A woman is found dead, her face frozen in terror, with no sign of an intruder in the locked house.
This 1932 episode of "The Witch's Tale" is hosted by Old Nancy, the Witch of Salem, and her familiar, Satan. The episode is a horror story about a family inheriting a mysterious house under strange conditions. Old Nancy introduces the tale by sharing her magical secrets for longevity, including an iron ring and a talisman.
The story follows Barbara Turner, her brother Rodney, and their Aunt Maggie as they take possession of a mansion bequeathed by the late Mrs. Hawker. The inheritance requires Barbara to live in the house continuously for one year and spend three hours each night alone in the master bedroom. Attorney Mr. Wheat explains the will's provisions and reveals Mrs. Hawker was a reclusive woman who studied occult topics and lived in Tibet. The property includes a mausoleum housing Mrs. Hawker's tomb, which cannot be removed. Aunt Maggie expresses unease about the tomb's proximity to the house. Shortly after midnight, Aunt Maggie goes upstairs alone to inspect the bedrooms and lets out a scream. Barbara and Rodney find her lifeless on the floor of the master bedroom, her face frozen in terror. Police Lieutenant and a coroner determine she died of heart paralysis caused by sheer fright, finding no evidence of an intruder. Detective Ryan, however, discovers two extraordinarily long white hairs snagged on a chair in the death room.
The hairs are longer than Detective Ryan, who is six feet tall, suggesting a non-human presence. The episode implies the haunting or monster is linked to Mrs. Hawker's occult studies and the strict rules of her will. A key tension arises from the locked-room mystery, where a death by fright occurs with no visible cause. The setting blends a traditional haunted house with elements of exoticism, referencing Tibetan lore and alchemy. The tone is classic gothic horror, using atmosphere and suggestion rather than explicit violence. Old Nancy's folksy and conversational framing contrasts with the story's sinister events.
Listeners who enjoy vintage radio dramas and slow-burn supernatural mysteries will appreciate this episode. Those preferring modern, action-driven horror or conclusive endings might find it too dated or subtle.
