 The signal oil program. Yes, the signal oil program The whistler for the signal oil program The whistler am the whistler and I know many things for I walk 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 strange story Graves secret From the parlor window Harriet Eldridge watched the postman wheel his bicycle down the tree shaded street Saw him turn into the driveway and approach the house She stepped out into the hallway and stopped for a moment to rearrange a bowl of dahlias on the table Then hurried to the door a faint smile on her lips The letters had become very important to Harriet Eldridge. Yes, very important and she was pleased that they were arriving with such regularity Morning miss Harriet. Good morning, Henry. Here's another one from Australia. Oh from this epitaph. How nice Sure is having a big vacation for himself. Any I wish I could retire go gallivanting all over the world Only I wouldn't go all fist in relatives. Mr. Pettis has no living relatives Henry He's just visiting friends. I've got relatives back in Sioux City If I never see him again, it's okay with me But oh, I'm sorry Henry. What did you say? I was reading Mr. Pettis letter. No, nothing Are those photographs? Oh, yes, you know, Mr. Pettis and his camera here, let's see Something written on the back of this one view of Queen Street main thoroughfare of Brisbane Isn't that nice Henry? The old boy sure is getting round. Indy must be having a great time Hey, they say them Australian women are real pretty now Henry. Don't see why mr. Pettis has to go chasing off to Australia When he's got the best-looking housekeeper right here in Santa Rosa, USA. Thank you Henry Looks like you got company in a taxi too Say that's your brother Melvin, ain't it? Yes. Yes, it is Well, I'll be going along now miss Harriet. Bye But oh, oh, yeah. Yes. Goodbye Henry You smile Henry watch him for a moment as he turns and walks away Then your eyes swing back to the man who has just stepped out of the taxi and a frown crosses your face Moments later. He steps into the hallway closes the door and sets his suitcase on the floor Hello, I I wasn't expecting you back so soon Melvin. I know Did everything go well? Yes, everything went well. I did exactly as you said How did you like Australia? Well, it it was all right Have you had your lunch with some cold ham potato salad from last night. Would you like that Melvin? Yes, yes, I suppose so You got seasick at all. Oh, no, no, I didn't Harriet yes Harriet did everything go all right here. I mean, oh, yeah, yes When when did you do it the day you left? He was dead before you stepped on the boat in San Francisco Harris yes What did you do with mr. Pellis? I mean, where did you? Do you want to your coffee Melvin? tea For a moment he stares at you then turns and looks out the window his eyes blinked nervously His fingers fumble at his time You know what he's thinking about don't you Harry? He wants to know what you've done with the body of mr. Pettis Exactly what happened on the night he left for San Francisco Yes, he wants all the details But you decided long ago the less Melvin knows about the affair the better it will be He stays in his room the greater part of the day and evening and then shortly after eight o'clock that night the front door bell rings You must be miss Eldridge. Why yes, I'm Valerie Hinton a friend of mr. Pettis Is he in no no mr. Pettis is away in Australia. Oh, I see he hasn't notified you. He's back He's back. Why yes his boat. Dr. San Francisco a week ago. Well, I know I was on it too Strange he didn't let you know or is he usually that way about things. No No, he isn't Well, I'll be in town for several days. I'm staying at the end. Would you tell him when he arrives? Of course, Miss Hinton. I'll tell him Melvin Melvin. Oh, yes, can any I Melvin, why didn't you tell me you'd arrived in San Francisco a week ago? Oh, and who is this this Valerie? How did you know she was here a moment ago asking for you here? Why did you have to tell her you were Albert Pettis? Harriet I was only doing what you said you told me to use the name to establish his presence in Australia You met this woman in Australia. Yes. Yes, I did And this this week you spent in San Francisco was that devoted to miss Hinton? Well at first I saw no harm that heritage. Oh, she's a wonderful person. Did you have to tell her you lived in Santa Rosa? I didn't oh She must have seen the Santa Rosa postmark on the letters you sent me in Australia Believe me Harriet when I ran out on her in San Francisco. I never thought I'd see her again You ran out on this. Yes. I realized it would be dangerous What with everything that's what's happened here. So she followed you. Oh Melvin don't tell me she's in love with you. I don't know. Are you in love with her? Yes I'm sorry Melvin You'll have to get rid of her. Yeah Get rid of her. First thing in the morning. You're going down to the inn to see her Tell her this this great love of yours is no more Tell her you're already married or tell her anything, but I wanted to leave town. Do you understand? Oh, there must be some way get rid of her She's dangerous. She can upset our entire plan. Harriet it's What was that? Did you hear that? Oh, yes, it's the shutters downstairs of winds come up. Are you sure? What else could it be? Well, I don't know. I did you think it was mr. Pettis back from the dead? Oh really now Melvin Harriet Yes Where is mr. Pettis? What did you do with this body? Why won't you tell me you didn't concern yourself about that Melvin? I've taken care of everything Now good night and don't forget what I said. I Don't want the hint and woman hanging around town The following morning you're alone in the big house Melvin has gone down to the inn He's promised to send Valerie Hinton away But you wonder if he really has the courage to face her to go through with it the hours go by and Melvin doesn't return and finally Good morning. Oh, oh good morning. Has mr. Pettis arrived yet? Oh, yes. Yes. I gave him your message He left hours ago on his way to see you. Well, that's strange. I just came from the inn well I suppose he stopped somewhere on the way May I come in? Yes. Yes, of course You kept the pace so attractive charming. I Suppose you've grown to care for this house though. It were your own. Yes, mr. Pettis has always made me feel at home here Won't you sit down with him? Thank you. You know miss Eldridge I feel as though I'd known you for a long time mr. Pettis has spoken so much of you. Oh Yes, I don't suppose he he's told you about the way we met no no he hasn't it was in Melvin I happen to be glancing through the newspaper I noticed a list in the shipping news a list of new arrivals and there it was mr. Albert Pettis Oh, well, of course, I dashed right over to his hotel Imagine my surprise when I discovered that mr. Albert Pettis Wasn't mr. Pettis at all. Oh, what do you mean? Not my mr. Pettis that is my uncle Albert Was quite a shock I suppose I should have realized that probably be more than one Albert Pettis no world. Oh Yes, yes, of course So you see it was just an accident my meeting your mr. Pettis a Lucky accident wouldn't you say? With the prologue of grave secret the signal oil company brings you another strange story by the whistler If you like avocados, you'll probably be as surprised as I was to learn that in parts of Mexico Avocados were once used to lubricate the axles of wagons Does that sound primitive and old-fashioned to you? Well, they just remember this it's almost as old-fashioned today to lubricate Automobile motors with plain motor oil what I mean is now Scientific compounds have been developed which protect motors in many ways that oil alone cannot do That's why signal brought out signal premium compounded motor oil which combines 100% pure paraffin base with these scientific new compounds and just what do these compounds do? Well one compound in signal premium actually cleans your motor of harmful carbon gum and varnish a Second compound protects costly bearings from corrosion Still other compounds in signal premium help in additional ways to keep wear down and performance up So if you want a sweeter running motor make your next oil change a change from old-fashioned regular motor oil Stop at a signal station for the improved type motor oil that does so much more than just lubricate signal premium Compounded motor oil it frightens you doesn't it Harriet the knowledge that Valerie Hinton the woman your brother Melvin met In Australia while he was posing as Albert Pettis. It's actually the niece of the man you murdered You wonder if their meeting was really accidental Wonder if she suspects the truth a thousand confused thoughts race through your mind You were so sure Albert Pettis had no living relatives that there would be no one to spoil your little plan Yet here she is sitting in the parlor of the big house Chatting gaily about her meeting with your mr. Pettis and then suddenly something she says stirs a flicker of hope with him Oh, no, I haven't seen Uncle Albert in years lost track of him completely not his fault, of course After all I'm supposed to be dead dead. I don't understand During the war. I was a writer living in Java. There were several bombing raids in the confusion I was reported missing and given up as dead. I suppose Uncle Albert was notified I I see When I got out of the hospital a year ago, I tried to find some trace of Uncle Albert, but I wasn't successful Well, I'd earn a living, you know, so I went on to Australia Then one day I ran across his name in the shipping list and what do you know the rest I? Met your mr. Pettis and said and you have no idea where your uncle is none at all Maybe dead for all I know I've about given up finding him Undevoting all my time to writing now. That's why I've come back to the state To try my luck You watch Valerie rush across the room throw her arms around Melvin He stares back at you over her shoulder of a willed hopeless look in his eyes You turn hurry away Moments later you're upstairs in mr. Pettis room Searching through the closet Then you find what you want You take the photo album sit on the window seat and start turning the pages a half hour later You hear the front door closed and then Melvin footsteps approaching your door Yes Is she gone? Yes She won't be back. What'd you tell her my differences a make what I told her she won't be back What are you doing just looking through the old album? I found what I wanted what never mind Come along Melvin. It's almost time for your lunch You found what you were looking for haven't you had a faded photograph a young girl and you're certain it's Valerie Hinton She's really his niece isn't she at least that much of her story is the truth But you're still a little afraid and you know that you'll be afraid until the girl herself has left town Late that afternoon you step out on the front porch and wait while Melvin drives the car out of the garage Then a taxi pulls into the driveway Then despite the recent assurances of your weakling brother Melvin that she wouldn't be back Valerie Hinton steps out the shopping list drops from your hand and your eyes are fixed on the suitcase She carries hello miss Eldridge. Oh miss Hinton. You're leaving. You've come to say goodbye on the contrary Harrier I'm moving in Moving in here. Why not? Are the perfect right to you know? After all it's my uncle's house Yes, Melvin, what are we going to do about Valerie? There's only one thing to do We're not going to stand by and let her ruin everything We say send her away. She'll go to the police. We're not going to send her away, but Harriet. We've Harriet no You can't do that again. Have you another solution? Well, I'll have to think about it, but You must forget what you're thinking Harriet. I won't have it that way. You understand. I won't have it Watch the road Melvin. You hear me Harriet one murderous enough Still in love with her aren't you? Perhaps you're right Melvin perhaps the whole matter can be solved some other way Yes, yes, we'll find a way. I'm sure we will The whole plan is in danger isn't it Harriet Melvin is still in love with her and you know that it can be very weak That you alone must provide the strength to carry things through Late that evening after Melvin has gone to bed you and Valerie are left alone in the library. I Was looking through some things Valerie papers and newspaper clippings that belong to mr. Pettis home I found this how interesting a full account of your death in Java during the war Your name was Valerie Pettis then Yes, it was I was wondering if you'd taken any steps to rectify this impression that you're no longer among the living of course not You've read this article haven't you? Yes Before her death Valerie Pettis was wanted by the police That's right So you see we're in very much the same position aren't we? Neither of us can go to the police or Anyone about the little secrets we've both discovered you're quite confident. No Just very observant Harriet I Know exactly what's going on here so That's sufficient reason why you'll keep your secrets as long as I keep mine I see Now there's something else Harriet uncle Albert's money money. Yes, I know about that too Uncle Albert received a lot of money and jewels several years ago in inheritance And if I know dear uncle Albert he's kept it right here in this house I'm one who believes in sharing the wealth Harriet the money the jewels and You intend to remain here. Yes, I like Santa Rosa charming quiet and safe Sides I've grown very fond of Melvin. I know he's quite fond of me So I wouldn't try anything Harriet dear Melvin might not like it Well Harriet it's out in the open isn't it the contest between you and Valerie and it's a contest you can't afford to lose You must get Valerie out of your way And you know how to begin don't you with Melvin? You must turn him against her and the very next day you start working on him systematically Using his love for Valerie as a wedge Each day you have something to drop in his ear if Valerie goes for a long walk or to the public library You manage to suggest to Melvin that she's keeping a rendezvous somewhere with another man Slowly, but surely he begins to break down Draw away from the girl Sometimes even getting up from the dinner table and leaving her in the middle of a conversation The matter with him Melvin. Yes. Why did he walk out of the room like that? Well? I'm sure I don't know perhaps he's tired tired of me. You hope I didn't say that as a matter of fact Valerie I've come to grow quite fond of you. I'm not foolish enough to believe that on the contrary. You're foolish not to But where are you going out? Isn't it rather late? I don't care. I've got to get outside walk somewhere any place somewhere. I can think I understand I'll tell Melvin that you went for a walk And you do tell Melvin don't you Harriet only in your own way the way you've told him many times before I don't believe you Harriet. I don't believe you at all. I'm sorry Melvin I know what it must do to your pride, but there isn't any doubt. She's admitted the whole thing to me She told you there's someone else. Yes There's been another man all along. You know, I wouldn't lie to you dear She's made a fool of me a fool forget it Melvin. You've got to stop telling me to forget it. That's all you do You don't want me to know anything or think about it Melvin. Where are you going out? You smile congratulate yourself Don't you Harriet because you know you've won that Melvin will do anything you want him to like a man who's been hypnotized You're certain now. He wounded a fear with your little plan to get rid of Valerie. Yes You're quite pleased with the way you've handled things aren't you? Moments later you turn out the lights in the library and go up to your room to bed You lie awake for a long time waiting for Melvin to come home Finally you hear the front door close You hear his footsteps on the stairs and then just before you drop off to sleep You wonder why Valerie hasn't returned home Yes Something wrong. There's been a young woman staying at your house Miss Hinton. Yes. Yes. What about her? We found her in the woods beyond your place half-hour ago. You found her? Oh, no, the poor child She'd she'd gone out for a walk last night Sheriff. You haven't any idea. Oh, sorry. We haven't Oh, oh, yes. Yes, of course. I understand. We'll be right down Sheriff They found Valerie You won't be bothering us anymore. You're not angry with me. Are you? Did anyone see you? No, are you certain? There was a bright moon last night. No one saw me What about the rope or whatever you used? No one will ever find it. I hit it No, no, no, I'm not angry with you Now we better get dressed and go downtown with me and don't worry Melvin Everything will be all right The whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending to tonight's story Meantime a question Have you ever had the experience of coming upon a lot of people who were all staring in the same direction? Well, let's face it. It's only human nature to want to stop and see what's attracting them Well by the same token I should think that most anyone with a car would want to see what it is that has Attracted so many drivers to signal gasoline In the beginning, you know signal gasoline was sold by only a handful of stations in Southern, California Today, however, you'll find signal dealers throughout six western states from Canada to Mexico Such growth must mean that more and more drivers are finding they prefer signal gasoline And what is it they prefer about signal? Well for one thing mileage that has made signal famous is the go farther gasoline and for another thing performance Which puts more pleasure into driving But for the complete story, you've got to let a full tank fulls of signal speak for itself I promise you the performance of your own car will tell you much better than any words of mine Why more and more drivers are switching to signal the famous go farther gasoline At the coroner's office is just as the sheriff said it's simply a matter of routine The two of you Melvin's Tony eyed silence easily mistaken for the shock grief that he appears to feel and your own nervousness in answering the question It's something the sheriff seems to have witnessed many times before Finally the identification is over and they lead you out to another room It's almost too much to believe I know I know best thing is try to forget it miss Eldridge. Yes Forget it. That's what we have to do Come along, I'll drive the two of you back to the house. Thank you, Sheriff. That won't be necessary. I insist Bring my car on front Hey Tell me miss over Jim. Have you heard from mr. Pettis lately still in Australia? Oh, yeah. Yes. He is I get an occasional letter Fine man that mr. Pettis. They all miss him, you know Sheriff you needn't bother driving us home It's not no no no trouble at all. I've got to go out there anyway something. I have to check on I've already sent some of my boys on ahead What now we got a call from one of your neighbors might give us a lead I don't understand your neighbor mrs. Enfield tried to call you this morning, but it was while you were on your way down here When she couldn't get any answers. She thought we'd better investigate Investigate what it? It seems late last night. She saw someone doing some digging out in back of your house Digging now There might not be anything But then again, it might have been the killer burying the rope on his way back to the highway Valerie Hinton was strangled, you know bearing bearing the rope, but where Sheriff your neighbor says he was digging in the Dahlia bed We thought we might do a little digging there a sound if you don't mind the Dahlia bed oh No, what is it miss of it Harriet Harriet you never told me Is that were you yes? Now you know Mr. Pettis was always so fond of Dahlia's I I thought it would be appropriate Let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the whistler each Sunday night at this same time Brought to you by the signal oil company marketers of signal gasoline and motor oil and fine quality automotive accessories Signal has asked me to remind you to get the most driving pleasure drive at sensible speeds be courteous and obey traffic regulations It may save a life Possibly your own Featured in tonight's story where Sarah Selby Howard McNair and Betty Lou Gerson Whistler was produced and directed by George W Allen with story by Steve Hampton and music by Wilbur hatch and was transmitted to our troops Overseas by the armed forces radio service all characters portrayed in the whistler program are fictional any similarity in names or resemblance to persons Living or dead is purely coincidental Remember at this same time next Sunday another strange tale By the whistler This is Marvin Miller speaking This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system