 Have you heard the strange tales of the whistler I know John Blake isn't here I know because he's disappeared. I know you're trying to keep it out of the press because you think he's been kidnapped Another Sunday night and again CBS present the whistler No many things where I walk by night. I know many strange Tales many secrets hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows And so I tell you tonight the amazing story of the penalty Young Alan Harper stands at the window of this small office since there's gloomily out over the city as the lights flicker on in the dust Alan has trouble Perhaps he should have kept his job as a private detective Perhaps he shouldn't have taken the law course Well, he hasn't had a single client since the day he passed the bar examination Better to give up and go back to the detective agency Then the door opens and the figure steps into the dimly lighted room. Oh, yes. Yes. I'm Alan Harper I Have a little business for you business. Oh, what kind of business? I want you to draw a will and Later deliver a letter for me a will. Oh, yes, of course Do you know who I am? Well, I've certainly seen you before but I just can't place you. I'm John Blake President of the Plymouth building alone. Oh, yes. Yes, of course. I've seen you picture many times. Yes, but Why have you come to me? You have a staff of the best attorneys in town. I know but because of the peculiar nature of the business at hand. I prefer an unknown a lawyer Had no previous interest in me or my affairs I see and also one who was not doing any too well Well, I'll have to admit that you picked a good example in a few moments. You'll have guessed what I have in mind You'll know why I can't have my own attorneys handle this Why not? You have no personal interest in me hopper. This is a cold business proposition And I'll make it worth your file. Yes, when I walk out of here. I want you to forget the whole thing for a few days agreed Very well, then take down what I say in outside to my daughter and eat a Blake I Leave all my property personal and real Including the painting of her mother Marcia Blake This will supersedes any and all instruments of this nature previously drawn Yes, that's all Yes I'll sign it now now Here is a better address to my brother Hillary in this city He's recently returned after 25 years in Australia Though he has written me several times lately. We've been estranged all these years Over a situation which this letter will clear up very well, Mr. Blake, but But just what no questions, Mr. Harper, please I I want you to keep the will and letter You'll know what to do with them when the time arrives. Are you I mean Mr. Blake are you afraid of being murdered? No Harper. There was a time But not now Crazy to me. Here you are young man. You're free $1,000. Oh, but that's most unusual. Why why all that? I'm paying you that much because I know you need it badly and Your need will make you keep our agreement that you'll forget all this for a few days and say nothing to anyone Your planning to commit suicide, Mr. Blake. What if I were and it's my duty to stop you What would my death matter to you people die every day commit suicide or murdered? It means nothing to you. Yes, but this is different. Mr. Harper I'm not planning to commit suicide. You're sure. Yes, I assure you So if you don't care to go through with the agreement, I'll take the money back and find someone else No No, I believe you mr. Blake I'll keep the agreement. I've got to very well. Goodbye Harper and good luck. Bye Young Alan Harper sits pondering over the strange event the will the letter He drops the role of attorney and his mind works from the angle of the detective. What a strange situation Another day has passed and toward noon and eat a Blake talks to her fiance will be Martin I'm sorry to call you out here. Will but I just had to talk to you. What is it neither? What's wrong? It's about father your father. He left the office late yesterday afternoon, but he didn't come home Well, maybe he went to his club. No, but I mean he didn't come home at all. He still hasn't come Called his club. I've called every place But we're going to be worried why well father's been acting strangely of lately. He's so morose I'm afraid Afraid of what I'm afraid something's happened to me Anita maybe Maybe he's been kidnapped kidnapped But if that had happened wouldn't someone contact us by this time maybe not have you called every place? But he might be have to go the police. No, I wanted to wait till I talk to you Have you called his brother Hillary? No, I haven't but I don't think he'd be there You know about that situation. They haven't been on good terms for years and years They've only seen each other once since uncle Hillary came back from Australia. Yes, I know He's a strange sort of person that he'll be We've only seen him once the time I went with the problem with you, but he's certainly strange. I know But perhaps that's a bit natural. What for is it that caused them to become so bitter towards each other? I really don't know father never told me. I think it had something to do with a girl. They were both in love with Did your father know Hillary was coming back to the States? Hillary wrote him several times, but father didn't answer him Is your uncle Hillary well fixed? He became wealthy in Australia What are you trying to say? Are you sure he made money over there? Of course father told me that many times Well, your father could have been misled about Hillary being well off Well, but I don't know what you mean. I think uncle Hillary is all right. I rather like him and I don't care What's the difference in word between them? Are you inferring that uncle Hillary? No, I'm not inferring anything. I'm just asking Why not call Hillary and ask him to come over here? All right, don't tell him about your father. Just just ask him to come over here as soon as possible You're all wrong about this Wilbur. I know now what you're thinking But I'm sure you're wrong. You call him in here and let him think your father is here then we talk to him Call the police Wilbur is very clever He may be right about Hillary Maybe Hillary knows something about his brother's strange disappearance But then Hillary is clever too quite clever a half hour later Hillary arrives What on earth is this all about? I'm awfully glad you could come so soon, Uncle Hillary Is John even? Oh, you remember Wilbur Martin, Uncle my fiancee. Yes. Yes, of course What's wrong with you two? Oh, what's happened? Mr. Blake, how long since you've seen your brother? I've been about four or five months shortly after I came here from Australia. Wilbur, I would you like to have a few words with me? Wilbur stop this Uncle Hillary father is well. He isn't here. He's disappeared disappear. Yes, Wilbur thought maybe You know where he was. I see. Well, Wilbur, I don't know. I know that now, but I just want to make sure That's your imagination run away with you Wilbur. Father didn't come home last night from the office. I called every place every place Well, what do you think? Be kind of him. Well, he's been acting very strangely. I'm afraid that he Commits suicide. Suicide? But Wilbur thinks that somebody may have kidnapped him for ransom. We could both be right. He could have been murdered I suggest that you call the police and run and check the hospitals of the morgue every place. Yes, of course You call them Wilbur, please Yes, I'll attend to it Wilbur calls the police and the hospital and the morgue but he learns nothing of value Two days passed by and still not a sign of John Blake or his body Then Alan Harper the attorney visits the John Blake home Come in, Mr. Harper. Thank you, Miss Blake. This is my fiance, Mr. Martin. Mr. Martin. What is it, Mr. Martin? Is your father here, Miss Blake? My father? I know. Well, what did you want to see him about, Harper? Why, I wanted to see him on some personal business. Why don't you try to find him in his office? I did, but he isn't there. He hasn't been there for several days. Just what is your business, Mr. Harper? But why do you want to see Mr. Blake? I don't want to see Mr. Blake because I don't think he's here. I came to see Miss Blake. What do you want, Mr. Harper? Who are you? I'm a detective. Detective? Yes. Go on, Mr. Harper. I know John Blake isn't here. I know because he's disappeared. I know you're trying to keep it out of the press because you think he's been kidnapped. We call the police. We ask them to keep it quiet. Yes, yes, I know that. But I'm working in the background. Well, if you don't think he's here, then where do you think he is? I think he's dead. Dead? Why do you think that? Yes, what do you know, Mr. Harper? Hey, Maronita, I wanted to talk to you. Mr. Blake. What? And who is this? Mr. Blake. What's up, sir? You seem startled, young man. What's wrong? Oh, yes, I am, sir. I thought that... What did you think? Well, I thought you were dead, sir. That is... He's a detective. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Mr. Blake, but... Well, I guess curiosity got the better of me. What are you talking about? Well, you remember? The agreement. What agreement? Wait a minute. Do you know who you're talking to? Yes, of course. John Blake. No, Mr. Harper. This is my uncle, my father's brother, Hillary. Hillary? Hillary Blake? Yes, my father's twin brother. Twin? John and Hillary were twins? Of course. I didn't know that. Then, apparently, you know my father, John Blake. Yes. What did you know about him? You know where he is? Well, I... Excuse me just a moment. I've never been so startled in all my life. Yes. Yes. Now that I look at him, now that I recall his speech, there's a difference. And why do you think John Blake is dead, Mr. Harper? I've just come from police headquarters. I mean, he's been murdered. No. No, not murdered. From all indications, he's committed suicide. Suicide? Are you sure? Mr. Harper, I was afraid of this. This morning, a hat and coat and overcoat were found on the river docks. In the coat was a type of copy of a will made the day before yesterday. The hat bears the initials, J.B. It was a will, you say? Could you identify the hat and coat and display? Of course. Very well. Come in, Sergeant. This is Sergeant Hanlon. Do you recognize this coat and hat and display? Yes. Yes, I do. They were fathers. Oh, Wilbur? Sure, Sergeant. I can't understand it. But the hat and coat are not conclusive evidence. Who went about the will found in the pocket? I showed them the will, Sergeant. You read it, Wilbur. Yes, of course. To my daughter, Anita Blake, I leave all my property personal and real, including the painting of her mother, Marcia Blake. This will supersedes any and all instruments of this nature previously drawn. But no signature. I have the original. Here you are. It's the original and signed. Where did you get this, Harper? Look at the signature of the witness. Alan Harper. Did you witness the signature? I did. And how do you explain that, Mr. Harper? Because I typed the will for John Blake the night he disappeared. He signed it, and I witnessed the signature. Why should he come to you, a detective? It's true that I'm a detective, but I'm also an attorney at law. But Mr. Blake has his own attorney. Nevertheless, he came to me to draw this will. And if I hadn't recognized him from his pictures, I wouldn't have witnessed the signature. You recognize your father's signature, Anita? Yes, it is all right. I still can't understand the reason for his doing such a thing. He did everything in the world. Everything to live for, money, position. He must have been out of his mind. Well, I don't know if he did act very strangely, but he seemed to be rational enough. But this still isn't proof that he's dead. There's no body, no proof that he committed suicide. The body may not be found for days, but this evidence at hand certainly indicates that our body will be found eventually. Maybe not, Mr. Harper. It's possible they could have... What do you want to say? Nothing. Miss Blake, in a way, I blame myself for your father's death. How do you mean? While he was dictating the will, I had a premonition that he was planning to kill himself. When I confronted him with my suspicion, he was able to convince me that he had no such intention. It's obvious now why he came to me. Why? He wanted someone who didn't know him personally. His own attorneys would have been able to see through his plan and prevent his carrying it out. I think this new will, if he'd already made one. Yes, that's what I'd like to know. Well, I'm still not convinced that he committed suicide. No. Well, maybe this will help. Here's a letter he asked me to deliver to Hillary Blake. A letter? To me? Yes. He said it would clear up a few things. Well... What does it say, Uncle? It says several things. Things he'd never have said unless he were going to die. Suppose you'll read it, will you? Yes. Hillary, for twenty-five years now, jealousy, bitterness have kept us across. I know why you stayed over there and I'll spare you all these years. I know you love Marcia, and she was rightfully yours. But I loved her, too. I couldn't go on without her. I know you despised us both all these years, and I pretended to despise you. I had to pretend because I lied to Marcia. I told her you were engaged to a woman in Australia. Marcia is innocent. I was to blame. When Marcia died last year, he wrote that you were coming back. I knew that your resentment had faded, but I didn't answer you. I've kept away from you because I just couldn't face you. I told you all this because things have happened, which you were learned soon enough, that have decided me to close my book and write for me. I have made a new will, leaving everything I possess to Anita. Anita is young, Hillary. I beg of you to watch after her, as though she were your own. Which, but for my selfishness, she might well have been. Forgive me. John. Well, this certainly indicates suicide. What does he mean by things have happened? That this Blake is the motive for which we just have to wait. Yes. For that, and a body. Everyone seems to be convinced that John Blake is committed suicide. That is, everyone except Wilbur Martin, but still the body has not been found. Then, one morning four days later, Helen Harper calls Anita and Hillary to police headquarters. Morning, Mr. Blake. Mr. Blake. What is it, Mr. Harper? Have you found John? I hope you don't mind my coming along, Mr. Harper. No. No, not at all, Mr. Martin. What's happened? They found a body this morning on the rocks at the mouth of the river. It's rather badly bruised and rotten. Well, it's in a bad condition, but I think you should look at it. Very well. I'll be all right. Can I come through? Please do, Wilbur. This way, please. Here we are. What do you say, Miss Blake? Now, now, get home to yourself, Anita. Please, you must. Yes, that's father. And you, Mr. Blake? Well, it's certainly hard to say. Looks like it might be John, but won't there no means of identification on this body? Father, never worry. His father's viewed all right. His father, I know. Why did he do it? Come along, Miss Blake. We needn't stay here any longer. No, no, darling. Well, I still can't understand you. I have a word with you, Martin. Yes? All right. Oh, would you and your uncle wait here for a moment? Of course. This way, Martin. All right, Martin. Why did you phone me? I wanted permission to see the body. Do you think it was John Blake? I can't tell, but they certainly should know. I've been skeptical about the suicide theory. Why? Why? Well, I... Who were you trying to frame? I'm not trying to frame anybody. You think he was murdered? Yes, I do. But not by you, of course. Certainly not. But how do you account for the fact that John came to my office, signed the will he dictated, and gave me the letter to Hillary? He must have contemplated suicide. Are you sure it was John Blake who made the will? You think it was Hillary? It could have been. But John's temples were quite gray, and he had no trace of an accent. And grayed his temple. He could have gotten hold of John's clothes and hat. And after he left you, he could have killed John and thrown him in the river and left the evidence of the river from him. And why would Hillary kill John? Well, I've done several reasons. Maybe because of Marcia. Maybe... Well, several reasons. Did John Blake object to your engagement to Anita? No. Why should he? Anita Blake identified her father's handwriting on the will and the letter to Hillary. She identified the body, but you keep harping about murder. Maybe she only thought it was his handwriting. You'd better be careful, Wilbur. If you're trying to make a murder out of this, you may hang yourself. What? False accusation. I've still got the will and the letter to Hillary. I checked with papers at John's office. The writing is the same. Maybe Hillary is clever at forgery. Maybe. Did you have the experts check the writing? Not yet. How can you tell unless you had a sample of Hillary's writing? I keep it. You have a sample of Hillary's writing? You found the letters from Hillary to John? Yes. I found a packet of them at John's desk. Good. Good. That will be the one I was waiting for. Well, there they are. Several of them, fired together. Now I'll tell you something. I never thought John committed suicide. I think he was murdered. You do? Yes. Hmm. Very well. Thank you, Wilbur. I'll see you tomorrow. Well, Sergeant, have you finished checking? Yes, Harper, I've finished. And what's the verdict? Well, this is the cleverest bit of forgery I've ever come across. This would have passed any plate. The question hadn't come up. So? This will and the letter to Hillary would certainly get by anyone as having been written by John Blake. Yes. I'm drawing the suicide letter from John to Hillary with this letter, Hillary wrote from Australia. We notice a difference, but a basic similarity. Would the fact that they're twins be the reason for that? No. On closer examination we find characteristics which couldn't appear in both letters if they were twins. Then you'll agree with me that Hillary must have written the suicide letter and signed the will. I certainly do. It's a tough thing to prove. I think you're on the right track, but well, I... All I can do is bluff it through, eh? I'm afraid you'll have to work on forcing a confession in this case. Did you, uh... Did you check all these letters from Hillary? No, just those on top. Well, I'd appreciate it if you'd check them all. Not just as you say. Now, what about young Wilbur Martin? Well, so far I can't see much in him to worry about. But then you never can tell. I think Hillary's the man, all right. I thought that for some time. But I'll just phone out to the house and tell Wilbur Martin that we've uncovered the whole thing. And if Wilbur's in on it, he'll be gone when I get there. He can be picked up later. Okay, I'll check the rest of Hillary's letter. Go ahead. I won't phone out there till you finish. Ten minutes later, a startling piece of news breaks. The headlines are screamed by news boys. Extras flood the streets. And Wilbur Martin rushes to the Blake home and faces Anita and Hillary Blake. What is it, Wilbur? What's wrong with you? It's for heaven's sake, what's happened? You haven't heard? You don't know when either? No, what do you mean? Well, look at these headlines. They must building and loan crashes. Wilbur. Well, but what does it mean? I'll tell you. John Blake and Bezel, the company's fund, and they've gone to the war. What? Yes, close the door. Wilbur, no, I can't believe that... I'm sorry, Anita. Here it is, black and white. Then that's the motive for his suicide. Why? Why? Because he knew he was caught. What else? He could have put the money back, couldn't he? Yes, but maybe he lost it by trying to make more to cover up the shortage. I don't think he lost it. You don't? No. Not since he must have. Why would he kill himself? Maybe he didn't kill himself. No, please, Anita. You mustn't worry. I know this is very embarrassing for you, but it isn't your fault. Let me take you away for a fire. We can run down to Mexico till it blows over. You won't take her to Mexico. You won't take her anyplace. It's just what you mean. What's wrong with you? We'll be your acting stupid. Do you want to go to Mexico with a murderer? What? Your father may have built the company, but I don't believe he lost the money. Wilbur. He hit it. And your uncle Hilary found out where he hit it, and he set up the suicide to cover your father's murder. Crazy. Out of your mind. This doesn't make sense. I have all the money I need. Yes, you have now. You're a fool. Pack your things, Anita. I'll phone the airport for reservation. You won't leave this room. Do you know what can be done to you for threatening people with firearms? I'll call the police. You don't need to call the police. They're on their way here now. Just talk to that detective, Mr. Harper. They've proved that you wrote that John's will and the suicide letter. You've killed John, and you have the money. Will be your crazy. You're out of your mind. I know what I'm talking about. Get out of here. Get out. Get out! No. I won't leave. No one will leave till they come. There you got here just in time, Mr. Harper. Hilary was going to Mexico in the next plane and taking Anita with him. Mexico? Yes, he knows everything. I just told him about the handwriting discovery. John Blake stole the money from the loan company. He found out about it and learned where it was hidden and killed John. He's talking nonsense. Mr. Blake, Sergeant Evans here is the police handwriting expert. He's examined the will and the suicide letter from John. He's also checked them with your recent letters from Australia. What? And your letters from Australia show a definite resemblance. The same characteristics which appear in the will and the suicide letter. You wrote the suicide letter? Definitely. We can get a conviction on it. Ridiculous. But there's something else. The will mentions painting of Marcia Blake and Anita's mother. Where's the painting? Well, there it is on the wall. Just a moment. I hope you don't mind, Miss Blake. You're tearing off the back. Yes. Yes. And there you are. There's the reason why. Thousands in negotiable bonds. Then Hilary did know about the money. He did kill John for all this. I did no such thing. No. No, that's right. You didn't kill John Blake. Well, then who did? Look at these two letters from Hilary Blake to John. What are the dates? September and November 1940. Those were Hilary's last letters to John. Now look at these. June and July 1920. You notice any difference? All are signed by Hilary. But the ones dated 1920 are not at all like the ones written in 1940. Not the least similarity. We just discovered these old letters. The ones dated 1920 were written by Hilary. But the ones dated 1940 were written by John. John, what do you mean? You're under arrest, Mr. Blake. Not for murder, because there's been no murder. You're under arrest on a charge of embezzlement. Embezzlement. And you, Miss Blake, are under arresters and accomplices. Oh, but what are you saying? At first we overlooked the earlier letters of Hilary Blake. But when we saw them, we knew they were not the same hand. We knew John forged the recent ones. Furthermore, I checked with Australia. Hilary Blake died in Sydney 10 years ago. This man is John Blake posing as Hilary to escape the penalty polluting the company. Nita, you... And Nita knew all about it. She's in on the plan. Oh, it was a clever one. And they might have gotten away with the phony suicide, but he picked the wrong attorney. Oh, here's your thousand dollars, Blake. But I'm afraid it won't do either of you much good now. Well, that's the story. John had gone to great lengths in laying his plan, but he made a mistake by failing to destroy the early letters from Hilary. And he underestimated Wilbur's intelligence. John had covered every point. He had even established residence in an apartment as Hilary. Had used the story of estrangement as an excuse for not associating with Hilary. And what of the body in the morning? That's where they slipped again. The police knew the identity of the body. That was merely a trap laid by Alan Hopper. And Nita was too quick in identifying the first body she saw. Too anxious. It was obviously not her father. But the finding of an unidentified body seemed so convenient that she jumped at the chance to declare it with John Blake. Yes, there's many a slip, Twix. But you know the rest. CBS has presented The Whistler. The music for this production was composed and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. The Whistler is written and directed by J. Donald Wilson and originates from Columbia Square in Hollywood. Next week, same time, I, The Whistler, will return to tell you another unusual story. Good night. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.