Hidden Truth (AU) 67-12-10 The Denture (aka Stewart Hall)

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Hidden Truth (AU) 67-12-10 "The Denture" (aka Stewart Hall)
Date: January 12, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Source Show: Hidden Truth

---

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of Hidden Truth delves into a real-life-inspired mystery from the files of Leonard Keeler, famed inventor of the polygraph. The case centers on the puzzling disappearance of Henrietta Hall, a 46-year-old woman from Burbank, California. Through the lens of midcentury radio drama—with brisk detective exchanges, family tensions, and the promise of "nothing but the truth"—listeners are taken through the unfolding investigation, from initial suspicions of foul play to a final, tragic resolution.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Case

• Narrator introduces Stewart Hall, a shaken husband reporting the mysterious disappearance of his wife Henrietta (01:02).
  • Hall is described as "considerably shaken," unable to explain her vanishing.
• Key details: Henrietta left without luggage, only a purse with a small sum, and her car was left behind.

2. Establishing Family Dynamics

• Detective Sam Drake questions Hall, notes his distress, and advises him to go home while the investigation proceeds (02:27-03:33).
  • “Only 96 pounds, eh, Mr. Hall? Why she might have just evaporated.” (02:27 - Detective Sam Drake)
• Hall confesses he delayed reporting for fear of scandal (03:02).

3. Susan Hall's Testimony

• Susan, Stewart and Henrietta’s daughter, arrives independently to report her mother missing (05:14).
  • She is convinced her mother wouldn't have left willingly, especially with her brother Ralph due home from postwar Japan.
• Susan mentions longstanding arguments between her parents, mostly over child-rearing, but dismisses any suggestion of infidelity or recent intent to split up (06:29-07:48).

4. Lie Detector Enters the Scene

• Detective Drake consults Keeler, inventor of the polygraph, to confirm Stewart Hall’s account (08:22), given mounting inconsistencies.
  • “It would help to be sure her husband’s telling the truth, now, wouldn’t it?” (09:44 - Leonard Keeler)
• Plans are laid to test Hall, but he is too ill and upset at first, possibly skewing test accuracy (11:31-12:38).

5. The Clue: The Denture

• Susan finds and presents a vital clue: her mother’s denture, left behind in her room—something Henrietta would never leave the house without (12:42).
  • Raises the question: Did Henrietta ever intend to go out at all?
  • Dentist Dr. Coles confirms she had only one upper plate made (14:00).

6. Mounting Suspicion and Property Search

• Drake becomes convinced Henrietta was likely murdered, but with no body or evidence, arrest is impossible.
  • “Nard, it’s a lead pipe cinch that Henrietta Hall has been murdered.” (14:55 - Detective Sam Drake)
• The police begin a methodical search of the Hall ranch, but find nothing on the first day (16:38-17:45).

7. Lie Detector Tests on Family

• Hall is pressured to take the polygraph; he delays citing illness. Susan is given the test first (19:04).
  • She becomes distraught, and the polygraph shows deception—she’s hiding information.
  • “But you’re lying, Susan. The polygraph shows you’re lying. You do know, don’t you, Susan?” (19:37 - Keeler)

8. Ralph Hall Returns: The Hidden Truth Emerges

• Ralph returns unexpectedly from Japan (20:03). Under pressure, he admits to what happened:
  • In a flashback, Ralph reveals he married a Japanese woman and came home to break the news to his mother.
  • Henrietta reacts with shock and collapse upon hearing the news; Ralph believes she died from the shock, not violence (21:07-23:34).
  • He confesses to burying her in the greenhouse, not wanting his father to know or be overwhelmed by further grief.

9. Resolution

• Polygraph confirms Ralph’s account; the autopsy supports no foul play—death is ruled from natural causes (24:51).
  • The narrative closes on the enduring emotional toll for the Hall family, underscoring the bittersweet, sometimes ambiguous truths behind closed doors.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Detective Drake quips on the case's oddity:
  “There’s something here that doesn’t meet the eye.” (04:31)

• Susan affirms her loyalty to her mother’s character:
  “She was deathly afraid of the dark...she never left the ranch alone at night unless she drove. She has her own car, but it’s still in the driveway.” (07:15)

• Keeler underscores the value of the polygraph:
  “It would help to be sure her husband’s telling the truth, now, wouldn’t it?” (09:44)

• Susan, under duress from the lie detector:
  “I'm not hiding anything. I'm not.” (19:29)

• Ralph’s emotional confession:
  “I could never live with it anyway. Nobody could live with. Keeps coming back to me. Won’t go away. Keeps coming back to me.” (20:36)

• The final note of tragedy:
  “But in the hearts of all of them dwells human tragedy. Tragedy that years cannot erase.” (24:51)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:02-04:00]: Introduction of the case by narrator, setup of Stewart Hall's distress
• [05:14-07:48]: Susan Hall's detailed statement and background of family tensions
• [08:22-10:05]: Decision to use lie detector, Keeler brought in
• [12:42-13:02]: Discovery of the denture in Henrietta’s room
• [14:00-14:47]: Dentist confirms only one denture was ever made
• [16:38-16:55]: Police openly begin search for a body, Hall is notified of murder suspicions
• [19:04-19:47]: Susan's failed polygraph, suspicions mount
• [20:03-21:07]: Ralph’s confession and the actual sequence of events revealed
• [24:51]: Case closed—the truth and its aftermath for the family

---

Tone & Language

The drama maintains a classic, brisk detective tone. Dialogue is crisp, emotions understated but clear, in the tradition of radio mysteries. Key moments linger in tension and moral ambiguity, especially in the family's conversations about loyalty, guilt, and tragic miscommunication.

---

Summary

Hidden Truth’s "The Denture" unfolds a densely layered, emotionally fraught mystery that uses the polygraph as both a literal and symbolic tool for uncovering repressed truths. The episode is a potent exploration of family secrets, cultural tensions in postwar America, and the sad reality that even "the whole truth" can leave lasting pain.

Transcript

[Narrator (American Giant Ad)]

Finding a hoodie that lasts through the season can be tough. The American Giant Classic Full Zip hoodie is made to last a lifetime so you can count on it to bring you comfort and warmth year after year. The iconic Classic Full Zip hoodie is the jacket that started it all for American Giant. Custom heavyweight fleece and side panels for mobility make it the best hoodie ever. And a double lined hood and reinforced elbow patches means this hoodie will last. Born from a commitment to support the communities that create its products, every American Giant piece is made in America and designed to last. No exceptions. The result is durable clothing like the premium slub crew tee, no bs, high rise pant and slim roughneck pants that become part of your life. Snag the hoodie that will bring you comfort for life. The American giant classic full zip and save 20% off your first order at american-giant.com when you use code staple20 at checkout. That's american-giant code staple20.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

The whole truth Nothing but the Truth the Hidden Truth the Vital human drama of the famous Lie detector. Bringing you authentic case histories from the files of the late Leonard Keeler, one of the world's forest scientific criminologists. Mr. Ker's real life part is played by Hart Maguire, who reveals from week to week some of the most baffling human dramas of our times. The hidden truth. A few years ago, a slight a sandy haired little man named Stuart hall was seated at the desk of Detective Sam Drake of the Los Angeles Bureau of missing persons. Mr. Hall was considerably shaken. From time to time he seemed about to faint. But gradually, after many stops and starts, Drake drew the story out of him. Mrs. Henrietta hall, age 46, had disappeared from their ranch home in the nearby community of Burbank at 9:30pm two nights before. Like her husband, she was quite small, weighing about 96 pounds.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Only 96 pounds, eh, Mr. Hall? Why she might have just evaporated.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Mr. Drake, you see fit to make a joke of this matter?

[Detective Sam Drake]

Oh, not at all. My apologies, Mr. Hall. Go ahead.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

As far as her husband knew, Henrietta hall had taken nothing with her except her purse containing a small sum of money. He couldn't think of any reasons that might have been prompted her to leave. Drake noticed Hall's haggard, hollow eyed appearance, realized the little man was genuinely concerned. I haven't slept for two nights. I should have come here after I discovered she was gone, but I was.

[Ralph Hall]

Hoping she'd return and it wouldn't be any scandal.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Scandal?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

I mean my family's never had its name in the paper?

[Detective Sam Drake]

Sure. I understand how you feel about it, but sometimes the papers are a big help. Many a missing person has been located through the press, you know.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

I suppose so. I was foolish not to have come here sooner, but just not myself.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Mr. Hall, I'd suggest that you let me handle it from now on. You just go home and try to relax. I'll call on you when I need you. All right.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

But don't hesitate to call on me, Mr. Drake. I want to cooperate in every way. Anything happens to hand me around, I can forgive myself. Sam Drake checked the details of his report once more, then picked up his telephone.

[Detective Sam Drake]

This is Drake. Got an assignment for you. I want you to round up all the newspaper reporters assigned to this division. Yes. Right. Got a case for him to shoot the works on.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Russia. Will you again? Sam Drake went over his report. He'd heard of Stuart Hall. In spite of his slight, nondescript appearance, hall was a man of considerable means and influence in the Burbank Ranch community in which he lived. Hall was a successful nursery man, enjoyed a clean reputation amongst his neighbors. He'd been married to Henrietta for 25 years and it seemed strange that she should have her own free will. Walk out in her home and husband.

[Detective Sam Drake]

There's something here that doesn't meet the eye.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Drake walked into the Teletype Room and his report went out over the machines. The Los Angeles Bureau of Missing Persons was in action. In less than an hour, the story of Henrietta Hall's disappearance was in print and Drake's report reached police headquarters scattered all over California. Apparently, however, there was one person who hadn't seen the newspapers. About an hour and a half after Stuart hall had left, a pretty girl about 20 years old called at Sam Drake's office.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Yes, what can I do for you?

[Susan Hall]

I couldn't put it off any longer. If Father isn't going to report Mother missing, I will.

[Detective Sam Drake]

All right, let's have it. Mother's name, please.

[Susan Hall]

Henrietta Hall.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

What?

[Detective Sam Drake]

In just a minute. What's your name?

[Susan Hall]

Susan Hall. Two nights ago, my mother left the house and no one's seen her since. I tried to get Father to report it, but.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Your father has reported it, Susan.

[Susan Hall]

Oh, well, then. Then you know all about it.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Everything except what's happened to her. What do you think happened to your mother, Susan?

[Susan Hall]

She wouldn't have walked out on dab without telling me. I know she wouldn't.

[Detective Sam Drake]

You seem pretty positive about that.

[Susan Hall]

I am positive. In two weeks, my brother Ralph is due home from Japan. He's been in the army of Occupation over there. And Mother's been getting ready for his homecoming. I'm positive that a team of wild horses couldn't have dragged her away with Ralph coming home.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Yes. Does make a lot of sense, doesn't it? Susan, you mentioned that your mother wouldn't walk out on your dad at this time. Have there been times when she might have walked out on him? I mean, have your mother and dad ever discussed divorce?

[Susan Hall]

Yes, they did. Oh, I think Mother even went to a lawyer once.

[Detective Sam Drake]

What was the trouble between them?

[Susan Hall]

Well, I guess it was Ralph and me. Dad's always been pretty strict with us. He didn't mean to be. It's just his way. No one could want a better father. But Mother often gave us permission to do something that dad refused to let us do. Mother was always pretty easy with us. And what made dad furious? Sometimes it just started them arguing.

[Detective Sam Drake]

How long ago did your mother see her lawyer?

[Susan Hall]

Oh, a long time ago. About five or six years, I think. Before Ralph went into the army.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Five or six years? Well, an argument that long ago couldn't have had much bearing on what happened two nights ago.

[Susan Hall]

I don't believe my mother went away by herself, Mr. Drake. I can't believe it.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Why not?

[Susan Hall]

She. She was deathly afraid of the dark. She never left the ranch alone at night unless she drove. She has her own car, but it's still in the driveway, just where she left it that afternoon.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Susan, I'm going to ask you a personal question about your mother. But you understand any information that can.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Help us get to the bottom.

[Susan Hall]

I understand.

[Detective Sam Drake]

As far as you know, has your mother ever had any interest outside of your father?

[Susan Hall]

You mean another man?

[Detective Sam Drake]

Yes.

[Susan Hall]

Never. Mother loves dad very much. I know she does. He's always been wonderful to her. Except for their arguments about Ralph and me, well, they've never had any real trouble.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Well, thank you, Susan. You'll be around if I need you, won't you?

[Susan Hall]

I'll be at the ranch. Father's so upset that I feel I ought to stay right there with him all the time.

[Detective Sam Drake]

You're perfectly right. This whole thing is naturally a great strain on your father.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Well, goodbye, Susan.

[Susan Hall]

Goodbye. And thank you.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Hey, hello there. Nard.

[Susan Hall]

Keeler.

[Detective Sam Drake]

What are you doing in town, man?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Saved as a fast business trip. Flying back to school in a couple of hours and thought I'd drop by for a.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Well, come on in. Come on in. I can't think of anyone I'd rather chat with.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

I see by the papers you got another big one on your hands, Sam.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Yeah. Wish I knew just how big. Hey, how do you happen to be in town in the case without my knowing anything about it, huh?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Not a case, Sam. I said business. Oh.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Managed to interest the DA's office in.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

That lie detector of yours well enough so that he's sending some of his top men to my Chicago polygraph school to learn to operate the machine.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Well, good for the da, but why shouldn't he be interested anyway? You've proved a thousand times what a great job that machine can do. Say, when did you say your plane leaves?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

In a couple of hours.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Two hours. Have you got a polygraph machine with you?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Well, I left one at the DA's office for them to experiment with. But what's in your mind?

[Detective Sam Drake]

Come on, we pick it up and run over to Burbank.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Hey, now, wait a minute. Who's the subject?

[Detective Sam Drake]

Stuart Hall. It'll save us a lot of time if we can be sure he's given us a straight story.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

I read a story in the paper. You've got reason to doubt it?

[Detective Sam Drake]

Just a slight one, but so far this thing makes very little sense. She was looking forward to a son's arrival from Japan, and yet she's gone. She's a woman of means, yet she pulls out with nothing but a few dollars in her purse and the clothes in her back. Have you an answer to it, Nard?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Well, it would help to be sure her husband's telling the truth, now, wouldn't it?

[Detective Sam Drake]

Ed Wood, are you with me?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

N. I have two hours. Sam Drake and I picked up the polygraph the District Attorney's office and drove out to Burbank.

[Narrator (American Giant Ad Repeat)]

Finding a hoodie that lasts through the season can be tough. The American Giant Classic Full Zip hoodie is made to last a lifetime, so you can count on it year after year. The iconic Classic Full Zip hoodie is the jacket that started it all for American Giant Custom. Custom heavyweight fleece and side panels for mobility make it the best hoodie ever. Every American Giant piece is made in America and designed to last. No exceptions. The result is durable clothing like the premium slub crew tee, no BS High rise pants and slim roughneck pant that become part of your life. Snag the hoodie that will bring you comfort for life. The American Giant Classic full zip. Save 20% off your first order at american-giant.com when you use staple 20 at checkout.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

As we drove up to the house itself, we saw a typically Californian ranch dwelling. Long, low trim and glittering whites. The door was opened by Susan hall. After the introduction was over.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Drake said Mr. Kuhn and I would like to talk to your dad, Susan.

[Susan Hall]

Well, he. He's terribly sick and upset. The doctor's been here and sent him to bed.

[Detective Sam Drake]

You don't think he's feeling well enough to answer a few questions?

[Susan Hall]

If he's awake, I'll ask him. I'll be right back.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Suppose he is sick, Nard? What then?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Well, I might get a mass reaction.

[Detective Sam Drake]

A mass reaction?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Yeah, he might be too emotionally upset to give us a representative reading on the polygraph. You know, fluctuations in his blood pressure, pulse rate, rate of breathing and skin resistance. Well, they might be all jumbled up due to his illness. His genuine grief and concern over his wife's disappearance. Mm. Might be better to wait until Hall's in a more normal condition, Sam.

[Detective Sam Drake]

And what about that plane of yours?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Well, I see a phone over there. You want me to stick around?

[Detective Sam Drake]

I sure do, until we can make some sense out of this thing.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

All right. I'll call the airport and cancel him.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Well, what about it, Susan? How is he?

[Susan Hall]

I don't think you better try and see him now, Mr. Drake. Dad's not asleep, but he's twisting and turning something awful and he's shivering all over.

[Detective Sam Drake]

What do you think, Nard?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Some of the time, Sam, I think Ms. Hall's right. We'd better let her father get some rest.

[Detective Sam Drake]

All right, Susan. We'll be back in the morning.

[Susan Hall]

Oh, Mr. Drake.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Yes?

[Susan Hall]

I. Well, I just found something in my mother's room that puzzles me.

[Detective Sam Drake]

One of you there.

[Susan Hall]

It's my mother's upper plate and that's what worries me. Mother was always terribly self conscious about her mouth and she wouldn't dream of going anywhere without this.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Susan, do you think your mother has a substitute plate? Another one just like this?

[Susan Hall]

She might have, but I hardly think so.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Have you told your dad about this?

[Susan Hall]

Oh, no. Oh, no. I didn't want to distress him any more than I can help.

[Detective Sam Drake]

You're perfectly right. Don't say a word to him about it. He seems to be having trouble enough as it is. Well, we'll be back in the morning, Susan.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Goodbye to Saul.

[Susan Hall]

Goodbye, Mr. Keeler.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Getting warm, Sam?

[Ralph Hall]

Warm.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Sizzling.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Nard.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Sizzling. Stuart hall told me his wife was around the house all day and he didn't miss her until 9:30 that night. Unless she has another one. That denture on her table means that she'd retired for the night.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Yeah, sounds logical. She probably had no intention of leaving the place.

[Detective Sam Drake]

I don't think Henrietta hall ever did leave the place, Nard. Not alive, anyway.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

The hidden truth continues in just a moment. After leaving the hall ranch in Burbank, we made one stop to call the airport and cancel my plane reservations. Then we drove on to San Fernando and did some checking with Dr. Coles. Henrietta Hall's dentist. Yes, this is the one, all right. I made this plate for Mrs. Hall about six months ago. She was terribly sensitive about her appearance. And insisted on having the denture immediately after extraction.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Did you make her a substitute plate, by any chance?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

No, only this one.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Well, thank you, Dr. Cowles. Thank you very much.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Outside the dentist's office, Sam Drake stopped and made a very positive statement.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Nard, it's a lead pipe cinched that Henrietta hall has been murdered.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Yeah, it sure looks that way, Sam. But where's the body? And who did it?

[Detective Sam Drake]

We're in a ticklish spot. We'll have to step easy from now on. The logical suspect is a husband. But what's his motive?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

How can you accuse him of murder unless you produce the body?

[Detective Sam Drake]

That's just it. I can't. Unless you can break him down and get a confession on that lie detector of yours.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

If it's all the same with you, I'd just as soon wait until hall calms down a bit and gets more rational. Okay.

[Detective Sam Drake]

But in the meantime, there's only one thing to do. We've got to search that property. And we've got to come right out in the open and tell hall that we suspect murder.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

The next morning, Sam, Drew Drake and I called on Stuart hall again. Sam was determined to see him in spite of his illness. We found him still in bed, but sitting up and reasonably composed. If we expected to find any signs of guilt. When Sam told Hall his suspicions, we were disappointed. There was no sign of guilt, only shock and dismay. If you think Henrietta has been murdered, we'll naturally. I want to do everything I can to help you find her killer. Now, take the whole ranch apart if you want to. It hasn't been worth a hoot to me ever since Henrietta disappeared. Wait a minute. What are those metal rods your men are carrying? Hall was looking out of the window and saw Drake's men in the yard.

[Detective Sam Drake]

They're probing rods, Mr. Hall. They save a lot of digging. My men intend to probe every inch of your ranch. Well, Mr. Hall, while we're here, I'd like to ask a favor of you. Anything.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Anything I can do.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Sooner or later, we're going to ask everyone on this ranch. You, your daughter, your employees, perhaps some of your neighbors. Everyone who might have some Inkling as to your wife's whereabouts to take a lie detector test.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Lie detector?

[Detective Sam Drake]

Do you object, Mr. Hall? Ms. Akilah has the apparatus with him. He could run your test right now. Do you object?

[Ralph Hall]

No.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

No, I don't object. But do you have to do it right now? I'm a sick man. Can't you see I'm a sick man? Talk to my doctor. He'll tell you how sick sick I am.

[Detective Sam Drake]

All right.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

All right.

[Detective Sam Drake]

I'll talk to you, Doctor. Mr. Hall. And just as soon as he thinks you're in condition, I'm going to insist that you cooperate.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

I'll cooperate. I want to cooperate. But I'm a very sick man. Sam Drake's men now went to work in earnest. 10 acres is a lot of property. They laid it out systematically and started to go over it inch by inch with their probing rods. Scrapings were collected from the furnace bricks together with ashes and debris and taken to the crime laboratories. But the first day's efforts were scheduled for failure. The probing rods found no body. The laboratory microscopes found no evidence that Henrietta Hall's body had been cremated in the furnace. Nord.

[Detective Sam Drake]

I've been talking to Hall's doctor.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

What'd you find out, Sam? How's hall coming along?

[Detective Sam Drake]

He's as well as he'll ever be. The doctor claims he's a chronic complainer. Hall's not as sick as he's pretending to be. He's faking Nard.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

An interesting case.

[Detective Sam Drake]

Yeah. So interesting that I have had him picked up. He's being held incommunicado with the city jail.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

He'll really stew down there, won't he?

[Detective Sam Drake]

Well, let him stew. He's in trouble. The only way he can clear himself is by taking that test of yours.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

All right. I'll go down to the jail with you. In about an hour, if it's all right with you, I'm going to ask Susan hall to take a polygraph test right now.

[Susan Hall]

I won't answer any more questions, Mr. K. I won't. I won't.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

You're just delaying the test. Susan. If you refuse to answer, it's quite obvious you're hiding something from me.

[Susan Hall]

I'm not hiding anything. I'm not.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Susan, tell me, do you know who murdered your mother?

[Susan Hall]

No. I told you I didn't know. I told you.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

But you're lying, Susan. The polygraph shows you're lying. You do know, don't you, Susan?

[Susan Hall]

I don't. I don't.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

You brought your mother's denture to Mr. Drake, just to throw suspicion on your father, didn't you?

[Susan Hall]

Dad did kill him. Who else would?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

You know who else would, don't you, Susan?

[Susan Hall]

Don't. I?

[Ralph Hall]

Don't let my sister alone.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Well, Ralph, you got back from Japan sooner than anyone expected, didn't you?

[Ralph Hall]

I, I. I got back four days ago.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

I know. I read about it in the paper. Changed your orders, didn't they?

[Susan Hall]

He knows, Ralph. He couldn't make me tell him, but, but that lie detector, he knows.

[Ralph Hall]

You shouldn't have tried to make him blame dad. Susie, I know what you're trying to do, but they've got dad in jail. We can't let them do that.

[Susan Hall]

And Ralph.

[Ralph Hall]

It's no use. I could never live with it anyway. Nobody could live with. Keeps coming back to me Won't go away Keeps coming back to me Coming back.

[Susan Hall]

Hello? Who is that? Is someone there?

[Detective Sam Drake]

Don't be frightened.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Mom.

[Susan Hall]

It's me, Ralph. Ralph. Darling, don't make any noise.

[Ralph Hall]

No one saw me come into the house, and I don't want anyone to know I'm back until I've had a chance to talk to you.

[Susan Hall]

We weren't expecting you for two weeks. What is it, Ralph? Is something wrong?

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Not.

[Ralph Hall]

Not unless you think it's wrong.

[Susan Hall]

What have you done? Tell me quickly.

[Ralph Hall]

I. I got married, Mom.

[Susan Hall]

Married? Why, Ralph. Ralph, that's wonderful. Oh, did you think your family would object to that?

[Ralph Hall]

She's coming over in about a week. They're sending all the Japanese wives over in the next boat.

[Susan Hall]

Japanese?

[Ralph Hall]

She's beautiful, mom, just like any other girl. And a lot sweller than a lot.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

I met her, Ralph.

[Susan Hall]

We can't let her come. Your father had never.

[Ralph Hall]

But you got him, Mom. You got to square it with dad. You don't know what she means to me, Ralph.

[Susan Hall]

I've squared things with your father all your life. But, Sam, this is one thing I can't do. I won't even talk to your father about this because I won't permit it myself. Tomorrow I'll talk to army headquarters about it and.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Mom.

[Susan Hall]

Mom, what's what's the matter? What is it? We won't accept her here. I know it's hard for it, you understand, but. Oh, how dare you. You'll thank me for this.

[Ralph Hall]

Mom. I didn't know you'd take it like this. Gosh. Mom. Mom, open your eyes.

[Susan Hall]

Mother. Did I hear you? Come on.

[Ralph Hall]

I think she's dead, Susie. I don't know how it happened, but I think she's dead.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

Where is your mother? Now, Ralph?

[Detective Sam Drake]

In.

[Ralph Hall]

In the big greenhouse, buried under the middle bench. It took me all night. I wanted dad to think she'd gone away. Shock might have killed him, too. And I didn't want to lose dad as well.

[Susan Hall]

Oh, no.

[Ralph Hall]

I know you think I killed Azusian and you try to protect me. But I didn't kill her. I didn't. I think she was so stunned at my coming home and being married. I mean, her heart must have just.

[Susan Hall]

I want to believe you, Ralph. I want to believe you.

[Narrator (Leonard Keeler)]

A polygraph deception test substantiated Ralph Hall's story. As far as I could determine, he was telling the truth. And the coroner's verdict was in accord with the polygraph. Henrietta Hall's body was exhumed, and there was no mark of violence. Her death was recorded as a stroke due to shock. Ralph hall is back in Japan now, and his sister and father carry on the ranch. But in the hearts of all of them dwells human tragedy. Tragedy that years cannot erase.