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Narrator/Announcer
The Avenger.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
The road to crime ends in a trap that justice sets. Crime does not pay.
Fern Collier
Sam ram,
Narrator/Announcer
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 the shot in the dark.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
You fool, Ripley. You shot him. No, Corbin, it was an accident. Armstrong tried to take my gun. In the struggle, it went off.
Corbin
Come on, we'll beat it out the back way.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
No, I. I didn't mean to kill him.
Mrs. Ripley
It was an accident.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
I. I'm going to turn myself in.
Corbin
You're crazy. They give you the hot seat for
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
this, Ripley, but there's nothing else to do.
Corbin
Armstrong's body won't be discovered until morning. That'll give us time to think of something. Come on.
Mrs. Ripley
Where to?
Corbin
Over to my place. This way, Ripley.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Hurry.
Corbin
Well, that's the way it adds up, Ripley. If you turn yourself in, they'll give you the works.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Might as well save the police the trouble of looking for me. Tomorrow morning, Armstrong's body will be found with two bullets from my gun in him. It'll just be a matter of time until they track me down.
Corbin
There are ways to beat raps like this, Ripley. How do you mean? Well, the cops have to have a corpus delicti before they can tag A guy with a murder rap, don't they? Yes, but no. Suppose I could fix it so that Armstrong's body is never found. He'd just be a missing person then, wouldn't he?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
But how could you do that, Corbin?
Corbin
I got friends who could pull a job like that if you'd be willing to pay them for the trouble.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
How much?
Corbin
50 grand, and your slate is clean.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
I haven't that kind of money, Corbin.
Corbin
What do you mean, you haven't that kind of money? You're worth five times that much, Ripley. What about that big inheritance you just came into?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
But most of that money is tied up in bonds and securities. I can't possibly.
Corbin
Suit yourself. If you'd rather blow your whole bankroll trying to defend yourself in court, that's your business. But if I had a wife and
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
kids, I'd leave my family out of this, Corbin.
Corbin
Okay, Ripley. I just thought maybe you forgot about them, that's all.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
No, no, I'd gladly pay 50,000 to spare them the shame and disgrace of a murder trial.
Inspector Vernon
Only.
Mrs. Ripley
What.
Corbin
What's holding you up then?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
How do I know it would end there? You know I killed Armstrong, and you're a blackmailer, Corbin. You've already taken me for 20,000.
Corbin
Have it your way, Ripley, but you ain't exactly in a position to do any bargaining, you know.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
What about those papers we went to Armstrong's shop to steal?
Corbin
You started shooting before I had a chance to get them. Don't blame me for that.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
All right, Coleman. If you can get those papers and get rid of Armstrong's body, I'll pay up.
Corbin
I'll talk to my boys. But you've got to have the dough ready by tomorrow night.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
I'll do the best I can.
Corbin
Okay. Well, now that the deal is closed, you just forget all about Armstrong. I'll take care of everything, Ripley. Every single thing.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
But, Mrs. Ripley, why have you come to me? Why don't you go to the police?
Mrs. Ripley
Because. Well, I don't think they take my story very seriously, Mr. Brandon. After all, I can't prove there's any crime involved.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Well, in that case, there's nothing I can do either.
Mrs. Ripley
I thought perhaps you could find out what's troubling my husband. That is, without his knowing anything about it.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Well, suppose you give me the details, Mrs. Ripley. I may at least be able to offer some advice.
Mrs. Ripley
Well, you see, recently, my husband inherited a sizable fortune from his grandfather. Almost immediately, he began to. To act strangely, as if he were afraid of something. I questioned him, but he'd tell Me? Nothing. Except that he was having business troubles.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Well, that sounds plausible enough.
Mrs. Ripley
Well, at first I thought so, too. Then about two weeks ago, my husband drew $20,000 out of our joint bank account. When he refused to explain this withdrawal, I became alarmed, went to see his business partner.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Well, did he corroborate your husband's statement about his business troubles?
Mrs. Ripley
No, no. He assured me that my husband's business affairs were in perfect order. He knew nothing about the $20,000.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Perhaps your husband gambled with the money.
Mrs. Ripley
Mrs. Ripley, I tried to make myself believe that until yesterday.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
What happened yesterday?
Mrs. Ripley
Yesterday I discovered that my husband had sold $50,000 worth of bonds, government bonds that had been purchased for our small son. I know my husband wouldn't have done that. That is, just to gamble away the money. Mr. Brandon.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
No, that doesn't seem likely.
Mrs. Ripley
Mr. Brandon, I think someone's blackmailing my husband. I don't know how or why, but I'm certain that he's in some terrible kind of trouble.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Mrs. Ripley, I'd like to help you, but in a matter of this kind, I have no right to interfere. As far as the law is concerned, a man can spend his money any way he likes. And we have no proof that this is blackmail.
Mrs. Ripley
My husband is living in mortal terror of someone. I am sure of it.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Then suppose we handle it this way, Mrs. Ripley. You go home and speak to your husband. Try to persuade him to make a statement. And if he's in any finding, great
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Jim Brandon / The Avenger
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Fern Collier
Access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees, but I don't really need it.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Inflation is killing me, but who cares? Big retailers are making record profits. That's why we support the Durbin Marshall credit card bill.
Fern Collier
See, banks and credit unions help small businesses make payroll. This bill would cut the vital resources
Mrs. Ripley
they need while increasing megastore profits.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
They deserve it, don't they?
Narrator/Advertiser
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Jim Brandon / The Avenger
the Electronic Payments Coalition. Kind of danger. You can be sure that the police will offer them every kind of protection. But until he's willing to make a clean breast of things, I'm afraid this is strictly a family matter. Or perhaps a case for his position.
Inspector Vernon
There it is, Jim.
Corbin
Looks like suicide, all right.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Not a very pretty sight. Who discovered the body, Inspector? The maid.
Inspector Vernon
Yes, when she came in to clean the room about an hour ago. She didn't touch anything, though. The hotel manager kept the room locked until we got here.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Does the manager know anything about this man?
Inspector Vernon
Not much. Says he checked in last night and registered as Harry Johnson. In a place like this, they don't ask any questions.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Well, it's evident that this man could have afforded a better hotel. Good clothes, well kept hands, expensive shoes.
Inspector Vernon
Well, that doesn't make much difference now. Shall we cut him down?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
No, not yet. I want to check everything first.
Inspector Vernon
It's obvious what happened, Jim. That overturned stool there on the floor is what he stood on while he fastened the rope around his neck. Then he just kicked away the stool and hung himself.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
I don't think so, Inspector. Oh, now, Jim, you're not going to tell? Bring that stool over here, Inspector, will you please, and I'll show you what I mean.
Inspector Vernon
Okay.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
As you can see, this noose is drawn very tightly.
Inspector Vernon
All right, here's the stool.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Good. Place it upright under this man's feet. Now, look, Inspector. There's a distance of at least 6 inches between the stool and this man's feet. Since the noose is tightly drawn, that means he couldn't possibly have hung himself. No, this was murder, Inspector.
Corbin
Yeah.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Now we'll cut him down and see if we can find anything in his pockets. Give me a hand, Inspector.
Corbin
All right,
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
hold on. Here, help me put him on the bed.
Mrs. Ripley
All right.
Inspector Vernon
Well, I'll send a man down here to give everything a good dusting, but I have a feeling we won't find any prints in here.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Here's his wallet, a few small bills and some business cards. Say this man's name was Alan Ripley, Inspector.
Inspector Vernon
Hey, Isn't he the fellow that came into a pile of money a couple months ago?
Mrs. Ripley
That's right.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
His wife came to see me yesterday morning. She thought he was being blackmailed, but couldn't offer any proof of it.
Inspector Vernon
Well, that gives us a lead.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
It's certainly worth investigating in the light of what's happened. Let's see what we can turn up on it.
Fern Collier
Did Mrs. Ripley identify the body, Jim?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Yes, Baron. It was her husband.
Fern Collier
All right, Jim, I don't trust these women who come here crying for help. Remember the wild goose chase that Edith Wiley let us on? And all the time she herself was guilty.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
In other words, you think Mrs. Ripley blackmailed her husband and then murdered him?
Fern Collier
Well, I think we should check her story before we put any faith in it.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Don't worry, we will. Oh, did you get me those back numbers of the newspapers, Vern?
Fern Collier
Yes, they're in the library, Jim. But what do you want with them?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Well, according to Mrs. Ripley, her husband's trouble began when he inherited that money. Now, if we're up against the work of an organized blackmail ring, Ripley wasn't their only victim.
Fern Collier
Oh, you mean we're going to check up on all the other people who inherited money recently?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
That's right. If we can get hold of somebody who will talk, we can save a lot of time on this.
Fern Collier
Well, how did you make out this time, Jim?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Oh, another blank. Fern, if any of these people have been blackmailed, they're afraid to admit it.
Fern Collier
Well, after what happened to Ripley, I can't say that I blame them. But what's our next move?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Jim, there's only one way to force these blackmailers into the open, and that's by going on the offensive.
Fern Collier
But how?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
We'll throw them a bait.
Fern Collier
A bait?
Mrs. Ripley
Yes.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
A young lady who has just inherited a million dollars. That should do the trick.
Inspector Vernon
Say, Jim, is it true about Fern inheriting a million dollars from an aunt in South America?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
That's what the papers say, Inspector.
Inspector Vernon
Well, where is she?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
I want to congratulate her.
Inspector Vernon
Golly, a million bucks.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Some luck, Inspector. Wait a minute. You'd better brace yourself for another shock.
Inspector Vernon
Now, what are you talking about, Jim?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
That story was a fake. Ferdin didn't inherit anything.
Inspector Vernon
I don't get it. What's going on here, Jim?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
We're setting Fern up as a decoy to trap this blackmailing ring.
Inspector Vernon
Inspector, that's dangerous business, Jim.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
I know, but I've taken every precaution.
Inspector Vernon
Where is Fern?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
She's taking an apartment in the house next door. I've had the place completely wired, and there's a Dictaphone in every room.
Inspector Vernon
And those Dictaphones are connected here in your lab.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Right. Well, I can breathe easier then. Oh, that's Fern on the wire now. Yes, Fern, what is it?
Fern Collier
Jim, it's awful sitting around this apartment with nothing to do. Why can't I bring the typewriter over and do some work while I'm waiting?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Because an heiress doesn't have to work, Fern.
Fern Collier
Well, I hope this live of ease won't last too long. I can't take it.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Well, now, you just sit tight. Pretend you're on a vacation. I'll have some more books sent up this afternoon.
Fern Collier
Jim, somebody's at the door.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Okay, answer it. And don't worry, the inspector and I are here in the lab listening to everything. Good luck.
Fern Collier
Well, here goes.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Well, Inspector, it looks as though we've got a bite. Listen.
Fern Collier
Yes, what is it, please?
Mrs. Ripley
Are you Fern Collier?
Fern Collier
Yes.
Mrs. Ripley
Let me come in. I got some private business with you.
Fern Collier
Private business? Who are you?
Mrs. Ripley
You can call me Dorothy for the time being, Ms. Collier. I come to have a talk with you about your inheritance.
Fern Collier
My lawyer takes care of all my business affairs, not this.
Mrs. Ripley
I don't think you'd care to have your lawyer know anything about this.
Fern Collier
What are you talking about?
Mrs. Ripley
Ms. Collier, I can prove that you're collecting an inheritance that don't belong to you.
Fern Collier
That's ridiculous.
Mrs. Ripley
I don't believe the police will would think so. Now, just take a look at these photo stacks. These records show that you didn't live in South America at the time you said you did.
Fern Collier
Where did you get these?
Mrs. Ripley
Never mind that. Is it worth $5,000 to you for me to forget them?
Fern Collier
Yes. You know it is.
Mrs. Ripley
How soon can you get the money?
Fern Collier
Not before tomorrow night. Okay, okay.
Mrs. Ripley
I'll get in touch with you. And if you try to duck out, I'll use this information for all its worth.
Fern Collier
Sam,
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Narrator/Announcer
Now, back to the Avenger and the Shot in the Dark.
Inspector Vernon
Well, Fern, did you find that Dorothy's picture in the files?
Fern Collier
No, Inspector, she's not here. I guess we'll just have to sit back and wait for her to contact me. Don't you think so, Jim?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Yes, we do that anyway, because she's just fronting to someone. We're out to get the whole gang.
Inspector Vernon
That Dorothy's smart, all right. I was all set to Taylor, but she must have ducked down through the basement in the back.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Now, Inspector, what would you say if that happened to one of your men?
Inspector Vernon
Well, a man can't be too close.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
It doesn't matter. Dorothy's unlikely to drop out of sight now that Fern has promised to pay up.
Fern Collier
Oh, Jim, I'd better get back to the apartment in case she calls.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Oh, that's right. Here's the $5,000 for.
Inspector Vernon
Hey, Jim, aren't you going to mark those bills just in case they should
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
give us the slip? These bills are marked, Inspector.
Inspector Vernon
Let me see. They look all right to me. I can't detect any markings.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Here, put these glasses on. Now what do you see?
Inspector Vernon
Hey, Jim, these bills are marked, all right. How come I can only see that
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
with these glasses on here? Because they're marked with black light ink. Only those special lenses can detect it.
Inspector Vernon
What next?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Now, give Fern the money and she'll be on her way. We mustn't keep Miss Dorothy waiting.
Inspector Vernon
Keep me posted, won't you, Jim? I'll have a few men standing by in case you need them.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
That may be very soon, Inspector.
Mrs. Ripley
This is the neatest setup we ever had, Corbin.
Corbin
Yeah, a phony heiress. We ought to be able to take her for the whole role. Dorothy?
Mrs. Ripley
I wouldn't be surprised. She's plenty scared.
Corbin
Well, in that case, I don't see why we should wait. When she comes around with a five grand tonight, I'll put the bee on her for another 50 right away. What do you think, Armstrong?
Narrator/Announcer
I think you're getting too ambitious, Corbin. You don't last long in this game unless you play it slow.
Corbin
What are you talking about? We got a hundred grand from Ripley in a couple of weeks, didn't we?
Narrator/Announcer
Yeah, and then you had to bump him off to keep him from squawking. Don't forget that.
Corbin
Well, if we can take this little phony Jane for another hundred GS, we'll be set for life. That'll bring our bankroll close to the million mark.
Mrs. Ripley
You can count me in on that, Corbin. I got a nice little ranch picked out just over the border. If we can swing this job, I'm gonna retire.
Corbin
Well, what about you, Armstrong? Are you willing to string along or do I have to get a fast substitute?
Mrs. Ripley
Come on, Armstrong. You're not scared of a little Dane that's as crooked as you are, are you?
Narrator/Announcer
No, I guess not. But after this job I'm pulling out. A racket like this can't last forever.
Corbin
Okay, okay. Now listen. Tonight I'll meet this Collier girl and tell her we're not interested in anything less than five, fifty grand for them papers. I'll make a date to take her to Armstrong Shop tomorrow night to get the papers and pay off the money.
Mrs. Ripley
Then you and Armstrong go into your act and you got her right where you want her. She won't dare talk. She'll put up another 50 grand to keep you quiet.
Corbin
That's it. Okay, Dotty, you go to a pay station in midtown and give the little lady a ring. Tell her to drive out to the old church at Black Point at 10 o' clock tonight. Alone.
Mrs. Ripley
Do I give her your name?
Fern Collier
Sure.
Corbin
This Corbin alias has proved lucky for a whole year. We'll stick to that for the time being. But be sure to tell that girl that if she doesn't follow instructions to the letter, she'll never live to collect that inheritance.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Are you sure you've got everything straight, Fern? Oh, Black Point is just about two miles ahead.
Fern Collier
I think so, Jim. The money's in the compartment. I'm sure I wasn't followed. And. And I know how they found out I'm not the real heiress.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Well, maybe we'd better go over that last part again.
Fern Collier
All right. During that summer, I was supposed to be in South America. I was really on a farm near Himal which an old teacher of mine. Since she's dead now, her chauffeur is the only person who could have tipped them off to this. I'm willing to pay plenty to keep him and them quiet right now.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
If this Corbin demands more money, pretend to fall for it because we want to follow this racket right down the line.
Fern Collier
I will, Fern.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
I'm going to become the avenger now. But I won't reveal myself at Black Point unless you're in some sort of danger.
Fern Collier
All right. As long as I know you're there, I won't be afraid. Oh, there's the old church just ahead. But I can't see if there's a car there or not. Oh. Oh, yes, there it is. Somebody just flashed the headlights. I'll pull up.
Corbin
That you, Ms. Collier?
Fern Collier
Yes.
Corbin
Stay where you are. I want to examine your car.
Fern Collier
I'm alone, if that's what you mean.
Corbin
That's what I mean, all right. Yep, guess you are at that. Okay, Ms. Collier, I've got a little business proposition off for you. Them papers I got say you're not the girl you're pretending to be. That means you're trying to horn in on a lot of money that don't belong to you. So don't get me wrong, that's okay with me. But I think you should be willing to make a fair deal.
Fern Collier
What kind of a deal?
Corbin
Well, since you stand to collect a million, what do you say to 50 grand for them documents?
Fern Collier
50,000.
Corbin
Let's not bargain, Miss Collier. Are you willing to pay or not?
Fern Collier
Well, I have no choice. You know that. When must I have the money?
Corbin
Tomorrow night. The papers are locked up in a little hock shop I know about. We'll have to steal them.
Fern Collier
Steal them? Just a minute. I don't understand. Do you mean this shop owner has the papers?
Corbin
Yes, but we can get them, and that'll put them out of the picture completely. Oh, I'll meet you at midnight tomorrow at 7th Avenue in Quay Street. You bring the money and we'll get the papers.
Fern Collier
All right. May I go now?
Corbin
Yeah, but I'll take that five grand you brought just on account.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Seventh Avenue and Clay street is the next block. Fern, you go ahead now. I'll follow.
Fern Collier
Oh, Jim, I'm getting scared. I think we should have brought some of the inspector's men with us.
Inspector Vernon
No.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
There's only one way to discover the foolproof angle they've been employing in this setup. We've got to string along until they spring that.
Fern Collier
Well, keep close behind us, won't you,
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Jim, don't worry, Fernando. When you and that gangster Corbin enter the Hawk Shop, the Avenger will be right behind you. Go ahead. Now,
Corbin
This is the place, Ms. Collier. We duck through this alley and get in the back way.
Fern Collier
I don't understand why I had to come here. Why couldn't you steal the papers yourself?
Corbin
Why should I take all the chances?
Fern Collier
For $50,000.
Inspector Vernon
Be quiet.
Corbin
Here we are.
Fern Collier
Isn't this back door locked?
Corbin
Sure. I'll force this window and get inside and open it up. Yeah, that was easy. Wait right where you are. I'll have the door open in a minute.
Fern Collier
Jim.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Yes, Vernon? It's time now for the Avenger.
Corbin
Okay, Ms. Collier, come inside. I think the shopkeeper's asleep on the second floor.
Fern Collier
Where are the papers?
Corbin
In that little safe in the corner. Here, take these. A flashlight and a gun.
Fern Collier
A gun? What for?
Corbin
If anyone comes in while I'm at the safe, you'll have to plug them.
Fern Collier
I'll do no such thing.
Corbin
Keep quiet and do as I tell you. I've taken out the light bulb. Now I'll go to work on the safe. Give me some light over here. What was that?
Fern Collier
Somebody's coming.
Corbin
Must be Armstrong, the storekeeper. We're in for it now.
Narrator/Announcer
Hey, what's going on in here?
Corbin
He's got a flashlight. Plug him before he gets a gander at us.
Narrator/Announcer
No burglars, eh? We'll hand over that gun, young lady.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Shoot your little fool.
Narrator/Announcer
No, you don't.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
I'll take that gun.
Fern Collier
You don't need to struggle for it. I'm willing to give you the gun.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
You. You shot me.
Fern Collier
No, no, I didn't touch the trigger.
Corbin
I. Armstrong's a dead duck. Come on, we've got to get out of here. The cops may be here any minute.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
You're right. Corbin the Avenger is here now.
Corbin
The Avenger?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Yes, and I've just witnessed a very dramatic climax to a long history of blackmailing.
Corbin
The girl shot Armstrong.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
You saw that? There was a shot in the dark. And this young lady holds a gun. You could blackmail her for life with evidence like that, couldn't you, Corbyn? Young lady, have you a gun of your own?
Fern Collier
Yes, in my purse.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Take it out. Now, let us make a little experiment. If Armstrong is dead, he wouldn't care one way or another about an extra bullet in the heart. But if he isn't, he'd better be off that floor with his hands up within five seconds.
Mrs. Ripley
One.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Two. No, don't shoot. Who's a frame up?
Narrator/Announcer
Don't shoot. I'll Spill everything, Armstrong.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Call the police, young lady. We'll let them handle Armstrong's confession.
Fern Collier
Jim, the papers are calling this case the Clay pigeon Murders.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Well, that's accurate enough as far as Armstrong is concerned. Fern, he was murdered by six different people and lived to tell about it.
Fern Collier
Jim, just how did they manage that?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
The gun Corbin gave his victims to hold was filled with blanks. In the framed up struggle, Armstrong pulled the trigger himself. But the victims were too frightened to realize that they thought they'd killed Armstrong.
Fern Collier
But when they didn't see anything about the murder in the papers, why didn't they become suspicious?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Because each of the victims paid Corbyn enormous sums to get rid of Armstrong's body.
Fern Collier
Good heavens. No wonder you couldn't get any information from those people when you first went to work on the case. But what about Ripley, Jim? Why was he murdered?
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Ripley? Ripley paid up, but his conscience bothered him and he decided to go to the police and confess. Fern, that was his death warrant. Corbyn killed him.
Fern Collier
Well, it was some setup. I would have been willing to swear that I shot Armstrong.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Well, if you hadn't been so frightened, Fern, you would have noticed that Armstrong didn't bleed when he was shot. Neither did he stop breathing, too. Phenomenal discrepancy.
Fern Collier
I should say so. But somehow when a gun goes off and a man falls over, you just take it for granted you shot him.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
Well, am I right in taking it for granted that you are ready to go to work? We're way behind in our experiments.
Fern Collier
Yes, sir. Gosh, Jim, I'll bet no one ever went through a million dollars as fast as I did.
Narrator/Announcer
All characters, names, places and plots used in the Avenger program are fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincident.
Jim Brandon / The Avenger
This is a thought. A thought, A thought. Remember? Listen for another adventure of the Avenger.
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: The Avenger – The Shot in the Dark
Air Date: March 16, 2026
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
This Golden Age radio drama episode follows Jim Brandon—also known as The Avenger—and his assistant Fern Collier as they unravel a cunning blackmail racket. The story centers around a mysterious “shot in the dark,” a faked murder, and a complex con game involving inheritance, staged violence, and psychological manipulation. Throughout the episode, themes of guilt, deception, and the relentless pursuit of justice are explored in classic radio noir style.
“I think someone’s blackmailing my husband. I don’t know how or why, but I’m certain that he’s in some terrible kind of trouble.”
– Mrs. Ripley [08:28]
“Since the noose is tightly drawn, that means he couldn’t possibly have hung himself. No, this was murder, Inspector.”
– Jim Brandon [12:10]
“Ms. Collier, I can prove that you’re collecting an inheritance that don’t belong to you...Is it worth five thousand dollars to you for me to forget them?”
– Mrs. Ripley [16:54]
“...you had to bump him off to keep him from squawking. Don’t forget that.”
– Armstrong [22:36]
“You shot me!”
– Armstrong [28:58]
“No, no, I didn’t touch the trigger.”
– Fern Collier [29:01]
“The gun Corbin gave his victims to hold was filled with blanks. In the framed up struggle, Armstrong pulled the trigger himself. But the victims were too frightened to realize that they thought they’d killed Armstrong.”
– Jim Brandon [31:56]
On Blackmail and Fear:
“My husband is living in mortal terror of someone. I am sure of it.”
– Mrs. Ripley [08:51]
Revealing Murder, Not Suicide:
“Since the noose is tightly drawn, that means he couldn’t possibly have hung himself. No, this was murder, Inspector.”
– Jim Brandon [12:10]
Sting Setup:
“We’re setting Fern up as a decoy to trap this blackmailing ring.”
– Jim Brandon [15:28]
The Frame Job:
“You could blackmail her for life with evidence like that, couldn’t you, Corbyn?”
– Jim Brandon [29:23]
The Explainer:
“Ripley paid up, but his conscience bothered him and he decided to go to the police and confess. Fern, that was his death warrant. Corbyn killed him.”
– Jim Brandon [32:26]
The Shot in the Dark is a tightly constructed episode demonstrating the hallmarks of a classic radio detective story: suspense, psychological games, and forensic inquiry. The plot twists cleverly around staged violence and a deep blackmail scam, employing the "fake murder with blanks" device to ensnare greedy and fearful victims. The Avenger’s logic, resilience, and scientific acumen (black light ink, Dictaphones, clever experiments) are on full display. Ultimately, justice prevails—not just through arrest, but through the unmasking of fear and manipulation at the racket’s core.
Tone:
Classic noir, brisk and suspenseful, laced with dry detective humor and steady moral focus.