Secrets Of Scotland Yard xx-xx-xx 011 Murder At Moat House Farm

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio - Episode Summary: "Secrets Of Scotland Yard 011: Murder At Moat House Farm"

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Murder At Moat House Farm", listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio, where suspense and mystery weave seamlessly into everyday life. Hosted by Harold's Old Time Radio, this episode delves into a riveting story from Scotland Yard's archives, unraveling the dark secrets hidden within the walls of the ominous Moat House Farm.

The Dougals' Arrival at Moat House Farm

The narrative begins with the introduction of Ms. Samuel Dougal and her companion, who present themselves as Mr. and Mrs. Dougal during their inaugural visit to Moat House Farm. The setting is portrayed as an Elizabethan estate, isolated and surrounded by a menacing moat, perfect for the unfolding of a crime drama.

Narrator [00:16]: "Murder at Moat House Farm. Sounds like a blood-curd melodrama, doesn't it? But it isn't. It's the title of this week's Facebook history from Scotland Yard."

Upon arrival, Mr. Dougal engages with the landlady, Mrs. Whiskenden, establishing a seemingly cordial relationship.

Samuel Dougal [02:01]: "I'm Samuel Dougal."

Mrs. Whiskenden [02:03]: "Good evening."

Relationship Dynamics and Florrie Harris

As Mr. Dougal and his companion settle into their temporary residence, tensions begin to surface. The housemaid, Florrie Harris, becomes a pivotal figure when she confides in Mrs. Whiskenden about her unsettling experiences with Mr. Dougal.

Florrie Harris [06:09]: "It's about Master. I wouldn't have said nothing, but I tried him."

Mrs. Whiskenden [06:38]: "I'm not angry. And you were quite right to tell me, Florrie."

These interactions hint at underlying deceit and manipulation exercised by Mr. Dougal, setting the stage for the forthcoming mystery.

Camilla's Suspicions and Attempts to Leave

Camilla Holland, presented as Mrs. Dougal, grows increasingly uneasy with Mr. Dougal's behavior. Her concerns escalate when she discovers financial discrepancies and feels isolated within the secluded farm.

Mrs. Whiskenden [07:03]: "You heard from them this morning that I was overdrawn."

Confronting Mr. Dougal about the altered check reveals his unscrupulous nature, deepening Camilla's mistrust.

Mrs. Whiskenden [07:13]: "The check I gave you for £60 has been altered to 600."

Determined to escape his clutches, Camilla plans to leave, only to be thwarted by Mr. Dougal's manipulative tactics.

Mrs. Whiskenden [07:20]: "Cheating, neglecting, even cruelly ill-treating her."

Dougal's Deceptions and Camilla's Disappearance

Mr. Dougal's facade begins to crumble as Camilla's attempts to sever ties intensify. Her departure under the pretext of visiting the bank ends in mystery, raising alarms among the locals and setting off a cascade of suspicions.

Mrs. Whiskenden [12:13]: "At first I've got to come there. I've got to come back tonight until something's settled. I've nowhere to go."

Camilla's sudden disappearance leaves the community and authorities baffled, with no immediate leads pointing to foul play.

The Investigation: Chief Inspector Scott and Scotland Yard

Chief Inspector Scott of the Essex Police takes charge of the investigation, collaborating with Scotland Yard's Chief Inspector Bauer. Their meticulous search of Moat House Farm yields no immediate evidence, leading to frustration and doubt.

Chief Inspector Scott [20:08]: "With our man now safely under lock and key, the police were faced with a formidable task of finding Mrs. Dougal alive or dead."

Despite extensive efforts, including diving into the muddy moat surrounding the estate, the body remains elusive, heightening the mystery.

Discovery of Mrs. Dougal's Fate

Persistence pays off when a fortuitous discovery is made. A women's boot emerges from the moat, leading to the unearthing of Mrs. Dougal's body. Forensic evidence points to foul play, with a bullet wound from a close range implicating Mr. Dougal.

Chief Inspector Scott [24:07]: "A woman's boot. We'll wait till the moon comes out again and then we'll dig very carefully around the body."

Dr. Pepper, Scotland Yard's expert, confirms the cause of death, sealing Mr. Dougal's fate.

Conclusion: Dougal's Arrest, Trial, and Execution

Faced with irrefutable evidence, Mr. Dougal is arrested and brought to justice. His trial culminates in a guilty verdict, and despite his proclaimed innocence, he faces execution for his heinous crimes.

Narrator [24:29]: "The executioner put his hand on the lever. At this moment, the chaplain in attendance asked in a whisper, guilty or not guilty? And through the white hood which covered Dougal's face came the answer. Guilty."

The episode concludes with the haunting image of Mr. Dougal's final moments, underscoring the triumph of justice over deceit.

Final Thoughts

"Murder At Moat House Farm" captivates listeners with its intricate plot and richly drawn characters, embodying the essence of classic radio dramas. Through masterful storytelling and suspenseful narration, Harold's Old Time Radio brings to life a tale of manipulation, betrayal, and ultimate justice, echoing the timeless allure of the Golden Age of Radio.

Transcript

[Basil]

Perdio sutra bajo reduheron susores presente su solicitud. Oy mismo con el Departamento de Emplode, Oregon es gratis, Basil. Yay. Servicios de interpretacion Dis ponivles. Llame al uno, ocho. Siete, siete. Tres, cuatro. Cinco. Tres. Cuatro. Ocho. Cuatro.

[Narrator]

Murder at Moat House Farm. Sounds like a blood card melodrama, doesn't it? But it isn't. It's the title of this week's Facebook history from Scotland Yard. Murder at Moat House Farm headlined the London newspaper some 50 years ago, and pages and pages were devoted to telling the story. I may remind you that newspapers were newspapers in those days and not two pages of bad news and a things you can't buy or can't afford. Moat House Farm was an Elizabethan housing ethic, completely surrounded by a moat, as it were, on an island lonely and desolate. An ideal background for a writer of crime stories. In fact, locally it was spoken of as creepy and too full of spooky nooks and corners. Even the house agents described the property as quaint, which was non committal. Anyway, it was stood empty for years, but eventually a buyer did materialize. He was rather quaint himself and seems to have chosen the right setting. His name was Dougal. Ms. Samuel Dougal. Directly the deeds were signed, he put in hand extensive repairs and alterations to the farm, and while waiting for it to be made habitable, he engaged rooms nearby for himself and his wife at a Mrs. Wisconven. Now, this is a true story about real people. But no blood tub melodrama could open more realistically than on that stormy night in January when Mr. And Mrs. Dougal arrived at Darnot.

[Samuel Dougal]

Mrs. Whiskenden?

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

That's right.

[Samuel Dougal]

I'm Samuel Duvall.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Good evening.

[Samuel Dougal]

And this is my wife.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Good evening.

[Samuel Dougal]

You got my telegram?

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Oh, yes. Do come in. Oh, what a terrible night. Just leave the luggage there. Our seat's taken up. Just a little dog. Yes, I do hope you won't mind. He's very good and most obedient. Aren't they, Jack? Oh, I love dogs. Do come straight in. You must be frozen. I have a nice fire and supper nearly ready.

[Samuel Dougal]

Now. That is kind of you. What a cozy little room. Isn't this nice, Camilla? Just what we need, eh? Are you feeling all right, sweetheart? Here, let me take your coat.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

You'd like some tea? I would, thank you more than anything. Now, don't get the kettle on.

[Samuel Dougal]

Ah, that's better. Well, well, well. So far so good. We ought to be all right here until the farm's ready.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

I'm in no hurry. Samuel. When we passed the house just now, I found myself almost wishing you hadn't been so anxious to take it. Oh, I don't know, but it made me shudder.

[Samuel Dougal]

Nonsense, darling. When it's all cleaned up, you'll love it.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Besides, Samuel, it's cost me too much money.

[Samuel Dougal]

Oh, my dear, it's a very sound investment. There's always a market for these genuine old places.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

We shan't see many people either. Shall we? It seems very isolating.

[Samuel Dougal]

Just the place for a runaway couple. We'll buy a trap and drive into town sometime. What do you say?

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Oh, yes, dear. Please, dear.

[Samuel Dougal]

Please, my dear. That looks good. You're going to spoil us like this, Mrs. Whiskenden. Well, I shall never get my wife to the park.

[Narrator]

You'll gather that Sam was quite a cheerful fellow with some out of an appeal for the ladies. Mrs. Whiskenden even found him fascinating. And what of his wife, Mrs. Dugal? I'm afraid he didn't think him so fascinating. In fact, she thought he was a. But I must hasten to point out that the lady Sam had brought with him wasn't his wife. He deserted her long ago. But a misguided Ms. Holland whom he had persuaded to run away with him. This, of course, was not known to the landlady, Mrs. Whitkind. And during their stage he found them a most devoted couple. And she got on especially well with the lady. In fact, when the time came for them to move to the farm, the parting was quite happy.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

The cat's here, Mrs. Lugal.

[Samuel Dougal]

Oh, thank you, Mrs. Whisker. Darling, you wait here till I get the luggage on. It's bitterly cold outside.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Oh, dear, I do hate parting. Don't you? I'm going to miss you, dear. But we're not parting for long. Remember your promise. As soon as you can arrange things, you're coming to help us at Note House Farm. Well, if you really would like me to. Goodbye, Jesse. I don't believe he wants to go either. But he's got to look after me in that great dark house already, dear.

[Narrator]

Well, it's.

[Samuel Dougal]

Goodbye, Mrs. Whitkinham. I'll never forget your kindness. Do come to the farm as soon as you can.

[Florrie Harris]

Goodbye. And all the luck in your new home.

[Samuel Dougal]

Now, come along, Derek.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

Yes, Roy, you are. Come on, me baby.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Come on.

[Florrie Harris]

Goodbye. Your girl problem is quite soon.

[Narrator]

So the runaway couple took up residence at Moat House Val. Or shall we say the poor lady walked straight into the trap. I wonder if she didn't suspect Dougal. Or perhaps she'd have risked it just the same. The power so many criminals have over women always astonishes me. Camilla Holland was completely obsessed by Sam Dougal, and didn't see, or refused to see that he was using her purely for his own end. Heaven knows they were plain enough. Camilla's disillusionment began with another woman came on the scene. Another woman in the person of Florrie Harris, a housemaid engaged by Sam. She'd been with them only a few days when Camilla noticed the girl was upset.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

What's the matter, Florida?

[Florrie Harris]

Perhaps I shouldn't tell you. I don't like telling you. Really I don't.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

But what is it? Have you done something wrong?

[Florrie Harris]

Why, no. I promise you, it wasn't none of my fault.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Well, come then. What is it?

[Florrie Harris]

It's about Master. I wouldn't have said nothing, but I tried him.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

I was a bow this morning when.

[Florrie Harris]

I was getting your tray ready. I suppose he must have crept up behind me before I knew what was going on. He. He had his arms around me. I tried to scream, but he put his big hand over my mouth. I struggled and got away. And then he left the kitchen. Oh, my. I'm frightened it might happen again.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

I see. Oh, no.

[Florrie Harris]

I meant you angry. I didn't ought to have told you.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

I'm not angry. And you were quite right to tell me, Florrie. But don't worry. I'm sure it won't happen again. Oh, dear. Sir Martyr, you better go.

[Narrator]

Oh, I'm.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Florrie, be sure to carry on as if nothing has happened to you.

[Florrie Harris]

Very good.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Thank you.

[Narrator]

Hello, my dear.

[Samuel Dougal]

You are up early. Are you going out?

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

I've been out already.

[Samuel Dougal]

Oh, no. Have you?

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

To the bank.

[Samuel Dougal]

And what about?

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

I heard from them this morning that I was overdrawn. I naturally thought there must be a mistake.

[Samuel Dougal]

Oh, some check you wrote and forgot, I suppose.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

No, I hadn't forgotten. That check I gave you for £60 has been altered to 600.

[Samuel Dougal]

But I. I remember that quite well. There were several other bills you wanted me to pay, and we decided to make it 600.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Did you?

[Samuel Dougal]

Why, of course we did.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

You.

[Samuel Dougal]

Several dividends due this month, haven't you?

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

I believe so.

[Samuel Dougal]

Oh, well, it's all right then, is it? You want sharing up? Let's drive over to the Crown and have lunch, shall we?

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Very well, if you want to.

[Narrator]

Fine.

[Samuel Dougal]

Now, come along. Give me a kiss.

[Narrator]

Now, if Dougal's object in taking Camilla to Moathouse Farm was to gain possession of her considerable fortune, he wasn't very severe in the way he went about it. No doubt he taught her an easy victim and became careless. The changing of the 60 pound check to 600 was only one of the many ways in which he proceeded to rob her. Although miserable and dejected, Camilla might have dragged on with him. But Sam seems to have had little knowledge of the way the mind of a woman works. He could have cheated, neglected and even cruelly ill treated her. And she might have stayed with him. But if he thought that any woman, even one so gullible as Camilla, would put up with his continued crude love making Missouri, he was very much mistaken.

[Samuel Dougal]

Open the door.

[Florrie Harris]

Who is it? Who's there?

[Samuel Dougal]

It's me. Quiet. Too little.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Oh.

[Florrie Harris]

Choir.

[Samuel Dougal]

Oh, I stopped. What?

[Florrie Harris]

What happened? How many people?

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Oh, it's all right. Oh, come now.

[Florrie Harris]

Tell me what I can do. Oh, he was there outside. Jesus. But all my fathers. I was right. It would give way. Oh, you won't leave me. I won't leave Hel. I can't.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Yeah, it's all right. Sorry. Very well. Well, I'll stay with you. I'll bolt the door again. Come now, get back to bed and I'll squeeze in with you.

[Florrie Harris]

I can't stay in the house any longer. Really, I can't.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Now, come, Flora, you wouldn't leave me.

[Florrie Harris]

I'm sorry. I simply couldn't stay another night in this room.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Well, you shan't. You shall share my room.

[Florrie Harris]

Oh, but that wouldn't be right.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Never mind that. I'd like to. I shall feel happier myself. Now, that's settled. Now try and get some sleep.

[Florrie Harris]

Good night.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Good night, dear.

[Narrator]

But if the maid stepped his leg, we may be sure the mistress did not. What could she do if he left Sam, where would she go? He cut herself a drip from all her friends and all her relations. When Sam persuaded her to run away with it now, she felt outraged. She must go carefully. Sam has control of most of her possessions. Must get advice from somewhere. Next day she'd go to town on some pretext. But she wouldn't say anything about sorry to Sam. No, no. She'd go on just as if nothing had happened. Now, if Camilla had kept to this plan, perhaps the end of this story might have been different. But alas, when the time came, Camilla couldn't resist making reproaches. He even went on to hint that she had plans planned that might prove very awkward for Sam, who was the statesman who remarked. I have never regretted anything I have not said. It's observed that council would save much trouble in the world. The Camilla that counsel might have saved her life. Next morning, Sam's truth, and seemingly very pleased with himself, came to Camilla's room. Good morning. Good morning.

[Samuel Dougal]

Lovely day. How is my sweetheart?

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

I'm quite well, thank you, Sam.

[Samuel Dougal]

Give me a kiss.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

No, please, Sam.

[Samuel Dougal]

Yes, I say. But what's the matter?

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Nothing. Sam. Please leave me alone.

[Samuel Dougal]

Why should I leave you alone? What's this? Why have you got out your suitcase?

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Because I'm going to leave you. Oh, how could you? In my own home and with a servant.

[Samuel Dougal]

Oh, that's it. I thought I heard Florrie screaming.

[Narrator]

What nonsense.

[Samuel Dougal]

I'm setting a clock which knocks against the wall when you wind it.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Don't lie to me. You must think I'm a poor fool, but I've had enough.

[Samuel Dougal]

Don't be silly, Camilla.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

You're so suspicious. You soon see if I'm only suspicious.

[Samuel Dougal]

You'Re going to tell somebody about your bad husband.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Well, I don't trust you, Sam, and you know it.

[Samuel Dougal]

I see. When are you going?

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

On the 2:45, I think.

[Samuel Dougal]

Well, I'll drive you to the station.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Oh, don't trouble. I'll give a cab.

[Samuel Dougal]

No trouble. And after you've seen whoever it is and you've been told how silly and suspicious you are, you'll come back.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

At first I've got to come there. I've got to come back tonight until something's settled. I've nowhere to go.

[Samuel Dougal]

Oh, come now, Camilla. You're just upset. If you want to go out to town and talk to somebody about your affairs, well, go ahead. But don't worry, I look after you.

[Narrator]

He'll look after her, Sam. Dougal well knew that if Camilla sought advice and inquiries were started, it'd be the end of him. His criminal record was long and bad. Something had to be done. About 2:00 that afternoon, Camilla said goodbye to Plotte, gave instructions about feeding the dog and her husband, and told her she would be back in the evening. Then drove away with Dougal in the trap. Laurie never saw her.

[Basil]

Presente su solicitud oy mismo con del departamento de Emplo de Oregon. Es gratis, Basil. Yay servicios de interpretacion.

[Narrator]

At nine o'clock in the evening of the day Mrs. Dougal left for London. Sam told Florida he was going to the station to meet the train. For a moment, sorry was relieved at the thought of her Mistress's return. But there was no sound of the departing trap, and Floody suddenly became terrified. What was he doing? An hour later, Dougal appeared again. Your mistress has not returned. You'd better go to bed, girl. Now, thoroughly unnerved, spent a night of horror. But Dougal left her alone. His time was fully occupied. Next day, he told Florida he'd had a letter from his wife saying she was going to take a short holiday. Laurie saw no postman or letter. Apparently, Dougal thought it was enough for him to say anything to be believed. But Charlie could stand no more. Her mother took her away that morning. So, you see, things so far had worked out very well for our Mr. Dougal. Although Camilla had vanished into thin air, her dividends arrived regularly. Forgery had always proved a profitable sideline for Sam. He settled down to enjoy the kind of life he liked. Fine house, no work, steady income. He also engaged a series of female servants of a certain type, which, shall we say, didn't add to his reputation as a worthy citizen. But otherwise he continued to live at Moat House Farms. If nothing unusual had happened, this, to say the least of it, was tempting fortune a little too far. A profligate whose wife had mysteriously disappeared was the breath of life for local gossips. And as time went on, this gathered momentum. Our old friend Mrs. Whiskenden, for instance, had something to say.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Oh, my dear. Such a strange thing happened when Mr. And Mrs. Dougal stayed with me. Do you remember my telling you about Harris's dog?

[Florrie Harris]

Yes, of course.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

You told me how fond he was of. That's right, Jackie. Remember? Well, the other night, I thought I heard a dog whining. I looked out and there he was on the step. And when I patted him, he began to howl. That is queer. Yes, very mournful. Made me shudder. I finally got him to stay, but I felt so upset that I wrote to Mrs. Dougal. What did she say? Well, she didn't reply. But next day, Mr. Dougal called and took Jackie away. Of course, I asked him about his wife, but I couldn't get anything out of him. Well, nothing satisfactory, anyway. I've not seen him for ever so long. Nor have I. You know, it's stupid of me. I keep hearing that little dog howling and I have a funny feeling that something's wrong. Don't you give me the creep. Tis funny. Where is Mrs. Dougal, I wonder?

[Narrator]

Where is Mrs. Dougal? I wonder? That was a question many were to ask as the weeks went by. Some dismissed it as idle gossip, but there was enough reason for suspicion to take root.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

She's left him, Maxim, and I don't blame her.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Funny couple. Anyway, he's not hat store. Lots of money, if you ask me. Mrs. Dougal. Mrs. Nothing. He's not married to her. She's a Miss Holland, my dear, what do you think? You know that Mr. Dougal everyone's talking about? I hear he's locked his wife up in mill's house. Yes, Mrs. Dougal.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

He says she's gone on holiday.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

If she's let down for good, why does the postman go on delivering letters for us?

[Chief Inspector Scott]

What's happened to her, then? He's done her in. Left. What?

[Florrie Harris]

Where is Mr. Dougal?

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Mrs. Stevens says she's seen the new girl he's got up there wearing one of Mrs. Dougal's coat.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

I wouldn't be surprised what he's done.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Where is Mrs. Dougal? He ought to search the house.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

Where is Mrs. Dougal, he's murdered her, all right.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Why didn't the police do something? Where is Mrs. Dougal?

[Chief Inspector Scott]

What's he done with the body? That's what I want to know.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Where is Mrs. Dougal? Where is Mrs. Dugall?

[Narrator]

Where is Mrs. Dugall, so, one day in March 1903, Chief Inspector Scott of the Essex Police paid a visit to Moat House Farm.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

I expect you know, Mr. Doolittle, there's a lot of talk going on in the village about your wife.

[Samuel Dougal]

Well, I know there's a lot of stupid gossip started by that housemaid we have here.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

Oh, well, we can soon settle that. Just tell me where she is and where.

[Mrs. Whiskenden]

Well, that's just it.

[Samuel Dougal]

I can't tell you. I saw her off to London and expected her back the same night. She wrote, saying she was taking a holiday. And that's the last I heard of her.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

I see. They say you had a quarrel with her.

[Samuel Dougal]

Oh, there's that girl Sully Harris again. We had a tip she got jealous. Nothing to it. You know what women are.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

Your present servant has been seen wearing a gold watch and chain. Did they belong to your wife?

[Samuel Dougal]

No, that is not.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

I see. Well, Mr. Doodle, you know how it is. People talk. They even say you got your wife.

[Samuel Dougal]

Shut up in this house.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

Suppose you just show me around and I'll be able to stop all the chatter.

[Samuel Dougal]

Of course I show you around with pleasure. Then they'll have to find something else to talk about.

[Narrator]

Chief Inspector Scott found nothing to arouse his suspicions. But Dougal, it seems, was not completely satisfied with his easy acceptance of his story, and decided rather late in the day to make his getaway. To this end, he withdrew all the money he kept at two local banks. On one morning, the villages, as Dougal himself had detested, had something else to gossip about. Now Mr. Dougal had vanished. Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Scott had been making considerable progress. He had ascertained that certain papers regarding Moat House Farm had extensively been signed by Mrs. Dougal a few days before. He also succeeded in tracing a nephew of Mrs. Dougal who at once visited the farm. This man was able to prove that the alleged signature of his aunt was a forgery. With this evidence, the priests were able to act first, get their man in custody on a charge of forgery. The other charge, charge of murder, might come later. A warrant was issued for Dougal's arrest. Now, when Dougal withdrew his money from the two banks, he was paid in notes. 5 and 10 pound notes. For some reason that's beyond me. Dougal chose the bank of England to change a ten pound note into gold. Yes, gold was actually existed in those days. And in the bank of England, a detective inspector is always present.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

Excuse me, sir. These notes form part of a forgery. You'll have to come with me to Scotland Yard.

[Narrator]

With our man now safely under lock and key, the police were faced with a formidable task of finding Mrs. Dougal alive or dead. The Director of Prosecutions now took a hand and Scotland Yard, in the person of Chief Inspector Bauer, was sent to Moat House Farm in charge of investigations with Chief Inspector Scott of the Essex Police. Now a methodical search of the house began. Every room, cellar, passes, car. But an attic was examined. Walls and ceilings tapped, floorboards raised in every possible space accounted for, but not a shred of evidence emerged. Next, they turned to the ground. They began by dragging the motor. No result. Then they drained the motor. No result. Just a lot of mud. Inspector Scott stood on the bank, rather disfigured it. He took a stone and threw it into the motor. The mud was so thick, the stone rested on the surface.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

What's your idea, Scott? Think the body has sunk under the mud? Might be. Well, the brick you've just chucked in, didn't you think the body's heavier and it might have been weighted? Well, mud's only in the center. How'd the body got out so far? Dildo may have waited out with it. Well, well, you certainly asked for punishments. On we go, boys.

[Narrator]

Digging down into the mud in the moat was proceeded with during wet and misty weather. A gruesome and most unpleasant task, but no result. Scott had a fine team of men and when he called them off after five days of dreary disappointment, he began to feel that they might be completely on the wrong track. One night after dinner, Scott and Bower lit their pipes and took a stroll around the grounds.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

You know, this guardman here might be very pretty if it was looked after. Good soil, nice shrubs. Yeah, funny the way the soil varies. Look at that strip down there where that little dog's lying. Those bushes sort of stunted, eh? Oh, no, they're not stunted. They're young. Wait a minute. Look at the turf. That's new too. I bet that wasn't sown many months ago. Well, now it's quite a long strip. 5 to 10 yards lead to the most. Here, I'm going to go down. You know what I think it is? It's a ditch that's been filled in.

[Samuel Dougal]

Filled in?

[Chief Inspector Scott]

Filled in. Think you ought to dig it up? I think we ought to. We'll get the boys, start in the morning.

[Narrator]

But the boys didn't want to start in the morning. They wanted to start that night. The earth was not fully settled in the newly filled in ditch and they made good progress. Rather a grisly spectacle. A team of five or six men, the journalists standing there agog, waiting for news that the crime had been solved. Men dug down a foot, two feet, three feet, four feet. A feeling of failure spread through the country. The journalist walked off to get a drink. The digging became slower at four and a half feet.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

Go get some rest, boys. I don't want you dead too. Yes, there's no use breaking your back. There's nothing here. We'll pack up in the morning. All right, guys. What's the matter with him? What are you digging for, old fellow? Who's Dogazit?

[Narrator]

He belongs to Mitchy Stewart. Mrs. Dugal.

[Samuel Dougal]

Did he get back in, boys?

[Chief Inspector Scott]

Let's try another 10 minutes. And someone take that dog away. What are we trying to find? Australia.

[Samuel Dougal]

It moves. Gone in. I can't see what I'm digging out.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

Makes me sick. Don't want to see anything.

[Narrator]

Whoa.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

Watch this. Feels like a boot. Give it to me and everybody stop working.

[Samuel Dougal]

Yes, it's a boot, all right.

[Chief Inspector Scott]

A woman's boot. We'll wait till the moon comes out again and then we'll dig very carefully around the body.

[Narrator]

Next morning, everybody had the answer to the much repeated question, where is Mrs. Dougal? Murdered and buried in a ditch. The Scotland Yard expert, Dr. Pepper, was called and testified. The cause of death was a bullet shot from close quarters. Dougal was proved to have had in his possession a revolver of similar caliber. Strangely enough, the only person who seemed in doubt of the outcome of the trial was the prisoner himself. And and when the jury brought in a verdict of guilty, he appeared almost surprised. Tears trickled down his face. On the day of execution arrived, Dougal, still maintaining his innocence, walked to the scaffold. A noose was adjusted, and the executioner put his hand on the lever. At this moment, the chaplain in attendance asked in a whisper, guilty or not guilty? And through the white hood which covers covered Dougal's face came the answer. Guilty. Just as the noose tightened and the body was consigned to the pit below.