November 19, 2025 • 24 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 (00:15):
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 have stepped
into the shadows. Yes, I know the nameless terrors of
which they dare not speak.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
And now for the Whistler's strange story, the Secret of
Chalk Point.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Chalk Point is a tiny strip of land that extends
into the Pacific, and at land's end stands Jaeger House,
a large and gloomy old structure build at the turn
of the century, barely visible now in the swirling mist,
the heavy fog that clings to the coast of northern California.
And in that fog, strolling casually along the beach, k fallen,
(01:18):
young and attractive, a polo coat wrapped tightly around her,
shutting out the chill of the even Then suddenly she stops,
peers ahead into the gray shadows. A man, Yes, the
figure of a man walking in from the sea, moving
through the fog towards u Que, staggering now and falling
(01:38):
on the beach.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
What's wrong? Are you hurt?
Speaker 1 (01:44):
The ship ship went down?
Speaker 3 (01:48):
A shipwreck?
Speaker 4 (01:49):
Yes, yes, oh, all hands lost?
Speaker 3 (01:56):
When did it happen where up up the coast, fog.
Speaker 5 (02:03):
Hit the rocks there?
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Let me.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
Oh tired, tired, been in the water for owls?
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Seemed like yous?
Speaker 5 (02:18):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
What ship you on?
Speaker 7 (02:19):
Schooner Star of Shanghai. My ship, she's gone, all hands gone.
Speaker 6 (02:26):
My fault, Oh, my fault.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Can you walk?
Speaker 6 (02:32):
I think so? Take me.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
To the house, please, the house, my house up there
in the point, your house.
Speaker 5 (02:44):
Got to get back, get back.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Oh, you're puzzled for a moment, aren't you, kay, by
the strange young man who calls Jaeger House his home.
You've been employed by the owner, Missus Jaeger, as her
secretary companion for over a year now, and you've never
(03:10):
seen him there before, nor has Missus Jaeger ever mentioned him.
He's confused, isn't he? Kay? Yes, that's it, the shock
of the wreck, the terrible experience he's been through. And
so you'll help him along the beach into the house.
You leave him sitting in a chair by the fireplace
and the study, and then hurry down the path to
(03:31):
the caretaker's cottage.
Speaker 8 (03:34):
Day day, Miss kve what's wrong?
Speaker 3 (03:41):
There's been a shipwreck. I found one of the survivors
down on the beach a few minutes ago. I need
your help, of course, miss keve some clothes and then
you'd better get a doctor, notify the authorities.
Speaker 8 (03:50):
Sure thing, you'll find some clothes in the closet. I'll
get the car out, fetch Doc.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Hennery's, and please hurry.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
When did this happen?
Speaker 3 (03:57):
I don't know for certain. The man seemed dazed. He
did say it was his ship, a schooner, the Star
of Shanghai.
Speaker 8 (04:03):
The Star of What's the matter? You sure, he said,
Star of Shanghai.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Yes, yes, of course, But miss Kay, what is it, Dave?
What's the matter that?
Speaker 8 (04:18):
That was the name of Captain Jeger's ship, Miss Kay,
the Star of Shanghai, a schooner. She went down twenty
five years ago. All hands lost, Oh, hands lost?
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Hit the rocks. There was a low fog.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
But David, yes, miss nothing. You'd better hurry for the doctor.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Back inside the house. A few moments later, you stop
in the entry hall stare at the oil painting on
the wall, a painting of a three masted schooner, Captain
Jaeger's ship, the Star of Shanghai. An uneasy feeling begins
to creep over you. Doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Kay?
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Yes, And then suddenly you're aware of a buzzer ringing
close by. It's Missus Jaeger. She wants you. Kay, you
hurry upstairs to a room, find her, as usual, propped
up in bed, the manuscript resting in her lap.
Speaker 5 (05:29):
I've been ringing for you for quite some time, my dear.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
I'm sorry.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
Oh, of course you've been up for your walk.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
Yes, yes, I was, I for good.
Speaker 5 (05:41):
I wanted to tell you. I've just finished reading your manuscript,
my dear. Oh, I like it very much, very much.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Thank you.
Speaker 5 (05:49):
Have you heard from the publishers about it?
Speaker 3 (05:52):
No, I've written to them, but they haven't answered yet.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
Oh. I'm certainly I'll accepted. Kay. It's quite good, really
quite good. However, I do have a few suggestions. That is,
if you don't mind a meddling old woman's advice. No, no,
of course not, mister t will we we can talk
about it in the morning. I feel rather tired now,
(06:20):
very tired in the morning, then if you'll be kind
enough to bring me my hot milk now.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
Right away, missus taker.
Speaker 5 (06:28):
Okay, yes, is something wrong?
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Why? Why?
Speaker 1 (06:34):
No?
Speaker 5 (06:35):
You seem disturbed? No, it's nothing, really, there is something
on your mind.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
Well, in a way, it's the novel, dear.
Speaker 5 (06:46):
You're anxious about it, aren't you, Yes, the novel. It'll
work out, my dear, I know it will.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Missus, yeager. Your husband his ship was lost at sea
some twenty five years ago.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
Oh, that's right, on a night very much like this one. Kay,
h h. Strange that you should ask about it now. Oh,
for some reason, he's been in my thoughts all evening.
It's the fog. I suppose they've horns and all.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Where was the ship lost?
Speaker 5 (07:22):
Not far from here, up the coast. My life ended
that night, my dear. I was very much in love.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
With my husband. Yes, I know, he was such.
Speaker 5 (07:36):
A handsome man, tall, broad shouldered, runs by the sun.
Have you never seen a photograph of him, my dear, No,
I never have the album there handed to me.
Speaker 6 (07:50):
Will you.
Speaker 5 (07:54):
Here you are, mister t Thank you, dear. Uh, let's
see we're here here the captain. This photograph was taken
shortly after we were married. I insisted he sit for it.
He hated to have his photograph taken, but I went out. Look, Kay,
(08:16):
wasn't he handsome?
Speaker 1 (08:19):
You take the album and your hand begins to tremble
as you stare at the faded photograph. You can't believe
what you see, can you? Kay? The man in the
photograph is the image of the man you found on
the beach just a few minutes ago.
Speaker 5 (08:35):
Why, what's the matter, my dear?
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Nothing, nothing at all, Missus Jagger.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
It was a shock, wasn't it, kay, discovering the photograph
on the album a photograph of Captain Yeager lost at
sea some twenty five years ago. And yet you're certain
it's the same man you found on the beach off
Chalk Point just a few minutes ago, very much alive.
A man who seemed dazed spoke of the wreck of
(09:39):
a ship named Star of Shanghai, the same as Captain
Yeager's old ship. He also said Jaeger House was his home.
You leave Missus Yeager in the upstairs room, hurry down
to the study, and then you stopped just outside the door.
You're afraid to go in, aren't you? Kay? Yes, because
(10:00):
he's in there, the man you found on the beach.
Speaker 8 (10:05):
Oh the doorbell, here's the doc, miss k he brought
the share for him.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Oh yes, come on, doctor Henderson, come in here.
Speaker 6 (10:15):
Thank you, my dear, you and miss Fallon, Now, where
is this young man.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
In there the study?
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Well, i'll take a look at him.
Speaker 6 (10:23):
I'll go with you. Doctor, Miss Fallen old Day was
telling me you said this man mentioned the star of Shanghai.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
Yes, that's right.
Speaker 6 (10:34):
That was the name of Captain Jegy's ship that went
down twenty five years ago.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
So I understand schooner it was.
Speaker 6 (10:41):
So was this one I see you mentioned when this
wreck happened.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
He said something about being in the water for hours
and hours.
Speaker 6 (10:52):
Fanay. We usually get a call from the coast guard
when there's a shipwreck.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
And you didn't know your miss Kay.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Yes, doctor, the young man you're sure you left him
in here?
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Of course, isn't he? He was sitting right there and
he's gone.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
You'll notice a quick exchange of glances between doctor Henderson
and Dave, don't you, kay? And then the sheriff joins
you and the others in a search of the house,
all the rooms except missus. Yeakers, you search the grounds too,
But there's no sign of the young man.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
I can't understand it. Where could he have gone?
Speaker 6 (11:34):
Well, he's not around here, that's sure thing, miss.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
He might have wandered down to the beach again.
Speaker 6 (11:39):
Maybe I'll have my deputy organize a search party as
soon as I get to a phone. You're a writer,
aren't you. In my spare time, Old Dave tells me
you finished a novel or some sort of a sea story.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Right, Yes, that's right. Why do you ask?
Speaker 6 (11:57):
Oh? I was just wondering, that's all.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
What is it?
Speaker 6 (12:01):
Sheeff like? I said, Miss Fallon, I'll have my boys
organize a search party to look for this man you
said you've found on the beach. But you should, But
what for your sake? I hope this isn't just a
publicity stunt, miss Fallow. Publicity stunt Sometimes er writer thinks
a little sensational publicity. You well, you know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
You see here, Sheriff.
Speaker 6 (12:25):
If Captain Yeager was still alive, he'd have made himself
known years ago.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
But the photograph and Missus Yegger's album it's the same, man,
I know it. Sure album is in her room. You
can see for yourself.
Speaker 6 (12:36):
Missus Jagger isn't well, as you know, and I don't
think it would be advisable to intrude on her at
this time with a story like this, Miss Vap, I
tell you.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
The man.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
You stand there for a moment, staring after him. Then
you turn angrily walk into the house. Then you remember
the cup of milk Missus Yeagger had asked for. A
few minutes later, you'll go upstairs, and as you approached
missus Jagger's room, Hey, hey.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
Missus Yegger, what is it? What's wrong?
Speaker 6 (13:12):
My dear?
Speaker 3 (13:13):
My little lamp on the floor? What happened?
Speaker 9 (13:18):
I must have knocked it over When I woke up,
I had dozed off. I had the strangest dream, dream
that the captain had come back. What Oh, it was
so so real. He was standing here by my bed,
looking down on me.
Speaker 6 (13:38):
Now, miss fallen. We couldn't find any trace of the man.
My deputy and his boys were out practically all night,
no sign of him at all. I see, sir, check
with the coastguard. Do they don't know anything about a shipwreck?
The only schooner called the Star Shang I ever heard
dog went down twenty five years ago.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
The sheriff still thinks it's a publicity stand on your
part doesn't decay, and so does everyone else. You're angry
and still a little frightened, and you decide to go
straight to your employer missus Yeaker, tell her of the
wet footprints beside her bed the night she dreamed her
husband had returned, and see if she has any possible explanation.
(14:22):
You hurry to the parking lot behind the telegraph office,
where you park your car. You get in step on
the starter. As you maneuver out of the narrow parking strip,
your back bumper strikes something at the side of the building. Annoyed,
get out and discover that you've damaged a bicycle. You'll
leave a note with your address, offering to pay for
(14:43):
any repairs, and then drive swiftly back to the house
at Chalk Point. If you start inside, you glance towards
the sea and your heart seems to jump up in
your throat. A low fog still clings to the shore,
and in it the figure of a man walking slowly
along the beach. You are certain it's the same man
(15:05):
you saw a stagger from the sea. You hurry down
the path, your heart pounding. Now it's vanished, hasn't he
kay nowhere in sight? Suddenly you hear a familiar voice
behind you.
Speaker 10 (15:19):
Okay, oh Jess, Sorry, I didn't mean to start you.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
That's all right, Jess, I'm glad you're here.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
It started to.
Speaker 10 (15:25):
Come down and take a look around on my own.
I'm only the deputy sheriff.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Who mean you believe my story of what happened last night?
Speaker 5 (15:31):
Yest?
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Will you found a man on the beach?
Speaker 10 (15:33):
Why shouldn't I? Kay? I know you're too well to
think you'd make up a story like that for publicity purposes.
Believes me as for it being Captain Yeager was.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Of course, there wasn't Captain Yeger, but the photograph and
the album it's the same man.
Speaker 10 (15:47):
Yes, I wonder if you could get that photograph for
me quietly, that is, we don't want to alarm missus Jaeger.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
Yes, yes, I think so. I'll have to wait until
she goes to sleep. It'll be some time after nine.
Speaker 10 (16:00):
I'll be waiting here nine o'clock.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Well, she might decide to read, however, it might be later.
I'd better drive into the village in the morning to
meet you there.
Speaker 10 (16:08):
I could be here at nine tonight just and can No.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
No, I think we'd better wait until morning.
Speaker 10 (16:13):
Okay, you got a few minutes now, Yes, of course,
let's walk down the beach. I'd like you to tell
me what happened last night, exactly the way it happened,
every little detail you remember.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
At last k You've found someone who believes in you,
Jess Williams, the young deputy sheriff, the man you know
you can trust. That night, you wait in your room
for Missus Jager to go to sleep. You glance casually
through the San Francisco paper you bought at the village,
and then suddenly something you see on one of the
inside pages startles you. Photograph of a.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
Man Carl tassit deported gangster shot in gun battle with
San Francisco police. The one time Underworld czar who had
re entered the United States illegally was slain. Yes, come in.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Evening, miss Kay.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Oh Dave, what is it?
Speaker 8 (17:18):
I just saw Missus Jeger. Yes, she won't be wanting
her hot milk tonight.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
All right, Dave, thank you. I guess I'll go straight
to bed. Oh Dave, Oh nothing, never mind.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
It suddenly occurred to you, didn't it, Kay, Where you
met the man whose picture you saw in the San
Francisco paper. Yes, he's Carl Tessen, the gangster, and you
saw him with old Dave two weeks ago, bumped into
them accidentally one night as they were leaving his cottage.
You remember how they hurried away when they saw you.
Recalled Dave's pointed questions the next day. At the time,
(18:04):
you gave little thought to the matter, But now you
realize Dave was pumping you to see whether or not
you got a close look at Tassin. You wonder about
the whole chalk point set up, and then suddenly things
begin to fall into place, and you'll sit there thinking
it out. Then you tiptoe down the hall to missus
Jeger's room and listen. You hear a voice, a man's voice,
(18:29):
but you can't make out what he's saying. Then Dave, too.
Speaker 8 (18:35):
Bad, she was listening, Miss k Now you'd better go
on in.
Speaker 5 (18:39):
Now, look, Dave, what's the idea?
Speaker 8 (18:43):
She was outside the door, ma'am getting an air full?
Speaker 5 (18:46):
Oh I see, Come on in, Miss Fallen.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
Well, we we've met before, haven't we.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
That's right on the beach last night you er rescued
me from the surf Captain Yeager.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
That's me.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
Really, I find that a little hard to believe.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
So did the police?
Speaker 7 (19:09):
Huh?
Speaker 3 (19:12):
You planned the whole act to discredit me?
Speaker 4 (19:15):
Missus Yegger planned it? I preferred more violent action, Missus Yegger.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
Yes, kay i, I didn't want you to get hurt.
Speaker 3 (19:22):
And all this because I happened to see a man
outside of Dave's cottage two weeks ago, a gangster you
had smuggled into the States, Karl Tarsen.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
That's right after Tasin got himself knocked off. We figured
you'd probably see his picture in the paper, go to
the police.
Speaker 3 (19:38):
But after what happened last night, nobody would believe the
story about Tarsin either right.
Speaker 4 (19:45):
In your case, the little girl who cried wolf once
too often, very clever, mister Norton, Captain Naughton, master of
the freighter Western Star.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
So that's how you get your clients to the States.
Speaker 4 (19:58):
Carl Tarssen was a visual case the kind of man
we could have used. Actually, our main business is smuggling.
We've got a great set up here, miss Fallon, and
you're not going to spoil it.
Speaker 5 (20:09):
What are you going to do? Captain?
Speaker 4 (20:11):
But I should have done a long time ago, Missus Jagger,
instead of going through that crazy routine of yours.
Speaker 5 (20:16):
No, I won't allow it.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
Oh, you won't allow it.
Speaker 5 (20:18):
No, as long as I'm a partner and you're using
my house as a rendezvous.
Speaker 6 (20:22):
What I say goes not anymore.
Speaker 4 (20:25):
I'm running this and you'll do as I say. You're
in pretty deep, missus Jagger. Don't forget that.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
Save your breath.
Speaker 7 (20:32):
It's the only way.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
It's this girl or us.
Speaker 4 (20:36):
All right, miss Fallon, Suppose the two of us take
a nice little stroll along the beach.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
You're certainly's going to kill you, aren't you? Kay? Because
you know too much. As you walk through the downstairs hall,
you glance at the a few minutes after nine, and
then you realize if you'd listen to the deputy agreed
to let him wait for you at the beach, he'd
be there now close by to save you. You move
out of the house, Captain Norton right behind you, the
(21:14):
gun in his hand, and the two of you go
down the path to the beach.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
All right, miss Fallon, this is as far as we go.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
Listen to me, Captain Norton, like.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
I told the old lady, save it.
Speaker 5 (21:26):
You know.
Speaker 4 (21:28):
You're a nice looking doll. Okay, Yeah, I sort of
hate to do this, but I've got to think of
that easy dough I'm making those suckers who will pay
five grand to have me ease them into the States.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
I wouldn't tell any more.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
Sure, I bet you wouldn't.
Speaker 7 (21:46):
Sorry, baby, Sorry.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
It all seems like a nightmare, doesn't it. Kay. The
strange man staggering out of the sea is complete disappearance,
The realization that Chalk Point is the headquarters of a
criminal smuggling ring, that even your employer, Missus Yeager, is
a part of it. And then the walk to the
beach with Captain Norton, the head of the organization, his
decision to kill you. Yes, your mind is spinning when
(22:35):
suddenly you realize you are lying on the couch in
the study of Jaeger House, and your friend Jess Williams,
the deputy sheriff, is standing close by, looking down on you.
Speaker 7 (22:46):
Smiling higher.
Speaker 10 (22:47):
Kay, filmora, I.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
Think so, Jess, how did I get here?
Speaker 10 (22:56):
You fainted? But Captain Norton, he's in the other room, handcuffed.
Told Dave they've give me the whole story of the
racket and including Missus Yeage's partner.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
Captain Norton had a gun.
Speaker 5 (23:07):
He was going to shoot me.
Speaker 7 (23:08):
No.
Speaker 10 (23:10):
I spotted it to you when you left the house.
When I saw I had you covered the gun I followed,
looks like a fire just in time.
Speaker 5 (23:18):
You saved my life jests.
Speaker 10 (23:19):
Yeah, funny the way it happened to I wasn't intending
to see until the morrow morning. I was cruising around
the village in the squad car a little while ago
ran out to Frankie Holden.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
The youngster at the telegraph office.
Speaker 10 (23:33):
Yeah, he had a telegram to deliver out this way.
His bicycle was broken, so I gave him a lift.
You me, I mean a certain hit and run artist
named Kay Fallon smashed Frankie's bicycle, left a very thoughtful
note on lucky you did too, Otherwise I wouldn't have
(23:56):
picked Frankie up. Been out here to night.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
Featured in Tonight's Story where Bill Forman is the Whistler, Virginia,
Greg Larry Thor, Isabel Randolph, Raymond Burr, leo' cleary, and
Britt Wood. The Whistler was produced and directed by George
w Allen, with story by Adrian John Doe, music by
Wilbur Hatch, and was transmitted overseas by the Armed Forces
Radio Service. The Whistler was entirely fictional, and all characters
(24:47):
portrayed on the Whistler are also fictional. Any similarity of
names or resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
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 have stepped
into the shadows. Yes, I know the nameless terrors of
which they dare not speak.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
And now for the Whistler's strange story, the Secret of
Chalk Point.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Chalk Point is a tiny strip of land that extends
into the Pacific, and at land's end stands Jaeger House,
a large and gloomy old structure build at the turn
of the century, barely visible now in the swirling mist,
the heavy fog that clings to the coast of northern California.
And in that fog, strolling casually along the beach, k fallen,
(01:18):
young and attractive, a polo coat wrapped tightly around her,
shutting out the chill of the even Then suddenly she stops,
peers ahead into the gray shadows. A man, Yes, the
figure of a man walking in from the sea, moving
through the fog towards u Que, staggering now and falling
(01:38):
on the beach.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
What's wrong? Are you hurt?
Speaker 1 (01:44):
The ship ship went down?
Speaker 3 (01:48):
A shipwreck?
Speaker 4 (01:49):
Yes, yes, oh, all hands lost?
Speaker 3 (01:56):
When did it happen where up up the coast, fog.
Speaker 5 (02:03):
Hit the rocks there?
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Let me.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
Oh tired, tired, been in the water for owls?
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Seemed like yous?
Speaker 5 (02:18):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
What ship you on?
Speaker 7 (02:19):
Schooner Star of Shanghai. My ship, she's gone, all hands gone.
Speaker 6 (02:26):
My fault, Oh, my fault.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Can you walk?
Speaker 6 (02:32):
I think so? Take me.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
To the house, please, the house, my house up there
in the point, your house.
Speaker 5 (02:44):
Got to get back, get back.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Oh, you're puzzled for a moment, aren't you, kay, by
the strange young man who calls Jaeger House his home.
You've been employed by the owner, Missus Jaeger, as her
secretary companion for over a year now, and you've never
(03:10):
seen him there before, nor has Missus Jaeger ever mentioned him.
He's confused, isn't he? Kay? Yes, that's it, the shock
of the wreck, the terrible experience he's been through. And
so you'll help him along the beach into the house.
You leave him sitting in a chair by the fireplace
and the study, and then hurry down the path to
(03:31):
the caretaker's cottage.
Speaker 8 (03:34):
Day day, Miss kve what's wrong?
Speaker 3 (03:41):
There's been a shipwreck. I found one of the survivors
down on the beach a few minutes ago. I need
your help, of course, miss keve some clothes and then
you'd better get a doctor, notify the authorities.
Speaker 8 (03:50):
Sure thing, you'll find some clothes in the closet. I'll
get the car out, fetch Doc.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Hennery's, and please hurry.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
When did this happen?
Speaker 3 (03:57):
I don't know for certain. The man seemed dazed. He
did say it was his ship, a schooner, the Star
of Shanghai.
Speaker 8 (04:03):
The Star of What's the matter? You sure, he said,
Star of Shanghai.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Yes, yes, of course, But miss Kay, what is it, Dave?
What's the matter that?
Speaker 8 (04:18):
That was the name of Captain Jeger's ship, Miss Kay,
the Star of Shanghai, a schooner. She went down twenty
five years ago. All hands lost, Oh, hands lost?
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Hit the rocks. There was a low fog.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
But David, yes, miss nothing. You'd better hurry for the doctor.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Back inside the house. A few moments later, you stop
in the entry hall stare at the oil painting on
the wall, a painting of a three masted schooner, Captain
Jaeger's ship, the Star of Shanghai. An uneasy feeling begins
to creep over you. Doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Kay?
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Yes, And then suddenly you're aware of a buzzer ringing
close by. It's Missus Jaeger. She wants you. Kay, you
hurry upstairs to a room, find her, as usual, propped
up in bed, the manuscript resting in her lap.
Speaker 5 (05:29):
I've been ringing for you for quite some time, my dear.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
I'm sorry.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
Oh, of course you've been up for your walk.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
Yes, yes, I was, I for good.
Speaker 5 (05:41):
I wanted to tell you. I've just finished reading your manuscript,
my dear. Oh, I like it very much, very much.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Thank you.
Speaker 5 (05:49):
Have you heard from the publishers about it?
Speaker 3 (05:52):
No, I've written to them, but they haven't answered yet.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
Oh. I'm certainly I'll accepted. Kay. It's quite good, really
quite good. However, I do have a few suggestions. That is,
if you don't mind a meddling old woman's advice. No, no,
of course not, mister t will we we can talk
about it in the morning. I feel rather tired now,
(06:20):
very tired in the morning, then if you'll be kind
enough to bring me my hot milk now.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
Right away, missus taker.
Speaker 5 (06:28):
Okay, yes, is something wrong?
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Why? Why?
Speaker 1 (06:34):
No?
Speaker 5 (06:35):
You seem disturbed? No, it's nothing, really, there is something
on your mind.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
Well, in a way, it's the novel, dear.
Speaker 5 (06:46):
You're anxious about it, aren't you, Yes, the novel. It'll
work out, my dear, I know it will.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Missus, yeager. Your husband his ship was lost at sea
some twenty five years ago.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
Oh, that's right, on a night very much like this one. Kay,
h h. Strange that you should ask about it now. Oh,
for some reason, he's been in my thoughts all evening.
It's the fog. I suppose they've horns and all.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Where was the ship lost?
Speaker 5 (07:22):
Not far from here, up the coast. My life ended
that night, my dear. I was very much in love.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
With my husband. Yes, I know, he was such.
Speaker 5 (07:36):
A handsome man, tall, broad shouldered, runs by the sun.
Have you never seen a photograph of him, my dear, No,
I never have the album there handed to me.
Speaker 6 (07:50):
Will you.
Speaker 5 (07:54):
Here you are, mister t Thank you, dear. Uh, let's
see we're here here the captain. This photograph was taken
shortly after we were married. I insisted he sit for it.
He hated to have his photograph taken, but I went out. Look, Kay,
(08:16):
wasn't he handsome?
Speaker 1 (08:19):
You take the album and your hand begins to tremble
as you stare at the faded photograph. You can't believe
what you see, can you? Kay? The man in the
photograph is the image of the man you found on
the beach just a few minutes ago.
Speaker 5 (08:35):
Why, what's the matter, my dear?
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Nothing, nothing at all, Missus Jagger.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
It was a shock, wasn't it, kay, discovering the photograph
on the album a photograph of Captain Yeager lost at
sea some twenty five years ago. And yet you're certain
it's the same man you found on the beach off
Chalk Point just a few minutes ago, very much alive.
A man who seemed dazed spoke of the wreck of
(09:39):
a ship named Star of Shanghai, the same as Captain
Yeager's old ship. He also said Jaeger House was his home.
You leave Missus Yeager in the upstairs room, hurry down
to the study, and then you stopped just outside the door.
You're afraid to go in, aren't you? Kay? Yes, because
(10:00):
he's in there, the man you found on the beach.
Speaker 8 (10:05):
Oh the doorbell, here's the doc, miss k he brought
the share for him.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Oh yes, come on, doctor Henderson, come in here.
Speaker 6 (10:15):
Thank you, my dear, you and miss Fallon, Now, where
is this young man.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
In there the study?
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Well, i'll take a look at him.
Speaker 6 (10:23):
I'll go with you. Doctor, Miss Fallen old Day was
telling me you said this man mentioned the star of Shanghai.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
Yes, that's right.
Speaker 6 (10:34):
That was the name of Captain Jegy's ship that went
down twenty five years ago.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
So I understand schooner it was.
Speaker 6 (10:41):
So was this one I see you mentioned when this
wreck happened.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
He said something about being in the water for hours
and hours.
Speaker 6 (10:52):
Fanay. We usually get a call from the coast guard
when there's a shipwreck.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
And you didn't know your miss Kay.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Yes, doctor, the young man you're sure you left him
in here?
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Of course, isn't he? He was sitting right there and
he's gone.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
You'll notice a quick exchange of glances between doctor Henderson
and Dave, don't you, kay? And then the sheriff joins
you and the others in a search of the house,
all the rooms except missus. Yeakers, you search the grounds too,
But there's no sign of the young man.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
I can't understand it. Where could he have gone?
Speaker 6 (11:34):
Well, he's not around here, that's sure thing, miss.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
He might have wandered down to the beach again.
Speaker 6 (11:39):
Maybe I'll have my deputy organize a search party as
soon as I get to a phone. You're a writer,
aren't you. In my spare time, Old Dave tells me
you finished a novel or some sort of a sea story.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Right, Yes, that's right. Why do you ask?
Speaker 6 (11:57):
Oh? I was just wondering, that's all.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
What is it?
Speaker 6 (12:01):
Sheeff like? I said, Miss Fallon, I'll have my boys
organize a search party to look for this man you
said you've found on the beach. But you should, But
what for your sake? I hope this isn't just a
publicity stunt, miss Fallow. Publicity stunt Sometimes er writer thinks
a little sensational publicity. You well, you know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
You see here, Sheriff.
Speaker 6 (12:25):
If Captain Yeager was still alive, he'd have made himself
known years ago.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
But the photograph and Missus Yegger's album it's the same, man,
I know it. Sure album is in her room. You
can see for yourself.
Speaker 6 (12:36):
Missus Jagger isn't well, as you know, and I don't
think it would be advisable to intrude on her at
this time with a story like this, Miss Vap, I
tell you.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
The man.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
You stand there for a moment, staring after him. Then
you turn angrily walk into the house. Then you remember
the cup of milk Missus Yeagger had asked for. A
few minutes later, you'll go upstairs, and as you approached
missus Jagger's room, Hey, hey.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
Missus Yegger, what is it? What's wrong?
Speaker 6 (13:12):
My dear?
Speaker 3 (13:13):
My little lamp on the floor? What happened?
Speaker 9 (13:18):
I must have knocked it over When I woke up,
I had dozed off. I had the strangest dream, dream
that the captain had come back. What Oh, it was
so so real. He was standing here by my bed,
looking down on me.
Speaker 6 (13:38):
Now, miss fallen. We couldn't find any trace of the man.
My deputy and his boys were out practically all night,
no sign of him at all. I see, sir, check
with the coastguard. Do they don't know anything about a shipwreck?
The only schooner called the Star Shang I ever heard
dog went down twenty five years ago.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
The sheriff still thinks it's a publicity stand on your
part doesn't decay, and so does everyone else. You're angry
and still a little frightened, and you decide to go
straight to your employer missus Yeaker, tell her of the
wet footprints beside her bed the night she dreamed her
husband had returned, and see if she has any possible explanation.
(14:22):
You hurry to the parking lot behind the telegraph office,
where you park your car. You get in step on
the starter. As you maneuver out of the narrow parking strip,
your back bumper strikes something at the side of the building. Annoyed,
get out and discover that you've damaged a bicycle. You'll
leave a note with your address, offering to pay for
(14:43):
any repairs, and then drive swiftly back to the house
at Chalk Point. If you start inside, you glance towards
the sea and your heart seems to jump up in
your throat. A low fog still clings to the shore,
and in it the figure of a man walking slowly
along the beach. You are certain it's the same man
(15:05):
you saw a stagger from the sea. You hurry down
the path, your heart pounding. Now it's vanished, hasn't he
kay nowhere in sight? Suddenly you hear a familiar voice
behind you.
Speaker 10 (15:19):
Okay, oh Jess, Sorry, I didn't mean to start you.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
That's all right, Jess, I'm glad you're here.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
It started to.
Speaker 10 (15:25):
Come down and take a look around on my own.
I'm only the deputy sheriff.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Who mean you believe my story of what happened last night?
Speaker 5 (15:31):
Yest?
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Will you found a man on the beach?
Speaker 10 (15:33):
Why shouldn't I? Kay? I know you're too well to
think you'd make up a story like that for publicity purposes.
Believes me as for it being Captain Yeager was.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Of course, there wasn't Captain Yeger, but the photograph and
the album it's the same man.
Speaker 10 (15:47):
Yes, I wonder if you could get that photograph for
me quietly, that is, we don't want to alarm missus Jaeger.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
Yes, yes, I think so. I'll have to wait until
she goes to sleep. It'll be some time after nine.
Speaker 10 (16:00):
I'll be waiting here nine o'clock.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Well, she might decide to read, however, it might be later.
I'd better drive into the village in the morning to
meet you there.
Speaker 10 (16:08):
I could be here at nine tonight just and can No.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
No, I think we'd better wait until morning.
Speaker 10 (16:13):
Okay, you got a few minutes now, Yes, of course,
let's walk down the beach. I'd like you to tell
me what happened last night, exactly the way it happened,
every little detail you remember.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
At last k You've found someone who believes in you,
Jess Williams, the young deputy sheriff, the man you know
you can trust. That night, you wait in your room
for Missus Jager to go to sleep. You glance casually
through the San Francisco paper you bought at the village,
and then suddenly something you see on one of the
inside pages startles you. Photograph of a.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
Man Carl tassit deported gangster shot in gun battle with
San Francisco police. The one time Underworld czar who had
re entered the United States illegally was slain. Yes, come in.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Evening, miss Kay.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Oh Dave, what is it?
Speaker 8 (17:18):
I just saw Missus Jeger. Yes, she won't be wanting
her hot milk tonight.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
All right, Dave, thank you. I guess I'll go straight
to bed. Oh Dave, Oh nothing, never mind.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
It suddenly occurred to you, didn't it, Kay, Where you
met the man whose picture you saw in the San
Francisco paper. Yes, he's Carl Tessen, the gangster, and you
saw him with old Dave two weeks ago, bumped into
them accidentally one night as they were leaving his cottage.
You remember how they hurried away when they saw you.
Recalled Dave's pointed questions the next day. At the time,
(18:04):
you gave little thought to the matter, But now you
realize Dave was pumping you to see whether or not
you got a close look at Tassin. You wonder about
the whole chalk point set up, and then suddenly things
begin to fall into place, and you'll sit there thinking
it out. Then you tiptoe down the hall to missus
Jeger's room and listen. You hear a voice, a man's voice,
(18:29):
but you can't make out what he's saying. Then Dave, too.
Speaker 8 (18:35):
Bad, she was listening, Miss k Now you'd better go
on in.
Speaker 5 (18:39):
Now, look, Dave, what's the idea?
Speaker 8 (18:43):
She was outside the door, ma'am getting an air full?
Speaker 5 (18:46):
Oh I see, Come on in, Miss Fallen.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
Well, we we've met before, haven't we.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
That's right on the beach last night you er rescued
me from the surf Captain Yeager.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
That's me.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
Really, I find that a little hard to believe.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
So did the police?
Speaker 7 (19:09):
Huh?
Speaker 3 (19:12):
You planned the whole act to discredit me?
Speaker 4 (19:15):
Missus Yegger planned it? I preferred more violent action, Missus Yegger.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
Yes, kay i, I didn't want you to get hurt.
Speaker 3 (19:22):
And all this because I happened to see a man
outside of Dave's cottage two weeks ago, a gangster you
had smuggled into the States, Karl Tarsen.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
That's right after Tasin got himself knocked off. We figured
you'd probably see his picture in the paper, go to
the police.
Speaker 3 (19:38):
But after what happened last night, nobody would believe the
story about Tarsin either right.
Speaker 4 (19:45):
In your case, the little girl who cried wolf once
too often, very clever, mister Norton, Captain Naughton, master of
the freighter Western Star.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
So that's how you get your clients to the States.
Speaker 4 (19:58):
Carl Tarssen was a visual case the kind of man
we could have used. Actually, our main business is smuggling.
We've got a great set up here, miss Fallon, and
you're not going to spoil it.
Speaker 5 (20:09):
What are you going to do? Captain?
Speaker 4 (20:11):
But I should have done a long time ago, Missus Jagger,
instead of going through that crazy routine of yours.
Speaker 5 (20:16):
No, I won't allow it.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
Oh, you won't allow it.
Speaker 5 (20:18):
No, as long as I'm a partner and you're using
my house as a rendezvous.
Speaker 6 (20:22):
What I say goes not anymore.
Speaker 4 (20:25):
I'm running this and you'll do as I say. You're
in pretty deep, missus Jagger. Don't forget that.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
Save your breath.
Speaker 7 (20:32):
It's the only way.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
It's this girl or us.
Speaker 4 (20:36):
All right, miss Fallon, Suppose the two of us take
a nice little stroll along the beach.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
You're certainly's going to kill you, aren't you? Kay? Because
you know too much. As you walk through the downstairs hall,
you glance at the a few minutes after nine, and
then you realize if you'd listen to the deputy agreed
to let him wait for you at the beach, he'd
be there now close by to save you. You move
out of the house, Captain Norton right behind you, the
(21:14):
gun in his hand, and the two of you go
down the path to the beach.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
All right, miss Fallon, this is as far as we go.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
Listen to me, Captain Norton, like.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
I told the old lady, save it.
Speaker 5 (21:26):
You know.
Speaker 4 (21:28):
You're a nice looking doll. Okay, Yeah, I sort of
hate to do this, but I've got to think of
that easy dough I'm making those suckers who will pay
five grand to have me ease them into the States.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
I wouldn't tell any more.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
Sure, I bet you wouldn't.
Speaker 7 (21:46):
Sorry, baby, Sorry.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
It all seems like a nightmare, doesn't it. Kay. The
strange man staggering out of the sea is complete disappearance,
The realization that Chalk Point is the headquarters of a
criminal smuggling ring, that even your employer, Missus Yeager, is
a part of it. And then the walk to the
beach with Captain Norton, the head of the organization, his
decision to kill you. Yes, your mind is spinning when
(22:35):
suddenly you realize you are lying on the couch in
the study of Jaeger House, and your friend Jess Williams,
the deputy sheriff, is standing close by, looking down on you.
Speaker 7 (22:46):
Smiling higher.
Speaker 10 (22:47):
Kay, filmora, I.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
Think so, Jess, how did I get here?
Speaker 10 (22:56):
You fainted? But Captain Norton, he's in the other room, handcuffed.
Told Dave they've give me the whole story of the
racket and including Missus Yeage's partner.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
Captain Norton had a gun.
Speaker 5 (23:07):
He was going to shoot me.
Speaker 7 (23:08):
No.
Speaker 10 (23:10):
I spotted it to you when you left the house.
When I saw I had you covered the gun I followed,
looks like a fire just in time.
Speaker 5 (23:18):
You saved my life jests.
Speaker 10 (23:19):
Yeah, funny the way it happened to I wasn't intending
to see until the morrow morning. I was cruising around
the village in the squad car a little while ago
ran out to Frankie Holden.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
The youngster at the telegraph office.
Speaker 10 (23:33):
Yeah, he had a telegram to deliver out this way.
His bicycle was broken, so I gave him a lift.
You me, I mean a certain hit and run artist
named Kay Fallon smashed Frankie's bicycle, left a very thoughtful
note on lucky you did too, Otherwise I wouldn't have
(23:56):
picked Frankie up. Been out here to night.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
Featured in Tonight's Story where Bill Forman is the Whistler, Virginia,
Greg Larry Thor, Isabel Randolph, Raymond Burr, leo' cleary, and
Britt Wood. The Whistler was produced and directed by George
w Allen, with story by Adrian John Doe, music by
Wilbur Hatch, and was transmitted overseas by the Armed Forces
Radio Service. The Whistler was entirely fictional, and all characters
(24:47):
portrayed on the Whistler are also fictional. Any similarity of
names or resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
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