 And now stay tuned for the mystery program that is unique among all mystery programs Because even when you know who is guilty you always receive a startling surprise at the final curtain in the signal oil program The whistler the whistler and I know many things for I walk 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 a matter of courtesy Everybody loved Cressy Carlos everybody said they'd never known anyone quite like her heart They said was as big as she was and Cressy was a big woman She had a generous wide open frankness about it A hearty friendliness that penetrated the quick stinging with that made her famous Yes, everybody loved Cressy Carlos Everybody except perhaps her husband Matt The two of them owned and operated club Carlos the most successful and expensive of all the night spots in time A Julie Bradford featured singer at the club was singing her big number Cressy moved about and joked and kidded the customers and they ate it up Hi, yeah, come on in to count the suckers. Hello, Jack. Nice to see you standing up for a change At your prices who can buy enough to do otherwise? You're wrong Jack. We don't charge enough. We wouldn't still be getting bums like you They think you're a character don't they Chris you leave them with a smile But you always get the last withering word don't you move from the bar? Make your way through the tightly packed tables until you reach your own Private tape yours and Matt No Matt, I want to talk to you about Looks like a good night. Yeah, yeah, it's fine You glance at Matt then with Julie the same The warm friendly smile remains fixed on your face But no one fooled you do they Chris you know all about Matt and Julie and you don't care She can have him catch Yes, you'd give Matt the Julie tonight, but there's the club Matt's half-owned and Club Carlos is the one thing you won't part. You won't really be satisfied until it all belongs to you No matter what price you have to pay That flame velvet nothing she called the costume doesn't hurt it she can sing too. Hey Julie Julie over here Come on Julie sit down with the bosses. You get better service Gotta take your math. Oh hi, Chrissy. Hello, Julie. You look good tonight. Hi Chrissy You'll turn my energy battery like that. Let me order your drink Julie. Oh, no, thanks. Remember. Oh, yes That's right. You never touch anything on the job. Well, I never do either Oh, I always have a drink before I come to the club just one at home. You do That's funny so do I you two ought to be able to build a great friendship on a coincidence like that I don't think so the customer is always right, but Chrissy doesn't think we're so right. Oh, that's where you're wrong Julie. I think you too deserve each other Your eyes meet for just a moment yours and Julie She doesn't like you very much does she Chris you decide to exit on that line You're not ready to tangle with Julie yet. So you get up from the table move among your guests See that they get the best liquor the best food and that they pay the best prices for Later that night you stand behind the bar after closing time checking the register and chatting with Nick the bartender That's the last Nick. We can seal up the joint now. We had a good night. Yeah some ways So how was it bad? All right, I don't know. Good night Chrissy. Nick Yeah So how was it bad? Look, you know your own business. I don't have to tell you about That anything what do you know about Matt Julie? That's maybe I don't Okay, so we'll talk in the open you got to get rid of her. She's trouble. Come on. Let's have the rest of it Now she's sitting here with Matt tonight early. Nobody else is around. I don't see me cuz I'm under the bar fixing things. I Hear him talking and I don't dare move talking pretty personal Anyway, the wind up is this Julie saying to Matt. I want you and I'll kill both of us before I let Chrissy keep Don't let that throw you Nick. She's just living it up Women do it all the time even She's not that good at actress. Why don't you fire Chris? That's no answer. What is it? I? Don't know With you a long time you've always been swell to me You made this place pull it through tough times now. It's all gravy. I don't like to see any cheap easy Nick Thanks, I know how you feel and I appreciate it But for now I'm just It's happened before and worn off. Yeah, but not this deep. I Have to see this and wear off before I believe it Night Chrissy night Nick. I'll believe it when I see it, too Chrissy Julie's a bigger fool than you thought she was isn't Maybe you can make it easy for her if she loves Matt as much as he says she does Yes, Chrissy if all she wants is Matt, maybe you and Julie can make a deal Mid-afternoon the next day you park your car on the side street next to the spacious apartment building where Julie lives As you take a shortcut through the adjacent parking lot a young man in mechanics overall Drive the car into the lot that hails the parking attempt Hey Matt We just Julie plant for its parking space, but this car from the garage number four is her space in your pocket No, I'll do it. You're gonna be here. I'll leave the keys in it. Okay. Oh, sure. Sure. Go ahead I'll be here You watch the mechanic park the car and Julie's parking place Then you enter the apartment building walk down the corridor leading to Julie's apartment You're about to press the bell when you hear voices coming from her apartment Matt's and Julie's You stop a moment then turn and walk back a few steps to another door Instinctively you try the knob open service entrance to Julie's kitchen You enter silently move quickly across the kitchen to a spot where you can hear better Now listen to me Cresce and me a crew. I told you that a hundred times But I still got a figure out a way of making the break with her and still hang on to my half of the crop That's how they told you that Yeah, what is it and God Except they grab us for murder and that's all Anybody know better that's not like Crescent We'll do it my One get a couple hours. I'm going home to do this. I'll come back at six. We'll have a drink All right Get some sleep now. Don't worry You wait until you hear Julie walk from the living room into the bedroom and close the door You're surprised that you're calm Suddenly it's as if you'd always known exactly what would happen and what you would be Wait until you're sure Julie's asleep Then move quietly into the living Cross to the low cable in front of the couch and pick up the small box The poison Julie intended for you Distant pastures they say usually look greener and that often goes for the other fellas car too But it needn't if you have to grind and grind on the starter Well, you see other cars start right off at the first touch. Don't envy the other fellow He's probably just using signal Apple When the traffic signal says go and the car next to you zooms out ahead leaving you with that glued to the spot feeling Don't envy him. He's probably just using signal Apple And when your car is laboring up a hill and another car breezes by easily smoothly in high Don't envy him. He's probably just using signal Apple After all this premium grade of signals famous go farther gasoline is a super powerful super fuel Scientifically engineered to bring out the best in any car of any age You just never know how smartly your car will perform on signal Ethel Until you try a thankful and there's no time like the present to try it Yes, Cressy the die is cast isn't it you and club carless against your husband Matt and Julie Bradford And now standing alone in Julie's living room. You suddenly see a solution The bottle of poison Julie intended for you is in your hand and with it Julie's life and Matt's It's a perfect setup, isn't it Cressy? Nick the bartender at your club carless helped perfect it when he told you about Julie's conversation with Matt They're talking pretty personal Anyway, the wind up is Julie saying the Matt. I want you and I'll kill both of us before I let Cressy Yes, Cressy Nick will remember that and what was it Julie and Matt said at your table last night? I always have a drink before I come to the club. Just one at home It is perfect, isn't it Cressy? Now Julie's asleep in her bedroom and the bottle of poison is held carefully in your gloved hand Only Julie's fingerprints will show on the table. You see a decanter filled with whiskey You quickly pour the poison into it Then you leave the empty poison bottle just under the edge of the couch where it can be found when anyone looks for evidence You've set the trap haven't you Cressy? And after a hurried survey you leave Julie's apartment quickly and quietly just the way you came When you reach your car you suddenly realized you left your car key in Julie's apartment You put the latch down on the kitchen door There's no way you can get it without waking Julie. You're stunned Then it hits you Just a single key on a chain. It could be Matt's key too His key is exactly like yours, and he keeps it on a single chain And you decide that fits your plan just fine Satisfied now you hail a taxi and go home Little before six you wake Matt and while he's in the shower your confidence in your plan increases You're certain you will be the sole owner of Club Carlos in a matter of a few hours Maybe I should have quit when I was ahead, huh? What's the matter with you Cressy you got a beef with me? What would I have to beef about? I don't know only when you slide over a quick one like that last cracker Bigger things aren't exactly Rosie with us forget it Matt matter of fact I was just sitting here thinking that I don't know when you meant so much to me Yeah, how about us having a drink a short one for the short road huh gee I can't Cressy not tonight. I got a big appointment on the way to the club do there at six Probably have a drink with him. Oh Anyone I know No fellow wants to book an act in the club. I told him I talking over with him watch it Matt I don't want you auditioning any talent without me. Oh, no, this guy just wants to talk to me. That's all I Wouldn't set the deal along you know that Funny thing Before I went to sleep an hour or so ago. I was thinking about you to you in the club You're an awful smart operator Cressy Wasn't for you Club Carlos would be just annoyed in the region. Well, I'm glad to hear you say that Makes me feel wanted, you know, I sure couldn't swing it alone Couldn't make it click like you do Well, don't worry Matt. I got no plans for leaving you're the guy who's on his way out Huh, well a look at the time if you're gonna keep your six o'clock date. You better get going Oh, hey, you have to take a taxi though. I left our car at the garage the clutch was slipping. Why didn't you wait in the Lamarra morning? Well, okay, I'll grab a cap at the corner. See at the club. I Goodbye Matt That's it. Isn't it Cressy the last time you'll see Matt alive And you don't feel a shred of remorse about it as you walk to the window See him standing on the corner hail a taxi get in it and ride away Your only thought is that once your timetable plays out Club Carlos will be yours all yours You take up your vigil by the clock Allow Matt ample time to get the jewelry more time to have a lingering drink with it When you feel sure they've shared that last fatal drink from the poison whiskey to canter on Julie's table Go to the phone and place a very important call It's Cressy Julie. I thought you'd be on the way to the club by now Not going in tonight dressing. I not going in how come anything wrong I feel so strange I Got all dressed That's too bad Julie Is Matt there? No Don't give me that stuff Julie he's there isn't he no no Cressy honest look he was coming there and I know what he's got To be there. Okay, Chris. He was here Listen Julie listen carefully, this is important Did you and Matt have a drink together? Huh? Did you and Matt have a drink together? From the decanter on the table I'm gonna tell you Julie. Yes, sir. I think you deserve to know Never mind dear I'll do all the talking I'll do all the talking from here on in because your poison did my work for me Julie And I'm just real grateful to you. How did you know? Yeah that little green bottle. It's empty now Julie And I'm afraid it's out of your reach But I did I heard it all this afternoon you and Matt I was there So you see I had to call you Julie see how you were doing Just as a matter of courtesy And I got news for your kid You're dead. Hello. Hello They won't be calling the doctor now will she Chris No, Julie won't be calling anyone ever and you know now that Matt had a drink from the same decanter of poison whiskey Before he left Julie's apartment It's just a matter of time now isn't it Chris? As you wait for the call you know must come you change clothes Just as if everything were normal and you were going down to the club as usual You wonder who'll call how long it will take and then in the middle of your thoughts Hello, Chrissy. This is Nick. Oh, hi Nick. What's on your mind? Me and here from the distillery. Let's know if you want usual order. Oh Well, how does the stock look to you? Will the usual take care of it? Yeah, I think so. That's your answer then Want to check with you Chrissy after all you're the boss. Yeah Yeah, I am If you want to overlook Matt that is by the way, is he there yet? When he comes in no no, I'll be down after a while. I'll see you man Okay, sorry to bother you. Not at all. See you soon You're glad Nick called aren't you Chris later if it's necessary Nick can tell the authorities that he called you at home and that you sounded quite normal Unaware that a double tragedy had occurred and Nick can repeat the conversation He overheard between Julie and Matt where she said she'd kill them both before she'd give Matt up Yes, Chrissy, Nick can be invaluable if you need You move from the phone to a chair Prepare to wait out your time You hear a knock on your front door Hello, are you Mrs. Carlos, Mrs. Matt Carlos? Yes, yes, I am. My name's Branson Well, of course the time to come right in Won't you sit down? Yes, thanks. I Perhaps you'd better sit down too. Why is anything wrong? Yes, I'm afraid so. I've got bad news for you Mrs. Carlos Your husband is dead Matt dead But how? When did he was driving a car and it rammed into an empty warehouse building? He had killed in an accident. Oh my I'm not sure Mrs. Carlos He he had an accident all right, but the ambulance attendant seems to think that death came as a result of poison Poison they're checking on that now Mrs. Carlos Another strange thing this car your husband was driving wasn't registered in his name not his car Well, then who's Lieutenant This car Matt was driving Was it a blue sedan? 1947 Olds move you what? Well, yes, it was That car belongs to Julie Bradford Singer at our club Matt's in mind Nick told me about her threats, but I wouldn't believe it. Oh, what threats Mrs. Carlos and who's Nick? Nick's a bartender at Club Carlos. I I Don't want to say anymore right now lieutenant If I were you I'd check on Julie Bradford and find out what really happened to Matt All right, Mrs. Carlos, I will check on Matt I'm sorry really sorry I leave you now. I have a hunch this investigation won't take long Believe me out of everything I can not to inconvenience you in any way Did you know that city traffic driving causes three times as much engine wear as highway driving? That's just one of the surprising facts proved by engineers during the development of signals amazing new premium motor oil Which reduces engine wear due to lubrication? 50% Using startling new scientific techniques never before available to the petroleum industry These engineers found a way to measure just how much engine wear was taking place Second by second at every different speed every different temperature Then they deliberately set out to develop an entirely new type of lubricant that would reduce engine wear under all the different Conditions encountered in driving the result is new signal premium a motor oil So superior it should keep that like new pep and power in your car twice as long Yet you pay no increase in price for the extra protection of this heavy-duty type signal oil So to protect your wallet and your car to get your next oil change at a signal service station Change to signal premium the amazing new motor oil that reduces engine wear due to lubrication 50% Well Cressy you're certain now that you've won aren't you? After police lieutenant Branson leads to investigate the details of your husband's death You reflect confidently on the steps. You've already taken You're sure Matt's death and Julie will appear as murder Once the lieutenant checks your story with Nick the bartender at Club Carlos And when lieutenant Branson finds Julie is dead He'll also find the key to yours and Matt's car at her apartment And you've already identified the car Matt was driving is Julie Yes, Cressy you're quite pleased with yourself aren't you're sure lieutenant Branson will return to confirm your story of the Double tragedy and the Club Carlos will be all yours just as you plan An hour or so later. You once again usher lieutenant Branson into your home We found Julie Bradford Mrs. Carlos just as you said we would dead from the same poison that killed your husband Then she did what she said she do Have you talked to Nick? Yes, he repeated the conversation he overheard between Miss Bradford and your husband. I Didn't think she'd do it. I don't think she did do it, Mrs. Carlos What do you mean? Well, Miss Bradford was wearing a flamed velvet costume one that required a special skin makeup According to your bartender, that's why she dressed at home instead of at the club Well Looks to me as if she intended to go to the club tonight as usual In that case she wouldn't have poisoned the whiskey that she and your husband drank. What if Julie didn't that's just it If she didn't someone else did When did you last see Miss Bradford? Last night and she finished her act at the club and when was the last time you had heard apartment. I've never been there Your car keys were found So what? Matt probably no He was in his part Well, he probably took mine too with miss took it for his he left in a pretty big hurry. Mm-hmm. And what time was that? It was before six he took our car. He took your car and left here a little before six That's right. I'm afraid it isn't right. Mrs. Carlos Your husband couldn't have driven your car a little before six, but he did know mrs. Carlos Your car was parked on the side street near Julie Bradford's apartment most of the afternoon taken now. We're not Neither are they witnesses You see at 4 30 this afternoon a truck back into your front fender then it's a badly the front wheel wouldn't turn Well, I I don't know how it got there and it must have been you're lying mrs. Carlos You drove that car to Julie Bradford's apartment this afternoon And that's when you saw the blue sedan your husband was driving at the family's exit The car you identified as miss Bradford You couldn't have seen it anywhere else But I have I I've seen them together in it often. No mrs. Carlos Miss Bradford was never in the car you saw I'm afraid your lies are going to put you right in the gas chamber, but I'm not lying. Oh, yes, you are Miss Bradford's car is in the garage for repairs The car you saw delivered this afternoon to the parking lot attendant and identified as miss Bradford's Was a courtesy car the garage sent over while hers was being repaired That whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the whistler each sunday night at this same time Meantime signal oil company and the friendly independent dealers who help you go farther with signal gasoline hope you'll 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 When you take a chance to save a moment You take a chance on that moment being your last featured in tonight's story were bill foreman Jeanette Nolan ted decorsia gg pierce and herbert litten and bill boucher The whistler was produced and directed by george w allen with story by charles wilson music by wilbur hash And was transmitted to our troops overseas by the armed forces radio service The whistler is entirely fictional and all characters portrayed on the whistler are also fictional Any similarity of names or resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental Remember to tune in at the same time next sunday when the signal oil company will bring you another strange story by the whistler Marvin miller speaking for the signal oil company Stay tuned now for our miss brook starring eve arden which follows immediately over most of these stations This is cbs for columbia broadcasting system