 signal gasoline let every traffic signal remind you you do go farther with signal gasoline yes you do go farther with signal the signal oil company and your neighborhood signal dealer bring you another curious story by the whistler tonight the return of the innocent and I know many things for I walked by night I know many strange secrets hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows yes I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak it's almost midnight behind the dark cold walls of the state penitentiary the warden and the chaplain father Maloney have just about finished the last of a series of weekly talks with Phil Carter a series of Saturday night which have been occurring for ten years this is Phil Carter's last night as a prisoner and he listens to the chaplain prays the many good things Phil has done for the men inside these walls you've raised the morale of the men here by 50 percent increase the quality of the food and the quantity without a raise in budget from the state thank you father Maloney you've instituted recreational and vocational reforms that haven't did you to every man in the place your warden yes indeed father Phil is a wizard with figures an economic wizard everything he did he figured out first on a piece of paper Phil I had a talk with the governor today I don't know what you're planning to do but well if you'd like to stay on here we can make it more interesting stay on warden don't you think 15 years here has been enough yes I know what you mean I've spent 20 years behind these walls myself well if you decide after you look around outside that you want to come back there's a good salary waiting for you Phil what are your plans my boy why father why do you ask that you know the warden and I have been talking about you for a long time now we're convinced that you came here an innocent man we believe in you no man with your attributes your character could be a thief a juggler of books and accounts that's right Phil we think you were framed but we're worried about your leaving we feel well that you might get yourself into some some real trouble and come back to us in a way we we wouldn't like to see and you're offering me this permanent job with the state because you think I figured out who railroaded me and will seek revenge on that person well now we well I have figured it out I know now who really did it I know who was responsible for my spending 15 years here but gentlemen on my word of honor I won't touch a hair of that person's head when I get tired of roaming around I may accept your offer as director of prison economy but I doubt it I've had enough of prison for one lifetime midnight Phil you're a free man cars waiting to take you to the station thanks good night gentlemen and please don't worry about me all my intentions are of the best whistler fans can you answer this question who brings you the whistler I hope you said signal oil company because we have the cast have a little favor we hope you'll do for us you see radio survey show that the whistler has been getting more and more popular each week until today no program on the west coast has more listeners than the whistler that's mighty good news we hope it means you're really enjoying this program if so then as a favor to us won't you please tell your neighborhood signal dealer that you enjoy the whistler probably you already know your signal dealer if not my bet is you'll agree he's a good man to know because being in business for himself he does the most conscientious job he can in servicing cars and today with his thorough experience plus finer quality signal product he's doing a great job helping today's aging cars run better and last longer yes and he'll be mighty pleased to know you enjoy the program he's bringing you so won't you drop in this week and tell your signal dealer you enjoy the whistler he'll appreciate it and we have a cast will appreciate your favor and now the whistler oh you know now Phil Carter who the person is who caused you to spend 15 years in prison for something you did not do is Jeff Gilroy isn't it you and Jeff Gilroy were junior members of your brother Alan Carter firm you and Jeff Gilroy kept the books but you were normally the head bookkeeper so the shortages and the juggling pointed to you Phil didn't they now Jeff is dominating the business and your brother as well and soon Alan will be out on the street nothing can be proved against Jeff there will be no evidence after 15 years Jeff has undoubtedly seen to that you might as well forget it just drop into the office and see your brother Alan Gilroy and Carter no Mr. Gilroy is not in Gilroy and Carter no Mr. Carter is not in at the moment you'll be back in half an hour oh pardon me miss Mr. Carter not in on Mr. Gilroy no Mr. Carter is out for a while and Mr. Gilroy has gone to see his doctor oh isn't Mr. Gilroy feeling well no Mr. Gilroy has had a number of attacks lately and he's been visiting the doctor several times that's who are you why I've been Mr. Jones I had an appointment with him well he never returns to the office when he goes to the doctors I presume he's gone to doctor what is his name doctor Dr. Benton yes Dr. Benton he's in the in the Hellman building he's a specialist I think specialist oh of course Dr. Benton in the Hellman building I'll try to catch him there well if you care to see Mr. Alan Carter he'll be back in a short while no thank you if I miss Mr. Gilroy I'll come back in the morning good day Jeff Gilroy is not well visiting a specialist and what kind of a specialist the telephone directory lists Dr. Benton as a cardiologist a heart specialist so you stand staring for a few moments something is going through your mind what is it a few minutes later you're standing in the third floor hall of the Hellman building a man comes out of Dr. Benton's office it's Jeff Gilroy yes there he is Phil a man you hate Jeff Gilroy puffy and fat from too much high living but you turn aside he doesn't see you as he steps into the elevator and disappears then another minute or so and you Phil Carter are standing in Dr. Benton's consultation room that's strange I mean the Gilroy well I was told my brother Jeff had come here I just arrived in town haven't seen him for 15 years or more they said at his office that he was here yes he left just a few minutes ago oh well I'm quite disturbed about the sign on your door are you a heart specialist doctor I am but there's never been anyone in our family afflicted with heart trouble how serious is it Jeff Gilroy is in a bad condition myocarditis inflammation of the heart muscle what can be done about it he's a stubborn man not that anything can be done about it is his blood pressure is most alarming he works too much and drinks too much and if he doesn't get away from his office and take a rest very soon you'll go out like a light and he's overweight too you mean he's liable to drop dead yes yes a few minutes ago I was able to impress him sufficiently so that he promised to take it easier well thanks doctor I'll see if there's something I can do about that good afternoon well as it had done it smile on your lips as you leave the doctors this is what might be called poetic justice isn't it Phil Jeff Gilroy liable to drop dead at any moment it's more than you'd hope for but can you leave it at that Phil after all the hours of hating him can you leave it at that no Phil Carter steps into a telephone booth and makes a call a call to Jeff Gilroy's home just a short talk with old David the butler but it'll be enough won't it Phil you'd like to be there when Jeff arrived wouldn't you good evening Mr. Gilroy how do you feel I don't know David always seem to feel worse when I visit that specialist thanks only does try to scare me to thinking I'm falling apart mentally and physically well you have had several bad attacks lately sir oh boss you're as bad as that specialist forget it anybody call yes there was a gentleman from the insurance company called this afternoon insurance company what insurance company I don't know sir he said the office informed him you'd gone home for the afternoon what did he want he wanted to tell you that his company couldn't issue that policy on your life why on my life I haven't applied for a policy he said to tell you that a hundred thousand was a large policy and they'd found it necessary to check up on your condition and learned that you were much too bad a risk because of your heart condition who was this man did he tell you yes he told me and he told me the name of his company but I can't remember either sir I thought you'd know about it I found you David you're an old fool I should have gotten rid of you years ago sorry sir hundred thousand dollar policy and they checked on my condition give me that phone Jeffrey Gilroy just what do you mean by shooting your mouth off to other people about my so-called heart condition what have you told my partner Alan Carter about my condition I had a brother that man was an investigator from an insurance company who would want to take out a hundred thousand dollar policy on get over here now delayed me Jeff I couldn't have come any faster well what's wrong with you your face is red as fire why should not be what do you mean by trying to take up an insurance policy on my life without consulting me what kind of a scheme of you got up your sleeve I am insurance policy on you why should I attempt to do anything like that you figure it was an easy way to pick up a hundred thousand well I'll tell you this much I'm going to outlive you what do you think of that Jeff you're absolutely out of your mind I don't even know what you're talking about now take it easy an insurance investigator went to that specialist I've been visiting the man posed as my brother and got the dope from the doctor that I had heart trouble I didn't know that now and the insurance agent called here and explained that they couldn't issue a policy on my life well if I took it out or applied for a policy why would they call you wouldn't they call me about that huh well I never thought of that I certainly didn't apply for a policy I know you're in a bad condition but such a thought never occurred to me so you think I'm in a bad condition any fool could see that you're too stubborn to take a rest you won't listen to anyone not even a specialist and if you haven't applied for a policy why did that insurance agent call here who was he what company I don't know that stupid old David can't remember Jeff Jeff you're shaking like a leaf come on man buck up and I've got the strangest feeling of sort of a premonition premonition of what I don't know I don't know how to express it disaster disaster concerning yourself or the business myself and it isn't my heart condition that worries nonsense you're imagining things Jeff come on let's go down to the club we'll mix with some other boys and try to forget all this it'll do you good all right I'll go I'm even stay at the club for the night I I don't know why but I don't want to stay in this place all alone you were afraid to be alone Jeff I don't know what's come over me but I'm going to stay at the club well Phil Carter it's too bad you couldn't have been listening in on that scene between your brother Alan and his partner Jeff Gilroy you'd have known just how well your plan was developing but your guess is pretty good then you're determined to follow it through anyway you sit across from Jeff's home and watch the two men leave you follow them to the club and later you watch Alan leave Jeff stayed at the club you found that out until you wait until you're sure he's in bed hello who is this hello what what do you mean by calling up in the middle of the night what is all this stop it stop it hello do you hear stop it I'm a sick man you can't do this to me stop it God's sake what are you doing who is this hello who is this hello I haven't slept a wink all night somebody's been calling me getting me up and then just laughing until I'm nearly frantic I don't know what's going on like driving Alan I'd like to but I know didn't recognize your voice you always did talk enough like Alan to fool people if you wanted to even Jeff and he fooled all right because he's headed for the Carter Lodge in the mountains where Phil Carter is waiting yes you've arranged quite a reception haven't you Phil with a roaring log fire in the fireplace and everything very pleasant for a stormy day like this one then you disconnected the telephone didn't you so Jeff's rest won't be disturbed and took a single 38 cartridge from the ammunition box next to the gun rack so you're all ready when the hired limousine pulls up around three o'clock in the afternoon and Jeff is there but then you don't greet him do you know you let him wander around calling for Alan and wondering Alan Alan where are you it takes him several minutes to find the notes you left gone to the village for supplies back in a few hours Alan Jeff walked about nervously for a while and at last becoming exhausted he drops in a chair and falls into a fretful sleep two hours pass Jeff jumps up with a start after searching the place see if Alan has arrived rushes to the phone hello hello hello dad is adorn it then then what's the matter with you put down that rifle you know me I'm Jeff Gilroy I knew a Jeff Gilroy I watched the funny thing no looked a little like you I'm the same Jeff Gilroy you crazy Ben well now how did you know my name was Ben I'm Jeff Gilroy now put up that gun I'm nervous enough as it is where's Mr. Carter Carter Alan Carter certainly my partner why he's in his office he's not at his office he's here he ain't seen him when did he get here Mr. Gilroy he called me at 10 o'clock this morning and asked me to come up here he called from here why how could he do that how long is this phone been out of order he's out of order at least why is it warranted 12 o'clock noon today I called Mr. Carter at his office at noon at noon from this phone why sure I wanted to know if he was planning to come up here the next three days I wanted to visit my sister in the village and and what did he say he wouldn't be up here for a couple of weeks who built that big fire watch I thought you did no I didn't well I gotta run along now you want me I'll be at my cabin half mile up the mountain just up the main road and turn off when you come to the big signal oil station and see you in the morning good night Phil watches Jeff Gilroy's nervous pacing about the room for a while then he reconnects the phone wire slips to the upstairs phone and calls his brother Alan in the city hello Alan did you get that note suggesting you check over the financial affairs of your company instead of playing so much golf yes I got it but have you checked on those affairs yet yes I have who is this I'm the man you wouldn't believe 15 years ago I'm the man you prosecuted I'm your brother Phil I'm in town I've been out a few days how does it feel to find out you prosecuted the wrong man there was no proof 15 years ago Alan now I'm going to get the proof myself so long Alan Phil out of the stairs and enjoys himself by watching Jeff Gilroy's increasing tension his heavy labored breathing Jeff is terribly worried he manages to place more wood on the fire but tries his best to keep away from the window about 8 30 office well he asked me to come up here to the lodge I've been at the lodge all day what did you leave for a week or more but you called me from here this morning what's the matter with you Jeff I just called the club and they told me where you are you out of your mind I don't know Alan I don't know but I just feel that's it that's what's been going on it's Philly's after me what are you talking about he hates me thinks I had something to do with this prison sentence Alan I can't stay here alone come and get me come and get me do you hear Alan Alan hello hello that's a gun in your pocket I know please don't just take that chair facing the fireplace sit down and try to relax or can you relax in your last hour as Jeff hours look they listen to me I get down yes yes they're I'm sick man feel a sick man and you won't mind perhaps what's going to happen you're going to sit there and I'm going to stand here in front of the fire and you're going to tell me all about it a confession is sometimes good for one soul confession what are you talking about don't play innocent Jeff not after those 15 years I spent too late to play innocent Phil Phil honestly I don't know what you're talking about I'm the exact on stroke 12 I'm going to put a bullet through you Jeff no and you know why no Phil no no you know you can't go on Jeff talk you be talk talk it's starting to strike 12 you've only got a few more seconds to start talking go on Jeff go on tell me all about it no tell me how you sent an innocent man to prison for a crime you come in no Phil no no I didn't you're wrong please feel you gotta listen to me confession or not Jeff you're going to die in a few seconds I've waited 15 years for this Phil no no Phil I didn't know 11 please now Jeff now I didn't even touch you not a hair on your head so we'll return in just a moment with a strange ending of tonight's tale meantime the office of war information has asked signal oil company to inform car owners there will be 40 percent fewer new tires for civilian drivers during April May and June than during the past three months and President Roosevelt has warned that the only way to be sure your car will be kept running is to make your present equipment last fortunately tires can be retreaded more than once if the inner carcasses in sound condition small injuries should be repaired promptly before they spread and weaken the tire the tread must not be worn too thin before retreading because surveys show that three out of every four tires today need either some kind of repair or retreading you'll be wise to have your tires thoroughly inspected your signal gasoline dealer being a trained expert at tire care will not only be glad to inspect your tires but he's completely equipped for all types of tire repair and retreading all of the top quality that the name signal stands for but most important don't put off this tire service until your car is laid up plan now to make your tires last by having them signal service this week and now back to the whistler Bill Carter you accomplished your purpose didn't you you avenged your injustice and still kept your promise to the warden Jeff Gilroy is dead and you didn't touch your hair on his head now you only dropped that 38 cartridge into the fire where it exploded harmlessly but was it it was enough too much for Jeff's heart it wasn't exactly murder was it except you did know his heart was weak another thing Phil didn't it surprise you a little the fact that Jeff wouldn't confess didn't that make you stop and wonder a little it should have but then you found that out soon enough was just a few minutes after 12 you were just about to leave the lodge when your brother Allen arrived you were in the hallway and he didn't see you but he saw Jeff slumped over the chair in front of the fire and as he walked up you saw the gun he had in his hand all right Jeff don't move just give it to me quick what is this that you and Phil are trying to pull but you were pretty smart didn't you getting me up here on a trick like this I came but I'm ready for you if you too think you can pin that embezzlement on me after all these years and all the trouble I've taken to cover up I'll kill you both before I'll admit anything you can't prove a thing neither of you you hear me you can't prove a thing on me here you Alan he's dead stay where you are you needn't be afraid of me I won't do anything to you you killed him the coroner's jury will say he died of a heart attack but you frightened into death yes for something he didn't do something you did I don't worry Alan it doesn't matter anymore for 15 years I've hated the wrong man now there's nothing left I won't cause you any trouble you needn't shoot me or worry about me what do you mean I'm going back back to prison yeah they offered me a job there I just killed a man I'm going back the rest of my life it's really where I belong you know bring you another strange tale the whistler is broadcast for your entertainment by the marketers of signal gasoline and motor oil and fine quality automotive accessories and by your neighborhood signal dealer this program directed by George W. Allen with story by J. Donald Wilson music by Wilbur hatch is transmitted to our troops overseas by the armed forces radio service this is Marvin Miller speaking and suggesting you let every traffic signal remind you you do go farther with signal gasoline yes you do go farther with signal to CBS the Columbia broadcasting system