 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 famous Go Father Gasoline invites you to sit back and enjoy another strange story by the Whistler. I am the Whistler, and I know many things where 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, Mark Mann. The man standing in the open door of the swiftly moving boxcar looked in conjures, out of place. Certainly, Frank Seto wasn't used to this mode of travel. But even with the careful planning you always employ, things can go wrong, can't they, Frank? Yes, you were the brains behind a successful swindle across the border in Tijuana, weren't you? But part two of your plan, in which you tried to outwit your own associates, backfire, didn't it, Frank? And you had to run, leaving $70,000 hidden in a baggage check stand in San Diego, and now cowering in an empty boxcar, moving through the outskirts of Los Angeles. You wonder if anyone followed you, wondered what's ahead when the train rolls into the railroad yard. Then you hear the voice of your chance traveling companion. Not yet, buddy. Don't jump now. Take it easy. I don't want to wait too long. I don't want to get mixed up with any yard cops. Very new to you, isn't it, riding these side door poor men? Them cops won't do nothing, buddy. Take my word for it. They'll just chase you out of the place. You can save your advice. Okay, buddy, okay. I just don't want you to get hurt. I could tell by the way you hopped on down in San Diego that you didn't know much about traveling. You're going into the yard. She's slowing down. No, no. She's moving just as fast. Don't jump, buddy. Don't! Remember all of that, don't you, Frank. The old man's warning your own nervous anxiety. That moment suspended in space. And then the flashing lights of a crossing signal seeming to rush at you, striking, then nothing. The blind is beginning to clear now. And you wonder where you are. Wonder about this strange blurred circle of faces and voices. You think he's coming too? Boy, he sure smacked that signal. But he suppose he jumped off that train phone and was going so fast he could have killed himself. You sent for the ambulance? Yeah, it's on its way. Police too. Police. No, look, I'm okay. Be careful, mister, don't get hurt. Let me alone. I'm all right. Look, you had a bad fall. I better let him check you. I'm all right, I said. But they're on their way to be here any minute. It won't hurt to let the doctor do it. Skip it. Doc can look you over. Me? What for? Curiosity. You've got a bad case. A very bad case. You hurry away, don't you, Frank? Half running across the railroad yard, waiting until you're several blocks away before even stopping to brush off your clothes or trying to straighten yourself up. On Main Street, you enter a nondescript hotel. Across the lobby, you pass the group of hypnotically pleasing guests watching television and approach the desk. Hey. Hey, anybody here? Room party. It's not a party. Wow. What's the matter? What's the other fellow look like? Or did he win? Never mind the jokes. I've been traveling. Want a room or a shower? Yeah, they're separate, but we've got them. Room's a dollar and a half. Shower's 50 cents. They're in advance. Thank you. Thank you. Must have lost my money. Oh, sure. Oh, here, wait a minute. Wait a minute. I've got enough for a couple of nights. Yeah. That's better. All right, I'll get you, Chief. The shower makes you feel better, doesn't it, Frank? And a good night's sleep helps, too. Even in these surroundings. Somehow you'll feel that you'll be able to work things out. For one thing, the pressure is off for a while. The following day, except for meals, you stay close to the hotel. And that night, you even feel sufficiently relaxed to join a few of the other guests in the lobby as they watch a question-and-answer program on the television screen. This young lady whose name is Larkin, Nora Larkin. Thank you and your young gentleman friend. I'm Wally Neal. Wally, tell him the name. It's all right, sir. It's all right. Name's aren't as important as the right answers to the question. All right, my name is Wally Neal. All right, Wally. Now, you and Miss Larkin have a chance to win some of that lucky cash we've been talking about. It's lucky for you and lucky for those you've spent it on. Now, for the rest of the day. Excuse me. What's the matter? Don't you like to frug live? Just remember some business I have to attend to. It's a shock, isn't it, Frank? Seeing Wally Neal on that television screen. Wally Neal. One of your partners in the Tijuana Swingle. And your certainties followed you, aren't you? Followed you to Los Angeles. And that's why you take a fast cab ride to the television station. Inside, you learn that you're just in time. They're breaking now. Do they come out this way? I have to meet a friend. Yes, I do, sir. Well, thanks. Thanks a lot. Well, now, let's go out. Wally, look, we won $600. If you'd like to mind that. But nor I told you, I shouldn't have appeared like that. I shouldn't have let you drag me up in front of us. We're in control, aren't you, Frank? Finding Wally Neal before he found you. Wally's the only one who knows for certain that it was you who cheated the others. You can tie it all together. That is, if he gets an opportunity. You follow them outside and down the street to a parked car. Wally helps Nora in. And he starts around to the driver's seat. You hurry forward. Hello, Wally. Huh? Frank! Yeah, Frank. That's a funny thing. I didn't even know you were in town. Saw you on TV. Oh, yes. Now, you were just fine. A little nervous, but just fine. You've been very clear. Yes. I'd like to talk to you, Wally. Alone? Oh, sure. Sure, Frank, sure. Nora. Yes? Nora, this here is a friend of mine. Frank Settles. Nora Larkin. Oh, how do you do? He happened to see me on television. Can you imagine this? Oh, what a coincidence. Yeah. Those things happen. Yeah, they do, sure. Look, Nora, can I drive you home? Because Frank wants to talk to you. It's business. Sure thing. Come on. It's nice of you, Miss Larkin. Not at all, Mr. Settles. Wally's mentioned you to me. Oh, yeah, Frank. Sure, I have. Oh, you're that sort of fellow, Wally. I bet you've mentioned me to lots of people. So we get started. Ah, sorry to break up your date, Wally. Nora's quite a girl. Yeah, she's a nice girl. Cooperative, too. Let's you drop her off. No explanation. And your car. All right, turn up here, Wally. Well, that leaves the bridge over the freeway. That's a good place to talk. It's anywhere. Jay, I'll just park by the curb. All right. And shut her off. And get out. What? No, Wally. What's the matter? Conscience party? You talked too much to Dutch and Duke in San Diego before running out? I didn't talk to nobody. I just left. Ah, good boy. We'll still shut her off and get out. Come on, come on. I'm not going to shove you over the rail. Nobody said you were. I know, but you're nervous, boy. Very nervous. Ah, lots of cars rushing along down there in Cawinga. Be a pity for anybody to fall over. Frank Nora knows where to get her. Now, remember that Nora knows. Wally. Wally, boy, you are imagining things. I just want a few questions answered. You, uh, didn't try to pick up the money alone. Well, how could I? You had the check stuff. But you know the check box. Yeah, but I wouldn't try anything like that. Who told the boys what to look for me? I don't know. They found out for themselves. I... Yeah, yeah. Only the two of us knew. Somebody tells Dutch and Duke to watch for me at the railroad station. Pick me off as I get the 70,000 at the check stand. Of course, you didn't tell them you left the money there for me. I didn't tell them anything. I swear to you, Frank. I didn't. Easy, Wally. Take it easy. They didn't spot me, you know. I saw Duke waiting. Saw him before he saw me. That's why I beat it. Hopped a break and came up here. Hey, look, I know, but Frank, listen. I didn't tell anybody. You didn't follow me here? No, I left on my own. Why? Well, I wanted to be with Nora. We're going to get married. Takes a lot of dough. No, look, look, I'm out of it. I didn't even want my foot in the job. Now, really, I'm out of it. Sure, sure, Wally. Uh, you were pretty lucky tonight. Huh? One of the lucky cash winners. Here, I'll give you my head. $300. We won $600, Nora has the rest. Here, look in the wallet. You'll see it's all there. $300. Uh-huh. Hey, it's all here. Your identification, too. Private's license. Social security. Take them a little while to tag in. In a strange town. Oh, Frank. Frank, please look. I'll never tell anybody anything. I know, Wally. I know. Frank, for God's sake. Sorry, Wally. I'll give you a rail for the boys or anybody. Bye, Wally. Thanks for the spendin' money. Since tomorrow will be St. Patrick's Day, you've no doubt been getting your share of Killarney on today's radio program. I had thought of describing how your friends will turn green with envy when you power your car with signal gasoline. Because signal gas drives sluggishness out of a motor like St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. Or I had thought of reminding you that your wallet would feel lucky as a four-leaf clover because of signal good mileage. But sure, in bigari, when you buy gasoline, there's really just one thing that matters. You want to be sure you're getting the gasoline that helps your engine run most efficiently. And the best way to measure a gasoline's efficiency is by mileage. After all, when your engine runs more efficiently, you save gasoline. Save gasoline with quick starting. Save gasoline with smooth pickup. Save gasoline with full power. And of course, the more gasoline you save, the more mileage you enjoy. That's why mileage is the best yardstick to measure gasoline efficiency and driving pleasure. The reason why so many smart motorists today are switching to the famous go-father gasoline. Her signal, bigari, is a shove sends Wally Neal over the guardrail on the freeway bridge. And as you drive hurriedly away in Nora Larkin's car, you're still clutching the leather wallet that Wally handed over to you. He won't be identified immediately, will he, Frank? No, possibly not for several days. You smile as you light a cigarette, drive Nora's car back, park it where she'd instructed Wally to leave it, place the key under the floor mat as he was supposed to do, and then take a cab back to your hotel. From there, you put through a call to San Diego, person to person, to amidst Irene Webb. That'll be 95 cents for three minutes, sir. Okay, sister, here it comes, catch. Now, listen, listen. A mail in your check stand stump. Stand at the railroad station. Go there, pick up the package and bring it to me here at the Alden Hotel. Shall I give up my apartment, Frank? No, I wouldn't. Give somebody ideas. Just pack and come on. But my things... We'll have enough to buy other things, Irene. Let's do as I say. How soon can you make it? Day after tomorrow, the light. All right, if that's the best you can do. Anything else, please? Like what? Oh, sure, sure, I love it. Make it fast, Irene. Goodbye. At least that part's in motion, isn't it, Frank? Two days. It'll be that at least before Irene arrives with a stolen $70,000. But during those two days, the $300 you took from Wally's wallet, the $300 he'd won on the TV show, gives you enough to live on comfortably, almost luxurious. The following morning, you check out of your room. Your first stop is at a fashionable men's shop. A new suit, shoes, hat, a complete change of wardrobe. And then you register at a swank Hollywood hotel. Call Irene and give her your new address. Nothing but the best, Frank. You spend Wally's money freely. And late that afternoon, you're in your hotel suite when the buzzer rings. It can't be Irene, can it, Frank? She's not due until tomorrow. Hello, Frank. Well, Nora. Mind if I come in? No, of course not. Well, this is a surprise, Nora. How'd you know where to find me? Just by chance. You left an empty book of matches on the floor of my car. They were from the Alden Hotel. Scenes when you checked out of there, you asked the desk for me. Oh, sure, sure. I remember. Well, here, here, sit down. Thanks. Have a drink. It's a name and I've got it. So I see. Scotch? Hi. The cozy little place you got here, Frank. Did Uncle suddenly leave you a fortune? Oh, nothing like that. I looked up a friend here in town this morning. He owed me a few bucks. That plain water, Nora? There you are. Thanks. What's on your mind? Wally. Huh? Look, Frank, be a good boy and leave Wally alone, huh? What do you mean? He doesn't want to make any trouble. Before you really, he doesn't. Oh, okay, Nora. You say so. That's a little affair to you, Nora. He just wants to forget about it. Oh, tell him I've forgotten it, too. I wish I could. What do you mean? Well, Wally's a funny guy. Lately, he's been jittery, upset. Yeah, sure, sure. Get to the point, Nora. Well, then running into you last night, he's scared, Frank. He's hiding out like a frightened rat. Hiding out? I've been up to his apartment half a dozen times today. I called him on the phone, there's no answer. She... He's stuck down on me before. When he's scared, Franky, he doesn't want to see anybody. Not even me. Oh, don't worry about it, Nora. He'll be all right. Sure, sure. He's just got to think it out all by himself for a while. And he'll call me. Look, if I could just tell him you weren't sore. But I'm not. I'm sorry. Thanks a lot. Yeah? Well, boy, sir. Oh, come in. Ask for the evening paper, Mr. Settler. Oh, yeah. Thanks, just put it on sale. Oh, I... Here you are. Thank you, sir. Sure, buy yourself a... Something wrong, sir? No. No. He leaps up into your throat, doesn't it, Frank? The folded newspaper the bellboy had tossed on the table. Nora reaching out for it. You wonder if the story is there, the story of Wally Neal's death. What Nora will think. Hold your breath as she unfolds the paper. Glances casually over the front page. And then drops the paper on the chair beside it. Same old stuff. War, Congress and content. It's all you read about nowadays. Look, Nora. Yeah? I know how you feel about the guy. Well, I'm sorry if I gave him the jitters. Let me make up for it, huh? You don't have to. No, but I insist. Why don't we run over to his place? He might be there now. Well, yeah. I'll tell you what. I'll take the two of you out to dinner. We'll make a night of it. On me. What do you say? All right. All right, Frank. Of course, there's no answer at Wally's apartment, is there, Frank? And so you take Nora on to dinner. Just the two of you. An attractive girl, isn't she? Warm, exciting. And lay there while you're dancing, holding her close in your arms. Oh, come on, sweetheart. Cheer up. Wally's going to be all right. I suppose not. Sorry to spoil you eating this way. You're not spoiling anything, Nora. A very good company, I'm afraid. I disagree. I think you're a very nice company. Thanks. I mean it. Frank. Hmm? I was wondering, do you think Wally might... Oh, look, sweetheart, I told you you'd be all right. Stop worrying. Stop thinking about Wally. Just for a little while anyway, huh? Come on. All right. I'll try. Mother, to forget Wally, don't you, Frank. But not only for just a little while, but you're almost certain you can get her mind off Wally. As the evening progresses, she seems to be enjoying herself. It's after three in the morning when you see her to her apartment. Leave her after making a date to call for her the next evening. The following afternoon. Hello, Frank. I thought I was to pick you up at your place later this evening. I wanted to see you soon. Is something wrong? You look like... Yeah, something's wrong. Here have you seen it? Paper? No. There. At the bottom of the page. Okay, so what? At least found a body in the freeway. Unidentified. What's this got to do with me? Everything. I had a hunch, so I went down to the morgue an hour ago. It's Wally. Wally? Don't look so surprised. Wait a minute, sweetheart. We needn't put on an act. Frank, I know what happened. I know you killed Wally and I know why. Look, Nora. I know all about the job you're pulling to your wanna. I had double-crossed your partners in San Diego. So what? They look, Nora. Take it easy. I put that letter opener away. It doesn't scare me. Doesn't it, Frank? Doesn't it? She lunges towards you. You reach out. You miss. And the letter opener rips into your arm. The blinding rage will lash out, twist Nora's arm behind her. And then you stumble, and both of you fall to the floor. You get up quick. Nora lies very still. All right. Nora. Who is it? Me, Frank. I mean... Uh, just a second. Quickly. Drag Nora Larkin's body into the car. Look around the room. Her purse, Frank, lying here on the floor. Move it up. Flip it under the sofa. Is that the only way? Come on, move it. I'm sorry. There's one. That's not from all the way. Get this stuff open. Yeah. Here are your pictures. That's fine, honey. Fine. Well, well. Private Larkin. How about out on the lady's side? We don't have the time. Oh, no. Fine. I'll feel better if you skip right now. But why? What's the rush? Find the questions. We'll leave. Look, I'm reaching the lobby in five minutes. Read your stuff there. I'll have the bell hop to appear. Come on. Oh, no. Wait. Why? Don't you stop asking why? Do as I say. All right. All right. Grab a cab up the airport. Take the next plane. New York. New York. New York. I like Seattle. Seattle? Why do you... Just skip across the border into Canada. That's why, baby. Oh. Whatever. All this money. It's fine. Yeah. Just for kids. Now be good. I'll be going for you in the lobby, John. Okay. Okay. Yeah. You wait, baby. Nice. Yeah. Wait. Oh, there's now a new improved type automobile battery built to last up to two and a half times as long as ordinary batteries. It's the new signal deluxe battery, which is guaranteed a full two and a half years on a service basis. One of the reasons for this amazingly long life in signal deluxe battery is their micro porous all rubber separation, which allows freer flow of acid between the plates, yet are impervious to the action of the action. But longer life is only part of it, so. In addition, signal deluxe batteries deliver up to 35% more power and don't need water as often. So much for their quality. But how about price? Well considered on a per month basis, which is really the only way to compare battery costs. Signal deluxe batteries actually cost less than ordinary batteries. What's more, the generous trade in allowing signal dealers and now giving for old batteries brings the cost even lower. And liberal credit terms are available. So if you need a new battery, head straight for a signal service basis. Be sure of genuine economy plus dependable service for a long time to come. With the new 30 month guarantee, signal deluxe battery. So Frank, the way is clear in you, but you've had to kill his wife, Wally Neal, and then his girlfriend Nora Lodge. Only you feel sure now that it's been worth it, doesn't it? Yes, considering the 70,000 stolen dollars that Irene brought from the Czech stand in San Diego, you had to get her out of your hotel room because Nora lies dead in the crowd. Now you're through with Irene too. After all the maneuvering and planning, you don't intend to care the money. You've had your bags fixed. Take the money from Irene's suit. You're sure it's going to be a simple clipping out the back entrance of the hotel alone, aren't you? Yes. I've had the union fixed. From there, a freighter to a part unknown. You cross quickly to the door and open. Hello? What do you want? Lane's Roman. Lieutenant's Roman. Homicide. Homicide? Yeah. Well, this is what I've been doing. You're Frank Ketter, aren't you? That's right. So you've been throwing your money around quite freely, haven't you? Stain your bill at the olden, buying new clothes? What have I had? Too bad you didn't know the money was mine. That money belongs to a gentleman named Walling Union. He won it on a TV show a couple nights ago. All the bills were marked as part of a stunt. Anyone receiving any of that money was told to notify the television station to get a flight. A man of truth, Walling Union, took that money. The money had been set around. Clothes and store, cab drivers, cell phones. Half a dozen witnesses who've been identified. Oh, you better give these rooms a reason to appreciate them. I don't think. The murder of Walling Neil with a highly advertised murder plan is too bad you didn't realize that once you'd killed Neil and took his money, you were a marked man. That whistle be your signal for the signal oil program of Whistler. He's Sunday night at the same time. Signal has asked me to remind you that today the Red Cross must not only be prepared to save lives and relieve suffering in any disaster that may occur anywhere in this country. In addition, it must provide blood and other needed help for our GIs overseas. Good reason. By this year, the Red Cross needs more of us for health. And more health from East to West. The incident tonight's story where Bill Foreman is the Whistler, Jack Moyle, Doris Singleton, Larry Dobkin, Georgia Ellis, and Charles Field. The Whistler was produced and directed by George W. Allen, with story by Joel Malone, music by Wilbur Hatch, and was transmitted overseas by the Armed Forces Radio Service. The Whistler was entirely fiction, and all characters portrayed on the Whistler are also fiction. Any similarity of names or resemblance to persons living or dead is purely going to them. Remember to tune in at the same time next Sunday when the Signal Oil Company will bring you another strange story by Whistler. Marvin Miller, speaking for the Signal Oil Company. They do now for our Ms. Brooks, starring Neve Arden, who follows immediately over most of these cases. This is the CBS Radio Network.