WEBVTT 1 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:14.160 You were trapped in the dank darkness of a ruined 2 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:17.559 plantation house, and somewhere in the pitch black room is 3 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:20.719 a homicidal maniac armed with a knife, groping for you, 4 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:23.399 trying to prevent your escape. 5 00:00:33.560 --> 00:00:37.960 Escape produced by William N. Robson, directed tonight by Richard Sandville, 6 00:00:38.320 --> 00:00:40.960 and carefully plotted to free you from the four walls 7 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:43.679 of today for a half hour of high adventure. 8 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:50.280 Tonight, we escaped to a deserted sand pit off the 9 00:00:50.320 --> 00:00:52.719 coast of Georgia, where terror. 10 00:00:52.439 --> 00:00:54.039 Stalks under the Spanish moss. 11 00:00:54.679 --> 00:00:58.399 As Joseph Hergesheimer tells it, in wild Oranges. 12 00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:11.879 What could have appeared more innocent of danger than that barren, 13 00:01:11.959 --> 00:01:15.840 low lying shore of southern Georgia. What could have seemed 14 00:01:16.040 --> 00:01:19.640 less laden with terror than that lovely little cove, so 15 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:24.159 tranquil and well sheltered, so warmly bathed in late afternoon sun. 16 00:01:24.480 --> 00:01:26.719 As we dropped the anchor of our catch and prepared 17 00:01:26.719 --> 00:01:31.920 our mooring. And yet there was something. First it was 18 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:35.239 an odor of a grove of wild orange trees in 19 00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:39.439 late bloom, growing defiantly amid the tangled undergrowth of the shore. 20 00:01:40.879 --> 00:01:43.959 The scent was strong and exotic, and heady, and as 21 00:01:43.959 --> 00:01:47.519 I smelled it, I felt a vague uneasiness. Then as 22 00:01:47.519 --> 00:01:50.640 I watched the shore and halverd Sole, member of my crew, 23 00:01:50.760 --> 00:01:53.680 furled the sails. The mirror of the cob was shattered 24 00:01:53.680 --> 00:01:56.319 by a movement. First I thought it was a fish 25 00:01:56.400 --> 00:01:59.200 leaping and playing in the water. Came round a spit 26 00:01:59.239 --> 00:02:02.200 of land from an in her bay, and then Helbert 27 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:05.239 was beside me. That's queer, sir. Huh. I would have 28 00:02:05.319 --> 00:02:07.040 bet of it was nobody, but than miles of here. 29 00:02:07.159 --> 00:02:11.960 But there's someone swimming. Yes, it's a girl. Ay, she'll 30 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:15.400 be surprised when she discovers us, no doubt, huh, and embarrassed. 31 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:18.879 Oh she swims, well, doesn't she if she's been born 32 00:02:18.919 --> 00:02:22.680 in the water. Ah, yeah, she's seen us. Yes, Now 33 00:02:22.759 --> 00:02:26.080 she's running away. That sprint would win an Olympic race. 34 00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:29.960 What she's doing here? Where she comes from? Perhaps there 35 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:33.599 where two the three? There's a house. You can hardly 36 00:02:33.639 --> 00:02:36.879 see it, he spotted at a moment ago. Oh, yes, 37 00:02:36.879 --> 00:02:39.800 so there is. Oh, but it's a ruin. It's rotting away. 38 00:02:40.199 --> 00:02:42.159 No one could have lived in that since the Civil War. 39 00:02:42.360 --> 00:02:44.400 Or there may be others back there. Yes, but this 40 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:47.520 coast is deserted, marked a swamp on the chart. Hey 41 00:02:47.599 --> 00:02:53.639 don't know, sir. It's strange, very strange. Yes, it was 42 00:02:53.719 --> 00:02:57.759 strange and strangers. Still was this vague uneasiness. It fell 43 00:02:58.639 --> 00:03:03.360 as twilight fell. The of the wild oranges was overpowering. Suddenly, 44 00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:06.120 without knowing why, I slipped on a jacket, went to 45 00:03:06.199 --> 00:03:09.400 the side and dropped into the tender. Halvard stood by 46 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:13.240 to cast off. He asked no questions, and I said nothing. 47 00:03:15.080 --> 00:03:18.000 What could I say? I didn't know myself why I 48 00:03:18.120 --> 00:03:24.680 was going. I pulled the tender up on the soft 49 00:03:24.680 --> 00:03:26.719 sand of the beach and walked up a dim path 50 00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:29.759 through the orange grove. The scent of the blossoms was 51 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:32.680 full of such wild sweetness that I picked an orange 52 00:03:32.719 --> 00:03:36.000 and tasted it. It was bitterb of a pungence that 53 00:03:36.159 --> 00:03:40.439 was new and rare and strangely delicious. The dim moonlight 54 00:03:40.520 --> 00:03:44.240 only accentuated the ruin of the house. There were others, smaller, 55 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:48.919 ramshackled buildings scattered about, overgrown with weeds and creeping vines. 56 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:52.680 This had once been a great plantation. Now it lay 57 00:03:52.759 --> 00:03:57.199 still and lifeless. Then I saw the light round the side, 58 00:03:57.240 --> 00:04:00.000 where a smaller portico held off the weeds. A single 59 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:01.719 old doorway was framed and in the pale light of 60 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:04.319 an inner lamp. As I approached, I saw a shadow 61 00:04:04.360 --> 00:04:07.319 move across it, so swiftly, so furtively, that it was 62 00:04:07.319 --> 00:04:10.520 gone before I realized it had been a man. Then 63 00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:13.879 I saw her sitting on the portico, rocking softly in 64 00:04:13.919 --> 00:04:14.400 her chair. 65 00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:16.079 What do you want? Er? 66 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:18.959 Nothing? When I came ashore, I thought no one was 67 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:19.519 living here. 68 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:23.759 You're from the white boat that sailed in at sunset. 69 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:25.199 Yes, and I'm returning immediately. 70 00:04:25.959 --> 00:04:30.639 It was like magic. Suddenly, without a sound, you were 71 00:04:31.160 --> 00:04:32.120 anchored in the bay. 72 00:04:32.439 --> 00:04:35.879 I I've robbed you too. Some of your oranges are 73 00:04:35.879 --> 00:04:36.519 in my pocket. 74 00:04:36.639 --> 00:04:39.240 You won't like them. They've run wild. We can't sell them. 75 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:42.240 They have a distinct flavor of their own. I should 76 00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:44.600 be glad to have some on my boat. All you want, 77 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:46.360 my man will get them and pay you. 78 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:52.439 Please, don't, oh, Nicholas attends to death. Won't you sit down? 79 00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:55.279 My father was here when you came up, but he 80 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:57.959 went in. Strangers troubled him. 81 00:04:58.439 --> 00:05:02.040 I should be getting bad. I'm sorry to have disturbed 82 00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:02.680 you and your father. 83 00:05:03.480 --> 00:05:09.360 No, no, it was nothing. Goodness, good night, then, good night, 84 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:10.600 That was. 85 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:15.399 All fragment of commonplace conversation, but it was enough. Now. 86 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:18.199 The uneasiness I felt, the strangeness of this place took 87 00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:21.160 shape for me. I saw it in her lovely, fragile face. 88 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:24.120 I heard it in her voice. There'd been a hidden terror, 89 00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:27.680 a terrible, controlled fright that approached hysteria. There'd been a 90 00:05:27.720 --> 00:05:31.600 warning in it, and something else, a plea. By the 91 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:33.800 time I got back to the boat, I was completely unnerved, 92 00:05:33.800 --> 00:05:35.399 and Alvet made matters worse. 93 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:39.000 You find anything, sir, there are people living there. Well, 94 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:40.600 there'll be watered and maybe we could stay here a 95 00:05:40.600 --> 00:05:41.160 couple of days. 96 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:43.360 Uh, what do you mean? Oh, this is good anchorage. 97 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:45.240 Here, I'd like to unship the propeller and the top 98 00:05:45.319 --> 00:05:46.959 side could do with a coat of varnish. 99 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:52.720 No, we're going on south er ay, sir, No, no, wait, Alvert, 100 00:05:53.480 --> 00:05:55.639 of course you're right. We need a couple of days 101 00:05:55.639 --> 00:05:58.839 work before we head into blue water. We'll do it here, 102 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:08.959 and so we stayed. In the light of morning. The 103 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:12.439 strange dread I felt seemed foolish, and especially when I 104 00:06:12.480 --> 00:06:15.199 went ashore and found the girl, looking young and fresh 105 00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:18.399 and fragile, fishing off the little pier. In the inner bay. 106 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:22.319 She had a pathetic little roden line. So I got 107 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:24.879 our tackle from the boat and landed a big rockfish 108 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:28.279 for her, enough for several dinners. We were carrying the 109 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:30.399 fish to the house when we came on a pale, 110 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:33.519 thin ghost of a man sitting on the portico. He 111 00:06:33.600 --> 00:06:36.120 started a swift retreat, but too late for the wait. 112 00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:38.800 This is my father, litch Fields, stoopd. 113 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:39.680 How do you do rely? 114 00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:43.759 Really you are no, I can't strangers they mother. You 115 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:45.240 must manage yourself better. 116 00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:45.959 You know. 117 00:06:46.040 --> 00:06:47.720 I wouldn't bring any one to the house who had 118 00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:51.759 heard us. And see we're fetching you a splendid rockfish. 119 00:06:51.959 --> 00:06:56.000 Oh yes, so you are? We all lone here, sir. 120 00:06:56.519 --> 00:07:02.120 The man is away, my daughter and I The fish exceptable. 121 00:07:01.560 --> 00:07:05.000 If you will carry it in for me. Nicholas would 122 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:08.160 do it, but he's the way, and father isn't strong. 123 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:11.240 This way we have no eye time and put it 124 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:17.399 in water in here right there. Thank you. You've been 125 00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:21.639 very nice. Now I suppose you'll go on across the world. 126 00:07:21.959 --> 00:07:24.759 Not tonight. We're staying here making repairs. 127 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:28.319 Where do you come from? And where are you going from? 128 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:30.279 Cape Cod? I'm going to the Guianas. 129 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:35.680 Isn't that South America. I've traveled far on maps. I 130 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:37.720 was born here in this house, and I've never been 131 00:07:37.720 --> 00:07:38.639 fifty miles away. 132 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:42.120 Oh well, that's incredible. But you seem like a girl 133 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:44.240 who's been everywhere in the world and had the best 134 00:07:44.360 --> 00:07:45.279 education everything. 135 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:49.800 My father has many books in there, that's all you. 136 00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:56.480 Your eyes are remarkable, gray, green like olive leaves, and magnetic. 137 00:07:57.079 --> 00:08:00.480 I I I came ashore to I ask you if 138 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:03.079 you had a large water supply, and I might fill 139 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:03.720 my casks. 140 00:08:03.879 --> 00:08:06.000 Of course, rain water the sisters. 141 00:08:06.399 --> 00:08:11.079 I'll send my man Helbert. Then, yes, there's something else 142 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:12.560 in your eyes, in your voice? 143 00:08:13.800 --> 00:08:14.279 What is it? 144 00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:15.519 Fear? 145 00:08:15.959 --> 00:08:20.439 Fear? Why? No, of course not. What should I be 146 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:20.959 afraid of? 147 00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:23.759 I don't know, but I saw it in your father's 148 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:24.279 face too. 149 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:30.160 It's only your imagination, Eh, yes, no doubt. 150 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:38.919 Goodbye. Then thank you for the fishing. Woo strange how 151 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:42.200 this girl should upset me? So I tried to resist, 152 00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:44.759 but that evening I found myself going back to her, 153 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:48.320 tying the tender to the little pier. I watched as 154 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:49.200 she came to meet me. 155 00:08:49.320 --> 00:08:51.320 I'm glad you came the fish. 156 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:53.559 Woh, don't tell me. I'd rather not know. I might 157 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:55.759 be tempted to mention it in the future, and I'm 158 00:08:55.799 --> 00:08:57.320 sure it would sound like a fish story. 159 00:08:57.840 --> 00:09:03.399 But it was important. Nicholas waited. He's our man, he's back. 160 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:07.840 Let's stay here by the sea. It's so lovely in 161 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:08.440 the moonlight. 162 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:12.519 All right, Oh, it is nice here. 163 00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:18.679 I lied to you today about fear. I suppose I 164 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:22.080 am afraid. I suppose my father has passed some of 165 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:23.080 his fear on to me. 166 00:09:23.879 --> 00:09:24.759 Why is he afraid? 167 00:09:25.080 --> 00:09:27.960 Well, that's a long story, going back to the First War. 168 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:28.799 Please tell me. 169 00:09:29.879 --> 00:09:34.200 Well, he was a young man then, and he didn't 170 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:37.600 go to war. It wasn't that he was a coward exactly. 171 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:42.559 He just couldn't adjust to it mentally. People mocked him, 172 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:46.720 laughed at him, and threatened him. That's when a sort 173 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:52.000 of perpetual fear started. He ran away. He met my 174 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:56.679 mother and married her. They came here. None of us 175 00:09:56.679 --> 00:10:02.320 has ever left this lonely place, never will. Perhaps your 176 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:08.000 mother she's dead. Loneliness killed her. Perhaps there's no wonder 177 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:12.480 that I sound timid or afraid. Perhaps I am. 178 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:13.799 Aren't you lonely too? 179 00:10:14.559 --> 00:10:18.600 I don't know anything else, But what about you? Who 180 00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:21.120 are you that you go sailing about the world with 181 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:22.559 only a sailor for company. 182 00:10:22.720 --> 00:10:25.360 Oh, I'm nobody. My name is John. 183 00:10:25.159 --> 00:10:28.799 Wolfolk and you do nothing but sail about the world nothing. 184 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:33.159 Why well, let's say I don't like modern society. Let's 185 00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:37.720 say I I don't like entanglement. I see, Oh, I 186 00:10:38.159 --> 00:10:38.639 didn't mean. 187 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:43.720 You needn't apologize. I envy you your freedom. I sit 188 00:10:43.799 --> 00:10:47.240 here a great deal and watch the ships far out 189 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:53.200 there on their water roads. You are enviable, sailing where 190 00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:59.360 you like, safe and free. Safe, I'm free. 191 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:02.919 There is something more than you've told me, more behind 192 00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:06.360 the sphere in your voice. No, but perhaps I can help. 193 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:11.240 No, no, please, it's growing on the car. I've got 194 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:11.559 to go in. 195 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:12.480 I'll come with you. 196 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:19.519 No, no, please, no, don't come. You'll be going soon 197 00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:27.759 tomorrow perhaps then good bye, good bye. 198 00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:34.240 Now I knew the terror I had only sensed was real. 199 00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:37.639 This girl was possessed by fear. This house held some 200 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:42.440 terrible secret. What could it be? Next morning, Halberd suggested 201 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:45.840 we repaint the engines, and I agreed. We'd stay another 202 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:48.440 day or two. Later, Halford went in to fill a 203 00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:50.799 cask of water. He came back without the cask and 204 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:53.559 livid with rage. There us an idiot in that house. 205 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:55.559 Next time, I'll take the pistol. What do you mean? 206 00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:56.960 Was the cask? It was broken? 207 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:59.799 How he us feeling it at the cistern? And distidiot, 208 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:02.320 huge walking bruke came out of the house. He told 209 00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:04.519 me to get away, but I tried to explain that 210 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:06.159 we had permission. But he came at me for the 211 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:08.840 knife deeper but I hit him, but it was like 212 00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:09.639 hitting an ox. 213 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:12.039 He put his foot on the cask and crushed it. 214 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:14.799 I'll see about this. You be careful, sir. The man's 215 00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:24.000 not right. He's dangerous, plenty dangerous. Oh. I went ashore 216 00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:26.399 and around to the back door of the house. Millie 217 00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:29.120 wasn't insight, and when I knocked, a lumbering giant with 218 00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:30.679 pig like eyes came to the door. 219 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:31.399 What do you want? 220 00:12:31.720 --> 00:12:33.759 I take it? You on, Nicholas, the man who broke 221 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:36.080 my water cask was full of all water. I'm not 222 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:38.320 going to argue with you. I came ashore to instruct 223 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:40.320 you to keep your hands off my property. In my saying, 224 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:42.879 let the water be, I told you I wouldn't discuss 225 00:12:42.919 --> 00:12:44.960 the matter. I don't have to justify myself to you. 226 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:47.559 Just remember, keep your hands and me starting when it 227 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:50.840 means starting here. Don't get me started mine, I want you. 228 00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:54.080 Don't put down the knife, goway, No, don't get me 229 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:56.159 started way, don't get me shoting. 230 00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:59.799 I'm telling you, Nicholas, stop, what is this? What's the 231 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:00.320 mat her? 232 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:04.399 Nothing? Nicholas and I've had a little misunderstanding, that's all. 233 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:08.639 It's nothing to worry about, Nothing to worry about, I said. 234 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:10.720 But when I got back to the boat, I couldn't 235 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:13.679 help asking myself why I'd left her with that brute. 236 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:16.159 I just about made up my mind to go ashore 237 00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:18.039 again to check up. When I saw her waving on 238 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:21.159 the beach. She wanted to visit the boat. I went 239 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:23.799 and got her. There was no hint of terror in 240 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:27.759 her face, now, just shining girlish wonderment at the polished 241 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:31.200 metal and the gleaming wood of the catch. I offered 242 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:33.159 to take her for a sail, and her face lighted 243 00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:36.200 up like a child's. But when we reached the heavy 244 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:39.840 swells outside the reef, her face got quite and she froze. 245 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:42.879 It's so big? 246 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:44.960 Are you frightened? I'll turn back. 247 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:50.080 I'd rather you didn't I must learn. I'm not a child. 248 00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:58.279 No, we're going back. Before we got to the anchorage, 249 00:13:58.279 --> 00:14:01.519 her panic was almost out of control, But safely moored 250 00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:03.440 once more, she calmed slowly and. 251 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:07.120 Said, how strange to be forced back to this place 252 00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:08.799 I loathed by my own cowardice. 253 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:11.840 It's not cowardice. The sea is frightening for those unused 254 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:14.279 to it. Come, you must forget it now. How about 255 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:17.080 we'll have tea for us in a moment. Uh, how 256 00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:17.879 do you like our boat? 257 00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:22.960 It's quite wonderful. Have you nothing else to care for? 258 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:26.759 No place or people on land? 259 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:28.039 None? 260 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:30.639 And you are satisfied hardly. 261 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:34.000 All the things most men value were taken from me 262 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:34.639 in an instant. 263 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.399 Can you talk about it? 264 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:44.519 Why? I haven't for twelve years? Not anybody, but no, yes, 265 00:14:44.639 --> 00:14:48.639 I think I can. You see we were just married 266 00:14:49.440 --> 00:14:54.279 only a few days. We were very, very happy. Then 267 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:58.360 in one instant she was dead. It was a silly, 268 00:14:58.600 --> 00:15:02.399 stupid accident, thrown from horse without rhyme or reason. 269 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:07.000 So you left everything, taking your revenge on the world. 270 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:10.240 You could put it that way. I suppose. I simply 271 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:12.759 don't want to take a second chance to become involved 272 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:13.360 and be hurt. 273 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:18.080 But that's living to be hurt. Do you think you 274 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:19.559 can escape so easily? 275 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:20.759 I don't know. 276 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:25.159 Oh, I must go. Father will be waiting. 277 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:29.159 Why so suddenly there's Whyes, I see that's Nicholas on 278 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:30.519 the beach looking out here, isn't it? 279 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:31.960 Yes, dinner will be ready. 280 00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:34.039 Why do you have a servant like that? That man's dangerous. 281 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:38.960 You mustn't say that. Please don't just take me in. Please. 282 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:48.600 Now I knew that she too was afraid of Nicholas. 283 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:51.200 I could see it in her eyes. Why then did 284 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:54.759 I let her go to him? I don't know. I 285 00:15:54.799 --> 00:16:05.200 was confused. I guess That night a storm broke, a 286 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:08.759 raging wind and rain, and to match my tortured mood, 287 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:12.200 I hardly slept. Her face was always before my eyes, 288 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:14.480 and by morning I knew that I must do something. 289 00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:17.759 I rode the tender Inn through a drizzling rain. I 290 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:19.639 went up through the orange grove and stopped in the 291 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:22.600 bushes by the house. Someone was coming out of the house, 292 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:25.399 and I crouched down. Out of sight was Milly. I 293 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:28.360 rose and called, were Milly, Oh, it's you. 294 00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:31.799 I was just coming out to look. I was afraid 295 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:34.639 you're gone out. The sea is like a pack of wolves. 296 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:36.080 I won't go alone, not without you. 297 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:37.120 What are you saying? 298 00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:40.440 That's mountains snoy. I've got to talk to you, Milly. 299 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:42.960 There's a lot that needs explaining, things that I have 300 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:43.480 a right to know. 301 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:45.840 No, not here come. 302 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:51.399 She led me into one of the smaller ruined buildings, 303 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:53.279 but must have been a store in the days of 304 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:56.480 the Great plantation. We crouched far back in the dripping 305 00:16:56.519 --> 00:17:00.799 shadows of a corner. No, Milly, Milly, I love you 306 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:03.360 for the first time in twelve years. I'm living again, 307 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:04.559 and I love you. 308 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:06.759 I know nothing of love. 309 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:08.000 It's easily learned. 310 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:14.799 Well, perhaps if things were different, someplace else, I might 311 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:15.839 care very much. 312 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:18.039 Then I'm going to take you away someplace else, make 313 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:19.799 things different, give you the chance. 314 00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:24.359 No, it's too late. You came too late. 315 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:27.519 Why, Milly, Why what is it? What is it you feared? 316 00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:29.000 Nicholas? 317 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:34.279 Oh, he's nothing, nothing to be afraid of. Has he 318 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:35.000 been bothering you? 319 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:39.000 He says he's crazy about me. He says I must 320 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.279 marry you. 321 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:40.000 Where is he now? 322 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:44.079 No, you mustn't, John, something frightful would happen. 323 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:46.480 Not frightful, just unfortunate for Nicholas. 324 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:51.480 Who don't understand he's not not human. There's something about him. 325 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:52.079 What about him? 326 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:55.160 He came here in April. We were glad to get 327 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:58.359 him servant. Are impossible to get back here in the wilderness. 328 00:17:58.839 --> 00:18:01.880 He would work for the small must wages. Only a 329 00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:04.279 few days ago I found out why he was glad 330 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:07.720 to be here. I was cleaning his room and I 331 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:08.160 found this. 332 00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:14.960 Let's see, wanted for murder is Coon Nicholas homicidal mania. 333 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:17.920 He knows I found it. He knows, and he's been furious. 334 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:20.720 Then you came and he ran and hid in the pines. 335 00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:24.400 But he told me if I spoke about it, then 336 00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:26.920 it would happen to me, and if I left with you, 337 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:29.880 it would happen to father. You see, he thinks I'm 338 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:32.519 in love with you. He told me to send you away. 339 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:33.599 He said you must leave to. 340 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:35.359 Day, Milly. I should have realized. 341 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:37.480 He says, I must not be away for longer than 342 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.880 an hour. I must go. 343 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:41.400 Look, Milly, He'll take us a couple of hours to 344 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:43.160 get the book ready. I'll come for you to night 345 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:45.680 at eight. Now tell him you saw me and I 346 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:49.519 promised to go and act quietly. Say you well, say 347 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:51.720 you've been upset you'll give him his answer to morrow. 348 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:54.400 Then at eight, bring your father and walk out to 349 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:57.920 the wharf. That's all, but do it without hesitation or preparation. 350 00:18:58.079 --> 00:19:01.960 We don't let him murder. Oh please, don't. 351 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:04.480 Not now he's finished, Milly. But do as I say. 352 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:15.319 It won't be long, hardly three hours and then freedom. 353 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:17.680 Now that I knew now that there was to be action, 354 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:20.559 I felt better. Halvan and I got the catch ready 355 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:22.680 for sailing, and eight o'clock we tied it up to 356 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:25.519 the little pier. The storm had abated slightly, but it 357 00:19:25.559 --> 00:19:28.240 was still raining. I got up on the dock and 358 00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:33.880 waited for Milly. Ten minutes passed, then twenty. Something was wrong. 359 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:36.880 I told Halbert to wait there with the tender. Then 360 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:39.319 I walked slowly up to the house. It was dark. 361 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:41.920 I went up to the side portico to the heavy door. 362 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:45.319 Tiny crack of light showed under it. I pushed it open. 363 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:49.079 The light came from a parlor to the right. I 364 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:54.319 looked in. On the floor lay a body old Litchfield Stope. 365 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:58.240 He was dead, crushed, his arm twisted grotesquely under him. 366 00:19:58.559 --> 00:20:01.400 It was not a sound in the house. Slowly I 367 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:04.960 walked through the downstairs rooms nothing, and back in the 368 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:08.880 hall I heard a slight creak up stairs. Someone had moved. 369 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:13.799 Was it Milly alive? On Nicholas lying in wait? I 370 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:17.200 groped slowly up the stairs. I dared not use my flashlight. 371 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:19.119 It would have made me a target for his knife. 372 00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:22.720 The upstairs hall was pitch black, and still there was 373 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:27.200 no sard. I inched my way along the wall slowly. 374 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:30.839 Then I stumbled on a loose board. The pistol flew 375 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:32.640 out of my hand, but the stumble saved my life. 376 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:35.599 The same instant I felt Nicholas lunch, heard the knife sing, 377 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:37.200 blow of my eron thud into the wall, fell his 378 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:41.440 great bulk, smashing on my shoulders head. My gun was 379 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:44.079 somewhere on the dark floories knife was embedded in the wall. 380 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:48.799 Now we were grappling hand to hand, rolling on the floor, kicking, tearing, guarting, 381 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:52.240 crushing my strength and wind against the massy bulk of 382 00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:57.680 a maniacal killer. I can't head. How many minutes did 383 00:20:57.680 --> 00:21:00.799 that unequal struggle last night? I don't know. It seemed 384 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:05.000 an hour several times, as if by common consent, we 385 00:21:05.119 --> 00:21:08.079 rested for minutes at a time, locked in tight embrace. 386 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:11.519 Once We rolled apart and lay panting, the breath aching 387 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:14.680 in my throat. Then I heard him groping along the wall, 388 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:18.079 searching for the knife, for the gun. I threw myself 389 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:20.559 on him again, but he was too big, too furious. 390 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:24.559 I felt my strength ebbing away. His fingers were closing 391 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:27.119 over my throat, but won my step and I tried 392 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:38.000 to throw him off them, roll him off. I staggered 393 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:40.680 daisily to my feet and looked up. He had fallen 394 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:43.880 through the banister, down the stairwell. Nicholas had landed on 395 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:47.079 the bottom. He lay there on the stairs, sprawled his 396 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:50.680 head at a grotesque angle. But it was not dead, 397 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:54.480 only stunned. Hurlinged against the wall. Looked at him stupidly. 398 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:59.200 There was something, There was something. I was trying to remember. 399 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:02.240 What was it. Then she came down the steps, and 400 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:03.759 I remembered, Milly. 401 00:22:04.119 --> 00:22:06.559