The Shadow: The Poison Death 01/30/1938

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Shadow – "The Poison Death" (01/30/1938)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: The Shadow: The Poison Death
Release Date: January 1, 2026
Host: Choice Classic Radio

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Main Theme & Purpose

In this gripping episode from the Golden Age of Radio, "The Poison Death," mysterious mass poisonings sweep the city, filling hospitals and morgues. Panic escalates when the poisoner issues ransom notes signed by "The Shadow." Lamont Cranston, as the real Shadow, must unravel a chilling plot to extort the city with a deadly poison—racing against time to stop a diabolical chemist from mass murder for revenge.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Citywide Panic & The Poison Epidemic (01:51 – 03:10)

• The city is beset by unexplained poisonings; hospitals are overwhelmed, and no antidote is known.
• Police Commissioner Weston and the Mayor struggle under mounting pressure, with no clues.
• Revelation of ransom notes, demanding $1 million, threatening more deaths, and signed “The Shadow.”

  “For years, the Shadow has smashed rackets... Now the city will pay the shadow $1 million or the hospitals will be filled with the dying, the morgues filled with the dead.” – Mayor reading the ransom note (03:21)

2. Investigative Dialogue: Water as the Vector (05:01 – 06:13)

• Lamont Cranston and Margot Lane analyze the victims’ circumstances.
• Margot suggests the cause might be food or milk; Lamont deduces water is the common factor.

  “Water. That’s it.” – Lamont Cranston (06:01)

• Lamont develops the theory: the poison was likely introduced via water pipes, possibly by someone posing as a water company rep.

3. Narrowing the Suspects: Brinkley’s Murder and the Ransom Clues (06:48 – 08:43)

• The poisoner singles out Dan Brinkley, Commissioner of Sanitation, confirming the threat’s credibility.
• Lamont suspects the typewriter used for the notes is in the Department of Sanitation, focusing the investigation.

4. The Sanitation Department Stakeout (08:46 – 10:33)

• Lamont and Margot break into the Sanitation offices at night to inspect typewriters.
• They discover the ransom notes were typed on a machine in Chief Chemist Gerber’s office.

5. Confrontation in the Laboratory: Gerber Revealed (13:22 – 18:54)

• Gerber, unhinged and nursing resentment over being overlooked for promotion, prepares a fresh bottle of poison.
• The Shadow confronts Gerber, challenging him on his motives and planned mass poisoning.

  “You’ve been using my name as a cloak to cover your excursions into the realm of murder.” – The Shadow (14:19) “You can’t stop me. The devil himself couldn’t stop me.” – Gerber (16:14)

• Gerber attacks the invisible Shadow with acid as he attempts escape.

6. Chase to the Water Tower (19:02 – 22:14)

• Lamont, injured but determined, and Margot follow Gerber as he heads to poison the suburb's water tower.
• Despite his wounds, the Shadow pursues Gerber up the icy, dangerous water tower ladder while instructing Margot to summon police.

7. Climax: Struggle Atop the Tower (22:15 – 24:42)

• High above the city, the Shadow and Gerber duel. The Shadow manages to disrupt Gerber at the critical moment, spoiling the poison.

  “You broke it. You spilled the poison. You spoiled my revenge!” – Gerber (22:34)

• Gerber, cornered and desperate, struggles with the Shadow; the police arrive below.

8. Gerber’s Fall and Aftermath (24:12 – 26:50)

• Gerber, raving about his crimes and intent, leaps from the tower—falling to his death.
• Police discover his true identity.

  “He’s dead all right. Neck’s broken. ...Why, it’s Gerber. Gerber, the chief chemist of the Sanitation Department.” – Police Sergeant (24:58)

• The Shadow vindicates himself over the radio, clarifying he was not the perpetrator but the one who stopped the killer.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay, the Shadow knows." – The Shadow’s signature closing (29:23)
• "At last, you’ve met someone who is your match." – Gerber, to the Shadow, after the acid attack (18:54)
• "You forget the trap door of the tank may be locked." – The Shadow, taunting Gerber during the chase up the tower (21:45)
• Dramatic sequence, as the two men struggle atop the icy tower, leading to Gerber’s fall (22:34 – 24:42)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:51: First reports of mass poisoning; hospitals overwhelmed
• 03:21: Mayor and Commissioner discuss the ransom note
• 05:46 – 06:13: Lamont deduces water as poison vector
• 08:46 – 10:33: Search through Department of Sanitation; discovery of Gerber's typewriter
• 13:22 – 18:54: Gerber’s monologue; confrontation and acid attack
• 19:02 – 22:14: The car chase and ascent to the water tower
• 22:15 – 24:42: Top-of-tower confrontation and struggle
• 24:12 – 25:10: Gerber leaps, police find the body
• 25:33 – 26:13: The Shadow clarifies his role; case closed
• 29:23: Iconic moral closing line

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains the classic, suspenseful, and melodramatic style of 1930s radio detective dramas, with richly expressive dialogue, urgent pacing, and atmospheric sound design. The Shadow’s confident, ominous presence contrasts with Gerber’s frantic villainy and Margot’s concern.

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For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode is a shining example of old-time radio: a tense, tightly-plotted detective thriller, blending mystery, social panic, psychological insight, and a race against time. The interplay between the Shadow and Gerber keeps listeners on edge, culminating in a vertiginous life-or-death fight above the city. The final vindication restores the Shadow’s reputation, reinforcing the show’s guiding moral: "Crime does not pay!"

Transcript

[A]

There's nothing like the American Express Platinum card. Find out your welcome offer after you apply, which could be as high as 175,000 points. Learn more and find out your [e-mail] Explore Platinum terms apply. 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 nose.

[B]

Lou Cole presents the Shadow. The mystery man who strikes terror into the very hearts of shopsters, lawbreakers and criminals today. The Poison Death. Today's exciting adventure with the Shadow will start in just a moment. But first I have an unusual free offer of great interest to all listeners. John Barclay, Blue Coal's heating expert, has written a book, how to reduce the cost of heating your home. And you can obtain a copy of this attractively illustrated 24 page book absolutely without charge. Just address Blue Cole, 120 Broadway, New York City. Or write to Blue Coal, in care of the station to which you are listening. Drop a postcard in the mail tonight for your free copy of how to reduce the cost of heating your home. Mercy Hospital.

[C]

Quick.

[D]

Send an ambulance to 217 Shu Road.

[C]

My children. They're poisoned. Dying. Oh, hurry. Hurry. Please hurry.

[D]

Doctor. Doctor. What's wrong with my husband?

[E]

He's been poisoned.

[C]

Poisoned? Isn't there something you can do? Some way of saving him?

[E]

No. I'm sorry, my dear.

[B]

It's too late.

[A]

Your husband is dead.

[B]

What's this, Bill? Another poison case?

[E]

Yes.

[B]

The calls are coming in faster than we can answer them. Well, this one will have to go to General. The emergency ward is full. Not a cot left. The same thing in every hospital in town. They're swamped. All poison cases. And nobody knows how they're getting it or what it is.

[A]

Come in.

[B]

Commissioner Weston.

[C]

Thanks.

[B]

I came over as soon as I got your message, Mr. Mayor. Sit down, Commissioner. You know why I said for you.

[E]

Yes.

[A]

I hate to admit it, but we.

[B]

Haven'T one single clue to go on. I've had the entire police force working on this poison epidemic for three days. And we're right where we started when the first ransom note was sent to the newspapers demanding a million dollars ransom or this city of over a million souls will be wiped out. Poisoned. I thought it was a hoax, Mayor. It's a wild scheme of a crazed mind. It can't be anything else.

[A]

I don't agree with you.

[B]

The ransom note was signed the Shadow. This same Shadow you claimed has helped you solve so many crimes. But it was never asked for reward or credit. I don't believe the Shadow sent that note, Mayor. No? Then look at this photostatic copy of.

[A]

The original typewritten threat.

[B]

Listen to the way it's worded. For years, the Shadow has smashed brackets, wiped out criminal syndicates. Trapped murderers without reward. Now the time has come for a settlement. The Shadow has saved the city millions. Now the city will pay the shadow $1 million for the hospital to be filled with the dying. The morgues will have filled with the dead. I'm still convinced that it isn't the.

[A]

Real Shadow who's guilty.

[B]

You say that because the Shadow has helped you so much in the past. I resent that, Mr. Mayor. All right, resent it. But it's up to you to get busy and find out who's responsible. The fact remains that no clues have been found.

[A]

Well, I've got to have action.

[B]

I'm doing everything I can. Maybe you are, but you ought to do better. Look at this report. The hospitals are filled with the dying. The morgue is filled with the dead. Hundreds of innocent people stricken by a poison the Health Department can't identify. A poison for which there seems to be no antidote.

[E]

What is it?

[B]

How is it being fed to the people? Find out or we'll get another police commissioner. Just a minute. There's a phone.

[A]

Hello?

[B]

This is Clyde Burke of the Classic. Your Honor.

[A]

What is it, Burke?

[B]

We just received another note signed by the Shadow. What this time?

[A]

Listen to this.

[B]

I can strike at random. But I can also single out any one of you for death. To prove it, I am going to poison Dan Brinkley, Commissioner of Sanitation. When you get this through the mail, Brinkley will be dead.

[D]

Lamont Cranston.

[A]

Hello, Margot.

[D]

Thank heavens you're back. Have you discovered who's poisoning all these people? Who's using your name? The name of the Shadow?

[A]

Oh, no, Margot. Every theory I've worked on has let. No hell.

[C]

Whoever he is, this man masquerading as.

[D]

The Shadow must be absolutely insane.

[A]

There's no doubt about that, Margot. But it's the insanity of a genius, not of a money mad fault. What strange, distorted mind could devise such a terrible scheme? Margot, let me see that map of the city again. You know, the one where we marked all the areas affected by this wholesale poisoning.

[D]

Yes, I know who you are, Lamont.

[A]

You seem. Why, the cases are widely scattered all over the city.

[D]

Have you any idea how these people were poisoned? Must have been put in food or milk or something. There have been so many poisonings, it doesn't seem humanly possible. It could have been administered individually.

[A]

No, they were poisoned in groups. In every house affected by the poison. No one escaped. It wasn't poison. Milk. The newspapers checked on that. And it couldn't have been the food.

[D]

No. The food those people ate came from a hundred different stoves.

[A]

Wait a minute, Margot. You've just given me an idea. What's the one thing that all these people must have had at some time or another on the day they were poisoned?

[D]

What do you mean, Lamont?

[A]

Margot, I think I've got it.

[C]

Water.

[A]

Yes, water. That's it.

[D]

How could that be?

[A]

I don't know, Margot, but that's the answer. I'm sure of it. That explains the grouping of the poison cases.

[D]

But how?

[A]

It could have been done at the water meter, introduced to the main pipe in the basement somewhere.

[D]

So many different places without somebody noticing.

[E]

Yes, Margo.

[A]

Who could tamper with the water pipes in the basements of any building in the city and not arouse suspicion?

[D]

Why, only someone from the water company is the man who reads the meeting.

[A]

Exactly. Or someone posing as a representative of the water company. Margot, come on. Let's open the window. Something else has happened.

[D]

Oh, Lamont, it's like a nightmare.

[C]

Daniel Brinkley, Commissioner of Sanitation and found poison. There. Read all about it.

[A]

Close the window. Margo.

[D]

LA why do you suppose Commissioner Brinkley would single down?

[A]

Margot, a distorted mind, especially that of a brilliant man, will very often move along a straight line from cause to effect. This case follows a line so simple that. And so straight that the police do not even suspect who he is. Margot. But in killing Brinkley, he deviated from his original purpose long enough to settle a grudge. This is that one mistake the greatest of criminals make.

[D]

You mean it's somebody whom Commissioner Brinkley wronged?

[E]

Yes.

[A]

But Brinkley may never have wronged anybody. To a man with a warped mind like this, an imagined wrong can inspire revenge just the same.

[D]

Maybe it's someone who worked under Brinkley. Someone in the Department of Sanitation.

[A]

Margot, the pieces of this crazy puzzle are beginning to fit together. Where's yesterday's paper? The one with a photostatic copy of the ransom note sent by the man masquerading under the name of the Shadow.

[D]

Oh, here it is. Iman. I fetched it along with all the other clippings.

[A]

Let me see. For years, the Shadow has smashed rackets, wiped out criminal syndicates, trapped murderers without reward. Margot, this the letter E. It appears five. No, six, seven, eight times. And Every time it appears out of line. And look here. The letter A is blurred, Margot. It's like abc. The obvious clue. We could only find that typewriter out.

[D]

Of all the typewriters in the city. It would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Don't you suppose the police have considered that angle, tried to find that machine?

[A]

Perhaps they have. But without first logically working out the problem. As to the one place where that machine might be. They're wasting their time. The one place is the Department of Sanitation. It's so logical as to be incredible. Come on, Margot. Get your hat and coat. We've got work to do and there's no time to lose.

[D]

But, Lamont, you're not going to the Department of Sanitation at this hour. The night.

[A]

Why not?

[D]

Well, suppose you were caught.

[A]

Don't worry, Margot. The real Shadow won't be caught. I need your help if we're going to try out all the typewriters in those offices. There's a job for Lamont Cranston and his assistant, Margot Lane.

[D]

But if we're caught, how long a sentence can they give us for breaking.

[C]

Into a public building?

[A]

It's worth risking. And far better than sitting here building up theories and knocking them down again. While this mad masquerader carries out his monstrous schemes of wholesale murder. Come on, Margo, let's go. No, Margot. No. This isn't a machine.

[D]

No, it's the last one in here.

[A]

Let's try the next office.

[D]

Be careful of that flashlight. Lamont must be a watchman here in the building somewhere.

[A]

He's down in the basement sweeping. I made sure of that before I signaled you to come in.

[D]

Looks like another exploded theory, Lamont. We've tried dozens of machines. And none of them have the characteristics of the letters in those ransomware.

[A]

We're not going to stop until we've tried them all.

[B]

Margot.

[D]

There's a door there leading to the back part of this floor.

[C]

Lamont.

[A]

Yes? It says, private office of Chief Chemist A.D. gerber. Let's look in there.

[D]

Yes, there's a machine.

[A]

It's the only one in here. Try it, Margot. Here's some paper.

[D]

Thanks. I'll be glad to get out of this place.

[A]

Not the same words, Margot. For years the Shadow has smashed rackets, wiped out Lamont.

[D]

The E dropped.

[E]

Wiped out.

[A]

Criminal syndicates. Margot, the A blurred. Go on, finish it. Trapped murderers without reward. Now the time has come for settlement.

[D]

This is the machine that typed the warning notes to the papers.

[A]

The office of the city's chief Chemist in Gerber's office.

[D]

It might not have been Gerber. Other people could get to this machine and use it.

[A]

Margot, everything's beginning to fit together. Who would know more about poisons than a chemist? You know, I felt all alone.

[D]

What was that?

[A]

Someone in the next room.

[D]

Turn your light over on that door, Lamont. There's lettering on it.

[A]

Laboratory Keep Out.

[D]

Who would be in a laboratory at.

[A]

This time of night, Margot? I don't know. I'm going to find out.

[D]

It may be the man we're looking for.

[A]

Margot, I think it'll be best if you get out of here. Go back to the car. Wait for me.

[D]

Please. Lamont, let me stay here till you come out. I might be able to help you if it's that crazy mania.

[A]

No, Margot. Go out to the car and wait for me. Lamont Cranston and Margo Lane have done all they can. The time has come for me to be the shadow. The real shadow must open that door.

[B]

The second part of the Shadows adventure will continue in just a moment. In the meantime, let's talk about how to save money. You will begin saving money when you use blue coal. Blue coal is Pennsylvania anthracite. It is an American product mined by the Glen Alden Coal Company. Unlike many other fuels, blue coal is especially prepared for use in American homes whose heating plants were designed to use anthracite. And to be sure of getting the best anthracite, order blue coal. Its blue color identifies it at a glance. Blue coal is a long burning fuel that sends a steady, continuous flow of uniform heat into the living quarters of the home. There is no waste because blue coal burns completely to a fine powdery ash. And it is such a clean fuel to use. These are just a few of the reasons why sales of blue coal in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, this winter are 22% greater than last winter. Stroudsburg families have been using blue coal in increasing quantities. These are the families that not only enjoy more comfortable homes. But now save money on fuel bills as well. So I urge all families who have not yet tried blue coal to order a trial ton tomorrow. Find out for yourself how much better this specially prepared home fuel is than any other solid fuel. Order blue coal by name in any one of four popular sizes. Egg, stove, chestnut or pea. The name of your nearest blue coal dealer can be found in the where to buy it section of your classified telephone directory under the name Blue Coal.

[E]

Nerves.

[A]

Nerves.

[C]

Why should I be nervous?

[A]

No one knows I'm here all alone. Who would suspect me?

[E]

Gerber.

[C]

The city Chemist. I'll never tell them. They'll never know that Brinkley is dead. They'll make me Commissioner of Sanitation. I should have had the job when they gave it to him. I guess he knows it now. Gerber. Bring me that report.

[B]

Gerber.

[C]

Why didn't you do this, Gerber? Why didn't you do that? Treating me like dirt.

[A]

All that's over now, though.

[C]

Over and done with.

[E]

How did that door get open?

[A]

Must have forgotten to close it.

[C]

Must be getting absent minded.

[A]

Got to be more careful.

[C]

Someone might come in, might ask me what I'm doing, what I'm making.

[A]

What are you making, Gerber? Well, what was that?

[C]

Who said that? Who laughed?

[A]

The Shadow spoke. The shadow laughed. Gerber. Shadow? Yes, Gerber. I am the Shadow. You know my name. You've been using it as a cloak to cover your excursions into the realm of murder.

[C]

Oh, you can make yourself invisible, Shadow.

[A]

Or.

[C]

Or are you hiding?

[A]

I happen to be master of the ancient art of hypnotism by which I can blind your eyes to my presence.

[C]

But you are really here. In this room? Physically, I mean.

[A]

Yes. I opened that door. I walked into this room. I am here. Quite near you, Gerber.

[C]

How did you find me?

[A]

By a process of elimination. Because you made one mistake in your admirable train of logic.

[C]

A mistake?

[A]

Yes. When you murdered Brinkley, the Commissioner of Sanitation, I knew it must be someone who had a grievance against him. Real or imaginary?

[C]

Real or imaginary? Oh, I see. You think I am insane, Shadow.

[A]

The sanity of a brilliant mind is not measured by ordinary standards, Gerber.

[C]

Yes, that's it. My co workers know I'm brilliant. They don't think I'm eccentric because when anybody's around, I'm on my guard.

[A]

What were you doing when I came in, Gerber?

[C]

Filling this bottle.

[A]

What is in that bottle, Gerber? What is that crimson colored fluid?

[C]

That is the poison, Shadow. I'm supposed to be analyzing the blood taken from my first batch of poison victims. But instead I've been making more poison. You see? It's all ready now. Would you like some, Shadow? I'll be glad to give it to you.

[A]

What are you going to do with that bottle of poison, Gerber? Or are you afraid to tell me?

[C]

No, I'm not afraid. You can't stop me. The devil himself couldn't stop me. I'm going to drive to one of our fashionable suburbs where all the important people of the city live. There's a high steel water tower there. I'm going to climb that tower and pour this little bottle of poison through the trap. That door at the top. It will be diluted in the water, carried into the homes of all those prominent people and by tomorrow night, they will all be dead.

[A]

It is fortunate I found you in time.

[C]

Time for what, Shadow?

[A]

In time to stop you.

[C]

You can't stop me, Shadow.

[A]

You're not going to leave this laboratory with that bottle of poison, Gerber.

[C]

Yes, I am. And I'm going this minute. Shadow. You see this test?

[A]

Yes.

[C]

It's filled with acid. Acid that will burn you beyond recognition.

[A]

You forget you can't see me.

[C]

But the only way you can stop me is by physical means with your body that seems to be not even a shadow. And to do that, you must drop your cloak of invisibility.

[A]

How do I know that isn't a blind to make myself become visible to you?

[C]

No, it isn't a blind shadow. See, I pour a little on the floor. Think what that would do to human flesh. And you say you are human?

[A]

Yes. Yes, I am human.

[C]

Then I dare you to stop me. At the first touch of your hands, I'll throw it at you.

[A]

It is better that one man be injured than you should kill another entire community. I am willing to take that chance.

[C]

All right. We'll see if you're as brave as you sound, Shadow.

[A]

Not where you are.

[C]

No, I'm leaving unless you stop me physically.

[A]

I have no alternative but to fight you man to man.

[C]

Oh, you are human, all right. Take this. I warned you, Shadow. You will be burned beyond recognition. That acid will eat into you to the very bone. Goodbye, Shadow. At last you've met someone who is your match. Now there's no one to stop me putting the poison in that water doll.

[B]

Margot. Margot.

[D]

Yes, Lamont?

[A]

Did you see a tall, powerfully built man come out of the sanitation building just now?

[D]

Yes, Lamont. He got in a car. There he goes, going down the street. You can still see the tailor.

[A]

Follow me.

[E]

Margot.

[A]

In heaven's name, don't lose him. That's the man, Gerber.

[D]

He won't get away.

[A]

Margot, is the first aid kit in the car?

[D]

Yes, it's in the side pocket. Oh, Lamart, your clothes, they're smoking. Then your hands. Bleeding. Oh, Lamar, my dear, what happened?

[A]

Acid, Margot, acid. He was getting away with a bottle of poison. I tried to stop him and he threw the acid.

[D]

Oh, Lamont, your face. Let me look at your face.

[A]

I didn't get any on my face. I threw up my arm in time. It's all right. I'll bandage My hands as best I can. Keep your eyes on that car, Margot. Far more important, don't lose him. He's heading for the suburbs.

[B]

This time Gerber really means business.

[A]

Margot, we set to poison a whole community. He's going to dump a bottle of that deadly stuff in a water tower.

[D]

Lamont. Oh, you're in terrible pain. I can see it. Let me take care of you. Let me stop at a phone booth and call Commissioner Weston. Let me send out a general alarm and pick this man up.

[A]

No, Margot, we have a job to do. We lose Gerber. If we stop, then the police wouldn't be any good. We'll find out where he's going and then we can call the police.

[D]

All right, Lamont, you know best. I'll try not to lose him. Lamont, is. Is the pain any easier? You've got to get to a doctor as quickly as possible. Infection might set in.

[A]

I will as sooner. Margot, look here. I think Gerber is nearing his destination. He's taking that road up the hill. If I remember correctly, the water tower's at the top.

[D]

Lamont, how will you stop him now? You with your bleeding hands. He's a powerful man. Crazy with the strength of a maniac.

[A]

I've got to do what I can to delay him. Keep him putting that poison in the tower until you can get the police.

[C]

The police?

[D]

Lamont, how is he going to get the poison in the town?

[A]

He said there was a trap door on top of the tower. The door they used when they cleaned the tank.

[D]

Ola ma. That means you may have to climb that tower now.

[C]

You can't.

[D]

Not with your hand in that condition.

[C]

It's snowing.

[D]

There'll be ice on the rungs of the ladder. And in this wind, you're liable to slip and fall.

[A]

I've got to chant it. Stop, Margot, stop.

[B]

There's the water tower.

[D]

There's the car. Lamont, look. It's Gerber. He's starting to climb the tower already.

[A]

Margot, go now. Get the police. Hurry. Tell them to get someone to shut off the water in this tower in case I fail. Hurry, Margot, hurry. I'm going up there after him.

[D]

All right, Lavon.

[C]

I'll get to him. Who is that?

[A]

The man you thought you'd left in your laboratory, burnt and blind with acid. The shadow.

[C]

Yes, but I thought I had you. But all right. Keep on following me. You're a long way behind me by the sound of your voice.

[A]

Yes, yes, but you have to stop when you get to the top. And I shall catch up. With you?

[D]

Yes.

[E]

Why?

[C]

By that time I shall have poisoned the water.

[B]

You forget.

[A]

The trap door of the tank may be locked.

[C]

It will be rusty and easy to break.

[A]

But it will take time and I shall be gaining on you. You need to hurry, Kerber. Too bad you missed my face with that acid, isn't it, Kerber?

[C]

Some of it went on you. I heard it sizzling into your flesh.

[A]

On my hands, that's all. Don't you want to see them?

[C]

Then you must be suffering holding onto the ice covered ladder.

[A]

Not as much as you'll suffer once I reach you.

[C]

All right. Hurry, Shadow. I'm on the top already.

[D]

Now.

[C]

You were right, Shadow. The trapdoor is locked. But that won't stop me. I'm going to blow it open with my revolver. The lock is broken, Shadow. You'd better hurry up.

[B]

I'm not far below you now, Gerber.

[C]

Now. I'm opening the trapdoor, Shadow.

[A]

Yes, yes, I hear it, Gerber. But you never put the poison in the water.

[C]

I have the bottle in my hand. I'm pulling out the stopper and I'm here to knock it out of your hand. Yes, you broke it. You spilled the poison. You spoiled my revenge. You spoiled it, but you'll pay for it. You're leaving blood marks on the snow with your hands. You can't get off the top of this tower. You can't get past me to the ladder. I don't need to see you to find you. The blood marks will show me where you are.

[A]

Come and get me, Gerber. I'm waiting for you here on top of the tank.

[C]

I know you are. And you can't go any further or you'll slip and fall to the ground hundreds of feet below.

[A]

Don't be so sure, Gerber.

[C]

There. There, I touched you, Shadow. You squirm very cleverly, but I've got you. I've got hold of you. You won't get away from me, Shadow.

[A]

And you won't get away from the police. Hear them coming.

[C]

You warn the police? Yes, but before they get here, I'm going to throw you off the power shovel.

[A]

You might fall off yourself if you try to do that.

[C]

If I do, I'll pull you off with me. Come on. Top of that water tower.

[A]

And Commissioner Weston, he's come to take you himself, Gerber. You should feel honored.

[C]

He'll never get me. He'll never take me alive.

[A]

You're caught, Gerber. You're trapped.

[E]

You're trapped.

[A]

There's no escape.

[C]

Listen to me, Commissioner. Esther. You'll never get me. Never. I did it. I killed all those people. I made you think it was the shadow that Commissioner is trying to jump.

[A]

You'll be killed, Gunther.

[C]

I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid because you're coming with me. Shadow. Come on, Shadow. Come with me. Come with me.

[B]

He did.

[C]

He jumped.

[E]

Oh, you're right.

[B]

Over there to the foot of the car. See who it is. That's our man, the poisoner. There's the body. He must be dead as a darn air.

[A]

Yes. No man could fall that distance and live. Turn him over. Let's see his face. He's dead all right.

[B]

Neck's broken.

[E]

Why is.

[B]

Why, it's Gerber. Gerber, the chief chemist of the sanitation Department. Who would ever have fought a man in his position? He was struggling with someone up there on the top of the tower. Where's the other man?

[A]

Look around the base of the tower.

[B]

See if you can find another body. Look in the bushes. I suppose we could have missed him, but I don't see. Can't see a thing in these snow flurries. Swing the searchlight around. Anything over there, Sergeant?

[A]

No, no sign.

[B]

No, I don't see anybody here, Sergeant.

[A]

Nobody over here either, Sergeant.

[C]

Nothing over on this side.

[B]

Listen.

[C]

Shadow.

[A]

Yes, Commissioner Weston, the shadow. I am walking down and. Commissioner. Don't bother to search anymore. I am the man Gerber was struggling with up on the tower.

[B]

So you trapped Gerber?

[A]

Yes, Commissioner, I trapped him. Gerber is your man. The man who tried to poison the people of the Sea City into paying him a half a million dollars.

[B]

Well, you won't poison anymore by the looks of him.

[A]

And now will you do something for me, Commissioner? By all means. If you don't mind, Commissioner, I'd like to publicly take the credit for solving this mystery. Gerber committed his crimes in the name of a shadow and I. I rather think the real shadow deserves to be vindicated, don't you?

[B]

Ladies and gentlemen, before the shadow leaves you, here's John Barclay, Blue Coal's heating expert. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Barclay.

[E]

Thank you, Ken Roberts. Good evening, friends. At the beginning of this program, Mr. Roberts mentioned my book, how to reduce the cost of heating your home. This book is free and I hope all of my listeners will request a copy. For example, you've been told blue coal is prepared in four sizes. Each size is intended for use under definite conditions. If the fire pot of your furnace is less than 16 inches in diameter, you should use chestnut sized coal. Egg or stove sized coal should only be used in larger fire pots. The selection of the proper sized Blue coal for different sized furnaces is fully explained on page four of my book. Greater economy, fewer trips to the furnace and more uniform heat are obtained when you use the proper size Blue Coal. Blue Coal and Blue Coal dealers are interested in saving you money. That is why I'm offering you this book. And that is why Blue Coal dealers send John Barclay, trained servicemen upon request to inspect your heating plants free of charge. This is all a part of the service that comes with Blue Coal. For this reason, I am anxious to send you my book, how to reduce the cost of heating your home. Drop a postcard in the mail tonight for your copy. Address it to either Blue Coal, 120 Broadway, New York City, or to Blue Coal in care of the station to which you are listening. Thank you.

[B]

Thank you, Mr. Barclay and homeowners. Remember, Blue Coal plus John Barclay Service means better and more economical heat for you than ever before. In the meantime, whether you use Blue Coal or not, be sure to write to Blue Coal, 120 Broadway, New York City, or to Blue Coal in care of the station to which you are listening. Ask for Mr. Barclay's free 24 page book, how to reduce the cost of heating your home. You have just heard a dramatized version of one of the many copyrighted stories which appear in the Shadow magazine. All the characters and all the places named are fictitious and the similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

[A]

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

[B]

Next week, same time, same station, Blue Coal, America's finest anthracite, will again present another thrilling adventure of the Shadow. Be sure to listen and be sure to burn Blue Coal, the solid fuel for solid comfort.