 Lifton Tea and Lifton Soup present Inner Sanctum Mystery. Good evening, friends of the Inner Sanctum. This is your host to welcome you in through the squeaking door to another half hour of horror. Come in, won't you? Sit down. I hope you'll forgive me if I don't get up, but I'm terribly tired. I spent last night with a friend who's a book collector, specialisers and best sellers. He certainly showed me some interesting ones. In fact, he tried to bury me in one. Because all the very best sellers have corpses in them. Why, that's downright silly. Most sellers do not have bodies in them. What do corpses have, Mary? You know the old saying, even the walls have ears. You certainly don't make a house sound homey at all. Why don't you talk about the kitchen with its good warm smells of homemade food? Yes, and while you're at it, you should mention Lipton Tea because Lipton's makes good food taste better. You see, folks, Lipton's has a brisk flavor. And brisk means that Lipton Tea always tastes fresh and full-bodied, tangy and spirited, never flatter, wishy-washy. That's why Lipton's is such a grand drink at mealtimes and why it's the perfect beverage to serve when you're entertaining. That's right. That brisk flavor makes all the difference in the world. So folks, try Lipton's, won't you? And now, friends, if you're willing to gamble with your peace of mind, put out the lights and listen to Death by Scripture. It's an original radio play by that old grave digger, Robert Newman. Yes, and our star tonight is Stefan Schnabel, who plays the role of Stefan. The place is China, somewhere near the outskirts of Shanghai, a man-made wasteland ravaged and devastated by war, driving through an abandoned village on his way to a camp for displaced persons, is Major Roger Mason. Suddenly, the glare of his headlights picks out a strange, wild-eyed figure who stares and scuttles into the shelter of an alley. Mason hesitates for only a moment, then stops his Jeep. Hello there! Come back here for a minute, will you? Hello! Okay, if you want to make a game out of it. There's an alley somewhere. Please, please, Master, please. I mean no harm. Easy, easy. I'll always go to hurt you, certainly not me. I'm an American on my way to camp 14. Camp 14? The camp of refugees, displaced persons. I know I was there. I thought so. How was it they let you leave? They did not let me. I ran away. Oh? Why? Because to stay would have meant death. It seems to me it would be a lot more dangerous to go wandering around here. Suppose I take you back there with me? No. No, no, please. I tell you, there's nothing to be afraid of. You think not? Very well. What can men do against fate? I tried. You're a witness that I tried. But I warn you, if I go back, it will mean death. Not just for me, but for others, many others. I'm Major Mason. Major Mason, I'm very happy to meet you. Welcome to camp 14. I'm very glad to meet you too. I've had a great deal about you. The job you've been doing here. Oh, Dad, there was not much I could do when we were all prisoners. But now that we have been freed and are beginning to get food and medical supplies, it is almost like a holiday. May I present Miss Mia Singh, who has been assisting me? Major Mason? I brought someone here with me, someone I picked up on the road. Stefan. I did not want to come back. He made me. Well, then it does come from the camp here? Yes, of course. A curious case. We have never been able to discover his last name or even his nationality. We have many kinds here, you know. White Russians, Korean, Siamese, Burmese. Stefan, why did you do it? Why did you run away? Sir, I was afraid because of this. Another one. That same paper. What is it? We found about a dozen of them scattered around the camp this afternoon. But read it. You have not escaped. There is no escape. Do you recognize this symbol here? Japanese Black Pregnant Society. It says there is no escape. And it's true. I tried to escape, and what happened? He brought me back. Our benefactor, our savior. I told you there was nothing to be afraid of, Stefan. Afraid? Is death something to be feared? It is the one escape they cannot take from us. Death to sleep, to rest, to rest. It's really in a pretty bad state. Couldn't you put them up in the administration building? That might be exactly what they want. What do you mean? It is not like the Black Dragon Society to want someone they mean to kill. But suppose they don't know exactly who they do want. Wouldn't they do what they seem to have done, make a general threat, and see who should feel who did run away? The war is over, Kornow. The major is right, doctor. Are we still living in the past? And we do have a room here where we can put Stefan. They went down the hall. Very well. But remember, I warned you. I too think it will mean death. Stefan. Stefan. The door is not locked, major. Come in. I didn't know whether I'd be disturbing you, whether you were asleep. I never sleep. Never. You're feeling better, though, aren't you? Safer? It is at least quiet. A man can think. I was lying here trying to remember. Trying to remember what? If I knew I would know everything. But I don't know. There is much that I can remember, such as what, Stefan? The first one. The greatest one. Many lifetimes ago. The garden with a wall around it. The torchlight bright on their breastplates and helmets. And his face. Then the hill. The place of scowls. The earth shaking. Stop it, Stefan. Never did you're talking about it. Horrible, yes. But true. Those I can remember. I can't ever forget. But what I can't remember is now. Who I am. What I must do. And why. It will be horrible, too. As bad as the others. You're a sick man. You've got to rest. You've got to stop thinking. I'm going to get you something, some medicine. I'll help you to sleep. Then when you're strong again, we'll take you away from here. Sleep. I told you I do not sleep. I cannot sleep. No, we'll see about that. I'll be back in a few minutes. Sleep. He does not believe that it is not for me. Not even the final one. Which is dreamless. What's that? What's at the door? This door. But who, who is that? Down at the end of the hall, Steffen's room. Come on, quick. Major Mason. This way, down here. It sounded like shots as he... Unless he's not flesh and blood. The smoke's right over the heart. Must have been fired right from the door there. Good lord. What is it? This pulse, still there. Where's your searcher? He's right next to the office. What, there is of it. Help me carry him in there. We'll operate immediately. You don't have another one, mate. How's this pulse? Weak. But steady. No, the swab. That's it. No, I don't dare probe. Possips. He... He's almost in the vena cava. No worse than the others. Possible? No one will believe it. But he's still alive. The last one. He does prove through. He even holds out for a couple of hours. I believe anything. How is he, Mia? I don't believe it either. But he's better. His pulse is still strong and there are no signs of shock. I'll stay with him for a while. You go get some sleep. No, I... I'm all right. I'd like to stay until we are sure that... Nature, look. He's coming too. No. Don't make me come back. Don't make me do it again. Hello, Stefan. How are you feeling? Oh, yes. The American. Why are you looking at me like that? Because you have no right to be alive now. And you wouldn't be. If it were not for him. I never had any right to be alive. But I am. I won't die. I told you I wouldn't. I couldn't. Until I do what I have to do. And what's that? It is coming to me slowly and beginning to remember. I do not see it all yet. But I know what it will mean. Vultures and blood. Coffins and death. We're starting to get somewhere. But I wish our friend with a bad memory would stop talking about what he has to do and do it. Here we are halfway through our story with only one shooting. And no corpses. Things don't pick up. I'm going to get in there myself and show them how to... ...pour gold. My goodness, aren't you ever satisfied? I've had the creeps ever since this story started. I just refuse to think about what's going to happen next. Well, as the doctor said, as he sewed himself up. Suit yourself. What an awful pun. Brrr. Why, Mary, did you say brrrrisk? I did not say brisk. And I'll thank you not to make fun of that word. Because it's a mighty important word in the language of tea experts. Yes, brisk. B-R-I-S-K is the word they use to describe the flavor of Lipton tea. Because Lipton's always tastes fresh and tangy. Never flatter and sip it. That's why it's the largest selling brand of tea in the whole world. Well, folks, you just don't know how good tea can be... ...till you know how good Lipton's is. Oh, don't say that, Mary. Not till you've tried some of my special brew. Tea and tea. Terror and nightmare and troubles. It is the next evening, about ten o'clock at night. The dust laden winds still wails around the lonely camp. And the refugees from many nations sit huddled in their rooms. Stefan, his face, gaunt and drawn, is sitting propped up in bed... ...in the administration building. Are sure you feel well enough to talk, Stefan? There is pain, but that does not matter. What is it you wish to know, Major? You were shot, Stefan. You know that. Did you see who it was that shot you? Yes, I saw. But that is not important. It does not matter. What do you mean, it does not matter? Just that, Doctor. You see, much has come back to me. Not who I am, but what I must do. And I know now that I have nothing more to fear... ...that I was shot by mistake. Mistake? What the Doctor said last night about the Black Dragon Society... ...was quite true. There are two men here in the camp... ...for whom the Japanese have been searching for years. Men who have been leading the resistance movement... ...in their own countries. Even now, the Black Dragon Society feels that those two men... ...must die. Do you know who they are? Yes. Do not mention their names. Do not even think of them. You know who they are. Don't you, Mia? One of them is your own father. Ram Singh. And the other is Pao Tung. Is that true? Yes. It is true. And I think we ought to go see them at once. Make provisions to get them away from here. That, then, is the situation, gentlemen. And I should like to have you escorted to Shanghai... ...as soon as possible. You are very kind, Major. We felt that our best protection, Lee, and anonymity... ...we may have been wrong. As for the danger, even though Japan has been beaten... ...not all the members of the Black Dragon... ...nor their agents have been rounded up... ...soon... Ram Singh, you always were too cautious. The Major is right. We should have declared ourselves... ...returned to our countries at once. I, for one, will be happy to do so now. Good. There are a few things in my room I would like to get first. It will not take but a moment. I will meet you back here. Fine. You still look worried, Father. Do I? Perhaps I am. After all these years waiting, working... ...suffering... ...to be so close to what I waited and worked for... But what is there to be afraid of? The Major has promised you protection? No, and I am profoundly grateful. But I keep wondering how Stefan knew. What was that? It was a compound. And it sounded like... Stay here, both of you. No, I am coming with you. Father, you stay here. Lock this door and do not let in anyone... ...unless you know who it is. Major Mason! Major Mason, where are you? Over here. The dust is so thick. Who's that? You heard it, too? Sounded as if it came from... There he is. Pardon? Yes. Dead, throat cut from ear to ear. No. No, he... He just left us. He was only gone a minute. That minute was all somebody needed. Dr. Kornover, I am seeing. Major Mason asked me to take you up to the... ...administration building. Just a second. Get... ...let's scream out in the compound. Was it...? Yes. Pautung. And... ...and was he...? Yes. Good. That is why the Major wanted me to come and get you. To put you somewhere where you would be safe. You are ready? Yes. For Pautung... ...to have lived through so much. We did for so long. Then... ...is it known who did it? No, not yet. But they are closing the gates. We heard it was. We'll find it difficult to get away. Will they? I wonder... ...in this dark... ...where the dust so thick you can hardly see. Besides, suppose it is not someone from outside. Suppose it is someone from the camp here. Someone who has been here... ...for a long time... Dr. Kunoff! Dr. Kunoff, where are you? Dr. Kunoff! Must have lost him as we came through the alley. With his wind. Dr. Kunoff! Is that you? Who is it? Answer me! Open the door for me, will you, Mayor? Of course, Major. Where are you going to put him? Here. Right here. In the office. You told the guards at the gate? No one will get out. But what are you doing up? You should not be out of bed. I... I heard something outside. A cry and I had to see. Which one is it? Our tomb. Dead? Yes. And the other? Your father, Mayor. Dr. Kunoff went to get him. He's bringing him here where he would be safe. Now go back inside to bed. Father? Dr. Kunoff? Kunoff. Where is your father? Isn't he here? Oh, I know. You were going to... Didn't you go get him? Yes, yes, I did. We started across the compound together, but it was so dark. The dust was so thick. I lost him. I called to him, looked for him, and when there was no answer, I thought he had gone on ahead. Stay here all of you, I'll go. I'm sorry, Mayor. Why? Why are you looking at me that way? And what are you sorry about? I am sorry that we became separated, that I lost him. I am sorry that he's dead. Dead? How can you say that? Because he must be dead. Because it's part of the pattern, the cycle... That's enough, everyone. I will take you back inside. You're a very sick man. Yes, yes, I'm sick. Not as sick as some, but sick enough. Go back, though. Not yet. I must wait. I'm not sure for what, but... I know I must wait for something. Listen. Major Mason? You found him? Yes, yes, I found him. I told you. I knew he had to be dead. Yes, he had to be dead. I think I knew it, too. I knew it was hopeless from the very beginning. How? How did it happen? Strangled. My face. Dying out there in the darkness. Two of them killed within a few short minutes, and we still do not know who... Not completely true, Mia. You mean... you know? Your father and Pow Tong were around here for a long time. They died because Stefan revealed their identity. That means the murderer had to have access to that information. He had to know precisely where they were, and when they were going to be alone. And he had to be able to get at the medical supplies here. The medical supplies? Because Pow Tong's throat was cut with a scalpel. And your father was strangled with a cat-cut suture. And that means... Don't move, Conoff! I had you covered since I came in. Dr. Conoff? I do not believe it. Thank you, my dear. I am sure that there will be quite a few others who will feel that same way. Stefan, you saw who shot you. Who was it? He. Conoff. You do, eh, Stefan? Well, I... I believe there's something here. I'd like to show all of you. Something that... Make him look out! Quite fast enough, Conoff. At least you saved us the trouble of a trial. As for you, Stefan... Do not blame him, Major. It was not his fault. Not his fault? It was he who exposed your father in Paltone. I know. But I think I also know why he did it. You know? Then tell me in Heaven's name... Here. This should not come from me, but... Take it. Money? You are giving me money? Yes. Silver. The amount may not be exactly right, but now do you understand? Yes. Yes. Thank you. And bless you. I do understand everything. What I have done. And what I must do. What does he understand? Why did you give him that money? I was once someone else who betrayed a friend and was paid for it with silver. Thirty pieces to be exact. You mean... Yes. In the Bible. One Judas Iscariot. What? That's mad. Insane. Are you implying that he... that that's why he didn't die when he was shot? Did he see eternal immortal? I do not know. Perhaps he is not always the same. Perhaps in each crisis in every period of history there is always one who must play the role of the betrayer even against his will. But this much I do know that he is not immortal. Wait a minute. I just remembered the story of Judas in the Bible. Come on, quick. What's that? The money I gave him on the floor. And... yes. Matthew 27 as I recall. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed. And went... and hanged himself. Oh, that's the kind of character we like to have on this program. He was slow getting started, but he did deliver in the end. Two corpses, plus his own. A nice down-to-earth sort of chap who wound up high in the air with a rope around his neck. We'll have to see that he's back with us again next week. Rope and all. Use the rope? Of course we will. You know our motto, no noose is bad news. Well, that's not my motto, Mr. Host. Is that so, Mary? I don't give me any of your Lipton's. I certainly won't give you any of my Lipton's. If you want Lipton's tea, you can get it at your grocers just like anyone else. And by the way, folks, you'll find that it pays to ask for Lipton's in the larger, more economical-sized packages. That way, you not only save money, but you also make sure that you have a good supply on hand of that brisk-flavored Lipton's tea. And you know, Lipton's is always welcome. And now here's a word of advice, friend. If you should be invited to spend the weekend with a friend in a country, and he should wake you at midnight carrying a lantern and shovel, and invite you to go burying with him, make sure he doesn't mean burying with a you. And when I say you, I do mean you. Oh, by the way, this muscle-sinner sanctum mystery novel is The Whistling Leg by Roman McDougal. Yes, the next week's inner sanctum story directed by Hyman Brown and brought to you by Lipton's tea and Lipton's soup. Next week's story is about a honeymoon couple. There's a funny kind of characters to be on this program, eh? Is that what you were thinking? Well, this couple finds a corpse right in the middle of their bed. And they can't ask the corpse to leave, not to its face, anyway, because you see, it has no face. Now it's time to close the squeaking door, so good night. Pleasant dream. Folks, here's a modern food with an old-fashioned homemade flavor, Lipton's noodle soup. You see, Lipton takes no time to prepare, and yet it's blessed with a real fresh-cooked chickeny taste. And what's more, it's swimming with tender, golden-egged noodles. That's why Lipton's is such a grand food to give your child when he comes home from school for lunch. Yes, it's quick and it's appetizing. You'll find that children enjoy Lipton's just as much as grown-ups do, because it has the same good spices, the same rich old-fashioned flavor as the chicken soup you'd make right at home. So, friends, don't forget to serve Lipton's noodle soup. And don't forget to tune in next Tuesday night for another Inner Sanctum Mystery. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.