Incident At Pebble Creek by The Whistler

Summary

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Relic Radio Thrillers

Episode: Incident at Pebble Cove (The Whistler)

Original Airdate: November 13, 1949 | Featured On: January 9, 2026

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Overview

In this suspenseful episode from "The Whistler" series, Incident at Pebble Cove tells the story of John Gaylord, a successful author striving to escape his tainted past under a new identity. When his old acquaintance—Peggy Benton—turns up at his coastal hideaway, she threatens to destroy his carefully built new life with a dangerous secret and blackmail. What follows is a tense tale of deception, guilt, and the lengths to which one man will go to keep his past buried.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Introduction to Pebble Cove and Characters

• Setting the Scene: Pebble Cove, a quiet artists’ retreat on the Pacific coast, where John Gaylord appears to be living a peaceful life.
  • "[John] was tall, tan, self assured in manner and bearing. He liked it here at this hideaway resort..." (03:37)
• Key Characters Introduced:
  • John Gaylord: A successful young author with a hidden past (formerly Harold Ferris).
  • Steve Carson: The local constable and John’s friend.
  • Peggy Benton: John’s new neighbor with a sinister connection to his past.

2. Peggy’s Arrival and Blackmail

• Revelation of John’s Past:
  • Peggy recognizes John by his old name, Hal Ferris, immediately upon his visit.

    Peggy: “Well, Mr. Ferris, I've been expecting you.” (05:13)

  • She implies knowledge of John's involvement in a mysterious death, referencing Helen's diary.
• Blackmail Demand:
  • Peggy seeks to blackmail John for his role in Helen Walters' death, threatening to expose him using Helen’s diary.
    • Peggy: “So the world will never know that Helen’s death wasn’t accidental, that she knew you were going to kill her.” (07:01)
    • Peggy refuses a lump sum, opting instead for an “annuity—a nice yearly income.” (07:24)

3. John’s Desperation and The Diary

• John’s Internal Struggle:
  • The Whistler’s narration highlights John’s panic and his need to retrieve the incriminating diary.

    "You must get that diary away from Peggy... If necessary, you will have to use force." (12:09)

• Physical Confrontation:
  • On the beach, John tries and fails to discreetly steal Peggy’s cottage keys, escalating to violence.

    John: “Peggy, these keys. I want them. No, I'm taking them... Even if I have to knock you cold to do it.” (13:41, 13:55)

4. Peggy’s Death

• John’s Panic after Assault:
  • After knocking Peggy out in a beach cave, John realizes the rising tide could drown her if she remains unconscious (14:29-14:40).
  • He’s intercepted by Steve and can’t immediately return to help Peggy.
• News of the Drowning:
  • Next day, John learns from Martin Hayes that Peggy’s body has been found on the beach, presumed drowned by riptide.

    Martin Hayes: “Found her body just a little while ago... drowned.” (17:40)

• Police Suspicion:
  • Steve Carson notes a bad bruise on Peggy’s head, suggesting possible foul play:

    Steve: “Although on the preliminary examination, the coroner found a pretty bad bruise on the... back of her head.” (18:39)

5. The Hunt for the Diary

• Expecting Investigation:
  • Steve suspects Peggy may have had a local apartment, and is eager to find it before anyone else does (20:01).
• John Moves Fast:
  • Using the keys taken from Peggy, John locates her town apartment (Creston Apartments, Apt. 10) and finds Helen’s diary, plus incriminating snapshots (21:24-22:55).
  • He barely escapes as Steve and another officer arrive.

6. The Final Twist

• Back at the Cottage:
  • Convinced he’s in the clear, John plans to destroy the diary and photos.
• Steve's Visit—and the Dog's Discovery:
  • Peggy’s dog Queenie retrieves the hidden diary and keys from behind the sofa.
  • Steve puts the pieces together:

    Steve: “Ms. Benton's keys... and the diary and these snapshots. You photograph very well, Johnny. I thought you told me you didn't know Peggy.” (27:57–28:13)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Peggy Benton: "You look so well, John, so very well. But I’m a little surprised... Not hiding from someone, darling?” (05:46)
• Peggy Benton (blackmailing John): "I'm sure you do. You also wish I'd drop dead." (06:22)
• The Whistler (about John): "Changing your name from Harold Ferris to John Gaylord hasn't solved a thing... she's found you." (04:27)
• Steve Carson (suspicious): "The body was found, the keys and the band were missing. I got a hunch that when we find those keys, we'll find a clue to the murder." (21:00)
• Steve Carson (final reveal): "You photograph very well, Johnny. I thought you told me you didn't know Peggy." (28:13)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:06] – The Whistler’s cryptic introduction: sets the suspenseful, mysterious tone.
• [05:13] – Peggy confronts John, calling him "Mr. Ferris."
• [07:01] – Blackmail laid out: “So the world will never know...”
• [13:41-13:58] – John’s violent confrontation to steal Peggy's keys.
• [17:40] – John learns of Peggy's drowning.
• [18:39] – Steve reports the bruise found on Peggy's head.
• [21:00] – Keys as the murder clue.
• [21:24-22:55] – John searches Peggy’s apartment and finds the diary, escapes just in time.
• [27:44-28:13] – Queenie the dog reveals the diary, keys, and photos to Steve, exposing John.

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Summary & Takeaways

Incident at Pebble Cove delivers all the hallmarks of a classic Whistler thriller: a protagonist desperately outrunning his past, the inexorable consequences of guilt, and an ironic twist of fate—in this case, a loyal little dog that uncovers the final evidence. The episode uses taut dialogue and shifting suspicion to keep the listener guessing as John’s scheme unravels; what ultimately undoes him is not his guilty conscience, but a small, persistent detail he couldn’t have anticipated.

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For listeners who love suspenseful morality tales where the past never quite stays hidden—and justice is often poetic—this classic Whistler offering is not to be missed.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Relicradio.com presents stories of mystery and intrigue, espionage and suspense. Hear tales of ticking time bombs, mysterious crime scenes and cloak and dagger action. This is relic radio thrillers. Welcome back to relic radio thrillers. We got a story from the Whistler for you this week. Series that debuted over CBS in May of 1942 and aired for almost 700 episodes until September of 1955. Our story today is from November 13, 1949. It's titled Incident at Pebble Creek.

[Announcer]

And now stay tuned for the program that has rated tops in popularity for a longer period of time than any other west coast program in radio history, the Signal Oil program. The Whistler.

[John Gaylord]

S I T N A Signal.

[Announcer]

Signal.

[John Gaylord]

Gasoline.

[Announcer]

Signal. The famous Go farther gasoline invites you to sit back and enjoy another strange story by the Whistler for extra driving pleasure. The signal to look for is the yellow and black circle sign that identifies signal service stations from Canada to Mexico. And for Sunday evening, listening pleasure, the signal to listen for is this whistle that identifies the signal oil program, the Whistler.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

I am the Whistler, and I know many things, for I walk by night. I know many strange tales hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadow. Yes, I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak.

[Announcer]

And now, the Whistler. Strange story. Incident at Pebble Cove.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Standing there on the boat dock which served as the main landing at Pebble Cove, John Gaylord presented the picture of a successful, relaxed young author. He was tall, tan, self assured in manner and bearing. He liked it here at this hideaway resort on the Pacific coast. It was a place where he could work when he felt the mood. Forget it if he didn't. The other villagers, a smattering of artists and winter vacationists, kept pretty much to themselves. And when John did want conversation, there was always Steve Carson, a young constable who included Pebble Cove in his district. It was Carson's small boat that was approaching the landing at the moment, and John moved forward to catch the line. Steve threw and made the boat fast.

[John Gaylord]

Okay, Steve, I got it.

[Steve Carson]

Thanks, Johnny.

[John Gaylord]

Well, what brings you in here? Something official?

[Steve Carson]

Nah, just coming in. Pretty choppy out here today.

[John Gaylord]

Yeah, worse at Shell Beach. I went down to watch the outboards race.

[Steve Carson]

Good crowd?

[John Gaylord]

No, not bad.

[Peggy Benton]

Not.

[John Gaylord]

Come on, I'll walk you up to the house, buy you a drink.

[Steve Carson]

I better take a rain check. Gotta get back to the office. Oh, just wanted to let you know I can't make that chess game we planned. I have to run up to Gorman.

[John Gaylord]

Oh, well, that's Two rain checks.

[Steve Carson]

Oh, by the way, have you met your attractive new neighbor yet?

[John Gaylord]

Attractive? You mean the new neighbor is a girl?

[Steve Carson]

That's right.

[John Gaylord]

Yeah. Surprised you tipped me off.

[Steve Carson]

Well, I'm different. I figure competition breaks a monotony.

[John Gaylord]

Okay. What's your name?

[Steve Carson]

Benton, I believe. Yeah, Peggy Benton.

[John Gaylord]

Peggy Benton.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

You know her?

[John Gaylord]

No, no, no, I don't.

[Steve Carson]

Well, the way you react.

[John Gaylord]

No, I don't know her. No, the name sounded familiar, that's all.

[Steve Carson]

Well, I'm sure you'll get around to making it sound more familiar. Good luck.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Y. Well, Johnny, your past comes calling again, doesn't it? Changing your name from Harold Ferris to John Gaylord hasn't solved a thing. Peggy Benton, she's found you. And you wonder what it means this time. You watch Steve Carson's boat move away from the landing and walk back to the beach. The rising tide tells you that it's close to 6 o', clock. Not too late to make a call on your neighbor, and you're anxious to get it over with. As you reach your cottage about a hundred yards from your own, you ring the bell and brace yourself to faithful.

[Peggy Benton]

Well, Mr. Ferris, I've been expecting you.

[John Gaylord]

Hal. Hello, Peggy.

[Peggy Benton]

Well, come in. Come in, neighbor. Or should I call you by your new name? Johnny Gaylord.

[John Gaylord]

That's what everybody else calls me. I like it.

[Peggy Benton]

May I fix you a drink, Johnny?

[John Gaylord]

No, thanks.

[Peggy Benton]

Well, you don't mind if I have one?

[John Gaylord]

No, go ahead.

[Peggy Benton]

Thank you. You look so well, John, so very well. But I'm a little surprised.

[John Gaylord]

Oh, yes.

[Peggy Benton]

So many successful young authors have their pictures on the jackets of their books. You never have. Not hiding from someone, darling.

[John Gaylord]

All right, Peggy, what do you want? What are you down here for?

[Peggy Benton]

Oh, darling, are we going to talk silly or neighborly? You know what? I want more of the same.

[John Gaylord]

I can't give you another cent.

[Peggy Benton]

Oh, when you're doing so much better than before, I should think it'd be easier.

[John Gaylord]

Peggy, I. I wish you would leave here.

[Peggy Benton]

I'm sure you do. You also wish I'd drop dead.

[John Gaylord]

I didn't say that.

[Peggy Benton]

You're as obvious as your cheap writing, Johnny. But little Peggy takes good care of herself, understand? And she's going to take even better care of herself.

[John Gaylord]

So how much is it this time?

[Peggy Benton]

Oh, no special amount.

[John Gaylord]

Now wait a minute. I'll give you $5,000, Peggy.

[Peggy Benton]

$5,000? For what?

[John Gaylord]

You turn that diary of Helen's over to me and let me get rid of it.

[Peggy Benton]

Oh, so the world will never know that Helen's death wasn't accidental that she knew you were going to kill her.

[John Gaylord]

Peggy, I won't forget it.

[Peggy Benton]

Helen meant nothing to me, ever. Just a roommate, that's all. But a mighty profitable one now that you're so successful, Johnny.

[John Gaylord]

Peggy, where is that diary?

[Peggy Benton]

Oh, let's just say I have it in my hope chest, shall we? It's not for sale. Not when it's practically an annuity. A nice yearly income.

[John Gaylord]

And where is this going to end?

[Peggy Benton]

It isn't. Johnny, darling, unless you want that drink, you'd better run on home, do some thinking until, say, about 10 tomorrow morning.

[John Gaylord]

10?

[Peggy Benton]

Isn't that when the bank opens? You see, little Peggy wants a cheque. A nice big cheque to cash. And you'd better have it ready for me.

[Announcer]

Tonight's $20 signal gasoline book goes to Mrs. W.G. reed of Long Beach, California for this limerick. The rabbit looks simply aghast as the tortoise went whizzing past said Bunny. I know what makes his crate go with Signal Go farther. It's gas.

[Steve Carson]

Signal, Signal, Signal Gasoline.

[Announcer]

Your car will go far with Go Farther gasoline. Poor Mr. Bunny. He would have won by a hair and then some if he just kept in mind what makes Signal Gasoline give you such good mileage. It's because today's Signal helps your motor run more efficiently. And when your motor runs more efficiently, you also enjoy more flashing pickup and smoother power, in addition to quicker cold weather starting. You can prove all of this for yourself if you'll try. Just try a few tankfuls of the famous Go Farther Gasoline signal, that is.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Yes, Johnny, the past has caught up with you. Peggy Benton has traced you to Pebble Cove. And she's the same determined girl that you thought you'd left behind in St. Louis. Determined to make you pay for her silence concerning that oddly unsolved death of your former fiance, Helen Walters. But you don't go to the bank the next morning, do you, Johnny? No. You're certain that Peggy will take her time, not risk upsetting you. She'll give you time to think, to realize that you must pay her, because there's no other way. Unless, of course, you can get your hands on the diary of your late fiance, Helen Walters. The diary Peggy is using to blackmail you. You've got to get it from Peggy and destroy it. That afternoon you're pacing the living room of your cottage, thinking about it and wondering when there's a knock on the door.

[John Gaylord]

Oh, Steve. Come on in.

[Steve Carson]

I didn't think you'd mind Ms. Benton joining us, Johnny. I've been showing her around, introducing her to some of the villagers.

[Peggy Benton]

Oh, when I heard you were living here, Mr. Gaylord, I. I insisted on meeting you right away.

[John Gaylord]

Well, it's. It's a pleasure.

[Peggy Benton]

Thank you. Everyone's so nice. And I suppose you know, too, that you've got the nicest constable here.

[Steve Carson]

I bet she says that to all the constables, eh, Johnny?

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Yeah.

[Steve Carson]

I'll get you a chair, Mr. Oh, no, no, no.

[Peggy Benton]

We mustn't stay. I've heard, Mr. Gaylord, how writers hate to have their privacy invaded. We'll run on. I only wanted to say how I've enjoyed your work.

[Steve Carson]

He's quite a fan of yours, Johnny.

[Peggy Benton]

Particularly that murder story. The one about the man who killed his fiance. The one where the police didn't even know she had a boyfriend. Oh, that boyfriend was pretty smart.

[John Gaylord]

What was that?

[Steve Carson]

Not one of the Dave Dredge?

[Peggy Benton]

Well, it was an old one. Quite some time back. The girl, well, she left a diary or something. It named her fiance and. And told how she thought he'd kill her. And it was just the way she died. Oh, it was terrific.

[Steve Carson]

I can see you guessed wrong ON that one, Ms. Benton. Now you've made Johnny believe you don't read him at all. Come on, we better go anyway. I've got to get back the office.

[Peggy Benton]

Oh, well, all right, Steve. Oh, but you do forgive me, don't you, Mr. Gaylord?

[John Gaylord]

There's nothing to forgive.

[Peggy Benton]

Oh, that's fine. I'll see you again real soon.

[John Gaylord]

Yes, you will. Real soon.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

You watch them leave, walking down the path toward her own cottage. And suddenly you realize that you must get that diary away from Peggy. If necessary, you will have to use force, won't you, Johnny? Yes. You've got to get that diary, which practically names you as a. The opportunity comes several hours later, doesn't it? When the yelping of a small dog attracts your attention to the front door, you see that the dog, small and white, is tagging along at Peggy Benton's heels as she walks down to the beach for an afternoon swim. You slip out of the cottage and hurry after them. On the beach, a rock cave hides you from view until you can slip up to where Peggy dropped her bathing robe in the sand. Quickly, you check in the pockets of the robe, but the key to her cottage isn't there. Suddenly, the dog comes bounding out of the surf towards you.

[Announcer]

Come here, pup.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

You scoop up the struggling white bundle of fur and move back into the cave. And you know that Peggy will follow it.

[Peggy Benton]

Queenie Quiet, pup. Queenie, are you in there? Where are you, Queenie? Here, Queenie.

[John Gaylord]

Hello, Peggy.

[Peggy Benton]

Oh.

[John Gaylord]

Okay, Queenie, you can run along now. Here.

[Announcer]

Go fetch.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

You see it now, Johnny. The reason you couldn't find Peggy's keys in her bathing robe. They're fastened to her wrist on a small leather band.

[Peggy Benton]

What? What is it, Johnny? What do you want?

[John Gaylord]

Oh, no, you don't. Don't worry. I'm not going to kill you, no matter how much you might deserve.

[Peggy Benton]

You're hitting my wrist.

[John Gaylord]

Am I?

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Well, isn't that too bad?

[John Gaylord]

Peggy, these keys. I want them. No, I'm taking them.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Peggy.

[Announcer]

I mean it.

[John Gaylord]

Even if I have to knock you cold to do it.

[Peggy Benton]

No.

[John Gaylord]

No use yelling. No one's gonna hear you over that surf. Now give me those keys.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

A few minutes later, after leaving Peggy lying back in the cave, where you hit her hard enough to. To knock her out for a while, you begin your search of her cottage, looking everywhere. Somehow you lose all track of time until nearly a full hour later, you hear the clock on the mantle.

[John Gaylord]

Six o'. Clock. Six. The tide's in. If Peggy hasn't come to, she'll drown.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

You rush out of the cottage, down the path toward the beach. And then suddenly you stop dead in your tracks. You can see him standing there in the half darkness, leaning against the tree. It's too late to turn back, isn't it, Johnny? He's already heard you.

[Steve Carson]

Hello? Is that you, Johnny?

[John Gaylord]

Yeah. Hello, Steve. What are you doing around here?

[Steve Carson]

Might ask you the same thing.

[John Gaylord]

Huh? Well, I just stepped out.

[Steve Carson]

I don't have to, really. I know what you're up to.

[John Gaylord]

What?

[Steve Carson]

Calling on your new neighbor.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Huh?

[John Gaylord]

Oh, no, no, really. I wasn't sure.

[Steve Carson]

I was just kidding. Out for a walk?

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Yeah.

[John Gaylord]

Yeah.

[Steve Carson]

Come on. Not in any rush, are you?

[John Gaylord]

Yeah, well, as a matter of fact, I do have to get back to the cottage. Good.

[Steve Carson]

I'll go along with you. Have a phone call to make anyway. Don't mind if I use your phone, do you?

[John Gaylord]

No, of.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

And so you start back for the cottage, away from the caves and Peggy. You're hardly listening to Steve's idle chatter. All you can hear is the pounding of the surf below smashing into the cave. Finally, at the cottage, Steve puts through his phone call. And you keep glancing at your watch. There's still a chance you'll be able to reach Peggy in time, isn't there? But somehow you'll have to get rid of Steve then, as he finishes his call.

[Steve Carson]

Hmm. How do you like that? Now I gotta get back to the village, you do. Yeah. My own fault for calling, I guess. Another stolen car. Well, sorry to rush away, Johnny, but then you have work to do.

[John Gaylord]

Yes, I have work to do.

[Steve Carson]

Nice.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

You watch him as he hurries away down the road toward the village. Then, as he disappears from view, you start down the path to the beach, running, stumbling, splashing through the surf. And finally, when you get there, the waves are pounding into the mouth of the cave. It isn't that you care what happens to Peggy. Actually, you'd be better off if she were out of the way. But not before you find out where she keeps Helen Walters diary. The diary linking you to her murder. You plunge in and look frantically for Peggy.

[Announcer]

Peggy.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

He. The waves seemingly grow higher and higher, every moment battering, smashing their way into the cave. Finally, you give up and fight your way out. And then up to a rocky ledge and drop, exhausted. The hours that follow are agony, aren't they, Johnny? It's the waiting through the long night, wondering if Peggy is dead. Washed out to sea. Late the following afternoon, you go down to the village, and in the post office, you run into old Martin Hayes. Say, Johnny, you hear about the Benton girl?

[John Gaylord]

No, what?

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Found her body just a little while ago on the beach about a mile from here. Drowned.

[John Gaylord]

Drowned?

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Yeah, the riptide. Pretty dangerous over that way.

[John Gaylord]

Too bad.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

She seemed like a real nice young lady. It's done, isn't it, Johnny? Peggy Benton will never bother you again. But the evidence she was using against you and blackmailing you is as dangerous as ever. You've got to find it some way and destroy it before you make your next move. You decide to find out what Steve thinks about Peggy's death. When you walk into the constable's office, he's standing by the window, his back to you. He doesn't turn around even as you speak to him.

[John Gaylord]

Steve. I. I just heard about it, Ms. Benton. Quite a shock.

[Steve Carson]

Yes, quite a shock.

[John Gaylord]

Well, while accidents do happen. Was an accident, of course.

[Steve Carson]

Looks that way. Although on the preliminary examination, the coroner found a pretty bad bruise on the.

[John Gaylord]

Back of her head.

[Steve Carson]

Oh? Might have struck her head against a rock. Could have knocked her unconscious.

[John Gaylord]

Yes, probably when she was out there in the water.

[Steve Carson]

We'll know more about it after the coroner brings in his autopsy report.

[Announcer]

Of course.

[John Gaylord]

Well, I'll be running along. Gonna drop in tonight, Steve?

[Steve Carson]

Yeah, I'll be dropping in, Johnny.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

You're anxious to learn of the coroner's findings, aren't you, Johnny? But you're quite confident you'll be in the Clear, at least of Peggy's murder. And it was murder, wasn't it? Even though you hadn't intended it to be. Early that evening, as you sit across the chess table from Steve, you can sense there's something on his mind. Something more important than your little game of chess?

[John Gaylord]

Steve, have you notified Ms. Benton's family?

[Steve Carson]

She doesn't have one as far as we've been able to find out.

[John Gaylord]

Look through a lot of her things, you know, at the cottage.

[Steve Carson]

There wasn't much there. She brought only a couple of suitcases with her. I got a hunch she had a place in town. Apartment, maybe.

[John Gaylord]

Mm. Your move, Steve.

[Steve Carson]

Oh, sure, yeah.

[John Gaylord]

An apartment, huh? Any idea where it is? Not yet.

[Steve Carson]

We have a tracer on it now. City police are looking into it for us. I'd like to find that apartment, Johnny.

[John Gaylord]

Really important. I think so.

[Steve Carson]

I'd like to get there before somebody else does. Oh?

[John Gaylord]

What do you mean, oh?

[Steve Carson]

Maybe it's just a long shot. Wild guess on my part, but I have a hunch Peggy Benton's death wasn't accidental.

[John Gaylord]

I see.

[Steve Carson]

The coroner's report indicates that she was dead before she hit the water.

[John Gaylord]

Oh, and it wasn't drowning. Look, Steve, here's a thought. That blow on the back of the head you mentioned. Isn't it possible that Ms. Benton was walking along the beach and perhaps slipped.

[Steve Carson]

Off the rock hit her head when she fell? Yeah, sure, I suppose.

[John Gaylord]

And then when the tide came in.

[Steve Carson]

It could have happened that way, Johnny. But there's one thing that bothers me.

[John Gaylord]

What's that?

[Steve Carson]

I'm wondering about her keys, Johnny.

[John Gaylord]

Keys?

[Steve Carson]

I was talking to her just before she went down to the beach yesterday. She was wearing those keys on a leather wristband. The body was found. The keys and the band were missing. I got a hunch that when we find those keys, we'll find a clue to the murder.

[John Gaylord]

Ah, sure.

[Steve Carson]

Move, Johnny.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Yes. Then you've got to move fast. Now, Johnny. You've got to get to Peggy's apartment before the police do. You're more than thankful when Steve leaves early. And the moment he's gone, you pull the keys out of your pocket. The key is on the leather wristband. You examine them closely. First is the key to the cottage. The next is obviously a car key. And the third you can. You can barely make out the worn markings on it. The Creston Apartments, apartment 10. Quickly, you drop the keys in your pocket and hurry out towards your car. Glad there's only a 25 mile drive to town in Peggy's Apartment. It's almost 10 o' clock when you arrive at the Creston and slip quietly into apartment 10. You go through each room carefully and finally find what you're looking for. The diary Peggy was using to blackmail you. As you remove the rubber band around it and thumb through it, several photographs fall out and flutter to the floor. You pick them up, look at them. Snapshots of the three of you together. You, Helen and Peggy. You put them in your pockets with a diary and then flip out into the hall. But before you can lock the door, you hear someone coming up the stairs. Quickly. You step into an alcove and wait. Two men, one of them in a policeman's uniform. You got out of the apartment just in time, didn't you, Johnny? Steve Carson's call to the city police for assistance in tracing Peggy's apartment almost trapped. You house manager's a gabby old demons.

[Steve Carson]

Yeah. Here we are. Apartment 10.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

You got the key?

[Steve Carson]

Yeah, just a sec. Hey, what's the matter?

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Not locked?

[John Gaylord]

What?

[Steve Carson]

Ah. Looks like somebody beat us to it. Look at that room.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Looks like somebody gave it a fast frisk.

[Steve Carson]

Come on.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

The moment you hear the move into the apartment, you race down the stairs, through the lobby and out into the street. Rounding the corner, you slide in behind the wheel of your car and drive off. It was close, wasn't it, Johnny? As you reach the outskirts of town, the highway, you pull into a gas station. You ought to be certain the police didn't see you leaving Peggy's apartment and aren't following. As the station attendant fills the tank, you keep an anxious eye on the rear view mirror. The police are nowhere in sight. And you're certain that you've given them the slip, aren't you?

[John Gaylord]

Yes.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

And you're feeling a lot better now that the only link between you and murder is safely tucked away in your inside coat pocket. Check the oil and water, sir?

[John Gaylord]

Oh.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Oh, no.

[John Gaylord]

No, thank you. There you are.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Everything else okay?

[John Gaylord]

Yes, yes, everything's fine. Just fine.

[Announcer]

Baby, it's cold outside. That's not only the name of a popular song, but also the reason many of you will soon be needing a new battery for your car. Naturally, you'll want to be sure you're choosing the battery that gives longest trouble free service at lowest cost per month. So just consider these. You get up to 35% more power from a signal Deluxe battery for quicker starting and to take care of the many electrical gadgets on your car. That's because signals microporous, all rubber separators hold twice as much Acid solution between the plates. And you don't have to add water so often to a Signal Deluxe battery because of its improved design. All rubber case. As a result of finer quality construction like this, Signal Deluxe batteries last so long, they're now guaranteed a full 30 months on a service basis. When you take this into account, plus signals liberal credit terms and generous trade in allowance for your old battery, you'll find you're actually saving money by choosing a Signal Deluxe battery. The extra powerful, extra long life battery sold only by Signal Service Station.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

It's over, isn't it, Johnny? And now you're back at your Pebble Cove cottage. It was a lucky break, wasn't it? Finding Peggy's apartment, getting away before the police arrive. You've only to destroy the diary, the snapshots of you, Helen and Peggy. Dispose of the keys and you're in the clear. But before you do, you want to take a look at those pages in the diary, don't you? Yes. You're curious. You remove the rubber band that's around the small book, thumb through the pages. It's all there, isn't it, Johnny? Enough evidence to hang you. It wouldn't do at all if this fell into the hands of the police, would it? Someone's at the door, Johnny. And you wonder who's calling on you at this time of night.

[John Gaylord]

You drop the diary to the table.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Glance out the side window.

[John Gaylord]

It's Steve.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Quickly, you pick up the diary, the snapshots and the keys, tie them together by stretching the rubber band around them and drop them behind the sofa.

[Steve Carson]

Hello, Johnny.

[John Gaylord]

Steve.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

How are you?

[Steve Carson]

Just passing by. Saw your lights been working.

[John Gaylord]

Oh, yes, I had some things to do.

[Steve Carson]

Just thought you might be interested in the latest developments.

[Announcer]

Huh.

[Steve Carson]

City police located Ms. Benton's apartment tonight.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Oh?

[Steve Carson]

Newspapers in town ran a picture of her apartment. House manager where she lives saw it. Call police.

[John Gaylord]

I see.

[Steve Carson]

Looks like my hunch was right. The keys were important. Maybe that's why Ms. Benton was murdered.

[John Gaylord]

I don't follow, Steve.

[Steve Carson]

Somebody got to Peggy Benton's apartment tonight, just before the police. The place had been ransacked.

[John Gaylord]

Really?

[Steve Carson]

Well, there you are, Queenie. I wondered what happened to you. Been following me around all night. Miss Benton's dog, you remember? Sure.

[John Gaylord]

Hello, Queenie girl. It's Queenie. Here, Queenie. Here. Oh, there she goes. Inside. Here.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Here, Queenie.

[Announcer]

Here, girl. Here.

[Steve Carson]

Where'd she go? Here. Oh, there she is. Under the sofa.

[Announcer]

What?

[Steve Carson]

Come on, girl.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Come on.

[Steve Carson]

Yeah. She's got something in her mouth.

[Announcer]

Looks like a book.

[The Whistler (Narrator Voice)]

Hey, Queenie.

[Steve Carson]

It's a good dog. Hey, let me see what you.

[John Gaylord]

Wait a minute.

[Steve Carson]

What's this? Ms. Benton's keys.

[John Gaylord]

Steve, I don't know how they could.

[Steve Carson]

Have got back to the diary and these snapshots. You photographed very well, Johnny. I thought you told me you didn't know. Peggy.

[John Gaylord]

Ben.

[Announcer]

Let that whistle be your signal for the Signal Oil program. The Whistler each Sunday night at this same time, brought to you by the Signal Oil Company, marketers of Signal gasoline and motor oil and fine quality automotive accessories. Remember, if you would like the fun of having your friends hear a limerick of yours on the Whistler, the address to which to send it is the Signal Oil Company, Los Angeles 55, California. All limericks become the property of the Signal Oil Company. Those selected for use on the Whistler will be chosen by our advertising representatives on the basis of humor, suitability and originality. So of course they must be your own composition. Featured in tonight's story were Larry Dobkin, Marion Ladd and Don Harvey. The Whistler was produced and directed by George W. Allen with story by Steve Hampton, music by Wilbur Hatch, and was transmitted to our troops overseas by the Armed Forces Radio Service. The Whistler is entirely fictional. All characters portrayed on the Whistler are also fictional. Any similarity of names or resemblance to persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Remember, at this same time next Sunday, another strange tale by the Whistler.

[John Gaylord]

S I T N A L Signal Signal Gasoline.

[Announcer]

Don't forget, when you give to the community Chest, you're helping not just one organization but but many worthy causes that directly benefit 4 out of every 10 families. Think of that when you're deciding how much to give to the Community chest. Marvin Miller speaking. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Narrator]

Alongside the radio series the Whistler inspired a television series, a short lived one in 1954 and eight feature films produced through the mid to late 1940s. You can find more from the radio show@ Relic Radio.com alongside more from Relic Radio Thrillers and all of the other podcasts. If you'd like to help support this and all of the shows, you can donate through the website as well visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of the support links in the show notes. Thanks to those who have. Thanks for joining me this week. I'll be back tomorrow with the Horror and next Friday with our next episode of Relic Radio Thrillers.