July 25, 2025 • 30 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:28):
Oh, when the signalman heard my voice thus calling to.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Him, he was standing at the door of his box
with a flag in his hand, pulled round its short pole.
One would have thought he could not have dufted from
what quarter the voice came. But instead of looking up
to where I stood on the top of the deep
pupping over the railway line, he turned himself about and
looked down the line. There was something remarkable about the man,
(01:14):
the way he stood, something strange, perhaps uncanny, but certainly
I would have termed such a vault mere imagination. Then
I know now what was remarkable about that man. And
even though years were passed, I still see his figure
(01:36):
foreshortened and shadowed down the deep trench.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
I figure high above him.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
So steeped in the glow of an angry sunset, that
I shaded my eyes with my hand before I saw.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Him at all.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Oh, is that.
Speaker 5 (01:58):
Pumped down on the.
Speaker 6 (02:12):
Biotechs the New Soak and pre Washed Powder presents.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Beyond Midnight by Michael McKay. Now that is where speaking.
Speaker 7 (02:24):
About biotechs in a series of programs, and Missus C. B.
Granger of Gordon Roade, Heathfield and the Cape wrote to
say that she decided to try our biotechs just to
see if it lived up to our claims. Since she said,
I bought a packet and lo and behold, it actually
did just what the advert said. I am so proud
of the children's white shirts, the Hankees and the underwear
(02:46):
that I want to say it would be biotechs for
me every washing day from now on. Some of my
family's accessories were left with slight stains, but now, thanks
to biotechs soaking, they come out white and the states
do go away. As you say. Now, that is the
statement from Missus Granger of heath Field, of the Cape,
(03:07):
and it bears out what we have been saying to
you ladies ever since biotechs first came on the market.
We said to you it is different to any washing
product that you've ever used before. We claim that the
stubborner stains will vanish, and people like Missus.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Granger bear out our claims.
Speaker 7 (03:26):
Remember biotechts.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
I climbed down and approached the man.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
He stood now with his left hand his chin, his
right hand across his breast. His pulse was in a
solitary and dismal place. As ever I saw. There was
an earthy deadly smell and little sunlight penetrated down to
the line and signal box the gloomy entrance of the
(04:18):
Black Tunnel.
Speaker 5 (04:20):
Yawn.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
I stopped a few feet in front of the man,
and suddenly he stepped back and raised his right hand.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
There was something in the man that daunted me.
Speaker 8 (04:33):
This is a lonesome post to occupy a visitor, I
should think must be a rarity.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
I uh, I looked down from up yonder and felt
the need to come down.
Speaker 8 (04:44):
Signal boxes have always riveted my attention.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
He directed a most curious look towards the red light
near the panel's bower.
Speaker 5 (04:54):
The light is in your.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Charge, is not don't you?
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Don't you know? It is monstrous? Thought came into my mind.
This was a spirit, not a man. I stepped back,
and then I detected an eye some latent fear of me.
Speaker 8 (05:13):
You look at me as if you had a dread
on me. I was doubtful whether I'd seen you before. Well,
there by the night there, my good fellow.
Speaker 5 (05:25):
What should I do there?
Speaker 8 (05:27):
What, however, be that if it may I I never
was there?
Speaker 3 (05:30):
You may be sure of that I I I've.
Speaker 8 (05:33):
Always had a fascination for railways and they're working. If
it would not disturb you, may I prevail upon you.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
To show me over your book of course, then and come.
Speaker 9 (05:45):
This way, so come this way, thank you, come this way,
so please.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
Manual labor I had next to none.
Speaker 8 (06:01):
I have to trim those lights, turn out.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Iron handle now and then many long dreary hours I
have to spend here, So I occupy my time working
at fractions and equations and problems.
Speaker 8 (06:14):
You know, is it necessary if you always to remain
in this damp air down here, even in the signal
box for the fire glowered it? It is some whole oppressive?
Speaker 3 (06:26):
Can you never rise into the sunshine?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
But that depends upon times, in circumstances. I see, under
some conditions there.
Speaker 8 (06:33):
Will be less upon the line than under others. In
bright weather, I go up for a change.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Certain hours of the day and night I'm free than others.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
But at all times I'm liable to be called by
my electric bell.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
Forgive me.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
But if you appear better educated than your station and
life calls for I mean no offense. When I was younger,
I was a student of natural philosophy. I attended lectures,
but it all came to nothing. I ran wild and
was sent down. I had never risen again. But I've
made my bedsernd, now I must lie on it. It's
(07:12):
too late to make another uh, acceptance of things for
what they are. There something that that you almost make
me believe that I have met a contented man I
used to be.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
But I'm trouble, sir. I'm troubled, oh with what? What
is your trouble?
Speaker 2 (07:33):
It is very difficult to impart, very very difficult to
speak of. If if you, if you ever make another visitor,
I will try to tell you that I expressly intend
to make you another visit.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Say when shall it be?
Speaker 2 (07:49):
I go up early in the morning, and I should
be on guard at ten tomorrow night.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
I'll uh, I'll come at eleven.
Speaker 8 (07:57):
I'll show you my white light.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
That is till you found the way.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
When you have found it, don't call out, And when
you're at at the top, don't call out very well.
E Let me ask you a a parting question. What
made you cry hello below there tonight?
Speaker 8 (08:21):
Several nos, I I tried something of that.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
If they know not to that effect?
Speaker 8 (08:27):
Those were the very words I know them well well.
I spoke of us because I I saw you below
and wished to attract your attention well for no other reason.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
What other reason could I possibly have?
Speaker 2 (08:42):
You had no feeling that they were conveyed you in
any supernatural way.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
No, Oh, good night, sir. Oh may I inquire your name?
Speaker 10 (08:57):
Mine is William Bendy, Mine as child begins.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
There was something seemingly peculiar about the man of this.
I was sure that I could hardly wait the time.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Before I could speak with him again.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
That he was well educated, There was no doubt that
he feared something or someone very greatly.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
There was no doubt either, there was something tortured about him.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
While we talked that first night, he was several times
interrupted by the little bell, and had to read off.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
Messages and send replies.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Once, he had to stand and display a flag as
a train passed. Once or twice while he was speaking,
he turned and watched the bell, and his face drained
of all color when he did not ring spoctual to
my appointment the next night, good night, sir in my hand,
(10:08):
good night to you there, and he's mine. I have
made up my mind, sir, that you shall not have
to ask me twice what troubles me? Oh, please be seated.
Speaker 8 (10:22):
I took you for someone.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Else yesterday night. That troubles me, that mistake. No, that's
someone else. Who was it? I don't know, like me,
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
I I never saw the face. The left arm is
across the face, and the left arm is waved violently,
waved this way.
Speaker 5 (10:47):
For pity's sake, clear the way.
Speaker 8 (10:52):
One moonlight night, I was sitting here when I heard
a voice.
Speaker 5 (10:56):
Cry hello, Hello there, look out.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
I started up, looked from that door and saw that
someone else standing by the red light near the tunnel.
Speaker 8 (11:09):
Waving as I just showed you. The voice seemed hoarse
with shouting, and he cried, look out.
Speaker 5 (11:14):
Look out, and then again hello below the look out.
Speaker 8 (11:20):
I caught up my lamp, turned it on red, and
ran towards the figure.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Look out.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
Wha, wha.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
The figure just stood in the blackness outside the tunnel.
I had gone too close upon it that I wondered
at he keeping the sleeve before the eyes. I ran
up to it and had my hands stretched out to
pull the sleeve away.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
When it was gone, I into the tunnel.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Now, I ran into the tunnel five hundred yards. I
stopped and held my lamp above my head and saw
the figures of the measure distance, and saw the wet
stains steaming down the walls.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
And trickling through the arch.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
I ran up again, faster than I had run in,
for I had a mortal abhorrence of the place upon me.
Speaker 8 (12:24):
And I looked all around the red.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
Light with my own red light, and I went up
the iron ladder atop of it. And then I came
down again and ran back here. I telegraphed both ways,
an alarm has been given, Is anything wrong?
Speaker 3 (12:45):
An alarm has been give 'em? Is anything wrong? All all?
Speaker 5 (12:51):
An alarm had been given?
Speaker 3 (12:53):
In anything wrong? All alarm?
Speaker 8 (13:11):
That's that's a figure must have been a deception of
your senses, the deception of your sense of sight.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
The figures such as you describe.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Sometimes the originate in the delicate nerve the minister, to
the functions of the eye, as to the imaginary voice.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
Well, the wind is a the wind.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Which sometimes sounds well in this unnatural valley. I think
that is all very well. I know about the wind
and telegraph wires. I passed many long nights here alone
and watching. But but I beg to remark, sir, that
I have not finished my story.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
I I ask your pardon.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Within six hours after the appearance, the memorable accident on
this line happened, and within ten hours the dead and
wounded were brought along through the tunnel over the spot
where the figure had stood.
Speaker 8 (14:29):
Now an effective spray on furniture polish that gives a
wax shine instantly Johnson's pledge.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
Just spray on.
Speaker 8 (14:38):
And your dust becomes a magnet picks up every speck
of dust in seconds.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Fledge dusts cleans.
Speaker 8 (14:48):
Deep waxes quickly easily, and new deeper wax formula pledge
will protect your furniture longer. By Johnson's pledge aerosol to day, go.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
Go, That's all you had to do the job waur
an hour of to you fine.
Speaker 8 (15:09):
Knew when you used new biote amazing new biotech.
Speaker 5 (15:13):
So comms pained away queen.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Keen, Everything soon will be lean keen for all the
well to see them stand away either the way who
you do biomes.
Speaker 8 (15:26):
Get amazing new biotech today and let soaking do the washing.
Within ten hours, the dead and wounded were brought along
through the.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
Tunnel over the spot where the figure had stood. This
was just a year ago.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Six or seven months passed and I had recovered from
the surprising shock. When one morning, as day was breaking,
I standing at that door, looked towards the red.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
Light and saw the specter again did a cry out.
Now it was silent, and did it wave its arm.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Now it leaned against the shaft of the light with
both hands before the face like this, like an action
of morning I had seen in Stone fickering toombs to
do go up to it. I came in and sat down,
partly to collect my thoughts, partly because it had turned
(16:31):
me faint.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
When I went to the door again, daylight was all
around me.
Speaker 9 (16:37):
And.
Speaker 11 (16:39):
And the ghost had gone goes.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
That very day, as the train came out of the tunnel,
I noticed at.
Speaker 8 (16:48):
A carriage window on my side a confusion of hands
and heads. I saw it just in time to signal
the driver stop. He shut off and put his brakes on,
but the train drifted passed here my hundred or fifty
yards or there.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
A beautiful young lady had died.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Instantly in one of the compartments, and she was brought
in here to the box and lay there on the
floor between.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
The trucer.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
True precisely as it happened, So I did it? You now, sir,
mark this and judge how my mind is troubled. The
specter came back a week ago. Ever since, it has
been there now and again by fits and starts at
(17:37):
the light, at the danger light of cause it seemed to.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
Do like this er for pretty's sake, Clear of way, I.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Have no peace or rest from it. It calls to me.
It calls for many.
Speaker 8 (18:11):
Minutes together in an agonized way.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
It rings my little bell.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
I remember, did it ring your bell yesterday evening? When
I was here and you went to the door twice?
For I see I imagination mislead you.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
My eyes were on the bell, and my ears were
opened to the bell.
Speaker 8 (18:32):
And if I am a living man, it did not
ring at both times, no, nor at any other time,
except in the course of natural physical things, when it
was rung by the station communicating to you.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
I had never made a mistake as to that.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
Yet, sir, I have never confused the specter's ring with
a man's. The ghost's ring is a strange vibration in
the bell that it derives from nothing else. And I'm
not it that the bell stirs to the eye. I
don't wonder that you failed to hear it. But I
(19:07):
heard it, and did the specter seemed to be there
when you looked out.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
It was there both.
Speaker 12 (19:14):
Times, both times when you come to the door and
look with me. Now, oh, I saw the danger.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
Light looked as a monk for tunnel. I went stone
walls of the cutting.
Speaker 11 (19:38):
There were stars in the sky.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
Don't see it, No, it is not there.
Speaker 8 (19:48):
Agreed By this time, sir, you will fully understand that
what troubles me greatly is what does the specter mean?
I I do not know what is his warning against?
(20:09):
What is the danger?
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Where is the danger?
Speaker 2 (20:12):
There is danger overhanging somewhere under line, Some dreadful calamity
will happen. It is not to be doubted this third time,
after what has gone before. But surely this is a
cruel haunting of me.
Speaker 3 (20:25):
What can I do at this? The poor man pulled out.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
His handkerchief, and like the drops from his heated fire,
I could think of bothering concertainly wing to put courage
into him. If I telegraph danger and I decide of
me or on both, I can give no reason for it.
I should get into trouble and do no good. They
would think I was mad? Can you imagine this?
Speaker 11 (20:53):
Is the way it would work.
Speaker 5 (20:57):
Danger, Take care? What's danger where? I don't know how.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Care?
Speaker 8 (21:08):
They would say I'd gone mad, and they would displace me.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
What else could they do? This bang of mind was
most pitiable to see.
Speaker 2 (21:19):
It was the mental torture of a conscientious man, oppressed
beyond endurance by our responsibility involving life. When it first
stood under the danger light? Why not tell me how
it might be alerted? Why not tell me where the
accident was to happen, if it had to happen, when
on the second coming it hid his head?
Speaker 8 (21:40):
Why not tell me instead, she's going to die? Tell
them to keep her at home? If it came on
those two occasions only to show me that its warnings
were true, and so to prepare me for the third,
why not warn me plainly?
Speaker 11 (21:52):
Now?
Speaker 8 (21:53):
And I a poor signal man on this solitary station,
why not go to somebody with ready to be believed
in power to act?
Speaker 3 (22:03):
Then?
Speaker 2 (22:04):
The William you you cannot blame yourself for anything like, Oh,
you must not become so agitated. Whoever so thoroughly discharges
as duty as you do, must do well. It must
needs be comfort to know full well that you understand
your duty perfectly.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
That remained. I know that that you do not understand
these confounded.
Speaker 8 (22:29):
Appearances that you must not take on. So I I
will not insult you by trying to reason you out
of your belief.
Speaker 11 (22:39):
Thank you, sir.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
I left him at two o'clock that morning. I I'd
offered to stay the night, but he would not hear
of it. As I climbed the power up, I looked
down to the red light.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
I I did not like it.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
I full will I should not sleep sound that my
bed wunder Nor did I like the two sequences of
the accident of the dead girl.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
I I wondered how I ought to act.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
I knew a man to be painstaking, vigilant, and although
in an inferior position, he held a most important trust,
how long with his mind as it was, would he
remained to execute this trust with precision?
Speaker 3 (23:25):
I wondered.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
I resolved to accompany him to the wisest medical man
in those parts, and to take his opinion. Something told
me that would be most treacherous to communicate all of
the signalmen, and told me to his superiors it might
well cost him his living. A change in his time
of duty would come round next night. He had informed
me he would be off an hour or two after sunrise,
(23:48):
and on again soon after sunset. I had appointed to
return accordingly, and the next evening was a lovely evening,
(24:15):
and I walked out early to enjoy it. The sun
was not yet quite down when I traversed the field
path near the top of the deep cutting. I would
extend my walk for an hour, I said to myself.
Speaker 8 (24:27):
Half an hour and half an hour back, and.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
It would then be time to go to my signal
and box. Before pursuing my stroll, I stepped up the
brink and mechanically looked down from the point from which
I had first seen. I cannot describe the thrill that
(24:54):
seized upon me when close to the mouth of the tunnel,
I saw the appearance of a man with his left
sleeve across his eyes, passionately waving his right arm. A
nameless horror that oppressed me quickly passed went close. At
the mouth of the panel, I saw that this appearance
of a man was a man. There was a little
(25:16):
group of men standing further away, and this first one
seemed to be rehearsing the gesture he made the gesture
of the signalman described so vividly. The danger light was
not yet lighted against its shaft. A little low hut
entirely new to me, had been made of some wooden
supports and tarp hole, and it looked no bigger than
(25:38):
a bed. I descended the path with all the speed
I could muster.
Speaker 5 (25:45):
Hello, Hello, what is the matter?
Speaker 8 (25:47):
What has happened Shakenoman kill this morning?
Speaker 5 (25:50):
Sir?
Speaker 8 (25:53):
Not not the man belonging to that box, Yes, sir,
not the man I knew. You will recognize him, sir,
if you knew him.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
You know, here's the top on caring from the small structure.
I that thop from above.
Speaker 11 (26:09):
His face is quite composed.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
How did this happen? He was cut down by an engine?
Speaker 2 (26:17):
Sir?
Speaker 3 (26:18):
No man in England knew his work better.
Speaker 11 (26:20):
But somehow he was not clear of the outer rail.
Speaker 3 (26:25):
It was just a broad day.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
An aide struck the light and had the lamp in
his hand, and as the engine came out of the tunnel,
his back was towards her and she cut him down.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
That man drove her and was showing how it happened.
Speaker 8 (26:42):
Show the gentleman tom Well coming round the curve in
the tunnel, Sir, I saw him at the end, like
as if I saw him down a perspective class. Well,
there was no time to check speed, and I knew
him to be very careful, but as he didn't seem
to take heed of the whistle, I shut it off,
and as we were running down upon him, I called
(27:04):
to him as loud as I could call.
Speaker 3 (27:06):
What did you say, say, sir?
Speaker 11 (27:10):
Why?
Speaker 8 (27:10):
I said below there, look out for pity's sake, cleared away.
Speaker 11 (27:47):
Said forder Crack.
Speaker 8 (27:51):
I never left off calling to answer. I put my
arm before my eyes so it's not to see and
I wait this arm right to the last, but which
was no loose. Let's play some music.
Speaker 3 (28:41):
I feel like dancing.
Speaker 8 (28:42):
But I thought you had a splicking headache.
Speaker 5 (28:44):
That was five minutes ago.
Speaker 8 (28:45):
I've taken grand Pi headache partes since Grandpi.
Speaker 9 (28:48):
Headache powders killed, pain, soon, strained nerves, and lip depression.
Speaker 3 (28:52):
Grand Pi headache powders.
Speaker 9 (28:54):
Are extra effective because they have a triple actual. Grandpi
headache powders work extra past because they dissolve almost immediately.
Get passed effective relief from any pain or pain. Get
Grandpa headache powders, Ah, Grandpa.
Speaker 5 (29:13):
That's what you'll have to do.
Speaker 3 (29:15):
Tell many job for an.
Speaker 6 (29:17):
Hour to five.
Speaker 5 (29:20):
As a way, here you new biotex.
Speaker 3 (29:24):
With amazing new biotechs.
Speaker 8 (29:25):
The stubblised stains will vanish, yes, vanish, clean away, just
by soaking your laundry over night in cold water, off
an hour or two in warm water, or by pre washing.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
It quickly in your washing machine. Get amazing new biotechs today.
Speaker 6 (29:42):
Beyond Midnight is presented every Friday night at half past
nine by Biotechs, the New Soak and pre Washed Powder.
The program is adapted for broadcasting and produced by Michael
McCabe
Oh, when the signalman heard my voice thus calling to.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Him, he was standing at the door of his box
with a flag in his hand, pulled round its short pole.
One would have thought he could not have dufted from
what quarter the voice came. But instead of looking up
to where I stood on the top of the deep
pupping over the railway line, he turned himself about and
looked down the line. There was something remarkable about the man,
(01:14):
the way he stood, something strange, perhaps uncanny, but certainly
I would have termed such a vault mere imagination. Then
I know now what was remarkable about that man. And
even though years were passed, I still see his figure
(01:36):
foreshortened and shadowed down the deep trench.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
I figure high above him.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
So steeped in the glow of an angry sunset, that
I shaded my eyes with my hand before I saw.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Him at all.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Oh, is that.
Speaker 5 (01:58):
Pumped down on the.
Speaker 6 (02:12):
Biotechs the New Soak and pre Washed Powder presents.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Beyond Midnight by Michael McKay. Now that is where speaking.
Speaker 7 (02:24):
About biotechs in a series of programs, and Missus C. B.
Granger of Gordon Roade, Heathfield and the Cape wrote to
say that she decided to try our biotechs just to
see if it lived up to our claims. Since she said,
I bought a packet and lo and behold, it actually
did just what the advert said. I am so proud
of the children's white shirts, the Hankees and the underwear
(02:46):
that I want to say it would be biotechs for
me every washing day from now on. Some of my
family's accessories were left with slight stains, but now, thanks
to biotechs soaking, they come out white and the states
do go away. As you say. Now, that is the
statement from Missus Granger of heath Field, of the Cape,
(03:07):
and it bears out what we have been saying to
you ladies ever since biotechs first came on the market.
We said to you it is different to any washing
product that you've ever used before. We claim that the
stubborner stains will vanish, and people like Missus.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Granger bear out our claims.
Speaker 7 (03:26):
Remember biotechts.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
I climbed down and approached the man.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
He stood now with his left hand his chin, his
right hand across his breast. His pulse was in a
solitary and dismal place. As ever I saw. There was
an earthy deadly smell and little sunlight penetrated down to
the line and signal box the gloomy entrance of the
(04:18):
Black Tunnel.
Speaker 5 (04:20):
Yawn.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
I stopped a few feet in front of the man,
and suddenly he stepped back and raised his right hand.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
There was something in the man that daunted me.
Speaker 8 (04:33):
This is a lonesome post to occupy a visitor, I
should think must be a rarity.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
I uh, I looked down from up yonder and felt
the need to come down.
Speaker 8 (04:44):
Signal boxes have always riveted my attention.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
He directed a most curious look towards the red light
near the panel's bower.
Speaker 5 (04:54):
The light is in your.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Charge, is not don't you?
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Don't you know? It is monstrous? Thought came into my mind.
This was a spirit, not a man. I stepped back,
and then I detected an eye some latent fear of me.
Speaker 8 (05:13):
You look at me as if you had a dread
on me. I was doubtful whether I'd seen you before. Well,
there by the night there, my good fellow.
Speaker 5 (05:25):
What should I do there?
Speaker 8 (05:27):
What, however, be that if it may I I never
was there?
Speaker 3 (05:30):
You may be sure of that I I I've.
Speaker 8 (05:33):
Always had a fascination for railways and they're working. If
it would not disturb you, may I prevail upon you.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
To show me over your book of course, then and come.
Speaker 9 (05:45):
This way, so come this way, thank you, come this way,
so please.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
Manual labor I had next to none.
Speaker 8 (06:01):
I have to trim those lights, turn out.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Iron handle now and then many long dreary hours I
have to spend here, So I occupy my time working
at fractions and equations and problems.
Speaker 8 (06:14):
You know, is it necessary if you always to remain
in this damp air down here, even in the signal
box for the fire glowered it? It is some whole oppressive?
Speaker 3 (06:26):
Can you never rise into the sunshine?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
But that depends upon times, in circumstances. I see, under
some conditions there.
Speaker 8 (06:33):
Will be less upon the line than under others. In
bright weather, I go up for a change.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Certain hours of the day and night I'm free than others.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
But at all times I'm liable to be called by
my electric bell.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
Forgive me.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
But if you appear better educated than your station and
life calls for I mean no offense. When I was younger,
I was a student of natural philosophy. I attended lectures,
but it all came to nothing. I ran wild and
was sent down. I had never risen again. But I've
made my bedsernd, now I must lie on it. It's
(07:12):
too late to make another uh, acceptance of things for
what they are. There something that that you almost make
me believe that I have met a contented man I
used to be.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
But I'm trouble, sir. I'm troubled, oh with what? What
is your trouble?
Speaker 2 (07:33):
It is very difficult to impart, very very difficult to
speak of. If if you, if you ever make another visitor,
I will try to tell you that I expressly intend
to make you another visit.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Say when shall it be?
Speaker 2 (07:49):
I go up early in the morning, and I should
be on guard at ten tomorrow night.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
I'll uh, I'll come at eleven.
Speaker 8 (07:57):
I'll show you my white light.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
That is till you found the way.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
When you have found it, don't call out, And when
you're at at the top, don't call out very well.
E Let me ask you a a parting question. What
made you cry hello below there tonight?
Speaker 8 (08:21):
Several nos, I I tried something of that.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
If they know not to that effect?
Speaker 8 (08:27):
Those were the very words I know them well well.
I spoke of us because I I saw you below
and wished to attract your attention well for no other reason.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
What other reason could I possibly have?
Speaker 2 (08:42):
You had no feeling that they were conveyed you in
any supernatural way.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
No, Oh, good night, sir. Oh may I inquire your name?
Speaker 10 (08:57):
Mine is William Bendy, Mine as child begins.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
There was something seemingly peculiar about the man of this.
I was sure that I could hardly wait the time.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Before I could speak with him again.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
That he was well educated, There was no doubt that
he feared something or someone very greatly.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
There was no doubt either, there was something tortured about him.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
While we talked that first night, he was several times
interrupted by the little bell, and had to read off.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
Messages and send replies.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Once, he had to stand and display a flag as
a train passed. Once or twice while he was speaking,
he turned and watched the bell, and his face drained
of all color when he did not ring spoctual to
my appointment the next night, good night, sir in my hand,
(10:08):
good night to you there, and he's mine. I have
made up my mind, sir, that you shall not have
to ask me twice what troubles me? Oh, please be seated.
Speaker 8 (10:22):
I took you for someone.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Else yesterday night. That troubles me, that mistake. No, that's
someone else. Who was it? I don't know, like me,
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
I I never saw the face. The left arm is
across the face, and the left arm is waved violently,
waved this way.
Speaker 5 (10:47):
For pity's sake, clear the way.
Speaker 8 (10:52):
One moonlight night, I was sitting here when I heard
a voice.
Speaker 5 (10:56):
Cry hello, Hello there, look out.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
I started up, looked from that door and saw that
someone else standing by the red light near the tunnel.
Speaker 8 (11:09):
Waving as I just showed you. The voice seemed hoarse
with shouting, and he cried, look out.
Speaker 5 (11:14):
Look out, and then again hello below the look out.
Speaker 8 (11:20):
I caught up my lamp, turned it on red, and
ran towards the figure.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Look out.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
Wha, wha.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
The figure just stood in the blackness outside the tunnel.
I had gone too close upon it that I wondered
at he keeping the sleeve before the eyes. I ran
up to it and had my hands stretched out to
pull the sleeve away.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
When it was gone, I into the tunnel.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Now, I ran into the tunnel five hundred yards. I
stopped and held my lamp above my head and saw
the figures of the measure distance, and saw the wet
stains steaming down the walls.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
And trickling through the arch.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
I ran up again, faster than I had run in,
for I had a mortal abhorrence of the place upon me.
Speaker 8 (12:24):
And I looked all around the red.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
Light with my own red light, and I went up
the iron ladder atop of it. And then I came
down again and ran back here. I telegraphed both ways,
an alarm has been given, Is anything wrong?
Speaker 3 (12:45):
An alarm has been give 'em? Is anything wrong? All all?
Speaker 5 (12:51):
An alarm had been given?
Speaker 3 (12:53):
In anything wrong? All alarm?
Speaker 8 (13:11):
That's that's a figure must have been a deception of
your senses, the deception of your sense of sight.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
The figures such as you describe.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Sometimes the originate in the delicate nerve the minister, to
the functions of the eye, as to the imaginary voice.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
Well, the wind is a the wind.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Which sometimes sounds well in this unnatural valley. I think
that is all very well. I know about the wind
and telegraph wires. I passed many long nights here alone
and watching. But but I beg to remark, sir, that
I have not finished my story.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
I I ask your pardon.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Within six hours after the appearance, the memorable accident on
this line happened, and within ten hours the dead and
wounded were brought along through the tunnel over the spot
where the figure had stood.
Speaker 8 (14:29):
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Speaker 3 (14:36):
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Speaker 8 (14:38):
And your dust becomes a magnet picks up every speck
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Speaker 3 (14:46):
Fledge dusts cleans.
Speaker 8 (14:48):
Deep waxes quickly easily, and new deeper wax formula pledge
will protect your furniture longer. By Johnson's pledge aerosol to day, go.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
Go, That's all you had to do the job waur
an hour of to you fine.
Speaker 8 (15:09):
Knew when you used new biote amazing new biotech.
Speaker 5 (15:13):
So comms pained away queen.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Keen, Everything soon will be lean keen for all the
well to see them stand away either the way who
you do biomes.
Speaker 8 (15:26):
Get amazing new biotech today and let soaking do the washing.
Within ten hours, the dead and wounded were brought along
through the.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
Tunnel over the spot where the figure had stood. This
was just a year ago.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Six or seven months passed and I had recovered from
the surprising shock. When one morning, as day was breaking,
I standing at that door, looked towards the red.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
Light and saw the specter again did a cry out.
Now it was silent, and did it wave its arm.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Now it leaned against the shaft of the light with
both hands before the face like this, like an action
of morning I had seen in Stone fickering toombs to
do go up to it. I came in and sat down,
partly to collect my thoughts, partly because it had turned
(16:31):
me faint.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
When I went to the door again, daylight was all
around me.
Speaker 9 (16:37):
And.
Speaker 11 (16:39):
And the ghost had gone goes.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
That very day, as the train came out of the tunnel,
I noticed at.
Speaker 8 (16:48):
A carriage window on my side a confusion of hands
and heads. I saw it just in time to signal
the driver stop. He shut off and put his brakes on,
but the train drifted passed here my hundred or fifty
yards or there.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
A beautiful young lady had died.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Instantly in one of the compartments, and she was brought
in here to the box and lay there on the
floor between.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
The trucer.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
True precisely as it happened, So I did it? You now, sir,
mark this and judge how my mind is troubled. The
specter came back a week ago. Ever since, it has
been there now and again by fits and starts at
(17:37):
the light, at the danger light of cause it seemed to.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
Do like this er for pretty's sake, Clear of way, I.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Have no peace or rest from it. It calls to me.
It calls for many.
Speaker 8 (18:11):
Minutes together in an agonized way.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
It rings my little bell.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
I remember, did it ring your bell yesterday evening? When
I was here and you went to the door twice?
For I see I imagination mislead you.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
My eyes were on the bell, and my ears were
opened to the bell.
Speaker 8 (18:32):
And if I am a living man, it did not
ring at both times, no, nor at any other time,
except in the course of natural physical things, when it
was rung by the station communicating to you.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
I had never made a mistake as to that.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
Yet, sir, I have never confused the specter's ring with
a man's. The ghost's ring is a strange vibration in
the bell that it derives from nothing else. And I'm
not it that the bell stirs to the eye. I
don't wonder that you failed to hear it. But I
(19:07):
heard it, and did the specter seemed to be there
when you looked out.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
It was there both.
Speaker 12 (19:14):
Times, both times when you come to the door and
look with me. Now, oh, I saw the danger.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
Light looked as a monk for tunnel. I went stone
walls of the cutting.
Speaker 11 (19:38):
There were stars in the sky.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
Don't see it, No, it is not there.
Speaker 8 (19:48):
Agreed By this time, sir, you will fully understand that
what troubles me greatly is what does the specter mean?
I I do not know what is his warning against?
(20:09):
What is the danger?
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Where is the danger?
Speaker 2 (20:12):
There is danger overhanging somewhere under line, Some dreadful calamity
will happen. It is not to be doubted this third time,
after what has gone before. But surely this is a
cruel haunting of me.
Speaker 3 (20:25):
What can I do at this? The poor man pulled out.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
His handkerchief, and like the drops from his heated fire,
I could think of bothering concertainly wing to put courage
into him. If I telegraph danger and I decide of
me or on both, I can give no reason for it.
I should get into trouble and do no good. They
would think I was mad? Can you imagine this?
Speaker 11 (20:53):
Is the way it would work.
Speaker 5 (20:57):
Danger, Take care? What's danger where? I don't know how.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Care?
Speaker 8 (21:08):
They would say I'd gone mad, and they would displace me.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
What else could they do? This bang of mind was
most pitiable to see.
Speaker 2 (21:19):
It was the mental torture of a conscientious man, oppressed
beyond endurance by our responsibility involving life. When it first
stood under the danger light? Why not tell me how
it might be alerted? Why not tell me where the
accident was to happen, if it had to happen, when
on the second coming it hid his head?
Speaker 8 (21:40):
Why not tell me instead, she's going to die? Tell
them to keep her at home? If it came on
those two occasions only to show me that its warnings
were true, and so to prepare me for the third,
why not warn me plainly?
Speaker 11 (21:52):
Now?
Speaker 8 (21:53):
And I a poor signal man on this solitary station,
why not go to somebody with ready to be believed
in power to act?
Speaker 3 (22:03):
Then?
Speaker 2 (22:04):
The William you you cannot blame yourself for anything like, Oh,
you must not become so agitated. Whoever so thoroughly discharges
as duty as you do, must do well. It must
needs be comfort to know full well that you understand
your duty perfectly.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
That remained. I know that that you do not understand
these confounded.
Speaker 8 (22:29):
Appearances that you must not take on. So I I
will not insult you by trying to reason you out
of your belief.
Speaker 11 (22:39):
Thank you, sir.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
I left him at two o'clock that morning. I I'd
offered to stay the night, but he would not hear
of it. As I climbed the power up, I looked
down to the red light.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
I I did not like it.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
I full will I should not sleep sound that my
bed wunder Nor did I like the two sequences of
the accident of the dead girl.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
I I wondered how I ought to act.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
I knew a man to be painstaking, vigilant, and although
in an inferior position, he held a most important trust,
how long with his mind as it was, would he
remained to execute this trust with precision?
Speaker 3 (23:25):
I wondered.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
I resolved to accompany him to the wisest medical man
in those parts, and to take his opinion. Something told
me that would be most treacherous to communicate all of
the signalmen, and told me to his superiors it might
well cost him his living. A change in his time
of duty would come round next night. He had informed
me he would be off an hour or two after sunrise,
(23:48):
and on again soon after sunset. I had appointed to
return accordingly, and the next evening was a lovely evening,
(24:15):
and I walked out early to enjoy it. The sun
was not yet quite down when I traversed the field
path near the top of the deep cutting. I would
extend my walk for an hour, I said to myself.
Speaker 8 (24:27):
Half an hour and half an hour back, and.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
It would then be time to go to my signal
and box. Before pursuing my stroll, I stepped up the
brink and mechanically looked down from the point from which
I had first seen. I cannot describe the thrill that
(24:54):
seized upon me when close to the mouth of the tunnel,
I saw the appearance of a man with his left
sleeve across his eyes, passionately waving his right arm. A
nameless horror that oppressed me quickly passed went close. At
the mouth of the panel, I saw that this appearance
of a man was a man. There was a little
(25:16):
group of men standing further away, and this first one
seemed to be rehearsing the gesture he made the gesture
of the signalman described so vividly. The danger light was
not yet lighted against its shaft. A little low hut
entirely new to me, had been made of some wooden
supports and tarp hole, and it looked no bigger than
(25:38):
a bed. I descended the path with all the speed
I could muster.
Speaker 5 (25:45):
Hello, Hello, what is the matter?
Speaker 8 (25:47):
What has happened Shakenoman kill this morning?
Speaker 5 (25:50):
Sir?
Speaker 8 (25:53):
Not not the man belonging to that box, Yes, sir,
not the man I knew. You will recognize him, sir,
if you knew him.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
You know, here's the top on caring from the small structure.
I that thop from above.
Speaker 11 (26:09):
His face is quite composed.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
How did this happen? He was cut down by an engine?
Speaker 2 (26:17):
Sir?
Speaker 3 (26:18):
No man in England knew his work better.
Speaker 11 (26:20):
But somehow he was not clear of the outer rail.
Speaker 3 (26:25):
It was just a broad day.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
An aide struck the light and had the lamp in
his hand, and as the engine came out of the tunnel,
his back was towards her and she cut him down.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
That man drove her and was showing how it happened.
Speaker 8 (26:42):
Show the gentleman tom Well coming round the curve in
the tunnel, Sir, I saw him at the end, like
as if I saw him down a perspective class. Well,
there was no time to check speed, and I knew
him to be very careful, but as he didn't seem
to take heed of the whistle, I shut it off,
and as we were running down upon him, I called
(27:04):
to him as loud as I could call.
Speaker 3 (27:06):
What did you say, say, sir?
Speaker 11 (27:10):
Why?
Speaker 8 (27:10):
I said below there, look out for pity's sake, cleared away.
Speaker 11 (27:47):
Said forder Crack.
Speaker 8 (27:51):
I never left off calling to answer. I put my
arm before my eyes so it's not to see and
I wait this arm right to the last, but which
was no loose. Let's play some music.
Speaker 3 (28:41):
I feel like dancing.
Speaker 8 (28:42):
But I thought you had a splicking headache.
Speaker 5 (28:44):
That was five minutes ago.
Speaker 8 (28:45):
I've taken grand Pi headache partes since Grandpi.
Speaker 9 (28:48):
Headache powders killed, pain, soon, strained nerves, and lip depression.
Speaker 3 (28:52):
Grand Pi headache powders.
Speaker 9 (28:54):
Are extra effective because they have a triple actual. Grandpi
headache powders work extra past because they dissolve almost immediately.
Get passed effective relief from any pain or pain. Get
Grandpa headache powders, Ah, Grandpa.
Speaker 5 (29:13):
That's what you'll have to do.
Speaker 3 (29:15):
Tell many job for an.
Speaker 6 (29:17):
Hour to five.
Speaker 5 (29:20):
As a way, here you new biotex.
Speaker 3 (29:24):
With amazing new biotechs.
Speaker 8 (29:25):
The stubblised stains will vanish, yes, vanish, clean away, just
by soaking your laundry over night in cold water, off
an hour or two in warm water, or by pre washing.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
It quickly in your washing machine. Get amazing new biotechs today.
Speaker 6 (29:42):
Beyond Midnight is presented every Friday night at half past
nine by Biotechs, the New Soak and pre Washed Powder.
The program is adapted for broadcasting and produced by Michael
McCabe
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