June 26, 2024 • 62 mins
The Mercury Theatre on the Air was a captivating radio series created and hosted by Orson Welles. This weekly hour-long show featured live radio dramas performed by Welles’s celebrated Mercury Theatre repertory company. They presented classic literary works, accompanied by music composed or arranged by Bernard Herrmann.
The series began in July 1938 and aired on the CBS Radio network. Notably, their broadcast of “The War of the Worlds” on October 30 caused quite a stir, allegedly leading to panic among listeners. After this memorable episode, the Campbell Soup Company became the show’s sponsor. The Mercury Theatre on the Air concluded its run on December 4, and shortly thereafter, The Campbell Playhouse took its place.
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Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio
The series began in July 1938 and aired on the CBS Radio network. Notably, their broadcast of “The War of the Worlds” on October 30 caused quite a stir, allegedly leading to panic among listeners. After this memorable episode, the Campbell Soup Company became the show’s sponsor. The Mercury Theatre on the Air concluded its run on December 4, and shortly thereafter, The Campbell Playhouse took its place.
Listen to our radio station Old Time Radio https://link.radioking.com/otradio
Listen to other Shows at My Classic Radio https://www.myclassicradio.net/
Entertainment Radio | Broadcasting Classic Radio Shows | Patreon
Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:24):
The Columbia Network takes pride in presentingOrson Wells and the Mercury Theater on the
Air in the fourth broadcast of aunique news series dramatizing famous narratives by great
authors. This is the first timethat a completely ethical producing company has been
brought to radio, and the ColumbiaNetwork again welcomes mister Wells and his astrociates
(00:45):
to its own stations and to thestations of the Canadian broadcasting corporations called the
Coast. Every week Orson Wells invitestar listeners to suggest their favorite titles,
and Tonight The Mercury Theater on theAir presents thirty mon Mindset by John Buckett,
with Orton Wells as Richard Hannay andMarmaduke Jockley. Here is Orton Wells
(01:07):
Good Evening Medicine. Gentlemen, Icannot dissolve the full name of the author
of the thirty nine steps. Sevenuniversity degrees and a title make him a
gentleman and a scholar and also practicallyunpronounceable, cause I think you'd like to
know if you didn't, that itis the present Governor General of the Dominion
(01:32):
of Canada and first Baron of Tweedsmuir, who perpetrated this tall and shamelessly exciting
sky story about high doings in Scotland. Lord Tweedsmuir, who in private life
is a publisher, is himself veryproperly a Scotsman who regards the sensational diversity
(01:55):
of his responsibilities with the special calmof his nation. I regard my business,
he says, that my profession writingas my amusement, and politics as
my duty. Talk fighter, gird, how about it? I thought that
(03:00):
you I was stary eyes cat god, the one that excuse it, boiled
this one bottle too many, thisone bottle. What's your name? I
say, old fellows, what's yourname? Alright, alright down there in
(03:23):
the street and around time. Inever saw every foe in my life by
yellow little hops upon life with nofool, right, I take a night
over that. Hey, you're ina buler, tell a moother hat,
(03:45):
good night, hm cock just shininghead in the third Oh dolls ofn'm hum.
Oh you're a shot anny any richard, any tool, see s hand
the true sea with this hammy trueseed fo see true steed too, see
(04:12):
w a turner, hendy hendy wakeup, wake up, this smile and
you put on mama, you mama, do you play? They was wake
up stoppers and the love of theshooting, good old shooting, stary fishing,
goottle fishing. I can earn itstart, I said, Henny,
(04:34):
see where gonna ring? Hey,Henny, are your phone ringing? Wake
up? Noncerting? A hen head, that's let's be drunk thirty way yellow.
They'll up. I was a littlelittle woke up and I ain't half
(05:00):
Uh oh, you're still there.You don't across the street. Uh ye're
a strange that I didn't know youand I don't know what you're doing here
in the middle of the street andout. And I'll tell you this.
You know what I saw up therein the flat to see a woman they
(05:27):
just stand there in a bowl ofhat. If they don't tell you,
he don't do a collection y nno, don't stutters. Speak up.
Well, I'll tell you what Isaw. I saw an old old lady
and the pippy just hitting there alrightto the keylo. I'm a shame.
I looked through the keylo and thatwas the old old lady. If they
(05:47):
ain't a chair and should had hisapartment. You know, watch her weight
was cooked. Answer and the phonekept ringing and she didn't nounce it.
They just sat there. I justsat there with her eyes open. Doctor
(06:46):
Price, I shot. He tellyou this step ping out, come out,
make it use straight, digg itcigut, make nick it up.
He gif me, le me stopall things to look maybe take this mad
can't get away baby say oh,I guess see that's good. But if
(07:16):
the good man change it now?Vigle Yeah? What's them in the seat?
What does it do? Him like? I'm like a dog. He's
had a dog. You got there, he's a dog. Our dogs.
The misic animals prevelan pass your accommodations. They don't right away and do that
stammers every missing hobby to day,change it the beagle. Did you play
this? Come on, Charlie terindeed, now here you are? That's
(07:41):
creaking running an ob hold all yesthe name Charlie seven just done seven ain't
too Charley, Yeah, that's geeboy, Charlie you right, he had
running an ob? Did you thanksyet? They just steps up then say
mind the dollipops now, Charlotte didn'tI'm sorry, I haven't got one.
(08:03):
Senna where is this arny, Ididn't have time. I had to run
to make it. Oh, Isaid, where too? Uh? Where
too? Newton stewarts hate the pooranyway, hate important. They had attendance,
says I don't think, but begsBicky Barley drop a Charles thank you?
(08:24):
Yeah, say girl, you wereJune. I can't see why peasants
have to put up with that sortof thing and the lease shame minder head.
He goes diget well, game,Charlie, well, Danjo kitchen lollipops
is a doggyoo. Things are overcurdas it is without being a lot of
smelly brood. Time must say,excuse me, so we open the window.
(08:46):
Well, some people are never setit side. Where do you mind,
Charlie? The dog is man's truestfriends. Never mind what anybody may
say. All right, lady,all right, I consider myself sick dog
and always remember, Charlie that amanage, he's like a dog. It's
no friend of yours. You canbe sure that Richard, Annie, did
you keep a dog? Not inthe murderer, No man as would do
(09:09):
in the poor old lady through theart and its luss would keep a dog.
No Charlie dog curious case that Portlandplays murder affair, isn't it?
Sir? All right, I'm greatabout it, you know, I'm always
it isn't a good murder. Herewe are, sir, These Guardian chronicles
special addition. I haven't seen thison myself yet, stotting a current in
(09:31):
Portland Square. No funny story,an disappears innocent pancer. Helloh hes art
one? I look at this,sir. Yes, there's reason to believe
that the stuff puck Wichard Annie isedd north of the Tween Scotland Yard is
searching all great northern trains. Okay, great northern Why that does? Oh?
(09:52):
Shut you dead? What are youtrying to do? Brighton the kiddy?
All right, lady try it maybe didn't hear the news in this
very compartment. A moment in theblood of the slime that dry on his
hands. You dropped with a lighthere it is right, brown eyes blue
(10:13):
him a sash a thirty five,wearing a great swee too. Let's look
at his picture now begin it didLet the page seventeen stop getting yeah right,
(10:33):
it was them drastic window you're talkingabout alone Away to that la Charlie
mon Charlie, what a right nowyou're nice nor they talked to one as
(10:54):
these gentleman here what all roads brickout the ten air on his report and
place murder reported in stolen car largegreen damoners feeding the south got you.
(11:31):
That's the best thing you can,suggest, Sullivan. For a man who's
dead, he escaped his life froma motor accident. Blendy and Silda stuff
go right to the head, hedid, Selivan went through it like butter
down the bank in the Lucky hecame out of eyes, Jim lucky thing
two. I came in all fiftyout. Get him and stay for supper.
Sullivan. The better take him acase of clothes when he's out of
his start. Things are bad,Refauner, not a pleasant thing to turn
(11:54):
over three times, said Dame ofthe Fat, And Sullivan done is his
thoughts. I lead out to thirdsof good work. Sullivan. Tell Cook
there'll be two for supper. Shehas been so informed. There is still
one Christ unsolved the heady. Yes, Sullivan, as you observed, sir,
the gentleman has just been in amotorcar wreck. Of course, Oh,
(12:16):
of course, make it risky,Sullivan. It's very good sulf Oh,
hello, hello there, I sayhello. She'll look better than that
du churns than I ever did,do he Sullivan? Yes, say you're
staying the couple men. I hopeSullivant does its patin. My name is
Parker Haper. We haven't introduced upshows. I think you ought to know
(12:41):
to having your house. The manwho is wanted for the Portland trace murder.
What's there? My name is RichardHenny Sullivan. Yes, your duty
is to send for the police andgive me up. I don't think i'll
get but if uh, there'd bean accident and I'll have a knife in
(13:03):
my rib scenario, so after sunset. Nevertheless, it's your duty as a
law abiding citizen fight. Don't looklike a murderer to me, thirsty seaman
head I'm not. The fact isthat three days ago a man was found
dead in my flat style set uptelevin. Yes, mister Henny says a
(13:28):
man you found get any flat murdered, mister Heady murdered, important piece murder,
Yeah, yess Sullivan. A man, mister Heaven. The victim of
the port and Peace murder to Heavenwas a woman. It was a man.
Oh, now the care old fellow, the Prince Henry. It is
very cure on this one point.The victim was a woman, an old
(13:52):
woman. Was it a sediment?Uh? An old woman. The body
that was found in my flat onTuesday morning, the body of a man.
Name's Nathan Scoda e Televin. Yes, do you tell Selivan Uh?
Yes? I think two blocks iswell? Well, here it is.
(14:16):
Here's the whole story. My nameis Richard Hannay. I was a mining
engineer in Nordiz in a fort awhile, I made my pile and came
back to England three weeks ago.Well, last Monday night I got back
to my flat about ten o'clock.I lived in a new block behind Portland
(14:39):
Place. There's a port in thebuilding wholeas around nine that came up the
stairs. I had my phone ringingHello, Hello, Hello, Hello,
up the call it some me whatit's heavens then of course I don't be
(15:05):
locked. Yes, better tell you, great liberty. I know looking in
this way, but I need helpworse than any mane of I needit it.
Can I call him yours? It'sa pen you'll see. I have
an idea. By this time tomorrowI shall be dead. But what he
(15:26):
told me the minute he got inthe doors, the little man was scared.
STI if I could see that hecarried the parcel injuries of a brown
paper parcel, and there was atrickle of blood on his left hand from
a fresh cutter across the knuckles.There's going to be a war. Now,
wait a minute, that's what hetold me, a war, and
(15:52):
this war is going to come asa great surprise to Britain. Somebody's going
to be murdered. He he toldme this Thursday, Remember Thursday night in
London, a fellow called kerlidast nothingon earth's conceiving. But that's just a
beginning. According to what this fellowtold me, Carolidas isn't important, not
(16:15):
in himself. It's what comes afterhe's dead. On July fifteenth, the
Chief of the French General Staff willbe in London. On that day.
The British Admiralty is to give himcomplete statement the disposition of the entire British
fleet on mobilization, at least asI gathered at something like that, something
(16:36):
uncommonly important. Now, then onthe fifteenth of July there will be others
in London. I don't know who. He had a name for them,
he called them the black Stone.But somehow this information, those secrets about
our fleet destined for France, willbe diverted into their hands on that day,
(16:59):
July fifteenth, and will be usedused remember a week or two later
against England by our dead before withgreat guns and swift torpedoes. Suddenly in
the darkness of a summer night.I know you don't believe this. I
didn't when he told it. Ido know well. I noticed that while
(17:25):
this man's Koda was talking, hekept singering a little black notebook which was
full of writing, some sort ofcode. It looked like you might believe
me or not, just as youplease. And there it is. This
is the cell of speaking, thecellar with the brown paper parcel and the
cut across his knuckles. This iswhat he said, what yes for this
information? I got the first hintnearly two years ago in an inn on
(17:49):
the Akinsy in Tyrol. I collectedmy other clothes in a first shop in
the Galician court of Buddha Pest ina stranger club in Vienna a book shopping
there, and start didn't live seek. I completed my evidence ten days ago
in Paris, and then till yesterday. I thought that I had worked unobserved.
(18:10):
Don't time, Let don't answer itfor me. Those men calling if
I'm here, don't answer it.Yes, let me show you something.
(18:32):
Would you please come up the light? Yes, let's come to the window.
Book on there. Well I lookedfor a moment. I saw nothing
but the deserted street below. ThenI noticed a man in a bowlder hat
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standing in a doorway across the street. When I came home last night,
I found a card in my littlebox. Here it is, hm,
a black Stone. What's the blackStone? That's the name. That's what
they call themselves, these people.When I got that card, I knew
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that I had to die. Whydon't you call the police? Right?
No? You? These men followedme here I'm bustled in this building and
showed the people's heading. Oh ththat's why I'm telling you all these things
tonight. If I say, oh, well, I I should hate to
leave the scene without leaving somebody behindto put of a fight. Well.
(19:45):
I still didn't know what to makeof the little chap and it was getting
late, so I made him abed in the nice smoking room. Good
night, good night, and incase I'm not here in the morning,
I have him the privilege of yourname, I said, but let me
kill you. You got a whiteman, oh, I said, before
you go to bed, I'll thankyou to lend me a raiser. I
(20:14):
locked the door of my room.Finally I fell asleep. I woke before
dawn. Couldn't go to bid again. I let a cigarette and started to
read. Then I noticed that thelight and the smoking room was still on.
I got up. I had acigarette in my mouth, I remember,
and as I pushed open the smokingroom door, I saw something that
(20:37):
made me drop my cigarette bolt upright. In a chair by the window sat
an old woman with her eyes open. There was a long knife through her
heart, which skewered her to theback of a chair. Had up quickly
about and called for Scoder. Wasno reply. Then I noticed three things.
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First, the old woman's wig hadfallen slightly askew. Second that the
brown paper parcel I'd noticed under Scoder'sarm the night before was now lying open
and empty on the table. Third, that had crossed a knuckle. That
the old woman's left hand was afresh, unhealed cut from the limpness of
(21:25):
the body. I estimated that Skodahad been dead for about two hours.
I wondered what had happened to thelittle Black Book. I searched Skoder's body,
and for nothing. Then I noticedthat the whole flat had been ransacked
in the night. The inside thebook. Strawers covered even the sideboard in
the dining room. I shut itand bolted every door and window in the
flat. Skoder's story was true.The men who knew that he knew what
(21:51):
he knew had found him and hadmade certain of his silence. You see,
his disguise had not saved him.I'd be the next to go.
But suppose suppose I went out nowand called the police. What kind of
a story could I tell about Skoda? If I told them the truth,
they'd simply laugh at me. I'dbe charged with murder. The best I
could hope for was jail, andthat was just what they wanted for me.
(22:15):
An English prison was as good away of getting rid of me to
laughter. July sixteenth as a knifein my chest. I got out an
atlas and looked at the big mapof the British Isles. My notion was
to get off to some wild districtsome open space where my South African experience
would be have helped to me someplacewhere I'd be safe. Hiding for six
days until July fifteenth, and Idecided Scotland would the dust. There was
a train from Saint Pancras at seventyten. I went to the window and
(22:38):
looked out between the shutters. Itwas beginning to get light. I saw
a man standing in the doorway ina bowler hat. Then another man,
who seemed to be drunk, camedown an evening dress down the street.
He walked unsteadily. Oh he caughtsight of the man in the bowler hat
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and went over and spoke to him. Then he crossed the street and turned
into the house. And wake up, bothering, you what old mother?
And you father? You the onlyboy? Wake up? Something shooting,
go old shooting. I was probablyhidding without fdny hay, and I thought,
I say, oh, Hanna,let hey Henney, he your phone
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ring, wake up monfort hennad let'sgo up. Uh well, uh course,
by so stout storing in the house. I waited till he had gone.
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I put a pipe in my pocketand threw my parks from the tobacco
jo on the table by the fireplace, and I poked into the tobacco.
My fingers touched something hard, andI drew out Skoda's little black book.
Somehow I seemed a good omen.I went out of the street, past
the doorway, past the man inthe bowler hat, and at seven ten
I was at in Pancra station,just putting out you won't make it day.
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Every everyday stop, we'll take youoff, baby, A good way
crap to get to get away.Ten hours later, fifteen doorbef and Newton
Stewart, I pulled the emergency cordand jumped off the train under I was
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a good mile from the trek beforeI stopped running the moon. It's all
around me. You couldn't have founda more peaceful landscape in the world.
Yet, at that moment, forthe first time in my life, I
felt the terror of the hunted onme. Wasn't the police. I was
(25:48):
afraid of it. The others whoknew that I knew Scoder's secret and dared
not let me live. They hadkilled Skoda in my flat, within a
few yards of me. Now itwas my and and I didn't even know
what these men looked like. Wishi'd listened more carefully what Skoda had said
about them. I I think hesaid there were three of them, and
(26:12):
that one of them was young anddark, and one was plump, and
one was old and stammered sometimes whenhe spoke. Suddenly, in the blue
evening sky, I saw something lowdown in the south. A monoplane was
(26:38):
climbing into the heavens. I wasas certain as if I'd been told that
that aeroplane was looking for me.It flew over the hill house and then
(27:06):
back over the valley. I startedto run. I ran through the sweat,
blinded my eyes. I ran mostof the night, keeping all my
south in the direction of the hills, And as the mists cleared before the
sun, I found myself in thecentral boss of a high upland country,
with glens falling away on every side. Then I saw the monoplane again,
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coming up from the east. Itwas flying high. It circled about me
in narrowing circles, the way ahawk wheels before it bounces. Now the
(28:00):
flying quite low, they observe I'mgoing outside of me. I could see
'em looking at me through the blossNo, that was speeding eastward again,
but it became a speck in theblue morning. Myndems had located me.
(28:22):
The next thing would be a cordonaround me. There wasn't enough cover on
the whole moor to hide a rat. I tossed the coin heads right,
tails, left, fail heads.So I turned north. But while I
got the mountain country and came tothe bar of a ridge way down,
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I saw a couple of miles away, several men were advancing, like a
row of beaters at a shoot.And may have been my imagination, but
I thought I saw figures one,two parts more moving in a glen beyond
the stream. I looked down atthe valley. There were men below police.
(29:02):
They looked like not more than aquarter of a mile off, spaced
out on the hillside like a fanbeating the heather. Hey, hey,
hey, gorm ark, here whereyou combium. Yes, you are listening
(29:29):
to the Columbia Networks presentation of OrsonWells and the Mercury Theater in John Buckin's
Thirty nine Steps. We shall resumethe story in a moment. This is
the Columbia Broadcasting System. The ColumbiaNetwork is presenting thirty nine Steps by John
(29:55):
Buckan, And now the Mercury Theaterresumes the story with Ysenwell. I was
drifted in Hannay and Marmaduke jumped mean there here we were playing hair and
founds, please, and I soonit began to seemed less of a game.
(30:18):
The police, that everdently called inlocal herds of gamekeepers, he thought
as were hefty men on the nativeheath. Looking back, I saw that
only three were following me, andthe others had fetched a circuit to cut
me off. I crossed a burnand came out on the road, which
seemed to be kept with some care. A few hundred yards to my left,
I saw the chimneys of a housesmoking. It was a verandom from
(30:41):
the house and through the grass,I saw the face of an elderly gentleman,
meekly watching me, even in ahurry, My friend. His face
(31:03):
was round and shiny, like misterPickwick's. On the top of his head
was as bright and bare as aglass bottle. Through the window could be
seen some figures half a mile off, or I see hugely did from justice
A well, we'd go into thematter at our leisure. Go into my
(31:26):
study. You would see two doorsfacing you take the one to the left
and close it behind you. Closeit t t tight. I did as
I was told. I was ina little dark chamber that smelled of chemicals.
(31:49):
Wasn't any too happy? The shiningabout the old gentleman, which I
was terrifying me. He'd been tooeasy and ready, almost as if he'd
been expecting me, and his hiseyes had been horribly intelligent. Alright,
you may come out now? Havethey gone? They have gone. I
(32:15):
convinced them that you had crossed thehill. I do not choose that the
police should come between me and onewhom I am delighted to honor. He
smiled gently and nodded to the doorbehind me. I turned and saw two
manservants who had been covered with pistol. This is a lucky morning for you,
(32:36):
mister Richard Hanne. Hey, what'sgoing on? Me and I?
Who were you calling? Richard?Annie? My name? Thanksley so oh?
But of course you have many names. We won't quarrel about a name,
mister Hanney. And now I supposeyou're gonna give me up after all?
(32:58):
And a little dodgy trick on call, I aren't gone wish. I've
never seen a treaty money and itisn't can't you You are a clever actor,
mister Handy, but not quite cleverenough. Oh no, I shall
not give you up. My friendsand I will have a little private settlement
with you to tonight. They stopjoining. Everything's against me? What's the
(33:21):
arm and the poor devil with anempty stomach picking out some money finds in
the lost pocket. That's all I'vedone is for that. I've been cheered
it for two days. But theseblostic bodies, over these brotic hills,
I could see the burning of adot in his mind. H I'll tell
you, I'm first sick of it. Will you oblige me with the story
(33:43):
of your recent doings, mister Handy. I can't governor. I've not had
a body. But you don't giveme a mouthful of food? Then you're
you a god to You're a goodliar, Hannah. But I do not
propose to let you go. Ifyou are what you say you are,
you will have a chance of kiddingyourself. If you're what I think you
(34:04):
are, I do not think youwill see the light much longer during such
but as nine season, yah yah, I want the dabler. In five
minutes, there will be three todinner. Goodbye, mister Hanning. We
will meet again t T. Tonight. I might show out the room with
a pistol and the smaller my back. They locked me up again in a
(34:30):
small dark chamber that's smelt of chemicals. It was as black as pitch.
Well. I made out at thewalls will line with boxes and barrels and
sacks of some heavy stuff. Theold boy had gone off and the car
deffect his friends with the vaccione,the plump one and the dark tin one.
(34:52):
But I figured out I just abouttwo hours longer to live, and
I I got a skirt. Therestedup like an old woman sitting in that
chair by the window in my flat, with his eyes open. I got
up and started moving around the roomagain. I found a handle in the
wall the door of a cupboard ofsome sort. And in that cupboard there
(35:13):
were bottles in cases of queer smellingstuffs, and coils of fine copper wire.
There was a box of detonators anda lot of cord for fuses.
Also half a dozen little gray bricks. I took up one and smelled it
and put it in my tongue,and been a mining engineer for nothing I
know lent to night. When Isee it. It was a risk,
(35:37):
but if I didn't take it,I'd probably be occupying a six foot hole
in the garden by evening. Anyhow, So took a quarter of a Lenton
night brick and buried it near thedoor. And then I got a detonator
and a couple of feet of fusedand then I lit a match. Something
(36:15):
had hit my left shoulder. Therewas a poisonous yellow fog all around me.
Somewhere behind me, I felt fresher. I started to run. I
ran much later in appearing on ahillside, I saw a small stone building
with a tower. The door wasopen. It was dark and cool inside.
(36:42):
I staggered in and sat down oneof the benches. The pain in
my shoulder was unbearable. Then Iheard steps coming down the path. I
found a small door in one cornerand narrow stairs running up to the tower.
I went up, and most ofthe top of this tower was taken
up with bells, but there wasa small ledge outside, just wide enough
(37:07):
to lie down on. I hearda man downstairs below me in the tower.
(37:43):
I lay there with a burning headand the sun glaring in my face.
Right above me, with the lawnof me. They couldn't have missed
me lying down the open ledge.They knew where I was. Soon they'd
(38:06):
come back to me. Me rightunder me fell and presently up the hillsides,
little dark knots of men began toappear. They came, slowly,
dozzen from all, moving towards me, slowly advancing, closing in on me.
(38:31):
I was too sick to move.I laid I waiting for came and
get me. Now they were inthe building below me, and a few
seconds they'd be up the stairs.I waited and no one came. I
laid I waiting. Then a thoughtstruck me. Skoda had been murdered on
Thursday night, four days ago,Thursday Friday Saturday, four days Then then,
(38:54):
these men coming up the hills inlittle dark knots in black, slowly
advancing clothing in on me were notmy enemy. They weren't after me.
They didn't even know I was there. They were peacefully walking to church with
their families. It was Sunday.Presently, a large green open damer drove
(39:21):
up. Three men got out,my plump friend, the professor, and
the dark young man. I couldsee them looking up at my tower.
Two of them went into the church. The thin man stayed at the car.
I waited up there on the ledge, but they didn't come up.
(39:45):
They left me there, green friends. The service had just begun that It
gave me about an hour. Now. There was an old iron drain pipe
running along the corner of the tower. It didn't seem particularly solid. Besides,
(40:10):
I was in full side of aman in the car. At that
moment it started to rain. Theman in the car looked up at the
sky. He turned his collar,then he shrugged his shoulders, got out
of the car and went to thechurch. I started down and started the
(40:36):
tower. Halfway down, my footslipped, not sell around the SOFTA got
up and went out of the carand drove off. I drove that day.
I brought you it worse. Theredy drive. My right arm out
(41:00):
of action. But I drove onsouth downhill in the valley. The road
is full of sharp curtains and shiningunder my head lighting. Very slippery.
Got some, that's right, someof them, mister Haydes. I may
(41:21):
talk like an arflos at the time, but I can sive up a man.
It's a hurdy. Thanks. Someof them pull it video to sip
one. Very good, sir.My name is Kenny Way. Honey,
You're no murderer and you're no fool, and I believe you're speaking the truth.
I would have baut you up.Now what can I do? I
have got to get in touch withthe government sometime before June fifteenth. Of
(41:42):
July fifteenth, that's the day's tomorrow. If you can help me, oh
right, I will. The PermanentSecretary to the Bottom Office is my cousin
and one of the best going,the gnat's comede in the country. Tough
issues if you start early tomorrow,morn Sullivan. Yes, he's a station
wagon here at six in the morning. Yes. Is that a compartment of
the subb e spet Yes or inSullivan? Yes to Hea tend a telegraphics
(42:05):
to walk. Yes, if aman called Kenny Kenny and better not use
my real name, so right youare. If a man called uh snothin
you will take a name for misterHannah, yes, h a sortman,
sir, Yes, Sullivan and Britishof course, Oh yes, do'em.
You can candle show have always headbulligin Kenneth Yeah, Arkins Rail Kimbridge
(42:37):
share. It's a man called Christen, a pair to model puking candy.
He may continue something to go wakeyou up. He will pass the word
black Stones and Christmer and then Lawrylove Henny. There was a scream,
(43:22):
isn't it? Yes, sir,I'll back out Kennet with dog fishing east
any river in England. Hm.He's that big della that the four pounds.
If he's hid, Hm, II don't see him, sir.
You do die yards from the reeds, yes, as I'm that stick him.
Yes, I see him now.He's a big fellar. That's where
he was a black stone. Yesh m m m o U Pistons neighbor,
(43:58):
isn't it no? I I meanto say yes. Uh. The
wise considered the other nervous his ownname. You got to Walter hand now
they're mispacer. Nay, my cousin, promise you tell me something that would
great mel m redd who uh misterHenry before he begin, I think I'll
tell you. I got a letterfrom Skoda this morning. Skoda, Yeah,
(44:22):
got us be dead a week.He's good on me. Eight day
before he came to you. Hisletters usually took a week to refink they
was send him to cover to Spainand then his new card I to tear
review screen fellows. Skoda he knewmore international secrets than any secret service man
in Europe. Trouble about him alwayshe liked to play a lone hand,
(44:44):
never tell us all to you say. He was getting remanded next sto like
and he normal that So Walter,it's kind of light. It's in London,
you being uh the day in hisletter, just Skoda's anything about prim
Carolides, didn't you ed, ladies. Scota said that the fourteenth of July
(45:05):
to day Carolights would be murdered.The cattle lights murdered. Nonsense, there's
no state in Europe. Once cameout of the way, virtuous Carolides.
It's like they did while liver wasall I was aide. Scoota went off
the trail there I saw it.Huh, yes, he followed it.
How was amster water that came throughfrom London? Things? Uh? Who
excuse me? In the stead awaygee car right away called the firing of
(45:35):
it. Tell the bight on myway up, Yes, sir, I
apologize to the sheaves. Schooga.Carolides was shot dead. This evening a
few minutes after seven. The kidslooked like warms. And what about our
(45:55):
neighbor plans water? You know whatScota's and tomorrow LFE a team. They
are taking no chances, mister Hannae, General dufour, chiefs of the French
General Staff, arrived in London fivedays. He digs the Prime Minister and
then he goes to the Foreign Office. The poor people, who's eid?
Would it go from the Admiralty asgo up at gold General Winstanley, Lord
(46:21):
Sterling? Maybe that? Do younever know about him? He gets more
eratic every day the Foreign Office,General dufour, we will get a certain
document from Whittaco. After that you'llbe most reportsman better destroyer will take him
the uh. You both be leftunattended for a moment and until be saved
in Paris. The same with Whittaker, till the papers are out with his
(46:42):
hand and they don't things of missingaim horribly nervous. So on. If
that's trans blastold them put the dispositionto change. We can't make any serious
change in those dispositions, mister Hannay. And there's the all the the geography
of England O O. And nowgentlemen, that our meeting is over,
(47:16):
I must ask you to give mea few minutes longer of your time.
Gentlemen, I ask you to meetmister Henny. How do you do mister
Hannay? General before a to meetyou? Arsis Drew? How do you
do so? Don't winker? Howdo you do so? General Winstanley?
Gentlemen, I think the highly unusualstep of asking mister Hannay to attend our
(47:37):
meetings night goes. Mister Hannay isin possession of a thirteen vital information which
every one of us. Yes,Sorry, Walter, I am a sick
man and going back to my bedwhere I belong. Good night, gentlemen,
Good night mister Hannay. Sorry Ican't stay to hear what you've got
(47:57):
to say. Oh and uh Whitaker, whatever comes up, you take care
of it. Don't call me againtonight. Stop that man. I tell
you to stop that man. Stophim. I beg of you to stop
him. If you won't, Iwill too, late, gentleman, who
(48:23):
do you think went through that doora minute ago? Lord Sternly? Not
with his living image? But itwas not Lord Sterling. Gentleman, have
you ever known Lord Sterling's stammer.Have you gone out of your head?
I tell you, gentlemen, thatman who gets went up with, not
Lord Sterling, with someone who recognizedme, someone I've seen in the last
three days. Nonsense, early,mister Henry, I think you have gone
(48:44):
out of your head. That remainsto the scene. So Walter me I
call Lord Sterling towse, I'll doit. Hello if it would say his
house? Hi? Please Hello?Yes, Hello, this is Walt Bullaman.
Will you ask Lord Sterling to callme some men as he gets home?
But what's that? Are you surehe see? Thanks? Lord Stirring
(49:08):
hasn't been out of his bed allday. He went to sleep at six
and won't have a few minutes ago. Well then, who was it?
The Blackstone? But it's madness.You need to tell me that that man
came here in fact this time intothe death part of an hour, and
I didn't detect the impostor my ownchief. You were too interested in other
(49:28):
things to have the use of youreyes. You took out Stirring for granted,
did it than anybody else? Youmight have looked more closely. The
thing that puzzles me is or whatgood were his visitor. Here, do
that tell of a spy fellow?Here the pens right here on this table.
He couldn't carry away several pages offigures and fine names in his head,
Yes he could. The train spyhas a photographic memory. You noticed
(49:51):
he said nothing which went through thosepapers again in the game. Those pens
were as lost to us as ifhe had them in his pocket. Mid
A Home office Port division had everyreport, watched every outgrade, steam out
check, and we have not arag of a crew. I wonder,
I wander, here's Scoder's little blackbook. It did encode except for one
(50:15):
sentence. Scroll over the last page. Scoder knew where those fellows would hide.
He knew when they were going toleave the country. I wonder if
in that second what is it?Let's car it thirty nine steps? I
counted them high tide ten seventeen PMthirty nine. That is a clue,
(50:37):
don't you see? And it wassomeplace where high tide was at ten seventeen.
There are at least one hundred pacesin England where they died high at
ten seventeen. Tomorrow we've gone fromthe day. They have their own secret
friends, and they won't be hurriedthirty nine steps. What does he mean
by step? Doc? Steps?And he he wouldn't have mentioned their numbers.
(50:58):
It must be a place where there'smore than one set of stairs.
Who Lobby's Department of Tents the Legion. Hello Bullivan speaking, They say,
is there any regular steamer leaving forthe continent ten seventeen gm? We'd have
what you sure? Hey, there'sno regular steamer sailing for the continent at
(51:22):
ten seventeen gm from anywhere. Itmust be a private Broton little port.
That explains how the tight importance.Hello, give me the admiral tape.
Hello all of Bullivan speaking, HarryJenkins, What places do you know along
the East coast where there are cliffsthere are several sets of steps run down
of the beach. They need steps, regular staircases. But that's place in
(51:46):
Norfolk, Reckleton, the Gold Coast. No, that's not it. No,
No, marine tears don't do either. Has to be more retired than
that. What we know, dinkMan, think it's important? What's that?
What you call it? The rap? Listen to this a big chalk
(52:10):
headland in Kent post bread rata.Look at the abital to tie table Bradgate,
Kent. Yes. Yes, alot of villas on top of the
clip, and some of the houseshave staircases down to a privately hai serrata.
Yes, listen to this Bredgate highTide, July the fifteen, ten
seventeen PND, Bradgate, July fifteenth, Confidential Report. Richard Hannay, Special
(53:00):
Agent, Sir Water Bullivant, PermanentSecretary and Foreign Office. There is a
villa with thirty nine steps feeding downto the sea, stra Fargo Lodge.
It's called her Drost. An oldgentleman called Appleton, a retired stock broker.
Well, here's what happened. Atabout six that evening I saw the
(53:22):
yacht, the foreign steam yacht cameup from the south and dropped anchor pretty
well opposite the rough. Then laterour British destroyer came in. At half
past nine, I strolled towards StrafargoLodge. The Scotland yard men would be
(53:42):
posted around the house by now,but there was no sign of a soul.
The house stood as open and publicas a charity. Bazarre. Yes,
that does mister Appleton live here?Yeah, d I'd try to see
him, please, I'll see ifhe's did well you wait here, any
(54:05):
old Pisa. I found myself ina neat hall. There were the golf
clubs and tennis rackets, which you'llfind in ten thousand British homes. There
was uh, you know, grandfatherclock kicking a barometer and the print of
children winning the Grand nash War GangsilI'll stay, sir, Hannay, were
your calmness wife, Lisa? MisterJanney the old man rose to meet me.
(54:30):
He was an evening dress so itwas the plump one, the third,
the dark one wore a blue sergesuit and the colors of some club
or school. To Hannee, youjust to see me one moment. Your
fellows out, go on your bettergo to the smoking room. Mr Hanney,
(54:52):
we'll stay here. I think we'vemet before. I guess you know
my business. Maybe, sir,maybe I haven't a very good memory.
I'm afraid you must tell me you'devan, for I really don't know it.
Well, then, I've come totell you that the game's up.
I have a warrant here for therest of you three. I've a rant,
(55:15):
really best, good lord, whatfor the murder of Nathan Scota in
London on the eighth day of thismonth. Why I've never heard the name
before? Good heaven, you mustbe mad, sir. Where did you
come from Cotton's Yard? Why don'tget faster? Then it's all ridiculousness sake.
Well, these things happen sometimes,but we can easily set it right.
(55:36):
I can show that I was outof the country on the eighth and
Bob was down here. You werein London. But of course you can
explain what you were doing right firsty, of course that's easy enough. Eight
last Thursday, Why that was theday after Agatha's wedding. Let me see
what was I doing. I cameup in the morning from walking and lunched
the club with Charlie Simonds. Ohyes, Then I dined at the City
(55:58):
Hall, I remember, for thepunch didn't agree with me. I was
seated next morning. Hang it all, there's the cigar box i'd got back
from the dinner. Think what out, mellow says, Yo said, you'd
die of bored'em because nothing everhappened to you. And now you've got
it thick and strong. Why that'sone, by jove, Yes, just
think of it. What a storyto tell at the club reading mister Annie,
(56:20):
I suppose I should be angry toshow my innocens. But it's too
funny. I almost forgive you thefright you gave me. You looked so
glum. I thought I might havebeen walking in my sleep and killing people.
I jacked the lipper. It couldn'tbe acting. It was too confounded,
genuine. Well, my heart wentinto my boots. My first influence
(56:42):
was to apologize and clear out.And yet there were three of them,
and one was old, and onewas plump, and one was lean and
dark, and the house fitted inwith Scudder's notes, and half a mile
off shore or was lying a fallenyacht. So any wanted to do,
go forward, as if I hadno dogs. I was gonna make a
(57:06):
fool of myself. I'm as welldo it handsomely. Then I remembered what
old Peter Pini always told me inRogisia Bescar Avenue. He told me once
talking about disguises, the fining certainties, like fingerprints near physical traits, are
of very little importance if a manreally knows his business well, he laughed
at things like dyed hair and falsebeards and such childish follies. If a
(57:30):
man really knew his business. Ifyou're playing a part, you'll never keep
it up unless you convince yourself thatyou really are the man you're pretending to
be. So I walked to thedoor and switched on the electric light,
and the sudden glare made them blink, and I stood scanning the three faces
(57:52):
while I made nothing of it.One was old and bald, one was
stout, one was dark and thin. That's all I could tell. Perhaps
they were the three men who hadhunted me in Scoff, and perhaps they
weren't. There was a silver cigarettebox on the table beside me, and
I saw that it had been wonby Percy Appleton, a squire for some
beads club, in a golf tournament. Are you reassured by your scrutiname?
I make no complaint, but yousee how annoying it must be to respectable
(58:14):
people. Are you going to dropit? No? Oh lord, this
is a bit too thick. Doyou propose the marsh of office the police
station and I have the right dressto your warrant. You know I don't
wish to cast any inversions upon you, sir, You're only doing your duty
with you will admit it's horribly awkward. Or what do you proposed to do?
Well? I vote we have agame of figia. This will give
'emus the Hannay time to think thingsover. I'm show'em that no ill
(58:36):
feeling. You play it, sir? Yes? Uh play? Vidiot room
is downstairs, mister Hannay. Whydon't you two start. We'll finish our
cigars and come down later. Huhwe went to the bisire room. Choose
your cues, sir. H thanks, m plain of spots, Uh spots
(59:02):
shop m thanks? How about ifyou practice shop you work? Mister Hannae,
I'm afraid you're in for a lickingbog? Should we stop? Who
begin? What should we talk?What are you playing for? Shilling a
game? It's all right? Headsup, tails natanae, heads as it
(59:22):
is? You begin? Will youmockerous Percy? I know seven? That
was in there? One rough lotfive? Eight? That's all alright,
missa Hannae. Uh five, that'suh thirteen seventy goodbye? Top was seventeen?
(59:55):
Who er say? Look at thetime, you'd better think about catching
your true Hey, yes, certainhe's got to town tonight. I'm afraid
you must put off your journey.Oh dash it all Hanne, I thought
you'd drop that when I simply gotto go. You can have my address
and you can have any security youlike. No, you must say it
was five minutes after ten and twelveminutes it would be high tide. Through
the window I could see the lightsof the foreign the auto. Sure bail
(01:00:17):
for my nephew. That ought tocontent you, mister Hanna. Was it
my fanc here or did I detectsome halt in the smoothness of that voice?
And then then I I thought ofsomething, mister Hampleton. When does
your nephew have to be in Londonnight? And you say you would go
bail for miss Ampleton? Yes,yes, I told you. I Well,
then presps if I could arrange thecourse Scotland yard early in the morning,
(01:00:43):
mister han it simply has to beto night. Then I knew who
he was. Come on, comeon, the young dot man leaps from
the window. He threw it overthe low fence and down the steps.
Before a hand could reach him.Someone switched on the light to pump.
One was crumpled in the heap.They'd got handcuffs on the old man.
Ah, you say you don't callhim the time, just call the up.
(01:01:07):
Yes, fire like storm, simI hope he'll bear his triumph.
Well, mister Appleton, I haveto tell you that you're yacht. For
the last two hours, it's beenin our hands. Well, it's the
(01:01:27):
wall. That's about all that it'sto it. That's the stories you're asking
to set it down. You knowthe rest of present I do. Scoder
was right about the war, right, wasn't in about a week? I
expect right in the middle of itmyself because of my Matabady experience. I've
got a captain's commission straight off.If I joined my avion on Thursday,
all the short and I understand whatbeing straight up the front. Still,
I'm afraid I had most of likethat went before I put on Cocky heyway,
(01:01:49):
goodbye. Thanks for everything straight supportwhile it lasted. Yours very sincerely,
Richard Hannay August eighth, nineteen fourteen. Night the Columbia Network has brought
you Orson Wells and the Mercury Theateron the Air and thirty nine Steps by
(01:02:09):
John Bucken. We now present thestar and director of these broadcasts. Who's
the night played? Richard Haddey OrsonWells, Ladies and gentlemen, if you
miss Madeline Carroll in a sag versionof thirty nine steps the young lady in
the movie, in common with almosteverything else in that movie, with the
child of its director's own unparalleled andunpredictable fancy. If you missed anything,
(01:02:30):
you must blame mister Alfred Hitchcock.If you were surprised by anything, you
must blame us. Well. Nextweek, the Mercury Theater, by way
of an experiment, attempts a radioanthology of short stories. Until then,
good night, everybody, goodbye,and see you next week.
The Columbia Network takes pride in presentingOrson Wells and the Mercury Theater on the
Air in the fourth broadcast of aunique news series dramatizing famous narratives by great
authors. This is the first timethat a completely ethical producing company has been
brought to radio, and the ColumbiaNetwork again welcomes mister Wells and his astrociates
(00:45):
to its own stations and to thestations of the Canadian broadcasting corporations called the
Coast. Every week Orson Wells invitestar listeners to suggest their favorite titles,
and Tonight The Mercury Theater on theAir presents thirty mon Mindset by John Buckett,
with Orton Wells as Richard Hannay andMarmaduke Jockley. Here is Orton Wells
(01:07):
Good Evening Medicine. Gentlemen, Icannot dissolve the full name of the author
of the thirty nine steps. Sevenuniversity degrees and a title make him a
gentleman and a scholar and also practicallyunpronounceable, cause I think you'd like to
know if you didn't, that itis the present Governor General of the Dominion
(01:32):
of Canada and first Baron of Tweedsmuir, who perpetrated this tall and shamelessly exciting
sky story about high doings in Scotland. Lord Tweedsmuir, who in private life
is a publisher, is himself veryproperly a Scotsman who regards the sensational diversity
(01:55):
of his responsibilities with the special calmof his nation. I regard my business,
he says, that my profession writingas my amusement, and politics as
my duty. Talk fighter, gird, how about it? I thought that
(03:00):
you I was stary eyes cat god, the one that excuse it, boiled
this one bottle too many, thisone bottle. What's your name? I
say, old fellows, what's yourname? Alright, alright down there in
(03:23):
the street and around time. Inever saw every foe in my life by
yellow little hops upon life with nofool, right, I take a night
over that. Hey, you're ina buler, tell a moother hat,
(03:45):
good night, hm cock just shininghead in the third Oh dolls ofn'm hum.
Oh you're a shot anny any richard, any tool, see s hand
the true sea with this hammy trueseed fo see true steed too, see
(04:12):
w a turner, hendy hendy wakeup, wake up, this smile and
you put on mama, you mama, do you play? They was wake
up stoppers and the love of theshooting, good old shooting, stary fishing,
goottle fishing. I can earn itstart, I said, Henny,
(04:34):
see where gonna ring? Hey,Henny, are your phone ringing? Wake
up? Noncerting? A hen head, that's let's be drunk thirty way yellow.
They'll up. I was a littlelittle woke up and I ain't half
(05:00):
Uh oh, you're still there.You don't across the street. Uh ye're
a strange that I didn't know youand I don't know what you're doing here
in the middle of the street andout. And I'll tell you this.
You know what I saw up therein the flat to see a woman they
(05:27):
just stand there in a bowl ofhat. If they don't tell you,
he don't do a collection y nno, don't stutters. Speak up.
Well, I'll tell you what Isaw. I saw an old old lady
and the pippy just hitting there alrightto the keylo. I'm a shame.
I looked through the keylo and thatwas the old old lady. If they
(05:47):
ain't a chair and should had hisapartment. You know, watch her weight
was cooked. Answer and the phonekept ringing and she didn't nounce it.
They just sat there. I justsat there with her eyes open. Doctor
(06:46):
Price, I shot. He tellyou this step ping out, come out,
make it use straight, digg itcigut, make nick it up.
He gif me, le me stopall things to look maybe take this mad
can't get away baby say oh,I guess see that's good. But if
(07:16):
the good man change it now?Vigle Yeah? What's them in the seat?
What does it do? Him like? I'm like a dog. He's
had a dog. You got there, he's a dog. Our dogs.
The misic animals prevelan pass your accommodations. They don't right away and do that
stammers every missing hobby to day,change it the beagle. Did you play
this? Come on, Charlie terindeed, now here you are? That's
(07:41):
creaking running an ob hold all yesthe name Charlie seven just done seven ain't
too Charley, Yeah, that's geeboy, Charlie you right, he had
running an ob? Did you thanksyet? They just steps up then say
mind the dollipops now, Charlotte didn'tI'm sorry, I haven't got one.
(08:03):
Senna where is this arny, Ididn't have time. I had to run
to make it. Oh, Isaid, where too? Uh? Where
too? Newton stewarts hate the pooranyway, hate important. They had attendance,
says I don't think, but begsBicky Barley drop a Charles thank you?
(08:24):
Yeah, say girl, you wereJune. I can't see why peasants
have to put up with that sortof thing and the lease shame minder head.
He goes diget well, game,Charlie, well, Danjo kitchen lollipops
is a doggyoo. Things are overcurdas it is without being a lot of
smelly brood. Time must say,excuse me, so we open the window.
(08:46):
Well, some people are never setit side. Where do you mind,
Charlie? The dog is man's truestfriends. Never mind what anybody may
say. All right, lady,all right, I consider myself sick dog
and always remember, Charlie that amanage, he's like a dog. It's
no friend of yours. You canbe sure that Richard, Annie, did
you keep a dog? Not inthe murderer, No man as would do
(09:09):
in the poor old lady through theart and its luss would keep a dog.
No Charlie dog curious case that Portlandplays murder affair, isn't it?
Sir? All right, I'm greatabout it, you know, I'm always
it isn't a good murder. Herewe are, sir, These Guardian chronicles
special addition. I haven't seen thison myself yet, stotting a current in
(09:31):
Portland Square. No funny story,an disappears innocent pancer. Helloh hes art
one? I look at this,sir. Yes, there's reason to believe
that the stuff puck Wichard Annie isedd north of the Tween Scotland Yard is
searching all great northern trains. Okay, great northern Why that does? Oh?
(09:52):
Shut you dead? What are youtrying to do? Brighton the kiddy?
All right, lady try it maybe didn't hear the news in this
very compartment. A moment in theblood of the slime that dry on his
hands. You dropped with a lighthere it is right, brown eyes blue
(10:13):
him a sash a thirty five,wearing a great swee too. Let's look
at his picture now begin it didLet the page seventeen stop getting yeah right,
(10:33):
it was them drastic window you're talkingabout alone Away to that la Charlie
mon Charlie, what a right nowyou're nice nor they talked to one as
(10:54):
these gentleman here what all roads brickout the ten air on his report and
place murder reported in stolen car largegreen damoners feeding the south got you.
(11:31):
That's the best thing you can,suggest, Sullivan. For a man who's
dead, he escaped his life froma motor accident. Blendy and Silda stuff
go right to the head, hedid, Selivan went through it like butter
down the bank in the Lucky hecame out of eyes, Jim lucky thing
two. I came in all fiftyout. Get him and stay for supper.
Sullivan. The better take him acase of clothes when he's out of
his start. Things are bad,Refauner, not a pleasant thing to turn
(11:54):
over three times, said Dame ofthe Fat, And Sullivan done is his
thoughts. I lead out to thirdsof good work. Sullivan. Tell Cook
there'll be two for supper. Shehas been so informed. There is still
one Christ unsolved the heady. Yes, Sullivan, as you observed, sir,
the gentleman has just been in amotorcar wreck. Of course, Oh,
(12:16):
of course, make it risky,Sullivan. It's very good sulf Oh,
hello, hello there, I sayhello. She'll look better than that
du churns than I ever did,do he Sullivan? Yes, say you're
staying the couple men. I hopeSullivant does its patin. My name is
Parker Haper. We haven't introduced upshows. I think you ought to know
(12:41):
to having your house. The manwho is wanted for the Portland trace murder.
What's there? My name is RichardHenny Sullivan. Yes, your duty
is to send for the police andgive me up. I don't think i'll
get but if uh, there'd bean accident and I'll have a knife in
(13:03):
my rib scenario, so after sunset. Nevertheless, it's your duty as a
law abiding citizen fight. Don't looklike a murderer to me, thirsty seaman
head I'm not. The fact isthat three days ago a man was found
dead in my flat style set uptelevin. Yes, mister Henny says a
(13:28):
man you found get any flat murdered, mister Heady murdered, important piece murder,
Yeah, yess Sullivan. A man, mister Heaven. The victim of
the port and Peace murder to Heavenwas a woman. It was a man.
Oh, now the care old fellow, the Prince Henry. It is
very cure on this one point.The victim was a woman, an old
(13:52):
woman. Was it a sediment?Uh? An old woman. The body
that was found in my flat onTuesday morning, the body of a man.
Name's Nathan Scoda e Televin. Yes, do you tell Selivan Uh?
Yes? I think two blocks iswell? Well, here it is.
(14:16):
Here's the whole story. My nameis Richard Hannay. I was a mining
engineer in Nordiz in a fort awhile, I made my pile and came
back to England three weeks ago.Well, last Monday night I got back
to my flat about ten o'clock.I lived in a new block behind Portland
(14:39):
Place. There's a port in thebuilding wholeas around nine that came up the
stairs. I had my phone ringingHello, Hello, Hello, Hello,
up the call it some me whatit's heavens then of course I don't be
(15:05):
locked. Yes, better tell you, great liberty. I know looking in
this way, but I need helpworse than any mane of I needit it.
Can I call him yours? It'sa pen you'll see. I have
an idea. By this time tomorrowI shall be dead. But what he
(15:26):
told me the minute he got inthe doors, the little man was scared.
STI if I could see that hecarried the parcel injuries of a brown
paper parcel, and there was atrickle of blood on his left hand from
a fresh cutter across the knuckles.There's going to be a war. Now,
wait a minute, that's what hetold me, a war, and
(15:52):
this war is going to come asa great surprise to Britain. Somebody's going
to be murdered. He he toldme this Thursday, Remember Thursday night in
London, a fellow called kerlidast nothingon earth's conceiving. But that's just a
beginning. According to what this fellowtold me, Carolidas isn't important, not
(16:15):
in himself. It's what comes afterhe's dead. On July fifteenth, the
Chief of the French General Staff willbe in London. On that day.
The British Admiralty is to give himcomplete statement the disposition of the entire British
fleet on mobilization, at least asI gathered at something like that, something
(16:36):
uncommonly important. Now, then onthe fifteenth of July there will be others
in London. I don't know who. He had a name for them,
he called them the black Stone.But somehow this information, those secrets about
our fleet destined for France, willbe diverted into their hands on that day,
(16:59):
July fifteenth, and will be usedused remember a week or two later
against England by our dead before withgreat guns and swift torpedoes. Suddenly in
the darkness of a summer night.I know you don't believe this. I
didn't when he told it. Ido know well. I noticed that while
(17:25):
this man's Koda was talking, hekept singering a little black notebook which was
full of writing, some sort ofcode. It looked like you might believe
me or not, just as youplease. And there it is. This
is the cell of speaking, thecellar with the brown paper parcel and the
cut across his knuckles. This iswhat he said, what yes for this
information? I got the first hintnearly two years ago in an inn on
(17:49):
the Akinsy in Tyrol. I collectedmy other clothes in a first shop in
the Galician court of Buddha Pest ina stranger club in Vienna a book shopping
there, and start didn't live seek. I completed my evidence ten days ago
in Paris, and then till yesterday. I thought that I had worked unobserved.
(18:10):
Don't time, Let don't answer itfor me. Those men calling if
I'm here, don't answer it.Yes, let me show you something.
(18:32):
Would you please come up the light? Yes, let's come to the window.
Book on there. Well I lookedfor a moment. I saw nothing
but the deserted street below. ThenI noticed a man in a bowlder hat
(18:52):
standing in a doorway across the street. When I came home last night,
I found a card in my littlebox. Here it is, hm,
a black Stone. What's the blackStone? That's the name. That's what
they call themselves, these people.When I got that card, I knew
(19:15):
that I had to die. Whydon't you call the police? Right?
No? You? These men followedme here I'm bustled in this building and
showed the people's heading. Oh ththat's why I'm telling you all these things
tonight. If I say, oh, well, I I should hate to
leave the scene without leaving somebody behindto put of a fight. Well.
(19:45):
I still didn't know what to makeof the little chap and it was getting
late, so I made him abed in the nice smoking room. Good
night, good night, and incase I'm not here in the morning,
I have him the privilege of yourname, I said, but let me
kill you. You got a whiteman, oh, I said, before
you go to bed, I'll thankyou to lend me a raiser. I
(20:14):
locked the door of my room.Finally I fell asleep. I woke before
dawn. Couldn't go to bid again. I let a cigarette and started to
read. Then I noticed that thelight and the smoking room was still on.
I got up. I had acigarette in my mouth, I remember,
and as I pushed open the smokingroom door, I saw something that
(20:37):
made me drop my cigarette bolt upright. In a chair by the window sat
an old woman with her eyes open. There was a long knife through her
heart, which skewered her to theback of a chair. Had up quickly
about and called for Scoder. Wasno reply. Then I noticed three things.
(21:03):
First, the old woman's wig hadfallen slightly askew. Second that the
brown paper parcel I'd noticed under Scoder'sarm the night before was now lying open
and empty on the table. Third, that had crossed a knuckle. That
the old woman's left hand was afresh, unhealed cut from the limpness of
(21:25):
the body. I estimated that Skodahad been dead for about two hours.
I wondered what had happened to thelittle Black Book. I searched Skoder's body,
and for nothing. Then I noticedthat the whole flat had been ransacked
in the night. The inside thebook. Strawers covered even the sideboard in
the dining room. I shut itand bolted every door and window in the
flat. Skoder's story was true.The men who knew that he knew what
(21:51):
he knew had found him and hadmade certain of his silence. You see,
his disguise had not saved him.I'd be the next to go.
But suppose suppose I went out nowand called the police. What kind of
a story could I tell about Skoda? If I told them the truth,
they'd simply laugh at me. I'dbe charged with murder. The best I
could hope for was jail, andthat was just what they wanted for me.
(22:15):
An English prison was as good away of getting rid of me to
laughter. July sixteenth as a knifein my chest. I got out an
atlas and looked at the big mapof the British Isles. My notion was
to get off to some wild districtsome open space where my South African experience
would be have helped to me someplacewhere I'd be safe. Hiding for six
days until July fifteenth, and Idecided Scotland would the dust. There was
a train from Saint Pancras at seventyten. I went to the window and
(22:38):
looked out between the shutters. Itwas beginning to get light. I saw
a man standing in the doorway ina bowler hat. Then another man,
who seemed to be drunk, camedown an evening dress down the street.
He walked unsteadily. Oh he caughtsight of the man in the bowler hat
(23:03):
and went over and spoke to him. Then he crossed the street and turned
into the house. And wake up, bothering, you what old mother?
And you father? You the onlyboy? Wake up? Something shooting,
go old shooting. I was probablyhidding without fdny hay, and I thought,
I say, oh, Hanna,let hey Henney, he your phone
(23:34):
ring, wake up monfort hennad let'sgo up. Uh well, uh course,
by so stout storing in the house. I waited till he had gone.
(24:06):
I put a pipe in my pocketand threw my parks from the tobacco
jo on the table by the fireplace, and I poked into the tobacco.
My fingers touched something hard, andI drew out Skoda's little black book.
Somehow I seemed a good omen.I went out of the street, past
the doorway, past the man inthe bowler hat, and at seven ten
I was at in Pancra station,just putting out you won't make it day.
(24:44):
Every everyday stop, we'll take youoff, baby, A good way
crap to get to get away.Ten hours later, fifteen doorbef and Newton
Stewart, I pulled the emergency cordand jumped off the train under I was
(25:26):
a good mile from the trek beforeI stopped running the moon. It's all
around me. You couldn't have founda more peaceful landscape in the world.
Yet, at that moment, forthe first time in my life, I
felt the terror of the hunted onme. Wasn't the police. I was
(25:48):
afraid of it. The others whoknew that I knew Scoder's secret and dared
not let me live. They hadkilled Skoda in my flat, within a
few yards of me. Now itwas my and and I didn't even know
what these men looked like. Wishi'd listened more carefully what Skoda had said
about them. I I think hesaid there were three of them, and
(26:12):
that one of them was young anddark, and one was plump, and
one was old and stammered sometimes whenhe spoke. Suddenly, in the blue
evening sky, I saw something lowdown in the south. A monoplane was
(26:38):
climbing into the heavens. I wasas certain as if I'd been told that
that aeroplane was looking for me.It flew over the hill house and then
(27:06):
back over the valley. I startedto run. I ran through the sweat,
blinded my eyes. I ran mostof the night, keeping all my
south in the direction of the hills, And as the mists cleared before the
sun, I found myself in thecentral boss of a high upland country,
with glens falling away on every side. Then I saw the monoplane again,
(27:38):
coming up from the east. Itwas flying high. It circled about me
in narrowing circles, the way ahawk wheels before it bounces. Now the
(28:00):
flying quite low, they observe I'mgoing outside of me. I could see
'em looking at me through the blossNo, that was speeding eastward again,
but it became a speck in theblue morning. Myndems had located me.
(28:22):
The next thing would be a cordonaround me. There wasn't enough cover on
the whole moor to hide a rat. I tossed the coin heads right,
tails, left, fail heads.So I turned north. But while I
got the mountain country and came tothe bar of a ridge way down,
(28:42):
I saw a couple of miles away, several men were advancing, like a
row of beaters at a shoot.And may have been my imagination, but
I thought I saw figures one,two parts more moving in a glen beyond
the stream. I looked down atthe valley. There were men below police.
(29:02):
They looked like not more than aquarter of a mile off, spaced
out on the hillside like a fanbeating the heather. Hey, hey,
hey, gorm ark, here whereyou combium. Yes, you are listening
(29:29):
to the Columbia Networks presentation of OrsonWells and the Mercury Theater in John Buckin's
Thirty nine Steps. We shall resumethe story in a moment. This is
the Columbia Broadcasting System. The ColumbiaNetwork is presenting thirty nine Steps by John
(29:55):
Buckan, And now the Mercury Theaterresumes the story with Ysenwell. I was
drifted in Hannay and Marmaduke jumped mean there here we were playing hair and
founds, please, and I soonit began to seemed less of a game.
(30:18):
The police, that everdently called inlocal herds of gamekeepers, he thought
as were hefty men on the nativeheath. Looking back, I saw that
only three were following me, andthe others had fetched a circuit to cut
me off. I crossed a burnand came out on the road, which
seemed to be kept with some care. A few hundred yards to my left,
I saw the chimneys of a housesmoking. It was a verandom from
(30:41):
the house and through the grass,I saw the face of an elderly gentleman,
meekly watching me, even in ahurry, My friend. His face
(31:03):
was round and shiny, like misterPickwick's. On the top of his head
was as bright and bare as aglass bottle. Through the window could be
seen some figures half a mile off, or I see hugely did from justice
A well, we'd go into thematter at our leisure. Go into my
(31:26):
study. You would see two doorsfacing you take the one to the left
and close it behind you. Closeit t t tight. I did as
I was told. I was ina little dark chamber that smelled of chemicals.
(31:49):
Wasn't any too happy? The shiningabout the old gentleman, which I
was terrifying me. He'd been tooeasy and ready, almost as if he'd
been expecting me, and his hiseyes had been horribly intelligent. Alright,
you may come out now? Havethey gone? They have gone. I
(32:15):
convinced them that you had crossed thehill. I do not choose that the
police should come between me and onewhom I am delighted to honor. He
smiled gently and nodded to the doorbehind me. I turned and saw two
manservants who had been covered with pistol. This is a lucky morning for you,
(32:36):
mister Richard Hanne. Hey, what'sgoing on? Me and I?
Who were you calling? Richard?Annie? My name? Thanksley so oh?
But of course you have many names. We won't quarrel about a name,
mister Hanney. And now I supposeyou're gonna give me up after all?
(32:58):
And a little dodgy trick on call, I aren't gone wish. I've
never seen a treaty money and itisn't can't you You are a clever actor,
mister Handy, but not quite cleverenough. Oh no, I shall
not give you up. My friendsand I will have a little private settlement
with you to tonight. They stopjoining. Everything's against me? What's the
(33:21):
arm and the poor devil with anempty stomach picking out some money finds in
the lost pocket. That's all I'vedone is for that. I've been cheered
it for two days. But theseblostic bodies, over these brotic hills,
I could see the burning of adot in his mind. H I'll tell
you, I'm first sick of it. Will you oblige me with the story
(33:43):
of your recent doings, mister Handy. I can't governor. I've not had
a body. But you don't giveme a mouthful of food? Then you're
you a god to You're a goodliar, Hannah. But I do not
propose to let you go. Ifyou are what you say you are,
you will have a chance of kiddingyourself. If you're what I think you
(34:04):
are, I do not think youwill see the light much longer during such
but as nine season, yah yah, I want the dabler. In five
minutes, there will be three todinner. Goodbye, mister Hanning. We
will meet again t T. Tonight. I might show out the room with
a pistol and the smaller my back. They locked me up again in a
(34:30):
small dark chamber that's smelt of chemicals. It was as black as pitch.
Well. I made out at thewalls will line with boxes and barrels and
sacks of some heavy stuff. Theold boy had gone off and the car
deffect his friends with the vaccione,the plump one and the dark tin one.
(34:52):
But I figured out I just abouttwo hours longer to live, and
I I got a skirt. Therestedup like an old woman sitting in that
chair by the window in my flat, with his eyes open. I got
up and started moving around the roomagain. I found a handle in the
wall the door of a cupboard ofsome sort. And in that cupboard there
(35:13):
were bottles in cases of queer smellingstuffs, and coils of fine copper wire.
There was a box of detonators anda lot of cord for fuses.
Also half a dozen little gray bricks. I took up one and smelled it
and put it in my tongue,and been a mining engineer for nothing I
know lent to night. When Isee it. It was a risk,
(35:37):
but if I didn't take it,I'd probably be occupying a six foot hole
in the garden by evening. Anyhow, So took a quarter of a Lenton
night brick and buried it near thedoor. And then I got a detonator
and a couple of feet of fusedand then I lit a match. Something
(36:15):
had hit my left shoulder. Therewas a poisonous yellow fog all around me.
Somewhere behind me, I felt fresher. I started to run. I
ran much later in appearing on ahillside, I saw a small stone building
with a tower. The door wasopen. It was dark and cool inside.
(36:42):
I staggered in and sat down oneof the benches. The pain in
my shoulder was unbearable. Then Iheard steps coming down the path. I
found a small door in one cornerand narrow stairs running up to the tower.
I went up, and most ofthe top of this tower was taken
up with bells, but there wasa small ledge outside, just wide enough
(37:07):
to lie down on. I hearda man downstairs below me in the tower.
(37:43):
I lay there with a burning headand the sun glaring in my face.
Right above me, with the lawnof me. They couldn't have missed
me lying down the open ledge.They knew where I was. Soon they'd
(38:06):
come back to me. Me rightunder me fell and presently up the hillsides,
little dark knots of men began toappear. They came, slowly,
dozzen from all, moving towards me, slowly advancing, closing in on me.
(38:31):
I was too sick to move.I laid I waiting for came and
get me. Now they were inthe building below me, and a few
seconds they'd be up the stairs.I waited and no one came. I
laid I waiting. Then a thoughtstruck me. Skoda had been murdered on
Thursday night, four days ago,Thursday Friday Saturday, four days Then then,
(38:54):
these men coming up the hills inlittle dark knots in black, slowly
advancing clothing in on me were notmy enemy. They weren't after me.
They didn't even know I was there. They were peacefully walking to church with
their families. It was Sunday.Presently, a large green open damer drove
(39:21):
up. Three men got out,my plump friend, the professor, and
the dark young man. I couldsee them looking up at my tower.
Two of them went into the church. The thin man stayed at the car.
I waited up there on the ledge, but they didn't come up.
(39:45):
They left me there, green friends. The service had just begun that It
gave me about an hour. Now. There was an old iron drain pipe
running along the corner of the tower. It didn't seem particularly solid. Besides,
(40:10):
I was in full side of aman in the car. At that
moment it started to rain. Theman in the car looked up at the
sky. He turned his collar,then he shrugged his shoulders, got out
of the car and went to thechurch. I started down and started the
(40:36):
tower. Halfway down, my footslipped, not sell around the SOFTA got
up and went out of the carand drove off. I drove that day.
I brought you it worse. Theredy drive. My right arm out
(41:00):
of action. But I drove onsouth downhill in the valley. The road
is full of sharp curtains and shiningunder my head lighting. Very slippery.
Got some, that's right, someof them, mister Haydes. I may
(41:21):
talk like an arflos at the time, but I can sive up a man.
It's a hurdy. Thanks. Someof them pull it video to sip
one. Very good, sir.My name is Kenny Way. Honey,
You're no murderer and you're no fool, and I believe you're speaking the truth.
I would have baut you up.Now what can I do? I
have got to get in touch withthe government sometime before June fifteenth. Of
(41:42):
July fifteenth, that's the day's tomorrow. If you can help me, oh
right, I will. The PermanentSecretary to the Bottom Office is my cousin
and one of the best going,the gnat's comede in the country. Tough
issues if you start early tomorrow,morn Sullivan. Yes, he's a station
wagon here at six in the morning. Yes. Is that a compartment of
the subb e spet Yes or inSullivan? Yes to Hea tend a telegraphics
(42:05):
to walk. Yes, if aman called Kenny Kenny and better not use
my real name, so right youare. If a man called uh snothin
you will take a name for misterHannah, yes, h a sortman,
sir, Yes, Sullivan and Britishof course, Oh yes, do'em.
You can candle show have always headbulligin Kenneth Yeah, Arkins Rail Kimbridge
(42:37):
share. It's a man called Christen, a pair to model puking candy.
He may continue something to go wakeyou up. He will pass the word
black Stones and Christmer and then Lawrylove Henny. There was a scream,
(43:22):
isn't it? Yes, sir,I'll back out Kennet with dog fishing east
any river in England. Hm.He's that big della that the four pounds.
If he's hid, Hm, II don't see him, sir.
You do die yards from the reeds, yes, as I'm that stick him.
Yes, I see him now.He's a big fellar. That's where
he was a black stone. Yesh m m m o U Pistons neighbor,
(43:58):
isn't it no? I I meanto say yes. Uh. The
wise considered the other nervous his ownname. You got to Walter hand now
they're mispacer. Nay, my cousin, promise you tell me something that would
great mel m redd who uh misterHenry before he begin, I think I'll
tell you. I got a letterfrom Skoda this morning. Skoda, Yeah,
(44:22):
got us be dead a week.He's good on me. Eight day
before he came to you. Hisletters usually took a week to refink they
was send him to cover to Spainand then his new card I to tear
review screen fellows. Skoda he knewmore international secrets than any secret service man
in Europe. Trouble about him alwayshe liked to play a lone hand,
(44:44):
never tell us all to you say. He was getting remanded next sto like
and he normal that So Walter,it's kind of light. It's in London,
you being uh the day in hisletter, just Skoda's anything about prim
Carolides, didn't you ed, ladies. Scota said that the fourteenth of July
(45:05):
to day Carolights would be murdered.The cattle lights murdered. Nonsense, there's
no state in Europe. Once cameout of the way, virtuous Carolides.
It's like they did while liver wasall I was aide. Scoota went off
the trail there I saw it.Huh, yes, he followed it.
How was amster water that came throughfrom London? Things? Uh? Who
excuse me? In the stead awaygee car right away called the firing of
(45:35):
it. Tell the bight on myway up, Yes, sir, I
apologize to the sheaves. Schooga.Carolides was shot dead. This evening a
few minutes after seven. The kidslooked like warms. And what about our
(45:55):
neighbor plans water? You know whatScota's and tomorrow LFE a team. They
are taking no chances, mister Hannae, General dufour, chiefs of the French
General Staff, arrived in London fivedays. He digs the Prime Minister and
then he goes to the Foreign Office. The poor people, who's eid?
Would it go from the Admiralty asgo up at gold General Winstanley, Lord
(46:21):
Sterling? Maybe that? Do younever know about him? He gets more
eratic every day the Foreign Office,General dufour, we will get a certain
document from Whittaco. After that you'llbe most reportsman better destroyer will take him
the uh. You both be leftunattended for a moment and until be saved
in Paris. The same with Whittaker, till the papers are out with his
(46:42):
hand and they don't things of missingaim horribly nervous. So on. If
that's trans blastold them put the dispositionto change. We can't make any serious
change in those dispositions, mister Hannay. And there's the all the the geography
of England O O. And nowgentlemen, that our meeting is over,
(47:16):
I must ask you to give mea few minutes longer of your time.
Gentlemen, I ask you to meetmister Henny. How do you do mister
Hannay? General before a to meetyou? Arsis Drew? How do you
do so? Don't winker? Howdo you do so? General Winstanley?
Gentlemen, I think the highly unusualstep of asking mister Hannay to attend our
(47:37):
meetings night goes. Mister Hannay isin possession of a thirteen vital information which
every one of us. Yes,Sorry, Walter, I am a sick
man and going back to my bedwhere I belong. Good night, gentlemen,
Good night mister Hannay. Sorry Ican't stay to hear what you've got
(47:57):
to say. Oh and uh Whitaker, whatever comes up, you take care
of it. Don't call me againtonight. Stop that man. I tell
you to stop that man. Stophim. I beg of you to stop
him. If you won't, Iwill too, late, gentleman, who
(48:23):
do you think went through that doora minute ago? Lord Sternly? Not
with his living image? But itwas not Lord Sterling. Gentleman, have
you ever known Lord Sterling's stammer.Have you gone out of your head?
I tell you, gentlemen, thatman who gets went up with, not
Lord Sterling, with someone who recognizedme, someone I've seen in the last
three days. Nonsense, early,mister Henry, I think you have gone
(48:44):
out of your head. That remainsto the scene. So Walter me I
call Lord Sterling towse, I'll doit. Hello if it would say his
house? Hi? Please Hello?Yes, Hello, this is Walt Bullaman.
Will you ask Lord Sterling to callme some men as he gets home?
But what's that? Are you surehe see? Thanks? Lord Stirring
(49:08):
hasn't been out of his bed allday. He went to sleep at six
and won't have a few minutes ago. Well then, who was it?
The Blackstone? But it's madness.You need to tell me that that man
came here in fact this time intothe death part of an hour, and
I didn't detect the impostor my ownchief. You were too interested in other
(49:28):
things to have the use of youreyes. You took out Stirring for granted,
did it than anybody else? Youmight have looked more closely. The
thing that puzzles me is or whatgood were his visitor. Here, do
that tell of a spy fellow?Here the pens right here on this table.
He couldn't carry away several pages offigures and fine names in his head,
Yes he could. The train spyhas a photographic memory. You noticed
(49:51):
he said nothing which went through thosepapers again in the game. Those pens
were as lost to us as ifhe had them in his pocket. Mid
A Home office Port division had everyreport, watched every outgrade, steam out
check, and we have not arag of a crew. I wonder,
I wander, here's Scoder's little blackbook. It did encode except for one
(50:15):
sentence. Scroll over the last page. Scoder knew where those fellows would hide.
He knew when they were going toleave the country. I wonder if
in that second what is it?Let's car it thirty nine steps? I
counted them high tide ten seventeen PMthirty nine. That is a clue,
(50:37):
don't you see? And it wassomeplace where high tide was at ten seventeen.
There are at least one hundred pacesin England where they died high at
ten seventeen. Tomorrow we've gone fromthe day. They have their own secret
friends, and they won't be hurriedthirty nine steps. What does he mean
by step? Doc? Steps?And he he wouldn't have mentioned their numbers.
(50:58):
It must be a place where there'smore than one set of stairs.
Who Lobby's Department of Tents the Legion. Hello Bullivan speaking, They say,
is there any regular steamer leaving forthe continent ten seventeen gm? We'd have
what you sure? Hey, there'sno regular steamer sailing for the continent at
(51:22):
ten seventeen gm from anywhere. Itmust be a private Broton little port.
That explains how the tight importance.Hello, give me the admiral tape.
Hello all of Bullivan speaking, HarryJenkins, What places do you know along
the East coast where there are cliffsthere are several sets of steps run down
of the beach. They need steps, regular staircases. But that's place in
(51:46):
Norfolk, Reckleton, the Gold Coast. No, that's not it. No,
No, marine tears don't do either. Has to be more retired than
that. What we know, dinkMan, think it's important? What's that?
What you call it? The rap? Listen to this a big chalk
(52:10):
headland in Kent post bread rata.Look at the abital to tie table Bradgate,
Kent. Yes. Yes, alot of villas on top of the
clip, and some of the houseshave staircases down to a privately hai serrata.
Yes, listen to this Bredgate highTide, July the fifteen, ten
seventeen PND, Bradgate, July fifteenth, Confidential Report. Richard Hannay, Special
(53:00):
Agent, Sir Water Bullivant, PermanentSecretary and Foreign Office. There is a
villa with thirty nine steps feeding downto the sea, stra Fargo Lodge.
It's called her Drost. An oldgentleman called Appleton, a retired stock broker.
Well, here's what happened. Atabout six that evening I saw the
(53:22):
yacht, the foreign steam yacht cameup from the south and dropped anchor pretty
well opposite the rough. Then laterour British destroyer came in. At half
past nine, I strolled towards StrafargoLodge. The Scotland yard men would be
(53:42):
posted around the house by now,but there was no sign of a soul.
The house stood as open and publicas a charity. Bazarre. Yes,
that does mister Appleton live here?Yeah, d I'd try to see
him, please, I'll see ifhe's did well you wait here, any
(54:05):
old Pisa. I found myself ina neat hall. There were the golf
clubs and tennis rackets, which you'llfind in ten thousand British homes. There
was uh, you know, grandfatherclock kicking a barometer and the print of
children winning the Grand nash War GangsilI'll stay, sir, Hannay, were
your calmness wife, Lisa? MisterJanney the old man rose to meet me.
(54:30):
He was an evening dress so itwas the plump one, the third,
the dark one wore a blue sergesuit and the colors of some club
or school. To Hannee, youjust to see me one moment. Your
fellows out, go on your bettergo to the smoking room. Mr Hanney,
(54:52):
we'll stay here. I think we'vemet before. I guess you know
my business. Maybe, sir,maybe I haven't a very good memory.
I'm afraid you must tell me you'devan, for I really don't know it.
Well, then, I've come totell you that the game's up.
I have a warrant here for therest of you three. I've a rant,
(55:15):
really best, good lord, whatfor the murder of Nathan Scota in
London on the eighth day of thismonth. Why I've never heard the name
before? Good heaven, you mustbe mad, sir. Where did you
come from Cotton's Yard? Why don'tget faster? Then it's all ridiculousness sake.
Well, these things happen sometimes,but we can easily set it right.
(55:36):
I can show that I was outof the country on the eighth and
Bob was down here. You werein London. But of course you can
explain what you were doing right firsty, of course that's easy enough. Eight
last Thursday, Why that was theday after Agatha's wedding. Let me see
what was I doing. I cameup in the morning from walking and lunched
the club with Charlie Simonds. Ohyes, Then I dined at the City
(55:58):
Hall, I remember, for thepunch didn't agree with me. I was
seated next morning. Hang it all, there's the cigar box i'd got back
from the dinner. Think what out, mellow says, Yo said, you'd
die of bored'em because nothing everhappened to you. And now you've got
it thick and strong. Why that'sone, by jove, Yes, just
think of it. What a storyto tell at the club reading mister Annie,
(56:20):
I suppose I should be angry toshow my innocens. But it's too
funny. I almost forgive you thefright you gave me. You looked so
glum. I thought I might havebeen walking in my sleep and killing people.
I jacked the lipper. It couldn'tbe acting. It was too confounded,
genuine. Well, my heart wentinto my boots. My first influence
(56:42):
was to apologize and clear out.And yet there were three of them,
and one was old, and onewas plump, and one was lean and
dark, and the house fitted inwith Scudder's notes, and half a mile
off shore or was lying a fallenyacht. So any wanted to do,
go forward, as if I hadno dogs. I was gonna make a
(57:06):
fool of myself. I'm as welldo it handsomely. Then I remembered what
old Peter Pini always told me inRogisia Bescar Avenue. He told me once
talking about disguises, the fining certainties, like fingerprints near physical traits, are
of very little importance if a manreally knows his business well, he laughed
at things like dyed hair and falsebeards and such childish follies. If a
(57:30):
man really knew his business. Ifyou're playing a part, you'll never keep
it up unless you convince yourself thatyou really are the man you're pretending to
be. So I walked to thedoor and switched on the electric light,
and the sudden glare made them blink, and I stood scanning the three faces
(57:52):
while I made nothing of it.One was old and bald, one was
stout, one was dark and thin. That's all I could tell. Perhaps
they were the three men who hadhunted me in Scoff, and perhaps they
weren't. There was a silver cigarettebox on the table beside me, and
I saw that it had been wonby Percy Appleton, a squire for some
beads club, in a golf tournament. Are you reassured by your scrutiname?
I make no complaint, but yousee how annoying it must be to respectable
(58:14):
people. Are you going to dropit? No? Oh lord, this
is a bit too thick. Doyou propose the marsh of office the police
station and I have the right dressto your warrant. You know I don't
wish to cast any inversions upon you, sir, You're only doing your duty
with you will admit it's horribly awkward. Or what do you proposed to do?
Well? I vote we have agame of figia. This will give
'emus the Hannay time to think thingsover. I'm show'em that no ill
(58:36):
feeling. You play it, sir? Yes? Uh play? Vidiot room
is downstairs, mister Hannay. Whydon't you two start. We'll finish our
cigars and come down later. Huhwe went to the bisire room. Choose
your cues, sir. H thanks, m plain of spots, Uh spots
(59:02):
shop m thanks? How about ifyou practice shop you work? Mister Hannae,
I'm afraid you're in for a lickingbog? Should we stop? Who
begin? What should we talk?What are you playing for? Shilling a
game? It's all right? Headsup, tails natanae, heads as it
(59:22):
is? You begin? Will youmockerous Percy? I know seven? That
was in there? One rough lotfive? Eight? That's all alright,
missa Hannae. Uh five, that'suh thirteen seventy goodbye? Top was seventeen?
(59:55):
Who er say? Look at thetime, you'd better think about catching
your true Hey, yes, certainhe's got to town tonight. I'm afraid
you must put off your journey.Oh dash it all Hanne, I thought
you'd drop that when I simply gotto go. You can have my address
and you can have any security youlike. No, you must say it
was five minutes after ten and twelveminutes it would be high tide. Through
the window I could see the lightsof the foreign the auto. Sure bail
(01:00:17):
for my nephew. That ought tocontent you, mister Hanna. Was it
my fanc here or did I detectsome halt in the smoothness of that voice?
And then then I I thought ofsomething, mister Hampleton. When does
your nephew have to be in Londonnight? And you say you would go
bail for miss Ampleton? Yes,yes, I told you. I Well,
then presps if I could arrange thecourse Scotland yard early in the morning,
(01:00:43):
mister han it simply has to beto night. Then I knew who
he was. Come on, comeon, the young dot man leaps from
the window. He threw it overthe low fence and down the steps.
Before a hand could reach him.Someone switched on the light to pump.
One was crumpled in the heap.They'd got handcuffs on the old man.
Ah, you say you don't callhim the time, just call the up.
(01:01:07):
Yes, fire like storm, simI hope he'll bear his triumph.
Well, mister Appleton, I haveto tell you that you're yacht. For
the last two hours, it's beenin our hands. Well, it's the
(01:01:27):
wall. That's about all that it'sto it. That's the stories you're asking
to set it down. You knowthe rest of present I do. Scoder
was right about the war, right, wasn't in about a week? I
expect right in the middle of itmyself because of my Matabady experience. I've
got a captain's commission straight off.If I joined my avion on Thursday,
all the short and I understand whatbeing straight up the front. Still,
I'm afraid I had most of likethat went before I put on Cocky heyway,
(01:01:49):
goodbye. Thanks for everything straight supportwhile it lasted. Yours very sincerely,
Richard Hannay August eighth, nineteen fourteen. Night the Columbia Network has brought
you Orson Wells and the Mercury Theateron the Air and thirty nine Steps by
(01:02:09):
John Bucken. We now present thestar and director of these broadcasts. Who's
the night played? Richard Haddey OrsonWells, Ladies and gentlemen, if you
miss Madeline Carroll in a sag versionof thirty nine steps the young lady in
the movie, in common with almosteverything else in that movie, with the
child of its director's own unparalleled andunpredictable fancy. If you missed anything,
(01:02:30):
you must blame mister Alfred Hitchcock.If you were surprised by anything, you
must blame us. Well. Nextweek, the Mercury Theater, by way
of an experiment, attempts a radioanthology of short stories. Until then,
good night, everybody, goodbye,and see you next week.
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