The Shadow: The League of Terror 01/09/1938

Summary

The Shadow: “The League of Terror” (01/09/1938)

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Date: December 12, 2025

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Episode Overview

This classic episode of "The Shadow," titled “The League of Terror,” revolves around a dangerous counterfeit money ring that preys on small shopkeepers and the poor. When Michael Sullivan, a humble grocer, is forced to take the blame to protect his family, the Shadow (Lamont Cranston) steps in, working with his companion Margot Lane and Sullivan’s brave daughter, Mary, to expose and dismantle the criminal operation. The thrilling story unfolds across city slums, criminal hideouts, and a luxurious yacht, highlighting themes of justice, courage, and the terror wielded by organized crime.

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Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

1. The Trial and Injustice

• [00:39–04:00]
  • Michael Sullivan, a witness in a counterfeit money case, retracts testimony out of fear for his family's safety.
  • When pressed in court, he says, “I'm afraid of what the dirty rats would do to them if I told the truth.”
    (Michael Sullivan, 03:18)
  • The judge sentences Sullivan to a year in prison for perjury, dismissing charges against the accused criminals.

2. The Counterfeit Ring’s Impact

• [04:01–06:35]
  • Lamont Cranston (the Shadow) and Margot Lane discuss the wider suffering caused by the counterfeit ring, particularly among poor families.
  • “A counterfeit dollar bill probably means the difference between eating and not eating...”
    (Margot Lane, 04:22)

3. Mary Sullivan’s Desperation and Resolve

• [06:36–09:10]
  • Mary, left to manage the grocery store and care for her sick mother, insists she will not be intimidated:
    “If any of that counterfeit gang comes around here again, I won't depend on the law to protect me.”
    (Mary Sullivan, 05:34)
  • Lamont and Margot, posing as customers, urge Mary to feign knowledge of the ring for leverage.

4. Setting the Trap

• [09:11–10:25]
  • Lamont convinces Mary to pretend she knows more than she does and attempt to blackmail the gang for her silence, hoping she’s taken to higher-ups in the organization.
  • Margot worries for Mary’s safety:
    “Lamont, aren’t you letting that poor girl take a terrible risk?”
    (Margot Lane, 10:31)
  • Lamont replies: “That girl was marked for death before we came here.” (10:34)

5. Mary’s Kidnapping and the Shadow Intervenes

• [13:13–15:36]
  • Mary is abducted and brought to the waterfront, threatened with harm if she doesn’t reveal what she knows.
  • As thugs debate her fate, a chilling, disembodied voice fills the room:
    • “You’re mistaken, Rankin. There is someone here.” (The Shadow, 15:21)
  • Terror-stricken, the criminals recognize the Shadow’s reputation:
    “That’s what it is... It’s the guy nobody’s ever seen—the Shadow.” (Trigger, 15:27)

6. Showdown on the Terror Yacht

• [19:12–22:55]
  • Mary is taken to a luxurious yacht—the counterfeiting headquarters.
  • Lamont (as the Shadow) guides Margot to contact the police and alert the Harbor Patrol about the yacht’s location:
    “Act quickly. The life of the Sullivan girl depends upon it.” (The Shadow, 19:29)
  • Onboard, the crime ring’s tensions boil over, with thugs turning on each other in panic and paranoia.

7. The Shadow’s Final Confrontation With the “Big Boss”

• [22:56–24:55]
  • The Shadow confronts the master criminal, who threatens to blow up the yacht rather than be caught:
    • “This switch will set up a charge of high explosive down in the hold that will blow you and me and the police to kingdom come.”
      (The Big Boss, 24:20)
  • The Shadow reveals he has already cut the wires, foiling the boss’s plan:
    • “The switch doesn’t work because I’ve cut the wires. See where they run along the wall.”
      (The Shadow, 24:50)

8. Justice Restored

• [25:00–26:00]
  • Police arrest the counterfeiters; Commissioner Weston promises to free Michael Sullivan and praises Mary’s bravery.
  • The Shadow, true to form, disappears after reminding all:
    “My reward, like yours, Commissioner, is in protecting the defenseless from those who have not learned that crime does not pay.”
    (The Shadow, 25:55)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On justice and fear:
  • “It ain’t fair. It ain’t right. I get a year in prison for trying to protect my family and the real crooks go look at them walking out the court, free as the air.”
    — Michael Sullivan [03:00]
• On the cruelty of crime:
  • “Small businessmen, shopkeepers, poor people… this is operating among the poor people who can’t defend themselves.”
    — Lamont Cranston [04:22]
• On the legend of the Shadow:
  • “They say he throws a sort of spell over a guy’s mind so you can’t see him.”
    — Trigger [15:27]
• The Shadow’s warning:
  • “Tell the man who controls this counterfeit ring… if anything should happen to Mary Sullivan, he will answer to the Shadow.”
    — The Shadow [16:02]
• Ultimate lesson:
  • “The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows.”
    — The Shadow (closing line)

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Important Timestamps

• [00:39] – Michael Sullivan’s cross-examination and sentencing
• [04:10] – Lamont and Margot discuss justice and the counterfeiting scheme
• [06:36] – Mary Sullivan’s first act of courage
• [09:43] – Lamont outlines the strategy to trap the counterfeiters
• [13:15] – Mary’s kidnapping begins
• [15:21] – The Shadow’s unseen entrance terrifies the criminals
• [19:29] – The Shadow alerts Margot to contact Commissioner Weston
• [24:20] – The Big Boss reveals the explosives switch
• [24:50] – The Shadow reveals the switch is disabled
• [25:30] – Police arrest the criminals; Michael Sullivan’s pardon set in motion

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Tone and Style

Maintaining the earnest, dramatic style of Golden Age radio, the episode blends suspenseful dialogue with sharp, moralistic lessons. The atmospheric interplay of shadows, fear, and the unseen avenger gives the story its classic noir flavor, punctuated by declarations of both menace and hope.

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Summary

This drama-packed episode showcases The Shadow’s cleverness and compassion, Mary Sullivan’s courageous defiance, and a satisfying comeuppance for those who would “prey on the poor and helpless.” With deception, hidden identities, tense stand-offs, and a little timely intervention, “The League of Terror” delivers a vintage lesson: in the world of The Shadow, no criminal, however clever, can escape justice forever.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail]. The shadow knows. Blue Cole presents the Shadow. The mystery man who strikes terror in the very hearts of shops lawbreakers and criminals. Today, the League of Terrorists. Ladies and gentlemen, the Shadow's exciting adventure starts in just a moment. But first I'd like to ask you homeowners a question. Do you want to cut down winter coals, Protect your family's health during this dangerous winter season, then burn blue coal for clean, safe, helpful heat all winter long? Blue coal is Pennsylvania's finest anthracite. And its harmless blue coloring is your guarantee of better heat at less cost. So when it comes to fuel, insist on blue coal. Order it by name. Your nearest blue coal dealer will be glad to send you a trial ton. Phone him tomorrow. With the court's permission. I'll Rephrase that question, Mr. Sullivan. Do you know how these counterfeit one and five dollar bills came to be in the cash register of your grocery store? Aye. I got them from customers, I guess. Michael Sullivan, you're a witness in a federal trial under oath to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. You know you can be sent to prison for perjury? Yes, I know it well enough. Before this trial began, you testified that the defendants in this case, Slater and Marino, entered your store. That they forced you to buy counterfeit five and ten dollar bills to be passed out and changed to your unsuspecting customers. Why have you changed your testimony? Why? I was mistaken, that's all. You're lying, Michael Sullivan. Lie. Order. Order in the court. This the prosecutor? Yes, your honor. It is quite apparent that your witness has received a threat either to himself or his family if he testified against the defendants in this case. Since he will not repeat his sworn testimony against these defendants, I have no alternative but to dismiss the charges. Case dismissed. Order. Order in the court. Your honor, I demand that Michael Sullivan be held on a charge of perjury. Michael Sullivan, much as this court may sympathize with your reasons and motives for shielding these criminals who prey upon an unsuspecting public in the wholesale promise of worthless counterfeit money, I have no alternative but to sentence you to one year in prison. One year in prison. But, your honor, there's my wife and my daughter Mary. I'm afraid of what the dirty rats would do to them if I told the truth. I'm sorry, Michael Sullivan, but unless you Testify. I can't. I tell you, I can't. Very well. Sentence of one year in prison must stand. Courts adjourn. It ain't fair. It ain't right. I get a year in prison for trying to protect my family and the rail crooks. Go look at them walking out the court, free as the air to go on with their dirty business. Yes, a good thing for his daughter Mary that Sullivan took my warning. Come on, let's get out of here. Okay.

[B]

Lamont. Of all the unfair, unjust sentiments.

[A]

I know, Margot. It seems cruel, harsh. But our whole legal system is being undermined by violence and intimidation of witnesses.

[B]

Isn't there something you could do, Lamont? Some way of helping Michael Sullivan?

[A]

Sullivan isn't the only one who is suffering from of this counterfeit ring. Small businessmen, shopkeepers, poor people who can't afford to get bad money.

[B]

A counterfeit dollar bill probably means the difference between eating and not eating to.

[A]

A lot of those people over in Sullivan. Exactly, Margot. This is operating among the poor people who can't defend themselves.

[B]

Lamont, are you going to enter the case of the Shadow?

[A]

Well, later, perhaps. Right now, Margot, the Mont Cranston Margo Lane can help by doing a little shopping in Michael Sullivan's grocery store.

[B]

Good evening, Mrs. Giovanni. Good evening, Ms. Charleville. How's little Maria? Oh, she's sick. All the time she cries. What's the matter? I don't know. The doctor, he say she don't get enough to eat. I don't do. I'm sorry. Oh, Lady Cannaby. Help me, Sullivan. Oh, I'm mighty sorry. They send your papa to jail because he. Well, he want to talk now. Father would have talked. He ain't afraid, not to himself. He was afraid of what they do to mother and me. How is your mother? She's not so well. She's been sick all along. And now with father in prison, she can't understand that I'm afraid for her. She's so sick. None of us don't understand. We're all afraid. Oh, I'm not. I've got Father's gun here under the counter. And if any of that counterfeit gang comes around here again, I won't depend on the law to protect me. No, no, Ms. Sullivan, you can't fight them. There are too many. Well, there'll be a couple less if they bother us again. Hoshomazia or Hosh, them being baby. No, no, Ms. Sullivan. You have so much trouble. I don't like to bother you, but. What is it, Mrs. Giovanna? The landlord, he say that five dollar bill that Mr. Sullivan gave me eat no good. He say I got to pay the renal good money or get out. You give it back to me. Another counterfeit bill. I'm sorry, Mrs. Devon. Give it to me.

[A]

Here.

[B]

Here's a good bill. At least I think it is. Her counterfeit bills are so good you can hardly tell they're fake. Oh, thank you. Thank you so much. Me?

[A]

Here we are, Margot.

[B]

I'll be with you in just a moment.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

If you hear of anyone else who has any of these bad bills Father had to give out, let me know. Mrs. Giovanni. I'll make em good if it takes every cent we got. Bless you, miss. Well, goodbye. You be mighty careful me somewhere. I will, Mrs. Giovanni. Good night. Good evening. What do you want? I think a couple of cans of corn and string beans.

[A]

And a loaf of bread. Yes, and some butter.

[B]

There are strangers in this neighborhood.

[A]

Yes, and get some peaches.

[B]

Yes, two large cans of peaches. Strangers don't come way over here in this section to buy groceries. Who are you and what do you really want?

[A]

Ms. Sullivan, put away that gun. You're a courageous, but a rather foolish young woman.

[B]

Oh, maybe so, but I got only myself to think of. I'm not like dad, afraid because he had a family. Please, Ms. Sullivan, we're not members of the counterfeit ring that's been terrorizing your father. I. How do I know that?

[A]

If we were members of that ring, Ms. Sullivan, you would have been shot long before you could get that gun. It's very obvious.

[B]

Well, what do you want?

[A]

For appearance's sake, in case this store is being watched, you better give us the groceries we ordered.

[B]

All right, what was it now? Corn, string beans and peaches. Here's the corn. Who are you? Newspaper reporters and the police.

[A]

Would you like to save your father from that year in prison?

[B]

If anything, it's killing my mother. There's a man watching the store across the street in the doorway.

[A]

I expected as much.

[B]

Who are you? How can you save my.

[A]

At the groceries.

[B]

Yes, sir.

[A]

Now the other things keep moving, but listen to me.

[B]

Yes, sir.

[A]

You're a brave girl, Miss Sullivan. But your life won't be worth one of those counterfeit bills unless you use your head.

[B]

What do you mean?

[A]

Do you know enough about this counterfeit ring? How they operate, who they are to make them fear you will talk.

[B]

I know how they operate. But Slater and Marina are the only ones who ever came here.

[A]

Slater and Marina will be out of the picture for the present. Don't stand there. Get any things, anything at all. Make a package.

[B]

My father never saw anyone else either. None of the big shots. I'll put this stuff in a paper bag. There's two men in that doorway across the street from Olivant.

[A]

Let me know if they start this way. Now, Miss Sullivan, I can't tell you who I am or exactly why I'm here except that I was in court today. I want to help you. I can if you're willing to take a great risk to help your father.

[B]

I'll do anything for dad. If I don't get him out, I'm afraid my mother will die. But I only know who's behind Slater and Marino. Who's their boy?

[A]

You can find out. But you know what happens to those who know too much.

[B]

I'll take that risk. How can I find out who they are?

[A]

By pretending to know more than you do.

[B]

I don't understand.

[A]

Those men across the street will undoubtedly come in here in the minute we leave. They'll question you, pretend you know how they operate, but you want to be paid to keep quiet. The chances are they'll take you to a higher up. Maybe not the ringleader, but someone who knows the real leader.

[B]

But Lamont, they'll kill him.

[A]

Not until they find out how much she knows and who else shares that knowledge anyhow.

[B]

I don't care.

[A]

It's only fair to warn you, you're taking a desperate chance.

[B]

What have I got to lose? They'll probably try to put me out of the way anyhow. The whole neighborhood knows how I feel about them. I said I'd kill them for what they've done to my father if I ever found out who they were. Those men are starting this way.

[A]

You've got to go, Miss Sullivan. Better think over what I've said before you act.

[B]

Oh, I'll do it. My mind's made up.

[A]

Come on, Margo.

[B]

Lamar, aren't you letting that poor girl take a terrible risk?

[A]

Margot, that girl was marked for death before we came here.

[B]

What are we going to do? Look, Lamont, those men are going in the store.

[A]

Margot, get a taxi and get out of this district. Be sure you're not followed. Go to my office and keep the shortwave radio tuned in on the band I always use.

[B]

All right, Lamars, but won't you tell me what you're going to do?

[A]

There's no time, Margot. I've got to see where they take her. From now on, the fate of Mary Sullivan is in the hands of the Shadow. Ladies and gentlemen, the Shadow will be back with you in just a moment. In the meantime, I'd like to tell you some interesting facts. In the Dominion of Canada, where there is a temperature range of almost 200 degrees from warm summer days to frigid Arctic nights, the selection of fuel is a serious problem. And the tremendous popularity of blue coal in Canada under these varying conditions is positive proof that blue coal gives steadier, healthier, more dependable heat than you can get with any other fuel. You homeowners here in the United States should be just as critical in the selection of your fuel. And when you choose blue coal, you will find you're getting better heat at less cost. For blue coal is a selected Pennsylvania anthracite, the fuel that burns longer, more economically, down to a fine powdery ash. What's more, anthracite is the fuel that furnaces, parlor stoves and cooking ranges in this part of the country were especially designed to burn. And the finest anthracite in America is. Is blue coal. It's mined by the famous Glen Alden Coal Company. And every carload is tested and retested for purity and uniform size before shipment. Blue coal is especially prepared for home use. It comes in all the popular domestic sizes. Eggs, stove, chestnut and pea size. So solve your problem of home fuel selection by placing your order for blue Coal tomorrow. Ask for it by name. Phone your nearest blue coal dealer the first thing in the morning. You'll find him listed in the where to buy section of your classified telephone directory under the name Blue Coal.

[B]

Where are you taking me?

[A]

Shut up. Get in, kid. Sit down and keep quiet. Come on. Come on. Get up, sister. Here, I'll take the blindfold off your eyes.

[B]

Why'd you bring me down to the waterfront?

[A]

I do as I'm told. You better learn the same thing.

[B]

Where are you taking me?

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

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[B]

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[A]

Right in one spot.

[B]

And turn real time reporting into big time opportunities.

[A]

Take your business to a whole new level. Switch to Shopify. Start your free trial today.

[B]

You wouldn't.

[A]

Why wouldn't we, though?

[B]

But not without orders from the big boss.

[A]

What do you know about the big boss?

[B]

Plenty.

[A]

Then your number is up. All right, kid. Then there's no plenty about the big boss. Don't Live long.

[B]

You're still alive.

[A]

Yeah, sure. Because I don't even know who the big boss is, and I don't want to know. It ain't healthy. Who's that? It's me, Rankin. You got that, Solomon James? Yeah, here she is. So I see. She's a nice looker. Listen, Rankin. She says she knows funny about the big boss.

[B]

I'll say I do.

[A]

You're a liar, Mary Sullivan. You do know too much about the rest of us.

[B]

You better get in touch with the big boss before you do anything to me.

[A]

We don't bother him with all the details of this counterfeit racket.

[B]

Well, you better bother him about this.

[A]

And you know. Reckon I think she knows something. Shut up, Trigger. I'll do the thinking around here. Maybe she does at that.

[B]

I know plenty. And I'm not the only one.

[A]

Say, what happened to that fella in dame that was in a Sullivan grocery just before we snatched her? The guy got cleaned away somehow. Yeah? What about the dame? Yes, he took a cab. Smitty trailer. But she gave him the slip. Switched cabs in traffic somewhere. Maybe you better take this kid to the big boss. Not till I find out how much she knows. Come on, Swig, make a talk. You know how. All right, kid. Do you spill what you know or do we have to get it out of you the hard way?

[B]

Let go of my arm. I won't talk to anybody but the big boss. He'll pay me plenty to keep quiet. You can't scare me like you did my father.

[A]

She wants Doe to keep quiet. Shut up, Swigger. Twist her arm. Give her a sample of what's coming to her. She don't talk and talk fast. All right, kid, you ask for it. No, no. I want her there, you dope. She's fainted. I guess I twisted her arm too hard. Rocky, did you hear that? Yeah. Yeah, I did. What was it? The trap. The cops must have followed us here. Come on, let's take it on the land. No, wait. We can't leave that dame here. You take the pull up and kid, I'll shoot out the light. Don't draw your gun, Trigger. Don't move, Rankin. He knows who we are. Sweet. There's something screwy about this. That voice, it's right here. But there ain't nobody with it. You're mistaken, Rankin. There is someone here. What kind of gag is this, Rankin? I don't see nothing but it. Say, I'm getting out of here. Wait, Trigger. Trigger, do you remember Lefty Sim? Sure. The Best thing, a man in the eight. He tried to shoot it out with a voice. The police got him. But when he went to the chair, there was only one name on his lips. Remember? The Shadow man. That's what it is. It ain't the police or the Feds. It's the guy nobody's ever seen the Shadow. They say he throws a sort of spell over a guy's mind so you can't see him. Shut up. You're crazy. It's just somebody throwing his voice. I've seen him do it in vaudeville. Come on, you. Pop that light and let's break. Wait. I'm not going to stop you. But before you go, take this message to your leader. You better listen to him, Lyken. You can't outsmart that guy. Nobody ever has. Not for long. Tell the man who controls this guy. Counterfeit ring that preys on the poor and helpless. Tell him that if anything should happen to Mary Sullivan, he will answer to the Shadow. He's right in front of us somewhere. Get a couple of pot shots. Maybe you can get him. No, no, not me. Can't you see the shadow cut to shake down the big Boy? If you won't shoot, I will. I'll get him even if I can't see a gun. Won't help you, Rankin. Oh, no? We'll see about that. You gotta talk about luck. Yeah. Let's get going while the luck's still good. I don't know if I killed him or not, but I must have winged him. Come on. Grab that Sullivan. Damon, let's get back to the big boss and tell them what's happened here. How. Where are we going? I got a speedboat waiting under the wharf. Come on, we're heading down the B. Hey, look. What do you think the big boss will say about bringing the Sullivan dame to his hideout? Yeah, I hate to think about it. You're about to fear the boat. You watch that Sullivan dame. She ought to be coming too by now. Yeah, she's coming out of it. Hey, how much farther we got to go? Yeah, we're practically there. You see that yacht laying at anchor out there? Holy cow, you mean that that's the big boss hideout? Yeah, Trace. And you're finding out something you're liable to wish you'd never heard about, much less seeing.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You mean that's the plant, huh? That's where all the phony doe's been coming from. You catch on quick, don't you? Yeah. Yeah, that's the layout. The feds and cops have Been looking for for months. Classy, ain't she? All right, here we are. Get that Sullivan dam on the feet. Yeah, okay. But how about me staying in the speedboat? Nothing doing. You're coming aboard and tell the big boss what you know about this shadow. Nobody knows much about it. You better spill what you do know, and spill it fast. 3. The big boss is the head of this racket because he can think faster than you can shoot. Gets any idea you're willing to shake down, you're as good as dead. I ain't pulling no double course. I swear I ain't like. Shut up and bring that dame aboard. Boss knows how to handle her kind. And watch your step or you'll get what's coming to her. Okay, okay. Come on, sister. Come on. Before the night's over, I got a hunch you and me are going to wish we'd never seen this ritzy tub. Margo Lanes. Margo Lanes. Listen carefully. Act quickly. The life of the Sullivan girl depends upon it. Telephone Police Commissioner Weston. Have him notify the harbor patrol boats that they will find the leader of the counterfeit ring on board the large yacht anchored off Diamond Point. Hurry. Okay. There you are, Ankin. Listen, boss. No, you listen to me. I've warned you never to come to this yacht without orders. But, boss, I had. What's the idea of being chicken at girl here? You know what happens to those who break the rules of my organization. I couldn't help it. Force. This is important. She ain't seen anything. I locked her in one of the cabins. I decide what's important. Why didn't you report first? There wasn't time. I was gonna report, but then this shadow started talking. There was nowhere else. Yeah, you tell him. Never mind. I said all about the Shadow. So he's on the trail, eh? Yeah. It's a shakedown. Shut up and listen to me. The shadows behind this, it's no shakedown. What is? His racket. Putting organizations like mine out of business. Putting fools like you and Trigger in the electric chair. Yeah, well, he was because I got him back in the warehouse. You what? Yeah, boss. I guess you took a couple of wild shots at where the shadow's voice was coming from. And we heard him fall. How do you know that Paul wasn't a trick? How do you know he didn't follow you here? No boat trails. No. I suppose it didn't occur to you that he might have been hiding in the speedboat with you? Where's that Sullivan girl? Bring her in here. I'll get her, boys. She's like my next captain. Rankin, you're a fool. You let Trigger and the Sullivan girl announce something they're not likely to forget. And you know what to do. Take care of them. You mean fix them so they won't talk permanent. Do you know of any other way? But listen, boss, the Shadow said if anything happened to Mary Sullivan, you'd answer again. You leave the Shadow to me. The Shadow. He ain't this. I didn't kill him. That is a reasonable assumption. Rankin. Was he? He's here in this cabin. I see. My presence is accepted without question. Even though you can't see me, Rankin. Shoot your full shoot. Yes. Try again, Rankin. All right, Shadow. Maybe I won't miss this time. Hey, Rankin. What's up, Rankin? Try again. The door is getting out fast. Trigger. Shoot. Drank in shoot. Get out of the way, Trigger. Oh, Franken, you rat. You double crossing rat. Fill me full of lead, will you? Rub me out cause I seen too much. Will you don't trink. But not yet. I wasn't shooting at you. It was a shadow. He was here just a minute ago. I care about the Shadow. All I know is I got a load of lead in me. Your lead. And I'm gonna. Don't shoot. Don't. Bad Dragon. Too bad. Couldn't have polished me off like I did him. Quick and easy, Trigger. Shadow. Trigger. That man there, the big boss, ordered Rankin to kill you. Trigger. He is your real enemy. Yeah, yeah. I had a notion he might try. Don't raise that gun, Trigger. Yeah, I know that one. If I go, you'll kill me.

[B]

You can't kill a guy with as.

[A]

Much blood in him as I'm carrying. You can't kill a guy that's already dead. Perhaps not. But I can avoid the risk that you have strength enough left to raise that gun. You're a better shot than right big shot. Better shot. Big shot. Not bad. Not a bad gang. And now we are alone. Yes, yes, quite a lot. And now I'm going to deal with your Shadow. Your hand is shaking. Is that the way for a mastermind to act? Devil, if I could only see you. But you won't get away. And neither will you. I've notified the police. Their boats are coming. Listen. Oh. Oh. So. So that's it, eh? Yes, that's it. They're coming to get the leader of a counterfeit ring. But they will find a murderer. A cold blooded killer locked in this cabin with his victim. That's what you think. But your mistake. Why Are you putting down your gun? Are you giving up so easily? Listen, Shadow, I've heard a lot about you. You're clever. Well, I'm clever too. Clever enough to know when the game is up. I've anticipated just such an eventuality. I suppose you can see this little switch on my desk, my hands resting on it. Yes, yes, I see it. You know what will happen if I close this switch. And I will if the police set me on this yacht. I think I can guess. Well, I'll tell you. This switch will set up a charge of high explosive down in the hole that will blow you and me and the police of kingdom come. I see. If you touch me, try to stop me, I'll throw the switch. What do you expect me to do? You call the police and you can send them away. What makes you think I will? If you don't get rid of them, I'll throw this switch. What have I got lose? Well, there they are. What about this big fight? Will you send them away? So you think I'm bluffing, eh, Shadow? No. No, you're not bluffing. I have no doubt there is high explosive in the hold of this ship. But I wonder. I wonder if you have nerve enough to throw that switch. I wonder, bright Shadow, you had your chance and you wouldn't take it. No. I'll show you. I'll blow the switch. It didn't work. It didn't explode? No, no, it didn't explode. The switch doesn't work because I've cut the wires. See where they run along the wall. You devil. I'll get you. They may get me now, but I'll get you. You'll never take me alive. Get him out of here. Go on, get him out. I guess it's the name we're after, Commissioner. All right, you. Come on, get going. Yes, Commissioner Weston, that is your man. That is the leader of the counterfeit ring you've hunted so long. You win, Shadow. The Shadow. I might have known. I had a hunch it was you again when the mysterious call came through. Commissioner Weston, There's a girl in the next cabin. She says she isn't a member of the gang. She is Mary Sullivan, daughter of Michael Sullivan, convicted of perjury in the counterfeit trial. Sullivan's daughter? Yes. She risked her life to find these men. Reward her by getting her father out of prison. He'll be freed in the morning. You have my word on that. It looks like you're due a reward for this night's work, Shadow. My reward, like yours, Commissioner, is in protecting the defenseless from those who have not learned that crime does not pay. Ladies and gentlemen, before we tell you of the Shadow's next exciting adventure, here's John Barclay, Blue Coal's heating expert. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Barclay. Thank you, Ken Roberts. Good evening. Friends. If you want to get better, more efficient results from your home heating plant at no extra cost, do this. Phone your nearest Blue Coal dealer and ask him to send one of my trained servicemen to your home. Each John Barclay serviceman is a heating expert. He knows every kind of heating apparatus inside out. For instance, here's the experience, experience of a woman in Revere, Massachusetts. She writes in part, I'm obliged to heat 14 rooms and I always had trouble with four radiators. Try as I would, I could not seem to heat the four rooms in which those radiators were stationed until one of your John Barkley servicemen inspected the entire basement of my home, including the pipes and boiler. Also those radiators which had given me so much trouble. The serviceman made some recommendations that I followed. And from that time on, I have never had any trouble whatsoever. My heating difficulties are over. I am so pleased that I feel it my duty to write this to you so that other persons may avail themselves of this most advantageous service. And, friends, that's only one of many letters I have received. Why not avail yourself of this free service? Remember, you don't even have to be a customer to profit by it. Simply phone your nearest Blue Coal dealer. He'll be only too glad to send a John Barclay serviceman to look over your heating plant. And when that serviceman calls on you, ask him about the Blue Coal heat regulator with that wonderful thermostat attached to your heating plant. You'll get more uniform, more economical heat than the most expensive oil burner will give you. I thank you. Thank you, Mr. Barclay. Friends, Mr. Barclay has just given you a valuable tip, so take his advice. Phone your nearest Blue Coal dealer the first thing in the morning. Have a John Barkley serviceman stop at your home tomorrow. The story you have just heard is one of the many copyrighted stories that appear in the Shadow magazine. The characters in this story are entirely fictitious and its similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows. Next week, same time, same station. Blue Coal, America's finest anthracite, will present another thrilling adventure of the Shadow. Be sure to listen and be sure to burn Blue Coal, the solid fuel for solid comfort.