Satellite Seven - 58-05-07 - 03 - Counterspies

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Satellite Seven - Part 3: "Counterspies"
Date: October 14, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode delivers the third thrilling installment of Angus McVicker’s adventure serial Satellite Seven, immersing listeners in post-war intrigue on a remote Hebridean island. Shipwrecked siblings Jake and Tony, along with friends Bridie and others, are drawn deeper into a web of suspicion, secret experiments, and possible espionage. Their discoveries shift from the island’s eerie legends to hard evidence of a spy’s presence, culminating in a tense exploration of a hidden cave.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap and Atmosphere (00:47–01:21)

• Narrative Recap: Jake recounts the cast of island characters: the suspicious scientists led by Professor Walters, the enigmatic Fergus O'Neill and his daughter Bridie, and mystical Granny Stewart.
• Growing Suspicion: Tony articulates increasing unease:

  "Let's face it. There's something peculiar going on in Chuna. Something very peculiar." — Tony (01:21)

2. Speculating on Espionage (01:28–02:22)

• Suspicion Among Scientists: Bridie notes the scientists—Walters, Carmichael, MacIntyre—are all “nervous, on edge.”

• Fear of a Spy: Growing conviction that there is a spy on the island and that Tony and Jake might be suspected collaborators.

  "I think they know that there's a spy on Chura. Oh, no. And they're afraid we might be as accomplices..." — Bridie (01:39)

• Rockets and Motives: Discussion that secrets about a rocket launch on the 21st are likely to be of interest to foreign governments.

3. Plots to Uncover the Truth (02:14–02:42)

• Investigative Plan: The group resolves to begin their own inquiries. Jake is tasked with gathering information from Granny Stewart, exploiting her trust in him.

4. Granny Stewart’s Tale of the Voices (02:59–04:49)

• Eerie Testimonies: Granny Stewart describes the ghostly voices and wailing she heard, echoed by Jake and his companions. She warns of “something strange and terrible” due on the 21st, relayed in ominous whispers among elders.

  “The sad and terrible whisperings of people in pain.” — Granny Stewart (03:18)

  “Something is going to happen that day. Something strange and terrible.” — Granny Stewart (04:10)

5. The Mystery Deepens: The Scientists and Billy (04:49–07:05)

• Suspicions About the Scientists: Conversation switches to a lighter moment—bagpipe music—before returning to confessions about the late-night habits of the scientists.

• Billy’s Reluctance: When pressed, Billy the fitter admits he’s out of the intelligence loop but hints at heightened secrecy. He jokes that after reviewing Tony’s credentials, perhaps the “eggheads” might finally trust them.

  “But the eggheads, they don’t trust you. Not yet.” — Billy (06:35)

6. Surveillance at the Cliff (07:05–08:54)

• Jake and Tony Stakeout: They hide by the cliff to investigate the source of the voices and spot a shadowy figure entering a crevice in the rock:

  “He disappeared straight into the face of the cliff.” — Jake (08:25)

• Hints of Subterfuge: The pair speculate the figure may be the elusive spy.

7. Mystery of the Voices—Revealed (08:54–11:46)

• Eerie Sounds: Ghostly voices are once again heard, but Tony begins to piece together a likely scientific explanation tied to the rock’s fissures and echoes.

• Exploring the Cave: They daringly enter the cleft, finding a hidden tunnel and, inside, a radio transmitter set-up—clear evidence of clandestine communication.

  “This must be the spy’s hideout for sending and receiving messages. Information about the rocket station.” — Tony (11:49)

8. Critical Discovery: The Diary Page (11:56–12:50)

• Crucial Clue: Jake finds a page from a desk diary—possibly belonging to Mr. O’Neill—marked with instructions for a rendezvous by small boat on the 21st.

  “Last message, 2300 hours, August 21st. Rendezvous, small boat, McCrimmons, rock.” — Diary note (12:07)

• Link to O’Neill: The paper’s letterhead matches O’Neill’s desk pad, raising suspicions about his involvement.

9. The Final Threat: A Timed Explosive (12:50–13:23)

• Unexpected Danger: Under a slab, they discover a mysterious box, which Tony realizes is actually a timed bomb.

  “Jake, run for your life. It’s a Time Lord [bomb].” — Tony (13:19)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On growing suspicion and secrecy:

  “There's something peculiar going on in Chuna. Something very peculiar.”
  — Tony (01:21)

• Foreshadowing disaster:

  “The 21st? I have heard them speak of the 21st. ... Something is going to happen that day. Something strange and terrible.”
  — Granny Stewart (04:10)

• Crucial evidence:

  “This must be the spy’s hideout for sending and receiving messages. Information about the rocket station.”
  — Tony (11:49)

• The pivotal clue:

  “Last message, 2300 hours, August 21st. Rendezvous, small boat, McCrimmons, rock.”
  — Diary excerpt found by Jake (12:07)

• Imminent peril:

  “Jake, run for your life. It’s a Time Lord [bomb].”
  — Tony (13:19)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:47 — Recap and cast of characters
• 01:21–02:22 — Tony and Bridie's suspicions about a spy
• 02:59–04:49 — Granny Stewart’s chilling recollection of the voices and the 21st
• 04:49–07:05 — The group quizzes Billy about the rocket and the 21st
• 07:05–08:54 — Tony and Jake’s night surveillance at the cliffs
• 08:54–11:46 — Exploration of the cave and discovery of the radio transmitter
• 11:56–12:50 — The diary page: evidence of the spy’s exit plan
• 12:50–13:23 — Discovery of the bomb; scramble for safety

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Summary & Tone

The atmosphere is one of encroaching danger, suspicion, and youthful determination. The characters’ earnestness and camaraderie are palpable as they confront increasingly tangible threats. Dialogue retains a brisk, period-typical British style, with sharp wit interlaced with genuine, escalating tension.

The episode ends on a classic cliffhanger, with the protagonists’ fate left in jeopardy as they realize they are in the lair of the island's spy, with a time bomb ticking down.

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Transcript

[A]

The BBC presents Satellite 7, an adventure serial in eight parts by Angus McVicker. The storyteller is year old Jake Thompson. Part 3 Counter Spies.

[B]

When my brother Tony and I were shipwrecked on the Hebridean island of Shuna, we found strange buildings and even stranger people. Fergus o', Neill, the Irish playwright, and his daughter Bridie. And Granny Stewart, who told us of ghostly voices whispering in the dark. Also a group of scientists under Professor Max Walters, who informed us politely but firmly that we must not leave the island. The next morning, sitting beside our stranded boat, Tony gave Brady and me his views on the situation.

[A]

Well, then, let's face it. There's something peculiar going on in Choona. Something very peculiar.

[B]

You can say that again. You don't mean just at the station?

[A]

I don't mean just at the station, Bridie. That big rocket in the middle tower is peculiar enough in itself. I mean, the way everybody is suspicious about everybody else.

[B]

I know it didn't used to be like this. Do you know what I think?

[A]

No, tell us.

[B]

It's how they acted yesterday. Professor Walters and Harry Carmichael and Roderick MacIntyre. They're nervous, all on edge. I think they know that there's a spy on Chura. Oh, no. And they're afraid we might be as accomplices. It's a cert, if you ask me.

[A]

Yes, I agree with you, Jake.

[B]

Tell me, a spy. Who could it be that. What is it a spy on?

[A]

It could be anyone. That's the trouble. And if Professor Walters is putting up a special kind of rocket, let's say on the 21st of the month, the date he mentioned information about its scientific methods might be very useful to a foreign country.

[B]

Gracious goodness, I never thought of that. I bet it's the answer all the same.

[A]

And if we're to be prisoners Here until the 21st, my idea is that we should do a spot of spying on our own. Try to find out who the spy is.

[B]

Yes, but have we anything to work on? Any clues? I mean, it seems to me that the voices we heard may have something to do with it.

[A]

Yes, and we might get more information on that point from Granny Stewart. Look, I suggest that's a job for you, Jake. You seem to be one of her favorites.

[B]

Okay, then. I'll help her with the dishes after lunch. That should give us half an hour alone together, judging from how keen you and Brady are about washing up.

[A]

Oh, shed, that's enough from you, my precocious infant. Come on, we've got to do work in the boat. That rudder column, it needs a new washer. And a bit of grease here and there won't do it any harm.

[B]

Oh, my, it's such a pleasure to do the dishes when somebody is drying them. Granny, remember what you told me three nights ago about the voices? Oh, I wasn't meaning anything. Don't be paying any heed to my blathers. We had them too, you know. What you hear. The. Yes. Tony and Bridie and I, at the top of the cliff the night before last. Oh, dear me. And the wailing and the sobbing too. The wailing and the sobbing too. It gave us a bit of a shock, I can tell you. When did it happen? What time of night? I'd say about 10 o'. Clock. Yes, that was when I heard them. The sad and terrible whisperings of people in pain. Granny, where were you at the time? I mean, were you at the top of the cliff? No, my dear. I was on the shore with the cliff above me. How long did the whisperings go on? Oh, I didn't wait to hear. I hurried home to the cottage as fast as I could. I told nobody, not even Mr. O'. Neill. Granny, you warned Tony and me that we should go away, remember? I remember. Well, we can't go now, even if we wanted to. Professor Walters says we must stay here for another 10 days until the 21st of the month. The 21st? I have heard them speak of the 21st. Mr. O' Neill and Billy Hackett. Something is going to happen that day. Something strange and terrible. What is going to happen? I don't know, my dear, but they talk of it in low voices when they think I am not listening. I just don't.

[A]

Well, I don't go in for Scotch music as a rule, but that bagpipe stuff gives me a pain. That was different, though. Thanks for letting me hear it.

[B]

Oh, yes, it's lovely to me.

[A]

That was my very first record I made about two years ago. I was as nervous as a kitten.

[B]

You think, Billy? It'll convince me. Convince the professor in this part that Tony's a genuine article.

[A]

Between you and me and this here record player, I reckon they're already convinced after all those inquiries they made by radio telephone. This ought to settle it, though, I'd say. This desk, I mean. I'll take care of it though, Ms. Briley. And the professor says thanks for the lend of it.

[B]

Oh, he's welcome. But has he anything to play it on?

[A]

Oh, he's a player of his own up there. Real posh, it is Well, I suppose I better be on my way. Oh, Billy, wait a minute. It's early yet. It's only nine o'. Clock. The professor said he'd like to try out his disk tonight, though.

[B]

Oh, well, there's plenty of time. He told us he and Mr. McIntyre never go to bed until after midnight.

[A]

They don't? Not until a long while after. I've seen them often out on moonlight walks round the island. One o' clock in the morning. Maybe not for the good of their health. Or so they say. Billy, there's something we want to ask you. What's that? What's all the mystery? What's going on up there at the station, eh? Going on? What do you mean? Oh, it's rocket research. We know that, of course, but is there anything special in the program? Any unusual kind of experiment, for instance, on or about the 21st? Now look here, Tony. I'm only a fitter coming a garden, as you might say. I'm not in the confidence of his nibs up there, you know.

[B]

But you must know something to begin with. What about that big rocket in the middle tower?

[A]

What about it, Jake? The rocket I helped to build, that's all.

[B]

Granny Stewart says she overheard you and father talking about the 21st.

[A]

Maybe it's my birthday. Hey, Brian. Oh, come off it, Billy. We don't want you to give away any technical secrets, of course, but we'd like some idea of what's going on.

[B]

Be a sport, Billy. What's all this security stuff in here?

[A]

Wait. Wait a second. I told you, I'm only a fetter. But if it was left to me now, I'd tell you everything straight. I would. I reckon you're on the level. But the eggheads, they don't trust you. Not yet. And after all, they've got the whip hand.

[B]

I suppose you're right.

[A]

Benny, call some right, Ms. Bridie. I hope there ain't no hard feeling. Of course, no hard feeling. That's fine. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be on my way. I think I can promise you this. When he's nibs here this record, he'll be in a good mood to tell you about everything himself.

[B]

Goodbye, Billy. When Billy had gone, Tony and I told Brigitte that we were going down to the shore to inspect the boat. Actually, we intended to have a look at the big cliff from where Granny Stewart had heard the voices. We found a convenient boulder and crouched in its shadow.

[A]

If these voices are really important, Jake, we may be lucky enough to spot something. We Heard the whispering up yonder at the top. And Granny heard it down here.

[B]

And you think the answer may be found somewhere halfway up?

[A]

Yeah, they seem to be coming out of the air. But I've been thinking it over. You see those cracks and fissures in the cliffs running upwards through the rock? Well, I think. What is it?

[B]

Listen.

[A]

Somebody's coming.

[B]

Can you make out who it is?

[A]

All I can make out is somebody moving against the shadow of the cliff. It's so dark, we'll never be able to identify him. Unless he comes closer. He stopped having a look about him. Keep still.

[B]

Maybe a she, for all we know.

[A]

Even one of Granny Stewart's ghost.

[B]

Get a grip, Tony.

[A]

He's moving on away from us.

[B]

Tony, did you see that? He disappeared straight into the face of the cliff.

[A]

There's an opening there. Not a proper opening, just a kind of. A kind of split in the rock.

[B]

You're right. What on earth can he be doing?

[A]

I have a theory.

[B]

Well, what do we do in the meantime?

[A]

We'll stay where we are and see what happens. The main thing is not to let him suspect he's being watched. One thing, anyway. He was obviously taking precautions against being seen.

[B]

Oh, is he the spy?

[A]

Do you think that's possible? But of course, until we know exactly what's going on at the station, we can't be sure about anything.

[B]

Telling me. Except that it's getting dashed cool behind this rock.

[A]

Wait a minute. Listen.

[B]

Golly, the voices.

[A]

Yeah, but not so loud as two nights ago at the top. My theory's working out, Jake.

[B]

You mean you know what's causing us?

[A]

I think so.

[B]

Why don't you tell me?

[A]

Well, I'd rather show you.

[B]

You're hopeless. Gosh, listen to that. No wonder Granny Stewart was scared.

[A]

Look. Look away.

[B]

Up there. What, in the coffee?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

To the left of that outcrop of rock. Like a man's head.

[B]

Where? Oh, yes. By golly, it's a glimmer of light.

[A]

Somebody in there with a torch, I think.

[B]

Looks like it. They've stopped, Tony.

[A]

I know. And the light's gone out, too.

[B]

So it has, then, that.

[A]

Keep quiet now. I'd say our friend will be coming back out in a minute or two.

[B]

Maybe we'll be lucky and see his face.

[A]

I doubt it. Not in this light. Keep your eyes skinned all the same, Jake.

[B]

There he is, coming out now. He's having his usual look around.

[A]

If only he'd come out of that shadow so that we could see him properly.

[B]

He's going back along the shore? Towards the grassy ridge.

[A]

Jake, isn't there something familiar about the way he walks?

[B]

I don't know. I can't be too sure.

[A]

Anyway, he's gone now. Look, we'll wait here for another few minutes just to make certain that the coast is clear. Then we'll go in and explore that cliff.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And if we don't find the explanation for those voices, remind me to have my head examined.

[B]

It's a good thing we both torches, Tony. The floor of this tunnel's a mass of loose stones.

[A]

Mind you don't twist your ankle.

[B]

Don't worry. Seems to be leaning up a lot.

[A]

Well, what did you expect?

[B]

I didn't know what to expect. You're the expert.

[A]

Oh, this is becoming quite a climb, eh?

[B]

It's killing me.

[A]

Take care. Going through here. It's a bit narrow this corner.

[B]

You can get through. I'll manage. That's it.

[A]

We seem to be on the level again.

[B]

Thank goodness. The last bit was quite steep. But the tunnel's opening out too.

[A]

It certainly is. Into a big cave. I say. This must be it, Jake.

[B]

There's a table over there. And a chair. Gosh, a radio sink.

[A]

I thought as much. Come on.

[B]

It's not only a receiver. It's a transmitter as well.

[A]

I noticed. Worked off a battery. Wait a minute. There you are.

[B]

Static.

[A]

Granny Stewart's lost soul.

[B]

Well, I'm blown.

[A]

No message coming through at the moment.

[B]

I see. I see what you mean.

[A]

Look. Look up there, Jake. A crack in the solid rock running up to the top of the cliff. And yonder, see to the left. That's the opening. We saw the light through. The sounds in here coming through. The radio went echoing out through these openings. Magnifying the store.

[B]

Did you see?

[A]

Get it?

[B]

I'd never have thought of it.

[A]

This must be the spy's hideout for sending and receiving messages. Information about the rocket station. And what's that you've got, Jake?

[B]

It's a dusty wee bit of paper. Found it lying under the table. Let's see. I think it's a page from my diary file. You know, the 10 businessmen have on the desk. Let me see.

[A]

Oh, yeah. Something written on it too. In block capitals. Last message, 2300 hours, August 21st. Rendezvous, small boat, McCrimmons, rock.

[B]

11 o' clock at night on the 21st. That must be how he plans to make his getaway. A vessel lying offshore and a small boat coming in to take him off.

[A]

Looks like it.

[B]

Rock. Where's that?

[A]

Half a mile south of where we came ashore. A big flat boulder, like a pier. I say, Dick, this page from a diary. Have you noticed the printed heading?

[B]

The Irish are Provident Assurance, Old Quay, Dublin.

[A]

Remember last night in Mr. O' Neill's room? The pad and his desk?

[B]

Yes. This might be a page from it.

[A]

From one exactly similar.

[B]

But Mr. O' Neill and Bridie are.

[A]

Wait. Quiet a minute.

[B]

What?

[A]

Over there, in the corner, beyond the table.

[B]

What's on it? That slab.

[A]

There's something beneath it. In the hollow rock. Come on, let's see if we can lift it. Jake.

[B]

Right. To me.

[A]

Come on. Again.

[B]

It's too heavy, Tony. It won't burn. Machines like it, but I can just feel on the edge. Yeah, It's a black box, I think. But why should the spy put a clock inside it?

[A]

A clock? Jake, run for your life.

[B]

It's a Time Lord.

[A]

That was part three of Angus McVicker's adventure serial Satellite 7, produced in the Scottish studios of the BBC.