 Have you heard the strange tales of the Whistler? I know all about you and what you've done. You're trying to run away, but I'm going with you. Saturday night and CBS presents the Whistler. I, the Whistler, know many things for I walk by night. I know many strange tales, many secrets hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows. And so I tell you tonight the story of the killers. The rain beats down in terror and during the brief flashes of lightning a certain stone building stands out in the darkness of the night. A courthouse of a county in a southwestern state. A murder trial has come to a conclusion. A sensational trial in which the young killer has been tried and convicted of the brutal slaying of five people. His employer, Farmer Atkins, and Atkins' entire family. The defense, appointed by the state, contended that the slayer was insane. Now the killer stands before the judge. It is found that on the night of September 13th, the entire Atkins family was brutally slain with a meat cleaver wielded by the defendant, Joe Nickle. In the absence of sufficient motive other than $20 found on the defendant, the defendant was placed under observation by the state psychiatrist. And the said state psychiatrist found the defendant suffering from dementia precox. Therefore it is the duty of this court to commit the defendant to the state institution for the insane. Joe Nickle was taken to the state asylum there to be placed under observation and treatment. Now let us travel south in the same state to a certain farm. A farm belonging to the widow Agatha Mayberry. There's no connection whatever between Agatha Mayberry and the insane killer Joe Nickle. But let us go to the farm anyway. Agatha's husband died three years ago and left her with a rather large farm. At first she managed things very well, but then came the war and hands became scarcer and scarcer. Then Agatha's sister Ellen came to live with her and Ellen's daughter, a lazy girl named Della. Storm is coming up stronger now. Did you get those calves in like I told you Della? What did you say on Agatha? Get your nose out of that magazine and you could hear me. And Agatha wanted to know if you looked after the calves darling. No. No, I forgot. You will have to excuse Della. You just can't get used to this sort of life in so short time. You've both been here almost a year. Give her time Agatha. Give her time. I'll give her time. Get out there Della and see if those calves are under shelter. I might catch my death as cold in this storm. Those calves are worth more than you are. Go on. My hand! Brightened to death of lightning Agatha. I don't think she's frightened of anything. Why don't you hire a man to do these things? Wish I could. Men are scarce these days. All in the army. Oh poor baby. Poor baby. You stay here. I'll go and see to the calves. You do no such thing Ellen. Stay here and take care of your baby. And I'll attend to the calves. Well, she'll be all right just as soon as the storm's over. Yeah. Well you've got to do something around here Della. At least you can wash the dishes. But I drive them yesterday. Don't hurt your beautiful hands. Anyway, I've got to do something around here under these conditions. We need a man. We need a farm hand. Yes. But I can't get one. So the only thing I can do is to get rid of some of this land. Sell it to someone who can handle it. Well, Mr. Dawson made you an officer for part of the Agatha. He offered to buy some. Yes I know. And he can handle it. He has a couple of sons. And a daughter who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. How much do you think he'd pay for it? Well, I don't know. But I'm going to find out. Agatha, where are you going? I'm going to see Mr. Dawson, my neighbor. If I can make a deal, I'll make it tonight. But it's storming at Agatha. I've been in storms before. I'll drive over there and be back in an hour. I'm not a sissy. Go on to bed, Della, and pull the covers over your head. And Agatha's selfish. She means. All she thinks about is this farm and work, work. I don't know anything about a farm. I can't learn. I won't. You don't belong on a farm, Della. It doesn't suit you. I won't herd animals. I won't milk cows. There, there, darling, don't cry. Mother understands. No one understands me. I won't be a slave. And Agatha's trying to make a slave of me. There are people for such work. There are men for such things. But men are scared, darling. Men are scared. Then release. We won't put up with this. How can we leave, baby? We have no money. No. Well, I won't take care of animals. I'm going to be a model. I should be a New Yorker, or an Hollywood. No, no, darling, don't let yourself get excited. You mean selfish. I hate her. Della, darling, calm yourself. Who does she think she is ordering me around like a slave? I won't stand for it. Mind you're the old fool. I hate her. You don't mean a word you say, darling. You're just upset now. Please try and learn that. Please. No. No! Well, Della, poor little Della, sobs and sobs in a fit of hysteria. And Agatha drives on to the raging storm. And ten minutes later, pulls to a stop in front of the nearest neighbor's house. The house of farmer Dawkins. Anybody home? Dawkins! Land of mercy, Agatha Mayberry. Come on in. Come in. Come in. Come in. You must think I'm kind of crazy running around on a night like this, Mr. Dawkins. Well, there must be a reason for it, Agatha. Yes, there is. I want to talk business. Business? All right. What's on your mind all of a sudden? You want to buy the east half of the farm? Well, sure. I told you I did. What was your offer? $2,000. Well, that's a little low, don't you think? Well, perhaps, but what are you going to be able to do with it? You ain't got no manfolk around. You'll have to let it go to grass. Yes, I know that. But if we could only get a few women, to give up their fancy manicures and long finger nails, it wouldn't hurt them any, I know. I've tried it. You're right about that, Agatha. Well, let's get down to business. It will give me $2,000 for the east half of Milan. Yeah, that's right. Well, it's a deal. Good. Shake. Now, how do you want it? Well, how are you prepared to handle it? Well, I'll tell you, I collected $1,000 cash from Henry Jacobs late this afternoon. It was too late to put in the bank. So I'll just give you that cash and a note for 12 months on the balance. All right, fair enough. Make out the note. All right. All right, John Dalton, in consideration in sum of $1,000. Well, there you are, Agatha. I see. Well, shouldn't we have a witness to this transaction? If you want it that way. Sure. Oh, I'm sorry. I just wanted to thank you, Mr. Dalton. That was a swell supper. Oh, come in here a minute. I want you to do something. Sure. Sure. Hey, can you say, Mr. Dalton, what can I do? Joe, this is Mrs. Agatha Mayberry, my neighbor of the west. He just told me the east half of her land. I'm paying her half cash and the other half on a 12-month note. Like you to witness that note, would you, Joe? Is that necessary? Oh, I don't know, but that's the way Agatha wants it. Very well, I witness it. There you are. Well, thanks, Joe. And who is this man? Well, Joe came here today, early this morning, and he's worked like a dog all day, done 10 men's work, and that's something I can't understand. What do you mean? Well, he's been discharged from the Army because of a physical reason. He's a foref, but certainly didn't show any bad signs today. I can still do a lot of useful things. I thought you had enough men around here to handle things. Oh, I have, but he was both hungry. Well, if you don't really need him, how about lending him to me? I could use him. Yes, that's right. You could. She's got a farm and not a man on the place, Joe. How about it, huh? Sure. Sure, I'd be glad to help her. Fine. Well, you go on with Mrs. Mayberry. She really needs help, Joe. She lives alone with her sister and her young niece, and they can't help her much, but you can. It's a deal. Right. Well, here's your $1,000 cash, Agatha, and the note. The next payment's due in 30 days. I'll have it there. I'm not worried about you, John. See you later. Well, now you better keep an eye on me. I'm a strange sort of kidder. I forget sometimes. Well, come along, young man. It's getting late and the storm's getting worse. Yes, yes, I know. Are you alone? Yeah. Good night, Mr. Dalton, and thanks for everything. All right, Joe. Would you say your name was? I didn't say, but my name's Joe. Oh, I see. Have I done any farm work, Joe? Yes, I've done a little here and there. You're sure welcome. Why did you sell half of your farm? Because I couldn't take care of it. You sold it short, didn't you? Yeah, $2,000, and it's really worth $4,000. You gave me a thousand cash and this note for the balance. Aren't you worried about carrying a thousand in cash? No, why should I be worried? Oh, I don't know, but it's kind of risky. Is it? Aren't you afraid of me? No, I'm not afraid of anyone. No? Well, that's good. How long have you been out of the Army? Three days, over four months. I was wounded in the tent, but I can do lots of things, even if I am discharged. Well, I'm glad to have you. Glad to have anyone who can do anything. The dark road, isn't it? Yeah, no one could drive on it if they didn't know it. Any crossroads? No, none. How much farther is your place? About two miles. Oh, that's fine. Big farm. Well, what do you think of that? I forgot where that door is. That's what it sounds like. I hope it keeps going. I think we have to walk the rest of the way in this storm. That's a lot. Yeah, that wouldn't be good, would it? Maybe you'd better stop and let me have a look under the hood. All right. Shall I turn off the motor? No, no, no, not yet. Your fan isn't working. The belt's slipping and your motor's too hot. Well, can you fix it? Yeah. Yeah, I can fix it. Have you got a wrench? Yes, in that door pocket. Oh, yeah. Here we are. This'll do it. Turn it off. Well, what are you staring at? Oh, I was just thinking what a brave woman you are to be riding around alone on a night like this with a thousand dollars in cash. To me, Agatha's been gone quite a while, Bella. Yes, in almost an hour. Maybe she got stuck or something happened to the car. She'll be right if it did. I don't care if she never comes back. Yeah. What are you saying? You don't mean that. Well, maybe not. But I was just thinking. So were you, but you won't admit. Admit what? If she didn't come back, why? But then we could leave here. If you go to New York or Hollywood, and I could follow my career. Oh. Well, we could sell a farm and everything. That's plenty of money to live on till I got started. We sell a farm? Don't be so dumb, Mother. Wouldn't you inherit all her property? Don't talk like that, Bella. Frighten me. I can imagine how frightened you are. You're not afraid something has happened to her. You're afraid something won't be still. Getting worse? Yeah. I'm going to get the road slicker. Muddier. You had to keep some skidding. Bella! Bella, don't open it. It's all right. Open the door. Good news, Mother. What is it? Oh. It's mighty wet out here. Are you Mrs. Mayberry's niece? Yes. What happened? Well, she had a little trouble. Where is she? Is she all right? I'm her sister. No, don't close the door. She'll be along in a moment. How did it happen? Well, the fan belt slipped, and the motor got hot. And then when she started down that steep hill, the car started to slide, and she went into a tree at the bottom. I see. Where is she now? Well, I guess in the garage, all right. I'll take much from Axel, then, a little. Axel! What? She's all right. Yeah, well, that's certainly the time of that car. What do you mean, all right? Of course, I'm all right. But we thought... Make some tea, Ellen. I'm frozen stiff. Who's this man? Oh, this is Joe. Joe, this is my niece, Ella, and this is her mother, my sister, Ellen. We've met. We're going to have a man around here. Joe's a new man. Maybe we'll get something done around here for a change. Did you make the deal with Mr. Dalton? Sure. He paid me $1,000 down in cash. Balance monthly. Joe here was witness to the deal. Witness? Yes, I happened to be at the Dalton's place. I worked there today. Your aunt said she needed a hand, so here I am. You're going to stay here? Of course. Well, how nice. Your aunt's a very brave woman to take a chance riding with a stranger and $1,000 cash around her neck. Oh, I'm not afraid. I'm pretty good judge of people. Well, since you aren't going to make that deal, and I'll do it myself, sit down, Ellen, before you fall down. Turn on the radio, Del. I want to hear the news a little bit. Are you married, Mr.... Joe? No. You're not in the army? I was. There's medical discharge. You look pale, sir. Yes, I am. I wonder if you mind if I could turn in. Not at all. Well, is there a separate building for the hand? No, I suppose I'd rather than tend for you to have a fair room of care. The end of the hall. I see. Well, good night, Mr.... My name is Del. Good night. Del, huh? Good night, Joe. Good night. Nice, ma'am. He's a bit odd, isn't he? I like him. He's not bad looking, either. It's him, and his name is Joe. His name is Joe. Upstairs in that spare room is Joe, a mad killer. That frightens you, doesn't it? You and your mother and your aunt. Three women alone in a house with a madman. And the man knows about the thousand dollars. What are you going to do, Del? What are we going to do, Del? What will we do with Clive, Mother? I'll tell Agatha. Agatha should know. Come back here and be quiet. Agatha should be warned. Maybe she'll know what to do. Not a word to Agatha. It's only frighten her. Then call the police. Call somebody. We can't. The phone isn't working. Gone dead. Go upstairs. Del! What do you mean? What I said. I tried it earlier this evening. Well, when? I don't remember. You'll be still. Now go upstairs and go to bed. Go upstairs? What? No, Del. I can't. We've got to tell Agatha. Go to bed. But what if she would... Del. Who knows about that money? I'd tell her all about it. There's a gun in this table drawer. I can see both your room and Agatha's in this chair by the door. I'll see you in the dark until morning. All right, Dan? Yes. Go on upstairs before Agatha sees you. Go on. Hello, everybody. Hello, Joe. I said he was tired so he went to bed. Mother just went up. That's all it is late on, Agatha. Yeah. It's right. It is. You look tired, Ann. Yeah, she's better. What's the matter with you? What are you trembling about? Tremble? Hi. Hi. I think I've taken cold, a little chill. I'll be all right. You'd better take some coin iron and go to bed yourself. Yes, but I haven't been sleeping well lately. I'll read for a little while. Then I'll be all right. I missed the news. What did you say? I said that there was nothing important. Oh, I see. Well, better drink some warm milk and go to bed. Why didn't you tell her, Delo? Do you really think you can handle the situation? You think you can cope with a madman? Your face grows more pale. Your hands tremble. Delo steps to the table, studies the phone, then opens the drawer, takes the revolver, turns out to light, and slips into the chair by the door. In the hours passed, the storm increases to a fury. It is three in the morning now, and Agatha sleeps soundly in her four-poster bed. Then her door opens softly, and a tall figure steps into the room, slips to the side of Agatha's bed. A few moments pass, then a hand reaches for Agatha's throat, removes the money bag. Agatha opens her eyes. What do you want? What did you do? The storm has reached its peak. A few minutes later, it is passed over, leaving only the fall of the light rain. Suddenly, Delo stirs in the chair beside the door. A figure is slowly, stealthily coming down the stairs. Reaches the bottom and starts to cross the room toward Delo. She wakes breathlessly, then snaps on the light. Where were you going? Why, I was there. What are you doing down here? Where were you going? Well, the storm woke me up, and I got a little hungry. I thought I'd have a look in the kitchen. You were headed the wrong way, Joe. The kitchen is up again. Sure. I guess I got turned around in the dark. I don't think you were confused, Joe. What do you mean? You had no intention of spending the night here. And you weren't planning to start work in the morning. Of course I was. I know who you are, Joe. I know all about you. What? How do you know? Radio. It was a warning in my description. They said you were in the office. And what are you going to do? Phone the police? No. Phone the dead. Yes? I'm not afraid. I understand you're calm. What do you mean by that? I don't condemn you. I sympathize with you. You do? Yes. If they know I'm in a vicinity, then I've got to get out of here. You've got a little money. Haven't you, Joe? Yes. Then I'm going with you. You're going... What do you mean? I can't do that? Yes, you can. You've got to. Once we're across the state line, everything will be all right. State line? I don't get it. I've got to get away from here. I've got to. I'm being held here against my wishes. Held here? Yes. They think I'm crazy. I'm balanced. Crazy? You're not crazy to me. Neither do you. But they've got some reason for keeping me here, and I can't stand them any longer. I've left before, but I haven't got a sense. They watch me like a hawk. Here, the keys to the car. I don't need a car. I can hide out better on foot. I don't want anybody with me, especially a girl. And besides, I don't intend to cross the state line. But you're taking me with you. Nothing's going on. I'm getting out now while it's dark. Wait a minute. What? Shoot the car. Open that door and go to the garage. Now go on. Ember, you're a fugitive. If I shoot you, they'll think nothing of me. Straight ahead to the garage. This is the main highway. Well, why the main highway? I'd rather keep to the side. I wouldn't. Straight ahead. Maybe you are not. Are you crazy, Joe? Certainly not. Cross not. Neither am I. Highway go. To the state line. Look, I'm in a tough enough spot as it is. I'm not going to try and cross the state line with a girl at this time of the morning. I'll take care of you. I know it. Straight ahead. You could ring your neck for this. You're just the one who could do it. I've got one chance and a thousand of getting over that line. We'll make it all right. We'll make it. And keep both hands on that wheel. I know what you're thinking. I could send this car over, you know. But you won't. Hey, look. Red lights ahead. The state line. One of the lights is swinging. They're signaling to stop police officers. Yes. Faster, Joe. Faster. Go right on through them. They'll never catch us. It's advanced. We've made it. Keep going. Here they come. Now I am stuck. Don't move, Joe. What's the idea running over the state line like that? Didn't you see the lights? Well, you see, I guess. Maybe he's colorblind, Tom. Thought they were green. He seems to be sober all right. Let's see your driver's license. I haven't got one. See your draft card. I haven't got one. That is with me. Well, you hear that, Frank? Who are you? Hey, Tom, look. Slump down in the seat. The girl. Throw your light on her. Look at her face. All bloody. Open the door. She's been bashed in the mouth. Wait a minute. Is this your gun, buddy? No. No. What's this little pouch on the seat? I don't know. Look, Tom. Look at the bills. Look at the water money. Hey. Hey, hey, sister. Are you all right? Hey, sister. Where's State Police? Police? What happened to you? It's him. Who? Who was this man? He came to work for him last night. He robbed my aunt and made me come with him. He kidnapped me. She's crazy. She's a nut. When we crossed the line, I tried to scream and he hit me. You don't know who he is? His name is Joe. I think he's the little picket who escaped from the asylum yesterday. She's crazy. I tell you. Get out of that car, buddy. You're coming to headquarters. After mother and I heard the announcement on the radio, I knew it was him. I couldn't call the police because the phone was dead. Why didn't you go for help? Because he knew that I had to have the money. I was afraid to go because of what he might do. I got ants gone and sat by the door where I could see him if he went under his room. Yes. But I, I, I must have fallen asleep because I, I waked up just in time to see him coming down the stairs and start to be out of the door. I turned on the light and he said he was looking for the kitchen. It was then you realized that while you'd been asleep that he'd gone into your aunt's room, killed her and taken the money? Yes. If I hadn't fallen asleep, I might have prevented it. I would have shot him. Arthur, you know this woman's crazy, don't you? Crazy? Yes. Yes, she told me so herself. She said she was being kept a prisoner by her aunt and her mother because they knew she was unbalanced. Yeah. Well, maybe you're right, Joe. Maybe she is crazy. What? What do you mean by that? She's crazy. Yeah. Crazy like a fox. She's lying. I never said I was crazy. When Joe came to the farm and you realized he was the escape killer from the asylum, you decided to take advantage of his being there and kill your aunt so your mother would inherit the estate. How can you say such a thing? That's horrible. You knew Joe would try to make a getaway when you told him about the broadcast? You had the money and the gun. You forced him to take you across the state line. You knew we'd chase you and catch you. You dropped the money back in the season when we caught up to you. You hit yourself at the mouth with the gun, but... I didn't. Ah, yes you did. We know all about it. It was you who went into your aunt's room, took the money and hit her on the head. How can you say that? Because your aunt saw you standing over her bed. She called Headphone as an hour ago. You didn't hit her hard enough, Della. And you lied about that phone. It was never out of order. She isn't there. This is ridiculous. Why would I do such a thing? Why are you here to escape? Look at him. Oh, man, kill him. Why should I be accused of such a thing? Della, Joe Nichols was captured a half hour after the broadcast. This man isn't Joe Nichols. He's Joe Davis, a deserter from Camp Higby. But I think he's ready to go back and face the music. I'll be leaving you, Lieutenant. I thought I couldn't stand it there any longer. So I ran away. But after all this... Well, just take me back to camp. It'll be like paradise. Well, there you are. A strange story that might very well have ended disastrously for Joe if Della hadn't slipped up on two things. The telephone and the failure to learn if Aunt Agatha was really dead. Even though Joe has not escaped with escape lunatic, he might very easily have been charged with murder. It had not been for the over-anxiety of the vicious-minded Della. Della wasn't crazy. She was just a selfish little fool with no thought for anyone or anything except her own individual existence. There are a lot of you like that. Think it over. The Whistler is written and directed by J. Donald Wilson and originates from Columbia Square in Hollywood. Next week, same time. I, the Whistler, will return to tell you another unusual tale. Good night. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.