 I know many strange terrors, hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows. I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not sleep. And now the whistler's strange story, One Dark Night. At 8 o'clock in the evening, it was quite dark, and the houses along the three lines of urban streets were quiet. In one house, a light could be seen burning brightly through the front windows of the house on the corner. Its illuminating rays, reaching out across the front lawns, formed finger-like shafts of light and shadows. In fact, Frank Jacobson paced the living room floor, moving with the nervous steps and motions of a sensitive animal contemplating danger. Frank Jacobson stared down at a large dark stain in the center of the living room cot, then tossed for a long while. The mind raced, then you hurried to the front door. Hello Frank, not disturbing you, am I? No, no, no, of course not. Don't worry, there's about a next door neighbor dropping in. Are you cool? I saw your light on. I thought I'd drop in. You're an ever-loving wife, and I had a date to go shopping in the morning. I can't do stuff like that. I was about to call you. Frank, what's the matter? Is something wrong? It's about chorus. Do you have any idea where she could be? Is that home? No. I haven't seen her since this morning when I left for the office. That's strange. What are you supposed to- Well, I'm 10 this morning. Coffee. That's when we plan to go shopping tomorrow. I came by to tell her I couldn't make it. Were we done or in secret? I called everywhere. Wait a minute. Would she have gone to see her sister? I thought of a first thing. She does, I don't know. Takes off without telling her. But she usually called me when she gets there. And she hasn't? No. Did you call her sister's name? Yes. No answer. She'd probably gone out. She could have tried to reach you when you weren't here. I haven't left the house since I got back from the office. Oh, I'm sure Carl is all right. You just forgot to call. You know how she is. Could be. I'll be up for a while. Let me know if you're gonna- Sure. And don't worry. I'm sure Carl is all right. Good night, Carl. No. What time would you get back from the office? Yes, I thought it'd be nice if Carl and I go back to the beach house. We have a little place at Shelton's. So you got here, uh... It's not like her, Lieutenant. Not like her at all. Oh, she's left without telling you where she's going. Oh, yes, but she usually calls later. This time she hasn't called. I waited until 7.30 and then called her sister and Santa Barbara. There was no answer. I finally got through to her just before you got here, Lieutenant. And... Cora hadn't been there. Something's happened to her. Something's trouble. I know it. I'll take it. No need. Let me show you something, Lieutenant. Go over here. What doesn't belong here? We usually have it in front of the fireplace. I was curious. I went over to pick it up. As you wait with the lieutenant for his men from the police lab to arrive, go about their intricate methodical checkpoints. You watch them for a while and then wander out to the kitchen to discover that your hand is trembling as you light a cigarette. You're not thinking of the men in the living room, are you, Frank? Now, at this moment, as you stare out the window in the darkness of a garden and back, there are no thoughts are interrupted by the appearance of the lieutenant at your side. Mr. Jason. Yes. I have the report. Description of your wife, Mr. Jason. Dark air, 38 years old, 5 feet 4, weight approximately 118 pounds. Yes. I tell you, come down to headquarters with me. A body of a woman answering this general description. Found in the bay, several hours ago. You mean, you think it might be? Yeah. And then again, it might not be. Do you feel up to it? Your conversation with the police. His lab man working in your living room. The visit to the moor. All things that you read about in the papers, but never quite pictured as happening to you. Yes, Frank. It's all like a dream. A haze of unfamiliar activity. Of questions and answers and nervousness and cigarettes and cups of coffee held in a shaking hand. And then finally with the lieutenant driving you home. Your nerves begin to settle back into place. The reality returns all both simultaneously with the sound of the police car front tire touching the curb in front. Thanks, Lieutenant. You've been very kind. Not at all. You'll let me know if you hear any. Oh, sure. Try and get a good night's rest. A while ago? Yes, I called them about Cora. Of course something's happened to her. Only the two of us know where she is. She's in your back garden where you buried her two hours ago. Right, darling? She saw you, didn't she? Saw you bury your wife Cora in the garden in the back of your house. And now the dread secret has to be shared. Yes, Frank. The momentary safety you sensed as you said good night to the police lieutenant is gone. Wiped away. Even more shockingly because of the calm assured serenity of the softly smiling attractive young woman standing before. You turned mechanically and moved towards the house. And Doris Martin turns to cattle like him strangely a part of you now. I should follow you with that. You see, Frank, I came over late this afternoon to talk with Cora about the shopping trip we planned. The back door was open. I walked into the kitchen. The two of you were too busy arguing to hear me. Then... Then you heard everything. Yes. The money you were talking about, the old lady's $35,000. That was Mrs. Faraday, wasn't it? Cora had been her secretary companion once. You had been Mrs. Faraday's lawyer, that's how you met her. All right, Doris. Hey, old lady, isn't that? And when she died, you and Cora took... I don't want to have any news. She told you? No, I thought about it things up after overhearing your conversation this afternoon. Cora was all fed up with the money, wasn't she? Yes. I hadn't come home early. Surprised her? You surprised me, Frank. I never saw you in such a rage. And then when you accept the letter open... All right, Doris, all right! Nothing, darling, nothing at all. I'll keep you a little secret. Were you, Doris? Of course. Providing... Providing I make it worth your while. Is that it? You won't find me greedy, Frank. I think we'll get along fine. Darling, darling, relax. It's only the doorbell. I'll get it. No, no, no, wait. You better get out the back way. But why? It's late. I don't mean it might not look right. Oh, don't be silly. Look, I'm your next door neighbor. I just heard about Cora's disappearance. I'm her best friend. Sit right where you are, Frank. The most natural thing in the world can be to be right here. Worrying with you. You see, Doris, folks up? Yeah, Franky, how's the boy? I thought you were out of town. I'm on the way to San Diego. It's all right, huh? I thought I'd stop by and see you kids play. Where's Cora, seriously? Something wrong? You don't look so good. Yes, something is wrong. Harry. Cora has disappeared. Disappeared? Cora? She wasn't home when I got back from the office. I called everywhere. No one's seen her. Did you check the hospitals? Police are taking care of it, Harry. You didn't have a quarrel, did you? You might have gone up to Santa Barbara to see you. I told her she's not there. And you don't have... Well, you don't have any idea where she might have gone? No. I don't like this, Frank. I don't like it at all. Sit down, Harry. I was about to fix a drink for Frank. No, no, don't trouble Doris. I'm trapped. How about you, Harry? Oh, yeah. Yeah, I can go for a drink. I have plain water. Plain water it is. Yeah. I don't know what to make of this, Frank. You might call her to take off like that. Not to let you know where she is. I don't mind telling you, Harry. I'm worried. I'm worried sick. I'm pretty sure I know how you feel. I wish there was something I could do. What can we do? Nothing. Nothing, I guess. Just sit and wait, that's all. Just sit and wait. Harry suddenly appears at the house to something to wonder and worry about, isn't it, Frank? Yes. You haven't seen or heard from him in weeks. And yet, tonight of all nights, here he is, sitting in the easy chair across from you. I ain't you curious. I'm not saying much now. Sipping his drink slowly. The strange expression on his face. And your fears mount and your mind becomes more and more uneasy and restless as the minutes go by. Finally, Harry places the empty glass down on the end table. Well, I... I think I'll shove off. Just let me know if you hear anything from Cora. I'll be staying at your mom hotel. Then... Then you're not going on to San Diego? No, no, it can wait. I'll just stick around. Well, thanks for the drink. Hi, Harry. Hi, Frank. I'll be seeing you. Goodbye, Harry. You can relax now, darling. He's gone. No, thanks to you. Why did you have to... In Paris today? I just wanted to find out what was on his mind. You know, your dear brother-in-law is a big, fat liar. What? He said he got into town a couple of hours ago, didn't he? Yes. I might have just you to know he was here in this house last night with Cora while you were out bowling. Here? Last night? That's right. I thought he was leaving around 10. Now, why do you suppose he's live? I don't know. I can make a guess. Cora was always very fond of her little brother, Harry, wasn't she? Yes. So he dropped in last night, mentioned he was on his way to San Diego. Is Cora an idea? He'll take the money, drive south with Harry. Maybe he takes it to the border. For services rendered, she cuts him in on the 35,000. Well, what do you think? I think that's a very good guess, Torres. A very good guess. He's probably arranged to meet somewhere this afternoon. Cora didn't show, so little Harry crossed over here tonight to find out what's holding things up. Of course. He knows about that money. I'm sure of it. Now he's going to stick around. He means trouble for you. I think we'd better keep a close watch on him from now on. There's very little sleep for you that night, isn't there, Frank? You're certain, Torres is right. Harry and Cora are working together, running away, sharing the money. And now that Cora has disappeared, he must suspect that you had something to do with it. The following morning, as you wander into the kitchen, you happen to glance out the window and see someone moving about in the back garden through the trees. Someone near the... Is that a bed? Yeah, morning, Frank. Oh, Harry. Yeah. You. You just got by to see if you'd hate anything from Cora. No. Not a word. Yeah. Well, I saw you at bedroom. Kate's would want it. I didn't want it to scare you. You wouldn't, would you? Rough night, huh? Well, you get by sleep yourself wondering about Cora. You know, where she could have gone to. Why? Oh, well, cigarette, Frank? Thanks, Noah. I haven't had breakfast. Hey, I think I'll go back to the house. You coming? Yeah. Yeah. Hey, you know, you've fixed up your garden nice, Frank. Real nice. Well, I don't have too much time to work on it. Weekends, mostly. Well, still, you've done a nice job. I see you've changed the value back. Ground, but turned over. Oh, yes. Cora's idea. Gee. Like status. Uh-huh. Say, uh... Say, isn't that your... Yeah, the phone. Yes. Yeah. That might be the police. Uh-huh. I hope there's some news. Get rid of him, Frank. Um... It's just a moment. Well, what is it, Frank? Uh... It's not the police. It's my office. I have to go in. Oh. Well, I'll be shutting off. Have some business. Take care. I'll be back at the hotel around six tonight if you want to get in touch. Uh, all right, Harry. Oh, and I'll be seeing you. Doris. I'll be over. What did he want? I said, I'll be over. Why are you getting so excited? We're not discussing things over the phone. It's too risky. But who would? You heard me, Doris. So what did Harry want? He was asking about Cora. He noticed the flower bed I turned over. I think he suspects it. Oh, don't be ridiculous. How could he? I don't know, but he suspects. I tell you. Well, what are we going to do? I don't know. I think the beach cottage is the perfect place for it, Frank. The perfect place for what? For Harry's little, um, accident. Don't you remember what happened out there last many years ago? You mean the fire, the explosion? That's right. The old-fashioned plan, Frank. And hanging on a pulley from the ceiling. The explosion had caused. That was an accident. That was an accident. Only this time it'll be on purpose. How could we get Harry out there? I'll call him at the hotel tonight. Tell him we, that is the neighbors, are worried about you. We think you've gone out to the cottage. Cora's disappearance has grieved you so. We're a little afraid of what you might do. Uh, someone should be with you. Yes, I see. You get out there. Find the cottage dark. Right, Cora? I troubled her over, Frank. With the coming of night, you're strangely calm, aren't you, Frank? Sharing Doris' confidence that the plan will work. Yes, because it must work. You'll find that your car has a low tire. So you borrow Doris' car and drive out to the beach. Park the short distance in the cottage. Go the rest of the way on foot. It doesn't take you long for what you have to do. That's the booby trap for Harry. And a few minutes later, you put in the call of the Doris. Yes, Frank, I am. I talked to our friend at the hotel. He'll be leaving for the cottage in another quarter of an hour. Good. It's, uh, all set for him. I'm heading back to town now. Oh, Frank. Yes? After you get back, put my car away. Will you call me? Sure, Doris. I'll call. A few minutes past seven when you return to your house. Harry will be leaving his hotel shortly. And then the short drive to the cottage. And it will be all over. Back home. You'll reach for the phone to call Doris when... Good evening, Mr. Jason. Oh, the tenant. Uh, come in. They bought all afternoon checking shops, stores. Well then, there's been no news, Kara. I haven't heard of the lead yet. However, I put in a call to headquarters a few minutes ago. They got word from a service station attendant out of the beach. What? Yeah. You think she saw a light at your beach cottage earlier tonight? Could have been a reflection of a car passing on the road, though, he's not sure. Oh, he must have been mistaken there. Still, if you'd let me have the key, I'd like to run out there and have a look. No? Yeah. I don't have a squad car, pick me up. No. Well, I mean... I'll drive you out there, Lieutenant. Really? Really? There's no trouble. I'd like to go. Now, please, call headquarters, let them know where I'll be. I'll get my car out of the garage. If you watch as you start out of the house in the garage, you'll reach in your pocket for your car key, and then remember you left them in your car. You've got to stall the Lieutenant off, don't you, Frank? Yes. Harry is probably just leaving his hotel now, and it wouldn't do if you and Lieutenant reached the cottage before he... Delayed, Frank. Five minutes or so. That's all you need. You reach your car, bend down, and unscrew the tire valve on the low tire. A few minutes later, the Lieutenant joins you. You're wrong, Mr. Chase. Oh, I'm a straight soul. Flat tire. Uh-oh. Maybe I had better call a squad car. No, no, no. Don't bother. It won't take us five minutes to change the tire. Then we'll drive out to the cottage. Okay. I guess a few minutes one way or another won't make much difference. Whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending to tonight's story. And now, back to the Whistler. The time you need to change your flat tire is important, isn't it? Because it will delay the police lieutenant from reaching the beach cottage before your brother-in-law, Harry Evans, does. Before the accident, it will take his life and free you of Harry's threats. As you reach inside the car and take the keys and the ignition switch, you'll hear your phone ringing inside the house. You'll hand your car keys to the lieutenant and hurry up the driveway to answer your phone. But you'll reach the phone too late. The wire is dead. And a moment later, Doris. Frank, why don't you call me or enter the phone? The lieutenant showed up. Look, Doris, he's out of the car now. He wants me to go out to the cottage with him. I'm trying to stall him until I'm certain Harry gets there. He won't, Frank. Harry is dead. What? He didn't fall for our little gag. Instead of going out to the cottage, he went straight to your backyard. He started stinking. Doris. Did he? No. I got behind him with a shovel. You were right, Frank. He knew. I found Carl his earring in his pocket. He must have found it near the flowerbed this morning. Doris, where is he? What did you do to him? What else? We had to get him out of there. I dragged him into your garage. He's here to your car when the ignition, so I put Harry in the trunk compartment. The trunk compartment? The spare tire is in there. The lieutenant will find the body. I have found the body. And the two murderers, too. By the chummy arrangement.