 Now, Auto-Lite and its 60,000 dealers and service stations present Suspense and I Auto-Lite brings you Mr. Joseph Cotton in The Day I Died a suspense play produced and directed by Anton M. Leader Friends the 4th of July weekend is coming up with a lot of reckless weekend driving So remember take care. Don't take chances Reckless driving can put you in a spot you can't pull out of yes Even a dandy dependable Auto-Lite stay full battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use can't help you then your life Depends on normal safe car driving be extra safe and an Auto-Lite stay full battery is protected by fiberglass Insulation for stronger life and longer life Why in recent tests conducted according to the Society of automotive engineers life cycle standards Auto-Lite stay full batteries gave 70% Longer average life than batteries without stay full features So ask your dealer for an Auto-Lite stay full battery and this weekend and all the time take care Don't take chances the battery right with Auto-Lite And now Auto-Lite presents Mr. Joseph Cotton in a tale well-calculated to keep you in Suspense Good morning Leslie. Good morning Why is that window open it's getting stuff in here I told you to keep it closed you might be seen from the street. I haven't gone anywhere near it No, don't argue with me. Well keep that window closed and shade down now. I just think you're still my wife Leslie And this is still my house You're forgetting something aren't you wells? I'm not your wife. I'm your widow And it's been my house ever since the day you died. I Had no come back. I did what Leslie told me because well She was right a dead man can't put up much of an argument. He has no authority not even with his wife Things had been different once I had money power and there was nobody in the world Who would have presumed to tell Wells Galloway what to do? But that was before a certain evening in July up at Lake Latimer That was before red-tuttle my law partner paid me a visit at my cabin up there in other words That was before the day I died. I Was alone I'd gone to the cabin to be alone to try to figure things out the money was gone by that time I'd thrown it away hundreds of thousands of dollars in good living and gambling and In a sense Leslie was gone too. Oh, she was still my wife But the man she loved was Norman Vale and I knew it and she knew I knew it and she didn't much care So this time I'd come up to the cabin without my rifle because I wasn't planning to do any hunting But I brought along a revolver for reasons. I didn't admit to myself And I left it lying on the table in the living room I was staring at it that evening when I heard the cab from the village stopped down on the highway It was still a little light and I saw a shock of flaming red hair on the path between the trees And I knew my partner was going to honor me with his presence. I thought I knew why too, and I wasn't wrong I couldn't believe my eyes well as I still can't believe it I came all the way up here just to hear you say it isn't true and you wasted your time red It is true. What good Lord man. We were appointed trustees of that estate taking those bonds was a criminal act Why did you do such a thing? I needed the money. Well, I hope you're ready to pay it back before the airs get wind of it I'm not I haven't got a cent then. What are you going to do? I don't know yet. You certainly don't expect me to Is that what you're thinking? Well, it is isn't it? Well, I'll be hanged if I'll do it I'm not going to take a beating to cover up for you. You cash those bonds and you'll make them good Go away. Will you read what I said go away? I don't care what you do about those bonds I've got more important things to worry about like your wife. Well, don't expect any pity for me there either I'm not asking you for anything. You're responsible for losing Leslie No man could treat a woman the way you've treated Leslie and get away with it Are you made a slave of are you practically locked her up in your house? I think you'd better go away red. I'll go when I get the money to buy back those bombs Not all for the luck here here's my ring. Here's my watch take them They ought to be worth something take them take them and get out. I'll take them wells, but it's not enough So all I've got I tell you now leave me alone. All right When I leave here, I'm going to the police police Yes, if you think I'm going to suffer for your mistakes, you're wrong I'm going to bring charges against you before the press got here start prosecuting the firm. Why are you dirty? That was another mistake wells. I won't take that either He was stronger than I his blow caught me on the chin and I was staggering across the room Against the handle of the fireplace Kerosene lamp had been burning there toppled off and fell on the floor, but I hardly noticed it My eyes were on something else or that revolver that lay on the table by the window I don't remember picking it up. I only remember how it felt in my hands. Well, no well, put it down First shot dropped red to the floor But I kept on firing because I couldn't stop this was power again the power to kill and I loved it But not for a long with the last bullet the spell was broken and Then was when the fear came I'd never known fear before I wasn't prepared to deal with it It took hold of me and shook me until I was trembling from head to foot it brought the sweat popping out of every pore It wouldn't let me approach the body not even to reclaim my ring and watch it carried me out of the cabin and sent Me stumbling into the darkening woods And I spent the night there Wandering blindly through the blackness in my hand. I still carried the gun Long before dawn, I began to wonder why I hadn't saved one shell just one Or if my life had reached dead end a few hours ago, then what would you call this? Where did I go now now that I was wanted for murder? This daylight when I came out of the woods There was a truck rumbling toward me desperate men take desperate chances Give me a lift to the city. I sure mister. I've been Wells galloway was wanted for murder. I knew that right away. I knew it from the way it looked me over But it didn't matter nothing mattered. This really was dead end. I guess you're okay, mister shut the door What do you mean okay? Well, I thought maybe you the guy heard about back at Lake Latimer. What what guy? Well, it was a murder back there last night one fella shot another one in the cabin then burned the cabin down Burned it down. Sure right to the ground Couldn't even have identified the body only they found a ring and a watch on it. I Figured you might be the killer, but he's a redhead We're named Tuttle Guy kill was his law partner big shot with a fancy moniker something like a Oh Wells galloway Or suspense Auto light is bringing you mr. Joseph Cotton in radio's outstanding theater of thrills Suspends speak at the port of July picnic. I sure am happen by happy coincidence I just happen to have a copy of my speech right here I'm going to say on this glorious occasion It behooves us all to think about that dandy dynamic dependable auto light stay full battery that needs water only three times a year Normal car use on this historic occasion my friends Let's look at facts an auto light stay full battery practically eliminates one of the major causes of battery failure and in addition It's protected by fiberglass insulation for stronger life longer life Think my friends longer life in recent tests conducted according to the Society of Automotive Engineers life cycle standards Auto light stay full batteries gave 70 percent. Yes 70 percent longer average life than batteries without stay full features It's inspired on so remember these words that will go ringing down the corridors of time an auto light stay full battery Needs water only three times a year in normal car use and at this point Have I take a long cold drink of water? Why because I'm thirsty, you know, I'm not an auto light stay full battery and at this point suspense And now auto light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage Joseph Cotton as Wells Galloway in the day. I died a tale. Well calculated to keep you in suspense So the day I killed my partner turned out as far as the law was concerned to be the day I died It was my body the police had decided that was lying back there in the charred ruins of my cabin on Lake Latimer was red Tuttle not Wells Galloway who has wanted for murder Truck driver dropped me on the outskirts of the next city I went into a barbecue joint sat down at the counter and piece the story together the kerosene lamp I'd knocked off the mantle that was what it started the fire and it was the ring and the watch I'd given red that Enabled the police to identify the body that had been burned beyond recognition to identify it as me Wells Galloway That much was clear But what wasn't clear was What to do about it What's the next step after you've been pronounced dead? Here's the eggs fella nice day. Yeah, yes, sir. A beautiful day Kind of day. It's great to be alive He made me see the point the man behind the counter the point I'd been missing it was great to be alive, especially if everybody thought you were dead Especially if the life you'd been living had reached an impasse and you were broken your wife was in love with another man And you were wanted by the police and you're only hopefully and a chance to start over to start from scratch That's what they were giving me Handing it to me on a silver platter a fresh start a clean slate. I was dead Now I could begin living again. Well, now let's see oranges two eggs bacon coffee. Yeah, there'll be 80 cents, please 82 attacks But that was another point the counter man made me see subtract 82 cents from $50 and you get $49 and 18 cents Not much to start a new life on not when you're used to big money and big money was the only thing that would make a new life worth living little capital was all I needed but Where do you borrow capital when you can't show your face who lend money to a corpse in the circles where Wells Galloway had moved friends were not to be trusted and as for my wife as for Leslie Yes, Leslie. Yes, that was it. The Wells Galloway brain was beginning to click again It kept on clicking keeping pace with the click of the train wheels that carried me back to the city where the late Wells Galloway had lived It was night when I got there I was halfway up the walk when the front door opened hardly had time to slip behind a lilac bush before Leslie stepped out on the porch He was with her the man. She loved Norman Vale. You think I'm callous. Don't you know you think I'm too hard No, of course not down You weren't happy with him. Naturally. It can't be too broken up over his death happy. I Was miserable with him. You know how he treated me. I wasn't his wife. I was his prisoner. I Hated him Norman and I'm not broken up I'm glad he's dead I Shut her hand out my spine when I hurt her but that must have been because the night was getting cool for after all This was just what I was counting on my plan wouldn't work if she weren't glad I was dead I waited till Norman Vale's car pulled away Then I waited five minutes longer And finally I climbed the front steps put my key in the lock and let myself in Hello Leslie there had been a time when she would have fainted she didn't faint now But she turned very white and I noticed when she poured herself a half tumble of bourbon that her hand was troubling Still she managed after one long swallow to say rather evenly almost casually. Let's have it Wells I'm sure it's a fascinating story So I told her As I talked I had a queer feeling that that she was a stranger something and happened to her since I saw her last Whether it was Norman Vale or whether it was the fact that she thought I was dead Whatever it was. She was a different person a stronger one and brave her And harder. What do you want Wells? Except my condolences Leslie. It's tough break not at all. I'm tickled pink I'm sure did you think I would be no Do you have any illusions? I'd be heartbroken when they called and told me that you were dead, man You know what I did hmm a jig the first time I ever danced in this house Well, you should have done that often or things might have been better between us. I couldn't find anything to dance about Well, why'd you come back? What are you after three guesses? Knowing you I only need one how much 25,000 what makes you think you'll get it. I think you could use 25,000 yourself Maybe you'd better explain simple enough. I'm worth $50,000 dead the insurance is payable in one lump sum to you It should be coming through in another week or so and you're suggesting an even split exactly I Take my half and disappears far as you in the rest of the world are concerned. I'm dead and I stayed dead You have 25,000 and you're free to marry Norman Vale. I see Must have occurred to you. I'd prefer to keep the whole 50 If you could and why couldn't I suppose I turn you in And you're electrocuted for killing red Tuttle. I still collect but there's no split And if I'm not electrocuted if I get life in prison There would be that risk too big a risk lessy. I didn't plan Red's death. There was nothing pre-meditated about it I killed him in anger the state doesn't give the death penalty for that if you can prove it I think I could I'd live a long time in prison Leslie I wouldn't like that So I'm thinking You'd stay here in the house till the insurance company pays off. It's a safer place is any safer you'd have to stay hidden You couldn't step out the door not very often not at all You'll be practically a prisoner in your own home a week or two. It'd be worth it. What it won't Yes, I guess it would Alright, well, I mean alright. It's a deal She was smiling when she said it but after all why shouldn't she smile things had turned out well enough for her considering the fact that I wasn't Actually dead. This was the next best thing naturally. She smiled her reasons for smiling were perfectly obvious, weren't they? She went upstairs afterwards and when she came down she was still smiling I thought you must be tired after all you've been through well. I made your bed. Thanks Leslie a guest room No, not the guest room. I'm going to stay hidden. That's the most isolated room in the house Not quite the most you're forgetting the attic the attic. There's an old army caught up there You'll use that it's hotter than blazes in the attic. I thought it's only for a week or so. You said yourself it was Well, I didn't mean no, but I do Don't you want to go up now? That was when I started to catch on hadn't occurred to me that she would relish the idea of keeping me as confined as possible I was abused as I climbed the stairs. Let her have a fun. I thought it wouldn't be so bad a few days in the attic That wouldn't kill me The light up there was dim and she must have walked very quietly because I I didn't know she had followed me up the stairs I I didn't know it until I opened the door to the attic room And then just behind me she said go on in well, I have the key. I'll lock the door Lock it There's no need to lock it. I don't agree with you the cleaning woman comes tomorrow She won't come up here, but you might be tempted to go down Why should I you'll get lonely world you'll get bored and restless and terribly unhappy You'll begin to think you'll go crazy if you don't get out You'll be desperate for the sound of a human voice. Believe me. I know now look here. Let's please go in world All right, but there's no reason to take advantage of the spot. I'm in what do you mean dear? I'm protecting you. I'm carrying out our bog in the one you suggested Now go in and let me lock the door I Wasn't a news anymore. This wasn't funny. This was a new experience taking orders from my own wife And I couldn't say I liked it But what could I do one quick telephone call one shout even to the neighbors in the next house and my game was up I knew that and she knew I knew it So the trump card was in her hand and she was playing it. She was playing it slowly and with pleasure She was playing it for all it was worth Good morning. Morning. Morning. It must be almost noon. I'm starving. Why didn't you come up? I was busy Norman dropped over to see me didn't tell him of course not. This is our little secret here Did you sleep well? I didn't sleep at all worried about something. I don't know how it was hard up here. That's all We've got to worry about Nothing that I know how we're going to get me something to eat. I'm dying of hunker. Oh, I hope not well I wouldn't want you to die of hunger Then I saw it I saw it all the whole thing that thing I should have seen before how could I've missed it She was going to kill me and why not what was there to stop her wasn't I dead already who would ever miss me? Who would know what she had done? She could bury me in the back orchard. She could she could burn me in the furnace She'd have the whole 50,000 and who would be the wiser Can't accuse a woman of killing a corpse Then on I I paced Room was only eight feet square But I walked for miles and the sweat rolled down my face and down my body and the walls closed in and I Waited for her to return What do you want Leslie? Well, I thought you'd like to know I just came from your funeral. Oh, they They buried red. Mm-hmm. It was a beautiful service. I'm sorry you went there And that was the evening of the second day she left my dinner on the table and didn't come back that night At least I didn't think she had come back. But when I awoke the next morning, I wasn't sure Sometime toward dawn a Shadow had moved across my dream a locket snapped a door it open Had it been a part of the dream itself or or had Leslie But why should she have come and gone like that? What could she have wanted? There was nothing of interest to her nothing Not the revolver The gun I had emptied into red Tuttle's body It was in the pocket of my coat and my coat was hung over the back of a chair I leaped from the bed and went from my coat the right hand pocket No, that was empty must have been the left the left left was empty to the gun was gone Leslie had taken it now Now for the second time in my life. I I knew fear I stumbled toward the door I began Leslie heard a footsteps That she was just outside hissing at me quiet you fool Let me out of here. It's a big quiet Norman's downstairs. You're here. I don't care who hears me No, Norman, it's nothing I heard someone shouting at somebody in that room. Who is it Leslie? Leslie answer me who's in there? it's My husband It's wells Now he knew to There was silence after she told him and the sound of footsteps descending the stairs She was leading him away. She was going to talk it over with him. Tell him her plan and ask his help They were discussing it now just how they would do it just how they would dispose of me after it I staggered to the window She put a lock on it after the first time she'd found it open and even if she hadn't what good would it do me? Suppose I could climb down somehow. Where was I to go the face of a dead man attracts attention on a public street An hour passed before I heard footsteps again Now I thought Now they would do it key turned in the lock The door didn't open They were getting ready checking the gun and was loaded now They would empty it into me as I had emptied it into red Tuttle Now they were turning the knob They were coming in But it was only Leslie and she had no gun and Norman wasn't with her. It's all right now. Well, what? Everything is all right. He won't tell how do you know he wanted to he wanted to go to the police I've persuaded him not to so don't worry. Everything's quite all right Was it Then why did she say it like that and why was she trembling because she was afraid afraid of what she had Norman? They were planning to do afraid because the next time she came he would be with her and they had they'd kill me That was alone again now. Oh What were they waiting for let them come let them come and get it over with I was tired of this room It was getting smaller every minute smaller and hotter. The heat was unbearable You could scarcely breathe why it was hotter than it been ten minutes ago. It was it was like a furnace Just like a furnace. I didn't know what it was at first that sound. I Didn't know until I heard it again And then I knew I was no need even to look at the steam radiator in the corner They had built a fire Leslie and Norman Vale in the middle of the summer. They had built a fire and they had built it for me Now they sweat really poor now the breath came on No, not not alive. I thought they wouldn't put me in a life Of course, they would that that's the safest way gunshots could be heard that you can't hear a man being stuffed into a furnace Of course, they would No, no, no, they wouldn't because I wouldn't let them maybe I had to die, but not that way No, no, no not that way. There was still the window. There were little people on the street Something happened I blacked out When I came to I was lying on the army cart the policeman towered above He waited until my eyes could focus and When he said it he said it very quietly You're under arrest mr. Galloway for the murder of your partner mr. Tuttle She was standing in the doorway and there was another policeman with her his arm was linked to hers I got almost smile at that, but Norman Vale. Where was Norman Vale? He wanted to kill me too. He was as guilty as she The policeman must have seen the question in my eyes Your wife is under arrest too, mr. Galway for the murder of Norman Vale the murder of Leslie you You killed him of course I killed him didn't I tell you wanted to turn you in you think I'd let him rob me of all that money Oh, you've you'd only waited ten minutes. There wouldn't have been a trace of him left Thank You Joseph Cotton for a splendid performance Well, I guess that winds up suspense for this season It sure does have but we'll be back in the fall on September 1st In fact same time same stations gosh does that make me happy? Oh, yes, because then I'll have more opportunities to tell people about Those dandy dependable auto lights stay full batteries that need water only three times a year in normal car use Folks, I think he likes you just the way folks like auto lights stay full batteries So friends this is Harlow Wilcox and his pal have saying so long for now and best wishes for a happy Trouble-free summer from auto light makers of more than 400 products for cars trucks airplanes and boats keep happy folks And keep your car happy have it checked regularly at your auto light dealers or by the dealer who services your make of car There's one near you no matter where you're vacationing and be sure to ask for auto light original factory parts Because they're engineered perfectly to fit together perfectly and work together perfectly because they're a perfect team So so long for now and remember you're always right with auto light and for this 4th of July weekend Remember the slogan take care. Don't take chances Now here again is mr. Joseph Cotton I've always enjoyed appearing on suspense in particularly so into nights unusual play as you know This is the last suspense broadcast for this season, but I'm looking forward I'm sure you are to its return to the air in September 1st when radios outstanding theater of thrills will again bring you Hollywood's most famous stars in these gripping studies in suspense Joseph Cotton appeared by arrangement with David O. Selznick producer of Portrait of Jenny Tonight suspense play was written by Ken Pettis and Lou Schofield with music composed by Lucian Morawek and conducted by Lud Bluskin The entire production was under the direction of Anton M. Leader in the coming weeks at this same time Be sure to hear escape a series of great stories of high adventure by the world's outstanding authors Suspense brought to you by auto light on Thursday nights at this hour is taking its customary summer holidays And returns to the air on Thursday, September 1st This is CBS where 99 million people gather every week the Columbia broadcasting system