 The signal oil program The whistler that whistle is your signal for the signal oil program The whistler am 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 Yes friends, it's time for the signal oil program the whistler Rated tops in popularity for a longer period of time than any other West Coast program in radio history And signal gasoline is tops to tops in quality It takes extra quality, you know to give you extra mileage and signal is the famous go farther gasoline So look for the signal circle sign in yellow and black that identifies independently operated signal stations from Canada to Mexico And now the whistler strange story The hangtree affair It was boredom that got Lee Ryan into it in the first place His train out of Chicago for the West Coast was moving slow with further delays expected because of the snowstorms ahead Yes, he was bored and impatient His last business venture in Chicago hadn't paid off too well And he looked forward to his arrival in California and the prospects of a deal worthy of his talents Lee decided that the club car might help pass the time It did the car was crowded and he found himself sitting with a talkative man who seemed to know many things about many people Including a number of their fellow passengers He was a reporter a man whom Lee had known casually over a period of years a Reporter who apparently loved to report and he talked to Lee Confidentially as if to his city editor. Oh, you picked a great chuchu Lee. Yes, sir I'm glad I'm getting off. You can carry on for me. How do you mean? Well, you can follow my boy Jeff Larkin. There's no story there as far as my newspaper concerned The city editor is washing it up Larkin that sounds familiar. I bet he looks that way too. Hey, ah, right over there with that girl. Oh She's not bad. Huh? Oh, she just like all the rest hanging around. I'm thinking he's gonna get that money money Oh, you didn't recognize a man an ex-con But I knew him when he was a big big man and hose lay any bodies time had happened He was the brains. Yeah, that's what they say. He'd planned the robberies on his partner noisy Nevins pull them off all a great team great noisy Nevins are the nitroglycerin Oh noisy could blow a safe door off clean as a housewife and open a can of peas. Oh sure and I'm with you They used to work together, but the last big job. They pulled a hundred thousand dollar bank job Larkin got careless He also got five years. He'll got the hundred thousand. Oh, it disappeared and so did Nevins That's why I've been tagging Larkin around ever since he walked out of that pen six months ago Your paper figured he'd meet Nevins split the dough. Haha. That's right only my paper was wrong Larkin knows from nothing where that dough is and noisy. Oh, he's quiet now as they get and Permanent to oh, yeah, I got that way about a month ago I think it was an auto accident out in Fisco. I was too bad Nevins was probably the only guy in the world who knew where that money was you figure he stashed it away somewhere Right absolutely right a hundred thousand dollars and it stays stashed Well that poor girl wasting her time with Larkin somebody should tell her there's a hundred grand unmarked bills Negotiable as a mud puddle in a pogo stick. Uh-huh. Say, you know, what's a funny thing? Well, I was a kid I could never manage one of those things. Oh, no. Oh, that's pretty good. Oh, you're kidding me Well, I'll be seeing you pal. Happiest scoops. Don't worry about me. I'm getting off the next stop My yeah, my best to Larkin if you should run it too. Yeah, I remember and I just might run into it Interesting isn't it Lee a man with a hundred thousand dollars only he doesn't know where it is It was hidden away by a partner who's dead now All very interesting Yes, and you think about it a lot after you leave your reporter friend in the club car Wonder if he's right if that girl really is going to be disappointed It's hours later that you feel the train grind to a stop glance out of your compartment to see that you've pulled onto a Siding in a small town station a porter. What's wrong? Why are we stopping? It won't be for long. So it's just a snow Oh, yes, and there's time to get off for a while if you want to some of the passengers are we'll be here bottom now I'll thank you. I don't think I'll bother Instead of leaving the train you walk back to the observation platform Stand there looking off toward the few lights of the small slumbering town of Springdale You find yourself wondering about Jeff Larkin again and the girl And then as the train is ready to move on you see her approaching alone from the direction of town It's a chance to speak to her. Isn't it Lee? On impulse you decide to take it You start for the boarding platform at the end of the car and reach it as she comes up the steps I'm sorry. I didn't mean to it's all right. Oh, no, you've dropped your purse here. Please never mind. I insist You bend down quickly begin to retrieve the articles that are spilled from her purse One you can't help noticing. It's a picture postcard addressed to mr. Jeff Larkin general delivery Chicago give it to me. Why certainly certainly. Hey, sorry, but I'm in a hurry. Thank you very much afraid your boyfriend might miss you Boyfriend, I know what you're talking about. I'm sorry. I just thought you were kind of chummy with a fellow in the club car You're mistaken Someone happened to sit with me because the car was crawling. Oh, sure sure. That's happening me too forget it. There's nothing to forget Good night night She wasn't very cooperative was she Lee and you wonder why? Wonder also about the card addressed to Larkin why she got so excited about it The next morning following the stop at Denver and find out Yes conductor, I'm sorry to bother you mr. Ryan, but we've been questioning all the passengers Questioning them about what? Oh, I'm sorry. This is lieutenant Knowles Denver police lieutenant to explain quickly Mr. Ryan a man a few compartments down from you has been murdered. I'm this train No happened at a place called springdale when we pulled into a siding mr. Ryan. Oh, I remember we stopped for about an hour Yeah, that's the place during that hour the victim of man named Jeff larkin larkin, you know him Well, no, no, I've heard of him. That's all I guess a lot of people have anyway larkin got off the plane for some reason never got back on His body was found a short time later in an alley at the edge of town. He'd been shocked for devil We've been trying to find someone who got off with him or talked to him just before no luck so far But now the young lady in 29 miss Clinton says she spoke to larkin earlier in the club car But that's the last she saw of it. Oh, she uh She didn't get off at springdale. No, no, she says she stayed in her compartment the whole time I see and you Ryan. Well, I walked back to the observation car. I was there at all 20 minutes or so, but you didn't observe anything. No, no, I'm sorry lieutenant. I didn't observe a thing With the prologue of the hangtree affair the signal oil company is bringing you another strange story by the whistler Recently I was looking at one of the newly announced 1949 cars as the salesman pointed out the air conditioner and the front seat that drops back to make a bed I Couldn't help thinking it's the trend of really modern products to do more than is primarily expected of them Just as signal premium compounded motor oil does so much more than just lubricate Of course signal premium has 100% pure paraffin base the finest money can buy But in addition signal premium oil Contains scientific compounds that go to work inside your motor doing jobs that regular oil alone can never do One compound for instance washes out accumulated carbon gum and varnish another compound guards expensive bearings from explosion and still other compounds keep the oil from thinning and prevent excessive foaming No wonder signal premium is the oil that guarantees a sweeter running motor So next time you change oil have your signal dealer put in the modern type signal oil that does so much more than just lubricate signal premium compounded motor oil and Now back to the whistler Well, you don't have to wonder anymore about the girl you saw with Jeff Larkin It all fits doesn't it the reporter's story about that hundred thousand dollars hidden away Larkin's death in a deserted alley back in Springdale The girls claim that she didn't see Larkin leave the train and that she herself didn't get off You know different don't you leave and the knowledge gives you absolute confidence when you reach Los Angeles Check into the same hotel that she does and then half an hour later call her room. Hello. Hello, Julie Oh friend of yours a good friend we uh met on the train Well, you met Jeff Larkin Julie you got real chummy like I once said well, he is still there Julie Well stay there, huh? I'm coming down to your room so we can talk now wait a minute. Are you wait a minute, Julie? That's all it'll take me. Well, the name is Lee Ryan and Julie Yes, I like my martini is very dry. Well, don't expect too much. Mr. Ryan. I Haven't any ice. No, I don't give me that so far. It's all you've had just um use that cold shoulder of yours. I'll be right down I um, I don't do this for everybody. Mr. Ryan. I don't lie for everybody Really, you're mistaken about that. Oh, is that so? Yeah, the drink looks good. I Think yours looks better. Let's switch. Howie cagey It's me. Oh It's good now The business at hand Julie Sounds terribly boring. Oh, I'm not nearly as bored as I was when I started this trip things are beginning to look up It's why I didn't tell that police detective that you got off that train They couldn't resist a certain possibility Namely that you know something Look, I uh, I don't care about Larkin What were you after? What's that? What's that address unknown Julie that spot where? Haven't stashed that hundred grand. Hey, I got it. What have you got mr. Ryan the postcard that picture on it some place up north Motherload country Silver City, wasn't it you're talking thick mr. Ryan Hey, what did you do? What did you put in this? My drink Getting dizzy Julie I Had you figured perfectly smart boy? You shouldn't have switched drinks with me Mr. Ryan, mr. Ryan, are you all right? Should I get the doctor? No, no, no doctor. I'm okay Where is she the young lady who called about you? She's gone checked out gone. Where she was going to catch a train I believe I'm I'm not sure she was just leaving her room when she saw you out here in the hall Give me a plane schedule. I want to go to Silver City Silver City. I don't believe the planes land. All right They'll get me close enough. I'll go if I have to crawl the rest of the way. Yes, sir anything you say As far as the stage goes mr. Silver City Here's your drink mr. Nice like I was saying Silver City is real quiet during the day But it'll open up round sundown. That's when the boys start drifting in from hangtree. Oh say You was asking me about the stage. There she is just pulled up in front of the hotel You wouldn't be waiting for that little lady with the suitcase just got over for Jane. I Sure would pop. Yeah classy. Oh, here's your change Give you some silver in case you want to play the slot machine. Oh, there's no need to I Just hit the jackpot As you sit there at the bar watch Julie into the hotel across the street you congratulate yourself Don't you leave your trip to Silver City paid off with a bigger payoff yet to come a Quarter of an hour later. You see Julie leave the hotel Watch her as she enters a cafe halfway down the block quickly you leave the bar and hurry into the hotel Say clerk. I've been expecting someone a young lady. She was supposed to arrive on the bus Why yes, she checked in a little while ago roommate. Oh good, but she ain't in now. Oh, oh, well, I'll see you later Say, let me have your pass key. Well, I've left my key in my room. I'll bring it right back Okay, just a second Moments later you slip into Julie's room quickly you go through her suitcase and pocket the gun Then as you turn your eye catch a sight of something on the dresser It's the postcard the same one Julie dropped on the train the card addressed to the late Jeff Larkin It boasts a picture of historic hangtree cemetery of Silver City on the back You can barely make out the handwriting there Jeff Be sure to look me up You're out this way Hope to see you soon Johnny Bridges Johnny Bridges You gotta know more about him Bridges yeah, well, how do you like that your Friend was in here asking about him my friend. The ladies got off the bus a little while ago Ask me if Johnny Bridges had been in lately You know something Johnny Bridges died over 50 years ago What yeah Silver Johnny they called him big man another big man. Yes, sir own the mine town too Yes, sir, you have been out to the cemetery the cemetery Johnny's got the fancy and fanciest rest in place of them all Hurt it cost over ten thousand dollars big granite Crip got a life-sized statue of Johnny on top and What's matter young fella? Oh nothing nothing Look, how do you get out there to the the cemetery? Oh easy Just go right down the end of C Street here and turn left by the signal oil station go up the road You'll see a tree top of the hill that's old hang tree right beyond it on the side of the hill real handy likes the cemetery Oh, thank you. Thanks a lot You're out of breath when you finally reach the old cemetery As you start down the hill you notice a handful of people moving about the tombstones Tourists leave yes, they're all about you peering at the time worn inscriptions on the tombstones taking snapshots Then you notice someone else Yes There she is standing before a massive vault staring at the statue on top of it quite a jant wasn't he Julie? Don't look so surprised, baby. Oh What are you doing here? I'm writing a book on the old West. What are you doing here? You You won't believe this. I'll try I'm writing a book too about Johnny Burgess. That's right Remarkable character Burgess. I understand that broken down pile of rocks there that crypt cost 10 grand I must make a note of it doesn't look much like anything now does it over on with the weeds and all? That lock on the door doesn't look very good to me. Does it to you? I'm not an expert on lock You know from here. It looks like it could be forced with a marshmallow. I wonder what's inside that is besides Johnny Burgess, I mean I Wouldn't have the faintest idea Look, baby Our tourist friends are going to be parked here all afternoon if I'm not mistaken. So why don't we go back to town talk about the Romantic old West and all no about this this postcard and Johnny Burgess crypt Where'd you get that postcard? I happened to wander into your room was quite accidental really. I was looking for the elevator May I have it please? Well, sure sure Now let's go back to town find some place nice and private Your room at the hotel do you know Lee? You're a pretty smart boy. Oh, thanks, honey It was really very simple Never sent the card to Larkin to let him know where the dough was stashed hangtree cemetery The hundred grand hidden in that vault the final resting place of silver Johnny Burgess. Give me a cigarette with it Help you, sir. Thank you You've been to Frisco mm-hmm. That's a great town. We could have a wonderful time there Julie could we have a size We'll be rolling until Lee yeah, just where do we stand? I mean about we're partners, honey We're partners. I see You'll have to give me a little time to think it over. Oh sure You know there's one little thing I've been wondering about you Julie How'd you break into this affair? You're not Larkin's girlfriend. You picked him up on the train, didn't you? That's unkind So you and noisy Nevins used to hold that so we did I Made him in San Francisco while Larkin was in prison You must have discovered that your boyfriend sent word to Larkin when he got out about where the dough was I mean Something like that, but Nevins didn't tell you where it was. He was not very cooperative at times Lee Yeah, I bet you even suggested Nevins double-cross Larkin so that the two of you can have all the dough do you think yeah, I do Well Nevins wouldn't hear of it. He was one of those honest people code of the underworld and all that Funny I thought he'd do anything I asked him except double-cross an old pal No, he seemed to think we could get along with half the money Said he didn't deserve anymore opening safe came so easy to him. Yeah to him and his nitro So when Evans was killed in that accident you saw that half go out the window You didn't know where it was hidden, but Larkin did he'd get it all so do we have to go into that part of it No, no, I guess not we'll forget about it We'll forget about everything except then in another half hour. It'll be dark And then we have a date with Johnny Bridges and a hundred thousand dollars Now we can be in Frisco my morning What do you say? Oh I don't know I can talk you into it. I know Can you? Well, I talk and leave I May buy a half hour later as you step out into the street You suddenly discover that Silver City has come alive The main street is swarming with men from the mine as you walk past the saloons the cafes and stores You can hear the shouts the laughter jukeboxes and player pianos You walk to the edge of town Stop and stare at the hill beyond hangtree silhouetted against the sky For a long while you stand there trying to make up your mind about Julie After all these he killed once At last you turn and hurry back along the crowded street in one of the saloons you get the information that you want What's that again, mr. The bus what time? Oh, yeah, there's one do there and let me see about another half hour Thanks, you can catch it over there. Yeah, I know not say is there a phone in here. Yeah, right back there end of the bar Thanks You push your way through the crowd of the rear of the saloon to the telephone booth and place your call Hello, it's all set, baby. Still want to go to Frisco? All right, but get the stuff and leave tonight now you wait for me stay right way Or I'll pick you up in about 10 minutes Look sheriff you can check on this later But an ex-con named Larkin was murdered in Springdale five days ago Wait a minute You'll find the murder gun at the Elmira hotel in roommate. It's under a seat cushion a chair by the window You'll also find the dame there who pulled the trigger hold on here. Bye. Bye, baby I'm gonna miss you and Frisco The whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending to tonight's story Meantime since there are only five shopping days till Christmas. I have a brilliant last-minute idea I hope there are no little boys listening because what I want to suggest is that there is no finer present than a switch For that forgotten name on your gift list The forgotten name I'm referring to is your car and the switch. I'm suggesting is a switch to signal You know that signal gasoline must have something For signal to have grown so in popularity from a mere handful of stations in Southern, California To almost 2,000 signal dealers serving six Western states from Canada to Mexico Of course, I don't have to tell you that signal is famous as the go farther gasoline But even more important to you is the extra driving pleasure you enjoy Thanks to the extra efficiency today's signal coaxes from your motor So if you want your gas pedal to keep that Christmas morning thrill year-round Remember Marvin Miller suggestion give your car a switch for Christmas a switch to signal gasoline and Now back to the whistler After 12 hours and several long-distance calls Sheriff McQuinn of Silver City was prepared to do some questioning He talked to Lieutenant Knowles in Denver and to the San Francisco police Now at last he felt that the puzzle was beginning to fit together All that remained was to walk through the quiet early morning gloom to the cell occupied by his angry and patient prisoner How time you're talking to me. What's it all about? You can't hold me here like this. I'll just take it easy lady. I Can and I'm doing it, but I haven't sit down. I've been making some phone calls Picked up lots of things about you. What of it? In San Francisco, they tell me you used to run around with noisy Nevins. So So that's very interesting Added to the gun you were carrying around and it could spell a murder in spring day. You'll have to prove that Lieutenant Knowles thinks he can caliber of the gun, you know Ballistics and Then the motive all that money. I don't know anything about it. Sure. Sure. You don't know a thing Why don't you ask Lee Ryan? We don't have to lady We're satisfied with what happened to him last night was Nevins work Just like a hand from the grave a Double crossing hand. What do you mean? Out at the cemetery When your friend Ryan tried breaking into silver Johnny's last resting place Yeah Yeah, noisy Nevins was an expert with TNT He wasn't planning to share that dough with anybody He set a booby trap to kill his old pal Larkin But Ryan got it instead Let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the whistler each Sunday night at this same time Brought to you by the signal oil company marketers of signal gasoline and motor oil and fine quality automotive accessories Signal has asked me to remind you to get the most driving pleasure drive at sensible speeds be courteous and obey traffic regulations It may save a life Possibly your own Reaching in tonight's story were Frank Lovejoy and Doris singleton The whistler was produced and directed by George W. Allen with story by Joel Malone and Adrian John Doe Music by Wilbur hatch and was transmitted to our troops overseas by the armed forces radio service Remember at this same time next Sunday another strange tale By the whistler This is Marvin Miller speaking This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system