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And now, AutoLite presents Charles Lawton in a tale well-calculated to keep you in. Suspense! Now, a bit more there. A touch of smoothing here. And that's a job well done. It's not a bad job for the village medico. I don't think a mason could have done better. Until the concrete hardened, so I better... Like there's no one home. Must be someone here. Nobody goes out and leaves the house open. Oh, Dr Wood, he trusts people. Oh, we better give it up, George. You'd think Irene would be about. Ah, you ought to be. By the looks of things. Ah, but she's a bad man. I saw her again only last night with that commercial trap lock. George. Oh, Dr... Oh, there you are. Didn't you hear us? I thought I had some, and I wasn't sure. Well, we were going out after some partridge, and I thought you'd like to come along. We wouldn't have come in the house only. George thought that seeing as the door was open and all, that someone was home. Aye. So we walked in, and then I saw the cellar door open, and down we came. Where's Irene? Irene? Oh, she's gone visiting. Oh, well then, let's go shooting. Oh, wet concrete. Going in for a bit of masonry, Doc. There's been some water seeping up through this floor. It's an underground spring, perhaps. Underground spring? Why, Doc, I sold you this house, but I never heard of a spring beneath it. Doc, it looks as though Greg built you. It did. Not, Doc, I didn't. You know when he came up from London a year ago, I got her right away that he was a fine fella. When he and Irene wanted to get married, I sold him the best house in the village. Maybe it was only the rains, Greg. Well, I don't know you. You certainly went deep enough, Doc. See, you got a bit of clay on your shovel. That's four feet down, the clay. 18 inches, George. And not according to the maps. At four feet it says on the Sudbury maps. Well, there's no need to argue the toss. Let's get on with our fouling before the partridge gets tired of waiting. Aye, Doc? Not today, boys. I've got things to do. Oh, well, we might as well get along. How's Irene? Oh, she's never been better. She took the afternoon train to North Welsham. To North Welsham? Well, there's no afternoon train to North Welsham. No more than the clay is only 18 inches. Did I say North Welsham? I meant Norwich. Oh, are you friends in Norwich, Doc? Mrs. Slater, she lived next door when Irene was just a child. Over on Victoria Cross. Slater, next door to Irene? No. Oh, that was a long time ago, Greg. Oh, and I've been in Sudbury all my life, and I've known Irene all my life. Never any slaters on Victoria Cross. Right, George? Aye, I lived on Victoria Cross myself. Clay's four feet down there, same as ear. Now, let's drop the whole thing. Maybe the woman married it again, and that's why you don't recognize the name. Well, maybe. Well, you better change your mind about the hunting, Doc. Your wife's away on a visit. You just finished filling a hole in the cellar, and, good heavens, Doc, you... you didn't. Four feet down to the clay, that's what it is. What are you two fools talking about? Oh, it's not that you didn't have provocation, Doc. We know that. Provocation? Are you suggesting that I... that I re... You stupid fools, you go get the constable and let him start digging. Oh, now, hold on, Doc. It's not as if we mind. If it could ever be called justified. This is it. Aye. We could have told you. I warned you about the bad houses to buy, not half I did. But when it comes to marriage, well, we all knew Irene. The Sudbury Baggage. That's what we used to call her. And when a fine chap like you comes along and fixes to marry her, well, you want to say something, but... But what? But what, I ask you. It's not like buying a house, it ain't. I suppose I am rather old for Irene. Well, you could be a young one, and it'll be just the same thing, Doc. Now, not everyone wants the same thing. I'm a sort of a dry chap, and I don't open up easily. And Irene, well, you could call a kind of gay. Aye. That's one word. She's no housekeeper. I know that. And that's not the only thing a man wants. She enjoys herself. That she did. And that's what I love about her. She's not very deep mentally. Well, all right. You can say she's stupid. I don't care. She's lazy. No system. Well, I've got plenty of system, enough for both of us. She's enjoyed herself, and it's beautiful and innocent, like a child. If that was all... But you two seem to know that there was more. Why, everyone knows it. George, you just tell him what you saw at the pub. Aye. You know me, Doc. I'm no pub crawler. I'm a single potter. But every night the past week, when I've gone in from a potter vale, she's been there, and with that Ari Manning, the commercial traveler, who's been at the land, everybody's seen her. The village will be on your side, Doc. Why? Not that it'll mean much if it comes to a trial. What shall I do? Well, we all make mistakes, Doc. You know, in a way, we got you into it by not saying anything before you married her. And the way I see it, well, it's sort of up to us to help get you out of it. Right, George? Aye. Still, there's such a thing as being an accomplice. No, not the way we'll do it. When we came in here, the street was empty, wasn't it? Aye. And we haven't been down in the cellar. You get that, Doc? We shouted upstairs, but when you didn't answer, we went on after Partridge. We never came down in this cellar. I wish you hadn't. Now, all you have to do, Doc, is say that Irene went for a walk and never come back. And George and I'll say that we saw her driving away with this commercial traveler. What's his name, George? Ari Manning. He was paying his score at the lion this morning, so I guess he's moving on now. The old village knows about him and Irene, so they'll believe that she might leave with him. Well, we'd better nip off now. We'll go out the back way. I'd cover up that fresh cement if I were you, Doc. Aye, and don't be telling folks the clay is only 18 inches down. The village knows about this? Oh, no, no. Why did they have to come down here? Why can't they keep their mouths shut? Why tell the patient he has a cancer? Why? I'm down here, Irene. Oh. Which way did you come back? Maybe. Did you meet anyone coming back? No. No, I'm afraid that I shall have to take up this floor again. Come on down here, dear. I'll show you. For suspense, Auto Light is bringing you Charles Lawton in Radio's Outstanding Theatre of Thrills Suspend. During that bitter cold spell. Cold spell? This is Southern California. I was in Montana, where Zero was another name for prickly heat. I was telling a fellow about how to get summertime operation out of his car. By Cornelius, I said, get one of those Auto Light Stay Full batteries with the extra liquid reserve. Friend, there's enough extra water in an Auto Light Stay Full battery in the Death Valley or make a rainstorm in the Sahara. Not that much, huh? Grabbing his arm, I said, those Auto Light Stay Full batteries need water only three times a year. Yes, sir, only three times a year in normal car use. And hanging onto his muffler. Muffler? What kind? The double-chested kind in Montana. And I told him the extra plates in an Auto Light Stay Full battery mean this rugged receptacle has a rapid response and a raft of reserve. Michael! Oh, sorry, Hab. Here's your button. Auto Light Stay Full batteries are just another one of the 400 automotive aviation and marine parts from one of the 28 plants of the Auto Light Company. And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage Charles Lawton in Day Mortoise. A tale well-calculated to keep you in suspense. There you are, Mrs. Green. We'll show you come back next week for another injection. We'll have you feeling fit in no time. Well, how much will there be these injections, Doctor? Three shillings of peace, Mrs. Green. Now, there's no need to pay it right away. We'll see about that later. Oh, no, that's just like you always doing something for others with never a thought to yourself. You know, Doctor, I was talking to Mrs. Parks about you only the other day. Oh, yes? It's no good, I says, for a man to be living alone. Say what you're well about it. A year it is now, since that, uh, as good as it was, and it's time you was looking about. Do you want to say it's really a yes since Irene left? You know, the time seems much shorter than that. You know, it's not that we yelled with divorce, Doctor, but if there was ever a man justified, you're that man. Justified, you said? You know, it's very odd how a word like that keeps being mentioned. Mrs. Green, I know that you mean well, I'd rather not talk about it if you don't mind. Well, our body can't help thinking of it. Yes, I'm sure of that. I'll see you again next week for your injection, and don't you forget. Good day, Mrs. Green. Yes? Yes, I'm Dr. Rankin. Won't you come in? Don't mind if I do. Now, what seems the trouble, Mr... Manning, manning, every manning. Every manning, your name seems familiar. Yeah, there, sir. I'm a commercial traveler. Most of the boys around the village know me. And a few of the women, I suppose. Well, I wouldn't say no, Doctor. I see you know how it is. I suppose I do. Now, what did you say was wrong, Mr. Manning? Well, I don't rightly know, Doc. Just feeling a bit under the weather hit me just as I was driving into Sudbury. So, I looked for the nearest doctor in your eye. So, I see. Well, I think I'd better examine you, Mr. Manning. Would you remove your shirt, please? Yeah. Have you been in Sudbury before, Mr. Manning? Yeah, once a year, Doc, because regular is the calendar. It's a fine little place. Did you say that you just arrived? No, I haven't checked in at the inn yet. You're my first stop, Doc. Like I said, I was feeling a bit under the weather and I wanted to check up on it. You see, I wanted to look up an old friend here. I felt I'd better be feeling just right. Oh. Sign, maybe you know her, Doc. A downy bit by the name of Irene. Irene? I don't believe I know her. What was her last name? Would you breathe a little deeper, please? You know, she never did tell me her last name. Not the idea she was hammered for proper. Hammered? Yeah, Mary didn't want her old man to know she was out seeing life. Oh, she was a real live chicken, a neat one she was. I'm afraid that I never knew your Irene. Well, I can probably find her, but I ask them down at the pub. They don't know her. No doubt. I imagine you're anxious to find her. You said it, Doc. As soon as you put me to rights of signing at the lion, then I'll pop her out at the pub. Of course. How long has it been since you've seen a doctor? Oh, four or five years. Why, what are you trying to tell me, Doc? I'm afraid, Mr. Manning, that your heart is not in the best of condition. Are you trying to tell me that I'm going to pop off? You might live many years, Mr. Manning, but if I were you, I would avoid any sort of excitement. In the meantime, I'll give you something that will give you a temporary relief. You wouldn't be kidding me, would you, Doc? Kidding, Mr. Manning. You know, pulling me leg. What's your shirt on, Mr. Manning? How long have I got, Doc? Give it to me straight. That might be difficult to say, Mr. Manning. So many things must be considered in a case like yours. I would say that how long you live depends on the way that you follow my advice. I'll do anything you say, Doc. Fine. First of all, I want you to take this capsule. Here's some water. All right. How often do I take him, Doc? I think that one will fix you up for the time. If it doesn't just come back, I'll give you another one. You mean that just one will do the trick? Say, that's great, Doc. How much do I owe you? Two shillings. Two shillings? Certainly reasonable enough. I thought it would be at least a quid. Here you are. Thank you. With that medicine to fix you up, Mr. Manning, you should have no trouble at all. Finding your Irene. Too busy, Doc. Hello, George. Come on in. Who was the bloke leaving your office before, Doc? He looked familiar. A commercial traveller. He said his name was Harry Manning. I could have... Harry Manning. He's the one. I believe that he is the gentleman that you and Greg have mentioned several times. What did he want? A doctor, strangely enough. He wasn't feeling very well. Did he know who you were? That I was a doctor, yes. No more? No. He'll be going straight to the pub, won't he? I imagine he will. I told him to avoid excitement. He has a bit of a bad heart. What's wrong with you, George? Or is this a social call? A bit of both, Doc. We've been friends for a long time. Ever since I arrived in Sudbury, I suppose in a way you and Greg are the only friends I've had. That's what I've had in mind, I did. You see, Doc, I'm in a spot of trouble and I thought you might want to give me a hand. Gladly if I can. What's the trouble, George? Well, money troubles, Doc. I don't know. Well, money troubles, Doc. I have a lot of bills that must be paid. If you're talking about my bill, George, you should know that I won't press you. Oh, I wasn't worrying about that. The truth is, Doctor, I need about a hundred quid. Yikes. A hundred pounds. And I was thinking maybe you might loan it to me. I would if I had it, George, but you know that I'm not one of those Harley Street tasks my patients pay two or three shillings when they can pay. I could raise it, maybe. Perhaps, but I think that you could find a loan easier than I could, George. You've lived around here all your life. Aye, and I know what I know. It's four feet down to the clay. That's what it is. I see. Dr. Rankin? Greg, would you go out after some part-richess afternoon? No, Greg. I don't think that... Oh, uh, why, uh... Yes, yes, I might. I might at that. It'll do me good to get away from the office. And, uh, George is here now. Perhaps he'll go with us. Would you hold on? It's Greg George. He wants to go hunting. What do you say? What about my hundred quid? Oh, I think I can help you, George. But what about the hunting? I don't care if I do. Fine. Uh, uh, George will go with us, too. It'll be like old times, huh? Good. All right. Meet at my place. Together is the George. I, especially when they can help each other. I'll get the money for you. Somewhere or other. Considering the cause, I guess we might say that almost any method is justified. Heal, boy. There's a bit of a chill today. Could mean a good bag. You and George must have gotten chilled waiting for me. I'm sorry I was a bit late. Oh, well, couldn't be helped. What was the call? You had a heart attack on the street. That wouldn't be the same one that was coming out of your office today, would it, George? Yes, it was the same man. Well, fancy that. It'd be funny, Doc, if it turned out you gave him the wrong medicine by mistake. I never prescribe mistakes, George. You, um, might as well let the dog go, Greg. We're coming to a good spot. I'll bear off to the left. You two can keep to the right. All right, boy. Flush him. I'll lay you a quid. I beg more than of you. Done, George. Hey, Doctor, George seems a little nervy today like he had the wind up about something. He got an idea what's wrong. No, he seemed all right when he was at my office earlier. Hey, look, the dog struck a point. Oh, that he has. I'll swing to the right, Greg. That way we'll have them between George and myself. And you will have them in front. All right, Greg. Flush him, boy. Hey, Doc! George! Ow! I got two of them. Doc, that first shot. I think it hit George. What? Good heavens. Oh, only a quid. That's no cause to... All right. I tried to stop you, Doc. I could see your gun wasn't swinging high enough. I thought I was aiming high. But I wanted to hit the birds before they scattered. God help me. Oh, Lord. Look at the blood on him. Can't you do something for him, Doc? I'm afraid I can't help him now, Chuck Greg. He's dead. I'll fix some drinks. He was no more than 30 feet away. Just standing there waiting for the birds to flush. I should have seen him. Uh, was that what you meant, George? No, no, I didn't see him. Doc, no, I was just thinking... I know how it is. Here's your drink. Thanks. No, I just couldn't drink it. Not yet. Doc, I want to ask you something. Of course. What is it, Greg? That commercial traveler who had the art attack at the one that George mentioned was his name... Harry Manning. I believe it was now that you mentioned it. It was something like that. I see. Doc, why don't you leave, Sudbury? Go to some other village. England's full of quiet little villages where a doctor can build up a good practice. But I already live in such a village, Greg. I like Sudbury and I have certain plans. But, Doc, it may be dangerous for you if you stay. Are you threatening me, Greg? No, no, of course not. Only I... A man, especially at my age, can't simply pick himself up and start all over again. I've spent a great deal here, not only of money but of myself. I like this place and its people, most of them. I know, Doc. I understand. As for the danger, I believe that I can take care of that. Do you remember my cellar, Greg? Your cellar? What about it? It's hardly a cellar now. I've turned it into a research laboratory. It's full of the best equipment. Come on, I'll show you. No, not now, Doc. Some other time. You're my friend, my only friend now that George is gone. I want you to see it. Now, come on, Greg. Go ahead, go ahead, Greg. What are you talking about? You haven't done anything to the cellar. It's just the same as it was that day. Here, I'm going to... You're gonna what, Greg? What did you do? What did you stick with me with? A hypodermic needle, Greg. It's an honorable symbol of my profession and don't try to leave, Greg. You'll never make the stairway. Now, you see... Have you killed me? Not yet, Greg. Do you feel that I have to kill you, that you know too much and you suspect even more? You've got too many secrets to keep to yourself. Is that it, Greg? You did kill that commercial traveller and then you got to worrying about what George and I knew. That's all you killed, George. And now, you're going to kill me. I should have turned you in a year ago. Yes, yes, you should have, Greg. You see, there was water seeping through the floor. I did find Clay only 18 inches down. When you came in that day, I didn't know anything about Irene except that I loved her and was happy. What do you mean? You mean that Irene was... No, no, no, no, no. Irene was not dead then. You see, Greg, if anyone is guilty of murder, it is you and George. You killed my happiness. It was you who killed Irene through my hand and it was you who brought up the commercial traveller. Although it was my medicine, it was you who killed him as surely as if you'd stuck him down in the street. What was George? Now, George wanted to transfer a secret to his wallet and you, Greg, when the secret became three secrets, you found it too heavy for you. Oh, you're mad, Doctor. You'll never get away with it with all of us. I came to Sadbury wanting to serve it to share the sickness and the poverty as well as the simple day-to-day existence of all of you. I asked no more than that. I want it. Help! Are you quiet, quiet, you fool? Help! I won't have you spoil things now. Where is he? There's no doubt about it. The door was open. Unless he went out on a hurry for a while. Dr. Enkid, it's Constable Saunders. I guess he is out. There's no great hurry on this anyway, Constable. Why don't I come back in the morning? Well, it's all right, indeed. By tomorrow morning, when they return, there won't be a trace of you left, and I'll be free and safe, and no one will ever be the wise man. What on earth's that? I tell you, Jones, I saw the cellar light on just as we turned the corner. There. You see? The light under the door there. Right you are, sir. Must be down the cellar. Didn't hear it. Please, dear Doctor, you forgot to sign the death certificate on that commercial traveller today. What do you say? What are you doing down there, Doctor? I'm... Well, you might as well come down there, the rest of the way, Constable, and I'll show you. Thank you, Charles Lawton, for a splendid performance. See, Harrow, before Charles Lawton returns, won't you tell everyone the advice you have for them? All right, Hap. Friends, get a dandy, dynamic, dependable auto light, stay full battery with an extra water reserve. It's power packed for pep and performance in sun, snow, sleet, or suspense. You forgot another rest, Harrow. Service. Service indeed happened. That reminds me, auto light makes complete electrical systems for many makes of America's finest cars. Generators, batteries, starting motors, coils, distributors, all ignition engineered to meet the highest standards of leading automotive engineers. So, folks, tomorrow's the day to treat your car to an expert motor tune-up. Visit your local auto light service station listed in your classified telephone directory, or the dealer who sells your make of car, and be sure to specify original factory parts, the lifeline of your car. Always remember, auto light means batteries. Stay full batteries. Auto light means spark plugs. Ignition engineered resistor spark plugs. Auto light means ignition systems. The lifeline of your car. And now here again is Mr. Charles Lawton. I am very happy to have had this opportunity of working again with Tony Leder on suspense again. It has meant working in a story which has been a favorite of mine. Dave Mortuus has long been a well-loved story, but next week you will be hearing the story of a current novel. When radio's outstanding Theatre of Thrill's will bring you Miss Jane Wyman. Wonderful. In a special adaptation of Pat McGurr's Catch Me If You Can, another gripping study in... Suspense. Charles Lawton will soon be seen in the A&T film production, The Man in the Eiffel Tower. Tonight's suspense play was by John Collier and was adapted for radio by Ken Croson. Music was composed by Lucian Moraweck and conducted by Lud Bluskin. The entire production was under the direction of Anton M. Leder. In the coming weeks, suspense will present such stars as James Mason, Van Heflin, Jimmy Stewart, and many others. Make it a point to listen each Thursday to suspense, radio's outstanding Theatre of Thrill's. And remember next Thursday hear Miss Jane Wyman in Catch Me If You Can. You will find auto-light battery dealers listed in your classified telephone directory under Batteries. You're right with auto-light. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.