And now, stay tuned for the mystery program that is unique among all mystery programs. Because even when you know who's guilty, you always receive a startling surprise at the final curtain in 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 program in radio history. And now, The Whistler's strange story with my own eyes. Although it was past four, the Florida sun was hot and blinding. And Christine wished for the 20th time she hadn't left her dark glasses back at the hotel. She wished, too, that she weren't so tired of walking, that the New York doctor who had prescribed a rest for her had had sense enough not to recommend Florida at the height of the winter season. And she wished fervently that somewhere in Crescent Bay she'd find a place to live at something less than $20 a day. It was despondency more than anything else that made her stop before the big house with a tall white wall around it. Look down the walk to the door and decide to give it a try. It was a big house. There must be extra rooms. And they couldn't do more than say no. Yes? Well, I'm sorry to bother you, but I was hoping you could help me. You see, my doctor has ordered me here for my health. I arrived day before yesterday and I... Come in, please. What did you say? Come in. Oh, thank you. This way. My name's Christine McKay. I'm staying at the hotel now, but I really can't afford to stay there any longer and I... Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see that chair. It's so bright outside and it's so dark in here. Oh, never mind that. Come over here and sit down. Thank you. Now, have you decided where you want to stay? Decided? Well, this is an older house, but I think you'll be comfortable. I could let you have that room at the top of the stairs. It has its own private bath. You mean that I... And there's an acre or so of garden inside the wall in the summer house. I'm sure you'd be happy here. Wait a minute. You mean I can have the room? Well, I want you to take it. I'm a little lonely here and, well, I'd like to have someone around. What about the rent? Well, would $10 be too much? $10 a week? Well, let's make it $7.50. Is that all right? It's wonderful. You'll take the room then? Of course, you don't know what this means to me, Mrs. Drake. Mrs. Henry Drake. Oh, here. Now, I want you to move in right away. Tonight. Here's the key and I'll write down the address so you'll be sure to find the house again. Now, let's see. Oh, here's a piece of paper. 1220 Biscayne Road. There. There you are. Thank you, Mrs. Drake. Thank you so much. Now, now, you run along and get your things. When can you come back? Well, I've an awful lot to do in town. I may be late. Well, you can let yourself in with your key and go right up to your room on the left at the head of the stairs. But you will be here tonight. Of course, Mrs. Drake. I'll be here tonight. It's after 11 when you return, Christine, and you're dead tired as you let yourself in the front door and walk up the stairs to your room. You're glad the family, if there is one, is asleep, that there'll be no introductions and polite conversation to keep you from bed. And it's a lovely bed, a lovely room, much nicer than anything you'd expected. As you undress, you make a mental note to remember Mrs. Drake in your prayers tomorrow night when you're not so tired. Ten minutes later, you're asleep. But it's a peculiar sleep. Blackness at first and complete rest. And then later something that seems to intrude, something annoying, almost frightening. And then suddenly you find yourself sitting bolt upright in bed, listening. For some reason, you're trembling as you get out of bed. Walk to the door and open it a crack. A man passes the door of your room, close enough for you to see what he's carrying. It's the body of Mrs. Drake, with the scarf she was wearing this afternoon tightly knotted around her neck. You know now what she meant, don't you, Christine? When she told you she'd feel better with someone else in the house, she was afraid this man was going to kill her. You can hear his footsteps on the boardwalk outside in the garden. And rather than take a chance on facing him somewhere down there in the darkness, you decide to lock yourself in your room and wait until morning. You turn the key in the lock, and a few minutes later you hear his steps on the boardwalk again, coming back to the house. There's no more sleep, of course. Nothing but a kind of paralysis. And five eternal hours before it's light, and your watch reads seven o'clock. He doesn't know you're here, Christine. And he mustn't know until you've had a chance to see the police. Last you brace yourself, open the door and walk softly to the stairway. I beg your pardon. Did I frighten you? Well, I'm sorry, but you see, you frightened me, too. I didn't know I had a visitor. Well, I thought I could leave without disturbing you. Mrs. Drake, I planned to take a morning walk down to the beach. Did you say Mrs. Drake? Why, yes. Didn't she tell you? Tell me what? She rented me the room at the head of the stairs yesterday afternoon. She? No, no, she didn't tell me that. When did you come here? Last night. I was a little late and... What time? I don't know. Tell me, what time? I think about 11. Oh, I see. If you don't mind, I... Wait a minute. Why did you come to this house? Well, I came to Florida for my health. Health? What's wrong with you? Nerves mostly. I need a rest. Oh, nerves. Did you sleep well last night? Fairly well. Oh, good, good. There's nothing like sleep for a case of nerves. Now, if you don't mind... No, no, don't go. Let me fix you some breakfast. What about it? I think I'd better go. Ridiculous going off without breakfast. Just a cup of coffee. Please. I won't take no for an answer. I insist. Why are you looking at me like that? You don't intend to let me go, do you? Don't be silly now. There's no point in bluffing any longer. Why don't you have Mrs. Drake fix us some breakfast? Yes, yes, I suppose I shouldn't bluff any longer. You're in a pretty bad way, young lady. You see, that's why I asked you about your illness. Nerves do funny things. What do you mean? My wife isn't here. She's been in Fort Lauderdale for a week. I'm at a loss as to how you got in and where you got the amazing idea that she rented a room to you. I saw you last night walking down the hall, carrying her body in your arms with a scarf. You do need a rest, don't you? Nightmare like that is... Don't tell me it was a nightmare. I saw it with my own eyes. Where, my dear, easy now. You let me go. Of course, of course I'll let you go. As a matter of fact, I want you to go. You mean that... Well, how do you think it looks for a man to have a pretty girl in the house with his wife out of town? I've got a reputation, you know. You run upstairs and get your things. And if you insist on leaving without breakfast, I'm afraid I can't drive you to where you're going. You'll have to call a taxi. Um, a word of advice, my dear. Take care of yourself. Will you? You do need a rest. Now back to the Whistler. Yes, Chris, you saw it with your own eyes. And this man, this murderer, has the colossal effrontery to tell you that you were dreaming. He escorts you down to the taxi, smiles at you patronizingly as he helps the driver with your luggage. And then he waves to you as you drive off. Driver. Yes, ma'am? Forget the hotel. I want you to take me to police headquarters. It all fits, doesn't it, Chris? The strangeness in Mrs. Drake's manner when she rented you the room yesterday was fear. She knew this man was going to kill her. But it's tragic that she didn't know how soon it would happen. You know exactly what you're going to say when you get to police headquarters. And an hour later, you're talking to the desk side. Two in the morning, then a noise awakened me. I went to the door, opened it just in time to see him walk past, carrying the body of this woman, his wife, I think. She was strangled with a scarf. Where'd this happen? 1220 Biscayne Road. What was that? 1220 Biscayne Road. Oh, wait a minute, lady. You must have that wrong. What was the woman's name? Mrs. Henry Drake. Do you know what you're saying? I've made it plain enough. He's a murderer. I want you to arrest him. Wait a minute. I'm tired of waiting. I waited outside for half an hour to get in here. Take me to the chief of police or whoever your superior is. I'll do better than that, lady, I will. I'll take you in to see the commissioner. Come on. Here. Here we are. Go ahead. Good morning, commissioner. Good morning, Joe. What's the matter, young lady? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. What's the matter, young lady? Still troubled with nerves? There's no point in my staying here, Sergeant. Oh, not at all. Close the door, Joe. Yes, sir. My name is Henry Drake, young lady. I'm police commissioner here in Crescent Bay. Commissioner, she was telling me some yawn about you. Yes, yes, I know, Joe. She told it to me about an hour ago. It wasn't a yawn. It was the truth and you know it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll find someone who'll do something about it. Just a minute now. I've tried to be lenient with you because I know you're not well. I want to convince you, however, that you are making a very serious charge. I'm quite aware of that. Very well. Joe. Yes, commissioner. Call in Chief of Police Norton and Captain Evans of Homicide. If this lady is going to tell her story, I think she should tell it to the proper people. And that's all you have to say, Miss McKay? That's all. I know you can understand my embarrassment, gentlemen. Where she got that key to my house is a puzzle, of course. I think, though, that the fact that she admits that she came here for her health, her nerves, might account for her strange dream and the imaginary woman who rented her the room. I tell you, I saw it with my own eyes. Just a minute. Commissioner. Yes, Chief. Where is your wife? In Fort Lauderdale, of course. You know I sent her there a week ago. That's impossible. I talked to her yesterday. He's lying. I tell you, if you'll only check. What about that, Commissioner? It's all right with me. Send a wire, please, to the manager of the Kenworth Arms Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. Yes, sir. Advise, return, wire whether a Mrs. Henry Drake is a registered guest as of today and if she is there now. Just a moment. Will that be satisfactory, Miss McKay? I think so. All right. I'll try to figure it out, Miss Dixon. We'll wait here for an answer. Come in. Here's the answer to that wire, Mr. Drake. Oh, good. Let's see. Here you are, Miss McKay. Suppose you read it. Mrs. Henry Drake has been our guest since the 16th, sitting in lobby at this moment, graves. Well, I guess that ought to settle that. It doesn't settle anything. It only means some woman is staying at that hotel posing as Mrs. Drake. What now, Chief? He's pretty persistent. How far is Fort Lauderdale? Couple of hours. Do you know Mrs. Drake? Have you met her? Of course I know her. Well, let's go down there right now. I'll prove to you that this woman in Fort Lauderdale is an imposter. Commissioner, I know how you feel about all this. It's the craziest situation I ever saw. But I think it'll be embarrassing to turn this girl loose until we've satisfied her. She's wrong. You're absolutely right, Chief. Get a car ready. I'll drive down there with you. Third floor, she's in 314, down to your right. Thank you. I hope this will satisfy you, Miss McJay. It will. You'll admit it all a bad dream if my wife is in this room. I'll tell you after I see her. Here we are, 314. Yes? It's Henry, darling. Henry? What on earth? Oh. It's a long story, I'm afraid. Come in, please. You know, Chief Norton, my dear, and this is Miss McKay. Well, Henry, is something wrong? I'm sorry. Henry sent me here for a rest, you know. I'm afraid I'm not being very hospitable. We don't want to upset you, darling, but Miss McKay seems to have two very persistent ideas. One, that you rented the room at the top of the stairs to her yesterday afternoon. And two, that I strangled you with a silk scarf at 2 o'clock this morning. Oh, no. Why, Henry, I... I don't understand. Don't look at me, my dear. I don't understand it either. We're sorry to bother you, Mrs. Drake. We felt we had to clear it up in the lady's mind before we turned aloose. Of course. Yes, of course. Well, young lady, I... I don't quite know what to say to you. As you can see, I... I am alive. She's a very unusual girl. She's got a will of iron. I was bowled over this morning to find her in the downstairs hallway about to leave. She'd got a key from Lord knows where and blithely spent the night in our basement. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. This time I think they'll believe you, but I don't seem to have very much choice in the matter, do I? I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get in.
