Cloak and Dagger: Roof of the World (A0024)

Summary

---

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Cloak and Dagger: "Roof of the World" (A0024)

Aired: August 13, 1950 (original broadcast)
Podcast Release: October 4, 2025
Host: Adam Graham

---

Episode Overview

This episode of "Cloak and Dagger," titled "Roof of the World," dramatizes a true story from the files of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. Two American geologists, Philip and Esther Malden, are sent on a dangerous espionage mission to Tibet, racing against Nazi agents to reach the Dalai Lama and secure Tibetan support for the Allies. The narrative combines suspense, tension, and cross-cultural intrigue—highlighting unusual teamwork, double-crosses, and the perils of the Himalayan wilderness.

---

Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

Mission Assignment and History (02:05–05:46)

• Backdrop: Introduced with the signature OSS challenge—accepting a mission with no guarantee of return.

• Assignment: Philip and Esther Malden, geologists with Far East experience, are tasked with a secret goodwill mission to meet the Dalai Lama.

• Strategic Importance: Whoever controls Tibet could tip the balance if the Axis powers (Germany and Japan) meet in Central Asia.

  Colonel: "If the Axis partners meet, their junction will be Central Asia. And dominating that meeting point will be Tibet." (05:11)

The Journey Begins (05:46–07:12)

• The Maldens travel to India and cross dangerous mountain passes into Tibet, braving severe weather and rough terrain.
• Upon arrival at their contact village, they find it destroyed by a violent tribal attack, leaving only a single survivor—a Buddhist priest called Sing Tu.

Gathering their Guide and a Race to Lhasa (07:12–09:28)

• The priest, Sing Tu, becomes their guide after his village’s destruction.

• They discover that Nazi agents—identified by a "crooked cross"—are ahead of them with the same goal, turning the mission into a tense race.

  Sing Tu: "We badge with crooked cross. Nazis." (09:06)

Peril on the Trail and Bandit Attack (09:28–13:25)

• Trekking through increasingly treacherous terrain, the group makes camp but is surrounded by nomadic bandits.

• Just as things seem dire, a sudden intervention by German soldiers—Commandant Kurt Faber and Lieutenant Ernst Kessler—saves the Americans.

• The Nazis, it turns out, have lost their guide and forcibly join forces with the Americans, leveraging control over supplies and weapons but proposing a precarious alliance.

  Commandant Faber: "You have the guide. We have your supplies and your weapons. Let us pool our resources, go together." (13:58)

Shifting Alliances and Tension (13:25–18:57)

• The Americans remain wary. The Germans return the Maldens' guns, ostensibly loaded.

• Both parties agree to an uneasy partnership, but suspicion runs high.

  Philip Malden: "Whether they gave us back our guns or not, they're still going to look for a chance to double cross us before we reach the Holy City." (16:01)

• Nature heightens the tension as thawing snows threaten the path, making the environment as dangerous as any enemy.

Personal Conflict and Harassment (18:57–21:22)

• As they journey, Esther has a disturbing encounter when Lt. Kessler drunkenly attempts to assault her. Philip intervenes, backed up by Faber.

  Esther Malden: "Oh, you big, dumb, drunken Nazi pig!" (20:22)
  Faber: "He has my word an incident like this will not occur again." (21:10)

• Afterward, the group maintains strict vigilance, as both trust and environmental dangers remain at a peak.

Final Stretch and Betrayal (21:22–25:44)

• Nearing Lhasa, the group is exhausted but within sight of their goal.

• At the last moment, the Germans turn on the American couple, preparing to execute a double-cross. However, the Americans discover that the guns returned earlier were loaded with blanks.

  Commandant Faber: "Do you think we would have been fools enough to give you loaded guns?" (24:48)
  Philip Malden: "I broke open the gun and saw the cartridges... It's a blank cartridge." (25:05)

• Using ingenuity, Philip fires the blank shots, which set off a deadly avalanche. The Germans are swept away.

  Esther Malden: "Phil took them at their word and actually killed them with his blank gun. The shots vibrated enough to loosen the heavily piled snow..." (25:49)

Arrival in Lhasa and the Dalai Lama (26:33–29:29)

• The final approach to Lhasa is arduous but ultimately successful.

• A vivid and detailed scene describes their ceremonial audience with the six-year-old Dalai Lama—elaborate robes, a silence broken only for ritual exchanges.

• The Maldens present gifts and request an alliance, but the interview remains ceremonial.

  Dalai Lama: "There is no need to talk. Come here. I tie three knots in your scarf. There." (29:04)

• The tying of three knots symbolizes a blessing and brings the mission to a peaceful conclusion.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Opening Mandate: "Are you willing to undertake a dangerous mission behind enemy lines, knowing you may never return alive?" (02:05)
• Nazi Pragmatism: "We trust dangers. Gentlemen. No, not yet. It's all right. Go ahead. Open them." (14:58)
• Geologist Resilience:

  Adam Graham (Commentary): "Don't mess with geologists. That's the moral of this story." (32:04)

• Dalai Lama’s Wisdom:

  Dalai Lama: "Throw a pinch of rice over your shoulder. It will bring good luck." (28:26)

---

Important Timestamps

• OSS Mission Briefing: 02:05–05:46
• Village Attack and Recruiting Guide: 06:49–08:04
• Realization of Nazi Race: 09:06–09:28
• Bandit Attack and German Intervention: 10:41–13:25
• German-American Pact and Tension: 13:25–17:30
• Environmental Hazards and Ethical Conflict: 17:30–18:57
• Harassment Incident: 18:57–21:22
• Avalanche Double-Cross: 24:46–25:49
• Audience with Dalai Lama: 27:19–29:29
• Host Commentary: 32:04

---

Tone and Storytelling

The episode blends suspense, historical insight, and a wry sense of humor—in line with both the original radio broadcast and host Adam Graham’s commentary. The tone shifts naturally from tense (harrowing mountain treks, Nazi hostility, close calls) to respectful awe (Tibetan customs, meeting the Dalai Lama), ending with a triumphant but humble sense of accomplishment.

---

Conclusion

"Roof of the World" delivers a unique blend of espionage and adventure, highlighting the dangers of both nature and human duplicity, and the value of perseverance and cunning. The mission succeeds against steep odds—not just through strength, but through sharp intellect and a bit of luck. The episode serves as both a thrilling drama and a thoughtful artifact of WWII-era radio storytelling.

---

For more classic radio mysteries and commentary by Adam Graham, visit http://www.greatdetectives.net

Transcript

[Philip Malden]

Limu Gamu and Doug Limu and I always tell you to customize your car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual.

[Esther Malden]

But now we want you to feel it. Cue the Emu music. Limu Save yourself money today. Increase your wealth.

[Philip Malden]

Customize and save.

[Esther Malden]

We save.

[Philip Malden]

That may have been too much feeling. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings Ferry Unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates Excludes.

[Esther Malden]

Massachusetts this is the story of the one As a custodial supervisor at a high school, he knows that during cold and flu season, germs spread fast. It's why he partners with Grainger to stay fully stocked on the products and supplies he needs, from tissues to disinfectants to floor scrubbers, all so that he can help students, staff and teachers stay healthy and focused.

[Philip Malden]

Call 1-800-GRAINGER, click grainger.com or just stop.

[Esther Malden]

By Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Philip Malden]

Foreign.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment we are going to bring you this week's episode of Cloak and Dagger. But first I do want to encourage you, if you are enjoying the podcast, to follow us using your favorite podcast software. And today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show by mailing a donation to Adam Graham, peelbox 15913. That's P.O. box 15913, Boise, ID 83715. Or becoming one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month, just go to patreon.greatdetectives.net but now, from August 13, 1950, here is the Roof of the World.

[Philip Malden]

Are you willing to undertake a dangerous mission behind the enemy lines, knowing you may never return alive? What you have just heard is the question asked during the war to agents of the oss, ordinary citizens, who to this question answered yes. This is cloak and dagger. Black warfare. Espionage. International intrigue. These are the weapons of the oss. Today's story the Roof of the World, concerning two American agents who travel into the far off and mysterious land of Tibet on a secret pilgrimage, is suggested by actual incidents recorded in the Washington files of the Office of Strategic Services, a story that can now be told.

[Esther Malden]

It came at us suddenly, out of the darkness. A shaggy monster over 15ft high. None of us said a word for a minute. We just stared at it.

[Philip Malden]

The tusks.

[Esther Malden]

Look at the length of them. The tusks of this Monster must have been at least 12ft long. And I knew myself that if I hadn't seen it, stood right in front of it. I wouldn't have believed it actually existed either. But I saw it. There was definite proof. It did live once.

[Philip Malden]

Okay. Okay. Lights. Put on the lights, please. Oh.

[Esther Malden]

Did you ever see anything like it?

[Philip Malden]

All right, now. Quiet, please. Qu? What you have just seen is the last of our afternoon slides. Here in the Museum of Natural History on prehistoric animals. This last mammoth was a species of a true elephant. Which was found in Tibet during and before the Ice Age. Now, are there any questions?

[Esther Malden]

Yeah. How do you get out of here?

[Philip Malden]

Well, if you'll all follow the guide, he'll take you into the next room. Where you can actually see the skeletons of these monsters. Which paleontologists have reconstructed from fossils and actual bones discovered in the earth.

[Esther Malden]

Philip. Oh, Phil.

[Philip Malden]

Oh, hello, Esther. Were you here for the whole lecture?

[Esther Malden]

No, just the last part of it. But you were sensational.

[Philip Malden]

Flattery will get you nowhere. What's that?

[Esther Malden]

Oh, Telegram here. Just came to the office.

[Philip Malden]

Thanks. It's not for me. It's for us. Oh.

[Esther Malden]

Who's it from?

[Philip Malden]

Washington. The Office of Strategic Services wants to see us.

[Esther Malden]

Office of Strateg. Now, why in the world do they want us?

[Philip Malden]

Well, there's one way to find out. Mr. And Mrs. Malden, we know your reputation as geologists and explorers. We know you traveled the Far east together several times. That's true, Colonel. Now, at this stage of the war, Germany is pushing eastward across Africa to Suez. And Japan is thrusting westward across China into India. If the Axis partners meet, their junction will be Central Asia. And dominating that meeting point will be Tibet.

[Esther Malden]

What do you want us to do, Colonel?

[Philip Malden]

We want volunteers to make a pilgrimage to the Dalai Lama, High Priest of Tibet. It'll be a goodwill mission to get them on our side. It involves a great deal of danger. Yes, yes, we know, Esther.

[Esther Malden]

Well, as long as you're sure that mammoth elephant disappeared from there centuries ago, I'm willing. A few weeks later, we were flown to India, where we were given a car. Then the tour was started out across the border to a village called Gyuksan at the foot of the Himalaya Mountains. Once there, we were to pick up pack animals and a guide. And start our journey to the holy city.

[Philip Malden]

These roads couldn't have been any narrower or any rockier.

[Esther Malden]

Well, they weren't designed for modern travel.

[Philip Malden]

You can say that again.

[Esther Malden]

Phil, are you worried about something?

[Philip Malden]

I'm worried about a lot of things. For instance, for Instance, this is the worst possible time of the year to be traveling up that mountain. It's almost spring up there and the thaw's setting in. It's going to loosen the snow and ice all along the way.

[Esther Malden]

Well, we just have to be more careful, that's all. Oh, Phil, look round the bend of the road. That's the village, isn't it?

[Philip Malden]

That's it. That's it.

[Esther Malden]

Wait a minute, Phil. Slow down. Look.

[Philip Malden]

Good Lord.

[Esther Malden]

I should have said it was a.

[Philip Malden]

Village burned to the ground.

[Esther Malden]

The old man who sat wailing and moaning cross legged on the ground was the only one left alive in that village.

[Philip Malden]

Brangi tribe come from mountains, steal, kill, set fire to Virech.

[Esther Malden]

How is it they spared you?

[Philip Malden]

I am priest, sent from Dalai Rama to this village many years past. If they kill Hoary man, great prig and pestilence will be upon them. Tell me, where'd you learn to speak English? In Hoary City was Toss.

[Esther Malden]

Well, what do we do now?

[Philip Malden]

Phil, we can't leave him here alone. We'll take him with us and drive until we find another village. Oh, no, no. I take you. Huh?

[Esther Malden]

What's that?

[Philip Malden]

Xingtu will be guide to Hoary City. Here all is lost. Go back to Dalai Lama. What about pack animals? Village of Chomda not far away. We'll go there first.

[Esther Malden]

Tronder was about 10 miles away down the road. It was small with only a few huts made of sun dried bricks. Phil was afraid of the spring thaw that was setting in more every day. So we made arrangements with the native chief to start almost immediately.

[Philip Malden]

What do you say, Sing Tung? Is Kiang's wild donkeys as good pack animals as other white men has?

[Esther Malden]

What's he talking about? What other white men? Ask him.

[Philip Malden]

Strangers leave here two days ago on way also to holy city of Rasa. We badge with crooked cross Nazis. We're in a race, Esther. We've got to reach Lhasa before they do.

[Esther Malden]

That was the first we knew that the Germans were ahead of us. Going in the same direction on the same mission. Philip was right. It was going to be a race for time.

[Philip Malden]

Yes, sir. Come on. This is no time to pick flowers.

[Esther Malden]

Look at this dwarf rhododendron, Phil. And up ahead, it's like a carpet of blue irises.

[Philip Malden]

There'll be plenty of foliage until we cross the timberline. Then it'll just be cold. And traveling on snow is going to be a lot tougher.

[Esther Malden]

Well, I'm not looking forward to the temperature dropping 100 degrees. In 20 miles.

[Philip Malden]

Watch it. Did you hurt yourself?

[Esther Malden]

No, I just tripped. I guess I must be getting tired. Is it Sing too?

[Philip Malden]

Yes. Miss Heirs. Yes.

[Esther Malden]

How soon will we be able to camp?

[Philip Malden]

Cold Springs? Less than half mile ahead. We'll camp there for night.

[Esther Malden]

When we reached the springs, I started dinner out of K rations, which kept our packs light. And by the time I was through, the tent had mushroomed up. And Phil and Sing too were inside, straightening the pole and fixing the blankets for the night.

[Philip Malden]

How about food, Esther? Soup's on measure.

[Esther Malden]

I looked up from a fire to find an unpleasant surprise. Six unpleasant surprises. Carrying rifles and forming a ring of muddy boots all around me. Who are you men? What do you want?

[Philip Malden]

Lala. Lala. Phil, what is it?

[Esther Malden]

Thank you.

[Philip Malden]

Where'd they come from?

[Esther Malden]

I don't know. They're just here, that's all.

[Adam Graham]

Bjorn.

[Philip Malden]

Bjorn. Sing to. These are some of nomad bandits who rage my village.

[Esther Malden]

What do they want?

[Philip Malden]

They say they take surprise everything. God's too so ugly leader shoot off gun to show you he mean what he say.

[Esther Malden]

Phil, without our supplies and guns, we'll have to turn back.

[Philip Malden]

Providing they let us turn back. Why am I they hold you hostage? Send me horry man back to get ransom. Oh, Phil. Hold on. Hold on. Don't let them know you're afraid of them.

[Esther Malden]

We stood there while they gathered our supplies out of the tent and threw them in a heap by the fire. Sing, too, knew he wouldn't be harmed because he was a holy man. But Phil and I had no idea what was ahead for us. Get your hands off me, you baboon.

[Philip Malden]

Oh, Phil, leave her alone. You understand? Sing to tell them we'll come quietly.

[Esther Malden]

I said get your filthy hands off me. The machine gun that riddled the bandwidth leader came from the direction of the brush. And the six of them went down, one after another. Then there was silence and we looked up to see our two saviors walking out of the brush in German uniform.

[Philip Malden]

I'm delighted we were able to be of assistance. Americans. I am Commandant Kurt Faber of the German army. This is Lertnant Ernst Keslov. Write me.

[Esther Malden]

Thank you for saving our lives. I'm. I'm Esther Malden. And this is my husband, Philip. Oh, and our guards Sing too.

[Philip Malden]

You do not seem too surprised to see us here. We are not just surprised. You're not two days ahead of us, the way we thought you were. Then you knew about us? How? They told us in the village. They also told us you were headed for the Holy City. They talk too Much. Those native idiots, the Konichters Mauhad crashed their hands. And you? Are you also going there?

[Esther Malden]

No. I mean, we're geologists. We're just on an exploring expedition.

[Philip Malden]

Come, come. Is it quite nice to lie to your benefactors who have just saved your lives? I don't get that. Why did you? Well, we saw the American flag sewn on your clothing. That told us immediately who you were, where you were going.

[Adam Graham]

We?

[Philip Malden]

As you already know, we are also headed for Lhasa. To the Dalai Lama. But our guide was killed. The snow loosened under him as we turned the ledge and here fell. So you are going back for a guide? Exactly. But that is some distance away. Time is slipping by. You have the guide. You will lead us.

[Esther Malden]

Oh, no, we won't. And neither will Sing To. Will you sing to?

[Philip Malden]

Will do. Only as friend. Americans tell me you get too excited over nothing. Now remember, Herr Morden, Fraumlden, you have the guide. We have your supplies and your weapons. Let us pool our resources, go together. If you think that at the point of our own guns you're going to make us lead you to Lhassa, you're crazy. Look, you are scientists. I appeal to your logical minds. Is it not safer that since we are traveling the same direction we travel together once we reach the Dalai Lama, that each of us present the case of his country to him? If you'll forgive me for repeating her. Commandant, we're not going to be pushed along with guns in our backs. Nein. Nein. Who said you would be here?

[Esther Malden]

Why, Phil. He's giving us back our pistols.

[Philip Malden]

You see, we trust dangers. Gentlemen. No, not yet. It's all right. Go ahead. Open them. Yeah, open the gun if you like. Go ahead. Spin the drum. See the cartridges in the chamber? Yes. As I see them. You return your guns, loaded as they were. Now, shall we forget the war for a while and travel on together? Okay, let's try it.

[Esther Malden]

We're lagging behind them, Phil. Shouldn't we catch up, too?

[Philip Malden]

We will. I want to talk to you.

[Esther Malden]

I'm cold. A temperature went down so fast once we crossed the timberline, I could almost hear it dropped.

[Philip Malden]

What do you think of this situation with our friends?

[Esther Malden]

I don't know what to think. Do you trust them?

[Philip Malden]

Of course I don't. Whether they gave us back our guns or not, they're still going to look for a chance to double cross us before we reach the Holy City.

[Esther Malden]

What are we going to do, Phil?

[Philip Malden]

Just keep an eye out. Look for a way to double cross them first. French. French. Clear brook. Here. Good water to drink. Come, come, my friends. You hear what he says? Water that will taste better than the whiskey in your flask, eh, Ernst? We're coming.

[Esther Malden]

We caught up with them. And as we leaned over to fill our canteens from the small clear brook, there was a sudden rumbling.

[Philip Malden]

The water's turned muddy suddenly. Yeah, it's covered with a dirty foam. Last thing to. What's he talking about? It is not raining. It is in the high regions. That's what turned the water. But so suddenly it happens like that. Races along into the ground, pushing the mud with it.

[Esther Malden]

It's really beginning to thaw, isn't it?

[Philip Malden]

Yes, that's what I was afraid of. What is there to be afraid of? Answer me. As the snow starts to melt, it'll start to fall. So just watch your step. Ernst. Is it not good to have three such good guides? We are indeed fortunate. Vaas. Come more brook along way we walk. Walk? Why do you think we have these animals? Kiang can be turned loose here. We'll get more and more snow. It's best to climb by foot.

[Esther Malden]

Yes, sing. Two's right. Besides, the animals won't find any place to graze. It's been getting pretty sparse for miles.

[Philip Malden]

Where will they go? They are wild. We'll find. No way.

[Esther Malden]

The packs were heavy and we were too tired. The next two days to do much talking. We just watched each other. The jagged paths under us were getting more and more slippery. And below the cliff we could see a sheer drop of hundreds of feet to the glacier. Above us were the snow peaks. And somewhere beyond the holy city of Lhasa, towards which small birds of dull brown, gray and black seemed to point. And then, the third night, after the strange pact had been made between our two enemy camps, it happened.

[Philip Malden]

Esther, where are you going?

[Esther Malden]

Oh, to the brook around the bend. Phil, I want to get some water. You take care of the rest.

[Philip Malden]

If you pitch the tent her, Morgan, I'll fix the fire. By the way, Matthound.

[Esther Malden]

Oh, there it is. I knew I'd seen Brooke. Ain't just little bigger hole in the ice.

[Philip Malden]

Let me carry that back for you.

[Esther Malden]

Lucent. Kessler. What are you doing here?

[Philip Malden]

I can see you don't want to be friendly. What a pity.

[Esther Malden]

I'll be friendly enough to give you some good advice. Save that liquor until you really need it. And stop guzzling it. If you intend to keep up on this hike. This is no Boy Scout picnic.

[Philip Malden]

I'm touched by your concern for me.

[Esther Malden]

Don't flatter Yourself. What are you doing back here anyway?

[Philip Malden]

You really wish to know? I followed you. I knew you were coming to the brook, so I went round the other way.

[Esther Malden]

You what?

[Philip Malden]

You don't like me? You'd like me very much if you got to know me.

[Esther Malden]

No, thanks. Now, please get out of my way. Let me go back.

[Philip Malden]

But, Liona, we may not have another chance to be together alone. You're very attractive, even in those heavy clothes.

[Esther Malden]

I know. Very attractive. Besides, I'm the only woman for miles. Now, get out of my way.

[Philip Malden]

Ah. I would like to see you in a white gown. Diamond clips at your shoulders. Have you got nice shoulders from Mordor?

[Esther Malden]

Give me a gown.

[Philip Malden]

Don't try to pull away from me.

[Esther Malden]

Stop it. Stop it, you drunken fool.

[Philip Malden]

Kiss.

[Esther Malden]

Oh, you big, dumb, drunken Nazi pig.

[Philip Malden]

You watch your thumb.

[Esther Malden]

Get away from me.

[Philip Malden]

What's the matter? Cut it out of you. Do not stop yelling, I say. Stop it.

[Esther Malden]

Stop it.

[Philip Malden]

Get away, Tesla. Get away. Leave her alone. And if I don't? You gave me back my gun. I'll use it. You have your gun. You would not dare shoot me. Go on, try it. Use your gun and that is enough. Do you want him to use his gun on you? Think, Ernst. Do you want him to use this gun? He will. I can tell he will. No. No. I give this lady your apologies. I order you my apologies, Frau Malden. You both have my word an incident like this will not occur again. Shall we eat? And they camp for the night now.

[Esther Malden]

All the next day, Phil and Sing to kept me between them. As we climbed, I wondered how soon we'd see the Holy City and when all this would come to a head.

[Philip Malden]

Look.

[Esther Malden]

When Sing Tu yelled, we turned around and looked in the direction the of from which we just come. A huge ice pillar swayed for a moment, and then it landed on the path we had come from less than two hours before.

[Philip Malden]

Well, this is what we can expect from now on, now that the Thor set in.

[Esther Malden]

Oh, I'll expect it, but I won't look forward to it. Oh, Phil, am I mistaken, or are the days getting longer? Sleepy, huh? You know, it was nice of them to let you and Sing to and me have this cave to ourselves.

[Philip Malden]

Well, considering that it's too small to hold more than three of us, it wasn't so magnanimous.

[Esther Malden]

Still, they could have tried to grab it for themselves.

[Philip Malden]

Farber seems to be trying to make amends for the way his pal acted the other day.

[Esther Malden]

I wonder what their game is.

[Philip Malden]

Yes, I'd like to know, too. Sing too. Yes. You wish to know how soon we reach Hoary City?

[Esther Malden]

He may not talk much, but he's a pretty good mind reader.

[Philip Malden]

Shh. That's it. Sing to how long expect to see gates in distance? Perhaps tomorrow.

[Esther Malden]

Tomorrow? Oh, that's wonderful.

[Philip Malden]

Is it?

[Esther Malden]

Well, isn't it?

[Philip Malden]

It means time's run out, Esther. If they're going to pull anything, they're going to pull it now.

[Esther Malden]

The Germans were camped under a ledge which protected them from the wind. About 50ft from us, across a narrow crevasse. In spite of all the things that had happened before. Or might be going to happen ahead, it was strangely peaceful. Up the hill in the west, a fan of pink rays from the sun shot up from behind the snow range. And overhead, a few bright stars twinkled. Presently the fan flickered and disappeared. And then, in the glow of the full moon, I saw what looked like a long procession of ghosts in the distance, but were actually cascades of snow, melting and falling hundreds of feet, leaping from ledge to ledge. In the morning, the air was crystal clear, and we saw it.

[Philip Malden]

The Holy City. Esther, do you see it? I expected only to return again when I die.

[Esther Malden]

Oh, it's beautiful. How long will it take us to reach it?

[Philip Malden]

You will not reach it at all, my friends. Don't start something you can't. Finish her, Commandant.

[Esther Malden]

Phil.

[Philip Malden]

Get back. Get behind me. Back in the cave. You should have been more friendly to me, Frau Malin. Perhaps I would have taken you with us. Go on. Throw your gun.

[Adam Graham]

Shoot us.

[Philip Malden]

Watch the big joke. Do you think we would have been fools enough to give you loaded guns? But I saw them. I broke open the gun and saw the cartridges. Did you take one out and examine it? Why don't you do it now?

[Esther Malden]

Still Look. I opened mine. It's a. It's a blank cartridge.

[Philip Malden]

Now surely Vorm Orden. You understand why I took care not to let your husband become too excited the night Ernst here tried to be friendly. I didn't want to take a chance of your finding out too soon. We should give you regards to the Dalai Lama. Shoot us.

[Esther Malden]

Go on.

[Philip Malden]

Kill us with your blank guns if you can. That's not a bad idea, Esther. Elves.

[Esther Malden]

Look out.

[Philip Malden]

Back in the cave. Quick.

[Esther Malden]

Phil took them at their word and actually killed them with his blank gun. The shots vibrated enough to loosen the heavily piled snow, break the crust at the rim of the ledge and start the slide. That avalanche down at the church, it threw them over the side and buried them somewhere on the cliffs below us under rock, ice and snow.

[Philip Malden]

Gun they are gone.

[Esther Malden]

Oh, the thaw worked for us, didn't it?

[Philip Malden]

Yes. Come on, sing to you. Lead, we'll follow.

[Esther Malden]

We could see the Holy City, but It was still 25 miles away. It was two days travel of an almost vertical descent into the valley. And we arrived at dusk at the magnificent red and white palace that overlooked the city. It was a week before we saw the Dalai Lama. Our entrance into his presence was conducted with the utmost ceremony. Tall, grim faced monks lined the hall. Their 6 foot 4 inch frames made even more massive by layers of stiff gold brocade. The walls were carved with strange images and Tibetan inscriptions. Then the gun was struck again. We were ushered into the throne room.

[Philip Malden]

Esther, look. Quiet. Must not talk. Come, Dalai Dhamma. We'll see you now.

[Esther Malden]

We walked on thick rugs that were brilliant in color and depicted the ways of the sea clouds and emblems of happiness. Then we saw a throne of yellow satin at the end of the great room. And on it, robed in burgundy and gold satin, with a crown on his head and a table of jewels. Beside him sat the Dalai Lama, a boy of six. Come closer. Come. I will throw this silk longevity scarf over your heads to welcome you.

[Philip Malden]

We thank you for your welcome. Your serenity. We bring you gifts from our leader.

[Esther Malden]

I accept your gifts with great thanks. How is your president?

[Philip Malden]

He is well, thank you.

[Esther Malden]

Bring the gifts to me. Let me see. They gave him the gifts and he looked at each one carefully. After a while, servants began to pass bowls of rice and glasses of black tea. I noticed that a special taster took a sip of the Lama's tea before it touched his sacred lips. Mr. And Mrs. Malton? Yes. Your Serenity. Throw a pinch of rice over your shoulder. It will bring good luck.

[Philip Malden]

Your Serenity. We've come to talk about peace and friendliness between our two countries.

[Esther Malden]

There is no need to talk. Come here. I tie three knots in your scarf. There. What's that.

[Philip Malden]

Means? Only interview at an end.

[Esther Malden]

But we've accomplished nothing.

[Philip Malden]

His Serenity has tied 3 knots in Americans longevity scarf. He has blessed them. Our countries were difference. The success of the mission of these two OSS geologists helped to lay the foundations of friendship between Tibet and the United States and to forestall any possibility of Tibet's cooperation with our Axis enemies. Thus, once again the report of another agent ends with the words mission accomplished. Listen again next week for another true adventure from the files of the OSS on cloak and dagger. Heard in today's cloak and dagger adventure as Esther was. Louise Barclay. Philip Grant Richards. The Monk, Raymond Edward Johnson Barber, Stefan Schnabel, Kessler, Barry Kroger. Others were Janice Gilbert, Carl Weber, Ralph Bell and Jerry Jarrett. Script was written by Winifred Wolf and Jack Gordon. The music was under the direction of John Gart. Sound effects by Chet Hill and Dick Gillespie. Today's true OSS adventure was based on the book Cloak and Dagger by Corey ford and Alistair McBain. This program was produced by Louis G. Cowan and Alfred Hollander under the direction and supervision of Sherman Marks. Programs get your programs here. Mystery in Action tonight on NBC. Hear how you may win a cash prize as an armchair detective on $1,000 reward. Listen to the adventures of the suave crime fighter the Saint, played by screen favorite Vincent Price, and follow another exciting caper with the greatest private eye of them all, hard boiled Sam Spade. Now stay tuned for High Adventure and the Big Guy on NBC. This is the story of the One As a maintenance supervisor at a manufacturing facility, he knows keeping the line up and running is a top priority. That's why he chooses Grainger, because when a drive belt gets damaged, Grainger makes it easy to find the exact specs.

[Esther Malden]

For the replacement product he needs, and.

[Philip Malden]

Next day delivery helps ensure he'll have everything in place and running like clockwork. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, I really enjoyed this episode. Don't mess with geologists. That's the moral of this story. I did like the husband and wife team. While I know that they were drawn from real life people who worked with the oss, I'd love a radio series with characters like this as globetrotting adventurers. I first played this episode as part of Our World War II podcast the War and it was amazing to reflect then that the Dalai Lama in this episode was based on the current Dalai Lama. And that's still the case 11 years later. Which kind of blows my mind. Alright, listener comments and feedback now. And we go over to Spotify where mechanic66 has a comment regarding the episode Swastika on the Windmill. Can't believe they fell for the old the resistance sent us. And he also notes we have ways of making you talk. Well, I didn't have a whole lot of problem with it just because the ways that various sort of resistance or partisans or maquis, whatever you might refer to it, were organized very greatly from place to place with varying degrees of people who knew what they were. Which meant some people could be quite naive and some people could think others were misunderstanding or acting incorrectly and in need of correction and end up accidentally giving themselves away. If it was not well organized, which in many places was it? Alright, well, now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the Day and I want to go ahead and thank you, Neil, patreon Supporter since September 2016, currently supporting the podcast at the secret agent level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Neil, and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel and like mark the notification bell. And if you are listening on our Great Detectives feed, we will be back tomorrow with the Sunday Encore and then return to our regular lineup with Danger with Granger. And if you're listening on our Great Adventurers feed, we will be back on Tuesday with the final episode of the Interplanetary Adventures of Flash Gordon. In the meantime, do send your comments to Box [e-mail] From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.