(67) Escape - The General Died at Dawn

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Escape – The General Died at Dawn"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: 67
Date: August 10, 2026
Source Work: Adaptation of "The General Died at Dawn" by Charles Booth

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" takes listeners back to the golden age of radio drama, presenting an episode of the classic anthology "Escape," featuring the tale of "The General Died at Dawn." Set in 1930s Shanghai, the adventure follows the world-weary adventurer Gerald O'Hara as he becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of gold, betrayal, and survival amidst outlaws, double-crosses, and shifting allegiances.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Shanghai's Gritty Underside

• Opening Narration (00:54–01:35):
  The story places listeners "on the rolling deck of a pirate junk in the China seas," immediately conjuring an atmosphere of intrigue:
  "You are standing on the rolling deck of a pirate junk in the China seas. And facing you is the sinister figure of the most feared man in the Orient, a general who has just doomed you to death."
• O'Hara is destitute but restless, "spat out by China like a cherry pit" (01:35), contemplating a ship to Europe, haunted by his own reputation and a counterfeit shilling.

2. Introductions & Complicated Alliances

• Gerald O'Hara confronts Mark Ramsgate (02:03–03:44):
  O'Hara seeks to collect an old debt but ends up in a scuffle, displaying both his toughness and desperation.
  • "I am not the most patient man on the China coast, Ramsgate." (03:02)
• Introducing Irene Mallory (04:11):
  She seeks help finding Gerald O’Hara, not knowing she’s speaking to him, and offers a lucrative job involving General Yang and “half a million dollars in gold.”
  • "Tell him it involves General Yang, Yang's business agent, and half a million dollars in gold." (05:26, Irene Mallory)

3. Layers of Deceit & The Gold Conspiracy

• Plot Explained (07:38–09:57):
  Mallory reveals George Martell, Yang’s agent, has been skimming gold and converting it to American dollars. General Yang is now onto him and en route to Shanghai.
  • "Martell's life isn't worth a grain of rice once Yang arrives." (10:34, Irene Mallory)
  • She proposes Martell’s escape in exchange for a cut of the fortune, using O’Hara’s connections.

4. The Tense Hunt for Gold

• Break-in and eavesdropping (11:41–13:14):
  O’Hara and Mallory ransack Martell’s room, confirming he does not keep the money there; they witness Ramsgate attempting to blackmail Martell.
  • "All the money you have... Or I'll tell Yang of the naughty, naughty thing you've done." (12:43–12:46, Mark Ramsgate)
• The Bargain (13:28–14:52):
  O'Hara negotiates a three-way split and immediate help for Martell’s escape. The group heads to retrieve the locked valise from Martell’s office.

5. Double-Crosses, Violence, and Shocking Developments

• The empty valise (15:49, 17:23):
  After arranging Martell’s passage on a freighter, O’Hara returns to find Martell dead, the valise emptied, and Irene wounded.
  • "He was dead. A small valise lay next to him on the pillow. It was open and empty." (17:23, O'Hara)
• Interrogation & Suspicion (19:20–20:40):
  Irene explains she was tricked by a voice mimicking O’Hara, knocked out, and the gold was stolen. O'Hara suspects everyone—including Irene.

6. General Yang’s Arrival and the Final Reckoning

• Confrontation on the Junk (22:32–27:23):
  General Yang gathers the suspects on his seagoing junk, intent on finding the gold. Ramsgate is revealed as the murderer through the bloody ring he wears.
  • "Let me see the ring. Let me see it. Still fleck with blood? You kill a dog?" (24:20, General Yang)
• Ultimate Irony: Yang’s Death & Loss of Face (25:30–27:17):
  Ramsgate stabs Yang, and Yang, mortally wounded, demands his own bodyguards commit suicide to preserve their honor.
  • "China will laugh for centuries to come at the story of how Yang was killed while his devoted bodyguard lived." (25:55, Gerald O'Hara)
  • "At my command. It will be their will also. They have lost face, too." (26:11, General Yang)

7. The Twist Ending — The Gold Was Already Gone

• Papa Conti’s Revelation (28:07–29:12):
  A letter from Martell’s broker explains the gold is gone; Martell lost everything in speculation, and his efforts to escape were in vain.
  • "About the money you two sought? A letter came for George Martell this morning... Unless you can raise $40,000 additional margin, we will be forced to sell you out." (28:07, Papa Conti)
  • "I thought it might be something like that. That's why he didn't arrange for his own escape each day—he expected to recoup his losses." (28:41, Gerald O'Hara)

8. Resolution and Final Farewells

• Despite all the betrayals, loss, and violence, O’Hara departs with Irene, expressing a philosophical closure:
  • "No regrets, o' Hara?" (29:28, Irene Mallory)
  • "Regrets? None. No regrets for the past and no doubts for the future." (29:30, Gerald O’Hara)
• Dramatic irony: All the scheming was ultimately for a fortune that vanished before the events even began.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On trusting alliances:
  "You play the loveliest hand of poker, Mr. O'Hara. Got the 1500 you came for, didn't you?" (05:41, Mark Ramsgate)
• On Shanghai:
  "Shanghai is the coldest blooded, most cynical city in the world. Has none of the charm of Paris, nor the comfort of London, nor the youth of New York." (17:28, Gerald O'Hara)
• On fate and regret:
  "No regrets for the past and no doubts for the future." (29:30, Gerald O'Hara)

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Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment / Content | |----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:54–01:35 | Dramatic scene setting, stakes established | | 04:11–05:35 | Introduction of Irene Mallory, offer of job, gold plot revealed | | 10:05–10:40 | The nature of the gold conspiracy explained | | 13:28–14:52 | Three-way deal struck, escape plan set | | 17:23–19:21 | Discovery of Martell’s murder, the gold gone | | 20:48–21:06 | General Yang and his men arrive | | 22:32–27:23 | Interrogation, revelation, murder of Yang, bodyguard's loyalty | | 28:07–29:12 | The final twist: Martell’s gold gone, all for nothing | | 29:28–29:30 | O’Hara and Mallory reflect—"No regrets." |

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Tone and Style

The episode is steeped in a classic noir sensibility: cynical, wry, hard-boiled dialogue and philosophical introspection, punctuated by moments of violence and bitter humor. The cast delivers lines with the clipped, urgent delivery characteristic of 1940s radio drama.

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Closing Thoughts

"Escape – The General Died at Dawn" masterfully blends double-crosses, a doomed chase for gold, and treacherous alliances, all unraveling against the dangerous beauty and corruption of old Shanghai. Listeners are reminded that in classic radio storytelling, the greatest prize may be surviving with your integrity—or simply with no regrets.

Transcript

[Gerald O'Hara]

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[Commercial Announcer]

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[Gerald O'Hara]

Tired of the everyday routine? Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure? Want to get away from it all?

[Narrator]

We offer you escape. Escape. Transcribe to free you from the four walls of today for a half hour of high adventure.

[Gerald O'Hara]

You are standing on the rolling deck of a pirate junk in the China seas. And facing you is the sinister figure of the most feared man in the Orient, a general who has just doomed you to death.

[Narrator]

Today. With Bill Conrad starred as o', Hara, we escape to China and the gripping story of pirate treasure. As Charles Booth told it in his fascinating novel, the General died at dawn.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Yeah, China was spitting me out like a cherry pit. I was sitting that afternoon on a bench in the strip of park that fronts the harbor of Shanghai, and all I had in my pocket was an English shilling. And it was counterfeit. Ally sat there and stared at a ship in her berth at the Asia Pacific docks. She was a crack liner named Pearl of the Orient, due to sail at 11 the following morning. Europe bound by way of Suez.

[General Yang]

Hell.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Bitterness, a counterfeit English shilling, a need for physical action. All of a sudden they melted into each other and bubbled into an idea. I left the harbor and made my way to Frenchtown, to a narrow street of two and three story buildings and into one of them and up a shabby stair and along a dim corridor to a door with Mark Ramsgate printed on it in gold letters. Ramsgate, I've come for the 1,500 you owe me.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Would you mind shutting the D O O R? There's a simply killing draft.

[Gerald O'Hara]

The 1500, Ramsgate. I want it now.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Aren't you the persistent one, though? Now, where was it you say you advanced me this huge sum of money,

[Gerald O'Hara]

Chung King, four years ago?

[Mark Ramsgate]

Oh, yes, Chung King. I was in a nasty mess with the police and you simply flew to my aid as a fellow American. Isn't that it?

[General Yang]

Hmm.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Delicious.

[Gerald O'Hara]

But too, too fantastic. Start counting out the money, Ramsgate.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Will you listen to the man? I'm a private investigator, Mr. O', Hara, not a banker or a missionary.

[Gerald O'Hara]

I am not the most patient man on the China coast. Ramsgate.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Mr. O', Hara, can you crack A walnut between your forefinger and thumb. I can see. Would you mind leaving now? I've scads of things to do.

[Gerald O'Hara]

What's this? Careful, careful.

[Mark Ramsgate]

That's Ming.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Oh, yes.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Gorgeous, isn't it? I use it for a goldfish bowl.

[Gerald O'Hara]

It's empty.

[Mark Ramsgate]

I didn't feed them. They lasted six.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Well, if you have no goldfish, you don't need the ball.

[Mark Ramsgate]

I'll smash you for that.

[Gerald O'Hara]

I can be smashed. Try it. He was strong and very fast. And he wore an enormous ring, which was damaging whenever he landed a punch. But he'd lost his coolness. His best asset, really, and it didn't last very long.

[Narrator]

Oh,

[Irene Mallory]

Do you treat all your visitors like that, Mr. Ramsgate?

[General Yang]

Huh?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Oh, hello. Come in, come in. Shut the door. Have a seat, miss.

[Irene Mallory]

Mrs. Mallory.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Irene Mallory?

[Irene Mallory]

Why, yes. May we speak privately, Mr. Ramsgate?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Well, my friend on the floor is fast asleep. What can I do for you?

[Irene Mallory]

I came to ask you to locate someone for me. A man here in Shanghai. There's a job to be done and he's the one for it.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Oh, what's his name?

[Irene Mallory]

O'. Hara. Gerald o'. Hara. Do you know him?

[Mark Ramsgate]

Yes.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Yes. Who sent you to me?

[Irene Mallory]

Papa Conti. O' Hara was at the Hotel Conti this morning, broke, and told Papa he expected to collect some money from a man named Ramsgate. Has he been here?

[Gerald O'Hara]

He's been here. I. I can find him for you, but it's going to be expensive. My fee will be fifteen hundred dollars.

[Irene Mallory]

Mm. Five and five. One, two, three, four, five. Here you are.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Thank you.

[Irene Mallory]

Please work very quickly. Very quickly.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Is there anything I can tell him concerning the job for which he is the one?

[Irene Mallory]

Yes. Tell him it involves General Yang, Yang's business agent, and half a million dollars in gold. I'll be waiting at the Hotel Conti, Mr. Ramsgate.

[Mark Ramsgate]

All right.

[Irene Mallory]

Good afternoon.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Good afternoon.

[Mark Ramsgate]

You play the loveliest hand of poker, Mr. O'. Hara. Got the 1500 you came for, didn't you?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Well, you bounced back fast. How much did you hear, Ramsgate?

[Mark Ramsgate]

That's for me to know you to find out.

[Gerald O'Hara]

I will.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Good afternoon, Mr. O'. Hara. Good afternoon. Would you mind closing the D door? Yes.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Well, I had what I came for, all right. I would argue the ethics of it with myself. When the planks of the Pearl of the Orient were beneath my feet, I was on my way to an atmosphere that didn't rot a man's brain with the dampness of things dead and done. I turned into Nanking Road and stopped in front of the Asia Pacific office. In the plate glass window, the Gerald o' Hara who'd helped build the Trans Siberian Railroad, who'd gone after ivory and rubies and gold. That Gerald O' Hara took a look at the Gerald O' Hara who'd rooked Irene Mallory out of $1,500. And then I hailed a rickshaw and told the boy to take me to the Hotel Pierre Conti.

[Papa Conti]

Ah, Gerald, my friend. Zamash.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Zamash. Papa. Conte. Zamash. Do me a favor, will you? Have Mrs. Mallory paged and brought here and let me use this for a few minutes.

[Papa Conti]

But of course. Hello. Your front desk. Who? You? Malarikunu Ligo Saji Lau.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Papa. About the money I owe you, I. I thought I'd have it for you today, but my lead blew up. I'm sorry. He is sorry.

[Papa Conti]

We have known each other all these years. You bear the scar of a knife that was meant for me, and you expect me to prize you for money? Gerald.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Well, it's a bill and it's got to be paid.

[Papa Conti]

Then let me worry about it. There's no point in us both worrying. Oh, that would be Mrs. Mallory. There's cognac on the desk. A visitor for you, My bell. See you later, gerald.

[Irene Mallory]

Good evening, Mr. O'. Hara.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Oh.

[Gerald O'Hara]

I suppose Conti told you who I was.

[Irene Mallory]

No, I recognized you this afternoon.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Oh. Here's the money you gave me.

[Irene Mallory]

Oh.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Do you know what the odds were when you handed it to me? Of your ever seeing me again? I was ready to cut my best friend's throat. For the price of a ticket west.

[Irene Mallory]

Wouldn't you prefer to leave with a good bit more than that?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Oh, the half million you mentioned.

[Irene Mallory]

Yes. Would you care to hear about it?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Well, perhaps care is too strong a word, but I'll listen.

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Irene Mallory]

named George Martell registered here. He's General Yang's business agent. Do you know him?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Your eyes are lovely. I like your eyes.

[Irene Mallory]

Yang had $500,000 worth of gold bars here in Shanghai. Can you guess why? He kept his funds in bullion.

[Gerald O'Hara]

It'd be hard to abscond with almost half a ton of gold.

[Irene Mallory]

And Martell has been converting that into American dollars for some time now. But there are two things he doesn't know. Yang is aware of what he's doing, learned about it last week, and Yang will be here in Shanghai tonight.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Yang enjoys a good deal of tolerance in this city, but he's still an outlaw with a price on his head. He has no legal recourse.

[Irene Mallory]

He's got thumb screws and jackboots. Don't you see what I'm getting at? Martell's life isn't worth a grain of rice once Yang arrives.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Yang's here now.

[Narrator]

What?

[Gerald O'Hara]

He's here now? I saw Sergeant Wong, his adc, dressed as a coolie down at the docks this morning.

[Irene Mallory]

All the better. Unless Martel shares the money with us, we won't help him escape from Shanghai.

[General Yang]

You.

[Irene Mallory]

You could arrange a way out for him, couldn't you?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Oh, yes, yes, I. I know ways. But I'm not the man for the job, Mrs. Mallory. I'm as empty as a sucked egg. I'm tired. Very tired. I just want to crawl out of Asia. I'm sorry.

[Irene Mallory]

No pride?

[Gerald O'Hara]

None.

[Irene Mallory]

Certain?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Positive?

[Irene Mallory]

Not even enough to resent that. Or this.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Why, you little.

[Irene Mallory]

You're hurting my wrist. O'. Hara.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Come here to me. Where's Martell now?

[Irene Mallory]

In the bar. Then he goes to dinner. That's his routine.

[Gerald O'Hara]

You know his room number?

[Irene Mallory]

Yes.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Well, lead me to it. Was that the last valise in the closet?

[Irene Mallory]

Yes.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Well, we know now that Martell doesn't keep the money in his room.

[Irene Mallory]

That would have been too obvious.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Oh, never be deceived by the obvious, my dear. The techniques of hiding and finding haven't changed since Poe stated them in the purloined letter. Next.

[Irene Mallory]

Someone's coming down the hall.

[General Yang]

No.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Out with a light.

[Irene Mallory]

Martell. Shh.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Behind the screen.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Mm.

[Gerald O'Hara]

What perfume do you use? It's mar.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Well, what a heavenly room you have, Mr. Martel. My. So comfy.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Get to the point, Mr. Ramsgate. What is it you wanted to speak to me about? General Yang.

[Mark Ramsgate]

The Shanghai funds and what you intend to do with them.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Have you been prying into my affairs?

[Mark Ramsgate]

Just an old busybody. Armzak, don't try for a gun. Just don't.

[Gerald O'Hara]

What is it you want?

[Mark Ramsgate]

All the money you have.

[Gerald O'Hara]

And the alternative?

[Mark Ramsgate]

I'll tell Yang of the naughty, naughty thing you've done.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Mr. Ramsgate, I beg you.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Oh, no, no. Either give me the money or be prepared to face Yang.

[Gerald O'Hara]

O'.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Hara.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Hello, George. Irene, see if Ramsgate has a gun.

[General Yang]

Okay.

[Gerald O'Hara]

George, have you met Mrs. Mallory? O', Hara.

[Irene Mallory]

Here's a gun.

[General Yang]

Oh, good.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Now, see if George has one. Easy, George.

[Irene Mallory]

Here it is.

[Gerald O'Hara]

All right, now put it in your purse. George, you know me, don't you? I mean, you know me.

[Narrator]

I know you.

[Papa Conti]

O'.

[General Yang]

Hara.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Were you going to accept Ramsgate's offer? I think that wouldn't have done you any good. Yang has a price on your head right now. Didn't you know? Oh, yes. Ramsgate would have taken your money and turned you over to Yang anyway. Well, I thought that I'd be able to think of some scheme while Yang

[Narrator]

was on his way.

[Gerald O'Hara]

On his way? Yang's in Shanghai right now.

[Papa Conti]

No.

[General Yang]

Look.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Now, here's our proposition. One third apiece to each of us, and I'll help you escape. One third to each of us, One third to you. You better take it, George. Well, but tomorrow morning, Yang will have blocked every exit from Shanghai you could think of. You need us, George. And you know I always fulfill my end of a contract. Help me, o'.

[Papa Conti]

Hara.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Help me, please. You accept?

[Papa Conti]

Yes.

[General Yang]

Good.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Where's the money? I want it in my hand before I so much as make a move in your favor.

[General Yang]

Please.

[Gerald O'Hara]

It's not here in the hotel, I mean. It's in the safe in my office in the Rue Montovergne. Now, let's go after it, George. Let's go after it. We left the Hotel Conte. I hailed a taxi and George gave the driver the address. It was just past the dinner hour and the night traffic was thickening across the harbor. I could see the lights of the Pearl of the Orient. Tomorrow morning, I thought to myself. Tomorrow morning I'd be on deck, taking a last long look at China with a fortune in my pocket. Irene followed my glance and then smiled up at me and squeezed my arm. You ever been to France, Irene?

[Irene Mallory]

Yes.

[Gerald O'Hara]

You know the stretch along the coast of Normandy between Honfleur and Treville?

[Irene Mallory]

No.

[Gerald O'Hara]

I. I'd like to show it to you sometime.

[Irene Mallory]

I'd like to see it sometime.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Good. We got out at the shabby end of the Rue Montavene. Martell was trembling so violently that I had to take the key from his hand and open the door myself. Easy, George. Just take it easy. I'm in a bloody blue funk, o'.

[General Yang]

Hara.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Yeah, we know the feeling, George. Now, where's the money? It's in the safe. Small valise in the safe. I'll get it. You really can get me out of Shanghai? Look at me, George. I really can, can't I? You're not right. Right now. Then left 22. You know, there's a drink they drink in Normandy called Calvados Brandy. Did you ever taste it?

[Irene Mallory]

No.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Really? Vast horizons will soon open for you, I think. There we are. Have you got it?

[Papa Conti]

Yep.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Here, I'll take it.

[Papa Conti]

Okay.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Now, where's the key? The bag's locked. Oh, I hear it when I always carry it. Or Harrower.

[General Yang]

What?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Face at the window. The light.

[Irene Mallory]

Shoot.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Shoot, o'.

[General Yang]

Hara.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Well, I don't think I hid anything. Let's get back to the hotel. The street was deserted as we left Martell's office. I expected almost anything. But nothing happened. Nothing at all. Except that I slipped on the broken glass scattered about the sidewalk and almost broke my neck. And we took a taxi back to the Hotel Conte. No, we won't go to your room, George. Irene, we'll hole up in yours.

[Irene Mallory]

Do you think we're safe here?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Well, it's relative. We're safer in the Conte than any other place else in Shanghai. Not that that's saying much. At least we have an Ally. Here, Papa Conte himself. In you go, George.

[General Yang]

Thanks.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Now, Irene, here's the money. Don't let this valise out of your sight for a moment. Take the gun out of your purse. Now, you know how to handle it?

[Irene Mallory]

Some.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Sit down, George.

[Papa Conti]

Yeah.

[Gerald O'Hara]

No, no, not on the chair. Sit on the floor facing the wall. Now, look, Irene, you've got a double job. Keep George and the money in and everyone else out.

[Irene Mallory]

Understood?

[Mark Ramsgate]

O'.

[General Yang]

Hara.

[Gerald O'Hara]

You're not going. Well, I have to arrange your exit. Do you expect me to do it by telegram? Well, that reminds me. I'll need that 1500 of yours again. How much do you weigh?

[Irene Mallory]

118.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Delicious.

[Irene Mallory]

Here's the 1500.

[Gerald O'Hara]

You'll be repaid out of George's end of the cut. Well, I'll be going now. I'll be back in about three hours at the latest. Lock the door after me. I'll see you soon.

[Irene Mallory]

Take care of yourself, o'. Hara.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Right. I wish I could think of something entirely reassuring, but all I can come

[General Yang]

up with is this.

[Gerald O'Hara]

I think we've got a 5050 chance of making. They'll tell you Shanghai is the coldest blooded, most cynical city in the world. Has none of the charm of Paris, nor the comfort of London, nor the youth of New York. As I made my roundabout way to the docks, past the food shops and the dens and the coffin makers and the honky tonk joints, I suddenly no longer cared about that. I felt vaguely excited and eager for the next moment. And then finally I found the man I was looking for after a tour of the bars. He was a big, bearded Swede named Nelson, the owner and captain of an old bomb freighter. And after an hour or so of negotiation, we had it straight. He'd have a taxi driven by himself parked near the alley two blocks from the county, ready to pick Martell up at dawn and carry him to the ship. 1500 down and another 15,000 from Martell when he was safe on deck. And that was that. I was back at the hotel by 2:30. Irene. Irene, it's O'. Hara. Irene. Irene. I put my ear to the door and listened. Nothing. I grasped the knob to shake it and the door swung open. The lights were on and the room looked as though a tornado had gone roaring through. Bureau drawers open, clothes flung out, luggage seals slashed. And Martel lay upon the bed, staring at the ceiling. His face ripped badly, his hands and legs tied tightly. I walked over and put my fingers to his neck. He was dead. A small valise lay next to him on the Pillow. It was open and empty. Made my way to the bathroom. Irene. O', Hara, turn off that water.

[Irene Mallory]

I was trying to stop the bleeding.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Give me the towel. Now, come on in the other room. What's happened?

[Mark Ramsgate]

I don't know.

[Irene Mallory]

A couple of hours after you left, there was a light knock at the door and a voice that sounded like yours said, open the door. Yeah, well, don't look at me like that. It was time for you to be back and I had the gun. I opened the door just a crack and suddenly a hand appeared and it turned out the lighting. And that's all. When I came to, it was the way it is in there. And I had a bump on my head.

[Gerald O'Hara]

The money's gone.

[Irene Mallory]

I know.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Have any idea who did it?

[Irene Mallory]

No, none. It could have been anybody.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Could have been you, o'.

[Irene Mallory]

Hara.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Why not? You had the chance. And as you say, you had the gun. It could have been you.

[Irene Mallory]

Yes, and it could have been you. But I don't think it was.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Connect me with Mr. Conti, please.

[Irene Mallory]

O'. Hara.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Hello, Papa Conti? This is O'. Hara. Look, will you come to Mrs. Mallory's room immediately, please? Yeah.

[Irene Mallory]

What are you going to do?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Well, I want to speak to Papa Conti. He's probably the wisest man in Shanghai.

[Irene Mallory]

Do you think I did it?

[Gerald O'Hara]

I didn't say you did. I said it could have been you. And it could have, too. But I ought to talk to Conte. There are things that bother me about the whole deal. I connect it in some way with slipping on the broken glass in front of George's office and George being beaten to death. Now, why should anyone have done that? The money was there and George was tied securely. Why beat him? And something about George's having to depend on me for a getaway. I always considered him a very cautious and careful man. He had the money. Surely he would have planned his own escape long before ivory. Well, that's probably Papa Cont. I'll get it.

[Papa Conti]

Yeah, it is I.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Come in, papa.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Good morning, Mr. O'. Hara. Get inside. Papa Conti. All clear, General.

[General Yang]

Ohara.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Hello, Yang.

[General Yang]

You, Ramsgate, Close the door.

[Mark Ramsgate]

All righty.

[General Yang]

See if o' Hara is armed.

[Narrator]

Pleasure.

[Mark Ramsgate]

I have it, General.

[General Yang]

So

[Gerald O'Hara]

the dog is dead and the bone is buried.

[General Yang]

Oh, I will find the bone.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Well, first you must find the other dog.

[General Yang]

Perhaps I'm looking at him.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Try to prove it.

[General Yang]

If you do not kill Martell, why have you not sent for the police?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Shall I telephone them now?

[General Yang]

O', Hara, what would you do if you were in my Position?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Well, I'd search the luggage and personal property of all of those here. Then if I didn't find the money, I'd question us. All of us, including Ramsgate. And if I didn't find what I was looking for? I'd make my apologies and look elsewhere.

[General Yang]

It is good advice. I accept it. Kante, you have a baggage truck in your garage. Go outside, give the key to Sergeant Wong and no tricks. Conti. My men are at every entrance and every floor. Ramsgate.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Yes, General.

[General Yang]

Go with Conti. Tell Tsien Fu to take a squad of men. Pick all the baggage belonging to Mrs. Mallory and Papa Conti and George Martel. Bring it to my headquarters. Tell them to take also Martell's body.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Yes, General. Come along, Tonti.

[General Yang]

O', Hara, you and Mr. Mallory will come with me.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Where to?

[General Yang]

To the pier of Yin Lui and Co. On Suo Creek. And then to my Shanghai headquarters, the Lao Ping. A sea going junk. It lies in the anchorage. Come, o'.

[Irene Mallory]

Hara.

[General Yang]

Come.

[Gerald O'Hara]

It's almost 4 o'.

[Papa Conti]

Clock.

[Gerald O'Hara]

How long do you intend to keep us aboard?

[General Yang]

Yang, the money is neither upon your person nor among your belongings. I must now persuade you to talk. Will you do so willingly?

[Gerald O'Hara]

And if we do not?

[General Yang]

I will turn you over to my bodyguard. You have heard of them?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Who hasn't?

[General Yang]

What have you heard?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Oh, something about your destiny being their destiny and their lives being your lives. And that they would do anything under heaven that you commanded.

[General Yang]

That is correct. Will you talk?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Look, General, I know nothing of Martell's death or the location of the money. As I've already told you, Mrs. Mallory,

[Irene Mallory]

I can't add anything to what I've already said.

[General Yang]

Nor can I. Martell has been silenced. Pity.

[Gerald O'Hara]

General, aren't you going to ask Ramsgate?

[Mark Ramsgate]

Ask me? Why? The General and I understand each other thoroughly. Don't worry, General. It was I who told the General where to find you all. Didn't I, General? What could he possibly ask me?

[Gerald O'Hara]

During the past hour, I've thought of one or two things he might ask you. Yang, you've noticed the cuts on Martel's face.

[General Yang]

Notice them.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Now, have you noticed the cuts on mine?

[General Yang]

They are alike.

[Gerald O'Hara]

And have you noticed the ring Ramsgate wears?

[Mark Ramsgate]

General? Excellency, there's a conspiracy to injure me in your eyes.

[General Yang]

Let me see the ring. Let me see it.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Excellency.

[General Yang]

Still fleck with blood? You kill a dog?

[Mark Ramsgate]

Yes. Yes, Excellency, I did. But only to avenge you. Only to avenge you.

[General Yang]

Where is the money?

[Mark Ramsgate]

I don't know. I Swear I don't know you.

[General Yang]

Lie.

[Mark Ramsgate]

No. No. No. When I opened the valise, the woman was guarding it.

[Gerald O'Hara]

It was empty.

[Irene Mallory]

Empty.

[Mark Ramsgate]

No. A general. General. Don't touch me. Don't touch me.

[General Yang]

Dang.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Look out. He has a knife. Oh, God.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Excellency. No, I. I didn't mean to. No, don't shoot. Excellent.

[Papa Conti]

Don't.

[General Yang]

Don't. Don't shoot.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Shut.

[Irene Mallory]

O'. Hara. What is he ordering him to do?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Something about killing us.

[Irene Mallory]

O'. Hara.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Shh.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Yang. This is a thing I never expected to see. A man of destiny stabbed by a fat flag while his bodyguard, his loyal bodyguard of 12, stands by and watches.

[General Yang]

You'll find it amusing. And before I die, you and your friends will be dead. Can you laugh at that also?

[Mark Ramsgate]

Perhaps.

[Gerald O'Hara]

But not as much as all China will laugh at Yang's loss of face. China will laugh for centuries to come at the story of how Yang was killed while his devoted bodyguard lived.

[General Yang]

China will not laugh at Yang. My bodyguard will not live. They will have shot one another.

[Gerald O'Hara]

At whose command?

[General Yang]

At my command. It will be their will also. They have lost face, too. And unbearably, can they continue to live.

[Gerald O'Hara]

No one will believe that your bodyguard, foolish enough to let you be stabbed, would obey a command to kill themselves. Your name will be a laughingstock.

[General Yang]

No.

[Gerald O'Hara]

They will joke about you in the tea houses.

[General Yang]

No.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Your sons will die of shame.

[General Yang]

No.

[Gerald O'Hara]

And why? Because 12 dead fools with rifles in their hands will be all that you have to speak for you.

[General Yang]

No. You lie. You lie. I will show you. Qua toyu kwa. See how they line up facing each other, 6 to 6?

[Gerald O'Hara]

They face each other, but they do not aim at each other.

[General Yang]

Do you see how they take aim at each other, o'? Hara?

[Gerald O'Hara]

They take aim at each other, Yang, but they do not fire.

[General Yang]

They will. They will win our command. Now watch and you will see. A thing to make you marvel. To marvel again whenever you remember. Yang Kai.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Paul.

[General Yang]

Was Yang not right? Was he not? Well, this is it.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Goodbye, Papa Conti.

[Papa Conti]

Goodbye, Gerald. And much good luck. And to you also, Mrs. Mallory.

[Irene Mallory]

Thank you, Papa Conti. I'll send you a piece of the wedding cake.

[Papa Conti]

Do that. Yeah.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Thanks for everything. I. I'll repay you the loan as soon as I can.

[Papa Conti]

Of course. Of course, Gerald. Mrs. Mallory, could you stand a rather bitter joke upon yourselves?

[Mark Ramsgate]

No.

[Papa Conti]

What's that about the money you two sought? A letter came for Georges Mattel this morning. It is from a brokerage firm here in Shanghai. It says, dear George. This is to confirm our conversation of this Morning. Unless you can raise $40,000 additional margin, we will be forced to sell you out. We regret doing this to so good a customer. Especially in the light of the half million dollar loss you suffered these last two months. But businesses. Etc. Etc. You are Sincerely. You understand, Gerald?

[Mark Ramsgate]

Yes.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Yes, I thought it might be something like that. That's why he didn't arrange for his own escape each day he expected to recoup his losses.

[Irene Mallory]

And he tricked us in his office on the Rue Montvergne. He didn't want us to learn the valise was empty. And so he pretended to have seen that face at the window.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Yeah, that's right. And then when we put out the lights, he must have thrown something through the glass. A paperweight or the like. That's what puzzled me about the broken glass. It was on the sidewalk and not in the room.

[Papa Conti]

It was also why Ramsgate killed him. He couldn't make Ramsgate believe his story.

[Mark Ramsgate]

Yeah.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Papa Conti, May I have the letter? I'd like it for a souvenir.

[Papa Conti]

But of course.

[Narrator]

Thank you.

[Papa Conti]

Well, au revoir, Gerald. Au revoir, ma belle. I wave to you from the shore.

[Gerald O'Hara]

Goodbye. Goodbye, Papa.

[Irene Mallory]

No regrets, o'? Hara?

[Gerald O'Hara]

Regrets? None. No regrets for the past and no doubts for the future.

[Narrator]

Escape is produced and directed by Norman MacDonald. Today we have presented transcribed the General Died at Dawn by Charles Booth, adapted for radio by Walter Newman with editorial supervision by John Dunkle. Starred as o' Hara was Bill Conrad. Featured in the cast were Estelle Dodge, Larry Dobkin, Ben Wright, John Danar, Jack Pruschen and Peter Prowse. Special music was arranged and played by Ivan Ditmars. Next week we Escape with the unusual story, the great impersonation by E. Phillips Oppenheim. Be sure to tune in at the same time next week when once again, we offer you escape. The adventures of Ozzie and Harriet are now heard every Sunday night on most of these same CBS stations just before the Jack Benny Show. This is Roy Rowan speaking. Now stay tuned for five minutes of the latest news and the let's Pretend program, which follow immediately over most of these same CBS network stations. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

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