 the signal oil program yes 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 or I walk by myself 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 top two 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 solid citizen Harry Cummings stood at the window of the general store he'd inherited from his father along with the goodwill of senior Cummings had built in the small fishing village of Bay Hill Harry's eyes follow the tiny whips of fog sweep him before the approaching dark he smugly watched the fishing boat as they moved slowly out to sea boats that were manned by people who looked up to Harry respected him Harry Cummings had used the well-earned reputation of his father to cover up his own lack of character and bloated secretly that he's successfully fooled his fellow townsmen who looked upon him as an up and coming man but he wasn't satisfied for the one thing he wanted most of all the one thing he's flattened scheme for was still out of reach and had been for years he said his jaw turned from the window and walked behind the store counter it was odd he thought that time had not used his longing for it but each spring increase this longing had made him more determined than ever to win the woman he'd lost to another and he was ready to go to any length to bring this about then as he prepared to close the store for the night he heard the front door open and she walked in well well evening Sarah hello you're getting to be quite a stranger I've been rather busy this morning is it correct three hundred and forty five dollars must be Sarah Matt's been handling my books for years hasn't made a yes I just thought that Jeff had paid something on his last month he told me he would don't worry Jeff will take care of it soon I'm sure but the tuna runs in yeah heavy and it's been in years yes probably out there right now no he's indenting again he and that plenty to buy I don't know what's come over and how he changed no what's been to you just no good for Jeff no no no no no I'm sorry just that I'm so upset this bill and I understand and I don't want you to think about it anymore I can't wait Sarah I'm used to it you've been very kind to know how I feel sir I've always felt about you maybe I've just been kidding myself but somehow I know there's a chance for it. No Harry no I belong to death he loves me I've got you don't love him. Don't say things like that Harry please. All right all right. I think I better go now I have to stop at a cafe and see Mr. Loomis. You could put in a good word for me there. Why? I've been thinking I want to earn some money. I've never done anything but keep house. I know I could learn to wait on table. Well that's pretty tiring work Sarah. Now look I could use some help here at the store. I don't think that would be right Harry. Well I'll tell you what then I'll talk to Jeff about the bill tonight right away. No you mustn't you'd be angry if you knew I came here. Oh no you won't believe me. Hey maybe I can do something to straighten your mouth. After all Jeff and I used to be pretty good friends. Very kind of you but I don't think it would do. Well let me give it a try. If it doesn't work then we'll talk about a job. All right good night Harry. Dear Harry you're going to have a talk with Jeff for her sake and for his too. That's what Sarah thinks a noble Jeff here is. But you meant every word when you said you'd do anything for her. Yes anything even though the law says she belongs to another man. You know you're smart enough to change all that and it will happen sooner or later and one day she'll be Mrs. Harry coming. Moments after she's gone you close the store. Throw on your topcoat against the chill of the wetting fog. Walk two sand gritted blocks to the wooden dock. You can hear the easy clap of the bay against Jeff Fisher. The throaty blast of a steamer beyond the bay's mouth. You climb aboard the small boat and make your way along the cluttered deck and then stop before the cabin door. Blinky Tobias stands before you. Over his shoulder you can see Jeff Lancaster sitting at the table. A whiskey bottle with an easy reach. He looks at you sullenly over a deck of cards he shuffles. Oh Mr. Cummings. Glad to have you aboard. Good evening Jeff. Frankie it's care for Mr. Cummings. Yeah. Yeah sure. Oh it brings you up. Your bill Jeff. Getting pretty steep. I was wondering if you'd be able to pay something on it before long. I don't get impatient. Say all as soon as I get a good haul. You'll never get it anchored here in Port. Now look solid citizen I don't need you telling me when to fish. Get lost. You're a poor banker. We aren't going out tonight are we Jeff. The boys are expecting you at George's place. Fog so thick now you wouldn't get out anyway. Fog doesn't stop me. Never had it yet. Well I can send this boat three miles out without even touching the wheel. Taking quite a chance aren't you. Not me. I know this sound like my hand. Come here I'll show you. I'll set the wheel like this and jam it with a chunk of wood. With a tie the way this is headed seaward. I can start it up bearing gears. Yeah. I'm dying too haven't I Frankie. Yeah sure Jeff but the boys are expecting you. Ah go on over until our boys I can't make it. I'll warm her up. No please. Okay I'm going. And hurry back we're selling out. You're alone with Jeff now Harry. Watch him as he staggers back to the table drops into the chair. He picks up the car shuffles him then looks up at you and screams. His eyes are half closed fighting off sleep. Yeah Harry. Come on sit down. Let me buy you a drink. Thanks Jeff. Oh it's nice. Hey look Jeff you're out on your feet. Better turn off that motor and get the bed. I'm alright. I'll just grab a few winks until Frankie gets back. We'll pull it off. Yeah if you're in no condition. I'm dead lost. I'm going to take him back. You watch him slump face down on the table. Your eyes swing around the cabins of the controls. You stare at the wheel jammed with a block of wood and then suddenly the thought hits you. The sound of the motor begins to pound into your brain and Jeff's words come back to you. I set the wheel jammed with this block of wood. I was just tied away. He's headed seaward. I couldn't start her up for a year. You look back at Jeff sound asleep. Then slowly you walk over to him and stand there for a moment. Then you reach over to the shelf behind him and your hand closes around the heavy monkey wrench. Oh you're hurrying Frankie. Oh it's you. You're too late. What? Well you know how Jeff is when he's drunk. I couldn't talk him out of going. He decided not to wait. He's sailed without you. He's just gone. That's right. He's gone. With the prologue of solid citizens. The Signal Oil Company brings you another strange story by the Whistler. Of course you carry a roadmap in your car but how old is it? When was it printed? Does it have all the latest road changes and conditions in it? You can be sure that yours has if you'll stop by the nearest signal service station and replace your antiquated model with one of Signal's brand new roadmap. They're just off the press. So of course these new signal maps have the very latest road information. But in addition they include many more helpful extras to make motoring more fun. A radio log for instance to tell you where to tune in your favorite program while you're traveling. Plus a guide to interesting places to visit. A western state mileage chart and then large sections of metropolitan areas. What more? Although these new signal maps are large in size for easy reading they have the improved accordion folds so they'll be equally easy to handle. Guess what? And you'll agree Signal really goes all out to give you the best. That goes for a free Signal map as well as for a tank full of Signal. The famous Go Farther gasoline. You've scheme plotted many things but the thought of murder had never occurred to you before had it harried. Then suddenly it was there as you stood over the sleeping Jeff Lancaster in the cabin of his small fishing boat. In a moment of swift decision you found the solution to your problem and it was all so simple. As you watched Jeff's boat move smoothly into the far disappeared you knew exactly what would happen. It would move straight out to sea for several miles. Then caught in the racing current it would swerve, drift into the devil's grotto five miles down the coast. Then it would crack to pieces on the rocks lining the shore. With Jeff dead nothing could stand between you and Jeff. You wait anxiously in the days that follow for news of the tragedy to reach the village. On the street, in your store, in a starfish cafe the talk is all about Jeff. Say Mr. Cummings I understand you were the last one to see Jeff that night. I tried. Yes I was. Tried to talk him out of sailing but he'd been drinking. Wouldn't listen. You find yourself repeating a lie over and over and they believe you don't they have yeah you're harry cumming solid citizens well liked respected well I shouldn't they believe you and then early on the morning of the fourth day the news finally comes Jeff's boat has been found and you've found Jeff. Yes Harry I've heard about a few minutes ago here since I he and some of his men were headed to the grotto I wanted to go but oh no no it's too much for you Sarah but Jeff's alive. Look let me go for you I'll start right now you stay home and rest I'll do all I can. Three quarters of an hour later you park your car high on the cliffs over looking at treacherous grotto below you a rock torn gash in her hole Jeff's boat lies on a spot of sand beached by low tide. There are several men standing around the battered picture among them Sheriff Hammond you make your way down over the jagged rocks and approach the sober faith school. Hello Sheriff boy. Good morning Harry well you came down the hard way easier path just north of here. Well Sarah Mrs. Lancaster asked me to check naturally it's not feeling well. Uh Jeff did you find. Nope he's not around. More silverboard I guess. Oh I see. Funny thing though the way the wheel is set in place with a block of wood. Oh quite a few fishermen use that trick Sheriff. Close the rudder in place while I work with a line. That's right Jeff used to take it that way at the most steady shelf through the bay made sort of a game of it. Well it looks like he played his last game. I wouldn't be too sure about that. That's all the rubber life raft is missing. You know Jeff could be on that. What. No I don't think so. Coach guards when I look out they don't found him. Maybe. But he could have been picked up by another boat you know. It's days later and they still haven't found the body have they have. It bothered you doesn't it. But you have other things to think of. Yeah. Things like the accusations made by Frankie Tobias to the sheriff. Frenchy here has been doing some crazy talking Harry. I figured he ought to say it straight out to you. We could clear it up quick. Exactly Sheriff. Go ahead Frenchy. Well when I left the boat that night Jeff was awfully drunk. He set the wheel with a chunk of wood just like it was when the port was wrecked. Mr Cummings here heard him say that the boat could go out all by itself. Yes I believe I did. The way the boat headed straight back for the devil's grattle it looked it looked just like it bore out and drifted back. Exactly how it would be if no one touched the wheel. So I think that you put the boat in gear Mr Cummings. Gotta loosen let it go. I think maybe Jeff passed out or you hit him on the head with something. I think. Now you understand Harry. Frenchy has lost his best friend he's not thinking straight. Yes I understand Sheriff. Look Frenchy you realize of course I had no reason to murder Jeff Lancaster. You used to be in love with his wife. Yes that's true but everyone knows that. I still think a great deal of terror but to say I murdered a husband that well it's simply fantastic that's all. That's my feelings too Harry. Frenchy is going to have to take the loss of his friend like a man he feels fancy to himself. I figured no one would even listen to me. You'd be believed if you had any proof but you can't just say I think. I believe and be heard. Don't you see. Yes I see that ever since I was a kid and checked around by my people I never had a chance to Jeff took me in. Jeff certainly had a good point. He gave me a job treating me human. I hate this town if I had the money I'd leave. Now cut that stuff out. Easy Sheriff like you said he lost a friend the good one. We must understand he needs help and I'm willing to lend a hand. Frenchy look I'm buying a fishing boat. You're not only going to work on it you're running it. You're making fun of me. No I mean. Harry is making you a most generous offer Frenchy. Well I guess so. Yeah Oh why am I always so wrong now. How about it. Are we partner. Well I I guess so. Sure. Well you might thank him. But thanks. I thanks Mr. Cummings very much. I'll see you later. It was uncomfortably close wasn't it Harry. And now you have to buy a second hand fishing boat and turn it over to Frenchy. But it's worth it isn't it. Because you can stop worrying about him. Your action not only turns his anger into gratitude it makes you a generous man in the admiring eyes of the town. Frenchy came in with his third load of tuna today Harry. Yeah I watched him on loads. Say he's the proud of himself and that boat that he hasn't even hired a helper. Does all the work himself. He'll turn out fine Sheriff you'll say. Sure thanks to you Harry. It's been three weeks since Jep's broken boat was found in Devil's Grotto. You gambled with murder Harry. And now that Sarah's working for you at the store you feel as you wanted. You decided it's time to start forming Sarah's thoughts your way. You've been very patient with her up to now haven't you. Very patient. Then one evening as you call on her at her house you know that Sarah seems disturbed. Nothing really Harry. I'm well jumpy I guess. Frenchy stopped me on my way home from work. He said you're working for Harry Cummings now. I said yes and he said don't ever forget Jep may still be alive so he could have been afloat in a life raft and then picked up by a friend and taken to a far port. Then he just walked on. Harry do you think that might have happened. That Jep may still be alive somewhere. Yeah. Highly unlikely sir. I wouldn't listen to Frenchy. Well try not to Harry. I'm I'm so grateful you gave me a job I'm gonna pay all the land back to death. I just won't feel right till I do. I wish you wouldn't work so hard though. Well you work harder than anyone else in the store. Good for me. Make me forget things. I could make you forget everything Sarah if you'd only let me. Look Sarah. Oh I know. Please Harry. I'm just waiting. Wait Harry. Wait. The word becomes one that you detest doesn't it. And as days pass into weeks and weeks and a month it's still the same. Wait. Wait Sarah. How long must we wait to start living. In six months. Oh why don't you marry me now. Oh it's still too soon. People would say really hard there is another reason it's a thought that Jep may still be alive somewhere. As Frenchy says. As Frenchy says. Sarah you'd have heard from Jep by now. Oh I tell myself Jep. Every time Frenchy sees me he stops and talks about Jep. Why only this evening you said it was Jep who taught him all he knew about Jep. Thank you. Very fond of Jep. I'll tell him to leave you alone. Please don't scold him. He doesn't mean any harm. He's harming you we worry Jep. I know he doesn't. He reminds me of Jep. Yes. I suppose I'd think of him anyway. More coffee Harry. Frenchy's ruining everything isn't he Harry. Jep devoted friends and you can't stand it much longer. The waiting must stop. And walking home that night you know there's really only one way. It's been the answer before hasn't it Harry. You decide that it must serve you again. You walk past your own place that night thinking it all out step by step discarding one method for another. And then quite suddenly you have it and it's simple isn't it. All you have to do is make sure of one thing. You do the very next day. Frenchy. Oh Frenchy. Yeah. Oh Mr. Cummings. Hello there. I was at the day. Oh sir. Judge Mr. Cummings but I came in early. Oh you uh so not tonight. Right. I'd work a Frenchy. That's fisherman on the dock. Almost as good as Jeff Lancaster. Nobody's as good as Jeff Lancaster. He was a good teacher wasn't he. Jep. He's taught me all I know. Yeah sure he did. Say uh you use the same method don't you uh I mean even the block of wood on the wheel and all that. Oh that's a good idea. Man can run his boat and get some rest too. Yeah yeah I suppose so. And speaking of rest Frenchy you better get some for tonight. Why are we just going up to my room Mr. Cummings. Making sure the boat was ready for that shore. Well I'll see you later. Yeah sure Frenchy. Sure you will. The dock is deserted when you return that night. You've timed it so that you'll arrive a little before Frenchy does because you've something to take care of. It doesn't take long does it Harry. A few sturdy blows with a heavy wrench and you manage to loosen the sea cocks in the forward part of the boat. Not much. Just enough to let the water begin to deep into the hull. In an hour or so the sea will accomplish the rest. Frenchy will go down with the boat and the last threat to your happiness will be removed. Frenchy the stupid devoted friend who won't stop reminding Sarah that Jeff may be alive. A few minutes later he comes on to the dock. Oh hello there. Somebody on board. Yeah it's me Frenchy. Oh Mr. Cummings. I want to see y'all on your trip. See me off. Oh now look Mr. Cummings you didn't have to do that. There's no difference than a dozen others I've made. You didn't have to come down. Oh you're on Frenchy I did have to come down. This trip is different. Mr. Cummings I don't understand. Well you will partner. Come on come aboard. We'll talk it over. The Whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending to tonight's story. But now for just a moment suppose this were a quiz program. What would your answer be if you were asked the question what gasoline is famous as the go farther gasoline. Well of course everyone knows that signal is a famous go farther gasoline but suppose the next question was what makes signal gasoline give such good mileage. Well an engineer might answer that question by saying other things being equal gasoline mileage is in direct ratio to the efficiency of engine operation or translated into simpler language today's signal gasoline gives you such good mileage because it helps your engine run more efficiently that's the important answer to remember because when your engine runs more efficiently you also enjoy faster pickup and smoother power more of the things that make driving more fun that's why whether you're a driver who wants economy or one who demands performance the answer is the same you find both in signal the famous go farther gasoline it's almost over harry you have the monkey wrench in readiness the same one you use to not just be caught loose and you know that at this moment water is already seeping into the forward hold you're both in the cabin now and you have only to knock frenchie out and send the little boat out to sea anyway in an hour or less there will be enough seawater in the hold of sinker sinker deep and then suddenly frenchie has something to say something that surprises you i don't know how you found out mr comings you seem to figure these things anyway you're right this was to be a different trip what do you mean thank you well i planned to run away deal the boat oh no i'd have sent it back somehow but i wanted to leave this town mr comings get away go places where i'm not always reminded of just your good friend yeah you've been a friend too only i haven't been very grateful i guess you've been all right frenchie anyway it doesn't matter yes it does you were trying to help me now all the time i hated you thought things about you i'll never mind that now friend but i do mine jeff at mine too he wants so to be happy with you or somebody so i'm i'm going away now wait a minute sure i know you want to stop me because you're kind and good well you're not going to stop me mr comings forgive me for this but i'm not going to ruin your happiness anymore forgive you for what frenchie i i did this i'm sorry mr comings uh honest i am i didn't want to knock you out much less tie you up but i knew you'd talk me out of leaving if i didn't that's the way you are always trying to help somebody and i'm not worth helping you stay here on the boat it's really yours anyway by the time you wake up i'll be gone and out of your way goodbye mr comings i hope i hope you and sir i'll be very happy together let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the whistler we sunday night at the 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 its sensible speed be courteous and obey traffic regulations it may save a life possibly your own featured in tonight's story where joseph kerr and sarah selby and ross forester the whistler was produced and directed by george w allen with story by leona surly music by wilbur hatch and was transmitted to our troops overseas by the armed forces radio service the whistler is entirely fictional and all characters portrayed on the whistler are also fictional any similarity of names or resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental remember at the same time next sunday another strange tale by the whistler marvin miller speaking this is cbs the columbia broadcasting system