 Many people have been confused with the phrase forgiveness of taxes remember this There is no forgiveness of the second installment of your 1942 federal income tax This installment must be paid by midnight tonight. So be sure to put your check in the mail before that time This is the man in black here again to introduce Columbia's program suspense Heading our Hollywood cast is a young lady known simply as Margot Whose talent for the art of suspense has been heard before on this series Tonight Margot using the name of Jacqueline Blaine tells of strange happenings on a huge ranch including the hurried and unexplained departure of an important guest Fearing with Margot is Mr. Kent Smith a newcomer to our microphone as Gil Blaine a young man forced by Unrelenting circumstances into many odd and mysterious actions Margot will soon be seen in behind the rising sun and Kent Smith is currently appearing in this land is mine both RKO radio productions The story by Cornell Woolrich called last night Is tonight's tale of suspense If you have been with us on these Tuesday nights You will know that suspense is compounded of mystery and suspicion and dangerous adventure In this series our tales calculated to intrigue you stir your nerves To offer you a precarious situation and then withhold the solution until the last possible moment And so it is with the last night and the performances of Margot and Kent Smith. We again hope to keep you in Suspense Oh, yes I'll be down in a minute Leona. I lay there looking up at the ceiling Strange I I hadn't slept well last night all night. I had tossed and turned worry That's what it was Worry the weekend was over and Gil and I hadn't raised the $2,500 we were right back where we started from Stuck here in the Hudson Valley with our dude ranch that wasn't paying expenses and the debts piling up like new snow That was Gil in the shower I Lace still and listen to the hiss of the water poor girl It had been a tough weekend for him trying to be nice to mr. Burroughs neglecting the other guests to play up to him Flattering him agreeing with everything he said What was the use I? Knew he'd never lend us the money. I knew it from the first I never even wanted to invite him and his secretary up, but Gil had pinned his hopes on it He'd worked so hard Worked funny word to apply to it Maybe a feel had done some real work now and then instead Morning Jackie morning Well, how did you make out? How did you make out with mr. Burroughs? Gil I'm talking to you. Is he still here who mr. Burroughs. Oh, no he left. Well I'm glad I didn't have to say goodbye to him. I got pretty tired of being nice to him. Didn't you yeah? Took the eight o'clock train eight o'clock. He took the milk train the milk How do you know? Well, I drove him to the station. That's how I know Well, what were you doing up at that hour? Well, I I Haven't come to bed yet. That's all but what got into him the milk train why that hits here about 4 30 in the morning Doesn't it about well, I can't get it into my head. Why they should bolt off like that. Hey, you went along His secretary's still here. You mean he he left without Marsh. Yeah, Marsh was up in his room sleeping at the time I guess Burroughs didn't want to wait for him. He went off and left his secretary behind Well, now that's the strangest thing I ever heard of Why did he bring him in the first place? You you had a row within Gil He turned you down and you you let it get the best of you. I did not that's why he suddenly decided to leave like that I did not I tell you. Why should I say I didn't if I did? Oh, I don't know Everything is so mixed up Gildia Want to toss me my dressing gown. It's on the chair there. Here you are honey. Oh Jackie yes Jackie I got it out of him What I got the 2,500 Gail he He finally gave him when I was driving into the station. Well, you got all of it the works. I Didn't think he would I mean the way he was acting just I know I know but He began to soften up after you go to bed when I asked him he came through but gil You mean you mean he carries that much cash around with him. Well, there it is isn't it? That's funny, you know, he came to me only yesterday and asked me where he could cash a $25 check. Oh Yes, I know about that. I Cashed it for him, but the 2,500 Well, he he had that all ready for deposit when he got back to town Monday couldn't get it to the bank on time on Friday He didn't want to touch it But when I told him I'd rather have cash than the check Well, he just went the whole way and accommodated me. Well If there wasn't any friction Why did he leave it such an unearthly hour? I don't know but kill and I don't care. Oh look, baby We got the money. Let's just be thankful. Well, of course. I'm thankful. It's just Miss Blaine. Yes, Leona Well, just about to give you two up miss robin. Mr. Carmichael almost finished with the breakfast. Thank you Come here. It's in a minute. Leona Come on Gil, let's hurry. It's hard enough to get paying guests without neglecting the ones we have Why don't fix up mr. Bird room while I was waiting for a burrow's room, but you didn't have to bother He won't be using it anymore. He won't know he left. You don't know. Why? Yes Leona, what's the matter? And what about all them suits and things he left hanging up in the closet? His clothes left in the closet What about that Gil? Well, he he left in an awful hurry. That's all leave me alone. Don't let's talk about it But somehow I Feel that something very strange happened last night. I told him I wouldn't take any more stuff from him next time He tries it. It'll be too bad for him Here comes Gill and Jackie. No Have some more eggs common. Oh, hello, what do you do so tell me about why we were just talking your love mr. Borrows mr. Borrows play. Yes, mr. Common had an appointment to play golf with him today car. Yes, fine player fine player Oh, by the way, where is he? I haven't seen him all morning. He's uh, he's not here not hit Well, what do you mean? He's left he left. Yes, can't a guy leave if he wants to sure sure I well for one. I'm glad he was an old goat. He's mad because he's made a pass out Well, you didn't like him too well either common you see common had a run-in with him back in the days of bootleg gin Well, let's not talk about it. Yes, right. Mr. Burns is gone. Let's forget it. What's this? Oh, mr. Mars, what did you say about mr. Borrows leaving do we have to go through this again? Gil, please? Mr. Borrows left on an early train. Well, you're joking. No But I don't understand. Well, you're his secretary. You ought to know what he's going to do. That's right Gil. I Should know that's why it's so strange. He told me we definitely were going to stay until this afternoon Well, he he changed his mind Hello, this is Blaine. Yeah, this is mrs. Borrows. Oh, how do you do? We were awfully sorry, you couldn't come up with mr. Borrows for the weekend. I'm sure you Let me know he was staying over an additional day and you can tell himself for me I think the least he could have done was phone me or send a wire. Mrs. Burrows. I don't doubt he finds it attractive up there Mrs. Burrows wait a minute. He isn't here anymore. He did leave early this morning early this morning What do you mean? Well, he took an early train He should have been in at the now, let me see at 8 30 this morning Why hasn't he come? Well, maybe he went directly to his office. Oh, no, I called his office They haven't heard from him. You see, that's why I'm calling you. Oh, I don't understand all this It does seem that Marsh would at least get in touch with me. Well, uh, Marsh is still here mrs. Burrows Marsh is still there. Yes He went off without Marsh. Oh Oh, oh now I know there's something wrong why he's never done that please please Mrs. Burrows I I'm sure there's nothing wrong. He's just Well, uh, I better let you talk to Mars. Well, yes. Yes, please please get him Mr. Marsh, mr. Marsh, Mrs. Burrows is on the phone. She wants to talk to you better take the extension in the front room All right, she's very upset. We have to calm her Hello, Mrs. Burrows Marsh is coming. Oh something's wrong. I know it Marsh is at you. Yes. Marsh. Did you know mr. Burrows was going to leave? No, he didn't say anything to me Well, Mrs. Blaine says he's left should have been here and he isn't well, I don't know He probably was just delayed He had that package in his inside pocket. He did. Yes. Oh, I don't know what to do Shall I call the police? The police? Well, that's not necessary. Mrs. Blaine's right Let me take care of it. I'll wait a few hours and if he hasn't shown up by then All right, do what you think best Hello, hello She hung up Mrs. Blaine Important package the $2,500 the 2,500 kill got Oh That was Mrs. Burrows. She was awfully upset. Well, Burrows didn't show up. She wants me to call the police The police? Oh now wait a minute. You don't have to call the police Why shouldn't I call the police? After all mr. Burrows is missing. Oh, he may show up yet Certainly he may show up yet. Common's right. You don't have to call the police now. And why don't you want to police? Well, why there's something strange here, all right Why didn't mr. Burrows say a word to me about leaving? Well, you were asleep I I guess he didn't want to wake him up. Oh, I've never known him to be considerate in my life I suppose he knew what he was doing. I'm not so sure What do you mean? Well, if he knew what he was doing, why did he leave his return ticket on the dresser? Strange silence fell over the entire group Marsh was suspicious Soon he would call the police and I had a strong feeling that Gil knew more about this than he let on After breakfast the group broke up and I stayed to help Leona clear the table and I saw Gil and Carmen walk out on the porch together Cigarette Gil. Yeah Thanks. No here Fine morning. You didn't ask me out here to speak about the weather. No, no, I didn't I want the money you owe me Yeah, that's what I thought it was too long ago with the interest it adds up to 2500 I Can't pay you now. Why not you said you'd pay it today. Well, it's not that I haven't got it It's what well, it's Well, everything's so mixed up now. You know you mean borrows disappearance. Look give me another 24 hours I'd like to kill but yeah, it comes Jackie. All right 24 hours and no more I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something important. Oh, no. No, we're just talking about the weather. It is lovely, isn't it? Yeah, well, I better get up to the golf course or say Gil could you lend me the car to drive up? It's pretty far and I'll do plenty of walking when I get there. Well, as a matter of fact, Carmen I'm going to use it myself. Oh Well in that case I'd better start walking so long. Goodbye He was after the money wasn't him. Yeah, but I didn't give it to him. Why not mr. Burrows gave it to you and We do owe it to come and she'll leave me alone for a minute Why the frown hello, miss Robles. I don't want to interrupt a private fight, so I'll take my business quickly How about lending me the car girl? I want to I'm sorry miss Robles, but I need it. I'm driving into town and right now Now Gil drove off The rest of the day went by in a haze Gil didn't come back. He stayed away all day without even phoning me He had never done that before It almost seemed as though he avoided me intentionally Good evening as I was putting the finishing touches on dinner. Leona came up to me. There's a man here to see you miss Blaine Where is he in the front room? Well, uh, who is it somebody I ain't never seen before All right, I'll talk to him You look after things here, Leona. Yeah tomorrow Good evening. My name's Ward. I'm mrs. Blaine. You wanted to see me. I wanted to have a few words with mr. Blaine Oh, I see What was it about? You know what it's about It's about burrows his office sent me down. Mr. Burrows. I thought about him. He was a guest here, wasn't he? When did he leave last night my husband drove him to the station really? How interesting what do you mean? We happen to know that he never got on that train Oh, I thought maybe your husband could tell me a few things. I'd like to know I See if he's here just a moment I'd also like to see some of the other guests. Well, I'm sorry, but nobody's here just now Miss Robles is out walking and mr. Carmen hasn't Carmen Carmen The short fat Italian. Why yes, how did you know mr. Burrows always ran into him before? Now I'd like to see your husband. Please sit down. I'll see if I can find him. Thank you Leona, yes, mr. Blaine. Mr. Gil come back yet. Oh, no, ma'am. I ain't seen him since he drove off this moon I see Well, tell the gentleman to wait. I'm going out on the veranda. I went out on the veranda Up and down the length of the porch and back again I walked my eyes glued to the dark highway that ran past the house Hoping against hope that Gil would show up before the detective came looking for me Gil had the 25 hundred on him Burrows his cash that important package Mrs. Burrows spoke of to Marsh. I had to see Gil first and Suddenly I saw a car speeding down the road Gil's car. I could tell by the one dim headlight. It tore through the dark atop speed Then swerved through our gates and into the garage. I was about to run down the steps when Another pair of headlights split the gloom of the highway as the car came on I recognized the taxi from town the figure climbed out quickly Gil Jackie did you see the car car? Yes, Gil. It went to the garage who was driving it Well, I couldn't see. What is it? Gil are you in no time to talk? No time to talk. Are you going to the garage coming with you? The doors are closed There nobody here Anyone in the car? No Whoever it was beat it. Oh I'd like to know who it was kill. I Don't understand what this is all about frankly. I don't either. I well that is I Was parked in front of the store in town. I came out and saw somebody hop in my car and drive off like mad I thought I don't know what he was after but I don't think he got it I chased the car all the way here in the taxi. I saw it coming down the road. I thought it was you. Well Let's go back to the house Gil yes Gil there's somebody here to see you a man named Ward Ward who's he what does he want? He wants to talk to you about burrows Is a detective and You'd better let me have the wallet with the money just to be on the safe side. Oh, look, I don't want you mixed up in any Well, I'll be all right. Please give it to me. Well Okay Now you'll have to go in and talk to him. Yeah, I suppose so I Went up to my room and lay there in the dark trying to distinguish the murmur of voices from below But all I could hear was the blur of sound Yes here sit down Gil you look tired Yeah, I am Very what did Ward say that much but I know he's suspicious He's gonna stay tonight. Oh Well, let's get to bed. I'm tired Oh by the way, did did you see the key to the rumble seat the key to the rumble seat? Oh, no Must have lost it Good night Gil You've never told me You've never told me one way or the other Again, you've got to tell me All right, all right Jackie I will Burrows never gave me the 2,500 he refused me We quarreled and I was mad. I Suppose he was afraid of me afraid of what I might do to him. Anyway, that's why he left so suddenly Made me drive into the station. Did you see him get on the train? No, I left him at the station Left my car there and walked down the street. I was sore. I had to think I Heard the train come and go and when I went back Burrows was gone. I Got in the car and drove home and the 2,500 Well, I lied when he said he had that cash Then where did you get it? Remember the $25 check I cast for him Yes, I added two zeros after the 25. Oh, Gil I wrote in the word hundred. There was a space for it made the water then I cashed it Oh, I know I'm low Jackie, but I didn't kill him. I didn't then what became of him. Where is he? I don't know. I wish I did What's that somebody's out there? Whoever it is is trying to open the garage door. I Can't see who it is. It's not a woman not miss robles. I can see that much. It could be common What are you doing in that drawer just getting this gun now quite no gill give me that gun You can't shoot anybody in the dark like that. Please Jackie. I'm going to turn on the lights. Don't Jackie. Yes, gill He's running away gone. I Couldn't see but you know gill No, it just means waiting for the next time. Oh Jackie, what am I going to do? I don't know dear, but we'll get out of it somehow. How I'm all mixed up There's one clear thing Somebody is awfully interested in that car. I lay awake until the sun was up Then a shallow feverish sleep came And when I awoke it was almost evening Girls bed was empty There were the indistinct sounds of life in the house below I Rose and as my mind cleared My words of the night before broke through the edges of my consciousness There's one clear thing Somebody is awfully interested in that car The tantalizing thought of it just beyond my grasp the car What was there about the car? I slowly walked down the hallway my eyes have closed thinking I Had to talk to gill Leona, Leona, yes Where's mr. Gill? Oh, he done went to town mr. Ward. He went with Ward Yes, and right after breakfast mr. Common give him a lift down and common Yes, but mr. Gill. He done left you this note. Oh, let me see it Jackie I've gone downtown with Ward. I'm going to tell him up tell him about the check and Whatever happens will have to happen No, gill no gill Leona, I've got to stop him. I'm going to drive to town Mrs. Blaine Mrs. Blaine, where are you going? I'm going to town mr. Marsh. Well me I come along. Well, I uh, oh I suppose so hurry up and get in Getting dark. Yes, I hope you don't mind me driving so fast. I'm in a terrible hurry. No Pull down the next side road I said pull down the next side road Gun. Yes a gun now do as I say there's something in this car. I want I won't I must get to gill Let go of that wheel Let go of that wheel. I said there's something here. I want there's a car coming. Let's go I tried to move Miraculously, we were alive The other car had Karine beyond us up the road I Saw that the side was smashed in And I heard Marsha's voice. I ought to kill you for this that was a police car. Keep your mouth shut here He comes now now remember there's a gun pointing at your back Hey, you maniacs. What's the idea trying to kill somebody? Sorry officer We have a little trouble with the steering wheel and you won't have any more trouble with it This is the end of your license. I'll see here officer I'm in a terrible hurry if you if you let me drive to the station. I wait a minute buddy. Have your names. What's yours? Come on Marsha Charles Marsha. What's yours lady? This is Gilbert Blaine and and yours Well, come on. What's yours? What's your name? Who are you talking to that guy in the rumble seat the rumble seat mr. Burrows Burrows is it? Why don't you say so? Hey, what are your wise guys sitting there like a mummy? Come on answer me. Will you I? Wait a minute this guy's dead You did this the rumble seat flew open when we crashed officer. He's got a gun. He murdered that man. I'm warning you keep back Or I'll that takes care of him. We're all right now sister. Yes I'm all right now Well that job's finished nothing left for me to do but go back to town So it was Marsha after all yeah, I don't understand why he was contemplating a change from secretary to husband Naturally with mr. Burrows dead. Mrs. Burrows would inherit all the money Marsh followed Gill and mr. Burrows that night to the station Gill was gone. He killed Burrows Stuffing him in the rumble seat locked it and kept the key the thing I don't understand is why Marsh kept fiddling with the car What was it that he wanted seems to me he was in the clear if he left well enough alone That's what tripped him up Remember when he talked to Mrs. Burrows on the phone. They said something about an important package for yes I assumed it to be the 2,500 Gill told me about but of course it wasn't There was a package of letters that mr. Burrows had gotten hold of I get it Those letters were written by Marsh to Mrs. Burrows right and they would incriminate him He found out about them after the murder right again. Oh, he had to get them to make it perfect Well, I guess I'll shove all So long and thanks Oh, by the way You may want to deposit oh say $2,500 to mr. Burrows account. Yeah, I see what you mean Thanks. Goodbye Jackie Yes, our debts they're still $2,500 that have to come from somewhere We went a long way around to get right back where we started from Come through all that trouble and end up broke. Yes, darling that's the way it ends and So closes the story called last night starring Margot and Kent Smith tonight's tale of Suspense this is your narrator the man in black who conveys to you Columbia's invitation to spend this half hour in suspense with us again next Tuesday when John Sutton and George Zuko The star in the suspense play by John Dixon Carr called the man without a body Producer of these broadcasts is William Spear with Ted blister director Lett Blusken and Lucian Mahowick conductor and composer and Cornel will reach the author elaborated on tonight suspense This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system