 signal the famous go farther gasoline invite you to sit back and enjoy another strange story by the whistler I am the whistler and I know many things for I walked 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 and now for the signal oil company the whistler's strange story charming hostess Peter Courtney the third belonged to one of San Francisco's first family he was rich and popular and had a beautiful wife but few of his friends had ever met Mrs. Courtney she seldom left the Courtney's Atherton estate it's the big rambling house and the beautiful grounds appeal to Barbara Courtney she felt happy there and safe it was only an hours drive into the city but to Barbara it was like another world and nothing intruded except the newspapers and the mail the morning mail and newspapers placed at the breakfast table by the old butler Williams always gives you an uneasy feeling doesn't it bother yes even though they usually turn out to be advertisements and invitations even this morning anything interesting in your mail darling but the usual peer in the patients they still keep coming in spite of the fact that we never accept I've been thinking about that Barbara you want to go out more don't be ridiculous I despise social affairs yes I know but I've been talking to Dr. Cassner that can't be the psychiatrist not about me no dear of course not the subject came up accidentally I think we happen to have lunch together at the club yesterday and he got to talking about seclusiveness seclusiveness staying at home too much Dr. Cassner says it can become rather harmful not to see a lot of people don't like dashing around nevertheless I've made up my mind Peter when we were married you promised that we'd live quietly and we have for quite a long time but it seems so long no darling I didn't mean it that way it seems only yesterday that I was in that military hospital overseas being cared for by a very lovely nurse that's what I am doing this not a social item that's plain simple person and a sweet one too sweet to be hidden away but I like being hidden I'm really very shy yes I know I'll never forget that look on your face when they turn those newsreel cameras on us when we came back from Europe now admit I was frightened I realized for the first time that I married a very prominent man that reminds me our marriage anniversary on the 10th you know what we're going to do I know Peter what we're going to give a party a big one Peter now we'll invite everybody all my old friends but Peter it's out of the question I just couldn't do it I know nothing about entertaining you learn and you'll like it when you get used to it but I'm just not the time I'll take a chance on your Barbara you're a lovely gracious woman you'll be a charming hostess you stare at Peter and horror don't you Barbara because you can see that his mind is made up and a big party strangers publicity is the thing you want least in the world is in the days that follow you use every argument to make Peter give up the idea but he does right ahead with the invitations and plan and one evening a few days before your anniversary when he comes home from his office in the city he presents you with something it's your anniversary present to wear at the party a pearl necklace of Peter I know that pearls are for the 30th anniversary but I didn't want to wait 25 more years yet so Jen I'm so much jewelry and now this what can I ever give you in return the only thing I want is many more years as happy as the last one to be thank you dear you're very sweet by the way here's the evening paper they've given us quite a write-up on the society page okay to do we have to have that sort of publicity of course I wish they could have run your picture but I have a picture I know you must have some made dear why yes I I suppose yes I will sometimes it's in the second section oh what's the matter it sort of startled me to see my name in print for a moment I thought something was wrong no no nothing wrong but there is something wrong isn't there by the yes very wrong you've seen something in the paper something you don't like it all and the minute you're alone you read the item over and over again Myra Dorsey has been released from prison Myra Dorsey the nightclub photographer she hates you doesn't always has and she do anything to find you expose you because she didn't have your luck Myra was arrested as an accessory in the Tramonte killer while you got away you babe Dean the dark haired check room girl the one person that the police really want only they didn't look in the big Canadian hospital where a shy and by then blonde student nurse was in training the same nurse who later married Peter Cortes yes Barbara you know you must be more careful than ever now and at the coming party you must make sure there are no pictures that subject comes up again the day before the party when the Butler Williams speaks to you San Francisco society reporters on the telephone man she wishes your picture I'll talk to her myself Williams I'll take on this phone very well excuse me hello this is Mrs. Courtney I'm doing a story on your party Mrs. Courtney I'd like to run your picture I'm sorry I haven't a recent photograph well then perhaps you have an old one when you were a brunette a brunette this is no reporter babe it's your old friend Myra Dorsey you've made a mistake oh no you're the one who made the mistake when you let me take the prison rat you had come in and you made another one when you got in that newsreel and you feel sure after your honeymoon oh we see him in prison Captain Peter Courtney returns from Europe with bride only the bride was they deems with a dark hair bleached blonde ridiculous yeah yeah that's what I thought nobody recognized you but me but of course I knew how you'd look as a blonde because I had the picture picture what picture a flashlight I took a you and from on the night from on it was killed you wore a blonde weight babe I still have the picture oh and of course I have other things letters things like that enough evidence that I could have Mrs. Peter Courtney picked up by the police within 24 hours I see how much do you want well now you're talking like the old baby you're gonna pay me for every day I spent 15,000 dollars I'll be at your house at five o'clock tomorrow night no now don't come here why not I've been wanting to see the court and you say for a long time all right but face my recumb to the side door it's down the driveway I'll let you in my house the side door okay for 15 grand I can afford to be insulted I'll be there at five on the dot I'll watch for you from the next day of window what would you be wearing honey they don't give you a mink when you get out of prison I'll be wearing the only thing I've got a dark blue coat and hat even while you've been talking you've decided on your first step haven't you barred yes and that first step is to raise the money Myra demands by selling some of your jewelry the next morning after Peter leaves for the city you take your own car and drive into San Francisco but it takes much longer than you thought to raise 15,000 dollars doesn't it Barbara and it's dangerously late by the time you start home and you've got to keep the rendezvous at five with myra the traffic is heavy and even driving fast it's half past five when you arrive home then you see Peter's car realize that he's home that will make things even more complicated food bar you force yourself to enter the house to find Williams very excited as he meets you at the door Mrs. Courtney I'm glad you're here Mr. Courtney's been asking for you where is he Williams upstairs with Dr. Adam Dr. Adams Peter isn't ill. No ma'am they're with the woman woman what woman the poor woman was hit by a car right in front of the house a woman was hit by a car who is she do you know no madam I never saw her before but I don't think she's a friend of the family what makes you think that well for one thing she's rather poorly dressed oh what is she wearing very drab closing them very dark blue coat and hat in a state of panic for several weeks ever since your husband Peter Courtney insisted on giving an anniversary party then you learned that Myra Dorsey out of prison planned to expose you reveal your grim past and connection with the tramante killing unless you pay her fifteen thousand dollars and you're sure this is just the beginning of a long series of blackmail demand but now returning home to keep your appointment with Myra you'll learn of the hip and run accident in front of the house you stand terrified but strangely excited and pleased inside as you guess what happened even if Williams describes it to Mr. Courtney and I saw the whole thing that I was bringing him from the station fortunately Dr. Adams happened along with you minutes later we brought her in it and put her upstairs in the green bedroom Mr. Courtney is coming downstairs now oh Peter how is she I don't know she's unconscious he is yes a lucky Dr. Adams happened along perhaps I can help you don't know who she is we haven't the faintest idea but wait a minute didn't you have a bag with yes a large blue bag it was lying in the road beside her I put it in the living room there might be identification in a bag I love beer oh wait here comes the doctor the doctor what do you think in cushion and Lord knows what else do you know Mrs. Courtney don't you know why yes how do you do Mrs. Courtney was a nurse during the war that right well I'll be glad to do anything I can doctor anything that's fine I'll go back upstairs as soon as I've made phone call as the doctor goes to the telephone you hurry to the living room don't you Barbara go straight to the chair where you see a large blue bag you haven't much time but you open it quickly take out everything that will burn toss it all into the flames of the fireplace you work fast and a moment later you're glad that you have for you've just replaced the bag on the chair when Peter enters the room well we've got to find out who she is so we're relative is going to be notified where's the bag her bag oh yes this must be it here on the chair well what do you know about that but the matter and there's practically nothing in it nothing but a compact and a small coin purse but I'd better go tell the doctor there wait a minute I want to talk to you of course dear what is it what do you suppose Dr. Adams and him to do call the ambulance and take it to a hospital I suppose I wonder if it's safe to move her what do you mean sometimes it isn't in these cases I'm sure that if Dr. Adams thought he had unnerved friends at his disposal he'd prefer not to move her and he'd send for an X-ray man in the specialist well if money is any object I'll take you have everything Peter you're so generous but it was your idea talk to the doctor about it will you of course I will right away but first let me tell you something you're one of the sweetest kindest women in the world you smile at Peter as he walks away don't you he's so unsuspecting so far from the truth you breathe easier realizing that you'll be able to give my of the money and tell her the letters and all her evidence against you has been destroyed a little later as the doctor comes up it looks as if things are working perfectly in your favor I've just had a talk with your husband Mrs. Courtney yes doctor I must say that you're both being most generous naturally we want to do everything we can that's very fine of you very I called Dr. McClain over in Berkeley an excellent man to be done as soon as you can with an X-ray man and in the meantime the patient can remain here yes now there isn't much for you to do just call me if there's any change very well doctor you can trust me yeah I'm not way to emerge in case when this happened here you can reach me at this number for the next hour yes doctor now the main thing is to let her have quiet don't disturb her unless she calls then becomes conscious you may be in great pain give her a hypodermic and this solution you know how for certainly good as you experience is a valuable asset never know when it's going to come in handy that's so true doctor with a few more instructions the doctor leave you look at the hypodermic can toy with an idea in the back of your mind to weigh out isn't it Barbara hypodermic you know how to use it to settle everything don't you but you reject the idea almost as soon as it comes to you know surely you won't have to take such an extreme measure a few moments later Peter calls you darling don't you think it better get dressed yes getting late don't tell me you've forgotten about the party but surely we can't have the party now it's too late to do anything else don't worry we can handle this I've been working like a dog we've arranged powder and cloak rooms downstairs the guest won't have to come up to the second floor with Peter the poor woman and noise it can't be heard upstairs we aren't going to let the guest know that anything is wrong Peter I don't see how I can go through with this party I'm terribly tired almost ready to paint darling I'm sorry why didn't you rest during the day and that reminds me William said you were gone all day why yes to tell you the truth I drove up to the city good Lord on the day of the party why what was stupid of me but it's the last minute I I found I didn't have an anniversary present for you and you wanted to get me something and you poor darling but where is it with what Peter the present I want to see it all it isn't ready yet Peter you'll see it later and I'm sure I love it say look at the time I've got to get downstairs in your confusion you'd forgotten the party hadn't you bother but it doesn't matter now my response you but you have everything under control as long as you're sure you'll be the first to talk to her when she regains consciousness yes for the present you feel quite safe then you see Williams approaching accompanied by a tall gaunt looking woman this is nurse Phillips this is coffee nice so that I don't understand a doctor Adams had me sent out from Palo Alto I came as soon as I could were you excuse me and sit me with him and where is the patient of it in there and there I understand you don't know who she is no we don't she'll probably come around soon I'll find out who she is and notify the police no don't do that but why not Dr. Adams said to give her a hypodermic I have a solution well I'm in charge now Mrs. Courtney and I know Dr. Adams instruction now you run along and get ready for your party oh you will bring me the hypodermic and solution Dr. Adams that's with you oh yes yes I'll bring it to you right away even as you realize the helplessness of your position for the arrival of nurse Phillips you begin to plan again don't you Barbara it won't do to let anyone else be at my side when she comes to will it and you're determined that there's only one way now to stop the answer is simple isn't it just a few drops of the deadly poison the gardener uses on your road you slip away from Peter and the party guest long enough to add the deadly dosage to the solution given you by Dr. Adams few moments later you're back upstairs here oh Mrs. Courtney and here's the hypodermic and the solution fine I'm glad you're here to administer you know it's been so long for me I'm afraid I've forgotten all about this sort of thing well I'll take care of it Dr. Adams said right away he seemed quite insistent I said I'll take care of it Mrs. Courtney right away now please go back to your guest after all it is your anniversary you should be enjoying the party with your husband yes I should you know it's so reassuring having you take over I do believe I can enjoy the party now yes Barbara you go downstairs join the guest and your husband you're safe now aren't you much later Peter manages to get you alone for a moment darling I broke away from and I just to tell you well that you're a great success a completely charming host I'm so glad you think so Peter and under such trying conditions yes excuse me madam sir yes William the doctor Adams is here all he's out in the for you let's go dear please don't be upset madam but I have the feeling that everything isn't as it should be I think hello Dr. Adams Mrs. Courtney I'm I'm sorry well there's anything that happened Dr. Adams unfortunately yes you don't mean yes Mrs. Courtney's is a patient he's dead oh I'm so sorry she died before Dr. McLean and I got here how tragic this isn't it however I was sure from the first that she didn't have a chance she didn't know Dr. McLean agrees with me now you go back to your party we're going to take care of everything very quietly the guest won't know that anything's happening come along there you did all that you could yes yes Peter I did all I could there's nothing left to do now during the summer months ahead cars take quite a beating what with long fast vacation trips in addition to frequent weekend outing that's why now is a good time to get your car in shape by making sure that all wearing parts are freshly and properly lubricated for the chassis that means a signal double check loop job we call it double check because signal dealers check each lubrication point not just once but twice to make double sure that not a single part is ever overlooked perhaps it's also time to look after those points on your car which need attention twice a year or each five thousand miles such as transmission and differential front wheel bearings and shock absorbers you'll find signal dealers are experts at these and many more upkeep services after all signal dealers are independent business men who have a personal interest in pleasing you this conscientious service plus fine quality signal products are just two reasons why cars run so well and lasts so long when service regularly by signal dealers signal signal signal gasoline your car would go far with the gasoline well Barbara you're certain that you're in the clear now aren't you're sure that myra the one person who could identify you with the killing of the racketeer Victor Trimonte years ago is eliminated dead now you can continue fooling the police as you have for years as Mrs. Peter Courtney it seems strange doesn't it to have myra struck down by a car near your home and you managed to dispose of the contents of her bag in the fireplace before anyone could see but it's over now also the very successful party the next morning at breakfast Peter greets you with a newspaper you smile realizing that you're no longer afraid of newspapers and photography good morning darling the rest well I was tired when you had a right to be what a party I told Williams not to let any calls disturb you you had quite a few phones been ringing constantly oh my big success darling are you it makes quite a story on the society page listen I'll read it to entertaining 200 guests is no easy job under the best circumstances but few hostesses have been confronted with the situation Barbara Courtney found herself in last night with a gay party going on downstairs she had the added responsibility of an uninvited guest in an upper bedroom a victim of a hit-and-run accident near the Courtney estate but mrs. Courtney a former nurse was equal to the occasion she did everything in her power to try to save the life of the fatally injured woman I only did what anyone would have done oh no dear you were most thoughtful mr. Courtney the police are here lieutenant police the police oh about the hit-and-run accident yesterday not entirely this morning huh sorry to intrude on you like this but we're here to make an arrest arrest yes your wife what are you talking about we've been looking for your wife ever since the killing of a man named from Monty six years ago Mara Dorsey told us all about your partner killing mrs. Courtney she also showed us some very incriminating photographs of you but Mara never again consciousness by Rodorsi wasn't unconscious she's in jail on a hit-and-run charge she got targeted because she thought you saw the accident and turned her in actually we face the license number you mean my row was the driver that's right a rented car my Rodorsi was the one that hit the unfortunate woman who died the woman who was identified at the coroner's office is Mary Benson of Burlingate Mary Benson that was the name of the young woman who failed to arrive to serve at the party please Barbara tell me this is all some sort of a joke isn't it no I'm afraid it is Peter horrible Joe one that I played on myself let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the whistler each Sunday night at the same time meantime signal oil company and the friendly independent dealers who help you go farther with signal gasoline hope you remember regardless of what gasoline you use you'll enjoy more miles of happy driving if you drive at sensible speeds obey traffic regulations and avoid taking chances you may even save a life possibly your own featured in tonight's story where Bill Foreman is the whistler Byron Kane Alice Reinhart Joe Gilbert Herbert Butterfield Herbert Lytton and Bill Boucher the whistler was produced and directed by George W Allen with story by George Adrian and Carol next music by Wilbur hatch and was transmitted overseas by the armed forces radio service the whistler was entirely fictional any similarity of names or resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental remember to tune in at this same time next Sunday when the signal oil company will bring you another strange story by the whistler entitled a case for Mr. Carrington in which the heat and native passions of tropical Jamaica