Mutual Presents: Tuesday Terror- The Mysterious Traveler #7.7

Sunday Showcase, highlighting some of the best audio storytelling found anywhere. All right here on the Mutual Audio Network. The following audio drama is rated PG for parental guidance recommended. Welcome back to the Auditarium and Mutual Presents with Penny the Cat and me, Jack Ward. This week it's all about the terror with Tuesday Terror's pick from the Mutual Broadcasting System and the Mysterious Traveler.

Buck up for suspense with No One on the Line and The Symphony of Death. Onwards we go.

The mysterious traveler. This is the mysterious traveler, inviting you to join me on another journey into the realm of the strange and the terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will thrill you a little and uh chill you a little. So settle back and get a good grip on your nerves. If you can. Where are we going? Why, today we're going to accompany Mr. Harvey Benson through a fateful twenty-four hours of his life. In a story I call. No one on the line.

Our visit with Harvey Benson begins on a Wednesday evening in summer. Harvey, a self-made businessman, is smoking a cigar and reading the paper, while his wife Linda reads a book. It's really quite a picture of peaceful domesticity. Well, that's then. Nothing much in the paper tonight, dear. It's too bad your poker game tonight fell through, darling. I know how you look forward to Wednesday evening. Well, it doesn't matter.

Good book you're reading? Oh yes. Yes, it's very exciting. It's a new murder mystery everybody's talking about. I would have guessed it was rather dull from the way you've been looking at the same page for ten minutes now. Oh Was I? I must have been wool gathering. Well, I guess I'll go... Phone, I'll get it, Linda. No, sit still, Harvey. You're tired. I'll answer. No, I insist, my dear. Hello! Hello. Hello.

That's funny. No one on the line. Well strange. Maybe the phone's out of order. No, I heard the click as someone hung up when I entered. Oh, but it's not worth wondering about. It's getting late. What do you say we turned in? And now we join Harvey again at breakfast the following morning. It's getting late, but Harvey lingers over his coffee as if he had the whole day ahead of him. Mmm. Good coffee, this. You brought me some more, will you, darling? Of course, Harvey. But, uh...

Shouldn't you be leaving for your office, dear? Oh, there's plenty of time. But it's almost nine thirty. You seem very anxious to get me to the office, Linda. You're not trying to get rid of me by any chance. Oh well, of course not. But you said you had an important appointment this morning and I just put the fellow away. Brun, my good coffee this. Harvey. Hmm? Is there anything wrong?

Anything wrong? Yes. You seemed a little odd the last day or two, and this morning. And what's the matter with me this morning? Oh, I don't know that anything is, but... You do seem a little strange. Strange? In what way, Linda, my dear? Oh, I'm sorry if I've said anything to annoy you, but oh, I'll answer it. Still, Linda, I'll answer it. But Harvey, it's probably. I said I'll answer it. Maybe a call I've been expecting. All right, Harvey. hello hello hello

Strange, there's no one on the line. Same thing that happened last night. Wow, the cues. Oh, but that phone must be out of order. Yes, I suppose. Yet I could swear I heard someone hang up when I answered. Oh, you must have been mistaken, darling. I suppose so. You better give the company a ringland, yes, I will, Harvey. Right away. Good. And now I do have to be going. Uh see you tonight, darling.

So now we accompany Harvey Benson to his office. Uh because we're spending one complete day with him, remember? His office is large and luxurious, reflecting the success Harvey Benson has achieved in the world by hard work and constant vigilance. Once arrived there, Harvey plunges into his work. Until shortly before noon the sound of the inter office phone arouses him.

Excuse me, Mr. Benson. Oh, er, yes, Miss Johnson. Er, Mr. Munger is here to see you. Shall I send him in? No, ask him to wait. I'd like to see you for a moment first, Miss Johnson. Certainly, Mr. Benson. I'll be right in. Yes, Mr. Benson? Sit down, please, Mr. Johnson. Yes, sir. I've brought my book. You won't need it. I just want to chat with you for a moment. I don't understand, Mr. Benson. I just want to talk to you.

I don't believe you and I have ever talked before as person to person, have we? No, sir, we haven't. And you've been with me uh seven years, isn't it? Seven years next month. Seven years, and we've never talked as equals. But then I've never needed advice before. You've noticed that I never ask advice. Well yes, I have, Mr Benson. Make your own decision and act upon it, is my motto.

And yet now I'm going to ask your advice as a woman, not as a secretary. Well, I I'll try to be helpful if I can. Good. Now then, picture for yourself a woman who has always been very practical and uh well, let's say rather cold. Suddenly this woman becomes dreamy and absent minded. She stands for minutes at the window, looking at nothing. You speak to her, she doesn't hear you.

What would you deduce from that? Why, I'd say she was in love. Excellent. Now suppose this woman is married. Suppose on several occasions when her husband is in the room You're following me, aren't you? Oh yes, sir. Suppose on these occasions the phone rings, and this married woman answers, and each time she tells the party calling he has a wrong number.

What then? Why I suppose that could happen. But now, Miss Johnson, suppose on several occasions the husband answers, and the party at the other end hangs up without speaking. Why, it sounds like someone trying to call the wife without her husband knowing about it. Exactly. I felt sure I couldn't be wrong. But it's helpful to have your opinion and back me up. Thank you very much, Miss Johnson. Why why not at all, Mr. Benson? Now please send in Mr. Mungo. Yes, sir, right away.

Mr. Benson will see you now. Okay, sister. Good morning, Mr. Benson. Come in, Mungo, and close the door. Sure, Mr. Benson. Oh, sit down. Yeah, sure. You have the information for me? Everything's right here in my report. Good, let's have it. I checked thoroughly on the four names you suggested. And which one was she meeting? But I only witnessed one meeting, Mr. Benson. The other time she gave me the slip. Then you don't know your business.

Well, what she did was go to Duke and Baker's department store, take a dress into one of the fitting rooms, and then leave by another door. I couldn't very well follow her there. You should have managed it somehow. I never mind that. What did you learn? I'll give you the general report first before mentioning names. All right, do so, but don't dawdle about it. Yes, Mr. Bennett. As you'll see, I've called the four individuals you suggested parties A, B, C, and D. Yes. Now, party B.

Mrs. Benson knew before her marriage, but I found no evidence they've ever communicated since. Yes, go on. Party's C and D she also knew before she became Mrs. Benson, and from time to time she's seen both of them since. Uh, but those meetings appear to have been accidental. Maybe so. Get on with it. But party A, the architect one

I traced him back to Atlanta. That's his hometown. Huh? She comes from Atlanta, too. Yes, sir. They went to high school together. We're sweet on each other for a year or two. He used to keep her picture in his room. Oh, he did, did he? Yeah.

And since he reached New York three months ago, he's phoned her four or five times, according to the switchboard operator at his apartment house. Yes, of course. I remember how excited she was when they met at the Jennings dance two months ago. And three days ago, get When misses Benson was downtown shopping, she dropped into Rass for lunch and she ran into him there. No doubt it was a planned meeting. It was very cleverly done. Then they sat for two hours talking and

Well, that meeting was no accident. No, of course it wasn't. Donald Arkwright. Yes, I was sure of it. Yes, sir. But if you want me to keep on following you. No, no, no, no. It's time for more decisive steps. I don't understand. You're not supposed to. But if you knew me better, you'd know that the moment I.

My mind is made up by act. I see, Mr. Benson. And I propose to act now. So send me your bill and forget the whole affair. Very good, Mr. Benson. I'll forget the whole affair. I'm very good at that. Good day, Mr. Bentley. Goodbye.

Hello, Donald Arkwright speaking. Oh, hello, Arkwright. This is Harvey Benson. You remember me, Linda's husband? Yes, yes, of course, Mr. Benson. How are you? Fine, thanks. I'm calling because I need an architect. Oh, and uh you wanted me to Yes, I'm I'm going to put up a summer place out on Long Island, and I wanted you to draw the plan. Well, that's great, Mr. Benson. Uh now what kind of site have you?

I'll do better than tell you. I'll show it to you. That is, if you're free to drive out with me this morning. Well, uh, I do have an appointment. Cancel it. This will be well worth your while, I assure you. Well All right, I will, Mr. Benton. Good. Then I'll pick you up in my car. Say about uh forty five minutes. All right, that'll be fine. I'll be looking for you. Good, I'll see you shortly then. We'll have lunch on the way.

Miss Johnson. Yes, Mr. Benson. I'm leaving for the day. Cancel any appointments I may have. Now Harvey Benson leaves his office and we follow him to the garage where he keeps his car. Well, Joe, do you have my car ready? I uh got it right here, mister Benson. But look, uh

Don't you want to take the new coupe? No, I said I wanted the sedan. Yeah, sure, but since that little accident Mrs. Benson had, the sedan ain't in too good a shape. It'll do for today. Yeah, but what I'm getting at is it it ain't safe. I'm not worried. You put in money, guys? Yep.

Five gallons, Mr. Benson. But look now, don't take no chances with them brakes. They don't hold worth a cent. I'm aware of that. And that right hand door it sticks something terrible. What of it? What do you care? Oh, I just thought I Well don't. Golly, he's certainly in a hurry. With them brakes the way they are, he'll kill somebody if he ain't careful.

At 87th Street, Harvey Benson picks up his passenger, Donald Arkwright. And several hours later, they are far out in a lonely section of Long Island. Just a quarter of a mile more outright. Up ahead on top of those cliffs. That's where my lots are. I uh surely appreciate your asking me to prepare the plans, Mr. Benson. Linda suggested you for the job. Said you were a first rate architect. Well, that's swell of her. I wasn't even sure she'd remember me. Oh, she remembers you very well.

I could see how happy she was to meet you at the Jennings party. Yeah, I was tickled that she recognized me. After all, it's six years since we last met. Well, why shouldn't she recognize you? After all, you were sweethearts, weren't you? Well, I suppose you could have called us that. We did have some good times together. Riding, hiking, and dancing. Well, it's plain she still thinks a lot of you.

There's the sight. Right up ahead. Oh yes. Smack on the edge of the cliff, huh? Well, you'll have a nice view all the way across the sound. Eighty feet sheer to the water. Not another house in miles. Look, you can see all the way down to the rocks from the bend in the road here. Well, those waves sure are kicking up a fuss. Land wouldn't last long down there. Nope.

No, not long. But you don't have to worry. I'll build you a house that'll never slide over the edge. I'm sure you'll never give me any cause to worry. Well here we are. Have to pull the car a bit off the road, though, to park. Well, pretty steep here. Yes. I'll have to put in a retaining wall. Tear us the ground, I guess. There. I got her off the road. Uh, we'll leave her here, where we'll have room turn round when we're ready to start back.

Sure hope you have good brakes. I'd hate to slide over onto those rocks down there. I'd hate to myself. Oh, wanna get out and block wheels for me? Oh yes, of course. Sees to be stuck. That's right, that door does open hard. Never mind, I'll get on them this side and block them.

Well, say, aren't you forgetting to set the brakes? Not necessary. But this slope is steep here. I know what I'm doing. But look, the car's moving already. It's starting to roll forward. Yes, it is, isn't it? And it'll keep on rolling. Mr. Prenton, I I can't stop your car, the brain. Mr. Benson, it's gone over the cliff! It's gone over the cliff!

Harvey stands there, watching the car roll toward the edge, while his passenger struggles frantically to get out. It only has ten feet to go, five feet, and then on the very edge the wheels twist against a rock. Harvey runs down the slope and reaches the spot just as Donald Arkright manages at last to scramble out. Mr. Bent, you did that on purpose. Yes. Arkright. I did. You tried to kill me. Exactly. I tried to kill you. But why? You

You must be Christ. No, Arcried, only myself. If you knew me better, you'd know that no one tries to take anything away from me without suffering for it. What are you talking about? You know what I'm talking about. What's mine is mine. And everything that's mine I keep. You are crazy. I can see it.

Get away from me. Take your hands off of me. No, I'll break. You haven't a chance. Yes. Let me go, I say. I'll I'll you'll do nothing. In this world, a man has to be strong and ruthless to stay on top. And I'm close. No, no, you're pushing me toward the edge. Let me go. You're going over. Do you hear? You're going. No

For a moment, Harvey stands, glaring down at the whitecapped waters that have received his victim. Then he turns to the car. A quick twist of the steering wheel and a push, and the car is gone. Then Harvey turns away back to the road. He walks a mile, two miles, three, until he gets a lift from a driver who takes him to the nearest state police barracks, where state police sergeant Thomas hears his story.

Mr. Benson, you say you got out of the car to block the wheels and the car started rolling forward? Yes, sir. Arkwright tried to open the door, but it stuck. The car was at the edge by the time he got it open. He he jumped. But he was too late. I see. All right, I have the details straight. It was horrible, Sergeant. He was my friend. There was nothing I could do to help.

Nothing. Yes, I understand, Mr. Benson. You were quite alone at the time, no witnesses? No, we were miles from the nearest house. Why do you ask? Well, because there's a Boy Scout camp about a mile from there, Mr. Benson. I thought some of the boys might have been within sight. Oh, no, no.

wasn't anyone in fact. I see. Well, I guess that's all, Mr. Benson. It's just about dark now, so we probably won't recover the body before tomorrow. I'll notify you the minute we do so you can identify your friend.

And so late in the evening, Harvey returns home to find Linda waiting for him anxiously. Is that you, Harvey? Yes, my dear, it is. Well, I waited dinner as long as I could, and then I went ahead and ate. Shall I fix you something now? No, thank you. I've eaten. Let's sit down, Linda. I'd like to talk to you. Why why, of course, Harvey. Do you have the phone fixed? The phone?

Oh no, I I called the company, but they said there was nothing wrong with it. I see. Well, they were quite right. I discovered that the trouble was from another source. I don't think I understand you, Harvey. Linda, my dear, do you consider me a fool? What?

Well, of course not. Don't you suppose that I've known what was going on for some days now? Just what do you mean, Harvey? When a woman suddenly takes the mooning around the house, staring out the window, not answering when she's spoken to her. The signs are unmistakable. Are you speaking about me, Harvey? And when that same woman gets several phone calls while her husband is in the room and each time tells the caller, I'm afraid you have the wrong number. There's no one here by that name.

It would be a very stupid husband indeed who failed to notice. Yes, I suppose it would be. Well the crowning touch was those calls when there was no one on the line. One several days ago, one last night, and now one this morning. But Harvey I answer and there's no one on the line. But who's there when you answer? That's what I want to know, Linda. Well, what have you to say? There isn't much I can say, Harvey. Oh, then you admit it.

Those calls were from someone I wasn't supposed to know about. Someone you're in love with. Yeah. Someone I've been trying to bring myself to tell you about. Someone you've been meeting at Podry Rendezvous. Nothing of the kind. We've met, yes. But they've been perfectly innocent meetings, lunch, and a walk in the park, nothing worse than that. You're a fool to expect me to believe that. Yes, I I suppose I am. And yet it's the truth. Well, it doesn't matter. But may I inquire what your plans are?

I want a divorce, Harvey. So that you can marry this unknown who telephones you and then hangs up when I answer. Yes. And I'm sorry that ever happened. It was my fault I suggested it. You see, I was afraid of you, Harvey. Of your loving husband. I was. But I'm not any more. I only want to be free of you. Free to marry the man I really love. Very interesting, my dear, but slightly impractical.

Do you really think I'd let anyone take you away from me? I'm afraid you have no choice. Well, you're wrong. It's you who have no choice. You're penniless, Linda. You have no family, no money, no training. You have only me. What are you trying to say here? Just leading up to a story I have to tell you, Linda a very tragic story which occurred only this afternoon. And so Harvey tells Linda the story of the afternoon's event. Not the true story, of course.

But she guesses the truth as he speaks and recoils in horror when he is finished. Oh. You've killed him. You deliberately murdered him. Nonsense. It was a tragic accident. The police have already exonerated. You killed him? Oh, no. No, I don't believe you. You're just trying to torture me. No, me better...

You know that what I have, I keep at any cost. Then you did kill him. You're a murderer. Don't be hysterical, my dear. I shall be forced to discipline you. I'm going to the police. I'm going to tell them the truth. Linda, come back here. No, no, you can't stop it. Linda, come back. Come back, I think. Linda's gone before Harvey can get to the door. Harvey pauses, irresolute. Then he shrugs, turns back, sits down, lights a cigar. Good cigar. I must remember to order another box.

And so, Linda, you've rushed off to the police. In your heart of hearts, you hope that I'm lying. Your first move will be to rush through telephone. You put a nickel and dial with trembling fingers. You'll hear the phone at the other end ring. And with beating heart you'll wait, hoping against hope that Donald Arkwright will be. And then you'll know I've told the truth. Then Hmm. Will you come back first or will you go on to the police?

I rather think you'll go to the police, for you are excited just now, and you'll return with a detective. ' I shall have to explain to them, tell them of your hysterical thought. Then you and I will be left alone. And in a day or two I think we'll leave on a little trip. Yes, up to my hunting lodge, where we can be alone there, and we'll get to know each other well again. Very well. And in the future I Oh, the bell. So you're back already, Linda. I guess draws.

Just a moment, my dear. I'm coming. Harvey crosses to the door, opens it, and recoils in surprise. Good evening, Mr. Matt. Well, if it isn't Sergeant Thomas. And I see my wife is with you. Yes, we met in the lobby. She came back up with me. I'd like to come in. Why, of course. After you, Mrs. Benson. These other men will wait out here. Thank you, Sergeant. And now do sit down, Linda. And you too, Sergeant. Oh, uh cigar. No, thanks.

We might as well waste no time, mister Benson. We've recovered your friend's body. Already? But surely you didn't come here to tell me that. They know you killed him, Harvey. They know. Please, Linda, you must forgive my wife, Sergeant. She's overwrought. I I suppose she's been babbling some nonsense rather to you. She tells me a story. I don't think it's nonsense. Of course it is. She's a sterilist. But there were witnesses, Harvey. There were witnesses. What?

That's absurd. There was no one within miles. Except a camp of boy scouts. Four of them with a scoutmaster were lying in the grass half a mile away when you drove up. They were watching for birds with field glasses. You're lying. And with natural curiosity, they turned their glasses on you. They saw your struggle on the cliff. No, no. You're lying. They went to another police barracks to report I'd have been here sooner. There are copies of the affidavits they signed. Affidavit. Five of them.

Yes, they seem to be in order. So there were witnesses.

I dare say their evidence is unshakable. You haven't a chance, Benson. Well, those men outside of city detectives, are you going to come quietly? Yes. Why not? What else is there to do? You're caught, Arvey, and I'm glad. Glad. Yes, I'm caught, but precious little good that'll do you, Linda, because he's dead. Do you hear? Donald Arkwright is dead. Donald August Yes. You wonder how I knew it was he

Well, I hired a private detective. And he discovered that Arkwright had been phoning you, that you'd been flipping away to meet him. He managed to follow you to one of those innocent luncheons. That luncheon? But that meeting was an accident. A very clever accident. But not clever enough to save Arkwright because he's dead, do you hear? And no matter what happens to me, I've beaten you. You're insane. You always have been with your lust for power, and I never guessed it till now. Fine words.

But they won't change the fact that your beloved is dead and that I've taken him from you. You killed Donald Arkwright because you thought I was in love with him. You've killed the wrong man. No, I didn't. It was outright. I know it. Oh no. Don Arkwright was just an old friend. The man I love is someone you've never met. कि नहीं कि नहीं कि नहीं कि नहीं कि नहीं कि नहीं कि नहीं कि

And all for nothing. No. And that knowledge is worse to you than any punishment the law can inflict. You're lying. It was Arkwright who phoned and hung up when I answered. I tell you it was. It couldn't have been anybody else. It No. No. Better answer it, Mrs. Benson. No, I'll Yeah. Hello? Hello.

This is the mysterious traveler again. Well, that was rather a hectic twenty-four hours for Harvey Benson, wasn't it? He shouldn't have been quite so sure of himself. It never pays. Those phone calls now. If you get any calls and find there's no one on the line, Uh, don't be quite as hasty as he was. You might get into a bad jam. I know someone else who didn't wait to make sure of his facts and he

Oh, you're getting off here. I'm sorry. But I'm sure we'll meet again. I take this same train every week at this time. You've just heard The Mysterious Traveler, a series of dramas of the strange and terrifying. In today's cast were Maurice Tarplin, Ted Osbourne, Mary Jane Higby, Jack Manning, and James Van Dyke. Original music was played by Doc Whipple. The Mysterious Traveler is written and directed by Bob Arthur and David Cogan.

Listen next week over most of these mutual stations to a tale titled Death Whispers Softly. Another tale of the mysterious tragedy. The Mysterious Traveler is presented by the Mutual Network from our New York studios, Russ Dunbar speaking. What could have been in the little black box that led intelligence men, Nazi agents, and Mike Waring, the Falcon, on a chase of mystery and intrigue over two continents?

You'll learn the answer when you hear Death Comes in Boxes this Tuesday night's mystery on the adventures of the Falcon. Tune in Tuesday for the Falcon. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.

The mysterious traveler. This is the mysterious traveler, inviting you to join me on another journey into the realm of the strange and terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will thrill you a little and chill you a little. So settle back and get a good grip on your nerves. If you can. Where are we going? We're going to call on Edward Farrington and his three sisters. A little family of four who love each other devotedly. And whose story I call.

The Symphony of Death. Edward Farrington and his sisters live by themselves in a large, gloomy old house on the outskirts of Boston.

It is evening, and Edward is on his way home when his attention is attracted by a small stand. advertising a close out sale. An economical and four-sighted man, Edward stops his car and enters the dimly lighted shop. Good evening, sir. May I serve you? I'm not sure. I saw your sign, and it occurred to me that by purchasing now something I'm sure to need sooner or later, I might save a substantial sum. You are very fortunate.

Now here is a design I can recommend unreservedly. A simple white column, yet cut from the finest Carrara model. The angel on top is of a single piece with a shaft. It can never be dislodged or separated. In every inch, in every line, it expresses dignified grief. Yes, I agree with you, but I'm afraid it's too easy. What will be? Please. Are they awesome?

Polished granite cube with just enough room for the name and the date. They are excellent m memorials, but I am sure in the long run you will get greater satisfaction from something more appealing to the eye. No, no, I think these will do excellent. Yes, they're just what I had in mind. I'm particularly pleased by the fact that they're all alike. I see. You wish all four of them then? No, not four, just three. Three will quite prepare me for all eventuality.

Will you be able to store them for me until they're needed? Yes. We can store them at our main warehouse if you wish. Excellent. I suppose I might as well give you the inscriptions to be carved on them while I'm here. And you can leave room for the dates to be added. Of course, sir. Then if you'll just take this down.

In loving memory of Florence, sister of Edward Farrington. Yes, sir. In loving memory of Martha, sister of Edward Farrington. In loving memory of Emily, sister of Edward Farrington.

Edward, is that you? Oh, you're all well. Yes, it's beginning to rain. Let me help you with your coat, Edward. I'll hang it up for you. Now, Emily, please don't fuss over me this way. It makes me nervous to be poured at. But I just want to help you with your coat. I can hang it up. Em Lee? Is that Emily? Edward, you're late. We were worried about you. I'm here, and I'm perfectly all right, Flowers, as you can see.

Is dinner ready? Oh yes, Edward. Martha has everything ready. Martha? Edward's home. It's you, Edward. We were worried about you. Martha, I've told you not to worry if I'm a few minutes late. Well, I suppose we just can't help it, Edward. Now we'll eat. And perhaps after dinner you will play the piano for us. Oh, will you, Edward? Please say yes. Please, Edward. Well, we'll see. I really should work on my symphony tonight. Perhaps I can play for a few minutes after dinner.

And so after dinner, Edward played for his sisters on the great piano in the library. Emily and Florence crowded close to him as he played. And Martha, busy with her knitting. Oh that was lovely, Edward. Please play some more. Yes. Something we can sing. Well, all right, just one more and that's all. Well no Emily, it's just thunder. You mustn't jump like that. It can't hurt you.

I know, but I I can't help it. I like thunderstorms. I like to watch the lightning. I think that's enough for tonight. Now off to bed, both of you. All right. Good night, Edward. Good night, Edward. Good night, Emily, Florence. Well, I suppose I might as well go to bed myself. No, Martha, don't go yet. I uh want to talk to you. To me? Yes. What about Edward? How old? How old? I'm 35.

Oh no, why be silly about it? I'm thirty seven. And ought to get married. You still could, and you owe it to yourself. I shall never marry Edward. I promised Father that I'd look after things and keep the four of us together as long as we And I will. As long as we live. But perhaps we'd be better off if we weren't together. You can't mean that. But I do.

I need solitude in which to finish my book and my symphony. It's very distracting, you know, to have the three of you constantly hovering about me. You're just feeling blue tonight. You wouldn't be happy without us any more than we would be without you. No, we'll all be together, the four of us, as long as we all live. Well, now I'm going to bed. Good night, Edward, dear. Good night, Martha. We'll all be too. The four of us. As long as we live. As long as we all live.

In the morning it was still raining. Well, after breakfast, Edward shut himself in the library to continue work on his. Doesn't Edward play well? Edward, a wonderful player. Let's listen a minute before we go out. We'll be very quiet. Who's there? Oh, it's you two. We're sorry, Edward. We didn't mean to disturb you. We'll go right away. No, you don't have to go. You mean we can stay, Edward? For a minute. I'm going to start. I'll bring you the cigarette.

The cigar box is empty. Empty? Why, I was positive I had plenty of cigarettes. That's why I didn't buy any yesterday. You did have a lot yesterday. I saw them. Well, they're gone now. Then I suppose I'll have to drive down the hill to the drugstore and get some more. And that will mean I'll get nothing done this morning, nothing whatever. I wish I had someone I could send for them. Edward, let me go for you. In this rain, why you'd get soaking wet flora.

I could take the car. Take the car in weather like this? But I'm a good driver, Edward. You once said so yourself. And I have a driver's license. You know I have you helped me get it. Yes, that's true. Well, I'd be very careful, Edward. Well, you must promise to drive very slowly down the hill to town. Oh, I will, Edward. All right then, Florence. Here's the key to the car. The old car, of course. Now be very careful. Oh. I promise. May I stay and listen until Florence comes up?

Well, I suppose so, seeing you're here already. You don't like us to be around, do you? Sometimes I think you don't like us at all anymore. Oh, that's nonsense. It's just that I'm trying to get a great piece of music written. Keep disturbing me. Oh, there goes Florence in the car now. She's going fast. Florence likes to go fast. And then step on the brakes. She promised to be careful. I know, but she forgets. Well, I'm sure she's not. Now I must get to work. Oh, that was nice.

Why, I'm perfectly comfortable, Martha. I don't need a jacket. You mustn't take chances. Here, put it on. Oh, all Emily, where's Florence? Is she up there? Oh no. She's gone to get Edward some cigarettes. Gone out? In this rain? Edward let her take the car. Edward, you didn't. Martha, please don't get excited. She can drive and she promised to be careful.

But you promised never to let her drive alone. You know how she drives unless someone's with her. Really, she's a better driver than you think. There's nothing to be alarmed about. She'll be back any minute, and then I'll answer it. No, it's probably for me. I'll answer it. Hello? Yes, this is Mr. Farrington. Uh the police. Edward, what is it? Hush, Martha. Uh the uh what what about my sister? She did what?

All right. Yes, yes, of course. I'll be right down. Edward, what is it? What's happened to Florence? Martha, we must all be very careful. Florence has had a terrible accident. No. The brakes of the car apparently gave way at the bottom of the hill. Florence ran off the curve and crashed into the rocks there. She was killed instantly. The official investigation into poor Florence's death established only the fact that the brakes had failed.

But the brakes had only been checked the day before, as Edward proved to the police. Accordingly, they ascribed debt to an unfortunate mechanical failure and closed the case. Edward, however, could not dismiss it from his mind so easily.

Edward, you can't go on like this day after day, brooding about poor Florence's death. Oh, my dear, I blame myself for it if I hadn't better take the car. I know, Edward. Why don't you try to work on your symphony? It'll help take your mind off, Florence. No, no, I can't possibly do any work on that yet for a while. No, but I have another notion. I think I'd like to write our family history.

All family history? Yes. And it seems to me that once in Mother's old trunk in the attic, I saw a lot of letters that were written to her by relatives. Are they still there? Why, yes, they are. I'd like to look them over. They might help me get started on my history. Will you show me where they are, Martha? Why, yes, of course. We'll go up to the attic and I'll get them out for you right after lunch.

Mother wrote a lot of letters those last few years. After the doctor said she must never leave the house. Yes, I remember. How quiet and dark it is up here in the attic. We used to play hide and go seek here, the four of us. Yes. Until mother died. She uh fell from one of these attic windows, I remember. She was leaning out, looking at the river, and uh she slept. Yes. It was that window there. I'd like to look at it. Oh, the catch is stuck. Will you help me open it, Martha? Well, all right.

There. It's almost fifty feet down to the courtyard. She was killed instantly, wasn't she? Yes. But let's close it now. In a moment. Martha, did mother really slip and fall, or did she throw herself out? What makes you ask that?

I was only eight at the time, but it seems to me Mother was wandering badly in her mind there at the end. And then I recollect hearing father say something about an asylum to Uncle George. David, you mustn't say that ever again. It would terrify Emily. But it's true, isn't it? Yes, it's true.

Poor mother. It's strange you calling her mother because she wasn't really your mother. No, but I always think of her as mother. I was only two when father married her. Poor creature. Let's believe that she slipped. It would be easy to slip from this window, wouldn't it? Well, the sill isn't very low. Yes, but lean out a little farther and see how easy it would be. No, a little farther. See how overbalanced one becomes? Yes, yes, you're right. Of course. Martha, catch yourself. Martha.

Poor Martha's tragic death coming so soon after Florence's was a great shock to Emily and Edward. But Edward recovered from the tragedy somehow after a few weeks, and as though determined not to let it up to him. Yeah. Projected map. You play just like you. Before Florence and Margaret. Yes, I'm getting my old touch back.

You don't mind my coming in to listen, do you? Not today. But Emily, you have been disturbing me these last few weeks. Must you follow me around all the time? But, Edward, you know how much I like to be near you. And now that that Florence and Martha are gone, I haven't anyone else to talk to. Yes, I know that, but I can't get any work done unless I'm left in peace. I won't bother you anymore, I promise. You know? I do, Miss.

And Martha. Of course you do. But just the same. It's been awfully nice having you all to myself since they went. I'm afraid it's very lonely for you. Oh, no, it isn't. I like it. Yes, but I think we'll have to get a house. She'd be company for you and she'd look out.

In fact, I'm going into town to interview a housekeeper today and Mrs. MacDonald. You'd like to go with me, wouldn't you? Oh, yes, Edward. We'll take the car and have a nice drive at the same time. Oh, that'll be fun. Now, how would you like to go out and get the car stocked? Get the car started. Yes, I have to tend to a few things before we go, and the motor needs to warm up. It's not working very well. Oh, Edward, do you think I could start it? Of course you could.

Just turn on the switch and step on the starter and then let it run until it's good and warm. All right, Edward. May I have the key? Yes. Now this is the ignition key. Mm-hmm. And use the little side door to get in. I'll unlock the big doors when I come out. I can pretend I'm driving it. Will you be lost? No, just sit in the card and wait. All right, Edward.

Here I am, Emily. I took longer than I expected. I hope you hadn't been sitting here with a motor running all this time. Emily! Emily. With Emily's unfortunate death from carbon monoxide poisoning, Edward Flarrington was left quite alone in the great old house. His neighbors saw little of him, though they could hear him at his piano for many hours each day. They knew, however, that a week after Emily's funeral he hired a housekeeper, Mrs. McDonald, to take charge of the house for him.

Now, Mrs. MacDonald, this is your first day, and before you start, I'd like to explain a few things to you. Of course, Mr. Frat. As you know, I've suffered the tragic loss of all my sisters in the past few months. Oh, yes, sir. A great sorrow it must have been. But they do say tragedies come in threes. Indeed they seem to. But I'm sure I'll be quite comfortable now with you to look after me. I surely hope so, sir. I'm certain.

Now, uh, I'm a rather moody man, and I'm working upon some music for which I have great hopes. Yes, sir. Above all else, I wish to be left alone. I do not want to be disturbed. Is that Quite, Mr. Sarrington. You may call me at mealtimes. At all other times I prefer that you do not even enter. I understand. Good. That's all I think. Just put up with my little oddities, and we'll get along very well. Yes, sir. Then uh I'll see about the ordering for dinner now, sir, if you'll excuse me.

Now let me see. I'd better What is it, Mrs. MacDonald? I thought I said I was never to be disturbed. I'm very sorry, sir, but there's a gentleman come to see you at Detective Barnes, sir, from the police. From the police? Am I to be bothered with more stupid questions? Well, show him in. I suppose I must see him. Yes, sir. Will you go in, sir? Thank you. Good morning, Mr. Farrington.

I think. Yes, yes, Mr. Barnes, I remember you. In view of the number of ridiculous and unnecessary questions you asked me after the deaths of my poor sisters, I have good reason to remember you. I've come to ask you more questions, Mr. Farrington. Tell me, did your sister Emily have a driver's license? I I really don't know, and I don't care. You should care. Listen. First, your sister Florence died in an auto accident when brakes that had just been inspected.

Failed to work. Even modern automobiles aren't proof against mechanical failure. Then Martha died in a fall from an attic window. Her body landed in the courtyard a full six feet from the wall of the Well, what of that? It was much too far away for her to strike. She leaped, or was pushed. And you have said she didn't leap. I repeated she did not leap. She fell. Now we come to Emily.

She died of carbon monoxide poisoning in a closed garage. Well? You have said it happened because she went to get the car out to drive you downtown. That was your statement under oath. And a perfectly accurate statement. But I have just learned from the neighbors that Emily didn't know how to What? Why, of course she could. Furthermore, they say her mental condition was such she could never learn to drive.

Perfectly absurd. Did she have a driver's license? I repeat I do not know. Because if she didn't, your statement is false. And if any part of your statement proves false, Mr. Farrington. I trust I make my meaning clear. Mr. Barnes, you can't show one jot of evidence to back up your ridiculous suspicions. Any court in the land would laugh at you for them. I can show no direct evidence.

But there is such a thing as circumstantial evidence. You haven't even any circumstantial evidence. I have a world of evidence. The brakes on your car fail, and you are an amateur mechanic. Well? Martha's body falling so far from the building that she must have been pushed. Mere conjecture. Finally, Emily dying in a car she couldn't drive. Though you have said she was going to drive you downtown. And she why?

You've done nothing but build a tissue of fantastic suspicions. A jury will take them more seriously, especially when they learn that just before the first death, you bought three tombstones, one for each of your sisters. That shows what you were planning. It shows nothing. It was a sale. I was merely being foresighted. Then, Mr. Farrington, why didn't you buy four stones? One for each of you. I refuse to discuss the point. There was a reason for me to kill my sisters. No normal reason.

Though now that you are alone, you are living very comfortably on the income from your father's estate. Indeed. Furthermore, Mr. Farrington, I have checked on your family history. I know the truth about your unfortunate mother. Well? The fact concerning her might cause the jury to look differently upon you. It might influence the jury to bring in a verdict of murder while of unsound mind.

Get out. Get out of this house, do you hear? You can prove nothing. Nothing whatsoever. All right, Mr. Farrington. I'm going. But I'll be back. No. Wait. Uh I I'm ill. Help me. I Here, here, here. It it's my heart. There's medicine in my desk drawer. There. A small bottle. In the desk here? Yes. Here's a blue bottle, is this it? Yes. Hurry. There's water in the thermos jug. Yes, I have it. Here's the water and the pill. Swallow it. Uh yes. Thank you. That's better.

The pain is going away. Then, Mr. Farrington, I'll be on my way. I warn you I'm going to check as to whether Emily had a driver's license. Today is Sunday, so it may take me a few hours, but if I find she had no license, I'm going to return with a warrant for your arrest. No. There's no need for that. Of course the poor simpleton had no driver's license. I should have thought of that. I should have thought of that. Then you admit you killed her. I shouldn't die. She annoyed me. Me, a genius.

I'm afraid a jury won't care whether you're a genius or not, Mr. Farrington. Do you suppose I care what a jury thinks? A genius is not answerable to the laws that bind other people. The law does not agree with you. The law? What do I care for? The law. You think you've trapped me, don't you? But you haven't. You hear you haven't? I think I have, Mr. Farrington. You fool. No one is going to put Edward Farrington in an asylum. No one. In a minute I'll be beyond your reach.

What do you mean? I mean that tablet you so obligingly got for me is a deadly poison. Poison that I bought months ago. You and your circumstantial evidence. You're never going to. To get a chance to use never get a chance to blacken my name?

But but Detective Barnes. Yes, what is it? Promise me one thing. Promise me you won't let them bury me with my sisters. This is the mysterious traveler again. Did you enjoy our little visit with Edward Farrington and his three loving sisters? You know, perhaps Edward made a mistake after all when he didn't buy a a fourth tombstone. Uh, by the way, do you live in a gloomy old house with three sisters who love you so much you can't bear to have them near you?

Well, if you do, I'd advise you not to be too drastic with them. You might find yourself buried right beside them, as Edward was. I know another man who Oh, you're getting off here. Well, I'm sorry. But I'm sure we'll meet again. I take this same train every week at this same time. You've just heard The Mysterious Traveler, a series of dramas of the strange and terrifying.

But before we tell you of next week's exciting story, here is Maurice Tarplin, the mysterious traveler himself, with a brief but vital message from your government. You all know that the stories we tell on this program are just stories, designed to entertain you, but not to be taken too seriously. Well, what I have to say now, however, is not a story, and is deadly serious.

All over the world, people are starving. The United States and other food producing nations are fighting a battle against famine. To win, food stocks must be conserved. You can help conserve them by canning and preserving food for your own use. If you have a victory garden, put up as much as possible from it. When your local markets feature an abundance of fruits or vegetables suitable for home preservation.

Can or preserve a winter's supply and release that much commercially canned food for the starving. Conserve your sugar for canning purposes. Follow the wartime rule of one pound of sugar to four quarts of finished fruit. And be sure to use only safe tested methods. If you want information on any phase of home food preservation, write to the United States Department of Agriculture, Washington 25, D.C. Thank you, Maurice Tartlen.

In addition to Maurice Topplin, today's cast included Eric Dressler, Hester Sondegaard, Ann Tiemann, Inga Adams, and Martin Wolfson. Original music was played by Doc Whipple. The Mysterious Traveler is written and directed by Bob Author and David G. Listen next week over most of these mutual stations to a tale titled As I Lie Dying. Another tale of the mysterious trial. The Mysterious Traveler is presented by the Mutual Network from our New York studios, Russ Dunbar speaking.

Stay tuned to this station for another exciting crime drama. True detective mysteries, which immediately follows station identification. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System. And that's this week's Mutual Presents feature. The Mutual Audio Network brings the best of old time radio and modern audio theater to the world.

Be sure to subscribe through the Mutual Audio Network Podcast feed, any of our podcast days, or the Mutual YouTube channel, which includes Mad Con and many other extra features and shows. See you all next time at Mutual Presents. Good night. Classic. And live radio dramas. Full mutual audio network feed every day for the world's largest curated collection of audio drama, or find the Monday Matinee. Podcast players. See you tomorrow at the Matinee, and thanks so much for listening.

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