 And now, tonight's presentation of Radio's Outstanding Theatre of Thrill's Suspense. Tonight, the story of a man who knows that he will be caught for a crime that he has not yet committed. We call it Sight Unseen. So now, starring Mr. Terence DiMarni, here is tonight's suspense play, Sight Unseen. I don't agree with you, Wheeling. I simply don't agree at all. But such a crime, as you describe, would be premeditated. The trouble with you, Solicitor Chaps, is you're always looking for a way out. Oh, it's all very well for you. Your job is easy. You think so, eh? Well, it's open and closed. Scotland Yard, you bring the man in, the crown takes over from there. It's either guilty or not guilty. As simple as that. I think so. Well, it isn't. Never has been. Oh, very well, you know what I mean by comparison. Comparison to what? You say, I bring a man in and you take over from there. Either he's guilty or not, right? That's about it. Supposing the yard makes the initial mistake and the King Solicitor carries it through from there. You mean an innocent man and judge guilty? Come now, Wheeling, how often does that happen? I mean, really... You put a good deal of stock in circumstantial evidence, I should imagine. Depending upon its implications, yes. Especially when there's not much else to go by. Don't you? Well, I can give you an interesting example of that, if you like. Oh, really? As it was about 29 years ago, 1926. I was a sergeant then. In this particular case, I was familiar with most of the facts and the rest were filled in by my friend. His name was Colin Ferigut. He was a journalist on The Times. He wrote me a letter. Some of what was in that letter I already knew. The rest? Well, this was it. And Sir Richard, it began the day before yesterday. That was Wednesday at about 5.30. I had a sandwich after leaving the office and decided that I'd sit in the park for an hour or so. Nurses, hiring home with dirty-faced youngsters. You had the whole place almost yourself. The sounds are pleasing, perhaps contented as the word. Somewhere along the path, I heard the walls ice cream man. Funny how insignificant details impress themselves on you. I found a bench near the pond and sat down with the evening paper. A few minutes have gone by when I felt it. So very slight at first, the way you feel when someone's staring at you. To me, it's the greatest irritant I know. When I looked up, there was no one about, no one except two men a hundred yards away, sitting on the grass. They were taking no notice of me at all. They wore ordinary clothes and bowler hats. Very ordinary looking, but they weren't sitting on newspaper. It had no meaning unaccountably. I knew that the evening was spoiled. It was very foolish. I know I was upset because two men in business suits wearing bowler hats were sitting on the grass without newspaper to protect them from the dampness. Angrily, I resumed the article I was reading. I read slowly. Then I was at the bottom of the page and below that, on the pathway before me, were four black shoes. Mr. Farragut. Yes, how'd you know? I'm sorry, we can't answer any questions now. Please come with us. Why? What the devil are you? Don't make it difficult for us, Mr. Farragut. Just come along quietly. What do you mean by giving me orders? You were a fellow sitting over there on the grass, weren't you? I thought that was something funny. Come along, Mr. Farragut. I will not. Oh, you must be two of Sergeant Ealing's men. This is his idea of a joke. No, Mr. Farragut, we're not Ealing's men. No more questions now. Will you come with us, please? You must be mad. You realize that all I have to do is to call for help. Yes, we know that. It'll be so much better if you don't. Who are you? What do you want? You'll find out later. Are you ready, Mr. Farragut? I am not. This is ridiculous. No, Mr. Farragut, it isn't. You'll come. Sooner or later, you'll come. Good evening. Who are you? He had just a moment. I couldn't mind you. But the path twisted away from the pond and became lost in the tangle of strawberries. When I looked, they were out of sight. Later that evening, Richard, you'll remember I met you. We had one or two pints in the bar near the yard before you went back on duty. I told you, buddy. Oh, very odd. I thought it was some of your doings, Richard. I was sure of it. No, it's not me, old boy. You weren't able to follow them, were you? No, as a matter of fact, I was convinced you'd put them up to it. It is rather odd. Could be one of the champs having a bit of fun with you. I'll find out. You'd never seen them before. Never. I know most of the playing clothes men. Yes. Well, if they turn up again, let me know, won't you? I shall. I left soon afterwards using some sort of flimsy excuse. Not that you'd have disapproved of her, Richard, but after all, a man's taste for women is his own affair. And Ellen suited me comfortably. She was a pretty little thing, rather common, I suppose, one would say, but I liked her. When I finally arrived, she worked in a little restaurant in Notting Hill. Ellen was quite annoyed. I'd kept her waiting ten minutes. Well, about time, I must say. I'm terribly sorry, Ellen. I was held up at the office. Oh, well, Mr. Iron Mighty, it might interest you to know that Mr. Wimper himself asked me for a date tonight, and I really don't know why I waited at all. I mean, that little weasel chap asked you. Oh, well, Ellen. Don't you talk that way about Mr. Wimper. He's very sweet to me. Besides, he pays my wages. He's more than you do. Now, Ellen, I've said I'm sorry. Where would you like to get an idea? Well, all right, Collin. You're forgiven. Now, what about the palace? They've got a wonderful band there, and we could dance. The palace? Do you have anyone who I thought perhaps... Oh, well, I must say. That's your attitude. Of course, Ellen, the palace it is. We went to the palace, Richard. I don't have to tell you about the place. A five-piece band playing what I think is known as Dixieland Music. An American importation, it was noisy, and I had a splitting headache. Oh, and where'd you learn? At Miss Fathering's case, I think. Oh, go on. You're pulling my leg. No, really. I was a good bit younger than a pulse. Oh, aren't you glad we came now? Well, yes. A bit gaudy, though. Oh, come off it, Mr. Stick in the mud. Cheer up! I really thought, Richard, that I might begin to enjoy myself, even in this place, when Ellen saw somebody in the crowd. She pulled away from me. Oh, Mr. Wimper. A ferally nasty lot. I'd only met him once. I didn't like him at all. It's Mr. Wimper, Collin. Isn't that funny? He was a typical cockney sparrow. Shifty eyes, talk too fast, and too much. I've no patience for that kind. No patience at all. He came over, hauling a seedy-looking girl with him. I never did catch her, ma'am. Not that it mattered. Ellen chatted away. I wasn't nervously, either. Oh, nice. And what a surprise. I never expected to see you here, Mr. Wimper. Oh, this is Mr. Farragut. I told you about him. He's a journalist. Oh, now, you must come over and sit at our table. We're having such a lovely time, aren't we, Collin? So that was her game. Now I understood why she wanted to come to the palace. Well, I'd have it out with her later. After all, Richard knew my mug's been made of food. I wasn't terribly serious about it, but, well, you know. Well, the seedy girl excused herself and went off with a friend. Poor Mr. Wimper. It was really not nice at all. How was it, Collin? I mean, leaving poor Mr. Wimper all alone. Perhaps Mr. Farragut could allow me the pleasure of doing this dance with you early and soon as I... Oh, Mr. Wimper, I don't know what to say after all that. Collin? Mr. Wimper wants to dance. Oh. Is that all you got to say? It's nice manners for a gentleman, I must say. I'm sorry, of course. Mr. Wimper? Thanks, Farragut. I'll do this up to not for you one day. I could have smacked her nasty little face. And I laughed myself at you. I didn't really care, but a man's pride in all that. Actually, it was all horribly dull, and I heartily wished myself a thousand miles from there. Away from Ellyn, the flat-stale beer, away from the palace. Suddenly I felt grimy and went to the washroom. It was next to the bar entrance and waiters scurried back and forth with trays of glasses, empty and full. The water on my face felt cool, clean. What am I going to do, Joe? I don't know. Have you got a couple of bottles? Yes, but... I'll pay you back tomorrow. How was I to know she could pack it away like that? Well, that's a trouble with you. You always picked the ones with all her legs. But I know it. Here. Five bobs, that's all. You're a chum. Ain't she a smasher, though, eh? She's young to be a nun. Five bobbles last long, you know what we've heard? A couple of lads worrying about their palace conquests. I felt better until, looking in the crack mirror, I saw the face just tauted and pale over my shoulder. Good evening, Mr. Farragut. You again. That's right, Mr. Farragut. We had a hard time finding you tonight. Will you come along now? I've had enough of this. Get out of my way. No use, Mr. Farragut. There's another of us outside. Didn't you notice the waiter? No, yes, I... We have to be so careful with you. What's the game, eh? Come on, what? No, no, Mr. Farragut. It'll be easier this way. No fuss, no excitement. You ready? I'm bloody well not. Get out of my way. No use, you know. You can't get away. No, I can't. I guess you wait. Mr. Farragut, no. Don't go out there. Mr. Farragut, stop him. There he goes. Here you go. Wait a minute. Now you're down. There you go. Hold him. Don't let him get away. Come with me. Yeah, what do you think you're doing? Help! That's right. Help! No, no. Let me go. I've got it now. Listening to Sight Unseen, tonight's presentation in Radio's Outstanding Theater of Thrill's Suspense. How much is a human life worth? In the last year, the American Cancer Society could grant only two out of every $3 requested by cancer research scientists. This year, let's make sure that cancer research has the funds it needs. Mail your contribution to cancer care of your local post office. And now, we bring back to our Hollywood sound stage Mr. Terrence Damarney, starring in tonight's production of Sight Unseen, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. When I came to, for a moment, I didn't remember what had happened. Then I saw a face hovering over me. It was you, Richard. Well, you gave us quite a turn. Did you catch them, Richard? Did you? No, no, no. Customer McKinnis brought you in. The fellow who hit you had gone. Gone? Do you realize, my boy, that but for me, you would have been charged? I? I would have been charged. Assault. But, oh, look here, Richard. That man who hit me, the waiter, they were the ones I told you about earlier. Are you sure? Of course I am. Hmm. What about the waiter? Did McKinnis speak to him? No, he'd gone, too, before anyone thought to ask for him. You see? Can you, can you give me a description of the two men? Of course. Good. We'll need it. The waiter had only started work at the palace tonight. He hopped it after you went down. We'll have the devil's time tracing him, but it's worth a try. I'll call McKinnis in, and we'll get the details. I gave you, as good a description as I possibly could, Richard. It was not much, because as I told you, they were both so ordinary. You offered to have a car take me home, but I said I wanted to walk to clear my head. Outside it was drizzling a bit. The lamp at the corner looked pale and lonely on the dark, white street as I passed it. I started to walk home. And I thought of Ellen. She may have seen what happened. She might be able to give me a better description of the two men. I had to find out, you understand. As a newspaper man, I was furious. As Colin Farragut, I was afraid. It's me, Colin. Let me in. Oh, Farragut. Please, Ellen, I must talk to you. No, I have to go to work tomorrow. Ellen, I'm terribly sorry about tonight, but I must speak to you. It's so important. Go away. You'll wake everyone. I'll break the door down. Wait a minute. Mr. Farragut, what do you mean by calling it such an hour? You are a wicked man. Let me come in, Ellen, please. Well, I shouldn't, but, well, all right, but hurry. Ooh, a nice thing I must say. I mean me negligee of receiving you at this hour. Whatever would Mrs. Brown think. And what was that all about at the palace, I should like to know? That's what I want to explain. Well, I should hope so. You'd think a gentleman would stay sober enough to escort a young lady home. I don't imagine that you had too much trouble. Oh, Mr. Wimper was most obliging. Oh, Ellen, don't quarrel. Well, I like that. It's my fault. What I want to ask you is, did you see everything that happened last night? No. As soon as it started, Mr. Wimper took me away. He said it wasn't safe. Besides, the police would come and a nice girl like me shouldn't get involved. Oh, Mr. Wimper seems to think of everything. He's very sweet, and I shall probably go out with him again. You might as well have done so tonight. You knew he was going to be there, didn't you? Well, if I did... I see. You're a nice chap, Colin, but you're too serious, and I like fun. It happened who he had fun? Yes, but, well, you know what I mean. You're so serious. Does that mean that you don't want to see me anymore, Ellen? Oh, I don't mind now and again. But Mr. Wimper can do more for you. Is that it? Oh, so you're going to be nasty, eh? I used to think that I meant more to you than just a passing fancy. Oh, you did, did you? Well, a girl looks out for herself, Mr. Farragut. What do you think I am? I should like to know. After tonight, my dear, I think that what you are has been quite definitely established. You... You... You hit me. You... You come here. Don't you lay a finger on me. I'll scream. So help me. I'll... Well, Mr. Wimper, kiss you like that. Will he? Will he? Oh, you're... you're hurting me. You need to be hurt. When I got home, Richard, I went right to sleep. And the next morning, it was bright and sunny again. I called you at the yard from my office to see if you had any information, but you were out. And so, at luncheon, I went over to Wimper's restaurant. In a way, I suppose, I wanted to gloat over the stupid little man. Good morning, sir. Oh, Mr. Farragut. Good morning, Mr. Wimper. I came to thank you for taking Ellen home last night. Oh? How did you know that I took Ellen home last night? Ellen, tell me. Last night. I see. By the way, Mr. Farragut, there were two blokes in here this morning looking for you. Two? Two. That's right. How... Did you notice how they were dressed? Oh, I don't know. Didn't leave any name. Quite ordinary, you might say. Dark suits. Bolaettes. Dark suits. Bolaettes. They... They asked for me my name. Of course. Very polite like. Mr. Farragut, been here? How long ago? About an hour or so. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Wimper. Yeah. What about Ellen? What about her? Somehow, Richard, I got home at every corner I was terrified. I didn't dare to take a bus or taxi. At least on the street, I stood a chance. When my door closed behind me, I was tired. So tired. Inside my flat, nothing had been disturbed. They hadn't been there yet. But it was only a matter of time now. In case they did come and I knew they would, I wanted you to know everything at least as much as I did. I sat down at my desk and began to write. Now that I think of it, I was fooled not to telephone you from a boo with... I'm... I'm afraid to go outside again. The tenant downstairs should be home soon, perhaps. Richard. Someone... Someone is there. Outside. I... I looked out of the window. Two men, Richard. I can't see them very well, but they're wearing dark suits and bowler hats. Very ordinary, Richard, but I'm afraid of them. Afraid that when they say, come along, Mr. Fetigate, I'll go with them. I'm afraid. They've got in now. I can hear them. Coming upstairs, Richard. Up the stairs. I can't hear now. The carpet on the landing. In the moment. In the moment. That's all there was in the letter. What happened, dealing? When we got there, it was too late. There was no one there but Fetigate. He wouldn't let us in, so we broke down the door. I don't follow. He tried to run. He fell down the staircase and broke his neck. He was dead before I could reach him. Well, there was men. We were the men. Well, the others in the park, in the washroom. His imagination? Oh, look here now. What about the waiter at the palace? There was a waiter all right. We found him. He had a record, and when the police whistles began to blow, he ran. A matter of reflex action. Poor devil had just started to work. Told us about this chap coming out of the restroom, shouting like a madman and knocking into him. We never did find the chap who hit Fetigate. But you said Wimper had seen them at the restaurant. The two men in the bowler were looking for him. Wimper had seen me. McKinnis was the other man with me. We were in plain clothes and happened to be wearing bowlers. But the girl, now surely she... There were a few omissions in Fetigate's letter. We pieced them together later. Obviously, those two men he insisted were following him were nothing but distortions due to his sick mind. Projections, the psychologists call them. They were his subconscious reacting against a crime he was bound to commit. What crime? Understand, I had been looking for Fetigate since early that morning. He was not very careful. You see, the night of the Palace of Fair, after he left me, he went to the girl's house and cut her throat. What price circumstantial evidence? Are you with us? Suspense. In which Mr. Clarence Domani starred in tonight's presentation of Sight Unseen. Be sure to listen next week to... Suspense. Suspense is produced and directed by Anthony Alice, who wrote tonight's script. The music was composed by Lucian Morrowick and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. Featured in the cast were Betty Harford, John Doddsworth, Richard Peel, John Irving, Richard Ahern, Charlie Lung, Eric Snowden, and Ray Lawrence. Thursday nights, The Whistler brings mystery on the CBS Radio Network.