 The signal oil program The whistler that whistle is your signal for the signal oil program The whistler and 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 shadow 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 by independent research the most popular 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 friendly dealer owned signal service stations from Canada to Mexico And now the whistler strange story a case for mr. Carrington Outside a gathering of black clouds that turned the blue waters of Kingston Harbor to a leaden grave The breeze blowing in from the Caribbean was heavy with moisture and on the sugar plantations in the grinding and boiling houses Jamaican natives sweated and muttered that a summer storm was on the way and As usual on Saturday afternoon The veranda of the Myrtle Bank Hotel was a gathering point for men in white linen suit whose only talk was of sugar 24 hours a day men who grew it men who shipped and sold it men who by some mysterious alchemy Transformed it into an inspired concoction famous throughout the world as dark Jamaican rum But Gordon Stone for once wasn't thinking of sugar the girl was too charming the cool wind-blowned American beauty of her too Irresistible he was admitting it to himself now. This wasn't just a passing thing with a summer tourist He was in love and he knew it How's the drink wonderful? What is it Myrtle Bank punch? Especially the house. I'd enjoy it more under different circumstances. Oh stop it Paula You're not gonna leave Jamaica. You're gonna stay. We're gonna be married. Everything's gonna be wrong Gordon I'm sailing next week Paula. I made up my mind when I saw the morning paper the paper There was an item about you and Mr. Wakefield Something about how you would never sell out your interest in the plantation, but I decided you made a choice Gordon You know, I won't stay here. I know now that you haven't any intention of leaving Paula There's nothing final about the head and deal what I've tired of Gordon You could make everything final and perfect by selling you said you would you haven't That's why I bought myself a steamer ticket today. Now wait a minute. That's not giving me a chance Paula, please stick with me just a little while longer. These things can't be done in a day It's been three months It doesn't seem so complicated to me Gordon. You own part of a sugar plantation Just like that, huh? It'd bring a lot of money not enough Paula. I haven't done too well my Luck hasn't been too good lately. I have some pretty pressing debts Beside the interests are all split up only 20% is mine. Yes, you've told me before mr. Wakefield owns 60% of Sunway the other 20 what's that got to do with it Paula? I've been very loyal to old man Wakefield. He likes me. Well, if anything happened to him his share would go to me There'd be over $300,000 are you asking me to wait around until mr. Wakefield? Of course not I didn't mean it that way. It's simply that well things can change Paula. It's no use talking You're practically admitting you aren't going to do a thing. I'm leaving. You're not being fair Paula This is no time to desert me. Why I'm almost ready now. I Know you mean almost ready Why talk things over with the old man he did it again Gordon did what? Another one of those peculiar remarks What's on your mind Gordon? What are you really getting ready for? I just told you head and hasn't come up with the right Promise me something Paula this ticket business. Say you won't go. I've postponed it too many times already Gordon I'm leaving on the next boat. That's all big partner. Oh, oh, yes a message for you Inspector Carrington is waiting for you at your house Inspector Carrington. Oh, he's an old friend of mr. Wakefield Dear you better tell the inspector that I never mind Gordon. I must go anyway. All right Paula Paula I'll get in touch with you. Goodbye Would you like to take the phone sir the inspector? Oh, no, just tell him I'll be out there in half hour. I'm just leaving The rumble of thunder sounds overhead as you guide the car through the outskirts of town Down the road by secting tall fields of cane on the flatland to the north and You wonder Gordon if Paula knows if she suspects is a reason for those Accidental remarks of yours that from the moment you first saw her Jamaica became a prison and the tense trap feeling inside you began to build like the storm overhead and that now with her final Decision it's got to break By the time you arrive at your house on the plantation you've decided it doesn't matter much whether Paula suspects or not You brace yourself a little as you walk in to meet your guest Yes, Gordon Inspector Charles Carrington is the last person on earth who should suspect you're planning a murder Hello inspector afternoon Gordon. I'm sorry. I kept you waiting. That's all right I hated to pull you away from the charmer of yours, but it's rather important. I think You're meeting with Wakefield this afternoon. Yes in ten minutes as a matter of fact I want you to do a favor for me Gordon. I'd be glad to you know Of course that the old boys my closest friend went through Cambridge together and all that and I I'd hate to see anything happen to him. What do you mean? Oh, I've never Said this to him Gordon, but frankly, I'm quite worried about his boy Wade. Oh Wade Well, I don't know he's not a way No, I understand the two of them have almost come to blows in this hidden proposition Wade wants to sell his interest his father of course refuses to consider it sort of a chronic condition That's more than that. I think I know human character Gordon. Lord knows I've dealt with it long enough Wade's not like his father at all To get to the point I am very much afraid that boys liable to do something violent if he's crossed too often Mm-hmm old man Wakefield would jump down your throat if he knew you were thinking I know it That's why I'm telling you if you're up to me I'd get the boy out of the country, but you see it isn't up to me. I think it's that serious Could be easily Wade is capable of anything such as killing his father for example. Oh come now I've seen it before Gordon. I know that look He's full of capable of murder and above all he's got the motive. Oh Incidentally, I see you have a copy of my book and homicide investigation. Yes. Yes. I've had it for some time a little out of date now I wrote it in 23 when I was at the yard and London But there's one thing in it. That'll be sound as long as there are human beings Gordon Given the motive nine times out of ten You've got the murderer Wade Wakefield's got the motive and I'm afraid don't worry inspector I want you to look out for his father Gordon. You're with him all the time the two of you in business together and so on You didn't say anything to him, of course But if you suspect the boys up to anything, I want you to get in touch with my office at once I'd better be going along. Oh, can I take you anywhere? No, no my car's outside. Thanks You'll go along with me on this why of course inspector. I do anything for mr. Wakefield, you know that You see him to the door then walk thoughtfully back into your study Take his book on homicide Investigation off the shelf flip the pages to a passage you've studied many times Underlined in red pencil Harrington creed Gordon and the key to your escape from the prison here the open sesame to New York and Paula and the $300,000 in proceeds from the sale of the plantation that will come to you if old mr. Wakefield your partner die and Above all the thing that will send his son way to the gallows for a crime that you committed Your mind is made up now. There couldn't be a better time Gordon the storm the inspector is going to happen tonight Yes, oh, yes, mr. Wakefield wait here You're betting it over right away Though I may need some help. I see I Yes, sir, I'll be right over Prologue of a case for mr. Carrington The signal oil company is bringing you another strange story by the whistler But now since cooler weather is here to stay for a while I'd like to say a word about an item that's going to have a lot to do with your driving pleasure from now on batteries How's the condition of yours? One way to find out of course is to wait until your battery refuses to turn the motor over some chill morning But a much better way is to stop by your signal service station regularly for a battery inspection Your signal dealer will keep the battery water at the proper level for long efficient service If your battery has run down signal dealers have the latest equipment for safe recharging And should you need a new battery? Mr.. You've come to the right place for the new batteries that signal dealers feature and not just another battery. No sir Signal batteries are very special batteries built to exacting standards that signal oil company is proud to stand back up They're rugged. They're packed with power and they're guaranteed Remember if it's the best in batteries you're looking for you needn't look farther than your neighborhood signal service station And I'll back to the whistler The downpour has turned the plantation road into a pair of muddy ruts As you slug along in second gear toward Wakefield's big house on the high ground near the gate And you're thinking now Gordon of the murder that will take place before the storm pattern Of a custom-built case for mr. Carrington with a motive so strong he made a special trip to discuss it with you You're thinking too of Paula and Fifth Avenue and dinner together at the Colony Club and a life in which sugar is simply something you put in your Cough as Usual there's a violent argument in progress between father and son when you were English of course. I understand English. I was brought up on it, but I can't understand stupidity I have operated this pen patient for 30 years without you easy easy take it easy You'd better run along mr. Stone my father and I are having a private conversation and maybe you'd better shut up Who do you hear what I said? You're going to say that once too often over when that happens. Let me know Now what is it the same old thing? He wants to sell his 20% the head. I thought we'd settle that you were wrong Now that you're both here. I might as well tell you go on. I instructed your clerk yesterday afternoon to draw up the contract Mr. Headon and I have already had an understanding what the deal in short is made wait I'm a vague father my interest my money and my decision Get out of this house. You hear me get out. Oh come now Don't you think you're being a little get out of here before I throw you out I'm sorry to leave the old ancestral home If you want me I'll be staying down at the hotel I I'm sorry mr. Wakefield that that had to happen You you will have to excuse me Gordon. I I think I'd better lie down for a while As usual exhausted by the argument the old man goes to his room to rest And you leave quietly by the back entrance walk across the mushy turf to one of the field office building Little mr. Knowles the chief clerk looks up from his desk as you enter Mr. Stone, I've been waiting to see you sir. I can't take any time right now knows If you don't mind I'll have that agreement the partnership arrangement with Wade But that's what I want to ask you about You drew that up yourself, you know, of course I did something wrong. Why yes, I'm surprised you didn't tell Wade There's a provision which makes it impossible for him to sell out. Oh Did uh, did you tell him knows certainly not that I think the matter should be cleared up So I think stop thinking knows just give me the agreement I was acting in the best interest of the firm when I drew them up that way Then you'll attend to it. I will tend to it. Well, I should hope so, sir. Just forget all about it Yes, paula, I've been trying to get you for an hour. Oh, I'm sorry dear. I was tied up I know I just wanted to tell you my sailing's been moved up the boat leaves tomorrow night. Oh Haven't listen dear. I I'm going to see you tomorrow. We can discuss You haven't told me gordon. Are you going to sell? Well, I I can't tell you now paul. I'm sorry So am I Goodbye, gordon. Paula Paula, I That's all right angel You'll feel better tomorrow Three o'clock now gordon Time still to run through it once again in your mind time to temper your weapon add weight to your legendary Loyalty to mr. Wakefield your obvious hatred of his son At four you're sitting at the bar and wades hotel waiting for him to appear Talking to sidrick financial editor of the kingston express So the old man threw the boy out of the house, eh? You know, I had no idea it would go that far Oh, you don't know wade no sense no perspective hates his father like poison. No for with me I'd buy him a ticket get him out of Jamaica right now Well, you can't play god gordon. Well, if we'll make it easier for the old man, I'd do it You think a lot of him, don't you? I think enough of them to protect him from a no good son I'd do anything wait is it? Oh Go on stern. Say it. Hello wade. I didn't see you come in obviously not that that makes any difference I've been waiting for you now now now wait a minute gordon. This is no place. There'll never be a better place Sits stay out of it. What's eating you stern? You had any sense yourself break your neck now listen you listen I want you to get out of town leave your father alone, huh? So the two of you can go on running the company in the same old rotten Yes, if he wants it that way What's your pitch stern? Where do you get off and when? There's got to be more to it than loyalty to a stubborn old man Another crack like that. I'll kill you. Hey, cut it out. Now go on cut it out leave alone If it's a fight he wants, I'll stop it. I'll call the police. You can't fight in my hotel Come on wade outside. Come on now. You'll feel better. This isn't settled yet stern Please mr. Stern don't continue it. I I can't say that I blame you but the other patron I know I I'm sorry mr. Grayson. All right. All right. It's all over more drinks at the bar Uh, perhaps we talked in the lobby mr. Stone sure sure. I'm going anyway. I uh, I hope you realize I understand your position in this that young wade is of course. I wish he weren't staying here at all Yeah Oh look mr. Grayson As long as he is you can do me a favor Oh He upsets his father terribly Any time you hear that he's calling or trying to see the old man Would you let me know why certainly? Thanks And uh, I'm sorry about what happened in there. It's all right. Mr. Stone gives them something to talk about over their drinks But uh, I hope it won't happen again. I hope it won't be necessary. Good night, mr. Grayson And you know that it won't be don't you garden because everything is fitting into place You're well established devotion to wakefield the fears you've expressed for his safety the bad blood between father and son All that remains now is to bring the two of them together and you know how to accomplish that At eight o'clock you pull up in front of the big house reach into your pocket for the agreement The little clerk gave you and go inside You find wakefield in his study and as he reads the contract You know exactly what his reaction will be And wade can't sell out Gordon you're a wizard an absolute wizard. Well, I thought there ought to be some out. It's just a matter of tracking it down You've certainly found the answer wade can't make a move Oh, and will I enjoy telling that young I wouldn't be too hard on him after all he's got to learn He's never going to be worth anything. He's got to learn. Yes Uh, when are you going to talk to him? I'm going to get him over here tonight But the storm and the way he feels he may not want to come. Oh, don't be ridiculous I'll tell him just enough gordon so that wild horses couldn't keep him away I'll have him here in an hour You know, I thought that's what you do mr. Wakefield. Well, wouldn't you in my place? Oh, I think so, yes There'll be words Wade won't take this lying down That's why I took a little liberty. Oh, I told your servants to take the rest of the evening off You and wade will have the house yourself You can shout his head off Gordon you're wonderful I made no mistake in taking you in as a partner. I try to do my share Well, I'll be running on why not stay you should enjoy this. Oh, no, thanks. I think the next hour should be all yours The drive across the plantation to your own quarters is pleasant Isn't it good in spite of the mounting wrath of the storm There's a tense expectant feeling some nervousness, but not enough to destroy the excitement It's going so well If there were any doubt that wade would come out to his father's house It's a race as you let yourself in Bumble across the storm darkened room to answer your insistently ringing phone Hello, mr. Stone speaking. This is gracing at the hotel. Oh, mr. Swayed. What happened His father telephoned about it shortly after that wade left. I'm sure that's where he's going. I see I uh, hope there isn't anything to be alarmed about but Well, the way he rushed out of here and all I did the right thing gracing glad you called I'll get right over to the other house. I don't please mr. Stone. I've been calling. I'll do my best gracing. Don't worry about it You hang up smiling knowing that your timing is almost perfect But you'll have to hurry gordon wade can't leave that house before you arrive You've got to murder wakefield only a few moments after the two men argue and wade drives off heading back to town You've got to go through with the one thing that can bring you and paula together Grinding over the rain soaked road. You hope that you haven't already delayed too long A few moments later sloshing toward the house. You know that it's all right Angry voices barely discernible through the storm Tell you that the argument between wade wakefield and his father has reached its height You stand straining to listen watching the house wishing that the storm hadn't cut off the lights Then you draw back as the house becomes silent watch tensely A moment later a figure slips out the side door and you hear wade's car start up And you know that he's walked out on his father once again that he's heading back to town It's simpler than you planned isn't it gordon Knowing the two of them so well makes it almost mechanical You even know where to find wakefield in the dark house If you swing onto the veranda Climb easily up to the bedroom window where he's certain to be lying down exhausted from his own anger You hear in cautiously see him on the bed moving restlessly Slowly you ease the window You lean into the room slightly Take careful aim at the sleeping figure of mr. Wakefield on the bed He told me to call you inspector carrington, but i'm afraid it's too late. You're sure he's dead I saw it happen the hotel manager called me. I tried to get here as fast as I could wade shot him and drove off All right gordon, i'll be here. Oh and gordon. Yes. I wouldn't touch it. Try to hurry inspect. I feel terrible about this I know but We'll be together pauler Sooner than you think the whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending to tonight's story Meantime two points It'll pay every driver to remember if you want to be sure of the tops in quality when you buy gasoline one To go farther and two signal is the famous go farther gasoline Yes, it's a fact mileage is the best yardstick of gasoline quality After all there's only one way any gasoline can give you quicker starting faster pickup and smoother knock-free power That's by helping your motor run more efficiently And when your motor runs more efficiently naturally you see proof of it on your speedometer in mileage The very thing signal gasoline is famous for That's why we're so proud of signals good mileage Which has made signal gasoline known from canada to mexico as the go farther gasoline And it's why we say To be sure of the tops in gasoline quality. There are 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 Well, gordon the case for mr. Carrington is complete now It's simple isn't it so simple that the lowliest amateur in kinkston can add up the facts Come to the conclusion that inspector carrington must inevitably reach That wade wakefield furious with frustration shot and killed his own father As the minutes tick by you paste the floor of the old man's study Glance up occasionally at the door to the upstairs bedroom The room which holds the key to all your plans paula new york and freedom It's only 25 minutes since you call the inspector and describe young wades crime When a car pulls up and you hear footsteps on the porch Come right in inspector You'd better come with me gordon upstairs. I think the door is locked. Never mind. I have the key Here we go dead. All right shot through the head Yes, it's just as I told you I saw wade raise the gun and A flash of lightning illuminates the room and you get a good look at the body on the bed Your knees buckle as it hits you of all the men in kinkston gordon of all the men in the world You've managed to kill the one against whom in the eyes of inspector carrington You had a solid motive But I Mr. Wakefield was wakefield is outside in the car waiting Like quarrel Wade fell and struck his head his father brought him up here before going for the doctor Wade It was wade. Yes, gordon. It was wade. You shot Funny, isn't it gordon only this afternoon? I was telling you Given the motive And who had a better motive to kill young wade than you Let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the whistler Each wednesday 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 Richard in tonight's story were gerald moore and mary jane croft The whistler was produced by george w allen with story by joel malone and harrell swanton music by wilbur hatch And was transmitted to our troops overseas by the arm forces radio service Next wednesday for a full hour of mystery tune in a half hour earlier Enjoy the saint as well as the whistler. This is marvin miller speaking. This is cbs the columbia broadcasting system