Who killed Jenny Wren

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 29, 27 January 1933, Page 7

Who killed Jenny Wren

EPISODE 3

This is the third instalment of "The Phantom of Crestwood," the radio mystery drama adapted from the R.K.O, motion picture of the same name, at present being broadcast every Monday evening from stations 2ZW, Wellington, 1ZR, Auckland, and 4ZL, Dunedin. Unfortunately, owing to unforseen circumstances, the broadcasting of this instalment last Monday evening had to be postponed. On completion of the six instalments, listeners are invited to write a suitable ending, revealing the murderer of Jenny Wren. Three high quality radio sets-a Radiola 55 E, a seven-valve Gulbransen, and a seven-valve H.M.V.-are offered as first, second, and third prizes respectively, while in addition there are many substantial cash prizes for other successful entrants.

IGH. on a cliff in Southern California, Casa de los Andes, or Crestwood Ranch, as it is called, sheltered a curiously assorted group on the right. that Jenny Wren was murJenny herself, a notorious siren, had forced Priam Andes to invite her to Crestwood. Also she had dictated the guest list, which included the politician, Herbert Walcott and his wife; Will Jones, the wealthy business man, and Dorothy Mears, his fiancee; and Eddie Mack, a play-. boy. Besides these people, there were at Crestwood Mr. Vayne, an elderly Bostonian; Carter, Jenny’s maid; Andes, Priam’s nephew ; "rather Wren, his fiancee, Jenny’s sister; and Faith Andes, the aristocratic lady who saw in her brother, Priam; *something weaker. than Andes’s blood supposedly could procure. After dinner, a strained affair, Jenny Wren delivered her ultimatum to’ Priam Andes, Walcott, Jones and Mack. She must have a large sum of blackmail money, or involve them all in ruin and scandal. Es) % * Andes: You tell us we’re cut off -that even the police can’t get through for hours. Well, what are you going to do about it? Curtis: Mr. Andes, do you realise this girl’s been murdered? Andes: It’s obvious, isn’t it? Curtis: It’s obvious that nobody here is overcome with grief. Faith: What are you implying. ung man? Curtis: Nothing! I know! ; Faith: You don’t know anything bout my brother Priam that I don’ know myself, Halcott: And nothing at all about me-so I demand that you cease these-these aspersions. Harris: Careful, you! Curtis: Don’t hurt Mr. Walcott. Pete. Remember, anyone here may be the killer! Mrs. Walcott: Why-how dare you say such a thing?

Curtis: It’s plain enough, Mrs. Walcott. jenny Wren endangered the happiness of every one of you. Mack: But Curtis: Oh, I know. I’ve got the dope. My employer, the man wlio sent me out here, had. been "hooked just like you, Mack-and you Jones-just like the Senator and Mr. Andes here-and you women--Jenny was after your men---so I guess you didn’t waste any love on her. Jones: Well? ‘

Curtis: I came here to get some letters that my employer wrote to Jenny. Andes: Letters?’ : Curtis: Yes, she was going te shake him down, too. And while [ was waiting outside-I heard plenty-and I saw plenty! Dorothy: You saw: ? Curtis: A game of darts, Miss Mears-you were all pretty good at it, too. Well, Jenny was killed with a dart. You can see it here in the base of her skull. | Andes: But that doesn’t mean it was thrown there! Curtis: Oh, doesn’t it? Take a look. Andes: Eh? Curtis: If that dart had been held in someone’s hand, and used like a dagger, the feathers would be crushed ? Andes: Ye-es. Curtis: But these feathers arent crushed. They stand out, untouched and unbroken. Ladies and gen-tlemen-that dart was thrown! Mack: So what? Dorothy: Yes, Mr. Curtis-what does that prove? Curtis: Which of you was best at the game? Who was the expert? Curtis : Nobody wants the honour, eh? Vayne: You have the honour, my, lear boy: Curtis: What? l’ayne: -the honour of being the best detective here. Curtis: Oh, thank you, sir. Just as good as they have back in Boston, right ? Vayne: Every bit. Curtis: It’s too bad you had to walk into this. This, girl, Jennyand nobody to mourn her except that poor kid upstairs-and, the killer tried to get her, too-or maybe-. you, maid! Carter: My name’s Carter. Curtis: You're taking it hard, Carter? Carter: Well, can’t a person be sorry?

Curtis: Certainly you can be sorry, but do you have to take that thing-whatever it is-out of Jenny’s hand? Carter: I’m not taking any: Curtis: Oh, yes you are! Come on, now! Hand it over. Carter: You-you Curtis: That’s better. Well, what do you know? A fraternity pin! Mack: A fraternity pin! Jenny must have gone through college, too. Curtis: What does it mean, Carter? (Continued inside back cover.)'

Who Killed Jenny Wren?

(Continued from p. 7.)

Kiere’s no use holding out. You want to help, don’t you? Where did this pin come from? . Carter: It came this afternoon. By express, the servant said, Curtis: Yes? Carter: But-I know. where Jenny saw it last-before it was sent here. Curtis :* Where? Carter: It was last summer. In the Adirondacks. Jenny took up with a boy about twenty-a nice young college kid. He wanted to marry her. He gave her this pin. And one afternoon, went for a walk, in the woods. I followed them. Curtis: What? Carter: Sure! I always did. Jenny told me to. Cartés:. Well? Cogier: Pretty soon they came to the. edge’ of a steep rayine. They sat down and started to talk, The boy took something out of his pocket and (fade -out), Handed it to Jenny, and said- _ vs: Seene Changes. Roy: Wear this, won’t you? Jenny: It’s your fraternity pin? _ Boy; Yes. And a fellow’s pin really means’ more’ than an engagement ring. I’ve never given it to anyone before.’ .I mean-you’re the first one . worthy of it. ’ denny: Why-that’s awfully sweet of you. Boy: You do love me, don’t you? Jenny: Of course I do. Boy: Let’s don’t wait then! We can go to the village and be married, and then come back to the house and ‘sur- ... prise : ’em. Father won't give me a ickel, of course, but we'll have each. ther; and I’ve got a little from’ mother’s estate. And we can live on that: till: I knock ’em over in Wall Street.. And thenJenny: Wait! You say you. don’t get-anything-from your father if you marry me? Boy: Not if I marry before I'm twenty-five. But think of the fun we'll have, making a go of it-together! Jenny: Then I’m afraid I'll have to wait till you’re twenty-five, dear. Boy:.But I couldn’t-that’s four years!. Jenny: And you’ re not the type towell, you’d better take back your pin, anyway. Boy: My-pin? Jenny: Yes, take it! And good-bye, : Goldielocks! Boy: Why-what’s the matter? Jenny: After this, you'd better stay out abe woods-ihe bears might -eat you 1g! Bo¥:. Didn’t you mean anything- * you told me? : Jenny : I suppose I might as well give you the needle quick. It won’t hurt you,so much that way, I like you!, You're sweet! But-tI liked the thought of :all those millions more, That’s my . type! Now-come on back to the house, Ill leave you, and yon just forget about me, Boy: Ican’t! I can’t! If you-leave me, I'll kill myself, Ll jump over this cliff! Jennys. Don't be tragic, youngster. ~ Tt’s all experience, Boy: Good-bye! . Jenny: Don’t be silly! Boy: Good-bye!. . Jenny? Harry! Uarry! Don’t jump! DON! (Scream). Jenny: Oh! He's jumped. over! Carter! He’s jumped over! He killed himself! We killed himself! Scene Changes,

Carter (fading in): And it was that same pin that boy tried to give herthat came to the house this afternoon. She had it in her-hand when she was killed ! Ourtis: The kid died, I suppose? Carter: Yes; sir. Curtis: And the pin was sent out here-funny-I wonder who(Door Opens.) Harris: Here’s the girl, boss, Do you want to see her? Esther: No-don’t hold me,’ Frank. I’'rank: Don’t look, honey,

Esther: Oh, I ean’t believe. it! I can’t believe, it! Frank: It’s all right, dear, I’m with you. Esther : Oh-Oh-Curtis’: Basy,: Miss Wren! Easy! ‘Esther: Who; "would-who would want ‘to hurt Jéntiy ? ? Prank, We: don’ if know. . Osther :.. Tf. ‘t: "could. enly-remember "what, happened !. * There’s. something trying’, to get:"through to me! If I could just ‘remeifiber what it was‘Curtis: Maybe’ it will come to you. Jtst, think hard. Estier: ‘But-but who would hurt Jenny? " Vayne: Mr. ‘CurtisCurtis: Yes?.. Vayne: Ihaye a confession to make! Curtis: You: mean-you- mean you killed her? °). 3.2 ; Vayne: that ! !- Curtis: .Then: what kind of.a confession "do yoitxeall this,’ anyway, Mr. Vayne? es Vayne: Vayiie: ds. not my -name, I’m Henry 'T. Herrick! — Curtis: Herrick? The big Eastern banker? . : Vayne: Yes. And when I saw Miss Jenny Wren-at Priam Andes’s office-I-well, I wanted to meet her. Curtis: And, being a man of importance, you couldn’t use your own name. And Priam Andes played along with you? Well, what else? Vayne: I had an interview | with Jenny Wren-to-night ! Curtis: Yeah? Vayne: It was.in the hall, at the *

door of my room, and very late. f stopped her as she was passing by. I’m afraid she wasn’t very friendly, for she looked at me coldly as she saidScene Changes. Jenny (fading in): Well? You wanted to talk to me? Vayne: You'll forgive me? I have been-most anxious to have a word with you? © Jenny: All right, speak your piece. VYayne: Has Mr. Andes explained to you? Jenny: About you, Mr. Vayne? Yes! And aren’t you a little ashamed of yourself-at your age? Vayne: Love, Miss Wren, does fantastic things to us-at any age. Jenny: So I’ve read! ~*~ Vayne: And love causes, Us. to DOfantastic things, too. 2° >" Jenny : And to have the same kind of things done to you. Good night, Mr. Vayne, will you please let me pass? Vayne: Why, certainly-if you wish. Jenny: Good night, Mr. YVayne. _ Good night. Bio Scene Changes. ‘Curtis’ (fading ° inj f © and she walked off and left you flat, eh, Mr. Vayne? I mean, Mr. Herrick? Vayne: Yes, she left me-but-Curtis: You saw her again? Vayne: No. Curtis: Did you see anyone follow her or go in the direction of her room ? VYayne: Yes- I did! _Andes: And who was. it, may I ask? Vayne: Your nephew, Mr. Andes. It was Frank. Faith: Do you mean to suggest that MY NEPHEW-? Frank: Wait a minute. Wait a ‘minute, Aunt Faith-that doesn’ t mean that I- . Hsther: If I could only rememberif I could only remember! Harris: Say, for -Pete’s. sake, "boss: Is everybody goofy? , Curtis: No, I don’t think ‘so! Curtis: Who turned out those lights? , Andes: Lights! Curtis: Quiet! Not @ word from anyone! Curtis: Where’s the light switch, Andes? : Harris: I've got it! ’ Harris: Holy Moses!-It won't work! Curtis: It’s a short .cirenit, Hand me my flashlight, Pete, And the rest of you-stay where you are. Don't move! Mrs. Walcott: (A slight scream.) Jones: Curtis! Curtis! Curtis; Yeah? Jones: Look! . On the’ balcony! * What’s that thing there? ~ Jaith: It's a face! Waleott: A face!. Good. heayens! It’s shining! * It's ‘slowing! Jones: It's floating in- the: air! Curtis: Up after that thing, Pete! | Harris: Yeah? Curtis: ook out! Who's that by the door? Who's trying to’: ‘get. away? No you don’t! I’ve got you, Curtis: So-it's you, is it Herrick? What's the matter? Why were you trying to get away? : Vayne: My son!-My son !{~

Curtis: What's that? What's that you're saying? Mack: Something about his son. Vayne: That face! My boy’s faceCurtis: The story Carter told !-the boy that killed himself? Vayne: Yes! He died in my armsthree weeks ago. He was all I had. He told me about-Jenny Wren.- I determined to make her suffer-as she had made him. But-I didn’t kill -her, I wish I had! Harris: It got away from me, chief -whatever it was. Curtis: All right, Pete, Stand by. There's going to be trouble. ‘Well, Mr. Herrick-if I believe that: you didn't kill her-what can you tell me? "Do you know who did? . Vayne: I ean’t tell. you-something that-you lon't. ‘ Iaith: He’s fainted! Jones: He’s all crumpled up. What's the matter? Mack: Did he faint? . Harris; Sure he did-didn’t he boss? Curtis: No! (Pause.) Mr, Herrick hasn't fainted-He’s DEAD!

WHO KILLED JENNY WREN? By solving this intriguing mystery YOU may win one of the many magnificent prizes offered. So | don’t forget to tune in to 2ZW,.. IZR, or ° 4ZL * for PART FOUR MONDAY NEXT