 The signal oil program The whistler whistle is your signal for the signal oil program 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 shadow 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 by independent research the most popular West Coast program in the history of radio In gasoline, you know it takes extra quality to go farther and signal is the famous go farther gasoline So look for the signal circle sign in yellow and black that identifies signal service stations from Canada to Mexico And now the whistler strange story The lady and the knife It was only three in the afternoon But the hotel cocktail lounge near the railroad depot and Omaha was buzzing with customers caught there between trains In the darkness of a corner booth Morley Carr sat with a portly gentleman in the salt and pepper suit His name was Sam Ryan and he loved to talk Morley on the other hand loved to listen Yeah, in his kind of business He often found it profitable to strike up an acquaintance ship with an overindulgent stranger in a bar And the minute he saw the man in the salt and pepper suit Morley smelled money Do I know China Listen, mr. I know China like the palm of my hand from Beijing to Hong Kong Spent a lot of time there Sam six years Been fired off every English-speaking newspaper in the audience. Yeah, gentlemen. That's all one. Ah great Tell them to get working on two more. That'll be a dollar 20. Oh here. Let me get This is my party. Here you are waiter. Keep the change. Oh, thank you sir. Oh, you shouldn't have done that Sam It was my ride I Like you pal. I like the way you talk like the way you wear clothes If I had the crust I'd offer to buy that overcoat you got on Yeah, where'd you get it got it in London? I thought so I could pick that check out of Times Square in the rush Tell me what are your plans from now on Sam? Oh, what are your plans now? Retire oh well that takes money. Yeah, I got it right here in my pocket Funny isn't it? I beat my brains out for 20 years in the newspaper business never made a dime Then bingo my card comes up And old Sam has the key to a quarter million bucks in his pocket Quarter million Just like this song. Hey, let me see how does it go? I don't feel so hot. Oh, you're okay That's that Um waiter. Yes, sir. Let me get mr. Ryan upstairs to his room. Looks like the party's over It sounds a little fantastic, doesn't it morally but it's worth looking into a quarter of a million dollars He said and something about the key to it in his pocket The waiter helps you carry him to his room lay him on the bed and you walk down the hall a few doors to your own room Already thinking of the approach you're going to use on your newfound friend Sam when he comes around tomorrow Ten minutes later you hear a noise down the hall that brings you to your door you open it quiet No, I sounded like it was from Sam's room. Oh A girl leaves Sam's room passes close to you as she hurries down the hall You get a good look at her black hair a pretty face, but hard As soon as she turns the corner you run down the hall Sam's door is still unlocked He's still on the bed morally right where you left him But now there's a knife in his back a second later you see the reason His inside coat pocket the one he patted when he talked about the key to the quarter million is empty Dormant yes, sir. I'm looking for a young lady black hair in a fur jacket. Did you see her leave? Well, yes, sir. She got into a taxi only minute ago. Taxi on which one do you know the driver? I don't know his name, but this is a regular station. He ought to be back in a few minutes. Thanks back here demon a fur jacket That's right. You know, it's awful hard to remember sometime here. Maybe this will help Thanks. Yeah. Yes matter of fact, I do remember now Took her to a hotel on the other side of town picked up a baggage and then brought her back to the station She got on a 706 for San Francisco pulled out about a half hour ago. You've got a good memory I'll be back in five minutes wait here for me right where to the airport With the prologue of the lady and the knife the signal oil company is bringing you another strange story by the whistler But now since this spring marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of signal oil I've looked up some facts, which I think will surprise you as much as they did me Did you know the 25 years ago here in Southern, California regular gasoline sold for 23 cents per gallon without any taxes on? the other hand in 1940 Regular gasoline sold for only 18 cents per gallon and that price included four and a half cents per gallon of taxes Which had gradually been added So the price of the gasoline itself without the taxes had actually gone down almost one half Alright now. What about today's prices? Since 1940 items in the cost of living have climbed 53 percent get that 53 percent Compared with an increase of only 13 percent in the retail price of gasoline since 1940 And I might add the gallon of signal that you buy today is a vastly superior product The finest gasoline ever offered to motorists without extra cost So when you drive into your signal gasoline station and say fill her up Remember, you're not only getting the tops in gasoline quality You're also getting one of the most remarkable values that your dollars still buy today Now back to the whistler if there were any doubts in your mind about the key to the quarter million Sam Ryan was prattling about they're gone now His body lying on the bed in that Omaha hotel That empty pocket in his coat and above all the lady with the knife all tell you that it's real That if you play it smart part of that quarter million is yours That's why you're standing in the terminal in San Francisco now as the passengers from the 706 from Omaha come down the ramp a Minute later you see her follow her to a cab and hear a direct the driver to a hotel on Eddie Street Yes, sir, pardon me. I heard a friend of mine was registered here names Bradley Bradley Yeah, I'll check the register. Oh, don't bother. I look I Guess he's not here. Thanks not at all Lucille Lacey room 402 the last name on the register Lucille Lacey the lady and the knife Directly across the street. There's another hotel a small one a little ragged at the edges You get a room at the front of the building where you can keep an eye on the entrance of the Brighton across the street And during the next few days you follow Lucille Lacey everywhere But it's not until the fourth day that she makes a move that means something a Pawn shop on Third Street run by a man. You know a man named Cardoza You wait in a store entrance until you see her leave then walk across for a word with it Affertive cautious man with a nervous habit of doodling on a scratch pad as he talks to you across the counter Little bit like old time is more they having you back in town just passing through Cardoza our house business been I'm getting by just getting by That's all You are looking up all your old friends. Oh, no, I'm here on business Big yeah When I don't know yet Can you take care of me? Maybe I ought to know more about it. Maybe I'll leave it there for the time being. Oh, so long Cardoza Don't take any wooden diamonds Well Marley, you know a great deal more than you did before Cardoza's main stock in trade is jewelry and this time it's 175 thousand dollars worth at least that was the figure Cardoza was doodling on his scratch pad It's the biggest thing you've ever run across You're really careful with Miss Lacey now watch her like a hawk and the next day You follow her to a shabby office south of Market Street You watch the entrance until she comes out and then hurry across the street and up a flight of stairs Faded guilt lettering on a frosted glass door tells you who Lucille was calling on this time Zach Chambers private Investigation looking for somebody mister. I'd like to talk to mr. Chambers the boss. He isn't in just now You won't leave your name. Oh, no, no, it's all right I Was supposed to meet a young lady here. I miss Lacey if she comes in Lacey. Oh, yeah She was just in coming back at three o'clock. Oh you think chambers will be back before then he better I haven't been to lunch yet. I see Say look if you don't mind I'd like to wait. I haven't anything else to do go ahead find a chair in his office Thanks. There's some magazines on the desk kind of tired ones, but if you haven't already seen that I'll make out I'm sure you will handsome Mr. Chambers, that's right. My secretary tells me you've been waiting a couple hours Uh-huh. I was beginning to think you might not get back in time for what? We've got about 20 minutes. Mr. Chambers. I'll get right to the point. I Want you to do me a favor. No, I'm not exactly in the head. Well, there'll be a fee in it for you Of course a good one. Yeah, you've got an appointment with a girl at three o'clock I have your secretary told me she talks too much. That's all right I've been following this girl for some time. Whoa. Oh, no, no, no, it's nothing like that See, I'm a friend of her husband. She ran out on him. That happens every day Why don't you stay out of it? No, no, this is different. She really loves the guy. She's just well mixed up Yeah, aren't they all I promised him I'd talk to her so far. I haven't found the opportunity doesn't she know you No, no, that's what gave me the idea You're way ahead of me pal. I'd I'd like to take your place, Mr. Chambers. When she comes here to talk to you. Oh now way There's nothing really wrong You know how people pour their hearts off the strangers Well, I figured it'd give me a perfect chance to talk her into going back just friendly advice from a disinterested party Well What do you say? Well, I can see your point and it seems like a neat way to get to her What was it you said about money? What's your usual fee? 20 a day and expenses only, uh, this is a rather unusual case. Shall we make it 50? Yeah What do I do? Where's your secretary at the lunch? All right keep her out and stay away yourself for a couple of hours Oh, uh, what can I hang my coat that closet in the corner? 50 bucks for doing nothing. That's not bad Of course, there isn't a chance. I won't you come back at five I'll give you your money then that is if she keeps the appointment. Okay, pal. Oh One more thing. Yeah, you're a very interesting liar You sit behind Zach Chambers desk thumbing a magazine and waiting and then just before three o'clock I'm Your secretary. Oh, I know miss Lacey. I've been expecting you have a chair Thank you like cigarette. No, thank you Mr. Chambers, I'm worried. I don't know exactly how to explain it Well, the first thing to do is relax miss Lacey certainly nothing can happen to you here I'm not so sure There's someone following me. Mr. Chambers a man been following me for days. Oh any idea why not the slightest You know of course miss Lacey for me to be of any real help You will have to take me into your confidence. I'm telling you all I know Did you get a close look at him? No been too careful, but he's tall But your bill was a checked overcoat. Mm-hmm. Well, that should help Just what do you want me to do if if you could find out his name where he's staying? That's all you want That's all Okay, I'll see what I can find out miss Lacey. Where can I reach you? I'm staying at the Brighton check You suppose you could have something on this by tonight possibly will you be in all evening? Oh, uh, how much will you want? Oh, yes, the feet. Well, I usually get 20 a day in expenses, but you're asking me to work pretty fast I'm aware of that. Okay, miss Lacey. Let's say $50, huh that ought to cover everything Oh Okay, pal all here How'd you make out? Oh, we had a nice talk. It's like I told you she's just a confused girl. Oh sure Well, I'll be running along Thanks for the cooperation. Thanks for the fee. Hey, well, wait a minute. You forgot your overcoat. Oh, yeah Say you like that coat Zach. That's a knockout. All right. It's yours, huh? The lady she doesn't like it on me Chambers, you're sure it was the right man. How could I miss with that checked overcoat? Well, anyway, I didn't have to look very far Came up to my office right after you left. He followed me there. That's right Who is he? He's a pretty big guy miss Lacey names Morley Carr ever hear of him Molley car No How do you mean he's big? Oh international jewel thief anything that comes along that has money in it big money You know I I'm beginning to think that $50 deal. I made with you is too cheap. You may need some help miss Lacey I'm not asking for help. What's he after and I'm not paying you to ask questions. Oh look lady After all I'm on your side remember What did he want? He tried to sound me out about you or rather tried to buy me out He offered me a deal Where does that leave us? Oh, I figured I'd talk to you first of course. He's coming back I'll have to tell him something you can tell him you're not for sale. Oh, but I am You don't have to tell me how big this is with car in it I know it's big too big for anyone to handle alone. You might as well admit that to yourself right now Maybe you're right. Yeah We got a deal Well, he has to be done about car. Why don't you leave that for me? No? I'll just give me some time. I've got to think when's he coming back tomorrow night Gotta go one way or the other before Thursday morning. Why never mind why I Think you better go now. I'll get in touch with you. Okay. Oh Mind if I take this paper along. I haven't read it. I'm through with it. Okay. Thanks Well so long boss You're playing it close Morley, but you're in the home stretch now the newspaper from Lucille's room Folded open at the page covering steamship arrivals with a check mark opposite the entry SS president grant pier 37 Thursday a.m. It's important to stay close to Lucille now and there's a way to do that. Isn't there Morley? It's brazen, but it's sure Early Thursday morning you call it Miss Lacey. Yeah, Zach Chambers. What do you want? I just called to tell you not to think too hard I took care of the man in the checked overcoat Just that so don't worry about him anymore. What did you hello? Hello operator. I was talking to Somebody cut in on us. Did you hear what I was saying? Who's going to know I said never mind sure thing boss. That's all I wanted to hear I Couldn't have been so careless on the telephone mr. Chambers. Why not who'd have any idea what I meant I might have been talking about a fuller brush man, but you weren't. Oh, let's forget it Well going somewhere Why oh the bags all packed I Just decided to move at all checked out yet. Not too morning. Mm-hmm What about our deal you decided anything I? Guess you're right Too much for me to handle alone. Yeah, you're smart gonna let your hair down Take a look in that desk drawer Something you ought to see okay And you see at the minute you open the drawer Sam Ryan's wallet and on top of it a baggage claim check stamped SS president Grant He is smile Glance up at the mirror over the desk just in time to see a razor arm behind you a knife in her hand Oh, no, you don't Chant you little always a knife with you. Isn't it baby always? For a minute you stand there trembling staring at the knife on the floor where you dropped it Then you slowly walk over to the desk pick up Sam's wallet and the baggage check SS president Grant B102 38 You have it now Morley the key to the whole thing a Baggage check marked with a number in the name of a ship One more thing now as you let yourself out of Lucille's room you hang a sign on the door now Do not disturb 15 minutes later you're waiting at the baggage window at pier 37 The clerk looks at the baggage claim check walk slowly past the row of bins Finally settles on a small black box just came in on the ground one portable typewriter type typewriter It's yours isn't it? Let me look at that check again B102 38. Yeah, that's that's right. Thanks very much Seabrook Hotel That's on Eddie Street in it. That's right driver You can't wait any longer. Can you Morley as the taxi cab weaves through traffic? You open the portable typewriter on the floor with a driver Nothing here. Wait a minute. You get out your pocket knife poke at the lining of the case The point of the knife suddenly finds a soft place Here we are the paper lining comes off Revealing a cotton pad underneath You pluck it out and the bottom of the box The flame The whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending to tonight's story Meantime a word about your car's health if the faithful chariot has been feeling a bit And you'd like for it to feel more The chances are all it needs is that famous spring tonic a signal spring changeover The first ingredient in the prescription is a motor drain and a refill with signal premium motor oil the new type lubricant That actually keeps motor six times cleaner and reduces cylinder where one third That's your guarantee of a sweeter running motor Next ingredient is a signal double-check lubrication to take out winter squeaks and groans And the third ingredient is fresh new gear lube for your differential and transmission Yes, this is just the tonic to put the spring back into driving and where to get it Why just drive into any service station displaying the familiar signal circle sign in yellow and black and Say to the friendly signal gasoline dealer. I want a signal spring changeover And now back to the whistler Well it began with a hunch didn't it more lay with a solid sure feeling that the man in the salt and pepper suit back in that bar in Omaha had money and It paid off on a dock in San Francisco When a baggage clerk put a fortune and smuggle diamonds into your hand As the cab pulls up in front of your hotel You know the important thing now is time that you have to be out of town before Lucille Lacey's body is discovered in her hotel room across the street The lobby is almost deserted when you enter a tired-looking gentleman is reading the paper in a chair near the window And the clerk as usual is wrapped up in his true detective magazine 308 please. Hmm. Oh, yes. Oh say get my bill ready. I'm checking out in 10 minutes Just a minute Brady. Yeah, this is the man 308. Huh? What are you hands on the counter? Take a look buddy headquarters. Oh, I don't know what this is all this is the guy who made the call He scared the operator out of a witch. I had to send her home operator that telephone call He made a couple of hours ago that kind of gabby. Didn't you something about taking care of the guy in the checked overcoat. Oh Oh that yeah That it was only a gag officer. I I was kidding her. You see you got a queer sense of humor Zach Chambers was found in an alley this morning. What with a knife in his back Know anything about it a knife Say now what he was wearing a checked overcoat The papers hit the streets an hour ago. Now listen officer. I don't know anything about it. Well when I called her I was kidding. Don't you see who are you kidding a lady that brightened across the street room 402 Made a note of it right here in the register. Oh now. Listen. You got to let me explain I had nothing to do with it. I'll get to that later Later. Yeah At the moment I want to see how your girlfriend took the joke about the guy in the checked overcoat Oh now wait a minute. You come on mister Let's go over and talk to the lady in 402 Let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the whistler each Monday at 9 Brought to you by the signal oil company makers 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 Featured in tonight's story were Joseph Kearns and Betty Lou Gerson The whistler was produced by George W. Allen with story by Joel Malone and Harold Swanton Music by Wilbur hatch and was transmitted to our troops overseas by the armed forces radio service This is Marvin Miller speaking for the signal oil company. This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system