 You are about to hear a story suggested by actual events so that no innocent person shall suffer Names and places have been changed Auto light and its 96,000 dealers bring you a story from the front pages of our great metropolitan newspapers a story taken from life tonight's presentation of Suspense tonight auto light presents mr. James Mason as the greatest thief in the world Astounding case drawn from the unclosed files of Scotland yard See see come and see to see hi Papito, why are the worried look boss on your Wilcox? Well my car. She's jerky and my wife come and see that he's mad Well, maybe it's worn out spark plugs come and see the gas park block No, no, no, I mean if your car spark plugs are worn out It's liable to hop the highway like a hiccuping hippo and start sluggish as a sleepy snail But what to do son your wife get that badly behaving buggy to your nearest auto light spark plug dealer His exclusive auto light plug check indicator will show the exact condition of your spark plugs and whether they're right for your type driving If cleaning or adjustments are needed He's got all the equipment to give you the best spark plug service money can buy But what if they are worn out then your auto light spark plug dealer will install a set of standard or resistor type Ignition engineered auto light spark plugs to give you smoother performance quick starts and gas things See your auto light spark plug dealer soon because you're always right with auto life And now with the greatest thief in the world and the performance of mr. James Mason auto light hopes once again to keep you in suspense Files of criminal record office in Scotland yard contain two bulky folders One relating to the evidence against Peter Marriott the other against a criminal known only as the squire Concerning Peter Marriott, we are in possession of a number of facts Some we gain through our own investigations other through interested parties Concerning the squire we know a good deal less That for some five years he committed dual thefts amounting to half a million pounds is common knowledge That at no time until the end did we find one scrap of evidence is further stated in the file The question that the yard has not been able to satisfactorily answer is whether Peter Marriott and the squire One and the same The case is a mathematical fantasy For example, we know that Peter Marriott attended a shooting party in West riding as the guest of Sir Leslie and Lady Bandrake We know the gesture what transpired But was the squire present at that time Good shooting Marriott. Thank you, sir. Blessed if I know how you do it every time I got a shot at them Those drinking parties seem to know it's me. It's just bad luck, sir. It'll get better But they do, you know, they fly off screaming with laughter. It's all bandwidth. Come on. You tap it. Nothing to worry about Really, sir. Oh well, perhaps tomorrow. I'm for a drink. That's your arm By the way, you mean last year everything you got here kept slipping my mind anything new in London about that squire chap I don't think so sir. Not since his last hole. You've heard about him up here, too He doesn't hear about it. It's a disgrace. I've written a letter to the time Parliament should do something I understand Scotland yards up a tree I'd like the old days Catch the man give him a horse living then send him to Dartmoor. That's what we would have done. They say he's quite clever clever Tapers are making a hero of the blighter the squire Impious choir Man, not a gentleman. That's a blasted little jewelry. I don't imagine the honorable Percy Pindell considers him little Yes, that was the last one wasn't it morning to the paper 20 20,000 pounds an emerald necklace and two diamond rings This is a fool. I was told him so too a child could have opened that safe of his I'd like to see this quiet. I his game with me your different story. I can tell you I imagine that it would By the way, didn't you tell me that you used to dabble in the diamond market a few years ago, sir Nothing much this evening. I must show you one or two nice little things I bought lady Pamela in Italy. I'd love to see them, sir Two days after the shooting party so Leslie Bandridge reported that jewels a month to the sum of 8,000 pounds had been stolen from his safe It was the squire's work. No prince just the unmistakable methods that had tantalized us for five years At that time there was no more reason to suspect Peter Marriott than the other 18 guests all of whom had seen the jewels in question We know now That there was a girl in Peter Marriott's life a girl whom we felt to be a rather odd acquaintance for a man in his position Hello, Ginny. Where have you been? I thought you was coming by last week. I'm sorry. I was away with brass knobs on honestly I I brought your present You are a duck I've missed you Forgiven don't I always give us a kiss You have missed me, haven't you? Where's the present? Yeah, Peter. Oh It's lovely Thanks ever so is it real? Absolutely. You couldn't find a better Ruby anywhere. He doesn't look real take my word for it. It is Lovely you shouldn't have though must have cost a packet You're my girl, aren't you? Look You see this parcel I've got here. Will you keep this for me just for a little while? Oh What is it? Nothing important. You don't have to open it. I wouldn't As a matter of fact, it's like the the other parcel I gave you a few months ago Go on pictures. That's why You're getting trouble one of these days you will I Don't believe you. I bet those aren't pictures in there. Oh What do you really do I mean for a living? I've told you nothing very much stock exchange. I have some money Why I just wondered what made you wonder? I Think maybe you're a bit shady What an odd thought is it what makes it so odd? Why don't you ever take me nowhere? Why do you always have to meet here? Never go dancing or nothing? Isn't it nicer this way? No, it ain't you're ashamed of me because I'm not swell like you Jenny it isn't that Tell me that I want to be with you alone. Hmm What do you want me to say them? I don't know for something funny about you. Oh The man was here the other day a man Who what do you mean? Oh, so there is something Jenny Tell me about it. He was just asking about the gem what visited me last time That was you Peter. What did you say? I told him I wasn't in the habit of gassing with strangers and off it. What did he look like? Look here. I don't like the way you're talking like a ruddy copper. I don't think I'm going to tell you anything. Sorry Jenny Please go on. No, I don't feel like it. Now look I've got to know it's important 999 answer please I Think you better tell me you hit me. What did he look like? Jenny Well, he he was your eyes and maybe a little thinner with black air. How was he dressed? I don't know Alright, I suppose gray overcoat Vola, he wasn't a copper. I don't think if that's what you're worrying about two polite any name Said he was a friend of yours from abroad Said when I saw you to say something about Canada and you'd know what he's He's dead It can't be Immediately following the band bridge robbery the squire was inactive We kept an eye out for the stolen jewels, but as in the past there was no sign of them However, we learned one interesting fact that Peter Marriott had attended several parties given by victims of the squire Although it was a very slight chance and quite possibly coincidental We felt it advisable to assign a plainclothesman to watch him on September 7th, 1949 the detective made his routine report Followed suspect to larn's tea shop notting Hillgate He said at a corner table alone Five minutes later was joined by another man was unable to hear the conversation Hello, Peter Marriott Hello Sit down I don't think I'd have recognized you you've had quite a job done on your face, haven't you? Yes, well Rather like old times. Hmm. What happened? I thought you're not now my dear fellow. It's a long story. Don't worry You'll hear a buddy. How long you've been in London. Oh ages nearly six years Funny you took so long getting in touch. Isn't it? Prosperous I must say so do you I I Suppose that girl told you I'd been inquiring. Yes. Yeah, I thought it best to make sure one doesn't want to make the Speaks does one. Okay, I get to the point What do you want? Oh same dear fellow, aren't you? all right First what about my name? I thought you were dead. No harm there You know, I couldn't use my own name after I left Canada. Yes, but my dear fellow Peter Marriott or there can't be two of us, you know why not Because when I found out five years ago that you were calling yourself that I had to change my name to something else well Now I think I want my own back. You can have it. There must be more than a few Peter Marriott's in the world Definitely, but we're special you and I very special Go on. You see I've been reading a lot about you. You're quite a top Races hunt balls and all that Yes, I followed you very closely You can be a great help to me old man Great help indeed What's the game? We can do business together Just like old times. I don't think so, but I do you and I and The squad For the next month well into October Peter Marriott as a suspect became a dud He led an exemplary life and we began to feel it once again. We'd made a mistake He attended several parties and no robbery attempts followed However, it was two days after a ball given by a wealthy sportsman that our detective assigned to Marriott made his report October 28 Suspect left his flat 5 30 p.m. And walked towards tube station Followed but lost him Can it be certain whether this move was purposeful or not on his part? Is that the house? Yes, we're not going to drive up to it. Are you okay? I didn't ask you to come along, you know Yeah, I suppose you know what you're doing. You can stay here the Lights on in there seven squatters What do I say if a Bobby comes along see that switch under the dash Flick it and step on the starter the motor won't catch. You can say you're having motor trouble. All right Come on. She won't catch The ignition you bloody fool. Oh Did you get it? I don't think I went in there for a cup of tea. Do you? Of course, I got it. I did bringing you mr. James Mason with Pamela Kalino in the greatest thief in the world tonight's production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills Suspends Yes, and you will cut well Papito from the smooth salubrious and satisfying sound of that engine You must have visited your auto light spark plug dealer. He took out the worn out spark plugs and put in Auto light spark plugs now my car is happy as a turtle dog and so is my wife Why sure because those ignition engineered auto light spark plugs are the hep hearty and harmonious hustlers Designed by the same auto light engineers who build complete ignition systems for many leading makes of our finest cars Trucks and tractors for a ride sweet as a Sunday. Yes, right. You are so friends have your spark plugs checked Regularly by your neighborhood auto light spark plug dealer He's the expert on spark plug cleaning and adjustments and he'll replace worn out spark plugs with world famous Ignition engineered auto light spark plugs either standard or resistor type for smoother performance quick starts and gas savings You said it mrs. Papito you're always right with auto light And now auto light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage. Mr. James Mason in Elliot Lewis's production of the greatest thief in the world a tale well calculated to keep you in Suspends Once again the squire had struck this time to the tune of 14,000 pounds in Oriental jewels Once again the resources of Scotland yard were unable to discover one shred of evidence It was useless to bring Peter Marriott in for questioning because we had no proof of his complicity There was nothing to do but intensify our surveillance and hope that a piece of the stolen jewelry would turn up All that one of our informers would uncover something on November 26th 1949 Marriott drove down to Kent and the estate of Lord Simon Leddington Again, we had no knowledge of the conversation that took place during that visit. I say Joan Just running over to Paddock wood want to come love to hop in Headache address Too much for me last night take an aspirin you'll need it for tonight if I have one more hot-butted rum I'll die not you Peter I say daddy was furious with me this morning. Oh Why well for behaving the way I did with you. Oh He saw his kissing in the playroom said I had no right to lead you on that you were a very nice young man and deserved a better Faith his lordship was a descending man Peter mm-hmm What were you doing in the library this morning? Nothing? Why? Well, I saw you looking at the safe just like a burglar There is suspicious rubbish Probably nothing in it anyway Besides no self-respecting cracksman would touch a thing like that. It's too easy to open. I bet the squire would rank amateur He learned everything from me Do you want anything in the village might drop me at a pillowbox? I've got a couple of cards to post right I'll meet you in half an hour outside the cinema our man followed Marriott when he left Lady Joan Leddington's car in Paddock wood He posted two cards then strolled down the road to the Hotel Rackham He entered there and went into the tavern our man remained outside What are you ever said double Scott Johnny walkie-tie? All right, right here while sir Bit of pre-Christmas cheer, huh? I don't like this outside See in the mirror. I Think it's a man from the yard. I've noticed him hanging about that won't do it or What does it look like in the house the devil should I know? Give me time country a bit touchy Andrew My dear old boy in this business one can't get nerdy you ought to know that you should have stayed in London No, it's better this way. It can keep an eye on one another. Hmm. Oh Let's not buck you up double Scott sir on November 30th Marriott returned to London We had an idea that he'd contacted someone in Rackham Hotel Tavern Possibly the elusive stranger. We knew to be meeting Marriott from time to time In any event we kept a man at Paddock wood No attempt was made during the next three weeks upon Lord Leddington's house and we could do nothing but wait On December 21st It was noted that Peter Marriott visited Virginia Hibbert in Hammersmith at a late hour You really have no consideration for me at all really you haven't find time the night to come calling. I'm sorry, Jenny But I had to talk to you. Oh What's up? Please listen? I May have to go away. I May not be able to see you again. Not ever ever You're a good girl Sometimes I haven't been kind, but I've always known that I could trust you It hasn't just been making use of you. I hope not Ginny That man who came to ask you about me has he got something to do with it? Yes, I Knew him a long time ago in Canada. Oh, we worked together It was in a mining town One night there was a game a poker game. It ended in a fight My face was badly slashed and I I shot a man I ran away and a doctor did a plastic surgery job on my face. I changed my name, too The bloke who came back. Is he the one you? No, no, no The man I shot was a minor the fellow who came back was the one I worked with. I thought he'd been killed in the fight. Oh Now you see why I was afraid when you told me about him He knows about that man that I killed the dirty rot of blackmailing you a yes. That's right I'm gonna have to do something about it. The police are following me So you see I can't let this thing go on There's some money in here. I want you to take it. You don't have to do that. You've treated me all right I don't want your money. I don't want you to go away. It's for you There's a thousand pounds here. No Take your Ginny and get out of London. Go to some nice little town and get married. No, I want to be with you Take me with you. I could learn to be a lady honest. I try you are don't worry about that Dear Ginny Don't go Peter. Don't go, please. Maybe I'll come back and if I do I'll look for you truly truly Give us a kiss on the morning of December 22nd 1949 our file on Peter Marriott was still in conclusive He was a strong suspect, but there was the other man whom we knew he had seen from time to time There was now the possibility that he was the squire We expected an attempt on Lord Lettington's house and kept our detective in Paddock wood That same night on the 22nd Lord Lettington's safe was opened in a large amount of currency as well as jewelry of stolen The plain clothesman we'd left to guard the estate was later found unconscious in some bushes You were an idiot to come back to the hotel. They'll be looking for you Are you? quite a haul I like the paper best Diamonds are pretty, but there are bloody music to get rid of You won't have to worry about that anymore. Oh I'm fed up Things were all right with me before you showed up. But think how much nicer it is for me You'll be inside your help. I can do so much better business with you. It's finished. Come on now You'll do better after a drink We'll have to get away from here at least you'll have to I imagine half of Scotland yard will be here soon What about that detective? I put him out He'll live not a better nice Christmas present. I'm afraid Ah, here we are Cheers, I meant it, you know About us. No, no you didn't Because you wouldn't like people to know would you it doesn't matter. Oh, but it does What do they do to murderers in Canada? Hang them or that delightful American system Electricity you're a fool Do you think I've spent these years getting where I have to allow you to come along and mug it up? You've had it too soft Peter. You're spoiled the one who's had it soft. I could talk too You know, I have an idea that you're threatening me That's not very healthy. No, I Shouldn't try it Peter. Whatever you're thinking Turn around why I don't want to shoot you in the back There but you're going to do it Kill me turn around Don't do it. Oh boy. I have a gun too I'll count three One I was always a better shot than you remember To the last chance put down your gun three He found the body of Peter Marrett in the bedroom of the hotel rackum Patrick wood Kent He'd been shot once to the head The pistol lay by his side The jewels stolen from Lord Leddington say for on the dressing table the currency was missing however There were one or two points still left unanswered The gun was devoid of fingerprints The deceased was not wearing gloves at the time his body was discovered There was further the question of an open window and marks on the sill Scotland Yard still is not certain who went through that window an unknown assailant or the Squire Suspense Presented by auto light tonight star mr. James Mason Friends, this is hollow Wilcox again to remind you that auto light is the world's largest Independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment Auto light makes over 400 products for cars trucks tractors planes and boats in 28 plants from coast to coast These products include world famous ignition engineered Auto light spark plugs which are carried by your neighborhood auto light spark plug dealer See him soon and have worn out spark plugs replaced with ignition engineered auto light resistor type or standard type spark plugs for smoother performance quick starts and gas savings and Remember, you're always right with auto light Next week on suspense another play suggested by actual events the case for dr. Singer the story Atomic spies in the United States today how they operate how they are caught presented on Suspense is produced and directed by Elliott Lewis with music composed by Lucian Morawek and conducted by Lud Bluskin The greatest thief in the world was written for suspense by Anthony Ellis Featured in tonight's play were Pamela Kalino, Joseph Kerns, Ben Wright, Eileen Erskine, Raymond Lawrence and Ted Osborne James Mason will soon be seen in his own production Lady possessed in which he appears with Pamela Kalino Remember next week on suspense a tale. We call the case for dr. Singer By world famous auto light resistor or standard type spark plugs auto light Stable batteries auto light electrical parts at your neighborhood auto light dealers switch to auto light. Good night Do you have friends or relatives living abroad? 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