The signal oil program, the Whistler. Whistle is your signal for the signal oil program, the Whistler. I am the Whistler and I know many things where I walk by night. I know many strange tales hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadow. Yes, I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak. Yes friends, it's time for the signal oil program, the Whistler. Rated tops in popularity for a longer period of time than any other West Coast program in radio history. And signal gasoline is tops too, tops in quality. It takes extra quality you know to give you extra mileage. And signal is the famous go farther gasoline. So look for the signal circle sign in yellow and black that identifies friendly dealer-owned signal stations from Canada to Mexico. And now the Whistler strange story. Meeting on 10th Street. On February 25th the final edition of the Daily Bulletin was a sellout ten minutes after it hit the streets. Across the top of the page headlines screamed that the district attorney's office had at last won its long fight against the city's organized crime. But the real drama was below neatly centered on the page. In an article by Stephen North, the Bulletin Star reporter, an article titled, Retraction. In 25 years in the newspaper game, this reporter has never before been forced to print a retraction. Today I break that record. Last week I called a man a weakling and a coward. I vilified him, told him he'd failed me. I said these things not knowing he had already made up his mind to tackle a tremendous task. I said them not knowing that Gerald Wright, an ordinary citizen of this city, intended to challenge Gangnam's most vicious killers alone. Now I want to correct the injustice. The story of Gerald Wright is one that every reader of this newspaper, every taxpayer of this city... Yes, the story of Gerald Wright was all there in neat black type. Worded in the dramatic style of a famous reporter, it was all there but the truth. Actually the true story had begun late on a Friday evening more than a week before when a man entered a drugstore on 10th Street. Just the same Sam, if I was a reporter like this guy North, I'd lay off this Murder Incorporated ring. They're too tough. Would you hear what happened? No. They shot North. Put him in the hospital this afternoon. A couple of slugs in his leg. I'll tell you if that guy doesn't like... Excuse me. Oh yes sir. What can I do for you? A bottle of soda pop please. Pop? Yes sir. Right back this way. We got cream, strawberry... The flavor doesn't matter. Huh? I said the flavor doesn't matter. Just anything. I want to take it with me. Oh okay. That'll be 15 nickel deposits on a bottle. There you are. Oh yeah? My doctor has given me some medicine. I'm supposed to take it with water. This will work the same on him? Oh sure but it's the first time I've ever heard... Another thing, there's a movie house around here somewhere isn't it? Movie? Yeah one three blocks down. There's a couple more over on Park Street. Punk pictures though. Now if I was you I'd go down... Thanks. Just the same but the picture doesn't matter either. That's a funny one. Guy comes in here and... Wait a minute. Sam! Yeah? What's the matter? That guy, did you see which way he went? What do you mean? He just went out the door. Is something wrong? I don't know. He come in here asking for soda pop. Flavor didn't matter. Said he had some medicine to take with it. Well? I don't like it Sam. Look out the door and see if you can see which way he went. I got an idea that guy's gonna commit suicide. With the prologue of meeting on 10th Street, the Signal Oil Company is bringing you another strange story by the Whistler. But now friends just for a moment, let's suppose this were a quiz show and you were asked what gasoline is known as the go farther gasoline? What would your answer be? Well if you've lived out West any length of time you know that from Canada to Mexico, signal is known as the go farther gasoline. Now naturally we're mighty proud of signals good mileage, but even more so we're proud of what makes such mileage possible. The extra efficiency today's signal gasoline gets from your motor. Because when your motor runs more efficiently you also enjoy quicker starting, faster pickup, and smoother knock free power. The things that make driving more fun. That's why folks who want superior performance as well as those who insist on mileage are both switching to signal. They've discovered that to get the tops in gasoline quality there are just two things to remember. One, in gasoline it takes extra quality to go farther. And two, signal is the famous go farther gasoline. And now back to the quiz show. Yes, Gerald, when it was all over the Daily Bulletin had your whole story in a special article by Stephen North on page one. The whole story that is except for a few rather important details. There was nothing about that first Friday night was there Gerald? Nothing about the bottle of soda pop, the square box of medicine from your doctor. And most ironic of all there was only a passing mention of Denise. Beautiful dark-eyed Denise. The cause of it all. The girl for whom you'd live or die. You were thinking of Denise of course that you stood at the box office of the all-night theater. Remembering the way you met, the way she laughed, even remembering how sorry she looked when she sent your world toppling with her promise to marry Bob. You were thinking of the nightmare that followed, the three days and nights of self-torture that ended with your decision to take your own life. Yes Gerald, as you settle back into the darkness of the back row of the theater, your decision is made. Denise is lost to you and there's no point left in living. You hadn't intended to pay any attention to the picture of course, but as you become aware of the movements of the actors, listen to the words coming from the screen, you find yourself fascinated. Where's Ruby? Outside. She heard about it? Yeah she's all fusted up. You know it's a shame in a way. She loved the guy. Shut up. Okay. Tell me how did it go? It was all of them. I found them three miles out of town in a ditch. Solid huh? No slips? No, Slade don't make no slips. That's why he cost you five grand. And I guess that does it. Yeah, that does it. You must love her, well. Putting out five grand like that to get the number one boy out of the way. You think so? That's a good guess. I'm not paying you to guess. Beat it Mike. Okay boss. You feel a strange excitement watching the hero, a two-fisted, good-looking young man carry the story forward. He had a rival too, Gerald, just like you. But he found another way of solving the problem. You watch the screen, listen more avidly as the story progresses. Ruby. Yes Alan. I'm sorry honey. Oh Alan, I don't know what to do. Suddenly you're seeing yourself up there on the screen in place of the hero, and the girl becomes Denise. Yes Gerald. I'm sorry honey. Oh Gerald, I don't know what to do. But these things happened darling. You just got mixed up in the wrong company, don't you see Denise? The police say it was a gangster murder. I still can't believe it. I'm going to stand by you darling. Please remember that. Oh thank heaven Gerald. Thank heaven for you. You sit there fascinated for the rest of the picture, seeing yourself as the hero, fighting back, winning Denise in the only way open to you, with a hired murder. And that's when you suddenly recall something else Gerald. The news item you heard the clerk discussing back at the drug store. The headline the newsboy was shouting outside the theater as you came in. Excuse me please. I'm sorry. I want to get out. Night final, eat all about it. Reporter shot in gang revenge attempt. Extra. Here you are. Thanks. Stephen North, author of a series of articles published by this paper exposing activities of an alleged murder incorporated ring in this city, was injured in a shooting fray this afternoon on 18th Avenue. From his bed at St. Michael's Hospital, North asserted it was an attempt on his life by the ring he was exposing. Murder incorporated. Stephen North. I wonder if he really knows who these people are. These men who murder for hire. Taxi. Taxi. St. Michael's Hospital. I hope you'll forgive me for saying I was a friend of yours Mr. North. A nurse wouldn't have let- All right. What's on your mind Mr. Wright? I've been reading your articles Mr. North. I think you've done a magnificent thing and well that's what I wanted to tell you. Not all you want? Yes. I just think the average citizen simply doesn't believe that there are people who commit murder for money. That's why it's so important these things come out in the open. Why until I read about what happened to you this afternoon I couldn't believe it myself. And you just came here to tell me I was doing a good job. That's right. I thought if you knew people like me were behind you. Yeah. As I said most of us just can't believe it could happen. Why if anyone told me I could go to someone and pay to have a man killed. Why? That's possible all right. They got an organization Mr. Wright. Just like a factory that makes shoes or bottle tops. Only they manufacture murders. Now come on. Why don't you tell me why you really came here. Well. No you'll probably think this is ridiculous. Maybe I won't. Go on. Mr. North I want to help. You won't. I knew you'd think it was crazy Mr. North. It just seemed to me if these people are as highly organized as you say that the best way to get evidence against them would be for someone. Someone they couldn't suspect like me for instance. To go to them and. And by a murder. Well yes. That's it. So you're offering to help me. Tell me Wright. What's your business. What do you do. I work in a bookstore. The Aegis bookshop. Yeah how did you. I know I'd seen you before I couldn't remember where. Well you can check on me Mr. North. That is if you. If I have any sense. Yeah. Only at this point I'm wondering what there is to lose. What do you mean. Well I've been careful up to now. And all it got me was a couple of slugs in the leg. Maybe I do need some help Mr. Wright. Maybe I ought to just believe what you're telling me and. Look I want you to understand this. These boys are tough. They'd as soon shoot you as look at you. I know that. And yet you're offering. Mr. North you see. I haven't anything to lose either. Except your life. I'll take the chance. If you'll just tell me where to go. Who to see. Anyone see you come here tonight. No good. You don't come back here understand. You want to contact me use the phone. Did you let me help you. You're asking for it I'm giving it to you. Now here's what you do. Tomorrow you go into the elite barber shop. I think that's the front. Yeah. The barber in the back chairs name is Ralston. Be sure you get that chair. Say Tommy Roy sent you. But open up gradually. You know there's a guy you hate. Look. You don't mind my saying so much. It's kind of silly. I don't understand I just cut your hair yesterday afternoon. Of course I can use the business I know it looks funny. I just want to talk to you some more. About what. That's all I told you about yesterday. The guy that's been bothering you. Yes. Why are you telling me. I thought you might be able to. Do something about it so a fellow's been getting in your hair so you're not really free to come to the barbershop. It's not that at all. Well then forget it. Tommy Roy sent me. I said. Talk to him before you. Look if you want to check I did. Yesterday. You work at the age of books. The bookshop in St Louis before. I came here in forty three. I just said I checked you. Well. Maybe. There's a porn shop. Twenty. Why don't you drop in one of these days. Specializes in and. Tell me your collector. You're after a rare one. A dueling pistol called the. Branko Luigi remember that. Branko Luigi you know what you mean. I think maybe he can give me just what you want. Branko Luigi dueling pistol you say. No no I don't believe we can help you. Well just forget about it then. A friend told me to try this place he's. Never mind. Yes. His friend. What was his name. His name. I don't know he runs a barbershop but really it's like. It's all right. That is you can at least leave an order for a Branko Luigi. I can. But they come high you know. One thousand dollars down that is with your order. Another thousand on delivery. And when could you. Deliver. At the date we never give out my friend so many uncertainties. Who gets the package. I'll let you know later. Shall I bring the money here. That won't be necessary. This is an outside transaction not entered on my books. Just mail the money to post office box to twenty eight. Box to twenty eight. I'm going across town to see a friend. I'll stop at the bank on the way. Very good. And I'm sure you'll be satisfied with our. Services. I hope you don't mind my dropping in like this Denise. Certainly not Gerald. A good friend is always welcome. Friend. Please Denise won't you reconsider now before I. Before you what. Denise. Denise you know I do anything to make you happy. Gerald we've been all through that I've told you I'm in love with Bob. Don't spoil what's left. You don't know what you're doing Denise. I'm sorry. Really Gerald. Bob's arriving in town Wednesday we'll be married next weekend. I see. Oh I almost forgot. Could I use the phone. Of course you know where it is. Front hall. Sorry. For. Sex. I have much time. This is the customer who asked about the bronco Luigi pistol. I'm sending the money. The name of the man who's to receive the order is Sinclair Bob Sinclair. He'll be in town Wednesday visiting a Miss Denise Evans that's one nineteen Allison Street. How do we know the guy. What about a picture picture I haven't got. Wait what about a picture of the girl he'll be with her. OK. Right. Right. Denise. Yes. I was just wondering if it isn't asking too much to me. Could I have your picture my picture. Why certainly I'd like you to have it I'll get one for you right. Thank you. Having it will make such a difference. Twenty minutes later you dropped the picture and the money into a mailbox and hurry on to the hospital to see Stephen North. You aren't prepared for his burst of anger when you tell him you're quitting. What do you mean you can't go through with it. Was that just a song and dance you gave me about wanting to help. I'm afraid my enthusiasm sort of carry enthusiasm. You're like all the rest cowards nine out of ten in this town are just like you feel Mr. North but I never mind the words. Oh I know what happened you tried it it got too tough you got scared isn't it at all. Well what is it then. I don't think you'd understand. Yeah I think I do. Run along right. You're not the first volunteer assistant to check out on me. From now on I carry the ball alone. I'm sorry Mr. North. So am I. And don't worry about being yellow. You've got plenty of company. The line forms on the right and it's a long one. Can I write. You're relieved as you leave the hospital aren't you Gerald and certain that Stephen North will forget all about you. The waiting for Bob's accident isn't pleasant there isn't much that can be done about it and then one evening the telephone in your apartment ring. Yes. Oh thank heaven. What is it what's the matter. What's the matter. Bob shot. Now please dear get hold of yourself I'll grab a cab and get right over. I don't want to talk to you but I can pick you up. Do you think you'd better do. I'll be there in ten minutes. All right. And Denise. Yes I. I know there isn't much I can do at a time like this. But you know I'll always be around wanting to help you. Thank you. Thank you. The Whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending to tonight's story. Meantime an important question for drivers. Are you missing anything. Well you're missing something very important if you haven't gotten that free check up of your fan belt and radiator hose which signal dealers are now offering. Perhaps you didn't even know that these items need periodic checking because most service station operators never mention them. But then signal dealers aren't like most operators. You see each signal dealer owns his own business and has a personal interest in keeping both you and your car happy. He realizes that fan belts and radiator hoses being made of rubber can either wear out or deteriorate from age and possibly cause serious trouble. Which explains why almost 2000 signal dealers throughout the Pacific Coast states are now offering this valuable service without cost or obligation. Moreover if your fan belt or radiator hose has worn to the danger point signal dealers can in most cases replace them while you wait. So for safer driving and your own peace of mind plan now to stop at your neighborhood signal service station for this free check up. There's no better way to see for yourself the more thorough more conscientious service cars get at signal service stations. And now back to the Whistler. Well Gerald now you know what Stephen North has been writing about the incredible efficiency of the ring of hired killers known as murder incorporated. Bob Sinclair is dead and as Denise stops by your apartment to pick you up you know that in time she'll be yours again. And then as she drives away toward the edge of town you remember the envelope with the other thousand dollars in it addressed to box 228. The final payment for murder the knees yes would you mind stopping at the next letter box I have to get this off Oh of course here's one right in the corner. Just take a second. Okay. Important yeah. Why turning down here wait a minute. I thought so. What's matter that car and back of it made every turn we have that's why I just swung on the 10th Street check are you're imagining things. I don't like to keep repeating it but you just can't let this upset you so much. I know you're right. But I just can't get out of my mind it was so crazy so unnecessary Bob knew about guns he's hunted all his life. What do you mean. Sit there in his own house in Hartford cleaning his life. You didn't tell me he was going to do some hunting on our honeymoon trip. The usual story the unloaded gun sister was in the next room and then he's. Then he's turned off drive back to a town that car and back it is following us they think I'm Bob Bob why please Denise don't ask any questions just do as I say what do you mean they think you're Bob what what there isn't time to these hurry it. It's a fix that it's still on the kill me they'll kill you what are you talking about I'm sorry I couldn't stand to lose you I paid them I paid them to do it. They think I'm Bob they'll kill me now that's why they're following us. You know don't slow down. The catching up to me. You were going to have Bob kill that it is the general yes yes anything only don't stop please please speed up. The nice all right. The nice please don't you want to take his place didn't you general well you can. The nice to come here yes. Well I will let them kill me let me out I got to get away. I'm the wrong man. Yes there were two stories of Gerald Wright in the meeting on 10th Street the real one that Gerald himself could never tell and the other one that appeared on the front page of the daily bulletin under the byline of Stephen North. And so it was through the self sacrifice of Gerald Wright that the police were finally able to bring the entire murder incorporated ring into custody. What prompted this courageous man to step out of the role of ordinary citizen and undertake the hazardous task that cost him his life. We will probably never know. But one thing is certain. The people of this city will always revere the memory of Gerald Wright hero. The. Let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the Whistler each Wednesday night at the same time brought to you by the signal oil company marketers of signal gasoline and motor oil and fine quality automotive accessories. Signal has asked me to remind you to get the most driving pleasure drive at sensible speed be courteous and obey traffic regulations. It may save a life possibly your own. Featured in tonight's story were Elliott Lewis and K Brinker Whistler was produced by George W Allen with story by Joel Malone and Harold Swanton and music by Wilbur Hatch and was transmitted to our troops overseas by the Armed Forces Radio Service. Next Wednesday for a full hour of mystery over most of these stations tune in a half hour earlier. Enjoy the same as well as the Whistler. This is Marvin Miller speaking. This is CBS where 99 million people gather every week. The Columbia Broadcasting System.