Out Of The Past 1945.xx.xx What Was It

Summary

Episode Summary: "Out Of The Past 1945.xx.xx What Was It?"

Harold's Old Time Radio presents a gripping tale from the Golden Age of Radio in the episode titled "Out Of The Past 1945.xx.xx What Was It?" Released on June 29, 2025, this episode immerses listeners in a suspenseful narrative centered around a haunted house and the mysterious events that unfold within it.

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Introduction

Set in a New York tenement building, the story revolves around the boarders of Mrs. Dimity's boarding house. The characters initially dismiss the notion of ghosts, but their skepticism is soon challenged by unexplained occurrences that lead them into a night of eerie discoveries.

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Characters

• Dr. Hammond: A skeptic who doubts the existence of ghosts.
• Ned Saunders: A young and handsome boarder, curious yet financially struggling.
• Anne Mitchell: A talented but frustrated sculptress seeking inspiration.
• Countess Harkavy: A renowned fortune teller and psychic, enthusiastic about the supernatural.
• Mrs. Dimity: The elderly landlady, resistant to beliefs in the paranormal.

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Plot Overview

Initial Skepticism and Curiosity

The boarders, including Dr. Hammond and Ned Saunders, decide to move into the old Brownstone House on 49th Street despite rumors of it being haunted. While most dismiss ghost stories, Countess Harkavy maintains a belief in the supernatural, intrigued by the possibility of spectral presences.

Dr. Hammond [00:27]: "Nobody knows. But the house was haunted by something or somebody."

The Séance and Unsettling Events

One night, around 11 o'clock, the group gathers in the living room, where odd sounds resembling something beyond the ordinary begin to manifest. Countess Harkavy insists these are cries from the spirit world, sparking tension among the skeptical members.

Countess Harkavy [01:43]: "That is not the wind, Dr. Hammond. It is the cries from the spirit world."

Anne Mitchell expresses her frustration over her lack of progress in sculpture, hinting at her deeper need for inspiration.

Anne Mitchell [02:27]: "All art is conceited out of the fires of struggle."

Attempting to Communicate with the Spirits

The Countess proposes holding a séance to invite spirits into the room, hoping to validate her psychic abilities. Despite reservations, Dr. Hammond agrees, driven by scientific curiosity.

Countess Harkavy [04:04]: "I have never been more serious in my life. I think we ought to hold a séance and command the spirits to enter the room."

As the séance commences, strange sensations occur. Anne feels an unseen force squeezing her hand, leading to suspicion and fear among the group.

Anne Mitchell [07:05]: "Ned, stop squeezing my hand."

The séance ends abruptly when Anne discovers bruises on her hand, suggesting that something supernatural might indeed be at play.

Ned Saunders [07:59]: "Her hand is bruised."

Investigating the Paranormal Activity

Dr. Hammond and Ned decide to conduct their own experiment by vigilantly observing the house over several nights. Their efforts culminate on the fifth night when Ned experiences a terrifying encounter with an invisible entity, hinting at a malevolent presence.

Ned Saunders [11:15]: "I don't know. Somebody's attacked me. Help me, Doctor."

Capturing the Invisible Beast

In a desperate attempt to contain the entity, the group manages to bind the invisible creature using rope. However, the process leaves Ned and Dr. Hammond injured, raising questions about the nature of the beast.

Dr. Hammond [14:16]: "Ned, this creature is a man eater. An invisible man eater."

The Plaster Cast and Revelation

Determined to uncover the truth, Anne creates a plaster cast of the invisible beast. The resulting statue reveals a demonic figure with terrifying features, solidifying the reality of their ordeal.

Dr. Hammond [19:00]: "An invisible beast. I sent Ned to the basement of the old brownstone to get some stout rope."

Confrontation with Authorities

When the police arrive, led by Sergeant Narrator, Dr. Hammond insists on the existence of the beast. Despite providing the plaster cast as evidence, skepticism prevails among the authorities.

Sergeant Narrator [23:05]: "Where is this invisible monster?"

Dr. Hammond passionately asserts the truth of their experience, leaving the group to grapple with the unanswered questions.

Dr. Hammond [23:31]: "It's no hoax gentlemen on my word of honor, it's no hoax."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dr. Hammond [00:27]: "Nobody knows. But the house was haunted by something or somebody."
• Countess Harkavy [01:43]: "That is not the wind, Dr. Hammond. It is the cries from the spirit world."
• Anne Mitchell [02:27]: "All art is conceited out of the fires of struggle."
• Countess Harkavy [04:04]: "I have never been more serious in my life. I think we ought to hold a séance and command the spirits to enter the room."
• Anne Mitchell [07:05]: "Ned, stop squeezing my hand."
• Ned Saunders [07:59]: "Her hand is bruised."
• Ned Saunders [11:15]: "I don't know. Somebody's attacked me. Help me, Doctor."
• Dr. Hammond [14:16]: "Ned, this creature is a man eater. An invisible man eater."
• Dr. Hammond [19:00]: "An invisible beast. I sent Ned to the basement of the old brownstone to get some stout rope."
• Sergeant Narrator [23:05]: "Where is this invisible monster?"
• Dr. Hammond [23:31]: "It's no hoax gentlemen on my word of honor, it's no hoax."

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Conclusion

"Out Of The Past 1945.xx.xx What Was It?" masterfully blends suspense, supernatural elements, and character-driven drama to create an engaging narrative. The episode explores themes of skepticism versus belief, the desperation for creative inspiration, and the terrifying unknown. By the end, listeners are left pondering the true nature of the beast and the thin line between reality and the supernatural.

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This detailed summary encapsulates the key events, character dynamics, and pivotal moments of the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't had the chance to listen.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Out of the past, phantoms of a world gone by speak again their immortal tale. What was it?

[Ned Saunders]

All right, then, what was it?

[Dr. Hammond]

What was it? Nobody knows. But the house was haunted by something or somebody. The boarders here at Mrs. Dimity's boarding house didn't believe in ghosts either, myself included. But we were curious about them. That's why we voted to move into the old Brownstone House on 49th Street. And once we were in, we were still convinced that ghosts don't venture abroad in a New York tenement building. The only one who wasn't quite convinced that ghosts exist only in storybooks was old Mrs. Dimity herself. But her favorite rumor, young handsome Ned Saunders and myself. I'm Dr. Hammond. We refused to believe the ghostly nonsense. Anne Mitchell, the young sculptress who lived there, was frankly curious, while the Countess Harkavy, a fortune teller of some renown and a psychic, of course, questionable fame, was delighted at the idea of living in a haunted house. That was in the business way, of course. It was around 11 o' clock at night when the boarders who were then assembled in that dark, dreary living room first heard what some claimed was a ghostly presence.

[Ned Saunders]

Listen to that, Dr. Hamlin.

[Dr. Hammond]

I hear it, Ned. An uncommon sort of sound for the wind.

[Countess Harkavy]

That is not the wind, Dr. Hannam. It is the cries from the spirit world. I feel it in the marrow of my bones.

[Anne Mitchell]

Oh, say, Countess, can't you feel things in a more comfortable place? Bone structure's always struck me as a most uncomfortable place to have a feeling going on.

[Countess Harkavy]

Listen, Olivia, listen.

[Anne Mitchell]

Oh, Skipper. Ned, will you pass me that magazine on the shelf next to you? Think any kind of reading will be preferable to listening to old psychic ears rambling go sad.

[Ned Saunders]

Hey, I. There.

[Dr. Hammond]

You really think this house is haunted, Countess?

[Countess Harkavy]

Yes, I do.

[Dr. Hammond]

It would be a fortunate thing for your business if the United States of America could be made ghost conscious.

[Anne Mitchell]

Dr. Hammond, you'll live to regret that remark. The Countess will take you seriously.

[Dr. Hammond]

I am serious.

[Ned Saunders]

And talking of taking things seriously, when are you going to start taking me seriously, Anne?

[Anne Mitchell]

When you start to make a living.

[Countess Harkavy]

Then.

[Anne Mitchell]

Oh, someday I hope I won't have to try and sell my sculptures.

[Countess Harkavy]

All art is conceited out of the fires of struggle.

[Anne Mitchell]

Well, I'm tired of struggling. Oh, if I could just create something out of the ordinary for an art exhibit, I could make a couple of hundred dollars. I've been working three months for an idea and I haven't done a thing.

[Countess Harkavy]

My poor dear Anne. As long as you Doubt the extraordinary. How can you create it?

[Dr. Hammond]

She's got you there, Anne.

[Anne Mitchell]

Yes, she has, Dr. Hammond.

[Dr. Hammond]

Well, what would you suggest as a good subject for Anne to scout, Countess?

[Countess Harkavy]

Well, a denizen of the other world perhaps.

[Anne Mitchell]

Oh sure, that's rather a hot place for a girl to venture in order to sculpt the devil, isn't it?

[Countess Harkavy]

Don't speak so lightly of his Satanic Highness. No one knows where the Devil's hand may be next.

[Ned Saunders]

How about sculpting me, Anne? I'm an extraordinary young man.

[Countess Harkavy]

That you are, darling.

[Ned Saunders]

Extraordinarily broke at any rate.

[Anne Mitchell]

All the woes of the world revolve on that ugly staff called money.

[Dr. Hammond]

People take money much too seriously, ned.

[Ned Saunders]

Well frankly, Dr. Hammond, if I had some of it, I wouldn't take it at all seriously. I'd scatter it around the world like a veritable windmill.

[Countess Harkavy]

Oh, frivolity. That's your trouble, my dear friends, frivolity. You feed on it. Here in this very house is a poor earthbound spirit and yet you ignore it.

[Dr. Hammond]

Come Countess, you don't expect us to take it seriously?

[Countess Harkavy]

I expect nothing.

[Anne Mitchell]

What do you expect us to do? Call a spirit in and ask him.

[Mrs. Dimity]

To sit for me?

[Countess Harkavy]

Possibly, Anne, possibly.

[Dr. Hammond]

Come, come, Countess, you're joking.

[Countess Harkavy]

I have never been more serious in my life. I think we ought to hold a seance and command the spirits to enter the room.

[Dr. Hammond]

That would be interesting, at least scientifically so.

[Anne Mitchell]

Nonsense, doctor. Besides, Mrs. Dimity never stand for it. Ever since she moved us into this house she's been scared stiff of the very idea of spirits.

[Ned Saunders]

Have you seen the amulet she's been wearing?

[Anne Mitchell]

Yes, she carries it around like a sword.

[Countess Harkavy]

Why don't we ask her?

[Anne Mitchell]

Oh, we were just Talking about you, Mrs. Dimity.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Oh dear. I tell you, I. I just can't stand being alone in my room. I just know something was in there with me, Anna. I just know it.

[Countess Harkavy]

The spirits probably have been attracted to you, Mrs. Dimity. I've always felt you're strongly psychic.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Oh, don't say it, Countess. Don't even think about it. It was all a mistake moving into this house. All a mistake. I've just never been as nervous. Dr. Hammond. Feel my pulse. Feel it. It's practically non pulsed, so to speak.

[Dr. Hammond]

I wouldn't take it seriously, Mrs. Dimity. We all know there are no such things as spirits. You see, we've been talking about the ghost for so long that at times we half believe. But that's purely imagination.

[Mrs. Dimity]

It wasn't imagination at all, Doctor. Hammond, you know very well there are only five of us living here. You four were downstairs and I was alone upstairs. And, oh, I did hear footsteps in the hall. I opened the door and I felt something cold touch me.

[Countess Harkavy]

Ah, you see, I knew it.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Oh, listen. Oh, it came from upstairs. Listen, all of you.

[Countess Harkavy]

And was that Also the wind, Dr. Hammond?

[Dr. Hammond]

I don't know, Countess. What do you think, Ned?

[Ned Saunders]

I think the Countess idea of a seance is a good practical suggestion. I'm all for it.

[Mrs. Dimity]

A seance? Oh, dear, yes.

[Anne Mitchell]

Let's give it a try.

[Dr. Hammond]

Well, we're all agreed.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Come on, let's.

[Anne Mitchell]

I think it's a good idea.

[Dr. Hammond]

You're in charge, Countess. Now tell us what to do.

[Countess Harkavy]

Well, now for the first thing, bring your chairs into a circle, please. Now, hold hands. Will someone turn off the lights?

[Ned Saunders]

I'll get it sweaty.

[Anne Mitchell]

Good.

[Countess Harkavy]

Now we're in the dark. Quiet, please. Quiet while I summon the spirits. It is midnight, O spirits. Midnight. Enter the portals of our room and speak to us. Speak to us. We are gathered to commune with you who have passed on. Withhold not your sin secrets. Speak. Speak. It is I, Countess Harkavy, asking you to descend to this mortal plane. Answer me. Answer me.

[Mrs. Dimity]

If. If my uncle Ezekiel's in the room and wants to talk to me, I'd talk to him. Count it.

[Countess Harkavy]

Yes, Mrs. Timmity.

[Anne Mitchell]

Ned, stop squeezing my hand.

[Ned Saunders]

I'm not squeezing your hand, Anne.

[Anne Mitchell]

Well, whatever you're doing, stop doing it.

[Ned Saunders]

I'm doing anything.

[Anne Mitchell]

Ouch. Doggone it.

[Ned Saunders]

What's the matter with you, Anne?

[Anne Mitchell]

You're so coy pinching me now.

[Ned Saunders]

Not pinching you. My hands are in my lap.

[Anne Mitchell]

Well, who's ever sitting next to me? Stop it, Dr. Hammond.

[Dr. Hammond]

I'm sitting across from you, Anne.

[Anne Mitchell]

Mrs. Dimity.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Oh, dear. I wouldn't have the courage to squeeze anybody's hand at this point. Ouch. Well, whoever it is, turn on the lights. Somebody turn on the lights. Somebody's got a whole hiding.

[Countess Harkavy]

No, no, don't turn on the lights. The spirits have entered the room and are attracted to you, Anne.

[Anne Mitchell]

To you.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Oh, please. Please turn on the lights.

[Anne Mitchell]

Please.

[Ned Saunders]

I'll do it, Ann.

[Dr. Hammond]

I'll do it.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Oh, let go. Oh, who.

[Ned Saunders]

There's nobody sitting next to you. That's a vacant chair.

[Anne Mitchell]

But I felt it.

[Dr. Hammond]

Anne. Did you imagine it?

[Anne Mitchell]

Imagine what?

[Mrs. Dimity]

That somebody squeezed my hand.

[Anne Mitchell]

I imagine nothing.

[Countess Harkavy]

Look.

[Anne Mitchell]

Look at my hand and tell me that's imagination.

[Ned Saunders]

What's There, darling?

[Narrator]

What?

[Ned Saunders]

Dr. Hammond, look. Her hand is bruised.

[Dr. Hammond]

Yes, it is pretty badly bruised.

[Countess Harkavy]

Countess, where were you Sitting exactly where I'm sitting now, Dr. Hammond. But I haven't moved. You had your chance to do something extraordinary, Anne, but you must. It a pity is all I can say. A great pity. The seance is ruined.

[Mrs. Dimity]

But Countess, wait a minute. What for?

[Countess Harkavy]

To try another seance and have you become hysterical all over again? Good night.

[Anne Mitchell]

Dr. Hammond, is it possible that I really was holding the hand of something or.

[Dr. Hammond]

Anything's possible, Anne, but not very probable.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Oh dear. Oh dear.

[Dr. Hammond]

I said not very probable. Mrs. Dimothy. I think perhaps the Countess has been playing a trick on all of us.

[Ned Saunders]

A cute trick, Doctor. A pretty difficult one.

[Dr. Hammond]

If she wasn't playing a trick, she shouldn't have been so upset when you turned on the lights.

[Ned Saunders]

Mabe, Doctor, I think you've got a point there.

[Anne Mitchell]

Nothing like a good dash of logic to take the cold chills out of my spine.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Well, how could the countess do it, doctor?

[Dr. Hammond]

Mrs. Dimmer, the psychic phenomena is the Countess's business. After all, she makes a living out of calling imaginary spooks from the outer world. I don't think it's very nice of us to try and pry into her secrets.

[Mrs. Dimity]

I Hope you're right, doctor. I do hope you're right.

[Dr. Hammond]

Well, I wouldn't worry, Mrs. Dimity.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Well, I'm going upstairs to bed. I've had enough spooks to last me for years.

[Anne Mitchell]

Oh, wait for me, Mrs. Dimity. I'll go up with you. Good night, Nancy.

[Ned Saunders]

Good night, anne.

[Anne Mitchell]

Good night, Dr. Hammond. See you in the morning.

[Dr. Hammond]

Good night, my dear. And don't worry about the spooks. They're purely harmless. Make believe.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Oh dear, I'll never sleep a weekend.

[Ned Saunders]

Well, Doctor, what's the tongue and the cheek? Look.

[Dr. Hammond]

Oh, Ned, I'm afraid we've had our first touch of real psychic phenomena tonight.

[Ned Saunders]

What you just said.

[Dr. Hammond]

I didn't want to frighten the women.

[Ned Saunders]

Then you believe this house is haunted?

[Dr. Hammond]

Haunted? Well, I don't like the phrase, but in essence that's the idea. I was wondering if you'd be interested in trying an experiment with me tonight.

[Ned Saunders]

Certainly, Doctor, Anything.

[Dr. Hammond]

But suppose you and I spend the next few nights down here. We'll turn off the lights and wait. Just wait. Perhaps we can invite some trouble. We waited that night through without sleeping. But nothing extraordinary happened except for the fact that Mrs. Dimity's rocking chair kept rocking all night long, creaking and squeaking as it moved. But the wind could have been responsible for that. The next night and the next and the one after that. We kept our Nightly vigil. Creeping up to our rooms like thieves just before daylight broke so that nobody would suspect our secret experiment. On the fifth night of our wait, we heard the rocking chair creaking. Creaking? Creaking.

[Ned Saunders]

Doctor?

[Dr. Hammond]

Yes, Ned?

[Ned Saunders]

That rocking chair couldn't be moved by wind tonight. There isn't a breath of air stirring.

[Dr. Hammond]

I noticed that, Ned. I wonder. Listen. Yes, the clicking stopped, same as usual. Let's try to get some sleep.

[Ned Saunders]

I can't. I'm as nervous as a cat over this whole thing.

[Dr. Hammond]

Yes, I'm jittery too.

[Ned Saunders]

Go slip me.

[Dr. Hammond]

What's the matter, Ned?

[Ned Saunders]

I don't know. Somebody's attacked me. Help me, Doctor.

[Dr. Hammond]

Yeah.

[Ned Saunders]

Help me. I. It's got its arms around my throat. Here.

[Dr. Hammond]

I feel it. We'll find out who this ghost is in a short time.

[Ned Saunders]

There.

[Dr. Hammond]

I've got his arms. Nid.

[Ned Saunders]

My throat. Let go my throat. There.

[Dr. Hammond]

It's great. Hang on to him.

[Ned Saunders]

Alone, Doctor?

[Dr. Hammond]

I think so, but he's as strong as an ox. No, you don't.

[Ned Saunders]

Is he going to? His voice certainly doesn't sound human.

[Dr. Hammond]

Turn on the lights, Ned. While I hang onto him, we'll find out who this practical prankster is.

[Ned Saunders]

I'm afraid to let him go, Doctor.

[Dr. Hammond]

I can handle him, Ned.

[Ned Saunders]

You turn on the lights.

[Dr. Hammond]

Hurry, Ned. Hurry.

[Countess Harkavy]

Hey, doc.

[Ned Saunders]

Go ahead, Doctor.

[Dr. Hammond]

Where is he? He's right in front of. I've got him by the arms. I'm. I'm hanging onto it. This is amazing.

[Ned Saunders]

Amazing, Doctor? Well, he can't see it. It's invisible.

[Dr. Hammond]

Help me, Ned.

[Ned Saunders]

He's trying to escape.

[Dr. Hammond]

Help. I can only see. There we are.

[Ned Saunders]

I've got it. What is it, Doctor? What is this?

[Dr. Hammond]

What was it? I didn't know. As I held the grisly thing in my arms, it struggled and sobbed and moaned exactly as a beast would struggle and moan. An invisible beast. That was the horror of it. An invisible beast. I sent Ned to the basement of the old brownstone to get some stout rope. At least we could prevent this horror from escaping. That's what I thought then. Well, Ned returned shortly from the basement and opened the door.

[Ned Saunders]

Here you are, Dr. Hellman.

[Dr. Hammond]

Quickly, Ned, bind its legs. I can't hang onto it much longer. Not as young as I used to be.

[Ned Saunders]

All right, Doctor. How many? Somehow. Try to hold him on the floor.

[Dr. Hammond]

Yes. Yes, of course. There you are, Ned. Now, quickly. Feet are still for a minute.

[Ned Saunders]

There. I got the rope about.

[Dr. Hammond]

Look.

[Ned Saunders]

A perfect loop around nothing but empty air. Hold him and I'll bind the rope around.

[Dr. Hammond]

Go Quickly, Ned.

[Ned Saunders]

There we are. That covers his feet. I'll bring it up here and around his legs.

[Dr. Hammond]

Here, give me the rope and I'll bind his hands.

[Ned Saunders]

All right, we're getting him bound up like an Egyptian mummy.

[Dr. Hammond]

There, that does it. What a relief to be able to let that awful thing go.

[Ned Saunders]

All right, I'll take the rope now, Doctor, and bind it to this chair. You won't get away now. I'll guarantee that.

[Dr. Hammond]

It isn't very large, is it?

[Ned Saunders]

No, about the size of a small boy.

[Dr. Hammond]

But what is it?

[Ned Saunders]

Have you ever encountered anything like this before?

[Dr. Hammond]

Frankly, Ned, never. Look at my hands, bitten and bruised. I wonder if I'll ever be able to move them again. What are we going to do with.

[Ned Saunders]

The darn thing now?

[Dr. Hammond]

I don't think that's our responsibility, Ned. I think we'd better call the boarders together and let them in on the secret.

[Ned Saunders]

Would you like me to get them, Doctor?

[Dr. Hammond]

Yes, wake them up, but don't tell them why. Just ask them to come down here and I'll throw this rug over the chair so that they won't see the ropes right away.

[Ned Saunders]

Ah, don't ask so many questions, everybody. Dr. Hammond will explain everything.

[Countess Harkavy]

Oh, good evening, Dr. Hammond. Have you possibly discovered that psychic phenomena does exist?

[Dr. Hammond]

Come in, Countess. Come in, everybody. Don't be afraid, Mrs. Dimity. I'll explain it in a minute.

[Anne Mitchell]

Explain it, Dr. Hammond.

[Dr. Hammond]

Sit down, everybody, please. No, Mrs. Dimity, not in the rocking chair.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Oh, dear me.

[Dr. Hammond]

I'm afraid we're in for a revelation this evening. Ned, please close the door.

[Countess Harkavy]

Train are the ways of the world.

[Dr. Hammond]

Yes, Countess. The ways of the world are very strange, Mrs. Dimity. And the Countess has been correct about this house. There is something in it. There's nothing to be frightened of, Mrs. Dimity.

[Countess Harkavy]

Spirits are often kind. Indeed, they're friendlier than many mortals.

[Dr. Hammond]

This isn't exactly a spirit, Countess.

[Countess Harkavy]

What do you mean?

[Dr. Hammond]

Exactly what I say. It's a beast of some kind.

[Mrs. Dimity]

The doctor, is it in his room?

[Dr. Hammond]

Mrs. Dimity, please. Yes, ma' am. It's in this room in that rocking chair. I threw a rug over it.

[Countess Harkavy]

Oh, unfortunate spirit.

[Dr. Hammond]

If you wish, Countess, remove the rug.

[Countess Harkavy]

Yes, of course.

[Anne Mitchell]

Why is it it's there?

[Dr. Hammond]

You can see the ropes being held in place by it.

[Countess Harkavy]

What kind of a hoax are you trying to play on me, Dr. Hammond?

[Dr. Hammond]

It is not a hoax. There's a living, breathing something bound in that chair, but it's invisible.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Why, that's incredible.

[Dr. Hammond]

It's more than incredible.

[Countess Harkavy]

Would you. Would you Mind if I touched it?

[Dr. Hammond]

I don't see why I should. It's not my beast. The problem is, what are we going to do with it? What do you suggest, Mrs. Dimity? Mrs. Dimity.

[Anne Mitchell]

She fainted, Dr. Hammond. I'll get her smelling. So. It's right here in the desk drawer.

[Countess Harkavy]

I felt it. I felt it, Anne. I felt it. A captured spirit. I must tell my co worker, Dr. Zarcos, right away. He'll be so thrilled. So thrilled.

[Ned Saunders]

I'm not sure that we ought to tell anybody about her. Are you, doctor?

[Dr. Hammond]

Ned's quite right. We should not.

[Countess Harkavy]

Oh, but Dr. Zarcox is the only living person constantly in touch with the spiritual light and day, day and night. Constantly.

[Anne Mitchell]

Melanie's thoughts should be in here someplace.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Oh, here they are.

[Ned Saunders]

Until we find out exactly what it is, I don't think we ought to divulge the secret. Heaven knows what we've stumbled into.

[Dr. Hammond]

You're right, Ned.

[Anne Mitchell]

Here, Mrs. Dimity, take a deep breath of this.

[Countess Harkavy]

And how do you propose going about finding out what it is?

[Anne Mitchell]

Breathe deeply, Mrs. Dimity.

[Ned Saunders]

Well, I was thinking it might be possible for Anne to make a plaster cast on it.

[Anne Mitchell]

Oh, that's a gay idea, ned. Breathe deeply, Mrs. Imity.

[Mrs. Dimity]

You'll be all right.

[Dr. Hammond]

That's quite a good idea, as a matter of fact.

[Anne Mitchell]

No. You'll hold it while I make a carrot, huh? If it happens to bite me with a pair of invisible teeth, that'll be my word.

[Dr. Hammond]

Well, being a doctor, I shall use a little chloroform and put it to sleep for a while. We'll be able to make a perfect cast.

[Anne Mitchell]

Mr. Dimity, are you all right?

[Mrs. Dimity]

Oh, I'll never be all right again.

[Ned Saunders]

Well, Anne, are you willing to give it a try?

[Anne Mitchell]

Oh, I suppose so, Ned.

[Mrs. Dimity]

I'll prepare the plaster right away.

[Dr. Hammond]

There we are, Ann. The chloroform has worked perfectly. Whatever it is, it's asleep. Before you start with the plaster, I should like to listen to his heart with a stethoscope.

[Anne Mitchell]

Certainly, Doctor.

[Dr. Hammond]

Mm hmm. Normal. A little faster than is normal for a human being. But maybe we're not dealing with a human being.

[Anne Mitchell]

Yes, doctor, that's very possible. Ned, would you hand me that container near you?

[Ned Saunders]

Certainly, Ann. Here you are.

[Countess Harkavy]

Thanks, Ned.

[Anne Mitchell]

Well, Dr. Hammond, are you ready?

[Dr. Hammond]

Yes, Anne, whenever you are.

[Anne Mitchell]

We might as well start two o' clock. We ought to be through by seven.

[Dr. Hammond]

And so Anne started to work to cover that invisible form with moist plaster. We watched her spellbound. The hideousness of the rough object which soon met Our eyes was appalling. Anne's hands shook perceptibly as she forced herself to complete what she had started. Minutes changed into hours. The mold was completed, and we had a rough idea of this figure. Then Ann allowed the mold to dry. By morning, we had a rough facsimile of the invisible beast. How can I describe what it looked like when it looked like nothing so much as a demon out of hell itself? Yes, shaped like a man with long, sinewy arms. But it was small, only 4ft or so high. Its muscular development was amazing. And the face. The face looked like a cannibal's. A demon. Cruel, tiny eyes, a tiny, tiny nose. And a twisted, long. A horribly long mouth. And sharp, shiny teeth. The first rays of light broke through the window, and I realized that the effects of the chloroform were wearing off. Watch out, lady.

[Ned Saunders]

The way I got him. Doctor, you better help me.

[Dr. Hammond]

Yes, of course.

[Ned Saunders]

Here.

[Dr. Hammond]

Here, we'll hold him together. Anne.

[Mrs. Dimity]

Yes, Dr. Hammond.

[Dr. Hammond]

We'll hold him down and you bind his legs with a cord.

[Ned Saunders]

Get that rope around his leg. Ah, good girl, Anne.

[Narrator]

That's it.

[Anne Mitchell]

Oh, he bit me. Your arm, darling. It's bleeding.

[Ned Saunders]

Don't mind my arm. Find the leg.

[Countess Harkavy]

Okay.

[Ned Saunders]

Hurry up in here.

[Dr. Hammond]

That's the girl. Now slip the rope around him and pull it good and tight.

[Ned Saunders]

All right. There we are. Give me the rope hand. I'll secure his arm.

[Anne Mitchell]

Ned, look at your arm. Oh, doctor, he's deadly deathly.

[Ned Saunders]

Don't bother about me now, darling. We can't let this beast loose on humanity.

[Dr. Hammond]

That face you've done, Ann, looks like the face of a man eater.

[Ned Saunders]

Yeah, it does. Give me a hand, Dr. Hammond. We'll put it back in the chair and tie it.

[Dr. Hammond]

Clean it now. One, two, lift.

[Ned Saunders]

There. Now tie the darn thing there.

[Dr. Hammond]

What do you think we ought to do with it now?

[Ned Saunders]

I don't know. You're the doctor.

[Dr. Hammond]

Well, I think we all need some sleep First. I'll tend to that army of Ned, and then we'll leave the thing here for a while.

[Anne Mitchell]

Doctor, do you think we dare leave.

[Mrs. Dimity]

It here quite safely?

[Dr. Hammond]

Well, judging from the way Ned's got it tied up, I think so. Not even a spirit could get out of those ropes. Come on, Ed. I want to take a look at that arm of yours.

[Anne Mitchell]

I'll leave the little statue in here till morning. You know, Doctor, that makes an interesting study, doesn't it?

[Dr. Hammond]

Yes, quite an interesting one. Extraordinary piece of work, one might say. Well, good night, Ann. Come on, Ned. Let's get that arm bandaged. We'll all think more clearly in a moment. We thought we could think more clearly after some sleep. And so the days went by. Ned and Ann and I stayed with that invisible beast constantly. I took test after test. Its heart condition, its breathing. Every test I took baffled me completely. For this invisible beast reacted to every test exactly as a reptile would react. Or to be more specific, a python. A type of snake which swallows an animal or a man whole and then digests it. As the days passed, we realized that since this was living matter, it must eat. We tempted it with every kind of food imaginable, tried force feeding it, but the animal never swallowed one bite of food. Then one evening, all of us were collected in the living room when those horrible sounds started.

[Mrs. Dimity]

It's hungry.

[Ned Saunders]

Anne, darling, we've tried feeding, but you've.

[Anne Mitchell]

Got to get it out of this house.

[Mrs. Dimity]

I can't take it any longer.

[Countess Harkavy]

That famous spirit will evoke the anger of the gods. My advice to you is to let it go.

[Dr. Hammond]

That's not very good advice, Countess. Whatever this is, it would be fairly dangerous. Loose.

[Anne Mitchell]

Oh, isn't there anything we can feed it? It must be suffering horribly, Doctor. No food or water for two weeks.

[Dr. Hammond]

Yes, Anne, there is something we can feed it, but unfortunately or fortunately, we can't.

[Ned Saunders]

What are you talking about, Doctor?

[Dr. Hammond]

Human flesh. Ned, this creature is a man eater. An invisible man eater. There's only one thing for us to do. Call the police and the medical society and turn it over to them. There's nothing more we can do.

[Countess Harkavy]

Oh, you'll regret this, Doctor. You'll regret it. You can't evoke the anger of the spirit world without payment in full.

[Dr. Hammond]

And will you make the call?

[Anne Mitchell]

Certainly, Doctor.

[Narrator]

Go with you.

[Dr. Hammond]

Darling, don't tell them anything about it. Just ask them to come over here immediately. And sir, gentleman, Ann called you and brought you over here. I've told you the complete story of the monster from the very beginning.

[Narrator]

Well, Dr. Hammond, as a member of the police force, I don't mean to doubt you, but where is this invisible monster?

[Dr. Hammond]

It died of hunger 10 minutes before you arrived, Sergeant. Well, where is it? On the floor here, next to my foot. You can feel it even if you can't see it. Here, put your hand down here.

[Ned Saunders]

All right, Sergeant, feel this. It feels like a dead man.

[Narrator]

Sure, Doctor, what kind of a trick are you trying to play on it?

[Dr. Hammond]

Trick, Sergeant? Take my word for it, it's no trick. You felt it yourself.

[Narrator]

Many people know how to make a mass of material appear invisible Chemistry can give you a lot of explanations of that kind of a hoax.

[Dr. Hammond]

It's no hoax gentlemen on my word of honor, it's no hope.

[Ned Saunders]

Ah, tell us a better story. Come on boys, let's get out of here. We enjoyed your fairy tale Doctor, but.

[Dr. Hammond]

We can't swallow that one. But gentlemen, ask any one of us in this room I swear to you it's the truth. Look in the corner at that statuette. That's an exact replica of the invisible beast.

[Narrator]

Ah, now I get it. You're trying to get some free publicity for the art exhibition at the museum.

[Anne Mitchell]

No gentlemen, I made that plastic cast myself from the invisible monster. Dr. Hammond's telling you the truth.

[Ned Saunders]

Well if it's the truth, what was it?

[Dr. Hammond]

What was it? Frankly gentlemen, I don't know what it was.

[Narrator]

From the time worn pages of the past you have heard from what was it? Bell keeper call the bell.