Invitation To A Murder by The Man Called X

Summary

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Relic Radio Thrillers: “Invitation To A Murder” (The Man Called X)

Original Air Date: October 1, 1951
Podcast Release: May 22, 2026
Podcast Host: RelicRadio.com

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Episode Overview

This installment of Relic Radio Thrillers presents “Invitation To A Murder” from the classic spy adventure series, The Man Called X. Starring Herbert Marshall as international agent Ken Thurston (alias “the Man Called X”), the episode is set against a backdrop of Cold War paranoia and domestic subversion. The story centers on a mysterious wave of destructive rumors—“the big lie”—spreading across the United States and threatening military morale, national unity, and the defense effort. Thurston’s investigation leads him through a tangled web of propaganda, murder, and betrayal as he seeks to expose those manufacturing lies to destabilize the nation.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of “The Big Lie”

• Theme Introduction (00:58 - 01:58)
  • The episode opens by framing the “big lie” as a weapon more insidious than bombs or bullets—an attack on morale and trust through misinformation.
  • Quote:

    “Of all the weapons of modern warfare... perhaps the deadliest, the most vicious weapon of all, is one that we cannot see nor feel, but the impact can be a thousandfold more destructive. The weapon, the big lie.” (Announcer, 00:58)

Rumors as Weapons

• Examples of Rumor (02:19 - 03:08)
  • Thurston and his Chief recount various false stories causing unrest—minority soldiers used as cannon fodder, soldiers exposed to atomic danger, sabotage in the military.
  • Quote:

    “Yeah, the old story. Play race against race and religion against religion. Throw suspicion on our whole defense program.” (Ken Thurston, 03:21)

The Disappearance of Jack Doyle

• Doyle Goes Missing (04:03 - 05:06)
  • Agents receive a confused phone call from Egon Zellschmidt, reporting that Jack Doyle—a bureau man tracking the rumors—has vanished.
  • A gunshot interrupts the call, escalating suspicion and urgency.

Cafè Arcady and a Trail of Clues

• Ken Thurston in Chicago (06:00 - 08:20)
  • Thurston visits the Café Arcady, encountering Edward de Costa (aka Becker), a man with a subversive past.
  • Undercover, Thurston searches for leads, and the café’s connection to the web of rumors becomes evident.

A Mysterious Night School

• Links To Propaganda Education (09:41 - 15:10)
  • Disguised as a job ad, Thurston finds a pamphlet for Dr. Ralph Townsend’s course on “verbal mass communication” and “the psychology of lies,” which is the likely front for the rumor campaign.
  • Thurston and Zellschmidt break into Townsend’s office, finding Doyle’s body and a web of evidence suggesting Townsend’s deep involvement.

Dead Ends and New Connections

• Background Checks (19:12 - 20:05)
  • The Chief provides background on suspects:
    • Leo Arkady, Russian expatriate and owner of Café Arcady.
    • Edward de Costa (alias Becker), former pro-German propagandist.
    • Dr. Townsend, ex-psychology professor and psychological warfare expert.
    • Anne Rogers, hotel library operator, cleared for top secret work—her connection seems innocuous at first.
  • Clues lead Thurston to a ship previously used for engine testing, key due to oil traces found on Doyle.

The Unmasking of the Rumor Factory

• Climax in the Ship’s Engine Room (26:00 - 28:30)
  • On the ship, Thurston unmasks Anne Rogers as the ringleader of the operation, with de Costa as her enforcer.
  • Betrayal, shootouts, and the unraveling of the plot ensue.

Memorable Quotes:

• On lying as a weapon:

  "They're lies. They're so big that people believe that there must be some truth to them. We've got to stop them." (Ken Thurston, 13:05)

• On Rogers' downfall:

  “That's the puzzling thing about people like her. Frightening. With everything this country has given to them, they still sell themselves on the idea that another country is better. Why can't they realize that that's the biggest lie of all?” (Ken Thurston, 28:46)

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Notable Moments with Timestamps

• The Threat of the “Big Lie” (01:00)
• Disappearance and gunfire in Chicago (04:03 - 05:06)
• Confrontation at Café Arcady (06:00 - 07:37)
• Discovery of Dr. Townsend’s Propaganda Course (09:41 - 10:09)
• Shootout and discovery of Jack Doyle’s body (14:53 - 15:10)
• Showdown on the rumor factory ship (26:00 - 28:30)
• Ken Thurston’s final reflection on patriotism and deception (28:46)

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Quotes & Character Moments

• Ken Thurston On Propaganda (13:05):

  “They're lies. They're so big that people believe that there must be some truth to them. We've got to stop them.”

• Comic Relief:
  Egon Zellschmidt’s confusion and opportunism bring levity to the dark plot, exemplified by:

  “Look, Mr. X, I'm tired. Why don't we stop chasing wild gooses and on Lux over a couple short beers?” (Egon, 12:32)

• Anne Rogers’ Reveal (27:00):

  “How did you find out, Mr. Thurston? Clairvoyance or sheer genius?” “Simple arithmetic. Diesel oil and diesel engines add up. And you helped me prove it at Arcady's Cafe.” (Ken Thurston, 27:00)

• Ken’s Final Message (28:46):

  “That's the puzzling thing about people like her... Why can't they realize that that's the biggest lie of all?”

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Episode Structure / Timestamps

• 00:11 - 00:58: Series and episode introduction
• 00:58 - 01:59: The “big lie” as weaponized propaganda
• 02:19 - 03:42: Early spread of destabilizing rumors
• 04:03 - 05:06: The troubling call about Jack Doyle’s disappearance
• 06:00 - 08:20: Thurston’s arrival at Café Arcady, confrontation with de Costa
• 09:41 - 10:09: Discovery of Dr. Townsend’s propaganda course
• 14:53 - 15:10: Doyle’s murder revealed
• 17:00 - 18:51: Dr. Townsend’s confrontation and the police’s arrival
• 19:12 - 20:05: Suspect backgrounds and new clues
• 26:00 - 28:30: The final showdown and revelation of the criminal ring

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Tone & Language

The episode blends classic noir sensibility with mid-century paranoia. The tone is serious, urgent, and occasionally leavened by the wisecracking of Egon Zellschmidt. Ken Thurston remains calm, sharp-witted, and patriotic throughout his investigation. The dialogue is clipped, witty, and heavy on period-appropriate espionage jargon.

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Conclusion

“Invitation To A Murder” stands out as a snapshot of postwar anxieties: fear of subversion, the destructive power of propaganda, and the perils of internal division. The story’s detective arc illustrates both the danger and allure of “the big lie,” with Ken Thurston exposing not only saboteurs but also questioning why any American would betray their nation. The tightly-plotted drama, memorable characters, and clever twists make it a quintessential old-time radio thriller.

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Transcript

[Narrator]

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. This week on Relic Radio Thrillers, we'll hear from the Man Called X series that debuted over CBS Radio in 1944. It aired until 1952. By that time, it was heard over NBC radio stations. Over 200 episodes were produced. One we'll hear today is titled Invitation to a Murder. This one aired October 1, 1951.

[Announcer]

Listen to 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. Of all the weapons of modern warfare, those that have gained the greatest notoriety are the guided missiles, the death dealing germs, the terrifying atomic and H bombs. But perhaps the deadliest, the most vicious weapon of all, is one that we cannot see nor feel, but the impact of which can be a thousandfold more destructive. The weapon, the big lie. A widow in a modest New York apartment receives a mysterious telephone call.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

I got it from a guy who was drafted at the same time.

[Miss Brooks]

Just thought you ought to know, they're

[Chief]

sending his son overseas right away and

[Miss Brooks]

he hasn't even learned how to fire a rifle. Just thought you ought to know.

[Announcer]

A rumor spreads throughout a minority community in Los Angeles, California.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Yeah, yeah, they're really getting a raw deal. All of your guys in Korea are

[Edward de Costa]

being used as assault troops.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

They get themselves bumped off knocking out enemy positions and the other boys move up without even getting their hair masked. Talk about a raw deal

[Announcer]

in a small town just outside Nami camp in Tennessee.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

The way I heard it, they don't know how good these no atom rockets will work against troops. So they shipped A and B companies out to the proving grounds last week to use them as human guinea pigs.

[Edward de Costa]

They say the hospital's already full of

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

guys dying from atom burns.

So it looks like we're faced with another operation Big lie, Chief?

[Chief]

If you don't think so, Ken, look at these reports. Dallas, New York, Kansas City, San Francisco. The same thing everywhere. Rumors, rumors, rumors.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Yeah, the old story. Play race against race and religion against religion. Throw suspicion on our whole defense program. What's been done about it, Chief?

[Chief]

I've got men assigned to every principal city. So far they've turned up nothing. Not one lead as to where those rumors are coming from. I tell you, Ken, this thing has got me so upset that I.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Excuse me.

[Chief]

Yes, Ms. Brooks?

[Miss Brooks]

A correct call for you, sir, from Chicago. Agent Jack Doyle.

[Chief]

Oh, good. Put him on, please, Miss Brooke.

[Miss Brooks]

Yes, sir. Go ahead, please.

[Chief]

Hello, Jack, what's going on there in Chicago? What have you got for me?

[Miss Brooks]

Hello, Mr. Chief, this is Egon Zeichman speaking.

[Chief]

Aegon, what the devil are you doing on that phone? Ms. Brooks said Jack Doyle was calling me.

[Miss Brooks]

Sure he is.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

What?

[Miss Brooks]

Well, that is, I'm making the call for him, you understand? Only now, I don't know if he meant you or maybe the Bureau of Missing People.

[Chief]

Bureau of Missing People?

[Miss Brooks]

Sure. Who else do you call when somebody's missing for a couple of days or two?

[Chief]

Who's been missing for a couple of days?

[Miss Brooks]

That's right.

[Chief]

Watch rise.

[Miss Brooks]

He's been missing for a couple of days.

[Chief]

Who, you idiot? Jack Doyle?

[Miss Brooks]

No, this is Igon Zellschmidt. What's the matter? Don't you hear so good or something?

[Chief]

Zellschmidt. So help me, if you don't start making sense and fast.

[Miss Brooks]

I'm making sense, Mr. Chief. That's why I'm calling you. Jack Doyle's missing and he told me if it happened to him, I should call you. So here I am.

[Chief]

What happened to him?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Where?

[Edward de Costa]

How?

[Miss Brooks]

I'm glad you asked me that, Mr. Chief. And I can give you the answer right out of my cough. What happened?

[Chief]

Zellschmidt. Zellschmidt, what happened there? Can you hear me?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

What's up, Steve?

[Chief]

There were some shots, Ken.

[Miss Brooks]

Yes, sir?

[Chief]

Get that Chicago operator. See if you can trace that call fast.

[Miss Brooks]

Yes, sir.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

What was Agon tell you about Jack Doyle?

[Chief]

From what I could make out of his double talk, Jack's been missing for a couple of days.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Was he the man you'd assigned to Chicago tracing down those rumors?

[Chief]

Yes, and I haven't had a report from him for a week. And then that call from Zellschmidt.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

I'll get it. Hello?

[Miss Brooks]

I have that information on the phone call from. Oh, it's you, Mr. Thurston.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

That's right, Ms. Brooks. Did you trace that call?

[Miss Brooks]

Yes, Mr. Thurston. It came from a public phone booth in a nightclub, the Cafe Arcady.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Cafe Arcady. Thanks, Ms. Brooks.

[Miss Brooks]

Oh, you're welcome.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Now, I've got one more favor to ask.

[Miss Brooks]

Yes, sir? Your ticket's waiting at the airport. Flight 211 for Chicago.

[Edward de Costa]

Good evening, sir. Welcome to the Cafe Architect.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Thanks. May I have a table, please?

[Edward de Costa]

You have a reservation, sir?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

No, I didn't make one.

[Edward de Costa]

Well, then I'm sorry we won't be able to accommodate you tonight.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Pretty crowded, are you?

[Edward de Costa]

Very, sir.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Well, I'm glad to hear the shooting didn't keep the customers away.

What shooting?

I heard a rumor that a few shots were fired around here early today.

[Edward de Costa]

The rumor was wrong.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Yes, so many of them are sure. There's no table for me. Not even for for old times sake?

[Edward de Costa]

Old times sake? We've never met before.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Oh, sure we have met you. Back in 1940, we had a little run in concerning subversive propaganda and the German American Bund.

[Edward de Costa]

Remember, my name's Da Costa, not Becker. I never had anything to do with the Bund. You got me mixed up with somebody else. Phone for a reservation the next time, mister. We'll be glad to accommodate you.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Thanks. I may take you up on that. Good night, dacosta.

[Edward de Costa]

Good night, sir. Hey, Joe. Joe, take over, will you? I've got business in the office.

[Leo Arkady]

Come in. Good evening, Edward. What brings you into my office so early?

[Edward de Costa]

Trouble, Mr. Ary.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Trouble?

[Edward de Costa]

Just had a visitor by the name of Thurston.

[Leo Arkady]

Ah, yes, Thurston.

[Edward de Costa]

The one we were told was a

[Leo Arkady]

friend of Jack Doyle's. And did he remember also he was an old friend of yours?

[Edward de Costa]

He did.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Is that what brought him here?

[Edward de Costa]

Well, he said he'd heard a rumor about a shooting here.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

I see.

[Leo Arkady]

Edward, I dislike rumors intensely when they might interfere with my business. I think maybe we shall have to do something about Mr. Thurston.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Oh, come into Papa's arms, baby. The drinks are already in. Oh. Oh, it's. It's you.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Expecting someone legal?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Come right in, Mr. X.

[Edward de Costa]

All right.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Now, what are you doing in Jack Doyle's hotel room? What's happened to him? Come on out with him.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Well, the way it happened, Mr. X, I was stuck here in Chicago, temporarily embarrassed, without funds, you understand. When I ran into him, naturally he was so happy to see me, he insisted I shouldn't get out of his sight.

[Chief]

Oh, sure.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Then what?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

He said I could use his room for a couple days. He was going to be out on some job or something. And if he didn't come back, I was to call the Chief and tell him. He didn't, so I called.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

You called from the Club Arcady?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Sure, I was looking for him. He was always hanging around there.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

What were those shots the chief heard?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Oh, so somebody got trigger happy in Mr. Arkady's office. Naturally, I run to the rescue. And you know what happened?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

You got lost in a saloon across the street.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

How did you know?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Never mind. Did Doyle tell you what he was working on? Mention anything about rumors?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Rumors? I am the only rumor he's got he wasn't working on anything. Or why should he go looking for a job?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

For a job?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Sure. I found the want ad he clipped out of the paper. I got it right here somewhere.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Sure.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Here it is.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Let me see that. How to be successful through talk. Learn how to sway people with words. The art of verbal mass communication. Lectures and study groups at moderate cost. See Dr. Ralph Townsend, suite 11B, 161 North Clark Street. Dr. Ralph Townsend.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

See what I mean, Mr. X? He was looking for a job.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

He was looking for something at Townsend's place. Wasn't for a job. Get down.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

What. What was going on? Mistakes.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Somebody shooting at us. Agar from the other wing of the hotel.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

But I didn't hear no shots.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Did you ever hear of a silencer?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Oh, but why would anyone want to kill us?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

I'll see if I can get an answer. Across the court.

[Anne Rogers]

Shooting in this hotel? Surely you Must be mistaken, Mr. Thurston.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

I'm afraid not, Ms. Rogers. Two shots were fired from this wing of the hotel into that room directly across from yours.

[Anne Rogers]

But I didn't hear any. Did. Did you say into the room directly across the court from this one?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

That's right.

[Anne Rogers]

But that's Mr. Doyle's room.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Is it?

[Anne Rogers]

Yes. Yes. Mr. Doyle is a customer of mine. I operate the lending library in the hotel. I've memorized the room numbers of all my regular customers and I.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

But.

[Anne Rogers]

But wait a minute. Why didn't he come to my room?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Jack Doyle has disappeared, Ms. Rogers.

[Anne Rogers]

Disappeared?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Been missing for two days.

[Anne Rogers]

But why would anyone want to kill Mr. Doyle? Or you?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

I was hoping that you might be able to tell me.

[Anne Rogers]

I. But I only know Mr. Doyle is a customer of my library. Why would you think I could possibly know anything about this shooting unless. Unless you believe that the shots came from this room, do you?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Ms. Rogers, I'm merely trying to get the answers to a few questions.

[Anne Rogers]

You've got all the answers you're going to get here tonight, Mr. Thurston. Now, if you don't mind leaving.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

No, of course not. Sorry if I've upset you. Oh, by the way, Ms. Rogers, do you happen to be interested in rumors?

[Miss Brooks]

Rumors?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Yes. Or in the use of words as a method of mass conditioning? Or in a study course in how to talk your way into success.

[Anne Rogers]

Are you being serious?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Very much so.

[Anne Rogers]

I don't even know what you're talking about.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

That book on your coffee table.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Book?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Yeah. The Psychology of lies, written by Dr. Ralph Townsend. Good night, Miss Rogers.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Look, Mr. X, I'm tired. Why don't we stop chasing wild gooses and on Lux over a couple short beers?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Not until we learn what happened to Jack Doylega.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

But we've been driving around all day long all over the city of Chicago, and we haven't learned nothing?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

No, I don't know. In the bowling alley, we learned that our soldiers will freeze in Korea this winter while the army sells heavy clothing for surplus.

[Announcer]

Huh?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

And a waitress in a South side restaurant told us that the Kremlin has a direct pipeline into the atomic labs at Los Alamos. But.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

But those stories don't make sense.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Of course they don't. They're lies. They're so big that people believe that. There must be some truth to them. We've got to stop them.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Well, that's okay with me, Mr. X. But what do we do?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Go to night school.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Night school?

[Miss Brooks]

Yep.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

To take a course from Dr. Ralph Townsend in how to talk our way into.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Oh, this is crazy, Mr. Thurston. Picking locks to get in school. Who ever heard of such a thing?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

You're hearing it now, Eagle. Get a move on.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Okay, okay. So. There.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Now what? Go in.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

At least they got a nightlight burning in that other office over there. I can see what we're looking for. If I only knew what it was.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Filing cabinets. Always a good bet. Let's try them.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Here. What do you know? This one is empty. This one too. Say, what cooks you anyway? Mr. X, don't let Dr. Townsend even keep his lunch in his piles.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Let's try this desk. Hmm. Looks like we got here too late.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

You mean school, sir. That Dr. Townsend took it on a lamp.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

That doesn't make sense. Not unless Jack Doyle was able.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Mr. X. Somebody. Somebody's in that other office. Yeah. Let's get this joint a brush out before he gets mad at arson. The light. He. He turned out the light.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Quiet. Watch it. All right, Pigong, let's go in there. Where's the switch?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Mr. X?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Yes. Jack Doyle.

[Announcer]

We return to the man called X in just a moment. Community chests throughout the country have accepted the responsibility of raising 16 and 1/2 million dollars extra this year for the services included in the United Defense Fund, the USO services to hard hit defense communities and American relief for Korea. This means that each of us must give generously if we're to expect continued help from Community Chest Services. In addition to this extra amount for defense related national services. Normal community demands for local red feather services such as daycare, nursing, family counseling and recreation are rising as the population increases. And the draft and stepped up defense production make themselves felt across the country by eliminating many separate appeals, which would be more costly in money, time and effort. Red Feather Campaign's joint planning and budgeting benefit the contributors, the volunteer workers and the community, as well as those who benefit directly from those services. So remember, when you make your gift to the United Red Feather Campaigns, you are giving to 15,000 local services. Now. Act 2 of the man called x starring herbert marshall. Ken Thurston believes a rumor factory is operating somewhere in Chicago organized to disrupt civilian and military morale and to hamper our defense program. In the offices of a Dr. Ralph Townsend, Ken exchanged shots with an unknown attacker. And now he and Aegon have entered the private office where the shots came from and find themselves looking at the body of Jack Doyle, a missing Bureau agent.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Oh, I don't get it, Mr. X. Why should Mr. Doyle go shooting at us and make you kill him?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

I didn't kill him, Egonistic.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

But look at him. He's as stiff as a poker.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

He's been dead at least three hours. That.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Then who bumped him out? And what happened to the joker who was taking those pot lock shots at us?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

There's a fire escape outside that window.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Oh, that's right. He must have taken a couple of powders. Well, what do we do now, Mr. Thurston?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

May I offer a few suggestions, gentlemen? And my first suggestion is for you to drop that gun.

Sure.

Oh, My second suggestion is that you offer some words of explanation for your presence here and the rather unusual situation in which I find you.

You, Dr. Townsend.

I can conceive of no reason why I should deny it. And you?

My name's Ken thurston.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

And I'm Mr. Egon Selchmidt.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Thank you. Now, shall we proceed with the explanations?

Suppose we make that neutral, Doctor? Now you're telling us why Jack Doyle was killed and why we found him in your private office.

Hardly a reasonable request under the circumstances, is it, Mr. Thurston? Particularly when I expect the answers to those questions to be forthcoming from you.

And if they're not?

Silence may be golden in the copy books, but here in my offices, it might well prove fatal.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Oh, he means that, Mr. Thurston.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Well, do you talk or do I resort to. Excuse me, please, gentlemen.

[Leo Arkady]

And kindly remain quietly where you are.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Townsend here.

[Announcer]

I see.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Thank you very much for informing me. Goodbye. It would appear you are having good fortune tonight, gentlemen. A colleague of mine in the lobby informs me that the police are on their way up. Our respective explanations will have to be given to them.

I'd still like a chance to hear yours in private, Doctor. You think you can arrange that sometime?

I am positive I can, Mr. Thurston. I am positive I can.

[Chief]

Well, couldn't the police help you, Ken?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

They didn't know any more about it than I did, Chief. The tip that sent them to Townsend's office was anonymous.

[Chief]

Anonymous tips, Murder, filthy lying rumors.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

What have you got for me?

[Chief]

Okay, first, the Cafe Arcady, owned by Leo Arkady, ex Russian, came here in 39, suspected of being in the rackets. No convictions, huh?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

What about his right hand man? Edgar Costner.

[Chief]

George Becker. All right. Former German American board member. Served 5 years, less 10 months. No file record since he was released. Changes his name. No file record on Anne Rogers either. But her family was checked and cleared for top secret defense work during the war. The Quarto manufacturing company.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

And Dr. Townsend, former psychology professor with

[Chief]

the OWI during the war. A big wheel in psychological warfare. His record's been checked a half dozen times and it's clean as a whistle.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Ah, well, does it help any camp it my chief. If I could tie any of it in with engines.

[Chief]

Engines?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Jack Doyle had a smear of diesel oil in his shoes and trousers.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Ah, don't be bashful with that caviar, baby. There's plenty more fish in the ocean where that came from. And have a couple more glasses of champagne. Want to drink? And want to watch your bubbles in

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

as long as you're beating that expense account to death, you might pour one for me too, Ego.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

So be glad to. Nothing too good for any friend. Oh, hello, Mr. Thurston.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Do you mind if I join you, Miss Rogers?

[Anne Rogers]

Of course not. Please sit down.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Thanks. How'd you two get together? Just a mutual attraction.

[Anne Rogers]

I came here because of Jack Doyle, Mr. Thurston.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Oh.

[Anne Rogers]

I kept. I kept thinking of what you told me, and I remembered that I'd heard him mention the Cafe Arcady several times. It was a foolish impulse, I suppose, but, well, I just had to come down here to see if I could learn anything about him.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

And did you, Ms. Rogers?

[Anne Rogers]

I'm afraid not. Then I saw Mr. Zellschmidt, the man who'd been sharing Mr. Doyle's room. So when he asked me to join in, I did.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

It was strictly business with me, Mr. Thurston. I got a hunch's cookie nose plenty. So I've been pouring on the champagne until she gives.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Excuse me.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Talks, you understand?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

No sacrifice too great, eh, Egg?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

You said it.

[Anne Rogers]

Excuse me, Mr. Thurston. Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Go Right ahead.

[Anne Rogers]

You asked me earlier if I were interested in rumors.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Yeah, that's right.

[Anne Rogers]

Well, suppose I said that I've heard the Russians are sneaking a bomb components into every major city in the United States to be set off simultaneously on D day. Is that the kind of a rumor you mean?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Did you hear that, Miss Rogers?

[Anne Rogers]

Here tonight?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Remember who said it?

[Anne Rogers]

The man at the third table to the left.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Mr. Thurston. That's Dr. Townsend.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Yeah. Why do you want to be so helpful, Miss? Lodgers?

[Anne Rogers]

Do I need a stronger reason than a man's murder, Mr. Thurston?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

No, I guess not.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Hey, look. That Townsend joker's going into that back room. Do you think he's got business with the boss of this joint?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Might be interesting to find out. A suppose the two of you wait here for me and I'll let you know.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

That's far enough.

[Leo Arkady]

I am quite regretful of the manner in which Edward de Costa invited you to my apartment, Mr. Thurston. Violence was not intended to be employed. Will you accept my apologies before we begin our little talk?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

You're in the driver's seat, arcady.

[Leo Arkady]

Very well, Mr. Thurston. I am an honest citizen. You represent my want of government. That is why I wish to speak with you. To set my record straight with the government. Both you and Jack Doyle have been investigating something in Chicago for some time now. Is it not true that neither of you has uncovered any criminal evidence against me?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Ever hear of a big lie, Arcady?

[Miss Brooks]

Of course.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Well, I heard a very choice one in your cafe tonight.

[Leo Arkady]

I am beginning to see that I have been laboring under a misapprehension, Mr. Thurston. I thought you were here to investigate me on entirely different grounds. But let me assure you that no matter what else you may believe of me, no one can question my loyalty to this country.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

You know, you almost make me believe that, Arkady. Just one thing that stops me. These books and pamphlets on your desk. Looks to me like you've been taking some courses from Dr. Townsend.

[Narrator]

I have.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Why?

[Leo Arkady]

For the simplest of reasons. I am a native born Russian who has adopted this country for my own. I naturally wish to express myself in the best of English. Do I make myself clear?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

I'll give you credit for a good try.

[Leo Arkady]

So, are there any other questions?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

No. Any you'd like to ask me?

[Leo Arkady]

No. Good night, Mr. Thurston.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Good night, Arthur.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

That's right, Mr. Thurston. That Ms. Rogers took a powder. Said she was tired of waiting for you.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Probably combat fatigue. Aegon couldn't take those Popping champagne corks any longer, huh?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

What? Champagne corks?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Oh, skipping. Come on, we've got work to do. Work? Yeah. They're going to visit a factory where they manufacture rumors. There it is. Er, that.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

That's no factory. It's nothing but an old, worn out

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

yard tied to the duck, is it? Let's get aboard. And.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

I don't get it, Mr. X. Why are we climbing down into the middle of this old ship anyway?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

It was used as a proving ground for marine engines during the last war. Diesel engines made by the Quarto Manufacturing Company.

[Chief]

So what?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Remember the oil smears on Jack Doyle's pants and trousers? Huh? Those came from the engine room. Come on.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

That lamp don't give much light, Mr. X. I can hardly see anything in Mr. X. Yeah.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Dr. Townsend.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Boy, that like a doorknob.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Yeah. I'd say he taught somebody all they needed to know about the psychology of the big lie. Agar. That right, Miss Rogers?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Miss Roger.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Where else would you expect to find the boss of the outfit?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Oh, no.

[Anne Rogers]

How did you find out, Mr. Thurston? Clairvoyance or shared genius?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Simple arithmetic. Diesel oil and diesel engines add up. And you helped me prove it at Arcady's Cafe.

[Anne Rogers]

I did?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Yeah.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

You said you hadn't learned anything about Doyle there. Then you tipped your hand when you said your reason for wanting to help me was Doyle's murder. What happened, Anne? Was Doyle killed here, then taken to Townsend's office?

[Anne Rogers]

Yes. Then Townshend was to be killed there too. After we moved all the incriminating evidence to the ship. When you came in off schedule, it upset things.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Hey. Then what are we waiting for, Mr. X? Let's take her along to the Porky.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

It's not that easy, Agar.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Sure she hasn't got a gun.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

That's right. But the guy who shot Townsend has. The guy?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Who? Who?

[Edward de Costa]

He means me. Zellsmith.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Still up to your old tricks, Da Costa? First for the Bund, now for Ann Rogers and her bosses.

[Edward de Costa]

Why not?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

I've got lots of answers for that one, Da Costa. Meanwhile, I better smash that lamp.

[Miss Brooks]

Shoot him, De Costa.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Don't let him beat away.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Shoot him.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Where are you, Thurston?

[Edward de Costa]

You can't get away. Thurston.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Over here.

[Anne Rogers]

Dacosta.

[Miss Brooks]

He's over here,

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Thurston.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Right here. Dhakasta.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

Oh, you.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

You all right?

[Egon Zellschmidt]

How. How can I tell in all this dark? How can I? Oh, that flashlight helps it, Mr. X. That. That cute cookie. What happened to her?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

One of the Costa shots got her by mistake. Oh, well, the rumor factory is finished. But.

[Egon Zellschmidt]

But I don't get it. If her family's got factories and yachts and stuff, what was she doing mixed up in a racket like this?

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

That's the puzzling thing about people like her. Frightening. With everything this country has given to them, they still sell themselves on the idea that other country is better. Why can't they realize that that's the biggest lie of all?

[Announcer]

Now here is our star, Mr. Herbert Marshall.

[Ken Thurston (The Man Called X)]

Thanks for being with us. And my thanks to Shirley Mitchell, Fritz Feld, Ted von Else Sheldon Leonard, Dan o' Herlihy and Stan Waxman. Next week, a malicious job of sabotage in Ankara, Turkey. Sabotage that might well be a threat to the whole free world. Of course, in that category we ought to include. Leon Velasco will be your longest Pagon Zellschmidt. So join us, won't you, when next I return as the Man Called X. Good night.

[Announcer]

The Man Called X, starring Herbert Marshall is a J. Richard Kennedy production with music by Milton Charles. Tonight's story was written by Sidney Marshall. This program is directed by Jack Johnstone. All characters and incidents on this program are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual characters or incidents is purely coincidental. And so until next week, and please consult your local papers for station. This is Jack Latham saying good night for the Man Called X. This is NBC, the national broadcasting Company.

[Narrator]

There's more from the Man Called X, Relic Radio Thrillers and all of the other podcasts at the website relicradio.com if you'd like to help support this and all of the shows, you can donate through the website as well or visit donate. Relicradio.com thanks to those who support us. Thanks for joining me this week. I'll be back tomorrow with the horror and next Friday with our next episode of Relic Radio Thrillers.