- 15 hours ago
This episode tells the story of Danny Williams, a man who murders his wealthy, totally blind uncle for an inheritance. However, his peace is destroyed when he begins hearing his uncle's cane tapping in the dark, and corpses seemingly refuse to stay in the grave.
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00:11Inner Sanctum Mysteries
00:27Good evening, friends of the Creaking Door.
00:30This is your host to welcome you again into the Inner Sanctum.
00:34Come in.
00:35Come on in.
00:36No, no, please don't stand on ceremony.
00:38We're all informal here.
00:40No ties, no collars.
00:42In some cases, no heads.
00:47That doesn't mean we're complete boors, though.
00:50We study our Emily ghost faithfully.
00:52You wouldn't catch one of us eating his peas with a knife.
00:55Oh, no.
00:57We've been caught with knives before.
01:00Sewing, you might say, our wild throats.
01:13Well, the preliminaries are over, beginning right now.
01:17Things are going to happen.
01:20So sit up, draw a deep breath, and lend a sneer.
01:24We've got to get our teeth into something.
01:29Listen now to the voice of Donald Buker as Danny Williams, as he tells the weird story of the dead
01:36walk at night.
01:42Danny.
01:44Where are you?
01:46Danny.
01:48Danny.
01:50Danny.
01:50There it is again.
01:52Danny.
01:53My uncle calling to me, just as he used to when I was a boy.
01:59Where are you, Danny?
02:00My blind uncle tapping his cane and calling.
02:04Danny, where are you?
02:06He's dead.
02:08I wish I could join him.
02:10Answer me.
02:10I've tried to a thousand times, but they've always prevented me.
02:15Danny.
02:16Tap him.
02:18Tap him.
02:19Tap him.
02:20It goes on incessantly.
02:23It never stops.
02:24Even when I sleep, I hear it every minute, every second.
02:28Sometimes soft.
02:30I sing thunder.
02:32Danny.
02:33Danny.
02:34Can't you stop it?
02:36Can't you give me one minute's peace?
02:38Danny.
02:38Why don't you stop it, you blind old fool?
02:41Leave me alone.
02:43Haven't you done enough?
02:44Leave me alone.
02:54He tapped that way with his cane.
02:58On the night, I decided to kill him.
03:02We were in his room in the big house where we lived together.
03:06I'd been living with him since I was 14 years old.
03:09For 10 years, I'd been his companion, his nurse, his servant, his slave.
03:17On the night I was going to kill him, I slipped the length of strong cord into my dinner jacket.
03:24He was totally blind.
03:27Had been for 30 years.
03:29Yet, strangely enough, he could see.
03:33He could see with his uncanny, highly developed sense of hearing.
03:39And with that cane of his, that cane that was everlastingly tapping.
03:45The wind's blowing up tonight.
03:48It'll be getting cold soon.
03:51Yes.
03:52And then, all the servants gone.
03:55This is their night off.
03:56You going out again tonight?
03:58Yes.
03:59With Martha?
04:01Yes, with Martha.
04:05Will you pour me some brandy?
04:07Yes, Morgan.
04:13I poured out the drink.
04:16In my pocket, I felt the cord.
04:18And as I handed the drink to him, I took it out and walked behind me.
04:23Now, this was the time.
04:27He slipped the cord around his neck.
04:29Twisted him.
04:31It would be over soon.
04:33He sat there, holding the glass in one hand.
04:39Very good brandy, this.
04:41I raised the cord over his head.
04:44All I had to do was drop it over his neck.
04:48Why are you standing behind me?
04:51Well, how did you know?
04:52I heard you walked there.
04:55Why, Danny?
04:56I just wanted to look out of the window.
04:59One quick move, it would be over.
05:01But I didn't want to kill him, so I...
05:04I suddenly...
05:06I'd make a clean breast of it and give him a chance.
05:09Well, Dan.
05:11How long are you going to stand there?
05:14Morgan, there's something I want to speak to you about.
05:17Well, what is it, my boy?
05:19I want to marry Martha.
05:22I, uh...
05:24I thought that was on your mind.
05:26But I need $10,000, Morgan.
05:29Will you give it to me?
05:31What are you laughing at?
05:32You.
05:34I was just waiting to see how much you'd asked for.
05:38You lied your way in pretty deeply this time, didn't you, Danny?
05:42What are you talking about?
05:44I saw what was coming.
05:45I, uh...
05:46While you were in town,
05:48we had a very interesting little talk.
05:51Did you?
05:52Hmm.
05:53She told me that her father's worried about her marrying a fortunate heir.
05:59It seems he's a very wealthy man.
06:02Yes, that's right.
06:03And it seems that he won't give Martha any money when she marries
06:06unless her husband is a man of some means himself.
06:10It also seems that you lied to her.
06:14You told her you're wealthy.
06:17Why?
06:18Did you tell her the truth?
06:20No.
06:22You always were an incorrigible liar.
06:25Morgan, she got the impression that I had some money
06:28because I lived in this house.
06:29And now you have to live up to that impression
06:31so you can marry her.
06:32But you'll give me the money, won't you?
06:34Why'd you lie to her?
06:36Well, I did it without thinking.
06:37I...
06:38I wanted to tell her the truth, but I couldn't.
06:39I was afraid that if she found out that I'd lied,
06:41she'd hate me.
06:43Morgan,
06:45are you going to give me the money?
06:48Danny, I'm very fond of you.
06:50I took you in to live with me
06:52when you were a poor, penniless, gutter-snipe.
06:55I educated and taught you to live like a gentleman.
06:58I even named you sole beneficiary of my estate.
07:02But that's why I'm asking you for the money now.
07:04If you're going to leave me all of it,
07:05why don't you give me a little of it now?
07:08Because I don't want you to marry Martha.
07:11Why not?
07:13I don't think she's the girl for you.
07:15You stupid, blind old fool.
07:17And...
07:18Martha's the finest girl I ever met.
07:19I won't have you talking about her like this.
07:21You won't have a penny of my money to marry her.
07:23You're doing this because you want me to stay with you.
07:25Now, what are you talking about?
07:27From the very first day I came here,
07:28it's been Danny, do this.
07:30Danny, do that.
07:31Danny, read to me.
07:32Danny, pour me some brandy.
07:33You've made me a servant of the slave.
07:35How can you talk this way after all I've done for you?
07:38Done for me?
07:39Did you ever teach me to work?
07:41Did you ever teach me to do anything
07:42except live in luxury
07:43when I didn't have a penny to my name?
07:46You made me someone
07:47who's of no earthly good to anything
07:49or anyone except you.
07:52Well, what are you going to do about it?
07:54Leave?
07:56No.
07:58I'm not going to leave, Morgan.
08:00You are.
08:02What do you mean?
08:04I'm going to kill you.
08:07Don't be ridiculous, my boy.
08:09You'd probably make a bungling mess.
08:11I don't think so.
08:14You see, I planned it very carefully.
08:17Danny, if you think you can frighten me
08:20into giving you that money,
08:21you're quite mistaken.
08:22I don't intend to frighten you.
08:25I intend to murder you.
08:28You?
08:30You're not serious?
08:32Yes.
08:33I am, Morgan.
08:34Danny, you...
08:36You got up, I heard you.
08:37Yes.
08:39Now, don't lose your head.
08:41Perhaps we can come to some agreement.
08:43It's too late for that.
08:44Don't think you can stall me
08:46and then turn me over to the police.
08:47Danny, where are you?
08:48You'll know in a minute, Morgan.
08:49Then, when you feel something
08:54on your neck...
08:56Oh!
08:56Oh!
08:57Now, let go of me.
08:59It'll be over in a minute.
09:00Let go of me, you idiot.
09:01Let go.
09:02Not now, Morgan.
09:04All right, all right, Danny.
09:04I'll admit it.
09:06I wanted you to stay with me.
09:08I'm blind, old, alone, but...
09:11But I'll let you go.
09:13I'll give you the money you want.
09:14Only...
09:15Only don't kill me.
09:16It's too late now.
09:17I know you, and I don't trust your promises.
09:20I'll give you anything you want.
09:21You'll hear anything.
09:23Now, please, Danny.
09:24No, Morgan.
09:25Oh, if I could only see.
09:27If I could only...
09:32I'm going to be merciful, Morgan.
09:35It'll only take a few seconds,
09:38and this Lord will crush the life out of you.
09:48Morgan?
09:51Morgan?
09:53He's dead.
09:57I heard the front door open and close.
10:00I had told Martha to come at nine o'clock.
10:02I ran out of the room and looked down the long stairway.
10:05Hello, darling.
10:06Martha!
10:06Do you like him up?
10:07No, no, wait there.
10:08I'll come right down.
10:09All right.
10:11I rushed back into the room.
10:13My uncle was lying on the floor.
10:14The rope twisted about his neck.
10:15His face straight went purple.
10:16I picked up the cane and began tapping on the floor.
10:23And I placed the cane near to him.
10:25I went back to the door again and called.
10:27Good night, Morgan.
10:33Your uncle.
10:34Oh, he's fine.
10:35I heard him tapping around up there.
10:36Yes, he likes to make a lot of noise with that cane of his.
10:39I think he gets a kick out of it.
10:41Do you think it's safe to leave him alone here?
10:43Safe?
10:43Well, of course.
10:45Look, shall we go dancing somewhere?
10:47Mm-hmm.
10:48Let's as well, I dear.
10:59Well, friends, do you think Uncle Morgan will stay dead?
11:04Oh, you do?
11:06Well, that shows how much you know.
11:08On this program, the dead never stay that way.
11:11So get ready for the worst, because in the next few minutes, you're going to find corpses
11:16that walk in the dead of the night.
11:20Oh, yes.
11:21They do, all right.
11:24They do.
11:25Don't you worry.
11:29All right.
11:30Let's listen now to Donald Bucher as Danny as he finishes his story.
11:35It was easy to lie to the police.
11:38When Martha told them that she heard my uncle tapping in his room, I was cleared of all suspicion.
11:45I suggested that the murder was committed by some thief who broke into the house to rob it
11:49after we had left.
11:51The police agreed.
11:52I received the inheritance.
11:55And Martha and I planned to go to California to be married.
11:58I had lied my way out and fooled everyone.
12:02Everyone.
12:05Except myself.
12:07I knew what I had done.
12:09I couldn't forget it.
12:11I became nervous and morose.
12:14And then came that last night before Martha and I were to go away.
12:19I was alone in the house, preparing to close it.
12:29Hello, Dan.
12:30Martha.
12:32It's so late, I didn't expect you.
12:34I know, darling, but I was afraid to leave you alone in this huge old house.
12:38I decided to come over.
12:39Well, that's very sweet of you, darling, but there's nothing to worry about.
12:42You can't fool me.
12:43I've noticed how you were behaving these last few days.
12:46Have you?
12:46Ever since your poor uncle was killed, you haven't been quite yourself.
12:50Well, I suppose I have been a little upset.
12:53I'm glad you came, darling.
12:55Look, I can put you in the guest room next to my uncle's old room.
12:58That's the only one beside my own that hasn't been dismantled yet.
13:01Come on.
13:02I'll show you the way.
13:03All right.
13:04When we get to California and we're married, you'll forget all this.
13:07I hope so.
13:09What was that?
13:10I didn't hear anything.
13:12I...
13:13I thought I heard a noise.
13:15I was right.
13:16This old house is affecting you.
13:18Maybe.
13:19Maybe.
13:21You know, Martha, last night I...
13:24I thought I heard him tapping with his cane.
13:27Did you?
13:27Well, it was just my imagination, I guess.
13:30I wonder.
13:32You know, darling, I had a rather strange dream about him.
13:35You did?
13:36I...
13:37I dreamed he came to me and told me he wasn't dead.
13:40Well, that's a crazy idea.
13:42Isn't it?
13:43But just suppose he wasn't dead.
13:45Well, that's impossible.
13:46I saw him dead with the rope around his neck.
13:48Did you?
13:49That's funny.
13:50I went with him to the morgue and I didn't see the rope.
13:53The police had removed it.
13:54Oh, yes.
13:55Yes, of course they had.
13:57But I...
13:58Well, I saw those welts.
14:00It didn't take much imagination to see the rope.
14:04Oh, my poor Danny.
14:05I'm afraid this has affected you more than you realize.
14:08Here's your room, Martha.
14:09Danny, you...
14:11You've been kind of cold and distant lately.
14:14You do love me, don't you, darling?
14:17Of course, Martha.
14:20There.
14:22Good night, Dan.
14:24Good night.
14:33I was awakened that night from a tortured sleep by a familiar sound.
14:38The sound of my uncle's cane tapping on the floor above me.
14:43At first I thought I was dreaming it.
14:45But then I heard it again.
14:48It seemed to be coming closer.
14:50To be taking a familiar cause.
14:53Yes.
14:54I had heard it a thousand times when he was alive.
14:57That same nervous, rhythmic tapping.
15:01It was coming down the stairs.
15:04Tap, tap, tap.
15:07Down the stairs.
15:09Cautiously.
15:10Carefully.
15:12If it's on a landing now,
15:15would it go down further or would it turn as it had done so often?
15:17To my room.
15:20It came closer.
15:22Closer.
15:23It was coming to my room.
15:25There could be no doubt about that.
15:26It couldn't be alive and yet...
15:31It was knocking at the door.
15:35It took every bit of courage I had,
15:38but I went to the door and opened it.
15:41There on the floor outside my door was my uncle's cane.
15:45A throb of cold, icy terror shook me.
15:47I ran back into the room and half insane with panic,
15:49I shouted,
15:50Martha!
15:50Martha!
15:51Martha!
15:52Danny, what's the matter?
15:53Martha, Martha, darling.
15:54I must be going out of my mind.
15:59I saw...
16:00What did you see?
16:01That cane.
16:02That cane that you have in your hand.
16:04Put it down.
16:05I found it outside your door.
16:07I thought you'd misplaced it.
16:08No.
16:08No, that's my uncle's cane.
16:09That's the one he always used.
16:11But, Danny, there's no need to be so frightened of it.
16:14Why, you'd think it was going to hurt you the way you act.
16:16Martha!
16:17Here, you hold it.
16:17No!
16:18Danny, you're terrified.
16:19What's wrong?
16:20What's happening?
16:21Martha, Martha, don't make me tell you.
16:23Don't.
16:23But what are you afraid of?
16:24The cane!
16:25Put it down!
16:25Throw it away!
16:26The cane?
16:26Throw it away!
16:27You don't know what you're saying.
16:28Oh, Martha, why do you keep pointing it at me?
16:31Why?
16:31Danny, you've got to tell me what's troubling you.
16:34I won't put it down until you tell me why you're afraid.
16:37Martha, for heaven's sake!
16:38You can trust me, Danny.
16:39I love you.
16:40Tell me what it is.
16:41Martha!
16:42What is it?
16:43No matter what it is, I'll always love you.
16:44Don't be afraid to tell me.
16:47I killed him.
16:49Your uncle?
16:51Yes.
16:51Why?
16:52For the inheritance.
16:53I didn't want you to know that I didn't have a cent.
16:55I asked him for the money, begged him for it.
16:57He sat there in his chair telling me I couldn't have a cent.
17:00He wanted to keep me here with him.
17:02I wanted to marry you.
17:03That's why I murdered him, Martha, because I love you.
17:05Do you understand?
17:06Yes.
17:07Oh, Martha.
17:10Martha, I knew you would.
17:11You'll stand by me, won't you?
17:13Why are you smiling that way?
17:16How much money did you inherit?
17:17$200,000 in this house.
17:19You'll transfer that money to me in the morning.
17:22When the house is sold, you'll turn over that money to me, too.
17:24If you don't, I'll tell the police what you just told me.
17:28Martha, I don't understand.
17:31I thought I was pretty clear.
17:33Oh, I see now.
17:35You think I'm too upset to manage the estate,
17:38and you want to take care of it for me until we're married?
17:40There isn't going to be any marriage.
17:43No marriage?
17:44No.
17:45Now that I can get the money without marrying you,
17:47there's no reason for me to tie myself down.
17:49Why should you want the money?
17:51Your father's...
17:51He's been dead for 17 years.
17:53Martha, you told...
17:56You were lying to me.
17:58Yes, Dad.
18:00But you were lying to me,
18:01and so it comes out even.
18:03And stop cowering at this cane.
18:05There's nothing queer about it.
18:06I made that tapping noise tonight.
18:08I thought it would make you confess, and it did.
18:11Oh, this is a joke.
18:13It's a monstrous joke.
18:15I wouldn't think it was so funny if I were in your position.
18:18You know, the money isn't quite all.
18:22I can use you, Danny.
18:24I might need certain things done sometimes.
18:27And if you'll remember that I can send you to the electric chair
18:29whenever I choose to,
18:31you'll do them.
18:32I see.
18:33The slave merely changes masters.
18:36Where are you going?
18:37Back to my room.
18:38Oh, no, you're not.
18:38Ben, let go of me.
18:40I want to show you something, Martha.
18:41Something about this cane.
18:43You said there was nothing queer about it.
18:44Well, there is.
18:45Let me show you.
18:47You didn't know, did you,
18:49that if you press a button in the handle,
18:51the outer covering slips off,
18:52and you have a sword in your hand.
18:54A sword?
18:55Yes.
18:57Look.
18:58Ben.
18:59See?
19:00It's a sharp sword,
19:02forged in Italy during the Renaissance
19:04to be used by men with less conscience than I about murder.
19:08Dan, what are you going to do?
19:09I think you know.
19:11No, Dan, you can't.
19:12Did you think I would give you that money
19:14after I murdered a man to get it?
19:15I'll let you keep the money.
19:16Do you think I believe you?
19:17I know liars.
19:18I won't kill the police.
19:19I swear I won't.
19:20I'll do anything you say.
19:21I'll marry you.
19:22Do you think I'd marry you
19:23after I found out that your love was a lie?
19:25Do you think I'd let you live
19:27when I know you have a secret that can enslave me?
19:29No, Dan.
19:30Take that sword away.
19:31Don't do it.
19:32I love you.
19:33Liar.
19:33Dan, don't.
19:34Please, I beg you, I'll do anything,
19:36anything you say.
19:38Don't.
19:43Martha.
19:45Martha.
19:47Martha.
19:51It was then that I first began hearing it.
19:55In my mind.
19:57That tapping, tapping, tapping.
20:00That incessant tapping of the cane.
20:10When the police came, I told them everything.
20:13They asked only one question.
20:16When did you hear this tapping in your mind?
20:19After I killed him.
20:21Hmm.
20:22Well, you'll be all right after a good doctor treats you.
20:25Perhaps.
20:26Meanwhile, we'll do everything we can
20:27to find the person who killed your uncle and your sweetheart.
20:30I think it's the same man.
20:32He's probably some thief who thought he'd try a second time.
20:35But I just told you I'm the person you want.
20:39Now, Danny, you don't think I believe that story for a minute, do you?
20:42You don't believe it?
20:44After the way I saw you cry when your uncle died.
20:48And you can't make me believe that sweet girl did the things you said.
20:51I know something about human nature, my boy.
20:54No, Danny, the shock of finding your sweetheart murdered so soon after your uncle's murder
20:58was too much for you.
21:00This whole confession was a lie.
21:09For 20 years now,
21:12I've been in this cell at the state asylum waiting to die.
21:16I who told the truth
21:19because I wanted to die.
21:22But 20 years,
21:24I've been hearing that tapping day and night every second.
21:29for 20 years.
21:32I've been hearing my blind uncle call me as he used to when I was born.
21:37Dan.
21:38Dan, where are you?
21:40Why don't you come to me?
21:43Dan!
21:44Dan!
21:52All right, friends, you can relax now.
21:54Oh, no.
21:56No, this isn't Danny.
21:58This is your home.
22:00Our story's over and the porters are now mopping up.
22:04Well,
22:05I guess tonight's little story should teach you never to tell a lie.
22:09Lying leads to cheating
22:11and cheating leads to murder.
22:13And murder leads to insanity,
22:16all of which are very bad habits to get into indeed.
22:25Well, friends, it's time once again
22:27to close that creaking door.
22:29Until next week at this same time
22:31when we'll be back with a little hunk of horror.
22:36You'll be sure to listen, aren't you?
22:39Until next week, then.
22:41Good night.
22:44Pleasant dreams.
22:46Hmm.
22:47Hmm.
22:50Hmm.
22:52THE END
23:21The Inner Sanctum has come to you through the worldwide facilities
23:24of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.