August 17, 2025 • 29 mins
The Whistler was a suspenseful mystery anthology that ran from 1942-1955. A character known only as the Whistler was the host and narrator of the tales, which focused on crime and fate and had a suspenseful and eerie tone, always ending with a twist. The Whistler was later adapted to television.
Hope you enjoy this episode of The Whistler! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Hope you enjoy this episode of The Whistler! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And now stay tuned for the mystery program that is
unique among all mystery programs, because even when you know
who's guilty, you always receive a startling surprise at the
final curtain. In the Signal Oil program, the Whistler Signal,
(00:28):
the famous go Farther Gasoline invite you to sit back
and enjoy another strange story by the Whistler.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
I am the Whistler, and I know many things. For
I walk by night. I know many strange tales hidden
in the hearts of men and women who.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Have stepped into the shadows.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Yes, I know the nameless terrors of which they dare
not speak.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
And now for the Signal Oil Company, the Whistler's Strange
Story Double Exposure.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
It was a summer's evening, quiet, calm, matching the gentle
atmosphere of the quaint artist town of Cypress Point on
the California Coast. Clint Harwell was calm too as he
walked down the street heading toward the drug store. He
was calm, his mind was undisturbed, at ease. Clint Harwell
was all of these things before he entered the drug store. Yes,
(01:51):
he could even take pleasure from the fact that the
local newspaper was to run his picture in an early
issue under the heading famed architect to wed local novelists.
There would be a story about the homes Clint had built, too,
the pertinent facts about his background, and there would probably
be little, if any mention of the tragedy that had
touched his life early last year, the accidental drowning of
(02:16):
his wife Karin. In the drug store, Clint waited with
his back to the proprietor and customer that he was waiting.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
On you, mister Willis, I think so, Doc. No razor blades, toothpaste,
anything like that got them all, Doc. Well, I'll just
rap up these things for him. Be right there.
Speaker 5 (02:33):
Oh, no hurry, Doc.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Any more trouble with those protection racketeers, mister Willis.
Speaker 6 (02:39):
Oh, I keep hearing from him. It's a dreadful thing,
you know, terrible.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
I certainly wouldn't give into them. Here you are, mister
Willis dropping again? Sure thing? Good night, Doc, good night? Oh,
I believe I know what you want, mister Howell.
Speaker 5 (02:53):
Yes, sir, your pictures oh got him developed?
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Doc?
Speaker 4 (02:56):
Oh, certainly I do all that work myself, you know,
I had the lamb in the back.
Speaker 5 (02:59):
Really are I didn't know really, with all.
Speaker 4 (03:02):
The seasons you've been coming down here. Well, anyway, they're ready.
It believed me. They turned out fine. Let's say, now
checked the file, see the crazy Harris Firewell, yeah, there.
Speaker 5 (03:16):
You are, thanks Doc. How much is that dollar?
Speaker 4 (03:19):
Thirty nine?
Speaker 5 (03:20):
Fair enough? Thank you?
Speaker 4 (03:22):
Oh we're here. You're settling down here now, we're good.
Speaker 5 (03:26):
That's right.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
Retiring, No, not exactly.
Speaker 5 (03:29):
I'll build a few houses, you know, new types. Give
me a chance to experiment for her.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
By the way, mister Harwell, perhaps this isn't the time
to mention it, but this is the first time I've
had a chance to. I'm awfully sorry about missus Harwell.
She was such a wonderful person.
Speaker 5 (03:48):
Yes, well, good evening.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
Doc, Good evening, mister Harwell. Dropping again.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
And that was all, wasn't it, Clint? So it seemed anyway.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Half a block from the drug store and the bright
glare of a store window, you pause, take out the photographs.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
And glance through them.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Interesting snap shots, all taken on a recent cruise along
the coast. Yes, interesting, each of them until the last one,
a shot of the sea.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
The sea. That was all when you took the shot.
But now Clint.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
What the devil?
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Something else, Clint. A woman's face, a woman's face staring
almost as if she's smiling up at you from the sea.
And it's the face of your late wife, Corinne. It
seems impossible, doesn't it, Clint, that the pharmacist or anyone
(04:51):
could know that your wife's drowning wasn't really accidental, that
you were directly responsible. But you must look into it further.
You know that you must learn what's behind the picture
of your wife. You're certain it's a double print. But
why you know where to find that answer? You hurry
back to the drug store. It's almost closing time. Doc
(05:14):
is back towards you, is talking on the phone. You
watch your opportunity slip inside and hide in the phone booth.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
Yes, missus Williams, the boy should be there any minute now,
your medicine not at all. Glad to Oh it's been
a busy day, all right that I'm closing up now, Yeah,
and take care of yourself.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Good night.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
The minute same years as you wait, don't they print?
Then finally, Doc Angeley's gone. You hurry from the phone
booth to the dark room in the back of the
drug store. You close the door, snap on the light
and gas.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
But what you see, good Lord?
Speaker 4 (06:01):
Surprised mister Howell, What I thought you'd have my dark
room all to yourself?
Speaker 5 (06:06):
Humh, Why, yes, I guess I did. How did you
know I was here?
Speaker 4 (06:13):
Saw you when I left? Phone booths don't make very
good hiding places, you know. Anyway, I sort of figured
you might have something on your mind, something to do
with pictures.
Speaker 5 (06:23):
Yes, these pictures on the wall. I'm afraid I don't
understand them, Doc, not at all.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
Is it so hard to understand, mister Harwell, that I'd
want to surround myself with beauty? Your wife was beautiful,
you know. I made all these pictures of her myself,
covered my walls with them.
Speaker 5 (06:44):
You you were in love with Korean?
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Why?
Speaker 5 (06:49):
I had no idea?
Speaker 4 (06:50):
Yes, I was in love with her. I don't believe
even she enew that, though I never told it. I
didn't want to spoil the friendship we.
Speaker 7 (06:58):
Had you and in.
Speaker 5 (07:01):
But when I mean, how could you have known her?
Speaker 4 (07:05):
You left her alone a great deal of the time,
mister Harwell. Remember the last few years especially, she needed
someone just to talk to. She used to come here
to the drug store. They became good friends. She told
me lots of things.
Speaker 5 (07:20):
All right, So you and Karin were good friends. Then
I assumed this snap shot her face looking at me
from the sea. That's all your idea, uh.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Doc, just a simple double print, mister Harwell. Call it
bait if you want to. The point is you rose
to the bait.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
Why why did you do it.
Speaker 4 (07:41):
When your wife drowned last season? Mister Harwell, I went
along with the accidental verdict the sheriff handed down. I
was too shocked and to remember so many things she
told me, too shocked even to think about Louise Phillips,
your present fiance.
Speaker 5 (07:54):
Oh what's Louise got to do with this?
Speaker 4 (07:56):
You were seeing her? Then? Everyone knew, even Corinn just recently,
that you and Louise planned to marry. I began to
remember things Corn.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Said to me.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
She was afraid of you, you know, afraid, yet she'd.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Have loved you.
Speaker 5 (08:10):
I uh, I don't believe I'd say anymore, Doc.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
I was afraid of the ocean, too love to look
at it, but deadly frightened to be on it, especially
with you. She told me so herself.
Speaker 5 (08:20):
I've heard all of this. I intended you don't have.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
To hear anymore. But mister Harwell, I think the sheriff
might be interested in what I have to say that.
Speaker 5 (08:28):
Oh no, Doc, No you're not going to the sheriff.
Yes I am no, No you're not, Doc. You're not
going to say a word to the sheriff or anybody
else to arouse suspicion against me.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
You can't stop me, Harwell, there's no way.
Speaker 5 (08:41):
There's one way, Doc, I'll stop you if I have
to kill you.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
It seems minutes later, doesn't it, Clint, Minutes that are
actually seconds when you stare at your hand at.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
The heavy piece of photographic equipm.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
That it holds, and then you glance down at the
floor of Doc's dark room, react again, shot clean through
at what you see.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
I did it. I I did what I said. I
have children.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
If you expect to be getting a new car soon,
or if you'd like to keep that new car pep
in your present car, here's an important point to remember.
Just any motor oil won't do for today's high efficiency motors, No, sir,
they need special protection against corrosion, war and carbon If
they're to give you the long trouble free service, you
(09:48):
have a right to expect. That's why Signal Oil Company
brought out Signal Premium Compounded motor oil, an improved type
lubricant especially engineered to give modern motors this ex protection.
I emphasize the word compounded because, in addition to its
one hundred percent pure paraffin based, Signal Premium contains scientific
(10:10):
compounds specifically created to put an end to those enemies
of engine life, carbon, gum, varnation, corrosion. Thus, by keeping
were down, Signal Premium Compounded motor oil keeps performance up.
So if you want to keep your motor young, make
your next oil change a change to this extra duty
Signal oil that does so much more than just lubricate.
(10:34):
Change to Signal Premium Compounded motor oil at the same
station where you fill up with the famous go farther
gasoline signal.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
That is.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
It's gone, isn't it, Clint? The quiet, the calm of
the early evening, the peace of mind that seemed to
be yours only a few short hours ago. Because now,
in one swift movement of unreasoning rage, you've struck down
the drug store proprietor you've murdered doc Ainslie. It's all
(11:27):
like a nightmare. The way Doc felt about your late wife.
And then, as the panic subsides, you know what you
must do. You turn quickly, remove every picture of her
from the walls of the dark room, wipe your fingerprints
from the werder weapon, turn out the lights, slip out
the back way and home. The next morning, it's all
(11:52):
there were the newsboys screaming the grim news.
Speaker 8 (11:56):
Extra sunrise edition local druggists found slain.
Speaker 5 (12:13):
Hello clat oh oh, Louise, Hello, Hello, I've been wondering
when you get back from San Francisco. Well a shopping
tour successful.
Speaker 9 (12:24):
Very You asked me to dinner. You know I wasn't
going to miss that.
Speaker 5 (12:27):
Oh, yes, of course tonight. It's fine, Louise. I'll uh well,
I'll call for you round eight. Is that all right?
Speaker 9 (12:33):
Fine, Clint.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
You're relieved as you hang up the phone. It could
have been a very different call, couldn't it, Clint. But
you're safe now, aren't you safe? In the knowledge that
no one saw you anywhere near the drug store. There
would have been some words. You're certain of that too.
But that evening, as you and Louise returned to her
home after dining out, a surprise.
Speaker 9 (13:02):
Well, here we are Clinn come in for a nightcap?
Speaker 5 (13:05):
H Hi, A pleasure.
Speaker 9 (13:06):
It's a pleasure to unlock my little hacienda again.
Speaker 5 (13:10):
Yes, I'll bet you missed it being away all week
I did.
Speaker 9 (13:14):
I couldn't decide which I missed more, my house or
my fiance.
Speaker 5 (13:18):
Oh, Darling Glynn, you know, sweetheart, we've never talked about
our house. Oh, I'd want to design it very specially
a big one for.
Speaker 9 (13:29):
Us, big small? What's the difference? Sit down, Darling, I'll
get some.
Speaker 5 (13:34):
Ice, all right. Well, I don't know. There could be
a great deal of difference, Louise as that not.
Speaker 7 (13:40):
In the number of newspapers that pile up when you
forget to tell them you're going to be away.
Speaker 5 (13:44):
I suppose not. Of course, the only news in this
town today is about darc Ainslie, poor devil, oh and
the curial store fire.
Speaker 7 (13:55):
I know I threw all the newspapers away, but that
last one. Did you read about the witness?
Speaker 5 (14:01):
The witness?
Speaker 7 (14:02):
It's right there in the paper, it's your elbow. Read
it while I'm fixing these witness. Obe Willis, the man
who owned the curio store that was Burnie, was hurrying
down there when he saw someone rush.
Speaker 9 (14:12):
Out of Doc's drug store. He says he could identify
him again if he saw him hot. Well, that's what
he says. Why Clint, what's the matter.
Speaker 5 (14:22):
Huh oh, oh, nothing, nothing really, I was trying to remember.
There's there's something important there, something I had to do
this evening.
Speaker 9 (14:32):
Well, you need to look so stricken about it.
Speaker 7 (14:34):
Besides, I'm the only thing that's important to you this evening.
Speaker 5 (14:39):
Oh I remember. Now, a call, Louise, A call I
must make tonight.
Speaker 7 (14:43):
It's quite important, all right, Darling, make a call. The
phone's right there, you know.
Speaker 5 (14:47):
Oh no, no, I mean I can't make the call here, Louise.
It's a well, a little surprise. It has to do
with our wedding, Darling. It's a secret.
Speaker 9 (14:56):
Why, Clint, how romantic?
Speaker 5 (14:58):
I really hate running out on you like this, But
well you do understand it. It's rather special, after all,
it's very important.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
It is important, isn't it, Clint.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Not a call but a hurried trip you're forced to
make to catch the last edition of the local papers
before they hit the streets. Stop your picture from being published,
even though it's in conjunction with that glowing account of
your skill as an architect and your approaching marriage to Louise. Yes,
you must stop at Clint, and you pray there's still
someone in the copy room as you pound on the door.
Speaker 5 (15:40):
Hey look, I've got to talk to the editor, whoever's
in charge.
Speaker 10 (15:43):
I'm a man, I reckon right now?
Speaker 5 (15:45):
Yes, I mean, oh good, good, then I'm not too late.
My name's Harwell, Clint, Harwell, you're running my picture tomorrow
and I well, I want it stopped. I have a
perfectly good reason.
Speaker 10 (15:55):
I'm sure you have.
Speaker 5 (15:57):
Say you're sorry. Well, what do you mean?
Speaker 6 (16:00):
Nothing can be learne about it?
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Missie?
Speaker 5 (16:02):
See here, if you're in charge, I BlimE you man.
Speaker 10 (16:04):
All right, but only because everybody else is gone home,
papers all printed up, been called for in the delivered truck.
You'd o't to hit the streets anytime now? And why
did you tell mister I'm janity, I'm going to sweep
up mine have a getting back my word.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
You're too late, aren't you, Clint? And you know what
will happen. As soon as O. B.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
Willis sees your picture in tomorrow's paper, and you're certain
he will see it, he'll go to the sheriff identify
you as the man he saw running out of the
drug store the night doc Ainslie was murdered. You hurry
out of the newspaper office, and with each step the
panic within you bills. You've got to fight it off, Clint.
Get a hold of yourself and think things out. Good,
(16:49):
run away tonight, Yes, but you know what that would mean,
the end of everything you've worked for your career. And
there's Louise too. You can't bear to think of losing her,
can you. You've made a decision, haven't you, Clint? And
ten minutes later, you arrive at a small.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
Cottage near the beach.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
Pushed through the gate, you hurry up the path to
the front door, ring the bell.
Speaker 5 (17:27):
Oh, come on, come on, answer the door. Oh shut up,
Queenye be quiet?
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Will your You look up, peer through the darkness to
the second floor window of the house next door.
Speaker 11 (17:38):
You looking for mister Willis?
Speaker 5 (17:41):
Why?
Speaker 4 (17:41):
Uh?
Speaker 11 (17:42):
Yes, you ain't home. Went out a couple of hours ago.
You from the insurance company.
Speaker 5 (17:48):
Insurance company? No, no, not?
Speaker 8 (17:50):
Uh?
Speaker 11 (17:51):
Oh, bee's been expecting one. That's the reason I asked.
His door burned down last night. Suppose you heard about it?
Speaker 5 (17:57):
Oh? Yes, I did.
Speaker 11 (17:58):
Imagine that's where he is now down at the store
were the workmen boarding up the place?
Speaker 8 (18:03):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (18:03):
Why don't you try there?
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (18:04):
Thanks, but it's not really important. I'll see him in
the morning.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
It's eight blocks from Willis's house along a tree lined street,
past doc Ainsley's drug store to the curio shop. And
when you arrive there, the place is deserted. The workmen
have gone. You stare at the charred remains of the building,
and then turn and walk across the street to the
lunch counter.
Speaker 7 (18:34):
Right too, All easy, Siam, Even sir.
Speaker 9 (18:37):
Wants he menu.
Speaker 5 (18:38):
No, I'll just have some coffee cream.
Speaker 9 (18:40):
Yes, got some nice blueberry pie coffee. Okay, be anything
else for you? Sharef How about you, mister Willis?
Speaker 5 (18:50):
No Willis.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Your eyes move quickly along the mirror behind the counter.
Settle on the round faced little man sitting.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
Next to the sheriff.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
Oh, b Willis Clint, the man who says he can
identify you is doc Ainsley's killer. You turn around. You're
back to them. Pick up the newspaper lying on the counter.
Speaker 9 (19:12):
Hi, Alice, No, it's so long, Fellis. Thanks.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
As the door closes behind them, you breathe a sigh
of relief, don't you Clint, that was close, too close.
You look up from your newspaper, glance out the front door.
They're standing there, the sheriff and Willis, talking quietly. You
watch them out of the corner of your eye, your
heart pounding wildly, and finally they move away.
Speaker 5 (19:37):
Your coffee, sir, Oh, thanks, here you are.
Speaker 9 (19:41):
Ain't you gonna drink your coffee?
Speaker 5 (19:43):
Sorry, I just remembered a very important appointment.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
You step out of the lunch room.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
See Willis and the sheriff part company down the street,
moving quickly along the shadows. You hurry after the small,
round faced man. Oh b Willis Clinton, the man you
know you've got the silence.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
You're only a.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Half block behind him now as he makes his way
along the deserted, dimly lighted street, and then he turns
into the park, slumps down on a bench.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
Lights his pipe.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
You circle through the trees until you're standing directly behind him. Then,
clenching the heavy rock tightly in your hand, you lift
it high in the air.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
It'll all be over in a moment, won't it. Clint.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
You're about to step out and smash the rock down
on his head, when quickly you draw back into the shadows,
as you see this man approaching that you ob eh?
Speaker 6 (20:44):
Oh evening, pay my evening. Thought you were still in
San Francisco.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Got bags?
Speaker 4 (20:49):
Afternoon?
Speaker 8 (20:51):
Goodness, Sit down, been on the go all day. Say,
a lot's been going on around here while I was away.
Speaker 5 (20:56):
Just turn about, dug, here's a shame and dog gone.
Speaker 8 (21:00):
Hey, tell me you saw the killer.
Speaker 6 (21:02):
That's right, Perry running out back of the drug store.
Speaker 8 (21:05):
Get a good look at him, did you?
Speaker 6 (21:06):
I sure did. I'd recognize him anywhere. I was on
the way to the fire when I saw him.
Speaker 8 (21:11):
Oh yeah, sorry to hear about your fire. Will be
them protection racket boys.
Speaker 4 (21:17):
Huh yeah, dirty skunks.
Speaker 6 (21:19):
One of them called me at the house just a
little four eleven, said it was too bad I hadn't
joined the association because something was gonna happen to my store.
How do you like that? That's when I ran down
the store, But I got there just a little bit
too late.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
You ensured, ain't you?
Speaker 9 (21:34):
Yes?
Speaker 6 (21:35):
And it's a good thing. I had a lot of
money invested in that shop.
Speaker 4 (21:38):
You know.
Speaker 8 (21:39):
Be I've been thinking maybe there's some connection with Doc's
murder and the fire at your place.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
What do you mean?
Speaker 8 (21:45):
Well, them protection boys again at the time some of
them were setting fire to your place. Maybe a couple
of strong armed boys were over a dots putting the
pressure on him to sign up. Maybe they pressured too hard,
killed Doc accidentally.
Speaker 6 (21:56):
Say I never thought of that.
Speaker 8 (22:00):
Happened that way? Ob sure could have happened just like that. Yes, sir,
he's right, isn't he, Clint?
Speaker 2 (22:11):
The blame for Doc Ainsley's death could very well be
placed on the hoodlums who burned down Willis's store, and
they could be blamed for killing Willis too.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
It's a perfect setup, isn't it. Yes, And it makes it.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
All so much easier for you now to kill him.
You hurry to your home, slip your Revolver into your pocket,
and then drive back toward the home of O. B. Willis,
park in the shadows a block away. Then you walk
to a spot directly across the street and wait in
the dark behind a palm tree for Willis to return.
(22:46):
After what seems hours, Willis finally appears for the time
he reaches his front door. You're right behind it.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
What do you open the door?
Speaker 5 (22:55):
Get inside?
Speaker 6 (22:56):
Wait a minute?
Speaker 5 (22:57):
Who are you?
Speaker 3 (22:57):
Heard me?
Speaker 5 (22:58):
Open the door? Now inside?
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Who are you? What do you want?
Speaker 5 (23:05):
Don't recognize me?
Speaker 3 (23:06):
Do you?
Speaker 5 (23:08):
It's so dark in here, all right, pull the shades
down and we'll turn on the light. Oh yeah, and
close the windows too, all right now the lights well
(23:29):
recognize me?
Speaker 10 (23:30):
Now, I no, I don't know you.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
Come on, take a good line. Sorry, but I never
saw you before.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
You're lying. Oh no, I swear I've na snied on
your way to the fire. You saw me run out
of the drug store. No, please, I didn't wait.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
Wait a minute, that gun. What are you gonna do?
Speaker 5 (23:52):
Can't you guess? Miss Willis?
Speaker 3 (23:54):
No you you can't.
Speaker 5 (23:55):
Somebody will hear you, not with this pillow and the
windows down.
Speaker 3 (23:59):
But you don't get it.
Speaker 5 (24:00):
If you'll just let me explain Mary, mister Willis. But
it's too late for lap.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
Now here's a clue towards solving another mystery that's puzzling
a lot of you. How to make today's shrinking dollars
by full value When it comes to gasoline dollars. If
you want to be sure you're getting all the mileage
you're paying for, naturally you want signal the famous go
farther gasoline. But mileage, mind you, is only one of
(24:35):
the benefits you notice when you power your car with
today's signal, the gasoline that's engineered to help your motor
run more efficiently. In addition, you'll enjoy flashing, pickup, smooth
purring power, the kind of going that gives you more
smiles per gallon. Yes, driving pleasure and gasoline mileage are
like birds of a feather. They go together. Want proof,
(24:59):
Just try it. Couple of tankfolds of signal. Let the
action of your own car show you why drivers interested
in economy as well as those who insist on peak
performance are both switching to signal the famous go farther gasoline.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
It's done, isn't it? Clinton?
Speaker 4 (25:25):
Oh B.
Speaker 3 (25:25):
Willis is dead.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
You've killed him, and you know who they'll.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
Blame for the murder.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Yes, the same man who set fire to his store
because he wouldn't join their protective association. It's as simple
as that, isn't it. And you're certain that you're in
the clear. You step over the limp form lying in
the middle of the room and slip your gun into
your pocket. You'll drive to the beach toss it into
the sea. Then the only link connecting you with the
(25:51):
killing of O. B. Willis will be missing forever. You
turn out the lights, step into the hall, open the
front door, and start toward the street. And then you stopped,
stunned as a car stops in front of the house.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
It's the sheriff's car. Clinton.
Speaker 5 (26:09):
Hello, Why, Sheriff Carnes. Who you've Clint? Harwell? I'm a
friend of OB's. Just dropped by to see him. I
found the door unlocked and went inside. He Oh he
isn't home.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Oh, Sheriff. Do you think he could have gone back
to the store.
Speaker 5 (26:25):
Probably?
Speaker 11 (26:26):
Oh, mister Harwell, this is Johnny Faine, insurance adjuster.
Speaker 4 (26:30):
From San Francisco.
Speaker 11 (26:31):
Mister Harwan, mister Fane is here to settle things with Willis.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
That's right. You see, we've found a man who set
the fire you have.
Speaker 11 (26:40):
I had an eye on him since mister Fane's company
tipped me off about him six months ago.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
The man's a well known arsonist, burned down two other
stores and two other cities during the past eight years.
Wait a minute, you mean Ob Willis. We're convinced he
set fire to his store himself.
Speaker 5 (26:55):
Hi, I don't understand. What about the men who threatened him,
the protection racke.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
No, it's just a gag. He's used it before too, But.
Speaker 5 (27:03):
He couldn't have set the fire. No, at eleven o'clock last.
Speaker 11 (27:07):
Night, he said he was walking past Ainsley's drug store
saw dogs Killer.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
Sure that was his alibi.
Speaker 11 (27:14):
That would ob half a mile from the fire when
it started. So he wanted us to believe who I mean?
Speaker 3 (27:21):
He he lied.
Speaker 11 (27:22):
Ah, that's right, Willis didn't see dogs Killer. He wasn't
anywhere near the drug store at eleven. He was setting
fire to his own curio shop.
Speaker 3 (27:32):
Oh no, it can't be.
Speaker 11 (27:35):
Well, we'll go on inside wait for Willis to show up.
You'd better come in with us, mister Harwell, you don't mind.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Do you?
Speaker 1 (28:04):
Let that whistle be your signal for the Signal Oil program.
The whistler each Sunday night at this same time, brought
to you by the Signal Oil Company, marketers of Signal
Gasoline and motor oil and fine quality automotive accessories. Many drivers,
when buying gasoline, forget what a big part of the
price goes for tax. In fact, in the average western city,
(28:26):
for every dollar you pay for gasoline itself, you pay
an additional thirty three cents in tax.
Speaker 3 (28:32):
So figure it up.
Speaker 1 (28:33):
The tax you pay on free would buy you another
gallon free. Featured in Tonight's story were Bill Foreman, Joseph Kerns,
and Charlotte Lawrence. The Whistler was produced and directed by
George w Allen, with story by Joel Malone, music by
Wilbur Hatch, and was transmitted to our troops overseas by
(28:55):
the Armed Forces Radio Service. The Whistler is entirely fictional,
and all characters portrayed on the Whistler are also fictional.
Any similarity of names or resemblance to persons living or
dead is purely coincidental. Remember, at the same time, next Sunday,
another strange tale by the Whistler, Marvin Miller speaking for
(29:16):
the Signal Oil Company. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting
System
And now stay tuned for the mystery program that is
unique among all mystery programs, because even when you know
who's guilty, you always receive a startling surprise at the
final curtain. In the Signal Oil program, the Whistler Signal,
(00:28):
the famous go Farther Gasoline invite you to sit back
and enjoy another strange story by the Whistler.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
I am the Whistler, and I know many things. For
I walk by night. I know many strange tales hidden
in the hearts of men and women who.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Have stepped into the shadows.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Yes, I know the nameless terrors of which they dare
not speak.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
And now for the Signal Oil Company, the Whistler's Strange
Story Double Exposure.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
It was a summer's evening, quiet, calm, matching the gentle
atmosphere of the quaint artist town of Cypress Point on
the California Coast. Clint Harwell was calm too as he
walked down the street heading toward the drug store. He
was calm, his mind was undisturbed, at ease. Clint Harwell
was all of these things before he entered the drug store. Yes,
(01:51):
he could even take pleasure from the fact that the
local newspaper was to run his picture in an early
issue under the heading famed architect to wed local novelists.
There would be a story about the homes Clint had built, too,
the pertinent facts about his background, and there would probably
be little, if any mention of the tragedy that had
touched his life early last year, the accidental drowning of
(02:16):
his wife Karin. In the drug store, Clint waited with
his back to the proprietor and customer that he was waiting.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
On you, mister Willis, I think so, Doc. No razor blades, toothpaste,
anything like that got them all, Doc. Well, I'll just
rap up these things for him. Be right there.
Speaker 5 (02:33):
Oh, no hurry, Doc.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Any more trouble with those protection racketeers, mister Willis.
Speaker 6 (02:39):
Oh, I keep hearing from him. It's a dreadful thing,
you know, terrible.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
I certainly wouldn't give into them. Here you are, mister
Willis dropping again? Sure thing? Good night, Doc, good night? Oh,
I believe I know what you want, mister Howell.
Speaker 5 (02:53):
Yes, sir, your pictures oh got him developed?
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Doc?
Speaker 4 (02:56):
Oh, certainly I do all that work myself, you know,
I had the lamb in the back.
Speaker 5 (02:59):
Really are I didn't know really, with all.
Speaker 4 (03:02):
The seasons you've been coming down here. Well, anyway, they're ready.
It believed me. They turned out fine. Let's say, now
checked the file, see the crazy Harris Firewell, yeah, there.
Speaker 5 (03:16):
You are, thanks Doc. How much is that dollar?
Speaker 4 (03:19):
Thirty nine?
Speaker 5 (03:20):
Fair enough? Thank you?
Speaker 4 (03:22):
Oh we're here. You're settling down here now, we're good.
Speaker 5 (03:26):
That's right.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
Retiring, No, not exactly.
Speaker 5 (03:29):
I'll build a few houses, you know, new types. Give
me a chance to experiment for her.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
By the way, mister Harwell, perhaps this isn't the time
to mention it, but this is the first time I've
had a chance to. I'm awfully sorry about missus Harwell.
She was such a wonderful person.
Speaker 5 (03:48):
Yes, well, good evening.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
Doc, Good evening, mister Harwell. Dropping again.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
And that was all, wasn't it, Clint? So it seemed anyway.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Half a block from the drug store and the bright
glare of a store window, you pause, take out the photographs.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
And glance through them.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Interesting snap shots, all taken on a recent cruise along
the coast. Yes, interesting, each of them until the last one,
a shot of the sea.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
The sea. That was all when you took the shot.
But now Clint.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
What the devil?
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Something else, Clint. A woman's face, a woman's face staring
almost as if she's smiling up at you from the sea.
And it's the face of your late wife, Corinne. It
seems impossible, doesn't it, Clint, that the pharmacist or anyone
(04:51):
could know that your wife's drowning wasn't really accidental, that
you were directly responsible. But you must look into it further.
You know that you must learn what's behind the picture
of your wife. You're certain it's a double print. But
why you know where to find that answer? You hurry
back to the drug store. It's almost closing time. Doc
(05:14):
is back towards you, is talking on the phone. You
watch your opportunity slip inside and hide in the phone booth.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
Yes, missus Williams, the boy should be there any minute now,
your medicine not at all. Glad to Oh it's been
a busy day, all right that I'm closing up now, Yeah,
and take care of yourself.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Good night.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
The minute same years as you wait, don't they print?
Then finally, Doc Angeley's gone. You hurry from the phone
booth to the dark room in the back of the
drug store. You close the door, snap on the light
and gas.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
But what you see, good Lord?
Speaker 4 (06:01):
Surprised mister Howell, What I thought you'd have my dark
room all to yourself?
Speaker 5 (06:06):
Humh, Why, yes, I guess I did. How did you
know I was here?
Speaker 4 (06:13):
Saw you when I left? Phone booths don't make very
good hiding places, you know. Anyway, I sort of figured
you might have something on your mind, something to do
with pictures.
Speaker 5 (06:23):
Yes, these pictures on the wall. I'm afraid I don't
understand them, Doc, not at all.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
Is it so hard to understand, mister Harwell, that I'd
want to surround myself with beauty? Your wife was beautiful,
you know. I made all these pictures of her myself,
covered my walls with them.
Speaker 5 (06:44):
You you were in love with Korean?
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Why?
Speaker 5 (06:49):
I had no idea?
Speaker 4 (06:50):
Yes, I was in love with her. I don't believe
even she enew that, though I never told it. I
didn't want to spoil the friendship we.
Speaker 7 (06:58):
Had you and in.
Speaker 5 (07:01):
But when I mean, how could you have known her?
Speaker 4 (07:05):
You left her alone a great deal of the time,
mister Harwell. Remember the last few years especially, she needed
someone just to talk to. She used to come here
to the drug store. They became good friends. She told
me lots of things.
Speaker 5 (07:20):
All right, So you and Karin were good friends. Then
I assumed this snap shot her face looking at me
from the sea. That's all your idea, uh.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Doc, just a simple double print, mister Harwell. Call it
bait if you want to. The point is you rose
to the bait.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
Why why did you do it.
Speaker 4 (07:41):
When your wife drowned last season? Mister Harwell, I went
along with the accidental verdict the sheriff handed down. I
was too shocked and to remember so many things she
told me, too shocked even to think about Louise Phillips,
your present fiance.
Speaker 5 (07:54):
Oh what's Louise got to do with this?
Speaker 4 (07:56):
You were seeing her? Then? Everyone knew, even Corinn just recently,
that you and Louise planned to marry. I began to
remember things Corn.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Said to me.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
She was afraid of you, you know, afraid, yet she'd.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Have loved you.
Speaker 5 (08:10):
I uh, I don't believe I'd say anymore, Doc.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
I was afraid of the ocean, too love to look
at it, but deadly frightened to be on it, especially
with you. She told me so herself.
Speaker 5 (08:20):
I've heard all of this. I intended you don't have.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
To hear anymore. But mister Harwell, I think the sheriff
might be interested in what I have to say that.
Speaker 5 (08:28):
Oh no, Doc, No you're not going to the sheriff.
Yes I am no, No you're not, Doc. You're not
going to say a word to the sheriff or anybody
else to arouse suspicion against me.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
You can't stop me, Harwell, there's no way.
Speaker 5 (08:41):
There's one way, Doc, I'll stop you if I have
to kill you.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
It seems minutes later, doesn't it, Clint, Minutes that are
actually seconds when you stare at your hand at.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
The heavy piece of photographic equipm.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
That it holds, and then you glance down at the
floor of Doc's dark room, react again, shot clean through
at what you see.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
I did it. I I did what I said. I
have children.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
If you expect to be getting a new car soon,
or if you'd like to keep that new car pep
in your present car, here's an important point to remember.
Just any motor oil won't do for today's high efficiency motors, No, sir,
they need special protection against corrosion, war and carbon If
they're to give you the long trouble free service, you
(09:48):
have a right to expect. That's why Signal Oil Company
brought out Signal Premium Compounded motor oil, an improved type
lubricant especially engineered to give modern motors this ex protection.
I emphasize the word compounded because, in addition to its
one hundred percent pure paraffin based, Signal Premium contains scientific
(10:10):
compounds specifically created to put an end to those enemies
of engine life, carbon, gum, varnation, corrosion. Thus, by keeping
were down, Signal Premium Compounded motor oil keeps performance up.
So if you want to keep your motor young, make
your next oil change a change to this extra duty
Signal oil that does so much more than just lubricate.
(10:34):
Change to Signal Premium Compounded motor oil at the same
station where you fill up with the famous go farther
gasoline signal.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
That is.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
It's gone, isn't it, Clint? The quiet, the calm of
the early evening, the peace of mind that seemed to
be yours only a few short hours ago. Because now,
in one swift movement of unreasoning rage, you've struck down
the drug store proprietor you've murdered doc Ainslie. It's all
(11:27):
like a nightmare. The way Doc felt about your late wife.
And then, as the panic subsides, you know what you
must do. You turn quickly, remove every picture of her
from the walls of the dark room, wipe your fingerprints
from the werder weapon, turn out the lights, slip out
the back way and home. The next morning, it's all
(11:52):
there were the newsboys screaming the grim news.
Speaker 8 (11:56):
Extra sunrise edition local druggists found slain.
Speaker 5 (12:13):
Hello clat oh oh, Louise, Hello, Hello, I've been wondering
when you get back from San Francisco. Well a shopping
tour successful.
Speaker 9 (12:24):
Very You asked me to dinner. You know I wasn't
going to miss that.
Speaker 5 (12:27):
Oh, yes, of course tonight. It's fine, Louise. I'll uh well,
I'll call for you round eight. Is that all right?
Speaker 9 (12:33):
Fine, Clint.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
You're relieved as you hang up the phone. It could
have been a very different call, couldn't it, Clint. But
you're safe now, aren't you safe? In the knowledge that
no one saw you anywhere near the drug store. There
would have been some words. You're certain of that too.
But that evening, as you and Louise returned to her
home after dining out, a surprise.
Speaker 9 (13:02):
Well, here we are Clinn come in for a nightcap?
Speaker 5 (13:05):
H Hi, A pleasure.
Speaker 9 (13:06):
It's a pleasure to unlock my little hacienda again.
Speaker 5 (13:10):
Yes, I'll bet you missed it being away all week
I did.
Speaker 9 (13:14):
I couldn't decide which I missed more, my house or
my fiance.
Speaker 5 (13:18):
Oh, Darling Glynn, you know, sweetheart, we've never talked about
our house. Oh, I'd want to design it very specially
a big one for.
Speaker 9 (13:29):
Us, big small? What's the difference? Sit down, Darling, I'll
get some.
Speaker 5 (13:34):
Ice, all right. Well, I don't know. There could be
a great deal of difference, Louise as that not.
Speaker 7 (13:40):
In the number of newspapers that pile up when you
forget to tell them you're going to be away.
Speaker 5 (13:44):
I suppose not. Of course, the only news in this
town today is about darc Ainslie, poor devil, oh and
the curial store fire.
Speaker 7 (13:55):
I know I threw all the newspapers away, but that
last one. Did you read about the witness?
Speaker 5 (14:01):
The witness?
Speaker 7 (14:02):
It's right there in the paper, it's your elbow. Read
it while I'm fixing these witness. Obe Willis, the man
who owned the curio store that was Burnie, was hurrying
down there when he saw someone rush.
Speaker 9 (14:12):
Out of Doc's drug store. He says he could identify
him again if he saw him hot. Well, that's what
he says. Why Clint, what's the matter.
Speaker 5 (14:22):
Huh oh, oh, nothing, nothing really, I was trying to remember.
There's there's something important there, something I had to do
this evening.
Speaker 9 (14:32):
Well, you need to look so stricken about it.
Speaker 7 (14:34):
Besides, I'm the only thing that's important to you this evening.
Speaker 5 (14:39):
Oh I remember. Now, a call, Louise, A call I
must make tonight.
Speaker 7 (14:43):
It's quite important, all right, Darling, make a call. The
phone's right there, you know.
Speaker 5 (14:47):
Oh no, no, I mean I can't make the call here, Louise.
It's a well, a little surprise. It has to do
with our wedding, Darling. It's a secret.
Speaker 9 (14:56):
Why, Clint, how romantic?
Speaker 5 (14:58):
I really hate running out on you like this, But
well you do understand it. It's rather special, after all,
it's very important.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
It is important, isn't it, Clint.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Not a call but a hurried trip you're forced to
make to catch the last edition of the local papers
before they hit the streets. Stop your picture from being published,
even though it's in conjunction with that glowing account of
your skill as an architect and your approaching marriage to Louise. Yes,
you must stop at Clint, and you pray there's still
someone in the copy room as you pound on the door.
Speaker 5 (15:40):
Hey look, I've got to talk to the editor, whoever's
in charge.
Speaker 10 (15:43):
I'm a man, I reckon right now?
Speaker 5 (15:45):
Yes, I mean, oh good, good, then I'm not too late.
My name's Harwell, Clint, Harwell, you're running my picture tomorrow
and I well, I want it stopped. I have a
perfectly good reason.
Speaker 10 (15:55):
I'm sure you have.
Speaker 5 (15:57):
Say you're sorry. Well, what do you mean?
Speaker 6 (16:00):
Nothing can be learne about it?
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Missie?
Speaker 5 (16:02):
See here, if you're in charge, I BlimE you man.
Speaker 10 (16:04):
All right, but only because everybody else is gone home,
papers all printed up, been called for in the delivered truck.
You'd o't to hit the streets anytime now? And why
did you tell mister I'm janity, I'm going to sweep
up mine have a getting back my word.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
You're too late, aren't you, Clint? And you know what
will happen. As soon as O. B.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
Willis sees your picture in tomorrow's paper, and you're certain
he will see it, he'll go to the sheriff identify
you as the man he saw running out of the
drug store the night doc Ainslie was murdered. You hurry
out of the newspaper office, and with each step the
panic within you bills. You've got to fight it off, Clint.
Get a hold of yourself and think things out. Good,
(16:49):
run away tonight, Yes, but you know what that would mean,
the end of everything you've worked for your career. And
there's Louise too. You can't bear to think of losing her,
can you. You've made a decision, haven't you, Clint? And
ten minutes later, you arrive at a small.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
Cottage near the beach.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
Pushed through the gate, you hurry up the path to
the front door, ring the bell.
Speaker 5 (17:27):
Oh, come on, come on, answer the door. Oh shut up,
Queenye be quiet?
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Will your You look up, peer through the darkness to
the second floor window of the house next door.
Speaker 11 (17:38):
You looking for mister Willis?
Speaker 5 (17:41):
Why?
Speaker 4 (17:41):
Uh?
Speaker 11 (17:42):
Yes, you ain't home. Went out a couple of hours ago.
You from the insurance company.
Speaker 5 (17:48):
Insurance company? No, no, not?
Speaker 8 (17:50):
Uh?
Speaker 11 (17:51):
Oh, bee's been expecting one. That's the reason I asked.
His door burned down last night. Suppose you heard about it?
Speaker 5 (17:57):
Oh? Yes, I did.
Speaker 11 (17:58):
Imagine that's where he is now down at the store
were the workmen boarding up the place?
Speaker 8 (18:03):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (18:03):
Why don't you try there?
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (18:04):
Thanks, but it's not really important. I'll see him in
the morning.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
It's eight blocks from Willis's house along a tree lined street,
past doc Ainsley's drug store to the curio shop. And
when you arrive there, the place is deserted. The workmen
have gone. You stare at the charred remains of the building,
and then turn and walk across the street to the
lunch counter.
Speaker 7 (18:34):
Right too, All easy, Siam, Even sir.
Speaker 9 (18:37):
Wants he menu.
Speaker 5 (18:38):
No, I'll just have some coffee cream.
Speaker 9 (18:40):
Yes, got some nice blueberry pie coffee. Okay, be anything
else for you? Sharef How about you, mister Willis?
Speaker 5 (18:50):
No Willis.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Your eyes move quickly along the mirror behind the counter.
Settle on the round faced little man sitting.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
Next to the sheriff.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
Oh, b Willis Clint, the man who says he can
identify you is doc Ainsley's killer. You turn around. You're
back to them. Pick up the newspaper lying on the counter.
Speaker 9 (19:12):
Hi, Alice, No, it's so long, Fellis. Thanks.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
As the door closes behind them, you breathe a sigh
of relief, don't you Clint, that was close, too close.
You look up from your newspaper, glance out the front door.
They're standing there, the sheriff and Willis, talking quietly. You
watch them out of the corner of your eye, your
heart pounding wildly, and finally they move away.
Speaker 5 (19:37):
Your coffee, sir, Oh, thanks, here you are.
Speaker 9 (19:41):
Ain't you gonna drink your coffee?
Speaker 5 (19:43):
Sorry, I just remembered a very important appointment.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
You step out of the lunch room.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
See Willis and the sheriff part company down the street,
moving quickly along the shadows. You hurry after the small,
round faced man. Oh b Willis Clinton, the man you
know you've got the silence.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
You're only a.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Half block behind him now as he makes his way
along the deserted, dimly lighted street, and then he turns
into the park, slumps down on a bench.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
Lights his pipe.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
You circle through the trees until you're standing directly behind him. Then,
clenching the heavy rock tightly in your hand, you lift
it high in the air.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
It'll all be over in a moment, won't it. Clint.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
You're about to step out and smash the rock down
on his head, when quickly you draw back into the shadows,
as you see this man approaching that you ob eh?
Speaker 6 (20:44):
Oh evening, pay my evening. Thought you were still in
San Francisco.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Got bags?
Speaker 4 (20:49):
Afternoon?
Speaker 8 (20:51):
Goodness, Sit down, been on the go all day. Say,
a lot's been going on around here while I was away.
Speaker 5 (20:56):
Just turn about, dug, here's a shame and dog gone.
Speaker 8 (21:00):
Hey, tell me you saw the killer.
Speaker 6 (21:02):
That's right, Perry running out back of the drug store.
Speaker 8 (21:05):
Get a good look at him, did you?
Speaker 6 (21:06):
I sure did. I'd recognize him anywhere. I was on
the way to the fire when I saw him.
Speaker 8 (21:11):
Oh yeah, sorry to hear about your fire. Will be
them protection racket boys.
Speaker 4 (21:17):
Huh yeah, dirty skunks.
Speaker 6 (21:19):
One of them called me at the house just a
little four eleven, said it was too bad I hadn't
joined the association because something was gonna happen to my store.
How do you like that? That's when I ran down
the store, But I got there just a little bit
too late.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
You ensured, ain't you?
Speaker 9 (21:34):
Yes?
Speaker 6 (21:35):
And it's a good thing. I had a lot of
money invested in that shop.
Speaker 4 (21:38):
You know.
Speaker 8 (21:39):
Be I've been thinking maybe there's some connection with Doc's
murder and the fire at your place.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
What do you mean?
Speaker 8 (21:45):
Well, them protection boys again at the time some of
them were setting fire to your place. Maybe a couple
of strong armed boys were over a dots putting the
pressure on him to sign up. Maybe they pressured too hard,
killed Doc accidentally.
Speaker 6 (21:56):
Say I never thought of that.
Speaker 8 (22:00):
Happened that way? Ob sure could have happened just like that. Yes, sir,
he's right, isn't he, Clint?
Speaker 2 (22:11):
The blame for Doc Ainsley's death could very well be
placed on the hoodlums who burned down Willis's store, and
they could be blamed for killing Willis too.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
It's a perfect setup, isn't it. Yes, And it makes it.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
All so much easier for you now to kill him.
You hurry to your home, slip your Revolver into your pocket,
and then drive back toward the home of O. B. Willis,
park in the shadows a block away. Then you walk
to a spot directly across the street and wait in
the dark behind a palm tree for Willis to return.
(22:46):
After what seems hours, Willis finally appears for the time
he reaches his front door. You're right behind it.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
What do you open the door?
Speaker 5 (22:55):
Get inside?
Speaker 6 (22:56):
Wait a minute?
Speaker 5 (22:57):
Who are you?
Speaker 3 (22:57):
Heard me?
Speaker 5 (22:58):
Open the door? Now inside?
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Who are you? What do you want?
Speaker 5 (23:05):
Don't recognize me?
Speaker 3 (23:06):
Do you?
Speaker 5 (23:08):
It's so dark in here, all right, pull the shades
down and we'll turn on the light. Oh yeah, and
close the windows too, all right now the lights well
(23:29):
recognize me?
Speaker 10 (23:30):
Now, I no, I don't know you.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
Come on, take a good line. Sorry, but I never
saw you before.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
You're lying. Oh no, I swear I've na snied on
your way to the fire. You saw me run out
of the drug store. No, please, I didn't wait.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
Wait a minute, that gun. What are you gonna do?
Speaker 5 (23:52):
Can't you guess? Miss Willis?
Speaker 3 (23:54):
No you you can't.
Speaker 5 (23:55):
Somebody will hear you, not with this pillow and the
windows down.
Speaker 3 (23:59):
But you don't get it.
Speaker 5 (24:00):
If you'll just let me explain Mary, mister Willis. But
it's too late for lap.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
Now here's a clue towards solving another mystery that's puzzling
a lot of you. How to make today's shrinking dollars
by full value When it comes to gasoline dollars. If
you want to be sure you're getting all the mileage
you're paying for, naturally you want signal the famous go
farther gasoline. But mileage, mind you, is only one of
(24:35):
the benefits you notice when you power your car with
today's signal, the gasoline that's engineered to help your motor
run more efficiently. In addition, you'll enjoy flashing, pickup, smooth
purring power, the kind of going that gives you more
smiles per gallon. Yes, driving pleasure and gasoline mileage are
like birds of a feather. They go together. Want proof,
(24:59):
Just try it. Couple of tankfolds of signal. Let the
action of your own car show you why drivers interested
in economy as well as those who insist on peak
performance are both switching to signal the famous go farther gasoline.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
It's done, isn't it? Clinton?
Speaker 4 (25:25):
Oh B.
Speaker 3 (25:25):
Willis is dead.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
You've killed him, and you know who they'll.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
Blame for the murder.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Yes, the same man who set fire to his store
because he wouldn't join their protective association. It's as simple
as that, isn't it. And you're certain that you're in
the clear. You step over the limp form lying in
the middle of the room and slip your gun into
your pocket. You'll drive to the beach toss it into
the sea. Then the only link connecting you with the
(25:51):
killing of O. B. Willis will be missing forever. You
turn out the lights, step into the hall, open the
front door, and start toward the street. And then you stopped,
stunned as a car stops in front of the house.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
It's the sheriff's car. Clinton.
Speaker 5 (26:09):
Hello, Why, Sheriff Carnes. Who you've Clint? Harwell? I'm a
friend of OB's. Just dropped by to see him. I
found the door unlocked and went inside. He Oh he
isn't home.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Oh, Sheriff. Do you think he could have gone back
to the store.
Speaker 5 (26:25):
Probably?
Speaker 11 (26:26):
Oh, mister Harwell, this is Johnny Faine, insurance adjuster.
Speaker 4 (26:30):
From San Francisco.
Speaker 11 (26:31):
Mister Harwan, mister Fane is here to settle things with Willis.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
That's right. You see, we've found a man who set
the fire you have.
Speaker 11 (26:40):
I had an eye on him since mister Fane's company
tipped me off about him six months ago.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
The man's a well known arsonist, burned down two other
stores and two other cities during the past eight years.
Wait a minute, you mean Ob Willis. We're convinced he
set fire to his store himself.
Speaker 5 (26:55):
Hi, I don't understand. What about the men who threatened him,
the protection racke.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
No, it's just a gag. He's used it before too, But.
Speaker 5 (27:03):
He couldn't have set the fire. No, at eleven o'clock last.
Speaker 11 (27:07):
Night, he said he was walking past Ainsley's drug store
saw dogs Killer.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
Sure that was his alibi.
Speaker 11 (27:14):
That would ob half a mile from the fire when
it started. So he wanted us to believe who I mean?
Speaker 3 (27:21):
He he lied.
Speaker 11 (27:22):
Ah, that's right, Willis didn't see dogs Killer. He wasn't
anywhere near the drug store at eleven. He was setting
fire to his own curio shop.
Speaker 3 (27:32):
Oh no, it can't be.
Speaker 11 (27:35):
Well, we'll go on inside wait for Willis to show up.
You'd better come in with us, mister Harwell, you don't mind.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Do you?
Speaker 1 (28:04):
Let that whistle be your signal for the Signal Oil program.
The whistler each Sunday night at this same time, brought
to you by the Signal Oil Company, marketers of Signal
Gasoline and motor oil and fine quality automotive accessories. Many drivers,
when buying gasoline, forget what a big part of the
price goes for tax. In fact, in the average western city,
(28:26):
for every dollar you pay for gasoline itself, you pay
an additional thirty three cents in tax.
Speaker 3 (28:32):
So figure it up.
Speaker 1 (28:33):
The tax you pay on free would buy you another
gallon free. Featured in Tonight's story were Bill Foreman, Joseph Kerns,
and Charlotte Lawrence. The Whistler was produced and directed by
George w Allen, with story by Joel Malone, music by
Wilbur Hatch, and was transmitted to our troops overseas by
(28:55):
the Armed Forces Radio Service. The Whistler is entirely fictional,
and all characters portrayed on the Whistler are also fictional.
Any similarity of names or resemblance to persons living or
dead is purely coincidental. Remember, at the same time, next Sunday,
another strange tale by the Whistler, Marvin Miller speaking for
(29:16):
the Signal Oil Company. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting
System
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