The Shadow: The Voice of the Trumpet 07/03/1938

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Shadow: The Voice of the Trumpet

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: The Shadow: The Voice of the Trumpet (Original Air Date: 07/03/1938)
Release Date: May 7, 2026

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Overview

This episode of The Shadow delivers a thrilling tale of espionage, spiritualism, and murder set against the backdrop of pre-war intrigue. When government secrets are mysteriously leaked and a respected War Department employee is killed, Lamont Cranston (aka The Shadow) steps in to unmask a dangerous spy ring operating out of the world of phony séances. Listeners are transported into a web of deception where mind-reading and the supernatural become tools for treason.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Stage: The Spy Ring's Scheme

• Albert Bronson, a supposed authority on fine books, and Fred, his draftsman assistant, discuss the completion of secret war department plans.
• They conspire to sell secrets to European bidders, using their public personas as cover (02:48–03:41).
• Brother Dyckmann, a fake spiritualist, is implicated; he supposedly extracts secrets from War Department employee Philip Ryder through séances.

"No one would suspect Albert Bronson, the distinguished authority on fine books, of being a spy."
—Albert Bronson (03:20)

2. Lamont Cranston and Margot Lane Enter the Scene

• Lamont and Margot encounter Philip Ryder at a café. Philip is distraught over the murder of his brother, Paul Ryder.
• Philip invites them to a séance with Dyckmann, revealing he believes his brother's spirit communicates with him through Dyckmann (05:11–07:27).

"You actually think this medium is a real thing?"
—Lamont Cranston (07:00)

3. The Séance: Spiritual Trickery and Mind-Reading

• The séance is rendered in classic suspense style: lights dim, a luminous trumpet floats, and "Paul Ryder's" voice speaks, prompting Philip to 'think' about his secret work (08:13–10:33).
• Lamont grows suspicious, realizing the information could be siphoned via mind-reading, not spirits.

"Remember when that fake voice he thought was Paul's asked him to concentrate? In that moment of silence I saw the drawing plain as day."
—Lamont Cranston (15:20)

4. The Danger of Secrets and The Shadow’s Intervention

• After Lamont sketches the apparatus Philip was thinking of, Philip is alarmed; he's been working on a top-secret anti-aircraft gun part, confirming fears of espionage (13:24–14:43).
• Lamont decides to investigate Dyckmann as The Shadow, believing secrets are being pilfered not supernaturally, but via mentalism during the séances (15:52–16:02).

5. Unmasking the Spies: The Shadow Strikes

• Fred receives detailed information at the next séance. Shadow eavesdrops invisibly, confirming the ring's operations (16:14–17:41).
• Tension escalates between Bronson and Fred; The Shadow intervenes unseen, warning of dire consequences if they proceed (19:00–20:04).

"If you sell that drawing, millions of your countrymen may pay for your treachery with their lives."
—The Shadow (19:16)

6. Climactic Confrontation at the Final Séance

• Bronson and Fred try to confront Dyckmann, believing the drawing has been stolen by him, but The Shadow again exposes their guilt before the others (22:00–23:44).
• In the chaos, Dyckmann is shot and killed; The Shadow ensures Commissioner Weston and Philip are on hand to reveal the ring's true nature and bring justice (24:16–27:18).

"They believed they could betray their country and escape the consequences. But they were wrong. Treason cannot succeed. Traitors must be punished. And I will fight to save my country from men like these."
—The Shadow (26:33)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows."
  —Albert Bronson, closing the episode (27:35)

• "He poses as a book collector. He's really the head of a great spy ring. Search him."
  —The Shadow to Commissioner Weston (25:00)

• "Tell these people you're a fraud."
  —The Shadow (23:44)

• "What is worse, they tried to sell the lives of thousands of their countrymen for a little money."
  —The Shadow (26:25)

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Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:33–03:41 – Bronson, Fred, and Dyckmann's operation is revealed
• 05:11–07:27 – Lamont and Margot meet Philip; séance invitation
• 08:13–10:33 – The pivotal séance scene
• 13:24–14:43 – Lamont realizes the mind-reading trick
• 15:52–16:02 – Lamont becomes The Shadow and pursues the villains
• 19:00–20:04 – The Shadow warns the spies
• 22:00–23:44 – Confrontation at Dyckmann’s seance; chaos erupts
• 24:16–26:39 – The Shadow unmasks the spy ring; justice is served

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Tone and Style

The episode features classic old-time radio drama suspense, weaving together patriotic duty, supernatural intrigue, sharp detective work, and moments of dry wit. Lamont Cranston’s persona as The Shadow delivers a mix of menace and moral authority, while Margot Lane provides warmth and curiosity.

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Takeaways

Listeners are treated to an engaging blend of espionage and classic radio theatrics, with a cautionary tale about the dangers of misplaced trust and the ever-present threat of traitors lurking behind respectable facades. The ingenuity of The Shadow and the exposure of the fraudulent medium make for a satisfying resolution, emblematic of the series’ themes: justice, morality, and the ultimate price of crime.

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Transcript

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

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].

[Albert Bronson]

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

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, in a moment the Shadow will again start into that hazard zone of crime, the underworld. And don't forget, motorists, every time you ride over wet, slippery roads, you are entering the hazard zone of motoring, where a slippery film of water on the road may make complete command of your car almost impossible. That's why the development of the new Goodrich Silvertown tire with Lifesaver tread is such good news to every motorist. This new kind of tire gives the greatest protection ever offered against skids. Because the lifesaver tread sweeps water right and left from under the tire actually dries wet roads. You stop quicker, safer than you've ever stopped before. Remember too, that the new Silvertown also gives you the famous golden ply blowout protection. Keep dangerous stranger. Put these life saving Silvertowns on your car.

[Unknown Minor Character]

Now.

[Narrator]

There is no extra cost. The Shadow Lamont Cranston, a man of wealth, a student of science and a master of other people's minds, devotes his life to righting wrongs, protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty. Cranston is known to the underworld as the Shadow. Never seen, only heard. His true identity is known only to his constant friend and Aiden Margo Lane. Today's story, the Voice of the Trumpet.

[Fred]

Well, Bronson, the drawing's all done with one section.

[Albert Bronson]

Ah, but Fred, my dear boy, can't you finish it? You could guess what wheels and cogs will fit in with the rest of the mechanism.

[Fred]

Nothing doing. I'm just a draftsman, not an inventor. I'll have to have more information.

[Albert Bronson]

Oh, damn me. And the Normandy sails at midnight tonight. I wanted to catch it.

[Fred]

Oh, so you're going to hustle a drawing aboard the minute it's finished?

[Albert Bronson]

Yes, indeed. The customers in Europe are willing to pay very good prices right now for secrets from our war department.

[Fred]

Well, be careful. Anyone catches on to this game of ours and it'll be curtains for us.

[Albert Bronson]

Don't be absurd, my boy. No one would suspect Albert Bronson, the distinguished authority on fine books, of being a spy.

[Fred]

Yeah, it's a good cover for selling government secrets. It gives you an excuse for traveling.

[Albert Bronson]

Yes, it's a clever dodge. But then we're all three very clever. You and I and our spiritualist friend, Brother Dyckmann.

[Fred]

Ah, Dykman's. A fake.

[Albert Bronson]

Perhaps he's a spiritualist, my boy, but not as a mind reader. Yeah, he must be able to read Philip Rider's mind. At any rate, Philip comes to the seances, sits there concentrating. Dyckman gathers from his mind all the secrets of the War Department.

[Fred]

Yeah, it is funny, but I always figured Dyckman must have got next to Ryder some way.

[Albert Bronson]

Oh, impossible. Both Philip and Paul Ryder have been proven perfectly honest.

[Fred]

Yeah, Paul got bumped off because he was so honest.

[Albert Bronson]

Oh, let's not go into that subject, okay?

[Fred]

I'm getting pretty sick of sitting through those long winded seances to get the information from my drawings.

[Albert Bronson]

Be patient, Fred. One more session with that fake spirit should give you what you need.

[Fred]

What? Why can't Dyckman Reed write his mind and bring the information here?

[Albert Bronson]

Because we mustn't be seen together. It might be fatal. Besides, I don't quite trust Dyckmann.

[Fred]

He's sure a clever faker.

[Albert Bronson]

All right, I'll take it. I'll take it. Hello?

[Unknown Minor Character]

Yes.

[Albert Bronson]

Tonight?

[Philip Ryder]

You're sure?

[Fred]

Yes, what's up?

[Albert Bronson]

That was Dyckmann. Wright is coming to a seance tonight. And you'll be there, dear boy. You'll be there.

[Fred]

Sure, sure.

[Albert Bronson]

And in two days, the latest invention of the War Department should be on

[Philip Ryder]

the way to Europe.

[Margot Lane]

I love this Cafe Le Mans. None of our friends seem to have found it.

[Lamont Cranston]

My dear Margot, when I start meeting up with my friends at restaurants, I. You're looking for new places to eat.

[Margot Lane]

Well, you'd better start looking then.

[Lamont Cranston]

Why?

[Margot Lane]

Philip Rider's getting up from that table over in the corner. Haven't seen him for months.

[Lamont Cranston]

All right. Not since his brother's funeral.

[Margot Lane]

No, he certainly changed. Paul's being murdered was an awful shock to him. Have they any notion who did it?

[Lamont Cranston]

Well, last time I talked to Commissioner Weston, he said the police were still in the dark. Coffee, mademoiselle?

[Margot Lane]

Oh, thank you, Pierre Lamont. Philip's coming this way. Why don't we try to cheer him up?

[Lamont Cranston]

All right.

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

Why, Philip Ryder, Margot and Lamar.

[Lamont Cranston]

I said we've been hiding yourself in one of your vaults in the War Department.

[Philip Ryder]

We've been awfully rushed the last few months.

[Margot Lane]

I should think you might have been.

[Lamont Cranston]

You sit down, Philip.

[Philip Ryder]

Well, all right for a minute.

[Lamont Cranston]

You been doing it yourself?

[Philip Ryder]

Just keeping busy.

[Margot Lane]

Oh, you and your state secrets. You always get me so curious I could burst. But it never does me any good. Don't you ever break down and tell one little secret, even to your best girl?

[Albert Bronson]

Never.

[Lamont Cranston]

And Quite right, too. Margot wants to paint the town. Philip, won't you come along?

[Philip Ryder]

Well, I'd like to awfully, but I can't tonight.

[Margot Lane]

What is it? A previous engagement.

[The Shadow]

Why bring her along?

[Philip Ryder]

Well, it's not an engagement, really. I'd be delighted to have you both come with me, if you cared to.

[Margot Lane]

Where are you going?

[Philip Ryder]

Don't laugh. I'm going to a spiritualistic seance.

[Margot Lane]

Oh, that sounds like fun. How do you feel about it, Lamond?

[Philip Ryder]

How's the meeting going to be at Mr. Dyckman's house? He's the medium.

[Lamont Cranston]

How do you happen to start, then?

[Philip Ryder]

Well, Dyckmann looked me up. Came to my apartment one evening. Said he'd had a message for me from my brother Paul.

[Margot Lane]

From Paul? How odd.

[Philip Ryder]

Yes, I miss my brother frightfully. Well, anyway, I went to the seance.

[Lamont Cranston]

You actually think this medium is a real thing?

[Philip Ryder]

Yes, Lamont, I do.

[Lamont Cranston]

Spiritualism can be such a shield for fakers that I'm always a little suspicious.

[Philip Ryder]

I know. But Mr. Dyckmann is no faker. You see, when I went to the seance, Paul spoke to me.

[Margot Lane]

Oh, Philip.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Yes.

[Philip Ryder]

Yes, he did. Through a trumpet.

[Narrator]

You're positive?

[Philip Ryder]

Yes. He's spoken to me of many things that only we two knew about. I'm forced to believe indictment.

[Lamont Cranston]

I see.

[Philip Ryder]

Well, do you care to come?

[Margot Lane]

Please do, Lamont. It sounds fascinating.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Yes.

[Lamont Cranston]

Yes, let's go. I'm very eager to meet this Mr. Dyckmann.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Good evening, brothers and sisters. I wish to extend a greeting to all our old friends and our new one. It is my hope that you will find peace and comfort which the rest of us share in the knowledge that the grave is not the end of life. Brother Ice, will you play the Tie that Binds

[Margot Lane]

Lamont?

[Lamont Cranston]

Yes.

[Margot Lane]

Somebody's dimming the light.

[Philip Ryder]

That's. That's part of the service.

[Lamont Cranston]

Don't tell me you're afraid.

[Margot Lane]

No. No, of course I'm not. Really.

[Albert Bronson]

Quiet.

[Philip Ryder]

You're not supposed to. To talk.

[Margot Lane]

The mond.

[Lamont Cranston]

What is it?

[Margot Lane]

Look up at those shiny stripes that are swinging around up there.

[Philip Ryder]

Those are the luminous bands on the trumpet.

[Margot Lane]

But how did they get up there?

[Philip Ryder]

Marvel, please. Please.

[Margot Lane]

Oh, sorry.

[Brother Dyckmann]

That's. That's my dead father's voice.

[Unknown Minor Character]

I'm sure it is.

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

Yes, Father, I helping you. You must be careful of a tall blond man. Trouble may come to you through him.

[Unknown Minor Character]

I'll be careful, Father.

[Margot Lane]

The voice did seem to come from the trumpet.

[Lamont Cranston]

I know. Be quiet.

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

Philip Phillips.

[Philip Ryder]

Yes, Paul, I'm here. What is it?

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

I'm watching your Work. I'm proud of what you're doing.

[Philip Ryder]

I'm glad.

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

It's not easy. I wish I could be there to help you.

[Philip Ryder]

I wish you could, Paul. So much I. I miss you.

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

Don't be sad for me, Philip. Think of your work. I can't quite understand just what it is, this last assignment.

[Philip Ryder]

Well, it's simple, Paul. If I could explain.

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

I know you can't. But think of what you're doing at the office.

[Spirit]

Think.

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

Think and help me understand.

[Philip Ryder]

Yes, Paul.

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

If I am silent for a moment, it's because I'm going to try to understand what's in your mind. Trying to help.

[Fred]

Now

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

be silent. Silent.

[Narrator]

This is absurd.

[Margot Lane]

Come on. Be quiet. Sir.

[Philip Ryder]

Lamont, you broke the thread.

[Narrator]

Paul.

[Philip Ryder]

Paul, come back.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Turn up the lights. Turn them up. Mr. Rice. Thank you. I'm sorry that we've been interrupted. But it is impossible for the spirit to communicate when there are unfriendly influences at work. You, sir. I am speaking to you.

[Lamont Cranston]

Yes, what is it?

[Brother Dyckmann]

He thinks this is all a fake. That I have no power.

[Lamont Cranston]

On the contrary, I think you have great powers.

[Brother Dyckmann]

And yet you interrupt us. You scoff. You're determined to be hostile.

[Narrator]

Not at all.

[Lamont Cranston]

You interest me enormously. As a matter of fact, I should like to ask you a few questions.

[Brother Dyckmann]

You simply want to discredit me. The only satisfaction I can give you is that you have robbed these good people of the aid and comfort they seek.

[Margot Lane]

Lamont, let's go. This is terribly embarrassing.

[Lamont Cranston]

Very well. Let's leave. Well, you know, I'm not embarrassed. I'm really very interested.

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, when the Shadow laughs, it's no laughing matter for his enemies. And when you are suddenly faced with that common enemy of all motorists, a dangerous skid on wet sleep, slippery pavements, it's no laughing matter to be behind the wheel.

[The Shadow]

The Shadow knows every day, someone somewhere experiences that sickening pit of the stomach feeling when his car swerves out of control.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Beware.

[The Shadow]

It pays to play safe.

[Narrator]

Yes, motorists. And when you equip your car with the new Goodrich Silvertown tire, you know you're playing safe. Because the nation's largest independent testing laboratory, the impartial Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory, tested this new kind of tire over a three month period against the regular and premium priced tires of America's six largest tire manufacturers. The official report from these impartial engineers reads, the new Goodrich Silvertown, with lifesaver tread gave greater skid resistance than any other tire tested. And some of the tires tested are priced at from 40% to 70% more than Silvertown's. Yet the new Silvertown with lifesaver tread came out on top in skid protection. It came out on top in mileage too. Averaged 19.1% more non skid mileage than any of the tires tested in its own price range. Motorists, doesn't this prove which tire to put on your car? Get these life saving long mileage Silvertowns. Now, there is no extra cost.

[Margot Lane]

Here.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Philip.

[Margot Lane]

Sit down and cheer up.

[Philip Ryder]

I'm sorry things turned out this way.

[Margot Lane]

For heaven's sake, don't you apologize. I think Lamont ought to beg your pardon, behaving like that. Lamont.

[Unknown Minor Character]

What?

[Lamont Cranston]

Oh, yes, Phil. I'm sorry if you're upset.

[Philip Ryder]

Lamont, you. You must admit that Mr. Dyckman is unusual.

[Narrator]

Oh, yes.

[Lamont Cranston]

But the mental world is so full of unusual things. I was just thinking about a drawing that I saw very recently. Strange how vividly I see the piece of apparatus right now.

[Margot Lane]

What in the world are you raving about, Lamont?

[Lamont Cranston]

Piece of apparatus. It's so clear to me. I even started drawing it here on the menu. It's a curious contraption of one small wheel within another. They revolve in opposite directions. There is a thousandth of an inch between the two. Look.

[Philip Ryder]

Lamont.

[Unknown Minor Character]

Yes?

[Philip Ryder]

Don't draw that.

[Albert Bronson]

Don't.

[Margot Lane]

Philip, what's wrong? You look ill.

[Philip Ryder]

This is serious.

[Lamont Cranston]

You've seen this piece of apparatus before?

[Philip Ryder]

We've been working on it for weeks at the department.

[Margot Lane]

What's it for?

[Philip Ryder]

You might as well know now. It's part of a new anti aircraft gun. It ensures almost perfect aim at long range. Why, that's what Paul Spirit was talking about. Only tonight.

[Lamont Cranston]

How interesting.

[Philip Ryder]

No one knows of this. How do you come to Le Monde?

[Lamont Cranston]

I saw it someplace, just by chance. But where?

[Philip Ryder]

Who had it in their possession?

[Narrator]

Do you recall?

[Lamont Cranston]

I'm sorry, Philip, but.

[Philip Ryder]

Well, it doesn't matter anyhow. The thing will have to be scrapped.

[Margot Lane]

Thrown away, of course.

[Philip Ryder]

Have the whole big job to do over again.

[Margot Lane]

But how terrible. Lamont, try to remember where you saw it. It may not be too late to save the secret.

[Philip Ryder]

Yes, please try, Lamont. But in the meantime, I've got to find my chief. Let him know.

[Lamont Cranston]

I'm sorry, Philip.

[Philip Ryder]

Yes, it's too bad you can't remember. There are spies at work.

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

There are.

[Lamont Cranston]

I hope you catch them, Philip.

[The Shadow]

Good night.

[Philip Ryder]

Good night. Good night, Margot.

[Margot Lane]

Good night, Philip. And now, Lamont Cranston, Suppose you tell me where you saw that drawing. Now, Margot, don't try to tell me you've forgotten? You never forget anything. Where did you see it and who had it?

[Lamont Cranston]

Philip had it. I saw it at the seance.

[Margot Lane]

What? What? What do you mean?

[Lamont Cranston]

I saw the image in Philip's mind. Saw it as plain as day.

[Margot Lane]

But how?

[Lamont Cranston]

Remember when that fake voice he thought was Paul's asked him to concentrate? In that moment of silence I saw the drawing plain as day. The dimensions, everything. That wasn't spiritualism. It was mind reading. Philip Ryder had been giving the government secrets away to spies ever since he started going to these seances.

[Margot Lane]

That's impossible.

[Lamont Cranston]

If I could see the drawing in his mind, so could a clever, practiced mind reader.

[The Shadow]

A man like Dyckmann.

[Margot Lane]

But why didn't you tell Phil?

[Narrator]

He wouldn't believe me.

[Margot Lane]

But he may go back there and talk to Paul. Spirit, he may tell other secrets.

[Lamont Cranston]

No, I don't think that he will. Let's go now.

[Margot Lane]

Go where?

[Lamont Cranston]

Back to Dyckman's and find out who he passes his information to and how. Perhaps the seance will still be in session.

[Margot Lane]

But Lamont Dyckmann will certainly not be pleased to see you again.

[Lamont Cranston]

But Margot, he won't see me. I'm going as the shadow.

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

Friend. Praise.

[Fred]

Yes, spirit. Speak. I'm listening.

[Spirit]

You have understood all the facts I have communicated.

[Fred]

Gotten all down pat, spirit? Go ahead, spiel some more.

[Spirit]

This inner wheel I have told you of is separated from the outer one by a hair like space of one thousandth of an inch.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Understand?

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

Fred?

[Fred]

Yeah, I got it. Is that all?

[Spirit]

That is all. I must return to the spirit world

[Brother Dyckmann]

now, my friends, to get on to other messages. Our brother Fred should be very satisfied. I see he is leaving us now. Let us wait for further communications from my controls.

[Unknown Minor Character]

Mr. Fred.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Huh?

[Fred]

What do you want? I don't know you.

[Unknown Minor Character]

Oh, it's nothing, nothing. Only it's wonderful how the spirits talk to you at our meetings. You don't seem very reverent. But they talk to you?

[Fred]

Sure, sure, they talk. What about it?

[Unknown Minor Character]

Nothing. Nothing. Only I wish they would to me. Do you think?

[Fred]

I think you're just a nut. Get out of my way.

[Unknown Minor Character]

What's that? Who laughed? Why, there's no one there. Why, the spirit. Spirits must be hovering over Fred.

[Albert Bronson]

Ah, Fred, my dear boy. Come in, come in. You're late.

[Fred]

I stopped beefing. I got here, didn't I?

[Albert Bronson]

Yes, yes, yes. You closed the door, Fred.

[Fred]

I did close it.

[Albert Bronson]

No, no, Fred. It's still open.

[Fred]

I'd have sworn I shut it.

[Albert Bronson]

You obviously didn't.

[Fred]

Well, the cats can't be working right.

[Albert Bronson]

Ah, there, there. That's better. Tell me, have you the figures to finish our drawing?

[Fred]

No, not all of them. There's one spot I can't fill yet.

[Albert Bronson]

Why not?

[Fred]

Some nutty guy interrupted Dykman's session with Philip Ryder.

[Albert Bronson]

Too bad, too bad. But here's the drawing. Get to work, Fred.

[Fred]

Hey, stop ordering me around.

[Albert Bronson]

Now, Fred, don't be impudent.

[Fred]

What do you think I am?

[Albert Bronson]

Fred, dear boy, you are the man who killed Paul Ryder. Don't forget that.

[Fred]

You were in on that job, too.

[Albert Bronson]

But you fired the shot. Dear boy, please don't forget that I haven't. Now, let's not have any more impertinence, please.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Why, you.

[Albert Bronson]

Now, now, now, cool down. You and I can't afford to fight there, boy. We're too useful to each other. Only think what a nice, large sum of money we shall get from this job.

[Fred]

Yeah, all right, then. I'll just throw in those two wheels I got the dope on tonight, and

[The Shadow]

then I wouldn't, Fred, if I were you.

[Commissioner Weston]

Huh?

[Fred]

What'd you say, Bronson?

[Albert Bronson]

I didn't say a word. I hope you haven't started talking to yourself.

[The Shadow]

He hasn't, Mr. Bronson.

[Fred]

Hey, what is this? Who are you?

[Albert Bronson]

Where are you?

[The Shadow]

Men know me as the Shadow.

[Brother Dyckmann]

What the.

[Fred]

I can't see anyone. Who is it? What do you want?

[The Shadow]

I want to stop you two from betraying your country's secrets.

[Albert Bronson]

What?

[The Shadow]

If you sell that drawing, millions of your countrymen may pave your treachery with their lives.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Hey, Bronson. I can't stand this.

[Fred]

It gets me a voice and nobody's there.

[Albert Bronson]

Don't be excited, Fred. Look at me. I'm perfectly calm.

[The Shadow]

You are not afraid then, Bronson?

[Albert Bronson]

Of course not.

[Fred]

But Bronson, this spook is real.

[Albert Bronson]

Fred, don't be a fool. This is some trick of Dykman's.

[Fred]

Dykman's?

[Narrator]

Of course.

[Albert Bronson]

He's so clever with his trumpets and strikes. Strange voices. Aren't you, Dyckman? I'm not afraid of you.

[The Shadow]

I am not Dyckman. I am the Shadow. I have come to warn you indeed.

[Albert Bronson]

Shadow. Are we in danger?

[The Shadow]

Grave danger, Bronson. If you attempt to sell the information in this drawing, tear it up now.

[Fred]

Hey, I don't like this.

[Albert Bronson]

Calm down, Fred. This is Dyckman. He's trying to drive us out of the field so we can collect everything for himself. Isn't that the truth, Dyckman?

[Fred]

He don't answer. Is he gone?

[Albert Bronson]

I imagine so. Once he realized.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Hey, Branson.

[Narrator]

Look.

[Albert Bronson]

What is it?

[Fred]

Here, on the desk where the drawing was.

[Philip Ryder]

Why?

[Albert Bronson]

Why, it's gone.

[Fred]

Yeah, it's been stolen. Hey, Bronson, I'm scared.

[Albert Bronson]

Ah, nonsense, nonsense. Come on.

[Fred]

Where? Where you going?

[Albert Bronson]

To find Dietman, you fool.

[Fred]

What are you gonna do?

[Albert Bronson]

You and I, Fred, are going to kill our dear friend Dyckman.

[Narrator]

Come along.

[The Shadow]

The Shadow calling Margo Lane. The Shadow calling Margo Lane. Margot Lane, get in touch with Commissioner Weston. Have him surround Mr. Dykeman's house at once. Have him bring Philip Rider with him.

[Unknown Minor Character]

Hurry, hurry, hurry.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Now, my friends, we must have silence or the seance cannot succeed. Silence, please.

[Philip Ryder]

Hey, Bronson.

[Albert Bronson]

Yes, friend?

[Fred]

You hear that? Dykeman's got a late seance going on inside right now.

[Albert Bronson]

Yes, dear boy, that seems to be true.

[Fred]

And he couldn't have been the shadow.

[Albert Bronson]

Nonsense. He probably just sneaked back here ahead of us. Go ahead and speak to him. Tell him you wish to reach the spirits. We'll surprise dear Mr. Dyckman.

[Fred]

Yeah, all right. Come on.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Newcomers have entered the room. Please do not be disturbed. My friends, have you any questions?

[Fred]

I want to ask some. This is Fred again.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Silence. Fred is calling. Silence. I am here, Fred. What do you wish? Is there something wrong?

[Fred]

Yeah, there is. You know that drawing I was working on?

[Brother Dyckmann]

Yes, yes, I know. It's been stolen. Stolen?

[Unknown Minor Character]

By who?

It was not stolen. The Shadow took it.

[Brother Dyckmann]

What's that? Who is speaking?

[Unknown Minor Character]

The Shadow Dyckmann.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Friends, someone is trying to put over fraud. That is not the spirit voice.

[Unknown Minor Character]

No, this is the voice of the Shadow Dyckmann. You're in danger.

[Commissioner Weston]

What is this voice, Dyckman?

[Brother Dyckmann]

I don't know. It's some sort of fraud.

[Unknown Minor Character]

It's you who are the fraud, Dyckmann. Making these poor people think they are talking to their loved ones.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Friends, this is an outrage.

[Narrator]

A trick.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Ladies and gentlemen, please keep your seats. This is obviously a fraud. It isn't the voice of a spirit.

[Unknown Minor Character]

Confess, somebody.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Turn on the lights and show this faker up. Turn on the light.

[Narrator]

Where's the door?

[Margot Lane]

Come on.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Now. The lights. Ah, there they are, ladies and gentlemen. What is that voice? You see? The voice has stopped. The faker can't talk through the trumpet with the lights on. Stop it. Stop it, do you hear?

[Unknown Minor Character]

Do you still think I'm a fake?

[Brother Dyckmann]

No, no, but Go away and leave me be.

[Unknown Minor Character]

Not until you've done as I tell you.

[Brother Dyckmann]

What is it you want me to do?

[Unknown Minor Character]

Tell these people you're a fraud.

[Brother Dyckmann]

No, no, no.

[Unknown Minor Character]

Tell them that you're the voice of the spirit.

[Brother Dyckmann]

That Talk to them. All right, all right. I'm at it now. Now will you leave me alone?

[Unknown Minor Character]

There's one thing more.

[Brother Dyckmann]

What?

[Unknown Minor Character]

Tell them you're a member of a spy ring. The same ring that killed Paul Ryder.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Paul Wright. Tell them who your boss is. All right, I'll tell them. I. Who fired that shot? It was this man here. Brother Dman. Brother Dman. Brother Dman, are you all right?

[The Shadow]

Come in. Commissioner Weston, you're just in time.

[Commissioner Weston]

Someone fire a gun in here?

[Unknown Minor Character]

Yes.

[Narrator]

Brother Dyckman has just been killed.

[Commissioner Weston]

Who did it?

[Brother Dyckmann]

Who? We don't know.

[Commissioner Weston]

He. Did anybody see the gun being fired?

[Brother Dyckmann]

We were all too excited to notice, but.

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

But the shots seemed to come from over there.

[Commissioner Weston]

None of you saw who did it?

[Narrator]

Well, I. I couldn't be sure, but I. I thought it was this man.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Yeah, I did. It was too.

[Narrator]

It was this fella here.

[Margot Lane]

It was not no man.

[Commissioner Weston]

Lock the doors. Don't let anyone out. We search this.

[Fred]

Mom.

[The Shadow]

Commissioner Weston.

[Commissioner Weston]

Yes, what is it?

[The Shadow]

What?

[Commissioner Weston]

Say, who spoke to me?

[The Shadow]

This is the shadow, Commissioner Weston.

[Commissioner Weston]

The Shadow? I might have known.

[The Shadow]

You see the man standing in the corner?

[Commissioner Weston]

The man? Oh, yes. That's Albert Bronson, the book collector.

[The Shadow]

He poses as a book collector. He's really the head of a great spy ring. Search him.

[Brother Dyckmann]

This is an outrage.

[Commissioner Weston]

I'm sorry, Mr. Bronson, but is necessary. Just a minute, please. Stand still. No gun on him.

[The Shadow]

Search the young man beside him. His name is Fred.

[Commissioner Weston]

Yes. Ah, here we are. A gun. And just fire.

[Unknown Minor Character]

You Bronson.

[Brother Dyckmann]

You planted it on me after you killed Dyckman.

[Albert Bronson]

Why, what nonsense. Commissioner Weston, I presume that I'm free to go now.

[Commissioner Weston]

Well, now I am.

[The Shadow]

Commissioner, look at the papers you just took from the pockets of Bronson and of Fred.

[Commissioner Weston]

These papers.

[Unknown Minor Character]

Show them to Philip Ryder.

[Lamont Cranston]

Why?

[Brother Dyckmann]

What are they?

[Philip Ryder]

A. A drawing commission. The voice is right. These men are spies.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Brighton, that's the drawing that was stolen from us.

[Albert Bronson]

Quiet, you fool.

[Philip Ryder]

It's torn in half.

[Commissioner Weston]

And each of these men had a half in his pocket.

[Albert Bronson]

But that's impossible. The drawing had been stolen. It couldn't have gotten back into our pockets.

[The Shadow]

Then you confess you had it in your possession. Once you own that, you are spies.

[Albert Bronson]

I own nothing. Convict me if you can.

[The Shadow]

If you can't be proven spies, at least you can be held for the murder of two men.

[Commissioner Weston]

Two men?

[The Shadow]

Yes, Dyckmann and Paul Ryder.

[Albert Bronson]

I didn't do it. I didn't.

[Paul Ryder (Spirit)]

It was Fred.

[Brother Dyckmann]

Men.

[Commissioner Weston]

Take him away. We won't have much trouble convicting them if they've killed two men.

[The Shadow]

Yes, they killed two men. But what is worse, they tried to sell the lives of thousands of their countrymen for a little money.

[Commissioner Weston]

Yes. Shadow. I guess they never counted on meeting up with you.

[Unknown Minor Character]

No.

[The Shadow]

They believed they could betray their country and escape the consequences. That they were wrong. Treason cannot succeed. Traitors must be punished. And I will fight to save my country from men like these. They dared to commit these crimes because they had never met me. They did not know or fear the Shadow.

[Narrator]

You have been listening to a dramatized version of one of the many copyrighted stories which appear in the Shadow magazine, now on sale at your local newsstand.

[Albert Bronson]

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

[Narrator]

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