Keep Chromite Mine Operating by Dangerous Assignment

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Keep Chromite Mine Operating"

Dangerous Assignment – Relic Radio Thrillers

Original Air Date: September 6, 1950
Podcast Release: May 8, 2026
Host: RelicRadio.com
Starring: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell

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Overview

This episode of Dangerous Assignment plunges the listener into a classic tale of espionage and suspense in the post-war Balkans. U.S. agent Steve Mitchell is assigned a vital mission: to keep a strategically crucial chromite mine operating despite deadly sabotage, mysterious deaths, and looming cross-border conflict. What begins as an investigation into murders shrouded by superstition soon reveals a web of betrayal threatening an entire region.

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Major Discussion Points & Story Progression

1. The Assignment and the Mine

• [02:03] Steve is given his mission by the Commissioner: travel to a small, tense Balkan country and investigate grisly murders of mine workers—strangely, each found "hanging at the end of a chain."
• The mine is essential for chromite—a mineral vital to steel production. Its operation supports both U.S. interests and the local economy.
• [02:52] Steve's first contact, Getnik the mine foreman, is found dead—the latest victim.

2. Local Legend and Village Paranoia

• [05:18] Quote: "He did not believe in the curse of the castle. He found out too late. It is true." —Mrs. Getnik
• There is talk of a castle atop the mountain and a "curse" involving death by chains, breeding mass hysteria among mine workers and villagers.
• [06:02] We’re introduced to Lubo, the only figure holding the village together.

3. Ambush and Arrival in Dravna

• [06:54] Steve’s car comes under sniper fire near the village. The shooter turns out to be Magda, Lubo’s fiercely protective fiancée, highlighting the climate of suspicion and fear.
• [08:48] The villagers, led by Lubo, exhibit deep mistrust of outsiders—set against a backdrop of recent unexplained deaths.

4. The Theories and Tensions

• [10:44] Lubo dismisses the “curse,” suspecting political motives: "someone is using the legend... for his own purposes."
• Tensions with a neighboring, unfriendly country loom large; sabotage and possible invasion feel imminent.
• Lubo’s solution has been to replace fleeing workers with new ones from the city, but morale is collapsing.

5. Castle Exploration and Mistaken Identity

• [11:49] Steve investigates the deserted castle—setting of local superstition and center of recent mysteries.
• He’s ambushed and nearly strangled, only to discover his attackers are military border patrol under Lt. Siska, mistaking him for a spy.
• [15:22] Quote: "A shot fired on the border is not good. From such things as that, an incident can be manufactured." —Lt. Siska, emphasizing the delicate international situation.

6. A Village in Crisis

• [16:40] Another murder: Lubo’s grandfather, the village blacksmith, is found hanging by a chain. The remaining villagers panic—most flee.
• [18:09] Quote: "How much is a dream worth?" —Lubo, reflecting his idealistic motives for staying.

7. Impending Invasion and Betrayal

• [19:41] Reports confirm enemy troops and artillery are massing for an attack, set to move through the mountain pass.
• Lubo rallies his remaining "men," planning to defend the pass from the castle with surprising stores of weapons.

8. Double-Cross Revealed

• [21:12] A major twist: Lubo has set up the village for betrayal. The weapons are pointed the wrong way, and Lubo unmask himself as a fifth columnist working for the enemy.
• [22:03] Quote: "Both of you will be hanged from those chains. The curse of the castle, you know. Quite fitting, isn't it?" —Lubo
• Lubo would have the incoming government troops decimated with artillery, using radio signals to direct enemy fire.

9. Steve’s Daring Counter

• [24:05] Steve uses the chains set aside for him to subdue their guard, bolts for the castle tower, and overpowers the radio operator with Siska.
• He cleverly radios the enemy artillery, giving corrections so shells land near the castle, convincing Lubo and his men to flee.
• [26:34] Quote: "I'm zeroing in that artillery onto this castle." —Steve Mitchell

10. Climactic Resolution

• Lubo attempts escape, only to be shot and killed by Magda—devastated by his betrayal of her and their country.
• [28:07] Quote: "Yeah, Lubo's girl. Or I should say ex girl. Looks like she finally tumbled to him." —Steve Mitchell
• Steve notes that even perfect strategy can be undone by the unpredictable: "No, I mean a woman." [28:50]

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Danger is my assignment... They all spell the same thing though. Trouble." —Steve Mitchell [01:34]
• "Oh, I'm sorry." —Steve, learning of Getnik’s murder [05:15]
• "If you don't [turn around], you'll get shot in the face. Maybe you'd like that better, Brother." —Magda [07:54]
• "Someone is using that legend... for his own purposes." —Lubo [10:56]
• "A dream of a small boy who grew up in this village... and came back here to help make that dream come true." —Lubo [18:10]
• "Your enemy, Siska. My friends." —Lubo, revealing his allegiance [21:29]
• "You see, Lubo thought he had everything figured out, but he ran into one thing nobody can figure out." —Steve Mitchell [28:49]

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Key Timestamps for Crucial Developments

• [02:03] Assignment & Mine background
• [05:11] Discovering Getnik's death
• [06:54] Attempted assassination by Magda
• [10:56] Political/superstitious motives debate
• [15:22] Border post explanation—political sensitivity
• [16:40] Blacksmith’s murder; villagers’ panic
• [17:38] Lubo reflects on his motives/dream
• [19:47] Troop movements and looming invasion
• [21:12] Lubo's betrayal unmasked
• [24:05] Steve’s plan with chains
• [26:04] Shelling the castle
• [27:53] Lubo’s fate—shot by Magda
• [28:49] Steve’s closing remark on unpredictability

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Tone & Style

The episode embodies the taut, suspenseful spirit of mid-century radio thrillers. Dialogue is clipped and urgent, laced with dry humor (Steve’s wisecracks), heavy with fatalism, and punctuated by memorable lines. Superstition, patriotism, fear, and betrayal weave through a tightly plotted story where action and intrigue rule.

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Conclusion

"Keep Chromite Mine Operating" stands as a classic Dangerous Assignment yarn: what seems a simple investigation spirals into murder, espionage, and a desperate defense against invasion. As always, Steve Mitchell manages to outwit villains, but not without a few bruises and casualties along the way. The real emotional kicker: the personal betrayal and heartbreak for Magda, whose shot puts an end to Lubo—and to the mystery behind the "curse of the castle."

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. On this week's show, we join Brian Dunleavy as Steve Mitchell in Dangerous Assignment as he keeps the chromite mine operating. His story from September 6th of 1950. The series aired over NBC stations from 1949 to 1953 and produced 167 episodes.

[Announcer]

Wheaties presents Dangerous Assignment. On stage tonight from Hollywood. Dangerous Assignment. Another in the Wheaties big parade of exciting half hour presentations. Dangerous assignment. Starring brian donlevy as steve mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, danger is my assignment. I get sent to a lot of places I can't even pronounce. They all spell the same thing, though. Trouble. But when I walk into the commissioner's office, I don't realize that this assignment's gonna end up with me trying my best to blast myself right out of existence. Good morning, Commissioner.

[Commissioner]

Good morning, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, what kind of a deal are you sending me on this time, Commissioner?

[Commissioner]

Steve, ever hear of chromite?

[Steve Mitchell]

Chromite?

[Lubo]

Sure.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's the mineral they use and manufacture steel, isn't it?

[Commissioner]

Yes, and right now we need all the chromite we can get. Take a look at this map, Steve. See this small country in the balcony area?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yep.

[Commissioner]

There's a large chromite mine there near the small village of Dravna, up in the mountain, near the border, right beside this pass into the next country. These two countries, incidentally, are pretty unfriendly right now.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, great. One of those deals, huh?

[Commissioner]

Yes, but the point is we've made an agreement with this small country permitting us to operate mine. We get chromite and our money helps put them back on their feet.

[Steve Mitchell]

That sounds like a cozy little arrangement.

[Commissioner]

It was until things started happening recently.

[Steve Mitchell]

What kind of thing?

[Commissioner]

In the last week, two mine workers have been found hanging at the end of a chain.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, Sounds like somebody doesn't want us to operate that mine.

Commissioner.

[Commissioner]

Steve, there's more to this story than I've told you, but I want you to hear it firsthand.

[Steve Mitchell]

Who from?

[Wheaties Man / Frank Martin]

A man named Getnik.

[Commissioner]

He's the mine foreman and he's waiting for you in the city of Llano. That's where your plane lands. Now get over there, Steve. Find out who's behind all this and then smash them. We've got to keep that mine operating. Well, that's it. You've got your assignment.

[Steve Mitchell]

Good luck.

[Announcer]

Dangerous Assignment will continue in a moment. Now, here is the Wheaties man, Frank Martin.

[Wheaties Man / Frank Martin]

Making beds or making money? Get your energy when you need it. First thing in the morning. You know, you do most of your day's work before noon. Most people do. That's why you want to try Breakfast of Champions and see what a difference it can make in your morning. Wheaties and milk and fruit. Have some. Because here's whole wheat energy to help work go smoother, faster, easier. Here are whole wheat vitamins, minerals and protein too. Here's generous nourishment because there's a whole kernel of wheat in every Wheaties flake. Yes, there's a whole kernel of wheat in every Wheaties flake. That's why Wheaties have so much for folks with things to do and places to go. That's how Wheaties can do so much for you. Tomorrow morning, get yours. See yourself how Wheaties at 7 can help at 11.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure.

I've got my assignment. All I have to do is fly to a trouble spot in the Balkans, talk to a mine foreman named Getnik and find out why a few assorted mine workers are winding up with chains around their necks.

I get all the easy ones.

Well, it's Tuesday when my plane lands at Larno and I head for Gepnik's house.

[Mrs. Getnik]

Yes?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, are you Mrs. Getnick?

[Mrs. Getnik]

Yes. What do you want?

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm Steve Mitchell from the United States. I'd like to talk to your husband.

[Mrs. Getnik]

Why?

[Steve Mitchell]

Why? I understand he's the foreman of a chromite mine up in the mountains near the village of Dravna. I'd like to talk to him about the things that have been happening up there lately. The men that they found hanged by chains.

[Mrs. Getnik]

I'm afraid my husband cannot tell you much about that, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Why not?

[Mrs. Getnik]

This morning he was found hanging from the end of a chain, dead.

[Steve Mitchell]

What? Oh, I'm sorry.

[Mrs. Getnik]

You are sorry? That is nice. I am sorry. And Anton is dead. He did not believe in the curse of the castle. He found out too late. It is true.

[Steve Mitchell]

What do you mean, the curse of the castle?

[Mrs. Getnik]

Above the mine, right on top of the mountain, stands a deserted castle. The legend is that one day, hundreds of years ago, the baron who lived there was found hanging from a chain make curse on those mountains ever since.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Look, Mrs. Gettnik, that kind of a legend is something that superstitious mountain villagers like to scare each other with on winter nights. But you living here in the city, surely you don't.

[Mrs. Getnik]

I was born in those mountains, Mr. Mitchell. Those are my people.

[Villager / Townsperson]

I tell you that curse still lives.

[Mrs. Getnik]

Were not for Lubo, they would have all moved out of the village by now.

[Steve Mitchell]

Who's Liubo?

[Mrs. Getnik]

The brave man? Yes, and a good one. Is he alone, who has been able to keep the other villagers from fleeing?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, thank you very much for your information, Mrs. Gettnik. I think I'll go up to the

village in the morning and see what

I can find out from Lubo.

[Lubo]

I see.

[Mrs. Getnik]

You are like the others, Mr. Minshull.

[Steve Mitchell]

What others?

[Mrs. Getnik]

Those who did not believe in the curse, like my husband. So go ahead. Go to the village of Dravna. Laugh at the curse of the castle.

[Magda]

And then one morning, they will find

[Mrs. Getnik]

you, too, dangling from the end of a chain.

[Steve Mitchell]

And on that cheerful Note, I leave Mrs. Getnik. The next morning, I rent a car

and head up through some rolling hills

toward the village of Drowna. Two hours later, I come to the top of a rise. In the distance, perched on top of a mountain peak, I can see the

castle and the village below it.

I start down the rise, enjoying the peaceful view. And then things stop being peaceful all of a sud. The shot blows out the front tire and the car starts careening down the grade. I fight for control a few seconds, but I'm getting nowhere. Then I spot a bank, and I plow into it. I dive out of the car and start running across a meadow for cover. There's a clump of trees a hundred yards away. If I can make it, I'll be okay. Then another slug kicks up the dust two feet ahead of me. I try another direction again, a shot ahead of me. I start running back to the car. This time the slug hits only a foot in front of me. The sniper's got me zeroed in, and by this time I've got a healthy respect for his aim. So I stand still and wait. Pretty soon, a slender figure starts down

the hill toward me, wearing heavy boots

and a leather jacket and carrying a rifle with a telescopic sight.

[Magda]

Gung Boo.

[Steve Mitchell]

What? Hey, you're a girl.

[Magda]

Let that give you confidence. I shoot straighter than most men.

[Steve Mitchell]

You're telling me. What's this all about?

[Magda]

Turn around.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, I've got no longing to be shot in the back.

[Magda]

I said turn around. If you don't, you'll get shot in the face. Maybe you'd like that better, Brother.

[Steve Mitchell]

You're a determined little lady, aren't you? Okay, turn around. It is all right.

[Magda]

Now walk.

[Wheaties Man / Frank Martin]

Where to?

[Magda]

Straight ahead. You will see. Where? When the time comes. Move.

[Steve Mitchell]

So I move.

She marches me up the road toward the village. Much to my surprise, an hour later, I'm walking down the one and only

lonely street with a little sniper shooter's

rifle still in my back and all the villagers lining the street staring at me. I don't like what I see in their faces either.

Fear and suspicion.

Finally, we get to a blacksmith shop

at the end of the street.

Inside, there's an old gent whacking away at a piece of metal. And sitting on a crate in a corner, there's another man, younger and very rugged looking. And right now he's giving me a very cold stare. The old gent stops hammering as soon

as he spots us.

[Lubo]

Oh, Magda, where have you been? I have been worried about you.

[Magda]

I have been on watching the hills, grandpapa, and see what I have caught.

[Lubo]

Who is this man, Magda?

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, I don't know what this is all about, but.

[Mrs. Getnik]

Silence.

[Lubo]

Let Magda speak.

[Magda]

He is a stranger and he was approaching the village.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, this is a crime, brother. You folks are really short on hospitality, aren't you?

[Lubo]

Evil things have been happening here in our village, stranger. We want to know about everyone who comes here and why.

[Steve Mitchell]

So you send your granddaughter out to have a little target practice, huh? Magda went without my knowledge.

[Lubo]

My fiance is devoted to the preservation of our village. Unfortunately, her zeal sometimes is greater than her sense.

[Magda]

But Lubo, you yourself told me that.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wait a minute. She called you Lubo?

[Lubo]

That is my name. Why?

[Steve Mitchell]

And you're the guy I came here to see.

[Lubo]

So who are you?

[Steve Mitchell]

Steve Mitchell.

[Lubo]

I do not recognize the name.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, maybe you'll recognize these credentials of mine. Better take a look at them.

[Lubo]

Yes, indeed, I do recognize them. We owe you an apology for our rudeness.

[Steve Mitchell]

Ye Bo.

[Magda]

I don't understand.

[Lubo]

Mr. Mitchell is a representative of the United States, my dear.

[Wheaties Man / Frank Martin]

He's here to help us.

[Lubo]

I am sorry for the reception Magda gave you, Mitchell. With what has been happening here, our entire village is on edge.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, no harm done. Only I'd hate to have your fiance shooting at me if she really meant to hit me. I'll bet you're one guy who will never step out of line.

[Magda]

Please.

[Lubo]

Yes, I am afraid I would not last long. But come, Mitchell, we will have a drink and I will tell you all I can about our trouble.

[Steve Mitchell]

So the whole village is pretty panicky, huh, Lubo?

[Lubo]

Yes, I think they would all like to leave, but as long as there is an ounce of strength in my body, they will not.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, from the looks of you, there's more than an ounce. You're the one boy who's holding them together right now, I take it.

[Lubo]

They seem to look at me as a sort of leader. Perhaps because I am one of the few villagers who's been away to school.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, what's your theory about what's happening? These guys getting hanged by chains.

I've heard the curse of the castle.

[Lubo]

But, Mitchell, I think that someone is using that legend, that curse, for his

[Steve Mitchell]

own purposes, I say. Any idea who that might be?

[Lubo]

Well, our relations with the neighboring country just over the mountains are not what one would call friendly. We believe in freedom. They do not.

[Steve Mitchell]

I get it.

[Lubo]

That mine is the symbol of our strength. I will keep it operating if I have to.

[Steve Mitchell]

How are you going to operate it if you don't have enough workers?

[Lubo]

I will continue to do as I have done for the last month. Each time there is a murder, some of the mine workers quit and leave the village. So I go down to the city and bring more workers up here. Men who are unafraid.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, that's a good plan, as long as you can keep finding new men. You know, I'd like to take a look at that castle. How do I find it?

[Lubo]

Follow the trail up to the top of the mountain. You cannot miss it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, I'll check with you later, Lubo.

I head along the trail up the

mountain to the castle. It perches there on the ridge, just

like a giant vulture overlooking the mountain

pass between the two countries. I push open a creaky metal door and go inside. There are cobwebs all around the place, and a couple of bats make passes at my head.

From the looks of the place, it isn't hard to see why the villagers think it's haunted.

I start outside. Then I freeze. There's a faint sound, like a clank of metal. The pleasant picture of me hanging at the end of a chain suddenly flashes through my mind. I try to shake it off. Then I hear the clank again.

And this time I know it isn't my imagination. I whirl around, but just then, something hard wraps around my throat. I try to get my hands up to it, but I can't. It keeps getting tighter. Everything's swimming in front of my eyes. I try for one more breath, but I don't like it. The floor comes up at me fast and hits me right in the face.

[Announcer]

Steve Mitchell will continue his dangerous assignment in just a moment.

[Wheaties Man / Frank Martin]

You know, tomorrow can be a real nice day. The sun can seem shinier. The air can seem crisper. The grass can seem greener. And you can get More enjoyment out of living. If you want to break into that day with a bowl full of Wheaties. That's what I said. Wheaties with milk and the kind of fruit you specially like. Or Wheaties with milk and no fruit. Or just Wheaties. You think that's going pretty strong on Wheaties, but I really it isn't. Because Wheaties are whole wheat. And what a powerful lot of whole wheat Wheaties are. There's a whole kernel of wheat in every Wheaties flake. That's why a bowl full of Wheaties pops with so much high stepping day. Brightening energy. Energy right after you get up from the breakfast table. Energy all morning long. Wheaties have it and it's for you. Whole wheat goodness. Of course, you don't have to think about vitamins and minerals when you eat those Wheaties. Just pass that milk, fill that bowl, pull up a spoon and get Wheaties happy. It's the easiest thing in the world to do, spooning into sunny whole wheat Wheaties. Try em for an awfully nice start on that nicer day I've been talking about tomorrow. See for yourself how Wheaties at 7 can help at 11. Breakfast of champions. And that's a promise. Indeed it is.

[Announcer]

Now back to dangerous assignment and Steve Mitchell.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri, drag his body over here behind the wall.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Very well.

[Commissioner]

So.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Oh, he's starting to recover. Here are some papers I found in his pocket. Let me see them. Steve Mitchell, United States agent. What?

[Dimitri]

Dimitri.

[Steve Mitchell]

What?

[Lieutenant Siska]

How could we have known in the dark?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, my throat.

[Dimitri]

Mr. Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

Who are you?

[Dimitri]

Lieutenant Siska of the military.

[Steve Mitchell]

Military?

[Lieutenant Siska]

Yes, My men and I are the border patrol here.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wait a minute. Are you the guys who choked me a few minutes ago?

[Lieutenant Siska]

Hey. The regrettable incident for which I apologize.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh great, not again.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Again?

[Steve Mitchell]

You people really make a guy who's trying to help you feel right at home.

[Lieutenant Siska]

I am indeed sorry. But you must understand that we are right on the border here. And with this situation as it is, we can take no chances. Everyone found in the vicinity of the pass is under suspicion.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, instead of half strangling me, you might have fired a shot over my head or something. I'd have been very happy to cooperate.

[Wheaties Man / Frank Martin]

No.

[Lieutenant Siska]

A shot fired on the border is not good. From such things as that, an incident can be manufactured. An incident which might be used as an excuse for an attack upon us. But come.

[Dimitri]

In order to show you hold no

[Lieutenant Siska]

grudge against me, please you must come back to the village and we drink together.

[Steve Mitchell]

Huh? You know, that's a real quaint custom you've got in this country.

First you half kill a man and

then you buy him a drink. Well, I'm in favor of the second part of it anyway. Let's. The village looks pretty deserted, Lieutenant.

[Dimitri]

Yes, with this talk of the curse

[Lieutenant Siska]

of the castle, everyone keeps to their own house at night. Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Lieutenant Siska. Oh, it is Lubo and Magda.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Come quickly.

[Steve Mitchell]

Where?

[Magda]

To Grandfather's blacksmith shop.

[Dimitri]

What is the matter, Lubo?

[Lubo]

I do not know, Siska. A moment ago, a small boy ran through the street, screaming.

[Steve Mitchell]

Screaming what?

[Magda]

The blacksmith shop. The blacksmith shop.

[Villager / Townsperson]

That's all he said.

[Steve Mitchell]

Here we are

[Wheaties Man / Frank Martin]

all dark.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey, what's that sound?

[Dimitri]

I have a flashlight.

[Lieutenant Siska]

There.

[Magda]

There is no one here. Where is Grandpapa Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

Look overhead. What, brother?

[Mrs. Getnik]

Ooh.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Hanging from the rafter by a chain.

[Villager / Townsperson]

Grandpapa, no. Grandpapa.

[Steve Mitchell]

Lubo leads Magda away, and Siska and I get the body down. By the time we get outside, the whole village is turned out by torchlight.

Lubo is trying his best to hold them together, but it's easy to see he's fighting an uphill battle.

[Villager / Townsperson]

Who will they kill next? You superstitious fools. Listen to me. Whoever is murdering our people is doing it to disunite us. So we will not be able to operate the mine.

[Villager]

We are leaving now.

[Villager / Townsperson]

We are leaving. No, no, do not go. Listen to me. Listen to me.

[Lubo]

Well, I suppose we are beaten, Mitch.

[Steve Mitchell]

Most of the villagers took a powder, huh?

[Lubo]

As you saw.

[Steve Mitchell]

How many men do you figure are left in the village?

[Lubo]

As far as I can tell, only those which I have brought to replace the villagers who fled after the other murders.

[Villager / Townsperson]

Ah.

[Lubo]

Well, in the morning, I will go back down to the city and find more replacements.

[Steve Mitchell]

You're really all out on this deal, aren't you?

[Lubo]

Yes, I am. As you say, all out.

[Steve Mitchell]

Why?

[Lubo]

That is a good question. Why indeed? Sometimes I wonder how much is a dream worth.

[Steve Mitchell]

A dream?

[Lubo]

A dream of a small boy who grew up in this village, who saw great possibilities for a happy, peaceful, prosperous life. This village? A boy who went away to study, to learn, then came back here to help make that dream come true.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see.

[Lubo]

But what is the good of burdening you with my dreams? I want to go.

[Dimitri]

Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, Lieutenant Siska.

What's the matter?

[Dimitri]

Trouble.

[Lubo]

What could be more trouble than we have already had? Siska, this.

[Dimitri]

One of my men just returned from

[Lieutenant Siska]

across the border on a scouting mission.

[Dimitri]

He reports a large column of troops heading toward the pass. Yes, yes, they should reach their entrance to the pass in two hours. And further. He says they are Setting up artillery at the foot of the mountain on their side, the thing we have all feared has happened at last. We will be attacked.

[Wheaties Man / Frank Martin]

Invaded, no.

[Lubo]

We may be attacked, yes, but invaded, no. Have you already heard the colonel in the city, Siska?

[Dimitri]

Yes, just now. He is dispatching a brigade of troops. They should arrive shortly after dawn.

[Lubo]

Then I will round up what men and weapons there are in the village. We will try to hold the pass in the castle against the enemy until our troops arrive.

[Steve Mitchell]

How much further to the pass, Siska?

[Dimitri]

A hundred feet ahead of us is a point from which we can look down into it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Brother, it really gets cold up here.

[Lubo]

Yes.

[Dimitri]

What time is it, Mr. Mitchell? 4:00am Already it is starting to get light. The enemy troops will probably arrive at their side of the pass in another hour.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, and your troops from the city won't be here for two more hours. I still don't see how Lubu and

his boys can hold the pass till then.

[Dimitri]

Stop here and I think you will see there. Now, observe the pass. Anyone attempting to come through from the other side must pass through the narrow part directly below us. A handful of men stationed here and in the castle above us can prevent

[Lieutenant Siska]

that passage or at least delay it

[Dimitri]

for several hours, with luck, until our troops arrive.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I see it now. But speaking of the handful of men, where are they?

[Dimitri]

Lubo must have taken them all to the castle.

[Mrs. Getnik]

Come.

[Dimitri]

He's probably giving them their orders. Then we will send some of them to the pass and keep the rest in the castle, which will serve as an observation for.

[Steve Mitchell]

You know, you boys seem to have this deal pretty well worked out.

[Dimitri]

Oh, Lubo has rehearsed it many times.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, here we are. You know, this castle gets gloomier every time I see it.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Ah, here are Lubo and his mates. I've been waiting for you.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey, you got a lot more weapons here than I figured. Rifles, machine guns, grenades. You got the works.

[Lubo]

I've been collecting them for some time.

[Dimitri]

Yes, even I did not realize you had so much.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Lubo, I.

[Lubo]

What is the matter, Siska?

[Lieutenant Siska]

You have made a mistake.

[Lubo]

Have I?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, the machine guns.

They're pointing the wrong way towards your

end of the pass.

[Lubo]

You are quite right. But let me assure you, this is no mistake.

[Dimitri]

What? Plumo? What do you mean?

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm afraid I get it too late.

[Lubo]

Too late indeed, Mitchell.

[Dimitri]

Fifth columnist. Then all this time you've been working with our enemies.

[Lubo]

Your enemy, Siska. My friends.

[Dimitri]

You dirty, traitorous. Stop.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, it's a pretty neat deal, Luba. Every time you murdered a villager Several of them left in a panic. Then you went to the city and

got your own stooges to replace them.

[Mrs. Getnik]

Exactly.

[Dimitri]

You will not last long when our brigade of troops get up here.

[Lubo]

Lubo, you underestimate me. Up in the tower of the castle is one of my men with radio equipment is in contact with artillery on the other side of the mountain and will spot for them as your troops pass Ziska. They will be cut to pieces by artillery fire.

[Steve Mitchell]

Got it all figured out, haven't you, Luba?

[Mrs. Getnik]

Completely.

[Lubo]

Even to the fate of Siska and yourself.

[Steve Mitchell]

What do you mean?

[Lubo]

Observe the two lengths of chain on the floor near you. After you have had the dubious pleasure of watching a complete victory for my cause. Both of you will be hanged from those chains. The curse of the castle, you know. Quite fitting, isn't it? Gentlemen,

[Announcer]

You will hear the conclusion of dangerous assignment in just a moment. First, here is the Wheaties man, Frank Martin.

[Wheaties Man / Frank Martin]

If you're a mother or a father with a warm spot in your heart for pink cheeked, happy eyed youngsters, here's something you should know. Good food builds good health and Wheaties are good food. Now I don't know what you've been doing about the breakfast for the kitties, but. But did you know there's a whole kernel of wheat in every Wheaties flake with a sunny wholehearted goodness of field grown wheat? In every flake with a full strength of whole wheat. Vitamins, minerals, proteins in every flake.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's true.

[Wheaties Man / Frank Martin]

Whole wheat in all its richness. That's what you furnish when you fill the cereal bowl with Wheaties. Don't slip up. See that they get Wheaties crisp, sunshiny, good. Pour on the milk, but on the fruit and know the youngsters are getting all that whole wheat can give. Do that now. Wheaties breakfast of champion.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, along about now I'm looking like a real poor insurance risk.

According to Louvle, as soon as his artillery finishes blasting Siska's troops out of existence, Siska and I are due for the wrong end of a chain. Glover and his boys are lined up at the windows waiting for the first

sight of the brigade, leaving an armed guard stationed in front of the door which leads up to the tower.

And one look at that guard's face tells me he'd like nothing better than to give that itchy trigger finger of

his a workout in our direction.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Mr. Mitchell, what can we do?

[Steve Mitchell]

I'd sure like to get to that radio up in the tower.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Yes, so we could warn our troops,

[Mrs. Getnik]

but how can we do it?

[Lieutenant Siska]

The door is 10ft away from us. And that guard would shoot us down the minute we started for him.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I know. I. Wait a minute.

[Lieutenant Siska]

What is it?

[Steve Mitchell]

Those lengths of chain on the floor near us. The one Liubo's reserved for us.

[Lieutenant Siska]

What about them?

[Steve Mitchell]

One of them is only a couple of feet from me. Look, try to shield me from the guard's eyes while I get a hold of it.

[Lieutenant Siska]

You. You think you can hit the guard with it from here?

[Steve Mitchell]

You got any better ideas? No, but Ubo and the others have their backs turned to us. It's our only chance. Did the guards see me take that step?

[Wheaties Man / Frank Martin]

No.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, I've got hold of the end of the chain. Now, when I yell, flatten yourself against the wall and I'll whip it at him. If it works, we dive for the door and bolt it behind us. Then we head for the tower.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Very well. I'm ready now.

[Dimitri]

You got him.

[Steve Mitchell]

Quick, inside the door. Let's get it bolted.

[Dimitri]

Quick.

[Villager / Townsperson]

All right,

[Lieutenant Siska]

come on.

[Steve Mitchell]

Up the stairs. We've got to work fast.

[Dimitri]

Luba and his men will break down the door.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I know. It'll take them a little while, though.

Those doors are thick.

[Dimitri]

Good.

[Steve Mitchell]

There's another door at the top here.

[Dimitri]

I will close it.

[Villager / Townsperson]

What is the matter?

[Dimitri]

Mitchell? The radio operator?

[Magda]

Yeah.

[Dimitri]

Wait.

[Villager / Townsperson]

You are not to be here.

[Lubo]

Hand over that walkie talkie.

[Dimitri]

Buster.

[Magda]

No.

[Steve Mitchell]

Maybe this hammerlock will convince you.

[Wheaties Man / Frank Martin]

No.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's better.

[Dimitri]

Now we can warn our troops.

[Steve Mitchell]

I got a better idea.

What's the code name of your artillery?

Buster.

Come on, open up before your arm turns into a pretzel.

[Magda]

This.

[Steve Mitchell]

Valley. Valley, huh? Okay, what's Luvo's codename? Hilltop. Please, my arm. Okay, now.

[Dimitri]

Mitchell, he's trying to smash the walkie talkie.

[Steve Mitchell]

I got him. Okay, get on that walkie talkie and call the artillery. Use the code names Valley and Hilltop.

[Dimitri]

I don't understand.

[Steve Mitchell]

You will.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Very well.

[Dimitri]

Hilltop to Valley. Hilltop to Valley.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Over.

[Dimitri]

Valley to Hilltop.

[Steve Mitchell]

Go ahead, Noah. They've probably already got an initial range and deflection. Set on the guns. Tell them to fire one salvo. What? That's right. I want to see where it lands.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Oh, I hope you know what you are doing, Mr. Hilt.

[Dimitri]

Up to valley. Fire one salvo at initial setting.

[Steve Mitchell]

Listen. Global and his boys must have broken down the first door.

They're heading up the stairs.

[Villager / Townsperson]

Open up.

[Announcer]

I'm sorry.

[Villager / Townsperson]

Lubo, what are you doing in there?

[Steve Mitchell]

There's your answer.

Lubo.

[Dimitri]

The salvo landed just below the pass on our side.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, give him this correction, Siska.

Down a thousand yards left about three mils.

[Dimitri]

Down a thousand, left three. Oh, Mr. Mitchell, do you realize what you are doing?

[Villager / Townsperson]

Sure.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm zeroing in that artillery onto this castle.

[Villager / Townsperson]

I can hear you, Mitchell. You are just blubbing.

[Steve Mitchell]

Am I? Send the correction, Siska.

[Dimitri]

But we may be killed if the salvo hits the castle.

[Steve Mitchell]

We're gonna be dead anyway as soon as they break down that door. This is our only chance to scare them away. Send a correction.

[Dimitri]

Hilltop to Valley. Down 1000, left 3, over. Valley to Hilltop. Down 1000, left 3, receive.

[Steve Mitchell]

Listen, Lube was heading downstairs. I guess he got it through his head I wasn't bluffing. Okay, get down on the floor, Cisco,

and try to shield up walkie talkie

as much as you can.

[Dimitri]

Mitchell, this is insane.

[Wheaties Man / Frank Martin]

You're telling me.

[Dimitri]

But just lying here, waiting for the salvo to land.

[Steve Mitchell]

You might try a few prayers while you're waiting. Hold it.

[Wheaties Man / Frank Martin]

Hold on.

[Dimitri]

Mitchell. Mitchell, are you all right?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, just shaken up. I'm gonna take a look out the window. S hit the base of the castle, sister. And it sounds like it hit a few of Lubo's boys too.

[Dimitri]

Look, there goes Lubo running for that jeep.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I guess he's the only one

that didn't get hit.

[Dimitri]

Mitchell, he's heading for the road which leads down the other side of the mountain.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, and us. Without even a slingshot, he will get away. Hey, a rifle shot.

[Dimitri]

Lubo is here.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, brother. Right over the side of the mountain. Well, I guess that's the end of Lubo.

[Dimitri]

But where did the shot come from?

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, kneeling beside the pass. Down there. There's your answer.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Why, it is Magda.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, Lubo's girl. Or I should say ex girl. Looks like she finally tumbled to him.

[Dimitri]

Yes, he killed her grandfather and betrayed her country.

[Lieutenant Siska]

She killed him.

[Steve Mitchell]

Pretty fitting.

[Dimitri]

But Mr. Mitchell will be not out of trouble yet.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I think with us spotting for that artillery, there's not much chance that they'll hit your troops. Matter of fact, if you wanted to be real cruel about it, you might arrange to have them drop a few shells on their own troops. I think that'd slow up the advance until your boys get to the pass. Yes.

[Lieutenant Siska]

Yes, I think that might be arranged.

[Dimitri]

So the traitor Lubo did not have

[Lieutenant Siska]

the victory he planned.

[Steve Mitchell]

No, I guess not. You see, Lubo thought he had everything figured out, but he ran into one thing nobody can figure out.

[Lieutenant Siska]

You mean your strategy?

[Steve Mitchell]

No, I mean a woman.

[Announcer]

Dangerous assignment. Starring Brian Dunleavy as Steve Mitchell is written by Bob Wright with music composed by Basil Adlam and conducted by Ralph Hollandeck, and is produced and directed by Bill Karn. Dangerous Assignment will again be heard Wednesday, September 20th at 9pm Eastern Daylight Time. Dangerous Assignment came to you from Hollywood Gildersleeves here with more good times on NBC.

[Relic Radio Host]

There's more Dangerous Assignment Relic Radio Thrillers alongside all of the other podcasts@ Relicradio.com our shoutcast stream is up and running there as well with even more Old Time Radio, and you can donate through that website if you'd like to help support this and all of the shows. Thanks as always to those who have 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.