 And now, a matter of execution. A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. Burton. I swear, Wharton, I thought you'd never get here. Burton. Burton, your lawyer just phoned from the governor's mansion. All right, he phoned. What did he say? I'm sorry, Burton. So I was lost. Really lost. Three hours, I'm going to die. I'm going to die for a crime I never committed. Burton, please. I'm afraid, Wharton. Wharton, I'm so afraid. I've been living this nightmare for a year. The accusation, the arrest, the trial, the conviction. I couldn't believe any of it was happening. I kept telling myself that sooner or later they'd find out the truth. Believe me. First I was confused, then I was horrified. Then I think I was numb. Then I was hopeful. I told myself that such a mistake couldn't happen. You understand, I had to tell myself that. So I was hopeful. And now, now Wharton, I'm just plain scared. Wharton, I'm scared. Evening, Mr. Clay. Evening, Bobby. What can I do for you? Quarter of ice cream, Mr. Clay. I know a vanilla for your mother, chocolate for your father, and... Grovery for me. Right. See, I remember. And charge it to your mother's account. Yes, sir. It's warm this evening. You mind opening the front door, Bobby? A little fresh air would be nice right now. Sure, Mr. Clay. That smells nice, Mr. Clay. It doesn't that. A sprinkler just came through this street and wetted down. And I'll just let me enter the charge, Bobby. And there. And here's your quarter mixed. No, no, no. Stay where you are, Bobby. I'll bring it to you. Just as soon feel the fresh air on my face. Here you are. Thanks, Mr. Clay. You're welcome. Street looks pretty, doesn't it? All wet and shiny. Mr. Clay, look at that car. It's sliding all over the street. It's out of control. It's heading right to the lamp pole. It's flying free. The driver. He was thrown right out of the car. Come on. Oh, Mr. Clay. He's so still. Is he dead? I don't know. If he isn't, it's a miracle. Well, now you wait here, Bobby. I'll phone in a report. Get help on the ambulance. Mr. Mr. Open them. What? What happened? You scared it. Hit the lamp pole. Oh. Oh. Kid. I'm hurt. I'm hurt bad. Yes, sir. But help's coming. Mr. Clay wants to phone to the ambulance. Listen. Are we all alone? Yes, sir. Oh, I'm a weak kid. Oh, I'm all for weak. I'm afraid I can't make it. I'm going to die. No, Mr. No. Kid, come here. I'm closer. I got to tell somebody before it's too late. Oh, I mustn't black out before I come here closer. Yes, sir. Listen. You. Tell the police. I confess. Listen. There's a man named Burton. He's going to hang tonight. He's innocent. Remember this kid? Burton's innocent. I killed that pawnbroker. Tell them. It's a gun I used. It's hidden. It's hidden under the back. Mr. Clay, listen. A terrible thing is happening. Terrible. And there isn't much time. An innocent man is going to die. An innocent man, Mr. Clay. He didn't do anything. I'm afraid you're right, Bobby. Poor man couldn't know the street was wet. No, sir. That isn't what I meant. Another man. An innocent man. Bobby, this man was alone in the car in the street. Was absolutely empty. Now, you're a confused son. Mr. Clay, let me tell you what happened. You don't have to tell me, Bobby. I saw the whole thing with my own eyes. Please, now. I'm too upset to... There's the police car. Bobby, I really think you should go home. This is no place for... Mr. Clay, this is important. You've got to listen. There's this gray officer over here. I saw the whole thing. He's skidded. Dear, terrible thing, officer. Terrible. Yeah, see what you mean. Anyone else, sir? Nobody. Nobody else involved. Driving alone. You hit the wet street. You see, he's skidded and crashed right into that... Officer, I've got to tell you something. A man's going to die for nothing. All right, take it easy, son. We'll do all we can for him. All right, everybody. Everybody, stand way back, please. Make plenty of room. You too, sonny. But I've got to tell you something. You've got to listen. Not now, sonny. Step way back, kid. In fact, go home. All right. Clear the way. Let that air minister through. You, kid. I said, go home. Right here, Doc. Right here. Throwing right out of the car when he hit the lamppost. All right, Mr. Clay, you want to give me the details? Of course. All took just a couple of seconds. I was standing right there in the doorway of my store. And all of a sudden, this car turns into Maple Street. Going a little fast, maybe. Please, Mr. Clay, let me tell the officer what I know. Now, how fast would you say, Mr. Clay? Oh, 40, 45, maybe. A minute I saw him starting to the skid, I said to myself... Honest, this man doesn't wake up. Nobody'll know. I'm sure, Mr. Clay, there was no other car in the street. Positive. Officer, Mr. Clay. Unconscious when you got to him, I guess. Oh, cold. I thought he was dead. Close to dead right now. Well, I guess that's about it. Officer! All right. Get back, everybody. Make room with the ambulance. Get out. Hey, call in and tell them to hurry that show car. Please, listen! Son, I told you we're busy. Haven't got time for kids now. Be a good boy. Go home. Yes, Mama. Mama, I got to tell you something. You certainly do like why you're so late. Do you know how long you've been? I was just beginning to worry. Yes, Mama, but I couldn't help it this time. Listen, Mama, something happened. You realize it's almost eight o'clock? Yes, Mama, that's just it. It'll be too late. Bobby, the ice cream is leaking right through the car. And, oh, Bobby, for goodness sakes, here, give me that. Yes, Mama, but please, let me tell you what happened. You don't know what ice cream's all melting. I'll have to get into the freezer. Really, Bobby, sometimes. Mama, there was an accident. Accident? You're hurt. Darling, what happened to you? Nothing, Mama. The accident didn't happen to me, to someone else. A man. It's what I was trying to tell you. Bobby, really, you scared the wits out of me. I'm sorry, but you got to let me tell you this. You got him. Now it's important. I guess if you don't tell this wonderful story, you'll burst. And we don't want that, do we? Well, what is it you're trying to say? Gee, I thought I'd never get to tell you. You see, there's a man. He's not bad. He didn't do what they think he did. The other man. Now, wait a minute, darling. Slow down. What man are you talking about? Why was he bad? He wasn't bad. That's just it. He didn't kill anybody. He just think he did. It was the other man. Oh, just a minute, darling. That must be your Aunt Louise. I've been expecting your call. Excuse me. Hello? Mama, please. You said you'd listen. Louise? Yes. Well, did you look it up? Mama, let me tell it to you from the beginning. I understand. Just a second, Louise. Bobby, dear, don't interrupt mother when she's on the phone. Hello, Louise? Yes, just Bobby. Naturally. Right now, while I'm on the phone. Isn't that the truth? Of course, every time. Well, why should your youngster be any different? Mama, please ask Aunt Louise to hold the wife. You said you'd listen. What's that, Louise? One second, Bobby. If you keep talking while I'm on the phone, I can't hear Aunt Louise. Hello, dear. Just Bobby again. Now, what were you saying? Mama. Yes? Oh, you have the recipe right in front of you. Well, then start with the part after two heaping cups of sugar. I'm sure I'm right up to there. I'm mad. I'll die, Mama. He'll die. I'll hear, Bobby. Yes? Oh, yes. Now, I see why I made my mistake. Please, Mama, please. It'll all be my fault. I've got it now, Louise. Thanks, dear. How's Walter? Oh, no. Not again. Well, it's probably just the weather. Mama! Give him my love. Bye, dear. Now, Bobby, what was it you were telling me? It was the accident. The man was hurt so bad. He's dying, I think. And he killed somebody. But there's another man, and they'll hang the other man. But it's a mistake. He didn't kill anybody. He's innocent. But they don't know that. All right, then. What happened, really? Louise, I'm home. There's Daddy. Hi, Roy. Now, Bobby, I really have to get dinner ready. And I'm sure that if the man didn't kill anyone, nobody would want to hang him. Anyway, if it was all an accident. Wait, you didn't hear the whole thing. Well, not now, dear. Tell me your story later. Mama, there's no time. Of course there is. It just seems that way to a boy of eleven. But really, whatever it is you want to tell me, I'm sure there's plenty of time. Won't you reconsider? What? Reconsider. What we discussed. Won't you see the chaplain now? Who? The chaplain, Burton. He wants to stay with you. Oh, yes, I remember. No more than thank you very much, but tell him I'd rather not. It would help. It would make it easier. Please, believe me. It wouldn't help. Not now, not anymore. I don't want words of comfort. I don't want words. He wants you to know that he won't preach to you. He just wants you to have a friend with you now. And he is your friend, Burton. I know. Tell him I understand how he feels. But I just can't cooperate. Nobody can help me now. Well, son, no, hello for your dad. Hello, daddy. Daddy, I got to tell you something. Can I? Of course you can. Just give me a chance to wash up. Hey, you could stand and wash yourself. Come on upstairs. And you listen? Sure. First, daddy, I better tell you about this man in jail. Jail, huh? What do you know about that? He's innocent. And tonight. Yeah, well, what's for dinner? Chicken. If you don't hurry, burnt chicken. We'll hurry. Come on, Bobby. Daddy, please, listen. It's important. Sure. Sure. And I went to the bathroom with you. Quick. If somebody doesn't tell what really happened, then... What's your face, Bobby? Daddy, it's getting late. The other man told me... Oh, wash your face. Here's your towel. You see, there was an accident. Well, let me do this thing, Bobby. I have to wash it, too, you know. And the man was hurt. And he'll die before anyone knows that the man in jail didn't kill anyone. He did. The other one. Understand what I mean, daddy? Bobby, Bobby, the towel. Quick, I got soap in my eyes. Yeah, thanks. Mmm. We've got to tell him in time. I heard the man will be... Did mama get my gray suit from the cleaning? You didn't listen. I told you it was important. Bobby, where are you going? Police Department, First Precinct, Front Desk, Officer Moody. Yes, ma'am? Oh, no, ma'am. Your daughter's over 21? No, ma'am. I'm afraid there's nothing we can do about that. No, I understand, ma'am. You feel he has a shifty look. But if she wants to marry him... Oh, no, I understand, ma'am. She's shifty around the eyes. Oh, sure. Well, maybe you'll get used to it. Oh, no, never hesitate to call us. Oh, brother. Officer? Ah, now a kid. Oh, this is my day. Officer, I've got to tell you something. You've got to listen. Officer, you're the same one. The one at the accident. On Laurel Avenue. Huh? Oh, yeah, the kid. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You're haunting me. You wouldn't listen before. Please, please, you've got to listen now. You're hanging Burton tonight and he's innocent. Lieutenant Byer, big flash for you. Yes? This little boy feels you were wrong on the Burton case. Says he's innocent. Very funny. Lieutenant Byer made the Burton arrest, kid. Then I've got to tell him. Look, kid, give us a chance to do our job or arrest people who did something bad. Now go on home now. How do you like that? Six crackpots in here today. Convinced Burton is innocent. Same six we get every time on the day of an execution. But a kid is a new experience. It's that kid. He threw a stone through the window. Get him back in here. I did it. You can arrest me. And then will you listen to me? Of all the... You realize what you just did. You don't look like the kind of boy who does a thing like that. What's the idea? Well, I have to make you listen. Yes, I guess you did. All right, I'll listen. But this better be good. All right, Pat. Hospital says he's still breathing in a coma. Get me a car. I'll keep the kid with me. You're taking this seriously? I have to. This kid described what certainly sounds like a deathbed confession. I've got to check it out. It's 9.30. Burton hangs at 10. And I arrested Burton. And if the guy dies before he can speak again... Then so will Burton get that car. You're unconscious, isn't he? Yes. Will he die? Any minute. Can he wake up for a little? You see what the doctor and nurse are doing. They're trying. But you already told me. And I told you. Look, you're sure you told me everything he said. That he knew he was dying. That he confessed that he killed the pawnbroker that Burton is innocent. Is that everything? Yes, sir. That's everything. Hello, kid. He woke up. I'm Lieutenant Byer of homicide. Do you have a statement to make to the police? You brought them, kid. Yes, sir. We very little time. You realize you're dying. Yes. The statement you make to me has the sound force of a deathbed confession, so help you, God. Yes. Yes. I killed that pawnbroker. Burton is innocent. So help me, God. And the gun? The gun? What did you do with... No, you see, it's dead. I should have the proof. I should have the proof. What proof? He told you. The gun, the missing gun, it would guarantee the thing. I know where that is. What? That's the other thing he told me. The gun is under the back seat of his car. Hello. Hello, operator. This is Lieutenant Byer of the city police. This call is official. Get me Maple 1000 urgent. Hello. This is Byer homicide. Put me through to the red car. Found fast. What time is this? 10 minutes to 10. Hello. Hello. Hello, Mac. What's holding us up? Look, I said fast, emergency. So ring on another line. Only one. Then break in. You can do that. I don't care if he's talking. I don't care who he's talking to. I don't care if he's talking to eyes and how I break in. Big deal. Walsh is talking. Come on, McGillicuddy. Tell Walsh it's me. This is a must. Hello. Hello, Walsh Byer. Have a mind that this is important and immediate. Right. You have a rectotin from a Laurel Avenue crash a couple of hours ago, right? You're looking right at it now. Look under the back seat and tell me what you find. And hurry. Keep your fingers crossed, kid. Hello. You did? What caliber? 38. Perfect. Hello, operator. This is Lieutenant Byer again. Official call again. Immediately, matter of life or death. Get me the state penitentiary. Bobby, for the third time, will you forget about the window I told you the window was on me? Thanks. Forget it. You're the department's guest. And stop thanking me for driving you home. A detective your age can't be walking alone at night. Yes, sir. You know, for a boy of 11, you did quite a job tonight. You saved a man's life. You heard me talk to the warden. You won with six minutes to spare. It was pretty wonderful. So why do you still look worried? Because I never stayed out so late before. And I ran out of the house without dinner. What did my mother and father say? Well, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they were very proud when you tell them the whole story. But when I tell them, will they listen? You have been listening to A Matter of Execution, written for suspense by Harold Huber. Heard in tonight's story were Peter Laser, Ginger Jones, Sator Sotega, Martin Blaine, Bernard Brandt, Nat Polan, Sam Raskin, Bill Adams, and Harold Huber. Listen again next week when we return with After the Movies, a story of money. Money to buy a funeral. Another tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.