The House On Sycamore Road by The Whistler

Summary

Relic Radio Thrillers: "The House On Sycamore Road" by The Whistler (April 17, 2026)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Relic Radio Thrillers presents a classic 1945 episode from "The Whistler" series titled "The House on Sycamore Road." The story is a tense, psychological crime drama that explores greed, desperation, and moral decline. When Harold and Muriel Phillips move into an old house, they discover a hidden fortune—setting off a chain of events that lead to murder, betrayal, and shocking twists of fate.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: The Old House

• [00:48] The story opens with Harold and Muriel Phillips renting a decrepit old house on Sycamore Road from Sabina Fielding, the last of her family line. She nostalgically recounts family memories, hinting at a long, proud but impoverished lineage.
• Memorable quote:
  “It was old, but there was a kind of majesty about it, veiled as it was behind... magnificent elms.” — The Whistler / Narrator ([00:48])

2. Marital Tension and Disillusionment

• [03:00–05:15] Muriel is unhappy with their circumstances, resenting both her husband’s inability to provide and their new home.
• Notable exchange:
  “I'm getting sick of it, Harold Phillips. I'm getting fed up with shabby substitutes.” — Muriel ([04:59])

3. Discovery of the Money

• [05:46–09:10] In a moment of frustration, Muriel knocks over an old clock, revealing $50,000 hidden inside. Their relationship briefly brightens, but fear and greed quickly set in.
• Quote:
  “$50,000. Never thought I'd see this much money all at once.” — Harold ([09:10])

4. The Mysterious Visitor

• [09:22–11:00] A man with a scar arrives, asking for Mrs. Fielding and refusing to identify himself. He claims he will return, leaving the couple unsettled and suspicious that he is tied to the money.

5. Moral Conflict—To Keep or Not to Keep?

• [11:07–12:45] The couple debates what to do. Harold feels the money isn’t theirs, but Muriel is insistent.
• Quote:
  “We found it. It's ours. For the first time in our lives, we have a chance to get off the treadmill...” — Muriel ([11:25])

6. Seeking Answers from Sabina Fielding

• [12:45–14:39] The next day, they visit Sabina to learn more about Richard Fielding and the money. She’s evasive but confirms Richard had a troubled history, mentioning his accident and a scar—a critical link.

7. Downward Spiral: Greed and Fear

• [15:30–17:40] Anxiety and greed intensify. Muriel wants to flee with the money; Harold fears being traced.
• Muriel’s manipulative proposal:
  “Think it over, Harold. There isn't much more time.” — Muriel ([16:24])

8. Fatal Confrontation

• [17:08–20:14] The scarred man returns. Muriel goads Harold into violence:
  • “There was a poker beside the fireplace. ... Harold get the poker.” — Muriel ([17:44])
  • Harold kills the man in a panic, only to discover he carried a gun and had no identification.

9. Cover-Up and Paranoia

• [20:14–21:52] They dispose of the body in the river and attempt to carry on, but both are visibly shaken. Harold grows increasingly paranoid as days pass with no police action.

10. Unraveling: The Truth Emerges

• [21:52–24:55] Harold visits Chief Norton and learns there’s been a murder investigation—a body was found, and the police are closing in.
• Tension between Harold and Muriel explodes:
  • “It's your word against mine. I had nothing to do with it.” — Muriel ([24:23])
  • “You even failed at murder.” — Muriel ([24:29])

11. Final Tragedy and Shocking Twist

• [25:08–25:33] Driven by rage and betrayal, Harold kills Muriel as Chief Norton arrives—only for the final twist to be revealed:
  • The murdered man was not Richard Fielding, but Fielding's criminal partner.
  • Sabina Fielding has died, leaving the house and its contents—including the money—to Harold and Muriel.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Muriel’s relentless ambition:
  “For the first time in your shabby, ordinary little life, you've got a chance at something real. Are you going to throw it away?” — Muriel ([15:58])

• Descent into murder:
  “There was a poker beside the fireplace. ... Harold get the poker.” — Muriel ([17:44])

• Aftermath and remorse:
  “I've killed him. ... Now what?” — Harold ([19:20])

• Twist ending revelation:
  “You’ve made an awful mistake, Harold. The man you killed was the murderer I told you we were looking for. He was Richard Fielding's partner in a bank robbery last year... Sabina Fielding... left the house and everything in it to the two of you.” — Chief Norton ([27:00–28:40])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Set-Up: [00:48–03:00]
• Discovery of the Money: [05:46–09:10]
• Mysterious Visitor: [09:22–11:00]
• Visit to Sabina Fielding: [12:45–14:39]
• Killing the Intruder: [17:08–19:20]
• Cover-Up: [20:14–21:52]
• Police Confrontation: [21:52–24:09]
• Double Betrayal and Muriel’s Death: [24:23–25:33]
• Twist Ending: [25:34–28:40]

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Tone and Atmosphere

The episode maintains a moody, tense atmosphere typical of The Whistler series, leaning heavily on internal narration, guilt, and the lure of easy wealth. Muriel’s cold practicality contrasts sharply with Harold’s indecisiveness, while the Whistler's interjections offer dark, philosophical commentary.

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Final Thoughts

"The House on Sycamore Road" is a noir tragedy of greed and moral collapse, in which every effort to escape mediocrity deepens the protagonists’ doom. The final twist—if only they had done nothing, all would have been theirs legally—underscores the bitter irony at the heart of many Whistler tales.

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For more classic radio mysteries, visit relicradio.com.

Transcript

[Relic Radio Host]

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. Our story comes from the Whistler this week series that debuted on May 16th of 1942 and aired until September 25th of 1955. Almost 700 episodes for CBS Radio. Our story today is from October 15th, 1945. It's titled the House on Sycamore Road.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Signal. Signal Gasoline. Yes. Signal Gasoline is the new gasoline you can prove is superior. The Signal Oil Company and your neighborhood Signal dealer bring you another curious story by the Whistler tonight, the House on Sycamore Road. 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 shadows. Yes, I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak. Sometimes weakness results only in failure and disillusionment. Sometimes it's much more serious than that. It can take a sinister turn, sending its victim down the spiral that ends only in death. That's the way it was with Harold Phillips on the day he and his wife Muriel rented the house on Sycamore Road from old Sabina Fielding. It wasn't much of a house, but it was destined to be the most important element in Harold's life. Like Sabina, it was old, but there was a kind of majesty about it, veiled as it was behind a mat of unkempt shrubbery and a pair of magnificent elms in the front yard. Muriel had objected to it, of course, but there was no other alternative. Rents were sky high. The house on Sycamore Road was the only answer. As they stand talking with Sabina in the front hallway, Muriel is a little impatient.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Well, that just about covers everything, Mrs. Fielding.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Yes, I think we'll make out very comfortably here.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

It's hard to leave. Never thought I'd mind it this much. Of course, it's been in the Fielding family for now. Let me see. Well, there was Rodney and Lisa. Yes, five generations. Five generations, Yes. I do hope you young people will be happy in it. A fine house in its time. You know, a proud house. Just like the Fieldings. Yes, we're a proud family. None of us ever had money. Excepting Richard, of course. That's my grandson. Richard had money, but it didn't do him any good. Even he's gone now. I'm the last now. The last Fielding. And I'm afraid I haven't Much longer?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Oh, I wouldn't say that, Mrs. Fielding.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

No, no, no. I'm an old woman. Mr. Phillips. Yes. It's hard to leave. Oh, that clock. I can remember when my daddy bought it. Let me see now, was that 68 or 69, Mrs. Fielding? Harold will be glad to drive you into town. 68 or 69, eh? Oh, yes, yes. Well, I'd better be going.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I'd be glad to take.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Oh, well, it's only two blocks to the bus stop. I can still walk that far without any trouble.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I really think it'll be easier for you now having just one room in town. You'll be closer to everything.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Yes, yes, so I'm told.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Are you sure now you don't want me to drive you?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Oh, you're very kind and I do like to see that in young people. But I can manage. Thank you. Well, goodbye, Mrs. Phillips. Goodbye. I know you'll be happy here.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I'm sure of it, Mrs. Fielding.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Goodbye. Good bye. Young man. Young people, she said. We'll be very happy.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

For heaven's sakes, Muriel, she'll hear you.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

I could scream my head off in here and she wouldn't hear me. Come to think of it, screaming wouldn't be a bad idea.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Will you quit it?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

That old crone is probably laughing herself silly right now after palming off his old barn on us.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

But Muriel, you know as well as I do it's the best we can do right now.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Where have I heard that before? Well, I'm getting sick of it, Harold Phillips. I'm getting fed up with shabby substitutes.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I've got a job. I don't know what else you want.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Classified advertisements on a stupid hometown paper? What kind of a job is that?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Well, it's the best I can do. And this house is the best I can do. You may as well make up your mind.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

I know, I know. I've been through all that before. But I'm not getting reconciled to it. You can make up your mind to that.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Anything else?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Yes. You can't say it's very inspiring. Living in a moth eaten shanty with an ink saying. Nobody, Muriel. And this flock of antiques. That old clock she's so proud of. Listen to it. If you think I'm going to sit here day after day with that thing ticking in my ears.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

What's got into you anyway?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

I'm fed up, that's what.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Now what are you doing?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

I'm gonna stop this clock. Any objection?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Will you be reasonable?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Will you shut up? Where's the catch on this thing?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Oh, look out. You'll knock it over.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

All right, so I'll knock it over.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Oh, now look what you've done, Harold. You hadn't lost your temper again.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Harold, look.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Why, what in the world?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Look at all that money. Just look at it.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Stuffed away in back of the clock.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Hundreds. Thousands. Harold. Oh, Harold, darling,

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

As you sit listening on Monday nights to signal oil company's program, the Whistler, has it ever occurred to you how many millions of persons around the world have never even heard a radio? Missing a lot of pleasure, aren't they? Oh, but wait a minute. Before you start shedding tears for those folks, just consider the pleasure you yourself may be missing. If you haven't yet tried new signal gasoline. No fooling, folks. You'll never know how much driving pleasure there's left in your car till you try signals. New super fuel for new signal gasoline is packed with performance that's so apparent you can actually feel it, see it, hear it. Here's what I mean. With new signal gasoline in your car, when you touch the starter, you feel your motor spring instantly to light. When you step on the accelerator, you see your car step ahead with pickup. That makes you proud. And even when your motor is working hard uphill, you hear it purr contentedly. Proof of signals higher anti knock. What's more, because you'll be shifting less and shifting waste gasoline, you'll enjoy more high gear miles actually go farther than ever with new signal gasoline. I know that's the kind of performance you'd like to enjoy from your car. Here's the easy way to get it. Just drive into one of the friendly stations displaying signals, yellow and black circle signs and say, fill er up with new signal gasoline. And now back to the Whistler. It's almost like a dream, isn't it, Harold? You and Muriel kneeling on the floor of Sabina Fielding's old house, literally surrounded with the money that spilled from the old clock. Muriel's in seventh heaven, as you counted. She even called you darling, didn't she? You work automatically, sorting the bills, twenties, tens, fives into small, neat heaps on the scarred hardwood floor.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

How much is it, dear? How much altogether?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Wait. Let me finish.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

I simply can't believe it. Like a dream.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Hundred. There. That's the last hundred.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

How much altogether?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

It hardly seems possible.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

How much, harold? Tell me.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

$50,000. 50,000 in currency. Small bills. It's probably been hidden away in this compartment behind the clock for years.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

$50,000.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Never thought I'd see this much money all at once.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

The things we'll be able to do all the marvelous things I've always dreamed of. All the clothes. Maybe go abroad. Who in the world. Harold, who can it be?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I don't know.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

We can't let them in. All this money. We won't answer it. We won't let them in.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Well, we'll have to. They can see the lights are on.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

But all this money.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Stay here and hide it. I'll see who it is.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

All right, then. All right. But don't let them in. Nobody must see this money. Nobody must know we have it.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Yes. Huh? Who are you looking for? Someone. I figured maybe the old lady fell asleep and couldn't hear me. Old lady? Sure, sure. The old girl. Mrs. Fielding. Oh. Oh. Well, Mrs. Fielding doesn't live in this house now and. Now, wait a. She doesn't live here now. She lives in town. Who are you? My wife and I are renting the house. Who are you? Well, I think you might do well to tell me who you are first.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Okay.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I'll come in and we'll talk things over. No, no, please. Wait a minute. Now, listen, Jack. You see, my. My wife is very ill. We. We can't have any visitors. I don't want to talk to your wife. I can't talk to you now. I'm very busy.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Good night.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Okay, mister, but I'll be back. So long.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Who was it? Harold? Harold, who was it? What did he want?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Wait, wait.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Why are you snooping from behind those curtains?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Well, I want to make sure they. Yeah, yeah. He's getting in his car. There he goes.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

There who goes? Who was it, Harold?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

A man. Oh. Did you set the clock up against the wall again?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Yes. The glass was broken. I threw the pieces in the fireplace.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Where's the money?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

I put it back in the clock. Who was it?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Oh, I don't know. A fellow about my age. Had a red scar on his right cheek. He wanted to see Mrs. Fielding. He wouldn't give me his name.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Funny.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

He said he'd be back.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

What are we going to do about the money? We can't leave it there. Maybe we could. Harold, what's the matter?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Hey, I think I know who he is. Muriel, what did Mrs. Fielding say about Richard Fielding?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Something about money. He's dead. She said she was the last. Don't you remember?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I'm not so sure. That's the trouble. I'm not sure at all. Muriel, we may as well face it. It's not our money. It belongs to him.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Don't be stupid. He's dead and she doesn't Know anything about it? We found it. It's ours. For the first time in our lives, we have a chance to get off the treadmill and get somewhere.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

But it isn't ours. Besides, she needs it.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

She's going to die. We've got a whole lifetime ahead of us.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I don't know, Muriel. What if it is his? What if he knows about it? We don't know for sure that he's dead.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

We can find out for sure. How?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Mrs.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Fielding knows. We're going to call on her the first thing in the morning.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

It's quite a problem, isn't it, Harold? You know it's wrong to take this money. But $50,000 is enough to set you staggering. Muriel didn't make that decision, did she? You would have made it all by yourself. Yes, Harold. There's only one thing that keeps you from taking it. The thought that someone else may be another secret. The man with a scar on his face, for example. You can't sleep all night thinking about him. Neither you nor Muriel stop for breakfast. The next morning at 9 o', clock, you're both talking to Sabina Fielding in her furnished room in town.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Sorry I can't be a better hostess. Feeling mighty poorly.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Fielding. We just thought we'd drop by and see if you were settled yet.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Oh, well, thank you. Thank you. You're. You're so kind. I'm really very happy you came. I don't get many visitors, you know. No one cares much about an old woman.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Of course, we don't want to tire you.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Oh, fiddlesticks. You're a little like part of the family now, living in my house. You do like my house, don't you? Oh, we're in love with it, Mrs. Fielding. A lovely old place. I'm so glad. You see, I didn't want it to go to anyone who wouldn't understand it. Houses are like people, you know. They have to be understood. Not everybody understands my house. It certainly has atmosphere. That clock is a beautiful thing, isn't it? Oh, you like it? It's always been my favourite. I'm happy you like it. I guess you understand my clock too. Richard always wanted it, but he didn't understand it, so I never gave it to him. Why did he want it, Mrs. Fielding? I never knew. Richard and I never got on together. Always said he had bad blood in him. Oh, he could have been such a nice boy. Handsome and strong. Until the accident, at least. Accident? Yes. He was never the same after the accident. He had a coming, though.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Richard Had.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

There was bad blood in him. I. I don't like to talk about my grandson. Do you ever hear from him? I don't want to talk any more about him. No. No, not anymore. Would you have some tea? It's a little early. I wish you'd tell us about Richard. Have you any idea.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Muriel, I'm afraid Mrs. Fielding's tired. We'd better be going.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

But I'm sorry to be this way now. Perhaps some other time when I'm feeling better.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Yes, of course. Come along, Muriel. That convinced you, didn't it, Harold? It all fits. The scar on the face of the man who called on you last night ties in with Sabina's story of Richard's accident. Her remark about his fondness for the clock. It was too easy, wasn't it? $50,000 isn't hidden in a clock and then forgotten. It's Richard's money. He's bound to come back for it. There was no reason for tiring Sabina any longer. Muriel would have worn her out with questions. After all, Muriel isn't the kind who gives up easily. After you've arrived back at the house, she keeps it up, never letting down for a minute. Harold.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Of all the ass.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

And there was nothing else to do.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

She would have told us if you hadn't. Sometimes I think you have the mentality of a child.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

What more do you want? She practically came right out and said it.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

He had money.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

He was in an accident. The scar. You remember. He always wanted the old clock. Could she make it any plainer?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

All right. All right, Joel. Move. What are you going to do?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

We can't do anything. He knows the money's there.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

What do you mean, we can't do anything? We can leave, can't we?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

When?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Right now.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

That's a prize suggestion.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Why?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

He could trace us in five minutes. We'd be in jail in a week.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Listen, Harold. You've got a chance. For the first time in your shabby, ordinary little life, you've got a chance at something real. Are you going to throw it away?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I. I don't know.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Sabina knows nothing about the money, Harold. There are only three people in on it. You and I and Richard Fielding.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

And he's coming back here. He said so.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

You'll probably never have another chance, Harold.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

What are you suggesting?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Think it over, Harold. There isn't much more time.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Yes, Think it over, Harold. Is she right? You can see her point, can't you? You will never have another opportunity like this as long as you live. Just more of the same Day after day, thousands more classified advertisements. Scrimping, pinching pennies, trying to make $5 to the work of 10. And only Richard Fielding stands between you and everything you ever wished for. Only Richard Fielding. What's that?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Someone's at the door.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

It's too late. He's come back.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Well, what are you waiting for? Let him in.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Huh?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

He's getting impatient, Harold. Let him in.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

But. But he's come for the money.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Why, Harold, what's the matter? He said it belonged to him.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I don't know, Mule.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Nothing else we can do, is it? We can't take it. Who said so? We'd be traced.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Oh, no. You're right. He can't take it away. It's the only chance we'll ever have.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

There's no other way, Harold. Or is there?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

What do you mean, Muriel?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

He might be difficult. Harold. There was a poker beside the fireplace.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

No, I couldn't.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

All right, give the money back to him.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

But it's mine. He can.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Harold gets Olivia Stone.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Muriel.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Harold get the poker. Yes.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Yes. Mira, the poker. Yes? Hi. I'm. I'm back again. You remember me, don't you? I was here the other night. Sure. Sure, I remember. What do you want? I'd like to come in for a minute. My car stalled outside. All right, come in. I got this far from town. Then my jalopy stopped dead on me. I didn't even know it was your house till I found myself on the steps again. Well, come in the living room. I. I've been poking up the fire. Yeah, I noticed.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Poor the darling. Oh, hello. Good evening.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

What's the matter? What are you looking at? Didn't you ever see a scar on a man's face before, Mrs. Phillips?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

How do you know my name?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I've been in town today asking a few questions.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

He's the one, Harold. It's he.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Now. Wait. Jack.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

No. Harold. The poker. Harold. Pick it up.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I think I'm gonna be sick.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Pick the poker up. Put it back where it belongs.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I've killed him.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

I've killed a man. Harold, stop it. Get control of yourself.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I'm gonna be sick.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Stop it. I don't feel any better than you do. But it's done now. We've got to go through with it.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

I've killed him.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Maybe you haven't. You better see.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Oh, no, I can't.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

You've got to, Harold. Think of all that money. He's out of the way now. We don't have to worry. See if he's dead.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Well, yes. Yes, he is.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Go through his pocket. You've got to see if he had a gun. His identification.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

There's an automatic and a shoulder holster.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

You see? He would have killed us.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

A wallet. $15 in it. That's all.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

It has to be more than that. His identification.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

There's nothing else in it. Muriel.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Handkerchief in his pocket.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Nothing in this. Nothing here.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

And that's all. Well, we've got to get rid of him now.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Rid of him?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

We can't leave him here. Take him out to his car.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

It's stalled.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

That was just an excuse to get in here. Where are those chains?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Chains?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

The ones you had in the car. Are they still there?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Oh, yes, I think so.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

All right. Weight his body down with him, and we'll drop him in the river. We can leave his car somewhere he'll never trace him. No identification.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Then what?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

And then we can take our own sweet time. You can give notice at the Express in the morning, and we'll leave town in a couple of weeks. You can say you've got another job.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

But the money.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Don't worry about it. There's no one left to talk, is there?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

You've killed a man, Harold. It stopped you for a while, didn't it? But after that first wave of nauseating panic, you can think more clearly. The weighted body goes into the river. The car left on a lonely road. Then during the next few days, you try to appear normal at work. While you wait for the muse to break. Hard to concentrate, isn't it, Mr. Gardner? Your boss has to call you on the carpet. I. Because of absentminded errors you make in the daily classified section. The others notice you aren't eating at lunchtime. Five days, six days a week, nothing happens. They must have found the car. They couldn't miss it. Parked on the highway 10 miles. Finally, you deliberately stroll into the city hall and look up Chief of Police Norton. Well, hello, Harold. Sit down, sit down. Have a chair. Where have you been keeping yourself? Missed you at the lodge meeting the other night. Oh, I've been pretty busy. How about you? Never a dull moment around here. You know, police work's funny. Yeah. Sometimes it gets so quiet you can hardly stand it. Have trouble keeping the men in line? I can hardly blame them. Playing around with traffic violations day after day. Then all of a sudden, everyone gets so darn busy, he wishes he had six hands. Yeah, look, like now, for instance. You got a handful, huh? Aha. This is a quiet town, Harold. Too quiet sometimes. Almost like a snake coiling up, ready to strike. Last week, nothing but traffic violations. Well, maybe a bunch of wild kids breaking a store window somewhere this week. Stolen automobile. Yeah. Just gave the story to one of your boys. That isn't all. We got a murderer on our hands.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Huh?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Huh. Somebody right in town, too. Just like I was saying, Harold, it's a quiet old burg. But I suppose as long as people get together, there'll be murder. Yes. Well, just like all those nosy newspaper guys, aren't you? Sorry, Harold. We can't say anything until we get him. You got any lease or. There's always leads. Don't worry. We'll get him. When we do, you'll know about it. Oh, excuse me. Norton speaking. Yeah, Fielding. When did you find the body? Oh, gosh, that's tough, huh?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Well?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Yeah, Harold's right here. Just happened in. What they got to do with him? What? Well, that's a funny one. Wait a minute. I'll get Phillips. Say, Harold, what is. Hello? He just ducked out the door. I'll get hold of him for you. Muriel. Muriel.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Howard, what on earth? What's wrong?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Don't ask questions. We've got to get out of here.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

What's happened?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Norton's found out about Fielding. They found the body.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

What? Hurry.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

We've got to get away from here before he comes out here.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Too late to run.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Get the money.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

No use, Harold.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Why not?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

If they found the body, they're sure to catch you. You can't hope to get away by running. Me? What do you mean, me? I'm not running away, Harold.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

You're an accomplice.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

You think so?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

You're just as guilty as I am. Why, if you hadn't been so.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Oh, no, you don't. It's your word against mine. I had nothing to do with it.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

You had everything to do with it.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

I told you I was tired of being married to a failure. You failed again, Harold. You even failed at murder.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

You won't get away with it. What about the money?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

What money?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

In the clock.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

The clock? I didn't know there was any money in the clock. And I'm sure no one will find any there, even if you tell them to look in it.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

You've hidden it. You've hidden that money somewhere else.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Have I not?

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

You're going to take it all for yourself when you're rid of me. That's why you said there was no hurry. You planned it this way, didn't you?

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Perhaps.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Well, you won't get away with it, Muriel. You won't.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

I don't know how you can stop me at this point, darling. You see, that's Chief Norton at the door now. I watched him drive up outside while we were talking. Better let him in.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Oh, no. Not until I've taken care of you first.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

No.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

Hell no, I didn't get rid of Fielding's gun. You see.

[Muriel Phillips / Mrs. Fielding]

Hell no. Please. Please. I didn't mean anything. I said, hell no.

[Harold Phillips / Narrator (The Whistler)]

The Whistler will return in just a moment with the strange ending to tonight's story. Meantime, let's take a look at a few of the new post war products we've all been waiting for. According to news releases, the first of the new nylon hosiery will be of pre war quality. The first new Automobiles will be 1942 models with improvements added when it comes to gasoline. New Signal gasoline. Aha. That's another story. For New Signal is not just pre war quality gasoline, not just old style gasoline improved, but an entirely new type of motor fuel with performance features that until recently were reserved for war. You see, science has long known that gasoline is composed of molecules. And each molecule is an arrangement of atoms. The way those atoms are arranged determines how much power you get from the gasoline. Well, in old style gasolines, the molecules were left just as nature made them. But recently, certain chemists found out how to take gasoline molecules apart, then rearrange the atoms in an entirely new way. The result is New Signal. An entirely new type super fuel with quicker starting, faster pick up, higher anti knocks and longer mileage. Because these are all features you can actually feel. See here? We urge you to let just one tank full of New Signal gasoline talk for itself. Let its performance in your own car show you why New Signal actually is the new post war gasoline you can prove is superior. Now back to the Whistler. It was too late to do anything else, wasn't it, Harold? Too late to do anything but get even. And you did it very efficiently. Muriel, your wife. She's dead now. Lying at your feet as Chief Norton comes into the room. Harold, what got into you? You've killed her deliberately. It doesn't matter. Good Lord, man, what are you talking about? You've committed murder. Doesn't that mean anything to you? He was as guilty as I am. She was in on it too, understand? She wanted the money. The 50,000. She wouldn't give me any peace when Fielding came back for his money. Fielding? What Fielding? Richard. It was his money in the clock. She made me kill him, Norton. She made me. He came to the house for the money? Yes. He had a scar on his right cheek. Yes, of course he did. Oh, will you drop it? I've had enough. Wait a minute. You've made an awful mistake, Harold. What? The man you killed was the murderer I told you we were looking for. He was Richard Fielding's partner in a bank robbery last year. Yes, they quarreled over the money and he killed Fielding when he broke out of the pen. Last week. They notified us, figuring he'd check in here sooner or later. Yes, but down at your office. What were you talking about on the telephone? Sabina Fielding. She died last night. Sabina? But I thought. Funny, I've always thought Sabina was a pretty good judge of character. She sure missed the boat this time. What do you mean? She must have taken a fancy to you. And your wife left the house and everything in it to the two of you. Next Monday at 9 o', clock, the Whistler will bring you another strange tale. The Whistler is broadcast for your entertainment by the marketers of signal gasoline and motor oil and fine quality automotive accessories and by your neighborhood signal dealer. This program produced by George W. Allen. Tonight's story by Leslie Edgley, music by Wilbur Hatch, is transmitted to our troops overseas by the Armed Forces Radio Service. This is Marvin Miller speaking and suggesting that you try new signal, the new gasoline you can prove superior. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Relic Radio Host]

Visit relicradio.com for more from the Whistler, Relic Radio Thrillers and all of the other Relic Radio podcasts. There's a Shoutcast stream as well with even more old time radio lots to listen to, all made possible by your support. If you'd like to help out, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of the links on the website. Thanks to those who have helped out. 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.