The Shadow: Death House Rescue 09/26/1937

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Shadow – "Death House Rescue" (Originally aired 09/26/1937)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode from "The Shadow" series, revived by Choice Classic Radio Detectives, dives into the mystery of a twisted serial bomber terrorizing the city. The story follows Lamont Cranston, a.k.a. The Shadow, deploying his unique crime-fighting skills to foil a madman's deadly schemes and to restore public confidence in the police, all set against the tense backdrop of bombings, panic, and political pressure.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Citywide Panic and Introduction of the Threat

• A series of bombings has left 15 dead and 50 injured, paralyzing the city's theater district and spreading fear among both citizens and officials.
• Police Commissioner Weston faces mounting pressure and public outrage for failing to catch the killer.
• The mass killer taunts authorities by sending warnings to newspapers, signing off with “I hate crowds.” (02:56)

2. The Shadow Gets Involved

• Lamont Cranston (The Shadow) and his companion Margot orchestrate an audacious plan: Margot is to incite the crowd at a public meeting to demand the Shadow’s involvement in the case (04:20).
• Commissioner Weston publicly challenges the Shadow to find the killer, prompting The Shadow to respond (07:19).

3. The Shadow’s Challenge: Luring the Maniac

• The Shadow interrupts the public meeting via wiretapped loudspeakers and dares the killer to walk through the crowded Central Arcade between 5 and 6 PM the following day (07:25).
• The city buzzes with excitement and media coverage, and the killer, Anton Spivak, is drawn in by the challenge, vowing to outsmart them all (09:01).

4. The Trap is Set in the Central Arcade

• Police flood the area, per the Shadow’s request, and force crowds to keep moving in hopes of preventing an attack and identifying the killer (11:04).
• The pressure mounts as the deadline approaches. Tension is palpable in the crowd, with one false alarm nearly causing violence (14:02).
• The killer leaves a taunting note, threatening to murder more people at 11 PM (14:37).

5. Confronting the Killer Underground

• The Shadow tracks Spivak to his job as a night watchman in the subway tunnels (16:00).
• In the tunnels, Spivak opens up to The Shadow, showing him his tools of destruction—sticks of dynamite (20:58).
• The Shadow cunningly manipulates Spivak’s psyche, pretending to be an ally who also hates crowds to earn his trust (20:40).
• Just as Spivak prepares to plant another bomb, The Shadow foils his plan by putting out the fuse and removing the dynamite (22:37).

6. The Shadow’s Dangerous Bluff and Final Capture

• The Shadow tricks Spivak into believing he’s invisible, tempting him above ground to where the police can apprehend him without a fight (24:00).
• Spivak is captured—bewildered, repeating, “He said you couldn’t see me!”—and the threat is neutralized (25:59).

7. Restoring Order and The Shadow’s Farewell

• The Shadow leaves the credit to Commissioner Weston and the police, reaffirming his role as a mysterious guardian of the city (26:29).
• Spivak, broken and betrayed, mutters “The Shadow tricked me,” as order is restored (26:22).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

The Tension of Public Outrage

“Fifteen people dead, fifty injured, and you talk, talk! Business is at a standstill…”
— (Commissioner’s critics, 05:16)

The Shadow Accepts the Challenge

“I am the Shadow. I accept that challenge, Commissioner Weston. I am working on the case…”
— The Shadow, (07:19)

The Killer’s Motivation

“He knows I hate crowds... I'll show them. I'll accept this challenge.”
— Anton Spivak, (09:01)

The Shadow’s Persuasion

“I am hiding under the cloak of invisibility. You cannot see me because I have clouded your mind, so you cannot see that which is here.”
— The Shadow, (18:50)

The Final Sting

“He tricked me. The Shadow tricked me.”
— Anton Spivak, (26:22)

The Classic Moral

“The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows.”
— The Shadow, (28:39)

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Important Segments & Timestamps

• [02:56] — The killer’s signature and psychology: “I hate crowds.”
• [04:20] — Margot’s role in calling for The Shadow’s help at the protest.
• [07:19] — The Shadow accepts the police commissioner’s challenge.
• [09:01] — Spivak’s inner monologue and acceptance of The Shadow’s dare.
• [11:04] — The Shadow instructs police: “Keep the crowd moving. Everything depends on that.”
• [14:37] — Killer’s new threat: “Tell that Shadow fellow I’ll kill me a lot more people at eleven o’clock tonight.”
• [16:00] — Spivak in the subway; The Shadow prepares to confront him.
• [20:40] — The Shadow feigns kinship: “Yes, I hate crowds. Let me watch you and learn.”
• [22:37] — The Shadow thwarts the bombing as Spivak attempts to plant dynamite.
• [24:00] — The Shadow manipulates Spivak into walking above ground.
• [25:59] — Spivak’s capture by the police.
• [28:39] — The Shadow’s moral: “Crime does not pay.”

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Tone & Atmosphere

• The episode features signature 1930s radio drama suspense, with a sharp back-and-forth between law enforcement, a cunning antagonist, and the ever-cryptic yet righteous Shadow.
• The dialogue blends bravado, desperation, and the psychological tension of a public in fear with the chilling calm of The Shadow's methodical approach.
• The sound design and narration add to the immersive, golden-age radio detective ambiance.

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In Summary

This “The Shadow” episode exemplifies the golden age of radio mystery: a city in terror, an elusive villain, and the thrilling intellect and courage of an enigmatic hero. Through psychological manipulation, guile, and a bit of stagecraft, The Shadow outwits a deadly criminal—while reminding the audience, in his haunting closing, that “crime does not pay.”

Transcript

[Arthur Whiteside]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time.

[The Shadow]

Radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you.

[Anton Spivak]

For [e-mail].

[The Shadow]

The Shadow knows.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Blue Code presents the Shadow. The mystery man who strikes terror in the very hearts of sharpsters, lawbreakers and criminals. Ladies and gentlemen, when you hear the Shadow's blood curdling laugh, you can be sure that exciting entertainment will follow. And here's something else that you can be sure of. When you buy blue coal, you're getting the finest of Pennsylvania hard coal. The harmless blue coloring that identifies blue coal is your guarantee of clean, even safe, dependable heat all winter long. So don't take chances. Insist on blue coal. Ask for it by name. Phone your order to your nearest local dealer tomorrow. And be sure to hold on for John Barclay's important message at the end of this program. The plot murder announced for today has been postponed today. The Circle of Death.

[Anton Spivak]

Oh, Jack, what a delightful show. What a wonderful way to start our honeymoon.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Darling. When it comes to shows, girls, I'm a swell picker. Now watch me pick a nightclub.

[Newsboy]

Oh, taxi. Hey, taxi.

[Anton Spivak]

Darling, I think you're wonderful. I've never had such a marvelous time in my life.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Hop in, honey.

[Lamont Cranston]

Well, things are pretty quiet around the theater district tonight, Bill.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Yeah, pretty thin crowd.

[Lamont Cranston]

I don't blame folks for staying away after those three bombings and 15 people being blown to pieces. I wouldn't be here myself if it wasn't the Commissioner's orders.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Same here. Boy, has this town got the jitters.

[Lamont Cranston]

Commissioner Weston's hopping around like a cat on a hot stove. I hear the Midtown association is going.

[Arthur Whiteside]

To ask for his resignation if he.

[Lamont Cranston]

Don'T catch the nut that spirit bombs.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Around here like confetti on New Year's Eve.

[Lamont Cranston]

The guy that's pulling these jobs sure must have it in for a lot of people.

[Arthur Whiteside]

He's a real screwball, if you ask me. Look at the way he's always sending warnings to the newspapers before he blows another batch of pedestrians to Haiti.

[Lamont Cranston]

Yeah, and have you noticed he always ends his notes by saying, I hate crowds.

[Arthur Whiteside]

This is the time that crazy goof warned he'd set off another blast.

[Lamont Cranston]

Maybe his watch is slow, but things.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Are going to pop if he pulls another job and kills any more people.

[Lamont Cranston]

Well, maybe. Maybe all the cops have him scared off. Maybe.

[Newsboy]

Maybe not. Bill.

[Anton Spivak]

Look at that.

[Newsboy]

Car blown the smithereens as killer strikes again. Five more dead. Get your paper here, Pants. Read all about the mad maniac Planet it's horrible, Lamont.

[Lamont Cranston]

Horrible, senseless and insane. Margot, crimes like this always are. Turn on the radio. It's time for a news bullet and the switch on the dashboard.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Inefficiency of the police department. Tonight at Midtown Hall a meeting of businessmen of the entertainment world and property owners is in progress. Police Commissioner Weston has been asked to defend his department and produce results or resign.

[Lamont Cranston]

That's Enough, Margaret. Washington, D.C. now listen carefully.

[Anton Spivak]

Yes, Lamar?

[Lamont Cranston]

I want you to go to that.

[The Shadow]

Protest meeting right over there at Midtown Hall.

[Lamont Cranston]

Commissioner Weston is speaking and the crowd is pretty certain to heckle his explanation of the failure of his department to catch this fiend.

[Anton Spivak]

I'm sure of it.

[Lamont Cranston]

Now here's what I want you to do. Keep quiet and watch your chance. Then I want you to cry out that Shadow could solve this crime without half trying.

[Anton Spivak]

Aren't you flattering yourself?

[Lamont Cranston]

Never mind that, Margot. I have a very definite reason for doing this. A lot depends on your getting the crowd to take up your suggestions.

[Anton Spivak]

I'll do my best, Amand, but where are you going?

[Lamont Cranston]

I won't be far away. Hand me that leather case on the floor.

[Anton Spivak]

Here you are. Am I permitted enough womanly curiosity to ask what's in it?

[Lamont Cranston]

Just a little wire tapping device.

[Anton Spivak]

Telephone?

[Lamont Cranston]

No. Commissioner Weston will be talking over the loudspeaker system in Midtown Hall. Don't be surprised if the Shadow interrupts his speech. Now remember, Margot, cry out at the psychological moment. Hundreds of lives depend on it.

[Newsboy]

We don't want alibis to make. Crazy man's making a fool of you, wet guy. Gentlemen. Get them then. As I have explained to you, every available resource of the police department has been thrown into catching this fiend. Our farm squads have combed the city. Every known criminal with psychopathic tendencies has been rounded up and questioned. Not one fragment of a bomb has been found. No buildings have been damaged. No one person has been singled out for death. This is not an ordinary crime. We are not dealing with an ordinary criminal. Alibis. Alibis. We've had enough. 15 people dead, 50 injured and you talk. Talk. Business is out of standstill. It's being ruined. The whole city's in a panic. Get this pillow or resign. Western. Get out and let the man appoint somebody to the fringe and let the catchments radiation. He bought it. Strike the gas. The Shadow could solve this crime without half trying. There's an idea. The Shadow. The extra shadow jams fractal for you before we. Why don't you call him in? He wouldn't have to do much to do A better job of it than the police have. Get the Shadow, Weston. What a commissioner. You've done nothing in two weeks. You're lick. Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Hold on.

[Newsboy]

What makes you think this man who calls himself the Shadow is interested in law and order? He's up the crack. Plenty of criminals H me. Yes, he's tipped us off occasionally, but it may have been to get rid of Rival. We have no assurance he isn't a criminal himself. Why all of us speak in such a. I don't run my department that way. You're not running it at all. That's a matter of opinion. I was asked here to tell you what we've been doing. You seem to think my department works with its Shadow. We don't. We never have. And as for the Shadow and you reporters can spread it all over the front pages. I challenge him to uncover one single scrap of evidence that my men have overlooked. I challenge the Shadow to find this maniac.

[The Shadow]

I am the Shadow. I accept that challenge. Commissioner Wesson. I am working on the case. Gentlemen of the press, it will not be necessary for you to print the commissioner's challenge. But you can print this challenge to the arch fiend behind this reign of terror. Print this, gentlemen. The Shadow will trap the masked killer if he dares walk through the central arcade during the rush hour between 5 and 6 tomorrow night. Remember, the Central Arcade between 5 and 6 tomorrow night. I dare him to come to walk through the central arcade.

[Newsboy]

Mystery paper. Shadow breaks up the meaning, challenges masculine sexual octane reading about the.

[The Shadow]

Right.

[Newsboy]

Y' all rundy boys?

[Anton Spivak]

That paper, boy. Boy. Boy, you Here, here, give me a paper. Give me a paper.

[Arthur Whiteside]

That's 2 cents, mister.

[Anton Spivak]

Here's your 2 cents.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Well, thanks. Here's the paper.

[Anton Spivak]

No, no, no. Not that one on top, people. Crowds have seen it.

[Newsboy]

So what?

[Arthur Whiteside]

They're all the same.

[Anton Spivak]

No, no. Give me that one underneath.

[Newsboy]

Okay.

[Arthur Whiteside]

The customer's always right.

[Newsboy]

Hey, you might squirrel a challenge by the Shadow. Get your extra paper.

[Anton Spivak]

The central arcade tomorrow. So he's daring me, this Shadow fellow. He knows I hate crowds. Crowds and people pushing and getting in my way. Voices talking and shouting. I hate them. I hate them and I'll show them. I'll show the Shadow fellow too. I'll fool all of them. I'll accept this challenge. I'll be there at the central arcade and the Shadow fella will know I was there. The whole world will know after I've gone.

[Lamont Cranston]

Your orders have been carried out, Commissioner Weston.

[Anton Spivak]

Good.

[Arthur Whiteside]

There'd better not be any slip ups.

[Lamont Cranston]

200 patrolmen are stationed in the neighborhood of the central arcade. 50 picked men of the plainclothes and bomb squad will be in the crowd. If there is a crowd, there'll be a mob.

[Arthur Whiteside]

After all the publicity. If I could get my hands on the Shadow, I'd wring his neck for this. What time is it?

[Lamont Cranston]

A little after 4, sir.

[Arthur Whiteside]

We better get down there pretty soon.

[Anton Spivak]

Yes, sir.

[Lamont Cranston]

Shall I take that call, sir?

[Arthur Whiteside]

No, I've been waiting for this and. But if it's who I think it is.

[Lamont Cranston]

Hello?

[The Shadow]

Hello?

[Arthur Whiteside]

Listen to me, Shadow.

[The Shadow]

No, Commissioner Weston, you listen to me.

[Arthur Whiteside]

I'm listening. Quick covers.

[Lamont Cranston]

Trace this call.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Yes, sir.

[The Shadow]

Don't bother, Commissioner. You can't trace this call. I tapped a line. Just as I tapped the midtown loudspeaker.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Oh, that's how you pull that crazy stunt. You're a fool, Shadow. Don't you realize you've endangered the lives of thousands of people?

[The Shadow]

Nothing will happen if you do not interfere.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Don't take my orders from you, Shadow. You're not running the police department.

[The Shadow]

I'm not giving orders, but I need your help. Just do one thing for me and you and not the Shadow will get the credit for the capture. The mass killer.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Oh, yes. Well, what do you want?

[The Shadow]

Just keep the crowd moving through the narrow arcade. Just keep them moving. Keep them moving. Everything depends on that.

[Arthur Whiteside]

What are you trying to do, Shadow?

[The Shadow]

To find a needle in a haystack? A man in a million?

[Arthur Whiteside]

You haven't a chance.

[The Shadow]

The man maniac won't come. You overlook the fact that a deer is a powerful psychological magnet that no egotistical crazed mind can resist. Just keep that crowd moving, Commissioner. Keep them moving.

[Arthur Whiteside]

When you start figuring ways and means to save money for Christmas gifts, fuel is probably the last thing that comes to mind. Naturally, you don't want to jeopardize the health and comfort of your family. But did you know that you can actually have better heat for less money simply by burning blue coal? Here's why. Blue coal is a rich Pennsylvania anthracite. The fuel at furnaces, space heaters and cooking ranges in this part of the country where especially designed to burn. And while other fuel prices are advancing, the cost of anthracite is not. No wonder thousands of homeowners are switching back to anthracite. No wonder Anthracite is the fuel that is used for cooking purposes on the nation's cracked passenger trains. They've tested all kinds of fuel and found that anthracite is far more economical because it burns long, steadily, evenly with minimum Drafts and less attention. Now, the cream of all Pennsylvania anthracite is blue coal. It comes from the minds of the famous Glen Alden Coal Company. It's tested and retested for purity and uniform sizing. Blue coal is prepared especially for home use. And it comes in all domestic sizes. Egg, stove, chestnut and pea. So if you want clean, even, dependable heat at lowest cost, always order blue Coal. Phone your nearest Blue Coal dealer tomorrow. You'll find his name listed in the where to Buy it section of your classified telephone directory under the name Blue Coal.

[Lamont Cranston]

Keep moving.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Keep moving.

[Lamont Cranston]

Well, the time's almost up, Commissioner Wesson.

[Anton Spivak]

Yes?

[The Shadow]

Two minutes to six.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Oh, this is the longest hour I've.

[The Shadow]

Ever spent in my life.

[Lamont Cranston]

Can you beat it? The way people have flocked here on the chance of seeing somebody else blown to bits by this maniac.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Looks like the Shadow was right. The way they've been swarming through this arcade.

[Lamont Cranston]

Yeah, and watching each other like a bunch of wild animals. You see what happened to that poor guy with the Christmas box? I nearly killed him before we got him out. All he had was a doll for his kid.

[The Shadow]

I saw it.

[Lamont Cranston]

Well, the time's up, Commissioner. Yes. Thank heavens. Any orders, sir?

[Arthur Whiteside]

Just keep the men on duty till this crowd thins out. They'll be going home now.

[Newsboy]

Commissioner.

[Lamont Cranston]

Commissioner Weston, look.

[Arthur Whiteside]

What is it?

[Lamont Cranston]

The maniac, he's been here.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Look at this piece of paper.

[Lamont Cranston]

Where'd you get it?

[Arthur Whiteside]

In the arcade.

[Lamont Cranston]

He must have dropped it. What's it say, commissioner?

[The Shadow]

Tell that Shadow fellow I'll kill me.

[Arthur Whiteside]

A lot more people at 11 o' clock tonight.

[Anton Spivak]

Lamont. Oh, I was afraid something had happened.

[Lamont Cranston]

Something has. I found the maniac.

[Anton Spivak]

Thank heavens. Have you notified the police?

[Lamont Cranston]

Margot, this man is a fiend. If I notify the police and they bungle things, he might kill hundreds of people. This is a job that the Shadow must handle alone.

[Anton Spivak]

But, Lamont, he's dangerous. You might fail. He might kill you.

[Lamont Cranston]

A shadow won't fail, Margot. But if he should, it's far better that one die than hundreds.

[Anton Spivak]

Oh, Lamont, please. There must be a safe.

[Lamont Cranston]

Perhaps, Margot. But this is the only sure way to end the career of this mass killer. Goodbye, my dear Lamont.

[Anton Spivak]

Oh, Lamont.

[Lamont Cranston]

Gladly. Connors, here comes the headquarters car. Yeah, Commissioner Wesson's car. He's bloody worried about this maniac threatening to kill another batch of people at 11 tonight. Well, we sure have to go out of the theater area to kill him. They won't let anybody in the district here without a police permit. Wait A minute. Here comes a guy.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Hey, you.

[Lamont Cranston]

You.

[Anton Spivak]

Who? Who, me?

[Lamont Cranston]

Yeah, you. Where do you think you're going?

[Anton Spivak]

Me? I'm going to work, that's where I'm going.

[Lamont Cranston]

Got a permit?

[Anton Spivak]

Got a badge, see. Says I'm a night watchman. I gotta go to work.

[Lamont Cranston]

What do you watch? Where do you work?

[Anton Spivak]

I watch things in the ground down there.

[Lamont Cranston]

Down where?

[Anton Spivak]

Down under the street. Down under the planks.

[Lamont Cranston]

Oh, I get it, Bill. He's a night watchman down on the new subway they're building, huh?

[Anton Spivak]

Yes, yes, that's it. I go down them steps every night. I go down them steps and watch.

[Lamont Cranston]

Well, why didn't you say so? Get on with you. Get to your watching.

[Anton Spivak]

Thank you. Joe Tonetti is waiting for me so he can go home. Every night at 10:30 I take from him the job of watching.

[Lamont Cranston]

Now that's a job. I wouldn't want any part. Me neither. How? Palm might be honest.

[Anton Spivak]

Oh, Joey. Joey Tometti. Joey, you can go home now. I'm here to watch.

[Lamont Cranston]

What's the matter?

[Arthur Whiteside]

You're a half a big piggyback fella. You're a five minute lady.

[Lamont Cranston]

I want to go home.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Here's the key to everything.

[Lamont Cranston]

Now you watch out. Don't you go to sleep.

[Anton Spivak]

The police don't want to let me come to work, but I show them the badge. You can go home now, Joey. I'll watch everything.

[Newsboy]

Okay.

[Anton Spivak]

See you in the morning. Goodbye. Goodbye. Oh, those people. So many people. Always pushing, pushing me. But I'll show em. I'll fix them good. I'll kill em. That shadow fella, I'll show him too. Now, now, now I'm alone. All alone.

[The Shadow]

Not quite, Anton Spivak. You are not quite alone. I am with you. Do you hear my voice, Anton?

[Anton Spivak]

Sure, sure. I always hear voices in the dark, on the street. And here under the street where I watch every night.

[The Shadow]

Yes, Anton, but you've never heard my voice before, have you?

[Anton Spivak]

Well, maybe I. I don't think so. What's different about your voice?

[The Shadow]

It's the voice of the shadow.

[Anton Spivak]

Oh, you're a pretty smart voice. How'd you find me? Where's that shadow fella the newspapers talk about?

[The Shadow]

I am more than just a voice, Anton Spivak. I am the shadow. You? You.

[Anton Spivak]

The shadow?

[The Shadow]

Yes.

[Anton Spivak]

Where are you hiding?

[The Shadow]

I am hiding under the cloak of invisibility. You cannot see me because I have clouded your mind. So you cannot see that which is here.

[Anton Spivak]

How did you get down here in this subway excavation?

[The Shadow]

I followed you down the steps.

[Anton Spivak]

How'd you know where to find me?

[The Shadow]

I picked you out of the crowd in the central arcade.

[Anton Spivak]

How did you know I was the one?

[The Shadow]

Your eyes showed me. I knew then how much you hate crowds. My.

[Anton Spivak]

My eyes show you?

[The Shadow]

Yes. You passed close to me as I stood in the shadows. The arcade is narrow. You didn't see me. No one saw me. But I saw you.

[Anton Spivak]

How'd you find out my name?

[The Shadow]

I followed you to the place where you live. I found out you work here in the tunnels.

[Anton Spivak]

Then. Then you followed me here from my home tonight.

[The Shadow]

Yes. Anton Spivak. All the way.

[Anton Spivak]

Good.

[The Shadow]

Good.

[Anton Spivak]

You're a very clever Shadow, but you must go now. Let me do my work. My work. I ain't got much time. Now go. Quick, before I get mad. You're plenty smart. I'm glad to know you, Mr. Shadow. But no, you have to go.

[The Shadow]

Yes, I'm smart. But you're smarter.

[Anton Spivak]

You bet.

[The Shadow]

Let me stay. I want to learn. You can teach me things. Then maybe we can work together.

[Anton Spivak]

You hate people too?

[The Shadow]

Yes, I hate crowds. Let me watch you and learn.

[Anton Spivak]

All right, I'll let you watch.

[The Shadow]

What are you going to do?

[Anton Spivak]

You just watch.

[The Shadow]

What's in this shed?

[Anton Spivak]

You see? Dynamite. Sticks and sticks of dynamite.

[The Shadow]

Is this what you use to kill people with?

[Anton Spivak]

Mm. Yes. My precious dynamite. They kill the crowds I hate. See? Look here. Here's a stick of dynamite. All refused. There's 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Six sticks of dynamite to go with it. Now you watch. See, Shadow? I tie them in a bundle.

[The Shadow]

But how do you take that dynamite to the place where you killed all those people? It's a block away. How do you carry it?

[Anton Spivak]

That's where I am smarter than you, Mr. Shadow.

[The Shadow]

Show me.

[Anton Spivak]

I'll show you. Look. Look. See? It's almost 11 o'.

[Lamont Cranston]

Clock.

[Anton Spivak]

Here. Here, you see this little hook? I hooked the dynamite to it.

[The Shadow]

Then what? Anton?

[Anton Spivak]

Wait. Wait. You hear that car overhead on the board?

[The Shadow]

Yes.

[Anton Spivak]

Well, if the light is red, it will stop right over our heads. Now, listen. There. There, you see? The light is red. Now, I take this crowbar. I go up this ladder. Come on. Come on. You come with me.

[The Shadow]

Yes, I am still here, although you cannot see me.

[Anton Spivak]

Now, you watch. I pry the end of this plank back, see? And I hook the dynamite on the brake rod. I strike a match and I light the fuse. And when the light changes, the car takes the dynamite with it. And when the dynamite explodes a block away, I'm still here. While the.

[Newsboy]

Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

[Anton Spivak]

You put out the fuse. You've tricked me.

[The Shadow]

And here is the dynamite.

[Anton Spivak]

No, we took it off the car.

[Newsboy]

It's gone without the dynamite.

[Anton Spivak]

And I promised I'd kill a lot of people tonight. Now I have to wait. Tomorrow the crowds will be still pushing me, scaring me. You tricked me. That's what you did. You. You tricked me. Where are you, Shadow? Shadow, Come here, Shadow. Nice Shadow. Nice Shadow.

[The Shadow]

I'm here, Anton Spivak.

[Anton Spivak]

Yes, yes, I hear you. Nice Shadow. Come. Come close to me.

[The Shadow]

Put down that dynamite, Anton.

[Anton Spivak]

No, no, Shadow. I light another match.

[The Shadow]

If you touch that match to the fuse, you'll die, too.

[Anton Spivak]

But I'll kill you and I don't care. You wouldn't let me kill people. And I don't want to live.

[Newsboy]

I want to die.

[Anton Spivak]

I want you to die, too, Shadow.

[The Shadow]

Wait, Anton.

[Newsboy]

No, no, no, no.

[Anton Spivak]

You blow out my mask?

[The Shadow]

Yes. I have a plan. Plan? Those thousands of people waiting up the.

[Lamont Cranston]

Street.

[The Shadow]

You can kill all those people. Wouldn't that be better than just killing the two of us? How?

[Anton Spivak]

How? Tell me how.

[The Shadow]

Take your dynamite and come with me. Up the steps, up to the street.

[Anton Spivak]

Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. There's policemen out there. I saw them.

[The Shadow]

But they won't see you any more than you can see me.

[Newsboy]

No, no, no, no, no.

[Anton Spivak]

They will see me.

[The Shadow]

Hypnotize them. Hypnotize them. Look straight at them. Stare at them. And then they won't be able to see.

[Anton Spivak]

No, no, no. I'm afraid.

[The Shadow]

Think of all those people waiting to be killed. Come, just a few more steps. I am with you. You'll be safe.

[Anton Spivak]

I'll try.

[Lamont Cranston]

I'll try.

[Anton Spivak]

All those people waiting to be killed. I'll try it.

[Arthur Whiteside]

But.

[Anton Spivak]

But don't you leave me, Shadow, or I'll light the fuel.

[The Shadow]

I'm here, Anton Spivak. Look, there are the two policemen. Just stare at them hard as you pass and they won't see you.

[Anton Spivak]

All right, I'll try. I'll try.

[Lamont Cranston]

Well, it's past seven thunders. Looks like a false alarm this time. Hey, wait a minute. Here's that night watchman. What's the matter with him? What's he staring at? Look. Look what he's carrying.

[Anton Spivak]

You can't see me. You can't see me. Dynamite.

[Newsboy]

Grab him.

[Anton Spivak]

No, no. Take it away from him.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Let me go.

[Newsboy]

Hold him.

[Anton Spivak]

No. I said no.

[Newsboy]

I got him. It's a mass killer.

[Lamont Cranston]

No, no.

[Anton Spivak]

He lied. He fooled me. He said you couldn't say, see me. Give me my dynamite. I want to kill all those People, hold him. No. Here's professional.

[Newsboy]

West.

[Anton Spivak]

We got him.

[Newsboy]

We got the maniac, Chief.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Let me look at him.

[Anton Spivak]

Oh, no. No, He. He tricked me. He. He said you couldn't see me.

[Newsboy]

Where'd he come from?

[Lamont Cranston]

I follow a subway excavation, Commissioner. He's a night watchman.

[Newsboy]

No.

[Anton Spivak]

No, he. He tricked me. The Shadow tricked me.

[Arthur Whiteside]

It was the Shadow.

[The Shadow]

Yes, Commissioner Weston, the Shadow. I found the killer. But the glory is all yours.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Before we tell you of the Shadow's next exciting adventure, here's John Barclay, Blue Coal's famous heating expert, with that important message. I promise you, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Barclay.

[Lamont Cranston]

Friends, there are just two more days left in November. That means that homeowners have only two more days in which to phone their Blue Coal dealers and get the full details on how they may have a blue Coal heat regulator installed in their homes for a free trial period of two weeks. To me, this is the most unusual offer ever made. The free use of a blue Coal heat regulator for two whole weeks without any obligation on your part to buy. Believe me, friends, until you've used one of these marvelous thermostats, you don't know what real comfort is. Imagine having your home warm and cozy from morning till night without once having to make a trip down to the furnace. And that's not all. You'll find you burn far less coal with this regulator, too. But don't take my word for it. See for yourself. Phone your Blue Coal dealer tomorrow. I thank you, friends.

[Arthur Whiteside]

For your own sake, do as Mr. Barclay suggests. Phone your Blue Coal dealer tomorrow and get full details of this amazing free trial offer. Prove to yourself what thousands of satisfied owners already know, that with a Blue Coal heat regulator, you get more uniform heat, more economical heat, than the most expensive oil burner can give you. But don't wait. Phone your Blue Coal dealer tomorrow. The story you have just heard is copyrighted by the Shadow magazine. The characters in this story are entirely fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

[The Shadow]

The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows.

[Newsboy]

Extra. Extra. Hear all about it. Next week, same time, same station. The Shadow's latest adventure. Extra.

[Anton Spivak]

Extra. Extra.

[Arthur Whiteside]

Next week, same time, same station. Blue Cold will again present another thrilling adventure of the Shadow. Be sure to listen. Your announcer, Arthur Whiteside.