The Shadow: The Three Ghosts 10/31/1937

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: The Shadow: The Three Ghosts
Original Air Date: 10/31/1937
Summary Date: November 6, 2025

This episode features an atmospheric tale of deception and supernatural intrigue, as Lamont Cranston (The Shadow) investigates a series of hauntings and a suspicious marriage that may disguise far more sinister motives. The story unfolds in a remote country house, where psychological fear, criminal pasts, and a clever mastermind intertwine, ultimately leading to murder and justice at the hands of the Shadow.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: A Haunted House and Unhappy Marriage

Timeframe: 01:36–04:52

• Professor Arthur Sneed and Carolyn are living in a country house Carolyn finds frightening and believes to be haunted.
• Margot Lane, concerned for her friend Carolyn, convinces Lamont Cranston to visit the Sneed house.
• Lamont remarks on Carolyn's drastic change since marrying Sneed, hinting at possible danger.

Notable Quote:

• Margot Lane: “She looks positively haggard. I never saw such a change come over a person.” (03:40)

2. Suspicion and Unease

Timeframe: 04:52–07:38

• Margot and Lamont arrive at the Sneed house.
• Sneed claims Carolyn's illness is “mostly imaginary,” attributing it to nerves and haunted house tales.
• Lamont, underplaying his Shadow persona, subtly investigates Sneed’s odd behavior and the rare book “Neuroses of Death.”

Notable Quote:

• Lamont Cranston: “You see it on men who spent some time in prison. There are many little traits of his behavior that interest me as a psychologist.” (08:07)

3. The Shadow’s First Confrontation with Sneed

Timeframe: 09:09–10:51

• The Shadow warns Sneed, dropping half of an ace of spades playing card as an omen.
• The unseen vigilante exposes Sneed’s conscience and foretells doom when he finds the missing half-card.

Notable Quote:

• The Shadow: “When you find the other half, that will be the end.” (10:36)

4. Collusion and Blackmail: Criminal Past Resurfaces

Timeframe: 11:03–12:44

• Two former criminal acquaintances, Spike Collins and Wilson, confront Sneed in his office, blackmailing him over a previous suspicious death (his past marriage).
• They pressure Sneed to help with another scheme: faking a burglary to kill Carolyn for her inheritance.
• The Shadow, unseen, warns Spike that Sneed will double-cross him.

Notable Quote:

• Spike Collins: “You ain’t got no time to stall this old dame you married–she’s got plenty.” (11:45)

5. Paranormal Pressure and a Fatal Car Accident

Timeframe: 15:09–17:24

• As Sneed drives home, The Shadow’s voice haunts him from the back seat, causing Sneed to hallucinate and ultimately run over Spike’s associate, Wilson, on Old Mill Road.
• The Shadow blurs the line between reality and hallucination to manipulate Sneed’s actions.

Notable Quote:

• The Shadow: “No, I willed you to see it and you saw it.” (17:29)

6. Aftermath and Investigation

Timeframe: 18:46–20:37

• The next day, a newspaper reports the death of Spike Collins, but the body turns out to be mistaken identity—Wilson’s body was misidentified due to swapped personal effects.
• Lamont and Margot discuss Sneed’s strange behavior and the imminent departure plans for Carolyn and Sneed.
• Commissioner Weston and the police are alerted by the Shadow to search Sneed’s house for real evidence.

7. Climax: The Ghost Revealed & Justice Served

Timeframe: 21:55–26:10

• In the Sneed house, Spike (not actually dead) confronts Sneed, revealing how he faked his own death using Wilson’s body.
• Tension peaks as Spike reveals Sneed’s trick to haunt Carolyn: an electric sound box controlled by a hidden switch.
• The Shadow’s voice returns, overwhelming the would-be murderers with supernatural terror and manipulating them into confrontation.
• Spike shoots Sneed in the confusion; police arrive just in time.

Notable Quotes:

• Spike Collins: “He’s been scaring you to death, ain’t he? Making you think the place was haunted.” (24:12)
• The Shadow: “I am coming up these stairs. I will enter and stand beside you.” (25:15)

8. Denouement: The Shadow Explains

Timeframe: 26:10–27:23

• The Shadow reveals himself and clarifies the deaths and the elaborate deceptions to the police, tying up the case and cementing his reputation.

Notable Quote:

• The Shadow: “The man killed last night, Commissioner, is a ghost. … You really should believe in ghosts now, Commissioner. And in shadows.” (26:35)

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Margot Lane’s Concern for Carolyn:
  "She looks positively haggard. I never saw such a change come over a person." (03:40)
• Sneed’s Skepticism of Ghosts:
  "Haunted houses have always fascinated me. I always wanted to meet a ghost, shake hands with him, invite him to tea.” (02:13)
• The Shadow Delivers an Ominous Warning:
  "When you find the other half, that will be the end." (10:36)
• Spike’s Blackmail:
  “You ain't got no time to stall this old dame you married has got plenty.” (11:45)
• The Shadow Manipulates Reality:
  “No, I willed you to see it and you saw it.” (17:29)
• Spike Explains Sneed’s Haunting Method:
  "He’s been scaring you to death, ain’t he? Making you think the place was haunted." (24:12)
• Climactic Confrontation:
  "I am coming up these stairs. I will enter and stand beside you." (25:15)
• The Shadow’s Final Word:
  "You really should believe in ghosts now, Commissioner. And in shadows." (26:35)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Haunted House/Open: 01:36
• Margot and Lamont Concern: 03:33
• First Meeting with Sneed: 05:17
• The Shadow Confronts Sneed: 09:34
• Spike & Wilson Blackmail: 11:12
• The Shadow Manipulates Spike: 12:52
• Fatal Car Scene: 15:51
• Body Found—Mistaken Identity: 18:46
• Spike’s Return, the Trick Exposed, Final Confrontation: 22:18–26:03
• Case Summed Up: 26:03–27:23

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Tone and Style

The episode skillfully mixes suspense, psychological tension, and supernatural suggestion, led by The Shadow’s ominous, penetrating manner and punctuated by Margot’s genuine anxiety and Sneed’s growing panic. Period dialogue, hardboiled suggestiveness, and a chilling soundscape capture old-time radio drama at its finest, with the Shadow’s distinctive cadence and eerie wisdom tying it all together.

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For anyone who’s missed the episode:
This installment of The Shadow delivers a complex mystery combining ghosts—both literal and figurative—with greed, fear, and poetic justice. The terror is as much psychological as supernatural, with Lamont Cranston/Shadow orchestrating events between the living and (so-called) dead to ensure justice and rescue for the innocent. The episode is rich with classic radio atmosphere and clever, satisfying twists.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

To us on YouTube and thank you.

[Margot Lane]

For [e-mail].

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

The Shadow knows.

[Narrator]

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[Professor Arthur Sneed]

5, 6, 8, 9. This is the hour, my dear. I can't stand it, I tell you. Always at nine o' clock it comes.

[Margot Lane]

But if I hear that horrible thing.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Again, I'll go crazy. Oh, this awful house. But it's quiet, my dear, way out in the country like this. I can install my laboratory here as soon as I get around to it. As for these strange sounds, well, haunted houses have always fascinated me. I always wanted to meet a ghost, shake hands with him, invite him to tea.

[Margot Lane]

Stop talking like that.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

It's serious. Oh, I've tried to stand it for.

[Margot Lane]

Your sake, Arthur, but I don't know how much longer.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

My heart isn't strong and I hear it. But that's only the wind, isn't it?

[Margot Lane]

No, it always starts like that.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

You know it does. Don't move. Listen, Arthur. It's coming. It's coming.

[Margot Lane]

It's coming.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

A ghost, eh? Well, we'll see. I'll meet him this time. I'll meet him halfway, too. Stop. Stop. Come, we'll both meet him. Give me your. Carolyn. Carolyn, you've stopped. Can't you hear me? Goodness me. Has the shock killed her? No, her heart still beats. She's only fainted again. Just passed out here.

[Margot Lane]

Turn the next corner, Lamont. It's that big house that on the hill.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

May I ask, Margot, the reason for this late call on Carolyn?

[Margot Lane]

Smee, I'd like to know what's the matter with the poor woman. I got an awful shock when I saw her in town last week. She looks positively haggard. I never saw such a change come over a prison.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Married life may not agree with her. She was a spinster for close to 40 years, wasn't she?

[Margot Lane]

I know, but I think she was foolish. Carolyn has nearly a million dollars in her own name. She didn't have to marry.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Yes, but right now I'm not the shadow, remember? I'm just your patient chauffeur, darling. Lamont Cranston. In need of a rest from my famous mystery man role. That last adventure took a lot out of me, you know. Well, a marriage problem is hardly seriously though.

[Margot Lane]

Nobody knows anything about this man she married. He came into town six months ago, met Caroline in some accidental manner at the county fair and proceeded to rush her off her feet. I've met him only once, but I don't like his looks.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Something sinister, I gather. Hence the shadow idea. Well, who is he anyway?

[Margot Lane]

Professor Arthur Sneed, I believe he calls himself. He has a small office in town where he's supposed to be working on inventions or something. Well, here we are.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Usually pretty level headed, Margot. But don't let your aversion for this man we're seeing be too apparent. Really. Place, isn't it?

[Margot Lane]

I don't see any bell. I guess you're supposed to use the marker.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Here he comes. Well, who is. Oh, it's you, Ms. Lane.

[Margot Lane]

Yes. Good evening, Professor Smead. I hope we aren't too late.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Too late? Too late for what?

[Margot Lane]

Why, I phoned Carolyn that we'd drop in just to say hello.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Well, she didn't tell me. Carolyn isn't feeling well at the moment. I'm sorry. Good night.

[Margot Lane]

Oh, but please, I only want to see her for a moment. That is, unless it's something really serious.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Well, it isn't as serious as she pretends to think it is, but. Well, come in.

[Margot Lane]

Thank you. This is my friend, Lamont Cranston.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Come in. I am very happy to see Mr. Cranston. I've heard a lot about him.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

How do you do?

[Margot Lane]

You say Carolyn is ill? She didn't mention it when I came on suddenly.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

She's been in a nervous condition lately, but it's mostly imaginary. I made her go to bed.

[Margot Lane]

Well, would it be all right if I saw her?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

I suppose so. Go on up if you like.

[Margot Lane]

Well, thanks. I'll only be a few minutes. Lemar.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

What seems to be the trouble with your wife, Professor Sneed?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Oh, she's run down, I guess. Frightfully nervous. She has some absurd notion that this place is, well, haunted.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Haunted?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

It's only the wind, of course, and creaking of an old house. Ghosts. She keeps talking about ghosts and I can't persuade her that there are no such things.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Of course, old houses have a habit of getting themselves haunted. Professor, as for myself, I'm not so sure there aren't such things as ghosts.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

But surely, Mr. Cranston.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Oh, not the conventional sort, perhaps, but I mean people's spirits, souls, whatever you want to call them, haunting the places where they've been unhappy.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Very interesting, I'm sure, but a lot of tosh. I put no stock in it.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

No, I'm just noticing that rather rare book on the table, Professor. Neuroses of Death.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

What?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

If you're interested in that, I'm sure you must be interested in ghosts. I understand its morbid analysis of the factors of violent death are quite interesting.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

What do you know about it?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Oh, I read all sorts of things. Professor.

[Margot Lane]

Professor Sneed.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Oh, yes, Miss Lane.

[Margot Lane]

Carolyn. Once I said it in.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Oh, yes, yes, I'd go up and give it to her. Did you find her comfortable?

[Margot Lane]

Miss Lane, I think Carolyn is seriously ill.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Yes, but more nerves than anything. Excuse me just a moment, won't you?

[Margot Lane]

Launt? There's something wrong here. I was afraid there was. I. I don't know what it is, but it's something terrible.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

What's the matter with Carolyn?

[Margot Lane]

Well, she hardly recognized me. And she talks like one in a trance. Though she were in the grip of some deadly fear. When I suggested sending the doctor over, she shook her head. But I'm going to, just the same. I can't help feeling it.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

That man.

[Margot Lane]

Her husband?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Yes.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

He isn't very pleasant, is he? His skin has an odd pallor. You see it on men who spent some time in prison. There are many little traits of his behavior that interest me as a psychologist. Remarkable men.

[Margot Lane]

But you don't know.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

I don't know. But I think we'll investigate this more or less formally. Margot, I'll visit the professor tomorrow at his office in town. If there are ghosts involved here, perhaps a shadow can bring them to light.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Hello? Yes, caravan. Well, don't worry, my dear. I'll leave the office here at 5 and I'll be home before 6. Yes. Yes, I understand. Goodbye, dear. Well, who is it? Is that you, Miss White? Who's opening that door?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Don't get up, Professor. I'll close it after me.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

What?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

I thought I might find you in.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Who said that? Who are you?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

You're conscience speaking, Professor. Or have you a conscience?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

I'll show you what I've got.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Don't excite yourself. I'm only a voice. A voice they call. Professor. Have you ever heard of the Shadow?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

The Shadow?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Yes, you seem to have heard of me.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

What do you want?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

I've come to warn you, Sneed.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Warn me? Warn me about what?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

I know what you're doing.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

What?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

And I know how it's going to end. The end is death. I have something here I'll toss in your lap.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

There.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Do you hear it?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Oh, I. You get out of here, I tell you.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

See it? Look. It's half of a playing card. The ace of spades. When you find the other half, that will be the end.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Get out and leave me alone.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

All right, Sneed, I'll go. But don't forget the shadow nose.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Trying to frighten me with his tricks. Oh, coming back, are you? Oh, it's you, Ms. White.

[Margot Lane]

There are two gentlemen here to see you, Professor Sneed.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Two gentlemen? Well, I'm not expecting. I guess you may remember us, Professor Sneed. Spike. Your old friend Spike Collins. And Mr. Wilson here. Yes, yes, of course. Please take those circulars on your desk, Ms. White, and mail them at the post office right away.

[Margot Lane]

Yes, sir.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Lock that door. Right.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Okay.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

What are you staring at, Snead? We ain't ghost. I thought you two were doing a stretch at Leavenworth. Yeah, we were. We framed a getaway and now we.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Come to see an old pal.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Well, now, listen, Spike. I'd help you if I could not. We've been watching you and we know your game. You ain't got no time to stall this old dame. You're married has got plenty. I don't know what you're driving at.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Well, you'll know if we squawk about that dame you married out in Idaho that croaked without anybody knowing.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

What was the matter with her? Cards on the table, Steve. This one signed our money over to you. Yes, she fixed her will in my favor. Well, what are you doing to get it? Well, she has a weak heart. I know. Playing ghost and scaring it a bit, eh? That's too slow, Sneak. I got a better scheme. We break into the house, stage of burglary, see? In a scuffle, the old dame gets shot dead. It's quick. No, no, you can't do that. No, you'll.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Spike Collins. Spike Collins, wake up. Spike Collins.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

What? Who's that?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Just a voice, Collins. The voice of your own thoughts coming to warn you. No one but you can hear me. Your friend Sneed is going to double cross you tonight. Sneed is going to double cross you. It's your move. Be there to prevent him. Be there in time. Six o'. Clock. Be there.

[Narrator]

The shadow will return in just a few moments. While we're waiting. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to tell you about the ever increasing popularity of blue coal. America's finest anthracite. Blue coal is winning new friends every day among New England housewives. They not only like the superior heat of blue coal, but they find that it simplifies housekeeping. This is because blue coal is so clean, it burns completely and does not send any particles of unburned carbon through the house to be deposited on furniture or woodwork. The drudgery of daily cleaning is reduced to a minimum with this clean fuel. Blue coal is the largest single brand of solid fuel prepared especially for home use. Each car is laboratory tested at the mines for purity and size before shipment. Blue coal is Pennsylvania's finest anthracite. So that you can personally identify this excellent fuel, it is actually colored blue at the mines. Order it by name. You will find the name of your nearest blue coal dealer listed in the where to buy it section of your classified telephone directory under the name Blue Coal.

[Margot Lane]

Are you comfortable in that chair, Carolyn?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Yes, thank you, Margaret, dear.

[Margot Lane]

And I do appreciate your coming out.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Here and staying with me.

[Margot Lane]

I'm glad to do it, but it's six o'.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Clock.

[Margot Lane]

Your husband ought to be coming home pretty soon, shouldn't he? He phoned just before you got here and said he was starting. He seemed very agitated. He's a strange, unaccountable man. Sometimes there are things about him I don't seem to understand. Yes, I know, dear. He has the car, I suppose. Yes. He's driving. He's probably on his way now.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

I've got to think. I've got to think of something. I know. We leave town.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

You're driving rather recklessly.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

You again.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

I'm going to haunt you. Try to forget that I'm here in the rear seat if it annoys you. No, don't look under the seat.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

If I could only see you, get my hands on you, I'd show you how much it annoys me. Shut up.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

I'm the voice of your conscience need. Perhaps you have a conscience after all.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

I could choke that voice down your throat without any trouble to my conscience.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

If you only had the power of second sight, you could see me. That's an invaluable gift, Ned. Being able to see things that other men can't. Some people call it mental telepathy. Some by other names. Remember? I can see the pain pictures you make in your mind. I told you about that.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

You can warn all you like. That's not evidence, not in court. A lot of wild guesses. That don't mean anything.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Well, doesn't it frighten you a little, Sneed? I simply will you not to see me and you don't. Careful. There's a truck coming down the road. Better sound your horn. Good Lord.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

The fool's taking up the whole road.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Going to hit you. Look out.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

It's gone. There wasn't any truck there.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

No. I willed you to see it and you saw it.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

No truck at all. Just hypnotism. Gosh, I. I'm having hallucinations.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

But that's the way to dispel hallucinations. Drive straight through them. Be careful. We're near your house and this Old Mill Road is tricky.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

What about it?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Looks neat. There's a man in the road ahead of you.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

There is, eh? Really?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Why, it looks like one of your two pals. We've called on you today. I knew we would be here, Sneed, really. You're going to hit him if you don't watch out.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

More of your hallucinations? You think that I'll believe you again, don't you? Well, I won't.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Forgot.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

I hit him.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

This time it was no hallucination, Sneed. He was in fact front of you.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Morning, Draven. Morning, Draven. It's Comics. Bike Challenge. Found dead last night on the Old Mill Road.

[Narrator]

Fight Collins.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Wanted by the police. Found dead.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Here, son, I'll take one.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Hey, Asha.

[Margot Lane]

What's it all about?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Remark.

[Margot Lane]

Found dead on Old Mill Road. But that's out for the sneeze place.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Yes. Yes, I believe it is. Notorious criminal struck by automobile and killed. He was certainly stuck by an automobile.

[Margot Lane]

I wonder if Sneed knew anything about it. He acted very strange when he got home last night.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Strange?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

What way?

[Margot Lane]

Well, he was pale and shaky and he hardly seemed to know I was there. He told Carolyn that he'd had a message from out of town and they'd have to pack and leave.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Did he say when?

[Margot Lane]

They thought they could get their trunks and things ready? By this afternoon sometime. You're not going to let Carolyn go with him, Lamont?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Not if I can help it.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Let's see.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Laughter 9. I imagine Commissioner Weston is rather startled by the morning's news. I think I'll have a word with Commissioner Weston. Commissioner Weston? They're sending Column's body into the Mor. You went out there this morning and checked all details, Captain? Yes, sir, I did. And whoever hit him certainly smashed him up good. His face was all out of shape and couldn't recognize him. Puppy found these in his pocket. Now, let's see. Letter from his girl out west. Looks like insurance policy. Library card of Leavenworth Penitentiary. And this ring, sir, that Collins always wore with the figure eight on it. Oh, yes. Well, it's a good job done, whoever did it. Tag that stuff and file it. Yes, sir. Let me know when the wagon gets here. Yes, sir. Police Department. Commissioner Western speaking. Good morning, Commissioner. This is your good friend, the Shadow. Oh, yeah. Well, what places do you want to be of a little assistance, as usual? Yes, I see. I'm getting tired of this rigamarole, though. Heaven knows things happen when you phone. And what's the assistance today? Why didn't you investigate the ghost that haunts Sneed House, Commissioner, on the old Mill Road? Well, you missed up that one, Mr. Shadow. I don't put much stock in ghosts. But we went out there and checked up, searched the house. There's no evidence. No go again today, Commissioner, and this time I think you'll get your evidence.

[Margot Lane]

Is that the last truck, Arthur?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Yes. The expressman won't be here until 4. Another hour yet. Why don't you go up and lie down a while, Caroline H. Yes, I.

[Margot Lane]

Will try to sleep a little now that it's daylight.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

You told the milkman we wanted to pay him.

[Margot Lane]

He's coming back. This all good?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Well, that must be him now at the back door. Get back. Get back. Don't matter, Snape. Think you're seeing a ghost? Stop. Don't come near me. Snap out of it, will you? This is me. Spike Collins. You alive? It wasn't me you hit with your car last night on that back road. I guess you wish it had been, huh? Who? Who was it, then? It was Rat Wilson. Fool got half pickled trying to get up his nerve for a job. Staggered on the road before I could stop him and wham.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

It was all over.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Will Smith. So there was my chance, see? Him and me. About the same size. His face and hands all smashed flat. I put my stuff in his pockets. My ring and what was left of his finger. There I was, dead. And all that time you was giving me the double cross. Maybe I am a ghost, but I can still deal with you, Sneed.

[Margot Lane]

Who is it, Arthur?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Just a minute, Carolyn. Now listen, Spike. There's only one way to see this thing through. You and I have got to stick together. The Shadow is after us both. We've got to get out together, away from this shadow. Don't tell me any more about the Shadow. You see this cat? I'm here on business and I'm going through and put the old lady out of her misery.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Good Lord.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

What's the matter? There on the table. Nothing but a torn playing card. Yes, of spades. Or haven't it? You've got to stop it, Spike. You've got to stop it.

[Margot Lane]

Potter, what's the matter?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Who's this man, Carolyn? This. This is a friend of mine.

[Margot Lane]

A friend?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Sure, a friend.

[Margot Lane]

But I don't understand. The pistol.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Yeah, that's my way of doing business, lady. Your husband does it different. He's been scaring you to death, ain't he? Making you think the place was haunted. You know how he always does his puppet, Spike. He used to be an electrician, see. He rigs up a sort of electric sound box with a remote control switch. He usually puts the switch over here by the door. Yeah, here it is.

[Margot Lane]

What's it all about, Arthur?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Ace of spades. The end. Death. When he turns the switch, you hear the ghost dance. All you have to do is turn this knob. That's the way it works, lady. But I hear it, Arthur. I hear it. Turn that thing off, you idiot. What? I haven't turned it on. You haven't? Then what's making those sounds?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

I am.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

What's that?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

It's him.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

He's come. A shadow.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

I am coming up these fella stairs. I will enter and stand beside you.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Where is he? Stand back or I'll show.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

When I enter, I will touch one of you on the shoulder. Stop him. Stop him and that one will die.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Mister. Cops. Come here. Steve, it's a plan. You're calling the cops?

[Narrator]

No, don't shoot.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Spike, the jig is up. You're gonna have the bullet I was gonna give your wife. You double crossing skunk.

[Margot Lane]

You killed him.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Come on. Here we are.

[Narrator]

Go through that tight room, boys.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Okay, stick them out. Outstand.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Still.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Her arm.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Break your arm. Now hand over that gat.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

All right, I'm through. You win.

[Narrator]

Spike Collins.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Spike Collins.

[Narrator]

I thought he was.

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

I thought you.

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Say, what is this? Who was that guy that got killed.

[Narrator]

Over here last night?

[Professor Arthur Sneed]

Come clean, Collins. Whoever it was, I didn't do it. Who's that? Where are you?

[Lamont Cranston (The Shadow)]

Don't be alarmed. I am here. Behind you. In the shadow. Oh, so you're here. Shadow A maybe you know who got killed here last night? The man killed last night, Commissioner, is a ghost. Oh, yeah. There are now two ghosts in this little adventure. Mr. Collins will probably make the third. You really should believe in ghosts now, Commissioner. And in shadows.

[Narrator]

And now, before today's adventure, with the Shadow comes to a close, John Barclay, Blue Coal's own heating expert, is here to give us another of his practical talks on automatic heating. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Barclay.

[John Barclay]

Good evening friends. Inform a Sunday night talks of mine. I've shown you the importance of having the temperature of the home properly controlled with a Blue Coal automatic heat regulator. That is in terms of health and convenience. Now tonight I'm going to give a third important reason for automatic heating economy. Most societies will tell you that the proper degree of heat in the home is 70 degrees. Naturally, you can't by hand keep your fire from giving off more than 70 degrees of heat. But the blue coil automatic heat regulator can and does. But here's how that saves you actual fuel dollars. Heating engineers have discovered that for every degree you raise the temperature above the desired 70 degrees, your fuel goes up in cost 1 1/2 percent. So you see friends, by automatically shutting off that heat, that extra wasteful, unhealthy heat heat regulator automatically saves on fuel costs. Why not investigate this blue cold heat regulator further? Ask your local Blue Coal dealer to give you a demonstration. The cost is only $18.95 plus a small charge for installation. You'll find it well worth every cent of that and more. Moreover, if you have any heating problems, discuss these also with your Blue Coal dealer. He is the best informed heating authority in your community and assisted by his John Barkley trained serviceman, can I'm sure help you save money and have a more comfortable home this winter. This service is free. It costs you nothing. Thank you.

[Narrator]

The Shadow adventure you have just heard is copyrighted by the Shadow magazine. The characters in this story are entirely fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

[Margot Lane]

Thank you for listening to radioclassics.com programs or copyright their respective owners. All rights reserved.