 and its 96,000 dealers present Miss Marlena Dietrich in Murder Strikes Three Times, a suspense play produced and edited by William Spears. For snappy starting on zippy, snippy days, there's nothing better than a set of the famous ignition engineered auto light spark plugs. Mr. Wilcox, sounds like a speech. Speech, this is no speech, Debbie. This is the free flow of fervent feeling for the newest addition to the complete line of ignition engineered spark plugs made by auto light. A wide gap auto light resistor spark plugs. Mr. Wilcox, are you trying to say that auto light resistor spark plugs offer car owners special advantages? Precisely, my pedantic pretty, because auto light builds an exclusive 10,000 ohm resistor right into every auto light resistor spark plug. And this makes practical a wider initial gap setting. The advantages of which have long been recognized by automotive engineers. I never knew that, Mr. Wilcox. Tell me more. My girl, auto light resistor spark plugs give double life under equal conditions as compared to spark plugs without the built-in resistor. Yes, sir, this newest addition to the complete auto light ignition engineered spark plug line is the only spark plug that will give you smoother performance on leaner gas mixtures and greater gas savings. So, see your auto light spark plug dealer tomorrow for a set of the famous ignition engineered auto light spark plugs. And remember, whether you choose the regular type or the resistor type, you'll be right because you're always right with auto light. And now with murder strikes three times and the performance of Marlene Dietrich, auto light hopes once again to keep you in suspense. Coal mine operators will be getting down to specific cases soon. The exclusive that I promised you earlier in the program. A report so sensational that I am going to devote all of my remaining time to it. I have before me a copy of a document delivered in person today to the district attorney's office by one Fredonia Bell. Fredonia Bell was the trusted personal maid of Laura Starling Morton, who you will remember from the widely publicized murder trial of two years ago. This document is a statement written by Laura Starling Morton in her own hand. And it begins as follows, quote, I only regret that it will be impossible for me to be present when this is read aloud. What I shall relate here concerns three men. Of these three men, it is not on behalf of my husband, Robert, that I write, nor on behalf of my husband, Charles. This is for Elma. But I do not think that Elma will ever see it. For Elma too is going to die. Yes, Robert? Where's my electric razor? In the medicine cabinet where it always is. Save while you're in the bathtub that way. What's the difference where I shave? I like to shave in the bathtub. I just don't like to see you meddling with electricity while you're in there. You might get a shock or something. Oh, sure, sure. Mrs. Thomas Edison. All right, go ahead. I don't care. I like to shave in the bathtub. I'm relaxed in the bathtub. I read in the bathtub, I think in the bathtub. I'm not going to change my habits for you. I know, dear. I suppose that is a lot to expect. Oh. It was a good loud scream. And I stood in the door of the bathroom and looked, a good long look. Then I called a doctor. The doctor called the police. The police called the district attorney. And I found myself confronted by a young man with red hair and glasses who gave the immediate impression of being clever, unscrupulous and objectionable. That was Elma. Mrs. Williams, I'm Elma Garner of the district attorney's office. How do you do, Mr. Garner? I thought you and I had better have a little private chat. What about, Mr. Garner? About your husband. What about my husband? Mrs. Williams, I'm going to be very frank with you on a number account. I am what is known as an assistant district attorney. Mr. Garner, I have just lost my husband. I hardly think. No, I'm coming to that, Mrs. Williams. Now, the district attorney has put me on this case because, well, he thinks he doesn't have a case. Routine investigation. Now, maybe it's because the DA is essentially a nice man with nice instincts, and I am not, but I don't agree with him. About what? About not having a case. Because I can smell him, Mrs. Williams. I can smell him a mile away. What can you smell, Mr. Garner? Murder. Oh, I see. Good. Well, your attitude is very good. No phony hysteria, no fake indignation. Realistic. Oh, I like that. I'm that way myself. Mr. Garner, I'm trying my best to maintain my composure under trying circumstances. I must say your extraordinary insinuation does not make it any easier. Now, look, I know you killed him, and you know that I know you killed him. Mr. Garner. Now, as I said, I was going to be very frank with you, Mrs. Williams, and I am. On your side of the story is the fact that although I know you killed him, it may be a little difficult to prove that you killed him. Not too difficult, but a little. I should think it might, since it is utterly untrue. Now, let's see what cards I hold. You are a laboratory technician, or you were before you married, right? Right. And your technical knowledge would have told you that a man using a faulty electrical appliance while sitting in a tub full of water stood an excellent chance of electrocuting himself. I also know that a man firing a bullet into his head would send an excellent chance of killing himself. The insulation in the cable of that electric razor was frayed. Now, that might have happened through normal wear, but it also might have happened because it was tampered with by you. And then again, as you say, it might not. Would it surprise you to know that we've got your fingerprints all over that razor? It would surprise me more if you hadn't. Oh, and everything else in the house for that matter, Mr. Garner. Uh-huh. Oh, you're a very intelligent woman, Mrs. Williams. You're right. It would have looked funny. You were smart not to wipe off those prints. Very smart. Thank you. However, so much for the means. Now, for the motive. We can establish, of course, that you and your husband didn't get along. Unfortunately, you can establish that about many husbands and wives. And that your husband was insured for $50,000 in your favor. And that there's about 50,000 more in community property. And that you inherit, right? Naturally. $100,000 is quite a nice little motive, Mrs. Williams. But it doesn't prove anything, does it, Mr. Garner? It depends on how it's used by the prosecuting attorney. And that's me, you know. I know. Tell me, do you have a lawyer, Mrs. Williams? Not yet. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. All you are a very intelligent woman. That would have looked bad, too, if you had a lawyer right on tap. Yeah. But you're gonna need a lawyer, you know. So it would appear. How about me? You? Sure, sure. I'm a lawyer. You have just finished telling me that you would be the prosecuting attorney. Well, that's just a point. Why spend a lot of money on a lawyer who probably can't get you off anyway when you can spend it on me and have a sure thing? You see? Yes, I see. All I want is half. $50,000. No. It's a matter too much. No. Look, sister, you don't seem to realize that I'm in a position, depending how I handle it, in case either sets you free or to hang here. That, Mr. Garner, is where we disagree. You mean you're willing to gamble if I can't do it? If you wish to put it that way. All right, but $50,000 will look cheap. Cheap! When they slip that noose around your neck. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, cold, calm, emotionless, the same Laura Williams, who carefully calculated, carefully planned, and premeditated the murder of her husband. I ask the death penalty. I must ask it. For Ponderwell, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, if you set her free, if you set her free, believe me, this will not be the last accident to mark the bloody trail through life of Laura Williams. And when that accident occurs, when the next victim is struck down, his innocent blood will be upon your hand! Gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict? We have. What is your verdict? On the grounds of insufficient evidence, we find the defendant not guilty. Oh, my God! This is Williams. I guess the sporting thing to say is congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you, Mr. Garner. Say one thing, you've got what it takes. The jury was evenly divided that whole first day. Do you know that? Yes, I knew it. Yes, I wasn't too far wrong at that, was I? Just far enough, Mr. Garner. Say this again, just as a sporting proposition. Tell me, did you? Did I what? Come on, we're alone here anyway, it doesn't matter, because you can't be tried twice for the same thing. You know that, don't you? Yes, I know it. Well, did you? Yes. You cheap, contemptible blackmailer, yes. I killed him. How do you like that? I killed him. Yes, I told him. Told him the truth. Just to see the smirk fall from his face. Just to see him actually snarl with prostration. Knowing that I'd gotten away with murder and he couldn't do anything about it. Yes, I couldn't have resisted telling him then, even though it meant I'd die of it, which I will. The Light is bringing you Marlena Dietrich in Murder Strikes Three Times, tonight's production in Radio's Outstanding Theatre of Thrill's Suspense. Be my dear director of Elocution, you interest me strangely. First your hoity-toity, then your hoity-polloyty. How come? Mr. Wilcox, I am leading a double life. Double life? Say, that's just what the new Wide Gap Auto Light Resistor spark plugs offer car owners everywhere. Double life under equal conditions as compared to spark plugs without the built-in resistor. Gently, Mr. Wilcox, gently. You see, friends, Wide Gap Auto Light Resistor spark plugs are the newest addition to the complete line of ignition engineered spark plugs made by Auto Light. They offer money saving advantages, smoother performance, greater gas savings, quicker starting in cold weather. Mr. Wilcox, your diff-songs are showing. Thank you, my little lecturer. Next time you stop at your favorite service station, ask your dealer to install a set of ignition engineered Auto Light spark plugs in your car. And whether you choose the regular type or the resistor type spark plugs, you'll be right, because you're always right with Auto Light. And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage, our star Marlena Dietrich and featuring Hans Conreed as Elmer in Murder Strikes Three Times, a tale well-calculated to keep you in suspense. Perhaps I gambled too recklessly with Elmer. I have since had cause to wonder. But there were things I could not foresee, as well as Elmer. Suffice it to say that after my acquittal for the $100,000 from Robert the State, I moved to another city and took up my life again under another name. But there, as Laura Starling, I met and married Charles Morton, a charming and eccentric man whose genius as a research chemist accounted not only for those qualities which endeared him to me, but for a very considerable personal fortune, as well. I was quite happy and completely in love. And as the years went by, I had seen, I thought, the last of Elmer. Oh, Charles. Yes, my dear. I have your coffee. Coffee? You said you wanted coffee. It's ready now. But I have some coffee. You took that out there three hours ago. Now come in and get your coffee. Yes, in a moment, my dear, as soon as I finish... Charles, you come out of that smelly laboratory and have your coffee. Besides, I have a surprise for you. You have? Well, I'll be right in there. And bring the other coffee cup with you. Yes, yes. Now, what's all this about a surprise? Look. What? Oh, yes. I seem to have left my glasses in the laboratory. Oh, Charles, you're simply priceless. It's a cake. This is our anniversary, darling. Our fourth wedding anniversary. Is it? I so it is. Laura, this is so thoughtful of you. I'm afraid I'm hopeless, my dear. I know it's the husband who should be thoughtful, but I... You're just you, darling. Now sit down and relax for a while. Yes. Oh, here's your cup. Thank you. Charles, what's in that cup? Coffee. Charles, I'm sure that even in the atomic age, coffee does not come in the form of white crystals. Hmm? Oh, yes, yes. I've finished my coffee. Charles, what is it? Thiochlorate. You see, at the moment, I'm... Charles! What? That's deadly poison. So it is. You see, the time... Oh, Charles, I wish you wouldn't mix things up in the cups and dishes that way. It's dangerous. Suppose you've got the cups mixed up. Suppose you... Go to heaven, Laura. Half the stuff you use in chemistry is dangerous if you go to drink it. But who's going to do that? It's like, uh, eating soap. You wash your hands with it every day, but who'd think of eating it? Now, you take that cup right back out of the lavato and empty it and wash it out. All right. Charles. Yes? I was wondering, since it's our anniversary... Yes? Let's go out to dinner and celebrate. Well, yes. I think that's a splendid idea. Oh, my goodness. What? Oh, I completely forgot. My brother's coming to see us today. Your brother? Yeah, or my half-brother. I meant to tell you... Charles, I never knew you had a brother. Didn't you? Well, you see, he's been in the army for about five years. He just got back a short time ago and I got a wire yesterday, saying he'd be passing through town and he'd like to see me. So... Does he know you're remarried? Well, I suppose... I suppose he doesn't. As a matter of fact, we've never been very close. Neither of us much of a lesson, right? And so on, but he's the only relative I've got. And all the sympathy I've wasted on you, because I thought you were an orphan or something? Oh, I was, but practically. When is he coming? Well, this afternoon sometime, I think. Well, I guess there's your answer. I am sorry, my dear... My child, that's all right. Maybe your brother would like to go out and celebrate with us. Well... Right in there, dear. Hello there. Hello, child. Come in. Come in. And I want you to meet my wife. Laura, this is my brother, Elma. There was no doubt that it was Elma. There was no doubt that he recognized me. And there was no doubt in my mind as to how he intended to play his hand this time, either. For he gave no public sign of recognition. But simply looked straight at me and smiled. And smiled and smiled. So you've gone into private practice, eh, Elma? Criminal law, I suppose. Yeah, there's no appreciation of this country of men who hold public office financially, at least. Oh, Elma. You always did have your eye on the dollar, didn't you? What about your racket, Charlene? What have you been up to? Oh, just puttering around here in my laboratory. You mean right here at home? Of course. Oh, I guess that's new since you were here last. There's a lot that's new since I was here last. It's right in there, right through those doors. Isn't that sort of a nuisance for a wife? Not in the least. Why should it be? Now, Laura, don't try to cover up my feelings. Just before you came, she was scolding me for carrying piochlorate around in the family coffee cup. Isn't that interesting? Isn't that a coincidence? Why? Now, I was just thinking, what a fine setup for a murder. Now, somebody poisoned the chemist in his own laboratory and it looks just like an accident. Neither. You will find that Elma has a morbid mind, my dear. He used to try people from murder back in Illinois. And I tried some beauties, too. Oh, I've got to get going. I'm sorry I can't accept your invitation for the night. But you are staying over a few days, are you? Oh, yes, yes. I'll see you again. Good. Good. Good. Now, don't bother to come to the door with me, Charles. I know you want to get back to your work. Well... Perhaps Laura will, huh? Give us a little chance to get acquainted. Why, yes, of course. Call us, Elma. You can depend on it, Charlie. Good. Little Laura William. What do you want? What do you think old Charlie would say if he knew, huh? I ask your question. I suppose he'd go on loving you in his own peculiar fashion, but never be quite the same, would it? There'd always be that little gnawing doubt. Another accident, maybe. Oh, no, I'm afraid things are kind of under strain around here, Laura. You do have a price, I suppose. Am I? By the way, why are you so eager to fail? I'm happy here. I'm at peace with myself and the world. I don't want anything to change. No other reason. What other reason would there be? I suppose all this property would go to you in the event of another little accident. You don't really believe that. The motive and the means. Money and poison. How much, Elmer? No. No, you got me wrong, Laura. I don't want money. When did that happen? Did it ever occur to you that I might simply be interested in my brother's welfare? No. All that has occurred to me so far is to wonder why I had to pick the one man in the world who was related to you. You want to hear my proposition? I'm waiting. The motive and the means. There's always the means for an intelligent person like you. But if we took away the motive... The motive? The money, the will. No motive, no temptation, you see? I see. Yeah, in a way, it's for your own protection, too. Because if Charlie so much has slipped on a banana peel and you inherited that money, there's no jury in the world that wouldn't convict you. Simply on your past record, you realize that, don't you? Yes. So, no motive, no casey, you see? What do you want me to do? Get him to change as well. In favor of his only living relative, I presume? Uh-huh. That's me. And then? That's all. And you're in the clear. Because after that, Charlie couldn't suspect you, even if I told him. Probably wouldn't believe it. Throw me out of the house for persecuting his little bride. Maybe even change as well right back again, you see? All right. Ha. You can do it, can't you? I suppose so. Oh, I know you can. I know you'd better. It seems such a strange request to me. Darling, I don't want your money. I only want you. I know, dear, but after all, I'm considerably older than you are, my dear, and chances are that someday... No, the whole idea of losing you and then profiting by it, it's just hateful. Who else would I leave it to? Leave it to your brother. Elmer? Why not? It doesn't matter, but... Well... Please, darling, for me. All right, my dear, if it really makes a difference to you, don't you worry about it anymore. I'll take care of it some time. No, I want you to do it now, right away, today. Well, I'd have to get in touch with my lawyer. I'll call him for you. I'll get him on the phone right now. Goodness, Laura. You act as though it were a matter of life and death. Mr. Elmer Garner, please. Thank you. This is Laura. Uh-huh. It's all right. It's all arranged. Is it? Yes, the lawyer's coming tomorrow. Did he tell the lawyer the changes he wanted made? Yes, he did. Not that I think you'd ever tell a lie, Laura, but how do I know all this? Haven't he told you? No. Then perhaps you'd better drop in this evening. That's what I hear. I'll expect you after dinner. Elmer arrived this evening. Less than an hour ago. We were having coffee in the living room. Earlier, Charles had been showing him through the laboratory. It was not until after that that I had a moment to speak to him alone. No, the wonderful fellow, Charlie. So trusting. Did he tell you? Not far. Who will? Oh, that. Yeah, it seems to me that I'm to beat your Charlie's beloved heir. He still can't understand it. Are you satisfied, then? My dear Laura, I was never more satisfied in my life. Almost even things up, doesn't it? Almost. You never forgot that, did you? That you lost. Lost? Who says I lost? Game isn't over till the last card is played. It is for you. Okay. Okay. All in good time. Sorry I had to leave you, but those reactions have to be checked every hour. Oh, that's all right, Charlie. Laura and I were just going over old times in Illinois. You didn't know we both came from Illinois, did you? No, no. I hadn't realized. I'm sure I told you, Charles. You must have forgotten. Oh, yes. Probably. Coffee ready? Yes. Will you have coffee with us, Elma? Oh, you bet I will. Anything in it? No, nothing in mine. Charles always takes his black tooth. Laura does make the best coffee. Well then, here's to Laura's coffee. There was something about his smile when he said it. That smile. And then all of a sudden I saw it. I saw the whole terrible thing. Don't! Don't drink it, Charles! Well, old Charlie seems to have keeled over. Wouldn't be surprised if that was thiochlorate poison. Charles! Charles! The motive and the means. And the motive is the real beaut this time, Laura, because you had to kill him before he changed his will. Neat, huh? You killed him. Sure, but that's not what the jury's going to think. No! And of course, I'll get the money anyway. You couldn't very well collect it. Because they're going to hang you! Now I'm downstairs in the living room. I'm in my study. And once more I'm waiting for the police. There's no escape for me, of course. Elma knows that. But there's one little thing that he has forgotten the last play of the game. For I just have drawn up a will of my own. Leaving my property and everything that I inherit from Charles to Elma. It is stated three days ago. This statement I shall give into the safekeeping of my personal maid, Badonia Bell. Who, after all, has said and done has been the only true friend I've ever had. I shall give it to her with instructions for its eventual disposal, which I know she will follow to the letter. When that is done, I shall play the last card in the game. I don't think Elma will find it possible to tump that card. Because, you see, when the police come, it is Elma who will have to do the explaining. Not I. And he will have to explain to body. Charles and mine. And as the world knows, Laura Morton was found dead. Dead by the same means which caused her husband's death in that double tragedy two years ago. And now we have this document. And the irony of the document, ladies and gentlemen, the terrible irony is that it was delivered to the district attorney's office by Fredonia Bell this evening at eight o'clock. Two years later. And why did the good Fredonia wait until tonight? Because she was thus following explicitly the instructions of her mistress, Laura Starling Morton, who specified that the envelope be handed to the police exactly 24 hours after the execution of Elmer Garner. Good night. Well then, let me say that AutoLite makes more than 400 products 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, 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 AutoLite, as Dr. reports that your neighborhood service station, car dealer, garage or repair shop. Remember, you're always right with AutoLite. Next Thursday for Suspense, Dick Powell will be our star. The play is called Slow Burn, and it is, as we say, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. Tonight's Suspense play was produced and edited by William Speer and directed by Norman MacDonald. Music for Suspense is composed by Lucian Moore-Weck and conducted by Lud Bluskin. It strikes three times as an original play for radio by John DeWitt. Marlene Dietrich will soon be seen in the Warner Brothers production stage fright. You can buy AutoLite regular or resistive spark plugs, AutoLite staple batteries, AutoLite electrical parts at your neighborhood AutoLite dealer. Switch to AutoLite. Good night. There is still a tremendous job to be done in gaining new knowledge about the causes, prevention, treatment and cure of heart diseases. Give to this worthy cause. Send your contribution to heart, H-E-A-R-T, care of your local post office. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.