 and now stay tuned for the program that has rated tops in popularity for a longer period of time than any other West Coast program in radio history the signal oil program the whistler the famous go farther gasoline invite you to sit back and enjoy another strange story by the whistler 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 and now for the signal oil company the whistler strange story borrowed byline the trip from Calcutta to Hong Kong had been hot and dull and Craig McKelvie was glad when the slackening of the ship's engines told him they were moving through Lyman past into Hong Kong roads at the railing outside his stateroom door he could see the lights of Victoria rising from the jam-packed Esplanade to the luxurious villas high up on the peak and off to the starboard other lights marking Kowloon point on the mainland he was glad now that he'd taken the bulb of the horns and come here Calcutta was a fine place for a year even two but six years had been too much and when the opportunity for some quick money had come he decided to take it and come to Hong Kong orders or no orders five minutes after the gangplank had been lowered to the dock there was a knock at his stateroom door Craig McKelvie smiled as he turned to open Selendrum hadn't changed a bit still as prompt as ever well Alfonso and good nice to see you again have a chair thank you let me fix your drink Selendrum scotch and splash you're very kind on the contrary I'm very practical you always discuss business better over a drink I know the wire you sent me had a deal in it somewhere I thought I made that clear you're never very clear Selendrum particularly where money's involved and what makes you think there's money my friend you don't think I jump my job and take a long boat ride to renew an old acquaintance to you wait a moment jump your job well not exactly but my editor in London all right Mr. Ames fails to realize that at times a roving correspondent has to row you might take a dim view of my sudden departure from Calcutta I hope not oh you see McKelvie your excellent standing with your newspaper in London is exactly the reason I wired you to come here is your drink thanks your health my friend excellent scotch McKelvie excellent you can thank the purser I wanted from him last night in a car game now what are you saying about my job I think perhaps we'd better discuss mine first I've established a new connection McKelvie I say representing a British importing firm sounds honest it is that's strange Alphonse I've never known you my past is a closed book something to be forgotten there's much to be done here McKelvie new worlds to conquer the right man the right set of circumstances and the wealth of the Orient is here for the taking tell me my friend how much do you know of natural history why do you know for example that on the slopes of the mountains to the west there lives a species of deer a small hornless animal unimpressive as a trophy but worthy of the most skillful hunter who ever held a rifle if you don't mind all man I being obscure again it to make a long story short McKelvie this little animal is the source of one of the most precious materials in the world a substance for which there is an almost hysterical demand at this very moment now go on what is it musk musk an essential ingredient of the finest perfumes what little there is in great demand on today's market that's all very interesting but where do I come I'm coming to that it seems there is a persistent rumor that a fabulous amount of purest Tibetan musk is floating around East Asia somewhere my firm is most anxious to locate it so anxious in fact that they've retained me for the past eight months solely to conduct the search and that McKelvie is where you come in isn't a simple dispatch in your very reliable newspaper indicating I have discovered the musk would simplify my problem immeasurably I'm still a lap or two behind I know I can be frank with you my friend from the moment I accepted this proposition my problem has been to persuade my superiors in London to advance funds to cover the purchase needless to say my firm in London tends to be cautious since the transaction will come to over a quarter million American dollars then you have found the musk oh no yet you want me to file that story oh come up you haven't developed any moral compulsions after all these years no just being practical again alphonse you'd never get away with it you know the first place they'd never send the funds without checking the second place the idea of picking off a quarter million dollars and disappearing simply fantastic who underestimate me my friend after all I haven't been at work on this for eight months for nothing so all you need is a story over my signature and they'll jump I do anything to close fast prevent competitive bidding and say you realize of course that this kind of a sellout would finish me as a foreign correspondent it should be well worth your while how much 25,000 American dollars you underestimate me alphonse make it 50,000 that's a lot of money for a story you're buying a career excuse me yes cable grab sir no there you are thank you sir hold for a rival what consider your impromptu departure from Calcutta inexcusable your services with this paper terminated immediately Frank Parksley has requested temporary transfer to Hong Kong instructing him to replace you on a rival aims interesting in your cable grab oh nothing much it was from Ames just another race it's very fortunate your reputation with your paper must remain unimpeachable McKelvie until the story is filed I realize that now how about the price 50,000 it is good when do I file it after I prepare the way in London we must be cautious now can't afford to be seen together I suppose I meet you tomorrow night at nine at the Twin Dragon bar right well alphonse here's to the story yes my friend do your story my compression engines of many of today's newer cars are designed to perform best on a premium quality gasoline such as signal Eiffel but if you're nursing along an older model you may think Eiffel gasoline wouldn't make any difference in your car well if you'd see some of the vintage models that fill up at the signal Eiffel pump and hear the enthusiasm of their owners you change your mind for instance a chap who lives up in a hilly section was relating you should see some cars struggle when they try to pull my hill but with signal Eiffel my 41 model walks right up in high another driver of a 46 model remark on cold mornings I hear some of my friends complaining about hard starting but with signal Eiffel my car starts quick as a rabbit yes folks say mighty nice things about signal Eiffel because this premium grade of signals famous go farther gasoline is engineered to bring out the best in any car of any age so if you're not getting the fun out of driving you used to why not try this little experiment do as new car buyers do treat yours to a tank full of signal Eiffel see if you don't feel the difference a wonderful difference in signal Eiffel it's strange isn't it Craig at the very moment it became clear that your position with the paper in London meant everything to you with Alphonse Cylendrum sitting there in your state ready to pay you $50,000 for that false dispatch the crushing wire from Ames discharging you arrived to change it all you realized of course that Cylendrum must never know about and even as you tore up your editor's message discharging you and turned to Cylendrum you were trying frantically to think of some way the story could be filed and published the following day in London Cylendrum's gone now and you sit alone in your stateroom for a long time thinking you remember that no one knows you in Hong Kong decide for the time being it has to stay that way a few minutes after leaving the ship you check in at a nondescript waterfront hotel you've never been one to apologize Craig but this time it's got to be you hurry down to the cable office scribble the message out and hand it to the clerk let me see now Timothy Ames Fleet Street can't believe you're serious game here on tip underground movement very active in southern China know you will allow me time for full report McKelvey would you please read it no no answer but at that moment Craig as you hang up the receiver you know there has to be an answer that the story must be filed somehow even if you have to use Frank Parkley's name that with $50,000 involved nothing is going to stop you you call the porter's desk when is the steamship Malaya doing and Sunday night is uppermost in your mind as you sit with Cylendrum later that evening in a dark booth at the Twin Dragons going over the text of the story you know you'll have to file under Frank Parkley's byline you've got that straight McKelvey negotiations are underway mind you nothing more we must not imply the deal is anywhere near close of course they must fear competition you see rival offers higher bids I see when does it go tonight tonight huh yes we can move fast now everything's in readiness aren't you being a little hasty why do you say that was very simple the heaviest advertising days are at the end of the week our story might end up on the press room floor but then what do you suggest Sunday night we can't miss if we aim for Monday's late edition well I hate to wait now you've got to wait if you want to be sure well all right McKelvey I leave it up to you Sunday night yes Craig it has to be the night Parksley will arrive on the Malaya because your mind is made up isn't it on Sunday night you're going to check out of the hotel Oriental as Craig McKelvey you're going to move into higher circles in the Victoria as Frank Park sleep in between the two there'll be a murder Sunday night find you at the dock waiting looking up at the sleek side of the passenger vessel that just pulled in the SS Malaya you breathe a sigh of relief when you see parts the linen suit the thin range he figured the same Frank Park Slee you saw in Singapore years ago hello Park Slee you don't remember me I'm McKelvey oh yes McKelvey of course I'm sorry we only met once yes London wasn't it Singapore oh that it's all right I wouldn't have remembered you if I hadn't been told you were coming oh well then they did inform you that I guess they sent me a cable and I'm sorry old man I've been trying desperately to get out of Burma but it hasn't anything to do with displacing anyone oh I know that's my own doing and aims he agrees that I'm a bum well I wouldn't worry about it we uh we all have at least one editor who can't stand us sure look I hired a car I'll drive you up to the hotel well that's space boarding of you McKelvey however there's been a delay in getting my baggage off and I'm they'll send it up for you what you don't mind I'd rather wait a past experience you know somewhere in the Orient there's a typewriter three suits and six pair of my best are guile I know what you mean so we wait yes if you don't mind I insist you don't know Hong Kong Park Slee but it's like the baggage a man can get lost here I was all surprised when they named you as my replacement Park Slee what struck you don't want to leave Burma oh well at the moment I think there's more opportunity for me here really yes I say is this the road to the hotel well it's a roundabout one but I thought you might get a kick out of seeing the Bay well it's a pretty all right there's quite a view spot a bad friend of mine drove me out to it first time I was here oh yeah here we are just around this curve as I say you're right it takes in the whole shoreline doesn't it yeah actually we're not up very high it's just the way the island jets out here not many people could know this spot wouldn't be so deserted I'll have to remember it McKelvey you listen as Frank Park Slee prattles on about the view he's right isn't it Craig not many people know this spot you're thinking that as Park Slee turns his head looks away from you in the direction of the Bay your hand moves down and tightens around the handle of a heavy wrench at your side the lights over there McKelvey blistering like the gold we mortals are always after them have you ever thought of them that the drive back to town gives you your first chance to really let down since meeting Frank it's over now Craig you did it kill Park Slee and sent his body heavily weighted with stones over the side of the cliff and splashing into the waters of the Bay you're glad now that he insisted on waiting for his luggage you have a use for it haven't you yes at Park Slee's hotel but not before you return the rented car and attend to a few things at your own hotel oh you leave Mr. McKelvey yes checking out Sam getting passage on the Malaya the hotel Victoria missed it all right there you go thank you yes sir I have wired for reservation my name is Park Slee whoo yes I remember if you just signed this car Mr. Park Slee well and it's room number 402 here's the key the boy will take your bags fine all right Sonny let's well if it isn't my good friend so landrum yes indeed my dear you go on ahead boy I'll be right up said yourself we shouldn't be seen together but not here not here and then room 402 there's anything to talk about wait about a half hour and then meet me there as you wish my friend room 402 I was talking to the cable office could you reconnect me I was filing it a scratch for my paper I'll give it here from the beginning again Hong Kong August 17th supposedly well-founded reports indicate certain Alphonse Salendrum agent for a London importing firm negotiating for purchase of largest quantity Tibetan musk ever involved in single transaction Salendrum commissioned by his firm a few minutes later and it's over isn't it Craig you hang up the phone sit back and breathe a sigh of relief you work fast didn't you and it went through everything you said the report will appear in the London paper you've managed to keep your promise to Salendrum haven't you Craig with the aid of Park Slee's arrival and sudden departure now all that's ahead is to wait and collect your feet hello my friend come on in Salendrum trust you feel free to talk now my dear McCosey anybody see you come up well you're so nervous you're not at all the man of iron never mind just don't like to ask for trouble that's all I did a serious thing I hope you appreciate that you've already filed a dispatch I have oh what's matter don't tell me it isn't gonna work I have better news because they much better news that will preserve your integrity as a correspondent you're driving at supposing I were to tell you that anything you said concerning the negotiations for my firm in London what true is that what you are telling me exactly at long last after eight months my view I have been contacted by letter the man who has the mask wishes to discuss business with me now wait a minute we had an agreement oh please my friend I'm getting that for one moment as you say we had an agreement of gentlemen's agreement and because of it you will receive the amount I promise but if you have to make a legitimate purchase I'm not above such an action McKelvin not under the right circumstances you're meeting this man tonight he's coming here to the hotel yes I must talk to him privately you see the margin of profit is accounted for by the simple fact that he did not come by the most by entirely honest means so is willing to sell for less I am buying the mask for exactly half the price my firm will pay very nice so you need have no concern over your share I'll bring it your room above it by yeah I guess depart sorry Selendrim I hate to be indelicate about it but I'm in too deep we'll wait for your man right here together this is 402 mr. Selendrim is visiting with me but he expects a caller if anyone asked for him would you send him up here thank you taking care of my friend all taking care of nothing to do now but sit and wait yes and the moment is close McKelvin this will otherwise by pursue these many months is almost in my grasp think man in the matter of hours perhaps minutes it will be rich and you are thinking aren't you Craig there's a tense nervous feeling inside you and you know Selendrim senses it too both of you sit there in silence waiting waiting you glance at Frank Park sleaze brown leather luggage pile next to the chair thankful at the initials fp you're facing you and not Selendrim too late to even wish now that you've thrown it into the bay along with the body of its own 11 o'clock 1130 12 you're both wondering now so many things could go wrong so much could happen to a man alone in Hong Kong with over $200,000 in his hands and then you better answer the door my friend if you're not getting a new car you naturally want your present car to keep performing as well as possible well the lubrication and service a car gets have a lot to do with its performance and that's where independent signal dealers shine with them you see servicing cars isn't just a temporary job it's a permanent business in which they've invested their own money that means signal dealers not only actually enjoy working with cars but on the average have had years of experience experience which gives them valuable know-how that can make such a big difference in a car's performance and upkeep also independent signal dealers are well aware that their success and very livelihood depend on how well they satisfy you well naturally this conscientious type of personal service can add a lot to your car's life and your driving pleasure good reason why so many drivers these days are switching to the friendly service stations that feature the famous go farther gasoline signal that is from moment you can't move can you pray then suddenly you find yourself on your feet and in the few seconds it takes you to cross the room the whole nightmarish story flashes across your mind the cryptic wire so lend them sent you in Calcutta the fortune in Tibetan must the false dispatch Frank Pondley's body lying at the bottom of the bay above all the field the terrible knowledge of what will happen if they find you here in his place yes Craig now on you have to move one of our in the right room yes man you want it inside this is Mr. good evening I'm Inspector Wilson and Frank Park they wasn't working alone so I've been following him ever since he robbed a trade or infermer of a fortune in Tibetan must this is obviously something between you two gentlemen so no my friend don't go you're in this too that's right right you see after tracing partly this bar I lost track of him moment for this disappeared quite remarkable then this afternoon some fisherman reported the body visible the flow tide in the shallow water off town point and brought in yes hot this body now the first you tell me which one of you killed him no wait a minute we haven't seen this partially you registered here in his name but we haven't seen him we were waiting for him then how does it happen that this luggage is there by that chair I'd know it anywhere although I followed it long enough you see some of that luggage contains the stolen mouse I said that luggage contains the stolen mouse your signal for the signal oil program the whistler each Sunday night at the same time meantime signal oil company and a friendly independent dealer to help you go farther with signal gasoline hope you'll remember regardless of what gasoline you use you'll enjoy more miles of happy driving if you drive at sensible speed obey traffic regulation and avoid taking chances you may even save a life possibly your own story where Bill Foreman is the whistler Jack Moyle Marvin Miller Ben Wright Raymond Lauren and Byron Kane the whistler was produced and directed by George W. Allen with story by Joel Malone and Harold Swanton music by Wilbur had and was transmitted overseas by the armed forces radio service the whistler is entirely fictional and all characters portrayed on the first there are also fictional any similarity of names or resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental remember to tune in at the same time next Sunday when the signal oil company will bring you another strange story by the whistler Marvin Miller speaking for the signal oil company stay tuned now for our miss Brooks starring Eve Arden which follows immediately over most of these stations this is the CBS radio network