781 - Hunted Down

CBS Radio - Air Date - 11/17/1977 -

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
A journey in Laurel of the Strainand tenor By. I hope you will
enjoy the triple, that it willtrill you a little and kill you a
little. So settle back, geta good grip on your nerve. Where
are we going? You will findout when we get there. CBS Radio

(00:32):
Mystery Theater Presents, come in.Welcome, I meet you, marshall.

(00:57):
You are all fortunate today, andI I'm indeed glad for you, for
today's story was written by the geniuswho gave us tiny Tim Scrooge, David
Copperfield Oliver Twist, literally a worldof unforgettable characters. Very rarely did Charles
Dickens spin out for us the mystery. But today we will untangle the web

(01:18):
of just such a story. MisterSampson, I came here this evening to
tell you of the peculiar circumstances ofthe girl's death. She was very young,
too young to die. I don'tknow how a where to begin.
It's difficult because you loved the girl. I know, No, you don't
know. I loved her as Ihave never loved anyone. But if the
whole truth were alone, I ledher to her death. I murdered her.

(01:51):
Our mystery drama Hunted Down, writtenby Charles Dickens, was adapted especially
for the mystery theater by James EggottJr. And as Gordon Heath. Charles

(02:20):
Dickens spent quite a bit of timein the United States. He toured the
country reading his stories. He evenwrote some here. This story Hunted Down
appeared serially in the New York Ledgerin August eighteen fifty. But this account
of deception and murder could have happenedtoday, over one hundred and twenty five
years later. The same idea hasbeen copied by modern authors, but no

(02:47):
one has ever told it as vividlyas Charles Dickens. This is the way
it begins. My name is EdgarSampson. I am the chief manager of
London Life, one of England's oldestlife insurance companies. To deal in insurance,

(03:07):
one must know how to judge aman. If you can't do that,
chances are you will be deceived andyour company could lose a fortune to
the unscrupulous. Which brings me tothe first time I met up with Julius
Slington Adams. Who is that mandressed in black who just left the office.

(03:30):
Just now. That was mister JuliusSlington, one of our clients.
No, no, no, no, he's not insured with us, not
as far as I know. Hehas an air about him. I say,
like a warning, a warning,as if he was saying not in
so many words. Take me justas I show myself. Come along,

(03:51):
follow the gravel path, keep offthe grass. I permit note fast passing.
Oh I see which you made misterSampson, mister Ston his whole business,
nothing wrong with that. But thisgentleman wants to be sure you'll know
it well he said it. Heput on a baby yet for the little
he want hid which was a fewapplication for Was her a friend of his

(04:14):
who wants to take out life insurance? Why did he come to London Life?
Did he say? Yes? Hedid? Said he was recommended by
a friend of yours of mine,Adams. Did he know my name?
Hey, yes, sir? Helived over here and said, ah,
there's mister Sampson. Not that Iread the pleasure, sir. I sha'n't
trouble him here. Well, that'llbe all Adams. You may go back

(04:38):
to a desk. No, Ididn't like the looks of miss Slington.
He had smiled too much at Adamswas too agreeable. A week later,
I went to see an old friendfor dinner, and who should be there
but Julius Slington Edgusa Hampston. Wellwho work seems to agree with you,

(05:00):
to admit toub, I enjoy it. It was nice for you to ask
me were from meal? Do youknow that fellow over there standing by the
mental piece? But of course Iknow him. I'm not in the habit
of inviting strangers to eat with meInbland. Since we are both under the
same roof introduce me suddenly, Julius, I want you to meet Edgar Sampson.
Julius Sington, what do you know? I thought you to admit.

(05:23):
Julius was thinking about some life insurance. I told him to look you up.
I did look in at Missus Samston'soffice on your recommendation, Tom,
But since all I wanted was afew insurance forms, I didn't want to
trouble him, or I would havebeen glad to help you. I'm sure
of that, and I'm very muchobliged another time, Perhaps you're thinking of

(05:43):
ensuring your life nor dinner I've read. I'm not so prudent as all that,
as inquiring for a friend, Iad that London life has recently suffered
a great loss in mother Nah nahtalent vigor. I was not aware of
it. I speak of your misterMelton. Boh, sure he is a

(06:08):
great loss, A young man soenergetic. Yes to the shame. You
knew Melton nearly my reputation very young, wasn't it about thirty? Suddenly become
incapable of business at that young age? Any reason for his sudden what should

(06:29):
I call it? A? Myjust thin? So I see Tom is
telling us dinner is served? Ohwill you excuse me? What can I
tell you? I simply could upthe fellow. I thought him prying,
insincere, and I'm sure he musthave realized I was having second thoughts about
him, but my reactions didn't stopSlington. He even sat himself next to

(06:55):
me, and after dinner, aswe were lighting up cigars, there he
was again. I hope bo.I didn't want to go into this at
the table, because we were saying, before this, young chap melfolm,
we used to work for you.Whatever happened? Do you suppose that he
should suffer? Suffer? Suffer,what mister Lincoln I was going to say,

(07:19):
nervous breakdown? Is that what youhave heard? In a way I
understand he was actually how when Iput it broken hearted? I think about
a girl, although it didn't seemprobable to me Melfolm being a young man
so distinguished and attractive. Attractions anddistinctions are no armor against the h The

(07:44):
lady died. Pardon me, Idid not know that that does make a
very said probs to Melfolm. Shedied, ah theah me lamentable, lamentable?
Do you think miss Slington is genuineneither to die? Why is this

(08:07):
commiseration from Nelson whom he couldn't haveknown very well with at all? What
was Slington up to? Mister Samson? You're surprised to see me so moved
about a man I have never known, But I am not so disinterested as
you suppose. I have suffered thenrecently too, from death myself. I

(08:33):
have lost one of two charming nieceswho were my constant companions. She died
nearly twenty three, and her remainingsister is far from strong. My dear
mister Samson, the world is agrave. But now if she would excuse

(08:54):
me, I have a word withthe ambassador. H Dear Edgar, you'll
see those spent a good part ofthe evening talking to Lincton. There's not
a bad chap really. For somereason, Tom, heaven knows why he's
followed me from my first class ofwine to my last cigar. How long
have you known him? Tom?Oh? A few months? I met

(09:15):
him at Busnis, the painter.He was linkedon in Italy, where he'd
been on holiday with his two nieces. One of them died. He returned
to London. He wasn't annoying you, was in not really. There are
some people who travel from house tohouse, visiting acquaintance to acquaintance, and
in that way acquired ready made friend. Don't come now it, yeah,

(09:37):
Julius, Lincton is not that muchof an opportunist, my dear Tom.
When you're a very livelihood and thesuccess of your company depends upon knowing whom
you are dealing with. Said you'resaying, Edgar, that some inner voice
in your is warning you all maynot be what it seems with dear Julists.
Precisely with regard to that, gentleman, I should be extremely surprised or

(10:00):
where what it seems. Good morning, mister Sampson, the gentleman is here
again. He's been waiting to seizeyou Slington. Yes, mister Sampson,
the day to you. It's mattersthe insurance policy. Oh, yes,

(10:20):
the forms who brought to your friend. Yes, the fact is I'm no
little taken by surprise by what myfriend has done by way of life insurance.
As they filled out the application,he told me, sir, what
is his name, mister Sinton BeckwithAdams? If you have a life application
there from understood Beckwith, would youbring it in? You see Beckwith and

(10:45):
I live in the same digs inmiddle temple, top of the same staircase.
His door is opposite mine. Itis mister Sampson and Hestafred Beckwith supplies
for two thousand times life insurance.Thank you Adams. M Yes, seems
to be an author. Uh henames you a beneficiary, missus Lincoln.

(11:11):
I never thought he would. Isuppose he has no other reality. Now
it's done all the time, andnaming of friends as beneficiaries. Now your
for your part, must also fillout one of our forms. That night
I was at home when I hada visit from a young man I had
not seen in several months. JohnMilton. Yes, it's been a long

(11:35):
time, mister Sampson. Too long, Dear John, My boy looked terrible.
What have you been doing with yourself? I'm not up to thought,
John. I don't think you shouldhave quit the company. When a said
event happens through an extent of faith, that may I interrupt you, mister
Sampson. This was no mere sadevent, but a tragedy, a great
tragedy. Nor believe me, wasit a simple sidden to faith. My

(12:01):
point is, no matter how tragic, wednes days must go on to do
that, the best medicine is tofill your hours with work. Come back
to London life, John, We'llwelcome you like a shot. I can't
do the work. I've lost faithin my ability to judge or understand motives.
I would be worthless to you.All the calls. The girl we
insured dies and now let let's nottalk about it at any rate. I've

(12:26):
decided on another line of work,something i'd rather do. I hope it
pays you well, and I hopeyou were as good at it as you
were in insurance. Follow Us thoughtyou were a marvelous agent, and your
commissions proved it, mister Sampson.All they proved is I put money ahead
of humanity. And that's what That'swhy I I can't say it. It's

(12:50):
why Marguerite is dead. I'm sorry. The pain is too with you.
I loved her, mister Sampson,Oh how I loved her. Death is
a part of life. Yes,I can accept that, but not the
reason for her death. I camethis evening to tell you of the peculiar
circumstances surrounding her death. She wasvery young, too young. Please please

(13:15):
please say nothing as you wish.I shall sit here and listen. This
is very difficult for me to talkabout. I'm sure it is no.
No, you don't I killed Marguerite. I did. If I love that
girl, as I have never lovedanyone before or ever shall again. But

(13:37):
if the whole truth were known,I and I alone led her to her
death. I murdered her. Wehear right on earner of events, and

(14:01):
our man, Edgar Sampson, whomanages London life, meets, dislikes and
suspects the sincerity if one Julia Slimpton, then his former employee John Meltham,
confesses to a murderer. Is therea link between these three men? If
there are answers, let us hopefullyour forthcoming. When I returned shortly with
that too. Charles Dickens came tohis interest in mystery murderer and the work

(14:41):
of detection late in his creative life. Not that social injustice, which he
constantly a sailor, was foreign tohim, but specific chicainry like that in
this story was a new subject forDickens. Certainly, none of his characters
before John Meltham had ever confessed tomurder. I killed that sweet girl just
as certainly as if I had puta bullet through her head. John,

(15:05):
John, I want you to calmdown. It's been too much for me
to bear alone. Let me,in my own way, tell you how
it happened. I was sitting atmy desk at London Life. You were
away, I believe, mister Meltham, very young lady come to inquired by
insurance. Isn't you can see her? That's why? Certainly, Adams,

(15:28):
what is her name? Oh?I don't need to be announced. I'm
not royalty Marguerite Nyla. And you, Sir John Meltham, A pray sit
down, mister Melton, London.Life has been recommended to me as trustworthy.
I wish to deal with a companythat will make good on its promises
to pay. I sincerely hope,Miss Nylah, that day is in the
very distant future. We all hopethat, mister Melcom But death does not

(15:52):
always controlt. How wish it is. How old are you twenty three?
You are smiling, mister Meltham.Of course we will insure you. But
may I say, for one soyoung and beautiful, it seems to me
that your I appreciate the compliment.May I have performs to? Oh?

(16:12):
Please? Could I have a glassof water? I don't feel at all
well, Miss miss Nina, Missmiss Nider, Oh, good lord,
she's fainted. Adams come here quickly. In a matter of moments. She
had come too of her own accord. Adams and I lifted this beautiful creature

(16:33):
and carried her to the couch inyour office. Mister Sampson, I had
heard she'd some slight indisposition, butI had no idea that poor girl had
fainted. Well, she insisted weimmediately begin to process a policy. When
I asked her if she was underdoctor's care. She actually implied they had
all given her up. Well rightthere, I should have said, my

(16:53):
dear young lady, if indeed youhave a history of illness, London life
cannot ensure you. But she wasso intense about taking it out as she
lay there, looking at me deeplywith her lavender eyes, reaching and touching
my heart. But how could Irefuse her? I could not. I
understand extenuating circumstances. I loved her. There could be no other reason.

(17:18):
I'm thirty years old, and forthe first time in my life I knew
love. John. Perhaps insuring MissMinor without medical approval was fool hardy,
but I would hardly call that anact of murder. Why she was abroad
in Italy when it happened. Iknow now Marguerite did not die a natural
death. You have proof, notyet, but one must have proof.

(17:42):
Let us say I have enough.But whether at this moment I have adequate
proof or not, I shall followthe person I believe directly responsible until the
ends of the earth soil police,Oh no, they may have this person
later. For now, it ismy satisfaction to avenge the deed. John.

(18:03):
I believe the death of this younglady, is something you should completely
erase from your mind. It isunhealthy to dwell upon it, and it
could wreck your life. And supposingyou were wrong that hers was the natural
death, I cannot forget the dayshe passed away. It was only one
month of the day her life policywent into effect. It was also the

(18:26):
day I had purchased a wedding ring. It was quite late when John Milton
left my house. We kept intouch, and in September I went down
to Eastbourne for a breath of seaair. Who should be walking the beach
that very late afternoon but Julius Slingtonwith a beautiful girl on his arm,

(18:52):
A very delicate, very detailed,melancholy young lady dressed in morning, mister
Sampson, as I live and breathe, mister Slington. Miss is a coincidence,
how, sir, I was thinkingof you just the other day in
a kind day fashion. And Ihope, Missus Sampson, this is miss

(19:12):
Nina, my niece, Marjorie.This is Missus Sampson. Deloighted, I'm
sure, how do you do?Are you strolling? Missus Samson? Shall
we stroll together? Well? Pleasure? Marjorie and I are about Tickney's rather
steep slimes with the top beachie head. Oh look there the mark of wheels

(19:33):
and Sam the wheels of a headgage, Marjorie, and my love your
shaddow. No doubt this Snyder's shadow, another sun shadow, Marjorie, my
dear, tell mister Sampson, verynothing to tell, except that I constantly
see the same invalid old gentleman's alltimes wherever I go. When I'm strolling

(19:59):
the beach, or as we arenow mounting the path to the cliffs,
there he is within sight, beingwheeled about in the bath chair. Strange
does he live in Eastbourne? Heis staying here? Do you live in
Eastbourne? Also merely staying? DearUncle Julius is concerned over my health,

(20:23):
so he has me staying with afamily and your shadow, why shadow ideas
like myself, not very robust.He's always bundled up. You can hardly
see his face. I don't thinkI should know him if I were to
meet him. I think I seehis bath chair down there, coming towards

(20:44):
us. I've not seen him fordays, but it does happen wherever I
go, this gentleman go. I'mquite out of breath from the client.
Uncle, Can we rest a bit, certainly? Yeah, we're practically at
the top. Isn't that your shadownow at the foot of our path?

(21:06):
Yes, ah, there he is. I noticed he's always having his bath
chair pushed by the same gray headchip. Will you both excuse me for
a moment. I think I knowthe gentleman. Good evening, mister Sampson.
I'm glad you're arrived before he gotdark shell. I must congratulate you

(21:29):
upon your disguise. You make anadmirable elderly bundled up gent Thank you at
your man servant as well as aporter. I knew he would. I
came as soon as I got yourmessage. Sir, Marjorie Niner is in
danger of her life. I quiteunderstand he must get her away from him.
I shall do my best. No, not like dear margatite her sister.
We must see. I have everyintention keep us inside, John,

(21:53):
and I shall do my best toeffect a riscie. You must not know
that we now have no fear.Oh bless you, sir, good thank
god. I can't see them upthere. I must start that caught it,
horry. I ran off the steeppath at beach he had filled with
frightening thoughts of what the area isknown for. As I got to the

(22:14):
top, I saw moderin Niner atthe very edge, stuggling with Slington.
Stop. Oh a, Hugh Sampson, Thank every I thought we'd lost Haner.
What is it I do? No, right now, I don't.
I was just looking down there,shot jacket rots and I must have lost

(22:37):
my balance or something. It's alsoguy was being pushed up. No,
I said, I heard you crystop, and then Uncle Julius reached out
and can he caught me? Hecaught me before I tell my dear Marjorie,
I think this cry was too muchfor you, but it was your
idea. Uncle. Are you allright, miss Ninder? Thank you?

(22:59):
Yes? Samson, well, misterSamson? Who was he a big gor
pob? Marjorie is dying to knowwho her shadow is. H Yes,
the old gentleman. He is anintimate friend of our mutual friend Tom,
at whose house we first met acertain major Banks, the old East Indio
director. You have heard of him. Banks. Never very rich, miss,

(23:26):
I know, but very old andvery crippled. He has been much
interested in you, even at thelong range. He was telling me of
the affection he observed between you andyour uncle. Our affection is always a
strong one, for we had afew near ties. There are two us,
Samson. Would you be a goodfellow sit here with my niece while

(23:48):
I run back and fetch I mentionedI shall be glad to him. Oh
God, I'm putting you to suchtrouble, tasteful tasting stuff. I shall
be as quick as I can becareful. It's almost dark now on the
path is steep, God way,my dear half. Now, sir and
I shall be back. He issuch a good man, Miss Snyder.

(24:12):
Tell me more about your uncle.Oh, you have no idea. We
cared for my sister, his untiringdevotion to her, strange illness, strange,
but she just wasted away. Noone could ever explain it, said
sexually. Your sister passed away inItaly? Yes, how did you know?

(24:34):
We were taking a journey mostly forher health, and in this little
town high in the Dolomites, wherethere was no doctor, no help up.
However she passed away. We hadher buried there. Who have no
family, no one to wish herremains back in England. Marguerite and I,
oh, often as we have nomoney, no one nothing. Oh.

(24:56):
I signed a little insurance over toUncle Julius, as did my Otherwise
we were quite alone in the worlduntil he came into our lives. He
made us call him uncle, butwe're not related. Really, May I
call you Marjorie? Certainly? Iask that because someone very dear to your

(25:17):
sister is very dear to me,and he is much concerned over your well
being, he has a right tobe. So. I have a feeling
that my life is drawn into anend. Even if did Marguerite, it
must be in our blood. Marjorie, do we have any idea why mister
Clinton brought to tweastbone? Ah?Yes, for the restorative power of the

(25:41):
sea air. This very place wherewe now sit, this cliff is called
beachy Head. Do you know whatit is famous for in all of England?
What beachy Head is known for?Suicide? What you heard me right?
Suicides? When I came up thecliff path just now and saw you

(26:03):
in your uncle's arms, suicide iswhat flashed to my mind. If you
had dropped over the edge, wouldit have looked like suicide? But I
thought I I tripped door and youthought he caught you perhaps, But what
are you saying, mister said inthe midst and you find distasteful? Does

(26:25):
it not make you feel worse ratherthan better? Uncle Julia said, one
must expect why I must one,Margerie, time presses, feed my warning,
collect your strength, your resolve.Had you been alone up here,
one misstep and this moment, youwould be lying shattered on those rocks below.

(26:47):
Believe me the next time your lifewill not be spared. I cannot
believe you. Must as your friend, as your sister's friend, I entreat
you, Margerie, without one moment'sloss of time. Come with me,
and I shall bring you to theman you call your shadow. He can
tell you better than I of thedanger to your life. I had barely

(27:14):
the time to run with her tothe bath chair where Malton was waiting.
As the evening star rose into theheavens over Beasty Head, I saw them
disappear, and the tall, familiarform of Julius Slington make his way up
the cliff to my side. Thetall man, with his hair parted in

(27:37):
the middle, had an hair abouthim that said to Edgar Sampson, keep
off the grass now. As heapproaches Sampson The sign seems to read,
look out danger. We have adevious and cunning man, possibly a murderer,
pitted against a clever and just man. What happens will be revealed when
I return in a few moments.Where three night has fallen on the English

(28:15):
Sea coast town of Eastbourne. Thewaves are high and signal and impending storm.
But in the air is not onlya storm at sea, but a
storm of anger which might break atany moment. The young lady, fortunately
has been spirited away to safety.Edgar Sampson sits on a rock high on

(28:36):
the beach head cliffs and waits.It says nineties is not here, Miss
Nyder, thoughts of the growing showhas gone home. Indeed, I persuaded
her. She's easily persuaded her owngood thank you of seven. She's better
with indoor spa. I thought,at let's take a mids and down to

(29:02):
her. Then she is very delicate. He is the unfortunate death of her
sister Marjorie has not faired well,But we must hope. Do you stay
here? And he spend long?It seems no, I'm going away tonight.
Oh so soon as the c airrestored us, her quickly events,

(29:26):
mister Linton, the events that quiterestored me. Thank you. I'm going
back to London and i'd better stopdown That stone is overtaking us. I,
mister Sampson, may I ask poorTom Meltham, whom we spoke out

(29:47):
he has been stricken, you're tellingme indeed years fatily ah? Is he
dead yet? Looked when I lastheard of him? But two broken man
to live long and hopeless they lostto us at London. Life were he
even to live, which I doubthe will never be the man he was?

(30:08):
A dear dear said the world isa grave. A few days later
I arranged to see Marjorie Nina inLondon. I selected the safest place possible,

(30:30):
an address where I was certain wecould meet in broad daylight. Had
not been observed in front of thestatue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens,
Mister Sampson, why it is stillin a wa I honestly don't know what
to make of all this. Thatis exactly the reason, Marjorie, honesty

(30:52):
you mean, I mean that mostof us take its face valuable actions of
others. We begin by trusting them, we expect them in turn to treat
us Honestly, the man you callyour uncle exploited you and your sister shamefully
communally, and it is only amatter of time before he is caught in
his own web. Uncle Julius,it's so hard for me to believe he

(31:18):
seemed so devoted to us. Weoften remarked at our extraordinary good fortune to
have been befriended two girls working ina factory. We were by this charming,
lovely, thoughtful person who never madean untaught move in any way.
His only interest mandre his money.It seems ashamed of talking about such a

(31:41):
man in this beautiful place. Doyou know I haven't been to Kensington Garden
since I was a little to her? And did you know another little girl
was born right over there, KensingtonPalace, and she always played in these
gardens, Queen Victoria. Marjorie andI would roll our hoops got along this

(32:02):
path. I miss her so,mister Septom, I wish we had never
met, mister Slincton. I wishit with all my heart. Just try
to believe all that has happened isperhaps a dream. You wake up,
Marjorie, and the world will bebeautiful again. I just thought that nice

(32:25):
man, mister or the one whohelped me get away from beachy Head by
shadow. Peter Pan could never gethis shadow to stick on. That's better
you're smiling. Good things can happentomorrow. Remember that even little Peter Pan
believe that I must be going now. I shall watch over you even more

(32:49):
closely than your shadow at beachy Head. How long must I remain with mister
Malcolm's sister until we are certain misterSlincton no longer roams the streets. When
will that be? I hope verysoon? The final thread of the web
led me to the building where JuliusClington lived, a tough floor. He

(33:15):
on one side of the stairs,and on the other the gentleman whose life
he had ensured with us. MisterBeckwith, who is that? Say?
Is it welcome? And my goodman, excuse me? I noticed the
name on the door, Alfred Beckwithdoesn't me? Do you know me by
name only? I'm with London life. Ah, Yet you are looking for

(33:37):
my dear friend shooting, No doubthe's it's across the halls. I call
him Julius, Julius Caesar. Youhave a visitor. What did you say?
Your name was? Sampson, JuliusCaesar, this sun is over the
yard, arm Alfred. What isthe matter with you? Oh, oh,

(33:58):
mister Sampson, What as you here? Mister Beckwith? Will you excuse
us a moment? Where can wetalk? Mister Slington? Right outside on
the landing? Just indeed you areexcused, but I should expect you.
Bat Is this your friend Beckwith whowe were insured with us. I'm afraid

(34:21):
it is. I'm exceedingly sorry itis that, But surely you could be
of some help. Here's your friendwho said his rooms are in such disorder?
How can anyone live like that?By the way, he looks like
say, he's in the last stagesof delirium tremens. I have as saddened
as you. Yes, he's avery great friend. You must have been

(34:43):
very ill even before I knew him. Now I can do nothing with him,
nothing at all. How is yourniece, mister Slington, My niece,
Marder and minor no one I metwith you at your head. I'm
sorry to say, Samson, thatmy niece has proved treacherous and ungrateful.

(35:07):
She left me without a word ofnotice or explanation, simply disappeared no doubt
she was misled by some designing rascal. You may have heard of it.
I did here she was misleered bysome designing rascal. In fact, I
have proof of it. Are yousure of that? Quite? Are you

(35:30):
both standing out there on the landingfor them accompanied to breakfast? Juliet,
boil the brandy, my dear misterberkwith I see no food about, nothing
to eat but these salted her Yes, a Jewish believes in keeping up my
thirst day and you want to forgiveme mister says says Sampson. The way
I am dressed, this whole dressinggown is all. I seem to have

(35:52):
my clothes disappear. Sorry, misterSlington, who could fetch him some food
to eat? The man is ill, the Sampson. You're a man of
the world. I'll be playing withyou. Oh no, you won't.
I understand your object in visiting hereLondon life we should to save its funds

(36:14):
and escape from its liabilities. Theseare all tricks of the trade with you
insurance gentlemen. But you will notdo it. So, Julius, I
found some branding. No, youwill not be able to evade payments.
Should anything happen to this, dearman, you will not succeed. Mister
Sampson, you have not an easyadversary to play against when you play against

(36:38):
me. When the time comes andmister Beckwith is no more, we shall
have to inquire when and how hefell into his present habits, Julius,
gentlemen, I drink through your health. Mister Sampson, I put this incoherent,

(37:00):
poor creature side, and wish youa good morning with that. Alfred
Beckwith took his entire glass of brandyand threw it right into a Slington's face,
and then the glass after it.As he mocked the blood and brandy
away, Julius Slington saw before hima man no longer reeling and trembling,

(37:20):
but a changed, determined, forcefulAlfred Beckwith. Clinton look at me,
you'll fidin see me as I reallyam. I took these rooms to beat
a trap for you. You thoughtme a poor drunkard, an imbecile.
You insured my life, did you? I saw, mister Sampson before you
did. Your plot has been knownto us all along. Having bated you

(37:40):
with a prize of two thousand pounds, you were going to kill me off
with brandy, and since the brandydidn't seem to be working quickly enough,
you were pouring poison into my glassof verse. I was not too far
gone not to observe you. Theman is mad, obviously a drunkard,
and a pool murderer. Why doyou suppose I was certain you would fall
into the trap because you are nostranger to me, Julia Clinton. I

(38:04):
knew you, murderer who, forso much money, had poisoned one innocent
girl while she trusted you and wason the point of killing another. Ah,
I understand you, Zabson, andlisten to the ravings of this unitach.
Perhaps we had better. But whileyou may be able to deceive your
young ladies, this old bird wasnot fooled. Do you think that I

(38:24):
drank all the liquor you applied mewith? I poured it away, And
then when you were out, Ilet myself into your apartment, investigated your
papers, took samples from your poisonbottles, your packets of powder, changed
the contents to harmless sugar less.You be are trying to kill more innocence?
Yeah me, miss Samson, dire'dyou find all this a little repetitious

(38:46):
and boring? Not half as repetitiousas your private journal, spelling out in
detail, page after page, howlong it took you to do away with
your victim, the size of thedoses, that the signs of gradual decay
upon the mind and body, thefancies produced the pain inflictedge is repetitious,
but not boring, mister Sampson.I cannot remain in this poor, demented

(39:09):
creature's presence any longer. I'm goingback to my apartment. You won't find
that journal in the secret draw yourwriting desk any longer. And you are
a thief. And I am alsoyour niece Marjorie's shadow. I followed you
to eastpot made certain, mister Sampsonwas on hand when you try to use

(39:30):
beachy head is the scene of asuicide, And all the while flying miss
Nino in medicine you said medicine.Indeed, who are you? Why have
you pursued me like this? Areyou the police? No, mister Slington.

(39:51):
We are life insurers. We bankon the life, not the death
of those we ensure. I amnot the police, very quick, who
are you? When you sent thesweet Margaret Nina, whom you murdered to
the office of John Meltham. Itfell to his lot to see her,
speak with her, give her theinsurance forms naming you as beneficiary. But

(40:15):
it did not fall to his lotto save her. Having lost her,
he had but one object left inlife, and that was to avenge her
and destroy you. I and JohnMeltham. Julius Slington was apprehended, brought

(40:36):
to trial, and condemned to payfor his crimes with his life. John
Meltham, I am happy to say, is beginning to recover from the sadness
of having lost his first love.At least he no longer blames himself for
her death, and it may verywell be if he and Margery Ninah continue

(40:58):
to see one another, we willboth find a happiness long delayed. As
for myself. Edgar Sampson, Ilook very carefully at the line marked beneficiary
in your policy. I try tofind out as much as I can before
we ensure your life. Insurance filesare filled with stories like the one you

(41:25):
just heard. Recently, a manwas insured for fifty thousand dollars. He
was thrown into an icy river,left to catch pneumonia, poisoned with alcohol,
set up fire, run over bya car, and still the man
would not die. Others have notfaired so well. Is there a precaution
and answer? I'll try to giveyou one when I returned shortly. Yes.

(42:02):
It was over one hundred and twentyfive years ago that Charles Dickens wrote
this brilliant expose, especially for Americanreaders, serialized in a New York newspaper.
Have times and crimes changed that muchin well over a century to seek
for game murder for profit? I'mafraid not. The answer then, is

(42:23):
to be on one's guard. Askwho stands to win. If you lose
your life, find out, becareful and you may live longer. Our
cast included Gordon East, Patricia Elliott, Robert Dryden and Earl Hammond. The
entire production was under the direction ofHyman Brown.