 I'm the whistler, and I know many things for I walk by night. I know many strange tales 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. Tonight transcribed, it's the whistler's strange story, the first year. The story of Lydia Winters falls naturally into two parts, separated by exactly one year almost to the minute. Her marriage to Elliot Larkin ended, of course, on New Year's Eve, somewhere around midnight at a place called Silver Lake Lodge. The circumstances surrounding its ending are a matter of record now in the files of the police department's homicide division. The beginning is another story, a personal one. Just a year before, early on New Year's morning, as she entered her uncle's apartment after listening to the whistlers ushering in the New Year and bidding Elliot good night. Well, Uncle Phyllis. Oh, it's you. You old darling waiting up for me. There's a very good reason, Lydia, I want to talk to you. I'm seriously for once. Oh? And I know just what it's about. You don't approve of Elliot Larkin, do you, dear? You think he's irresponsible, unworthy of me, and I'm so hard and thoughtless and gullible. You through? Mm-hmm. Good. And please understand this. If I have any concern about Elliot Larkin, it's on his account and not yours. Is that so? Exactly. But, Papa Ham, he might grow up into a decent human being. You know, you're just like your mother was, Lydia. You are not in love with this man. He's not in love with you. You're pretty sure of yourself, aren't you? Of course I'm sure. Well, to get to the point, Lydia, I will not approve your marriage to Elliot Larkin or any other man until you're able to look upon it as a sacred contract instead of an adventure. I see. Well, for your information, I've agreed to marry Elliot tomorrow in Greenville, whether you approve or not. And there's nothing you can do about it. Oh. Well, you can't do a thing like this now. Why not? You're a lawyer. You can grow it up, but it's vicious. You can't play with people's lives as if they were puppets. It's my money, Ballinger. I can do with it when I please. I'll get this again. The new will is to provide that if Lydia and Elliot Larkin live together as man and wife under the same roof for a period of 10 years, they are to receive the principal legacy of $500,000 jointly or half each as they may choose. Then failing, it goes to the children's relief fund. You got that? Yes, that's clear enough. Now, if at any time during those 10 years, either one of them die by any means, the entire sum is payable to the survivor immediately. Look, Phillip, this thing is finished. It will set them at each other's clothes. Well, if I'm right, if the marriage means nothing to either of them, it'll destroy them. On the other hand, if I'm wrong, it'll be a real reward. But don't you see it's not a will, Phillip. It's a weapon, maybe. I know I won't live to see it work out, but you see it, Ballinger. You see it. You have to acquaint them with the provisions just the moment that I die. There's a comfortable retainer in there for you to see that it's followed to the letter. You know, I envy you, Ballinger. It should prove very interesting. In just a minute, the whistler will continue tonight's story. All of us are proud of our hometowns and rightly so. In this brief moment before we continue with our program, we'd like to offer a salute to one of our hometowns in America, Boston, Massachusetts. No city in the United States is richer in historical associations than Boston, the tenth largest city of our country. The Declaration of Independence was proclaimed from the balcony of the old state house. All reveres saw the lantern shine from the old North Church before his famous ride that opened the Revolutionary War. The great New England poets had their homes here. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Julia Ward Howe, John Greenleaf Whittier, and writers like Nathaniel Hawthorne, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Edgar Allan Poe. Today, Boston is the largest market of the shoe and leather industries in the world. It's also the largest wool market and the greatest fishing port in the United States. And they have the Boston Red Sox. It's the home of the Mother Church of Christian Science. And people all over the world know about Boston products. They buy three billion dollars worth of them every year. It's no wonder that the people who call Boston their hometown are proud of their two nicknames. They call Boston the hub of the universe and the cradle of liberty. Thus has Boston taken its place in the building of America. And now back to the Whistler. You've escaped Uncle Philip's tyranny now, and it worked out fairly well, hasn't it? It's not a storybook marriage, of course, but you didn't expect that. Still, Elliot is fairly presentable, reasonable, and charming, and wealthy enough to keep you well-dressed and entertained. And until something better comes along, you're content. It was an evening in October that changed all that. The two of you had just arrived home from a football game. Oh, Johnny Gates, I haven't seen him since college. And you know, it was really a lucky break running in even that way. What do you mean a lucky break? You didn't pay any attention to me or the game? No, I mean, he's leaving his job. He's going to the Orient. Yeah, represent some liquor outfit, cordials, you know, that sort of thing. I mean, that's the job he's leaving, and it's a pretty good job. What's that got to do with you? Well, he says you'll recommend me to replace him if I want it. You mean you're going to work? Well, why not? Can't be a playboy all my life. Elliot! Oh, Elliot! What? What in the world got into you? What's so funny about that? Help, Elliot. You weren't here. Oh, don't get up on, will you? Excuse me. Hello? Mrs. Larkin? Yes? This is Mr. Ballinger, your uncle's lawyer. I'm not at home tonight, Uncle Mr. Ballinger. You can tell him. Mrs. Larkin, I'm calling to tell you your uncle passed away this afternoon. I see. It's my duty as his executor to read you the terms of his will. Who is it? Just a minute, please. Uncle Philip's dead. Something about the will. Oh, hey, let me talk to him. Oh, hey, Billet. Uh, Mr. Ballinger, perhaps you don't quite understand my relationship with Uncle Philip. Hey, wait a minute. I'll cover the phone. What are you doing? I might not have some sense into your head, Angel. You may as well know what now we're broke. Hello? That's why I took Johnny up on that job. Hello, Mrs. Larkin. You had money a lot of it. Never mind that now. Now, you better tell that Mr. Ballinger will be glad to talk to him. Go on, go on. Tell him. Hello? Hello, Mr. Ballinger. Yes? You can come over right away. Yeah. Hey, how'd that taste, dear? What? The humble pie. I'm not exactly in the mood for that sort of thing, Elliot. Why didn't you tell me? You never asked. You just went along with what everybody believed about the Larkin fortune. You think that was fair to me? Well, it works two ways, Angel. After all, I was under the impression your Uncle Philip's worldly goods were practically in your pocket. Well, that's all there is to it, Lydia. I haven't left out anything. If there are any questions... No, no, it's all very clear. Yes. Well, good night. Good night, Larkin. Yeah. Amusement, Elliot, at the beginning of hysteria. Nine to go. And in the light of our discussion earlier... You can start forgetting that discussion right now. Huh? He's not going to beat me, Elliot. I don't want that money. I'm going to get it. Under the circumstances. The circumstances are unimportant. Appearances count most now. You mean we put on an act for Ballinger? Exactly. You live your life, I live mine. No questions or answers. Except to the watchdogs. We can handle Ballinger. Huh. I suppose it's worth a try. Right, dear, what's the first move? Your friend, Johnny Gates. Johnny? You'll need that job now. You have a wife and a home to support. At that moment, you're forced to admit something to yourself, aren't you, Lydia? But Uncle Philip was right. Set your marriage to Elliot Larkin as a part. A hollow mocking thing that was never meant to be. Uncle Philip might as well be alive and laughing at you. Telling you that you can't win. But through it all, you determine that somehow, some way... you'll defeat Philip on his own ground. Then, on New Year's Eve, the night marking your first year together, Elliot called you up to your party. Yes? Just thought you might be interested, Lydia. I got the job. Johnny's leaving right away. How nice. Tonight I can drink champagne that's paid for. Oh yeah, and about that. I won't be able to make dinner until later. I'm helping Johnny celebrate. Don't worry about it. I meant to tell you we can skip the dinner plans. I'm meeting Marty Bell at the zebra club. The zebra club? Oh, don't tell me you object. Well, I certainly do, Lydia. I don't mind what you're doing. You know that, but you've got to stay away from public places. I'll see you tomorrow. Oh no, you'll see me tonight if you insist on going there with Bell. I'll come down to the zebra club. And what? Don't play the jealous husband, Elliot. That's really overdoing it. Oh, Marty. You're really very amusing. But I mean it, Lydia. I love you. I want you to leave, Elliot. Oh, stop it, Marty. You don't care a hang for Elliot. He doesn't deserve... I said stop it. There's someone coming over our table. An old friend. Really? Well, I don't see anyone. Oh, Mr. Bell and you. What an unexpected surprise. Yes, I dare say. I'd like you to meet Marty Bell and the old friend of Elliot. Oh, Marty? Mr. Ballinger. How do you do, Mr. Bell? Marty's keeping me company while I wait for Elliot, but he has an appointment. Maybe you sit in for a while, Mr. Ballinger. Oh, he's been a dear Marty. I'll tell Elliot for the long time. Nice to have met you, Bell. Yeah, same here. Goodbye, Lydia. Bye, Marty. Thanks so much. He's such a dear. Well... Lydia, I've been intending to bring this up for some time, I hear. Okay. Well, you know, when there's any sign of trouble between you, you're on dangerous ground. Well, Mr. Ballinger, I don't know what you're talking about. We're getting along beautifully. Where is Elliot, Lydia? It's New Year's Eve. You two should be together. Well, of course we should, but the night is only beginning, Mr. Ballinger. Wait, there's Elliot now. Well... Here's my story, Lyon. Darling, you remember Mr. Ballinger. Hello, Larkin. Oh, of course. Yeah, sure. How are you, Mr. Ballinger? Sit down, my boy. I've already taken the liberty of ordering a round of drinks. Oh, no. If you'll permit me, I'd like to offer a toast on your anniversary. One year, isn't it? That's right. One beautiful year. Yes. Oh, we can drink to that. And, of course, to your future. May you remain as happy as you are tonight. I hope Mr. Ballinger doesn't think it odd or leaving so early. I explained it to him. I've got to drive a friend to the airport. Oh, Johnny Gates? Yeah, yeah. Go out to Seattle on the midnight plane. What I didn't tell Ballinger is that I'm going through. What? I got my ticket suitcase in the back. Elliot, you can't do this. Why not? Well, because of what it might mean, Ballinger. It's suspicious now. What would he think when he hears you've gone flying off somewhere on anniversary? Well, he'll think maybe I've had all I can stand. For half a million dollars. Don't be a fool, Elliot. Look, I'll do anything you say. I'll stay away from Martin. Anything, Elliot. Just give me a chance. Oh, now look. Johnny's expecting me, Elliot. Yeah, and I don't see how I can change anything now. I'm supposed to be there. It must be a way, Elliot. You'll regret this yourself. I know you will. I wonder... What? What are you thinking? Maybe Johnny can help us. You come on up with me. We'll talk to him. Give me another rundown on that, huh? Oh, it's simple, Johnny. I would like an extra day down here, that's all. You're flying north anyway, so couldn't you send that wire to the company for me? Yeah, the hotel does cover you with the company. Yeah, that's right. That's right. That way, Lydia and I can be together on our anniversary. I'll be up there in a day or two. Well, I don't suppose there'd be much doing over the holiday anyway. Oh, no, not a thing. But of course, I don't want to beg off on my first assignment. I know I wouldn't be so good. Okay, pal, I'll handle it for you. Oh, well... Johnny, I appreciate this, too. Don't forget it. You've done plenty for me. Hey, one more thing. I don't like the idea of turning in my plane ticket. I mean, you know, just in case the company should check. Oh, I don't think they will. Yeah, but I'd rather not take the chance. Well, look, Johnny, it won't matter to you. Couldn't you turn your ticket back in and go on my place all the way through? Well, if you feel safer, I really would, Johnny. Okay. Oh, man. I'll check into your hotel for you. That works. Oh, man. Hey, we better get going. Yeah, right away. Right. Yeah. Satisfied, Lydia? Perfectly. As long as we're trying to make it look good to Ballinger, maybe we ought to go whole hard. How do you mean? I mean, after we drop Johnny off at the airport, how about driving up the sober like Lodge? Wonderful. Yeah. Remember the first time we were there? A brand-new year. Brand-new life. I remember perfectly, Elliot. I'd love to go. I think it's exactly what Mr. Ballinger would like. Well, Lydia, for the moment you've won, but the worry of the future is on your mind driving down to the airport and watching Johnny Gates off on Flight 27. And all the way up to Silver Lake Lodge, you wonder about those nine long years ahead. It isn't going to be easy, Lydia, but somehow you're determined to make Elliot continue to see it your way. A few miles below the Lodge, you ask him to stop at a roadside store. I just want to get some cigarettes, Elliot. I'll be right back. Thank you for having me. There's some. Pack a cigarette, please. Take a booze. Take a booze. Take a booze. Take a booze. Take a booze. Take a booze. Hey, I... Special flight then back to the new year's Longstown Celebration. Flight 27 of Tremont Airlines, northbound for Portland, crashed and burned in an unexplained accident one hour ago. All on board were killed. It comes that suddenly doesn't it, Lydia, the answer to everything. Elliot, the money, everything. Yes, Lydia, Elliot was on that plane plane even if it was named only at this very moment as he waits for you in the car outside he is officially dead certainly unidentifiable and the words of Uncle Phillip will keep running through your mind if there's any time I will be your area to rock and die the entire problem is able to lead you to the survivor on the radio hey I was enjoying that please I'd like it quiet we'll be up at the cabin in a few minutes right now I want to think of the loaded target pistol in the gun case at the cabin of how lonely it is here of how easy it will be to dispose of Elliot's body in this wilderness on the gun case over Elliot's shoulder as the two of you sit in the living room the cabin before the fire that he's built for the occasion first year find more to go you know it sometimes I wonder right you use you stop it for example how many main crowd formations would you say there are two no that's only half right brush up on your aeronautical meteorology tell your eye and e-officer you want to study with the United States Armed Forces Institute you stop a it's easy it's simple if you don't want to be half right you use you stop a and now back to the whistler the marriage of Lydia Winters Larkin ended on a New Year's Eve at a place called Silver Lake Rod where she'd spend her honeymoon just a year before there's a complete record now in the files of the homicide division a record two of the persistence and determination of one of their detectives of his curiosity over the crash of a northbound airplane and the supposed depth of a passenger named Elliot Larkin of a trail which finally ended with a confession of murder under a cold white light at police headquarters gone Mr. Larkin oh well there's well no at all I guess I thought my alibi was perfect I figured Johnny Gates had put me in Seattle at the time of the crime you figure that out when Ballinger read you the will that's why I took the job weighing a little assignment in Seattle the night Johnny was leaving I did need the money I wanted the half million I would have taken the chance if I hadn't thought it was airtight and your alibi I blew up in that plane yeah but you know that's funny that night in the car on the way up to Silver Lake yeah and she asked me about some news flash I think that was about the plane so I wonder why she didn't tell me now a question do you know when PT boats were first used by the Navy around 1810 Robert Fulton of steamboat fame there's what is considered to be the grandfather of our modern PT boat his torpedo boat was 27 feet long and had six oars the boat was provided with four blunderbusses on swivels each one tended by a marine armed with pistols and cutlasses the horsemen were also armed the torpedo was placed at the bow and attached to a harpoon gun when the boat approached the target ship the gun was discharged and the torpedo release are far cry from the PT boats of today this is but one of many interesting facts which can be found in the history of your United States Navy featured in tonight's trans broad story were Bill Foreman as the whistler Doris Singleton, Victor Rodman, Lauren Stodkin, Marvin Miller and Byron Chains the whistler directed by Stirling Tracy with music by Wilbur Hatch is produced by Joel Malone and transmitted overseas by the armed forces radio service tonight's whistler was written by Joel Malone and Harold this is George Walt speaking and reminding you to listen again next week for another strange tale by the whistler