 This is the man in black here again to introduce Columbia's program, Suspense. Heading our Star Hollywood cast tonight is Mr. Warren William, and with him is Mr. Eric Bloor. No fewer than nine times have these two gentlemen appeared together in screen thrillers based on the adventures of one of the most celebrated characters of modern crime fiction. This familiar character will speak to you now for the first time on the air as with the story called Murder Goes For A Swim and the performances of Warren William as Michael Lanyard and Eric Bloor as Jameson. We again hope to keep you in suspense. Good evening ladies and gentlemen allow me to introduce myself. Nowadays meeting me on the street you'd most likely recognize me as Michael Lanyard an author of sorts. But if you will not be true free with the information because I've been at some pains to allow bygones to be bygones I was once known rather well by quite a different name. And there are still times when I find myself obliged or should I say forced to return to that character to resort to the somewhat questionable talents of the lone wolf. As a matter of fact my presence here this evening is prompted by an uncontrollable desire to reminisce a little. Hey Jameson. Oh quite right Mr. Lanyard and if you will pardon a gentleman's gentleman for saying so sir playing nip and tuck with the police meeting lovely ladies you pilfering an occasional gem. I living so to speak from hand to pocket haha those were the days sir yes those were the days. Obsconding of times perhaps a touching embezzlement here and there now hold on Jameson if we're going to reminisce in public I suggest we can find our recollections to our later period when the lone wolf had become a gentleman of leisure and used his talents in the interests of law and order. In that case sir I suggest you relate the episode of our little experience of that horrible part of we attended at that Long Island estate. Remember sir. Of course Jameson the Rutherford Barnes estate. If I remember correctly the occasion was some sort of charity bizarre. We were invited for the weekend. The phone rang just as we were about to leave the apartment. Mr. Lanyard Mrs. Betty Lawson you've never heard of me before but I know you've been invited to spend the weekend with Mr. Rutherford Barnes please you must accept the invitation come down immediately right now it's just a little after two o'clock and if you're not too late the lone wolf may be able to prevent a murder. Jameson and I arrived at the Barnes estate a bear two hours after we'd received the mysterious telephone message I was introduced to all kinds of people first the famous gossip columnist Ralph Clinton. Well Mr. Lanyard this is indeed a surprise and I might say a pleasant addition to our little gathering something always happens when you're a lone wolfing around oh I know I know you've reformed but a fellow can hope for a little excitement can't he see you later all night. Then I met a very very beautiful young lady. Oh Mr. Lanyard we haven't met yet I'm Cynthia Waring I've read all your stories and admired the ingenious way you saw those baffling mysteries I think you're wonderful. And of course there was our host himself Mr. Rutherford Barnes who had recently announced his engagement to Ms. Waring. I believe you've met just about everyone Lanyard that is everyone except Bill Hodges he's the firebrand of our little congregation he's probably wandering around walking off the effects of the last 10 cocktails just make yourself comfortable. Strangely enough I failed to meet a Miss Betty Larson the frightened young lady who had phoned anyway the afternoon wore on through the beauty contest at which I was elected to preside as judge and at which Miss Cynthia Waring looking very pretty in a big picture hat on hoop skirt was the winner after it was over Jameson Denier managed to break away from the rest of the guests and to escape the heat of the afternoon we prepared ourselves for a cooling dip in the pool. I say Mr. Lanyard we've been to some pretty big and fancy places in our day but this one is really something this Rutherford Barnes person must be really an important person. You're quite right Jameson Rutherford Barnes is listed in who's who is the gentleman who made a fortune out of sardines just think an entire estate built of sardines. Uncanny isn't it? Oh Jameson forgive me sir no more puns I promise. I should hope so. I say this pool is constructive just like a miniature lake lilies and all that sort of thing floating on top. Quite naturally if you're going down for the third time you just take a lily with you. Oh what a jolly thought. Well here goes watch this beautiful swan dive. I say this is most unusual. There's a sort of a mermaid lying on the bottom of the pool and she's very pretty sir. Last night it was a barmaid today it's a mermaid. No but really sir. Well I'm the judge in the beauty contest I'd better go down and have a look. Don't be away too long sir. Remember there are lots of warmer women in the world. Oh Jameson quick here give me a hand. It's a girl. Quick here lift her out of here hurry. I'm doing I'm doing my best here now let's put her down here. Hold her hold her hold her there. Jameson I'm afraid she's dead. What do you make of it sir what was an accident? I don't know there's a pretty nasty bump on the side of her head. Well perhaps she slipped and hit her head as she fell. Perhaps but her bathing suit not quite the style you'd put on to take a swim. Possibly she was in the beauty contest. Of course that's it. The program listed 10 contestants yet only nine girls competed. Meaning what Mr. Landry? Meaning Jameson that this poor kid was the 10th contestant and if my hunch is correct her name is Betty Larson. The girl with the telephone message? Precisely and if her call was on the level we did arrive too late and she was murdered. If Mr. Barnes is wearing take off your robe and cover up the body Jameson. Yes sir. We've been looking all over for you haven't we Cynthia dear? Yes of course. Now I'm glad we found you Mr. Lanyard. I've been wanting to thank you for awarding me the prize in the beauty contest this afternoon. I really didn't think that. Mr. Lanyard. There at the edge of the pool. Yes it's a girl and I'm afraid she's drowned. Drowned? Oh how horrible. Oh but how did it happen? Who is she? I think she's Betty Larson. What do you think Mr. Barnes here look. Oh good heaven. Yes. Yes that is Betty Larson. I had no idea. Then you do know the girl Mr. Barnes. Why? Yes. As a matter of fact only recently I recommended her for a job. She's the local telephone operator. And the village beauty. Mr. Barnes in this last one were childhood sweethearts. Mr. Barnes tell me do you know any do any of the other guests know this girl? Ralph Clinton for instance. Could our famous columnist have possibly known Ms. Larson? Well if not in person most certainly by telephone. You see for the last few weeks Ms. Larson handled my personal calls. I see. Did she ever mention the fact that there might be a murder? Murder. Well you see I received rather strange message. Now look here Lanyard. If you're insinuating that Ms. Larson was murdered you're all wrong. It's perfectly obvious she slipped and fell into the deep end of the pool. She can't swim. We couldn't hear her cry for help over the noise of the party. So the poor girl drowned. As simple as that. Well of course. And I'd appreciate it if you'd be kind enough not to mention this accident to any of the other guests. There's no need to disrupt the entire weekend. I'll notify the sheriff and call the coroner and they'll take care of everything. I think it might be a good idea Mr. Lanyard since you seem so certain that a murder's been committed that you and your man remain on the premises. Our famous lone wolf may have a little explaining of his own to do. Come along Cynthia. Completely at sea Mr. Lanyard. The sheriff seems to think the whole thing was an accident. But this Miss Betty Larson person dived into the pool and that's how she hit her head. I doubt that Jameson according to Barnes the girl couldn't swim. Oh I think we have company. Yeah? If you see Mr. Barnes around I want to see him. I think he's over at the other side of the house getting things ready for the bazaar. Bazaar. They don't care how they celebrate a murder do they? If I'm not mistaken you're Mr. Bill Hodges. Yeah. Buddy Larson and I we're going to get married. Everything was great until she starts going around with this society bunch. I got a few things to settle with that society crowd. Especially that keyhole peeper Ralph Clinton. You seem quite positive Hodges that your girl was murdered. Well I... What do you think it was an accident? That girl could swim like a fish. Nothing could happen to her in the water. Yeah but Barnes says she couldn't swim a stroke. I said she could swim like a fish. But Barnes says... Did you hear me you little runt? Amazing how that girl could swim. Look here Hodges what makes you think Ralph Clinton had anything to do with this? Do you know you're practically accusing him of murder? Listen Betty stood me up twice last week. I followed her in my car and she met Clinton both times. He was going to put her in this contest. And she was a cinch to win. He promised her. Then look what happens to her. She's dead. Murdered I tell you. Well here comes Clinton now maybe you'd better tell him about it. Oh there you are Hodges I understand you've been looking for me. Yeah I have. And now I'm going to fix that pretty face of yours. Wait a second here you can't do that. Here Jemison help me break this up. I will as soon as they stop punching. Hey stop you fool Hodges stop it. Stop it I say. All right all right let go of me let go. Oh thanks Mr. Lanyard. This man's a maniac. Okay but I'm warning you Clinton. I'll see you again. When you ain't got your friends around. Well personally I don't know whether the girl was killed or not but if she was our friend there Hodges will have a lot of explaining to do. You mean you've got something on him Mr. Clinton. Well when I was discussing the contest with Betty Larson a few days ago she told me that Hodges had warned her not to enter it. It seems he was afraid that if she won it might go to her head and she'd walk out on him. As a matter of fact he told her to stay away from here. Well there's going to be a coroner's inquest in the morning and I suggest that you tell this to the sheriff as soon as he returns. Oh I tell that to the sheriff? Oh no no I'd rather hate to do that. You see Lanyard someone in my position I can't afford to get involved. After all it's my business to report scandal and not get mixed up in it. But look here you tell you what give me a chance to think it over and I'll see you at the treasure hunt tonight. Oh dear two o'clock in the morning Mr. Lanyard what a ghastly hour to go tramping over the ground. Must we participate in this treasure hunt? Of course it's all a part of the weekend. Come in. Well it's the witching hour Mr. Lanyard. Here's your envelope with the clues for the treasure hunt. You'd better hurry everybody's ahead of you. Thank you Mr. Clinton we'll catch up. Fine this ought to be very interesting seeing the lone wolf stalking down his prey. You know very well Clinton. Oh sure I forgot you're not the lone wolf anymore you're just nice innocent Mr. Lanyard. Well good hunting see you later. Well here you are Jemisin. This is our clue. Go ahead read it. Under the oak and under the cover where I have met many a lover light a match and look deep down find your clue and win your crown. I say isn't that lovely. Can you decipher it? Of course sir. Well it means well Exactly Jemisin the old well that's where we'll find the next clue. Come on let's get going. The well is down this path it's right near the stables. You mean when we get to the well we find another clue. That's right and at the end is when we reach the treasure. Oh the treasure. I say what is this treasure. Jemisin it's unimportant what the treasure is like of jelly beans. It all sounds very silly to me sir. There's the well over there and look here it's got a wooden cover on it exactly like it said on the poem. Well what do we do now? Now wait a minute. Oh yes under the cover light a match and look deep down here I'll take this lid off and put it here. Now you light a match Jemisin our second clue must be somewhere inside the well. Right here just a moment. Ah there's the clue we're looking for a piece of paper pinned on the wall inside the well with a big pin. Oh dash it all match went out I'll light another one. Oh Jemisin hold it. Hold it the inside of this well smells like gasoline. Yes it does. Yes it does smell like it's full of get away Jemisin blow that match out. All right Mr. Lanyard. Yes and no thanks to you. If you ask me we walk right into a trap. And quite obviously. Here let me help you up. Thank you sir. If I'd had any idea. Ouch! Now what's the matter? I've been stabbed. Let me see. Oh steady Jemisin I'll pull it out. Oh be careful sir. Oh. There we are and very interesting. What is it sir? A pin. You could have been hurt quite badly. Well if you ask me. Come along Jemisin. We've got work to do. I'm playing this little treasure hunt game of yours but it's no fun when the prize is two bodies especially if they happen to be our two bodies. Surely it was only an accident. I wish I could believe that Ms. Waring. But there's no rhyme or reason for what's been happening. If the accident at the well was another attempt at murder then well then then all our lives could be in danger. Steady Cynthia darling. I presume you have some idea of who the murderer might be Mr. Lanyard. You flatter me Mr. Barnes. I would think you would surely lined up one or two likely suspects. Mr. Lonely Wolf. Why don't you tell them about our friend Mr. Clinton sir. What? Oh well there are some mighty interesting aspects to that road company Winshal. He was meeting Betty Larsen secretly. At least that's what Hodges says. I can believe that. Clinton would stoop to anything. Cynthia felt that we should cater to him for the sake of publicity for the bizarre. Hodges also insists that Clinton arranged for Ms. Larsen to enter the beauty contest and that Clinton promised her that she would win. And there's the little incident at the well. If you ask me Clinton is in this thing right up to his clues. Help! Mr. Barnes. Somebody come out here hurry. That sounds like Hodges. He's right out there at the side of the house. Come on we can go through these French windows. In here. In the bushes you better hurry. What is it Hodges? What's wrong? I don't know. Don't ask me. I don't know anything about it. Great heavens look at Clinton. I can't stand it. I can't stand it. What awful things are going on. I don't know how it happened. I was just coming down the path. There in the bushes he was lying right there. He's done for all right Mr. Lanyard. Shot. Murdered. You did this Hodges. You said you'd get eaten with Clinton. Now you've done this. I tell you I don't know anything about it. I was just walking down along the path. Don't you have some theory about all this Mr. Lanyard? There there miss wearing. I think I can promise you at least that there won't be any more murders. Hold the flashlight a little higher, Jameson. On the clock. On the mantelpiece. Yes sir. Just as you say sir. But aren't we taking a bit of a risk Mr. Lanyard? Leaving the estate without checking with the sheriff? Shhh quiet Jameson. If I don't find what I'm looking for here in Clinton's apartment I'm afraid we'll have a lot of explaining to do. Just as soon we didn't go back there's been two murders already and they say things come in threes. How interesting. Jameson why do you think I've got you flashing the light on that clock on the mantelpiece? Well sir, well I'm a bit rusty. I think it might be safe to say. Well it would be safe. Exactly Jameson. You never fail the safe behind the clock on the mantelpiece. I say I was right. In genius Amos Lanyard. You have your moments. Well it's a long time since I've operated in this fashion but we'll see Jameson. If you don't mind sir this is like old time. I do mind Jameson but unfortunately certain situations are born of necessity. Then allow me to compliment you sir. You haven't lost the old touch. No I'm not so sure. Ah, there we are. Ah, not much of a haul if you ask me. Nothing but a stack of letters and a notebook. Let's have a look. All that trouble just for a bundle of papers. Just a waste of good time and talent. There could have been a pound of butter or a gas coupon or a back-act saw. I say what's so interesting? Just a, did you find a clue to the murders? Just a motive Jameson. Just a motive. Look here you can't keep me here sheriff. All I did was fine Clinton. You can't hang a guy for that. Keep your shirt on Hodges. Nobody moves out of this room until Lanyard shows up. If he doesn't come in five minutes I'm gonna put out a call and have him pulled in. Seems to me that Mr. Lanyard has admitted his guilt by disappearing. Well whatever the case may be I think you should allow me to go. After all this is my house and I do have guests. They might think it rather strange if their host isn't around. Look Mr. Barnes, party or no party everybody in this room is under suspicion. Really sheriff? If you're going to keep us here and allow Mr. Lanyard to stay. Good evening sheriff. Jameson say good evening to the sheriff. He's been very patient I hope. Good evening sir. I mean constable. I mean sheriff. All right you two you'd better make it good. Running away from the scene of the crime won't sit so well in court. Please accept my apologies sheriff. Well now that you're here Mr. Lanyard perhaps we can clear up this nasty mess. The murders Mr. Lanyard. That's right and I've uncovered a few details which I'm sure will prove most interesting Miss Waring. You're wasting time Lanyard. Somebody in this room has been running around committing murders and I'm going to find out who it is or die. Or die try. Who said that? If it's all the same to you sheriff I think I'll join the other guests. Now isn't that thoughtful of you. Get away from that door before you tempt me to bring the murder score up to three. Ladies Jameson after all you don't want to miss all the fun. In just a minute you're going to have the pleasure of meeting the murderer. That's just what I'm afraid of sir. All right Lanyard let's have it. Very well sheriff first allow me to review events from the beginning. Just as Jameson and I were leaving for Mr. Barnes's residence we received a rather unusual telephone message. It was Betty Larson. That was about 2 p.m. wouldn't you say Jameson. Five minutes after two to be exact sir. We arrived at Mr. Barnes's estate by 3.30. At 5 Jameson and I went for a swim in the pool. It was then we found Miss Larson. At what time did the coroner examine her sheriff? Around 7 in the evening. But what difference does it make for a girl who had been dead for 10 hours. The difference in the world my dear fellow simple arithmetic will show you that it was impossible for Miss Larson to call me at 2 o'clock. At 2 o'clock she'd already been dead for 5 hours. You did it. You paid someone to make that call. You're crazy I had nothing to do with this. Hype down Hodges. Go on Lanyard. Sheriff what do you think was used to murder Miss Larson? Well I could this have been the weapon? The pin. The pin the one I fell on and the well exploded. Yes Jameson let me paint a rather gruesome picture for you sheriff. Miss Larson is called down to the edge of the swimming pool. Someone who poses as a friend suggests that she try on a hat. In trying it on our murderer pretending to assist, neatly jabs Miss Larson and thrusts the pin through the base of her brain. Oh how horrible. Could I examine the pin please? Of course Mr. Barnes. What? Why it's a hat pin. Well Cynthia it's the one you had in the large hat you wore in that beauty contest. Cynthia it was you. All right stand back all of you. Look here sister you can't get away with it. Shut up and listen all of you. I assure you I know how to handle this gun and I'm not afraid to use it. I don't get you Cynthia. What earthly reason would you have for killing Betty? She wanted to be your friend. That's a laugh. Listen little boy blue a telephone operator sometimes hears too much for her own good. How do you think she got all those fine prayers from some boyfriend? No she was too daffy about you so she decided to try her hand at blackmail. Blackmail? That's right. Only she pushed me just a bit too far. Why you? Get back all of you. You prune face. Who? Who me? I don't mean your brother. Open the door. Go on open it. Yes. Yes ma'am. Now stand back all of you. Very amusing picture. That's right Mr. Langard step forward just a little. I'd like to thank you for spoiling a most delightful weekend. And here's a little something to remember me by. Jameson. Jameson. Jameson. Are you all right? Yes. I think so sir. Oh thank heaven. Yeah you did a good job Jameson. Not only saved Mr. Langard from getting shot but when you fell against this door you also managed to not miss wearing colder than a doornail. Oh it was nothing really. And as for you sister maybe these bracelets will keep you out of trouble. Because when you come to you're going to find yourself booked for murder. Double murder sheriff dig the bullet out of the wall over there and you'll find it will match the one found in Clinton's body. Well what do you know? Come on I'll just give me a hand. Okay sheriff. I can't believe it. Wait Cynthia and I had so many plans together. It's hard to believe that that she could be responsible for those horrible murders. I'm afraid she was. Mr. Barnes this is Mr. Clinton's notebook. Several canceled checks and a few letters. Look them over and you'll discover that your dream girl Miss Cynthia Waring has quite a number of aliases in certain circles as a reputation for landing the biggest fish in the pool. Then after she's collected enough money she tosses them back. You were her next victim Mr. Barnes. And as for the unfortunate Mr. Clinton being a newspaper man and gossip columnist he ferreted out her little scheme and in turn was blackmailing Miss Waring. Well ladies and gentlemen I guess that just about puts the cap on that story of our little adventure at the estate of Rutherford Barnes. Miss Cynthia Waring was a very shrewd and fast thinking young lady. She got one victim with a gun she almost got Jameson and me at the old well when the gasoline exploded all of which began with the first and most ingenious of the murders the particularly cold blooded murder of Betty Larson with that hatpin. And Jameson of course we have you to thank for having discovered that most important bit of evidence the pin itself. Yes Mr. Lanyard and I must say I got quite a lift out of that myself when I discovered it. Now now Jameson remember your promise suffice it to say you discovered the pin the hard way I admit. Oh yes sir there's no doubt about that the criminal would never have been stuck in the final analysis if I hadn't sat down and got myself stuck. That will be all Jameson. Good night Mr. Gentleman. And so closes murder goes for a swim starring Warren William with Eric Bloor the first appearance of the lone wolf on the air and tonight's tale of Suspense this is your narrator the man in black who conveys to you Columbia's invitation to spend this half hour in suspense with us again next week when Laird Kriegar will star in the suspense play the last letter of Dr. Bronson with a cast of four distinguished Hollywood players Helen Vinson Harold Huber Ian Wolf and Theodore von Els the producer of these broadcasts is William Spear who with Robert Louis Shea on the guest director Bernard Herman and Lucy Ann Marowick conductor and composer collaborated on tonight's Suspense This is CBS the Columbia Broadcasting System