... ... Danger, Dr. Danfield. ... As our story opens, we find Dr. Danfield cutting a clipping from the morning paper. ... What's so important about that story that it rates being clipped out? Well, here's what caught my attention, Rusty. Let me read it to you. Mrs. Frazier's strange phobia has become a legend in the neighborhood of Wolf's Head Bay. Her refusal to leave the home that she and her husband occupied for many years, coupled with the fact that neighbors report seeing a bobbing light and hearing strange sounds coming from nearby Murdoch's swamp, have lent credence to the theory that the swamp is haunted with the ghost of the vanished millionaire, Alec Frazier. Whoever dreamed up that old wives' tale? Well, do you think it's an old wives' tale, Rusty? Of course I do. I suppose next we'll hear that the ghost of old man Frazier was seen walking through the village without a head on his shoulders. Be an interesting spectacle, wouldn't it? Hey, now listen to this. It was reported today that J. Barrington and company had purchased one of the pearls from the famous matched necklace owned by Mrs. Alec Frazier. It's believed that Mrs. Frazier is disposing of the gems to private buyers as well as to jewelry firms. Well, what do you think of that? Why should I think anything of it? If Mrs. Frazier wants to sell her pearls, let's let her. Well, I doubt if we could stop her if we wanted to. So you don't see any connection between the two stories? Oh, of course I don't. Rusty, sometimes I worry about your imagination or your lack of it. Here, let me ask you some questions. Why do you think Mrs. Frazier is selling her pearls? Maybe she needs the money. But the pearls have been in the family for generations. Mr. Frazier was a millionaire. Yet now that he's disappeared, his wife begins selling the pearls because she needs money. No, no, no. It doesn't add up. Well, that means the motive for murder wasn't money, doesn't it? Murder? Come, come, my dear. A man is never murdered until his body is found. How about his ghost? Don't forget the bobbing light in Murdoch's swamp. I'm coming to that. Now since her husband's death, Mrs. Frazier has had a phobia about leaving the house. She's remained in it for six months. Why? She's afraid of the ghost. Ghosts, my dear, according to legend, only appear at night. No, no, I think we'll find that there's much more to this than an old wives' tale, Rusty, or a back country legend. You think it will find? Dan, you don't mean that we're going to... Oh, yes, my dear. That's exactly what I mean. We're leaving for Cape Cod tonight. Dan, you can't be serious. You've a lecture to deliver, and besides, what do we care about a crazy old lady who's decided to dispose of the family heirloom? We care a great deal, my dear. I haven't seen a ghost in years, and I've never met a person with a phobia against going out of doors. Now, I think if I can find the explanation for those two mysteries, my lecture classes will benefit greatly. But, Dan, really... No arguments, my dear. If you prefer to remain here, you may. Oh, all right. But if you want to know, I think you're just using this as an excuse to stir up some excitement. Really? Rusty, you do have an imagination after all that. In a moment, we'll return for the second act of Danger, Dr. Danfield, but first... Now, back to Michael Dunn for the second act of... Danger, Dr. Danfield. Well, we were certainly fortunate to be able to hire this old mobile in the village, weren't we, Rusty? I challenge that. I also challenge whether the thing will hold together long enough to get us where we're going, in fact. Oh, I think it'll get us where we're going, all right. I'm going to take that to the freezer house there. That architectural monstrosity? Why, Dan, it looks like a mausoleum. It is rather bleak-looking, to be sure. The place has the oldest structure in this vicinity. Well, at least they get a good view of the ocean. And that's all. I don't blame Mrs. Frazier for not wanting to leave the house. There's nothing but rocks and windswept scrubland. That must be Murdock's swamp over there. Yes, yes, I imagine it is. Well, let's go up and present ourselves to Mrs. Frazier. Who are you going to tell her we are? Suppose she won't even talk to us. In that event, my dear, we'll have to resort to artifice. Dan, look over there. The view of the ocean is lovely. I think if we spend less time admiring the ocean, Rusty, and more concentrating on Murdock's swamp, we'll be more apt to accomplish our purpose. Okay. Well, well, well. Our approach must have been observed. Behold the giant. Dan, did you ever see such a huge giant of a man? Who are you, and what do you want? Well, is this the way you greet old prospective pearl buyers? You want to buy a pearl? Well, I don't know until I see some samples and learn the price. Is Mrs. Frazier at home? Mrs. Frazier isn't seeing anyone. How much money you got? I prefer to do business with Mrs. Frazier. Mrs. Frazier doesn't see anyone, I said. Yes, yes, yes, we heard you. Well, what's the next move? Let's see your money. Very well. There. That satisfy you? Dan, where'd you get that? Rusty, where did I get it? You surprised me. You cashed the check for that last article I sold. You are a writer. What difference does it make? I came here to buy one of the Frazier pearls. You've demanded that I show you my money. I've done so. Now, do we do business or don't we? Eh, come in. That's better. One would think we came here to steal the pearls rather than buy... Wait here. Well, how do you like that? Forge a listening. What a gloomy old place. Dan, I don't like this. What don't you like about it? Well, I'm not sure. It's so sort of eerie and that giant... The giant's name is Sid. He was retained by Alec Frazier when an attempt was made to steal Mrs. Frazier's pearls several years ago. Here he comes back. Yes. Here's the pearl. It'll cost you $5,000. Oh, just a minute. Not so fast. I don't intend to buy a pig in a poker now. Let me see it. Okay, take a look. Only don't touch it. Trusting soul, aren't you? Let me see here. Dan, it's beautiful. Yes, yes it is, Rusty. But I'd like to see the others, please. This is the only one that's for sale. You'll want it or don't you? The only one? But I thought the entire necklace... This is the only one that's for sale. If you want it, give me your $5,000. Well, I can't understand why... Show the gentleman another pearl. Oh, no, Mrs. Frazier. You don't have to... Show him another pearl, Sid. Oh, all right. Only you... I'm sorry that Sid was so brusque. He's only that way because I instructed him to be. Please allow me to introduce myself. I'm Mrs. Frazier. Mrs. Frazier? But you're... you can't be. Why? Because you expected to find a dried up old hag and found me instead. Oh, no, no. I'm sorry. We've been told that you were different. Don't worry. I understand. Now who are you, please? Well, I'm Dr. Dan Danfield, Mrs. Frazier, and this is my secretary, Rusty Fairfax. Dr. Danfield, of course. I've heard of you. Did you come here to buy a pearl, Dr. Danfield, or to ask me questions about my strange phobia? Frankly, Mrs. Frazier, both. Studying phobias is my business. I've never encountered one such as yours. Down, Dr. Danfield. You miss Fairfax. I'd like to talk about it. This is the first opportunity I've had to discuss the matter with someone who might understand. Oh, thank you. Do you live here alone with Sid, Mrs. Frazier? Oh, no, no. There are other servants that I depend upon, Sid the most. Now then, what was it you wanted to ask me, Dr. Danfield? About this fear you have, Mrs. Frazier, what do you think will happen if you leave the house? First, I must tell you about the manor in which my husband disappeared. Oh, please do. It was six months ago. We were having a party here at the manor house. Alec and I stepped out onto the porch for a moment. The fog was lifting off the ocean. It crept toward the house like a great gray blanket. It almost reached the edge of the porch when we heard the voice. The voice? Yes. It came up over the cliff through the fog, a sort of low, moaning wail. What was it saying? We couldn't make out at first. Then Alec heard his name. I thought he did. He stepped down off the porch and walked into the fog. He stood there, petrified, waiting. But Alec didn't return. So, what did you do? I ran into the house and got some more friends. Naturally, I was afraid Alec had fallen over the cliff. We ran down the stairs that Alec had had built in the rock face of the cliff, expecting to find him dead at the bottom. But you found no trace of him? No. We got men from the village and searched all the remainder of that night and most of the next day, but nothing at all was discovered. That's strange. Very strange. Now tell me, Mrs. Frazier, do you honestly believe you heard a voice calling Alec's name? I don't know. Could have been the wind, I suppose. It sounded like a voice. And now you're afraid to leave the house because you think the voice might call you. You don't believe me, do you, Dr. Danfield? You think I'm neurotic or perhaps a little mad? Oh, no, no, no, no, not at all. You've had a terrible experience. Was terrible. It haunts me. I've become afraid of the fog. I'm afraid to go out. I'm afraid the fog will surround me if it did Alec and I too will disappear. Well, that's quite understandable. Now I suppose you want to ask why I'm selling the necklace. Well, yes. I was wearing the necklace on that night. It was Alec's and my anniversary, you know. Tell me, do you attach some significance to the necklace and your husband's disappearance? Yes, I don't know why. The pearls have been embroidered ever since I inherited them from Alec's mother. There's always the fear that they might be stolen. The relief to have them gone. I see. And now about the dancing light that people have seen in the swamp beyond the house. I'm afraid you'll have to take that up for the natives, Dr. Danfield. I'm sure the dancing light is a product of their imagination. I knew it was an old wives' tale. Well, we'd better be going, Rusty. Thank you for the time and information you've given us, Mrs. Frazier. It's been most enlightening. I hope you're not too disappointed. No, not at all, not at all. As a matter of fact, I should incorporate the things you've told me in my next lecture. I'm sure it will prove to be the most interesting experience I've presented in months. Good day, Mrs. Frazier. Good day. Come on, Rusty. Well, you think you got away with it? Got away with what, Rusty? With convincing Mrs. Frazier that you believe those stories she told you. Oh, didn't you believe them? Of course not. And neither did you. Afraid of the fog, selling your pearls for sentimental reasons. Nuts. Strange, isn't it? She's afraid of something. I wonder what it can be. Well, whatever it is, it's outside the house, and it isn't fog. And if she really wants to get rid of the pearls, why doesn't she sell the string intact? Dozens of collectors would pay a fabulous price to possess the famous Frazier necklace. Maybe she thinks she'd make more money selling them piecemeal. No, no, no, no, no, no. That's not the answer. She's selling those pearls one at a time for a reason. And the more I think about it, the more mystified I become. I don't like to think about it. There's something plenty wrong with this whole deal. Yes, I believe there is, Rusty. What is Mrs. Frazier afraid of outside the house? Why is she selling the pearls one by one? Well, maybe we'll find the answer in Murdock's swamp. In the swamp? Don't tell me that now you believe that story about the dancing light. Oh, yes, Rusty. I believe every word of it. As a matter of fact, Rusty, tonight you and I are going down to the swamp and trying to learn the connection between the dancing light and Mrs. Frazier's strange phobia. In a moment we return for the third act of danger, Dr. Danfield, but first... ... Now back to Michael Dunn for the third act of... ...danger, Dr. Danfield. Yeah, we'd better leave the car here and walk the rest of the way. Dan, do we have to go down into the swamp? No, you don't, Rusty. As a matter of fact, I'd feel easier if you stayed here in the car. Me stay here alone? Not on your life. I'm not letting you out of my sight. All right, Rusty. Here, why don't I check everything, huh? Flashlight, revolver. Revolver? What do you want a revolver for? Just in case we need a ghost. Come on. Sometimes I think I'm crazy working for you, Dan Danfield. Oh, really? I thought you liked it. Oh, did you? Yes. Well, I do. Thank you, Rusty. Yeah, that black patch beyond the open field is Murdock's swamp. I wish it weren't quite so dark. Everything looks like a black patch to me. Be careful now. We'll cut across the field and wait at the edge of the swamp until we see the dancing light. Come on, let's go. You really think we'll see a dancing light? Oh, yes, yes, yes. If not tonight, then some other night. Some other night? You mean... What's the matter? Nothing. I just stubbed my toe. If you'd use that flashlight you brought along. Sorry, Rusty. We'll use the light only in an emergency. Dan, listen. Yes, yes, I hear it. It's a howling dog. Well, it adds atmosphere, doesn't it? I say it does. It also adds goose pimples. Howling dog seems to come from over near that lone pine. I thought dogs only howled at the moon. Contrary, my dear, they howled at a lot of things. Dan, that was a shot. It certainly was, and apparently it was directed at the dog. Well, things are beginning to happen, aren't they? Why would anyone want to shoot a poor dog? Perhaps the dog found something, Rusty. Say, look there. I see it. It's the dancing light. Yes, that's the light, all right. Yeah, it's gone. Oh, no, no. There it is again, dancing just above the swamp grass. Come on. Where are we going? We've got to find out what that light is. What? Do we really care? Wouldn't it be better to go back to the hotel, I am a guest? Stop your chatter and move. Oh, Dan! Rusty, Rusty, where are you? Down here, Dan. Help me. I fell into a hole that's filled with water. You fell into the swamp. Here. Wait a minute. There. Now, can you reach my hand? No, you won't find it. Dan, there's someone coming. Look out! What? Behind you! Quiet, you and a man when he's down, will you? Let me up! I'll... Oh! Dan, Dan, speak to me. Oh, Dan. Oh, what happened? Oh, Dan, thank heaven you're all right. All right. I feel as though I've been run over by a steamroller. Well, you were practically. Whoever it was kept beating and kicking you even after you were out. Oh, it was terrible. Tell me, how did you feel at once? No, it was pitch dark and I was in that water hole. Oh, how did you get out, by the way? Oh, it was the worst experience I've ever had. I kept slipping back and finally I caught hold of a shrub. Well, anyway, you're out. That's the important thing. Where's the flashlight? Oh, here it is. Well, let's have a look around. What are you looking for? Port friends, Rusty. We can make an impression of... Dan, look. By George, a pearl, half bird in the mud. It could be one of Mrs. Frazier's. Not only could, but it is, Rusty, I'm sure of it. What do you suppose it's doing here in the swamp? I know. Someone stole one of the pearls and was trying to escape the swamp. He thought we were after him. Listen. It's Sid, Mrs. Frazier's handyman. You suppose he's looking for us? Who else? Oh, Dr. Danville. Over this way, Sid. Wave your light, Dan. Yes, there he comes. This way, Sid. Over here. Oh, there he is, Doc. What are you two doing down here in the swamp? Well, we weren't picking cranberries, you can be sure of that. Don't try to be funny, Doc. What are you crawling around here for? We were looking for a ghost, if you want to know. And since this seems to be a question and answer period, Sid, tell me, how did you know we were down here in the swamp? What do you mean, how did I know? Well, you were still way off there in the bushes somewhere. You called my name. Why did you think it was Mr. FX and I? Who else could it be? We heard the girls scream. Looking for more phobias, were you, Doc? And fond ones, Sid. Come on, Rusty, let's get back to town. Wait a minute, wait a minute. Mrs. Frazier said to bring you back to the house. She thought you might be hurt. Our compliments to Mrs. Frazier, Sid, but tell her we have an important engagement in the village with the constable. Well, I don't know, young fella. Sounds pretty far-fetched to me. Does it, constable? How would it sound to you if I produced the murdered body of Alec Frazier? I don't believe you can do it. You want to bet? No, I ain't a bet man. I'll tell you what I will do, though. What's that? You show me Frazier's murdered body and I'll arrest the man who murdered him. Well, that's mighty wide of you, constable. Tell me, how are you going to tell who murdered him? I never thought of that. Bet's off. All right, constable, I'll make a deal with it. I'll not only produce Frazier's body, but I'll produce his murderer and prove his guilt. It's a deal. What do you want me to do? You just meet me at Miss Fairfax at the south edge of Murdoch Swamp tomorrow morning at nine o'clock. No, no, no, no, deal's off. Swamp's haunted. I wouldn't go in there for a hundred dead men. You won't have to. All you have to do is sit on the edge of the swamp with your squirrel gun or whatever kind of weapon you carry, and I'll go bring out Frazier's body. It's a deal. Have a glass of cider? Well, I prefer a bonded bourbon, but if you... How's that? I said thanks. Thanks very much. There's nothing like a glass of cider to steady a man's nerves when he's about to dig up a six-month-old corpse. Well, here's to you, constable. Never mind that stuff. Let's drink. Ben, are you sure the constable will be here? From what you told me, he didn't sound very brave. Well, I think the constable's much braver than we give him credit for, Rusty. Here, let me get my shovel. Yes, there's the constable sitting over under the tree. Holy smoke. Is he a policeman? I thought the characters who looked like him only lived in the comic strips. Well, looks are sometimes deceiving. Oh, hello there, constable. Hi there, young fella. Thought I wouldn't show up, didn't you? Hey, who's that you got with you? Well, it's... Pretty, ain't you? Hey, Shae, I guess I oughta something. You got a gun? Why, yes, constable. Good, good, I'm gonna make you a deputy. Raise your right hand. But look here, I... Raise your right hand, Shae. Well, all right. That's it, that's it. And he's gonna make you a deputy. There, now you're a deputy. If you want to shoot anybody, you can. Go on, I'll get out of here. I'm gonna take a nap. Pretty. All right, constable, we'll be back in a cut of an hour. Come on, Rusty. Oh, Dan. I think he's wonderful. Why, because he said you were pretty? That had nothing to do with it. Had nothing to do with it. Okay, Rusty. Yeah, I think he's all right, too. And careful on this swamp ground. It's treacherous even in daylight. It's nowhere near as forbidding, though. Every time I think of last night, I get a fresh crop of goose pipples. Hey, wait a minute. Yes, there it is. There's what? A lone pine tree we spotted last night when we heard the howling dog. Dan, you don't think the dog was howling because he found Alec Frazier's dead body? That's what I'm basing my theory on, Rusty. Oh, my George, look. Dan, it's the dog. Yeah, it's shut through the head. I see now. The surrounding brush is so thick, the shot must have been fired at close range. If we could find the empty cartridge and then find the sign from which it was fired... I don't think we'll have to go that much for it, Rusty. Come on, let's look around here a bit. Even after six months, there'll still be signs of... Dan, look over there. Oh, my George, Rusty, you've found it. Dan, is it... is it a grave? If it isn't, I'm going to be very disappointed. Here, let me get my shovel into action. Dan, it will be awful if there's a man under that mud. Don't be spooks, Rusty. This is all in day's work. Well... What's the matter? Well, I hit something, I think. Oh, Dan, I can't look. Yes, there's something here, all right. Dan, I don't like this. Hey, Rusty, look. I can't, Dan. It's a man's hand. Do you see what's clushing his fingers? Well, they're pearls, three of them. Yes, and that answers all of the questions. Dan, listen. Yes, I heard it. Man, it sounds as though there's a small size battle going on out there. Dan, you don't think that the... perhaps the... What are you going to say, Rusty? Well, you don't think that the constable is in trouble? That's exactly what I do, I think. Rusty, we've got to help him. Come on. Those shots came from over that way. I thought you said the constable was afraid to come into the swamp. No, no, no, no, he said it. No, I know he was kidding. Say, look out. Oh, don't worry about me. A little water won't hurt. You didn't feel that way just behind that tree. Dan, it's Sid. Yes, yes, and he's got a bead on the... on the constable. We've got to do something. I intend to. Stay here, Rusty. All right, Sid, drop it. Why, you... Okay, if that's the way you want it, take this. You squirt. I think this went right on the butt. Dan, Dan, are you all right? Yes. I wouldn't have been if I hadn't gotten a lucky punch, Rusty. Look, look, Dan, here comes the constable. Yes, yes. Constable, constable, this way. Hi there, young fellow. You thought I was scared to come into the swamp, didn't you? So did Sid Edmonds. Bet he thinks different now. Yes, I imagine he does. That's him on the ground, huh? I must have winged him. Yes, you must have. Well, his shooting days are over now. Hey, hey, what's happened to that pretty girl you had with you? Rusty, why, she's right... Rusty. Well, she's fainted. In a moment we return for the conclusion of Danger, Dr. Danfield, but first... Danger, Dr. Danfield, but first... Now for the conclusion of... Danger, Dr. Danfield. Well, constable, the least Mr. Fairfax and I can say is that we're grateful to you for saving our lives. I'll say we are. If it hadn't been for you, we'd both be dead. Pretty, ain't she? Nice construction job, too. Constable. Is something wrong, young fellow? As I was saying, constable, why was it you didn't investigate the dancing before today? Scared, that's why. Couldn't figure it out. Us country folks don't like them things. Tell him the explanation of it, Dan. Yeah, yeah, tell me, young fellow. Pretty, ain't you? I'll be glad to explain, constable, if you'll keep your mind on a subject. You see, Sid and Mrs. Frazier murdered Alec Frazier the night of the party six months ago. Probably their motive was love. Is that a fact? Yes. Mrs. Frazier lured her husband into the swamp where he was attacked by Sid. When the struggle then ensued, Alec grasped the pearl necklace and tore it from his wife's throat. Well, do tell. Do tell. Most of the pearls fell to the ground, although three of them remained in the grasp of Alec, unnoticed in the excitement of the moment by Sid and Mrs. Frazier, you see. Then it probably wasn't until she got back to the house that Mrs. Frazier realized her necklace had been ruined. That's right, Rusty. Immediately, she knew that she'd have to find the pearls that had been lost. Because if anyone else found them, they'd realize that she'd been in the swamp and become suspicious. So that accounts for the dancing light. It was a flashlight held by either Sid or Mrs. Frazier while they hunted for the pearls. That's right. The light served a double purpose. It frightened the natives away and Mrs. Frazier was able to recover most of her pearls. But why did she dream up that story about being afraid to leave the house? And why was she selling the pearls one by one? Mrs. Frazier, my dear, was a very clever woman. If she could convince people that she was afraid to leave the house, no one would suspect it was she in the swamp. Also, no one would have the opportunity to wonder why she never wore the necklace, you see. But selling the pearls one at a time... Well, sooner or later Mrs. Frazier would be forced to produce the necklace when it came time to renew the insurance on it, for example. So she had to get rid of those pearls in a manner that seemed normal. And since she couldn't offer the entire necklace, she sold the gems one at a time. Yes, that's right. Now by selling them to different people, no one could possibly know that the necklace wasn't complete. That explains everything. But we still owe the constable a great debt. Eh? What was that? Oh, Miss Fairfax was just saying we'd like to have you spend a few days with us in New York, Constable. Say, um, how about coming down next Tuesday? Nope, nope. Deal's off. Tuesday, I'll just go to the votin'. Votin'? Votin'! Why, sure. Don't you know that Tuesday's votin' day? Heh, dog on it, you forgot you're an American? You forgot you got the right to go and vote for the things you want? You forgot it's your duty to do that? Yeah, he's right, Rusty. We should have remembered that. You're darn tootin' him right. Why, if you ain't satisfied with the way things is, go get to change him. You won't get him changed no other way. Gosh, Dan, that's true, isn't it? Yes. That's the trouble with you folks, you don't think. You got the right to think and to say what you please and to vote for the things you want, and you forget about it. Why, golly, I wonder how you'd feel if you didn't have that rights. Well, if you don't get out and vote, maybe you'll find out. Well, Constable, you're 100% right. Tuesday is votin' day unless you know I'll be the first of the polls, eh, Rusty? You bet we will. Well, that's better. Pretty, ain't you? Pretty enough to vote, Constable. Well, so long. See you at the votin'.
