 In this cave by the restless sea, we are met to call from out the past stories strange and weird. Bellkeeper, hold the bell, so all may know we are gathered again in the weird circle. Of the past, phantoms of a world gone by speak again the immortal tale. Markheim. Feel safe, don't you Markheim? You feel safe and fat and secure, don't you Markheim? Sitting all alone before the fireplace in your uncle's drawing room. But you're not alone Markheim. I'm with you, with you all the time. Invert your eyes Markheim and look within you. Invert them if you can and then perhaps you will see me. I love to watch you thus at rest Markheim. Safe and fat and secure. For then you are so much my servant. Stir Markheim, stir. Just when I was relaxing so nicely. Answer it Markheim, answer it. Oh that instrument is a minister of peace. Arise Markheim and do answer the phone. Can't found it. Get up Markheim, get up and answer that phone. Hello. Hello, is Markheim there? Speaking, who's this? Rogers. Rogers? For heaven's sakes man. What's the matter? I told you never to call me here. Suppose my uncle answered the phone. Oh listen Markheim, I'm your broker not your nurse mate. Well, what do you want man? Quickly, one of the servants may come back. Your stock has dropped. I'll need money within the hour. Stock? Rogers look, let's not talk about this over the phone. I'll come over right away. You may not have time Markheim. Oh, how much will you need? I'll try to raise it at once. Six thousand. Six thousand? So much? You knew the hazards when you bought on Markheim? If I don't have the money within the hour, I'll have lost everything. Within the hour. Within the hour. Six thousand. Six thousand. All right. All right, I'll try to raise it at once. Six thousand. Within the hour. Where am I going to get it? Come now Markheim. There is a way you know. Where am I going to get it? Let me help you Markheim. Where am I going to get six thousand dollars? Let me suggest something to you Markheim. Look around the room. Nothing in this room is worth six thousand dollars. The wall Markheim. The wall. A portrait of my uncle. Oh, I couldn't ask him. Even if I could reach him within the hour. If he ever knew I was speculating. Not the portrait Markheim. Behind the portrait. Behind the portrait. Wait a minute now. There is a possibility after all. You're in deep already Markheim. What have you to lose? I'm in deep already. What have I to lose? Stir Markheim. Stir. Still, maybe it would be better to lose all that stock. And forget about it. Move Markheim. Move. Oh, why do I get into such dilemmas? Get up Markheim. Get up and move. What a devil. Now if I can only lift this picture off the wall. Heavy. Found it. Set it down. There. There it is. Ah. Bet the old fella doesn't even guess that I know about this wall safe. Put your fingers up to the dial Markheim. Or the combination either. Put your fingers up to the dial and twist it Markheim. True to the right. All the way around and stop at eight. All the way around to the left. Past eight and stop at four. There it is. Now put your hand into the safe. Yes. There's the money. A small fortune. But I'll take just enough. Six thousand and wonderful paper money. Throw out the money Markheim. I've got it. Quickly now Markheim. Quickly. Close the door of the safe and put back the picture. That's the way Markheim. Rush into the street. And through the city. Taxi. Taxi. Quickly. Quickly. My taxi. Swift and short. Now into the brokers building Markheim. Up to his office. Place the money in his hand. Here's the six thousand Rogers. Oh quick work Markheim. Now you may return to your uncle's home. But with leisure Markheim. You may even walk if you wish. And you may cock your head at a jaunty angle. For luck was with you this afternoon. And you may smile. As you enter the drawing room once again. Oh hello nephew. Oh uncle. Did I surprise you my boy? Well yes sir. You're home early aren't you? Yes a little. Christmas Eve you know. It's hard to get work on the afternoon before Christmas Eve. I thought I'd have my lunch at home and remain. You're right uncle. The afternoon before Christmas Eve. Is no time for business. I'm glad we're of the same mind. Sit down. Sit down. Yes uncle. This room is so comfortable. Oh I hardly have time enough to enjoy it though. That's true uncle. It's a room to relax in. I love to come here and just sit. That's because the appointments were so carefully chosen. The furniture and the rods and the hanging. They all complement each other. Even that silly old portrait of me. Portrait? Oh yes. That portrait of you. It's not so silly uncle. An excellent likeness of you. Thank you for the compliment nephew. But I'd ask for your lying. Look at it. I see nothing wrong with it. It's crooked. Slightly off-center. Why yes it is. I'll fix it. Just a little push it. There it is. Is that all right? Yes that's fine. Fine thank you. You know that crooked portrait reminded me of something. Huh? Do you care to tell me? Oh it's nothing important. It just reminded me to take the picture down one of these days. Take it down? Why? Well nothing special just to dust it off a little shall we say? Perhaps I can help you. When are you going to take it down? Not today. And tomorrow is Christmas. The next day probably and I won't need any help my boy. No help at all. As you wish sir. And now I think I shall be going upstairs. I have a few gifts I still want to wrap. See you later then. Yeah. Oh now wait a minute. What was it I wanted to ask you about? Ask me? I wouldn't know uncle. Oh never mind. It's probably not too important if it slipped my mind. I'll call you if I remember. I'll see you later nephew. Goodbye for now sir. Good heavens. The day after tomorrow. The day after tomorrow. And you know why he's going to take that portrait down? He's sure to examine that safe carefully. What'll I do? Replace the money Markine. Where can I get six thousand dollars? Where can I get so much money by tomorrow? Think Markine. Think. What on earth the matter with me anyway? Each problem begets a new one. I wonder if there's any escape. Think Markine. Think. Oh nephew. Yes uncle. It just occurred to me. I can't find my ruby stick pin. Have you borrowed it? Why no. I never borrow it without your permission. No I say then I guess I must have lost it. Well never mind I'll speak to my insurance broker. I'm terribly sorry sir. One thing after another. Now where can I get six thousand dollars by tomorrow? Think Markine. Think. Where? Where? Where? The ruby stick pin Markine. Doesn't that suggest something to you? Now who would have so much money? The ruby stick pin Markine. Don't you remember? Don't you remember that afternoon? That afternoon you went to the dealer's shop on that side street downtown? That dirty little deserted side street? Don't you remember how quiet the place was? How all alone you both were? Yes. So you're back young man. I'm sure I'm welcome. You've made a tidy penny on me. Yes. And you should expect I would profit well. I think you profit much too well. Some of my customers are ignorant and then I touch a dividend on my superior knowledge. And some of them are? Some of them. Yes. Well some of them are dishonest. In that case I profit by my virtue. Frankly I need no preamble to our dealings. Let's get on. Yes indeed. Let us get on. What have you brought me now? Another curio from your uncle's cabinet? No. Not from my uncle's cabinet. I brought you this. And it's genuine. Let me assure you. Your assurance promises me nothing. But it is I tell you. Calm yourself. I trust my own eyes. It is genuine. Ruby stick. Very elegantly designed. How much will you give me for it? Three hundred. Why? You fool, that's worth at least a thousand. Does it matter whether I give you three hundred or three thousand? You lose it anyway. I'd rather enrich myself than some stock speculator. I'll not give it to you for three hundred. It's you who needs the money. Not I. But three hundred. I'll be generous. Four hundred shall we say. Very well. Since I have no choice, I'll take the four hundred. Good. Now you wait here. I'll go upstairs and fetch the money. You remember that, don't you, Mark Heim? You remember his exasperating gate up those stairs, to the floor above, to the room above, to the place where he kept his money. How easy it would be. I wonder if he's going to do that. I wonder if he has that much money up there now. How can you doubt it? Six thousand dollars is a lot of money. Does he have it? Suppose he has. How could I get it? He never leaves his shop. You know how, Mark Heim? He'd be in no way. How could I get it? You know how, Mark Heim? It would be so easy. Oh, I think I'll think about it later. I'm going to the kitchen to talk to the cook a while. Get my mind off it. Run away if you like, Mark Heim. You can't escape me. Go into the kitchen. I don't mind. I'm right with you, Mark Heim. I'm right with you. Hello there, Mrs. Cleary. What? Oh, you startled me, Master Mark Heim. I was buried in this newspaper. Didn't hear you come in. Say, what's so fascinating about that newspaper? I have a little time before the oven heats up, so I thought I'd read about that new murder. Murder? Yes, terrible thing, Master Mark Heim. The murderer used a knife. A knife? I guess it must be easy to commit murder with a sharp knife. Some people would run a knife into a man's body as easily as I wouldn't do that goose-sum cookin'. Uh, I just came in for a piece of cake, Mrs. Cleary. Cake? Oh, yes, over there. You've got to admit that sometimes it's easy to commit murder. Of course, the murderer might be caught, but it would be kind of easy, wouldn't you say? Especially with a sharp knife? That's it, Mark Heim. A sharp knife. So easy. So easy. The plan is formulating in your mind. Isn't it, Mark Heim? It should be easy. $6,000 at the stroke of a knife. But you won't carry it out, Mark Heim, while you sit in your uncle's drawing room. If I only keep my nerve, if I don't break it the last moment. You won't break, Mark Heim. I'll be with you. Oh, uh, Merry Christmas, Uncle. No. What's the matter, sir? Oh, yes, yes, yes. I said, Merry Christmas. It could be merry enough, you. I wish you wouldn't spend your leisure time in my drawing room. What? I won't, if you don't want me to. In fact, I forbid you to use this drawing room as your den. I forbid you to lounge here alone. I'm sorry, Uncle. What if I don't? I don't care to discuss it now, nephew. It's Christmas Day. But I would like a now with you tomorrow. Of course. Of course. There's much time as you like. Well, now, now I'd like you to leave me. I have some thinking to do. I must have done something terrible. All right. I'll leave. I'll go at once. He knows Mark Heim. I wonder if he's looked in his safe. He knows Mark Heim. You'll have to act swiftly now. If he's going to speak to me tomorrow, I'll have to get that money today. Today. Today. Here it is, Mark Heim. A dealer's house. Ring the bell. Don't hesitate, Mark Heim. Ring it. I can't. I can't kill him. Your uncle knows, Mark Heim. Ring the bell. Ring it. Again. Why does he delay? Well, what is it you want? Must you keep me out here in the cold? I was talking on the telephone. Now, what do you want? I'm not buying anything today. I haven't come to sell. Have you come to wish me a merry Christmas? No. I've come to buy a Christmas present for a lady. Why don't you go elsewhere? All the other shops are closed. It was a sudden invitation to dinner, and I mustn't go empty-handed. You'll be doing me a great favor, and I'm willing to pay double. Oh, well, come in. Come in. You're an old customer, after all, and I take it you're fond of the lady. Yes. Very. Well, far be it from me to stand in the way of a courtship. Thank you, sir. I appreciate it, especially when you're willing to pay double. Let me see. What have I got there? How do you like this mirror? 14th century warranted. Comes from a good collection, too. Mirror? Get it away from my face. Why not a mirror? Get it away from my face, I tell you. No. Not a mirror. Perhaps you see it as a reminder of past sins and follies. I don't like mirrors. They say a mirror often yields a reflection of one's inner self. Enough! Enough! Take it away, I tell you. Very well. Calm yourself. Perhaps this may suit you. There's silver compact here on the cell. I'll get it for you. Now, Mark Heim. Now. While his back is turned, the knife, Mark Heim, swing it with your whole arm swiftly, swiftly, with your whole arm, Mark Heim. There! Killed him. It is done, Mark Heim. It is well done. I've killed him. I must get out of here. Fool, where are you running? I can't remain. They'll find me here. I'll hang. The front door. I must get out. Stop. Do you want to destroy yourself? You cannot go out that door. Listen to what is happening on the other side of it. Listen. Well, here's the place, Gehardy. All right. You go on in. I wait outside. Now, don't be a grouch. This is Christmas Day and we're both going to present this turkey to the old man. He's the worst miser that ever lived. What does he know about Christmas? That doesn't matter. You agreed to walk down here, wouldn't you? Now, don't go away. I'm going to knock on the door. You see, there's no answer. Maybe he's not home. He never leaves. I'll try again. Hello. Hello. Are you coming out? You're making enough noise to raise the dead. Maybe he's asleep. Oh, come on. Let's go. No, no. I think I'll wait a while. I expect he'll get up soon, walk over and open the door. You can go if you like. Well, I guess I'll wait along with you. Did you hear that, Mark Heim? He's going to wait for the old man to get up and open the door. Such a joke. I must get out of here. You know he can't get up. Don't you, Mark Heim? The back door, the yard. I must get out of here. I've killed him. They'll find me and I'll hang. Stop running away, you fool. Are you going to forget your uncle and the safe behind his portrait? The back door to the yard. Stop where you are. Don't you hear those voices in the alleyway? Listen, they're saying something that concerns you. Let me see what you've got for Christmas. Oh, I've got lots of things. Any marbles? Sure, Billy. A whole bag full. I got them in my pocket. So did I. Want to play me? Well, sure. Play you right now. Where do we play? Well, I don't want to play in the gutter. How about the backyard? His backyard? Why not? Don't be scared of that old foggy. We'll keep on playing until the old man gets up and opens the door and hollers at us. Okay, on game. Did you hear that, Mark Heim? Until the old man opens the door and hollers at them. I'm trapped in this house. You know he can't get up. Don't you, Mark Heim? I'm trapped in this house. Stop lashing yourself, Mark Heim. You have done well this afternoon. And a great deal more lies ahead. Now come along. Up the stairs. Higher. And higher. And higher still. Up the stairs to the landing. And through the door, Mark Heim. Through the door. And into this room. Here's where the old dealer keeps his money. Now look carefully. Remember, 6,000 to replace in your uncle's safe. I must get that money. I must. Of course you must. It's safe up here. And quiet. So quiet, Mark Heim, with the door closed. Nothing to distract my search for the money. Hmm. This desk. Not there. Perhaps, perhaps behind this mirror. This full-length mirror, Mark Heim. It might, it might be behind that mirror. But, but I dare look at it, except with a corner of my eye. Why fear the mirror, Mark Heim? The money is right behind it. Now look at it. I'll look behind the mirror as a last resort. Look at it now, Mark Heim, with your full face. No. Look into the mirror, Mark Heim, squarely into the mirror. I, I should see my reflection. But, but I don't. Of course not, Mark Heim. You see me instead. Who are you? I am your evil genius, Mark Heim. You, you are the voice within my brain. You are the voice that has helped me to steal and helped me to murder. What, what do you want of me? I have spent too long cultivating you as my tool, Mark Heim, to give you up easily. Once you trembled the thought of theft. But I rid you of that fear. And this afternoon you reached the crisis. Murder. How? Let me alone. Please. I beg of you. Let me alone. What's that? A footstep. Someone's coming up those stairs. Hide, Mark Heim. Hide. It's the dealer. It can be no one else. The dead man's coming up those stairs. If only I knew how, how to pray. The door. How can I hide from a dead man? Good heavens, Uncle. Well, nephew. I expected to find you here. Uncle, how'd you know? How'd you know? The ruby stick pin. Yesterday evening it was missing and I thought you had borrowed it. I went into your room to look for it and found this on your dresser instead. The dealer's coming. Exactly. When you denied borrowing the stick pin, I telephoned him. He remembered the pin. But it was no shock, my boy. I've never really trusted you. I have nothing to say, Uncle. And later that evening I examined my safe behind the portrait. $6,000 were missing. Then when you spoke to me this morning, when you forbade me to stay in your drawing room alone, you knew. Yes, I knew. And when you left the house this afternoon, I knew you were trying to find money to replace what you took from the safe. Where could you go for money? There were some dealers. I see. So I telephoned him and asked him to call me. That is in case you should arrive. And he agreed and left the side door open. Then that's why he kept me waiting outside. He was talking to you. That's how it worked out. I hurried down here with a policeman. The worst I had expected was that you would be arrested for theft. And now it's for murder. Yes, and he's waiting for you downstairs. My nephew. Shall we go? Yes, I'll go with you. I'll go. But please, just one more moment of my life. I warn you, nephew, you cannot escape. I don't intend to. Put that vase down. What are you doing? I'm going to smash that mirror. Wait, Mark. Do not destroy me. I can help you get away. Your power is gone. You can't stop me from doing this. Now. Now I don't care about what's gaffled. Know what lies beyond it. I've broken the mirror. And in the time that remains, I shall have peace. From the time one painted of the past, we have brought you the story, Mark Hyde. Bell Keeper. Toll the bells.