WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:10.000 Auto Light and its 96,000 dealers present Suspense. 00:10.000 --> 00:18.800 Tonight, Auto Light brings you the Victoria Cross, a suspense play starring Mr. Herbert 00:18.800 --> 00:19.800 Marshall. 00:19.800 --> 00:30.800 You're in command now, Bale. 00:30.800 --> 00:31.800 Stout fellow. 00:31.800 --> 00:32.800 Well done, my boy. 00:32.800 --> 00:33.800 I'm afraid. 00:33.800 --> 00:34.800 I'm afraid. 00:34.800 --> 00:35.800 It'll hurt. 00:35.800 --> 00:36.800 I don't want to be hurt. 00:36.800 --> 00:37.800 Stay down! 00:37.800 --> 00:38.800 Dig in the... dig in the air! 00:38.800 --> 00:39.800 Cover yourself! 00:39.800 --> 00:40.800 Nurse! 00:40.800 --> 00:41.800 Nurse! 00:41.800 --> 00:42.800 No, no, Captain, there's no need to be afraid. 00:42.800 --> 00:43.800 I'm not afraid. 00:43.800 --> 00:44.800 I'm not afraid. 00:44.800 --> 00:45.800 I'm not afraid. 00:45.800 --> 00:46.800 I'm not afraid. 00:46.800 --> 00:47.800 I'm not afraid. 00:47.800 --> 00:48.800 I'm not afraid. 00:48.800 --> 00:49.800 I'm not afraid. 00:49.800 --> 00:50.800 Now, now, Captain, you'll wake all the patients. 00:50.800 --> 00:51.800 What is it? 00:51.800 --> 00:52.800 I was dreaming again. 00:52.800 --> 00:53.800 Please, I can't stand it. 00:53.800 --> 00:54.800 Please, give me... 00:54.800 --> 00:55.800 I'm sorry, Captain, the doctor said no more. 00:55.800 --> 00:56.800 I've got you. 00:56.800 --> 00:57.800 I want to sleep without dreams. 00:57.800 --> 00:58.800 It'll make me sleep, make me forget. 00:58.800 --> 00:59.800 I'm sorry, but it won't help. 00:59.800 --> 01:00.800 The doctor doesn't want you to take any more. 01:00.800 --> 01:01.800 Those are his orders. 01:01.800 --> 01:02.800 Orders? 01:02.800 --> 01:03.800 What is it to him? 01:03.800 --> 01:04.800 He doesn't know. 01:04.800 --> 01:05.800 If you're going to take that schoolmaster position you told me about, you'll have to 01:05.800 --> 01:06.800 get well. 01:06.800 --> 01:07.800 Now, I want to... 01:07.800 --> 01:08.800 You've been taking that medicine too long now, Captain. 01:08.800 --> 01:09.800 It's better this way. 01:09.800 --> 01:10.800 Just be strong for a while. 01:10.800 --> 01:11.800 I'm sorry, Captain. 01:11.800 --> 01:18.800 It's better this way. 01:18.800 --> 01:21.800 It'll be better. 01:21.800 --> 01:22.800 Strong. 01:22.800 --> 01:27.800 I wish I was strong enough to wipe that professional kindness from your face. 01:27.800 --> 01:33.560 I'd like to kill you. 01:33.560 --> 01:37.800 In just a moment, Mr. Herbert Marshall, in the first act of the Victoria Cross. 01:37.800 --> 01:38.800 Water. 01:38.800 --> 01:39.800 Water. 01:39.800 --> 01:40.800 Water. 01:40.800 --> 01:43.800 What's that, Wilcox, a desert rat? 01:43.800 --> 01:47.800 That, my dear Senator, is an ordinary battery, dying of thirst. 01:47.800 --> 01:49.800 Come, come, Wilcox. 01:49.800 --> 01:51.800 Come is the word, Senator. 01:51.800 --> 01:55.160 Everyone comes to the Auto Light Stay Full Battery, the battery that needs water only 01:55.160 --> 01:57.800 three times a year in normal car use. 01:57.800 --> 02:02.600 Why, an Auto Light Stay Full Battery is so cautious of water, it makes a camel look like 02:02.600 --> 02:04.600 a double deck water tank. 02:04.600 --> 02:06.880 That's faulty, Raoul Wilcox. 02:06.880 --> 02:11.680 Factual, Senator, because the Auto Light Stay Full has over three times the liquid protection 02:11.680 --> 02:14.320 of batteries without Stay Full features. 02:14.320 --> 02:16.400 Water, water everywhere. 02:16.400 --> 02:20.840 And furthermore, Senator, the Auto Light Stay Full Battery has fiberglass retaining mats 02:20.840 --> 02:24.000 protecting every positive plate for longer life. 02:24.000 --> 02:29.200 Seventy percent longer life, in fact, as proven by tests conducted according to SAE minimum 02:29.200 --> 02:30.480 life cycle standards. 02:30.480 --> 02:33.200 Give me that longer life, Wilcox. 02:33.200 --> 02:37.200 So friends, see your neighborhood Auto Light Battery dealer and ask him for an Auto Light 02:37.200 --> 02:42.240 Stay Full, the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. 02:42.240 --> 02:43.240 Right. 02:43.240 --> 02:47.080 And remember, you're always right with Auto Light. 02:47.080 --> 02:51.740 And now with the Victoria Cross and the performance of Mr. Herbert Marshall, Auto Light hopes 02:51.740 --> 03:12.360 once again to keep you in suspense. 03:12.360 --> 03:14.360 Wait here in the hall a bit and I'll call you. 03:14.360 --> 03:15.360 All right, sir. 03:15.360 --> 03:17.360 Come in, please, Ord. 03:17.360 --> 03:19.360 Yes, sir. 03:19.360 --> 03:21.360 Sit down. 03:21.360 --> 03:22.360 Thank you, sir. 03:22.360 --> 03:25.840 Ord, I have no intention of sermonizing upon the dignity of our school. 03:25.840 --> 03:30.960 You and Bateman are both aware that at Huxley the boys are on their honor during examinations. 03:30.960 --> 03:32.560 Yes, sir. 03:32.560 --> 03:35.920 And yet knowing this, you deliberately passed information to him. 03:35.920 --> 03:36.920 Why? 03:36.920 --> 03:37.920 I don't know, sir. 03:37.920 --> 03:39.760 Come on, I thought we were friends. 03:39.760 --> 03:42.280 You've never lied to me before. 03:42.280 --> 03:43.280 I don't know, sir. 03:43.280 --> 03:44.280 Really. 03:44.280 --> 03:45.280 Please don't ask me. 03:45.280 --> 03:49.280 Did you know when you arranged this that you could both be expelled? 03:49.280 --> 03:50.280 Yes, sir. 03:50.280 --> 03:55.600 Nevertheless, you, who as far as I know have never been particularly friendly with Bateman, 03:55.600 --> 03:57.800 ran the risk of expulsion for his sake. 03:57.800 --> 04:00.120 Again, I ask you why. 04:00.120 --> 04:02.440 Did he threaten you? 04:02.440 --> 04:03.440 I know. 04:03.440 --> 04:04.440 No, why do you ask that? 04:04.440 --> 04:07.040 Well, there must be a reason. 04:07.040 --> 04:09.880 All right. 04:09.880 --> 04:12.480 He's the most popular boy in school. 04:12.480 --> 04:15.200 He's captain of the cricket and rugby teams. 04:15.200 --> 04:17.720 Nobody likes me. 04:17.720 --> 04:20.160 I want him to be my chum. 04:20.160 --> 04:22.840 You're not telling the truth, old. 04:22.840 --> 04:23.840 Wait outside, chief. 04:23.840 --> 04:24.840 Yes, sir. 04:24.840 --> 04:25.840 Send Bateman in. 04:25.840 --> 04:26.840 He wants to see you. 04:26.840 --> 04:27.840 Sit down, Bateman. 04:27.840 --> 04:28.840 Thank you. 04:28.840 --> 04:29.840 Well, what are you going to say for yourself? 04:29.840 --> 04:30.840 Nothing. 04:30.840 --> 04:31.840 Take off your cap. 04:31.840 --> 04:32.840 You deny cheating? 04:32.840 --> 04:33.840 Why should I? 04:33.840 --> 04:34.840 You're being insolent, Bateman. 04:34.840 --> 04:35.840 And you will address me as sir. 04:35.840 --> 04:36.840 Yes, sir. 04:36.840 --> 04:37.840 What do you think this will do to your reputation as the mayor? 04:37.840 --> 04:38.840 I'm not sure. 04:38.840 --> 04:39.840 I'm not sure. 04:39.840 --> 04:40.840 I'm not sure. 04:40.840 --> 04:41.840 I'm not sure. 04:41.840 --> 04:42.840 I'm not sure. 04:42.840 --> 04:43.840 I'm not sure. 04:43.840 --> 04:44.840 I'm not sure. 04:44.840 --> 04:45.840 I'm not sure. 04:45.840 --> 04:46.840 I'm not sure. 04:46.840 --> 04:47.840 I'm not sure. 04:47.840 --> 04:48.840 I'm not sure. 04:48.840 --> 04:49.840 I'm not sure. 04:49.840 --> 04:50.840 I'm not sure. 04:50.840 --> 04:51.840 I'm not sure. 04:51.840 --> 04:52.840 I do think that you'll learn your lesson. 04:52.840 --> 04:53.840 I do think that you'll learn your lesson. 04:53.840 --> 04:54.840 And the mayor's reputation is the most popular boy in the school. 04:54.840 --> 04:55.840 I don't think it will do anything, sir. 04:55.840 --> 04:57.200 We shall have to allow the headmaster to decide that. 04:57.200 --> 04:59.720 You wouldn't sneak to Mr. Walkley, now would you, sir? 04:59.720 --> 05:03.040 You're one of the older boys, Bateman, but you're still not too old to be caned. 05:03.040 --> 05:04.560 By you, sir? 05:04.560 --> 05:08.420 It's time you learned that you're still a schoolboy and in need of discipline. 05:08.420 --> 05:10.160 By going to Mr. Walkley's office. 05:10.160 --> 05:11.160 Come on. 05:11.160 --> 05:12.160 Stand up. 05:12.160 --> 05:13.160 All right. 05:13.160 --> 05:14.160 And while you're telling Mr. Walkley about me, I'm going to ask you a question. 05:14.160 --> 05:15.160 What is it? 05:15.160 --> 05:16.160 What is it? 05:16.160 --> 05:17.160 What is it? 05:17.160 --> 05:19.660 Well, you're telling Mr. Walkley about me. 05:20.660 --> 05:23.860 Will it be all right if I tell him about you in the village? 05:24.860 --> 05:26.960 About the dagger and drum? 05:29.260 --> 05:32.160 What's the matter, Mr. Vale? Is it Maggie's plane? 05:32.860 --> 05:34.260 She knows a lot of men, 05:34.360 --> 05:37.260 but I'll bet she doesn't know any of them as well as she knows you. 05:37.360 --> 05:38.360 Does she? 05:38.360 --> 05:46.360 May I go now, sir? 05:53.360 --> 05:57.360 The position of a housemaster at an English public school is one of traditional conformity 05:57.460 --> 06:01.360 and demands of its holder the admirer of individual principles. 06:01.460 --> 06:05.360 I had come to Huxley during the last year of the Second World War 06:05.360 --> 06:08.260 directly upon my release from the hospital. 06:08.360 --> 06:13.260 And through seniority in 1949 found myself housemaster at Peckham House. 06:14.260 --> 06:16.260 The years had not been pleasant, 06:16.360 --> 06:19.260 but I had felt at least an uneasy security 06:19.360 --> 06:22.260 until the day of the examination 06:22.360 --> 06:25.260 when the model British schoolboy Giles Bateman 06:25.360 --> 06:29.260 had destroyed the security and left in its stead 06:29.260 --> 06:37.160 the fear and the fear grew. 06:38.160 --> 06:41.160 Returning after supper, I sat at my desk in a steady hall 06:41.260 --> 06:43.160 and wondered about the boys before me, 06:43.260 --> 06:45.160 quiet with their books and scribbling. 06:45.260 --> 06:48.160 Did they know? Did they all know? 06:48.260 --> 06:52.160 What had this terrifying child with the body of a man told him? 06:52.260 --> 06:56.160 He sat, head bowed over his ancient history, 06:56.160 --> 06:59.060 the most popular boy at Huxley. 07:10.060 --> 07:11.060 What's yours? 07:11.160 --> 07:12.060 Mild and bitter. 07:12.160 --> 07:13.060 Right. 07:16.060 --> 07:17.060 Good evening, sir. 07:17.160 --> 07:19.060 What's the idea of coming in here like this? 07:19.160 --> 07:20.060 I've got to talk to you, Maggie. 07:20.160 --> 07:21.060 I'm busy. 07:21.160 --> 07:23.060 I've got to talk to you. What time do you get off? 07:23.160 --> 07:25.060 Not till ten, and I've got a date. 07:25.060 --> 07:26.960 You'd better order something. They'll think it queer. 07:27.060 --> 07:27.960 Anything, anything. 07:28.060 --> 07:30.960 Off a pint hand, right you are. 07:31.060 --> 07:33.960 What did you tell Giles Bateman? 07:34.060 --> 07:34.960 Here you are, sir. 07:35.060 --> 07:36.960 What did you tell him? He knows about it. 07:37.060 --> 07:37.960 Go on, Alcann. 07:38.060 --> 07:39.960 He said so. He mentioned your name. 07:40.060 --> 07:40.960 You've talked to him, haven't you? 07:41.060 --> 07:41.960 Well, what if I have? 07:42.060 --> 07:43.960 He's a nice young bloke, and I can talk to him 07:44.060 --> 07:45.960 wherever I want, can't I? 07:46.060 --> 07:47.960 But I didn't say nothing bad about you. 07:48.060 --> 07:48.960 What did you say? 07:49.060 --> 07:51.960 Just that I knew you, that you were a nice, generous gentleman. 07:52.060 --> 07:52.960 I should never have trusted you. 07:52.960 --> 07:56.860 I didn't ask you to. You came to me, don't forget. 07:56.960 --> 07:58.860 I'll thank you not to be so iron-mighty. 07:58.960 --> 08:00.860 I'm sorry, I'm sorry. 08:00.960 --> 08:01.860 Are you sure you didn't say anything else? 08:01.960 --> 08:03.860 I can't talk no more. The boss is watching. 08:03.960 --> 08:04.860 Did you say anything else? 08:04.960 --> 08:05.860 No, no. Go away. 08:05.960 --> 08:06.860 Maggie! 08:06.960 --> 08:08.860 In a jiffy, sir. 08:12.960 --> 08:14.860 I returned to the school undiscovered 08:14.960 --> 08:17.860 and made my rounds at Peckham House, now silent. 08:17.960 --> 08:19.860 And as I looked into each darkened room 08:19.860 --> 08:22.760 and listened to the sounds of sleep, I wondered 08:22.860 --> 08:25.760 if I could at this moment give each boy an insight into his future 08:25.860 --> 08:27.760 and the tragedies lying before him. 08:27.860 --> 08:29.760 Granted the power. 08:29.860 --> 08:32.760 How many would choose to awake in the morning? 08:32.860 --> 08:36.760 And how many would choose never to awake again? 08:36.860 --> 08:39.760 There was one room outside of which I stopped, listened. 08:39.860 --> 08:41.760 It was door I did not open. 08:41.760 --> 08:44.660 The week passed, and once more I allowed myself 08:44.760 --> 08:47.660 the luxury of an uneasy security. 08:47.760 --> 08:51.660 I convinced myself that whatever Giles Baitman knew about my visits 08:51.760 --> 08:55.660 to the Dagon Grum, it was not sufficient to cause my arrest. 08:55.760 --> 08:58.660 I determined to avoid any further visits, 08:58.760 --> 09:00.660 at least until the boy was out of school. 09:00.760 --> 09:04.660 And then, the afternoon of a half-holiday, 09:04.760 --> 09:06.660 Francis Ord came to me. 09:06.760 --> 09:08.660 Mr. Baitman, I'm sorry. 09:08.660 --> 09:11.560 Francis Ord came to me. 09:11.660 --> 09:12.560 May I speak to you, sir? 09:12.660 --> 09:14.560 Of course, Ord, come in. 09:14.660 --> 09:16.560 Would you like some tea? 09:16.660 --> 09:18.560 No, no, thank you, sir. 09:18.660 --> 09:19.560 A cake? 09:19.660 --> 09:20.560 I'm not hungry, sir. 09:20.660 --> 09:22.560 Oh. What's the matter? 09:22.660 --> 09:24.560 Nothing, sir, nothing. 09:24.660 --> 09:26.560 I thought that we were friends. 09:26.660 --> 09:28.560 You used to like to have tea with me and talk. 09:28.660 --> 09:30.560 I've been very busy, sir. 09:30.660 --> 09:33.560 I'm sweating. I want to get better marks. 09:33.660 --> 09:35.560 I'm not angry with you about the examination last week. 09:35.660 --> 09:37.560 I know it wasn't your fault. 09:37.560 --> 09:39.460 That's why I didn't take the matter any further. 09:39.560 --> 09:41.460 Yes, sir. 09:41.560 --> 09:44.460 I suppose you think that showing favoritism, don't you? 09:44.560 --> 09:45.460 In a way, I'm cheating. 09:45.560 --> 09:47.460 Oh, no, no, sir. 09:47.560 --> 09:49.460 It was very sporting of you. 09:49.560 --> 09:51.460 Sporting, was it? 09:51.560 --> 09:54.460 You came to see me about something, Ord. What is it? 09:54.560 --> 09:58.460 Sir, I should like your permission to change my room. 09:58.560 --> 09:59.460 Oh? 09:59.560 --> 10:00.460 Yes, sir. 10:00.560 --> 10:02.460 Don't you get along with Watson Minor? 10:02.560 --> 10:05.460 Well, Baitman has asked me to share his dig. 10:05.460 --> 10:07.360 Has he? You want to? 10:07.460 --> 10:10.360 Yes, sir. I want to very much. 10:10.460 --> 10:11.360 You're lying. 10:11.460 --> 10:13.360 He's holding something over your head. 10:13.460 --> 10:15.360 You can tell me. I'm your friend. I'll help you. 10:15.460 --> 10:17.360 Thank you, sir. 10:17.460 --> 10:20.360 Do I have your permission to move, sir? 10:25.460 --> 10:28.360 Because I didn't have the courage to question him any further, 10:28.460 --> 10:30.360 I gave him permission. 10:30.460 --> 10:34.360 And as he left the room, I saw the look of the condemned in his eyes. 10:34.360 --> 10:38.260 I had given him the privilege of becoming a bully's bootlack. 10:43.360 --> 10:45.260 The school term waned. 10:45.360 --> 10:47.260 I was very careful. 10:47.360 --> 10:51.260 Except in my ancient history form, I saw very little of Francis Ord. 10:51.360 --> 10:54.260 Baitman frayed in the glory of his victories, his top marks, 10:54.360 --> 10:58.260 his prowess on the playing fields of old Huxley. 10:58.360 --> 11:01.260 This was his last term, and for me, 11:01.260 --> 11:04.160 that meant freedom once again from the fear. 11:04.260 --> 11:07.160 Then, few weeks before final exams, 11:07.260 --> 11:11.160 Baitman asked Mr. Walkley to call him into his study. 11:13.260 --> 11:15.160 Come in. 11:15.260 --> 11:17.160 Good afternoon, Mr. Vale. 11:17.260 --> 11:18.160 Do sit down. 11:18.260 --> 11:19.160 Thank you, sir. 11:19.260 --> 11:22.160 Just had an interesting talk with Giles Baitman. Very interesting. 11:22.260 --> 11:23.160 Oh, very, sir. 11:23.260 --> 11:25.160 I want to do something for the boy, Vale. 11:25.260 --> 11:27.160 I'm petitioning for a scholarship at Cambridge. 11:27.260 --> 11:29.160 As Baitman's housemaster, 11:29.160 --> 11:33.060 your signature to this letter on his behalf will be of inestimable value. 11:33.160 --> 11:36.060 After all, you know him better than any of us do. 11:36.160 --> 11:38.060 Yes, I do, sir. May I read the letter? 11:38.160 --> 11:40.060 Of course. It is rather glowing, I admit, 11:40.160 --> 11:43.060 but what can one say? He is all of these things. 11:43.160 --> 11:45.060 Don't you agree? 11:46.160 --> 11:49.060 I'm sorry, sir. I can't sign it. 11:49.160 --> 11:50.060 You... 11:50.160 --> 11:53.060 I won't sign it, sir, because I can find only one truth in the letter. 11:53.160 --> 11:55.060 He has been a successful athlete. Nothing more. 11:55.160 --> 11:56.060 Nothing more? 11:56.160 --> 11:58.060 You speak of his integrity. He has none. 11:58.060 --> 11:59.960 His leadership. He rules through fear. 12:00.060 --> 12:01.960 You don't know what you're saying. 12:02.060 --> 12:04.960 You forget, sir, I'm his housemaster. 12:05.060 --> 12:06.960 I know him better than any of you. 12:07.060 --> 12:09.960 You praise his high principles. He's a cheat. 12:10.060 --> 12:12.960 You point out his sense of fair play. He's a bully. 12:13.060 --> 12:14.960 I've heard enough, Mr. Vale. Quite enough. 12:15.060 --> 12:16.960 Needless to say, I'm shocked beyond words. 12:17.060 --> 12:19.960 I can only construe from this monstrous outburst 12:20.060 --> 12:22.960 that you're allowing an entirely personal malice to sway your judgment. 12:23.060 --> 12:23.960 I'm sorry, sir. 12:24.060 --> 12:25.960 Your apology is not sufficient, sir. 12:25.960 --> 12:28.860 I suggest that you return to your quarters and give the matter serious thought. 12:28.960 --> 12:31.860 Very serious thought, Mr. Vale. For your own good. 12:35.960 --> 12:37.860 It was a curious thing. 12:37.960 --> 12:40.860 And I felt almost lightheaded as I walked back to my rooms. 12:40.960 --> 12:43.860 For a moment I had forgotten my personal involvement. 12:43.960 --> 12:46.860 And stated quite objectively, I felt, 12:46.960 --> 12:49.860 what I knew to be the truth about Giles Bateman. 12:49.860 --> 12:55.760 I even felt that I might have said the same thing had Bateman been there. 12:55.860 --> 12:57.760 Did you sign the letter, sir? 12:57.860 --> 12:59.760 What are you doing in my room? Get out. 12:59.860 --> 13:00.760 Did you sign it? 13:00.860 --> 13:03.760 I told you to get out. Do you want a good hiding? 13:03.860 --> 13:05.760 Do you want me to tell the head about you? 13:05.860 --> 13:07.760 You can't bluff me again, my boy. 13:07.860 --> 13:09.760 You know I've gone to the Daiguan Drum. 13:09.860 --> 13:11.760 That silly girl told you about my visits. 13:11.860 --> 13:14.760 It's not enough for your filthy blackmailing. You can't bluff me. 13:14.860 --> 13:17.760 She told me enough to send you to prison, Mr. Vale. 13:17.760 --> 13:19.660 What did she tell you? 13:19.760 --> 13:21.660 I'd be afraid to tell you. 13:21.760 --> 13:25.660 But I wouldn't be afraid to tell Mr. Walkley or the constable. 13:25.760 --> 13:27.660 What did she tell you? 13:27.760 --> 13:29.660 You wouldn't hit a schoolboy, would you, Mr. Vale? 13:29.760 --> 13:31.660 They'd want to know why. 13:31.760 --> 13:33.660 Get out. Get out! 13:33.760 --> 13:37.660 You will sign that letter for me, won't you, Mr. Vale? 13:43.760 --> 13:46.660 I knew then that I would have to sign the letter. 13:46.660 --> 13:51.560 Or if I didn't, something would have to be done about the boy. 13:51.660 --> 13:56.560 And because of my fear, I did something that I had promised myself I would not do. 13:56.660 --> 14:01.560 I went to the Daiguan Drum and to Nellie's playing... 14:01.560 --> 14:17.460 so that I would forget, perhaps forget too much. 14:20.560 --> 14:24.460 Mortal Light is bringing you Mr. Herbert Marshall and the Victoria Cross. 14:24.460 --> 14:31.360 Tonight's production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 14:38.460 --> 14:41.360 Water. Water. Water. 14:41.460 --> 14:43.360 There's that battery again, Wilk Howe. 14:43.460 --> 14:47.360 Water first. But let me tell you about the famous Auto Light Stay Full Battery. 14:47.460 --> 14:51.360 The battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. 14:51.460 --> 14:52.360 I'm listening. 14:52.360 --> 14:58.260 Why, the Auto Light Stay Full has over three times the liquid protection of batteries without Stay Full features. 14:58.360 --> 15:03.260 That advantage alone helps overcome one of the greatest causes of battery failure. 15:03.360 --> 15:05.260 You don't say so, Wilk Howe. 15:05.360 --> 15:16.260 Oh, I do, Senator, and more, too, because the Auto Light Stay Full Battery has fiberglass retaining mats protecting every positive plate to prevent shedding and flaking and give longer life. 15:16.260 --> 15:23.160 Yes, sir, eh, 70% longer life as proven by tests conducted according to SAE minimum life cycle standards. 15:23.260 --> 15:26.160 Me for an Auto Light Stay Full. 15:26.260 --> 15:32.160 Right, Senator. So friends, see your neighborhood Auto Light Battery dealer and ask him for an Auto Light Stay Full Battery. 15:32.260 --> 15:36.160 The battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. 15:36.260 --> 15:40.160 And remember, you're always right with Auto Light. 15:40.260 --> 15:45.160 And now Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood Sound stage Mr. Herbert Marshall. 15:45.160 --> 15:49.060 In Elliot Lewis's production of the Victoria Cross. 15:49.160 --> 15:53.060 A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 16:04.160 --> 16:08.060 I have no memory of what I did or where I went later that night. 16:08.060 --> 16:16.960 But the next morning in Batesman's room, I found myself standing over what had once been the most popular boy in school. 16:17.060 --> 16:23.960 During the war, there have been other dead bodies, but this one aroused within me no feeling whatsoever. 16:24.060 --> 16:27.960 There was neither triumph nor sorrow. 16:28.060 --> 16:32.960 I was aware only of the four walls of his room and the stained cricket bat on the floor. 16:33.060 --> 16:36.960 Has anything in the room been moved, sir? Mr. Bates? 16:36.960 --> 16:38.860 Yes, I beg your pardon? 16:38.960 --> 16:40.860 The inspector is talking to you. 16:40.960 --> 16:41.860 Oh, I'm sorry. 16:41.960 --> 16:44.860 That's quite all right, sir. I understand. Has anything been moved? 16:44.960 --> 16:46.860 Not as far as I know. 16:46.960 --> 16:50.860 As house master, it's your duty to make the rounds at night. 16:50.960 --> 16:51.860 Yes. 16:51.960 --> 16:54.860 Would you say that there was any sign of trouble last night? 16:54.960 --> 16:56.860 Not so far as I know. 16:56.960 --> 17:00.860 Tell me, sir, how did the deceased get along with Francis Ord? 17:00.960 --> 17:03.860 Well, it was Batesman who requested Ord to share his quarters. 17:03.960 --> 17:05.860 What about his other school fellows? 17:05.860 --> 17:07.760 I admired him tremendously, inspector. 17:07.860 --> 17:12.760 I may say without fear of contradiction that he was the most popular boy in school. 17:12.860 --> 17:17.760 I'm afraid, Mr. Walker, they must have been extremely unpopular with somebody here. 17:17.860 --> 17:22.760 I should like to have the door of this room locked until the laboratory men arrive. 17:22.860 --> 17:26.760 God, so shocking. Shocking. Poor boy. 17:26.860 --> 17:29.760 Well, I imagine you'll want to question Francis Ord, inspector. 17:29.860 --> 17:30.760 Yes. 17:30.760 --> 17:35.660 Well, he's detained in Mr. Vale's quarters. You'll find me in my study. 17:35.760 --> 17:36.660 Very well, sir. 17:36.760 --> 17:42.660 I can tell you, sir, that a murder investigation involving schoolboys is something out of my line. 17:42.760 --> 17:44.660 I'd be obliged if you'd stand by. 17:44.760 --> 17:46.660 I'd be happy to. 17:46.760 --> 17:50.660 Mr. Vale, what did you think of Batesman? 17:50.760 --> 17:51.660 I... 17:51.760 --> 17:55.660 It doesn't matter. You don't have to answer that. 17:55.760 --> 17:56.660 Francis Ord. 17:56.660 --> 18:01.560 Very fond of him, inspector. He's quite shy, but he's a sensitive lad. 18:01.660 --> 18:05.560 What he has told me, I know that his family life has been quite unhappy. 18:05.660 --> 18:07.560 He lost his mother when he was eight. 18:07.660 --> 18:13.560 His father remarried, and I gather that he feels, well, forsaken. 18:13.660 --> 18:15.560 Is he happy here? 18:15.660 --> 18:17.560 Happier, perhaps, than at home. 18:17.660 --> 18:19.560 Yet he doesn't get on too well here. 18:19.660 --> 18:23.560 I'd say he's about the most unpopular boy at Huxley. 18:23.560 --> 18:29.460 Rather strange, don't you think, sir, that two lads are complete opposites, so chum together? 18:29.560 --> 18:31.460 Yes, perhaps it is. 18:31.560 --> 18:35.460 Did you talk to him this morning before he tried to run away? 18:35.560 --> 18:37.460 Ord ran away? 18:37.560 --> 18:39.460 You didn't know? 18:39.560 --> 18:40.460 Hmm. 18:40.560 --> 18:42.460 Here we are. 18:42.560 --> 18:45.460 Ord. 18:45.560 --> 18:47.460 This is inspector Forbes. 18:47.560 --> 18:49.460 He wants to ask you some questions. 18:49.460 --> 18:55.360 Well, young fellow, my lad, you were caught trying to run away this morning. 18:55.460 --> 18:57.360 That doesn't look very good, you know. 18:57.460 --> 19:01.360 I'm sure it would be better if you'd tell us exactly what happened. 19:01.460 --> 19:02.360 Francis. 19:02.460 --> 19:03.360 Hmm. 19:03.460 --> 19:07.360 I think he might be trying to protect somebody, don't you, sir? 19:07.460 --> 19:10.360 Sooner or later things will find out, Francis. 19:10.460 --> 19:12.360 Tell him the truth. 19:12.460 --> 19:14.360 I don't want you to protect anyone. 19:14.460 --> 19:16.360 Why should I protect anybody? 19:16.360 --> 19:19.260 Nobody cares about me. 19:19.360 --> 19:21.260 All right. 19:21.360 --> 19:24.260 I'll tell you the truth. 19:24.360 --> 19:26.260 I killed him. 19:26.360 --> 19:28.260 It doesn't matter now. 19:28.360 --> 19:30.260 I hated him. 19:30.360 --> 19:35.260 He was a dirty, filthy, rotten swine. 19:35.360 --> 19:37.260 I did it, Mr. Vale. 19:37.360 --> 19:39.260 I hit him. 19:39.360 --> 19:41.260 No, I could hit better. 19:41.360 --> 19:42.260 I hit him. 19:42.360 --> 19:43.260 And I hit him. 19:43.360 --> 19:45.260 And he fell down. 19:45.260 --> 19:46.160 And he cried. 19:46.260 --> 19:48.160 And he begged me to stop. 19:48.260 --> 19:49.160 But I didn't. 19:49.260 --> 19:51.160 I didn't stop. 19:51.260 --> 19:53.160 And I felt strong. 19:53.260 --> 19:54.160 Why did you kill him? 19:54.260 --> 19:55.160 Inspector, I... 19:55.260 --> 19:56.160 Yes, Mr. Vale. 19:56.260 --> 20:00.160 I think we should leave him alone. 20:06.260 --> 20:10.160 It's not very pretty to hear a confession like that, especially from a kid. 20:10.260 --> 20:12.160 What happens to him now? 20:12.260 --> 20:14.160 I should take him back to London. 20:14.160 --> 20:16.060 But I'm not going to just yet. 20:16.160 --> 20:19.060 There's something else that he hasn't said. 20:19.160 --> 20:21.060 It's not finished. 20:27.160 --> 20:30.060 It wasn't finished. 20:30.160 --> 20:33.060 The inspector wasn't a brilliant man, but he was diligent. 20:33.160 --> 20:38.060 I felt he had done this sort of work for a long time and done it very well. 20:38.060 --> 20:43.960 And in finding why, if Frances ordered Kilbettman, perhaps she would find out about me. 20:44.060 --> 20:45.960 Find my secret. 20:52.060 --> 20:55.960 He asked me for company and he questioned other masters and other schoolboys. 20:56.060 --> 21:01.960 It was in the gymnasium that we found the very physical sports master, Samuel Jennings. 21:03.060 --> 21:04.960 He had great style at the wicket. 21:05.060 --> 21:06.960 Reminded me of Jack Hobbs. 21:06.960 --> 21:08.860 I can tell you one thing about him, Inspector Forbes. 21:08.960 --> 21:10.860 The school's going to miss him. 21:10.960 --> 21:11.860 Don't you agree, Mr. Vale? 21:11.960 --> 21:14.860 He was the very best of the British schoolboy, Mr. Jennings. 21:14.960 --> 21:16.860 I wouldn't go so far as to say that. 21:16.960 --> 21:18.860 Nothing namby-pamby about him. 21:18.960 --> 21:20.860 He was a bit of a lad. 21:20.960 --> 21:24.860 Take a nip now and again and there was a bit of fluff in the village that caught his eye. 21:24.960 --> 21:25.860 Oh? 21:25.960 --> 21:28.860 Yes, the barmaid at the Dagger and Drum, Maggie Splade. 21:28.960 --> 21:30.860 He broke her bounds a couple of times to see her. 21:30.960 --> 21:32.860 Of course, he wasn't the only one. 21:32.960 --> 21:35.860 Mr. Jennings, what do you think of young Orch? 21:35.860 --> 21:38.760 Well, to tell you the truth, I don't and I never did. 21:38.860 --> 21:40.760 He's a coward and a liar. 21:40.860 --> 21:44.760 The boys call him a nasty little beast and that's what I think he is. 21:44.860 --> 21:45.760 Sopier. 21:45.860 --> 21:46.760 Nothing. 21:46.860 --> 21:48.760 I'm sure you've been very helpful, Mr. Jennings. 21:48.860 --> 21:50.760 Yes, thank you very much. 21:50.860 --> 21:54.760 Well, Mr. Vale, I think I've learned as much as I can for the moment. 21:54.860 --> 21:56.760 Oh, I want to call Scotland Yard. 21:56.860 --> 21:58.760 If you could direct me to a telephone, I won't trouble you anymore. 21:58.760 --> 22:08.660 You'll find one in the gymnasium office just there to the left. 22:08.760 --> 22:10.660 He knew about the Dagger and Drum now. 22:10.760 --> 22:13.660 He knew about Maggie Splade. 22:13.760 --> 22:16.660 Now he was going to call Scotland Yard and he'd find out more. 22:16.760 --> 22:18.660 He'd find out about me. 22:18.760 --> 22:21.660 I couldn't leave the school grounds until later that afternoon and when I did, 22:21.660 --> 22:34.560 I was slipping past the front gate porter. I ran to the village. 22:34.660 --> 22:35.560 Maggie. 22:35.660 --> 22:37.560 You're going to get me into trouble coming in here like this. 22:37.660 --> 22:40.560 Listen to me. A detective is going to come here. 22:40.660 --> 22:41.560 He'll ask you a lot of questions. 22:41.660 --> 22:43.560 Me? Questions? Oh, no. 22:43.660 --> 22:45.560 There'll be questions about Bateman. 22:45.660 --> 22:46.560 Why? What's he done? 22:46.660 --> 22:47.560 He's been murdered. 22:47.660 --> 22:48.560 Murdered? 22:48.660 --> 22:50.560 Be quiet. You don't have to worry. 22:50.560 --> 22:51.460 Did you say anything about me? 22:51.560 --> 22:52.460 You killed him, didn't you? 22:52.560 --> 22:54.460 No. There's been a confession. 22:54.560 --> 22:56.460 Francis Award, his roommate. 22:56.560 --> 22:57.460 It wasn't you? 22:57.560 --> 23:00.460 I told you no. Remember now, you don't know me. 23:00.560 --> 23:03.460 I won't say anything. I swear it. You won't hurt me, will you? 23:03.560 --> 23:06.460 You've never met me. You don't know my name. 23:06.560 --> 23:07.460 You don't know anything about me. 23:07.560 --> 23:15.460 All right, all right. 23:15.560 --> 23:17.460 When I left the Dagger and Drum, 23:17.460 --> 23:21.360 I felt that my secret was reasonably secure. 23:21.460 --> 23:23.360 I wanted a good excuse to have been away from school 23:23.460 --> 23:26.360 and had no one chance to see me. 23:26.460 --> 23:30.360 So I had tea in the village, then went to the cinema. 23:30.460 --> 23:33.360 When I returned to Peckham House about 10 o'clock. 23:33.460 --> 23:34.360 Mr. Vale. 23:34.460 --> 23:36.360 Oh, Inspector. 23:36.460 --> 23:37.360 Where have you been? 23:37.460 --> 23:39.360 Why, in the village, at the cinema. 23:39.460 --> 23:42.360 Would you come with me, please? 23:42.460 --> 23:44.360 I don't quite understand. 23:44.360 --> 23:47.260 Francis Award tried to commit suicide tonight. 23:47.360 --> 23:51.260 He's been asking for you. 23:51.360 --> 23:52.260 Where is he? 23:52.360 --> 23:56.260 In his room. He'll be all right. 24:05.360 --> 24:08.260 Francis. Francis. 24:08.360 --> 24:09.260 Hello, sir. 24:09.360 --> 24:13.260 Well, this is a nice thing for the school, I must say. 24:13.260 --> 24:15.160 I'm sorry, sir. 24:15.260 --> 24:16.160 I thought it would be better this way. 24:16.260 --> 24:18.160 Better? 24:18.260 --> 24:20.160 I was afraid, sir. 24:20.260 --> 24:22.160 Afraid they'd make me talk about... 24:22.260 --> 24:24.160 Who's that with you? 24:24.260 --> 24:26.160 It's the Inspector, Francis. 24:26.260 --> 24:30.160 There was no need for you to tell him, Francis. 24:30.260 --> 24:33.160 I want him to know, Francis. It's all right. 24:33.260 --> 24:34.160 It's about you, sir. 24:34.260 --> 24:36.160 I know, I know. 24:36.260 --> 24:38.160 Bateman said things about me, didn't he? 24:38.260 --> 24:40.160 Yes, sir. 24:40.160 --> 24:43.060 You remember the examination when you caught us cheating? 24:43.160 --> 24:44.060 I remember. 24:44.160 --> 24:46.060 Well, he knew then about you and... 24:46.160 --> 24:48.060 The girl in the village? 24:48.160 --> 24:50.060 Yes, sir. 24:50.160 --> 24:52.060 I didn't want to believe him. 24:52.160 --> 24:54.060 But he said if I didn't help him with the exam, 24:54.160 --> 24:57.060 he'd tell something about you and you'd be arrested. 24:57.160 --> 25:00.060 So, you see, I had to. 25:00.160 --> 25:02.060 You were my friend, sir. 25:02.160 --> 25:04.060 And I knew that no matter what Bateman said about you, 25:04.160 --> 25:05.060 it couldn't really be bad. 25:05.160 --> 25:08.060 It was bad, Francis, because I was weak. 25:08.060 --> 25:09.960 I didn't have courage. 25:10.060 --> 25:12.960 You're the only friend I ever had, sir. 25:13.060 --> 25:14.960 I didn't want you to get into trouble. 25:15.060 --> 25:17.960 I was in the war, Francis. 25:18.060 --> 25:19.960 When I was wounded and they sent me home, 25:20.060 --> 25:21.960 the King gave me a medal. 25:22.060 --> 25:25.960 He thought I was brave because I'd helped some people. 25:26.060 --> 25:27.960 But when he gave me the medal, 25:28.060 --> 25:30.960 I wasn't brave any longer. 25:31.060 --> 25:33.960 I was a coward because I was taking medicine 25:34.060 --> 25:35.960 and I couldn't stop taking the medicine. 25:35.960 --> 25:37.860 Yes, sir. 25:37.960 --> 25:39.860 Bateman found out I was buying it from Maggie's plane 25:39.960 --> 25:42.860 at the Dagram Drum. 25:42.960 --> 25:45.860 Isn't that what you were protecting me from? 25:45.960 --> 25:47.860 Yes, sir, but I... 25:47.960 --> 25:51.860 Francis, did you kill Bateman? 25:51.960 --> 25:53.860 Tell me the truth. 25:53.960 --> 25:55.860 No, sir. 25:55.960 --> 25:57.860 Go on. 25:57.960 --> 26:00.860 I went out for a walk that night. 26:00.960 --> 26:03.860 When I left, Bateman was all right. 26:03.860 --> 26:07.760 When I came home, you passed me on the stairs 26:07.860 --> 26:09.760 and you didn't know me. 26:09.860 --> 26:11.760 You wouldn't talk to me. 26:11.860 --> 26:14.760 When I got in the room, 26:14.860 --> 26:18.760 Bateman was dead, lying on the floor. 26:18.860 --> 26:21.760 You're the only friend I ever had, sir. 26:21.860 --> 26:23.760 I couldn't let it happen. 26:23.860 --> 26:26.760 That's enough talking, son. You'd better rest. 26:26.860 --> 26:28.760 Mr. Vail? 26:28.860 --> 26:30.760 Yes, yes. Good night, Francis. 26:30.760 --> 26:34.660 Good night, son. 26:39.760 --> 26:43.660 I don't remember a thing that I did last night, Inspector. 26:43.760 --> 26:46.660 But when Francis confessed this morning, I thought, 26:46.760 --> 26:48.660 he must have done it. 26:48.760 --> 26:50.660 But I was safe. 26:50.760 --> 26:52.660 Look at me. 26:52.760 --> 26:56.660 I'm the housemaster of Tickham House at Huxley School. 26:56.660 --> 27:00.560 I won the Victoria Cross for bravery at Tablook. 27:00.660 --> 27:02.560 And yet I almost allowed that boy to plead guilty 27:02.660 --> 27:05.560 for the murder that I committed. 27:05.560 --> 27:27.460 What metal will they distill from me for this bravery? 27:27.560 --> 27:29.460 Tonight's star, Mr. Herbert Marshall. 27:29.560 --> 27:31.460 J. Wilcox, are you leaving? 27:31.560 --> 27:33.460 No, going, Senator. 27:33.560 --> 27:34.460 Going where? 27:34.460 --> 27:35.360 Tomorrow morning? 27:35.460 --> 27:37.360 улак. 27:37.460 --> 27:52.360 Посsein, where's the radio? 27:52.360 --> 27:57.440 and cable starting motors, all engineered to fit together perfectly, work together perfectly, 27:57.440 --> 27:59.540 because they're a perfect team. 27:59.540 --> 28:04.020 So friends, don't accept electrical parts supposed to be as good. Ask for and insist 28:04.020 --> 28:08.720 on auto light, original factory parts, at your neighborhood service station, car dealer, 28:08.720 --> 28:13.480 garage or repair shop. And remember, you're always right with auto light. 28:13.480 --> 28:18.880 Next week on Suspense, Mr. William Holden as star of Blood on the Trumpet. And in weeks 28:18.880 --> 28:23.640 to come, you will hear such famous stars as Cary Grant, Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Hilliard, 28:23.640 --> 28:32.640 and Van Heflin, all appearing in tales well calculated to keep you in Suspense. 28:32.640 --> 28:37.120 Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucian Morawek 28:37.120 --> 28:41.760 and conducted by Lud Bluskin. Herbert Marshall may be heard on his own radio program, The 28:41.760 --> 28:43.160 Man Called X. 28:43.160 --> 28:50.160 And remember next week on Suspense, Mr. William Holden in Blood on the Trumpet. 28:50.160 --> 28:58.480 You can buy auto light staple batteries, auto light standard or resistor type spark plugs, 28:58.480 --> 29:03.800 auto light electrical parts at your neighborhood auto light dealers. Switch to auto light. 29:03.800 --> 29:05.040 Good night. 29:05.040 --> 29:10.080 One of the most cherished possessions we Americans have is our right to vote for representatives 29:10.080 --> 29:14.840 in all elective offices. They represent us, the American people. We should make every 29:14.840 --> 29:25.240 effort on Tuesday, November 7th, to vote for those we believe best qualified. 29:25.240 --> 29:40.880 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.