 Roma wines present Suspense Roma wines made in California for enjoyment throughout the world Salute your health senor Roma wines toast the world the wine for your table is Roma wine Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world Roma wine company of Fresno, California welcomes you again to this weekly half-hour of suspense Tonight from Hollywood Roma wines bring you a star mr. Herbert Marshall Mr. Marshall is with us to play in Nicholas Blake's powerful story of vengeance and retribution The beast must die But before we raise the curtain on tonight's tale of suspense Here is a message from Roma wines in Havana Cuba one gathering place of fashionable people is the charming Pan American Club a Dinner party is in progress and the Cuban host has risen to return a compliment Which has just been paid him by a guest from the United States Lifting his glass. He says thank you my friend Thank you also for telling us about the perfect climate and soil of California from which we import the supremely delightful Roma wines now we can understand how such perfection is possible such a magnificent quality as we enjoy in Roma wines You will agree it is a tremendous tribute when other countries find Roma wine so superior They import them as rare and expensive delicacies Such international esteem can only mean that Roma wines are truly magnificent in quality But remember you here in the United States can enjoy these distinguished wines at almost Unbelievably low cost for you pay no high import duties no expensive shipping costs You enjoy the unique combination which makes Roma wine so superlatively fine The combination of California's perfect soil and climate and age-old winemaking skill Plus Roma's modern quality controls for only pennies a glass Discover the delightful flavor and goodness which have made Roma wines America's largest selling wines ask for Ma Roma wines made in California for enjoyment throughout the world And now with the beast must die and with the performance of Herbert Marshall as Felix Lane Who wrote a diary of death? We again hope to keep you in suspense I'm going to kill a man. I don't know his name. I don't know where he lives. I Have no idea what he looks like But I'm going to find him and kill him Well, mr. Lane, I wrote those words if that's what you're asking inspector and I meant them apparently you did Whatever possessed you to write such a document vanity for one thing I suppose a Record for posterity of the perfect crime As you know, I am a writer by profession. I think more clearly on paper By keeping this diary. I was able to plan my murder Step-by-step but you found out that a real life murder could not be carried out so easily as the murders You wrote about in your detective novels a mr. Lane. I wouldn't go so far as to say that inspector in fact Except for the ending. I think this diary is quite the best murder story. I've ever written I'm quite the most incriminating document. I've ever known a prospective murderer to leave lying around incriminating No way I suppose in another way this diary might turn out to be my best defense Well, how do you figure that mr. Lane? Well supposing I read some parts of it allowed to you and that you decide for yourself very well, mr. Lane Far away. That was my first entry June 18th Yes, I am going to kill a man It takes great singleness of purpose to commit a murder But if ever for a moment I stray from that purpose I Have only to think of Ronnie Ronnie was my son One evening two weeks ago. He was crossing the road outside our house He had gone into the village to buy some candy For him it could have been only a paralyzing blaze of headlights around the corner a moments nightmare And then the impact turning everything to darkness forever His body was hurled into the ditch He was dead at once The motorist who killed Ronnie Did not stop The police have failed to trace him They say must have been going 50 around that blind corner for the child's body to have been thrown and injured as it was The man who drove that car He is the man I have got to find and kill June 25th. I found my first clue today My mind was on Ronnie. I was driving toward a neighboring town The hills around were green the box were hedges still damp from last night's rain translucent like giant chunks of emerald Suddenly the front wheels of my car hit into a great puddle and a sheet of water Splashed up over the front of the windshield and drenched me from the side. I Pulled up at the far side of the water splash. I got out cursing myself from my preoccupation and began mopping away at the windshield a Man leaning over a farm gate addressed me What looks like you got a proper shower bath, mister Yes, I'm in pester in the county for months repair that hole in the road People always driving into it and splashing themselves all over Funny thing of all though It was about a fortnight ago when a chap tried to use it to get a free car wash Oh really? It was my wife's birthday to be exact. I'd eat a clock We was on our way to Chelanum to see the picture show just we was coming out of the gate This chap driving one of those low slung sports jobs hits the water splash. You don't say And then this fella he says something to the girl he's driving with and what do you suppose they do? Well, they backs up and runs through the splash again, and then again. They did it four times Eight o'clock Your wife's birthday It wouldn't be June 3rd, but oh Right sure, but how'd you know? Oh? Well, you see her That is a friend of mine was rather celebrating that night and driving toward Toad seven bridge. That's where this fella and his lady friend was going I remember his lady friend says George ask the man whether you turn right or left at the next four George Yes, yes George. That's right. That's my that's my pal's name and seven bridge Yeah Yes The way he drives auto brought him by here just around eight o'clock He um, he didn't have a crumpled right front fender, did he? Well that he did If that bloke was your friend, he sure is a proper nut. Well peculiarly. Yes Yes, he is peculiar Driving through that water splash all over again and again four times. He doesn't and he wasn't laughing either Didn't seem like a joke somehow Looks like he's trying to get a free car wash Funny way. I'd say to get the mud off. Yes Maybe it was tar though. Yes Oh blood July 12th at seven bridge I've talked to any number of the town's people and I've met a number of Georges But not one of them have owned or driven a low slung sports job Not like the one I've been looking for anyway Maybe that I'll have to start all over again on some other tack July 14th, I Was returning to the Inn this afternoon when I noticed a car parked on the side of the road up ahead The girl with bright hair was working at the front wheel and a small lab beside it was doing his best to help I Pulled up a silent It was a low slung sports job. I Say, can I can I help? Well, what do you think Phil? Oh, yes, sir, please if you would lend a hand I'm afraid we're not quite heavy enough to wait this jackhandle down for another turn. Yeah, fella Let me let me have a go at it. The paint doesn't seem quite to match on the right front fender the fender Oh, that had a new fender put on a while back. It's got bummed up or something I can't tell you how awfully nice it is of you to help us out I'm not at all By the way, I wonder if you and Phil here wouldn't stop for tea with me at the Inn afterwards. It's not far, you know We're expected at home, sir. Perhaps you would come along with us What do you do, sir? Hmm? I'm a writer Phil. Oh, you really must come to see us It's Gables on Devon Road. My brother-in-law's place. The name's Rattery We'll give you a ring tomorrow and set a date. Cis will love meeting a real author and so were George Did you say your brother-in-law's name is George? July 16th, I've met him. I've spent an evening talking to him George Rattery So you're a friend of Lena's, eh? Storybook detective A writer. Easy enough to write about a dead body, but I'd like to see an author that has guts enough to look at one I have been more than a little afraid that George might turn out to be a sympathetic character That need not concern me any longer. I shall have no compunction at all about putting his light out It appears that George is the half owner of a garage down in town Man by the name of Carfex is the other partner a garage That would explain how the damaged fender got itself fixed by the police knowing How can a beast like George have a fine young son like Phil? This afternoon, I was rounding the corner of the tea house in the Rattery's garden when I heard voices It was Lena and George. I stopped in my tracks and eavesdropped shamelessly That's a neat wig you're wearing today, Lena. Is that for Felix Lane's benefit? Save your compliments for that Carfex woman. Jealous. Don't make me laugh But someday you're going to find out that business partner of yours isn't as mild as he looks I wonder what he'd say if he knew that his wife shut up, will you? And since when did you get so high and mighty? It wasn't so long ago that you yourself were glad enough if you ever open your mouth about any of that I swear I'll kill you talking big now. Aren't we miss snow white? Just try something and you'll find out Remember there are quite a few people whom I'd like to know about that poor little kid you ran down last June If it weren't for violence and Phil I'd stop that kind of talk. You know just remember you were with me that night, huh? August 5th Had a look around the Rattery Carfex garage this afternoon told George it might come in useful as material in my book All at once I heard a shot and there stood George blazing away over the plot in back with a rifle. I Went up to him Yeah, it's another one of those pests out of the way We've tried everything traps poison rat hunts. We can't keep them down that That's a nice rifle. Yeah, give it a Phil last birthday when he came back from school in Switzerland much too good for him Yeah, like to have a go at him I raised the rifle and sighted George's back was to me By shifting a few inches to the right the bullet should enter the base of the brain Who could prove that George hadn't suddenly stepped in my way my finger tightened on the trigger Say George, I can't find that new tin of rat poison Phil was spreading some out in the dump yesterday. I wonder where he put it Oh, hello there Lane. Hello, Carfex Watch out real point in that gun. We wouldn't want anything to happen to the senior partner Not very funny August 12th, I Am now a guest in the house of the man. I'm going to kill Violet Phil's mother suggested that I come and stay with them for a fortnight and help Phil in odd hours with his Latin George much to my surprise joined in heartily with the idea. I wonder why I Must watch him very closely because of what happened last night We were having coffee in the drawing room after dinner when the conversation took a most extraordinary turn They were talking about Violet's new rose bushes I suppose they'll be very nice But I come for the life of me see why you went to all that trouble. Well, the old ones weren't doing very well They were still alive weren't they mother? Oh, yes, dear, but I'm not one to keep something going when it's only half alive Oh, I'm glad you're talking about rose bushes. I should hate to think you felt that way about people course not But on the other hand, I do think if a person were incurably ill that they ought to Well, that is they ought to have the right to ask their doctor to put them out of their misery Don't you think so Felix? Oh Speaking of doctors reminds me George. Don't forget your tonic doctor said after every meal tonic Won't kill you George Felix would you really be in favor of doing away with all unfortunate? Well, I Well, what about your incurable social pest the person who makes life miserable for everyone else around him? I think a person would be justified in killing someone like that. I Do think you're all getting a little morbid. Well the kind of a person I described is no right to life Of course, that's and say I I would kill him if I could do it without running my neck into a noose Now in my book, I'm working on a very pretty murder Quite my masterpiece. I think where he's done close about it locked doors seal lips and all that Of course, he says he's writing a thriller, but we've no proof Have we I think he was sure it's the manuscript. Don't you leaner? I can't I'm sorry. I hate anyone to see an unfinished Manuscript of mine. I'm funny that way. Oh Felix, please get it and read some of it. Oh, come on Don't be a spoiler. I go get it myself and read it out loud if the blushing author is too coy Bye heaven. I'll go upstairs and get it now. You'll do nothing of the sort. I forbid it I will not have people snooping about among my manuscripts It was close After all there is no book at this diary. I must keep it well hidden in my room August 16 At last I have my plan It took a great deal of subtle taunting and persuasion, but it came off at last George is going sailing with me this afternoon and He can't swim Clowning is very painful they say in the early stages. That's good. I'm glad George's lungs bursting the top of his head shrieking with pain His hands scrabbling vainly to thrust against the giant weight of the water But if I cannot kill George today on the open sea with the wind in my favor and myself the undisputed master of the situation if I fail today Then I will know that it is not my destiny to be a murderer and I will make no further attempt on the life of George Rattery And that Inspector Brunt is the last entry in my diary But you and George did go sailing didn't you? Yes was after lunch on the same day. We walked down to the docks together George as you can imagine was rather clumsy about a boat It was only a few minutes after he clambered aboard that we were out in the main water sailing free George had his feet braced against the centerboard case and his hands grip the gun Squall was coming up that motorbodies getting pretty close, isn't it? Oh, they're depending of room George power vessels have to give way to saving vessels, you know give way How do you think about that size is gonna give away to a crate like this? What are you up to? You can't do that. If you run us into that boat you'll pull us up. I'm bloody willing I'll be a leg and do it both down. Perfect miss safe. Perfectly safe that barge didn't miss us by a yard. The same thing happened the other day when I was out with Phil He didn't lose his nerve. Oh, he didn't eh? By the way, you'd better not stand up on the boat again That's one thing that's not safe. Very well my friend I shouldn't fire any of those funny tricks you've been planning. Tricks what tricks? You know what I mean You filthy snake. I searched your room just before lunch. I found your diary Yes, I posted that pictures diary of yours after my solicitor just before we came out here Posted it mind you just before we went sailing. So you see it'll be most unfortunate for you if you let me drown Well, what's the matter? Must your lying tongue have you? I Have a good mind I hand over your diary to the police don't be silly you know perfectly well Do you want to do anything of the kind and for the very good reason that you don't want the police to haul you in on a charge of manslaughter? For killing my son you you can't prove I ran over your son Aren't you forgetting that leaner was with you last night? She was with you that night the police could get a confession out of her in no time. Why you If I ever see you again after today you slug I'll bet you into a jelly Shut up George. I guess we've both been a little too clever. It looks like a stalemate George stormed off the minute we landed I came straight here to the end. Yes, I know Perhaps it's just as well. I didn't succeed going back to writing detective stories after committing the perfect crime would be like Going back to playing with tinned soldiers after winning the battle of Waterloo You seem to be awfully sure of your alibi Well after all there's no crime in planning a murder is there providing nobody is hurt Unfortunately, somebody has been hurt. What do you mean? What are you trying to tell me George Ratry died yesterday evening of the effects of strictening poisoning George dead strictening poisoning all My planning all my high and tragic purpose The beast ends by taking his own life Poison I remember now. Yes. He used to talk about suicide quite a lot But I thought he only did it because the subject was so upsetting to his wife. I never dreamed How did he take it with his tonic? But he couldn't possibly have been suicide. Mr. Lane, but who? What else could have been it could have been murder Unfortunately, we have no evidence except this diary of yours of the bottle the tonic George Ratry died almost Instantly after taking his tonic at dinner But before the doctor arrived that bottle disappeared Well, any suspects every person closely associated with George Ratry had enough motive to murder him But you have the strongest motive after all George Ratry did kill your son Am I under arrest? Not officially as yet, but naturally I have posted a guard outside your room in the meantime Go in there. It's all Please mother I say it's no good Why couldn't you stay at home? Let him let them come in Good afternoon, Mrs. Ratry Phil Phil Phil Felix, please please. I can't stand it any longer. They're accusing Felix here of murdering my husband He had nothing to do with it. He doesn't know what she's saying. Heaven's sakes Phil will you be quiet? It was I who killed George. He treated me very badly. He was unspeakable to Phil. There was another one Oh, I can't go on. Are you trying to tell me Mrs. Ratry that you gave your husband poison? Where did you get the poison Mrs. Ratry? Well, I bought it at the chemist shop what chemist shop the one on Abbey Lane Near the corner of high towers. That's it. Mm-hmm What became of the bottle of tonic after your husband's death? I broke it. I buried it. I'm sorry, Mrs. Ratry the police have checked You didn't buy any poison at the chemist. Mother. I told you it was no good Sir mother is trying to save me. It was I sir. I killed him. What fill me don't leave him Don't believe him. He's just a foolish child. He doesn't know what it's saying go on Phil Well, you see sir, I left a note. I was running away, but mother found the note before I quite got out the door Boys get such strange ideas. He couldn't have done it. He's just a boy. You know he couldn't you see sir When they accused Felix here, I couldn't stand it any longer That's why I wrote you the note but mother found it first She said if she confessed they wouldn't do much to her the police would understand Felix make them believe me. I can prove I did it on tell you you say you can prove it now What do you mean? I have it in my pocket, sir. I've had it here ever since see here it is It's still half full. It's bad bottle of tonic. Oh, where did you get that? I took it off the buffet after the doctor said dad was dead. This is very serious Phil. You know that He's lying. He couldn't have he's just a little boy. He's all of you. I have a favorite to ask Let me talk to Phil alone for a few minutes. It won't hurt anything. I think I may be able to help solve this whole thing Phil didn't do it while it's right. Yes, but the bottle just give Phil and me 10 minutes alone Very well, we will wait outside Come here Phil, I'm a murderer Felix. You're not a murderer Phil No one could ever tell me that I left and no we've gone all over that I Killed him. He beat mother. I killed him. I know better They thought you did it Felix. I heard them talking about your diary You wanted to kill him. You said so in your diary. Maybe I did but they'd hang you Felix So that's why you wrote the note and pretended you did it Yes, I saw you in the pantry with that bottle of tonic before you went for the sale with them. You saw me Oh, I'm sorry Phil. Sorry you saw me naturally you jumped at the conclusion that I Oh poor little man Well, there's nothing for you to worry about now Phil. You mean I'm not going to hang you Felix They're not going to hang me. You won't let them do anything to you. Will you know? I won't let them do anything to me But Phil There are other things for you to think about now now that your father's gone. You are head of the house That's a man's job Phil There's a lot you've learned about courage these last few days Living takes a lot of courage This is pretty grown-up talk Phil Do you understand me? I'm trying Felix You remind me a lot of my own son. You mean the boy my father, right? That's right Phil Yes, you're a lot like him. Would he have gone sailing with us? Yes Yes, I think Ronnie would have been quite a sailor. Can we go sailing tomorrow Felix? Not tomorrow Are you going away? Yes, Phil But not as far as most people might think you sound very strange Felix. I have a note to write Got to make everything ship shape You go on out to your mother and tell them they may join me in a few minutes God, I wait no Phil go ahead now. Those are orders Skippers orders. Aye aye, sir Goodbye, son. I thought I had made the last entry in this diary But there will have to be one more This diary was kept for one purpose To make George and the police believe that I plan to kill the beast by drowning him Death was already waiting for George Rattery at home in the bottle of his tonic Where I had placed three pellets of rat poison taken by me from the garage my pan was almost perfect The only thing I didn't expect was that someone loved me enough to try to destroy the evidence I had so carefully planted in an effort to help me and even to confess to my crime in order to save my skin I know now that my life ended with the death of my son Ronnie It seems that I must have just come back to life for a few weeks to save Phil Yes, I killed George Rattery. I have no regrets. I Might have known that the matter would be taken care of fittingly It says in the Bible The beast must die But the man died also Yay, they both must die George was right about that tonic of his It is very bitter And So closes the beast must die starring Herbert Marshall tonight's tale of suspense Suspense is produced and directed by William Spear Have you discovered the age-old secret of famous chefs and lovers of fine food? Namely how good wine makes even the simplest most inexpensive meals really exciting events How Roma wines perform flavor miracles in bringing out rich new savoriness Well the next time you cook any of the red meats stews fish or poultry add a generous portion of any Roma, California Table wine delicious sautern hearty burgundy or tasty claret then put the same bottle well chilled on the table with your meal You will be amazed at the wonders Roma wine performs in bringing out all the appetizing goodness of even the simplest foods Remember Roma wines these marvelous aids to greater enjoyment of daily meals cost only pennies a glass full So any home can afford the pleasure they give to everyday living Ask for our OMA Roma wines America's largest selling wines made in California for enjoyment throughout the world This is Herbert Marshall and of the request of the United States Army. I'm addressing this to every soldier listening Volunteers are once more being accepted for immediate training by the parachute troops Paratroopers received $50 extra per month in base pay officers get $100 extra per month If you think you can qualify for the paratroops Apply to your company commander Mr. Marshall appeared through the courtesy of Metro Golden mayor produces of white cliffs of Dover Next Monday same time you will hear mr. Peter Lore with Richard Conte as stars of suspense Presented by Roma wines our OMA made in California for enjoyment throughout the world This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system