WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:18.000 And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 00:18.000 --> 00:26.720 Tonight, we bring you a story about a man whose name was synonymous with death. 00:26.720 --> 00:29.920 We call it, The Groom of the Ladder. 00:29.920 --> 00:35.920 So now, starring Hans Conrede, here is tonight's Suspense play, The Groom of the Ladder. 00:35.920 --> 00:53.920 Evening, Mr. Price. 00:53.920 --> 00:55.920 Evening, William. 00:55.920 --> 00:57.920 Oh, it's cold enough. 00:57.920 --> 00:59.920 A day for you, Mr. Price. 00:59.920 --> 01:01.920 I must say I'm fair wore out. 01:01.920 --> 01:05.920 What you need is a bit of the old warming for the cockles. 01:05.920 --> 01:07.920 Ah, true, ah, true. 01:07.920 --> 01:09.920 It's cruel work for a man in this weather. 01:09.920 --> 01:13.920 You up down to the blue ball, Mr. Price, have yourself a dollop. 01:13.920 --> 01:18.920 Oh, I thought of that, but I happen to be a little short of fun tonight, William. 01:18.920 --> 01:19.920 I wonder. 01:19.920 --> 01:21.920 Oh, and one for me, Mr. Price. 01:21.920 --> 01:25.920 Oh, that's very nice of you, I must say. 01:25.920 --> 01:27.920 Well, you're very nice. 01:27.920 --> 01:29.920 Good night. 01:29.920 --> 01:31.920 Good night, Mr. Price. 01:31.920 --> 01:34.920 My kindest regards to your wife, Mr. Price. 01:34.920 --> 01:36.920 Thank you, William. 01:36.920 --> 01:39.920 Oh, what a dirty dog. 01:39.920 --> 01:49.920 I hope so give him what for, the blue ball. 01:49.920 --> 01:52.920 Nasty little rat, that William Hartley. 01:52.920 --> 01:55.920 I've got to keep an eye on him. 01:55.920 --> 01:57.920 Hartley. 01:57.920 --> 02:00.920 What right's he got to look at me like that? 02:00.920 --> 02:02.920 I know what he's thinking. 02:02.920 --> 02:03.920 Get my job. 02:03.920 --> 02:07.920 If there's a chance of that, I'll see him turned off first. 02:07.920 --> 02:10.920 Go, I've got to thirst. 02:10.920 --> 02:12.920 Should go home, I suppose. 02:12.920 --> 02:14.920 Better be grousing out of all neck. 02:14.920 --> 02:15.920 Oh, let her grouse. 02:15.920 --> 02:17.920 I got me rights. 02:17.920 --> 02:27.920 Blue ball for me. 02:27.920 --> 02:29.920 Evening, one and all. 02:29.920 --> 02:34.920 Evening. 02:34.920 --> 02:37.920 Evening, Mr. White, Mrs. White. 02:37.920 --> 02:38.920 Mr. Lowell. 02:38.920 --> 02:42.920 Oi, Brenny, you spryers ever. 02:42.920 --> 02:45.920 What's this all about? 02:45.920 --> 02:53.920 Somebody dead. 02:53.920 --> 02:56.920 That's the way it is, is it? 02:56.920 --> 02:58.920 Keeper, ale. 02:58.920 --> 03:05.920 I said, ale. 03:05.920 --> 03:06.920 Ale. 03:06.920 --> 03:08.920 Perhaps you didn't hear me the first time. 03:08.920 --> 03:09.920 Can you pay for it? 03:09.920 --> 03:11.920 Yes, I can pay for it. 03:11.920 --> 03:13.920 And more, don't you worry about me. 03:13.920 --> 03:15.920 I can pay for anything. 03:15.920 --> 03:17.920 You hear that, all of you? 03:17.920 --> 03:19.920 I don't need a bloody one of you. 03:19.920 --> 03:22.920 You'll all come to me one of these days. 03:22.920 --> 03:25.920 I heard the watchman are out looking for somebody. 03:25.920 --> 03:30.920 He don't pay his debts and he's going to Marshall C. Prism for it. 03:30.920 --> 03:33.920 Who said that? 03:33.920 --> 03:35.920 Who said it? 03:35.920 --> 03:39.920 I wonder who's gone to get Jack Ketchy's job when he's out of office. 03:39.920 --> 03:41.920 Who called me that? 03:41.920 --> 03:44.920 John M. Price. John Price. John Price. 03:44.920 --> 03:46.920 John Price. Hear what I say? 03:46.920 --> 03:48.920 John Price. 03:48.920 --> 03:52.920 I have such an horrible pain in my throat, Mr. Ketchy, dear. 03:52.920 --> 03:55.920 Do you have a cure? 03:55.920 --> 04:03.920 Got any old clothes for sale today, Mr. Ketchy? 04:03.920 --> 04:05.920 Shut your face, there's a lot of you. 04:05.920 --> 04:07.920 Stop! I'll do you a mischief, that's what. 04:07.920 --> 04:09.920 You hear? You! You! Stop it! 04:09.920 --> 04:12.920 That's enough! There'll be none of that in here. 04:12.920 --> 04:15.920 If you want your ale, come over to the table and drink it. 04:15.920 --> 04:17.920 Otherwise, out! 04:17.920 --> 04:21.920 Well, I'm sorry I lost my temper. 04:21.920 --> 04:24.920 I'm sorry, I got very tired tonight. 04:24.920 --> 04:26.920 Accept my apologies, keep it. 04:26.920 --> 04:29.920 I don't accept nothing from you, except your money. 04:29.920 --> 04:32.920 I have to serve you, me charter says so. 04:32.920 --> 04:35.920 But no trouble for you, or out you go. 04:35.920 --> 04:44.920 And that's a fact, and don't forget it. 04:44.920 --> 04:46.920 Why do they do it? 04:46.920 --> 04:49.920 Why, it's always like this. 04:49.920 --> 04:53.920 Either they don't say a blinking word, or they even that awful way. 04:53.920 --> 04:56.920 Can't they understand? I'm just like anybody else. 04:56.920 --> 05:01.920 I do me job, same as anyone. 05:01.920 --> 05:08.920 It gets lonely, a man sitting by himself, swilling ale, all by himself. 05:08.920 --> 05:10.920 Wish I had some money. 05:10.920 --> 05:16.920 I mean, some of the actual, not coppers, oh, I'd have friends then, lots of them. 05:16.920 --> 05:19.920 What was it they were saying about the watchmen looking for me? 05:19.920 --> 05:21.920 Oh, they can't do that. 05:21.920 --> 05:26.920 I'll pay the debts, what I owe, if I can only get a good job at them. 05:26.920 --> 05:33.920 Why don't they let the man alone? Not fair! 05:33.920 --> 05:35.920 Not fair. 05:35.920 --> 05:38.920 What ain't fair, Mr. Price? 05:38.920 --> 05:41.920 Who is it? Oh, William. 05:41.920 --> 05:44.920 William Artley, huh? You, huh? 05:44.920 --> 05:46.920 You got off late tonight, didn't you? 05:46.920 --> 05:48.920 That's right, Mr. Price. 05:48.920 --> 05:51.920 Having a bit of a guzzle, eh? 05:51.920 --> 05:55.920 I will not stand familiarity, William Artley. 05:55.920 --> 05:58.920 I hardly remember your place and station. 05:58.920 --> 06:02.920 Oh, no offence intended. An untaken, I hope. 06:02.920 --> 06:03.920 Granted. 06:03.920 --> 06:06.920 Eh, mind if I sit down with my mug? 06:06.920 --> 06:08.920 I don't mind. 06:08.920 --> 06:09.920 Oh, dear! 06:09.920 --> 06:14.920 Long hours, short pay, that's the way of it. 06:14.920 --> 06:18.920 William Artley, why do you talk to me? 06:18.920 --> 06:22.920 Why not, Mr. Price? You're my superior, ain't you? 06:22.920 --> 06:25.920 In a way, I ask to talk to you. 06:25.920 --> 06:29.920 I don't want you to have to. I want you to want to. 06:29.920 --> 06:33.920 Nobody wants to talk to me. Nobody wants me. 06:33.920 --> 06:35.920 Could be worse, you know. 06:35.920 --> 06:38.920 I don't beat my wife or the kid. I try to do what's right. 06:38.920 --> 06:41.920 You're just misunderstood, Mr. Price. 06:41.920 --> 06:44.920 Misunderstood. I sympathise. 06:44.920 --> 06:49.920 I want a friend. I want people to smile at me in the streets, talk to me, to like me. 06:49.920 --> 06:53.920 Oh, you've got a burden, Mr. Price, and no mistake. 06:53.920 --> 06:56.920 William, how'd you like to lend me five sovereigns? 06:56.920 --> 07:00.920 I could pay you back with interest. I got one or two odd debts to pay, you know. 07:00.920 --> 07:03.920 I heard about that, Mr. Price. Harry White was... 07:03.920 --> 07:07.920 Harry White, what's he know? He's after me job, just like you, William Artley. 07:07.920 --> 07:11.920 You don't pull a wool over my eyes. I know, I know. 07:11.920 --> 07:14.920 How could you think such a thing, Mr. Price? 07:14.920 --> 07:17.920 Why, you remember this. I'm not out of office yet. Remember. 07:17.920 --> 07:22.920 You stay nice to me, William, because I have a position. 07:22.920 --> 07:27.920 How about a couple of sovereigns? I know you've got it, so there's no use denying. 07:27.920 --> 07:32.920 Well, I'd like to oblige, Mr. Price, so help me. I will, but my wife's expecting again. 07:32.920 --> 07:35.920 And you know how it is with another mouth to feed. 07:35.920 --> 07:38.920 How about a copper's worth of ale, then? 07:38.920 --> 07:43.920 You know, I was going to buy one for you, Mr. Price, but when I reached into me pocket, 07:43.920 --> 07:46.920 I found I had just enough for me own mug. 07:46.920 --> 07:51.920 William Artley, you are a dirty, sneakin' little liar. 07:51.920 --> 07:52.920 Mr. Price. 07:52.920 --> 07:57.920 Don't you ever find yourself in trouble, because if you do, 07:57.920 --> 08:02.920 it's John Price who's going to be there taking loving care of you. 08:04.920 --> 08:09.920 Oh, Harry, you are a wad. Stop it, anyone. It's secret. 08:09.920 --> 08:12.920 Hello, Mr. White, Mrs. White. 08:12.920 --> 08:14.920 Good, come on, Elizabeth. Time for us to be going home. 08:14.920 --> 08:16.920 Oh, I'll be all right, Harry. 08:16.920 --> 08:21.920 I said, allow, that's all. I didn't do no harm, just allow. 08:21.920 --> 08:24.920 It's me, John Price, you know me. 08:24.920 --> 08:29.920 Can't you say allow? Allow, that's all. 08:36.920 --> 08:40.920 William Artley, he come to the Blue Bull to laugh at me. 08:40.920 --> 08:44.920 That's how he gets his pleasure. They all do. 08:44.920 --> 08:47.920 And when I get home, it's going to be the same. 08:47.920 --> 08:51.920 Oh, I wish I was dead. 08:59.920 --> 09:01.920 John Price, that you? 09:03.920 --> 09:07.920 Where you been? I had a piece of matna on the table at six o'clock. 09:07.920 --> 09:09.920 Hello, Beth. Where's the kid? 09:09.920 --> 09:13.920 Where you been? I've told you for the last time I ain't going to... 09:13.920 --> 09:18.920 Oh, Betty, Betty, love, I had a very difficult job today. 09:18.920 --> 09:21.920 I'd like to have broke me poor arm. I swore like a pig. 09:21.920 --> 09:23.920 How much did you get? 09:23.920 --> 09:24.920 For usual. 09:24.920 --> 09:25.920 Earned it over? 09:25.920 --> 09:26.920 No, Beth. 09:26.920 --> 09:30.920 Ah, I should have known. You've been boozing at the Blue Bull. 09:30.920 --> 09:32.920 Spent every blessed penny. 09:32.920 --> 09:34.920 I was tired, but I thought a sup would help. 09:34.920 --> 09:37.920 Sup? I've said, for the look of you. 09:37.920 --> 09:41.920 Sweetheart, we got a few shillings put by, haven't we? 09:41.920 --> 09:42.920 Oh, no, you don't. 09:42.920 --> 09:44.920 No, it's desperate, Beth, girl. 09:44.920 --> 09:47.920 They'll have me in debtors' prison. I heard them talk tonight. 09:47.920 --> 09:48.920 Do you good? 09:48.920 --> 09:52.920 Don't say that, love, love. It'll only be for a week, two at the most. 09:52.920 --> 09:54.920 I got to raise every penny I can. 09:54.920 --> 09:57.920 That money's for me and the kid. You don't touch one thub. 09:57.920 --> 09:59.920 I'll lose my job. 09:59.920 --> 10:03.920 Don't make me laugh. Your job. Call that a job? 10:03.920 --> 10:07.920 I'm ashamed. I'm ashamed to have people know me name. 10:07.920 --> 10:10.920 Now, Beth, I'm your husband. It's your duty to obey me. 10:10.920 --> 10:13.920 You give me what money we got in the house, or I'm going to... 10:13.920 --> 10:15.920 Or what? What'll you do, Jack Ketch? 10:15.920 --> 10:16.920 Now, Betty. 10:16.920 --> 10:20.920 What'll you do to Mrs Jack Ketch, you murderer? 10:20.920 --> 10:23.920 Murderer! 10:23.920 --> 10:26.920 Murderer! My husband. What's he do for an honest living? 10:26.920 --> 10:28.920 Why, he's a murderer. 10:28.920 --> 10:29.920 No, no, no, don't touch. 10:29.920 --> 10:31.920 Mother, what does daddy do? 10:31.920 --> 10:33.920 He's got a lovely job, sonny. 10:33.920 --> 10:35.920 Don't you try me, now, Betty. 10:35.920 --> 10:37.920 Now, your dear old dad turns people off for our bread. 10:37.920 --> 10:38.920 Betty. 10:38.920 --> 10:40.920 He's Jack Ketch, the public ankhman. 10:40.920 --> 10:41.920 Betty. 10:41.920 --> 10:42.920 Ankhman. 10:42.920 --> 10:43.920 Oh, smash her! 10:43.920 --> 10:44.920 Smash her! 10:44.920 --> 10:51.920 You are listening to The Groom of the Ladder, tonight's presentation in Radio's outstanding 10:51.920 --> 10:58.920 theater of thrills, Suspense. 10:58.920 --> 11:05.920 There are twice as many radios in the United States today as there were ten years ago. 11:05.920 --> 11:12.920 And the radio is the only one that can make a difference in the lives of the people who 11:12.920 --> 11:14.920 are in need of it. 11:14.920 --> 11:21.920 There are twice as many radios in the United States today as there were ten years ago. 11:21.920 --> 11:27.920 Every minute of the broadcast day, millions are listening to radio, most of all to CBS 11:27.920 --> 11:33.920 Radio, which has all of the top 25 daytime programs and eight of the top ten once-a-week 11:33.920 --> 11:35.920 half-hour evening shows. 11:35.920 --> 11:41.920 Yes, leading the way as it goes and grows are the CBS Radio shows. 11:41.920 --> 11:49.920 And now we bring back to our Hollywood sound stage, Hans Connery, starring in tonight's 11:49.920 --> 12:00.920 production, The Groom of the Ladder, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 12:00.920 --> 12:12.920 I suppose it was wrong to beat her like that. 12:12.920 --> 12:15.920 What's a man to do? 12:15.920 --> 12:22.920 So, what with me dancing, what I done to bat, here I am in Marshall C. Prison. 12:22.920 --> 12:25.920 Not the first time I've been here ever. 12:25.920 --> 12:27.920 What a stinkin' hole. 12:27.920 --> 12:34.920 All of us together, the muck of London, men, women and dogs. 12:34.920 --> 12:38.920 There's one lad though that ain't so bad, he come in yesterday. 12:38.920 --> 12:44.920 He's got learnin', a gentleman you can see there, Thomas Lovelace's name. 12:44.920 --> 12:49.920 He's in debt to his eyes, £2,000. 12:49.920 --> 12:53.920 I'll be here until I rock, Price. 12:53.920 --> 12:55.920 Oh, I wouldn't say that, sir. 12:55.920 --> 12:57.920 There's always hope. 12:57.920 --> 12:58.920 You've been here before? 12:58.920 --> 13:00.920 Three times, sir. 13:00.920 --> 13:01.920 This is my fourth. 13:01.920 --> 13:03.920 And all was for debt. 13:03.920 --> 13:05.920 Of course, there was the matter of my wife, Betty, this time. 13:05.920 --> 13:07.920 What did you do for a living, Price? 13:07.920 --> 13:09.920 What's the matter? 13:09.920 --> 13:11.920 Hadn't you noticed? 13:11.920 --> 13:14.920 The others there, they never talk to me. 13:14.920 --> 13:16.920 Hadn't you noticed? 13:16.920 --> 13:17.920 Not particularly. 13:17.920 --> 13:20.920 I'll tell you why. 13:20.920 --> 13:23.920 Because I was in the employ of His Majesty. 13:23.920 --> 13:26.920 In service to the Crown, that's why. 13:26.920 --> 13:28.920 That's why they don't talk to you? 13:28.920 --> 13:31.920 Well, I suppose you won't either when I tell you. 13:31.920 --> 13:33.920 You'll find out in a day or so, anyhow. 13:33.920 --> 13:35.920 What's the news? 13:35.920 --> 13:36.920 I'm... 13:36.920 --> 13:37.920 The Angman. 13:37.920 --> 13:38.920 Angman? 13:38.920 --> 13:40.920 But I thought that Jack Ketcham... 13:40.920 --> 13:42.920 That's what they call me. 13:42.920 --> 13:44.920 Oh. 13:44.920 --> 13:46.920 I thought so. 13:46.920 --> 13:48.920 Go on, sir. 13:48.920 --> 13:49.920 I won't trouble you. 13:49.920 --> 13:51.920 You're a gentleman. 13:51.920 --> 13:53.920 You know what the likes of me. 13:53.920 --> 13:55.920 You haven't got a very savory reputation, you know, Price. 13:55.920 --> 13:58.920 It was my job. Somebody had to do it. 13:58.920 --> 14:00.920 I've heard that you rather enjoyed it. 14:00.920 --> 14:01.920 That's a lie. 14:01.920 --> 14:04.920 What about the poor devils who paid you to put them out of their misery quickly? 14:04.920 --> 14:07.920 I was happy to oblige, poor souls. 14:07.920 --> 14:13.920 Sometimes they give me a few pants to help them through the awful passage to heaven. 14:13.920 --> 14:15.920 But, Lord bless them, I did my best. 14:15.920 --> 14:17.920 And if they didn't have any money? 14:17.920 --> 14:19.920 I wouldn't hold it against them. 14:19.920 --> 14:25.920 Of course I'm not denying that a nice rack or press job was worth a few shillings extra. 14:25.920 --> 14:27.920 But wouldn't you have taken the money? 14:27.920 --> 14:29.920 I ask you, wouldn't you? 14:29.920 --> 14:31.920 I wouldn't have had your job, Price. 14:31.920 --> 14:33.920 Not for a million pounds. 14:33.920 --> 14:35.920 Oh, well. 14:35.920 --> 14:37.920 That's the way of it. 14:37.920 --> 14:39.920 Each man to what he knows. 14:39.920 --> 14:43.920 Right, Mr. Lovelace? 14:43.920 --> 14:45.920 My profession is Angman. 14:45.920 --> 14:48.920 Yours is to be a gentleman. 14:48.920 --> 14:50.920 Am I right, sir? 14:50.920 --> 14:54.920 And we're both of us in debtors' prison. 14:58.920 --> 15:00.920 That gave him something to think about. 15:00.920 --> 15:03.920 He wasn't so eye-and-mighty after that. 15:10.920 --> 15:12.920 Mr. Lovelace never had visitors. 15:12.920 --> 15:14.920 I didn't either. 15:14.920 --> 15:17.920 That is, not till one day, three months after I first come here. 15:17.920 --> 15:19.920 And it was William Hartley. 15:19.920 --> 15:23.920 And I didn't like the nasty weasel smile on him. 15:25.920 --> 15:30.920 Well, Price, I heard about your misfortune and I came to sympathise. 15:30.920 --> 15:33.920 How thoughtful, William. 15:33.920 --> 15:35.920 How do they treat you in here? 15:35.920 --> 15:39.920 Treat? Oh, like a blooming earl, can't you see? 15:39.920 --> 15:42.920 Nasty smell down here. 15:42.920 --> 15:45.920 They haven't brought in the fresh roses yet. 15:45.920 --> 15:49.920 What about your debts, Price? Any luck? 15:49.920 --> 15:52.920 No. It's only a matter of five pounds. 15:53.920 --> 15:55.920 William? 15:55.920 --> 15:57.920 William Hartley, you did... 15:57.920 --> 15:59.920 Did you come here to help me? 15:59.920 --> 16:02.920 You're going to lend me the money. 16:02.920 --> 16:05.920 Have I misjudged you, William? Good friend. 16:05.920 --> 16:08.920 No, you haven't misjudged me, Price. 16:08.920 --> 16:11.920 I didn't come here to lend you nothing. 16:11.920 --> 16:15.920 I've come here like a good Christian to see you add your elf and spirits. 16:15.920 --> 16:20.920 And I've brought you a prayer book for your poor soul feeder. 16:20.920 --> 16:22.920 Oh, blow on me. 16:22.920 --> 16:25.920 Change your ways, Price. Change your ways before it's too late. 16:25.920 --> 16:28.920 I challenge you to change the shape of your head. 16:28.920 --> 16:33.920 I'm going to turn you off for a while, Mr. William Hartley. 16:33.920 --> 16:37.920 Price, let him go. Let me let him go. 16:37.920 --> 16:40.920 Get away from him, Price. Stop it. 16:40.920 --> 16:42.920 Have you gone mad? 16:42.920 --> 16:45.920 You know what they'll do to you with this. 16:45.920 --> 16:48.920 You shouldn't have done that, Price. 16:48.920 --> 16:51.920 I won't forget. 16:51.920 --> 16:54.920 You're paid for that. 17:02.920 --> 17:07.920 I paid 30 lashes and slum goyim for a month. 17:07.920 --> 17:10.920 I wasn't going to forget William Hartley. 17:10.920 --> 17:13.920 Never in all my life. 17:13.920 --> 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. 17:19.920 --> 17:22.920 It was the best meal I ever had. 17:22.920 --> 17:26.920 And then things were the same again. The weeks went by. 17:26.920 --> 17:28.920 I wrote a song ballad. 17:28.920 --> 17:31.920 Mr. Lovelace did the words in writing for me. 17:31.920 --> 17:33.920 I called it... 17:33.920 --> 17:40.920 A man of destiny's hard fortune whereby his hopeful harvest is like to be blasted. 17:40.920 --> 17:45.920 And nobody bought it, though, though I still didn't have the money to pay me debts. 17:45.920 --> 17:49.920 Then I heard about Betty and the kid. They'd run off and left me. 17:49.920 --> 17:53.920 And that's when I made up my mind to get out of Marshallsea. 17:53.920 --> 17:58.920 That and William Hartley. Oh, I'd play a little court on him. 17:58.920 --> 18:02.920 I told my idea to Mr. Lovelace one night. 18:02.920 --> 18:04.920 Mr. Lovelace? Yes? 18:04.920 --> 18:06.920 Come closer, sir. 18:06.920 --> 18:09.920 Listen, I'm getting out, see? 18:09.920 --> 18:12.920 Now, you've treated me right. I'm willing to take you with. 18:12.920 --> 18:15.920 How can you? We've got these chains. It's impossible. 18:15.920 --> 18:19.920 No, we don't. They take them off in the afternoon when we exercise, don't they? 18:19.920 --> 18:21.920 All right. That's the time. 18:21.920 --> 18:24.920 You leave that to me. You want to go with? 18:24.920 --> 18:27.920 I'd rather die trying than stay. All right, sir. 18:27.920 --> 18:29.920 Now, here's what we do. 18:29.920 --> 18:32.920 There's a woodshed next to the gate of the yard. 18:32.920 --> 18:35.920 Door's always open. When we have our constitutional tomorrow, 18:35.920 --> 18:37.920 we hop in there and wait till it's dark. 18:37.920 --> 18:39.920 One of the keepers will see us. 18:39.920 --> 18:41.920 Now, now, there's a new one on. I've been watching him. 18:41.920 --> 18:45.920 He's been drunk for a week. Easy as pie. You wait. 18:50.920 --> 18:54.920 We did it. Stayed hide and burn the wood till night. 18:54.920 --> 18:57.920 Felt funny without the chains on after so long. 18:57.920 --> 19:00.920 And then about ten o'clock, we started out of the shed. 19:00.920 --> 19:03.920 I took a thick stick from the woodpile. 19:11.920 --> 19:13.920 Come on. It'll be locked. 19:13.920 --> 19:16.920 Have to do a bit of climbing, eh? 19:20.920 --> 19:22.920 Look, keeper. He's asleep. 19:22.920 --> 19:27.920 I'm supposing he wakes up. He won't. 19:33.920 --> 19:35.920 Look, he's waking up. 19:36.920 --> 19:38.920 Hurry up now. 19:39.920 --> 19:42.920 Give me an hand up first, and then I'll pull you over. 19:42.920 --> 19:44.920 Right. 19:44.920 --> 19:47.920 All right. Now, give me your hand. 19:47.920 --> 19:49.920 There. Up you come. 19:49.920 --> 19:51.920 Hey. 19:52.920 --> 19:54.920 And there's London. 19:54.920 --> 19:57.920 Ain't that a lovelier sight? 19:57.920 --> 20:00.920 All your markleys out there in it. 20:00.920 --> 20:02.920 Come on. 20:06.920 --> 20:10.920 We stayed together till we was well out of sight of the present. 20:10.920 --> 20:13.920 And then Mr. Lovelace said goodbye. 20:13.920 --> 20:15.920 I'll leave you here, Price. 20:15.920 --> 20:17.920 I can't thank you enough for helping me. 20:17.920 --> 20:19.920 You shan't meet again, I suppose. 20:19.920 --> 20:21.920 But I'll always remember you. 20:21.920 --> 20:23.920 Goodbye. 20:23.920 --> 20:25.920 And he went his way. 20:25.920 --> 20:31.920 Couple of minutes later, I found a broom-maker going home from selling his wares. 20:31.920 --> 20:37.920 And after a short argument, I had two silver shillings in me pocket. 20:37.920 --> 20:42.920 I tossed for it William Artley, now or later. 20:42.920 --> 20:44.920 My first one. 20:44.920 --> 20:47.920 And that took me to the nearest alehouse in Bunhill Fields. 20:47.920 --> 20:50.920 Artley'd have to wait, but not for long. 20:50.920 --> 20:52.920 Or I was going to do him a mischief. 20:52.920 --> 20:56.920 Pay the little scot back before the night was out. 21:04.920 --> 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. 21:12.920 --> 21:16.920 Funny thing, I couldn't on the lot for me remember what I had to do. 21:16.920 --> 21:18.920 But there was something. 21:18.920 --> 21:27.920 Oh, his groans was dreadful for to hear, as the stones they pressed upon him. 21:27.920 --> 21:33.920 And Jack stood solemn, not shedding a tear when the... 21:33.920 --> 21:35.920 Hello, sir. 21:35.920 --> 21:37.920 It's me, Elizabeth White. 21:37.920 --> 21:39.920 Is that you, John Price? 21:39.920 --> 21:41.920 I thought you were in Marshall's scene. 21:41.920 --> 21:44.920 Elizabeth White? Well, I never. 21:44.920 --> 21:47.920 What you doing in Bunhill Fields this time of night? 21:47.920 --> 21:49.920 I had an order of gingerbread to deliver. 21:49.920 --> 21:51.920 You frighten me. 21:51.920 --> 21:53.920 Me frighten? 21:53.920 --> 21:55.920 Oh, I'm all right, you know that. 21:55.920 --> 22:00.920 Well, I've had one or two, but nobody can say John Price can't behave like a gentleman. 22:00.920 --> 22:02.920 You are wicked. 22:02.920 --> 22:08.920 Oh, I wish I was married to a sweet woman like you, Elizabeth. 22:08.920 --> 22:10.920 Oh, I envy your husband. 22:10.920 --> 22:12.920 No, no, Mr. Price. 22:12.920 --> 22:14.920 I apologize. 22:14.920 --> 22:16.920 Umbly. 22:16.920 --> 22:18.920 Do you hate me? 22:18.920 --> 22:20.920 Of course not. I never hated you. 22:20.920 --> 22:22.920 It was Harry who didn't want me to talk to you. 22:22.920 --> 22:24.920 I mean, because I'm Angman. 22:24.920 --> 22:26.920 You're not anymore, anyway. 22:26.920 --> 22:29.920 I'm really very gentle at heart, you know. 22:29.920 --> 22:31.920 I'm just misunderstood by one and all. 22:31.920 --> 22:33.920 I suppose. 22:33.920 --> 22:37.920 Elizabeth, I've always had a liking for you. 22:37.920 --> 22:38.920 Mr. Price. 22:38.920 --> 22:40.920 Have you got a little money put away? 22:40.920 --> 22:42.920 We could make it a business arrangement. 22:42.920 --> 22:43.920 Just you and me, huh? 22:43.920 --> 22:45.920 And I'll pay you next month, I suppose. 22:45.920 --> 22:47.920 I haven't got anything, Mr. Price. 22:47.920 --> 22:49.920 Hold on, I may be a shiver in a two. 22:49.920 --> 22:51.920 You must have copped something for the gingerbread. 22:51.920 --> 22:52.920 Please, Mr. Price, my Harry. 22:52.920 --> 22:55.920 It ain't honorable for a man in my position to be in debt. 22:55.920 --> 22:56.920 There's no one to turn to. 22:56.920 --> 22:58.920 Come on, I'll pay you back. I swear it, I'm desperate. 22:58.920 --> 22:59.920 No, no, Mr. Price. 22:59.920 --> 23:00.920 Will you keep it? 23:00.920 --> 23:03.920 Stop it, you'll have to watch one down. Stop it now. 23:03.920 --> 23:05.920 Give it over. You hear me? 23:05.920 --> 23:09.920 I need this, you see. I need it. 23:09.920 --> 23:11.920 I told you I'd pay you. 23:11.920 --> 23:13.920 Shut it up! Shut it up! 23:23.920 --> 23:27.920 Well, here we are again. 23:27.920 --> 23:30.920 Newgate this time. 23:30.920 --> 23:32.920 The watchman got me. 23:32.920 --> 23:35.920 But he was too late for Elizabeth White. 23:35.920 --> 23:39.920 I'm afraid I done her in, poor soul. 23:39.920 --> 23:43.920 I'm too hanged for it, sir. There you are. 23:43.920 --> 23:46.920 I can hear him coming for me now. 23:46.920 --> 23:51.920 I'd like a last swig of something to see me on my way. 23:51.920 --> 23:54.920 Oh, William Hartley. 23:54.920 --> 23:57.920 Are you ready, John Price? 23:57.920 --> 23:59.920 You nasty little winkle. 23:59.920 --> 24:01.920 You mean you're the Yangman? 24:01.920 --> 24:02.920 I am. 24:02.920 --> 24:06.920 Oh, blot. I was coming back to turn you off, you maggoty wimp. 24:06.920 --> 24:09.920 And I forgot. You wouldn't be here now. 24:09.920 --> 24:12.920 I bear you no malice, John Price. 24:12.920 --> 24:15.920 You're a wimp, John Price. 24:15.920 --> 24:18.920 You're a wimp, John Price. 24:18.920 --> 24:21.920 You know malice, John Price. 24:21.920 --> 24:23.920 You won't make no Yangman. 24:23.920 --> 24:25.920 Not for long, you wank. You wait. 24:25.920 --> 24:28.920 They'll start calling you Jackcatch. You wait. 24:28.920 --> 24:29.920 It's my duty. 24:29.920 --> 24:32.920 I always knew that someday I'd find my calling 24:32.920 --> 24:35.920 to protect the people from such poor riches as you. 24:35.920 --> 24:37.920 I have found it. 24:37.920 --> 24:40.920 Go on, blimey. I might anode. 24:40.920 --> 24:44.920 I might anode. Bar meter. 24:44.920 --> 24:48.920 Well, I for one haven't got a brass farthing for you. My clothes? 24:48.920 --> 24:51.920 They won't fetch stuff in. So blast you. 24:51.920 --> 24:54.920 I don't want neither. It's me job, John Price. 24:54.920 --> 24:57.920 Turning you off is me job. 24:57.920 --> 24:59.920 And that's what I'm going to do. 24:59.920 --> 25:03.920 You've come to a wicked end, as I knew you would. 25:03.920 --> 25:07.920 If I'm going to nab the Stifles, and it's William Hartley 25:07.920 --> 25:09.920 what's going to do it? 25:09.920 --> 25:11.920 I'm better off dead. 25:11.920 --> 25:15.920 William, you write something for me on the wall, will you? 25:15.920 --> 25:18.920 Yeah, yeah. I've got some charcoal. Yeah, right here. 25:18.920 --> 25:20.920 All right, now you write this. 25:20.920 --> 25:25.920 Right, uh, here died John Price, 25:25.920 --> 25:29.920 Angman of London. 25:29.920 --> 25:32.920 He was turned off upon the gallows, 25:32.920 --> 25:38.920 which he had served so well in his day. 25:38.920 --> 25:44.920 God save the King in the year 1696. 26:04.920 --> 26:07.920 Suspense. 26:07.920 --> 26:12.920 In which Hans Conreid starred in tonight's presentation of The Groom of the Ladder. 26:12.920 --> 26:19.920 Be sure to listen in again next week when we bring you another presentation of Radio's outstanding theater of thrills, 26:19.920 --> 26:22.920 Suspense. 26:22.920 --> 26:27.920 Suspense is produced and directed in Hollywood by Anthony Ellis, who also wrote tonight's script. 26:27.920 --> 26:32.920 The music was composed by Lucian Morrowak and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. 26:32.920 --> 26:35.920 In tonight's story, Ben Wright was heard as Hartley. 26:35.920 --> 26:40.920 Featured in the cast were Raymond Lawrence, Richard Heal, Bill James, and John Price. 26:40.920 --> 26:42.780 The musicals were composed by the great 26:42.780 --> 26:43.920 and the wonderful, 26:43.920 --> 26:44.920 and the wonderful, 26:44.920 --> 26:45.920 and the wonderful, 26:45.920 --> 26:46.920 and the wonderful, 26:46.920 --> 26:47.920 and the wonderful, 26:47.920 --> 26:48.920 and the wonderful, 26:48.920 --> 26:49.920 and the wonderful, 26:49.920 --> 26:50.920 and the wonderful, 26:50.920 --> 26:55.920 and the wonderful, 26:55.920 --> 26:56.920 and the wonderful, 26:56.920 --> 26:57.920 and the wonderful, 26:57.920 --> 27:00.920 and the wonderful, 27:00.920 --> 27:02.920 and the wonderful, 27:02.920 --> 27:05.920 and the wonderful, 27:05.920 --> 27:07.920 and the wonderful, 27:07.920 --> 27:08.920 and the wonderful, 27:08.920 --> 27:13.920 and the wonderful, 27:13.920 --> 27:16.920 and the wonderful, 27:16.920 --> 27:18.920 the wonderful, 27:18.920 --> 27:19.920 the wonderful, 27:19.920 --> 27:22.720 and ferret them out of hiding. 27:22.720 --> 27:27.720 You can hear another startling drama revealing one more of those clever plans and its ultimate 27:27.720 --> 27:34.840 defeat on that popular CBS radio program, the FBI in Peace and War, over most of these 27:34.840 --> 27:37.320 same stations tomorrow night. 27:37.320 --> 27:41.380 Remember the FBI in Peace and War, tomorrow night. 27:41.380 --> 27:46.800 Stay tuned for five minutes of CBS News to be followed on most of these same CBS radio 27:46.800 --> 27:49.800 stations by the Jack Carson Show.