 And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theatre of thrills. Suspense. Tonight, in answer to many requests, we bring back a charming fantasy about a small boy who discovered a new world and lived forever after in its enchantment. We call it the cave. So now, starring Richard Beals with Billy Chapin, here is tonight's suspense play, the cave. It's on days like this that I remember how it used to be before I found the cave. This day in particular, of course it's hard to see everything as it really was. Time has a habit of distorting the memories. Memories. Christmas. Christmas day. What a long time ago that was. I was 10 and an unpopular uncle had distinguished himself by giving me a flashlight. It was enormous. Four batteries and a most incredible gleam to its metal case. I couldn't wait to try it out. And because it was still early afternoon, I could think of only one place that was dark enough for the exciting test. The cave. The big cave, whose mouth was near the sand dunes and whose recess was rumored to be miles deep. George Fennell and I had never ventured more than 200 yards or so inside. But on that Christmas afternoon, I knew that the cool darkness of the cave would have no fears for George and me. We met near the dunes, as arranged, to compare notes on our respective Christmas presents. It was quite warm and the snow was beginning to melt in patches. A few gulls were wheezing about nearby. It was as I have remembered it all my life. Key. Listen, I'd better work like a searchlight tonight. I guess it would all right. Maybe they'll let us stay up tonight if it doesn't get too cold and we could play the pirate. I could use my new gun. I thought we might go in the cave this afternoon. Hey, that's Key. Uh-oh. Maybe they'll get sore. I had to get all dressed up today. We won't get dirty. Besides, we could go a real long way inside with this. I wouldn't want to go in too far. They say the cave goes off in a lot of tunnels. We could get lost. Maybe if you haven't got a flashlight. Sure, that's right. And with my gun... Sure, we can explore. Come on. I'll race you to the cave. I won the race and we stood at the entrance of the big cave. The arch had a span of about 25 feet. But just inside it widened until the walls were 70 feet apart and the ceiling over 15. As we passed from sunlight to shadow, I turned for a moment and looked down to the sea. At the water's edge a gull stood motionless, looking up at us. Then solemnly, as though with disapproval, it too turned about and gazed out over the water. The opening of the cave receded and became small and we went deeper and deeper. Shine it up there, Dan. Way up. Okay. Gee, I'll bet that's high. Oh, a mile, I guess. You're silly. Maybe a hundred feet. Boy, that's keen. Sounds like a real gun. It's like the cave turns down there, see? Okay, but we better not go too far. No, but, well, I've got to get back for dinner. They'll be awful sore if I'm late. You won't be late. Come on, I want to see what's around there. Okay, hold the light on my gun. I've got to reload. Fish in a stream like this. Where'd it come from? Cave sometimes. Blindfish. You're silly. What are you stopping for, George? We've got to go back now. Why? Because it's late. Right. How do you know what's tunnel we took? How? Maybe we could get... Listen, George, maybe if we kept on going, we'll find treasure in here. Treasure? Stands to reason. Maybe like in the pirate book. Somebody came here and buried treasure. Henry Morgan or somebody. No. Sure, stands to reason. Everybody's like you. They say no, but just suppose. If no one's looked, how would they know? I think we better get back. Maybe tomorrow we can look. The cave's getting awful narrow. We might even find old pirate spoons inside. You've got too much imagination. I've heard them saying so at home. I don't want to go any further. Well, I'm going to. Okay. Give me the flashlight. No. You want to go back? You go back. In the dark. I don't want to go back. You go back in the dark. They'll be mad at sleep. Well, just for a little while. If we don't find anything, we'll go back. All right. But only a little while. I'm thirsty. You better not drink out of that water. It's probably poison. Oh, why? Here, hold the light. I'm going to have a drink. I told you. Now you'll probably die. It's poison. No. No, it's soft. It's like the ocean. What? There. Coming down the stream. That white thing. Yeah. Looks like a piece of paper. I'm going to get it. Pull out of my hair. Looks like a handkerchief. That's silly. It's too small. Who use a handkerchief like that? What? My mother does. Gee. I hate to blow my nose on that. You can almost see through it. Let me get down here. Who cares? Maybe it's a message. Huh? Like from someone in distress. I'm going home. Like a damsel in distress in the pirate book. We've got to find out. Give me my flashlight. We'll follow the stream. We followed the stream. We walked by it as the cave twisted and curled. We didn't notice the passageway, which had been getting smaller all the time, suddenly widened out. And the stream which was becoming a river, and the river, the river. Where's the other side of the water? It keeps going. It's like a lake. Maybe a sea. There's a lot of waves. Dan? Huh? Turn the light around. It's a cave? There's no top to it either. It's just too hard to see. That's all. Let's go home. Let's go home right now. Oh, what are you afraid of? I'm not. But I'm hungry. And it's Christmas. And well, I've got things to play with. Come on, Dan. I want to get outside. See what you've done? You dropped it in the water. It's all your fault. I didn't want to come here anyway. How are you going to get back? It's dark. No, no, it isn't. It's not what I wanted you to see. I don't see anything. You will. We stood there, George and I, ten years old. And for a moment, no longer afraid because of the wonder of the thing. There was light from a sky. A sky I knew I had never seen before. Yet I knew I was still in the big cave because when I spoke, the echo of my voice returned. I can't find the flashlight. The water's too deep. That's funny. I'm not saying that. It's not going to be funny when you can't get home. Listen. It's just an old echo. Go on. There's no cave anymore. You're just trying to scare me. Well, come to if you want. Dan, please? I'll bet nobody's ever been in here ever. I'll bet we're the first. Except for pirates, maybe. I wish we could see more. If my mother hadn't taken our mattress away, we could find our way out. Gee, Dan, it's night. Sounds like it's over there. Don't go, Dan. Don't like this place. Go home if you want. Go any closer, Dan. Let's go home. I want to see what he's doing. No. No. Look. There's some other people. Nambi, you scurvy wretch. Look at him, Nambi. It's the place you were still there. It's true, Nambi. I'll show you what's there. You puttbelly toad. Sorry to kill you yet, Nambi. Come on, bullies, lay on. We'll exercise our appetites for the fee. You are listening to the cave. Tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, suspense. A new superhighway, a throughway, attracts the bad as well as the good, as you well know if you've driven along a superhighway recently. But it's not the speeders and reckless drivers the FBI goes after tomorrow night on CBS Radio. It's a smooth schemer and swindler who's in operation as soon as a new superhighway is announced. He's cooked up a lovely plan for getting farmers and other landowners along the proposed right-of-way to fall for his tricks. The resulting story is timely and essential. Hear it tomorrow night when the FBI in peace and war comes this way on most of these same stations. And now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage Richard Beals with Billy Chapin starring in tonight's production, The Cave. A tale well calculated to keep you in. Suspense. In that faint light from the stars of another world, the world of the big cave, George and I watched. We could only see shadows until someone lit a lantern. And then I knew I'd been right. Pirates they were, the most glorious and gaudiest pirates to sail under the Jolly Roger. The leader was a huge man with a fine, big beard and a voice like the trombone in the village band. How shall we cook him, bullies? Rial to Steve. No, Cap, no, no. Now he's too tough a morsel for that to him. I say it's roast him. He'll roast it'll be. There's nothing like roast manby I always say. Oh, no. But we've cut out his heart first and feed it to the dog. Now the lily livered aggravation say a prayer. He's going to kill him. Sounded like a boy. A boy? A boy? What happened was the lady Alicia. Bill, she'd be in the dungeon, gone fallen. Ah, that's true. He came from over there. All the lantern high, she said. Aye, Cap. They'll get us. Dan, we've got to learn. Don't be afraid. If you're not afraid, nothing can happen. Do you see anything, gone fallen? Oh, no. Save us all. It's a boy. It is two of them. Good for me. Boy. Two small boys. What shall we do with them, Cap? Hang them. Hang them, I'll say. They'll be off to the treasure. You! Merry Christmas, Namby. I should have turned you inside out. Hold your blister, bladdering joy, you. Aye, Captain, sir. Boy. Boy, what's your name? And that one? George. He's my friend, George. George Fennel. His father's a policeman. Where do you come from, boy? Greenfield. That's outside the cave. What cave? What do you do here? Whose spies be answered up now? Where be a ship? We didn't come in a ship. No ship? They're boys, Captain. What harm can they do? From its Christmas. I say feed them and send them on their way. What Christmas got to do with it? If they be spies, it's the plight. Look into this further. Meantime the goose and suckling pig should be ready. I say it's time for the feast. I'll sing over you. Be a hungry boy. Yes. And him. He's hungry, too. Then join us on a merry Christmas. For no man can say Captain Blackton lacks the Christian spirit. Am I right, Nambi? Oh, you're right, Captain. Right as I say. Ah, I'd have slit your gullet if you said me nay. Merry Christmas and break out the rumble. I remember that day that long ago. The great dining board set upon trestles, the fruits and wine, roast goose and pig, the pirates rough in their colorful patched clothing, the songs and drinking, stories, stories of home and sea. Such Christmases I dreamt of and I had dreamed it to come true. George sat next to me, eyes wide and unbelieving. After the plum pudding, we were called upon to sing a carol. As we sang, they became quiet and each sat lost with his own thoughts of sweetness and sadness. The little man Nambi, bird-like and asleep, gone-fallen, thin as a twig, a patch over one eye, the other kindly and wise, shill and the captain, tears coursing down their cheeks. These were my pirates, my own. I say, well done, a double rum for the boy. Captain, Captain, it's been a happy day with us. Let's share it with those less fortunate. Less fortunate who? We are all well met. That lady, Elysia. Nay, she be our prisoner and until rents will be paid, so she will remain. Oh, what matter if she graced our table for the evening? It's been a long time since her woman has been with us. Very well, then the prisoner here, fetch her from the dungeon. Then I thought of the fine lace handkerchief we had found in the stream. Would this prisoner, the lady Elysia, would she have sent the message of distress? And how? They brought her in and to me she looked as she should have looked the most beautiful lady in the world, gowned in silks with a pale but proud face. I fell in love with her and I was ten. As the night wore on, the pirates grew drowsy and one after another their heads drooped and soon all were asleep. Even George, sitting small in his great chair, nodded. I went to the lady Elysia's side. It was your handkerchief we found in the stream, wasn't it? Yes, I had not dared to hope. But they have you locked in the dungeon. Beyond my window is a running brook. I prayed that when I dropped the kerchief it would by some happy chance be discovered. Well, I found it all right. You are very brave to have come here. Well, how long have they kept you prisoner? Six months now. We were sailing to the Indies. Our ship was taken and I, I alone survived. Now they hold me for ransom. Oh, that's terrible. Gosh, I wish I could do something to save you. There is nothing more. I know I'm not very big but maybe I could fight them. They are too many for you. Dan, Dan, they're all asleep. Come on, we can get away now. Let's go home. Home? Sure. Our folks are going to be mad. George, we've got to save her. If you could but escape and deliver a message to my father. Sure, okay. Where does he live? London. Lord Bassonstoke. He would reward you well. Sure, but we've got to go now. I don't want to leave you. They'll be angry when they wake up. My hope will rest in you. I shall pray for your safety and return. Gee whiz, Dan, come on. You go ahead. I'll be right along. Okay, but hurry up. I'll wait by the water. Will you be all right? Yes. Suppose I come back and you're not here. I shall try to leave a message. I'm Dan. I know. When I get older, I shall marry you. You're beautiful. I'll wait for you. Now you must go before they awake. I don't want to go. You will come back to me. Here. I love you. Gee whiz, I want to get home. They'll be mad. Mother said not to be late for dinner. We've got to save Lady Alicia. Don't forget. Okay, but hurry up. I ain't a doctor. I know which way to go. I don't want to fall on a stream and get all wet. I've got my good clothes on. Who won't? I'm sorry I dropped your flashlight in. I'll save up and get you another. I don't mind. I'll bet it's awful late. I'm glad it's Christmas. Maybe they won't mind. We followed the tunnels one to the other. The stream flowed with us, urging us on. It was dark, but I knew the way. We felt along the damp walls of the cave, and at every step we moved further away from my world. Suddenly from a great distance, we saw a tiny circle of light, a dot which grew and grew until it was the size of a golden sovereign. The entrance, and it's still light out. I won't be late for dinner. And I was afraid. I was afraid because I knew that when I stepped out into that sunlight, I should never be able to find my way back again. Never. What's stopping for? Why? George, if we can run, we can make it home before the sun goes down. For peace's sakes, Dan. What's the matter with you? I'm not coming with you. I've got to go back. Go back? What do you want to do that for? I've got to. I don't want to leave her. The pirates. I want to go back. Pirates? Who? They have danced? Come on. It's only a game? Come on. You've forgotten. I knew you would. I'm not going with you. You better. I'll tell your mother. And you get it. Goodbye, George. Dare? I had turned away from George and the speck of light that was outside. His voice had followed me, plaintive and lonely. Then as I found the stream again, there was no sound but that of gentle water and my own steps. And the stream became a river and the river broadened. The walls of the cave fell away and I'd found my pirates again. It's on days like this that I remember how it used to be before I found the cave. This day in particular. Sometimes I wonder what happened to George and what it's like outside the cave. But I don't really mind. After all, the lady Lycia kept her promise and waited for me until I grew up. Now everything is as I'd always dreamed it in the books. Oh, Captain Blackton? He's still here. A little less ferocious perhaps than 20 years ago. Captain? Yes, Blackton. If you and the lady are ready, sir, the turkeys be cooked and the men wait in your pleasure. Very well, Blackton. Thank you. And a merry Christmas. Thank you, Captain. Thank you, sir. And a merry Christmas to you, sir. Suspense, in which Richard Beals with Billy Chapin starred in tonight's presentation of The Cave. Next week, we bring you one of the great mysteries of the sea, a ship found drifting in perfect condition with but no human aboard. We call it The Mystery of the Marie Celeste. That's next week on Suspense. Suspense is produced and directed by Anthony Ellis, who also wrote tonight's script. The music was composed by Rene Garagang and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. Featured in the cast were John Daener, Hans Conreed, Ben Wright, Lawrence Dobkin, Ellen Morgan, and Raymond Lawrence. Next Saturday, Christmas Eve, the whole nation is invited to the largest carol services ever held. CBS Radio is bringing you its great star, Bing Crosby, in a full hour of the beloved Christmas hymns and songs and airs from olden times. You and your family are cordially invited to gather around your own Christmas tree, as millions of other families gather around their trees and sing with this wonderful balladere. From points all over the country and the world, Bing will also bring you the Yuletide songs of special localities and foreign nations. Next Saturday, Christmas Eve, as America sings with Bing on most of the same CBS radio stations, you and your family join in. Stay tuned now for five minutes of CBS Radio News to be followed on most of these same stations by The Jack Carson Show. You'll hear America's favorite shows on the CBS Radio Network.