 The signal oil program The whistler Whistle is your signal for the signal oil program the whistler They 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 whistler and remember let every traffic signal remind you with new signal gasoline You do go farther than ever Look for the familiar big yellow and black circle sign that identifies those popular signal service stations in seven Western States From Canada to Mexico And now the whistler strange story the master touch It had been 20 years since Charles Carter polished a pair of shoes He thought about those 20 years as he sat alone in his bedroom Working on them sponging them off carefully with saddle soap Making sure that not a speck of the gummy red clay that cover them remain Red clay sticky stubborn stuff that clung to them like glue They were beautiful shoes Hand-made custom-built the kind of shoes you'd expect a successful businessman like Charles to wear He was proud of what he'd accomplished in those 20 years As he worked on the shoes he thought of the brutal poverty he grew up in The resolution he made as a kid that someday he'd have more money than he could spend in a lifetime The way money became a god to him pushed him up the ladder from factory worker to top executive and left him still dissatisfied wanting more It never mattered how he got it so long as the money was there And now the biggest opportunity of his life had arrived He cleaned the last bit of red clay from his shoes and waiting Yes, Charles. Yes, Amelia. What is it? Charles? I didn't want to bother you, but it's nothing Amelia What is it? Could you come over Charles? I'm terribly upset the police are police. Good Lord Amelia. Tell me what's the matter? I don't know. I'm afraid you are right about Henry. That's it, isn't it? Amelia it doesn't matter a hoot whether or not that caretaker was a favorite of your fathers I tell you the man's dangerous and you've got to get rid of him. Please don't discuss it now Charles Can you come here? Of course Henry the caretaker at Green Acres Amelia Rankin's beautiful estate You've told her he's vicious and irresponsible, haven't you Charles that perhaps it isn't safe for her to be living alone there with him And she appreciates your interest. You are interested in Amelia, aren't you? Yes in Amelia and Incidentally in the fact that she's chairman of the board and holder of the controlling interest in the company you work for Now that her father is dead So you're concerned about Henry the caretaker when you arrive a half hour late Amelia what's happened? Oh Charles. I'm so glad you could come. Who is this miss Rankin? Oh, my name is Carter officer I'm general manager of Miss Rankin's firm Now what's happened Charles somebody tried to kill me tonight. What just a minute. Mr. Carter If you don't mind I'd like to continue with the caretaker here. Oh, of course Now Henry Two hours ago someone stood outside on the grounds and put a bullet through Miss Rankin's bedroom window. Don't look at me I've been with the family ever since this place was built. He trusted me did he trusted me even more than he did Henry it's true. I did that's why he said I was to stay here Call me alone into his room just before he died who mr. Terence her father. I see now miss Rankin You say you've been reading until about nine o'clock. Yes. I got up when I finished and walked past the window There was a crash of glass. That's all Henry what were you doing with this gun? I've always had it mr. Terence Don't we'd always keep it handy any idea why one of the shells is discharged if someone must have took it while I was asleep And then walked out on the ground shot at miss Rankin returned it to your house and left. Why not miss Rankin Do you know of any reason why Henry would do a thing like this? No, I don't We checked it in find the place Yeah, I found the spot where he stood and fired the shot check the footprints against Henry shoes match What I tell you officer it was someone else he didn't say that he said the Prince didn't match Maybe it was someone else and maybe you're just smarter than I think you are Stan what about the Prince are they clear couldn't be better soft spot there. That's made the order kind of gummy red clay They've gone at last will you believe me now Amelia I tell you that man Henry isn't safe We don't know you must think this over carefully Amelia. It could happen again, but I can't let him go He was right about father. You don't have to let him go. What am I going to do child Amelia? Perhaps what you need is someone here to protect you. Maybe you're right With the prologue of the master touch the signal oil company brings you another strange story by the whistler You know friends we of the whistler cast think you're just about the swellest listening audience that ever turned a radio dial and Tonight we've got more reason than ever for thinking that Remember last month. I told you that in January's radio survey the whistler received the highest popularity rating in all radio history for a West Coast program Well tonight. I have in my hand the results of February survey and you've done it again Yes for the second consecutive month the whistler is way out in front of any popularity rating ever given a West Coast program Naturally, this makes all those friendly signal dealers who bring you the whistler mighty happy In fact, there's only one thing I can think of that could make them any happier That's if next time your car needs gas you try just one tank full of new signal gasoline My bet is that once you try signals power-packed new super fuel that now helps you go farther than ever You too will join the ever-increasing swing to signal a swing that has made the signal Organization grow in just 14 years from a mere handful of stations in Southern, California To a network of dealer-owned stations serving seven western states from Canada to Mexico and Now back to the whistler That was the master touch wasn't a child You were sharp enough to see the opportunity the minute old Terence Rankin President of Rankin Industries died and left the controlling interest to his lonely Frustrated daughter Amelia in the weeks that followed you worked slowly and carefully to gain her confidence And when that sharp analytical mind of yours sense the friction between Amelia and Henry the caretaker You knew what your next move would be The red clay is right now on the path where you stood and fired the shot through the window Purposely missing it and the weather has changed suggesting an afternoon walk Just the two of you child you and Amelia isn't it lovely out today. It was so nice of you to ask me to come Yes, it is lovely all this and you Amelia please job. Why not? I think you're lovely Why shouldn't I say so because I know it isn't true. I wish it were the world Is full of beautiful things when one's in love you don't mean that why must you always say the same thing You know sometimes I feel as if you don't trust me. Oh, I do really I do Maybe I'm being presumptuous. Not you Charles ever I'm glad of that. I Want you to have faith in me. I know it's just that since mother and dad died it hasn't been easy I've been on my own and oh, I've had everything but but I haven't really I've had to be so cautious You mean Henry, huh? No, not exactly It's just that when you have money too much of it You're always meeting people who pretend to be friendly when all they want is to get their hands on the money Makes people like that Charles. He's money that important It has a terrible fascination for some people If I thought a lot of someone and I found his motive was that Would hurt and tear of course it would Amelia, but you don't think that I would you know I'm not thinking of you. You've been so sweet and kind to me. I've never been so happy Even though I am so alone. You don't like being alone. Do you it's frightening sometimes? You do need someone Amelia But Henry there and the things the way they are you you ought to have someone to take care of you to look out for everything What are you trying to say Charles? I'm asking you to marry me. Do you really mean it? Of course I do I'm so happy Yes, Charles that was the master touch It's the biggest deal you ever swung isn't it and it is a business deal Dollars and cents cash on the line The only difference is that it's accomplished in a church that the dotted line is on a marriage license That the witnesses are wedding guests instead of company executives But the plan has only begun hasn't it Charles And like everything else you do it has to be perfect you have to take your time move cautiously So at three months after you and Amelia are married before you decide to move again Charles. Yes, Amelia. Come over here and sit beside me. I Was going into the library Amelia. I have a reference to look up. I'll only be a moment. All right What's on your mind? These few months we've been married have they been happy for you Like darling what a question. They've been the happiest months of my life. You've been more than kind to me Yeah, keeping something for me. What is it? When you go to the factory in the morning, I like to watch you leave. I can see you from the bedroom window I hope you don't mind Charles. Of course. I don't it's a little like saying goodbye a second time if I can see the Drive away. Why that's charming Amelia after Henry took the car of the garage for you this morning He went back to his cottage. Well, Henry's little dog usually goes back to the cottage with him But he didn't go back this morning Henry's dog, but when you drove away You ran over It looked almost deliberate. Well, Amelia. I had no idea. I'll have to say to Henry about it I didn't see him Amelia. I swear. I didn't good heavens. I I know what that dog means to me I thought perhaps you were worried about something and didn't realize what was happening Or in you've been acting so strangely the past few days Is if you had something terribly important on your mind, why I I don't understand Amelia I know what it must be like Married to my money. What do you mean? It puts you oh Outside in a way doesn't it Amelia? You mustn't feel that way just the same from now on Everything I have is yours and everything you have is mine. That's the way marriage should be don't you think please darling Money sir isn't so important Charles happiness means much more. I found that out. I Called the lawyer this afternoon There'll be some papers to sign and then I'll feel better. Oh I wanted so much to marry someone who wanted me and not my money. You do believe in me Don't you Amelia? You needn't ask me that I always will You hate her for that don't you child as Usual she's done the honorable thing Signed over all she has to you making you wonder whether the rest of the plan is worthwhile You were stunned by it weren't you child the money is yours now, and you can stand pat That is if you're willing to spend the rest of your life When you face that question you realize you're going ahead with the plan It's been boiling around in your brain too long hasn't it Charles so now you're going to kill her That's why you walk up to the desk of the Roosevelt Hotel in North City the next afternoon North City a hundred miles away from Green Acres and Amelia Yes, sir. May I help you? My name is Charles Carter. I have a reservation just a moment. I'll check Yes, sir room 241. Oh, I asked the clerk for something at the back of the building I have some reports to write on the inquired. Well, you'll find this satisfactory. I'm sure soundproof and in the rear I'll be typing all afternoon possibly late into the night. I don't want to be disturbed under any circumstances Yes, sir. I'll tell the operator. Oh, and would you tell the maids too, please? They hear me typing inside then not to come in if you say so, sir I'll have a boy take your bag. It looks heavy Oh, I'm sorry. I was looking the other way clerk. I've decided to take that room You were holding for me Lane is the name 385. All right, mr. Lane just a minute, please Well, here's the boy mr. Carter or you can go on up. Thanks Well Charles, it's underway And you're a little jittery Was it unusual that mr. Lane the man who bumped into you at the desk with the same man who looked at you Peculiarly when you almost ran into him at the entrance of the hotel You finally decide that it's natural that you're on edge imagining things Five minutes later alone in room two four one at the back of the hotel You open your bag and take out a small portable phonograph with a repeating attachment Connect it put on a special record and listen Yes, Charles you're busy typing on a phonograph record You watch it repeat a couple of times Satisfy yourself. It's working perfectly Then sneak out of the room down the back stairs and out the trade entrance at the rear of the hotel In a bar around the corner you find a telephone and put in a long-distance call to Johnson your personnel manager at the factory We didn't know you were going to North City. How long will you be there? I came down to look over the new assembly line got in about two hours ago at the car checked over I'm going to the plant in the morning. Everything. All right. Well, there are those reports that you took with you The auditors are coming tomorrow. Well, I didn't have a chance to check them over last night Johnson I'll have them ready by morning. Yes, but if you're in North City, I'll be coming back as soon as I checked the plant I would arrive at the house around 11. Why don't you and I meet there and then I'll give you the reports Oh, all right, Mr. Carter eleven o'clock Ring mr. Charles Carter's room, please just a moment. Oh, I'm sorry sir. Mr. Carter isn't receiving any calls But this is important. I'm the superintendent of one of his plants. I'm sorry, sir If you'd care to leave a message, he is there isn't he? Yes, sir He's quite busy though and requested not to be disturbed if you leave a message. No, I'll call back later The clerk is a first-class man, isn't he Charles follows instructions to the letter You're positive now that no one can get through to you that no one will go into the room as long as the typewriter is working You're on the last lap Charles On your way to the back alley where you left your car you stop at a drugstore and pick up a small bottle of liquid That's for Henry to help him sleep better Henry is a rather important part of it, isn't he? Two hours later. You're driving up the road to Green Acres But before you get to the house you turn off the road and leave the car in a wooded section hiding it from the highway Then you walk up to the house and Find Amelia in the living room. Oh Oh Charles, it's you. I didn't hear you come in. I didn't mean to startle you Amelia. Where's the car Charles? Why do you ask that? I didn't hear you drive up Had a little trouble with it left it down the road. I'll have Henry look at it and not tonight Amelia. It's late Yes, I thought for a while. You might not be coming home I'm having a glass of wine. Don't you have one with me? Thanks. I will you look hot and tired. Did you walk far? Couple of miles I guess here. This will make you feel better. Thanks That is good. I Am tired for some reason Johnson called about noon. He was looking for some reports. Yes. He called me I made a trip to North City who wanted to look over the new assembly line Having some trouble with the hoists, but I thought they straightened that out last week. Oh, it's a Technicality, let's not talk business tonight dear. I'm not up to it. Oh, forgive me dear more wine, please That's fine Why don't you run up to bed Amelia? I want to take a bottle of bourbon over to Henry tonight Well, I'm going to try to make it up to him about the dog. He'll feel better over a drink Well, don't sit up till all hours. Will you know no Amelia? I'll be right back Let me pour you another drink Henry aren't you drinking on mr. Carter? Oh, we've been drinking wine Mrs. Carter and I they don't Make so well for me. How can you're over here poor me drinks this time of night? Well, Henry, I feel so rotten about that dog You know, I want you to know if there's anything I can do to make it up to you Ever offer me a drink you're for funny. You do it now. I don't like you. Oh lip a change in his spots that way You never think about nobody but yourself Anybody else would stop you run right over stop being I'd see now I'm trying to tell you you're wrong Henry and that ain't all here here have another drink But let me let me fill your glass don't want another one don't want nothing from you Drink that and go to bed. You'll feel better in the morning Take in the bottle with you. Oh, well, it's empty Could have drunk a full one you've had enough Henry more than enough Yes Charles, that's more than enough isn't it the dope liquor will keep him asleep and harmless until the hue and cry is raised in the morning You pick up Henry's hatchet and gloves from the woodpile at the back of his cottage and hurry back to the house Yes Nothing Nothing dear. I Pumped into the lamp you stand there for a moment Charles At the last minute with a hatchet in your hand you begin to waver What are you waiting for Charles? What I Think I'll read a little while dear Go to sleep. I'll be up pretty soon Get yourself together Charles You want to give her a chance to fall asleep, don't you? You're safe now Henry's in a drunken stupor. He can't wake up and after it's over You'll plant the hatchet in Henry's cottage along with the gloves just as you did with a gun four months ago There'll be no question this time no footprints in the red clay path and who'll believe poor confused Henry And his story about the drinks you gave him with you Visually typing on a report in a hotel room a hundred miles away a Few minutes later you see the light go out at the top of the stairs and you sit there in the living room until you're sure Amelia's asleep Then holding the hatchet tight in your right hand you start up the stairs On the bed You do hate her don't you Charles you try to steady yourself forget the pounding in your head and walk over to the bed You can stop striking the bed Charles. I'm not in it. I'm over here by the window The whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending of tonight's story Meantime a question which of these parts could your car get along best without the water pump a universal joint or a steering knuckle The answer is obvious without even one of its vital parts your car couldn't run That's why when your signal dealer lubricate your car. He takes no chance of overlooking even one part It's for that very reason that he uses signals famous lubrication chart which shows every lubrication point on your car and Specifies which of signals 9 specialized oils and greases each part should have for long trouble-free service And he checks each part against this chart not just once but twice Which is why it's called signal double-check lubrication This is typical of the more thorough more conscientious service your car gets from dealer owned signal stations Nowadays when cars that are already old must keep on serving you until there are enough new ones to go around I'd say this is another mighty good reason for today's swing to signal And now back to the whistler Well child the master touch wasn't quite enough You stand there bewildered as Amelia switches on the light The shot through her window four months ago the careful gradual cultivation process the marriage the alibi in North City It all seems ridiculous doesn't the child and you're too dumbfounded to say anything You can put the hatchet down child. You won't need it. What are you doing nothing? I? Was looking out of the window The moonlight is beautiful. You can see for miles Isn't that your car down by Miller's pond? It's hidden from the road, but I can see it clearly from here full no I said you wouldn't need the hatchet What's going to stop me Amelia what I have to say won't be any good to stall Have come too far for that. Yes much too far You see Charles. I know everything you did today. I hired a detective to follow you several days ago He was waiting for you at the Roosevelt hotel when you arrived I talked to him on the telephone just before you came in tonight. His name is Lane, isn't it? Yes, that's the name he used Well He told me you were rather a good typist And I told him that you couldn't type at all. So he went into the room It was a clever way to establish an alibi Charles But I wasn't sure until he told me about the bottle of sleeping drug you bought in north city Get to the point It's pretty ridiculous, isn't it My believing that out of all people there was one Whom I could believe in Where's your detective now? Outside no He did his work. I dismissed him. You mean we're alone. Yes You expect me to believe that it doesn't matter whether you do or not Remember our agreement Charles Everything I had was yours Everything you had was mine So when you decided to take my life, it's simpering You think you can talk me out of it? I said it doesn't matter anymore Charles Nothing matters now You see the wine we drank together tonight Was poison Next Monday at nine o'clock the whistler will bring you another strange tale The whistler is broadcast for your entertainment by the marketers of signal gasoline and motor oil And fine quality automotive accessories and by your neighborhood signal dealer This program produced by George W. Allen with tonight's story by robert foster music by wilber hatch Is transmitted to our troops overseas by the armed forces radio service That whistle Is your signal for the signal oil program? The whistler This is marvin miller speaking reminding you to look for those familiar yellow and black circle signs That identify those popular signal oil stations in seven western states from canada to mexico This is cbs the columbia broadcasting system