The Tragedy at Marsden Manor

The Tragedy Of Marsden Manor". When the Lord of Marsden Manor is found shot in the mouth and bleeding to death, the mystery is solved by Hercule Poirot. Pay attention to the shoes of the corpse!

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Murder Clinic stories of the world's greatdetectives of fiction men against murders. Each
week at this time, w O. R. Mutual turns the spotlight on

(00:22):
one of the great figures of crimedetection and brings you his most exciting case
tonight, Agatha Christie's unique detective aircuePuaro in the tragedy at Marsden Manor,

(00:43):
dealing with your Puaro. I'd recognizeyou anywhere, I think, thanks to
those magnificent mustachios of yours, Melcy. Yeah, they are a magnificence.
No, they are, indeed,tell me did they help you solve the
tragedy at Marsden Manor? No?It was the little glost Sales in the
point of the great there you foall that vender this great miscarriage of justice
in the death of which and maltfaveof Mouth done manner, It don't begin

(01:07):
in the little village of Mouth.Don't need there's any are euromethos from Love
coming coming? Yes? Yes?What is it you? Dr Bernard?
Yes I am I'm quit. TheMaster's done for you, mean mister Melon

(01:30):
travels of the manner. I themaster, the mister, she says,
fits the doctor. She says,but have beant no use. He's a
day done. I knows the deaydone when I see him? What was
it meant? An accident? Nobeat, no accident. I found him
in the lower meadow with the bloodrunning out of his mouth. Be a
stroke, stroke, it's will itbe? Hurry man, hurry man,

(01:51):
Let go. Come come now,mister Travers, you must get hold of
yourself. The Lord give it on, the Lord take it away. After
all, we are all of usmodeled. But but why Richard, he

(02:15):
was so good to kind, Whydid this have to happen to him?
Come? Come, keete. Itseem so well, so full of life.
Only last week he test a medicalexamination for insurance. How could he
have died so suddenly? Do towhat happened? The hemorrhage due to stomach
ouse is undoubtedly resulting in a stroke. Ah, you want to hello Pharaoh?

(02:49):
You know my good friend Capitan stingsnow not in Catain Hasian? Well,
Pharaoh, you got my message?I see I did. What is
it that disturbs him? One onme? Your metals dies? You send
for whoa? What was because ofMinsie Maultfavere's death. The death certificate says
hemorrhage resulting in a stroke due tostomach alsies. But surely you did not
doing Papa po oh here to talkof the stomach alsource. He's Richard Mantfavere's

(03:14):
had taken out of the insurance Burlis in your company? No, and
what a policy for fifty pounds?Well? Good square some thath? No,
So what is it you wish meto do? Is unfortunate for your
company? But everything seems how yousay, open and above the plank.

(03:34):
No, no, well, openand above board. Ah, my good
friend, the great tastings and ways. He cites the English of Missie White,
I ask you, do I notspeak the English of a super you
do, indeed. But to getback to your previous question, what my
company wishes you to do is toinvestigate the circumstances of mister Meltaver's death.

(03:55):
So what is it you suspect money? Well, of course you know in
the case of suicide the policy isin valid. Yes, And when a
man past the prime of life takesout an unusually large policy in favor of
a young wife half his age andthen dies within two weeks, the possibility
of suicide cannot be ignored. Moreis certain demon on me. But suicide

(04:18):
by hemorrhge, that is a qualsaucepan of fish. Now, if because
of death had been our failure,that I would smell a mouse. Our
failure can always mean that they astupid doctor did not find the true cause
god hemorrhage masoir hemoh is well hemorrhageexactly. Nevertheless, we are determined to

(04:40):
proceed with the matter. You willundertake the inquiry. But of course Hastings,
that great professor of English, shallgo with me. Temonamy gladly.
Yeah, Now where is this place? This maus done manner? You take
the Great Eastern Line from Liverpool Stationto the little town of Marsden Lee.
Marston Manor is about a mile fromthe village Malesdon Lee. All right,

(05:03):
test things we go. M ah, so this is Miles and Lee.

(05:34):
Eh, I hope we can geta conveyance up to the Manor. Ticket
tickets Serve you are my friend.I suppose you've be coming down for the
funeral. Serve you know what youknow? You've made up? Funeral Master
Mill travels about the manner. Oh, you say the Manor? Could that

(05:54):
be milesdone manna I it be thatis a not coincidence. My friend and
I we have come down with athought of buying this Marston manner. You
couldn't pay me to live there?You couldn't. Why not be hanted?
Haunted? I hanted seeing things there, folks, says Richard. See now,

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could you tell us where a doctorBernard leaves? I hope your hill
about half a mile came stinks.I understand, doctor Bernard, that you
sent the death certificate of a misterRichard Maltraverse. Yes, I did you

(06:38):
understand? Doctor. With such abig policy, we must make the careful
investigation course. Of course, Isuppose he was such a rich man his
life was insured for a big sun. You consider him a rich man,
was he not? He kept twocars, you know, and Marsden Manor
is a pretty big place to keepup. Although I believe it very plain.

(07:00):
I understand he had had the considerablelosses of late that so need.
It's fortunate for his widow then,that there is this insurance. Yes,
very beautiful and charming young creature,but terribly unstrung by this sad catastrophe.
I've tried to spare her all Icould, but of course the shock has
been very great. Why shark theseanswers of the stomach, they are what

(07:23):
you call it chronics. They arenot sudden. No, did you not
attend mister Maltave's before, doctor,My dear sir, I never attended him.
What I understand, mister mul Traverswas a member of a faith hearing
sect. But you examined the body. Certainly, I was fetched by one
of the undergardeners, and because ofdeath was clean. Absolutely, there was

(07:44):
blood on the lips, but mostof the bleeding must have been internal.
He had not been moved. No, no, the body hadn't been touched.
He had evidently been out shooting crows, and the long barreled bird gun
lay beside him. The hemorrhage musthave occurred quite suddenly, castric altars,
without a doubt, it could nothave been shot. My dear, I

(08:05):
beg pardon, But I remember oncea doctor who set out failure until the
constable show him a bullet wound fullbehead. You will find no bullet wounds
on the body or head of misterMaltravers. Now, gentlemen, if there's
nothing further, I thank you doctor. Just one more thing you so no
need for the autopsy certainly not thecause of death was perfectly clear. In

(08:28):
my profession, we see no needto distress on jury the relatives of a
dead patient. And gentlemen, ifyou'll pardon me, good day, Well
instings, what do you think ofour good doctor bernow a bit of an
old fault. Precisely, your judgmentsof character always for found one, I

(08:48):
mean, except where a young andbeautiful woman is concerned. So now you
must mind your cues and peace,because the good doctor has said that the
next one we see is both youngand beautiful. This Madame malt Tiver,

(09:11):
Madame Matravers, I cannot tell youhow I am sorry to bother you in
this way? Must I be bothered? Now? I know nothing about this
insurance of my husband courage, Madam, it is necessary. I will do
all to make this metal not toounpleasant for you. I have you pou
swear it now if you would recountbriefly the said events of last Wednesday.

(09:35):
Uh. Well, I was changingfor tea when the maid came up.
One of the gardeners had just runup to the house he had found Richard.
I can't pliend enough you had seenyour husband earlier in the afternoon.
No, not since lunch. Iwalked down to the village for some stamps.

(09:58):
I believe he was out partying aroundthe shooting the cause now, so
I understand he usually took his birdgun with him. In fact, I
heard one or two shots at thedistance. So where is this bird gun
now? In the gun cabinet overthere? I suppose, with your permission,
Madame, he is ah two shotsfired I see. And now,

(10:22):
Madam, a dedicate question, MonsieurMaltraver's your husband is awaiting burial? I
believe yes, he's lying in hisroom if I might see. Wait,
yes, of course, it's thefirst room at the top of the stairs.
You'll forgive me if I don't gowith you. What cals Hastings your
mania with, Madam? Do youthink mister Poirot will understand why I didn't

(10:46):
go with him. I can assureyou, Missus mal Travers. Proiro is
most sympathetic, doubted mister Hastings.I only wish there was more than I
could tell him. I understand,and I wonder, Missus mal Travers,
if you could tell me one thing. Yes, well, the station master,
an odd character named Volk, saidsomething about Marsden Manner being haunted.

(11:09):
Marsden Manner haunted. Why surely you'rejoking, mister Hasty. No, no,
I assure you. He told usthat people have seen things. We
must have been referring to my humbleexperiments and extrasensory perception. I've always been
tremendously intrigued by that subject, anddoubtless some of our servants have been gossiping.
But damn you are mediumistic, howfascinating. Oh, I wouldn't go

(11:31):
so far as to say that,mister Puaro. I've dabbled a bit,
that's all. So I've managed atable levitation and simple things like that.
But I suppose to the simple rusticsaround here, it looks like black magic.
Very interesting under kind of circumstances,I would employ demonstration. Why are
you interested in such things, misterquarol all fields of knowledge into us,

(11:52):
the great Puero. Don't you thinkperhaps we'd better? Oh? I forgot
madam. I thank you for yoursolf. Like you have to see,
I do not think you need tobe bothered any fellow by the matter.
By the way, do you knowanything of your husband's financial position? Nothing?
Whatever? I'm afraid I'm very stupidabout business. I see. Then

(12:13):
you can give us no clue asto why your husband suddenly decided to insure
his life or was it sudden?I'm sure I don't know, o fat.
And now, with your permission,madame, we will go eight thinks.
Oh, I'll see you to thedoorhy oh just run ing, Madam?
Could you tell me when they foundmister mel Trevere's did they find him

(12:35):
unshod without the shoes? I really, mister POORO, I don't understand.
It is nothing, It does notmatter, and I'm a damn adieu.
Oh but look you have another visitor. Someone is coming up to walk eh,
Archie. Hello, Why I thoughtyou were on your way there towards

(12:58):
two year Yes I was, butI read news of uncle's death in Paris
and hurried back. Emily, mydear, is there anything I can do
for you? Anything? Of course? What could you do? Oh?
I'm sorry, I'm forgetting mister Poirot. This is Captain Black, my husband's
nephew, Captain Black, mister Hastings, How now, Emily, how did
this happen? Uncle seemed perfectly wellwhen I was here Monday night. You've

(13:20):
evidently read the papers, Archie,you must know what happened, but they
gave no details, just the barenotice of his death. What happened,
Archie, I I just can't gothrough all that again. Yes, Capita
and Black, I'm afraid my friendand I who have disturbed my dam What
are you doing here? Why aremercute Baro the rcute barrow? Mister Poirot
is from the insurance company, Archie. That's just why I've come back to

(13:43):
protect you from annoyances like this.Shouldn't have risked your job, Archie.
If you left right away, youmight still get to Paris in time to
make your boat train. You say, Pari, you go to us toilet
by way of Parim? Why yes, I intended taking the Audience Express from
there and pick up the Pacific mailat port side. Ah. That shortens

(14:03):
the journey, does it not.You're staying here, Captain Black, Yes,
I'm staying at the Pig and Thistle. That's the ind on in the
village by village Jane, it saysthe os beef. No, why yes,
I suppose good, so it thinks. Let us try this ose beef
at the Pig and Thistle. Allright, Pharaoh, Now you've had your

(14:37):
roast beef. Hadn't we better begetting back to London? Not so first,
my goodness things London. She willnot run away, but this capitan
Black he may do so a garsonGarson say englishis don't have garson no,
and who easy to approach you worryCaronet for my friend the dictionary for me

(14:58):
a buck he means there, George, I mean the ale right off Governey.
You've been up at the Managin.I I mean, yes, we
have. He shad business that andyou know good had come a bit as
soon as they took the man itYou mean this, uh Maltraverse. They
were not popular, were not thatKeviney. He was a bit too old

(15:20):
for her, If you know whatI mean? She might better have married
than nephew at least way John allbetter Bob than have your thoughts. Ah,
there has been the gussive. Iwouldn't go so far as that Keviney,
but he did hang around a bit, and the husband, mister Maltravere's
the object, not as I knowsof Gveney. But why is my opinion

(15:41):
em without the doubt it is theworst opinion, George. But Ah,
they kept it in black. Herehe comes now, Oh he kept it
in black? Come, will younot join us back? Perhaps it's thanks.
I don't mind if I do.Wait till mug of Bile, a
govenor, said business this death ofyour uncle, Yes, and so sudden

(16:06):
too. He seemed an excellent healthwhen I dined with a Monday night.
So and was he also in goodspirits? What did he say? But
what was the talk at this dinnerMonday night? Oh, I don't know,
the usual general topics. I see. My uncle asked about my people.
We talked of Australia. Yes,Then missus Moultravers asked a lot of
questions about East Africa, where I'vespent some time. I told him one

(16:30):
or two yarms. That's about allI think. Madame Matravers seems much upset
at the death of her husband.No, naturally, they've been married less
than a year. So I heara remarkable woman, this lady remarkable in
what way? What do you meanshe has? Are you say the seeing
eye? I hear tell Hastings shedoes the same. Oh, he seems

(16:52):
most interested No his things. Oh, I wouldn't go so far as that.
Always the conservatives me I am not, so why mister Porter, don't
tell me you believe in this psychicstuff or I have not the closed mind?
For example, keep it then black. You have told us all that
you count yourself knows. Now withyour permission, I would question your subconscious

(17:19):
huh psychoanalysis say well, it's nonsense. But I don't mind, Percy.
It is like this. I giveyou a world. You answer with another
world, any world the first wordyou think of? Yeah, shall we
begin? Go ahead? These thingsnot down the worlds? Please now?

(17:41):
Day? Night, name, place, down, now, shore, Monday,
dinner, journey, ship, country, Uganda, story, lions,
burd gun, fun shot, suicide, elephant, tasks, money, lawyers.

(18:08):
So that is all. You area good subject. Will gopit them.
You don't mean to tell me thatrigamarole means anything to you? Maybe
not, but nevertheless you are agood subject. Well, if you don't
need me anymore, I think I'llgo upstairs. None peck. Shall I
see you again before you leave,mister Borrow? Yes, I should not
be surprised. Good see you later. No, gopit then? And now,

(18:30):
my clever isties, you see it? Or no, I don't know
what you mean? Borrow does thatlist of words tell you nothing? Sorry,
I'm afraid it doesn't. Then Iwill assist you to begin with the
capital answered within the time limit,no pauses, no making up the mind
day to night in place to nameour normal associations. Then I give him

(18:55):
Bair now the name of the doctorif he knew him. Evidently he does
not. When I say Bernard,he says sure, Monday means dinner country.
As Uganda story recalls the Lion's story, he tells them all natural.
But now notice when I mentioned birdgun, I get the unexpected answer,

(19:15):
phoum. When I say shot,he answers at once suicide A many nose
commits suicide with a bird gun ona firm somewhere. Imbecile that I am
the gooy you barow is is hoodwin? What are you talking about? Do

(19:37):
not see his things? That isthe story the Captain Black told her the
dinner Monday night. Oh I see, And you think that gave Mauchas the
idea. You think he shot himselfin the mouth of that bird. Why
not? Remember the bird gun hasa very tiny charge of powder. The
bullet would remain lodged in the brainall day, would show would be the

(20:00):
blood in the mouth, calmest things. It is not too late, proper,
But where to see one's more ofthis dead man to Marsden Manner,
Hastings, tomasdon Manner last missus mataverse. It is true your husband shut himself

(20:26):
to the mouth with the burg gun. You mean suicide. It would seem
so, madam. But the insurancenaturally, Madame, this suicide will avoid
the policy. It is unfortunate.But what will you? Oh, but
this is impossible. My husband wouldnever commit suicide. It's inconceivable the evidence,

(20:47):
madame, it is conclusive. No, there must be some other explanation.
You mean murder, madame. Well, of course that is always possible,
but n not likely. I'm afraid. But you do admit it's possible.
You just said it was possible.Yes, of course, everything is
possible. Have you any idea whomight have wished to kill your husband?

(21:11):
Why? No, No, Ihaven't, madame. I have a suggestion.
It is bizarre or that. Butperhaps if you are willing to help,
Oh, yes, yes, ofcourse, anything, madam. You
are mediumistic. Perhaps if you wouldtype you I'm sure right, perhaps I
could get through to Richard. Hemight tell us what happened. I am
sure you could do it, Ma, Dad, Yes, yes, I'll

(21:33):
do it. Come back here tonightat eight and bring Captain Black with you,
yea, Madam, I am sureyou would succeed until late Madam,

(21:56):
I didn't dam what I mean.I have a power for you, but
one appearance only. Really, asalways, I listen closely. This is
what I wish you to do,Doctor Burnow. This is a cute barrow.

(22:17):
Tell me doctor, when you sawmister Matt Travers after this talk?
Did he have on the shoes hedid? Yeah, Mercy, Hello,
Scot on your arms, inspect ofjam please, hello, Chap, this

(22:40):
is para quite well, thank you, Inspector. I think I have a
murderer for you. No, no, there is no time to explain.
Be at Moles, don't manor mouth, don't lee and it took her tonight.
Wait outside the window and do notcome in until I call good.
Remember mouth, don't manaw at it, Madame Els. We are on time,

(23:12):
as you see, Hastings, andI have bought kept it ten black
with us. I say, sothat's storm coming up. Put that interfere
with the experiment. Certainly not misterHastings. This isn't mumbo jumbo. The
weather has nothing to do with it. Let us posse it down, yes,
yes, Now will you draw chairsup around this table? Please?

(23:34):
Now, mister Hastings, if you'llput out the lights certainly now, remain
perfectly quiet, please, no matterwhat you hear or see, Richard,
Richard, can you hear me?Richard? Can you hear me? If

(24:03):
you can? Rap? Rap?Three times? Did you hear that?
But of course, madam, didyou not tell him to rap with time?
That's how Richard always used to knock. Perhaps he's outside now they say
the suicide never rests, always returns. Listen, what was that? The

(24:30):
front door slam? But no keptthe temp black? It was but the
thunder hollo. I hear footsteps.It's the wind, Madam. I we
close the door. Ah, Ihave locked it. Don't do that if

(24:52):
it should open? Now what jovidis open? He's there? I see
nothing, Madam. I saw him. I tell you my husband. You
must have seen him too. Lookshe's right. He is there. His
hand Look it's pointing. What's thatlight coming from him? Winding at her?

(25:15):
What did you her hand? Herhigh end? It is scarlet with
blood, Yes, blood, Ikilled him right, good Heaven's borrow.
She's gone away through that window cupit turned a good inspector, jap outside,

(25:37):
we'll stop her, Good heavens.Then that's lovely creature, a murdering
and they very clever on my susceptibleattings. After all, she could not
know she would come up against theguy there cured bo and she might even
have fooled me if she had onlytaken off his shoe, his shoe barrow.

(26:00):
Only with his toe could he himselfand pulled the trigger of this bird
gun and parbleue. His shoes werestill on when they found him. But
I don't understand the seance. Wasit all fake? A certain move?
She meant to pull the sheep wool, very well wool, But it was

(26:22):
I who pulled the sheep's woolf overher eyes. Thanks to my good friend
Ari Duboa who played the part ofthe husband's ghost, and Papa Poh put
the red faint on her hand inthe dark. But what was her idea
in having the seance? P blumon capitan, do you not see my
dad? She will go into thetriumphs. She will hear the voice she

(26:44):
will come out from the triumphs.She will, with the great reluctance,
name the murderer. You mean shemeant to confess men Norman Capiten, She
meant to name you. You havebeen listening to Murder Clinic. Murder Clinic,

(27:22):
the w O R Mutual series whichbrings to you each week one exciting
case. Tonight the tragedy of MarsdenManner with Agatha Christie's unique detective Vaculee Parol
played by Maurice Tottnham. Next week, Murder Clinic will bring you Fred Irving
Anderson's Deputy phar the Vermont farmer whobecame chief of the Homicide Bureau in New

(27:47):
York City. Deputy par the manwith the nose for murder. The story
is Gulf Stream Green, in whichthe deputy proves that conceit of murderers is
colossal. Original music was composed byRalph Barnhardt and conducted by Bob Stanley.

(28:15):
This program was an international exchange featureover the Coast to Coast network of the
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Tales told onMurder Clinic are adaptations by authors Lee Wright
and John A. Bassett. MurderClinic is produced under the direction of Alvin
Flanagan. Frank Knight speaking