Box 13 and The Whistler

Summary

The Relic Radio Show - Episode Summary

Episode: Box 13 and The Whistler
Date: October 21, 2025
Host: RelicRadio.com
Theme: Unearthing audio artifacts from radio’s golden age, this episode features two classic radio mysteries: an episode of Box 13 starring Alan Ladd and a tale from The Whistler.

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers two masterworks from radio's heyday:

• Box 13: "The Professor and the Puzzle" – A suspense-driven mystery as writer-turned-amateur sleuth Dan Holliday investigates a suspicious suicide at a small college, unraveling a web involving love, blackmail, and illicit diamond cutting.
• The Whistler: "The Waterford Case" – A tale of jealousy, betrayal, and double-cross as a woman’s dark ambition leads to murder and attempted framing within her own family.

Each show highlights radio's unique blend of atmosphere, character, and intricate plotting.

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"Box 13: The Professor and the Puzzle"

Main Plot

Dan Holliday receives a plea for help from his old friend Bob Lanham, a teacher at a quiet college, after Bob’s fiancée suddenly breaks off their engagement following her uncle's supposed suicide. As Dan investigates, he discovers layers of deceit, ending in murder—and a diamond-smuggling ring.

Key Discussion Points & Story Developments

• Initial Set-Up & Call for Help

  • [00:57] Bob writes to Dan: “I’m writing to you as a friend to come and see me... I’ve got a problem.”
  • Evelyn Gardner breaks off her engagement with Bob after Uncle Professor Gardner’s suicide.
  • [02:04] Dan’s hallmark humor:

    “Somehow I have a habit of running into trouble. Or it runs into me.” (Dan Holliday)

• Examining the Case

  • Gardner was a respected crystallographer in a quiet college town.
  • [04:34] The $64 question—why did Gardner kill himself? Bob insists:

    “He didn’t have a reason in the world. Not a single reason.” (Bob Lanham)

• Uncovering Motives

  • Ed Macklin, the late professor’s assistant, becomes romantically involved with Evelyn almost immediately after the suicide, arousing suspicion.
  • [07:37] Dan consults local Chief Carson, who candidly admits:

    “Can’t say as I can tell you any more than Bob Lanham did.” (Chief Carson)

• Escalation to Murder

  • An altercation breaks out between Bob and Macklin, witnessed by Dan ([09:47]).
  • Next morning, Macklin is found murdered, and Bob is arrested.
  • [11:53] Bob pleads:

    “I didn’t kill him.” (Bob Lanham)

• Dan’s Investigation: Oddities & Clues

  • [15:03] Dan catches Evelyn burning papers. Among the remains, he finds evidence pointing to Gardner’s side business in illicit diamond cutting.

  • [16:07] Dan breaks the news to Evelyn that Bob is jailed for murder; she insists,

    “Oh no. No, he didn’t.” (Evelyn Gardner, on Bob's innocence)

  • Dan deduces a larger conspiracy, involving an alias (Samuel Stoner) and suspicious banking activity.

• Showdown & Confession

  • [19:47] Dan is forced at gunpoint to burn evidence but memorizes Stoner’s address.
  • [21:59] Eavesdrops on the killer:

    “I only signed for the Gardner job... I killed him with his own gun while the machines in the shop were running. Nobody heard the shot. Suicide.”

  • Dan confronts and subdues the criminals, clearing Bob’s name.

• Resolution & Reveal

  • The professor was illicitly recutting stolen diamonds but wanted out; his death was a murder for hire. Macklin’s murder followed after he threatened to expose the racket or use it for personal gain.
  • [24:42] Dan explains:

    “Professor Gardner was doing illicit diamond cutting... The stolen diamonds were sent to him. He recut and polished them so they could be offered for sale.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You keep working on it. I’ll be back in, say... say a week.” (Dan, to Susie, 02:16)
• “Suicide? Oh, I’m sorry, Bob.” (Dan Holliday, 03:33)
• “A man doesn’t usually kill himself that way.” (Dan, on suicide method, 08:37)
• “Trouble has a bad habit of popping up.” (Dan Holliday, 06:39)
• “If I find anything fishy about this, I’ll have to call the police.” (Dan, 06:55)

Key Timestamps

• 00:57 – Bob’s letter to Dan
• 02:16 – Dan sets off to the college
• 03:33 – Bob reveals Evelyn’s uncle’s suicide
• 09:47 – Fight between Bob and Macklin
• 11:51 – Bob arrested for Macklin’s murder
• 15:03 – Evelyn burning evidence
• 21:59 – Villains exposed in their office
• 24:15 – The full conspiracy revealed

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"The Whistler: The Waterford Case"

Main Plot

A cunning and envious woman, Elaine, schemes to gain her uncle’s millions by setting up her cousin, Richard, for murder. When her plan succeeds and Richard is sentenced to die, Elaine spirals into further plotting to secure her inheritance—leading to her eventual downfall.

Key Discussion Points & Story Developments

• Setting the Stage: Inheritance & Jealousy

  • The Waterford family is fractured by resentment and greed; Elaine resents her cousin Richard’s status as sole heir.
  • [29:31] Richard, about his father:

    “You know, I used to be the fair haired boy. Only child, son and heir, et cetera, et cetera.”

• Manipulation & Murder

  • Elaine manipulates family tensions and orchestrates a scene in which Richard’s gun is used to kill his father, ensuring all evidence points to Richard.
  • [44:19] Richard discovers the murder:

    “Dad... Good Lord.”

• Legal Wrangling & False Testimony

  • Elaine testifies at Richard’s trial, sealing his fate by suggesting (falsely) she saw him with the murder weapon.
  • Richard is sentenced to die in the electric chair.

• Desperate Measures & Second Plot

  • To secure the estate (which would go to Richard’s fiancée Margaret if she married him before his execution), Elaine attempts to push Margaret to suicide, inviting her to a secluded boat.
  • [51:23] Elaine’s confession:

    “Yes, dear, I did. I killed Richard’s father. Isn’t it unfortunate, Margaret, that you can’t swim?” (Elaine)

• The Twist: Justice Unfolds

  • The authorities, suspecting Elaine’s ambitions, set a trap with Margaret’s help. As Elaine tries to murder Margaret, they intervene and arrest her for murder.
  • [54:07] Chief:

    “You had every motive for killing your uncle. We knew it from the first, but everything else pointed to Dick. Quite unofficially, we decided to give you the opportunity of either clearing yourself completely or convicting yourself.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Avarice is a good thing, Elaine, but only when you know how to hide it.” (Uncle Richard, 32:49)
• “If you do anything to bring a single moment’s unhappiness to that girl, I swear I’ll kill you.” (Richard, to his father, 35:51)
• “It was his last request; since Ms. Winters agreed, there was no reason to refuse it.” (District Attorney, 47:40)
• “You did it, Elaine. Yes, dear, I did. I killed Richard’s father.” (Elaine confesses, 51:23)

Key Timestamps

• 29:39 – Richard and Margaret discuss their future
• 32:25 – Elaine confronts Uncle Richard about the inheritance
• 44:19 – Richard discovers his father’s body
• 45:40 – Elaine sets up her story for trial
• 47:14 – Elaine tries to prevent Margaret and Richard’s wedding
• 51:23 – Elaine attempts to drown Margaret
• 54:00 – Elaine’s arrest and confession

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Engaging Moments & Highlights

• The comedic exchanges between Dan and his assistant Susie provide levity to Box 13's intrigue:
  • [02:04] "Remember that old saying, never trouble, trouble until... Oh, no, that’s wrong..."
• The Whistler’s chilling, omniscient narration frames each scene with foreboding, such as:
  • [29:05] "I am the Whistler, and I know many things, for I walk by night..."

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Tone & Language

Both stories maintain the classic mid-century radio cadence: crisp, witty, and laden with dramatism. Dan Holliday's narration is dryly humorous and clever, while The Whistler’s story is atmospheric, laced with psychological suspense and fatalistic irony.

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Summary for New Listeners

This episode of The Relic Radio Show exudes the intrigue, style, and complexity that made old time radio a bedrock for the mystery genre. Box 13 delivers a twisty college murder that unravels into a gem-smuggling plot, while The Whistler presents a noir tale of family betrayal and poetic justice. Each is a standalone story, brimming with atmosphere and expertly woven suspense—a must for fans of vintage mysteries.

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Transcript

[Dan Holliday]

This is the Relic Radio show, Old Time Radio Entertainment. Still standing the test of time from relicradio.com Box 13 with the Star of Paramount Pictures, Alan Ladd as Dan Holly.

[Bob Lanham]

Dear Dan, I know all about your box 13ad in the Star Times, but I'm writing to you as a friend to come and see me. As you know, I'm teaching at Riddell College, not too far from where you are. Frankly, I've got a problem. I don't know whether it's anything exciting.

[Dan Holliday]

Excited about it enough. Matter of fact, it's sort of personal, but. Well, will you come to see me, Bob Lanham? Yeah, it was a personal problem, all right at first. Then the whole thing got tangled around up to my neck. And now Back to box 13 and Dan Holliday's newest adventure, the professor and the Puzz.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Maybe it'll be a kind of a vacation for you, Mr. Holiday.

[Dan Holliday]

Could be, Susie. But somehow I have a habit of running into trouble. Or it runs into me.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Well, why don't you be careful then?

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, now, who has fun that way?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Remember that old saying, never trouble, trouble until it. Oh, no, that's wrong. It's. It. It's never trouble, trouble until you. No, it's.

[Dan Holliday]

Tell you what, Susie, you keep working on it. I'll be back in, say. Say a week. Fidel College in the northern part of the state was one of those little places where classes are more important than football and education is still the prime reason for the buildings being there. I drove to the campus, found the teachers club where Bob stayed. He was a bachelor. And later at dinner.

[Bob Lanham]

I don't know, Dan. Maybe all this is silly, but I thought perhaps you could help.

[Dan Holliday]

I can't unless I know what's troubling you.

[Bob Lanham]

Well, I. I was engaged to be married.

[Dan Holliday]

Was? Who changed whose mind?

[Bob Lanham]

Evelyn. I mean, she changed hers.

[Dan Holliday]

Oh. Oh, I'm sorry, Bob. What happened?

[Bob Lanham]

Well, I don't know, Dan. Everything was fine for a while and then poof, it's all off.

[Dan Holliday]

And you don't know why?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

No.

[Dan Holliday]

Well, did you say something? Do anything?

[Bob Lanham]

Not that I know of, but.

[Dan Holliday]

But what?

[Bob Lanham]

Bob, Listen, let's forget it. I almost sent you a wire telling you to forget my letter.

[Dan Holliday]

But you didn't. Which means you've got something else on your mind. Want to spill it?

[Bob Lanham]

All right. But don't let Evelyn know I told you.

[Dan Holliday]

Well, of course not.

[Bob Lanham]

Well, everything was fine, as I said, until. Until her uncle committed suicide.

[Dan Holliday]

Suicide? Oh, I'm sorry, Bob.

[Bob Lanham]

Now she's going to marry Ed Macklin.

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, now, wait a minute. Her uncle killed himself, and that makes her break her engagement with you and tie up with this Macklin?

[Bob Lanham]

Doesn't make much sense.

[Dan Holliday]

Doesn't? Not enough to do much good. That all you know?

[Bob Lanham]

Yes. Just a day or so before. Before he died, Evelyn sent back my ring.

[Dan Holliday]

Just like that, huh?

[Bob Lanham]

Oh, there was a note, but it wasn't an explanation. Just that she thought it wouldn't work.

[Dan Holliday]

No hint of that before Uncle's death?

[Bob Lanham]

None, Dan. Absolutely none. That's what's got me stumped. But I could understand it if there wasn't. Ed Macklin. He's lots older than she is. Why, it was a kind of a joke between us that he.

[Dan Holliday]

Who is Ed Macklin?

[Bob Lanham]

Well, he was her uncle's assistant.

[Dan Holliday]

Assistant?

[Bob Lanham]

I'm making this as clear as a mud puddle. But Evelyn's uncle, Professor Gardner, was professor of mineralogy. Macklin was his laboratory assistant.

[Dan Holliday]

Oh. Oh.

[Bob Lanham]

And that's all I know.

[Dan Holliday]

You're sure?

[Bob Lanham]

Of course.

[Dan Holliday]

All Right, now, the $64 question. Why did Professor Gardner kill himself?

[Bob Lanham]

Dan, believe me when I tell you he didn't have a reason in the world. Not a single reason.

[Dan Holliday]

Well, that made as much sense as double talk from Alice in Wonderland. Bob stuck to it too. The Professor Gardner didn't have a reason to kill himself. Evelyn, it seemed, had been raised by him. He was like a father to her. He was respected, well liked, famous in a small way, for his pamphlets and articles. And I got an explanation of his specialty later from Bob in his rooms.

[Bob Lanham]

He was a crystallographer, Dan. That means he. He studied the crystallization of minerals. You see, each mineral has its own particular crystalline formation. Salt, for example, as common table salt, crystallizes in a particular way. Galena, we used to call it the crystal in the old radio sets, you remember, that has another form of crystallization. Professor Gardner was an expert.

[Dan Holliday]

Well, was he working too hard?

[Bob Lanham]

I don't think so. It was never work for him.

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, I see. Well, what do I do now?

[Bob Lanham]

I don't know. I thought maybe you could. Well, I guess it's hopeless.

[Dan Holliday]

Look, Bob, is it certain that Professor Gardner killed himself?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

What do you mean?

[Dan Holliday]

Well, you said there was no reason for suicide. There wasn't. Would anyone have wanted to kill him?

[Bob Lanham]

No. You're sure about it? I said no. Everybody liked him.

[Dan Holliday]

Maybe somebody didn't.

[Bob Lanham]

I didn't know of anyone.

[Dan Holliday]

And suddenly Evelyn breaks off her engagement with you just after.

[Bob Lanham]

Oh, look, Dan, I'm sorry I got you up here. I guess I was stupid to write to you. Go back and forget the whole thing.

[Dan Holliday]

You're afraid Evelyn's involved.

[Bob Lanham]

I'm not.

[Dan Holliday]

That's what's in the back of your mind. But you're afraid to say something.

[Bob Lanham]

I said I'm not.

[Dan Holliday]

Okay, okay. Okay. Bob. Still want me to go back? Well, no. No.

[Bob Lanham]

You find out what you can, Dan, without getting anyone in trouble.

[Dan Holliday]

Trouble has a bad habit of popping up.

[Bob Lanham]

I don't want it to.

[Dan Holliday]

But you still want me to stay.

[Bob Lanham]

I guess so.

[Dan Holliday]

All right, but get this straight, Bob. I am not a detective.

[Bob Lanham]

What do you mean by that?

[Dan Holliday]

If I find anything fishy about this, I'll have to call the police.

[Bob Lanham]

They've already been in.

[Dan Holliday]

All right. I'll start from here. For the rest of the evening, we sat and talked. Bob was nervous. He wanted me to help because. Well, because he was in love with Evelyn. But he didn't want me to help because he was afraid of what might turn up. Well, what could turn up? I found out. It was the next morning that I put in a call to Lt. Kling. Waited a half hour, then ambled down to the local police department of Riddell.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Oh, yes, Mr. Holliday. Lieutenant Kling called here, told me about you.

[Dan Holliday]

I asked him to. Name's Carson.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

I'm chief of police here.

[Dan Holliday]

Yes, I know. What can I do for you, son? Well, if I'm butting in where I don't belong, just say so, will you?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Can't tell that till you spit out what's on your mind.

[Dan Holliday]

Chief Carson leaned back, lighted a corn cob pipe and waited for me to start talking. I liked him. Behind that pink face was a good, shrewd mind. I told him I had come to Adel, and when I'd finished. Mm.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

You ain't a detective? No.

[Dan Holliday]

Not even a private one.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Just helping a friend, eh?

[Dan Holliday]

That's all.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Well, can't say as I can tell you any more than Bob Lanham did.

[Dan Holliday]

You sure? Yep.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Found Professor Gardner in his laboratory.

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, at the college?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

No, he had a little workshop back of his house.

[Dan Holliday]

He was sitting at his table there.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

His own gun in his hand.

[Dan Holliday]

Shot himself through the heart. Oh.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Something sound odd to you, son?

[Dan Holliday]

Yes. A man doesn't usually kill himself that way.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

That's right.

[Dan Holliday]

Usually in the head, but that's the way it was. Mm. Tell me, are you satisfied with the case, Chief Carson? Gotta be, son. Which means you're not.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Now, look here, son. I'm only a small town policeman, but I do my work the best I can.

[Dan Holliday]

Yes, I know. And the thing that's puzzling you is why? Should Professor Gardner have killed himself? Or if he didn't, who else would have? And there's no one else.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Nobody stood to gain. Nothing. Wasn't a rich man his niece? No, I'm sure she didn't.

[Dan Holliday]

What about Ed Macklin? Nothing to gain.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Got it marked down as suicide, son. Just as dead end as a blind rabbit burr.

[Dan Holliday]

And so it was a dead end. I didn't press Chief Carson any further. He was shrewd enough to look for clues and there just weren't any. I went back to Bob's rooms and stopped outside. The door sounded as though a square dance were going on with hot music. I opened the door fast.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

All right, break it up.

[Dan Holliday]

Come on, come on, break it up.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Bob, stop. Bob, get back.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Now try it again. Let him and I'll turn.

[Bob Lanham]

Dan, get out of the way.

[Dan Holliday]

Now cut it out.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Oh, let him.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Come on.

[Bob Lanham]

Get out of here, Macklin, for now.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Sure, but try to see Evelyn once more and I'll beat your head in, that's all.

[Dan Holliday]

He's a little bigger than you are, Bob. All around. I'll kill him. Ah, now, now, take it easy. What happened?

[Bob Lanham]

Well, I. I tried to see Evelyn this afternoon. She wouldn't talk to me. Macklin came in a couple of minutes ago and, well, you saw what was happening.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Yeah.

[Dan Holliday]

Yeah, I did. It's a nice eye you've got there.

[Bob Lanham]

Shut up.

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, now look. Remember me?

[Bob Lanham]

I'm sorry, Dan.

[Dan Holliday]

Okay, so that's Macklin. Uh huh. Sit down, Bomb.

[Bob Lanham]

I don't want to sit down.

[Dan Holliday]

Sit down. All right, now that's better. Now how far do you think you're going to get by running into his fist?

[Bob Lanham]

Listen, Dan, I've got to see Evelyn. I've got to find out what's going on.

[Dan Holliday]

All right, maybe we will. Why is Macklin afraid to let you talk to Evelyn?

[Bob Lanham]

I don't know, Dan.

[Dan Holliday]

I take it he's. Well, to use an old fashioned word, a rival.

[Bob Lanham]

I never thought so.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

But then.

[Dan Holliday]

But then, just before her uncle's suicide, she suddenly switches to Macklin.

[Bob Lanham]

But why? Why should she?

[Dan Holliday]

If we find the answer to that, Bob, we'll find out a lot of things. Now let's get a side of beef and fix up that eye. You're going to look pretty silly teaching class tomorrow with a shiner. But he didn't look silly in class. You see, he never got there. The next morning I was pulled out of a nice deep sleep by nobody home. Hello, Dan. Yeah, sure, Bob.

[Bob Lanham]

Yeah, Dan, I'm in trouble.

[Dan Holliday]

Great. How could you get in trouble at 6 in the morning? It's too early.

[Bob Lanham]

It's not a joke, Dan. I'm in jail.

[Dan Holliday]

Huh? For what?

[Bob Lanham]

For killing Ed Macklin.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Of course.

[Bob Lanham]

I didn't kill him.

[Dan Holliday]

I believe you. But look, haven't you got any alibi at all for last night? No.

[Bob Lanham]

When you left me, I went for a walk to think things over.

[Dan Holliday]

Fine, fine. Everybody goes for walks when somebody gets killed. What time was Macklin killed?

[Bob Lanham]

Just about the time I was out for that walk.

[Dan Holliday]

Morning, holiday. Nice day. Hello, Chief. You want some breakfast, son?

[Bob Lanham]

No, no, nothing.

[Dan Holliday]

You gotta eat, son. Got some ham and eggs.

[Bob Lanham]

Nothing.

[Dan Holliday]

I said bring it, Chief. He'll eat it.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

You want anything?

[Dan Holliday]

Meaning me? Yeah. Okay. Thanks. Oh, not all looks bad, don't it? Yeah. Why did you arrest Bob?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

You ought to know, son. You saw the fight they was having. One of the teachers living next door to Bob here heard it.

[Dan Holliday]

Yep. Well, looks like you've got a motive, Chief. Uh huh.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Macklin takes his girl, they get in a fight.

[Bob Lanham]

I didn't kill him.

[Dan Holliday]

Now, I want to believe that. But Chief, I'd like to talk to Bob if I can. Oh, all right.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

I'll get the ham and eggs. Be back in maybe 10 minutes.

[Bob Lanham]

Don't you believe me, Dan?

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, of course I do, Bob. Look, how was Macklin killed?

[Bob Lanham]

Knife. His own?

[Dan Holliday]

Uh huh. Now listen, I've got to see Evelyn.

[Bob Lanham]

What for?

[Dan Holliday]

Because I believe everything goes back to her uncle and his death.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

How?

[Dan Holliday]

I don't know. I'd like to find out.

[Bob Lanham]

Nothing makes sense. Nobody had a motive for killing Professor Gardner.

[Dan Holliday]

And everyone says he couldn't have killed himself because he didn't have a reason.

[Bob Lanham]

So what have you got?

[Dan Holliday]

What have I got, Bob? I. I haven't the faintest idea yet. And now back to the professor and the puzzle. Another box 13 adventure with Alan Ladd as D I didn't have a thing, not a thing to go on. Bob was in a spot, but a good one. He had motive, opportunity. Yet I didn't think he'd kill. I believed he couldn't. And I kept thinking that Professor Gardner's suicide had something to do with Macklin's murder. But how? A harmless professor kills himself. His niece suddenly breaks off her engagement and switches to another man. And that man killed. And. And who gets the brass ring on this merry go round? Well, it was about time to see Ms. Evelyn Gardner. I found the address, drove there and no one answered the door. But I heard someone in the back, so I walked around the side of the house and putting some papers into an incinerator was a girl of maybe 24, 25. She seemed to be in a hurry, anxious to get it over with. Then she turned when she heard my steps. Oh.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Who are you?

[Dan Holliday]

I'm sorry. My name's Dan Holliday. Oh.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Oh, yes, I. I've heard Bob speak of you.

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, go ahead. Finish what you were doing.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Well, I. I haven't got a match. I wanted to burn this. This rubbish.

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, here's a match. I'll light it for you.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Oh, no, no, I can do it.

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, it's no trouble.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I said I'd do it.

[Dan Holliday]

Well, all right. Here. Here's the match.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Thank you.

[Dan Holliday]

Whatever she was burning, she was anxious to get it over with. But she was a little nervous and the match went out.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Oh, please. Have you another match?

[Dan Holliday]

No, no, I'm sorry. I'm afraid that was the last one I had.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Well, I'll have to get some. Will you come into the house?

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, thank you.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Did Bob come with you, Mr. Holliday?

[Dan Holliday]

Bob? Haven't you heard?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Heard? Heard what?

[Dan Holliday]

No. No one's told you?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Told me what? What are you talking about?

[Dan Holliday]

Bob's been arrested for the murder of Ed Macklin.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Oh, no. No, he didn't.

[Dan Holliday]

How do you know?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Oh, we've got to see him.

[Dan Holliday]

That might help.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

But how?

[Dan Holliday]

How can you be sure Bob didn't do it?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Oh, he couldn't have.

[Dan Holliday]

Then who did?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I don't know. I don't know. But it wasn't Bob.

[Dan Holliday]

It has something to do with your uncle's death, doesn't it?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

No. No, nothing. How could there be a connection?

[Dan Holliday]

I'm asking you.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I'm going to Bob. I've got to see him.

[Dan Holliday]

She was gone. I watched her drive away. Then I hurried back to the incinerator. It was stuck with papers. I dragged them out. Newspapers, wrapping paper. And then a little sheaf of receipts. Registered mail receipts for parcel post packages. The signature of the sender was MA Gardner. Professor Martin A. Gardner. Now, why was Evelyn burning these? I looked a little longer and found something else. A carbon copy of a letter. It was partially torn, and all I could read of it was, and this is the last job because it's the biggest. I want more than my usual fee. If I don't get it, you'll never get the finished products. And it was signed with the initials M.A.G. martin A. Gardner. Okay, so I had a lead. Where would it get me? I found out I didn't go back to the jail because I Wanted to look a little longer at those papers I'd found. There was also a bank book and the deposits totaled over $12,000. But it was in the name of Samuel Stoner. The bank was in the city, not in Riddell. Back in my hotel, I was trying to figure this out when. Hello. You know. You know that thing's liable to go off. Yeah, it could. Mind if I sit down? I wasn't expecting company. I'll sit down anyway. Okay. Now that you're rested. Goodbye. In a hurry? That's right. Not so fast, sweetheart. Stay sitting. That's better. What do you want? What you've got right there. These? That's right. Push them across the table. Keep your hands on top. Scared? Not at all. Now, light a fire in that grate. It's awfully warm. Don't you think it could get hotter? Go ahead. Light a fire in that grate and step on it. Oh, we're going to toast marshmallows, are we? Could be. Now, put some paper on it. Oh, pardon me. You don't have a log with you, do you? I'll bring one the next time. Now, throw that stuff on the fire. All of it. But I haven't looked it over yet. Throw it on. Well, what could I do? I threw all the stuff on the fire. Watched it burn away. My company did too. Watched it burn, I mean. He was a cool cookie then. Pretty, isn't it? I used to sit in front of a fireplace and read when I was a kid. But you didn't get to be president. No, that's true. Poke it up a little. See that it's all burned. It is? Good. Now I'm going. Oh, I was hoping you'd stay for dinner. We could put up a spit and roast a chicken. Oh, I almost forgot. You're just.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Stop nosing around.

[Dan Holliday]

Well, well, well. I guess I have to, with that stuff burnt. That was the idea, yes. I suppose you'd have killed me as you killed Macklin. I shot in the dark, but it hit his face not so bad before. Got twisted up. His fingers tightened on the trigger of his gun. But then he smiled. You'll have to prove it. And something tells me you'll never see.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

So long.

[Dan Holliday]

Okay, maybe the things were burned. But I remember one thing. An address. The address on the registered mail receipts where Gardner had sent the packages. And there was the name. Samuel Stoner. Something told me Stoner and Gardner were the same. And that bank account was his. But why? Why was he paid that much money? What was he doing? There was Only one way to find out. Go into the city and go to the address written on those receipts. I drove into the city. The address was an office building. And there were 50 firms doing business in that building. I looked at the directory in the lobby. No good. How could I visit 50 places and get right answers? But I saw him. The man who made me burn the papers. He went into the building. He didn't see me. I tailed him, watched him get into an elevator. I got close enough to hear him say, seven, please. Seventh floor. There were other people in the elevator. Chances are I'd make a lot of stops before it got to seven. Okay. The steps for holiday. I wondered if I'd made it. Then he went into an office that had no name on the door. I waited. And then there was an outer office with no one in it. Then I heard voices.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Are we clear?

[Dan Holliday]

Macklin's dead.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

You killed him, I suppose.

[Dan Holliday]

But it looks like someone else did. It was a perfect setup for a frame.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Oh, the niece business, huh?

[Dan Holliday]

Yeah. Oh, and there was another guy nosing around. He picked up some stuff the girl was going to burn.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Who was he? Why didn't you Look, Two bump offs are enough.

[Dan Holliday]

I only signed for the gardener job.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

All right, here's your money.

[Dan Holliday]

Now that I know what the gimmick was, I want more. Oh, yeah? Don't reach for anything.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

All right. I'll cut you in on this.

[Dan Holliday]

That's better. Wait a minute.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

This other fella. Don't worry.

[Dan Holliday]

I made him burn the stuff he took from the incinerator.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

You idiot.

[Dan Holliday]

You shot.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

I told you killing. Macklin wasn't in on the deal.

[Dan Holliday]

But he had this. I had to kill him to get it.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

You sure you're clean on the Gardner thing?

[Dan Holliday]

I know I am. I kill him with his own gun while the machines in that shop were running. Nobody heard the shot. Suicide.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

All right, now get out of here.

[Dan Holliday]

You know, I'm taking this with me.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Put that down. Don't worry.

[Dan Holliday]

We'll split on it. I just want to make sure there's no double cross now. See you later. I stepped back, waited. Then as he came through the door, I knocked the gun out of his hand and grabbed it.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Stay where you are.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

What the.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Well, so you a fat I Get up.

[Dan Holliday]

I'll take what you brought back. No, Hand it over, Cookie. Come on. Well, well, well. Okay. Let's all take a trip to headquarters. Well, with those two sweethearts safely tucked away, I began to put the pieces together. I did some reading. Then I went back to Riddell. Went back to see Bob.

[Bob Lanham]

Dan, where you been?

[Dan Holliday]

Playing tag with a man.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Bob got a phone call all day from the city. You.

[Bob Lanham]

You're letting me out?

[Dan Holliday]

I think they are. Yep.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

No more free meals on the town. Bob, come on.

[Dan Holliday]

But.

[Bob Lanham]

But, Dan, what happened?

[Dan Holliday]

We've got to go see Evelyn right away and straighten out a few things. Now, sit down, both of you. Evelyn. Yes? I think I know the whole thing.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Yes, I. I guess you do.

[Bob Lanham]

What's everyone talking about? Why was I let out of jail?

[Dan Holliday]

Because you didn't kill Macklin and Professor Gardner didn't commit suicide.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

He. He didn't?

[Dan Holliday]

How do you know he was killed? Look, Evelyn, Bob would have been convicted of Macklin's murder if I hadn't. Well, Bob, Professor Gardner was doing illicit diamond cutting.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

What?

[Dan Holliday]

Yes. Yes, he had a perfect setup for it. The shop where he worked cutting and polishing his mineral specimens. The stolen diamonds were sent to him. He recut and polished them so they could be offered for sale. Isn't. Isn't that right, Evelyn?

[Bob Lanham]

Yes, but Macklin.

[Dan Holliday]

I think you had better tell him, Evelyn.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Ed Macklin found out. Then my uncle was killed, and Macklin knew why.

[Bob Lanham]

You mean he threatened to expose your uncle if you didn't marry him?

[Dan Holliday]

Yes.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

He wasn't sure until after. After Uncle Martin was killed.

[Dan Holliday]

Killed by a hired killer. Hired by the man who was sending the diamonds to be recut. Professor Gardner was going to quit, but he received one last diamond, the biggest. He wanted more than his usual fee or he would keep the diamond.

[Bob Lanham]

But Evelyn. How does she come into it?

[Dan Holliday]

Well, naturally, Evelyn wanted to protect her uncle's name, but Macklin's death prevented it. You see, Macklin found the big stone and he was killed because he did.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Welcome back, Mr. Holliday. Did you have a nice vacation, Susie?

[Dan Holliday]

It was just as if I'd never been away. Huh?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

You mean you didn't take a vacation at all?

[Dan Holliday]

Not exactly, Susie.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Oh, you mean it was like a typical holiday?

[Dan Holliday]

I. What?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I made a joke. Get it?

[Dan Holliday]

Oh. Good night, Susie. Next week, same time, through the courtesy of Paramount Pictures. Alan Ladd stars as Dan holiday in box 13. Box 13 is directed by Richard Sanville with an original story by Russell Hughes. Original music is composed and conducted by Rudy Schrager. The part of Susie is played by Sylvia Picker. Production is supervised by Vern Carstensen. This is a Mayfair production from Hollywood. Watch for Alan Ladd in his latest Paramount picture.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

The Signal Oil Program. The Whistler. That whistle is your signal for the Signal Oil Program. The Whistler 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. Yes, friends, it's time for the Whistler. Rated by independent research the most popular west coast program in radio history. And remember, let every traffic signal remind you with new signal gasoline you do go farther than ever. Look for the familiar big yellow and black circle sign that identifies those popular signal service stations in seven western states from Canada to Mexico. And now, the Whistler's strange story. The Waterford case. Like all murders, it had a very vague and tangible beginning. As Elaine walked home from the trial that afternoon, she tried to put her finger on it. Ran back in her mind over the months that saw it develop from a stray thought into the headlines and the afternoon additions just hitting the stands. Son guilty of father's murder. Richard Waterford Jr. To die in chair. Waterford heir guilty. And for the life of her, she couldn't remember exactly when the idea was actually born. Certainly that day at the beach club with Dick and Margaret had little to do with it. Although it was in her mind even then as she walked toward them, wondering what they were saying. Oh, that water's cold, Dick.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

You're all wet. Stop it. People are looking.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Let him.

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, I love you, Margaret Winters.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Well, is that bad?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

No. No, it's too good to be true.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

I mustn't worry about Waterford Senior.

[Dan Holliday]

Dad's not as tough as his growl.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

He'd do more than growl if he could see you now.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

You know, I used to be the fair haired boy.

[Dan Holliday]

Only child, son and heir, et cetera, et cetera.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Little Richard could do no wrong.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Then I came along.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Oh, no.

[Dan Holliday]

Nothing as uncomplicated as that.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Whatever's happened between dad and me began long before I met you.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

What did happen, Dick?

[Dan Holliday]

She did, mostly. Who?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Elaine?

[Dan Holliday]

Yeah, Cousin Elaine. She's around here today. You'll probably.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Hello, Richard.

[Dan Holliday]

Elaine. Why, hello. Nice of you to drop in. We were just talking about you. Say, that's a funny thing, Elaine.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

You always manage to show up.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Don't forget your manners, Richard.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

What?

[Dan Holliday]

Oh. Oh, sorry.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Meg, this is my cousin, Elaine.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Hello, Elaine. I was most anxious to meet you, Ms. Winters. Richard has spoken of you so often at home.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

How did you know you'd find us here, Elaine? I thought I'd camouflage that trail pretty well.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Really, Richard, I hope you don't think I've been following you. The fact is, I was on the boat this morning, and I decided to take a stroll along the beach before going home. I saw you from the boardwalk. You should have Richard take you out to the boat sometime. This Winters. Very pleasant and much more secluded. Well, I'd love it, but I'm allergic to deep water. Can't swim a stroke.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Oh.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Well, I've enjoyed meeting you, Ms. Winters. Likewise. Oh, what a beautiful ring. Thank you. Family heirloom, I suppose. Well, it may be someday, I hope. At the moment, it's just an engagement ring. Oh.

[Dan Holliday]

Wish us luck, Elaine.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I'll see you at home, Richard.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

So long, Elaine.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Wow.

[Dan Holliday]

Well, that did it.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

What do you mean?

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, she'll go straight to Dad.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I know it.

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, it doesn't matter, darling.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Sooner there's an understanding, the sooner you and I can set up housekeeping.

[Dan Holliday]

And this is as good a time as any.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

No, Elaine, that wasn't. The feeling has always been there. Through all the years you've spent with Dick and his father in that great gloomy tomb of a house. Years spent in a careful campaign of subtleties, half truths, outright lies, so that now the affection between father and son has cooled into a kind of forced cordiality. There are lots of possibilities in the situation, aren't there, Elaine? Now that you have the kind of ammunition you've been looking for. Stop prowling around the room and sit down. Elaine. Dick will be here directly.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Uncle Richard, how can you let that Winters girl and her father get away with everything you've worked for all your life?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Why are you so worried? You'd lose nothing either way.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I'm a Waterford. Your brother was my father. He worked himself to death making your millions for you. Do you think I want them to go to her?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Your father was stupid, but he was talented. I was sorry to lose him.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

If it hadn't been for his brain to be penniless, and you know it.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Yes. And I suppose my gratitude should take the form of a handsome bequest to his daughter. Or perhaps you feel that the entire Waterford estate should rightfully belong to you. Avarice is a good thing, Elaine, but only when you know how to hide it.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Dan Holliday]

You rang, sir?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Tell Mr. Richard I want to see him at once. At once, sir.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

What are you going to do?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Order an engagement ring? Essay?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

They wanted me to be the first to know. Wanted my blessing.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

I hope you wish them every happiness.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

What are you going to do?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Disown him.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

What?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

You'd like that, wouldn't you, Elaine? My only other living relative. If I disown my own son.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Probably will the money to a cat husband.

[Dan Holliday]

Good idea, girl.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

I'd never have thought of it. Come in. Evening, dad. I'm glad you.

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, hello, Elaine. You're looking nice and sleek this evening. How does it taste?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

How does what taste?

[Dan Holliday]

The canary you've just swallowed.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Sit down, Richard.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I'll be in my room if you want me.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Stick around, Elaine. You'll hear better on this side of the door. Keep a civil tongue in your head, Richard. All right, Elaine. I'll call you if I want you. You leave the library door ajar, walk up the stairway to the landing and stand there listening to the voices of Dick and his father growing louder and angrier. Watching Simpson the butler, walk across the hall and stop to listen too. A vague, shadowy picture is beginning to form in your mind. A picture clouded over with hatred for the old man. Something about a court of law with Simpson telling the jury what he heard tonight. Deliberately disregarding my wishes, knowing how I felt about this affair of yours. It isn't an affair, dad. You irresponsible young fool. I spent twice the years of your lifetime building the organization that you're heir to. And the man you were to make your father in law is still trying to tear it down. He could never take over from me, so he thinks he'll do it through my son. Don't say that, Richard.

[Bob Lanham]

This is my final word.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

You're not to see this woman again. You understand? Quiet. You disobey me and continue your relations with her, and I tell you this, I'm in a position now to ruin that larcenous father of hers and his whole miserable brood. I can buy him out lock, stock and barrel. Send him back to writing market figures on a blackboard.

[Bob Lanham]

It's where he belongs anyway.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

And I'll do it, Richard, if you persist in this foolishness. I didn't bring up my son to see him throw my life's work away on a cheap. Shut up. All right, Richard, you may go now. When you're quite ready to talk sense, you can come back and remember what I said. All right, dad.

[Dan Holliday]

I'm moving out tonight to the club.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

But there's one thing I want you to remember. I love Megan. We're gonna be married. And if you do anything to bring a single moment's unhappiness to that girl, I swear I'll kill you. With the prologue of the Waterford case, the Signal Oil Company brings you another strange tale by the Whistler. Keeps motor six times cleaner.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Reduces cylinder wear one third.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Keeps motors six times cleaner, reduces cylinder wear one third. Keeps motor six times cleaner, reduces cylinder wear 1 third. Yes, everybody's talking about the amazing new Signal motor oil that keeps motors 6 times cleaner, reduces cylinder wear 1 third. Signal premium Motor Oil. So different it can't even be compared with old fashioned straight motor oils. Contains five scientific new compounds developed to meet a demand of the army and Navy for finer lubrication than a straight motor oil alone can provide. Signal Premium Motor Oil. Yes, just as today's finest foods are fortified with vitamins and minerals, Signal now fortifies today's finest 100% pure paraffin base oil with these five scientific new compounds to give you Signal Premium Motor Oil, the improved post war lubricant that outperforms even the finest of uncompounded oils. Barring none. Want proof? Just stop by your Signal dealers, look at his unretouched photos of laboratory and road tests covering hundreds of thousands of miles. See with your own eyes why. Whether you're breaking in a new car or just want to pep up your old car. Today's finest oil for you is new Signal Premium Motor Oil. And now back to the Whistler. Yes, Elaine. It had come about gradually. The jealousy was always there, of course, in the awful nagging desire for the money that was Richard's. The money you felt was rightfully yours. But if there was any point at which the thing changed from a vague feeling into a concrete plan of action, it was at this exact moment, as you stood on the landing, your knuckles white on the banister, listening to Dick shouting to bring a single moment's unhappiness to that girl. I swear I'll kill you. Simpson hurries away and Dick comes out of the library like a dark cloud, grabs his hat, stomps out of the house. Elaine. Elaine.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Yes?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Come in here.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Yes.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Get the pad on the desk. I want you to take a wire to McCormick in the San Francisco office. Betty.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Yes.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Reopen investigation. Possibly obtain controlling interest. John Winters Corporation. Do not use Waterford name. Advise soonest.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Is that all?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Yes. Send it.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

You think that'll stop the marriage?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Winters is in Europe. They won't marry until he returns. And by that time, I'll have him over a barrel. I can see old John Winters letting his daughter marry the son of the man who ruined him. Well, Elaine, your mind is made up now, isn't it? There's no hope that the old man will disinherit his son for defying him. He was one jump ahead of you, wasn't he? The inheritance is slipping out of Reach Elaine unless you take do something about it, and quickly. Perhaps a visit with Dick at his club. It's open.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Good morning, Richard.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Well, I didn't expect to see you.

[Dan Holliday]

So soon after last night.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I brought you your shaving things.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Thanks.

[Dan Holliday]

What do you want, Elaine? You didn't come here just to make sure I wouldn't grow a beard.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

You are a bore, Richard. He wants to see you, dad.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Yes. Wants to see me?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Yes, dad. He wants you to come to the house tonight at around 9:00'. Clock.

[Dan Holliday]

Oh, what is this, Elaine, you know.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

The old man would never break down.

[Dan Holliday]

And make the first move this way. It isn't like him.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Is this some private scheme of yours?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Please, Richard.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

You mean to tell me he sent you to tell me?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Well, of course.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Oh, well, I suppose I better humor him, huh? What time did you say?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Nine o'. Clock.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Okay, nine o'. Clock. You're amazed at yourself, Elaine. You seem to know exactly what you're doing, as if you've been planning it for weeks. At home in Dick's room, you find what you're looking for. The German Luger pistol he brought home from Europe and a clip of cartridges. You load it, leave it in the drawer, ready for nine o'. Clock. You rang, miss?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Yes, Simpson. Has Mr. Waterford finished his dinner?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

I believe he has, Miss. And I'm to bring him his coffee in the library. Now, if you should want anything later on, Miss, just ring. I'll not be going out this evening.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Wait. What did you say?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

I said I wasn't going out this evening, Miss.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

But this is your usual night off, isn't it?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Yes, Miss, but Cook had to leave early and I promised I'd clear up for her.

[Dan Holliday]

Ah.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

I hope it's all right, Miss.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Look here, Simpson, don't you attend some sort of meetings on your evenings off? Seems to me you had mentioned once or twice you had a.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Yes, Miss Ellen.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Well, shouldn't you be there tonight?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Oh, I should really, Miss, but.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Well, you go on then.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Oh, I couldn't do that, miss. If Mr. Waterford should find the dinner, things hadn't been cleared a week.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Oh, you can do all that when you get back, Simpson. I'll see that it's all right with Mr. Waterford.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Very well. Thank you, Miss. You listen in the hallway until Simpson leaves. The old man is sitting in the library now, stuffed and dozing with the radio going full blast like it always does. 20 minutes to nine. Dick would have left the club by now, but must make sure a phone call.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Hello, is Mr. Waterford Jr. There, please? How long Ago. I see. Did he take a taxi, do you know? Or did he drive his own car? Well, never mind. It doesn't matter.

[Dan Holliday]

What?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Oh.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

His own car. Thank you. Thank you very much.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

His own car.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Good.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

No taxi driver to serve as a possible alibi. No time to be lost. Now, you put on a pair of gloves and get the Luger from Dick's room. Carefully, you wipe off all traces of fingerprints. Downstairs, you open the library door quietly. The old man is slumped in his chair, snoring softly. Silently. You edge over toward him, the radio blaring away in the corner, loud enough to cover even the sound of a gunshot. You raise the gun, take careful aim. You can't miss. It's point blank. You lay the gun on the floor where it can be easily seen, leave the radio blaring away and slip out of the room, closing the door after you. Upstairs, now. Quickly. You glance at your watch.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Three minutes to nine. I'm ready.

[Dan Holliday]

It.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Dad? You in there? Dad?

[Dan Holliday]

He must be asleep.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Dad.

[Dan Holliday]

Good Lord.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Simpson. Simpson. Elaine? Isn't anybody here? Elaine?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Richard?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Elaine.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Richard. Richard, what is the.

[Dan Holliday]

What's the.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

What are you doing with that gun?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Dad, he's been.

[Dan Holliday]

He's been shot.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

I found him. He's what? Don't go in there. I'm gonna call the police.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

The police? Oh, no. Wait. Richard, your gun. You've got to get rid of it.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

My gun? Elaine, you don't think that. I came in. I found him. The gun was on the floor. I must have picked it up. I. I don't remember. Wait a minute.

[Dan Holliday]

My gun.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

What was it doing down here? Who could have? Elaine?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I was in my room. Richard, what are you trying to say?

[Dan Holliday]

I don't know what I'm trying to say.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

I'm going to call the police. The Honorable Mr. Richard Waterford Junior. A murder charge, staring him in the face, insisting on calling the police. He's playing right into your hands, isn't he, Elaine? The rest of the pieces fall into place like a jigsaw puzzle. Go on, Ms. Waterford.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I was in my room. I heard the radio playing and Richard shouting. He was downstairs in the hallway with the gun in his hand.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Elaine, you're making it seem as though I. Please. You'll have your chance to talk at the trial. Now, Ms. Winters, you were aware that Mr. Waterford objected to your marrying his son?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Yes, I was aware.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

You were also aware that Mr. Waterford intended to do everything in his very considerable power to prevent it?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Well, I knew that he would.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

And were you aware, too, that on the day before the crime the accused was heard having a violent argument with his father in which he threatened to kill him.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

No, no, I wasn't. I wasn't.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

I heard him say something like, I love Meghan. We're going to be married. If you do anything to bring Hun happiness to that girl, I swear I'll kill you. Gentlemen, the jury. Have you reached a verdict? We have, your honor. We, the jury, find the defendant guilty as charged. Well, that's that, Elaine. For a day or two, the headlines howl like banshees. Waterford murderer to die in chair. Richard Waterford, guilty, Inherits father's fortune but won't live to spend it. Then things begin to quiet down and you wait for the law to take its course and leave you sole heir to the Waterford millions. Then. Then they lane out of a clear sky a new headline. Waterford heir to marry on eve of Execution.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I suppose you know what's happened, Mr. District Attorney.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

That depends, Ms. Waterford.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

You know what I mean. You can't let them go through with this marriage. It's illegal.

[Dan Holliday]

Sit down, Ms. Waterford.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I'm sorry. It was such a shock seeing it in the papers. It's true, then?

[Dan Holliday]

It's what true?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Richard and Margaret, they're going to be married.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Yes, I believe they are.

[Dan Holliday]

But.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

But how can you let a man marry on the day of his execution? It's torture.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

It was his last request since Ms. Winters agreed there was no reason to refuse it.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I've never heard of anything so fantastic. Isn't it enough that you got him convicted? Isn't it enough that he's going to the chair? How can you stand by and see him married when you know he's going to die a few hours later?

[Dan Holliday]

Please.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Oh, please, you must stop it. You must. Don't you see? Richard mustn't marry Margaret.

[Dan Holliday]

Why, Ms. Waterford?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Why? Well, because it's inhuman.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Is that the only reason?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Yes, that's the only reason. I suppose you've read the papers, Elaine. Then it is true.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Yes.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Well, aren't you going to congratulate us? Wish us lifelong happiness? Margaret, I've just come from the District Attorney's office. District Attorney? Has anything. Has Dick been. No, my dear. I went there to get him to stop the marriage. Oh, Margaret, how can you do this to Richard? He wants it this way. I have no right to refuse. No right to refuse? You have no right to do anything but refuse. Richard is sitting in the desk this very minute. Don't any of you see what a marriage ceremony would do to him? How can you be so inhuman? The least you can do, please. What do you think it's doing to me? Do you think I want it this way? Do you think I want to become Dick's widow three hours after I become his wife? Oh, how cruel of me, my dear. Course I'm sorry. I was thinking only of Richard. Don't you see? That's just why you mustn't go through with it for him. It'll all be over a few hours after you're married. But you, Margaret, you'll have to live through it all the rest of your life. You could never marry again. You could never face another minister as long as you lived. Oh, Margaret, dear, you mustn't do this thing for your own sake. Because Richard is beyond your help now. He'll understand. I'll gladly go know him. Dick's asked me to marry him and I've accepted. I don't care about anything else. I don't care what happens afterward. I'm going to marry him. All right, Margaret. I suppose there's nothing more to be said. Excuse me.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Yes, Ms. Winters? There's some reporters downstairs who want to see you.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Oh, please send them away. I can't see anybody now.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Yes, Ms. Winters.

[Dan Holliday]

Why don't they leave me alone?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I don't know what I'll do if they don't stop coming here. Haven't given me any peace that. It's the truck. Why don't you go away, Margaret? I can't. Not now, anyway. Oh, I don't mean far away. Just for a few days until it's time to go to Richard. You could stay on the launch. It has living quarters. It's anchored just a little way out in the bay. There'd be no one to disturb you there. You could tell him to come for you when it was time. I could do that, couldn't I? I'll come with you if you like. They'll find out. They'll know her. He won't tell a soul, dear. There, now. I'll go home and pack a few things. I'll meet you here in an hour.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Well, Elaine? She jumped at the notion of staying on the launch. If you fail now, the entire Waterford estate will go to Margaret as Dick's widow. But you won't fail. It'll be easy. No moon tonight. No one will doubt you when you tell them she's committed suicide. Everybody knows the state she's in. Who wouldn't commit suicide under such circumstances?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

I'm glad you thought of coming here, Elaine. I knew it would help. So quiet. Darkness is like an ointment Otter looks so clean and cool. No boats around. No people. Yes, dear. Just you and I. No one to disturb. You didn't think I was going to let you marry Richard, did you? What? What did you say? Why do you want to cheat me out of what belongs to me? Elaine, what are you talking about? It's mine now. The marriage isn't going to take place, dear. Not now. You did it, Elaine. Yes, dear, I did. I killed Richard's father. Isn't it unfortunate, Margaret, that you can't swim?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

The Whistler will return in just a moment with the strange ending of tonight's story. But now here's a little lady who seems to have a perplexed look on her face. What's the question, Ms. Margett?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Well, Mr. Miller, I'd like to know just what those five compounds are in Signal Premium motor Oil that keeps motors six times cleaner, reduce cylinder wear one third.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Answer Compound number one actually cleanses the motor of old carbon. Compound two prevents harmful varnish, gum and sludge. Compound three improves oil circulation to vital engine parts. Compound four keeps oil from thinning out when your motor's hot. And compound five protects costly bearings from corrosion.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Well, no wonder Signal Premium is so much better than old fashioned oil.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

And no wonder drivers who want sweeter performance and longer motor life are saying I'm making my next oil change a change for the better. A change to Signal Premium motor oil. And now back to the Whistler. So this is the last move, Elaine. Just this one more and it's all over. There's nothing left between you now. Nothing to keep you from your inheritance. Yes, there's every reason to believe Margaret. Frantic, despondent Margaret had committed suicide. A better reason, in fact, than. Than the one the prosecution advanced to convict Dick of his father's murder.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Get away from me, Elaine, I tell you. No, you don't.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Quick, chief.

[Dan Holliday]

I got her.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Let me go. Take your hands off.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Are you all right, Ms. Winters?

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Yes, thank you. She was going to kill herself. I was trying to stop her.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

I wouldn't do any more talking if I were you, Ms. Waterford.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

How did you get here?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

Ms. Winters suggested it.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

Margaret.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

You had every motive for killing your uncle. We knew it from the first, but everything else pointed to Dick. Quite unofficially. We decided to give you the opportunity of either clearing yourself completely or convicting yourself.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

You mean Richard and Margaret? The marriage?

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

There wasn't going to be any marriage. We wanted to see if Margaret was right. If the loss of the Waterford millions would force you to try a second killing.

[Evelyn Gardner / Elaine Winters / Margaret Winters]

You're wrong.

[Chief Carson / Lieutenant Kling / Richard Waterford / Other Male Authority Figures]

I wouldn't talk anymore if I were you. You're under arrest for murder. 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 with tonight's story by Ken Harvey, music by Wilbur Hatch, is transmitted to our troops overseas by the Armed Forces Radio Service. That whistle is your signal for the Signal Oil program. The Whistler. This is Marvin Miller speaking, reminding you to look for those familiar yellow and black circle signs that identify those popular signal oil stations in seven western states from Canada to Mexico. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.