Mysterious Traveler 44-01-30 (009) The House of Death

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Mysterious Traveler 44-01-30 (009) The House of Death"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Mysterious Traveler 44-01-30 (009) The House of Death
• Release Date: March 15, 2025

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of "The Mysterious Traveler", listeners are transported into a chilling tale titled "The House of Death." Set against the backdrop of isolation in the countryside, the story delves into themes of familial discord, greed, and deception. Through masterful storytelling and atmospheric soundscapes, the episode captivates its audience, drawing them into the suspenseful lives of the Abbott sisters.

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Characters

• Martha Abbott (Irene Hubbard): An elderly woman struggling with isolation and the challenges of rural living.
• Louise Abbott (Elizabeth Morgan): Martha's sister, equally elderly and reliant on Martha for support.
• Roger Abbott (Hester): The Abbott sisters' nephew, whose actions drive much of the plot's conflict.
• Hester: Roger's accomplice and niece, collaborating in the schemes against the Abbott sisters.
• George Gibson: The local mailman who becomes entangled in the sisters' plight.
• Queenie: The Abbott sisters' beloved cat, whose fate becomes a pivotal plot point.

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Setting

The narrative unfolds in a rural setting where the Abbott sisters have relocated from their village home to live with their nephew and niece. The isolation of country living becomes a significant factor influencing the characters' interactions and motivations.

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Plot Summary

1. The Move and Growing Tensions

The story begins with Martha and Louise Abbott expressing deep dissatisfaction with their new country residence, yearning for the familiarity and comfort of their village home.

• Martha Abbott: "Do you hate living out in a country this way, Louise? We're so isolated from everyone." ([00:23])

The sisters grapple with feelings of loneliness and the strain of relying on their nephew Roger and niece Hester for assistance. Roger promises to help by providing a maid, but complications arise when securing one proves impossible.

2. Suspicion and Unfolding Deceit

As days pass, Martha and Louise become increasingly suspicious of Roger and Hester's intentions, especially regarding the sudden listing of the Abbott mansion for sale—a move they were neither consulted on nor agreed to.

• Louise Abbott: "The old Abbott mansion... has been put up for sale by their nephew, Roger Abbott. What mistake?" ([06:25])

Their fears materialize when beloved pet Queenie dies under mysterious circumstances after consuming what they believe to be poisoned meat, leading them to suspect foul play aimed at seizing their inheritance.

• Martha Abbott: "The meat, it was poisoned. Poisoned?" ([10:43])

In a frantic attempt to reach out for help, Martha contacts local mailman George Gibson, seeking assistance from Judge Smith to protect themselves from their relatives' malevolent plans.

3. The Climax: Confrontation and Escape

Despite their efforts, George Gibson meets an untimely death, thwarting their plan to contact Judge Smith. Left with dwindling options, Martha devises a desperate plan to burn down the house, believing it to be their only means of escape from Roger and Hester.

• Martha Abbott: "If we were to set fire to the house, they'd see it in the village." ([21:14])

As Roger and Hester attempt to subdue them, Martha manages to lock them in the cellar before igniting the house. The resulting fire consumes the residence, leaving Martha and Louise as the sole survivors.

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Conclusion

In the aftermath, Martha and Louise meet with Judge Smith, who unveils a devastating truth: the Abbott sisters' trust fund has been depleted, and Roger and Hester orchestrated the move and subsequent betrayal to inherit what remained. The episode culminates with the sisters being forced into the poorhouse, their plight a somber reflection on trust and betrayal within family dynamics.

• Judge Smith: "Last month, the bonds in the trust fund your father left you became utterly worthless... they were determined to prevent you from ever learning of your misfortune." ([26:05])

The narrator closes the story with a poignant remark on the tragic fate of the Abbott sisters, emphasizing the unintended consequences of their desperate actions.

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Notable Quotes

• Martha Abbott: "Do you hate living out in a country this way, Louise? We're so isolated from everyone." ([00:23])

• Louise Abbott: "The old Abbott mansion... has been put up for sale by their nephew, Roger Abbott. What mistake?" ([06:25])

• Martha Abbott: "The meat, it was poisoned. Poisoned?" ([10:43])

• Martha Abbott: "If we were to set fire to the house, they'd see it in the village." ([21:14])

• Judge Smith: "Last month, the bonds in the trust fund your father left you became utterly worthless... they were determined to prevent you from ever learning of your misfortune." ([26:05])

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Final Thoughts

"The House of Death" masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and tragedy, highlighting how desperation can lead to catastrophic decisions. Through the voices of the Abbott sisters, listeners experience a profound sense of loss and betrayal, making this episode a standout installment in "The Mysterious Traveler" series. The inclusion of authentic dialogue and strategic use of sound effects further immerses the audience, ensuring a memorable and thought-provoking listening experience.

Transcript

[Louise Abbott]

Oh.

[Martha Abbott]

Oh. Oh. O'Reilly.

[O'Reilly Veriscan]

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[Roger Abbott]

Today.

[Louise Abbott]

Auto Parts.

[The Mysterious Traveler]

The Mysterious traveler.

[Narrator]

Another journey into the realm of the strange and terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will thrill you a little and chill you a little. So settle back, get a good grip on your nerves. Where are we going? You'll find out when we get there. I hope it's not making you nervous, being alone with me here in the dark. Darkness stirs strange terrors in some minds, for the things that happen at night are sometimes most upsetting. Things such as cats that vanish or die, as in the tale of the House of Death.

[Martha Abbott]

Do you hate living out in a country this way, Louise? We're so isolated from everyone.

[Louise Abbott]

Yes, Martha. It was much nicer when we lived in our own house in the village.

[Martha Abbott]

Even if Roger and Hester are our nephew and niece, we should never have let them persuade us to move out here with. Oh, doesn't that wind ever stop blowing?

[Louise Abbott]

Martha, Roger and Hester are coming. I just saw the car turn into the drive.

[Martha Abbott]

Hope they've brought a maid. What's the matter with Toby and Queen Mother's little darling? Hungry. Even Toby and Queenie don't like living here.

[Louise Abbott]

Yes, they do seem unhappy, but Toby hasn't been eating well at all.

[Martha Abbott]

Louise, it's very foolish out living here with Roger and Hester. I think we should move back to our house in the village where we can really be happy.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, Martha, could we?

[Martha Abbott]

I see no reason why we can't. There's so much nonsense about our being invalids and too old to live alone.

[Roger Abbott]

Hello, Aunt Martha. Aunt Louise.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, Roger, were you able to get a maid for it?

[Roger Abbott]

Oh, I'm sorry about that, Aunt Louise. I tried, but it's just impossible to get a maid these days.

[Martha Abbott]

But, Roger, you know we need someone to push Louise around in her wheelchair. It's too much for me.

[Roger Abbott]

Well, I'm sure Hester will do anything you ask.

[Louise Abbott]

How are you, Aunt Louise? Aunt Martha, I brought you some good hot tea and some biscuits. Thank you, dear.

[Martha Abbott]

Roger, Louise and I have been talking things over. Now, it is very kind of Hester and you to invite us to live with you, but we've a much happier living in the village. And Would like to go back to our house.

[Narrator]

What?

[Roger Abbott]

But, Aunt Martha, it's much better for you here.

[Louise Abbott]

Why, of course. You're homesick, that's all.

[Narrator]

Why, certainly.

[Roger Abbott]

In time, you'll come to love this.

[Martha Abbott]

Place as we do now.

[Louise Abbott]

We don't want to hear another word about your leaving. We couldn't be happy thinking of the two of you living alone in that house in the village. Come along, Roger. Let them drink their tea.

[Roger Abbott]

Yes, Hester. Well, see you both later.

[Louise Abbott]

They're really so good to us, Martha. But I do wish they'd let us return to our own house.

[Martha Abbott]

Tea tastes strange. You got it yet? The ways?

[Louise Abbott]

No. Well, yes, you're right. It does taste funny.

[Martha Abbott]

Probably the water they use. Nothing out here seems as good as it was home. You better not drink any more of it.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, do you remember the little teas we used to give when we lived in the village? Mary Thompson came over every afternoon. It was so nice.

[Martha Abbott]

There's no reason why we can't move back to our house and have those teas again.

[Louise Abbott]

But you heard what Roger and Hefta said. Our health isn't so good and we need someone to look after us.

[Martha Abbott]

Well, what of it? All that money father left us, we can afford a dozen servants. Yes, Louise, I think we'd better plan to return home. The mail car on site, Louise?

[Louise Abbott]

No, Martha, not yet.

[Martha Abbott]

You know, I've been thinking quite a bit these past 24 hours about returning home. And I think we'll leave here in a few days.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, Martha, that would be wonderful. Look, here comes George Gibson now with.

[Martha Abbott]

A meal and a time, too. How would that Toby and beautiful Queenie like to go back to their own little home?

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, Martha, they understand perfectly what you're saying. Look how happy they are. Of course they do, Aunt Martha.

[Roger Abbott]

Louise, George Gibson just delivered the Sentinel. Oh, here you are.

[Louise Abbott]

Thank you, Roger. We've been waiting all day for him.

[Roger Abbott]

Oh, that's all right, Aunt Louise. Hester will soon bring you your supper.

[Martha Abbott]

Now, let's see.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, Martha, let's look at the obituary notices first.

[Martha Abbott]

That's just what I was turning to. To be. Ah, here we are.

[Louise Abbott]

Did anybody we know die?

[Martha Abbott]

Now, let me see.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, yes, yes.

[Martha Abbott]

You remember Amos Wilson, don't you? He died two days ago.

[Louise Abbott]

Poor Amy. He was about your age, wasn't he, Martha?

[Martha Abbott]

Certainly not. He was a good deal older.

[Louise Abbott]

Martha, look at this. Why, it says that Mary Thompson is entering the home for the infirm.

[Martha Abbott]

The poor house. Oh, no, it can't be.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, the dreadful place. I'd sooner be dead than in that home.

[Martha Abbott]

Poor Mary. Oh, shudder every time I think of that horrible place. The poorhouse.

[Louise Abbott]

Martha, after we move back to the village, can't we have Mary come to live with us? Yes, of course.

[Martha Abbott]

Going to the poorhouse would be the death of her.

[Louise Abbott]

Huh.

[Martha Abbott]

Louise, what are you staring at in this paper?

[Louise Abbott]

No, no, it can't be.

[Martha Abbott]

What can't be?

[Louise Abbott]

Read what it says in the real estate column. The old Abbott mansion, owned by the Mrs. Martha and Louise Abbott, has been put up for sale by their nephew, Roger Abbott. What mistake?

[Martha Abbott]

We never told Roger to sell our house. I wouldn't dream of it.

[Louise Abbott]

Well, Martha, it's been in the family for almost a century. How could Roger do such a thing?

[Martha Abbott]

I'll soon find out.

[Louise Abbott]

Roger. Roger. Now, Martha, you mustn't get excited.

[Martha Abbott]

Why should he want to sell our house?

[Roger Abbott]

Are you calling me up, Martha?

[Martha Abbott]

Yes, Roger. What's this in the Sentinel about our house being for sale?

[Roger Abbott]

Oh, is it in the Sentinel? Oh, I'm sorry.

[Louise Abbott]

It is a mistake, isn't it, Roger?

[Roger Abbott]

No, Aunt Louise. You see, as co trustee of grandfather's estate, I thought it would be a good idea to sell the house. Prices are high these days and the house is rather old.

[Louise Abbott]

But you have no right to put.

[Martha Abbott]

The house up for sale without telling me. I won't hear of the house being sold.

[Roger Abbott]

Oh, you mustn't get excited, Aunt Martha. If you don't want the house sold, I'll remove it from the market.

[Martha Abbott]

Oh, please do. We couldn't live in the house if.

[Louise Abbott]

It was sold, could we, Louise?

[Roger Abbott]

All right, I'll take care of everything. Everything's going to be all right now.

[Martha Abbott]

I don't like it, Louise. I don't like it at all. Why did he try to sell it without telling us?

[Louise Abbott]

It does seem strange, Louise.

[Martha Abbott]

We must get in touch with Judge Smith.

[Louise Abbott]

Yes.

[Martha Abbott]

He's the administrator of father's estate and he'll take care of everything for us in the way we want it. Jason said, I don't trust Roger, but you must recall the scrapes he was in when he attended college. His conversation after that. And then there was the matter. That bad check Roger gave. It hadn't been for his dear father. He was.

[Louise Abbott]

Someone's coming. Martha, I have your supper for you. Now, please eat them before they get cold. Yes, Sister. There you are. Just call me if there's anything else you want.

[Martha Abbott]

Does mother's beautiful Queenie want something to eat?

[Louise Abbott]

I don't see Toby any place around.

[Martha Abbott]

Well, he's probably in the kitchen. Now, say pretty please. Queenie and Mother give you this nice piece of me. That's Mother's darling.

[Louise Abbott]

Here you are.

[Martha Abbott]

Oh, isn't she lovely, Louise?

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, yes. Queenie has such wonderful manners. We'd better eat our soup before it gets cold, Martha.

[Martha Abbott]

Yes, and as I was saying, Louise, I don't care for Roger's attitude at all. Ask me, he's been behaving very strangely.

[Louise Abbott]

Yes. Martha. Martha, Martha, that. That piece of meat you gave Queenie doesn't seem to have agreed with her. She looks ill.

[Martha Abbott]

Yes, you're right, Queenie. What's the matter with Mother's little darling Martha?

[Louise Abbott]

She's in agony.

[Martha Abbott]

What can we do?

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, Roger. Roger, come quickly. Oh, poor Queen Roger, suffering so. Oh, Roger, do something.

[Martha Abbott]

We must help poor Queenie.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, Roger, look.

[Roger Abbott]

I'm afraid it's too late, Aunt Martha. She's dead.

[Louise Abbott]

Dead? But she can't be. She was all right just a few minutes ago. Things like this will happen, Aunt Martha. She was old. She probably had. Roger, you better take Queenie out of here.

[Roger Abbott]

All right, dear.

[Louise Abbott]

Poor Queenie. We've had her ever since she was a little kitten. 12 years now. There, there, Aunt Louise. You mustn't cry. You still have Toby.

[Martha Abbott]

Now, why don't you eat your supper?

[Louise Abbott]

You'll feel much better if you do.

[Martha Abbott]

Hessa, how can you speak of food at a time like this? With poor Queenie's body not even cold?

[Louise Abbott]

I'm sorry, Aunt Martha. If you want me, just go. Martha, it won't be the same without Queenie. I simply can't understand it. One minute Queenie was perfectly well. Then after you gave her the meat, she became ill.

[Martha Abbott]

Yes, she was perfectly well until she ate the leech. Louise, the meat.

[Narrator]

That's it.

[Louise Abbott]

Don't understand, Martha.

[Martha Abbott]

The meat, it was poisoned.

[Louise Abbott]

Poisoned?

[Martha Abbott]

Louise, that poisoned meat was meant for Martha.

[Louise Abbott]

You don't mean that. Roger and Hester. Oh, no.

[Martha Abbott]

Yes, Louise. They're after our money.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, what are we going to do? We. We can't. Get at the phone, Doctor.

[Martha Abbott]

Get in touch with Judge Smith. Our lives depend upon it.

[Narrator]

The two old ladies stared at each other, terror in their eyes. The minutes dragged into hours, and each hour was a nightmare as they waited for the time to come when they could make the one contact between themselves and the outside world.

[Louise Abbott]

Do you see Georgie Gibson's car yet, Martha?

[Martha Abbott]

No, Louise, but he should be in sight any minute now.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, what if Hester or Roger come home before he gets here? Then we won't be able to talk to him about our message to Judge Smith.

[Martha Abbott]

Now, Louise, you know Roger isn't due home from work for another hour.

[Louise Abbott]

Yes, yes, but what about Hester? She's over at the Miller's farm and she's liable to return any minute.

[Martha Abbott]

I see George Gibson's car. He's just turning.

[Louise Abbott]

Hurry. Hurry, Martha. Hurry.

[Martha Abbott]

All right, hurry. Hurrah. The window. Martha.

[Louise Abbott]

Martha called to him. Quick, before he gets away. George. George Gibson.

[Roger Abbott]

Hello.

[Martha Abbott]

Who's calling? Look over this way. George, it's Martha Abbott. I want to see you.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, it's you, Martha.

[Martha Abbott]

Well, howdy.

[Narrator]

Have a coward.

[Martha Abbott]

He's got a Louisiana here. And now we'll be able to get.

[Louise Abbott]

In touch with Judge Smith.

[Narrator]

But after George Gibson left the Abbott sisters, he met Hester a half mile up the road. The two conversed for a minute, then George Gibson continued on his way. Hester stared after him as he drove away, her face tense and white. Then, as if suddenly understanding the implication of his words, she turned and ran towards her home, her heart pounding with fear.

[Louise Abbott]

Roger. Roger, I just met George Gibson and he told me that when he delivered the mail here, Aunt Martha and Aunt Louise called him into the house.

[Roger Abbott]

Called him into the house?

[Louise Abbott]

Yes, they asked him to get Judge Smith for them at once.

[Roger Abbott]

I told you it wasn't safe to leave them alone. Even with the phone locked in our room. All our plans may have been for nothing.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, Roger, do you think they suspect?

[Roger Abbott]

I don't know. I do know it was a mistake letting them talk to George Gibson after all our careful work. We can't let everything be spoiled now.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, Martha, these past 24 hours have been endless. Where can George be?

[Martha Abbott]

Probably delayed somewhere.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, Martha, Martha. There. George is coming. He just turned into the drive.

[Martha Abbott]

I told you he wouldn't fail us.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, but Roger and Hester are in the house now. What if they don't let George see it?

[Martha Abbott]

Nonsense. And George has a message to deliver. He delivers it. Roger's just gone out to get the mail back. Louise.

[Louise Abbott]

What is it? Martha, what's wrong?

[Martha Abbott]

That isn't George Gibson driving the mail car.

[Louise Abbott]

What?

[Martha Abbott]

The man driving? It's only a youngster. Now he's leaving.

[Louise Abbott]

Martha, what does it mean?

[Martha Abbott]

I don't know. I don't understand.

[Louise Abbott]

Perhaps George is ill and he couldn't come today.

[Roger Abbott]

Hello, I'm Martha. Louise. This magazine just came in the mail. Thought you might like to see it.

[Louise Abbott]

Thank you.

[Martha Abbott]

Roger, why didn't George Gibson deliver the mail?

[Roger Abbott]

Oh, so you noticed there was a new driver today.

[Martha Abbott]

Yes, yes.

[Roger Abbott]

I'm sorry. To tell you this, but poor George Gibson was killed last night.

[Martha Abbott]

Killed?

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, no.

[Roger Abbott]

He had an accident as he was returning to the village.

[Martha Abbott]

An accident?

[Narrator]

Yes.

[Roger Abbott]

I don't want to speak any more about it. It'll just upset you. Pastor will bring you your supper soon.

[Louise Abbott]

Poor George.

[Martha Abbott]

That means Judge Smith never got our message.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, my.

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[Louise Abbott]

Do we?

[Martha Abbott]

Don't you see? It wasn't an accident.

[Louise Abbott]

But Roger said it wasn't.

[Martha Abbott]

George was deliberately killed to keep him from going to judgement.

[Louise Abbott]

Martha, you don't mean that. Roger and Hester, we won't stop at.

[Martha Abbott]

Anything to get our money.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, Martha, I'm so frightened.

[Martha Abbott]

Let's have curry. So we're lost.

[Louise Abbott]

But if we can't get word to the outside. And they're poisoning our food. Well, we haven't eaten a thing since poor Queenie died. We can't go on throwing food away or we'll starve.

[Martha Abbott]

Only one thing to do, Louise. If we're not to starve, Toby must sample our food before we eat it.

[Louise Abbott]

You mean to see if it's poisoned?

[Martha Abbott]

Yes. Oh, I know it's dreadful risking poor Toby's life like that. But it's the only thing to do. And meanwhile, we must get in touch with Judge Smith. We must. You are Toby. A nice piece of meat for mother. Little darling.

[Louise Abbott]

Aunt Martha, why are you feeding Toby?

[Roger Abbott]

He gets plenty to eat in the kitchen.

[Martha Abbott]

Of course, I've always fed Toby for my own plate. He expects it.

[Roger Abbott]

But, Aunt Martha, if you feed that meat to the cat, there won't be enough for you.

[Martha Abbott]

Yes, if you're to get well, you.

[Louise Abbott]

Need all that food.

[Martha Abbott]

Now. I don't want you feeding Toby any more of it.

[Roger Abbott]

You told me. Come along, boy. Come on out to the kitchen while Aunt Martha and Louise eat their supper.

[Louise Abbott]

How are you, Aunt Martha? Louise, I've brought you your lunch. Doesn't it look good? Yes, Esther, it's very nice.

[Martha Abbott]

Lunch, eh? Here, Toby.

[Louise Abbott]

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.

[Martha Abbott]

Esther, have you seen Toby?

[Louise Abbott]

No, Aunt Martha, I haven't. But where could he be? Toby's always on time for meals. He's probably someplace around the house. Now, eat your lunch before it gets Cold, Martha, where can he be?

[Martha Abbott]

Toby will be along in a few minutes. We won't touch a bit of this food until he's tried it first.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, I do wish he were here. I'm sorry. So hungry.

[Martha Abbott]

Please don't touch a thing on that tray. It isn't safe.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, here, Toby. Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.

[Roger Abbott]

Good evening, Aunt Martha. Louise. How are you?

[Martha Abbott]

Good evening, Roger.

[Louise Abbott]

I have your supper here for you, too, Martha. Neither of you ate your lunch. What's wrong? We. We weren't hungry.

[Martha Abbott]

Hester, have you found Toby yet?

[Louise Abbott]

No. I've looked everywhere for him, but he seems to have disappeared. Oh, no.

[Roger Abbott]

Now, you mustn't worry. I'm sure he'll turn up.

[Louise Abbott]

Yes. Aunt Martha, you and Louise can't afford to miss meals in your state of health.

[Roger Abbott]

Why, certainly not. Now, we want you to eat everything that Hester has brought you.

[Louise Abbott]

Yes. You'll make us very, very unhappy if you don't. Now, eat it while it's hot. Come along, Roger.

[Martha Abbott]

I'll get you your supper.

[Roger Abbott]

All right, dear.

[Martha Abbott]

Did you hear what she said about Toby, Louise?

[Louise Abbott]

Yes, he's vanished.

[Martha Abbott]

Nonsense. They've killed him. You saw how angry they were last night when we fed Toby from our plates. They've killed him so he won't spoil their plans.

[Louise Abbott]

Martha, what are we going to do? I'm so hungry.

[Martha Abbott]

Got to get word to Judge Smith before it's too late.

[Louise Abbott]

But how?

[Martha Abbott]

Tomorrow I'm going to go out to the road and try to get to the village.

[Louise Abbott]

But, Martha, it's two miles to the village, and you know you can't walk more than a few yards. You're not strong enough, Louise.

[Martha Abbott]

With either starvation or poisoning staring us in the face, we haven't any choice. I must try to reach the village.

[Narrator]

The next morning, after Roger had left for the village and Hester had gone to the Miller farm, Martha dressed as quickly as her shaking hands would permit. Louise watched nervously as her sister quietly opened the door and started on her long, painful way to the village.

[Louise Abbott]

Hello, Aunt Louise. Oh, right. Where's Aunt Martha? Aunt Martha? She's someplace around the house. But I've just been through the house fire. Closet is open and her hat and coat are missing. Aunt Louise, did Martha leave this house? Why. Why, yes. She. She said she wanted to go for a walk. Go for a walk? With her age and in weather like this? Well, it'll be the death of her. Did she start out toward the village? Answer me. Yes, Hester. I'll phone Roger at his office. She must be.

[Narrator]

20 minutes later, as Roger drove along the road leading to his home, he saw a small figure in the distance. It was Aunt Martha. There was a weary, painful look on her face as she hobbled towards the village. In spite of her determined resistance, he put her in his car and drove rapidly on home. One thought was uppermost in his mind. He must make sure that this could never be repeated.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, Martha, I'm so hungry.

[Martha Abbott]

Yes, Louise, I know. So am I.

[Louise Abbott]

We've gone three days now without eating. We left them our money and our wills. Why must they kill us?

[Martha Abbott]

They're nothing, the common murderers.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, if there was only some way to get word to the village.

[Martha Abbott]

Louise, I've got an idea.

[Louise Abbott]

What is it, Martha?

[Martha Abbott]

If we were to set fire to the house, they'd see it in the village.

[Louise Abbott]

Yes, and then the fire company would come out.

[Martha Abbott]

Then we'd be able to tell them we'd be saved.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, but Martha, Hester and Roger would put out the fire before it could get big enough.

[Martha Abbott]

Louise, I know a way we can prevent them from putting out the fire.

[Louise Abbott]

You do?

[Martha Abbott]

Yes. And we can save ourselves, Louise. We can save ourselves. Here, Toby.

[Louise Abbott]

Aunt Martha, why are you looking down the cellar? You should be in your room.

[Roger Abbott]

Yes, it's drafty out here in the hall. Now, come on. Close the cellar door and go back to your room.

[Martha Abbott]

But I heard Toby crying. He's down in the cellar. And I won't go to my room until I get here.

[Louise Abbott]

Just to put Aunt Martha's mind at ease, why don't you go down to the cellar and see if Toby is.

[Roger Abbott]

Oh, all right. If you ask me, it's just a waste of time.

[Martha Abbott]

Please help him look for Toby, Hester. You'll find him so much quicker if you both look for him.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, very well. But you go back to your room so you won't catch cold. Roger, do you see him?

[Roger Abbott]

He doesn't seem to be any place here in the cellar.

[Martha Abbott]

Now we'll see just how smart you are trying to poison us there. He won't stop us from escaping. Now I must get Louise. Louise. Louise. Louise. It worked, Martha.

[Louise Abbott]

You mean you. You were able to lock them in the cellar?

[Martha Abbott]

Yes, and with the door locked, he can't get out.

[Roger Abbott]

Aunt Martha, unlock this door.

[Louise Abbott]

Let us go. Oh, they found out they're locked in.

[Martha Abbott]

Don't you worry about it, Louise. I'll take care of everything.

[Louise Abbott]

Martha.

[Roger Abbott]

Aunt Martha.

[Louise Abbott]

Martha, what are you doing with that kerosene lamp?

[Martha Abbott]

I'm pouring the kerosene around the room so that it'll Burn. Are you ready to leave, Louise?

[Louise Abbott]

Yes, Martha.

[Martha Abbott]

Then I'll strike a match and start the fire.

[Louise Abbott]

Please open the door. Oh. Oh, how quickly it's starting to spread.

[Martha Abbott]

Yes, we better leave. I'll push your wheelchair, Louise, and you try to help by rolling the wheels. Yes, Louise. Yeah. Yes, we're coming along nicely.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, Martha, I hate to do this.

[Martha Abbott]

Louise, you mustn't waste any pity on them. Even if they are our niece and nephew. They're nothing but common murderers.

[Louise Abbott]

Yes, I suppose you're right.

[Martha Abbott]

Now I'll just open the front door and we'll be free. Roll the wheels a bit, Louise. Yes, I am. Just a few feet. No way.

[Louise Abbott]

There, there, there.

[Martha Abbott]

Far enough away from the house to be perfectly safe.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, my. The whole house is on fire now.

[Martha Abbott]

Yes, lovely fire, isn't it? I don't feel cold at all.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, do you think they can see it in the village by now, Martha?

[Martha Abbott]

I'm sure they do. Remember, Louise, when the fire company gets here, we don't know what happened to Roger and Hester. We just managed to get out ourselves.

[Louise Abbott]

Yes, Martha.

[Martha Abbott]

If we told them what we were forced to do, to escape, we'd have to reveal that our own niece and nephew were poisonous, murderous. We don't want to disgrace the family name, Louise.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, no, Martha, of course not. Oh, look. Look, Martha. Look. The roof is beginning to.

[Narrator]

A few minutes later, the fire company arrived to find Martha and Louise in the garden, staring at the roaring fire which had been their home. It was too late to save the other occupants of the house, so the men were forced to stand by helplessly and watch it burn.

[Martha Abbott]

Good morning, Judge Smith.

[Narrator]

Good morning, Miss Marcer. Miss Louise. I trust you're well after that terrible ordeal last night.

[Louise Abbott]

We're much better, thank you, Judge.

[Narrator]

Well, now that your niece and nephew are gone, we must plan for your future.

[Martha Abbott]

You don't have to bother, Judge. All we want to do is move back to our old house, hire a few servants and live as we used to. Oh, and I was wondering if you could arrange to have Mary Thompson come live with us. I won't hear of her going to that dreadful home for the infirm.

[Louise Abbott]

Oh, no. It would be the death of her ladies.

[Narrator]

I hoped I'd never have to reveal the truth to you, but now it appears I must.

[Martha Abbott]

I don't understand, Judge.

[Narrator]

Last month, the bonds in the trust fund your father left you became utterly worthless. Your nephew and niece were afraid the shock of learning you were penniless would kill you. So it was decided to keep the news from you. That's why the three of us persuaded you to move in with them. Your house here in the village had to be sold to meet debts of the estate.

[Martha Abbott]

Can't be. Father left us so much.

[Narrator]

It's all worthless now. Perhaps I should have told you this a month ago, but your niece and nephew wouldn't hear of it. Spite of the fact that they had only Roger's salary to live on. They were determined to prevent you from ever learning of your misfortune.

[Louise Abbott]

But the. The deaths of poor Queenie and Toby. Of George Gibson.

[Narrator]

George Gibson?

[Louise Abbott]

Yes.

[Narrator]

I'm afraid I don't understand. Surely you heard. He was killed a few days ago when a tire on his car blew out and it overturned.

[Martha Abbott]

You mean he wasn't murdered?

[Narrator]

Certainly not. Are you feeling well? Has my news been too much for you?

[Martha Abbott]

No. No.

[Narrator]

Well, now that your niece and nephew are gone and there's no one to support you, I'm afraid there's only one thing left.

[Martha Abbott]

One thing left? What's that?

[Narrator]

I'm sorry to say, the home for the infirm. The poorhouse. This is the Mysterious Traveler again. Have you enjoyed our little trip? Too bad about the Abbott sisters. Such nice old ladies. But then, how were they to know that poor Queenie died of cramps, not poison. After all, you can't beat too careful, can you? Would you care for a sandwich? They're very delicious. I make them myself. Oh. You're getting off at the next stop. I'm sorry. Perhaps you'll join me again soon. I take this same train every week.

[The Mysterious Traveler]

You've just heard chapter nine of the Mysterious Traveler. A series of dramas of the strange and unusual brought to you each week by Station WO R. In tonight's program, the House of Death, Irene Hubbard played Martha Abbott and Elizabeth Morgan played Louise Abbott. The Mysterious Traveler, written by Robert Arthur and David Cogan, is directed by Jock McGregor. Original music was played by Doc Whipple. Listen next week to a tale titled.

[Narrator]

The man who Knew Too Much.

[The Mysterious Traveler]

Another tale of the mysterious Traveler. The Mysterious Traveler is Presented by Wobble are mutual every Sunday at 7 over most of these stations. This is Mutual.