 Wait a minute. Have you heard the strange tales of the whistler? The whistler. John! Wake up! Where is he? Where's who? That man. Oh, you've been having a nightmare, John. Oh, good heavens, Clara. It was awful. I dreamed there was a man in this room and he stood right over me. And he said I was going to die. I was going to be murdered within 48 hours. Sunday night and again CBS presents the whistler. I, 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. Death comes at midnight. John Prentice is a manufacturer A very busy man who needs his rest. But John had a frightful dream. The dream was not brought on by a guilty conscience. But John's life has been above reproach. He loves his wife Clara and their grown daughter Eva. He has done no wrong to any man. Why then this awful dream with its prophecy of death? Now the following evening the Prentices are planning to attend a lecture. And White Cooper Eva's fiancé is going with them. The wife and daughter are in the living room awaiting his arrival. Well there's Dwight now mother. I'll go to the door. Oh wait a minute Eva. You'd better make sure who it is before you open the door. Oh mother are you still worrying about that dream daddy had last night? Well I can't help being nervous about it. Well of course it's Dwight. We're expecting him aren't we? I'm going to let him in. Well enter my lawn. Hello darling. How come you're answering the door yourself? Maid's night out? We haven't got a maid. We're going to have to work in a war plant. Well good for her. We're going to do without a maid for the duration. That's a spirit. Good evening Miss Prentice. Good evening Dwight. Now you see mother it wasn't a big bad wolf after all. Not this time. But we'd better be careful Eva. What's this about a big bad wolf? It seems that mother believes in dreams Dwight. And last night dad had one that was really honey. Oh I don't believe in dreams. Oh daddy. Yes. Dwight's here so hurry up. Come here just a minute. Talk about a woman taking her time dressing. Well what about this dream? You tell him mother. Well I don't believe that all dreams have a meaning. But this one John had was a prophecy and I'm concerned about it. Yes. He kept hearing a man's voice telling him over and over that he was going to be murdered within 48 hours. Murdered? Can you imagine such a thing? Oh well I wouldn't be a liar Mrs. Prentice. According to psychologists a dream has no possible relation to the future. They say a dream comes from experiences of the past that have been registered and not just mine. Well if John's been murdered in the past I haven't heard about it. Oh now wait I didn't mean it quite as literally as all that. The mother's been counting the hours Dwight. Let's see the dream came at midnight last night. That means dad's hour of doom is midnight tomorrow. If he isn't murdered sooner. Maybe we'd better not risk taking him to the lecture. Oh I wish you too wouldn't joke about it. I don't think it's any joking matter. Oh I'll get it. Hello? He's busy right now could I take a message? Yeah. Overline a minute. Amazing things. There's a man on the phone who sounds like a gangster. He wants to talk to daddy about saving daddy's life. His life. Maybe I'd better talk to him. Oh no no. No. Get John on the phone. Call him Eva. Daddy. You want it on the phone. It's important. All right. I'm coming. No don't tell me that dream didn't mean anything. Now mother don't get excited. Just what did this fellow say? Well he... Oh here's daddy. Yeah hello Dwight. Good evening Mrs. Prentice. I don't know who that man is but he's terribly hard boiled and he said I'd better get you to the phone if you want to save your life. What's this? Oh John. I'll see what it's all about. Hello? Mr. Prentice. Yes? Yes yes I'm listening go ahead. Wait a minute. Suppose you come here to the house and we'll talk it over. I'm going to walk into a trap. I certainly am. So listen. Hello? Midnight tomorrow. Now not only in a dream but in actual fact John has been told that he will not live beyond. John phones the police and a few minutes later Captain Arnold arrives at the house. Mr. Prentice can you think of anyone who would like to have you put out of the way for any reason at all? No Captain I really can't. Now you've been in business a good many years. How about your business rivals? Of course I've made a certain amount of enemies of course but I don't think any of them would go so far as to hire somebody to kill me. You never can tell. Suppose you name some of your enemies. Oh no I'm afraid Captain I couldn't do that. Oh yeah why not? Well frankly because I might be causing an innocent person a lot of embarrassment. What of it? We've got to get to the bottom of this some way. Have you had a quarrel with anyone recently? No I haven't. Think carefully now. Well yes yes come to think of it I did have a rather heated argument with a man the other day in my office. Oh but I'm sure. Who was he? I'd rather not say. Was he a wealthy man? Yes. Then tell me his name. Oh no Captain I'd rather not. If you'd go to his house and question him I don't want... How can the police help you if you won't help yourself? Well this is none of my business Mr. Prentice but if I were you... No Dwight there's no use arguing. I've got my own ideas on the subject. Well that's that I guess. We'll have to conduct our investigation without your help Mr. Prentice. Oh by the way Captain I'd feel a lot safer if you'd send an officer out to watch the house tonight. Well I brought a man with me. He's out in the car. I'll leave him here. Oh that'll be fine. I'll leave the car too in case he needs it. Well we'll do what we can Mr. Prentice. Let us know the developments. Oh of course and I want to thank you Captain. Good night. Good night. Good night Captain. So John is unwilling to give the name of the man with whom he quarreled. Is it really because he's concerned about the possible embarrassment of an innocent person? Tonight the house will be well guarded. And as an added protection Dwight has agreed to stay in the Prentice home. John feeling quite safe has gone to bed and fallen into a sound sleep. Then at exactly midnight. Let me go. Let me go. I don't want to die. John. No don't throw me off the bridge. No. Wake up John. No no no. Wake up John. What? Nothing's happening to you. You've been shouting your head over. Mother. Mother what is it? Your father's had another nightmare. I thought that was it. Yes even. It was terrible. What kind of dream was it? Like the other one? Oh it was worse. Now I know how I'm going to die and when. Oh you're not going to die. I'm afraid of you. What did you dream John? He took me in a car to the old river bridge on Tower Street. Who took you? I don't know. I never saw him before. He tied my hands behind me with a rope and when we got to the bridge he dragged me out of the car and threw me into the river. Oh mother. Just as we came to the bridge I saw an illuminated clock. The hands were pointing to twelve. That's when I'm going to die. What time is it now? Well it's after twelve. Then it's tomorrow at midnight. Just like that man said. Daddy don't talk like that. This dream doesn't mean anything. What about my other dream? It meant something. No it didn't. My phone call didn't have a thing to do with your dream. It was just a coincidence. Things will look different to you in the morning. Eva. Yes? Would you mind sending Dwight in here? But he's asleep Daddy. I know but please send him in. I want to talk to him. No. All right. Sit down Dwight. They told me about the dream Mr. Prentice. But I wouldn't let it bother me if I were you. I can't help being bothered the dream was so vivid Dwight and it fits in so perfectly with what's happening in real life. Yes I'll admit that's rather strange. The reason I sent for you, well if anything should happen to me I want you to sort of take charge of things for Clara and Eva. How do you mean? I've made a will that takes care of my property but there's my life insurance. It amounts to a hundred thousand dollars and the money will have to be invested. I see. Who's the insurance payable to? Clara but of course she knows nothing about investments. You advisor will you Dwight? I've got faith in your judgment. Yes. I'll be glad to help in any way I can. I come to think of it I owe a payment on that policy right now. But the grace period isn't up for a couple of days yet. I'll make the payment if I'm still alive. Oh I have an idea you'll be alive all right. But as you say if anything should happen I'll be glad to advise Mrs. Prentice. Oh I knew you would Dwight and thanks. Next morning John announces that he will stay at home all day. Clara upset by the events of the night before remains in her room. But John is feeling much better. He views things differently with the coming of a new day. He will not yield to this feeling of inevitable doom. He will fight the situation. Hello. Mr. Prentice. Oh chew again. Dwight get on that extension in the library. No I have not. What's more I defy you to even lay a hand on me. I'm being protected by the police. What did you say. Hello. Dwight did you hear that. Heard every word sounded like he meant business. Nothing wrong. That man he phoned me again. I don't know what to think. What did he say. He wanted to know if I changed my mind and when I told him I hadn't he. He told me the water and the river would be awfully cold. What. How did he know about my dream how did he know. Yeah he must have done a candy thing I ever heard of. What's the answer to all this. Daddy he didn't know about your dream. It's just the other way around. What do you mean. I'm afraid mother's right. Your dreams are foretelling the future daddy. They're warning you of what's going to happen. And now John's spirits are crushed again. For if the dream told the truth then his fate is sealed in spite of anything he can do. Dwight however is not ready to give up. He is annoyed with Eva for admitting her belief in the dream. Darling for your father's sake you shouldn't have said what you did even though you believe it yourself. I know Dwight perhaps I shouldn't have said it before I thought. But there must be something to those dreams. Yes I know. You've got me guessing. But look let's try to do something. Do what. I've been thinking about this quarrel your father had. He won't tell us the man's name but maybe we can find out. Oh. Through your father's secretary. Coral took place in his office you know. Oh yes. Miss Edwards might know about it. Shall we get out and see her. But look let's not tell her what we want the information for the less we say about this situation the better. We'll give her some other reason. Yes. Get your coat and head on honey we'll get out of my car. Miss Edwards this is Mr. Cooper my fiance. How do you do. It's not good. We'd like to ask you a few questions if you can spare us a few moments. Why yes of course. My father isn't feeling very well today and that's why he didn't come down. We've learned that he's rather upset about a heated argument he had recently with some wealthy man here at the office. Argument. Daddy won't talk about it. He hasn't even mentioned the man's name but it's quite necessary that we find out all we can about it. If you'll tell us who the man was we'll treat the matter in confidence. But. I don't know if any fuss your father had misprinted he's quite an even tempered man. Yes. Are you sure you don't remember. Very well. There was an argument I. Couldn't hear what was being said. They were in your father's private office but. I did hear your father talking quite angrily with Mr. Who's he. Milton Reeves. He's been in several big deals with Mr. Couldn't you hear anything that was being said. No. Just a loud voices. Mr. Reeves was angry too but I really couldn't make out what they said. No. Well at any rate we've got something to go on. I think we'd better have a talk with Mr. Reeves. Thank you Mr. You won't tell Mr. Prentice that I said anything will you one. Mr. Reeves either. Oh no. You can depend on that. I'm Dwight Cooper Mr. Reeves Mrs. Miss Prentice. How do you do Miss Prentice. John Prentice's daughter aren't you. Yes I am. Well. What is it Mr. Cooper. I'm in a bit of a hurry I. I'm going away on a trip this afternoon. I'll be very brief. We've heard that you and Mr. Prentice had some sort of a disagreement with each other a few days ago. Yes. Who told you that. Mr. Prentice is quite ill Mr. Reeves and we think it's a result of that quarrel. If we could find out something about it we might be able to straighten him out. Well John knows all about it. He won't talk about it Mr. Reeves. He won't eh. Well John shouldn't let a thing like that get him down. Business is business you know. He wanted me to ring you alone and I refused to do it. So that was it. In his particular business well. I don't know what the future will be with all this rationing and priorities. Had you promised to renew the loan. Well as a matter of fact I had. But I changed my mind. Which is my privilege. John wanted me to wait a few days. Said he was trying to borrow some money from the state mutual. But I didn't think it was good business to wait so I called the loan. Oh I see. I imagine that made him pretty angry. Did it. You pardon me Mr. Prentice for talking so frankly about your father. But really I never heard a man get so abusive in my life. Why he actually threatened me. Yes. He acted like a schoolboy. Said he'd get revenge. You think he will get revenge. Oh no no I. Oh yes. You're afraid of Margie. He'd like to arrange things so he couldn't possibly get revenge. Wouldn't him Mr. Reeves. Did you threaten him. Say what are you getting at. I think you know what we're getting at. I do not. Not here. I've told you all I'm going to tell you so now I'll ask you both to leave. Surely. You've told us quite enough Mr. Reeves. Do I. Hadn't we better go to the police station and tell Captain Arnold. No darling not yet. But I'm sure Reeves is the one who's hired that thug to kill your father. So am I. He said he was going on a trip. He wants to be out of the way when it happens. So he won't be suspected. Of course. Then why shouldn't we have him arrested. I'd like to get more evidence first. I want to find out more about that loan. What do you think could tell me. Well. Mr. McAdams ought to be able to tell you. He's the treasurer of Daddy's food. All right I'll go see him. Look honey suppose you take a taxi and go on home. See how things are getting along. Oh Dwight I. Please honey I may have to do some running around. Look don't tell your father about this. Oh no. All right Dwight. But don't be gone too long. I won't tell him. But Dwight has been gone much too long. It is now eleven o'clock. Dwight has been gone much too long to suit Eva. It is now eleven thirty at night. Eva and her mother have become increasingly nervous as the clock ticks off the seconds. Bringing the time closer and closer to midnight. John's last moment on earth. Oh for heaven's sakes Dwight where have you been. We've been worried to death. Well one thing led to another. McAdams had gone out in a country but I finally caught up with him. Have you told the police about Mr. Reeves. No I haven't. Where's Mr. Prentice. The library. It's in a terrible state of mind Dwight. He's got the door locked. He told the policeman to stand outside his window. Someone at the door. Oh my heavens. Oh my goodness. Now don't get panicky. I'll see who it is. Open the wicket. It's a messenger boy. It might be a trick. It looks all right. Telegraph for Mr. Prentice. All right I'll take it. Sign here. There you are. Oh thanks mister. I wonder who it would be. Mr. Prentice. Have I your permission to open this message. For certain reasons I'd like to see who it's from. Why yes Dwight. Go ahead. What is it Dwight. It's important. Very important. I've got to show it to your father right away. Mr. Prentice. Open up it's Dwight. Mr. Prentice. It's all right daddy. Unlock the door. Dwight's got a telegram for you. Why doesn't he answer. Well go outside and look through the window. The officer's out there. Come on. Where is that officer Eva. I don't see it. I don't know Dwight. Daddy told him to stay right here by the window. Eva. Look. The window's wide open. What's that. Oh my heaven. There's a policeman on the ground. Something's happened to him. He's hurt. Officer. Officer. He's coming around. What happened. Hey. I've seen a car drive up in the alley. Light colored sedan. And just as I started to investigate somebody slugs me in the back of the head. That's all I remember. They've got him. They've got daddy. Darling I'm going after that sedan. How do you know where it went. I'll find it. I'll drive to the Tower Street Bridge. I'm going with you. No you stay here Eva. And why does Dwight think he'll find the light colored sedan at the Tower Street Bridge. Is it because Mr. Prentice saw that bridge in his dream. Or is there another reason. A reason known only to Dwight. But Eva can't wait and so a moment later another car speeds toward the bridge. The policeman's car. The officer is at the wheel and Eva and Clara are by his side. Officer can't you go faster. I'm driving as fast as I can Mr. Prentice. Say. I better put in a radio call to headquarters and have them send a squad car to the other side of that bridge. No telling what we'll run into there. There's the bridge right ahead officer. And there's the clock. I see you. The one daddy saw in his dream and look. Midnight. I don't know nothing about the dream Miss Prentice. I see a car out on the bridge. You see it. That's the baby. That's the one I saw at the house. Where's Dwight's car? Dwight's car isn't there. He must have got lost. Say we'd better watch our step. The squad car ain't come to the other end yet. Hurry officer. Now don't you get out of the car. You stay here. I'll see what's going on. Yes but hurry. All right Miss Prentice. You and your mother can come here. Daddy there. There ain't a soul here. The car's deserted. The two ladies. He's already done it. Who's done what? Can't you remember anything I told you about daddy's dream? I'm talking about that man. He's thrown daddy in the water. Isn't there something we couldn't do? It couldn't have happened very long ago. If your father's been thrown in the river Miss Prentice he's had gone up and down. Nobody could swim in that car. Oh my God. What I can't figure out is why the guy left the car here. Poor John. Hey look. There's some rope in the back of the car. And a knife. It died daddy's hand. Hey. Here comes the squad car now. They're coming in from the other end of the bridge. Officer. Who's this car registered to? Wait a minute. By golly there's no registration slip in it. I know who it belongs to. Milton Reed. I'll take the number and we'll check on it later. What's up Jack? It looks like there's some dirty work been going on here. Yeah. Maybe this guy knows something about it. Quit showing me will you? Where'd you pick him up? He was running away from the bridge. Oh he was huh? All right buddy. What do you know about this sedan? Another thing. I wasn't on the bridge. That's him. That's the man who threatened daddy over the phone. I can tell by his voice. Well now we're getting someplace. All right you. Give. Where's Mr Prentice? I don't know what you're talking about. You threw him into the river didn't you? No. You're a liar. Come on. Talk. I don't know nothing. We'll get you to talk at headquarters. A few minutes later the river's being dragged for Prentice's body. But what has become of Dwight? He hasn't been seen since he drove away toward the bridge. Two heartbroken women return home to wait for the sad news. They step into the house and Mrs Prentice breaks into a sob. Come on. He was trying to get hold of yourself. He was trying to be brave. Oh I know him. I know. What has become of Dwight? I don't know what on earth could have happened to him. Even darling. Dwight. What are you doing there in the library? We thought you'd run out on us. Well I haven't been here long. Oh Dwight it's terrible. I never dreamed such a thing was going to happen. No no no. Just be patient darling. I'll tell you everything. I told you I finally saw McAdams. Yes. The story about the loan was a lot worse than we thought. I found that Reeves had a grudge against your father. So he planned to ruin him and get everything he had. And he did just that. By refusing to renew and calling the loan. He did it deliberately. He worked in a backhanded manner and wrecked the business. He held the paper on everything your father owned. Father's. Father's broke. Yes. Reeves broke your father. His family's. Reeves has the business this house everything. He pulled it so fast that your father hadn't a chance to get on his feet. When I found that out I suspected the truth but I wasn't sure. Till I got to that bridge. The truth when you did go to the bridge. I did. I got there just in time to prevent the tragedy. I pulled your father into my car by force. Turned around on the bridge and came back here. What are you saying? He isn't dead. No. He's here. In the library. Oh Kevin. John. Give him a minute. Please. I'll bring him in. Come in Miss Prentice. I've got to thank Evan you're safe. John what happened? I know I feel Mr. Prentice but you better tell him. Yes Dwight I will. You see my dears I just couldn't bear the thought of my wife and daughter suffering poverty. The only thing I had left was that insurance policy and it would have lapsed in another day and had to think fast. John you don't need. If I'd commit suicide while the policy was in effect you'd get a hundred thousand dollars. spare you the disgrace of a suicide so I decided to kill myself and make it appear as though I'd been murdered then as I developed the plan I got an inspiration why not hang the murder on Reeves the man who had deliberately ruined me that would be my revenge now you know the whole story now you understand the nightmares but the telephone call I hired the man to make the calls and steal Reeves's car and drive me to the bridge and then give me the motor so it had stalled all so that my murder could be traced directly to Reeves who really had a motive to kill me my secretary knew all about it when I discovered it was Reeves who was back in my failure I threatened to divulge something I knew about him he flew into a rage the secretary heard him and that was just what I wanted but I knew I couldn't raise the money quickly enough and my insurance policy was up tomorrow noon well that's the story and it's all a miserable mess yes John it's all a very very sad situation well but wait a minute what about that telegram the boy delivered earlier where does that fit in was that part of your plan John telegram what telegram let me see it why why it's it's from the state mutual they've granted the loan I requested yes John they've granted the loan now you can straighten things out now you can get back on your feet again think John what a sad tale this would have been if you would followed through with your plan and white hadn't caught you on the bridge at midnight CBS has presented the Whistler original music for this production was composed and conducted by Wilbur hatch tonight's whistler story was written by Herbert Connor directed by J. Donald Wilson and came to you from Columbia Square in Hollywood next Sunday 9 15 I the Whistler will return to tell you another unusual tale good night this is the Columbia broadcasting system