 Autolight and its 98,000 dealers bring you Mr. Richard Widmark in a true story of murder tonight's presentation of Suspends Tonight you're going to hear a true story a classic of American crime as documented by criminologist Edmund Pearson the story is called mate bram tonight star mr. Richard Widmark Well Harlow tomorrow marks the opening of baseball season why my team has been playing all year Have what team is that the auto light electrical system in every auto light equipped car? And that's a real team because every unit like the coil distributor generator battery starting motor and set of spark plugs Are related by auto light engineering design and manufacturing skill to give you the smoothest performance money can buy But that team doesn't play ball Harlow Does a lot more half while the auto light electrical system goes to bat every time you start your car And it keeps right on working every second your car is running works every time you light your lights blow your horn Use your electric windshield wiper radio or heater real major league stuff a Harlow you bet your bat Hap so friends when your auto light equipped car needs replacement parts always insist on auto light original factory parts It pays because from bumper to tail light. You're always right with auto light And now with mate bram and the performance of mr. Richard Widmark Auto light hopes once again to keep you in Suspends Dear mr. Cooper. I Write to you as my true friend who has given me wise counsel in the past Who knows of my faults and weaknesses and who also knows my strength Respecting the latter. I advise you that during the past year. I have totally abstained from drink in any form and Because of that and hard study. I now have a first mates ticket It was in that birth that in Boston. I signed on the Barkantine Herbert Fuller From where I now write you to give you a report of this fatal voyage As a matter of truth I myself might be dead when you read this if it ever reaches you I Signed on the master of the vessel being Charles. I Nash and the company of the following men each important to this account Henry J. Slyce seaman. Hi, sir. You kept him sign this line slice You'll have the port watch. Hi, sir Charlie Brown seaman. Hey, sir This line brown port watch. Hey, sir, Jonathan Spencer steward. Yes, sir Right here Spencer. Glad to have your board again. Yes, sir. Thank you, sir Thomas Bram first officer. Yes captain this line First trip mr. Bram. Good luck. Thank you, sir August Blomberg second officer. Hi, sir. This line mr. Blomberg. Hi, sir There are two other names important to this account Lester H. Monks who came aboard as a passenger in the interest of his health as the nature of our voyage was to be tropical the other name is Laura Nash wife of captain Nash If I had known that this woman was going to sail with us, I never would have signed on But when I saw her and learned that she was I Didn't sign off although I could have I Stayed on because she was compelling with a bold look and Because a man is always a hunter That same day still in Harbor when first I saw her I went to the steward to learn more Yes, sir, mr. Your name is bram, isn't it? Yes, my name is bram. Can I get a cup of tea? Yes, sir? It's hot Man mr. Bram or did you come from another ship? I came from another ship What ship was it the Antilles she came in yesterday. We go out tomorrow You don't like it sure side mr. Bram. Nope. I find it too much trouble You've sailed this ship before two trips What is this woman that goes with us? She's the captain's wife, sir. I know that Is she a good wife Spencer? I don't know what you mean, sir. Oh, she's younger than he is Why does a young woman marry with a man like that and go sailing off on a ship with him and 11 other men? I don't know mr. Bram No lady would do that. Would she I don't know many ladies mr. Bram You won't find out asking me you better ask her Maybe I will Hello, Blomberg more deca go ready to look for I'll see to it. You want tea mr. Blomberg? Ah tea time Spencer you've sailed this ship before what do you know about this woman that goes with us nothing What kind woman she is the way she looks at a man? When I left the steward the second mate was asking the same questions I asked I Mentioned this to remind you that I was not alone with my thoughts The same ones were in the minds of the others Perhaps all of them This then my good friend was the state and nature of the ship when we made to open sea The first day passed in shaking her down But then evening was upon us and the woman ate supper in the cabin at the offices table Which also included the passenger mr. Monks These meals there were only six of them may be exaggerated in my memory, but I think not It seems now that nothing was discussed except that I abstained from the wine that was served It was difficult because I didn't want to give is my reason for refusal a fact that you know sir That I am a slave to drink unless I abstain entirely Your glass Laura. Yes. Thank you Mr. Monks. Yes, please Mr. Brian no, sir, I don't want any hmm Mr. Blomberg Are up are you a religious man, mr. Bram? No, sir, not overly so wonder that's why you wouldn't have a glass of wine with us No, I don't care for wine what you drink then rum like the pirates. I don't drink at all I didn't think that a seafaring man lived that didn't drink mr. Bram seafaring men are much like any man Mr. Monks some of them drink some of them don't wine with a meal and a good whiskey or Brandy at the end of a watch Nothing can take their place Is there a reason you don't drink mr. Bram? Yes, I Don't like to have you ever drunk No, I never have I don't believe that I've heard that some men don't drink because they expose their true selves when they do Do you have a true self that you are hiding? I'm sorry to disappoint you madam You are seeing my true self a man who doesn't drink there must be reason and I'll find out that's enough Laura. You're too forward Eat your supper as I stated my memory of that first supper may now be exaggerated, but I think not There was more drinking after the meal, but I left as it was my watch I know that the second mate stayed with the woman though even after captain Nash had retired to his cot in a chart room Now this sleeping arrangement must be explained because it's important The captain with a cot in the chart room for it in the main house The woman in the first cabin starboard the passenger in the second Across the companion way I in the first cabin port mr. Blomberg in the second I Heard the woman come to her quarters after I'd been relieved and I think that night I Started dreaming about her and her taunting smile And with her I Dreamed of being drunk The next day passed the same in the next night There's little enough of interest on a ship and anything unusual is left upon On this ship. It was my sobriety The first sign of trouble came upon us during the third evening and I swear upon our friendship Sir that it was not of my doing. I was only walking out past the main house Mr. Blam Yes, I'm in my quarters. I'm still on watch mr. Blomberg. What do you want? I think of you too much today Now I don't like you what you think is your business not mine and that I don't like you It's a man's privilege to like or dislike. You don't care There'd be nothing for me to do about it if I did There is something. Oh stop acting like you better than us all of us I'm no better or worse than anyone you think you are you think so because we drink and you don't you think you say it or So you're wrong and I'll thank you to leave me alone. No let go of me I give you a chance to make me wrong. I give you a chance to act like man I ask you now come in my quarters drink with me like friends. I don't want a drink He's insult not to drink one man asked you leave off me Take it as an insult if you like I say I have my reasons and my rights to do as I choose Now mind your own affairs. There'll be no trouble. Don't try to run me What is the meaning of this there were some words say what word he is woman words about Laura No, see I've seen the way both of your moaning about her. There's an end to that right now You'll both eat in your own quarters in the stay on stay away from her your officers on the ship Go to your quarters, mr. Bram. I see there'll be a report on this mr. Blomberg. You'll relieve the watch Mr. Bram What happened? There was some trouble about what nothing man trouble. I heard what my husband said Were you fighting over me? No? Why should you fight over me? You've hardly looked at me. You're a married woman. This is Nash. I Think that makes more difference to you than it does to me Why are you so good? You couldn't choose a word father from the truth and I think I'd better go inside wait. Why did you fight? Because he was teasing you about not drinking wasn't it? He told me he was going to yes That was why are you playing the game with me too? I'm intrigued You're a man with a past aren't you and you won't drink because you're afraid someone will find out what it is Think what you like. Don't you know that's a challenge to a woman like me? Wouldn't you even Drink with me Yes Yes, perhaps with you is that a promise No, Mrs. Nash. I promise nothing anymore. I've been ordered to my quarters. I'd better go Mr. Cooper sir, I feel as though I should apologize even to you who know me so well, but I will not Because I must shamelessly recount all details There were no more words except ship words between mr. Blomberg and myself We ate in our quarters and for the three days following the quarrel on deck Captain Nash vigilantly allowed his wife no freedom on the ship. I Hope you'll understand that however wrong Her words to me lived in my mind and they grew So when I was relieved of watch on the fourth night following I was very pleased to find her waiting inside the open door to her quarters Mr. Bram Yes, I've been waiting for you. Won't you come in? Where's captain dash in the chart? Sleep I knew he wouldn't watch me forever. What do you want? Just to talk to someone who's young Won't you sit down? Thank you There's no harm. I want you to know that All right Laura There's no harm Whether I'm married or not I'm a woman. Am I not? Yes. Yes, you are and I deserve to have the company that I like I Brought a bottle of wine. I see that you have I stole it when he wasn't looking you took a chance. I thought it would be nice Shall I open it? Yes, if you like here you are. Thank you You haven't been very nice to me Have you I've hardly been able to be anything to you then shall we drink to? How nice you can be all right. Oh, I drank my friend the bottle of wine And when I left her I went into Mr. Blomberg's quarters and stole what he had and took it to my own The warmth that I remembered in my middle body The courage I assumed The eyes that weren't really mine seeing things The false happiness the excitement the great proud feeling of self-satisfaction the elation the slipping away from reality and the wonder the pleasure of numbness the peace and The luxury of knowing that when you went to bed You'd sleep And what is that what? What's the matter? What's the matter there's murder Why what's that you said you've got to come up on the deck? The captain and his wife mr. Blomberg They've all been murdered They're dead is bringing you mr. Richard Whitmark in mate bram tonight's production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills suspense Say Harlow, where do you expect the auto light team to finish? I don't expect it to finish at all Hap that auto light electrical systems job is never done It works when you start your car and every second your engine runs as well as when you blow the horn turn on your lights Electric windshield wiper radio or heater that auto light electrical team must have some real fans Harlow You bet it does have the many leading makes of our finest cars trucks and tractors that use auto light electrical systems as original equipment And in that great team every unit and component part is related by Auto light engineering design and manufacturing skill to give the finest performance money can buy who manages this team Harlow Your car dealer or authorized auto light service station You can quickly learn the location of your nearest authorized auto light service station in the classified section of your telephone Directory under automobile Electrical service treat your car to a periodic check-up soon it pays and remember from bumper to tail light You're always right with auto light And now auto light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage mr. Richard Whitmark in Elliott Lewis's production of mate bram a true story well-calculated to keep you in suspense It was eight bells midnight when I went into the woman's quarters some time later when I left I Didn't want a drink, but what could I do? Explain myself by telling her about the last time the fights the broken windows the jail and The other times I should have but considering the situation. I doubt any man would I Remember leaving going to mr. Blomberg's quarters then to my own But there after another while My memory stops I have lost an hour my good friend or perhaps two Until mr. Monks awoke me some minutes before four with a gun in his hand. There's a murderer on board He killed them all with an axe Mr. Bram What is the matter? What are you doing with that gun? None of us is safe. There's a murderer on board. What are you doing water first? Yeah Reakin mr. Bram. Yes. Yes, I have You'll have to sober up You're in command. I'm all right. I'm all right. Where are they? Mrs. Nash is in her cabin. I'll show you There What do you know of this nothing nothing at all? How did you learn something? Woke me up. It was like a scream But I didn't know with all the sounds of the ship when was that I can't be sure I went to sleep again Then I woke up again. What woke you that time? I don't know what I began to worry About the sound I'd heard scream I got up and went to tell the captain about it. He was dead I was sure the sound meant something and I came to Mrs. Nash's cabin Then I saw mr. Blomberg's door open and found him the same way There's a maniac on board come with me. We'll look at the others We looked in the quarters of the others and found no weapon and I'll state now that when I looked in my locker for my gun I also looked for blood stains on the clothes in there and on the clothes I was wearing as I'd slept fully dressed and I found none Then pursuing the actions of mr. Mug's and me we awoke the steward and went on deck wait There's the axe. That's the one that's the one that did it get rid of it, mr. Brown throw it overboard the fiend might use it on us next. No mr. Bram we can't do that sir throw it overboard. That's the weapon. We've got to keep it by law We've got all right. All right. We'll keep it aboard It's slice at the wheel. We'll see what he knows What is it? What's that X has been murder aboard slice. How long have you been at the wheel to where I was sir Who is it brown and can't we'll share your watch? Don't they yes, sir. Where are they for it sir? Stanley look out who's dead the captain and his wife and mr. Blomberg have you seen anybody on deck slice while you've been at the wheel only you mr. Bram I didn't see nobody else I Didn't remember It's a frightful thing to have a man say you were out on deck and not remember I tried to carry on without a rousing suspicion and this is what I learned That I had come out and asked for mr. Blomberg and upon being told that he was tending the forso with two deckhands I'd gone back inside and that then mr. Blomberg had come after gone inside too and That he'd never come out again Couldn't help feeling guilty, but on the other hand I couldn't help heating my instinct to protect myself for example at my earliest opportunity when I was not seen I took that axe and I threw it overboard But that was wrong. I acted in excitement and fear and I'm sorry now that I did When dawn came I ordered the ship to come about and set her back toward Boston Soon after this was done the steward came to me The crew wants me to talk to you sir. Yes, what about they all say they'll be afraid to go to sleep tonight For fear of being murdered in their bunks. All right All right, I'll have them all sleep on deck where a watch can be kept over them And if you will Spencer you can tell them all to come on deck in an hour for the funeral services funeral services, sir Yes, we can't put those people over the side sir by law. We've got to take them back Yes, yes, of course Spencer, but it's not good to have them on the ship I mean to put them in the longboat and tow at a stern now bring them out and With captain Nash bring his Bible. It's open on the table next to his cot. It is sir. I Don't know why I thought I knew where the captain's Bible was. I wasn't sure that I did know But I was afraid to ask Ben say So once more on impulse and in fear I acted that night I went after the man at the wheel and ordered him below to get my glass telling him I'd seen a light in the distance When he was gone lashing the wheel I turned with a knife to the line towing the longboat to cut the body's adrift and to finally destroy the evidence Don't do that mr. Bram leave off spence. It's not good to have dead people following along behind leave off What's this for for killing those people out there? No, it was you mr. Bram No, I didn't you were with a wife last night drinking who says that mr. Slice mr. Blomberg told him That's no proof. You know where his Bible was sir, and that's nothing either you relieved slice at the wheel And after that the axe was missing mr. Brown saw you throw it overboard I didn't kill them then why were you cutting the longboat free mr. Bram all still mr. Bram Confess and ease yourself mr. Bram. I won't confess Nobody saw me kill them because I didn't I didn't come along mr. Bram Were you taking to lock you up by law? We've got to do it They put me in irons locked in my own quarters, and here I have stayed There have been no more murders in the three days past Which does not stand in favor of another killer being aboard and my being innocent What I have written my good friend is the whole truth And I beg of you to be my legal counsel when my case comes to trial as I'm sure it will In my own mind, I am not convinced that I'm guilty For one reason that however violent I've been I have never killed before never Killed if I could only remember If I could just remember why can't I? Why can't I? Why as the passenger aboard the fuller I was called along with the crew to testify in both of mr. Bram's trials and Each time I stayed to hear him pronounced guilty By two separate courts of law of a crime He steadfastly swore that he did not remember committing so Spence a true story presented by auto light tonight star mr. Richard Widmark and Here he is once again our star Richard Widmark. It's always good to have you aboard dick Thank you, Harlow I sort of feel like one of the family since this is my fourth appearance on suspense this season Well, you are a member of the family dick the auto light family which includes 98,000 auto light distributors and dealers in the United States Nearly 30,000 men and women in 28 great auto light plants from coast to coast and the 18,000 people who have invested a portion of their savings in auto light It's a big family Harlow, and I'm proud to be included now We're all proud to be members of the auto light family dick because auto light serves the greatest names in the industry And every auto light product is backed by constant research and precision built with the highest standards of quality and performance So remember from bumper to tail light. You're always right with auto light Next week the dramatic recreation of a race five brave men made with death a True story based on the writings of one of those men Our star will be mr. Herbert Marshall The story is called the diary of captain Scott presented next week on Suspense Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucian Marwick and Conducted by Ludd Bluskin Mate Bram was written for suspense by Gildow Featured in the cast were Joan Banks Joseph Kearns, Ben Wright, Lou Merrill, Steve Roberts, Roy Glenn and Robert North Richard Widmark appeared through the courtesy of 20th century font producers of the Technicolor musical with a song in my heart Starring Susan Hayward and remember next week on suspense mr. Herbert Marshall in The diary of captain Scott This is the CBS radio network