Worth Her Weight In Gold by The Man Called X

Summary

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Relic Radio Thrillers: "Worth Her Weight In Gold"

Series: The Man Called X
Original Air Date: September 5, 1948
Podcast Release: January 2, 2026
Starring: Herbert Marshall as Ken Thurston ("The Man Called X")

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Episode Overview

This episode of Relic Radio Thrillers features an action-packed espionage tale from The Man Called X. Ken Thurston is called upon to protect a shipment of gold bound for famine relief in post-war China. Onboard a ship beset by modern-day piracy, Thurston must unravel alliances and expose betrayals—where the value of gold is weighed against human life. The plot mixes 1940s international intrigue, the realities of postwar inflation in China, and classic radio drama suspense aboard ship and in the air.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Summary

1. Briefing: Mission and Stakes

(02:46–04:32)

• Pirates have stolen over $2 million in gold from China coast steamers; Ken Thurston is assigned to guard a new gold shipment for the China Food Mission.
• The gold is urgently needed for famine relief due to massive inflation—"where gold is dear, life is cheap."
• The operation must remain secret; even the captain does not know about the gold.

2. Aboard the Manchu Queen: Passengers and Suspicions

(05:16–10:35)

• Key first-class passengers:
  • Ms. Bei Bao ("the Precious One"): Singer, seeking work in Hong Kong.
  • David Mao: Rug exporter, seems wealthy.
  • James Bliss: American ex-pilot, embittered and broke, arm in a cast.
  • Captain Durfee: Commanding final voyage before retirement.
• Tensions of post-war China and inflation: Most are fleeing economic ruin, leading to suspicions about motives.
• Early hint of conspiracy: Mao and Bei Bao appear to be connected (found photograph).

3. First Attempt at Piracy

(13:45–16:00)

• "Taoist priest" steerage passengers trigger an uprising, but are repelled with a high-pressure fire hose—a chilling demonstration of "modern justice."
• David Mao is caught wrecking the radio, accused of complicity; Ms. Bei Bao protests his innocence.
• The captain insists on bringing all suspects to trial in Hong Kong.

4. Morning After: Escalation and a Corpse

(18:01–19:13)

• Mao escapes from the brig; soon after, word comes that he was found dead by the Shanghai police.

5. The Gold Transfer and Overloading Dilemma

(19:13–21:40)

• The gold and Mao’s body are transferred to a small, overloaded plane bound for Hong Kong.
• Bliss’s suspiciously heavy cast is noted by Thurston—an early clue to weapon smuggling or double-cross.

6. Mid-Air Betrayals and Motive Revelation

(22:09–25:45)

• Captain Durfee and Ms. Bei Bao reveal themselves as criminal conspirators, holding Thurston, Zellschmidt, and Bliss at gunpoint.

• The destination is not Hong Kong but Ping Tsing, where they will rendezvous with fellow pirates and more gold.

• Plan: Dispose of the human "extra weight"—by dumping passengers through the bomb bay doors—to make room for yet more gold.

  “You’re just 130 pounds of human life, Precious One. The cheapest commodity in China. Your weight in gold means $145,000. You think you’re worth that to Durfee?”
  —Ken Thurston, 24:41

• Thurston reveals to Bei Bao that Durfee has betrayed her—Mao was murdered, and she herself is now expendable.

7. Climax: Betrayal Among Thieves

(25:45–27:44)

• Bei Bao confronts the cargo compartment, finds Mao’s corpse, and is killed.

• Bliss is pressed by Thurston to make a choice: Take the gold (and become a murderer) or show a shred of humanity.

• Rather than succumbing to greed, Bliss turns on Durfee instead:

  “Remember, only a sucker thinks human life can’t be measured in terms of gold.”
  —Ken Thurston, 27:25

• Bliss hands over his gun, returns to the controls, and spares Thurston and Zellschmidt.

8. Resolution and Closing Reflection

(27:44–28:27)

• Thurston reflects on hope for humanity, even in a world corrupted by the lust for gold and desperate survival.

  “There’s hope for this sorry world, Pega. Hope even for China. As long as there are men like Bliss who can pass up the big payoff they’ve dreamed of, so that millions may have a chance to live.”
  —Ken Thurston, 27:48

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Pagon Zellschmidt’s comic relief about Chinese inflation:

  “I got paid in Chinese money. $12 million to one American buck. I need four boats to take my profit with me.” (05:22)

• Captain Durfee’s ‘modern anti-pirate weapon’:

  “The high pressure fire hose… washing them over the side is deadlier than bullets. And best of all, 10 fathoms of shark-infested water provides swift justice.” (07:17)

• Discussion of human life vs. gold:

  “Strange thing about gold, Chief. You ever notice when gold is dear, life is cheap?” (04:25)

• Thurston’s moral test for Bliss at the climax:

  “What are you waiting for, Bliss? Just two human beings standing between you and $2 million in gold.” (27:20)

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Key Timestamps for Segments

• Mission Briefing & Stakes: 02:46–04:32
• Shipboard Introductions & Motive Setting: 05:16–10:35
• Fake Uprising / Radio Sabotage: 13:45–16:00
• Morning After & Mao’s 'Escape': 18:01–19:13
• Airplane Double-Cross: 22:09–25:45
• Moral Climax & Bliss’s Decision: 27:01–27:44
• Ken Thurston’s Hope for Humanity: 27:48

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Tone & Style

The episode blends dry humor (especially via Pagon Zellschmidt), grim realism about post-war suffering, and taut suspense. The tone is hard-boiled yet idealistic, with Ken Thurston’s sardonic insights and steady moral core contrasted against a world warped by inflation, desperation, and the seductive power of gold.

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Concluding Thoughts

"Worth Her Weight In Gold" is a quintessential Man Called X tale: cloak-and-dagger action, social commentary on the cost of postwar chaos, and a final reaffirmation of hope in the face of betrayal. Through crisp character interactions and mounting suspense—on sea and in the air—the episode explores how, even in the darkest circumstances, conscience can triumph over greed.

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Transcript

[Relic Radio Host]

Relicradio.com presents stories of mystery and intrigue, espionage and suspense. Hear tales of ticking time bombs, mysterious crime scenes and cloak and dagger action. This is Relic Radio Thrillers. Welcome back to Relic Radio Thrillers. Our first episode of 2026 brings us the Man Called X. The series that stars Herbert Marshall debuted over CBS stations in 1944 and ended in 1952. By that time it had moved to NBC stations. 197 episodes were produced. Our story today is from September 5, 1948. It's titled Worth Her Weight in gold.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

You're twice as sure with two Great Frigidaire and General Motors. Brigitte Eyre presents Herbert Marshall as the Man Called X. Wherever there is mystery, intrigue, romance in all the strange and dangerous places of the world, there you will find the Man Called X. Your place is sure with two great Frigidaire and General Motors. For Frigidaire, refrigerators are made only by Frigidaire, a division of General Motors. And it is this association of Frigidaire and General Motors, this association of experience with experience of skill with skill, that makes Frigidaire America's favorite refrigerator. Remember this when you choose your new refrigerator, remember that millions of Frigidaires in millions of American homes have established Frigidaire's reputation for complete dependability, for lasting satisfaction. Yes, you're twice as sure with two Great Frigidaire and General Motors. For Frigidaire, refrigerators are made only by Frigidaire, a division of General Motors. More Frigidaire refrigerators serve in more American homes than any other make. And offreach iter presents herbert marshall as ken thurston, the man called x.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Pirates. Did you say pirates, chief?

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

That's what I said, Ken. Pirates.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

You don't mean those jokers with trick hats, patches over one eye and knives in their mouths? That's from technicolor. This is 1948.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

Will Smith, the modern pirate, is a little different. Uses two way radio, machine guns and diesel engines. And he looks like any other ship's passenger.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

You.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

You mean these pirates are for real? Mr. Thurston, you told me we were going on a little cruise.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

We are, Pegong. A cruise down the China coast.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

Now, this gang of pirates have taken more than $2 million in gold from China coast steamers in the last six months. The Chinese Maritime Bureau expects to hear from them again soon. And they'll ask for you, Ken.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

But they didn't ask for Zellsmith. So I'll get my money back on my yachting.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Suit.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

No pirate is going to make me walk the plunk. I'll resign. Please.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

That's too bad, Pago. My Mandarin dialect will do up north, but farther south in Hong Kong. I could use your knowledge of Cantonese.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Hong Kong? Well, why didn't you say we were going to Hong Kong? I withdraw my resignation.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

The black marketeer's heaven.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Who's afraid of pirates? Excuse me now, please.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Okay, Chief.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

Now, look, Ken, I know Pagon's a hard man to keep a secret from, but no one, not even the captain of the ship the Manchu Queen, which you're boarding in Tsing Tao, will know there's a thousand pounds of gold aboard it.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

The present price of gold, that's over a million dollars.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

Yes, and it belongs to the China Food Mission for the purchase of grain.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

With China's ruinous inflation, gold or foreign currency is all that can be used in business.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

What do you say, Ken?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Well, if I don't go and the gold isn't delivered, it means a couple of million people won't live out the winter.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

That's what it would mean, Ken. Starvation.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

That's a strange thing about gold, Chief. You ever noticed that where gold is dear, life is cheap?

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

Well, I'll tell Ms. Brooks to make your reservations for Ting Tow.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Sam. Pagan. The ship's ready to sail.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

What a place, this Ting Tow. I make my first good profit in a year. A nice little deal, and what happens?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Don't tell me Pagon Zellschmidt didn't get his money.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Oh, no. I got paid in Chinese money. $12 million to one American buck. I need four boats to take my profit with me. How are you doing, Mr. Thurston?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

The leader of this piracy outfit, the one we're looking for, would very likely book passage through the Hong Kong first class. There are only three such bookings to.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Hong Kong, and one of them is really first class. What a cookie.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Ms. Bei Bao. You saw her?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Like a ripe peach. Bei Bow. Ah, that means precious one.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Never mind the precious one. What about the other two first class passengers?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Well, there's an American, James Bliss, and another Chinese man, David Mao. Hey, look at those people coming aboard in steerage. That bunch wearing brown nightgowns and those baskets covering their heads.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

They are a religious order. Taoist priests, I think. That's right.

[Captain Durfee]

Wear those baskets over their heads to shut out the evil of the world. I'm Captain Durfee. You're Thurston?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Yes. I am. Glad to know you.

[Captain Durfee]

My owners asked me to look out for you.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Those holy men Poor devils look half starved.

[Captain Durfee]

They've been on a pilgrimage, praying for the end of China's inflation. Anything I can do for you, Mr. Thurston?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Well, just get us to Hong Kong safely.

[Captain Durfee]

You've been reading the newspapers. Stop worrying. We've no gold aboard. And even if we did have, these beggars know better than to try anything on Captain Durfee ship.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Very reassuring, Captain Durfee. Tell me though, how can a modern ship be pirated in this 20th century?

[Captain Durfee]

The pirates come aboard as passengers. The leader in first class, his gang spread out in second, third and steerage. With 20th century weapons, they overcome the crew, seize the gold and make off in diesel powered junks.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Not much chance of beating an organization like that.

[Captain Durfee]

Oh, I found the 20th century weapon that takes care of them.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Machine guns?

[Captain Durfee]

No, the high pressure fire hose.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Fire hose?

[Captain Durfee]

That's right, fire hose. A hundred pound three inch stream of water crushing their bodies and washing them over the side is deadlier than bullets. And best of all, 10 fathoms of shark infested water provides swift justice.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Justice?

[Captain Durfee]

Oh, you're casting off. I'll see you at dinner. Mr. Thurston and Mr. Zelchmit will be with you all the way to Hong Kong.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

You are interested in business in Hong Kong, Mrs. Zellschmidt?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Oh, sure, Ms.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

Precious.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Maybe you know someone who wants to buy some imported Chinese money.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Ms. May. Paul. We're just touring out of San Francisco on American passports. Last Wednesday. Due back in New York in November.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

That is almost a thumbnail dossier.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Why not, since we're all strangers heading for one destination. To save a lot of time if all of us told who we are, where we're going and why. Straight out.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

My story is hardly worth telling. I am an entertainer, a singer. I cannot live on my salary, the horrible inflation. I must find work in Hong Kong or I cannot live.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

And you, Mr. Mao?

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

I am a businessman. A rug exporter in Tsingtao.

[Captain Durfee]

To watch the misery of my people.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

Starving under the inflation is much more.

[Captain Durfee]

Than I can stand. I sold out my business and I am retiring to Hong Kong. Running away, I suppose. What's your story, Mr. Bliss? Is this part of the fair? I thought I paid for my passage in gold.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

Come, come, Mr. Bliss. That kind of attitude only focuses greater curiosity on you.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I'm sure we're all wondering how you got your arm in that cast, if nothing else.

[Captain Durfee]

Okay, you want my biography?

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

Bliss, sucker.

[Captain Durfee]

Ex flying tiger pilot, age 28. Now on the beach, broke, with a busted wing. My business is war and I'M on my way to Hong Kong to sell my services.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

To whom, Mr. Bliss?

[Captain Durfee]

The side that bids the most and the hardest money. Well, now that everyone knows one another, how about a drink?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Just a second. Captain Durfee, let's hear about you.

[Captain Durfee]

Me? Well, I'm just the ship's captain.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Yeah, but I've heard this is your last voyage. You're retiring.

[Captain Durfee]

It's true. China's inflation has me on the run, too. Like Ms. Baba, I can't live on my salary moving to Hong Kong to look for a job ashore.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

And I always thought you could get rich with inflation.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

You can, Pago. Depends which side you're on.

[Captain Durfee]

By the way, not that I expect any trouble, but if you have any valuables, it'd be wise to put them in my vault. Boy Ba Boy. The drinks are on me, folks.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

That Bliss fellow or that Precious One. Even the captain all broke. Running from inflation.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

All but David Mao. Right now, I'd say he was almost likely candidate for the piracy leader.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

But he is rich. Why should he want to get mixed up with piracy?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

That's because he's the only one who's gotten rich out of inflation. Selling rugs for American dollars and paying off the rug makers in paper.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

A good safe business. And strictly legal. Why should he run off to be a pirate? It doesn't make sense.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

A man running away from hard money and gold could only be running to harder money and more gold. Come on, let's have a talk with this tomorrow.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

He was in his cabin a little while ago.

[Captain Durfee]

I saw him.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Come inside. Close the door. Well, look at this. A picture of Ms.

[Captain Durfee]

To my precious one.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

David from precious one. A dream push like that should even be able to handle my inflation.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Interesting. Mr. Mao and the Precious One pretending to be strangers. The door behind that closet curtain. Quick. Good evening, Mr. Bliss. Ah.

[Captain Durfee]

Thirsty.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

What are you doing in Mao's cabin?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

It's sneaky.

[Captain Durfee]

I had a proposition to make tomorrow.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

And you figured a little inside information wouldn't hurt?

[Captain Durfee]

Information never hurt any proposition.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

You wouldn't mean piracy of a gold cargo, by any chance?

[Captain Durfee]

Guess you and I are working on the same side of the street, Thurston. I figured Mouth were being headman too. But it's your property now, Thurston. You got here first. If you can use a pilot with a broken wing, call Bliss.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Just a minute, Bliss. You know that every ounce of gold taken off this ship means the lives of hundreds of Chinese people.

[Captain Durfee]

Lay off the Boy Scout routine, Thurston. The cheapest thing in China's People. I learned that risking my own Neck for 250amonth.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

250? And the reason this. You fought for the right side, remember?

[Captain Durfee]

Okay, sucker.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Any sign of Maui yet? Pedro been out of his cabin for almost an hour.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Let's get some sleep, Mr. Thurston. Anyone can see nothing's going to happen tonight.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

This is it. They're breaking loose in steerage. Someone gave the signal from the top deck. Stay here, Pagon. I'm going to the bridge.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

To the stations.

[Captain Durfee]

Tuna stations. Passengers remain in cabins.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Where'd it start, Captain?

[Captain Durfee]

These so called holy men in steerage. Sly devils. They had guns stashed away in a lifeboat.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

I heard the shooting.

[Captain Durfee]

Iran attempted piracy, Ms. Baybal. Nothing to worry about. I think we can handle it. Captain Durfee. D deck under control.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

Steerage passengers disarmed.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Nice work, Captain.

[Captain Durfee]

Chief Swanson and D deck. Bring those pirates up on A deck, starboard side. A deck, starboard side.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Yes, sir.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

We are out of danger now.

[Captain Durfee]

Everything under control now, Ms. Baybal.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I thought there was no gold aboard, Captain.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

That is what you told us.

[Captain Durfee]

My owners told me nothing about gold shipment.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Who gave the signal to start the uprising? Captain Durfee.

[Captain Durfee]

Come over to the radio shack and see.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Let me out. Let me out. I command you. Open this door. David. No.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

No, it's impossible.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

David.

[Captain Durfee]

Mao caught him breaking up the radio room.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

I demand an explanation.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

David. What happened?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

I came up to deposit my valuables as the Captain suggested. He seized me and threw me in here.

[Captain Durfee]

I caught him destroying the radio.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

You lie.

[Captain Durfee]

We checked the valuable story. Found nothing in the stateroom.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

You lie. Untie my hands at once.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

The radio room is wrecked.

[Captain Durfee]

All right.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

It couldn't have been Mr. Ma. I will vouch for him.

[Captain Durfee]

You'll all have a chance to do some vouching in the Admiralty Court at Hong Kong. You're flying there under my custody. Mr. Mao is going to the brig tonight.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Flying?

[Captain Durfee]

That's right, Mate. Take this man to the brig.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

This is disgraceful, Captain.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Coming on the deck below the pirates from steerage.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Poor devils. You're taking those pilgrims in custody to Hong Kong too. Captain.

[Captain Durfee]

Mr. Swenson, pressure on the fire hose.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Captain, you can't watch those men overboard.

[Captain Durfee]

I'm Captain, the ship person. I know how to deal with these scum.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

The hose, Mr. Thurston. The hose is pushing them overboard.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

In just a moment. We continue with a man called X, created by J. Richard Kennedy. This is Wendell Niles speaking. If you're a homemaker, you know that whenever there's a two or three Day holiday like this Labor Day weekend. You need extra room in your refrigerator for things that you have to buy ahead of time. That's when you really can be grateful for Frigidaire's new design. And that gives you up to 50% more food storage space in the same kitchen space. Yes, even in a small kitchen you can have more room to store foods than ever before. In any size kitchen, you can have more refrigerator room for your money. All the new Frigidaire refrigerators bring you this extra storage space. Along with a meter miser, simplest coal maker ever built. Quick cube trays for instant ice service, glass topped hydrator for fruits and vegetables and many other important advantages. Frigidaire deluxe refrigerators give you such extra features as a full width super freezer chest that holds up to 50 pounds of frozen foods. And a unique sliding basket drawer for eggs in small packages. Remember how Frigidaire refrigerators give you more room, make housekeeping easier in countless ways. And always remember, ask to see the name Frigidaire when you ask to see a new refrigerator. And now to continue with Frigidaire's Man Called X starring Herbert Marshall. An attempt to seize a million dollars worth of gold at sea belonging to a famine relief organization was blocked by the ship's captain David Mao. A passenger has been charged with destroying the ship's radio as part of a piracy attempt and is now in the break. It is the next morning, the ship is in dock at Shanghai and we pick up Chen Tagon, Ms. Bei Bao Bliss and Captain Dorothy on their way to the ship's brig to take David Maho ashore with him.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

It is ridiculous and cruel. I am sure Mr. Mao can explain everything at the Admiralty Court in Hong Kong.

[Captain Durfee]

That's why we're flying to Hong Kong this morning, Ms. Beibow. To get explanations. Here we are. To the right.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

The door to the brig's open. He's gone. Mao's escaped.

[Captain Durfee]

What's that?

[Ms. Bei Bao]

No, he couldn't.

[Captain Durfee]

The guard. Cold as a herring. Well, Ms. Baybal, slugging the guard and.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Escaping kind of ties in with your catching him in the radio room last night, doesn't it, Captain?

[Ms. Bei Bao]

Where could he have gone?

[Captain Durfee]

Whoever helped him would know.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

Are you insinuating.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Captain, do you mind if I meet you at the airport later?

[Captain Durfee]

I have a car waiting for all of us.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Mr. Zellschmidt and I'll go up in the cab.

[Captain Durfee]

Suit yourself. Only don't hold up the flight.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

See you all later.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Where could that Ma fell be? We've only been in port Two hours.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

David Ma is dead. P on the Shanghai police picked up his body an hour ago. Pan American Airlines flight number seven leaving Shanghai for Kobe.

[Captain Durfee]

I'm sorry, Thurston, but as dispatcher of this field, I have to tell you that the old two engine bomber's capacity is £2,000 and won't take even a hundred pounds of overloading.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I thought I made it clear that Mr. Ma's body must be on the plane.

[Captain Durfee]

Mr. Thurston, that body with the box weighs 150 pounds and the shipment of.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Gold weighs a thousand pounds. That's 1150. That's 850 pounds to go.

[Captain Durfee]

Look, Mr. Thurston, you, your partner Bliss, Captain Durfee, Ms. Baybaugh and the pilot are a good 900 pounds. So that puts you 50 pounds over the 2000. Thurston, if you've got to risk overloading, leave the dead man here and take a live guard with him.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Mao's body goes with us. I'll get rid of £50 by stripping the passengers of luggage.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

Don't you understand?

[Captain Durfee]

It's your life you're risking, Thurston. That plane is 10 years old and the floor under you is the door of the old bomb hatch.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Put the gold on Ma's body aboard before you take the plane out of the hangar. Okay.

[Captain Durfee]

Box with the body and the gold will be locked up in the cargo compartment.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Af.

[Captain Durfee]

Better get your passengers lined up.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Flying that thing, Mr. Thurston. I'd rather walk.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

If it crashes, Pagon, you'll go to a glorious death. You can tell your grandchildren you were buried with a million dollars in gold. Now go get the container of food and bring it aboard.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Who want to eat in that place?

[Ms. Bei Bao]

Did you know we were searched for firearms, Mr. Thurston?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Yes, Ms. Paybal. And I'm sorry we're overloaded to leave that overnight bag here.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

All right, if I must. Has there been word of David Mao?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Not yet, Ms. Baba.

[Captain Durfee]

What do you mean telling them I can't take my logbook aboard the plane?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Sorry, Captain, we're overloaded. Every ounce counts.

[Captain Durfee]

It's bad enough that my owners didn't tell me there was a gold ship in aboard.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

But the least you could have done.

[Captain Durfee]

First was to tell me you were in charge of it.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

We'll discuss it after the Admiralty Court hearing. Captain.

[Captain Durfee]

Dispatcher back there took my pistol ways too much.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Chris, get in.

[Captain Durfee]

This old bomber was a flying coffin in 19.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Here's the food container.

[Captain Durfee]

Thanks.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Bigger. I'll take that bag of silver coins. Fasten to your right.

[Captain Durfee]

Leg.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Oh, Mr. Thurston. A few pounds. All my profit. Why, that fellow Blitz's cast weighs more than my silver. Five or six pounds, I bet.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

More, Pagan. The cast on Bliss's arm must weigh 12 pounds altogether.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

12 pounds?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Yeah. He's got a pistol in that chest.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

A pistol?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Then why don't you? Ready for takeoff.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

But David Mao had nothing to run away from, Mr. Thurston.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Maybe he was running to something. Ms. Baby, I'm getting hungry.

[Captain Durfee]

Have a sandwich, Thurston. Old container full of them back at.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

No, thanks, Pagon. You look hungry. Go back with the captain.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Who, me? Oh, sure. I'll take a sandwich, Cap.

[Captain Durfee]

Okay, Zel Smith. I didn't like that takeoff, Thurston. This old crate's overloaded.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

That was a close shave over those trees.

[Captain Durfee]

That guy Ma did us all a favor by running out another £150. We never cleared those trees.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Have a sandwich, Mr. Thurston.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

No, thanks, big. I'm not hungry.

[Captain Durfee]

You better get hungry, Mr. X. And lay your gun on that tray.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

The food container. He had a gun in it. And I. I brought it aboard.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

There you are, Captain. My gun.

[Captain Durfee]

Say, what is this? Take Thurston's gun from the tray, baby.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

Yes, Captain Durfee. And you, Mr. Bliss, get down on the floor quickly.

[Captain Durfee]

Oh, you know what to do. Baybal, you stand guard over these men. I'll take care of the pilot and handle the plane.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I assume, Captain Durpee, that with Ms. Baybal's help and a million dollars worth of gold in the cargo compartment, we'll not be going to Hong Kong.

[Captain Durfee]

We're going to Bing Ting Cargo Stop, just 10 minutes from here. But I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. Now, Mr. Thurston, what's your signal to the pilot?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Three knocks.

[Captain Durfee]

Bliss, pull the pilot away from the door. And no funny stuff. Now down on the floor, all of you.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Please. Ms. Bei Bao, your gun pointed at someone else.

[Captain Durfee]

You have any trouble, Baibao, just call me.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

I am sure there won't be enough time for Mr. X to make much trouble.

[Captain Durfee]

Captain Ping Tsing. That's an abandoned American airfield.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Durfee's going to pick up the gold from the last three pirates.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

You are clever, Mr. X.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

None of that loot has ever appeared on the world gold market. This is his last chance to get it out of China. The piracy attempt last night was a fake. Purposely miscarried for Durfee to get rid of some of his partners. Duffy's only problem now is weight. He needs space for another thousand Pounds of gold.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

Not a hard problem to solve, Mr. X.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Not that the Bombay doors we're lying on still work.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

They work. How much do you weigh?

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Oh, not me. I'm anemic. Light as a feather.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

As soon as we open the bomb hatch doors and drop you, Mr. Zellschmidt, bliss and the pilot. And get rid of that box of cargo in the rear compartment, we'll have room for another thousand pounds of gold.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Your arithmetic is poor. The four of us and the box of cargo back aft weigh only 850 pounds. Durfee needs another 150 pounds to get that gold out of Ping Seng.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

What are you driving at?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

How much do you weigh, Baba? Oh, Precious One.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

Durfee and I are partners up here.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

You're just 130 pounds of human life, Precious One. The cheapest commodity in China. Your weight in gold means $145,000. You think you're worth that to Durfee?

[Ms. Bei Bao]

I have reasons to trust Captain Durfee.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I know. That is why you let him use David Mao. To cover up the slaughter of 22 other partners in steerage last night with a fire hose.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Stop talking it off.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Durfy told you he put Mao in the brig and let him escape to join you later.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

And he did let David escape. I am joining him.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I'm afraid you are a Precious One. But not in this world. David Mao's dead. Durfey killed him.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

You lie. You cannot provoke me with your lies.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Look in the cargo compartment. In the big box. You see Mao's body.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

Liar.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

You take me for a fool?

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

David Mao was the fool. He loved you. He knew nothing of you and Durfee or the gold.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

You are trying to provoke me to open the cargo compartment so that you.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

May get off these bomb bay doors.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

I'm telling you the truth. Go and see for yourself. You can lock the cargo doors behind you. We are still stuck here.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

I will look. Do not move.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

She locked it.

[Captain Durfee]

Break open this cast on my arm. Thurston, a pistol.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

No, not yet.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Bliss.

[Captain Durfee]

When she comes out, I'll nail her.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Durfee would hear the shot on dumpers. Wait.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Captain. You killed David. You killed him. Captain. Open door.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Quick. Back to the cargo compartment. Drag the pilot. Give me a hand.

[Captain Durfee]

I've got him.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Battery. Open the door. We. We're safe in here.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Quiet. Pega. The bomb has doors. Jerky's opening them. He's got her out. Now he's closing the bomberhead stores. Now he's putting the plane on the automatic pilot.

[Captain Durfee]

Yeah, I Could feel it.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Take over now. Break open that cast of yours. Bliss. Get that pistol out. It's Darby. He's coming in here after the gold. Let him have it, Bliss.

[Captain Durfee]

I'm ready.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

All that gold and no partners left.

[Captain Durfee]

Yeah, a million here. Another million waiting at Ping Sing.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

You've got the gun, Bliss, and you're a pilot. This is what you came aboard the Manchu Queen looking for.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Please, Mr. Thurston, don't invite him to knock us off.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

This is the big chance you've been waiting for, bliss.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

Please, Mr. Thurston, let him make up his own mind.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

What are you waiting for, Bliss? Just two human beings standing between you and 2 million in gold.

[Captain Durfee]

Shut up, Thurston.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Remember, only a sucker thinks human life can't be measured in terms of gold.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

I said shut up.

[Captain Durfee]

Here, take my gun. Let me get up to the controls.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

Before we're all killed.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

He.

[Pagon Zellschmidt]

He didn't accept your invitation to kill us.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

There's hope for this sorry world, Pega. Hope even for China. As long as there are men like Bliss who can pass up the big payoff they've dreamed of so that millions of humans may have a chance to live.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

Frigidaire star Herbert Marshall will return in just a moment. Frigidaire's Man Called X is presented each week with the best wishes of your Frigidaire dealer, who invite you to come in and learn about the famous line of Frigidaire electric appliances, refrigerators, ranges, water heaters, home freezers, the new automatic washer, dryer, ironer and many other Frigidaire refrigerating and air conditioning products for homes, farms, stores, offices and factories.

[Ms. Bei Bao]

Mr. Niles, does Frigidaire make home laundry equipment as well as refrigerators?

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

Lady, you should see the new Frigidaire automatic washer with live water action that washes clothes, cleaner rinses them brighter than ever before. When you have a Frigidaire automatic washer installed in your home, you'll say goodbye forever to wash day work and worry. Our pigeon star, Herbert Marshall.

[Ken Thurston (Man Called X)]

Thanks for being with us. Next week, Dangerous Island, a tiny spot in the Indian Ocean where an atomic scientist is trapped with a killer. As usual, Leon Velasque will be along as Pig on Zel. So join us, won't you, when next I return as A Man Called X. Good night.

[Narrator/Wendell Niles]

Brigidaire's Men Called X is directed by D. Engelbach, with music composed and conducted by Johnny Green. Tonight's story was written by George Corey and Ruby Sully. So until next week, same time, same station. This is Wendell Niles speaking for Frigidaire, made only by General Motors. All characters and incidents used on this program are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons or incidents is purely coincidental. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting.

[Relic Radio Host]

There's always more oldtime radio@ Relicradio.com More from the man Called X this podcast alongside all of the other Relic Radio podcasts. There's a shoutcast stream there as well, with even more Old Time Radio. Thousands of episodes available there, all made possible by your support. If you'd like to help out, visit donate. Relicradio.com We've got some downloadable sets for certain donation amounts, though any amount is always appreciated and helpful. Thanks, as always to those who have helped out. 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.