 The signal oil program the whistler whistle is your signal for the signal oil program The whistler and the whistler and I know many things for I walk by night I know many strange tales hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows Yes, I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak Yes friends, it's time for the signal oil program the whistler Remember, let every traffic signal remind you with signal new signal gasoline You do go farther than ever look for signals big yellow and black circle sign That identifies those popular signal stations in seven western states from Canada to Mexico And now the whistler strange story the seeing eye There was only one love in the life of Captain Martin Quiss It wasn't money. He'd long since made more than enough to retire comfortably And it wasn't women or liquor or self-indulgence Captain Quiss was part of the sea It had been his home in his life since the day in 1907 when he signed aboard a purse saner out of New Bedford as an apprentice seaman But a love as strong as that of Captain Quiss for the sea can be dangerous It can blind a man to more important things like human decency and justice It can lead to compromise and ruin The closing chapter in the career of Martin Quiss began on a stormy night off the floor of the keys aboard the steamer Carson City out of New Orleans bound for Portland, Maine The night wind pushing up strong from the east had reached gale strength when the cabin door burst open What's a matter grand what are we running here a shepherd a nursery now wait a minute wait a minute well dress me properly or not at all All right captain quiss sir That's better Now what's a matter mr.. Grant first mates drunk again. He just ordered me off the bridge. That's a serious charge mr.. Grant I'm not making charges captain. This isn't the pink tea at the Mariners Club We're in dangerous waters rider is perfectly capable. I tell you he's drunk He has no right to be on that bridge if you don't believe me call him very well, mr.. Grant writer First made rider in the bridge lights are bright Right here Grant has a watch until eight bells all right quiss got everything out of control Tell that to turn listen right here mine quiss don't worry a little head. I'm in charge here I'm charged What did he say the rat is in charge he's perfectly capable of standing the watch if it chooses now wait a minute Let's skip the double talk. It's my watch my name is on the log It's my responsibility to see that this ship stays on its course for the next three hours You'd better go to your quarters mr. Grant Captain quiss don't you care what happens to your ship mr. Riders been sailing for 15 years and every time he gets a few drinks under His belly thinks he's Columbus. This isn't the first time captain. He's done it before I Can't understand why you let him get by with it. You're here to take orders right not to tell me how to run my ship Now get down to your cabin He's got something on you hasn't he? What do you mean nothing? There just ought to be a reason why you'll let writer get by with murder Why he has complete command of the ship three days running while you sit in your cabin get out of here granted There's something wrong isn't there captain get out of here before I throw you in all right captain quiss I'm just trying to do my duty as an officer If you want to trust your ship to a rum pot go ahead Yes captain quiss there is something wrong isn't there? Rider has plenty on you Hasn't he enough to make you overlook the fact that the first duty of a master is to the safety of his ship Enough to make you afraid to face rider and force the issue It worries you doesn't it? Instead of turning in you sit at your desk in the cabin Thinking wishing there are a way out Then at six bells an hour before midnight you hear a strange and terrifying sound The roar of the surf to the starboard it's close captain too close You know what you're doing Give me that wheel Pilots up you put us up in the rocks. What's your helmet? This grant was right wasn't he? The Carson City did pile on the rocks a total loss two sailors dead the valuable cargo gone But there is an out isn't there riders name doesn't appear on the log nobody knows he was at the wheel, but you and Charles Grant second mate and Rider must be cleared if you're to continue your career You don't care what happens. Do you quiz? Nothing matters now except getting rider off your life on the sea is at stake So you play ball because of the strange hold rider has on you You testified that Grant was on the bridge at the critical moment that in your opinion. He's guilty of gross negligence And the court agrees with you Second-mate grant will you rise and face the court? It is the finding of this court that on the night of May 11th You as the officer in charge were guilty of criminal negligence Resulting in the wreck of the ship Carson City With a loss of two lives and an entire cargo You are therefore sentenced to a year at a day in the federal penitentiary With cancellation of your credentials as an officer in the United States Merchant Marine Do you have anything to say? No your honor Nothing To the court this court has declared adjourned Congratulations captain. I'm sorry mr. Grant. I was right wasn't I rider does have something on you I said, I'm sorry mr. Grant. He doesn't come easy. There's got to be a reason I'm sorry to captain quiss I'm sorry for you Because if it takes me a lifetime, I'm gonna hang this wrap around your neck and watch you sink signal gasoline With the prologue of tonight's story the seeing eye the signal oil company brings you another of the strange tales by the whistler Have you seen the new 1946 cars now being displayed and nice aren't they? But if you've also inquired about delivery dates, you know, you're likely to be driving your present car a good while longer No need to wait any longer, however for the fun of improved driving performance No, sir for with new signal gasoline in your tank you actually feel your present car get young again right now That's because new signal isn't just pre-war quality gasoline not just old-style gasoline improved But an entirely new type super fuel There's a long scientific explanation about how chemists actually rearrange the atoms in gasoline molecules to put quicker Starting faster pickup higher anti-knock and longer mileage into new signal gasoline But for the easy way to prove these advantages just drive into one of the friendly stations displaying signals familiar yellow and black circle sign Get a tank full of new signal gasoline As you step on the accelerator your own motor will show you why new signal gasoline actually is the post war gasoline You can prove is superior And now Back to the whistler. Yes captain quiz the end of your career on the sea began the night that the Carson City Piled up and sank on a reef off the Florida coast and sent Charles Grant your innocent second mate to prison for criminal negligence There was no other way you told yourself Rider must be cleared at all costs And as he said you're indispensable to each other During the years that follow you make one ironclad request before each sailing rider must go as first night Yes, quiz the partnership works well during those four years Until one day when your current vessel the Patricia Kay pulls at her moorings in the port of Cape Town, South Africa Anxious to be off on the return trip to New Orleans with her cargo of hemp leather and drugs You're waiting on the bridge for a new officer to arrive second-mate Charles Grant reporting for duty, sir Grant Surprised captain What are you doing here? I'm shipping aboard a second mate any objections. Oh, yeah See here, Grant. I matter captain nervous. Hey I'm sorry Grant. You won't do I'll call the engine on he'll tell you I'm aboard the Patricia Kay on orders from the home office You better have a good reason captain your record rate about my record captain and the home office isn't either I'm surprised you're willing to bring up the matter of records captain. See here, mr. Grant. Sorry captain All I have to say mr. Grant is She'd better be sure you handle your duties well Past is gone. I'd rather not discuss it. Yes, sir. Hey, I'm Glad they've given you a new chance You'll find I haven't changed but you have captain. How's that? I never saw you wearing dark glasses before Perhaps that's why you didn't recognize me when I walked up just now. Yeah. Yeah, sure. It's of course. I You'd better go to your cabin mr. Grant stole your gear now take it eat. Oh, I'm sorry I'm sorry It was a fifth of my best bourbon your stupid stumble bum. Why don't you hang on a side? I didn't see it Of course, you didn't see it one more like that and I'm gonna hand you a white cane Where's your sense told you to stay in the bridge like came up What do the men think when they see you're stumbling around on deck listen right I got through listening You're falling to pieces quits I'm tired of playing singing I for you every time you have one of these spells. I Had the brains. I was born with I'd make you retire. I'd kill you first You know I Think you would better cast off got a half hour to clear the port The new second-mater board. Yes. Who is he? That's why I came here He's not a new second-mate writer. Oh, who is he Grant Grant? What are you talking about? You heard what I said? He's been in stir. He isn't gonna lie. He's here on orders from the home office Nothing I can do. What do you mean? There's nothing you can do that guy can't sail. That's all there is to I call the agent the agent good Lord. Why didn't you happen Shanghai? I tell you that guy's not gonna sail I'm going up there. Now we're doing the writer. Shut up. I'm going up right here. I Am still in command of the ship. I want you to remember that There were anything I could do or do it Unfortunately, there isn't ranch on board for the voyage and we've got to make the best of it. I'll make the best of it I'll make the best of it when we get to New Orleans, too No Whether you like it or not quiz This is your last voyage I'm through hanging on to a guy who's fallen to pieces What does that mean Grant isn't dumb and he isn't here for the trip If you had the brains you were born with you'd have seen it and brushed him off It wasn't possible. I don't care whether it was possible or not had to be done And if we're lucky enough to keep him guessing this trip You're gonna decide to retire when we get to New Orleans And if I don't The home office is gonna be surprised to discover that one of their top skippers has a habit of Going blind every six weeks And don't try to scare me with that negligence charge You'd go up just as fast as I would and for just as long who you and one other thing You're gonna recommend your bright young first mate to succeed you How does that sound to you quiz Captain Ted rider It's hard to take isn't it quiz the idea of giving up your ship of leaving the sea forever hardly seems real to you In your bunk that night after the Patricia Kay has put out into the South Atlantic you try and think back over the past four years You remember the two men who died on the Carson City two men whose lives ought to be on your conscience Two men who'd be sailing today if you cared about anything, but Martin quiz ships master Perjury bribery the conviction of an innocent man Nothing mattered did it Finally you sleep although the pain in your eyes tells you another attack is coming on in earnest All you can make out the next morning as you walk down the deck to the bridge is the hazy line of the horizon and the dull blur of the Ship plotting forward against a head-on swell You arrive to find Grant there alone Morning, Grant. Hello All right, what happened bump into the chart table. Why don't you take those dark glasses? Why don't you stop asking you questions mr. Grant one way of finding out things that's all Happens to be the wrong way at the moment Hand me my log What don't what me mr. Grant hand me my log after that's right in front of you on the table, huh? Yeah Yes, I I Didn't notice it Don't you feel well? I feel quite well. Thank you. I Glad to hear it sir What do you suppose that schooner is doing on our starboard bow never saw a ship that small in the South Atlantic, huh? Where over there? Seer Huh, how do you make her out hmm coast wise African trader probably We're only a there out can't be more than a hundred feet or would you say she was large? I'm not interested in whether she's a hundred feet or a thousand feet long mr. Grant Ten of your will who you're trying to kid captain What do you mean you wear dark glasses day and night you bump into the table you can't see the law who said I can't see the log You might as well know mr. Grant that if I choose to wear pink glasses and a green jacket, I'll do so It so happens It's none of your business on the open see the captain's eyes or everybody's business. It has nothing to do with my eyes Was an accident Of course that That ship out there is that an accident to what are you getting at I can see that ship perfectly well Apologize captain. I was wrong about your eyes. You have excellent vision Thank you. It takes a good man to see over the horizon What do you mean? That's where she must be there isn't any ship out there What made you think you'd get away with it? Ship's captain without eyes. Hey, I felt sorry for you once I still do That's where the partnership comes in isn't it? Your brains and writer's eyes. I'll listen to anything to keep that lousy master's license, wouldn't you? It stabbed your best friend in the back by and sell witnesses purge yourself Yeah, you'd even kill me if you thought you'd get away with it Why quiz Why didn't you have sense enough to throw in the towel before it got too big for you? You wouldn't understand you bet I don't understand and the families of those two men in the Carson City don't understand either Of course, you know that will you stop it back exactly what I'm going to do when we get to New Orleans I'm going to stop it for good this time you can buy all the witnesses in the world quiz, but it won't do you any good This time it's going to stick Rider was right wasn't the captain quiz you should have done anything to keep Grant off the ship But it's too late now. He knows your secret Each day brings the Patricia K closer to New Orleans in the end You decide to play for time or to the course of the ship change sending it north to Cape Verde Four days out of its way Hoping your eyes will improve but by the time you arrive in New Orleans your vision will be sharp and clear and defensible But it continues to get worse until finally 10 days out of New Orleans. You can't see it all and Then one night out of a clear sky something happens the opportunity you've been waiting for As the ship approaches the Florida keys not far from where the Carson City founder you hear a scuffle outside your Okay There's none of your business quest get up right or I'll put you Barnes That's enough rider shall I put them in irons captain No Kelly captain won't be necessary. Mr. Kelly Take them to their cabins my dear didn't it quiz There's a way out after all you feel your way back into your cabin and think Rider was up to his old tricks again drunk trying to take the wheel away from Grant It was time perfectly wasn't it captain two competent witnesses present two reliable supporters Both of whom heard rider swear he was going to kill Grant The men are puzzled as to why you didn't throw them in irons But there's a good reason they have to be free to come and go as they pleased during the next night Free to jump through the hoops you're preparing for them You go to your cabin after dinner the next night and sit at your table thinking it through Then at seven o'clock you call Grant Did you want to see me captain? Oh, it's you yes, I've been standing here for some time Grand I've been doing a lot of thinking lately Perhaps you wondered why I didn't exercise my authority when you weren't right her head that scuffle I didn't expect rider to get it if that's what you mean as a matter of fact. I've Now I've come to the conclusion. You're right. What do you want? When's your trick at the wheel? I'm on it eight bells replacing rider. I see I Decided to clear you mr. Grant I'm going to put it in writing It's apparent. I'm not much good on the sea anymore and At least I can try to right the wrong I've done. I know it's hard to believe But I'm going to ask you to keep it to yourself until we arrive Rider must know about it But how can I can manage it typewriter quite nicely. Thank you I'm not asking for any thanks. I don't deserve anything. I'll go that far with you Report here just before you go and watch eight bullshot Is that clear you're a little unpredictable quiz. I didn't ask for your opinion. I Ask whether or not it was clear Very well captain I'll be back get eight bells You were afraid of that one weren't you quiz but he fell for it hook line and sinker You'll be ready for him in eight bells with rider conveniently alone unseen on the bridge You can tell he's alone anyone going to the bridge must pass the narrow strip of deck outside your door Quietly you feel around in the drawer of your chest Riders Navy revolver right where you put it this morning Now the knife and some string You walk carefully to the door and run your hands over the panel To get just the right spot breast high a little to your right on the line with Grant's heart As he comes in the door You drive in the point of the knife and tie the string to the knife handle Then you walk back to the desk drawing the string with you At the desk you sit down You pick up the gun and prop it up with the barrel running alongside the tight string When the gun is properly lined up you pull the string and draw the knife towards you You put them back in the drawer Then you release the safety catch on the gun You're ready for him now, aren't you with the gun accurately aimed at the spot in the doorway where the bullet will Count most when Grant opens that door It seems like ours Your hand is cramped around the gun, but you don't relax for a second. There's determination in your mind You're doing it for the sea and you won't give it up for anyone Then quistler will return with a strange ending of tonight's story in just a moment Meantime with chill winter weather definitely here Don't forget that you're not the only one who'll be needing winter clothes and a winter diet to keep feeling fit It's just as important for your car to have signals winter diet to keep wear down when the thermometer is down For the transmission and differential that means draining flushing and refilling with signal winter gear lubricant If it's been 5,000 miles since your front wheel bearings were serviced now's the time to have them removed Thoroughly cleaned and repacked with signal long-life wheel bearing grease And for your motor it's high time to drain out summer weight oil and refill with real winter protection Refill with signal pen the pure Pennsylvania oil with the famous fighting film that flows freely even on coldest mornings With this complete signal diet your car has the cold weather lubricants It needs to help keep it purring through another winter and the place to get it is at that friendly station displaying Signals familiar yellow and black circle sign Your neighborhood signal gasoline dealer and now back to the whistler Well, it's over now isn't it captain quiss your system worked the second shot wasn't necessary You're shaking as you get out of the chair and wipe the fingerprints off the gun throwing it on the deck beside the body Then you call the engine room and order Kelly to the cabin You're ready for him when he arrives Good Lord, what's happened? You were right Kelly. I should have put them on irons Sees it writer just shot mr. Grant what where is he writer? Yes? Yes, throw him in the break immediately Captain are you blind? What do you mean? This is writer here on the floor? huh, I Didn't know I all I heard was a scuffle in it quiz Grant I'm in charge now Kelly put Captain quiss and I He's Ryan I don't charge you. You're even more stupid than I thought quiz. Take him away Kelly. Wait a minute You know why writer came here quiss? Because I didn't show up for my trick at the wheel. I Didn't show up because I've been here right in this room From the time you called me in here an hour ago. It was quite a show you put on for me quiss I'll want the knife and string May need them to illustrate my lecture when we get into New Orleans grant. No Sorry for the poor guy the whistler will bring you another strange tale Whistler is broadcast for your entertainment by the marketers of signal gasoline and motor oil and fine quality automotive accessories And by your neighborhood signal dealer This program produced by George W. Allen with tonight's story by John Michael Hayes and Bud Swanton Music by Wilbur hatch is transmitted to our troops overseas by the armed forces radio service It's your signal for the signal oil program the whistler This is Marvin Miller speaking Reminding you to look for those familiar yellow and black circle signs that identify those popular signal oil stations in seven western states From Canada to Mexico This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system