 Have you heard the strange tales of the Whistler? Look, I know I haven't a chance. I know that I can't live. I can trouble with that doctor looks at me and you too Why don't you tell me the truth? Why don't you? Friday night and again CBS presents the Whistler I the Whistler know many things for I walk by night. I Know many strange tales many secrets hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows And so I tell you tonight the unusual story of death in the air a Girl a rather ordinary brunette of 18 plainly dressed Steps out of an elevator on the 14th floor of a swank apartment house and moves silently down the hall Pauses for a moment before a certain door and turns the knob and steps inside a Handsome man of 35 jumps to his feet stares at the girl a moment then she closes the door behind her Who are you? What do you want? You don't know me. You never seen me before but I know that you're Fred Blake. Yes I'm Fred Blake. So what? What's the idea walking into my apartment? I'm Mary Albert Mary Albert Is that name mean anything to you? Why what's the people are named Albert? Yeah, but I miss is Joe Albert Joe Joe Albert yeah, I thought that name would get a rise out of you. What are you doing here? Do you happen to know where my husband is at this moment Joe? I certainly I know where he is who doesn't this morning. He was sentenced by now He's in the state pen convicted of murder. That's right. Her murder. He didn't commit. He was convicted. He had a trial But he's innocent and you know it yelled at the bank messenger. He shot him then what became of the money How should I know well? I know what became of the money you have it How do you figure that Joe was working for you at the chauffeur? He said and I didn't know any different until he got into this jam I didn't know what you were Until he told me today Just before he left and what did he tell you that you were a gangster and then he had nothing to do with A hold up or the murder but that you planted the evidence on him He was a fall guy. I look sister. I ran a couple of nightclubs and little gambling stuff But I haven't yet gotten around to hold up some murders my husband wouldn't lie to me He begged me to keep quiet about it because he was afraid if I made a fuss that you'd get rid of me On a wild imagination Joe has Joe told me the truth Joe wouldn't lie to me a jury didn't believe his story. He didn't tell him everything He was afraid afraid for me. Will you get out of here? She'll like all the police Nobody knows what became of the 50,000 my husband was supposed to have taken Nobody but me so so since Joe's been convicted. I think I ought to have the use of the money. So fork over mr. Blake Well of all the brainstorms you expect me to give you 50,000 I do if Joe grabbed it It belongs to him and since Joe's gone it all becomes mine. Are you nuts? I know you don't carry 50,000 around with you, but you can get it tomorrow in cash So I'll give you till tomorrow at noon to hand it over That's 12 hours, mr. Blake and if I don't Then I'll kill you see Well, where can I locate you tomorrow by noon at my hotel very well Just take this notepad and write your name and address and your phone number Okay There they are and Bring it in person mr. Blake. Oh, of course. I wouldn't want anybody else in on this And if you don't show up with the money tomorrow Well, I'll catch up with you sooner or later You'll pay eventually. I know you will I think I'll run up to the penitentiary and have a talk with Joe. He's all mixed up He isn't mixed up Not now. No No, mr. Blake Joe's dead what dead Killed himself on the way to the pen. He knew he was stuck and he couldn't face it You did that Blake you killed him So now you're gonna pay through the nose Good night. You dirty rat For ten minutes or so Fred Blake sits at his desk thinking studying the peculiar situation Then there comes a knock at the door. He steps across the room and yes, who is it? What do you want Carl? Okay, come in What's on your mind? Well, I was told you wanted to see me. Yes, Carl. I do but I didn't expect you here at this time of night What do you want with me as if you didn't know? What are you gonna do about this phony check? Well, I hadn't got the money now, but I'll get it eventually I've given you a month now. I want the money. I'll get it really. I'll get it. Well, if you can't get it I can what do you mean your father's district attorney of this county. I'll go to him He'd pay it to hush it up. Please Blake or maybe I'd tell your father you ran up a liquor bill look Blake I haven't got the money, but if you wait up, I'll get it. I've given you all the time I intend to I want the money now Put up your hands Blake. Oh, wait a minute. Don't try that bad man stuff on me Put up that gun before you hurt somebody give me that check hand it over Okay Carl, but you're crazy give me that check sure Here you are Let's go get away from me You crazy little fool Blake as Blake hoppers between life and death Several times he has revived from the coma sufficiently to answer questions of the detectives Now several days later a week to be exact the district attorney holds the conference Tell me Blake on the night you were shot. Did you see your assailant? No, you remember anything that happened? I remember the shot all the stab a fire in my chest came to in a minute or so I guess after the phone and call the receiving hospital and I passed out again and you didn't see the person Lake do you know a woman named Mary Albert? Yes, was she in your room the night you were shot? Yes, how did you know on your date pad? We found her name and address and phone number What time was she in your apartment about 12 o'clock midnight and you were shot shortly after midnight That's right. Do you think she did it? I don't know who did it? That's for you to figure out What did Mary Albert he want? Why was she in your apartment? Well, her husband Joe was my chauffeur. She wanted some money She figured I'd help her out and did you Told her I'd take care of her later Did you know Joe Albert he committed suicide until she told me did Mary Albert he threatened you because you wouldn't give her some money at the moment Yeah, she did You think it was Mary who came back later and shot you I don't know could have been but she did threaten your life Yes, that's right very well Blake. There are witnesses to this conversation. It'll have to be repeated in court Okay Winston you'll be notified about the trial trial certainly I'm going to try Mary Albert on attempted murder And so Mary Albert he has tried and convicted and sentenced for from five to 20 years And now five years five long years have passed Fred Blake has become wealthy the boss of every racket in the county And district attorney Winston has been reelected on a new platform of vice cleanup campaign Fred Blake sends for the district attorney Come on Winston. Sit down Have a cigar. Thanks What's on your mind Blake? Oh, I wanted to have a little talk with you Winston about your campaign campaign is over I've been reelected. Yeah, but I mean your so-called cleanup campaign When does that start Winston? It started the day I was reelected. I see My name at the head of your list. I'm starting on you Blake And if I put you where you belong, well, that'll be a great accomplishment. I think you're being foolish Winston. Do you? Why if you just dropped all this puritan stuff I Well, I could make it more than worth your while Blake I was fortunate enough to be born the son of a very wealthy man And money doesn't interest me in the least money. Oh, no not money Something that's worth more to you than all the money in the world Blake You couldn't bright mean no matter what you offered Mr. District Attorney, I'm gonna change your mind in less than one minute. All right, Blake I'm listening five years ago. You sent a girl to the penitentiary for attempted murder my murder remember Well, you were wrong on that one. She didn't shoot me. What? But why didn't you say so? I was saving it saving it for a rainy day. What are you talking about? The albany woman didn't do it She was in my apartment that night, but she left and a man came in He owed me some money. He didn't have it I threatened to tell his father that he had lost at gambling and he went crazy pulled a gun and shot me Who was this man? Your son Carl I don't believe you. Oh, but I can prove it. Look at this. It's only check. That's why he came to my apartment He demanded the check we scuffled when he pulled a gun. I hit him and then he shot me He left in such a hurry that he forgot the check I see, but there's something more important than the check. Yes What a gun a revolver whose gun take a look at it one shot five recognize that gun I Oh, yes, it's mine. If ballistics were to check this gun and compare the bullet taken from my chest They'd find a definite similarity in rifle markings. I see Yeah, that's hilarious to it What do you say now mr. Winston? You've really got me in a tough spot haven't you blake if you care anything about your son or his future You forget this cleanup business. All right blake. I I'll think it over It's something that can't be decided in a moment Good night, Winston The cleanup campaign has dropped and fred blake flourishes He opens more gambling clubs grows wealthier and wealthier And a year later He is a popular figure in the swank set of a southern beach resort At the moment fred is a weekend guest at the beach home of one of the wealthy 400 Oh, what a perfectly divine night Yes, and nature I've never seen such a move so peaceful and quiet here on the beach I didn't want to dance anymore. Let's sit down here on these rocks. All right And each uh Yes friend, what were you going to say? You're going back to boston sunday why I don't know I haven't decided I have a few more weeks that I really should get back The magazine's so understaffed and I have a world of illustrations to do How do you ask that? Well, I thought if you didn't have to go back you might come over to my place for a week Your place? Oh, good friend. Yes, I'm having some guests down for a week several couples from new york Well, I don't know. I really should get back. Please come on nature Please don't Well, it's very sweet and nature I I really want you to come because Yeah You know the way the moon shines on your hair It it looks just like spun gold Does it? Is that what you were going to say? No There are a lot of things I want to say Do you realize what a beautiful girl you are in nature? I mean it From the moment I first saw you not the props right out from under me Nothing else exists. Nothing else matters. Nothing but you in nature I'm wild about you crazy. Please Fred. We better go back. You've got to listen darling I love you Are you Asking me to yes I want you to marry me But I'm a A career woman. You don't want a career woman for a wife Besides, we've only known each other for a few days. I don't care career or not two days or two hours. I love you Let's get back to the house. Come on. You mean you You don't like me. Is that it? Or is it some of the men I do like you very much and There's no other man, but Well, I'll have to think about it If I marry I know I'll give up my work and I'm not sure I want to do that. I see Well, will you at least make me happy by joining the party at my place for a week? Yes, I'll come Fred I'll stay here for another week, but Please don't high-pressure me. Let me make up my own mind promise. That's a deal Shall we seal it? Certainly with a kiss. Fred, I Please I love you, Anita Let's go back to the house, please. Fred doesn't keep his promise Fred isn't a type when he wants a thing. Nothing can change his mind And by the time the week is up, Fred has made up Anita's mind They are married and decide to spend their honeymoon in florida But a few weeks later their honeymoon is interrupted Fred is stricken with an illness In this room dr. Phillips Thank you Fred Fred yes, darling. This is dr. Phillips. Yes. Well, mr. Blake. That seems a bit of trouble. I don't know. I'm just I don't know what it is. Dr. Phillips is a specialist from miami. Yes, those you tell me a few things mr. Blake. Well I'm afraid it's some sort of paralysis Paralysis yes, what made you think that well the first time it hit me I got kind of faint My feet and legs became numb sort of crept up on me At first it wasn't so bad, but The next time it came it affected my hands and arms too. I I got dizzy and I passed out Oh, I see You'd be kind of nauseated mr. Blake. No But after the attacks, I'm so exhausted. I I can't even get out of bed Hmm Well, I'd better give you a fair examination. What what do you think it is doctor? Well, I don't know at the moment. Do you think it's serious? Any interruption the functions may be serious Do you think it would be best to take him to a hospital doctor? I don't know yet. No, no darling, please I'd rather stay here with you. I yes, dear. Of course, whatever you say, please mrs. Blake You mind stepping out for a while Very well. I'll be in my room. Call me when you're finished Everything's going to be all right. Dear. Please don't worry. Yes I'll be all right. Yeah, come in. Oh, yes. Come here, mrs. Blake. I finished It's been an hour. I just couldn't wait any longer. It's quite all right. How do you feel fred? Well A little better, I guess he pounded me and thumped and listened, but I don't think he knows himself I do feel better I'm going to get up and walk around. Yeah, mr. Blake I'd advise you remain as quiet as possible. Why if you attempt to move about I'll have to withdraw from this case. What have you discovered? What is it? Just relax. Why don't you say it? Why keep it a secret? I'm entitled to no spilling. Please fred darling, please don't get excited But what is it doctor? Do you know? This is like I'd like a few words with you Uh step over here to the window. All right. Yes, of course doctor Well, what are you talking about? Why go over there and mumble? Why don't you say it and be done with it? Did you hear me? What are you mumbling about? What are you telling her you quack? Why don't you tell me? If you don't tell me what you're talking about, I'll get out of this bed and brain you Oh, no, please darling, please don't get up. No, you mustn't I'd advise you to stay in that bed and control your temper. You're in no condition to withstand any form of excitement. No You know what's wrong with me I do And believe me if you want to recover You'd best remain as quiet as possible It's that serious You have a chance mr. Blake and that small chance depends mostly upon You yourself. I'll do my best, but it mostly depends on you. Is it paralysis The knowledge of what it is will not help you. It's better that you think as little about it as possible Good night, mr. Blake. Good night, mr. Blake Anita what what did he say? Oh friend Fred you must try not Another week passes and fred still remains in bed He has had several more attacks each one a bit more severe than the last The doctor has made several visits and fred is now terribly frightened by the doctor's concern regarding his progress Shortly before midnight fred feels another spell coming on a little more severe anitra Anitra. Oh, yes, darling. Yes, fred. I'm getting fainted. It's coming on again. Get the doctor. Oh, yes fred I've already called him. He'll be here in a few moments. They'll be quiet, dear Please don't exert yourself. This is the worst yet. Please be calm. You're all right No, no, I'm scared. This is it. I I know this this is the end. Oh friend Fred don't say that I can tell no you've nothing to fear darling. Nothing. I have I I can't help but afraid fred you must get hold of yourself. You must I know I haven't a chance You know that The doctor knows he told you I know too. Please fred There's something I've got to tell you darling. You don't understand. I I've got to tell someone. You must calm yourself. You've got to listen to me. You've got to The doctor will be here in just a few moments. Now, please try to save your strength darling. He can't help me Oh come in If I came as quickly as I could Mrs. Blake. It's another attack doctor. It seems to be worse than the last. He's terribly frightened I'm not Blake. You must try to get hold of yourself The pulse is Pulse is what? Uh, just a second my bag, please. Yes, doctor. Thank you. Now let's have a listen to the stethoscope Mm-hmm You have a chill Blake. I don't know. I just awful numb It's creeping up inch by inch. Oh, please doctor. Can't we take him to the hospital? I'm afraid Well, uh, he's as well off here as in the hospital. Why? Why don't you tell me the truth? I've got a right to know Tell me Tell me the truth now. You're gonna be all right Blake. You're lying. Uh, Mrs. Blake Yes, doctor, what did you start to say? Uh, well, tell me. I've got to know. Yes, Fred. Tell us doctor There's no use of reading the issue Fred wants to know very well Since you insist There is nothing I can do for you, Mr. Blake Nothing anyone can do for you. You mean it's a matter of Days it may be only a matter of hours I'm sorry Blake Anitra Oh darling, I I knew I knew but I I just couldn't let you know Doctor, will you leave us alone for a while? Of course. Oh, please Don't leave the house doctor. No, I'll stay with you as long as you need me. I'll uh, I'll be in the hall Anitra Get a sheet of paper and write what I tell you. Yes, sir. And please hurry, Anitra Of course dear Yeah, I'm ready To district attorney Frank Winston District attorney I never thought I'd do this But here it is Joe Alberti was innocent in the killing of the bank messenger He was framed I killed the messenger and framed Joe And joe's wife is innocent of trying to kill me She didn't shoot me and I want to release I've been closing a check for 10 000 for her and furthermore What I told you about your son was a lie He didn't shoot me either He did come to my room He had a gun I took it away from him and then the scuffle gun went off I shot myself So that That clears everything up Now you can start your campaign But I I won't be around to participate Your is Fred Blake Fred Are you out of your mind? What? But this is ridiculous I won't turn this over to the district attorney I won't Please Anitra, please do I can't die I just can't unless I know I've got to sign it Before my hands go numb Oh no, no don't sign it Please don't it, it isn't true It is true every word Hold it I'll do as you say Oh darling, I don't care what you've done You've been so so good to me But if you want me to turn this over I I will Doctor, doctor Quick doctor You're You're too late doctor It's all over I'm fortunate in getting a plane within half an hour after you phoned me, Mrs Blake I understand and I appreciate your coming Well, what is this about Fred Blake? Well, Fred has been ill for several weeks And last night Well, he got worse Became frightened and made me take down this letter He signed it and then Yes, you may read it, it's addressed to you And I promised him I'd see that you got it You see, district attorney To Alberti And what's this? Carl Out of all things I wish this would clear up sooner or later But how? I hadn't the slightest idea And here's the check for 10,000 to Mary Alberti Will you see that she gets it And is released from prison? Mrs Blake, Mary Alberti was paroled over a year ago You keep the check and I'll locate her for you You can give it to her Do you know where she can be found? I have a pretty good idea Now, may I see your husband? I'd like to be sure that he is the Fred Blake Yes, of course This way He's the real Fred Blake That's all I wanted to know Nature Is that you, Nature? Good Lord, I thought he was dead What is this? Where am I? Blake Doctor, what happened? I'm not a doctor Then who are you? I'm district attorney Winston Winston? What are you doing here? Where am I? You're in your bed But you're on your way to jail Are you crazy? I'm sick I'm dying You may be right about that He isn't dying, it's all in his imagination Get up out of that bed I can't, I can't walk Then we'll carry you All right, Murphy, come in and carry him out Yes, sir Come on, Jim, we'll make a saddle seat for him I'm sick, I tell you, I'm dying You're taking a plane ride north whether you're dying or not You signed this confession, didn't you? What? Yes But you weren't supposed to get that till I was dead Why didn't you wait, Anitra? Bring him along You'll never convict me You'll never get that far because I'll be dead Come on, boys, take him to the car Anitra, Anitra, why don't you tell them? It's all a mistake, they can't do this Tell them Tell them what? I'm dying What can I do, Fred? I did just as you asked me to do I can't do a thing now It's too late What's happened to you? What's happened? Nothing I've never been so satisfied in my life What? I said this is the happiest moment of my life Now get up, Fred You can walk, you're stalling There's nothing wrong with you You're crazy No, she's not crazy She's clever I've tried for over a year to work this thing out And she did it all by herself Yes, Blake, Mary Alberti, now known as Mrs. Anitra Blake is a very clever woman There you are Mary Alberti, alias Anitra Blake was a clever woman She knew that her husband Joe was innocent And when she was sent to prison for shooting Fred Blake She made up her mind to eventually get out on good behavior So she studied art, glamorized herself Changed her speech and appearance And worked her way into the circles frequented by Fred And everything worked out just as she planned There was nothing wrong with Fred He wasn't ill and he wasn't dying Just a few grains of medicine each day Was all it was necessary to bring on that numbness And the doctor? Well, he wasn't a doctor No, he was really the brother of her husband The brother of Joe Alberti CBS has presented The Whistler Original music for this production was composed by Wilbur Hatch And conducted by Ivan Dittmar The Whistler is written and directed by J. Donald Wilson And originates from Columbia Square in Hollywood Next week, same time I, The Whistler, will return to tell you another unusual story Good night This is CBS, The Columbia Broadcasting System