The signal oil program, the Whistler. That whistle is your signal for the signal oil program, the Whistler. I am the Whistler, and I know many things for I walk by night. I know many strange tales hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows. Yes, I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak. Yes, friends, it's time for the Whistler. And remember, let every traffic signal remind you, with new signal gasoline, you do go farther than ever. Look for the familiar big yellow and black circle sign that identifies those popular signal service stations in seven western states from Canada to Mexico. And now the Whistler's strange story, Panic. Leora had been on his mind all morning. He tried not to think of her, tried to throw himself into the office routine, dragged out all the things he'd set aside during the past month, told his secretary they were going to work late. Then by one in the afternoon, he found himself slipping, letting his mind relax and settle on Leora again. And at three, he discovered he was dictating nonsense to his secretary. At that point, he stopped suddenly and deliberately thought of Leora, of her leaving tonight, walking out of his life forever. An hour later, he was hurrying out of the passport office on his way to the steamship agency. Yes, sir? I believe a Mr. and Mrs. Charles Moffat are listed on tonight's sailing. Would you check it for me, please? Of course, sir. Midnight Sailing Baratania. Yes, here we are. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Moffat, A deck cabin 12. Is there any space left on that ship? Well, as a matter of fact, sir, I have a cancellation right here. I'll take it. The name's Kent Buckley. That's the way it is, isn't it, Kent? You agree to be sensible, to remember that she's married to respectable, wealthy Charles Moffat, surrounded by signs that say, keep off the grass, in big red letters. But it's always been hard for you to be reasonable where Leora's concerned, hasn't it? Yes, Kent. And it's certainly not reasonable for you to be taking the elevator to the 10th floor of the Park Lane Apartments that night at 9 o'clock, just three hours before sailing time, and walking down the corridor to Leora's door. Kent. Leora, darling, I had to come. Charles is back in the study. You've got to come home. I don't give a hang where Charles is. I just as soon have it out with him right now. I couldn't get you out of my mind. But we agreed to forget it. Did you? No. Neither did I. There's no sense to this, Kent. We're leaving in an hour. That's why I came, Leora. I'm going too. What are you talking about? I got passage this afternoon. I'm not going to let him take you away. Oh, Kent. Kent, darling. Leora. Charles. Hello, Buckley. Go on upstairs, Leora. Charles, please. Get out of here, you two-timing little brat. Wait a minute, Moffat. Did you hear what I said, Leora? Get away from her. You'll find yourself an answer for this one. Charles! Charles! Stop! Don't hit him again! All right. All right, Charles. There! Leora. Leora, that poker. Wait a minute. He's not breathing. He's not. You killed him. Yes. I meant to kill him. You better answer the phone. Yes. Yes, of course. Hello? Oh, yes. The package. I'll call down when it's ready. The expressman's downstairs. Wait a minute. Let me think. I gotta think. Oh, Leora. Leora, please. What have I done? Ken! Ken, what have I done? Leora, you better sit down. There. Think. Think. We gotta get rid of him some way. There's no way. We're on the 10th floor. We've got three hours till sailing time. Three hours. We'll never get away. There's no use trying. The baggage. Wait a minute. Leora, where are the steamer trunks? In the study. Come on. Oh, it's no use. Oh, we've got a chance. Whose trunk is this? Charles. His clothes. It's big enough. Yeah. Jimmy. Sure. He's going in it. Come on. Help me get it open. Hello? Just a minute. Did the expressman again? Tell him to come up in five minutes. Hello? Trunks will be ready in five minutes. Yes. Yes, please come up. Listen, Leora, you've got to get hold of yourself. This is going to take nerve. Yes, Ken. All right, now listen. I'm going to leave now. I'll meet you on the pier. The trunks will be sent aboard. You and I are going up the gangplank as Mr. and Mrs. Charles Moffat. They'll check. Not until later. The cabin check comes after we get to sea. Maybe not till tomorrow morning. You can't have gone. It's gotta work. You know what happens if it doesn't? Yes, I do. All right, now listen. Your husband's going to commit suicide tonight, right after we sail. He's going over the side. If I'm right about that cabin check, if it doesn't come off till tomorrow morning... What if it does? We'll find a way somehow. I've got to go now. Remember, I'll see you on the dock. With the prologue of tonight's story, Panic! The Signal Oil Company brings you another strange story by The Whistler. You hear people say there's a reason for everything. Well, there's certainly a reason why in just 14 years, the Signal Oil Organization has grown from a mere handful of stations in Southern California to almost 2,000 dealers, serving seven western states from Canada to Mexico. Briefly, that reason is quality of product. Fourteen years ago, it was Signal Oil Company that introduced the first guaranteed anti-knock gasoline at no extra price. And since then, signal gasoline has been constantly improved to give you the benefit of every latest development in the automotive and petroleum industry. In today's new signal gasoline, for instance, the atoms in gasoline molecules have actually been rearranged to create amazing new power. Power that not only helps you enjoy quicker starting, faster pickup, and quieter anti-knock performance from your car, but also helps you go farther than ever on each gallon of signal. So you see, there's good reason for the swing to signal, good reason for you to get acquainted soon with the friendly station in your neighborhood displaying signals familiar yellow and black circle sign. And now, back to The Whistler. Well, Kent, you know what panic is now. The blind, paralyzing terror that begins somewhere in your stomach and creeps upward towards your brain. You feel it as you stand on the dock, waiting for Leora, watching the stevedores load baggage, trying to recognize the tan brass bound trunk that holds the body of Charles Muffet. You've got his overcoat on, dark glasses, his hat and muffler pulled close around your face, so your features are hardly visible. You stand out of the crowd, moving toward the gangplank, waiting five minutes, ten, then... Kent! Oh, Leora. Get out of sight, quickly. What's the matter? Hurry. There's no one in the freight office. Come on. What's the matter? She's here. I forgot all about her. Who's here? Alice Merton, the friend of Charles. I just saw her at our nimbus. Kent, she's going too. She's on the same ship. Good Lord, where is she now? Wait a minute. Let me look. Over there. That woman in blue, talking to the purser. Oh, yeah. Oh, Kent, she had a stage work. Wait. She's turning away. Going back to the waiting room. Looking for us, probably. If we can get to the cabin we're in, you can tell her I'm sick, can't see anyone. As soon as I can get away, I'll leave the ship by the visitors' gangplank and come back on board under my own name. Understand? I think so. All right. Let's go. Mr. and Mrs. Longman, you need deck cabin 18, right? Remember what I told you. I'll do the talking. Just keep calm. Cabin 22, right? Tickets, please. Here you are. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Moffett. Hey, deck cabin 12, right? Here you are. Come on. Oh, thank goodness. Oh, I'm Mr. Moffett. Yes? I'm awfully sorry, sir. I have a note here about cabin 12. Apparently, the agent made an error. It's been sold at two parties. What do you mean? Well, would cabin 60 be all right? It's on the same deck and it's a double. Yes, that'll be all right. Thanks. Thank you, sir. This way, Mr. Moffett. Right down at the end of the deck. Your handbag is down there now. All right, Leora. What about the purse? I don't know. It was dark. He couldn't have seen my face. Oh, here we are. Cabin 60. Oh, darn it. The key's stuck again. I'm gonna have to have a fix to keep telling myself. Can't shh. Can't look. Leora! Charles Moffett! Mrs. Burton? Catch you, hurry! What's going on, Key? Let me try. It's stuck. Charles, I've been looking all over for you. Look out, let me have that key here. Wait a minute, Charles. Wait, right there. Get rid of her quick. Leora, darling, where have you been? Hello, Ella. I bought your trunks, Mrs. Moffett. They're on their way to the baggage room, but I can have them. Excuse me, Leora. I simply must see Charles. Wait a minute. Charles is quite ill. He's ill? I've got to get below Mrs. Moffett if you'll just tell me about Charles. I'll talk to you later. Well, I'm sure Charles won't mind if I... Please, Ella, please. I said Charles is ill. He doesn't want to see anyone now, you understand? Why, of course. If he feels that way. Okay, I'll send the trunks to the baggage room. I'm sorry, Alice. He's been very low lately. I'm sure he'll feel better tomorrow. Why, of course. Good night, Leora. Well, that was a close one. I've got to sit down. What about the baggage? I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I couldn't hear what he was saying. Something about the baggage. They brought the baggage for a second. I'll have to get it later. I hope they don't make the cabin check tonight. All the shorty's got a shower. All the shorty's got a shower- I've gotta get off. The overcoat. Oh, yeah. Yeah. They're- Right now, listen, forget about the body. We'll get rid of it later. Wait until about three in the morning. Three in the morning. Check the deck carefully. Yeah. Then run out and scream that Charles has jumped overboard. Shoot the works. everything scattered personal stuff around the room so to look like he's been here. Okay? Okay. Yes Kent, panic is a terrible thing isn't it? And it's eating away at you as you leave the ship with the bomb voyagers. As you return and present your own ticket. Then an hour later after the ship is pulled out you discover to your horror that they're making the cabin check. Who is it? Kent, open up quick. They're making the cabin check right now. Be here 20 minutes we got to do it now. That man outside. What man? He's hung around here ever since you left out there by the rail. He's back again. I'll have to get rid of him. You know what to do? I think so. Good luck darling. I'll wait till he's looking the other way. There. Now. Okay. Nice night. Oh. Oh you startled me. I didn't see you. Sorry. Cigarette? No thanks I got a cigar here. Buckley is my name. Grayson. Glad to know you Buckley. First trip? Matter of fact it is. I'll have a drink on it before I go down to the next deck. No thanks I don't drink. Oh. Been over the ship? Yeah nice job but that. I was just about to take a walk around the deck. How about joining me? You better stick around. First is collecting the tickets. Maybe afterwards huh? Yeah all right. There they are now. Yeah there they are. What's wrong? Doctor. Good Lord. Purser. Purser. This man's had a heart attack. That was the only way out wasn't it Kent? Grayson and the Purser carry you down to the ship's hospital and the doctor examines your heart. Then leaves you to rest on the couch. You can almost see the Purser now. Moving closer and closer to Leora and cabin 60. There's nothing you can do except wait and your mind takes up the rhythm of the clock. He's at cabin 20 now. 22. 24. 26. 28. 30. 32. Man overboard! Man overboard! She made it. You race up on deck. The ship is turning around. Searchlights are playing in long arcs across the water. The passengers, officers, members of the crew stand at the railings trying to see through the blackness. And Leora's on deck outside the cabin following instructions. Quiet please. Quiet. Now Mrs. Mockett. I don't know. I don't know why he did it. He just got up all of a sudden and said he was going for a walk. I looked out the window just in time to see him climb over the railing. I see. That's rather odd isn't it? Leora. Leora darling. Oh Ellen. I'm so glad you're here. There was something wrong, wasn't there? That's why he acted so strangely a while ago. Pardon me. What's your name please? Ellis Merton. I'm a friend of Mr. Moffat. You would say he was acting strangely? Yes, he was ill. Yes, yes that's it. He wasn't himself all afternoon. He said he was ill. That's hardly a reason for suicide. I beg your pardon. Yes? Mr. Moffat had every reason for suicide. My name's Grayson. I'm one of his creditors. I see. I took passage on this ship because I suspected he was leaving the country to escape his financial obligations. Why? I didn't know. Well I'm sorry Mrs. Moffat. I'd better take you down for the dispensary Mrs. Moffat. The doctor will give you a sedative. There, there. Now, now. Everything's going to be all right. Well, that's one important hurdle isn't it Kent? But the rest is going to be more difficult. There must be no way for anyone to connect you and Leora to link up your convenient heart attack with Charles Moffat's suicide. You have to take advantage of every moment the two of you are alone together. For example, as you are resting side by side on the beds in the ship's hospital, the doctor goes out for a moment. Did I sound convincing? Wonderful. Grayson was a blessing in disguise. We can take our time now. Yeah, three more nights. Get into Southampton in the morning of the 16th. If that trunk ever gets into customs- Don't even think about it. We've got to be careful. I'm worried about Grayson. I know. Look, I'll be in the lounge tomorrow morning after breakfast reading a magazine. You can come in. Here you are Mrs. Moffat. Take two tablets tonight and a glass of water. Make you sleep. Thank you doctor. Mr. Buckley, I'm awfully puzzled about your heart. It's only happened once or twice. Seems perfectly normal. Strange, isn't it? You'll see her again the next morning as you sit in the ship's lounge reading a magazine back to back with Leora and Alice Merton on the sofa behind you. Oh, I understand dear. I know it's hard. After all, I thought as much of Charles as you did, but it's not going to help any to sit alone in your room and brood over it. I know it, Alice. I'm going to see the deck, Stuart. Perhaps we can arrange a game of shuffleboard. I'll be right back. Can't. Grayson's been talking to the doctor. Your heart? Yeah, he's beginning to wonder too. Check the baggage clerk. He'll send the trunk up any time I want it. Good. When? Not till we're ready. He'll have to help me. I can't lift him alone. I know it. Leora dear, it's all arranged. The steward has it all ready for us. But Alice, I... Oh no, no, no. Another word. That nice Mrs. Broderick's going to join us and let's see, we need one more. How about this young man? I beg your pardon. Oh. How do you do? I'm Mrs. Merton. How do you do? Kent Buckley. I'd like you to meet Mrs. Moffett, Mr. Buckley. Oh, how do you do? Hello. Would you like to join us in a game of shuffleboard, Mr. Buckley? Oh, I'm sorry. Not quite up to it today. Perhaps tomorrow. All right, tomorrow. It's a date. Good shot, Leora. Your turn, Mr. Buckley. All right, here goes. Check the deck watches last night. Yes. And... Here comes another one, Mrs. Merton. All right. Oh, not bad. Ten points. I'm just getting warmed up. We'll do it during the captain's dinner. That's on the last night. Why are we doing it? What are you waiting for? Hurry up. Oh, just a second. It's our best chance. Everyone will be there. Nobody on deck. All right, here's the last one. How's that? Oh, you're too good for me. Another ten. Now where do I get going? Kent, I don't see why. Skip it for now. Look, leave your green purse in the dining room today. At lunch I'll pick it up. My goodness, you two seem to be old hands at this game. Oh, we just had a run of luck. Kent's never played... Oh, it's Kent, is it? Oh, I'm sorry. Mr. Buckley. Oh, well, you're up, Mrs. Merton. Is this your purse, Mrs. Moffat? Yes, yes, it is. A gentleman found it in the dining room. Thank you very much. Here you are. Oh, thank you. Everyone will show at captain's dinner except deck watchers. Get Trump to cabin by six. Dinner starts at six thirty. Watch me and leave when I do. Meet at cabin. Kent. The waiting is the worst part of it, isn't it, Kent? Sitting, wondering what she's thinking. Wondering if she'll be successful in getting the trunk to the stateroom. A whole day of waiting. Then a night and another day. You're twenty four hours out of Southampton and the customs. But you were right. Your best chance is during the captain's dinner, attended by all the passengers and officers. No one to worry about except the deck watchers. And you've been careful to note the exact time the watch on the after deck goes down to the galley for coffee. You're at the table in the dining salon at six thirty seated next to your friend Mr. Grayson, the man who represents the credit. I saw you out playing shovel board yesterday, Buckley. Yeah. Enjoy it? Yeah, great game. A little strenuous. You don't mean that. I mean for a man with a weak heart. Oh, yeah. You know, if it hadn't been for that, I might have been able to stop Moffat before he went over the side. Matter of fact, I didn't tend to go into his cabin and talk things over with him. That's how I happen to be standing out there on the deck. Well, then you had to go and pull a heart attack at exactly the right moment. Always pick the worst time. Yeah. Yeah. Almost peculiar the way it happened. You got a cigarette? How about a cigar? Thanks. No, I better get some cigarettes. I'll be right back. That's right, Kent. Make sure Leora sees you leave, then head for the cabin. Once the body is gone, Grayson and the whole lot of them can be as suspicious as they choose. The decks are deserted. Everything is right, isn't it, Kent? Exactly right. Is the trunk in the room? I had an awful time. He didn't want to send us out. Never mind that as a fan, that's all right. Yes, it's right. We can't be gone too long. Let's get going. Hurry. Don't touch the lights. I'm sorry. Okay. Where is it? Right over there. Kent! It's gone! The Whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending of tonight's story. Meantime, a question. Have you forgotten anything lately? Just anything? Well, of course we all forget occasionally. But consider what might happen if even one part were forgotten when your car is lubricated. Excessive wear, a damaged part, and your car laid up. That's why your signal gasoline dealer never trusts a memory when he lubricates your car. Instead, he uses Signal's famous check chart on which the maker of your car shows every lubrication point. And your signal dealer checks each point against this chart not just once, but twice, which is why it's called signal double-check lubrication. What's more, your signal dealer uses nine specialized signal lubricants, so each part will have the exact type of protection it needs for long, trouble-free service. This is just another example of the more thorough, conscientious service you get at independently operated signal stations. Another reason why your signal man is a mighty good man to know these days when you really want your car to go farther. And now, back to the Whistler. Well Kent, the panic is back again, isn't it? That blind, black panic you felt when you looked down at Charles dead at your feet back in the apartment. The trunk with Charles' body is gone. Everything. All the planning, the careful meetings, the dodging and lying was useless. The trunk is gone. You forget about caution now as you and Leora hurry down to the baggage room on Sea Deck and call the clerk to the window. Clerk, clerk. Yes, sir. What happened to the trunk Mrs. Moffat had set up in her room this evening? Oh, I'm awfully sorry, sir. Where is it? Well it seems that... Well come on, where is it? Perhaps the purser can explain. Excuse me, Mackay. Where is it, purser? It was in my cabin at six o'clock. It was an error on my part, Mrs. Moffat. I neglected to inform the clerk. Inform him of what? Of the fact that due to Mr. Moffat's death, we have to impound all his personal effects as a matter of form. What? I'm sorry, Mrs. Moffat. It's simply routine. What do you mean? We'll have to hold the trunk here till we arrive, but it will be available to you after its contents are examined and itemized by the authorities. So you see, really there's no reason at all to become alarmed, is there? Next Monday at nine o'clock, The Whistler will bring you another strange tale. The Whistler is broadcast for your entertainment by the marketers of Signal Gasoline and Motor Oil and Fine Quality Automotive Accessories and by your neighborhood, Signal Dealer. This program produced by George W. Allen with tonight's story by Harold Swanton, music by Wilbur Hatch, is transmitted to our troops overseas by the Armed Forces Radio Service. That whistle is your signal for the signal oil program, The Whistler. This is Marvin Miller speaking, reminding you to look for those familiar yellow and black circle signs that identify those popular signal oil stations in seven western states from Canada to Mexico. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.
