April 2, 2025 • 29 mins
Please enjoy The th Sound a great episode of the legendary Suspense - - a Old Time Radio OTR classic.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Yes, Roma Winds taste better because only Roma selects from
the world's greatest wine reserves for your pleasure. And now
Roma Wines r Oma.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Roma Wines present Suspense m tonight, Roma Winds bring you
Miss Agnes Moorehead. In the thirteenth sound are Suspense played
for use, edited and directed for Roma Wines by WILLIAMS.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Spear.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Suspense Radio's outstanding theater of thrills is presented for your
enjoyment by Roma Wines. That's r Oma Roma Winds. Those
better tasting California wines enjoyed by more Americans than any
other wine. For friendly entertaining, for delightful dining, Yes, right
now a glassful would be very pleasant, as Roma Winds
(00:58):
bring you Agnes Moorehead in a remark A couple tell
you love.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
So I spend. We were driving too fast, but I
knew that if I slowed down at all, I would
begin to tremble. And so although the road was tortuous,
climbing steeply up the mountain, I kept my foot pressed
hard on the gas pillow. Out of the corner of
my eye, I could see that my husband was looking
(01:23):
quietly into the green valley far below. He looked peaceful.
Now he had made his speech about driving too fast.
I had asked him to be quiet, and now he
was quiet. I wondered what he would do if I
stopped the car and told him right then that we
were driving up to the Johnson housele that I might
kill him. I parked the car on the highway at
(01:44):
the foot of the dirt road leading up to the house.
We walked quickly behind the heavy trees. My husband stopped
once to wipe the dust off his shoes. I hurried
him on, and we soon arrived at the front door
as planned. I'd forgotten the key. I did open my
person look, however, and that gave me the opportunity to
release the safety catch on the gun I had borrowed
from my husband's belongings. I suggested that we tried one
(02:06):
of the windows. He agreed, and we slowly made our
way through the underbrush that was growing wild at the
side of the stuccle building until we reached the first
floor window. The window was set high above the ground,
and my husband had to stretch his body to reach it.
I waited until he had his back to me, but
his hands raised high in the air, reaching for the
(02:27):
window frame. Then I opened my purse, took out the gun,
aimed very carefully at a spot just in the center
of his left shoulder blade, and pulled the trigger four times.
(02:49):
He didn't fall right away. He had had his fingers
over the window ledge ready to unfasten. The catch from
the bullets hit him with some terrible effort. He dug
his nails into the stock go and tried to keep
from dying. I couldn't move. I wanted to scream, but
my throat felt paralyzed. He tried to turn his face
and look at me, but he hadn't that much life left.
(03:13):
At last, he said, I stopped screaming, finally felt better
for it. I bent and looked at my husband's body.
(03:35):
He was quite dead. I wiped out the gun, his
gun and threw it behind in acacia bush. Then I
walked back to the car, slowly and carefully, removing any
of my footprints which showed in the loose door to
the road. At the car, I emptied some cigarette butts
from the dashboard ashtray onto the road, dusted my shoes,
(03:56):
then turned around. He drove home. I put the car
in the garage, went in and had my shower and
lay down in the library to wait. A few minutes
after the grandfather clock struck eleven, the telephone rang.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
Hello here, miss Skinner, this is she eh, Miss Jonathan Brown,
Sheriff's office. I am have some bad news for you.
My husband, Yes, he's been killed, Miss Skinner. Hello, Miss Skinner,
you all right?
Speaker 3 (04:41):
I waited quietly for a moment, and then at the
phone fall to the floor, I listened until I heard
Jonathan Brown hang up. Then I replaced my telephone on
its stair, went into the kitchen for some ice, which
I put in a large Turkish towel. I then arranged
myself carefully and attractively on the living room to bed,
and waited again in here please all right, mister.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
And I that that was a stupid thing for me
to do break in the news that way, you know. Well,
I came over as soon as you you know, I
dropped the phone.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Well, I I felt very suddenly, no wonder, tell me
what happened.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Mister Brown, Jonathan Brown sheriff, so well, her husband was
up to Johnson House this afternoon as well as we
can figure, up there on the side of the mountain,
you know, And he must have been trying to get
into the window and somehow somebody will got him.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
I'm sure you want me to tell you I'm sorry.
Go on, please.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Well, we uh looked around place, couldn't see anything, though
we found the you know, weapon was a gun found
in the brush near where he was, and no footprints
or anything except tire marks down the main highway in
a bunch of cigarette butts where someone must have been
sitting in the car waiting.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
You know, those were my tire marks. He was up. Well,
I had an appointment I meet my husband this afternoon
at the foot of the road leading up to the
Johnson house. He had said that he'd had some business
to attend to and would get a ride with this
other person. He was very mysterious about it. I waited
for an hour or more at the foot of the road.
You were so clever to recognize the meaning of those
(06:37):
cigarette stuffs. Well, and when he didn't come, I thought
perhaps I was mistaken about the appointment, and so I
drove home. I think of it, Perbs had gone up
to the house, I might have saved my.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Fort Husban's life in and out too suck. I know,
I'm right, I'm right. I'll be all right now, don't
you worry about a seing the skin of the sheriff's
officer were round up the guilty party or parties, and
hadn't bought to try, you know, Is that sure? Oh?
Speaker 3 (07:17):
I slept well that night for the first time in
ten years. My husband, during his lifetime had snored loudly
and steadily, and during his later years he had acquired
the nervous and distressing habit of grinding his teeth in
his sleep. This night, all was quiet and peaceful in
the house, in my house, and as I say, I
stepped beautifully. The next few days were also beautifully quiet.
(07:41):
A few photographers and newspaper men, but they were kind
and gentle and didn't make too much father. Finally, mister
Jonathan Brown called to say that he would send a
car for me on Friday morning. The next day, as
it turned out, to take me to the car and
his inquest, small courtroom was crowded, and almost everyone there
eyed me with great sympathy. The inquest proceeded evenly. There
(08:04):
was as yet no evidence as to the identity of
my husband's murderer. I then stated that I had left
the tire marks and cigarette stubs at the foot of
the road that led to the Johnson House. No, I
hadn't heard a shot. No, my dear husband had no enemies.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Then I've had this blackboard brought court so that I
might show the possession of the bonny when found. I
think it might be.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Of interest very well proceed.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
The body was found just below the first story window
on the left side of the house. The dead man
was obviously trying to gain admittance, you know he uh
it didn't die immediately, as I will show you, but stayed.
Will I have long enough to try to keep himself
from falling, Since marks from each of his fingernails were
(08:54):
found running down the side of the building. Here then,
here's the window sill, and here are the marks of
his fingernails. And here is the spot where the body
lay when it was discovered.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
And here here's the house. Has he talked? He watched?
I didn't know why until I heard the first scrape
of the chalk against the black floor here for one
awful moment, it was the sound that had been made
by my husband as he tried so desperately to hold
himself alive. I try myself tasty hole in the wooden
table in front of me, hands and body. Tess try
(09:30):
not to face.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Since the large deposit of the dried stuccle from building
is found under each of the victim's fingernails, I believe
I can best illustrate the manner of the victim's last
moments with a physical illustration. Suppose I am the victim,
you know, and this blackboard here is the side of
(09:52):
the building. We heard the gunshots, and then the victim
slowly sinks to the ground.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
He's a vegan.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Or suspense. Roma Winds are bringing you Agnes moorehead in
the thirteenth sound Roma Wind's presentation tonight in Radio's outstanding
theater of Frills Suspense.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
Between the acts of suspense. This is Ken Nile's for
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Speaker 4 (12:02):
And now roll my wine.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Springing back to our Hollywood sound stage, Agnes Moorehead as
Missus Sally Skinner and William Johnstone as Jonathan Brown in
the thirteenth sound A tale well calculated to keep you
in Shuspen.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
I must have been taken home from the inquest for
the next consciousness I had. I was lying on the
guest bed in the corner set mister Jonathan Brown. He
must have seen my eyes open.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Mm hmmm, feeling Benny, Yes, thank you.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
I'm terribly sorry.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Okay, yes, all right, quite a strain, you know, Yes,
it was quite a strange. Gonna asked, well it be
all right to go on without you? Everybody seemed greed,
you know, so he finished up wildly, doc, look you
over what happened? Oh, we said you'd be all right.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
Shock. I meant about my husband and his death.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
At the hand of persons and own persons unknown.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
You know, is there anything further I must do earn thing, miskinner,
It's been very kind.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Well, it's a terrible thing happened to you. Hell, I'm
don't know if there's nothing more you need from me?
Speaker 3 (13:16):
No, nothing, thank you?
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Well, goodbye then, and don't you worry. We'll find who
did it.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
You know. After he had left, I had the time
to be angry at myself and my behavior at the inquest.
What was the people of thought to say? Only from
the noise of a piece of chalk on a blackboard.
(13:44):
I wondered if mister Brown had suspected anything, because, as
I remembered back to earlier afternoon, he had been watching
me as he drew those silly little diagrams on the board.
He hadn't been looking anywhere else, not at the corner
at any other reporters, not even at what he was doing.
He'd been looking me.
Speaker 5 (14:01):
Well, of course he was looking at me. He was
showing his sympathy.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
I slowly allowed myself to return to my former physician
in the community. I was able now to do the
things I had always wanted to do but had been
restrained from doing by a certain attitude of my husband's.
He had never liked entertaining. He didn't believe that we
should belong to the country club and take a civic
pride in the fact that our home was the largest
and most beautiful in the community. In fact, it was
(14:36):
his desire to sell our lovely home that caused me
to finally take that complete and drastic step. The first
evening that I accepted an outside invitation was for one
of the Wednesday night evenings of bridge at our club,
at my table with the president at the bank and
his wife. As I sat down, I noticed that a
window pane on my left.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Quel I'm afraid I'm the culprit here playing ball with
the kids this afternoon, and I threw one right through
your love winter. Oh really, but I got old Sam. Yeah,
I brought him along with no pane of glass and
heel fixes up ship shape. No time to talk.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Go ahead, Sam.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Brown, don't mind me, folks.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
Incidentally, miss Skinner, I always meant to ask you whether
or not you minded noises, especially sharp noises like you
see chalk on a blackborn.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
I don't understand chalk on a black bird.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
As I always wondered about it.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
You fainted just when the chalk was scratching across the blackboy.
I remember hearing this. I'm afraid I sained it before
you drew any dog. I assume that's what you were
planning to do, a digress.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
That's what I was planning to do. Yes, ma'am, yes.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
I can. Again it happened, and again when the noise
was made, it sounded like my husband's fingernails scraping down
the rough side of the Johnson house. And again, as
I slipped into darkness, I could see if mister Brown
(16:24):
was watching me. I stayed at home for the next
few days. I canceled all appointments that he really was unbearable.
In October, I resumed my activities. I began to see
(16:46):
people again. I grew especially interested in chamber music. Through
my activity, I arranged a musical evening to be given
by a group of which I was the second vice president.
They planned the formation of a philharmonic society, the invention.
I went to the musical alone, and I was studying
my program.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
When is in this seat, thinking, oh, good evening, missus,
good evening. He didn't recognize you, ma'am.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Well I I was to be joined.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
I'll just sit here a moment. Then, you know, I terribly,
terribly sorry about the other night.
Speaker 3 (17:20):
There's really nothing at all for you to be sorry about. Now.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
It's very kind of you to say that, you know,
but I do feel guilty as aus and being the
cause of to get.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
The sick word. Really, mister Brown, I wasn't sick at all.
Mister Gregg told me I had probably been affected by
the heat. It was very close in the club that night,
if you'll remember, Yes.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
Yes, ma'am, it was. It was hard. Well, just so
I don't feel it with my fault.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Oh no, no, I don't want you to feel it
was your fault. If you don't mind, I'll stay here
till ever holds the seat.
Speaker 6 (17:55):
Yet, we crave your indulgence and a open mindedness for
giving a fair chance to the first piece with.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
Which we're going to open our program this evening.
Speaker 7 (18:11):
The title of this piece is the Thirteenth Sound, and
the composer is.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Julian Carrillo.
Speaker 8 (18:23):
And this piece, because of the unorthodox nature of it,
created a veritable furor.
Speaker 6 (18:32):
In New York City some weeks ago on the occasion
of its premiere.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
It's what you'd call, I guess, modern music.
Speaker 6 (18:42):
And the really unusual thing about it is.
Speaker 8 (18:45):
That the instruments, instead of playing as they usually do
in Mozart Hayden in such classical veins, playing quarter tones.
Speaker 7 (18:57):
Now, a quarter tone is somewhere in between the other tones,
such as the we are accustomed to hearing it.
Speaker 8 (19:09):
So on this following piece, the instruments are not playing
as you would think out of tune.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
Yeah, this is the way it is supposed to sound.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
Thank you.
Speaker 8 (19:21):
So now the various members of the core TEP will
tune their various instruments into these quarter tones.
Speaker 7 (19:32):
This is a short piece, but I know you're going
to like it.
Speaker 3 (19:36):
Tune up to the.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Listen should be very interesting. We think Miss Kennedy thirteenth Sound.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
Have you learn anything? No, No, I haven't too. Again,
get stuck. It's hot in here.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
You look germally pinky and sure you're all right.
Speaker 3 (20:05):
I'm clar Excuse me, whill you let me out? Excuse me?
Please let me out. I left mister Brown sitting there.
My man drove me home. I've never liked modern music.
I locked all the doors, and I turnished thing. I
(20:27):
found a hammer and a piece of board.
Speaker 9 (20:29):
And I beat and beat and beat and beat on
the board with a hammer as hard as I could. Finally,
the heavy, steady state pounding that I made broke the
other sharp shriel awful noise.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
From my mind. Then I turned out all the lights,
opened the windows, and went to sleep. I didn't sleep well,
but I didn't stay awake either. I hadn't set the
alarm next to my bed, and when I first awoke
the next morning, for a minute, I couldn't remember what
(20:58):
had happened. I felt drunk. I got out of bed,
put on a lovely shout to his brocade house coat,
and started downstairs. Sun was shining outside. It was a
beautiful day, not the sort of day when you could
be disturbed by unrelated noises. I felt grand when I
got downstairs, and I heart you. I didn't know, I
(21:24):
didn't care I knew only that I had to stop
it before it happened to be a dam.
Speaker 10 (21:30):
Stop, stop, get out of here. Who told you to
do your work here? Did someone tell you to make.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
The noise near my house? No?
Speaker 4 (21:39):
Man, the lawn mowl, a dang thing wasn't cutting.
Speaker 10 (21:41):
I had to shout, get off this property at once,
don't get come back, don't get back, come back, don.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
A skinner lovely day.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
I turned and ran right back to my living room.
I stood shivering there in a beam of sunlight. I
waited for him to come bursting into the room after me.
I waited, and then the door there, r Who is it?
Is this great? Just a moment? Come in? Did I
(22:25):
disturb you? No? No, not at all. Then I will
come in. But I noticed, dame. Would you like some coffee?
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (22:31):
No, fanger.
Speaker 11 (22:31):
When I was so sick, you remember the doctor absolutely
forbid me having any more cough?
Speaker 3 (22:35):
Oh? Oh, I didn't know that. Sit down. Please do
you drink much coffee?
Speaker 8 (22:40):
No?
Speaker 3 (22:41):
Why do you ask? Well?
Speaker 11 (22:42):
I thought perhaps your recent attacks might have been caused
by that. Oh, mister Gregg is a great one for
aspirin and salt. Damlins, I think it's much simpler than
that cut out coffee.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
I think my attacks were just caused by this heat.
Speaker 11 (22:55):
I plan to see voyage. Oh how splendid. That will
certainly fix you. Don't need to be disrespectful, Heaven knows.
But perhaps on the boat you might meet a fine
young man who.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
Well, when you plan to leave this afternoon, I'm leaving
from New York.
Speaker 11 (23:13):
Oh you can't pardon what the clubhouse, the unveiling ceremonies
of this afternoon?
Speaker 3 (23:18):
I forgot. Oh, you simply can't leave. We have no
one who can replace you on the speaker's platform. Oh well,
well all right then, Missus Gregg, I'll stay for the ceremonies.
(23:38):
I go to the new clubhouse with mister and Missus Gregg.
The building was really very lovely. It was almost ready
for occupancy. We were unveiling heroic figure which graced the
entrance way. Our speaker's platform was built alongside the figure,
and quite a few of the members and their families
were sitting on the wooden benches in the front patio
waiting for the ceremonies to begin. Isn't this exciting? Yes,
(24:02):
it is very.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
Ladies have done a marvelous thank you mister, what's that
follow doing up.
Speaker 3 (24:09):
There where where I see up on the roof. Then yes, yes,
it makes me nervous to see people at such heights.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
He's awfully close to the edge, but he knows his business. Yes,
and I'm very anxious to hear your.
Speaker 1 (24:24):
Little talk withsiness.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
You know, thank you, and I think you manage's admirable bla.
Speaker 3 (24:28):
Since you're unfortunate you want to say yes, yes, thank you. Well,
I think we should get on with it. I believe
it'll want to be a few more minutes. What good heavens,
look that workman.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
He's going to fall.
Speaker 3 (24:46):
He's taking on the edge.
Speaker 2 (24:47):
Some of the men are running up there and they
will they will turn.
Speaker 8 (24:54):
Your eyes, turn your eyes.
Speaker 3 (24:59):
Why not he's not he's well, you're not. You're not.
Take your home, sister. Don't you understand.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
I understand him.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
I know, I know.
Speaker 10 (25:19):
It's be all right.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
You know you just come along with me. That's all.
Speaker 3 (25:22):
Come along with.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
She signed Jonathan mm hmmm mm hmm. Shame. Yeah, people
do funny things.
Speaker 3 (26:00):
Yeah, h did you pay the fella?
Speaker 2 (26:06):
He's clever, very clever, he sure is.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
I really thought he was falling off that building.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Used to be an acrobat. Ah, how do you make
that noise? He's holding ten penny nails in his hands,
scraped them along the face of the building as he
slipped down.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
Did you think of that too? Made an awful racket?
Speaker 2 (26:32):
It's pretty nice, lady.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
You know? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (26:36):
What the devil are you doing?
Speaker 3 (26:38):
H oh? Fixing my nails? I guess cut it out?
Will you sure? What's the matter with you?
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Noise makes me nervous, I guess you know. Suspend presented
by Roma Wines, Roma Roma America's favorite wines.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
This is Ken Niles.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
Returning for a curtain call with the brilliant star of
tonight's suspense play, Agnes Moorehead. Apparently, Agnes, you're not superstitious
accepting the lead in a play called The Thirteenth Sound
on February thirteenth.
Speaker 3 (27:26):
Superstition's a nophobia with me, Ken, But I do have one.
What is it? I refuse to give a party for
thirteen people?
Speaker 1 (27:33):
Yes, but even a thirteenth guest is in luck, Agnes.
Speaker 3 (27:35):
When you serve.
Speaker 1 (27:36):
Roma port ruby red fragrant nectar, sweet Roma California port
adds warmth to the welcome for everyone, and Roma port
is so easy to serve you simply pour and hospitality rage.
Speaker 3 (27:50):
Yes, Ken, Roma port does make entertaining a pleasure.
Speaker 1 (27:53):
Not only that, Agnes, There's a difference. You can taste
in all Roma wines, and this better taspe begins with
the choicest grapes in all California. Then Roma's unmatched skill
and wine making resources guide these luscious grapes unhurriedly to
tempting taste perfection. Later, Roma places this rich taste treasure
(28:14):
with Roma wines of years before. And finally, Roma selects
from the world's greatest wine reserves for your place.
Speaker 3 (28:22):
Well, it's easy to see why Roma wines taste bitter.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
Kin, Yes, Agnes, and here's the most conclusive proof of all,
a gift basket of Roma wines for you and your
guests to enjoy with the compliments of Roma, the greatest
name in Why.
Speaker 3 (28:36):
I'm delighted, Ken, Thank you very much, and good night.
Speaker 2 (28:40):
The Night's sent suspense play was written by Kathy and
Elliot Ewis. Next Thursday, same time, you will hear Anne
Baxter as star of suspense.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
Produced and directed by William Spear for the Roma Wine Company.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Of Fresno, California, m H. In the coming weeks, Suspense
will present such stars as James Stewart, William Bendix, Addie Bracken,
(29:16):
and others. Make it a point to listen each Thursday
to Suspense radio's outstanding.
Speaker 3 (29:23):
Hitter of thrills.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.
Yes, Roma Winds taste better because only Roma selects from
the world's greatest wine reserves for your pleasure. And now
Roma Wines r Oma.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Roma Wines present Suspense m tonight, Roma Winds bring you
Miss Agnes Moorehead. In the thirteenth sound are Suspense played
for use, edited and directed for Roma Wines by WILLIAMS.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Spear.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Suspense Radio's outstanding theater of thrills is presented for your
enjoyment by Roma Wines. That's r Oma Roma Winds. Those
better tasting California wines enjoyed by more Americans than any
other wine. For friendly entertaining, for delightful dining, Yes, right
now a glassful would be very pleasant, as Roma Winds
(00:58):
bring you Agnes Moorehead in a remark A couple tell
you love.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
So I spend. We were driving too fast, but I
knew that if I slowed down at all, I would
begin to tremble. And so although the road was tortuous,
climbing steeply up the mountain, I kept my foot pressed
hard on the gas pillow. Out of the corner of
my eye, I could see that my husband was looking
(01:23):
quietly into the green valley far below. He looked peaceful.
Now he had made his speech about driving too fast.
I had asked him to be quiet, and now he
was quiet. I wondered what he would do if I
stopped the car and told him right then that we
were driving up to the Johnson housele that I might
kill him. I parked the car on the highway at
(01:44):
the foot of the dirt road leading up to the house.
We walked quickly behind the heavy trees. My husband stopped
once to wipe the dust off his shoes. I hurried
him on, and we soon arrived at the front door
as planned. I'd forgotten the key. I did open my
person look, however, and that gave me the opportunity to
release the safety catch on the gun I had borrowed
from my husband's belongings. I suggested that we tried one
(02:06):
of the windows. He agreed, and we slowly made our
way through the underbrush that was growing wild at the
side of the stuccle building until we reached the first
floor window. The window was set high above the ground,
and my husband had to stretch his body to reach it.
I waited until he had his back to me, but
his hands raised high in the air, reaching for the
(02:27):
window frame. Then I opened my purse, took out the gun,
aimed very carefully at a spot just in the center
of his left shoulder blade, and pulled the trigger four times.
(02:49):
He didn't fall right away. He had had his fingers
over the window ledge ready to unfasten. The catch from
the bullets hit him with some terrible effort. He dug
his nails into the stock go and tried to keep
from dying. I couldn't move. I wanted to scream, but
my throat felt paralyzed. He tried to turn his face
and look at me, but he hadn't that much life left.
(03:13):
At last, he said, I stopped screaming, finally felt better
for it. I bent and looked at my husband's body.
(03:35):
He was quite dead. I wiped out the gun, his
gun and threw it behind in acacia bush. Then I
walked back to the car, slowly and carefully, removing any
of my footprints which showed in the loose door to
the road. At the car, I emptied some cigarette butts
from the dashboard ashtray onto the road, dusted my shoes,
(03:56):
then turned around. He drove home. I put the car
in the garage, went in and had my shower and
lay down in the library to wait. A few minutes
after the grandfather clock struck eleven, the telephone rang.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
Hello here, miss Skinner, this is she eh, Miss Jonathan Brown,
Sheriff's office. I am have some bad news for you.
My husband, Yes, he's been killed, Miss Skinner. Hello, Miss Skinner,
you all right?
Speaker 3 (04:41):
I waited quietly for a moment, and then at the
phone fall to the floor, I listened until I heard
Jonathan Brown hang up. Then I replaced my telephone on
its stair, went into the kitchen for some ice, which
I put in a large Turkish towel. I then arranged
myself carefully and attractively on the living room to bed,
and waited again in here please all right, mister.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
And I that that was a stupid thing for me
to do break in the news that way, you know. Well,
I came over as soon as you you know, I
dropped the phone.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Well, I I felt very suddenly, no wonder, tell me
what happened.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Mister Brown, Jonathan Brown sheriff, so well, her husband was
up to Johnson House this afternoon as well as we
can figure, up there on the side of the mountain,
you know, And he must have been trying to get
into the window and somehow somebody will got him.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
I'm sure you want me to tell you I'm sorry.
Go on, please.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Well, we uh looked around place, couldn't see anything, though
we found the you know, weapon was a gun found
in the brush near where he was, and no footprints
or anything except tire marks down the main highway in
a bunch of cigarette butts where someone must have been
sitting in the car waiting.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
You know, those were my tire marks. He was up. Well,
I had an appointment I meet my husband this afternoon
at the foot of the road leading up to the
Johnson house. He had said that he'd had some business
to attend to and would get a ride with this
other person. He was very mysterious about it. I waited
for an hour or more at the foot of the road.
You were so clever to recognize the meaning of those
(06:37):
cigarette stuffs. Well, and when he didn't come, I thought
perhaps I was mistaken about the appointment, and so I
drove home. I think of it, Perbs had gone up
to the house, I might have saved my.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Fort Husban's life in and out too suck. I know,
I'm right, I'm right. I'll be all right now, don't
you worry about a seing the skin of the sheriff's
officer were round up the guilty party or parties, and
hadn't bought to try, you know, Is that sure? Oh?
Speaker 3 (07:17):
I slept well that night for the first time in
ten years. My husband, during his lifetime had snored loudly
and steadily, and during his later years he had acquired
the nervous and distressing habit of grinding his teeth in
his sleep. This night, all was quiet and peaceful in
the house, in my house, and as I say, I
stepped beautifully. The next few days were also beautifully quiet.
(07:41):
A few photographers and newspaper men, but they were kind
and gentle and didn't make too much father. Finally, mister
Jonathan Brown called to say that he would send a
car for me on Friday morning. The next day, as
it turned out, to take me to the car and
his inquest, small courtroom was crowded, and almost everyone there
eyed me with great sympathy. The inquest proceeded evenly. There
(08:04):
was as yet no evidence as to the identity of
my husband's murderer. I then stated that I had left
the tire marks and cigarette stubs at the foot of
the road that led to the Johnson House. No, I
hadn't heard a shot. No, my dear husband had no enemies.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Then I've had this blackboard brought court so that I
might show the possession of the bonny when found. I
think it might be.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Of interest very well proceed.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
The body was found just below the first story window
on the left side of the house. The dead man
was obviously trying to gain admittance, you know he uh
it didn't die immediately, as I will show you, but stayed.
Will I have long enough to try to keep himself
from falling, Since marks from each of his fingernails were
(08:54):
found running down the side of the building. Here then,
here's the window sill, and here are the marks of
his fingernails. And here is the spot where the body
lay when it was discovered.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
And here here's the house. Has he talked? He watched?
I didn't know why until I heard the first scrape
of the chalk against the black floor here for one
awful moment, it was the sound that had been made
by my husband as he tried so desperately to hold
himself alive. I try myself tasty hole in the wooden
table in front of me, hands and body. Tess try
(09:30):
not to face.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Since the large deposit of the dried stuccle from building
is found under each of the victim's fingernails, I believe
I can best illustrate the manner of the victim's last
moments with a physical illustration. Suppose I am the victim,
you know, and this blackboard here is the side of
(09:52):
the building. We heard the gunshots, and then the victim
slowly sinks to the ground.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
He's a vegan.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Or suspense. Roma Winds are bringing you Agnes moorehead in
the thirteenth sound Roma Wind's presentation tonight in Radio's outstanding
theater of Frills Suspense.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
Between the acts of suspense. This is Ken Nile's for
Roma Wines Tomorrow on Valentine's Day, Delight your Valentine with
a gift that's smart, lavish and imperfect taste. Say it
with Roma Champagne, traditional wine of Romance. Brilliant, bubbling Roma
sham is an unforgettable token of your thoughtfulness. For Pale
(11:03):
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Yes to make any golden moment live forever. Say it
with Roma Champagne, and remember you enjoy an exclusive difference,
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you comes better tasting Roma Champagne. So this Valentine's Day,
say it with Roma, Roma Champagne, golden masterpiece of Roma,
the greatest name in Why.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
And now roll my wine.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Springing back to our Hollywood sound stage, Agnes Moorehead as
Missus Sally Skinner and William Johnstone as Jonathan Brown in
the thirteenth sound A tale well calculated to keep you
in Shuspen.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
I must have been taken home from the inquest for
the next consciousness I had. I was lying on the
guest bed in the corner set mister Jonathan Brown. He
must have seen my eyes open.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Mm hmmm, feeling Benny, Yes, thank you.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
I'm terribly sorry.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Okay, yes, all right, quite a strain, you know, Yes,
it was quite a strange. Gonna asked, well it be
all right to go on without you? Everybody seemed greed,
you know, so he finished up wildly, doc, look you
over what happened? Oh, we said you'd be all right.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
Shock. I meant about my husband and his death.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
At the hand of persons and own persons unknown.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
You know, is there anything further I must do earn thing, miskinner,
It's been very kind.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Well, it's a terrible thing happened to you. Hell, I'm
don't know if there's nothing more you need from me?
Speaker 3 (13:16):
No, nothing, thank you?
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Well, goodbye then, and don't you worry. We'll find who
did it.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
You know. After he had left, I had the time
to be angry at myself and my behavior at the inquest.
What was the people of thought to say? Only from
the noise of a piece of chalk on a blackboard.
(13:44):
I wondered if mister Brown had suspected anything, because, as
I remembered back to earlier afternoon, he had been watching
me as he drew those silly little diagrams on the board.
He hadn't been looking anywhere else, not at the corner
at any other reporters, not even at what he was doing.
He'd been looking me.
Speaker 5 (14:01):
Well, of course he was looking at me. He was
showing his sympathy.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
I slowly allowed myself to return to my former physician
in the community. I was able now to do the
things I had always wanted to do but had been
restrained from doing by a certain attitude of my husband's.
He had never liked entertaining. He didn't believe that we
should belong to the country club and take a civic
pride in the fact that our home was the largest
and most beautiful in the community. In fact, it was
(14:36):
his desire to sell our lovely home that caused me
to finally take that complete and drastic step. The first
evening that I accepted an outside invitation was for one
of the Wednesday night evenings of bridge at our club,
at my table with the president at the bank and
his wife. As I sat down, I noticed that a
window pane on my left.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Quel I'm afraid I'm the culprit here playing ball with
the kids this afternoon, and I threw one right through
your love winter. Oh really, but I got old Sam. Yeah,
I brought him along with no pane of glass and
heel fixes up ship shape. No time to talk.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Go ahead, Sam.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Brown, don't mind me, folks.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
Incidentally, miss Skinner, I always meant to ask you whether
or not you minded noises, especially sharp noises like you
see chalk on a blackborn.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
I don't understand chalk on a black bird.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
As I always wondered about it.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
You fainted just when the chalk was scratching across the blackboy.
I remember hearing this. I'm afraid I sained it before
you drew any dog. I assume that's what you were
planning to do, a digress.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
That's what I was planning to do. Yes, ma'am, yes.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
I can. Again it happened, and again when the noise
was made, it sounded like my husband's fingernails scraping down
the rough side of the Johnson house. And again, as
I slipped into darkness, I could see if mister Brown
(16:24):
was watching me. I stayed at home for the next
few days. I canceled all appointments that he really was unbearable.
In October, I resumed my activities. I began to see
(16:46):
people again. I grew especially interested in chamber music. Through
my activity, I arranged a musical evening to be given
by a group of which I was the second vice president.
They planned the formation of a philharmonic society, the invention.
I went to the musical alone, and I was studying
my program.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
When is in this seat, thinking, oh, good evening, missus,
good evening. He didn't recognize you, ma'am.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Well I I was to be joined.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
I'll just sit here a moment. Then, you know, I terribly,
terribly sorry about the other night.
Speaker 3 (17:20):
There's really nothing at all for you to be sorry about. Now.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
It's very kind of you to say that, you know,
but I do feel guilty as aus and being the
cause of to get.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
The sick word. Really, mister Brown, I wasn't sick at all.
Mister Gregg told me I had probably been affected by
the heat. It was very close in the club that night,
if you'll remember, Yes.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
Yes, ma'am, it was. It was hard. Well, just so
I don't feel it with my fault.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Oh no, no, I don't want you to feel it
was your fault. If you don't mind, I'll stay here
till ever holds the seat.
Speaker 6 (17:55):
Yet, we crave your indulgence and a open mindedness for
giving a fair chance to the first piece with.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
Which we're going to open our program this evening.
Speaker 7 (18:11):
The title of this piece is the Thirteenth Sound, and
the composer is.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Julian Carrillo.
Speaker 8 (18:23):
And this piece, because of the unorthodox nature of it,
created a veritable furor.
Speaker 6 (18:32):
In New York City some weeks ago on the occasion
of its premiere.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
It's what you'd call, I guess, modern music.
Speaker 6 (18:42):
And the really unusual thing about it is.
Speaker 8 (18:45):
That the instruments, instead of playing as they usually do
in Mozart Hayden in such classical veins, playing quarter tones.
Speaker 7 (18:57):
Now, a quarter tone is somewhere in between the other tones,
such as the we are accustomed to hearing it.
Speaker 8 (19:09):
So on this following piece, the instruments are not playing
as you would think out of tune.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
Yeah, this is the way it is supposed to sound.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
Thank you.
Speaker 8 (19:21):
So now the various members of the core TEP will
tune their various instruments into these quarter tones.
Speaker 7 (19:32):
This is a short piece, but I know you're going
to like it.
Speaker 3 (19:36):
Tune up to the.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Listen should be very interesting. We think Miss Kennedy thirteenth Sound.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
Have you learn anything? No, No, I haven't too. Again,
get stuck. It's hot in here.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
You look germally pinky and sure you're all right.
Speaker 3 (20:05):
I'm clar Excuse me, whill you let me out? Excuse me?
Please let me out. I left mister Brown sitting there.
My man drove me home. I've never liked modern music.
I locked all the doors, and I turnished thing. I
(20:27):
found a hammer and a piece of board.
Speaker 9 (20:29):
And I beat and beat and beat and beat on
the board with a hammer as hard as I could. Finally,
the heavy, steady state pounding that I made broke the
other sharp shriel awful noise.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
From my mind. Then I turned out all the lights,
opened the windows, and went to sleep. I didn't sleep well,
but I didn't stay awake either. I hadn't set the
alarm next to my bed, and when I first awoke
the next morning, for a minute, I couldn't remember what
(20:58):
had happened. I felt drunk. I got out of bed,
put on a lovely shout to his brocade house coat,
and started downstairs. Sun was shining outside. It was a
beautiful day, not the sort of day when you could
be disturbed by unrelated noises. I felt grand when I
got downstairs, and I heart you. I didn't know, I
(21:24):
didn't care I knew only that I had to stop
it before it happened to be a dam.
Speaker 10 (21:30):
Stop, stop, get out of here. Who told you to
do your work here? Did someone tell you to make.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
The noise near my house? No?
Speaker 4 (21:39):
Man, the lawn mowl, a dang thing wasn't cutting.
Speaker 10 (21:41):
I had to shout, get off this property at once,
don't get come back, don't get back, come back, don.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
A skinner lovely day.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
I turned and ran right back to my living room.
I stood shivering there in a beam of sunlight. I
waited for him to come bursting into the room after me.
I waited, and then the door there, r Who is it?
Is this great? Just a moment? Come in? Did I
(22:25):
disturb you? No? No, not at all. Then I will
come in. But I noticed, dame. Would you like some coffee?
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (22:31):
No, fanger.
Speaker 11 (22:31):
When I was so sick, you remember the doctor absolutely
forbid me having any more cough?
Speaker 3 (22:35):
Oh? Oh, I didn't know that. Sit down. Please do
you drink much coffee?
Speaker 8 (22:40):
No?
Speaker 3 (22:41):
Why do you ask? Well?
Speaker 11 (22:42):
I thought perhaps your recent attacks might have been caused
by that. Oh, mister Gregg is a great one for
aspirin and salt. Damlins, I think it's much simpler than
that cut out coffee.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
I think my attacks were just caused by this heat.
Speaker 11 (22:55):
I plan to see voyage. Oh how splendid. That will
certainly fix you. Don't need to be disrespectful, Heaven knows.
But perhaps on the boat you might meet a fine
young man who.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
Well, when you plan to leave this afternoon, I'm leaving
from New York.
Speaker 11 (23:13):
Oh you can't pardon what the clubhouse, the unveiling ceremonies
of this afternoon?
Speaker 3 (23:18):
I forgot. Oh, you simply can't leave. We have no
one who can replace you on the speaker's platform. Oh well,
well all right then, Missus Gregg, I'll stay for the ceremonies.
(23:38):
I go to the new clubhouse with mister and Missus Gregg.
The building was really very lovely. It was almost ready
for occupancy. We were unveiling heroic figure which graced the
entrance way. Our speaker's platform was built alongside the figure,
and quite a few of the members and their families
were sitting on the wooden benches in the front patio
waiting for the ceremonies to begin. Isn't this exciting? Yes,
(24:02):
it is very.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
Ladies have done a marvelous thank you mister, what's that
follow doing up.
Speaker 3 (24:09):
There where where I see up on the roof. Then yes, yes,
it makes me nervous to see people at such heights.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
He's awfully close to the edge, but he knows his business. Yes,
and I'm very anxious to hear your.
Speaker 1 (24:24):
Little talk withsiness.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
You know, thank you, and I think you manage's admirable bla.
Speaker 3 (24:28):
Since you're unfortunate you want to say yes, yes, thank you. Well,
I think we should get on with it. I believe
it'll want to be a few more minutes. What good heavens,
look that workman.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
He's going to fall.
Speaker 3 (24:46):
He's taking on the edge.
Speaker 2 (24:47):
Some of the men are running up there and they
will they will turn.
Speaker 8 (24:54):
Your eyes, turn your eyes.
Speaker 3 (24:59):
Why not he's not he's well, you're not. You're not.
Take your home, sister. Don't you understand.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
I understand him.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
I know, I know.
Speaker 10 (25:19):
It's be all right.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
You know you just come along with me. That's all.
Speaker 3 (25:22):
Come along with.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
She signed Jonathan mm hmmm mm hmm. Shame. Yeah, people
do funny things.
Speaker 3 (26:00):
Yeah, h did you pay the fella?
Speaker 2 (26:06):
He's clever, very clever, he sure is.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
I really thought he was falling off that building.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Used to be an acrobat. Ah, how do you make
that noise? He's holding ten penny nails in his hands,
scraped them along the face of the building as he
slipped down.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
Did you think of that too? Made an awful racket?
Speaker 2 (26:32):
It's pretty nice, lady.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
You know? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (26:36):
What the devil are you doing?
Speaker 3 (26:38):
H oh? Fixing my nails? I guess cut it out?
Will you sure? What's the matter with you?
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Noise makes me nervous, I guess you know. Suspend presented
by Roma Wines, Roma Roma America's favorite wines.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
This is Ken Niles.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
Returning for a curtain call with the brilliant star of
tonight's suspense play, Agnes Moorehead. Apparently, Agnes, you're not superstitious
accepting the lead in a play called The Thirteenth Sound
on February thirteenth.
Speaker 3 (27:26):
Superstition's a nophobia with me, Ken, But I do have one.
What is it? I refuse to give a party for
thirteen people?
Speaker 1 (27:33):
Yes, but even a thirteenth guest is in luck, Agnes.
Speaker 3 (27:35):
When you serve.
Speaker 1 (27:36):
Roma port ruby red fragrant nectar, sweet Roma California port
adds warmth to the welcome for everyone, and Roma port
is so easy to serve you simply pour and hospitality rage.
Speaker 3 (27:50):
Yes, Ken, Roma port does make entertaining a pleasure.
Speaker 1 (27:53):
Not only that, Agnes, There's a difference. You can taste
in all Roma wines, and this better taspe begins with
the choicest grapes in all California. Then Roma's unmatched skill
and wine making resources guide these luscious grapes unhurriedly to
tempting taste perfection. Later, Roma places this rich taste treasure
(28:14):
with Roma wines of years before. And finally, Roma selects
from the world's greatest wine reserves for your place.
Speaker 3 (28:22):
Well, it's easy to see why Roma wines taste bitter.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
Kin, Yes, Agnes, and here's the most conclusive proof of all,
a gift basket of Roma wines for you and your
guests to enjoy with the compliments of Roma, the greatest
name in Why.
Speaker 3 (28:36):
I'm delighted, Ken, Thank you very much, and good night.
Speaker 2 (28:40):
The Night's sent suspense play was written by Kathy and
Elliot Ewis. Next Thursday, same time, you will hear Anne
Baxter as star of suspense.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
Produced and directed by William Spear for the Roma Wine Company.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Of Fresno, California, m H. In the coming weeks, Suspense
will present such stars as James Stewart, William Bendix, Addie Bracken,
(29:16):
and others. Make it a point to listen each Thursday
to Suspense radio's outstanding.
Speaker 3 (29:23):
Hitter of thrills.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.
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