 The signal oil program The whistler that whistle is your signal for the signal oil program The whistler and I know many things for I walked 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 by independent research the most popular West Coast program 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 deadly penny it was only day before yesterday just last Saturday in fact that Millie Parker made a decision It wasn't a hasty decision not by any means for Millie was not the type of person who made hasty decisions There was a mountain of thought behind this one long sleepless nights careful consideration of possible outcome She knew of course that it would involve stepping over the line into illegal territory That very possibly she would find herself a fugitive from justice But Millie was the kind who'd rather be a wealthy fugitive than a law-abiding citizen who was poor It was the loss of pride that bothered her most the fact that after a full year of separation She'd need her estranged husband Yancey again So by the time she arrived at Yancey's run-down boarding house last Saturday morning Millie was preparing herself for the old tongue-in-cheek approach She knew Yancey would use when he saw her once again Well, hello Yancey Mind if I picked myself up off of the floor. It's been a long time. Yeah 13 months. I counted them Well, I see I haven't changed a bit honey, thanks for the compliment. It wasn't a compliment Mind if I come in? Yeah, sure sure I'm mine, but so what you'd come in anyway. Thanks Take that chair by the window ah No, no don't lean back in it. That's Mrs. Jolly's best Duncan fight. Oh Wonderful landlady Mrs. Jolly. She and I have the same appreciation of fine things the old and the rare You know now take that dresser got it for a song only the other day at a junkyard on 3rd Street Yancey. Yep Yancey you have had a tough time, haven't you? Oh not at all Millie as a matter of fact I've got myself a new soul no more worldly pleasures. Just the life of the mind. Please don't be ridiculous All right Millie What do you want? About you. Yeah You know of course that the divorce business is out of the question. It's not that Only one other thing could bring you here then Money yeah, and so you've got to wait a minute Tell me first. Is it money? Yeah, it's money You ought to have known better. I'm not exactly wealthy cherub. You will be if you stop making a fool of yourself Well, I'm listening You know, I'm working at the consolidated investment company naturally. I called there three times this morning. Why I got you a message About coming today. I was just trying to save your trip. What did you tell them? Oh relax darling relax when they said you weren't there. I hung up The same old Millie the blonde hair the cupid's bow lips and deep in the eyes the little sparkling dollar signs How much are we gonna steal darling? Please come on come on get to the point You're here for one reason. There's some big dough kicking around loose and you want me for a fall guy Not it yet. Oh, I know you baby. Just like a book. You're not the fall go on It's forty five thousand dollars, and see And you walked out on me because you were through with the racket just petty racket, Nancy Listen, you know, I'm private secretary to mr. Pool of consolidated investment. He has a lot of faith in me poor guy I do his banking. I'm the only one besides mr. Pool who can get into the safe deposit box in the bank That's interesting morning. He gave me forty five thousand dollars and negotiable bonds for deposit in the box I've been expecting it for some time And being a dutiful wife. You want me to share in the windfall. I'm not finished Last week was the end of the company's fiscal year yesterday an accounting firm finished auditing the book That means it'll be almost a year before they go through the books again. So what? So now they are through mr. Pool won't go near the safe deposit box until next year Unless I leave of course That's why I came to see you there's only one sure way to turn those bonds in the cash And that's to do it before they're known to be missing in the traces are sent out So that's where I come in huh? You have an unusual talent for selling securities without exciting much attention Touching the way you trust me. I think I can trust you. You're smart enough to know you sure What is it 50 50 right you can sell them in San Francisco stay at the harbor hotel I'll meet you in two weeks. When do I take off now where the bonds I? Just happen to have them here in my purse You've thought this over Millie. You know what's gonna happen. Yes. I know what's gonna happen We could have a lot of fun on 45 grand just like before you and see places We can go together the things we can do just like it used to be Millie just like What's the matter? The dollar signs again Like where they always were and those great big baby blue eyes Skip it Millie skip it. Give me the bonds. I'll see you in San Francisco Yes, mr. Pool, would you mind coming in a minute Millie? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I was down at the bank Oh, of course. I sent you down with the bonds. I forgot all about it. I've been buzzing you for 10 minutes It's quite all right, mr. Pool Millie. I don't quite know how to begin It really isn't any of my business, but somehow I feel quite concerned Something wrong mr. Pool Millie, you know how I've always valued our friendship. I really feel quite close to you That's why I'm taking the liberty of saying what's on my mind I go right ahead mr. Pool. It's over a year since you left your husband Millie Yes, I I guess it is he called here at the office three times this morning. Well, that's nothing mr. Pool And why are you so nervous? What you're shaking like a leaf? Oh, I Didn't realize Millie you're afraid of him aren't you? Homeless mr. Pool. It's just that he and I didn't agree on the separation and Well, he's always hounding me trying to get me to come back. I Don't think he's harmless Millie Matter of fact, I think he's rather dangerous I I Want to help you if I can please there's nothing you can do I'm just keeping away from him as best I can it'll just take time Very well Millie. I still think you're being a little foolish though That's all I wanted to talk to you about. Thank you, mr. Pool. Oh Millie, yes, I'm sorry. There was something else. I Wondered if you'd help me out a little this afternoon I know it's Saturday, but I thought if you hadn't planned anything What was it mr. Pool? We're in quite a spot with that audit Houston and company just told me they're tied up on another account every morning of next week They can't send the auditors over here until the afternoon the auditors They were here all last week Millie surely you know them by now. What are you talking about? The audit was all finished yesterday, of course. I was thinking you were here when they called this morning I'm afraid we're going to have to get things ready for the auditors all over again That's why I was hoping you'd stay mr. Pool What do you mean get things ready? It seems our books were out of balance by the impressive sum of one cent You mean they're going to have to do another audit for one cent seems silly. It's ridiculous, but it's necessary Since the auditors are only available afternoons We'll start Monday by checking the securities down at the bank and this time. I'm going over it with him How about it Millie will you stay this afternoon and help me out? I'm sorry, mr. Pool. I don't feel well at all. I've been working pretty hard Of course Millie. I thought I'd go home this afternoon and rest. You don't mind. I'm not such an ogre as that go ahead I I don't have to tell you that that Anything you want is all right with me. Do I? With the prologue of the deadly penny the signal oil company brings you another strange tale by the whistler At the beginning of these programs you've heard me say in gasoline it takes extra quality to go farther and Of course, if you've lived out west any length of time, you know that from Canada to Mexico Signal is famous as the go farther gasoline But perhaps you're one of those folks who like proof So I'd like to take just one moment now to explain what those qualities are that make signals good mileage possible Look at it this way Anything that gets extra efficiency from your motor also helps you get extra mileage, right? Well when science increased the power of today's signal gasoline they naturally gave you quicker starting faster pickup and quieter higher Anti-knock and it's because of this improved performance that you now go farther than ever with signal gasoline That's why signal says your speedometer is the best yardstick of gasoline quality. It really does take extra quality to go farther Good reason why more and more drivers are switching to signal the famous go farther gasoline and Now back to the whistler Well Millie you weren't lying when you told mr. Pool you weren't feeling well His remark about the return of the auditors had pretty much the effect of the floor being suddenly yanked out from under you And you had to hang on to the edge of his desk for support The minute you're out of his office you grab your hat and coat and hurry down to the drugstore on the ground floor There's a telephone booth just inside the door Like to speak to Yankee Parker, please hang on a minute. I'll see if your mind is spinning now trying to grab the essentials Fighting to get through the maze that is suddenly sprung up before you It's Saturday now the auditors won't be available until Monday afternoon That gives you two hours from 10 until 12 Monday morning to get the bonds back from Yankee and into that safe deposit box Hello Yankee well, it's my little apple double in the game lines are all tied up over the weekend I can't get out to Monday morning. Wait a minute Yankee something terrible. It's happened. Don't tell me listen to me The auditors were a penny off They've got to do the audit all over again mr. Pool's going down to the bank with the Monday afternoon to check the securities What kind of Malachi is that a penny off? I know it sounds crazy, but it's true When did all this happen this morning while I was gone? What do you mean get rid of them today somewhere? You're talking about we wouldn't have a chance. They'd know they were gone two days after you sold them They'd catch us and nothing flat. So what's the other answer? I've got to put those bonds back What I'll come over and get them right now and sometime between 10 and 12 Monday. I'll put them back in the box What do you mean you just came over me like a flat Yankee wasn't good enough for their fifty-fifty split So you found yourself another boy. Don't be stupid. Oh, not stupid honey. Just careful. You've done it before Please you got to believe me this time I'm going home right now. I'll be right over. Thanks, and and darling get that darlin Yankee bring the bonds will you and not at all come on really? What are you doing here? Never mind come on get in my car All right What is it just this? Next time you take it upon yourself to go home sick without letting me offer you a ride. You're fired Is that clear Millie? Yes, I'm glad that's understood Now suppose you tell me where you live right there in the next block. You can let me out here, mr.. Pool nonsense Please it's no trouble the pool the machine service operates only on a door-to-door basis You've been very nice. I'm trying to be in my own crude way Incidentally Millie I thought for a long time that you're quite nice too. I'm glad at mr. Pool Think nothing of it. Ah Here we are you stay right there. I wouldn't think of it At your service Come on right up to the door mr. Pool part of the service Hey, wait a minute. Hey you stop Ran out of the alley as we walked up see who it was no no I did it with your husband It's nothing at all. He's hanging around. I think it's high time someone did something about him Don't you you can't do anything? I tell you we'll see about that now You'd better go in and get some rest You're pretty sick girl you Let me take care of you and see will you Well Millie it's getting a little beyond you isn't it the minute you're in your room You close the door and put a call through to mrs. Jolley's boarding house And it's only after she tells you Yancy is out if you realize it was stupid He simply hasn't had time to get back yet So you call an hour later and an hour after that, but still he hasn't arrived It's nine o'clock when your phone finally rings Nancy Well, you're psychic baby. How'd you know it was me? I've been trying to get you all afternoon and I wasn't there I've got to see you right away gonna bring mr. Pool along. I couldn't get out of it. Yeah, and so he insisted And so I'm as hot as a firecracker with 45 grand in my goat pocket to bring him home with you I said I was sick you want to skip it skip it you're at it as deep as I am Look for words right out of my mouth Monday morning. What about the bun? That's only if you live to be a hundred you'll never face another day like Sunday Deadly tense interminable Sunday with a wall clock ticking like a sledgehammer in the corner The ashtray is filling with half smoke cigarettes the floor is littered with unread magazines And Monday hanging over your head like an axe It's just a quarter to nine on Monday morning when you race up the stairs of Mrs. Jolly's boarding house and down the hall to Yancy's room Said he'd be here this morning. I'm Mrs. Jolly sort of keep track of my boarders I don't know why doesn't that's a good reason what really ain't in there left about 15 minutes ago, but he told me that it'll make no difference Mr. Parker hard to follow his Cummins and go where did he go? Don't know rightly had his suitcase with him though. Oh, oh Yes, ma'am when's the next plane to San Francisco? Let's see now a flight eight just left What did you say flight eight just left for San Francisco five minutes ago the next one's at 10 Thank you. Can I help you? No? Not now. Thanks. Pardon me, sir. Are you next? Looking for someone Surprise, what are you doing here checking my baggage? Oh Not you ran out on me matter of fact. I am in a few hours I was just on my way back to the house to meet you glad to hear it Crushing blow knowing you still don't trust me. Where are the barn? Oh, but we must be discreet my child Suppose, um, suppose we return to my chambers and discuss that very thing. Shall we please Yancy? I told you I didn't water drink, but this is quite an occasion darling. I got to bring it off in style I haven't got time relax honey relax. It's only 10 15. You have at least two hours before the auditors get there There we are Basically turpentine, of course, but blended with the skill of a master Shall we drink to the old times melee? Oh The stony silence Very well, I drink to old times to the milly that used to be before the dollar signs came into her eyes Are you through? You know, it's too bad you aren't in the mood for the niceties quite an occasion milly. Where are they auntie? Where have you hidden them? Millie my dear first of all, you're right There's no chance to dispose of the barns. My friend agrees with you Still it puts me in an unusual position For the first time since I've known you millie. I've got the upper hand It'd be a shame to throw it away and see will you give me those not so fast I want them right now You're going to get them. I've decided to let you have them darling just on one condition though go on You'll get them back millie sound and whole on Tuesday morning You're going to get them on Tuesday morning and I'll be out of the state Oh, it's going to be tough. I admit I Hate to miss the explanation seen this afternoon when you try to put it past those orders. I'll take my chances, baby I won't let you give them to me auntie. Oh, wait a minute Wait a minute put down that gun milly the rough stuff won't go tell me where they are I'll take it easy never word. I said yancy either. I get them right now or I pull the trigger all right millie Look in that table drawer over there Where in the back? I put them in the back Oh, no, you don't pull a gun on me with your break your arm Nancy Nancy I didn't mean to it's too late now millie and it only takes a second for the first shock to wear off For that practical dollar and sense mind of yours to start clicking again You've still got more than two hours and you know the bonds is somewhere in the room You go through Yancy's clothes first and a piece of paper you find in his wallet saves you looking further It's a receipt from the Eagle delivery service Deliver not before Tuesday morning to mrs. Millie Parker Consolidated investment company In short value forty five thousand dollars He was going to double-cross me. He wasn't kidding Open up. I said open up or I'll shoot off the lock That gun hurry up Yeah, that's better yours doesn't matter. We'll check it You know, this is very funny. I was hired to protect you from him. That's how I happen to be here Thoughtful boss you got cost him 20 bucks a day. I've been trailing you ever since Sunday. I Didn't mean to do it I've got money. I'll pay anything you want if you're lonely Sit down lady. You're gonna talk. You may as well be comfortable The whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending of tonight's story Meantime with chilly nights and mornings definitely here to stay here's a timely tip for you drivers Don't forget that your car needs a special diet of signal winter lubricants If you want to keep wear down when the thermometer is down For your transmission and differential that means draining flushing and refilling with signal winter gear lube If it's been five thousand miles since your wheel bearings were serviced better have them removed thoroughly cleaned And then repacked with signal long-life wheel bearing grease And for your motor it's high time to drain out summer weight oil Refill with pure paraffin based signal premium motor oil Five scientific new compounds in signal premium motor oil not only make it flow freely instantly in coldest weather But also keep motor six times cleaner and reduce cylinder wear one-third Well, there you have it The lubrication essentials your car needs now drive in for them this week at your nearby signal service station You'll drive out with a good feeling of confidence Knowing that your car has the cold weather protection it needs to keep it purring through another winter And now back to the whistler Well Millie it's something you'll never forget isn't it the awful scene in Yancy's room Mr. Poole's private detective sitting opposite you toying with his automatic as you tell him everything From the moment you decided to steal the securities and sell them through Yancy Until a minute ago when he broke through the door to find you standing over Yancy's body You watch him carefully as you talk notice the interest in his eyes when you mention the forty five thousand dollars And there's a foolish Stupid glimmer of hope in your heart as you finish all I know Yancy hated me that's why I turned the bonds over to the delivery service mark deliver Tuesday morning He knew they wouldn't get there until too late Listen, mr. Kelly right, but true. I'm a detective named Kelly Kelly you you could say you lost me back at the airport I'll give you everything I have there's a few thousand in my name and I What about it mr. Kelly No, I'm not for sale let's go huh All right Kelly now, it's too bad. Mrs. Parker all seems so useless when you look back at it Guy gets himself knocked off Beautiful dame goes up for murder Why is he useless? All right, you are And you said the auditors were only working afternoon. Yes The bonds would have been in your hands tomorrow morning. That's dirty shame. What do you mean? Why didn't you wait baby? You could have put him back in that safe deposit box tomorrow morning You had all the time in the world. No, I just told you the auditors will be at the bank today this afternoon Not this afternoon kid. This is armistice day the banks are closed 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 who have 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 Betty Lou Gerson and Wally Mayer The whistler was produced by George W. Allen based on a story by Bernard Gerard 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