September 13, 2025 • 23 mins
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agnes Moorehead, Marlene Dietrich and Humphrey Bogart. The plots were mostly engaging crime dramas, science fiction and some horror - usually with a surprise ending.
Hope you enjoy this episode of Suspense! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | Amazon | iHeart
Hope you enjoy this episode of Suspense! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | Amazon | iHeart
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
And now a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
Listen now to act one of Witness to Murder, starring
Joan Loring and Leon Jenny, and written especially for suspense
by Francis Ricketts, who.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Lays me to turn that fairly Bay, all business will
please go us. All these stewards will direct yourself go
just follow that way, esper.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Everything will be a good morning. Captain, good morn?
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Is up? What you're said here?
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Madam?
Speaker 4 (00:51):
Ride?
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Missus merdy?
Speaker 4 (00:54):
Yes, I am well to move bone, Yes, I am,
thank you.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
And this must be mister Merried.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Oh yes, I'm so sorry.
Speaker 5 (01:03):
I'm Larry.
Speaker 4 (01:05):
This is Captain Mudbridge.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Glad to meet you. Captain, how'd you do that?
Speaker 6 (01:09):
I want to thank you for taking such good care
of my wife on.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
The trip over.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
We were happy to do what we could. I'm pleased
to see her looking so well.
Speaker 7 (01:17):
Yes, I mean thank you.
Speaker 8 (01:20):
I At first I remember thinking only that it was
a mistake, that we should have gone home somewhere away,
or at least on.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
Some other ships. How could I have been such a
fool not to realize.
Speaker 9 (01:39):
How humilliating it would be to face all those people again.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
To seem to look at me, and remember.
Speaker 9 (01:48):
To feel them point me out, and know they were
whispering about me, watching every move I made for the
first sign of something clear.
Speaker 4 (01:57):
Didn't Captain Hoodbridge say something to the man beside him
if we walked away?
Speaker 9 (02:02):
Wouldn't they all be saying something to the ones beside
them as I walked by?
Speaker 10 (02:09):
Well, they wouldn't get.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
A chance to.
Speaker 9 (02:12):
Because I wasn't going to stay. You get off the ship,
find another one.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
It wasn't fair to expecute it. Even as I thought it.
Speaker 9 (02:23):
I have felt the ship begin to move, and I knew
it was too late.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
I'll have to ask the stewards to Louise, what on
earth the matter?
Speaker 5 (02:34):
Lay? I can't face all these two.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
What's gonna face them? About?
Speaker 7 (02:42):
Very young?
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Can you say that now?
Speaker 6 (02:43):
Louise, listen to me. You're letting your imagination run away
with you. There must be two thousand passengers on this ship.
You don't know them, and they don't know but the stewards,
all right, a couple of stewards know who you are
and some of the wacky things you did coming over.
Do you think you are the only woman in the
world who's ever had a nervous breakdown on an ocean voyage.
(03:04):
Do you think in the three months since then they
haven't had a couple of other passengers flip their lids?
Very I'm sorry, you might as well face it.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Louise.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
You needn't put it in those terms.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
I said, I was socked.
Speaker 5 (03:18):
And you needn't have put them through this either.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
You could have put passage on another ship. We could
have flown her.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
I told you these were the only accommodations we could get.
We're not the only people trying to get home from Europe.
Speaker 6 (03:30):
We were done lucky to get anything at all.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Besides, I think it's just as well we are on
this ship.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Why, Larry, what are you getting at?
Speaker 3 (03:43):
I'm not getting at anything.
Speaker 11 (03:46):
But you know, I'm practically all well, the doctor said,
So of course I know it.
Speaker 6 (03:52):
It's just that if anything should happen, we should get sick.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
If I get sick, I'll no, I'm getting sick.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
You didn't know it last time. Oh please, Larie, No, Louise,
let's don't start that again.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Start again.
Speaker 6 (04:10):
If I'd thought you weren't well enough to make the trip,
we wouldn't be.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Making it, would we, well, would we.
Speaker 9 (04:19):
Guess?
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Yeah, that's better. Now, the thing for you to do
is to forget all about the things that have been
bothering you the past.
Speaker 6 (04:26):
Few months, and forget all this nonsense about the people
on the ship and just have a pleasant, RESTful trip home.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Yes, all right, all right.
Speaker 6 (04:37):
Oh and by the way, Louise, if the steward comes in, yes,
if I were you, i'd lay.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Off the French bit.
Speaker 5 (04:47):
Layoff?
Speaker 4 (04:50):
What do you mean?
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Well, I don't.
Speaker 6 (04:51):
Suppose the captain thought anything about it, and probably the
steward wouldn't either. But well, after all.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
That was the start of your trouble last time, and
it might give people the wrong idea.
Speaker 5 (05:04):
How real are you talking about.
Speaker 6 (05:06):
Nolloise, Don't get worked up. I merely said take it
easy on the French.
Speaker 5 (05:12):
I haven't spoken one word of it. Sorry, for the
love of God, don't look.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
At me like that.
Speaker 6 (05:21):
You don't remember what you said to Captain Woodry.
Speaker 5 (05:27):
But I didn't say anything, Oh.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Larrie, that was a woman ahead of what she was
speaking French. I remember, I remember what she said, something
about a pleasant trip.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Larry.
Speaker 11 (05:38):
I hardly said anything at all, only yes and time
you like I couldn't have I'd remember it, Larry.
Speaker 6 (05:49):
I didn't, did I, look, Louise, It really doesn't matter, right.
I just thought it would be better for you if
you stayed away from upset you, so we won't say
anything more about please.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
Hi, Sacker. And my mind went back frantically.
Speaker 9 (06:14):
Over our arrival aboard.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Ship, every step of it, every word of it.
Speaker 9 (06:19):
Larry was wrong, he.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Had to be.
Speaker 9 (06:24):
If I had said something, I'd remember it, wouldn't I
The other time.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
There's the other time. I forced myself to think back
to the day three months ago when I.
Speaker 9 (06:40):
Boarded the same ship in New York, when all I
could think of was that I was free of Larry
at last, and on my way to Paris, free and alone.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
But I was not quite alone. I would I would
be sharing my cabin with another woman. I remember that
I had always been there a few moments.
Speaker 12 (07:02):
Hello, I guess we're going to be roommates.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Oh sure, I see you're getting into.
Speaker 12 (07:08):
The spirit of it already. Well, I'm Helen Blake.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
You're this is Meredith Madame, Oh dear.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
And that means yes, doesn't it.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
I'm afraid that's about the extent.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Of my French. Yes, Hello and hello. I suppose you
speak it very well.
Speaker 12 (07:29):
Well, I don't have the remotest idea what you said,
but I guess it.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Answers my question.
Speaker 12 (07:34):
You'll have to give me a few tips before we.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Get there, so I'll at least be able to get.
Speaker 10 (07:38):
By if we put Oh.
Speaker 12 (07:47):
Sure, I guess, well get settled.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
Which is my bunk?
Speaker 12 (07:55):
Oh no, look enough, he said, No, you want this bunker?
Speaker 2 (07:58):
The other one?
Speaker 4 (07:59):
The more wasn't a tartan.
Speaker 12 (08:04):
For heaven's sake, I thought you were an American woman.
Don't you speak any English at all? I?
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Yes, yes, of course I speak English.
Speaker 12 (08:16):
Oh, thank Heaven for that.
Speaker 6 (08:19):
I was beginning to think that I'd wound up.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
Why do you ask? Why I ask for.
Speaker 12 (08:25):
If I speak English, for Heaven's sake, because you haven't
spoken one word of it till just now.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
How you are rattling along in French? At least I
suppose it was French. Oh no, it is the issue,
you feel, all right? You looking awfully white.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
I tried to make some excuse and couldn't. I knew
what you must be thinking. I was thinking it myself.
I just stood there and stilled at her, numbed.
Speaker 8 (08:59):
Hear the same kind of fear that grip me now only.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
Worse now, because now I knew what must be.
Speaker 9 (09:08):
Happening, and that would be as powerless to prevent it
this time as I had been the first time three
months ago.
Speaker 4 (09:15):
Only why why did the doctor let me go? If
I were so near another breakdown? Surely they could see
it coming, hadn't they told Larry I was well enough
that I'd be all right. Hadn't the doctor's written him
a letter? Yes, he had a letter, he said he had.
(09:36):
He was still happy.
Speaker 5 (09:38):
But where where.
Speaker 9 (09:40):
Would he keep it?
Speaker 4 (09:42):
It's got to be here somewhere. Sure he wouldn't throw
it away. He couldn't happen.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
Looking for something.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Oh, I I didn't hear you coming.
Speaker 13 (09:55):
Letter?
Speaker 5 (09:58):
Where's the letter?
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Letter? What letter? Oh a Steward?
Speaker 6 (10:02):
Just bring that right on in here, Yes, sir, I
thought you might like some coffee.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
He Louise, you know mister Haskins, I believe thy times,
I said they what?
Speaker 6 (10:15):
Well, Louise, can't you say hello to mister Haskins. I'm sorry, Steward,
I'm afraid my wife is a little upset this morning,
you understand, oh, sir.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Sorry to hear it, Sir.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
If you need a thing, just string for it now.
What's this all about? A letter?
Speaker 4 (10:40):
How could you bring that man in here?
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Well, he's a steward.
Speaker 6 (10:44):
I did think he was rather stupid of you not
to speak to him, Really, Louise, if you want people
to think you're perfectly normal, you might act as if
you are.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
There's no telling what he thinks, now, what.
Speaker 9 (10:59):
He thinks, what you told him to think, what I
told him to think.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Really, Louise, stop really louising me. You're exciting yourself.
Speaker 5 (11:10):
Would you be.
Speaker 6 (11:13):
If I thought?
Speaker 9 (11:13):
What?
Speaker 5 (11:15):
Nothing?
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Have some coffee, dear, It will calm you down.
Speaker 5 (11:22):
I don't flat, coney.
Speaker 13 (11:25):
I don't want to be left alone.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
In just a moment we'll return. We're that two of ustmen.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Will you have small coffins?
Speaker 9 (11:53):
There?
Speaker 2 (11:53):
It is?
Speaker 4 (11:54):
Oh?
Speaker 8 (11:55):
Yes, thank you?
Speaker 2 (11:56):
You're awfully quiet?
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Does he means not a good malde mare?
Speaker 2 (12:01):
I hope your husband said earlier you weren't feeding up
the far captain.
Speaker 4 (12:06):
You know, I never have a bit of malder mayre.
If I have it, it's a great big chunk of it.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
Yes, right, so well, I'm sure you've seen the last
of that.
Speaker 9 (12:18):
A lot of other people seem to be having malder
mare though.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Oh why do you say that there.
Speaker 9 (12:24):
Are so many empty places.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
At the table so that No, I'm afraid that's mostly
a lack of bookings.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
But I thought you were a book solid.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
No, not a good time as year. We're into the
off season travel now.
Speaker 8 (12:38):
Oh well for about other ships then, I mean, are
they full luck?
Speaker 3 (12:44):
No, nothing more than we are.
Speaker 5 (12:46):
But then right, but where I was?
Speaker 4 (12:51):
Oh? Nothing taking wood Bridge?
Speaker 5 (12:55):
Yes, I I don't.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
You remember our coming on board this morning?
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Certainly I do. I greeted you myself, But no, I
didn't mean that.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
I mean, of course I knew you would remember that.
I meant, do you?
Speaker 9 (13:13):
I don't suppose you remember what I said?
Speaker 3 (13:16):
What you said?
Speaker 9 (13:18):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (13:19):
I mean, do you remember anything special?
Speaker 2 (13:23):
I'm afraid not. Was there something you wanted to tell me?
Speaker 4 (13:28):
Oh? No, it wasn't that.
Speaker 7 (13:30):
It was.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
Never mind it was it wasn't anything.
Speaker 2 (13:37):
Oh missus meath. I do hope that everything's all right?
Speaker 5 (13:41):
Oh?
Speaker 7 (13:42):
Yeah, yes, everything is fine. I could have cried.
Speaker 9 (13:54):
What could I say to him? Captain Woodbridge?
Speaker 4 (13:57):
Did I say anything to you in French?
Speaker 9 (14:01):
He would have thought I was mad?
Speaker 4 (14:04):
Now he thought it.
Speaker 9 (14:05):
Anywhere and if I stayed in my cabin, so nobody
said nothing.
Speaker 8 (14:13):
But that was exactly what I had done on the.
Speaker 9 (14:15):
Trip three months ago, until the madness drove me to
do the queer things that finally made them come and
take me away to the infirmary and knock me out
with drugs.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
If I had been afraid that morning, it was nothing.
Speaker 9 (14:29):
To the fear that gripped me.
Speaker 4 (14:31):
Now was I going that? I didn't know? I don't
know that Larry had lied to me. Larry had trapped
me into this and there was no escape.
Speaker 6 (14:51):
You seem to be having quite a conversation with the captain.
Speaker 9 (14:56):
Wasn't anything tired?
Speaker 2 (14:59):
What am I supposed to stay?
Speaker 12 (15:00):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (15:02):
What's the matter with you? Louise? You're you're not yoursel?
Speaker 9 (15:06):
I'm not sure I know what myself is anymore.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
What's that over there?
Speaker 4 (15:12):
Where?
Speaker 6 (15:13):
Why's your beach bag? Isn't it now? How did it
come to be there?
Speaker 4 (15:17):
I don't know. I was wondering where it was all morning.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
I'll get it, Louise, stay away from that rail. Say that.
Speaker 5 (15:26):
You actually why?
Speaker 1 (15:29):
You're all right?
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Yes?
Speaker 6 (15:31):
Yes, yes, she's all right now, Thank you, Louise. What
made you do it?
Speaker 5 (15:35):
Lorry?
Speaker 4 (15:36):
I didn't do a thing.
Speaker 3 (15:37):
Is there anything I can do? No? No, nothing? Thank you?
Thank you Allah. I'll get her to our cabin, Larry.
Speaker 9 (15:49):
When I was at my worst before, I never tried
to hurt myself. I'm not trying it now.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
I'm sorry. Louise startles me. All right, thoughts you thought?
Speaker 4 (16:01):
What do you think all those other people thought?
Speaker 9 (16:06):
Or did you?
Speaker 4 (16:09):
Did you plan it that way?
Speaker 5 (16:13):
Oh?
Speaker 9 (16:14):
Yes, that would be the way to do it, wouldn't
I don't know what you're getting there.
Speaker 5 (16:22):
Oh, you don't know what I'm getting at. Oh that's funny, Larry.
That's the funniest thing I've never heard.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
I think i'd better send the doctor.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
Yes, Larry, why don't you.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
By all means get the doctor in here.
Speaker 9 (16:44):
He's seen me off my net before.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
He'll believe whatever you tell him, and don't worry about me.
Speaker 9 (16:48):
I could deny so I'm blue in the face. He'll
just say I did that before too.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
But then there's no need for me to tell you
all because you already know it, don't you. You are
counting on him as an expert witness on here to
what Larry, what are you trying to get me to do.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
The way you're carrying on?
Speaker 6 (17:16):
Louise, It wouldn't surprise me if you ended up killing yourself.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
You're not eating any breakfast.
Speaker 4 (17:30):
I wasn't here when the steward brought it in.
Speaker 6 (17:33):
And what's that supposed to mean anything? You wanted to
you get hungry before lunchtime.
Speaker 4 (17:39):
It takes a long time to die of starvation.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Come in.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
Well.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
Good morning, doctor, Good morning, good morning mall.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
It's nice to see you again, missus Meadowdith.
Speaker 3 (17:53):
I heard you with a little upset, and I heard
there's nothing wrong with.
Speaker 9 (17:57):
Me, and I did not try to jump of for
board last night.
Speaker 3 (18:01):
Of course you didn't. I know that.
Speaker 6 (18:03):
I'm afraid I'm the one who jumped, doctor to conclusions naturally.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
It's upset Louise, yes, of course.
Speaker 6 (18:12):
So much so I can't get her to do any
breakfast this morning. I don't believe she trusts me anymore.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
I see you, see you.
Speaker 9 (18:22):
Don't see anything at all except what he wants you to.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Louise, do you think I'm going out of my mind again?
Speaker 9 (18:28):
Don't you? Because that's what he wants you to think.
Speaker 4 (18:31):
Though he's far too clever to come right out and
say so, doctor, He doesn't have to a few words
here and a few words there.
Speaker 9 (18:37):
A couple of incidents like last night, and you would
fall for it the way he knew you was.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
Please please, doc, dear, I'm afraid it is my fault.
I was just joking with King.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
He's trying to kill me, and it's a joke.
Speaker 5 (18:51):
Don't you see what he's doing to me?
Speaker 3 (18:53):
Louise, you must come yourself.
Speaker 4 (18:56):
No, of course, why should you, doctor, You don't know
what he is. I didn't know until I lived with him,
how cruel he is, how greedy. All I wanted was
to be free of it. Three months ago I thought
I would. But you couldn't allow that, could you, Larry.
Speaker 5 (19:15):
There was the money to think of.
Speaker 9 (19:17):
You couldn't let me go and take it with me.
You had to have it at.
Speaker 4 (19:22):
Any cost, even if it meant killing me to get it.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Cute Now, my dear missus meadow that you must not
go on like this. You'll only make yourself secret.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
You don't believe me to let me give you a
We can talk about it later.
Speaker 4 (19:37):
To think I would be the one to make it
so easy for him.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
All ready to go down, Louise.
Speaker 4 (19:49):
No, go ahead if you want to. I want to
stay on deck a while.
Speaker 6 (19:56):
You shouldn't be wandering around in the dark by yourself.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
Done.
Speaker 4 (20:01):
Come with me?
Speaker 3 (20:03):
Well, I'm surprised you would want me to.
Speaker 4 (20:08):
I don't have any real choice to do.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
I where do you want to go?
Speaker 4 (20:14):
I'm right here by the deck where a nice quiet spot.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
Deserted.
Speaker 7 (20:22):
Really it ought to suit you very as well, Larry.
I believe you could push me over the rail quite easily.
Speaker 8 (20:32):
Yes, I suppose I could, And it's not too far
for people to hear me screaming it.
Speaker 3 (20:42):
No, it isn't.
Speaker 4 (20:43):
Don't come money too late, a cook?
Speaker 9 (20:49):
So Larry, what are you waiting for?
Speaker 3 (20:52):
I really don't know.
Speaker 4 (20:56):
I am I supposed to make the first move.
Speaker 3 (20:58):
I don't think that would be necessary.
Speaker 6 (21:02):
I can't say I planned it just this way, as
long as you asked for it, Louis, don't jump, Louise.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
Over.
Speaker 7 (21:25):
We both went over.
Speaker 10 (21:28):
That was something else Larry hadn't changed on, but I had.
It was the only thing I knew to do in
order to save myself. Listening at bird gate at the
deck rim Even.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
Then, I wasn't sure i'd look through it, but I was.
Speaker 7 (21:48):
Pretty sure Larry wouldn't you see, he couldn't swim, not
a stroke. They never found him at all.
Speaker 9 (22:02):
Of course, they kept me in the infirmary for the
rest of the tryst because they thought I had lost
my mind again and was trying to jump overboard, and
that Larry tried to say.
Speaker 7 (22:13):
I didn't see any point in trying to explain it,
after all, that was what Larry wanted them to think.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Sauspence, You've been listening to Witness to Murderers, starring Joe
Loring and Leon Jenneys, and written especially for suspense by
Francis Rickett. In a moment a word about next week's
story of suspense. Haven't heard it yet? Shame you've been
missing the fun the Carol Burnett Richard Hayes Show. Enjoy
(22:50):
Carol and Richard five times every week. Hear them on
the CBS Radio Networks Carol Burnett Richard Hayes Show evenings.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
Monday through Fridays.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
Suspence is produced and directed by Bruno Dorato, junior music
supervision by Ethel Huber. Featured in tonight's story were Briner
Rayburn as Missus Blake, Mercer MacLeod as the ship's doctor,
Bob Dryden as Captain Woodbridge, Ronald Dawson as the steward,
and Guy Rtt is the man. Listen again next week,
(23:22):
when we return with Death of an Old Plane, written
by George Bamber, another tale well calculated to keep you
in
Speaker 3 (23:32):
Suspense.
And now a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
Listen now to act one of Witness to Murder, starring
Joan Loring and Leon Jenny, and written especially for suspense
by Francis Ricketts, who.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Lays me to turn that fairly Bay, all business will
please go us. All these stewards will direct yourself go
just follow that way, esper.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Everything will be a good morning. Captain, good morn?
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Is up? What you're said here?
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Madam?
Speaker 4 (00:51):
Ride?
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Missus merdy?
Speaker 4 (00:54):
Yes, I am well to move bone, Yes, I am,
thank you.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
And this must be mister Merried.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Oh yes, I'm so sorry.
Speaker 5 (01:03):
I'm Larry.
Speaker 4 (01:05):
This is Captain Mudbridge.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Glad to meet you. Captain, how'd you do that?
Speaker 6 (01:09):
I want to thank you for taking such good care
of my wife on.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
The trip over.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
We were happy to do what we could. I'm pleased
to see her looking so well.
Speaker 7 (01:17):
Yes, I mean thank you.
Speaker 8 (01:20):
I At first I remember thinking only that it was
a mistake, that we should have gone home somewhere away,
or at least on.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
Some other ships. How could I have been such a
fool not to realize.
Speaker 9 (01:39):
How humilliating it would be to face all those people again.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
To seem to look at me, and remember.
Speaker 9 (01:48):
To feel them point me out, and know they were
whispering about me, watching every move I made for the
first sign of something clear.
Speaker 4 (01:57):
Didn't Captain Hoodbridge say something to the man beside him
if we walked away?
Speaker 9 (02:02):
Wouldn't they all be saying something to the ones beside
them as I walked by?
Speaker 10 (02:09):
Well, they wouldn't get.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
A chance to.
Speaker 9 (02:12):
Because I wasn't going to stay. You get off the ship,
find another one.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
It wasn't fair to expecute it. Even as I thought it.
Speaker 9 (02:23):
I have felt the ship begin to move, and I knew
it was too late.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
I'll have to ask the stewards to Louise, what on
earth the matter?
Speaker 5 (02:34):
Lay? I can't face all these two.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
What's gonna face them? About?
Speaker 7 (02:42):
Very young?
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Can you say that now?
Speaker 6 (02:43):
Louise, listen to me. You're letting your imagination run away
with you. There must be two thousand passengers on this ship.
You don't know them, and they don't know but the stewards,
all right, a couple of stewards know who you are
and some of the wacky things you did coming over.
Do you think you are the only woman in the
world who's ever had a nervous breakdown on an ocean voyage.
(03:04):
Do you think in the three months since then they
haven't had a couple of other passengers flip their lids?
Very I'm sorry, you might as well face it.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Louise.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
You needn't put it in those terms.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
I said, I was socked.
Speaker 5 (03:18):
And you needn't have put them through this either.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
You could have put passage on another ship. We could
have flown her.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
I told you these were the only accommodations we could get.
We're not the only people trying to get home from Europe.
Speaker 6 (03:30):
We were done lucky to get anything at all.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Besides, I think it's just as well we are on
this ship.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Why, Larry, what are you getting at?
Speaker 3 (03:43):
I'm not getting at anything.
Speaker 11 (03:46):
But you know, I'm practically all well, the doctor said,
So of course I know it.
Speaker 6 (03:52):
It's just that if anything should happen, we should get sick.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
If I get sick, I'll no, I'm getting sick.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
You didn't know it last time. Oh please, Larie, No, Louise,
let's don't start that again.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Start again.
Speaker 6 (04:10):
If I'd thought you weren't well enough to make the trip,
we wouldn't be.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Making it, would we, well, would we.
Speaker 9 (04:19):
Guess?
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Yeah, that's better. Now, the thing for you to do
is to forget all about the things that have been
bothering you the past.
Speaker 6 (04:26):
Few months, and forget all this nonsense about the people
on the ship and just have a pleasant, RESTful trip home.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Yes, all right, all right.
Speaker 6 (04:37):
Oh and by the way, Louise, if the steward comes in, yes,
if I were you, i'd lay.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Off the French bit.
Speaker 5 (04:47):
Layoff?
Speaker 4 (04:50):
What do you mean?
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Well, I don't.
Speaker 6 (04:51):
Suppose the captain thought anything about it, and probably the
steward wouldn't either. But well, after all.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
That was the start of your trouble last time, and
it might give people the wrong idea.
Speaker 5 (05:04):
How real are you talking about.
Speaker 6 (05:06):
Nolloise, Don't get worked up. I merely said take it
easy on the French.
Speaker 5 (05:12):
I haven't spoken one word of it. Sorry, for the
love of God, don't look.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
At me like that.
Speaker 6 (05:21):
You don't remember what you said to Captain Woodry.
Speaker 5 (05:27):
But I didn't say anything, Oh.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Larrie, that was a woman ahead of what she was
speaking French. I remember, I remember what she said, something
about a pleasant trip.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Larry.
Speaker 11 (05:38):
I hardly said anything at all, only yes and time
you like I couldn't have I'd remember it, Larry.
Speaker 6 (05:49):
I didn't, did I, look, Louise, It really doesn't matter, right.
I just thought it would be better for you if
you stayed away from upset you, so we won't say
anything more about please.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
Hi, Sacker. And my mind went back frantically.
Speaker 9 (06:14):
Over our arrival aboard.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Ship, every step of it, every word of it.
Speaker 9 (06:19):
Larry was wrong, he.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Had to be.
Speaker 9 (06:24):
If I had said something, I'd remember it, wouldn't I
The other time.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
There's the other time. I forced myself to think back
to the day three months ago when I.
Speaker 9 (06:40):
Boarded the same ship in New York, when all I
could think of was that I was free of Larry
at last, and on my way to Paris, free and alone.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
But I was not quite alone. I would I would
be sharing my cabin with another woman. I remember that
I had always been there a few moments.
Speaker 12 (07:02):
Hello, I guess we're going to be roommates.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Oh sure, I see you're getting into.
Speaker 12 (07:08):
The spirit of it already. Well, I'm Helen Blake.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
You're this is Meredith Madame, Oh dear.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
And that means yes, doesn't it.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
I'm afraid that's about the extent.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Of my French. Yes, Hello and hello. I suppose you
speak it very well.
Speaker 12 (07:29):
Well, I don't have the remotest idea what you said,
but I guess it.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Answers my question.
Speaker 12 (07:34):
You'll have to give me a few tips before we.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Get there, so I'll at least be able to get.
Speaker 10 (07:38):
By if we put Oh.
Speaker 12 (07:47):
Sure, I guess, well get settled.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
Which is my bunk?
Speaker 12 (07:55):
Oh no, look enough, he said, No, you want this bunker?
Speaker 2 (07:58):
The other one?
Speaker 4 (07:59):
The more wasn't a tartan.
Speaker 12 (08:04):
For heaven's sake, I thought you were an American woman.
Don't you speak any English at all? I?
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Yes, yes, of course I speak English.
Speaker 12 (08:16):
Oh, thank Heaven for that.
Speaker 6 (08:19):
I was beginning to think that I'd wound up.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
Why do you ask? Why I ask for.
Speaker 12 (08:25):
If I speak English, for Heaven's sake, because you haven't
spoken one word of it till just now.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
How you are rattling along in French? At least I
suppose it was French. Oh no, it is the issue,
you feel, all right? You looking awfully white.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
I tried to make some excuse and couldn't. I knew
what you must be thinking. I was thinking it myself.
I just stood there and stilled at her, numbed.
Speaker 8 (08:59):
Hear the same kind of fear that grip me now only.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
Worse now, because now I knew what must be.
Speaker 9 (09:08):
Happening, and that would be as powerless to prevent it
this time as I had been the first time three
months ago.
Speaker 4 (09:15):
Only why why did the doctor let me go? If
I were so near another breakdown? Surely they could see
it coming, hadn't they told Larry I was well enough
that I'd be all right. Hadn't the doctor's written him
a letter? Yes, he had a letter, he said he had.
(09:36):
He was still happy.
Speaker 5 (09:38):
But where where.
Speaker 9 (09:40):
Would he keep it?
Speaker 4 (09:42):
It's got to be here somewhere. Sure he wouldn't throw
it away. He couldn't happen.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
Looking for something.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Oh, I I didn't hear you coming.
Speaker 13 (09:55):
Letter?
Speaker 5 (09:58):
Where's the letter?
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Letter? What letter? Oh a Steward?
Speaker 6 (10:02):
Just bring that right on in here, Yes, sir, I
thought you might like some coffee.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
He Louise, you know mister Haskins, I believe thy times,
I said they what?
Speaker 6 (10:15):
Well, Louise, can't you say hello to mister Haskins. I'm sorry, Steward,
I'm afraid my wife is a little upset this morning,
you understand, oh, sir.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Sorry to hear it, Sir.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
If you need a thing, just string for it now.
What's this all about? A letter?
Speaker 4 (10:40):
How could you bring that man in here?
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Well, he's a steward.
Speaker 6 (10:44):
I did think he was rather stupid of you not
to speak to him, Really, Louise, if you want people
to think you're perfectly normal, you might act as if
you are.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
There's no telling what he thinks, now, what.
Speaker 9 (10:59):
He thinks, what you told him to think, what I
told him to think.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Really, Louise, stop really louising me. You're exciting yourself.
Speaker 5 (11:10):
Would you be.
Speaker 6 (11:13):
If I thought?
Speaker 9 (11:13):
What?
Speaker 5 (11:15):
Nothing?
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Have some coffee, dear, It will calm you down.
Speaker 5 (11:22):
I don't flat, coney.
Speaker 13 (11:25):
I don't want to be left alone.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
In just a moment we'll return. We're that two of ustmen.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Will you have small coffins?
Speaker 9 (11:53):
There?
Speaker 2 (11:53):
It is?
Speaker 4 (11:54):
Oh?
Speaker 8 (11:55):
Yes, thank you?
Speaker 2 (11:56):
You're awfully quiet?
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Does he means not a good malde mare?
Speaker 2 (12:01):
I hope your husband said earlier you weren't feeding up
the far captain.
Speaker 4 (12:06):
You know, I never have a bit of malder mayre.
If I have it, it's a great big chunk of it.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
Yes, right, so well, I'm sure you've seen the last
of that.
Speaker 9 (12:18):
A lot of other people seem to be having malder
mare though.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Oh why do you say that there.
Speaker 9 (12:24):
Are so many empty places.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
At the table so that No, I'm afraid that's mostly
a lack of bookings.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
But I thought you were a book solid.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
No, not a good time as year. We're into the
off season travel now.
Speaker 8 (12:38):
Oh well for about other ships then, I mean, are
they full luck?
Speaker 3 (12:44):
No, nothing more than we are.
Speaker 5 (12:46):
But then right, but where I was?
Speaker 4 (12:51):
Oh? Nothing taking wood Bridge?
Speaker 5 (12:55):
Yes, I I don't.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
You remember our coming on board this morning?
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Certainly I do. I greeted you myself, But no, I
didn't mean that.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
I mean, of course I knew you would remember that.
I meant, do you?
Speaker 9 (13:13):
I don't suppose you remember what I said?
Speaker 3 (13:16):
What you said?
Speaker 9 (13:18):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (13:19):
I mean, do you remember anything special?
Speaker 2 (13:23):
I'm afraid not. Was there something you wanted to tell me?
Speaker 4 (13:28):
Oh? No, it wasn't that.
Speaker 7 (13:30):
It was.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
Never mind it was it wasn't anything.
Speaker 2 (13:37):
Oh missus meath. I do hope that everything's all right?
Speaker 5 (13:41):
Oh?
Speaker 7 (13:42):
Yeah, yes, everything is fine. I could have cried.
Speaker 9 (13:54):
What could I say to him? Captain Woodbridge?
Speaker 4 (13:57):
Did I say anything to you in French?
Speaker 9 (14:01):
He would have thought I was mad?
Speaker 4 (14:04):
Now he thought it.
Speaker 9 (14:05):
Anywhere and if I stayed in my cabin, so nobody
said nothing.
Speaker 8 (14:13):
But that was exactly what I had done on the.
Speaker 9 (14:15):
Trip three months ago, until the madness drove me to
do the queer things that finally made them come and
take me away to the infirmary and knock me out
with drugs.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
If I had been afraid that morning, it was nothing.
Speaker 9 (14:29):
To the fear that gripped me.
Speaker 4 (14:31):
Now was I going that? I didn't know? I don't
know that Larry had lied to me. Larry had trapped
me into this and there was no escape.
Speaker 6 (14:51):
You seem to be having quite a conversation with the captain.
Speaker 9 (14:56):
Wasn't anything tired?
Speaker 2 (14:59):
What am I supposed to stay?
Speaker 12 (15:00):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (15:02):
What's the matter with you? Louise? You're you're not yoursel?
Speaker 9 (15:06):
I'm not sure I know what myself is anymore.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
What's that over there?
Speaker 4 (15:12):
Where?
Speaker 6 (15:13):
Why's your beach bag? Isn't it now? How did it
come to be there?
Speaker 4 (15:17):
I don't know. I was wondering where it was all morning.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
I'll get it, Louise, stay away from that rail. Say that.
Speaker 5 (15:26):
You actually why?
Speaker 1 (15:29):
You're all right?
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Yes?
Speaker 6 (15:31):
Yes, yes, she's all right now, Thank you, Louise. What
made you do it?
Speaker 5 (15:35):
Lorry?
Speaker 4 (15:36):
I didn't do a thing.
Speaker 3 (15:37):
Is there anything I can do? No? No, nothing? Thank you?
Thank you Allah. I'll get her to our cabin, Larry.
Speaker 9 (15:49):
When I was at my worst before, I never tried
to hurt myself. I'm not trying it now.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
I'm sorry. Louise startles me. All right, thoughts you thought?
Speaker 4 (16:01):
What do you think all those other people thought?
Speaker 9 (16:06):
Or did you?
Speaker 4 (16:09):
Did you plan it that way?
Speaker 5 (16:13):
Oh?
Speaker 9 (16:14):
Yes, that would be the way to do it, wouldn't
I don't know what you're getting there.
Speaker 5 (16:22):
Oh, you don't know what I'm getting at. Oh that's funny, Larry.
That's the funniest thing I've never heard.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
I think i'd better send the doctor.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
Yes, Larry, why don't you.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
By all means get the doctor in here.
Speaker 9 (16:44):
He's seen me off my net before.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
He'll believe whatever you tell him, and don't worry about me.
Speaker 9 (16:48):
I could deny so I'm blue in the face. He'll
just say I did that before too.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
But then there's no need for me to tell you
all because you already know it, don't you. You are
counting on him as an expert witness on here to
what Larry, what are you trying to get me to do.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
The way you're carrying on?
Speaker 6 (17:16):
Louise, It wouldn't surprise me if you ended up killing yourself.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
You're not eating any breakfast.
Speaker 4 (17:30):
I wasn't here when the steward brought it in.
Speaker 6 (17:33):
And what's that supposed to mean anything? You wanted to
you get hungry before lunchtime.
Speaker 4 (17:39):
It takes a long time to die of starvation.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Come in.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
Well.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
Good morning, doctor, Good morning, good morning mall.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
It's nice to see you again, missus Meadowdith.
Speaker 3 (17:53):
I heard you with a little upset, and I heard
there's nothing wrong with.
Speaker 9 (17:57):
Me, and I did not try to jump of for
board last night.
Speaker 3 (18:01):
Of course you didn't. I know that.
Speaker 6 (18:03):
I'm afraid I'm the one who jumped, doctor to conclusions naturally.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
It's upset Louise, yes, of course.
Speaker 6 (18:12):
So much so I can't get her to do any
breakfast this morning. I don't believe she trusts me anymore.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
I see you, see you.
Speaker 9 (18:22):
Don't see anything at all except what he wants you to.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Louise, do you think I'm going out of my mind again?
Speaker 9 (18:28):
Don't you? Because that's what he wants you to think.
Speaker 4 (18:31):
Though he's far too clever to come right out and
say so, doctor, He doesn't have to a few words
here and a few words there.
Speaker 9 (18:37):
A couple of incidents like last night, and you would
fall for it the way he knew you was.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
Please please, doc, dear, I'm afraid it is my fault.
I was just joking with King.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
He's trying to kill me, and it's a joke.
Speaker 5 (18:51):
Don't you see what he's doing to me?
Speaker 3 (18:53):
Louise, you must come yourself.
Speaker 4 (18:56):
No, of course, why should you, doctor, You don't know
what he is. I didn't know until I lived with him,
how cruel he is, how greedy. All I wanted was
to be free of it. Three months ago I thought
I would. But you couldn't allow that, could you, Larry.
Speaker 5 (19:15):
There was the money to think of.
Speaker 9 (19:17):
You couldn't let me go and take it with me.
You had to have it at.
Speaker 4 (19:22):
Any cost, even if it meant killing me to get it.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Cute Now, my dear missus meadow that you must not
go on like this. You'll only make yourself secret.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
You don't believe me to let me give you a
We can talk about it later.
Speaker 4 (19:37):
To think I would be the one to make it
so easy for him.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
All ready to go down, Louise.
Speaker 4 (19:49):
No, go ahead if you want to. I want to
stay on deck a while.
Speaker 6 (19:56):
You shouldn't be wandering around in the dark by yourself.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
Done.
Speaker 4 (20:01):
Come with me?
Speaker 3 (20:03):
Well, I'm surprised you would want me to.
Speaker 4 (20:08):
I don't have any real choice to do.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
I where do you want to go?
Speaker 4 (20:14):
I'm right here by the deck where a nice quiet spot.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
Deserted.
Speaker 7 (20:22):
Really it ought to suit you very as well, Larry.
I believe you could push me over the rail quite easily.
Speaker 8 (20:32):
Yes, I suppose I could, And it's not too far
for people to hear me screaming it.
Speaker 3 (20:42):
No, it isn't.
Speaker 4 (20:43):
Don't come money too late, a cook?
Speaker 9 (20:49):
So Larry, what are you waiting for?
Speaker 3 (20:52):
I really don't know.
Speaker 4 (20:56):
I am I supposed to make the first move.
Speaker 3 (20:58):
I don't think that would be necessary.
Speaker 6 (21:02):
I can't say I planned it just this way, as
long as you asked for it, Louis, don't jump, Louise.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
Over.
Speaker 7 (21:25):
We both went over.
Speaker 10 (21:28):
That was something else Larry hadn't changed on, but I had.
It was the only thing I knew to do in
order to save myself. Listening at bird gate at the
deck rim Even.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
Then, I wasn't sure i'd look through it, but I was.
Speaker 7 (21:48):
Pretty sure Larry wouldn't you see, he couldn't swim, not
a stroke. They never found him at all.
Speaker 9 (22:02):
Of course, they kept me in the infirmary for the
rest of the tryst because they thought I had lost
my mind again and was trying to jump overboard, and
that Larry tried to say.
Speaker 7 (22:13):
I didn't see any point in trying to explain it,
after all, that was what Larry wanted them to think.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Sauspence, You've been listening to Witness to Murderers, starring Joe
Loring and Leon Jenneys, and written especially for suspense by
Francis Rickett. In a moment a word about next week's
story of suspense. Haven't heard it yet? Shame you've been
missing the fun the Carol Burnett Richard Hayes Show. Enjoy
(22:50):
Carol and Richard five times every week. Hear them on
the CBS Radio Networks Carol Burnett Richard Hayes Show evenings.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
Monday through Fridays.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
Suspence is produced and directed by Bruno Dorato, junior music
supervision by Ethel Huber. Featured in tonight's story were Briner
Rayburn as Missus Blake, Mercer MacLeod as the ship's doctor,
Bob Dryden as Captain Woodbridge, Ronald Dawson as the steward,
and Guy Rtt is the man. Listen again next week,
(23:22):
when we return with Death of an Old Plane, written
by George Bamber, another tale well calculated to keep you
in
Speaker 3 (23:32):
Suspense.
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