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.
(00:09):
The Seal Book once again. TheKeeper of the Book has opened the ponderous
(00:33):
door to the secret vault, whereinhas kept the Great Sealed Book, in
which has recorded all the secrets andmysteries of mankind through the ages. Here
are tales of every kind, talesof murder, of madness, of dark
deeds, strange and terrible, beyondall belief. Keeper of the Book,
(00:57):
I would know what tale we tellthis time. Open the great book and
let us read. Slowly. Thegreat Book opens one by one. The
Keeper of the Book turns the pagesand stops ah the strange story of a
(01:22):
man who rolls from a watery graveto accuse the living of his murder,
a tale titled You Only Die Once. Here is the tale You Only Die
(02:25):
Once, as it is written inthe pages of the Sealed Book. The
story begins some years ago in thebeautiful Winthrop mansion on the Hudson River.
It is early evening and John Winthrop, just home from the city, enters
the drawing room to find his wifeVivian, reading a telegram. Who's the
(02:47):
telegram from, Oh John, isfrom my brother Jerry. He's arriving tonight
from Los Angeles. His train getsinto Grand Central at ten o'clock. What's
fun. I'm very anxious to meetyour brother, Darling. Oh, John,
you'll love him. Jerry's a grandperson. I'm sure he is,
Vivian if he's anything like his sister. Oh, for that, you deserve
a kiss. Oh John, I'mso excited about Jerry's visit. Well,
(03:10):
heaving Jerry here makes you so happy. We'll have to make his stay a
permanent one. Come on, Darling, let's go to dinner. Mister Norton
is here, sir, Hello Jerry, come in. I'm John, your
(03:30):
brother in law. Hello John,Jerry. Oh Jerry, Oh, it's
so good to see you again.Oh, stand back and let me look
at the bride, Vivian. I'venever seen you looking so beautiful. No,
John, you know why I'm sofond of Jerry. Oh Jerry,
dear, what suddenly made you decideto come east? You said nothing about
(03:50):
it in your last letter. Well, you know your brother always making quick
decisions. I gave up my positionin Los Angeles to come east when I
intend to settle down and find ajob in New York. In New York,
Oh Jerry, that's wonderful. John, did you hear that, yes,
darling, and I think it's afine idea. As I recall,
Jerry Vivian said you were an executive. That's right. Well, then I
(04:12):
think I've got your position. Youmean you know of an opening or with
whom myself? You Yes. Forthe past week or so, I've been
contemplating hiring an assistant. My doctortold me I was over working and needed
one. Well, there's nothing seriouslywrong with you, I hope No.
No, just as my heart achesup a bit now and then when I've
been working too hard. Well,what do you say, Jerry? Will
(04:33):
you accept the position? All right? John? And I'll do my best
to be of real assistance to you. No, you don't know how happy
this all makes me. John.Do you think Jerry might come here and
live with us? I think that'san excellent idea if Jerry's agreeable. Well,
there's nothing I'd rather do. Butwell, are you sure I won't
be in the way Jerry? Ofcourse not, John, and I would
(04:56):
love to have you lived with us. Of course we would. All right,
then, thank you both very much. Go then it's all saddled.
Well, I must be off tobed. It's almost midnight, and I
promise my doctor, I'd be inbed every night by eleven yep, shortly,
John, h take your time,Vivian. I'm sure you two have
a good deal to talk over.Good night, Jared, good night John.
(05:18):
Well sis have you been? Oh, darling? If you only knew
how much I've missed you these pastmonths? Well aren't you even going to
kiss me? Of course, Darling, Darling, I've waited a long time
for this. Seems years. It'sonly been six months. Have you been
(05:41):
doing, Darling? Not bad?Not bad at all. See this diamond
bracelet was my wedding present from John. What else have you gotten? Two
other bracelets, a necklace and fourrings? What's it all worth? Master?
A little over one hundred thousand?Not bad considering you've been married three
months? How much longer will Ihave to go on keeping up the act?
(06:03):
Oh, Jerry, never give upa gold mine until it's played out.
And unless I miss my guests,John is still good for plenty more.
He's a very rich man exactly,So you and I are staying here
until we've worked John forevery cent youcan get, and when the time is
ripe, you'll sue for a divorceand a big cash settlement. A few
(06:32):
months went by, months in whichJohn Winter found himself increasingly happy. Vivian
was all that he'd ever dreamed of, and a wife, and Jerry as
his business assistant was invaluable. Itis happiness. John Lavish gifts on his
wife and paid Jerry an exceedingly handsomesalary. The three lived in complete harmony
(06:57):
until one night, one night,late in September. Is that you,
Jerry? Yes? How are you? Says in seventh heavens, Jerry?
Why didn't you tell me John wasleaving for Chicago tomorrow morning. Well,
he didn't make up his mind untillate this afternoon at the office. Where
is he now? He's looking highand low for some papers in a brown
(07:18):
envelope. Oh, it must bethe Anderson papers he wants. I have
him right here in this briefcase.So where is he? I'll give him
to him. He's up in yourroom, up in my room. Yes,
when he couldn't find the papers inthe study, went upstairs, see
if they were in your desk,in my desk? Yes, Jerry?
Is anything wrong? I don't know. Let me see. Did I lock
my desk this morning before I leftfor the office or didn't I what difference
(07:41):
does it make? What difference doesit make? Makes all the difference in
the world if he should. Youseem to be quite upset, Jerry.
Is it because you were afraid Ifound your desk unlocked I might come across
these, so you've found them?Huh? Yes? What do you have
there, John? Merely some newspaperclippings. Bin. Allow me to read
(08:01):
you a couple. The first oneis dated five years ago. It's from
a New Orleans paper. Underneath thepicture of Jerry and you, it reads,
mister and missus Philip Gordon arrested forten thousand dollar jewelry theft at Marti
Gras Park. Where did you getthat clipping? I found it, along
with several others in Jerry's or shouldI say, Philip's desk? Allow me
(08:22):
to read you another clipping. Misterand missus Phillip Gordon, who pleaded guilty
to the ten thousand dollar Mardi Grasjewel theft, were to day's sentenced to
prison by Judge Sawyer. Philip Gordonreceived a sentence of three to five here
any more stop it you here.It was very clever of you two to
pretend to be brother and sister,when actually you are a man and wife.
No doubt, some time in thefuture, Vivian must divorce me and
(08:43):
receive a handsome cash settlement. Yes, that's right, we had planned that,
but our plans seem to have beenspoiled. What are you intend doing?
I am not going to Chicago tomorrow morning. Instead, I'm going
to see my attorney and prosecute youboth to the full extent of the law.
Oh, I wouldn't do that,Yes, John, Think of your
reputation and your family name. They'dbe dragged in the mud if this ever
(09:05):
came out. You wouldn't want tosee that happen, would you. You
think you can blackmail me into silence, don't you? No, you're wrong.
Come what may, I'm going tosee to it that you're both punished.
He seems ill, he does.I'm perfectly all right. I think
we've said everything that's to be said. I'm through with words now. First
(09:30):
thing in the morning, I'm goingto see my attorney and have you both
exposed. You are going to learnyou you made a fool, the wrong
man. And now, to continuethe story, you'll only die once.
(11:24):
As it is written in the sealedbook. After John had gone to bed,
Jerry silently paced up and down thedrawing room, trying to figure a
way out of their dilemma. Vivianwatched him anxiously, her face pale and
drawn. If John goes to hisattorney in the morning, it'll mean stiff
(11:45):
prison sentences for the two of us. You can be sure of that,
Jerry. I couldn't stand going toprison again to be separated from you.
If they send me to prison,I'll die. You know how I feel,
Darling the same way. There's onlyone way out, one way out.
Yes, we must see to itthat John doesn't go to his attorney
(12:05):
in the morning. Room, Jerry, you don't mean Oh no, Jerry,
no, we don't get rid ofhim. It'll mean prison. Do
you prefer that? Oh no no, But I'm so afraid. There's nothing
to be afraid of. I havea scheme, a scheme that can't miss
if we play our cards right,Are you sure positive? The best thing
about it is its simplicity. Whatis this scheme of yours? John's gun
is in that desk over there.I'll use it to get rid of him.
(12:28):
Once that's done, you and Iwill carry him down to the boat
house. To the boat house.Yes, there, I'll fasten some weights
securely to the body. Then we'lltake him out in the launch to the
deepest part of the river and drophim in. The weights will take him
to the bottom and keep him there. But Jerry, in a few days
they'll start looking for him. They'lldrag the river. They'll start looking for
(12:48):
him. But they won't drag theriver. For as far as the police
are concerned, John will have goneto Chicago. But how are you going
to make him believe that? Verysimple? I have here John's ticket on
the six thirty train tomorrow morning forChicago. After we've disposed of the body,
you'll drive me to Grand Central stationor out board the train as John
Winthrop. But Jerry, you couldnever pass as John. You're so much
(13:11):
younger. Nonsense. John and Iare about the same height and build.
If I were to wear John's glassesand a false mustache in the early morning
light, no one would notice thedifference. You wouldn't actually go to Chicago,
would you? Of course? Not. After I had made sure that
I was seen by the conductor andthe porter at the station, I'd i'd
secretly slip off the train at thefirst stop. Oh, I see.
(13:33):
A few days later we'd notify thepolice that John had gone to Chicago,
and we were worried as we hadn'theard from him. Blade naturally checked to
see if he'd taken the train.The conductor and porter would satisfy them on
that score. The police would begina nationwide search. But Darling, they'll
ask questions, hundreds of questions.All we have to say is that you
(13:54):
drove John to Grand Central station andwatched him leave on the train to Chicago.
Stick to that story and we're safe. Do you understand. Oh yes,
Jerry. Remember that's all you know. John got the six thirty train
for Chicago, and that was thelast you saw of him. All right,
Darling, I won't slip up.That's the spirit. Now it's just
(14:15):
eleven o'clock. We'll wait two hoursto give John a chance to fall asleep.
At one o'clock we'll go up tohis room and do what must be
done. You have said, Vivian. Yes, I'll opened the door right
(14:43):
now. He sound asleep, Yes, just told that flashlight. Steady,
hurry, Darling, hurry, quiet, it's all over, Jerry. Is
he did? Yes? He neverknew what happened. I'm glad he didn't
wake up until glad he was soundasleep. Now you pick him up by
(15:07):
the feet and I get him underthe shoulders. The next step for John
is the boat house. The river'sthe deepest, just about fifty yards from
(15:28):
here, Jerry, and that's theplace for us. Cut the mortar when
we reach it. Were just aboutthere, Jerry, I'll cut the engine.
Who'll drift the rest of the way. You'll have to give me a
hand with him, Vivian, withthese weights around him, he's quite heavy,
all right. What do you wantme to do? You take his
feet while I take him by theshoulders. When I give the word,
(15:52):
we both lift and toss him overthe side. You ready, yes?
Then lift? Oh, Jerry,O heavy, just a little more.
That's it now I'll drop him.Well, Darling, that's the last of
(16:14):
mister John Winthrop. Now we betterbe getting back to shore. It's still
quite a bit that remains to bedone. Keep your hat pulled down in
your collar up Cherry right upon me, conductor, But can you tell me
where my compartment is? The nameis Winthrop, John Winthrop. Have you
(16:40):
taken mister winterp you have it,don't you, darling. Yes, here
it is, conductor. Let's seecar three four seven six. That's this
car right here. You just goaboard. The porter will show you your
compartment. Thank you, conductor.That's quite right. I think we can
count on him to remember I goton this train. I'll pick you up
at one hundred and twenty fifth Streetstation. Right, I'll wait you right.
(17:00):
Good bye, John, take careof yourself. I will live in
I'll phone you tomorrow night from Chicago. John, I won't fine here.
(17:22):
I am Jerry. Come on,let's get in the car and away from
here, all right? Did everythinggo all right? Perfectly? After the
train pulled out of Grand Central.I had the porter show me to my
compartment. I told him I hadn'tslept for twenty four hours, and I
I didn't want to be disturbed untilwe reached Chicago. Didn't forget to give
him a tip, did you?No? I gave him a five dollar
(17:44):
tip, just as we'd plan.Don't worry that porter will remember me.
Good. You're certain no one sawyou slip off the traines now, I'm
positive I just I took off mydisguise before I left the compartment. Everything's
working out just as I planned.All we have to do is sit tight
for a few days. Then whyare the men in Chicago who had appointments
with John when they tell us thatJohn never kept his appointments. We'll get
(18:08):
in touch with the police, andwith tears in your eyes, you will
beg the police to find your missinghusband an apple and now to continue the
(20:02):
story, You'll only die once,as it is written in the Sealed Book.
Following Jerry's plan, two days afterJohn's death, Vivian notified the police
that her husband was missing. Shortlyafterwards, she was called on by Lieutenant
Richards of the Missing Persons Bureau.You say, missus Winthrop, the last
(20:25):
you saw of your husband was whenhe boarded the train for Chicago. Yes,
Lieutenant, I waved to him asthe train pulled out of the station.
That was the last time I saw. A week passed, and then
(20:45):
two, but the police found notrace of John Winthrop. It was as
though he had vanished off the faceof the earth after he had boarded the
train for Chicago. The noted financierwas reported seen in half a dozen cis
these all over the country, buteach report turned out to be false.
The newspapers played up the strange disappearanceof John Winthrop, but after he had
(21:08):
been missing a week, the storylost its interest for the public and was
quickly forgotten. When two weeks hadpassed, Jerry took Vivian, who was
on the verge of a nervous breakdown, away for the rest. Making no
secret of their destination. They wentto John's mountain lodge, high on the
Adirondacks. Would you like a cocktail, Vivian? Yes? Jerry, Oh
(21:32):
Darling, isn't it wonderful being uphere, just the two of us lacks
only one thing to be perfect.Music. Let there be music, and
let the wine flow freely altered onthe radio, here's looking at your baby,
and here's to our good luck.May we always have it? Oh
is sitting pretty? Someday the policeare going to give up looking for John,
(21:55):
and then you're going to become avery, very wealthy widow. Do
you really think so, Jacky,Because naturally it'll take time. But we
interrupt this program to bring you aspecial news report. At ten twenty thirty
five this morning, New York Harborpolice found the body of the missing financier
John Winthrop in the Hudson River offfifty fourth Street. The dead man had
been shot on the head, andthe police believe he was murdered. They
(22:15):
are looking for his wife, missusVivian Winthrop, and Jerome Norton, her
brother, for questioning for further details. Listening on our regular news period,
Jerry, how could they have foundhim? How could they? I tied
those weights securely, but somehow thebody must have slipped out of the ropes
and come to the surface. Er, what are we going to do?
You heard what that announcers said?The police are looking for it. Yes,
I know. Once they take ourfinger prints, it'll be the end.
(22:37):
They learn about New Orleans and thatthat we aren't brother and sister.
Jerry, we just can't stay here. We've got to run for it before
they catches. Run. Where canwe run to? I don't know,
Mexico, South America? Any placewe have my jewels, they're worth over
one hundred thousand dollars, Yes,but what good are they? What we
need is cash, and all Ihave with me is three hundred dollars.
We don't dare go to your bank. They pick us up immediately. Whyn't
you there someplace We'll be able tosell my jewelry. I pack my things
(23:00):
at once, Vivian. There's nosense in running away. How far do
you think we'd get. The policeare probably on their way here already,
Jerry. What's wrong with you?We've got to run away. There's no
other way out. There is anotherway out if we're willing to take it.
What way is that the easiest andsimplest way out of all troubles,
darling? Susie, Oh no,Jerry. Would you rather go to the
(23:22):
chair or even worse, be sentencedto life imprisonment? Life imprisonment? Oh
no, I couldn't stand it.Don't you see, Darling, we have
no choice. We're gamblers who playedfor high stakes and lost. Jerry.
I'm afraid. I'm so afraid.It's better than running behind bars for the
rest of our lives. Don't youagree with me, Darling? I know
you're right, Jerry that I don'twant to die. I want to live,
(23:45):
wife, Vivian. But do youhear sirens, Jerry? The police
they're here already. Yes, policecar and two motorcycle police are coming up
the road. They'll be here ina minute or two, Jerry, Jerry,
what are we going to do.We have the choice of going back
with them and standing trial for murderor the other. You know what my
(24:06):
choice is? Ah, how areyou going to do it? Poisoned tablets?
I have them here, but carrythem a long time against just such
a moment as this will, willwe suffer much? No, Darling,
a moment or two then it willbe all over. The police are almost
here. We haven't much time,all right, Jerry? Now your being
(24:27):
the good loser that I always knewyou were. Here's a tablet for you,
Darling, one for me? Willone be enough? Eyes? More
than enough? Don't be afraid,Vivian, do it quickly without thinking about
it. Here here, I'll takemine first, Now you take yours?
(24:48):
All right, Jerry? That's it? Eh? That wasn't so hard,
was it? No? Well,Darling, hey here that nothing they can
do or say can matter to usany more. We've beaten them. Do
you understand they can't touch us?Yes, Jerry, I'll let them in
(25:08):
now, Hello, lieutenant, comein, come in. You remember missus
Winthrop, don't you? You canstop the acting? Norton or should I
say Gordon? We know who youand missus Winthrop are. Oh so you've
already found out. Huh. Yes, we did some fast checking this morning
after Winthrop's body was fished out ofthe harbor. I'm going to have to
(25:30):
take you both back to headquarters.I'm afraid you're a little late, Lieutenant,
A little late. Yes, yousee, a minute or so before
you arrived, my wife and Itook poison tablets. Hu In a very
little while, we'll both be wellout of your reach. Slogan, Get
the first aid kit from the squadcar. You're wasting your time, Lieutenant.
You're never going to send us toprison for John Winthrop's murder. Murder.
(25:51):
We don't want you for Winthrop's murder. You don't want us for John's
murder. No, for the simplereason he wasn't murdered. What what are
you saying? I shot and killedhim myself. You only think you did
an autopsy this morning showed that JohnWinthrop died of heart failure. All you
did was put a bullet into acorpse about an hour later. You mean,
give mean he was already dead deadwhen I shot him. Yes,
(26:15):
that's right, Lieutenant, help us. Don't let me car I get reason,
Help me, lieutenant, don't letus die save us, Save us,
don't well, it's the first ticket. It's two, late Graham,
(26:37):
You mean they did. Yes,the chief only wanted them for questioning.
But if ever two people deserve todie, they did. There was murder
in their hearts. Yet, I'llbe dog gone. If the law would
have been able to do anything tothem, we couldn't have held them for
murder. Yeah, that's right.It would have been hard to make a
charge of biger me stick with Winthromdead. I guess about the only thing
(27:00):
we could have held them for wasmutilation and illegal transportation of a corpse.
Yes, sir, just as surehas a strange way of working itself out.
(27:21):
And so ends the tale. You'llonly die once. As it is
written in the Sealed Book, theuncanny hand of fate reached out for the
two who had ruthlessly planned the deathof an innocent man and doomed them to
die through their own actions. Mh. And now keep her of the
(28:47):
book before you close the great volume. Show us the tale we tell next
time? This one, ah,Yes, a weird and magic of a
strange life and an even stranger death, and of a murder terrible beyond all
(29:08):
belief. Be sure to be withus again next time when the sound of
the Great Gong heralds another strange andexciting tale from The Seal Book. The
(29:41):
Sealed Book, produced and directed byJock McGregor, is written by Bob Arthur
and David Cogan.
The Seal Book once again. TheKeeper of the Book has opened the ponderous
(00:33):
door to the secret vault, whereinhas kept the Great Sealed Book, in
which has recorded all the secrets andmysteries of mankind through the ages. Here
are tales of every kind, talesof murder, of madness, of dark
deeds, strange and terrible, beyondall belief. Keeper of the Book,
(00:57):
I would know what tale we tellthis time. Open the great book and
let us read. Slowly. Thegreat Book opens one by one. The
Keeper of the Book turns the pagesand stops ah the strange story of a
(01:22):
man who rolls from a watery graveto accuse the living of his murder,
a tale titled You Only Die Once. Here is the tale You Only Die
(02:25):
Once, as it is written inthe pages of the Sealed Book. The
story begins some years ago in thebeautiful Winthrop mansion on the Hudson River.
It is early evening and John Winthrop, just home from the city, enters
the drawing room to find his wifeVivian, reading a telegram. Who's the
(02:47):
telegram from, Oh John, isfrom my brother Jerry. He's arriving tonight
from Los Angeles. His train getsinto Grand Central at ten o'clock. What's
fun. I'm very anxious to meetyour brother, Darling. Oh, John,
you'll love him. Jerry's a grandperson. I'm sure he is,
Vivian if he's anything like his sister. Oh, for that, you deserve
a kiss. Oh John, I'mso excited about Jerry's visit. Well,
(03:10):
heaving Jerry here makes you so happy. We'll have to make his stay a
permanent one. Come on, Darling, let's go to dinner. Mister Norton
is here, sir, Hello Jerry, come in. I'm John, your
(03:30):
brother in law. Hello John,Jerry. Oh Jerry, Oh, it's
so good to see you again.Oh, stand back and let me look
at the bride, Vivian. I'venever seen you looking so beautiful. No,
John, you know why I'm sofond of Jerry. Oh Jerry,
dear, what suddenly made you decideto come east? You said nothing about
(03:50):
it in your last letter. Well, you know your brother always making quick
decisions. I gave up my positionin Los Angeles to come east when I
intend to settle down and find ajob in New York. In New York,
Oh Jerry, that's wonderful. John, did you hear that, yes,
darling, and I think it's afine idea. As I recall,
Jerry Vivian said you were an executive. That's right. Well, then I
(04:12):
think I've got your position. Youmean you know of an opening or with
whom myself? You Yes. Forthe past week or so, I've been
contemplating hiring an assistant. My doctortold me I was over working and needed
one. Well, there's nothing seriouslywrong with you, I hope No.
No, just as my heart achesup a bit now and then when I've
been working too hard. Well,what do you say, Jerry? Will
(04:33):
you accept the position? All right? John? And I'll do my best
to be of real assistance to you. No, you don't know how happy
this all makes me. John.Do you think Jerry might come here and
live with us? I think that'san excellent idea if Jerry's agreeable. Well,
there's nothing I'd rather do. Butwell, are you sure I won't
be in the way Jerry? Ofcourse not, John, and I would
(04:56):
love to have you lived with us. Of course we would. All right,
then, thank you both very much. Go then it's all saddled.
Well, I must be off tobed. It's almost midnight, and I
promise my doctor, I'd be inbed every night by eleven yep, shortly,
John, h take your time,Vivian. I'm sure you two have
a good deal to talk over.Good night, Jared, good night John.
(05:18):
Well sis have you been? Oh, darling? If you only knew
how much I've missed you these pastmonths? Well aren't you even going to
kiss me? Of course, Darling, Darling, I've waited a long time
for this. Seems years. It'sonly been six months. Have you been
(05:41):
doing, Darling? Not bad?Not bad at all. See this diamond
bracelet was my wedding present from John. What else have you gotten? Two
other bracelets, a necklace and fourrings? What's it all worth? Master?
A little over one hundred thousand?Not bad considering you've been married three
months? How much longer will Ihave to go on keeping up the act?
(06:03):
Oh, Jerry, never give upa gold mine until it's played out.
And unless I miss my guests,John is still good for plenty more.
He's a very rich man exactly,So you and I are staying here
until we've worked John forevery cent youcan get, and when the time is
ripe, you'll sue for a divorceand a big cash settlement. A few
(06:32):
months went by, months in whichJohn Winter found himself increasingly happy. Vivian
was all that he'd ever dreamed of, and a wife, and Jerry as
his business assistant was invaluable. Itis happiness. John Lavish gifts on his
wife and paid Jerry an exceedingly handsomesalary. The three lived in complete harmony
(06:57):
until one night, one night,late in September. Is that you,
Jerry? Yes? How are you? Says in seventh heavens, Jerry?
Why didn't you tell me John wasleaving for Chicago tomorrow morning. Well,
he didn't make up his mind untillate this afternoon at the office. Where
is he now? He's looking highand low for some papers in a brown
(07:18):
envelope. Oh, it must bethe Anderson papers he wants. I have
him right here in this briefcase.So where is he? I'll give him
to him. He's up in yourroom, up in my room. Yes,
when he couldn't find the papers inthe study, went upstairs, see
if they were in your desk,in my desk? Yes, Jerry?
Is anything wrong? I don't know. Let me see. Did I lock
my desk this morning before I leftfor the office or didn't I what difference
(07:41):
does it make? What difference doesit make? Makes all the difference in
the world if he should. Youseem to be quite upset, Jerry.
Is it because you were afraid Ifound your desk unlocked I might come across
these, so you've found them?Huh? Yes? What do you have
there, John? Merely some newspaperclippings. Bin. Allow me to read
(08:01):
you a couple. The first oneis dated five years ago. It's from
a New Orleans paper. Underneath thepicture of Jerry and you, it reads,
mister and missus Philip Gordon arrested forten thousand dollar jewelry theft at Marti
Gras Park. Where did you getthat clipping? I found it, along
with several others in Jerry's or shouldI say, Philip's desk? Allow me
(08:22):
to read you another clipping. Misterand missus Phillip Gordon, who pleaded guilty
to the ten thousand dollar Mardi Grasjewel theft, were to day's sentenced to
prison by Judge Sawyer. Philip Gordonreceived a sentence of three to five here
any more stop it you here.It was very clever of you two to
pretend to be brother and sister,when actually you are a man and wife.
No doubt, some time in thefuture, Vivian must divorce me and
(08:43):
receive a handsome cash settlement. Yes, that's right, we had planned that,
but our plans seem to have beenspoiled. What are you intend doing?
I am not going to Chicago tomorrow morning. Instead, I'm going
to see my attorney and prosecute youboth to the full extent of the law.
Oh, I wouldn't do that,Yes, John, Think of your
reputation and your family name. They'dbe dragged in the mud if this ever
(09:05):
came out. You wouldn't want tosee that happen, would you. You
think you can blackmail me into silence, don't you? No, you're wrong.
Come what may, I'm going tosee to it that you're both punished.
He seems ill, he does.I'm perfectly all right. I think
we've said everything that's to be said. I'm through with words now. First
(09:30):
thing in the morning, I'm goingto see my attorney and have you both
exposed. You are going to learnyou you made a fool, the wrong
man. And now, to continuethe story, you'll only die once.
(11:24):
As it is written in the sealedbook. After John had gone to bed,
Jerry silently paced up and down thedrawing room, trying to figure a
way out of their dilemma. Vivianwatched him anxiously, her face pale and
drawn. If John goes to hisattorney in the morning, it'll mean stiff
(11:45):
prison sentences for the two of us. You can be sure of that,
Jerry. I couldn't stand going toprison again to be separated from you.
If they send me to prison,I'll die. You know how I feel,
Darling the same way. There's onlyone way out, one way out.
Yes, we must see to itthat John doesn't go to his attorney
(12:05):
in the morning. Room, Jerry, you don't mean Oh no, Jerry,
no, we don't get rid ofhim. It'll mean prison. Do
you prefer that? Oh no no, But I'm so afraid. There's nothing
to be afraid of. I havea scheme, a scheme that can't miss
if we play our cards right,Are you sure positive? The best thing
about it is its simplicity. Whatis this scheme of yours? John's gun
is in that desk over there.I'll use it to get rid of him.
(12:28):
Once that's done, you and Iwill carry him down to the boat
house. To the boat house.Yes, there, I'll fasten some weights
securely to the body. Then we'lltake him out in the launch to the
deepest part of the river and drophim in. The weights will take him
to the bottom and keep him there. But Jerry, in a few days
they'll start looking for him. They'lldrag the river. They'll start looking for
(12:48):
him. But they won't drag theriver. For as far as the police
are concerned, John will have goneto Chicago. But how are you going
to make him believe that? Verysimple? I have here John's ticket on
the six thirty train tomorrow morning forChicago. After we've disposed of the body,
you'll drive me to Grand Central stationor out board the train as John
Winthrop. But Jerry, you couldnever pass as John. You're so much
(13:11):
younger. Nonsense. John and Iare about the same height and build.
If I were to wear John's glassesand a false mustache in the early morning
light, no one would notice thedifference. You wouldn't actually go to Chicago,
would you? Of course? Not. After I had made sure that
I was seen by the conductor andthe porter at the station, I'd i'd
secretly slip off the train at thefirst stop. Oh, I see.
(13:33):
A few days later we'd notify thepolice that John had gone to Chicago,
and we were worried as we hadn'theard from him. Blade naturally checked to
see if he'd taken the train.The conductor and porter would satisfy them on
that score. The police would begina nationwide search. But Darling, they'll
ask questions, hundreds of questions.All we have to say is that you
(13:54):
drove John to Grand Central station andwatched him leave on the train to Chicago.
Stick to that story and we're safe. Do you understand. Oh yes,
Jerry. Remember that's all you know. John got the six thirty train
for Chicago, and that was thelast you saw of him. All right,
Darling, I won't slip up.That's the spirit. Now it's just
(14:15):
eleven o'clock. We'll wait two hoursto give John a chance to fall asleep.
At one o'clock we'll go up tohis room and do what must be
done. You have said, Vivian. Yes, I'll opened the door right
(14:43):
now. He sound asleep, Yes, just told that flashlight. Steady,
hurry, Darling, hurry, quiet, it's all over, Jerry. Is
he did? Yes? He neverknew what happened. I'm glad he didn't
wake up until glad he was soundasleep. Now you pick him up by
(15:07):
the feet and I get him underthe shoulders. The next step for John
is the boat house. The river'sthe deepest, just about fifty yards from
(15:28):
here, Jerry, and that's theplace for us. Cut the mortar when
we reach it. Were just aboutthere, Jerry, I'll cut the engine.
Who'll drift the rest of the way. You'll have to give me a
hand with him, Vivian, withthese weights around him, he's quite heavy,
all right. What do you wantme to do? You take his
feet while I take him by theshoulders. When I give the word,
(15:52):
we both lift and toss him overthe side. You ready, yes?
Then lift? Oh, Jerry,O heavy, just a little more.
That's it now I'll drop him.Well, Darling, that's the last of
(16:14):
mister John Winthrop. Now we betterbe getting back to shore. It's still
quite a bit that remains to bedone. Keep your hat pulled down in
your collar up Cherry right upon me, conductor, But can you tell me
where my compartment is? The nameis Winthrop, John Winthrop. Have you
(16:40):
taken mister winterp you have it,don't you, darling. Yes, here
it is, conductor. Let's seecar three four seven six. That's this
car right here. You just goaboard. The porter will show you your
compartment. Thank you, conductor.That's quite right. I think we can
count on him to remember I goton this train. I'll pick you up
at one hundred and twenty fifth Streetstation. Right, I'll wait you right.
(17:00):
Good bye, John, take careof yourself. I will live in
I'll phone you tomorrow night from Chicago. John, I won't fine here.
(17:22):
I am Jerry. Come on,let's get in the car and away from
here, all right? Did everythinggo all right? Perfectly? After the
train pulled out of Grand Central.I had the porter show me to my
compartment. I told him I hadn'tslept for twenty four hours, and I
I didn't want to be disturbed untilwe reached Chicago. Didn't forget to give
him a tip, did you?No? I gave him a five dollar
(17:44):
tip, just as we'd plan.Don't worry that porter will remember me.
Good. You're certain no one sawyou slip off the traines now, I'm
positive I just I took off mydisguise before I left the compartment. Everything's
working out just as I planned.All we have to do is sit tight
for a few days. Then whyare the men in Chicago who had appointments
with John when they tell us thatJohn never kept his appointments. We'll get
(18:08):
in touch with the police, andwith tears in your eyes, you will
beg the police to find your missinghusband an apple and now to continue the
(20:02):
story, You'll only die once,as it is written in the Sealed Book.
Following Jerry's plan, two days afterJohn's death, Vivian notified the police
that her husband was missing. Shortlyafterwards, she was called on by Lieutenant
Richards of the Missing Persons Bureau.You say, missus Winthrop, the last
(20:25):
you saw of your husband was whenhe boarded the train for Chicago. Yes,
Lieutenant, I waved to him asthe train pulled out of the station.
That was the last time I saw. A week passed, and then
(20:45):
two, but the police found notrace of John Winthrop. It was as
though he had vanished off the faceof the earth after he had boarded the
train for Chicago. The noted financierwas reported seen in half a dozen cis
these all over the country, buteach report turned out to be false.
The newspapers played up the strange disappearanceof John Winthrop, but after he had
(21:08):
been missing a week, the storylost its interest for the public and was
quickly forgotten. When two weeks hadpassed, Jerry took Vivian, who was
on the verge of a nervous breakdown, away for the rest. Making no
secret of their destination. They wentto John's mountain lodge, high on the
Adirondacks. Would you like a cocktail, Vivian? Yes? Jerry, Oh
(21:32):
Darling, isn't it wonderful being uphere, just the two of us lacks
only one thing to be perfect.Music. Let there be music, and
let the wine flow freely altered onthe radio, here's looking at your baby,
and here's to our good luck.May we always have it? Oh
is sitting pretty? Someday the policeare going to give up looking for John,
(21:55):
and then you're going to become avery, very wealthy widow. Do
you really think so, Jacky,Because naturally it'll take time. But we
interrupt this program to bring you aspecial news report. At ten twenty thirty
five this morning, New York Harborpolice found the body of the missing financier
John Winthrop in the Hudson River offfifty fourth Street. The dead man had
been shot on the head, andthe police believe he was murdered. They
(22:15):
are looking for his wife, missusVivian Winthrop, and Jerome Norton, her
brother, for questioning for further details. Listening on our regular news period,
Jerry, how could they have foundhim? How could they? I tied
those weights securely, but somehow thebody must have slipped out of the ropes
and come to the surface. Er, what are we going to do?
You heard what that announcers said?The police are looking for it. Yes,
I know. Once they take ourfinger prints, it'll be the end.
(22:37):
They learn about New Orleans and thatthat we aren't brother and sister.
Jerry, we just can't stay here. We've got to run for it before
they catches. Run. Where canwe run to? I don't know,
Mexico, South America? Any placewe have my jewels, they're worth over
one hundred thousand dollars, Yes,but what good are they? What we
need is cash, and all Ihave with me is three hundred dollars.
We don't dare go to your bank. They pick us up immediately. Whyn't
you there someplace We'll be able tosell my jewelry. I pack my things
(23:00):
at once, Vivian. There's nosense in running away. How far do
you think we'd get. The policeare probably on their way here already,
Jerry. What's wrong with you?We've got to run away. There's no
other way out. There is anotherway out if we're willing to take it.
What way is that the easiest andsimplest way out of all troubles,
darling? Susie, Oh no,Jerry. Would you rather go to the
(23:22):
chair or even worse, be sentencedto life imprisonment? Life imprisonment? Oh
no, I couldn't stand it.Don't you see, Darling, we have
no choice. We're gamblers who playedfor high stakes and lost. Jerry.
I'm afraid. I'm so afraid.It's better than running behind bars for the
rest of our lives. Don't youagree with me, Darling? I know
you're right, Jerry that I don'twant to die. I want to live,
(23:45):
wife, Vivian. But do youhear sirens, Jerry? The police
they're here already. Yes, policecar and two motorcycle police are coming up
the road. They'll be here ina minute or two, Jerry, Jerry,
what are we going to do.We have the choice of going back
with them and standing trial for murderor the other. You know what my
(24:06):
choice is? Ah, how areyou going to do it? Poisoned tablets?
I have them here, but carrythem a long time against just such
a moment as this will, willwe suffer much? No, Darling,
a moment or two then it willbe all over. The police are almost
here. We haven't much time,all right, Jerry? Now your being
(24:27):
the good loser that I always knewyou were. Here's a tablet for you,
Darling, one for me? Willone be enough? Eyes? More
than enough? Don't be afraid,Vivian, do it quickly without thinking about
it. Here here, I'll takemine first, Now you take yours?
(24:48):
All right, Jerry? That's it? Eh? That wasn't so hard,
was it? No? Well,Darling, hey here that nothing they can
do or say can matter to usany more. We've beaten them. Do
you understand they can't touch us?Yes, Jerry, I'll let them in
(25:08):
now, Hello, lieutenant, comein, come in. You remember missus
Winthrop, don't you? You canstop the acting? Norton or should I
say Gordon? We know who youand missus Winthrop are. Oh so you've
already found out. Huh. Yes, we did some fast checking this morning
after Winthrop's body was fished out ofthe harbor. I'm going to have to
(25:30):
take you both back to headquarters.I'm afraid you're a little late, Lieutenant,
A little late. Yes, yousee, a minute or so before
you arrived, my wife and Itook poison tablets. Hu In a very
little while, we'll both be wellout of your reach. Slogan, Get
the first aid kit from the squadcar. You're wasting your time, Lieutenant.
You're never going to send us toprison for John Winthrop's murder. Murder.
(25:51):
We don't want you for Winthrop's murder. You don't want us for John's
murder. No, for the simplereason he wasn't murdered. What what are
you saying? I shot and killedhim myself. You only think you did
an autopsy this morning showed that JohnWinthrop died of heart failure. All you
did was put a bullet into acorpse about an hour later. You mean,
give mean he was already dead deadwhen I shot him. Yes,
(26:15):
that's right, Lieutenant, help us. Don't let me car I get reason,
Help me, lieutenant, don't letus die save us, Save us,
don't well, it's the first ticket. It's two, late Graham,
(26:37):
You mean they did. Yes,the chief only wanted them for questioning.
But if ever two people deserve todie, they did. There was murder
in their hearts. Yet, I'llbe dog gone. If the law would
have been able to do anything tothem, we couldn't have held them for
murder. Yeah, that's right.It would have been hard to make a
charge of biger me stick with Winthromdead. I guess about the only thing
(27:00):
we could have held them for wasmutilation and illegal transportation of a corpse.
Yes, sir, just as surehas a strange way of working itself out.
(27:21):
And so ends the tale. You'llonly die once. As it is
written in the Sealed Book, theuncanny hand of fate reached out for the
two who had ruthlessly planned the deathof an innocent man and doomed them to
die through their own actions. Mh. And now keep her of the
(28:47):
book before you close the great volume. Show us the tale we tell next
time? This one, ah,Yes, a weird and magic of a
strange life and an even stranger death, and of a murder terrible beyond all
(29:08):
belief. Be sure to be withus again next time when the sound of
the Great Gong heralds another strange andexciting tale from The Seal Book. The
(29:41):
Sealed Book, produced and directed byJock McGregor, is written by Bob Arthur
and David Cogan.
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