The Haunted Crossroads by The Witch’s Tale

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Horror! (Old Time Radio)

Episode: The Haunted Crossroads by The Witch’s Tale

Release Date: November 15, 2025
Host: RelicRadio.com

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Episode Overview

In this chilling installment, The Witch’s Tale presents “The Haunted Crossroads,” a tale of supernatural vengeance rooted in the dark history of an old Massachusetts crossroad. Police officers patrolling the infamous site are drawn into a mysterious string of deaths eerily linked to a centuries-old curse. Exploring the terror of the unexplained, spectral possession, and justice from beyond the grave, the episode blends classic radio suspense with macabre folklore.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: The Haunted Crossroads

• The episode opens with the cast gathering around a virtual campfire, setting a classic old-time radio tone:

  "We wander lots of darkness when we tell our bedtime stories." — Kathleen Fallon (01:22)

• Listeners are transported to a desolate Massachusetts crossroad, infamous for unexplained deaths.

2. A Pattern of Grisly Murders

• Police officers Tom Fallon, Sergeant McGee, and others discuss recent killings — all involving officers at the crossroads.

• Three victims have been stabbed in the back under suspicious circumstances.

• The murders seem impossible, as each occurred when no one else was present:

  "Tom wasn't alone here more than a minute. No one could have gotten to him... Yet I saw no one but him. And you." — Captain Elton (04:42)

3. Supernatural Suspicions & the Woman’s Laugh

• A chilling, inexplicable woman’s laughter is heard at each tragedy, casting doubt on rational explanations.

• The stories of haunted crossroads and "a laughing invisible woman" unsettle even the hardened police.

• Notable exchange:

  "I didn't hear a woman's laugh."
  "You hear it too? It sounded... right here beside me."
  — Kathleen Fallon & Captain Elton (04:56-05:00)

4. Personal Loss and Psychological Breakdown

• Serjeant McGee confesses, admitting to killing Tom despite loving him, claiming he was compelled by an overpowering force:

  "I stabbed the knife into his backpack. As I couldn't help myself. I was made to do it." — Sergeant McGee (09:51)

• Overcome with guilt and terror, McGee takes his own life (10:11-10:17).

5. Unanswered Questions Deepen the Mystery

• The living characters struggle to make sense of events, as McGee could not have committed the earlier murders.

• The idea that a malevolent force compels loved ones to kill strikes terror.

  "But who killed Smith and Barkley?... Why did he say he couldn't help himself? That he was made to kill his nephew? And what was the meaning of that woman's laugh I heard?" — Captain Elton (10:26)

6. The Curse Claims New Victims

• Kathleen visits Eugene (Dean) Hardy at the crossroads, where another spectral appearance occurs. The woman in black appears and vanishes; Hardy falls under her spell and attempts to kill Kathleen.
• Kathleen is forced to shoot Hardy to save herself (15:47).

7. Revelation of the Ghostly Origin

• In the hospital, Kathleen and Captain Elton reflect on her ordeal. The seriousness of the haunting is underscored by Hardy's delirious repetition under anesthesia:

  "He couldn't help himself. Somehow she made him want to kill me... but that love was stronger than her past. He had time to warn me." — Kathleen Fallon (17:22)

• The town doctor presents historical records. The deaths are traced back to the execution and burial of Goody Fairfax, a woman hanged as a criminal at the crossroads in 1721. Her dying curse promised vengeance upon officers of the law (19:51-22:33).
• Redramatization of Fairfax’s death and curse:

  "Hear me, ye officers of so called justice... I vow to return from death the murderer ye do hang me. ... For not even death will stay my haste. I shall return to bring ye death, ye officers of law." — Goody Fairfax via Kathleen Fallon (21:11)

8. Resolution: Lifting the Curse

• Captain Elton and others exhume Fairfax’s remains and rebury them in consecrated ground, hoping to end the haunting (23:03).
• A hopeful, lighthearted ending for the newlyweds Kathleen and Hardy:

  "Be happy. And Kathleen, let that first shot you had at your husband be the last." — Captain Elton (23:30)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Unsolved Murders:

  "They're only telling you what really happened. But it couldn't have happened. Just the same. It did."
  — Captain Elton & Kathleen Fallon (05:00-05:06)

• On the Haunting:

  "It looks like a haunted place."
  — Kathleen Fallon (14:21)

• Goody Fairfax’s Vengeful Oath:

  "For not even death will stay my haste. I shall return to bring ye death, ye officers of law."
  — Goody Fairfax/Kathleen Fallon (21:11)

• Doctor’s Wisdom on the Supernatural:

  "We can't call a thing a lie simply because we don't understand it."
  — Doctor (18:15)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Historical context and eerie introduction: 01:22–02:19
• First murder at the crossroads: 03:53–04:56
• Supernatural suspicion discussed: 05:00–06:00
• Sergeant McGee’s confession and suicide: 09:09–10:17
• Another attack, driven by the curse: 14:39–16:23
• Historical curse recounted: 19:51–22:33
• Exhumation of Goody Fairfax’s remains: 23:03–23:14

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Episode Tone and Style

• Language and Atmosphere: The script embraces melodrama and melodious old-time radio dialogue, with intense expressions of horror and old-world superstition.
• Emotional Core: Deep grief, confusion, and a sense of cosmic injustice—countered by grim humor and a romantic ending.
• Closing Mood: Although menacing and foreboding early on, the resolution offers both closure and a wink at the audience.

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Takeaways

The Haunted Crossroads capitalizes on classic themes of ghostly vengeance, family tragedy, and the inescapable grip of the past. Steeped in New England folklore and police procedural mystery, the episode highlights the limitations of rationality in the face of enduring supernatural folklore.

Listeners are left with an ambiguous sense of relief—perhaps the curse has finally been lifted, but the darkness of the crossroads remains part of the landscape, and a warning as old as the land itself.

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Transcript

[Narrator]

With another horror story from the golden age of radio. This is the Horror. Thanks for joining me. This week we'll hear from the Witch's Tale this time. Series that debuted in May of 1931 aired until June of 1938. Over 300 episodes were produced for the Mutual Broadcasting System. Our story today was first heard October 17, 1932. It's titled the Haunted Crossroads.

[Captain Elton]

The Witch's Tale. The fascinations of the eerie, weird, blood chilling tales told by old Nancy, the witch of Salem and Satan, her wise black cat. They are waiting, waiting for you now.

[Kathleen Fallon]

122 year old Ivy today. Yes sir, the hundred and twenty two year old. Well, Satan, tell everyone to douse their light. That's it. We wander lots of darkness when we tell our bedtime stories. Now draw up to the fire and gaze into the embers bay. Then to em deep and soon by the light of the moon and the stars, you'll see a barren stretch of land where two roads meet in old Massachusetts state. Three policemen stand a talking there beside their moticidal wake. And soon you'll hear the story of the haunting crossroad the Haunted Crossroads.

[Captain Elton]

Sure you're not scared to have us lady here alone, Tom? Of course he's scared, Sergeant. Look at his knee shaking. I'll probably yell for help the minute you guys get out of my sight. Sure, James. I don't think he is properly frightened. I guess not. Well, if he sees any folks, he can't say we haven't warned him. Seriously, boy, you'll keep your eyes peeled for other scenes and ghosts on this patrol? You bet I will, Uncle Pat. And I owe it to my luck to have the skunk who knocked up Smith and Barclay here start something with me. Well, I hardly think that'll happen. Those killings weren't done by the same man. They were both stabbed in the back the same way. Oh, well, that doesn't prove anything. Several fellows were stabbed to death here right after the Civil War. And another about 20 years ago. According to all records, it wasn't the same murderer who got them and two cops of our troops. Well, unless you believe the crazy stories about this place being haunted, I must be riding back to tube headquarters where Captain Elton will be skinning the hideaways. And Eugenia. Harvey, you better be happy getting on your patrol. I'll get the old bike moving. Oh, when you get home in the morning, Tom, remind your sister she's got a movie date with me tomorrow night. Kathleen's not apt to forget any date she has with you. But Harvey, Your job at the moment is to keep your IP for speeders and reckless drivers. Well, I'll try to remember that side. Good night. Good night, Jean. Bye bye. What the.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Come.

[Captain Elton]

I'm coming back, kid.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Coming back.

[Captain Elton]

I'm coming.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Sarge.

[Captain Elton]

Sarge.

[Kathleen Fallon]

What is it?

[Captain Elton]

What has happened? I'm here. What happened?

[Kathleen Fallon]

Tom? Yes. He's dead, Bill. He can't be dead. We just left him.

[Captain Elton]

I started right after you rode away. Then I heard him yelling. Oh, merciful God. I read that boy. He was like my own son. He's been stabbed in the back. Justice Smith was stabbed a week ago. And Barclay. Here it is. The same rattling password. Now pull yourself together, Sarge. You know what I thought of Tom. But where Cops. Listen, you were back here before I did. You must have seen this door. No more than you see now. Whoever did it got away and.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Take it.

[Captain Elton]

Take it easy. Take it easy. Tom wasn't alone here more than a minute. No one could have gotten to him. Across these open fields and then away again. Between the time I left and come back. Yet I saw no one but him. And you.

[Kathleen Fallon]

What was that? I didn't hear a woman's laugh.

[Captain Elton]

You hear it too? It sounded here beside me. Right here beside it. At least no one's here. But we can see an invisible woman. That's the craziest part of your whole crazy story. But we did hear it. Captain Elton. It's Drew to ahead me. But there wasn't any woman. By your own confession, you said you searched and couldn't find her. We looked everywhere around, sir, but there's no place there for anyone to hide. And like the hicks around here, you come to the conclusion those old crossroads are haunted. A female ghost stabbed some felon with a very ungodly steel knife, I suppose. Which he carried away with her because you couldn't find it either. That's a fine way for two policemen to explain a murder. They're only telling you what really happened. But it couldn't have happened. Just the same. It did. Now look here, sir. Tom Fallon was my closest friend. I'm engaged to marry his sister. And Sergeant McGee here is his uncle. You don't think we'd lie to you when Tom's dead body lies out there in the squadroom? He would like me or son. Ah, here, Sergeant Pep. Sit down. I'm sorry I have to pound at you like this, but Tom is the second of the troop that has been killed inside a week at the same place in the same way. And last year he found Barkley Dead there. Three policemen tap to death. And we haven't a single lead to the rattles in it. You think the same person killed them all, sir? Yes. And that person's a man, not a laughing invisible woman. A man was strength enough to kill with a single blow. Marty, you say Fellum wasn't out of your sight for more than a few minutes before you heard him scream? Well, I'd only passed the first turn south of the crossroad, sir. A minute and a half at most. And you got back to even about half that time. How about you, Sergeant McGee? I. I did come right after trooper had you go away, sir, and headed north. And neither of you saw any vehicles approaching from the east or west? Nor fast any. There was no traffic at all. Then in the 70 or 80 seconds that Fallon was alone, someone ran across a completely open space, drove a knife into Tom Fallon's back and then went away again. It's crazy, but that's the way it must have happened. It's the only way it could have happened. It didn't happen. It's impossible. The world's greatest sprinter couldn't have covered a necessary distance in that short time. And the running man must make a little noise, yet fell and saw and heard nothing until a knife was in his back. You're an angry both of you. By the Lord, if I didn't know how close you were to the boy, I'd say you bumped you off yourselves. Captain Elche said that dog. Ay. I'm sorry. I don't mean that, of course. But unless you fellows change a story, the coroner's jury is going to ask some mighty embarrassing questions. You've established yourselves as the only persons in the vicinity who could have come close enough to fathom. No one's going to think we had anything to do with this when they recollect those other killings at the crossroads. Even if they won't believe we heard that woman laugh. You've forgotten, Captain, that Tom is the third to die out there by the same man's hand. You say last week when smith was killed, Sergeant McGee and I were on duty with you in this station from the time Smith left here until his body was found. And when Barclay got here the year ago, then, George, you and I were main tired doing some fishing. Don't you remember? In Jean here. And I was serving a motorcycle escort for the Governor. Now, no one will question that alibi. Yeah, you're right. But if you've told me the truth about tonight, what's the answer? I didn't have to listen to such a nutty yarn about Smith's and Bartley's murders. For no one was near him when it happened. They'd been dead for hours when found. Oh, excuse me, boys. The things I've said. If I don't find someone to pin these stabbings on, pretty soon I'll be believing those damn crosses are haunted. That's all. Just a minute, Tom. There's power, mister. Sir. Bring her in. Yes, sir. Does she know her brother is. No. I telephoned her to come down here, that's all. You'd better like some newspaper. You're her uncle. No, no, not me. I can't even see her, though. Let me out this other door before she. I am busy.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Captain Nelson. Why did you telephone me to come down here? Uncle Pat? Why are you here? What's wrong?

[Captain Elton]

Let me out of here. Let me out.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Uncle. Pass. It's Tom. What has happened to Tom?

[Captain Elton]

Tod, look at me. I don't know anything about it. Kathleen. Dear Ms. Fallon.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Tom was posted at the crossroads tonight. He'd been killed there like the others.

[Captain Elton]

Yes. Your brother. Ellen. Dearest Catherine. Let me out. We'll all let me out. I'm hands dirty. Fear cry like that. I can't bear to have her eyes upon me. He has eyes like Thomas.

[Kathleen Fallon]

They have killed me.

[Captain Elton]

They have killed me before God. I swear I didn't mean to kill him.

[Kathleen Fallon]

I do.

[Captain Elton]

Yes, I killed him. I. I didn't tell you the truth. I never left him at his thought at all. I killed a boy I love because something from the blackest head has gone into me. I stabbed the knife into his backpack. As I couldn't help myself. I was made to do it.

[Kathleen Fallon]

No.

[Captain Elton]

I'll pay for what I've done.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Don't let him get his gun. He shot himself, Uncle Pat.

[Captain Elton]

He said Tom Fallon's murderer has just killed himself.

[Kathleen Fallon]

He's dead. My brother. Oh, no. No, he couldn't.

[Captain Elton]

You heard what he said, Ms. Felons. But who killed Smith and Barkley? McGee couldn't have done that. No. Why did he say he couldn't help himself? That he was made to kill his nephew? And what was the meaning of that woman's laugh? I heard.

[Kathleen Fallon]

You in that car drive on those stuff in here. It's only me, Dean. Exactly. You can put away your gun. But I'm glad to know you're being so careful here. Why drive away out here at this hour, honey? Oh, I couldn't sleep knowing you were posted alone at these crossroads tonight, dear.

[Captain Elton]

I told you not to worry. A troop has been posted alone here every night for three weeks now, ever since poor Tom was killed and nothing's happened.

[Kathleen Fallon]

They think there's no danger here anymore now that Uncle Pat's dead.

[Captain Elton]

You mustn't stop thinking about him now.

[Kathleen Fallon]

It's rather difficult not to think about him. I'll never understand him.

[Captain Elton]

He was out of his mind. That's the only explanation.

[Kathleen Fallon]

What? Throw him out of his mind? What could have made him destroy someone he loved? As we know, he loved Tom and he said he was made to do it.

[Captain Elton]

I don't know, Dean.

[Kathleen Fallon]

You're all I have left. If anything could happen to you now.

[Captain Elton]

Nothing's going to hurt me, dear. Come on, get a hold of yourself, sweetheart.

[Kathleen Fallon]

But Uncle Pat had nothing to do with the other deaths here. It was miles away when Smith and Barclay were stabbed. Maybe this place is haunted.

[Captain Elton]

Oh, you don't believe that stuff any more than I do. You're just all upset. And here I'm going to disobey all standing orders of the state police and join you in this car for a little roadside parking.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Oh, no, don't get in. I'd rather get out and walk a bit. I've never been out here before, you know. At night, I mean.

[Captain Elton]

Yeah, and you shouldn't be here now. Fine thing, driving this deserted old road at midnight. Have you got that little gun I gave you?

[Kathleen Fallon]

Oh, yes. I always carry it when I drive alone.

[Captain Elton]

Ah, that's good. Well, come on then, if you want to walk.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Exactly where did you find Tom's body? Uncle Pat kneeling beside him.

[Captain Elton]

We're not going to talk any more.

[Kathleen Fallon]

About that, all right? Certainly wouldn't do me any good to know. It's such a gloomy spot here. No cars parking, no road lamps.

[Captain Elton]

These are just old county roads. No state trooper had to patrol here.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Regularly until the until after Frank Barclay was found stabbed here. Kathleen, I want to talk about a Gene I loved. Uncle Pet. He was a good man, not a killer or a maniac. And I've got to find out what made him do the thing he did. Find out what made him say he couldn't help himself. Uncle Pat was in Maine when Frank Barclay was killed. Tell me about that.

[Captain Elton]

Well, all I know is that Barclay didn't report on schedule when they found him. He'd been dead for several hours just.

[Kathleen Fallon]

A week before Tom.

[Captain Elton]

Like Barclay, he'd been dead for a long time when found.

[Kathleen Fallon]

But Uncle Pat couldn't have done it.

[Captain Elton]

Oh, he wasn't out of my sight and that of a Dozen others at any time that night. Well, after that, Captain Elton made this a fixed post.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Oh, I can't understand it.

[Captain Elton]

Neither can anyone else.

[Kathleen Fallon]

And 70 years ago, the papers say a Tom constable was stabbed here. And another constable about the time when we were children. That makes five. All things.

[Captain Elton]

Ah, screwy. All right. But you mustn't think about it anymore, dear. And don't worry about me. Look around here. There's nothing but open spaces, sand and grass and two level, hard dirt roads. Why, there isn't a bush or stone big enough for a cat to hide behind, let alone a man with a knife.

[Kathleen Fallon]

No one could come close to you here. Except someone you knew and trusted. As Uncle Tap is trusted by Tom. As you trust me.

[Captain Elton]

It's enough nonsense. Now go home. Go to bed and sleep. And keep that little automatic of yours handy on the way. Night driving is no business for a woman.

[Kathleen Fallon]

I wish you'd let me stay.

[Captain Elton]

Not a chance. You want me to lose my job. That's what happens to cops who entertain ladies during business hours.

[Kathleen Fallon]

But it's so gloomy here, so silent and eerie. It looks like a haunted place.

[Captain Elton]

Oh, bunk here. Give me a kiss and say goodnight.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Oh, dear. I can't leave you.

[Captain Elton]

I'm not going to. I'm safer here than I'd be in a church. What was that?

[Kathleen Fallon]

A woman laughing.

[Captain Elton]

That's what I heard the other night.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Sit there.

[Captain Elton]

A woman's in the road.

[Kathleen Fallon]

She wasn't there a moment ago.

[Captain Elton]

I'll soon find out.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Dean, come back here.

[Captain Elton]

Stay in the car. Kathleen.

[Kathleen Fallon]

You in the black dress.

[Captain Elton]

I want to talk to you.

[Kathleen Fallon]

No, don't follow her. Dean, come back. Wait. I tell you, whoever you are, don't walk away from me. I'm an officer. Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't go. I got the Dean. Get away. I disappeared. She's vanished as I was. To where she goes. Come back here. Jean. Come back. Come back. What happened to that woman? Jean, what's happened to you? I've got to do it. Why do you stare at me like that? Got to do it. Got to do it. Why are you opening that pocket knife? I can't help myself. Can't help myself. You know, because only didn't tell me. As though I'm someone you hate. I'm Kathleen. You love me, Kathleen love. Don't come any closer. Move away.

[Captain Elton]

Kathleen, love. You're done, Kathleen.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Shoot me before I reach you. Shoot me. It's the only way to stop me. But I can't help this Other.

[Captain Elton]

No.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Yes. Shoot me or I'll kill you with this knife. You're mad. Shoot, I say, before I drive this knife into your back. Oh, my God. God forgive me. It's the only way. Please stop kissing. I hug you here beside me. Going in, Jack. Giveaway. Giveaway. Giveaway.

[Captain Elton]

Come on, Ms. Felons. I want to hear more about this woman who laughs this goat.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Please, please don't ask me any more questions now. I'll go up to that operating room again. Captain Elton, make sure that Dean's going to live. I only taught him to stop him.

[Captain Elton]

You stopped him all right.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Oh, yeah. The doctor. At last. Oh, doctor.

[Captain Elton]

It's all right, Ms. Valens. He's taking the bullet out of Cooper Hardy's shoulder. And he'll be up and around again in just a few days.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Oh, thank God. That's us.

[Captain Elton]

And also Jean's tough constitution. Now, that's all of your mind. Will you please tell me exactly what happened at the crossroads tonight?

[Kathleen Fallon]

I'll answer all your questions now.

[Captain Elton]

What I've already heard is Jean here made me very curious. Sit down, Doc. It's your office and your hospital. Go ahead, McFarlane. Let's hear all about that laughing, appearing and disappearing woman. If I were you, Captain, I'd withhold my objections a while. The Cooper Hardy has been babbling about the phantom woman under the ether. Andreeta. People don't lie. He's been repeating over and over that he couldn't help himself.

[Kathleen Fallon]

He couldn't. Somehow. Somehow she made him want to kill me. But he loved me. That love was stronger than her past. He had time to warn me.

[Captain Elton]

Oh, you obligingly shot him.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Yes.

[Captain Elton]

Then the woman reappeared again.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Yes, beside me. And she laughed. She laughed horribly. And then when I looked at her, she just quite.

[Captain Elton]

Is there a woman dressed in black, you say?

[Kathleen Fallon]

Yes, to break old fools. It might have been a shroud. And his face was like. Like the dead. It would have all the perfect king to this. Even scandals. And around the throat and the hairy rope that dangled to the ground. Oh, good. I'll steal it till the day I die.

[Captain Elton]

I don't believe in ghosts. You just shot one of my troopers. I don't care if you were engaged to Mariam. I don't. Don't care. Enough. Captain.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Out.

[Captain Elton]

What? I'm locked inside the walls of this hospital. And this girl is in no physical condition to stand your third degree. Besides, I think she's telling the truth.

[Kathleen Fallon]

The truth?

[Captain Elton]

Why not? We can't call a thing a lie simply because we don't understand it. Have you any better explanation than we've heard for the tragedy at those old crossroads? You don't think anything supernatural? I think something that has lived beyond the span of ordinary human life is responsible. Remember those almost forgotten cases the newspapers have searched out? The man who was stabbed there in 1865. That other chap in the early 1900s. One of the reporters told me they'd discovered several more crosstable stabbings in the record. A peace officer was still there in Andy Jackson's time. And a member of the Watch was stabbed when Washington was president.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Oh, by you?

[Captain Elton]

I haven't thought of it. Just in that light, Ms. Fallon. You say the phantom woman had a rope round her neck?

[Kathleen Fallon]

Yes, a thick rope tie, but I had enough.

[Captain Elton]

A hangman's rope. And at the crossroads in the early days, trimmers were hanged and buried. What's that got to do with. It may be a lot more than you think. Excuse me, Captain. Leave it there aside so that I can get to that bookcase. What? I want to find something. Something I've read and more than half forgotten. Policemen, officers of the law, they've been the only ones to die at those crossroads where a gallows tree once stood. Oh, that's a coincidence. But you must admit a strange coincidence. Here's a book. An old history of this county. History? Here it is. I knew I read it somewhere. Look.

[Kathleen Fallon]

What is it, doctor?

[Captain Elton]

I read it to you. Listen. On that 13th day of August, 1721, by aid of the king's governor, a gibbet of good stout oak had been erected at Berkeley crossroads. That's the old name of our place, Captain Elton.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Go on.

[Captain Elton]

And there the criminal Woody Fairfax was taken, Goody protesting their innocence of the foul crimes of the.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Now, now. I swear that I'm innocent. The office is denied.

[Captain Elton]

Hold your tightly on her, Peter, so I can fix this rope round a thorny neck.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Let me go. Let me go. You cannot kill me.

[Captain Elton]

Ah, she wriggles like an ear. Wait.

[Kathleen Fallon]

No more time. I have done no murder. Have mercy. I am innocent. I swear.

[Captain Elton]

I shame and be found guilty. Then soon for your crime you'll be buried in the soil of infamy. Here, beneath its gallows trees, spit upon your grave.

[Kathleen Fallon]

I not profit as I won't.

[Captain Elton]

Ah, the rope.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Faster. Laugh.

[Captain Elton]

All is ready, my lord. Cherish when you give the word.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Quiet. Quiet. Our lord the King, I serve peace. Nay, I who am about to die this unjust death will cease. Hear me, ye officers of so called justice, who have decreed this fate. For me as I die innocent of crime, I vow to return from death the murderer. Ye do hang me. For as ye officers of blind lord over the death on me, so I serve thee the death on you with no more sense of right or pity. Ye mean to bury me beneath this gibbet in unhallowed ground, away from God whilst I remain away from God. Beware, beware, I warn ye, for not even death will stay my haste. I shall return to bring ye death. Ye officers of law. I shall recall your death. I shall recount your.

[Captain Elton]

And so, still screaming her threats of ghostly vengeance, the murderous, giddy Fairfax was hanged to death. Then the old account goes on, her body was cut down from the gallows and buried underneath it at Birthsey crossroads.

[Kathleen Fallon]

The haunted crossroads.

[Captain Elton]

Captain Elton, whether or not you believe in ghosts, it might be a kindly thing to search for Goody Fairfax's grave. And if you find it, to place her restless bones in hallowed ground. A kindly thing and a wise thing. I haven't got over it yet. There were human bones, a woman's bones, buried beneath those crossroads.

[Kathleen Fallon]

I knew you'd find them if you only persisted in the search.

[Captain Elton]

He persisted all right. Making us troopers do the digging with me on double shift. Fine way to treat a man. Only a week out of hospital and.

[Kathleen Fallon]

A newly married man.

[Captain Elton]

Oh, I thought that was a good way for you to earn your sergeant stripe. Sergeant stripe? Yeah. Here's your warrant, Captain Elton. I had to make you two crazy ghosts here some kind of a wedding present. And this didn't cost me anything.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Oh, how can we ever thank you?

[Captain Elton]

Be happy. And Kathleen, let that first shot you had at your husband be the last.

[Kathleen Fallon]

Well, that's the end of lesson Satan. You folks come here again on my birthday, we'll have another cheerful yarn to sing.

[Narrator]

That's the horror for this week. You can find more from the Witch's Tale, this podcast, and all of the other relic radio shows at the website relicradio.com. there's a shoutcast stream there with even more old time radio streaming 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There's a lot to listen to there. Check it out. I'll be back tomorrow with the CBC Mystery Theater on Strange Tales. In the meantime, if you'd like to help support Relic Radio, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of the support links on the website. Thanks as always to those who have helped out. Talk to you again next Saturday with our next episode of the Horror.