October 14, 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 | iHear
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 | iHear
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Auto light and it's ninety eight thousand dealers. Bring you,
mister Cornell Wild. In Tonight's presentation of.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Suspense, Tonight Autolite combines fact and fiction, the fact the
murder of Mary Cecilia Rogers in New York City, the
fiction Edgar Allen Poe's solution of that crime, which he
called the Mystery of Marie rogett Our Star. Mister Cornell Wild,
(00:42):
you is sheen any engines around her engine? Sheriff?
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Why I've seeing thousands of engines all equipped with auto
light staate full batteries for purrying powerful and pleasing starts
in all kinds of weather.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Where these engines you're off the reservation.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
And off there are no reservations about an auto light
state A full battery, it states right on the case
needs water only three times a year in normal car use. Well,
these engines didn't like life on the reservation life. Why
the Autolite stay full battery has long life. Fiberglass retaining
mats protect the power of every positive plate to reduce
shedding and flaking and give that Autolite Stay Full longer life,
(01:19):
as proved by test conducted according to accepted life cycle
standards to quickly locate you're nearest autolite battery dealer who
services all makes of batteries. Just call Western Union by
number and ask for operator twenty five.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
I'll tell you where you can get an autolite. Stay
full the battery that needs water only three times a
year in normal car use.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
And remember, from bomper to tail life, you're always right
with autolite. Mary Cecilia Rogers was murdered in the vicinity
of New York City in the summer of eighteen forty two.
It was still an unsolved climb in November when The
Mystery of Marie roget was published the author Edgar Allan Poe.
(02:02):
It paralleled in every essential detail the murder of Mary Rogers.
Poe wrote it far from the scene of the atrocity,
with only the newspaper reports of the day. Nevertheless, the
subsequent confession connected with the murder of Mary Rogers confirmed
not only the killer named by Poe, but all the
chief details by which he arrived at his identification.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
And now Autolite presents transcribed Edgar Allan Poe's Mystery of
Marie Rogett, starring mister Cornell Wilde, Hoping once again to
keep you in suspense.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Good evening. My name is Dupin. I should like to
extend an invitation regard, first a certain event, which truly
occurred in New York City on a warm summer night
in eighteen forty two. Secondly, I invite you to employ
your imagination and displace that same event intact with all
(03:07):
of the essential facts, to a cobbled old world Paris
on an identical, warm and fragrant summer night in the
same year. Lastly, and most interesting, I should like to
invite you to attend that event. It is a murder, yes,
(03:44):
the general design and mental character of the atrocity, Indeed,
the first knowledge of its occurrence came to my attention
on Wednesday night, the twenty fifth day of June.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Who is the Prefect of Police, I am Monsieur Dupin.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Yes, monsieur, Oh.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Thank you for coming, Monsieur. I wasn't certain my messenger
would find you this way, Monsieur. Please Andrea, Andrea the
lantern from Monsieur dupartm. She died harshly, yes, beaten, choked brown, yes, yes,
(04:29):
quite harshly. She was beautiful, Monsieur once perhaps still mademoiselle.
What in life she had a name in death. She
must also have a name. Any of you I have asked, Monsieur,
but none of them know her. But her clothes and
jewels say she was known Dupin. Good clothes, torn and
(04:50):
disordered in her terrible struggle, but good. And the jewelry
not expensive, but tasteful. This woman, in my opinion, Dupin,
was known and loved Monsieur the Prefect. No doubt, Dupa,
this is why I sent for you. I've been through
these things before. The newspapers will write stories, the reporters
(05:11):
will make conjecture. Although there is no name for her now,
there will eventually be a name, and then Monsieur I
will be called upon to produce her assassins. There is
so little to go on the eyes of the public
will be upon me, and my honor is at stake.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
And my honor to Monsieur. If I am involved in
the investigation.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Dupin, listen. There is a fund at the prefecture, a
sizeable fund which I am authorized to use when circumstances arise,
and for your services. I am willing to make a
direct and liberal proposition. Dufa. You will help me find
the answer to this woman's death.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
I cannot refuse.
Speaker 5 (06:03):
No form about the mouth, as in the case of
the merely drowned monsieur here bruisers impressions of fingers. It
was a sangulation by hand and by discord.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Yes, doctor, yes, you fair an ingenious not in that cord.
Don't you think this is a slip knot a sailor's
knot sailors not.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
She is found in water.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
Why did she die for her beauty? Perhaps for her
love her hate? It was Sunday, observed doctor. There are
no marks to prove she was waited and then shaken loose. Yes,
she quit life on Sunday, murdered in the dark, thrown
into the river unweighted. Monday Tuesday she remained as a
(06:59):
corpse will on the bottom. And then on the third day, tonight,
as a corpse will, she rose and the fishermen saw her.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
It is the way of corpses, violently made.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
So not only violent, but quick near the river bank somewhere.
For what assassins could carry a burden like this, long undiscovered.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
From a dark bridge for her.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
No, no, too much light in people. There had to
be a boat, doctor. If she was dropped from a
bridge or pushed in from the shore, the current might
press her aside to be caught in the vegetation of
the shallow water. She was murdered on the bank and
then taken out to her grave in a boat. And
there had to be a man who knew how to
handle a boat in the tricky current.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Who is there? Is I the prefect? I had someone
who thinks she may know her. Hmm.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Come in, monsieur, with your permission? Doctor moncheud you pa,
how do you do?
Speaker 2 (08:00):
M Beauve has been searching since Monday for news of
a Marie Roget. Madmoiselle Roget is an employee of Monsieur Beauve. Correct.
Speaker 6 (08:07):
Monsieur correct, I am a powerful mar I called on
her mother, Madame Rose Monday, when Mary did not appear
at my shop. Madame informed me that Mary had left
Sunday morning to visit her aunt at Rue des Drone.
She has not yet returned. I see and what else
I cannot say, Monsieur. So far I have ascertained that
she never arrived at Rue de Drone, and indeed no one.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Has seen her since Sunday. Can you describe Marie Roge?
Speaker 6 (08:30):
But of course dark hair almost black, a dark eyes, tall,
young vibrant, a woman, monsieur of great promise. Jacques san Tustache,
the last to see her, mention to me that Madamiselle
wore a frock of fine muslin.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
Deep blue. I knew it well, a bonnet. The match
goes with it well. Who is Jacques Santostache bouv.
Speaker 6 (08:49):
Monsieur Santustache is the accepted tutor of Mary Rose. He
lodges and takes meals at the pancion kept by Madame
rog He was to have gone for his betrothed at
dusk Sunday and to have escorted her home in the afternoon.
It rained heavily, and supposing that she would remain at
her aunts, he did not think it necessary to keep
his promise.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
She has stayed there under similar circumstances. And where is
Jacques Saintroustache at this moment? Searching and anxious as I
am for Mary Roge. It is three days since Sunday,
four days really, but three that Marie Roget has been
considered missing. Your search is tardy. I know she well.
I am at your mercy.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
She has disappeared twice, ah.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
The first time she disappeared was about three years ago.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Her mother.
Speaker 6 (09:34):
Her friends were unable to account for her disappearance. I
was distracted with anxiety and terror. Did you notify the
police in that case? Immediately, monsieur? But suddenly Mary reappeared
one fine morning after being absent a week. She was
in good health and held with somewhat a saddened air.
She explained she had spent the missing week with her
relative in the country. Madame Roge, who was and still
(09:58):
is in firm, recall this to be a fact, and
the matter was forgotten until now.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
So you did not call the police this second time
she disappeared. What has happened once can happen again? What
did happen that week she was away?
Speaker 2 (10:12):
I do not know.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
I do not honestly know, But you doubt the story
of visiting a relative. I will not say, show him
what we have, doctor, if you will kindly step over here.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Do you know this woman is? Why does Boube cry Dubar?
The girl only worked for him. Ah, he has not
(10:51):
told us all. He is suspect dupar and I will
have a word with him, Say Dubar, why does he
weep for a shop girl? Grisette to was promised to another?
Speaker 3 (11:02):
He weeps for youth and beauty. Yes, I am dupin,
(11:22):
Madame Rose. May I come in, come, come, no, no,
please sit, Madame. I understand you are not well.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Hm hmm.
Speaker 7 (11:33):
I have been invalid ten years now.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
I will not consume a great deal of time. May
I ask, did your daughter often visit relatives in other
distant parts of the city often and stay overnight? Often
with your approval? Madame?
Speaker 7 (11:53):
She was and has been free of me since her
sixteenth years.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
That is a very answer, Madam.
Speaker 7 (12:02):
I can tell you nothing of what has happened to her.
She leaves me on a morning with no enemies I.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Know of, and do you know of her friends?
Speaker 7 (12:14):
I understand the intention of your remark. Do you refer
to those beside Jacques, No, I know of none.
Speaker 3 (12:24):
I understand that the Jacques Santustache keep's rooms here, that
is true.
Speaker 7 (12:29):
Yes, but he is no longer here. He left once
he was informed of Marie's death where I do not know.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
But surely understood that we would be by to question him.
Speaker 7 (12:41):
He was beside himself with grief. I cannot blame him.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
I see.
Speaker 7 (12:48):
Oh, I have been of no assistance where I would
like to be, And yet I knew something that morning.
I knew she would not come back to her mama again.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
You knew she would not be back, madame? Did she
take clothes bit a longer goodbye? How did you know?
Speaker 7 (13:13):
I knew? If I knew, Monsieur, death was very close
to her that day.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
If you knew this, madam, why did you allow her
to venture out?
Speaker 7 (13:25):
I stop her? No, No, If it is not mess,
death will arrange a meeting. If the meeting had been here,
death might have visited me too.
Speaker 8 (13:42):
And I am yet afraid to die.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Auto light is bringing you mister Cornell Wild and Edgar
Allan Poe's The Mystery of Marie broget Tonight's presentation in
Radio's Outstanding Theater of Frills Suspense.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
I got him Hurrow an Indian shareff Nope, an auto
light staple. The battery that says right in the case
needs water only three times a year in normal car use.
That's the brand battery for my car. By Ginger, you
mean buy auto light stainful batteries, and you buy Ginger
and PEP for a fast, defendable start every time. Fiberglass
(14:45):
retaining matts around each positive plate to reduce shedding and
flaking and give the auto light stay full, longer life
as proved by life cycle standards.
Speaker 9 (14:54):
Sounds like you couldn't buy a better battery with a pocket.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Full of nuggets.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
So friends, see you're expert auto light back dealer for
an autolite stayful the battery that needs water only three
times a year in normal car. Use to quickly locate
your nearest autolite battery dealer who services all makes of batteries.
Phone Western Union by number and ask for operator twenty five.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
That's right. I'm glad to tell you the location of
your nearest auto light battery dealer.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
And remember, from bomper to tail light, you're always right
with autolite. And now Autolfe brings back to our Hollywood
sound stage, mister Cornell Wilde in Elliot Lewis's production of
Edgar Allan Poe's The Mystery of Marie Roget, a tale
well calculated to keep you in suspense. Dupe again, you
(15:49):
will recall the event we have been attending in Heaven.
I invite you now to keep in mind the sullen.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Fect that Mariorjie died violently, that her lover, Jacques Santustache
is missing where she died. Who administered her death for
what reason remained to be known. Attend at this point
another event, if you will, which was arranged by that
(16:18):
zealous and righteous man, the Prefect of Police.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Thank you for coming.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
Du You have located the lover Santo Stache.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Santustache, he is unimportant, I assure you. Somewhere right now
he drinks and tries to forget you. But what I
have here is important, most important. Madame du Lac, if
you please, good gentlemen, this is Madame du Lux. She
(16:49):
has something of interest to tell you, and I have
something of interest to show you.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
Good evening, Madame.
Speaker 10 (16:57):
I have maintained many year right here, close to the
bank of the river.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Oh no, no, no fear with me, Madame. I have
no authority to do anything but respect your person and
your thoughts. And what is this information?
Speaker 10 (17:12):
I saw a young woman here Sunday, monsieur said it
was Mary Rogi.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
It was definitely just a moment Sunday, Madame.
Speaker 10 (17:21):
Yes, mid afternoon later, perhaps well right here in my tavern.
She arrived, accompanied by a young man of dark swarthy complexion.
The two remained here for some time. On their departure,
they took the road through some thick woods that way.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
Toward the river Dupa. And this is a secluded neighborhood.
Go on, madam, go on.
Speaker 10 (17:43):
Soon after they left, a gang of miss Crean's made
her appearance at my place of business.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
They behaved boisterously.
Speaker 10 (17:50):
They ate and drank without payment, then left and followed
the root of the young girl and the young man
that same way.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
I see about us.
Speaker 10 (18:00):
The same galley appeared, and we crossed the river in
the greatst.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
I see, and you are certain it was Marie Roge.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
You never fear. My men spoke with an unodous driver,
a man named Valence, who knew Marie Bouche. He claims
he saw cross the Seine on the Sunday afternoon in
question with the swarthy man who fits the exact description
of madame.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
And what else, monsieur, oh, I will show you come.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
I followed him through the back of the tavern into
the thick woods which line the Seine. At that point.
He stopped when we had come to a close thicket,
within which were three or four large stones, forming a
kind of seat with a back and footstool.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Note dupin a white petticoat here here a silk scarf,
par us, all gloves, pocket handkerchiefs. Inspect the handkerchief Dupin.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Thank you?
Speaker 2 (19:05):
You note the name Marie Jouge embroidered them.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
Yes, yes, so this is the place she met her death.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Well, of course it is. I have found it. Look.
Look the earth has trampled where she struggled. And over here, yeah,
the bush is still broken, every evidence of a terrible struggle.
And here the offence has been taken down, and the
ground showed that some heavy burden was dragged along it
toward the river. Well, come come look for yourself. Ah,
(19:37):
what say you? Now?
Speaker 3 (19:39):
I am wondering, wonder Well we.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
Have facts, now, sir, important facts. Do you recall a
strip of one of the unfortunate girl's petticoat had been
tied about her mouth, probably to prevent her screams? I
do this was done by fellows who had no pocket handkerchiefs,
miscreants dupin, miscreants such as those who visited Madame du
Luxe tavern and later went the same way as Marie
(20:04):
Joige and her companion. There are many such gangs about here.
All we have to do is locate them, and I
know how to do that.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
That night, the shrill cries of the Paris newsboys proclaimed
the Prefect's resolved. He offered a reward of twenty thousand
francs and a full pardon for any king's evidence. It
was an accepted conclusion that Marie Roget had been waylaid
and slain by a gang of miscreants in the vicinity
(20:42):
of Madame du Luxe tavern Ah.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Well, are you defeated, Monsieur DuPont, now that I have
solved the mystery of Marie Roge. No, Monsieur, I have
doubled the reward. Soon one of the miscreants will come
forward than you see. Forty thousand francs should be temptation enough.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Twenty thousand was temptation enough. No one will come forward, Monsieur.
A gang such as is hoped for would be composed
of men who have never seen more than one hundred
francs at one time. Twenty thousand would bring all of
them if if they had any knowledge of Marioge's murder.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Oh, they're just waiting, you know.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
That, waiting when each is in jeopardy because of the other.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
We shall see you bar wait.
Speaker 3 (21:33):
It was one man, a man who dragged the body
of Mademoiselle at the river's edge. A gang, even two
men could have carried it. AH gang would have lifted
it over the fence easily, instead of taking a fence down.
As it was taken down. One man labored hard.
Speaker 2 (21:56):
My conjecture is as good as yours. Are you talking
Stu Stache?
Speaker 3 (22:00):
No, no, he is quite unguilty.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
Monsieur.
Speaker 3 (22:04):
Allow me to point out that the newspapers, the police
all have identified themselves with what apparently happened. We must
consider what did not happen. First, a gang did not
set upon her and murderer. Secondly, Marie Roget had no
intention of visiting her aunt at Rue de Dromes when
(22:26):
she left her mother in Lover last Sunday morning.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
You perf you have confident information, explain yourself.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
I have the same information as you. Nothing else.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
You said she had no intention of visiting her aunt
that day? Why do you say that, monsieur?
Speaker 3 (22:42):
Consider what might have happened if her intended Jacques Santroustache
had called for her at her aunt's and discovered she
was not there, that she had not been there all day,
he would have been chagrined, suspicious, angry, Santostache would have
been all these something for Marie Roge to worry about
when she returned home, but nothing to worry about. If
(23:06):
Marie did not intend to return home.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
A point to consider, perhaps the one.
Speaker 3 (23:12):
Consider that she kept the rendezvous instead. This we know,
a rendezvous with a swarthy man. We have been told
that by two witnesses who saw him. Now, Monsieur, I
ask you, as I have asked myself. Did this swarthy
companion allow Marie to be slain before his eyes? Or
was he himself slain trying to help her? If so,
(23:36):
where is his body?
Speaker 2 (23:37):
He left her before she was set upon?
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Obviously did he leave her alone in such a dark district?
Speaker 2 (23:42):
They quarreled?
Speaker 3 (23:43):
Indeed they did. Another question, Marie Roge's death is known
everywhere in France. Why has he not come forward to
help us clear up the mystery?
Speaker 2 (23:54):
Many reasons. Perhaps she's married, he's left, he's uninformed.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
He has a squawthy complexion, a sea complexion, a well
attested fact. Now accumulate that with the cord that was
tied about her neck in a sailor's not Messieur de fire,
I have not to sland. The need of a skilled
boatman to handle a boat on the river to dispose
of the body. But it could be, it could not.
(24:24):
Mary Roget was a gay, not an abject girl. No
common seaman for her, an officer, a naval officer monsieur
like the one who might have led her into a
false elopement the first time she disappeared, three years past
the approved time for a French man of war to
consume encircling the globe. The officer returns, thinking of the
(24:49):
same coquette, marry rogie, the same bargain what he has
managed to do once he can do again. Mary meets
him for this purpose. Then she thinks the better of
an elopement and refuses to accompany him. Santa Stash has
captured her love. Her former lover slays her in quick anger.
(25:12):
He drags her body to the river. Come on, here's
a boat.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Where do I find him? On?
Speaker 3 (25:16):
Whatever ship has arrived from the world crew his name?
Speaker 2 (25:20):
What is his name?
Speaker 3 (25:21):
Jupa inquire for the name of the young officer who
has applied for leaves to get married.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
But there must be many such among a ship's compliment
returning after a long cruise.
Speaker 3 (25:30):
Agreed, But Monsieur le Prefect. There is only one naval
officer who has returned to his ship without a bride.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
Oh, Andre Andrea. We leave at once for the naval yards.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
It has been an interesting evening, and now I issue
a last invitation, my friends. I invite you to retain
all that you have heard and employ this time, instead
of your imagination, your sense of reality. For Marie Roget
of Paris was truthfully Mary Rogers of New York. Let
(26:16):
your reality move you back to New York City on
a winter day, some months after the event described in
the darkening afternoon inside a gray stone building, I invite
you to attend another event. I think you will find significant.
Speaker 9 (26:38):
Ensign Robert Bryant Wilson, you have been found guilty of
the murder of Mary Cecilia Rogers. It is the judgment
of this court that you'll be hanged by the neck
until you are dead.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
Suspense presented by Autolite Tonight Star Mister Cornell Wild. This
is Harlow Wilcox speaking for Autolite, the world's largest independent
manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment. In twenty eight plants from
coast to coast, Autolite makes over four hundred products for cars, trucks, tractors, planes, boats,
(27:38):
and industry. These products include bumpers, die castings, industrial thermometers,
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Autolite spark plugs both standard and resistor types, volage regulators,
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auto Light original service parts for auto Light electrical systems.
(28:02):
Auto Light is proud to serve the greatest names in
the industry, So from Montre to tail light, you're always
right with auto LIGHTE Next Week one of the most
terrifying half hours ever presented on suspense. A young couple
(28:24):
and a mad woman and what happened to them on
a country road. Our star mister Frank Lovejoy. That's Next
Week on Suspense. Suspense is transcribed and directed by Elliot Lewis,
with music composed by Lucian Morrowick and conducted by Love Gluskin.
Edgar Allan pose The Mystery of Marie Roget was adapted
(28:47):
for suspense by e Jack Human Internight's cast. John Zayner
was heard as the Prefect of Police. Others in the
cast were lou Merril Jeanneth Nolan, Paulowinslow, William Johnstone and
Edgar Barrier. And remember next week, mister Frank Lovejoy in
on a country road.
Speaker 4 (29:09):
You can buy auto Light, State Fuld batteries, auto Light
original service sparks and auto light standard or resisted size
spot looks at your neighborhood. Auto light dealers switch to
auto light.
Speaker 2 (29:19):
Good night.
Speaker 3 (29:23):
This is the CBS Radio Network
Auto light and it's ninety eight thousand dealers. Bring you,
mister Cornell Wild. In Tonight's presentation of.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Suspense, Tonight Autolite combines fact and fiction, the fact the
murder of Mary Cecilia Rogers in New York City, the
fiction Edgar Allen Poe's solution of that crime, which he
called the Mystery of Marie rogett Our Star. Mister Cornell Wild,
(00:42):
you is sheen any engines around her engine? Sheriff?
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Why I've seeing thousands of engines all equipped with auto
light staate full batteries for purrying powerful and pleasing starts
in all kinds of weather.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Where these engines you're off the reservation.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
And off there are no reservations about an auto light
state A full battery, it states right on the case
needs water only three times a year in normal car use. Well,
these engines didn't like life on the reservation life. Why
the Autolite stay full battery has long life. Fiberglass retaining
mats protect the power of every positive plate to reduce
shedding and flaking and give that Autolite Stay Full longer life,
(01:19):
as proved by test conducted according to accepted life cycle
standards to quickly locate you're nearest autolite battery dealer who
services all makes of batteries. Just call Western Union by
number and ask for operator twenty five.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
I'll tell you where you can get an autolite. Stay
full the battery that needs water only three times a
year in normal car use.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
And remember, from bomper to tail life, you're always right
with autolite. Mary Cecilia Rogers was murdered in the vicinity
of New York City in the summer of eighteen forty two.
It was still an unsolved climb in November when The
Mystery of Marie roget was published the author Edgar Allan Poe.
(02:02):
It paralleled in every essential detail the murder of Mary Rogers.
Poe wrote it far from the scene of the atrocity,
with only the newspaper reports of the day. Nevertheless, the
subsequent confession connected with the murder of Mary Rogers confirmed
not only the killer named by Poe, but all the
chief details by which he arrived at his identification.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
And now Autolite presents transcribed Edgar Allan Poe's Mystery of
Marie Rogett, starring mister Cornell Wilde, Hoping once again to
keep you in suspense.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Good evening. My name is Dupin. I should like to
extend an invitation regard, first a certain event, which truly
occurred in New York City on a warm summer night
in eighteen forty two. Secondly, I invite you to employ
your imagination and displace that same event intact with all
(03:07):
of the essential facts, to a cobbled old world Paris
on an identical, warm and fragrant summer night in the
same year. Lastly, and most interesting, I should like to
invite you to attend that event. It is a murder, yes,
(03:44):
the general design and mental character of the atrocity, Indeed,
the first knowledge of its occurrence came to my attention
on Wednesday night, the twenty fifth day of June.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Who is the Prefect of Police, I am Monsieur Dupin.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Yes, monsieur, Oh.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Thank you for coming, Monsieur. I wasn't certain my messenger
would find you this way, Monsieur. Please Andrea, Andrea the
lantern from Monsieur dupartm. She died harshly, yes, beaten, choked brown, yes, yes,
(04:29):
quite harshly. She was beautiful, Monsieur once perhaps still mademoiselle.
What in life she had a name in death. She
must also have a name. Any of you I have asked, Monsieur,
but none of them know her. But her clothes and
jewels say she was known Dupin. Good clothes, torn and
(04:50):
disordered in her terrible struggle, but good. And the jewelry
not expensive, but tasteful. This woman, in my opinion, Dupin,
was known and loved Monsieur the Prefect. No doubt, Dupa,
this is why I sent for you. I've been through
these things before. The newspapers will write stories, the reporters
(05:11):
will make conjecture. Although there is no name for her now,
there will eventually be a name, and then Monsieur I
will be called upon to produce her assassins. There is
so little to go on the eyes of the public
will be upon me, and my honor is at stake.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
And my honor to Monsieur. If I am involved in
the investigation.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Dupin, listen. There is a fund at the prefecture, a
sizeable fund which I am authorized to use when circumstances arise,
and for your services. I am willing to make a
direct and liberal proposition. Dufa. You will help me find
the answer to this woman's death.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
I cannot refuse.
Speaker 5 (06:03):
No form about the mouth, as in the case of
the merely drowned monsieur here bruisers impressions of fingers. It
was a sangulation by hand and by discord.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Yes, doctor, yes, you fair an ingenious not in that cord.
Don't you think this is a slip knot a sailor's
knot sailors not.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
She is found in water.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
Why did she die for her beauty? Perhaps for her
love her hate? It was Sunday, observed doctor. There are
no marks to prove she was waited and then shaken loose. Yes,
she quit life on Sunday, murdered in the dark, thrown
into the river unweighted. Monday Tuesday she remained as a
(06:59):
corpse will on the bottom. And then on the third day, tonight,
as a corpse will, she rose and the fishermen saw her.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
It is the way of corpses, violently made.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
So not only violent, but quick near the river bank somewhere.
For what assassins could carry a burden like this, long undiscovered.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
From a dark bridge for her.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
No, no, too much light in people. There had to
be a boat, doctor. If she was dropped from a
bridge or pushed in from the shore, the current might
press her aside to be caught in the vegetation of
the shallow water. She was murdered on the bank and
then taken out to her grave in a boat. And
there had to be a man who knew how to
handle a boat in the tricky current.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Who is there? Is I the prefect? I had someone
who thinks she may know her. Hmm.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Come in, monsieur, with your permission? Doctor moncheud you pa,
how do you do?
Speaker 2 (08:00):
M Beauve has been searching since Monday for news of
a Marie Roget. Madmoiselle Roget is an employee of Monsieur Beauve. Correct.
Speaker 6 (08:07):
Monsieur correct, I am a powerful mar I called on
her mother, Madame Rose Monday, when Mary did not appear
at my shop. Madame informed me that Mary had left
Sunday morning to visit her aunt at Rue des Drone.
She has not yet returned. I see and what else
I cannot say, Monsieur. So far I have ascertained that
she never arrived at Rue de Drone, and indeed no one.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Has seen her since Sunday. Can you describe Marie Roge?
Speaker 6 (08:30):
But of course dark hair almost black, a dark eyes, tall,
young vibrant, a woman, monsieur of great promise. Jacques san Tustache,
the last to see her, mention to me that Madamiselle
wore a frock of fine muslin.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
Deep blue. I knew it well, a bonnet. The match
goes with it well. Who is Jacques Santostache bouv.
Speaker 6 (08:49):
Monsieur Santustache is the accepted tutor of Mary Rose. He
lodges and takes meals at the pancion kept by Madame
rog He was to have gone for his betrothed at
dusk Sunday and to have escorted her home in the afternoon.
It rained heavily, and supposing that she would remain at
her aunts, he did not think it necessary to keep
his promise.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
She has stayed there under similar circumstances. And where is
Jacques Saintroustache at this moment? Searching and anxious as I
am for Mary Roge. It is three days since Sunday,
four days really, but three that Marie Roget has been
considered missing. Your search is tardy. I know she well.
I am at your mercy.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
She has disappeared twice, ah.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
The first time she disappeared was about three years ago.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Her mother.
Speaker 6 (09:34):
Her friends were unable to account for her disappearance. I
was distracted with anxiety and terror. Did you notify the
police in that case? Immediately, monsieur? But suddenly Mary reappeared
one fine morning after being absent a week. She was
in good health and held with somewhat a saddened air.
She explained she had spent the missing week with her
relative in the country. Madame Roge, who was and still
(09:58):
is in firm, recall this to be a fact, and
the matter was forgotten until now.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
So you did not call the police this second time
she disappeared. What has happened once can happen again? What
did happen that week she was away?
Speaker 2 (10:12):
I do not know.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
I do not honestly know, But you doubt the story
of visiting a relative. I will not say, show him
what we have, doctor, if you will kindly step over here.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Do you know this woman is? Why does Boube cry Dubar?
The girl only worked for him. Ah, he has not
(10:51):
told us all. He is suspect dupar and I will
have a word with him, Say Dubar, why does he
weep for a shop girl? Grisette to was promised to another?
Speaker 3 (11:02):
He weeps for youth and beauty. Yes, I am dupin,
(11:22):
Madame Rose. May I come in, come, come, no, no,
please sit, Madame. I understand you are not well.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Hm hmm.
Speaker 7 (11:33):
I have been invalid ten years now.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
I will not consume a great deal of time. May
I ask, did your daughter often visit relatives in other
distant parts of the city often and stay overnight? Often
with your approval? Madame?
Speaker 7 (11:53):
She was and has been free of me since her
sixteenth years.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
That is a very answer, Madam.
Speaker 7 (12:02):
I can tell you nothing of what has happened to her.
She leaves me on a morning with no enemies I.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Know of, and do you know of her friends?
Speaker 7 (12:14):
I understand the intention of your remark. Do you refer
to those beside Jacques, No, I know of none.
Speaker 3 (12:24):
I understand that the Jacques Santustache keep's rooms here, that
is true.
Speaker 7 (12:29):
Yes, but he is no longer here. He left once
he was informed of Marie's death where I do not know.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
But surely understood that we would be by to question him.
Speaker 7 (12:41):
He was beside himself with grief. I cannot blame him.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
I see.
Speaker 7 (12:48):
Oh, I have been of no assistance where I would
like to be, And yet I knew something that morning.
I knew she would not come back to her mama again.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
You knew she would not be back, madame? Did she
take clothes bit a longer goodbye? How did you know?
Speaker 7 (13:13):
I knew? If I knew, Monsieur, death was very close
to her that day.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
If you knew this, madam, why did you allow her
to venture out?
Speaker 7 (13:25):
I stop her? No, No, If it is not mess,
death will arrange a meeting. If the meeting had been here,
death might have visited me too.
Speaker 8 (13:42):
And I am yet afraid to die.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Auto light is bringing you mister Cornell Wild and Edgar
Allan Poe's The Mystery of Marie broget Tonight's presentation in
Radio's Outstanding Theater of Frills Suspense.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
I got him Hurrow an Indian shareff Nope, an auto
light staple. The battery that says right in the case
needs water only three times a year in normal car use.
That's the brand battery for my car. By Ginger, you
mean buy auto light stainful batteries, and you buy Ginger
and PEP for a fast, defendable start every time. Fiberglass
(14:45):
retaining matts around each positive plate to reduce shedding and
flaking and give the auto light stay full, longer life
as proved by life cycle standards.
Speaker 9 (14:54):
Sounds like you couldn't buy a better battery with a pocket.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Full of nuggets.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
So friends, see you're expert auto light back dealer for
an autolite stayful the battery that needs water only three
times a year in normal car. Use to quickly locate
your nearest autolite battery dealer who services all makes of batteries.
Phone Western Union by number and ask for operator twenty five.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
That's right. I'm glad to tell you the location of
your nearest auto light battery dealer.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
And remember, from bomper to tail light, you're always right
with autolite. And now Autolfe brings back to our Hollywood
sound stage, mister Cornell Wilde in Elliot Lewis's production of
Edgar Allan Poe's The Mystery of Marie Roget, a tale
well calculated to keep you in suspense. Dupe again, you
(15:49):
will recall the event we have been attending in Heaven.
I invite you now to keep in mind the sullen.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Fect that Mariorjie died violently, that her lover, Jacques Santustache
is missing where she died. Who administered her death for
what reason remained to be known. Attend at this point
another event, if you will, which was arranged by that
(16:18):
zealous and righteous man, the Prefect of Police.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Thank you for coming.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
Du You have located the lover Santo Stache.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Santustache, he is unimportant, I assure you. Somewhere right now
he drinks and tries to forget you. But what I
have here is important, most important. Madame du Lac, if
you please, good gentlemen, this is Madame du Lux. She
(16:49):
has something of interest to tell you, and I have
something of interest to show you.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
Good evening, Madame.
Speaker 10 (16:57):
I have maintained many year right here, close to the
bank of the river.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Oh no, no, no fear with me, Madame. I have
no authority to do anything but respect your person and
your thoughts. And what is this information?
Speaker 10 (17:12):
I saw a young woman here Sunday, monsieur said it
was Mary Rogi.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
It was definitely just a moment Sunday, Madame.
Speaker 10 (17:21):
Yes, mid afternoon later, perhaps well right here in my tavern.
She arrived, accompanied by a young man of dark swarthy complexion.
The two remained here for some time. On their departure,
they took the road through some thick woods that way.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
Toward the river Dupa. And this is a secluded neighborhood.
Go on, madam, go on.
Speaker 10 (17:43):
Soon after they left, a gang of miss Crean's made
her appearance at my place of business.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
They behaved boisterously.
Speaker 10 (17:50):
They ate and drank without payment, then left and followed
the root of the young girl and the young man
that same way.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
I see about us.
Speaker 10 (18:00):
The same galley appeared, and we crossed the river in
the greatst.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
I see, and you are certain it was Marie Roge.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
You never fear. My men spoke with an unodous driver,
a man named Valence, who knew Marie Bouche. He claims
he saw cross the Seine on the Sunday afternoon in
question with the swarthy man who fits the exact description
of madame.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
And what else, monsieur, oh, I will show you come.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
I followed him through the back of the tavern into
the thick woods which line the Seine. At that point.
He stopped when we had come to a close thicket,
within which were three or four large stones, forming a
kind of seat with a back and footstool.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Note dupin a white petticoat here here a silk scarf,
par us, all gloves, pocket handkerchiefs. Inspect the handkerchief Dupin.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Thank you?
Speaker 2 (19:05):
You note the name Marie Jouge embroidered them.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
Yes, yes, so this is the place she met her death.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Well, of course it is. I have found it. Look.
Look the earth has trampled where she struggled. And over here, yeah,
the bush is still broken, every evidence of a terrible struggle.
And here the offence has been taken down, and the
ground showed that some heavy burden was dragged along it
toward the river. Well, come come look for yourself. Ah,
(19:37):
what say you? Now?
Speaker 3 (19:39):
I am wondering, wonder Well we.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
Have facts, now, sir, important facts. Do you recall a
strip of one of the unfortunate girl's petticoat had been
tied about her mouth, probably to prevent her screams? I
do this was done by fellows who had no pocket handkerchiefs,
miscreants dupin, miscreants such as those who visited Madame du
Luxe tavern and later went the same way as Marie
(20:04):
Joige and her companion. There are many such gangs about here.
All we have to do is locate them, and I
know how to do that.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
That night, the shrill cries of the Paris newsboys proclaimed
the Prefect's resolved. He offered a reward of twenty thousand
francs and a full pardon for any king's evidence. It
was an accepted conclusion that Marie Roget had been waylaid
and slain by a gang of miscreants in the vicinity
(20:42):
of Madame du Luxe tavern Ah.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Well, are you defeated, Monsieur DuPont, now that I have
solved the mystery of Marie Roge. No, Monsieur, I have
doubled the reward. Soon one of the miscreants will come
forward than you see. Forty thousand francs should be temptation enough.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Twenty thousand was temptation enough. No one will come forward, Monsieur.
A gang such as is hoped for would be composed
of men who have never seen more than one hundred
francs at one time. Twenty thousand would bring all of
them if if they had any knowledge of Marioge's murder.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Oh, they're just waiting, you know.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
That, waiting when each is in jeopardy because of the other.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
We shall see you bar wait.
Speaker 3 (21:33):
It was one man, a man who dragged the body
of Mademoiselle at the river's edge. A gang, even two
men could have carried it. AH gang would have lifted
it over the fence easily, instead of taking a fence down.
As it was taken down. One man labored hard.
Speaker 2 (21:56):
My conjecture is as good as yours. Are you talking
Stu Stache?
Speaker 3 (22:00):
No, no, he is quite unguilty.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
Monsieur.
Speaker 3 (22:04):
Allow me to point out that the newspapers, the police
all have identified themselves with what apparently happened. We must
consider what did not happen. First, a gang did not
set upon her and murderer. Secondly, Marie Roget had no
intention of visiting her aunt at Rue de Dromes when
(22:26):
she left her mother in Lover last Sunday morning.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
You perf you have confident information, explain yourself.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
I have the same information as you. Nothing else.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
You said she had no intention of visiting her aunt
that day? Why do you say that, monsieur?
Speaker 3 (22:42):
Consider what might have happened if her intended Jacques Santroustache
had called for her at her aunt's and discovered she
was not there, that she had not been there all day,
he would have been chagrined, suspicious, angry, Santostache would have
been all these something for Marie Roge to worry about
when she returned home, but nothing to worry about. If
(23:06):
Marie did not intend to return home.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
A point to consider, perhaps the one.
Speaker 3 (23:12):
Consider that she kept the rendezvous instead. This we know,
a rendezvous with a swarthy man. We have been told
that by two witnesses who saw him. Now, Monsieur, I
ask you, as I have asked myself. Did this swarthy
companion allow Marie to be slain before his eyes? Or
was he himself slain trying to help her? If so,
(23:36):
where is his body?
Speaker 2 (23:37):
He left her before she was set upon?
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Obviously did he leave her alone in such a dark district?
Speaker 2 (23:42):
They quarreled?
Speaker 3 (23:43):
Indeed they did. Another question, Marie Roge's death is known
everywhere in France. Why has he not come forward to
help us clear up the mystery?
Speaker 2 (23:54):
Many reasons. Perhaps she's married, he's left, he's uninformed.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
He has a squawthy complexion, a sea complexion, a well
attested fact. Now accumulate that with the cord that was
tied about her neck in a sailor's not Messieur de fire,
I have not to sland. The need of a skilled
boatman to handle a boat on the river to dispose
of the body. But it could be, it could not.
(24:24):
Mary Roget was a gay, not an abject girl. No
common seaman for her, an officer, a naval officer monsieur
like the one who might have led her into a
false elopement the first time she disappeared, three years past
the approved time for a French man of war to
consume encircling the globe. The officer returns, thinking of the
(24:49):
same coquette, marry rogie, the same bargain what he has
managed to do once he can do again. Mary meets
him for this purpose. Then she thinks the better of
an elopement and refuses to accompany him. Santa Stash has
captured her love. Her former lover slays her in quick anger.
(25:12):
He drags her body to the river. Come on, here's
a boat.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Where do I find him? On?
Speaker 3 (25:16):
Whatever ship has arrived from the world crew his name?
Speaker 2 (25:20):
What is his name?
Speaker 3 (25:21):
Jupa inquire for the name of the young officer who
has applied for leaves to get married.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
But there must be many such among a ship's compliment
returning after a long cruise.
Speaker 3 (25:30):
Agreed, But Monsieur le Prefect. There is only one naval
officer who has returned to his ship without a bride.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
Oh, Andre Andrea. We leave at once for the naval yards.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
It has been an interesting evening, and now I issue
a last invitation, my friends. I invite you to retain
all that you have heard and employ this time, instead
of your imagination, your sense of reality. For Marie Roget
of Paris was truthfully Mary Rogers of New York. Let
(26:16):
your reality move you back to New York City on
a winter day, some months after the event described in
the darkening afternoon inside a gray stone building, I invite
you to attend another event. I think you will find significant.
Speaker 9 (26:38):
Ensign Robert Bryant Wilson, you have been found guilty of
the murder of Mary Cecilia Rogers. It is the judgment
of this court that you'll be hanged by the neck
until you are dead.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
Suspense presented by Autolite Tonight Star Mister Cornell Wild. This
is Harlow Wilcox speaking for Autolite, the world's largest independent
manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment. In twenty eight plants from
coast to coast, Autolite makes over four hundred products for cars, trucks, tractors, planes, boats,
(27:38):
and industry. These products include bumpers, die castings, industrial thermometers,
and batteries such as the famous Autolite stayfull ignition, engineered
Autolite spark plugs both standard and resistor types, volage regulators,
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auto Light original service parts for auto Light electrical systems.
(28:02):
Auto Light is proud to serve the greatest names in
the industry, So from Montre to tail light, you're always
right with auto LIGHTE Next Week one of the most
terrifying half hours ever presented on suspense. A young couple
(28:24):
and a mad woman and what happened to them on
a country road. Our star mister Frank Lovejoy. That's Next
Week on Suspense. Suspense is transcribed and directed by Elliot Lewis,
with music composed by Lucian Morrowick and conducted by Love Gluskin.
Edgar Allan pose The Mystery of Marie Roget was adapted
(28:47):
for suspense by e Jack Human Internight's cast. John Zayner
was heard as the Prefect of Police. Others in the
cast were lou Merril Jeanneth Nolan, Paulowinslow, William Johnstone and
Edgar Barrier. And remember next week, mister Frank Lovejoy in
on a country road.
Speaker 4 (29:09):
You can buy auto Light, State Fuld batteries, auto Light
original service sparks and auto light standard or resisted size
spot looks at your neighborhood. Auto light dealers switch to
auto light.
Speaker 2 (29:19):
Good night.
Speaker 3 (29:23):
This is the CBS Radio Network
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