 Auto light and it's 96,000 dealers present Night or the light bring Jewel the Victoria Cross a suspense play starring mr. Herbert Marshall No, no captain you'll wake all the patients. What is it? I was dreaming again, please I can't stand it Please give me. I'm sorry captain the doctor said no more. I've got you. I want to sleep without dreams It'll make me sleep make me forget. I'm sorry, but it won't help the doctor doesn't want you to take any more Those are his orders orders. What is it to him? He doesn't know going to take that school master position You told me about you'll have to get well now. I want to be taking that medicine too long now captain It's better this way just be strong for a while. It'll be better strong I Wish I was strong enough to wipe that professional kindness from your face. I'd like to kill you In just a moment mr. Herbert Marshall in the first act of the Victoria Cross What's that will cause a desert red that my dear senator is an ordinary battery dying of thirst come come will Come is the word senator Everyone comes to the auto light stay full battery the battery that needs water only three times a year In normal car use why an auto light stay full battery is so cautious of water It makes a camel look like a double-deck water tank. That's all they're all will come That's factual senator because the auto light stay full has over three times the liquid protection of batteries without stayful features Water water everywhere and furthermore senator the auto light stay full battery has fiberglass retaining mats protecting every positive plate for longer life 70% longer life in fact as proven by tests conducted according to SAE minimum life cycle standards Give me that longer life will come so friends see your neighborhood auto light battery dealer and ask him for an auto light Stay full the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use right and remember You're always right with auto light And now with the Victoria Cross and the performance of mr. Herbert Marshall Auto light hopes once again to keep you in Wait here the whole Bateman out call you all right, sir Come in please order. Yes, sir Sit down. Thank you, sir order. I have no intention to be sermonizing upon the dignity of our school You wouldn't Bateman are both aware that at Hoxley the boys are on their honor during examinations Yes, and yet knowing this you deliberately passed information to him. Why I I Don't know sir, I thought we were friends. You've never lied to me before I I don't know sir really Please don't ask me. Did you know when you arranged this that you could both be expelled? Yes, sir Nevertheless, you was who as far as I know have never been particularly friendly with Bateman Run the risk of expulsion for his sake Again, I ask you why Did he threaten you I know no, why do you ask that there must be a reason all right He's the most popular boy in school He's captain of the cricket and rucka teams Nobody likes me. I I want him to be my chum You're not turning the truth old Wait outside here Yes, and wait minute. He wants to see you Sit down Bateman. Thank you Well What do you say for yourself nothing take off your cap? You deny cheating why should I you're being insolent Bateman and you will address me as sir. Yes, sir What do you think this will do to your reputation of the most popular boy in the school? I don't think it will do anything We shall have to allow the headmaster to decide that you wouldn't sneak to mr. Walkley now would you sir? You're one of the older boys Bateman, but you're still not too old to be camed by you, sir It's time you learn that you're still a schoolboy in the need of discipline By going to mr. Walker his office come on Stand up all right And while you're telling mr. Walkley about me Will it be all right if I tell him about you in the village? About the dagger and drum What's the matter mr. Vale is it Maggie's flame? She knows a lot of men, but I'll bet she doesn't know any of them as well as she knows you does she May I go now, sir The position of a house master at an English public school is one of traditional conformity And demands of its holder the utmost of individual principles. I Had come to Hoxford during the last year of the second world world Directly from my release in the hospital and from seniority in 1949 found myself housemaster at the house The years have not been pleasant But I felt at least an uneasy security Until the day of the examination When the model British schoolboy Giles Bateman Had destroyed the security and left an extended fear Right evening after supper I set up my desk in a steady hall and wondered about the boys before me quiet with their books and scribbling Did they know? Did they all know? What had this terrifying child with the body of a man told him? He said head bowed over his ancient history The most popular boy at Hoxford Evening, sir The idea of coming in here like this. I've got to talk to you Maggie. I'm busy I've got to talk to you what time to get off not till 10 and I've got a date you better order something They'll think it clear anything anything after pint and right you are What did you tell Giles Bateman? Here you are, sir. What did you tell me knows about it go on now? Can you said so he mentioned your name? You've talked to him. Haven't you what if I am he's a nice young bloke and I can talk to whoever I want Can't I but I didn't say nothing bad about you What did you say? Just that I knew you that you were a nice Generous gentleman. I should never have trusted you. I didn't ask you to you came to me. Don't forget. Oh, thank you not to be so I am mighty. I'm sorry. I'm sorry Are you sure you didn't say anything else? I can't talk no more than bosses watching. Did you say anything else? No, no, go away The school undiscovered and made my rounds of Peckham house now silent And as I looked into each darkened room and listened to the sounds of sleep. I wondered If I could at this moment give each boy an insight into his future and the tragedies lying before him Granted the power How many would choose to awake in the morning and how many would choose never to awake again? There was one room outside of which I stopped listened Store I did not open the week past once more. I allowed myself a luxury of an easy security. I Convinced myself that whatever Giles Bateman knew about my visits to the Dagwon drum It was not sufficient to cause my arrest. I Determined to avoid any further visits at least until the boy was out of school and then the afternoon of a half holiday Francis or came to me may I speak to you sir, of course or to come in Relaxing tea. No, no, thank you, sir a cake. I'm not hungry sir. Oh What's the matter nothing sir nothing I thought that we were friends you used to like to have tea with me and talk Like I've been very busy sir. I'm sweating. I want to get better marks I'm not angry with you about the examination last week. I know it wasn't your fault That's why I didn't take the matter any further Yes, sir. I suppose you think that showing favoritism, don't you in a way? I'm cheating. Oh, no, no, sir It was very sporting of you Sporting was it You came to see me about something or what is it? sir, I Should like your permission to change my room. Oh, yes, sir Don't you get along with Watson minor? Bateman has asked me to share his dick has it you want to Yes, sir. I want you very much. You're lying He's holding something over your head. You can tell me on your friend. I'll help you Thank you, sir Do I have your permission to move sir because I didn't have the courage to question him any further I gave him permission And is it up to them? I saw the look of the condemned in his eyes I've given him the privilege of becoming a bullies boot black The school term wane I was very careful Except in my ancient history form. I saw very little of Francis odd Bateman fried in the door of his victories his top marks his prowess on the playing fields of old Hawksley This was his last term and for me that meant freedom once again from the fear Then few weeks before final exams that master was to walk away from it was study Good afternoon, mr. Vale to sit down. Thank you, sir Just had an interesting talk with Giles Bateman very interesting. Oh, where is it? I want to do something for the boy Vale I'm petitioning for scholarship at Cambridge as Bateman's house master your signature to this letter on his behalf Will be of inestimable value After all, you know him better than any of us do. Yes, I do sir. May I read the letter? Of course, it is rather glaring I admit but what can one say he is all of these things. Don't you agree? I'm sorry, sir. I can't sign it You I won't sign it sir because I can find only one truth in the letter He has been a successful athlete nothing more thing more you will speak of his integrity. He has none His leadership he rules through fear. You don't know what you're saying. You forget sir I'm his house master. I know him better than any of you You praise his high principles. He's a cheat You point out his sense of fair play is a bully. I've heard enough mr. Vale quite enough needless to say I'm shocked beyond words I can only construe from this monstrous outburst that you're allowing an entirely personal malice to sway your judgment I'm sorry your apology is not sufficient, sir I suggest that you return to your quarters and give the matter serious thought very serious thought mr. Vale Well, you're no good. It was a curious thing And I felt almost lightheaded as I walked back to my room For a moment. I had forgotten my personal involvement and stated quite objectively. I felt What I knew to be the truth about Giles Bateman I even felt that I might have said the same thing had Bateman been there Did you sign the letter sir? What are you doing in my room? Get out. Did you sign it? I told you to get out. Do you want a good hiding? Do you want me to tell the head about you? You can't bluff me again my boy You know I've gone to the daggone drum that silly girl told you about my visits It's not enough your filthy blackmailing you can't bluff me. She told me enough to send you to prison mr. Vale What did she tell you? I'd be afraid to tell you but I wouldn't be afraid to tell mr. Walkley or The constable what did she tell you? You wouldn't hit a school boy. Would you mr. Vale? They'd want to know why You will sign that letter for me, won't you mr. Vale and you then that I would have to sign the letter Or if I didn't Something would have to be done about the boy Because of my fear I did something that I had promised myself I would not do I Went to the daggone drum And to make his claim So that I would forget Perhaps forget too much Herbert Marshall and the Victoria Cross tonight's production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills Suspends again will cause water first But let me tell you about the famous auto light stay full battery the battery that needs water only three times a year in Normal car use I'm listening why the auto light stay full has over three times the liquid protection of batteries without stay full features That advantage alone helps overcome one of the greatest causes of battery failure. You don't say so Oh, I do senator and more too because the auto light stay full battery has fiberglass retaining mats protecting every positive plate To prevent shedding and flaking and give longer life Yes, sir a 70% longer life has proven by tests conducted according to SAE minimum life cycle stand me for an auto light Right senator so friends see your neighborhood auto light battery dealer and ask him for an auto light stay full Battery the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use and remember You're always right with auto light and now auto light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage Mr. Herbert Marshall in Elliot Lewis's production of the Victoria Cross a Tale well calculated to keep you in suspense What I did oh I went later that night For the next morning in baseman's room I found myself standing over what had once been the most popular boy in school During the wall there have been other dead bodies But this one aroused within me no feeling whatsoever There was neither triumph nor sorrow I was aware only of the four walls of his room and the stained cricket bat on the floor Anything in the room been moved sir Yeah, I beg your pardon inspectors talking to you. Oh, I'm sorry. That's quite all right, sir. I understand Has anything been moved? Not as far as I know as housemaster. It's your duty to make the rounds at night Yeah, would you say that there was any sign of trouble last night? Not so far as I know Tell me sir. How did the deceased get along with Francis ord? Well, it was beaten or requested all to share his quarters. What about his other school fellows? Admired him tremendously inspector. I may say without fear of contradiction But he was the most popular boy in school. I'm afraid mr. Walker. They must have been extremely unpopular with somebody here. I Should like to have the door of this room locked until the laboratory men arrive Goss is shocking Well, I imagine you want to question Francis ord inspector. Yes. Yes. Well, he's detained in mr. Veil's quarters You'll find me in my study very well, sir I I can tell you sir That a murder investigation involving school boys is something out of my line. I'd be obliged if you'd stand by I'd be happy to Mr. Veil, what did you think of Bateman? I? It doesn't matter you don't have to answer that Francis ord very fond of him inspector. He's he's quite shy, but it's a sensitive lab What he has told me I know that his family life has been quite unhappy He lost his mother when he was eight His father remarried and I gather that you feel well Forsaken Is he happy here? Happier perhaps in at home. Yet. He doesn't get on too well here I'd say he's about the most unpopular boy at Hoxley Strange don't you think sir the two lads that complete opposites so chum together? Yes, perhaps it is Did you talk to him this morning before he tried to run away or run away? You didn't know Here we are This is inspector Forbes wants to ask us some questions Well young follow me lad You were caught trying to run away this morning. That doesn't look very good No, I'm feeling to be better if you told us exactly what happened Francis I Think he might be trying to protect somebody don't you sir soon. All later things are found out Francis Tell him the truth. I Don't want you to protect anyone. Why should I be taking anybody? Nobody cares about me. I'll tell you the truth. I killed him Doesn't matter now. I Hated him He was a dirty filthy rotten swine. I did it mr. Vale I hate him and I could get better. I Hate him and I hit him And he fell down And he cried and he begged me to stop And I didn't I didn't stop I felt strong. Why did you kill him inspector? Yes, mr. Vale? I Think we should leave him alone Not very pretty to hear the confession like that especially from a kid What happens to him now I should take him back to London, but I'm not going to just yet Something else that he hasn't said It's not finished It wasn't finished The inspector wasn't a billet man, but he was diligent. I Felt you've done this sort of work for a long time and done it very well And in finding why Francis ordered kill big one Perhaps you would find out about me Find my secret He asked people company and he questioned other masters and other schoolboys Was in the gymnasium that we found a very physical sports master Samuel Jennings He had great style at the wicket Reminded me of Jack Hobbs. I can tell you one thing about him inspector Forbes The school is going to miss him. Don't you agree mr. Vale? He was the very best of the British school boy mr. Jennings Oh, I wouldn't go so far as to say that nothing namby pamby about him He was a bit of a lad take a nip now and again and there was a bit of fluff in the village that caught his eye Oh, it's the barmaid at the dagger and drum Maggie splayed He broke her bounds a couple of times to see her because he wasn't the only one Mr. Jennings, what do you think of young or to tell you the truth? I don't and I never did He's a coward and a liar Boys call him a nasty little beast. And that's what I think he is Stop it. Nothing. I'm sure you've been very helpful. Mr. Jennings. Thank you very much Well, mr. Vale, I think I've learned as much as I can for the moment Oh, I want to call Scotland yard if you could direct me to a telephone I won't trouble you anymore. You'll find one in the gymnasium office just there to the left dagger and drum now He knew about Maggie's playing Now he was going to call Scotland yard and he'd find out more. He'd find out about me I couldn't leave the school grounds until later that afternoon and when I did stepping past the front gate porter I ran to the village into trouble coming in here like this listen to me Detective is going to come here. He'll ask you a lot of questions questions There'll be questions about Bateman. Why what's he done? He's been murdered You don't have to worry But we say anything about me killed him didn't you know there's been a confession Francis the ward his roommate. It wasn't you. I told you no Remember now. You don't know me. I won't say anything. I swear it. He won't hurt me. Will you never met me? You don't know my name. You don't know anything about me. All right. All right When I left the dagger and drum I felt of my secret of reasonably secure. I Wanted a good excuse to have been away from school. I didn't want chance to see me So I had to in the village Then went to the cinema When I returned to pick him house about 10 o'clock mr. Vale Inspector where have you been? Why in the village the cinema Would you come with me, please? I don't quite understand Francis or tried to commit suicide tonight He's been asking for you. Where is he in his room? You'll be all right Francis Francis Hello, sir. Well This is a nice thing for the school. I must say I'm sorry, sir. I thought it would be better this way better. I Was afraid sir afraid they'd make me talk about Who's that with you? It's the inspector Francis There was no need for you to Tell him Francis, but I want him to know Francis. It's all right It's about you. I know I know Beatman said things about me. Didn't he yes, sir You remember the examination when you caught his cheating. I remember well He knew then about you and the girl in the village Yes, I Didn't want to believe him But he said if I didn't help him with the exam he'd he'd tell something about you and you'd be arrested So so you say I had to You were my friend sir And I knew that no matter what Beatman said about you it couldn't really be bad. It was bad Francis because I was weak I Didn't have courage You're the only friend I ever had sir. I Didn't want you to get into trouble I was in the war Francis When I was wounded and they sent me home the king gave me a medal He thought I was brave Because I'd helped some people But when he gave me the medal I Wasn't brave any longer. I Was a coward because I was taking medicine and I couldn't stop taking the medicine. Yes Beatman found out I was buying it from Maggie's playing at the daggone drum Isn't that what you were protecting me from? Yes, but I Francis Did you kill Beatman? Tell me the truth No, sir, I went out for a walk that night When I left Beatman was all right When I came home You passed me on the stairs, and you didn't know me You wouldn't talk to me When I got in the room Beatman was dead lying on the floor You're the only friend I ever had sir. I couldn't That's enough talking son. You'd better rest Mr. Vale. Yes. Yes. Good night, Francis Good night, son. I don't remember a thing that I did last night Inspector But when Francis prefers this morning, I thought he must have done it, but I was safe Look at me And the housemaster took him house at Hawksley Street. I Wondered Victoria Cross for brave way to look And that I must allow that boy to be guilty for the murder that I committed What never will they disturb on me for this bravery? Spence presented by auto light Tonight's star, Mr. Herbert Marshall. She will come to you leaving. No going senator going where? 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Good night One of the most cherished possessions we Americans have is our right to vote for representatives in all elective offices They represent us the American people We should make every effort on Tuesday November 7th to vote for those we believe best qualified This is CBS the Columbia Broadcasting System