December 29, 2023 • 29 mins
The Sealed Book was a radio series of mystery and terror tales, produced and directed by Jock MacGregor for the Mutual network. Between March 18 and September 9, 1945, the melodramatic anthology series was broadcast on Sundays from 10:30 pm to 11:00 pm.Each week, after "the sound of the great gong," host Philip Clarke observed that the mysteriously silent "keeper of the book has opened the ponderous door to the secret vault wherein is kept the great sealed book, in which is recorded all the secrets and mysteries of mankind through the ages.
Here are tales of every kind, tales of murder, of madness, of dark deeds strange and terrible beyond all belief." After this introduction, the dramas began, with three organ solo breaks for inserting the commercials of local stations carrying the program. Although this anthology series did not have recurring characters (other than the Narrator and the Keeper of the Book), the writers often used the same names for different characters from week to week, including "Hester", "Drake", and most especially "Roger".
Here are tales of every kind, tales of murder, of madness, of dark deeds strange and terrible beyond all belief." After this introduction, the dramas began, with three organ solo breaks for inserting the commercials of local stations carrying the program. Although this anthology series did not have recurring characters (other than the Narrator and the Keeper of the Book), the writers often used the same names for different characters from week to week, including "Hester", "Drake", and most especially "Roger".
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:08):
The Seal Book. Once again.The Keeper of the Book has opened the
(00:33):
ponderous door to the secret vault,wherein has kept the Great Sealed Book,
in which has recorded all the secretsand mysteries of mankind through the ages.
Here are tales of every kind,tales of murder, of madness, of
dark deeds, strange and terrible,beyond all belief. Keeper of the Book,
(00:57):
I would know what tale we tellthis time. Open the great book
and let us read. Slowly.The great Book opens one by one.
The Keeper of the Book turns thepages and stops ah the strange story of
(01:21):
a scoundrel who swindled the innocent,only to find that all his wealth could
not protect him from justice, atale title Murderer Unknown. Here is the
(02:25):
tale Murderer Unknown, as it iswritten in the pages of the Sealed Book.
Our story begins as Martin Scott entersthe large and luxurious offices of Gerald
Morgan. Scott, his face whiteand tense, is talking to Morgan's private
secretary. But Jason, I tellyou, you've got to let me see
(02:46):
him. I'm sorry, mister Scott, but mister Morgan can't be disturbed.
But it's a matter of life anddeath. Man. You can't, Gerald,
Oh, Gerald, You've got tosee me. It's something that concerns
both of us. Concerns both ofus. You forget you're no longer a
partner in this firm. In spiteof that, it concerns the two of
us. All right, come intomy office, you do, Jason asked
(03:07):
mister Mornin. Well what is it, Martin? Yesterday morning I received this
letter in the mail. As ithad a black border, I naturally thought
it was just a death announcement.But when I opened it here read it
for yourself. Hmm. You'll diefirst, Martin Scott. Then Gerald Morgan
(03:27):
will die. There's no escape.Well what about it? Obviously it's the
work of a crank. Yes,that's what I thought after I'd read it.
But late last night some one tooka shot at me as I was
approaching my home. As you cansee by this bullet hole in my hat,
I had a rather close shave.Some one took a shot at you.
But who You must remember Gerald,that when you took this company away
from me, you also ruined almosta hundred stockholders. I ain't gaining control
(03:51):
of this company was entirely within thelaw. Well, from what happened last
night, it seems obvious one ofthe stockholders doesn't agree. Whether we like
it or not, we have tocome buying against his threat. And exactly
what do you propose? This morning? I hired a private detective, Philip
Walker, to investigate. He wantedtwo hundred dollars for his fee, but
I only had one hundred. Andseeing that I am a party of the
(04:12):
second part in this threatening letter,you think it only fair I pay the
other half of mister Walker's fee.Yes, and that's reasonable enough. I'll
send you a check for one hundreddollars. Thank you. I'll keep in
touch with you. Gerald. Yes, do. Goodbye, Martin, goodbye,
goodbye Jason, goodbye mister Scott.Well, Jason, you heard mister
Scott's story. What do you thinkmister Scott is a poor liar? Exactly,
(04:39):
Jason. I'm very curious to knowwhat Martin's next move in this little
game will be. What was thename of that private detective he said he
hired Philip Walker. N Yes,Philip Walker. Have him call on me
as soon as possible, Jason.A few things I'd like to discuss with
mister Walker. A few days later, Martin Scott, a terrified look on
(05:12):
his face, rushed into Gerald Morgan'soffice. Gerald, I've got to talk
to you now. We mustn't getexcited, Martin. Four days have passed
and I see you're still alive.Gerald. I've received another letter. It
says I'm to die tonight at midnight. Look, hmm, so it does
to read Martin. Looks as thoughI'll have to pay for your funeral after
(05:35):
all, Jason, you'd better makearrangement. Gerald. If he kills me,
you'll be next. What do yousuggest? I want to leave town,
go far away. Oh, andof course you want me to lend
you the money. I know Ihaven't any prospects now, Gerald, but
I'll pay you back somehow. AllI want is five thousand dollars. It's
(05:57):
nothing to you, but to me, it's a difference between living and die.
Really, Martin, you give mecredit for very little intelligence. What
do you mean, come, Martin, Why don't you admit you put the
bullet through your hat yourself and wrotethose letters all in an effort to get
money out of me. You don'tbelieve me, No, Martin, I
don't believe you. For the pastthree days, every move you've made has
(06:20):
been reported to me by mister Walker. Philip Walker. Yes, smarting the
detective you hired was a simple matterto buy his services away from you,
as usual. It was just aquestion of money. But Gerald, you've
got In last night's report, Walkerstates that you left home at nine twenty
five to mail a letter. Thatletter you mailed couldn't, by any chance,
(06:42):
be the death threat which you receivedthis morning. For it, Gerald,
don't be a fool. I tellyou someone's how to murder both of
us. Sir, I shall beginworrying when you've been killed, and rest
assured that if anything happens to youtonight, I'll see to it you get
a decent burial. Oh wake up, Someone to the door. Who could
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let me in this hour? It'sonly one way to find out? Oh
all right. If you won't answerit, I will shut up. I'll
come with you. Idiots think we'redeaf. It's covered with blood. Who
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is here? I don't know?Gerald. Hold the door open while I
carry him in. He's almost unconscious. Loss of blood. Yeahs, you
know, no use, Gerald.His face looks as though it had been
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splashed, and doesn't die. He'shorribly mutilated. Keep touching in his hand.
It's a letter with a black order. What's it say? Can you
make it out? Difficult to readwith the blood on it says this is
the last letter you will ever receive, sCOD Your time has come, Gerald,
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What does it mean? Stop askingso many questions? I'm called doctor
Richard? Martin Martin? Can youhear me? Gerald? At midnight he
came for me. Who Martin?Who? I never had a chance to
tell me margin Who did this foryou? He said? After I died,
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you would be next? But whoMartin? Who? Oh? Doctor
Richards will be right over, Gerald. It's too late. He's dead.
(09:50):
My mom My sad, my nAnd now to continue the story Murderer unknown
(10:41):
as it is written in the SealedBook. As Gerald Morgan drove to his
office the morning following Martin Scott's death, he kept glancing over his shoulder nervously.
A cold fear gripped him until heentered his office. Good morning,
mister Morgan, Good morning Jason.I read in the morning papers what happened
(11:01):
to mister Scott. It came asquite a shock. Yes, I'm afraid
I did mutin a grave injustice,not believing his story. I look at
the way he tried to warn meafter he'd been mortally wounded. He he
wasn't able to name his assailant,was he? Unfortunately no, he died
just as he was about to namehim. Mmmm, that's too bad.
(11:22):
Yes, no, I'm next whohave murdered. He isn't going to succeed
in my case. I'm sure hewon't. Mister Walker is waiting to see
you. I haven't come in yet. Mister Morgan, will see you now,
mister Walker. Good morning, misterMorgan, Good morning, Walker proceeded.
Thank you. I read about whathappened at your home last night.
(11:45):
It's too bad you removed me fromthe case yesterday afternoon. What do you
make of it? Walker? Themanner in which Scott was so brutally murdered
seems to suggest that the murderer isa maniac, and maniacs are dangerous.
Mister Morgan, if you're looking fora fat fee, you'll get it without
trying to frighten me into it.Sorry, mister Morgan, I didn't know
mine. Your one job is tocatch the man who murdered Martin Scott and
(12:05):
is out to get me. Yes, sir Scott, believed that one of
the former stockholders of this company wasafter him. Now now I'm of the
same opinion. Yes, mister Morgan, Yer, it's a list of the
stockholders. Hire as many assistance asyou'll need, spare no expense, but
find Scott's murderer. We'll do ourbest, mister Morgan. Meanwhile, I'd
better arrange a bodyguard for you.Ardon me, mister Morgan, but perhaps
(12:26):
a trip somewhere might be wisern Yes, quite right, Jason. Even with
a bodyguard, a man can bemurdered. I think the idea of a
trip a long one and an excellentsuggestion. Well, where do you intend
to go, mister Morgan. I'mnot telling anyone, not even your walker,
But how will I get in touchwith you? If something comes up
merely in certain notice on the personalcolumn of the Morning Record. I'll get
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in touch with you if I thinkit's important. Very well, mister Morgan,
Jason, call my home and havemy wife pack her things in mine.
Tell her we're leaving town immediately haitherway, Well on our way.
(13:13):
I feel much safer. Mis tripwas an excellent suggestion, Jason. Pardon
me, mister Morgan, but youhaven't given me my course yet. I'm
still flying due Wes. Oh,yes, here's a map with our destination
on a Jason. I'm flying toa small lodge in the north Woods and
a small clearing nearby where you'll beable to land. Yes, mister Morgan,
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you'll find it an ideal vacation spot. There will be perfect safety for
Walker to catch Scott's murderer. MorningJason, Good morning missus Morgan. Mister
(13:54):
Morgan, want you did you sleepwell? Perfectly? Thank you? Two
weeks heroes made me feel like anew man. A wonderful air. Yes
it is. I have here acopy of the Morning Record. Is there
a message from Walker in the personalcolumn? Yes, sir. The message
reads nothing found as yet, butI'm working hard. Can I see?
(14:15):
I couldn't expect them to uncover themurder in two weeks, Nelson. And
for all they are over one hundredstockholders. Any one of them might be
guilty. Good morning, madam,gentlemen, how wonderful day for fishing.
No, yes, it is whatyou got there, Pierre. Yes,
a few supplies, madam. Oh, yes, yes, a letter for
your husband, a letter and wemy brother Jacques, who learns the General
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Star and who is also postmaster.He gave it to me. No one
knows I'm here, no one,But it is address to you, mister
Jones. Here you can see foryourself. Is there any return address on
it, mister Morgan. No,it's addressed to mister Jones, Postmasters and
Claire let its postmark from Portland yesterday. I went away to find now that
(15:00):
this letter is meant for me?Why not a letter? Inside it a
black board and it's addressed Gerald Morgan. No matter where you flee, I
shall follow. There's no escape.A few minutes later, after a few
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bags had been hastily packed, aplane took off from a small clearing in
the woods. Hour after hour.It flew due southwest, and when the
field was almost gone, it landednear a small village in Indiana. Gerald
and his wife went to the onlyhotel in the village, jerl It was
dreadful enough flying one thousand miles andeight hours, but it's too much to
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expect me to stay at a miserablein light. It's just look at this
room, ebe. If you valuethat lovely white neck of yours, you'll
do exactly as I say. We'restaying at this inn because it's a fluted
I'm safe. Oh is it?It's Jason? Oh just a minute,
Come in, Jason. Did youget rid of the plane and send the
telegram to Walker? Yes? Idid. What did you say in the
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telegram? But I told him thatthe murderer had been in Portland yesterday and
if he was to fly there andmake every effort to apprehend him. Good.
Walker's no fool. He'll have hismen in every hotel station and bus
terminal in Portland, photographs of allthe stockholders, and sooner or later they'll
catch up with the Galley man.I suppose he's already left Portland. Walker
will still find him. Now,stop talking about it. We're perfectly safe
here. All we have to dois wait, Jason. Where's Jery?
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He just went down to the barto see if the Morning Record has arrived?
Jen Jason, Yes, dear,are you the one who's handing in
those letters? Why? Darling?What a question to ask the man you
love. I'm sorry, Jason,I don't care what you doing on you
promise be careful. Someone's coming,mister Morgan. I see you were able
to get a copy of the MorningRecord. Anything in it from Walker.
(17:07):
Yes, but it's all bad.They weren't able to find the murder important.
It's too bad. I told himto spare no expense, and he
let the murderer slip through his fingers. Bout of fools, I answered,
sir, this letter came from misterR. Anderson. Thank you. Another
letter. Yes, it was postedlast night from Toledo. But how could
(17:30):
he have known we were here?We left no trail. Should I open
it? Yes, there's another envelopewithin it, the black border. Yes,
it's addressed to you. Open it. See what he says. No
matter where you flee, you can'tescape me. Your time is drawing near.
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And now to continue our story asit is written in the sealed book.
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Less than ten minutes after receiving theblack boarded letter, Gerald Morgan was
fleeing for his life. Hour afterhour, he raced his car through the
Indiana countryside, stopping only for guests. He drove reckless, with fear in
his eyes. Child, Must youdrive so first? Several times we vomit
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had an accident. Be quiet,I'm stopping at the next garage. We're
going to leave the car there.Leave the car. Yes, I'm not
taking any chances of his tracing usthrough the license plates. Child, Where
are we We're on the outskirts ofChicago now, Jason, we've got to
be clever. We're separating. Youare to go to the West View Hotel
and take a suite for yourself underan assumed name. Do you understand perfectly?
Missus Morgan and I will slip intothe suite after you've engaged it with
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no one the wiser, and bythe way, send a telegram to Walker
and notify him that the murder wasin Toledo last night, and this time
he must be caught. That mustbe Jason. Were able to get a
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copy of the morning Record, Jason, yes, I was, give it
to me. Let me see.Ah here we are no success in Toledo.
Will continue search the fools another opportunityto catch him lost? How long
do they think I can go onthis way? I'm sure you can depend
(21:11):
on Walker. Jered, why don'tyou go and lie down for a little
while. I'm perfectly all right,but you look tired. A little rest
would do you good? Yes,I suppose it would call me. If
there's any word from Walker, Jason, come over to the window or he
won't be able to hear us.What's the matter You look so upset when
you saw the way he acted,Jason, he's losing his nerve, going
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to pieces, and when Gerald's frightened, he becomes violent, almost immediate.
What are you trying to say?It isn't You've got to stop sending in
those letters. I tell you it'sdangerous. So you really think I'm the
one who's sending those letters too?Yes? Could it be? Yes?
Jason? Oh, mister Morgan,what are you doing with that gun?
You haven't answered my wife's question,Jason, I know absolutely nothing nothing about
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those letters. Really, Perhaps youhaven't noticed, but that another one just
been slept under our doors. No, no, yes, my dear,
we'll see what this one says.As usual. There's another envelope in with
the side of it and with ablack border, but cheer. Please don't
open it. I can't stand it. Come, dear, it's only fair
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that I should know what it saysas well as Jason. Hm. No
matter where you flee, I'll findyou when the clock strikes midnight, you
die. So you two had decidedto get rid of me tonight, I
tell you I had nothing to dowith the sending of those letters rarely,
Jason. In all our travels weleft no trail behind. You two were
the only ones who knew where Iwas. You must listen to me.
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I tell you I had nothing todo with her. Noteceedingly clever, Jason,
I've never denied that with me outof the way, you could gain
control of my company. Your accusationis absurd. If that's true, I
should have killed Martin Scott. Hehad nothing to do with the company anymore.
Quite so, but with me dead, he might have gained control of
the company instead of you. Therefore, you decided to remove the two of
us. You've gambled, Jason andlost. Why are you turning on the
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radio? We're parting company, mydear, and I feel the need of
music. No, No, youcan't shoot me. I tell her I'm
innocent. I had nothing to dowith this game. I swear I didn't.
You wouldn't want the man you loveto die alone? Would your man?
Must listen to me, you must. I can prove I had no
part in it, if you'll onlygive me a chap. You were both
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very clever, but you were dealingwith Gerald Morgan, and you sent your
last threatening letter. I've got toget out of here again. I'll wipe
my fingerprints off it and place itin Jason's hand. Perhaps the police will
think it a double suicide. Ifnot, they still can't prove anything against
me. No one saw me cometo the hotel. No one even knows
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I'm in Chicago. I will turnhome and get someone to wipe as my
alibi. The police will who's thatopen up? It's the poor and a
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friend. You can only have afew minutes, mister Walker, Thank you
Walker. What are you doing here? I've come to deliver a letter.
A letter, yes here what It'sfrom? Martin Scott, dated December fifth?
But that was a night he wasmurdered. Yes, dear Gerald,
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a week ago. My physician toldme I had but a few months to
live. After I once got overthe shock, I suddenly felt free to
do what a hundred ruined stockholders wantedto do and we couldn't. I could
easily have come to your office andkilled you, Gerald, but I didn't
want you to die so easily.Knowing you as well as I do,
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I began to plan your future foryou. My plan began the day I
can to your office with a deaththreat and the hat with a bullet hole
in it. You reacted just asI knew you would. You bribed the
detective I'd hired. When I appearedat your office this morning and showed you
(25:14):
the second letter I'd received saying Idied to night at midnight. You laughed
at me for trying to extort moneyfrom you. That too, I had
planned on. In one hour,it will be midnight, and according to
my plan for you, I mustbe murdered. I am going to slash
myself with a knife, Gerald,and then go to your home to die.
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You're going to watch me die,Gerald, and no fear as you've
never known it before. After I'mgone, you will begin to receive the
same kind of threatening letters which Isent myself. You will run away,
Gerald, but wherever you go aletter will find you. You'll be come
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insanely frightened, and in time you'llturn on the only person who could be
logically betraying your movements, Jason.If things work out as I've planned,
a great fear in you will driveyou to kill him. When you're in
prison, waiting for the end,you'll receive this letter and at last know
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which one of the stockholders made youpay for your crimes, Martin Scott.
No, no, it can't be. But it is, mister Morgan.
But if Jason didn't send me thoseletters, who did you? Forget,
mister Morgan, that I know whereto find you. You Adjason sent me
telegrams and they were easy to trace. Then it was you who sent those
letters. Yes, I was theone who carried out Martin Scott's plan.
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But I bought you, gave youthousands of dollars. All of your checks
were torn up. Martin Scott wasmy friend. You can't do this to
me. You can save me ifyou want to. I'm rich. I'll
pay you any amount of money youwant. Listen to me. You'll have
to leave now. It's almost noWalker, you can't. You can't let
them kill me. I'llbay you anything, anything, Walker. And so ends
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the tale Murderer Unknown, as itis written in the Sealed Book At Midnight,
Gerald Morgan was executed in the ElectricChair Twisted Indeed, or the Strands
of Fate, in which Destiny entanglesmere Mortals. And now, keeper of
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the book, before you close thegreat volume, show us the tale we
tell next time? This one?Ah, Yes, the tale of a
human derelict who one night stumbled intoa pawnshop and there sold five years of
his life to a strange and mysteriouspawnbroker. The tale is called Time on
(29:03):
My Hands. Be sure to bewith us again next time when the sound
of the Great Gong heralds another strangeand exciting tale from the Seal Book.
(29:32):
The Sealed Book, produced and directedby Jack MacGregor, is written by Bob
Arthur and David Cogan.
The Seal Book. Once again.The Keeper of the Book has opened the
(00:33):
ponderous door to the secret vault,wherein has kept the Great Sealed Book,
in which has recorded all the secretsand mysteries of mankind through the ages.
Here are tales of every kind,tales of murder, of madness, of
dark deeds, strange and terrible,beyond all belief. Keeper of the Book,
(00:57):
I would know what tale we tellthis time. Open the great book
and let us read. Slowly.The great Book opens one by one.
The Keeper of the Book turns thepages and stops ah the strange story of
(01:21):
a scoundrel who swindled the innocent,only to find that all his wealth could
not protect him from justice, atale title Murderer Unknown. Here is the
(02:25):
tale Murderer Unknown, as it iswritten in the pages of the Sealed Book.
Our story begins as Martin Scott entersthe large and luxurious offices of Gerald
Morgan. Scott, his face whiteand tense, is talking to Morgan's private
secretary. But Jason, I tellyou, you've got to let me see
(02:46):
him. I'm sorry, mister Scott, but mister Morgan can't be disturbed.
But it's a matter of life anddeath. Man. You can't, Gerald,
Oh, Gerald, You've got tosee me. It's something that concerns
both of us. Concerns both ofus. You forget you're no longer a
partner in this firm. In spiteof that, it concerns the two of
us. All right, come intomy office, you do, Jason asked
(03:07):
mister Mornin. Well what is it, Martin? Yesterday morning I received this
letter in the mail. As ithad a black border, I naturally thought
it was just a death announcement.But when I opened it here read it
for yourself. Hmm. You'll diefirst, Martin Scott. Then Gerald Morgan
(03:27):
will die. There's no escape.Well what about it? Obviously it's the
work of a crank. Yes,that's what I thought after I'd read it.
But late last night some one tooka shot at me as I was
approaching my home. As you cansee by this bullet hole in my hat,
I had a rather close shave.Some one took a shot at you.
But who You must remember Gerald,that when you took this company away
from me, you also ruined almosta hundred stockholders. I ain't gaining control
(03:51):
of this company was entirely within thelaw. Well, from what happened last
night, it seems obvious one ofthe stockholders doesn't agree. Whether we like
it or not, we have tocome buying against his threat. And exactly
what do you propose? This morning? I hired a private detective, Philip
Walker, to investigate. He wantedtwo hundred dollars for his fee, but
I only had one hundred. Andseeing that I am a party of the
(04:12):
second part in this threatening letter,you think it only fair I pay the
other half of mister Walker's fee.Yes, and that's reasonable enough. I'll
send you a check for one hundreddollars. Thank you. I'll keep in
touch with you. Gerald. Yes, do. Goodbye, Martin, goodbye,
goodbye Jason, goodbye mister Scott.Well, Jason, you heard mister
Scott's story. What do you thinkmister Scott is a poor liar? Exactly,
(04:39):
Jason. I'm very curious to knowwhat Martin's next move in this little
game will be. What was thename of that private detective he said he
hired Philip Walker. N Yes,Philip Walker. Have him call on me
as soon as possible, Jason.A few things I'd like to discuss with
mister Walker. A few days later, Martin Scott, a terrified look on
(05:12):
his face, rushed into Gerald Morgan'soffice. Gerald, I've got to talk
to you now. We mustn't getexcited, Martin. Four days have passed
and I see you're still alive.Gerald. I've received another letter. It
says I'm to die tonight at midnight. Look, hmm, so it does
to read Martin. Looks as thoughI'll have to pay for your funeral after
(05:35):
all, Jason, you'd better makearrangement. Gerald. If he kills me,
you'll be next. What do yousuggest? I want to leave town,
go far away. Oh, andof course you want me to lend
you the money. I know Ihaven't any prospects now, Gerald, but
I'll pay you back somehow. AllI want is five thousand dollars. It's
(05:57):
nothing to you, but to me, it's a difference between living and die.
Really, Martin, you give mecredit for very little intelligence. What
do you mean, come, Martin, Why don't you admit you put the
bullet through your hat yourself and wrotethose letters all in an effort to get
money out of me. You don'tbelieve me, No, Martin, I
don't believe you. For the pastthree days, every move you've made has
(06:20):
been reported to me by mister Walker. Philip Walker. Yes, smarting the
detective you hired was a simple matterto buy his services away from you,
as usual. It was just aquestion of money. But Gerald, you've
got In last night's report, Walkerstates that you left home at nine twenty
five to mail a letter. Thatletter you mailed couldn't, by any chance,
(06:42):
be the death threat which you receivedthis morning. For it, Gerald,
don't be a fool. I tellyou someone's how to murder both of
us. Sir, I shall beginworrying when you've been killed, and rest
assured that if anything happens to youtonight, I'll see to it you get
a decent burial. Oh wake up, Someone to the door. Who could
(07:15):
let me in this hour? It'sonly one way to find out? Oh
all right. If you won't answerit, I will shut up. I'll
come with you. Idiots think we'redeaf. It's covered with blood. Who
(07:35):
is here? I don't know?Gerald. Hold the door open while I
carry him in. He's almost unconscious. Loss of blood. Yeahs, you
know, no use, Gerald.His face looks as though it had been
(07:58):
splashed, and doesn't die. He'shorribly mutilated. Keep touching in his hand.
It's a letter with a black order. What's it say? Can you
make it out? Difficult to readwith the blood on it says this is
the last letter you will ever receive, sCOD Your time has come, Gerald,
(08:20):
What does it mean? Stop askingso many questions? I'm called doctor
Richard? Martin Martin? Can youhear me? Gerald? At midnight he
came for me. Who Martin?Who? I never had a chance to
tell me margin Who did this foryou? He said? After I died,
(08:43):
you would be next? But whoMartin? Who? Oh? Doctor
Richards will be right over, Gerald. It's too late. He's dead.
(09:50):
My mom My sad, my nAnd now to continue the story Murderer unknown
(10:41):
as it is written in the SealedBook. As Gerald Morgan drove to his
office the morning following Martin Scott's death, he kept glancing over his shoulder nervously.
A cold fear gripped him until heentered his office. Good morning,
mister Morgan, Good morning Jason.I read in the morning papers what happened
(11:01):
to mister Scott. It came asquite a shock. Yes, I'm afraid
I did mutin a grave injustice,not believing his story. I look at
the way he tried to warn meafter he'd been mortally wounded. He he
wasn't able to name his assailant,was he? Unfortunately no, he died
just as he was about to namehim. Mmmm, that's too bad.
(11:22):
Yes, no, I'm next whohave murdered. He isn't going to succeed
in my case. I'm sure hewon't. Mister Walker is waiting to see
you. I haven't come in yet. Mister Morgan, will see you now,
mister Walker. Good morning, misterMorgan, Good morning, Walker proceeded.
Thank you. I read about whathappened at your home last night.
(11:45):
It's too bad you removed me fromthe case yesterday afternoon. What do you
make of it? Walker? Themanner in which Scott was so brutally murdered
seems to suggest that the murderer isa maniac, and maniacs are dangerous.
Mister Morgan, if you're looking fora fat fee, you'll get it without
trying to frighten me into it.Sorry, mister Morgan, I didn't know
mine. Your one job is tocatch the man who murdered Martin Scott and
(12:05):
is out to get me. Yes, sir Scott, believed that one of
the former stockholders of this company wasafter him. Now now I'm of the
same opinion. Yes, mister Morgan, Yer, it's a list of the
stockholders. Hire as many assistance asyou'll need, spare no expense, but
find Scott's murderer. We'll do ourbest, mister Morgan. Meanwhile, I'd
better arrange a bodyguard for you.Ardon me, mister Morgan, but perhaps
(12:26):
a trip somewhere might be wisern Yes, quite right, Jason. Even with
a bodyguard, a man can bemurdered. I think the idea of a
trip a long one and an excellentsuggestion. Well, where do you intend
to go, mister Morgan. I'mnot telling anyone, not even your walker,
But how will I get in touchwith you? If something comes up
merely in certain notice on the personalcolumn of the Morning Record. I'll get
(12:48):
in touch with you if I thinkit's important. Very well, mister Morgan,
Jason, call my home and havemy wife pack her things in mine.
Tell her we're leaving town immediately haitherway, Well on our way.
(13:13):
I feel much safer. Mis tripwas an excellent suggestion, Jason. Pardon
me, mister Morgan, but youhaven't given me my course yet. I'm
still flying due Wes. Oh,yes, here's a map with our destination
on a Jason. I'm flying toa small lodge in the north Woods and
a small clearing nearby where you'll beable to land. Yes, mister Morgan,
(13:33):
you'll find it an ideal vacation spot. There will be perfect safety for
Walker to catch Scott's murderer. MorningJason, Good morning missus Morgan. Mister
(13:54):
Morgan, want you did you sleepwell? Perfectly? Thank you? Two
weeks heroes made me feel like anew man. A wonderful air. Yes
it is. I have here acopy of the Morning Record. Is there
a message from Walker in the personalcolumn? Yes, sir. The message
reads nothing found as yet, butI'm working hard. Can I see?
(14:15):
I couldn't expect them to uncover themurder in two weeks, Nelson. And
for all they are over one hundredstockholders. Any one of them might be
guilty. Good morning, madam,gentlemen, how wonderful day for fishing.
No, yes, it is whatyou got there, Pierre. Yes,
a few supplies, madam. Oh, yes, yes, a letter for
your husband, a letter and wemy brother Jacques, who learns the General
(14:37):
Star and who is also postmaster.He gave it to me. No one
knows I'm here, no one,But it is address to you, mister
Jones. Here you can see foryourself. Is there any return address on
it, mister Morgan. No,it's addressed to mister Jones, Postmasters and
Claire let its postmark from Portland yesterday. I went away to find now that
(15:00):
this letter is meant for me?Why not a letter? Inside it a
black board and it's addressed Gerald Morgan. No matter where you flee, I
shall follow. There's no escape.A few minutes later, after a few
(15:30):
bags had been hastily packed, aplane took off from a small clearing in
the woods. Hour after hour.It flew due southwest, and when the
field was almost gone, it landednear a small village in Indiana. Gerald
and his wife went to the onlyhotel in the village, jerl It was
dreadful enough flying one thousand miles andeight hours, but it's too much to
(15:50):
expect me to stay at a miserablein light. It's just look at this
room, ebe. If you valuethat lovely white neck of yours, you'll
do exactly as I say. We'restaying at this inn because it's a fluted
I'm safe. Oh is it?It's Jason? Oh just a minute,
Come in, Jason. Did youget rid of the plane and send the
telegram to Walker? Yes? Idid. What did you say in the
(16:11):
telegram? But I told him thatthe murderer had been in Portland yesterday and
if he was to fly there andmake every effort to apprehend him. Good.
Walker's no fool. He'll have hismen in every hotel station and bus
terminal in Portland, photographs of allthe stockholders, and sooner or later they'll
catch up with the Galley man.I suppose he's already left Portland. Walker
will still find him. Now,stop talking about it. We're perfectly safe
here. All we have to dois wait, Jason. Where's Jery?
(16:45):
He just went down to the barto see if the Morning Record has arrived?
Jen Jason, Yes, dear,are you the one who's handing in
those letters? Why? Darling?What a question to ask the man you
love. I'm sorry, Jason,I don't care what you doing on you
promise be careful. Someone's coming,mister Morgan. I see you were able
to get a copy of the MorningRecord. Anything in it from Walker.
(17:07):
Yes, but it's all bad.They weren't able to find the murder important.
It's too bad. I told himto spare no expense, and he
let the murderer slip through his fingers. Bout of fools, I answered,
sir, this letter came from misterR. Anderson. Thank you. Another
letter. Yes, it was postedlast night from Toledo. But how could
(17:30):
he have known we were here?We left no trail. Should I open
it? Yes, there's another envelopewithin it, the black border. Yes,
it's addressed to you. Open it. See what he says. No
matter where you flee, you can'tescape me. Your time is drawing near.
(18:57):
And now to continue our story asit is written in the sealed book.
(19:42):
Less than ten minutes after receiving theblack boarded letter, Gerald Morgan was
fleeing for his life. Hour afterhour, he raced his car through the
Indiana countryside, stopping only for guests. He drove reckless, with fear in
his eyes. Child, Must youdrive so first? Several times we vomit
(20:06):
had an accident. Be quiet,I'm stopping at the next garage. We're
going to leave the car there.Leave the car. Yes, I'm not
taking any chances of his tracing usthrough the license plates. Child, Where
are we We're on the outskirts ofChicago now, Jason, we've got to
be clever. We're separating. Youare to go to the West View Hotel
and take a suite for yourself underan assumed name. Do you understand perfectly?
Missus Morgan and I will slip intothe suite after you've engaged it with
(20:26):
no one the wiser, and bythe way, send a telegram to Walker
and notify him that the murder wasin Toledo last night, and this time
he must be caught. That mustbe Jason. Were able to get a
(20:51):
copy of the morning Record, Jason, yes, I was, give it
to me. Let me see.Ah here we are no success in Toledo.
Will continue search the fools another opportunityto catch him lost? How long
do they think I can go onthis way? I'm sure you can depend
(21:11):
on Walker. Jered, why don'tyou go and lie down for a little
while. I'm perfectly all right,but you look tired. A little rest
would do you good? Yes,I suppose it would call me. If
there's any word from Walker, Jason, come over to the window or he
won't be able to hear us.What's the matter You look so upset when
you saw the way he acted,Jason, he's losing his nerve, going
(21:32):
to pieces, and when Gerald's frightened, he becomes violent, almost immediate.
What are you trying to say?It isn't You've got to stop sending in
those letters. I tell you it'sdangerous. So you really think I'm the
one who's sending those letters too?Yes? Could it be? Yes?
Jason? Oh, mister Morgan,what are you doing with that gun?
You haven't answered my wife's question,Jason, I know absolutely nothing nothing about
(21:52):
those letters. Really, Perhaps youhaven't noticed, but that another one just
been slept under our doors. No, no, yes, my dear,
we'll see what this one says.As usual. There's another envelope in with
the side of it and with ablack border, but cheer. Please don't
open it. I can't stand it. Come, dear, it's only fair
(22:15):
that I should know what it saysas well as Jason. Hm. No
matter where you flee, I'll findyou when the clock strikes midnight, you
die. So you two had decidedto get rid of me tonight, I
tell you I had nothing to dowith the sending of those letters rarely,
Jason. In all our travels weleft no trail behind. You two were
the only ones who knew where Iwas. You must listen to me.
(22:37):
I tell you I had nothing todo with her. Noteceedingly clever, Jason,
I've never denied that with me outof the way, you could gain
control of my company. Your accusationis absurd. If that's true, I
should have killed Martin Scott. Hehad nothing to do with the company anymore.
Quite so, but with me dead, he might have gained control of
the company instead of you. Therefore, you decided to remove the two of
us. You've gambled, Jason andlost. Why are you turning on the
(23:00):
radio? We're parting company, mydear, and I feel the need of
music. No, No, youcan't shoot me. I tell her I'm
innocent. I had nothing to dowith this game. I swear I didn't.
You wouldn't want the man you loveto die alone? Would your man?
Must listen to me, you must. I can prove I had no
part in it, if you'll onlygive me a chap. You were both
(23:26):
very clever, but you were dealingwith Gerald Morgan, and you sent your
last threatening letter. I've got toget out of here again. I'll wipe
my fingerprints off it and place itin Jason's hand. Perhaps the police will
think it a double suicide. Ifnot, they still can't prove anything against
me. No one saw me cometo the hotel. No one even knows
(23:49):
I'm in Chicago. I will turnhome and get someone to wipe as my
alibi. The police will who's thatopen up? It's the poor and a
(24:10):
friend. You can only have afew minutes, mister Walker, Thank you
Walker. What are you doing here? I've come to deliver a letter.
A letter, yes here what It'sfrom? Martin Scott, dated December fifth?
But that was a night he wasmurdered. Yes, dear Gerald,
(24:33):
a week ago. My physician toldme I had but a few months to
live. After I once got overthe shock, I suddenly felt free to
do what a hundred ruined stockholders wantedto do and we couldn't. I could
easily have come to your office andkilled you, Gerald, but I didn't
want you to die so easily.Knowing you as well as I do,
(24:53):
I began to plan your future foryou. My plan began the day I
can to your office with a deaththreat and the hat with a bullet hole
in it. You reacted just asI knew you would. You bribed the
detective I'd hired. When I appearedat your office this morning and showed you
(25:14):
the second letter I'd received saying Idied to night at midnight. You laughed
at me for trying to extort moneyfrom you. That too, I had
planned on. In one hour,it will be midnight, and according to
my plan for you, I mustbe murdered. I am going to slash
myself with a knife, Gerald,and then go to your home to die.
(25:38):
You're going to watch me die,Gerald, and no fear as you've
never known it before. After I'mgone, you will begin to receive the
same kind of threatening letters which Isent myself. You will run away,
Gerald, but wherever you go aletter will find you. You'll be come
(26:00):
insanely frightened, and in time you'llturn on the only person who could be
logically betraying your movements, Jason.If things work out as I've planned,
a great fear in you will driveyou to kill him. When you're in
prison, waiting for the end,you'll receive this letter and at last know
(26:22):
which one of the stockholders made youpay for your crimes, Martin Scott.
No, no, it can't be. But it is, mister Morgan.
But if Jason didn't send me thoseletters, who did you? Forget,
mister Morgan, that I know whereto find you. You Adjason sent me
telegrams and they were easy to trace. Then it was you who sent those
letters. Yes, I was theone who carried out Martin Scott's plan.
(26:45):
But I bought you, gave youthousands of dollars. All of your checks
were torn up. Martin Scott wasmy friend. You can't do this to
me. You can save me ifyou want to. I'm rich. I'll
pay you any amount of money youwant. Listen to me. You'll have
to leave now. It's almost noWalker, you can't. You can't let
them kill me. I'llbay you anything, anything, Walker. And so ends
(27:14):
the tale Murderer Unknown, as itis written in the Sealed Book At Midnight,
Gerald Morgan was executed in the ElectricChair Twisted Indeed, or the Strands
of Fate, in which Destiny entanglesmere Mortals. And now, keeper of
(28:37):
the book, before you close thegreat volume, show us the tale we
tell next time? This one?Ah, Yes, the tale of a
human derelict who one night stumbled intoa pawnshop and there sold five years of
his life to a strange and mysteriouspawnbroker. The tale is called Time on
(29:03):
My Hands. Be sure to bewith us again next time when the sound
of the Great Gong heralds another strangeand exciting tale from the Seal Book.
(29:32):
The Sealed Book, produced and directedby Jack MacGregor, is written by Bob
Arthur and David Cogan.
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