 and now stay tuned for the program that is rated tops in popularity for a longer period of time than any other west coast program in radio history the signal oil program the whistler transcribed by the signal oil company to enable the entire production staff of the whistler to spend the new year's weekend at home with their families signal the famous gofather gasoline invites you to sit back and enjoy another strange story by the whistler and i know many things before 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 and now for the signal oil company the whistler's strange story fatal it was a clear night a high moon bathing the giant concrete columns and sweeping approaches to an unfinished stretch of bridge in the outskirts of the city the area was seemingly deserted all traffic being routed around it until the end of construction but there was some movement some life a man alone walking along one of the approaches high up over the street below and unknown to him another man carl fabian higher up drawn back in the shadows of a support column watching waiting expectively and then as the two figures converge carl fabian steps out good evening mr evan who was it the name is fabian carl fabian oh mr fabian what do you want i'm just a little curious that's all curious as about you your friends are you enjoying this job here is forming i mean i'm getting along to know there's something in the paper about the crime commission asking you questions about the latimer construction company i'm not supposed to discuss that with anybody mr fabian not even with me the real head of latimer construction look ovens there are other jobs better paying you think you might be interested you're offering me a better job maybe if you've no objection to traveling i like it here in town there might be a sizable cash bonus evans in fact i'm quite sure it could be arranged i'm not interested well you should be i might say you better be evans it's important to me that you leave this job and get out of town i'm offering you money in a job well for your information mr fabian i intend to report this entire conversation when i'm called in by the crime commission really and what makes you think you'll ever be called again mr evans what makes you think you'll be able to answer their questions get away from me i haven't done anything so you like it here hey well that's fine because you're gonna be here a long time he went over the railing didn't he carl the simple clean cut way to be rid of the talkative mr harry evans it's the way matters like this were attended to in some of your less legitimate enterprises where you got your start before you moved in on construction work but now you know that you must get down there carl 50 feet below make certain that evans is dead at the end of the ramp you catch sight of them freezing your tracks as you see something else lantern the night watchman carl and coming your way you leap back into the protection of the tool shed crouch against its dark shadows the watchman calls out to someone ready get over here something's happened what is it matt who is it matt what happened to the guy he went over the rail still alive i think you better go for the ambulance oh gosh the poor devil harry mac the ambulance maybe there's a chance yeah yeah i'll hurry he's alive isn't he carl alive harry evans the conscientious foreman that your partner and frontman joe lathimer had hired the foreman so conscientious he made a habit of visiting the job every night it was this nightly habit that decided you to pay him this unexpected visit and now he's still alive and there's nothing you can do about it not now now you can only think of a state but even that seems impossible doesn't it and then finally the whale of an ambulance i assume the attendants join the night watchman employed by the latimer construction company and the man he called mac now yours he's done for accident huh yeah that's what it was you say he's forming on the job that's right harry evans he was in the habit of stopping by here at night looking things over and see if you two don't mind answering a few questions certainly not at all your name wagner address 44 20 east ellis it was terribly close wasn't a car the watchman reaching harry evans before he died you weren't even sure that he hadn't found out something mature sure you're in the clear his report to the ambulance attendant was simple and complete accidental death they'll call it and you're sure you're rid of harry evans rid of him forever the following evening your mind is on more pleasant things the occasion a smart supper party and a girl named leona to help put you in a pleasant frame of mine the attractive niece of judge victor mayfey and you seem to be practically the only man she cares to dance with you've come a long way in the past few years haven't you carl many people think of you as a legitimate businessman but despite your responsible front at heart you're still the same racketeer you've always been aren't you car well carl you seem to be enjoying yourself after all i didn't say i wouldn't leona i thought i was surprised at the judge putting an appearance so was he oh i'm used to having my own way perhaps it's best that you know that and i'm part of your plan why not an eligible bachelor perhaps one of the most sought after carl fabian 40-ish single tall rugged handsome sounds like a description more western now oh let me finish head of fabian enterprises a real political force in our fair city oh i don't know about that i do the judge does we also know you're the brains and money behind the latino construction company what about it nothing except that it's a distinction to be part of the city's great expansion growth yeah yeah it is well don't sound so somber oh sorry oh the music stopped sorry about that too yeah i really am come on meet my uncle who knows someday you might get a parking ticket and if the judge could do me any good what could i do for him you could at least be pleasant maybe even help him remodel his home isn't that what some of you big contractors try to do little favors for influential men leona you're quite a good oh i'm on good behavior tonight besides yeah you're quite a bullet well carl everything is perfect isn't it seems you're on top of the world and the following day after the supper party even the nervousness of your partner joe latimer supposed head of the latimer construction company fails to dim your optimistic outlook joe on the other hand is very upset as you talk in the privacy of your penthouse apart take it easy joe i tell you everything's going to be all right i hope you're right have you heard anything to the contern no but carl i've been meaning to speak to you we're writing too high it's dangerous but fun joe fun i'm not so sure i i don't sleep so good lately joe you'd better take a little brandy in your coffee you're shaking no no i i'm okay well good because you see joe if you're getting any ideas about pulling out i mean well remember this evan's thing doesn't stand all by itself let's remember how we built the latimer construction company how we'll go on building oh no carl i have no intention of changing anything good boy i just want you to reassure me that's all that we'll have no problem nobody suspects anything about harry evan nobody does joe there's no way believe me it's simple harry evans was about to talk to the wrong people the crime commission you and i knew he would have said the wrong thing yes yes i know you like evans work for me that's all i i'm not criticizing car we have to look out for ourselves now you're talking you see joe you expecting somebody no i hope we may have a room no need asking for cobble okay good idea job good morning mr fabian oh the tenant race good morning come in now just out by for a routine questioning i suppose you heard about the foreman on a latimer bridge job being killed that's very tragic accident we're not too sure about that accident part mr fabian huh uh mind telling me when you last saw harry evans the foreman only at the question you know the crime committee yes yes i know they start him again next week huh as i understand evans were supposed to be able to make it pretty hot for you mr fabian did you know that might no idea we weren't personal friends so i understand but he uh worked for a friend of you always did me oh i know joe latimer if that's what you mean that's what i mean okay mr fabian i'll see you at the crime hearings huh i'll be there later i believe all of us should feel at our duty to come forward and answer anything anytime yeah i'm sure you do okay good morning mr fabian are you sure you won't come in lieutenant have a cup of coffee yes i'm sure thanks just the same see you around where the cop wasn't caught a cop lieutenant race yes why the difference does it make how can you ask that how can you stand there not blink an eye when there's police around asking questions mild your simple because i'm a man with nothing to fear that's our you worry about construction job oh incidentally contact frank helsey for me to die frank helsey why i think judge may feel he's going to want some work done around his house around his house we're not interested in jobs like that but the kelsey construction company will be tell frank i said to submit a little bit on any work the judge requires tell him i mean low enough to be sure he gets the job i don't follow it's simple joe i'll be able to hold it over the judge is the later date just in case we need somebody on our side oh sure sure i'll talk to frank helsey this morning you do that joe and now you better run out the office keep things coming you know nose to the grainstone and all that sure sure carla i was just leaving joe is the nervous type isn't he called liable to go to pieces under pressure you on the other hand must see that no pressure occurs you must keep a tight rain on your operation a few moments later the door buzzer sounds again you wonder if joe's nerves have gotten the best of him and to be packed for more assurance but that isn't the case the man at the door is the last man on earth that you want to see right now hello mr davian uh hello i can see you don't remember me well it's understandable yes we never did meet face to face i uh seem to recall your voice oh you heard it that night huh where were you uh maybe hiding my the tool shed a night watch the night watchman really job mr davian nothing like this penthouse and all thought maybe you'd want to help me change it all change it yes you see um harry evans wasn't quite dead when i reached him remember he whispered your name no one will ever believe that it's it's fantastic oh come off it you don't really think you're going to send me away with a remark like that now mr davian i think you're going to be real hospitable invite me into your penthouse well um oh yes yes of course come in because the approach of a new year is always an appropriate time to take stock of one's blessings we of the signal oil organization would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to all of you who have given us so much for which to be thankful to you loyal whistler fans whose continued preference for signal product has helped us grow from a small start in one state into an organization now serving seven western states we are genuinely grateful to independent signal dealers whose conscientious service has helped so much to keep customers and their cars happy we are mighty appreciative so that all of us in the signal oil family may continue to merit your friendship and your business you can count on us to continue our policy of making signal product ever finer and signal services even more complete throughout the coming year as for the past 21 years we shall do everything in our power to make your stops at signal stations as well as your miles behind the wheels happy one well carl until the night watchman in the bridge construction job dropped in you thought you were in the clear you were certain though it weren't you carl certain that no one can prove that you had killed harry evans to prevent him from appearing as a witness in the forthcoming crime committee hearing but now carl your visitor the night watchman at the bridge job heard evans brand you was a killer you could deny it all couldn't you carl or you could silence the little man who now stands before you in your living room twisting a battered hat in his hand i know what's going through your mind just about now mr fabian there i think you should know that i didn't come up here tonight without any uh protection i wrote a letter everything i know about that little accident in that letter i see now if anything wants to happen to me oh nothing well you need to worry about that mr wagner did you make call me urney all my friends call me urney all right any um sit down thanks thanks mr fabian i will uh tell me urney how do you like your present job fine just fine would you like it better at say you double your present sound well that sounds real interesting only if it's more money you want i wouldn't mind that mr fabian but then what is it well i'm sort of getting along you know time a man of my years retired of course i mean i quite agree i i think you misunderstand me i said double the salary i said nothing about you having to work oh well that's mighty nice of you mr fabian real generous i think so too well uh it's settlement sure sure mr fabian you've disposed of the threat temporarily at least haven't your car yes and that's all you wanted to do for the moment but you know a man like urney wagner can be dangerous because of what he knows what he can do and you know too that before long you'll have to rid yourself of him somehow permanently the following morning you call the latimer company mr latimer's office uh no oh hello carl how are you fine honey is uh latimer day uh no he went out some time ago but he'll be back this afternoon sure i haven't called you yeah would you do that we know uh any no yeah mr latimer had a visitor this morning the district attorney the district attorney they had a very long talk i see what about well i don't know i i tried to find out but when i walked into the office they climbed up they were in the office for about an hour and when they came out mr latimer told the da he'd think it over and let him know thanks honey buy yourself something and send me the bell as usual it's something to worry about isn't it carl the district attorney's visit to latimer's office it's possible that latimer is going to be called as a witness at the crime committee hearings isn't it and you wonder why latimer hasn't told you about it there must be a reason car yes perhaps the district attorney has offered him a deal latimer could double cross you couldn't tell him what he knows you decide to have a little chat with him as soon as possible but because he's delayed at coal town you have to wait till the next day to see him yeah good morning sir oh calm sit down oh thanks what's on your mind well first of all joe uh how about that kelsey bed oh it went through okay judge accepted it health insurance started on it this morning fine fine something else you wanted to talk about oh yeah i uh want you to double a man's salary Joe a man named wagner Ernie Wagner oh the night watchman on the bridge job what's the idea black male what he knows i pushed harry evans off that ramp he knows yeah harry was still alive and the watchman reached him i see now look carl about his salary what's wrong well couldn't you handle it some other way i i don't want to get me we do it my way he gets twice the money in retirement okay okay and stop worrying i'm the guy who's to appear before the committee not you i know carl but you haven't been summoned at him me why no no okay but if by any chance you are summoned you'll let me know right away won't you joe yeah sure i'll let you know carl fine well i've got an appointment i'll see him okay carl and i'm yes carl i want you to keep a very close tap on what goes on around here from now on very well carl i want to know every move latimer makes who is visitors are who talks to one the phone you understand yes i understand carl it's important you keep a close watch on latimer from now on isn't it carl until you decide what you must do he didn't mention the district attorney's visit so you know he intends to double cross shoot but before that happens you'll know about it won't you yes you know you can count on edna there's no word from her the next day but the following morning she called okay sweetheart what is it latimer just talked to judge mayfield on the phone mayfield what'd he say nothing much except he made an appointment to meet the judges at home tonight eight o'clock let's see then he called the district attorney's office ask the da to meet him at the judge's home the district attorney is bringing us tonight that's tonight over all right Edna thanks you know exactly what your partner joe latimer plans to do don't you call yes first you'll reveal the trap you set up to implicate judge mayfield and then he's going to file a written statement with the district attorney reveal all he knows about you and your activities but that meeting isn't going to take place is it because you're going to act first you call the owner make a date ask her to stop by your apartment first for cocktail you'll need a perfect alibi for what you plan what you call and who could prove a better one than the niece of judge mayfield and that evening when she arrives sorry i'm late darling only a few minutes i'm afraid i'm the one who's lately on i just got here a few minutes ago business appointment haven't had time to change it uh you will mention cocktails could the lady have one while she waits uh chairman house boy is fixing a batch of martinis now extra dry just the way you like good hey let me take you thanks i don't go away silly man as if i would you hurry into the bedroom then slip out onto the terrace down the fire escape to the next floor there you take the private elevator down to the garage in a few moments later you're racing toward judge mayfield house 10 minutes to wait you're standing in the shadows along the front walk to the judge's house a few minutes later a car stops in front then you hear footsteps approaching hello lettering car calling in the judge oh yeah oh yeah i don't think you'll make it joe well now wait car let me explain i'm that time sorry joe 10 minutes later you're back in your bedroom changing quickly into your evening clothes your little plan worked perfectly didn't call no slips and you're highly pleased with the way things have turned out for you i'm sorry it takes a long manner i'm a bit of a slow poke where it comes to dressing up with friend let me look at you darling how can any one man look so handsome so do you flattery will get you practically anything you want dear lady have i told you how beautiful you are as beautiful as some of the other creatures you've known more so darling i don't believe a word of it but i'd like to hear you say here i poured you drink now thanks to you carl to us and a bright happy future no cares no worry add right liana no cares no worries extra pep extra pep take those heels in high put signal et al in your car if you're surprised to hear marvin miller sing just wait till you hear your car sing when you treat it to its first tank full of signal et al the premium grade of signal famous go farther gasoline yes it'll be music to your ears on cold mornings when you touch the starter and presto your motor starts humming a tune quicker and you can turn on your radio when it comes to acceleration signal et al will show you pep that makes even dixieland jazz seem tame and with signal et al's responsive power you'll soar up hills as smoothly and high as a coloratura from the map source to high c and why not after all signal et al is engineered to bring out the best in any car of any age so if it's best performance you want just remember the famous last verse of that great shower room tenor marvin miller go farther and have fun enjoy your every spin to get more out of any car put signal et al in you're certain you're in the clear this time aren't you car yes even though you know the police will suspect you that you had the motive they won't be able to prove that you kill joe latimer and you've arranged an alibi too haven't you leona ambiz niece of the highly respected judge may feel and so after an evening of dining and dancing the two of you will return to your apartment as you step inside the chair no chair no you mean mr fabian well well the tenant raise sir allow me miss sanders lieutenant race on the side how do you do miss anders homicide is something wrong lieutenant yeah what's all this about joe latimer was murdered tonight mr fabian show murdered good lord inhabitant front of judge may feel house the judge heard the shot and found the body oh how horrible and get right to the point mr fabian where were you this evening highly on and i would be halloween club of course nine trimming me in on the time mr fabian no i'm gonna see him arrived here at the apartment shortly after seven thirty that's right somewhere around eight fifteen and went directly to the club mm-hmm joe latimer was killed at approximately ten minutes to wait where were you at ten minutes of eight mr fabian well don't you're right here the hornet can tell you are he with you all the time as anders well no he went into the bedroom to dress how long was he in there oh 10 15 minutes i suppose now but maybe he wasn't in the bedroom you could have slept out mr fabian drove over to judge may feel house and kill adamant that's interesting lieutenant i'm afraid you'll have to have some proof to get very far i think i have these your shoes mr fabian my shoes i found them in your bedroom you look closely you'll see traces of fresh cement on what the cement you stepped in was almost dry otherwise you probably would have noticed it when you change your shoes i don't know what you're talking about the killer left some perfect footprints in the cement a judge may feel new patio and if the prince match your shoes the judge's patio that's right the judges having some work done around the new house the cement patio had been put in just this morning by the kelsey construction company but i don't suppose you'd know anything about that would you mr fabian let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the whistler each sunday night at this same time signal oil company has asked me to remind you there's an easy way we can all help to make this holiday season happier for ourselves and others drive at sensible speeds be courteous and obey traffic regulations it may save a life possibly your own featured in tonight's story were bill foreman as the whistler ted decorsia joe gilbert ed begley leo cleary joe forte and herbert linton the whistler was produced and directed by george w allen with story by adrian john doe music by wilbur hatch and was transcribed and transmitted overseas by the armed forces radio service the whistler is entirely fictional and all characters portrayed on the whistler are also fictional any similarity of names or resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental remember to tune in at the same time next sunday when the signal oil company will bring you another strange story by the whistler marvin miller speaking for the signal oil company