September 15, 2025 • 29 mins
The Mysterious Traveler was an anthology radio series that ran from 1943-1952. The program crossed over several genres, however, most episodes were mysteries - both natural and supernatural. Despite its long run, only 71 episodes were recovered. The Mysterious Traveler was written and directed by Robert Arthur and David Kogan. The series was also produced as a magazine and comic book.
Hope you enjoy this episode of The Mysterious Traveler! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. Podcasts @ Apple | Spreaker | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Hope you enjoy this episode of The Mysterious Traveler! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. Podcasts @ Apple | Spreaker | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
The Mutual Broadcasting System presents The Mysterious Traveler, written, produced
and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Colgan, and
starring two of radio's foremost actresses, Ladys Thornton and Abby
Lewis in the Lives of Death.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
This is the Mysterious.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Traveler, inviting you to join me on another journey into
the realm of the strange and the terrifying. I hope
you will enjoy the trip, and it will thrill you
a little and chill you a little. So settle back,
a good grip on your nerves and be comfortable if
you can, as we join two little ladies who have
(01:01):
one burning ambition in life. They want to solve a murder.
It's a story I call the Knives of Death. Perhaps
you remember two sweet old ladies named Grace and Florence Murdoch.
(01:24):
Grace is seventy two and Florence is younger and she's
only seventy. After a lifetime in a small town, they've
set out to see the world.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Well.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Up to now, their only recreation has been reading mystery stories.
Now they're determined to find real adventure, and not just
read about it in their hotel room. High above New York.
Grace Murdoch is looking out at the great city below
them with eager anticipation.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
You York, Florence, think about it. We're in you. I
don't have to think about it, Grace. I know we're
in New York. Look at the lights, the enormous buildings,
the traffic, Lawrence. Think of the adventures waiting for us
down there, the people we'll meet, the mysteries we may encounter.
(02:18):
I don't want to encounter any mystery. Is it my age?
I'm perfectly content to have a nice quiet time sight seeing.
Oh sightseeing? Really, Florence, you sound just like a retired
school teacher. Well, I am a retired school teacher and
saw you. That doesn't mean I have to like one.
As soon as we've changed our clothes, we're going down
(02:39):
to Chinatown to have dinner. Please. You're forgetting, forgetting what
we promised to go out to New Jersey to see
Matilda Smith tonight we did. I don't remember doing any
such thing. Oh, I don't even remember any Matilda Smith.
That's her married name. She used to be Matilda Johnson.
She was a pupil of mine. The first year I
taught school. The thin unattractive southern girl with just lots
(03:03):
of money. She sounds simply dismal. Do you want to
look her up? Because of her husband? He used to
be a professor. He made several trips to Africa, wrote
some very interesting articles about the strange tribal customs he encountered.
Now I'll boler and tell her he'll be out later. Hello, operator,
(03:23):
I want to make a person to person call to
missus Matilda Smith in Dobb's Corners, New Jersey. That's it. Yes,
I'll be.
Speaker 5 (03:41):
There. That's it. The chair's are own place. Now the
table to hold my notes? Will you help me move
at Matilda, my dear, but be careful of the African knife.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
It might boom, oh makes million. It almost hit my first.
Speaker 5 (03:54):
I told you to be careful, my dear. I haven't.
It is sharp as a razor. I noticed the carvings
and the blade. The greatest witch doctor in Africa made
this knife.
Speaker 4 (04:08):
I don't want to hear bell and I forbid you
to talk about it tonight, do you I forbid you?
Speaker 5 (04:13):
But our little gathering tonight is for the express purpose
of hearing my talk on the worship of death among
the Dambungi savages of Africa and a very select group.
It is the leading grocer and his wife, the owner
of the local garage and his wife, Chief of police Hoffmann,
all our very best babors.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
You can talk about certainaias. Why do you have to
talk about death all the time, you know, to think about.
Speaker 5 (04:39):
When we discussed all that, my dear, and we agreed
that the only way to overcome is morbid fear of you.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
Now, what is death?
Speaker 5 (04:47):
It's just a word, nothing to be afraid of. You
almost die in time, some of us sooner than others.
But there's no need to cower in fear of the inevitable.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
What, Matilda, you're just talking with me to told you
me you won't be dead. You'd kill me if you're dead,
But you don't. Dare you know the whole road and
know the truth.
Speaker 5 (05:09):
I love your hysterical You must come yourself. Remember we
have guests coming in a few hours. I do believe
we're going to have a storm. Tool Well, it'll just
make an appropriate setting for my little lecture the dumbungie savages.
You now believe that on a stormy night, death is
able to walk abroad to select his next victims.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
You don't make that anymore.
Speaker 5 (05:33):
The home Matilda hadn't you better.
Speaker 6 (05:37):
Answer yes, Larnce, madam, Oh, Charnce, Yes, I do want
you to come right away.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
No, no, no, he must come to night as soon
as you can. I want you to protect me. My
husband's trying to kill me. He's trying to scare me
to death. Oh and this what tonight, Larrence? Are you
(06:14):
sure that Matilda said her husband was trying to kill her?
Of course, I'm sure she said he was trying to
scare us that. Oh do you realize that we've read
over a thousand mystery novels and did none of them
as a victim ever been scared to death? But of it,
don't you see? It's a brand new murder method. While Florence,
(06:35):
this may be an adventure, it's much more exciting than
a trip to Chinatown. That's a very callous attitude. I
only hope we're in time to help Tilda. Over the telephone,
she sounded positively terrified. Tell me again all you know
about her, just in case. Well, she has lots of money,
and she's very stinting of it. A few years ago
(06:58):
she married this professor man much younger than herself, apparently
he married her for her money. It's been furious have
I ever since? Because he can't get his hands on others. Gone, well, anyway,
he's very brilliant. He studied witchcraft in Africa, and Matilda
is sure he'd kill her if he knew how to
(07:20):
keep a bride. Or perhaps he seems to be slowing down.
Do you suppose we're actually there at last? Yes, here's
one of those little glass signs on the lawn. Who
snip it?
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Said?
Speaker 4 (07:35):
What the house is? Awfully? God goodness, I do hope
we're in time. There's anyone home? There are not a
(07:58):
long time answering, Matilda said. The professor was giving the
talk to knights and friends. Maybe they don't hear us.
Speaker 5 (08:10):
Yes, who is it?
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Grace and France Murdoch of Matilda invited us, of course,
come in, come in.
Speaker 5 (08:18):
We were afraid you weren't coming.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
We took the wrong train and we'd have been here
hours ago. What a pity.
Speaker 5 (08:23):
Let me take your things. I'll hang them here to dry.
You're friends, my dear. They finally located our humble abode.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Oh I'm so afraid you weren't coming. We got lost, Matilda,
But how are you. Are you all right? I'm not
all wrong, my dear.
Speaker 5 (08:43):
You must control yourself. I hope you'll understand about Matilda.
Dear ladies, she hasn't been herself of recent one. She's
obsessed with the notion she's going to die.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
That word you say.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
She has a death phobia.
Speaker 5 (08:57):
The very word upsets her and most unfortunately, this evening
I was asked to lecture on the worship of death
among the Damn Bungie savages, a fascinating topic. Death to
the Damn Bungies is a is a living creature. The
thunder is the echo of this pott.
Speaker 6 (09:15):
Maybe you don't, Lord me, don't he's trying to cure me.
Speaker 4 (09:20):
He's trying to find it right. Matilda there now, it's
all right. He should be in bed.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
She need to say just what I told her, but
she insisted on staying up to greet you. Her room
is right here.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
If you could persuade her, I will, Matilda, come with me.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
I'm going to.
Speaker 5 (09:44):
Put you to bed here then, Oh, such a pity
my wife's affliction. But I'm sure her old friend will
be good for her.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Miss Grace.
Speaker 5 (09:55):
Now we were in the midst of my little talk.
If you care to come into the living room and
join us.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
I'll continue.
Speaker 5 (10:11):
And now, my friends, having discussed the curious beliefs concerning
the subject of death held by these savages, the Nambongi
tribe of Central Africa, I am going to show one
of the sacred knives of the tribe.
Speaker 7 (10:24):
I'll hold it up here.
Speaker 5 (10:25):
Notice the tremendous blade, razor sharp and the curious carging.
The Dambogi believe that a knife like this is the
house in which death lives, and that such a knife
possesses a life of its own and can seek out
and kill a victim with no human hand, touching that
(10:47):
superstition of God. But still strange things do happen in Africa.
I would pass a knife among you for close inspection, sheef,
if you care to look at it. Yeah, I guess
h handle it carefully.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
It could get and I haven't.
Speaker 5 (11:05):
I haven't no harm done.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
I have pressed right out of my hand like it
was alive.
Speaker 5 (11:11):
The unexpected wait, of course, but perhaps I'd better not
pass it around someone might be cut. Instead, I'll start
the projector and show you the exotic tribal dance in
which this knife was dedicated to death.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
Grace, Grace, where are you here? To the left of
the door. Oh, I couldn't see. Sit down. I was Matilda.
She's asleep. I gave her a tablet, Chris. She's frightened.
She swears he'd killed if he did. Did you lock
her door? Yes? I turned out the light and I
(11:57):
set the cat so the doorknocked automatically. Why. Because this
husband of hers is up to something. I don't know what.
But all this talk about the death, worship of them
bunged savages and the rest of it, it's it's your
hopeless focus. You mean, it's not true, not a word
of it. There's no such trime. Look at that film.
(12:19):
It's just an ordinary tribal dance. But he has all
these people in here, the neighbors sitting on the edge
of their chairs. Then he's up to something. Yes, so
we'll just stay here with material tonight tomorrow we'll discuss
what's to be done. But we know or lock she
should be safe enough. Yes, the windows lap too because
of the storm. Nobody could possibly get into that room.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
There.
Speaker 5 (12:42):
The dance is over. I'll shut up the projector the lights,
our friends, please. My wife may have been having a nightmare.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
It was the old nightmare of her, so she was
not waised. Come on, we must see what's happening.
Speaker 5 (13:04):
Ladies don't allow themselves. Poor Matilda frequently has nightmare.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
That doesn't sound like a nightmare of me, Professor, No,
he does.
Speaker 4 (13:12):
Oh I forgot an opt the door just now.
Speaker 5 (13:14):
I'm sure she's all right, But just to make certain Matilda, Matilda,
my love, she doesn't answer.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Perhaps we had.
Speaker 5 (13:24):
Better break the door down, chief heart, and if you'll help.
Speaker 7 (13:26):
Me, sure, then come on once twice? All right, now,
what's more, and let me find the light switcher.
Speaker 4 (13:39):
Oh she's dead. She's not right in the middle of
the bed where I left her. Only now she's dead
with one of those African nives straight through her heart.
(14:04):
This wall is perfectly solid.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
That's what has tell well it takes me. The walls
are solid, the windows are locked. We know the door
was like because we had to break it down, and.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Still somebody got in and killed poor Matilda. But how
it's extremely puzzling.
Speaker 5 (14:23):
More than puzzling, my dearness. Impossible. Surely by now it's
obvious that at last Matilda could endure her terror no
longer and ended it by seeking the very death she feared.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
Nonsense, I mean you don't think so, of course not.
I've known Matilda since she was a girl. She was
always emotional. She certainly wouldn't kill herself. Larrence is quite right.
Nobody who worries so much about dying ever killed himself.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
Then, my dear ladies, we have an impossibility. If in
this tightly locked room my wife didn't kill herself and
wasn't killed. What other answer is I don't know yet.
If we rule out those two possibilities, were left with
a picture of a huge African knife dedicated to death
by the mystic spell of an African witch doctor, rising
(15:12):
in the darkness, floating through the air, and plunging itself
into its victims.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Hot Ah, she kill usself.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
That's what I say.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
I stick to it.
Speaker 4 (15:20):
Just how did that knife se kill Matilda get in
this room? I don't think that's been explained.
Speaker 5 (15:26):
I brought back a pair of them from Africa. They're
very rare and extremely valuable. One I kept when I
presented to my wife. She kept it in here on
her dresser.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
I would hardly expect to keep something she dreaded so
much in.
Speaker 5 (15:39):
A room because of the value of the knife. Matilda,
for all her wealth, was extremely close fisted. Anything valuable
she liked to keep close to her.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
There's one thing you men are overlooking, yehm, Smeler. I
helped Matilda to dead. I saw her take a sleeping
potion just before I turned out the knight. Then she
she couldn't have killed herself. The medicine would have put
it to sleep too quickly. Just what I was trying
to point out, Well, professor, what do you say that?
Speaker 5 (16:09):
What can I say, dear lady, Only what I've said before.
Here in this locked room was a knife animated by
the very spirit of death himself. The storm is raging
outside the sleeping spirit, and the knife stirs. The knife moved.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
Now there's the Starb's Corners and New Jersey, not Africa.
That kind of stuff don't happen here. I say she
killed her Sovereign's the only way it could have happened.
And I'm going home. I decided there ain't no case
here for the police, and that's not is.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
Of course, you're right, it couldn't have happened in the
other way. I'll see you to the door and tell
my other guests that they're at liberty to go home.
You will all understand that I want to be alone
with my grief.
Speaker 4 (16:53):
Well, Grace, you wanted adventure to night. I guess you've
gotten Itch or Matilda that that monster murderer. The least
we can do is avenger by proving it if he
murdered her. I'm sure I don't know how. He was
out in the other room talking to us when she died. Yes,
(17:15):
he was just turning up the lights when she screamed. Oh,
but we must try. There's the knife he was showing
us there on the table in the hall. Get it
for me, will you, all right? Though I can't imagine
why you want it here? It is now bring it
over here to the bed there. Now, hold the knife
close to the one that killed Matilda. I want to
(17:38):
make sure they're identical. Very well, Grace, Grace Waid Florence.
This knife in my hand. It moved all by itself. Look,
i'll show you. I'll hold it close to the first knife.
Like listen, see practically jumped to touch the other knife.
It's very strange that we try it. You're right, there's
(18:01):
a strong and definite attraction between these two nives, as
if as if there was something living in them, just
like Professor's sick. Yes, and I think I know who
it is. It's almost went out in this lightning struct
the wires. But Florie, I need ten minutes go out
and somehow try to keep the professor from interrupting me
(18:23):
for that long. But how how do I know use
your feminine wiles on him? I never learned any That's
why I'm an old name to be fain to do
something anything. But I need ten minutes to discover the
kind of black magic Professor Smith used to kill Matilda
without ever coming nearer. Grace. Yes, Chief Happen is just
(18:54):
driving away. That was already left. Ess Smith will be
coming back any Let him come. I'm all ready for him.
Help me put this step ladder in the class. All right?
But what in the world were you doing with the
(19:15):
step ladder? I found it in the hall and I
was using it to practice black magic? Grace, What on
earth is you're talking about? Look around and you'll see
what I mean. I don't see a thing different. There's BOMs,
children's body interest in we discover and everything else is
(19:38):
the saying too not quite, Florence. Look at the knife
that killed Matilda. Notice how straight it went into her heart? Why? Yes,
perfectly straight. And from reading more than one thousand mystery ours,
we know that when anyone strikes a faint blow, it
(20:01):
usually enters at an angle. Of course it does. And
this nightweb is as straight as if it is fla
on point foremost. And that's it, Florence. Now you're looking
in the right place. The ceiling directly, Mail is bad.
(20:22):
There's a huge knife lying like against the ceiling. I
just finished putting it there. But what makes it stay there?
Let magic? Florence, black magic? Professor Smith, what.
Speaker 5 (20:37):
Were you saying about me and black magic? I was asking,
what were you saying about me and black magic? Disturbing
for Matilda's.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Body, grace. I think it's time we were gone. Yes, Florence,
it's very lat and we must be getting burst. I'll
tell you, too crazy. This point took gone at us
and it's loaded.
Speaker 5 (20:58):
Furthermore, I'm an excellent shot.
Speaker 4 (21:00):
You'd never shoot two defenseless women, since he's just murdered
one defenseless woman, Florence, I wouldn't be too sure of that.
Speaker 5 (21:09):
I'm tired of this little comedy, and have you two
busy buddies you'll stand there until I can see that
you've done in Matilda's body?
Speaker 4 (21:18):
But why are you rolling Matilda's bed out from the wall?
Speaker 5 (21:22):
And I can stand between it and the wall and
keep an eye on you too while I examine Matilda,
my late unlamented live wife, and we'll see.
Speaker 4 (21:32):
Good grace I'm going to do. He may kill us two. No,
I know you got us into this. Ro'll get us out. Oh,
I wish we'd just gone to Chinatown like I wanted.
Never mind wishing, think of something turns. My mind's frozen.
(21:52):
That girn looks so big, Florence, I'm scared. Maybe we
can distract him by top professor. Professor, Yes, you're not
looking in the right place. I suggest you look off
at the sea.
Speaker 7 (22:11):
I don't need to.
Speaker 5 (22:13):
I'm prepared to admit that you have probably guessed my
little scheme to rid myself on Ma Tilda.
Speaker 4 (22:17):
Oh it was a clever scheme, but not clever enough.
Speaker 5 (22:21):
I think it was my little talk about witchcraft and
black magic and knives that move by themselves confused everyone
else so thoroughly. None of them will ever seek for
a more rational explanation.
Speaker 4 (22:33):
But we know, at least I think we do.
Speaker 5 (22:37):
And you, my dear ladies, are going to be silent
as the gray. Oh a nice turn of.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
Phrase, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (22:42):
Silence?
Speaker 4 (22:42):
Is the gray.
Speaker 5 (22:44):
Going to kill us as soon as the next clap
of thunder comes to drown out the noise of the shots.
Speaker 4 (22:48):
Oh no, Why we have tickets for around the world
voyage and we haven't even started.
Speaker 5 (22:54):
You'll not need them, I assure you.
Speaker 4 (22:56):
You'll be caught. I never read a mystery yet where
the killer was caught.
Speaker 5 (23:00):
How different life is from books. You see, there's a
pool of quicksand the mild of here, the swamps. Your
bodies will go into that pool and you'll never be
found again, particularly as no one is likely to come
looking for you.
Speaker 4 (23:14):
Oh dear, we won't even have a headstone. I always
hate its swam So.
Speaker 6 (23:21):
Lights, Lawrence, where are you, Florence? How Grace decided to
(23:42):
kill me?
Speaker 4 (23:42):
Lawrence calmed down. You're in the closet, caught in the
step ladder, in the closet. Oh, oh, I see what
happened when the lights went out, Because the light and
hit the wires. I ran for the door, only I
got the wrong door. Indeed, what there's the professor there
(24:05):
there on the floor beside Materilla's bed with a knife
in his back. Yes, Florence, he is dead, Thank goodness,
(24:27):
dear diary. Tonight we actually solved a murder, and in
a locked room too. The manner in which we solve
this dastinly, cry Greece. Yes, Clarens, I'm writing up our diary. Yes,
(24:48):
and I want to put down how we solve Matilda's murder?
How did we solve it? I'm still a little confused.
Oh well, in the end it was quite simple to see, Florence,
fifty years you taught history, but I taught physics. What
has that to do with it? When we were examining
(25:08):
those two knives, and some strange force drew the two
blades together, Yes, I remember. I recognized it at once
that one of the blades must be magnetized. Ethnetized of course, now,
hard steel becomes magnetized when in the field of an
electro magnet. So I reasoned there was a magnet somewhere
(25:29):
in the ceiling, and when we Gotchi Puffin to come back,
he found it under the floor of the room above,
directly over Matilda's bed. So all Professor Smith had to
go was to switch on the electro magnet, then place
the knife against the ceiling. And it's something exactly a uh,
(25:50):
you helped Matilda to bed, Neither of you noticed the
knife because the room was lighted only by a small
bedside lamp. Then ten minutes later, in the living room,
the professor pritt tended to switch on the lights at
the same time he pressed the switch that controlled the electromagnet,
and the knife fell and prunished straight into Matilda's heart.
(26:12):
Fourteen But how did the professor get killed? And kind
a slurred over that and telling she happened? What happened?
While I'm testing the operator. So I put the second
knife against the ceiling and the electro magnet held it there.
Then the professor came in and stood under it while
he pointed his gun at us and waited for a
(26:32):
flash of lightning. That was like a bad dream. But
when the lightning came, the flash blinded him. We ducked.
The lightning itself struck the wires, cutting off the current
and causing the electro magnet to cease working, so that
the knife fell and killed the professor. He was destroyed
by his own evil scheme, exactly by his own black
(26:57):
magic could killed him. You might even didn't say he
was executed by heaven itself.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
This is the Mysterious Traver again. But that was how
luck for the professor, wasn't It's really too bad and
a murderers a perfect scheme and it kills him too
then just because the lights go out, so Grays and
Florence murdocht are going to London serve him. If you
happen to be.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
Traveling to Europe in the near future and you encounter
two elderly maiden ladies who are an odd dream, and
there is dark because you may be involved in a
murder before you know, you may even become the victim.
If that reminds me of my story for next week,
(28:08):
A Coffin for Child. It's about an Englishman who inherits
a coffin, a million dollar coffin which, oh you'll have
to get off here. I'm sorry, but I'm sure we'll
meet again. I take this same train every week at
this same time.
Speaker 1 (28:50):
You have just heard the Mysterious Traveler with a title
role played by Maurice Tarblin.
Speaker 8 (28:55):
Others in our cast were glad to scorn him. Habby
Lewis and Wendell Holmes. Original music composed and played by Alfonelle.
All characters in our story were fictitious and a resemblance
to actual persons. With phil a coincidentally, they'll talk and speaking.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
This program came to you from New York.
The Mutual Broadcasting System presents The Mysterious Traveler, written, produced
and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Colgan, and
starring two of radio's foremost actresses, Ladys Thornton and Abby
Lewis in the Lives of Death.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
This is the Mysterious.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Traveler, inviting you to join me on another journey into
the realm of the strange and the terrifying. I hope
you will enjoy the trip, and it will thrill you
a little and chill you a little. So settle back,
a good grip on your nerves and be comfortable if
you can, as we join two little ladies who have
(01:01):
one burning ambition in life. They want to solve a murder.
It's a story I call the Knives of Death. Perhaps
you remember two sweet old ladies named Grace and Florence Murdoch.
(01:24):
Grace is seventy two and Florence is younger and she's
only seventy. After a lifetime in a small town, they've
set out to see the world.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Well.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Up to now, their only recreation has been reading mystery stories.
Now they're determined to find real adventure, and not just
read about it in their hotel room. High above New York.
Grace Murdoch is looking out at the great city below
them with eager anticipation.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
You York, Florence, think about it. We're in you. I
don't have to think about it, Grace. I know we're
in New York. Look at the lights, the enormous buildings,
the traffic, Lawrence. Think of the adventures waiting for us
down there, the people we'll meet, the mysteries we may encounter.
(02:18):
I don't want to encounter any mystery. Is it my age?
I'm perfectly content to have a nice quiet time sight seeing.
Oh sightseeing? Really, Florence, you sound just like a retired
school teacher. Well, I am a retired school teacher and
saw you. That doesn't mean I have to like one.
As soon as we've changed our clothes, we're going down
(02:39):
to Chinatown to have dinner. Please. You're forgetting, forgetting what
we promised to go out to New Jersey to see
Matilda Smith tonight we did. I don't remember doing any
such thing. Oh, I don't even remember any Matilda Smith.
That's her married name. She used to be Matilda Johnson.
She was a pupil of mine. The first year I
taught school. The thin unattractive southern girl with just lots
(03:03):
of money. She sounds simply dismal. Do you want to
look her up? Because of her husband? He used to
be a professor. He made several trips to Africa, wrote
some very interesting articles about the strange tribal customs he encountered.
Now I'll boler and tell her he'll be out later. Hello, operator,
(03:23):
I want to make a person to person call to
missus Matilda Smith in Dobb's Corners, New Jersey. That's it. Yes,
I'll be.
Speaker 5 (03:41):
There. That's it. The chair's are own place. Now the
table to hold my notes? Will you help me move
at Matilda, my dear, but be careful of the African knife.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
It might boom, oh makes million. It almost hit my first.
Speaker 5 (03:54):
I told you to be careful, my dear. I haven't.
It is sharp as a razor. I noticed the carvings
and the blade. The greatest witch doctor in Africa made
this knife.
Speaker 4 (04:08):
I don't want to hear bell and I forbid you
to talk about it tonight, do you I forbid you?
Speaker 5 (04:13):
But our little gathering tonight is for the express purpose
of hearing my talk on the worship of death among
the Dambungi savages of Africa and a very select group.
It is the leading grocer and his wife, the owner
of the local garage and his wife, Chief of police Hoffmann,
all our very best babors.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
You can talk about certainaias. Why do you have to
talk about death all the time, you know, to think about.
Speaker 5 (04:39):
When we discussed all that, my dear, and we agreed
that the only way to overcome is morbid fear of you.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
Now, what is death?
Speaker 5 (04:47):
It's just a word, nothing to be afraid of. You
almost die in time, some of us sooner than others.
But there's no need to cower in fear of the inevitable.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
What, Matilda, you're just talking with me to told you
me you won't be dead. You'd kill me if you're dead,
But you don't. Dare you know the whole road and
know the truth.
Speaker 5 (05:09):
I love your hysterical You must come yourself. Remember we
have guests coming in a few hours. I do believe
we're going to have a storm. Tool Well, it'll just
make an appropriate setting for my little lecture the dumbungie savages.
You now believe that on a stormy night, death is
able to walk abroad to select his next victims.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
You don't make that anymore.
Speaker 5 (05:33):
The home Matilda hadn't you better.
Speaker 6 (05:37):
Answer yes, Larnce, madam, Oh, Charnce, Yes, I do want
you to come right away.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
No, no, no, he must come to night as soon
as you can. I want you to protect me. My
husband's trying to kill me. He's trying to scare me
to death. Oh and this what tonight, Larrence? Are you
(06:14):
sure that Matilda said her husband was trying to kill her?
Of course, I'm sure she said he was trying to
scare us that. Oh do you realize that we've read
over a thousand mystery novels and did none of them
as a victim ever been scared to death? But of it,
don't you see? It's a brand new murder method. While Florence,
(06:35):
this may be an adventure, it's much more exciting than
a trip to Chinatown. That's a very callous attitude. I
only hope we're in time to help Tilda. Over the telephone,
she sounded positively terrified. Tell me again all you know
about her, just in case. Well, she has lots of money,
and she's very stinting of it. A few years ago
(06:58):
she married this professor man much younger than herself, apparently
he married her for her money. It's been furious have
I ever since? Because he can't get his hands on others. Gone, well, anyway,
he's very brilliant. He studied witchcraft in Africa, and Matilda
is sure he'd kill her if he knew how to
(07:20):
keep a bride. Or perhaps he seems to be slowing down.
Do you suppose we're actually there at last? Yes, here's
one of those little glass signs on the lawn. Who
snip it?
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Said?
Speaker 4 (07:35):
What the house is? Awfully? God goodness, I do hope
we're in time. There's anyone home? There are not a
(07:58):
long time answering, Matilda said. The professor was giving the
talk to knights and friends. Maybe they don't hear us.
Speaker 5 (08:10):
Yes, who is it?
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Grace and France Murdoch of Matilda invited us, of course,
come in, come in.
Speaker 5 (08:18):
We were afraid you weren't coming.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
We took the wrong train and we'd have been here
hours ago. What a pity.
Speaker 5 (08:23):
Let me take your things. I'll hang them here to dry.
You're friends, my dear. They finally located our humble abode.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Oh I'm so afraid you weren't coming. We got lost, Matilda,
But how are you. Are you all right? I'm not
all wrong, my dear.
Speaker 5 (08:43):
You must control yourself. I hope you'll understand about Matilda.
Dear ladies, she hasn't been herself of recent one. She's
obsessed with the notion she's going to die.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
That word you say.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
She has a death phobia.
Speaker 5 (08:57):
The very word upsets her and most unfortunately, this evening
I was asked to lecture on the worship of death
among the Damn Bungie savages, a fascinating topic. Death to
the Damn Bungies is a is a living creature. The
thunder is the echo of this pott.
Speaker 6 (09:15):
Maybe you don't, Lord me, don't he's trying to cure me.
Speaker 4 (09:20):
He's trying to find it right. Matilda there now, it's
all right. He should be in bed.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
She need to say just what I told her, but
she insisted on staying up to greet you. Her room
is right here.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
If you could persuade her, I will, Matilda, come with me.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
I'm going to.
Speaker 5 (09:44):
Put you to bed here then, Oh, such a pity
my wife's affliction. But I'm sure her old friend will
be good for her.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Miss Grace.
Speaker 5 (09:55):
Now we were in the midst of my little talk.
If you care to come into the living room and
join us.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
I'll continue.
Speaker 5 (10:11):
And now, my friends, having discussed the curious beliefs concerning
the subject of death held by these savages, the Nambongi
tribe of Central Africa, I am going to show one
of the sacred knives of the tribe.
Speaker 7 (10:24):
I'll hold it up here.
Speaker 5 (10:25):
Notice the tremendous blade, razor sharp and the curious carging.
The Dambogi believe that a knife like this is the
house in which death lives, and that such a knife
possesses a life of its own and can seek out
and kill a victim with no human hand, touching that
(10:47):
superstition of God. But still strange things do happen in Africa.
I would pass a knife among you for close inspection, sheef,
if you care to look at it. Yeah, I guess
h handle it carefully.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
It could get and I haven't.
Speaker 5 (11:05):
I haven't no harm done.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
I have pressed right out of my hand like it
was alive.
Speaker 5 (11:11):
The unexpected wait, of course, but perhaps I'd better not
pass it around someone might be cut. Instead, I'll start
the projector and show you the exotic tribal dance in
which this knife was dedicated to death.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
Grace, Grace, where are you here? To the left of
the door. Oh, I couldn't see. Sit down. I was Matilda.
She's asleep. I gave her a tablet, Chris. She's frightened.
She swears he'd killed if he did. Did you lock
her door? Yes? I turned out the light and I
(11:57):
set the cat so the doorknocked automatically. Why. Because this
husband of hers is up to something. I don't know what.
But all this talk about the death, worship of them
bunged savages and the rest of it, it's it's your
hopeless focus. You mean, it's not true, not a word
of it. There's no such trime. Look at that film.
(12:19):
It's just an ordinary tribal dance. But he has all
these people in here, the neighbors sitting on the edge
of their chairs. Then he's up to something. Yes, so
we'll just stay here with material tonight tomorrow we'll discuss
what's to be done. But we know or lock she
should be safe enough. Yes, the windows lap too because
of the storm. Nobody could possibly get into that room.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
There.
Speaker 5 (12:42):
The dance is over. I'll shut up the projector the lights,
our friends, please. My wife may have been having a nightmare.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
It was the old nightmare of her, so she was
not waised. Come on, we must see what's happening.
Speaker 5 (13:04):
Ladies don't allow themselves. Poor Matilda frequently has nightmare.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
That doesn't sound like a nightmare of me, Professor, No,
he does.
Speaker 4 (13:12):
Oh I forgot an opt the door just now.
Speaker 5 (13:14):
I'm sure she's all right, But just to make certain Matilda, Matilda,
my love, she doesn't answer.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Perhaps we had.
Speaker 5 (13:24):
Better break the door down, chief heart, and if you'll help.
Speaker 7 (13:26):
Me, sure, then come on once twice? All right, now,
what's more, and let me find the light switcher.
Speaker 4 (13:39):
Oh she's dead. She's not right in the middle of
the bed where I left her. Only now she's dead
with one of those African nives straight through her heart.
(14:04):
This wall is perfectly solid.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
That's what has tell well it takes me. The walls
are solid, the windows are locked. We know the door
was like because we had to break it down, and.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Still somebody got in and killed poor Matilda. But how
it's extremely puzzling.
Speaker 5 (14:23):
More than puzzling, my dearness. Impossible. Surely by now it's
obvious that at last Matilda could endure her terror no
longer and ended it by seeking the very death she feared.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
Nonsense, I mean you don't think so, of course not.
I've known Matilda since she was a girl. She was
always emotional. She certainly wouldn't kill herself. Larrence is quite right.
Nobody who worries so much about dying ever killed himself.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
Then, my dear ladies, we have an impossibility. If in
this tightly locked room my wife didn't kill herself and
wasn't killed. What other answer is I don't know yet.
If we rule out those two possibilities, were left with
a picture of a huge African knife dedicated to death
by the mystic spell of an African witch doctor, rising
(15:12):
in the darkness, floating through the air, and plunging itself
into its victims.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Hot Ah, she kill usself.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
That's what I say.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
I stick to it.
Speaker 4 (15:20):
Just how did that knife se kill Matilda get in
this room? I don't think that's been explained.
Speaker 5 (15:26):
I brought back a pair of them from Africa. They're
very rare and extremely valuable. One I kept when I
presented to my wife. She kept it in here on
her dresser.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
I would hardly expect to keep something she dreaded so
much in.
Speaker 5 (15:39):
A room because of the value of the knife. Matilda,
for all her wealth, was extremely close fisted. Anything valuable
she liked to keep close to her.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
There's one thing you men are overlooking, yehm, Smeler. I
helped Matilda to dead. I saw her take a sleeping
potion just before I turned out the knight. Then she
she couldn't have killed herself. The medicine would have put
it to sleep too quickly. Just what I was trying
to point out, Well, professor, what do you say that?
Speaker 5 (16:09):
What can I say, dear lady, Only what I've said before.
Here in this locked room was a knife animated by
the very spirit of death himself. The storm is raging
outside the sleeping spirit, and the knife stirs. The knife moved.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
Now there's the Starb's Corners and New Jersey, not Africa.
That kind of stuff don't happen here. I say she
killed her Sovereign's the only way it could have happened.
And I'm going home. I decided there ain't no case
here for the police, and that's not is.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
Of course, you're right, it couldn't have happened in the
other way. I'll see you to the door and tell
my other guests that they're at liberty to go home.
You will all understand that I want to be alone
with my grief.
Speaker 4 (16:53):
Well, Grace, you wanted adventure to night. I guess you've
gotten Itch or Matilda that that monster murderer. The least
we can do is avenger by proving it if he
murdered her. I'm sure I don't know how. He was
out in the other room talking to us when she died. Yes,
(17:15):
he was just turning up the lights when she screamed. Oh,
but we must try. There's the knife he was showing
us there on the table in the hall. Get it
for me, will you, all right? Though I can't imagine
why you want it here? It is now bring it
over here to the bed there. Now, hold the knife
close to the one that killed Matilda. I want to
(17:38):
make sure they're identical. Very well, Grace, Grace Waid Florence.
This knife in my hand. It moved all by itself. Look,
i'll show you. I'll hold it close to the first knife.
Like listen, see practically jumped to touch the other knife.
It's very strange that we try it. You're right, there's
(18:01):
a strong and definite attraction between these two nives, as
if as if there was something living in them, just
like Professor's sick. Yes, and I think I know who
it is. It's almost went out in this lightning struct
the wires. But Florie, I need ten minutes go out
and somehow try to keep the professor from interrupting me
(18:23):
for that long. But how how do I know use
your feminine wiles on him? I never learned any That's
why I'm an old name to be fain to do
something anything. But I need ten minutes to discover the
kind of black magic Professor Smith used to kill Matilda
without ever coming nearer. Grace. Yes, Chief Happen is just
(18:54):
driving away. That was already left. Ess Smith will be
coming back any Let him come. I'm all ready for him.
Help me put this step ladder in the class. All right?
But what in the world were you doing with the
(19:15):
step ladder? I found it in the hall and I
was using it to practice black magic? Grace, What on
earth is you're talking about? Look around and you'll see
what I mean. I don't see a thing different. There's BOMs,
children's body interest in we discover and everything else is
(19:38):
the saying too not quite, Florence. Look at the knife
that killed Matilda. Notice how straight it went into her heart? Why? Yes,
perfectly straight. And from reading more than one thousand mystery ours,
we know that when anyone strikes a faint blow, it
(20:01):
usually enters at an angle. Of course it does. And
this nightweb is as straight as if it is fla
on point foremost. And that's it, Florence. Now you're looking
in the right place. The ceiling directly, Mail is bad.
(20:22):
There's a huge knife lying like against the ceiling. I
just finished putting it there. But what makes it stay there?
Let magic? Florence, black magic? Professor Smith, what.
Speaker 5 (20:37):
Were you saying about me and black magic? I was asking,
what were you saying about me and black magic? Disturbing
for Matilda's.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Body, grace. I think it's time we were gone. Yes, Florence,
it's very lat and we must be getting burst. I'll
tell you, too crazy. This point took gone at us
and it's loaded.
Speaker 5 (20:58):
Furthermore, I'm an excellent shot.
Speaker 4 (21:00):
You'd never shoot two defenseless women, since he's just murdered
one defenseless woman, Florence, I wouldn't be too sure of that.
Speaker 5 (21:09):
I'm tired of this little comedy, and have you two
busy buddies you'll stand there until I can see that
you've done in Matilda's body?
Speaker 4 (21:18):
But why are you rolling Matilda's bed out from the wall?
Speaker 5 (21:22):
And I can stand between it and the wall and
keep an eye on you too while I examine Matilda,
my late unlamented live wife, and we'll see.
Speaker 4 (21:32):
Good grace I'm going to do. He may kill us two. No,
I know you got us into this. Ro'll get us out. Oh,
I wish we'd just gone to Chinatown like I wanted.
Never mind wishing, think of something turns. My mind's frozen.
(21:52):
That girn looks so big, Florence, I'm scared. Maybe we
can distract him by top professor. Professor, Yes, you're not
looking in the right place. I suggest you look off
at the sea.
Speaker 7 (22:11):
I don't need to.
Speaker 5 (22:13):
I'm prepared to admit that you have probably guessed my
little scheme to rid myself on Ma Tilda.
Speaker 4 (22:17):
Oh it was a clever scheme, but not clever enough.
Speaker 5 (22:21):
I think it was my little talk about witchcraft and
black magic and knives that move by themselves confused everyone
else so thoroughly. None of them will ever seek for
a more rational explanation.
Speaker 4 (22:33):
But we know, at least I think we do.
Speaker 5 (22:37):
And you, my dear ladies, are going to be silent
as the gray. Oh a nice turn of.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
Phrase, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (22:42):
Silence?
Speaker 4 (22:42):
Is the gray.
Speaker 5 (22:44):
Going to kill us as soon as the next clap
of thunder comes to drown out the noise of the shots.
Speaker 4 (22:48):
Oh no, Why we have tickets for around the world
voyage and we haven't even started.
Speaker 5 (22:54):
You'll not need them, I assure you.
Speaker 4 (22:56):
You'll be caught. I never read a mystery yet where
the killer was caught.
Speaker 5 (23:00):
How different life is from books. You see, there's a
pool of quicksand the mild of here, the swamps. Your
bodies will go into that pool and you'll never be
found again, particularly as no one is likely to come
looking for you.
Speaker 4 (23:14):
Oh dear, we won't even have a headstone. I always
hate its swam So.
Speaker 6 (23:21):
Lights, Lawrence, where are you, Florence? How Grace decided to
(23:42):
kill me?
Speaker 4 (23:42):
Lawrence calmed down. You're in the closet, caught in the
step ladder, in the closet. Oh, oh, I see what
happened when the lights went out, Because the light and
hit the wires. I ran for the door, only I
got the wrong door. Indeed, what there's the professor there
(24:05):
there on the floor beside Materilla's bed with a knife
in his back. Yes, Florence, he is dead, Thank goodness,
(24:27):
dear diary. Tonight we actually solved a murder, and in
a locked room too. The manner in which we solve
this dastinly, cry Greece. Yes, Clarens, I'm writing up our diary. Yes,
(24:48):
and I want to put down how we solve Matilda's murder?
How did we solve it? I'm still a little confused.
Oh well, in the end it was quite simple to see, Florence,
fifty years you taught history, but I taught physics. What
has that to do with it? When we were examining
(25:08):
those two knives, and some strange force drew the two
blades together, Yes, I remember. I recognized it at once
that one of the blades must be magnetized. Ethnetized of course, now,
hard steel becomes magnetized when in the field of an
electro magnet. So I reasoned there was a magnet somewhere
(25:29):
in the ceiling, and when we Gotchi Puffin to come back,
he found it under the floor of the room above,
directly over Matilda's bed. So all Professor Smith had to
go was to switch on the electro magnet, then place
the knife against the ceiling. And it's something exactly a uh,
(25:50):
you helped Matilda to bed, Neither of you noticed the
knife because the room was lighted only by a small
bedside lamp. Then ten minutes later, in the living room,
the professor pritt tended to switch on the lights at
the same time he pressed the switch that controlled the electromagnet,
and the knife fell and prunished straight into Matilda's heart.
(26:12):
Fourteen But how did the professor get killed? And kind
a slurred over that and telling she happened? What happened?
While I'm testing the operator. So I put the second
knife against the ceiling and the electro magnet held it there.
Then the professor came in and stood under it while
he pointed his gun at us and waited for a
(26:32):
flash of lightning. That was like a bad dream. But
when the lightning came, the flash blinded him. We ducked.
The lightning itself struck the wires, cutting off the current
and causing the electro magnet to cease working, so that
the knife fell and killed the professor. He was destroyed
by his own evil scheme, exactly by his own black
(26:57):
magic could killed him. You might even didn't say he
was executed by heaven itself.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
This is the Mysterious Traver again. But that was how
luck for the professor, wasn't It's really too bad and
a murderers a perfect scheme and it kills him too
then just because the lights go out, so Grays and
Florence murdocht are going to London serve him. If you
happen to be.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
Traveling to Europe in the near future and you encounter
two elderly maiden ladies who are an odd dream, and
there is dark because you may be involved in a
murder before you know, you may even become the victim.
If that reminds me of my story for next week,
(28:08):
A Coffin for Child. It's about an Englishman who inherits
a coffin, a million dollar coffin which, oh you'll have
to get off here. I'm sorry, but I'm sure we'll
meet again. I take this same train every week at
this same time.
Speaker 1 (28:50):
You have just heard the Mysterious Traveler with a title
role played by Maurice Tarblin.
Speaker 8 (28:55):
Others in our cast were glad to scorn him. Habby
Lewis and Wendell Holmes. Original music composed and played by Alfonelle.
All characters in our story were fictitious and a resemblance
to actual persons. With phil a coincidentally, they'll talk and speaking.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
This program came to you from New York.
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