 The signal oil company is bringing you the whistler Today we will tell you a tale of avarice and greed the awful price John Hendricks paid for selling his soul to the devil the story of death demands a payment But first if you'll bear with me for a moment I'd like to make a suggestion about your car because right now. It's a very valuable possession One you won't be able to replace until six months or a year after the war Keeping your present car running is dependent on current lubrication More so than most people realize When you leave your car anywhere handy and just say grease it you're likely to find later That's certain hard to find lubrication points have been missed and in these times even minor repairs can lay a car up for days If lubrication fails on parts you can't repair or replace then you're really out of luck Doesn't seem worth that much worry, does it? Especially when getting acquainted with a convenient signal dealer can relieve you of it He knows his stuff uses the auto manufacturers own lubrication chart in taking care of your car In fact checks every lubrication point twice You see he's not just an attendant But an independent businessman in his community with a genuine interest in keeping his customers cars and service I think you find it pleasant and profitable to have him count you as one of his regular So stop by next week for a really correct lubrication job or anything else on which your signal dealer can help you out I believe you'll thank me for the tip and now I am the whistler And I know many things for I walked by night. I know many strange tales Many 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 That huge sprawling stone structure surrounded by high gray wall appears against the storm-lashed lightning-street night sky The state penitentiary in a cell in this dismal building sit two men One is John Hendricks a man of 60 a lifer Sentenced ten years ago for the murder of his wife and stepson Murdered Martha and her simple-minded son for the ten thousand dollars. She kept hidden in the big house on the outskirts of town John Hellmate is one Bill Smith otherwise known as number 10 14 Bill has changed in the five years. He's been here. He's decided to go straight if he ever gets out Bill Smith started reading here reading philosophy and so forth Bill Smith has changed But John Hendricks hasn't changed not Hendricks because he has a plan He has a clever plan in mind Well, well, I got to say Bill is that I think you're crazy not to make the try with me It's a matter of opinion. It's all fixed not a chance of a slip-up. Yeah, don't tell me you got the break fixer the ward What difference does make who it is as long as the whole thing is set? Hendricks, I think Yeah, I'm getting out of this place. I got a reason a good reason I got something waiting for me outside something that belongs to me I'm the only one that knows where it is. I'm getting out of here You're in here for a long time Bill. You don't want to make the try with me You can stay in the rock Well, you do find this money hidden away on the old lady this thing. What good will it do you? You killed her and her stepson to get it didn't I did not I didn't kill anybody say it ain't true But I know where the money is. Okay You can break out you can have the money, but I've done a lot of thinking and reading since I've been here You've gone soft maybe so but this much I do know if I ever do get out Different yeah You just got religion I get exactly what's coming and believe me and it's so would you You'll break out. They'll have your back one way or another What you see? Well, I'm going so you watch and see just watch And now another night several months later another storm Lonely country roads a car The southern part of the state that village we passed a few miles back that silent sleeping village was Mars and And that small stone building was the county courthouse the courthouse where John Hendricks was tried and convicted For the murder of his wife and her simple-minded son Henry We're on the outskirts of town now a young man is driving the old car and there's a girl beside him Motor trouble there just ahead of light. Yeah, it's a little crossroads store There's a line inside George, but I don't see anybody It's close. We'd better drive on yeah, I guess you're right John Well, we're having motor trouble and driving around on a night like this. We're on our way where Oh, Mr. Is there an inn or something around here where we can stay for the night in There's a place by eight miles up the road. They'll probably put you up Dying on the left-hand side road. You can't miss it So it's pretty bad though and range got to be careful. You find yourself walking. Thank you. We'll try it Good night. Good luck. You need the lock Storm is increasing now. It's a little car lurches and bounces and it's like the center of the highway Maybe five and look there it is straight ahead on the right side of the road a blue light That's it Wait, George. Did the old man say on the right side or the left side of the road? What's wrong? I don't know the distributor must have gotten wet George what blue light was It's gone Where is it? We must have passed. Oh, we couldn't have I was looking right at it It's been so it just disappeared into thin air. I'd better turn in here. It's motor won't last much longer What I guess no I I can't see a thing. Can you it's certainly a desperate looking place? There there must be a house back in there Well, there it is There's a driveway 20 feet ahead. Yeah, well this motor's about to conk out. We better drive in and see what we can find Yeah, drive in George. You'll find something That's right Through the gate Make the curve hurry There goes your motor a little more now Just made it Thank heaven. Yeah That's right. Always thank heaven at a time like this All right Get out and go up on the porch Let me help you, John. Well, I'm all right What do we do with the bag? We leave them here until we find out if there's anyone here. Come on Gee this place looks completely deserted. I don't think anyone will leave us here I don't either Oh, let's go. Where'd I get my flashlight? No, there's no bell that I can see Maybe you're right. Maybe it is deserted. Then why should they have a light on the route they're watching? That is strange, isn't it? But I wonder why it went out just as we reached it. I wonder Oh, George, let's don't knock. I don't like this place. Let's go on. How? With a dead motor? Where could we go? No, I'll not Well, all right That's right Knock George knock Go ahead louder Again, just gotta have shelter yet. We we can't stay in that car any longer Can we? No Great nurse Give it come Now you're on your own, George On your own Well, um Our car. Yes, our car's stolen. We can't go any farther. It's such a terrible night out that we thought we could stop here for the evening Yeah, right. Yes. We we saw your lighting slide What line? Well the blue neon out in the sun. There is no line View room? Yes, there is a room Well, uh, could we come in? I mean we're awfully wet out here You may come in If you wish Oh Thank you It's quite a relief. We were afraid you'd closed up on the night. Thanks to all the lights around Are the lights out? Yes, you see What's the lights around? Oh I didn't know You You do take tourists Well, yes, that's that's what they told us Who told you? The man The old man of the little star back at the crossroad told us Little star Yes, it's the crossroad about five miles back. You you know where the crossroad is There is no star at the crossroad There is Well, uh, look madam, would you mind going on a light? I can't see a thing We have no light here No, no light. Give me a flashlight, Joan. She means that there's no electricity there No, there is no light here So to flash around there must be a lamp. No, don't make a lie We see where in the dark We? Who's we? Is there someone else in the house? My son Oh, oh, well, he's gone to bed Be standing beside you Is that who? You Son Give me that flash. You've got it. You've got it. Oh, yeah She was how long you've been standing here, bub Since you came in That's all well, I didn't see you You make a noise like a spook Who are you? It's George Kimball. This is my wife, Joan. We're on our way west Traveller Oh No, no, no, let him talk. He's quiet enough. Uh, how how long have you folks been living here? How about closing the door? Of course it is Look madam, there's a candle on that table over there by the fireplace Yes, and if you don't mind, I'm gonna light it And wait a minute, if you want us to stay here, I insist that we have some light You you do want us to stay here then Yes, mother What are you looking at me for? Yes, mother Yes, mother Oh, George, let's go. I don't want to stay here tonight. This place doesn't look good to me There has been no good here for many years Is it what I mean, George? I don't get it. You don't seem to want us to meet your son there. How do you make any money that way? We don't make money You don't? You mean you haven't had any guests lately? No Not for many years Well, you can't expect any if you act like this But we do expect a guest Don't we, son? Yes, mother You certainly have a surprise coming Yes, we have How many rooms have you? There are many rooms, but only one Only one? Oh, that doesn't make sense. What do you mean? Only one parking Well, you mean only one if quit? Yes Well, then if you've got a reserve for this guest you expect, what are we gonna do? There isn't any farther along the road They have rooms, they will take you It will be there All right But our distributor got wet so the car won't even run Where is your car? Right there at the further step I see no car You don't? Quite standing right there Look, it is gone Where and how? I didn't hear a sound Oh, it must have rolled ahead Oh, you lied around No, it's silent Say, what goes on here? Son, yes, mother, you moved the car Yes, mother, why? You I understand, son, I understand Now wait a minute, your son moved it? Well, how could he? The motor won't run and he would Oh, we didn't hear a sound How'd you move it? Here we are in a place where they don't want us and no way of leaving Well, you've got us on your hands now You have to make the best of it Oh, no, George, we'll leave Oh, nothing, this is all silly Now come on, let's have some light and cut the monkey bit Wait, son, what have we decided? Yes, mother, we've decided yet Very well, if you wish If you wish you may stay Stay until Until when? All night Yes, mother If you wish Well, that's better, now that's more like it Now I like this camp It looks deserted, it looks like an old cellar Well, how about the room? Do we get it or the guest you're expecting? There is another room that we'll loop around Well, could we see it? By the way, how much do you charge? We charge nothing You charge nothing? Sounds silly, but it's a break for us We're running short anyway Let's see the room Very well, it is up to you After you, ma'am No, you go first Very well, come on, John Bring another camp Come, come, come Yes, ma'am I'd never thought so much dust They must like it, you know Nice, cleaned up That room, not the head of the stand Well, this room's well furnished Is this the room reserved for your expected guest? No What you said, you only had one room furnished Who sleeps here? This is my room Was your room? I stay here now Oh, I see Or do I? It's a nice soft bed It was always comfortable We leave you now Come, son, we must leave them alone now Yes, ma'am Leave them alone Good night Good night You will lock your door Huh? Oh, oh yeah We'll lock it Goodbye Did she say good night? Or goodbye? I don't know I thought she said She, she did say goodbye Oh, what a screwy outfit Boy, I wish we hadn't had car trouble Well, that's what we get for trying to drive in the rain How much money have we left? Not very much There's nothing to get to Los Angeles The way I figure But once we get there, I know there'll be a job for me Ah, we'll make it, don't you worry You'll see me in a nice job in Hollywood I'm not worried about seeing you in Hollywood No? No I'm just worried about seeing you in, in the morning But later, it's midnight Another car on the same road You know who it is It's John Hender And you know where he's going He turns in at our deserted mansion Up the driveway and stops Slips up the step Opens the door And throws his flash about the dusty room The cobwebs glistening the beam A few moments And the light comes to rest on the fireplace He steps quickly to the mantle Draws a small hammer and a chisel from his pocket And sets to work, removing a brick Now he's finished, the brick is loose He reaches in and withdraws a heavy yellow envelope He starts to put it in his pocket But suddenly freezes in his tracks He can't move He turns icy cold Turn around, Hendricks Turn around, look At the foot of the stairs across the room Stands a woman holding a candle And beside her a grinning youth Holding an axe Turn around, Hendricks Look at their heads covered with blood Turn around John Hendricks Murderer John Hendricks Thief Martha Yes, John Henry Yes, John No We've come for you, John The pain where you came for us And we're waiting for you, John You've come back for the money We've been waiting We've come to pay you, John No, no, no, please don't come near me, please You must suffer, John I've suffered, I've suffered Not enough, John, not enough I didn't mean to do it, I didn't plan to kill you I went mad, I lost my head No, no, no, no, don't come near me You can have the money, you can have the money You must have the money, you can have the money You must have the money and you must take John No, no, no, there is the money in the floor John, no, please Don't come near me, John We must have John Oh, my head, oh my head No, you don't understand Don't come any closer, no come any closer please No, no, no, no, no No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I heard a scream. It's downstairs. So did I. In short. I'll open the door. It must have been downstairs. I don't see a thing. Here. Here's your flashlight. Look. A man down there on the floor. Come on. I don't see a mark on him. Oh, let's get out of here. Oh, I'll say. Come on. No, you don't. Then where you are? You're hurt, you cop. What's going on here? Hand over that gun. Right. What are you doing here? I was, we're stopping here. That is, we're just leaving. I can see that. You know this man on the floor? No. Yes, yes. Joan, what's the matter with you? Oh, no, no. We don't know him. Take a look at him for me. Yes, sir. What are you two doing here? Well, we're, we're guests. Yes, we're, we're both guests. Yes. Who's guests? Well, guests. Lodges, tourists. Guests of the old lady. What old lady? The old lady who lives here. The old lady and her son. Well, you'll have to cook up a better one than that. What do you mean? Drive here. Where's your car? Why, the son took it. And? Old lady? What are you jogging about? They live here. They said they owned this place. We, we had motor trouble and they put us up for the night. What about him, Frank? He isn't dead. Breathing. Looks like he had a stroke or something. Hmm. Him all right. John Hendrick. Take a look around to see if there's anyone else here. No, no, no. No, no, no. No, no, no. No, no, no. No, no, no. I don't think there's anyone else here. Yes, sir. You. What's your name? George Kimball. This is my wife. We're on our way to California. Do you know who this man is? Certainly. We've been on his trail. He's an escaped convict. Is your gun? No, sir. Did he shoot at you? No, sir. Well, this gun's been fired. We heard shots as we turned in the driveway. Ah. Look at the bullet holes near the ceiling. Hendrick's probably missed whoever he shot at because of the stroke. Oh, Frank, what'd you find? Nothing inside of anyone, sir. Nothing but dust and cobwebs. Ah. Look, Kimball, you said there was a no lady and her son here. Why, sure. They were here all evening. They're not here now. Well, they let us in and showed us to our room. They certainly were here. What, uh, what do you know lady look like? Well, she had gray hair and wore kind of a house dress and an apron. What'd the boy look like? Oh, he was a big kid. I'd say about 20 had a round rosy face. In fact, I know he was kind of simple-minded. He had a strange laugh. Oh, yes, and he had red hair. Well, I'll be darned. What do you think of that, Frank? Collie, give me the creeps. Why so? Do you know who you've just described? No. The old lady and her son are used to live here. Used to live here? Yes. They were murdered here 10 years ago. What? Murdered? Sure, sure. This man on the floor was her husband. The boy stepped on it. He was trying for killing them with a knife and stealing her money and bonds. Now put second degree because of lack of evidence. We escaped her. We could go ahead of this way. We've been on this trail ever since he entered this county. So you see, Kimmel, if there was anybody else here tonight, it must have been a figment of your imagination. This house has been deserted for 10 years. Oh, George. Good Lord. Look, Darkin, I found this envelope on the dining room floor there. Well, what do you know? The barns. Old Martha Hendricks barns. That's why Hendricks came here. Yeah, look around. We'll probably find the money, too. But where did they go, the old lady? No place. Because they weren't here, Kimmel. Well, we better get them out of here and back to 840. Yeah, wait a minute. Don't leave us. Well, you won't. You're coming along, too. Why? We don't need you for a day or two. Now let's get going, Frank. Come on. But where did they go? We saw them. We know they were here. Well, you certainly described them to a T, but oh, don't worry too much about it. You know, things like this can drive you nuts. You know what I mean? Things like this. Well, things like this sometimes just just happen. You know what I mean? No. Well, oh, come on. Come on. Let's go before I get the heebie-jeebie. We'll finish his strange tale in just a moment. While we're waiting for his explanation, here's an interesting statement from a military expert about the gasoline we're all doing without. If you've been to several gas stations and found them out, you'll appreciate it. This military authority says, quote, we're fighting a war of engines. The side which keeps the most tanks and trucks rolling, the most planes flying will win. This takes many more engines than we had to keep running in peacetime. And some of these military motors burn a gallon of gas a minute. The oil industry's job is to keep the fuel tanks of these engines full. It's a tremendous job. Many men are doing everything they can to increase production. But over 53% of all the gasoline produced must now go into military use, unquote. The Signal Oil Company brings you these facts so that when your signal dealer can't fill her up as they used to, you can better appreciate how the gallons you're doing without are helping carry us down the road to victory. Another way by which America's unequal resources are winning this war. Now, the whiffler. That's because he planned it. Yes, he had learned all the dope from Hendricks, and he sent his towel, the phony spooks, to get the money when Hendricks recovered it. You see, he didn't want to hurt John. He wanted to scare him out of it. Remember, Bill 1014 said he had changed. He said he'd never do things the way he'd done them before. And he didn't. But he hadn't changed. I know. Next week, same time, I, the whiffler, will return to tell you another unusual story. Good night. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.