The Black Museum - The Silencer

Missus Orson Wells, speaking from London. Here in the Grimstone structure on the Thames, which houses Scotland Yard, is a warehouse of homicide for everyday objects. A woman's purse, a man's glove, a child's shoe, all are touched by murder.

That is silent. He made to fit an army rifle, made for a killer, for striking, unseen and unheard in the dark.

Perhaps interesting little instruments of scientific gadget to absorb sound. A change's sharp cracking report into a muffled gasp.

I suppose I am being rather subjective about this, Sergeant, but I find myself hating that's silence on here. I understand how you feel, inspector a science here, Well, it's it's filth, he says me. It's something like a rattles snake. No, Sergeant, you're similarly is wrong. The rattlesnake gives warning before he strikes. He plays fair.

Today That silencer can be seen here in the Black Museum.

From the annals of the Criminal Investigation Department of the London Police, we bring you the dramatic stories of the crimes recorded by the objects in Scotland Yards. Gallery of Death the Black Museum.

From you.

We are in the Black Museum, Scotland Yards, Museum of Murder, ellis death, violent death and many guises, the long history of a great number of very murderous deeds on the shelves, on the tables.

In the very air itself. This elephant come here.

This was once used for hunting by a sportsman bread in the very best tradition, later used to shoot a friend in the back.

Uh.

Here we are a.

Silencer, metal tubes within tubes, small and stubby, designed to swallow sound. There was a weapon too, of course, but no unthought of a weapon or of a silencer. The Knight Herbert and Josie Martin, who turned from a party to their new home in the equally new residential development in the suburbs of London.

Oh it was a fine party, Joseph. But I don't mind telling you. I'm gad for sleeping.

Oh. I like the new neighbors.

But business, there's no time perhause warmings.

The great these new houses are renting, will be going to house parties for weeks on end. Might as well make up our minds to it.

A man and his wife tired in a pleasant sort of way pleased a meeting their new neighbors and preparing for sleep. Normal, quiet, nice people in a new hole. Nothing spectacular, no hint of headlines, no thought of death.

Show the doors are locked herbit.

Yes, oh dear, please pull down the blind because if he blows up during the night, didn't flap out the window A wakeners like last night?

All right?

If you didn't insist on opening the window some the top, Josh, the blinds wouldn't blow. What is it?

What is it? What's taking you?

Oh?

A man reaches up to pull down a window blind. The lighted lamp is behind him. A bullet stars the window pane.

The man is dead.

A short while later, a telephone rings in an office in Scotland.

Yard Inspector Foster.

Here Sonty william speaking, Sir, does a call come through from himpstad Oble Herbert Martin short as he was pulling down the blind in his bedroom.

Anyone with him? Why?

Said any other witnesses up at the moment? Oh, well, Williams, bring a car, run and we'll have a look at the situation.

I realized this has been a terrible shock, missus Martin, but we need your help.

At once anything insteact, anything at all. Did your husband have any enemies that you love?

Oh no, no one, no one.

Any trouble in his business, no nothing, No what was his business?

Insurance accident?

Mostly he was going on so well, that's how we could have thought to move out here.

Then you've only come here recently, few months ago. We were one of the first tenants.

It seemed such a nice place.

Everything so new questions and more questions. There was obviously nothing missus Martin could tell the inspector. All she knew was what she'd seen one point. Puzzlive. The inspector came back to it several times. And you're certain, Missus Martin, that you heard no shot.

Nothing, just the sort of noise of the glass.

Well, it's possible, certain extreme range, the sound of a shot might have followed the arrival of the bullet. Missus Martin.

Now I'm sure i'd have noticed, as only seemed so strange. There wasn't any sound, just the hole in the window and my husband's sort of crumpling up and falling.

Well, that's not much to go on. Perhaps the bullet will tell us something. Meanwhile, we'll do our bet. Misters Martin, we'll try to do our bet. There was very little for the police to start on. The close scrutiny of Herbert Martin's life brought nothing to light. Martin's manner of living, the conduct of his business were exemplary. His friends, his business associates, his new neighbors all had nothing but praise for Herbert Martin.

Death had come out of the dark.

This alone was ground for speculation, particularly among the neighbors. Sydney and Elizabeth. Davis brother and sister were no exceptions.

I can't help, thinks Sydney. It's so peaceful here that poor man.

Barely in his grave real it is present.

It would be a fit.

Only Do you suppose his poor wife will keep the house now?

I doubt it, but perhaps if you offered to help Elizabeth I.

Have it'll take her quite a while to make up in mind, since she's all alone.

For Sir.

Sydney, I can't help Randa, and I can't what oh I had the strangest strangers, what it shoped, Sydney.

Death had come to Hamstead Over once again?

And you're absolutely sure you had no shot, mister Davis, absolutely, inspector.

My moment, my sister was speaking to me about missus Martin. The next moment she was dying in my arms. There's no sound, only the blood I see. Mister Davis.

Do you know the people who live in this development?

Nearly all of them. We well, we felt rather like pioneers. I suppose we've been developing. Being so new, we all became friendly.

And perhaps you can tell me. Are there any ex servicemen living here?

Yes?

There are two nice chaps, wives and children, you know. And I asked why you inquire.

Because the bullet which killed mister Martin came from an early issue rifle, and I suspect the same thing will be found true in your sister's case.

If it is true, we'll love that much at least to go more.

The markings on both bullets were identical. The same weapon had been used. Inspector Foster sent Detective Sergeant William's visiting.

Yes, and are you Thomas?

I am excuse me saying I'm a detective of Sergeant Williams.

The idea HAIRMC credentials.

Oh coming, will you coming to the living room? I don't keep your moments, Larkin. I want to speak about the Martin and Davis murders. Yes, yes, of course. Do you happen to have a rifle in.

Your possession, sir? No, I gave all that would. I was discharged. If I never see a weapon again, it will be too soon.

I believe your husband is an ex serviceman, missus Goodson.

Yes, he is five years of service Eighth Army and the General Montgomery I see, and tell me.

Did he buy any chance to retain any weapon when he left the service?

No? Is there any weapon in your house that you know of?

Yeah?

Probably, Well, Frankie, my husband insists we keep it.

He's got a license for it.

It frightens me after death just to have it in the house, work with.

The children around in all. Oh, sergeant, are all of us in danger here?

I needn't worry.

Don't you have any idea who or what may be behind these dreadful shootings?

Nothing except I drew a complete blank.

I rather thought you would.

Incidentally, a pathology found the Davis bullet and ballistic reports it's identical with the one that recovered from Martin's body.

Well where he is.

He's a fabulous shot, sir, and he uses a silence up. That's the only explanation I have for the absence of sound.

It's not very much to go on, Inspector Foster, help.

This is missus Thomas Larkin, Inspector. My husband and I live on Hempstead Over.

Yes, Missus Larkin, I know what can I do for you?

Well, mister Larkin and I have a meeting at our house for this evening. We hoped you and Sergeant Williams could be with us.

What's the purpose of your meeting, ma'am?

Oh?

The entire development is living in fear, Inspector. We want to try to find some way to protect ourselves. We thought you might have some advice to offer.

I'm somewhat doubtful about the advice, Missus Larkin, but Sergeant Williams and I will be at your meeting.

Have you set a time for it?

As yet?

They came that evening to the Lark in the living room. Inspector Foster waited in the hallway with the larkins Is everyone here, mister Larkin?

I think so, sir. Mister Maundy said he'd be over.

His wife wanted to stay with her little boy.

Well he's the only one missing then, Yes, that's right. How did you reach these people by telephone? It's not much trouble to do that. We're all on party lines.

I see.

Someone's at the back door. Tom must be Monday, and I'll get it if you excuse me, Missus Larkin, Yes, of course, go ahead, Inspector funny.

Coming to the back door. I told his wife, particularly about the front door precaution. No matter at least, I don't believe it will matter here we are hell on, Mandy, Yeah, you can make it.

Sorry, I'm late, Larkin.

I rather thought the back way would present less opportunity for this unknown marksman to it.

Mandon.

Good grief.

Up that door, Larkin, you're a perfect target yourself standing up.

Today.

That silencer can be seen here in the Black Museum. Neighbor London was dead, the rifle bullet neatly placed in the back of his head. The silent marksman was another story entirely. Who he was, where he was, why he struck With the unanswered questions which Inspector Foster had to face as he stood before the terror stricken residence of Hempstead Ov.

All I can say is the police are doing anything and everything.

They'll find this killer. In the meantime, Inspector.

I'll answer that in the meantime, it can all get picked up as my sister was, or Martin or Monday.

He's write, Inspector, I for one won't leave my children open at the risk of being orphaned or worse. No, moving away, giving up your homes won't find a murderer. I'm asking you, all of you, to do something quite difficult under present circumstances.

I want you to stay here for another few days.

He fashions, remain indoors at night, stay away from doors and windows.

If it's possible to.

Find him, then that is always possible.

We'll do it.

I promise you that the entire machinery of the London.

They watched him, the good neighbors who henced it over with doubt and fear in their eyes.

What they did is Inspector Foster ask.

They stayed in their homes and waited the welcome light of morning found the Inspector and his sergeant with tom Arkin in the kitchen of his home.

You're about the same height as Mandon, aren't.

You, Larkin?

Just about? Good?

Targeant set up the transit here where Mandon was standing when he was hit, and adjusted height to mister Larkins.

Some byers changed it in my kitchen. I don't understand and stick that you will shortly almost ready as harden ef.

The men work quickly methodically.

The transit was set up the lens of its telescope, placing the open backyorder. Inspector Forster adjusted the eyepiece and then slowly scan from Lindall to Lindell through the open doorway back. He moved the instant, adjusting it vertically as well as horizont returning the brass thumbscrewed carefully precisely stepped away from the transit.

That seemed to be the best possibilities, Ardant, pleavor yourself.

Yes, it lines up well.

The angle seemed to be right, so we have.

A look at it. Yes, yes, care to come with us?

Ka, Yes, I was a three with a clear line of fire right through your back door. The distance seems to be about five hundred yards.

So that's what the transit was for.

Exactly.

Let's go, shall we? Two?

Bad as beings of dryer light Later there might have been footprints marks on the tree trunk, sir. Well here here notices are straight in on this box, sir, as if someone in heavy brute had climbed the tree.

That's wheat and too, you know for a boost up charging here? Said, there are marks up here?

Is there quite a comfortable perch?

He?

Hello? The lim faults here, scratches on the bark could have been a rifle rested here.

Very good, Come on down, sargant, All.

Right, instead done. I may have found something over here.

Under this branch. Don't touch anything.

Markin right, Yeah, in the weeds.

Looks like a rifle corpage to me. Brass. The sun caught it, good man, good eyesight. Take care of that, sergeant.

Once we find the rifle and the owner that bit of brass, may well send him up thirteen steps early one morning, starting from nothing.

The facts were coming together one by one in the quiet office of the yard.

The bootmarks and the tree trunk. Sergeants that were rather close to the ground. I noticed your first jump was at least two feet higher. Yes, I wasn't caring a rifle, sir, No, but a man of average weight in good condition would have made markings closer to yours. I'd say this fellow was either very heavy or not exactly young past middle age, at.

Least the beginnings of a description.

Either military or hunting experience. To be able to shoot like that at night.

The beginnings of the background.

Whoever it was, must have lived in that area for some time to know the position of that tree relation to Larkin's back door. Start a quiet house to house check Williams. Have the men watch for anyone who fits these points. Yes, then find me a detailed ordnance map of Hempstead Oval. The builder of the renting agent will have one. We find one sniper's touch. I'm curious about the other interesting layout Architecturally, according to the contour of the land, the main line of the houses seemed to

Queen Elizabeths history.

Fascinating anymore, here's.

Quite atyp seems the land was soul on condition that the soul survivor of the family be given a house rent free for the rest of his life.

And this person is still there.

It seems to be he's an elderly gentlemen, keeps very much to himself. This is Hou's here on the end of the main line. I see now, then this would be the Martin place and this is the David Yeah, that's right there. The Martin bedroom and the Davis porch faced the same way along.

That curve of the hill. Yes, that's it.

It seems they didn't originally intend to build on the hill, but they they've started a new house right here. They fella stitched in for me. The demands being very high. They wouldn't mind them with them after we get this killer. Oh yes, I have to ask me that ruler will in all right?

Thank you.

Here, Williams, the Martin window and the Davis porch are in direct clear.

Line with the new building.

I wonder now, I assume the contractor isn't working his men at night.

I wonder now.

This is the top floor, inspective. Hard wood isn't in here, but that floor will take your weight. That's the dorm the window you asked about. Look around, Willis Addams. It's about the progress of this building. Here said how long has this top floor been.

In this half finished?

Their a fortnight, sir, crazy is a due end of this week.

Carpenters will get the flooring right after that.

Anyone here at night.

She's a watchman for the old development. One of these stations is just across the road. You can see it through the window. There, I see I have them saying here. They were lying along the wall under the window. Now, oh go this tenpany nails in the window sill. Someone will catch it for this.

No doubt someone will.

Someone put those nails in to help steady a rifle, the same someone who left those two brass cottage cases behind him.

How do you catch a killer who strikes silently in the darkness.

How do you match his craftiness? Perhaps you say to Tom Larkin that may be dangerous. Larkin, will you cooperate?

We'll have you under five before now, inspector very well.

No, then, I believe someone told me the telephones hereabouts are on party lines.

A telephone call is made on the party lines.

I want to talk to you, goodson about this killer. I think I know who it is.

I'll walk over in half hour with a friend of mine and I'm picking up Sit Davis on the way.

No mention, of course, that the friend is search at Williams c ID. Will walk alongside Tom Larkin, staying between him and the files on the hill.

No mention of the.

Inspector, crouched on the hillside in the dark shadow of the half built house.

Sorry, you are certain the men are the orders mission? Yesip paid anyone into the cordon, but no one gets out. He kept the watch the god. Now let's see.

Yes, time, Williams and Larkin were starting on the wall. Let me have the glassy massion through the night glasses. The inspector watch almost tif a mile away. Two men left the Larkin house started slowly along the road.

On the hillside. The shadow slipped quietly toward the half finished house.

The inspector whispered, yeah, that not a sound.

Now, unsuspecting, a shadow moved through the line of police, past the hidden and space into the building.

Come along, Mason, He's gone into the.

House, into the empty building, empty except for a killer climbing steadily, no lights, only the vague outline of the unpainted banister and the clean smell of new wood. Suddenly, the footsteps ahead stop. The inspector and his companion pause. At the head of the stairway, the glassless window shows the night sky right with stars. Her black shadow kneels at the sill, places a long, heavy object between the two tendeny nails.

Alright, Mason take him, ok, No, you shall take me.

No.

I have a right here than anyone.

I have a right.

In charge, but not much.

Warn you, but anything you say may be taken down in writing on my mind. Mession. He doesn't understand.

Yes, sir, you're a Philip Wardman, aren't you.

Who are you?

He seemed to be a gentleman.

My name's Foster. Why are you here in this empty building, mister Wardman.

I'm the rights.

Was in my land.

Family's lad and told me when I sold it for the money, I could go on living here. The houses brought strangers and driving them out and hunting them out as in Africa. And you were a boy, had my right. I came to live on my land.

Christmas is a law.

There's a law to mister Warmer about rifles.

Like this and silencers.

Silences have a good shot, pick them up like crail hand me the silencer supposed to spoil the accuracy of a rifle, and not mine. I'm good and trophies when I'm younger, I never knew.

I never knew.

You were an excellent short mister Wardman, even with a silenter.

And today that silencer can be seen in its place here in the Black Museum. It's true, of course, that in many countries men have loved their land to the point of desperation. Philip Wardman loved his to the point of madness and murdered the rifle belonged to his grandson, a veteran living far away in Canada. Where the old man bought the silencer was never learned. The secret of that went with Philip Wardman to the place where his bitter,

Now to me.

Next time, I'll tell you another story about the Black Museum. I remain as all as obedient, free us