 Have you heard the strange tales of the whistler and the whistler? Sifted the whole thing down to you four people I know one of you is the murderer of my brother and I'll not turn this ship about until that one is discovered Friday night and again CBS presents the whistler 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 And so I tell you tonight the strange story of I for an eye Just before dawn of a day in 1940 a small seagoing yacht with a crew of four and a passenger list of five Puts out from the Honolulu Yacht Basin and head southwest into the open sea This is the art of dr. Paul Durant scientist and marine biologist for many years a resident of the islands Dr. Durant is already in the ward room as one by one his guests arrive for breakfast Keep your course there do southwest captain you southwest this summer weather stretchers do southwest I'll tell you when to put about yes, doctor. Yes, as you see morning doctor Oh, come in professor Mallory breakfast in a few minutes. I've been on deck for some time doctor I can't understand it. We seem to have lost sight of land have way Farg perhaps no no sign of fog. I thought we're going to cruise around the island Oh, well it gets too rough when you stay close to shore does it morning everybody. We're on earth. Are we I don't see land Anyplace what goes I have a feeling we're miles out to sea. Do you owner? I had the same idea owner I ordered the ship out to deeper water so so we could do a bit of hunting hunting hunting for a nice school of big fish Lot of killers out here now. We should be able to catch one of them. Good morning, doctor I'd like to ask you a question. Yes. I'm sure I know what it is and I'm sure I can answer it Why are we so far out to sea? Yes? Well Karen? It's because I want I want to talk to you come in Hal I know what you want to ask me Karen just asked me the same question So I'll answer you both at the same time. Okay. What is the answer? Well, this happens to be the season for catching the big ones the killers we call them So I decided to put out a way in order to get a crack at one of them killers Yes, apparently you're not a fisherman Hal, but I'm sure you'll find it interesting. Hey look doc What's on your mind? I've been suspicious of you ever since you invited me on this weekend cruise have you mr. Norton why why should you ask me on this cruise? I don't know you that well senior many times your brother introduced us at the gambling joint But well, I wouldn't think too much about it Hal I must say this is a peculiar group for you to select doctor think so professor you all knew each other didn't you well Yes, no way. I know the professor, but I've never been friendly with Hal Norton or owner Raymond I know Hal Norton's a gambler and owner's a nightclub singer. I've known owner for several years I know miss Karen Somerset's a social dead and the professor's John Mallory have seen him at various times Then if you all know that much about each other I should think this is an opportunity to really get acquainted who said we wanted to doctor Please turn around and go back please. No, I can't why not I'll tell you You all know that three months ago my brother Gerald was murdered the murderer was never found You four people were the ones selected selected for what I've sifted the whole thing down to you for The ones with the most likely motives for wanting to kill him. I know that one of you for is the murderer I'm not going back until the guilty one has discovered or confessors I won't turn about even if I have to kill you all I can blow this ship to pieces with a touch of a button and I will Well Now that you know why you're here each one of you at best God himself carefully for if the killer is exposed He'll try to protect himself Breakfast is ready doctor. Oh, yes, let us forget the situation for the moment and enjoy our breakfast come Well, dr. Durand Now you have set up the situation in which each one of the four suspects the others and each one knows that if he is to Return alive the guilty party must be discovered as soon as possible Because the doctor is serious Now for some strange reason the gambler Hal Norton seeks out Karen Somerset the society girl Mr. Norton, what's on your mind? I want to talk to you. What do you want? Look a doc serious? He's got us out here. He means what he says about blowing all of us up now Let's straighten this thing out. There's no use all of us being killed. Oh, you think I killed his brother Gerald You certainly had a motive you were in love with Gerald Durant You knew he'd fallen for owner Raymond you were afraid he was gonna marry on and ditch you so you killed him That's a lie. I knew about him and owner, but I didn't kill him now It's a good motive a strong motive. I'll admit. I was madly in love with Gerald when I learned he was smitten with owner I was wild, but I didn't kill him If I'd killed anybody it would have been owner. Yeah, I can imagine what about you? You had a motive just as good as the one you were tribute to me I don't be silly what motive you were in love with owner You think that she was tossing you over for Gerald you couldn't take it so it was only natural that you killed Gerald. I Know how you gangsters think what do you mean gangsters? Yes, hell Norton You had just as good a motive, so you better forget all about it A clever bluff Karen, but I don't fall for that stuff and I don't fall for your type of bluff You think I had a motive and I think you had one so we'll even understand Even mr. Norton. Good night So that is the situation between Karen Somerset the society girl and Hal Norton the gambler Now let us see what professor John Mallory and the nightclub singer owner Raymond have to say about it. Oh Hello professor, what do you want? I'd like to talk to you miss Raymond. Don't be so formal. My name is owner Of course You're aware that the situation existing aboard this yard is most serious. Maybe dr. Durant means exactly what he says I think he's temporarily unbalanced. He's convinced that one of us killed his brother And what do you think should be done? I think the guilty one should confess and say the lives of the ones who were innocent I agree. So why don't you confess professor? What you certainly had a motive you were in love with Karen Somerset She refused you because she was in love with the doctor's brother turned you upside down. You couldn't take it So you killed Gerald. What are you talking about? That's a good imagination. It's a good motive motive If anyone had a motive to kill Gerald it was you. That's sure silly. No You had the best motive of all of us and I can tell you what it was What you for the first time decided you wanted to get married you asked Gerald Durant to marry you and he told you he had No intentions of marriage you were furious you knew then that he wasn't in love with you that he was really in love with Karen So you did the only thing one of your kind could think of you killed him you Why you get out of here get out you did it and I know you did and I'll prove it if I die in the attempt But that night owner Raymond tosses on her bed she cannot sleep All she can think of is the professor's accusation Then taught midnight. She leaves her cabin and finally after wondering about the deck. She makes her way to the doctor's quarters Doctor I've been well. I've been making investigations and I've learned something what have you learned owner I know now who killed your brother and I can prove it You seem to be very frightened owner, but I know the one who did it and who is it I? Well, I'd rather not tell just now why not if you put the ship about and return to port. I'll tell you why not now No, I'm well. I'm afraid afraid afraid of what the guilty one knows that I know I see Well, I suppose I fix it so that no harm can come to you if you tell who it is what then Can you guarantee that doctor I can you tell me and nothing will happen to you I'll see to that. Who is the guilty one? Well, it's it's Who's there who's out here? Now that leaves just three Come in Karen come in how what's that on the floor? What's happened remove the sheet captain? Let them see what's happened very well Good boy. Oh, it's It's owner Raymond When did this happen just 15 minutes ago? Surely one of you knows all about it. Where did it happen? She was standing right there She was just about to disclose some information regarding the killer of my brother when there was a shot from that window I ran to the door, but there was no one in sight. Where were you Karen 15 minutes ago? Well, I was in my cabin and where were you professor Mallory? I was on the deck on the deck And now me I ask where were you are you crazy? Why should I want to kill owner? I was in love with that may be true, but maybe she was about to tell the doctor something you didn't want to know You're nuts. Just where were you 15 minutes ago? How high I was in my cabin in your cabin And you didn't hear the shot. I did not you say you were in love with owner But did you love her enough to let her reveal the murderer of my brother? Especially if you were the murderer, you'd better be sure before you start accusing me brother I merely asked a hypothetical question. Well, why don't you try some hypothetical questions on Karen and the professor here? They had just as good reasons to get rid of your brother and owner. She was gonna spill something owner's dead that obviously eliminates her Yeah, how do we know? Maybe you figured she was the one who killed your brother and you let her have it and figure you can blame it on one of us Dr. Durant, this is getting out of hand. I insist that we put about and returned to port before anything else happens If there's a killer on this yacht, let's go back and allow the authorities to handle it and I refuse to do so captain This is my yacht and I am the captain. Are you well if you interfere in my plan I can very easily take care of that I'll not put about until I'm satisfied that I know who the killer is but that's ridiculous a murder has been committed I'll stay out here in the ocean till I learn the identity of the killer even at the expense of the life of every one on board We have enough enough fuel to keep running for more than a month And if the engines are turned off why we can drift for many months What about food fresh water if it's necessary to stay out that long then when hunger and thirst come along Maybe one of you will be ready to talk. Why are you're crazier than I thought oh Captain have this body removed and placed in ice. I want to take back all the evidence Well, I think you may all return to your quarters. Good night. Yes Good night, doctor. I'll go along with you Karen. I'd like professor. I'd prefer that you didn't Didn't what that you didn't talk to miss Somerset. Go to your own cabins if you please Well, good night Well, what are you waiting for hell? Look doc, are you really serious about this business of staying out here until? Well, can we run out of water and food if necessary? Well look Suppose I tip you off to something tip me off. I'd rather have something definite mr. Norton. Yeah, well, I Discovered something. I know who killed owner So whoever killed owner must have been the one who killed your brother, right? No, it sounds logical go on. Oh if I'd killed Gerald because of owner It doesn't make sense that I'd kill the girl I loved go on. I follow you the one who killed owner certainly didn't care about her Therefore it must have been one of the other two either Karen or the professor. Yes Well, I discovered something who is it? You are what happened owner when she tried to tell you something I'd rather not say just now And when would you like to tell what you know? You turn this boat around head for home just before we reach port I'll tell you oh, I'm not that stupid. You're stalling for time. I'm not I know who shot owner I'll tell you what how I'll wait another week And if nothing happens if the guilty one isn't found then I'll turn around and accept your proposition But you'd better know what you're talking about. Don't worry. I know I know plenty Good night. Good night Hal Norton steps out of the doctor's cabin Completely unaware of the figure in the shadows by the open window and goes to his cabin Confident that he now has complete control of the situation a Few moments later the captain in his cabin is manipulating the radio phone attempting to make contact with the mainland Hello, hello Hello Hello, this is the yacht mongoose calling The mongoose calling Hello. Hello mongoose to mainland Yacht mongoose calling globe radio Come in Emergency skip ref. Yacht mongoose calling globe radio Yacht mongoose emergency Yacht mongoose position 10 degrees north 170 degrees west. I can't understand why I can't What do you want? What are you doing here? Get out of here? Keep away from me or Now with two murder victims aboard the ill-fated yacht in its strange cargo pushes on south and west Oh and a Raymond dead and now the captain and the radio phone damaged beyond repair The captain's body is not discovered till sunup But immediately following the discovery the doctor calls his guests to his cabin What's happened now, dr? Why are others out at this early hour? Why don't be so excited professor. I'm not excited Sit down professor Have a cigarette doctor. Yes. Thank you like I Think dr. Durant that you had best sit down and take things easy What do you mean the way your fingers and hands are trembling something's upset you considerably is that so yes Well, what's happened now someone try to kill you during the night I'll wait until miss Somerset gets here if you don't mind and how not and Have you decided to go back doctor? No, no, I'm not going back and if that I'm determined Do you know what I think I think you're somewhat unbalanced. What is it doctor? What's going on now? Come in Karen the doctor wants to talk to us, but he won't talk till the three of us are here sit down miss Somerset sit down and be calm Why are you trembling miss Somerset? Oh, I shouldn't I be to be waked out of a sleep and well go on miss Somerset Well, this isn't the most pleasant voyage. I've ever been on. What is upset you Karen? What? Nothing Nothing, but the whole idea back of this trip. Don't worry Karen I just asked the doctor the same question some strange reason He didn't want to say what made him upset. I prefer to say no more about this until Hal Norton gets here Hal Norton and the captain. I want the captain to be present. He said he'd be right in All right. All right, doctor We'll just wait till they get him and you Karen you don't mind waiting for the captain What were you going to say? Oh Nothing I'm going to have the captain radio phone the mainland radio phone What that the murderer of my brother as a board that I know who it is you should radio that you have a lunatic aboard you yourself One of you knows that the radio One of us knows what? What about the radio? I'll wait till Hal Norton gets here before I continue. Oh, what's keeping him? Doctor, I just went at them at the Norton and he's dead. Dead. Yeah, dead as a doornail. He's been stabbed dead Yeah, he's called. He's an icicle. I see Will you tell the captain to come to my cabinet once? The captain Well, I don't think he can I mean you heard what I said Johnson. Yes, sir Yes, sir Well, what's the matter with that sailor? I haven't the slightest idea. He seems startled. Did he doctor? You're lying What's happened to the captain? He's dead Doctor, yes Someone killed him and smashed the radio phone the same one who later killed Hal Norton. Why were you stalling? I wanted to watch your reactions when I said the captain would be here in a few moments Trying to frighten us unfortunately neither of you reacted in the way. I'd expected well But now that Hal is dead it obviously narrows down to just you too You Karen and the professor One of you and the sooner you give up the better because the shores I'm standing here one of you the guilty one will kill the other nonsense Suppose I did kill your brother because I left Karen. Why should I kill Karen the one I love? Wait a minute John. I Hate to see this, but you did have a motive for killing his brother You're in love with me and I told you definitely that I could never marry anyone, but Gerald Durant I know I know you could have killed Gerald and then When you came aboard this yacht and learn the situation Karen, what are you trying to say? Oh, no Raymond could have learned something about your having killed Gerald And when she was about to tell the doctor you could have killed her and maybe Hal Maybe he knew in some way who killed owner and you learned that so you killed him That's very logical But on the other hand take yourself Karen. This is purely hypothetical understand You learned that Gerald the doctor's brother was madly in love with owner Raymond the chorus girl So you killed him then when owner started to tell the doctor who it was you killed her Yes, that's logical too, but wait now Hal Norton discovered who had killed owner and when he decided to tell the doctor who did that Well, you could have killed Hal all very well, but how said he knew who killed owner But he wouldn't divulge the name until this yacht had reached its home port Probably because he was afraid of the same thing that happened to owner when she started to tell what she knew But it's now reduced down to two suspects you professor and Karen That's right So I'll leave it as it is for the two of you to figure out and will not return until the score is settled It might have been owner who killed her brother, but it might even have been Hal Norton And another thing do you know whom I consider another suspect whom you doctor you could have killed your brother Why should I go to all this trouble if I had killed him to place the blame on someone else why you're mad start craving man I think you're the one who's mad. I think you're a diabolical maniac get out of here. Get out Come on Karen. Let's go and it's my opinion that we'd better not close our eyes tonight not once A few hours later the professor steps up to the doctor's cabin door tries the knob works a key in the lock and steps inside Who's there put up your hands doctor and stay where you are What do you want professor pick up that phone and order this ship to head for the nearest island? I'll do no such thing as I say or I'll kill you all right, but you won't get away with this Set a course for the nearest island at once In order all hands to bandage ship within one hour what because I have a time bomb set in a certain place and the ship will blow up in An hour come on tell them all hands abandon ship within one hour What happens tell him not to stop the engine don't stop the engines I understand that you yourself have hidden the bomb and the ship will blow up in an hour Come on. I've planted a time bomb in the oven. It'll blow up in an hour Yes, I'll give the orders at once Doctor what doctor what happened hang up abandon ship Now dr. Durant you might as well sit down in that bed and relax relax. How can I relax like this? That will keep you quiet dr. Abandon ship abandon ship the doctor's gone crazy. He just found me What does he mean? He's lost his mind says he planted a time bomb to blow us up. Oh, why should he do that? He's insane. Let me go up sooner than an hour Abandon ship John what's wrong? What's happened get back to your cabin get back and stay there hurry. What do they mean abandon ship? Get back to your cabin. I'll be there in a minute The hands abandon ship and when they are well away from the art the professor rushes below deck It opens the seacocks and as the water rushes in he hurries to Karen's cabin Karen Karen come on. No, not until you tell me what's happened. There isn't time for that I'll explain later hurry up on deck the ship's thinking what come on. We haven't a moment to lose John it is it is thinking what's happened the doctor went crazy He tried to sink the ship with a bomb and kill us both. Come on. There's a raft. We'll get off before it blows up Professor make themselves fast for the raft and a few minutes later The yacht throws its bow in the air and shudders for a moment then Two weeks pass and Karen and the professor much to their sorrow have found they selected a raft short on provisions Little water or food Now the tropic Sun is slowly devouring them John John Yes, Karen. Are you sure there's land around here? I Thought there was all right What John? I wouldn't have done it. Why don't you tell me the truth John? What happened? Well, I I did it. I sank the ship you Why the doctor was insane. I knew that It was the only way to save ourselves. I Made him out of the hands to abandon ship Then I opened the seacocks Had blew up the boilers and what became of the doctor. Well, you went down to the ship Leave me Karen. It was the best way best way Here we are a food gun the water exhausted. I was positive. There was an island near here We must be caught in a curtain. I've been drifting in the opposite direction. I can't stand this thing driving me crazy I Don't tell him I love you Karen. I know but what does it matter now? I've got to tell you something got to I Know now that we haven't a chance For a while I was certain of our position Well I want to tell you this I Did kill owner John I killed her and I killed hell not me Because I knew you were the guilty one. I knew you were the one who killed the doctor's brother But you were justified in killing him Karen. I knew on I had discovered the truth. So I killed her I knew that hell knew what had happened to the owner. So I killed hell The doctor was insane with revenge. So I blew up the ship and that took care of him. Oh No one will ever know But you're wrong China. I didn't kill Joe do it But Karen who else could have I don't know but I didn't What does it matter now Karen? The ship has gone down with all the evidence owner hell the doctor The crew has ever picked up Everything will be blamed on doctors and sent Whether I'm guilty or not What does it matter now? You know, we're having a chance Tell me the way you talk. I Know what's going to happen this Thursday It'll get worse and we're going to have our heads in touch with water. Please darling You see it's getting you too yes I'll have to admit it Can't last much longer Karen It's going to get worse worse It'll be torture so Here's a revolver Why prolong the agony? It's bad enough now But you know, I wouldn't have the nerve. I just couldn't have a coward. You'll not suffer You'll never know what happened. No, no, I can't I'm afraid Karen look What is that over there? I don't see anything Just a bit of fog. You sure? Are you sure? No John, there's nothing It's just Whoa I thought for a moment I saw shit I can't see a thing No No, I guess I guess it was just my eyes Is that the way it starts John? Yes it It won't be long now There are shocks all about it Yes Karen If we were to jump in it might be a prolonged death Horribly painful All right John Whatever you say Then turn around and Karen No, no I'll do it myself but I want to be sure Very well I'll go first I've been sure that it's painless Yes All right John Professor John Mallory had killed himself But an hour later the ship John thought he saw Pulled alongside the raft in response to Karen's frantic signals And on the raft were a woman and a dead man A suicide Yes it was the ship John thought he saw The ship Karen said she didn't see But she saw it She knew it was there But she lied so that John would die first Very clever Karen You are now safe aboard the ship And no one knows but you and I That you were the one who killed the doctor's brother And the captain of the yacht And now all those who might threaten your freedom are out of the way Not one remains Most ingenious Karen CBS has presented The Whistler Original music for this production was composed and conducted by Wilbur Hatch The Whistler is written and directed by J. Donald Wilson And originates from Columbia Square in Hollywood Next week, same time I, The Whistler, will return to tell you another unusual tale Good night Here is a bulletin from the CBS News Bureau Allied Headquarters North Africa General Dwight D. Eisenhower has just officially announced That the Allies are invading Sicily The communique reads Anglo-American Canadian forces Under command of General Eisenhower Began landing operations in Sicily Landings were preceded by an air attack Naval forces escorted the assault forces And bombarded the coast defenses during the assault Stay tuned to CBS for late developments This is the Columbia Broadcasting System