WEBVTT 1 00:00:02.000 --> 00:00:04.719 What a week from tonight, October fifth, you bet your 2 00:00:04.759 --> 00:00:07.240 Life starring Groucho Marx will be heard at this time 3 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:13.880 over most of these same CBS stations, We offer you Escape, 4 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:21.480 starring Van Heflin. Escape designed to free you from the 5 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:23.600 four walls of the day for a half hour of 6 00:00:23.760 --> 00:00:24.640 high adventure. 7 00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:30.960 You are trapped in the dank darkness of a ruined 8 00:00:30.960 --> 00:00:34.399 plantation house. Somewhere in the pitch black room is a 9 00:00:34.439 --> 00:00:38.920 homicidal maniac armed with a knife, groping for you, trying 10 00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:42.159 to prevent your escape. 11 00:00:52.560 --> 00:00:55.799 Tonight, with Van Heflin as John Wolfog, we escape to 12 00:00:55.799 --> 00:00:58.840 a deserted sandpit off the coast of Georgia, where terror 13 00:00:58.840 --> 00:01:02.320 stalks under the Spanish As Joseph Perkinsheimer tells it in 14 00:01:02.840 --> 00:01:04.799 Wild Oranges. 15 00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:17.280 What could have appeared more innocent of danger than that 16 00:01:17.319 --> 00:01:21.079 bare and low lying shore of southern Georgia. What could 17 00:01:21.079 --> 00:01:24.239 have seemed less laden with terror than that lovely little cove, 18 00:01:24.359 --> 00:01:27.719 so tranquil and well sheltered, so warmly bathed in late 19 00:01:27.760 --> 00:01:30.319 afternoon sun. As we dropped the anchor of our catch 20 00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:37.040 and prepared our mooring. And yet there was something. First. 21 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:41.159 It was an aroma a grove of wild orange trees 22 00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:44.719 in late bloom grew defiantly amid the tangled undergrowth of 23 00:01:44.760 --> 00:01:49.079 the shore. The scent was strong and exotic and heavy, 24 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:54.159 and as I smelled it, I felt a vague uneasiness. 25 00:01:55.359 --> 00:01:58.400 Then as I watched the shore and holbered my sailor 26 00:01:58.439 --> 00:02:01.000 and furled the sails, the mirror of the cover was 27 00:02:01.079 --> 00:02:05.000 shattered by a movement. At first I thought it was 28 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:07.879 a fish leaping and playing in the water. Came round 29 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:10.240 a spit of land from an inner bay, and then 30 00:02:10.479 --> 00:02:13.000 Halvard was beside me. That's queer, sir. 31 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:15.039 I would have bet there was nobody within miles of here. 32 00:02:15.080 --> 00:02:19.039 But that's someone swimming. Yes, that's a girl, I sir. 33 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:22.080 She'll be surprised when she discovers us no time. 34 00:02:22.759 --> 00:02:26.000 And embarrassed. She swims well, doesn't she? Yes, she had 35 00:02:26.039 --> 00:02:30.360 been wal born in the water. Oh she's seen us, yes, yes, now, 36 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:34.240 and now she's running away. That's brentwood Win, an Olympic 37 00:02:34.280 --> 00:02:36.719 grays eh. Yes. I don't know what she's doing here 38 00:02:36.719 --> 00:02:40.120 where she comes from. Perhaps there, sir, where through the trees. 39 00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:41.759 There's a house there. You can hardly see it. I 40 00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:45.879 spotted it a moment ago, So there is, but it's 41 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:48.360 a ruin, it's rotting away. No one could live lived, 42 00:02:48.360 --> 00:02:51.240 and that since the Civil War there may be others 43 00:02:51.240 --> 00:02:53.280 back this, I know, but this is a deserted coast. 44 00:02:53.319 --> 00:02:59.000 It's marked as a swamp on the chart. I don't know, sir, huh. 45 00:02:59.159 --> 00:03:09.439 This is strange. It's very strange. Yes, it was strange 46 00:03:09.639 --> 00:03:14.479 and strangers. Still was this vague uneasiness that I felt 47 00:03:15.400 --> 00:03:19.400 as twilight fell. The aroma of the wild oranges was overwhelming, 48 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:22.639 and suddenly, without knowing why, I slipped on my jacket 49 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:24.560 and went to the side and dropped into the tender. 50 00:03:24.919 --> 00:03:27.599 Holbert stood by the cast off. He asked no questions, 51 00:03:27.599 --> 00:03:31.319 and I said nothing. What could I say? I didn't 52 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:43.000 know myself why I was going. I pulled the tender 53 00:03:43.120 --> 00:03:45.599 upon the soft sand of the beach and walked up 54 00:03:45.599 --> 00:03:49.439 a dim path through the orange grove around the side 55 00:03:49.479 --> 00:03:52.919 of the house, where a smaller portico held off the weeds. 56 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:56.199 A single doorway was framed in the pale light of 57 00:03:56.240 --> 00:04:01.039 the inner lamp. As I approached, I saw a shadow 58 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:04.800 flit across it so swiftly, so furtively, that it was 59 00:04:04.840 --> 00:04:08.680 gone before I realized it had been a man, And 60 00:04:08.719 --> 00:04:13.680 then I saw her sitting on the portico, rocking softly 61 00:04:13.840 --> 00:04:14.560 in her chair. 62 00:04:15.719 --> 00:04:16.319 What do you want? 63 00:04:16.519 --> 00:04:20.639 H oh nothing? I came ashore. I ha ha, I 64 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:21.879 thought no one was living here. 65 00:04:22.120 --> 00:04:24.319 You're from the white boat that's sailed in its sunset. 66 00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:26.839 Yes, and I'm returning immediately. 67 00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:30.439 It was like magic. Suddenly, without a sound, you were 68 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:31.240 anchored in the baby. 69 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:34.240 I've robbed you too. I I uh picked a couple 70 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:35.199 of your oranges. 71 00:04:35.560 --> 00:04:38.240 You won't like them. They've run wild. We can't sell. 72 00:04:38.319 --> 00:04:41.000 They have a distinct flavor. I should be very glad 73 00:04:41.040 --> 00:04:43.720 to have some of em on the boat. All you want, well, 74 00:04:43.800 --> 00:04:45.079 my man will get them and pay you. 75 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:50.920 Please, don't Nicholas attends to that. Won't you sit down? 76 00:04:51.720 --> 00:04:53.360 My father was here when you came up, but he 77 00:04:53.399 --> 00:04:55.800 went in strangers, disturbing. 78 00:04:56.160 --> 00:04:59.160 I should be getting back. I'm sorry to have disturbed 79 00:04:59.199 --> 00:04:59.759 you and your father. 80 00:05:00.160 --> 00:05:01.720 No, it's nothing. 81 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:15.560 Well, good night, then good night. And that was all 82 00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:20.040 a fragment of commonplace conversation. But it was enough. Now. 83 00:05:20.079 --> 00:05:23.079 The uneasiness I felt the strangeness of this place took 84 00:05:23.120 --> 00:05:26.160 shape for me. I saw it in her lovely, fragile face. 85 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:28.879 I heard it in her voice. There'd been a hidden 86 00:05:28.959 --> 00:05:33.560 tearor a terrible controlled fright that approached hysteria. But when 87 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:37.600 I got back to the boat, Halvard made it even worse. Fine, anythink, sir, 88 00:05:37.800 --> 00:05:40.560 are there people living there? Well, there'll be water. Then 89 00:05:40.600 --> 00:05:42.199 maybe we can stay here for a couple of days. 90 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:44.199 What do you mean this is good anchorage. I'd like 91 00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:46.839 to unship a propeller, and there's some scraping to do. Yes, 92 00:05:46.920 --> 00:05:48.720 I suppose you're right. We need a couple of days 93 00:05:48.720 --> 00:05:50.759 of work before we head into the open and see. Yes, oh, 94 00:05:50.800 --> 00:06:04.000 we'll do it here. And so we stayed. In the 95 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:07.160 light of morning. The strange dread I had felt seemed foolish, 96 00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:09.439 and especially when I went ashore and found the girl 97 00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:12.519 looking young and fresh and fragile. She was fishing off 98 00:06:12.519 --> 00:06:16.560 a little pier in the inner bay. She had a 99 00:06:16.600 --> 00:06:19.839 pathetic little roden reel, and so I got our tackle 100 00:06:19.879 --> 00:06:21.920 from the boat and landed a big rock fish for her. 101 00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:24.600 And for several dinners we were carrying the fish to 102 00:06:24.639 --> 00:06:26.920 the house and we came on a pale, thin ghost 103 00:06:26.920 --> 00:06:29.519 of a man. He's sitting on the portico. He started 104 00:06:29.519 --> 00:06:31.759 a swift retreat, but it was too late. 105 00:06:32.120 --> 00:06:37.160 Father, Wait, this is my father litch feel stew Oh. 106 00:06:36.759 --> 00:06:42.040 How do you do sir meyly? You know my stranger's father. 107 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:43.920 You know I wouldn't bring anyone to the house. It 108 00:06:43.959 --> 00:06:46.959 would hurt us. And see we're fetching you a splendid 109 00:06:47.040 --> 00:06:48.519 rock fish. 110 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:55.360 Yes, just so we are alone here. The man is away, 111 00:06:56.240 --> 00:07:01.639 my daughter and I fish eh inceptible. 112 00:07:02.199 --> 00:07:05.279 If you're carried in for me. Nicholas would do it, 113 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:13.120 but he's away and father isn't strong. This way we 114 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:16.079 have no eyes. H mus put it in water in 115 00:07:16.160 --> 00:07:22.680 here right there. Thank you. You've been very nice. Now 116 00:07:22.720 --> 00:07:25.839 I suppose you'll go on across the world or not. 117 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:28.639 Tonight we're staying here making repairs. 118 00:07:29.040 --> 00:07:29.839 Where do you come from? 119 00:07:29.839 --> 00:07:31.879 Where are you going or from Cape Cod? I'm going 120 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:34.079 to South America, South America. 121 00:07:35.160 --> 00:07:38.920 I traveled on maps. I was born here in this house. 122 00:07:38.959 --> 00:07:40.240 I've never been fifty miles away. 123 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:43.079 It seemed like a girl who's been everywhere, everywhere in 124 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:46.319 the world. You've had the best education everything. 125 00:07:46.600 --> 00:07:48.160 My father has many books in there. 126 00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:55.120 That's all you're uh. You know your eyes are remarkable, magnetic. 127 00:07:56.079 --> 00:08:00.639 I uh, whether there's something else in your eyes and 128 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:05.279 in your voice? What is it? Fear? 129 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:08.839 Fear. Why, no, of course not. What should I be 130 00:08:08.839 --> 00:08:09.199 afraid of? 131 00:08:09.240 --> 00:08:11.399 All? I don't know, but I I saw it in 132 00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:12.519 your father's face too. 133 00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:17.199 It's only your imagination, yes, no doubt. Well good bye then, 134 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:27.519 and thank you for the fishing. Strange how this girl 135 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:30.319 would have upset me? So I tried to resist, but 136 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:33.879 that evening I found myself going back to her, tying 137 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:35.559 the tender into the little pier. 138 00:08:35.799 --> 00:08:37.279 I watched her as she came to meet me. 139 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:42.759 I'm glad you came. Let's stay here by the seats, 140 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:43.799 so lovely in the moonlight. 141 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:47.799 All right, Oh, it is nice, isn't. 142 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:55.200 Nicholas is back, Nicholas, he's a man. I lied to 143 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:59.720 you to day about fear. I suppose I am afraid. 144 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:03.879 I suppose my father's passed some of his fear on me. 145 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:05.279 Why is he afraid? 146 00:09:05.799 --> 00:09:08.279 It's a long story going back to the First War. 147 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:11.440 He was a young man then, and and he didn't 148 00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:15.320 go to war. It wasn't that he was a coward exactly. 149 00:09:15.960 --> 00:09:19.559 He just couldn't adjust to it mentally. People laughed at 150 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:22.440 him and threatened him, and that's when a sort of 151 00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:27.759 sort of perpetual fear started. He ran away, met my 152 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:31.039 mother married and they came here. None ofs has ever 153 00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:37.120 left this lonely place, never will. Perhaps your mother she's dead. 154 00:09:38.440 --> 00:09:42.600 Loneliness killed her. Perhaps it's no wonder that I sound 155 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:43.320 timid and afraid. 156 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:45.399 Perhaps I am, might you lonely to. 157 00:09:46.840 --> 00:09:51.200 I don't know anything else? But what about you? Who 158 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:53.279 are you that you goes sailing about the war, a 159 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:54.200 sailor for company. 160 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:57.200 No, I'm nobody. My name is John Wilfulker, and you. 161 00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:59.440 Do nothing but sail about the world. 162 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:02.559 Nothing, that's why. Oh well, let's say that I I 163 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:05.120 don't like modern society. I would say that I I 164 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:07.200 don't like entanglements. 165 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:08.159 I see. 166 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:10.600 Oh no, no, I didn't mean to apologize. 167 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:13.879 I envy you your freedom. I said, you're a great deal. 168 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:16.159 And watch the ships far out there on their water roads. 169 00:10:17.080 --> 00:10:20.279 You are enviable sailing where you like, safe and free, 170 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:23.600 so free. 171 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:27.600 There's something more than you've told me. There's more behind 172 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:32.799 this fear in your voice. But look, perhaps I can help. No, no, please, 173 00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:39.879 what's that? It's Nicholas going on the conk. I got 174 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:40.200 to go in. 175 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:45.519 Don't come you you'll. 176 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:49.200 Be going soon tomorrow, perhaps. 177 00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:54.080 Goodbye, goodbye. 178 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:04.879 Now I knew the terror that I had only sensed 179 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:08.440 was real. This girl was possessed by fear. This house 180 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:13.600 held some terrible secret. What could it be? Next morning, 181 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:17.279 Halford went in to fill a cask for water. He 182 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:19.840 came back without the cask, and he was livid with rage. 183 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:22.720 There's an idiot in matt house, sir, Next time, I'll 184 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:24.960 take the pistol. You mean, where's the cast? It's broken? 185 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:25.960 So how how did you? 186 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:28.360 I was filling it at the system and this idiot, 187 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:30.320 a huge, hulking brute, came out of the house. 188 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:31.279 He told me to get away. 189 00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:33.559 Well, I tried to explain we had permission, but he 190 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:35.240 came at me with a knife, gibbering. 191 00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:37.679 He put his foot on the cask and crushed it. Well, 192 00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:40.159 I'll see about this. He careful, sir. The man's not 193 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:50.200 quite right. He's dangerous, bloody dangerous. I went ashore and 194 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:52.679 around at the back door of the house. Milly wasn't 195 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:57.159 inside when I knocked. A lumbering giant with pig like 196 00:11:57.320 --> 00:12:01.679 eyes came to the door. Are you a Nicholas? What 197 00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:03.519 do you want? Will I take it to the man 198 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:06.360 who broke my water cask? It was full of our wall. 199 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:08.279 I'm not going to argue with you. I came a 200 00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:10.600 short and when structure to keep your hands off of 201 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:13.559 my property and my sailor and let our water be. 202 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:16.600 I told you that I I I wouldn't discuss the water. 203 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:19.519 I don't have to justify myself to you. Just remember, 204 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:22.559 keep your hands off. Get me started? What do you 205 00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:24.720 mean started? I don't care what you don't get me 206 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:28.759 started mine? Now, I won't. You don't get me shouted. 207 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:32.600 Put down that knife, go away, don't get me started, now, 208 00:12:32.679 --> 00:12:39.000 go away, hand back, don't get me started for nothing. 209 00:12:39.320 --> 00:12:43.600 Nicholas and I had a little misunderstanding. That's all you 210 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:48.440 tell this manly tell him to go, and don't get 211 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:49.200 me started. 212 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:55.879 Put down that knife, please, please go. 213 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:03.240 I have never seen such terror in a woman's eyes. 214 00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:06.759 I felt completely helpless as I turned and went on 215 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:09.279 back to the boat, but mingled with her terear. I 216 00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:13.759 had seen something else in Milly's eyes. There was a plea, 217 00:13:14.320 --> 00:13:22.320 and I knew there'd be another meeting between me and Nicholas. 218 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:30.399 That night, a storm broke, a ranging wind and rain 219 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:35.360 to match my tortured mood. I hardly slept. Milly's face 220 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:38.960 was always before my eyes, and by morning, I knew 221 00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:42.039 that I must do something. I rode the tender and 222 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:44.879 through a drizzling rain. I went up through the orange 223 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:47.240 grove and stopped in some bushes by the house. Some 224 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:49.399 one was coming out of house, and so I crouched 225 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:52.320 down out of sight. It was Milly. I rose and 226 00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:54.000 I called to her, Milly. 227 00:13:55.559 --> 00:13:58.600 Oh, oh, it's you. I was just coming out to look. 228 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:01.320 I'm afraid you'd gone. See is like a pack of wine. 229 00:14:01.320 --> 00:14:03.720 I won't go alone now, not without you, I went, 230 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:06.200 Are you saying it's madness? No, No, I got to 231 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:08.759 talk to you. There's a lot. There's a lot that 232 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:11.159 needs explaining, things that I have a right to know. 233 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:13.200 No, not here, come. 234 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:23.559 She led me into one of the smaller ruined buildings. 235 00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:29.080 We crouched far back in the dripping shadows of a corner. No, Millie, 236 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:33.919 for the first time in twelve years, I'm living again, Darling. 237 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:37.759 I'm in love with you. I know nothing of it. 238 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:41.799 It's it's quickly learned, Millie. Don't you feel anything anything 239 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:42.559 for me at all? 240 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:48.120 I don't know. Perhaps if things were different someplace else, 241 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.559 I might Carevling. 242 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:52.519 But I'm going to take you away someplace else. I'm 243 00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:54.200 going to make things different. I'm going to give you 244 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:54.720 a chance. 245 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:58.360 It's too late. I came too late. 246 00:14:58.399 --> 00:15:02.799 Why Millie, what is this? What is this fear Nicholas? Oh, 247 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:05.399 that's foolish. She's nothing to be afraid of. Has he 248 00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:06.120 been bothering you? 249 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:09.600 He says he's crazy about me. He says I must 250 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:10.080 marry him. 251 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:11.159 Where is he now? John? 252 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:12.159 You mustn't something frightful? 253 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:14.639 What happened, John, I'm frightful, just unfortunate for Nicholas. 254 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:18.759 So you didn't understand he's he's not human. There's something 255 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:19.200 about him. 256 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:19.720 A boy. 257 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:22.240 And tell me he gave me in April, we were 258 00:15:22.440 --> 00:15:24.919 glad to get him servants impossible to get back here 259 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:27.120 in the wilderness, and he'd work for the smallest wages. 260 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:30.320 Only only a few days ago I found out why 261 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:32.240 he was glad to be here. I was beIN in 262 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.039 his room and I found this. 263 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:40.039 Let me see that wanted for murder, Isaac Nicholas, a 264 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:41.480 homicidal mania. 265 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:44.159 He knows I found it. He knows, and he's been furious. 266 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:46.000 And then you came and he ran and hid in 267 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:48.799 the pines. But he told me if I spoke about him, 268 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:51.720 it would happened to me, and if I left with you, 269 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:54.039 it would happened to father. Now he thinks I'm in 270 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:55.759 love with you. He told me to send your ways, 271 00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:56.519 that you must leave to. 272 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:59.159 Day, Elly, Milly, I should have realized I'm. 273 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:00.679 Not to stay away for longer than now. I must go. 274 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:04.360 Look, Millie, it'll take us a couple of hours to 275 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:07.559 get our boat ready. I'm gonna come for you tonight 276 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:10.360 at eight. Now you tell him that you saw me 277 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:14.200 and I promised to go at quietly, say that you 278 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:16.679 were upset, that you will give him his answer tomorrow. 279 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:19.639 Then at eight you bring your father and walk out 280 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:22.759 to the wharf. Now that's all, But do it without 281 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:24.440 hesitation or preparation. 282 00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.519 Don't let him hurt it. 283 00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:30.720 Please, don't not now he's finished, But do just as 284 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:34.639 I say. It won't be long, hardly three hours, and 285 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:47.600 then you're gonna be free. Now that I knew now 286 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:49.720 that there was to be action, I felt better, not 287 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:52.919 that I minimize the risk. Halvard and I got the 288 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:55.679 catch ready for sailing. At eight o'clock. Halvard and I 289 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:58.840 tied up to the little pier. The storm had led 290 00:16:58.919 --> 00:17:02.360 up a little, but it was still I got up 291 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:08.319 on the dock and I waited family. Ten minutes passed 292 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:14.200 and then twenty. Something was wrong. I I told Halbert 293 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:16.519 to wait there with a tender and then I walked 294 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:22.279 slowly up to the house. There was dark. I went 295 00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:24.200 up to the sideport to go to the heavy door. 296 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:29.440 There was a a tiny crack of light showing under it. 297 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:43.559 I I pushed it open. The light came from a 298 00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:50.039 parlor to the right. I looked in. On the floor 299 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:53.000 lay a body, her father. He was dead. He was crushed, 300 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:57.319 his arm twisted grotesquely under him. There was there was 301 00:17:57.400 --> 00:18:01.119 no sound in the house. Slowly I through the downstairs 302 00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:05.359 rooms nothing. Then back in the hall, I heard a 303 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:12.359 slight creak upstairs. Someone had moved. Was it Melly alive 304 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:18.079 or was it Nicholas slang in wait? I groped slowly 305 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:21.079 up the stairs. I didn't dare to use my flashlight 306 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:24.359 would have made me a target for his knife. The 307 00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:28.799 upstairs hall was pitch black. Still, there was no sound. 308 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:36.559 I inched my way along the wall slowly, and then 309 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:40.440 I stumbled on the loose board. The pistol flew out 310 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:42.319 of my hand, but the stumble saved my life. At 311 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:45.079 the same instant I felt Nicholas lunch. Heard the knife 312 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:47.079 sing past my ear and thudd into the wall. I 313 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:53.119 called this great bolt, smashing on my shoulder. My gun 314 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:55.599 was somewhere on the dark floor. His knife was embedded 315 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:59.559 in the wall. Now we were grappling, hand and rolling 316 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:04.720 on the floor, peeking, tearing, couching, crushing my strengthen went 317 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:14.160 against the massive bulk of a maniacical killer. How many 318 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:18.240 minutes did that unusual and unequal struggle last, I don't know. 319 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:22.039 It seemed an hour. Several times, as if by common consent, 320 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:25.599 we rested for a minute at a time. Once we 321 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:29.440 rolled apart, and the panting their breast, hand aching in 322 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:37.519 my throat. And then I heard him groping along the wall, 323 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:41.400 searching for the knife or gun. I threw myself at 324 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:44.599 him again. He was too big, he was too furious. 325 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:48.559 I felt my strength ebbing away. His fingers were closing 326 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:52.119 over my throat with one last every day I tried 327 00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:52.799 to throw him. 328 00:19:52.839 --> 00:20:09.240 After rolling over, I staggered to my feet. 329 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:16.119 I was dazed. I looked up. We had fallen through 330 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:20.440 the banister down the stairwell. Nicholas had had landed on 331 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:22.799 the bottom. He lay there on the stairs, sprawled his 332 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:29.440 head at uh grotesque angle. He wasn't dead, He's only stunned. 333 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:36.839 I leaned against the wall, looking at him stupidly. There 334 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:43.759 was it was something that I must remember. What was it? 335 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:51.640 Then then she came down the steps, and I remember, really. 336 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:54.799 I had to walk right past him. There was no 337 00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:58.480 other way, right past his head in my skirts. I 338 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.640 think we better go away. 339 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:04.400 Oh, yes, yes, we'll we'll leave it once. 340 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:07.400 I must tell you about my father. You know, in Virginia, 341 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:09.720 the woman tied an apron on the door because he 342 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:12.319 wouldn't go to war, and that preyed on his mind. 343 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:14.920 He was afraid of the slightest Yes, yes I know, 344 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:17.319 but we must say. He goes upset him, so he 345 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:18.799 had no strength. 346 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:27.200 To hear her talk like this, like a sick child. 347 00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:31.160 Was almost more than I could bear. Then I heard something. 348 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:33.079 Nicholas had got up. He stood up and stared at 349 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:35.000 us for a moment, and then he started slowly up 350 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:37.880 the stairs. He was going after that knife, the least 351 00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:40.279 little thing upset Nelly, Milly. Look, we've got to go. 352 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:43.039 I was to meet a man. We were going away 353 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:47.559 someplace where it would be peaceful. But Nicholas suspected. You see, 354 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:50.440 He asked why father had put on his heavy winter clothes. 355 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.680 And then when I tried to go out, he pushed me, 356 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:55.759 and do you know what father did? Then he came 357 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:59.240 up and said, don't do that. Take your hands off 358 00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:03.079 my daughter. His lips shook a little, but he said 359 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:04.279 it that's the important thing. 360 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:07.119 Yes, of course, your father was a brave man. After over, Please, 361 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:09.319 now come you you were supposed to meet a man. 362 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:11.799 That man's waiting for you. There's no time to lose. 363 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:16.880 Father said, take your hands off my daughter. Nicholas killed him, 364 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:19.440 of course, but it was a brave thing to do. 365 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:29.000 Now come, I couldn't wait any longer. I could hear 366 00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:31.519 Nicholas coming back. I picked her up and carried her 367 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:33.680 out into the night, down the path to the pier. 368 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:37.480 Behind me, I could hear Nicholas crashing through the brush 369 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:42.359 like a giant animal in pursuit. Are you all right, sir? 370 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:46.079 Yes'm about done in that. I'm all right here. Help 371 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:48.200 me help me get her into the boat, yes, sir. 372 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:55.559 He oh, there's someone coming, Sis, Nicholas. He's got a knife. Good. 373 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:58.400 I wanted to get back at him. You get in, 374 00:22:58.440 --> 00:23:00.880 Sarah'll take care of him. How about I how would 375 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:07.480 be much help anyway, Albert went to intercept Nicholas on 376 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:09.880 the path. I heard them meet and struggle for a moment, 377 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:13.799 and then a figure came walking slowly, stooped onto the pier. 378 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:16.559 I got ready to shove the boat out into the water. 379 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:21.319 And then it's all right, sir, it's me hoard. Where's Nicholas? 380 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:24.799 I stopped him. It was all bumped out. Are you hurt? 381 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:27.279 It's just a scratch, sir. I missed his hand at 382 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:30.680 first in the dark. It's nothing good. Well, let's get 383 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:39.759 away from here. Then I held Milly in my arms. 384 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:43.119 As Halbard wrote in the catch erradically, I suppose, because 385 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:46.319 of the storm, be ready to cast off in two minutes. 386 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:49.599 The last obstacle would be the narrow passage out of 387 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:52.720 the cove. In this storm, it would be very dangerous. 388 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:56.400 I started to take Milly into the cabin. Nicholas in 389 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:58.680 the door, and none sense. Nicholas is dead. You're on 390 00:23:58.680 --> 00:24:01.880 my boat. You're safe, Mill safe with John Wolf and 391 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:07.519 I am John Wolfer. You didn't come, Yes, I came, Ellie, 392 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:10.640 you're safe, Please come? Did rather stay up here? All right? 393 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:13.720 All right? You sit here beside halford. I'm going up 394 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:15.880 front to take soundings, and this wens you won't be 395 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:17.440 able to hear me if I came no, but you're 396 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:20.400 gonna hear me. Remember, we only have three quick clearance. 397 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:24.319 Now you will have to hold it steady through that passage, Yes, sir, halford. 398 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.839 Now this is no time to be brave. How do 399 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:26.240 you feel? 400 00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:29.559 I feel all right, sir, I've taken nifs before. 401 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:32.079