The Shadow: Black Rock 11/13/1938

0:00Welcome to Choice Classic Radio, where we bring to the greatest old-time radio shows. Like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, and thank you for donating at choiceclassicradio.com. Who knows what evil looks in the hearts of men? The shadow knows. Your local blue-cold dealer presents the shadow. These half-hour dramatizations are designed to forcibly demonstrate to old and younger like that prime does not pay.

1:12Before the shadows adventure begins, here's advice everyone will profit by following. If you want to save yourself time, trouble, and money this winter, be sure to insist on blue-cold when you order anthracite. The blue coloring on blue-cold is the trademark of superior quality. It's your guarantee from the world's largest anthracite producer, the Glenn Alden-Cole company, that blue-cold will give you better heat at less cost. So don't gamble with ordinary anthracites. Play safe by insisting on blue-cold by name. Call your blue-cold dealer for your supplier tomorrow. The shadow, mysterious character who aids those in distress and helps the forces of law and order, is in reality Lamont-Cranston, wealthy young man about town.

2:16The Cranston's friend and companion, a lovely Margot Lane, is the only person who knows to whom the unseen voice belongs. The only one who knows the true identity of that master of other people's minds, the shadow. Today's story, Black Rock. Drop the downboard. Okay, okay. Plains are ready for takeoff, Martin, and what a takeoff. Right straight to a watery grave, she only knew it. Lesson wards, you better not let break it, here you're shooting off your mouth like that. I ain't scared of that, sweet lad. You ain't got nothing on me. Oh no, nothing at all except that you're a pilot without a license to have been making this living flange smuggled dope.

3:17So what? I don't think I can't see what goes on. I know that Black Rock and Swindle is stockholders out of a couple of million bucks, and now he's skipping on this plane. Well, what if he is? You're getting paid plenty, aren't you? Oh, hello Mr. Brickett. Is the plane ready to take off? Yeah, he's fueled all the limits, fly 1500 miles of necessary. The supplies are all loaded, too, boys. Well, you know our course, we're heading for Nova Scotia. Yeah, Mr. Brickett. Mr. Brickett. Father. What are you doing here? I followed you. Where are you going, Mr. Brickett? I watch that to you, Father. I happen to know that you're upsconding with the company's fund. I'll say here, Father. Mr. Brickett, you can't do this. Think what will happen to me? The stockholders, everyone. Harvey, I'm not running out on you. You don't know what you're saying. I do know what I'm saying. I know that in that suitcase you have two million dollars of the company's funds. You made me president, and I'm responsible for those funds. I'll be ruined. Ruin the idea, and I'll give me back that money. Let's go of that bag, Harvey. You're going to say you're stealing the company's money. What? Martin, take care of him.

4:17Will you give me that? I said punch, you get out. I won't, I want that money. I want that money. Give it to him, Martin. That'll stop that. Nice work, Martin. It's all out of the plane. All right, okay. All right, let's get out of here. So you cleaned out your company, Brickett? Rodge, you poor, dead, trusting stockholders. You're not supposed to know about this one? Oh, no. Not even the two million you get salted in that suitcase. You are hired to pilot this plane, and that's all. So get the plane off the ground. Okay, as long as I get my cut, not what I was. You'll get yours.

5:23Looks like Dorothy was a captain. That fox rolling in thicker every minute. I already expect on the Grand Bank's made. Where are your economic positions? About 200 miles, do you east to K-Prays, captain? Rickett dropped the port, Carl, Carl. Rickett dropped the port, bro. Rickett just the port, Paul. I cut the engine, mate. I said, what do you make it, look out? It's a small, big, big house. Looks like the way you're an athlete. An airplane. Do you suppose it could be that plane that flew to sea four days ago, sir? It might be. There she is. He's a lost a bit. We'll drift down on it. I happen. Look, there's the plane's number on the wing, sir. Can you make it out? Err... X... One, seven, five, two. X, one, seven, five, two. That's the plane, captain. I remember the number. I heard a radio broadcast about her last night. Oh, that's what happened to the four divos. Lost their course and dropped into the sea. Look, lay on it, Err, lad. Then the hand will hold that wing aboard.

6:24Oh, boy, boy. You're the line, ready, lad? Shall I get the thories over, captain? Not in this fog. We'll cruise about. I have a notion we'll find no trace of the three-port devil that would have bothered. Who are the devils? Rich devils, you mean, sir? I... But it stole two million dollars from the poor stockholders of the company. Hey. Go on, money in the world will do the no good in David Jones' locker. Aye. The rest of the plane is on the bottom of the banks. I'm a rascal, then. I made a loss. Stick my life on it. Lost forever. And two million dollars of poor people's money lost with them. Extra, extra, swindlers playing, found in sea. Worker and companions believed drowned. Paper, paper. Police see Frank Harvey missing company president's questioning. Extra.

7:31Lamont, do you mean that the poor man really had nothing to do with the money being stolen? Absolutely, nothing, Margot. That's why we're driving down here. Frank Harvey is an honest man. He was set up as president of the company by Birken. Harvey thought it was a legitimate investment house. Then why can't he tell that to the police? Because, unfortunately, that would never hold in a courtroom. Set of the firm, he's directly responsible to the people for their stolen money. Where did you say you'd meet him? Sighting down by Miller's Creek. Is that right on this road? Yes. I think it's this third cottage here. Let's get off and see. All right, Lamont. There's someone in the window. He's waving for us to come in. Yes, that's Harvey. We go in the side door. How long has he been hiding here? About a week, I believe. Mr. Haldon. Hello, Harvey. Come in, please. Thank you. This is Miss Lave, Mr. Haldon. How do you do? How do you do? I'm so glad you could come here, Mr. Haldon. I hope I can be of service. Well, that's a pretty full-on hope, I guess.

8:31What, we're Birken presumably at the bottom of the sea. Resumably, Mr. Haldon? Yes. You see, I can't make myself believe that he's dead. I'm inclined to agree with you on that. You are? Why, Lamont? Well, for one thing, Margot, their bodies were never found. Lamont, I don't like to be stubborn, but the Atlantic is a mighty big pond. Yes, but I also know that when Birken planned to get away, he wouldn't have figured on flying across the ocean in a plane with a cruising range of only 600 miles. They were flying to Canada and got off their course. Yes, that's true. No, Harvey. Lord, although crooked was an excellent pilot, he was an expert navigator, a new, blind flying. Then, since you think they're alive, how did their plane crash 200 miles at sea? Fly itself? Fly itself. Margot, you give me an idea. It's the only thing I haven't been able to figure out. So, what are the things you have figured out, Mr. Cranston? I'm afraid I can't tell you right now, but if they work, the missing money will be returned to the stockholders, and your name will be cleared, Mr. Harvey. What do you expect to find at the airport at this time of night, Le Mans?

9:35I'd like to take a look around the hangar where Birken kept his plane, Margot. Well, what can you learn there? I'm going to take everything on a shot in the dark. There's no one in that hangar but the watchman. He doesn't know anything, or if he does the police and the GMMN didn't get it out of him. So, how do you know that? I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. The GMMN didn't get it out of him. So, how can you hold him? I'm going to ask him one question, Margot. How could a ghost airplane fly 200 miles in crash into the sea? Do you expect a answer from him? Not I, but the shadow does. Look, look through those windows. There's the watchman. He's asleep. I won't wake him, Margot. It'll be easier for the hypnotic powers of the shadow to force his subconscious mind to answer the question. I'll wait out here, Lamar. In a few minutes, we'll know if Burkett really went to his death in the wrecked plane.

10:58You sleep soundly, Jeff Carson. Hello. You're in the empty hangar. Burkett. Burkett. Burkett. Burkett. That name troubles your sleep, doesn't it? Burkett. No. No. No. You mustn't wake up from sleep. They're just subconscious mind, hear me? I am Burkett. Burkett. I am Burkett. Burkett. You are remembering, recalling the things I paid you to forget. I paid you, didn't I, Carson? Yes. You paid me $1,000. Why? Why did I pay you? I wouldn't tell you about the extra fuel tanks. Yes, he is. Keep remembering, Carson. The automatic pilots sleep. Sleeptops. Sleeptops. I won't tell anybody. I won't tell anybody about the long flight you took Mr. Burkett. Where did I go on those trips, Carson? The pilot, I got a phone number now. Black rock. Black rock. No, I won't tell anyone.

12:00Why did I install an automatic pilot, Carson? Why? The flight. Black rock. Thousand miles and land. And the Lord, the Lord, who just had to take the ship up and set the automatic pilots in the railhouse. So, imagine, a ghost plane flown by a robot pilot cruising, see what it does gasp right now. Yeah. Where is Black Rock coming? Where is Black Rock coming? Black Rock. Black Rock is 25 miles off the coast. Wait. Wait. What am I saying? Who's that? Who's that? I'm going to shoot out! We must be getting near Black Rock, Le Mans. Yes, Margot. I hope we reach it before he gets too dark to land the plane.

13:02You've got a long way since we left New York this morning. It's exactly 1,000 miles to Black Rock. And how far off the coast of Lavergona? About 25 miles. The frigates certainly fixed a secluded spot. Just a dot of an island on this map. Margot. Hand me the glasses. I think I see land. Square Le Mans. Straight ahead. Yes, that's it, Margot. I'll look, shape Black Rock. They're supposed to be a small cold to the landward side. How can this sea plane land with all this ice in the water? I've got to hope for enough open water, Margot. That's the Monday's work at any danger on Black Rock. They'll hear the plane. Can't be helped. If it's possible to land, I'm going ashore tonight. You want me to stay in the plane? Yes. You'd better keep this rifle. In case they try to board the plane while I'm ashore. Rock at slagers we get nearer. How will you find them? They may hide until we go. The shadow will find them, Margot. It can't be many places to hide. I don't see a sign of life, not even a heart or a tent. According to explorers reports, there are several large sea caves. They may be using one of those.

14:02There's the island on the landward side, the Maun. Is these three three abys? Yes. I see it. Hold on, Margot. I'm going to try to land in that open water. Have an outfit if we hit any pack, guys. Get out the life, preserves. Just in case. We've raised it after that water. Sending? This is it. If you made it, Margot, you made it. Yes. And now the shadow must do the rest. The shadow's adventure continues in just a moment. But first, he is new. Thousands of families in this section of the country are going to enjoy far better heat at less cost in their homes this winter. For they've sat there bins with a finance American anthracite money can buy blue coal.

15:02Why is blue coal actually better than other kinds of anthracite, Mr. Robert? Well, blue coal is a medium free burning hard coal. It's where the water is. And it allows every bit of blue coal to be burned up slowly and steadily, right down to a fine powdery edge. That's why blue coal is so much more economical. It gives you more useful heat. How about the care of the furnace with blue coal as compared to other anthracite from Mr. Robert? Blue coal requires far less attention. It banks better and gives much longer firing periods. So homeowners save money by ordering blue coal from the water. And then the water is going to be more and more expensive. So homeowners save money by ordering blue coal from your dealer tomorrow. His name is listed in the Wred to Buy section of your classified telephone directory under the words blue coal. And ask about blue coal's automatic heat regulator. It's a thermostat which controls your furnace dampers automatically so that those at home can keep the house at the exact temperature they wish during the day by simply setting the thermostat control.

16:02A blue coal heat regulator costs about $18.95 plus a small installation charge. It will pay for itself. In the time, trouble and the amount of fuel it saves you. Come on Martin, down this path leads to the coal. Hurry up. Hold that left and higher will you? I can't see. Alright. That's better. Hey, show you know where bracket hit that boat. Yeah. It's in that little cave right by the edge of the water. Oh, I see. I see. I see. I see. I see. I see. I see. I see. I see. I see. I see. I see. I see. I see. I see. I see. I see. I see it. I see. I record it. I see it. I see it. I see it. I see it. This is what I wanted to do. That's where I happened. It's in the water. Why'd he get an egg in the water? I just want to break my neck? Oh, I can hold him any higher. I'll see it. Well, a lot of them see it.

17:02I'll kill him if he tries to keep us from getting off this blast and rock the time. I can't. I had to leave him without that money. Not after the way he stopped us, kicked us around like dogs. All right, all right. We'll get the plane. Then we'll take care of it. All right. Here's the coat. Look, I told you we'd point it tonight. Yeah. Yeah. Come on. Yeah. I wonder what I've been waiting for. Come on, let's pull out to that plane. Oh, we've got to get the... Shut up, Martin. Listen. I heard something like somebody laugh. Laugh on it us. I get crazy. It's the wind. Oh. You hear that? Somebody's close to us, watching us. Get down. Maybe break it. I... I heard it too. Put out the lamp and quick. It's no use. I'm not broke it. You cannot hide from me in the darkness. Some guy from that plane.

18:02All right. Come on into the light and be quick about it, fella. Cover on what you're going, Martin. It can't see him. I'm standing in the light. Close to you. But you cannot see me. What do you want? I've come for you. It's the cops' worth. It's the cops they found him. Oh, it's not the police, Mr. Martin. And who are you? You've been in prison both of you. Haven't you ever heard of... The Shadow? Shadow. I know what he's ever seen. Not... not the Shadow. None of this forsaken rock. The end of the world is not far enough to hide you from me. What? That voice. I've heard Kant talk about it. It's him. It's here. There's been a slip. He's come for us. Yeah. All right. The gitness is another thing. I don't come near me, Shadow. I'll tell you. Even if I can't see you. I'll take you when the time comes. But first I need to get Berkett on the $2 million dollar's his toll. And clear the name of Frank Harvey.

19:04You can have Berkett, but you'll never get that $2 million, Shadow. Not one of you will escape. How'd you find us? That watchman squeal, didn't he? I warned Berkett. Come on, Ward. We got to find Berkett. He'll know what to do. Yes, go to Berkett. Warn him the Shadow is here. Tell him you'll never leave Black Rock alive. Never live to spend the fruits of your crime. Berkett, Berkett, Berkett, are you here in the cave? What does it matter with you, Martin? Where are you, Fin? Been around at the coast, watching at flames. Do you know who it is? Yes, of course I know. That's a girl. And she won't give us any trouble. I've seen to that. A girl. And he didn't come alone. I don't know what you fools are talking about. Who didn't come alone? The Shadow. The Shadow is on Black Rock, the Shadow. All right, you're crazy. No. No, he's here. He should never leave the island alive.

20:05Oh, how did the Shadow know that we didn't hurry for the plane? But watch me at the airport, Mr. Squill. So the Shadow trailed us a thousand miles to this boy's taking the hideaway and played right into our hands. What's so funny? What do you mean? Look over there. See who's gagged and tied to that cut. What? Look, he's got the girl. How did you do it? How did you get around on the plane? I went out on the boat and I nearly gave her the choice of coming as sure as having the plane's contours riddled with bullets. The Shadow was on the rock here. Look for us. Well, let him find us. We'll give him the choice of giving himself up or seeing his girlfriend put in one of the lower CKs until the tide continues. That is the murder. Oh. I shouldn't bother you. You and Ward have been watching for a chance to murder me ever since we came to Black Rock. You know why, don't you? Because you've been starving us to death. For your own good, you fools. We've got seven months of winter ahead of us. The food gives out before we can leave here like summer will die if I slow-stop. That is just how you will die.

21:07Unless you tell me the hiding place of a $2 million Berkett. The Shadow is here in the CK. Be following us. I'm glad you're here, Shadow. Now we can settle this. I'll make a bargain with you. The Shadow doesn't bargain with Grimino's Berkett. I've got the girl who came with you. There she is. Look at her. I'll give you two minutes to come out of the shadows and give yourself up. Give myself up to be murdered. Round and the lower C caves. Oh, no Berkett. You have no choice. We'll sound the girl. Berkett, listen to me. Would you have the murder of an innocent girl on your conscience in your last days and hours when you are slowly starving to death on this better island? You can't scare us, Shadow. We've plenty of food. You had plenty of food Berkett. But look at it now. Look at the chests of food. You have so carefully ordered. Look at them. Berkett. Look. The locks are smashed. The chests have been opened. What? Berkett. Look, the flowers.

22:07The dried meat is soaked. So put our carousine. Look, this chest is the same. We can't eat it. What about the canned stuff? The canned stuff. They couldn't spoil that. Get away from those casers, Martin. No, you're not. You're not going to keep what's left for yourself. I'm taking the rest of this spoon and I'm going to the mainlayer now. Put down that case, Martin. Put it down, I tell you. You ain't going to stop me to dead your crooked red. All right, Martin. You won't stop it. That's not how you won't stop it. What the hell? What? You didn't even give me a chance. You shot him in cold blood. You'll do the same to me if I let you. You'll be a fool. What put down that gun? I listen to the food for us and I need you. I couldn't stay here alone. I'd go crazy. There's only food enough for one man, Berkett. And I'm going to be that man. No, you don't want to. There you go. Don't wing me. Wing me a devil. Come on, finish it job. Finish me. Better than starving a dead person. I had a nut for that.

23:07What? Warren, I only meant to scare you. What is not dead working? Your bulletin-ish older. Shock, hunger, that's all. Now, what kind of a bargain will you make? I make no bargains with you, Shadow. Remember I've still got the gun. No, Berkett. She's gone. Look on the cutter, Robes are cut. She's gone. Gun. You're gonna lose. Yes. Why are you fought each other? I could only see you. You'll never let the sea another human face if you don't give yourself up. No, I've sacrificed everything for that $2 million. And I'll never give it up. You've got to give it up, Berkett. Do you want to stay here starving, freezing to death for nothing? Now, tell me where have you hidden the money. No. No. Tell me, I say. Where is the money you stole from the thousands of the poor and fusting people you betrayed? Oh, you'll never get it. They'll never get it. Berkett. What you, Martin, you, but you don't seem to realize I have the power to make you a baby.

24:09Don't move, Berkett. That's it. Stay here into space. Keep staring into the shadows. No. No, Rob. That gun, Berkett, drop that gun. Your fingers can't hold it. Can't hold it. Drop that gun. Drop it. Now, where have you hidden the money? I'm just a chest. You're a fool, Berkett. Like all criminals. You've told me what I want to know. Margot. Margot. Take the ropes from the cart. I've broken hands behind him. He can't hold it. All right, Shadow. Hurry, Margot. Hurry. Go as hands behind his back. Tighten. Tight. Tight. Now. Now, Margot. Get out. Get back to the plate. Hurry. No, Shadow. Shadow, don't. Don't leave me here to die.

25:09I'll give up the money. I'll go back and send Tire. Yes, Berkett. You'll give up the money that was never yours. You'll go back and send Tire. Both you and Ward. I wreck your boats. You can't escape. And tomorrow, a coast guard cutter of the North Atlantic Ice Patrol will pick you up. They'll take you back to pay for your crimes. Le Mans, you think the Ice Patrol will believe your message? I have the plane's radio tuned in on their regular band. They'll notify their shore base they're proceeding to Black Rock. Ice Patrol cutter calling. There it is, no. Hello. Hello. Ice Patrol cutter, proceeding to Black Rock under force draft. Proceeding to Black Rock under force draft. They believe you, Le Mans. They believe the Shadow. Set your course home, Woodmoggle. Our job is finished.

26:09All of them are ready. All those poor people will get their money back. They won't suffer. They won't lose their homes. And Mr. Harvey's name will be cleared. Yes, Muggle. And this will be a warning to others. That even the best laid plans of the smartest criminals can fail. There is no perfect crime. Before the Shadow return, here's John Buckley, Blue Cold Peating Expert, with some helpful hints on the firing and care of your furnace, Mr. Buckley. Thank you, Ken Roberts, and good evening, friends. Many people use ashes when they bank their furnished fires. That's an old-fashioned practice. And it can cause plenty of trouble, besides giving you unsatisfactory heat. Ash is thrown on top of the ground. And the fire is thrown on top of the ground. And the fire is a satisfactory heat.

27:09Ash is thrown on top of a cold fire, act like a wet blanket. It prevent air from coming up through the firebed, overheat the grate, and cause a solid mass of crinkers. Remember, the only place for ashes is the furnace, is the ash bed. Always bank your fire with fresh cold. If you have any particular heating problems, get in touch with your Blue Cold dealer. Ask him to send the John Buckley Serviceman to inspect and check over your furnace. These men are expertly trained to solve your heating problems. And they'll show you how to get better heating results from your furnace, at no obligation on your power. I thank you. The day's shadow story has been a dramatized version of one of the many copyrighted stories which appear on the Shadow magazine. Now on sale at your local newsstand. All the characters and all the places named are fictitious. And if similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

28:24The weed of crime. There's bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The shadow knows. At this time, Blue Cold wants to offer its sincere praise for the work of the American Red Cross, which is now entering on its annual drive. We feel sure all our listeners will agree that the Red Cross deserves the faithful support of one and all. Let's all do our part in helping this great organization. Next week, same time, same station, Blue Cold America's finest anthropocytes will again present the shadow. Be sure to listen. And be sure to burn Blue Cold, the solid fuel for solid comfort.