Mystery In The Air 47-09-18 12 The Black Cat

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Mystery In The Air 47-09-18 12 The Black Cat
Date: October 30, 2025
Featured Star: Peter Lorre
Original Air Date: September 18, 1947
Adaptation: Edgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat"

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Overview:

This classic radio drama episode, starring the iconic Peter Lorre, brings to life Edgar Allan Poe’s masterful tale “The Black Cat.” The episode immerses listeners in a psychological horror about guilt, madness, and the supernatural, told in the signature brooding style of both Poe and Lorre. The story, delivered in first-person by the tortured protagonist Charles, chronicles his descent from a gentle animal lover to a tormented murderer, with the ominous presence of a mysterious black cat at its heart.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction and Setup

• [00:36–02:19]
  • Peter Lorre opens as both narrator and the doomed protagonist, Charles. The episode’s tenor is set by echoing the theme of inescapable guilt and looming execution:
    • “And it is the sentence of this court that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead.” – Narrator / Peter Lorre
    • “But while there is still time... I feel compelled to report a series of mere household events and their consequences. These events have terrified, have tortured, have destroyed me.” – Charles (01:25)
  • The adaptation is presented as a dark, compelling masterpiece, in keeping with Poe's tradition.

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2. Charles’ Affection for Animals & Introduction of Pluto

• [03:50–06:07]
  • Charles recalls his idyllic and gentle childhood, emphasizing his love of animals and happiness in marriage, especially upon acquiring Pluto, a black cat.
    • “Oh, we had birds and goldfish. We had a dog and some rabbits. And we had a cat. I'll never forget the day my wife brought it home.” – Charles (03:50)
    • His wife rescues the cat and the bond between Charles and Pluto forms quickly.
    • “He has no home. We can't turn him out in the streets, can we?” – Charles (05:17)
    • Pluto becomes a symbol of innocence and affection in the home.

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3. Descent Into Alcoholism and Violence

• [06:07–08:39]
  • Charles’ character radically changes as he becomes addicted to alcohol, growing increasingly moody and violent.
    • “Through... through intemperance. Yes, through intemperance... As drink became more and more necessary to me, I became more and more moody.” – Charles (06:09)
  • Domestic strife and paranoia escalate, culminating in a shocking act of violence:
    • Charles, in a drunken rage, injures Pluto, and soon after, kills him out of "sheer perverseness.”
    • “I killed it only because I knew that it had loved me and because it had given me no reason for offense... I am only recounting what happened.” – Charles (08:23)

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4. Supernatural Elements and Heightening Guilt

• [08:39–13:19]
  • The home is destroyed by fire, and the only remaining wall eerily bears the outline of a cat with a torn ear.
    • “There on the wall... That black figure. It looks like a cat... and it's got one floppy ear...” – Multiple speakers (10:28–10:53)
    • This apparition feeds Charles’ growing obsession and guilt, as well as his terror.

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5. Arrival of a Second Cat: Haunted by the Past

• [13:19–20:37]
  • Charles attempts to move on after the fire, but is haunted by the memory of Pluto.
    • In a tavern, a new black cat with a white splotch and, eventually, a torn ear appears unbidden.
    • “Why don't I get another cat?... There's a cat now, is it? Sitting on top of the table? Black cat. That's strange... You're a beautiful cat, aren't you? Just as black as Pluto...” – Charles (14:33)
    • The cat joins the household, deeply unsettling Charles, especially as it mimics Pluto’s mannerisms.
    • Discovery of the torn ear on the second cat makes the supernatural implications inescapable:
    • “His ear is torn. See?... Just the way Pluto's ear was torn when I kicked him.” – Charles' Wife & Charles (19:22–19:38)

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6. Spiraling Paranoia and Murder

• [20:37–23:55]
  • Charles’ loathing of the new cat grows, aggravated by the cat’s relentless affection and an unsettling gallows-shaped white patch on its chest.
    • “The more I hated it, the more affectionate it acted toward me... the white patch... gradually assumed a very definite outline: the unmistakable and ghastly shape of the gallows.” – Charles' Inner Voice (20:37–20:53)
  • In a fit of rage, Charles attempts to kill the cat but instead murders his wife when she intervenes.
    • “In my blind rage, my rage against a cat, I struck my wife and killed her.” – Charles (22:31)
  • He conceals her body by walling her up in the cellar.

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7. Unraveling and Revelation

• [25:00–28:51]
  • Police investigations intensify but initially reveal nothing.
    • In a moment of bravado, Charles draws attention to the cellar wall behind which his wife is hidden:
    • “Hey, gentlemen, you're not going, are you? ... It's an excellently well constructed house.” – Charles (26:45–26:54)
  • The chilling climax: a sound from behind the wall betrays him. The cat’s howls lead police to break open the wall, discover the wife’s body, and find the cat on her head.
    • “It's the cat… I must have walled it up in a tomb. I never knew it. No, look at that red mouth. Those burning eyes. You beast. You monster. You are the devil. You made me a murderer.” – Charles & his Inner Voice (28:18–28:41)
    • The story ends with Charles’s terror and resignation to his fate, his guilt exposed, and the cat as an instrument of poetic justice.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Guilt and Doom:
  “And it is the sentence of this court that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead.”
  — Narrator / Peter Lorre (00:36)

• Descent into Madness:
  “I killed it only because I knew that it had loved me and because... it had given me no reason for offense.”
  — Charles (08:23)

• Supernatural Manifestation:
  “That black figure. It looks like a cat... and it's got one floppy ear. Who's some floppy ear? That's really funny.”
  — Police Sergeant / Charles' Inner Voice (10:38–10:47)

• Paranoia and The Gallows:
  “The white patch... gradually assumed a very definite outline. Yes, the unmistakable and ghastly shape of the gallows. A terrible engine of horror, of agony and of death.”
  — Charles’ Inner Voice (20:53)

• Judgment and Justice:
  “You hideous, you beast, you monster. You are the devil. You made me a murderer…”
  — Charles / Inner Voice (28:41)

• Narrative Closure:
  “For three days you've been in there waiting…Waiting to send me to the gallows. The hangman will get me.”
  — Charles (28:51)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment | Description | |---------------|-----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | 00:36–01:15 | Introduction & Death Sentence | Tone and fate set for protagonist | | 03:50–06:07 | The Gentle Childhood & Arrival of Pluto | Loving beginnings, importance of the cat | | 06:07–08:39 | Descent Into Violence | Alcoholism and abuse, Pluto’s killing | | 10:24–11:22 | Fire & Supernatural Sign | Fire, appearance of Pluto’s image on burnt wall | | 13:19–14:33 | The New Cat Arrives | Introduction of a second, similar black cat | | 19:22–20:37 | The Torn Ear & Growing Paranoia | The second cat’s ear matches Pluto's | | 20:53 | The Gallows Mark | Horror as the cat’s markings appear as gallows | | 22:31 | Murder of Charles’ Wife | Climax of violence and concealment | | 25:00–28:51 | Police Search, Discovery, & Justice | Revelation of body, cat’s role in Charles’s undoing| | 28:51 | Charles' Confession & End | Cat as instrument of poetic justice |

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Final Notes & Tone

The episode, bathed in the dark, suspense-laden ambiance of vintage radio, expertly explores psychological terror, guilt, and supernatural retribution. Peter Lorre’s performance is masterful, embodying both palpable dread and creeping insanity, making the adaptation a chilling homage to Poe. The inexorable unraveling of Charles—conveyed through his inner dialogues and haunted by the black cat—is both tragic and terrifying, encapsulating the cautionary horror at the heart of Poe’s original story.

Listeners are left questioning the boundary between supernatural vengeance and psychological torment—true to the spirit of the Golden Age of Radio.

Transcript

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[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

Mystery in the Air starring Peter Laurie. Presented by Camel Cigarettes. And it is the sentence of this court that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

And may God have mercy on your soul.

[Charles (Main Character)]

No, I neither expect nor solicit relief for this wild story. I would be mad to expect it, yet mad I'm not. And very surely I do not dream. But while there is still time, I don't know why I feel compelled to report a series of mere household events and their consequences. These events have terrified, have tortured, have destroyed me. Perhaps some are more calm, more logical.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

But certainly far less excitable than I.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Will be able to explain them. I cannot. I can only tell you the facts and that I have to do today because tomorrow I die.

[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

Each week at this time, Camel cigarettes bring you Peter Lorre in the excitement of the great stories of the strange and unusual, of dark and compelling masterpieces culled from the four corners of world literature. Tonight, Edgar Allan Poe's immortal American classic, the Black Cat.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

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[Charles (Main Character)]

No, believe me that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, in my childhood which forecast the terrible events that were to come. No, as a child, I was very gentle. I got along well with everyone, but at most I liked animals. Yes, all kinds of animals. And then I married quite young and I was very happy to find that my wife shared my feelings. Very soon we had quite a collection. Oh, we had birds and goldfish. We had a dog and some Rabbits. And we had a cat. I'll never forget the day my wife brought it home.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Hello.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Hello. You're home so early.

[Charles' Wife]

Look, Charles, look. Look what I brought.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Oh, look at it. Oh, the little kitty. Where did you get it, darling?

[Charles' Wife]

Oh, the poor little thing. Some dogs were chasing it, and I just rescued it in time. It was so frightful.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Yes, but it isn't frightened anymore.

[Charles' Wife]

Oh, it seems to love you, child. Then that's not strange. All animals do.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Yes, yes, yes. Nobody's going to hurt you. Kitty. Kitty. Gnome. How about some milk? Yes. There, you see? Oh, he must have been very hungry. Hey, what's your name? Huh?

[Charles' Wife]

I don't suppose he has a name. You're so young. I don't think he belongs to anybody.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Well, then we have to give him a name.

[Charles' Wife]

You mean we can keep him?

[Charles (Main Character)]

Keep him? What are you talking about? He has no home. We can't turn him out in the streets, can we?

[Charles' Wife]

Oh, Charles. I was hoping you'd let him stay.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Of course. But he must have a name. Yes. Let's see. Oh, yes. Black. Yes, all black. Beautiful. Not a single white. Oh, I have him. He's as black as the devil. Let's call him Pluto. Yes, we'll call you Pluto. Well, Pluto grew up to be a remarkably beautiful cat. And of all the animals in our house, he became my favorite. And my playmate. Yes, and until it all changed. Yes. And as the years went on, my. My character suffered a radical change.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

And everything changed.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Huh? Why? Well, I. I'm ashamed. I. I hate to admit it. Through. Through. Through intemperance.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Yes, through intemperance.

[Charles (Main Character)]

And then as. As drink became more and more necessary to me, I. I became more and more moody.

[Charles' Wife]

Charles, where are you going?

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

I don't have to tell you where I'm going.

[Charles' Wife]

Oh, Charles, what's happening?

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

What do you mean, what's happening to me?

[Charles' Wife]

You never used to go out every night to those vile places.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Charles, stop nagging. Stop it. I go out because I can't stand listening to you nag, nag, nag all day long.

[Charles' Wife]

I don't know what's come over you.

[Charles (Main Character)]

There, there. See?

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Why don't you learn from Pluto? It's only a cat. He doesn't ask me where I'm going.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Yes, that's right. You never do. No. Come here, Pluto. Yes, I like it.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Come here.

[Charles' Wife]

Be careful, child. Don't pick him up like that.

[Charles (Main Character)]

No.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Don't hurry him.

[Charles (Main Character)]

I'm never hearing.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Ouch. He bit me. He bit me. You.

[Charles' Wife]

You.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Never mind. I want to show you.

[Charles' Wife]

Don't.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

You don't. Yes, I. I hate to admit it, but I was so furious. I kicked Pluto and I kicked him again and hard.

[Charles (Main Character)]

And the next morning I. I saw that his ear was torn. And I was filled with remorse for what I'd done. From then on, Pluto ran away in terror whenever I approached. And that in turn, made me more and more irritated. And in the end, it was sheer perverseness, nothing else.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Yes, Sheer and unexplainable perverseness that made me do what I did. I blush to admit it, but one morning I strained like the blood.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Poor animal.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

I killed it only because I knew that it had loved me and because. Because it had given me no reason for offense. No, I'm offering no excuse. I am only recounting what happened.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Well, in the evening I went to the inn as usual. And I came home very late. And I fell fast asleep with my clothes on. Then I was awakened suddenly.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

What's the matter here?

[Charles' Wife]

Charles. Charles, wake up.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Charles, what's the matter? There must be a fire.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Yes, sir.

[Charles' Wife]

I smell smoke.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Good heavens. Look it. It's our house. Our house is burning. Come on, Darlington, we'll be trapped. Come on, hurry up. Quick. The stairs are on fire.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Here again.

[Charles' Wife]

I can't. I.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Don't talk. Don't talk, sweetheart. Pampsa. Pampsa. I can get you through the flames. Don't breathe, dog. Here's the front door.

[Charles (Main Character)]

We made it. We are safe.

[Charles' Wife]

Oh, Charles, look.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Our house.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Anybody else in there?

[Charles (Main Character)]

Nobody else. Ah, it's just as well. Never could get them out now.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Are you the owner?

[Charles (Main Character)]

Yes, that was our house.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Well, you haven't got much left then. We can't save it now.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Stand back. Stand back, everybody. The roof's gonna fall in. Stand back. There it goes.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Well, it's down now. Funny. Nothing is left but that one wall in the middle.

[Charles' Wife]

Look at it.

[Charles (Main Character)]

What about it?

[Charles' Wife]

Well, look at it on the wall.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Hey, that is strange. What are you talking about? What strange?

[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

There, There on the wall. It's still standing.

[Charles' Wife]

Marks on the plastic.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Marks? What marks?

[Charles (Main Character)]

What's the matter, you blind?

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Right up there in the wall.

[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

That black figure.

[Charles' Wife]

It looks like a cat.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Yeah, it does.

[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

The smoke must have done it.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

But it certainly does look like a cat. What looks like a cat?

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

There.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

And it's got one floppy ear. Who's some floppy ear? That's really funny.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Funny.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Funny.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Funny, huh? It's not funny. It is not funny at all. You hear?

[Charles (Main Character)]

I know what it is.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Do you know who it is? Yes, It's Pluto. I. I recognize him.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Yes, there. See?

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

His ear is torn.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Huh? Oh, you. You beast.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

That hideous beast. It's come back to haunt me. Leave me alone. You hear it? I can't stand it.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Okay, I can on.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Get some water, somebody. This man's fainted.

[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

In a few moments, Mr. Peter Lorre will bring us the climax of tonight's mystery in the air when camels present.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Act 2 of the Black Cat. Ask a champion the secret of his success and no doubt you'll get the same answer every time. Experience is the best teacher. Take Rose Gould for instance. Featured aerialist of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Ms. Gould says it took experience to teach her that famous 75 foot dive into space. Mildred O', Donnell, diving champion thanks experience for her crown. Yes, they all learn from experience. Just as smokers everywhere learn from experience about cigarettes. Back in the days of the wartime cigarette shortage, millions of smokers tried brand after brand, smoked whatever they could get. And that experience made people experts in judging the differences in cigarette quality. That was when so many people discovered that Camels suit their T zones to a T. That Camels give them the rich full flavor and the cool mildness they've always wanted. As a result, more people are smoking Camels than ever before. Experience is the best teacher. Try a Camel yourself.

[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

The Black Cat is dead. Killed by its master. The house is burned to the ground with everything in it completely destroyed. Now the scene is the almost deserted candle lit tap room of a local inn. Don't you think you'd better go on home, sir?

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

It's getting late.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Oh man, you should see the terrible place where we're living now.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Yeah, yeah, I heard you lost everything in that fire.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Lost everything? Yes, I lost everything. I lost my house. I lost everything.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Well, how about that black cat of yours you used to talk about all the time?

[Charles (Main Character)]

What was his name? What was his name? Pluto. Ah, yes, Pluto's gone too. Why? I tell you, I miss him. I miss him very much.

[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

And if you miss him that much, why don't you get another cat?

[Charles (Main Character)]

Give me a drink.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Ah, it's getting pretty late, sir.

[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

I mean, won't your wife be expecting you?

[Charles (Main Character)]

Give me a drink.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Yes, sir.

[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

I'll have to fetch another bottle.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Why don't I get another cat? Huh? That's what you said. Well, why don't I? No reason I shouldn't. There's no reason to be in a deeps of despair just because of a cat. If I get another cat, maybe, maybe I'll be Able to forget her. What's that? Oh, there's a cat now, is it? Sitting on top of the table? Black cat. That's strange. I've been staring at that table for five minutes. I could swear there was no cat on it. Anyway, where did you come from? Huh? You're a beautiful cat, aren't you? You're just as black as Pluto. Yeah, I accept you. You've got a splotch of white on your chest. That's right. Oh, yes. Come, come sit on my lap. Huh? Oh, yeah. Kitty, kitty. Yes, you're a nice kitty. You're a nice cat. Hey, Arthur, where did this cat come from?

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Cat? Oh. Oh, yeah.

[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

Big one, isn't he? I don't know where it came from.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Or how it got in either, for that matter.

[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

Never seen it around here before.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Don't know what it belongs to.

[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

No, no. As far as I'm concerned, it belongs.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

To you if you want it.

[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

Can't keep it here.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Wife doesn't like cats, Especially black ones.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Like cats, huh? How stupid. Say I want it. Yes, sir.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

I want it very much. I'll take it home with me right now.

[Charles' Wife]

Charles, this is such a wonderful cat. Just since last week, it's made itself so much at home. You think it had lived here always?

[Charles (Main Character)]

Yes, yes, I've noticed that.

[Charles' Wife]

It reminds me so much of Pluto.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Yes, but this one has a patch.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Of white on its chest. Don't forget that.

[Charles' Wife]

Yes, that's right, dear.

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[Charles' Wife]

But I can't help wondering, I wonder, whatever became of Pluto? He disappeared the day of the fire.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

I know, I know. He disappeared and, well, maybe he.

[Charles (Main Character)]

He knew the house was going to burn down.

[Charles' Wife]

Oh, see how it loves you, rubbing against your leg just the way Pluto used to.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Pluto.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Pluto.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Stop talking about Pluto.

[Charles' Wife]

Darling, I didn't mean anything.

[Charles (Main Character)]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, dear. I always talk about how much this new cat resembles Pluto. It just makes me even nervous. Look. Actually, there's hardly any resemblance at all, really. Except that they're both black. This one has a white patch on its chest and.

[Charles' Wife]

Oh, the poor thing. Charles, look. His ear is torn. See?

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

What?

[Charles' Wife]

Here, under the fur. Oh, I never noticed that before.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Neither did I.

[Charles' Wife]

Why, it's just the way Pluto. I mean.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Go ahead, say it. Say it.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Say it.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

It's torn.

[Charles (Main Character)]

It's torn.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Yes, just the way Pluto's ear was torn when I kicked him.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Huh?

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

That's it, isn't it?

[Charles' Wife]

Well, he must have been in a fight or something. But it's curious we didn't notice.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Curious, huh? You have no idea how curious it is.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

No idea. Get that cat out of my side.

[Charles' Wife]

Charles, you're mad.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Get it out.

[Charles' Wife]

How can you act that way about a poor dumb animal? Especially one that loves you so much. Oh, now you're frightened it, dear.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Away from me. You hear me?

[Charles' Wife]

The way you talk. Anybody think you don't even like the poor child?

[Charles (Main Character)]

Like it?

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

I. I hate it, I tell you, I hate it. I. I hate it. I, I. Yes, In a short time, the cat had been with us. I had come to look upon it with unutterable loathing. Why? Why, I don't know yet. The more I hated it, the more.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Affectionate it acted toward me. Wherever I went, it followed.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Whenever I sat down, it would spring upon my knees and cover me with its loathsome caresses. As if this were not enough to.

[Charles (Main Character)]

The white patch on its chest, which.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Originally it had been very indefinite in shape, but Gradually it assumed a very definite outline. Yes, the unmistakable and ghastly shape of the gallows. A terrible engine of horror, of agony and of death. I longed to destroy the beast, but I was preventing by an absolute unreasonable dread. I was sure I was losing my mind.

[Charles' Wife]

Charles, are you going out again?

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Yes, I'm going out. I don't know when I'll be back.

[Charles' Wife]

Oh, before you go, do you suppose you.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Why, what is it?

[Charles' Wife]

Will you help me bring up some wood from the cellar?

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Why do you always want more wood?

[Charles' Wife]

The house is cold. You know. I haven't been feeling well. I'm not strong enough to carry it.

[Charles (Main Character)]

All right. Come on, I'll help you. You might have thought of this before.

[Charles' Wife]

Look out.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

What?

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Oh, that's cat. That's that beast, that Gimme Thomas under my feet. It tried to trip me on a stairs.

[Charles' Wife]

Oh, no, I'm sure it didn't.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

I'll get rid of that beast once and for all. I'll.

[Charles' Wife]

Charles, put down that crowbar.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Get out of my way.

[Charles' Wife]

No, no.

[Headshop.com Announcer]

Stop.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Get out of my way. Let go of my arm.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Please.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Charles, let go of my arm. Are you going to let go?

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Please.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

I said let go.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Oh, why didn't you let me go? Yes, she'd fallen dead without a groan. My blind range, my rage against a cat. I'd struck my wife and killed her. Well, nothing I can do about it now. All I could do was to set myself to the task of concealing the body. Yes, I thought and I deliberated. And then it occurred to me that in the Middle Ages they used to wall up their victims. And I determined to do the same thing. Behind the wall, in a cellar, I managed to dislodge a section of bricks near the chimney. And. And in a hole behind them, I propped a body. Then I carefully laid the bricks back in their original possession. And when I had finished, no one, no one could have told that the wall had been disturbed at all. All I. I could say to myself triumphantly, here at least my labor has not been in vain. My next step then was to look for the beast that had been a cause of so much misery. But then I became aware that it had completely disappeared. Three days passed, and still my tormentor did not appear. However, it's impossible to describe or to imagine the deep sense of my relief. For the first time in months, I slept. Yes. Oh, I slept even with a burden of murder on my soul. Yes. Some few inquiries were made about my wife's whereabouts and the search of the house was conducted. But nothing Was discovered. Oh, I finally could look upon for my future security. Yes.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Good day, sir. Sorry to disturb you again, sir.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Oh, it's you, Sergeant. Is there anything I can do for you?

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Well, they're still puzzled about your wife's disappearance, Farceland.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Well, so am I.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Some of her friends have been around at the police station.

[Charles (Main Character)]

What's that got to do with me, huh? You've already searched ours twice.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

What do you want?

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Well, I know, sir, but. Well, the captain sent me and the constable here to look around just once more to be sure there's no clue's been overlooked. This will be the last time, sir. Only a matter of routine. We won't bother you again.

[Charles (Main Character)]

All right. Come in. Thank you, sir.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Come on, Joel. Right.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Where would you like to look first?

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Well, we might as well begin with the cellar.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Cellar? All right. Yes, right down these steps. I'll come with you.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Yes, I always say, searching a house is like getting ahead in the world. You start at the bottom.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Yes, I see.

[Charles (Main Character)]

It's very funny.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Well, come on, Constable. Get to work. Right.

[Charles (Main Character)]

While they searched, I folded my arms and watched. As before, they discovered nothing. Nothing. But as they were about to depart, a glee in my heart was too.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Strong to be restrained. I burned to say but one word. Yes, just one word by way of triumph.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

And.

[Charles (Main Character)]

And as they started up the steps, I said, see?

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Have you noticed? This is a very well constructed house, you know.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Hey, gentlemen, you're not going, are you?

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Yes, it's a.

[Charles (Main Character)]

It's an excellently well constructed house.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

You've never seen such a well constructed house. In a frenzy of my bravado upon that very portion of the brickwork behind which stood the corpse of my wife I. I wrapped with my cane. Let me heaven, deliver me from the arch.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Fiend. What was that? Mother of mercy. You. What was that? Wind, probably.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Wind? That's not. The wind. Came when you hit this wall here. Whatever it is, it's behind these bricks. Sergeant, here, take this crowbar and knock that wall down. Right.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Wait a minute. You keep quiet.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Wait a minute. Where are you going?

[Charles (Main Character)]

Upstairs.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

You stay right here. Hey, this is new plaster. It hasn't even had time to set yet. Pull it down. Here she comes. Look out.

[Charles' Wife]

Oh.

[Charles (Main Character)]

There'S what we're looking for, all right.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

His wife's body.

[Charles (Main Character)]

What's that horrible looking thing sitting on our head? It's the cat.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

How did that cat get in there?

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

I know how it got in.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Yes, I know.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

I. I must have walled it up in a tomb.

[Charles (Main Character)]

I never knew it. No look at that red mouse.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Those burning ice.

[Charles (Main Character)]

You. You hideous.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

You beast. You monster. You are the devil. You made me a murderer.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Now for three days you've been in there waiting.

[Charles' Inner Voice / Tormented Self]

Waiting to send me to the gallows. The hangman will get me. Yes, I. I hope. I hope you're satisfied. I hope you're satisf.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Each week, the makers of Camel cigarettes send free Camels to servicemen's hospitals from coast to coast. This week, the Camels go to Veterans hospital, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S. army McCormack General Hospital, Pasadena, California U.S. naval Hospital, Houston, Texas U.S. marine Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland and Veterans Hospital, Dayton, Ohio. When three leading independent research organizations asked 113,597 doctors, doctors living in every state of the union. What cigarette do you smoke, doctor? The brand named most was Camel. According to a nationwide survey, more doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette.

[Narrator / Peter Lorre]

Next week, Mystery in The Air, starring Mr. Peter Laurie, brings you an adaptation of one of our star's greatest motion pictures, Crime and Punishment. Based on the book by Feodor Dostoevsky. With a special musical score composed and conducted by Paul Baron.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

Mr. Pipe Smoker, here's proof for you. Proof that Prince Albert is a satisfying smoke. More pipes smoke Prince Albert than any other tobacco. Naturally. Prince Albert is a mellow, mild tobacco with a rich, full flavor. Choice tobacco specially made for smoking pleasure. Specially treated to ensure against tongue bite. Crimp cut to burn slow smoke.

[Charles (Main Character)]

Cool.

[Police Sergeant / Constable]

See if one pipe full of PA doesn't convince you that Prince Albert is your favorite too. Beginning two weeks from tonight, Thursday, October 2nd. Camel's Comedy Quiz, the Bob Hawk show will be heard at this time over these same NBC stations. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.

[Charles' Wife]

Foreign.

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