 The signal oil program The whistler whistle is your signal for the signal oil program The whistler and 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 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 Career man Charles Conley was in great form He knew as he spoke that his words were making an impression on the 20 important businessmen Seated around the long oaken table in the conference room and to Charles Conley The impression was the thing he wanted to achieve the speech itself only the mean to the end It's ridiculous to blame our police forces for the current epidemic of traffic accidents It's too big a job for any police force to control the number of cars on the road today But reckless driving must stop and that's why each and every one of us as self-appointed citizen police Must cooperate in bringing to a halt the wave of 20 important men Charles 20 business leaders and you're making the most of a heaven-scent opportunity to impress them And when it's over the applause tells you that the message struck home right down to the last hypocritical word George Charles you certainly told us thank you, mr. Frazier and I'm gonna tell that boss of yours He should have been here tonight. He ought to know what kind of a man he has in his organization Well, that's very kind of you, mr. Frazier very good. Oh, I'm not at all You deserve something for these ideas of yours. I'm gonna talk to him tomorrow Sounds wonderful Charles. I wish I could have been I wish you could have been I tell you I've been waiting years for this moment the biggest man in town with a wonderful child, but dear Don't you think we should go home now? It's late. Oh in the middle of our celebration We're gonna have another drink. No, I don't care Harry. You're neglecting us right there Charles you've had enough now. Don't be sweet little she always worry It was the same when I got mixed up in that trial last year against Barney Cole You thought I was fully them too. I didn't want anything to happen to you. That's all I Wouldn't testify against anyone unless I was Barney Cole was no good. He deserved what he got and I know And you moved forward another step in your career. No, no spoilers. She You should have been there tonight and heard my speech Nothing can stop me now. I wish you weren't counting on that promotion so much I'd hate to see you disappointed. Oh not a chance. They liked me Sheila everybody there when it gets back to the company I'm a cinch for a vice presidency, but yes, Mr. Conley. Oh two more the same Harry. No, we're leaving now Wait a minute storms much worse than it was. Mr. Conley. Yes, nobody's asking you I know my capacity, but child with such a long drive lots of cops out tonight. Mr. Conley. What is this a conspiracy? I said I wanted a drink Mrs. Conley's in such a hurry. She can go home alone No Bring him whatever he wants Harry I'll wait Listen to this slow down John, please. We're not going fast. Be more careful. Oh I wish you'd let me drive Not in this storm. I know what I'm doing No, we shouldn't have stayed so long the storm is much worse. Will you stop complaining only about a half a mile to go But in all this rain Child you've got to slow down. I can't Charles look out. There's a man on the road. You're gonna hit him But it's too late isn't it child too late for the man in front of your speeding car to jump clear There's a helpless skidding sensation Across the wet pavement and then the sickening thought a moment later. You're out of the car racing back to the dark Sorry, old man. I'm sorry here. Let me help. Are you hurry? Good Lord What is it Charles is he? There's nothing we can do for you You better get back in the car What are we going to do? You'll have to report it right away and and they'll know you've been drinking get back in the car If only you'd listen to me Charles, what are you going to do? They're not going to find him here Sheila Not tonight what? But you can't move in you got to I'm not reporting anything the police can make up their own story Don't you realize what it would mean my chances with the company may be ruined But it was an accident so no I've been drinking you said so yourself go on Sheila back to the car I'll take care of this you'll only make it worse Charles if ever they find out they won't now go on dudes I say Sheila we haven't all night Charles I All right, I'll wait in the car You watch uncertainly as Sheila turns starts back through the rain to the car Somehow you're not at all sure of her are you child? What you're sure of what you must do and you turn and lift the limp form of the man you struck Carry it across a narrow rain filled ditch to a thick growth of bushes ease it in behind them If he's found here in a week or a few days, it won't matter will it Charles because they'll never connect it with tonight than you Walking back to the car you're thankful that it happened the way out here in the country You're thankful too that you're so close to home and that it's pouring rain There'll be no telltale footprints at tire marks in the morning Charles afraid We're doing wrong child. Forget it Sheila It's all over no one else saw him Just pretend it never happened Sheila That's the best way It's easy to say isn't it Charles that it never happened But it did happen and you can't shut it out of your mind when you and Sheila reach home You toss nervously in bed reliving the accident over and over again in your mind Wondering if you'll get away with it Wondering if Sheila is going to be a problem She didn't say much did she Charles? You wish you could see if she's lying awake now Thinking the kind of thoughts that you're thinking while turbulent thoughts like the storm that continues to rage all night long At last you drift into a deep sleep When you awaken the sun is shining Streaming in through the window the sky is brilliant and clear the storm has passed You dress hurriedly go down to breakfast. You can hear Sheila moving about in the kitchen Wait for what she's going to say Morning Charles Good morning dear Breakfast ready in a minute Here I'll pour you some coffee Charles In case you've been wondering About what stand I'm going to take And you know that I love you very much of course I know so that's all there is to it Charles You needn't worry about anything not ever I Think my mind has been made up for a long time Sheila. You don't understand it Just that I had dreams once Charles About what we were going to do Where we were going together Don't you worry about us? We're still going places. Yes, Charles Wherever you want us to go. It isn't just me. It's all right you really It's been all right for a long time, but I I guess I only became aware of it last night you You're not unhappy. I'm your wife Charles. I Want to be with you help you Are Sheila you're wonderful You know I was nervous about you for a while you can forget it now. I know Well, let's have breakfast nothing like it well Company Charles you don't suppose Not sense it probably the mail carrier. It's a Sunday. There's no mail on Sunday. Well, then perhaps it's our good neighbor, mr. Carson I'm afraid there's no need to be Not since we understand one another Just relaxed Go on now See what is Who? Who is it darling? It's an officer dear a state highway patrolman With the prologue of career man the signal oil company is bringing you another strange story by the whistler But first some facts for drivers about an item for which you spend about one hundred dollars a year gasoline To make sure you're choosing for your car the gasoline that stops in quality. There are just two things to remember One in gasoline it takes extra quality to go farther and to signal is the famous go farther gasoline Yes, it's a fact mileage is the best yardstick of gasoline quality and I'll tell you why There's only one way any gasoline can put superior performance and extra driving pleasure into your car 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 So there you have it the reason we're so proud of signals good mileage Which has made signal gasoline known from Canada to Mexico as the go farther gasoline? And the reason 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 to Signal is the famous go farther gasoline Now back to the whistler Seems like it's all over doesn't it you stand there the state highway patrolman at your door your mind groping for answers How could he know so soon? How could he have found the body of the man you ran down last night in the storm? It doesn't seem possible does it Charles and yet the patrolman is here And you can't think of a single other reason that would bring him to your door I wonder if I could step inside mrs. Conway As sealer lets him in you can only think of one thing Charles your career and how it's about to be destroyed You'll never get that promotion now. Will you your big speech last night on reckless driving? Alongside the accusation that the patrolman is about to make will sound like mockery Charles this is Donovan Sergeant Donovan The police but what oh, I didn't intend to alarm you folks just thought you and your wife could help us help you Yes, it was an accident last night out on the highway a man was run over and killed An accident We didn't hear anything well at the storm and all it's quite possible. You didn't Well, you folks in all evening. Oh, no, we weren't I I Made a speech on safety at a conference in town. Mrs. Conley met me afterwards and we drove home I see you didn't notice anything unusual pass anyone on the highway perhaps. No it was raining so hard Charles had to drive so slowly and carefully. Yes, I understand Did they identify the man? Yes, his name was John Martin. You didn't know him. Did you? John Martin No, we thought he might have been visiting someone in the neighborhood. We're taking every place along the road. I see Well, sorry to bother you folks. I'm sorry. We can't help. Thanks, mr. Conway Hope I don't have to stop by again or any time It's uh Perfectly, all right As suddenly as the state policeman came he's gone and a surge of relief sweeps over you You sink down on the living room sofa your knee is weak from the strain of the officer's visit Then a new thought hits you his manner so casual and matter-of-fact You wonder if he actually suspects and is trying to draw you out. You hurry to the front window I don't like it Sheila the way that officer acted He seemed perfectly natural there. I thought wait a minute Yeah Yes, he is stopping again checking all the houses Charles. It's simply that it's on your mind. You've got to stop thinking about it Are you right? Thanks Sheila. Thanks for standing by me. I Just hope they won't be back It's only 10 o'clock Can't we go for a drive or something? All right, I'll get my coat I can't stand being cooped up in this house any longer What is it they're back look look another patrol car. What does it mean? I was right. They do suspect something. They're trying to break us down. Charles. They wouldn't do that We can't admit anything no matter what happens remember that Sheila if you still want to go out We could take the back row. No, we'll keep the car in the garage There might have been tire marks or something in all that I don't want to take a chance We got to stay here Sheila act as if nothing is wrong. It's the only thing to do now Yes, Charles, it's the only thing to do but it isn't easy waiting Pacing the floor going back and forth to the window Wondering racking your brain for some other reason for those police cars As the hours move by the pressure begins to tell on you on Sheila You almost want to run outside scream at them ask them why they're there what they're waiting for as It begins to grow dark. It's Sheila who gives way first I can't stand it. We've got a doctor. No Sheila stop. It's like I told you last night We should have gone to the police and told him it was an accident be quiet. Will you? Do you want them to hear us? It's only Frank Williams hired man at the Carson place. That's right How let him in thank evening mr. Connolly come in Frank don't stand outside. Oh, hello, Mrs. Connolly Oh, thank you. I will step in for a minute or two What's there? Something special you wanted Frank anything wrong at the Carson. Oh, no, Mrs. Connolly things are fine over there All right if I sit down I suppose something On your mind, uh-huh turkeys mr. Connolly turkeys. I lost one last night in the storm. Oh What is she? Yeah, isn't it? Oh? Well, no matter I I ran across something that'll Make up for it. Oh, I'm glad to hear that. Yes You know you folks are well thought out about here the Carson's think you're fine neighbor That's nice to hear Frank. You should have heard how they praised you to the police Suppose they dropped in on you. Oh, they the accident last night. Yeah, that's the police were here Certainly are curious bunch aren't they? Hate to let them go on wasting their time I Don't understand All right, mr. Connolly. I'll make the picture clear for you. I'll get right to the point. I Drop by to ask you for $5,000 You any idea what he means I and Just what am I buying Frank? Well Let's say a turkey mr. Connolly the one that got away last night. He got hit on the road But it wasn't the only thing that got hit you Yeah, I was out there looking around at the time Oh poor mr. Martin, you know, it was an accident. Can you understand that? Of course it was only only you You didn't leave it. I couldn't afford your position. Oh, certainly mr. Connolly That's that's what made me think if you'd understand my position losing that turkey I thought that we could be Neighborly about the whole thing, you know helpful to one another you see Mr. Carson will take the turkey out of my son, but this is blackmail. You can't get away If I can't and mr. Connolly can't get away with it and run Your telephone mr. Connolly you better answer it just be a minute. I'll be right here mr. Connolly What do you mean am I all right Right about Barney Cole Cole that day at the trial when he said he'd get you what are you talking about keeping it out of the papers But he broke out of jail Suppose you've noticed the police around the police But well, yes, they've been passing up and down in front of the house all day. Oh good. Yes Thanks a lot. I Do feel better You stand there for a moment after hanging up the phone and then it hits you it's perfect Isn't a child the police there to protect you Barney Cole determined to kill you for sending him to jail And only one man who knows the truth about your hit-and-run accident child One man who can ruin you forever rip the career you've struggled for out of your hands The gun feels comfortable in your hands as you take it from the desk drawer Start slowly back to the living room running over the story. You'll tell the police The unguarded back road Barney Cole approaching the house unseen in the darkness bent only on vengeance It all fits doesn't it child and as you walk back into the room the gun carefully concealed in one hand at your side You know exactly what to do. Yes, mr. Connolly about that you said $5,000 seems a fair enough price to me and uh If I decide not to buy Well in that case it's a Uptous public spirited citizens to see the things like this reported All got to do our duty, you know Yes, I know Only you're a little late Look at the window the window. Well, I don't see It's our only way out Sheila. Now listen to me. We haven't much time The whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending to tonight's story Meantime in place of the message about signal gasoline usually heard at this point Signal oil company has asked me to devote this time to a chat with you about the community chest drive Or frankly, I'm sure there's very little that needs say Everyone benefits from the community chest Almost one out of every two families directly the rest of us indirectly through better community conditions Community chest services include clinics hospitals maternity homes and day nurseries Children's aid boy and girl scouts campfire girls the ymca and ywca Also aid to the handicapped home for the aged the salvation army countless other worthy institutions too numerous to mention here And who pays for all these services? Everyone who is fortunate enough to have a penny or a dime or a dollar to spare for those who are less fortunate And you know, there's a wonderful thing about money that you share in this way Money you spend on yourself brings happiness to only one person But money that you share with the needy Brings happiness to so many Including yourself And now back to the whistler So a cold-blooded murder was the only way out charles the decision was automatic It was williams or your career and to you of course the answer was obvious Yes The nightmare that began less than 24 hours ago with a man named john martin dead on the highway near your house Is about to come to its climax in the next few minutes You had the strength to kill charles You know the same strength will stand by you now when you go out to face the officers The unknown quantity of course is she left You get hold of yourself sheena Remember what i told you Barney cold you understand? Barney cold came up to this window here. Wait. I'll break it You saw him clearly. He shot williams through the window thinking it was i you got that? Yes. I'll just all right There he is officer He's dead. All right shot in the back You say you saw him. I was just coming in from the kitchen. Yes. I I recognized him officer I tried to warn mr. Williams, but it was too late He raised his gun and fired It it was barney cold the men barney cold. He must have escaped from prison I got a fair look at him too officer. I'd know him anywhere Are you sure positive? I think he took off down the back road to the other highway. I don't think he took off anywhere, mr. Conley You know, it's odd that you bring up barney cold. I was on my way here to give you the news What news? We've been staked out here because we figured this is where cold would head after his escape Well, I just heard from the corner. We were wasting our time Cole made one stop before he came here conley But he did come here after he'd murdered a man named john martin And taken his clothes and identification papers That's right. It was barney cold. It was run down on the highway last night Now suppose you two tell me who really killed mr. Williams here That whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the quistler each wednesday 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 were willard waterman and mary land sink The whistler was produced by george w allen with story by reena k green Music by wilbur hatch and was transmitted to our troops overseas by the armed forces radio service Next wednesday for a full hour of mystery tune in half an hour earlier. Enjoy the saint as well as the whistler Marvin miller speaking This is cbs the columbia broadcasting system