 Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure? Want to get away from it all? We offer you escape. Designed to free you from the four walls of today for a half hour of high adventure. You are standing guard deep in the forests of Africa. While around you, closing in on you, are the dreaded Mao Mao. Who if you relax your guard will kill you. Listen now as escape brings you John Daner's terrifying story, Lily and the Colonel. I first met Colonel M.O.V. Abernathy at the Rift Valley Club, Keenio Colony, East Africa. The Rift Valley Club being a particular club of particular people, frowned with beatling brawl upon the occasional invasion of its dignity by people like myself. Unqualified, of no particular family or traditional distinctions. Possibly because I was a Sandhurst man. A lieutenant with the Lancashire fusiliers had something to do with my invitation into the hallowed circle. At all events I was invited and I went. Sandhurst, eh? That's right, sir. Sandhurst! I was at Sandhurst myself, 1917. That's her, sir. Still turning them out the way they used to? Not knowing how they used to turn them out, I couldn't say, sir. Capital, at least they turn them out with humor. Anything has kept me alive, a sense of humor. Yes, I can see that. Sent down from Suez, were you? Yes, sir. How has old Suez ever been there for fourteen years? Oh, as it always has been, I suppose. I don't imagine it would change much. And now you are here to save us from the Mao Mao. I'm quite sure you can save yourselves, Colonel. Of course we could if it weren't for the bunglers and the... the bungling. The second time I met Colonel Abernathy, it was under quite different circumstances. My patrol had been called to the farm of one James C. Curry to investigate a murder. On the way, I stopped by Colonel Abernathy's house and brought him along in case identification was needed. He knew everybody in the valley. It was difficult to identify, but on viewing the remains, the Colonel decided that since the boots were of crocodile leather and his friend had a liking for crocodile boots, the sum of the two must add up to the body of James C. Curry himself, lying under the rose bush. Neither I was set a word as I drove him home. Come in for a moment. Oh, thank you, sir, but I really should be getting back to quarters. Lancashire fuseliers won't cease operations because their brightest officers aren't back on the dot. Well, anyway, you need a drink. Well, I could use one, sir. Good. Come in. Colonel Abernathy, you back one up. Tell your mistress. She have blast headache. I tell her you come back. Headache? Always having a headache. Oh, sit down, Temple. I'll have your drink in a moment. All right, thank you, sir. Now, incidentally, while your boy is out, may I ask, sir, is he kick who you? Gubbe? No, he's Jalua. I think he's trying his Jalua. Here, I'm giving it to you straight. Slice through any fog. Thank you. Yeah, you're not sure he's Jalua. Well, I'll ask him when he comes back. Now, young man, a toast to James C. Curry, as fine a man has ever breathed. Dead today at the hands of the mama. James C. Curry. Mrs. Abernathy say headache much better. She will come in a moment. Good. Incomplete. But one, I will have another whiskey. Yes, one. I will fix it. Thank you, sir. Very good. I tell you, Temple, I beg your pardon, Colonel, but do you ask... Oh, yes, yes. Incomplete. What are you? One hour? Try. What tribe you belong to? I am Jalua. Do the Jalua have mama? What the devil are you doing that for? Don't stand there, clinking like an idiot. What do you say? Mama only keeps seeing he can hear you. I am Jalua. Jalua. Very well. Now give Mr. Temple his drink and then get out. Yes, one hour. Drink one. Blast it, idiot. I don't believe him. You think he's a cuckoo, you? I do, sir, and the sooner you get rid of him, the better. Every head boy a mama, is that it? If I'm right and he is a cuke, then it's quite possible that he is also a mama. And if he is mama, he'll chop my head off. Weak, sir. Weak. It happened to Curry? It could happen to others. You still want to save me? I'm only here to do what I can, sir. It is my job. Young man, what happened to Curry? It didn't happen to me. But are still those who know how to handle this thing, and alone, if necessary. In my day, we knew how to keep your wag in his place. Full justice, mind you, but also this. That pistol of yours may have seen it today, sir. And our times are changing. Only because men have become too weak to prevent it. I'm surprised that you, a Sanders man, should have failed to grasp the fundamental traditions that gave strength to the empire. But what empire, sir? What empire? Blast it, be empire! Oh, Julian? Julian, have you seen Tavicans? I don't know where that cat can be. It was the Colonel's lady. She stood half in shadow in the doorway with something of a smile on her lips. An attractive woman, I thought. Perhaps 45 or 50. But when she came towards us and the light fell on her, I could see that what might have been attractive was only an illusion of powder and rouge, heavily proportioned and badly applied to an aging, unhappy face. Oh, my dear, may I introduce Mr. Charles Temple. Oh, how do you do? Please sit down. Well, as a matter of fact, I was just leaving. Oh, no, no, please. It isn't often that I have an opportunity to talk to a handsome young man. And from the outside world, too. Oh, well, I... What happened today, dear? Why did you run out so quickly? Julian never tells me anything. I'm always in the dark. Well, I'm afraid that I'm responsible today, Mrs. Abernathy. I need his help. Help? Mr. Temple will tell you where I'm off to bed. Good night. Good night, sir, and please think over what I said. Get rid of your boy. Young fellow, I like you. But as for your advice, I shall handle my affairs my way. Good night. Are you a difficult man, Mr. Temple? I beg your pardon. I mean, I hope you're not like Julian. You know, bouncing about and exploding. Oh, I don't suppose I am. Quite. I should be disappointed if you were. And what was it Julian said you'd tell me? Um, one of your neighbors was killed today. Killed? Who? James Curry. Jim Curry. Jim Curry? Who'd want to kill Jim Curry? Why? Why? Mrs. Abernathy, please. Oh, no. No, I'm quite all right. How did it happen? Mamao. Mamao? There must be a way out. There must be a way out. There must be a way out. Oh, yes. Yes. Here, you drink this. Thank you. Better. Oh, that's better. Yes. Well, I hate to, but I must go now, Mrs. Abernathy. Oh, please. Please don't. Sit beside me. Well, let me call the colonel. He can be with you. But he can't help me. More than I can, I'm sure. Now, please, would you let me? It lay broken at our feet. A cat strung up by the neck to a willow branch. Mrs. Abernathy's cat. And outside, somewhere in the dark, beyond the shattered window, were those who had done this thing. It was the Mao Mao. I heard the colonel behind me as I ran out of the door. The moon was huge in the sky, shining down with a blue, white light, and the beauty of the clearing became suddenly terrifying, because of what we knew was lying hidden in the dark trees. Probably miles away by now. Yes, I'm afraid so. Wait. What? Give me your hand. Give me your hand. There, you recognize him? Never seen this one before. I got him in the stomach to get him to a hospital right away. He's a big devil. Take him under the shoulder. We will carry him to the car. I took him to the nearest clinic at my vassal. All night, he hobbored between life and death. All night, I questioned him vainly, and much of the next day. And then, toward the end, I asked him if he knew he was dying. He rolled his head toward me, and the look in his eyes showed me that he knew he was. It was then that all my questions were answered. Name, Matemba. Tried, Kikuyu. Marmal, yes. Family, one brother. And this brother was Colonel Abernathy's head boy, Gumbi. Colonel Abernathy. Colonel Abernathy. It's Temple. Oh, thank heaven it's you. Come in. I'm all alone. Where is the Colonel? And Gumbi? They've been gone all day. They left me alone. I've never been so terrified in my life. Maybe they'll be back soon. My tabbicans, and the shooting. Oh, oh, yes, yes, they'll be back soon. I shall wait for him then. He gave me a pistol and said I must carry it with me until he comes back. He's wise. I hate guns. They're for killing. Oh, do, do sit down, Mr. Temple. I, I must look a fright. No makeup, and this old gown. You, you must think I look a fright. Oh, not at all. You look very well indeed. Well, thank you. Kind sir, she said. Um, may I make you a drink? Oh, no, no, thank you Mrs. Abernathy. I think I shall have one. If I don't look out, I shall become a drunkard. A solitary drunkard. Oh, I, I'm sure you're much too sensible for that. Julian doesn't think I'm sensible. He calls me silly. That'll make me feel much better. You're awfully nice. You're not like the other men. You seem very kind. Oh, I, I'm not really, you know, quite the opposite. I beat children the second Tuesday of every month. I gather you're, you're married then? Somebody in England? No, I'm not married. Mrs. Abernathy, I have something to tell you. I thought of waiting for the Colonel, but since you should know about it too. If it's anything unpleasant, I won't hear it. It concerns you very directly. You should listen. No, no, no, no. We shall talk of everything, but not about Kenya or Africa and kernels and poor unhappy black people and, and everything. Very well. I'll wait for the Colonel. Oh, now you've been wounded. The handsome soldier has been wounded on the battlefield of the sexes. He had drink from my glass here. Oh, not, not just a sip. All right then. Just, just, just a sip. There. Jim Curry thought I was attractive. Am I attractive, Charles? I, yes. Yes, of course. I mean to you. Well, after all, you, you are a married woman. Well, you know... No, no, no. Sit quietly and listen. If I told you that you're the handsomest man I know, and if I told you that I was in love with you... Mrs Abernathy... Would you take me away with you? Would you, would you put me in your pocket and, and take me? Of course. Right in my pocket. No, I, I don't feel very well. I, I think I shall lie down. Oh, Temple. Oh, sorry I couldn't be here when you came. Where's Lily? She's not well, sir. I think last night was a bit too much for her. She's resting. Well, tell me, what happened to the beggar you shot? The man died this afternoon. Incidentally, I was right about Ngumbay. How do you mean? He questioned the native all night. And just before he died, he confessed that he belongs to the mama. Well, what is that to do with Ngumbay? The brothers. And he is a Kikou, after all. Yes, sir. Get rid of him. But quietly, we don't want to aggravate the situation. Dying devil. Don't worry. I know what to do. One more thing. I want you to place a light in your front windows. Oh? What for? Well, we should be patrolling the valley tonight and we'll have a clear view of your home most of the time. Should anything happen, you turn out the light. We'll know then that you're in trouble and we'll go along in a jiffy. What you are? Yes. Well, uh, time must be off now, sir. Good night, Colonel. And please be careful with Ngumbay. Well, goodbye, Tepo. Now, I must piece together the remainder of the story from details related to me by Ngumbay himself. I thought of it many times and although Ngumbay was punished for what he did, I cannot in good conscience hold him totally responsible for what went wrong. Ngumbay! Yes, Buona. Come here. Buona. Ngumbay, you're a liar. Buona. What do you mean? You know very well what I mean. There was a man shot here last night and he was your brother. No. My brother and the reserve. He died this morning and he said he was your brother. My brother died? Moreover, you belong to the Kikuyu tribe. No. Jalo. You will die to my face, you dog! No, no, no, maybe some Kikuyu, but I could headboard. I do not tolerate lying by anyone. Buona, please. You shall be punished for this. I hope you can at least stand up your medicine. Medicine? Put your hands to your side. Your side, I said! Stand straight! That will teach you to lie. Now, get your things together and get out. I shall pay you when you leave. I said, go! If you hit me with hand-coast, it's good that I am a man, too. But you hit me with open hand. That makes me not a man. Gav! Tell your mom, our dogs, that if they want the same medicine to come to me, then I'll give it to them. Get out! All creatures love the whole lot of them. Shoot the whole lot that we can do to them. What are you doing, Junior? Oh, you startled me. I'm moving this lamp over to the window. What for? What's the lamp for? Temple wants it to remain on all night. Oh, such a lovely young man. Will you listen to what I'm telling you? Mr. Temple wants it to remain on all night, I heard. Why? If, for any reason you need, Mr. Temple's helped you to turn it off. He'll see it and come to you at once. How nice. Turn it off and he'll come to me at once. Did he really say that? Yes. Now, another thing, I've dismissed him with. I know. I was watching through the door. Well? I saw you strike him. Bravely. Colonel... Don't say it like that. It's the only way to make him understand. It's the only way to understand who's master. There's too much Molly coddling with these people. Is there? Oh, no matter. Where's your pistol? I don't know. I don't care. Oh, in the name of heaven. I told you to carry it with you at all times. Can't you understand it for your own good? Here. Take mine. I expect you to keep it with you all the time. Do you understand? I won't have it, Julian. It's for your safety, Lily. I don't want it. It's hateful. Everything here is hateful. Lily? I'm leaving. I'm going away. Far away. From this house. From Kenya. From you. Been drinking? Yes, I have. And I'll have some more. Stop it, Lily. Give me that bottle. Sorry? Sorry. You're sorry. You don't know what it is to be sorry. I've been sorry for 25 years. I'm sick. I'm sick for living with you. The way you stand, the way you walk, parade grounds, always... That's right, run away. Go on, you'll never talk to me. You never did. Who's there? Who's there? You hear me? Bastard, you hear me? Bastard, you hear me? Where are you? You hear me? Is that you? I'm armed. Come closer and I'll shoot. I can see all of you. I can see you. I can see you back. You're not armed. Look, you forgot pistol. Bastard. Ingumbé? Listen to me. I forbid you to do this, do you hear? Stand out in the open where I can see you. You're a coward, Ingumbé. And I don't deal with cowards. If you have grievances, we shall talk them over as men. You hear me? Today you hit me. You make me not a man. I struck you, you deserved it. Now stand out in the open where I can see you. Be a man, bastard. Ingumbé? Ingumbé? I say, come out of here. And I know you're out there. I mean what I say. I'm going away. Julian? Oh, very well, don't answer me then. But you're a fool. You could have kept me. If you are kind. I only wanted kindness. Mr. Tempo's kind. I... Oh... Oh, how stupid of me. The lights. Julian said he'd come to me if I turned off the lights. Now he'll come to me. Charles Tempo? Is that you? You must have been waiting just outside. It is you. It is. I can see you. Oh... Oh... You've come for me. Did you come to take me away? Give me your pocket. Ingumbé? What? No. Charles, the house was dark. My men found the Colonel lying dead in a phone bush. I found the Colonel's lady, poor unhappy woman. At the screen door to the veranda, there was a strong smell of whiskey about. I turned my head away. On the direction of Anthony Ellis escape had brought you Lily and the Colonel by John Boehner starring Ben White as Charles Tempo, Paula Winslow as Lily, and Ramsay Hill as the Colonel with Dave Young and Luke Rubin. The special music for escape is composed and conducted by Lee Steven. Next week, on a paradise island, living in happiness and freedom, of the woman who lones you for what you are, is planning to take away your freedom and forever put an end to your happy life. So listen next week, when escape brings you Somerset mom's unusual story, vessel of wrath. Suspense are putting on two of their top shows of the season. Suspense presents William Shakespeare's Othello with Richard Whitmark as the star. And Lutz Radio Theater brings you Wait till the Sun shines Nellie with David Wayne and Gene Peters. Remember, that's on Monday night, Suspense and the Lutz Radio Theater on most of these same CBS radio stations. This is Roy Rowan speaking. And remember, America now wakes up to 3 million clock radio and listens most to the CBS radio network.