Mr. X Goes To Syria by The Man Called X

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Mr. X Goes To Syria" – Relic Radio Thrillers (Old Time Radio)
Episode Released: January 24, 2025
Original Air Date: December 9, 1950
Host: RelicRadio.com
Featured Series: The Man Called X

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Overview

"Mr. X Goes To Syria" is a gripping episode from the classic Old Time Radio series The Man Called X, portrayed by Herbert Marshall. Set against the backdrop of the vast South Arabian desert, this thriller delves into international intrigue involving oil pipelines, smuggling operations, and covert operations. The narrative intertwines suspense, espionage, and action, presenting listeners with a tale of mystery and danger that epitomizes the era's radio adventure storytelling.

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Plot Summary

A Mysterious Crash and A Call to Action ([00:00] - [05:56])

The episode opens with an ominous plane crash near a serene oasis in the South Arabian desert. The pilot, Mr. Jack Buckley, survives the crash and is found in a hospital in Beirut, Syria. The crash is soon revealed to be no accident; Buckley has been murdered, signaling a deeper conspiracy at play.

Ken Thurston, the host and narrator, introduces the dire situation: "Somebody's smuggling in arms into the Arabs... expecting them to do the dirty work for them." The Trans Arabian oil pipeline, vital to the Western hemisphere, becomes the central concern as it is targeted for sabotage.

Introduction of Key Characters and Setting ([05:47] - [12:13])

Mr. X arrives in Beirut, mingling in the Government House Bar, where he meets a cast of intriguing characters:

• Bing Crosby as Stephen Edwards: A suave host planning a house party in Merzois, an oasis pivotal to the oil operations.
• Anthea Marilees as Anthea: Jack Buckley's fiancée, seeking information about his accident.
• Pagan Zellschmidt as Pagan: A quirky associate of Mr. X.
• Hassan Al Kharri: A local figure with connections to both the French Customs Office and the oil industry.

A significant moment occurs when Norbert Lucien, a representative from the French Customs Office, accuses Thurston of smuggling 500 brass watch cases into Beirut under suspicious circumstances, heightening the tension and unveiling the layers of the smuggling operation.

Unraveling the Conspiracy ([12:24] - [20:17])

Mr. X collaborates with Norbert Lucien to understand the broader smuggling network threatening the oil pipeline. The plot thickens as it becomes evident that the plan involves not just watches but also arms and explosives. The characters discuss the vulnerabilities of the pipeline, highlighting the strategic importance of Merzois and its private landing field owned by Stephen Edwards.

A pivotal conversation unfolds in the garden fountain, where Anthea reveals her knowledge about Buckley's murder, implying a connection to the oil pipeline sabotage. The dynamics between Mr. X, Anthea, and the other characters underscore the intricate web of alliances and betrayals central to the narrative.

The Deadly Encounter and Resolution ([20:22] - [28:07])

As Mr. X delves deeper, he discovers that Stephen Edwards and Norbert Lucien are orchestrating the sabotage to undermine the oil pipeline, motivated by personal and political gains. A tense confrontation ensues at the pumping station, where Mr. X confronts the conspirators:

Ken Thurston ([25:03]): "Putting an end to your plan to destroy the tap line, Mr. X."

In the climax, Norbert Lucien attempts to execute his plan to blow up the pumping station but is thwarted by Mr. X. The episode concludes with Thurston reflecting on the dangers posed by individuals who prioritize personal interests over global stability:

Ken Thurston ([27:36]): "We can protect ourselves against the Norbears of this world, but we can't protect ourselves against the selfish and the blind who put their own personal interests above those of freedom."

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Key Characters

• Herbert Marshall as Mr. X: The enigmatic protagonist tasked with uncovering and thwarting the sabotage of the Trans Arabian oil pipeline.

• Jack Latham as Ken Thurston: The host and narrator, guiding listeners through the unfolding adventure.

• Bing Crosby as Stephen Edwards: A pivotal character involved in the smuggling operation, whose façade of hospitality masks his ulterior motives.

• Anthea Marilees as Anthea: Jack Buckley's fiancée, whose involvement reveals critical insights into the conspiracy.

• Pagan Zellschmidt as Pagan: A loyal associate of Mr. X, providing both assistance and comic relief.

• Norbert Lucien as Norbert: A representative from the French Customs Office, initially posing as an antagonist involved in smuggling.

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Notable Quotes

1. Ken Thurston on the Importance of Oil:

   *"[04:20] Ken Thurston: 'That Trans Arabian oil pipeline is vital to us. It's vital to the whole Western hemisphere.'"

2. Anthea Marilees on Risk and Revelation:

   *"[19:51] Anthea Marilees: 'I can tell you, kid. Though I am not certain that I'm going to.'"

3. Ken Thurston's Reflection on Democracy:

   *"[27:36] Ken Thurston: 'We can protect ourselves against the Norbears of this world, but we can't protect ourselves against the selfish and the blind who put their own personal interests above those of freedom. That's where the real danger to democracy lies.'"

4. Pagan Zellschmidt on the Sabotage:

   *"[25:25] Pagan Zellschmidt: 'This no good customer is the one we're after?'"

5. Norbert Lucien's Menacing Declaration:

   *"[26:20] Norbert Lucien: 'The winning of an entire world is worth waiting for.'"

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Themes and Insights

• International Espionage: The episode encapsulates Cold War-era tensions, highlighting the clandestine operations aimed at controlling vital resources like oil.

• Moral Ambiguity: Characters navigate complex moral landscapes, with alliances shifting and true intentions often concealed beneath layers of deception.

• The Fragility of Infrastructure: The vulnerability of critical infrastructure, such as oil pipelines, is portrayed as a strategic weakness exploitable by malicious entities.

• Personal Sacrifice for Greater Good: Mr. X embodies the archetype of the hero willing to risk everything to prevent greater calamities, emphasizing themes of duty and sacrifice.

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Conclusion

"Mr. X Goes To Syria" delivers a compelling narrative that intertwines suspense, strategy, and character-driven drama. Through meticulously crafted dialogues and a tightly woven plot, the episode underscores the perils of international conspiracies and the steadfastness required to combat them. Herbert Marshall's portrayal of Mr. X serves as a beacon of integrity and resilience, navigating the treacherous terrains of both the desert and human treachery. This episode stands as a testament to the enduring allure of old-time radio thrillers, captivating audiences with its blend of mystery and action.

Transcript

[Ken Thurston]

Foreign.

[Jack Latham]

This is Relic Radio. Thrillers, action adventure and intrigue. Every Friday, relicradio.com our story comes from the Man Called X. This week we'll hear Mr. X Goes to Syria. The story aired December 9, 1950. The series debuted over CBS in 1944, aired until 1952. By that time, it was on NBC radio. Over 200 episodes. Here's Herbert Marshall as the man called X.

[Herbert Marshall]

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. But first, listen for a moment to America's famous singing star.

[Bing Crosby]

And now, here's Bing Baggy Pants Crosby.

[Herbert Marshall]

Ken, that type of introduction is entirely uncalled for.

[Bing Crosby]

Well, I'm.

[Ken Thurston]

I'm sorry, Bing, but your clothes are.

[Herbert Marshall]

A little rumpled tonight. A little rumpled? Look, I can tell you why. I had a very rough train trip up from Los Angeles.

[Ken Thurston]

I had a horrible experience.

[Herbert Marshall]

I shared an upper berth with Bob Hope.

[Ken Thurston]

That's the last time I ever get stuck in a berth with Groaning Lisa.

[Herbert Marshall]

Why does you have to have Hope in the berth with you?

[Ken Thurston]

He broke out of his crate.

[Herbert Marshall]

Let's move along to something musical, huh?

[Ken Thurston]

Chesterfield.

[Anthea Marilees]

Chesterfield.

[Ken Thurston]

Always winter's plain that milder mild tobacco.

[Bing Crosby]

Never leaves an aftertaste.

[Ken Thurston]

So open a pack, give em a smell, then you smoke Em.

[Herbert Marshall]

Don't forget to give Crosby for Christmas. Yes, give Chesterfield Christmas cartons with Bing as Papa Santa Claus. It happened on a moonless night near a peaceful oasis on the vast South Arabian desert. One moment, the small, well piloted plane was coming in for a quiet, uneventful landing.

[Ken Thurston]

And the next.

[Herbert Marshall]

The following morning, the pilot of that plane lies in a hospital room in Beirut, Syria.

[Ken Thurston]

Arabs.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Zap Line. Ken, you still there? Ken?

[Ken Thurston]

I'm here, Jack. Go on, you.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Guns, somebody. Sparkling guns. Explosives. Can't let him. Can't let him destroy Tap Line.

[Ken Thurston]

Who's behind it, Jack? Who's smuggling these guns into the Arabs? Who's after the tap Line? Mud.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Red mud.

[Ken Thurston]

What about red mud?

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Red mud. Stop me, Ken.

[Bing Crosby]

Stop.

[Ken Thurston]

Jack. Okay, Jack, I'll see what I can do. Oh, Looking for someone?

[Anthea Marilees]

Oh, why, yes. I was looking for the room of Mr. Jack Buckley.

[Ken Thurston]

You might find that easier by looking for the room numbers above the doors, not by leaning against them.

[Anthea Marilees]

Oh. Oh, yes, I. I see.

[Ken Thurston]

What did you want with Jack?

[Anthea Marilees]

Ms. Anthea Marelies, Antia. I'm Jack's fiance. I have just heard of his accident and I. But you have just been in his room. Tell me, how is he.

[Ken Thurston]

I'm sorry, Ms. Anzia.

[Anthea Marilees]

So he is dead. Jack is dead. So young. So much to live for. And now he has been killed by the hand of fate.

[Ken Thurston]

That's one way of putting it, Ms. Anzia.

[Anthea Marilees]

What do you mean?

[Ken Thurston]

Somebody pumped two bullets into his back. So that's why Jack Buckley wired you.

[Herbert Marshall]

To go to Beirut.

[Ken Thurston]

Can.

[Norbert Lucien]

Somebody's after the tap line, eh?

[Ken Thurston]

Looks like it, Chief. They're apparently smuggling in arms and explosives to some maverick Arab tribes, expecting them to do the dirty work for them. But good Lord, Ken, that Trans Arabian oil pipeline is vital to us. It's vital to the whole Western hemisphere. Chief, when somebody said that oil is the lifeblood of democracy these days, he wasn't kidding. Right. So what are we going to do about it?

[Norbert Lucien]

That pipeline runs through a thousand miles of desert. How can we even start to protect it?

[Ken Thurston]

You can start by tipping off the Saudi Arabian government. They'll put some men to work on it. What about you, Ken? Oh, I'll just relax here in Beirut at the Government House Bar until Pagon arrives. Pagon? Yes, Ms. Brooks told me he was in the waiting room there and my call came through. I'll give eight to five he's listening in on an extension phone right now. If he is, I'll wring his eavesdropping neck for him. Better hold it until he gets back, Chief. I can use him here. What in the world could you possibly use Z for? This is a plenty dirty deal we're mixed up in, and some of the worst come on earth. Are right here in Beirut. I can't think of anybody more at home in this situation than pagon. Thank you, Mr. Here you are, Thurston, effendi. A martini with onion. Thank you. Keep it, James. A thousand thanks, effendi.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

A thousand thanks.

[Bing Crosby]

Very, very funny.

[Ken Thurston]

Waiter.

[Bing Crosby]

Oh, waiter.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Yes, Edwards, effendi?

[Bing Crosby]

Scotch and sword of the young lady and myself. Your best Scotch, you understand?

[Ken Thurston]

Yes, effendi.

[Bing Crosby]

A borough peg for you, Hassan.

[Hassan Al Kharri]

A borough peg, Stephen, if you please.

[Bing Crosby]

It's not what I please, Hassan. You're the one who has to drink this filthy stuff. That right, Marilees?

[Anthea Marilees]

Stephen, darling, on such a wonderful evening as this, I could not disagree with anyone about anything. Not with Hassan over his bora pig. Nor with Mr. Thurston over the onion in his martini.

[Ken Thurston]

I was wondering if you remembered me, Ms. Anzia.

[Anthea Marilees]

How could I forget? Considering the circumstances under which we met, I should like to have you meet two friends of mine. Stephen Edwards and Hassan Al Kharri. Gentlemen, this is Mr. Ken Thurston.

[Ken Thurston]

How do you do?

[Bing Crosby]

American, eh, Thurston?

[Ken Thurston]

That's right, Edwards.

[Bing Crosby]

I suppose you're in the oil business?

[Ken Thurston]

In a way, yes.

[Bing Crosby]

And your recommendations are complete. You're in oil. You're a friend of the Delectable Merrilies. And I'm sure you'll be delighted to attend a house party I'm giving at Merzois.

[Ken Thurston]

Merzoit?

[Hassan Al Kharri]

Yes, a large oasis in the Saudi Arabian desert, Mr. Thurston. Stephen has a home there. It has become a Mecca for those interested in oil. Oh, yes, a quite democratic one, too. Stephen has entertained all classes from King Ibn Saud down to lowly construction engineers such as Jack Buckley.

[Ken Thurston]

I see.

[Bing Crosby]

Well, will you join us at Mizra?

[Ken Thurston]

That will depend on how some business turns out for me here.

[Bing Crosby]

Suit yourself.

[Ken Thurston]

Veston, your drinks are ready. Edward Zofendi. Good.

[Bing Crosby]

We'll have him at that table in the corner. Come on, Merlies. Hassan. This place gets more depressing by the minute.

[Anthea Marilees]

Of course. Stephen, darling, I do hope you will be able to make it to Mirzois Caen. I think you will find it most interesting.

[Hassan Al Kharri]

Yeah, and I should like to express my hope to see you there, Mr. Thurston. Also to add a slight note of warning.

[Ken Thurston]

Warning?

[Hassan Al Kharri]

Yes, one must beware of mirages on the desert. Please do not disregard them, as did Jack Buckley. You see, he was flying to Miswa when the accident occurred.

[Herbert Marshall]

Well, I should like to speak with.

[Norbert Lucien]

Monsieur Ken Thurston, please.

[Ken Thurston]

This is Ken Thurston.

[Norbert Lucien]

Ah, so I have found you in your hotel room at last, monsieur. Well, allow me to inform you, Monsieur and Thurston, that under no circumstances will you be allowed to get away with this outrageous swindle.

[Ken Thurston]

Swindle?

[Norbert Lucien]

What else would you call this? Bare faced attempt to bring 500 empty brass watch cases into Beirut.

[Ken Thurston]

Brass watch case? Just who are you, anyway?

[Norbert Lucien]

My name is Norbert. Lucien Norbert. French Customs Office.

[Ken Thurston]

Ah, that explains it.

[Norbert Lucien]

It does not explain anything to me, Monsieur.

[Ken Thurston]

Are you in your office, Norbert?

[Norbert Lucien]

That is correct.

[Ken Thurston]

Good, then just hang on to Pagan Zilschmidt until I get there.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

But there's nothing to get all excited about, Mr. X. It's all just one big happy mistake.

[Norbert Lucien]

Oh, sure.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

After all, this Arabian desert is pretty tough on watches. Yeah, all that sand and stuff and. And sand. Well, so in case something happened to mine, I brought just a few spare cases.

[Ken Thurston]

500 of them.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

So I'm not an optimist.

[Ken Thurston]

You were optimist enough to ship them under my name, Pega, and figure you could pedal Them to the Arabs as good American watches. It's lucky that Norbert latched onto him.

[Norbert Lucien]

Well, Monsieur Dun, your receipt was a fine. And for the duty paid on the watch cases.

[Ken Thurston]

Give it to Zelschmitt. Mr. Norbert.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

To me what I wanted with this.

[Ken Thurston]

You'll be paying for it out of.

[Bing Crosby]

Your salary, Mr. Thirsty.

[Norbert Lucien]

I trust that this will be a lesson to you, monsieur. An example of our alertness to all attempts at smuggling.

[Ken Thurston]

You do all right with watches, Norbert, but what about guns? Ammunition, High explosives?

[Norbert Lucien]

And what is your interest in all this, Monsieur Thurston?

[Ken Thurston]

I'm interested in oil, Norbert Capline Oil.

[Norbert Lucien]

Ah, oui, I understand. So I would not know of this smuggling of firearms, monsieur, Officially and unofficially. What would you do, Monsieur? We are badly undermanned. There are many long kilometers of uninhabited coastline. On any dark night, a ship could move into shore undetected.

[Ken Thurston]

Yeah.

[Norbert Lucien]

Its cargo could be picked up by plane. There are natural landing fields near practically every large oasis.

[Ken Thurston]

What about Merswar?

[Norbert Lucien]

It has a private field owned by Monsieur Stephen Edwards. And this may be of interest to you, Monsieur Thurston. Not far from that landing field is one of the tap line's main pumping stations.

[Bing Crosby]

Makes it a bit awkward, Thurston, this late decision of yours to come to my party at Mi Zoi.

[Ken Thurston]

Does it?

[Bing Crosby]

Yes. The plane I'm flying is already filled up, but I have another one here in Beirut. You can fly out yourself if you want to tackle it.

[Ken Thurston]

Why not? Good.

[Bing Crosby]

There's radio to clear the field when you're set to come in. And we'll welcome you with open arms and a raised glass.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

You know something, Mr. X? I think I should have stood in New York. I don't like flying. Flying around all over this desert sand and at night.

[Ken Thurston]

Yeah, don't worry about it, Pagon. They told us at my route that Edwards Field is well equipped with lights.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Those jokers. What do they know about anything anyways? 5 hours it took them to put a couple of nuts and bolts in this flying junk.

[Ken Thurston]

Heat. It had a crack manifold.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

If they knew their business, they could have pasted it up or something.

[Ken Thurston]

Cheer up, Pagan. We should almost be there. I'll see if I can raise them. This is Thurston calling Edwards at Merswell. Thurston to Merswell. Can you read me? Over.

[Bing Crosby]

We read you loud and clear, Thurston. We can hear your engine, too. You must be close enough to start setting down.

[Ken Thurston]

You could fool me, Edwards. We can't see a thing from up here.

[Bing Crosby]

I'll have the Landing lights turned on. There's no wind and plenty of Runway, so you shouldn't have any trouble. Happy landings. Over and out.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

We're falling. We're falling.

[Ken Thurston]

Oh, relax, you idiot. We're only going in for a landing.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Landing on what? Who can see anything down there in all that blackness?

[Ken Thurston]

There are the lights now and the Runway's right between them. Now hang on to your hat. We're going in. Take it easy. The wheels will be touchy. Anything? Seconds. Then we could hang on. Pagan. Something's wrong.

[Herbert Marshall]

We will continue with the Man Called X in just a moment. Here's a word from RCA Victor. Only 12 shopping days left till Christmas, but that's not bothering America's snappiest families. They need only one day to select the greatest family gift in history. An RCA Victor complete home entertainment combination. They are pooling their dreams and their money to buy the gift that keeps on giving and giving and giving. Giving not just to one, but to all. Giving not just a day, but every hour, every day, every year. Giving not just RCA Victor radio or recorded music or television, but all three combined in one magnificent cabinet. Why don't you join together and agree this minute to meet each other next Monday at your RCA Victor dealers to choose your matchless RCA Victor radio phonograph television combination. You'll find it costs far less than you'd pay for each instrument separately. You'll find that your RCA Victor combination is the greatest gift each of you ever made to the year round happiness of all of you. Now, act two of the Man Called X. Starring Herbert Marshall. With Leon Velasco as Pagans. Elschmidt.

[Ken Thurston]

UK Go away.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Don't bother me. I just found an angel who's a sucker for empty brass watch cases.

[Ken Thurston]

I'm sorry, Peyton. You're not dead yet.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

I'm not, but after that crash, I gotta be.

[Ken Thurston]

That's what somebody else thought. Come on, let's get out of here.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

What? What happened anyways?

[Ken Thurston]

Somebody threw us a curve.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Huh? Hey, what kind of a Runway is this? Nothing but but sand.

[Ken Thurston]

That's right.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

But that custom guide at Lucien Norbert said there was a good landing field in Mertois.

[Ken Thurston]

There probably is, but this isn't Merzwa.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Please, Mr. X, don't be playing 64 Questions with me.

[Ken Thurston]

I told you someone threw a curvace at Pagon by stringing portable landing lights out in the middle of the desert.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

But what kind of a joker would do a thing like that? Don't he know he he could kill somebody that way?

[Ken Thurston]

He knew it Pagan.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Then why did he.

[Ken Thurston]

Ooo.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Oh, Mr. X.

[Ken Thurston]

Let's start walking. I think we'll find the rest of the answers at Merzois.

[Bing Crosby]

Is that you, Thurston?

[Ken Thurston]

That's right, Edwards.

[Bing Crosby]

What happened? Where's your plane? Why didn't you come into the field?

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Go ahead, Mr. Thurston, go ahead. Tell him a couple of things or two, will you?

[Ken Thurston]

If you didn't know what happened to us, how come you're out in the desert with that halftrack?

[Bing Crosby]

I was worried about you.

[Ken Thurston]

Oh?

[Bing Crosby]

Yes? The lights on my field had shorted and I couldn't get them on. When I tried to call you back, my radio was dead.

[Ken Thurston]

Pretty convenient coincidence, wasn't it?

[Bing Crosby]

I'm not sure I know what you're talking about, Thurston, but I am sure I don't like the way you say it.

[Ken Thurston]

And I don't like to be murdered, Edwards.

[Bing Crosby]

Murdered.

[Ken Thurston]

You wouldn't happen to have any portable landing light gear at me as well, would you?

[Bing Crosby]

As a matter of fact, I did have, but it was stolen.

[Ken Thurston]

Before or after Jack Buckley's plane crashed?

[Bing Crosby]

Before, but I failed to see.

[Ken Thurston]

And that plane he cracked up in, was it one of yours? Was he trying to land at Merswa when he crashed?

[Bing Crosby]

Now look here, Thurston, you're right about all of these things, but I'll be hanged if I'm going to stand here and be cross examined. Wait a minute. Are you trying to say that you've cracked up too? And you think that somebody used fake landing lights in order to get. Both of.

[Ken Thurston]

You're doing all right, Edwards. Why stop now?

[Bing Crosby]

I will see that you're flown back to Bayreuth in the morning.

[Ken Thurston]

What's the matter? Afraid something might happen if I stick around?

[Bing Crosby]

No, but apparently you are. And who knows, Thurston, you may be right. I did promise you a drink when you arrived. Amirswa, Thurston. If you care to join me, I'll be in the bar.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Make mine a triple scotch, Mr. Edwards.

[Ken Thurston]

Sorry, Peylon, you've got work to do.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Work?

[Ken Thurston]

I want you to snoop around here, Talk to the servants, learn whatever you can about smuggling, particularly arms and ammunition.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

But Mr. Rick.

[Ken Thurston]

Get started, Pagon. But.

[Hassan Al Kharri]

So you're playing crashed in. Accidental landing, Thurston. How unfortunate.

[Ken Thurston]

Yes, wasn't it?

[Bing Crosby]

The only trouble, Hassan, is that our unappreciative guest doesn't think it was an accident.

[Anthea Marilees]

But what else could it have been, Stephen?

[Bing Crosby]

Ask Thurston. He's the one with a suspicious mind.

[Ken Thurston]

Let's skip it, Malius. Maybe that crash shook me a little too much. Maybe I'm seeing things around there.

[Bing Crosby]

A change of heart, Thurston? Or a cover up.

[Ken Thurston]

They're your questions, Edwards. What do you think?

[Bing Crosby]

Here's your drink. That discharges my duties as a host. One of the servants will show you to your room when you're ready to retire.

[Anthea Marilees]

Aren't you being a little rude, Stephen?

[Bing Crosby]

Matter of definition, my dear. Let's go to the game room, Hasan.

[Hassan Al Kharri]

Of course, Stephen. Though I do regret Thurston's involvement in this unfortunate matter. It was to be expected, however.

[Ken Thurston]

Was it, Hassan?

[Hassan Al Kharri]

It is only natural that western strangers run into difficulties when they attempt to pry into Middle east affairs.

[Ken Thurston]

See you later, Thurston.

[Bing Crosby]

Coming, Marilies?

[Anthea Marilees]

Stephen, I. I feel badly about.

[Bing Crosby]

Are you coming, Marilies?

[Anthea Marilees]

Yes, Stephen, of course.

[Bing Crosby]

Good night.

[Anthea Marilees]

10. There is a fountain at the rear of the gardens. Meet me there in 10 minutes. Because you are right, Ken. Someone to try to murder you as they murdered Jack Buckley. And I can tell you who that someone is. Sorry to be late, Ken. Stephen is in an ugly mood. Took me longer to get away than I had thought.

[Ken Thurston]

I don't mind waiting. If you can tell me who killed Buckley and why.

[Anthea Marilees]

I can tell you, kid. Though I am not certain that I'm going to.

[Ken Thurston]

Oh, why not?

[Anthea Marilees]

It might place my life in danger too.

[Ken Thurston]

You knew that when you arranged this little meeting.

[Anthea Marilees]

I think it only fair that I be paid for the risk I take.

[Ken Thurston]

So that's it?

[Anthea Marilees]

What else did you think it could be? Died.

[Ken Thurston]

How much? Maldives.

[Anthea Marilees]

$10,000.

[Ken Thurston]

Oh, you don't come cheap, do you?

[Anthea Marilees]

Building the tap line wasn't cheap either. Well, Kate?

[Ken Thurston]

No dice.

[Anthea Marilees]

Meredith, aren't you being rather foolish?

[Ken Thurston]

Styling maybe, But I'd hate to pay out that money and then find that you were the person after me.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Hey, why are we wandering around in this airplane garage anyways, Mr. Ferson?

[Ken Thurston]

I wanted to see what kind of planes Edward was flying out here.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

So you're finding out. So what?

[Ken Thurston]

So he's got four DC3s. Transport planes. Heavy cargo carriers.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Could they carry us back to Beirut?

[Ken Thurston]

They could also carry arms and ammunition, Paygon. And look here. Look at the mud caked on those landing wheels. Red mud. And Jack Buckner said something about red mud. Just a thought. All right, now. Come on, Pago.

[Hassan Al Kharri]

Going somewhere, Hassan?

[Ken Thurston]

What are you doing out here?

[Hassan Al Kharri]

I thought I was going to take a quiet stroll before retiring, but those shots rather upset my plans.

[Ken Thurston]

I don't suppose you know who fired him.

[Hassan Al Kharri]

It was not I, Thurston. If that's what you are thinking. But I did see some shadowy figure slip away in the darkness. You have had your share of difficulties out here, haven't you? Strange that others do not share the same troubles.

[Ken Thurston]

What are you driving at?

[Hassan Al Kharri]

I was merely referring to the pilot of that plane. He's coming in for a landing. And this time the landing field lights seem to be working to the right.

[Ken Thurston]

So you've got good news for me, Norbert.

[Norbert Lucien]

We miss you, Thon. That is so. Those who were smuggling arms into the Arabs have been apprehended a small group of illegal operators in Baruta. So you need have no further concern. Your troubles are over.

[Ken Thurston]

Very considerate of you to fly to Merza with the news, Norbert. You could have radioed me.

[Norbert Lucien]

Ah, but I did not come here merely for that, Monsieur. I am on duty for the customs department.

[Ken Thurston]

Oui.

[Norbert Lucien]

The captured men revealed that they have a cache of arms and ammunition at Le Lacrouge.

[Ken Thurston]

Le Lac Rouge.

[Norbert Lucien]

A small oasis some 15 miles from here. It supplies water to one of the tap line pumping stations.

[Ken Thurston]

How come it's called the Red Lake, Norbert?

[Norbert Lucien]

The color of the water, Monsieur. Caused by some chemical in the soil. The entire shore is of red mud.

[Bing Crosby]

How about it, Norbert? You willing to let us fly to Lacarouge with you?

[Norbert Lucien]

Well, I don't know, Monsieur Edouard.

[Anthea Marilees]

But we are all getting bored with each other's company here. Mr. Norbert, Hassan, Stephen and I. Besides, this way you will have some company on a lonesome cab.

[Norbert Lucien]

Well, I have never been able to refuse the desires of a beautiful woman, Mademoiselle. But what of you, Monsieur Ferston?

[Ken Thurston]

Edwards has a plane ready for me, Novia, to fly back to Beirut. Now that you've got things under control, why should I stick around?

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Boy, am I glad to be going back to Beirut.

[Ken Thurston]

We are not heading for Beirut, Pagan, huh?

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

What do you mean we're not, Mr. X? It's conking up on us. We're going to crash again. Going to crash?

[Ken Thurston]

Not this time. They're just going in for a dead stick landing.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Landing? Landing where?

[Ken Thurston]

On a natural landing field near the shores of the Black Rouge.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

But. But this isn't any lake, Mr. X.

[Ken Thurston]

That's right. It's one of the TAP line's pumping stations.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Pumping stations? What are we going to do at the.

[Ken Thurston]

Hold it. Hold it. Hold it.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Pagon. What is it, Mr. Thirsty?

[Ken Thurston]

Look over there near the main piston shaft. Near the.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Mr. X?

[Ken Thurston]

Yeah?

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

What's going on over there?

[Ken Thurston]

A little plan to blow up this pumping station to Blow up?

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Let's get out of here, Mr. X.

[Ken Thurston]

No hurry. Let's talk it over first.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Talk it over?

[Ken Thurston]

Need any help with that? Nitroglycerin? That's right, Norbert. Sorry if I startled you. I wouldn't want you to drop any of those nitro bottles prematurely.

[Norbert Lucien]

But what are you doing here?

[Ken Thurston]

Putting an end to your plan to destroy the tap line, Mr. X. You mean this?

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

This no good customer is the one we're after?

[Ken Thurston]

That's right, Pagon. Some country was paying him off to wreck the tap line. But when his gang was caught in Beirut, he came out here himself to make one last desperate play to blow up this station.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Hey, wait a minute, Mr. X. This guy wasn't even at Merzwa when we crashed. And he couldn't have taken those shots at us.

[Ken Thurston]

No, but his Arab friends could and they did. They rigged the lights on us and shorted Edward's radio and landing field just as they did to Jack Buckley. What happened, Norbert? Did Buckle learn about your scheme?

[Norbert Lucien]

We. You are quite correct in everything you have said, Monsieur Pearson. Unfortunately, you will not be able to take me back with you, Mr. X.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

He grabbed one of those bottles of TNT.

[Ken Thurston]

Yes.

[Norbert Lucien]

I am about to leave now and I would not advise your shooting to stop me. If you try, we will all be blown up. Perhaps my last desperate gamble did not work. But we have plenty of time, Monsieur Person. The winning of an entire world is worth waiting for.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

He's gone. Mr. Rex is gone. We gotta do something. We're gonna do something.

[Ken Thurston]

No hurry, Pagan.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

But he's got an explosion stuff with him. Maybe he'll use it now to blow us up. Maybe he'll. Mr. Rex.

[Bing Crosby]

What?

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

What was that?

[Ken Thurston]

I told there was no hurry. Nelson's bullet took care of that nitrogen and Norbert Hassan's bullet?

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

But. But what did Hassan have to do with this?

[Ken Thurston]

That's what the French and the Arabian governments pay him to do, Pagan.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

You mean he's a Desert G man?

[Ken Thurston]

That's right. He and I arrange this little get together before leaving Merswa.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Well, well, what do you know. So I guess we show that no good crook nor bear where he gets off at.

[Ken Thurston]

Ah, it's not Norbert who bothers me so much. It's Edwards and all those like him.

[Pagan Zellschmidt]

Edwards?

[Ken Thurston]

Yes. We can protect ourselves against the Norbears of this world, but we can't protect ourselves against the selfish and the blind who put their own personal interests above those of freedom. That's where the real danger to democracy lies. We've got to learn that all of us.

[Herbert Marshall]

Now, here is our star, Mr. Herbert Marshall.

[Ken Thurston]

Ladies and gentlemen, in the hustle and bustle of your Christmas shopping, have you stopped to realize that there are children who may not receive any Christmas presents this year? You can do something about this by sending a new or used toy to the groups in your own town that are distributing gifts. The less fortunate children help brighten a child's Christmas by sending a toy to your local groups. And thanks for being with us. Next week, Mr. X goes to the Belgian Congo with Leon Velasco along as chief headhunter, Pagan Zellschmidt. So join us, won't you, when next I return as the Man Called X. Good night.

[Herbert Marshall]

The Man Called X is a J. Richard Kennedy production with music composed and conducted by Felix Mills. Tonight's story was written by Sidney Marshall. All characters and incidents on this program are fictitious and any resemblance to actual characters or incidents is purely coincidental. The Man Called X, starring Herbert Marshall and Dangerous Assignment, starring Brian Donlevy have been brought to you by the makers of Patterson for fast relief from pain of headaches, neuritis and neuralgia. By Chesterfield, the only cigarette that combines mildness with no unpleasant aftertaste. By your local Ford dealer, who is now displaying the new 1951 Ford, the car that's built for the years ahead. And by RCA Victor, world leader in radio, first in recorded music, first in television. Be sure to listen tomorrow evening for the big show with Tallulah Bankhead and the great Parade of Stars, the Sunday night feature of NBC's All Star Festival. And until next week, same time and station. This is Jack Latham saying good night for the Man Called X. Hear your hit parade next on NBC.

[Jack Latham]

That's Relic Radio thrillers for this week. There's more from the Man Called X, this podcast and all of the other shows@ RelicRadio.com. our Shout cast stream is there as well. And as always, if you'd like to help support this and all of the shows, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of the links on the website site. Your support makes all of this possible. Thank you as always to those who have helped out. Thanks for joining me this week. Be back tomorrow with the horror next Friday with our next episode of Relic Radio Thrillers.