November 23, 2025 • 25 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 (00:06):
And now tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of prills
Suspense Tonight the story of a pleasant young englishman and
his wife who encounter a murderer and a parson. They
can't tell which is which, not for the.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Life of them.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
So now, with Lawrence dob Kenneth Edward and Paula Winflower's Johan,
here is tonight's suspense play, A Little Matter of Memory.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Some Observations on be Hard by Edward Mansell. I am
recording the events of the past several hours in the
hope that my observations may, in some measure be of
assistance to those who must treat that violence, that deranged,
that homicidal psychotic, which is Berrington Hard. My contact with
(01:02):
the case began at five o'clock this afternoon, But first
I feel I ought to explain the presence of my
wife and self in this desolate and remote corner of
the moors. On August first, I suffered a stroke which
resulted in the partial paralysis of my left side. For
my convalescence, we came to this place, a tiny cottage
(01:23):
high on the moors near Buckworth. These moors have been
to me the revelation and the delight, or rather weorse
so until five o'clock of this afternoon, we've been off
on a tramp and were just returning to the cottage.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Oh but darling, whatever on earth will you do with
all those flowers?
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (01:48):
I don't know, dry them or something, I suppose with
a talk on the while at something about hang them
upside down so they'll keep forever that way.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Although, oh, here hold them when you want to get
the lock.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
Yes, I've got them.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Although just why anyone wants flowers hanging about upside down?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Right side up the way?
Speaker 5 (02:04):
The lord this?
Speaker 4 (02:08):
Oh then won't let us a note?
Speaker 5 (02:10):
Two notes? But who?
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Well?
Speaker 2 (02:18):
What is it?
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Close the door?
Speaker 1 (02:21):
John?
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Wait? I want to see this other?
Speaker 4 (02:28):
What is it? What do they say?
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Well? This first is a threat, rather violent and obscenely.
Speaker 4 (02:34):
Worded, let me see you.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
No, I'd rather you didn't here.
Speaker 6 (02:39):
The second tells the story, my dear mister Mantell, in
view of the news about the man Howard being at
large somewhere in these parts, and you're being so very isolated,
you might welcome a little reinforcement.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
The police at Buckworth are all busy with cordons and whatever.
The man Howard being fair and extremely dangerous maniac and
they haven't anybody to spare. I will look in on
you this evening, and if you think it's a good idea,
help you do sentry go during the night. It will
be a pleasure to make your acquaintance. And I hope
(03:17):
you will not, under the circumstance think me intrusive. It's
signed George Beale, jarretted backward Edward. What is in that
other note?
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Well, it's from the signature is Verrington Howard.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
The curate says he's a maniac. Yes, and he's threatening us.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
Says he's coming back to night to kill us. But
but why why with maniacs?
Speaker 4 (03:51):
He's he's out there somewhere. I I'm frightened.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Or rather police courtons and the s curate.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
If we suppose they don't catch him, or the cure
it doesn't come.
Speaker 5 (04:03):
Not your look.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Okay, it's no use are standing here peering out that window.
Let us look at this thing. Sensibly, the best thing
we can do is to.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
Clear out, out, clear out where it's.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Only six miles into buckweth no reason we shouldn't make
it by dark, But six miles over the moon, chances
are we're running to the police on the way.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
But your heart and your side, you're still limbing badly,
you know.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Nevertheless, we can make it.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
If you say so, dear.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Then first a look round coast is clear. Let's go
six miles. A man in good health could walk it
in an hour and a half, a man in good health,
(04:56):
which I was not. And with each succeeding step, the dusky,
pale horizon, violet and smoky in the soft mist of
the sinking sun, seemed ever more distant, more inaccessible. And
the heady musk of the moor grasses and the gause,
these we had delighted in until now became choking. I
(05:16):
could feel my eyes tear, and my throat constrict, and
the heart in my chest Thumpton shuddered with each painful,
limping step I took. And then we topped a rise.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Handless, knock down there.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Comfortable, Hello there, Hello, wait there?
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Oh what lucky?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Yes, yes, you see I told you.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
Oh well, I must say, we're glad to see you.
Speaker 7 (05:45):
You know, you people really hadn't thought of the out here.
Oh you mean about the many I cared, sir, you
the folk renting the blossops. That's right, But you see
we found a note from that what's his name? A note, yes,
and so we thought the best thing would be to
try walking it into the village.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
I don't think you ought to do that, sir. You'll
excuse a suggestion. Why not?
Speaker 7 (06:04):
Well, between here and the town there's any number of
spots we haven't been able to check us yet he
might be hiding, you know.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
Then what shall we do?
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Go back to your house. It's a safe place. Well now,
now look here, why don't you walk to the village
with us? And it's only three miles It shouldn't take long.
Speaker 7 (06:20):
Well, I would, sir, but I'm due to join the
search party over at a dark It would my order, sir,
orders said, what I will do. I'll walk along with
you folks back to your cottage. So you arrived there
safe and sound.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Back to the.
Speaker 8 (06:36):
Edward very well. As we walked, we told the constable
about the letter from the curate, and he gave us
background on the man Farrington. Howard seems that how it
(06:56):
had been a sort of small time actor and ex acrobatic.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Nothing worse than his police record than a couple of
parking eventss and then one night, out of the blue,
he had murdered why five in a single night, and
each had received a notification in advance, a short, obscenely
worded threatening note just like yours.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
But but didn't they take any precaution?
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Well, miss, or at least not enough. But you know better?
Speaker 7 (07:28):
And what was the curate coming to help a good man?
The curate used to be a commando.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
About this man Hard? How'd you catch him before? That
was odd? That was it was what you.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Might call psychological.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
He was very clever at disguising himself as an actor.
Speaker 7 (07:43):
He might have got green away if it wasn't.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
For this psychological thing. What psychological thing? Where it was
kind of a joke, sir.
Speaker 7 (07:50):
Some folks, you know, you bring up certain topics, they
grabbed the conversation and away they go.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
You follow me, Oh, yes, I know the type.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
That's how Hard was ah compulsive? Yes, And on this
one topic he had what they called total recall.
Speaker 8 (08:05):
Total recall.
Speaker 7 (08:06):
He could remember everything he'd ever heard or read, facts
and figures and deep. We used to get him on
his topic down at the pub just to hear him go.
It was sort of a joke, you see.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
And so after the crime, he was in disguise, but
someone touched on his topic exactly he thought to talk,
gave himself away. We napped him.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Well, what was his topic?
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Germany? Germany? M Germany. He had a compulsive total recall
about Germany, all about Germany.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Well, here we are, Hullah. I wish we could persuade
you to stay.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Orders, ma'am. Now, just to make sure your shutters are
bolted on the inside, he sut a bar across the door.
He'll be smart and safe. Mind you keep that door
tight till you know who it is that once in. Oh,
don't you worry, officer, we shall good night, uh, good night. Ah.
(09:09):
With his departure, we barricaded ourselves. This cottage is very
old and built in the days of highway robbers, ideally
suited to our situation. We lit the lamp and turned
it very low so that no light would be seen
from without. And then we waited, and we waited. It
(09:34):
was Yes, what's the time? M past eight?
Speaker 4 (09:44):
It goes so slow?
Speaker 3 (09:47):
Yes? What I hear something up there?
Speaker 2 (09:54):
What sh.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
You are listening to a little matter of memory? Tonight's
presentation in Radio's outstanding Theater of Prill's Suspense one of
the most effective savings programs is Uncle Sam's own United
(10:39):
States Savings bonds. You will find few other financial investments
like US savings bonds for security. Invest regularly every week
through payroll savings or bond a month plan where you
work or where you bank. Now we bring back to
our Hollywood sound stage, Lawrence Dobkin and Paula Winslow in
(10:59):
tonight's product option of a little matter of memory, a
tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
Crouching there in the dim light of a lamp, we
watched the heavy oak door. Hello, and who is it? More?
Speaker 9 (11:30):
Veal the curate you got my note didn't do?
Speaker 4 (11:36):
But how do we know it's not a trick?
Speaker 3 (11:38):
Yes? Got a torch, Yes, stand back from the door
and shine it on yourself.
Speaker 5 (11:46):
Excellent idea. It can't be too safe, you know.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
I'll just look out through the slit. Ah.
Speaker 10 (11:55):
Yes, as he's got one of those colors on clerical Oh,
come in, sir, Yes, Yes, this is missus Mansill.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
I'm so glad to see you.
Speaker 5 (12:10):
I'd have got here sooner.
Speaker 9 (12:11):
But you know, every last person I saw wanted to
talk talk talk talk, So we.
Speaker 5 (12:16):
Were a little worried. Doctor Bill.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
We thought you just might have met with some accident.
Speaker 9 (12:22):
Accident, all, let's not bibble. You mean you thought I
might have run into him, don't you?
Speaker 3 (12:29):
As I suppose? So? Oh, but you're here now that's
what matters.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
And see excellent place you have here. Yes, they really
built him in those days.
Speaker 4 (12:42):
Would you like some tea? Doctor?
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Bother tea? John? I have a bottle Scotch, my bag?
What what what's wrong?
Speaker 4 (12:48):
Well?
Speaker 5 (12:49):
Oh you mean on my cup? Oh my lady.
Speaker 9 (12:51):
Oh, my collar may be clerical, but my throat is
British and it's quite quite dry.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
You see, John, there've fed some glasses in h I finally, Ah,
here we are.
Speaker 9 (13:07):
Good whiskey of warm room, pleasant companions. And I'll turn
up the lamp a bit if I oh, yes, gloom.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
Well here they're the glasses.
Speaker 5 (13:18):
There's a little to fear about making light.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
Now. You know.
Speaker 9 (13:21):
I've got a gun, and I know the three of
us should be a proper match for.
Speaker 5 (13:24):
Any man, crazy or not.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
I should say, well, then, total to to safety in numbers.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
I really think we ought to keep clear heads tonight.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
John's the careful one in our family.
Speaker 5 (13:46):
Proper feminine trait. So here we are and I can't
tell you.
Speaker 4 (13:51):
How much better I feel now that you're here.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
Constable told us that you were in the commandos during
the war.
Speaker 9 (13:58):
Oh yes, hardly the sort of thing you respect from
the village curre it. There was a job to be done,
you know.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
Edward was in the.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
Air desk job bad ticker. Never really got to see
it like you chaps, the big doing.
Speaker 5 (14:15):
Oh be sorry. There are a lot of things I
give my teeth not to have seen.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Like like Dunkirk.
Speaker 8 (14:23):
Like Dunkirk, sticky, wicked Dunkirk.
Speaker 5 (14:27):
It seems so long ago now that.
Speaker 8 (14:31):
Would you like to hear about it? Here?
Speaker 3 (14:35):
Have another drop ride? Yeah, rum go.
Speaker 9 (14:42):
It was at four four five hours that we were
rendezvous with the main force off the beach.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
We sat there in the now snug little room and listened.
He was a superb storyteller, and as he talked, the
scenes of the war unrolled smoothly and excitingly and almost hypnotically,
aw way.
Speaker 5 (15:09):
Clear and ahead of us at long last.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Lay the rye. And after a while what was the
scotch in the warm room? I began to lose track
of what he was saying, and then with startling clarity,
I was wide.
Speaker 9 (15:22):
Awake enter Germany on the Cologne au Ubon and three
forty five, on the morning of May the twentieth, nineteen
forty five. I remember it as if it were yesterday.
It made this firs sight of Germany a quite unforgettable
impression on me. Of course, when one comes to think
of Germany and the fate of Germany, then.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Naturally I looked at him as he chattered along. His
eyes were glazed, and he spoke with a curious intensity,
and I knew Jones sat petrified. I reached for the
scotch bottle. It was still about half full, and as
(16:04):
the man bent forward to pick up his glass, I
swung laugh. I should have known, I should have seen
through him.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
Oh is is he dead? No?
Speaker 3 (16:18):
No, no, no, no, no, he's just out. So quickly get
some row belts, anything, you must tie him quickly, don quickly.
I've never tied a man before, and Joan's knowledge of
knots is limited to Christmas wrappings. But we used what
was at hand. And now if we wait, what has
(16:42):
become of the real George Beale sured dead Buckworth? Heaven
only knows this thing at our feet, bound like some
grotesque cockcon and myriad rags and strings. My best Charvet
ties about his wrists, Jones Maroche nightgown in his mouth.
What is to become of him is not our affair,
(17:04):
but rather that of the physicians who must treat him.
Speaker 5 (17:07):
And it is to those.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Men healers of them.
Speaker 5 (17:18):
Hello in there, man?
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Who?
Speaker 5 (17:21):
Hello? Bill? Is that your bill?
Speaker 8 (17:26):
Wait?
Speaker 5 (17:27):
Wait, don't open the door? Bill?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
Yeah, but hadn't you better take a look at me first?
Speaker 5 (17:32):
Not now? Man, Oh, we thought you'd been killed. Come
right in, No longer any need to feel great?
Speaker 2 (17:41):
God, yes, Smeeth Barrington hours, it's amazing on earth?
Speaker 5 (17:46):
Did you do it? Man? The giant matter of luck?
Speaker 3 (17:49):
I suppose really didn't see who the beggar forever so long?
Speaker 2 (17:52):
And look at the collar too? Quite an actor?
Speaker 5 (17:55):
What indeed he was?
Speaker 4 (17:56):
I knew he wasn't the cureless when he kept reaching
to that bottle.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
There is a rather strong air in here.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Had to use the bottle to subcure the man city
Scott's whisky.
Speaker 5 (18:08):
Dear me.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Now, then let's take a look at these knots.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
Well, we did the best we could.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
This one's not too good, but we'll just redo it
so it's really wrong.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
And look at his legs. What's wrong?
Speaker 2 (18:22):
You only rarely tied the ankles, or to be careful
of the leaves, you know. And I'll give you another tip.
If you rarely want to tire a man who's helpless,
fasten his ankles to his wrists from leap from the
back like this.
Speaker 5 (18:35):
Ah it didn't that, I must say so.
Speaker 4 (18:41):
But the armed good lord, he had a gun we forgot.
Speaker 5 (18:46):
Look in his pocket.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Ah ah here we are nastill little weapons.
Speaker 5 (18:53):
Self.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
Think what this might have done to your wife's mental
with a blown a whole throw you've got stuff a grape,
proud old man.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
She's been through quite a lot, you know.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
I'm sorry mental that I believe in being realistic. It's
quite a gag you've made for him.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
I don't think he'll do much talking until we're ready
to take it out.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
We used a silk nightgun of mine from Paris, blended.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
I don't want to make sure this far and it's place.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Ah there we are nor what safe.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
But there's no longer anything or or anybody to be
safe from you.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
Now what other weapons did you have?
Speaker 3 (19:39):
Just the bottle? Oh? I telled him A good one
was a bottle.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
Oh, and there's this carving.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
Nice and the gun which I have in my pocket. Well,
it's it's it's barely been quite a little adventure, am.
Speaker 5 (19:55):
You know?
Speaker 3 (19:55):
I kept this little record something of the physician please.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
Mm hmm, observations on the hard But I am recording
the events of the past several hours.
Speaker 11 (20:08):
In the hope that my observations lay in some.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
Well, of course, you realize that I'm not much for
that sort of reported.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
Oh no, no, no, no, no, I think you did splendidly, splendidly.
I wonder who else may read these notes of yours.
Speaker 4 (20:32):
Look his eyes are open.
Speaker 3 (20:37):
Try I never realize med men really do roll their eyes.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Ugly beggar, isn't it?
Speaker 4 (20:45):
I must say?
Speaker 2 (20:46):
But about your report? This is the stuff about Germany.
Did he really feel this?
Speaker 4 (20:51):
I wish he'd close his eyes. He's trying to say Germany.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
I mean, how could anyone say?
Speaker 3 (21:00):
What was it that?
Speaker 5 (21:01):
When one comes to think.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
Of Germany and the faith of Germany, and then that
posh that argle bargel about the clone autobarn ladies. Rather
any people can see the man is bristly confused and
misinformed about the organization of the National Socialist parties. Effect
is the organization of the party was divided into twenty
six gahan or districts, which did not in themselves form
(21:23):
the various provinces of the German rights East Prussia, Greater Berlin, Brandenburg,
East March, Pomerania, Silesia, Magdeburg, Unhealed, Highland, Beersburg, Preingier, Schleptic
hostegn Favor.
Speaker 4 (21:36):
He's the Knight.
Speaker 5 (21:40):
Your help.
Speaker 11 (21:48):
Doesn't seem interesting, so I was saying, Mettenberg, Hornden, Hamburg, Mechlenburg, Lubek.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
Tell me my good girl there on the floor.
Speaker 5 (22:03):
Does it interest you?
Speaker 2 (22:05):
The division of the varia is even more fascinating, you know.
Bavaria was divided into nine gown shop your Upper Palatly,
Upper Brianconian, Dittle, Brinconia, Lord.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Suspense, in which Lawrence Dobkins starred as Edward, with Paula
Winslow as Joe Next Week, the story of how perhaps
the smallest of items can be the cause of unbelievable
terror and hardship, in this case, the lack of a
little loose change. We call it chicken feed. That's next
(23:28):
Week on Suspense. Suspense is produced and directed by Norman
(23:50):
McDonald with music composed by Lucian Morrowick and conducted by
lud Gluskin. James Heldvick's story, A Little Matter of Memory,
was specially adapted for suspense by James Paul. Featured in
the cast were Edgar Barrier, Joseph Kerns, and Richard Peel.
(24:15):
Follow the serial adventures of mister Keene evening times on
the CBS Radio network
Speaker 3 (25:00):
Time
And now tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of prills
Suspense Tonight the story of a pleasant young englishman and
his wife who encounter a murderer and a parson. They
can't tell which is which, not for the.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Life of them.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
So now, with Lawrence dob Kenneth Edward and Paula Winflower's Johan,
here is tonight's suspense play, A Little Matter of Memory.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Some Observations on be Hard by Edward Mansell. I am
recording the events of the past several hours in the
hope that my observations may, in some measure be of
assistance to those who must treat that violence, that deranged,
that homicidal psychotic, which is Berrington Hard. My contact with
(01:02):
the case began at five o'clock this afternoon, But first
I feel I ought to explain the presence of my
wife and self in this desolate and remote corner of
the moors. On August first, I suffered a stroke which
resulted in the partial paralysis of my left side. For
my convalescence, we came to this place, a tiny cottage
(01:23):
high on the moors near Buckworth. These moors have been
to me the revelation and the delight, or rather weorse
so until five o'clock of this afternoon, we've been off
on a tramp and were just returning to the cottage.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Oh but darling, whatever on earth will you do with
all those flowers?
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (01:48):
I don't know, dry them or something, I suppose with
a talk on the while at something about hang them
upside down so they'll keep forever that way.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Although, oh, here hold them when you want to get
the lock.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
Yes, I've got them.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Although just why anyone wants flowers hanging about upside down?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Right side up the way?
Speaker 5 (02:04):
The lord this?
Speaker 4 (02:08):
Oh then won't let us a note?
Speaker 5 (02:10):
Two notes? But who?
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Well?
Speaker 2 (02:18):
What is it?
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Close the door?
Speaker 1 (02:21):
John?
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Wait? I want to see this other?
Speaker 4 (02:28):
What is it? What do they say?
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Well? This first is a threat, rather violent and obscenely.
Speaker 4 (02:34):
Worded, let me see you.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
No, I'd rather you didn't here.
Speaker 6 (02:39):
The second tells the story, my dear mister Mantell, in
view of the news about the man Howard being at
large somewhere in these parts, and you're being so very isolated,
you might welcome a little reinforcement.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
The police at Buckworth are all busy with cordons and whatever.
The man Howard being fair and extremely dangerous maniac and
they haven't anybody to spare. I will look in on
you this evening, and if you think it's a good idea,
help you do sentry go during the night. It will
be a pleasure to make your acquaintance. And I hope
(03:17):
you will not, under the circumstance think me intrusive. It's
signed George Beale, jarretted backward Edward. What is in that
other note?
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Well, it's from the signature is Verrington Howard.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
The curate says he's a maniac. Yes, and he's threatening us.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
Says he's coming back to night to kill us. But
but why why with maniacs?
Speaker 4 (03:51):
He's he's out there somewhere. I I'm frightened.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Or rather police courtons and the s curate.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
If we suppose they don't catch him, or the cure
it doesn't come.
Speaker 5 (04:03):
Not your look.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Okay, it's no use are standing here peering out that window.
Let us look at this thing. Sensibly, the best thing
we can do is to.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
Clear out, out, clear out where it's.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Only six miles into buckweth no reason we shouldn't make
it by dark, But six miles over the moon, chances
are we're running to the police on the way.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
But your heart and your side, you're still limbing badly,
you know.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Nevertheless, we can make it.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
If you say so, dear.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Then first a look round coast is clear. Let's go
six miles. A man in good health could walk it
in an hour and a half, a man in good health,
(04:56):
which I was not. And with each succeeding step, the dusky,
pale horizon, violet and smoky in the soft mist of
the sinking sun, seemed ever more distant, more inaccessible. And
the heady musk of the moor grasses and the gause,
these we had delighted in until now became choking. I
(05:16):
could feel my eyes tear, and my throat constrict, and
the heart in my chest Thumpton shuddered with each painful,
limping step I took. And then we topped a rise.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Handless, knock down there.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Comfortable, Hello there, Hello, wait there?
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Oh what lucky?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Yes, yes, you see I told you.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
Oh well, I must say, we're glad to see you.
Speaker 7 (05:45):
You know, you people really hadn't thought of the out here.
Oh you mean about the many I cared, sir, you
the folk renting the blossops. That's right, But you see
we found a note from that what's his name? A note, yes,
and so we thought the best thing would be to
try walking it into the village.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
I don't think you ought to do that, sir. You'll
excuse a suggestion. Why not?
Speaker 7 (06:04):
Well, between here and the town there's any number of
spots we haven't been able to check us yet he
might be hiding, you know.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
Then what shall we do?
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Go back to your house. It's a safe place. Well now,
now look here, why don't you walk to the village
with us? And it's only three miles It shouldn't take long.
Speaker 7 (06:20):
Well, I would, sir, but I'm due to join the
search party over at a dark It would my order, sir,
orders said, what I will do. I'll walk along with
you folks back to your cottage. So you arrived there
safe and sound.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Back to the.
Speaker 8 (06:36):
Edward very well. As we walked, we told the constable
about the letter from the curate, and he gave us
background on the man Farrington. Howard seems that how it
(06:56):
had been a sort of small time actor and ex acrobatic.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Nothing worse than his police record than a couple of
parking eventss and then one night, out of the blue,
he had murdered why five in a single night, and
each had received a notification in advance, a short, obscenely
worded threatening note just like yours.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
But but didn't they take any precaution?
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Well, miss, or at least not enough. But you know better?
Speaker 7 (07:28):
And what was the curate coming to help a good man?
The curate used to be a commando.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
About this man Hard? How'd you catch him before? That
was odd? That was it was what you.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Might call psychological.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
He was very clever at disguising himself as an actor.
Speaker 7 (07:43):
He might have got green away if it wasn't.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
For this psychological thing. What psychological thing? Where it was
kind of a joke, sir.
Speaker 7 (07:50):
Some folks, you know, you bring up certain topics, they
grabbed the conversation and away they go.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
You follow me, Oh, yes, I know the type.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
That's how Hard was ah compulsive? Yes, And on this
one topic he had what they called total recall.
Speaker 8 (08:05):
Total recall.
Speaker 7 (08:06):
He could remember everything he'd ever heard or read, facts
and figures and deep. We used to get him on
his topic down at the pub just to hear him go.
It was sort of a joke, you see.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
And so after the crime, he was in disguise, but
someone touched on his topic exactly he thought to talk,
gave himself away. We napped him.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Well, what was his topic?
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Germany? Germany? M Germany. He had a compulsive total recall
about Germany, all about Germany.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Well, here we are, Hullah. I wish we could persuade
you to stay.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Orders, ma'am. Now, just to make sure your shutters are
bolted on the inside, he sut a bar across the door.
He'll be smart and safe. Mind you keep that door
tight till you know who it is that once in. Oh,
don't you worry, officer, we shall good night, uh, good night. Ah.
(09:09):
With his departure, we barricaded ourselves. This cottage is very
old and built in the days of highway robbers, ideally
suited to our situation. We lit the lamp and turned
it very low so that no light would be seen
from without. And then we waited, and we waited. It
(09:34):
was Yes, what's the time? M past eight?
Speaker 4 (09:44):
It goes so slow?
Speaker 3 (09:47):
Yes? What I hear something up there?
Speaker 2 (09:54):
What sh.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
You are listening to a little matter of memory? Tonight's
presentation in Radio's outstanding Theater of Prill's Suspense one of
the most effective savings programs is Uncle Sam's own United
(10:39):
States Savings bonds. You will find few other financial investments
like US savings bonds for security. Invest regularly every week
through payroll savings or bond a month plan where you
work or where you bank. Now we bring back to
our Hollywood sound stage, Lawrence Dobkin and Paula Winslow in
(10:59):
tonight's product option of a little matter of memory, a
tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
Crouching there in the dim light of a lamp, we
watched the heavy oak door. Hello, and who is it? More?
Speaker 9 (11:30):
Veal the curate you got my note didn't do?
Speaker 4 (11:36):
But how do we know it's not a trick?
Speaker 3 (11:38):
Yes? Got a torch, Yes, stand back from the door
and shine it on yourself.
Speaker 5 (11:46):
Excellent idea. It can't be too safe, you know.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
I'll just look out through the slit. Ah.
Speaker 10 (11:55):
Yes, as he's got one of those colors on clerical Oh,
come in, sir, Yes, Yes, this is missus Mansill.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
I'm so glad to see you.
Speaker 5 (12:10):
I'd have got here sooner.
Speaker 9 (12:11):
But you know, every last person I saw wanted to
talk talk talk talk, So we.
Speaker 5 (12:16):
Were a little worried. Doctor Bill.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
We thought you just might have met with some accident.
Speaker 9 (12:22):
Accident, all, let's not bibble. You mean you thought I
might have run into him, don't you?
Speaker 3 (12:29):
As I suppose? So? Oh, but you're here now that's
what matters.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
And see excellent place you have here. Yes, they really
built him in those days.
Speaker 4 (12:42):
Would you like some tea? Doctor?
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Bother tea? John? I have a bottle Scotch, my bag?
What what what's wrong?
Speaker 4 (12:48):
Well?
Speaker 5 (12:49):
Oh you mean on my cup? Oh my lady.
Speaker 9 (12:51):
Oh, my collar may be clerical, but my throat is
British and it's quite quite dry.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
You see, John, there've fed some glasses in h I finally, Ah,
here we are.
Speaker 9 (13:07):
Good whiskey of warm room, pleasant companions. And I'll turn
up the lamp a bit if I oh, yes, gloom.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
Well here they're the glasses.
Speaker 5 (13:18):
There's a little to fear about making light.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
Now. You know.
Speaker 9 (13:21):
I've got a gun, and I know the three of
us should be a proper match for.
Speaker 5 (13:24):
Any man, crazy or not.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
I should say, well, then, total to to safety in numbers.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
I really think we ought to keep clear heads tonight.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
John's the careful one in our family.
Speaker 5 (13:46):
Proper feminine trait. So here we are and I can't
tell you.
Speaker 4 (13:51):
How much better I feel now that you're here.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
Constable told us that you were in the commandos during
the war.
Speaker 9 (13:58):
Oh yes, hardly the sort of thing you respect from
the village curre it. There was a job to be done,
you know.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
Edward was in the.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
Air desk job bad ticker. Never really got to see
it like you chaps, the big doing.
Speaker 5 (14:15):
Oh be sorry. There are a lot of things I
give my teeth not to have seen.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Like like Dunkirk.
Speaker 8 (14:23):
Like Dunkirk, sticky, wicked Dunkirk.
Speaker 5 (14:27):
It seems so long ago now that.
Speaker 8 (14:31):
Would you like to hear about it? Here?
Speaker 3 (14:35):
Have another drop ride? Yeah, rum go.
Speaker 9 (14:42):
It was at four four five hours that we were
rendezvous with the main force off the beach.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
We sat there in the now snug little room and listened.
He was a superb storyteller, and as he talked, the
scenes of the war unrolled smoothly and excitingly and almost hypnotically,
aw way.
Speaker 5 (15:09):
Clear and ahead of us at long last.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Lay the rye. And after a while what was the
scotch in the warm room? I began to lose track
of what he was saying, and then with startling clarity,
I was wide.
Speaker 9 (15:22):
Awake enter Germany on the Cologne au Ubon and three
forty five, on the morning of May the twentieth, nineteen
forty five. I remember it as if it were yesterday.
It made this firs sight of Germany a quite unforgettable
impression on me. Of course, when one comes to think
of Germany and the fate of Germany, then.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Naturally I looked at him as he chattered along. His
eyes were glazed, and he spoke with a curious intensity,
and I knew Jones sat petrified. I reached for the
scotch bottle. It was still about half full, and as
(16:04):
the man bent forward to pick up his glass, I
swung laugh. I should have known, I should have seen
through him.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
Oh is is he dead? No?
Speaker 3 (16:18):
No, no, no, no, no, he's just out. So quickly get
some row belts, anything, you must tie him quickly, don quickly.
I've never tied a man before, and Joan's knowledge of
knots is limited to Christmas wrappings. But we used what
was at hand. And now if we wait, what has
(16:42):
become of the real George Beale sured dead Buckworth? Heaven
only knows this thing at our feet, bound like some
grotesque cockcon and myriad rags and strings. My best Charvet
ties about his wrists, Jones Maroche nightgown in his mouth.
What is to become of him is not our affair,
(17:04):
but rather that of the physicians who must treat him.
Speaker 5 (17:07):
And it is to those.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Men healers of them.
Speaker 5 (17:18):
Hello in there, man?
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Who?
Speaker 5 (17:21):
Hello? Bill? Is that your bill?
Speaker 8 (17:26):
Wait?
Speaker 5 (17:27):
Wait, don't open the door? Bill?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
Yeah, but hadn't you better take a look at me first?
Speaker 5 (17:32):
Not now? Man, Oh, we thought you'd been killed. Come
right in, No longer any need to feel great?
Speaker 2 (17:41):
God, yes, Smeeth Barrington hours, it's amazing on earth?
Speaker 5 (17:46):
Did you do it? Man? The giant matter of luck?
Speaker 3 (17:49):
I suppose really didn't see who the beggar forever so long?
Speaker 2 (17:52):
And look at the collar too? Quite an actor?
Speaker 5 (17:55):
What indeed he was?
Speaker 4 (17:56):
I knew he wasn't the cureless when he kept reaching
to that bottle.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
There is a rather strong air in here.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Had to use the bottle to subcure the man city
Scott's whisky.
Speaker 5 (18:08):
Dear me.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Now, then let's take a look at these knots.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
Well, we did the best we could.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
This one's not too good, but we'll just redo it
so it's really wrong.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
And look at his legs. What's wrong?
Speaker 2 (18:22):
You only rarely tied the ankles, or to be careful
of the leaves, you know. And I'll give you another tip.
If you rarely want to tire a man who's helpless,
fasten his ankles to his wrists from leap from the
back like this.
Speaker 5 (18:35):
Ah it didn't that, I must say so.
Speaker 4 (18:41):
But the armed good lord, he had a gun we forgot.
Speaker 5 (18:46):
Look in his pocket.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Ah ah here we are nastill little weapons.
Speaker 5 (18:53):
Self.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
Think what this might have done to your wife's mental
with a blown a whole throw you've got stuff a grape,
proud old man.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
She's been through quite a lot, you know.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
I'm sorry mental that I believe in being realistic. It's
quite a gag you've made for him.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
I don't think he'll do much talking until we're ready
to take it out.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
We used a silk nightgun of mine from Paris, blended.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
I don't want to make sure this far and it's place.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Ah there we are nor what safe.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
But there's no longer anything or or anybody to be
safe from you.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
Now what other weapons did you have?
Speaker 3 (19:39):
Just the bottle? Oh? I telled him A good one
was a bottle.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
Oh, and there's this carving.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
Nice and the gun which I have in my pocket. Well,
it's it's it's barely been quite a little adventure, am.
Speaker 5 (19:55):
You know?
Speaker 3 (19:55):
I kept this little record something of the physician please.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
Mm hmm, observations on the hard But I am recording
the events of the past several hours.
Speaker 11 (20:08):
In the hope that my observations lay in some.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
Well, of course, you realize that I'm not much for
that sort of reported.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
Oh no, no, no, no, no, I think you did splendidly, splendidly.
I wonder who else may read these notes of yours.
Speaker 4 (20:32):
Look his eyes are open.
Speaker 3 (20:37):
Try I never realize med men really do roll their eyes.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Ugly beggar, isn't it?
Speaker 4 (20:45):
I must say?
Speaker 2 (20:46):
But about your report? This is the stuff about Germany.
Did he really feel this?
Speaker 4 (20:51):
I wish he'd close his eyes. He's trying to say Germany.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
I mean, how could anyone say?
Speaker 3 (21:00):
What was it that?
Speaker 5 (21:01):
When one comes to think.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
Of Germany and the faith of Germany, and then that
posh that argle bargel about the clone autobarn ladies. Rather
any people can see the man is bristly confused and
misinformed about the organization of the National Socialist parties. Effect
is the organization of the party was divided into twenty
six gahan or districts, which did not in themselves form
(21:23):
the various provinces of the German rights East Prussia, Greater Berlin, Brandenburg,
East March, Pomerania, Silesia, Magdeburg, Unhealed, Highland, Beersburg, Preingier, Schleptic
hostegn Favor.
Speaker 4 (21:36):
He's the Knight.
Speaker 5 (21:40):
Your help.
Speaker 11 (21:48):
Doesn't seem interesting, so I was saying, Mettenberg, Hornden, Hamburg, Mechlenburg, Lubek.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
Tell me my good girl there on the floor.
Speaker 5 (22:03):
Does it interest you?
Speaker 2 (22:05):
The division of the varia is even more fascinating, you know.
Bavaria was divided into nine gown shop your Upper Palatly,
Upper Brianconian, Dittle, Brinconia, Lord.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Suspense, in which Lawrence Dobkins starred as Edward, with Paula
Winslow as Joe Next Week, the story of how perhaps
the smallest of items can be the cause of unbelievable
terror and hardship, in this case, the lack of a
little loose change. We call it chicken feed. That's next
(23:28):
Week on Suspense. Suspense is produced and directed by Norman
(23:50):
McDonald with music composed by Lucian Morrowick and conducted by
lud Gluskin. James Heldvick's story, A Little Matter of Memory,
was specially adapted for suspense by James Paul. Featured in
the cast were Edgar Barrier, Joseph Kerns, and Richard Peel.
(24:15):
Follow the serial adventures of mister Keene evening times on
the CBS Radio network
Speaker 3 (25:00):
Time
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