 Wait a minute. Have you heard the whistler? Don't come near me. I didn't plan to kill you. No, that was John Hendrick. He waited Waited for a chance to sell his soul to the devil Money is not enough We want you We want you that was his white mother the former widow Mazda Yes, yes and her simple-minded son Henry CBS presents the real mystery series The whistler and the whistler know many things for I walk by night. I know many strange tales Many secrets hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak and So I tell you tonight the strange story of retribution Gaze up this muddy rain splattered road Small lonely stone building appears against the light and street sky Dismal courthouse of a southern village the village of Mars Nearly midnight a trial is in progress John Hendrick is on trial for his life Killed his wife He killed his wife and her simple-minded son Henry for the 10,000 in cash She kept in her big house on the outskirts of town Open the door. He's there John Hendrick. It's a huge silent man of the large boney and Close the door Well, what do you think? Does he look like a murderer? Prosecutors closing his argument It has been proven that she did have a large sum of money which he kept on her John Hendrick And attempted to steal it was caught in the act and killed them both in order to cover up the death It was not a trap who killed that old gray haired lady of her simple son There was only one intruder one thief one murderer and there he sits ladies and gentlemen There he sits in all his guilt a vicious killer a murderer There is only one decision for you to make there is only one penalty that can erase from this countryside the stigma of the English crime one penalty for this axe murderer John Hendricks and that penalty is death state rest I know And Rick stand up. Yes, John stand up based car On Hendricks, I wish to state that I am not in the car with the findings of this jury However, there's nothing for me to do but send you to the state penitentiary for the remainder of your natural life Where you are now? Recognize that huge sprawling stone struck to the high walls around it state penitentiary How much later? 10 years John Hendricks is in there. He has a number now. It is 10 13 Let's go through the gates Up the steps down the corridor Here we are in cell block 2 night again This has been going on for 10 years for John Hendricks 10 13 and his cellmate bill 10 14 Bill 10 14 is a gangster or robbing what? But he's changed during five years. He's been here Bill has decided to go straight if he ever gets out But he holds no resentment has become more or less happy Bill started reading the philosophy and so forth He's changed But what about John Hendricks? Oh, no Not Hendricks Because he has a plan He has a purpose You close it to the cell door and listen Well, all I got to say for you is I think you're crazy enough to make the trial with me That's a matter of opinion, John But it'll be simple. I got everything all set. It's all fixed. Another chance of a slip up All fixed? Well, a friend of mine It's a crooked guard No, he ain't a guard And then they got a fix of the warden What difference does it make who it is the longest the whole thing is set and fixed? Well, you've got to have some help inside or out I think you're nuts That's stir-crazy I'm getting out of this place. I've got a reason, a good reason I've got something waiting for me outside Something I can enjoy, something that belongs to me I'm the only one that knows where it is and I'm going out You're in here for a good long time, but then if you don't want to go with me, you can stay and rattle Ok, Hendricks, I still think you're nuts All right, what of it? I've got the right doping, eh? And it'll work Suppose it does I suppose you find this money hidden away on the old lady's estate What good would do you? You killed her and her son together That's a lie. I didn't. Didn't kill anybody I say you did It ain't true. Not a word of it But I know where the money is Okay, you can break out You can have the money, but... Well, I've done a lot of reading and thinking since I've been here Eh, you're gonna stop Maybe so, but I know this much now If I ever do get out, I'll do things a lot different But leave me, Hendricks I'll tread the street now I've done a lot of things that I'm sure sorry for now I can't undo them, but I won't do them again No, sir, I'll do things different Not the way I did it before Eh, you're just a religion, but it won't get you out Maybe not, but I'm resign I got exactly what's coming to me And believe me, Hendricks So will you If you break out, they'll have you back one way or another You watch and see Well, I'm going till you watch and see Watch and see Another night, a lonely country road, a car We're in the south That village we passed a few miles back That silent sleeping village was Marsdenburg Yes, Marsdenburg, remember? That small, lonely stone building was the courthouse The courthouse where John Hendricks was tried and convicted We're on the outskirts now on a lonely road A young man is driving the old car and there's a girl beside him A motor trouble? Well, there, just ahead of light Yes, it's a little crossroad store There's a light, but I don't see anybody Oh, it's closed, we'd better drive on I guess you're right Now, evening, folks? What's the trouble? Oh, we're having motor trouble Oh, is that so? How are you doing, driving around on night like this? On our way west Mister, is there an inn or something around here where we can stay for the night? An inn? Uh, yes, it's a place about eight miles up the road You'll probably put you up There's a sign on the left-hand side of the road, can't miss it This road's pretty bad when it rains Have to be careful or you'll find yourself walking Thanks, we'll try Good night Good luck, mister You'll need the luck We see now the muddy road sparkles in the flashes of lightning A tall dark breeze swayed back and forth in the fury of the storm Like moaning lost souls A little car lurches and bounces in its fight to keep the center of the highway Two miles, three miles, four, maybe five And look, there it is, straight ahead On the right side of the road, a blue light Ah, yes, that's it Wait, George Did the old man say on the right side or the left side of the road? George, what's wrong? I don't know, the distributor must have gotten wet Look, George What? That blue light, we saw, it's gone Where is it? It must have passed it Well, we couldn't have, I was looking right at it It seemed as though it just disappeared in the sand air I'd better turn in here, this motor won't last much longer Oh, yes, George I can't see a thing No, it's... Can you? It certainly is desolate looking at me There must be a house back in there There it is, look, there's a driveway, 20 feet ahead Oh, yes, this motor's about to conk out We'd better drive in and see what we can find Yes, drive in, George You'll find something That's right Through the gate, make the curve All right There goes your motor, a little more Now Oh, we just made it Thank heaven Yes, that's right Always thank heaven at a time like this All right, get out and go up on the porch Now let me help you I'm all right What do we do with the bag? We'll leave them here in the car till we find out if there's anyone here Gee, this place looks completely deserted I don't think anyone lives here I don't either Let's go To the whistler We pause momentarily for station identification This is the Columbia Broadcasting System Let's don't knock I don't like this place Let's go on How about that motor? Where did we go? I'll knock That's right Not George Not Go ahead Louder Yes, we can't stay in that car any longer Can we? No Right now Here it comes Now you're on your own, George What is it? Well, I... You see, our car... Yes, our car is stalled And we can't go any farther And it's such a terrible night out But we thought we could stop here for the evening Stop here? Why, yes, we saw your light And light What light? Why, it's quite a little neon out in front There is no light Well, have you a room? Yes, there is a room Well, could we come in? I mean, it's awfully wet out here You may come in if you wish Oh, thank you Well, this is quite a relief We were afraid you'd close up at the night Especially when all the lights were on Are the lights out? Yes, you see Of course the lights are out Oh, I didn't know You do take tourists Do we? Oh, yes, that's what they told us Who told you? The old man at the little store back at the crossroads Little store? Yes, at the crossroads about five miles back You know where the crossroads is, don't you? There is no store at the crossroads There isn't? No Oh, look, madame, would you mind turning on the lights? I can't see a thing We have no lights here No lights? I'll give you a flashlight She means there's no electricity No No, there is no light here Throw the flashlight around, there must be a lamp No, don't make a light We see well in the dark We? Who's we? Is there someone else in the house? My son Oh, he's gone a bit No, he's standing beside you Beside who? You Ah Yes, madame Oh She gave me that flashlight Oh, God, you've got it Oh, yeah How long have you been standing there, bub? Since you gave me that Oh, is that so? Well, I didn't see you You make a noise like a spook Who are you? What is your name? George Kimball This is my wife, Joe We're on our way west with Travellers Travellers? So who are we? Huh? Quiet, son Quiet No, let him talk He's quiet enough Uh, how long have you both been living here? We live here all our lives Say, how about closing the door? Is the door open? Why, of course it's... What? George! Now, take it easy, Joe Don't get excited I'll look, madame There's a candle on that table over there With the fireplace Is there? Yes, and uh... If you don't mind, I'm going to light it Please don't Oh, wait a minute If you want us to stay here We insist that we have some light You want us to stay here, don't you? Do we? Do we, son? Yes, mother What are you looking at me for? Yes, mother Outlight? Yes, mother George, let's go I don't want to see you tonight This place doesn't look good to me There's been no good here for many years You see what I mean, George? I don't get it You don't seem to want us yet Your son must How do you make any money that way? We don't make money You don't? You mean you haven't had any guests lately? No, not for many years Well, you can't expect anything, you act like this But we do expect it here Don't we, son? Yes, valley Wow, he certainly has a surprise coming Yes, he has How many rooms have you? There are many rooms, but only one Only one? That doesn't make sense, what do you mean? Only one for guests You mean only one equipped? Yes Oh, and if you've got a reserve for this guest you expect What are we going to do? There is an in-father along the road They have rooms They will take care of you It will be best for us Our distributor got wet, so our car won't run Where is your car? Right there at the foot of the steps I see no car You don't? Why, it's standing right... George George, where is it? It's gone Holy smoke, it is gone But where? How? Why didn't you hear a sound? It must have ruled ahead Throw your light around Not a sign of it What goes on here? Son Yes, mother You move the car Yes, mother I understand, son I understand Wait a minute Your son moved it? How could he? The motor won't even run And even if it would, we didn't hear a sound No sound How did you move it? I... Here we are in a place where they don't want us in the way of leaving Well, you've got us on your hands now You'll have to make the best of it No, George, no We'll leave Nonsense, this is all silly Come on, let's have some light and cut out the monkey business Wait Son, what have we decided? Yes, mother We decided yes Very well, if you wish If you wish, you may stay Stay until... Until when? All night Yes, mother If you wish Oh, that's better, that's more like it Now I'll light this candle Look at the dust and the cobwebs This piece looks deserted Like an old cellar Well, how about the room? Do we get it or are the guests you're expecting? There is another room that we'll do, perhaps Could we see you? Yes And by the way, how much do you charge? We charge nothing You charge nothing? Nothing Sounds silly, but it's great for us, we're running short anyway Well, let's see the room Very well, it is upstairs After you, mother No, you go first Very well Come on, Joe, bring that up the candle Come, son, follow me Yes, mother I never thought so much dust They must like it, you know Nice clean dust That room at the head of the stairs Why? This room was well furnished Is this the room reserved for your expected guest? No But you said you had only one room furnished Who sleeps here? I stay here now I see Or do I? It's a nice soft bed It was always comfortable We'll leave you now, come, son We must leave them alone now Yes, mother, leave them alone Good night Good night You will lock your door Oh, oh yes, yes, we'll lock it Goodbye Sonny, did she say good night or goodbye? I don't know, I thought she said... She did say goodbye Golly, what a scurry outfit I wish we hadn't had car trouble That's what we get for trying to drive in the storm How much money have we made? Not much Just enough to get Los Angeles the way I figure Once I get there, I know there'll be a job for me We'll make it, don't worry You will see me in a nice job in Hollywood I'm not worried about seeing you in Hollywood No? No, I'm just worried about seeing you in the morning Same night, but later, it's midnight Another car on the same road You know who it is It's John Hendricks You know where he's going He turns in at our deserted mansion Up the driveway and stops He steps out Slips up the steps, opens the door And throws his flash about the dusty room Cobwebs glisten in the beam Few moments and the light comes pressed on the fireplace He steps quickly to the mantel Draws a small hammer and chisel from his pocket And sets to work removing a brick Ah, now he's finished The brick is loose He reaches in and withdraws a heavy yellow envelope He starts to put it in his pocket But suddenly freezes in his tracks He can't move He turns icy cold Turn around, Hendricks Turn around Look At the foot of the stairs across the room Stands a woman holding a candle And beside her a grinning youth holding an axe Turn around, Hendricks Look at their heads covered with blood Turn around John Hendricks' murder John Hendricks' feed No, we've come for you, John The same way you came for us We've been waiting for you, John We knew you'd come back for the money We've been waiting We've come to take you, John No, no, please don't come near me Please You must suffer, John, as we have suffered I have suffered I have suffered Not enough, John Not enough I didn't mean to do it I didn't plan to kill you I went mad, lost my head No, no, don't come near me You can have the money You can have it Then give it to us, John Give us the money You won't need it now Come, son We must have the money And we must take John Come, son, come No, no There's the money on the floor Money is not enough, John Money is not enough Go ahead, son Go ahead We must have John Hendricks' feed Murderer Yes, mother Yes, mother Yes, mother No, no, no Acute, acute Bullets won't stop, boss Downstairs So did I And shop I'll open the door Must have been downstairs I don't see a thing Here's your flashlight Great, Scott Look, a man down there on the floor Come on The gun It's been fired But I don't see a mark on him Let's get out of here I'll say, come on How are you doing? Time for your hour John! Crops What's going on here? Hand over that gun Thanks What are you doing here? I... we're... We're stopping here That is... We're just leaving I can see that Know this man on the floor? Know him? Yes, yes Joan, what's the matter with you? No, no, no We don't... we don't... Take him away, Frank Yes, sir What are you two doing here? Why, we're... oh, we're guests Yes, we're both guests Guests? Whose guests? My guests, lodgers, tourists, guests of the old lady What old lady? The old lady that lives here, the old lady and her son I'm gonna have to cook up a better one than that What do you mean? Drive here? Where's your car? The son took it Son, old lady, what are you talking about? They live here, they said they owned this place We had more to trouble and they put us up at the night What about him, Frank? Well, he isn't dead, breathing Looks like he had a stroke or something Is him all right? John Hendricks Take a look around See if there's anyone else here Yes, sir What's your name? George Kimball This is my wife We're on our way to California Do you know who this man is? Certainly, we've been on his trail He's an escaped convict Is this your gun? No, sir Did he shoot at you? No, sir You shoot at him? This gun's been fired and we heard shots as we turned in the driveway On the side of anyone, sir? Nothing but dust and cobwebs Look, Kimball You said there was an old lady and her son here Sure, they were here all evening They're not here now Well, they let us in and showed us to our room They certainly were here What did the old lady look like? Well, she had gray hair She wore a house dress and an apron What did the boy look like? He was a big kid About 20 And a round rosy face And I think Well, in fact, I know he was kind of simple-minded He had a strange lap And he had red hair Well, I'll be done What do you think of that, Frank? Golly Isn't he the creep? Why so? You know who you've just described? No The old lady and her son who used to live here Used to live here Yeah They were murdered here 10 years ago What? Murdered, sure This man on the floor was her husband The boy's stepfather He was tried for killing them with an axe And stealing her money and bonds He got off at second degree Because of lack of evidence He escaped a week ago and headed this way We've been on his trail ever since he entered this county So you see, Kimball If there was anybody else here tonight It must have been a figment of your imagination This house has been deserted for 10 years Oh, George Good lord Look, Sergeant On this envelope on the back doorstep It's the money Well, what do you know? The money and the bonds Old Martha Hendricks' money That's why Hendricks came here But where did they go? The old lady No place Because they weren't here, Kimball Well, better we get them out of here and back to headquarters Oh, wait a minute Don't leave us We won't You're coming along, too Why? We need you for a day or two All right, let's get going, Frank Come on But where did they go? We saw them I know they were here Well, you certainly described them to a tee But don't worry too much about it You know, things like this can drive you nuts You know what I mean? Things like this Well, things like this sometimes just happen You know what I mean? No Well, oh, come on Let's go before I get the heebie-jeebies What did he say? Things like this just sometimes happen Just happen? Well, sometimes they do and can't be explained But not this time Oh, no, not this time This can be explained Remember John Hendricks cellmate Bill? Bill number 1014 He can explain He knows all about it Because he planned it Bill wanted the money He'd learned all the dope from Hendricks He sent his pals the phony spooks Made up like the old lady and her son To grab the money when Hendricks recovered it Too bad they dropped it in their hurry to get away Bill didn't want to hurt John He wanted to scare him out of it Remember? Bill 1014 had changed He said he'd never do things the way he'd done them before And he didn't Bill meant what he said Good night If this came upon you unaware and you listened We've served our purpose The Whistler with original music Composed and conducted by Wilbur Hatch Is written and directed by J. Donald Wilson And originates from Columbia Square in Hollywood Next week, same time, the Whistler returns This is the Columbia Broadcasting System The Whistler returns This is the Columbia Broadcasting System