The Black Cat by Mystery In The Air

Summary

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The Horror! (Old Time Radio)

Episode: The Black Cat by Mystery In The Air
Original Air Date: September 18, 1947 (Rebroadcast September 20, 2025)
Host: RelicRadio.com

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Episode Overview

This episode of "The Horror!" presents a chilling radio adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic story, The Black Cat, as performed by the 1947 NBC series Mystery In The Air starring Peter Lorre. The narrative explores themes of guilt, psychological horror, supernatural vengeance, and the descent of a man into madness and murder. In this dramatized retelling, listeners follow Charles, whose love for animals turns sinister as he is consumed by alcoholism, resulting in acts of cruelty, murder, and ultimately, his own undoing.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Highlights

Establishing the Mood and Setting

• [01:02–01:29]: The host introduces the episode, noting its place in radio history and summarizing Poe’s "The Black Cat." The tone is ominous, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the story’s unsettling atmosphere.

Charles's Early Life and Marriage

• [04:39–05:41]: Charles recalls a happy childhood and early marriage, a period marked by gentleness and a mutual love for animals with his wife Vera.
  • Key Quote:

    "As a child, I was very gentle... But most, I liked animals. Yes, all kinds of animals."
    — Charles [04:39]

The Arrival of Pluto

• [05:18–06:10]: Vera rescues a black cat from dogs, naming him Pluto. The cat quickly becomes Charles's favorite.
  • Key Quote:

    "Let's call him Pluto. Yes, we'll call you Pluto. Well, Pluto grew up to be a remarkably beautiful cat... until it all changed."
    — Charles [06:10]

Descent Into Darkness: Alcoholism and Violence

• [06:11–08:57]: Charles reveals his transformation due to alcoholism, which leads to irritability and violence—both toward his wife and Pluto.
  • Key Quotes:

    "Through intemperance... as drink became more necessary to me, I became more moody and irritable."
    — Charles [06:11]
    "I kicked Pluto. And I kicked him again, and hard... I strangled the poor animal. I killed it only because I knew that it had loved me."
    — Charles [08:25–09:08]

Supernatural Consequences and Guilt

• [09:39–11:24]: On the night Charles murders Pluto, their house catches fire. The only thing left standing is a wall with a mysterious image of a cat—specifically, one matching Pluto’s torn ear.
  • Memorable Moment:

    "Look at it on the wall."
    — Vera [11:03]
    "It looks like a cat."
    — Vera [11:18]
    "I know what it is. You know who it is? Yes, it's Pluto. I recognize him."
    — Charles [11:36]

A New Cat, an Old Haunting

• [13:51–17:16]: After the fire, Charles encounters a second black cat in a tavern—remarkably similar to Pluto but with a white patch on its chest. The cat adopts Charles and his wife, but soon Charles notices a torn ear, just like Pluto's. His aversion to the animal grows into hate.
  • Key Quote:

    "Just the way Pluto's ear was... Torn when I kicked him. Huh? That's it, isn't it?"
    — Charles [17:13]
    "The more I hated it, the more affectionate it acted toward me..."
    — Charles [17:57]

The Ominous White Mark and Rising Madness

• [17:57–18:46]: The white patch on the cat’s chest morphs into the shape of a gallows, symbolizing impending doom.
  • Key Quote:

    "...the unmistakable and ghastly shape of the gallows. That terrible engine of horror, of agony and of death."
    — Charles [18:39]

Murder and Cover-up in the Cellar

• [19:32–20:02]: During a heated moment in the cellar, Charles’ rage toward the cat leads to him accidentally killing his wife. He conceals her body behind a false wall, just as in Poe’s original story.
  • Key Quote:

    "She'd fallen dead without a groan. My blind rage, my rage against the cat. I'd struck my wife and killed her."
    — Charles [20:02]

The Climactic Discovery

• [22:25–25:36]: Police arrive for a final search. In a moment of hubris, Charles raps on the cellar wall, only to provoke an uncanny yowl. The wall is torn down, revealing his wife’s corpse—and the black cat, alive, sitting atop her head.
  • Memorable Moment:

    "What was that?... That's not the wind. Came when you hit this wall here."
    — Sergeant [24:46–24:51]
    "What's that horrible looking thing sitting on her head?"
    — Sergeant [25:36]
    "You beast. You monster. You are the devil. You made me a murderer... waiting to send me to the gallows."
    — Charles [26:01–26:11]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Irredeemable Guilt:

  "I killed it only because I knew that it had loved me… I am only recounting what happened."
  — Charles [08:57–09:16]

• On Supernatural Retribution:

  "That hideous beast. It's come back to... to haunt me. Leave me alone, you hear? I can't stand it."
  — Charles [11:50]

• On Psychological Torture:

  "The more I hated it, the more affectionate it acted toward me... as if this were not enough, the white patch on its chest... gradually assumed the unmistakable and ghastly shape of the gallows."
  — Charles [17:57–18:39]

• The Final Revelation:

  "You made me a murderer. Now for three days you've been in there waiting... to send me to the gallows. The hangman will get me. Yes, I hope you're satisfied."
  — Charles [26:01–26:23]

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Important Timestamps

• [01:02] – Episode and classic adaptation introduced
• [04:39] – Charles describes a happy, animal-filled home life
• [06:11] – Descent into alcoholism and violence
• [08:57] – Pluto is killed
• [11:03] – The cat’s image appears mysteriously on the only wall left standing after the fire
• [13:51] – The second black cat arrives
• [17:04–17:16] – Vera discovers the new cat's torn ear
• [18:39] – The surreal transformation of the cat’s white patch into a gallows
• [19:32–20:02] – Charles murders and conceals Vera
• [24:25–25:36] – Police find Vera’s body and the surviving cat
• [26:01–26:23] – Charles’s final, haunted confession

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Summary for Listeners

This atmospheric episode, delivered in the original dramatic style of 1940s radio, masterfully adapts Poe’s tale of a man driven to murder by his own demons and the eerie “supernatural” workings of fate. Highlighted by Peter Lorre’s tormented performance, the story is a relentless spiral of guilt, paranoia, and poetic justice. Essential listening for fans of gothic literature, old-time radio, and psychological horror.

For more spooky tales, visit RelicRadio.com.

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Transcript

[Charles]

Oh, stories.

[Sergeant]

Real stories. And murders too.

[Charles]

Turn out your legs.

[Sergeant]

Turn them out. Good evening. Come in, won't you? What's the matter? Surely you're not nervous for that to.

[Charles]

Be calm, I think restored we are meant to call from out of the.

[Sergeant]

Past stories, strange and weird tales of mystery and terror by radio's masters of.

[Charles]

The MAA Stories of the supernatural, the supernormal dramatized the mystery of the unknown. We tell you this. Frank. Frank. So if you wish to avoid the excitement of these magnets, play our latest.

[Sergeant]

Series to turn off your.

[Narrator]

This week on the horror an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's the Black Cat as done by Mystery in the Air, an NBC series that aired from July to September of 1947. Thirteen episodes, all featuring Peter Lorre. This episode aired September 18, 1947.

[Sergeant]

Mystery in the air Darring Peter Laurie presented by Camel Cigarettes and it is the sentence of this court that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead. And may God have mercy on your soul.

[Charles]

No, I. I neither expect nor solicit belief for this wild story. I. I would be mad to expect it, yet mad I'm not. And very surely I do not dream. But while there is still time, I don't know why I feel compelled to report a series of mere household events. Inner consequences these events have terrified, have tortured, have destroyed me. Perhaps some are more calm or more logical, but certainly far less excitable than I will be able to explain in my. I cannot. I can only tell you the facts and that I have to do today because tomorrow I die.

[Sergeant]

Each week at this time, Camel Cigarettes bring you Peter Laurie in the excitement of the great stories of the strange and unusual, of dark and compelling masterpieces culled from the four corners of world literature. Tonight, Edgar Allan Poe's immortal American classic, the Black Cat. Mystery in the Air, starring Peter Lor, brought to you by Camel Cigarettes. Experience is the best teacher. Try a Camel. Let your own experience tell you why more people are smoking Camels than ever before. Give your T zone the experience of enjoying a Camel and see if you don't join the millions of other smokers who say, camels suit my T zone to a T. Your T zone, that's T for taste. And T for throat, is your true proving ground for any cigarette. See if Camel's rich, full flavor isn't a delightful experience for your taste. If Camel's cool mildness isn't more than welcome to your throat. Try a Camel.

[Charles]

No. Believe me that there was nothing, absolutely nothing in my childhood which forecast the terrible events that were to come. No, as a child, I. I was very gentle. I got along well with everyone. But most. I liked animals. Yes, all kinds of animals. And then I married quite young, and I was very happy to find that my wife shared my feelings. Very soon, we had quite a collection. Oh, we had. We had birds and goldfish. We had a dog and some rabbits. And we had a cat. I'll never forget the day my wife brought it home. Hello. Hello. You're home so early.

[Vera]

Look, Charles, Look. Look what I brought.

[Charles]

Oh. Oh, look at it. Oh, the little kitty. Where did you get it, darling?

[Vera]

Oh, the poor little thing. Some dogs were chasing it, and I just rescued it in time. It was so frightened.

[Charles]

Yes, but it isn't frightened anymore.

[Vera]

Oh, it seems to love you, child. Then that's not strange. All animals do.

[Charles]

Yes, yes, yes. Nobody's going to hurt you. Kitty. Kitty. Gnome. How about some milk? There, you see? Oh, he must have been very hungry. Hey, what's your name?

[Vera]

I don't suppose he has a name. He is so young. I don't think he belongs to anybody.

[Charles]

Well, then we have to give him a name.

[Vera]

You mean we can keep him?

[Charles]

Keep him? What are you talking about? He has no home. We can't turn him out in the streets, can we?

[Vera]

Oh, Charles, I was hoping you'd let him stay.

[Charles]

Of course. But he must have a name. Yes. Let's see. Oh, yes, you're black. Yes, all black. Beautiful. Not a single white. Oh. Oh, I have him. He's as black as the devil. Let's call him Pluto. Yes, we'll call you Pluto. Well, Pluto grew up to be a remarkably beautiful cat. And. And of all the animals in our house, he became my favorite and my playmate. Yes, and until it all changed. Yes, and as the years went on, my. My character suffered a radical change. And everything changed. Huh? Why? Well, I. I'm ashamed. I. I hate to admit it. Through. Through. Through intemperance. Yes, through intemperance. And then as drink became more and more necessary to me, I became more and more moody and irritable.

[Vera]

Charles, where are you going?

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

I don't have to tell you where I'm going.

[Vera]

Oh, Charles, what's happening?

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

What do you mean, what's happening to me?

[Vera]

You never used to go out every night to those vile places.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Madden, stop it.

[Charles]

I go out because I can't stand.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Listening to you nag, nag, nag all day long.

[Vera]

I don't know what's come over you.

[Charles]

There. See? Why don't you learn from Pluto? It's only a cat. He doesn't ask me where I'm going. Yes, that's right. You never do. No. Come here, Pluto. Yes, I like it.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Come here.

[Vera]

Be careful, Charles. Don't pick him up like that.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Don't you hurt him.

[Charles]

I never heard him.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

He bit me. He bit me. You. You.

[Charles]

Never mind. I want to show you.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Don't you?

[Charles]

Yes, I. I hate to admit it, but I was so furious.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

I kicked Pluto.

[Charles]

And I kicked him again, and hard. And the next morning, I. I saw that his ear was torn. And I was filled with remorse for what I'd done. From then on, Pluto ran away in terror whenever I approached. And. And that, in turn, made me more and more irritated. And. And in the end was sheer perverseness, nothing else. Yes. Sheer and unexplainable perverseness that.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

That made me do what I did.

[Charles]

I blush to admit it. But one morning I strangled the poor animal. I killed it only because I knew.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

That it had loved me.

[Charles]

And because it had given me no reason for offense. No, I'm offering no excuse.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

I am only recounting what happened.

[Charles]

Rolling in the evening, I. I went to the inn as usual. And I came home very late. And I fell fast asleep with my clothes on. Then I was awakened suddenly.

[Vera]

What? Charles. Charles, wake up. Charles.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

What's the matter? There must be a fire.

[Vera]

I smell smoke.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Good heavens, it's. Look it. It's our house. Our house is burning. Come on, darling. Come. We'll be glad. Come on. Hurry up. Quick. The stairs are on fire. There we go.

[Vera]

I can't. I.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Don't talk. Don't talk, sweet panther. I can get you through the flames. Don't breathe, darling. Here's the front door. Yeah.

[Charles]

We made it. We'll see.

[Vera]

Oh, Charles, look.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Our house. Anybody else in there?

[Charles]

No, nobody else. Ah, just as well. Never could get them out now. Are you the owner? Yes, that was our house.

[Sergeant]

Well, you haven't got much left. Then. We can't save it now.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Stand back. Stand back, everybody. The roof's gonna fall in. There it goes.

[Charles]

Well, it's down now.

[Sergeant]

Funny, nothing is left but that one.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Wall in the middle.

[Vera]

Look at it.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

What about it?

[Vera]

Well, look at it on the wall.

[Sergeant]

Hey, that is strange.

[Charles]

Huh?

[Sergeant]

What are you talking about?

[Charles]

What strange?

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

They're on the wall. It's still standing.

[Vera]

Marks on the plaster.

[Sergeant]

Marks? What mark?

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

What's the matter? You blind? Right up there in the wall. That black figure.

[Vera]

It looks like a cat.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Yeah, it does. The smoke must have done it. But it certainly does look Like a cat.

[Charles]

What? Looks like a cat there.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

And it's got one floppy ear. It's not funny. It is not funny at all, you hear?

[Charles]

I know what it is. You know who it is? Yes, it's Pluto. I. I recognize him. Yes.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

There, see?

[Charles]

His ear is torn. Huh? Oh, you. You beast.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

That hideous beast. It's come back to. To haunt me. Leave me alone, you hear? I can't stand it.

[Charles]

I can't. I can't.

[Sergeant]

Get some water, somebody. This man's fainted it. The black cat is dead. Killed by its master. The house is burned to the ground with everything in it completely destroyed. Now the scene is the almost deserted candlelit tap room of a local inn. Don't you think you'd better go on home, sir? It's getting late.

[Charles]

Cole, man, you should see the terrible place where we're living now.

[Sergeant]

Yeah, yeah. I heard you lost everything in that fire.

[Charles]

Lost everything? Yes, I lost everything. I lost my house. I lost everything.

[Sergeant]

Well, how about that black cat of yours you used to talk about all the time? What was his name?

[Charles]

His name is Pluto. Ah, yes. Pluto's gone too. Why not? Tell you? I miss him. I miss him very much.

[Sergeant]

And if you miss him that much, why don't you get another cat?

[Charles]

Give me a drink.

[Sergeant]

Ah, it's getting pretty late, sir. I mean, well, won't your wife be expecting you?

[Charles]

Give me a drink.

[Sergeant]

Yes, sir. I'll have to fetch another bottle.

[Charles]

Why don't I get another cat, huh? That's what they say. Well, why don't I? No reason I shouldn't. There's no reason to be in the deeps of despair just because of a cat. If I get another cat, maybe. Maybe I'll be able to forget them. What's that? There's a cat now, is it? Sitting on top of the table. Black cat. That's strange. I've been staring at that table for five minutes. I could swear there was no cat on it. Anyway, where did you come from? Huh? Oh, you. You're a beautiful cat. Yes, you. You're just as black as Pluto, you know. Except you got a splotch of white on your chest. That's right. Oh, yes. Come. Come sit on my lap.

[Sergeant]

Huh?

[Charles]

Oh, yeah. Kitty, kitty. Yes, you're a nice kitty. You're a nice cat. Hey, Arthur, where did this cat come from?

[Sergeant]

Cat? Oh. Oh, yeah. Big one, isn't he? I don't know where it came from or how it got in either, for that matter. Never seen it around here before.

[Charles]

Don't know what it belongs to.

[Sergeant]

No, no. As far as I'm concerned, it belongs to you. If you want it. Can't keep it here. Wife doesn't like cats, especially black ones.

[Charles]

Like cats, huh? How stupid. See, I want it. Yes, sir, I want it very much.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

I'll take it home with me right now.

[Vera]

Charles, this is such a wonderful cat. Just since last week, it's made itself so much at home. Well, you think it'd live here always.

[Charles]

Yes, yes, I've noticed that.

[Vera]

It reminds me so much of Pluto.

[Charles]

Yes, but this one has a patch of white on its chest. Don't forget that.

[Vera]

Yes, that's right, dear. But I can't help wondering. I wonder whatever became of Pluto. He disappeared the day of the fire.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

I know, I know.

[Charles]

He disappeared and. Well, maybe he knew the house was going to burn down.

[Vera]

Oh, see how it loves you. It's rubbing against your leg just the way Pluto used to.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Pluto. Pluto. Stop talking about Pluto.

[Vera]

Darling, I didn't mean anything. I'm.

[Charles]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Vera. I always talk about how much this new cat resembles Pluto. It just makes me nervous. Look. Actually, there's hardly any resemblance at all, really. Except that. Except that they're both black. This one has a white patch on its chest and.

[Vera]

Oh, the poor thing. Charles, look. His ear is torn. See? Here, under the fur. Oh, I never noticed that before.

[Charles]

Neither did I.

[Vera]

Why, it's just the way Pluto. I mean.

[Charles]

Go ahead, say it. Say it's. Hey, it's torn. It's torn. Yeah, just the way Pluto's ear was.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Torn when I kicked him. Huh? That's it, isn't it?

[Vera]

Well, he must have been in a fight or something. But it's curious we didn't notice it.

[Charles]

Curious, huh? You have no idea how curious it is. No idea. Get that cat out of my side.

[Vera]

Charles, you're mad. How can you act that way about a poor, dumb animal? Take one that loves you so much. Oh, now you're frightened it, dear.

[Charles]

Away from me. You hear me?

[Vera]

The way you talk. Anybody think you don't even like the poor like it?

[Charles]

I. I hate it, I tell you.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

I hate it. I. I hate it. I. I hate it.

[Charles]

Yes, you. In a short time, the cat had been with us. I had come to look upon it with unutterable loathing. Why? Why, I don't know yet. The more I hated it, the more affectionate it acted toward me. Wherever I went, it followed. Whenever I sat down, it would spring upon my knees and cover me with its loathsome caresses. As if this were not enough to the white patch on its chest, which originally it had been very indefinite in shape, but gradually it assumed a very definite outline. Yes, the unmistakable and ghastly shape of the gallows.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

That terrible engine of horror, of agony and of death.

[Charles]

I longed to destroy the beast, but.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

I was prevented by an absolute unreasonable dreader. I was sure I was losing my mind.

[Vera]

Charles, are you going out again?

[Charles]

Yes, I'm going out.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

I don't know when I'll be back.

[Vera]

Oh, before you go, do you suppose you.

[Charles]

Why, what is it?

[Vera]

Will you help me bring up some wood from the cellars?

[Charles]

Why do you always want more wood?

[Vera]

The house is cold, you know. I haven't been feeling well. I'm not strong enough to carry it myself.

[Charles]

All right. Come on. I'll help you. You might have thought of this before.

[Vera]

Look out.

[Charles]

Oh, that's cat.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

That's that beast. The gimmick's always under my feet. It tried to trip me on the stairs.

[Vera]

Oh, no. I'm sure it did.

[Charles]

I'll get rid of that beast once and for all.

[Vera]

Charles, put down that crowbar.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Get out of my way.

[Vera]

No. No.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Get out of my way.

[Charles]

Let go of my arm.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Let go of my arm. Are you going to let go? Please, I just let go.

[Charles]

Why didn't you let me go? Yes, she'd fallen dead without a groan. My blind range, my rage against the cat. I'd struck my wife and killed her. Well, nothing I can do about it now. All I could do is. Was to set myself to the task of concealing the body. Yes, I. I thought and I deliberated. And then it occurred to me that, yes, in the Middle Ages, they used to wall up their victims. And I determined to do the same thing. Yes, behind the wall, in a cellar, I managed to dislodge a section of bricks near the chimney. And in a hole behind them, I propped the body. Then I carefully laid the bricks back in their original position. And when I had finished, no one, no one could have told that the wall had been disturbed at all. Well, I could say to myself triumphantly, here at least my labor has not been in vain. My next step then was to look for the beast that had been a cause of so much misery. But then I became aware. But it had completely disappeared. Three days passed, and still my tormentor did not appear. Oh, it's impossible to describe or to imagine. The deep sense of my relief. For the first time in months, I slept. Yes. Oh, I slept even with the burden of murder on my soul. Yes, Some few inquiries were made about my wife's whereabouts and the search of the house was conducted, but nothing was discovered. Oh, I finally could look upon my future. Secure. Yes.

[Sergeant]

Good day, sir. Sorry to disturb you again, sir.

[Charles]

It's you, Sergeant. Is there anything I can do for you?

[Sergeant]

Well, they're still puzzled about your wife's disappearance.

[Charles]

Puzzling. Well, so am I.

[Sergeant]

Some of her friends have been around at the police station.

[Charles]

What's that got to do with me, huh? You've already searched us twice. What do you want?

[Sergeant]

Well, I know, sir, but. Well, the captain sent me and the constable here to look around just once more to be sure there's no clue's been overlooked. This will be the last time, sir. Only a matter of routine. We won't bother you again.

[Charles]

All right. Come in.

[Sergeant]

Thank you, sir. Come on, Joe. Right.

[Charles]

Where would you like to look first?

[Sergeant]

Well, we might as well begin with the cellar.

[Charles]

Cellar? All right. Yes, right down these steps. I'll come with you.

[Sergeant]

Yes. I always say searching a house is like getting ahead in the world. You start at the bottom.

[Charles]

Yes, I see it. It's very funny.

[Sergeant]

Well, come on, Constable. Get to work. Right.

[Charles]

While they searched, I folded my arms and watched as before they discovered nothing. Nothing. But as they were about to depart the glee. My heart was too strong to be restrained. I burned to see but one word. Yes, just one word by way of triumph. And as they started up the steps, I said, see? Have you noticed? This is a very well constructed house, you know. Hey, gentlemen, you're not going to. Yes, it's a. It's an excellently well constructed house. You've never seen such a well constructed house. In a. In a frenzy of my bravado upon that very portion of the brickwork behind.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Which stood the corpse of my wife. I. I rapt with my cane. But may heaven deliver me from the arch. Fiend.

[Charles]

What was that?

[Sergeant]

Mother of mercy, what was that?

[Charles]

Wind, probably.

[Sergeant]

Wind? That's not the wind. Came when you hit this wall here. Whatever it is, it's behind these bricks. Serge. Here, take this crowbar and knock that wall down. Right.

[Charles]

Wait a minute. You keep quiet.

[Sergeant]

You wait a minute. Where are you going?

[Charles]

Upstairs.

[Sergeant]

You stay right here. Hey, this is new plaster. It hasn't even had time to set yet. Pull it down. Here she comes.

[Charles]

Look out. Oh, there's what we're looking for, all right.

[Sergeant]

His wife's body. What's that horrible looking thing sitting on her head?

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

It's a cat.

[Sergeant]

How did that cat get in there?

[Vera]

I know how it got in.

[Charles]

Yes, I know. I must have walled it up in a tomb and I never knew it. No.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Look at that red mouse. Those burning eyes.

[Charles]

You. You hideous.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

You beast. You monster. You are the devil. You made me a murderer.

[Charles]

Now for three days you've been in there waiting.

[Charles (angry/moody voice)]

Waiting to send me to the gallows. The hangman will get me. Yes, I hope. I hope you're satisfied. I hope you're satisfied.

[Charles]

Time.

[Sergeant]

Next week, mystery in The Air, starring Mr. Peter Laurie, brings you an adaptation of one of our star's greatest motion pictures, Crime and Punishment, based on the book by Fyodor Dostoevsky, with a special musical score composed and conducted by Paul Baron. This is NBC, the national Broadcasting company.

[Narrator]

There's more from Mystery in the Air, the Horror, all of the relic radio podcasts and our shoutcast stream all waiting for you at the website relicradio.com if you'd like to help support this and all of that, 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. Be back tomorrow with Strange Tales and next Saturday with our next episode of the Horror.