August 23, 2025 • 29 mins
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agnes Moorehead, Marlene Dietrich and Humphrey Bogart. The plots were mostly engaging crime dramas, science fiction and some horror - usually with a surprise ending.
Hope you enjoy this episode of Suspense! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | Amazon | iHeart
Hope you enjoy this episode of Suspense! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | Amazon | iHeart
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Auto Light and it's ninety eight thousand dealers. Bring you,
mister Jack Benny. In Tonight's presentation of suspense, Tonight Auto
Light presents a story of out a man who worked
for thirty years to prepare a most unique personal retirement plan.
(00:26):
The story is called a good and Faithful Servant, Our star,
mister Jack Benny. Hello there, Harlow, Well the legislative luminary.
How are a Senator? My car is giving me trouble,
Harlow your car? What's wrong with it?
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Senator?
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Well, it gets going slower than the loser leaving offers,
it rides rougher than a tax debate, and uses more
gas than a three day filibuster.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Well, it may be spark blood trouble, Senator. Spark plug
should be checked every three to four thousand miles, so
see you're a nearest autolite spark plug dealer. His exclusive
auto light plug check indicator will quickly show the exact
condition of your spark plugs. If they're worn out or
wrong for your style of driving, He'll recommend resistor or
standard type ignition engineered auto light spark plugs for smoother performance,
(01:21):
quick starts, and gas savings.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Sounds like a propitious proposal.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Hurlo, how do I find this auto light spark plug dealer?
Speaker 1 (01:29):
I just phoned Western Union by number and ask for
operator twenty five. She'll quickly tell you the name of
your nearest auto light spark plug dealer where you can
get the finest spark plug service money can buy. And remember,
from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Autolite.
And now, with the performance of mister Jack Benny, Autolite
(01:51):
presents transcribed a good and faithful servant, hoping once again
to keep you in cell spence. I know you've been
through a lot, mister Fenton, but if you could just
try to recall anything else about the appearance of the two.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
Men, Lieutenant, couldn't this wait?
Speaker 5 (02:10):
Fenton has spent fourteen horrible hours locked in a vault,
and while.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
I admire his spirit and pluck and bearing up as
well as he.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Has, I'm just trying to get something to go on.
Mister Waterman. Do you want your money back?
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Don't you?
Speaker 5 (02:21):
The welfare of my employees comes first, Lieutenant, first last, and.
Speaker 6 (02:24):
Always, and you're insured.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
Miss don't answer if you don't feel up to it.
Speaker 6 (02:29):
Fender, I don't mind, mister Waterman. I'm anxious to cooperate now,
as near as I can. I'm sure you get this
points as near as I can remember. Of course, I
had only a flash before they forced me into the ball.
We understand, mister Finn. I had the impression of one
being tall but not too tall, and the other one
was shorter but not too short exactly. And they were
(02:51):
wearing masks, rubber masks. One had a Lionel Barrymore mask,
and I think the other was Dick Tracy, who was
quite a shock to see him.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Aha.
Speaker 5 (03:01):
The Brinks Gang, Lieutenant, the Brinx Gang to a t.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Maybe, mister Cartwright, would you come over here, miss Cartwright?
Is it the practice to keep large sums of cash
on a hand overnight at the store. But yes, the
store does a tremendous cash business, Lieutenant, tremendous, and yesterday
was dollar Day.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Thank you, miss Cartwright.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
How did it happen that Fenton was alone in the
cashroom when the bandits entered? Did he customarily close the
vault for the night?
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Not customarily. No. When I'm unavoidably called away from.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
What this happened, often, well, very seldom, Lieutenant, very seldom.
But it happened yesterday until men walked in, put you
in the vault, walked out with a big hunk of money.
Speaker 6 (03:41):
At precisely five fifty six. Mister Cartwright opened the vault
this morning at eight o two.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Correct, Lieutenant, We won't know how much they got until
I can make a note of.
Speaker 5 (03:51):
And if there's any question, Lieutenant, of corroborating Fenton's story,
I need only to say that he's been with Watermans
for thirty years, a good and faithful servant. More exactly,
mister Waterman, twenty nine years, eleven months and twenty nine days.
I was due to retire tomorrow before this unfortunate circumstance arose,
and nonsense Fenton, you'll retire tomorrow. And if there's any question, Lieutenant,
(04:12):
of Fenton's character, his honesty is the yeah, sure, sure
you can go home.
Speaker 6 (04:17):
Mister Fenton.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Better get some rest if you want to doctor reporters
go out this back way. Well what do you think,
mister Waterman, entirely after your Bible, entirely, But in these
days of doubt, of confusion, and dishonesty in high places,
I believe your simple story of courage and devotion to
duty will be an inspiration everywhere, mister Waterman, I am
ready to face the press. They were all very nice
(04:46):
to me, the reporters, the police, mister Cartwright.
Speaker 6 (04:49):
And especially mister Waterman. All that money missing, fifty thousand,
yet his only concern was for me. I thought that
if I could afford it, I'd like to buy him
some little of gratitude. And I thought again. In my
desk at the office there was a secret compartment, and
that compartment was fifty thousand dollars. I guess I could
(05:11):
afford it.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Mother, I'm home.
Speaker 4 (05:20):
Morning, Harold.
Speaker 7 (05:22):
I hope you haven't had breakfast. I've kept it hot
for you.
Speaker 6 (05:26):
You're not going to ask me how it went, Mother, Oh, I.
Speaker 8 (05:28):
Heard over the radio.
Speaker 7 (05:30):
But I wish there'd been some way of doing it,
that it wouldn't have kept you out all night.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Oh I wasn't out all night, Mother, I was an evault.
Speaker 7 (05:37):
I know you were, Harold, And if you keep on,
you're going to end up with that same sign a
strip your father used to have.
Speaker 6 (05:44):
Oh, Mother, it was a perfectly dry warm Oh, never mind.
Speaker 8 (05:48):
Each a cereal, Harold, you'll feel better.
Speaker 6 (05:52):
And mister Waterman told me to take the day off. Mother,
I'm not going in until tomorrow.
Speaker 8 (05:57):
I just certainly big of him. After all you've done
for them. How much did you get?
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Fifty thousand?
Speaker 6 (06:03):
It's in my desk at the office, in the drawer
with the false bottom.
Speaker 8 (06:07):
In your desk. Will it be safe there, Harold?
Speaker 6 (06:10):
Well, no one will be looking for Harold.
Speaker 7 (06:13):
You don't think you'll have any trouble getting the money
out of your desk.
Speaker 6 (06:16):
I think things will work out all right, see according
to my plan at Harold.
Speaker 7 (06:25):
You see, I told you from the beginning you weren't
strong enough for this type of thing.
Speaker 6 (06:38):
The next morning, at eight forty three, I punched in
at the store, figuring three hundred and eight working days
a year that made n forty punches. It was a
little strange to think of this being my last. I
walked from the store to the elevator, past lingerie, ladies,
gloves and perfume, the way I always went, but this
(06:58):
morning was different. When I passed, they spoke to me.
They knew who I was. Even the brunette in perfume
smiled at me. I almost stopped, but I couldn't think
of anything to say. In the elevator, one of the
girls asked me how I felt still scared, I said,
and they laughed. They wouldn't have laughed.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Any harder for mister Waterman.
Speaker 6 (07:25):
I got out at eight my floor, and as I
went into my office, Miss Prentiss, mister Cartwright's secretary, looked
at me. Twenty three months and two days, she'd been
looking at the top of my head, but this morning
she looked at me and she smiled. I guess I
smiled back.
Speaker 9 (07:41):
Good morning, mister Fenton.
Speaker 6 (07:43):
Good morning, Miss Prentice. It wasn't much, but I felt
it could have been a start. I was almost sorry.
This was my last day, Fenton.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Did you hear me?
Speaker 6 (07:54):
Yes, mister Cartwright, I heard you. Mister Cartwright, all right.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
A big workload piled up yesterday when you'd took off.
We haven't anyone new coming into tomorrow. Not that I
want to overload you on your last day.
Speaker 6 (08:04):
Nana's day's work for nana's day's pay.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Mister cortright, Oh good. I'm still trying to find out
how much was taken in the hold up, So you're
on your own.
Speaker 6 (08:12):
I think I can tell you almost to the penny,
mister Cortright.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
I'll make my own check now about the work Oh,
good morning, mister Waterman.
Speaker 6 (08:18):
I was just Fenton back at the old Ask and
I just didn't feel right away from it. Mister Waterman.
Speaker 5 (08:29):
I got a surprise for you this afternoon, Fenton, going
to make a little ceremony out of your retirement, A
ceremony good for storm morale, right Cartwright?
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Oh absolutely, mister Waterman. Absolutely.
Speaker 5 (08:41):
And about that request of yours you made last week, Fenton,
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if we can swing it.
Speaker 6 (08:46):
Oh you're too kind, mister Watermore.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Bye boy.
Speaker 5 (08:49):
When you work for Waterman's thirty years, you've got something
coming to you.
Speaker 6 (08:53):
No, really, I ate my usual lunch that day, the
Thursday blue plate special at Elmo's Grotto seventy cents plus
the usual ten percent tip seven cents, With the usual
twenty minutes left in my lunch hour, I headed for
(09:15):
the park with a nickel bag of peanuts. The squirreld
for going to miss me. Now, No, mister Waterman, you've
had free already. Give mister cart Wright a chance. Sit up,
mister Cartwright, sip, that's it, that's it.
Speaker 9 (09:31):
Excuse me, would you mind if I join you, mister Fenton.
Speaker 6 (09:34):
Why miss Pranter's of course, I mean, of course, not
sit down, sit down, Thank you.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Move over, mister Waterman.
Speaker 10 (09:44):
He does look a little pompous, doesn't he. Which one is,
mister Cartwright?
Speaker 6 (09:48):
There with a small mustache? He bites?
Speaker 9 (09:52):
And is there a miss Prentiss?
Speaker 6 (09:54):
Well there is, but I believe she is well nesting.
Speaker 10 (10:00):
Well how long have you been feeding them, mister Fendon,
They seem so friendly?
Speaker 6 (10:06):
Thirty years, Miss Prentice? My favorite animal. You give a
squirrel and nuting. Does he eat it?
Speaker 2 (10:12):
No?
Speaker 6 (10:12):
He runs away and stores it in the hole. We
could all benefit from their example.
Speaker 10 (10:17):
And now that you've stored your little ness dag, you're retiring,
mister Fender.
Speaker 6 (10:21):
Well you might say that, yes, you're.
Speaker 10 (10:24):
Quite a fascinating character. Mister Fenton, me, I'm sorry I
didn't know you. Soon you know, the whole store is
talking about your ordeal in that vault.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
Oh it wasn't so bad.
Speaker 6 (10:37):
In fact, I've always rather liked the vault.
Speaker 9 (10:40):
What an odd thing to say?
Speaker 6 (10:42):
Well, chakon is so goo, Miss Prentiss. That's French for
each to his own taste.
Speaker 9 (10:51):
Oh you've been abroad, mister Fendon.
Speaker 10 (10:53):
Me, Oh my goodness, no, Oh, but you will now
that you're retiring.
Speaker 6 (10:57):
No, no, I've got my eye on a little cottage
by a lake and woods. Lots of squirrels there, and
no time clocks.
Speaker 10 (11:04):
You and your wife mother. Oh, I hope you get it,
mister Fenton.
Speaker 6 (11:08):
Thank you, Miss Brendie.
Speaker 9 (11:10):
I wonder what the robbers are going to do with
all that money.
Speaker 6 (11:14):
I wonder five to one? Shall we go back and
punch in Miss Prentis. She let me walk all the
way back to the store with her, and in the
elevator mister Bixler Sporting Goods winked at me.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Funny.
Speaker 6 (11:34):
For ten years, I'd have the feeling mister Bixler didn't
like me. There was quite a gathering in the cashier's
office when we arrived, all the executives from mister Waterman's
down and the editor of the store paper wandering through
Waterman's I'd sent an item to him last summer, mister
(11:56):
Fenton of Cashier's department, spending his two week vacation at home,
but he never printed it.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
Well, come in, come in, Fenton.
Speaker 5 (12:06):
We've been waiting for our shall we say against of
honor me, mister Waterman. You Fentin, we have a little
ceremony which I'd hoped to conclude before the lunch hour
was over.
Speaker 6 (12:16):
Oh, I'm sorry, mister Waterman.
Speaker 4 (12:17):
Nothing of it. This is your day, fent in your day.
Oh going to get a shot of.
Speaker 6 (12:22):
The two of us woolf Yes, sir, mister Waterman over
by the door, if you don't mind, I'd like it.
Sitting at my desk. I feel more well secure.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
There by your desk.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
How's this.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
Got it? Good?
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Good?
Speaker 5 (12:38):
And now Fenton, we all say farewell to a good
and faithful servant, one who has given thirty years of
his life as a contribution, however small, to making Waterman's
the great institution it is today.
Speaker 6 (12:51):
Well done, Harold Fenten, Thank you.
Speaker 5 (12:58):
A modest man, but conscientious, his regular comings and goings
passed almost unknown to many until his ordeal of two
days ago, locked all night in the vault by brutal
and rapacious thieves, a night in which, in his own words,
he relived each and every day of his thirty year
services to Waterman's greater devotion. Hath no man, there is
nothing really And now his labor's done, his burden born.
(13:22):
Fenton will live up the rest of his days in ease,
and comfort, because he has arrived at the retirement age
of the Waterman pension plan, by which he will receive
thirty one dollars and sixty eight cents a month, thirty
one dollars sixty eight cents a month for as long
as he lives.
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Thank you.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
And now a little surprise for Harold Fenton.
Speaker 5 (13:46):
A week ago and a letter to me, our good
and faithful servant, asked that on his retirement he'd be
given permission to purchase for his home his old desk.
Speaker 6 (13:54):
Actually, mister Waterman, I don't know what I'd do without it.
Speaker 5 (13:58):
Oh, Frankly, I put in a lot of thought on
this simple request.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
Hmm.
Speaker 5 (14:02):
I weigh the factors in my mind. On the one hand,
was Fenton's thirty year service. On the other, mister Waterman,
on the other, he was already receiving his pension of well,
his pension, however, please mister Waterman. However, Fenton, my boy,
I decided to go you one better. One better, not
a new desk, nothing so unsentimental, Fenton.
Speaker 4 (14:25):
Instead of allowing you to purchase the desk, I'm giving
it to you here, all.
Speaker 5 (14:31):
Right, boys, right in here, take the desk wherever Fenton
here wants it now.
Speaker 4 (14:36):
Back to work everybody month end Clarence today.
Speaker 6 (14:39):
Whoops, easy man, do robit easy.
Speaker 5 (14:43):
And then my boy, in the years ahead, when you're
seated at your old desk, think of us, won't you.
Speaker 6 (14:49):
I certainly will, mister Waterman, I certainly will.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Auto Light is.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Bringing you, mister Jack Benny in a good and faithful
servant tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills suspense. Well, Senator,
(15:28):
did you take my advice?
Speaker 5 (15:29):
Why?
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Yes, Carlow my auto light spark plug dealer turned my
Warren spark plugs out of oppers and elected a set
of ignition engineered auto.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Lights spark plug. A wise move, Senator.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Those auto light spark plugs are designed by the same
auto light engineers who design the coil distributor, generator and
all the other important parts of the complete ignition system
used as original equipment on many leading makes of our
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and performance.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
In my auto light spark plug dealer nominated auto light
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(16:23):
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Speaker 1 (16:40):
Writ Senator, friends, take a tip from me and see
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And now auto light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage.
Mister Jack Benny in Elliott Lewis's production of A Good
and Faithful Servant, a tale well calculated to keep you
(17:04):
in suspence.
Speaker 6 (17:17):
Retirement, agreed with me. I walked to the park to
see my friends when I felt like it, leisurely lunch
at Elmo's Grotto when I felt like it, and when
Ana arose a little gardening, mother and I were very happy.
Speaker 7 (17:33):
You've done enough for one morning, Harold, your batt will
go out again.
Speaker 6 (17:37):
All through, Mother, just cleaning off the spade.
Speaker 7 (17:40):
What were you planting this morning, Harold, Mother?
Speaker 6 (17:44):
If anything should happen to me, knock wood, knock wood,
right in between the beets and the radishes. There's a
very rich patch of.
Speaker 7 (17:53):
Dirty So not we going to get our little cottage
by the lake.
Speaker 6 (17:58):
I have to go in town today, Mother, I might
just inquire round. Oh good, You know, mister Waterman is
really a very sweet man. The Waterman pension plan. I
just wish I could tell him how happy it's made me.
(18:18):
I hadn't told mother, but Miss Prentice had called that morning.
Mister Cartwright wanted to see me that afternoon at the office,
she said, and she asked how I was. What would
have happened if I'd asked her to lunch?
Speaker 2 (18:31):
I almost did too.
Speaker 6 (18:38):
In the cashier's office at the store, Miss Prentice smiled
when she saw me, and I smiled back, in fact,
when he struck up quite a conversation.
Speaker 9 (18:46):
Oh, mister Fenton, how are you fine?
Speaker 2 (18:49):
Yes?
Speaker 9 (18:50):
Fine, miss Prendie retirement agree with you?
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Yes, yes, indeed fine.
Speaker 9 (18:55):
You notice we haven't filled your.
Speaker 6 (18:56):
Old job, Oh yes, yes, indeed.
Speaker 9 (19:00):
Haven't been able to find another man of your.
Speaker 11 (19:02):
Tithe Well, well said, you come in here, coming coming,
mister cartright, sit down, Fenton, sit down, thank you?
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Just trying to clean up ac counts on the robbery. Fon.
What was your final telly again?
Speaker 6 (19:24):
Fifty thousand, almost exactly, mister cortright.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Your way off. That doesn't check with my orders at all.
I'm quite sure of my figures. Well, then you're wrong.
That's all.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
My check shows they got away with eighty two thousand.
Speaker 6 (19:37):
Eighty two thousand, right, if.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
You'll just sign the necessary statements corroborating my order. I
can't do that, mister carrright, and just why can't you
don't take my word for it? Frankly, no, Feton. Look,
you're retired. It's nothing to you one way or the other.
You just made a little mistake in your figures, that's all,
mister Carkwright.
Speaker 6 (19:58):
Are you asking me to help cover up a s
shortage in your accounts?
Speaker 1 (20:01):
All right, Feton, I'll lay it on the line temporarily.
I'm a bit short involvement with a woman, and you
wouldn't understand.
Speaker 6 (20:10):
I most certainly wouldn't.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Look, I'll make it worth your while.
Speaker 6 (20:13):
Shortages I found out sooner or later, mister.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
Cartwright, all right, if that's your attitude, let me tell
you something, Feten. I don't like the smell at this
robbery of yours.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
I don't like it at all. What do you think
of that?
Speaker 6 (20:24):
You're implying that I made off with fifty thousand dollars
belonging to Waterman.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
I think it's highly possible. And how are you so
sure it was fifty thousand?
Speaker 6 (20:33):
Supposing me for one instant capable of such a thing,
mister Cartwright, wouldn't I be much too clever to put
my head in a noose by covering.
Speaker 2 (20:40):
Up for you, Feten?
Speaker 1 (20:42):
If I was talking to an honest man, wouldn't he
have taken my story right to mister Waterman?
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Hmm, I'll give you five minutes either.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Signed my auditor, I go to the police and accuse
you of stealing eighty two thousand dollars.
Speaker 6 (20:57):
They get over Fennon, no question about it. Mister Cartwright's
sound estee might be a bit awkward for me. My
instinct about the man had been thoroughly sound. I had
disliked him for sixteen years. Well, there was only one
safe way out of it. Well, mister Cartwright, if you
(21:21):
need money. Yes, why don't you rob the vault? Actually
it isn't hard at all.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
Well, how did you How do I get away with
the money?
Speaker 6 (21:31):
I'm sorry, I never revealed professional secrets.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
So then you'll have to help me offend.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
Lock me in the vault and you get away with
the money. Me sure, then we're both in the cliff
for good. Help me out fend.
Speaker 6 (21:43):
You mean I'm going to clear out the vault a
second time?
Speaker 2 (21:47):
You'll never regret it. Regret it.
Speaker 6 (21:51):
The fact is, I'd rather enjoy it. We settled on
the following Friday. Friday nights, the store stayed open till nine,
and they were having a big white sale that day.
The money was already stacked on mister Cartwright's desk when
(22:11):
I got there. It was a juicy hall. I didn't
see mister cart right around. But hell, Miss Prentiss, but
but the money.
Speaker 10 (22:23):
I was listening when you and mister Cartwright made your plans,
mister Fendon, and he caught me and forced me to
help him.
Speaker 9 (22:29):
You understand, Harold, I mean, mister.
Speaker 6 (22:32):
Fendon, Harold. Times like these draw people together quickly, don't
you think?
Speaker 4 (22:37):
Oh?
Speaker 8 (22:37):
I do?
Speaker 9 (22:38):
I really do?
Speaker 6 (22:39):
Miss Prentice. Helen thank you, Helen. Miss Prentiss, mister Cartwright
mentioned a woman in his life. You're not the one.
Speaker 8 (22:51):
Harold, of course not excuse me.
Speaker 6 (22:55):
I just thought you remember the office party last Christmas?
Speaker 10 (22:58):
Oh that well, that was just because he was under
the missilete and if you'd been under it instead of
mister Carter.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Really well, oh, Feton, you're here. Good anybody see it?
Come up?
Speaker 6 (23:11):
It doesn't matter, really, mister Cartwright might even be better
that way. Then you and miss Prentice can say that
I left minutes before the bandits riding. You're right, of course,
thank you. Are you ready, mister cartright? I brought some
wrapping paper for the money. You've brought along a handle
with care sticker. That's the Fenton touch, you know, get on.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
With it, will you?
Speaker 6 (23:32):
No need to be nervous?
Speaker 2 (23:35):
There need.
Speaker 6 (23:37):
I spent eight years in wrapping in Malee.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
All right, you know what to do with it, Helen.
Speaker 6 (23:41):
I know. I just a met mister Cartwright. I'm to
take the money. Remember there's been a change, Fenton. We
rewrote the script. You think that's wise to fly in
the face of my experience.
Speaker 1 (23:53):
I look, Feton, we're not children. You lock us in
the vault and take off with the money. You think
we'd never see you again.
Speaker 6 (23:59):
Well you're questioning my honesty. I'm sure Miss Prentice will
vouch for me. We're rather good friends. Miss brandis Helen.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
Unfortunately for you, Fenton, Helen's on my side now, if
you wouldn't mind getting into the vault, Me.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
In the vault.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
But this is a loaded gun, fed and getting the vault.
But you came back for a second helping that. So
the Confederate got away with the money. But I courageously
slammed the vault door on you and went for help.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
But will they believe me?
Speaker 1 (24:32):
I imagine they'll find fifty thousand somewhere around your house.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
They'll believe me, Helen.
Speaker 6 (24:38):
I see.
Speaker 9 (24:39):
I'm sorry, Harold. It's a nasty trick, but we're nasty people.
Speaker 8 (24:43):
You should have stuffed squirrels.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
Just one thing, Fenton, how did you ever get that
fifty thousand out of here the first time?
Speaker 6 (24:50):
How well I didn't, mister Cartwright, you didn't.
Speaker 9 (24:56):
Then where is it?
Speaker 6 (24:57):
It's still on the vallt I don't believe it quite
cleverly hidden. It took me most of that night I
was locked in get in there and show me. I'm sorry,
mister Carr, get in there. No, I went through a
lot for that money, mister cart Right, thirty years. I
just assume you shot me.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Helen Hover goun on him. I'm going ahead and look, well,
don't be long.
Speaker 9 (25:15):
What if somebody should walk in and be able to
see if he's lying?
Speaker 2 (25:18):
Just watch him?
Speaker 9 (25:20):
You see anything?
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Yeah, I don't think it's possible.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
And open the doors. I can get some more.
Speaker 6 (25:26):
Life must be true. Crime changes people. I had never
lied yet I lied to cart Right. I never used violence,
yet I got behind Helen. And I guess I'll go home.
(25:46):
Mother will be wondering what's happened to me.
Speaker 8 (25:57):
Some more serial herald.
Speaker 6 (25:59):
I don't think so, mother, Thanks. What time is it?
Speaker 8 (26:02):
Eight?
Speaker 2 (26:02):
Ten?
Speaker 6 (26:03):
Son? Ah, they would have opened the vault at eight
this morning. The police should be here any minute.
Speaker 8 (26:08):
Are you sure those two implicate you, Harold?
Speaker 6 (26:11):
It seems likely, mother. The gun would be hard to explain.
And I think miss Prentice will turn on mister Cartwright
after a night in the vault.
Speaker 8 (26:19):
Yes, she's just the type.
Speaker 6 (26:22):
I'm sorry, mother, I guess I just don't know much
about women.
Speaker 8 (26:26):
It's all right, son, you think they'll be hard on.
Speaker 6 (26:30):
You, not very I haven't spent any of the money.
The insurance companies always look kindly on such cases.
Speaker 8 (26:38):
There they are harold, how long two years?
Speaker 6 (26:43):
Mother, maybe less, maybe even one.
Speaker 8 (26:46):
It's still a long time.
Speaker 6 (26:48):
A long time after thirty years in Waterman's hardly I'll
get the door.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
Suspense presented by Autolite to light star mister Jack Penny.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
This is Harlow.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
Wilcox speaking for Autolite, world's largest independent manufacturer of automotive
electrical equipment. Autolite is proud to serve the greatest names
in the industry. They are members of the Autolite Family,
as are the ninety eight thousand auto light distributors and
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Speaker 2 (27:40):
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Speaker 1 (27:42):
Our family also includes the nearly thirty thousand men and
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(28:04):
standards of quality and performance, so remember from bumper to
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Speaker 2 (28:10):
Right with auto Light.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
Next Week a story of revenge, the desperate effort of
a murderer to destroy the man who had committed him
to prison. The story is called Concerto for Killer and Eyewitnesses.
Our star the director of suspense, mister Elliott Lewis. That's
Next Week on South Spence. Suspense is produced and directed
(28:45):
by Elliott Lewis, with music composed by Lucian Morrowick and
conducted by lud Gluskin. A Good and Faithful Servant was
written for suspense by Richard M.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Powell.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
Portions of this program were transcribed in lights Cast. Norma
Arden was heard as Missus Fenton, Doris Singleton as Helen, Gerald,
Moore as mister Cartwright, Joseph Kerns as mister Waterman, Hi
ho her Back as Lieutenant Miller, and Charles Calvert as
mister Wolf.
Speaker 12 (29:15):
For the location of your nearest auto light, spark plug
or auto light battery dealer, or your nearest authorized auto
light service station for own Western Union by number, and
ask for Operator twenty five.
Speaker 9 (29:26):
Switch to auto light.
Speaker 8 (29:27):
Good night.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
This is the CBS Radio Network
Auto Light and it's ninety eight thousand dealers. Bring you,
mister Jack Benny. In Tonight's presentation of suspense, Tonight Auto
Light presents a story of out a man who worked
for thirty years to prepare a most unique personal retirement plan.
(00:26):
The story is called a good and Faithful Servant, Our star,
mister Jack Benny. Hello there, Harlow, Well the legislative luminary.
How are a Senator? My car is giving me trouble,
Harlow your car? What's wrong with it?
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Senator?
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Well, it gets going slower than the loser leaving offers,
it rides rougher than a tax debate, and uses more
gas than a three day filibuster.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Well, it may be spark blood trouble, Senator. Spark plug
should be checked every three to four thousand miles, so
see you're a nearest autolite spark plug dealer. His exclusive
auto light plug check indicator will quickly show the exact
condition of your spark plugs. If they're worn out or
wrong for your style of driving, He'll recommend resistor or
standard type ignition engineered auto light spark plugs for smoother performance,
(01:21):
quick starts, and gas savings.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Sounds like a propitious proposal.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Hurlo, how do I find this auto light spark plug dealer?
Speaker 1 (01:29):
I just phoned Western Union by number and ask for
operator twenty five. She'll quickly tell you the name of
your nearest auto light spark plug dealer where you can
get the finest spark plug service money can buy. And remember,
from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Autolite.
And now, with the performance of mister Jack Benny, Autolite
(01:51):
presents transcribed a good and faithful servant, hoping once again
to keep you in cell spence. I know you've been
through a lot, mister Fenton, but if you could just
try to recall anything else about the appearance of the two.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
Men, Lieutenant, couldn't this wait?
Speaker 5 (02:10):
Fenton has spent fourteen horrible hours locked in a vault,
and while.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
I admire his spirit and pluck and bearing up as
well as he.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Has, I'm just trying to get something to go on.
Mister Waterman. Do you want your money back?
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Don't you?
Speaker 5 (02:21):
The welfare of my employees comes first, Lieutenant, first last, and.
Speaker 6 (02:24):
Always, and you're insured.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
Miss don't answer if you don't feel up to it.
Speaker 6 (02:29):
Fender, I don't mind, mister Waterman. I'm anxious to cooperate now,
as near as I can. I'm sure you get this
points as near as I can remember. Of course, I
had only a flash before they forced me into the ball.
We understand, mister Finn. I had the impression of one
being tall but not too tall, and the other one
was shorter but not too short exactly. And they were
(02:51):
wearing masks, rubber masks. One had a Lionel Barrymore mask,
and I think the other was Dick Tracy, who was
quite a shock to see him.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Aha.
Speaker 5 (03:01):
The Brinks Gang, Lieutenant, the Brinx Gang to a t.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Maybe, mister Cartwright, would you come over here, miss Cartwright?
Is it the practice to keep large sums of cash
on a hand overnight at the store. But yes, the
store does a tremendous cash business, Lieutenant, tremendous, and yesterday
was dollar Day.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Thank you, miss Cartwright.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
How did it happen that Fenton was alone in the
cashroom when the bandits entered? Did he customarily close the
vault for the night?
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Not customarily. No. When I'm unavoidably called away from.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
What this happened, often, well, very seldom, Lieutenant, very seldom.
But it happened yesterday until men walked in, put you
in the vault, walked out with a big hunk of money.
Speaker 6 (03:41):
At precisely five fifty six. Mister Cartwright opened the vault
this morning at eight o two.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Correct, Lieutenant, We won't know how much they got until
I can make a note of.
Speaker 5 (03:51):
And if there's any question, Lieutenant, of corroborating Fenton's story,
I need only to say that he's been with Watermans
for thirty years, a good and faithful servant. More exactly,
mister Waterman, twenty nine years, eleven months and twenty nine days.
I was due to retire tomorrow before this unfortunate circumstance arose,
and nonsense Fenton, you'll retire tomorrow. And if there's any question, Lieutenant,
(04:12):
of Fenton's character, his honesty is the yeah, sure, sure
you can go home.
Speaker 6 (04:17):
Mister Fenton.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Better get some rest if you want to doctor reporters
go out this back way. Well what do you think,
mister Waterman, entirely after your Bible, entirely, But in these
days of doubt, of confusion, and dishonesty in high places,
I believe your simple story of courage and devotion to
duty will be an inspiration everywhere, mister Waterman, I am
ready to face the press. They were all very nice
(04:46):
to me, the reporters, the police, mister Cartwright.
Speaker 6 (04:49):
And especially mister Waterman. All that money missing, fifty thousand,
yet his only concern was for me. I thought that
if I could afford it, I'd like to buy him
some little of gratitude. And I thought again. In my
desk at the office there was a secret compartment, and
that compartment was fifty thousand dollars. I guess I could
(05:11):
afford it.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Mother, I'm home.
Speaker 4 (05:20):
Morning, Harold.
Speaker 7 (05:22):
I hope you haven't had breakfast. I've kept it hot
for you.
Speaker 6 (05:26):
You're not going to ask me how it went, Mother, Oh, I.
Speaker 8 (05:28):
Heard over the radio.
Speaker 7 (05:30):
But I wish there'd been some way of doing it,
that it wouldn't have kept you out all night.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Oh I wasn't out all night, Mother, I was an evault.
Speaker 7 (05:37):
I know you were, Harold, And if you keep on,
you're going to end up with that same sign a
strip your father used to have.
Speaker 6 (05:44):
Oh, Mother, it was a perfectly dry warm Oh, never mind.
Speaker 8 (05:48):
Each a cereal, Harold, you'll feel better.
Speaker 6 (05:52):
And mister Waterman told me to take the day off. Mother,
I'm not going in until tomorrow.
Speaker 8 (05:57):
I just certainly big of him. After all you've done
for them. How much did you get?
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Fifty thousand?
Speaker 6 (06:03):
It's in my desk at the office, in the drawer
with the false bottom.
Speaker 8 (06:07):
In your desk. Will it be safe there, Harold?
Speaker 6 (06:10):
Well, no one will be looking for Harold.
Speaker 7 (06:13):
You don't think you'll have any trouble getting the money
out of your desk.
Speaker 6 (06:16):
I think things will work out all right, see according
to my plan at Harold.
Speaker 7 (06:25):
You see, I told you from the beginning you weren't
strong enough for this type of thing.
Speaker 6 (06:38):
The next morning, at eight forty three, I punched in
at the store, figuring three hundred and eight working days
a year that made n forty punches. It was a
little strange to think of this being my last. I
walked from the store to the elevator, past lingerie, ladies,
gloves and perfume, the way I always went, but this
(06:58):
morning was different. When I passed, they spoke to me.
They knew who I was. Even the brunette in perfume
smiled at me. I almost stopped, but I couldn't think
of anything to say. In the elevator, one of the
girls asked me how I felt still scared, I said,
and they laughed. They wouldn't have laughed.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Any harder for mister Waterman.
Speaker 6 (07:25):
I got out at eight my floor, and as I
went into my office, Miss Prentiss, mister Cartwright's secretary, looked
at me. Twenty three months and two days, she'd been
looking at the top of my head, but this morning
she looked at me and she smiled. I guess I
smiled back.
Speaker 9 (07:41):
Good morning, mister Fenton.
Speaker 6 (07:43):
Good morning, Miss Prentice. It wasn't much, but I felt
it could have been a start. I was almost sorry.
This was my last day, Fenton.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Did you hear me?
Speaker 6 (07:54):
Yes, mister Cartwright, I heard you. Mister Cartwright, all right.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
A big workload piled up yesterday when you'd took off.
We haven't anyone new coming into tomorrow. Not that I
want to overload you on your last day.
Speaker 6 (08:04):
Nana's day's work for nana's day's pay.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Mister cortright, Oh good. I'm still trying to find out
how much was taken in the hold up, So you're
on your own.
Speaker 6 (08:12):
I think I can tell you almost to the penny,
mister Cortright.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
I'll make my own check now about the work Oh,
good morning, mister Waterman.
Speaker 6 (08:18):
I was just Fenton back at the old Ask and
I just didn't feel right away from it. Mister Waterman.
Speaker 5 (08:29):
I got a surprise for you this afternoon, Fenton, going
to make a little ceremony out of your retirement, A
ceremony good for storm morale, right Cartwright?
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Oh absolutely, mister Waterman. Absolutely.
Speaker 5 (08:41):
And about that request of yours you made last week, Fenton,
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if we can swing it.
Speaker 6 (08:46):
Oh you're too kind, mister Watermore.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Bye boy.
Speaker 5 (08:49):
When you work for Waterman's thirty years, you've got something
coming to you.
Speaker 6 (08:53):
No, really, I ate my usual lunch that day, the
Thursday blue plate special at Elmo's Grotto seventy cents plus
the usual ten percent tip seven cents, With the usual
twenty minutes left in my lunch hour, I headed for
(09:15):
the park with a nickel bag of peanuts. The squirreld
for going to miss me. Now, No, mister Waterman, you've
had free already. Give mister cart Wright a chance. Sit up,
mister Cartwright, sip, that's it, that's it.
Speaker 9 (09:31):
Excuse me, would you mind if I join you, mister Fenton.
Speaker 6 (09:34):
Why miss Pranter's of course, I mean, of course, not
sit down, sit down, Thank you.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Move over, mister Waterman.
Speaker 10 (09:44):
He does look a little pompous, doesn't he. Which one is,
mister Cartwright?
Speaker 6 (09:48):
There with a small mustache? He bites?
Speaker 9 (09:52):
And is there a miss Prentiss?
Speaker 6 (09:54):
Well there is, but I believe she is well nesting.
Speaker 10 (10:00):
Well how long have you been feeding them, mister Fendon,
They seem so friendly?
Speaker 6 (10:06):
Thirty years, Miss Prentice? My favorite animal. You give a
squirrel and nuting. Does he eat it?
Speaker 2 (10:12):
No?
Speaker 6 (10:12):
He runs away and stores it in the hole. We
could all benefit from their example.
Speaker 10 (10:17):
And now that you've stored your little ness dag, you're retiring,
mister Fender.
Speaker 6 (10:21):
Well you might say that, yes, you're.
Speaker 10 (10:24):
Quite a fascinating character. Mister Fenton, me, I'm sorry I
didn't know you. Soon you know, the whole store is
talking about your ordeal in that vault.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
Oh it wasn't so bad.
Speaker 6 (10:37):
In fact, I've always rather liked the vault.
Speaker 9 (10:40):
What an odd thing to say?
Speaker 6 (10:42):
Well, chakon is so goo, Miss Prentiss. That's French for
each to his own taste.
Speaker 9 (10:51):
Oh you've been abroad, mister Fendon.
Speaker 10 (10:53):
Me, Oh my goodness, no, Oh, but you will now
that you're retiring.
Speaker 6 (10:57):
No, no, I've got my eye on a little cottage
by a lake and woods. Lots of squirrels there, and
no time clocks.
Speaker 10 (11:04):
You and your wife mother. Oh, I hope you get it,
mister Fenton.
Speaker 6 (11:08):
Thank you, Miss Brendie.
Speaker 9 (11:10):
I wonder what the robbers are going to do with
all that money.
Speaker 6 (11:14):
I wonder five to one? Shall we go back and
punch in Miss Prentis. She let me walk all the
way back to the store with her, and in the
elevator mister Bixler Sporting Goods winked at me.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Funny.
Speaker 6 (11:34):
For ten years, I'd have the feeling mister Bixler didn't
like me. There was quite a gathering in the cashier's
office when we arrived, all the executives from mister Waterman's
down and the editor of the store paper wandering through
Waterman's I'd sent an item to him last summer, mister
(11:56):
Fenton of Cashier's department, spending his two week vacation at home,
but he never printed it.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
Well, come in, come in, Fenton.
Speaker 5 (12:06):
We've been waiting for our shall we say against of
honor me, mister Waterman. You Fentin, we have a little
ceremony which I'd hoped to conclude before the lunch hour
was over.
Speaker 6 (12:16):
Oh, I'm sorry, mister Waterman.
Speaker 4 (12:17):
Nothing of it. This is your day, fent in your day.
Oh going to get a shot of.
Speaker 6 (12:22):
The two of us woolf Yes, sir, mister Waterman over
by the door, if you don't mind, I'd like it.
Sitting at my desk. I feel more well secure.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
There by your desk.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
How's this.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
Got it? Good?
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Good?
Speaker 5 (12:38):
And now Fenton, we all say farewell to a good
and faithful servant, one who has given thirty years of
his life as a contribution, however small, to making Waterman's
the great institution it is today.
Speaker 6 (12:51):
Well done, Harold Fenten, Thank you.
Speaker 5 (12:58):
A modest man, but conscientious, his regular comings and goings
passed almost unknown to many until his ordeal of two
days ago, locked all night in the vault by brutal
and rapacious thieves, a night in which, in his own words,
he relived each and every day of his thirty year
services to Waterman's greater devotion. Hath no man, there is
nothing really And now his labor's done, his burden born.
(13:22):
Fenton will live up the rest of his days in ease,
and comfort, because he has arrived at the retirement age
of the Waterman pension plan, by which he will receive
thirty one dollars and sixty eight cents a month, thirty
one dollars sixty eight cents a month for as long
as he lives.
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Thank you.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
And now a little surprise for Harold Fenton.
Speaker 5 (13:46):
A week ago and a letter to me, our good
and faithful servant, asked that on his retirement he'd be
given permission to purchase for his home his old desk.
Speaker 6 (13:54):
Actually, mister Waterman, I don't know what I'd do without it.
Speaker 5 (13:58):
Oh, Frankly, I put in a lot of thought on
this simple request.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
Hmm.
Speaker 5 (14:02):
I weigh the factors in my mind. On the one hand,
was Fenton's thirty year service. On the other, mister Waterman,
on the other, he was already receiving his pension of well,
his pension, however, please mister Waterman. However, Fenton, my boy,
I decided to go you one better. One better, not
a new desk, nothing so unsentimental, Fenton.
Speaker 4 (14:25):
Instead of allowing you to purchase the desk, I'm giving
it to you here, all.
Speaker 5 (14:31):
Right, boys, right in here, take the desk wherever Fenton
here wants it now.
Speaker 4 (14:36):
Back to work everybody month end Clarence today.
Speaker 6 (14:39):
Whoops, easy man, do robit easy.
Speaker 5 (14:43):
And then my boy, in the years ahead, when you're
seated at your old desk, think of us, won't you.
Speaker 6 (14:49):
I certainly will, mister Waterman, I certainly will.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Auto Light is.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Bringing you, mister Jack Benny in a good and faithful
servant tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills suspense. Well, Senator,
(15:28):
did you take my advice?
Speaker 5 (15:29):
Why?
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Yes, Carlow my auto light spark plug dealer turned my
Warren spark plugs out of oppers and elected a set
of ignition engineered auto.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Lights spark plug. A wise move, Senator.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Those auto light spark plugs are designed by the same
auto light engineers who design the coil distributor, generator and
all the other important parts of the complete ignition system
used as original equipment on many leading makes of our
finest cars, trucks and tractors. They're world famous for quality
and performance.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
In my auto light spark plug dealer nominated auto light
resistor spark plugs for my car. Harlow Ah, you're on
top now, Senator, Because auto Light resistor spark plugs represent
one of the greatest advancements in spark plugs for automotive
use in the past twenty years. They offer proven advantages
such as double life, gas savings and smoother performance, and
(16:23):
they're specified as original equipment on many leading makes of
our finest cars. Once More, the auto light resistor spark
plug is just one of a complete line of ignition
engineered auto light spark plugs for every use. So fellow
citizens be sure vote for auto light.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
Writ Senator, friends, take a tip from me and see
your dearest auto light spark plug dealer this week, and remember,
from bumper to tail light, you're always right with auto light.
And now auto light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage.
Mister Jack Benny in Elliott Lewis's production of A Good
and Faithful Servant, a tale well calculated to keep you
(17:04):
in suspence.
Speaker 6 (17:17):
Retirement, agreed with me. I walked to the park to
see my friends when I felt like it, leisurely lunch
at Elmo's Grotto when I felt like it, and when
Ana arose a little gardening, mother and I were very happy.
Speaker 7 (17:33):
You've done enough for one morning, Harold, your batt will
go out again.
Speaker 6 (17:37):
All through, Mother, just cleaning off the spade.
Speaker 7 (17:40):
What were you planting this morning, Harold, Mother?
Speaker 6 (17:44):
If anything should happen to me, knock wood, knock wood,
right in between the beets and the radishes. There's a
very rich patch of.
Speaker 7 (17:53):
Dirty So not we going to get our little cottage
by the lake.
Speaker 6 (17:58):
I have to go in town today, Mother, I might
just inquire round. Oh good, You know, mister Waterman is
really a very sweet man. The Waterman pension plan. I
just wish I could tell him how happy it's made me.
(18:18):
I hadn't told mother, but Miss Prentice had called that morning.
Mister Cartwright wanted to see me that afternoon at the office,
she said, and she asked how I was. What would
have happened if I'd asked her to lunch?
Speaker 2 (18:31):
I almost did too.
Speaker 6 (18:38):
In the cashier's office at the store, Miss Prentice smiled
when she saw me, and I smiled back, in fact,
when he struck up quite a conversation.
Speaker 9 (18:46):
Oh, mister Fenton, how are you fine?
Speaker 2 (18:49):
Yes?
Speaker 9 (18:50):
Fine, miss Prendie retirement agree with you?
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Yes, yes, indeed fine.
Speaker 9 (18:55):
You notice we haven't filled your.
Speaker 6 (18:56):
Old job, Oh yes, yes, indeed.
Speaker 9 (19:00):
Haven't been able to find another man of your.
Speaker 11 (19:02):
Tithe Well, well said, you come in here, coming coming,
mister cartright, sit down, Fenton, sit down, thank you?
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Just trying to clean up ac counts on the robbery. Fon.
What was your final telly again?
Speaker 6 (19:24):
Fifty thousand, almost exactly, mister cortright.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Your way off. That doesn't check with my orders at all.
I'm quite sure of my figures. Well, then you're wrong.
That's all.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
My check shows they got away with eighty two thousand.
Speaker 6 (19:37):
Eighty two thousand, right, if.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
You'll just sign the necessary statements corroborating my order. I
can't do that, mister carrright, and just why can't you
don't take my word for it? Frankly, no, Feton. Look,
you're retired. It's nothing to you one way or the other.
You just made a little mistake in your figures, that's all,
mister Carkwright.
Speaker 6 (19:58):
Are you asking me to help cover up a s
shortage in your accounts?
Speaker 1 (20:01):
All right, Feton, I'll lay it on the line temporarily.
I'm a bit short involvement with a woman, and you
wouldn't understand.
Speaker 6 (20:10):
I most certainly wouldn't.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Look, I'll make it worth your while.
Speaker 6 (20:13):
Shortages I found out sooner or later, mister.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
Cartwright, all right, if that's your attitude, let me tell
you something, Feten. I don't like the smell at this
robbery of yours.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
I don't like it at all. What do you think
of that?
Speaker 6 (20:24):
You're implying that I made off with fifty thousand dollars
belonging to Waterman.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
I think it's highly possible. And how are you so
sure it was fifty thousand?
Speaker 6 (20:33):
Supposing me for one instant capable of such a thing,
mister Cartwright, wouldn't I be much too clever to put
my head in a noose by covering.
Speaker 2 (20:40):
Up for you, Feten?
Speaker 1 (20:42):
If I was talking to an honest man, wouldn't he
have taken my story right to mister Waterman?
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Hmm, I'll give you five minutes either.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Signed my auditor, I go to the police and accuse
you of stealing eighty two thousand dollars.
Speaker 6 (20:57):
They get over Fennon, no question about it. Mister Cartwright's
sound estee might be a bit awkward for me. My
instinct about the man had been thoroughly sound. I had
disliked him for sixteen years. Well, there was only one
safe way out of it. Well, mister Cartwright, if you
(21:21):
need money. Yes, why don't you rob the vault? Actually
it isn't hard at all.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
Well, how did you How do I get away with
the money?
Speaker 6 (21:31):
I'm sorry, I never revealed professional secrets.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
So then you'll have to help me offend.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
Lock me in the vault and you get away with
the money. Me sure, then we're both in the cliff
for good. Help me out fend.
Speaker 6 (21:43):
You mean I'm going to clear out the vault a
second time?
Speaker 2 (21:47):
You'll never regret it. Regret it.
Speaker 6 (21:51):
The fact is, I'd rather enjoy it. We settled on
the following Friday. Friday nights, the store stayed open till nine,
and they were having a big white sale that day.
The money was already stacked on mister Cartwright's desk when
(22:11):
I got there. It was a juicy hall. I didn't
see mister cart right around. But hell, Miss Prentiss, but
but the money.
Speaker 10 (22:23):
I was listening when you and mister Cartwright made your plans,
mister Fendon, and he caught me and forced me to
help him.
Speaker 9 (22:29):
You understand, Harold, I mean, mister.
Speaker 6 (22:32):
Fendon, Harold. Times like these draw people together quickly, don't
you think?
Speaker 4 (22:37):
Oh?
Speaker 8 (22:37):
I do?
Speaker 9 (22:38):
I really do?
Speaker 6 (22:39):
Miss Prentice. Helen thank you, Helen. Miss Prentiss, mister Cartwright
mentioned a woman in his life. You're not the one.
Speaker 8 (22:51):
Harold, of course not excuse me.
Speaker 6 (22:55):
I just thought you remember the office party last Christmas?
Speaker 10 (22:58):
Oh that well, that was just because he was under
the missilete and if you'd been under it instead of
mister Carter.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Really well, oh, Feton, you're here. Good anybody see it?
Come up?
Speaker 6 (23:11):
It doesn't matter, really, mister Cartwright might even be better
that way. Then you and miss Prentice can say that
I left minutes before the bandits riding. You're right, of course,
thank you. Are you ready, mister cartright? I brought some
wrapping paper for the money. You've brought along a handle
with care sticker. That's the Fenton touch, you know, get on.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
With it, will you?
Speaker 6 (23:32):
No need to be nervous?
Speaker 2 (23:35):
There need.
Speaker 6 (23:37):
I spent eight years in wrapping in Malee.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
All right, you know what to do with it, Helen.
Speaker 6 (23:41):
I know. I just a met mister Cartwright. I'm to
take the money. Remember there's been a change, Fenton. We
rewrote the script. You think that's wise to fly in
the face of my experience.
Speaker 1 (23:53):
I look, Feton, we're not children. You lock us in
the vault and take off with the money. You think
we'd never see you again.
Speaker 6 (23:59):
Well you're questioning my honesty. I'm sure Miss Prentice will
vouch for me. We're rather good friends. Miss brandis Helen.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
Unfortunately for you, Fenton, Helen's on my side now, if
you wouldn't mind getting into the vault, Me.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
In the vault.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
But this is a loaded gun, fed and getting the vault.
But you came back for a second helping that. So
the Confederate got away with the money. But I courageously
slammed the vault door on you and went for help.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
But will they believe me?
Speaker 1 (24:32):
I imagine they'll find fifty thousand somewhere around your house.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
They'll believe me, Helen.
Speaker 6 (24:38):
I see.
Speaker 9 (24:39):
I'm sorry, Harold. It's a nasty trick, but we're nasty people.
Speaker 8 (24:43):
You should have stuffed squirrels.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
Just one thing, Fenton, how did you ever get that
fifty thousand out of here the first time?
Speaker 6 (24:50):
How well I didn't, mister Cartwright, you didn't.
Speaker 9 (24:56):
Then where is it?
Speaker 6 (24:57):
It's still on the vallt I don't believe it quite
cleverly hidden. It took me most of that night I
was locked in get in there and show me. I'm sorry,
mister Carr, get in there. No, I went through a
lot for that money, mister cart Right, thirty years. I
just assume you shot me.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Helen Hover goun on him. I'm going ahead and look, well,
don't be long.
Speaker 9 (25:15):
What if somebody should walk in and be able to
see if he's lying?
Speaker 2 (25:18):
Just watch him?
Speaker 9 (25:20):
You see anything?
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Yeah, I don't think it's possible.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
And open the doors. I can get some more.
Speaker 6 (25:26):
Life must be true. Crime changes people. I had never
lied yet I lied to cart Right. I never used violence,
yet I got behind Helen. And I guess I'll go home.
(25:46):
Mother will be wondering what's happened to me.
Speaker 8 (25:57):
Some more serial herald.
Speaker 6 (25:59):
I don't think so, mother, Thanks. What time is it?
Speaker 8 (26:02):
Eight?
Speaker 2 (26:02):
Ten?
Speaker 6 (26:03):
Son? Ah, they would have opened the vault at eight
this morning. The police should be here any minute.
Speaker 8 (26:08):
Are you sure those two implicate you, Harold?
Speaker 6 (26:11):
It seems likely, mother. The gun would be hard to explain.
And I think miss Prentice will turn on mister Cartwright
after a night in the vault.
Speaker 8 (26:19):
Yes, she's just the type.
Speaker 6 (26:22):
I'm sorry, mother, I guess I just don't know much
about women.
Speaker 8 (26:26):
It's all right, son, you think they'll be hard on.
Speaker 6 (26:30):
You, not very I haven't spent any of the money.
The insurance companies always look kindly on such cases.
Speaker 8 (26:38):
There they are harold, how long two years?
Speaker 6 (26:43):
Mother, maybe less, maybe even one.
Speaker 8 (26:46):
It's still a long time.
Speaker 6 (26:48):
A long time after thirty years in Waterman's hardly I'll
get the door.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
Suspense presented by Autolite to light star mister Jack Penny.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
This is Harlow.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
Wilcox speaking for Autolite, world's largest independent manufacturer of automotive
electrical equipment. Autolite is proud to serve the greatest names
in the industry. They are members of the Autolite Family,
as are the ninety eight thousand auto light distributors and
dealers in the United States and thousands more in.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
Canada and throughout the world.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
Our family also includes the nearly thirty thousand men and
women in twenty eight great Autolite plants from coast to coast,
and in still other Autolite plants in many foreign countries,
as well as the eighteen thousand people who have invested
a portion of their savings in Autolite. Every auto is
backed by constant research and precision, built to the highest
(28:04):
standards of quality and performance, so remember from bumper to
tail light, You're always.
Speaker 2 (28:10):
Right with auto Light.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
Next Week a story of revenge, the desperate effort of
a murderer to destroy the man who had committed him
to prison. The story is called Concerto for Killer and Eyewitnesses.
Our star the director of suspense, mister Elliott Lewis. That's
Next Week on South Spence. Suspense is produced and directed
(28:45):
by Elliott Lewis, with music composed by Lucian Morrowick and
conducted by lud Gluskin. A Good and Faithful Servant was
written for suspense by Richard M.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Powell.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
Portions of this program were transcribed in lights Cast. Norma
Arden was heard as Missus Fenton, Doris Singleton as Helen, Gerald,
Moore as mister Cartwright, Joseph Kerns as mister Waterman, Hi
ho her Back as Lieutenant Miller, and Charles Calvert as
mister Wolf.
Speaker 12 (29:15):
For the location of your nearest auto light, spark plug
or auto light battery dealer, or your nearest authorized auto
light service station for own Western Union by number, and
ask for Operator twenty five.
Speaker 9 (29:26):
Switch to auto light.
Speaker 8 (29:27):
Good night.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
This is the CBS Radio Network
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