In this intriguing episode, we dive into a chilling tale of suspense and mystery, featuring the legendary Laurence Olivier in "The Suicide Club." The story unfolds with a group of men, each facing their own personal despair, who find themselves drawn into a secretive club where the ultimate gamble is life itself. As they gather around a table, cards are dealt, and the stakes are life and death. The tension mounts as the members confront their darkest fears and desires, all orchestrated by the enigmatic president of the club.
Listeners are taken on a journey through the shadowy world of the Suicide Club, where each member's fate is determined by the turn of a card. The narrative explores themes of desperation, choice, and the thin line between life and death. As the story reaches its gripping conclusion, questions linger about the true nature of the club and the fate of its members. This episode is a captivating exploration of human nature and the lengths to which people will go when faced with their own mortality.
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[00:00:01]
Unknown:
Hey, Mike. Glad you could join me for some great seafood. Me too. Wait. Why are you dressed in fishing gear? You said we were going out to catch great seafood. Right? Yes. To Popeye's. Do you even know how to fish? No. I thought you did. Oh, yeah. I could catch pretty good seafood at Popeye's. Let's go. Let Popeye's do the fishing while you enjoy our delicious signature seafood. Get Popeye's flounder fish sandwich or shrimp tackle box before they're gone. Limited time at participating US restaurants.
[00:00:39] Unknown:
It's mystery time. Tonight, mystery classic
[00:00:46] Unknown:
stars Laurence Olivier
[00:00:48] Unknown:
in the Suicide Club. And he died after all. Was it murder and suicide or murder and accidental death?
[00:01:07] Unknown:
A shuffle of the cards. Then they were dealt out. And if you draw the wrong cards give me the shiver. So I'm sure you'll listen as intently as I shall. It's that famous chilling classic by Robert Louis Stevenson now transcribed, The Suicide Club starring Laurence Olivier.
[00:01:39] Unknown:
This is the story of a frightening adventure. I do not propose to tell you my name. And after you've heard the story, you will be happy to understand why not. One night in an oyster bar not far from Leicester Square What's your man? That's what they're doing over there. The the one that's just coming in, right? It seems to be for those two commissionaires. It's got a dish or something, aren't they? Seem to be offering everyone something to eat. What are they? Pie? Yes. They look like it. Some sort of pot, I think. Yes. They're cream pot. It's cream tart in an oyster bar that never seems to be giving them away. I'm not surprised.
Maybe it's a wager. Well, well, look. We're gonna be offered some. Do you will you do me the honor of eating one of these now? I I can answer for the quality of the pastry. I've eaten 27 of them myself since 05:00. Twenty seven? That's all a lot, isn't it? Well, I just think so, sir. Every time my offer is rejected, I insist on eating the tarts myself. Alright then, Colonel. We'll help you out. On one condition, if my friends and I both eat your tarts, you must join us for supper. If this is a good idea. Well, I've the whole dozen is still on hand so I'll have to visit a few more bars before I go visit them all. If you're already hungry, gentlemen, I No. No. My friend and I will go around with you. It looks very pleasant way of passing and eating. Stupid.
Delicious. It shows a little French restaurant in Soho, ordered a private room, very good meal, and champagne for the occasion. Young man ate surprisingly well despite a job of 50 or so, and over the desert we persuaded him to begin his explanation. Is there any reason why I shouldn't tell you my story? So perhaps that's my thing to do, sir. Good for you. I come from quite a respectable family, you know, and I started life with quite a reasonable fortune. I had a lot of amusing adventures, even for a duel when I was in Paris. Oh. When I began to come to my senses, I had very little fortune left and promptly fell in love.
Oh. I had nothing left to offer the young lady. I came to the sad conclusion that there was really nothing very much left to live for. No. I got rid of all the money I had left under the last £80 which left me just £40 to get rid of during the course of today. £40. What happened to the other 40? That went for a very particular purpose. Well, I spent a very amusing day getting rid of my last £2 on the cream tarts over which we met. And I wanted to close a foolish life in a in a particularly foolish manner, which you must admit, I Well, I shouldn't deny that, but what happens next? Oh, I'm not complaining. And at least I'm not a coward. I've lived my life and enjoyed it. So now I simply have to get rid of it. Get rid of it. You mean you mean killing yourself?
No. Oh, who who had an often thought of doing this? You know, young fellow, it's a curious coincidence, Barlow, Barlow of London. You went and picked on a couple of people in much the same position as yourself. Yes. What? Yes. You mean you're ruined too? Mhmm. It is it's very excellent to have a last extravagance as well, like my dream does. Well, near enough. And just to get rid of any slight disparities, let's put £5 here on the table to cover the bill and have you a match. Yes? Thank you. Burn the rest like this. What the devil are you doing?
Don't be enough of Well, aren't we all? But what do you mean? Haven't you got any money left at all, ma'am? Why didn't you keep your £40? 40 pounds? Why another £40? Oh, so that might have won another 80. You must have spent the best part of a hundred. 40 pounds would have been enough. But without that, no admission. They're very strict about the rules. It's fine business when you can't even die without money. No. I think you better explain yourself. Do I have to? Mhmm. If it happened to 40 pounds, what's the point? Well, I haven't had enough for both of us. I think we really needed it. I thought you were in the same stretch as I was. I think remember that you had 80 pounds yesterday. Yes. Yes. I have. You are not fooling me. You you are as desperate as I am. Oh? Bored with life, if that's what you mean. Yes. Indeed. But I'd made that clear enough by burning my lost money. Perhaps you can afford to burn a hundred pounds of help. I'm no millionaire. That's what you mean to do.
Well, here's to your help. And good night, my merry-go-round. Oh no. You can't get out of it like that. You tell me that you're desperate and I accept the fact. Why should you have less confidence in me? In either of us. Yes. Why? Then you're not joking. You really are. Like you, we've had another blight, haven't we, colonel? Yes. Sooner or later, alone or together, we're prepared to put an entry in. That's quite right. Colonel. Yes. Well, now that we've come across, you and since you seem to be in a hurry, well, we can make it tonight just as easily. Quite. Why not? Why not all three of us together? Yes. Why not? That really goes for you as well, Carol. Yes. Yes. Personal provided you something in mind. And you really can't put up the 80 between you. I see. Two, fifteen, 20, 40, 60, 80 pounds. A few leftovers. I shouldn't forget about that. What I found each is the entrance fee. The entrance fee? Entrance fee to what?
To the suicide club. How it matters or who started the club, I don't exactly know. But what I do know, I'm under the tenting list. If you are really tired of life, both of you, I'll take you to a meeting of the club and if not tonight, at least sometime within the week, you'll quietly cease to live. And you say that you're a member of this club? Yes. I paid my subscription today. I shall be going there in what time is it? Yes. In half an hour. You've just got half an hour to make up your mind whether you're coming with me or not. If you were serious, then you'd love to lose. I'll be back to your decision. In half an hour, gentlemen. Now you have made up your mind first of this. You don't want to draw back while it's still time. No. I'm not gonna have it in drawing back either of this. Very well, ma'am. We'll take a four wheeler.
Drive us to readdress from this piece of paper. After you, Hello, gentlemen. In the circumstances, you'll appreciate that a certain amount of secrecy has called for until you're actually enrolled in the club. You'll forgive me if I take the precaution of flying in solving the bus. But, missus West, yes, I'm afraid it is. You see, gentlemen, this is not a joke. The cab stopped at large in a dark street and the young man paid it off. He took the bandages off our eyes and invited us to follow him down an alleyway. He knocked at the door.
The door was opened and we were ushered into an entrance hall. Young man left us for a few minutes and we heard voices: At last an inner door was opened and we found ourselves in the presence of the president of the club. Sit down, gentlemen. And truly you wish to see me? No. We wish to join your club, sir. The suicide club. Well, give me gentlemen. You appreciate I have to take precautions. So you wish to join the suicide club. May I ask your reasons? Well, I was a colonel till I was cashier for cheating a card. And you, sir? Sure, laziness.
Laziness? I think you must have a better reason than that. No. I should. I have. I've lost all my money. Can't be bothered to make it more. If I wasn't so experienced with these things, I should probably turn you both away. As it is, I happen to know that suicide is almost always committed to the most frivolous reasons. Very well then, if you are prepared to take this oath in the manner prescribed, you will be accepted as remembrance. The oath, I need hardly say, is an oath of secrecy. Be careful to make it bind me in the very highest degree. When you have taken the oath, if you're willing to do so, that is, then you'll be enrolled forthwith as members of the suicide club.
We have bound ourselves on oath to keep the secrets of the suicide club. Nothing could be conceived more passive than the obedient promise or more stringent than the terms to which we had agreed. The man who broke that oath of silence could scarcely have a rag of honor or any of the consolations of religion left to him. We signed the document but not without a shudder. The president received our entrance money and without Moradu took us through into the smoking room of the suicide club. There we were introduced to our fellow members. This, full mustard of the plant?
No. Midland. By the way, it doesn't have any money. It's useful to offer champagne. It keeps up a good spirit, and, it's one of my little prerequisites. I shall have to leave that to you, I'm afraid, Colonel. Yes. In this four bottles with my compliment. Thank you very much. Oh, please make yourself at home. You're not about us with interest. Few of the other members were much above 30. One or two was still in their teens. One man interested me intensely. He was probably upwards of 40 but he looked fully at 10 years older. I'd never seen a man more naturally hideous nor one more ravaged by his excesses.
He was partly paralyzed and was the only man in the room who shared the composure over the president. I got into conversation with him. So you and you, gentlemen, are you? Well, perhaps I can help to set your mind at risk. I've been coming here regularly for two years now. Two years? The diaspora members could only speak to last for a week or so. Yes. But my case is peculiar. I'm not properly speaking of suicide at all. Really an honor, remember. I only visit the club once every two months or so, my insanity, you know. And I pay a special rate even though my luck has been quite extraordinary. Your luck? I'm very so don't very understand. Oh, no. Of course not. And the only member who comes here looking for death like you returns every evening till fortune favors him. He can even live on the premises quite cheaply. The president's company is worth the money in itself. Then I shouldn't have thought it. Oh, but you don't know the man. The drollest fellow. What stories and what finishes my figure is a permanent, they're like yourself? The only permanent, really. So far, I've been graciously spared, but I'm so at last. But the president never plays, of course. He shuffles and deals for us and makes all the necessary arrangements. He's been running the club for over three years, and not a whisper of suspicion has been aroused. Quite astonishing, will you come to think of it? And he assists the members to commit suicide? Yes. Indeed. The whole thing's in his hand. Do you remember the case last week, the man who had accidentally poisoned in a chemist's car? I've read about it in the papers. Beautifully arranged. Though one of our presidents, less racist notions, but how simple and how safe. You mean that man was one of the victims? I I mean, one of your members? Cool.
Nearly every accident which you read about in the papers, indeed in society, of course, is arranged for one or other of our members. Ex members, I Well, have to forget me. I'm still in the dark. And you said that you've been lucky enough in lasting so long. I thought that the whole idea was to die as quickly a problem. And, actually, but as I explained, I'm a special case. To me, the club is a sort of temporal intoxication. If I could stand the excitement, I should come here anticipation. I think I can say I've tried every other thought. You can't believe it, if you'd excuse me, sir. He's home. I'm flattered. Some people get their greatest excitement out of love or gambling or crime. To me, there's nothing so exciting as fear. In fact, you can envy me. I'm an utter coward. To such as me, the club offers particular excitement. It does.
And so in the dark, how is the excitement, as you call it, arranged? Of course, I feel, how the, victim, I think that was your word, how the victim is selected in the evening. But not only the victim, we have a member who is to act for the club and become death's high priest for the occasion. Gentlemen, you mean that they clear each other? I guess the trouble of committing suicide is removed. Winnings. You mean one of us may be take the decision to to do one of the other. Not. We should merely be doing him a service he requires. Would you refuse to oblige a friend? No. Since you say that the game is interesting and exciting, how is it playing? The members sit around the table and the president shuffles and deals the cards, one at a time to each member in turn. The member turns up his cards, and I assure you the suspense is almost unbearable.
Exquisite. One of the cards means that the member is to die. Exactly. The ace of spades is the card of death. And, the the card that turns him into a murderer, we prefer to say appoints him official of the night. That's the other ace, the ace of clumps. Now I could understand. Only too clearly. The man sitting by himself in the window, his head hanging, hands thrust deep in his trouser pockets, pale and sweating the spear, a wreck in sullen body. I could understand the cynical smile on the face of the president, the only one in the room who had nothing to lose but again, who charged each man the price of his death or the hire of the killer.
At last, be not again the man who had brought us to the club, the young madman of the cream path. Is this your first night here as a member? I take it that it is. Yes. As I said, quite a few of my friends have been members in the park. That's how I came to hear about it while they were waiting for their ace of spades. You knew there was a certain baronet who was crushed to death by a falling wall last month? Yeah. I seem to remember him. But was he a a member as well? He brought me with him to the door the night of the accident. Nobody outside this room knew what really happened to him.
And a member who abides him was drowned in a boating accident the following weekend. I hope to be unfortunate. On your first night, they're rather unlikely. Unlucky at love, you know, luckier times. I lay you five to one that I draw the estimate. I thought you'd spent your last sovereign on cream tart. Oh, I'm sorry, of course, I did. Wish me luck anyway. I wish you all that you wish yourselves. I wish you the same. If it's your pleasure, gentlemen This were decided. On way or Yeah. Out. There a folding door had been thrown open, and the whole roomful of men began to pass into the next room.
The gaming room itself was similar in every way to the one which we had left except for the furniture. The center of the room was occupied by a long green table at the head of which the president seated himself. In front of him was a pack of cards which he began to shuffle and cut with careful deliberation. 13 members sat down at the table. My friend allied between the young man and the semi paralyzed honorary member. You are gentlemen. For the benefit of our new members, each of you must declare the card that's been dealt to him before I deal the card to his neighbor. Is that understood?
Yes. That is. Very well then. I will begin to deal. Full of hearts. Just neighbor's spade. 10 parts. Queen of hearts. Three of cups. Of Cap. Eight of Diamond. Eight of Cap. Eight of Diamond. Eight of Cap. Eight of Diamond. Eight of Cap. What? No. No. I must ask you to declare your card, sir. The Ace of Cards. The Ace of Cliffs. The card of the killer had been dealt to the young man of the cream town. He dropped it on the table, his face whiter than the pasteboard, then left his face at the table and stumbled back into the smoking room. The excitement around the gaming table was now electric. The killer was known and somewhere among the remaining 12 was the victim.
Hope, fear, envy and abject terror shone from the watching eyes of the player, striking contrast to the cynical smile of the dealer. Eye of heart. King of spades. Four of diamonds. The card is not being dealt with every member on the table. The president began to deal the second round. Eight of clubs. Queen of space. Pirate class. Pickle diamond. Head and the sphinx. King of hearts. Two of diamonds. And once again, the deal will come round to me. As I turned my card on the table, my heart was pounding in my chest. 10 apart.
And now it was the turn of my neighbor, the honorary member. Yes. I've spared the oath. No. I don't want to die. I don't want to die. Came for a night was at an end. As we left the room, the president beckoned to the young man of the green tarts. The man who had hoped to die was receiving his instructions as official of the night. A friend and I made our escape as quickly as we could and behold, a handsome cab which took us back to our home and back to some degree of sanity. Next morning, my fellow came round to call on me out of breakfast. Hello?
Have you seen it? This morning's paper? No. What? I haven't looked at the paper, dear. Then read this. Mister Bartholomew Malthus, well known in social circles, and sir Andrew Flan were killed in a fall from the Fourth Floor window of the former town residence. It appears that sir Andrew had offered to assist mister Malthus up the stairs to his apartment as a letter was suffering from the effects of a partial stroke. On emerging from the lift, it is thought that mister Malthus must have been seized with an attack of giddiness which caused sir Andrew to lead into an open window at the end of the corridor. It is thought that one of the gentlemen must then have stumbled and that the other, in trying to save him, was dragged through the window in his turn.
The honor of the member and the young man of the Queen Tarth. So he died after all. Was it murder and suicide or murder and accidental death? I wonder. Whatever it was, you were or can spare them. Those are them. Yeah. There's only one thing lacking, to make a poetic justice. You mean the president? Yes. The president of the Seward House Club. What is the ultimate fate of those other members of the club? Whether the club is still in existence or whether the murderer whose brain conceives it came to a violent end in turn, that is something I shall never know.
All I know is this, that I never read of a fatal accident in the papers now without wondering whether it was an accident or just one further member of an association of madmen, madmen whose £40 had been paid to join the suicide club.
Hey, Mike. Glad you could join me for some great seafood. Me too. Wait. Why are you dressed in fishing gear? You said we were going out to catch great seafood. Right? Yes. To Popeye's. Do you even know how to fish? No. I thought you did. Oh, yeah. I could catch pretty good seafood at Popeye's. Let's go. Let Popeye's do the fishing while you enjoy our delicious signature seafood. Get Popeye's flounder fish sandwich or shrimp tackle box before they're gone. Limited time at participating US restaurants.
[00:00:39] Unknown:
It's mystery time. Tonight, mystery classic
[00:00:46] Unknown:
stars Laurence Olivier
[00:00:48] Unknown:
in the Suicide Club. And he died after all. Was it murder and suicide or murder and accidental death?
[00:01:07] Unknown:
A shuffle of the cards. Then they were dealt out. And if you draw the wrong cards give me the shiver. So I'm sure you'll listen as intently as I shall. It's that famous chilling classic by Robert Louis Stevenson now transcribed, The Suicide Club starring Laurence Olivier.
[00:01:39] Unknown:
This is the story of a frightening adventure. I do not propose to tell you my name. And after you've heard the story, you will be happy to understand why not. One night in an oyster bar not far from Leicester Square What's your man? That's what they're doing over there. The the one that's just coming in, right? It seems to be for those two commissionaires. It's got a dish or something, aren't they? Seem to be offering everyone something to eat. What are they? Pie? Yes. They look like it. Some sort of pot, I think. Yes. They're cream pot. It's cream tart in an oyster bar that never seems to be giving them away. I'm not surprised.
Maybe it's a wager. Well, well, look. We're gonna be offered some. Do you will you do me the honor of eating one of these now? I I can answer for the quality of the pastry. I've eaten 27 of them myself since 05:00. Twenty seven? That's all a lot, isn't it? Well, I just think so, sir. Every time my offer is rejected, I insist on eating the tarts myself. Alright then, Colonel. We'll help you out. On one condition, if my friends and I both eat your tarts, you must join us for supper. If this is a good idea. Well, I've the whole dozen is still on hand so I'll have to visit a few more bars before I go visit them all. If you're already hungry, gentlemen, I No. No. My friend and I will go around with you. It looks very pleasant way of passing and eating. Stupid.
Delicious. It shows a little French restaurant in Soho, ordered a private room, very good meal, and champagne for the occasion. Young man ate surprisingly well despite a job of 50 or so, and over the desert we persuaded him to begin his explanation. Is there any reason why I shouldn't tell you my story? So perhaps that's my thing to do, sir. Good for you. I come from quite a respectable family, you know, and I started life with quite a reasonable fortune. I had a lot of amusing adventures, even for a duel when I was in Paris. Oh. When I began to come to my senses, I had very little fortune left and promptly fell in love.
Oh. I had nothing left to offer the young lady. I came to the sad conclusion that there was really nothing very much left to live for. No. I got rid of all the money I had left under the last £80 which left me just £40 to get rid of during the course of today. £40. What happened to the other 40? That went for a very particular purpose. Well, I spent a very amusing day getting rid of my last £2 on the cream tarts over which we met. And I wanted to close a foolish life in a in a particularly foolish manner, which you must admit, I Well, I shouldn't deny that, but what happens next? Oh, I'm not complaining. And at least I'm not a coward. I've lived my life and enjoyed it. So now I simply have to get rid of it. Get rid of it. You mean you mean killing yourself?
No. Oh, who who had an often thought of doing this? You know, young fellow, it's a curious coincidence, Barlow, Barlow of London. You went and picked on a couple of people in much the same position as yourself. Yes. What? Yes. You mean you're ruined too? Mhmm. It is it's very excellent to have a last extravagance as well, like my dream does. Well, near enough. And just to get rid of any slight disparities, let's put £5 here on the table to cover the bill and have you a match. Yes? Thank you. Burn the rest like this. What the devil are you doing?
Don't be enough of Well, aren't we all? But what do you mean? Haven't you got any money left at all, ma'am? Why didn't you keep your £40? 40 pounds? Why another £40? Oh, so that might have won another 80. You must have spent the best part of a hundred. 40 pounds would have been enough. But without that, no admission. They're very strict about the rules. It's fine business when you can't even die without money. No. I think you better explain yourself. Do I have to? Mhmm. If it happened to 40 pounds, what's the point? Well, I haven't had enough for both of us. I think we really needed it. I thought you were in the same stretch as I was. I think remember that you had 80 pounds yesterday. Yes. Yes. I have. You are not fooling me. You you are as desperate as I am. Oh? Bored with life, if that's what you mean. Yes. Indeed. But I'd made that clear enough by burning my lost money. Perhaps you can afford to burn a hundred pounds of help. I'm no millionaire. That's what you mean to do.
Well, here's to your help. And good night, my merry-go-round. Oh no. You can't get out of it like that. You tell me that you're desperate and I accept the fact. Why should you have less confidence in me? In either of us. Yes. Why? Then you're not joking. You really are. Like you, we've had another blight, haven't we, colonel? Yes. Sooner or later, alone or together, we're prepared to put an entry in. That's quite right. Colonel. Yes. Well, now that we've come across, you and since you seem to be in a hurry, well, we can make it tonight just as easily. Quite. Why not? Why not all three of us together? Yes. Why not? That really goes for you as well, Carol. Yes. Yes. Personal provided you something in mind. And you really can't put up the 80 between you. I see. Two, fifteen, 20, 40, 60, 80 pounds. A few leftovers. I shouldn't forget about that. What I found each is the entrance fee. The entrance fee? Entrance fee to what?
To the suicide club. How it matters or who started the club, I don't exactly know. But what I do know, I'm under the tenting list. If you are really tired of life, both of you, I'll take you to a meeting of the club and if not tonight, at least sometime within the week, you'll quietly cease to live. And you say that you're a member of this club? Yes. I paid my subscription today. I shall be going there in what time is it? Yes. In half an hour. You've just got half an hour to make up your mind whether you're coming with me or not. If you were serious, then you'd love to lose. I'll be back to your decision. In half an hour, gentlemen. Now you have made up your mind first of this. You don't want to draw back while it's still time. No. I'm not gonna have it in drawing back either of this. Very well, ma'am. We'll take a four wheeler.
Drive us to readdress from this piece of paper. After you, Hello, gentlemen. In the circumstances, you'll appreciate that a certain amount of secrecy has called for until you're actually enrolled in the club. You'll forgive me if I take the precaution of flying in solving the bus. But, missus West, yes, I'm afraid it is. You see, gentlemen, this is not a joke. The cab stopped at large in a dark street and the young man paid it off. He took the bandages off our eyes and invited us to follow him down an alleyway. He knocked at the door.
The door was opened and we were ushered into an entrance hall. Young man left us for a few minutes and we heard voices: At last an inner door was opened and we found ourselves in the presence of the president of the club. Sit down, gentlemen. And truly you wish to see me? No. We wish to join your club, sir. The suicide club. Well, give me gentlemen. You appreciate I have to take precautions. So you wish to join the suicide club. May I ask your reasons? Well, I was a colonel till I was cashier for cheating a card. And you, sir? Sure, laziness.
Laziness? I think you must have a better reason than that. No. I should. I have. I've lost all my money. Can't be bothered to make it more. If I wasn't so experienced with these things, I should probably turn you both away. As it is, I happen to know that suicide is almost always committed to the most frivolous reasons. Very well then, if you are prepared to take this oath in the manner prescribed, you will be accepted as remembrance. The oath, I need hardly say, is an oath of secrecy. Be careful to make it bind me in the very highest degree. When you have taken the oath, if you're willing to do so, that is, then you'll be enrolled forthwith as members of the suicide club.
We have bound ourselves on oath to keep the secrets of the suicide club. Nothing could be conceived more passive than the obedient promise or more stringent than the terms to which we had agreed. The man who broke that oath of silence could scarcely have a rag of honor or any of the consolations of religion left to him. We signed the document but not without a shudder. The president received our entrance money and without Moradu took us through into the smoking room of the suicide club. There we were introduced to our fellow members. This, full mustard of the plant?
No. Midland. By the way, it doesn't have any money. It's useful to offer champagne. It keeps up a good spirit, and, it's one of my little prerequisites. I shall have to leave that to you, I'm afraid, Colonel. Yes. In this four bottles with my compliment. Thank you very much. Oh, please make yourself at home. You're not about us with interest. Few of the other members were much above 30. One or two was still in their teens. One man interested me intensely. He was probably upwards of 40 but he looked fully at 10 years older. I'd never seen a man more naturally hideous nor one more ravaged by his excesses.
He was partly paralyzed and was the only man in the room who shared the composure over the president. I got into conversation with him. So you and you, gentlemen, are you? Well, perhaps I can help to set your mind at risk. I've been coming here regularly for two years now. Two years? The diaspora members could only speak to last for a week or so. Yes. But my case is peculiar. I'm not properly speaking of suicide at all. Really an honor, remember. I only visit the club once every two months or so, my insanity, you know. And I pay a special rate even though my luck has been quite extraordinary. Your luck? I'm very so don't very understand. Oh, no. Of course not. And the only member who comes here looking for death like you returns every evening till fortune favors him. He can even live on the premises quite cheaply. The president's company is worth the money in itself. Then I shouldn't have thought it. Oh, but you don't know the man. The drollest fellow. What stories and what finishes my figure is a permanent, they're like yourself? The only permanent, really. So far, I've been graciously spared, but I'm so at last. But the president never plays, of course. He shuffles and deals for us and makes all the necessary arrangements. He's been running the club for over three years, and not a whisper of suspicion has been aroused. Quite astonishing, will you come to think of it? And he assists the members to commit suicide? Yes. Indeed. The whole thing's in his hand. Do you remember the case last week, the man who had accidentally poisoned in a chemist's car? I've read about it in the papers. Beautifully arranged. Though one of our presidents, less racist notions, but how simple and how safe. You mean that man was one of the victims? I I mean, one of your members? Cool.
Nearly every accident which you read about in the papers, indeed in society, of course, is arranged for one or other of our members. Ex members, I Well, have to forget me. I'm still in the dark. And you said that you've been lucky enough in lasting so long. I thought that the whole idea was to die as quickly a problem. And, actually, but as I explained, I'm a special case. To me, the club is a sort of temporal intoxication. If I could stand the excitement, I should come here anticipation. I think I can say I've tried every other thought. You can't believe it, if you'd excuse me, sir. He's home. I'm flattered. Some people get their greatest excitement out of love or gambling or crime. To me, there's nothing so exciting as fear. In fact, you can envy me. I'm an utter coward. To such as me, the club offers particular excitement. It does.
And so in the dark, how is the excitement, as you call it, arranged? Of course, I feel, how the, victim, I think that was your word, how the victim is selected in the evening. But not only the victim, we have a member who is to act for the club and become death's high priest for the occasion. Gentlemen, you mean that they clear each other? I guess the trouble of committing suicide is removed. Winnings. You mean one of us may be take the decision to to do one of the other. Not. We should merely be doing him a service he requires. Would you refuse to oblige a friend? No. Since you say that the game is interesting and exciting, how is it playing? The members sit around the table and the president shuffles and deals the cards, one at a time to each member in turn. The member turns up his cards, and I assure you the suspense is almost unbearable.
Exquisite. One of the cards means that the member is to die. Exactly. The ace of spades is the card of death. And, the the card that turns him into a murderer, we prefer to say appoints him official of the night. That's the other ace, the ace of clumps. Now I could understand. Only too clearly. The man sitting by himself in the window, his head hanging, hands thrust deep in his trouser pockets, pale and sweating the spear, a wreck in sullen body. I could understand the cynical smile on the face of the president, the only one in the room who had nothing to lose but again, who charged each man the price of his death or the hire of the killer.
At last, be not again the man who had brought us to the club, the young madman of the cream path. Is this your first night here as a member? I take it that it is. Yes. As I said, quite a few of my friends have been members in the park. That's how I came to hear about it while they were waiting for their ace of spades. You knew there was a certain baronet who was crushed to death by a falling wall last month? Yeah. I seem to remember him. But was he a a member as well? He brought me with him to the door the night of the accident. Nobody outside this room knew what really happened to him.
And a member who abides him was drowned in a boating accident the following weekend. I hope to be unfortunate. On your first night, they're rather unlikely. Unlucky at love, you know, luckier times. I lay you five to one that I draw the estimate. I thought you'd spent your last sovereign on cream tart. Oh, I'm sorry, of course, I did. Wish me luck anyway. I wish you all that you wish yourselves. I wish you the same. If it's your pleasure, gentlemen This were decided. On way or Yeah. Out. There a folding door had been thrown open, and the whole roomful of men began to pass into the next room.
The gaming room itself was similar in every way to the one which we had left except for the furniture. The center of the room was occupied by a long green table at the head of which the president seated himself. In front of him was a pack of cards which he began to shuffle and cut with careful deliberation. 13 members sat down at the table. My friend allied between the young man and the semi paralyzed honorary member. You are gentlemen. For the benefit of our new members, each of you must declare the card that's been dealt to him before I deal the card to his neighbor. Is that understood?
Yes. That is. Very well then. I will begin to deal. Full of hearts. Just neighbor's spade. 10 parts. Queen of hearts. Three of cups. Of Cap. Eight of Diamond. Eight of Cap. Eight of Diamond. Eight of Cap. Eight of Diamond. Eight of Cap. What? No. No. I must ask you to declare your card, sir. The Ace of Cards. The Ace of Cliffs. The card of the killer had been dealt to the young man of the cream town. He dropped it on the table, his face whiter than the pasteboard, then left his face at the table and stumbled back into the smoking room. The excitement around the gaming table was now electric. The killer was known and somewhere among the remaining 12 was the victim.
Hope, fear, envy and abject terror shone from the watching eyes of the player, striking contrast to the cynical smile of the dealer. Eye of heart. King of spades. Four of diamonds. The card is not being dealt with every member on the table. The president began to deal the second round. Eight of clubs. Queen of space. Pirate class. Pickle diamond. Head and the sphinx. King of hearts. Two of diamonds. And once again, the deal will come round to me. As I turned my card on the table, my heart was pounding in my chest. 10 apart.
And now it was the turn of my neighbor, the honorary member. Yes. I've spared the oath. No. I don't want to die. I don't want to die. Came for a night was at an end. As we left the room, the president beckoned to the young man of the green tarts. The man who had hoped to die was receiving his instructions as official of the night. A friend and I made our escape as quickly as we could and behold, a handsome cab which took us back to our home and back to some degree of sanity. Next morning, my fellow came round to call on me out of breakfast. Hello?
Have you seen it? This morning's paper? No. What? I haven't looked at the paper, dear. Then read this. Mister Bartholomew Malthus, well known in social circles, and sir Andrew Flan were killed in a fall from the Fourth Floor window of the former town residence. It appears that sir Andrew had offered to assist mister Malthus up the stairs to his apartment as a letter was suffering from the effects of a partial stroke. On emerging from the lift, it is thought that mister Malthus must have been seized with an attack of giddiness which caused sir Andrew to lead into an open window at the end of the corridor. It is thought that one of the gentlemen must then have stumbled and that the other, in trying to save him, was dragged through the window in his turn.
The honor of the member and the young man of the Queen Tarth. So he died after all. Was it murder and suicide or murder and accidental death? I wonder. Whatever it was, you were or can spare them. Those are them. Yeah. There's only one thing lacking, to make a poetic justice. You mean the president? Yes. The president of the Seward House Club. What is the ultimate fate of those other members of the club? Whether the club is still in existence or whether the murderer whose brain conceives it came to a violent end in turn, that is something I shall never know.
All I know is this, that I never read of a fatal accident in the papers now without wondering whether it was an accident or just one further member of an association of madmen, madmen whose £40 had been paid to join the suicide club.
Introduction to the Mystery Classic
The Story Begins: A Frightening Adventure
A Peculiar Dinner and a Dark Revelation
Joining the Suicide Club
Inside the Club: Rules and Members
The Deadly Game: Cards of Fate
The Aftermath: A Fatal Fall
Reflections on the Club's Fate
