This is Orson Welles speaking from London. The Black Museum, a repository of death. Here in the grim stone structure on the Thames which houses Scotland Yard is a warehouse of homicide. Where everyday objects, a milk bottle, a woman's hand, a bit of fly paper, all are touched by murder. Here's a doctor's prescription. It's a familiar object, you don't think twice about it. You have a cold sore throat, the doctor comes, gives you a prescription, a piece of paper with symbols scrawled on it. Here you are nurse, I've used a different compound this time, number 1778 in place of 2032. Is this one stronger than what you see there, sir? Yes, there's a bit more of the morphia in this prescription. Well, today that same piece of paper, that prescription, is in the Black Museum. From the annals of the Criminal Investigation Department of the London Police, we bring you the dramatic stories of the crimes recorded by the objects in Scotland Yard's gallery of death. The Black Museum. In just a moment you will hear The Black Museum starring Orson Welles. The Black Museum. The Black Museum. Now, The Black Museum starring Orson Welles. Well, here we are in the Black Museum, Scotland Yard's Museum of Murder. These objects all around represent the final distillation of that most final act of all the taking of a human life by another human being. Here lies death. In seared, ordered ranks the things of which death is made lie here. The present now, the once so violent, so unavoidable, so inevitably complete. It's a stiletto, a thing of cruel beauty, with jewels scattered. No blood sullied this stiletto blade ever, but this was the arrow of a pointing finger which led to death by the hangman's rope. And here's the prescription, scrawled almost unintelligible. A traditional corkscrew of a doctor's penmanship and marked in the chemist's writing, filled. Ironic but true. Almost as ironic as the beginning of the story because the beginning is an errand of affection and kindly care. You see, John Begley was a nephew and cousin who did his best for his family. And so, if you don't mind, Miss Smith, I want to be certain that my aunt, she's well past 80, you see, and my cousin will have the best of care. I understand perfectly, Mr. Begley. I've been taking care of patients in my house now for almost five years. I can show you letters of reference, but I'd prefer it if you inspected my house first. To May Smith, a routine call, a routine inspection. To John Begley, a matter of some importance, but apparently Mr. Begley was quite satisfied with what he saw. I must say, Miss Smith, you do well by your patients. I'm a nurse, sir, and I've dedicated myself to the proper care of the sick. To be congratulated. May I ask what the charges will be? I take it a hopeless in-belief. And has been for a good many years. My cousin June has a progressive nervous disorder. Sometimes she's quite completely paralyzed. Then she has remissions. Oh, I see. Would it be multiple sclerosis? I think that's the name of it. In any case, she can care for her own needs to a great extent, except when she has these seizures. Would 15 pounds per week for each of them be within their means? With board and so on included. Oh, yes, they have means. You see, my uncle by marriage, that is, Mr. Dawson, he left them a comfortable income. No problems there. Everything perfectly respectable, not a thought of trouble in the mind of anyone concerned. Martha Dawson and her daughter June came to stay in the care of Nurse May Smith. Not a registered nursing home, you understand, but a nice place, and a competent nurse in charge with a good doctor on call. All of which was born out the afternoon some months later when John came to visit his aunt and his cousin. May is sweet, so considerate. Oh, it's May already, is it? Oh, why not, John? She's as good to me as June would be if she were able. I wish I were able, Mother. But you're not, poor dear, and May is a fine substitute. One of the family, eh? Yes, John. John? Yes, my dear? I'm not getting any younger. Here, now, none of that kind of talk. I mean it. I'm getting on. 55 is well into middle age. I've been thinking about my will, John. As your next of kin, I think you ought to discuss it with me. I'm serious, John. Listen to her, John. In all probability, I shall go first, and June will have everything her father left. All right, Aunt Martha. Go ahead, June. Well, I've been watching May, you see. She has practically nothing of her own except this house and the rather precarious income from her patients. I've been thinking of making her a partial heir. But since you're the main one, John, I thought I'd ask you first. I'm doing all right, dear. No worry on that score. Only take my advice. Be sure before you leap. Money is a strange thing, you know. June listened to her cousin, John. But what she thought she was advising, well, that was something else again. May, I'd like to talk with you. Of course, my dear. Go right ahead. I'm making my will over again. Now, that's fine talk. You and the will. Whatever for? To make you my principal heir. June, you must not do anything of the kind. I'm sure your nice cousin won't like it a bit. Oh, I've discussed it with him. He doesn't mind, at least. In any case, people with their lives ahead of them mustn't think about dying. Then it's high time I began to think about it. June, dear, let me tell you something. You're going to live so long and pay me fifteen pounds a week for so many years, that you won't have anything to leave anybody. That's not so. My income will take care of me as long as I live. And John certainly doesn't heed the principal. You will. You see, May, I know about the real nursing home you've always wanted, and the cottages and houses that are the basis of what father left mother and me will be just perfect for you when the time comes. You stop this kind of talk, June Dawson. That's nurse's orders. I don't want to hear it. I simply refuse to listen to you. A word can be like a stone in a pool of water, the splash, the first ripple, and then wider and wider go the circles. The stone disappears, but it's there, lying at the bottom of the pool. Even when the surface has become still again. This box of candy Johnny sent is. Will you have some? Thank you, mother. Now, now what shall I have? Nougat or, or a cream? You've had three already. You know sweets aren't really good for you. June is right, Aunt Martha. Now you let me have that box. I'm going to save you from temptation and keep the box in my office. And you may have a piece after dinner and one after luncheon each day. Oh, the way you boss me. You'd think you were twice my age instead of the other way round. You're a good person, Mae. You really are. Am I? Just because I do my job? Yes, the care was good. The three women obviously were very fond of each other. But did you notice the phrase, save you from temptation? Would a psychologist call that a Freudian slip of some kind? I wonder. And who was saving whom? And from what? Certainly Dr. Lewin, the attending physician, thought nearly the people were being saved from pain and with conscientious care. I've been in to see Mrs. Dawson, nurse. I'm glad. How do you find her, doctor? She's failing rapidly. Oh, it's too bad. She's a splendid old lady despite her bad physical condition. Does June, does Miss Dawson realize her mother's condition? Sure she does. She's a brave woman. And a self-sacrificing daughter as ever I saw one. No question about that. Well, it must come to all of us one day. Death, I mean. Now then, have you the final reports on the terminal care for Mrs. Wrightson? Yes, sir. Right here in the file. And for Mrs. Richter. Thank you, nurse. You know, you really ought to qualify as a proper nursing home. You know your business, Miss Smith. Thank you, doctor. For our regulations, it's faked and expensive to fulfill. Now, in these two cases, doctor, you prescribe more here towards the end, remember? And you let me have a supply. I keep the dangerous drugs in here. I have some of the tablets left. I'd like to return them if I may. Very well. Dangerous drug, Morphea. Just as well not to have it around, even under lock and key. A dangerous drug. Tempting. But there's another drug, or so it may be called at times, a temptation certainly. It seems to have the power to dull the perceptions and the consciences of people, not just Morphea does at the time. This drug is money. There it is. My will, remade. Johnson, will you sign here, please? Yes, ma'am. The papers were signed, put away. Will, an inherited gesture from a grateful woman to a friend in need, that was all. An incident over, closed, with a period put to it as the pen stopped its scratching, as in a few weeks, a heart stopped beating. At least she died without pain. In her sleep, doctor. Around midnight. How is Miss Dawson taking it? Quite well. Would you like to see her? Perhaps I'd better. Her sedative may be indicated. She's in her room. This way. Can I expect any reaction in June's own trouble? A disease of the nervous system like hers? There may be some trouble now, even when she's taking this blow so well. I know. Here we are, sir. Ah, Miss Dawson. May I express my sympathy? Thank you, doctor. Mother suffered enough in this world. I pray she has peace in the next. I trust she will. Miss Smith is worried about you now. I, I do feel a bit upset. I hope I'm not going to have any after effects. Have you noticed any signs? My legs feel so heavy. That's usually a sign. And my fingertips on my right hand, they seem to have lost the sense of touch. Well, you just let me prescribe a sedative, my dear. With some sleep you'll be fine. Even when we expect something like this, it's still a shock. There we are, nurse. Thank you, doctor. Now you lie down, June. As doctor says, even when you expect something, it's still a shock. Yes, a shock indeed. Perhaps not unconnected to the piece of paper, a prescription, which can be seen today in the Black Museum. In just a moment we will continue with the Black Museum starring Orson Well. Music Music And now we continue with the Black Museum starring Orson Well. The words they use are polite, terminal care. They carry many connotations, an end to pain, an easing off from weary illness, a quiet kind of death. However, they do not mean a helping hand to death. Doctor, poor Miss Dawson doesn't seem to be getting much relief from the sedative you gave her. I'm afraid the funeral and all the details have been too much for her. I've been expecting that. She's worse then. Yes, her right side is paralyzed. Doctor, June's become more than a patient. I don't want to lose her too. I understand, Miss Smith. Now don't worry about that. Chances are Miss Dawson will live for quite a few years yet. Now in the meantime, here you are, nurse. I've used a different compound this time, number 1778 in place of 2032. Is this one stronger than what she's been getting? Yes, there's a bit more of the morphia in this prescription. Yes, let us ease the pain and relieve the suffering. This is a great career to comfort and aid the sick. One does many things to help the sufferer. Doctor, Miss Dawson has asked a peculiar question. I don't like it. What is it? She wants to know how one can be cremated. Oh, she's thinking about that, is she? Well, she hates her body. I think she wants to feel it will be completely destroyed as soon as she is gone. Now can't you get her mind off this? Well, I try. I've been spending as much time as I can with her, but she keeps coming back to that same question. I'll have to satisfy her, I'm afraid. Well, you tell her. She can put the direction in her will if she has one, or she can leave a letter properly witnessed, ordering disposal by cremation. Then when she dies, whoever is left behind applies to the Registrar of Deaths for permission. The rest will be taken care of by a licensed mortician. Ugh, what thoughts on such a pleasant day. She seems so terribly depressed. What can I do, Doctor? Just do your best to keep her mind busy. June Dawson, depressed, half paralyzed, and facing several years of a kind of half-life. Not pleasant. No, definitely. Cousin John Begley was very upset about it. I don't like it, Miss Smith. June shows no improvement at all. I'm upset by it as much as anyone. Yes, I suppose you are. What do you mean by that, Mr. Begley, if I may ask? If she dies, no more fifteen pounds per week for you. I resent that, Mr. Begley. Yes, I suppose you should. Particularly since my cousin made that new will. Do you know its contents? She hasn't disclosed them to me, but I can guess. Do you know them? I can't say I do. Hmm. Wise of my cousin to keep her will a secret. Particularly since her estate will be worth at least four thousand pounds, if not more. A large amount of money and a small lie. Interesting combination. Of course, one can hardly blame Miss Smith. It's not Cousin John's business what's in that will if June doesn't care to tell him. In any case, other events impend which will have a bearing on the matter. I would have it so quickly. Almost as if she'd wished herself to death. Why didn't you call me? And it was one in the morning. She seemed to be sleeping, except her breathing was peculiar. I tried to rouse her and she answered me. I left her at 2.15 Johnson who was on the night desk this week called me. She'd run for help and I rushed in. She still had the cord in her hand. And she was dead. Well, it happens that way. Something gives up. This was a cerebral hemorrhage as far as I can judge without an autopsy. I'll state so on the desk, if you could. Very well, Doctor. Oh, I feel an inspector at the moment. You see, she was more than a patient. She was my friend. I understand. Now, you'll be all right in a day or so after the internment. Oh, oh Doctor, she, she wrote a letter, insisted on it, after I told her what you said. What I said? About the cremation. Oh, that. Oh yes, I remember. Yes, very well. You'll need the form request to fill out. I'll send one over. Now, you can make it out, attach the letter and take it to the registrar. He happens to be the health officer in Nottingham as well. Oh, thank God. Now then, I'll make out the certificate. No problems. Just the grief over a lost friend. Make out the papers. Call in Johnson, the faithful servant. Johnson? Yes, Miss? I have an errand for you. Dr. Lewin sent this form over. It's all filled out. I want you to take it to the health officer. You know where, don't you? Yes, of course, Miss. And be sure you file this letter with it. Now, you remember witnessing Miss Dawson's signature on this letter, don't you? Oh yes, of course I do. Johnson did as he was told. This was his job, no questions asked. However, the registrar at the health office did have a question or two. You work at this place for this Smith woman, do you? Yes, sir, I do. The form here says nursing home. Is that what it is? I suppose so, sir. Well, don't you know? There's only a few patients and it's Smith's own house. Oh, one of those, I see. I thought there was no registered nursing home at that address. I happen to be in charge of those records myself. She never called it a nursing home before, sir. She always wants one, of course. Talks about it a lot. Says it costs a lot of money. Yes, it does. Will it be all right for me to tell her to go ahead with things now, sir? No, not just yet. I'll want to get confirmation of this cremation request from a relative, too, if possible. I imagine the family will claim the body and tell your employer we'll be in touch for those. Strange, isn't it? An ambition, a desire so near fulfillment. And Nurse Smith fills out an official form as if the ambition had already been fulfilled. Two words. Wheels begin to turn. Nurse Smith has an unexpected collar. You wanted to see me, sir? Yes. My name is Liggett, Inspector Liggett, Scotland Yard. Sit down, please, Inspector. Thank you. What can I do for you, Inspector? Did you know there's been a post-mortem on Miss June Dawson? No, I didn't. Who gave permission? Next of kin, John Bagley. Oh. You know him? He's been a visitor here. I see. The death certificate said cerebral hemorrhage. Dr. Lewin told me. Would you tell me the type of medication you gave the patient? I have the record book right here. Yes, here it is. Patient in pain in afternoon. Gave two tablets that were prescribed by Dr. Lewin at 4 p.m. And here's the 8 p.m. entry. Usual dosage of sedative. What was in those tablets? More, sir. Dr. Lewin left them with me. Two on September the 5th, four more on September the 12th. You'll find the entries in my drug book. And in the sedative? Oh, more than that, too. Dr. Lewin had described an additional dose. It increased the compound. You seem to have all the facts. I keep careful records. But nevertheless, Miss Dawson died quite unexpectedly of a stroke. So the doctor certified. That is not in my problem. No. And the doctor made out the certificate without an autopsy. He's quite a competent physician. No doubt. But the fact remains that Miss Dawson did not die of a stroke, Miss Smith. No? May I ask? She died of an overdose of morphia. Quite a large overdose. So I'm afraid we shall have to take you in charge until further investigations have either cleared you or brought you to trial either for manslaughter or homicide. When death masquerades as mercy, when murder hides behind friendship, there's little sympathy for the accused. In this case, where one required to heal stood accused of killing, there was only anger. Nonetheless, justice was well ordered and the evidence was made quite clear. First, the motive. Mr. Begley, what do you know of the occasion of your cousin's drawing up a new will in favor of the prisoner? My cousin discussed it with me. What did she tell you? That she felt so grateful to Miss Smith that she wanted to leave her entire estate to this woman. What is the amount of the estate? Something over four thousand pounds. To the best of your knowledge, did the prisoner know the size of the bequest? I told her myself. On what occasion? When I asked if she knew the contents of my cousin's will. And what did you say to that? That she did not know. At a subsequent visit with my cousin, I learned that she did know. In fact, her own assistant or helper witnessed the document. Thank you very much, sir. And finally, opportunity and access to the drug. Dr. Lewin, a tragic though innocent figure in the case, was the witness. Doctor, it has been alleged that you gave the prisoner two tablets of morphia for the deceased on the 5th of September and four more on the 12th. Is this true? It is not. I never prescribed morphia in that form for this patient. Did you prescribe it in any other form? In a sedative, yes. I must confess a slight error, however. The patient had been receiving compound 1778. I later prescribed compound 2032, thinking at the moment that it contained more of the drug than 1778. Later, I discovered it contained less. However, as it seemed to be equally easing to the patient, I did not correct the situation. Were you urged to add to the morphia? I was, by Miss Smith. Have you any idea whether the prisoner may have acquired the drug which was used? During the past year, I have given her small quantities of the drug for use at her discretion, but never more than eight tablets at a time. She has returned a few from time to time. On checking my records, I find I have given her almost a hundred tablets. Is this normal in the situation where terminal care is the norm? Yes. However, it is perfectly possible that some of the unused tablets were not returned to me. Now returning to your prescription, Doctor, do you remember the occasion of your writing it and why? I do. It was just after the patient's mother died while under Miss Smith's care. Miss Smith was most anxious for a strong sedative for the patient and inquired specifically concerning its comparative strength after I wrote the prescription. She also inquired of me concerning cremation. The crown rested its case. The sentence was death by hanging. Well, today that same piece of paper, that prescription, is in the Black Museum.
