 It's time now for... Johnny Dollar. Hi, Johnny. Service. Oh, holy smoke, Art. What are you doing up at this hour of the morning? I'm on the job. So am I. Listen, I got a number. Well, did you give it to him? He's some insurance matter, so, yes, I did. Well, why'd he call you? Yeah. Did he give you any details? No. Sure, sir. Promise? Okay, I'd promise. Starting adventures of the man with the action-pact expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Johnny Dollar. Johnny Dollar. Special investigator Johnny Dollar. The State Unity Life Insurance Company, Home Office, Hartford, Connecticut. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the ghost to ghost matter. I'd no sooner rolled over in the hope of getting back to sleep when the phone beside my bed started jangling again. Oh, nuts. Johnny Dollar. This is Oscar H. Trimley, Mr. Dollar. Trimley? I represent State Unity Live here in Lake City, New Jersey. Oh, look, are you the man who called our price over an international press service? Yes, yes, I did. To get your phone number out of being such a famous investigator and all that. Yeah, well, you could also have got it from Universal Adjustment Bureau, your insurance directory, the law and distance operator. Oh, dear, I... Well, it depends. What's this all about? Ian McAndrews. Who's Ian McAndrews? Oh, don't you know? He's the man who founded Lake City. So what's happened to him? He'll help. Oh, won't believe what? He'll help me these next couple of days. Goodbye, Mr. Trimley. I can hardly wait to grab a train. But I didn't want to ask Mr. Trimley to know that. Because I had a strong suspicion that if you can catch a ghost off guard, you'll be one up on him. Expense account item one, the promised phone call to Art Price and international press. Are you kidding, Johnny? No, I'm deadly serious, sir. But a ghost in the Little New Church? Yeah, yep, I'll keep in touch. Then I remembered Nancy. Nancy Turner, an old flame, or rather a young old flame. She'd said something one time about taking up investigation of the supernatural. So, expense account item two another time for another call. And as, uh, look, Nancy, did you ever go ahead with your study of psyching investigation? Psyching? Investigate a haunted town. A haunted town? Except that such a thing is impossible. Oh, it is? Sure. But I'd kind of thought that maybe you were still... Well, I guess we'd better forget it. Oh, no, no, wait, I... Nancy, I'll pick you up. Taxi and train for two to New York. Item four, fifty bucks, deposit on a rental car when we got into Grand Central Station. We crossed over into Jersey and hit Route 22 for Summerville and Point West. And every mile of the way, Nancy chatted away like a magpie. She kept quoting some of the stuff she had read on the subject. A lot of authorities who decided that some of the reports on haunted towns and houses and people, things like that, had decided there was something really supernatural about them. And you know, after a while, I began to wonder. Yep, I began to wonder. Sergeant Donald Bellweather, like this to clean your hunting rifle, I've seen you at the Jamesons at seven. I'm ready, honey. All I have to do is wash my hands. I'll finish this tomorrow. Be with you in the jiffy. Donald, come back here. Oh, no, what's the matter, Reba? Are you going to leave this hunting rifle right out here in plain sight? Nobody's going to bother it. The kids are asleep and we'll be gone. I don't think our babysitter will bother anything. She's got her homework to do. Those are famous last words if I ever heard them. Donald, don't you realize that accidental death by firearms ranked second only to deaths from fall, fire, and poison? But the kids are in bed. Well, sure they are. But what if our six-year-old Marshal Villain should wander out to the kitchen for a drink of water? You know, he'd love to play with his gun. Yeah, I suppose so. Well, please put it away under lock and key. Yes, dear, yes, right. And for heaven's sakes, take those shells, too. You know, many accidents happen when bullets are thrown into a fire or hit with a hammer. Well, things are dangerous. You ought to know that. I know, honey. I guess I just wasn't thinking. The unloaded gun and ammunition lying around the house is even more dangerous than an itchy-fingered hunter's. Statistics prove that. OK, there. Everything is safe under lock and key. Now, you still angry with me? Oh, Donald, I don't want to sound like a nagging wife, but... My dear, you have every right to reprimand me. Me, a non-commissioned officer. I should know better. But that's where it goes. We forget. That's why there are accidents in the field out hunting and in the home. We all know better. We just forget or get careless with firearms. Well, come on along. Let's get over to the jazz. OK, dear. Now, this won't happen again, believe me. You know, I wouldn't have started to clean that rifle if you hadn't taken so long to get dressed. But you sure did a good job. Oh, you look beautiful. That's my Donald. That's my Donald. Truly Johnny Dollar and the ghost to ghost matter. Nestle in among the soft, roaming North Jersey hills. But it kind of has been Tom. I saw the reason for that in the abandoned mill, the old McAndrews cotton mill at one side of the lake. The same old story, I guess, when a town's main industry closes down, it kind of goes to pot. Nonetheless, it was a charming little place. Population, all maybe four or five hundred. When we finally located Oscar Trimley's insurance office, we found a bit of a gathering there. And Mr. Dollar, that is Miss Turner and Mr. Dollar, this is Charlie Reid. I'm very happy to know you. Tony Gray. We're sort of local businessmen's club, Johnny, you know. Okay, then let's get to the point. Sit down. Thank you. Johnny, I thought over the phone that you were turning us down. Well, I changed my mind. And when I thought of Nancy and her knowledge of the supernatural. Good. That's what we need. Well, I am interested in the subject. We're all a little worried about it. Tony isn't kidding. I had a bunch, but, well, this thing has a scared. That's putting it mildly. If it really is his ghost that's plaguing us. Oh, now you don't seriously believe in ghosts. I'll tell you this. I never did before, but now, well, wait and you'll see. Gee, Johnny. Well, suppose you tell me what's going on. Well, no, no, no, no, Johnny. You'll have to see for yourself. And here. Yes, Charlie, and here. And that means waiting until midnight. Midnight? Sure, Mr. Dollar. Why, Bill? You'll see. Yes, and meantime, you can look around. Say, aren't you quite a fisherman, Johnny? I'd rather fish than eat, but now look at you. Oh, I love to fish, too. Oh, the lake's full of nice bass. Charlie, you can fix them up with a boat canker. Sure can. Yes, but if I'm going to investigate... Tony, you'll arrange for a place for Miss Turner to stay overnight. Be glad, too. Well, now... And Johnny, you'll stay at my home, all right? Fine, but now at least tell me... Oh, no, I want you to see for yourself at midnight. Now, meantime, good fishing. Yeah, before Mrs. Bixley starts screaming about her high-five. See you later. Yeah, and I'll come back to the office and arrange somewhere for Miss Turner to stay. See you later. See you, Tony. Now, if you folks will come over to the print shop with me, we'll pick up the keys to my boat and some tackle, and you can be on your way. Look, can't you at least give me some idea? Oh, no, not a thing until midnight. Oh, and we'll all have dinner together at the hotel. Now, Mr. Trimbley, are you ready, Mr. Turner? Johnny? You fellas are the boys, I guess. Fishing, Nancy? I'll even give you some of the fast-strike hooks I use. Okay, then let's go. There was something slightly screwy about the whole thing, and I don't mean just the talk of a ghost. But when I go fishing and at company expense, well, who's to complain? So Nancy and I spent the rest of the day on the lake. Matter of fact, she caught the big one. By dinner time, we were starved, and the little hotel served us not only excellent cocktails, but a regular banquet, completely champagne. You enjoying it, Miss Turner? Mmm, I love it. Only why don't you call me Nancy? Sure, why not? Charlie, I'll tell your wife. Tony, you stay out of this. Mr. Trimbley, about this ghost is... This is a champagne, you know, comes from the old Leland-Stanford Vineyard. Oh, yes, and it's fine. Finest, I know. But it's time we talk about your ghost. Say, you land any big ones out on the lake? Yeah, Bill. Nancy got a four-pounder. But now listen, would you... There's another thing about this fine California wine. Yes, fellas, go over near the old car. Hey, fellas, look, please, would you tell me a little bit about... But then, finally, after a lot more food and wine and cheddar, we drove off in Tony's car. Now, I'm stopping here in the middle of town, Charlie, because it's the best place to be when things start popping. Like what? Hey, when are you fellas going to stop this runaround and start making sense? You'll see, you'll see. I'm all excited. Look, Johnny. Yeah, Charlie? You see the old tower clock? Almost midnight. So what about that? Old McAndrew's passed away at the stroke of midnight, Johnny. Personally, I think that has something to do with this. You still haven't told me with what? Wait. Listen. There goes the tower clock. Midnight. Count them, Johnny. That was four. Five. And Johnny, see how all the lights are flickering along the streets? That happens every night. And no reason for it. Look, that! A million for so... Yeah, I see them. I don't... What under the sun is that? That's the ghost. Wailing. Oh, no. Wait a minute. That scream fills the air. It comes from everywhere. That's a horrible sound. Johnny. Easy, honey. No, listen. Didn't you hear? That clock struck 13. Yes, Johnny. I did. You asked me the devils in Old McAndrew's ghost. That's why it comes out of his house every night. Out of his house? Right, Johnny. And will you see what's there? Only Johnny Dollar in a moment. You know who said, they that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Those words were written by Benjamin Franklin in the year 1759. Even before the United States of America had come into being, Franklin realized that the path toward freedom was a difficult one. He knew that there would be many people who were easier paths to the difficult one that led toward freedom. These people, he felt, did not deserve to enjoy freedom. Just as there were in Ben Franklin's time, there are people today who would choose what looks like the safe and easy way to protect American freedom. They would be willing to sacrifice some of their liberties in order to be comfortable. But the surrender of a little freedom soon leads to the surrender of all freedom. Freedom can be protected only by constant vigilance and the willingness to fight to protect it if necessary. Remember the words of Benjamin Franklin. They are part of your American heritage. Temporary safety must never be purchased at the price of liberty. And now act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Ghost to Ghost Matter. Antora, this old house always left wide open. Yeah, Johnny. You sure you want to go in? Sure. Come along, Nancy. I... I'm coming. I think it was more light around... Oh! Well, that's nice. Slammed right in our faces. I knew it. Unlocked, though. Let me have that flashlight, Tony. Here. Here. Hmm. No sign of wires or strings on it. Come on. Oh, okay. Come on, fellas. Now, Johnny. Yeah, Bill? As you can see, there's just one big room downstairs here. Johnny. Easy, Nancy. Easy. Don't you see that? Look, I admit, this is all pretty strange. What a ghost. But what else? We've been over this house with a fine-tooth comb. Hey, listen. You hear that? Somebody. Somebody is walking on the ceiling. I'm looking. Oh. Yeah, that's the kind of stuff you hear. Holder guys. No easy spirits. You can hear them, but I see them. Don't you see, Johnny, it can't be anything normal or natural. Is that the end? No, sir. The old ghost has a regular... See? You hear those shutters banging? There's no wind out there. Why? Why didn't you tell me it'd be like this, Johnny? Let's... Light's moving around somewhere outside. You can see the reflection in the trees. But they're green. Ghost lights. In front of the window. Where old McAndrews used to sit on the town before he died. Give me the flashlight. Here. Strings or wires on this, either. It's the end of it. The same crazy routine every night. It's the ghost of Ian McAndrews. That's all there is to it. Well, from what you fellas have shown me tonight, it kind of looks that way. It is, Johnny. But tomorrow I want to investigate these things in broad daylight. I investigated all right, the old house, the clock tower, everything I could find. And thanks to the help of the boys, nothing. Meantime I noticed that the town, the sleepy little town of Lake City, was being mobbed. People from all over, streets jammed with cars. And as we sat down at lunch in the hotel... Miss, waitress, will you please bring me another cup of... Oh, dear, she didn't hear me. Wait, they all come from... Yeah, business is certainly picked up around here. Well, yes, I'd notice that. Any idea why, Bill? Not the least. No wonder Tony couldn't be with us for lunch. Oh, Johnny's at his print shop, getting out an extra. Hey, excuse me, excuse me. Aren't you Johnny Dollar, the investigator? Yeah, that's right. Man, can I use you? Just let me get a picture. Hold it, hold it, hold it. Okay, Johnny, thanks, thanks a lot. Hey, that photographer's from one of the New York papers. No kidding. Really? Listen, if our price at international press gave out the word about this ghost story... Oh, not Johnny. Then Oscar, Bill, we're going to leave the check with you and pull out. You mean leave town? Yep, going back to Hartford. I've investigated, I've come up with nothing. So there's no point in staying around any longer. Thanks a lot, fellas. And Oscar, I'll send you my expense account. Come on, Nancy. Sure, Nancy and I hit the highway, but for only a few miles. Then, shortly after dark, we drove back. And for a couple of hours, for three or four hours, at night, Nancy and I walk quietly up on the porch of Oscar Trimley's insurance office. You mean you didn't leave a message at my office to be here tonight? I certainly didn't. I found a message from Charlie. Are you kidding? Somebody left a message at my print shop to be here. And I got one at my radio shop. Well, I'll be done. Of course, they couldn't know your handwriting. Wait a minute. There's somebody outside. Good evening, gentlemen. I thought you'd left town. That's right. I wanted you to think so. Well, listen. The old tower clock has started to strike midnight. Oh, yeah, that's... Five? Six? Boys, I suddenly realized that in all my investigation this morning, I was being handicapped by what I thought was help. Handicapped? Yeah, what's that? I had too much help. Two or three of you were with me every second. We wanted to be sure you wouldn't overlook anything. That's right. You wanted to be sure I would overlook a few things. Wait. That's 11, 12? Well, hey. It only struck 12. No ghostly whale tonight, is there? I know. No, fellas, no. Because the ghost is no more. You found the ghost, Johnny? I found out that he's one of you, maybe all of you. Alone without your careful guidance, I finally located that sub-seller in the old McAndrew's house. You did? I did. I located electrical stuff that was making the weird sound effects, the rocking chair, the banging shutters, and so on. Very clever. Your handiwork, Bill? Sure. But Johnny... Oh, fellas, it was a wonderful publicity stunt, especially after international press was notified. But you did that? Not only for your radio and electronic shop, Bill, for your real estate business, Tony, your print shop and newspaper, Charlie on the map again which is to say the motive wasn't entirely selfish. No of course it was okay okay man and because of that and then alone I won't give you away. Provided the ghost of Ian McGandro's never walks the streets of Lake City again. I suppose I ought to really hit you over the head with this expense account but after all a cause was a kind of wording one so I'll be honest with it for a change and it was fun to have Nancy Turner along. Expense account total including mileage on the rental car less deposit thirty one fifty yours truly Johnny dollar. In our cast we're Virginia Greg, Forrest Lewis, Joseph Kearns, Russell Thorson, Sam Edwards and Bob Bruce. Be sure to join us next week same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly Johnny dollar. This is Roy Rowan speaking. United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.