 Good evening. This is crime classics. I am Thomas Highland with another true story of crime. Listen. The sheriff of Nairsboro places a skull on the table. Now a tibia. Now a tibia. These bones have recently been dug up from St. Robert's Cave, a favorite tristing place of the town. And now he puts a femur on the table and the skeleton is almost completely reconstructed. A jawbone. Fingers and toes. And just let them lie there. The sheriff can see for himself who the skeleton is. Daniel Clark, all right? So that's what he's been doing these 15 years. Tonight, I'm going to report to you on Mr. Clark's skeleton in Mr. Aram's closet. The noise it made. Crime classics. A series of true crime stories taken from the records and newspapers of every land. From every time. Your host each week, Mr. Thomas Highland, connoisseur of crime, students of violence and teller of murder. Now once again, Mr. Thomas Highland. The Huxley Seminary for Gentile females is extinct now and the moral might be drawn from that. Last year on a stroll in London, its campus was defined for me. A triangle bounded now by a barber shop, a sheer sharpener and a free kitchen for a type of wanderer. Gone is the ivy. Gone the girlish laughter. Vanished the sound of silver bells that spilled the young ladies from classroom of Greek to classroom of how to conduct oneself at five o'clock tea. Silent now the small excitement of selling these. Only the imagined echo heard of Mr. Aram's Latin class. The problem, for example, of the Latin's preference for the use of the gerundit. Concilium urbium capion darum. A plan of capturing the city. And it was so important that it be right for Janice was 17. And it was necessary that Mr. Aram approve her Latin for this was her plan of capturing Mr. Aram. I do hope I'm right. Of course you are. And listen. Yes. When an adjective modifies two or more nouns of different gender, the agreement is as follows. The attributed adjective agrees for the nearest noun. As for example, multi-erbis, opida, vikikrei. Yes. You're a very good student, Janice. Thank you. I think now you've made up all the time you've missed so that I shall not have to tutor you in private anymore. Mr. Aram. Yes, Janice. I love you. Child. I love you truly. Homo laudandus es. Oh, please don't try to prove anything to me in Latin, Mr. Aram. Child, many girls fall in love with their teachers. Oh, every girl in school is in love with you, Mr. Aram. And I love you the most. That's very sweet of you. And I don't care that you're married. Please, Janice. Look, at this poem I've written to you in the corner of my book. Oh, please read it. All right. Well, I know there's some mistakes and syntax, but... I think you've expressed yourself quite clearly. Sincerely, too. I think you'd better go now, Janice. Don't you think I'm beautiful? Lovely. Truly lovely. Oh, I think you do love me. You're just afraid to go. No, I'm an older man, Janice. Then my wife and I are blessed with happiness and love. And I cherish the life I have with her. Then what of me? Why, if you truly love me, you will suffer a broken heart. It will make you more beautiful still. I'll go. This was no singular occurrence in the academic life of Mr. Eugene Aram. The young ladies, each gentle female of them, were caught in the web of his tender and warm charm, though never caught in his embrace. For Mr. Aram was a good man, an understanding man, a scholar of Greek and Latin and Hebrew, and a gentleman in any language. He was 38 years old, and for the last dozen years, his chief devotion was Ellen, his wife. For example, that very night. Close your eyes. Very well. Hold out your hands. All right. Now, open them. Well, well, Eugene. If you wonder how much I wanted this for you. My dear. Yes, dear. To have bought this, how you must have crimped it. Such a horrid word, crimped. I call it saving for your joy. Ah, you're my beloved. Yes, yes, I know. How is school today? Well. You're smiling. What happened? Tell me. One of my Latin students. Oh, again. This one taught to woo me with an interesting Latin construction. Oh, poor child. Oh, well, it will pass with her at the party of Zolium. Only to fall prey to Mr. Black in manners and number section. Oh, come now, let us not judge. You're too kind. Well, there's not time in this life for malice. Too gentle. Too good. Truly. Do you believe that? No, of course not. You're my husband, and you're my love. Come, sit you down to your meal. This was no singular homecoming in the domestic life of Eugene Aram. His wife, the whole being of her, was caught in the web of his tenderness and his love. And she, unique among women, was caught in his embrace. Some other things to know about Mr. Aram, though his salary was a small one, he gave a considerable portion of it to his church and to charities. Each holiday would see him bringing baskets to the poor, and his name was breathed in prayers all over the neighborhood. How, you might ask, did he get along at work with his employers, for instance? He said, and as all the tutors here at Huxley, you are truly a trice. Well, thank you, Mr. Huxley. I am here in letters from the Proctors of the University. Mr. Aram. Oh, yes? Of course. That's very sweet. Oh. Having two pounders of proof that Latin and Greek are cousin languages, and not mother and daughter languages. Yes, I wrote a paper to this effect and sent it to you. I have outlawed you. Thank you. You're a good man. Thank you, sir. A truth, color, and... Hey, no, please. Yes. Then this fool, the gentleman, must be Eugene Aram. Am I not right? Who are you, sir? Morban. Yes? I've come for Mr. Aram. Come for him? To arrest him. Arrest him? For murder. Sheriff. Yes, sir, Mr. Aram? Will you loosen my shackle, please, for a moment, so that I may dip a snuff? Of course. All right. Yes. Too tight? No. Hey, Sheriff. Yes, sir, Mr. Aram? You said... A murder. Which is the reason you are being taken? Murder of the Mr. Daniel Clark. That's right, sir. Who is Mr. Daniel Clark? He was a shoemaker. Why am I called to attest to his murder? You've been named? By who? Mr. Theodore Housman. Housman? Housman. Who's he? You don't know him? No. He said he was a good friend of yours. I don't know him. I don't know him. I don't know him. He's a good friend of yours. Fifteen years ago, that is. I never heard of him. Well, sir, this is the way it was. Last month or so ago, a workman was digging in the limestone pits in Nersbury. You remember where they are? You remember Nersbury, don't you, sir? It's been so long since I lived there. Ah, please, sir. Fifteen years. Well, to go on... Yes, please. This workman was digging and comes across a skeleton. Now, the townspeople there couldn't for their life figure out who the skeleton was, since pride is taken in resting people proper in the graveyard. Yes, I can see what the problem was. Well, someone remembered that fifteen years ago, a certain Daniel Clark shoemaker disappeared. And it was remembered, too, that Daniel Clark had a close friend still about, named Theodore Housman. And you spoke with Mr. Housman, I take it? Yes, I did, sir. And Mr. Housman proved conclusively that the skeleton taken from the limestone pits was not Mr. Daniel Clark at all. Then I don't understand. Well, he took us to St. Robert's Cave. Sure as where to dig, I'm sure enough. Another skeleton. Right. Right you are. Which you identified as Mr. Clark's roommate? Right. Right you are. Of course, of course, sir. How do you know it with Mr. Clark? Well, I'm sure I don't know. Besides? Besides what? This skeleton that a school bashed in. What is that proof? That it was Mr. Clark. But how do you know? Why, well, could it be? Come along now. To underline his logic, the sheriff on the dusty ride from London to Nairsboro would repeat himself. Why, well, could it be? And smile smugly. When the carriage reached Nairsboro, the beloved schoolmaster was stripped of his clothes, and some rags to wear, and was thrown into the Nairsboro jail. Fifteen minutes after this happened, he had a visitor, the town stapler. A man chosen by the town folk to staple desperate criminals to the jail wall. Mr. Aram was secured in such a way as hardly to be able to move at all. Certainly, he was immobile to such a degree that he could not dip a snuff. He dearly loved. Fifteen minutes after he was stapled, Mr. Aram had another visitor. Mr. Aram had another visitor. Remember me, Eugene? Bigly, I think. Time for the light. Well, remember me? From when you used to live here? I think. I'm not sure. Teddy. Teddy. Teddy Hausman. Oh, you're the one who named you Murderer. I see. First, I was named... went to trial, too, but I was acquitted. You know why I was acquitted, Eugene? Why? Because I named you. I'm speaking against you at the trial, Eugene. I'm giving evidence against you. I'm the reason you're going to hang. Is there a light enough, Eugene? Can you see who I am? Can you remember me? Crime classics. And your host, Thomas Hyland. And his report to you on Mr. Clark Skeleton and Mr. Aram's closet. The noise it made. Words about Yorkshire County, England. For in it, almost to thwart the boundaries of East and West riding, lies Nersboro. Well, Yorkshire is a county rich in historical associations. The Romans were here, and the Danes, as well as the Celts, and the Normans, and the Northumbrians. So you see, it's really one of the most invaded places in the world. It's one of the most common armies when Yorkshire County was a standing joke. Roman roads can be seen, as well as ruins of all types. And caves are constantly found with artifacts and shards and bones. And in such a cave, the bones of Daniel Clark. I'm sure it's Daniel Clark. For I remember when Eugene Aram dug a hole and put him there 15 years ago. If it's not Daniel Clark, then who else is it? Hit him over the head with a shovel and buried him Eugene Aram did. Who else could it be? But my husband is such a good man. Did you know him 15 years ago, Mrs. Aram? No. No, I didn't. When did you meet him? 12 years ago. In London. Now? I was to market, and he followed me home. Did he? And he walked up the steps behind me. Did he? And I turned, and I was about to tell him to hide away. But he closed my mouth for the kiss. What kind of a man would do that now? Would a gentleman do it, I ask? My husband is a gentleman. And romantic. And I wanted him to kiss me. Did he tell you where he was from? From there, bro, he said. Come to London to study and to teach and to take wife. And he said he needed to take wife before he could study or teach. Did he say out about a man named Daniel Clark? He spoke of pirates, not shoemakers. Did he say about a man named Theodore Housman? He spoke of philosophers, not liars. Did he? Did he now? He's a poet and philosopher. Did he now? Indeed, Mr. Arab is. A scholar himself, for listen what he has done. What self thought he is in Latin and Greek and Hebrew as well as knowledgeable in other Sanskrit languages. As well as knowing history and doing songs without the back of boards. As well as propounding theories as to the relation of one language to another. Cousins he called Latin and Greek. Not mother and daughter as to Hesel and Loth. Do they now? Beloved by all. Kindly and admired. Yet what? It looks as if he is a murderer. No, I'll never believe it. Never believe it. And why not, Miss? Because I'm his Latin pupil. And I offered him my love. Yes. And he did not accept it. And why not? Because he's a good man. And he has a wife. And you say he could not kill? Oh no, not such a gentle man. You admire gentleness. No more. I've spoken my heart. Moe Bank went back to Nairsboro with definite impressions that Eugene Allen was loved by one and all and that he was a mild man and that no one would believe that he was so horrendous as murder. And nevertheless Eugene Allen was brought to trial and the greater part of the trial was devoted to Theodore Hausman's testimony and this is the story he told. 15 years ago he said he and Eugene Allen had been friendly with Daniel Clark, the shoemaker and one night when they were all together Daniel said I have an idea gentlemen. Concerning what Danny? Concerning a way to make us rich. How? I know of my wife as she comes into fortune. You are a lucky one Danny. But she's been coming into fortune now for over a year and I'm still making shoes for the folks of Nairsboro for this idea now. Tell us, tell us Danny. Now all the shop smiths of Nairsboro know that one day I come into a summer morning through through and all I have to do is to buy on credit. An advance so to speak until my wife inherits her fortune. Now that's an idea that I've ever heard one. And on credit you could buy the finest stores. For all of us. Jewels. For all of us. Silver things. For all of us. For me. For me. For all of us. And then we could go to London. And live the fancy life. And be giled to London ladies. Where are you from you handsome lads they'll say from Yorkshire mom will say and give us a kiss. And they'll do it. They'll want to. Because we'll have money. And be dressed fine. Then do it Danny. Do your idea. Do your plan. Danny. What? When we're in London. She'll be here to pay the bills. When she gets her inheritance. When she gets it. And Hausman went on with his story. He told how Daniel Clark went to the shopkeepers. And for Mr. Chesney he got several services of pure silver plate. And on credit mind you. And for Mr. Malcolm the jeweler. A fist full of diamonds and pearls. And for Mr. Fivac the tailor. Garments of leather and garments of brocade. And all this and more he brought to them and ales and wines to have a party. And you know where they had the party. Teddy said they had the party in St. Robert's cave. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Oooooh. Oh it was easy. Tell us Danny lads. Oh I told Mr. Chesney that I only wanted one silver service. He insisted I take three. I told Mr. Malcolm I was just looking about. And he asked me, wasn't I the lad whose wife is coming into a fortune soon as the court allowed? And I said, yes? He pushed a handful of diamonds and pearls on me. And, Mr. Hyde, the greediest of them all, bolts of brocade and leather he piled me high with. What a fortune it's here. Ah, let us drink and then we'll go to London. And then we'll... Oh, I like you Eugene. Oh, warm friends. Oh, what a kind. Gentle, warm friends. Danny, huge friends. Why? Why are you laughing? Ah, the trick the shadow is making this case. Oh, as if you're holding high a shovel above my head. As if... Well now, I believe you've killed Danny Eugene. You have cheated his wife like that? He was a cheater, all right. You take half and I'll take half of what he cheated her of. And what will you do with him? Bury him? Bury him. Bury him. And so Teddy Hausman finished his story. Then you remember the sheriff walked over to a table in the courtroom. My lord, this is the skull we found. The tibia, the tibia. The femur, the jawbone. These are the fingers and toes. This is Daniel Clark, all right. Who else would it be? As sheriff of Nezda, I've been asking that all about and no one can give me answers. Oh, it's Daniel Clark, all right. My name isn't Teddy Hausman. And Eugene Arum put the side of the shovel to him as true as I stand. And what have you to say, Eugene Arum? My lord, I labor not with guilt, but with perplexity. For my whole conduct in life contradicts every particular of this indictment. I concerted no schemes of fraud, projected no violence, injured no man's person or property. My days were honestly laborious, my nights intense insolence. It is deserving of attention, my lord, that no person after a temperate life plunges into the very depths of evil. A man is never corrupted at once. Villainy is progressive step by step. And therefore you cannot believe that a man such as I committed this most hideous of all crimes. Submit me, my lord, to observe a little upon the bones which have been discovered and laid upon this table by the sheriff. It is said that these are the skeleton of a man. But is there any certain known proof which distinguishes the sex of human bones? Perhaps at some future time, scientists will be able to tell the bones of a male from those of a female, but not so today. Now, here is a human skull produced which is fractured. But was this the cause of death? Or was it the effect of natural decay? If it was violence, was that violence before or after death? In May 1732, the remains of William, Lord Archbishop of the province, were taken up and the bones of the skull were found broken. Yet certainly he died by no violence offered to him, for we all know he died serenely in his sleep. More. Such a deed as I am accused of is holy repugnant to every part of my life. I put myself upon the candor, the justice and the humanity of your lordship and upon yours, gentlemen of the jury. Being found guilty by a jury of your peers, it is the sentence of this court that you be placed in nears but a prison, alone, so that you may commune with your soul and ask peace of your maker. And from this place be taken to the gallows, and there hanged until you are dead. And your body shall then be delivered to the surgeons. May heaven rest your soul. New Eugene, the judge himself said that yours was one of the most clever speeches he'd ever heard. I know you didn't kill that man, and all of England knows it. They're forming committees. People are kind. Good news, Eugene! I've gotten up a petition. Scholars and teachers were fending together and he'll save you. You have nothing to fear. That is wonderful of you people. Humanity. Another victory will be yours. You remember me, do you not? Janice, you're Latin people. I'm so out of breath. I can hardly tell you. We've gotten up a paper. All kinds of signatures. Boys and girls. Students from all over England. Oh, certainly they won't hang you now. As you no doubt have noticed, we are left now with an unexplained skeleton. The first one which sent the sheriff to Teddy Hausman. Well, we're left with it. It has never been identified. And nor exactly why Teddy Hausman was acquitted. Wherever true crime fanciers get together, in the case of Eugene Aram as mentioned, there is without fail a discussion as to whether or not he was truly guilty. And nevertheless, Eugene Aram mounted the scaffold June 12th, 1758. The boy is there. He was about to deliver another speech of eloquence when... Needless to say, everyone felt sorry for him. The people from all over wept. Oh, such a nice man. In just a moment, Thomas Hyland will tell you about our next crime classic. Mr. Aram's closet, tonight's crime classic, was adapted from the original course of the 18th century. It was adapted from the original court reports and newspaper accounts by Morton Fine and David Friedkin. The music was composed and conducted by Bernard Herman and the program is produced and directed by Elliott Lewis. Thomas Hyland is portrayed on radio by Lou Merrill. In tonight's story, Van Wright was heard as Mr. Aram. Featured in the cast were Betty Harford, Ellen Morgan, Herb Butterfield, Charles Davis, Richard Peel and William Johnstone. Here again is Thomas Hyland. Paris, France, in the year 1673 will be our next concern. That was the year almost everyone had the virus, the deadly kind. Or, as though they thought, it's listed in my files as the lethal habit of the Marquis de Brunsilier. Thank you. Good night. Facilities of the United States, Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.