 The signal oil program the Whistler is your signal for the signal oil program the Whistler. The Whistler and I know many things where 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. Yes friends, it's time for the signal oil program the Whistler. Remember, let every traffic signal remind you with signal, new signal gasoline, you do go farther than ever. Look for signals big yellow and black circle sign that identifies those popular signal stations in seven western states from Canada to Mexico. And now the Whistler strange story. Coincidence. Coincidence can kill a man and do it as effectively and brutally as a professional murder. Yes, coincidence can be a murder weapon, particularly when it falls into the hands of someone like Francia Legrand. It began shortly after her sister Elise had separated from her husband and moved to the Strathmore apartments on the west side of Manhattan. And naturally Francia didn't know at first that coincidence was working behind her, but it was there one night when she returned from an errand. Did you go to the drugstore Francia? Yes, here you are. But that isn't what I want. I'm sorry Elise, it's the best I could do. They were out of the other kind. What are you writing? A letter. You can take your hand off it dear. I won't look over your shoulder. Cigarette? No thanks. You are wrought up aren't you? Shall I sit down? If you'd like. I seem to be as welcome as the black pledge. I'm sorry Francia. Oh don't apologize, I understand perfectly. You don't want to see anyone, your husband is gone, life isn't worth living. Please Francia. Ross isn't coming back this time Elise. I know he's gone. You don't have to tell me. You're afraid to face it aren't you? Why don't you admit it? You've made a mess of your life Elise. You had everything you wanted and you chucked it out the window. There's no one to blame but yourself. Francia stop it. Why do you keep throwing it up to me over and over again? What difference does it make to you? It's my life. It's my marriage. That's why you're wrong. It's not yours anymore. What do you mean? It's my turn now Elise. Your turn? I'm not going to make the same mistake you did. You, you love him don't you? Of course I love him. We'll take him. He's all yours. You don't have to tell me I've made a mess out of my life. I know it. I've always... Perhaps you can make him happy. He deserves it. I hope so. Now please go. Get Miss LeGrand's things. She's leaving. And do you suppose that you could spend the night with your sister? But if goes madame if you wish. I'd rather you would. Tonight I, I'd like to be by myself. Francia she's defeated isn't she? It's taken five years, five frustrated maddening years. And now at long last you've accomplished what you set out to do. That's why you're elated as you go into a phone booth in the lobby downstairs. This is Francia. Ross I've been up to see her. It's simply no use. I tried to patch it up. I'd rather not discuss it over the phone. Suppose I picked you up at 79th and Madison in a half hour. Well it's no use Ross. She wouldn't listen. It was at that moment while you stood in the phone booth talking that coincidence moved into the picture Francia. First in a taxi cab pulling up to the main entrance. Take the side entrance driver. Can't park you chief. Don't argue with me. Pull around to the side entrance. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I can just one minute later in the elevator not far from the booth where you're talking. 12-4 mister. What do you mean 12? I told you 10. I'm sorry I wasn't thinking. Don't hand me that. Take me back to 10. I haven't got all night. Yes sir. And third at the entrance of apartment 1072 next door to your sister Elise. You're crazy Joe. What are you doing here? What's that detective doing at the main entrance? Oh no. You wouldn't turn me in would you? Know any more now Marie? No Joe Joe listen. Joe please. You and I got some talking to do honey. A coincidence moved in. When Joe Fortescue gambler fugitive from justice walked down the corridor to apartment 1072 next door to your sister Elise. The machinery of coincidence was in full motion. But as you drive through the park you have no way of knowing that now all you can think of is Ross. Did you tell her what I said Francia? Yes she wouldn't listen. Maybe it's just as well. What did she say? It's all over period. Just that? Just that. Oh I knew it would never work out Ross. She's not your kind of a girl. She never understood you. Maybe I expected too much. No no it wasn't that. It's hard to figure out what it was looking back at it now. Maybe it was those awful ugly quarrels. You know Francia it almost seemed as if I were married to two different women. I know. Yeah I guess you do. Ross now that it's all over I want to tell you something. Yes? Those five years were difficult for me too. Standing on the sidelines seeing you married to someone you didn't love. Are you going to make me say it Ross? Yes say it. I wanted to for so long but I couldn't she was always there between us. I do love you Ross. What's the matter? How could you do it? What do you mean? The pieces all fit together now it makes sense for a change. Ross. You were always there beside her weren't you the pal the faithful sister. No you're wrong. Don't lie to me. I've got to hand it to you Francia you did a great job magnificent never made a slip. You don't understand. I'm afraid I do. She was two people wasn't she. She was herself and she was what you made her with your vicious insinuating remarks. I only hope I can put the pieces together again. Let me out. I have an important phone call to make. In the middle of the park. I don't care where we are. Pull over will you? Ross aren't you going to let me explain. You've explained enough. There wasn't only a stab in the back sweetheart. It was an insult. I'd have to be pretty desperate before I'd fall in love with you. Him couldn't you Francia. Five years of careful deadly planning gone for nothing. It was an insult he said. If he weren't so bitter he would have laughed at you. You drive through the park thinking. It's all over isn't it. You've driven them together this time done them a favor. Elise would never believe you this time. Or would she? You decide to take a chance and turn your car toward the Strathmore apartments again. Elise is probably still up finishing her correspondence. This time there's no other way Ross dear. Killing oneself is wrong I know. I only hope you'll try to understand. Here Elise has caught up on her correspondence. And now she stands at the window looking down into the street ten floors below. The telephone rings in the bedroom. But Elise pays no attention. She isn't even conscious of the argument between Joe and Marie in the apartment next door. You're a killer you lying little rat. Why don't you admit it? I wouldn't double cross it Joe I should I would double cross it. What's that? Two signal gasoline with the prologue of tonight's story coincidence. The signal oil company brings you another of the strange tales by the Whistler. If you drive a car this timely warning from the National Safety Council is for you. During one year ninety seven thousand eight hundred persons were killed right here in America in accidents. Of the deaths caused by autos one out of five occurred when roads were wet or slippery. One out of five when drivers vision was obscured. Fortunately precautions can be taken to help prevent these two types of accidents. For instance tires that are worn smooth tend to skid more readily. But a deep heavy retread job the kind signal gasoline dealers are prepared to give your tires. Will restore their grip on the road help you stop more quickly. And if a worn windshield wiper is leaving streaks across your vision. Signal gasoline dealers will install a fine new rain master blade while you wait. So have your tire tread and your windshield wiper checked the next time you're at your neighborhood signal gasoline dealers. You'll feel a lot better knowing your car is prepared for the wet weather driving ahead. And it may help save a life possibly your own. And now back to the Whistler coincidence can kill. Particularly when there's someone to help it over the humps. The suicide of your sister Elise is the center of it of course. And the other threads are beginning to weave together now. The thread Joe Fortescue contributed when he got out of the taxi at the side entrance of the Strathmore apartments at 10 30. And went directly to room 10 72 next door to Elise. The thread that put Ambrose marks detective in the lobby at the same time. And most important of all the thread that placed you and Ross together in your car at five minutes to eleven in the middle of Central Park. There's an excited crowd milling around the base of the apartment building as you arrive. I had everybody we haven't identified it yet. What's the matter some woman's hate maybe killed here. Stand back away from the car of everyone. That's a detective. She felt from a window up there. Let me through. Stand back please. Who is she? We don't know now stand back. Where's the body maybe. All right lady now please move on. But I tell you later lady all right folks. The lady is dead. There's nothing we can do. Thank you. Let me through please. Yes. What floor ma'am ten please. Right. Have they found out who she is yet. No. Great guy detective Mark's ain't even figured out what floor she jumped from yet. Or was thrown from. What do you mean thrown. I got my own ideas. Guy came up here a while ago who looked like he was ready to put the fix on somebody. All bundled up with a scarf over his face. You mean it was murder. What else. Of what was that floor again. Ten. Funny. That's where he got off to. Ross darling I'm going to kill myself tonight and I want you to know why. It's clear now that I can't live either with you or without you. It was the least I was right you know. About what the guy in the tent coat. Wasn't I just talking to you. Yes you mean the man who was angry. Yeah the guy in the tent coat in the muffler came on the night floors really got the goods on him heard him and the girl fighting upstairs right over apartment two minutes later boom she's on the pavement main floor just a minute going up. Ten please. Hey what's the matter where are you going. Hello Ross. Oh it's you on your way up to get your nickels worth I've been up she isn't there and I'll go up and wait and by the way you might as well go. I want to see her alone naturally any objections. No that's mighty decent of you. So what's the matter why are all these people in the lobby and where did that boy go. He's over there with the police lieutenant police. Well what are they doing here. Even my elevator that's a guy you're sure positive. That's the guy in the tent coat and see if that throws a new light on things doesn't it for the first time in your life you have Ross where you want him and you smile yourself thinking of the suicide note tucked away in your purse you could clear him in a second couldn't you Francia if you wanted to but you'd rather watch him squirm stammering answers to detective Mark's sharp questions trying to fight his way out of a tangled mass of circumstantial evidence piling up around him after you've both identified the body. All right Mr Mansfield the taxi driver and the elevator boy have both identified you positively as the man in the tent coat who got off at the tenth floor shortly before your wife's death the lady in the apartment downstairs says it was your voice she heard in the apartment overhead listen lieutenant I tell you there's something wrong somewhere Miss LeGrand isn't it true that Mr and Mrs Mansfield had several serious quarrels during the past month. Well I lost what I'm asking you Miss LeGrand I'd rather not answer. Oh you'd rather not answer. You know how that sounds don't you. All right it's true. We hadn't been getting along but that has nothing to do with tonight. All right Mansfield we don't seem to be getting anywhere. I'll ask you to be available to the DA's office on fifteen minutes notice until the inquest has held that clear. Very well Mr Marks. It's pleasant isn't it Francia Ross is really squirming now desperately to get out from under. You follow the papers carefully during the next few days full of the man in the tent coat headlines screaming of Ross Mansfield prominent architect suspect in wife killing the district attorney refusing to coven stating an indictment should be forthcoming soon and out of the welder of guessing out of the quotes from informed sources out of the analyses by crime experts there comes one significant fact the only thing that can save Ross Mansfield is an alibi that puts it up to you doesn't it Francia you have the power of life and death over him now you can kill this man with a single statement what are you doing here it's rather important or I wouldn't have come all right have you decided what you're going to say at the inquest tomorrow of course there's nothing to worry about Francia all we have to do is tell the truth Ross do you still feel the same about me how can you talk like that I'm only asking skip it will you you don't have to jump at me Francia she was my wife I loved her she's dead does that mean anything to you no it doesn't does it it ought to though but ought to be on your conscience as long as you live talking about the right she didn't kill herself you murdered her just the same as if you're shot her with a gun that's where you're wrong you killed her Ross or haven't you read the papers but don't say anything I'm going see you tomorrow with the inquest you decided then and there didn't you Francia you're tired of watching him squirm now you're going to put him out of his misery it was murder wasn't it Francia he's right but murder doesn't bother you you watch the flames creeps slowly across the suicide note the only other thing that could save him and smile as you think of the in place please order then marks are you ready with your first witness as Mr. Carter I'd like to impress on the jury the fact that the testimony of this witness is perhaps more important than that of any other in this case for that reason I'm calling her first Miss LeGrand will you take the stand please you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth to help you go I do miss LeGrand what is your relation to the deceased I'm her sister would you say that the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield was a happy one no quarrels yes lots of them have you any idea what caused them I think so what Mr. Mansfield was rather fond of me Francia you know that's not true just a minute Mr. Mansfield proceed lieutenant well is it true Miss LeGrand it is he's in love with me I see now this is very important Miss LeGrand were you or were you not with Mr. Mansfield riding in your automobile in Central Park between the hours of 10 45 and 11 0 5 on the night of your sister's death I was not you realize you're under oath I do you realize the consequences of this testimony yes I do I didn't see him all evening I swear I didn't that enough yes Miss LeGrand that's enough the whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending to tonight's story meantime 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farther than ever and then you be the judge see if you don't agree that new signal actually is the new post war gasoline you can prove is superior and now back to the whistler yes Francia coincidence can kill a man particularly if mixed up in it somewhere there's a mind full of hatred to fill in the gaps the case is complete even though the inquest is hardly underway they were right Francia everything depended on your testimony on the alibi just a minute Miss LeGrand I'm not finished if you weren't with Mansfield where were you I was out for a drive alone yes anyone see you no that's a pretty weak alibi alibi see here I'm not under suspicion that's where you're wrong exhibit a please recognize this a box of poison Miss LeGrand purchased by you on the night of the murder some people call it a sedative but it's powerful enough to kill when taken in quantity and it was taken in quantity enough of this drug was found in your sister's stomach to support this officer's contention that she was dead or nearly so before the fall I didn't buy it but you did buy it and tend to call the drugist to the stand to prove it she she sent me for I never saw it after I brought it to and how does it happen that your fingerprints are on the metal box why the box was on the note yes that's it she used the box for a paperweight to hold the note down what note the suicide note I burned it oh there was a suicide note and you burned it why I I don't know I see you're asking the jury to believe that your sister committed suicide and that you deliberately went out of your way to incriminate yourself I had no reason to kill her you just testified you had every reason to kill her you're in love with Mansfield you implied as much not one minute ago you hated your sister didn't you I didn't hate it we got along beautifully and I'm prepared to put your sisters made on the stand to testify that you had a crucial quarrel with Mrs Mansfield over our husband less than an hour before she was murdered she wasn't murdered she what about the man in the tan coat his name is Joe Fortes you he's been in custody for two days wait a minute you're wrong you can't go ahead with this you're accusing me of murder right murder in the first degree premeditated will you can't they'll send me oh no listen lieutenant you've got to believe me that's just what we're doing we're believing you we believe you when you say your relationship with Mansfield was not exactly platonic we believe you when you swear you weren't with him at the time of the murder but I lied Ross tell them I lied I couldn't have killed her I was with you anything to say Mansfield lieutenant I well I was with her there you see that proves that I couldn't have killed it does prove something what do you mean it proves he loves you as far as the murder goes you're going to have to convince a jury and believe me it's going to take a lot of convincing they had nine o'clock the whistler will bring you another strange 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 tonight's story by Harold Swanton music by Wilbur hatch is transmitted to our troops overseas by the armed forces radio service is your signal for the signal oil program the whistler this is Marvin Miller speaking reminding you to look for those familiar yellow and black circle signs that identify those popular signal oil stations in seven western states from Canada to Mexico this is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system