 Autolight and its 96,000 dealers present suspense. Tonight, Autolight brings you a killing in Abilene, a suspense place starring Mr. Allen Ladd. Traveled hard for 300 miles to find the man who killed my brother. I'd come down out of the snake range that morning, followed the river trail through the canyon. And that afternoon, it found Pleasant Valley, a handful of buildings desolate and huddled in the cold shadows of the mountains around. Tall, dark. No man appeared as I rode through the town. Only a dog changed, and he from a safe distance. Then it was quiet. About a quarter of a mile beyond an easy rise, I saw what had happened to the people of the town. There were maybe 60 or 70 standing in a circle. And as I got closer, I saw they were gathered around two men, two men who were digging. You stay put, horse. There was a look on the faces of the people standing there. Even the kids peeking from behind skirts and trouser links. And it was something I'd seen before. It wasn't a good look. It was the look some people had had two years before in Abilene, when we discovered my brother's body. In just a moment, Mr. Allen Ladd in the first act of a killing in Abilene. Hey, Harlow, what do you got there? Christmas present, hamp. You got one already? Yes, sir, in. It's an auto light stay full battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. Why, my car will really cut a caper over this capable Christmas cheer. You believe in giving your car some holiday spirit too, ha, Harlow? I sure do, hamp. And because the auto light stay full battery has over three times the liquid protection of batteries without stay full features, it helps eliminate one of the greatest causes of battery failure. And that's mighty important to the spirit of every car owner. And your gift will last a long, long time too, Harlow. Right, you are, because the auto light stay full battery gives longer life, 70% longer life, in fact, as proved by tests conducted according to SAE minimum life cycle standards. A wise selection, Harlow. Yes, friends, for quick, dependable starting, treat your car to an auto light stay full battery. The battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. See your neighborhood auto light battery dealer. And remember, you're always right with auto light. And now, with a killing in Abilene and the performance of Mr. Alan Ladd, auto light answers many requests in bringing you a story of the Old West, hoping once again to keep you in suspense. What's the matter? Dig around this side. Do it anymore. Honey, you boys, take over. I'll do it, Jim. Somebody's got to. It's him, all right. I've seen his shirt. You were right, then, Ben. Jake, Jake Garvey, you're a sheriff. Better come take a look. Yeah. The men stayed, and questioned a little closer to the pit, and waited there until the job was finished. Then they noticed me. What are you doing here, stranger? Where are you from? You're the chef. That's right. Jake Garvey. The man is my name, I'm Abilene. So? I'm looking for a man in these parts. Calls himself Lee Burridge. Who did he say, Sheriff? He said Lee Burridge, Ben. You tell him we'll take care of him. What do you want him for? What's it matter what he wants him for? We know what we want him for. Come on. Now, there ain't going to be no trouble. I'm the law in Pleasant Valley. I'll say what we do. We elected you, Sheriff Jake. We could unelect you. Like Ben said, it was Burridge killed him, and you know it. I've got to talk to you about Burridge, Sheriff. It's important. All right. My office back at the meeting house. We don't need no talk about Burridge. We need to do something about the ugly son. Come down, boys. Let's get on back to town. We'll take her as she comes. The boy's want to know why you're here. So die. We don't like strangers. What do you want with Lee Burridge? I had a brother. Killed out in Abilene. Burridge did it. Oh? See another one drove her into the railroad. Burridge got drunk and killed my brother. Burridge himself is here. We found this pouch near the grave. His name burned into it. It's taken me two years to find him. Now I want to talk to him about it. The boys are pretty sure he killed Fred Costin, too. So am I now. Maybe so. Fred Costin isn't my business. My brother is. And I want to see his killer back in Abilene standing trial. I made a promise I'd bring him back that there'd be no more killing. We didn't know your brother, but we knew Fred and we liked him. You can help take care of Burridge here, if you have a mind to. Try him here, you mean? On both charges? No need for that. What do you mean, take care of him? How did he kill your brother? His head was beat in. He was beat to death. Yeah, same as he did to Fred. Man who'd do a thing like that don't need no trial. Not for you, maybe. There'll be no more killing in my family. Well, give him a fair trial here in Abilene, but a fair trial. If Burridge's done these killings, he's going to pay for it here. I don't go for lynching. We don't call it lynching when we hang a man for murder. You don't like it going back to Abilene. Maybe I'll do that. When I take Lee Burridge out for trial. I don't know what you're trying to do. I suspect it's get Burridge out of town. If I'm right, you're heading into a lot of trouble. One of your boys is going to direct me to where Lee Burridge lives? We could. We're both inclined. What do you want with him? Just want to talk. Anybody got objections? Yeah. Who are you? Ben Chaffee. There ain't going to be no talking. He's done what he's done. He's going to pay for it. Ain't nobody going to stand in the way. It's time you was riding out of here. And if I don't? Then I'll help you. Climb off, Ben. We don't need no private wars here. What is your left? Come on, boy. It turned away from me and moved into the sheriff's office, leaving me alone to walk down a strangely quiet street. Towards the hills, the thunder had was beginning to gather, moving in slowly. Near the end of the street, two men were building a coffin in front of a small house. This is where I'll find Mrs. Carson. Right here you have to come meddling around here at a time like this. Can't you leave her with it for a sorrow? Because he's a stranger, Bob Boy. Strangers don't have no time for other people to sorrow. Maybe all right, old timer. Maybe they got too many themselves. Yes? I'd like to talk to you, man. Would I come in? Can't you see this house is in mourning? Ma'am, I know how you feel. How can you know what I feel? I had a brother once killed by this man, Burge. Oh. I'd like you to help me. It was two years ago my brother was killed. His wife would like the killer brought back to Abileneford trial. I'd like you to speak to your friends and let me take him away. He didn't give my friend a chance before he killed him. He's a cruel, ugly man. He's a killing man. You can see it in his eyes. I understand how that woman feels. I feel the same way. I want him killed too. But here, where I can watch. Will you tell me where he lives? Don't tell him nothing, Mrs. Garton. He'll go warn him all. He'll go if he wants. I say a man's got one life to live, and he's got a right to lose it. And it dang way pleases him. I'll tell you where you can find Lee Burge. Two miles outside of town with a canyon spread, I saw his hut. Set against a fire blackened hill. There's no growing thing in the rocky ground, except one sick twist of tree. Stunted limbs reaching out empty, waiting. Hold it. Easy, horse. Easy. Miss, the next one. Lee Burge? Brought down. I'm Jeff Mander. My brother Seth, you killed in Abilene. That's who you are. You've caused me enough trouble. Get out of here. I'll give you a fair trial there. Stay here, and you're going to be lynched for Fred Costin's killing. Don't come no closer. Nobody's going to lynch me while I got this. Listen to me. I don't hold no love for you. I shouldn't care what happens to you. But it took me two years to find you, now I'm taking you out. Don't come no closer. Put up your gun. I'm warning you. Put up your gun. I knew he was shooting to miss. But I didn't know what would happen if I moved closer. So I got out of his canyon. I was clouding over heavy when I rode into town again. Maybe an hour, hour and a half after I'd left the sheriff's office, the streets were still empty. And then a couple of the houses I saw curtains move in windows and shadows duck away as I looked at them. I wondered if the old man had told them I'd gone to see Burge. And if they knew what they planned doing about it. Old timer? I had to talk with Burge. You see. You ain't wearing your gun. You get the drop on you? Yeah. Surprise, he didn't kill you. So was I. Did you tell them I'd gone there? Yeah. What'd they say? They said if you get Burge first, they'd get you. They said you should go back where you came from while you still can. I will after I settle with Burge. Where's the sheriff? Went off with the boys. After Burge? Yeah. They're going to wait till dark. Then they're going to stream up. Well, they're going to wait till dark. I want to be with them. I thought you didn't like Lynchons. I don't, but I want to be there. I was told if you'd come back to town, you'd have to be with them. Don't make me use this, son. Just turn around and we'll join the rest of them. All right. And I'd suggest you stop your talking about Lee Burge. From what I overheard, you're close to sharing a rope with him. Auto light is bringing you Mr. Allen Ladd in a killing in Abilene. Tonight's production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills. Suspense. Only eight shopping days till Christmas. Well, that doesn't bother me, Hap. I'm giving everybody an auto light stay full battery. The battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. Even folks without cars? Well, sure. Why should they be denied the pleasure of having that fine, fit, faithful friend that gives 70% longer life? It says who, Harlow? Why, everyone knows the auto light stay full battery gives 70% longer life. And this is proven by tests conducted according to SAE minimum life cycle standards. Sounds mighty powerful. It sure does, and it's because every positive plate in an auto light stay full battery is protected by a fiberglass retaining mat to help reduce shedding and flaking and keep the power producing materials in place. Go on, Harlow, go on. Well, friends, this Christmas present your car with a famous auto light stay full battery. The battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. See your neighborhood auto light battery dealer tomorrow. And remember, you're always right with auto light. And now auto light brings back to our Hollywood sound stage Mr. Allen Ladd in Elliot Lewis's production of a killing in Abilene. A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. We rode out of Pleasant Valley, the old man and me. We rode fast without speaking through scattered herds of cattle on the lower range land. Rolling in from the east, the black cow smothered the mountain tops. The old man still held the gun on me. No use winning the horses. Won't be dark for a couple hours yet. Lention parties get their guts after dark. How come you weren't with them? Waiting for you. I thought you'd be around. Besides, I seen the Lention once. Too much trouble. Yeah. You still figuring to take courage with your Abilene? I can try. Ain't that going to be a might Darren without a shooting iron? Might be. I'm surprised after two years looking for him, you didn't shoot him when you found him. That's not what I come for. Why not? He kills your brother. I, uh, made a promise to somebody. His wife? Yeah, mine too. What was it between Costin and Burge? Well, I don't know. Nobody seen much of Burge in the past couple of years. Ever since Ben told us about how he was a killer, ugly man. Just ugly mean. You said Ben told all of you Burge was a killer? Yeah. I guess it's your brother he killed. That right? That's right. And now because of him, you might get killed. But why? They think you made it up about your brother. They think you're trying to take Burge away. To you? Well, I haven't decided yet. Man, before the stream here, or what you're putting, I haven't seen you yet. You still got time to get out. Well, let me go. I've got this far I'll finish him. Well, I always said a man's got one life, and he's got a right to lose it any dang way pleases him. But you left Pleasant Valley. We decided he ought to come with us where we can watch him. You decided, Ben. What do you say, mister? I'll tell you what he says, Sheriff. He says he wants Burge one way or the other. He asked to join. That's what he says. Get off of the horse, mister. All right. Now, say that lie to me, and I'll make you choke on it. I want Burge as bad as the rest of you. I'd prefer him to stand trial. That's the difference. And I want this, lest you begin avoiding it. Take your hand off your gun, Ben. He ain't armed. Take it easy, Ben. We decided what to do. You're here because I want you here. Burge killed Fred Costin in a fight. Now we're going to settle it. Burge kills easy. I've seen him do it once before. He's not going to do it again. You saw him kill my brother? I, um, I thought you didn't believe me. I saw it. You need more of a trial than that. I looked at the faces, angry, filled with hate. And I thought of the ugly man up in the canyon in the broken-down shack. I wondered if he knew what was waiting for him a mile or so away. It was quiet then. Storm clouds are quick in the end of the day. The party became shadow sitting nervously and smoking. Two of the men had some whisky, and were building their courage for the night's work. It's nearly dark. I didn't think you'd come. I had to. All the way? My friend's dead. Was my brother? My Fred was a good man. Never hit me, but he was a dark man with a drink, like those two. What was it between Burge and him? We lost some chickens. Fred said that man stole them. When he came to town for supplies, Fred and him got to fighting. That man hated him and beat him. Fred was terrible hurt. Afterwards, everybody laughed and made jokes. They laughed at their friend? Oh, it was man life and no harm. But to a dark man like Fred, it was bad. He swore to get even. That was last Saturday. He went in to drink. And didn't come back? We all thought he wrote out some place for shame. Why do you think Burge killed him? They were all talking about it. Who was? All the men. Saturday night, they said Fred and that man were arguing. Who heard them? Ben did. When Fred didn't come back, we all knew that man had killed him. He did. And he's going to pay for it. Who found the grave, man? Ben did. I'm sorry for your brother's wife. But it's got to be this way. Just like the holy book says, an eye for an eye. Let's go, boys. It's time to ride. We rode to the widening of the canyon, dismounted, and went the rest of the way to the hot-on foot. We took one horse with us. He's there, all right. There's a lad inside. Hold up, boys. Bob, you, Jim, and Neil come with me. Right here. We'll bring him out. The rest of you stay here. What's the eye for? You're too quick tonight, Ben, and given too many orders. Still trying to get him away, son? Am I? He was like an engine I knew once. Had to shoot him five times before he knew he was dead. Do you know what we want, Burridge? Get out of here. Get off my land. You come outside quiet like we don't want no trouble. Trouble, I mean. I ain't asking for trouble. You asked for it when you killed Fred Costin. Costin? Who killed him? I didn't kill him. Save your breath while you still got it. Come on. Let go of him. Go up and smoke. He won't be using it anymore. I'll kill you. I'll kill you all for this. You done your last. Get that rope over that limb. Is this your doing, Ben? Yeah, it is. Dice in, Bob, I'll hold him. You're going to blame this one on me, too, Ben. Shut up, I said. He didn't do it. He didn't do it. Let it go, son. You can't stop him now. I've got to talk to him before they do. He didn't do it, now I know it. Wait a minute. Take my gun. Thanks. The flames in the shadows sticked over the ugly man's face. The rope was around his neck. He knew he was going to die. As I came near him, I could see in the light there was no fear in his eyes, only hate. He put it onto a horse. The rope was tightened. He was ready to be lynched. Then he saw me. One request, Sheriff. What, Burridge? Let me talk to him a minute. The stranger here for a minute. No more talking. Kick that horse out from under him. No, don't, Bob, not yet. Let him talk. Why do you think I killed your brother? They're trying to get away with something, Jay. Shut up, Ben. Let them have their say. Why? We found your pouch near my brother's grave. Your name on it. And tonight Ben told me he saw you do it. I didn't. I wasn't with Ben that night. Ben wanted to drink, and I didn't. He left me, took my pouch with him. What does it matter about his brother? It's Fred Costin we're hanging him for. I didn't kill Fred Costin either. Listen, mister, I didn't kill your brother. He's talking up. He killed Fred Costin. I told you that. What about it, Burge? I didn't kill Fred Costin. He's a lion scum. Let's get it over with. I say let him talk. Heard you get that gun, mister. How did you know where Fred was buried, Ben? How did you know where Fred was buried? Costin says you found the grave. How did you know where it was? Answer him, Ben. You told me where it was, Ben. I saw him burying in poor Fred. That's how I knew. You saw the burial? Why didn't you stop Burge then? It wasn't none of my business. But it is now. What made you change your mind so fast? Stare him in that horse, Ben. Get up, get up, get up. Cut him down. You, huh? Cut him down. I think you'll be coming back to Abilene with me, Ben. You think so? You all right, son? Burge. He'll live. Rest easy, son. You've done a good job. But you ain't going to keep your promise about your brother's killer. There's no sense taking Ben Chaffee back to Abilene. He'll bury him here. Presented by AutoLite, tonight's star, Mr. Alan Ladd. Christmas shopping can be fun. It doesn't have to kill one. Even AutoLite stay full battery only three times a year in normal car use. And it's one of more than 400 products for cars, trucks, planes, and boats made by AutoLite in 28 plants, coast to coast. These include complete electrical systems used as original equipment on many leading makes of America's finest cars. Electric windshield wipers, starting motors, voltage regulators, coils, distributors, wire and cable, jet engines, all of them are made by AutoLite. And they're made by AutoLite. So, friends, don't accept electrical parts supposed to be as good. Ask for and insist on original factory parts at your neighborhood service station, car dealer, garage, or repair shop. And because all AutoLite parts are original factory parts, you can be sure you're right because you're always right with all of the parts that you own. And you can be sure you're right with all of the parts that you own. And you can be sure you're right You're always right with AutoLite. And LAD will soon be seen in Paramount's Technicolor production, branded. Next week on Suspense, Mr. Dennis Day is star of Christmas for Carol. And in weeks to come, you will hear such famous stars as Cornel Wild, Ezio Pinza, and Ginger Rogers, all appearing in tales well calculated to keep you in suspense. Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucian Moraweck and conducted by Lud Bluskin. Portions of this program were transcribed. A Killing in Abilene was written for suspense by Gildowed and Anthony Ellis. And remember, next week on Suspense, Mr. Dennis Day in Christmas for Carol. Standard type or resistor type spark plugs, AutoLite electrical parts at your neighborhood, AutoLite dealers, switch to AutoLite. Good night. Better production means better living. That ideal has given America the world's highest standards of living. Learn how you can help to improve our economic life. For the free booklet, The Miracle of America, write box 10, Times Square Station, New York City. This is CBS, The Columbia Broadcasting System.