The thirteenth episode of Suspense adapted T. S. Stribling's classic tale of exotic mystery, "A Passage to Benares" (Adventure, February 26, 2926; reprinted in Stribling's Clues of the Caribees, 1929).
From Old Time Radio Archive: "[T]he exotic isle of Trinidad, where ancient temples hide dark secrets and every shadow tells a story. In the heart of this tropical paradise, a gruesome discovery shocks then island's inhabitants: a beautiful Hindu maiden is found beheaded in a sacred temple. As the island's ragged beggars awake to find gold mysteriously placed in their pockets, the sense of unease deepens. Who placed the gold there, and more importantly, who committed this horrific crime? The story follows an American psychologist who arrives on the island, drawn by a fascination with the mystical and the unknown. As he delves into the mysteries of the temple and the legends of the island, he encounters a world where the lines between life and the afterlife blur, and where every corner holds a potential clue to the dark truths hidden withing the temple walls. With its vivid descriptions and haunting atmosphere, 'A Passage to Benares' weaves a tale of suspense that is both captivating and chilling. The story builds to a shocking and unexpected climax that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew. This episode is more than just a mystery; it's a journey into a realm where reality and mysticism intertwine, offering an experience that is as thrilling as it is thought-provoking."
The American psychologist is, of course, Dr. Henry Piggioli, Stribling's famous amateur detective, and the protagonist of some three dozen tales collected in Clues of the Caribees, Best Dr. Poggioli Detective Stories (1975), and Dr. Poggioli: Criminologist (2005). The stories in Clues of the Caribees are thought to be his weakest, although "A Passage to Benares," the final story in the book, remains his most famous Pogglioi story and a classic of the genre. Outside of the mystery genre, Stribling wrote thirteen novels of social satire, most set in the South; The Store won the Pulitzer Prize in 1933.
The role of Poggioli was played by Paul Stewart. Please note that the original story and the radio adaptation reflect attitudes of the time and may be off-putting for some.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=islmWOxRHOo&list=PLvu2oOrWFl_NykNNccUdjcSUFk0tuXPkG&index=6
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