
The Black Book 51-11-21 (x) Different Readings
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Ryan Seacrest
It is Ryan here and I have a question for you. What do you do when you win? Like, are you a fist pumper?
The Man in Black
A woohooer?
Ryan Seacrest
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Narrator
And now the man in Black takes from his files another case history of an attempt to commit the perfect crime.
The Man in Black
Good evening, this is the man in Black. A year ago tonight, an innocent man was murdered in a small New England village. He was murdered by Clyde Ross. Listen to what happened in Clyde's own world. He was executed. As I walked across the village square toward the church, I knew I was.
Clyde Ross
Gonna murder old man Hanson, the good.
The Man in Black
Sexton, the church bell ringer.
Clyde Ross
Oh, it was gonna be so simple and easy.
The Man in Black
A couple of things left to do first, and that was all.
Clyde Ross
One was to see Father Vincent and tell him how worried I was about Hansen.
The Man in Black
That he was too old to be climbing the tower to ring the bell. That he'd slip some day and have a bad fall down the stairs.
Clyde Ross
That he might even fall out of the belfry. I knew how Father Vincent would react, and he did just as I expected. I even remember how he said it.
The Man in Black
Why we cannot retire. The old man is Sexton, my son. Why, next to you, this is his whole life.
Clyde Ross
And I remember how I told him.
The Man in Black
That, sure, he was so right, but.
Clyde Ross
That I loved Hansen like a father and worried about him. Well, I left it at that and went to walk the old Sexton home.
The Man in Black
I lived with him, you see, but he wasn't my father. Oh, no. He was just an old goof whose.
Clyde Ross
Wife had died five years ago and he'd taken me in off the streets. Frankly, I hated the sight of him.
The Man in Black
But the old man was loaded.
Clyde Ross
He'd saved all kinds of money and no one to leave it to. So I butted him up for a year or so and got it all fixed. Legally. I inherited his money when the old man croaked. Yeah, I was going to fix that too. All I needed was a good simple plan and a witness to say I was somewhere else when it happened.
The Man in Black
I was easy first. Old Hansen was going to fall out of the church belfry and kill himself. He was Going to fall out?
Clyde Ross
Yeah, because I was gonna push him.
The Man in Black
Second, Henry Freckleton was gonna be the.
Clyde Ross
Witness to say I was somewhere else. Henry has a hamburger stand at the edge of town.
The Man in Black
And for months in advance, at the.
Clyde Ross
Same time, every Thursday evening, I drive past Henry's and honk and wave at him. He knew I was on my way to Bedford, that's a town about 10 miles away, to see a movie. So every Thursday, Henry'd wave me out of town, and a couple hours later.
The Man in Black
He'D wave me back.
Clyde Ross
So it was established where I went every Thursday night.
The Man in Black
Clever. But one night, the big night, I didn't go to Bedford.
Clyde Ross
I drove past Henry's all right. But then I circled back on a little wagon road that led to the woods right behind the church. I had my car there, and in a few minutes, I was silently climbing the narrow steps to the belfry. Old Hansen just begun to pull the bell when he saw me. And he smiled at me. I smiled back happily, Waited till he pulled the bell for the last time. And then I jumped him quick and pushed him over. Just a little push. He fell without a cry. And it seemed right somehow that he landed in the cemetery at the side of the church. Afterwards, I never heard it so quiet. All the way back through the woods to the car. It was as quiet as death. And then I was right on time for Henry's wave. When I drove back into town, I.
The Man in Black
Knew then the circle was complete. The crime was perfect. Clyde Ross finished his story and said, no more. The end is well known. Two short days later, Clyde was arrested for the murder of the old sexton. Where had he made his mistake by telling Father Vincent of his concern for the sexton's safety? Because he'd been so convincing, the good father took the problem to the sexton himself. And old Hanson, touched by Clyde's obvious love for him, devised a signal to assure Father Vincent that all was well. He simply rang the church bell four extra times to signify that he was not in danger, that Clyde was there.
Narrator
The man in black has brought you from his files another case history of an attempt to commit the perfect crime. This is the CBS radio network. And now the man in black takes from his files another case history of an attempt to commit the perfect crime.
The Man in Black
As he walked across the village square toward the church, Clyde Ross knew he was gonna kill old man Hanson. The good sexton, the church bell ringer. Oh, it was gonna be so simple and easy, he thought there were only a couple of things left to do. The first Was to see Father Vincent. To tell him how worried he was about old man Hansen. To tell him that Hansen was too old to be climbing the tower to ring the bell. That he'd slip some day and have a bad fall down the stairs. That he might even fall out of the belfry. Clyde knew how Father Vincent would react to this, and sure enough, he did. We cannot retire. The old man is Sexton, my son, when next to you, this is his whole life. Clyde knew that would be the answer and told Father Vincent that he was right. And he carefully added that he loved the old Sexton like a father. Although, in fact, of course, Clyde hated him. And Hansen was not his father, but just a lonely old man whose wife had died five years ago and who had given Clyde a home long since. However, Clyde had discovered that old Hansen had saved his money for years and now had an impressive sum to will to someone. Without much difficulty, Clyde wormed his way into the old man's heart. And now it was all legally arranged that he was going to herit the money when old Hanson died. But Clyde was impatient, and one day he decided upon a faster way to get the money. All he needed was a good, simple plan and a witness to say that he was somewhere else when the old man died. He found both easily. First, he decided that old Hanson would fall out of the church belfry and kill himself. And then, to prove that he could not possibly have had been present, Clyde settled upon Henry Freckleton as his witness that he was elsewhere when it happened. Henry had a hamburger stand at the edge of town. And for months in advance, at the same time, every Thursday night, Clyde would drive past Henry's and honk and wave at him. He let Henry know that he went every Thursday to Bedford, about 10 miles away, to a movie. And on Clyde's return, Henry would wave him back into town. And so it was established where he went each Thursday. But one night, the big night, Clyde didn't go to Bedford. He drove past Henry's all right, but then he circled back on a little wagon road that led to the woods right behind the church. He hit his car there, and a few minutes later he was silently climbing the narrow steps to the belfry. Old Hansen had just begun to pull the bell when he saw Clyde and.
Clyde Ross
He smiled at him.
The Man in Black
Clyde smiled back and waited until the sexton had pulled the bell for the last time. Then Clyde picked him up gently and threw him over. The old man fell without a cry, landed in the cemetery at the side of the church and Died instantly. Nobody had heard or seen the accident. Clyde took one brief look below and then hurried back through the woods to his car. Shortly afterwards, Henry Freckleton waved him back into town. The circle was complete. The crime was perfect. And yet two days later, Clyde was arrested for murder. Where had he made his mistake by telling Father Vincent of his concern for the sexton's safety? Because he'd been so convincing, the good father took the problem to the sexton himself. And old Hanson, touched by Clyde's obvious love for him devised a signal to assure Father Vincent that all was well. He simply rang the church bell four extra times to signify that he was not in danger, that Clyde was there.
Narrator
The man in Black has brought you from his files another case history of an attempt to commit the perfect crime. This is the CBS Radio Network. Within the next few minutes, a major crime will be committed somewhere in the United States. Before this program is off the air, a criminal will have struck and vanished having accomplished a perfect crime. But is it from his files, the man in Black brings you another story of a crime that was almost perfect. Of a criminal who made only one mistake.
The Man in Black
Good evening. This is the man in Black. A year ago tonight, an innocent man was murdered in a small New England village. He was murdered by Clyde Ross. Listen to what happened in Clyde's own words as he told it to me just before he was executed.
Clyde Ross
I was gonna murder a man.
The Man in Black
And the whole idea of it felt good.
Clyde Ross
Right then as I walked across the.
The Man in Black
Village square toward the church.
Clyde Ross
I knew I was gonna murder him. It was gonna be so easy.
The Man in Black
Simple and easy.
Clyde Ross
A couple of little things left to do, and that was all. Then the church bell started ringing.
The Man in Black
I looked up at the steeple.
Clyde Ross
Even at night you could see the belfry clear enough.
The Man in Black
I didn't even see the bell banging. First one way, then the other.
Clyde Ross
The only thing I couldn't see was him.
The Man in Black
Edgar Branson. He was a sexton. Big deal.
Clyde Ross
Dig a few graves, keep the old church cemetery looking homey and ring the bell. That was Old Man Branson.
The Man in Black
That was his whole life.
Clyde Ross
That was the guy I was going to kill. Not tonight.
The Man in Black
Later.
Clyde Ross
A week or so maybe.
The Man in Black
I went inside the church, through the.
Clyde Ross
Vestibule down the long, dark hall that led to Father Vincent's quarters. Father Vincent answered my knock.
The Man in Black
I looked worried.
Clyde Ross
That was part of my plan. Right away, he wanted to know what was wrong. So I told him I was worried about old Branson. He was too old to be climbing the tower. That maybe he'd slip someday. And have a bad fall down the stairs that he might even fall out of the belfry. Oh, I played it big, like a son being worried about his father. And Father Vincent went right along with it, as I knew he would. I remember just how he said it. We cannot retire old Edgar as sexton, my son, next to you, this is his whole life. To take it from him now, to.
The Man in Black
Say to him his usefulness is gone, would be a grievous wrong, my son.
Clyde Ross
Perhaps a fatal wrong.
The Man in Black
Yeah, sure, sure, I told Father Vincent.
Clyde Ross
Sure.
The Man in Black
He was so right.
Clyde Ross
Boy, both of us were pretty choked up by the time I left. I walked old man Bronson home. You see, I live with him. Why not?
The Man in Black
I wasn't blessed with a family.
Clyde Ross
Besides, old man Bronson was loaded, Saved.
The Man in Black
All kinds of money and no one.
Clyde Ross
To leave it to. His wife had died five years ago. After a year or so of me buttering the old boy up, it was all fixed. Legally, I didn't.
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The Man in Black
Done at the whole load.
Clyde Ross
When the sexton croaked, let me tell you, I earned it. Brother, how I earned it. Playing nursemaid to an old goof you can't stand the sight of. All the time acting like he's doing you a big favor, taking you off the streets. You think that's easy? And what's worse, I'd given him something to live for. Everyone said so. Something to live for. Great. And all I ever wanted Was to give him something to die for. Old goof. Well, once I knew I was gonna kill him, the pressure was off. All I needed was a good plan. A simple one, you know, and a class A bonafide witness that said I was somewhere else when it happened. A simple plan. Old Branson was going to fall out of the church belfry. He was going to fall out? Yeah, because I was going to push him. You see, I started the pattern a few months ahead of time. Every Thursday night I drive to Bedford about 10 miles away to go to a movie. Got so I was driving past Henry Freckleton's hamburger stand at the edge of town. At the same time every Thursday night.
The Man in Black
Henry wave me out of town.
Clyde Ross
And a couple of hours later I'd honk and he'd wave me back into town. Henry, Father Vincent. No, man. Branson. They all knew where I went every Thursday night. Except that once or twice I didn't go to Bedford at all. Oh, I drove past Henry's all right. Few miles out on the Bedford road. Then I'd circle back on a dinky little wagon road that led to the woods behind the church. I found that I could hide my car there and enter the church belfry unnoticed. After a while, it would be simple to complete the circle and pass Henry's again as I came back into town. Yeah, and at work too, like a charm. Not a hitch anywhere. Henry waves me out of town on schedule. I didn't even pass a car on the old wagon road. And the woods were as quiet as a tomb when I went through them. I was silently climbing the narrow, twisting steps to the belfry. Old Branson had just begun to pull the belt when he saw me. And he smiled at me like I was his son. I smiled back when he pulled the bell for the last time. I moved on him quick and threw him over the side. Fell to his death without a word. It seemed right somehow that he pitched right into the cemetery at the side of the church. Afterwards, I never heard it so quiet. All the way back through the woods to the car. It was as quiet as death. And I was right on time for Henry's wave. When I drove back into town too. I knew then the circle was complete. The crime was perfect.
The Man in Black
Clyde Ross finished his story and said, no more. The end is well known. Two short days later, Clyde was arrested for the murder of the old sexton. Where they made his mistake. What thin web of circumstance became the cord about his neck. As in the case of most perfect crimes, Clyde turned out to be his own hangman. If he had not told Father Vincent of his concern for the sexton's safety, he might well have lived to inherit the old man's wealth. But because he told his story so convincingly, the good Father took the problem to the sexton himself. And old Brandon, touched by Clyde's obvious love for him, devised a signal to assure Father Vincent that all was well. He rang the church bell four extra times to signify that he was not in danger, that Clyde was there.
Narrator
The man in black has brought you from his files another case history of a criminal who attempted to commit the perfect crime. This is the CBS Radio Network. Within the next few minutes, a major crime will be committed somewhere in the United States. Before this program is off the air, a criminal will have struck and vanished, having accomplished a perfect crime. But is it from his files, the man in black brings you another story of a crime that was almost perfect, of a criminal who made only one mistake. And now, the man in black.
The Man in Black
The young man's footsteps echoed hollowly across the cobblestone of the deserted village square. His pace was regular brisk until he reached the steps of the church. And there he paused. And for a long moment the half light of a nearby street lamp caught the sensitive features of his young face as he narrowed his eyes and peered intently up toward the bell tower. Slowly, then, the church bell began to peel, and the young man smiled. He could see the bell, but nothing else. Apparently satisfied, he hurried up the church steps, in through the vestibule, and back to Father Vincent's quarters. Somewhere along the way, the smile left his face and was replaced by an expression of grave concern. It was this expression that greeted Father Vincent as he admitted the young man to his rooms. Clyde, my son, what is wrong? You're troubled. Are you ill? Clyde managed a weak smile. I'm not ill, Father. Troubled? Yes. His eyes indicated the bell tower. It's. It's he, old Branson, who troubles me. Father Vincent evidenced concern. The sexton. But why Clyde? Where? Branson and I had a long talk this evening. His health is good, exceptionally good. And his faith. His spirits are an excellent order. And here the priest smiled. Thanks to you, my son. You bring him such happiness. There was protest in Clyde's reply. Please, Father, listen to me. He'll be down soon. I. I have to meet him, to walk him home. There's not much time to talk now.
Clyde Ross
Perhaps I'm wrong, but I worry about.
The Man in Black
Him climbing to the tower. When I don't worry about him, I fear that he may fall from the tower itself. His health is good, yes, but he's an old man, father. His step's not as sure as it was.
Clyde Ross
I.
The Man in Black
You understand. I. I felt I had to tell you. A great warmth and admiration reflected in Father Vincent eyes. You would have him retire as sexton of our church? Son, why, next to you, this is his whole life. It gave him a usefulness his nature demanded when he felt there was nothing else to live for. Were to take it away from him now, to say to him, his usefulness is gone, would do a grievous wrong, Clyde.
Clyde Ross
Perhaps.
The Man in Black
Perhaps a fatal wrong. Later that night, long after old Branson was asleep, Clyde smiled to himself in the darkness of his own room. Father Vincent had reacted just as Clyde knew he would. To relieve Branson of his duties as Sexton might indeed prove fatal. Father Vincent and Clyde both realized that what the good priest did not realize was that keeping that self same job would also prove fatal for old Branson. The Sexton would fall from the bell tower to his death. And Clyde. Clyde would be miles from the scene of the accident at the time. Or so it would appear. Clyde let a week pass, then two, and finally he settled on the night itself. He planned it just as carefully, planned every step of his way into the old sexton's heart. Five years before, Branson's wife and only son had died tragically in an accident. And Clyde, it appeared, out of orphan poverty to take their place. And with very good reason. Old Branson was a man of means in the village. It was widely known now that when the old man died, it was Clyde who would inherit his wealth. But five years was a long time, and Clyde waited impatiently for the old man to die. Finally convinced that it was he and.
Clyde Ross
The job as sexton that actually kept.
The Man in Black
Bronson alive, Clyde settled on a course of murder. In recent months, he had formed the habit of visiting a neighboring community. On a certain night each week on his way out of town, he would wave at Henry at the hamburger stand. Later, as he returned, he would wave at Henry again. Henry would make a fine witness when the time came. Further, Clyde. Clyde had a carefully contrived short cut. He could drive past Henry if. Oh, nuts. Can you take that? Can we take it over again?
Narrator
Just pick it up. Go back about a sentence behind it.
The Man in Black
Paul, can you cut it out? Later, as he returned, he would wave at Henry again. Henry would make a fine witness when the time came further, Clyde had carefully contrived a shortcut. He could drive past Henry a few miles. Circle Bath. Can we cut it and go again.
Clyde Ross
Oh, this is murder.
Ryan Seacrest
Go back and pick it up in.
Clyde Ross
The same place again, Paul.
The Man in Black
Later, as he returned, he would wave at Henry again. Henry would make a fine witness when the time came. Further, Clyde had carefully contrived a shortcut. He could drive past Henry a few miles, circle back on a less traveled path, seclude his car in the woods behind the church. It was always possible to enter the bell tower unnotice. And Clyde had proved to himself that no one was visible to the street from the tower. Once he had pushed old Branson from the tower to become a simple matter to complete his circle tour and again pass Henry. As he entered the village, the night was at hand. With apparent ease, Clyde repeated his well rehearsed plan. Henry was at his post to wave a greeting. No one else traveled the back road that night. And all was serene as Clyde made his way through the woods, then silently up the narrow twisting steps to the bell tower. Old Branson had just begun to pull the bell when he saw Clyde and smiled, for Clyde was like his son. Clyde smiled too. And when the old sexton pulled the bell for the last time, Clyde moved quite quickly. And surely the old man fell to certain deaths without a word. Fittingly enough, he fell noiselessly into the cemetery to the side of the church. Clyde took one brief look below and then made his way as silently as the old man had fallen back through the woods to his car. Half an hour later, he was entering the village again. Sure enough, Henry looked up from his duties to wave again at Clyde. The circle was complete. The crime was perfect. And yet, two short days later, Clyde Ross was arrested for the murder of the old sexton. Where he made his mistake, what thin web of circumstance became the cord about his neck. As in the case of most perfect crimes, Clyde turned out to be his own hangman. If he had not told Father Vincent of his concern for the sexton's safety, he might well have lived to inherit the old man's wealth. But because he told his story so convincingly, the good father took the problem to the sexton himself. An old Branson, touched by Clyde's obvious love for him, devised a signal for Father Vincent to assure him that all was well. He rang the church bell four extra times to signify that he was not in danger, that Clyde was there.
Narrator
The man in black has brought you from his files another case history of a criminal who attempted to commit the perfect crime. This is the CBS Radio Network.
Ryan Seacrest
It is Ryan here and I have a question for you. What do you do when you win. Like are you a fist pumper?
The Man in Black
A woohooer?
Ryan Seacrest
A hand clapper? A high fiver? If you want to hone in on those winning moves, check out Chumba Casino. Choose from hundreds of social casino style games for your chance to redeem serious cash prizes. There are new game releases weekly, plus free daily bonuses, so don't wait. Start having the most Fun ever@shambacasino.com no.
Commercial Voiceover
Purchase necessary VGW Group void where prohibited by law 21/ Terms and conditions apply.
Grainger Voiceover
If you're a maintenance supervisor for a commercial property, you've had to deal with everything from leaky faucets to flickering light bulbs. But nothing's worse than that ancient boiler that's lived in the building since the day it was built 50 years ago. It's enough to make anyone lose their cool. That's where Grainger comes in. With industrial grade products and dependable, fast delivery, Grainger can help with any challenge, from worn out components to everyday necessities. Call click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
Podcast Information:
In this episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio, immersing themselves in a classic crime drama titled "The Black Book 51-11-21 (x) Different Readings." This episode masterfully weaves a tale of deception, meticulous planning, and inevitable downfall, capturing the essence of suspense and intrigue that defined radio's golden era.
The central narrative revolves around Clyde Ross, a man driven by greed and resentment, who meticulously plans the perfect murder of Edgar Branson, the beloved sexton of a small New England village. Clyde's motive is clear: inherit Branson's substantial wealth. To ensure his alibi, Clyde orchestrates a routine of visiting Henry Freckleton's hamburger stand every Thursday night, creating the impression that he is out of town when the crime occurs.
Key Plot Points:
Clyde's Relationship with Branson: Clyde, once taken in by Branson after the death of his own family, grows to despise the old man despite their shared living arrangement.
The Perfect Crime Plan: Clyde devises a scheme to push Branson from the church belfry, making it appear as a tragic accident. His plan includes establishing a solid alibi through Henry Freckleton, ensuring no one suspects his involvement.
Execution and Mistake: Despite his careful planning, Clyde's overconfidence leads him to reveal his concerns about Branson's safety to Father Vincent, the local priest. This act of deceit becomes his undoing.
1. Building the Alibi
Routine Establishment: Clyde ensures that every Thursday night, he is seen heading to Bedford to watch a movie, creating a consistent pattern that Henry Freckleton's waves corroborate.
Modification for the Crime: On the night he intends to commit the murder, Clyde deviates from his usual path, circling back on a hidden wagon road to access the church unnoticed.
2. The Murder
Execution of the Plan: Clyde approaches the belfry silently, waits for Branson to begin ringing the bell, and then pushes him, leading to Branson's death. The seamless transition is designed to complete his alibi effortlessly.
Completion of the Alibi: Clyde returns to town in time to receive Henry's wave, reinforcing his absence during the murder.
3. The Flaw in the Plan
Confrontation with Father Vincent: Clyde's need to discuss Branson's safety with Father Vincent leads to suspicion. His genuine-seeming concern prompts Father Vincent to communicate directly with Branson.
Branson's Signal: Touched by Clyde's apparent concern, Branson rings the church bell four extra times, signaling his safety and Clyde's presence, thereby unraveling Clyde's alibi.
Clyde Ross Reflecting on His Plan:
Clyde's Final Moments Pre-Arrest:
The Twist Leading to Arrest:
Narrator on Clyde's Downfall:
"The Black Book 51-11-21 (x) Different Readings" serves as a classic study in the psychology of crime and the fragility of seemingly perfect plans. Clyde Ross embodies the flawed anti-hero whose meticulous preparation is ultimately undone by a single misstep. His interaction with Father Vincent highlights the perils of underestimating human empathy and the unintended consequences of deceit.
Themes Explored:
Hubris and Overconfidence: Clyde's belief in the infallibility of his plan blinds him to the subtle cues that lead to his capture.
The Role of Community Vigilance: The involvement of Father Vincent and Edgar Branson underscores how community bonds and genuine concern can thwart criminal intentions.
Moral Complexity: Clyde's background as a man who was once helped by Branson adds layers to his character, making his motivations both understandable and condemnable.
This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio masterfully encapsulates the essence of Golden Age radio dramas, blending suspense, intricate plotting, and deep character studies. "The Black Book 51-11-21 (x) Different Readings" not only entertains but also invites listeners to ponder the fine line between meticulous planning and human unpredictability. Clyde Ross's tragic flaw serves as a timeless reminder that even the most carefully constructed plans can crumble under the weight of unforeseen human emotions and actions.
For fans of classic radio dramas and crime stories, this episode is a compelling listen that showcases the enduring appeal of storytelling that captures both the imagination and the moral complexities of its characters.