 Suspense! Autolight and its 96,000 dealers present William Powell in the escape of Lacey Abbott, a suspense play produced and edited by William Spear. Mr. Wilcox, I am from the SPCTC. I've come here to register a strong protest. Now, wait a minute. What is this SPCTC? The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Camels. You can't imagine how you've distressed the dear dromedaries. You mean because I say auto lights stay full batteries need water only three times a year in normal car use? The camels feel bad because they have to have water more often? They positively wince when they hear it. You should see their poor, dear faces drop. Oh, I'm sorry about that. Perhaps I could play up the fact that auto lights stay full batteries have fiberglass retaining mats protecting every positive plate. Or I might even dramatize the fact that in recent tests based on SAE life cycle standards, auto lights stay full batteries gave 70% longer average life than batteries without stay full features. Well, anyway, one thing I definitely will say, friends, it's your pay to see your auto light battery dealer for an auto light stay full battery. Because you're always right with auto light. And now with the escape of Lacey Abbott and the performance of William Powell, auto light hopes once again to keep you in suspense. Yes, you. The position of authority. Come here. You can always tell by their voices. Sign out. Commanding. The smaller the authority, the more commanding the voice. You hear me? Yes, sir. Sign out, you said. Here. Right below where you signed when you came in. Of course. A perfect forgery. I beg your pardon? Well, I mean your signature is almost an exact copy. You object? I know sir. You think you're talking to one of your lunatics upstairs? No. Sir, always call me sir. Good day. Good day, Mr. Westlum, sir. Outside now on the steps. There's the street, the traffic. Walk slowly. No need to hurry, no need at all. That's right, light a cigarette. Must be some of the pockets, yes. That brand of late Mr. Westlum smoke. Excellent, light it. Might have carried a lighter. No need to run. There won't be an alarm for at least 20 minutes. One look back over the shoulder, casually. It's pleasant to be on the outside, looking in after two years and the psychopathic will embellish you. Oh. Well? This is a restaurant. Are you kidding? And you're a waitress, a lovely waitress. Look, do you or don't you want something to eat? I'd much rather look at you. Look, mister, I get off at 1 a.m., but right now the boy... I'm going to take you out of all this. Oh, sure. Furs, diamonds, warm against your skin. Hey, let go of my hand. Your name is Fay, huh? Embroidered on your uniform. Hey, Fay, listen to me. Now look, Romeo. Listen, this'll be the biggest thrill of your life. I just escaped from Bellevue. What? I'm Lacey Abbott. I've been in a psychopathic ward in Bellevue for two years. You don't say. Nicholas Westland, my lawyer, came to see me. And when we were alone, I strangled him to death. Let me go. Stand still. I changed clothes with him. I signed his name on my way out. It'll be in the papers. I'm laughing. And I'll back it to nice and a sanctuary mystery. I had a wife once, Kate. They say I killed her. So I must have killed her. Sure. You killed her. No, I didn't. Martin Avery killed her. Sure. Martin Avery killed her. You just sit there. Well, I'll get a glass of water. I'll be back. We must see Mr. Avery. Oh, yes, definitely Mr. Avery. Hello, Pop. What do you want? That's something you want to hawk? Don't bother me with it. Everybody's selling. Nobody's buying. You got me wrong, Pop. I'm a buyer. I want to buy a 45 automatic. Got a permit? No. You from the police? Ah, Pop. Let's see your wallet. All right. Ah. Lawyer, huh? That's right. OK. $15. Thanks, Pop. I won't forget this. A neither will a friend of mine. A little late evening call on Martin Avery. There's the apartment house. First class, Mr. Avery, very first class. May I blow your brains out, Mr. Martin Avery? Thank you, sir. How do they say it in the movies? You want it in the belly or the back? X-ray. Boy. Paper. Yes. Just out? Yeah. X-ray. Keep the change. Thanks. Aren't you scared with a lunatic running loose? York. Miter and Bellevue. Door unlocked. A thoughtful lavish apartment, Mr. Martin Avery. Lush. Not like it used to be. So you're not alone. This must be the study, yes. Come right in, Mr. Avery. Please do. Or will I have to come out and get you? Lacey. Shut the door. Quietly. Lacey. Shut it. You're in Bellevue. But you see, I'm not. They'll find you. Look. My picture on the front page. Lousy picture. I could go to work in a delicatessen on the east side. Live in a hole. Never leave Manhattan. Who'd find me? They'd find you. They'll find you first. I don't expect anything from you, Lacey. You're a sick man. I feel sorry for you. But I have my wife and child. My son here in the apartment now. I don't... This gun? It's just to keep your voice down. The toy. It can't hurt. It kills. Pull the drapes over the window. What? Cover the windows. Ah, will there be any dawn? That's the question. If there is, you'll see it come up the way I had to see it for two years on thick, soft, blind walls. I waited a long time for this, a long time. Put down the gun. Oh, wouldn't you like that? Wouldn't you just... All right. After all, Lacey, we were friends once. You used to see better, Martin. What? Take another look at the paper. Westland? You killed Westland. Yeah, you can always find another lawyer. Shouldn't upset you. He wasn't your lawyer. He was mine. Now, but like you, always like me. He was trying to help you. He did. What do you want with me? Company. Company? That's what I missed, most of all, Martin. Can you believe that? Company. Two years. No one to talk to. All the doctors, sure, but not really anyone. Two years, Martin. I'm sorry, Lacey. How is everything going very well? I have to admire you, Martin, standing there looking at this 45. You're not even blinking. It takes nerve to face a madman. See, in the paper, that's what they call me, a madman with a gun in his hand. You never know what a madman will do, Martin. It takes nerve to stand there looking at me like that. No expression, cold. They should put a drink in your hand and photograph you. Oh, yes, we could read the magazines and belt you. Those that wouldn't excite us with the staples removed. But, Martin, you're not listening to me. You're watching the door. Relax, Martin. It's going to be a long night. Maybe you won't see the end of it. It depends. It depends on whether you say the things I want to hear, whether you do things I like. It's up to me. I waited a long time. And now, it's up to me. Well, Wilcox, have you made up your mind? About camels, you mean? You bet I have. And? You can tell your camel friends that Harlow Wilcox will never again shame them with auto-light-stay-full batteries, the batteries that need water only three times a year in normal car use. Oh, they'll be overjoyed. You can undroop the dreary drama derries by reporting that Wilcox will no longer imply that auto-light-stay-full batteries are ruining camels' go-with-out-water reputation. How elated they'll be. And now, I'll nearly mention that auto-light-stay-full batteries have fiberglass retaining mats at every positive plate for longer battery life. Recent tests, in fact, based on SAE life cycle standards, show that auto-light-stay-full batteries give 70% longer average life than batteries without stay-full features. So get an auto-light-stay-full battery friend at your auto-light-battery dealer. Remember, you're always right with auto-light. And now, auto-light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage our star, William Powell, with John McIntyre in the escape of Lacey Abbott a tale well-calculated to keep you in suspense. Look at him. Look at Martin Avery, standing alone in the study of his Better Homes and Gardens apartment, alone with only me to keep your company. Yes, everything must be going exceptionally well for you. But I notice as I move about the study turning off the lamps that there's a trace of perspiration on your forehead. Does it affect you? Just a little? Being alone with a madman and a gun at night? What's taking place behind the steady eyes, Martin? Are you thinking? That would be fatal. That was my mistake, thinking too much. Watch me, Martin, that's right. I want you to keep watching me. But then you can't help but think about it. Think about what? Whatever comes into your mind as you watch me. The police will be here for you, Lacey. But why should the police want me? You killed a man. Yes, but you killed a woman. Now listen, Lacey, I can help you. I'll get you some of my clothes. I can call a cab, get you to a small hotel somewhere where they won't recognize me. Everybody talks to me like that. You just come along with me. We know best. Lacey, it's just a matter of time. Answer it. Go on. But what's what you say? I'll hold it out here so I can hear it too. Hello? Mr. Martin Avery? Yes, speaking. I'm Mrs. Nicholas Westland. I don't know if you've heard. Lacey Abbott escaped. My husband... Yes, I saw the papers. I'm sorry. Well, I didn't know I thought I'd better warn you. Nicholas told me how much the man hated you. Thank you for calling, Mrs. Westland. I hope I'm... Good night. Good night, Mrs. Westland. Are you all right? Yes, I'm all right. Good night. You can hang up, Martin. Please, Martin. You know, I'm not responsible for what I do. You're as responsible as anyone. You knew what you did when you killed Westland. Now you're going to say I'm not crazy? You know what I mean. I'm either responsible or I'm not. If I'm responsible, then I'm a murderer. If not, then Nicholas Westland's death was an unfortunate accident. But that was all taken care of and caught two years ago. Remember? You testified against me. I told the truth. I was the only one that knew you were lying, Martin. You know I told the truth. Where are your wife and your boys sleeping, Martin? You're interested now. For the first time, there's something behind those cool eyes that I can see. Get out. What time is it? 11? 11 o'clock. Six hours until dawn. We should find out quite a lot before then. Quite a lot. Answer it. Answer it. Hold the receiver up. That's right. Just like before so that I can hear. Go ahead. Hello? Martin Avery? Yes? This is Lieutenant Creekmore, police. What is it, Lieutenant? Yes, everything is all right. Yes? Have you heard that Lacey Abbott escaped from Bellevue tonight? I saw it in the late paper. Oh, and you know about Nicholas Westland. It was a tragedy. He was getting better, but... It was too bad. The reason I called you, you know how Lacey Abbott feels about you. He may try to get you. You think so? Well, he might try, but you don't have to worry, Mr. Avery. I have four of my best men covering the front and rear entrances to your apartment house. If he shows, we'll get him. Good night. Felicitous. We're fortunate in having such a felicitous police force. Lacey, I've played your game. Now, let me get you out of here. You go down to the second floor landing. I'll call the men up from downstairs, tell them you're up here, and that'll give you a chance to get out. You didn't answer me, Martin. Where are your wife and son sleeping? In the back bedroom. Through that door and... Straight back down the hall. The nursery? Why do you... The nursery! Just off the bedroom. How old is your boy? He's a year and six months. I remember somebody told me that you were married while the trial. My trial was in progress. Yes. One year for the trial, two years in the psychopathic world. I wish there was something I could do for you. Oh, there is. What? Just tell me, why did you kill my wife? And see the sweat now? I said in a meditatively pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping at it. It's taken a lot to shake you, Martin. You've had it all your own way so long. The money, the good life, the good married life. Tell me! You're waking them quiet! Let me tell you a little story. A bedtime story. Listen to me, Lacey. Once upon a time there were two men who went to the business together. The business prospered and things looked pretty good. Each partner had 50% of the stock in the company. And then along came a big bad menace, a corporation that wanted to buy them out. One partner wants to sell, the other partner no. The partner that said no had a wife. Let's call her Kate. And it seems his stock was negotiable in Kate's name as well as his own. Shut up! The partner that wants to sell, that's you. Pull the fast from while I'm out of town. And you've got Kate to sign away everything. But before I got back she saw what you're doing. And right there, right there was where she disappeared. No, now listen to me, Lacey. And I wonder who it was that saw to it. I wonder who it was that killed her. You're still out of your mind. That's just a fantasy. I suppose it's just a fantasy that at the inquest, a few well-chosen words from you started them looking at me. Wondering about me, wondering why I was away. Or what I'd done with the body, Lacey. A fantasy that had almost killed me to lose her. Yes, I was out of my mind then. And again, your few well-chosen words. I'd noticed he hadn't been himself lately. But I just thought it was overwork. You've got to listen. Thanks, partner. I do thank you. And I stand ready to repay you, Martin. Where's her body? I don't know. Martin? It wasn't ever proven she was dead. Let's say it was taken for granted. I did everything I could for you. Now, why don't you? Four hours until dawn. But I can see it now, Martin. If you try hard enough, you can see it too. On the wall. Give me the gun. Advanced psychology, huh? You must have been studying. Give me the gun. Response to the command, isn't that the way it goes? Response to the command, sometimes worked the impossible. The subject will sometimes obey your command against his better judgment. Give it to me. Now, Martin. Give it to me. You can do better than that. Hey! Oh, no, no. There's something in my command to see. That's better. You know, I could have killed you. Why didn't you? Brave man, Martin, neighbor. You can't take that away from him. That's why it takes thought. Watch me, Martin. I'm walking to the door. That's right, don't miss a move. See, I'm locking the door. So there'll be no sudden intrusion. What would you do if I walked over to that door, unlocked it, walked out? First, I'd shoot you in the shoulder. Or the leg. And then maybe the other shoulder. I don't want you dead. Not right away. I'd never find out what I want to know. Lacey, can't you understand what you're doing? I never harmed you. I swear it. I swear it. Oh, no. Martin. A better answer? Yes, I can hear you. Watch what you say. I can shoot right through the door. Are you all right? Yes. Please, honey, I'm finishing something important. In a little while. Why did you lock the door? I don't remember. I just did. Are you feeling all right, sir? Please, I'll be finished soon. I was... go back to bed. Open the door, Martin. I want to see that you're all right. Open it. No. I'll stand right behind the door. Get rid of her. Martin. Is anything wrong? Oh, darling. Please, go back to bed like a good girl. I'll be alone. That's the same car. Set at the desk, Martin. Let me see the light on your face. Are you happy with her? Yes, I see you are. How is she like Kate? Is she like Kate at all? Oh, but she's your wife, and she's Kate to you. Does the light trouble your eyes? It glares? Just a little light? But it glares white in the dark as you stare at it. Beyond that pool of light, everything is black, Martin. Black as it is in me. Black. Stare into the black. Now what do you see? What do you see? Everywhere I look. Everywhere. The worldly hope men set their hearts upon. Turns ashes. Lord, it prospers. When an arm like snow upon the desert's dusty face, lighting a little hour or two, is gone. Oh, Martin. She's beautiful, Martin. Your wife, beautiful. Leave the wise to talk. One thing is certain that the life flies. One thing is certain that the rest is lies. The flower that once has blown forever dies. Dies. Dies. Couldn't I cut Martin? I could. No, she had nothing to do. Say it. Money. I'll give you money. Enough so you can find your way out. They can't do anything to you if you have money. That's not what I want to hear. Where is Kate's body? I don't know. Tell me. I can't. It's down the hall. No. Just off the bedroom. Not the boy. You can't, Lacey. Tell me. I can't. Lacey. Miss Westland speaking. Yes. Yes. I know, Commissioner. And I'm glad you had the faith to play along with us. I know, yes. It was pretty extreme. Here, I'll let you talk to Lieutenant Creekmore. Oh, thank you. Hello, Commissioner. Avery's wife and child? Okay. I got a little scared when Abbott fired those two shots in the ceiling. Yeah, I know. But that's what got the confession out of Avery. I know he shouldn't have brought the gun. We didn't bargain on that. Oh, yeah, we got it. It's all on tape. Now, listen. All right. Play it back, boys. I'm just playing the good part. Boys, that's enough. Did you get that? Yeah. Well, we'd never have cracked Martin Avery any other way. They wanted to release Lacey Abbott six months ago while they said he was as sane as I am. But I'm glad we waited until he had this worked out in his head. You'll have my full report tomorrow. Now, good night. And thanks, Commissioner, for letting us try it. Well, what's the matter, Mr. Abbott? Well, you should be feeling pretty good about all this. Your plan worked out great. Well, you're clear. What difference does that make? He said Kate came to him. Kate came to him. Spence, presented by AutoLite, tonight's star, William Powell with John McIntyre. Oh, Mr. Wilcox, you've made the Camel Kingdom ecstatic. And have you ever seen an ecstatic Camel, Mr. Wilcox? No, I haven't. But if you like beautiful sights, take a look at this AutoLite safe full battery. A battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. And it's only one of more than 400 outstanding products made by AutoLite for cars, trucks, planes, and boats in 28 plants coast to coast. These include complete electrical systems used as original equipment on many makes of America's finest cars, batteries, spark plugs, generators, coils, distributors, starting motors, and bullseye-sealed beam headlights. All engineered to fit together perfectly, work together perfectly because they're a perfect team. So don't accept electrical parts supposed to be as good. Ask for and insist on AutoLite, original factory parts at your neighborhood service station, car dealer, garage, or repair shop. Remember, you're always right with AutoLite. Next Thursday for suspense, an unusual bit of casting that we think will intrigue you. Our stars will be Radio's usually happy couple, Ozzie and Harriet. The play is called Mr. Diogenes. And it is, as we say, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. Tonight's suspense play was produced and edited by William Spear and directed by Norman MacDonald. Music for suspense is composed by Lucian Morawek and conducted by Lud Bluskin. The escape of Lacey Abbott is an original radio play by Gilbert Thomas. William Powell appeared by arrangement with Metro Golden Mayor, producers of Eastside, Westside, starring Barbara Stanwyck, James Mason, and Eve Gardner. In the coming weeks, you will hear such stars as Rosalind Russell and Marlena Dietrich. Don't forget, next Thursday, same time, AutoLite will present suspense, starring Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. You can buy AutoLite's staple batteries, AutoLite resistor or regular spark plugs, AutoLite electrical parts at your neighborhood AutoLite dealers. Fits to AutoLite. Good night. Your help is needed to stamp out dreaded infantile paralysis. Give now to the March of Dimes. Remember, every dime or dollar you give may help to save you or your loved one from affliction. In Canada, give to the Canadian March of Dimes Box 10, Toronto. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.