The Shadow: The Blind Beggar Dies 04/17/1938

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Shadow – "The Blind Beggar Dies"

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Original Airdate: April 17, 1938
Choice Classic Radio Episode Release: February 26, 2026

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Overview

In this gripping episode of The Shadow titled “The Blind Beggar Dies,” listeners are transported to the streets where the most vulnerable—the blind, the disabled, and street vendors—are preyed upon by ruthless petty criminals running a brutal protection racket. When a well-loved blind singer, Singing Jim, is murdered for refusing to pay, Lamont Cranston (The Shadow) takes on the case, exposing the plight of the beggars and orchestrating a clever plan to bring the villains to justice. The episode explores themes of justice, the abuse of the powerless, and the courage found in the most unlikely places, all delivered in the pulpy, suspenseful style iconic to The Shadow.

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Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

The Extortion Racket and Singing Jim’s Fate

[03:39–05:39]

• Spike Grogan and Marty Nelson, two petty criminals, attempt to extort Singing Jim, a blind street performer, demanding “a buck a week” for “protection.”
• When Jim refuses, they savagely beat him in an alley. The aftermath draws a crowd; Lamont Cranston and Margot Lane arrive to help.
• Jim’s injuries are severe, and contrary to the police’s initial “hit and run” theory, it is clearly a beating (Doctor: “In my opinion, he was beaten with some blunt instrument, piece of pipe or a blackjack.” [06:18]).

The Plight of the Beggars and The Shadow’s Offer

[08:16–11:33]

• At a clandestine meeting called by Apple Mary, the community of beggars mourns Jim’s death and discusses their fear.
• Apple Mary reveals that The Shadow has promised his help, a revelation initially met with skepticism and then hope.
  • Memorable Moment: “Somebody that you, that have got your eyesight, don’t believe in because nobody’s ever seen him… The Shadow.” – Apple Mary [09:39]
• The Shadow addresses the group, warns there’s a spy among them, and lays out a secret communications system using chalk symbols so he can monitor and help them.

The Crooks Plan Their Trap

[12:30–14:17]

• Spike and Marty, realizing The Shadow is involved, plan to lure him into a trap by kidnapping Apple Mary and using the beggars’ own chalk signals to set the bait.
• “That’s just what I want. And to be sure he does get here, you’re gonna chalk up a message on the armory wall.” – Spike [13:44]

The Shadow Sets Out – The Trap Is Sprung

[14:32–19:00]

• Lamont (The Shadow) and Margot see the distress sign and know it’s likely a setup, but Lamont goes anyway, telling Margot, “If I’m not back by then, notify the police to raid.” [15:32]
• Inside the hideout, Apple Mary resists her captors. The villains are prepared to shoot blindly when The Shadow arrives.

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The Confrontation: The Shadow Outsmarts the Crooks

[19:05–20:54]

• The Shadow uses ventriloquism and misdirection to avoid the hail of machine gun bullets, projecting his voice to distract Spike and Marty.
  • Memorable Moment: “There is only one uncertainty in life… That is death.” – The Shadow [19:44]
• The criminals are sure they've killed The Shadow and force Apple Mary to spread the word—only to find The Shadow very much alive, having avoided their ambush.

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The Pursuit and the Beggars’ Justice

[20:54–24:06]

• The Shadow reunites with Margot and follows the crooks to Dugan’s Pool Hall.
• The beggars, led by Apple Mary, gather en masse outside; police cover the alley exits. The criminals are trapped.
  • Memorable Line: “They may be lame and blind, but I don’t give much for your chances if they get hold of you.” – Dugan [22:58]
• The Shadow, unseen, confronts Spike and Marty, demanding their confession:

“Take your choice. A chance before a legal jury or that mob. Quick.” – The Shadow [25:03]

• Marty cracks under pressure, confesses, and writes the confession on the blackboard, dictated by The Shadow.

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Justice Delivered

[26:36–27:34]

• With the confession written and signed, The Shadow lets the police in to arrest the murderers.
• He sends Spike and Marty out, reminding them:

  "Beyond that door, a blindfolded woman with a sword in one hand and finely balanced scales in the other waits for you... her name is Justice." – The Shadow [26:52]

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Epilogue and Moral

[27:50]

• The episode concludes with The Shadow’s iconic sign-off:

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

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Apple Mary’s faith in The Shadow:
  “He promised that he'd come here tonight and tell us how he can help us.” [10:06]

• Spike’s bravado vs. The Shadow’s poise:
  Spike: “All I have to do is hear him talk or laugh the way they say he always does.” [14:08]
  The Shadow (later): “There is only one uncertainty in life… That is death.” [19:44]

• The Shadow’s warning to the crooks and rally to the beggars:
  “If one more cent of tribute is levied, if they so much as lay a hand upon one of you, they will answer to the Shadow with their lives.” [11:33]

• The Shadow outsmarts them with ventriloquism:
  Apple Mary: “But your voice, it came from near the door.”
  The Shadow: “Ventriloquism. A simple trick of projecting the voice. But that doesn't matter now.” [20:27]

• Justice personified:
  “Beyond that door, a blindfolded woman with a sword in one hand and finely balanced scales in the other waits for you. You've mocked her long enough. But she is patient because her name is Justice…” [26:52]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• The shakedown and attack on Singing Jim: [03:39–05:39]
• Hospital scene and Jim’s dying words: [06:06–07:59]
• Beggars' meeting and The Shadow’s warning: [08:16–11:33]
• Spike and Marty plot and kidnap Apple Mary: [12:30–14:17]
• Confrontation in the hideout: [19:05–20:54]
• Pool hall, the final trap, and written confession: [22:53–26:36]
• The Shadow’s sign-off and moral: [27:50–28:25]

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Tone and Overall Style

The episode masterfully combines tension, classic detective work, the supernatural mystique of The Shadow, and a voice for the downtrodden. Dialogue is hard-boiled and direct, but often poignant, especially from the beggars themselves. The Shadow’s presence is at once comforting and chilling—delivering justice with efficiency and cleverness.

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Utility for New Listeners

This episode is a quintessential example of The Shadow at his best: shining a light where others won’t, delivering justice for the overlooked, using both deduction and supernatural cunning to protect the innocent and terrify the guilty. It’s an engrossing detective thriller with a conscience, and serves as an echo of the real social struggles of its time—packaged in the moody, pulp tradition of 1930s radio drama.

Transcript

[Spike Grogan]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we

[Narrator]

bring to you the greatest old time

[Spike Grogan]

radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe

[Narrator]

to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail].

[Spike Grogan]

Who knows what even evil lurks in the hearts of men? The shadow knows.

[Announcer]

Ladies and gentlemen, the Shadow's exciting adventure will be on the air in just a moment.

[Spike Grogan]

But.

[Announcer]

But first, here's a news flash for every motorist in America. It's about a sensational new kind of tire that will stop your car quicker, safer on wet roads than you've ever stopped before. And the tire that will give you this remarkable new skid protection is the new Goodrich Safety Silvertown with the Lifesaver tread. This Lifesaver tread has a truly amazing action on wet, slippery pavements. As the spiral bars of this tread strike the pavement, they act like a battery of windshield wipers. These bars sweep the water from under the tire, force it out through deep drainage grooves, make a dry track for the rubber to grip. Thus you're protected against skids in all directions. You get the quickest stops you've ever seen. And remember this too. Silvatowns are also the only tires that give you the famous golden ply blowout protection. When thousands are killed or injured every year in accidents due to blowouts and skids, don't take chances. Equip with these life saving Silvertowns. Now that's the way to get protection against both skids and blowouts at no extra cost. The Shadow Lamont Cranston, a man of wealth, a student of science and a master of other people's minds, devotes his life to righting wrongs, protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty. Using advanced methods that may ultimately become available to all law enforcement agencies. Cranston is known to the underworld as the Shadow. Never seen, only heard. As haunting to superstitious minds as a ghost, as inevitable as a guilty conscience. The identity of the Shadow is known only to his intimate friend and Aiden Margo Lane. Today's story, the blind beggar dies.

[Narrator]

There are smiles that make us happy There are smiles. Evening, Singing Jim.

[Announcer]

Chilly tonight, isn't it?

[Narrator]

Indeed it is. Thank you, sir. There are smiles.

[Margot Lane]

Hello, Jim. Wish me luck tonight. I'm going out with a new boyfriend.

[Apple Mary]

He's awful nice.

[Narrator]

All the luck in the world you miss. Thank you.

[Announcer]

Thank you.

[Narrator]

There are smiles which make us happy.

[Spike Grogan]

Well, well, well. If it isn't Singing Jim holding down the same corner after we told him to pay protection.

[Lamont Cranston]

A move.

[Marty Nelson]

Yeah, he don't pay off and he don't scare.

[Narrator]

I. I don't make enough to keep body and soul together. Now you. You go away. Let me alone.

[Spike Grogan]

So you're gonna try to buck our record, eh? All right, Marty, Bring him back in the alley. That way. Make him see things out.

[Narrator]

Take your hand off. You let me alone.

[Spike Grogan]

Come on.

[Narrator]

Don't.

[Marty Nelson]

We just want to talk to you a minute.

[Narrator]

We got a proposition. Now, I told you, I. I don't need protection.

[Announcer]

I have a license.

[Narrator]

Because I'm blind, the police don't bother me none.

[Spike Grogan]

Bring him back over here, Marty. This is private enough.

[Marty Nelson]

Okay, Spike. Now wait on that blackjack.

[Spike Grogan]

Shut up and hold your mid over his mouth so he don't let us war.

[Announcer]

Okay.

[Narrator]

I'm an old man. I can't stand it. I haven't any money to pay, I tell you.

[Marty Nelson]

All right, give him the once over right.

[Spike Grogan]

And listen, Singing Jim, next time you fork over a buck a weaker, you'll get the worst. Okay? Mighty dump.

[Announcer]

Over wall.

[Spike Grogan]

Aaron, let's go.

[Margot Lane]

Look at that crowd gathering.

[Apple Mary]

Lamont.

[Lamont Cranston]

Yes.

[Margot Lane]

Isn't it amazing how any little thing can get a crowd together?

[Lamont Cranston]

Sometimes those little things turn out to be big things.

[Margot Lane]

Margot, that's just Lamont Cranston, the image amateur criminologist coming to the fore.

[Lamont Cranston]

Oh, look, I'm trying to get into that alleyway. Somebody hurt, probably.

[Narrator]

Oh, yes. All right, move on. Move on. Let's get this man in ambulance. Oh, good Evening to you, Mr. Cranston. Oh, what's wrong, Clancy? It's poor old Singing Jim. Somebody found him in the alley all smashed up. Looks like a truck Run over him. All right, out of the way. Move on now.

[Margot Lane]

Move on. Poor old Jim. Lamont. Look at his face and head. He doesn't look like he's been run over.

[Narrator]

Oh, don't. Don't eat me. I can't pee. I can't. Back to the hospital and make it fast. This old boy's in a bad way, Lamont.

[Margot Lane]

Somebody beat him up. But who do a thing like that?

[Lamont Cranston]

And why?

[The Shadow]

I don't know, Margot.

[Lamont Cranston]

I've known Singing Jim for years.

[Margot Lane]

So have I. Everybody knows him and helps him out.

[Lamont Cranston]

Margot, he looked pretty bad. I think I'll go to the hospital and see what I can do for him. There's more in this than meets the eye. Wanna come along?

[Margot Lane]

Yes. Lamont, I hope we're not too late.

[Narrator]

Of course, you can see singing Jim, Mr. Cranston.

[Lamont Cranston]

How is he, Doctor?

[Narrator]

Triple concussion. Looks pretty hopeless.

[Margot Lane]

Poor old Jim.

[Narrator]

How did it happen? Well, the police report lists As a

[Announcer]

hit and run case.

[Narrator]

In my opinion, he was beaten with some blunt instrument, piece of pipe or a blackjack.

[Lamont Cranston]

He's right in here.

[Narrator]

No, no, don't hit me. I'm an old man. Afraid you won't get much out of him, but you can try. I'll be back in a few minutes.

[Lamont Cranston]

Thanks, Doctor.

[Narrator]

Oh, I can't pay. I need protection now.

[Lamont Cranston]

Singing Jim.

[The Shadow]

Jim, it's Lamont Cranston.

[Lamont Cranston]

I've come to help you. And Ms. Lane is here, too.

[The Shadow]

You remember her.

[Margot Lane]

Hello, Jim. What happened? Who did this to you?

[Narrator]

Oh, keep away from me. Let me go. Don't hit me again.

[Lamont Cranston]

I'm afraid he's delirious.

[The Shadow]

Margot. Jim. Jim, listen.

[Lamont Cranston]

We're not going to hurt you. You're safe now.

[Spike Grogan]

Who hit you? Why did they do it, Jim?

[Announcer]

They.

[Narrator]

They told me I had to pay a dollar a week or they'd give my corner to somebody else. Some phony that knew how to mooch enough to pay him for protection. No, no, no, no. Don't. Don't.

[Margot Lane]

Oh, Lamont, that can't be true. Nobody could be as low as to try to make a racket out of begging. Organize them and make them pay tribute.

[Lamont Cranston]

It is hard to believe, Margot, but there must be something to it.

[The Shadow]

Wait a minute, Jim.

[Lamont Cranston]

Listen to me.

[The Shadow]

Who did this? Who's been trying to make you pay money to them?

[Narrator]

Oh, no. Don't hit me. Spike. Let go me. Mari. Don't. I can't pay. Apple Mary can't pay either. You took Apple Mary's stand and now you're trying to take mine. Don't. Don't eat me again.

[Apple Mary]

Don't.

[Narrator]

Margo.

[Margot Lane]

I'd better get the doctor. He's unconscious.

[Lamont Cranston]

Yes, Margot, but I'm afraid it's more than that.

[Margot Lane]

What?

[Lamont Cranston]

I'm afraid Singing Jim has sung his last ballad.

[Spike Grogan]

What?

[Margot Lane]

You mean.

[Lamont Cranston]

Yes, Margot. Singing Jim is dead.

[Narrator]

Folks, I guess you're all kind of wondering why the word went out over the beggar's grapevine for us to meet here in my place and maybe ain't. Anyway, Apple Mary's got something to say to us.

[Apple Mary]

Thanks, Lameville. Thanks. Folks, I guess by this time you've all heard that poor old singing. Jim's dead. And I guess you know why he's dead.

[Narrator]

Yes.

[Lamont Cranston]

Thank you.

[Apple Mary]

Now, don't get the idea that I've asked you all here to fight these here scurvy rats that pull Jim into an alley and beat him to death. I ain't asking that.

[Narrator]

Can't expect no help from the Police, Mary. You know that. No, you can't marry it.

[Apple Mary]

Yes, we tried that. And they just laugh at the idea of anybody trying to make us pay for the right to make a living on the streets the only way we know how. Selling apples like I do, singing like Jim did. Or selling pencils and shoelaces like Lame Bill here. No, no, we can't expect no help from the police.

[Narrator]

Yeah, but why don't they get the guys that murdered old.

[Apple Mary]

They're investigating it.

[The Shadow]

So?

[Apple Mary]

So they say.

[Narrator]

But what are we going to do, Mary? Jim's death was just a warning to

[Announcer]

the rest of us.

[Narrator]

It means pay up or get the saving.

[Apple Mary]

No, no, it don't.

[Narrator]

Yeah, that's. No, it don't.

[Apple Mary]

Cause something's happened. Somebody's gonna help us, but can't help ourselves.

[Narrator]

Who is it, Mary?

[Apple Mary]

Now, before I tell you, I want to remind you that I am not a drinking woman. And I ain't given to hearing things. And I ain't easy convinced. But last night, late, somebody talked to me at my stand. Somebody that you've all heard of. Somebody that you, that have got your eyesight, don't believe in because nobody's ever seen him.

[Narrator]

Who was it, Mary?

[Apple Mary]

The Shadow.

[Narrator]

The Shadow? Oh, he wouldn't bother trying to help folks like us, Mary.

[Apple Mary]

Oh, you're wrong. You're wrong. Because he asked me to call all your folks together. He promised that he'd come here tonight and tell us how he can help us.

[Margot Lane]

Coming? Why isn't he here?

[Narrator]

Hey, what's that?

[The Shadow]

I am here.

[Narrator]

Why?

[Lamont Cranston]

Why?

[The Shadow]

Why?

[Narrator]

Where'd that laugh come from? It come from right behind, Mary.

[Spike Grogan]

No, it came from back in that corner.

[The Shadow]

Wait. Don't be frightened. I am the shadow. I've come here to help you if you will accept my unseen presence without question, without fear.

[Lamont Cranston]

Why. Yeah.

[Narrator]

Yeah, that's right. We got no reason to be scared of the Shadow. We ain't done anything wrong. Yeah, we ought to be glad he's willing to help us out and protect us from fellows like Spike.

[Lamont Cranston]

Marty.

[Narrator]

Maybe he can help us find out who those fellas are.

[Apple Mary]

Now, wait a minute. Wait a minute, all of you. I've told the Shadow all I know about Spike and Marty. All any of us knows. Now, you listen to what he wants us to do.

[The Shadow]

You are victims of the meanest racket in the world. The Shadow will help you if you are willing to help yourselves. I have reason to believe that one among you is a spy, an informer.

[Announcer]

Why?

[Narrator]

Why?

[Spike Grogan]

Where is he?

[Announcer]

Point him out.

[The Shadow]

No. No sooner or later he will betray himself. There are too many of you for me to single out the one hostile mind in this room.

[Margot Lane]

What do you want us to do, Shadow?

[Narrator]

We'll do anything you say.

[The Shadow]

Go on doing as you have been doing. When these men approach you again, pay them or promise payment. And then go to the west wall of the National Armory and make your sign of distress in white chalk using the symbols you use in communicating with one another. The Shadow will understand them and come to your aid. As for the informer in your midst, let him take this warning to the petty racketeers he serves. If one more cent of tribute is levied, if they so much as lay a hand upon one of you, they will answer to the Shadow with their lives.

[Spike Grogan]

Yeah? Who's there? That you, Marty?

[Marty Nelson]

Yeah, it's me, Spike.

[Spike Grogan]

What took you so long? Say, you look like the real McCoy with those smoked glasses and that crutch.

[Marty Nelson]

I used to make a living faking this blind and Lame gag before you showed me how to make some easy money.

[Spike Grogan]

Well, what happened at that meeting at Lame Bill's place? Plenty. You look like you've seen a ghost.

[Marty Nelson]

No, I ain't seen no ghost, Spike.

[Spike Grogan]

What then?

[Marty Nelson]

I heard something tonight that I don't

[Narrator]

want to hear again.

[Marty Nelson]

The voice of a guy you couldn't see. He was right there talking to us.

[Spike Grogan]

You've been hearing things. No, it's the truth, I tell you.

[Marty Nelson]

You've heard about this guy they call a Shadow, haven't you?

[Spike Grogan]

Yeah, I've heard about him all right. So what?

[Marty Nelson]

He was at that meeting. That's why Apple Mary called it. The Shadow got the whole story out of her. How we worked this racket and now he's out to get us.

[Spike Grogan]

How's he gonna do it?

[Marty Nelson]

He's got it all fixed for the beggars to put their distress signs on the wall of the National Armory the first time we try to collect any more dough.

[Spike Grogan]

You say the Shadow got all the dope from Apple Mary?

[Marty Nelson]

Yeah. I tell you, we gotta lay off

[Spike Grogan]

and kiss all that money we get from a beggar's goodbye. Not on your life.

[Marty Nelson]

Yeah, but, Spike, the Shadow's poison. He's caught plenty of big shots with Doe and their gangs. What chance have we got against a guy like that?

[Spike Grogan]

Listen, punk, you're all a gang I got, and I ain't in the Big Doe. But I'm plenty smart. And I got an idea how to get rid of this Shadow.

[Marty Nelson]

All right. All right. How you gonna do it?

[Spike Grogan]

Listen, all we gotta do is Get a hold of Apple Mary, bring her up here to the hideout and keep her here.

[Marty Nelson]

Yeah, and get the Shadow Plum on our trig.

[Spike Grogan]

That's just what I want. And to be sure he does get here, you're gonna chalk up a message on the armory wall. You know the signs I use.

[Marty Nelson]

Yeah, I know, Em. But supposing you do get Apple Mary here and this Shadow comes after her. Then what?

[Spike Grogan]

Then he's gonna walk into the sweetest little trap you ever saw sprung.

[Marty Nelson]

But you can't see the guy.

[Spike Grogan]

I don't have to see him. All I have to do is hear him talk or laugh the way they say he always does.

[Marty Nelson]

All right, Spike. Okay. I hope you know what you're doing.

[Spike Grogan]

I haven't given you a bad stare yet, have I? We'll grab Apple Mary tonight and bring her down here.

[Margot Lane]

Why did you want to drive past the National Army, Lamont?

[Lamont Cranston]

I'm looking for handwriting on the wall, Margot.

[Margot Lane]

What do you mean?

[Lamont Cranston]

The Shadow made arrangements with Apple Mary and her friends to communicate with them. That way. Those racketeers try any more strong arm

[Margot Lane]

tactics, do you think they will?

[Lamont Cranston]

Yes. There's a reckless bravado about a petty criminal that you won't find in big time crooks.

[Margot Lane]

They're just as dangerous. Don't forget that, Lamont.

[Lamont Cranston]

I'm not forgetting it for a minute, Margo. There's a saying. Little snakes are more deadly than the big ones. Stop the car, Margot.

[Spike Grogan]

Here's the armory.

[Margot Lane]

What is it, Lamont?

[Narrator]

Hmm?

[Lamont Cranston]

There's writing on the wall. Maybe what I'm looking for.

[Margot Lane]

You mean those chalk marks? Those crosses and circles and numbers?

[Lamont Cranston]

Yes.

[Spike Grogan]

Yes.

[Lamont Cranston]

It's a message from Apple Mary. She needs help. She's waiting for the Shadow in the basement of 19 River Street.

[Margot Lane]

I'll drive you there, Lamont.

[Lamont Cranston]

All right, Margot. Not all the way. Stop a block from that address and let me out.

[Margot Lane]

Very well, Lamont. Shall I wait for you?

[Lamont Cranston]

Yes, Margot. Wait half an hour. If I'm not back by then, notify the police to raid. That.

[Margot Lane]

Why, Lamont? What made you think.

[Lamont Cranston]

I don't think Apple Mary sent that message, Margot. I have a feeling the Shadow's being invited to walk into a trap.

[Announcer]

Sit tight, ladies and gentlemen. The Shadow still has plenty of thrills coming.

[Apple Mary]

Extreme, Extreme.

[Narrator]

Foreign dude car in weekend skidding accident.

[Spike Grogan]

Yes.

[The Shadow]

The Shadow knows that there's hardly a driver who has not experienced that sickening, paralyzing pit of the stomach feeling that comes when his car skids wildly over a wet, slippery highway.

[Announcer]

Is it worth the Risk motorists, especially when you can now get a tire that will stop you quicker, safer on wet roads than you've ever stopped before. A tire that will put real blowout protection between your car and the road. And this new Goodrich Safety Silvertown with the Lifesaver Tread Skid protection and Golden Ply Blowout protection costs nothing extra. It's one of the best safety investments you can make. So play safe. Equip your car with these life saving Goodrich spelled G O O D R I C H Goodrich Safety Silvertowne tires before it's too late.

[Spike Grogan]

That you, Marty?

[Marty Nelson]

Yeah, it's me.

[Announcer]

Where are you?

[Marty Nelson]

How about some light?

[Spike Grogan]

Okay. I just wanted to be sure.

[Marty Nelson]

Hey, what's the idea? We're sitting down here in the dark. Hey, what are you doing with that Tommy gun?

[Spike Grogan]

When the shadow comes here looking for Apple Mary, I'm gonna spray this room with lead from floor to ceiling. It won't matter if I can't see him. I can't miss when our troubles will be over.

[Marty Nelson]

I put that message in the armory wall.

[Spike Grogan]

How long ago?

[Marty Nelson]

About an hour.

[Spike Grogan]

Then he'll be here soon. That guy moves fast, from what I hear.

[Marty Nelson]

Hey, how are you gonna know when the shadow gets here? What if he don't talk or laugh?

[Spike Grogan]

He's gotta open that door, ain't he? He can't walk through it. He ain't a ghost.

[Marty Nelson]

He comes as close to being a ghost as anything I ever want him up against. How's he do it?

[The Shadow]

Does he.

[Marty Nelson]

I mean, how does he keep you from seeing him?

[Spike Grogan]

By hypnotism, whatever that is.

[Marty Nelson]

Yeah, I know a guy in a circus that could do that. Least wise, he claimed he could.

[Spike Grogan]

Go and get Apple Mary in here. She's in her back room.

[Narrator]

Okay.

[Marty Nelson]

Hey, yo, Apple Mary. Come on out here.

[Apple Mary]

I'm coming. Don't think I'm scared of the scum of the earth like you two.

[Marty Nelson]

Ah, pipe down.

[Apple Mary]

What do you want with me?

[Spike Grogan]

Bring her over here and shove her into this chair.

[Marty Nelson]

You hide him.

[Announcer]

Come on.

[Apple Mary]

Take your hands off me. May be old and blind, but I take no guidance from scavengers.

[Spike Grogan]

Take that cane away from her. She might get free with it.

[Marty Nelson]

Give me that.

[Apple Mary]

I'll give it to you. Here, take.

[Marty Nelson]

Who are you? She devil.

[Spike Grogan]

Put her in that chair and hold her there. Get your knife.

[Marty Nelson]

Come on. Sit down there. Yeah, I got my knife.

[Spike Grogan]

Get it out. She tries and think. When the shadow turns up, let her have it right between her shoulders.

[Narrator]

Okay.

[Marty Nelson]

If you know what's good for You. You'll sit still, Mary, with a shadow,

[Apple Mary]

so you know he's after you. So there was a squealer at the meeting.

[Marty Nelson]

That was no squealer. It was me. And we're expecting your pal the Shadow most anytime now. I put a little message from you on the armory wall telling him to come here.

[Spike Grogan]

Yeah. Just wait till that door swings open. That's the only way you can get in or out.

[Marty Nelson]

If this shadow guy's got a gun starts blazing away, you'll get yours, Mary.

[Apple Mary]

The Shadow doesn't need a gun.

[Spike Grogan]

Shut him up, Marty. I just heard the basement door close.

[Marty Nelson]

Hey, somebody's in the horse by.

[Spike Grogan]

Shut up. Watch that old dame. She opens her mouth, but I haven't.

[Narrator]

Right.

[Marty Nelson]

You got that tommy gun ready?

[Margot Lane]

Yeah.

[Marty Nelson]

Spike, he's here. The shadow's here.

[Announcer]

Do something.

[Narrator]

Do something. Shoo, Shooter.

[Announcer]

He'll kill him.

[Spike Grogan]

I ain't sure if I could even be sure.

[The Shadow]

There is only one uncertainty in life.

[Lamont Cranston]

What?

[The Shadow]

That is death.

[Narrator]

It's him. Shoot. Shoot.

[Marty Nelson]

Spike. You shut out the lights.

[Spike Grogan]

Yeah. Yeah, but I got him. Yeah, I got the shadow. Come on, let's get out of here.

[Marty Nelson]

Yeah, but what about Apple Mary?

[Spike Grogan]

We haven't got time to fuss with a blind dame unless an Apple Mary. Get out and tell your friends will be seeing him. Tell them the shadow's dead. Tell him if we have any more trouble making collections, I'll get what Singing Jim and his shadow got. Tell him that for us. Come on, Marty. Let's go.

[Apple Mary]

The Shadow dead. Who can we look to for help now?

[The Shadow]

You can still count on the shadow. Apple Mary.

[Apple Mary]

Oh, Shadow. They didn't kill you. Didn't they hit you?

[The Shadow]

No, Mary. I suspected a trap. So after I opened the door, I walked across the room and stood behind them.

[Apple Mary]

But your voice, it came from near the door.

[The Shadow]

Ventriloquism. A simple trick of projecting the voice. But that doesn't matter now. Get out of here and hurry to Lame Bills. Gather your friends together and wait there for word for me. A shadow.

[Narrator]

Margot. Margot.

[Margot Lane]

Oh, there you are, Lamont. I was beginning to get worried. Half hour's almost up. What happened?

[Lamont Cranston]

I'll tell you later. Quick, start the car. See those two men hurrying down the street?

[Margot Lane]

That tall one and the short, heavy one.

[Lamont Cranston]

Yes. Follow them, but be careful.

[The Shadow]

Don't get too close.

[Margot Lane]

Who are they? Where are they going?

[Lamont Cranston]

They murdered Singing Jim. They tried to murder the Shadow. We'll find out where they go, Margot. And then I'll telephone Commissioner Weston to surround the place.

[Narrator]

The shadow left word with apple mary.

[The Shadow]

She wants us at dugan's pool hall.

[Apple Mary]

Dugan's pool hall? The shadows track down spike and marty

[Narrator]

haplem. Harry and lame bill want us at dugan's pool hall.

[Marty Nelson]

Hey, limpy.

[Announcer]

Dugan's pool hall, right away.

[Narrator]

Mary said so.

[Spike Grogan]

What's the matter with your Marty? I thought you could play pool. You missed that shot a mile.

[Marty Nelson]

I can't keep my mind on the game. Can't stop thinking about Pike.

[Spike Grogan]

Down. Everything's okay. I tell you, I got that shadow I couldn't have missed. You heard him fall, didn't you? Yeah, but. Yeah, but nothing. We got nothing to worry about. I tell you, the shadow's out of the way. And we got it fixed with Dugan for an alibi. We've been here all even. See, here comes Dugan now.

[Narrator]

Hey, Spike. Marty, there's something going on around here I don't like. I know I told you I'd frame an alibi for you, but I don't want no trouble. I don't want my place closed up.

[Spike Grogan]

What's the matter with you? What's going on?

[Narrator]

It's that bunch you've been working your new racket on. Apple Mary, Lame Bill, Limpy, the whole lot of them.

[Spike Grogan]

What? Where are they?

[Narrator]

They're out in the street, 20 or 30 of them, and more coming every minute.

[Marty Nelson]

Yeah?

[Spike Grogan]

Who tipped them up we was here? Is this a double cross, Dugan?

[Narrator]

No, no, no, honest. Somebody must have tailed you here. Listen to him. Hey.

[Marty Nelson]

Hey, Spike, they're after us. Come on, let's get out of here.

[Spike Grogan]

Yeah, yeah, maybe we better. They tear us the pieces. They got their hands on us.

[Narrator]

You guys better slip out that back door there. It leads into the alley. The crowd may be lame and blind, but I don't give much for your chances if they get hold of you.

[Marty Nelson]

Come on, Spike, let's go, will you?

[Spike Grogan]

Yeah, yeah. Okay, let's scramble. We'll get these monkeys tomorrow, one by one. I'll teach them to try to gang up on us. Come on, Marty.

[The Shadow]

Come on.

[Marty Nelson]

First. Spike, wait. Look down the alley there.

[Spike Grogan]

Holy cat. Cops. Yeah, yeah, half a dozen of them.

[Marty Nelson]

We can't go that way, Spike.

[The Shadow]

They're laying for us.

[Marty Nelson]

Hey, Dugan, ain't there any other way out of this joint?

[Spike Grogan]

How about upstairs and over the roof?

[Narrator]

No, that door to the hall's been nailed up for years. It's either the alley or the front way.

[Marty Nelson]

Hey, Spike, that bunch out front sound like they're coming in.

[Spike Grogan]

Yeah. Were caught like a couple of rats. In a trap.

[The Shadow]

What are you going to do? Spike.

[Marty Nelson]

Shadow.

[Spike Grogan]

Spike. You hear that?

[Marty Nelson]

It's the Shadow.

[Narrator]

You didn't get him.

[Apple Mary]

He ain't dead.

[Narrator]

No.

[The Shadow]

No. You will not go to the electric chair for the murder of the Shadow.

[Spike Grogan]

So you gotta wait. Well, then the cops haven't got anything on us now. Come on, Marty. We'll go out through the alley, let the cops pick us up. They can't hold us more than 24 hours.

[The Shadow]

Wait. You've forgotten the murder of Singing Jim.

[Spike Grogan]

Why, you can't pin that on us. Well, the door's locked.

[Marty Nelson]

Yeah, and the key's gone.

[Spike Grogan]

Spike.

[The Shadow]

Yes? I locked that door. Spike. I have the key. But the front door is unlocked. You can walk out that door. Singing Jim's friends are out there waiting for you.

[Marty Nelson]

Spike, what are we gonna do?

[The Shadow]

They are the lame and the halt and the blind. But there's strength in their numbers. The strength of a long suffering fury that means your death if they get their hands on you.

[Spike Grogan]

What do you want, Shadow? What's your game?

[The Shadow]

I want your confession to the murder of Singing Jim.

[Announcer]

Hey.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Marty Nelson]

If we confess, will you keep that mob away from us?

[Spike Grogan]

I'm not confessing to anything. I'm not writing myself a one way ticket to the death house.

[The Shadow]

Take your choice. A chance before a legal jury or that mob. Quick.

[Narrator]

Stop them. Stop them. Shadow. I'll confess. I'll tell you. Yeah. Yeah. We killed. We killed Finger Jim. It was Spike. He slugged them in that alley. Yeah.

[Spike Grogan]

You dirty squealer.

[The Shadow]

Don't move, Spike. One false move, these tormented people will kill you.

[Narrator]

Mary.

[The Shadow]

Lame Bill. Wait.

[Narrator]

Wait, everybody.

[The Shadow]

This is your last chance. There's a blackboard behind you, Spike. There's a piece of chalk. Write your confession to the murder of Singing Jim and sign it. Write what I dictate to you.

[Spike Grogan]

You. You win, Shadow.

[The Shadow]

We, Spike Grogan and Marty Nelson.

[Spike Grogan]

We, Spike Grogan, confess, Marty Nelson, that

[The Shadow]

on Tuesday night at 5 o'. Clock.

[Spike Grogan]

Confess that I'm.

[The Shadow]

We did willfully beat Singing Jim to death with a blackjack.

[Spike Grogan]

Singing Jim to death?

[Lamont Cranston]

What?

[Spike Grogan]

A blackjack.

[The Shadow]

Sign it. How are you, Marty?

[Narrator]

Okay.

[Spike Grogan]

There.

[Lamont Cranston]

Now.

[The Shadow]

Now watch Shadow walk to that back door. Open it. Call to the police in the alley. Tell them to come and get you.

[Spike Grogan]

It's locked. You locked it and took the key.

[The Shadow]

I unlocked it again. Go with Spike Grogan, Marty. Beyond that door, a blindfolded woman with a sword in one hand and finely balanced scales in the other waits for you. You've mocked her long enough. But she is patient because her name is justice, and her revenge for your mockery will be.

[Announcer]

You have been listening to a dramatized version of one of the many copyrighted stories which appear in the Shadow magazine.

[Spike Grogan]

The Weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not. Okay. The Shadow knows.

[Announcer]

All the characters and all the places named are fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.