The Key - Child Murderer

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Key – Child Murderer"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Date: June 18, 2026
Episode Theme:
This episode presents an engaging, suspenseful radio drama from the golden era, centering on the sudden disappearance of a young girl, Janie Langford, in a community haunted by child murders. The story unfolds from the family’s home and everyday worries to a tense police investigation, culminating in a striking twist about the nature of truth, attention, and love.

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Main Theme & Purpose

The episode explores the anxiety and paranoia gripping a family and community after a string of child murders. When young Janie Langford goes missing, suspicion, fear, and heartbreak take center stage. The story examines not only the hunt for a possible murderer but also the complex motivations and emotional needs of both children and adults.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Family Tension & Ominous News

• Opening Scene (00:41–04:27):
  • Domestic activity prepares Janie for a weekend visit with her grandmother.
  • Janie's obsession with the story of murdered child Beryl alarms her mother.
    • “If I catch you reading any more of these newspaper stories about Beryl, I’ll be after you with a hairbrush.” (01:35, Fran Langford)
  • The conversation sets a tone of parental worry, overprotectiveness, and the haunting impact of local crimes on everyday life.

2. Janie’s Departure and a ‘Helpful’ Stranger

• Interaction with Mr. Blake (04:58–08:46):
  • Janie, waiting for the bus, meets neighbor Arthur Blake.
  • The bus is delayed—he offers a ride. She accepts after some coaxing.
  • Their conversation blends innocence with subtle tension:
    • Blake expresses a wish for a daughter like Janie, raising red flags for listeners.
    • Janie discusses her perception of familial love, referencing the murdered Beryl.

Notable Quote:
“But I bet you Mr. and Mrs. Garland loved Beryl more than my mother and father love me. They loved her when she was alive and now she isn’t.”
— Janie Langford (07:51)

• As Blake takes a “shortcut,” Janie grows uneasy, foreshadowing danger.

3. Realization and Panic: The Girl is Missing

• Family's Growing Alarm (09:06–13:49):
  • Mother Fran and family notice Janie hasn’t arrived at her grandmother’s.
  • A broken phone line amplifies their anxiety.
  • Police are notified as they fear Janie has become the next victim.
  • News arrives: a child's body has been found; the family rushes to identify her, gripped by dread.

Memorable Exchange:
“She should have been with you by half past ten at the latest.”
— Fran Langford (10:29)

4. A False Identification and Renewed Hope

• Crucial Twist (13:49–15:27):
  • The body is misidentified; it’s not Janie. She remains missing, but hope returns.
  • Investigators realize they’re chasing a repeating pattern—a suspected serial offender.

5. Investigation Narrows: Suspicion Falls on Arthur Blake

• Building the Case (15:27–18:28):
  • Eyewitnesses place Janie with Blake, who frequents the site of previous crimes.
  • Blake is apprehended and interrogated—he vehemently denies involvement.
  • Police pressure him, referencing eyewitness accounts and past murders.

Quote:
“Everything points to you killing Beryl Golland, the second girl, Anne Deacon, and now Jane Langford.”
— Detective (17:40)

6. Janie is Found — The Truth Unravels

• Resolution (19:36–21:09):
  • Janie is discovered alive, traumatized but physically unharmed.
  • She accuses Blake of assaulting her, describing a frightening escape.

Quote:
“He said he was taking me on a shortcut, but we went past Lavender street, right out of the dock. It was all quiet and there was no one about. I tried to get out of the car, but it hit me.”
— Janie Langford (20:34)

7. A Stark Reversal: Lies Exposed

• Confrontation and Confession (22:14–23:36):
  • Detectives grow skeptical; new witnesses corroborate that Blake dropped Janie at her stop.
  • Under questioning, Janie admits she fabricated the story—no assault occurred.
  • Her motive: to make her parents feel sorry, to gain the affection and attention she felt lacking.

Notable Quote:
“They don’t care about me…. I wanted to make them sorry.”
— Janie Langford (23:29, 23:36)

8. Aftermath and Reflection

• Community Fallout (24:02–25:13):
  • Blake is exonerated, police express apologies.
  • The story closes with a somber reflection on the power of jealousy, loneliness, and the consequences of suspicion.
  • The narrator reminds listeners that next week's "key" will open a new story.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Every door has a key.” — Narrator (00:20)
• “If you look after it properly, well, we’ll get you another one at the end of the month.” — Fran Langford (03:41)
• “I’m not this maniac murderer. I’m not.” — Arthur Blake (16:14)
• “You were quite prepared to see Mr. Blake, an innocent man, go to the electric chair just because of your lies.” — Detective (22:27)
• “Jealous kids.” — Police Officer (24:29)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:41–04:27: Family prepares Janie for her visit, hints of crime in the community surface.
• 04:58–08:46: Janie accepts a ride from Arthur Blake; conversation raises suspicions.
• 09:06–13:49: The panic after Janie’s disappearance escalates; family dreads the worst.
• 13:49–15:27: Misidentified body gives the family hope; the investigation continues.
• 15:27–18:28: The police interrogation of Arthur Blake intensifies.
• 19:36–21:09: Janie is rescued, initially claims Blake was her assailant.
• 22:14–23:36: Janie’s confession: she lied about the attack to get her parents’ attention.
• 24:29–25:11: Emotional fallout, apologies, and reflection.

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Tone & Style

The episode features the taut, melodramatic dialogue and clipped pacing characteristic of mid-20th-century radio, layering suspense with deep emotion. Relationships, suspicion, and longing for connection drive the drama, epitomized by Janie’s plaintive admission and the adults’ anguished confusion.

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Useful Takeaways

• How fear and a lack of communication can distort reality: The family’s affection, though imperfect, is real; Janie’s desperate act is a cry for connection.
• The destructive power of suspicion and mistaken identity: Innocent people can suffer when fear clouds judgment.
• The massive emotional ripple of crime and trauma through even the smallest communities.

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Listeners seeking a classic radio mystery with emotional depth, unexpected twists, and reflections on family and society will find "The Key – Child Murderer" both gripping and thought-provoking.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Every door has a key.

[Police Officer]

There's a key to every situation. Behind every unopened door there is a mystery.

[Detective]

And the opening of this door introduces

[Police Officer]

us to another in the series.

[Narrator]

The Key.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Janie.

[Janie Langford]

Gee, you scared me, Mama, coming in like that so quietly.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Now, what are you doing?

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Just reading, that's all.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

I might have saved myself the question. When aren't you reading? But you put that paper away now, and you get ready, and I won't tell you again. This is three times now I've called.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

All right, Mom. I'll be ready in time.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Next thing you know, you'll have missed the bus, and you'll have Grandma standing out there in the sun waiting to meet you. But you won't be there on time. She'll have to wait for the next bus then. And she's too old to be standing up in the sun for hours on end just waiting for you to turn up.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

I've just got to change my dress.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Well, changing it. Get a move on. Grandma won't ask you over for the weekend anymore if you. Janie, don't just stand there looking at me. Now, give me that paper and get your other dress. What have you been reading, anyway?

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Just about Beryl. How they found her.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

I told you. You want to read about Beryl? You want to talk about her? You're too young to. Now, look, if I catch you reading any more of these newspaper stories about Beryl, I'll be after you with a hairbrush.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

He did some dreadful things to her, didn't he? The man who took her away.

[Janie Langford]

Now, stop it.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Remember, another word about Beryl or any more looking at newspapers and you'll be sorry. I'll expect you downstairs in five minutes.

[Narrator]

Oh, that poor little Beryl.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Such a pretty kid, just like Janie.

[Narrator]

Oh, that poor woman.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Senior child. I hope they catch that man soon and put him in the electric chair.

[Janie Langford]

Five minutes, Janie.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

No longer. Well, let's see now. Handkerchiefs. Where are your hankies, Jamie?

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Underneath the other thing, where I can.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Oh, yes. Here they are. Socks.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Mm.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Oh, yes, that looks all right. Now, show me where you put your money.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Here, this pocket.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Well, don't forget to keep it in that one. And keep it in the purse, too. You'll lose it otherwise.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Yes, Mama.

[Narrator]

Good.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Now, what do you tell Grandma?

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Mama's sorry she couldn't come with me, Grandma, but Daddy suddenly got the flu and had to go to bed, and she can't leave him.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Have you said goodbye to Daddy?

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Yeah, on my way downstairs.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

You didn't go right into the room.

[Detective]

Did you?

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

You just stood at the door?

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Yeah, Mama.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Yes? Well, I don't want you going down with the flu as well as Daddy. He's enough to look after now. What else do you tell Grandma you'll

[Janie Langford (younger)]

stay next week sometime?

[Janie Langford]

And will she put me on the

[Janie Langford (younger)]

bus about three Sunday afternoon? She. So I can get home while it's still light. And will she ask the conductor to keep an eye on me?

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

All right. Now, you see, you keep that dress clean, very nice in it. And if you look after it properly, well, we'll get you another one at the end of the month.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Yes, Mom.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Oh, well, have a good time. And don't be any trouble to Grandma. And don't forget, no talking to strangers on the bus. If anyone tries to talk to you anywhere, you tell them to go away or you'll call a policeman.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Yes, Mom.

[Janie Langford]

Will you come down to the bus stop with me?

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Lee, how many more times do I have to tell you I can't leave Daddy. And there's no need to be scared about going to the bus stop by yourself. Just don't talk to anyone and you'll be all right. Now, that's enough. But I think you were still a baby. You remember all I've said and you won't get into any trouble.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Yes, Mom.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Oh, there's your father calling now, and I'll have to go to him. You get off then and give Grandma my love and I'll see you on Sunday.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Yes, someday.

[Narrator]

Hello, Janie. What are you doing propping up the

[Janie Langford (younger)]

bus pole hollow, Mr. Blake? I'm just waiting for the bus. I'm going over to my grandma's for the weekend.

[Narrator]

Oh, well, you'll have to wait a while for that bus. I just passed it back there. It's broken down.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Oh, there'll be another one along sometime, I guess.

[Narrator]

Where does your Grandma live, honey?

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Harborside. 16 Lavender Street do you know Lavender Street, Mr. Blake?

[Narrator]

I sure do. Look, I tell you what, I have to go through Harborside. Hop in. I'll give you a lift. Goodness knows how long they'll take with the bus.

[Janie Langford]

Oh,

[Janie Langford (younger)]

all right, then. Thanks. Thanks.

[Narrator]

Yeah, it's too hot to be standing there. Got your swimsuit to have a dip? There's a good pool over there on Harborside.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Yes, Grandma will be taking me down there this afternoon.

[Narrator]

You're lucky. I wish I could go somewhere for swim today.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Why can't you?

[Narrator]

I've got to make a long trip right away from the water.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Whereabouts are you going?

[Narrator]

Bekkerwood.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Bekkerwood? That's where they found Beryl Gollum, wasn't it?

[Narrator]

Yeah. I believe they did find her there.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

What's Beckerwood like? Have you been there before?

[Narrator]

Uh huh. Quite a few times. It's a nice place. Quiet, plenty of trees. Not many people around. I like Beecham Wood. I think maybe I'll build a place there sometime.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

I wish we could build a place somewhere. We haven't got enough money.

[Narrator]

Oh. I hear your father's home from work, Janie.

[Arthur Blake]

Mm.

[Narrator]

What's wrong with him? No, you don't seem very worried about it.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

He'll be all right. Mama's looking after him. She runs around doing everything for him.

[Janie Langford]

Do you like my mother and father, Mr. Blake?

[Narrator]

Now, that's a funny question.

[Janie Langford]

Do you, though?

[Narrator]

Yeah, of course I do. I think they're both very nice. And you know what?

[Janie Langford (younger)]

What?

[Narrator]

I think they're very lucky to have a little girl as nice as you. I wish I had a daughter like you.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

You can't until you get married, can you?

[Narrator]

No. But I hope when I do get married and have a child, it'll be a girl and she'll look as pretty as you do.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Thank you, Mr. Blake. I don't like my mother and father much.

[Narrator]

What? Janie, what a dreadful thing to say.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

I do, but.

[Janie Langford]

Well, I bet you Mr. And Mrs. Garland loved Beryl more than my mother and father love me. They loved her when she was alive and now she isn't. They'll love her memory even more. My mother said so.

[Narrator]

Now, Janie, your mother and father love you more than anyone else in the world. And how you could think they didn't. Still, you'll change your mind about all that in time, I guess. Everyone thinks they're not loved at times. Suppose I thought the same thing about my parents when I was a boy. But I was wrong. And you'll find out you're wrong, too.

[Janie Langford (younger)]

Maybe.

[Janie Langford]

I wonder if they'd be sorry if

[Janie Langford (younger)]

they didn't have me if I died.

[Narrator]

Of course they'd be sorry. And it's not nice to talk like that, Janie.

[Janie Langford]

Oh, you have to turn here, Mr. Blake.

[Narrator]

It's all right. I know another way. A shortcut.

[Janie Langford]

But I've always gone this way before.

[Narrator]

Then it'll be an adventure for you going this new way, won't it? I always think we should make everything we do an adventure that brings some excitement into life.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Harry, did you ring the phone people again yesterday?

[Police Officer]

Uh huh.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

What did they say this time?

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

Well, they'll send someone out as soon as they can.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Oh, that's what they've been saying all the week. I don't know. You pay for things and you pay a lot. Don't get any use out of them. This is exactly one week our phone's been out of order. Did you realize that? Seven days.

[Narrator]

Yes, Fran.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Well, it's not good enough. People trying to get in touch with us and they can't. What's that?

[Police Officer]

Speak of the devil.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

And up he'll come. They must have just fixed it. Well, aren't you going to answer it?

[Janie Langford]

It's about time.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

That's all I can say. I should deduct this time. It's been out of order from the account. Oh, Inconvenient.

[Police Officer]

Hello, Repairman here. Your line is back in order again now.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Thank you very much.

[Janie Langford]

Coming.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

Someone at the front door, Fran.

[Janie Langford]

Yes, I know. Mother. What are you.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Where's Janie?

[Grandmother]

That's what I came over to ask you, Fran. I've been trying to raise your number, but they told me it was still out of order, so I got in the cab.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

She's not with you? But she left here over two hours ago. The ten o' clock bus. She was to get that.

[Grandmother]

Well, I waited at the stop until 20 minutes ago. The bus trip doesn't take any more than 25. There are plenty of them at this time of day.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

But where is she? What happened to her?

[Grandmother]

Just a minute now.

[Janie Langford]

Well, what has happened?

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

She should have been with you by half past ten at the latest.

[Grandmother]

Gran, calm down. There's no need for such a panic. There's probably some quite simple explanation.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Tell me it, then.

[Janie Langford]

He would try to explain what could have.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Oh, my. No, no.

[Janie Langford]

It couldn't have happened. Not to her.

[Grandmother]

You mustn't start thinking things.

[Janie Langford]

Dear God, please, not to her. Not what happened to Barry.

[Grandmother]

Gran, pull yourself together.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

This is not.

[Janie Langford]

Police. I must ring the police. Not to my child. Not Jan.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

Well, can't someone say something?

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

What is there to say now? Nearly seven o'. Clock. No word. I can't even cry anymore. I only wish to heaven I could. Tears would ease the tension. Oh, Mother and Mother, please.

[Arthur Blake]

This waiting anymore.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

None of us can bear it, babe. Oh, sorry, I. I didn't mean. Oh, why on earth can't they ring? Not that I think it'll be bad

[Detective]

news when they do.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

It couldn't be. But if they just let us know something.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Why won't it be bad news? What other news could you expect now?

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

Nothing could happen to our kid.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Happened to Beryl Garland. Fran, the kid just disappeared. Much the same way as these.

[Janie Langford]

And when they found her friend.

[Grandmother]

Stop it.

[Janie Langford]

For the love.

[Police Officer]

No, listen to me, Pratt.

[Janie Langford]

I'll.

[Narrator]

I'll take it.

[Police Officer]

Hello? May I speak to Mr. Langford, please?

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

Langford speaking.

[Police Officer]

Oh, it's the police here, sir.

[Doctor]

You.

[Detective]

You found her.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

You can tell her.

[Police Officer]

Yes, sir.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

Oh, I'll come straight in and collect her.

[Police Officer]

I'm sorry to say this, sir, but we think it must be your child from your description.

[Narrator]

What.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

What do you mean?

[Police Officer]

A girl has been found at Beckerwood. I'll have to ask you to come out there with me to identify the body.

[Janie Langford]

Harry.

[Detective]

Hello?

[Police Officer]

Mr. Langford?

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Hello? What is it? What have they told you?

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

They found her.

[Detective]

Why are you there? Mr. Langford?

[Grandmother]

That's the place.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Where is she?

[Police Officer]

Mr. Langford?

[Narrator]

Yes?

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

We have to go out there to identify the. Hello?

[Janie Langford]

Hello?

[Detective]

Mr. Langford, would you please answer the phone?

[Police Officer]

Hello?

[Detective]

Oh, there you are.

[Police Officer]

I'm sorry the news had to be broken to you so abruptly. There's.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

There's no chance of a mistake?

[Police Officer]

Well, judging by the report I've had from my man at Beckerwood, no, sir.

[Investigator Taylor]

Hello, Sir.

[Detective]

Hello, Taylor.

[Police Officer]

Mr. And Mrs. Langford, Mrs. Wyvern, this is Taylor. He's in charge of investigations here at Beckerwood.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

How do you do?

[Investigator Taylor]

May I speak to you for a moment, please, sir?

[Police Officer]

Oh, yes, of course, Taylor. Excuse me, please, will you? Yes, Taylor, what is it?

[Investigator Taylor]

Well, it seems now so that there's been a mistake.

[Detective]

What do you mean?

[Investigator Taylor]

A short time ago, a woman reported her child missing. The woman's inside now, and she's just identified the body of the girl we found as her daughter.

[Doctor]

What?

[Investigator Taylor]

Well, it is her kid, all right. We have enough proof of that now. So that means the Langford child is still missing.

[Narrator]

I see.

[Police Officer]

So this brings his score to 3. It's more than likely the Langford kid's around here somewhere. This is his operating ground. The way the Langford girl disappeared points to this character we're trying to hunt down. Well, anyway, I better let the Langfords know. I'll be inside in a minute to talk to the other woman.

[Investigator Taylor]

Very well, sir.

[Police Officer]

Mrs. Langford, I have some news for you. Something you'll be very glad to hear.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

What?

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

What sort of news?

[Police Officer]

There's been a mistake about the child, sir. I'm. I'm desperately sorry that I had to shock you so much and then.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

Do you mean the child in there isn't Janie?

[Police Officer]

No, sir. It's some other girl. She's. She's just been identified.

[Grandmother]

Oh, Fran.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Oh, so she's still Alive, Janie.

[Police Officer]

Still, we hope she's still alive. Rest assured, we'll do everything possible to find her.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

You must find her for us.

[Police Officer]

Given half a chance, we will. Now, I suggest you let my driver take you back home.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

No, I want to stay here. I want to help look for her.

[Police Officer]

There's nothing you can do, Mrs. Langford. I'll be in touch with you as soon as I have something definite. Martin here.

[Investigator Taylor]

Excuse me, sir, but we've just been put onto something by a woman who's

[Arthur Blake]

here with me now.

[Investigator Taylor]

Mrs. Craig. She says she saw Jane Langford getting into a car and said they mooney about 10.

[Police Officer]

What? Could she describe the car?

[Investigator Taylor]

Well, better than that, sir. She recognized the driver, a man called Arthur Blake, quite well known in the Langford district. He owns a garage.

[Detective]

Good. Anything else?

[Investigator Taylor]

Well, there's only one other thing. Mrs. Craig knows Blake and he knows he goes to Beckerwood quite often. He usually leaves on a Saturday morning and stays in Beckwood overnight, coming back on Sunday afternoon. Someone else looks after his business for the weekend.

[Police Officer]

Was he going to Bakerwood this weekend?

[Investigator Taylor]

Well, Mrs. Craig thinks so.

[Detective]

Right.

[Police Officer]

Circulate a description of Blake and his

[Detective]

car and pull him in.

[Investigator Taylor]

Yes, sir.

[Arthur Blake]

I tell you, you're wrong. I wouldn't hurt the kid. I wouldn't hurt any kid.

[Narrator]

For Pete's sake, won't you.

[Arthur Blake]

Won't you believe me? I'm not this maniac murderer. I'm not.

[Narrator]

You've got to believe me.

[Detective]

All right, Blake, we'll try it again in a minute.

[Arthur Blake]

You can't make me admit there's something

[Detective]

I didn't do and talk again shortly.

[Arthur Blake]

I wouldn't hurt the kid. I wouldn't hurt any kid.

[Police Officer]

Oh, all right. I see. Right. Keep on the job.

[Doctor]

Keep on.

[Police Officer]

Now, Blake, giving the matter some more

[Detective]

thought feels like telling the truth.

[Arthur Blake]

Now, I have been telling the truth. Everything I've said has been the truth.

[Detective]

I see. Then how does it fit in that your car and you were seen near the spot where we discovered the last kid you murdered?

[Arthur Blake]

I. I didn't.

[Detective]

That was Beckerwood station on the phone. A party of four people out on a picnic saw you. They've described you in detail. They saw you near the murder spot late Saturday afternoon, 4 o'. Clock.

[Police Officer]

And it was about 4 that the girl was murdered?

[Arthur Blake]

Well, I know where I was about 4 on Saturday afternoon, but I didn't know that was the place where the kid was murdered.

[Detective]

You're lying.

[Arthur Blake]

I. I swear I'm telling the truth. If she was found near the old Dam. This is the first I've heard about her.

[Detective]

What were you doing out there?

[Arthur Blake]

Well, I'd had a row with my girl. I. I told you, she lives in Beck. Wouldn't I go to see her?

[Detective]

Why should a row make you go out to the old dam?

[Arthur Blake]

I. I just got in my car and drove. I wanted to get away somewhere quiet,

[Narrator]

to think things over.

[Arthur Blake]

I just happened to go there.

[Detective]

Oh, you just happened to go there?

[Arthur Blake]

Well, I could have ended up anywhere. It was just that I took the old damn road. Well, I thought things over.

[Narrator]

I went back to my girl and apologized. We're going to be married. I'm going to have children of my own.

[Arthur Blake]

How could I murder these poor little kids?

[Detective]

Everything points to you killing Beryl Golland. The second girl, Anne Deacon. And now Jane Langford.

[Arthur Blake]

I didn't. I didn't. I never saw the other kids. I know Beryl, but I hadn't seen her about for ages. And then Jane.

[Detective]

Where is Jane Langford? What are you done with her?

[Arthur Blake]

I don't know where she is. I let her off at Lavender Street, Hobby Siding.

[Detective]

What happened to her after? Why didn't she go to her grandmother's den if you let her off there?

[Arthur Blake]

I don't know.

[Narrator]

Can't you understand?

[Arthur Blake]

I don't know what happened to her after I let her off.

[Detective]

You didn't let her out of the car. You took her somewhere.

[Arthur Blake]

Shellab.

[Janie Langford]

Shell him.

[Arthur Blake]

I don't know what's happened.

[Narrator]

Yeah,

[Detective]

get a doctor for him.

[Police Officer]

Well, Doctor, what's the latest on Blake?

[Doctor]

He'll be all right again shortly. His nerves are all shot to pieces. Of course, all that question.

[Police Officer]

Yes, yes, I know. I don't like doing it, but what else can I do? I've got to find out what's happened to this kid. Yeah, what's the latest psycho report on him?

[Doctor]

It's the same as before. The psychiatrist maintains the manners of normal, average intelligence. Exactly the same story.

[Police Officer]

Yeah, and yet everything points so clearly to.

[Narrator]

Oh, no.

[Police Officer]

Excuse me, Doctor.

[Doctor]

Yes, of course.

[Detective]

No, no, don't go. There are a couple of other things I want to talk about.

[Doctor]

All right.

[Detective]

Here's Martin speaking. What's that again? Where? All right, I'll be right there.

[Doctor]

What is it?

[Police Officer]

Lankford girl.

[Detective]

She's been found down in the docks area. Come on, Docs, if you're coming with me.

[Police Officer]

You're all right now, honey. Come on.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

Come on, dry your eyes.

[Police Officer]

Nothing to cry about. You. You're safe and I'm taking it home. That's all right. You Just lie back there on the seat and don't you worry about a thing. How is she, Doctor? Everything all right?

[Doctor]

She's all right, physically. Had a pretty bad time of it, though, with shock and so forth. Yes, it's cool, you know, being out all night, scared to move in case Blake found her again.

[Narrator]

Uh huh.

[Doctor]

Could she.

[Police Officer]

Could she stand up to a few minutes at headquarters to identify Blake?

[Doctor]

Yes. Five minutes won't do any harm.

[Police Officer]

All right, stopping then. We're going back there.

[Narrator]

But Janie, you know I dropped you off at Lavender Street. You must tell him, honey.

[Arthur Blake]

Tell them the truth. If you don't, you'll get me into dreadful trouble.

[Janie Langford]

Come near me.

[Arthur Blake]

Jane. Sit down, Blake.

[Detective]

He won't get near you, Janie.

[Janie Langford]

He said he was taking me on a shortcut, but we went past Lavender street, right out of the dock. It was all quiet and there was no one about. I tried to get out of the car, but it hit me.

[Arthur Blake]

No, Janie, you're making this up.

[Janie Langford]

You did. You did hit me. You took me to the dust before we were there on the quiet part, he tried to put his hands above my neck.

[Arthur Blake]

No.

[Janie Langford]

Got him there for a while.

[Arthur Blake]

Don't listen to your folks. Don't listen.

[Police Officer]

All right. Yes, Danny, go on.

[Janie Langford]

I tried to find him often. Somehow, after a while, I got free. I grabbed my bag and opened the door. He tried to get me again, but I got away from him and hid. Was so scared.

[Police Officer]

Okay, okay. You don't have to tell us anymore.

[Investigator Taylor]

The Langfords are here, sir. They're waiting outside.

[Police Officer]

I take the kid out on.

[Investigator Taylor]

Yes, Sir.

[Detective]

Come on, J.D. All right now, Blake, let's start again. Oh, no, I'll take it. Sergeant Martin here.

[Narrator]

What?

[Doctor]

Huh?

[Police Officer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I see.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Police Officer]

Okay. I'll be in touch.

[Detective]

Sergeant. Go out there until the Lankford is to wait. Something else I want to clear up with a child.

[Janie Langford]

Lieutenant Marvin, I've had enough of this. You want me to miss?

[Detective]

You can do one of two things. Stay in here and keep quiet or go outside. I'll report you to you superior. Same goes for you, Mr. Langford. Well, I.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

Okay, we'll be quiet.

[Detective]

That's better. Now listen to me, Janie. You can stop those tears at once. No. You're a very clever little actress, but you're not putting it over anymore. You tell me the truth, I'll order your father to wallop the daylights out of you. Tell me the truth. You lied about Mr. Blake, didn't you, Marti? Quiet, Janie. You lied, didn't you? You were quite prepared to see Mr. Blake, an innocent man, go to the electric chair just because of your lies. Tell me you can't lie anymore. That phone call was to say another little girl was nearly killed at Bakerwood an hour ago. The police caught the man with her. On top of that, we just had a report that two people saw Mr. Blake drop you at Lavender street, saw you catch a bus that'll take you to the dock. The bus that came along a few minutes before your grandmother walked up to the bus stop. Now, you admit that's true before?

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

Yes, it's true

[Doctor]

all right.

[Police Officer]

Now, why did you tell all those lies?

[Detective]

Why did you try to get this poor man into so much trouble?

[Janie Langford]

They don't care about me.

[Police Officer]

Your mother and father, they don't care anything about me.

[Janie Langford]

They don't go more love than either. I wanted to show them. I wanted to make them sorry.

[Fran Langford (Mother)]

Harriet, I can't believe.

[Police Officer]

Well, you better get her out of here. It's up to you what you do, Mr. Blake.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

How can I say?

[Narrator]

May I ring Gatewood Police, please? Lieutenant. Carol, my girl.

[Police Officer]

Yes, yes, of course. And My deepest apologies, Mr. Blake.

[Narrator]

I just want to get out of here.

[Police Officer]

Take Mr. Blake in the next room, please. Sergeant.

[Investigator Taylor]

Come with me, please, sir.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

Kane, come here. We'll take her home now, Lieutenant. I'm very sorry, France.

[Police Officer]

Jealous kids. Taylor.

[Harry (Police or Investigator)]

Sir?

[Police Officer]

Fix a car for me, will you? Then go to Beckerwood. As soon as I've apologized properly to Mr. Blake. That's if I ever can. A closing door finishes a story.

[Detective]

Next week, another key will open another

[Police Officer]

door to another story. Mystery, romance or adventure, all start when a door is unlocked by the key.