 mysterious traveler. This is the mysterious traveler inviting you to join him on another journey into the realm of the strange and terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip and it will thrill you a little and chill you a little. So settle back. Get a good grip on your nerves. Where are we going? We're going to journey to the grave and learn the secrets of the dead in a tale titled The Accusing Corpse. Some years ago when I was a county coroner I was called in on a most interesting case. A case which had begun in the country home of Philip Drake, the wealthy stockbroker. Thank goodness you were able to get here in time. I left town right after I received your call. What's wrong Philip? You sounded so upset over the phone. It's Vivian. She's upstairs in her room packing. She says she's leaving me. Leaving you? Why? She seems to feel our marriage has been a mistake. Roger, won't you speak to her? Persuade her to stay. After all she is your sister. I'm afraid Philip that Vivian and I have never been as close as sister and brother should be. She's always been wild and spoiled. Perhaps Philip it would be better if you were to let her go. No, I couldn't do that. I love her Roger. I wouldn't want to live without her. Won't you please try to persuade her to stay? All right Philip, I'll do my best. But I must warn you, I haven't much influence over her. I'm all packed and ready to... Why Roger darling, what a surprise. What are you doing here? Vivian, Philip has told me. Now surely you can't be serious. You know how he loves you. Everything he's done to make you happy. Now Roger you aren't going to start on that, are you? Someday Vivian you'll get just what you deserve for walking over people, breaking their hearts. Every time I think of you being my sister I feel like... Roger please, would you mind waiting in the other room? I'd like to speak to Vivian alone. Oh all right Philip, call me when you want me. Really Philip, no matter what you have to say you're just wasting your time. Vivian, how can you do this to me? You know I love you, but I do anything to make you happy. That's sweet of you dear. Would you mind letting me your car to get to town? If you leave me Vivian you won't get a cent. Not the cent, do you hear? Really? Did you ever stop to think Philip that there might be another man with more money than you? Another man? Oh no that couldn't be. And why not? But we've only been married three months. There couldn't be anyone in that time. Oh but there was. Oh Vivian, in spite of what you've done I'm willing to forgive you and start over with you. But darling I don't want you to forgive me. I want you to forget me. Vivian you can't do this to me. I love you. I won't let you go. I really must be saying goodbye now. He's waiting for me in town and I don't want to be late. If I can't have you no one else will, do you hear? Oh really Philip you're being ridiculous. I must go. No. Philip what are you doing? A gun. Yes Vivian, a gun. I told you if I couldn't have you no one else would. Oh Philip you're insane. Put that gun down. If you don't change your mind about leaving I'll kill you. Even with that gun you can't keep me, do you hear? I'd sooner die than go on living with you. I'm going. And you're not going to stop. And I thought I heard Vivian. Roger is she dead? Yes. Philip do you know what this may mean? Life imprisonment perhaps. Even the electric chair. I know. Nothing seems to matter now. But you simply can't throw your life away like that Philip. Oh even if Vivian was my sister I don't mind telling you that I always felt you were far too good for her. She didn't deserve to be your wife. Oh please Roger. Now look Philip if we were to get rid of the body who could possibly know that she didn't leave here tonight as she planned? Oh it wouldn't work Roger. You can get away with murder. That's nonsense Philip. Now if we were to bury her in the woods no one would ever find the body. Burry her in the woods? I couldn't do that. Then I'll do it. You can wait here till I return. But Roger what if Philip you must let me handle this you... You better give me the gun. All right Roger. You are good. Now you wait here while I get rid of the body. Philip watched. Spellbound. Unable to say a word. As Roger picked up the body and left the room. As Roger carrying his burden past the gardener's shed he picked up a shovel. In a few moments he reached the woods which began at the rear of the house and extended for miles. He carefully made his way through the forest underbrush until he was well out of sight of the house. Then he stopped and looked about. I think this is quite fine. I think you can put me down now Roger. I'm tired of being carried like a sack of potatoes. All right. Well let me congratulate you on your performance as a corpse. Do you think he suspects anything? Of course he doesn't. He's positive that he shot and killed you. You've got the gun haven't you? Certainly I've got it. You don't think I was going to let him discover that the bullets had been removed and blank cartridges substituted do you? Oh no not you Roger. You always know what you're doing. I always try to my dear sister. You don't think Philip will give you any trouble do you? Outside of being in love with me he isn't an utter fool. Don't worry I can handle Philip. Now here's the key to the apartment I rented in town. You will find my car a quarter of a mile down the road. All right I'll be waiting for you at the apartment. I'll be there in a few hours. Oh no now let me see. Yes yes this seems like a nice place to dig. The next morning Roger called on Philip at his office. With a calculating glance he noted that Philip's eyes were bloodshot that his hand trembled as the two shook hands. How are you Philip? I couldn't sleep at all last night. I kept thinking of Vivian. And what if her disappearance is noticed? People begin asking questions. Now all you have to do is tell them that Vivian left you and you don't know where she is or things like that happen every day. You've been very helpful to me Roger. If ever I get a chance to pay you for it rest assured I will. That's very good of you Philip. Truth of the matter is you well you could do me a favor if you would of course. What is it? Well I'm in the midst of a business deal and I find myself a little short of capital. If you could lend me some money I'd appreciate it. Certainly Roger. How much do you need? Twenty thousand. Twenty thousand? That's quite a lot. Naturally Philip if you feel you can't lend it to me I'll go to a bank and try to borrow it. Isn't that I can't lend it to you Roger? It's just that the amount surprised me. Shall I make the check out to you? Uh yes if you please. All right. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this Philip. As Philip wrote out a check for twenty thousand dollars, Roger smiled. Things were working out just as he had planned. Well an hour later Roger entered an old brownstone house and went to apartment 2C. Did you get it? What does this look like? Oh Roger that's wonderful. Now we can clear out and why there isn't a hundred thousand here? No my dear I only got twenty thousand from him. But we were after a hundred thousand. Why didn't you get it all this morning when you saw him? My dear Vivian it simply isn't done that way. Blackmail is an art. An art that calls for the use of psychology. Philip will give us many times over the money I hold in my hand all in due time of course. You mean I'll have to go on hiding in this miserable apartment until you've finished your little game with him? Never being able to leave it for fear someone will recognize. Come come now Vivian you've got the radio and books. I won't spend weeks in this apartment I tell you I won't my arm. You'll do exactly as I say Vivian exactly do you understand? Roger my arm you're hurting me. It's nothing to what I'll do if you disobey me. Do I make myself clear? Yes yes. First a week in which Roger patiently bided his time for time he knew was working on his side against Philip. Then one morning he called on Philip at his office. Good morning Philip. How are you? How do you expect me to be? This past week I've been able to think of nothing but Vivian. And what happened that night? Philip you must stop brooding over it. Whatever happened was her fault not yours. Yes you're right. Perhaps what I need is a vacation. Yes yes of course. A trip would do you a world of good. And if I could afford it I'd go along with you. You mean you haven't any money? I'm I'm afraid not Philip. That's what I've come to see you about. I must have $40,000 at once. $40,000? Yes I know it's a good deal of money Philip but without it I'll be ruined. Naturally I want to help you Roger but $40,000. If I don't get the $40,000 Philip it may mean prison for me. You wouldn't want to see that happen would you? Of course not Roger but after all Philip I save you from prison. In fact I made myself an accomplice to Vivian's murder by not turning you over to the police. Well yes I know but you you could hardly expect me to remain loyal to you if you weren't willing to help me but you I see. It seems I haven't any choice. Very well Roger I'll write you out a check. Roger's eyes gleamed in amusement as he accepted the check from Philip. There was no longer any doubt that Philip understood him perfectly. Things were working out exactly as he had planned. Later that day Roger went back to the old Brownstone house. There was a smile on his lips as he entered apartment 2C. Look at this $40,000 in cash. Oh Roger. Now wasn't this worth staying and hiding for Vivian? And there's plenty more where this came from. Who could that be? You better get behind that screen. No. All right Roger. Yes? COD for Miss Brown. It amounts to $64. Oh uh you must be mistaken there's no Miss Brown here. This is the address she gave. It's in care of Mr. Roger Martinson. That your name? Why why yes but I don't know any. Those packages are for me Roger. How much did you say the COD was? $64 Miss. Here you are. Thank you Miss. Here's your receipt. Goodbye. Goodbye. When did you buy those clothes? This morning. You mean you went out shopping in spite of what I told you? Well I was sick of being cooped up in this apartment day and night. I had to do something for a change. And what of my plans? You risk everything with so much at stake. Roger stop looking at me like that. I tell you I couldn't stand being cooped up in this apartment any longer. But I give you orders to stay here. Well I won't. I want you to get the rest of the money at once so we can clear out. And if you don't I'll go shopping whenever I feel like it. You can't make me stay. You'll do exactly as I say Vivian. I won't allow anything or anyone to interfere with my plans. I've worked out every step perfectly and there isn't going to be any slip up. Another week passed. The week in which Roger made no effort to see Philip. Then early one evening he got into his car and drove out of the city to Philip's home in the country. Oh it's you Roger. Come in. Good evening Philip. Oh well where are the servants? This is their night off. Oh you're you're not looking well at all Philip. You you shouldn't remain in this house by yourself. What difference does it make where I am? Wherever I go the memory of that night follows. I had to believe that it was only two weeks ago tonight that I killed her. Two weeks ago tonight. Well so it was. Oh well oh by the way Philip. Do you think you might possibly lend me sixty thousand dollars? Sixty thousand? You can't be serious. Oh but I am. But I lent you that much already. Yes I know but I must have more. No. I won't give you another cent. You blackmailed me enough. Blackmail is a harsh word. What else can you call it? Now you're just as hard and grasping as Vivian was. Yes but you must remember I am alive and she isn't. I suppose you're glad she's dead. In life she was worth nothing to you. In death you're able to get sixty thousand dollars for her. In death. How do I know she is dead? Don't be foolish Philip. You saw her lying on the floor in this very room. Yes but how do I know she's dead? Was you who examined her and told me so? And you buried the body by yourself. Well I just wanted to spare you Philip. Just exactly where did you bury Vivian? As a matter of fact how do I know the whole affair is in stage for my special benefit so that you can extort money from me? Surely you don't believe that Philip. Why you shot her with your own gun. Yes and you took the gun away from me immediately after the shooting. Suddenly that whole affair is becoming very clear to me. I tell you she's dead Philip and buried out in the woods. Then I want to see the grave and the body you say is in it. But this is ridiculous. I won't go searching for a grave in the middle of the night. You shouldn't have to search for it Roger. Not if you really dug one. Come along we can pick up a shovel at the tool set. I won't do it. I won't do it. I said come along Roger. Oh very well. But I'm not certain I'll be able to find the grave after all the woods is fairly large and it's been two weeks since I buried that's all right Roger. We'll stay out there until you do find her. Two minutes later Philip and Roger picked up the shovel at the tool shed and then continued on their way to the woods that began at the rear of the house. Neither of the men spoke as they entered the woods. Roger leading the way with a flashlight. Several times he stopped trying to get his bearings. Then plunged on again hoping to find a familiar landmark. It became apparent that Roger was growing less and less sure of himself. Grave is someplace around here I'm certain of it. Perhaps we ought to come back in the daytime it might be easier to find it then. I know Roger. You shouldn't have any trouble finding it now if it exists. It does exist I tell you it's it's just that the woods are so confusing at night everything looks so so different. Just keep on searching Roger. Perhaps this is the spot it it looks something like it. Well is it or isn't. I don't know it looks like the place where I buried her and yet yet I'm not certain. There's only one way to make certain and that's to start digging. Here here's the shovel. But suppose this isn't the spot. Then we'll dig somewhere else. In fact we'll dig up the entire woods if necessary. After all you're certain she is buried in the woods aren't you. Go ahead Roger start digging. Oh oh very well. I've been digging for 20 minutes now and you haven't uncovered a body. Philip I told you I wasn't sure this was the spot where I buried her. You're a great actor Roger but I'm afraid this time you've overplayed your role. What do you mean? Vivian isn't dead and there's no use you're pretending she is. Everything that's happened was part of a scheme the two of you plan to extort money from me. I tell you she is dead. Then where's the body? I thought this was the spot that I must be mistaken. I'm sure I didn't bury her any deeper than this but if I turn the flashlight this way. What is it? Look do you see what I've uncovered? A hand. Yes this is the spot where I buried her Philip. Just a few more shovel folds and I'll have her uncovered. No it can't be. There you are Philip. Of course she's been in the ground for two weeks but I think you can easily recognize that it's Vivian. Yes it's Vivian. And look Philip here's the bullet hole under her heart. The bullet hole that you made. I don't want to see anymore. I've had enough. You should trust me a little more Philip. Everything I did was for your own good. After all you you don't want to go to the electric chair do you? I don't care what happens anymore. I can't stand having her death on my conscience any longer. I'm going to call the police. Don't be a fool Philip. You know it might well mean the electric chair. I'll take my chances. Anything's better than going on living the way I have these past two weeks. I'm going back to the house and call the police. Philip Philip come back come back. Operator. Philip Philip wait. Wait don't do anything foolish. You cut me off. Take your hands off that phone. What I want you to do Philip is to listen to me for a few minutes. At the end of that time you may you may do as you please. Now that's fair enough isn't it? Nothing you can say will make me change my mind about calling the police. Now listen to me first. Then if you still want to call the police you can. Now please put the receiver down Philip. Well what do you want to tell me? Well uh do you mind if I mix myself a drink first? It's it's been a rather difficult evening. Very well. Oh what about one for you Philip? You look as though you could stand a drink. No thank you. Oh and Hanson do you good. What is it you want to say to me Roger? Oh yes say to you. Oh yes yes of course. Here's your drink Philip. Thank you. Well now what shall we drink to? We'll drink to your good luck. Come what may. There I feel a good deal better. All right now that we've had our drinks what have you got to say? Oh yes yes I uh what I wanted to say was I I never let anything interfere with my plans Philip. What do you mean by that? Simply that I can't allow you to go to the police and therefore you shant it would spoil my plan. Oh it would would it. Well I'd like to see you stop me. I have Philip. In a very little while in fact in just a few seconds you'll be dead dead. What are you saying? Yes Philip the drink I mixed for you was poisoned. Aren't you finding that it's becoming uh difficult to breathe? No you couldn't have I my throat it burns. Yes I know Philip but it'll all be over in a matter of seconds. Now I see it all you you might. Yes Philip just a week ago tonight she uh died according to plan. I'm called the police. I'm afraid Philip that you haven't the strength left to reach the telephone. I'm afraid you and Vivian never had a chance Philip. I had things worked out perfectly down to the smallest detail. Hello operator operator please connect me with the police. It was at this point that I was called into the case. Inspector Carlton called me an hour after Roger Martinson had phoned the police. When I arrived at the Drake mansion I examined the body of Vivian Drake than that of her husband Philip. When I had finished my examination I entered the library where Inspector Carlton was questioning Roger Martinson. Hello doc. Oh doc this is Roger Martinson. Mr. Martinson this is Dr. Smith the county coroner. How do you do? Hello. I'll be with you in a few minutes doc just to go around. Now Mr. Martinson you were telling me how you came to this house two weeks ago tonight to see your sister and found that she was gone. Yes yes my brother in law Philip told me that she'd gone on a vacation. I thought it strange at the time that she should have gone away without saying goodbye to me as we were always very close but days passed and I didn't hear from her. Tell me was it like your sister to go away and not right? No no it wasn't and that's what worried me so. These past two weeks Philip kept putting me off when I inquired about Vivian's whereabouts. Well tonight I couldn't stand it any longer and I came to this house to have it out with him. What did your brother-in-law say when he saw you? He was quite agitated in my unexpected arrival. When I couldn't get any satisfaction out of him regarding Vivian I threatened to go to the police. Then he broke down and confessed that he murdered Vivian. When did he murder her? He told me that he'd done it two weeks ago tonight. Why that was the very night I'd come here to see Vivian and he told me that she'd left for a vacation. I see go on naturally when he told me he'd murdered her I was aghast. He led me to the woods and showed me the grave. We returned to the house and before I knew what had happened Philip had taken poison. Then I called the police. Well it seems like a plain case of murder and suicide. Outside of a few questions at the inquest I don't think we'll trouble you anymore Mr. Martinson. Quite all right Inspector. I shall be at your service anytime. Just a moment Mr. Martinson. I was very much interested in hearing what you had to say to the Inspector regarding the murder of your sister. You say that your brother-in-law confessed to murdering her two weeks ago tonight. That's right. That would be April 2nd. Wouldn't it. Yes that's correct. Then you never saw her alive after the night of April 2nd. Why well I know of course not. What are you getting at Doc? Please Inspector. Mr. Martinson would you mind telling me where you live. I at 425 West 107th Street. Tell me were some clothes delivered to that address in your care a week ago today April 9th. Clothes. Yes to be exact a woman's sports suit which cost sixty four dollars and arrived COD. Why why no you're lying Mr. Martinson. I have in my hand a slip of paper that not only proves that you're lying but that will send you to the electric chair. Doc what do you say. Yes Inspector. Mr. Martinson's plan was perfect but he he slipped up badly. He forgot to search Vivian Drake's clothing before he buried her. When I examined her body just now I found in one of her pockets this receded bill bearing the date April 9th. That proves beyond a doubt that she wasn't murdered by her husband on April 2nd as Mr. Martinson here claims. No no yes Mr. Martinson the corpse has accused you from the grave of murder and has given us proof of your guilt. No no it can't be. I had everything planned perfectly perfectly do you hear. Down to the last detail. This is the mysterious traveler again. Have you enjoyed our little trip to the grave. Poor Roger what a pity after all that planning and hard work to be tripped up by a sales slip found on a corpse. Just goes to prove that you have to be more careful when you're burying people you've murdered. Now I recall another case where a woman drugged her husband and oh you're getting off at the next stop I'm sorry. I hope you'll join me again soon but if you do please remember this next Sunday I shall take a train that leaves at 3 30 p.m. Eastern wartime. Don't forget Sunday afternoon at half past three. You've just heard chapter 20 of the mysterious traveler a series of dramas of the strange and unusual brought to you each week by station w o r. In tonight's program the accusing corpse Don Randolph played Roger also featured were Maurice Tarplin and Philip Clark. The mysterious traveler written by Bob Arthur and David Kogan is directed by Jack McGregor original music was played by Doc Whipple. Listen next week to a tale titled escape by death another tale of the mysterious traveler. The mysterious traveler is presented by w o r mutual every Sunday over most of these stations but beginning next week the mysterious traveler will be presented at a new time Sunday afternoons at 3 30 please note the change in time 3 30 every Sunday afternoon beginning next Sunday this is mutual.