 Good evening, Creep, and welcome to the Mystery Playhouse. As a return engagement, your Mystery Playhouse brings you tonight a story by one of the great authors of crime fiction, Agatha Christie. This ingenious drama entitled, Witness for the Prosecution, is one of the prolific mysteries very best. If Leslie Wood, star of the recent Broadway play The Assassin, will play the leading role. Witness for the Prosecution is a brilliantly original narrative of the fight for a man's life, with a double surprise at the end. So stand by, Creep, for Agatha Christie's fast-moving yon of sudden twists and turns. Witness for the Prosecution. The story begins in a little house in the pub of the great city. Break the eccentric old Miss Emily Frank, who passed through him in the rocking chair. And then, someone enters her room, walks up the rocking chair, looks down on Miss Frank. And then... Get all the pictures you can. The murder weapon, the rocking chair, the corpse. Miss Frank wouldn't listen to me, Inspector Einstein. I used to be more than the maid to her. I was her best friend until he came, and now see what happens. All right, Miss Mackenzie, relax. Who are you talking about? Mr. Vole, Leonard Vole. I told Miss Frank no good would come of it, but you wouldn't listen to me. He entrusted all of his business to her. He's even made out a new will, leaving him all her money. Was he here tonight? He was here every night since he met her three months ago. He must have been here tonight. You remember as anyone else came to see Miss Frank tonight? Not that I know of. Oh, I wonder no good would come of it. He's 33 and he's at least 70, and he killed her. Leonard Vole killed her. I'm no easy. Leonard Vole. That's right. Inspector Einstein, how much that's worth? Well, I could talk with you down at headquarters. What about? Emily Frank has been murdered. Murdered? For who? What do you want with me? We're bugging you on suspicion. But, Mr. Mayhem, you're my attorney. You've got to believe me. I didn't do it. Take it easy, Vole. Take it easy. I'm going crazy cooked up in this jail. Listen, why would I kill her? I tell you frankly, I was broke. I hope to borrow some money from Miss Frank. So why would I kill her? Don't you know that Miss Frank left her will, leaving all her money to you? What? What are you trying to say? Didn't you know about that? No. Oh, this gets worse every minute. They'll say I got Miss Frank to make out a will, leaving her money to me, and that I killed her. Sure, I admit I was there that night, but... As it may, Janet McKenzie said you were there until half past nine. She said she heard voices in the sitting room when Miss Frank sees me out of a man. Half past nine? Yes. Half past nine? Then I'm safe. What do you mean, safe? By half past nine, I was at home again. My wife, Romaine, can prove that. The voice the maid heard must have been someone else's. I left Miss Frank about five minutes to nine. I arrived home about 20 past nine. My wife was there waiting for me. That proves I'm innocent, doesn't it? Yes, it does, my boy. The first thing I'm going to do is see your wife and have a talk with her. And that's the whole story, Mrs. Rolls. No one else saw Leonard return at 9.20. There'll be no one else to confirm your testimony. I see. Leonard wants me to say that he came in at 20 minutes past nine that night. Is that right? Yes. He did come in at that time, didn't he? That's not the point. Well, my saying fellow couldn't. Will they believe you? Well, there's a great deal of evidence against him. And the testimony of a devoted wife sometimes... Well, I can't promise your testimony will stay then. Now, I know what you must feel, but... Do you? I wonder. Well, I mean, all this must be difficult. You being so devoted to your husband... Devoted! Devoted! I hate it! What? I tell you I hate it. I hope he drops dead if I don't convict him. What's the dead? Supposing I tell you that he did not come in that night at 20 minutes past nine, but at 20 minutes past ten. What? You say that Leonard claims he doesn't know anything about the money coming to him. Yeah? Well, supposing I tell you that he knew all about it and counted on it and committed murder together. Supposing I tell you that he admitted to me that night when he came in what he had done. That there was blood on his coat. What's this? Suppose I stand up in court and say all these things. You mean you testify against your husband? Why not? I detest him? He hasn't a chance. Not a chance. Of course not. Did you honestly think he was innocent when you came here to see me today? Yes, I did. I see. And what do you think now? I still think he's innocent. And I think you're lying. Good evening, Mr. King. May I, I'm speaking. Mr. Mayer. Yes? Now you don't know me, but if you want that tainted brazen woman torn up for what she is. An liar. You come to 1122 Hutton Street tonight. What? You mean Mrs. Volk? Come and find out. No, no, wait a minute. Mrs. Markson. Hello. Hello. I can see Mrs. Volk is lying. And I still have a chance. Mrs. Markson. I'm Mr. Mayer. Oh, so you decided to come in? Well, come on in. Come on in. I see you're looking at the stars around my face. Are you wondering why I hide my beauty here? What you like to see? Oh, I wasn't. Your utility. Here. Never mind me. Never mind. I'll cover my face with a star for you. But you don't feel like this in me, do you? And I don't blame you. And yes, I was a pretty girl once. And not so long ago did you think either. This trio, my dear, this trio. That's what is better, my face. But I'll be even with her. I can give you a proof. That Romaine Volk has lied about the husband. Proof? What kind of proof? What would you say to a better? A better from her? Well, how did you get hold of her? Never mind how I got hold of her. That's my business. Let's just do the tricks, all right? Now. $300. All right. But first, the letter, please. It's right here in this desk. Here they are. A whole bundle of them. But it's the top one you want. Thank you. Now go on. Go on and read it. These are love letters written by Romaine Volk. But they're not written to Lennon's. This one is dated the day of Lennon's arrest. How did you get hold of this correspondence? That's what they're telling. These letters are addressed to Max. Max, who, who is he? He's a letter to Lennon's kid. And I know something more, too. You'll find out where she was at 20 past 10 the time she said she was at home. Ask at the Pingelbaum dancing school. You ask Mr. Pingelbaum. Mr. Pingelbaum, all right? So wait a minute. Wait a minute. Don't go yet. Where's my money? Here you are. $300. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Good night. Now, one, two, one, two. Pull in your stomach. Kick. That's it. Mrs. Ferris-Cann, please. Pull in your stomach. Oh, that woman will never learn. Follow the class. One, two, one, two. Gracefully now, left arm coming over your head and touching the floor so gracefully. So come in gracefully now rhythmically. Mr. Pingelbaum. Oh, please. Mr. Pingelbaum, I'm sorry to intrude, but it's about the Lennonville murder case. Oh. Patrick, stop the piano. Well, what can I do for you? I have a photograph here. Could you identify this woman? Let me see. Why, uh, why, yes, that's Romaine Bowles. Oh, she's one of my advanced students. Very artistic. In fact, she used to be an actress. Never mind all that. Was she here the night of the murder? Why, yes. I remember we all discussed it the next day. What time did she leave? Well, I think the class broke up at 10.30 or so that night. Oh, class, please. Mrs. Ferris-Cann, pull in your stomach. How many times have I told you, posture, posture? Mr. Pingelbaum, you may be called upon at the trial tomorrow to testify that Mrs. Bowles was here at 10.30 that night. Me? Outness in a murder trial? Yes. Oh, I'd love it. Call the next witness for it. Did you take me to the stands? You're trying to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth to help your garden? I do. Sit down. You may proceed, Mr. Rothschilder. Thank you, Your Honor. Oh, Mr. Janet Mackenzie. What was your relationship to the prince? I was her maid. Then you were in her confidence? Oh, yes. We kept no secrets from each other. Did she tell you that she had made out a will, leaving all her money to Leonard Bowles? Yes. Now, think carefully, Mr. Mackenzie. Did Mr. Bowles know that such a will had been drawn up? Yes, he did. Ah, Mr. Mackenzie, will you please tell this talk in your own words what Prince fired in the home of Miss French on the night of your mistress' death? Well, I-I wish to go out for the evening. I did go out, but about half past nine I returned. I heard voices in the parlor. One was Miss Spencer, and the other was a man. Did you recognize that man's voice? Yes. It was Mr. Bowles. That's all? Thank you. Ah, yes, your warmest, Mr. Mackenzie. Yes? You said that you heard a man's voice in the sitting room that night. Did you see that man? No, I didn't. Then how can you be sure that it was Mr. Bowles who was there? Well, I think it was Mr. Bowles. You think it was. That's all, Mr. Mackenzie. Mr. Bowles, you want us to believe that you visited this rich old lady, Miss French, out of pure kindness of heart. A woman 40 years your senior. You want us to believe that, Mr. Bowles? I only want to- You look pale, Mr. Bowles. Would you like a glass of water? No. It's my heart. Will you please tell this fort where you were at 9.30 on the night of the murder? But I told you. I left Miss French in post about five minutes to nine. I arrived home about 20 past nine. My wife was there waiting for me. Ask her if she'll tell you the truth. I swear to you, I'm telling the truth. I'm innocent, I tell you. As God is my witness, I'm innocent. The prosecution follows as it's next witness, Mrs. Romaine Bowles. Romaine Bowles, to the stand, please. You swear to tell the truth, the whole truth is a healthy garden. I do. Sit down. Romaine Bowles? Yes. Did your husband ever tell you that he knew that the money was coming to him? He knew about the will? Yes. He knew about the will. Now, Mrs. Bowles, you had sworn to tell the truth. Mr. Bowles says that he was home by 9.30 that night. Is that true? No, it is not true. Will you tell the court what you know about the night in question? Yes. Leonard was with me early in the evening. About 8 o'clock, he put on his hat and coat, and left the house. He returned at 20 minutes past 10. And when he came in, I knew something terrible had happened. He wouldn't look at me. He just walked into the kitchen. His coat was stained with blood. I realized then that he had murdered Mr. Bowles. No, no! No, Romaine! Why are you lying? Order, order! That will be all, Mrs. Bowles. One moment. I have a few questions for the witness of the prosecution. Mrs. Bowles, you heard Mr. Bowles cry out in his torment that you were lying. Are you? I am not lying. You are. I'll tell you why, and I'll prove it. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I want you to understand that this woman's story is a malicious fabrication from start to finish. I want you to know that she wasn't even in her own house at the time in question. I want you to know that she is in love with another man and has been deliberately seeking to send Bowles to his death for a crime he did not commit. First of all, Mrs. Bowles, do you still claim that you were at home in class 10? Yes, that's when I came home. I want you to look at the witnesses sitting at that end table. I am Mr. Pinguban, will you stand up please? Gladly. Mrs. Bowles, do you recognize this man? Yes. Mr. Pinguban runs a dancing school. Were you denied that you were at one of his classes until 10.30 on the night in question, or shall I take this short time to call Mr. Pinguban and his class to the stand to prove that you were with them? No. No, I was not denied. Then you were not at your home at 10.30. I... You were home at 9.30 when Leonard came home, but you hurried away to your class and you were there until after 10.30. Is that right? Well, I'm afraid to miss Mr. Pinguban and his class and prove that. Exactly. And, Val, now I should like to place an evidence, this letter, written by Romain Vaughan, to another man. Clerk, you may read the letter. Here you are. Mac's beloved. The fates have delivered him into our hands. He has been arrested for murder, the murder of an old lady, Leonard who would not hurt a flower. At last I shall have my revenge. I shall say that he came in that night with blood upon him, that he confessed to me. I shall hang him, Mac, and when he hangs, he will know and realize that it was Romain who sent him to his death. And then, happiness, beloved, happiness at last. Mrs. Vaughan, look at this letter. Yes. You deny having written this letter? Will you admit it, or shall I be expert to a present proof that this letter is in your handwriting? Mrs. Vaughan, did you write this letter? I... yes, I wrote it. This was my chance to get rid of it. That's why I made up the whole story. I'll tell you, he did return to the house 20 minutes past nine, but... but when I realized that only my testimony could prove his innocence, I... I decided to invent a story out of whole source to ruin it. And now everyone, everything has ruined it. And so, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we have proven that Romain Vaughan's evidence was a tissue of lies from beginning to end. We have shown that she evolved it out of her passionate hatred for the defendant. And since the chief witness for the prosecution has confessed to her false story, confirming Mr. Vaughan's statement that he was not at Miss French's house at 9.30, I asked that you bring in the only possible verdict. Not guilty. See the jury? Find the defendant. Not guilty. Congratulations, Vaughan. Did you hear that? You're a free man again. Free? That's the most exciting... What is it, man? I can't... I can't breathe, Mr. Vaughan. It's not guilty. Vaughan! Stand back! Stand back! Give him air, please! Will you all stand back and be quiet, please? I think... Yes, he's dead. He's up there. The park's over there. Probably sorry, Mr. Vaughan. I know you loved him very much. You know him? Yes. I know you didn't hate him. But how did you know? We're all creatures of habit. And you have a habit, a gesture of your hand that you use when you're excited. Gesture of my hand? Yes. Mrs. Marston and Hudson Smith had the same gesture. Oh, are you there? Yes. And you were formerly an actor. I learned that from Mr. Trinidad. I can see now how you did it. Well, it was easy enough. Make-up for my fate. The night of that death jet was too bad for you to see the makeup. But why, Mrs. Vaughan? Why? Mr. Vaughan. I had to say to him. The evidence of a wife devoted to him would not have been enough. He said it must have self. That's right. But I know a little something of psychology. And I thought, let me his wife testify against him and then let it be proven that I had delivered the lie. Well, I was the star witness for the prosecution. When you destroyed my testimony, you destroyed the prosecution's entire case. And the bundle of letters? Oh, one alone, the vital one. Might have seemed like a put-up job for a while. Just don't remember. Then the man called Max. Please. He never... I still think that we could have gotten him off by the normal procedure. I didn't dare to. You see, you thought he was innocent. And you knew it. I see. My dear Mr. Mayhem, you do not feel atrocious. I knew he was guilty. Well, creeps, that rings down the curtain now and witness for the prosecution of the night's performance in the mystery playhouse. This Leslie Wood was started tonight's play by Agatha Christie. Until next time, peace. Good night. Sleep tight. This is the Armed Forces Radio Service.