 The signal oil program the whistler Whistle is your signal for the signal oil program the whistler and the whistler and I know many things for I walked 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 Yes friends, it's time for the signal oil program the whistler Rated tops in popularity for a longer period of time than any other West Coast program in radio history and Signal gasoline is tops to tops in quality It takes extra quality, you know to give you extra mileage and signal is the famous go farther gasoline So look for the signal circle sign in yellow and black that identifies friendly dealer owned signal stations From Canada to Mexico And now the whistler strange story The first year The story of Lydia Winters falls naturally into two parts separated by exactly one year almost to the minute her marriage to Elliot Lark and ended of course on New Year's Eve Somewhere around midnight at a place called Silver Lake Lodge The circumstances surrounding its ending are a matter of record now in the files of the police department homicide division The beginning is another story a personal one Just a year before early on New Year's morning Lydia Winters had stood at the door of her uncle's apartment with Elliot listening to the whistles ushering in the new year Darling listen It's official now a brand new year brand new life. I Better go in now. Look Lydia. Let's go together. You can speak your peace now back I've already told you I want to talk to Uncle Philip alone darling. Oh, but why waste New Year's Eve good Lord woman It'll only take a minute. I love you and I'm gonna marry you But you might as well learn right now when I make up my mind. I mean it as some Marty tells me Yeah poor Marty Look like a hidden with a poll ax when you told him tonight. You'll get over it. They all do I wonder if we will Maybe It'll be fun while it lasts Lydia Why are you marrying me? Oh? You dance. Well, you're good-looking You have charm of a sort and of course my money I'm tired of depending on Uncle Philip. Ah, you're a worldly woman, but very practical Kiss me darling Good night Elliot. I'll pick you up tomorrow at noon We can be married in Greenville and run up the Silver Lake Lodge for a couple of weeks, huh? You're so capable darling all think it out for me. Yeah, except Uncle Philip. Just leave Uncle Philip to me dear. Good night. Good night Happy New Year. You old darling waiting up for me. There's a very good reason to deal. I Want to talk to you Seriously for once. Oh, and I know just what it's about you don't approve of Elliot Do you dear you think he's a fortune hunter irresponsible and worthy of me and I'm so hard You through yeah good then please understand this if I have any concern about Elliot Larkin It's on his account and not yours is that so exactly in the proper hands He might just might understand you grow up into a decent human being with you He hasn't a chance now wait a minute if you think you can tell me finish as beside the point Anyway You're just like your mother was Lydia the same selfishness the same abysmal ignorance of the true meaning of marriage You're not in love with this man. He's not in love with you. You're pretty sure of yourself aren't you? Of course, I'm sure Get to the point Lydia I will not approve your marriage to Elliot Larkin or any other man until you indicate some small understanding of what the word means Did you're able to look upon it as a secret contract instead of an adventure? I see Now I'd be grateful if you'd step off the soapbox while I tell you something. I Don't care what you think listen to me Lydia. I'm through listening to you. I'm of age, Uncle Philip Tomorrow afternoon. I'm marrying Elliot whether you approve or not I don't care about you or your money or anything else. It's my life and I tend to live it as I please I'm leaving it noon tomorrow, and there's nothing you can do about it Hmm Nothing I can do about it there Ballinger yes, Phil Ridgely. I hate to get you up old man I want to see you right away Ballinger about my will. I said right away now Good Lord Phil you can't do a thing like this now. Why not? Why shits? It's vicious If there was any chance for success of Lydia's marriage, it's destroyed by this this thing You can't play with people's lives as if they were puppets. It's my money Ballinger. I can do with it what I please Now get this again The new will is to provide that if Lydia and Elliot Larkin lived together as man and wife under the same roof for a period of 10 years They are to receive the principal legacy of five hundred thousand dollars jointly all half to each other as they may choose That failing it goes to the children's relief fund got that that's clear enough now If at any time during those 10 years either one of them die by any means The entire sum is payable to the survivor Immediately look here Philip. I realize I'm in no position to question your moral code What this thing is fiendish? Why don't set them at each other's throats? Perhaps it will Ballinger perhaps it will The sort of a test you know if I'm right the marriage means nothing to either of them It will destroy them on the other hand if I'm wrong. It would be a real reward. What don't you see? It's not a wheel Philip. It's a weapon. Maybe I Know I won't live to see it work out But you'll see it Ballinger You're to acquaint them with the provisions the moment I die There's a comfortable retainer in there for you to see it's followed to the letter You know I envy you Ballinger. It should prove very interesting With the prologue of the first year the signal oil company is bringing you another strange story by the whistler But now a brief suggestion to help you enjoy new driving pleasure during the new year To be sure of the tops in gasoline quality. There are just two things to remember one in gasoline it takes extra quality to go farther and two Signal is the famous go farther gasoline And now back to the whistler Yes, Lydia it began on a New Year's Eve at a party with Elliot Larkin when suddenly Impetuously you decided that here was the answer to Uncle Philip's tyranny an avenue to freedom And it's worked out fairly well, hasn't it? It's not a storybook marriage, of course, but you didn't expect that Still Elliot is fairly presentable reasonable and charming and you're sure he's wealthy enough to keep you well-dressed and entertained And until something better comes along your content It was an evening in October that changed all that the two of you had just arrived home from a football game Oh Johnny Gates, can you imagine running into him that way? I felt like a lost sheep with the two of you huddled together all I haven't seen him since college. Oh here Let me take your coat there. It was a lucky break running in on that way. You know where the cigarettes. Oh Now here you are catch. Thanks. What do you mean lucky break? You didn't pay any attention to the game Well, he's leaving his job. He's going to the Orient. Oh, yeah, he represents some cordial outfit because that sort of thing You know, well, I mean that's the job. He's leaving. It's a pretty good job What's that got to do with you? He says he'll recommend me to replace him if I wanted you You mean you're going to work. Well, why not? I can't be a playboy all my life What's so funny, huh You working? Well, you better answer the phone I'm not at home to my uncle mr. Ballinger you can tell him just a minute. I see Who is it honey? Just a minute, please Phillips dead something about the world. Well, let me talk to him. I'll handle it. Mr. Ballinger Perhaps you don't quite understand my relationship with Uncle Philip. Wait a minute. Give me that phone I think you're doing time. I knock some sense to your head angel. You may as well know it now. We're broke But what or as close to it as you can get without selling the furniture. That's why I took Johnny up on the job Money a lot of it just never mind that now you just tell mr. Ballinger. We're glad to talk to him Here go on take the phone. Oh Hello, mr. Ballinger We'll be over right away How'd it taste dear what humble pie? I'm not in the mood for that sort of thing Elliot Why didn't you tell me you were broke? You didn't ask just went along with what everyone believed about the lock and Well, it works two ways angel after all I was under the impression your uncle Phillips worldly goods But practically in your pocket, I guess I'd better make this clear Elliot. I don't love you I never did oh now take it easy and bright and early tomorrow morning. I'm leaving his house, and I'm not coming back really Well, I'm going to miss you terribly Where are you going? Does it matter very much? No? Not really tomorrow's up to you Lydia tonight on the other hand. I'll see mr. Ballinger alone. We're going together darling Somehow I'm just a little curious about your uncle's will I mean this thing forces us to love each other more or less That is if you want the money You will live together under the same roof for ten years. Yes. I heard it the first time Ballinger now Are you sure it'll hold up on a probate quite legal if that's what you mean naturally? No, I could fill it very well Elliot most efficient man in the world Well, well that that's it. Is there any questions of you? No, no, it's all very clear Come on Elliot. Well then good night Good night lock in Oh Musement Elliot or the beginning of a story a little of each I suppose You know you must admit the old boy had a sense of humor must die ten years nine to go Well, I guess there was a time when I'd be willing to do anything for a half million dollars right now I don't know it won't make any real difference Elliot. I want that money You live your life. I'll live mine. No questions. No answers except for the watchdog Ballinger. Yes, we can handle him I suppose it's worth a try all right dear. What's the first move your friend Johnny Gates Johnny? You'll need that job now. You have a wife and home to support remember At that moment you're forced to admit something to yourself Aren't you Lydia that uncle Phillip was right that your marriage to Elliot Larkin is a farce a hollow mocking thing It was never meant to be and there's something else Lydia The strange will as the weeks pass you know it for what it really is an instrument of torture a Weapon striking back at you from the grave Yes, Uncle Phillip might as well be alive and laughing at you telling you that you can't win But through it all you're determined that somehow some way you'll defeat Philip on his own ground Then on New Year's Eve the night marking your first year together Elliot calls you at the apartment Lydia I thought you might be interested. I've got that job Johnny. Yeah, he's giving it up leaving right away. Oh nice night I can drink champagne. It's paid for oh about that. I won't be able to make dinner until later I'm helping Johnny celebrate. Oh, don't worry about that. I meant to tell you we can skip the dinner plan I'm meeting Marty Bell at the zebra club Marty Bell, huh? Well true love never dies good old Marty Don't tell me you jack darling. I'll see you tomorrow Elliot see me tonight If you insist on going there with Bella come down to the zebra on what? Don't play the jealous husband Elliot. That's really overdoing it. Goodbye. Yeah My dear very amusing, but I mean it Lydia. I love you Does anyone really mean that I want you to go away with me Lydia leave Elliot please Marty Trying to break up the perfectly matched adoring Larkin it isn't breaking anything up and you know what you're not fooling me Lydia stop it Marty You don't care a hang for Elliot. I said stop it Someone coming over to our table and our friends. Really? I don't see anyone Well, an unexpected surprise I'd like you to meet Marty Bell and no friend of Elliot Marty mr. Ballinger Giving me company while I wait for Elliot, but he has an appointment. Maybe you sit in for a while mr. Ballinger Glad to but then Marty won't have to waste any more time. I'm not wasting time I've been a dear Marty. I'll tell Elliot now Nice to meet you Bill. Yeah, same here. Goodbye. Bye Marty, and thanks so much. It's such a dear Lydia I've been intending to bring this up for some time. I I've been disturbed about things that I've been hearing things. What things about you and Elliot You know when there's any sign of trouble between you you're on dangerous ground Why mr. Ballinger, I don't know what you're talking about. We're getting along beautifully Where is Elliot Lydia? It's New Year's Eve. You two should be together. Of course we should but the night's only beginning mr. Ballinger Well, I talked to Elliot only a little while ago. He's going to be here. Do you mind if I wait? I know I'd appreciate it if you would he Wait, there he is now. He just came in. Would you excuse me a minute? I'll tell him where we are Excuse me, would you let me There you are where's Marty I want to talk to him Go to the table with me. He ran out. I sent him away Ballinger's here. Ballinger Right at us Would you let us My stray lamb dear you remember mr. Ballinger. Hello luck in yes, how are you Ballinger? You know my boy. I just ordered around a drink. Why how nice If you permit me, I'd like to offer a toast on your anniversary One year isn't it? That's right. Oh one beautiful year. Yes Well, we can drink to that and of course to your future May you remain as happy as you are tonight Right now Lydia as you lift your glass and touch it to the others listen to Ballinger's hollow toast You realize that this can't go on that nine more years seem impossible But it's impossible to Lydia to sacrifice the money isn't it the money the defeat of Uncle Phillip on his own ground Is uppermost in your mind all you can think of an hour later as you sit beside Elliot in the car I Hope mr. Ballinger doesn't think it out. I'll leave him so early. I explained to him. I have to drive a friend to the airport Oh Johnny Gates. Yeah, he's flying to Seattle on the midnight plane What I didn't tell Ballinger is that I'm going to know what got my ticket suitcase in the back Elliot you can't do this. Why not because of what it might mean Ballinger suspicious now What do you think when he hears you've gone flying off somewhere on our anniversary that matter of course it matters Got the power to cancel everything You can't do it Elliot wait a few days at least I'm sorry my first assignment on the new job Company expects me to wire them from Seattle in the morning. Why why did you agree to such a thing? Maybe I've had all I can stand Lydia for half a million dollars. Don't be a fool Elliot. Look, I'll do anything you say I'll stay away from Marty Anything Elliot just give me a chance. Well another helping what same humble pie Elliot please please be reasonable. Oh Johnny's expecting me. Lydia. I don't see how I can change things now I'm supposed to be there. There must be a way Elliot you you'll regret this yourself. I know you will well I Wonder what what are you thinking? Maybe Johnny can help us? Come on up with me. We'll talk to him a little dumb tonight Elliot Give me another rundown on that with it when I look Johnny. It's simple. I just like an extra day here That's all you're flying north anyway Couldn't you send that wire for me to cover you with a company? That's right Now you see that way Lydia and I can be together on our anniversary and I'll be up there in a day or two Well, I don't suppose there'll be much doing over the holiday anyway. Oh, not a thing It's just that I don't want to beg off on my first assignment. No, that wouldn't be so good Okay Well, Johnny, I appreciate this too. I forget it Elliot's done plenty for me. Oh Johnny There's there's one more thing. I don't like the idea of turning in my plane ticket You know just in case the company should check. Oh, I don't think I'd rather not take a chance Now look if it doesn't matter to you, you're leaving the company anyway Couldn't you turn yours back and go in my place all the way through? Well, you'll feel safe for Johnny. I really would Okay, let's have it. Say, uh, I'll even check into your hotel for you. Oh, fine. We better get going. Yeah, right away Well, I'll finish packing be with you in a minute That is fine Lydia perfectly look As long as we're gonna make it look good to Ballinger, maybe we can go the whole hog How do you mean well after we drop Johnny at the airport? How about driving up the Silver Lake Lodge? Wonderful remember the first time we were there a brand-new year of brand-new life I think it's exactly what mr. Ballinger would like Well, Lydia for the moments you've won But the worry of the future is on your mind driving down to the airport and watching Johnny Gates off on flight 27 And all the way up to Silver Lake Lodge you wonder about those nine long years ahead It isn't going to be easy Lydia, but somehow you're determined to make Elliott continue to see it your way a Few miles below the Lodge you ask him to stop but a roadside Sounds like they're having quite a time down in New Orleans. Yeah, I just want to get some cigarettes I'll be right back. Take your time Pack of cigarettes, please. Thank you, Rick. Oh, these will do Here you are. Yeah, thanks Then back to the New Year's round the town celebrations Flight 27 of Fearless Airlines Northbound for Seattle crashed and burned in an unexplained accident one hour ago. All on board were killed That news comes suddenly doesn't it Lydia the answer to everything to Elliott the money everything Yes, Lydia Elliott was on that plane Even if it was in name only at this very moment as he waits for you in the car outside He's officially dead Certainly unidentifiable and the words of Uncle Phillips will keep running through your mind You know how simple it can be now Lydia Yes, as you close the door behind you walk through the bracing mountain air to the car You realize that here is the opportunity of a lifetime Freedom from Elliot and all of the five hundred thousand dollars for yourself And looking at Elliot relaxed waiting for you. You know, you're going to kill him tonight Sorry to keep you waiting. Oh, that's all right Just I went into the store. There was some sort of news flash on the radio You hear it news flash. No some of the station probably yes, I suppose so. Hey, I was enjoying that New Year's Eve and you all I'd like it quiet We'll be up at the cabin in a few minutes Right now. I want to think of Course you want to think Lydia of the loaded target pistol in the gun case at the cabin How lonely it is there of how easy it will be to dispose of Elliot's body in that wilderness Less than an hour later. You're at the cabin ready to put your plan in operation The pistol is just beneath your hand stuck between the sofa cushions as you sit before the fire Elliot has built for the occasion you steady your nerves and Elliot Hurry it up. Will you your tense now bracing yourself? You'll wait until he's moved around and is standing right in front of you holding the drinks on the tray That way it can't go wrong on this way, darling Right near the fire the whistler will return in just a moment with the strange ending to tonight's story Meantime for signal oil company and the almost 2000 signal dealers throughout the states of California, Oregon Washington, Idaho, Nevada and Arizona. I want to wish you a very happy 1948 May your new year be filled with peace prosperity and the good health with which to enjoy these blessings and Now back to the whistler Yes, the marriage of Lydia Winters Larkin ended in murder on a New Year's Eve At a place called Silver Lake Lodge where she and her husband Elliot had spent their honeymoon just a year before There's a complete record now in the files of the homicide division a record of a detective's curiosity over the crash of a northbound airplane and the supposed death of a passenger named Elliot Larkin of An investigation that led to a quick arrest in a complete confession At police headquarters, Mr. Ballinger the attorney was remarkably Philosophical as the lieutenant read the whole amazing story from a hurriedly prepared transcript of the confession I can't say that I'm surprised lieutenant. I Was afraid from the beginning that Phillips will would lead to something like that. Yes, the will of course gives us a solid motive Although we already figured we find something like that. Oh, uh, there's one more paragraph to the confession You want to hear it? Yes, read on please. Well, it goes on to say Once I knew that Johnny Gates was on that northbound plane traveling as Elliot Larkin the way seemed perfectly clear As soon as we got to the cabin I got hold of a gun and waited for my opportunity the first chance I had I pulled the trigger twice without any warning And it was all over and then there's the signature, of course The only thing I don't understand lieutenant is how you were able to make the arrest so quickly a good hunch on the part of one Of the boys you see when he found out that Larkin was due up in Seattle on that new job He flew up there as a matter of routine. Well after that, of course the arrest was over. Oh They're bringing in the prisoner now. Do you want to yes? I'll stay all right sergeant in here. I Don't know how you ever expected to get by with this Larkin that matter now Johnny Gates traveling in my name. I thought I had a perfect alibi So I killed him and until our man walked in and you in Seattle You still didn't know that your alibi had blown up in that plane. Yeah Funny thing too at night in the car. Lily asked me if I'd heard a news flash It must have been about that plane. I Wonder why she didn't tell me Let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the whistler each Wednesday night at the same time Brought to you by the signal oil company marketers of signal gasoline and motor oil and fine quality automotive accessories Because this is New Year's Eve the safety message with which we have closed every whistler program during the past year There's even more significance tonight To get the most driving pleasure drive at sensible speeds be courteous And obey traffic regulations It may save a life Possibly your own Featured in tonight's story were Betty Lou Gerson and Gerald Moore Whistler was produced by George W. Allen with story by Joel Malone and Harold Swanton and music by Wilbur Hatch And was transmitted to our troops overseas by the Armed Forces radio service Next Wednesday for a full hour of mystery over most of these stations tune in a half hour earlier Enjoy the saint as well as the whistler. This is Marvin Miller speaking. 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