WEBVTT 00:00:17.480 --> 00:00:25.820 Come in. Welcome. I'm E .G. Marshall. Welcome 00:00:25.820 --> 00:00:30.690 to the Sound of Suspense. Welcome to the fear 00:00:30.690 --> 00:00:35.469 you can hear. Welcome to the world of terrifying 00:00:35.469 --> 00:00:39.649 imagination. The subject of the story you're 00:00:39.649 --> 00:00:44.049 about to hear is murder. But the subject is also 00:00:44.049 --> 00:00:49.590 time. We've all heard of killing time. But have 00:00:49.590 --> 00:00:54.409 you heard about using time to kill? You will 00:00:54.409 --> 00:00:56.649 in the next few minutes when Mr. Owen Layton 00:00:56.649 --> 00:01:00.329 himself tells you his most ingenious scheme for 00:01:00.329 --> 00:01:04.189 getting rich quick by means of sudden death. 00:01:04.750 --> 00:01:07.469 Owen, for heaven's sake, what are you doing here? 00:01:08.109 --> 00:01:10.170 You're supposed to be in Paris. I thought I'd 00:01:10.170 --> 00:01:12.549 surprise you, Harry. And I seem to have done 00:01:12.549 --> 00:01:15.670 exactly that. By the way, I met your charming 00:01:15.670 --> 00:01:19.030 dance instructor coming out of the house. Although 00:01:19.030 --> 00:01:21.430 I'm quite sure he didn't see me. But I don't 00:01:21.430 --> 00:01:24.700 understand. How could you possibly have returned 00:01:24.700 --> 00:01:27.280 home so soon? I was in a terrible hurry to see 00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:30.959 you, darling. I simply couldn't wait to see you. 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:48.159 And do this! Our mystery drama, Sea of Troubles, 00:01:48.840 --> 00:01:50.900 was written especially for the Mystery Theatre 00:01:50.900 --> 00:01:54.810 by Henry Schlesser. and stars starts crosswords. 00:01:55.290 --> 00:02:09.889 I'll be back shortly with act one. Our spine 00:02:09.889 --> 00:02:14.150 tingler begins across the sea in the delightful 00:02:14.150 --> 00:02:17.629 city of Paris. They say that you can sit at a 00:02:17.629 --> 00:02:20.949 sidewalk cafe on one of these streets and sooner 00:02:20.949 --> 00:02:25.370 or later meet everyone you've ever known. Well, 00:02:26.110 --> 00:02:28.469 now we're going to introduce you to someone who 00:02:28.469 --> 00:02:31.409 you don't know, but whose acquaintance you will 00:02:31.409 --> 00:02:35.610 enjoy making. His name is Owen Layton, and he 00:02:35.610 --> 00:02:38.729 prefers to tell you his unusual story in his 00:02:38.729 --> 00:02:43.710 own words. I arrived in Paris at ten o 'clock 00:02:43.710 --> 00:02:46.590 that morning, but I didn't leave my hotel room 00:02:46.590 --> 00:02:49.990 until well after four. I knew my brother Gerald's 00:02:49.990 --> 00:02:53.030 habits only do well. He'd probably be sleeping 00:02:53.030 --> 00:02:56.909 until noon. I knew where he would be at 4 p .m., 00:02:56.909 --> 00:03:00.650 of course, at Patrick's Café on the Rue de Montparnasse. 00:03:01.550 --> 00:03:03.990 Everyone loved Gerald and Patrick's because he 00:03:03.990 --> 00:03:06.969 was famous for always paying his bills. With 00:03:06.969 --> 00:03:09.770 my money, of course. Bonjour, monsieur. Bonjour. 00:03:11.289 --> 00:03:13.889 I chose a table well to the side, but my appearance 00:03:13.889 --> 00:03:16.629 still attracted considerable attention. And why 00:03:16.629 --> 00:03:19.990 not? with my ruffled English tweeds, a long grey 00:03:19.990 --> 00:03:23.229 beard and the style of Ulysses S. Grant, a pair 00:03:23.229 --> 00:03:26.590 of crutches to keep my monstrously bandaged foot 00:03:26.590 --> 00:03:29.810 off the Parisian asphalt. I must have been quite 00:03:29.810 --> 00:03:39.080 a sight. Well, what do you know Owen for the 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:43.560 love of Pete? Hello, Gerald. I'm glad you were 00:03:43.560 --> 00:03:46.520 able to recognize me under all his hair advantages. 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:49.180 Now, how are you? What's the matter with your 00:03:49.180 --> 00:03:52.000 foot? Never mind about that. Give me a look at 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:54.240 you. I haven't seen my kid brother in over a 00:03:54.240 --> 00:03:57.900 year. You know something? You look more French 00:03:57.900 --> 00:03:59.680 than ever. Ah, yeah, come on now. Let's hear 00:03:59.680 --> 00:04:03.069 about that foot, Owen. Ah, in the beard. When 00:04:03.069 --> 00:04:04.770 did you grow all that shrubbery, huh? Well, I 00:04:04.770 --> 00:04:07.610 got the idea from you. Last time I was in Paris. 00:04:07.889 --> 00:04:10.189 This thing? Yeah. Ah, this is nothing compared 00:04:10.189 --> 00:04:12.949 to you. Now listen, the last time I saw a beard 00:04:12.949 --> 00:04:17.370 like that, it was on a $50 bill. I guess it got 00:04:17.370 --> 00:04:20.029 a little out of hand. I'm thinking of trending 00:04:20.029 --> 00:04:22.470 it, as a matter of fact. More like your style. 00:04:22.790 --> 00:04:24.750 Well, I'll introduce you to my barber. Hey, do 00:04:24.750 --> 00:04:27.850 me a favor, Gerald. Finish this perno for me. 00:04:27.870 --> 00:04:30.629 I shouldn't be drinking with my foot. Well, what's 00:04:30.629 --> 00:04:33.769 your foot got to do with it? It's the gout. You 00:04:33.769 --> 00:04:35.829 remember, I wrote you about it a few months ago. 00:04:35.889 --> 00:04:37.889 I had an attack just before I sailed to Europe. 00:04:38.810 --> 00:04:40.649 Well, how's your painting coming along? You sold 00:04:40.649 --> 00:04:43.490 anything yet? Well, anything I sold is my watch. 00:04:43.870 --> 00:04:47.670 As if you didn't know. Yes, I know. You came 00:04:47.670 --> 00:04:50.790 to Paris to starve in a garris. But you look 00:04:50.790 --> 00:04:54.310 pretty well -fed to me. Oh, speaking of that, 00:04:54.629 --> 00:04:57.930 how was Harry? Speaking of which? Oh, the money 00:04:57.930 --> 00:05:00.550 I sent you, or being well -fed? You know what 00:05:00.550 --> 00:05:03.529 I mean. Oh, and how is she? Still the same? No. 00:05:04.149 --> 00:05:07.069 She's more of the same. She's richer than ever. 00:05:07.310 --> 00:05:10.269 She's fatter than ever. She's also meaner than 00:05:10.269 --> 00:05:13.689 ever. Well, she couldn't be too mean. Not if 00:05:13.689 --> 00:05:17.189 she let you grow that beard. I still don't see 00:05:17.189 --> 00:05:19.709 why you wanted to grow it. You always made such 00:05:19.709 --> 00:05:23.370 fun of mine. I had my reason, Gerald. It was 00:05:23.370 --> 00:05:30.149 part of my plan. Plan? What plan? Why to kill 00:05:30.149 --> 00:05:39.790 my mean fat wife, of course So this is your Garrett 00:05:39.790 --> 00:05:42.610 is it pretty luxurious for a starving artist, 00:05:42.610 --> 00:05:46.810 isn't it? It's not bad and all those canvases 00:05:46.810 --> 00:05:49.829 Some even have paint on them. Well, don't tell 00:05:49.829 --> 00:05:54.009 me you're really working Owen I know you're no 00:05:54.009 --> 00:05:56.550 saint, but I don't think you're wicked enough 00:05:56.550 --> 00:06:01.139 to Do what you said. Strangle Harriet? No, Gerald. 00:06:01.160 --> 00:06:05.980 I'm wicked enough. Just not foolish enough. My 00:06:05.980 --> 00:06:09.259 wife's money will be precious little good to 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:12.060 me in prison. Now, don't tell me you've got some 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:15.480 kind of a foolproof scheme, Owen, because there 00:06:15.480 --> 00:06:19.319 is no such thing. Now, no matter how clever you 00:06:19.319 --> 00:06:22.199 are, there's always someone cleverer in the detective 00:06:22.199 --> 00:06:25.680 novels, perhaps. Now sit down before I kick you 00:06:25.680 --> 00:06:29.300 with my gouty foot. I've got five pounds of bandage 00:06:29.300 --> 00:06:32.439 there. It makes quite a weapon I don't understand 00:06:32.439 --> 00:06:36.060 what you meant about about gout. It's the very 00:06:36.060 --> 00:06:40.480 cornerstone of my plan. I Have established a 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:43.319 medical history of the disease if questions arise 00:06:43.319 --> 00:06:48.029 later Question. Yes about the bandages Owen, 00:06:48.110 --> 00:06:50.509 I have never seen you like this. You're really 00:06:50.509 --> 00:06:52.889 talking wildly about those crutches, the beard, 00:06:53.009 --> 00:06:54.970 all this crazy talk about killing people. You're 00:06:54.970 --> 00:06:58.389 not crazy at all. It's a beautiful, rational 00:06:58.389 --> 00:07:02.310 scheme. And one that you will be eager to see 00:07:02.310 --> 00:07:07.189 succeed. Owen, what's happened between you and 00:07:07.189 --> 00:07:10.889 Harry? Well, nothing, son. It's been a gradual 00:07:10.889 --> 00:07:14.550 change. Perhaps the inevitable result of advancing 00:07:14.550 --> 00:07:18.209 years. You know... I was considerably younger 00:07:18.209 --> 00:07:21.490 than Harriet when we married. Now it seems I'm 00:07:21.490 --> 00:07:24.209 not young enough. Oh, wait a minute. Are you 00:07:24.209 --> 00:07:26.629 cutting me off? Are you going to stop sending 00:07:26.629 --> 00:07:29.889 me money? Nothing of the kind. As long as my 00:07:29.889 --> 00:07:33.569 income can support it, you can continue to develop 00:07:33.569 --> 00:07:37.269 your artistic talent. The question is, how long 00:07:37.269 --> 00:07:40.470 will my income continue? It's been 10 years since 00:07:40.470 --> 00:07:43.069 I married Harriet. The difference between our 00:07:43.069 --> 00:07:46.699 ages is suddenly not so great. Harriet is discovering 00:07:46.699 --> 00:07:50.319 that there are younger men in the world. In fact, 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:54.259 there's one particular one she's fond of. You're 00:07:54.259 --> 00:07:56.600 joking. He's a dancing instructor, as a matter 00:07:56.600 --> 00:08:00.139 of fact. She met him when I had my first attack 00:08:00.139 --> 00:08:03.500 of gout. I couldn't move for a month while Harriet 00:08:03.500 --> 00:08:06.779 indulged herself in non -domestic pleasures like 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:09.759 dancing. What to talk about? Killing her? Killing 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:13.839 her carefully, Gerald. with due regard to the 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:17.420 risks involved. Actually, I thought of the answer 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:20.240 when I was flat on my back. I had plenty of time 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:23.899 to think then. About what? A unique phenomenon 00:08:23.899 --> 00:08:28.379 of the modern age. The magnificent paradox of 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:32.860 trans -oceanic travel. Travel? Yes. A ship makes 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:36.980 its journey in some five days. A jet plane takes 00:08:36.980 --> 00:08:40.139 only a few hours. But you hate planes! You've 00:08:40.139 --> 00:08:42.480 never been on a plane in your life! Yeah, that's 00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:44.299 right. They terrify me. But what does all this 00:08:44.299 --> 00:08:47.740 have to do with killing Arians? Everything. For 00:08:47.740 --> 00:08:52.019 you and I, brother, are going to put that transatlantic 00:08:52.019 --> 00:08:55.580 paradox to use. We're gonna prove that the difference 00:08:55.580 --> 00:08:59.659 between a ship and a plane is a lovely way to 00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:10.980 commit murder. It was almost two weeks later 00:09:10.980 --> 00:09:14.159 that Gerald and I stood on the dock at La Havre 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:16.940 and looked at the trim lines of the SS Empress. 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:20.080 She wasn't exactly the largest vessel lying at 00:09:20.080 --> 00:09:22.960 anchor, but on that particular Saturday, she 00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:26.220 was certainly the busiest. That was fine with 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:29.320 me. The more excitement on the pier, the less 00:09:29.320 --> 00:09:31.879 noticeable Gerald and I were as we made our way 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:35.919 toward A deck. Our progress was slow, since I 00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:40.679 never really managed to use those crutches. Finally, 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:45.200 we made our way to stateroom G, and as the door 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:49.700 finally shut behind us, I collapsed on the bunk. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:53.059 I looked at my younger brother's face and felt 00:09:53.059 --> 00:09:57.279 considerably better. Poor Gerald. His complexion 00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:59.940 was so pale white against his reddish beard, 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:06.509 now fuller by two barberless weeks. Relax, Gerald. 00:10:07.490 --> 00:10:09.850 Everything's gonna be all right. I wish I had 00:10:09.850 --> 00:10:11.929 your confidence, Owen. Now let's take care of 00:10:11.929 --> 00:10:14.629 the passports first. And then we can call the 00:10:14.629 --> 00:10:17.690 steward. All right. Here they are. Ah, good. 00:10:19.070 --> 00:10:24.789 Now we have to do this very carefully. With infinite 00:10:24.789 --> 00:10:27.789 patience, I set about the delicate task of removing 00:10:27.789 --> 00:10:31.740 the small photographs from both passports. I 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:35.000 was as precise as a jeweler. Then I squeezed 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:39.279 glue from a tiny tube and replaced them. One 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:43.220 bearded face substituted for the other one. Yes, 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:46.620 my brother and I look quite a bit alike, despite 00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:50.440 the secure difference in our age. Owen, are you 00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:53.039 sure nobody will notice? Now, you're not supposed 00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:55.519 to tamper with these passports. Yes, that's true. 00:10:56.019 --> 00:10:58.679 And I understand it's also a crime to kill someone. 00:10:59.559 --> 00:11:01.600 Nevertheless, that's exactly what I planned to 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:06.600 do. Now, let's ring for the steward. All right. 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:12.179 The man who answered our ring was a perfect delight. 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:16.000 An aging cockney with a thin crest of white hair, 00:11:16.659 --> 00:11:19.360 the mouth of a pixie, and the squitty eyes of 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:22.379 a myopic. The latter, of course, was going to 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:25.379 be a blessing. Everything all right, Mr. Layton? 00:11:25.460 --> 00:11:28.820 Yes, everything's just fine. Your name, Mr. Hawkins? 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:32.740 Yes, sir, that's me. Sir Porkins, at your service. 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:36.039 Mr. Porkins, I'm afraid I'm going to be something 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:38.720 of a burden to you on this voyage. As you see, 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:42.840 I'm in England. Yes, sir, your poor foot, sir. 00:11:43.059 --> 00:11:46.259 Exactly, my poor foot. As a result, I'm going 00:11:46.259 --> 00:11:49.360 to be forced to take all my meals in here. So 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:52.259 you'll have to arrange matters with the dining 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:55.139 steward. I trust that can be arranged. Oh, yes, 00:11:55.220 --> 00:11:58.720 sir, don't you worry none about that, sir. Nor 00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:02.080 will I be spending any time on deck. The least 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:06.179 bit of roll is extremely painful for me. So, 00:12:06.600 --> 00:12:09.019 I'll remain in my stateroom until we reach port. 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:12.679 What a pity, Sheriff. It's all right, it's all 00:12:12.679 --> 00:12:14.519 right. I've got a great deal of business to take 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:17.720 care of between here and New York. I'll have 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:20.679 enough paperwork to keep me busy. So if you'll 00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:23.139 just bring me my meals and keep me from being 00:12:23.139 --> 00:12:26.379 disturbed, you'll be doing your job handsomely. 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:30.059 All right, understood? Oh, yes, understood, Mr. 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:33.620 Maiten. See you later, then, Mr. Paulkin. Oh, 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:40.259 yes, sir. We were lucky. He seems like a cooperative 00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:43.679 old geezer. Yes, but be careful. Always keep 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:46.620 your door locked so he can never enter without 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:50.480 knocking. And every time he brings you that tray, 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:53.379 make sure that you're either dozing or buried 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:57.559 in papers, understand? Understood. Well, when 00:12:57.559 --> 00:12:59.580 I think about what you're gonna do in New York 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:01.860 while I'm on board the ship I know what I'm going 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:04.659 to do in New York There's going to be a pleasure, 00:13:04.659 --> 00:13:08.159 but you're so cold -blooded about it Owen You 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:11.100 are going to kill a human being. No, I never 00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:15.379 said that I said I was going to kill Harriet 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:27.000 There she is in her lavish New York townhouse, 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:30.120 thinking about nothing but her dancing lessons. 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:34.279 While aboard the SS Empress, two men are plotting 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:38.379 her demise. Of course, we're not yet certain 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:41.399 how Owen Layton plans to get away with murder. 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:45.600 Even if he does fly to New York and his brother 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:49.519 sails in his place, we'll simply have to wait 00:13:49.519 --> 00:14:04.639 until I continue shortly with Act Two. Now let's 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:10.240 return to stateroom G on A deck of the SS Empress. 00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:19.580 It's almost sailing time. The first all visitors 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:22.659 ashore warning has been sounded on all levels 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:26.820 of the great ship. But in stateroom G, of course, 00:14:27.559 --> 00:14:30.879 the warning has a special significance because 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:35.879 now the visitor has become the passenger, and 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:39.740 the passenger has become the visitor. But let 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:45.899 Mr. Owen Layton speak for himself. Listen to 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:50.559 me, Gerald. And listen very carefully. For Pete's 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:53.600 sake, Owen, we've been over this a hundred times. 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:57.600 But now I'm seeing it for the last time. You 00:14:57.600 --> 00:15:01.480 must do exactly what I've said. Exactly. The 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:04.440 smallest variation can cause total disaster. 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:08.220 I promise you. I won't move from this stateroom. 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:11.139 I'll be a good little rabbit in my cave. Yes, 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:14.580 that's exactly what worries me. Your rabbit -like 00:15:14.580 --> 00:15:18.480 tendencies. Don't expect me to enjoy it. I think 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:20.580 of all those cute little bunnies strolling around 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:22.620 on the deck. Just forget they're there, understand? 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:28.659 Let me get this bandage off my foot. Five days. 00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:32.320 And don't forget the six nights. You'll manage, 00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:36.440 all right? Won't be any fun, will we? Yes. Neither 00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:39.240 would it be any fun to fill gas tanks in Hoboken. 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:42.460 Not as much fun as living on the left bank with 00:15:42.460 --> 00:15:44.899 those Parisian beauties of yours. All right, 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:48.399 all right. I know. And don't forget, who's really 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:51.980 doing the hard work, Junior? Including that plane 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:56.360 trip tonight. For me, that's the worst part of 00:15:56.360 --> 00:16:00.139 it all. Listen, how high do those buddy things 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:04.500 fly? Oh, 30 ,000 feet, I think. Oh, it's preposterous. 00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:08.440 There, the bandages are off. Now, let's get them 00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:14.899 on you. By the time the next hall ashore sounded, 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:19.059 the transformation had been made. The bandages 00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:21.820 were on my brother's foot, and the crutches were 00:16:21.820 --> 00:16:25.100 lying snugly beside his bunk, and I was all set 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:28.840 to leave. With Gerald's great weed coat belted 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:31.960 around me with Gerald's hat on my head I strolled 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:35.399 to the visitors gangplank and left the SS Empress 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:50.120 to its business In a way it was fortunate that 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:53.700 I dreaded air travel so much The thought of being 00:16:53.700 --> 00:16:56.840 carried about some 30 ,000 feet inside the monstrous 00:16:56.840 --> 00:17:00.179 machine parked at the Gate 7 on Orlick Field 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:04.619 was completely engrossing. For this reason, I 00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:07.440 overcame many nervousness I might have had upon 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:10.839 confronting the immigration authority. The official 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:13.279 merely glanced at the photograph and my passport 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:16.180 book, snapped it shut briskly, and handed it 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:19.980 back. Mr. Gerald Robin Layton was on his way 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:24.759 back home. I don't recall much about the flight. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:27.960 I remember about 10 minutes of sheer terror when 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:30.839 we took off on what seemed like a ridiculously 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:34.039 short runway. I know there were several more 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:37.019 hours of alternating fright, numbness, and drowsiness, 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:41.099 helped by liberal amounts of alcohol. And then 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:43.819 there was that agonizing half hour following 00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:45.819 the captain's announcement of our approach into 00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:49.599 Kennedy International Airport. And wonder of 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:56.109 wonders. I was safe. The only one in danger was 00:17:56.109 --> 00:18:03.690 my wife. It was midnight in New York and I climbed 00:18:03.690 --> 00:18:06.329 into a taxi and gave the driver on destination 00:18:06.329 --> 00:18:10.450 Grand Central Station. In the terminal I deposited 00:18:10.450 --> 00:18:12.690 my single piece of luggage in a public locker 00:18:12.690 --> 00:18:15.849 and took still another taxi to the street where 00:18:15.849 --> 00:18:18.069 Harriet and I had spent the last four years of 00:18:18.069 --> 00:18:21.339 our marriage. The brownstone was an imposing 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:24.460 building from the exterior, but Harriet's money 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:27.819 had made it possible to scoop out the interior 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:30.480 and transform it into a duplex of cunningly modern 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:33.880 design. I had spent several happy hours in this 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:39.160 house, about seven or eight, I think. It was 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:42.000 one -twenty in the morning by the time I arrived, 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:44.819 and the traffic had gone from the quiet streets 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:49.299 of Sutton Place. The street was empty. The shades 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:52.000 of the building's opposites had all been drawn 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:55.380 against the night. I felt certain that no one 00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:57.859 saw me quietly insert the key into the lock of 00:18:57.859 --> 00:19:02.819 the front door. I went quietly upstairs to the 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:07.940 bedroom. It was empty. But that was no surprise. 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:12.400 It was Saturday night. Presumably, I was in Paris. 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:15.420 Therefore, Harriet was on the town, probably 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:17.559 in the company of her dance instructor friend. 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:21.000 In a way, I was glad that she was running true 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:23.900 to form. It helped me feel justified in taking 00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:27.000 the drastic course that I was about to take. 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:32.839 About 20 minutes later, I heard the front door 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:41.089 opening again. Oh, my feet. My feet. You danced 00:19:41.089 --> 00:19:44.289 my little doofies off tonight. You... you Fred 00:19:44.289 --> 00:19:46.609 Astaire, you... Well, that's what you're paying 00:19:46.609 --> 00:19:50.569 me for, Mrs. Leighton. That's what you think, 00:19:50.789 --> 00:19:53.769 lover. Well, speaking of... Oh, no, stop it now, 00:19:54.150 --> 00:19:57.769 Douglas. No, stop it, you brute. You mean I don't 00:19:57.769 --> 00:20:01.730 even get a kiss goodnight? Tomorrow night, maybe. 00:20:02.690 --> 00:20:06.190 Right now, I just want to go to sleep. I thought 00:20:06.190 --> 00:20:08.990 you looked a bit preoccupied tonight. Is anything 00:20:08.990 --> 00:20:13.690 wrong? No. Unless you count her cable for my 00:20:13.690 --> 00:20:15.670 husband. Well, he's still in Paris, isn't he? 00:20:15.789 --> 00:20:19.089 He sailed on the Empress. He'll be here in another 00:20:19.089 --> 00:20:23.450 five days. Ah, that's too bad. Isn't it? He can 00:20:23.450 --> 00:20:26.529 stay tomorrow, all right? I'll count the hours. 00:20:27.109 --> 00:20:32.710 Good night, my princess. Good night. And then 00:20:32.710 --> 00:20:36.700 Harriet started up the stairs. I picked up the 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:39.680 pretty blue vase that adorned her dressing table 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:44.420 and placed it behind my back. Hello, Harriet. 00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:48.319 Oh, and for heaven's sake, what are you doing 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:51.000 here? You're supposed to be in Paris. I thought 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:54.079 I'd surprise you, darling. I seem to have done 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:58.299 exactly that. But your cable, you said you were 00:20:58.299 --> 00:21:00.720 taking the Empress. She won't arrive for days. 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:03.039 Actually, I changed my mind about taking the 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:07.660 ship. I flew instead. You? You were never inside 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:09.599 a plane in your life. No, this is always the 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:12.819 first time, isn't it? For everything. But why? 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:15.839 When you're so terrified of flying? Because I 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:18.720 was in a hurry, darling. I simply couldn't wait 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:30.400 to see you and do this. No! It was a shame about 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:35.569 the bays. It cost a small fortune. A really distasteful 00:21:35.569 --> 00:21:38.549 parking now. As you may have gathered, I'm a 00:21:38.549 --> 00:21:41.710 man of fastidious taste. But when you have five 00:21:41.710 --> 00:21:43.609 days to lose, you can't afford the niceties. 00:21:44.549 --> 00:21:46.730 I knew it would be easier to lose myself in a 00:21:46.730 --> 00:21:48.769 region of the city where the lower depths are 00:21:48.769 --> 00:21:51.990 at their lowest. And so I discarded my British 00:21:51.990 --> 00:21:54.250 suit, my Italian loafers, and my continental 00:21:54.250 --> 00:21:57.849 manners. In an old pair of slacks and heavy wool 00:21:57.849 --> 00:22:01.009 shirt, I made my way to the Bowery. My first 00:22:01.009 --> 00:22:05.349 act. was to join a shambling, silent line of 00:22:05.349 --> 00:22:08.230 vagrants outside the clothing relief agency. 00:22:08.670 --> 00:22:11.390 And I emerged with a costume superior to anything 00:22:11.390 --> 00:22:14.250 I could have invented. A moth -eaten sweater, 00:22:15.130 --> 00:22:17.609 a double -breasted jacket with a shredded lining, 00:22:18.210 --> 00:22:21.609 and a thousand unironable creases. And then I 00:22:21.609 --> 00:22:23.950 bought a bottle of Sauternes for 98 cents and 00:22:23.950 --> 00:22:26.990 rented a bed in a hotel called Miller's for 75 00:22:26.990 --> 00:22:35.490 cents a night. And then, the next day, in a steam 00:22:35.490 --> 00:22:38.769 -filled diner where the coffee tasted like antiseptic, 00:22:39.210 --> 00:22:41.670 I picked up a mud -stained newspaper from the 00:22:41.670 --> 00:22:45.750 dirty tile floor. There on the second page was 00:22:45.750 --> 00:22:48.650 an item which gave me an appetite, even in that 00:22:48.650 --> 00:22:52.890 place it said, woman found murdered in East Side 00:22:52.890 --> 00:22:57.609 Brownstone. Ah, but the smaller headline beneath 00:22:57.609 --> 00:23:01.539 it was even more delicious. It read, dancing 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:05.940 teacher held as suspect. It wasn't something 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:10.799 I planned or expected, but, well, why not? Why 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:14.079 not? Say, I think I'll have some more of that 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:24.519 coffee. And then the five days were over. It 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:26.900 wasn't very far from the Miller Hotel to the 00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:30.289 docks. The first glimpse I had of the Empress's 00:23:30.289 --> 00:23:32.309 beautiful bow on the horizon thrilled me in a 00:23:32.309 --> 00:23:35.230 way I had never known before, but I couldn't 00:23:35.230 --> 00:23:37.430 stand about and admire it. I had things to do. 00:23:39.470 --> 00:23:43.690 I made my way as unobtrusively as possible back 00:23:43.690 --> 00:23:46.549 to Grand Central Terminal. I removed my luggage 00:23:46.549 --> 00:23:49.470 from the locker, and then in the washroom I shaved 00:23:49.470 --> 00:23:52.470 and changed into clean clothes. Then I went down 00:23:52.470 --> 00:23:58.690 to Pier 16 to greet the arriving Empress. I knew 00:23:58.690 --> 00:24:01.309 that Gerald would be among the last of the passengers 00:24:01.309 --> 00:24:05.150 to appear. But then there he was, wearing my 00:24:05.150 --> 00:24:07.190 green plaid topcoat with a collar pulled around 00:24:07.190 --> 00:24:09.970 his throat, wearing my Homburg hanging low over 00:24:09.970 --> 00:24:12.970 his eyes. He was using my crutches too, and not 00:24:12.970 --> 00:24:15.710 very well. But with his foot so heavily bandaged, 00:24:15.750 --> 00:24:19.069 he still made a convincing cripple. Owen? Owen! 00:24:19.269 --> 00:24:22.799 Over here! Sure, you know for a minute. I didn't 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:24.720 think didn't think you'd make it. Well. Well, 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:27.420 how was it? How did everything go fine fine? 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:29.200 Look, we can I get rid of these crutches? They 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:31.519 are killing never mind the crutches. What about 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:35.259 the steward? Mr. Paulkins? Did you see him before 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:37.920 you left the ship now? I managed to avoid him. 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:39.839 I didn't even tippy me there just as you said 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:43.539 good Now get into that car. This isn't your car. 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:46.279 Is it? It's a rental car to get inside so we 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:50.359 can switch clothes a rental car Wow, weren't 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:52.980 you taking the chance? I rented it in your name, 00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:56.779 Junior. Don't worry about it. You really thought 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:59.880 of everything. Owen, I have to give you credit. 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:01.779 Now just give me my clothes and that bandage, 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:06.259 and fast. And so we made the switch, as before. 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:08.880 By the time I stepped out of the rented automobile, 00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:10.980 I was dressed in the Homburg in the green -clad 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:13.700 coat. And the bandages were back where they had 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:16.279 originated. In fact, the crutches seemed like 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:18.500 old friends as I hobbled back to the entrance 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:23.180 of pier 16. I spotted the ship's petty officer 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:25.720 emerging from the passenger exit. Pardon me, 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:29.099 sir. Yes, sir. What can I do for you? Well, it's 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:32.279 rather embarrassing. You see, there's a steward 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:34.559 that I meant to take care of before I left my 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:36.680 stateroom. He was very kind to me. What's his 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:39.259 name? Porkins. He's an old fellow. Very nice. 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:41.660 I hated to miss him when I left, but somehow 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:51.319 I did, in all the excitement. Yes. Old Mr. Parkins 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:53.460 was more than pleased when I handed him the two 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:56.500 fifty dollar bills. There were actually tears 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:59.559 in his eyes. Oh, this is most generous of you, 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:02.279 sir. Most generous. Well, you took very good 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:05.099 care of me, Parkins. I know. I was a nuisance. 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:08.380 Oh, no, sir. You were never. Why? Oh, I hardly 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:10.519 even saw you, sir. Well, still you brought me 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:12.839 all my meals and so forth, didn't you? Well, 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:15.339 I was glad to do it. She glad to be of service. 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:18.019 And I hope you'll be back on the Empress with 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:21.680 us soon again. I intend to be, Porkins. Yes, 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:27.859 you can be sure of that. As soon as I knew that 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:30.920 Mr. Porkins was remembered properly, and that 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:34.200 he remembered me properly, I knew that everything 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:36.869 was going to be just fine. I told my younger 00:26:36.869 --> 00:26:39.029 brother to drive his new car to the village, 00:26:39.589 --> 00:26:41.710 find himself a small apartment, and lay low. 00:26:42.490 --> 00:26:45.650 And I took a taxi to my home. I knew there would 00:26:45.650 --> 00:26:49.809 be company waiting for me. Ah, Mr. Layton? Yes, 00:26:49.950 --> 00:26:52.509 I'm old Layton. Who are you? My name is Lieutenant 00:26:52.509 --> 00:26:54.450 Farley, Mr. Layton, New York Police Department. 00:26:54.869 --> 00:26:57.650 Police? What's the matter? My husband robbed 00:26:57.650 --> 00:27:00.049 or something? I'm sorry we couldn't meet you 00:27:00.049 --> 00:27:02.349 at the ship. We knew you were coming back today, 00:27:02.349 --> 00:27:04.069 but we thought it would be easier to meet you 00:27:04.069 --> 00:27:09.980 here. and break the news to you. What news? What 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:12.579 are you talking about? Bad news, I'm afraid. 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:23.519 Maybe we better go inside. Yes, come in. Of course 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:26.299 I knew exactly what the bad news was going to 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:29.700 be. Now all I had to do was to keep from laughing 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:38.259 out loud. We seem to have been witness to the 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:42.319 perfect murder. Owen Layton can't be blamed for 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:45.299 the murder of his wife and for the most natural 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:48.640 reason in the world. Owen Layton wasn't in New 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:53.180 York when his wife was murdered. Owen was on 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:57.460 the high seas. Just ask Mr. Porkins or anyone 00:27:57.460 --> 00:28:02.460 else aboard the SS Empress. But before we congratulate 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:06.380 Mr. Layton on his cleverness, Why don't we wait 00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:23.279 until I return with Act 3? Owen Layton is a happy 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:27.460 man today. Despite the fact that he is all alone 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:29.920 in the reconverted brownstone on Sutton Place, 00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:34.200 the smile never seems to leave his face. Even 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:36.900 as he hobbles towards the front door to answer 00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:40.319 the insistent chimes, his bandaged foot and crutches 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:43.619 don't seem to bother him in the least. In fact, 00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:46.480 one has the impression that despite the tragic 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:50.759 loss of his wife, Mr. Layton will never let anything 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:55.259 bother him for the rest of his life. Ah, evening, 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:58.759 Mr. Layton. Oh, hello, Lieutenant. I didn't know 00:28:58.759 --> 00:29:01.099 you were coming by tonight. Oh, it's all right, 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:04.400 I hope. Yes, of course. Come in. Oh, thank you. 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:08.900 You were a bit too broken up the other day when 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:12.279 we had a talk about, well, about that terrible 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:14.019 thing that happened to your wife. Well, I'm sure 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:16.279 you don't blame me, Lieutenant. It was a great 00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:19.440 shock. Here, let me take your raincoat. Raining 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:24.299 outside, is it? Yeah, a little. Frankly, it was 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:26.740 my decision not to send a radiogram to the ship. 00:29:27.380 --> 00:29:30.000 About your wife's death, I mean. It didn't seem 00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:32.660 right to... break the news to you that way. Well, 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:34.259 that was very considerate of you, Lieutenant. 00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:36.599 We knew you were aboard the Empress because of 00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:40.539 your cable. Yes, but you were right not to tell 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:44.559 me when I was aboard. It would have been very 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:47.599 helpless feeling knowing that there was nothing 00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:49.420 I could do about it. And that's what I thought, 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:52.720 too. At any rate, I suppose you've had some time 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:56.480 to, well, think about what may have happened. 00:29:57.420 --> 00:30:01.160 No, no, Lieutenant. The truth is, I still don't 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:05.160 understand. That man who killed her, everyone, 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:08.099 what was his name again? Douglas Denton. Oh, 00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:10.880 yes. Not his real name. He called himself that 00:30:10.880 --> 00:30:12.920 at the dancing school, but he was born Bernard 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:17.279 Eubank. I, uh, I take it you didn't know Mr. 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:19.660 Denton. No, no. I never met the man before in 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:22.920 my life. And why would he want to kill my poor 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:25.579 Harry? Well, actually, he's still denying that 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:28.759 he did. How can he? From what I've read in the 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:32.920 newspaper, well, you seem to have caught him 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:36.279 red -handed. Well, no, not quite that good. We 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:40.059 knew that he'd been, well, he and your wife had 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:42.039 been seeing each other during your visit abroad, 00:30:42.599 --> 00:30:44.339 and that they'd seen each other that Saturday 00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:47.200 night. She was killed. In fact, he was seen in 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:49.220 the vicinity of your house by several witnesses, 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:52.319 not more than ten minutes from the time when 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:57.690 we estimated she was bludgeoned to death. I'm 00:30:57.690 --> 00:31:01.569 sorry, that's a little too graphic, I know. It's 00:31:01.569 --> 00:31:04.269 all right, Lieutenant. I want to know the details. 00:31:04.390 --> 00:31:07.990 I really do. One detail we don't know is why 00:31:07.990 --> 00:31:10.509 he would have done such a thing. I mean, frankly, 00:31:10.710 --> 00:31:13.529 we have Mr. Denton Pegg as a rather small -time 00:31:13.529 --> 00:31:17.730 jiggle hole. I'm sorry to tell you that, too. 00:31:17.950 --> 00:31:21.009 It's all right. I'm sure Harriet wasn't to blame. 00:31:21.869 --> 00:31:25.609 I'm sure that man just did whatever... Jigalow's 00:31:25.609 --> 00:31:29.109 dead and made a fool of her. Did your wife do 00:31:29.109 --> 00:31:32.890 that sort of thing often? I don't know. I suppose 00:31:32.890 --> 00:31:36.009 she's made a few mistakes, which of us hasn't. 00:31:36.269 --> 00:31:38.970 Well, now, if you could be more specific... No, 00:31:38.970 --> 00:31:43.529 Lieutenant. I'm sorry. I want Harriet's killer 00:31:43.529 --> 00:31:46.150 punished, Lieutenant Farley, but not at the expense 00:31:46.150 --> 00:31:49.029 of scandalizing my wife. I'm afraid that scandal 00:31:49.029 --> 00:31:51.910 won't be easy to avoid. We know she was having 00:31:51.910 --> 00:31:53.829 an affair with Mr. Denton. He's admitted that 00:31:53.829 --> 00:31:56.759 himself. But I don't give them any reason to 00:31:56.759 --> 00:32:00.119 break a vase over her head. Yes Unless she had 00:32:00.119 --> 00:32:04.019 decided to end the affair, of course Well, it's 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:06.720 one possible theory, of course. Didn't you say 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:09.799 you found my cable to her about coming home on 00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:12.160 the Empress? Yeah, that's right. Harriet didn't 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:15.240 know I expected to return from Europe so soon 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:19.119 Perhaps when she informed her jig her friend. 00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:22.420 Mr. Denton. He got angry. Yeah, that's possible, 00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:27.089 too He might have just acted impulsively. Yes, 00:32:27.170 --> 00:32:30.490 Lieutenant. I'm sure it happened just that way. 00:32:31.069 --> 00:32:33.970 They quarreled. In your bedroom? Very well. In 00:32:33.970 --> 00:32:37.029 our bedroom, yes. They quarreled. And he picked 00:32:37.029 --> 00:32:41.910 up the vase and he struck her. Somehow, I can't 00:32:41.910 --> 00:32:44.309 believe it was cold blooded or premeditated. 00:32:45.990 --> 00:32:48.769 No matter what the man is, Lieutenant, I hope 00:32:48.769 --> 00:32:58.579 the law isn't too harsh with him. I'll tell you 00:32:58.579 --> 00:33:03.220 what wasn't easy. It was the waiting. I had to 00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:06.200 wait for the outcome of two legal actions, the 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:08.200 verdicts of both the criminal and the probate 00:33:08.200 --> 00:33:11.599 courts. But I had every confidence that human 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:16.460 and fiscal justice would be done. And then, one 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:19.799 night, a little more than two weeks after my 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:31.069 return... I beg your pardon. It's Sheila. God, 00:33:31.069 --> 00:33:33.190 I feel terrible not calling you before this, 00:33:33.210 --> 00:33:35.349 but I just found out what happened. I read the 00:33:35.349 --> 00:33:38.910 whole thing in the paper, a bad issue. Oh, and 00:33:38.910 --> 00:33:41.789 you poor thing, you must be in a state. Are you 00:33:41.789 --> 00:33:44.329 sure you're calling the right number? Of course 00:33:44.329 --> 00:33:47.490 I am. At least that's the number in the telephone 00:33:47.490 --> 00:33:52.529 book, 815 -5555. Well, you certainly have the 00:33:52.529 --> 00:33:55.470 right number, miss, but I believe you have the 00:33:55.470 --> 00:34:09.440 wrong party. who you are and why you think you 00:34:09.440 --> 00:36:22.480 know me. regarding my wife's estate. Oh, before 00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:24.420 you say anything else, will you listen to me? 00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:26.639 Yes, that's why I'm calling, to listen to you. 00:36:27.480 --> 00:36:29.219 To see if there's anything you can say, anything 00:36:29.219 --> 00:36:32.260 at all, that will mitigate my intention of coming 00:36:32.260 --> 00:36:34.340 right over there and strangling you. You've got 00:36:34.340 --> 00:36:36.980 to understand how it was, Owen. I was a prisoner 00:36:36.980 --> 00:36:39.280 in that state room, a virtual prisoner. Yes, 00:36:40.340 --> 00:36:42.619 and that was the idea. I told you never to leave 00:36:42.619 --> 00:37:56.579 that room. unencumbered and will soon be very 00:37:56.579 --> 00:38:04.019 very rich your friend Sheila isn't going to give 00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:07.239 up that easily she's going to track me down she's 00:38:07.239 --> 00:38:09.780 going to try to renew our little shipboard romance 00:38:09.780 --> 00:38:12.159 and do you know what will happen when she does 00:38:23.690 --> 00:38:26.789 know that she spent all that glorious week with 00:38:26.789 --> 00:38:30.510 another man and how long you suppose it'll take 00:38:30.510 --> 00:39:09.980 for to a sea voyage. And I knew that my idiotic 00:39:09.980 --> 00:39:12.039 younger brother had left me no other choice. 00:39:13.039 --> 00:39:15.000 The minute I was off the phone with him, I was 00:39:15.000 --> 00:39:17.480 on again, this time to my very obliging travel 00:39:17.480 --> 00:39:20.559 agent, who told me that passage aboard the Empress 00:39:20.559 --> 00:39:24.139 was indeed possible. But for the first time in 00:39:24.139 --> 00:39:27.260 my shipboard travels, I couldn't get a stateroom. 00:39:27.460 --> 00:39:30.420 Couldn't even do better than be deck. But it 00:39:30.420 --> 00:39:34.800 was an indignity I was forced to accept. This 00:39:34.800 --> 00:39:39.349 time... My cabin steward wasn't an amiable gentleman 00:39:39.349 --> 00:39:42.849 like Mr. Pawkins, but a gruff, uncommunicative 00:39:42.849 --> 00:39:45.449 type who made no promises of devoted service. 00:39:46.409 --> 00:39:48.889 But then I wouldn't require much service. For 00:39:48.889 --> 00:39:52.030 one thing, I no longer needed my bandages and 00:39:52.030 --> 00:39:55.750 crutches. As far as the world is concerned, my 00:39:55.750 --> 00:39:59.429 troublesome gout was healed. Oh, pardon me, sir. 00:39:59.550 --> 00:40:01.869 Yes? Aren't you the gentleman who sailed with 00:40:01.869 --> 00:40:05.190 us a couple of weeks ago? That Pawkins chap? 00:40:06.009 --> 00:40:09.170 Oh, oh, yes, that's right You were the officer 00:40:09.170 --> 00:40:11.250 who helped me find the steward. Yes, everything 00:40:11.250 --> 00:40:13.590 worked out all right there. Yes, everything went 00:40:13.590 --> 00:40:16.889 fine Unfortunately, I couldn't get such good 00:40:16.889 --> 00:40:19.210 accommodations this trip. Well, it's a shame 00:40:19.210 --> 00:40:21.869 sir But then I don't think we'll have as easy 00:40:21.869 --> 00:40:24.530 a crossing of it this time Why not a little bit 00:40:24.530 --> 00:40:27.250 of rough weather ahead they say oh fine. That's 00:40:27.250 --> 00:40:33.909 all I need But rough weather ahead or not At 00:40:33.909 --> 00:40:35.969 four that afternoon, the Empress pulled slowly 00:40:35.969 --> 00:40:39.690 away from the pier, and I admit that I breathed 00:40:39.690 --> 00:40:46.010 a heavy sigh of relief. That evening, I was taking 00:40:46.010 --> 00:40:48.090 a nap before dinner when someone knocked on my 00:40:48.090 --> 00:40:55.030 door. Who is it? Must be unfriendly neighborhood 00:40:55.030 --> 00:41:01.210 steward. Yes? Hello? Oh, I'm sorry. Was there 00:41:01.210 --> 00:41:03.139 something you wanted, Miss? Well, I've made a 00:41:03.139 --> 00:41:05.800 mistake. I thought this was Mr. Layton's cabin. 00:41:06.159 --> 00:41:08.860 What it is. I'm Mr. Layton. Oh, but you're not 00:41:08.860 --> 00:41:11.559 Mr. Owen Layton. That's the party I was looking 00:41:11.559 --> 00:41:16.300 for. But I am Owen Layton. Well, that's an interesting 00:41:16.300 --> 00:41:20.400 coincidence. I mean, two people would have the 00:41:20.400 --> 00:41:23.659 same names and even look a little bit alike. 00:41:24.780 --> 00:41:28.239 Although, well, the Owen Layton, I mean, is quite 00:41:28.239 --> 00:41:32.349 a bit younger. I don't know what in the world 00:41:32.349 --> 00:41:35.110 you're talking about. I saw your name on the 00:41:35.110 --> 00:41:39.250 passenger list, but the man I mean. Well, he's 00:41:39.250 --> 00:41:41.449 about your height, and he has a beard like yours, 00:41:41.449 --> 00:41:47.230 but he's... Well, he's not you. And who are you? 00:41:47.530 --> 00:41:50.710 My name's Sheila. Sheila Ross. Sheila. I met 00:41:50.710 --> 00:41:53.030 Owen Layton two weeks ago, right on this ship. 00:41:54.409 --> 00:41:58.389 And now suddenly there's another Owen Layton 00:41:58.389 --> 00:42:02.400 going the other way. There's something very fishy 00:42:02.400 --> 00:42:04.860 going on here. You're mistaken. I swear you're 00:42:04.860 --> 00:42:06.500 mistaken. Listen, mister, whatever your name 00:42:06.500 --> 00:42:08.679 is. I don't know what this is all about. I don't 00:42:08.679 --> 00:42:11.420 know why there are two Owen Leightons going back 00:42:11.420 --> 00:42:13.699 and forth on this ship. Well, well, what's so 00:42:13.699 --> 00:42:16.500 strange about that? I mean, why are you going 00:42:16.500 --> 00:42:20.860 back and forth? Me? Because I have to. Because 00:42:20.860 --> 00:42:24.539 it's my job. I'm a social director. You mean 00:42:24.539 --> 00:42:28.400 you work on the Empress? That's right. Right 00:42:28.400 --> 00:42:31.789 now. I'm going to work on finding out what this 00:42:31.789 --> 00:42:39.369 is all about. I stood rooted to the cabin floor 00:42:39.369 --> 00:42:41.969 listening to the melancholy sound of the ship's 00:42:41.969 --> 00:42:45.269 whistle, warning the seas ahead that we were 00:42:45.269 --> 00:42:49.969 on our way, heading straight for troubled waters. 00:42:55.949 --> 00:43:00.539 As you have heard... Owen Layton's perfect murder 00:43:00.539 --> 00:43:05.039 had the customary imperfection. But at least 00:43:05.039 --> 00:43:08.239 he'll be able to enjoy one last ocean voyage 00:43:08.239 --> 00:43:11.340 before the authorities send him up the river. 00:43:12.360 --> 00:43:16.340 Isn't it nice to see Justice Triumph? Oh, beg 00:43:16.340 --> 00:43:20.679 your pardon, to hear Justice Triumph. You will 00:43:20.679 --> 00:43:36.239 hear more out of me when I return shortly. We 00:43:36.239 --> 00:43:40.219 hope you enjoyed tonight's voyage. We hope you'll 00:43:40.219 --> 00:43:43.739 be aboard next time the CBS Radio Mystery Theater 00:43:43.739 --> 00:43:47.159 takes you on a trip to all points mysterious. 00:43:48.099 --> 00:43:51.719 As you know, we have every means of transport 00:43:51.719 --> 00:44:05.579 available to us, from ships... to trains... to 00:44:05.579 --> 00:44:14.000 planes. And isn't it wonderful to realize that 00:44:14.000 --> 00:44:20.179 we didn't use a drop of gas or oil? Our cast 00:44:20.179 --> 00:44:23.539 included Stats Cotsworth, Earl Hammond, Breiner 00:44:23.539 --> 00:44:27.719 -Rayburn, Dan Ako, and Ian Martin. The entire 00:44:27.719 --> 00:44:30.420 production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. 00:44:31.380 --> 00:45:05.940 And now, a preview of our next tale. Suddenly 00:45:05.940 --> 00:45:10.420 just the faintest whisper of a sound, like something 00:45:10.420 --> 00:45:15.420 dragging. Hey, who's there? Do you think you're 00:45:15.420 --> 00:45:37.250 frightening me? This is E .G. Marshall inviting 00:45:37.250 --> 00:45:40.250 you to return to our mystery theater for another 00:45:40.250 --> 00:45:47.530 adventure in the macabre. Until next time. Pleasant 00:45:47.530 --> 00:45:48.469 dreams.