Shadow 231 1941-11-09 The Organ Played at Midnight (Johnstone)

Summary

Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Shadow 231 1941-11-09 "The Organ Played at Midnight"
Air Date: September 13, 2025 (original: Nov 9, 1941)
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Brief Overview

This episode of The Shadow, titled "The Organ Played at Midnight," dives into a chilling murder mystery in an academic medical setting. Renowned surgeons find themselves entangled in jealousy, betrayal, and brutal revenge, while the enigmatic Shadow works to unravel a string of grisly crimes involving amputations and cryptic warnings. The story is infused with atmospheric Golden Age radio suspense, featuring Lamont Cranston (The Shadow), his companion Margot Lane, and a cast of troubled doctors whose past secrets lead to horrifying violence.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

The Opening Murder and Rivalry

• [03:00-04:56]

  • A knife is introduced as both a surgical tool and a weapon—a central motif for the episode.

  • Dr. Gibson and Dr. McGill have a bitter confrontation over a botched surgical case, suggesting professional jealousy:

    "You are bungling the case like a schoolboy. Old Williams would have fired you out of class for the job you were doing."
    — Dr. Gibson to Dr. McGill ([02:30])

  • That night, Dr. McGill is brutally murdered—attacked with a knife and his right arm amputated.

The Aftermath and Introduction of the Mystery

• [06:04-08:14]
  • Professor Williams, an aging and respected surgeon, reflects on the shock and horror of McGill's murder.
  • The mutilation (amputation of the victim's right arm) deeply disturbs the characters.
  • Dr. Nelson receives a threatening telegram signed "John Smith," warning him he will be next ("Take a good look at Dr. McGill in his coffin, Nelson. For you'll be the next to be wept for." [07:11])

Gathering at the College and Rising Tension

• [08:14-13:25]
  • Lamont Cranston, Margot Lane, Professor Williams, and Dr. Nelson travel to the college, where the next day a post-mortem is to take place on a "man of middle age."
  • Anna, the housekeeper, discovers a mysterious knife with Gibson's initials in Williams' study ([10:12]).
  • News breaks that Dr. Gibson is missing since McGill's murder ([11:03]).

The Second Murder—Unexpected Revelation

• [11:50-13:25]
  • During a medical post-mortem, the sheet is lifted—revealing not a stranger, but Dr. Nelson's corpse, his right forearm amputated just like McGill.
  • The shock causes Professor Williams to faint.

The Investigation: Ghastly Warnings & Chilling Calls

• [16:08-18:43]

  • Cranston and Margot awaken Professor Williams, who notes the same mutilation on both McGill and Nelson.

  • Margot receives a mysterious, cryptic phone call:

    "If the organ plays tonight at midnight, the lost will be found." ([17:40])

  • A severed human forearm is discovered outside Williams' window, with a note:

    "The gates of death will open for you in an hour." ([18:45])

  • Anna, the housekeeper, claims to have seen Gibson lurking by the "Gates of Death" at the morgue.

The Shadow’s Investigation—Unmasking the Killer

• [20:15-21:58]
  • Cranston and Margot stake out the Gates of Death, finding old Jennings, the janitor, signaling to someone (later revealed to be Dr. Gibson).
  • The Shadow interrogates Jennings, who confesses a 20-year-old accident:

    "You see, I put an explosive in one of his test tubes by mistake... that was 20 years ago. And he'd have been a great doctor all this time if I hadn't done what I did." ([22:40])

  • It is revealed that Professor Williams lost the use of his right arm due to this accident and has since been tormented by his injury.

The Climax: Chapel Showdown at Midnight

• [24:00-26:00]

  • At the chapel, the organ plays the "funeral march" at midnight, as hinted in the cryptic phone call.

  • Williams attempts to kill Gibson, justifying his crimes as vengeance for his own ruined career:

    "I lost my arm, didn't I? An eye for an eye, an arm for an arm. Do you see? That's just a shadow. And no court would find me guilty." – Professor Williams ([25:42])

  • The Shadow intervenes, stops Williams, and declares justice will be served.

  • The closing lines summarize the episode's gruesome motif:

    "A knife. What an instrument. A knife is the treacherous implement that turns to a weapon in the hands of murder. When it's a thing of good and when it's a thing of evil, none can say but this we know. A knife is sharp, its point goes deep, and a knife is always thirsty." ([26:52])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Moral of The Shadow (Opening):

  “These dramatizations are designed to demonstrate forcibly to old and young alike that crime does not pay.” ([01:00])

• Knife Motif:

  "A knife. What an instrument a knife is... now a tool, now a weapon. But its point goes deep. And a knife is always thirsty." — Narrator ([04:43], [26:52])

• Chilling Threat:

  "If the organ plays tonight at midnight, the lost will be found." — Mysterious Caller ([17:40], repeated [24:01])

• Williams' Motive:

  "Why should you little men live while I, the genius of my time, rot here crippled and deformed?" — Professor Williams ([25:25])

• The Shadow’s Maxim:

  "The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows." — The Shadow (closing line, [27:45])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:00 — McGill and Gibson's confrontation
• 04:56 — McGill's murder
• 07:11 — Dr. Nelson receives the threatening wire
• 10:12 — Knife with Gibson's initials discovered
• 13:05 — Nelson’s body revealed in the post-mortem
• 17:40 — Mysterious midnight organ phone call
• 18:45 — Severed forearm and chilling note
• 21:14 — Jennings meets Gibson by the Gates of Death
• 22:40 — Jennings' confession about Williams’ accident
• 24:43 — Organ plays at midnight in the chapel
• 25:42 — Williams justifies his killings
• 26:52 — Narrator's closing reflection on knives and evil
• 27:45 — "Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows."

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Tone & Atmosphere

The language is foreboding and somber, laden with gothic overtones. The episode uses suspenseful dialogue, atmospheric sound effects (like the organ and funeral march), and cultivated dread, characteristic of Golden Age radio drama. The moral certainty of The Shadow pervades, promising that evil deeds will never go unpunished.

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Conclusion

"The Organ Played at Midnight" is a classic episode emblematic of The Shadow's mix of crime, suspense, and radio drama. A twisted story of envy and lifelong resentment results in brutality, but The Shadow brings the culprit to justice, affirming the core message: crime does not pay.

Recommended for fans of vintage detective stories and all lovers of radio’s golden age chills.

Transcript

[Lamont Cranston]

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[Margot Lane]

You can understand What a shock Dr. McGill's death has been to you, Professor Williams.

[Lamont Cranston]

A deep shock, Miss Lane. I won't forget it soon. Is there anything we can do, sir? Thank you, Cranston. Thank you. You always were one of the kinder fellows. You were never too interested in my classes, I'm afraid. But you were always a Good chap. So was poor Miguel. A fine, bright boy. Yes, professor. But that anyone could kill him and not be content with that. Go to the horrible extreme of amputating his right arm. I. I can't bear to think of it. Perhaps we'd better not, son. Yes, yes, you're right. You're right. After all, my life goes on. There'll be new men for me to teach. I'm glad of that. And I'm glad to have you beside me today, Cranston. Thank you, Professor. It would be good too to have Gibson and Nelson with us. They're all that's left of McGill's famous triumvirate.

[Margot Lane]

Well, I'm sure they're here, sir. We must have missed them.

[Lamont Cranston]

Gibson isn't. I know. He called me. Couldn't come, he said. Oh, but see here, I. I've been rather gloomy company, I'm afraid. How would the two of you like to take the 5 o' clock train back to the college with me?

[Margot Lane]

Nice of you, Professor.

[Lamont Cranston]

The homecoming football game is being played this afternoon. And if victory is ours we should be just in time for the bonfire ceremony. We'd like to very much, but it's rather a long trip and well, we hadn't planned on it. Professor Williams.

[Margot Lane]

If we'd known.

[Lamont Cranston]

I only thought that we should be together on a day like this. Professor Williams.

[Margot Lane]

What was that?

[Lamont Cranston]

Someone called my name. Professor Williams. Oh, it's Dr. Nelson. Good morning, my boy. You know, Mr. Cran. Professor Williams. I think I deserve an explanation. What's that, Nelson? I don't understand. This wire you sent me, sir. So why did I send you? I haven't had any reason to wire you, Nelson. One never has a reason for such a thing as this. Listen to what it says. Take a good look at Dr. McGill in his coffin, Nelson. For you'll be the next to be wept for what? Signed John Smith. You don't know a John Smith, of course. Of course not. But you thought I had sent that, Nelson. Why? A postmark. It was sent from the college telegraph office. It was? What time? 8:45 this morning. I've been in the city since 7. Well, of course, sir. Someone else sent this little love note and they didn't mean it for a joke.

[Margot Lane]

What do you think, Lamont?

[Lamont Cranston]

I think that if Professor Williams invitation to go back to the college with him is still open, the three of us would be very wise to take it. Well, here we are, sir. From the looks of things, victory was ours. I'll take care of the cat. Good Evening, gentlemen. Good evening. Good evening, sir. Who won the game? We did, sir. We're building a swell bonfire, sir. You should have been at the game, Professor. You'd have enjoyed it. I would have very much, Tompkins, but there was something I had to do which I didn't enjoy at all. I want to congratulate you, men. I want you to know that I'm proud of you. Things haven't changed much, have they, Nelson? They haven't changed at all, Cranston. He's still the idol of every boy here. Shall we go inside now? I think Adam, my housekeeper, will have a couple of tea for us. Goodbye, gentlemen. And let the flames leap high for the conquering hero. There isn't much for you younger folk to do in a little college town like this, but I am going to perform quite an interesting post mortem examination for my anatomy class tomorrow, and I thought perhaps you'd like to be in the amphitheater. Well, yes, professor, of course, on second thought. I realize that, Ms. Lane, and you might not find it altogether to your taste. Why, Margaret, I would like to very much to come. Wouldn't we, Margot?

[Margot Lane]

Why, well, yes, yes, we. Yes, I'd love to.

[Lamont Cranston]

How about you, Dr. Nelson? I. Why, Cranston, the day will never come when I won't be able to learn something from Dana Williams. Thank you, Nelson. You're welcome to my home.

[Margot Lane]

Thank you, Professor.

[Lamont Cranston]

Anna. Anna.

[Margot Lane]

Oh. Oh, you're back, Professor.

[Lamont Cranston]

Yes. Anna, what about a pot of tea and some biscuits?

[Margot Lane]

Oh, yes, sir. Ready in a jiffy, sir.

[Lamont Cranston]

What is it, Anna?

[Margot Lane]

Well, I. I was just wondering what it was you wanted done with it, sir. Was it left out to be sharpened?

[Lamont Cranston]

What is that, Anna?

[Margot Lane]

Your knife, Professor.

[Lamont Cranston]

My knife? Why, all of my knives are in my kit in the laboratory.

[Margot Lane]

But when I come in to clean up just after you left, there it was shining up at me plain as day.

[Lamont Cranston]

Where is it, Anna?

[Margot Lane]

Right in the study on top of the desk, sir.

[Lamont Cranston]

Professor Williams, do you mind if I have a look at it? Why, no, no, of course not. Come along, Nelson. Right. Julia, I don't understand it. Anna's right. There it is, just as she said. May I see it, sir? Of course. Cranston. Professor Williams. Yes, my boy? Look here on the back of the Blaine initials. Why, they're ag ag why, Nelson, that's Alexander Gibson. Oh, no, no. Ms. Lane, would you answer that for me, please?

[Margot Lane]

Yes, of course, Professor. Hello? Hello? Oh, yes, he's here. It's for you, Dr. Nelson.

[Lamont Cranston]

Oh, thank you. Hello. Yes. What? How long? I see thank you very much. Professor Williams? Yes, Nelson? That was my office in town. They've been phoning all day about Gibson. He's been missing, it seems, ever since the night poor McGill was murdered. Well, gentlemen, looks like the bonfire's begun. Gee, this amphitheater's cold. Yeah, sure is. I wanted to sleep this morning anyhow. If you miss his post mortem, Zoe Williams will never forget it. Not losing your nerves, are you, Margot?

[Margot Lane]

Well, not yet. I can't say that the sheeted form there on the table is helping me very much, though.

[Lamont Cranston]

After all, it's just an examination, Margot. If you keep remembering that it's all in the interest of science, you won't get uneasy.

[Margot Lane]

Mm. Wonder where Dr. Nelson could be.

[Lamont Cranston]

Must have overslept, I guess.

[Margot Lane]

I thought doctors had to be punctual.

[Lamont Cranston]

Old Williams will be punctual. See? What did I tell you? Gentlemen? Good morning. Precisely according to schedule, the subject for our post mortem this morning is the cadaver of a man of middle age in an excellent state of preservation. Jennings, will you remove the sheet? Yes, Professor Williams. It will form a most satisfactory subject for our investigation. Jennings. Jennings. I'd like the sheet removed from the entire body, not just the head. Jennings. Oh, Professor Williams. What are you staring at, man? Oh, Professor Williams. What is it, Jennings? What is it, Margot? What's happening down there?

[Margot Lane]

I can't quite see. Jennings has the sheet halfway down, but he's leaning over the table.

[Lamont Cranston]

Jennings, what's happened to you? Williams is pulling him away. Margot, look on the table. It's Dr. Nelson. Nelson, my boy.

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[Lamont Cranston]

In a moment, we'll bring you Act 2 of the Organ played at midnight. Meanwhile, here's an idea that has no mystery to it at all. Order a supply of blue coal and you'll enjoy comfortable, even warmth throughout your home. No matter what fiendish tricks the cruel winter weather plays. Let the icy winds whistle and blow all they like. You'll be warm and snug and at your ease when you heat with blue coal. Yes, sir, at your ease is just right. Because blue coal takes the effort right out of home heating. You see, blue coal is delivered to your home in exactly the right size for your heating plant. Then on top of that, the new automatic blue coal heat regulator saves you all those damper adjusting trips. Just naturally cuts them right out because, you see, it automatically opens and closes the dampers on your furnace and keeps every room constantly at an even temperature. You'll agree when you see how it works that every home should have one. Get in touch with your reliable neighborhood blue coal dealer right away. Tell him you want him to come out to the house and talk over your heating situation. You'll find him courteous up to the minute, well informed. A world of improvement over the ordinary old fashioned type of dealer. Your blue coal dealer is a heating expert and a businessman. He's listed under the words blue coal in the yellow section of your classified phone directory. Call him tomorrow. And now back to the shadow. Oh. Oh, Cranston. Ms. Lane, where are we?

[Margot Lane]

It's all right, professor. You're at home. You've been delirious.

[Lamont Cranston]

Oh, yes, I remember now. I see it all. Oh, Cranston. Yes, doctor? Can you. Is it possible for you to conceive the monster who could murder both McGill and Nelson in the space of a few days? Margot, will you get that, please? There's an extension in the next room.

[Margot Lane]

Yes, Lamont?

[Lamont Cranston]

Well, professor, was it necessarily the work of the same man? Lamont. With my last consciousness before I fainted, I realized that Dr. Nelson's body had the right forearm off the elbow, just as it was with poor Miguel. You're quite right, professor. Obviously, the same hand held the knife. We must stop that hand, Cranston. We must stop it. Easy now, sir. You. You must try to relax. What can we do, Lamont? Well, tell me, professor, who exactly had access to the room where the cadavers are kept? Who? Why, only myself. That is, except for old Jennings. Professor Williams, Old Jennings has disappeared. Oh, no. He's nowhere to be found. Oh, now, he had nothing to do with it. Jennings has Been with me for 20 years. Besides, I examined the body carefully in the morgue before I had him wheel it up to the amphitheater. And it wasn't the body of Dr. Nelson? Oh, no, I'm sure of that. Absolutely sure. Then it means that the murderer substituted the body of Dr. Nelson somewhere between the morgue and the amphitheater.

[Margot Lane]

That phone call.

[Lamont Cranston]

What was it, Margot?

[Margot Lane]

I don't know.

[Lamont Cranston]

You don't know?

[Margot Lane]

No. It was a strange voice, a voice I'd never heard before. And it sounded muffled, far away. I said, hello, and whoever it was said that. It doesn't make sense, Miss Lane.

[Lamont Cranston]

What do they say?

[Margot Lane]

Well, they said if the organ plays tonight at midnight, the lost will be found.

[Lamont Cranston]

Nothing more than that?

[Margot Lane]

No. They must have hung up or been cut off. That was all.

[Lamont Cranston]

What could they mean if the organ plays at. Go on, professor. What was that?

[Margot Lane]

That noise. I heard it too.

[Lamont Cranston]

There's something banging outside the window.

[Margot Lane]

Only a loose blind.

[Lamont Cranston]

There are no blinds on those windows. No. Lamont, my boy, be careful. There it is again. Oh, Lamont.

[Margot Lane]

Lamont, don't excite yourself. Professor Williams.

[Lamont Cranston]

Margot, don't. Look out here.

[Margot Lane]

What is it, Lamont?

[Lamont Cranston]

Professor Williams? Yes, Cranston. It's Cranston. Tell me. Tell me. A human forearm. Human? Oh. Oh, no. No.

[Margot Lane]

What earthly reason could there be for such a horrible.

[Lamont Cranston]

Wait a minute. There's a note tied to the index finger. Rather a garish way to post a letter, but I think it's the reason for this ghastly tableau. A note? What does it say? Just a moment. It says. It says the gates of death will open for you in an hour.

[Margot Lane]

The gates of death?

[Lamont Cranston]

That's what's written here. It's meant for me.

[Margot Lane]

Oh. What was that?

[Lamont Cranston]

It's Anna. She's downstairs in her room. Something's happened. Easy now, Professor. I'll tend to it. All right, Anna. I'm coming. Anna, this is Mr. Cranston. Let me in.

[Margot Lane]

Oh, Mr. Cranston. I saw him. I saw him.

[Lamont Cranston]

You saw who, Anna? Who? Did you see him?

[Margot Lane]

Who had done the murders?

[Lamont Cranston]

Who?

[Margot Lane]

Gibson? I just raised my window and I looked out, and there he was, coming across the lawn.

[Lamont Cranston]

There's no one out here now.

[Margot Lane]

He must have run when I screamed. Do you know what, Mr. Cranston? I thought I saw him the day. The day after poor Dr. McGill was murdered.

[Lamont Cranston]

Where?

[Margot Lane]

Standing there, just as plain as day. And I said to myself, I'll bet he's up to no good.

[Lamont Cranston]

Anna, this is very important. Now, tell me, where did you see.

[Margot Lane]

Him in front of the Gates of Death?

[Lamont Cranston]

What did you say?

[Margot Lane]

I said I saw him in front of the Gates of Death. He was.

[Lamont Cranston]

The Gates of Death.

[Margot Lane]

Oh, that's new since you've been here, isn't it? Well, that's what some of the students started calling that big pair of iron gates at the back of the morgue. The ones they bring the corpses. You see, I was on my way to do something.

[Lamont Cranston]

I'm sorry, and I'll talk to you later. Margo. Margot.

[Margot Lane]

Levon, what is it?

[Lamont Cranston]

The light is breaking. Margot. Come on, my girl. We've got work to do. What time was the note delivered, Margot?

[Margot Lane]

It was just 10:30, Lamont.

[Lamont Cranston]

11:25. I think we're just on time.

[Margot Lane]

On time for what?

[Lamont Cranston]

To see the Gates of the Death open.

[Margot Lane]

Lamont, are you out of your head?

[Lamont Cranston]

Yeah. Duck down behind the wall here. You see those huge gates at the rear of the morgue building?

[Margot Lane]

Yes.

[Lamont Cranston]

The students call them the Gates of Death.

[Margot Lane]

The Gates. Why, then that's what the note meant. It said they would open it.

[Lamont Cranston]

Look. They are opening now.

[Margot Lane]

Margot, there's someone standing there. Wyatt's old, Jennings.

[Lamont Cranston]

That's where he's been hiding.

[Margot Lane]

Listen. He's signaling somebody.

[Lamont Cranston]

Now, someone should turn up.

[Margot Lane]

I hear somebody walking.

[Lamont Cranston]

There he is coming down the path. He's going to the gates.

[Margot Lane]

Who is it?

[Lamont Cranston]

I. I can't quite see, Margo, but this I do know. Jennings and his friend are going to receive a visit from the shadow. You follow me, and we'll go inside together. I sent you the note. I had to. They think I done it. I know they does. Why shouldn't they think you did it, Jennings? What's that? Why, you're not. I'm Dr. Gibson. Jennings. Oh, I thought you. I've come to look at Dr. Nelson's body. Oh, no. No, you ain't alive. I warn you, Jennings. There's enough on my head. Now, don't interfere with me. All right, all right. Don't hurt me. I won't do nothing. Where's the body? Right in through the door there. Then come along. Oh, you go first. All right, I'll go first. But I warn you, if you try any. Oh, you want me to tell. You want to know all about what happened, but I ain't going to tell. Not ever? Not ever. What's that, Jennings? What have you to hide? Oh, who's that? Who's there? I don't see nobody. I am the shadow, Jennings. I've cast a hypnotic spell over your brain so that you Cannot see me. But I'm here. Jennings. Tell me, what have you to hide? Oh, I can't tell you. They'd put me in prison if anybody found out. He told me they would. Who? Jennings? Professor Williams. Williams. Jennings, tell me what happened. Tell me. Oh, I didn't mean no harm. You see, I put an explosive in one of his test tubes by mistake. Explosive? Yes. And the next thing I knew, there was a loud noise and he screamed. And there he stood with his arm hanging loose. That was 20 years ago. And he'd have been a great doctor all this time if I hadn't done what I did. Why did you send that note tonight, Jennings? Because he promised to help me if I did as he always said. And I always have. I have. Oh, now what am I going to do? He hurts him every time he looks at the students. And sometimes he used to whisper to me. They all have two arms. Tell me this one thing more. Which arm was it, Jennings? His right arm. His right forearm. It looks all right, but it's dead from the wrist to the elbow. Jennings, take care of Gibson until he regains consciousness. Then let him go. And remember, the shadow is watching you. And that's the answer to the note, old Jennings.

[Margot Lane]

But, Lamont, there's still.

[Lamont Cranston]

What?

[Margot Lane]

That phone call. If the organ plays at midnight, the lost will be found. Remember?

[Lamont Cranston]

Of course I do. That's why I've walked you over to the chapel.

[Margot Lane]

The chapel?

[Lamont Cranston]

Unless I'm mistaken, the organ they meant is the big pipe organ in the loft of the chapel here. And if it please, at mid midnight. Hurry, Margot. We don't want to be late for the concert.

[Margot Lane]

I'm coming.

[Lamont Cranston]

Look. The chapel door. It's open.

[Margot Lane]

There's someone here.

[Lamont Cranston]

See? A light. It's coming from the organ loft. Margot, I think we've come to the end of the trail. There it is.

[Margot Lane]

The funeral march we heard at the church yesterday.

[Lamont Cranston]

The one old Williams said depressed him so. I'm going up there. Margot. The killer hasn't quite finished his work, I'm afraid.

[Margot Lane]

The organ. It stopped.

[Lamont Cranston]

I think trouble's coming, Clement.

[Margot Lane]

I think it's arrived.

[Lamont Cranston]

It has. Margot, you wait here. There's work to be done up there in that loft. And only the shadow can do it. Let me go. I know you killed Nelson and McGill. You stole my knife out of my office to pin your crimes on me. But you won't get away with it. Won't I, Gibson? Who's going to stop me? I will. I telephoned you about the organ because I knew you'd fall in the trap. I knew you'd come to kill me too. To get rid of the last of us. To feed your insane lust. Right again, Gibson. Listen, I'm going to kill you. Why should you little men live while I, the genius of my time, rot here crippled and deformed? I've had only my left arm these 20 years. But it's strong now and I've used it well. It's too strong for you to stop the knife, Gibson. I can't. I can't stop it. Please. Please don't, Gibson. The point is on your throat. Drop that knife. Professor Williams. Who's there? Who's there, I say? I am the shadow. I am invisible to you. But I have come to put an end to your killings, Williams. Oh, no. No, you haven't. Not until I've finished with gifts and not yet. Help. Help. I want you, Williams. My arm. Something's holding it. Let go. Let go. Drop that knife. And now, Williams, we'll see what a court of justice has to say about your crimes. Court of justice? No court would convict me. I've had a right to do what I've done. I lost my arm, didn't I? An eye for an eye, an arm for an arm. Do you see? That's just a shadow. And no court would find me guilty. Dana Williams, this jury has found you guilty of murder in the first degree. And I, by virtue of the authority vested in me, sentence you to be hanged by the neck until you are dead. And may the Lord have mercy on your soul. A knife. What an instrument. A knife is the treacherous implement that turns to a weapon in the hands of murder. When it's a thing of good and when it's a thing of evil, none can say but this we know. A knife is sharp, its point goes deep, and a knife is always thirsty. In a moment we'll bring you this week's real life episode proving that crime does not pay. First, I'm sure you'll be interested in hearing from Blue Coal's distinguished home heating Expert, John Barclay. Mr. Barclay. Thank you. Friends, I've been receiving quite a few letters lately that indicate some of you are making the operation of your furnace a much harder job than it should be. Harder, did I say? Well, I should say hard because really it's easy to operate a furnace properly if you know how. Yes, of course. That's the catch to it in these days, especially with the weather so changeable, it's necessary to know how to regulate dampers and bank a fire the right way. Now here's an answer to your heating problem. Call your neighborhood Blue Coal dealer and ask him to send a John Barclay, serviceman to your house to show you all the ins and outs of managing a furnace. No obligation. In fact, you might tell him that you heard me personally extending the invitation. This is his program, you know. You're Blue Coal dealers. So it's really the same as getting an invitation directly from him. Tell him you heard the program. Make a note now to call him tomorrow. He's listed under the words Blue Coal in the yellow section of your classified phone directory. Find out firsthand how much easier and more economical it is to heat your home the Blue Coal way. Thank you. Today's program is based on a story copyrighted by the DLW Coal Company, Producers of Blue Coal. The characters, names, places and plot are fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Direct from real life, we now bring you conclusive proof that crime does not pay. At 2am in a hotel room hideout, police waited one day last week for Joseph Miller, wanted for two murders. At last came the long awaited knock on the door. It's Joseph Miller. Remember, boys, he's dangerous. If he pulls a gun, shoot fast and straight. I'm gonna open the door. Halt. Halt. He's on the fire escape. Call headquarters. I gotta hide. Quick. What's behind this window? Big dining room. It's black. They'll never find me here. Your crimes have caught up with you. Joseph Miller. 100 police are closing in on you right this instant. No. I ain't gonna let him get me. I can't stand it. I'll kill myself. So in the wide, haunting blackness of an empty banquet hall. Joseph Miller, criminal. Died by his own hand. The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows. Next week, same time, same station. Your friendly Blue Coal dealer brings you another strange and thrilling adventure. In the Shadow's daring battle against the forces of evil. Be sure to listen. And be sure to phone your neighborhood Blue Coal dealer for greater heating comfort at less cost. Remember, keep the home fires burning with Blue Coal.