The Avenger - Death in Mid-Air

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio: The Avenger – "Death in Mid-Air"

Episode Date: March 16, 2026
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Source Show: The Avenger
Episode: Death in Mid-Air

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Overview

In this exciting episode from the classic radio serial "The Avenger," detective Jim Brandon (a.k.a. The Avenger), with his resourceful assistant Fern Collier and ally Inspector White, investigates a series of suspicious deaths at a small traveling circus. Aerialists have perished under mysterious circumstances, culminating in an especially dramatic "death in mid-air." As suspicions rise and circus fortunes falter, Jim goes undercover to solve the mystery—unmasking jealousy, sabotage, and a plot involving a rare, valuable animal.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Circus Atmosphere and Initial Incident

• Atmosphere Set: Jim Brandon, Fern Collier, and Inspector White attend a charming small-town circus, excited by the fun and games.

  • [03:16] Fern: “Oh look, cotton candy. Let’s get some.”
  • [03:54] Fern: “A balloon.”

• Main Event: The daring aerialist Franciati prepares for a high-wire trapeze act without a safety net.

  • [06:09] Fern (anxiously): “Oh, I’m afraid to look.”
  • Disaster strikes: Franciati misses his landing and tragically falls to his death.
    • [06:40] Narrator: “He lets go. He somersaults. He missed the W–”
    • The audience is shaken, and the act is halted.

2. The Investigation Begins

• Inspector White and Jim Brandon suspect foul play, referencing past accidents and pressing the circus management for answers:
  • [11:07] Jim: “One death may be an accident. Two deaths may be coincidence. But three deaths just may be murder.”
  • Tensions rise with Mr. Baldwin (ringmaster/manager), who is wary of halting the circus’ tour due to financial consequences.
  • Local financier Mr. Carver refuses to help keep the circus afloat, hinting at ulterior motives.

3. Motive and Means

• Discovery of the Liger: Jim and Fern inspect the menagerie, discovering a rare liger.

  • [18:19] Jim: “It’s a very rare animal, Fern. Part lion and part tiger… worth a lot of money.”

• Jim volunteers to go undercover, performing as "The Great Gilberto" in a risky tightrope act, seeking more clues.

  • [18:52] Jim (to Fern): “The Great Gilberto who will perform this afternoon is none other than yours truly, Jim.”
  • [21:02] Fern (nervously): “I just know something awful is going to happen to him.”

4. Another Near Tragedy and Clever Detecting

• Jim’s act almost ends in disaster: He becomes dizzy and nearly falls, saved only by a hidden safety wire.

  • [21:54] Fern: “Why, he’s hanging in midair!”
  • [22:29] Jim: “Fit as a fiddle, Fern.”

• Jim reveals he suspects the cause was a “gas pocket” in the circus tent, meant to incapacitate the performer atop the wire.

  • [22:33] Jim: “Whatever happened up there happened to me. I got dizzy and lost my balance.”
  • The performance proves the deaths may not be accidental.

5. Motive Revealed: The Valuable Liger

• Animal Escape Orchestrated: Animals, including the liger, are let loose on purpose during a tense vote on circus workers’ futures. Louis, the balloon vendor, is involved in shooting valuable animals and “saving” the liger.

  • [25:48] Jim: “Louie shot a lion and one of the hippos.”
  • [26:00] Jim: “Someone wanted to make sure the circus wouldn’t continue its tour.”

• Inspector and Jim close in on the culprit. Jim arranges a trap for the true murderer in the tent.

  • [27:35] Jim: “The Avenger is here as an invisible witness against you, Louie the Avenger.”
  • Louie tries to escape, but the plan fails; evidence ties him to all three murders.
    • [27:45] Jim: “That balloon inflating tank you have there. That is all the state will need to prove your crimes against you.”

6. The Explanation and Wrap-Up

• Mystery Conversation: Inspector probes for details—how the gas worked, why Louie did it, and his true motive.

  • [29:59] Jim: “Because the gas rose to the top of the tent, displaced the oxygen and formed a pocket or stratum up there that caused the aerialist to grow dizzy and fall.”

• True motive revealed: Louie recognized the value of the liger, only owned by the circus by chance. He tried to profit by sabotaging the circus, driving down its price so he or his associates (the “jungle circus”) could acquire the menagerie—with the rare liger hidden among more common animals.

  • [30:12] Jim: “That liger… is worth more than $50,000… Louie began making offers to buy the menagerie…”

• Fern’s final question: Why couldn’t people buy balloons before entering the tent?

  • [31:25] Fern: “Why wouldn’t Louis sell them to people until after they came out of the big tent?”
  • [31:29] Jim: “…if those balloons were brought into the tent, they might get loose… they would fly up only as far as the gas pocket or remain suspended there. That would have given the whole scheme away.”

• Comic relief: Fern jokes that she wants to manage “The Great Gilberto” (Jim’s trapeze act), ending the episode on a light note.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [11:07] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
  “One death may be an accident. Two deaths may be coincidence. But three deaths just may be murder.”
• [18:52] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
  “The Great Gilberto who will perform this afternoon is none other than yours truly, Jim.”
• [26:00] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
  “Someone wanted to make sure the circus wouldn’t continue its tour.”
• [29:59] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
  “Because the gas rose to the top of the tent, displaced the oxygen and formed a pocket or stratum up there that caused the aerialist to grow dizzy and fall.”
• [30:12] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
  “That rare animal is worth more than $50,000… Louie began making offers to buy the menagerie through an outfit called the jungle circus.”
• [31:29] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
  “Because if those balloons were brought into the tent, they might get loose. And if that happened, they would fly up only as far as the gas pocket or remain suspended there. That would have given the whole scheme away.”
• [31:45] Fern Collier:
  “I’ve decided to manage the great Gilberto. I want to see if I can get him from bookings.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [05:11] – Franciati’s daring act and fatal fall
• [09:18] – Baldwin and Inspector White argue over stopping the circus
• [11:07] – Jim Brandon posits murder as a possibility
• [18:19] – Discovery and significance of the liger
• [21:14] – Jim competes as “The Great Gilberto,” nearly falling victim
• [25:31] – Animal escape in the menagerie: chaos and gunshots
• [27:35] – The Avenger reveals himself and confronts the murderer
• [30:12] – Explanation of motive and method; the value of the liger
• [31:23] – Balloons as key evidence
• [31:45] – Humorous closing by Fern Collier

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Episode Tone & Style

Filled with suspense, the episode blends classic radio detective drama with moments of levity, particularly the banter between Jim and Fern. The dialogue keeps to a fast pace, with period-appropriate expressions and a strong sense of camaraderie between the leads. The tone shifts seamlessly from tense (circus tragedies, chase of a murderer) to playful (banter about circus tricks and managerial ambitions).

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Summary

"Death in Mid-Air" is a compelling mystery from the Golden Age of Radio, expertly embodying the era’s blend of family entertainment, suspense, and gentle humor. The Avenger proves that even the most innocuous setting—a circus—can prove deadly when greed and deception take center stage. Jim Brandon’s scientific prowess and cool under pressure, aided by Fern’s warmth and wit, make for an engaging slice of vintage detective storytelling.

Transcript

[Narrator]

With vrbocare, help is always ready before, during and after your stay. We've planned for the plot twist, so

[Inspector White]

support is always available because a great

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

trip starts with peace of mind.

[Narrator (Intro/Outro)]

The Avenger.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

The road to crime ends in a trap that justice sets. Crime does not pay.

[Fern Collier]

Sam. Sa.

[Narrator (Intro/Outro)]

The Avenger, sworn enemy of evil is actually Jim Brandon, a famous biochemist. Through his numerous scientific experiments, Brandon has perfected several inventions to aid him in his crusade against crime as the Avenger. Most remarkable of these inventions is the highly secret diffusion capsule which cloaks him in the black light of invisibility. Brandon's assistant, the beautiful Fern Collier, is the only one who shares his secrets and knows that he is the man the underworld fears as the Avenger. And now the Avenger and death in midair. The circus is in town. A small one ring circus at Menagerie. Jim and Fern are on the midway.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

You miss Fern. Go ahead, try again.

[Fern Collier]

Oh no. My aunt Jim, no. I swear those wooden milk bottles move around back there. I can't hit.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Well, how about trying something with a larger target, huh?

[Fern Collier]

Sir, are you implying that the fault lies with my aim?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Of course not. I merely think you'd have less trouble hitting the side of a bomb than a milk bottle.

[Fern Collier]

I'm insulted. Say, isn't it time for the show in the big tent?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Oh, yes, we better get going.

[Fern Collier]

Oh, Jim, these little one ring circuses are more fun than the big ones.

[Inspector White]

Uh huh.

[Fern Collier]

Oh look, cotton candy. Let's get some.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Okay.

[Inspector White]

Two spools, please.

[Fern Collier]

Oh, thanks. Isn't it pretty? It's like a big handful of clowns.

[Narrator]

Hurry, hurry. The big show starts in just five minutes. Hit your tickets right over here for the biggest little circus in the country. Hurry, hurry, hurry. Folks. Tick, your tickets.

[Fern Collier]

Seems like we got here just in time, Jim.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Oh, there's no hurry, Fern. Unless I miss my guess, that barker doubles in brass as ringmaster. Look at his costume.

[Fern Collier]

Oh, very fetching. Oh, Jim, do you know what we forgot to get?

[Inspector White]

No, what?

[Fern Collier]

A balloon.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Well, that's easily fixed. There's the balloon man's cart on the other side of the big top.

[Fern Collier]

You mean that funny looking go science

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

has recently come to the aid of the balloon vendor. That novel rocket device is filled with gas. All the balloon man has to do is attach the balloon on top of it, turn the valve and presto. Your balloon is blown up to whatever size you want.

[Fern Collier]

Oh, I'll take a big red one. There's the man now. Hurry, he's moving away.

[Inspector White]

Oh, wait a minute. We want some Balloons.

[Narrator]

Are you following me, mister?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Yes.

[Inspector White]

Two balloons, please. Sorry, can't sell any balloons from after the show. Oh, why not? They aren't allowed in the big tent during the show. To get loose, get the way of the performers.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Oh, well, will you be stationed here after the show?

[Inspector White]

Yeah, sure thing. Excuse me. I gotta wheel this cart around to the exit and help get the animals out for the show.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Oh, you double as a trainer, huh?

[Inspector White]

Yeah, sometimes. I see you after the show. You better go in now if you

[Narrator]

want to get a good.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

We'll get the balloons later.

[Fern Collier]

Oh, come on, Jim. I don't want to miss the main event.

[Narrator]

Attention, please. Attention, ladies and gentlemen. We are now about to present the main attraction of our world Fame show. I give you the great frame charting sensational artist of the tightrope. This illustrious star of the ozone will perform his trining, breathtaking giant stride on the tightrope and follow it with a complete revolution on the trapeze. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the great Franciati

[Fern Collier]

Dustin. That tightrope and trapeze must be at least 60ft from the ground.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

And there's no safety net either.

[Fern Collier]

Oh, I'm afraid to look.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Oh, Franciati knows his business, friend. Nothing will happen to him.

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen. Ladies and gentlemen. Quiet, if you please. Franciatti is ready to begin his perilous journey across the tightrope. There he goes. One step, two,

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

three.

[Narrator]

He's balancing himself now for the thrilling, dangerous giant stride he set. Here he goes. He made it. And now watch closely, ladies and gentlemen. Watch Franciati perform the most dangerous and daring stunt ever attempted. In midair, he will make a complete revolution on the trapeze and land back on the tightrope. He's ready. Here he goes. He's on the trapeze. He's swinging back and forth. He lets go. He somersaults. He missed the W.

[Fern Collier]

Inspector White over here.

[Inspector White]

Oh, thanks for phoning me, Fern. It was an accident though, wasn't it?

[Fern Collier]

Certainly looked that way to me. But I don't know what Jim thinks.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Now.

[Inspector White]

Where is Jim?

[Fern Collier]

He's in that tent talking to Baldwin.

[Inspector White]

Yeah. Who's Baldwin?

[Fern Collier]

The manager and ringmaster. They're waiting for you, inspector.

[Inspector White]

They're coming along. Friends.

[Fern Collier]

No, I'll wait here.

[Inspector White]

Okay. This shouldn't take long.

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[Inspector White]

Jim. Oh, come inside, Inspector. Hey, what's on the fire here?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Inspector, this is Mr. Baldwin. How do you do? I've just requested Mr. Baldwin to hold the circus over for a few days.

[Inspector White]

And? And I have refused to do it, Inspector. We're scheduled to open in Recaro tomorrow,

[Narrator]

and I don't see why we should

[Inspector White]

have to cancel engagements because of an accident. Al. He's right, Jim. Unless you've got some mighty good reasons, we can't hold this circus up here. Don't you realize they can be sued for a breach of contract if they don't fill their engagements?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

If Francia's death was a natural accident, yes. But if there's a reasonable doubt of that, the law is well within its rights.

[Narrator]

Say, what are you getting at?

[Inspector White]

Brandon Francotti's death was accidental. Oh?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

How can you prove it?

[Inspector White]

Well, I was standing right underneath him. I ought to know what happened. He just missed the rope and fell, that's all.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

I'll admit that's the way it looked.

[Inspector White]

Well, Jim, why all this fuss, then? Oh, he's just trying to put the squeeze on us to get some publicity

[Narrator]

for the police department.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Just a minute, Baldwin. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember that this is the third accident that's occurred in this circus so far this season. Two other aerialists met their deaths before Franciotti.

[Inspector White]

That right, Baldwin? Yes, that's right, Inspector. But we've just had some Bad breaks this season, that's all. That's the way it goes in this business.

[Narrator]

Sometimes we get through a whole season

[Inspector White]

without a single mishap, and other times we don't. You know the old superstition about accidents happening in freeze. Well, Franciatti was the third. I tell you, he just missed the rope. That's the risk these aerialists take. Well, those previous accidents put a different light on things, Baldwin. Different light? Why? We got clearances in the towns where they happen. And you'll get a clearance here when we're satisfied about Franchiati.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

You see, Baldwin, in this town, we're inclined to believe that one death may be an accident. Two deaths may be coincidence. But three deaths just may be murdered.

[Inspector White]

Murder? You better tell your men the circus is staying here a while, Baldwin. I saw they were beginning to pull up stakes when I came in here. Well, all I can say is if you fellas hold this show up here for more than 48 hours, the Eldorf Circus will be ruined. We'll work as fast as we can. You can depend on that. Well, you're better. Because if you can't back up your statements, Mr. Eldorf is the kind of man who will make you pay through the nose. Yes, Brandon, that's the rope. This is the trapeze Branchetti worked on during his last performance.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Thanks, Baldwin. This rope looks perfectly okay, Inspector. Let's see if there are any weak spots on the trapeze. Yeah. Take over that end. Got it.

[Inspector White]

Cool. There's nothing wrong with that, Jim. No, I told you, Francotti just lost his balance and fell. After all, he wasn't such a young man anymore after those first two accidents.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Why didn't your aerial office use a net, Baldwin?

[Inspector White]

They refused to. Using a net lowers an artist's prestige and cuts down his chances of hitting the big time. Hey, Jim, this rope's been waxed.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Oh, that doesn't necessarily mean anything, Inspector. Some aerialists wax the ropes to lessen the friction and the stride.

[Inspector White]

Yeah. Hey, Jim, how come you know so much about this circus stuff?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Well, believe it or not, Inspector, I traveled with a circus in Europe one summer. Worked my way straight across three countries that way.

[Inspector White]

Doing what?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Practically everything. I was beginning to show promise as a trick bicycle rider when I had to leave and go back to school.

[Inspector White]

Well, how does this case shape up to your professional eye?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

I'm not convinced. Now, don't ask me why, but somehow this whole affair just doesn't look right. Let's take a little more time on it, Inspector,

[Inspector White]

And that's the situation we're in. Mr. Eldorf, I wired you to come because I know this delay will put your circus in a bad way financially. Yeah, it certainly does, Bolden. If Carver won't grant us another loan, the Eldorf circus is washed up. That's what I was afraid of. Where is Carver? Oh, he's outside having a look around. If he has it sized up is a poor risk. I can tell by his attitude, Mr. Eldorf, maybe I'm speaking out of turn, but I don't trust Carver. No? Why not, Boland? Well, if we have to close up, Carver can claim most of the circus as a payment on the loans he's already advanced you can't he? That's right. Then he stands to gain more by not lending us any more money, doesn't he? Yeah, he does. But I've done business with Carver for years. Surely he wouldn't care. Here he comes. Well, Carver, what do you think? It'd be a shame to close this circus down for want of another small loan, wouldn't it? Maybe it would, Mr. Eldorf, but I can't lend you any more money on this outfit. Oh, why not? Because that menagerie is the only thing that's worth the amount I've already advanced Here. Now wait a minute, Carver. Oh, that's not meant words, Eldorf. This one horse Seconds is through. The sooner you face it, the better it'll be. For all concern, you might have pulled through this season if it hadn't been for those accidents. The way things stand now, you don't suppose that anyone would be deliberately forcing me into this position to get control of the circuit, do you, Father? I don't know exactly what you're getting at, Eldorf. Frankly, I don't care. As far as that loan is concerned, the answer is no. Those other notes are due at the end of the month. And if you don't pay up, offer clothes. Good day. How do you like that? Well, it's like I said, Mr. Eldorf. Carver's out to get this circus. I won't let him. I'll fight till the last dip. Well, what can you do? We have to have money to pay the artists and help every Saturday or they'll quit. Well, there must be some way we could sell the menagerie to that jungle circus outfit that keeps offering to buy it. No, Baldwin. The managerie is what brings in the customers. Without that, we'd be nothing more than a fourth rate tent show. Well, what's the answer then? Well, we've still got to the End of the month we'll hang on. Only you've got to see to it that no more accidents happen. One more and Carver's got us right where he wants it.

[Narrator (Intro/Outro)]

And now back to the avenger. And death in midair.

[Fern Collier]

Jim, what sort of clues do you expect to find here in the menagerie? Don't tell me you even suspect these animals.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

No, Fern, I'm merely trying to track down something that could have furnished the motive for those three deaths.

[Fern Collier]

Those jungle bred lions are ferocious looking beasts, aren't they?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Yes, they're dangerous.

[Fern Collier]

The cheetahs are cute though.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Say, there's a liger. I didn't know there were any of those in captivity in this country.

[Fern Collier]

What's a liger, Jim?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Well, it's a very rare animal, Fern. Part lion and part tiger. I know there are a few of them in foreign zoos, but I'm certain certainly surprised to see one in a broken down circus. They're worth a lot of money.

[Fern Collier]

Well, I like the looks of my Scotty better. Hey, Jim, what's all this I hear about you arranging to have a friend of yours appear on the trapeze for the matinee?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Oh, who told you about that?

[Fern Collier]

Louis, the balloon vendor. He said Mr. Baldwin told him about it. I never knew you were acquainted with any trapeze artist.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Well, Fern, it's kind of a secret. I wonder if I should trust you with it.

[Fern Collier]

I'll never forgive you if you don't.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Well, don't breathe a word of this, but the Great Gilberto who will perform this afternoon is none other than than yours truly, Jim.

[Inspector White]

No.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

It's the only way, Fern. We're pressed for time on this case and so far we have no solid evidence against anyone.

[Fern Collier]

But Jim, why should you risk your life?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Oh, now, don't worry. I won't be taking any risks.

[Fern Collier]

I'm going to tell the inspector. He'll put a stop to this.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

The inspector knows all about it and he agrees that it's a good idea.

[Fern Collier]

Jim, please don't. Something sure to happen to you. Why, you're a rank amateur at that sort of thing. Even if you did play around at it one summer.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Your concern is very flattering, but believe me, Fern, I'll be all right. Now, come along. I want you to get a good seat in the grandstand because this will be the one and only performance of the Great Gilberto.

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[Narrator]

And now, ladies and gentlemen, I give you our star attraction this afternoon, introducing one of the greatest aerialists in this country, the Great Gilberto. Ladies and gentlemen, the great Gilberto will ride his bicycle across the entire length of the tight wire. Oh, Inspector, you should have stopped.

[Fern Collier]

I just know something awful is going to happen to him.

[Inspector White]

Now, Fern, Jim knows what he's doing. Look, he's on the bicycle, ready to go.

[Narrator]

The great Gilberto begins his perilous ride. Watch closely. He's on his way now, a quarter of the way across now, daring all laws of gravity. He's reached the halfway mark. His bicycle is wobbling. Look out below. He's flow.

[Narrator (Intro/Outro)]

Burn.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Burn.

[Inspector White]

It's all right. Jim's safe. Yes, he. Look.

[Fern Collier]

Why, he's hanging in midair.

[Inspector White]

Yes, he had two wires attached to his safety belt. They hold him up until the net is stretched below him. Then he'll cut the wires and jump into the net.

[Fern Collier]

Why don't they hurry with it?

[Inspector White]

It's almost ready. There, you see?

[Narrator]

Get ready to jump. The net is ready.

[Fern Collier]

Jim's cutting the wires.

[Inspector White]

There he goes.

[Narrator]

He made it.

[Fern Collier]

You're sure that you're all right, Jim?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Fit as a fiddle, friend.

[Inspector White]

Now, just where did all this get us, Jim?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Inspector, there was nothing wrong with that wire and nothing wrong with the bicycle. Whatever happened up there happened to me. I got dizzy and lost my balance.

[Inspector White]

That was quite apparent.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Oh, here comes Baldwin. Look out for fireworks.

[Inspector White]

So it was you, huh, Brandon, Just what were you trying to prove by that fiasco?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

One thing, and I did prove it.

[Inspector White]

Baldwin, what was that?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

You'll find out later. Right now, I want you to take a message to Mr. Eldorf for me.

[Inspector White]

What message?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Tell Aldorf he can pull up stakes after this evening's show.

[Inspector White]

You mean the case is solved, Brandon?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

It will be by that time.

[Narrator]

Mr. Ellsdorf will be glad to hear that.

[Inspector White]

Now go tell him. Is that true, Jim? Do you know who's behind all this?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Not yet, Inspector. But all I've got to figure out now is why I lost my balance up there. Then I think I'll have the solution to this mystery.

[Inspector White]

Hello, Ms. Brandon.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Oh, hello, Louie. How's the balloon business?

[Inspector White]

Oh, not so good. Hey, you on your way to that meeting in the cook tent?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Yes. You coming?

[Inspector White]

Yeah, sure thing. Wait a minute. I'll park this balloon machine inside the big tent. Be with you in a minute.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Say, know what this meeting's being held for, Louie?

[Inspector White]

Sure, Mr. Brandon. About half the performers want to leave the show. They're fed up with all the bad luck we've been running into. Good fence over this way.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

How about you, Louie?

[Inspector White]

You going to stick? Well, I don't know, Ms. Brennan, and I hate to leave the animals. Course, a fellow's got to look out for the future in this business. Oh, here we are. We have clearance to take after the short of the back. From then on, there's no reason to believe we can't meet our schedule and make some money. Now, is everybody satisfied to stick until the end of the month? At least to give me a chance to make the proper replacements?

[Narrator]

I'm not.

[Inspector White]

I'm leaving this outfit tonight.

[Narrator]

This show won't last the season out,

[Inspector White]

and you know it, Baldwin. Listen, Slim, that's just an ugly rumor somebody started. Fellas, you're suckers if you let them talk you into it. You wait until the end of the

[Narrator (Intro/Outro)]

month, you're killed for the season.

[Inspector White]

With other 10 shows, Slim is right.

[Fern Collier]

We'd be better off if we did not.

[Inspector White]

Wait a minute.

[Narrator]

Well, all right.

[Inspector White]

Take your time and talk it over, Louie. Yes, sir. Come along with me over to my office and get some paper. Then you can come back here and give everybody a chance to vote by ballot. Okay, Mr. Baldwin. Mr. Brandon.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Ms.

[Inspector White]

Bowman, would you be kind enough to collect the ballots and deliver them to my office when they're ready? Certainly. All right, then. Come on, Louie.

[Narrator (Intro/Outro)]

Well, where's Louie with them ballots? Does Baldwin expect us to wait here all day?

[Fern Collier]

This sure has had a jinx on it ever since we started.

[Narrator]

Listen. What's that?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Why, the animals.

[Inspector White]

They're on the loose.

[Narrator]

Let's help Rob us,

[Fern Collier]

Jim. Are all the animals accounted for?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Yes, Vern.

[Fern Collier]

I heard some shots. What happened?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Oh, Louie shot a lion and one of the hippos.

[Fern Collier]

How in the world did those animals get loose, Jim?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Simple enough. Somebody deliberately opened the cages.

[Fern Collier]

Who would do a thing like that?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

I don't know who did it, but I think I know why it was done.

[Fern Collier]

You do?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Yes. Someone wanted to make sure the circus wouldn't continue its tour.

[Fern Collier]

But who? All the circus people were in the cook tent.

[Inspector White]

Not all, Fern.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Baldwin, Louis and Aldorf, the owner weren't there.

[Fern Collier]

Mr. Carver hasn't left yet. I saw him over near Baldwin's office about an hour ago.

[Inspector White]

Brandon. Brandon, have you seen Mr. Eldorf around anywhere?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

No, I haven't. Baldwin. Say, this animal break leaves you in a bad spot, doesn't it?

[Inspector White]

I say it does. Louie went completely off his head and shot two valuable animals.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Yes, then he took his life in his hands to save that liger.

[Inspector White]

That crazy fool Aldorf will probably fire him for this.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Oh, there's Eldorf, going into the office now.

[Inspector White]

Well, I might as well give him the bad news. You'll have to decide what's to be done.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Fern. Come on over to the midway. I've just hit on something. I think we can close up this case in short order.

[Fern Collier]

Jim, now that you've called the inspector and ordered half a dozen men to surround this tent, what are you going to do, Fern?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

We have a whole hour before the main show begins. And within that hour, the criminal will enter the big tent and encounter the Avenger.

[Inspector White]

What was that noise? There must be something wrong with that machine.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Yes, there's something wrong with that machine, Louis. It's an instrument of murder. Turn that gas off.

[Inspector White]

Who's in this tent?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

The Avenger is here as an invisible witness against you, Louie the Avenger.

[Inspector White]

What good is an invisible witness?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

As good as the evidence he can produce.

[Inspector White]

What evidence?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

That balloon inflating tank you have there. That is all the state will need to prove your crimes against you.

[Inspector White]

Take the evidence then. No mere voice can deliver me into the hands of the law. I can escape.

[Narrator]

You won't get command this time, Avenger.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

By all means, flee. Louis, the Inspector's men await you.

[Fern Collier]

Gosh, Jim, the show was good tonight. Too bad this is their last performance here.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Oh, they're anxious to move along, Fern, and catch up with their schedule. Well, the crowds all cleared out of the tent now.

[Inspector White]

Shall we go? Ah, just a minute, Jim. There a few things I've got to get straightened out here.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

What's bothering you, Inspector?

[Inspector White]

That gas Louis released in the tent here when he wanted to get rid of an aerialist. If he released it before the performance, why didn't it affect everyone in the tent?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Because the gas rose to the top of the tent displaced the oxygen and formed a pocket or stratum up there that caused the aerialist to grow dizzy and fall.

[Inspector White]

But what was Louie's motive, Jim? After all, if the circus closed, he lost his job, as Louis was after

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

that liger in the menagerie. That rare animal is worth more than $50,000. Eldorf picked it up in South America a year ago, but had no idea how valuable it was.

[Inspector White]

And when Louis joined the circus at the beginning of the scene, he recognized his value.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

That's right. So Louis began making offers to buy the menagerie through an outfit called the jungle circus. He couldn't bid for the liger alone because that might give away its value.

[Fern Collier]

But Mr. Eldorf was sentimental about the menagerie and he wouldn't sell.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Yes, and his sentiment will pay big dividends in this case. After all this publicity, that liger will be worth a dollar a look.

[Fern Collier]

Jim, up until the time the animals escape, who didn't know who the criminal was. What tips you off that it was Louis?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Louie risked his life to get that liger back in its cage. But he shot the two other most valuable animals needlessly and ruthlessly. That meant one thing. He knew the value of the liger.

[Inspector White]

But why did he arrange that brink?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

So that he'd have an excuse to shoot some of the animals and strengthen his chances of buying what was left of the menagerie, including the liger.

[Inspector White]

His motive all the way through was

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

to force the circus out of business.

[Inspector White]

Where? Well, that it up, Jim. And I'll run along to headquarters and file my report. Good night to both of you. Good night, inspector.

[Fern Collier]

Jim, there's just one other little thing that I don't understand.

[Inspector White]

Oh?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

About the balloons.

[Inspector White]

Right.

[Fern Collier]

Yeah. Why wouldn't Louis sell them to people until after they came out of the big tent?

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Because if those balloons were brought into the tent, they might get loose. And if that happened, they would fly up only as far as the gas pocket or remain suspended there. That would have given the whole scheme away. Satisfied?

[Fern Collier]

Perfectly. Oh, come on, Jim. I want to see Mr. Baldwin before he leaves.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

Baldwin? What for?

[Fern Collier]

I've decided to manage the great Gilberto. I want to see if I can get him from bookings.

[Narrator (Intro/Outro)]

All characters, names, places and plots used in the Avenger program are fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

[Jim Brandon / The Avenger]

This is a thought. A thought, A thought. Remember?

[Inspector White]

Listen for another adventure of the Avenger.