 A master of mystery and adventure, William M. Robson. Among the many misconceptions under which we live and have our being is the one that states that there is no such thing as the perfect crime. The open files of unsolved murders in every police department across the land give the lie to this proposition. However, it is true that the criminal more often than not slips up on the tiniest of details and ends up alone in a tiny room with a tiny gas pellet dropping into a tiny pound of water under his chair. We wonder if you can spot the detailed Dort Sharples overlooked as you listen to Mr. Glenn Ford starring in Murder and Antilia, a tale well calculated to keep you in. Ever stick out your thumb and pull in a million dollar plum? Well, I'm the little Jack Horner that did it, only my name isn't Horner. It's Dort Sharples. I was hitchhiking along Highway 70 across the Arizona desert heading for L.A. It was August and I was hot. Oh man, I was hot. It was so hot the lizards were fanning themselves. It wasn't much traffic, nobody would stop. I'd walk about eight miles outside a little bird called Quartzseye and I was tired. I was tired and sore. Finally a black sedan come along and I was all set to holler cuss words at it for not stopping when suddenly this guy slows down. It was a young guy about my age. He was alone. Hop in. Thanks, I sure appreciate this. It's all right. I could use some company. You know, for a second there I didn't think you were going to stop. I wasn't, frankly. Yeah, the guy has to be careful nowadays. You know what changed my mind? Maybe you won't like this but it suddenly struck me that you look like me. Yeah, I guess maybe I'd do it that now that you mention it. What if that was me walking along, I thought? Besides, if you got a face like mine, it must be an honest face. Hey, maybe you got something there. You going to Blythe? What's that? The next town, across the Colorado. Oh, you know, no, I'm going clear into LA. I happen to be going through LA on my way to Santa Barbara. If you want to spell me at the wheel, we can make Los Angeles by a little after midnight. Hey, brother, you got yourself a co-pilot. And by the time we crossed the river into California, I learned the guy's name was John Braley and that he was going to visit his invalid aunt. Now, this aunt didn't own all of Santa Barbara, not quite, and the guy didn't volunteer this information. I had to kind of probe it out of him. Between Blythe and Desert Center, an idea began to percolate and not just from the heat either. I bet your aunt's going to be awfully glad to see you, Braley. How long did you say they'd been? I was 10 when I left. Oh, yeah. That would make it 17 years. You see, my mother died when I was three, and Aunt Delia took me in. Did she know you're coming? Yeah, I sent her a wire. Oh, yeah, good. You think she'll recognize you? I doubt it. The reason I'm going back, her husband died about a month ago. That'd be your uncle, huh? Uncle by marriage. I never thought of him as an uncle. My aunt married him when I was nine. He and I never got along. That's why I left Aunt Delia's place. You mean you ran away? No, another aunt Delaware took me for a while. Delia and I wrote to each other, but her husband made her quit. He sounds like a first-rate heel. Yeah, I always thought so. Anyway, what with school and then the army and getting a job afterwards? That's why I just lost track of Aunt Delia. You got a lot of relatives in the east? No, no. My other aunt died when I was 21. Delia's the only relative I got left. I guess that means you'll be coming in something pretty good someday, huh? I suppose so. This may sound funny, but the idea sort of scares me. Yeah, I wish somebody'd scare me like that. I kept pumping them until I could have written his autobiography. Yes, I mean auto-biography. I stored away facts about his uncle. He hated how Braley used to like to draw pictures when he was a kid. How he got his only spanking when he was eight for spilling ink on his aunt's favorite tapestry. How he wouldn't eat peas. Got sick on enchiladas at the Santa Barbara Fiesta in 1935. Everything. Could I remember it? You know what people used to say to me? You know, with your memory, boy, you could be a good lawyer. But that takes work. I just east of Indio before Highway 70 runs into 99. I figured I was thoroughly briefed. You want me to drive a while, Sharples? No, no, no, thanks. It's okay. Unless you want to take over. No, no. Technically, maybe I shouldn't be driving at all. No, I've got one of those mail-order driver's licenses, but I doubt if I could pass the California test. You see it. Hey. Hey, wait a minute. Hey, you notice something funny? No, what? I think we're getting a flat. Oh, no. Yeah, sure. This car kind of rides funny, you feel it? You know what I think it is? I think it's the right rear tire there. Well, this would have to happen clear out in the middle of nowhere. Yeah, you said it. I tell you, maybe we better stop and take a look, huh? I don't even know where the spare's any good. Look, I may be imagining things. I don't know, but we better make sure. I'll check it in a minute. There's not a soul inside either way. Well, we won't need any help. I hope not. How is it? Maybe you better come back here. Okay. I'm sure, Clad, I've got you along. I'm not much good. Oh, come to think of it, there may not be any tools in the car. I bought this car in a hurry off a used car like... Well, I've got all the tools I need, Braley. It doesn't look flat to me. No? Look at me. Lean down here and take a look, huh? Still doesn't seem... I was right about the tool. Wasn't I, Braley? I put the blackjack back in my pocket and dragged Braley off the highway. I put him in a ditch. I made sure he was dead. Then I changed clothes with him and covered his body with sand and brush and all the stuff that was laying around. I was back in the sedan on my way. Still no other car was inside. I adjusted the rear view mirror so I could see my reflection. I watched my lips move as my voice said. Door to Sharples? Never heard of him. My name is John Braley. About 2 a.m. I waited around until morning, though, before I went to Rena's apartment, huh? See, I wanted her to be real wide awake when I told her my idea. But, Dort, it sounds crazy and dangerous. For a million bucks, we can afford to be crazy. What's the pull somebody finds out? You aren't this guy, Braley. Look, who will know, huh? Who's gonna know? His aunt hasn't seen him since he was a kid. There's no other relatives. No connections on the coast. None back east, either. Are you sure you can carry it off, Dort? No, but Rena, will you listen to me a minute? I know everything about that guy. I even know when he lost his first baby tooth. But what do you want me to do? I'm gonna... you can stay where I can get in touch with you here. He'll be ready to come up to Santa Barbara. How long will you have to wait to come into this money? See, old lady may live for years. No, I don't think so. She's pretty well along and she's an invalid. You know, a lot of things can happen to an old lady. Well... No, no, well, it's about a real break. I might have done it alone. I could have done it alone. But I thought of you, kid. Real sweet of you, Dort. Real sweet. Yeah, sure. And we're partners, huh? Yes, Dort. Great. Now, look, kid, listen to one thing very important. You lay off that Dort stuff from now on, huh? From now on you call me John Braley. Kiss me, John. It didn't take me long to cover the hundred miles to Santa Barbara. The reunion with Aunt Delia was... well, it was quite touching. Yeah, I sat on a little old stool, you know, right in front of her, right by her wheelchair, drinking tea at the housekeeper, this Mrs. Parker. She kept pouring it, so... And we talked, huh? We talked over old times. Oh, Johnny, it's so good to have your home again. Johnny. Johnny. You know, nobody but you ever called me then. Remember the kids used to call me Jack or Curly most of the time? Oh, and how angry you used to get. You hated to be called Curly. Yeah, and when I got into a fight about it that time, remember with Pudge Martin? You sent me to bed without any supper, and then you took away my paints and my crayons for a whole week. Well, not for a whole week, Johnny. I relented on Sunday afternoon. Well, it seemed like a week. Oh, you did love to draw. You know, I've saved some of your drawings. I was looking at them only the other day, and... Oh, that must be Mr. Crittenden. Crittenden? Yes, my attorney. He's been just wonderful to me since your uncle died. Handles all of my affairs. I've asked him to come up to meet you. Well, I hope you don't mind. That's all right, Mrs. Parker. Don't bother. I'm right in, Bryce. Hello, dear. My, you look positively radiant. Well, well, is this the prodigal nephew? Yes. Bryce, this is Johnny, or should I say Mr. Crittenden, my nephew, John Brady. How do you do? How do you do? So this is John. My boy, let me warn you that I know every infamous detail of your crime-ridden career. That is, up until the time you were 10 years old. No, Bryce. Now, women, I'm afraid, Auntie, that Mr. Crittenden has an ipso facto case against me. I offer this tapestry. That's going to be exhibit A. Take a look. Well, what do you mean? Well, if you examine it real closely, you will see traces of a stain. Now, Auntie, isn't this where I spilled ink in? Oh, well, do you think you're in? Wasn't it 1935? What, Johnny? Do you still remember that? I certainly do. And you spank me with a hairbrush. The accused has paid his debt to society. Case dismissed. Oh, Johnny, that stain is worth more to me than the tapestry itself. Oh, now, come on. I think she means it, John. Your arrival has already made her look 10 years younger. Oh, wow, absolutely absurd. In fact, I think you could get up out of that chair this minute and trounce me soundly at a game of tennis. I wasn't any doubt about it. I was in. To deal with your health improved so rapidly, I realized I'd have to think of a way to... I had to kind of speed things up. That meant I had to get Mrs. Parker the housekeeper out of the house for good. So I began devising little things to make her appear inefficient. Oh, and he wasn't supposed to have spices, so I sneaked into the kitchen and I doctored the food with some pepper. After Mrs. Parker set the heating unit for the night, I got up and I turned it off. And he woke up freezing. And Mrs. Parker became so confused and upset that she began helping me out by forgetting things and making mistakes all on her own. Johnny, I know Mrs. Parker means well, but, well, as Dr. Davis says, I've got to have someone I can depend on at all times. Yeah, well, I haven't liked to say anything, but after all, she's been with you for a long time. But, well, the poor old soul, I think she does need a rest. Oh, dear, it's going to be so difficult to tell her. Well, I'll attend to that, Auntie. And I'll see about getting another housekeeper, an intelligent, capable, younger woman. Mr. Braley. Oh, yes. How are you, Mr. Braley? Yeah, I'm great. Now listen, kid, I'm calling from Santa Barbara. I'll get up here right away, check in at the San Martin Hotel as Rina Durwin. And you wait there till I call you. We're in, baby, but good. You are listening to William M. Robeson's production of Murder and Anterior, starring Mr. Glen Ford. A tale well calculated to keep you in... saucepence. By the time Rina arrived in Santa Barbara, I'd fixed up a set of references of her ability and character that would have flattered Florence Nightingale and Susan B. Anthony. Rina came out for an interview pretending she was sent by an employment agency I was supposed to have called. Oh, she made a terrific impression on the old lady. At a nod from me, Andy hired Rina on the spot, and Mrs. Parker left with a cardboard suitcase amongst pay-red eyes and the sniffles. Well, after she got Andy to bed that first night, Rina and I met on the veranda. How did I do, Dorsch? The name... Nobody's around here. Look, just don't take any chances. Now, you call me Mr. Braley all the time. All right, Mr. Braley. How did I do? Perfect. Now come on, let's take a walk over by the bluff there away from the house. This is sure sun layout. Looks great in the moonlight. Yeah, it'll all be always, baby. Yeah. How are you going to do it? Do what? You know. All right, up there ahead is a cliff. You see it? Here it is. Now, that's a 200-foot drop under those rocks down there. You're going to push her off the cliff? No, nothing as brutal as that. No, it's an accident, you see. You take Andy for an airing in her wheelchair, and as you're pushing the chair, you trip, and you fall. The chair starts rolling, you run after it, the poor Andy goes over the edge. And you're hysterical with shock, of course. Yeah, I am. I don't know. What's wrong with you taking Andy for an airing? Look, if I could do it, what would be the point of you being here at all? You're just an employee, a brand new one. You've got no reason on earth to kill her for her dope. I mean, they just might get that idea if I was a wheelie man. Yeah, I guess you're right. Yeah, and that's why it's important for us not to have very much to do with each other. That's going to be difficult, George. Mr. Braley. No one can see us now, honey. Oh, baby, can't you wait? No. Just one kiss, please. The next afternoon, Andy and I were in the library. I was trying to look interested in the scrapbook she was pawned through. I hope she wouldn't notice how fidgety I was. My eyes are so weak now, Johnny, but I know every detail of these just from memory. Oh, here you are on your first tricycle. Well, I'll be darned. Was I ever that small? It doesn't seem possible, does it? Oh, here's what I was looking for. A cow you drew when you were nine. Oh, you were quite the artist. Yeah. Hey, this is great. I was a... What do you call it? Surrealist? I colored it green, man. Look at that. A green cow on purple grass. Well, it certainly caused a sensation at your school. There's a wonder I wasn't expecting. Oh, Johnny. Oh, I've always been just sick about this picture. Well, the few of you and me together. You broke away from it just as the photographer took it. Yeah, I'm just a blur. What's the cat doing in it? Well, don't you remember? That Xerxes. What? Oh, you remember? Oh, sure. Old Xerxes the Persian. Yeah, yeah. Oh, gee, you know the fun he and I used to have together? Of course, I used to tease him a lot when you weren't looking. Yeah, but he sure was a nice... What's the matter, Auntie? Johnny, are you trying to fool your old Auntie? What do you mean? Well, you were frightened plum out of your wits by cats. If Xerxes so much as brushed up against you, you'd scream bloody murder. That's why you jumped when the picture was taken. I did? I did. Yeah, didn't I? Yeah. You remember? Dr. Thompson said it was a deep-seated phobia and you'd probably have it all your life, like Napoleon. Did it ever go away, Johnny, this fear of cats? Well, yeah, it went away. I mean, most of it went away. After all, he doesn't like to remember what a coward he was when he was a kid. Maybe she was satisfied with that explanation, but I thought she watched me a lot closer after that with her dim old eyes. Rin and I couldn't put it out much longer. I might call a real boner. That night, Rin and I set it up. I said, tomorrow, right after breakfast. Oh, you'll come with me, won't you? Honey, it's better if I'm not around. You don't have to be right there. Just be where I can see you. I couldn't do it all alone. I don't know if I can... All right, all right, all right. Just don't lose your nerve, kid. That's all. Just don't lose your nerve. I didn't sleep much that night. Well, the next morning after breakfast, Rin and I got the old lady into her wheelchair. Well, there you are, ain't she? Thank you, Johnny. Oh, my, but isn't it a lovely day? It certainly is, Mrs. Farnham, but I do think I'd better have a scarf over my head. I'll run upstairs and get one. Would you mind, dear? Hey, there's two scarves right here on the sofa. Oh, never mind, Mr. Winther. I'm down here. Yeah, here now. Which one do you want, Andy? The green and red one or the blue and yellow one? Why, it doesn't matter, Johnny. Either one. All right. You know, I think the green and red one will go better with that robe you're wearing. Yes. So it will. Yeah, now, doesn't that look nice? All right, let's go, then. No, wait, I've changed my mind. Huh? You mean about going out? Yes. It's so much bother. Bother? Nothing yet. You need some fresh air. Well, I'll just sit here by the open window. Look, you need some sun. I'll come along, Mr. Winther. Please, Johnny, I don't want to go. I just want to stay here and rest. Why, sure. Why, sure, Andy. OK, OK. If you don't want to go. Anvilia finally calmed down. But she still had Rina put her to bed. Then she asked me to drive into town. She wanted me to get her some medicine she was out of. I was, you know what I was doing? I was hoping the old lady was maybe coming down with something that would save Rina and me the trouble of that last wheelchair ride. But no. The next morning was cloudy. And sultry. When I got downstairs, Rina already had the old girl out on the lawn in her wheelchair. And she came over to me and whispered. She just wants to stay there, Dort. No ride. Well, that's tough. That's real tough because she's going anyway. Now, come on, Rina. I suppose she makes a fuss. I think the two of us can handle an old lady in a wheelchair. But if she screams. Oh, she screams. All right. This estate is as isolated as the Alcatraz. Come on, come on. Let's get it over with. All right. It's starting to sprinkle. I know it is. Now, come on, hurry up. Let's go in. It's starting to rain. Oh, we're coming, Auntie. Oh, I just knew it would rain today. I just knew it. Yeah. Yeah. Well. Well, here we go, Auntie. You came just in time. I thought you'd forgotten me. Forget you. Well, don't be silly. Oh, dear. It's really starting to come down. Well, hurry. We'll be soaked. Johnny, the house is back that way. Johnny, where are you taking me? Just relax, Auntie. Rina. Rina, help me push, will you? Sure. All right, let's make this quick. I'm Johnny. Annie, what are you doing? Stop it. Stop it, Dr. Farrs. Titan. Pastor Rina. You're not mine, Johnny. OK, Rina. Let her go. Oh, stop it. It was done. I looked over the edge to make sure. Yeah, if she was dead, all right. I made Rina tear her hose and skin her knee, rubbed some dirt on the wound. It was rainin' hard now. As we got back to the house, I heard a car swingin' around the last turn on the grade. It pulled up the driveway by the porch and a man got out. It was Crittenden. Get hysterical, Rina. Come on, limp. I tried to stop him, Mr. Braley. I tried to. Mr. Crittenden? John, what are you two doing out in this rain? Who are you at? Well, something awful's happened. I was just gonna phone you. I tried to catch you. What's wrong? I'm sorry. My aunt is dead. Damn. Yes. And it's all my fault. All my fault. Mr. Irwin, stop that. It's not your fault. What happened? Well, Aunt Deal, you asked Ms. Derwin here to wheel her over there so she could admire the view. In this rain? It wasn't raining then. Ms. Derwin tripped in the wheelchair close to downhill. She tried to catch up, but it just plunged over the cliff there. Call an ambulance. Maybe there's still a chance. Well, Crittenden ran down to look over the cliff and I went into the library and phoned the ambulance and the police, too, just to make it look good. I was downing a double shot of bourbon when the lawyer came in. That poor woman. At least she didn't suffer. Oh, thank heaven for that. Use a drink. No thanks. Well, I'll never forget that scream. Don't torture yourself. This young woman. What's her background? Oh, Ms. Derwin. Why, uh, an employment agency sent her out. She has wonderful references. Gentlemen, I'm sorry I lost control of myself. Oh, Ms. Derwin, this is Mr. Crittenden. How do you do? Mrs. Farnham's attorney. How do you do? Could I bring you gentlemen anything? Nothing for me. Thank you. Now, please sit down and relax. You've had quite a shock. Yes, sit down, Ms. Derwin. Thank you. Well, this seems to be nothing to do, but wait, uh, I'm a fuss budget about these things, perhaps, but that bust of Shakespeare on the bookcase. Isn't it in a rather precarious position? What? Oh, no, I never noticed that. Right over your head there. It makes me nervous. I'll, I'll slide it back. Rather a top heavy thing. Look out, sirs! Why, that was close. Barely missed you. I'm sorry. No harm done. Lucky you had the presence of mine to call out, Ms. Derwin. What was it you called, Mr. Praley? I, uh, I didn't call him anything. Look out, Dort was what you said. Why did you call him Dort? It was just an exclamation. She saw the statue topple. I called you by your real name. Mr. Crendon, I'm afraid I don't quite see the reason for all this peculiar questioning with my aunt lying out there dead. Mr. Praley, you said this, uh, Derwin came recommended by an employment agency. That's right. Yesterday I checked every agency in town. There was no real Derwin registered with any of them. That's not true. You checked into the San Martin Hotel only the day before you reported here for your interview. Well, that doesn't mean it. One of my assistants is checking those references, you gay. Mr. Crendon, being my aunt's attorney, that doesn't give you the right to insult her employees. I just, what are you trying to prove? I had a talk with Mrs. Parker the other day. Mrs. Parker, oh, she saw her because she got fired so she tries to create distress and suspicion at this girl who took her place. I've known Mrs. Parker for years. There was no physical or emotional reason why she should suddenly turn into an absent-minded, careless, incompetent. Nevertheless, she did. Dr. Davis, I talked to Dr. Davis and he's of the opinion that somebody in this house engineered things so Mrs. Parker would be asked to leave. I'm sure my aunt would resent your prying into the fares of her household. I'm afraid you're mistaken. This prying, as you call it, is made at your aunt's request. What do you mean? She telephoned me yesterday afternoon to tell me about a strange doubt, a suspicion. About what? About you. Me? She suddenly was disturbed by the horrible feeling that you are an imposter. Auntie thought that I was... Why, that's absurd. Is it your recollections of your childhood here? We're quite convincing, except for one or two things. Look, this is all... Oh, you mean my fear of cats? Well, look, people get over these childish phobias after all the math. Remember a drawing she showed you? A watercolor of a cow? Sure, a green cow. What about it? And the scarves? Remember you thought the green and red would go better with her robe than the blue and yellower? So what? Doesn't it strike you as peculiar that a boy who could draw quite a fine cow should paint it green, and then years later be so exacting about harmonizing his aunt's scarf? You see, John Braley was colorblind. Suspense, in which Mr. Glenfor starred in William M. Robeson's production of Murder and Andelia by Lou Houston. Listen. Listen again next week when we return with 227 minutes of hate by Sam Pearce. Another tale well-calculated to keep you in. Suspense. Supporting Mr. Ford in Murder and Andelia were Ellen Morgan, Lillian Bayef, Shepard Menken, and her Butterfield. Music composed by Lucian Morawek and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. Suspense has been brought to you through the worldwide facilities of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.