 322 00:18:09,920 --> 00:18:12,920 Now, you've treated me right. I'm willing to take you with. 323 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:15,920 How can you? We've got these chains. It's impossible. 324 00:18:15,920 --> 00:18:19,920 No, we don't. They take them off in the afternoon when we exercise, don't they? 325 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:21,920 All right. That's the time. 326 00:18:21,920 --> 00:18:24,920 You leave that to me. You want to go with? 327 00:18:24,920 --> 00:18:27,920 I'd rather die trying than stay. All right, sir. 328 00:18:27,920 --> 00:18:29,920 Now, here's what we do. 329 00:18:29,920 --> 00:18:32,920 There's a woodshed next to the gate of the yard. 330 00:18:32,920 --> 00:18:35,920 Door's always open. When we have our constitutional tomorrow, 331 00:18:35,920 --> 00:18:37,920 we hop in there and wait till it's dark. 332 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:39,920 One of the keepers will see us. 333 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:41,920 Now, now, there's a new one on. I've been watching him. 334 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:45,920 He's been drunk for a week. Easy as pie. You wait. 335 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:54,920 We did it. Stayed hide and burn the wood till night. 336 00:18:54,920 --> 00:18:57,920 Felt funny without the chains on after so long. 337 00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:00,920 And then about ten o'clock, we started out of the shed. 338 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:03,920 I took a thick stick from the woodpile. 339 00:19:11,920 --> 00:19:13,920 Come on. It'll be locked. 340 00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:16,920 Have to do a bit of climbing, eh? 341 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:22,920 Look, keeper. He's asleep. 342 00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:27,920 I'm supposing he wakes up. He won't. 343 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:35,920 Look, he's waking up. 344 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:38,920 Hurry up now. 345 00:19:39,920 --> 00:19:42,920 Give me an hand up first, and then I'll pull you over. 346 00:19:42,920 --> 00:19:44,920 Right. 347 00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:47,920 All right. Now, give me your hand. 348 00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:49,920 There. Up you come. 349 00:19:49,920 --> 00:19:51,920 Hey. 350 00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:54,920 And there's London. 351 00:19:54,920 --> 00:19:57,920 Ain't that a lovelier sight? 352 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:00,920 All your markleys out there in it. 353 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:02,920 Come on. 354 00:20:06,920 --> 00:20:10,920 We stayed together till we was well out of sight of the present. 355 00:20:10,920 --> 00:20:13,920 And then Mr. Lovelace said goodbye. 356 00:20:13,920 --> 00:20:15,920 I'll leave you here, Price. 357 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:17,920 I can't thank you enough for helping me. 358 00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:19,920 You shan't meet again, I suppose. 359 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:21,920 But I'll always remember you. 360 00:20:21,920 --> 00:20:23,920 Goodbye. 361 00:20:23,920 --> 00:20:25,920 And he went his way. 362 00:20:25,920 --> 00:20:31,920 Couple of minutes later, I found a broom-maker going home from selling his wares. 363 00:20:31,920 --> 00:20:37,920 And after a short argument, I had two silver shillings in me pocket. 364 00:20:37,920 --> 00:20:42,920 I tossed for it William Artley, now or later. 365 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:44,920 My first one. 366 00:20:44,920 --> 00:20:47,920 And that took me to the nearest alehouse in Bunhill Fields. 367 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:50,920 Artley'd have to wait, but not for long. 368 00:20:50,920 --> 00:20:52,920 Or I was going to do him a mischief. 369 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:56,920 Pay the little scot back before the night was out. 370 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:12,920 It was two hours later that I left the alehouse with a lovely swishin' in me belly and happiness in me head. 371 00:21:12,920 --> 00:21:16,920 Funny thing, I couldn't on the lot for me remember what I had to do. 372 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:18,920 But there was something. 373 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:27,920 Oh, his groans was dreadful for to hear, as the stones they pressed upon him. 374 00:21:27,920 --> 00:21:33,920 And Jack stood solemn, not shedding a tear when the... 375 00:21:33,920 --> 00:21:35,920 Hello, sir. 376 00:21:35,920 --> 00:21:37,920 It's me, Elizabeth White. 377 00:21:37,920 --> 00:21:39,920 Is that you, John Price? 378 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:41,920 I thought you were in Marshall's scene. 379 00:21:41,920 --> 00:21:44,920 Elizabeth White? Well, I never. 380 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:47,920 What you doing in Bunhill Fields this time of night? 381 00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:49,920 I had an order of gingerbread to deliver. 382 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:51,920 You frighten me. 383 00:21:51,920 --> 00:21:53,920 Me frighten? 384 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:55,920 Oh, I'm all right, you know that. 385 00:21:55,920 --> 00:22:00,920 Well, I've had one or two, but nobody can say John Price can't behave like a gentleman. 386 00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:02,920 You are wicked. 387 00:22:02,920 --> 00:22:08,920 Oh, I wish I was married to a sweet woman like you, Elizabeth. 388 00:22:08,920 --> 00:22:10,920 Oh, I envy your husband. 389 00:22:10,920 --> 00:22:12,920 No, no, Mr. Price. 390 00:22:12,920 --> 00:22:14,920 I apologize. 391 00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:16,920 Umbly. 392 00:22:16,920 --> 00:22:18,920 Do you hate me? 393 00:22:18,920 --> 00:22:20,920 Of course not. I never hated you. 394 00:22:20,920 --> 00:22:22,920 It was Harry who didn't want me to talk to you. 395 00:22:22,920 --> 00:22:24,920 I mean, because I'm Angman. 396 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:26,920 You're not anymore, anyway. 397 00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:29,920 I'm really very gentle at heart, you know. 398 00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:31,920 I'm just misunderstood by one and all. 399 00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:33,920 I suppose. 400 00:22:33,920 --> 00:22:37,920 Elizabeth, I've always had a liking for you. 401 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:38,920 Mr. Price. 402 00:22:38,920 --> 00:22:40,920 Have you got a little money put away? 403 00:22:40,920 --> 00:22:42,920 We could make it a business arrangement. 404 00:22:42,920 --> 00:22:43,920 Just you and me, huh? 405 00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:45,920 And I'll pay you next month, I suppose. 406 00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:47,920 I haven't got anything, Mr. Price. 407 00:22:47,920 --> 00:22:49,920 Hold on, I may be a shiver in a two. 408 00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:51,920 You must have copped something for the gingerbread. 409 00:22:51,920 --> 00:22:52,920 Please, Mr. Price, my Harry. 410 00:22:52,920 --> 00:22:55,920 It ain't honorable for a man in my position to be in debt. 411 00:22:55,920 --> 00:22:56,920 There's no one to turn to. 412 00:22:56,920 --> 00:22:58,920 Come on, I'll pay you back. I swear it, I'm desperate. 413 00:22:58,920 --> 00:22:59,920 No, no, Mr. Price. 414 00:22:59,920 --> 00:23:00,920 Will you keep it? 415 00:23:00,920 --> 00:23:03,920 Stop it, you'll have to watch one down. Stop it now. 416 00:23:03,920 --> 00:23:05,920 Give it over. You hear me? 417 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:09,920 I need this, you see. I need it. 418 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:11,920 I told you I'd pay you. 419 00:23:11,920 --> 00:23:13,920 Shut it up! Shut it up! 420 00:23:23,920 --> 00:23:27,920 Well, here we are again. 421 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:30,920 Newgate this time. 422 00:23:30,920 --> 00:23:32,920 The watchman got me. 423 00:23:32,920 --> 00:23:35,920 But he was too late for Elizabeth White. 424 00:23:35,920 --> 00:23:39,920 I'm afraid I done her in, poor soul. 425 00:23:39,920 --> 00:23:43,920 I'm too hanged for it, sir. There you are. 426 00:23:43,920 --> 00:23:46,920 I can hear him coming for me now. 427 00:23:46,920 --> 00:23:51,920 I'd like a last swig of something to see me on my way. 428 00:23:51,920 --> 00:23:54,920 Oh, William Hartley. 429 00:23:54,920 --> 00:23:57,920 Are you ready, John Price? 430 00:23:57,920 --> 00:23:59,920 You nasty little winkle. 431 00:23:59,920 --> 00:24:01,920 You mean you're the Yangman? 432 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:02,920 I am. 433 00:24:02,920 --> 00:24:06,920 Oh, blot. I was coming back to turn you off, you maggoty wimp. 434 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:09,920 And I forgot. You wouldn't be here now. 435 00:24:09,920 --> 00:24:12,920 I bear you no malice, John Price. 436 00:24:12,920 --> 00:24:15,920 You're a wimp, John Price. 437 00:24:15,920 --> 00:24:18,920 You're a wimp, John Price. 438 00:24:18,920 --> 00:24:21,920 You know malice, John Price. 439 00:24:21,920 --> 00:24:23,920 You won't make no Yangman. 440 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:25,920 Not for long, you wank. You wait. 441 00:24:25,920 --> 00:24:28,920 They'll start calling you Jackcatch. You wait. 442 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:29,920 It's my duty. 443 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:32,920 I always knew that someday I'd find my calling 444 00:24:32,920 --> 00:24:35,920 to protect the people from such poor riches as you. 445 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:37,920 I have found it. 446 00:24:37,920 --> 00:24:40,920 Go on, blimey. I might anode. 447 00:24:40,920 --> 00:24:44,920 I might anode. Bar meter. 448 00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:48,920 Well, I for one haven't got a brass farthing for you. My clothes? 449 00:24:48,920 --> 00:24:51,920 They won't fetch stuff in. So blast you. 450 00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:54,920 I don't want neither. It's me job, John Price. 451 00:24:54,920 --> 00:24:57,920 Turning you off is me job. 452 00:24:57,920 --> 00:24:59,920 And that's what I'm going to do. 453 00:24:59,920 --> 00:25:03,920 You've come to a wicked end, as I knew you would. 454 00:25:03,920 --> 00:25:07,920 If I'm going to nab the Stifles, and it's William Hartley 455 00:25:07,920 --> 00:25:09,920 what's going to do it? 456 00:25:09,920 --> 00:25:11,920 I'm better off dead. 457 00:25:11,920 --> 00:25:15,920 William, you write something for me on the wall, will you? 458 00:25:15,920 --> 00:25:18,920 Yeah, yeah. I've got some charcoal. Yeah, right here. 459 00:25:18,920 --> 00:25:20,920 All right, now you write this. 460 00:25:20,920 --> 00:25:25,920 Right, uh, here died John Price, 461 00:25:25,920 --> 00:25:29,920 Angman of London. 462 00:25:29,920 --> 00:25:32,920 He was turned off upon the gallows, 463 00:25:32,920 --> 00:25:38,920 which he had served so well in his day. 464 00:25:38,920 --> 00:25:44,920 God save the King in the year 1696. 465 00:26:04,920 --> 00:26:07,920 Suspense. 466 00:26:07,920 --> 00:26:12,920 In which Hans Conreid starred in tonight's presentation of The Groom of the Ladder. 467 00:26:12,920 --> 00:26:19,920 Be sure to listen in again next week when we bring you another presentation of Radio's outstanding theater of thrills, 468 00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:22,920 Suspense. 469 00:26:22,920 --> 00:26:27,920 Suspense is produced and directed in Hollywood by Anthony Ellis, who also wrote tonight's script. 470 00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:32,920 The music was composed by Lucian Morrowak and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. 471 00:26:32,920 --> 00:26:35,920 In tonight's story, Ben Wright was heard as Hartley. 472 00:26:35,920 --> 00:26:40,920 Featured in the cast were Raymond Lawrence, Richard Heal, Bill James, and John Price. 473 00:26:40,920 --> 00:26:42,780 The musicals were composed by the great 474 00:26:42,780 --> 00:26:43,920 and the wonderful, 475 00:26:43,920 --> 00:26:44,920 and the wonderful, 476 00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:45,920 and the wonderful, 477 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:46,920 and the wonderful, 478 00:26:46,920 --> 00:26:47,920 and the wonderful, 479 00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:48,920 and the wonderful, 480 00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:49,920 and the wonderful, 481 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:50,920 and the wonderful, 482 00:26:50,920 --> 00:26:55,920 and the wonderful, 483 00:26:55,920 --> 00:26:56,920 and the wonderful, 484 00:26:56,920 --> 00:26:57,920 and the wonderful, 485 00:26:57,920 --> 00:27:00,920 and the wonderful, 486 00:27:00,920 --> 00:27:02,920 and the wonderful, 487 00:27:02,920 --> 00:27:05,920 and the wonderful, 488 00:27:05,920 --> 00:27:07,920 and the wonderful, 489 00:27:07,920 --> 00:27:08,920 and the wonderful, 490 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:13,920 and the wonderful, 491 00:27:13,920 --> 00:27:16,920 and the wonderful, 492 00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:18,920 the wonderful, 493 00:27:18,920 --> 00:27:19,920 the wonderful, 494 00:27:19,920 --> 00:27:22,720 and ferret them out of hiding. 495 00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:27,720 You can hear another startling drama revealing one more of those clever plans and its ultimate 496 00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:34,840 defeat on that popular CBS radio program, the FBI in Peace and War, over most of these 497 00:27:34,840 --> 00:27:37,320 same stations tomorrow night. 498 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:41,380 Remember the FBI in Peace and War, tomorrow night. 499 00:27:41,380 --> 00:27:46,800 Stay tuned for five minutes of CBS News to be followed on most of these same CBS radio 500 00:27:46,800 --> 00:27:49,800 stations by the Jack Carson Show.