Lights Out - He Dug It Up

Summary

Podcast Summary: Lights Out – “He Dug It Up”

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode: Lights Out – He Dug It Up
Date: June 15, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features a spine-chilling radio drama from the classic series Lights Out, originally written and presented by Arch Oboler. “He Dug It Up” tells the story of Mr. Jeffrey, an amateur archaeologist in rural England, who discovers a mysterious ancient stone sarcophagus in his garden. Against the warnings and superstitions of his housekeeper, Mrs. Gracie, and other townsfolk, Mr. Jeffrey opens the sarcophagus, unleashing deadly supernatural forces tied to ancient Roman and Egyptian myth.

The episode masterfully blends themes of curiosity, hubris, superstition, and the perils of disturbing what should remain buried, all set in the atmospheric style of old-time radio horror.

---

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

The Discovery (02:44–06:27)

• Mr. Jeffrey’s Garden: Mr. Jeffrey, reflecting on a pleasant day, decides to plant a catalpa tree sent by his son. While digging, he unearths a large, flat, oblong stone.
• Superstitions Arise: Housekeeper Mrs. Gracie voices concern about the ominous find, suggesting some things are better left alone. Mr. Jeffrey speculates the stone could be Roman.

"There's some things best left deep under the ground."
— Mrs. Gracie (07:10)

Excavation and Tragedy (07:31–09:29)

• Excavation: With the help of Mr. Elkington and Constable Robinson, the team attempts to extricate the stone. As they lift, the sarcophagus slips and crushes Mrs. Gracie, killing her instantly.
• Foreshadowing of Doom: The accidental death sets a foreboding tone, linking the ancient artifact with present-day consequences.

Bringing the Coffin Inside & Defiance (11:58–15:06)

• Funeral Arrangements: The local reverend discusses proper funeral procedures for Mrs. Gracie.
• Obsession and Disrespect: Despite warnings, Mr. Jeffrey insists on bringing the sarcophagus inside his home, asserting his right as the discoverer and dismissing concerns over respect for the dead.

"I'm proper authority on Roman things. … Here you are, Mr. Coffin. Just where I made them put you. … I'll open you up myself right now."
— Mr. Jeffrey (13:44, 15:07)

The Horror Revealed (16:12–18:18)

• Opening the Sarcophagus: Mr. Jeffrey, increasingly obsessed, opens the coffin. Inside is a strange figure: a lion’s head atop the body of a woman.
• Unnatural Attributes: The figure appears lifelike and warm to the touch. Mysteriously, Mrs. Gracie’s fresh blood is found on the statue, despite the chamber being sealed tight.

"A lion's head and the body of a woman."
— Reverend (17:33)

"A minute ago I felt cold stone, and now it's warm."
— Mr. Jeffrey (18:18)

Descent Into Madness and the Finale (20:00–25:10)

• Determined to Uncover the Secret: Defying the constable, reverend, and townsfolk, Mr. Jeffrey and Mr. Elkington try to chisel open the statue to uncover its 'secret.'
• Supernatural Manifestations: Strange burning sounds and sensations increase. Mr. Jeffrey is ultimately overtaken by his obsession and is set ablaze by a mysterious force emanating from within the statue.
• Witness Testimony: Onlookers and the museum expert arrive too late, only to see a flame shooting from the statue, killing Mr. Jeffrey.

"A flame came out of the statue."
— Mr. Elkington (25:33)

The Explanation and Aftermath (25:47–26:16)

• The True Nature: Professor Thompson identifies the statue as the lioness-headed Egyptian goddess Sekhmet, revered in antiquity as the goddess of fire.
• Modern Skepticism: The narrator questions the reality of the tale, blurring the line between myth and fact.

"The lioness-headed goddess Sekhmet… they worshipped her as the goddess of fire."
— Professor Thompson (25:57)

Postscript & Reflections on Ancient Mysteries (26:16–28:19)

• Themes of Hubris and Cosmic Mystery: Arch Oboler reflects on the plausibility of such supernatural happenings, tying the tale to real-world mysteries like Stonehenge.
• Timeless Warnings: The narrative closes with a gentle admonition about disturbing the unknown and the enduring enigmas left by ancient civilizations.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Superstitious old fool. No fault of yours, Mr. Coffin."
  — Mr. Jeffrey (13:44)
• "I tell you, they won't stop me. We'll have the statue cut open before they get here, now, won't we, mister?"
  — Mr. Jeffrey (20:58)
• "My hand… like an electric current running through the chisel."
  — Mr. Jeffrey (23:19)
• "Help! Mr. Jeffrey, he's on fire!"
  — Mr. Robinson (25:03)
• "The lioness-headed goddess Sekhmet. … The goddess of fire."
  — Professor Thompson (25:57)
• "Is that any more difficult to believe than that a small Austrian house painter… could try to burn up a world?"
  — Arch Oboler (26:29)

---

Key Timestamps

• [02:44] – Mr. Jeffrey finds the sarcophagus.
• [07:03] – Mrs. Gracie pleads not to disturb it.
• [08:59] – The coffin slips, crushing Mrs. Gracie.
• [13:44] – Mr. Jeffrey insists on bringing the sarcophagus inside.
• [16:12] – Jeffrey opens the coffin, finds the lion-headed woman statue.
• [18:18] – The statue mysteriously warms.
• [23:19] – Supernatural force makes Jeffrey drop chisel.
• [25:03] – Jeffrey bursts into flames.
• [25:57] – Revelation: the statue is Sekhmet, the Egyptian fire goddess.
• [26:29] – Reflection on myth, history, and belief.

---

Episode Takeaways

This Lights Out episode remains a classic for its blend of archaeological curiosity, supernatural peril, and atmospheric radio storytelling. At its heart is a warning: sometimes, what lies buried in the past should remain undisturbed. Arch Oboler’s script laces horror with sly historical references, resulting in an episode that's both chilling and thought-provoking, especially for fans of supernatural and old-time radio drama.

---

(For further gothic chills and mysteries, check out Harold's Old Time Radio’s other classic episodes.)

Transcript

[Grainger Announcer]

Grainger knows. When you're a procurement manager for an office park, you're not managing one building, you're managing all of them. And to stay ahead, you need to see through walls and around corners. Lights about to fail, filters ready to clog H Vac on its last leg. If you wait until something breaks, you're already behind. Count on Grainger for quality products, easy reordering and 24. 7 support. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Ironized Yeast presents Lights out, everybody.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

It is later than you sleep.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Lights out brings you stories of the supernatural and the supernormal, dramatizing the fantasies and the mysteries of the unknown. We tell you this frankly. So if you wish to avoid the excitement and tension of these imaginative plays, we urge you calmly but sincerely to turn off your radio. Now.

[Arch Ober]

This is Arch Ober with quite a cold. The idea for tonight's story, the strange story of he dug it up, came to me a few years ago when I was in England. Pre war England. I lived in a hotel overlooking a peaceful garden. And looking down into that bit of quiet, I. I strangely thought of death. But first, Frank Martin with a word.

[Narrator/Announcer]

If you're thin and jittery, run down and always tired. If you envy your peppy, popular, successful friends and wonder what they've got that you haven't got, why, maybe it's only more vitamin B and iron. Yes, today thousands may suffer from deficiencies of these vital substances. Yet when you need them, there's such an easy way to get more of them. Simply take ironized yeast tablets. They're the famous two way tonic that gives you both vitamin B and iron. So when you need them, ironized yeast helps two ways to step up your weight and pep and sparkle your enjoyment of life. Jot that name down now. Ironized yeast tablets. Enough. Lights out everybody.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Ah, it is a nice day. Yes, I agree with you, Mr. Sparrow. It's as nice a day as I too have ever seen. I remember a day like this when I was about to. Mother took me into London to see the king's palace. That was Edward. And I had on a green suit and I. But that wouldn't interest you now would it, Mr. Sparrow? Funny, I never went back less than a hundred miles away and I.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Oh,

[Mr. Jeffrey]

good morning, Mr. Elkins.

[Mr. Elkington]

Here, Mr. Jeffrey. Oh, kind of late in the season to be planting now, ain't it?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Oh, I wouldn't exactly say that, Mr. Elkington, not for what I'm planting now.

[Mr. Elkington]

What would that be, might I be asking?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

A tree, my friend.

[Mr. Elkington]

Ah.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

A nice, strong catalpa tree. My son sent it to me all the way from Exeter.

[Mr. Elkington]

You don't say. Catalpa tree. Well, now, I say. Could I be giving you a hand with that shovel, Mr. Jefferson?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

No, no, no, thank you kindly. I like to dig in the soil, and the exercise does me good. Thank you kindly.

[Mr. Elkington]

Well, then, I'll be off on my business. Mr. Jeffrey, good morning to you.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Good morning, Mr. Irkington. Good morning. But it is a good morning. The rain certainly softened you up, didn't they, Mr. Crown? Nice and soft. Nice and soft. Going to dig you a Nice, deep hole, Mr. Catawba. Nice deep hole so that your roots will have a good, firm starting life. Yes, indeed. Well, that's not the way to act, Mr. Crown. Throwing big boulders in the way of my shovel. Mighty big stone tube, from the sound of it. Dig you up, Mr. Boulder, it takes me a week. Yes, indeed.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Phew.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Big stone. All right, keep after it, that's all. Buried all these years in the corner of my garden, and I never knew about you, now, did I? There. There, that's showing results, hmm? Yeah, like an oblong. That's queer. Big, flat, oblong stone in my garden. Dig you up, that's what I'll do. Dig you up. Yes, indeed. Mrs. Gracie. Mrs. Gracie.

[Mrs. Gracie]

Yes, what is it?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Mrs. Gracie, come out here. You've got to come out.

[Mrs. Gracie]

All right, all right. Now, what in creation is it? Mr. Jeffrey?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Mrs. Gracie, look, look.

[Mrs. Gracie]

Land sakes alive. What kind of a hole for a tree is that? Don't see why in the world.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Look, I tell you more.

[Mrs. Gracie]

Is. Is it a coffin?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Coffin that size and not a stone? And what would a coffin be doing in my garden?

[Mrs. Gracie]

I never heard of anyone being buried here. It's much too big.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Mrs. Gracie. I got it. Roman. The Romans left it here.

[Mrs. Gracie]

Romans?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Don't you understand? The Romans. The Romans invaded and lived in Britain over 1500 years ago. They left it here.

[Mrs. Gracie]

Nobody like that lived round here. And don't you tell me anything different, Mr. Jefferson.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

But I am telling you a Romans at coffins.

[Mrs. Gracie]

Now, Mr. Jeffrey.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Oh, never mind, Mr. Robinson. Run over and get Mr. Robinson here. Tell him to bring a couple of men. We've got to dig this thing up.

[Mrs. Gracie]

We've got to dig it up. Mr. Jeffrey, it's the sun that struck your head.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Now, don't stand there lecturing me, Mr. Robins in a hurry. Get in.

[Mrs. Gracie]

No, no, I won't. Not to dig it up. I won't. To bury it deeper. Yes, but not to dig it up, Mrs. Coug or one of them heathen. Whatever you call it, it makes no difference. If it's been buried here all these years, then I say cover it over and let it be. There's some things best left deep under the ground.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

All right. All right, man. Are you ready with the ropes?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Ready, Mr. Robins?

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Right you are. How about you, Joe? All ready, Mr. Robinson. Good. Now give the signal. One, two, three. You on that side of the rope, pull, while you on the other side, work on the block and tackle. One, two, and up on three. Have you got it?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Oh, Mr. Robertson, you will be careful? I mean, not to damage, I mean.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Look here, friend Jeffrey, I've been in the building and excavating trade and constable of this township for 20 years. And all that time I've given only one thing, and that's satisfaction.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Yes, yes.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Now, for this little stone container, little

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Judas Priestman is 10 foot by 3, and heaven knows how heavy.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Well, true as that may be, to my way of thinking, it's still a small job. You're worried about my damaging it, you're free to call in one of my competitors.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

No, no, no, Mr. Robinson. I want you to handle the matter.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, yes, yes.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

All right, then, stay clear and I'll give the order.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Now, wait. Wait, if you please, Mr. Robinson, wait. That housekeeper of mine, Mrs. Gracie, she wouldn't want to miss the doings. And I don't know where she's gone off to if you don't wait.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Now, Mr. Jeffrey, I'm a busy man, so if you'll stand aside now, please. All right, men. Now, don't pull until I get the signal. One, two, three. Up with it. Up. Easy there, Joe. Single ropes over the left. Up with it. Up with it. Steady there. Not too fast, you fool. Stand if the ship is ready to put under it. Easy now.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Don't, don't. Don't swing it too high. Not too high. Are you dead? Not too high, or is it.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

No, no.

[Mrs. Gracie]

Put it back in the ground. Put it back in the ground.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

I take it, Mrs. Gracie, wanting to wait.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Out of the way.

[Mrs. Gracie]

Put it back in the ground. In the ground it was, and in the ground it belongs.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Mr. Jeffrey, get out of the way. Jeffrey, get that woman out of the way.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Mrs. Gracie, are you crazy?

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Face your woman and get away. My men can't hold tackle. It's slipping. Look out. Look out. Get on those ropes, fools. Get on those ropes. Slip. Slip. Hurry now.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Mother in heaven. It fell right on top of her coughing fell right on top of her. Oh, Mrs. Gracie.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Ladies and gentlemen, I. I think you'll agree when an ancient stone coffin buried for centuries in a peaceful English countryside becomes an instrument of sudden death, it's time for a deep breath and let our well stretched imaginations move back into hope again as we turn our thoughts to something that perhaps is your problem. Could this be you saying to your

[Mr. Elkington]

children, listen, you kids, I'm tired. This war job has got me down. Now keep quiet, you hear me?

[Mrs. Gracie]

Oh, Joe, don't be so cross to the children. Come eat your good supper and you'll feel better.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Cross?

[Mr. Elkington]

Who's cross? I'm tired, I tell you. I'm too tired to eat, I'm too tired to sleep. All I ask is a little peace. And you keep my nerves on edge with your nagging. No wonder I'm getting thin as a rail.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, now, mister, don't be so quick to blame your family or your job. Maybe all that's to blame is vitamin B and iron shortage. You say you're thin and tired and jittery. Well, when you don't get enough vitamin B from the food you eat, you may lose your appetite. You may eat so poorly that you lose weight and lose your pet. Why, you may not even get all the good out of what you do eat. And when you don't get enough iron from your food, you may be weak and pale, feel only half alive.

[Mr. Elkington]

Well, if that is my trouble, can I help it?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, sir, I think you can. And here's the quickest, easiest way I know. Take ironized yeast tablets. They're the famous two way tonic that gives you both vitamin B and iron. Yet they cost but a few pennies a day and these pleasant little tablets are an absolute cinch to take. So if you simply need more vitamin B and iron, don't wait. Start taking ironized yeast tablets right away tonight. Then see if pretty quick you aren't saying.

[Mr. Elkington]

Boy, oh boy, I feel swell. Tired.

[Arch Ober]

Jittery.

[Mr. Elkington]

Not me. Not put on pounds. That ironized yeast sure is great stuff.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Now back to lights out and our story of he dug it up, the stone coffin has fallen and the old housekeeper is dead.

[Reverend]

Ah, it's a cruel thing, Mr. Jeffrey. Cruel indeed. Yes, cruel and yet not cruel. For the ways of the divine providence are beyond our poor mortal understanding. Yes, I shall say that very thing over her grave when we bury the poor woman.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

As you wish, reverend.

[Reverend]

What a day this has been. More excitement in just a few hours in this village than we've had In a dozen years. I wonder now whether. Almost nine. Well, I better be getting back to the church. Have to get everything ready for the service tomorrow. Did you speak to Mr. Carboy about the coffin?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Yes. That's good.

[Reverend]

We'll pay the good lady proper respect. We will. Well, I'll be on my way.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Good night, Reverend.

[Reverend]

One thing more, Mr. Jeffrey.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Yes?

[Reverend]

I didn't want to speak of it in all the excitement before. But I feel I really should.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Yes, Reverend, I know you were in

[Reverend]

quite an emotional state of mind. But do you feel it was quite the proper and respectable thing to do? I mean, having that Roman antique brought right here into the house when it, inanimate thing though it be, was the direct cause of poor Mrs. Grace's death.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

I wanted the sarcophagus in here, Reverend.

[Reverend]

Wanted it. But what possible use could that great stone sepulcher be to you? I realize it has certain intrinsic value. After the funeral, we'll get in touch with the proper museum authorities in London and have them take care of it. But don't you see? It wasn't quite respectful of the dead. Bringing the very thing in here that had caused the tragedy. Not respectful at all, Mr. Jeffrey.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

It was what I wanted. Good night, Reverend.

[Reverend]

But, Mr. Jeffrey, I. Oh, good night. Good night.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Disrespectful. Fault of Mr. Coffin that she ran under it. Call in the proper authorities. I'm proper authority on Roman things. But stuff I am. Read the whole Gibbons. Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, didn't I? Certainly did. Here you are, Mr. Coffin. Just where I made them put you. And I did make them, didn't I? Ran right under you, she did. Superstitious old fool. No fault of yours, Mr. Coffin. Yes, you're a big one. Let me see. About 10ft long on this side and four this way. It's a discovery that ought to make history. That it ought wait for experts. Should I? What would the experts do? Caught you off to one of those museums. And there I'd be the man that found you with nothing but a hole in my garden. And in your grave in the cemetery. To show what had happened. No, no. I'd be my own expert, Mr.

[Reverend]

Carpet.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

I'll open you up myself right now. And I'll take the blame or credit and no mistake about it,

[Narrator/Announcer]

I.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

And I. Mr. Robinson will wonder where his crowbar went. No. Won't he, Mr. Coffin? But we'll give it back to him in the morning. Yes, indeed. Yes. There, there. Got you wide open enough to look inside now, haven't I? Experts. I'LL show them. Can't see matches.

[Arch Ober]

There.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Now, if you don't mind. Now, Mr. Coffin, I'll bend over to see what you got inside. Got me?

[Reverend]

Get.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Go Off. Are you there? Are you there? Reverend, this is Mr. Jeffrey. Yes, yes, yes, yes, Jeffrey. No, no, no, no, no. Listen to me. That Roman sarcophagus, I just opened it. Inside of it, there's something. A woman. And yet. Yet it isn't. I. I mean, all revenant. Come over quickly. You see, whatever it is, I don't think it's dead.

[Reverend]

My dear Mr. Jeffrey, you must listen to me. I'm a person of understanding, of judgment. I say leave it alone. Don't go near the thing until they get here. Now, I phoned Dr. Thompson at the British Museum. He's an expert, a qualified expert.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Expert. There you go, experting again. Now, now, now. Now, you shove on that side and I'll pull on with this.

[Reverend]

Yes.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

There. That ought to fetch the lid off.

[Reverend]

It's all against my better judgment.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

All right, all right, off with it

[Mr. Elkington]

goes.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Another shove open. We've got it open, Reverend. Look at her head.

[Reverend]

I want. What in Satan's name is it?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Lion's head. That's it.

[Reverend]

A lion's head and the body of a woman.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

And alive. She is alive. Don't be a fool.

[Reverend]

It's a heathen idol. Stone.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

No, no, it's living skin. I'll touch it. I'll prove.

[Reverend]

Is stone a blasphemous heathen thing? We'll cover it up and in the morning I'll have it buried again.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Oh, no, no, no, you won't. It's fine. Found it on my property.

[Reverend]

Oh, heaven forgive you. The blood of your poor housekeeper. Still staining it.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Staining it?

[Reverend]

What are you talking about? Mrs. Grace's blood. See, it's still on it. But.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

But the outside of the coffin fell on her. This part was closed.

[Reverend]

But it is blood.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Fresh blood. Oh, it can't be. Alfie.

[Reverend]

Mr. Jeffrey.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Reverend, that woman. A minute ago I felt cold stone, and now it's warm.

[Reverend]

Constable. Constable, can't you walk any faster?

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Oh, it'll wait, Reverend. Whatever it is, it'll wait.

[Reverend]

But I tell you, he acted like a madman. Practically threw me out of the house bodily because I persisted in.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Wait a minute, Reverend. Begging your pardon. Wait a minute. Me? I don't know a thing about this. I'm sleeping as peaceful as a sheep in the fields when you wake me up.

[Reverend]

Will you represent the law in this community?

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Not. Begging your pardon, I don't Know that there's any representing to do, if you get what I mean.

[Reverend]

But I told you.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

You told me that the coffin that killed poor Mrs. Gracie, he opened it, I tell you. And since when is that against the law?

[Reverend]

Oh, keep walking, ma'.

[Mrs. Gracie]

Am.

[Reverend]

Keep walking.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Begging your pardon, Reverend. I know when I'm walking.

[Reverend]

Now, here's the house. Now go in there. Go in there and see for yourself.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

That's just what I'm going to do, sir.

[Reverend]

You will see. You will see. I demand that you remove the heathen idol by force and have it bedded in the ground where it belongs. I demand.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Hold it, sir.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Well, it's me, Mr. Jeffrey.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

I didn't send for you.

[Reverend]

I brought him here.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Oh, it's you, is it?

[Reverend]

And now, Mr. Jeffrey, I feel it my duty.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Begging your pardon, Reverend. As long as you got me out of bed, let me do the talking, if you don't mind, sir. Now, Mr. Jeffrey, I'd like a bit of an explanation.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Explanation? My grandmother. Constable. Constable.

[Reverend]

He slammed the door in our faces.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

That he did. But.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

But what of it? He's broke no law that I know of.

[Reverend]

Then come. Come and see for yourself at the window.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Glory be.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

I see the thing now.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Can't be alive.

[Reverend]

I don't know. I don't know. Stone. And yet it was warm to the touch.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

It better not be alive.

[Mr. Elkington]

Why?

[Reverend]

Why do you say that?

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Because.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Look for yourself, Mr. Jeffrey.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

He's cutting into her with that bit of iron.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

It was good of you to come in and help me, Mr. Elkin.

[Mr. Elkington]

I'm right glad to be of service. I am. I'm glad to be of service. This is devilish hard rock.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Yes. Yes, it is. But we've got to break the statue open, Mr. Elkington. We've got to.

[Mr. Elkington]

If you say so.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Oh, those fools. The constable and the reverend. They'll be back soon with some new ideas about getting into the house now, won't they?

[Mr. Elkington]

I suppose so.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

They won't stop me. They won't. I've a chance to do something before I die. I'll make a big discovery. I tell you, they won't stop me. We'll have the statue cut open before they get here, now, won't we, mister?

[Mr. Elkington]

We'll try.

[Mrs. Gracie]

I will try.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Cut it open and know the secret. Something that keeps that stone warm as if it were placed. That'll be a wonderful discovery, now, won't it?

[Mr. Elkington]

Ah, that it will.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Faster, Mr. Sturken, faster.

[Mr. Elkington]

I'll try. I'll try. Crikey. This stone is so hard, they Mustn't stop us.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

No, no, no, no. Faster, Mr. Elking. Giant. Why have you stopped?

[Mr. Elkington]

It's my fingers cramped. I can't open my hand.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Chisel. Give it to me.

[Mr. Elkington]

All right, all right.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Got to keep working. Got to. I'll know the secret in you. Lionhead. That's the name I'm going to give you. Ralkington Lionhead. The power that's kept the stone in you warm all these centuries. I get to know that lionhead, and I will know it. Have to keep working. Have to keep working.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

No, Reverend. Reverend, you can drive a man too far.

[Reverend]

I tell you, Constable, now we'll tell you. For 24 hours you've been telling the people of this community that the law won't permit you to do this, and the law won't permit you to do that.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Well, it won't.

[Reverend]

But we tell you we won't stand by and permit one of our citizens to indulge in heathen madness and not do something about it.

[Mr. Elkington]

Am I right, gentlemen?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Absolutely right.

[Reverend]

But.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

But what can I do? He's in his own home. He's not committing any public nuisance.

[Reverend]

We've gone over that a hundred times. The fact remains, you've got to go in there and stop him. You've got to. You've got to. You.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

The hardest stone in the world. Hey, hey, dear.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Huh?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Mr. Elkington]

Mr. Jeffrey, I'm asking you, please stop cutting into it, please.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Of the warmth before any of the others know about it. But they stop me.

[Mr. Elkington]

Hark. What's that?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

To keep working.

[Mr. Elkington]

That sound, Mr. Jeffrey.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

What is it?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

I can't talk to you, Mr. Rocket. Important work.

[Mr. Elkington]

But, Mr. Jeffrey, the chisel. Why did you drop it?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

My hand. Like an electric current running through the chisel.

[Mr. Elkington]

Oh, no, no, no.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Just. Just a weariness in my muscles. Pick up the chisel. Yes. Go on. Yes.

[Mr. Elkington]

I think I'm going now, Mr. Jeffrey.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

No, no, you stay where you are till you save it. If I lock the door for you, they will come in and I won't let them in before I learn the secret. You hear me?

[Mr. Elkington]

That sound, Mr. Jeffrey? It's like something burning. Do you hear? It's been getting louder and louder.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Well, stop. I've got to find the secret of that warmth. 15 centuries of warmth.

[Mr. Elkington]

Mr. Jeffrey, it's the constable.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

I don't care.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

I don't care. Open up. Open up, Mr. Jeffrey.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

You won't stop me, you middle fool.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Open up, Mr. Jeffrey, in the name of the law. He's got a warrant this time. Good and proper warrant.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Oh, no, no.

[Mr. Elkington]

Oh, Mr. Jeffrey, you ought to really.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

No, no, no, no, no. I'm almost finished. Go away.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Go away.

[Reverend]

We've got Professor Thompson from the museum.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Mr. Jeffrey, I warn you. Open up a way to break down the door.

[Mr. Elkington]

Mr. Jeffrey, I beg of you.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

No, no, they won't stop me. But I'm almost through.

[Mrs. Gracie]

I'm frightened.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

I am broken through to the middle of my statue. I'll find out the secret and no one else. My chisel's breaking through. It's. It's hollow. Breaking through in a second. I know. In a second, I.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Help.

[Mr. Elkington]

Somebody.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Elf.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Mr. Jeffrey. What? Mr. Jeffrey, he's on fire.

[Mr. Elkington]

He's on fire.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

All right, all right, men, quiet down. There's nothing more we can do. Mr. Jeffrey is dead.

[Reverend]

Such a horrible way to die.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

It was the lantern set him afire, I guess.

[Mr. Elkington]

No, no, no, no, it wasn't that.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

Hey, what say, Mr. Elkington?

[Mr. Elkington]

I saw it all. A flame came out of the statue.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

You're deaf, man.

[Mr. Elkington]

No, I swear it's the truth. I saw it. Professor Thompson, you tell him. What did you see as you came through the door?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

There was a flame from it.

[Reverend]

But really mean.

[Mr. Robinson (Constable)]

But how can that be Flame from a statue?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

And the Romans went down to Egypt.

[Reverend]

Professor, tell us. What is it? What is this statue?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

The lioness headed goddess Sekhmet.

[Reverend]

Well.

[Mr. Jeffrey]

And they worshiped her as the goddess of fire.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Just a second, Mr. Ober. Are you asking us to believe that in the year of our Lord 1940, they could unearth a stone sarcophagus containing a Roman fire goddess capable of burning a man to death?

[Mr. Jeffrey]

Oh, come now.

[Arch Ober]

Well, is that any more difficult to believe than that a small Austrian house painter with a comedy mustache could try to burn up a world? You know, Frank, England is an island full of mysterious traces of ancient civilizations. Have you ever heard of Stonehenge?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Stonehenge? What's that?

[Arch Ober]

Well, it's a strange. But I'll tell you about that in just a moment.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And ladies and gentlemen, I'll take that moment to remind you if simply because of vitamin B and iron shortage, you're unattractively thin and nervous, unable to eat or sleep as you should, seldom feeling really peppy and alive, then for your own sake, try ironized yeast tablets. They cost but a few pennies a day. What's more, they're sold on a money back basis. Listen, if you don't quickly begin to eat and sleep better, they feel much stronger and livelier. And if you're not convinced that ironized yeast will help you gain pounds of brand new flesh. The cost of the first bottle will be refunded to you in full by ironized yeast Box IY Rahway, New Jersey. Just be very sure you get the one and only ironized yeast with IY on the package and on each tablet. And now, Mr. Oebler, you're about to tell us.

[Arch Ober]

Yes, about Stonehenge over in England, miles away from the cities. You're driving along and suddenly as you come over a rise of the road, there are these tremendous archways and monuments of stone. A strange semicircle of great stone pillars. Archaeologists say they've been there since prehistoric times. Yet there are no stone quarries within hundreds of miles. No one knows how those blocks of stone got there and who or what put them there. These unsolved mysteries from out of mankind's past. Who knows but that someday traces of our own civilization will be found. And then a super race of man will ask, were they men, these people of 1943?

[Narrator/Announcer]

And now what happens next week, Mr. Oebler?

[Arch Ober]

Well, we were talking about a little Austrian house painter before. A Schickelgruber by name. Now we all know how his warped ideas shook a world. Well, next week's story is about a boy, a college boy who also had a twisted idea. And with it twisted a universe. The title, Oxychloride X. The time next week.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, Lights out will come to you again next Tuesday. At the same time. Be sure to listen to Arch Ober's Oxychloride X. And if you need more vitamin B and iron, be sure to try Ironized Yeast. The one and only ironized yeast. With the big letters IY on the package and on each tablet. Is later than you think. A smooth, comfortable shave. That's what you want from a shaving cream. And, brother, that's what you get with Mole Brushless Shaving Cream. Mole forms a protective film between your skin and your razor. Gives your razor something to ride on. Helps guard your face against nicks and cuts. The result, a smooth, comfortable shave. So get Mole M O L L E Mole Brushless Shaving Cream. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.