January 24, 2024 • 29 mins
"The Shadow" is a classic radio drama series that originally aired in the United States from 1930 to 1954. Created by Walter B. Gibson, the show features the mysterious and crime-fighting character known as "The Shadow."The Shadow is actually the alter ego of Lamont Cranston, a wealthy man about town. Using his supernatural abilities to cloud men's minds and become invisible, The Shadow operates as a vigilante and detective, taking on various criminals and solving crimes that baffle the police. He is often accompanied by his loyal companion and confidante, Margo Lane.The show is known for its suspenseful and dramatic storytelling, with each episode featuring The Shadow's deep, mysterious voice, ominous laughter, and his signature catchphrase, "The Shadow knows." The series was hugely popular during its time and has since become a classic in the world of old-time radio. It has also inspired comic books, novels, and other adaptations over the years.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:09):
Who knows what evil lurks in thehearts of men. Shadow knows, Ladies
(00:58):
and gentlemen. While you're getting setfor the Shadow's latest thriller, let me
say a few words about that greatnew gud Rich Silvertown tire, because,
believe me, motorists, this newkind of tire is making history. It
takes care of skid and blow outproblems like they have never been taken care
of before. And here's proof positive. The engineers of the famous independent Pittsburgh
(01:19):
Testing Laboratory tested the regular and premiumprice tires of the nation's six largest tire
manufacturers. The results listen. Noother tire tested, regardless of price,
came up to the New Goodrich Silvertownin skid resistance. What's more, this
great tire gave more non skid mileagethan any other tire tested in its price
(01:42):
class, averaging nineteen point one percentmore miles before the tire's wore smooth.
That's the same as saying this newsilver Town gives you every sixth mile free
ride on the safest thing on wheels, The New Goodrich Safety Silvertown A The
(02:05):
Shadow la Mont Cranston, a manof wealth, a student of science and
a master of other people's minds.The vote is like to righting wrongs,
protecting the innocent, and punishing theguilty. Cranston is known to the underworld
as the Shadow, never seen,only heard. His true identity has known
only to his constant friend and aid, Margot Lane. To Day's story,
(02:30):
the mark of the bat. Come, come in the house. Out of
the idea, I'm coming. Mydogs were restless whimpering. Must be the
(02:53):
storm coming. It is more thana storm, as you know it,
Alexey, I'm not sure. Whyaren't you in bed asleep? There will
be no sleep in this house tonight or any night. Then you've seen
the great bats too, Yes,I've seen the farmer's cattle, bloodless,
dead in fields, and the whitecomb of the dead rooster. Ah.
(03:15):
It was the same on the farmof my father in Croatia, Alexey.
Why did this doctor Vicklers send awayhis stepfather's servants. Why does he pay
us so much to stay in hishouse? Why do we stay? Knowing
what we know? Jobs are hardto find, Marie, but I think
(03:37):
we go soon. When the masterof the house dies. It cannot be
long, and I am not sorry. It is his own doing. He
brought the bats here, set themfree the kid. Now they take his
life from him in the night,in the darkness. Only for his daughter.
Am I sorry? She is young, she was beautiful. But each
(03:59):
dawn can find some more like thosethings from the grave. Have you seen
the mark of the vampire and hungry? Yes, only this morning on a
throat that she lay sleeping the sinsof the father. It is his punishment,
a great bat, such children ofSatan. He brought them here from
the caves. He found that strangecountry. He wrote books about her,
(04:25):
and they laughed at the stories Itold him. The vampire bat is a
thing of evil, leagued with thedevil, stealing the blood of the living,
that the dead may go on livingin their graves. Doorm is coming,
well, it will drive the batsback into the cave in the mountain.
That much is good. What isit? A shadow passed across the
(04:46):
moon? Oh, the crowds ofthe stormy. No bad, like a
great word. It is a Normanmarrying an Omen cow. Yes, the
dog house, quick light the candle, yes, yes, the crucifix.
(05:09):
You'll come, doctor Vickers. Yes, it's quite fitting that you like the
candle, say a prayer, MaryDoctor, is the matter? Major Stephens
is he? Yes, Mary mayEsteem's stepfather. Major Stephens is dead.
(05:44):
Lamont Crampston, We've come two hundredmiles up into these spooky mountains. What
I've been reading the brick columns,margos the results. We're going to visit
the home of a man who oncehad a very strange hobbit. Oh so,
Lamont Cranston, the amateur criminologist hasbeen reading between the lines again.
Who died the corpse? Margot isMajor Stephens, a noted explorer and zoologists?
Oh yes, here anything more?Let me ask you a question.
(06:08):
Yes, you believe in vampires,creatures of the power to leave the grave,
transform themselves into bats and draw fromthe flesh of the living blood to
feed the bodies of the restless dead. Are you serious? Right? Of
course, I don't believe it.What's all this about? You guessing?
Or do you know? We're goingon a curious mixture of theory and fact.
(06:30):
I've known about Stephens for years.He led an expedition of five men
into the mountains of Ecuador, cameback alone the cage full of vampire bats
big ones. For years he's beenbreeding them. I'm a cheerful hobby,
I must say, come an obsession. Six months ago I read that a
neighboring farmer sued him, claiming thosevampire bats killed three of his cattle.
Margo, it isn't there are authenticcases where cattle have been killed by bloodsucking
(06:51):
vampire bats. Can you think MajorStephens' tet bats kill those cattle and kill
the Major as well? Possible?All of which leads to what Laman,
who are we going to call ontonight? Not Major Stephens? I heard?
Oh the Major is safely unted inhis grave. Oh, you make
it sound I'm so cozy. Stephen'shad a daughter, Claire Stephens. I
have checked up. She's suffering fromthe same ailment that supposedly killed her father.
(07:12):
Anemea. Oh Stephens was wealthy.Claire's his heir. But she's under
age, only twenty. And there'sa guardian in the picture, doctor Vickers,
who also happens to be the Majorstep son. I think I'm beginning
to say, apparently Vickers is runningthings. He's even discharged the family servants
and hired an old Slavic couple.Right. The quotes Margo, not very
far removed from the atmosphere of theirnative land, where, for centuries human
vampires have been accepted. Fact.Now do you see what I'm driving at?
(07:35):
Yes? Yes, I'm afraid Ido. Claire Stephens is being led
to believe that she's a victim ofhuman vampires, whereas actually she's being bled
to death by the giant vampire bets. Is that it, Lamar. That's
right, Margot, just a breedof very large bets. I see this
is a lonely road. We haven'tpassed the car in agents my little father.
(07:56):
Good heavens, what's wrong, mamma? With a man lying there beside
the road? Wait here, Margot. This maybe a hold up, gag,
But what's wrong with him? Hashe been hit? Wait? I'll
help you with him if you're aliveunconscious? Laman. There's a paper clutched
(08:16):
in his hand. See what itis, Dave. If you love me,
come and take me away from thisawful house. I can't explain,
only come. If you don't,you'll never see me alive again. Sign
Claire, Claire Stephens or Laman.This boy must have tried to help him.
What are we going to do?Laman? Drive him back to the
(08:37):
last town we've passed. No,Margot, he needs a doctor, and
I think the logical man to patchhim up is the one who may have
had a hand in this vicause you'regoing to take him to the Stephens house.
No, you are, Margo,but you'll be with me in that
house. Yes, Margot, butin my role of the Shadow. Be
better if you are not Margot Lane. Pretend to be an old friend of
Claire Stephens. If she's in danger, she won't give you away. All
(08:58):
right, Help me get the boyinto the then I'll drive Common Look Funny
through to kill it. La.Yes, cask Margot one of Major Stephen's
hits. A vampire bat Ladies andgentlemen. While we leave the Shadow for
(09:30):
a moment, here's a brief reminderthat when you want real tire safety halfway
measures, don't go. There's nosuch thing as saving half your life a
shadow knows. Beware, in thesedays of high speeds and super highways,
you need protection against both skids andblowouts every time you get behind the wheel
of your car and motorists. Thetire that will give you life saving protection
(09:52):
against both of these driving hazards isthe new Goudrich Safety Silver Town. For
remember only Silver Towns give you theskid protection of the life Saver tread.
This amazing new good Rich development protectsyou against the hazard zone of motoring,
where a slippery film of water onthe road can make complete command of your
(10:13):
car almost impossible. The never endingspiral bars of this life saver tread act
like a whole battery of windshield wipers. They sweep the water right and left,
force it out through the deep drainagegrooves, make a dry track for
the rubber to grit. You stopquicker safer on a wet pavement than you've
ever stopped before. And don't forgetadding one safety feature to another. Silver
(10:37):
Towns also give you the famous Goldenfly protection against dangerous high speed blowouts.
Why ride on anything but the safestthing on wheels, especially when Silver Towns
give you these two great life savingfeatures at no extra cost. Play safe
with Goodrich spelled g O O,D R I C H god Rich Safety
(11:01):
Silver Town. Alexey who drove DaveHenderson here? Young girl doctor Vickers.
She says she's a friend of MissStevens, a friend of Claire's. Alexey
yes, and young Dave Henderson oddthat she should come here tonight, strange
(11:26):
that you should find him on theroad. Where are they in the room
where the Major worked with the bats, Doctor Vickers? Good? Nothing could
be better. It will save meconsiderable trouble. I locked the door.
Unlock it. Then go back andwatch missus Claire's room. See she does
not leave it. Why what's thematter, Alexey, you're handy shaking.
(11:48):
You're afraid? Yes, yes,and you would be afraid to those Kate's
bats in there. They killed theMajor. I know, I know they
are creatures of the devil. Nonsense, there's nothing to worry about. I
have released the good Major's pets,taken them out of their cages and sent
them back to the bottomless pit inthe grutt. Yes, but a bat,
like a bird of evil, follacross the moon the night the Major
(12:09):
died. He was a Norman,a Norman of death. Tell that to
miss Claire. She'll believe you.And watch carefully, Alexei. Two,
perhaps three of those bats may flyacross the moon tonight, more omens of
death. But now go upstairs,see that I am not disturbed. Yes,
Doctor, the girl is there atthe far end of the room with
(12:31):
the young man. Doctor, areyou yes, I understand you brought a
young man here victim of some hitand run driver. No, it's been
beaten. I'm afraid the scow isfractured, and not only yes, yes,
yes, yes, Alexei told meyour fantastic story of finding a giant
bat drawing his life blood from histhroat. True, the mark is still
on his throat. Look there,still unconscious? Has he spoken at all?
(12:56):
But don't stand there. Do something. You're a doctor or so by
whom? Oh? Yes, you'rea friend of miss Stephens. Of course
you wouldn't know where is Claire sleeping? You were coming to call on her
at this late hour. Why we'reold friends. I heard of her father's
dead. You know this young man? No? No, I don't.
(13:18):
God, this man is David Henderson, miss stephens fiance. Oh, well,
well you see I haven't seen Clairefor several years? How many?
Why? For who? For threeyears? Oh? Don't stand there questioning
me. Do something for him.There'll be plenty of time for that.
I'm more interested in you. Andjust why you happen to pick this night
(13:41):
to visit such an old and dearfriend, a friend who apparently never spoke
of Dave Henderson, to whom she'sbeen engaged for many years. A childhood
sweetheart. Yes, I see,I see you are lying. Who are
you? Are you one in thishouse? I want you to treat that
boy. Yes, I will treathim in good time, in my own
way. At first, I thinkyou need my attention away from me.
(14:03):
I know what you're trying to do. You're trying to kill that boy.
Now I'm beginning to understand. Soyou know you know too much, too
much to ever leave this house.Let me go a lucky interruption for you.
(14:30):
It will give you a few minutesgrace, young woman, and a
chance to see your dear friend.Claire Stephens. What's going on out here?
Alection? Doctor? I couldn't stopher, She tricked me. She
ran down here. I'll take herback. You've got Davy, all right,
Alection. Let her come in.You wait down in the hall.
(14:54):
Yes, Claire, my dear Daveis here. You can see him.
And there is someone else, anold friend end of yours, an old
friend. Yes, that young womanthere, Well, you don't seem to
recognize her. Perhaps it's been solong since you've seen each other. Don't
you remember me, Grace Wilson.We went to school together. I heard
(15:15):
you were in trouble. I thoughtI might be able to help. What
what? Oh? Oh, ofcourse, Grace, Grace Wilson. I'm
so glad you're here. Grace.But Dave you said I could see him.
Where is he there on the coachDave? Oh, Deeme Darling?
It's clear clear? Oh is hedead? No? But he may die
(15:39):
if we don't get help to revivehim. This Doctor Vickers won't help.
Why won't you do something? Dave'shere, is his good open. Doctor
Vickers won't help because he did it. He wants Dave Henderson to die,
just as he wants me out ofthe way, now that I've discovered his
secret. And you, Claire Stephens, you're marked for death. I don't
see it in your face. You'reas pale as a ghost, already half
bled to death. You're a victimtoo, a victim of vampire bat No,
(16:03):
no, it gives me. I'vebeen ill. Doctor Vickers has been
treating me. Your father died ofdoctor Vickers's treatments. Doctor Vickers, you,
why do you look at me likethat? My dear child, tho
in the open window that was sobergiant desk could come from the well on
(16:26):
the ground. You have been listeningto the fantastic tales of Marie and Alexei,
my dear, monstrous nightmares out ofa ghoulish past. Stephen, don't
listen to him. He's a murderer. We've got to get your fiancee out
of this house. Do you won'tlet us go? The door's locked.
Here's the key. Yes, mydear, you are quite right. The
door is locked. I have thekey. The only way out is through
that door leading to the tunnel inthe cave, to the bottomless pitch.
(16:48):
Your follows who aptly named the wellof the bats when the escaped. Yes,
but I opened it the game.It will come in very handy to
night. The storm have kept thebets in the Grutto for many nights now.
They must be very hungry for blood. What a feast they will have
come, Claire. The vampires aretired of coming to you. It is
(17:12):
time you visited Day. Let's getback. Cuban heroes will not save you.
Keep back, young woman, orI shall have to shoot you.
Ha. The bats woman mine nottoo long, is the blood in your
body is too warm? Come Claire, come with me very well. Perhaps
(17:33):
you would rather follow your beloved David. I'll take him first. He doesn't
know anything. You'll only let himgo. I thought that would bring you
to me, Doctor Vicars. DoctorVicars, you are startled. Doctor.
(17:55):
I see in your eyes and readin your reeling mind, question questions beating
in your brain like the black wingsof your destroyers. Who am I?
Where am I? Is this voiceyou hear real or the trickery of a
mind warped and twisted by the remorseof murder done and murders yet to come.
(18:18):
The gun in your hand trembles,Doctor Vickers, Your lips are dry.
Who are you the shadow? DoctorVickers? The Shadow, the Shadow?
It would seem you have heard ofthe shadow. Doctor. Yes,
yes, I've heard of your shadow. Do you believe what you have heard?
Yes? I know all about yourdevilish tricks of mesmerism, hYP not
(18:42):
the influence. I know you're herein this room that I can't see you.
I know my gun isn't any useagainst you, But that won't stop
me. I'm going into the grotto, and I'm taking these girls with me.
Both of them. Try to stopme, Shadow, and I'll shoot
them though. All right, Clad, and you too, miss Wilson or
(19:03):
whoever you really are, Quick getthrough this door and let will you use
this gun? All right? Allright, Shadow, let's see you follow
me through this door. It boatsfrom the inside, and by the time
you've broken it down, the vampirebats will be feasting on these two women,
the only ones who stand between meand Steven's fortune. It should have
(19:26):
been mine in the first place,and now it will be it, will
they mile? Don't be too sure, doctor Vickers. Well, the grotto
will be filled with shadows, Shadowsof the living, shadows of the dead.
(19:55):
David, David Henderson, listen,listen to me, wake up,
listen, oh my head, listen, David Tennyson. You came to see
your fiancee. She's in danger.Doctor Vickers has taken her to the grotto,
(20:19):
to the well of the bats.Claire gone into the cave. Yes,
who am I talking to? There'sno one here. I must there
is someone here, the Shadow,the Shadow. Yes, don't be alarmed
(20:41):
because you cannot see me. Evento those I try to help, I
must remain unseen, unknown for theirown safety. There is no time to
explain the whys and wherefos of mypresence. I'm here to help you and
your fiance. We don't get intothe grotto and stop him, Vickers will
kill Claire Stephens and a girl waswith her, Kill them and drop them
into the well of the bats.That heavy door leads to the pit.
(21:06):
Come on, I can't follow thatway. I tried the other side on
the way to the grotto, inthe other way of reaching the pit.
Yeah, yeah, there is oneother way. Major Stephens showed me years
ago. Up on the side ofthe mountain. There's an opening short of
that way. Maybe we can getin that way and head Vicers off before
he reaches the pit. Come on, I'll show you the way that I
(21:30):
get my hands on Vicers that thebats will have their peace tonight on him.
Shadow Shadow. We're almost there,Shadow, I am still close to
(21:52):
you. Go on, maybe toolate. Be careful along here. This
ledge is slippering. We're getting nearthe pit. How deep is this is?
Well? And the bet no oneknows. Once Major Stevens and I
dropped the weighted kite string down intoit, a thousand feet of strings didn't
touch button. Shadow Look, there'sa life a torch down the passageway.
(22:15):
That must be because it's in thebig chamber. That's where the pit is.
We're not too late to see fianceand the other girls waits up here.
He's forcing them toward the pit.He's gonna kill both of them.
I tell you, let me go. No, no, no, I'm
will I want it. You mustyou understand it, because so you're coming
and shoot you down. You besigning the death word of your and the
other girl. I'll get him.I'll get him before he sees me.
(22:37):
Call meat Shadow, all right.I had to knock you out like that,
Henderson, But it's the only wayyou're giving with this tot to Vickers.
The police will find it out.They'll hang you, my dear clare
you see to prove a murder hasbeen committed, there must be some trace
(23:00):
of the body. The vampires willleave little in the way of evidence.
You've forgotten the ers. You thinkhe'll let you live to enjoy the fruits
of this ghastly thing you're about todo. Oh, you're still counting on
the Shadow to save you. Butyou'll never get away from him unless you
follow us into that kit o,hope and faith die hard. I've been
wondering why one of you didn't tryto get away from me, so I
(23:22):
would have an excuse to shoot youdown. No, not really, but
there is something fascinating about watching thereactions of people who are about to die.
But now I give you your choice. Turn, take each other's hand
and walk straight ahead into the darkness, or stand there while I count.
Oh no, not ten, thatis too definite. Do certain. I
(23:52):
will merely count number after number untilmy trigger finger of bays the impostor shoe
aday. That should make it easierfor you and for her. That's right,
Hold her up, study her onetwo. What a feast of empires
(24:17):
will have? The the bats they'rewaiting for far down in the pit.
Five, by the thousands they clingto the clummy walls, six hanging heads
(24:38):
downward with folded wings, seven wavingeight waiting. Yes, because waiting waiting
for you. You You are ruuses the struggle because your finger raised the
(25:03):
impulse to kindle. But the gunhammer won't fall because my hand is on
it. Because you should have usedan automatic. You yes, yes,
if you could only break loose,try it and your arm will snap like
the stem of the pipe. Okay, you find a way, shadow,
(25:26):
you're gonna go now she just sainted. All Oh, there you are,
because so the shadow got you.Well you'll hang for what you did the
Clare's father. But first I'm gonnapay it for Tortrink. No you won't,
So you won't, and I won'thang tank where you are shoe,
go ahead, shoot shoot me.The shadow was right. The backfire bats
(25:48):
are waiting, waiting for their feetfor me, and I won't just Noh
(26:10):
you like this thing I'm playing?Margo, Yes, Lamont, Lamont,
Yes, Margo. Now that doctorVickers is dead and Claire Stevens is out
of that awful house, what's goingto happen to the major's little pet?
Oh? Those vampire bats won't killany more cattle, all men, Margo,
it's all of that while you andDavid Henderson were getting Clair of the
(26:30):
hospital. Lamon, like this dynamite? Yes, yes, I found it
in Stephen's two house. The explosionfilled the well of the bats with hundreds
of tons of rock seal Forever,there will be no more black wings across
the moon, no more marks ofthe bats on the throats of sleeping victims.
(27:03):
You have been listening to a dramatizedversion of one of the many copyrighted
stories which appear in The Shadow magazine, now on sale at your local news
fand the Weed of Crime bears bitterfood. Crime does not pay the Shadow
(27:30):
Nos, All the characters and allthe places named are fictitious, and a
similarity to persons living or dead ispurely coincidental and
Who knows what evil lurks in thehearts of men. Shadow knows, Ladies
(00:58):
and gentlemen. While you're getting setfor the Shadow's latest thriller, let me
say a few words about that greatnew gud Rich Silvertown tire, because,
believe me, motorists, this newkind of tire is making history. It
takes care of skid and blow outproblems like they have never been taken care
of before. And here's proof positive. The engineers of the famous independent Pittsburgh
(01:19):
Testing Laboratory tested the regular and premiumprice tires of the nation's six largest tire
manufacturers. The results listen. Noother tire tested, regardless of price,
came up to the New Goodrich Silvertownin skid resistance. What's more, this
great tire gave more non skid mileagethan any other tire tested in its price
(01:42):
class, averaging nineteen point one percentmore miles before the tire's wore smooth.
That's the same as saying this newsilver Town gives you every sixth mile free
ride on the safest thing on wheels, The New Goodrich Safety Silvertown A The
(02:05):
Shadow la Mont Cranston, a manof wealth, a student of science and
a master of other people's minds.The vote is like to righting wrongs,
protecting the innocent, and punishing theguilty. Cranston is known to the underworld
as the Shadow, never seen,only heard. His true identity has known
only to his constant friend and aid, Margot Lane. To Day's story,
(02:30):
the mark of the bat. Come, come in the house. Out of
the idea, I'm coming. Mydogs were restless whimpering. Must be the
(02:53):
storm coming. It is more thana storm, as you know it,
Alexey, I'm not sure. Whyaren't you in bed asleep? There will
be no sleep in this house tonight or any night. Then you've seen
the great bats too, Yes,I've seen the farmer's cattle, bloodless,
dead in fields, and the whitecomb of the dead rooster. Ah.
(03:15):
It was the same on the farmof my father in Croatia, Alexey.
Why did this doctor Vicklers send awayhis stepfather's servants. Why does he pay
us so much to stay in hishouse? Why do we stay? Knowing
what we know? Jobs are hardto find, Marie, but I think
(03:37):
we go soon. When the masterof the house dies. It cannot be
long, and I am not sorry. It is his own doing. He
brought the bats here, set themfree the kid. Now they take his
life from him in the night,in the darkness. Only for his daughter.
Am I sorry? She is young, she was beautiful. But each
(03:59):
dawn can find some more like thosethings from the grave. Have you seen
the mark of the vampire and hungry? Yes, only this morning on a
throat that she lay sleeping the sinsof the father. It is his punishment,
a great bat, such children ofSatan. He brought them here from
the caves. He found that strangecountry. He wrote books about her,
(04:25):
and they laughed at the stories Itold him. The vampire bat is a
thing of evil, leagued with thedevil, stealing the blood of the living,
that the dead may go on livingin their graves. Doorm is coming,
well, it will drive the batsback into the cave in the mountain.
That much is good. What isit? A shadow passed across the
(04:46):
moon? Oh, the crowds ofthe stormy. No bad, like a
great word. It is a Normanmarrying an Omen cow. Yes, the
dog house, quick light the candle, yes, yes, the crucifix.
(05:09):
You'll come, doctor Vickers. Yes, it's quite fitting that you like the
candle, say a prayer, MaryDoctor, is the matter? Major Stephens
is he? Yes, Mary mayEsteem's stepfather. Major Stephens is dead.
(05:44):
Lamont Crampston, We've come two hundredmiles up into these spooky mountains. What
I've been reading the brick columns,margos the results. We're going to visit
the home of a man who oncehad a very strange hobbit. Oh so,
Lamont Cranston, the amateur criminologist hasbeen reading between the lines again.
Who died the corpse? Margot isMajor Stephens, a noted explorer and zoologists?
Oh yes, here anything more?Let me ask you a question.
(06:08):
Yes, you believe in vampires,creatures of the power to leave the grave,
transform themselves into bats and draw fromthe flesh of the living blood to
feed the bodies of the restless dead. Are you serious? Right? Of
course, I don't believe it.What's all this about? You guessing?
Or do you know? We're goingon a curious mixture of theory and fact.
(06:30):
I've known about Stephens for years.He led an expedition of five men
into the mountains of Ecuador, cameback alone the cage full of vampire bats
big ones. For years he's beenbreeding them. I'm a cheerful hobby,
I must say, come an obsession. Six months ago I read that a
neighboring farmer sued him, claiming thosevampire bats killed three of his cattle.
Margo, it isn't there are authenticcases where cattle have been killed by bloodsucking
(06:51):
vampire bats. Can you think MajorStephens' tet bats kill those cattle and kill
the Major as well? Possible?All of which leads to what Laman,
who are we going to call ontonight? Not Major Stephens? I heard?
Oh the Major is safely unted inhis grave. Oh, you make
it sound I'm so cozy. Stephen'shad a daughter, Claire Stephens. I
have checked up. She's suffering fromthe same ailment that supposedly killed her father.
(07:12):
Anemea. Oh Stephens was wealthy.Claire's his heir. But she's under
age, only twenty. And there'sa guardian in the picture, doctor Vickers,
who also happens to be the Majorstep son. I think I'm beginning
to say, apparently Vickers is runningthings. He's even discharged the family servants
and hired an old Slavic couple.Right. The quotes Margo, not very
far removed from the atmosphere of theirnative land, where, for centuries human
vampires have been accepted. Fact.Now do you see what I'm driving at?
(07:35):
Yes? Yes, I'm afraid Ido. Claire Stephens is being led
to believe that she's a victim ofhuman vampires, whereas actually she's being bled
to death by the giant vampire bets. Is that it, Lamar. That's
right, Margot, just a breedof very large bets. I see this
is a lonely road. We haven'tpassed the car in agents my little father.
(07:56):
Good heavens, what's wrong, mamma? With a man lying there beside
the road? Wait here, Margot. This maybe a hold up, gag,
But what's wrong with him? Hashe been hit? Wait? I'll
help you with him if you're aliveunconscious? Laman. There's a paper clutched
(08:16):
in his hand. See what itis, Dave. If you love me,
come and take me away from thisawful house. I can't explain,
only come. If you don't,you'll never see me alive again. Sign
Claire, Claire Stephens or Laman.This boy must have tried to help him.
What are we going to do?Laman? Drive him back to the
(08:37):
last town we've passed. No,Margot, he needs a doctor, and
I think the logical man to patchhim up is the one who may have
had a hand in this vicause you'regoing to take him to the Stephens house.
No, you are, Margo,but you'll be with me in that
house. Yes, Margot, butin my role of the Shadow. Be
better if you are not Margot Lane. Pretend to be an old friend of
Claire Stephens. If she's in danger, she won't give you away. All
(08:58):
right, Help me get the boyinto the then I'll drive Common Look Funny
through to kill it. La.Yes, cask Margot one of Major Stephen's
hits. A vampire bat Ladies andgentlemen. While we leave the Shadow for
(09:30):
a moment, here's a brief reminderthat when you want real tire safety halfway
measures, don't go. There's nosuch thing as saving half your life a
shadow knows. Beware, in thesedays of high speeds and super highways,
you need protection against both skids andblowouts every time you get behind the wheel
of your car and motorists. Thetire that will give you life saving protection
(09:52):
against both of these driving hazards isthe new Goudrich Safety Silver Town. For
remember only Silver Towns give you theskid protection of the life Saver tread.
This amazing new good Rich development protectsyou against the hazard zone of motoring,
where a slippery film of water onthe road can make complete command of your
(10:13):
car almost impossible. The never endingspiral bars of this life saver tread act
like a whole battery of windshield wipers. They sweep the water right and left,
force it out through the deep drainagegrooves, make a dry track for
the rubber to grit. You stopquicker safer on a wet pavement than you've
ever stopped before. And don't forgetadding one safety feature to another. Silver
(10:37):
Towns also give you the famous Goldenfly protection against dangerous high speed blowouts.
Why ride on anything but the safestthing on wheels, especially when Silver Towns
give you these two great life savingfeatures at no extra cost. Play safe
with Goodrich spelled g O O,D R I C H god Rich Safety
(11:01):
Silver Town. Alexey who drove DaveHenderson here? Young girl doctor Vickers.
She says she's a friend of MissStevens, a friend of Claire's. Alexey
yes, and young Dave Henderson oddthat she should come here tonight, strange
(11:26):
that you should find him on theroad. Where are they in the room
where the Major worked with the bats, Doctor Vickers? Good? Nothing could
be better. It will save meconsiderable trouble. I locked the door.
Unlock it. Then go back andwatch missus Claire's room. See she does
not leave it. Why what's thematter, Alexey, you're handy shaking.
(11:48):
You're afraid? Yes, yes,and you would be afraid to those Kate's
bats in there. They killed theMajor. I know, I know they
are creatures of the devil. Nonsense, there's nothing to worry about. I
have released the good Major's pets,taken them out of their cages and sent
them back to the bottomless pit inthe grutt. Yes, but a bat,
like a bird of evil, follacross the moon the night the Major
(12:09):
died. He was a Norman,a Norman of death. Tell that to
miss Claire. She'll believe you.And watch carefully, Alexei. Two,
perhaps three of those bats may flyacross the moon tonight, more omens of
death. But now go upstairs,see that I am not disturbed. Yes,
Doctor, the girl is there atthe far end of the room with
(12:31):
the young man. Doctor, areyou yes, I understand you brought a
young man here victim of some hitand run driver. No, it's been
beaten. I'm afraid the scow isfractured, and not only yes, yes,
yes, yes, Alexei told meyour fantastic story of finding a giant
bat drawing his life blood from histhroat. True, the mark is still
on his throat. Look there,still unconscious? Has he spoken at all?
(12:56):
But don't stand there. Do something. You're a doctor or so by
whom? Oh? Yes, you'rea friend of miss Stephens. Of course
you wouldn't know where is Claire sleeping? You were coming to call on her
at this late hour. Why we'reold friends. I heard of her father's
dead. You know this young man? No? No, I don't.
(13:18):
God, this man is David Henderson, miss stephens fiance. Oh, well,
well you see I haven't seen Clairefor several years? How many?
Why? For who? For threeyears? Oh? Don't stand there questioning
me. Do something for him.There'll be plenty of time for that.
I'm more interested in you. Andjust why you happen to pick this night
(13:41):
to visit such an old and dearfriend, a friend who apparently never spoke
of Dave Henderson, to whom she'sbeen engaged for many years. A childhood
sweetheart. Yes, I see,I see you are lying. Who are
you? Are you one in thishouse? I want you to treat that
boy. Yes, I will treathim in good time, in my own
way. At first, I thinkyou need my attention away from me.
(14:03):
I know what you're trying to do. You're trying to kill that boy.
Now I'm beginning to understand. Soyou know you know too much, too
much to ever leave this house.Let me go a lucky interruption for you.
(14:30):
It will give you a few minutesgrace, young woman, and a
chance to see your dear friend.Claire Stephens. What's going on out here?
Alection? Doctor? I couldn't stopher, She tricked me. She
ran down here. I'll take herback. You've got Davy, all right,
Alection. Let her come in.You wait down in the hall.
(14:54):
Yes, Claire, my dear Daveis here. You can see him.
And there is someone else, anold friend end of yours, an old
friend. Yes, that young womanthere, Well, you don't seem to
recognize her. Perhaps it's been solong since you've seen each other. Don't
you remember me, Grace Wilson.We went to school together. I heard
(15:15):
you were in trouble. I thoughtI might be able to help. What
what? Oh? Oh, ofcourse, Grace, Grace Wilson. I'm
so glad you're here. Grace.But Dave you said I could see him.
Where is he there on the coachDave? Oh, Deeme Darling?
It's clear clear? Oh is hedead? No? But he may die
(15:39):
if we don't get help to revivehim. This Doctor Vickers won't help.
Why won't you do something? Dave'shere, is his good open. Doctor
Vickers won't help because he did it. He wants Dave Henderson to die,
just as he wants me out ofthe way, now that I've discovered his
secret. And you, Claire Stephens, you're marked for death. I don't
see it in your face. You'reas pale as a ghost, already half
bled to death. You're a victimtoo, a victim of vampire bat No,
(16:03):
no, it gives me. I'vebeen ill. Doctor Vickers has been
treating me. Your father died ofdoctor Vickers's treatments. Doctor Vickers, you,
why do you look at me likethat? My dear child, tho
in the open window that was sobergiant desk could come from the well on
(16:26):
the ground. You have been listeningto the fantastic tales of Marie and Alexei,
my dear, monstrous nightmares out ofa ghoulish past. Stephen, don't
listen to him. He's a murderer. We've got to get your fiancee out
of this house. Do you won'tlet us go? The door's locked.
Here's the key. Yes, mydear, you are quite right. The
door is locked. I have thekey. The only way out is through
that door leading to the tunnel inthe cave, to the bottomless pitch.
(16:48):
Your follows who aptly named the wellof the bats when the escaped. Yes,
but I opened it the game.It will come in very handy to
night. The storm have kept thebets in the Grutto for many nights now.
They must be very hungry for blood. What a feast they will have
come, Claire. The vampires aretired of coming to you. It is
(17:12):
time you visited Day. Let's getback. Cuban heroes will not save you.
Keep back, young woman, orI shall have to shoot you.
Ha. The bats woman mine nottoo long, is the blood in your
body is too warm? Come Claire, come with me very well. Perhaps
(17:33):
you would rather follow your beloved David. I'll take him first. He doesn't
know anything. You'll only let himgo. I thought that would bring you
to me, Doctor Vicars. DoctorVicars, you are startled. Doctor.
(17:55):
I see in your eyes and readin your reeling mind, question questions beating
in your brain like the black wingsof your destroyers. Who am I?
Where am I? Is this voiceyou hear real or the trickery of a
mind warped and twisted by the remorseof murder done and murders yet to come.
(18:18):
The gun in your hand trembles,Doctor Vickers, Your lips are dry.
Who are you the shadow? DoctorVickers? The Shadow, the Shadow?
It would seem you have heard ofthe shadow. Doctor. Yes,
yes, I've heard of your shadow. Do you believe what you have heard?
Yes? I know all about yourdevilish tricks of mesmerism, hYP not
(18:42):
the influence. I know you're herein this room that I can't see you.
I know my gun isn't any useagainst you, But that won't stop
me. I'm going into the grotto, and I'm taking these girls with me.
Both of them. Try to stopme, Shadow, and I'll shoot
them though. All right, Clad, and you too, miss Wilson or
(19:03):
whoever you really are, Quick getthrough this door and let will you use
this gun? All right? Allright, Shadow, let's see you follow
me through this door. It boatsfrom the inside, and by the time
you've broken it down, the vampirebats will be feasting on these two women,
the only ones who stand between meand Steven's fortune. It should have
(19:26):
been mine in the first place,and now it will be it, will
they mile? Don't be too sure, doctor Vickers. Well, the grotto
will be filled with shadows, Shadowsof the living, shadows of the dead.
(19:55):
David, David Henderson, listen,listen to me, wake up,
listen, oh my head, listen, David Tennyson. You came to see
your fiancee. She's in danger.Doctor Vickers has taken her to the grotto,
(20:19):
to the well of the bats.Claire gone into the cave. Yes,
who am I talking to? There'sno one here. I must there
is someone here, the Shadow,the Shadow. Yes, don't be alarmed
(20:41):
because you cannot see me. Evento those I try to help, I
must remain unseen, unknown for theirown safety. There is no time to
explain the whys and wherefos of mypresence. I'm here to help you and
your fiance. We don't get intothe grotto and stop him, Vickers will
kill Claire Stephens and a girl waswith her, Kill them and drop them
into the well of the bats.That heavy door leads to the pit.
(21:06):
Come on, I can't follow thatway. I tried the other side on
the way to the grotto, inthe other way of reaching the pit.
Yeah, yeah, there is oneother way. Major Stephens showed me years
ago. Up on the side ofthe mountain. There's an opening short of
that way. Maybe we can getin that way and head Vicers off before
he reaches the pit. Come on, I'll show you the way that I
(21:30):
get my hands on Vicers that thebats will have their peace tonight on him.
Shadow Shadow. We're almost there,Shadow, I am still close to
(21:52):
you. Go on, maybe toolate. Be careful along here. This
ledge is slippering. We're getting nearthe pit. How deep is this is?
Well? And the bet no oneknows. Once Major Stevens and I
dropped the weighted kite string down intoit, a thousand feet of strings didn't
touch button. Shadow Look, there'sa life a torch down the passageway.
(22:15):
That must be because it's in thebig chamber. That's where the pit is.
We're not too late to see fianceand the other girls waits up here.
He's forcing them toward the pit.He's gonna kill both of them.
I tell you, let me go. No, no, no, I'm
will I want it. You mustyou understand it, because so you're coming
and shoot you down. You besigning the death word of your and the
other girl. I'll get him.I'll get him before he sees me.
(22:37):
Call meat Shadow, all right.I had to knock you out like that,
Henderson, But it's the only wayyou're giving with this tot to Vickers.
The police will find it out.They'll hang you, my dear clare
you see to prove a murder hasbeen committed, there must be some trace
(23:00):
of the body. The vampires willleave little in the way of evidence.
You've forgotten the ers. You thinkhe'll let you live to enjoy the fruits
of this ghastly thing you're about todo. Oh, you're still counting on
the Shadow to save you. Butyou'll never get away from him unless you
follow us into that kit o,hope and faith die hard. I've been
wondering why one of you didn't tryto get away from me, so I
(23:22):
would have an excuse to shoot youdown. No, not really, but
there is something fascinating about watching thereactions of people who are about to die.
But now I give you your choice. Turn, take each other's hand
and walk straight ahead into the darkness, or stand there while I count.
Oh no, not ten, thatis too definite. Do certain. I
(23:52):
will merely count number after number untilmy trigger finger of bays the impostor shoe
aday. That should make it easierfor you and for her. That's right,
Hold her up, study her onetwo. What a feast of empires
(24:17):
will have? The the bats they'rewaiting for far down in the pit.
Five, by the thousands they clingto the clummy walls, six hanging heads
(24:38):
downward with folded wings, seven wavingeight waiting. Yes, because waiting waiting
for you. You You are ruuses the struggle because your finger raised the
(25:03):
impulse to kindle. But the gunhammer won't fall because my hand is on
it. Because you should have usedan automatic. You yes, yes,
if you could only break loose,try it and your arm will snap like
the stem of the pipe. Okay, you find a way, shadow,
(25:26):
you're gonna go now she just sainted. All Oh, there you are,
because so the shadow got you.Well you'll hang for what you did the
Clare's father. But first I'm gonnapay it for Tortrink. No you won't,
So you won't, and I won'thang tank where you are shoe,
go ahead, shoot shoot me.The shadow was right. The backfire bats
(25:48):
are waiting, waiting for their feetfor me, and I won't just Noh
(26:10):
you like this thing I'm playing?Margo, Yes, Lamont, Lamont,
Yes, Margo. Now that doctorVickers is dead and Claire Stevens is out
of that awful house, what's goingto happen to the major's little pet?
Oh? Those vampire bats won't killany more cattle, all men, Margo,
it's all of that while you andDavid Henderson were getting Clair of the
(26:30):
hospital. Lamon, like this dynamite? Yes, yes, I found it
in Stephen's two house. The explosionfilled the well of the bats with hundreds
of tons of rock seal Forever,there will be no more black wings across
the moon, no more marks ofthe bats on the throats of sleeping victims.
(27:03):
You have been listening to a dramatizedversion of one of the many copyrighted
stories which appear in The Shadow magazine, now on sale at your local news
fand the Weed of Crime bears bitterfood. Crime does not pay the Shadow
(27:30):
Nos, All the characters and allthe places named are fictitious, and a
similarity to persons living or dead ispurely coincidental and
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