Personal notice, danger to my stock and trade. If the job's too tough for you to handle, you've got a job for me, George Valentine. Write full details. Standard of California, on behalf of Independent Chevron Gas Stations and Standard Stations throughout the West, invites you to let George do it. The Rose Petal Staircase, another adventure of George Valentine. My dear Mr. Valentine, once again I take pen in hand despite the fact that you have not answered my first letter. Since that time, my tireless genealogical search has led me to the little town of Coliver, named as you perhaps know after the once eminent Senator Coliver. Here in the Senator's very house lies the tragic object of my search, guarded faithfully these many years by the Senator's two surviving daughters. The waves of fate are strange and death wears many hands. However, I do not believe that I will require your assistance as anticipated. I can manage women, particularly spinsters. I can make them see the light. And amid the cobwebs and jealous ruins of this house is a marble staircase, which I am sure will lead me not only to the object of my search, but to the resolution of the future as well. Yes, I am sure I can trick them all. Sincerely, Professor Folk. But George, we never got a letter from him. No. Trick them all. Funny thing to say. Yeah. And it says, P.S. It's too bad that you couldn't have seen this wonderful staircase, Mr. Valentine. It's a delight to the eye, made of solid marble, but exactly the color of faded rose petals. Yeah. Brooksie, I wonder what it was that Professor Fulton was searching for that he found there. Cheatingologist, huh? Yeah. Something to do with a person probably, or a dead person. Anyway, I'm curious about a rose petal staircase set in cobwebs. Oh, but indeed this is not an imposition, Mr. Valentine. My sister Beth and I often receive callers who are passing through. You know, Mr., it's going to cost you two bits. What's that driver? To get her to show you the local ruins, it'll cost you two bits. Mr. Valentine, I'm sure you could dismiss your taxi driver there for the time being. Oh, relax, Claudine. I'll hang around and wait for them. I've got no other questions. Oh, you must excuse, Johnny. He's our town character. So how some of the nicer people have endured him as the only taxi driver these many years. Yes, sure, of course I understand. Here, I have twenty-five cents. Oh, thank you. Naturally, we only collect it for the local historical society. Every penny. Oh, naturally. And now, now if you'll excuse the hostess who leads the way. Callers, callers? Alberta dear, callers? What? Claudine, no. Tell them to come back later. Pardon me a moment. Oh, no, Claudine, can't you? It's almost three o'clock. Oh, I'm sure you'll watch it fast, my dear. This charming gentleman is Mr. Valentine. And this is Miss Brooke. Oh, how do you do? The house is a mess. There's dusting I can't reach. There's even cobwebs. I've got a bad heart. I want you to know it's all I can do. I'm sure they understand the difficulties of the servant problem nowadays. And scarcely expect two ladies to sacrifice their other activities. Not to mention the skin of their hands. The skin of whose hands? Bertha? Oh, now look, please. We just heard about the staircase and I want to- Oh, all right, all right. I don't care. Whatever you want, Claudine. But I warn you, my watch isn't fast. And if you'll- Nonsense, my dear. As all the famous people and handsome young gentlemen in their evening clothes came up to our doorway and into this hall, a footman stood ready to throw open the doors of the ballroom like this and there beyond. You see? Oh, it really is the color of rose petals. Oh, it's beautiful. My father said he stole it from the color of my cheeks. The marble's from Italy, but the design is my own father's. He built it for us for his girl. Rose colored marble for the color of my cheeks. I was the oldest, the most beautiful, he said. But there were three of us. Three of you? We had a younger sister. Her name was Esther. Oh, but I don't say what these- No, please let me. There was music there. Music all the time and dancing and young men by the score. And before his death, my father used to tease me over who would be the first to come down on his arm with a rose petal of annoying flattens and the young man of choice who'd be waking below with a minister. Oh, there were many young men, Mr. Valentine. But it wasn't I who had many an opportunity. And it wasn't poor Bertha who was never very attractive. Lodine? No. No, it was the youngest little Esther who came floating down dressed in white to the arms of her groom. Esther was marriage. Lodine, stop it. Please stop it. That's why we're still sistered, Mr. Valentine. Our misfortune dates from then, from 15 years ago. Our respect and responsibility. What do you mean? Esther and her handsome, strapping husband left the house by automobile. And the automobile are the 10. And Esther was killed. Oh, but I don't understand the fact. Oh, Claudine, look what time it is. Claudine, get them out of here. Get them. Oh. Yeah. Three o'clock. George, a bell. Tiny bell. It's from upstairs, isn't it? Up the staircase. Our responsibility, Mr. Valentine. For 15 years, ever since Esther's death. Don't be frightened. Perhaps you'd like to carry a bed tray upstairs. George, it's from in here. Man's face in the mirrors. Look at all the mirrors. There he is. Over there in the bed. Oh, yeah. Hello there. I brought your tray up. George, he can't speak. He just looks at you. Yeah. And that's the bell hanging from the bed springs. He's paralyzed. What? Just enough to make the bell ring. He can see you, though. Oh, yes, of course. He can hear, too. Can't you? Oh, that poor guy. Six months ago, the doctor said he might even walk again or even talk. He tries to sometimes, but then he gets all upset and can't. He'll be this way forever, I guess. But how long? Fifteen years like that, you heard her. Fifteen years and us running up and down stairs for him. It's Esther's husband, that's who it is. She was killed in the accident, but he wasn't so lucky. And neither were we. Oh, please, if he can hear you. I don't care what he hears anymore. It's what other people hear and say. He's the man, they say, the only man the Coliver girls could ever catch. And they couldn't have caught him if Esther hadn't died and he hadn't been paralyzed. Ms. Coliver, stop it, please. Come on, Angel, I think we'd better get out of here. Yes, George. I wish he would do. Please, I said. Don't I, Mr. Fulton? Don't I? What did you call him? Hubert Fulton, that's his name. Fulton. He isn't any relation to a man I met once, is he? Professor Fulton? Get out of here! Get out of here right now with your gossip, your gossip! Oh, George. Poor, poor guy. Well, Mr. Valentine, ready to go back to the train? Oh, hello, uh... Johnny, everybody called me Johnny. Everybody, huh? Well, listen, Johnny, you run the only taxi around here. There's a guy I want to find and talk to right now. His name's Professor Fulton. I know, he mentioned your name to me once. He did? Once, he was up here at the house, you know, about a week ago. Distant relative of Hubert in there. Yeah, well, the professor was trying to locate Hubert, finally found him. I think he, well, being the only relative, you know, had it in mind to move Hubert out of here, put him in the hospital. Well, that's the best idea I've heard in years. Well, I don't know what'll happen now. What do you mean, now? Well, the professor's dead. What? Another night he slipped, fell all the way down that staircase. Now he's dead. Just an accident, I presume, wasn't it, Miss Claudine? Oh, yes. Yes, that's what the coroner said, and of course it was. Miss Claudine, I think you're lying to us. What? Yes. Why are you so upset, so nervous? And even the way you were before, telling us about your family in the staircase. Yes, and right now, why don't you take your hands away from me? A pair of glasses, Pauzné glasses, with a black ribbon. His death was an accident. It was, I know it was. He was going to take Hubert away from us, and that would have been such a godsend, but he can't stand taking care of us. Wait a minute, wait a minute. Are these Professor Fulton's glasses? Oh, I have to tell someone. Yes, he was near sighted. He tripped and fell, but when I saw him in the funeral parlor, I... Well, anyway, I found his glasses the next day, hidden here in my sister's room, Bertha's room. It's Bertha, Hubert, Bertha. Can you forgive me the cruel things I say in front of you? I have to say them, Hubert. They mustn't ever guess. No one must ever come again to take you away. I've stopped them all. I won't let them. I won't. All right, Hubert, I'll read to you now. My love is strengthened. Though more weak and seeming, I love not less, though less the show appear. That love is merchandise whose riches steaming the owner's tongue that publish everywhere. Our love was new and then but in the spring. We'll read to you now. We'll return to tonight's adventure of George Valentine in just a moment. Do you know when most wear occurs inside your car's engine? Does it happen when your car is running or when it's standing still? The right answer is when your car is standing still. It's a fact that 80% of all engine wear happens after you turn off the ignition. It's caused by acid-laden moisture which forms on cylinder walls and results in corrosion and rust. RPM motor oil is compounded to prevent this damage. RPM keeps a moisture-proof film on internal parts at all times. Even though your car stands still for days or weeks, rust and corrosion can't get started when RPM is in your engine. No wonder RPM motor oil is first choice in the West. It's the oil that stops 80% of engine wear. Or the car you love, get RPM motor oil tomorrow. Get it at standard stations and at independent Chevron gas stations where they say and mean, we take better care of your car. And now back to tonight's adventure of George Valentine. The rose-petaled staircase built long ago for beauty and marriage and happiness, but now only a setting for tragedy. For upstairs lies a man paralyzed, the only man the Coliver girls ever caught, so the gossips say. Hubert Fulton, guarded by the spinsters Claudine and Bertha. And when a relative, Professor Fulton, tries to move poor Hubert to a hospital, the professor somehow has an accident and dies on the marble of the staircase. Well, if you're anything like George Valentine, you locate a man from out of town like yourself, the professor's lawyer, Mr. Hines. Mr. Valentine, if it weren't that my firm has handled a Fulton family business for years, I wouldn't have touched that professor with a ten-foot pole. He wasn't a professor at all. Okay, okay, Mr. Foney. What else, Mr. Hines? A gold seeker, my friend. Do you know the only earthly reason he so kindly came searching for poor Hubert, a relative he'd never even met? Well. I'll tell you. Hubert is worth exactly $73,000. Oh. Well, if Hubert has so much money, why haven't they spent some of it? Oh, they've taken very good care of him. Oh, sure. Yeah, they have. The doctors have been very optimistic, but, well, I'll grant you, it's rather an unhealthy atmosphere right now. That's an understatement. I think Bertha positively hates Hubert. Always complaining. Maybe, but Claudine, well, she's full of delusions, grandeur, and beauty. It's true. But at least to her, he's just a responsibility. We'll work out something for him, all right? Uh-huh. Okay, Mr. Hines. Just a moment. You still haven't told me exactly what this is about the professor's glasses. I'm still not going to. There's enough gossip already. Good night, Mr. Hines. Did you see the car then, Mr. Valentine? No, but we will later. He's out on a case. I wish you wouldn't. But I have to. No, listen to me. I've been sitting here and remembering. I knew so many boys and gentlemen, so very many. I could have had any one I chose, if it weren't for the burden of Hubert. But it was so different for Bertha. Hardly any. She was never attracted. No one ever liked her. She never had a single opportunity. And it isn't surprising you that if a plant that never saw the sunlight should wither in strange patterns. I just mean, she's been so unnaturally intense lately, and her old health isn't good, and perhaps if she went away somewhere, perhaps if she rested, I'm sure I could work out something with that knife, Mr. Hines. You think your sister's getting a little too peculiar, but as for the coroner, you'd like to just let sleeping dogs lie, is that it? They're both quite peculiar, I must say. Mr. Valentine, I just don't want to know anymore about what those glasses are, but the fact is, I'm afraid it's not that easy, Ms. Collins. But after all, she's my only sister. It's impossible anything will be found by investigation and trying me. Just a minute, I'm afraid I'm the heel now, Ms. Claudine. I'm afraid I want to know about those glasses. Because if there's any chance Professor Fulton's accidental death was really murder, then the sleeping dogs are going to be waked up. Well, Johnny, what are you doing in here in this little room? You've got a handful of papers, huh? Yes, George, look, a letter addressed to you. Give me your address. Professor Fulton's first letter to us. Oh, yes, that's it, Angel. Now, you just hold still, must I? Oh, no, please. That was just in my pocket. I brought it to show you. You give it to me the night he died. Oh, yes, sure. But he did. He finally didn't realize he forgot to meal it. It wandered in the desk. I was here looking for that. Oh, no? Then what were you looking for? Mr. Valentine! Mr. Valentine! What in heaven's name are you doing? What are you doing? Hello, Bertha. Hello, Claudine. Mr. Valentine, will you please be good enough to throw this man out? Just a second, Ms. Colliver. I caught our taxi driver friend here rifling your father's desk. What? Yes, but I... All right, all right, all right. Now, listen. Angel, there wasn't much in that first letter to us from the professor. Huh? Just what Heinz figured. The professor wanted us to help locate you, but that's all. What's that? Never mind, never mind. Let's stay with you, buster. Valentine, I'm not a criminal. I'm not a house- No, you're a taxi driver. I'm most distinguished citizen. Thanks, Claudine. I can't help you, Valentine. Honest, I did. I only stopped by in the old center's room, because this is where they keep all the family papers. The what? No, it's not. Oh, yes it is. I wanted to make sure I wouldn't find something. Something I'd guessed about for a long time. Maybe you and Heinz should know. Nobody else does. They've pretended so well. Johnny! Because looking out for poor Hubert up there is the important thing, isn't it? Johnny, stop it! Please stop it! Please stop it! But I couldn't find it. I knew I wasn't finding it. The most important paper in the world of these crazy, Colliver girls is a paper that doesn't even exist. A marriage license. Please, please, please! It's true, isn't it, Claudine? You Hubert up there and your little sister Esther were never married. You and Hubert just pretended all these years, so no one would take them away. That's why you never touched his money, so you would not have to show any proof. I see no reason why a lady need even touch his money. Oh, golly, George. Claudine is still beautiful, isn't she? But you see, because it's true, I guess, two spinsters couldn't stand to lose the only nice guy who's been in this house in the last fifteen years. When Hubert got banged up in that accident with Esther, well, he's never been in shape to fight his way out. Yeah. Yeah, I'm learning things fast, Johnny. Only I'm afraid there's still a little time left. You're talking to me. I said you was talking something about glasses. I still am. Oh, Professor's death was an accident. Can't be any question about that. I noticed about the glasses, too. You did? Sure, sure. I was here that night. I was a witness. Okay, witness, Claudine found the glasses in Bertha's room. Now let's hear your testimony. Bertha's room? But the Professor had them on when he fell. I know he did. He was wobbling anyway. That's when he gave me a letter, mumbling something about he'd forgotten to mail it. The Professor was wobbling? He is no good. He's full of liquor. That's what I was doing here, bringing him liquor. That's why he stumbled. The girls is downstairs. I know it was because I was just outside and come running back in. And his glasses? I'm positive he had them on, laying there on the floor at the foot of the staircase before I went out to get a doctor. Yeah, I get it. I get it. So what happened to the glasses after that still doesn't make sense, but at least his death was an accident. Can I ask the coroner? There was other evidence there was... Why didn't you tell us earlier? Why did you wait until now for a lot of things, coming here, sneaking, being caught? That scene with Claudine and Bertha hurting them like that instead of just telling us? You know, don't you, lady? Yes, I think so. Sure. I've been hurt myself. Claudine? I don't know, but he's good enough for her. And besides, he's been hurt too, hasn't he? I don't think he's happy here, do you? I hear that. I guess he wants something. Oh, George, listen. The Hubert spell. Something must be the matter with you. Come on, I'll hold it for you. Johnny, isn't there a back stairway up there? Well, sure, but... Okay, get up there fast, but don't let anybody see you. I'm finally getting my cap on straight. What? Angel, we're not going up. We're going downstairs. Come on. The bell. Let go of me. Mr. Valentine, something's wrong with Hubert. Let me go. Look, I came down to stop you, Bertha. Be quiet, will you? I've got to go upstairs. He needs me. Be quiet. Now calm down. We'll do it. You can't go running all over the house. He needs me. He needs me. I love him. He needs me. Hey, look, George. Oh, George, I'd better find the light. No, no. She's fainted. That's all. I want it dark. She's all right. Now back we go, Angel. And do as I say. Now, this isn't Angel. Start panicking. No, George. You'll know I'm not first. It's dark here. Go on, go on. Okay. Oh. Oh. Perfect. Perfect. Hold your breath. Bertha? Bertha, dear, is that you? Did you hear the bell? Hubert is all right. I've looked in the mirror. Oh, I see. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Hubert is all right. I've looked in on him. You needn't have come. You shouldn't have come running up the stairs like that, Bertha. I know you have a bad heart. Bertha, you shouldn't have. Oh, dear, you've gone. Bertha. I'm all right. Oh. Yes. It's just us, Claudine. Your sister just fainted downstairs. Take care of her. Will you, Booksy? Yes, sure, George. Thank you. Yes, I'm afraid there wasn't any heart attack. So I guess there isn't any murder, is there? Mr. Valadame. Just like there wasn't any murder of the professor, I'm afraid that you're not going to be able to see the doctor. But you thought it might be a good idea if I thought there was, hiding those glasses and pretending to find them. I can't talk about it. I won't talk about it. Why should you? There isn't anything to say. I guess it was you who thought up the idea years ago of keeping Hubert here. But it wasn't for his money, was it? Fine, I guess. Something to do with your life, with those dreams you live in. Oh, no. It might have gone on forever if the professor hadn't shown up trying to get his hands on Hubert's money. You're contemptible, beastly, contemptible. It was just your good luck the professor had an accident. Oh, sure, I'm not nice. But you had to use me, didn't you? With Johnny sniffing around and Bertha all upset, you had to think up something so Mr. Hines wouldn't catch on to the real secret and take Hubert away forever. Hubert might be able to declare himself someday, and your ugly sister just might like him. She can't have him. She can't, she can't. Yeah, that's innocent. She can't, she can't ever. What makes you take a... I don't love him, but she can't. Mr. Hines, Mr. Hines. Mr. Hines. Mr. Hines. Mr. Hines. Mr. Hines. Mr. Hines. Mr. Hines. Mr. Hines. The marble is midly, but the design is yours. Isn't it, Father? Father? You built it for me. Rose-colored marble for the color of my cheeks. I'm the most beautiful, you always say, Father. I'll be married first, you say, Father. Oh, Lord. Miss Calliver, please. But I'm ready now. And there's music now. Music all the time. And there's orange blossoms and rose petals. Which one is it, Father? Show me the young man who's to be my husband. Give me your arm, Father. Lead me down the staircase. The rose-petaled staircase. Poor Claudine. Bertha, Bertha, please, Hubert's watching. I can't help it. It's my fault, too. Just as much my fault. I've turned bitter and pitiful. Oh, but she helped make you that way. Make you so jealous of him. Oh, you're not too old to change. It's so... Looking at it now, it's so... So unhealthy. Two old maids pretending. Why, I must be insane like she is. No, you're not. You're not. And anyway, think of Hubert. Someone still has to take care of him. He'll be getting better now, the doctor said. Yes. And look at me. Ugly and spiteful. Look at him. You see? He's crying. Can't you tell? Why? Hubert. Hubert. Would you like me to read to you? George. Yeah, Angel, I'm here. From you, have I been absent in the spring, When proud Pied April dressed in all his trim. Time to go, isn't it? From you, have I been absent in the spring. Brooksie, I guess I'm going to have to go. Brooksie, I guess spring's a pretty good thing not to miss, isn't it? If you've had showers in your locality recently, You probably know exactly where your umbrella and raincoat are. But did you know that Chevron Supreme Gasoline is also prepared for the whims of October weather? That's because its climate tailored according to the season and to each different altitude and temperature zone in the West. Depend on it to get the best out of your car wherever you drive any month in the year. Try a tank full of premium quality Chevron Supreme tomorrow. You'll notice right away how your car responds better. Faster starts, faster pick-up and traffic, ping-free power on hills. You'll agree you can't buy a better gasoline for today's high compression engines. Ask for Chevron Supreme at independent Chevron gas stations and at standard stations where they say, And mean, we take better care of your car. And now here is Robert Bailey. Who cares about the kid next door, the boy from the broken home, The little guy who's always getting into trouble? You care when you give all you can to your community chest. For your community chest dollars help pay for child guidance, foster homes, boy scout organizations, Vital services that healthy youngsters need. So when you give, please give enough. Enough for all community chest agencies. Enough for a full year. Tonight's adventure of George Valentine has been brought to you by Standard of California on behalf of independent Chevron gas stations and standard stations throughout the West. Robert Bailey has starred as George with Francis Robinson as Brooksy. Let George Do It is written by David Victor and Jackson Gillis and directed by Don Clark. Also heard in the cast were Paul McVeigh as the professor, Lorine Tuttle as Claudine, Jeanette Nolan as Bertha, Ed Begley as Johnny, and Franklin Parker as Hines. The music is composed and presented by Eddie Dunstetter, your announcer, John Heaston. Listen again next week, same time, same station, to Let George Do It. This is the Mutual Don Lee Broadcasting System. Music
