 Now, the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California presents... Suspense! Tonight, Roma Wines bring you the suspenseful play called My Own Murderer, starring Mr. Herbert Marshall. Suspense is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. That's R-O-M-A. Roma Wines. Those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live. To your happiness and entertaining guests. To your enjoyment of everyday meals. Yes, right now a glass full would be very pleasant, as Roma Wines bring you a remarkable tale of suspense. And with the drama called My Own Murderer, and with the performance of Mr. Herbert Marshall, Roma Wines hope indeed to keep you in... Suspense! I was never really much attracted by Alan Wrennick, even before he murdered Baines. It had been a raw March day, and I returned home at about half past eleven in the evening to find Alan Wrennick, waiting on my doorstep. Hello, Dick. Alan, what are you doing here? It's a long story, old boy. Aren't you going to ask me, you know, is it your habit to keep people waiting on your threshold? Well, give me a chance. After you. I say this is cozy. Yeah, it's just about right for a bachelor who never entertains. And yes, it wouldn't do with you at all. I wouldn't be too sure of that. Just one bedroom? There's a spare, but I've never used it. Not a very hospitable, are you, old trout? I've never had an occasion to be. Well, you have now. What's in your mind, Alan? I'm coming to that. Remember Baines, my butler-in-ballot? Very good. Well, Baines turned out a bad penny, tried to blackmail me as a matter of fact. Blackmail? Yes, he got hold of some letters written to me by a lady. A married lady. You guessed it. Since you're my legal advisor, you may as well know the whole story. They were from Anita Kill. So you bolted, warned her, and put the police on him? The police? No, I couldn't afford to do that. One couldn't very well produce Anita's letter. And you paid Baines the blackmail he wanted, huh? Certainly not. Then what? Well, afraid I lost my temper. Oh, good lord, you don't mean to say there was violence? Of course there was. You think I could let a reptile like that go on living? Let me get this straight. You try to tell me that you... I beat his brains out with a poker. You murdered him? I suppose that's what the police will call it. It happened this afternoon at around three o'clock, I think. If I don't end on sooner. Probably too late now to fix up an alibi for you. You'll think up something, won't you, dick? You always do when I'm in a jab. In the meantime, I can hide out here, can't I? What possible good will that do? They'll crack you down here sooner or later, and then we'll both be in the soup. No, Anand. Better get yourself up. Then I'll see what can be done about getting you off. Let's look at the mess you up a bit and plead self-defense. Is that the best your devious legal mind can dream up? At the moment, yes, I'm a little tired. Well, I'm not going to cooperate. I'm going to stay right here till you figure out a way to get me clear of this. I won't be reasonable for your own good. Give yourself up. Is it my own good you're thinking of? Or is it because you're afraid you'll be caught harboring a criminal and lose your filthy law practice? That's a good book. What are you doing? Telephone in the police. Put that phone down. It's best this way. Believe me, Alan. I've already committed one murder this evening. I've nothing to lose by committing another. All right. Sorry, wrong number. You're really afraid of me, aren't you? No, perhaps. Tomorrow I could turn you in with no risk whatsoever. But I don't think I will. Is it good, fellow? I'll let you stay here, Alan. I'll save your neck for you, too. Why, this sudden change of heart. You've always thought me rather a worm, haven't you, Alan? Oh, I say, dickhole. You were the dashing man about town. Your ester paid in your law of the extravagance and your women running after you. I was just a dull fellow trapped in a musty law office. Now your very life depends on me. I suppose that's why the situation appeals to me. It's an adventure if you like. Well, I don't. I'd say not. It won't be pleasant for you cooped up in this little flat with no one but me to talk to. Well, after all, it's only temporary. You may not like some aspects of it, even for a little while. You'll have to do your own laundry, of course. I say... Checking laundry is a favourite police trick. And no lights will return on the flat when I'm not at home. You mean I've got to sit here in the dark? You can go into the kitchen or the bathroom. There are no outside windows in those rooms. Oh, and talking in the kitchen, I think you ought to have your meals there, even when I'm in. You'll serve me in the dining room. Look here, do you think I'm your servant or what? As a matter of fact, it's only fair you should be. Since I can't hire any help, so long as you're here. Wouldn't it be simpler and more meaty if we both dined in the kitchen? I'm not used to dining in the kitchen. Neither am I. Then the sooner you practice the better. The future's not going to be so simple for you as the past has been, Alan. But after all, you're very lucky to have a future at all. Well, Dick, whatever it is, one thing is certain, I'll have you to thank for it. But I warn you, Dick, if I do hang, it won't be only for Bane's murder, but for yours as well. For Suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you as star Mr. Herbert Marshall, as Richard Samson, with Norman Lawson, as well. Between the acts of suspense, this is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines. Mention the name Elsa Maxwell, and you picture a famous hostess. Mention a meal featuring fish or fowl, and Elsa Maxwell pictures, but let's hear it in her own words. The thought of a piping heart, and the thought of a heart, and the thought of a heart, and the thought of a heart, and the thought of a heart, and the thought of a heart, and the thought of a piping hot fish or chicken dinner naturally calls up for me the picture of glasses of chilled Roma California sautern at each place. Roma sautern is delicate, pale gold in color, delightful in bouquet, and even more important, exquisite in taste. However you need not wait for a chicken or fish dinner to serve good Roma sautern, it goes perfectly with any food. The one important thing to remember is the name, Roma. Each glassful of golden Roma sautern reflects the heritage of all Roma wines, flavorful grapes from California's choicest vineyards, gently pressed, then carefully guided with all the ancient skill of Roma wineries to the full goodness you enjoy in every Roma wine. Roma wines do not vary, are always high in quality, yet they cost only pennies a glass. No wonder more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. R-O-M-A, Roma wines. And now it is with pleasure that we welcome back to our Hollywood soundstage Mr. Herbert Marshall, who as Richard Samson in My Own Murderer continues a narrative well calculated to keep you in suspense. Should Alan Winick prove to be My Own Murderer, as well as Bane's is, this document will serve as his death warrant. If not, well, I should make good use of it anyhow. This then is what I decided to do. I was to keep Alan Winick and hide him where he was in my flat. I had a plan for affecting his escape, but it was more than a month before I had an opportunity to start it in motion. He came quite unexpectedly on the course of my almost daily visits to the Old Bailey. I faced preceded mind on the court docket and I was forced to wait while a revolting red-headed doctor rambled on with his testimony. That red hair of his rarely fascinated me, but not as much as his medical bag which lay on the bench before me. But when he stepped down from the box, I was already on my way out of the courtroom. Hey, hey, stop that man. He stole my bag. This watch, this watch the trouble, doctor. That man, the one with the taller-shelled glasses, he's made off in my kit. What was it you say he took? A black leather bag, you know the type with my name on it. I'm afraid he's lost in the crowd by this time, sir. But if your name's on it, could you identify him if you saw him again? Well, of course I could. He had on taller-shelled glasses and he had a bad mastoid scar just under his right ear. All the time he was talking to the policeman, I was standing not more than five pieces away, lost among the curious crowd that had collected about them. I left the room with the crowd and held a cab. When I'd taken what I needed from his bag, I threw it with its remaining contents into the ever-useful region's canal. Its owner's name, stamped on the outer side of it, was as if of both things his red hair. Jerry Meyer Bloggins. Jerry Meyer Bloggins. Now my plans for Alan's escape swung into motion. Our chief accomplice was a woman friend of Alan's Margaret Farley, who I knew to be the most intelligent of his acquaintances. Hello, Dick. Where's Alan? All right, Alan. You can come out now. Well, it's high time. Hello, Margaret. Alan. Oh, Alan, my poor, poor darling. A long time, you'll see. But you're still the prettiest girl in the world. Look, I'm sorry to interrupt this touching little scene, but there's not too much time. Shall we discuss our plan? Yes, of course. Well, in essence, this is it. Alan's going to die. Huh? What do you mean by that? I say, isn't that rather extreme? Not literally, of course. The point is to arrange a bogus death of some sort. To get you declared legally dead, and then you'll assume another identity. That has possibilities. Well, what about the body? Well, I'm afraid I'm crossed back on the old expedient of the suicide note. The clothes left on the river bank and the body that's never recovered. Later, you're declared legally dead. It's a very old plan. And rather unlikely to deceive the police for that reason. Don't you think, old boy? Oh, we'll admit later on if necessary that it was a put-up job. What's the good of that? Don't you see? If the police ask too many questions, Miss Farley here will admit being a party to a bogus suicide. But stick to her story that you were rarely drowned by Miss Adventure while trying to carry out your plan. I think it has possibilities, Alan. Where is this helispump that I'm supposed to swim? Well, I've been studying maps in the English coastline. We should choose the mouth of a river. But the tidal currents are strong enough to sweep the body out to sea. Not too broad a channel so that it can be easily swum when the tide's at low ebb. And not too near a town or village. So there'll be no unwanted witnesses. So I grow a beard, swim the river, put on different clothes, and become more... Jeremiah Bloggans or somebody for the rest of my life. Well, how did you happen to mention that name? Jeremiah Bloggans? Why not? Good name, isn't it? Don't you think so, Margaret? I don't think this is quite the time for facetiousness, Alan. Well, all right. So I become Jeremiah Bloggans. That's better than hanging. But what will Jeremiah Bloggans do for money? Well, you couldn't. You could make out a will in favor of Margaret here or whomever you have... Oh, I suppose I can depend on you to make things stick, legally. Well, I'm putting myself in a position where you could easily blackmail me if I didn't. He has a point there, Alan. Now, we'll need another confederate. Somebody to look after you when you get to the other shore. You could leave a car there, of course, but the effect of the cold water... Well, I think it's safer to have somebody waiting for you on the other side. Well, who will it be? That actress friend of Aaron's. I need a killer. That woman? Well, how can you suggest such a thing? Oh, come now, Margaret. It's true that Anita's a fool and rather a tiresome one. I don't know whether Dick told you, but her letters got me into this mess. Baines was trying to blackmail me for them, and that's why I killed him. But it's right. I need someone, and I can trust Anita, because of those letters if there's no other reason. Heaven's what a scheme. Everybody's in a position to blackmail everybody else. Yes. That had already occurred to me. That's exactly why this plan can't possibly fail. The river mouth we finally hit upon was near Muleford. It was not without his choice, and it was a good one. Still, I was afraid to trust everything to her. So I decided to drive Alan down there and to leave him as soon as I saw him safely in the water. Margaret Fowley was to meet us there. Anita would be waiting on the other bank. It was at times a revolting journey down to Muleford that night. The trouble with you, Dick, is that you like managing people. Mark my words, one day I shall be a free man again, and then I shall try and repay you for some of the things you've made me put up for you. Cleaning up after you, making me say yes, Dick. Certainly, Dick. Of course, Dick. I suppose it's quite useless to point out to you that what I did was not only for your own good, but absolutely necessary. Incidentally, I shouldn't be smoking quite so much of a view. You've got to do some swimming tonight, remember, and you're hopelessly out of condition. How I should like to give you just one on the jaw. Just one? Seven is your usual number, isn't it? Isn't that what it took to kill Bane? You were not able to swine. If you weren't driving the car, I'd give you something to remember me by. I shan't forget you easily as it is. Oh, forget what I said. I'm all on the edge. It's a devil of a cold night, too. Did you bring that black coffee, I asked you to? Where's the thermos? They're on the back seat. Help yourself. Thanks. Yeah. A filthy coffee. I should have made it myself. You better save it a little for just before you go into the water. Well, Margaret's bouncer brought some, too. I'll just finish this off. Oh. Bad as it tastes, it's making me feel a lot better. Thought you'd never come. Oh, Alan, you poor boy. We would pick the coldest night in the year. Nonsense. I feel marvelous. Marvelous. Well, I brought you some hot coffee. It's here in this thermos. Better save it for just before I dive in. Well, come along. Let's get going. I wish he wouldn't rush things so. He'll wear himself out before he gets in the water. I know Alan. He's whistling past the cemetery. Hope he doesn't lose his nerve at the last moment. If he does... You mustn't imply things like that about Alan. Besides, I don't know that I could bring myself actually to push him. You must. You know what he is. Tonight is especially difficult. All right. I'll do whatever seems necessary. I don't know what's come over me. I feel positively numb. Really, it's much too cold. Hadn't we better try another night? No, Alan. I can't, Margaret. I'm afraid it's too cold. Here's the thermos. Drink this, darling. It'll warm you up. Oh, filthy stuff. Go on. Drink it up. There. Oh, I feel terrible. I've never been so cold in my life. Now go on, Alan. Be brave. You were always that. No. No, look, darling. Really. No, don't die. No, don't. Please, don't. Don't die. Yes? It's Anita. Oh, yes? I'm calling from the ear near Mewdford. I waited all night, but Alan never showed up. Are you sure you waited to the right spot? Of course I did. Do you think he didn't get across? No, see, why not? It was even narrower than I expected. I could have swum it myself. Now look, you better go on home and act as if you hadn't been away. And don't telephone me again. I'll let you know the moment I hear from him. Day followed day with no word from Alan. I had no alternative to assume that he had drowned there in the estuary that night. The body had not been found, but then they had deliberately chosen a place where the tides could be alleged to have carried it out to sea. The uncertainty was a little distressing, and I'd not forgotten his threat to come back and even score as it would be once he'd got free. And tonight came an unpleasant little scene which had not helped my frame of mind. It began with Anita. I know you're angry at me for coming here with Samson, but I've simply got to talk to someone. You ought not to come down here, it isn't safe. Not safe. You're a nice one to talk about safety. You think Alan's safe now? I don't know. I don't believe you care. He trusted you, and you let him down. Oh, why did he ever trust himself to a brute like you? You and your plans and your cleverness. Where are they all now? And you sit back and tend it with what you've done. Why, may I interrupt your panagery for a moment, Anita? I'd better answer that. You'll listen to me first. Oh, well, I wish we'll see about that. Well, seems to be a gathering of the clan. Oh, it's you, Mrs. Farley. Well, I want to talk to you too. So you missed him? He didn't come. I did my part. Did you do yours? Well, I did my best, but I don't know. I ought never to have let him go considering how cold and miserable he was. Well, I ought to have stopped him. Then why didn't you? Because you had a preconceived idea put under your head by this conniving ruler of an attorney. He planned it all. And now he isn't going to turn a hand to find Alan and help him if he needs it because it might jeopardize his filthy little law practice. Well, I'm going to do something about it. I'm going to the police and tell him the whole story. Has it occurred to you that the police can't possibly help anyone in this case and may possibly harm all three of us? And if I wasn't alive, you would have to do him harm. Yes. Yes, he's right. I pushed him in. I pushed him in. Don't be morbid. You did what you could with excellent intentions. Are you going to clear your conscience by getting two other people into trouble? Are you an eater? No. I confess I'm not too keen on helping Margaret to be a martyr for Alan. How dare you? It was you and your hysterical letters that got Alan into this mess. And wouldn't it be ironic if they ended up by being published anyway? That would be a fine tribute to Alan's sacrifice. Especially for his dead and gone. What are you driving at? I have those letters. I'm not going to demand a price for them like veins. But at the same time... You dirty blackmailer. I am merely forcing you to do something for your own good. Just like giving a patient Morpheus to prevent him doing an injury to himself. Morpheus? What bigger speech but I think you understand what I mean. Morpheus. After the women had gone, I thought over the conversation, particularly that part of it in which Margaret Farley repeated the word Morpheus. I think she knows. But even if Alan's body is recovered and they find what he really died of, they can never make an accusation. They have to prove possession of the Morpheus. And no one in the world can do that. I meant to call Anita Kilner and sound her out, but I find that I don't even know her married name. Not that it matters, considering Morpheus and with Alan behind her husband's back. In any case, I can depend on her letters to keep her mouth shut. On reading this over, I find that in my marshalling of the facts in this case, I have omitted one possibility. Far-fetched it's true, but there is one person whom I should set about finding if I were acting for the crown in this case. I refer to that abominable, truculent red-headed doctor with a ridiculous name. I'm leaving the office for the day, Chatsworth. Will you put these files in my briefcase? Oh, yes, sir. And will you please get out Renwick's file? His will goes into probate tomorrow and I want to study it at home tonight. Very well, sir. Oh, by the way, that gentleman is still waiting in the outer office. What gentleman? Oh, I must have forgotten to tell you. He came in with a lady just a moment ago. Dr. Bloggins. Bloggins? Jeremiah Bloggins. The Julian name, isn't it? Big pardon if it's a friend of yours, sir. No. No, not especially. You see, I was in. Well, yes, I'm afraid I did. Chatsworth, if you ever become a solicitor, be sure your office has two entrances. Shall I send him away, sir? Jeremiah Bloggins. Yeah, there's he beyond pleasantly persistent. Better let him come in. Yes, sir. Will you be needing me, Mr. Samson? Yes, you better sit down. I want you to take down a statement. Yes, sir. Don't you come in, please? Hello, Mr. Samson. I want you to meet... Dr. Bloggins. Yes, we've met before. Oh, strange. You shall have been the one to bring this about, Anita. I was taught Margaret Farley, the clever one. Or should I speak so frankly? Dr. Bloggins knows everything, Mr. Samson. Yes, I know, but... Just for the record, are you ready to take down that statement, Chatsworth? Yes, Mr. Samson. Very well. I murdered Alan Winnick. Well, just a moment, Mr. Samson. He is not interrupt. Yes, I murdered him. And why not? He was a killer. He forced himself on me and turned himself into my private property. He might indeed be called my own murderer. My motive? Perhaps one day the world will learn that the strongest compulsion to murder is hatred. I hated Alan Winnick. And I planned his murder brilliantly. I'd counted on the sea, holding Winnick long enough for the traces of Morpheus to have gone. I very can't be responsible for the treachery of the elements. Only one man have the evidence to convict me. And the odds against his being found and brought face to face with me were so slight that I'd risk it again. I'm not sorry I killed him. Even now I'm able to say that it's been a great adventure. Requiring courage and daring beyond Winnick's wildest imagination. I have proved which of us was the better man. You have all that, Chatsman? Yes, sir. Oh, add this note at the bottom. In view of the customary bumbling and obtusiveness of the crown prosecutor, it'll probably be necessary to state that his case will be greatly facilitated by calling as his first witness Dr. Jeremiah Bluggins. Oh, look here, perhaps I'm obtuse, but why on earth are you trying to involve me in your beastly murder? Huh? Oh, I say, do you mean to say you don't recognize me? Oh, I know. Why should I? Anita, why did you bring this man here? I thought you knew. He's my husband. After Alan's body was found, I decided to tell him everything. We simply came here to get the letters. And you don't even remember me? When your bag was stolen while you were testifying at the Old Bailey? Well, so you're the blighter who did that. Good heavens. That's where you got the morphia out of my bag. Yes. I suppose I could get you with accessory after the fact, but that would only confuse the crown prosecutor. Well, on the whole, I'm rather glad it worked out this way. After all, as Nankie Pooh says in the Mikado, there's much to be said for the advantage of having it done by the public executioner. And so closes my own murderer, but the famous Roman wines have brought you as star Herbert Marshall with Norman Lloyd in tonight's study in Suspense. Suspense is produced, edited and directed by William Spear. Before Mr. Marshall returns to the microphone, let me say a word for Roman Wines, the sponsor of suspense. Few hostesses have entertained as extensively as often as the world-renowned hostess, Miss Elsa Maxwell. And that's why her words are significant. Of course, in buggy days, wine serving was surrounded by all manner of do's and don'ts. Today, it's fashionable to serve delicious Roma wines whenever and however you choose. For example, delicious versatile Roma California toque is a light, moderately sweet, flame-colored wine that goes well before or after meals during cocktail hour, actually delightful at any time. Serve your Roma toque cool. If the Roma toque differs in flavor from other Roma wines, it is like them in these respects. Always delicious, never varying in fine quality. And since Roma wines cost only pennies a glass, you can serve them often. Remember, more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. And the next time you use Bermouth, choose Roma Bermouth. Zestful, full-flavored Roma Bermouth is blended and developed with all the traditional wine-making skill of the Roma wineries. It is made and bottled in the heart of California's famous vineyards, yet surprisingly low-priced. Try Roma Bermouth soon, won't you? This is Herbert Marshall. It's been a great pleasure, as always, to make an appearance on Suspense, a show which is such a very great favorite with all of us. Mr. Spear has just been telling me about next Thursday's broadcast, and it sounds like one of the very finest of the year. It's a perfectly wonderful story by W. F. Harvey. August heat. And in it, as your star will be, Ronald Coleman. Now, if you'll permit me a most important word. War news from the Pacific is encouraging. We are on our way to Tokyo. But until Japan is beaten to our knees, the war goes on. It takes dollars to buy the equipment our men need. Your dollars. And by investing those dollars in war bonds now, during the seventh war-lone drive, you help your country and help yourself to greater post-war purchasing power. Get extra bonds, big ones, during the mighty seventh. Next Thursday, same time, Mr. Ronald Coleman will be your star of Suspense. Resented by Roma Wines, R-O-M-A. Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.