- 8 hours ago
Inner Sanctum Mystery, also known as Inner Sanctum, is a popular old-time radio program that aired from January 7, 1941, to October 5, 1952. It was created by producer Himan Brown and was based on the imprint given to the mystery novels of Simon & Schuster.
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00:11Good evening, friends of the Inner Sanctum.
00:15This is your host, inviting you in through the squeaking door.
00:20Ah, I just left a friend of mine.
00:22He runs an all-night billiard academy near the cemetery.
00:25Yes, after midnight, he uncovers the ghoul table.
00:30But no rough stuff in his place.
00:33No, he settles all arguments by arbitration.
00:37Simply lifts the shroud and points out they haven't a leg to stand on.
00:43Believes the old motto that a fiend in need is a fiend indeed.
01:02Now, dust off the edge of your chair,
01:05because that's where you'll be sitting for the rest of this half hour.
01:09And listen to Murder Comes at Midnight.
01:13This is the story of how one average family,
01:17even as yours and mine,
01:19spent a quiet night at their rented country house.
01:22A night of terror.
01:26As I said, the Cannings were just an average family.
01:30Harry was 29 and worked as a sound engineer
01:34for a broadcasting studio in the city.
01:37Ethel was 27
01:38and had been a schoolteacher before she was married.
01:42Now she was kept pretty busy
01:43between writing the great American novel
01:45and taking care of Judy, her seven-year-old daughter.
01:49This was the first year they had rented a house in the country for the summer,
01:53and Ethel didn't take much to the idea of being alone.
01:58At first, I didn't know what it was that woke me.
02:04Perhaps it was because I was expecting Harry.
02:07He phoned that he was working overtime.
02:09He wouldn't be home till after midnight.
02:11I didn't like the idea of his driving 60 miles from the city at that hour.
02:17Or maybe it was just because I wasn't used to being alone with Judy in the old house.
02:23I got out of bed.
02:24I opened the connecting door to Judy's room.
02:29She was sleeping.
02:31Quietly.
02:34I closed the door softly and went across to my window.
02:40Something had awakened me.
02:42What?
02:44Was it a sound I heard in my sleep?
02:48Or...
02:50Or was it a premonition?
02:54I looked out the window.
02:56The night was dark with a thousand secrets.
02:59Harry should have been home by this time.
03:01My watch showed a few minutes after 12.
03:04Maybe he'd had an accident.
03:05Maybe that's why I awakened.
03:07Some sort of telepathy.
03:10And then I saw the headlights.
03:12It was Harry.
03:13He was turning in our road.
03:15The headlights bathed me for a moment as he swung into our driveway.
03:17Everything was all right then.
03:20I'll be right down, Harry.
03:24Breathlessly, I raced downstairs to let him in.
03:26I was so happy I could cry.
03:28It was only then I realized what tension I'd been under.
03:31All because of my silly fears.
03:33I unlocked the door quickly.
03:36Oh, Harry, I was so worried.
03:38Sorry to bother you so late, Miss.
03:42Had an accident with my car.
03:44Oh, I...
03:46I thought you were my husband.
03:48Oh.
03:49Sorry to disappoint you.
03:52Oh, no, no.
03:52I'm afraid you can't come in.
03:53My husband isn't home yet.
03:55Well, it won't be for long.
03:57Oh, my heavens, you're hurt.
03:59It's your arm.
04:00Heard it in the accident.
04:02I'm afraid it's broken.
04:04Oh, you poor man.
04:04Here, sit down.
04:05Sit down right here.
04:08Oh, that's better.
04:10Yes.
04:11Your arm's so limp.
04:12Do you really think it's broken?
04:14I can't tell.
04:15It's kind of numb.
04:17Oh, dear.
04:17I feel so helpless.
04:19I don't know what to do.
04:20I...
04:21I took a first aid course during the war,
04:23but I don't remember a thing.
04:25Now, maybe I better call Dr. Schultz.
04:27Oh, please, don't go to the trouble.
04:29There's no trouble.
04:29The phone's right here.
04:30I said no, doctor.
04:31But it's all right, I...
04:32Put down that phone, please.
04:35I don't understand.
04:37Maybe you understand this.
04:40A gun?
04:42Put the phone down.
04:47Who are you?
04:48I'll ask the questions from now on.
04:53Your name's Canning, isn't it?
04:56How did you know?
04:58Name's on the door, isn't it?
05:00Oh.
05:02What kind of phone is there?
05:04What do you mean?
05:04Party line?
05:05No, it's a private line.
05:06Can you dial,
05:07or do you have to ask the operator for the number?
05:09No, you just dial.
05:11Good.
05:13Push the phone over here to this side of the table.
05:16Who were you going to call?
05:18The phone, please.
05:20You better get out of here before my husband comes home.
05:24Oh.
05:25How do you think he'd make out in an argument with this?
05:30Phone.
05:32The phone.
05:37Now, step back a little.
05:39Yeah, that's good.
05:41Good.
05:43I have to put this gun down while I make my call,
05:47this arm of mine.
05:48But you understand that I can pick it up faster
05:51than you could reach it from there, don't you?
05:54Yes, I am, Mr.
05:55I see.
05:57We'll get along.
05:58All right.
05:59Oh, operator,
06:01get me Plaza 9,
06:029-9-7-0.
06:05Yeah, I'm hurry, please.
06:06Oh, this is 8-6-4.
06:08Please.
06:09After your phone call,
06:10you get out
06:11before my husband comes home.
06:13He's late already.
06:16You wouldn't turn an injured man
06:18out of your house
06:19in the middle of the nut.
06:20Oh, hello, Glenda.
06:23That's right.
06:26I had a little trouble.
06:27I hurt my arm.
06:29Look, I think you'd better come up here.
06:31Yeah, I'm bringing Fred
06:32and Doc Stetson along.
06:35No, no, no.
06:35He's fine.
06:37Don't be any trouble.
06:39I'm a guest
06:41to some very good friends up here.
06:44Cannings, isn't he?
06:46Before you drive up Highway 26
06:48through Accord
06:49and turn right
06:50when you pass the first gas station,
06:54it's just a mile from there.
06:55You ought to be here
06:56by 6 in the morning.
06:58There'll be a light
06:59in the downstairs window.
07:00Well, it's dry, Glenda.
07:03It's in the morning.
07:05You can't stay here all night.
07:07You've got to help.
07:10Oh, my.
07:15What's that over there?
07:16Radio?
07:17Yes.
07:18It's pretty big.
07:20It's a sending and receiving set.
07:22Harry built it himself.
07:22He's a radio engineer.
07:24Hmm.
07:26Can you get shortwave,
07:28police calls?
07:29Yes.
07:29Turn it on.
07:31But I don't...
07:31Turn it on.
07:33No.
07:35Well.
07:37You're getting brave, huh?
07:39I don't think you'd dare to shoot me.
07:41It would be murder.
07:42They'd send you to the chair.
07:44Now, you get out of here.
07:46You call your friends
07:46and tell them to meet you someplace else.
07:48There, I've opened the door.
07:49Now, get out.
07:53You're worried about your husband, aren't you?
07:57Afraid of what'll happen to him
07:58if he comes home now, huh?
08:00I want you to go away.
08:01And if you don't go now,
08:02I'll run out and scream for help.
08:03There are other houses in this neighborhood
08:05and somebody will hear me.
08:06Oh, go ahead and run.
08:09What?
08:09I won't shoot you.
08:12You won't?
08:13I don't have to.
08:16What do you mean?
08:19You wouldn't dare to run out
08:21and leave your kid upstairs.
08:25That little red-headed kid
08:27with the cute curls.
08:29Judy.
08:34How do you know I have a daughter?
08:36Easy.
08:37The doll carriage over there.
08:40How do you know she has red curls?
08:42Maybe I guessed it.
08:44And her name, too?
08:48Turn on that radio.
08:50All right.
09:00Locked to all junctions on Highway 26.
09:03All cars must be searched.
09:05Every passenger positively identified.
09:08Officers are warned to exercise extreme caution.
09:12Though believed to be wounded,
09:14he's armed and dangerous.
09:15I will repeat,
09:17Arnie Bishop,
09:19known as the Gentleman Killer,
09:21escaped from custody on board
09:22the Allegheny Limited
09:23at 11 o'clock
09:25while being escorted to the death house
09:27at the state prison.
09:29He's thought to be heading north
09:31in the direction of...
09:32No, no, no.
09:36Now, you know who I am.
09:38Arnie Bishop.
09:40You're Arnie Bishop.
09:41How many rooms in this house?
09:43Six.
09:44Fine, fine.
09:46My friends and I
09:47will stay here for a few days.
09:49This will make a fine hideout.
09:50What will you do
09:51when my husband comes home?
09:53Don't worry about him.
09:56Now,
09:58suppose we go in the kitchen
09:59and you can make me something to eat.
10:01Wait.
10:01Huh?
10:03Why did you choose
10:04this house to come to?
10:06This house of all others.
10:08Can't you guess?
10:11Yes, I think so.
10:13How did you know Judy's name?
10:15And about the color of her hair?
10:16Ah, you're getting warm.
10:18My husband, Harry.
10:19Harry told you.
10:19Ah, you know,
10:20you're pretty smart.
10:20Oh, please,
10:21don't you have any pity at all.
10:22Tell me what you did to Harry.
10:23He's not hurt much.
10:25I just tapped him on the head.
10:28He picked me up on the road,
10:29gave me a lift.
10:31I pumped him,
10:33found out all about this house
10:35and about you
10:38and Judy.
10:39Then I knocked him out
10:41and kept going.
10:42It was pretty tough
10:43driving with one hand,
10:44but I made it.
10:45Where's Harry now?
10:46The back of the car.
10:47He can't get loose.
10:48I'm going out to...
10:49Stay where you are.
10:50But Harry's hurt.
10:50I can't leave him out there alone.
10:53About this
10:54little red-headed kid of yours,
10:58where does she sleep?
10:59Upstairs?
11:01You wouldn't...
11:03You wouldn't hurt her.
11:06Better stay here
11:07if you want to make sure.
11:09Oh, no.
11:12That's better.
11:14Now,
11:16suppose we have something to eat.
11:26Now, let's return
11:27to the little white shingled house
11:30on the hill
11:30where Ethel Canning
11:32is entertaining
11:33her uninvited guest,
11:35Arnie Bishop.
11:36You know,
11:37he's a pretty courageous guy
11:39for an ex-convict.
11:41But then maybe
11:42he has the courage
11:43of his convictions.
11:48But Arnie isn't so smart,
11:50you know,
11:50tangling with a red-headed gal.
11:53He ought to recall
11:54that old ditty.
11:56How's it go?
11:57Beware of a girl
11:59with deep red hair.
12:00A man is safer
12:02in the electric chair.
12:05But who can tell
12:06how a tale will end
12:07on in a sanctum?
12:09Let's join them
12:10in the kitchen.
12:13Excellent bacon and eggs.
12:15I'm sure my friends
12:17will like cooking
12:17when they come.
12:19More coffee?
12:21Yes, please.
12:23Careful.
12:23Oh.
12:25I was only reaching
12:26for the coffee cup.
12:30I thought you might have ideas
12:31about grabbing this.
12:37There's your coffee.
12:38Hmm.
12:40What time is it?
12:4120 after 2?
12:43Uh-huh.
12:45Three and a half hours
12:45to go before my friends
12:47get here.
12:48How will they get
12:49through the roadblock?
12:50Oh, you'll leave it to there.
12:51Oh.
12:52What's that?
12:53That's the telephone.
12:53It's in the living room.
12:54You better get through it.
12:56Oh, you don't let go
12:57of that gun.
13:00Oh.
13:02You shouldn't have tried that.
13:04What are you going to do?
13:05Answer that telephone first.
13:07Get going.
13:08Yeah.
13:09Anybody in the habit
13:10of calling you
13:11at this hour?
13:11No.
13:12All right, answer it.
13:13But be careful
13:14what you say.
13:16Hello?
13:18Yes, this is Mrs. Canning.
13:21Oh.
13:23It's for you.
13:25Oh.
13:26All right.
13:28Lay the receiver down
13:29on the table
13:29and walk away.
13:31All right.
13:32That's far enough.
13:34Don't try anything.
13:37Hello?
13:40Linda.
13:42Wait, would you
13:42get started yet?
13:45Oh, where are you?
13:48What?
13:51Roadblocks.
13:52Oh, you've got to get through.
13:54I need Doc Stetson.
13:55You've got to make it, Linda.
13:57I can't stay awake forever.
14:03All right, all right.
14:04Do your best.
14:06Call me back later.
14:08Oh.
14:10What's the matter, Mr. Bishop?
14:12Are your friends
14:13falling down on you?
14:14Shut up.
14:15I've got to think.
14:15Oh, you don't have anything
14:16to worry about, Mr. Bishop?
14:18Aren't you a guest
14:19of the Cannings
14:20in the little white-shingled house
14:21a mile off Highway 26
14:23north of Accord?
14:24Oh, you can be sarcastic, too.
14:26Oh, I wouldn't dare be sarcastic
14:28to you, Mr. Bishop.
14:29Especially when you have that gun.
14:31And with my husband
14:32unconscious in the car.
14:33And you're threatening
14:34to harm my child.
14:35Oh, no.
14:36No, you still hold
14:37all the cards, Mr. Bishop.
14:39And you're such a big,
14:40strong, brave man.
14:43What are you trying to do?
14:44Get me mad enough
14:45to kill you?
14:46Aren't you going
14:46to kill me anyway?
14:47What makes you think that?
14:48Because you're a killer
14:50by instinct, Mr. Bishop.
14:51It's easier for you to kill
14:53than to do anything else.
14:54I wonder why you didn't
14:56murder my husband
14:56instead of just
14:57knocking him out.
14:58Was it because you thought
14:59you might need him?
15:01Well, you're not afraid
15:03of me anymore.
15:03No, I'm not.
15:05No, I just realized
15:07I can't afford
15:08to be afraid.
15:09What?
15:10I'm a woman
15:10fighting for her family,
15:12for Harry and Judy.
15:13And I've got to use
15:15all my wits against you.
15:17I can't afford
15:18to be afraid.
15:19You've got some scheme
15:20in that crazy
15:21little brain of yours.
15:22Yes, Mr. Bishop,
15:22I have.
15:24I think I've found
15:25the chink in your armor.
15:28You're a coward.
15:29Me?
15:30Yes, you.
15:30You're the one
15:31who's afraid now.
15:32Your friends aren't coming.
15:34You have a wound
15:35in your arm
15:35that needs treatment
15:36and you know
15:36you can't trust me.
15:38You don't dare
15:39close your eyes
15:40even for five minutes.
15:41And you may have
15:42to stay here
15:42for several days.
15:43How do you like
15:44the prospect
15:44of staying awake
15:45night and day,
15:46watching me
15:47every minute of the time,
15:48afraid that you might
15:49drop off to sleep
15:49at any minute?
15:50Oh, that's how
15:51you figured, huh?
15:52Maybe you'd better
15:53kill us all right now,
15:54Mr. Bishop.
15:54That would be easy,
15:55wouldn't it?
15:56Just three bullets.
15:58Then you wouldn't
15:58have to worry
15:59about watching anyone.
16:00That's an excellent
16:01idea, Mrs. Canning.
16:03Yes.
16:04But then you'd have
16:05other weird things
16:05to worry about.
16:06Such as?
16:07This is Saturday morning.
16:08The milkman will come
16:10to collect for the week's milk.
16:11The neighbors will stop by
16:12to ask if I want
16:13my marketing done.
16:14And what will you do?
16:16Skulk in the cellar
16:17while they ring
16:18the doorbell?
16:18Yeah.
16:19And then there's
16:20the police.
16:21What about the police?
16:21They'll surely search
16:22this part of the country.
16:24They'll be making
16:25inquiries at all the houses.
16:27Do you want them
16:27to find the car outside
16:28with Harry in it?
16:34Oh, you figured
16:35all the angles, huh?
16:38You know, you're
16:39pretty smart,
16:40Mrs. Canning.
16:41I think you're
16:41even smarter than Linda.
16:44But you forget
16:46one thing.
16:47Yes?
16:49You forget
16:50that little girl
16:51upstairs.
16:53What do you mean?
16:55Come along
16:56and I'll show you.
16:58Upstairs.
16:58You stay away from Judy.
17:01Maybe you think
17:02you've got everything
17:02figured out,
17:03but I'm still the boss.
17:06Drum muscle hurts,
17:07doesn't it?
17:10Now,
17:12shall we
17:12go upstairs?
17:13Dad.
17:16That's better.
17:20So you think
17:21Arnie Bishop
17:22is licked, huh?
17:29Which is Judy's room?
17:31What are you going
17:32to do to her?
17:32Which is Judy's room?
17:34Are you going to make
17:35me open all the doors
17:36to find her?
17:37Help me.
17:38That one.
17:40Yeah.
17:41All right, let's go in.
17:43You first, Mrs. Canning.
17:44I warn you,
17:45if you hurt you...
17:45You first, Mrs. Canning.
17:49Please.
17:51Please don't wake her.
17:56Very pretty child.
17:59How peaceful she looks.
18:01And innocent.
18:04Hey, you know,
18:05childhood's the best time
18:07of life.
18:07It's almost a pity
18:09to grow up out of it.
18:10You couldn't.
18:11You couldn't hurt her.
18:12Oh, I assure you,
18:13Mrs. Canning,
18:14I won't lay a hand
18:15on her.
18:16Oh, no.
18:17Not on a beautiful
18:18child like that.
18:20No.
18:21But, um,
18:23I've got to protect myself.
18:27Let's see.
18:29That's the connecting
18:30door to your room,
18:31isn't it?
18:31Yes.
18:32There's a key in the door.
18:35Lock it, please.
18:36Yeah.
18:39Now, give me the key.
18:45Now, we'll go out
18:46the way we came in.
18:48I'll take the key
18:49out of this door, too.
18:53Thanks.
18:54You first.
18:58Now, we'll lock
19:00this door on the outside.
19:04There you are.
19:06Everything's set.
19:07You just want to make sure
19:11she doesn't get out?
19:12Yeah, something like that.
19:14Yeah.
19:15Now, will you pull
19:17the mattress and sheets
19:18off your bed
19:18and bring them out
19:19and bring them out
19:19here, please?
19:20Are you going to sleep
19:21in front of her door?
19:22Do as I say.
19:23All right.
19:24I'll help you.
19:27I don't understand.
19:28Why do you want
19:29to sleep out here?
19:30Oh.
19:31In the arm.
19:38Everything just the way
19:39I want it.
19:40The mattress against
19:41Judy's door.
19:43But you can't sleep on it
19:43that way half up
19:44against the door.
19:45I didn't say I was
19:46going to sleep on it.
19:47Oh, what are you
19:47going to do?
19:47Mrs. Canning, we'll see
19:49if you can figure out
19:50how to beat this angle.
19:52What do you mean?
19:55What would happen
19:56if I were to put a match
19:58to this mattress and Betty?
20:00Oh, no.
20:01This whole floor
20:02would be in flames
20:03in five minutes.
20:04Both doors locked.
20:07Judy wouldn't have
20:08much of a chance.
20:10Oh, no.
20:13Still think
20:14Ronnie Bishop
20:15is licked,
20:16Mrs. Canning?
20:16Oh, no.
20:18You're right about
20:19one thing, Mrs. Canning.
20:21I am in the corner.
20:23With this bum arm,
20:24I've got no chance
20:25of running
20:26if the police come.
20:27So if they do
20:28and if I'm cornered,
20:31I'll set a match
20:33to this mattress
20:34and fight him off
20:36till the whole house
20:37is just a bunch
20:38of rubble
20:39with Judy in it.
20:41Oh, no.
20:43You understand me
20:45thoroughly,
20:46Mrs. Canning.
20:49So it's up to you
20:51to see
20:52that the police
20:52don't come.
20:53You're gonna lie
20:55for me, Mrs. Canning,
20:56and you're gonna
20:57cheat for me,
20:58and you're gonna
20:59kill for me
20:59if necessary
21:00because
21:03I'll always
21:04have a match ready.
21:07Now,
21:08do you still feel
21:10like trying
21:10any tricks?
21:13I'll do
21:16whatever you think.
21:18More like it.
21:20Now,
21:21the first thing
21:22you're to do,
21:22go downstairs
21:23and run that car
21:24into the garage,
21:25get it out of the way.
21:26But don't touch
21:27your husband.
21:28Don't even look
21:28in the back of the car.
21:29I'll be watching,
21:30understand?
21:31Yes.
21:32Glad we understand
21:34each other at last.
21:35Let's go.
21:47I'll be standing
21:48right here in the driveway,
21:49so don't try
21:50any tricks.
21:51I won't.
21:52Remember,
21:53I'm watching.
21:55Harry?
21:57Harry, dear,
21:58can you hear me?
22:00Harry?
22:02Harry?
22:04Boy,
22:05he's still unconscious.
22:06There's blood
22:07on his head.
22:08Yes, I'm coming.
22:16You did take
22:17a look at him,
22:18didn't you?
22:18No, no.
22:19All right.
22:20No.
22:20All right,
22:21come inside.
22:26Beautiful night,
22:27isn't it?
22:28It'll be morning soon.
22:30What time is it?
22:31Almost six.
22:33The milkman
22:34should be here soon.
22:35Oh?
22:36Well,
22:37here's where
22:37you start lying for me.
22:40After you, madam.
22:46Now,
22:47I'm going to sit
22:48right here
22:48in this chair
22:49with my hand
22:51in my pocket
22:53and in my hands
22:54the gun.
22:56Understand?
22:56Yes.
22:57There,
22:59there,
22:59that's the milkman.
23:00You'll tell him
23:00I'm your cousin
23:01just visiting here
23:02for a few days.
23:03You'll wonder
23:04why you're up so early.
23:05Let him wonder.
23:08Go on,
23:09answer him.
23:11Good morning,
23:12Miss Canning.
23:13I'm the new
23:13milkman on the route.
23:15Hope I didn't
23:15wake you up.
23:16Come in,
23:17please.
23:18Uh,
23:18that's two bottles
23:19of milk
23:20you wanted
23:20this morning
23:21and a bottle
23:21of cream.
23:22Yes.
23:24Here,
23:24you can put them
23:24on the table.
23:25Yeah,
23:25right.
23:27Oh,
23:27this is my cousin.
23:28He's visiting us
23:29for a few days.
23:29Oh,
23:29how are you?
23:30Hello.
23:31Do you have my bill?
23:32Yeah,
23:33I got it right here
23:33in my pocket.
23:35Here.
23:36Hey,
23:37that's right,
23:38Bishop,
23:38with the gun.
23:40Sit still
23:41and take your hand
23:41out of your pocket
23:42very carefully.
23:45Okay,
23:46okay,
23:46you win.
23:49But how come
23:50a milkman
23:50with a gun?
23:51I, uh,
23:53I borrowed this coat
23:54from the regular milkman.
23:56I'm Sergeant Wright,
23:57State Police.
23:58What?
23:58State Police.
24:01How did you know
24:02I was here?
24:02Mrs. Canning told us.
24:04She?
24:06Well,
24:06how?
24:06I didn't let her
24:07out of my sight.
24:08She broadcast it to us.
24:11Broadcast?
24:12Yes.
24:13Over this set,
24:14Mr. Bishop.
24:15Huh?
24:16Remember the speech
24:17I made you?
24:17You didn't know
24:18what had come over me.
24:19I was really talking
24:20to the State Police
24:21over the short wave.
24:22Don't you remember
24:23I told you
24:23that this was
24:24a sending and receiving set
24:25that my husband built it?
24:27And when I turned off
24:28the short wave signals,
24:29I turned the switch
24:29to sending.
24:30And then I hoped,
24:31I just hoped
24:32my message would get through.
24:34Ah.
24:37I didn't think
24:38you were smart enough.
24:40And I thought
24:42I had you scared stiff.
24:46You, uh,
24:47looked like the kind
24:48who would scare easy.
24:49Oh, I am,
24:50Mr. Bishop.
24:51I am.
24:53But I warned you,
24:55this was a time
24:56when I couldn't afford
24:58to be scared.
25:17which all goes to prove
25:20that a determined man
25:22can always get
25:23what he goes after.
25:25You remember Bishop
25:26tried to get free board
25:27and lodging
25:28for metal canning.
25:30He finally got it,
25:31all right.
25:32But not exactly
25:33where he wanted it.
25:36You know,
25:36as a matter of fact,
25:37Bishop was the type
25:38of man who should
25:39never have gone in
25:39for murder.
25:41Oh, too many risks.
25:43He should have
25:44specialized in arson.
25:46That's always
25:47a sure fire
25:48undertaking.
25:49A verb bill.
25:51A verb bill.
25:54A worm.
25:56A verb bill.
26:00Annoy!
26:01Jane! Jane!
26:02York!
26:03The autorized
26:03air and
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