 Inner Sanctum Mystery brought to you by Blomos Elfer and starring Ben Hepz. The Form is out, the Form is out, the Form is out, the Form is out. Good evening friends of the Inner Sanctum. This is your host inviting you in through the sweet indoor. Come in, come in, won't you? We're having a gala fair tonight, a grand familiar. And at the downtown Marcellion. And anybody who is any party will be there. Yes, it's formal of course, but you don't have to wear evening clothes. You can come in morning. But you'll come early. We're having a few people in the sky for us. And you must miss the opening kickoff. Tonight's Inner Sanctum Mystery, the Specter of the Rose is an adaptation of Ben Hepz's newest motion picture, which will have its Broadway premiere on August 31. It was adopted by Robert Sloan and is presented by the Emerson Drug Company of Baltimore, Maryland, whose registered pharmacist compound that speedy refreshing headache help in the familiar brew bottle, Blomos Elfer. This is your host ready with tonight's story. It's all about a ballet dancer who made a woman's heart pirouette and kept the detective on his toes. Our guest tonight is only a student of the ballet, but at telling stories he has no master. So here is the Specter of the Rose and it's author Ben Hepz. People like Andrew Sanning were born with one foot in heaven. The grace, the charm, the effortless majesty of his movements were learned perhaps, but never really studied. To him the ballet was like food or sleep, a normal function of the body, an inseparable part of the soul. And when Andrew danced in the theater, Usher's watch, stage hands, stood by on the wings and stared. Even the manager of the company applauded as the last act cut himself. Well, well, I'm very glad for you from that music. Don't be an old judge, Polycoff. Very nice to spend the night. No, no, but tonight it was even more the same. Already they're calling me a gypsy. That's mad I must do. He's right, Andre. We've been camping tonight. Listen to that hand they're giving you. It's for you, madame. You're in the Specter of the Rose. I'm just a puppet who brings your dancers to life. You're a fool. Go out there, take another call. No, no. No more calls without me now. My wife is entitled to some of the story. She's danced the heart out tonight. I'll find her girl before the curtain. Nina? Nina, where are you? We're going to take a call together. Go away, she'll have children of blessing. No, she hasn't come off the stage. Maybe one of the girls knows where she is. Good. Have it. Good to have you. Who cares one of the girls from now? Don't be a poor Polycoff. It's that villain Heidi. Something must have happened. Make Andre come. Here, here, what's the matter? Your wife is just coming to look. She's so scared. I tried to wake her up, but... What? Nina, my darling. Speak to me. No, you can't. You can't. She said, No. No, I can't believe this. You died right here on the stage, Andrea. On the stage? In the costume of a rose. Nothing like it had ever happened before. A ballerina dies in costume at the end of the performance, and her husband's brief closes the show. But men like Polycoff, men who are full of ego and insolvency, never let a good show stay closed. It took him months to find a new backer for another ballet-starring Andre Sonny, but as soon as he found one, he went to the show for this plan. His bigger and better plan. It's a gold man, darling, a gold man. Polycoff, why do you tend to be a gold man? I'm getting my girls a lesson. Andre Sonny is sick. I don't believe in that sickness. Nervous. That's the moment we'll start again. Polycoff, forget it, Andre. But how long can a man suffer over a dead life? A week, two weeks, but that must be ridiculous. When the music plays, he'll die. I told you. He doesn't dance. He lies in a bed staring. He hasn't moved for months. He doesn't even know if it's day or night. This poor child here brings him soup. Like little red riding hood. He never even looks at it. You know, it's sweet of you, Heidi. As long as one woman sees a door as a man, he isn't sick. He isn't mad. Yes? What is it? Excuse me. Do you madam look selfless? I'm sorry? My name is McFarlane. I'm from the homicide bureau. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? What about? I'm not a dancer, you know, called Andre Sonny. You know where I can find him? Well, I imagine you can find him right where he's been for the last seven months at home when he's black. Where is that? Why do you want to see him? Oh, that's a report I'm investigating. You know how the police are. We never really close our books on a case. What books? What are you talking about? Well, we perfectly frank, mister. Vanine seems to have been making some peculiar statements about his wife. And I'm not altogether sure they are true. What did he say? That his wife was murdered. Murdered? Yeah. That's why I'd like to talk to him. Get some of these statements firsthand. This is foolish, officer, but he's sick. If he's sick, he's making things like that. That's the same I want to talk to him. But you can't stop while he's in this condition. How would you think of letting him speak to him now? I'm afraid you'll have to, young lady. Why? Who did he say murdered his wife? That's just that. He said he did it himself. Let's get one thing straight, Mr. Adams. I didn't kill her. And if I told somebody I'd be at his home because I'm scared of a bed bug, so help me. It was stuck in my mind. What was stuck, Mr. Vanine? The idea that I'd killed her that night. I'm scared. It's sort of a dream. I'm scared. It's all right, Heidi. I can talk about it. Go ahead, Mr. Vanine. Talk. Well, it's like I was telling you before. I get these dreams. They change in my calm. Oh, they're real to me. First, I hear the violence in hearts. The real pie. That's the start. When I see myself coming in in a jacket of roses, there's an ice in my head. You know? I know. I don't. Is this one of the characters that you play on the stage? That's it. It's a dance called the specter of the rose. Well, you don't really carry an ice. It's only in the dream. You see what I mean? Please. It's between these arms. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. So it makes sense. Well, you're a little except Chicken, like it. No, no, no, not anymore. I don't even think I had children. But I haven't had that dream or heard those greasy violins for some time. I'm kidding. In other words, you're normal now. Sure. Like a heaven. Let even music doesn't bother me anymore. Wait, I'll show you. Play it for me. How do you do? Play that. I said. All right, uncle. You see, I graduate. It's nothing but a war for me now. I think it's bad about being torn apart, and do you mind? I've been working in this room with that turd chasing me up and down the wall. It's just a war for me now. Just a war for me. Maybe it's gentlemen business and historic moments of witnessing the comeback of a genius series of combat polygons. I'll dance again. Go to your dance. Review the entire ballet season. I'll just singly by cropping a full orchestra. You can do your own choreography like you're regretting. Carve off. Carve if you want. I'm gonna be careful. Oh, I enjoy. Little angel that heaven is sent to nurse me back to health. I'm well again. And you have made me sure. What? What? What? What? What's your beautiful darling? And I want you to dance with me. Don't you understand? You shall be my darling. And this way you want you to be your darling? Of course, my darling. Together we shall dance to specter of the road. In two weeks, Andrew Sandin was ready to start rehearsal. And another two were suspected of a road that already began to take shape with Heidi and the ballerina road. Then one night before the opening performance, Madame Marcel took Heidi aside after rehearsal and told her something she never expected to hear. Leave the show, Heidi. You cannot tell the truth. Why? What's the matter with you? I don't want to tell the wrong. Let me go this far. But there's still time if you do as I say. You must not stay under any more, my child. He must not see you. But what are you saying? I don't think it's any less. Go away from him. Run away tonight, tomorrow. But don't come back yet any more. There's everything ground. Why should I leave Andrea? I would go at night. I know you do, my darling. But he's begun to do what you do. Then why don't you... Heidi, please, listen. There's something more important in your life than love. But he's worth it. Don't you understand? We've been made for each other. I don't think that's it. Made for anybody. He's a madman. Well, don't think so. I mean, Grace killed Lina. And she'll kill you if I let you. No, he didn't kill Lina. You said so yourself. I'd like everyone to hear about it. But he's been around here a dozen times. He knows the pain that's happening. He knows the truth. That is the truth. If I'm going to be the killer. No. No, I'm not going to listen to you. You won't listen. The person you look to see in the dressing room a half hour before she died in the state. She had a knife in her hand. And she was cutting him off with a chair when I came in. She died from a heart attack. And he died from a broken tooth. I saved her life for one month before he... But she killed her justice if she stabbed her with that knife. Don't say he told me this. I'd like to say hi to you. She had a knife in her hand. And that's why it started with Lina. She has the same look in her eye. That's why I want you to go away. No, I won't go away. I can't. I can't. Because... He will not eat you. I can't. No. No, no. I'm very pleased to be back. But I'm just glad. It may not be like the case, but I'd like to say so. Even a worse one likes it. Well, now I can like it. Oh, you're so sweet. I'm cute. Sweetness is insincere, lingo. I'll touch it all for you. I want to take it. What's the matter? Music. I don't do anything. Look, you can make it go away. Call me. Call me tonight. Call me tonight. I love you one day. I'll always be with you whenever you need me. I know you treat me so much. You know that? Forever. I'll never find you, honey. To lose you. I'll never hurt you. No matter what happens. I don't talk like this, darling. You're crying too soon. It's fine. I just want you to know that. I can't do it yet. I'm sorry, sweet darling. I can't do it. You can't go down the street. I mean, what can I do? Nothing. That means it's for me. Be like him, darling. It's for you, honey. Just plant him. The man with the knife. Can't you see him? No. He's coming. Closer. Closer. Closer. I can't sit for the rest. Here he comes, darling. Look out for the money. Oh, my darling. Love me. Love me. Do you know that the experts in radio have a way of telling how many people listen to a program? When they figure this out, the program gets what's called a rating. If last week's audience is any indication, many millions are listening tonight to Inner Sanctum. Yes, Inner Sanctum is a top rating show. And among those millions of people, it's assured that some of them are going to have a headache tomorrow or Wednesday or the next day. And when that happens, many of them have a product on hand to get the top rating for headache help. It comes in a blue bottle. It fights headache three ways. Yes, it's Bournemouth's elses, the headache help that millions know because of the fast relief it brings. Fast relief not only from the headache itself, but also from the stomach upset and jittery nerves that may go along with the headache. And Bournemouth's elses are also very kind of sweet because it's such a present way of combating a headache. While Bournemouth's elses are so nice and refreshing, there's nothing I'd rather take for a headache. That's what modern folks everywhere say. So remember, friends, Bournemouth's elses is at your gorgeous fountain and counter. And next time you have a headache, get fast relief from that headache grease. Take refreshing... Well, now that you've had a chance to catch your breath, let's give this ballet dancer another whirl and find out what makes him take. No, no, no. Not Andre, the other one, the gay blade that dances up and down the walls of a night. He's the one I like. Only it's a pity he never uses a fork. But then what can you expect of a specter that he's an artist and an artist who paints with a sword have a nasty habit of drawing blood? Well, let's get on with the story. Here's Mr. Hex to continue. The name of the ballet dancer is hiding us to fathom even under normal conditions. Fed on symbolic thoughts and childlike enthusiasm, its simplicity is deceiving. Like a fine watch or an expensive radio, the delicately adjusted mechanism that gives it balance can become distorted. One crossed wire, one loose connection, and instead of hearing a beautiful symphony, outcome static. That's why Detective McFarlane was on hand at the theater the night the specter arose with schedule to open. Now, don't get excited, lots of girls. I'm not here to arrest anybody. I just got a hunch that something might happen. Don't you know? That guy went crazy last time he danced. Ploonies like him have a way of repeating themselves. Will you kindly not add to our burden and explain about me this death a thousand times? That's the trouble. A normal death needs only one explanation. But a thousand aren't enough when it's the case of murder. Is that me up there? Don't get me that yourself. That scream wasn't up there. There was right down here an undraised funny and girl. Open up, open up the door. Undraised funny, what's wrong in there? Who's making all the noise? I don't mind about that. What's going on here? Oh, nothing. Oh, it's really sweet. Somebody screamed in here. Where is she? Her. What are you talking about? You're white. Where is she? She's lying down, resting. We always ask before a performance. Do you want us to keep you out of this? Oh, yeah. I thought something might have happened. I screamed here. No. No, nothing's happened. My husband and I were quarreling. I screamed. I couldn't help it. I appreciate that. I'm not so fat. You look a little pale to me. Are you all right? Of course I am. Wouldn't I tell you if I were? I don't know. I like to know you. I know this isn't very pretty, but everything is all right. After the show, you can hit me on the head if you want to. But right now, you've got to leave us alone. We're dancing tonight. Please, I'm sorry. I'm leaving alone. Okay. I won't bother you any more, Spani. I'll be standing right outside the door. Stand up. Good darling. How could I do to you, darling? No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I struck you tonight. I struck you with my face. Please, I'm sorry. Who struck you? Him. That willing devil. I thought I was watching him, but it was me. I know I'm here to love you. I know I love you. I'm here to do him. And I love you. I'm sorry. I know good. I do just a lot of muscles. The hands to rest on me is Robbie's broken glass. I'm sorry. No, no, it's gone. Don't talk, not me. Don't even think. How can I not think? I can't go any further. Heidi. My shoulder. It's bleeding. No, don't look. Don't tell me it's cross. It's not. It's big. It's a cross. I can take it. I did that to you. Now I cut your wood tonight. No, that wasn't tonight. Don't lie to me. Heidi, there was. I tried to kill you. I was an accident. I fell against the glass. Can't you see the edge of it? It's sad, but I... I tried to hide it from you and my rope. Good night. Good night. I held it in my hand. It's happened to you. Take it, Heidi. Take it and put it into my heart. It was long. No, no, never. Angel, you might kill me before I kill you. Have a chance. Have a chance. Hey, darling, tonight you must dance. They were like music that night, not like people. Like music floating through the air like resonant notes echoing down a corridor. When the curtain fell, the ovation was tremendous. Heidi and Fanny were an overnight sensation. And especially of the road was only the first of their triumph. For weeks they played the capacity houses, and then one night just before a certain time it happened. They're not here yet, must feel. They're not here yet. What? Heidi and Fanny and they're not in the theater. No. What time is it? Eight, twenty-five, five minutes before a certain time they're not here yet. How can they prove it? Polly, please, please. Have they called up or anything? Nothing. Nothing. They hadn't called before in their apartment. Doesn't matter. Henry's been calling them for twenty minutes. Where is Henry? Here, ma'am. What can I do? I'll bring him again. No, no, no. Henry, go over there right away. Something must have happened. You'd better tell the audience. Well, of course they're not coming. How do you know? They're not coming, I tell you. Wait a minute. Where are you going? I'm going to call the police. I'm going up in the dirt. Never mind. I'm knocking myself. I got a key from the super. Nobody's home. McFarlane and Henry would have called us if they were here. That's the same. We're going inside. So they made a mess of this place before they left? How do you know they left? I don't know. I know what's afraid of it. Oh, no, no, no. What's that? Wait. There's somebody on the floor. I can't tell you what's happened. Well, yes. Oh, God. Oh, yes. Now, you don't know. You took him away. Where did I go? What happened to you? He hit me with that chair. He's like a wired man. What did you say to him? Nothing. I just wanted to give this guy to him. Never mind about that. Where did they go? I told you. I don't know. She was afraid of the doctor who'd come and take him away. That's why they left. She didn't want any doctors to aim him. He was a foolish little child. He must find him a father before it's too late. Oh, finally. If the scout gets any sort of a leave, there's all I know is what they told you. She said she was going to hide Henry from everybody. Because he got where again. Was he bad? Yes, ma'am. He was talking about violin and harps way up high the way they began the spectrum of the road. Henry was bad. For three days and three nights in the stuffy hotel room where Heidi had hidden him, he coughed and turned over in his bed like a man with tropical fever. And all the while the demon sang in his head. On the first night, Heidi went out with some food. Once she came back, Henry was very still on the bed. Oh, I was sleeping a bit too late. Let me show you. He dances all the time now. In my mind. I can't stop talking. Oh, I'm not hungry. Oh, you must be hungry, darling. You haven't eaten for three days. So you're gone just now. Oh, you've eaten for three days? So I didn't say... So do you live here alone? I'm not alone. He's here. He's always here. He's here. I thought he was talking. I thought you were really good. Hey, Heidi. Hey, I'm not still talking. Yeah, let me take it off my feet. I can't even get you to the skills. I think I'm different. So I'm gonna grab a doctor's cookie. Okay. You'll call the doctor. Yeah, I can do it. I know. I wouldn't call anybody. I know. Yeah. You know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. Because I wanted to be called. No, you mustn't take your eyes off me. I don't want to be called. I don't want to be called. You don't want to be called. I can stay away. I can make her stay away. I can give it to you, right? I hate you, Heidi. I'm doing it. I'm a dancing out of crazy men right here on the bed. I'm a dancer. I dance, I dance. I'm doing it. I'm doing it. I'm doing it. I'm having to stay away to make you laugh. I really want to do it. I'm moving to the main. I'm moving to the main. Darling, darling. I can't hold you any more. I'm okay now. I'm going to stay away. I've got no one here. Yes, I saw you. You haven't been around. I'm pleased with the news about it, darling. It's no news. I'm going to stop him. He's trying to walk. Just to be here. I was smiling. Because he wants to see my face. So here I am. He wants to stay in places with me. Heidi. I'm going to stay away. Yes. I'm going to stay for the future, darling. I'm talking like that. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Please, I'm tired of this. I'm tired of this, darling. I'm here. I've got to stay. Yes, ma'am. Please. Please, my dear. And I will dance for you. Please, my darling. I want you to stay away, ma'am. I want you to stay away, ma'am. I want you to stay away, ma'am. Put me in this. No. Where are you? I can't get you. I'm okay. Yeah. I expect you to love it. For you, ma'am. For you, ma'am. To dance while you die. While the road spins around with a knife. My kill, ma'am. I come to the scene. I'll stay away, my poor darling. This is your old goriographer. And let that be a lesson to all you whirling dervishes. If you much commit a murder, don't wind up like a top. No, only in this case our hero wound up at the bottom. Well, as I always say, a rolling stone gathers no more salience. Oh, a word of advice, ma'am. From a man who made quite a mark for himself, cutting strokes. Murder, he says, is a messy business, but business always comes before a place you've ever been.