Carbon-14 by The Man Called X

Summary

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Relic Radio Thrillers – "Carbon-14" (The Man Called X)

Original Air Date: January 25, 1948
Podcast Release Date: March 13, 2026
Host: RelicRadio.com

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Episode Overview

In this classic espionage thriller, Ken Thurston—known as the Man Called X—dives into a tangled web of scientific intrigue and international crime. The episode unfolds at a university near Los Angeles, where radioactive carbon-14 isotopes are vanishing. As Thurston investigates, he uncovers a conspiracy involving greed, betrayal, and the dangerous misuse of nuclear science. “Carbon-14” explores the dual-edged power of scientific discovery: its potential to cure or to kill.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. Opening Mystery: The Call for Help

• [01:58] Physics instructor Bill Wilson desperately calls Ken Thurston in New York, hinting at the disappearance of valuable carbon-14 isotopes. The call is abruptly cut off.
• Thurston’s urgency is clear:
  • "Suppose you offer some inducements, Wilson. Such as, why?" (Ken Thurston, 01:58)
  • "Would it mean anything to you if I said that a lot of it has been disappearing out here?" (Bill Wilson, 02:10)

2. The Stakes of Carbon-14

• [02:45–03:25] Thurston and his chief discuss the critical importance of radioactive isotopes in developing medical treatments and the threat if they fall into the wrong hands.
  • "Chief, they might hold the clue to curing cancer, tuberculosis, any number of bacteriological diseases." (Ken Thurston, 03:05)
  • "So even small amounts of that stuff could be worth a fortune if sold underground..." (Ken Thurston, 03:15)

3. At the University: New Suspects and Deception

• [04:11–07:59] Thurston’s arrival in Los Angeles is plagued by suspicious characters:
  • Carla Rayner (Dr. Sherwood’s assistant) tries to lure Thurston.
  • Pagan Zellschmidt, comic-relief sidekick, reveals he helped arrange Thurston’s entry.
  • An ambulance races to the university’s nuclear lab, signaling immediate danger.

4. Crime Scene Unfolds

• [08:24–09:59] The university’s isotope vault is robbed by fake ambulance attendants, led by the supposedly missing Bill Wilson.
• Dr. Sherwood, initially evasive, is forced to admit the theft.
  • "They have located the storeroom. They have taken the isotopes. Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth." (Carla Rayner, 09:54)
  • "Well, looks like you have to change your story now, doctor..." (Ken Thurston, 10:01)

5. Chasing Shadows: The Investigation Deepens

• [11:18–13:41] Thurston and Pagan investigate Wilson’s ransacked apartment, receive a mysterious clue ("NC26X13") from Carla Rayner, and deduce its meaning.
• Pagan tries to profit by informing on Thurston, raising suspicion about who’s playing both sides.

6. Showdown with the Conspirators

• [14:03–15:07] Thurston confronts Carla and Professor Udo. Udo brandishes a gun, revealing their full involvement in the theft.
  • "And if you wish any more answers, perhaps this gun can speak for both of us." (Professor Udo, 14:17)
• Thurston is knocked out, Pagan tries to rescue him, and the plot thickens.

7. The Smoking Gun (and Ambulance)

• [15:38–16:28] In Carla's garage, Thurston and Pagan discover the stolen ambulance—and inside, the murdered Bill Wilson.
  • "It's Bill Wilson. And this time there's no doubt about it. He's really dead." (Ken Thurston, 16:21)

8. Final Pursuit and the Airplane Clue

• [16:54–18:14] The clue ("NC26X13") leads Thurston and Pagan to an airplane filled with stolen isotopes awaiting illegal export.
  • "Those things are full of radioactive isotopes." (Ken Thurston, 17:58)
• Carla Rayner appears, explaining her attempt to help Wilson, but reveals she’s in over her head.

9. Climax: The True Mastermind Revealed

• [19:23–20:17] Dr. Sherwood attempts to flee with the isotopes. Thurston foils the plan, confronting Sherwood as the real mastermind.
  • "You're not taking me. I'll kill you first. Those isochopes are mine, I tell you. They belong to me!" (Dr. Sherwood, 20:05)
  • Thurston disarms him, and the police arrive.

10. Moral Resolution

• [20:20–21:04] Thurston reflects on the theme: the peril and promise of scientific discovery.
  • "There can't be a choice these days. Just like those isotopes, it's kill or cure. And believe me, that's something we'd all better remember. All of us." (Ken Thurston, 20:38)

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On science’s promise and peril:
  • "They might hold the clue to curing cancer, tuberculosis... It's kill or cure. And believe me, that's something we'd all better remember. All of us." (Ken Thurston, 03:05 & 20:38)
• On the nature of espionage:
  • "When you chase wild geese, the geese usually get shot, not the hunters." (Ken Thurston, 03:44)
• Comic relief:
  • "It's just dark in here. Like my Uncle Ahmed." (Pagan Zellschmidt, 17:45)
• Climactic tension:
  • "You're not taking me. I'll kill you first. Those isochopes are mine!" (Dr. Sherwood, 20:05)

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Important Timestamps

• 01:58–02:45 – Bill Wilson’s desperate phone call sets events in motion
• 03:05–03:15 – Explanation of carbon-14’s medical value and global stakes
• 09:54–10:01 – Revelation of the isotope theft and Bill Wilson’s involvement
• 14:11–14:21 – Udo and Carla Rayner unmasked as conspirators
• 16:21–16:28 – Discovery of Bill Wilson’s body
• 17:58–18:14 – Thurston and Pagan discover the stash of isotopes in the airplane
• 20:05–20:10 – Dr. Sherwood’s breakdown: “They belong to me!”
• 20:38–21:04 – Thurston’s closing moral reflection

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Tone and Style

The episode balances tense drama with moments of levity, featuring quick-witted dialogue, identity twists, and race-against-time suspense. Ken Thurston’s calm determination and dry humor contrast with Pagan’s bumbling enthusiasm, while the tone underscores Cold War anxieties about science and security.

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Conclusion

“Carbon-14” is a quintessential Cold War-era thriller, blending mystery, science, and moral questioning. The Man Called X’s investigation exposes the dangers of scientific greed and the tension between self-gain and the greater good—reminding listeners that in an atomic age, ethical choices are more urgent than ever.

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Transcript

[Relic Radio Host]

Relicradio.com presents stories of mystery and intrigue, espionage and suspense. Hear tales of ticking time bombs, mysterious crime scenes and cloak and dagger action. This is Relic Radio Thrillers. Welcome back to Relic Radio Thrillers. Back this Friday with more from the Man Called X series that debuted over CBS stations in 1944 and aired until 1952. By that time it had moved to NBC radio stations. Over 200 episodes were produced. The one we'll hear Today is from January 25, 1948. It's titled Carbon 14.

[Announcer]

You're twice as sure. With two great names, Frigidaire and General

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Motors,

[Announcer]

Brigid Eyre presents Herbert Marshall as the Man Called X. Wherever there is mystery, intrigue, romance in all the strange and dangerous places of the world, there you will find the Man Called X. More Frigidaires serve in more American homes than any other refrigerator. And now frigidaire presents herbert marshall as ken thurston. The man called x. University near Los Angeles looks peaceful and serene on its oak studded acres. But in a small office in the physics building, a man is making a long distance call to New York. A call that could affect the lives

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

of millions of people. Hello? Hello, is that you, Mr. Thurston? That's right. Who's that? My name is Bill Wilson. I'm a physics instructor out here at the university. You don't know me, but things are happening out here that. Mr. Thurston, you've got to fly to Los Angeles today. Oh, suppose you offer some inducements, Wilson. Such as, why? Have you ever heard of carbon 14? Carbon 14? What about it? Would it mean anything to you if I said that a lot of it has been disappearing out here? Go on, Wilson. Well, I'm afraid to talk freely over the phone, Mr. Thurston, but I can tell you this. The carbon fort. Wilson, what's happened there? Hello, Wilson, can you hear me? Hello? Hello? Hello, Wilson, what's wrong? What's happened?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Hello?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Hello? What is it, Ken? Something wrong, Chief? What do you know about carbon 14? Carbon 14.

[Announcer]

Let's see. A radioactive isotope.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

That. That's right. One of the common elements they've been treating with active uranium.

[Announcer]

Sure, sure. Been using mistresses, haven't they, to determine the cause of certain diseases?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Chief, they might hold the clue to curing cancer, tuberculosis, any number of bacteriological diseases.

[Announcer]

No wonder they're called miracle workers of science.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Yeah. We've only been able to make them for a year or so, and so far their use has been limited to this country. So even small amounts of that Stuff could be worth a fortune if sold underground most anywhere in the world.

[Announcer]

Sure, sure. But what's all this got to do with that phone call?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I don't know yet. What that guy said before we were disconnected. Maybe I better go to the west coast and find out.

[Announcer]

Now, wait a minute. You can't go chasing cross country on the strength of an unfinished phone call from a man you don't even know. Nothing but a wild goose chase.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Chief, when you chase wild geese, the geese usually get shot, not the hunters. I'm flying out to la.

[Announcer]

Attention, please.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Passengers arriving on Flight 7 from New York may claim their baggage just off the terminal entrance.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Passengers from New York, Flight 6.

[Carla Rayner]

I beg your pardon, sir. My cigarette. Could you be kind enough to furnish me with a light?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Right.

[Dr. Sherwood]

Sure.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Here you are.

[Carla Rayner]

Thank you, sir. Thank you.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Here. That's okay. You can keep.

[Carla Rayner]

Excuse me, I. I noticed that you just arrived here in Los Angeles on that flight from New York. You have been so kind. I lost with all my tobacco. I thought perhaps I might reciprocate.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Oh, forget it. Excuse me.

[Carla Rayner]

Perhaps you do not have transportation. This airport, you know, is quite some miles away from things. I have my car. Perhaps I could assist you.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

No, that won't be necessary, thanks.

[Carla Rayner]

But I am driving out toward the university.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

The university?

[Carla Rayner]

Yes. If by any chance you are going in that direction, we might have a very pleasant trip together.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

What makes you think I'm going in that direction?

[Carla Rayner]

Why, nothing, sir. But if you are, it would cost me no inconvenience, I assure you.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I would be. Yeah. Thanks for your offer, but I'm. I'm making other arrangements. Maybe I'll see you around sometime. Yes.

[Carla Rayner]

Yes, perhaps you shall. Mr. Thurston?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

My name is Ken Thurston. I believe you were paging me.

[Dr. Sherwood]

Oh. Oh, yes, sir, this Vanieri wishes to speak with you.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

What young lady?

[Dr. Sherwood]

How do you do, Mr. Thurston? Well, I'm Carlo Rayner. I must apologize for having you paged in this fashion, but I did not wish that foreign man to see me talking with you.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Oh, why not, Ms. Rayner?

[Dr. Sherwood]

It was at Dr. Sherwood's request.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Dr. Sherwood?

[Dr. Sherwood]

As he said of the Nuclear Research Department at the university. I'm his assistant and he sent me to meet you.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

It's my nice one.

[Dr. Sherwood]

But I still did not want any of the staff to know that you are arriving. Mr. Thurston. The foreign man is Professor Udo of the department.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Udo? I see.

[Dr. Sherwood]

My car is waiting outside, Mr. Thurston. Shall we go?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

No, Miss Reynold. I don't think so.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Really?

[Dr. Sherwood]

Is there some reason why you do not wish to go with me?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

There is simple reason. I didn't tell anyone, including Dr. Sherwood, that I was coming to Los Angeles. Bye, Ms. Rayner. Oyohoo.

[Dr. Sherwood]

Oyohoo.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

What? I'm a pagan Zellschmidt.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Hello, Mr. Thurston. Welcome to sunny California. Hop into my jalopsy and I'll take you right back there.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Take me right where? Pagan? The university.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Where else? See, Mr. Thurston, I was temporarily embarrassed.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

For fun, no?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Yes. And this Bill Wilson offered me a job getting acquainted with his professor, Udo.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Udo? Why was Wilson interested in him? Pagon?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

He didn't tell me. Only that I should really case the guy. You understand.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

How'd you make out?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

I didn't even get the third base. Now, who can understand that man? Such a terrible axe in his gut. So I told Mr. Wilson to call you and all. I wanted a small commission for getting you the job.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Yeah, thanks. How come you knew when I was arriving?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Oh, Dad, I was skipping with Ms. Brooks over the long distance telephone. She told me about your reservations. Accidentally, of course.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Oh, sure. And you told everyone in earshot. Pig on ior.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Look, look, Mr. Thurston. There's the Nucleus building of the university. Must be something plenty important going on there, hey?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Could be important enough to cure millions of people who are dying unnecessarily.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Gee, Mr. X. Yeah?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

You better pull over and let that ambulance get past. Boy, it runs us down.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Smart guy thinks just because he's got a tin whistle, he can. Hey, look. He's going right to the nucleus building.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Yeah. Someone must be heard in there. Keep going.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

But I thought you said the stuff in there chewed people.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

You can cure them, Pagan. Or kill him. Step on it. Sorry to welcome you to my office under such circumstances, Mr. Thurston, but one of our workers carelessly exposed himself to radiation from some isotopes. Even a tiny speck of those radioactive elements can prove deadly, you know. So I understand, Dr. Sherwood. Bill Wilson was telling me about him. Bill Wilson? Then you knew him? Knew him? Sounds like he's dead. Well, frankly, Mr. Thurston, he may be. Wilson has supplied the university with a mystery worthy of Sherlock Holmes. What's the story? Yesterday morning, Carla Rayner, my assistant, thought she heard shots from Wilson's office. But when she entered, it was empty. A window was open, there was a blood stain on the floor, and Wilson was gone. He's been missing ever since. You seem to be missing a number of things around here. Dr. Wilson. Isotopes. Isotope? We're missing no whites at hoops. Where did you ever get that idea? I don't know, doctor. Well, I won't take up any more of your time. Hurston.

[Announcer]

You hear that?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Somebody's trigger happy out there. Let's get going. The ambulance. Well, look, Thurston, that's.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Why, that's Dr. Sherwood.

[Dr. Sherwood]

Dr. Sherwood.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

What is it, Carla? What's happened out here?

[Dr. Sherwood]

Those men in the ambulance, they were fakes.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

What's that?

[Dr. Sherwood]

They have located the storeroom. They have taken the isotopes. Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Good Lord. Well, looks like you have to change your story now, doctor. Yes, and I'll have to change my story about Bill Wilson too. Wilson? What do you mean? He isn't missing any longer, Thurston. He was driving that ambulance.

[Announcer]

And now to continue with Frigidaire's Man Called X starring Herbert Marshall. The nuclear research laboratory of a university near Los Angeles. Radioactive isotopes are being used precious new tools of science. But shortly after Ken's arrival, the isotope storeroom is looted by an ambulance crew apparently led by the missing physics instructor, Bill Wilson. It's now an hour later, a steady rain is falling as Ken and Pagon stand in the night dark and shadows in front of an apartment building.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Nobody's home at Mr. Wilson's seat.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I didn't expect anyone to be. So you didn't.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Then why'd we come here in the first place?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

You see what a dead man who drives an ambulance can tell us about missing isotopes, huh?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Hey, hey. The door was open.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Go in.

[Carla Rayner]

Look at this joint, Mr. Thurston.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Boy, what a mess. Scrambled up like eggs, eh?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Yeah, there was anything to find here. Somebody's beaten us to it. Relax, you idle the telephone.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

But who'd be calling us here?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

You were silly. Hello, Bill.

[Dr. Sherwood]

Thank heavens I found you. Have been searching for you if ever. Listen to me, Bill. I have that number that you asked me to check on. It is NC26X13. Have you got it?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

NC26X13. Yeah, I have it, Connor. Thanks.

[Dr. Sherwood]

You are welcome, Mr. Thurston.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Short conversation, eh, Mr. Hicks?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

That was long enough, Pagon. For now, I'll continue it in person.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

You mean you're going to this Carla Reiner's house?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Who's that?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

You realize, of course, it's running raining very hard that she lives way out in cold water canyon. Sure. So you need a car to get out there. And by a strange coincidence, because we drove it up here, my car's outside. So for a slight consideration of course, I shall be very happy.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Hagon. I wouldn't think of troubling you. There's a cab stand at the corner. But.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

But Mr. Thirst. How do you like that? After all he's done for me all these years, I get the brush up, huh? All right. Well, maybe he don't appreciate me, but there's other people. Yeah, I'll show him a couple of things or two. Hello. This is Pagan. Pagan Zellschmidt.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Yeah.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

I got news for you. Mr. Thurston's on his way to Carla Reiner's house. That's right. Huh? Oh, don't worry about that thing. I'll stick to him like a bleach. For my usual consideration, of course.

[Dr. Sherwood]

Come in, Mr. Fist.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Thanks, Carl. Nasty night out, isn't it?

[Dr. Sherwood]

Is it?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Yeah. I noticed your car's parked outside. You going somewhere?

[Dr. Sherwood]

I dislike talking at cross purposes, Mr. Thurston. What is on your mind?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Radioactive isotopes and Bill Wilson.

[Dr. Sherwood]

I have nothing to tell you about either.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Too bad. I have a couple of theories I'd like your advice on.

[Dr. Sherwood]

Theories?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Yes.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Bill Wilson could have called me in New York and faked a couple of shots to alibi himself so he could disappear and not be connected with the stolen isotopes. Huh?

[Dr. Sherwood]

And what has this to do with me?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

That's my second theory. You could be working with him and helping him hide out. What do you think of him, Carla?

[Carla Rayner]

You do not have to answer that, Carla.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Well, Professor Udal? That is correct, Durst.

[Carla Rayner]

And if you wish any more answers, perhaps this gun can speak for both of us.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I'll rest my case for a while, Udal.

[Carla Rayner]

Very sensible, Carla, my dear, we have work to do. The research building. Dr. Sherwood wishes us to start preparing new isotopes at once. It will give us another opportunity for action.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

How about including me in your plan, Zal? But you are included, my dear.

[Carla Rayner]

Thurston,

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Wake up. Wake up, Mr. Thurston. Please wake up. Oh, it's all my fault, Mr. Thurston, which is dead. If I hadn't told that he was coming here. Speak to me, Mr. X.

[Dr. Sherwood]

Please speak to me.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Say something.

[Dr. Sherwood]

Anything.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I ought to wring your neck.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Oh, Mr. X. You're not dead after all. Not even subconscious.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I heard you sneak in here after Carla left me with Udo and I gave you a chance to hang yourself. Who was it you tipped off about me?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

I'd be very happy to tell you, Mr. Thurston. Only I don't know, Pagon. I swear by the father and my father, Mr. Thurston. I just called the number Mr. Wilson gave me and somebody answers the next morning. There's cash in my mailbox, that's all.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

That number you call isn't NC2 2 6x13 now, is it?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Huh? NC what?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

All right, skippy, let's get out of here.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Hey, you're going the wrong way, Mr. Thurston.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I didn't park in garage, nor did Tyler. That's why I want to look in there. Yeah, let's look inside.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Plenty dark in here, Mr. Thurston. I can see a thing.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Could be a light switch. Yeah. Where?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Mr. X, there's an ambulance in here.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

The ambulance Pagan, huh?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

You mean the one that robbed the atom building?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Yeah. Let's look inside.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Nothing in it. Nothing in it. Look, it's empty.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Whoever pulled this job moved the isotopes out of here first.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

That cutie Carla. That's the one.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Did she Pega? Look forward into the driver's seat.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Driver's seat. What can be, Mr. X? It's. It's Bill Wilson.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

And this time there's no doubt about it. He's really dead.

[Dr. Sherwood]

Attention please. Flight 7 for Chicago and New York making up on ramp C. Flight 7 on ramp.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Mr. Thurston, please, won't you tell me what are we doing here at this airport in the middle of the night?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Looking for a DC3 Pega.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Huh?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

A twin engine transport job, huh? This one.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

What's the difference between that one and the other airplane?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

The number on the wing.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

The number on the. Hey, it's NC 26613. That's the number that cutie Carly gave you over the phone.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Yes, those license letters. NC with a tip off. They told me what the number meant.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

So that's why you were calling all these airplane fields from the hotel.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Right. Now we've found it. Let's get aboard.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Hey, what if somebody sees us?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Never mind that. Come now, let's go back and look at the cargo compartment.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Yikes. It's just dark in here. Like my Uncle Ahmed.

[Carla Rayner]

So.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Oh, that flashlight helps.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Yeah. There's the reason we came aboard.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

You mean all those little boxes?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Little boxes? Those things are full of radioactive isotopes.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Oh, but why isn't somebody here to guard them?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

That'd attract too much attention.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Oh, sure, but what are they doing here?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Waiting for somebody to fly them out of the country?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

They are. But why should anyone want to do that?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Because somebody wants a few million dollars. Doesn't care how many lives it might cost.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

A few million, Mr.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Freshman.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Not that I want to sound monetary, you understand, but why don't we latch on these radium things and scram to Mexico ourselves?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Somebody's coming aboard.

[Carla Rayner]

So what?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

We could split with them. Maybe I'll make a deal with them

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

and get paid off like Bill Wilson.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Mr. Thurston, you turned off the flash. He's coming this way. Oh, it's coming to this hold.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Hello, Carla.

[Dr. Sherwood]

What are you doing here?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Checking up on some missing isotopes and a theory.

[Dr. Sherwood]

I see. And now you think you have proved it.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I proved. Still another one, Carla. Wilson got scared when somebody fired at him in his office and he hid out. You were trying to help Wilson get to the bottom of this matter.

[Dr. Sherwood]

Oh, yes, that's right, Ken. Only he didn't tell me.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

But the person you suspected found Wilson's hideout before you did the results in your garage.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Yes, Ken.

[Dr. Sherwood]

Yes, that is the real answer. They had given me a lead on a license number of a plane. This one. That is why I came out here tonight, to see if we.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Mr. Rex, somebody's at the wheel. We're going to take off.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I thought it was about time. Let's go up forward. Sorry, Doctor. There'll be no takeoff tonight. Why? Thurston. Yeah? Let's cut these switches. You're not going anywhere. Well, I. I hope you have an explanation for this, Thurston. Sherwood, you're the one who's going to need explanations about the isotopes aboard this plane. Are you crazy? Wilson's the one you're looking for. Or Professor Udo. It won't wash, Sherwood. Wilson's dead. Or your men parked him to cover up for you. And Udo was helping Connor.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

But he knocked you out, Mr. Ed.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Only because he wasn't sure of me. He wanted to play it safe.

[Dr. Sherwood]

Look, Art. Ken, he's got a gun.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

That's habit, Sherwood.

[Dr. Sherwood]

No. No.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

You're not taking me.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

I. I'll kill you first. Those icious hopes are mine, I tell you. They belong to me. They belong to me.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

The gun. Drop it away. That's better. I said it was all over, Sherwood.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Well, Mr. X. Listen. Another ambulance.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Not this time, Pagon. The police. Sherwood, you made a bum choice when you decided to use nuclear science for your own profit. Because there can't be a choice these days. Just like those isotopes. It's killer cure. And believe me, there's something we'd all better remember. All of us.

[Announcer]

Now, Frigidaire star Herbert Marshall.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Thanks for being with us. And I'd like you to know that Carla tonight was played by Kathy Lewis. Next week, our story is called One Way to Macassar. And it's one I don't think you'll want to miss because it's packed full of excitement and mystery. As usual, Leon Velasque will be along in the role of Pagon Zelschmitt. So join us, won't you, when next I return as the Man Called X. Good night.

[Announcer]

Brigidaire's Man Called X is directed by Jack Johnstone with music composed and conducted by Johnny Green. Tonight's story was written by Sidney Marshall. So until next week, same time, same station. This is Wendell Niles speaking for Frigidaire. Made only by General Volcano. All characters and incidents used on this program are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons or incidents is purely coincidental. Remember, every Sunday night brings you two popular dramatic shows on cbs, the Man Called X and the Adventures of Sam Spade. Yes, for the best in entertainment, tune in and stay tuned in to cbs, the biggest show in town. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Relic Radio Host]

There's more from the Man Called X, Relic Radio Thrillers and all of the other podcasts at the website. Relic Radio radio.com you can donate through that website as well if you'd like to help support this and all of the shows. That's it for this week. Thanks for joining me. I'll be back again next Friday with our next episode of Relic Radio Thrillers.