 This is Orson Wells speaking from London the black museum the famous repository of death Here in the grim stone structure on the Thames, which houses Scotland yard is a warehouse of homicide Where everyday objects and earthenware parts of silver shilling typewriter ribbon all are touched by murder Four small bottles other familiar objects medicine bottles shining glass cork stopper The labels in neat clear handwriting such bottles are in the medicine cabinet of almost every home These were found Found one inspector to unsize the others can't be far. Yes here are two more one ounce capacity these Here's the fourth Innocent little things aren't they sir? Today those four small bottles have a place a very honored place in the black museum From the annals of the criminal investigation department of the London police We bring you the dramatic stories of the crimes recorded by the objects in Scotland Yards gallery of death the black museum Scotland Yards Museum of murder yes here lies death In these hundreds and hundreds of objects large and small Is the means to death a thousand methods of killing all neatly labeled to indicate who and what and where? There's a kitchen mop Longhandle gray with youth gray where the red brown stain fails to cover the gravestone Look closely at the harsh metal binds the strings of this utensil. Yes, this blade struck and struck again for the mop itself removed the traces of the crime Yeah, there's four small bottles Three of one ounce capacity one holds two ounces They mark a strange story a story out of the Edwardian era when man was still lord of all he surveyed and women were just beginning to demand equality To the ladies irreverent although I would prefer to shouldn't have been something slightly stronger than tea to the ladies my friend To listen to my husband Reverend who think he was old-fashioned and not an advanced thinker for this age I an advanced thinker why and but you are Oscar you really are but the risk of shocking you Reverend But then you're a young man and not I assume was easily sucked to some past is unknown I believe a man should have two wives Really? He means it Reverend listen to him. I believe a man needs two wives One to cook so and care for the household with the other to be a companion when a man needs intellectual Stibulation to lend beauty to the drawing room and grace and wit then you would give the latter education exactly and Since I am not allowed to wives. I chose the latter I don't know here Reverend you you don't know that I married and when she was very young and Sent into Brussels and then a French university for her education before installing her here as my wife Why why that's unheard of sir you are a pioneer in the field Oh, yes, mr. Oscar stone wholesale grocer and a man of means was truly advanced for his age the age of 1999 and very liberal in his philosophies In fact, he was so considerate of his wife and of the difference between her age and his own That he encouraged rather than look to scants at a companionship with the Reverend Edgar sweet A much much younger man than mr. Stone himself Edgar you've been a good friend to me these past months. I'm happy to hear you say so That is why well, I'm not hesitating to tell you something which I feel is rather Unfair tell me what it is Oscar has drawn his will. He's my friend my good friend I'd hate to see him pass on but every man must have his house in order Edgar. You don't understand Making the will is all right. It's what he's put in it go on my dear He has left me his entire estate Provided I never marry again. That is his right, you know, it's not his right He's afraid someone might marry me after he's gone for the money. He's only protecting you from fortune hunters and then Why did he give me an education if he doesn't think enough of me to let me protect myself a serpent in Eden perhaps Perhaps not But it is clear that the young lady had a will of her own and wanted to control her own destiny in any case the friendship ripened Not only between the two young people but between Edgar and Oscar as well Edgar my friend. I'm not well. I saw a doctor there. I am not well I can't believe it. You look fine fine the Debilitation of a but you're not old or 55 isn't old when you work As hard as I have for almost 50 of those 55 years well in any case I've decided to take a risk excellent Oscar. That's what you need an extended vacation I've made arrangements to go to the shore a month at the sea or to practically rejuvenate me I'll miss you Talks have been a great stimulus to my work and I thought it's well even pastors have vacations occasionally Occasionally we do of course so I reserved accommodations for you along with Anna myself, but I can't possibly Of course my guest you don't know how much I appreciate this Oscar, but I couldn't accept I'm sorry. I thought you were alone Oscar. I'm glad you came in and yet. I was telling Edgar We're going to the shore for a month I'm insisting that Edgar come along as my guest. How can I accept such an invitation kill him? You will find him as welcome as I will and of course. I'll find him welcome Oscar Edgar knows They compromised Edgar came for weekends the ripening of a friendship or the growth of a triangle a classic triangle Husband wife and the young man The summer ended Oscar and Dan returned to new lodgings in Pimlico and they took an additional room Edgar you like it bookcases A couch a fine desk all this room. How could I help liking it and in here Right next door. Edgar my boy. Welcome to your new lodgings now. We are not only friends We are neighbors really Oscar. I don't know. Are you there was more and rather interesting One afternoon while Oscar was at his doctor's office Of course, Ann What is it remember months ago? I told you about Oscar's will uh Oh, yes, I remember Why he took out that awful cloth if I want to I can marry anyone I please one day And you were the executor Everything was quite smooth quite quite smooth In fact, Oscar began to feel quite a bit better at least he said so and insisted that Edgar and Ann accompany him to a horse show Why do you love horses sir Oscar? Perhaps because I always wanted to ride and never learned. Oh, there's a fine animal He must be at least 16 hands high Edgar why don't you take Ann to the stalls to see her favorites? I'll just sit here a while I I guess I'm not as strong as I thought I was will you Edgar please you think you'll be all right here alone It's a picture, isn't it the elderly husband sitting on the bench watching the two young people stroll away What are his thoughts as he sees them disappear in the crowd? What would his thoughts have been if he'd heard their conversation? I'm dreadfully worried about Oscar He seems much better see shorted him good seems as the word He's not not really and What are you telling me that his doctor has confided to me? Oscar may not live out the year The next morning there were signs that Anne's words might become the truth She sent for the doctor a youngish man named Richards who lived some half a mile from the lodgings I don't like this mrs. Stone not at all Oh, oh dear you stop brightening my wife young man the truth, sir is the truth You're not well your stomach's in very bad shape Now I will prescribe for you and your wife will see that you take her medicine when you're mrs. Stone. Of course doctor The young doctor was very certain but not Oscar His pain continued Ann was obviously very upset She took Edgar a sign Edgar I want you to do something for me if I can I cannot see Oscar suffer the way he does at times. I I know a way to ease his pain, but I need your help. Of course I want you to buy me some chloroform Chloroform Yes A few drops on a handkerchief, and he will sleep easily I learned about it in the practical nursing classes in Brussels, but But dr. Richards will get you some. No He'll never believe. I know how to use it He has a palm note Please Edgar Edgar went to the nearest chemist shop What can I do for you reverend? I'd like a little chloroform Whatever for sir. I I understand it's good for taking out grease spots. Oh, yes. I suppose it is but be very careful with it Three more times. Edgar walked into chemist shops and bought a small amount of chloroform There are the three one ounce bottles and the one two ounce bottle Out of consideration for Anne's convenience, no doubt Edgar poured the contents of all the small bottles into a larger one And delivered the chloroform to Anne Quite suddenly Oscar became a whole lot better Landlord, I want to speak with the landlord. Yes, mr. Sloan How can I help you? I want to prepare a surprise for my wife and the reverend for tonight to you, sir New year's eve party some roast duck a bit of cold ham Some good cheese a bottle of champagne and a bottle of good brandy It's short notice mr. Stone But I'll do me best What'll you be eating? What everywhere? Everyone else eats And will they be surprised? Oh, I'm feeling wonderful for the first time in months And for breakfast tomorrow, see if your maid can find a had a large one I feel I shall be quite hungry in the morning Oscar wasn't hungry new year's morning Oscar was dead And today the four small bottles which played so large apart in his death Can be seen in the black museum It was a sad new year's day for an stone and a bewildering day for the reverend Edgar sweet Oscar stone husband and friend lay dead quite suddenly And after what seemed an indicated quick recovery But that was only the first event of January first 1910 Onto the scene strode an old man Oscar's 75 year old father Man met him at the door to the stone apartment Yes, yes, of course to cry all you want. I want to see my son He's in here. All right Who is this reverend sweeter our good friend and pastor. Yes. I heard about you Oscar wrote me this moment comes to all of us, sir We can only pray for courage. I've got courage. What I want is facts. I'll see my boy now It looks as if he died in his sleep He did So peacefully I I didn't realize it until morning. You were a good boy, Oscar I shouldn't be out living you Finally smell around his mouth. The doctor said he had gastritis father. That's not what I smell Are you having a post mortem? Dr. Richards asked for permission to do one Richards. Who's he the family doctor mr. Stone of fine young man All right, if you want to do it all right, but I want my man there with him father Are you insinuating? I'm not insinuating anything. I just don't like the look of this For his own protection this Richards ought to have another man present. That's all My boy is no right. The second doctor arrived and forthwith behind locked doors. The autopsy was performed In the landlord's parlor and waited with edger to give her support and courage Presently the door opened mrs. Stone. Yes, dr. Richards. We are ready with our report. Did Did you find out anything? We are not certain as yet Dr. Fletcher your father-in-law's man suggests mr. Stone swallowed chloroform chloroform. Yes Will you come upstairs and hear the report please? And yes Did you the chloroform I bought for you that is it's still in its bottle edger Don't worry. You don't even have to mention it Shall we go upstairs now the two young people went upstairs but not hand in hand There was a sudden reserve between them In the room where the doctors and or mr. Stone awaited them This is dr. Fletcher my daughter-in-law past the suite How did you do it was dr. Richards was in charge of the case Perhaps he's the one to give you our official report. Oh, please do dr. Richards. It's a simple report We are unable to find in the natural cause of death The contents of the stomach are suspicious We're holding them for the coroner. Have you any particular suspicions gentlemen? None which we care to state officially You'll realize the room where death occurred has been sealed and its contents must not be touched My my purse is in there. It'll have to stay there. Surely. I may have my coat and and and a hat I assume so if dr. Fletcher's present when you remove them Ann went to stay with a cousin a brief train journey away The coroner's interest was held and adjourned pending a full report from a government analyst And that was all But edger dispatched a note to ann and she met him as he requested in a quiet tea room in pinnaco Edgar what's the matter with you? You haven't looked me straight in the eye since we met today. I Can't seem to help myself Ann Dr. Richards did tell you that oscar might not live out the year Of course he did it came so suddenly they all behave so strangely And I'm afraid I'm finished if this develops into anything. I shall lose my pulpit If you don't do anything foolish, I certainly won't everything's going wrong I I feel as if Ann I bought that chloroform If there is chloroform in the autopsy report And don't you see forget the chloroform forget all about it. I can't Where is it? What's to do with it? I took it with me when I left the apartment Right my coat pocket under the nose of my dear father-in-law I poured it out of the train window then I threw the bottle away. Oh, that makes it worse If they prove that oscar was Don't you see they'll trace the chloroform to me in other words edga You're implying that I gave it to us. I'm not implying anything of the kind. What else are you saying? Edgar you helped me over a bad time Now I think it will be best if we do not see each other anymore Goodbye edga The lady was annoyed perhaps rightly so The young man was frightened very rightly so In their separate ways each awaited the report of the government analyst At long last dr. Richards came to the young widow the news could be a lot worse mrs. Stone They could have found arsenic or one of the slower more common poison. Oh, what have they found doctor poisoning by chloroform Who doctor That is the worst. Oh, so don't tell me you had some in your possession. I did I had my reasons doctor My married life was not Happy I am young. He was old practically my father He kept putting me in edga's company. I began to When two people are together constantly Please go on this turn I I obtained the chloroform. I kept it in a drawer But I'd never had a sequel from oscar never on any score So I knew he has eve after our party I told him I had it and where it was He spoke to me sadly, but but kindly Grief that I'd been feeling about him as I did Then he went to sleep Or I thought he did The next I knew He was dead Did you look at the bottle? Yes, I couldn't tell how much was gone I took the bottle and I I poured what was in it from the train as I went the autopsy report came to edga as well He wrestled with himself and finally took the only course which seemed open Inspector suede. Yes, come in sir sit down Thank you I understand you have some information in the matter of the death of oscar stone. I do You see I bought the chloroform They should be in here somewhere sergeant if the little parson is telling the truth I'm sure he is He'll let himself in for something with that woman. Didn't he it looks that way leave it to a woman every time grease spots a Not bad for an amateur I suppose this is the gorse patch where he said he threw those small bottles. Yes, this is the place I found one inspector two ounce size so the others can't be far Yes, here are two more One ounce capacity these and here's the fourth Innocent little things aren't they sir? And stone I have a warrant for your arrest on the charge of willful murder of your husband Edgar sweet. I have a warrant for your arrest You stand charged as an accessory before the fact in the murder of oscar stone The trial took place at the next exercises Gentleman of the jury The attorney general who has this case in hand with full knowledge of the facts Will present no evidence against the reverend mr. Sweet You are therefore directed to find him not guilty and I shall order his release at once Edgar sweet left the courtroom a much wiser young man The trial of an stone proceeded And rested entirely on the medical evidence Dr. Fletcher you have described yourself as an expert in criminal toxicology that we have accepted you as such Is that correct? It is on very well Now I call the particular attention of the jury to the answers You will give to these questions as they will have great bearing on the evidence against my client But first sir, have you ever known of a recorded case of murder by liquid chloroform? No Is there any record to your knowledge of the possible Administration of this liquid of anyone pouring it down a victim's throat? There is not if the victim were sleeping for instance the burning would wake him He'd probably go down his windpipe not his gullet and there would be burns clearly visible after death There would be then in your expert opinion, dr. Fletcher Is it impossible to commit murder by liquid chloroform? Nothing's impossible But it's highly improbable. Thank you, doctor. That is all The chief witness of the crown dr. Fletcher Had given his testimony all that remained in the opinion of the defending counsel was to create a A reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury. He called no witnesses But spoke for six hours summing up In essence, he said Oscar Stole was loving if elderly husband. He felt his life was over Remember, he was an eccentric who believed in having two wives Can we say that this man who had given so much to his sweet young wife Was not prepared to give her the greatest gift of all of freedom Once he knew that chloroform was in the house could he not have taken it himself And passed quickly into the coma which ended in death And if he gave this lovely girl freedom, are you who sit in judgment to do any less? The judge was clear if somewhat caustic in his charge to the jury There have been sweet faces which hit guilty consciences before When a young wife and a young man are thrust into daily contact by a doting husband Strange events have a way of taking place All this is true But one salient remains You may find this woman guilty as charged Only if no reasonable doubt exists in your minds that she did commit the crime of which she stands The jury deliberated for over two hours. They were 12 solemn men when they filed back into the jury box A handstone rose to face them The clerk asked for the verdict The foreman rose and spoke clearly We have considered the grave suspicions in this case But find no evidence that would indicate who administered the poison to the victim We find the accused therefore not guilty But despite that perhaps surprising verdict of not guilty The four famous small bottles can be seen today in the black museum Arson Welles will be back with you in just a moment No double jeopardy That's an ancient english law no double jeopardy One canopy tried twice for the same offense It was felt therefore that since Ann Stone had been acquitted if she had committed this crime She ought to tell the world how it had been done But no All that was heard thereafter from Ann Stone was a letter addressed to a defending counsel Tread his followers Dear Sir Edward I feel I owe my life to your earnest effort I have not been a good woman and my temptations have been terrible But though I have not kept my vows You will judge me mercifully And they are the case rests And now until we meet next time in the same place and I tell you another story about the black museum I remain as always obediently yours