 The signal oil program The Whistler Whistle is your signal for the signal oil program 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 signal oil program the Whistler Rated by independent research the most popular West Coast program in radio history and Signal gasoline is tops 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 friendly dealer owned signal service stations From Canada to Mexico and now the Whistler strange story The unreasonable doubt The Saris jacket on the mannequin in the window of the Berkshire shop was the thing that had brought Gina across the street To the south side of Kimberley Drive It was an unusual thing for Gina to do but the jacket was a stunning one like everything handled by the Berkshire shops from coast to coast And Gina had told herself that now after five years It was high time. She got rid of the strange Subconscious bread that kept her away from the shiny black marble front of the most fashionable dress shop in Hillcrest She examined the jacket and had almost decided to risk going inside to inquire about it when a man a Tall dark haired man with a white carnation in his lapel hurried pastor into the door Her heart stopped cold for a moment then began to pound Her first impulse was to hurry on and never come back But she stopped not sure and then walked back cautiously to the glass door Looked through at his retreating back the familiarity of his walk the slope of his shoulders and then Gina darling Find you here darling. You've got to help me pick out a dress. You simply got to I'm a desperate woman. I'm sorry, Isabella Gina here you are one of the best dressed women in Hillcrest yet you avoid the Berkshire like the plague Have you got something against them? I've just been too busy to worry much about clothes rubbish Look at you now like you stepped out of a band box Black and white and that lovely black and white bag to match where did you get it? Oh, uh stillman's this morning It's a beautiful bag. Are you managed to find these things? Well in we go now I can't stay long really. We love me be a minute. You love this door darling You look around I want to speak to the clerk at the glove counter for a moment. All right, Isabette Well How are you Jenny? Well, oh haven't seen you in a long time. You you startled me. I don't you remember me Jenny Jenny that's right Jenny Barton, I think you must have made a mistake. Oh Did I I'm afraid so I'm very sorry Yes, you were you saw the woman I came in with the lady in the blue crepe. Why yes, ma'am when she comes back Would you tell her I've gone home, please? I don't feel well Yes, Gina. You're not feeling well and there's a good reason the tall thin-faced man with a white Carnation handsome in a cruel sort of a way. You do remember him. Don't you, Gina? Yes After Seattle there was no forgetting Floyd Durant All Afternoon you keep telling yourself you brought it off that Floyd would decide he made a mistake That Jenny Barton of Seattle and Gina Crane of Hillcrest are two different people Just an unpleasant incident Gina not worth mentioning to anyone least of all to Clinton Crane your husband Well, Gina, did you have a pleasant day? Well, yes, Clinton quite pleasant. I went shopping. Oh, Isabella. No She was looking for a dress Gina I wish you wouldn't see so much of Isabelle who she's harmless dear and awfully stupid I know it Clinton, but somehow I couldn't help myself. You could tell her you're busy. Well, she wouldn't take no for an answer Well, it's a cruel way to put it I suppose but you and I are going to have to be careful of the company we keep from now on why then the last committee meeting My name came up for state senator after that Brooks affair. They'll go over the next candidate with a fine tooth comb But after all is it I know I know just keep it in mind darling. Oh By the way, this letter came for you this afternoon. What is it? Oh, I'm not the prying type dear. You know that Funny thought was stuck under the door when I came home. Oh, thank you Well, aren't you going to read it? Yes, June 14th. My dear Mrs. Oh You sit down slowly as you read it trying to hold yourself steady Clinton is watching you Gina. You can't let him know can't give him the slightest chance to guess what's in that letter What makes the words fly off the paper and bury themselves in your brain like jagged pieces of shrapnel? My dear Mrs. Crave are strange association while I was stored detective at the Berkshire shop in Seattle I'm staying at a boarding house 217 Pine Street third floor rear If you'd like to Talk over all times drop around tonight at nine o'clock and Bring a checkbook with you That is unless you'd like me to have my conversation with someone else your husband for example or the police What's the matter dear bad news? No No, it's nothing important. Just Just a note from my dressmaker. Oh, remember I told you I was getting a new suit It's nothing important With the prologue of beyond reasonable doubt the signal oil company is bringing you another strange story By the whistler, but now I want to tell you about a product. It's so fine 97% of the persons now using it say they will be back for more I'm talking about Lee tires featured by signal service stations throughout the West from Canada to Mexico and No wonder drivers like Lee tires for 45 years Lee of conch a Hawken has made only the finest of first-line tires and Today's Lees with their patented double life rayon cord construction are 25% better than pre-war Safer easier riding longer wearing What's more your signal dealer can arrange easy credit terms on new Lee tires and he'll give you a generous trade-in on your old tires So why keep on taking chances on those smooth tired out old tires that can cause serious accidents and spoil your driving fun Stop by your signal service station and have your signal dealer look over your present tires You'll be surprised how little it will cost to drive out on fine new Lee tires And now back to the whistler. Oh, that's it Gina Five years are pushed aside in your back where you started Floyd Durant has found you at last and the whole ugly mess you left behind in Seattle is right here on your doorstep You know Floyd very well, don't you Gina? You know, he'll keep your secret You know you can trust him if you pay him as long as you live Luckily Clinton your husband is due tonight at a political meeting and shortly after he leaves You pull your car out of the garage the letter with Floyd's address on it tucked safely away in your black and white bag 217 Pine Street third floor rear a Half-hour later. You're walking down the long dark hallway toward his room, but as you raise your hand and not You can do as you please but don't come running back to me. I'm all through Excuse me. I'm sorry Come in. I've been expecting you I've come to tell you I can't possibly no such word as camp your friends seem a little upset Temperament Barbara is a very unstable girl. Not like you Jenny. You always took everything in stride like a drink No, thanks. Oh, I'll go ahead then You know, I felt like shouting Eureka when I saw you with the Berks here today It's been a long search. Let's get it over Floyd. How much do you want? Well, let's figure how much I would have had if you'd played square with me, huh? Let's see. I let you steal those clothes in the Seattle store You would have picked up a rich guy never mind that I asked you how much depends on your resources You've got to give me some time. I can't raise the money overnight. Oh now Jenny Let's not be that way your husband's a wealthy man coming along in politics I think I can get you a thousand never do to have his wife exposed as a thief With a lot to a man like that to keep us I said I could raise a thousand is that enough? No about 10 Possibly Clinton gives me a weekly allowance. He balances my bank statements. Listen Jenny. I covered for you. It wasn't easy I played it stupid but not anymore. Oh Cheap little shop girls gonna play me for a sucker twice as much as I am you're just as quick Now careful Jenny It's all pretty big for a thief There's only one way you can stop me Jenny. I just told you how they get over for a minute, huh? He walks out of the room for a moment and you slump back in a chair sure that he means what he says That Seattle is caught up with Hillcrest and there's no way out Then only a split second before he comes back your eyes strike something on the table next to your chair a long bright Pair of scissors you'll reach out grab them hold them under your bag as you rise Let's get down to cases Jenny It's not whether you're going to raise that dough anymore. It's how Floyd I want to be very sure about this You know what you'll be doing to me What you know, there's no possible way I could I just told you all right Floyd. I'm just making sure Okay Okay well Would you pick up my bag, please I? Thought you'd bring it with you sure baby sure All right You decided it's only after it's over when you're back in your car that you realize you still have a chance That you were lucky enough to be wearing gloves that when Floyd Durant is discovered with those scissors in his back There'll be no way to connect it with wealthy gracious Gina Crane There's no sleep for you tonight, of course and by morning your mind is dull your eyes heavy as you sit across the table from Clinton at Breakfast looking at the back of his paper More coffee dear. No, thanks Well another murder last night what yes, but for once thank heaven the police are on their toes. You mean they they know who did it? Yes a woman Could I see it Glendon? Yes here read it Store detective from one of the downtown shops was stabbed to the pair of scissors was bound to have been a woman They haven't decided who it was her name is there Barbara is something rather she followed him down from Seattle Oh, there it is Barbara Arnold they've arrested her this morning What's the matter? Nothing, I just hate to hear about these things Clinton so much crime There'll be less of it when I get elected to office And by the way, I'd better be getting to my office right now Things are beginning to hum down there with nomination coming up darling You know the parkers are up at your family. Yes, they want me to join them for a few weeks now Gina You know that's out of the question. I'm tied up with the committee right now. I couldn't I run up alone Would you like to would you mind? Well, I suppose not when do you want to go right away Clinton today? You had to get away didn't you Gina even if it's only for a few weeks It gives you time to sit back collect your thoughts and then try to forget all about Floyd Durant and Barbara Arnold and murder Somehow by the time you return from Yosemite you've almost managed to forget at least your mind is made up that no matter What happens to the girl they've arrested? You're not going to interfere Most important of all Clinton must never know I'd have appreciated your coming back last Friday Gina I wired you to return there. I'm sorry darling, but I was meeting so many important people and having such a marvelous time I didn't think a few days would make any difference. Unfortunately, they haven't you won't be needed until tomorrow tomorrow for what? Jury duty dear you've been selected as a prospective juror in the Arnold trial. What I'm sure they'll accept you Yes, but I can't serve on that jury can't serve What are you talking about Gina? You'll be ideal for them. Well, you've scarcely even read about the trial No prejudice and open mind. I'm sorry Clinton. I won't say Well, I'll see here Gina. I'm sorry to disagree with you I've given you your way many times, but this is one thing on which I've made up my mind I want you to do everything in your power to get on that jury Clinton. I the committee notified me while you were away I'm going to be nominated for state senator and the campaign won't be easy We can't have anyone saying that my wife refused the simple obligation of jury duty, and you don't understand Of course, I don't understand. Is there any reason Gina any reason in the world why you shouldn't be on that jury? No Clinton There isn't That's a better and we'll go down together Yes, Clinton. Oh and by the way, none of that haddy Carnegie stuff you wear wear something simple Your black and white outfit perhaps. It's a course to you I'll be ready in the morning You never expected anything like this. Did you Gina? All night in the next morning driving down to the courthouse with Clinton your mind is struggling for a way out But there doesn't seem to be one all you can do is pray that Barbara Arnold The girl you ran into outside Floyd's room will fail to recognize you As the attorneys question each candidate for jury duty You're trembling inside Telling yourself over and over that it was dark in that hall that Barbara had been crying That just carelessly spoke that she wouldn't know now in this courtroom Sure, Mrs. Crane that you can approach this trial with an open mind That you haven't reached any decision on the basis of what you've heard or read in the newspapers. I'm Sure, and you would have to be convinced beyond all reasonable doubt that the defendant Barbara Arnold my client is guilty before you would vote for conviction. I would thank you, Mrs. Crane That's all. Thank you Uh, just one moment, Mrs. Crane Just one more question. Yes Are you certain that you never met the defendant before? Yes Positive I see for a moment miss Arnold thought you looked familiar. She must be mistaken She is Quite mistaken. All right the defense accepts the jury your honor Well Gina you're on the jury Sitting in judgment as the state tries Barbara Arnold for the murder you committed And you've been lucky haven't you Gina? Very lucky. No suspicions nothing to implicate you in any way The prosecution will prove beyond reasonable doubt that this girl Barbara Arnold sitting here in front of you Weeping as her attorney has carefully instructed her Did with malice a forethought and hatred in her heart murder Floyd Durant Are you positive mr. Jackson that the defendant is the person you heard threatened mr. Durant on the evening of June 14? Well, I can't be sure of the voice, but I did hear him quarreling and he called her Barbara Oh, he called her Barbara. Yes, sir. I heard that all right and what time was this quarter? Oh about 830 I guess my wife and I were going out to the movies and we heard the girls sobbing and yelling And what were the words she used mr. Jackson as near as you can remember? Well, she said I'm going to get even Floyd. I don't care what happens. Thank you After your bitter quarrel with the deceased you turned and ran out of the room. Yes, sir Was that before or after you stabbed him with the scissors? I didn't stab him I didn't and how do you explain your fingerprints on the shields? I? I must have picked them up to Touch them while I was in Floyd's room. I was very upset. I wouldn't remember you'd have to believe that you're asking us to believe a Great deal miss Arnold a mysterious woman outside in the hall someone you can't identify I don't care. I didn't kill Floyd. I didn't No matter what you said, I didn't kill it. That is for the jury to decide miss Arnold One of the jury The attorney for the defense insists that you must find this girl Barbara Arnold this murderous Innocent as long as you hold any doubts as to her guilt Well for once I agree with him But there is no doubt She quarreled with Durant. She admits that she threatened him. She admits that The only thing that she does not admit is that she killed it She doesn't have to admit that her fingerprints are on the weapon There you are ladies and gentlemen motive opportunity and evidence Yes, Tina motive opportunity evidence And as the trial moves into its last day you're feeling more confident than ever You're thankful that the jury isn't to be locked up that you're free to return home now Get a full night's rest before tomorrow's deliberations and you're more exhausted than you realize Gina You oversleep the next morning have to dress hurriedly Slip into the black and white crepe outfit Grab up your black and white bag to match as you run out the door to the waiting taxi And there's another ironic thing Gina 15 minutes after the jury retires you find yourself elected foreman Yes, sitting there in the black and white dress the same outfit right down to the handbag That you wore on the night you killed Floyd Durant Foreman of the jury that should be trying you We stand eight for conviction for for acquittal. We will have to talk it out further Yes, Tina you have to talk it out further Until the other 11 members of the jury join you in a unanimous vote for guilty Mrs. Crane, I still don't see why if it was premeditated. She would use a scissors I should a woman's weapon. I thought of that too, Mrs. Adamson Hey, you don't believe then that there's anything to her claim about a mystery woman none at all I think that's the weakest argument they presented. I agree with Mrs. Crane. That's just a trick, right? They're not giving us credit for good sense All right, all right ladies. I agree with you. I'll change my vote very good. Mr. Knowles then We're all agreed. Yes. Yes here, Mrs. Crane write it down write down our verdict we the jury sworn upon our oath and after careful deliberation Find the defendant Barbara Arnold guilty of murder in the first degree The whistler will return in just a moment with the strange ending to tonight's story Meantime since you're going to be passing a lot of signal service stations during your summer driving I thought you'd like to know a little more about the organization that brings you the whistler and the policies it stands for First of all signal products have always been sold only through dealer owned stations The reason signal believes that a man who has his own money invested in his own business Naturally has more incentive to serve you better Secondly because you want top quality products for your car Every signal service station is backed by an organization that serves almost 2,000 signal dealers with resources to bring you all the latest advances in petroleum science Do drivers like this combination of personal service at dealer owned signal stations plus fine quality signal products? We'll just consider the facts from a mere handful of dealers in Southern, California Signal has grown and grown until today signal stations serve six western states from Canada to Mexico For extra driving pleasure extra performance from your car Why don't you join the switch to signal the famous go farther gasoline and now back to the whistler You put it over the incident in Seattle with the late Floyd Durant is closed for good Yes, Barbara Arnold is about to be condemned for Floyd's murder Clinton will never know the truth now will he Gina all you'll have is praise for the way you conducted yourself in Serving as foreman of the jury the jury that should have been trying you As you file back into the courtroom with the other 11 members you're trembling a little But not with fear this time Gina. No It's because you're thrilled excited because everyone in the room is looking at you waiting for the verdict Ladies and gentlemen of the jury Have you reached a verdict? We have your honor. We find the defendant. Oh, Mrs. Crane as jury foreman, you will please hand the verdict to the clerk. He will read it. Oh, yes, of course At the envelope right here. I must have dropped you put it in your purse. Mrs. Crane. I watched you. Oh, yes Thank you. I don't seem to find it. We women keep so many things in our pocket books Wait a moment. Here it is. Very well, Mrs. Crane and the envelope to the clerk. Yes, your honor Thank You, Mrs. Crane clerk will read the verdict But but your honor this clerk will read the verdict, but will you please read that paper? Yes, your honor June 14th My dear Mrs. Crane Apparently you don't remember me Floyd Durant, but I remember you Jenny. I remember you very well I know when you read this you will wish I was dead That whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the whistler 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 was Betty Lou Gerson The whistler was produced by George W. Allen With story by Robert Libet and Frank Bird music by Wilbur hatch and was transmitted to our troops overseas by the armed forces radio service This is Marvin Miller speaking. This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system