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, rated by Independent Research, the most popular West Coast radio program. And remember that 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 throughout the West from Canada to Mexico. And now the Whistler's strange story, the affair at Stony Ridge. Myra's mind was numb and there was a tight tense feeling in her throat as she gripped the steering wheel of the old car, guiding it up the narrow road to Stony Ridge Farm. She decided it was best not to think that it was better to have the dull numb feeling and to go back over it again and again to realize that it was true that Jodie was gone, that he didn't love her, that Jodie loved a tall slender girl with painted lips and lazy laughing eyes. It was spring and a line storm was on the way. Soon she'd be back at Stony Ridge Farm with stubborn old uncle Rance and sharp-tongued Bess, his wife. Soon the rain would come thudding down, drowning out her poor dream of happiness with Jodie, and she'd go back to the life she thought she was leaving forever. The road narrowed and she came over the rise to see Stony Ridge again, narrowing as though to hold imprisoned the farm that rests below. Just one more turn, Myra. Don't forget your bag, Myra. The bag that holds your wedding dress. Aunt Bessie? Aunt Bessie? Uncle Rance? Where are you? You wonder for a moment at the stillness of the house as you put down your bag and move into the kitchen. There's something puzzling in the cold ashes of the stove, the chill of the small water tank. It's later in the morning than you thought. Uncle Rance and Bess must be in the fields. Then as you move to the back door, a man carrying a gun steps from the barn 30 feet away. A tall, wide-shouldered man who walks with the weary stealth of an Indian. Jodie! Myra! It's you! It is you! What are you doing here, Myra? You come for me, haven't you, Jodie? How long you been here? Just came. Just now? Yeah. You did come for me, didn't you, Jodie? Yeah. Yeah, I came for you. Jodie, I'm so glad. So glad you'll never know. Let's get into the house. Yes, Jodie. Yes. Let's sit in the parlor, swole man. What'd you come back here for? I had to, Jodie. What do you mean you had to? Sit down, Jodie. Sit down next to me. You little fool, do you want to mess everything up? I told you when to meet me tonight. Don't be angry with me, Jodie. When I go to look for you, you wasn't there. But I got in town early, an hour early, fetched for you. Then I saw you with her. Her? You were parked in a car with a girl, had your arms around her. Oh, Jodie! Where'd you go then? Where'd you spend the night? With a friend. And got a baby this morning and drove home. Spent the night in town, eh? Jodie, how could you? It's okay. Don't cry. Everything's gonna be all right. Look, Mara, I came back for you, didn't I? Didn't Jodie come back? Sure, I did. And you said we were gonna be married, you said so. Well, who said we were? Always. I'd like to see anybody in Tennessee try to stop us. Oh, cut out the crime. What do you say? Jodie? Yeah? Who was she? Her? Oh, she wasn't nobody. Just a town girl. Look, Mara, I'm just kidding around. Every man does that once in a while. Honest, she don't mean a thing. You're my girl. Am I, Jodie? We're getting married today, Jodie. Today? Oh, Jodie! Uncle Ransom ain't best. They mustn't know I've come back. Ransom, baby? I meant to tell you that they were just leaving when I come. Said something about helping somebody with alfalfa before it rained. Storm coming up. Then let's go, Jodie. Let's go before they get back. Well, what's the rush? We've got plenty of time. They'll be stuck there a long time if it rains. Besides, I want to talk with them. Jodie? Yeah? What you doing with that gun? This? This? Oh, I thought I'd get me a rabbit on the way up. Let's see, uh, this is my... Is it on the level what they say about old Ransom? I mean, about all the cash he's got stashed away? Yeah. Uncle Ransom's got some money. I mean, a lot. I don't know, Jodie. I don't know how much he's got. Why? No reason. No reason at all. Just heard he had a lot. Somebody said he kept it here. Didn't believe him, thanks. Who said that? It is here in the house, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that's what they said, all right. Jodie, let's go. He can't find me here after I ran out on him. Look, my bag still packed them already. Plenty of time. I like sitting here with you. This is the way it's going to be from now on. Just you and me together. This is so good. We're going to get a lot of swell together. None of this farm work anymore. We'll head for the big city. I'll get me a job. The city? Oh, Jodie. Nothing's going to be too good for you. All you're going to do is sit home and take it easy. How do you like that? Go on, Jodie. Talk some more. Oh, they're pretty close your walk. And believe me, I mean it. Only, well, you got to do things my way. Innocent. I'll do innocent, you ask. That's my girl talking. We're sure going to get a lot of swell. You know, I just think. Yeah? About all rants and everything. Yes, Jodie. Where's he keep all that dough, you know? Just curious. What? I can't tell you that. You know, don't you? Yeah. You can tell me, Myra. Shucks ain't I going to be your husband. I can't tell you, Jodie. It's their secret. Wouldn't be right. Well, what's wrong about it? Don't you trust me? Please, Jodie. That's it. You don't trust me. Me, the man you're going to marry. Well, how do you like that? I trust you, Jodie. Of course I do. You sound like it. Yeah, you sound a lot like it. Well, I guess that's it. Where you going? Where do you think? I'm going to beat it, that's what. I'm going home and you can stick around this hole the rest of your life. Don't go. You're going to tell me? Oh, look. What did old Rance ever do for you? Oh, best side. Nothing, nothing but work your 12 hours a day and treat you like a dog. You don't know him a thing, honey. Not a thing. Come on now, honey. Well, where is he, huh? No, Noah. I want that money, Myra. Jodie, Jodie. I'm going to get it. Nobody, nothing is going to stop me. What are you going to do? Wait right here to Rance and best get back. They'll never tell you. Mean and stubborn, money hungry. They'll tell me. You don't know them. They'd rather die. They're going to die. Jodie. You think they can live after I get the money? They'd have me in jail and I after they got to the phone. Jodie, I know you must. Oh, I'll tell you. I'll tell you. You mustn't harm them. Well? It's in the cellar. Now you're talking. Well, what are we waiting for? The cellar is locked. We'll have to get the key. Oh, key. You'll find it on the shelf of the whole closet upstairs. Right hand side, I think. You're not skipping out on me while I'm out there. Think I'm a sucker? I'll be waiting right here, keeping an eye on the road below. All right, Jodie. I'll get it. Get going. And listen, don't go fooling around up there. You just find that key and come down. Right down, you understand? Yes. Yes, I understand. With the prologue of the affair at Stony Ridge, the Signal Oil Company brings you another strange tale by the Whistler. O-I-L. Oil. The stuff drivers put in their motors. Because, well, because they know it's supposed to be there. But does the kind of oil you choose for your car really make any difference in the way your motor runs? If you've ever wondered about that, let me tell you about a test I recently saw. Two identical cars were run for 79,000 miles. One using today's finest straight motor oil, the other using Signal Premium motor oil. The new tight lubricant that combines 100% pure paraffin base with five scientific compounds. When these motors were torn down for inspection, the one using new Signal Premium oil had only one sixth as much carbon deposit and one third less cylinder wear. Now what does this mean to you? Well, less carbon means that your motor runs quieter, smoother. You can forget about fouled spark plugs and sticky valves. And less cylinder wear means more power, more mileage from your gasoline. Yes, those five scientific compounds in Signal Premium oil really make a difference in the way your motor runs. Which explains why your switch from old-fashioned straight motor oil to new Signal Premium is your guarantee of a sweeter running motor. Now, back to the Whistler. Well, Myra, it's hard to believe that this man, this strange savage creature is Jody. You're Jody, the man you love. He's waiting for you. As you start up to the closet to get him the key to the cellar where Uncle Rance has hidden his money. It's all been so bewildering. The sudden breathtaking way you fell in love with Jody. The shock last night when you found him with a laughing-eyed girl. His concern over the money. As you start up the stairs, you try desperately to believe that Jody is playing a game. A weird, crazy game. A game that's not a game. You desperately to believe that Jody is playing a game. A weird, crazy joke. That soon he'll call to you and say it was all in fun. You stop on the stairs for a moment. What are you waiting for, Myra? No, Myra. This is no game. This is real. The closet, Myra. Reach up and get the key for Jody. He's waiting. Then as you turn... Ah! Uncle Rance's room, Myra. You can see through the half-open door. Dresser drawers wide open. Clothes scattered crazily about the floor. A chair lying on its back. Broken in a dozen places. And on the bed, a crumpled sheet. With an ugly red stain. Now you know, Myra. Your Jody has killed. All you can think of now is the telephone. You've got to get to the telephone. Down in the kitchen. Quietly, Myra, quietly. Down the hall slowly, Myra. Carefully. Myra! Yes, Jody? What's going on up there? It's dark, Jody. I can't find it right away. I know it's here. Shake it up or I'll come up and get it myself. No, Jody. No, I'll find it. Tear's somewhere. The rain is coming down hard now as you move silently down the hall to the back steps leading to the kitchen. Jody had never meant to marry you, had he, Myra? It was a trick to get you away from the farm so he could commit his crime without a witness. The rain, Myra, the blessed rain. It'll cover the sound of the creaking stairs. Slowly you'll start down. Three more steps. And into the kitchen. Now, easy, Myra. Lift the receiver. Hello, Myra. Better hang up the phone, Heddy. Jody. I told you not to fool around up there. You shouldn't have gone into that room, Myra. Room? Yeah. I kind of liked you too. I really did. Now you can open the cellar door. We're going downstairs, you and me. What are you going to do with me? What can I do? You know too much. Go ahead now, like a good girl. I'll be right behind you. Jody, don't. Start walking. Jody. Start walking. Who's that? I don't know. Quiet. Listen. That's Benson's home. Benson? An old friend, Uncle Reins. What's he want? I don't know. Don't make a sound. We'll wait here until he goes away. Keep your mouth closed if you know what's good for you. He comes in the back way, I'll get him. And I mean get him. But he will. He always does when nobody's home. Then it's going to be too bad. Let me talk to him. I'll send him away. I won't let him in. That's up to you. Tip him off or let him in and you know what happens. I promise I won't. I'll be right next to you behind the door. I've been listening and watching. Now open it. Hello, Myrie. I thought nobody was to home. They're gone. I mean Uncle Reins and Aunt Betsy. They're helping the biddles get in the alfalfa. Ain't here, huh? I'd ask in but Aunt Betsy just washed the kitchen floor. I mean, last night... You don't know. It's a blame anyway. I just stopped for a second. What's the matter, girl? You look sort of peaked. I'm all right. Look peaked to me. What you need is a big cup of sulfur molasses, most like. Well, tell Reins I was around. I will, Mr. Benson. Nothing I can do for you in town. No. No, thank you, Mr. Benson. There's nothing you can do for me in town. Well, I... I'd better get out of the rain. Bye, Myrie. Bye. He's gone. It's getting late, Myra. Jodie, isn't there anything? There ain't nothing else to do. Sell the door. Unlock it. Jodie. Get going. Start walking down. I'm right behind you. Keep moving. Well? There it is. Up there on the top shelf. stock Get it. I can't reach it. Is up much too high. I don't know. I hope you can't. Has anyone already discovered the solution to thehistoire? Not yet. All right World Warcej is coming. We'll be here. No, thank you, Mr. лай. I hate you all the time. But what's the difference between going to war and quase war? It's up much too high. Get a chair. Now get up there and pull it down. It's heavy. I said pull it down. I'm trying to Jodie. I can't move it. You ain't half trying. Get off my chair. Go on now get off. Now hold it steady while I get up there. I said hold it steady. It is heavy. I'm getting it though. It's coming. Hang on to that chair Myra. Myra! Myra! You're free Myra. He's locked in the cellar and you're safe. Quick now. Start your car. You fumble for the ignition switch. The keys Myra. The ignition key is in your purse and the purse is in the house. You'll have to go back. My purse. In the kitchen. I'm sure I left it. It's not here. He's pounding on that door Myra. He'll break through in a minute. Where did I? It's in the cellar. I took it with me. The door is giving way. Nothing to do now but hide behind the sofa. Myra! Myra! That door. She's out of the car. He's outside in the rain looking for you. Quietly you slip up to your room and lock the door. He'd never believe you'd dare hide there. You can see him through a crack in the window off of the car. It's quiet now. Nothing but the rain and the bawling of the cattle outside. Then he turns and comes back in the house. You stand there tense. Waiting for the nightmare to begin again. Myra! Myra! Myra! Myra! Myra! Myra! Myra! Myra! I know you're in there, Myra. Open the door. I want to talk to you. I won't hurt you. I'm honest. I know you're thinking about rants and fests. But ain't you better off without them? They was mean and stingy. Stop acting like a little fool, Myra. I know you're in there. I'm gonna bust the door down in a minute. You look out the window. Twenty feet to the wet ground, sloping steeply away from the house. Then you remember the window of the next room on your left. By leaning far out, you can just reach it. Do you hear what I said, Myra? I'm gonna bust this door down. You get your finger under the sill and push. And slowly the sash rises. Quietly you let yourself out, hanging onto the sill, letting your body swing into space. You get hold of the sill and pull yourself up and into the room. Now I gotta get down to that phone. You're clever, kid, Myra. No, you don't! Let go of me! Help! Shut up, Myra. I'll kill you if you open your trap once more, understand? Okay. Now where's that money? In the suitcase. It ain't in the suitcase. Where'd they put it? I thought it was. Don't lie to me. Where'd they put it? Jodie, I don't know. I can't. I'm dizzy. I feel pain, Jodie. Where did they put it? Let me sit down. Let me sit. Answer me. Did you hear what I said? You're gonna tell me where old man Raines hid that money, and I have to beat it out of your skull. Listen to me, Myra. Where did he put it? I kid you so. Help me. Where did he put it? Where? Where did he put it? The Whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending of tonight's story. Meantime, I'd like to clear up just one more point about that new Signal Premium motor oil we were talking about before. Where to get it? Throughout the West, from Canada to Mexico, you'll find Signal Premium motor oil at those friendly dealer-owned signal stations identified by the big signal circle sign in yellow and black. The same stations featuring that super-powered new signal gasoline that now helps you go farther than ever. The same stations that are famous for their more conscientious service. Yes, I said more conscientious, because every signal dealer is in business for himself and has a personal reason for keeping your car and you happy. Man with a combination like that of quality products and finer service. It's no wonder that these days when overage cars have to keep on going, more and more drivers are switching to Signal. It's another mighty good reason, I'd say, for making your next oil change a change to new Signal Premium motor oil. Your guarantee of a sweeter running motor. Now, back to The Whistler. The last you remember, Myra, is Jody leaning over you, shrieking that he'd kill you if you didn't tell him where the money was. And you didn't know. There was nothing you could do. You were helpless. You knew he was going to kill you, Myra, and you were helpless. The room started whirling. It came closer. Then everything went black. When you opened your eyes to look around, you discovered you were in bed in your room. Everything was quiet. What happened? Jody! Take it easy, girl. Everything's all right. Oh, Mr. Beath, you came back. You came back. Yep. Just about the time I got to town, I figured there's something mighty wrong out here. Wrong? Hear them cattle? Rance wasn't the sort of man to leave his critters bellowing to be milked. Too good a farmer for that. No, there was something fishy going on, so I come back with a share. But Uncle Rance's money. Jody. Funny in a way. I guess, because I've been advising Rance for years on his money matters, I'm the only one he ever told where he kept that money. Never told nobody else, not even Bessie. Know where it was? Sewed up in the lining of his old overcoat, the coat Jody buried him in. Oh, mother, be kind. Oh, mother, oh, mother. Next Monday at 9 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. Featured in tonight's cast were Peggy Weber and Edmund McDonald. This program produced by George W. Allen 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. Featured in tonight's cast were Peggy Weber and Edmund McDonald. This program produced by George W. Allen with tonight's story by Lewis Esty, 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 throughout the West from Canada to Mexico. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.
