The Avenger - The Crypt of Thoth

0:00The Avenger. The road to crime ends in a trap that justice sets. Crime does not pay. The Avenger.

1:00The Avenger. The Avenger. The Avenger. Sworn enemy of evil is actually Jim Branden, a famous biochemist. Through his numerous scientific experiments, Branden has perfected two inventions to aid him in his crusade against crime as the Avenger. The telepathic indicator, by which he is able to pick up thought flashes, and the secret diffusion capsule, which cloaks him in the black light of invisibility. Branden's assistant, the beautiful Fern Collier, is the only one who shares his secrets and knows that he is the man the underworld fears as the Avenger.

2:05And now... ...the Avenger and the tunnel of disaster. The Avenger. Fern, we'll finish this experiment later. It's time to listen to the broadcast now. Oh, yes, Jim, I've forgotten about that. Why, Fern, I'll sue. Inspector White's talked of nothing else for a week. You helped him write a dedication speech for the opening of the new tunnel, didn't you, Jim? Yes, and I'll never forgive us if we don't listen to him deliver it. You know they ran into so much trouble building that river for a tunnel. I often thought they'd never finish it. Well, folks, several thousand people are gathered here for the dedication of the new river for a tunnel that cuts through south mountain. In another moment, the ceremonies will begin. Jim, didn't the final cost of the tunnel amount more than twice the amount of original plan for? That's right, Fern. The engineers ran into all sorts of difficulties. In fact, they advised the city council more than once to abandon the whole idea.

3:08It's pretty well known that the engineers wanted to resign, but the city held them to their contract. Well, I suppose now that the tunnel is finished, it's worth all the money that was spent on it. Yes, we'll relieve the traffic jams on the other tunnels and make it easier to get in and out of the city on the south side. Oh, just in Jim, they're ready to begin with the ceremony. And the work was carried forward. We are broadcasting to you from a helicopter from which we can see both ends of the tunnel. Now, in just a moment, our tunnel commissioner, Jonas Anderson, will drive the first car through the tunnel. Right now, the tapes are being cut. The municipal band is striking up, and the commissioners' car is entering the tunnel. As soon as the car emerges at the other end, the signal will be given for the first ticket to be sold. The commissioner is making this trip to establish a time record. And now I'm going to lower the mic over the side, let you listen to the band for a moment. This record around seems to be taking a little longer than expected.

4:11The commissioner's car should have come through by now. Inspector White of the police department is just out of the band to stop playing. Something has gone wrong. Stand by. Jim, what could have happened? Oh, a flat tire almost likely. It couldn't be anything else. Yes, something is wrong here, folks. We're going to land our helicopter on the roadway so that we can give you a first-hand report. Stay with the radio, friend. I'm going to see if I can pick up anything on the telepathic indicator. Yes, Jim. Nobody can understand what's happened here. Inspector White is going through the tunnel and the police squad car now, and we should know something in a minute. Jim, could you pick up anything on the indicator? Not yet, friend. Here comes the inspector squad car now. We'll have news for you in just a moment. Please, please. Ladies and gentlemen of our strange things happened here. Inspector White reports that there's absolutely no sign of either the commissioner's car and the tunnel aid. They have just disappeared. Well, Jim, pick up anything.

5:11Yes, Fern, I did. What, Jim? A mid-impressions of great excitement. The indicator picked up a strong telepathic impression of violence and disaster. What shall we do, Jim? We'd better get out there to the tunnel right away, Fern. Inspector White will need us. I'll be there. I'll be there. I'll be there. I'll be there. I'll be there. I'll be there. I'll be there. I'll be there. I'll be there. I'll be there. I'll be there. I'll be there. Alright, Fern. Inspector White will need us. O Say, how many guards were stationed in the tunnel when this crazy thing happened inspector? For Jim, one on each end and two on the center.

6:13The center ones were knocked out, but they're in the hospital under God. There's not a chance that they know anything if they did they'd have been killed. That's what I think, but here's something else, Jim. This note was found pinned to the code of one of those guards. What does it say, Jim? It's a warning to the mayor. It says, River Forb tunnel is a death trap. The public will never use it. Close it at once or disaster will strike again. Well, anyway, it's a relief to know we're dealing with a flesh and blood criminal. For while, I've talked to though the commissioner had just disappeared into the near. Well, he has, Fern. We know that he went into the tunnel, and we know he didn't come out. He's not in there now, so where is he? Inspector, I'd like to take a walk through the tunnel. Oh, you fool. Find a thing, Jim. But come on. Do you think this will cause the tunnel to be closed for good inspector? I don't know, Fern. That's up to the city council. This tunnel costs the city $15 million. I'm betting they won't close it. Well, whether they do an ad, I've still got to crack this case in a short order too.

7:15Wait. Where's that hammering coming from, Inspector? Well, that's my man testing every inch of these walls, Jim. If there's a hollow spot, they'll find it. Good work, Inspector. Jim, have you got any ideas at all on this thing? Not yet, Inspector. But there's got to be a joker in this deal somewhere. We'll just play the handout and we'll find it. Yes, yes, I'm Mark 11's. What's your business, Brandon? Miss Collier and I came to make a few inquiries, Mr. Evans. And get to the point, then, Brandon. What do you want? You were the construction engineer on the river foot tunnel, weren't you? Yes. And we should never have had a blasted thing. And it told them from the beginning that tunnel shouldn't be built, but they wouldn't listen to me. Well, what were your objections to the tunnel? Objection, sir. And it was a waste of the taxpayers' money for one thing. We could have built a road around both sides of that mountain for a fraction of what the tunnel cost.

8:18What if it does take them from motorists a few minutes longer to reach the bridge? Safety's more important. Inspector White says you received a number of threatening letters during the time the tunnel was under construction. Yes, and I turned them all over to the city council, but they didn't pay any attention. Those politicians. How sound are the walls of the tunnel? Young man, I'll put my work up against any construction job in the country. Well, I'm not questioning you. And you're near the plans, the mayor told me to hand them over to you. Now take them and get out. Your questions are in and so forth. All right, Mr. Evans. You want to take that attitude, you have no help to us. Come on, Ferrin. Wow, I've met some grumpy old men before, but Mr. Evans takes the prize. Sometimes grumpiness is employed to hide on easiness, Ferrin. You mean the suspect, don't you? I haven't made up my mind about that yet. So far, I'm too busy wondering about something else I saw in that office. What was that, Jones? There was a tiny model of a gold smelter on the work table in there. A gold smelter? Yes. And I'm wondering what interest a construction engineer in the city could have in a gold smelter.

9:28Oh, no. This is the partly steel, no, Ferrin. That must be the office over there. What do you expect to find out here, Jim? Well, this visit is more or less of a shot on the dock, Ferrin. You'll notice that this land adjoins the city property on which the tunnel is located. Oh, yes. And going through the city records, I discovered that before the tunnel was built, the partly steel company tried to buy up all that adjoining city property. They didn't succeed. But I'd like to find out why they wanted that land. That sounds like an interesting angle, Jim. Oh, here's the office building. Now, as we just walked right in. That was you, Jones? I know. It's Jim Brandon. I've got business with Mr. Hartley. Oh, there must be some mistake. Mr. Hartley's been dead for three years. I want to see the man in charge, then.

10:29Do you have an appointment? No, but I think he'll see me. I'm from the police. Oh, well, well, come in. I'm Peter Ramsey, the general manager here. This is my assistant, Miss Collier. Sit down, won't you? Thank you. I'm sorry to barge in on you this way, Mr. Ramsey, but there are a few questions I'd like to ask. Oh, that's all right, Mr. Brandon. Only I'm a little curious as to why the guard didn't call me from the gate to say you were coming. I don't think he saw us. We came in the side entrance just as some trucks were pulling out. I see. Well, go ahead, Brandon. Some years ago, the Hartley Steel Interest tried to buy the city land a joining his property. Why? Well, all Mr. Hartley was living then. And when he heard the city was thinking of building a tunnel under this mountain, he was afraid it might undermine part of our property and endanger our business. Oh, I see. Any other reason? Well, frankly, yes. We had always hoped that the city would build a road around this end of the mountain.

11:31A great deal of our material is delivered in trucks and a good road would be to our advantage. Naturally, a tunnel through the mountain would cancel out the road. And you weren't willing to build a road yourself? Well, not unless we own all the land. Mr. Ramsey, do you own the steel mill now? Oh, no, no. I'm just the general manager. All Hartley's grandson, Lee Burgess owns it. Does he take an active part in running the mill? Well, yes and no. You know how these rich boys are. He has an office over there near the smelting plant. But I don't think he's in it very often. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Ramsey. This was just a routine check. Oh, that's all right. Even though we weren't very keen on the tunnel at first, where just as much upset as you are as the way things have turned out, call on me again if I can be of any help. Well, Inspector, has the council decided whether they're going to open the tunnel or not?

12:44Well, they reached a decision two hours ago, Jim. The tunnel is now open to traffic. I've just come from there. Okay, Inspector, I just can't understand that opening the tunnel and couldn't have had a chance to solve this case. But, sir, the council has inclined to believe that the whole disappearing act was staged as some kind of a hoax. Or even a publicity stunt. Very well right, I don't know. I'll get it, Jim. Hello. Yes, the inspector's here. Sure, hold on a minute, please. Inspector for you. Thanks, man. Hello. What? Holy smoke. Did you call the tunnel and tell him to stop all the traffic? Good. I'll get out there right away. What's the matter, Inspector? They just received a telephone call and headquarter. Thanks, disaster, which's cracked the tunnel again at midnight. Come on, Jim.

14:54Now, back to the Avenger and the tunnel of disaster. What time is it, Jim? It's 11.58, Inspector. Hey, look at that car ahead. Why it broke right through the gate and went into the tunnel. All the fools? Jim, Poon, get out and stand guard here. See that no other cars get past the guard. Okay, come on, Poon. By Jim. Where are you going, Inspector? Enter the tunnel. Hey, look at that car ahead. Why it broke right through the gate and went into the tunnel. All the fools? Jim, Poon, get out and stand guard here. Enter the tunnel. Inspector, Inspector, you're crazy. You'll never come out of there alive. Come back.

15:55Jim, why do you think it's important to go into the tunnel from the opposite side? We're losing time driving around this mountain. Every car that has disappeared within that tunnel went in at the north entrance. There's some reason for that and I've got to find out what it is. Jim, I'm afraid we're too late to save the inspector. We lost a minute to get into the place the guard had his car parked. There's the entrance, friend. A whole tight. I'm going to crash right through the gate. Okay, Fern? Yes, Jim. The guard is blowing, brust is down. I'll explain to him later. We have a second to lose now. Keep your eyes peeled, Fern. If there's a clue in here, we've got to find it.

16:55Right, Jim. Gosh, this place is frightening. When we reach the center of the tunnel, we'll stop to see if we can pick up any sound. There's absolutely no sign of another car in here, Jim. No. This is the center here. I'll pull up here. Okay. Now, let's listen for a moment. No good. This place is as silent as a tomb. What now, Jim? I'll drive along slowly. Keep your eye on the road. Jim, wait. I just caught sight of something on the side of the road. What was it, Fern? No. Something small that seems to be shining. There it is, Jim. Huh? That's a pencil. It's the Inspector's gold pencil, Fern.

17:55What happens? That means he got as far as the spot, Jim. Yes. And according to my mileage, Gage, this is exactly a tensable mile from the North entrance. Come on, Fern. We've got to get back to the laboratory. This is our first real clue. Here, Jim. I've made some sandwiches for you. You haven't eaten a thing all day. Oh, thanks, Fern. How are you making out, Jim? Well, according to these maps, that spot where we found the Inspector's pencil is directly parallel with the hardly steel mill. But, Jim, if the tunnel walls are solid as everyone claims, what connection can the steel mill have with the tunnel? That's where my other discovery comes in. Your other discovery? Yes. According to this early geological history of that tunnel land, small deposits of gold were once discovered there. Gold? That could be the motor, Fern. Jim, if old Mr. Hartley knew about the gold,

18:57that could have been his reason for wanting to buy the land. Right. But old Hartley is dead. Somebody living must know about that gold, Fern. That's the reason they want the tunnel closed. What? Who's here? So far, we have three possible suspects. Three. Yes. Miracle Evans, the construction engineer. Hartley's grandson, Lee Burgess, and Ramsay, the manager of the Hartley mill. I know why you suspect Evans, Jim. But what reasons have you for thinking Burgess and Ramsay may be guilty? Both of them have the facilities, and are in a position to mind the gold. Jim, none of this is what you call solid evidence. No, it isn't, Fern. But we haven't time to get that. We've got to force the hand of the guilty body. How, Jim? I want you to put in a telephone call to all three suspects. Tell each of them that Jim Branden has discovered a hollow section in the tunnel wall, and that a crew of men is going to start digging it once. Then hang up. And what are you going to do, Jim? If there's any connection between the tunnel and the mill, the guilty body will show up at the mill. I'll be waiting for him there as the Avenger.

20:14Oh, so you finally got here, Burgess. I've been waiting here at the gate for ten minutes. I came as soon as I could, Evans. I had to call my men here at the mill and tell them to get things set. All right, then. Come on. You haven't any time to lose. What, what was that noise? I don't know. There's no one in sight. Say, who do you suppose that girl was who called a warn us? I don't know. How should I know? You can't bother about that now. Burgess, have you got enough dynamite to fill in our mind that joins the tunnel? Lanty, don't worry about that. The minute I set eyes on that brand-newy was trouble. Oh, stop gripping, Evans. Who knew this was a dangerous game when you came in on it? Anyway, we're not lit yet. Yes. You can talk like that because you're young, Burgess. But what about me? I was a respectable engineer all my life until I let you talk me into this gold mining business. I taught you into it. You're ridiculous, Evans. And you're a yellow to boot. Oh, listen here, Burgess. Shut up. Arguing isn't going to get us anywhere. We're both in this thing up to the eyes. Yes, yes, you're right, I guess.

21:15We have to keep our heads now. We'll dynamite our mind for 20 yards right there where it connects with the tunnel. When the cops break through the tunnel wall, they'll run into nothing but dirt. Right. And then I'll sue Brandon for everything he owns. All right, here's the shank. Open the door, Burgess. All right, get inside. Lock that door after us. Burgess, how many men have you got down on the mine? Eight. Where are the prisoners? In a room near the smelter. Say, what are we going to do with those prisoners? Do with them. Eliminate them. What else? I don't think I'd be in such a hurry to do that, Evans. Who's that? Who's in here? It's the Avenger. And this is the end of the line for both of you. Where is he? Get him, Burgess. How can I fight someone I can't even see? You might as well give up. The police will be here in a minute. All right, Burgess. Now, come on. Let's get out of here while there's still time. No, we've got to dynamite the mine first. If we don't, they've got the goods on us. It's too late, I tell you. It's our only chance. Unlock the chapter of them. Quick. Okay. Help me move these file cases away from it.

22:15No, you don't, Burgess. You're not going down in that mine. Oh. Hey, you're knocked him out. Stay where you are, Evans. Or you'll get the same. The police are here now, Evans. And you'd better deliver those prisoners and good help. Or the charge will be murdered as well as kidnapping. The police are here. The police are here. The police are here. The police are here. The police are here. The police are here. The police are here. Jim, friend. Over here. We're waiting for you. What are you planning to do down here, Inspector? To deliver your dedication speech for these reporters? No, Jim. I brought Birke Levin down here in the tunnel to demonstrate exactly how this swinging wall works. How do you feel, Inspector? Fine, fine, fine. Never bet it. Okay, Evans. Stop talking.

23:15All right. Now you'll notice that there's a steel girder. Every 15 feet here through the center of the tunnel. Well, this section of the wall right here, between these two girters, opens just like a door. Huge hinges are behind the steel girder there on the right. But where does the door end? There's no trace of a break in the wall. It ends over there, beneath that girder on the left. Doesn't it, Evans? Yes, yes, that's right. And that girder is attached to this movable portion of the wall. When the wall swings back into place, and that girder covers up the crack like a piece of weather stripping. Open it up, everyone. We want to see for ourselves. So, well, I'll have to signal a man on the other side of the wall. You see, this whole section is wired and controlled by a photoelectric eye back there in the mine. Whenever we wanted to open the wall, all we had to do was break the beam and it swam out automatically.

24:16Give this signal. Good heavens. It's not a revolving state. When the wall is swung open like that, it looks like a curve in the tunnel. And people drove right into the mine before they realized. But not you, Inspector. Well, I took my pencil out in time to leave a clue for you, didn't I? A bright inspector. Why didn't that section of wall sound hollow when they tested it? It's too well reinforced, Fern. Look at the thickness of it. Oh, yes. Okay, Evans, that's all. Take him to headquarter and book him, boys. Oh, Inspector. What is it, Jim? Smile. Those reporters are snapping your picture.

26:26Congrats. Seriously, Mr. and it's thrilling to see all this traffic going through the tunnel. Yes, Perne. It proves how much the city needed it. Is there really a rich goal vein under the tunnel, Jim? No, Perne. As it turned out, Burgess and Evans had already mined most of the gold in this mountain. Not that it will ever do them any good. There's just one other thing I don't understand. What's that, Perne? What happened to the two men who were in that car being spectrified into the tunnel that night? They weren't held prisoner with the Inspector and Commissioner. Oh, because they were Burgess's own men. That spectacular dash of theirs will change to keep the disaster stories going.

27:28Well, come on Jim. We better get back to the laboratory. I have work to do. So have I. The Inspector wants me to his dedication speech for the new courthouse next week. Well, characters, names, places and plots used in the Avenger program are fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. This is a thought. A thought. A thought. Remember? Listen for another adventure out. The Avenger.