 The signal oil program The whistler that whistle is your signal for the signal oil program The whistler I'm the whistler and I know many things for I walked by night I know many strange tales hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows Yes, I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak Yes friends, it's time for the signal oil program the whistler Rated tops in popularity for a longer period of time than any other West Coast program in radio history and Signal gasoline is tops to tops in quality It takes extra quality, you know to give you extra mileage and signal is the famous go farther gasoline So look for the signal circle sign in yellow and black that identifies independently operated signal stations From Canada to Mexico and now the whistler's strange story Hired alibi The dry desert heat that enveloped the highway seemed to add to the pressure and anguish tormenting the lone man in the swiftly moving automobile Paul Burns hurried trip to Los Angeles improved useless There wasn't a chance of escape for him now And he was forced to drive back and face his wife Edith tell her that he had failed If only there was a way out someone he could turn to to talk it all over and perhaps somehow find a way Thanks friend almost didn't see you God here. I Got things on my mind That's probable When you're driving with a son on your face, it's sometimes hard to see anything with the white ribbon in the road How far you going? Flagstaff and 50 miles north. I'll get out of Flagstaff. All right Little warm for this time of the year, isn't it? Yeah, the weather is warm as for what happened in the election. I'll agree with you That's how I pay for my ride. I talking no It isn't necessary. I just go on pick a subject only keep it down to my level Since you seem to limit yourself, perhaps you should decide Okay women Sports towns automobiles. All right Automobiles of those Yes, Paul. It's good to have someone to talk to Only your interest is not in the relative performance of various automobiles But in this young man himself He's rough and hard but oddly handsome And as you drive along you begin to speculate about him wonder vaguely if you haven't seen him somewhere before And suddenly it comes to you Paul and you tense with excitement If it's true, it can change a lot of things. Can't it? Yes, but you've got to be sure I'm wrong No, I just noticed I'm out of cigarettes. I thought I'd pull in at that cafe up ahead. Oh Sure Uh, would you mind running in for me? Hey, look you sure you're not just tired of my company, maybe Of course not here get a pack for yourself. Thanks Thanks. I'll do that You wait nervously Paul until he disappears into the little roadside cafe Then immediately you turn around and pick up the newspaper on the back seat His picture stares up at you from a newspaper dated early in the week Norbella He's Joe Norbella. Yes, Paul Your hitchhiking friend is Joe Norbella a fugitive Wanted by the Los Angeles police for killing a theater manager during a hold-up You hide the paper in the back and force yourself to relax as Joe comes back and climbs into the car There you are. Thanks. Here's a change Light. Sure. Thanks. Okay. What do you do for a living son? Odd jobs. I like to keep on the move You said you were going east and a particular spot No particular spot But you wouldn't like where I live Okay, I'll play why I'm Paul Burns general manager of the Silver Canyon mine Am I supposed to be impressed? No, no, just my way of explaining why we're tucked away up in the hills You would like that, would you? Wouldn't I? You're a young man. You probably find it very dull probably The population of the town nearby is about 600 Calls silver, but we refer to it as hermit's heaven That's nice We so far off the main highway. We have hardly any contact with the outside world I've heard of worse places you Wouldn't be interested in going to work for me Pays very good Yeah, I'll even throw in living quarters. You would huh? Yeah You'd be sort of an all-round handyman Difficult getting young fellas to work in another way place like a silver mine Yeah, I guess it is I don't blame them Working up there is next to disappearing But it's 75 a week to start with 75 huh What do you say? What is your name by the way? Joe Joe Webster. Well Joe, how about it? All right You got a deal mr. Burns. When do I start? As soon as we get there and Joe. Yeah, I think this is going to work out fine for both of us Just fine With the prologue of hired alibi the signal oil company brings you another strange story by the whistler if You're one of those folks who like to carry a pocket calendar You're probably wondering where you're going to get your new one for next year Well worry no more because your signal dealer is now offering free the neatest little pocket calendar you've ever seen These signal pocket calendars are just the right size to fit in a man's wallet or Milady's handbag They're made of moisture-proof plastic So the numbers will stay legible and the edges won't fray from wear and they're printed in attractive colors with all the holidays indicated in red Of course like all good things they'll no doubt go in a hurry So if you want one of these signal pocket calendars, I'd suggest that you stop in for yours soon Remember they're free and remember where at your nearest signal service station And now back to the whistler It was a strange meeting wasn't it Paul? Two men brought together on a lonely Arizona highway you and Joe Norbella Joe a fugitive who tells you that his name is Joe Webster and that he'll be happy to take a job at the mine you operate It all fits together doesn't it Paul making a pattern of escape for you a simple but clever one And all you have to do is be careful not let Joe become suspicious It's almost one o'clock in the morning when you turn off the highway Wave to the guard as you drive through the gates of the mine property and up to the house Joe seems more relaxed now doesn't it? But you know that you must be patient go easy And you try to be casual as you lead him into the house and back through the hall to the guest room. I Hope you'll find this comfortable Felix fine. We'll talk about your job in the morning. It's late I don't want to wake the family sure. Well. Good night. Joe. Just make yourself at home Edith wake up Yes Did you get the money? No John didn't have it Fine brother. He didn't have it. That's all don't worry. Don't worry. How can I help it went through the books again tonight? There's no any way to cover the shortage. You've used $14,000 of the company's money. Maybe so Edith, but we're not beaten yet. Is Ruthie home? Yeah, she's asleep Nothing on her mind and she's not going to have either. I won't have her involved in this Let me handle it my way like the way you handle the $14,000 making those sure fire investments. Well, you thought it was a great idea while I was doing it Go wake Ruth and tell her to come in. There's something I want to discuss with both of you something important All right, Paul. I hope you know what you're doing What's on your mind? I'm sorry to wake you Ruth. It's all right Something happened. No, honey. They have a nice time while I was gone Nothing unusual went bowling with Eddie's a couple of movies same old thing, you know Paul What did you want to tell us? Oh, yes. Yes Well, I want you to know tonight so there wouldn't be a lot of questions in front of Joe when you meet him in the morning Joe was Joe Joe Webster a very nice young man. He's he's he's going to work for me in the office Oh, I see he's going to live with us here in the house. In fact, he's up in the guest room right now Paul Here in the house Why would you have a very simple eat if I need help in the office and you know how difficult it is to get a good man to Come all the way out here. Yes, but don't you think all I ask of you is to make him feel at home Be nice to him and don't ask too many questions questions. What do you mean? It's just that? Well, there's been a little Unhappiness in Joe's life. I'm sure he'd rather forget about it. Oh, okay, dad Whatever you say if he's that important to you. He is Ruth very important For the first time in months you sleep peacefully that night Knowing that everything is going to turn out all right after all and the next morning at breakfast You're completely satisfied with the warm friendly welcome Edith and Ruth give Joe. That's important. Isn't it Paul? Yes Joe Webster must be happy here. He mustn't become restless and want to leave Not until you're ready to put your plan into operation and then after breakfast you read Joe down the path to the office You think you're gonna like it here Joe? Yeah, I like it so far no complaints I Maybe I'm wrong, but I sort of got the idea. I'm supposed to go on living with you at the house That right, of course. I want you to feel right at home Joe. It won't be hard. You got a nice family It's only one thing bothers me. Well, what's that you? What I look you don't know me you pick me up off the highway. You give me a job Next thing I move right in like I'm one of the family Why well now don't tell me that you've always wanted a son. I couldn't take that no I'm not gonna tell you It's just that it's hard to get a young man to stay in an out-of-the-way place like this Yeah, but why put me up in your own home? Just one more inducement hard to find good boarding places around here besides it's convenient for me I won't have to go looking for you if I want you after hours Here we are What have you got to lose by staying here Joe? Nothing I guess nothing at all That desk over there will be yours Joe You want me to sit behind a desk? What's wrong with that? Look put me on an engine give me a pick and shovel but Joe I need you here in the office Work isn't hard typing records time cards payrolls. I'm a little better with a bulldozer than a Remington You'll learn anybody can do this work. It won't be too difficult. Believe me. I Still don't get don't back down on me now. I need you here in the office to be perfectly frank I've been counting on it You have Well, that's the way you want it. Okay, but you may be sorry I don't think so Joe. I don't think so at all And so another step in your plan has been successfully completed hasn't it? Joe Webster has been installed in the company office And now it's only a matter of time a matter of waiting a month or so Until you're ready to make the final move But as the days go by you notice with this May that Joe is becoming restless and patient with his new job And you wonder perhaps if you're not going to be forced to bring things to a head quicker than you'd anticipated You go out of your way to make everything pleasant as possible for him urging Ruth and Edith on insisting that they keep him entertained and Then one afternoon at the end of the second week as you return from an inspection tour of the mine You step into the office Joe Joe panic suddenly sweeps over you as you hurry across the office to the storeroom You're certain now that the one thing you feared most has happened Joe Joe Nelson speaking Johnny. Have you seen Joe Webster Webster? Yeah, Mr. Burns. He came through here a couple hours ago. One of the boys give him a ride in the town in the town What for do you know? Well beats me mr. Burns. Oh, he did ask me about the bus schedules the flagstaff may make a bus I see. All right. All right. Thanks Slowly you cross the room and slump down into your chair behind the desk He's gone. Joe Webster is gone and he won't be back You're certain of that aren't you Paul? He's walked out on you and your plan has collapsed You stare at the date on your calendar a date circled in red little less than a month away Only a miracle can save you now You lean back in your chair and stare out the window Watch the distant hills turn from gold to purple Then fade from sight as darkness sweeps in over the desert Then wearily you walk back up the path to the house Call your dinner will be ready in a Where's Joe? He's gone Ruthie Gone this afternoon. Oh But why did he say left without a word? That's that Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. All right, Ruthie. All right Why don't you eat your dinner? Oh, I'm not hungry not since now you eat your dinner Joe walked out on you. You've walked out. That's all brooding about it won't bring him back. It's not that I'm just not hungry dad Yes, did Joe mean so much to you that leaving upset you so that you can't even eat Oh, no, no, of course now. I'm just tired. That's all really Dad I was at the front door somebody just Joe Sorry to be late Joe. I thought you'd left us. Well, things were kind of quiet around the office this afternoon I didn't think you'd mind if I went into town Had to buy a couple of things. Oh, oh Of course. Yeah, I figured as long as I was gonna be a white-collar worker. I ought to look the park Joe You haven't had your dinner. No, I haven't I Expected to get back earlier, but I had a little trouble picking up a ride Well sit down Joe. I'll get you a place So you thought I'd walked out, huh? Yes Guard at the main gate told me you'd asked about the bus schedules and I thought you'd walked out on me You want to know something? Huh? I was walking out on you, but I changed my mind before I got to the bus depot I figured it'd be a lot smarter move for me if I stayed good. I I'm glad you changed your mind You have no idea how glad I really am Joe You're certain, you know why Joe Webster changed his mind, aren't you Paul? Because he realized he'd be better off here Hiding out at the Silver Canyon mine rather than risk capture on the open highway traveling from town to town Yes, you're greatly relieved now that he's back, but you're not going to take any more chances You're going to move swiftly before Joe has the opportunity to change his mind again That night after dinner as the four of you are drinking your coffee you decide to waste no time in setting up your next move But that means working with Edith alone and somehow you've got to get rid of Joe and your daughter Ruth for a few hours Why don't you youngsters drive into town see a show or something, huh? I'd love to but well, maybe Joe doesn't feel like it sounds okay to me. I can stand a movie Oh, so you might show Joe around town Ruthie. It's not much of a place Joe Not the place so you're wet Ready Ruth. I'll get my coat. Why don't you bring the car around? I'll be careful driving Joe. Ruth is my pride and joy She's all we have okay Have a nice time. Thanks. Good night. Good night What are you up to Paul as soon as they've gone? I'll run down to the office and get the books eateth We've a lot of work to do wish I knew what you had on your mind You will my dear, but the auditors will be here in a month less than that I've tried not to worry listen to me Edith. It's all going to work out. We'll be in the clear All we have to do is fix the books, but how we'll arrange the books so that the money That's missing will be listed this cash on hand. What good will that do when the auditors go to the safe They won't find the money then what don't worry. I'll be able to account for it every penny of it Two days later you decide the moment has arrived at last you can't delay another minute Yes, everything is quite an order now. Isn't it Paul? Throughout the day you fight to remain calm Unconcerned and that evening is your retire to your room upstairs. You don't sleep You listen to the clock take away the minutes your eyes are wide open the hours drag on Then shortly before two in the morning You slip out of bed and dress quickly moments later you hurry to Joe's room Joe Joe What do you want Joe keep your voice down listen to me? What's the matter? The sheriff was here looking for you Sheriff, what do you say nothing much except that your name wasn't really Joe Webster? Yeah, well look I know no I don't want to know any more about it I don't care what you've done Joe right now. You've got to get out of here. Yeah Yeah, sure I told the sheriff you will probably hang around town They got to hurry because he'd probably be coming back. I don't figure you at all try to here The key to my car you can park it at the water stop north of town. There'll be plenty of freight trains Thanks, and take this Joe $200 you'll need every cent of it. I don't know why you're doing this, but thanks anyway Just call it a bonus Joe I'll go back to the office now in case the sheriff comes back. You know wait a minute How am I going to get past that guard at the gate in your car? You might have been tipped off Don't worry son. I'll take care of it. You'll get through now hurry You leave him to finish dressing slip out of the house and hurry to the office He fell for your act without any hesitation didn't be paul exactly as you'd plan And once he's out of the gate and on his way your worries will be over As you wait in the darkened office You begin to wonder why joe is taking so long And then finally you hear the car start up behind the house A minute or so later it races past the office You wait another half minute and then pick up the phone and call the guard at the gate Quickly you move across the office to the window hold your breath as you peer out into the darkness Then you see them the headlights on the highway Your timing was perfect wasn't it paul Drawing the guard away from the gate to answer the phone Made it possible for joe to speed through without being stopped or questioned Now there's only one thing left to do You step to the telephone Sheriff, this is paul burns at the silver canyon mine. Oh, yeah. Yeah. What's up, mr. Burns? There's been a robbery here the safe's been cleaned out over 14 000 dollars. What my car is gone too I guess that's woke me up. I heard it start up any idea. Yes. Yes. I'm afraid it's a young man I had working here in the office joe webster. He's gone. All right, mr. Burns Let me have the license number of your car and don't worry He won't get far the whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending to tonight's story Meantime a word to you drivers While watching some christmas shoppers this morning the thought occurred to me if people would only choose their gasoline as carefully as they select christmas gifts A lot more drivers would be using signal gasoline and for good reasons One of course is signals good mileage which has made signal gasoline known throughout the pacific coast states from canada to mexico As the go farther gasoline But equally important to you is the proud performance in today's signal gasoline Which naturally goes hand in hand with mileage After all the only way today's signal can give such good mileage is by helping your motor run more efficiently And when your motor runs more efficiently you also enjoy quicker starting faster pickup and smoother power The things that make driving more pleasure That's why signal says to be sure of all the things you expect of a quality gasoline You have just two things to remember One in gasoline it takes extra quality to go farther and two Signal is the famous go farther gasoline And now back to the whistler Yes, pa. You're quite pleased with yourself, aren't you? As you sit in the mine office waiting for the news of joe webster's capture News that will spell out your final victory Then you can wake edith Tell her the shortage in the books has been covered and you're certain she won't blame you For joe webster alias joe nor bella is wanted for murder anyway And one more crime won't make much difference It's true. They'll never find the missing money But as far as the company is concerned, it'll be accounted for Then shortly before dawn the car grinds to a stop in front of the office and a moment later the sheriff enters Morning, mr. Burns morning. Did you get in sheriff? Yep picked him up about an hour after you called You have no idea what a shock this is to me. I never dreamed he'd do such a thing Yeah, this may be another shock. He only had a couple of hundred dollars on him a couple hundred dollars, but there's more than 14 000 Maybe he hid the rest somewhere Don't worry if he did. We'll find it. I hope so Might interest you to know joe webster is wanted by the la police on a murder charge Murder. Mm-hmm. There's real names nor bella Pretty smart operator. So they tell me It was a fool to try this even with an accomplice Accomplice. Yeah, we had to book both of them. But joe didn't have any nor bella claims He was framed says you gave him the two hundred. He's lying. That's what I figured Too bad too because if nor bella was framed, we might save as accomplice. Why if they were together they were guilty. Yeah, I'm afraid you're right Too bad though. What do you mean? Well, this is gonna shock you mr. Burns the Accomplice I spoke of your own daughter root says they were running away to be married proof married. That's right I know she's everything in the world. Oh, no, sir. Not Ruthie. She's innocent. I framed joe nor bella. I gave him the two hundred dollars Sit down I'll tell you the whole story Let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the whistler each sunday night at the same time Signal oil company has asked me to remind you that those salvation army kettles You'll be passing between now and christmas will provide yuletide cheer for over a million needy men women and children Even a few pennies that you'll never miss will help to make this christmas merrier for someone less fortunate Featured in tonight's story were jack webb and ed begley The whistler was produced by george w allen and directed by sterling tracy With story by bernard juror and music by wilbur hatch and was transmitted to our troops overseas by the arm forces radio service Remember at the same time next sunday another strange tale by the whistler marvin miller speaking This is cbs the columbia broadcasting system