Beyond Midnight - The Paul Henry Expedition aka A Smile to Drive You Mad

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Beyond Midnight – The Paul Henry Expedition aka A Smile to Drive You Mad"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Beyond Midnight - The Paul Henry Expedition aka A Smile to Drive You Mad
Date: March 13, 2026

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Overview of the Episode

This episode showcases an atmospheric audio drama from the "Beyond Midnight" series, transporting listeners to the remote jungles of Brazil in the Golden Age of Radio. The story follows the ill-fated Paul Henry (Sir Cedric Harbin) Expedition, focusing on themes of jealousy, madness, and the perilous intersection of love and obsession against the backdrop of a search for a legendary lost city. Through a tight, character-driven plot, the episode gradually shifts from a jungle adventure to a chilling psychological horror that explores the destructive power of suspicion and vengeance.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Highlights

1. Setting the Scene: The Jungle and the Injured Explorer

• [01:28] The story opens with Sir Cedric Harbin, a British archaeologist, lying grievously wounded on a canvas cot deep in the Matto Grosso, Brazil. He suffers from three broken ribs after an encounter with a boa constrictor and is cared for by local Chivanti natives and his young wife, Diana.
• The oppressive heat, noise of insects, and isolation deepen the story’s sense of dread.

2. The Strain of the Expedition and Marital Tension

• [04:27] Diana’s concern is evident as she tends to the bedridden Sir Cedric. Frustrated by his helplessness and the stalled expedition, Sir Cedric laments involving Diana in such dangerous circumstances, especially on their honeymoon.
• Diana reassures him ("Mario's got the situation well in hand." – Diana, [05:21]), but beneath her lighthearted tone, there’s an undercurrent of anxiety.

3. Jealousy and Seeds of Paranoia

• Sir Cedric’s jealousy is revealed when he expresses suspicion toward the young and capable guide, Mario.
  • "Diana, my dearest, how the devil can you be so bright and cheery after the confounded mess I've made of this expedition?... Mario? Oh yes, our handsome and dashing young guide." ([04:45], [05:44])
• Diana brushes off Cedric's jealousy, but the theme is planted and will intensify throughout the story.

4. The Mysterious Departure and Harbin's Deterioration

• [08:04] Diana leaves with Mario for the river village of Mantura (ostensibly to get supplies and send a message), promising to return by sundown the next day.
• Cedric’s insecurity grows as soon as they’ve left, worsened by suspicious new porters referred to as "vulture people" ([08:49]) and rumors of cannibalism.

5. Purity the Witch Doctor: Visions, Fears, and Prophecies

• [13:01–22:09] Purity, the half-crazed local witch doctor, performs rituals and offers cryptic prophecies. Under the influence of his pipe (suggested to be ayahuasca), Purity sows more seeds of doubt:
  • "They go towards the rising sun... He bring the feathers to the Senora. She laugh and stun him putting the feathers in her golden hair." ([17:07])
  • Purity claims to see Diana and Mario together, strengthening Harbin’s suspicion.
  • "It is written in the star that the Capito may keep before him for all the rest of his days. The smiling face of y signora. But... it is also written that the sight of it will also drive the capital into madness." ([21:25])

6. The Fatal Command: Vengeance Unleashed

• Driven by jealousy and fury, Sir Cedric instructs the Urubu porters (a tribe known for headhunting) to "bring her back to me," dismissing concern for Mario’s fate with a cold, "The devil with Mario. I don't care what you do about him." ([24:21])
• This command, misinterpreted or dangerously literalized by the Urubu, sets a tragic chain of events in motion.

7. The Waiting and Descent Into Madness

• While Harbin rationalizes his actions and fantasies about forgiving Diana, uncertainty gnaws at him:
  • "Forgiveness better than vengeance. Well, after a time I shall forgive her. We can still build a life together." ([24:56])
  • He worries about what he has unleashed, haunted by Purity's earlier warnings.

8. The Climax: The Return of the Porters

• [28:29] The Urubu return without Diana; instead, they bring a letter from her. Her note reveals Diana had not betrayed Cedric. She and Mario had set out to finish his quest for the lost city as a gift to him.
  • "By now you must know we didn't go to Matura and never planned to go. I persuaded Mario to take me on to your lost city... I've made some maps and we can come back here after your ribs..." – Diana ([29:09])

9. The Horrific Finale: Realization and Horror

• In a devastating twist, the Urubu present Harbin with a basket containing Diana's severed, shrunken head – her lips grotesquely stitched into a perpetual smile ([30:42–31:35]), fulfilling Purity’s prophecy in literal and nightmarish fashion.
• The chilling final screams of Sir Cedric underscore the tragic lesson: his jealousy not only destroyed his marriage but led directly to an unspeakable horror.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Jealousy and Insecurity:

  • "Mario? Oh yes, our handsome and dashing young guide." – Sir Cedric Harbin ([05:44])
  • "All Brazilians make parties at every girl... they meet from Europe." – Diana ([06:22])

• On Prophecy and Madness:

  • "It is also written that the sight of it will also drive the capital into madness." – Purity, the witch doctor ([21:25])

• On Vengeance:

  • "All right, so I told them to kill him. What's it to you, you shriveled up old fool? Get out of here." – Sir Cedric Harbin ([27:43])

• On Diana’s True Intentions:

  • "I persuaded Mario to take me on to your lost city... I couldn't bear to see you looking so disgusted with yourself." – Diana ([29:09])

• On the Catastrophic Outcome:

  • "Even before he jerked off the lid and saw the shrunken thing inside, lips stitched together in a hideous travesty of a smile, the long blonde hair unbound and carefully brushed clean of blood flecks. Harbin began to scream." – Narrator ([31:35])

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Important Timestamps

• [01:28] – Episode story begins; Sir Cedric is introduced bedridden and in pain.
• [04:27] – Early conversation between Diana and Sir Cedric, setting up expedition dynamics and marital strain.
• [08:04] – Diana departs with Mario.
• [13:01-22:09] – Key dialogues with Purity the witch doctor, including visions, prophecies, and psychological pressure on Cedric.
• [24:21] – Sir Cedric gives fateful order to the Urubu porters.
• [29:09] – The full content of Diana’s heartfelt letter is revealed.
• [30:42–31:35] – Horrific climax: Diana’s head brought back, fulfilling the prophecy and cementing the episode’s shocking conclusion.

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Tone and Style

The episode’s haunting script, vivid sound design, and committed performances evoke classic radio horror’s chilling effect. The language is florid, British, and occasionally darkly comic—especially in the banter between Diana and Cedric—and steadily descends into dread and horror as the protagonist’s psyche unravels.

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Conclusion

"Beyond Midnight – The Paul Henry Expedition aka A Smile to Drive You Mad" exemplifies the best of Golden Age radio horror: atmospheric, character-driven, and inexorably building to a ghastly conclusion. Through its tale of failed trust and the consuming nature of jealousy, it delivers a timeless and unforgettable cautionary tale—one whose final scream lingers long after the episode ends.

Transcript

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[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Com.

[Narrator]

Sir Frederick Harbin, the archaeologist, has been lying in his confined canvas cot for eight days and nights. A young Chivanti native found him constantly to keep away the mosquitoes and the tiny vicious film flies. Occasionally, Sir Cedric tried to sit up despite the adhesive strapped over his bare chest like a cocoon, but it was always the same. He sank back with a groan. The Matto grosso Interior Harbin 3 broken ribs Habin Sir Cedric Harbin but boa constrictors are no respecters of tantrull. What's a knight of the realm to a great reptile disturbed from its slumber, it acted in the only way possible. It whipped its coils around the blundering human and squeezed and squeezed and Sir Cedric, Archaeologist passed from the dimit light of the jungle into and beyond Midnight.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

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[Diana]

I thought I heard you. Are you in pain?

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Not much, just. Just bored and disgusted. Haven't you gone to bed yet?

[Diana]

Poor darling, soaking wet. Get away from my arm.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Diana, my dearest, how the devil can you be so bright and cheery after the confounded mess I've made of this expedition? Walking into that burr constricts you like a the blasted tourist who never should put in the Matto Grosse before. I don't know why I ever let this foundation talk me into this jaunt on our honeymoon. What was I thinking of, dragging you into this cauldron?

[Diana]

Darling, if you can't sleep, at least try to relax here. You can't go hunting your precious lost city with three broken ribs and that's all there is to it. Now stop fretting. Mario's got the situation well in hand.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Mario? Oh yes, our handsome and dashing young guide.

[Diana]

Handsome, is he? I hadn't noticed. Cedric, I do believe you're jealous of Mario.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Ah, senora, you're like a jungle orchid. Oh, darling, he's so corny.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Did he really say that to you? Insolent half breed swine. Send him in here. I'll sack him right now.

[Diana]

You do nothing of the kind. All Brazilians make parties at every girl

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

they meet from Europe.

[Diana]

It's part of their good neighbor policy. But Mario's a very efficient guide. He's kept his war happy Chivantes and traipsing off to start something with other tribes. He's kept a supply of mandioca and rapid Diora without trading half our equipment to get it. And he's the only guide in Belem who had the vaguest idea how to reach that lost city of yours.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Remember, all you have as proof is

[Diana]

that silly old paper of the Biblioteca Nacional in Rio. Mario doesn't believe it exists. Mario.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

If Colonel Fawcett and his sons died trying to find it in 1925, there must be. If I were only off this ridiculous cot. We're only two days march from the place. I'd stake my life on it.

[Diana]

Darling, there'll be other expeditions. You can try again. Now. You've got to get well and strong enough to be carried back to Belem.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Diana, I'll never understand what a lovely creature like you saw and dried up tragedy or seemed like me. My whole life changed when you turned away from that ass. Forrester looked at me and smiled that night at the Explorers Club in Rio. It was the most wonderful thing that

[Diana]

had ever Darling, we leave at daybreak, Mario and I, for the supply.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

We as I know Daybreak. How are you back?

[Narrator]

Of course.

[Diana]

Next Thursday is our first anniversary. We've been married a whole month. You don't really think I'd spend that day with Mario and a lot of grinning tapiratis babbling picanto, Picanto.

[Narrator]

And Diana left the tent to complete plans for the short journey. At the dawn, the river village of Mantura lay only a few miles down the Rio das Mortes, the river of Death. There, Diana could send a wireless message via Belem to the foundation. Also, Mario could replenish their dwindling supplies of quinine and coffee.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Don't like these new porters, Mario signed up. Dirty, ragged autobos. Vulture people, the inspector of Indians called them vulture people. Cannibals or something, if I remember rightly. Oh, sleep. Wish I could sleep. Mario never did trust those pretty boys where young women are concerned. Senor.

[Diana]

Speak.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

All right? No, no, nothing. I was talking to myself. Swat that blasted tarantula up there, will you? It's gonna fall on me.

[Narrator]

And Harbin slept fitfully.

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[Narrator]

He dreamed a recurrent dream in which his lovely young wife was lost in a tangle of undergrowth and looped Dianas.

[Diana]

Patrick.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Cedric. Patrick. Cedric. Patrick.

[Narrator]

When the explorer woke once more, his head ached and the tent was steamy with mid morning heat.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Here you.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Senor Dormio bien.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Mita bien. Where's the Senora? She had her breakfast yet?

[Diana]

Senor. Senor Mario. Segun.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Let your sleep. You seek know it well.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Gone already. Should be back tomorrow at sundown. Matura's only a few miles down the river. Hey, what are you grinning about?

[Narrator]

Eh?

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

What? Hey, slight beggar. The devil's the matter with him? Hey, boy.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Senorito. Hey, Purity.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Tell what, you gibbering ape. Purity.

[Narrator]

The chief, Sir Cedric recognized him suddenly from the dried palm frond stuck in his pierced lower lip like a spiky beard. From his hairless chin.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Tell what? Come on.

[Narrator]

He tried to sit up, to prop himself up by his elbows. A sense of foreboding suddenly knotting his stomach muscles.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Yes, all right. A present. Come on, speak up.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

No go down.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Rio.

[Narrator]

He go up.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

No go Madura. It's run away for going out.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

What? You're lying. I'll kill you. You're lying.

[Diana]

Scum.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

I'll cut your tongue out for saying anything like that. He's lying. Of course he is. Diana would no more desert me in this condition than. But oh, would she? Could a middle aged husband ever be sure of a young and beautiful wife?

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Mario.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Mario is young, vile. Whereas me getting old. One day I shan't be able to satisfy her needs. Maybe she requires someone.

[Biotech Advertiser]

Mario.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

No

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

boy.

[Travel Texas Announcer]

Do you.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Do you happen to know which way my Senor Mario went? Up river or down.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

It's not capitol.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Is there anyone who could find out for me?

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

A tracker.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

A tracker could tell me which way the Battalo took off, couldn't he? Tracker capital see Trakar too.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

But Buriti no more. Better ask Buriti the chief to look

[Narrator]

upon the scene of Battalo.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Buriti see all things to die yesterday.

[Diana]

Tomorrow.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Yes, quite, Chief. And witch doctor. You just repeat the lie. If it is a lie. The inspector of Indians advised us to have Purity. Because he's a Brugio doctor half crazed from addiction to Yahi. But they see all things. The Brujos. Purity would know all about Diana and that sneaky Brazilian. Or rumors. Every remnant of local gossip finds its way to the ears of the Br. To be palmed off later as supernatural knowledge. But Purity, as he Would know

[Narrator]

then

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

what's he been saying to me?

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Diana.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

No, I, I, I can't believe it.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Boy.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Go fetch Purity back again, you hear?

[Narrator]

Harvin waited. The suspicion of terrible things was being fanned in his mind. Purity came. He smoked a cigar holder like pipe. A peculiar acrid odor filled the tent. Harbin felt suddenly light headed.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Now look here. I've no time for a lot of mumbo jumbo. Put that pallet smelly pipe away. I've heard of that blasted load of nonsense. Maybe it isn't then gone my wife the Senora.

[Narrator]

But the old Bruges said nothing for a long time. He puffed at the queer shaped pipe and closed his eyes. Sir Cedric lay and cursed the whole of creation silently. At last the ancient doctor's eyes opened.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

They go towards the rising sun. But moves slow. He bears. Haven't the smiling one sleep under the tall door? The man watches now he shoots the gun and kill a blood red Arab. He bring the feathers to the Senora. She laugh and stunt him Putting the feathers in her golden hair.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Towards the rising sun. Northwest to Madura, east to Goyas.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Now she sing the Senora. She sing this song.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Never try to bind me. It's her favorite song. You lie. How can you be lying?

[Diana]

Love and let me.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

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[Narrator]

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[Sir Cedric Harbin]

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[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Soak, soak.

[Narrator]

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[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Soak, soak.

[Narrator]

Just for an hour or two.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

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[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

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[Narrator]

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[Diana]

Soak, soak, spin away easily when you

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

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[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Is there more you wish to know, Capitao? As look into the past See the padre and Rio speak marriage vows the capital. Drop the ring and his eagerness to place it on the finger. Get up. The one with the smiling face. A man with the golden mustache. Pick a bring and give it back.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Kimber. He was my best man. And I did drop the ring. How could you possibly know? Did you overhear? Diana and myself? That must be.

[Narrator]

Of course.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Nothing supernatural about that.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Do you wish, Capitao? I should look into the futures the Ayahuasca sends the eyes in all directions, able to see what is, what was, what will be.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

The devil you can. All right what is to be. My wife's rung up with a ruddy Brazilian. You say she coming back?

[Narrator]

And beauty. The Brugeau puffed again at the pipe and his eyes began once more to take on that opaque drunk look, the pupils widening until the iris had disappeared. Harbin watched, fascinated, trying to deny the hollow, sick feeling in his stomach.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

I see. I hear the smiling one screaming. It is written in the star that the Capito may keep before him for all the rest of his days. The smiling face of y signora. But. Yes, yes, but it is also written that the sight of it will also drive the capital into madness. Yes, I see, Thomas.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Rubbish. All of it.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Capito. Forgiveness is better than vengeance.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Get out of here.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Jealousy is like a poison. Capito. The senior stands where the train folks eat. Well, get out.

[Narrator]

And the archaeologist fell back, soap with sweat onto his cot. Helpless, alone, the old man left and Harbin's mind sailed upstream, following a batallo, where a lovely blonde girl and a handsome young man sat very close together.

[Diana]

Take me as you find me. Don't let me go.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Diana.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Smiling face. Blasted. She was always smiling, laughing at me.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Insolent Brazilian.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

What if I. I could only follow them. Get my hands around his neck first. Handsome villa. Young idiot to come along. She'd left me. She'd left me with these grinning showhantis to get back to Bellum without a guide. Boy, where the devil are you hiding? Senor, get me good again. No, wait. He won't go. This horrible country. Ah, you porters, send them to me now.

[Narrator]

And the Chevanti raced off and returned almost immediately with four grinning vulture men. Harbin blurted out his order in Portuguese, then again a few halting words of Chevante. But the voucher man merely shook their heads, grinned and looked foolish.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Senora.

[Narrator]

He drew the form of a woman in the air with his hands.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

I. I want you to bring her back to me.

[Narrator]

He made a scooping motion with his hands towards himself. Suddenly the eyes of the Yorubu leader gleamed. He nodded, comprehending.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

White man. Ah, the white man. Mario. The devil with Mario. I don't care what you do about him.

[Narrator]

And he made a broad motion of dismissal. And the Arubu grinned delightedly.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

White man.

[Narrator]

The evil eyed, heavily scarred man grinned again and made a vague but easily followed fruit cutting gesture. And then he was gone with his flock like eager scavenger birds.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Forgiveness better than vengeance. Well, after A time I shall forgive her. We can still build a life together. Probably. After I forgive her, she'll love me more. Really love me. What did he mean, though? Purity. A smiling face drive me into madness.

[Narrator]

Three days passed, and then a fourth. And so Cedric Harbin lay and sweated helplessly in his heart.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

She'll cry, fling her arms around my neck and beg forgiveness. I will forgive her gladly. That's all I want. To get her back again. To have her back again. Smiling, smiling face, the same as always. I wonder. Wonder what the Urubu meant when I said about Mario. Suppose she loves the brighter. Have I any right to? But what sort of life would she lead with a jungle guide? Whatever the rotter gets, he richly deserves it. Killing a man or having him killed for seducing your wife is the accepted thing here in Brazil. It's a hot tempered country.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Capitao, you have given an order to the Orubu men and it is not good. The senor stood at the fourth trail and he has taken the wrong turning.

[Narrator]

And the old one lighted the evil smelling pipe and smoked silently for a while. Then he closed his eyes and intoned once more.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

Ah, I see a lost city which the jungle has eaten. Great blocks of stone carven with strange writing. The smiling one stands before it while the senior takes her picture.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

The devil, you see, say the blood is not only stolen my wife, but he's jumped the gun on my expedition, eh? Going to claim the credit for finding Mike. Well, it's good enough for him. Whatever they do to him. I'm glad I sent them.

[Diana]

Glad?

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

They are children. Do not condemn the forest people. They go only to do the capital speeding.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

All right, so I told them to kill him. What's it to you, you shriveled up old fool? Get out of here. They should be back by tomorrow sundown with my wife. That's all I want. I'll never let her out of my sight again. Back at Belem decent hotel. I'll make her forget all about Mario. I'll shower her with presents, make subtle love to.

[Narrator]

Sundown the fifth day.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

They're back. They're back with.

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

With Diana is not with them.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

The three bearers of our tribe are not escaped.

[Narrator]

But this smiling one. They have brought me back as the senior order.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Oh, good, good. Have they landed? Send them to me. Hurry, hurry.

[Narrator]

He braced himself for the sight of his wife, perhaps dragged angrily in between two grinning Orubus. But the chief came in alone and presented Sir Cedric Harbin with a crumpled ship sheet of paper.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

What this? A note from her.

[Diana]

My darling, I'm sending this message back by one of the Chivantes. By now you must know we didn't go to Matura and never planned to go. I persuaded Mario to take me on to your lost city for your expedition, even be a flop. My dear, it seemed to mean so much to you, and I couldn't bear to see you looking so disgusted with yourself. I didn't tell you because I knew you'd stop me from trying it alone. Mario has taken some pictures and I've copied a few hieroglyphics off the stones. Also some pottery. Darling, you and your colonel faucet and your silly paper at Rio were right. There is a sort of temple here. Inca, I believe the auto stone for sacrifice is inlaid with gold and silver. Oh, I wish you could see it. But I've made some maps and we can come back here after your ribs.

[Narrator]

The note ended abruptly, a pen stroke straggling down the paper. From the last word Harbin looked up into the eyes of the Arubu, and that man happily made his throat cutting gesture again. And suddenly, like a cold hand upon his heart, Cedric Hardin remembered what the inspector of Indians had said about the Arubu tribe, not a history of cannibalism but of headhunting.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

What have I made Diana witness?

[Purity (Bruges Witch Doctor)]

What terrible rights.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

She'll never forgive me recently. Where's my wife? Tell her to come here. Bring her here quickly.

[Narrator]

The Orubo grinned evilly, nodding several times like a small boy proud of his homework. He returned again almost immediately, carrying a small wicker basket. Even before he jerked off the lid and saw the shrunken thing inside, lips stitched together in a hideous travesty of a smile, the long blonde hair unbound and carefully brushed clean of blood flecks. Harbin began to scream.

[Sir Cedric Harbin]

Beyond Midnight is presented every Friday night at half past nine by Biotech.