Mysterious Traveler 48-08-10 (166) The Visiting Corpse

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Mysterious Traveler 48-08-10 (166) "The Visiting Corpse"
Release Date: October 29, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Featured Play: The Mysterious Traveler (Original Air Date: August 10, 1948)

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Overview: Episode Theme and Purpose

This episode transports listeners back to the golden era of radio dramas, featuring a suspense-filled broadcast of "The Visiting Corpse" from The Mysterious Traveler series. The story, a classic blend of domestic tension and supernatural undertones, illustrates the era’s mastery of psychological horror and black humor. The narrative revolves around Albert Jordan, his wife Louise, and her overbearing mother, exploring themes of familial suffocation, guilt, and the inescapability of one’s deeds.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. Opening & Setting the Scene 

• [01:24] The Mysterious Traveler (Narrator) invites the audience on a "journey into the realm of the strange and terrifying," immediately setting an ominous tone. The listener is encouraged to "settle back, get a good grip on your nerves and be comfortable if you can."
• The story's setting: The Jordan family’s modest suburban home, late at night. Albert Jordan is plagued by nightmares—the audience immediately senses disharmony and dread.

2. Family Tensions and Overbearing Mother-in-law

• [02:26] Louise’s mother, Heather Rhoden, berates Albert, believing he tricked her daughter into marriage. She’s depicted as meddling and controlling, haunting Albert even in his dreams.
  • Memorable Quote:

    "Can't pull the wool over my eyes, Albert Jordan. I'm onto your way." – Heather ([02:26])

• Louise is apologetic and hopes to appease both Albert and her mother, highlighting her role as a peacekeeper.

3. Failed Departures & Growing Frustration

• [03:20–05:00] Despite plans to depart, Heather constantly finds reasons to stay or return, deepening Albert's resentment.
• Albert expresses mounting desperation:

  • "If your mother pays us just one more visit, I'll leave this house and—I’ll never come back." – Albert ([04:02])

4. Murder and the Trunk

• [05:50–06:51] Heather’s antagonism crescendos; Albert, in a fit of rage, murders her—packing her body into a trunk.
  • Memorable Quote:

    "I didn't want to kill you, but you made me... Even in death you're a problem, Mother." – Albert ([06:51])

5. Cover-up and Mounting Suspense

• Albert attempts to ship the trunk away, but logistical snags and Louise’s interventions keep bringing it back into their lives.
• [07:54–09:07] Tension tightens as Louise wants to open the trunk, and Albert is forced to fabricate explanations about its contents and destination.

6. Mother Returns by Proxy—The Haunting Refrain

• [09:57] Throughout the episode, Heather's voice echoes eerily:

  • "I've come back, Albert, and I'm staying for good." – Heather (multiple times: [09:57], [13:52], [17:20], [21:56], [22:56], etc.)

7. Cycle of Guilt and Escalating Panic

• The trunk persistently returns—misaddressed, unclaimed, or via storage mishaps.
• Even after paying to put the trunk in storage under a false name, Albert’s loss of receipts and false details ensure it ends up "for sale" at a public auction.

8. The Charity Auction & Climactic Breakdown

• [19:47–25:56] Months later at a charity auction, the infamous trunk is unexpectedly the star item, rekindling Albert’s guilt and paranoia.
  • The auctioneer and friends encourage bidding, using the trunk’s mystery to drive up excitement and its price.
  • Albert becomes frantic and overbids to reclaim it:

    "Leave me alone! ... The Gentleman has bid $150. ... I'm not going to let anyone touch this trunk." – Albert ([24:25], [25:36])

  • Others are baffled by his behavior as he refuses to let the trunk be opened in public.

9. Downfall: Fate Sealed by the Trunk

• While hauling the heavy trunk away, overcome by guilt and the psychological strain, Albert falls down the stairs and is killed—the trunk bursts open, revealing only a load of books.
  • Memorable Moment:

    "The fall broke the trunk open. There was nothing in it but a load of books." ([27:03])

10. Closing Irony & Epilogue

• [27:35] The Narrator returns, wryly observing:

  • "There are always some mother-in-laws you simply can't get away from... Like an old refrain."

  • Implying Albert’s conscience—and the trunk—was the real inescapable punishment.

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Creeping Dread:

  "Settle back, get a good grip on your nerves and be comfortable, if you can..." – Narrator ([01:24])

• Domestic Desperation:

  "If your mother pays us just one more visit, I'll leave this house and—I'll never come back." – Albert ([04:02])

• Mother's Supernatural Persistence:

  "I've come back, Albert, and I'm staying for good." – Heather (recurring, first at [09:57])

• Climactic Paranoia:

  "Leave me alone! ... I'm not going to let anyone touch this trunk." – Albert ([25:36])

• Ironic Fate:

  "There was nothing in it but a load of books." – George Horton ([27:03])

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:24] - Story introduction by The Mysterious Traveler
• [04:02] - Albert voices breaking point over mother-in-law's presence
• [06:51] - The murder and trunk concealment
• [09:57] - First ghostly "return" of Heather’s voice
• [13:38] - Trunk's persistent return and public intrigue
• [19:47] - Charity auction introduction
• [24:25] - Furious bidding and Albert's breakdown
• [27:03] - Climax: trunk opens, truth revealed
• [27:35] - Narrator’s ironic epilogue

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Tone and Atmosphere

• The Visiting Corpse is woven with dark, ironic humor and psychological tension, mixing mundane marital frustration with gothic horror overtones.
• Dialogues are sharp and evocative of 1940s melodrama, with the omnipresent “Mysterious Traveler” narrator teasing the audience with chilling wit.

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Recap for Non-Listeners

• Plot in Brief:
  Albert, tormented by his overbearing mother-in-law, murders her and hides her body in a trunk. In a series of darkly comic mishaps, the trunk refuses to disappear, haunting Albert and, ultimately, leading to his demise—whereupon the trunk is revealed to contain nothing sinister.
• The drama explores guilt, paranoia, and the inescapable consequences of one's actions, all wrapped in the signature suspense and black humor of classic radio horror.

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Final Note

This episode showcases why The Mysterious Traveler remains a beloved classic, masterfully balancing mystery, dread, and irony within a domestic setting. The story’s cyclical haunting refrain—"I've come back, Albert, and I'm staying for good"—rings out as both a ghostly menace and a metaphor for guilt that simply cannot be buried.

Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

AI agents are everywhere, automating tasks and making decisions at machine speed. But agents make mistakes. Just one rogue agent can do big damage before you even notice. Rubrik Agent Cloud is the only platform that helps you monitor agents, set guardrails and rewind mistakes so you can unleash agents, not risk. Accelerate your AI [e-mail] that's R U B R-I K.com.

[Radio Host/Announcer]

The Mutual Broadcasting System presents the the Mysterious Traveler Written, produced and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Cogan, and starring tonight, two of radio's foremost personalities, Adelaide Klein and Mason Adams, in an original radio drama titled the Visiting Corpse.

[Mysterious Traveler (Narrator)]

This is the Mysterious Traveler inviting you to join me on another journey into the realm of the strange and the 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 and be comfortable if you can. As we meet the Visiting Corpse. Our story begins late one night in the modest suburban home of Albert Jordan. Albert, a mild looking man in his early 30s, is tossing restlessly in his sleep. Now and then he moans and speaks as if having a nightmare.

[George Horton]

Now.

[Louise Jordan]

Oh, leave me alone. I don't want to hear anymore. Leave me alone.

[Heather Rhoden (Mother)]

Can't pull the wool over my eyes, Albert Jordan. I'm onto your way. You think my only child was foolish enough to elope with you? Poor Louise. There were so many men eager to marry her and she had to be tricked into marriage by you.

[Louise Jordan]

Oh, leave me alone. Leave me alone.

Darling, wake up.

What is it? What is what?

[Albert Jordan]

Oh.

[Louise Jordan]

Oh, Louise, you are having a nightmare, dear. You don't want to wake mother up. She needs a good night's sleep for a trip home tomorrow.

[Albert Jordan]

Yes, the trip. We. We mustn't let her miss her train. We mustn't do here.

[Louise Jordan]

Albert, whatever in the world is wrong with you?

[Albert Jordan]

Nothing. Only I wish you were already tomorrow and she were gone.

[Louise Jordan]

You sure you have everything, Mother? Yes, Louisa. Now, don't forget to ship my trunk now. The expressman will be here to pick it up this morning. Mother. Thank you, darling.

[Albert Jordan]

It's almost nine o', clock, Mother. You'll miss your train.

[Louise Jordan]

I have never missed a train in my life. You needn't be so anxious to get rid of me, Halbert. Oh, Louise, darling. I do hate leaving you alone like this. Really, Mother, I'll be all right. Very well then, if you say so, I'll go. But I'll be writing to you every day. And if he abuses you, just let me know. Goodbye, Darling. Goodbye, Mother, and take care of your. And don't forget Louise. Mother will come back if you need her. Yes, Mother.

[Albert Jordan]

Goodbye, Louise. If your mother pays us just one more visit, I'll leave this house and.

[Louise Jordan]

I'll never come back.

But, darling, it's only natural that Mother should want to visit me. I'm the only one she has in the world.

[Albert Jordan]

Yes, but she doesn't just visit us.

[Louise Jordan]

She lives.

[Albert Jordan]

In the past year, she spent eight months with us. She has her clothes here, a key to the house, while she's even listed.

[Louise Jordan]

In the phone book under our number.

Please, Albert, she's gone now. Let's not quarrel.

[Albert Jordan]

Yes, she's gone now, but in two or three weeks you can be sure she'll come back to spend a few months with us. I'm warning you, Louise. I won't be responsible for what happens if she keeps coming back. Now, let me see. Send off the trunk. Well, that's one job I can enjoy doing. Mrs. Heather Rhoden, 125 River Road, Ferndale Pans.

[Louise Jordan]

Oh, that won't be necessary, Albert.

[Albert Jordan]

What?

[Louise Jordan]

My trunk can remain here, Mother, but.

[Albert Jordan]

Do you want to catch your train?

[Louise Jordan]

I've changed my mind about going. I won't leave my little girl alone. I'm sure she needs me. Where is Louise?

[Mysterious Traveler (Narrator)]

She.

[Albert Jordan]

She went downtown. Oh, so you've come back again.

[Louise Jordan]

You've always wanted to get rid of me, haven't you, Albert? To keep me away from my only child. But I refuse to give her up. I've come back and I'm staying for good.

[Albert Jordan]

You're what?

[Louise Jordan]

Yes, and then I'll be sure that Louise is being well treated. Frankly, I don't trust you.

[Albert Jordan]

You don't trust me?

[Louise Jordan]

No. Why, I don't even know your background. You were a complete stranger when you forced poor Louise to elope with you a year ago. And for all I know, you may have criminal tendencies.

[Albert Jordan]

There's a certain amount of the criminal in all of us. Most people can control their worst instincts. But some can.

[Louise Jordan]

Exactly. And I'm here to see to it that no one harms the weeds.

[Albert Jordan]

But who's going to look out for you, Mother?

[Louise Jordan]

Albert, why are you looking at me so queerly? Are you sick?

[Albert Jordan]

Yes, Mother, I'm sick. Sick of the sight of you.

[Louise Jordan]

No, Halbert, you must control yourself. I want you to go to your room at once and lie down.

[Albert Jordan]

No, you had to keep coming back.

[George Horton]

Mother, and keep giving me orders.

[Louise Jordan]

Albert, stop looking at me that way. What? You seem like another person.

[Albert Jordan]

I am, Mother.

[Louise Jordan]

You wouldn't Let what was decent in me live.

[Albert Jordan]

And now you must take the concert.

[Louise Jordan]

Albert.

Stay away from me. Don't you dare come near me.

[Albert Jordan]

You would keep coming back, Mother? When you came back.

[Louise Jordan]

Just once, too. Don't touch me. Albert died. You should have taken that train, Mother. But at least now I know you won't be coming back. You won't come back ever again. You won't. You won't.

[Albert Jordan]

I didn't want to kill you, but you made me. I've got to get rid of her. They'll catch me, the drunk. Yes, it's large enough. The keys Here in her handbag. Even in death you're a problem, Mother. But you won't be for long.

[Mysterious Traveler (Narrator)]

There.

[Albert Jordan]

Now I'll just pack this clothing around you tightly. That does it. Now we'll have to get rid of the trunk.

[Louise Jordan]

Albert, Are you home?

[Albert Jordan]

Louise? I've got to get it closed.

[Louise Jordan]

Is that you, Albert?

Yes, dear.

Oh, I see. You're locking the trunk.

[Albert Jordan]

Yes, I. I was getting it ready for the express man.

[Louise Jordan]

I should be here now. Albert, is anything wrong?

[Albert Jordan]

What? What do you mean, Louise?

[Louise Jordan]

I don't know. Your face is so flushed.

[Albert Jordan]

It's just a little warm in here, that's all.

[Louise Jordan]

Look, we forgot to pack Mother's robe. I know she'll want it. I'm afraid you'll have to open the trunk again, Albert.

[Albert Jordan]

No, I mean. I mean the trunk is full already. We couldn't get anything else in it.

[Louise Jordan]

Nonsense. When Mother and I packed, it was only half full. Please open it.

[Albert Jordan]

But it's locked. And your mother has the keys.

[Louise Jordan]

Yes, you're right. Well, we'll just have to mail the robe to her. I'll answer the door. It must be the expressman. Make sure the tags are on it, dear.

[Albert Jordan]

Tags? I can't go to her home. If only I had time to think. Wait. If that's the only thing to do, I'll make out new tags.

[Louise Jordan]

The expressman's backing his truck up the door. Albert, have you got the tags already?

[Albert Jordan]

I'm just finishing them. Yep, they're all ready, dear.

[Louise Jordan]

Let me see if you have the address right. Sometimes you're so forgettable.

[Albert Jordan]

Now, Louise, you needn't bother. Of course the tags are made out. Right. Now stand aside. I'll carry the trunk to the door.

[Louise Jordan]

Well, let the expressman do it, Albert. That's what he's being paid for. And I really do want to check the address on the tag.

[Albert Jordan]

Now, Louise.

[Louise Jordan]

Please, Albert. I'm just playing safe. What? These tags are addressed to Mrs. William Smith, 345 Wood Street, La Segas.

[Albert Jordan]

They are.

[Louise Jordan]

They certainly are. What were you thinking of?

[Albert Jordan]

I, I, I, I don't know, Louise, but I'll change them. You, you, you just go on and let me tend to it.

[Louise Jordan]

Indeed I will not. You let the expressman in, and I'll tend to the tags. If I left it to you, Mother's trunk would probably go heaven knows where, never to be found again. Albert, I'm really worried.

[Albert Jordan]

Worried, Louise.

[Louise Jordan]

So weak now and no word for Mother. She said she'd write every day.

[Albert Jordan]

Nah, dear. Maybe she's been too busy to write.

[Louise Jordan]

She's busy. You know Mother doesn't do anything. No, there's something wrong, I feel.

[Albert Jordan]

You mustn't worry, Louise. I'm sure that she's all right. I'll answer.

[Louise Jordan]

I'll come with you. Maybe it's a special delivery letter for Mother.

Marling. I got a trunk for you folks.

[Albert Jordan]

It's Mother's trunk.

[Louise Jordan]

Why, yes.

[Heather Rhoden (Mother)]

You've always wanted to get rid of me, Albert, to keep me away from my only child. But I refuse to give her up. I've come back, Albert, and I'm staying for good.

[Albert Jordan]

No. No.

[Louise Jordan]

What'd you say, Alvin?

[Albert Jordan]

Eh? Nothing.

[Louise Jordan]

A lady.

[Albert Jordan]

The trunk.

[Louise Jordan]

Oh, bring it in, won't you, please?

[George Horton]

Okay.

[Louise Jordan]

There you are.

I don't understand. Why should Mother send her trunk back to us?

Would you mind signing for Mr. Jordan?

[Albert Jordan]

Oh, yes, yes. All right. Here you are. Thanks.

[Louise Jordan]

Bye.

Albert, I can't understand why Mother shipped her trunk back to us. And without even writing a word about it. Well, I'm going to put an end to this guessing.

[Albert Jordan]

What are you gonna do?

[Louise Jordan]

I'm calling Mother. Hello, operator? I want to put through a call to Ferndale, Pennsylvania. The number's two two three. Yes, that's right. My number's Riverdale 7745.

[Albert Jordan]

Thank you. Why bother phoning Louise? I'm sure there's a letter on the way.

[Louise Jordan]

I've waited long enough for one. Albert, why do you keep staring at.

[Albert Jordan]

The trunk so I. Oh, was I?

[Louise Jordan]

What's wrong with you, Albert? This past week you've been so jumpy. Oh, Hello. Hello, Sarah. This is Louise calling. How are you? Oh, I'm fine, thank you. Is my mother there?

[Narrator/Announcer]

What?

[Louise Jordan]

Are you sure? So that's why you shipped the trunk pack. No, no, thank. Thank you, Sarah. Albert, Sarah says that Mother never arrived home. She hasn't been there this past week.

[Albert Jordan]

Was Sarah the one who shipped the trunk back?

[Louise Jordan]

Yes. She thought Mother decided to stay with Us longer and need her clothes. Albert, where can she be?

[Albert Jordan]

Louise, I'm sure that she's all right.

[Louise Jordan]

All right? She's been missing a week. How could she be? I'm going to call the police. Oh, Albert, where can she be? 24 hours have gone by and the police still haven't found her.

[Albert Jordan]

Oh, now, dear, it takes time. You must have patience. They're doing everything they can, I suppose.

[Louise Jordan]

I suppose she's dead.

[Albert Jordan]

You mustn't talk like that. Nothing is known yet. Why do you keep staring at her trunk? I don't know, darling. It just upsets you to see the trunk. It keeps reminding you of your mother. I'd better put it in storage.

[Louise Jordan]

All right, Albert, do as you please.

[Albert Jordan]

Now you're being sensible, dear. I'll take good care of mother's trunk.

[Mysterious Traveler (Narrator)]

That very afternoon, Albert took the trunk to the express office. He shipped it away again, this time to a non existent address in California. He also gave a false return address, so he was quite sure it would never come back to bother him again.

[Albert Jordan]

Look, darling, I brought you some flowers. Here's a little present.

[Louise Jordan]

Thank you, Albert. Very nice.

[Albert Jordan]

Louise, your mother has been missing five weeks now. You can't go on this way. You'll have a nervous breakdown.

[Louise Jordan]

Albert, where can she be? Why can't the police find her?

[Albert Jordan]

Darling, if she hasn't been found in five weeks, I'm afraid there's no hope. Louise, you must resign yourself to her loss. Oh, I'll. I'll answer, dear. You just sit here and rest.

[Louise Jordan]

All right, Al.

[George Horton]

Jaz. Good evening. I got something here which I believe belongs to you.

[Albert Jordan]

Belongs to me?

[George Horton]

Yes, a trunk.

[Louise Jordan]

A trunk?

[George Horton]

Yes. Ever since I came into the depot a couple of days ago, I've been trying to locate the owner. And I've been having quite a time of it. Did a little checking and figured out it might be yours.

[Heather Rhoden (Mother)]

You've always wanted to get rid of me, Albert, to keep me away from my only child. But I refuse to give her up. I've come back, Albert.

[George Horton]

Do you recognize it?

[Albert Jordan]

No. Don't you know where the trunk goes?

[George Horton]

Well, no. It's come all the way back from California. Seems there wasn't any such address where this was shipped to.

[Albert Jordan]

Surely it had a return address.

[George Horton]

Yeah, but the rain kind of washed it off until all you can make out now is Riverdale, New York. What.

[Albert Jordan]

What makes you think it belongs here?

[George Horton]

Well, I sort of did a little detective work. The initials stamped on the trunk are H, L, R. And I looked it up in the phone Book. And the only person in Riverdale with those initials lives here.

[Albert Jordan]

I'm sorry, but you must have the wrong place. Where. Where will you take the trunk now?

[George Horton]

Oh, it'll be put with unclaimed luggage. Then in a few months, it'll be sold for charges unopened.

[Albert Jordan]

Sold for charge? Yeah.

[George Horton]

You'd be surprised what you sometimes find in unclaimed trunks. Sort of like a grab bag game. Well, sorry to have trouble.

[Albert Jordan]

Wait a minute, wait a minute. What did you say those initials were? H, L, R. H, L, R. Why, they're my mother in law's initials. How stupid of me, of course, but.

[George Horton]

Well, you just said it wasn't your trunk.

[Albert Jordan]

Well, it isn't. It's hers. Her name is Heather L. Roden.

[George Horton]

Yeah, that was the only name in the phone book with those initials. That's why I come here.

[Albert Jordan]

Well, it was an extremely clever piece of detective work. I suppose there's a collect charge on the trunk.

[George Horton]

Yep. Comes to 3150 with the trucking. Well, I'll just put the trunk inside for you.

[Albert Jordan]

Thank you. Well, we'd have hated to lose the trunk. Here's $35. Keep the change.

[George Horton]

Oh, say thanks. Good night.

[Albert Jordan]

Good night. So you've come back again as you said you would. Well, you haven't beaten me yet, Abbott.

[Louise Jordan]

Who was it? Why, Mama, trunks. I thought it was in storage.

[Albert Jordan]

It was, dear, but they're closing the storage house. They brought it back.

[Louise Jordan]

Oh, I see. Looks rather worn now, doesn't it? Albert, how do we know there isn't a letter or something in the trunk that'd give us a clue to Mother's disappearance?

[Albert Jordan]

Oh, Louise, you know that's ridiculous. There's nothing in that trunk but clothes.

[Louise Jordan]

Probably right, Albert, but just the same, I'm going to open it.

[Albert Jordan]

But you haven't got the key to it.

[Louise Jordan]

No, but I have half a dozen old keys on this ring. Possibly, just possibly, one of them might open the trunk.

[Albert Jordan]

Well, here, let me have the keys. I'll see if I can open it.

[Louise Jordan]

Oh, thank you, dear. Here you are.

[Albert Jordan]

Just a waste of time. But if it'll make you feel better, this one doesn't work. Nope. Nor does this one.

[Louise Jordan]

Albert, you're not even really trying. Here, let me.

[Albert Jordan]

I tell you, it's no use.

[Louise Jordan]

Well, let me try for myself. Oh, no. This key doesn't even fit.

[Albert Jordan]

I told you so. Now, why don't you give up?

[Louise Jordan]

This one doesn't.

[Albert Jordan]

Easy. You're only wasting your time.

[Louise Jordan]

No, this one isn't any good. Perhaps this One will do it. Oh, no. None of these keys will open it. But in the morning, I'm going to get a locksmith to open it. I've got to see what's in that trunk. Perhaps it'll lead to our finding mother.

[Albert Jordan]

So she's going to get a locksmith in the morning, is she? Well, you won't be here when he comes. I'll see to that.

[Heather Rhoden (Mother)]

You've always wanted to get rid of me, Albert, to keep me away from my only child. But I refuse to give her up. I've come back, Albert, and I'm staying for good.

[Albert Jordan]

You're not, do you hear?

[Louise Jordan]

You're not.

[Albert Jordan]

You'll never come back after tonight. Never. Pardon me, miss, but you store trunks here, don't you?

[Louise Jordan]

Why, yes, sir. This is the largest storage house in New York. Do you wish to store that trunk you just brought in?

[Albert Jordan]

Yes, please.

[Louise Jordan]

May I have your name?

[Albert Jordan]

Williams. John Williams.

[Louise Jordan]

And the address?

[Albert Jordan]

313 Maple Street.

[Louise Jordan]

Mm. What city, please?

[Albert Jordan]

Baltimore, Maryland.

[Louise Jordan]

Okay. Now, the charge for the trunk will be $4 a month. How many months do you. You want to store it?

[Albert Jordan]

How many months? Well, let me see how much money I have. I have only $8 with me.

[Louise Jordan]

Well, that'll pay for two months. Then if you want to keep it here longer, you can mail us your check.

[Albert Jordan]

Yes, I'll do that.

[Louise Jordan]

Okay. Here's your receipt, Mr. Williams.

[Albert Jordan]

Thank you.

[George Horton]

Good night.

[Mysterious Traveler (Narrator)]

And so Albert got rid of the embarrassing trunk at last. Further was only one little hitch. Before he could send any more money, he lost the storage receipt. And he forgot the false name he'd given the storage people, so he couldn't pay for additional storage. But he knew they'd keep it at least a year. He was quite sure that it could never. Could never be traced back to him. So after a few months, he stopped worrying.

[Albert Jordan]

Good evening, dear. How are you?

[Louise Jordan]

I'm all right, Abbott, fine.

[Albert Jordan]

Say, I. I bumped into George Horton and his wife on the way home, and they asked us to come to a charity auction that's being held tonight.

[Louise Jordan]

That was very nice of them, Albert.

[Albert Jordan]

Why don't we go, dear? It'll do you a lot of good. You haven't been anywhere for six months now.

[Louise Jordan]

I know, Albert, and I've been unfair to you, haven't I? You haven't seen anyone in six months yourself. All right, if you like, I'll go to the charity auction tonight.

All right, ladies and gentlemen. None of my fit for this beautiful antique lamp. Do I have $5? Oh, come, come, ladies and gentlemen. Look closely at this work of art. Now, do I have $5?

I'll bid $5.

Now, there we have a lady with a real sense of beauty. Now, do I hear six dollars?

[George Horton]

Good evening, George. Hello, Albert. I'm glad that Louise and you came.

[Louise Jordan]

How are you, Louise?

Quite well, thank you. It was nice of you to invite us here, George.

[George Horton]

Well, we've missed both of you quite.

[Albert Jordan]

A bit these past months. Well, I hope you'll be seeing more of us. You know, you've got quite a crowd here tonight.

[George Horton]

Yes, we hope to raise a good deal of money. You know, that auctioneer is a genius. He can sell the most useless object to make a team valuable.

[Albert Jordan]

Well, we'll have to get in on the bidding.

[George Horton]

Hey, wait till you see the next item he puts up.

[Louise Jordan]

The sale.

[George Horton]

It's something I donated and it's going to be quite a surprise.

[Louise Jordan]

You are all as good at that, George.

[Albert Jordan]

Come on, let's move a little closer at the auctioneer.

[Louise Jordan]

Do I hear 12? Do I hear 12? All right, I've got $11. Well, you're going to let this remarkable lamp go for as little as $11. All right, it's your last chance, ladies and gentlemen. Going in $11 once. Going twice. Sold to the German in the tweed suit. And very fortunate he is.

[George Horton]

That lamp couldn't have cost more than $3 when it was new.

[Albert Jordan]

Oh, now here comes something for sale.

[Louise Jordan]

That I don't need. All right, ladies and gentlemen, the next item for sale is something so good that I'm tempted to enter in the bidding myself. Ladies and gentlemen, my assistant will remove that cutter and there. There you have the next bargain. A lock truck. All right, ladies and gentlemen, study it well. Study it well, ladies and gentlemen, I'll give you a few minutes, then we'll start the bidding.

[Albert Jordan]

The trunk. No, no, it can't be yet. It's the same size, it's the same color. The initials. The initials that'll prove whether. No, no, they seem to have been rubbed off.

[Heather Rhoden (Mother)]

You've always wanted to get rid of me, Albert, to keep me away from my only child. But I refuse to give her up. I've come back, Albert, and I'm staying for good.

[Albert Jordan]

You are back. When I didn't send them any more money, they sold the trunk for charges.

[Heather Rhoden (Mother)]

Yes, I've come back, Albert, and I'm staying for good.

[Louise Jordan]

All right, here we are. Now, this is no ordinary trunk, ladies and gentlemen. It was donated to this auction by Mr. George Horton, who bought it at a storage house. He. He never broke the lock to examine the contents, Preferring to save that wonderful surprise for the person who purchases this remarkable trunk tonight. All right. Who knows what it contains? Perhaps the crown jewels of Russia. Or better still, five quarts of scotch.

All right, all right.

Now, who starts the bidding for this mystery trunk?

I'll bid $20.

$20. Why, madam, this truck. The trunk alone is worth 40. Who knows what's in it?

[Heather Rhoden (Mother)]

I've come back, Albert, and I'm staying for good.

[Louise Jordan]

No, no, Albert, you look so pale. Is there anything wrong?

[Albert Jordan]

Oh, no, no, everything's all right.

[Louise Jordan]

Oh, come, come, ladies and gentlemen. The contents of this trunk may be priceless. Do I hear a bid of $30?

[George Horton]

I'm afraid I'm just as curious as everyone else to know what's in that trunk.

[Radio Host/Announcer]

I'll bid $30.

[Louise Jordan]

We have a bit of $30 for Mr. Horton, the gentleman who donated this. All right. Do I hear $40?

Albert, that trunk looks something like mother's, doesn't it?

[Albert Jordan]

So you noticed, surely.

[Louise Jordan]

I hear $40. Why, any dealer would pay $40 for the trunk alone. That means you'd have the contents for free. Come on, ladies and gentlemen, do I hate $40?

$40.

Ah, there's a lady with a shrewd eye for a bargain. All right, whole bid, $50. I'll save 15.

But, Albert, I don't need a trunk.

[George Horton]

Oh, let him have fun, Louise. After all, it is for charity. Besides, you can never tell what's in the trunk.

[Louise Jordan]

I wish I could bid on this myself. Ladies and gentlemen, I now have a bid of $50, which I am convinced is only one tenth the true value of this trunk. All right, do I hear $60?

$60.

[Albert Jordan]

$70.

[Louise Jordan]

That's more like it. Now, do I hear $80? $100. Ah, you people are beginning to show a real appreciation for this drunk. We'll make it 110.

110.

120. Do I hear 130?

130.

150.

[George Horton]

Oh, fun's fun, Albert, but you're going too hard.

[Louise Jordan]

Leave me alone.

Albert, what's wrong with you?

The Gentleman has bid $150. Do I hear any more? Going once at 150. Going twice at 150. Sold to that gentleman for $150.

[George Horton]

I never saw anyone go after anything the way you went after that trunk, Albert. Well, I'm afraid nothing will satisfy the crowd now. But for you to open up the trunk and reveal what's in it.

[Albert Jordan]

No, no, no, I'm sorry, but I don't intend to open until I get home.

[George Horton]

Come on, Albert. Now don't sp.

[Albert Jordan]

Spoil the fun.

[George Horton]

It won't hurt to open it.

[Louise Jordan]

I told you I wouldn't do it.

[Albert Jordan]

No, no. I'm sorry, George, but. Well, I haven't a key to open it and there's no sense in breaking the lock after paying $150 for the trunk.

[Louise Jordan]

Well, maybe I can help you, Mr. Horton. That's some skeleton keys. That'll open any lock. Here, I'll show you. We auctioneers always running into locked trunks.

[George Horton]

We'll certainly appreciate it.

[Louise Jordan]

I think this cable door.

[Albert Jordan]

Stop.

[Louise Jordan]

You have no right to touch my trunk. I paid for it and I don't want it open. Now get away from it. It's mine.

Albert, what's wrong with you?

All right, certainly, if that's the way you feel about it. Come on, Louise, we're going home.

Albert, you're acting so strangely. Why do you insist on dragging that trunk away?

Now stop talking and come along.

Well, all right.

[Heather Rhoden (Mother)]

Albert.

[George Horton]

Halbert, that trunk is pretty heavy. Don't you want me to give you a hand with it?

[Albert Jordan]

I can manage it alone, thank you. Open that door for me, Louise.

[Louise Jordan]

Albert, don't you think you'd better let George help you get the trunk down those stairs?

No, I'm not going to let anyone touch this trunk.

[Heather Rhoden (Mother)]

You've always wanted to get rid of me, Albert, to keep me away from my only child. But I refuse to give her up. I've come back, Albert, and I'm staying for good.

[Louise Jordan]

Albert, do be careful on those stairs.

[Heather Rhoden (Mother)]

I've come back, Albert, and I'm staying. Staying for food.

[Albert Jordan]

Be quiet, you old hag. Be quiet. You haven't defeated me yet.

[Louise Jordan]

I'll get rid of you if it's the last thing I. What happened?

[Albert Jordan]

Mr. Harland?

[George Horton]

He lost his balance on the stairs.

[Albert Jordan]

Trunk was too heavy for him.

[Louise Jordan]

Oh, Albert, speak to me. Albert. George, do something.

[George Horton]

I'm sorry, Louise. I'm afraid he's gone.

[Albert Jordan]

Crushed his skull. Hey, look, Mr. Horton.

[Louise Jordan]

The fall broke the trunk open. There was nothing in it but a load of books.

[Mysterious Traveler (Narrator)]

This is the mysterious traveler again.

[Radio Host/Announcer]

Did you enjoy our trip?

[Mysterious Traveler (Narrator)]

Too bad about poor Albert then. There are always some mother in laws you simply can't get away from. They keep coming back. Like an old refrain. Oh, well, Albert's now a free man. Unless, of course, he's being haunted on the other side. Now I recall another case in which a young man woke up to find himself dead, decided that you have to get off here. I'm sorry, but I'm sure We'll meet again. I take this same train every week. Weak at the same time.

[Radio Host/Announcer]

You have just heard the Mysterious Traveler, a series of dramas of the strange and terrifying. All characters in tonight's story were fictitious. And any resemblance to the names of actual persons was purely coincidental. In tonight's case were Maurice Toplin, Adelaide Klein, Mason Adams, Bill Keane and Connie Lemke. Sound was by George Cooney. Broadcast engineer, Al King. Original music was played by Paul Taubman. The Mysterious Traveler is written, produced and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Cogan. Listen next week to a tale titled Murder by Proxy. Another strange and suspenseful tale of the mysterious traveler. And now, here's an announcement of interest to listeners of this program. Mysterious Traveler comic books are now available at newsstands everywhere. Carl Caruso speaking. This program came to you from our New York studios. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.