In this thrilling episode of Mystery Theater, host E.G. Marshall invites listeners into the eerie world of the supernatural with the story "Afterword," adapted from Edith Wharton's classic tale. The episode follows Mary Boyne, who, along with her husband Ned, moves into a secluded Tudor house in England, only to be haunted by the mysterious ghost of Ling. As the Boynes settle into their new home, they are confronted with strange occurrences and an ominous figure that seems to be linked to a dark past.
As the story unfolds, Mary becomes increasingly concerned about her husband's erratic behavior, which seems to be tied to a lawsuit back in America involving a man named Elwell. The tension escalates when Ned mysteriously disappears after a visit from a stranger, leading Mary to uncover a chilling connection between the ghostly presence and her husband's fate. With a gripping narrative and a haunting atmosphere, this episode explores themes of guilt, betrayal, and the supernatural, leaving listeners on the edge of their seats.
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[00:00:04]
Unknown:
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[00:00:27] Unknown:
O'Reilly. Auto parts. So mystery theater presents Come in. Welcome. I'm E. G. Marshall, bringing you, hopefully, an enjoyable shutter. Certainly fans of the occult like the dark and dangerous tales we've seen because of the vicarious enjoyment that comes from the delicious shivers of the supernatural But let me issue a warning to all you ghost lovers. Do not I repeat, do not ever make the mistake of thinking that ghosts are what? Mrs. Mary Boyne and her husband did. And this tale tells what happened to them.
[00:01:33] Unknown:
I stood at the library windows of the beautiful old house of Blaine and peered out in the gathering dust. And I saw a figure. For a moment, a shudder ran through me. I thought I'd spotted the elusive burst of Laine. And when the figure entered the library, I
[00:01:50] Unknown:
my god. What's the trouble, Mary? Would you I would've took you for our amusing girls. Oh, Mary. Mary, we've had a great marriage up to now and my problems stem from America and not from any crazy old ghost. And if you'll forget the ghost, we'll all be a lot happier. Our mystery drama Afterword was adapted from the Edith Wharton classic especially for the mystery theater by Murray Burnett and stars Celeste Holmes. I'll be back shortly with that one. Remember the phrase Kilroy was here so popular back in the days of World War II I feel certain most of you remember but if we go back a few years farther how many of you recall the phrase the little man wasn't there what do all these phrases have to do with our tale well stretching a point we might say that our story concerns the ghost that wasn't there or at least not when you expected it if this sounds confusing let's listen to the lady whose story it is
[00:03:20] Unknown:
My name is Mary Boyne. My address is Suite 357 In A Wood, Dorsetshire, England. Of course I'm American and alone insane the reason I mentioned Sanity is because they call this place a rest home but actually it's a place for people who have money and who are supposed to be not quite right in the head I told you I am saying but I must confess it's difficult to understand how I managed to retain my sanity after what happened but you'll be the judge and jury I'll start at the beginning back in America in a little town of Walkershaw and the little house where I lived happily with Ned
[00:04:05] Unknown:
Ned, you're home already You bet I'm not only home home early darling but I'm home for good. I've sold the Blue Star Mine for $5,000,000. Oh. Mary, Mary my love. Oh.
[00:04:17] Unknown:
You're so sorry darling but but you're joking.
[00:04:21] Unknown:
Never more serious. We're finished with drudgery darling. Finished living in this house, in this town, and don't even bother to pack. Let's just make our dream come true today.
[00:04:37] Unknown:
I know that Americans are often impulsive, generous, and even forgive me. Sometimes the price of foolish. But I must say, mister and missus Boyne, you are something new in my experience as a realtor. Well, is that a nice English way of saying you don't have a suitable house horse? Not at all, mister boy. Oh. Please forgive my husband, missus Dare, but our search for a house in England is the answer to what both he and I have always considered an impossible dream. You see, I was born in England and I went to America as a child and I've always wanted to return and now we can. Is it so strange that we want a house we ourselves can remodel and modernize?
[00:05:15] Unknown:
No. That's understandable.
[00:05:17] Unknown:
To be so far for many means of transportation. Perhaps I should say that Ned and I are really looking for two things, to get away from our old lifestyle in America and to find our roots. Yes. So I have a house that seems to be made to order for your specification. It's been on the market for years because it needs so much remodeling and it's 14 miles from the nearest rail station. Station. Great. Great. Let me finish. It was built in the time of the two d's. Oh. We need a tremendous amount of modernization, particularly in the matter of heating and hot water. Sounds super to me. But how about a ghost, missus Stare? Oh, gorgeous.
Full of ghosts. That's nice. But I did still want one of my own right on the premises. Oh, missus Boyden. You shouldn't ask for anything like that. There is a traditional ghost that goes along with the house. Ghost that goes along with the house, particularly nasty ghost. Those are rather strange ones. Strange? How so? Because the history of the ghost of your house at Lien is that no one knows that they see the ghost
[00:06:30] Unknown:
until long after one. Well, that's crazy.
[00:06:33] Unknown:
Well, no one would make the ghost a ghost except for the fact that you know when you see it. It either moans or wears white shrouds or touches you with icy things. Well, the only thing I can tell you is that there are stories about the ghost of King, and every single one of them is identical. The person who sees the ghost doesn't know it's a ghost
[00:06:53] Unknown:
until afterwards. Oh, forget it, Mary. No. No. Life is too short to enjoy a ghost. You've gotta wait to find out if it's a real ghost or not. But but this house at Ling seems to have so much else going for it. Darling, I think we really should take a look at it.
[00:07:11] Unknown:
We went, we looked, and we were conquered Both Ned and I fell instantly in love with Ling It was a lovely old Tudor house just as the agent had described it Exactly what we both dreamed of And it was definitely secluded We bought it and moved it But although I was in seventh heaven and up to my ears and planning for remodeling the old house, there was something definitely wrong with me. Oh, these powders don't do a thing for my headache. The doctor said I know what the doctor said, darling, and I followed his description, but I still have the headache. Darling? Mhmm. Do you think perhaps we've made a mistake about this house? No. No. Lane is perfect.
[00:07:48] Unknown:
Perfect. We both knew at the moment we saw it. The gardens are a delight and under your tender loving care grow more beautiful every day. Oh, with Hilton's great help. Nonsense. No Hilton is a good gardener darling but he hasn't your green thumb. No, no my love. The house is perfect and there's absolutely nothing wrong. These headaches will go away in time. So you're not gonna tell me? Dear heart, there is nothing to tell.
[00:08:14] Unknown:
But I knew better. Something was very wrong and I intended to find out what it was. Lydia Westlake was the village librarian and had been ever since the oldest inhabitant could remember. Hey, missus Bond. What's your pleasure? Is there anything I can do for you? Miss Westlake, I really must apologize for not coming to see you in this lovely old library before. My dear, no apologies, missus Fey. Everyone in town knows how busy you've been catching up, Denny. Well, that's one reason I'm here. To ask if you have any any books about the history of Lenny. Oh, you mean about the architecture? Oh, not exactly.
The whole well, everything. Maybe even something about the ghost. And I really shouldn't say this, but it's best for everyone to try to forget about the Bingo ghost. Believe me. Oh, I believe you, miss Westlake. But, I'm still interested in everything about Lane. Well, then, you're tying some books on the history of Lane under 06/02/1926. There were three books. I took them all and went back to Ling and started to read. Two incidents mentioned the Ling ghost and they were absolutely horrifying. What I haven't told the librarian in was that I wanted to find out more about the ghost because of the way Ned was acting. Who's the devil, is it? Well, it's me, darling.
[00:09:49] Unknown:
I'm sorry, Mary. It's it's stuff that I'm, well, I'm sorry. Have the service been interrupting me? No. No. No. No. No. I have Oh, gosh. We've never kept secrets from each other. It's my consultation work with the Blue Star mind back in The States. Why in the world should that be so disturbed? No. No. There were some, problems. I I hadn't, hadn't expected.
[00:10:12] Unknown:
I've never seen you, Locksmith. Is there any chance we'll have to go back to my mind? No. No. No. No. It's nothing like that. It's just that there's,
[00:10:20] Unknown:
well, there's a troublemaker who's after me. Darling, tell me how you're coming with the house and you research on the ghost. I don't wanna hear any more about that ghost. Oh, why there's something about face? I just don't. That's all.
[00:10:34] Unknown:
Let's make a pact. You stop worrying and I'll stop talking about the ghost. The pact didn't work. Oh, how I wish it had. Perhaps things would not have turned out the way they did. If we had left Lynn and I had listened to my presenting about the Lynn Ghost,
[00:10:54] Unknown:
Ned grew more irritable and I ever more frightened. What's the matter with those schools back in Walker Shaw? They can't handle the simplest matters without asking
[00:11:02] Unknown:
me a million questions. Ned, why don't you give up the consulting job? We don't really need it. I mean, do we? No. No. Not the money. But in a way
[00:11:10] Unknown:
well, in a way we do need it. But only you can't. Well, it's a complicated business, Mary. Involving lawyers and a lot of legal matters that would only bore you. Both of me? I'd rather be bored or
[00:11:16] Unknown:
legal matters that would only bore you. Both of me? I'd rather be bored or or sad or anything. If only I could see you more alive. Well, you will. You will, darling.
[00:11:26] Unknown:
It'll just, take a little time. Time for what? Well, I, I have problems with the blue star. So, look. Why why don't you bring me up to date on your ghost,
[00:11:37] Unknown:
Oh, Ned. Because I'm frightened. I read a story in one of those books I took from the library about the young wife of the son of the man who built Bling Ball. And what about it? Well, it seems she had fallen madly in love with one of those men here before she met the Lane's son
[00:11:54] Unknown:
and Oh man what, Well please darling it can't be all that shocking now in this day and age. Well she
[00:12:02] Unknown:
she disposed of an unwanted child and kept it a secret form. Some years later after she was happily married and had a little girl of her own, she was out strolling through these gardens one day when she met an absolutely enchanting young girl just about her daughter's age they all hit it all very well and soon the three became friends the only thing was that they couldn't ever figure out where this enchanting child lived or who were her parents and this began to bury the young mistress of Lynn until one day her daughter disappeared and was never found or seen again Well, yeah, I don't understand Don't you? The mother did.
She had seen the ghost again. Her daughter's little friend. The ghost was the illegitimate child she killed. Only she didn't know till afterwards.
[00:12:58] Unknown:
I'm sorry, Mary, for making you tell me that story.
[00:13:04] Unknown:
There's more in those old books. There's something about a secret staircase. Oh? I showed you that'd be located. You've got a marvelous bird's eye view of the entire Well, that sounds like
[00:13:15] Unknown:
fun. What is your research for? Uh-oh. Ken. I have to work on my correspondence but if and when you find it, give me a shot. I'll be in the library.
[00:13:29] Unknown:
I set off on another escalation blade, but this time with a purpose. I'm fine, just like a heroine in some gothic novel. I pressed the panel of the old wainscoting in one of the rooms and it slid back revealing a wall circular side of stairs ending up. I climbed the tiny course crease staircase to the roof of Len. Oh, the book hadn't exaggerated the beauty of the view. I called excitedly down and said, Ned. Ned. I found it. And it's beautiful. Come out here and see.
[00:14:07] Unknown:
Wow. Oh, Jacqueline. This This is really something. What you can see for miles? How did you find it? Just follow the directions in the book. When I'm pressing the paneling and suddenly there it was.
[00:14:18] Unknown:
What? Just look. Because I know you can see farther than I can. Oh, but darling, your eyes are more beautiful.
[00:14:26] Unknown:
Hello. Now who's that? Who? Well, can't you see that man coming towards the house? I I've got a good job. Please who it is. Ned. Ned. Wait for me.
[00:14:38] Unknown:
There you are, darling. Come and look him all before you. I've been right here in the library. Once you gassed off that roof and went running out the front door. Who was it?
[00:14:48] Unknown:
Who was what? The man you saw coming toward you in the garden. Oh, that man. Well, I, you see, dear, I thought I saw the gardener and I ran after him to tell him about some of the dreams which need tending. But, you see he disappeared before I reached him. Disappeared? Mhmm. How did you see me walking so slowly towards the house? Not away from him. Well, that's the way it seemed to be too but I guess we must have been wrong unless unless it could have been the ghost now we all know there are no such things as ghosts or at least some of us know but one thing we would all agree upon is that if there really are ghosts they won't go away even if you don't mention them.
I'll be back shortly with more mention and more answers to the mysterious ghost of Ling. Institutions for the mentally ill have come a long way. They are quite beautiful and often look like an ideal retirement home. Even on the inside where everyone wears a smile, it takes an expert to be able to see some of the anguish that lies behind the smile, like the pain that continually wracks Mary Boyne.
[00:16:31] Unknown:
None of the staff know the desks at Inlewood West Home can understand why I hate to hear the sound of the person's whistle when he comes in the mail. They think it's because I have no one who cares enough to write to me. So it's true that I have no one, but the reason I read the postman's whistle is because if it weren't for the postman and the mail and there I am confusing you again. But it all relates to one arrival of the male of Green.
[00:16:58] Unknown:
Well, this is, from old Joe Sickwell asking how we are and,
[00:17:03] Unknown:
this one's for you. I'm so glad there are no letters to disturb you. What's this? Let me see.
[00:17:10] Unknown:
The newspaper clipping.
[00:17:12] Unknown:
Front page article from the Walkershaw Sentinel It says that a man named Elwell has brought a lawsuit against you That there was something wrong about the Blue Star Mine
[00:17:23] Unknown:
I haven't read it it all but But sorry, you wouldn't understand more than half of it even if you finished Oh maybe not
[00:17:30] Unknown:
but now I understand what it is that's any further than me No it's really nothing Nothing On the front page of the Sentinel
[00:17:39] Unknown:
Ned, what's this all about? Oh now why don't we have some tea first? This lawsuit isn't new to you No, no of course not I've
[00:17:47] Unknown:
I've known about it for some time Of course you have and you've been having sleepless nights and headaches for some time
[00:17:53] Unknown:
What does this man accuse you of? Oh pretty nearly everything he could dream up Why?
[00:17:59] Unknown:
Why would a man do that? Oh because he figures he can make some money Surely he must have some reason There must be something he thinks he's done alright
[00:18:09] Unknown:
Alright darling, I'll tell you the whole story Mary, dear you must know that whenever a fortune is made overnight there are always some envious people who believe they deserve a share of the windfall. And that's exactly what Elwell thinks. Who is Elwell? I don't know that name. Well, he's, he's a man I put in to the Blue Star. He made some money and now he wants more. How did you put him into it? Well, he he, brought me the samples to be a save and, well, I told you about it at the time that I, didn't make a big deal out of it in case they proved to be worthless.
[00:18:45] Unknown:
I think I'm
[00:18:47] Unknown:
but if everything is the way you say and you pay? Well, of course I paid him. Him. Well then why did he sue me now? Oh well probably because some lawyer got hold of him and talked to me into it hoping for a fat fee or or maybe he thought I'd get scared. Now Bob Elwell ought to have known me better than that.
[00:19:08] Unknown:
I couldn't agree with that Anyone did business with Ned would know he wasn't the sort of bit frightened of anything But there was no question that he was worried and I was hardly surprised when he turned to me one night and said Darling, have you any idea how long it's supposed to be before you know whether or not you've seen the lame ghost?
[00:19:26] Unknown:
Why? No none have you? No. No of course not
[00:19:32] Unknown:
You're rather an odd question to ask me darling unless you think you have seen the dove Well I really don't know why I asked the question that just popped into my head and so I asked it I know your engineer's mind, Nat and I know how it worried and worried about a problem that you've solved it Now I want you to tell me something on your solemn word of honor
[00:19:52] Unknown:
Promise? Okay, my word of honor
[00:19:55] Unknown:
That you believe you have seen the Ling Ghost and that you're trying to keep it from me and that's what's worrying
[00:20:00] Unknown:
you? Cross my heart darling I don't think I've seen the Ling Ghost at least not to my knowledge because according to the ancient tradition one really doesn't know when he's seen the ghost
[00:20:18] Unknown:
And with that I had to be satisfied I knew my husband there was no more to be gained from questioning him I thought to myself maybe there was something to be gained from questioning the ghost that is if I could manage to locate the elusive spirit
[00:20:33] Unknown:
of course I knew that you weren't supposed to be able to know you'd seen the ghost but I was haunted by the idea
[00:20:38] Unknown:
of the disappearing figure we'd seen from the rooftop so once again I climbed the small secret stairway and stood on the roof ledge I cupped my hands and shouted to the sky Oh spirit Spector Shadow whatever you choose to call yourself we've done you no harm We want to live here in peace
[00:21:02] Unknown:
Oh ghost of Ling break with the past break with tradition and show yourself to me Mary Mary what on earth do you think you're doing? That's obvious isn't it darling? Well if you mean you're making a darn fool of yourself and incidentally of me yes Well I'm sorry if I were stupid it isn't stupidity Mary it's just this obsession of yours with a ghost you're only adding to my worries I don't want that you know I don't want that well then maybe maybe we should leave Lee
[00:21:30] Unknown:
But I love this house and so do you. Well
[00:21:34] Unknown:
but I think there's something else we have to do and let's get right on with it.
[00:21:44] Unknown:
Ned was just trying to help me like the staff here at Innoood and he thought maybe by arranging a seance with a reputable and respected medium might put my mind at rest Ned thought that perhaps the medium might be able to get through and reach the ghost.
[00:22:00] Unknown:
Now, you both understand that as a man of integrity, I can promise you nothing. Yes, mister Woods. You've already made that very clear. It is difficult to overemphasize the possibility of failure. Can we start, please? Please be patient, missus Boyne. All the research I have done on the ghost of Ling seems to bear out the tradition. He or she appears and only afterwards
[00:22:25] Unknown:
do the people realize they have made contact with the ghost. Yes. We know all that. But isn't it also true that there's never been an attempt to reach this ghost through a reputable medium? That that is so. Well, that's why we came to you. I wanna find out if there is a ghost of Ling. And if there is, you should be able to reach him. I should but as I said to you, let's not go through all that again. Let's hope you will succeed. Right. Now, this is our first seance.
[00:22:57] Unknown:
Ah, well, every print it is very much like what you have read in books and heard about. We would keep this room dimly candled it just as it is now. And so, ask you to join hands with me.
[00:23:13] Unknown:
That is it? Now, close your eyes and concentrate On what? On the ghost. But I won't just think of the ghost this is going.
[00:23:32] Unknown:
If there is any communication it must come through me.
[00:23:44] Unknown:
Is that all? Is it over now?
[00:23:47] Unknown:
It is over. Yes. Well, you said you might fail.
[00:23:52] Unknown:
I did not say it. We did see or hear a thing. Did you, Ned? Uh-oh. Nothing. I pierced the veil. I reached my control. Well, then what? You said you thought I was an expert. And I believe I convinced you that I am not a fake. Well, okay.
[00:24:32] Unknown:
Ned, tell me,
[00:24:34] Unknown:
did you believe mister Woods? Well, darling, he's supposed to be the best and he said there definitely wasn't any ghosted bling
[00:24:41] Unknown:
Hey Something's happened to you What? It's happened since the sale I don't know what you're talking about They're different Oh, come on Mary Maybe something did happen at that seance Or I mean those drawn lines in your face have disappeared Smiles come back into your eyes
[00:24:59] Unknown:
You slept better last night Come on Admit it Alright, alright I admit that but it has nothing to do with the seance. Well then what caused the change? Well, perhaps it was a cable I received yesterday saying that I could probably expect some very good news about that Elwell suit very shortly. And it was the lawsuit that bothered you after all. Well, yes. Perhaps more than I knew. Well, at any rate, we'll find out with tomorrow's nail. Has the nail come yet? No. No. Not yet, darling. Anyway, I thought you, you were gonna be all taken up with that engineer from Dorsetshire who's gonna show us how to install a hot water system. Well, I'm looking forward to his visit but I I remember what you said about the mail. Oh oh. There's a postman now dear. Let me beat you to it Mary. We'll go together. Alright. Here we are.
[00:25:50] Unknown:
Oh, airmail special from Waukesha. What is that? Open it. Open it.
[00:25:58] Unknown:
Good news, darling. Do you want? You want the lawsuit? No. The suit's been withdrawn. So there's nothing to worry about. Then everything's alright. Oh. Couldn't be right there. No. How about giving me a kiss? And you go wait for that engineer.
[00:26:17] Unknown:
One of the strangest things I remember was my total sense of security as Ned held me in his arms I left Ned and walked out of the garden Oh, the day was beautiful It seemed even brighter than it actually was because of the change in med As I walked along the side stones I I heard footsteps behind me I stopped and turned
[00:26:37] Unknown:
I came to see Mr. Boyne
[00:26:39] Unknown:
I'm Mrs. Boyne Do you have an appointment with my husband? I think he expects this Well, he's working on a book so he never sees anyone in the morning Oh Wait, you seem tired Have you come a long way?
[00:26:57] Unknown:
Yes I have come a long way Well then I suppose if you go to the house my husband will see you
[00:27:03] Unknown:
You'll find him in the library It's that way I watched the stranger enter the house and then I went to find the gardener and soon the engineer arrived and the morning just sped by. We finished with the plan for the hot water system and it was time for lunch. I went to the dining room but Ned wasn't at the table Nobody in the library I remember calling and calling and then asking the servants whether they'd seen him but Ned was nowhere to be found not at the luncheon not in the garden not in the house He didn't come back that afternoon.
And was he there for dinner? By that time I was frantic and called the police. The local police shook their heads and called in Scotland Yard.
[00:27:46] Unknown:
Well now Mrs. Bourne I can only try to reassure you by telling you that we haven't found your husband's body. But that's very reassuring, Inspector. You you're telling me my husband has just disappeared into thin air, vanished without a tree? Oh, no, ma'am. What I'm trying to say is that if there was any foul play, and in these cases sometimes there is, we usually find the body of the dead man within forty eight hours. So perhaps I was clumsy, but I was trying to tell you that there is hope that mister Boin is alive. Oh, then where is he? Oh, of course. I can't answer that question for you at this time. But I promise you, missus Boyne, all the resources of Scotland Yard will be employed to find him for you.
[00:28:36] Unknown:
I must admit the Inspector kept his word and also kept my hopes alive The yard kept me up to date on every development But alas they were so pitifully few They did nothing to nourish my hope my darling Ned would soon come back to
[00:28:59] Unknown:
me all the resources of Scotland Yard will they prove to be as as all the king's men and all the king's horses in putting Humpty Dumpty together again? Or will they come up with some strange and sinister solution to the disappearance of Ned Boyne. I'll be back with the answers shortly. The disappearance of husbands is usually regarded by most police as a mystery with fairly obvious solutions. Most commonly, the police look for the runaway mate who's been unable to cope with a nagging wife or secondarily, a woman who has decided to strike out looking for a new mate by disposing of the old one.
Of course, neither of these theories was even entertained for a moment by Scotland Yard in the case of the disappearance of Ned Boyne. Missus Boyne, we all know what a good marriage you and mister Boyne had, but we're momentarily at a loss. Commanders doesn't vanish off the face of the earth. Not without leaving clues. Something that will help us find him. Now if you don't mind, we'll just go back once more over the way you found out he was he was gone.
[00:30:14] Unknown:
I spent most of the morning with a mister Loomis, an engineer from Dorsetshire,
[00:30:19] Unknown:
going over some plans he had for installing a hot water. If you don't mind, I'd like to get to the stranger who asked for your husband. Well, I've told you everything I know about him. And told it well, ma'am. A good description. Much better than we got from Nellie, the housemaid. She saw him too? Oh, yes. Indeed. We even found out that he wrote his name on a card he gave us. Oh, then you should know? If I may, ma'am, let me just condense the maid's testimony from my notes here. Now, she said that the gentleman was a stranger and perhaps a foreigner. He asked for mister Boime and she asked who was calling.
And then he wrote his name on a piece of paper and asked her to carry it into your husband. Well, didn't you ask her what Ned, my husband said when she brought him the paper? Oh, Nellie told us your husband didn't have time to say anything because just as she handed the paper to mister Boyne, she realized that the stranger had followed her into the library. She left them together. Nellie says that she left this stranger alone in the library with my husband.
[00:31:22] Unknown:
How can we be so sure that Ned left the house? It isn't the maid's evidence we're going by mum.
[00:31:29] Unknown:
Hilton, the gardener's, where he saw your husband leave the house by the front door accompanied by a gentleman. And he gives a description which pretty much tallies with yours and telly's. But why?
[00:31:41] Unknown:
Why would it just go off like that without a word to me or to anyone? You already said your husband has been worried.
[00:31:48] Unknown:
So if you could give us some clue as to what it was that was bothering him. And I told you about that lawsuit back in America. But you didn't tell us about the seance and your attempts to locate the lingo's. Now surely, Inspector, you're not going to tell me that
[00:32:02] Unknown:
Scotland Yard is taking ghost stories seriously.
[00:32:06] Unknown:
Oh, no, ma'am. But if mister Boin did, it might be some explanation of his erratic behavior. Are you telling me that you think my husband was mentally ill? Well, now, ma'am, we need something to explain a happily married wealthy man walking off in the middle of the morning accompanied by a stranger and so far, even no trace. But what about that unfinished letter you found in the library? Who obviously had to do with that business in America which you, ma'am, assured us wasn't bothering your husband one bit.
[00:32:39] Unknown:
But he didn't write the word safer, didn't he? Who was Parvis?
[00:32:44] Unknown:
Now we've checked. And mister Parvis is a perfectly respectable attorney back in Waukesha. And your husband's unfinished letter simply reads, my dear Parvis, I have just received your letter announcing Elwill's death. And while I suppose there is now no farther risk of trouble, it might be safer Yes. He says trouble, doesn't he? Oh, he does indeed. And you believe that trouble could be so serious as to make him disappear without a word to you about it or the reason for leaving? Oh, no. We just can't believe that, missus Boyan. Then what do you believe? I mean, what has happened? Missus Boyne, has your husband ever suffered from amnesia? Never.
Does he have any medical history you could tell us about? Ned was always helping. Well, England is a hard place to get lost in, mom. It's almost impossible for two men to slip unnoticed through or out of the country. How about just walking? Missus Boyne, we have every official means of investigation working, and we found nothing.
[00:33:53] Unknown:
And so things remained at a stalemate for the next fortnight. Despite the fact that my husband's name was headlined in every newspaper and his likeness looked down into my anguished eyes from the walls of every town and village there was still not one single word and no trace at his moment And then one morning Nellie brought a card to me in the library with the name Edward Parvis on it and a new hope flooded my heart. Mrs. Boyne? Mister Parvis from Waukesha. You're the attorney my husband wrote to. Yes. I found myself here in England and I thought I should visit you and Oh I'm so glad you did You heard of course of my husband's disappearance and I'm hoping that you've come to shed some light on it
[00:34:38] Unknown:
Well I'm afraid you're in for disappointment
[00:34:42] Unknown:
My errand is of quite a different nature. But his last unfinished letter was to you. I mean, should have Missus Boyne,
[00:34:49] Unknown:
is it possible you're unaware of what went on back at Walkershaw?
[00:34:54] Unknown:
Oh, my husband and I were very close. We had no secrets of each other.
[00:34:58] Unknown:
Well, I'm wondering
[00:35:06] Unknown:
completely confused. I I don't know them. Mr. Pravick, you must bear with me. I do need your
[00:35:14] Unknown:
help. And I'm almost beginning to believe you. What? First of all, Bob Elwell is dead. His wife's a proud woman, and so she fought on as long as she could. It's come out now how badly off the family is and we're taking up a fund for her.
[00:35:32] Unknown:
Oh, well. Wait. That was the man Ned told me has helped him with the Blue Star.
[00:35:39] Unknown:
That's what he told you, is it? Well, it's true, isn't it? It's true. And yet it's well, all I can say is that it was business. I don't understand at all. Bob Elwell just wasn't smart enough. Let's put it that way. It's the kind of thing that happens every day in business.
[00:36:00] Unknown:
But, DeParvis, I think you're trying to tell me nicely that my husband did something dishonorable. I I don't want you getting the wrong idea about Ned. He committed no crime.
[00:36:11] Unknown:
What exactly did he do? He well, he went into business with Bob Elwell, and, Bob should have been more careful about what he signed.
[00:36:22] Unknown:
Why don't you come right out and say that Bob Elwell should never have trusted Ned?
[00:36:27] Unknown:
It was Elwell's claim that he came to Ned with the first samples from the Blue Star. You see the Blue Star had been started and then abandoned. And, Elwell believed there was a chance the previous owners had had quit too soon. But he came to my husband with this sample. That's right. And your husband assayed. They both wanted to keep the whole thing quiet because if there was any chance the Blue Star was still worth something, well,
[00:36:59] Unknown:
I don't have to tell you what that would have meant. And then decided that the Blue Star was still a gold mine. Right.
[00:37:06] Unknown:
Your husband and Elwell had to buy the Blue Star. They bought it together? They did. Elwell borrowed most of the money he put up to purchase the mine. But so far that all seems pretty straightforward. Uh-huh. Ned had the papers drawn up and Elwell, well, he should have read them more carefully. Why? What did the paper say? That after Elwell had been paid back for the money he'd invested and received a profit of 5%, the entire ownership of the Blue Star reverted to Ned. Oh, no. Yeah. It was business, missus Boyne.
[00:37:43] Unknown:
Elwell didn't have to sign it. Evidence of his lawyers felt that there was some merit to his claim when he sued Ned recently.
[00:37:50] Unknown:
Yeah. They soon found out they didn't have a leg to stand on. But if Elwell was so badly off, where did he find the money to hire lawyers? A lot of people thought Elwell had been treated badly,
[00:38:02] Unknown:
and his lawyer was one of them. You mean they took the case for nothing?
[00:38:05] Unknown:
On a contingency basis. But when they saw they didn't have a case, they advised Elwell to withdraw the suit. Elwell became despondent and shot himself.
[00:38:18] Unknown:
Shot himself? He killed himself because of that? Well, he didn't kill himself exactly.
[00:38:26] Unknown:
He dragged on two months before he died. And he tried to kill himself and failed?
[00:38:31] Unknown:
And then tried again? No. He didn't have to try again.
[00:38:38] Unknown:
Well, the newspaper got hold of it, and it's all been raked up again, and this collection thing's been started. You know, most of us back in Waukesha like Bob Elwell. Here here's an account of the whole thing from the Sentinel.
[00:38:56] Unknown:
Maybe it would help you if she looked it over. From the headline, it would seem the Sentinel knows who's to blame. Widow of Ned Boyne's victim forced to appeal for aid. And I thought maybe you might care to This picture.
[00:39:11] Unknown:
This this picture. It says this is Robert Ellwell. Yes. It is. But this is the man. The man who came for my husband. I mean, I'd know him anyway. Mrs. Boyne, I I don't think you're very well. Should I call somebody? No. No. This is Robert Elwell. This is the man who spoke to him in the garden.
[00:39:28] Unknown:
That can't be the man. It's Robert Elwell. It was Robert Elwell who came for him. Came for Ned? Elwell was dead. You know that now, don't you? Robert Elwell came for him. Now, missus Bourne, surely you remember your husband's unfinished letter to me. It was written
[00:39:51] Unknown:
Elwell's death? Robert Elwell was the man who spoke to me That's impossible. See, I'm mad. I'm not. I'm quite sane. Will you answer me one question, please? When did Robert Elwell try to kill himself? When? Yes, the date and please try to remember
[00:40:08] Unknown:
I don't think we should continue this conversation missus But I have a reason for asking I'm sure you have but well I really can't remember. I I guess about two months before he actually died. I need the exact date.
[00:40:24] Unknown:
We might find it in the paper here.
[00:40:28] Unknown:
Yes. It is. Last October. The twentieth, wasn't it? Yeah. The twentieth. Then you did know about Elwell all the time. I know now.
[00:40:39] Unknown:
Sunday, the twentieth.
[00:40:41] Unknown:
That was the day he came here first. Came here first? Yes. You
[00:40:46] Unknown:
you saw him twice then? Yes, twice. First on the October 20. I remember because that was the day I first discovered the secret staircase and we saw him from the roof. He was dressed just as he is in the picture in the newspaper. My husband saw him first. He was frightened and ran down ahead of me but there was no one there. He had vanished. You say Elwell vanished? Yes. I see now what happened. He tried to come then but he wasn't really dead. He couldn't reach us. He had to wait two months to die and then he came back again and Ned went with him.
[00:41:16] Unknown:
Oh, good lord. I sent him to Ned. I told him where to go.
[00:41:22] Unknown:
I sent him to this room. That's what they say about the Ming Ghost. One never really knows that he's seen the ghost afterwards. Long, long afterwards.
[00:41:43] Unknown:
All the doctors at the rest home where they're treating Mrs. Mary Boyne are convinced that she's suffering from an almost historic sense of loss and bereavement because of the inexplicable disappearance of her husband. They're also all convinced that if only they could furnish her with a satisfactory explanation of that disappearance, she would be cured. But of course, we know better. At least, we who believe know that it's the explanation rather than the disappearance that's the root of the trouble. I'll be back in a moment. And now, the shortest ghost story in the world, the long, dark, memory filled corridors of one of great art museums of the world just before closing time. A man hastens to the exit.
He's joined by another art lover. The first man says, hey, it's pretty spooky around here at this hour. Yes. Says the second man. Do you believe in ghosts? No. Says the first man. Do you? Yes, replies the second, and vanishes. Our cast included Celeste Holm, Larry Haines, Joan Shea, Guy Sorell, and Ian Martin. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. This is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre until next time pleasant dream
[00:43:58] Unknown:
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[00:00:27] Unknown:
O'Reilly. Auto parts. So mystery theater presents Come in. Welcome. I'm E. G. Marshall, bringing you, hopefully, an enjoyable shutter. Certainly fans of the occult like the dark and dangerous tales we've seen because of the vicarious enjoyment that comes from the delicious shivers of the supernatural But let me issue a warning to all you ghost lovers. Do not I repeat, do not ever make the mistake of thinking that ghosts are what? Mrs. Mary Boyne and her husband did. And this tale tells what happened to them.
[00:01:33] Unknown:
I stood at the library windows of the beautiful old house of Blaine and peered out in the gathering dust. And I saw a figure. For a moment, a shudder ran through me. I thought I'd spotted the elusive burst of Laine. And when the figure entered the library, I
[00:01:50] Unknown:
my god. What's the trouble, Mary? Would you I would've took you for our amusing girls. Oh, Mary. Mary, we've had a great marriage up to now and my problems stem from America and not from any crazy old ghost. And if you'll forget the ghost, we'll all be a lot happier. Our mystery drama Afterword was adapted from the Edith Wharton classic especially for the mystery theater by Murray Burnett and stars Celeste Holmes. I'll be back shortly with that one. Remember the phrase Kilroy was here so popular back in the days of World War II I feel certain most of you remember but if we go back a few years farther how many of you recall the phrase the little man wasn't there what do all these phrases have to do with our tale well stretching a point we might say that our story concerns the ghost that wasn't there or at least not when you expected it if this sounds confusing let's listen to the lady whose story it is
[00:03:20] Unknown:
My name is Mary Boyne. My address is Suite 357 In A Wood, Dorsetshire, England. Of course I'm American and alone insane the reason I mentioned Sanity is because they call this place a rest home but actually it's a place for people who have money and who are supposed to be not quite right in the head I told you I am saying but I must confess it's difficult to understand how I managed to retain my sanity after what happened but you'll be the judge and jury I'll start at the beginning back in America in a little town of Walkershaw and the little house where I lived happily with Ned
[00:04:05] Unknown:
Ned, you're home already You bet I'm not only home home early darling but I'm home for good. I've sold the Blue Star Mine for $5,000,000. Oh. Mary, Mary my love. Oh.
[00:04:17] Unknown:
You're so sorry darling but but you're joking.
[00:04:21] Unknown:
Never more serious. We're finished with drudgery darling. Finished living in this house, in this town, and don't even bother to pack. Let's just make our dream come true today.
[00:04:37] Unknown:
I know that Americans are often impulsive, generous, and even forgive me. Sometimes the price of foolish. But I must say, mister and missus Boyne, you are something new in my experience as a realtor. Well, is that a nice English way of saying you don't have a suitable house horse? Not at all, mister boy. Oh. Please forgive my husband, missus Dare, but our search for a house in England is the answer to what both he and I have always considered an impossible dream. You see, I was born in England and I went to America as a child and I've always wanted to return and now we can. Is it so strange that we want a house we ourselves can remodel and modernize?
[00:05:15] Unknown:
No. That's understandable.
[00:05:17] Unknown:
To be so far for many means of transportation. Perhaps I should say that Ned and I are really looking for two things, to get away from our old lifestyle in America and to find our roots. Yes. So I have a house that seems to be made to order for your specification. It's been on the market for years because it needs so much remodeling and it's 14 miles from the nearest rail station. Station. Great. Great. Let me finish. It was built in the time of the two d's. Oh. We need a tremendous amount of modernization, particularly in the matter of heating and hot water. Sounds super to me. But how about a ghost, missus Stare? Oh, gorgeous.
Full of ghosts. That's nice. But I did still want one of my own right on the premises. Oh, missus Boyden. You shouldn't ask for anything like that. There is a traditional ghost that goes along with the house. Ghost that goes along with the house, particularly nasty ghost. Those are rather strange ones. Strange? How so? Because the history of the ghost of your house at Lien is that no one knows that they see the ghost
[00:06:30] Unknown:
until long after one. Well, that's crazy.
[00:06:33] Unknown:
Well, no one would make the ghost a ghost except for the fact that you know when you see it. It either moans or wears white shrouds or touches you with icy things. Well, the only thing I can tell you is that there are stories about the ghost of King, and every single one of them is identical. The person who sees the ghost doesn't know it's a ghost
[00:06:53] Unknown:
until afterwards. Oh, forget it, Mary. No. No. Life is too short to enjoy a ghost. You've gotta wait to find out if it's a real ghost or not. But but this house at Ling seems to have so much else going for it. Darling, I think we really should take a look at it.
[00:07:11] Unknown:
We went, we looked, and we were conquered Both Ned and I fell instantly in love with Ling It was a lovely old Tudor house just as the agent had described it Exactly what we both dreamed of And it was definitely secluded We bought it and moved it But although I was in seventh heaven and up to my ears and planning for remodeling the old house, there was something definitely wrong with me. Oh, these powders don't do a thing for my headache. The doctor said I know what the doctor said, darling, and I followed his description, but I still have the headache. Darling? Mhmm. Do you think perhaps we've made a mistake about this house? No. No. Lane is perfect.
[00:07:48] Unknown:
Perfect. We both knew at the moment we saw it. The gardens are a delight and under your tender loving care grow more beautiful every day. Oh, with Hilton's great help. Nonsense. No Hilton is a good gardener darling but he hasn't your green thumb. No, no my love. The house is perfect and there's absolutely nothing wrong. These headaches will go away in time. So you're not gonna tell me? Dear heart, there is nothing to tell.
[00:08:14] Unknown:
But I knew better. Something was very wrong and I intended to find out what it was. Lydia Westlake was the village librarian and had been ever since the oldest inhabitant could remember. Hey, missus Bond. What's your pleasure? Is there anything I can do for you? Miss Westlake, I really must apologize for not coming to see you in this lovely old library before. My dear, no apologies, missus Fey. Everyone in town knows how busy you've been catching up, Denny. Well, that's one reason I'm here. To ask if you have any any books about the history of Lenny. Oh, you mean about the architecture? Oh, not exactly.
The whole well, everything. Maybe even something about the ghost. And I really shouldn't say this, but it's best for everyone to try to forget about the Bingo ghost. Believe me. Oh, I believe you, miss Westlake. But, I'm still interested in everything about Lane. Well, then, you're tying some books on the history of Lane under 06/02/1926. There were three books. I took them all and went back to Ling and started to read. Two incidents mentioned the Ling ghost and they were absolutely horrifying. What I haven't told the librarian in was that I wanted to find out more about the ghost because of the way Ned was acting. Who's the devil, is it? Well, it's me, darling.
[00:09:49] Unknown:
I'm sorry, Mary. It's it's stuff that I'm, well, I'm sorry. Have the service been interrupting me? No. No. No. No. No. I have Oh, gosh. We've never kept secrets from each other. It's my consultation work with the Blue Star mind back in The States. Why in the world should that be so disturbed? No. No. There were some, problems. I I hadn't, hadn't expected.
[00:10:12] Unknown:
I've never seen you, Locksmith. Is there any chance we'll have to go back to my mind? No. No. No. No. It's nothing like that. It's just that there's,
[00:10:20] Unknown:
well, there's a troublemaker who's after me. Darling, tell me how you're coming with the house and you research on the ghost. I don't wanna hear any more about that ghost. Oh, why there's something about face? I just don't. That's all.
[00:10:34] Unknown:
Let's make a pact. You stop worrying and I'll stop talking about the ghost. The pact didn't work. Oh, how I wish it had. Perhaps things would not have turned out the way they did. If we had left Lynn and I had listened to my presenting about the Lynn Ghost,
[00:10:54] Unknown:
Ned grew more irritable and I ever more frightened. What's the matter with those schools back in Walker Shaw? They can't handle the simplest matters without asking
[00:11:02] Unknown:
me a million questions. Ned, why don't you give up the consulting job? We don't really need it. I mean, do we? No. No. Not the money. But in a way
[00:11:10] Unknown:
well, in a way we do need it. But only you can't. Well, it's a complicated business, Mary. Involving lawyers and a lot of legal matters that would only bore you. Both of me? I'd rather be bored or
[00:11:16] Unknown:
legal matters that would only bore you. Both of me? I'd rather be bored or or sad or anything. If only I could see you more alive. Well, you will. You will, darling.
[00:11:26] Unknown:
It'll just, take a little time. Time for what? Well, I, I have problems with the blue star. So, look. Why why don't you bring me up to date on your ghost,
[00:11:37] Unknown:
Oh, Ned. Because I'm frightened. I read a story in one of those books I took from the library about the young wife of the son of the man who built Bling Ball. And what about it? Well, it seems she had fallen madly in love with one of those men here before she met the Lane's son
[00:11:54] Unknown:
and Oh man what, Well please darling it can't be all that shocking now in this day and age. Well she
[00:12:02] Unknown:
she disposed of an unwanted child and kept it a secret form. Some years later after she was happily married and had a little girl of her own, she was out strolling through these gardens one day when she met an absolutely enchanting young girl just about her daughter's age they all hit it all very well and soon the three became friends the only thing was that they couldn't ever figure out where this enchanting child lived or who were her parents and this began to bury the young mistress of Lynn until one day her daughter disappeared and was never found or seen again Well, yeah, I don't understand Don't you? The mother did.
She had seen the ghost again. Her daughter's little friend. The ghost was the illegitimate child she killed. Only she didn't know till afterwards.
[00:12:58] Unknown:
I'm sorry, Mary, for making you tell me that story.
[00:13:04] Unknown:
There's more in those old books. There's something about a secret staircase. Oh? I showed you that'd be located. You've got a marvelous bird's eye view of the entire Well, that sounds like
[00:13:15] Unknown:
fun. What is your research for? Uh-oh. Ken. I have to work on my correspondence but if and when you find it, give me a shot. I'll be in the library.
[00:13:29] Unknown:
I set off on another escalation blade, but this time with a purpose. I'm fine, just like a heroine in some gothic novel. I pressed the panel of the old wainscoting in one of the rooms and it slid back revealing a wall circular side of stairs ending up. I climbed the tiny course crease staircase to the roof of Len. Oh, the book hadn't exaggerated the beauty of the view. I called excitedly down and said, Ned. Ned. I found it. And it's beautiful. Come out here and see.
[00:14:07] Unknown:
Wow. Oh, Jacqueline. This This is really something. What you can see for miles? How did you find it? Just follow the directions in the book. When I'm pressing the paneling and suddenly there it was.
[00:14:18] Unknown:
What? Just look. Because I know you can see farther than I can. Oh, but darling, your eyes are more beautiful.
[00:14:26] Unknown:
Hello. Now who's that? Who? Well, can't you see that man coming towards the house? I I've got a good job. Please who it is. Ned. Ned. Wait for me.
[00:14:38] Unknown:
There you are, darling. Come and look him all before you. I've been right here in the library. Once you gassed off that roof and went running out the front door. Who was it?
[00:14:48] Unknown:
Who was what? The man you saw coming toward you in the garden. Oh, that man. Well, I, you see, dear, I thought I saw the gardener and I ran after him to tell him about some of the dreams which need tending. But, you see he disappeared before I reached him. Disappeared? Mhmm. How did you see me walking so slowly towards the house? Not away from him. Well, that's the way it seemed to be too but I guess we must have been wrong unless unless it could have been the ghost now we all know there are no such things as ghosts or at least some of us know but one thing we would all agree upon is that if there really are ghosts they won't go away even if you don't mention them.
I'll be back shortly with more mention and more answers to the mysterious ghost of Ling. Institutions for the mentally ill have come a long way. They are quite beautiful and often look like an ideal retirement home. Even on the inside where everyone wears a smile, it takes an expert to be able to see some of the anguish that lies behind the smile, like the pain that continually wracks Mary Boyne.
[00:16:31] Unknown:
None of the staff know the desks at Inlewood West Home can understand why I hate to hear the sound of the person's whistle when he comes in the mail. They think it's because I have no one who cares enough to write to me. So it's true that I have no one, but the reason I read the postman's whistle is because if it weren't for the postman and the mail and there I am confusing you again. But it all relates to one arrival of the male of Green.
[00:16:58] Unknown:
Well, this is, from old Joe Sickwell asking how we are and,
[00:17:03] Unknown:
this one's for you. I'm so glad there are no letters to disturb you. What's this? Let me see.
[00:17:10] Unknown:
The newspaper clipping.
[00:17:12] Unknown:
Front page article from the Walkershaw Sentinel It says that a man named Elwell has brought a lawsuit against you That there was something wrong about the Blue Star Mine
[00:17:23] Unknown:
I haven't read it it all but But sorry, you wouldn't understand more than half of it even if you finished Oh maybe not
[00:17:30] Unknown:
but now I understand what it is that's any further than me No it's really nothing Nothing On the front page of the Sentinel
[00:17:39] Unknown:
Ned, what's this all about? Oh now why don't we have some tea first? This lawsuit isn't new to you No, no of course not I've
[00:17:47] Unknown:
I've known about it for some time Of course you have and you've been having sleepless nights and headaches for some time
[00:17:53] Unknown:
What does this man accuse you of? Oh pretty nearly everything he could dream up Why?
[00:17:59] Unknown:
Why would a man do that? Oh because he figures he can make some money Surely he must have some reason There must be something he thinks he's done alright
[00:18:09] Unknown:
Alright darling, I'll tell you the whole story Mary, dear you must know that whenever a fortune is made overnight there are always some envious people who believe they deserve a share of the windfall. And that's exactly what Elwell thinks. Who is Elwell? I don't know that name. Well, he's, he's a man I put in to the Blue Star. He made some money and now he wants more. How did you put him into it? Well, he he, brought me the samples to be a save and, well, I told you about it at the time that I, didn't make a big deal out of it in case they proved to be worthless.
[00:18:45] Unknown:
I think I'm
[00:18:47] Unknown:
but if everything is the way you say and you pay? Well, of course I paid him. Him. Well then why did he sue me now? Oh well probably because some lawyer got hold of him and talked to me into it hoping for a fat fee or or maybe he thought I'd get scared. Now Bob Elwell ought to have known me better than that.
[00:19:08] Unknown:
I couldn't agree with that Anyone did business with Ned would know he wasn't the sort of bit frightened of anything But there was no question that he was worried and I was hardly surprised when he turned to me one night and said Darling, have you any idea how long it's supposed to be before you know whether or not you've seen the lame ghost?
[00:19:26] Unknown:
Why? No none have you? No. No of course not
[00:19:32] Unknown:
You're rather an odd question to ask me darling unless you think you have seen the dove Well I really don't know why I asked the question that just popped into my head and so I asked it I know your engineer's mind, Nat and I know how it worried and worried about a problem that you've solved it Now I want you to tell me something on your solemn word of honor
[00:19:52] Unknown:
Promise? Okay, my word of honor
[00:19:55] Unknown:
That you believe you have seen the Ling Ghost and that you're trying to keep it from me and that's what's worrying
[00:20:00] Unknown:
you? Cross my heart darling I don't think I've seen the Ling Ghost at least not to my knowledge because according to the ancient tradition one really doesn't know when he's seen the ghost
[00:20:18] Unknown:
And with that I had to be satisfied I knew my husband there was no more to be gained from questioning him I thought to myself maybe there was something to be gained from questioning the ghost that is if I could manage to locate the elusive spirit
[00:20:33] Unknown:
of course I knew that you weren't supposed to be able to know you'd seen the ghost but I was haunted by the idea
[00:20:38] Unknown:
of the disappearing figure we'd seen from the rooftop so once again I climbed the small secret stairway and stood on the roof ledge I cupped my hands and shouted to the sky Oh spirit Spector Shadow whatever you choose to call yourself we've done you no harm We want to live here in peace
[00:21:02] Unknown:
Oh ghost of Ling break with the past break with tradition and show yourself to me Mary Mary what on earth do you think you're doing? That's obvious isn't it darling? Well if you mean you're making a darn fool of yourself and incidentally of me yes Well I'm sorry if I were stupid it isn't stupidity Mary it's just this obsession of yours with a ghost you're only adding to my worries I don't want that you know I don't want that well then maybe maybe we should leave Lee
[00:21:30] Unknown:
But I love this house and so do you. Well
[00:21:34] Unknown:
but I think there's something else we have to do and let's get right on with it.
[00:21:44] Unknown:
Ned was just trying to help me like the staff here at Innoood and he thought maybe by arranging a seance with a reputable and respected medium might put my mind at rest Ned thought that perhaps the medium might be able to get through and reach the ghost.
[00:22:00] Unknown:
Now, you both understand that as a man of integrity, I can promise you nothing. Yes, mister Woods. You've already made that very clear. It is difficult to overemphasize the possibility of failure. Can we start, please? Please be patient, missus Boyne. All the research I have done on the ghost of Ling seems to bear out the tradition. He or she appears and only afterwards
[00:22:25] Unknown:
do the people realize they have made contact with the ghost. Yes. We know all that. But isn't it also true that there's never been an attempt to reach this ghost through a reputable medium? That that is so. Well, that's why we came to you. I wanna find out if there is a ghost of Ling. And if there is, you should be able to reach him. I should but as I said to you, let's not go through all that again. Let's hope you will succeed. Right. Now, this is our first seance.
[00:22:57] Unknown:
Ah, well, every print it is very much like what you have read in books and heard about. We would keep this room dimly candled it just as it is now. And so, ask you to join hands with me.
[00:23:13] Unknown:
That is it? Now, close your eyes and concentrate On what? On the ghost. But I won't just think of the ghost this is going.
[00:23:32] Unknown:
If there is any communication it must come through me.
[00:23:44] Unknown:
Is that all? Is it over now?
[00:23:47] Unknown:
It is over. Yes. Well, you said you might fail.
[00:23:52] Unknown:
I did not say it. We did see or hear a thing. Did you, Ned? Uh-oh. Nothing. I pierced the veil. I reached my control. Well, then what? You said you thought I was an expert. And I believe I convinced you that I am not a fake. Well, okay.
[00:24:32] Unknown:
Ned, tell me,
[00:24:34] Unknown:
did you believe mister Woods? Well, darling, he's supposed to be the best and he said there definitely wasn't any ghosted bling
[00:24:41] Unknown:
Hey Something's happened to you What? It's happened since the sale I don't know what you're talking about They're different Oh, come on Mary Maybe something did happen at that seance Or I mean those drawn lines in your face have disappeared Smiles come back into your eyes
[00:24:59] Unknown:
You slept better last night Come on Admit it Alright, alright I admit that but it has nothing to do with the seance. Well then what caused the change? Well, perhaps it was a cable I received yesterday saying that I could probably expect some very good news about that Elwell suit very shortly. And it was the lawsuit that bothered you after all. Well, yes. Perhaps more than I knew. Well, at any rate, we'll find out with tomorrow's nail. Has the nail come yet? No. No. Not yet, darling. Anyway, I thought you, you were gonna be all taken up with that engineer from Dorsetshire who's gonna show us how to install a hot water system. Well, I'm looking forward to his visit but I I remember what you said about the mail. Oh oh. There's a postman now dear. Let me beat you to it Mary. We'll go together. Alright. Here we are.
[00:25:50] Unknown:
Oh, airmail special from Waukesha. What is that? Open it. Open it.
[00:25:58] Unknown:
Good news, darling. Do you want? You want the lawsuit? No. The suit's been withdrawn. So there's nothing to worry about. Then everything's alright. Oh. Couldn't be right there. No. How about giving me a kiss? And you go wait for that engineer.
[00:26:17] Unknown:
One of the strangest things I remember was my total sense of security as Ned held me in his arms I left Ned and walked out of the garden Oh, the day was beautiful It seemed even brighter than it actually was because of the change in med As I walked along the side stones I I heard footsteps behind me I stopped and turned
[00:26:37] Unknown:
I came to see Mr. Boyne
[00:26:39] Unknown:
I'm Mrs. Boyne Do you have an appointment with my husband? I think he expects this Well, he's working on a book so he never sees anyone in the morning Oh Wait, you seem tired Have you come a long way?
[00:26:57] Unknown:
Yes I have come a long way Well then I suppose if you go to the house my husband will see you
[00:27:03] Unknown:
You'll find him in the library It's that way I watched the stranger enter the house and then I went to find the gardener and soon the engineer arrived and the morning just sped by. We finished with the plan for the hot water system and it was time for lunch. I went to the dining room but Ned wasn't at the table Nobody in the library I remember calling and calling and then asking the servants whether they'd seen him but Ned was nowhere to be found not at the luncheon not in the garden not in the house He didn't come back that afternoon.
And was he there for dinner? By that time I was frantic and called the police. The local police shook their heads and called in Scotland Yard.
[00:27:46] Unknown:
Well now Mrs. Bourne I can only try to reassure you by telling you that we haven't found your husband's body. But that's very reassuring, Inspector. You you're telling me my husband has just disappeared into thin air, vanished without a tree? Oh, no, ma'am. What I'm trying to say is that if there was any foul play, and in these cases sometimes there is, we usually find the body of the dead man within forty eight hours. So perhaps I was clumsy, but I was trying to tell you that there is hope that mister Boin is alive. Oh, then where is he? Oh, of course. I can't answer that question for you at this time. But I promise you, missus Boyne, all the resources of Scotland Yard will be employed to find him for you.
[00:28:36] Unknown:
I must admit the Inspector kept his word and also kept my hopes alive The yard kept me up to date on every development But alas they were so pitifully few They did nothing to nourish my hope my darling Ned would soon come back to
[00:28:59] Unknown:
me all the resources of Scotland Yard will they prove to be as as all the king's men and all the king's horses in putting Humpty Dumpty together again? Or will they come up with some strange and sinister solution to the disappearance of Ned Boyne. I'll be back with the answers shortly. The disappearance of husbands is usually regarded by most police as a mystery with fairly obvious solutions. Most commonly, the police look for the runaway mate who's been unable to cope with a nagging wife or secondarily, a woman who has decided to strike out looking for a new mate by disposing of the old one.
Of course, neither of these theories was even entertained for a moment by Scotland Yard in the case of the disappearance of Ned Boyne. Missus Boyne, we all know what a good marriage you and mister Boyne had, but we're momentarily at a loss. Commanders doesn't vanish off the face of the earth. Not without leaving clues. Something that will help us find him. Now if you don't mind, we'll just go back once more over the way you found out he was he was gone.
[00:30:14] Unknown:
I spent most of the morning with a mister Loomis, an engineer from Dorsetshire,
[00:30:19] Unknown:
going over some plans he had for installing a hot water. If you don't mind, I'd like to get to the stranger who asked for your husband. Well, I've told you everything I know about him. And told it well, ma'am. A good description. Much better than we got from Nellie, the housemaid. She saw him too? Oh, yes. Indeed. We even found out that he wrote his name on a card he gave us. Oh, then you should know? If I may, ma'am, let me just condense the maid's testimony from my notes here. Now, she said that the gentleman was a stranger and perhaps a foreigner. He asked for mister Boime and she asked who was calling.
And then he wrote his name on a piece of paper and asked her to carry it into your husband. Well, didn't you ask her what Ned, my husband said when she brought him the paper? Oh, Nellie told us your husband didn't have time to say anything because just as she handed the paper to mister Boyne, she realized that the stranger had followed her into the library. She left them together. Nellie says that she left this stranger alone in the library with my husband.
[00:31:22] Unknown:
How can we be so sure that Ned left the house? It isn't the maid's evidence we're going by mum.
[00:31:29] Unknown:
Hilton, the gardener's, where he saw your husband leave the house by the front door accompanied by a gentleman. And he gives a description which pretty much tallies with yours and telly's. But why?
[00:31:41] Unknown:
Why would it just go off like that without a word to me or to anyone? You already said your husband has been worried.
[00:31:48] Unknown:
So if you could give us some clue as to what it was that was bothering him. And I told you about that lawsuit back in America. But you didn't tell us about the seance and your attempts to locate the lingo's. Now surely, Inspector, you're not going to tell me that
[00:32:02] Unknown:
Scotland Yard is taking ghost stories seriously.
[00:32:06] Unknown:
Oh, no, ma'am. But if mister Boin did, it might be some explanation of his erratic behavior. Are you telling me that you think my husband was mentally ill? Well, now, ma'am, we need something to explain a happily married wealthy man walking off in the middle of the morning accompanied by a stranger and so far, even no trace. But what about that unfinished letter you found in the library? Who obviously had to do with that business in America which you, ma'am, assured us wasn't bothering your husband one bit.
[00:32:39] Unknown:
But he didn't write the word safer, didn't he? Who was Parvis?
[00:32:44] Unknown:
Now we've checked. And mister Parvis is a perfectly respectable attorney back in Waukesha. And your husband's unfinished letter simply reads, my dear Parvis, I have just received your letter announcing Elwill's death. And while I suppose there is now no farther risk of trouble, it might be safer Yes. He says trouble, doesn't he? Oh, he does indeed. And you believe that trouble could be so serious as to make him disappear without a word to you about it or the reason for leaving? Oh, no. We just can't believe that, missus Boyan. Then what do you believe? I mean, what has happened? Missus Boyne, has your husband ever suffered from amnesia? Never.
Does he have any medical history you could tell us about? Ned was always helping. Well, England is a hard place to get lost in, mom. It's almost impossible for two men to slip unnoticed through or out of the country. How about just walking? Missus Boyne, we have every official means of investigation working, and we found nothing.
[00:33:53] Unknown:
And so things remained at a stalemate for the next fortnight. Despite the fact that my husband's name was headlined in every newspaper and his likeness looked down into my anguished eyes from the walls of every town and village there was still not one single word and no trace at his moment And then one morning Nellie brought a card to me in the library with the name Edward Parvis on it and a new hope flooded my heart. Mrs. Boyne? Mister Parvis from Waukesha. You're the attorney my husband wrote to. Yes. I found myself here in England and I thought I should visit you and Oh I'm so glad you did You heard of course of my husband's disappearance and I'm hoping that you've come to shed some light on it
[00:34:38] Unknown:
Well I'm afraid you're in for disappointment
[00:34:42] Unknown:
My errand is of quite a different nature. But his last unfinished letter was to you. I mean, should have Missus Boyne,
[00:34:49] Unknown:
is it possible you're unaware of what went on back at Walkershaw?
[00:34:54] Unknown:
Oh, my husband and I were very close. We had no secrets of each other.
[00:34:58] Unknown:
Well, I'm wondering
[00:35:06] Unknown:
completely confused. I I don't know them. Mr. Pravick, you must bear with me. I do need your
[00:35:14] Unknown:
help. And I'm almost beginning to believe you. What? First of all, Bob Elwell is dead. His wife's a proud woman, and so she fought on as long as she could. It's come out now how badly off the family is and we're taking up a fund for her.
[00:35:32] Unknown:
Oh, well. Wait. That was the man Ned told me has helped him with the Blue Star.
[00:35:39] Unknown:
That's what he told you, is it? Well, it's true, isn't it? It's true. And yet it's well, all I can say is that it was business. I don't understand at all. Bob Elwell just wasn't smart enough. Let's put it that way. It's the kind of thing that happens every day in business.
[00:36:00] Unknown:
But, DeParvis, I think you're trying to tell me nicely that my husband did something dishonorable. I I don't want you getting the wrong idea about Ned. He committed no crime.
[00:36:11] Unknown:
What exactly did he do? He well, he went into business with Bob Elwell, and, Bob should have been more careful about what he signed.
[00:36:22] Unknown:
Why don't you come right out and say that Bob Elwell should never have trusted Ned?
[00:36:27] Unknown:
It was Elwell's claim that he came to Ned with the first samples from the Blue Star. You see the Blue Star had been started and then abandoned. And, Elwell believed there was a chance the previous owners had had quit too soon. But he came to my husband with this sample. That's right. And your husband assayed. They both wanted to keep the whole thing quiet because if there was any chance the Blue Star was still worth something, well,
[00:36:59] Unknown:
I don't have to tell you what that would have meant. And then decided that the Blue Star was still a gold mine. Right.
[00:37:06] Unknown:
Your husband and Elwell had to buy the Blue Star. They bought it together? They did. Elwell borrowed most of the money he put up to purchase the mine. But so far that all seems pretty straightforward. Uh-huh. Ned had the papers drawn up and Elwell, well, he should have read them more carefully. Why? What did the paper say? That after Elwell had been paid back for the money he'd invested and received a profit of 5%, the entire ownership of the Blue Star reverted to Ned. Oh, no. Yeah. It was business, missus Boyne.
[00:37:43] Unknown:
Elwell didn't have to sign it. Evidence of his lawyers felt that there was some merit to his claim when he sued Ned recently.
[00:37:50] Unknown:
Yeah. They soon found out they didn't have a leg to stand on. But if Elwell was so badly off, where did he find the money to hire lawyers? A lot of people thought Elwell had been treated badly,
[00:38:02] Unknown:
and his lawyer was one of them. You mean they took the case for nothing?
[00:38:05] Unknown:
On a contingency basis. But when they saw they didn't have a case, they advised Elwell to withdraw the suit. Elwell became despondent and shot himself.
[00:38:18] Unknown:
Shot himself? He killed himself because of that? Well, he didn't kill himself exactly.
[00:38:26] Unknown:
He dragged on two months before he died. And he tried to kill himself and failed?
[00:38:31] Unknown:
And then tried again? No. He didn't have to try again.
[00:38:38] Unknown:
Well, the newspaper got hold of it, and it's all been raked up again, and this collection thing's been started. You know, most of us back in Waukesha like Bob Elwell. Here here's an account of the whole thing from the Sentinel.
[00:38:56] Unknown:
Maybe it would help you if she looked it over. From the headline, it would seem the Sentinel knows who's to blame. Widow of Ned Boyne's victim forced to appeal for aid. And I thought maybe you might care to This picture.
[00:39:11] Unknown:
This this picture. It says this is Robert Ellwell. Yes. It is. But this is the man. The man who came for my husband. I mean, I'd know him anyway. Mrs. Boyne, I I don't think you're very well. Should I call somebody? No. No. This is Robert Elwell. This is the man who spoke to him in the garden.
[00:39:28] Unknown:
That can't be the man. It's Robert Elwell. It was Robert Elwell who came for him. Came for Ned? Elwell was dead. You know that now, don't you? Robert Elwell came for him. Now, missus Bourne, surely you remember your husband's unfinished letter to me. It was written
[00:39:51] Unknown:
Elwell's death? Robert Elwell was the man who spoke to me That's impossible. See, I'm mad. I'm not. I'm quite sane. Will you answer me one question, please? When did Robert Elwell try to kill himself? When? Yes, the date and please try to remember
[00:40:08] Unknown:
I don't think we should continue this conversation missus But I have a reason for asking I'm sure you have but well I really can't remember. I I guess about two months before he actually died. I need the exact date.
[00:40:24] Unknown:
We might find it in the paper here.
[00:40:28] Unknown:
Yes. It is. Last October. The twentieth, wasn't it? Yeah. The twentieth. Then you did know about Elwell all the time. I know now.
[00:40:39] Unknown:
Sunday, the twentieth.
[00:40:41] Unknown:
That was the day he came here first. Came here first? Yes. You
[00:40:46] Unknown:
you saw him twice then? Yes, twice. First on the October 20. I remember because that was the day I first discovered the secret staircase and we saw him from the roof. He was dressed just as he is in the picture in the newspaper. My husband saw him first. He was frightened and ran down ahead of me but there was no one there. He had vanished. You say Elwell vanished? Yes. I see now what happened. He tried to come then but he wasn't really dead. He couldn't reach us. He had to wait two months to die and then he came back again and Ned went with him.
[00:41:16] Unknown:
Oh, good lord. I sent him to Ned. I told him where to go.
[00:41:22] Unknown:
I sent him to this room. That's what they say about the Ming Ghost. One never really knows that he's seen the ghost afterwards. Long, long afterwards.
[00:41:43] Unknown:
All the doctors at the rest home where they're treating Mrs. Mary Boyne are convinced that she's suffering from an almost historic sense of loss and bereavement because of the inexplicable disappearance of her husband. They're also all convinced that if only they could furnish her with a satisfactory explanation of that disappearance, she would be cured. But of course, we know better. At least, we who believe know that it's the explanation rather than the disappearance that's the root of the trouble. I'll be back in a moment. And now, the shortest ghost story in the world, the long, dark, memory filled corridors of one of great art museums of the world just before closing time. A man hastens to the exit.
He's joined by another art lover. The first man says, hey, it's pretty spooky around here at this hour. Yes. Says the second man. Do you believe in ghosts? No. Says the first man. Do you? Yes, replies the second, and vanishes. Our cast included Celeste Holm, Larry Haines, Joan Shea, Guy Sorell, and Ian Martin. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. This is EG Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre until next time pleasant dream
[00:43:58] Unknown:
At ADP, we work with more than 860,000 companies worldwide. That gives us a pretty good idea of how to help businesses grow stronger, whether it's through data insights that help you make informed decisions about building a team that works better as a team, or by keeping you ahead of thousands of changing regulations
Introduction to the Supernatural
The Boynes' New Beginning
The Mystery of Ling's Ghost
Ned's Troubles and the Ling Ghost
Mary's Descent into Mystery
The Séance and Its Aftermath
Ned's Disappearance
The Truth About Elwell
The Ghost's Revelation
