 Have you heard the strange tales of the whistler whistler? No, it wasn't a dream. It was too real. This is what I've been afraid of. I know you don't believe me. You you think I'm insane both of you Friday night and CBS presents the whistler No many things for I walked by night. I Know many strange tales many secrets hidden in the hearts of men and women Stepped into the shadows and so I tell you tonight the weird story of the avengers In the great southwest a range of high mountains extends as far as the eye can see This is mining country silver and gold Halfway down the mountain is a tiny village the mining town of rainbow a raucous sort of place composed of a number of stores Many saloons in the federal land office where the fortune hunters file their claims 15 years ago rainbow was a rip-roaring village and In a back room of the crystal palace bar a young man and a young woman hold an earnest conversation Tell me miss Martin. How long have you been in this town? Oh about two years came here from Kansas City And you know my brother John Maddox. I certainly do how well do you know him? Hmm. Well enough He came out here a year ago and he's been hiding out up in the mountain side ever since got a cabin up there Prospecting of course who isn't how well do you know him? Oh, he used to come into town quite often. I got acquainted with him in here First I fell for him in a big way, but he seemed to present it finally gave me the cold shoulder Well, he has a wife and a five-year-old daughter back east. That's what he said, but I didn't believe him He's a bit nutty, isn't he nutty? No, I wouldn't say nutty. He's a smart boy He's an engineer graduate of the state school of mines. He is Well, what's he doing here living like a hermit? I wonder So he gave you the cold shoulder, huh? Certainly did. Well John is an educated mineralogist He came out here to make a strike And if anyone does he should be that one Maybe he's located a vein of ore What do you have on your mind mr. Maddox? Well, I thought maybe you'd seen him visiting the assares office a little more often than usual And what if I have or the land office? Go on mr. Maddox Well, I wouldn't be interested in knowing the activities of an ordinary prospector What a graduate mining engineer like John Well, he may have a lead on something good. Yes, and I thought That is I heard you might be more or less familiar with his activities. That's right I am And maybe you'd like to come in with me What do you mean? You know where he's been working You know the area he's most interested in so if you let me know I'll beat him to it We'll split split. That's right How about it? Sure. Why not? You know, I think I'm going to like you mr. Maddox Frank is the name All right, Frank This is it He has found a spot It didn't mean much to me until now But he's been working on the same location for a week or more. I'm sure he's hit something Good. That's all I wanted to know. I'll just drop in and surprise him See you later, mother. See you later partner And so that night John Maddox is working on some maps and papers The meager lamb throws a dim light about the room For an hour he sits at the table and suddenly the silence is shattered by a sound from the kitchen Who's there come out of there come on What are you doing here? What do you want nothing? How long have you been in that kitchen? Why so you're the little thief that's been stealing my things, huh? What are you after this time? Nothing. I know who you are you're tony watson So what just this you're the one who pinced my camera my binoculars. Yes and several other things I didn't and I am turning you over to the sheriff right now sheriff No, I didn't take him. I didn't I didn't steal anything but but what I know who did Well, you little liar you're the one and believe me you're caught on the job this time and I'll Just a minute Hey, come back here For that little devil Just a second Well, hello, john Frank that's right your brother frank himself Come in What do you want? What are you doing here? Oh just dropped in town thought I'd see how you were doing getting along all right But you might like to hear about your wife and your daughter said why you came here Your wife is very well your daughter's just five years old today I'm still wondering how you're getting along and when you're gonna send for them. I know all about that I'm going to send for them very soon. Are you all gonna live in this little shack? Certainly not there's something a lot better by the time they arrive will you? Oh didn't have a dime when you left. Yeah, thanks to you and your lies I know who's responsible for father's cutting me off with only a dollar you have you struck pay dirt here john no What are all these interesting papers and maps on the table nothing? Oh, but they must mean something get away from that table let them alone Put up your hands and stand if you touch those papers back there Uh-huh interesting, so you have struck something already to be recorded Frank if you dare I'll kill you What do you think I came here? You don't worry. I'll settle up later. I'll see you get a share My wife and my daughter Doreen they haven't have sent I've not been able to give them anything in months You can't do this do what you put those papers down Frank or I'll break your dirty neck You'd better stay where you are. Oh, no, I'll kill you first. I'll kill you You're crazy keep back keep away You crazy fool I told you I'd shoot You're the fool Frank You're the fool You won't get away with this I'll see to that You'll pay Frank. I'm not through with you yet You and every one Everything you hold dear will Will be taken away You will pay it back Frank To me and at mine if If I have to climb Out of my John Frank stands for a moment then stops the papers and maps into his pocket and rushes to the door And into the night a few seconds later a face a face at the window disappears and suddenly reappears to the back door And the boy stands looking at the inert figure on the cabin floor Serves him right. You won't tell a sheriff anything about me now 15 years have passed and now the little mining village of rainbow is a thriving city of mines and smelters And the richest mine of all is the one owned by frank maddox and frank maddox rules the city Frank is married now and has a child a girl of five The child has been ill for days and tonight as frank maddox steps to the door His wife meets him with a strange vacant stare Melba, what's happened? How was she? She's oh I love those doctors and they couldn't save it. No, they said she didn't have a chance They did their best fools. What good are they? What are they paid for? They don't even know what was wrong with her No Frank But well, whatever it was it was horrible She she died in agony specialist. I told them they could name their own price the sky was a limber Didn't seem to make any difference Poor little thing poor baby. It didn't seem to be anything serious at first It was just a week ago. She was sitting at her desk drawing pictures and then All of a sudden she started to gasp for breath and fell to the floor in spain. Yes. Yes, I know And then she lapsed into a coma Oh, Frank Frank, what was it? What? I couldn't say what is it I get my breath here drink this Frank I didn't want to tell you but I'm frightened. I've had it for several hours. It's Just like the baby the same thing The baby and now you I know what it is It's him. It's john. John your brother. Yes. I knew this was going to happen. John told me but john's dead The night the baby took sick. I saw him in a dream He told me something was going to happen to us and last night I saw him again It was grinning and laughing. He told me that Told you what he told me that he'd finally reached through to me that he'd finally made contact crazy He said tomorrow would be a sad day for me Today but it's a dream. I know I know but he he said something else He said that now his wife was dead that the sooner I made things right for this daughter to reign the better Frank That's nonsense. No, no, there must be something to it I'll find the girl. I'll get her down here. I'll try to fix things up Maybe maybe that'll stop all Frank. Please please use your head. It was a dream. I've got to find that girl I'll I'll send anthony to find her. I'll explain the whole thing to him. He can find her Why tell him about it? Well, he's my assistant. I confide in him. He'll find her very well then Tell anthony Tell him to find her and bring her here Because if you Frank Melba Melba darling, please find that girl Doreen Frank Maddox carries his stricken wife to her room and calls the doctor The next day he explains in a way to his young assistant anthony watson anthony rushes to the east to locate doreen maddox and needless to say he does Before she knows what it's all about. She's aboard the train with young anthony Didn't you even know you had an uncle frank? Oh, yes, of course, but I didn't know much about him When did your mother die doreen five years ago? She um Well, she committed suicide what became of your father Oh, he went west to prospect for gold or silver or something, but he got into trouble Someone shot him and that's all I know about it. Has your uncle frank ever offered to help you? No, not that I know of. I'll never mention it if he did He's a very rich man, you know and as I've told you very ill ill Well, he's sort of mentally ill as well as physically. Oh Doreen are you That is Well, a girl as lovely as you should be engaged or in love But I'm not you're not Really? No That's wonderful. I can't believe it. Well, it's the truth. Whether you believe it or not Oh, I believe you and Well, I'm glad to hear it and so you see doreen. I'd completely lost track of you I've wondered about you and your mother since the tragic death of your father. Mother died several years ago, uncle Yes, I should have attempted to locate you long ago Should you? Yes. Sure. My brother's child. It was my duty to look after you. See that you want for nothing But I've been getting along all right. I've not been well. Doreen. I've been quite ill lately I've been terribly upset my nerves. Perhaps you've been working too hard. No. No, it isn't that Doreen, I I'd like you to stay here make this your home And I have a check for you a little present five thousand dollars No, please uncle that isn't necessary. You must accept it. Doreen. You must I don't need it. I'll be glad to stay here with you until you're better Really, I don't know what I'd do with five thousand. I'd feel better if you accepted it and perhaps your father would Father would what? Doreen, I must tell you I've got to tell you it's it's driving me mad John is trying to kill me uncle father's been dead for years. I know I know but he died hating me Hating you? He blamed me for his having been cut off with only a dollar in our father's will But he was wrong and Now he's trying to kill me. I can't believe such a thing. I have horrible nightmares John appears to me always threatening me He came to me the night my little daughter became ill and Then after she died He came again when my wife was stricken and said that after she was gone It'll be my turn, but that's just your imagination uncle Get it out of your mind. I can't I'm afraid to go to sleep You only see him in your dreams. Yes, but each time he comes nearer closer more real or it isn't just imagination I'm afraid that one of these days I'll I'll see him when I'm not asleep and you think my being here will help matters Is that it? Yes If he knows you're here, but I'm taking care of you and have your welfare at heart perhaps Well, perhaps you'll let me alone prove to him that he judged you wrong. Yes I must make him understand. I can't go on this way. I'm a physical wreck. I'm afraid my mind will snap I understand uncle. I'll try to help you But you must try to get this off your mind Yes, yes, I'll try You better go to bed now uncle. Please take the check Very well Good night An hour passes and in spite of himself frank drops into a fretful sleep He moans and tosses about and as usual he dreams of john again Seize him comes through the wall and stand in the center of the room. You won't get away with it frank No Anthony Doreen Doreen What's happened? Doreen he He was here just now. I saw him I heard him laughing but mr. Maddox that isn't possible. I heard him. I tell you You could hear his laugh all over the house. I heard nothing uncle not a sound. I woke up. I tell you I heard him Uncle you must have been dreaming. Well, I hadn't been asleep since I left you. I've been reading. I didn't hear a sound you You didn't hear anything really. No, not a sound you anthony. I heard nothing. You were just dreaming. Oh, no, it was too real This is what I've been afraid of I know you don't believe me. You think I'm insane uncle, please Yes Maybe I am Come answer me. No. No Doreen Don't go don't go, please. But uncle there's nothing I can do. It's up to you You must convince yourself that it's all imagination Good night uncle And then the next night comes and frank dreams again the same frightful dream John appears repeats the same words and laughs in the same way Frank is wide awake now shaking with fear and all the while trying to convince himself that it's only his imagination Then the bedroom door opens suddenly Doreen steps into the room Her face is white with fear. She trembles as she moves slowly toward the bed Uncle Doreen, what is it? What's wrong? Uncle I just now I heard something what? Doreen, what did you hear? I must have been dreaming. I must have But it was so clear your father. Yes. Yes. I heard him And he was laughing and if you heard him, it must be true. He has come back Did you hear it too? Yes. Yes. He was here in this room What did he say to you? I can't remember. I was so frightened But I heard him And that last now you believe me Now you know, I'm not imagining I'm so frightened. I don't know what to think I can't stay here any longer. I've got to leave I can't stay another night. Don't worry. Please don't go not yet Promise that you'll stay just a while longer, please All right. I'll try I'll stay Then comes the next night another dreadful night of horror Frank tries his best to control his mounting fear as evening passes and midnight comes He fights sleep the sleep that brings him nothing but horrifying dreams in the voice of john But finally he can hold out no longer And his eyes close A half hour goes by then Tell me I'll do it. I'll do anything Too much. Your wife is dying. Come on. Please. I'll do anything. Yes. I'll do it Oh, no, I can't you you can and you will They'll hang me they won't hang you. No, it's for right to will and the confession. Yes, but I'm afraid that they won't hang that I will you're conscious there. There it is now. Please leave me alone, Frank Please please late Frank. You're going back with me It's left now. It's starting Your head is beginning to whirl strain sounds beating your ears Faster faster. Do you hear? Yes. Yes. Please don't John Five seconds There it is You're dying Frank. This is the end the end of Frank Maddox I'm screaming Anthony. I think he's Feel his pulse not a trace. Anthony Is he I don't know He's had a stroke. I think I'll call the doctor. Yes. I'll have to go after him. His car is out of order. Come on It may be too late for the doctor, but we'd better get him anyway Use this phone and tell him I'll be there in a few minutes In here doctor. What happened to him? I think he had a stroke. Hmm a stroke, eh? Well He heard him screaming and when we got here he was unconscious Well, he's dead But he didn't have a stroke what you can see for yourself. He's been stabbed in the heart You don't need me You want the police Say missus. You heard your uncle screaming. I did what did it seem to be a scream of pain? No, no, I couldn't make out what it was, but it sounded as though he was horribly frightened It seemed as though he was Pleading with someone did you hear him Anthony? Yes, it sounded just as Doreen said as though someone or something Were after him. What do you mean by something? Well, I just used that as a form of expression And when you reached him he was on the floor unconscious. That's right. Was he dead? We didn't know I couldn't find any pulse, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything That's why I went for the doctor and you didn't notice the knife wound in his chest. No, did you see it miss? No, it may have been there, but I didn't notice it. Are you sure he didn't have a stroke doctor positive He may have had a collapse fainted, but there was no stroke He died from this stab in the heart. What sort of instrument would you say was used? Well, I'd say a long thin knife about a half inch wide like a letter opener. Yes Sort of a stiletto doctor had you been treating mr. Maddox lately for any particular ailment? Well, I've been attending him frequently of late. What was troubling him. I don't know. You don't know Are you sure? Well, I couldn't find any definite physical trouble But he was becoming terribly run down seemed to get worse each day He couldn't eat nor sleep extremely nervous hypertension I gave him sedatives and tonics, but they seemed to do no good So I finally came to the conclusion that it was mental metal. What do you mean? I think he developed some sort of phobia a fear what I was never able to determine In time it would have resulted in insanity and finally death Or perhaps a stroke and death But in this case it was not a stroke. You've been attending his wife. Yes. What is her ailment? Carcinoma, but she doesn't know it There's nothing more I can do for her except to alleviate the pain Miss Maddox from the tone of your uncle screams Would you say that there was some person in the room with him at the time? Yes And no yes and no, what does that mean? I mean he may have thought someone was here with him may have thought someone was with him Yes, that is well from all appearances. There was someone with him for someone who stabbed him Anthony was miss Maddox in this room when you came in No, he met in the hall and came in together and neither of you saw the knife wound. I'm sure I didn't Doreen you just said that he may have thought someone was here in this room What do you mean? He was afraid of afraid of what afraid of who afraid of My father what why your father's been dead 15 years? Yes, yes, but that's just it I may as well tell you He was afraid my father was trying to kill him. That's what was wrong with him. Why he couldn't sleep Oh By now it's spooked. No. No. He said that father appeared to him every night and threatened him threatened him Well, all right. So we threatened him. Why he said father hated him That father thought uncle frank had caused him to lose his inheritance Well, doctor, do you think that's what was wrong with frank could have been quite possible All right, I'll grant you that but no spook produced that knife wound Doreen do you believe that your father lost his inheritance because of your uncle? No, no, I do not are you sure I'm sure father did not lose his father the estate because of uncle frank. Are you sure could you prove that? No, no, I couldn't if I never heard father mention it. I never heard him accuse uncle frank What brought you here my uncle sent for me. Why because he was afraid of my father He thought my being here might help matters. That's right captain. He sent me for doreen I located her and brought her here. Oh Me oh my this gets worse and worse You know all about it too. Did you yes, mr. Maddox confided in me He had the idea that if doreen were brought here and he showed good intentions toward her that john would leave him alone Poor john. What a busy guy. It isn't funny. You said it frank maddox has been murdered and it wasn't a spook I know who did it and I know why What are you talking about frank maddox didn't send for her She came here of her own accord and for a definite reason. She did not I brought her here You're lying you're trying to cover up for it. I am not because you're in love with her anybody can see that What if I am in love with him that doesn't have anything to do with this frank maddox sent me for her He did not she knew that frank was the cause of her father losing his inheritance So she came here to kill him and she did it doesn't make sense Why would she kill him? What would she gain by that ever hear of revenge if it hadn't been for frank her father would have been wealthy And so would she but she didn't know about her father's accusations until frank maddox told her himself Then you would admit that she does know about it now I knew nothing about it until uncle frank told me But I still think father was wrong whether you knew about it before you came here or learned after you got here What's the difference? It's a motive you stabbed him you left the room and then you met anthony in the hall You're stuck miss maddox and you're having a chance Wait Wait a minute. Mrs. Maddox don't come in here. Why not? Why shouldn't I come in here? You shouldn't get up you well you should I know I know all about it I know what's happened I've heard every word you're you're very ill. Mrs. Maddox. I know I heard you And now I know what's wrong with me I know what carcinoma is doctor. Please go back to bed. No No, not just yet. I Well, this girl doreen you're wrong. She's innocent She had nothing to do with it. That is not directly. What are you mean, mrs. Maddox? She didn't kill frank I did you she's perfectly innocent Frank did send for her. He was afraid of john. He dreamed about him every night He did think john was trying to reach him from from the grave trying to kill him It was his imagination. I know but he really believed it and he had a good reason to believe it What reason I've heard frank moaning and yelling for weeks and weeks I heard him tonight I came in here and found him on the floor He'd made a will this paper Leaving everything to doreen and explaining why Oh Sit down melba Yes, well He came out of his faint and I found this will I went wild when I saw it He tried to get it away from me. He said it had to be that way We struggled for it and I took the paper knife and stabbed him I went back to my room, but I've been standing outside the door I heard everything Particularly what you said about me doctor So what does it matter? This girl is innocent. What is this paper? Let's see it. I'll tell you what it says It leaves everything frank has to doreen and the reason why Frank killed john what yes It was all my fault I knew john had made a strike and I told frank about it Frank went to john's cabin and killed him took the maps and the papers and filed an acclaim I was the one responsible for everything But it all rightfully belongs to doreen and now Well now that I've heard the doctor's sentence What does it matter? Well doreen that was lucky for you lucky that melba was standing outside the door and heard the doctor But oh what I know about you doreen you and anthony anthony did bring you down here But on the way he fell madly in love with you He told you about your uncle's fears and so between the two of you you decided to make his dreams more than real anthony arranged a little radio speaker in uncle frank's room Yes, it was anthony who spoke to frank not john's voice from the grave anthony milley amplified frank's dreams. Yes You and anthony plan to work on frank psychologically in order to get that will and the confession But how did anthony know the exact words to use the words john used when he was dying that night in the cabin Why because anthony was the little boy john caught in his cabin that night The boy who heard every word said between frank and john the smart little boy who saw it all CBS has presented the whistler Original music for this production was composed and conducted by wilbur hatch The whistler is written and directed by j donnell wilson and originates from columbia square in hollywood Next week same time I the whistler will return to tell you another unusual tale Good night. This is cbs the columbia broadcasting system