 Autolight and its 96,000 dealers present Mr. James Mason in Banquo's chair a suspense play produced and edited by William Spear Arlo Wilcox you happy huckster. Welcome me home. Why half fuel What's the greatest spark plug engineering miracle in years? 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It has a bearing upon the story. I'm about to tell you please listen the recent retirement of Sir William Brent from the English criminal investigation has given great joy to all the lawbreakers in our land For more than two decades. So William has terrorized the underworld The ex-head of the English and criminal Criminal investigation has been the scourge of thieves and murderers In but one single solitary instance has he been known to confess defeat or to express dissatisfaction with the outcome of his prosecution This was the now famous Bedford murder case That news item was written by Arthur Grange a reporter who had been covering crime trials for years and who my new very well indeed I had not of course given up the bed for the case That too is now over But that the case should be resolved as it was No one on earth could have foreseen I'd already made my arrangements with May Wakefield and of course with Bedford Arthur Grange's call came on Wednesday. I just received your wire I hope you're coming. Well, I am scheduled to go up to Woodesbury on Friday and dine with my sister How important is this dinner? I don't think you will ever forget it as long as you live Isn't turret house the place where Bedford murdered his aunt? You have a good memory. What's it all about? Will you be here after you make it sound so mysterious? It will be Can I bring my revolver? Yes, I think you should out there Good night It rained all day Friday and by evening August in November when began to drive the rain hard against the exposed wall of turret house This mansion is a huge red brick ugly product of Queen Victoria's time It did not stand gracefully but squatted at the back of a private road almost hidden from view by several gripping pine trees The neighborhood was in decline as best days were over Perhaps mine were too. I thought as I came down the stairs But after tonight it won't matter Good evening There's a fire in the library how are you so William quite well after made you move into this draft the old dungeon I don't live here. It's my temporary quarters. I still live room in there in the West End and Here is miss stone miss Roberta stone. This is mr. Arthur Grant. Please to meet you How do you do Roberta is the famous mystery story writer? Oh, yes, I've read your books and enjoyed them Thank you, mr. Grains. Let's you can tell me miss stone what mysterious event is going to take place here this evening I was told to come armed. He told me the same thing. Here's my gun. I've never fired this monstrous ugly thing in all my life You're pointing it at me Roberta. It's not at all polite. I'm sorry sir, William This house Roberta was the scene of a particularly unpleasant crime as mr. Grains can tell you Oh, yes in this very house John Bedford murdered his aunt miss Martha Ferguson. Oh, how nice Mr. Bedford couldn't have picked a more ideal place so William you must tell us what you're up to We'll have a drink first, and then I'll tell you both all about it. Lane. Will you serve the drinks? Oh, yes Good Now I can tell you that tonight. I am going to close the Bedford case Thank you, Lane. You're going to close the Bedford case tonight. Give you the facts in an orderly fashion. I Never arrested John Bedford for the murder of his aunt miss Ferguson for two reasons first He had an absolute and perfect alibi Arresting him would only be a waste of time and money and secondly according to English law a man discharged can never be arrested again on the same Murder charge. What's going to happen tonight in a short while? John Bedford will be here to dine with us and oh, yes His victim miss Ferguson you you mean miss Ferguson wasn't actually murdered miss Ferguson is most thoroughly dead and has been dead for years You you're going to have the body of old miss Ferguson here while we please don't anticipate me As you both know I've never lost a case except the Bedford murder. I'm an egotist I've resigned from the criminal investigation for the sole reason of trapping John Bedford. Well, I must say you have a great amount of patience So William. Yes, I am infinitely patient For three years. I've been planning for this night. This is a moment of considerable triumph for me I wanted to have some witnesses a writer will record this event and an admirer Will appreciate the skill with which I will bring a notorious murderer to his proper end I have an uncanny feeling that this is going to be gruesome. Come You'd be ashamed to run away. Wouldn't you? I'll stay of course. Oh, well, I long as I have my weapons blended But before I tell you about my diabolical scheme, let me first acquaint Roberta with the details of the murder. I Think I can recreate the circumstances for you quite accurately very well Exactly three years ago tonight Hilda Hilda, where are you? Oh? Where is that foolish maid never around? Why don't you answer when I call I was in the kitchen, ma'am. It's after 10 o'clock. You should be on your way home Just about to leave has my nephew called. No, ma'am. Mr. Bedford hasn't called since yesterday I told him he couldn't come here anymore. Just like you told me. I don't ever want to see him again He's no good an evil man who will come to an evil end You're never to let him in here. Hilda. He won't ever come in this house Not if I can help it now you'd better run along and make sure all the doors are bolted before you leave Yes, ma'am. Good night, Mr. Gerson. Good night, Hilda Pity about my nephew John such a pity Who's there who is it? It's John Aunt Martha your own affectionate nephew. What are you doing in my house? Oh, you're not at all pleased to see me. You're only living relative too I'd like you to leave at once or I'll call the police. Well, I'd rather not auntie I want to have a talk with you. You don't want to talk to me. All you want is my money You're putting the whole subject on a very vulgar level. You've had all the money you will ever get out of me You won't get tuppence after I die and it may interest you to know that I'm changing my will tomorrow So I hear auntie. You're wearing gloves that yes Away from me. Oh, no, you're an old woman auntie all that money is no good for you You can't ever use it, but to me money is life And you're going to die soon. No. No, you're not going to do that. Oh, yes, auntie I am and I'd be doing your favor your old and ill and And don't you worry auntie We'll have a fine funeral for you That's pretty much the way old miss Ferguson was murdered Her maid hilt her found the body the next morning. I Immediately went to work on the case all the evidence pointed to John Bedford. He almost admitted it himself I had him brought to my office for questioning Oh, hello, please come in. Thank you Cigarette. Oh, thank you Well How does it feel to kill your aunt? May I have a light please? Yes, of course. I wouldn't know sir William. You see I never killed anyone Have you? Yes, I've shot and killed lawbreakers who tried to get away And I've sent many of them to the gallows. Yes, so I understand What was your relationship to your aunt? I was her nephew Very amusing She didn't like you did she I'm a truthful man. She didn't she thought I was a spendthrift and a parasite. She was quite right Where were you on the night of the murder? In jail. I Drunk a little too much and got into a bit of a tiff with the police Mm-hmm Quite an alibi quite a fact Now it was hardly possible for me to be in jail and kill my aunt at the same time Unless of course my aunt came into my cell and allowed me to murder her after which she walked back to turret house as a ghost Dragging her body behind her That's hardly possible Don't you think you ought to check my story? I already have You're a skillful fellow Why don't you arrest me then? Mr. Bedford I have time and patience. Oh, you'd better work fast by the time you get round to me I'll have spent all of my aunt's beautiful money. It's not her money. I'm after it's your life Your beautiful life, mr. Bedford Good day Yes, and Tonight I shall have him Tonight in your presence He will commit that murder again and this time I shall arrest him for it Auto light is bringing you James Mason in Banquo's chair lights production and radio's outstanding theater of thrills Suspends. Hey Harlow while I was on vacation I used nothing but those miraculous new white gap auto light resistor spark plugs in my car In what a performance. That's the white gap auto light resistor spark plug for you They're the newest addition to the complete line of regular transport aviation resistor marine and model spark plugs ignition engineered by Auto light. Hello. Let me tell you how those white gap auto light resistor spark plugs work like a charm Well, of course they did have just as any auto light spark plug But with auto light resistor spark plugs you do get special advantages such as smoother performance on leaner gas mixtures greater gas savings Even double life under equal conditions as compared to spark plugs without the built-in resistor And it's all due to the 10,000 ohm exclusive auto light resistor built right into every auto light resistor spark plug So friends see your neighborhood auto light spark plug dealer tomorrow and have worn out spark plugs replaced with ignition engineered Auto light spark plugs whether you choose the resistor type of the regular type You'll be right because you're always right with auto light and now Auto light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage our star James Mason in Banquo's chair a Tail well calculated to keep you in That's how matters stood I refused to let my man arrest him But how in the world could he have murdered his aunt while he was in jail? Well, he might have tried the prison guard to let him out for an hour. Yeah, right Roberta. I believe that's exactly what he did Unfortunately the guard in question died of pneumonia soon afterwards and left us no further source of evidence Well as far as I can see sir William You haven't a leg to stand on you can't touch Bedford every man in particularly a criminal has an Achilles heel. I Sat down at my desk and putted him out on paper. I decided I didn't know enough about him his personal habits as real character So a month ago, I would so will you what the surprise? Won't you invite me in? Oh, of course, thank you, Mr. Bedford. Well, I'm really honored to have the great man pay me a visit You're not after any more clues. I hope it doesn't get rather feature No, no, not at all. I know when I'm beaten. I don't want to appear smug sir, but everyone has his water loo Would you have a drink? Thank you. I Don't know whether you've heard that I have resigned from the criminal investigation. I'm a private citizen No, it wasn't my love for justice that made me pursue my profession with such a tenacity and Success for the total exception of your case, of course It was a game of skill with me my wits against all cameras. I lost in your case But then we all have to lose sometimes I don't believe you civilian. You're still out to get me There isn't much chance. I'm afraid not. I've kept out of trouble so far knock on wood No idea you were superstitious The sophisticate like you Before I go there's just one thing I noticed in the papers that you're looking for a tenant for a carousel house. Oh, yes, I am. I'd like to rent it The scene of the crime Of course why not is no harm As a matter of fact is perfect and what's more I'll let you have it very cheaply for all time say I saw Bedford frequently our acquaintance developed into friendship an armed friendship, of course He knew I was out to get him and I wanted him to know that But he was so pleased so vain that he bested me that it gave him delight to see me And that's how I got to know him pretty well Fundamentally he's superstitious and afraid. He's uncomfortable in the dark. He's an insomniac He finds himself utterly unable to read horror novels his Sneering self assurance is a mask for a nature that's subject to deathly fears well Tonight is the anniversary of the murder and tonight. Mr. Bedford dines with us at 8 o'clock. I Asked you two to be here early so that we could have a talk. It's nearly 8 now Now this is the plan you both know may wakefield the Shakespearean may wakefield. Oh, yes Wonderful the greatest lady Macbeth I ever heard right now during dinner She will enter the room in the precise likeness of miss Ferguson the murdered woman. We of course will pretend not to see her We'll remain outwardly unconscious of her only Bedford will be aware of her presence Hamlet the plays the same exactly Now during dinner the electric light will be switched off at the main and candles will be lit We must have the correct atmosphere. You understand now. You are not to see miss wakefield She doesn't exist for us. Is that clear? I look like We'll be bedford dear mr. Bedford Good of you to come in this weather. I never miss a meeting with you, sir. We'll lend will you take mr. Bedford's things yet? miserable well indeed this way to the dining room. Thank you. Oh Almost forgot my way around in this ugly old place. Perhaps you have unpleasant memories associated with turret house Perhaps I have Bedford looked us over with his characteristic arrogance and superiority. I Made the proper introductions, and then we all sat down to dinner It's getting worse look as if we're in for a few days of this weather too bad I think we're doing some writing tomorrow The soup it's it is excellent. Oh, yes, sir William Your cook is to be congratulated the soup is a masterpiece or Alice She's been my cook for over 20 years, but she's given me notice Absolutely refuses to say here any longer Why? She says this house is haunted Roberta this might make an interesting story for you. You should speak to her She can give you a detailed description of the ghost Alice swears that she's seen the figure of an elderly woman with finger marks on her throat walking about the Oh Come now, sir. Will you this is just too good such an obvious attempt to frighten me So William is convinced that I murdered my arm No, please so William a little more subtlety surely I deserve it Perhaps perhaps the cook did see the figure it might interest you to know mr. Bedford that I don't believe in ghosts And I'm sure my cook never saw this elderly figure except enough right the imagination Well, I am afraid so that your little attempt did not work But I must admire your graceful acknowledgement of its failure. I suppose I should give up plaguing you shouldn't time Oh, no, no, sir. Will you never give up? I may have a weak spot somewhere. You never can tell if at first you don't succeed Do you live far from here, mr. Bedford, thank you mr. Really no need to change the subject. I hope you'll find this game as amusing as I do I Um, I saw a very exciting play last night. Hey, Mark. Excuse me a moment. It's really fearfully hot in here Do you mind sir? Will you make we get a little pressure? I'm sorry. It is stuff in here and lay and open one of the windows Hey, it is awful weather. It's simply awful. Yes, I don't know how we will ever get home If I can't stand this weather myself. I think I'll go to the Riviera next week. I'm always Oh Lane what on earth wrong with the lights? I don't know sir. Well, don't stand around fetch some candles We can't sit here in the darkness and get the chauffeur. He knows something about electric lights I'll call the show called right away. I'm terribly sorry about this We've had trouble with the wiring before we'll have it fixed up in a few minutes. Let's get on with our dinner Have some more wine mr. Bedford. I've had enough thank you It was a tense moment. I looked at Roberto and Arthur they were both pale and uneasy and so was Bedford for all his poise I believe that the only calm person in the room was myself. Oh Mr. Bedford you were saying something about visiting the Riviera It must be lovely at this time of year. I do. I've been there before you know What's the matter mr. Bedford? Nothing nothing at all. I I wish we could have some more light. It's rather difficult to see I'm really terribly sorry This had to happen just at dinner Please have a little more wine mr. Bedford. No, no, I don't drink much The figure of a woman I'd entered the wrong She'd come in silently like a ghost It was done so softly so skillfully that her presence seemed completely unreal. It was a superb entrance We all saw her but we made no sign of recognition in the dim candle light. She looked Gastly piece of makeup Bedford looked at all of us To see if we'd seen the figures standing a few feet away from him, but we ate our dinner calmly He looked again Shook his head and then gulp the wine in front of him Don't any of you see anything see what mr. Bedford. You look perfectly well. What there? Justice please what's got into you bet it's my arm My arms you've had too much wine. Your aunt is dead. You're not seeing ghosts. I hope Yes, oh, yes, that's it. I dream too much. I'm not used to drinking She's coming towards me home yourself bed, but I've never seen you like this There's no one else here. Do you see anyone Roberta? No, no, I don't see anyone Neither do I I Can't stand it. I'm getting out of here You're not wearing gloves today She's real She starts She's gone to the door. She won't let me out. I'm an old woman Money is no good for me. I'm Lonely By our mother out of my way Get away from that daughter. I'll murder you again to hear our mother. I'll kill you again. You are witch Officer Graham come out arrest him You had his confession With the handcuffs Well, it seems that I finally caught up. I'll kill her again It wasn't your aunt that was may wakefield the actual Take him away Graham Let's continue our dinner. I'm sorry for this interruption I don't think I want to eat anymore now. Don't be squeamish Roberta. We must celebrate my final case It's been a long job, but it ended just as I knew it must I'm most grateful to the both of you for your help. It was a little grim for me That was the finest piece of acting I've ever seen may wakefield certainly knew her part. We must congratulate her She almost convinced me She must have removed her makeup by now or Lane. Oh, yes Tell miss wakefield to come down and join us. We have a fine dinner waiting for her Excuse me, sir, but this telegram came a little while ago. I didn't want to disturb you during dinner. Let me have it Why sir William is anything wrong? I'll read it to you Extremely, sorry severe influenza makes it impossible for me to leave my bed tonight Will tomorrow night do signed May wakefield Lord help us if it wasn't May wakefield I did not answer I Looked at the staring faces of Roberta and Then I turned away a Vein in my temple began to throb. I put my hand to it and it stopped. I I Think I'll have some wine and now Lane Yes, sir Fetch a bottle of brandy and pour three stiff drinks Better make it for I Think you need one too Suspense presented by auto light tonight star James Mason Well half it's great to have your back me in those 400 auto light product Yes, you and over 400 products made by auto light for cars trucks planes and boats in 28 plants coast to coast These include complete electrical systems used as original equipment on many makes of America's finest cars Spark plugs batteries generators coils distributors starting motors and bullseye sealed beam headlights All engineered to fit together perfectly work together perfectly because they're a perfect team So friends don't accept electrical parts supposed to be as good ask for and insist on auto light original factory parts at your neighborhood Service station car dealer garage or repair shop. Remember you're always right with auto light Next Thursday for suspense our star will be Alan land plays called motive for murder And it is as we say a tale. Well calculated to keep you in Tonight suspense play was produced and edited by William Spear and directed by Norman McDonald Music for suspense is composed by Renee Garagank and Lucian Morawek and conducted by Ludbliskin Bank was chair was adapted for radio by Sigmund Miller from a short story by Rupert Croft cook James Mason can soon be seen in the universal international picture one-way street In the coming weeks, you will hear such stars as Ronald Reagan and ginger Rogers Don't forget next Thursday same time auto light will present suspense starring Alan land You can buy auto light resistor or regular spark plugs auto light faithful batteries Auto light electrical parts at your neighborhood auto light dealers switch to auto light. Good night. This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system