The Man Who Came Back by Dark Fantasy

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Horror! (Old Time Radio) – “The Man Who Came Back” by Dark Fantasy
Episode Date: April 25, 2026
Presented by RelicRadio.com

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Episode Overview

This episode of "The Horror!" features the first story aired on NBC’s Dark Fantasy (originally broadcast November 14, 1941), titled "The Man Who Came Back." Host RelicRadio sets up an old-fashioned narrative of betrayal, murder, and supernatural revenge—classic old time radio storytelling filled with atmosphere and eerie suspense.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Masquerade – Setting the Scene

• The story opens at a masquerade party disrupted by a police investigation.
• Captain Sullivan questions partygoers about a mysterious incident, focusing on a masked man (Philip Blake).
• The air of suspicion and unease is established quickly.

Memorable quote (03:02, Philip Blake):

“The call was placed by a most hysterical woman. And there is nothing you can do for the man in there, I assure you.”

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2. The Backstory – Betrayal and Confrontation

• Through flashback, Philip Blake recounts events leading to the night’s tragedy.
• Blake learns of his wife Sylvia's affair with his friend, Keith Grange.
• An intense confrontation unfolds, filled with subtext and accusation.

Tense dialogue (05:46, Philip Blake):

“My wife has played that tune for you every night this week and last and the week before that. You see, I happen to know.”

• Things escalate until Blake threatens Grange, warning ominously (08:33, Philip Blake):

“If you kill me, Grange, I’ll come back in a venge…”

• Grange, feeling cornered, shoots Blake. The court finds Grange acted in “self-defense.”
• The deed is legally absolved, but the moral weight lingers.

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3. Haunting Consequences – The Return

• Grange attempts to start a new life with Sylvia. Tension remains between them, hinting at their shared guilt.
• Strange occurrences begin:
  • Sylvia receives Blake’s ring, which she insists was buried with him (14:55, Sylvia):

    “It’s his ring. I gave it to him. I swear to you, Philip Blake was buried with that ring on his finger.”

  • Grange experiences ghostly visitations; in a cab, he is startled to find he rides not alone—the ghost of Blake joins him (16:49, Philip Blake):

    “I am dead, Grange. I am buried.”

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4. The Masque of Retribution

• The story circles back to another masquerade party at Grange’s mansion, where he is stalked by a mysterious man in black.

• The haunting escalates as the unplayed piano starts up, playing Blake’s melody—without any visible hands (20:41, narration):

  “The keys moving up and down, playing the music, but there are no hands on them.”

• Blake materializes, presenting Grange with the gun used in the murder, now loaded with a single cartridge, offering him the only way out (21:50, Philip Blake):

  “I put one shell in its chamber. Just one, Grange, but that is enough.”

• Grange, driven to despair and madness by the relentless haunting, takes his own life.

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5. Epilogue – Mystery Maintained

• The story ends at the original masquerade, with police officers confused by the disappearance of the masked man (Blake’s ghost) and the inexplicable bloodstain on the floor marking the spot where he stood.

Notable exchange (24:24):

“He told me the darndest story about a murdered man coming back from the grave.”

(24:36, narration): “Blood. A little pool of it. There on the floor, right in the exact spot where the man in black was standing.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ominous Promise:
  "If you kill me, Grange, I’ll come back in a venge..." (08:33, Philip Blake)

• Proof of the Supernatural:
  "It’s his ring. I gave it to him. I swear to you, Philip Blake was buried with that ring on his finger." (14:55, Sylvia)

• Blake’s Ghostly Presence:
  "I am dead, Grange. I am buried." (16:49, Philip Blake)

• Supernatural Manifestation:
  "The keys moving up and down, playing the music, but there are no hands on them." (20:41, narration)

• Ultimate Revenge:
  "I put one shell in its chamber. Just one, Grange, but that is enough." (21:50, Philip Blake)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:37] – Story begins: “Dark fantasy. I am the man who came back…”
• [05:03] – Conflict over the affair intensifies
• [08:33] – Blake’s warning and murder
• [09:35] – Court verdict: Grange is acquitted
• [12:34] – Blake’s haunting voice begins to torment Grange
• [14:46] – The horror of the returned ring
• [16:49] – The cab scene: Blake’s ghostly presence
• [20:35] – The haunted piano and Blake’s materialization
• [21:50] – The gun with a single cartridge is revealed
• [24:36] – Final chilling detail: pool of blood at the scene of the ghost

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Tone and Language

The episode maintains the brisk, melodramatic, and gothic tone of classic radio horror. Characters use earnest, sometimes flowery language, heightening the suspense. The script leans heavily on assertion, confrontation, and ghostly foreboding—immersive and vivid for listeners who crave vintage chills.

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Conclusion

"The Man Who Came Back" is a classic supernatural revenge tale: betrayal, murder, and a pledge that not even death ends the consequences of sin. With its layered flashbacks, clever structure, and atmospheric sound design, Dark Fantasy’s debut holds up as a showcase of old-time radio’s eerie power.

Perfect for those who love a gothic twist, moral comeuppance, or simply want to shiver at an old ghost story told in radio’s golden age.

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Transcript

[Philip Blake]

Oh, stories, real stories and murders do

[Captain Sullivan]

turn out your legs.

[Philip Blake]

Turn them out. Good evening. Come in, won't you? What's the matter? Surely you're not nervous.

[Keith Grange]

For example, car, I think restored.

[Captain Sullivan]

We are meant to call from out of the past. Stories strange and weird tales of mystery and terror by radio's masters of the

[Keith Grange]

maa Stories of a supernatural the supernova dramatized the mysteries the unknown.

[Captain Sullivan]

We tell you this. Frank.

[Keith Grange]

Frank.

[Captain Sullivan]

So if you wish to avoid the

[Keith Grange]

excitement tension of these magic play ladies, we urge you our latest seriously to turn off your way down.

[Relic Radio Host]

Welcome back to the Horror, your weekly dose of old fashioned fear. Every Saturday@ RelicRadio.com Our story comes from Dark Fantasy this week an NBC series that debuted in November of 1941 and aired for 31 episodes until June of 1942. We're gonna hear the first episode today on November 14th, 1941. Here's the man who came back.

[Keith Grange]

Dark fantasy.

[Philip Blake]

I am the man who came back it.

[Captain Sullivan]

All right now, break it up. Break it up.

[Sylvia]

He's this way, officer. He's in here.

[Captain Sullivan]

All right, Ms. Casey. Yes, Captain. Now you stay right there in that doorway and don't let nobody in or out. Right, Captain. All right, now. All right, you heard him.

[Sylvia]

Oh, but we had nothing to do with this.

[Captain Sullivan]

Okay, sister, you didn't. You ain't got nothing to be scared of. Hey, you. Where do you think you're going?

[Philip Blake]

I thought I might get a little

[Keith Grange]

air, if you don't mind.

[Captain Sullivan]

Well, I do mind. Now back in the house with you. What's the big idea, you wearing that mask?

[Philip Blake]

As you might have observed, my friend, this is a masquerade party.

[Captain Sullivan]

Oh, is it now? Well, according to Emily Post, its masks off at midnight. We got this call to come out here just as the clock in Washington Circle was striking the hour.

[Philip Blake]

The call was placed by a most hysterical woman. And there is nothing you can do for the man in there, I assure you.

[Captain Sullivan]

Stop changing the subject. What I want to know is why ain't you unmasked like the other?

[Philip Blake]

I prefer, sir, to wear my mask.

[Captain Sullivan]

Take it off, Don Juan. I want to look at your mug.

[Philip Blake]

It might be better, my friend, if you didn't see my mug.

[Captain Sullivan]

Now look here, Zorro.

[Philip Blake]

Perhaps while we are waiting, I might tell you a story, huh?

[Captain Sullivan]

What is this, bedtime at Grandma's? The only story I'm interested in is what happened here tonight.

[Philip Blake]

Exactly.

[Keith Grange]

Eh?

[Philip Blake]

I said exactly. Perhaps I can tell you the story.

[Captain Sullivan]

All right then, my fine, mysterious friend, give.

[Philip Blake]

Well, you see, it's quite A long story. It really all began three. Yes, at least three years ago. I remember that evening quite well. I let myself into Grange's apartment. It was a golden key. I used a bright golden key. And there was no one there when I arrived. So I close the door and wait. Well, Grange, Imagine seeing me here.

[Keith Grange]

Blake. I say, you startled me.

[Philip Blake]

Did I? Now? I dare say had I been someone else, you wouldn't have been at all startled.

[Keith Grange]

Incidentally, old man, how did you get in here?

[Philip Blake]

I suppose it would be quite facetious on me to say that I came in the same way you did. I say, a new piano. Do you mind?

[Keith Grange]

No, not at all.

[Captain Sullivan]

Go right ahead.

[Keith Grange]

Help yourself. Have a drink.

[Captain Sullivan]

No, thanks.

[Philip Blake]

You better have one, though.

[Keith Grange]

Hmm? Oh, yeah. I say, Blake, what's that you're playing?

[Philip Blake]

You've heard it before, Grange.

[Keith Grange]

Have I? I don't recall.

[Philip Blake]

You have a short memory.

[Keith Grange]

I usually remember pretty well when you choose to. You do?

[Philip Blake]

Yes.

[Captain Sullivan]

What do you mean by that?

[Philip Blake]

My wife has played that tune for you every night this week and last and the week before that. You see, I happen to know.

[Keith Grange]

Oh, I see.

[Philip Blake]

Well, I'm glad you haven't the audacity to deny it.

[Keith Grange]

No, I don't deny it. Your wife has been here often, as often as she possibly could. But I assure you she came of her own desire.

[Philip Blake]

And as a result of your oily

[Keith Grange]

persuasion, I might agree, Blake, that she is easily persuaded. And of course, my curiosity prompts me to ask how you finally learned the truth.

[Philip Blake]

I accidentally found the key to your apartment here. It was in Sylvia's purse. A golden key with your initials engraved on one side, hers on the other.

[Keith Grange]

I thought that a rather handsome touch. Don't you agree?

[Philip Blake]

I've brought the key back to you.

[Keith Grange]

How gallant of you, old fellow.

[Philip Blake]

I'm serious. Sylvia will never come here again.

[Keith Grange]

Are you positive of that?

[Philip Blake]

Quite. For I shall ask her not to.

[Keith Grange]

You seem to believe she'll obey you.

[Philip Blake]

She will. And I ask you now, Grange, as a gentleman, kindly refrain from inviting her here again.

[Keith Grange]

In other words, hands off.

[Philip Blake]

That is, I'm glad I make myself quite plain.

[Keith Grange]

Why, you fool.

[Captain Sullivan]

You dull, stupid fool.

[Keith Grange]

What right have you to demand anything of Sylvia?

[Captain Sullivan]

Do you think for a moment, night after night, twiddling her thumbs while you're away from home?

[Philip Blake]

I admit I've been busy this past year, but another six months.

[Keith Grange]

Ah, you've no one to blame for Sylvia's being here but yourself. Here she's found what you've denied her. Blake. I doubt very much if she'll give it up.

[Philip Blake]

Why you swine. If you think for a moment.

[Keith Grange]

Oh,

[Philip Blake]

I forgot you carried a gun. But if you'd care to put it away.

[Keith Grange]

Skip the heroic splay. You know, I think I've suddenly thought of a solution to all this.

[Philip Blake]

The only solution is for you to leave Sylvia alone.

[Keith Grange]

Oh no, no, you're quite mistaken. This is the solution. Here in my hand. Indeed, I rather like the idea. Besides, with you out of the way, Sylvia need have no more qualms.

[Philip Blake]

Why, you low yellow rat.

[Keith Grange]

That's it Blake. Come closer. Threaten me. Make me do it. Make me do it, Blake.

[Philip Blake]

You think killing me is a way out, Grange, you're very badly mistaken.

[Captain Sullivan]

It's the only way out.

[Philip Blake]

If you kill me, Grange, I'll come back in a venture.

[Captain Sullivan]

One shot and that'd be all. I can prove self defense. Sylvia will help. She'll swear you came here and tried to kill me.

[Philip Blake]

I'll come back, Grange.

[Captain Sullivan]

Just one shot. Directly between the eyes.

[Philip Blake]

I'll haunt you, Grange, because by God

[Captain Sullivan]

in heaven, I'll come back. It's a perfect scheme. Yes, I like it. I'll pierce the veil, Grange, because I'll come back if I have to fight all the demons of helted Goethe. Prepare Blake. This is a chance of a lifetime. It's the way out. Yes, it's the way out.

[Sylvia]

X ray.

[Captain Sullivan]

Get your extra paper. Wealthy playwright clean in millionaire's apartment.

[Keith Grange]

Read all about it.

[Captain Sullivan]

Hey, Mr. Keith Grange playing self defense and slaying a Philip Lake. Here it is folks. Get your extra paper. Read the headline news about the killing. It is the judgment of this court that the defendant Keith Grange did shoot and kill the deceased Philip Blake on the night of April 16th. And that in so doing he acted in a line of self defense. The court therefore decrees that Keith Grange shall not be held to account for this unfortunate incident.

[Sylvia]

Well, my dear, I suppose there's nothing to worry about now.

[Keith Grange]

Not the slightest thing. I told you from the very beginning, Sylvia, that I acted rightly in doing what I did.

[Sylvia]

I still can't resign myself to it.

[Captain Sullivan]

But you must.

[Keith Grange]

It's all over. Philip is dead. Now we can be together as much as we please.

[Sylvia]

Keith, suppose you and I should have a misunderstanding. Suppose I should become angry sometimes. So angry I. I might tell the truth to the authorities.

[Keith Grange]

That, my dear, would be most unfortunate.

[Captain Sullivan]

But it's a possibility.

[Keith Grange]

And by no means should we overlook possibility. So allow me to remind you, Sylvia, my dear girl, that your hiding the true facts of the matter at the coroner's investigation automatically makes you an accomplice.

[Sylvia]

Oh, I see. But why are we talking like this, darling? We'll both feel better after we've had a little rest.

[Keith Grange]

Of course we will. There.

[Sylvia]

Excuse me. Good night, darling. I'm going home.

[Keith Grange]

I'll take you.

[Sylvia]

Oh, no. I'd rather go alone tonight, if you don't mind.

[Keith Grange]

As you wish, my dear. Good night.

[Sylvia]

Good night, darling, sweet. Will you call me in the morning?

[Keith Grange]

Yes, of course I will.

[Sylvia]

Good night, then.

[Captain Sullivan]

Good night, darling.

[Keith Grange]

Pleasant dreams. That's strange. Very strange. Just a moment ago, there were only Sylvie and I here. Now she's gone. Yet I feel that I'm not alone.

[Philip Blake]

You're not alone, Grange.

[Keith Grange]

What? What was that? I thought I heard a voice.

[Philip Blake]

It was my voice.

[Captain Sullivan]

Who are you? Where are you?

[Philip Blake]

I told you I'd come back.

[Captain Sullivan]

No, no, it's just my imagination.

[Philip Blake]

Is it your imagination, Grange?

[Captain Sullivan]

Yes, yes, of course.

[Philip Blake]

I warned you. I warned you, remember?

[Captain Sullivan]

Come out. Come out in the open. Come out, I say. Do you hear me? Come out.

[Philip Blake]

Your gun is useless against me now, Grange.

[Captain Sullivan]

What do you want? Tell me, what do you want?

[Philip Blake]

Oh, not now. The time isn't right now. But I'll be back. Watch for me and wait. Watch and wait for. I'll come back, Brains.

[Keith Grange]

I'll come back. No, no. I'm sure of was no one. No one at all.

[Captain Sullivan]

I just imagined it, that's all. Yes, just my imagination.

[Keith Grange]

Sylvia, dear, you look so tired. Here, perhaps this will wake you up. Present for you.

[Sylvia]

A present?

[Keith Grange]

Yes, something I picked up today. I thought you'd like it.

[Sylvia]

How sweet of you, Darling. I think I can guess just by looking at the box. It's. It's a ring.

[Keith Grange]

Oh, aren't you clever. Go ahead, open it.

[Sylvia]

All right, darling, but don't hurry me.

[Keith Grange]

Sylvia, that isn't the ring I bought for you.

[Sylvia]

Keith, look at this ring.

[Keith Grange]

The initials P.B.

[Sylvia]

keith.

[Philip Blake]

This.

[Sylvia]

This is his ring.

[Captain Sullivan]

Sylvia, what are you saying?

[Sylvia]

It's his ring. I gave it to him.

[Keith Grange]

What?

[Captain Sullivan]

Sylvia did.

[Sylvia]

I swear to you. Philip Blake was buried with that ring on his finger.

[Keith Grange]

Dad. Dad. Mr. Yes? Please.

[Captain Sullivan]

Do you mind coming around to the

[Keith Grange]

other side, please, mister.

[Captain Sullivan]

That door busted and you can't get it open. Oh, very well. Sorry to ask that of you, but they had time to get the other door fixed.

[Keith Grange]

Where to, friends? Oh, I think the DS Hotel, please.

[Philip Blake]

Right. Excellent. That's where I'm going.

[Keith Grange]

Oh, well, you startle me. I didn't know there was anyone in this cab. It's so dark tonight.

[Philip Blake]

Yes, isn't it?

[Keith Grange]

I see. I don't seem to feel anyone in

[Captain Sullivan]

the seat here beside me.

[Philip Blake]

Strange. You certainly bumped me hard enough when you crawled in here.

[Keith Grange]

Bumped you? I beg your pardon, sir, but I.

[Philip Blake]

Never mind, Grange. Never mind.

[Keith Grange]

You know me.

[Philip Blake]

I'm surprised that you don't know me.

[Keith Grange]

Why, there he goes. Your voice sounds familiar. Good Lord. Philip Blake.

[Philip Blake]

Do you mind riding with me?

[Captain Sullivan]

I. Blake, you're supposed to be dead. You're supposed to be buried.

[Philip Blake]

I am dead, Grange. I am buried.

[Captain Sullivan]

Gabby. Gabby, stop this cab.

[Keith Grange]

Right, sir.

[Captain Sullivan]

Let me out of here. Let me out. What's the matter, governor? Hey, you hadn't ought to jump out of a moving car like that. What in the name of heaven is in the back of that cab? Why, nothing, governor.

[Keith Grange]

Here, see?

[Captain Sullivan]

I'll turn on the light.

[Keith Grange]

There, see?

[Captain Sullivan]

But there was somebody in there with me. Oh, now, mister, they couldn't have been. Look for yourself. The seat's empty.

[Keith Grange]

There.

[Captain Sullivan]

You just jumped out on this side of the cab. The other door won't open. No, brother, there wasn't nobody in that seat with you. Must have been your imagination.

[Sylvia]

Hello. Hello, Doric there. This is Sylvia. I just wanted to remind you about the masquerade ball at Keith's new home tonight. You'll be there? Fine. Now remember, masks and costumes for everybody. All right. Now, be sure to come in costume, won't you, Dorothy? Yes, and heavily masked, my dear. Yes, at Keith's new place. Oh, darling, wait till you see the place. It's really a mansion. Honestly.

[Keith Grange]

It's humorous.

[Sylvia]

Mr. Grange, I believe.

[Captain Sullivan]

Sylvia, darling.

[Keith Grange]

So you've penetrated my disguise.

[Sylvia]

Silly. I heard you order it from the consumers yesterday. Darling, the music book starts soon. First dance hours.

[Keith Grange]

Sylvia, my dear, every dance is ours tonight. Are you happy I bought this place?

[Sylvia]

Oh, it's lovely. Absolutely lovely. Keith, darling, what's the matter?

[Keith Grange]

That man in black. I've been watching him all evening. He's been watching me.

[Sylvia]

Do you know who he is?

[Keith Grange]

No. He just stands and stares at me everywhere I go.

[Captain Sullivan]

He's always just a short distance away.

[Sylvia]

Look, he's going into your study.

[Keith Grange]

Well, he hasn't any business in there.

[Sylvia]

Strange. I locked that door this evening so the guest wouldn't go into your study and disturb things.

[Keith Grange]

Well, he just walked right in, dear. I'll go see who he is and what he wants. You mingle with the guests and I'll join you later.

[Sylvia]

Very well, dear. But don't be long. I'll be waiting for you.

[Keith Grange]

All right. Sylvia. It's odd. This door is locked. Dark piano. Oh, confound it, where's the light switch? There. No. No, it can't be. That piano. Someone's playing, and

[Captain Sullivan]

yet there's no one seated there.

[Keith Grange]

The keys moving up and down, playing

[Captain Sullivan]

the music, but there are no hands on them.

[Keith Grange]

That melody. It's the melody he played the night I killed him.

[Captain Sullivan]

He's playing it now, yet he's not there.

[Keith Grange]

I'm here, Grange. I'm here.

[Philip Blake]

Look closer, Grange. Here I am. You see?

[Keith Grange]

Yes, I see you now.

[Philip Blake]

I brought you a little gift for your masquerade party.

[Keith Grange]

What?

[Philip Blake]

You'll find it lying on your desk. Turn around and see for yourself.

[Sylvia]

That's right.

[Keith Grange]

There. You see? A gun.

[Philip Blake]

It's the one you killed me with. Don't you recognize it?

[Keith Grange]

Where did you get that gun?

[Philip Blake]

I found it, Grange, and I've brought

[Keith Grange]

it back to you.

[Philip Blake]

I put one shell in its chamber. Just one, Grange, but that is enough.

[Captain Sullivan]

What are you trying to

[Keith Grange]

go on? He's gone.

[Captain Sullivan]

Lord, am I mad? Was I dream?

[Keith Grange]

No,

[Captain Sullivan]

no, the gun is here. It is my gun.

[Keith Grange]

One cartridge. He said only one. One cartridge.

[Captain Sullivan]

Yes.

[Sylvia]

Yes.

[Captain Sullivan]

It's the only way left. He knew it was the only way. Now he's left me to take it. All right, Blake. You can have your revenge. You can have it. You are right. It is the only way. So he shot himself.

[Philip Blake]

The evidence in there will indicate that he did, yes.

[Captain Sullivan]

Say, that's quite a yarn you spun, Zorro.

[Keith Grange]

It is nothing but the truth.

[Captain Sullivan]

Come on, now.

[Keith Grange]

Come on, me friend.

[Captain Sullivan]

Let's take off your mask and have a look at you.

[Keith Grange]

One moment.

[Philip Blake]

Heath Grange shot Philip Blake squarely between the eyes.

[Keith Grange]

So what?

[Philip Blake]

That doesn't make a very pretty sight.

[Captain Sullivan]

Well, I don't see what that's got to do with. Here comes the captain. He'll take that mask off.

[Keith Grange]

Ye, Captain.

[Captain Sullivan]

Sullivan, come here a minute, will you? Yes, Casey, what is it? There's a mug here that won't take off his mask. He's been spinning me the most fantastic yarn ever heard in all my.

[Keith Grange]

Where'd he go? Huh? Where'd who go?

[Philip Blake]

Say, did you let somebody get out

[Keith Grange]

of this house, Casey?

[Captain Sullivan]

No, no, no, no, said Cap.

[Keith Grange]

No, I didn't.

[Captain Sullivan]

But he was. He was standing here just a minute ago. He wouldn't take off his mask. He told me the darndest story about a murdered man coming back from the grave.

[Keith Grange]

Casey, have you been near the punch bowl? There's no one here. Now, wait a minute.

[Philip Blake]

What's this stain here on the floor?

[Keith Grange]

Blood. A little pool of it.

[Captain Sullivan]

There on the floor, right in the exact spot where the man in black was standing.

[Keith Grange]

Sam. Dark fantasy. The man who Came Back an original tale of dark fantasy by Scott Bishop. Ben Morris was Keith Grange. Eleanor Naylor Coren was hurt as Sylvia. Fred Wayne took the part of Casey Muir Height was Captain Sullivan, Murillo Schofield the cab driver and Eugene Francis was the man who Came Back. Ladies and gentlemen, every Friday night at this time, the national broadcast, the National Broadcasting Company will bring you dark fantasy tales of the weird adventures of the supernatural created for you by Scott Bishop. Listen one week from tonight for the breathtaking story of the tombs of ancient China, the Soul of Shanhaiwan.

[Captain Sullivan]

This is the National Broadcasting Company.

[Relic Radio Host]

You can find more from Dark Fantasy, the Horror and all the Relic Radio podcasts on the website relicradio. Com. You can donate through that website as well if you'd like to help support this and all of the shows. Thanks to those who have thanks for joining me this week. Be back tomorrow with Strange Tales and next Saturday with our next episode of the Horror.