 The whistler how the whistler strange story the raw hide coffin The girl sitting alone at the cow awee bar paid for her drink and then counted what little she had left a frown crossed her attractive features $19 $19 and a few cents This at the moment was Marilyn Millington's soul fortune not a very comfortable backlawed for a girl alone in Honolulu It had been almost two months now since she'd quit her job in Los Angeles Followed her boss great to his Maui plantation to shake him down for a cool 10,000 for what she knew But something had gone wrong the authorities had gotten to him first and Marilyn's dreams of blackmailing away to Easy Street went up a dead end She sighed now and picked up her drink and sifted thoughtfully her eyes wandered toward the entrance of the bar She saw a woman there looking around nervously anxiously until her gaze met Marilyn Almost immediately. She started toward her crossing the room and swift nervous strides You look like a decent kid here. I want you to do something for me What are you talking about take it keep this for me till I get back You're pretty I haven't time to explain put the purse on me a coat and keep it out of sight I can't stay there be here any second. Hey there. Don't try to get away Just take it easy lady. You're not going any place The race is over. No, no, let me go. You haven't anything on me not a thing. We'll just let the judge decide that come on In the mirror you watch as the policeman escorts the woman out of the bar You wonder what it's all about. Don't you Marilyn and as soon as they're gone You go to the powder room lock the door and open the purse you've kept hidden under your coat and draw in your breath at what you see It's a thick roll of pills Marilyn and confused as you are you start to count Yes, Marilyn eight hundred dollars thrust into your hands from out of the blue just when you need it the most In your excitement you start to throw the purse away and then check yourself decide to investigate further You dump out the contents Rummage through the usual cosmetics to find a social security card driver's license and birth certificate all in the name of Leona Chadwick and then one thing more a registered letter also addressed to Leona Chadwick You unfolded Dear miss Chadwick Thank you for answering the advertisement we placed in the star bulletin Our reason for going to these extremes and trying to locate you is to notify you that your uncle Henry Chadwick passed away several months ago and you as his only survivor are His soul heir He suffered losses recently and his estate now amounts to only 51 thousand dollars Your uncle regretted that the entire my death both your parents is a gorilla Zodler and he's losing Complete track of your whereabouts and he was deeply sorry never to have seen you since you were a child However, we ourselves are looking forward to the pleasure of meeting when you arrive in San Francisco All necessary documents have been prepared and await only your signature Well Marilyn it's quite a letter isn't it but there are some things it doesn't explain Why were the police after Leona Chadwick and why was she so anxious to get rid of her purse as you leave the bar and walk Down the street you still wonder don't you Marilyn wonder if maybe there's more and all this for you than the $800 The thought stays with you throughout the night and the following morning an idea occurs to you You decide you're going to find out more about this Leona Chadwick You hurry down to the courthouse and after several inquiries you find what you're looking for a Half-filled courtroom in your just in time for the woman who handed you the purse last night is now standing before the judge Well So you're back. Yes, your honor This time I see your book does they'll report her One name is as good as another. I thought you'd learned your lesson the last time you were in here Guess I didn't two months ago. I gave you the opportunity to straighten yourself out I thought you were smart enough to see I guess I'm not smart now see here Why are you always getting into trouble? You've been in Honolulu ten years now and you've been in and out of jail for nine What's wrong? You look like you're from a decent family the best your honor then why don't you tell me your real name? If we could get in touch with your family, maybe maybe they'd make things easier for you. Thank you judge But you'll never know my real name never Have it your way Why didn't you report to your probation officer? I was away Visiting friends, but I can pay my fine. There won't be a fine this time. This time you're going to prison 30 days 30 But judge I've got to go to San Francisco. Sorry 30 days. Please your honor. I've just got to get to San Francisco You watch them leader away again, don't you marry this time for a 30-day sentence? And as you walk out of the courtroom your mind is spinning trying to put it all together For some reason this frightened woman is trying to protect your name hide it prevent the authorities from learning that she is Leona Chadwick and Suddenly another thought hit you you stop dead still almost number the idea She's in jail for 30 days and no one in San Francisco not even her lawyers have ever seen her Couldn't I be Leona Chadwick? Yes Marilyn it's a startling thought isn't it so wild that at first you discard it try to get it out of your mind But it keeps coming back Intriguing you at first then tempting and then finally it's an overwhelming challenge with a promise of a fortune if you achieve it You know that the lawyers in San Francisco will ask many questions before they're satisfied But they might be questions that you can answer Marilyn The letter said Leona had been away for 15 years You have her identification everything even her Honolulu address on the envelope That gives you another idea doesn't Something that could put you on more solid ground and make the whole plan possible How do you do are you the landlady here? Yes. Mm-hmm. Yes. I'm it just cooked it will come about a room Well, no you see I'm a reporter for the starboard and I I'm inquiring about Leona Chadwick, I Understand she inherited quite a bit of money that she did moved out yesterday afternoon When to San Francisco now you can reach her there at the hotel leader She said she made a reservation at the hotel leader Report right in a story are you yes, and I'd like some facts about miss Chadwick This will be a big story good publicity for your place, too I Thought if I could speak to a friend of hers, I am the closest friend Leona ever had In fact, I'm just about the only friend she ever had. Oh, I Wonder if I might come in. Well, yes, dear. We do come in come right on in Now I think I'll be able to answer most of your questions about Leona Thank you now, of course, I can't tell you much about the uncle Leona knew nothing about him, but just that he bought you know, and he sold antiques in San Francisco I see. Hmm about her parents. Well She had to Their names did she ever mention their names to you? Oh my yes many times now father's name Oh, yes, it was Fred Yes, Marilyn you write it all down, don't you take a half hour of careful notes for your paper Until you have nearly 20 pages of information all of it concerning Leona Chadwick Back at your hotel room. You go over the details of your borrowed identity Pour through the vital statistics applied by Leona Chadwick's Cooperative landlady speak the important ones allowed over and over until they're almost a part of you And there's something else that's important to Leona's signature Far into the night you practice writing the name a hundred times a thousand times Until it's exactly like the signature on the social security card And then the following morning you're at the airport Yes, miss. I'd like a ticket to San Francisco round trip. No One way very well and the name is Chadwick Miss Leona Chadwick It's exciting isn't it Marilyn the way it all began One moment you had nothing a girl alone in Honolulu without money Then a purse is thrust into your hand a purse containing eight hundred dollars and the biggest opportunity of your life Yes, Marilyn and that's why you're on this plane now approaching San Francisco Why you're posing as Leona Chadwick the frightened woman who gave you the person who got herself locked up for 30 days in Honolulu It's the opportunity of a lifetime, isn't it? With a letter addressed to her from the San Francisco lawyers with her identification the knowledge of her past life You're about to try for the gold at the end of a rainbow a fortune left to Leona Chadwick by her uncle But boy 221 for this couple. Sorry sir, but it's like I said there's a convention the hotel has crowded No rooms without reservations. Yes, miss. I wrote you for a reservation. Did we confirm it miss? Well, you see I left home so unexpected. I see. What is the name, please? I'll check it My name is very young excuse me, please, but room 516 want to speak to you again. Thank you. Excuse me miss Hello No, I'm sorry. No, there's no message for you here Well, I'm sure the switchboard operator will connect you when any call comes through Yes, I understand. It's important. You're welcome miss Chadwick and now you're a reservation miss, sir that That miss Chadwick you were talking to yes That isn't Leona Chadwick. Is it why yes? Yes, that's right From Honolulu. Yes, she checked in last night a friend of yours Yes, yes, she is I see now about your reservation. What was the name again, please? Oh Malloy Hazel Malloy Malloy, oh, I'm sorry miss Malloy. There's nothing here. We probably wrote you that we were all filled up Yeah, yes, that perhaps that was it never mind. We'll let you have the very next single room. That's vacant. Thank you I Think I'll go up and see miss Chadwick a room 516 the house phones are right over there Your scheme hasn't worked out according to plan has it it seems someone else is taking advantage of Leona Chadwick's jail sentence Yes, and as the elevator reaches the fifth floor, you know, there's only one thing you can do And that's to have a showdown with a girl in room 516 Yes, what is it so your Leona Chadwick why yes, what may I come in? Thanks. Now just a moment What do you want? Just a friendly little chat first of all Who are you really? home I'm afraid I don't understand look you're registered as Leona Chadwick But who are you? Come on throw away the Bobby's into much of here down. Whatever it is. You're getting at us put it this way then I Want to play Leona Chadwick to my dear girl. I have no idea of what this is all about But it's beginning to tire Leona Chadwick's in jail You and I both got the same idea to collect her inheritance while she's tied up I hate to disappoint you my dear, but I am Leona Chadwick Sure say it often and often you'll believe it. I think I can explain your unfortunate confusion this girl in jail She had a purse perhaps purse What do you mean the purse was mine that girl was a thief she grabbed it from my own justice I was going through the gate to get aboard my plane that purse was hers The only reason she gave it to me was to hide her identity if she gave you the purse She was only trying to dispose of stolen property before the police could find it on her get it all figured out happened very convincing story Only I don't believe it really makes a very little difference to me whether you do or not you are Leona Chadwick Why don't you call the police right now? That's an excellent idea Well, go ahead. What are you waiting for Leona? Call them All right. No, no no no wait Do you know someone named Cooksy? Yes, this is Cooksy my landlady in Honolulu Hello operator Put that phone down. Hello. Oh Is the matter with that operator operator? I'm warning you put that phone down Yes operator it's nothing I Accidentally knocked over the phone as you replace the receiver you stare at the lifeless body at your feet unable to believe what's happened It's like a nightmare isn't it Marilyn something unreal and you don't belong in it You shut your eyes tightly and try to blot out the scene, but it's no use It is real it has happened and you're a murderous Now you must act you must get rid of her body somehow you look around the room your eyes fall on a large raw hide trunk in the corner It's perfect, isn't it? Minutes later. It's done. You've placed Leona Chadwick's body inside the trunk Now all you can do is wait wait for the call from the lawyer's office The same call that Leona was waiting for it's got to come soon You tell yourself that and as the moments take into ours you become increasingly worried and then Yes Mr. Winters has just returned to his office you'll be able to see you now. Oh, thank you. I'll I'll be over right away As you lock the hotel room behind you you pause for a moment in the hall It worries you doesn't it Marilyn Leona still being in there while you're gone But you're quick to reassure yourself that it's safe that no one will open the trunk and by the time you've reached the street You've driven the thought from your mind Ten minutes later mr. Mankham ushers you went to the private office of mr. Winters. Well, well, well, miss Chadwick This is a pleasure. Do sit down. Thank you, mr. Winters. Sorry I couldn't see you this morning when you called I had business in Oakland quite all right Gave you the opportunity to see a little of our town. Yes. Yes So we found you at last Give us quite a time of it, you know your uncle tried to locate you for years Last track of you after your parents died terrible tragedy there Train wreck wasn't it? No Father's car skidded off a cliff. Oh, yes. Yes, of course here in San Francisco. Wasn't it Seattle? Oh, that's right. Your uncle did say that Your father's business was in Seattle, wasn't it? Yes. He was in the banking business With my mother's brother Charles Turner. Oh, yes Yes, your uncle always spoke highly of your mother miss Chadwick Born in Hong Kong wasn't she? Yes, but she spent most of her childhood in England. Yes. I remember Then she came to the States as a young lady. He'd met your father here. No, she met him in England They were married in London. Oh, so they were so they were I Remember hearing your uncle Henry mention your mother's brother Your conversation with mr. Winters goes on for nearly an hour doesn't it Marilyn a Conversation of facts He wants to be certain that you're they let you the owner Chadwick. He's been looking for Yes, and you're ready with the right answers not once are your defenses down The more you talk the more restless you become as you think of Leonas body in the trunk back at the hotel The fear within you grows the fear that her body will be discovered while you're here You twist the handkerchief nervously in your hands wishing the cross examination would come to an end and then finally mr. Winters slides a sheet of paper across the desk and hand you a fountain pen It's the moment you've been dreading isn't it Marilyn fighting to remain calm You take the pen sign Leon a Chadwick's name to the document the Winters picks it up looks at it Then at the signature on the Social Security card a smile crosses his face and he rides Well, that's fine miss Chadwick Well, I suppose that's all we can do for the present I'll let you know when the other papers are ready for your signature a Moment later you leave mr. Winters office and as you pass his secretary's desk You notice she's talking on the telephone her back is towards you and she doesn't see you And then as you open the outer door and are about to step out Something she says on the telephone stops you in your tracks So tell me don't just a moment, please Mr. Winters, I have a call for you. It's the desk clerk at the hotel leader It's about miss Chadwick. He says it's important You rush out of the office run along the corridor then down one flight of stairs and out into the street You're certain the thing you feared most has happened aren't you Marilyn? Leona's body has been discovered in the trunk as you reach the corner and step off the curb You hear mr. Winters calling you from his office window and you start rapidly across the street And there's Connors you're in the hospital You had an accident, but you'll be all right Accident he was struck down by a car. You've been unconscious for over 12 hours. How do you feel my dear home? Mr. Winters, I you know, I feel somewhat guilty about all this if I'd run out after you instead of trying to call you from my window I might have prevented no What do you mean? I well there was a phone call for you from your hotel The clerk was inquiring about a friend of yours Hazel Malloy seemed they promised her a vacancy Hazel Malloy. Yes. He wanted to know where he could reach you. Oh By the way, I brought the papers along for your signature. I just leave them with you. Oh Thank you, mr. Winters. Yeah, there's no hurry whenever you feel up to it You need rest my dear And don't worry Everything's going to be all right You're in the clear aren't you Marilyn? perfectly The owner's body wasn't found and you're quick to realize that your fears have been foolish The trunk is safe in the hotel closet just as you left You spend a quiet restful night Awaken the following morning refreshed and confident mr. Winters and the nurses standing by your bed and smiling down on you Do you better my dear? Oh, yes, I feel wonderful Just wonderful good The doctor said I could take you home this afternoon Don't that is to my place in San Mateo. Oh My wife and I thought you'd be more comfortable there. She'll be sure you're perfectly all right, but My things my clothes. I know my wife thought you might be worried, but don't be I Took the liberty of having all your things sent down from the hotel I talked to my wife a moment ago. She said your trunk had just arrived Trump None of your pretty dresses will be wrinkled my dear my wife's maid will see to that She's probably unpacking your trunk right now This is the United States Armed Forces radio service the voice of information and education