 Autolight and its 98,000 dealers bring you Mr. Peter Loughard in tonight's presentation of Suspense Tonight Autolight presents part two of the first detective novel ever written a tale considered by many to be the greatest ever written Wilkie Collins the Moonstone our star mr. Peter Loughard Hello, mr. McStorley. Have you got your Thanksgiving bird yet? I got it all right Harlow, but not for Thanksgiving. What do you mean? Well, I got the board from my wife because my car battery is the turkey I forget to fill it with water and it's called as a cranberry bog in December Well, you should have an auto light stay full battery. Mr. McStorley That's the famous battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use Ah, yes the battery would long and heavy light right Fiberglass retaining mats protect the power of every positive plate to reduce shedding and flaking and give that auto light Stay full longer life as proved by tests conducted according to accepted life cycle standard So friends to quickly locate your auto light battery dealer whose services all makes of batteries Just call Western Union by number and ask for operator 25 I'll tell you the location of your nearest auto light battery dealer where you can get an auto light Stay full the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use and remember from bumper to tail light You're always right with auto light And now auto light presents the concluding portion of Wilkie Collins the Moonstone starring Mr. Peter Loughard hoping once again to keep you in Suspense Tell me mr. Blake the diamond that belonged to your uncle Yes, Sergeant cuff his will stated that I was to give it to his niece Rachel on her birthday And you say this Moonstone had a curse on it. There's been said yes because it's believed he took it from an idol An Indian moon guard and those Indian jugglers. You saw it the jail. You believe they stole it. Yes They were in the garden outside the house when the diamond was given to Rachel But I've shown you our prison records mr. Blake the Indians couldn't have stolen it. They were behind bars all last night Who else is at the party? Let's see Rachel her mother lady Julia Verinda our cousin Godfrey Abel white Dr. Candy their family physician and the servants what of them Betridge and a new housemaid and a my believer's Rosanna. All right, mr. Blake. We'll look into it. Ah, there's the house As soon as we entered the house Sergeant cuff went into Rachel sitting on hardly bothering with the cabinet from where the Moonstone had been stolen His eyes seem to be much more taken with the door Rachel had painted and decorated with Cupid the afternoon of her birthday Hmm quite good work. There's a smudge on one of the Cupid pity anyone know how it happened Mr. Betridge one of the mage Petticoats with all the commotion this morning pity paint dry now There's anyone know which Petticoat did it? I don't think any of them sergeant that part of the door was the last to be painted Couldn't have happened this morning. You're quite sure mr. Blake. I watched a finish it About four yesterday afternoon. I would have dried in about ten hours About two in the morning then You may have put something valuable in our arms. Mr. Blake The smeared Petticoat or whatever will bring us to the truth You think it was worn by the state. I think it was worn by someone There's no evidence of fever. He is yet only that the diamond is missing Mr. Betridge, would you tell lady verandah? I'd like ten minutes of her time, please Poster sergeant all my servants have been with me for years If I allow you to search their clothes it means I suspect them. They're as honest as you are I'm sure they are your ladyship. It's only a question of their help the women especially now If they knew I was going to inspect the wardrobes of everyone from your ladyship downwards You're certain this is necessary before we can make another step I've also asked mr. Better it's to get me the washing book to account for all the linen in case the article was sent to the washer and destroyed I'm to ask your daughter for a wardrobe key. Where will you start? I'm with mr. Blake here if you'll consent of course Don't forget me sergeant. I'm in the next room then we'll do you next mr. Abel white and when you finish may I leave for London? Oh, it's a mere formality I'll be free to go is the washbook sergeant. Oh, thank you, mr. Bettery and Mr.. In this key my young lady refuses to have her wardrobe examiner Betrayed was it explained to her. Yes, she started to cry and said I won't because I won't As you may return the washbook mr. Bettery mr. Abel white you may leave at any time. Thank you sergeant. That will be all mr. Bettery Then you aren't going to serve all or none sir, but why should Rachel? I don't understand pardon my being personal mr. Blake Would it be wrong to say you're in love with miss Verrinda? No, it wouldn't be wrong love blinds to a great extent. Look here you implying that Oh, just a moment out there in y'all out there won't you come in? Roseanna Excuse me. I was looking for mr. Bedbridge. I was told he was here. He just left my girl. Thank you Roseanna Roseanna's fear my method, you know, I've seen her once before mr. Blake about five years ago in prison perfect in prison Well, there's the answer. Well, it's not the old answer mr. Blake will you promise to hold you at temper if I see sense in what you say all right Tell me why does miss better into refuse to cooperate to have a wardrobe exam in because she Because exactly because she knows more about the diamond than she's willing to tell Couple that with Roseanna Spearman who was a thief knows how to raise money and pledge a valuable without question Now that is preposterous. Why should Rachel need money for reasons? She doesn't want to discuss Something that would force her to go to great length Scandal if you're part in the way This is the detective's mind Suppose miss very and they were to suddenly decide to leave this house refuse point blank to help as I think she will I'm sorry sergeant. You don't know her. I said dirty little world mr. Blake never had a deal of experience I'll be the first to admit it if I'm wrong But I don't think I am The night came on and a heavy muffled mood of suspicion settled over the house Rachel stayed locked in her rooms and would speak to no one Sergeant was wrong about her. He had to be But I couldn't push the torture of his logic from my mind. I Was afraid deeply afraid of the coming day The first news that terrible morning was that Rachel was going to leave the house The colonels vengeance was working in ways. He never dreamed Miss Verinder, I'd like to say once more your leaving is a great obstacle to the recovery of your diamond Now knowing that you're still intend to leave I do Rachel Please Rachel you can't I have nothing to say to you. Mr. Blake drive on I Stood there helplessly watching ago There was nothing left But the truth of sergeant cups words The scandal some terrible secret she dare not tell I Had to find out if I was going to help Rosanna If she had helped Rachel plot the theft she would also know her secret. I Went to the servants hall only to find betrige and sergeant cup ahead of me One of the gardener said he saw her running towards the beach walk Then there's a hiding place down there if I'm not mistaken hiding place It's almost all quicksand the jewel had to be kept somewhere possibly the stained article of clothing, too Miss Verinder's accomplice recovers the diamond to take you a later. Nice. It better hurry. Will you join me mr. Blake? We raced down the walk to the beach. Rosanna was nowhere in sight Only a footprints They led us far into the very edge of the quicksand look as we might there were no footprints returning At almost the same moment the terrible meaning dawned on us both That she know there was quicksand Yes sergeant she knew First time I saw was here She walked into that muck Deliberately Rosanna wasn't the kind to scare mr. Blake. He must have had her own good reason Back at the house the news of Rosanna's death deepened the unhappy Paul That afternoon sergeant cuff was dismissed from any further investigation And lady Julia left for London to join Rachel later. I left the house myself Feeling terribly depressed useless I Would have given my life to help Rachel There was no avenue left open I Took ship for the continent the next morning hoping that time and distance would let me forget Almost a year was to pass before I returned It is bringing you mr. Peter lawford in Wilkie Collins the moonstone tonight's presentation in radios outstanding theater of thrills suspense Hello now I can eat turkey instead of claw on a Thursday Got yourself an auto light staple battery a mr. McSorley that I did hello then you've got the battery that states right on the case Needs water only three times a year in normal car use why that auto lights therefore just snaps my engine to life Hello, yes, sir, mr. Mac a fast dependable start every time and for a long time Thanks to those fiberglass retaining mats They surround every positive plate to reduce shedding and flaking and give the auto light staple longer light as Proved by tests conducted according to accepted life cycle standard so friends see your auto light battery dealer for the best in battery service and The famous auto light staple the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use To quickly locate your nearest auto light battery dealer phone Western Union by number and asked for operator 25 That's right. Call me Western Union operator 25 and remember from bumper detail light You're always right with auto light and now Auto light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage Mr. Peter Lawford in Elliot Louis's production of the concluding act of Wilkie Collins The Moonstone a tale well calculated to keep you in Suspense I returned to London in June 1849 I was informed of all that had happened in the year that I'd been away by the family lawyer mr. Brough Rachel's mother had died some months ago and Rachel had been engaged to marry Godfrey Abel white broke off of course right after Lady Verinda died seems he was only interested in Rachel's money Where is Rachel mr. Brough here in London living with the Guardian appointed by her mother as she Ever spoken of me not once to my college as for the Moonstone. We've all respected her silence on that Why does she resent me mr. Brough? I think it was your attempt to help in an affair. She once kept secrets whatever her reason I just can't believe that Rachel stole her own diamond I'm going to find out who did I won't presume to stop you, but how will you go about it? I'll start where it all took place The house in Yorkshire Lord Harry mr. Franklin. It's good to see you. It hasn't been very happy here since I know better That's why I'm back the Moonstone sir. Don't you think you should leave a sleeping dog later Suppose you find this Rachel had it won't make me stop loving her. That's all I wanted to know sir So I don't see how am I helping you can be wrong. Do you remember that poor girl of ours Rosanna Spearman? Of course, how could I forget you left a coat here, sir And I found a letter in one of the pockets the rest to you from Rosanna here it is Sir Please follow the enclosed instructions do it when you're not observed Go to the shivering sand at the turn of the tide There's a rock ledge covered with seaweed and attached to the rock is a chain which drops into the quicksand Pull up the chain There's the ugly police Tides almost out. There's only one rock ledge. You go ahead, sir No said do it alone. That's her grave, too. I'd like to humor her I Went under the rock ledge the last surge of the sea fell away, and I walked out gingerly on the edge of the quicksand Getting down on all fours. I fell under the glistening seaweed After a moment my hand touched the rusty length of a chain Came up easily Attached to the end was a rusted metal box. I Forced it open It was filled with a white cloth on top of which was another letter bearing my name. I Carried it all to the dry beach and unroll the cloth It was a night shirt On its sleeve was a smear of pain from Rachel sitting room And I recall the words of sergeant cuff Find the smeared article of clothing. You will know who took the diamond. I Looked to see if it was marked for the owner's name Finding the mark I read Frankton Blake my own name I Looked again my own name plainly marked with my own name The next thing I remember was being back in Betridge's room with a drink of whiskey in my hand one thing for sure That nightgowns a liar a pure liar My nightgown betridge. I Couldn't have taken the diamond, but it's my nightgown and it's howl play. That's how I read it What about Rosanna's letter, sir? Yeah So I have a confession a confession of my own misery in three words. I love you Me what does she mean? That's what the servants believe sir They used to see her mooning at you puttering around your room every chance she could yes, I remember But it never ended my mind what more does she say I Will be dead and gone The morning the moon stone was stolen. I went to do my work in your room Your nightgown lay across your bed, and I saw the stain of paint. I hate miss Rachel because you love her It was hard to believe you were stolen her diamond. I had once been a thief and been in prison for it The nightgown is my only bond with you I could have helped you, but I did not speak outright fearing your anger that I knew your secret Miss Rachel has left You will soon be leaving too. I know there is no chance. You're ever returning my love But I will keep your secret. I go now to the shivering fans, which have always drawn me Remember me I was at a complete loss My search for the thief had led directly to myself So now Rachel's attitude was no longer a mystery She had left because she believed I had stolen the diamond. I Went back to London and told mr. Brough everything. I suggest you do something for me, mr. Blake What's that sir? I received the letter this morning From dr. Candy. He was at the birthday party the night the diamond was stolen if you remember driving home from the party that night He nearly caught his death in the rain He's been ill ever since his letter suggests he has something of great importance to discuss with you Will you please go see him? Good of you to come out of your way to see me mr. Blake. Thank you doctor. You're looking well I like to apologize to mr. Blake Apologize sir the night of miss horrendous party you and I sat next to each other There was some joking about the diamond you recall not distinct. They know sir just something unpleasant I I told you I suspected you hadn't been sleeping well and to let me give you a course in medicine I don't think I've had been sleeping well I decided to prove my medicine to you if I could give you a good night's sleep without you knowing it What I was going to come back the next day and ask you how you slept you would have said fine And without medicine and I was going to say ah But you did have medicine sir dr. Candy Did you give me something that night? It was a dose of lot Part of the opium family in your nightcap. I hope you'll accept my apology mr. Blake but If I took the diamond What did I do with it? I feel I owe you all the help I can give Are you willing to try an experiment? I do anything doctor. There's a chance That under the right condition Taking a similar dose of Lordenham You might repeat exactly what you did the night of the birthday You might very well have hidden the diamond somewhere in the house With witnesses to watch it would prove your innocence Yes, but it would have to be done at the veranda house. Well, I'll write to miss Rachel with your permission telling her everything I'm sure she wants your innocence proved as much as you yourself It was a very nervous time for me waiting for Rachel's answer With great relief her letter came saying she accepted dr. Candy's explanation The house was at our disposal and she wished us all success for the experiment. I Wrote mr. Brough asking him to be one of the witnesses and dr. Candy and I left for the veranda house Ready mr. Blake course doctor get on with it. What's my opinion the whole thing assembled all right mr. Brough We have your opinion 40 minum's Lordenham in weak brandy and Suda Hey, you're witnessing mr. Brough. I'm witnesses. Yeah Yeah Drink it mr. Blake waste of time. No mr. Blake. You may retire to your bed How long before this is supposed to work and not before midnight Indian devils in the house Kill Rachel is getting up No take it's going out of the room and take off your boots. Come on Mason there's a piece of crystal to simulate the diamond in the drawer. Yeah, he's found it Looked like he knows what to do He dropped it Going over to that sofa. Yeah, he couldn't have done that before This sedative effect is coming on he's slumped on the couch Hey, it's all over Get him sleep there When I awoke the next morning they told me what I had done I proved only the dr. Candy's joke at calls was called by my unconscious behavior But now And what had happened afterwards was still a mystery We had come to another blank wall It was a month later an item in the newspaper caught my eye Some east indian jugglers had been in a fight in a tavern in one of the lowest parts of london One of them had been stabbed the others had escaped Almost at the same moment. I received an urgent message from mr. Brough To meet him at the wheel of fortune The tavern mentioned in the news dispatch up these days, mr. Blake quickly. What is it mr. Brough in this room here? Good lord On the bed lay a man dressed in sailor clothes On the floor next to him was a small wooden box open and empty The box that had held the moonstone I looked down at the man's face There was a brown mark beneath on the bedsheet. I saw that his dark skin was only stained I looked hard Beneath the stain and the heavy growth of beard Was the face of godfrey abel white Hello Godfrey surprised Godfrey You took the diamond. Good joke So you come out of Rachel's sitting room. You dropped it. I picked it up and you kept it I like mummy better reason Indians been after me for a year thought I could fool them Didn't did I moonstone? Affinating dual exquisite Almost worthy Your life It was some months later that a small news item appeared on an inner page of the town's It stated that the worshipers of an ancient four-handed moon guard Were rejoicing over the return of a fabulous yellow diamond To a recess in their idols for it It was a small item I doubt if many people read it A spence Presented by auto light tonight star mr. Peter lawford This is harlow wilcox speaking for auto light the world's largest independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment In 28 plants from coast to coast Auto light makes over 400 products for cars trucks tractors planes boats and industries These products include dial indicating and recording thermometers bumpers die castings and batteries such as the famous auto light stay full Ignition engineered auto light spark plugs both standard and resistor types voltage regulators wire and battery cable auto light bullseye sealed beam units and auto light original service parts for all auto light electrical systems Auto light is proud to serve the greatest names in the industry So from bumper to tail light, you're always right with auto light Next week it will be our pleasure to present the first radio adaptation of one of the most amazing human documents ever written The personal diary of emily woldridge called The wreck of the maid of athens our star the first lady of suspense miss agnes moorhead That's next week on suspense Suspense is produced and directed by elliot lewis with music composed by lucian moorowick and conducted by wilbur hatch Wilkie collins the moonstone was adapted for suspense by richard chandley Featured in tonight's cast were batty harford ellen morgan norma varden william john stone Ben right herd butterfield eric snowden and allister duncan Peter lawford will soon be seen co-starring in the columbia picture. It should happen to you And remember next week miss agnes moorhead in the wreck of the maid of athens This is the cbs radio network