Mark of the Black Widow | The Shadow (10-27-40)

Original Air Date: October 27, 1940
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Show: The Shadow

Stars:
• Bill Johnstone (Lamont Cranston)
• Marjorie Anderson (Margot Lane)

Intro and Exit music from: Resurgence by Ghostrifter https://bit.ly/ghostrifter-sc

Episode Transcript

(00:15):
Welcome to the Old Time Radio NetCastNetwork. I'm your host, ang Ryans,
and let's get into this episode.This episode is going to beat the
Shadow original Today it's October twenty seventh, nineteen forty, and the title is
Mark of the Black Widow. OhNo, what are you? Man?

(00:56):
Shadow? No? The Shadow thesious characters willage the forces of law and
order is in reality Lamark Cranston,wealthy young man about town. As a

(01:18):
shadow, Cranston is gifted with hyptoticpower to cloud men's minds so that they
cannot see him. Cranston's friend andcompanion, the lovely Marble Lane. He's
the only person who knows to whomthe voice of the Invisible Shadow belongs.
Today's story, The Mark of theBlack Widow. Suppose we have our coffee

(01:45):
in here in the Sunday Margo,Oh, I'd love to. Doctor Grant
says, I've been waiting for yearsfor excuse to see the inside of this
room. I'm here reminded, hesays. If I had anticipated this opportunity,
Doctor Grant and has brought along mycamera notebook, I see, I
think have an exaggerated idea about thecontents of this room. Oh, but
it's fascinating. Look around this placeamong money pass us, an old stone

(02:09):
carving. Yeah, I presume thatmost of these pieces are Egyptian, aren't
they, doctor Graham. Yes,that's right. I did a good deal
of work and Egypt about twenty yearsago, you know, excavations and that
sort of thing. I should imaginethat there's a fascinating story that goes with
every one of these drugs. Someof them have a legend. Yes,
margot Us Fallows, Kurt brass Or, I'm lugo has been reading too many

(02:32):
hour stories, doctor, No,No, she hasn't a month. I
myself have seen too many examples ofstrange misfortunes. But the Befallen the defiler
is a certain tomb to treat thatstatement likely really well, I'm done a
king, you know, doctor,Well, I personally have been exposed to
one of those ancient cutting ones.They I've got to hear more about this.

(02:53):
Well, it's very long and I'mquite sure are very dull story,
So we will save it for someother times, shall we. Besides,
this is not a night formistic John. See the moon is too bright,
the skies full, what a summer? Throw a rock through that window.
Just put your head. Doctor,looks too late to catch him whoever it
was to say, there seems tobe a note attached to this stone.

(03:15):
Well, yes, that's perhaps youbetter read it. Doctor. Let me
see it into this remember egypt tomb. He who was dead is returning and
the votes are trashed. I remindyou of our duty. The signature is
the drawing of a spider. Whatin the world is it all about?

(03:37):
Do you understand the doctor perfectly?He who was dead is returning? The
month that story I said, I'lltell you some other time. I'll tell
it to you now because it concernsIt's not I just received your mind,
mind, I should say not.About twenty years ago, three other scientists
and myself, all of us youngand ambitious, we're working on the excavation

(03:58):
of a tomb on the Upper EgyptianNile. One day we broke through a
hidden ball and came upon a roomthat was almost crammed the scene with rare
precious jewels. We stood in aweat the entrance to that room. All
right, jas Pror, do yousee what I see? Hi? There
can't be many precious jewels in theworld. What is this fu think that

(04:19):
what we're singing for Willoughby first stingfor Well, what do we do now?
What do you mean? Do wenotify that our faies and turn this
over to Ben? Yes, yes, yes, guys, yes of course.

(04:43):
Why what I'm asking? Why?Why should we give up this fortune
that Westomary? It's the thing todo. We would ever have to know
about it. Only we four havethe knowledge of this hidden room. Now
do we tell our fatidis? You'renot serious about this? Why if we
were found out, we'd be disgracedloans in our profession. Wasn't a few

(05:04):
million dollars compensate that? Ruin wasright? Cause I'm right. All we
have to do is keep quiet.And we're millionaires, millionnaires. Why we
could five the world? So yousee murging the month. Three of us
did keep quiet, but Hollus hadcaked. He told the authorities about our
discovery. We're all resentful of whatwe thought was his disloyal preachery. We

(05:28):
even made idle crests on his life. Yes, I was in a card
with the others. My only excusenow is it? Well that I was
very young. However we soon forgotso it's best we lost our dogs in
hard work. And then one daywhen our job was almost done, before
of us were standing in the mainexcavation, suddenly we heard a shout at
warning from the bank of all lookwhat's outful over the walls, taping in

(05:49):
perfectly resembled for the opposite in bankment. Let somebody had us. We heard
a clip is said, wait,don't put the mind prop me. We
turned started back to him an end. We were too late. After was
said beneath said haply, oh,labor is doug for Sally all that night

(06:09):
and into the next day, butit wasn't found. And next evening he
sailed for the States. What ahorrible da No, no, you're wrong.
If the halister didn't die, whathe learned later that he reached one
of the tunnels before the landside occurredand covered him, and three days later
he emerged from the tomb alive.Well that's remarkable, but say that's part

(06:29):
of the message. Then he whowas dead is returning exactly. Alister came
back to the state today. He'sbeen in Egypt all these years, done
some remarkable work too. What didthe rest of the message mean? What's
doing here? You here in thevote? To cast and if the Hawk's
name is up for membership in theAmerican chapter of the Royal Order of the
Scientists, perhaps he feels that wewill blackball him because of our ancient grudge.

(06:51):
Is it quite an honor who belongto the society, A great asimos
that can be bestowed on a scientist? Naturally, Hollis is anxious to get
it. This message is from Holty. I'm not sure, but he has
nothing to fear. Neither Taylor,Willoughby or myself have any ill feeling taught
him. How does he feel aboutall of you all? That's a different
story. I've heard reports that hethinks that Landslide was a deliberate attempt on

(07:14):
his life, which of course isnot true at all. Well, that
explains everything in the message. Butthe signature, Well, you mean the
drawing of a spider. Yes,well, that drawing was on the wall
of the room that was filled withjewels. The symbol of a spider is
an ancient, never failing Egyptian curse. Ya next member, will both please

(07:41):
next, put the ball in thebuck your vot If you please Differdan,
play ball and bucks. That's yourballot, Ball and buck. Your bllot,
mister Raymond Holliston. Yes, willyou stand please? You have petitions
for membership in the Royal Order ofScientists. I have I regret to inform
you, sir, that one blackball, having been dropped in the buck,

(08:05):
your application is rejected. I knewit. I knewly do this to
me, mister Hollister. This isa second attack on me, and believe
me, this time it shall notpass. An man. I asked you
to come here tonight to help Taylor. Will it be in me? Fi'm
Hollister, I say, Doctor Grant, Yes, we must find him.

(08:28):
We've got to convince him that wewere not responsible for his being rejected to
our membership. Now you say,mister Taylor, that Hollister disappeared the day
after the voting took place. Yes, that's right. Well, isn't there
anywhere finding out who did blackball?And doctor Grant? No, No way
in the world, Margo, No, there isn't any My warm dinner jacket

(08:48):
seems to be a bit too muchtonight, Grant, I think you should
tell mister Cranston about Hollister's threat too. Oh, yes, that's time.
Will be the things that's extra theclub told us later that Hollister vowed vengeance
again. I'm fall three of usvengeance. Yeah, that's right. Well,
that he seems to have vanish socompletely. I wouldn't worry too much
about that. Well, frankly,I am worried about it, mister Clinston.

(09:09):
Hollis's quaized blame is liable to seekcomplete revenge. Oh I'm not worried
on that score. I tell them, are you Willoughby? I say you
Willoughby fall? Maybe it's the heatin that dinner jacket. Good. I
can't say that I blame him,such a sultry knights Willoughby, come on,
old man, wake up? Wait, gentlemen, sad like the poor?

(09:30):
Put on that overhead lights? Why? Why? What's the trouble there?
You are, Willoughby, Willoughby.What's tron with h lamon? Willoughby?
Is dick? Well? The man'sthere to be going the Knight Explorer?

(09:52):
Get together? Who are inter?Who are mis? That's it,
mister Willoughby, who's dead? Noam? Yes? I know what did you?
Did you plan to meet him atany special play? Oh? Yes,
under an old Chilstone perhaps? Ohno, how much cheerier place than

(10:13):
that here. The more the I'mvery curious to learn just why mister Willoughby
died so suddenly. Oh, areyou going to examine my boby? Well,
not exact Lymarton, that's going tobe a job for the Shadow.

(10:39):
But I'll sleeping peaceley tonight. Mypretty heard me. I like to see
that. It shows. That's whywe're all friends here. Yeah, hello
friends. Uh, chriss, juststitch it down. I must open it.

(11:00):
Oh your rather stand up ish,my pretty. Oh no no you're
not too pretty, I are you, but you see I like it open
so that you all may become acquaintedyour all that is now you know that
isn't good, whether you be richeror Oh man, thanks, that's that

(11:24):
said. That's a mistake. Ispoke. Oh who are you? I
am cold, the shadow, theshadow. If I don't see you,
no, my hypnotic powers are outof your mind, made me invisible to
your eyes. Oh and that's veryclever, very clever. Yeah, sure
of remarkable, man with the shadows. Take it down, the word of

(11:46):
the mag keeper. These buddies,all these buddies here, are they in
your care? Oh yeah, yeah, that's a call. Among these bodies
is there one named will have been. He came here last night. Oh
that wound you. He's over thereon that table. If he's the heart
case you know? Have you yourselfnoticed anything unusual about the body? No?

(12:09):
No, different from the others.If you don't mind, I'd try
to examine him myself. I don'tmind if he doesn't. Now let me
see head untouched, no marks onneck, chest? Say this this jelatine
substance on the chest covering a littleat mark. Have you noticed it for

(12:31):
No? I never paid much attentionto those things in a routine case of
death. In the futual man,you should? Then you learn God that
I have that this man's death wasnot routine. It was murder. Only

(13:09):
malam the morgue. No Taylor anddoctor Grant, why they may not be
before we get them. I justexamined Willoughby's body in that undertaking Farler,
and mister Willoughby was murdered. Mother, I don't know yet. Then Hawila
did carry out his three to gomother, so welly to what he was
anyone right now? Have you notifiedthe police? No? I didn't think

(13:31):
it advisable. Yet what makes youbelieve that mister Willoughby was nursed a red
mark that I discovered on his chest, A red mark that was covered with
a jealousin like substance. Come in. I left the door open. Oh
I'm in plain. I didn't realizeif you'd come along. I must spotton
my appearance. So all right,doctor, I've seen men in a third

(13:54):
per years before coming to the Sunday. Taylor's here. I called him,
come along mother, Oh good mister, Oh you too, Miss Lay.
IM polarized once more for my appearanceof flame. It was too warm.
Nothing other, doctor, I havea dressing gown around here, something knowing
the doctor as I do, MissLaying, he won't feel easy until he's
properly attired. Here's your dressing gown, dot. Oh, thank you,

(14:16):
thank you. Taylor. Here weare now what is all this about the
month? Well, doctor Glenn.First of all, I have just learned
that your associates, mister Willoughby wasmurdered. Hollister. Hollister's making goodest play.
It's too early to choose anyone,Yes, mister Taylor. Our men
concerned hours to save both of youfrom meeting Willoughby, see Paul. Is
they're really in danger? Yes,I'm sure there is. What's the monk?

(14:37):
How are you a grin stick tocatch him? His pot? Get
that cherub? Here I touch agrant he's dick. No oh, this
is too much. I'm the lastone less. I'm going for the police.
Come back here, Taylor, No, no, I'm going to protect
myself. That was a silly thing. But mother, come here. Look

(15:01):
here. You see this red markon the doctor's chest. The same gelatin
substance, the same I found onWilloughby. But this time I recognize the
mark. What is it? It'sthe sight of a poisonous insect. And
unless I miss my guest, thatinsect is a spider, the ancient Egyptian
symbol of death. What on earthare you doing? Crome ram rum in

(15:26):
your hands with me. I'm lookingfor a very important piece of evidence.
You're also looking very s well.A pillar really went for the police.
I want to find the evidence beforethe good defenders of the law over on
the house. But if you're tryingto please stand right for you are why
my evidence is on your shoetop.What is this? If I'm not mistaken,

(15:46):
it's a dead lid, poisonous blackwidow spider, there. Knock him
off your shoetops. Get me thatashtray quick, here you are, I
want to catch it alive. Ohyou come, he's gone about astroid?
Oh, one of the biggest ofthe species, Tomargo. When you answered
the phone, please hello, HelloCranston there? Yes, who is this

(16:11):
three? This is mister Taylor's balad. Would you ask mister Cranston if he
could come to mister Taylor's home atonce? Yes, that's the trouble.
Mister Taylor has just been shot.Like this way, sir, have you
got a doctors The doctor just left, sir. The wound sila. The

(16:32):
doctor didn't tell me, sir inthis room here, sir, thank you.
Yes, mister Taylor, how areyou feeling? Ah? Fair,
just fair? The bullet grazed myshoulder. And tell me what happened?
Well, I really don't know.I thought that you left us to go
to the police. Yes, yes, that was my intention. But when

(16:55):
I left doctor Grant's house, Isaw someone looking in the doorway across the
street. Well, I became panickingand came right here to my study,
intending to call the police. Fromhere, I see then what happened?
Oh? When I picked up thephone. Something or someone was moving behind
that curtain. I replaced the phoneand then the shot was fired. That's

(17:18):
that's all I remember. I seeyou didn't actually see your attainment. No,
no, but it was Hollis,so I know it was. Who
else would make an attempt on mylife? Hmmm? And they I see
the wound? Please? Well,the doctor said, I shouldn't be disturbed.
Oh is this the coat you werewearing? Yes, yes, you
can see yourself or the bullet penetrated. My gun must have been fired a

(17:41):
very close range, mister Taylor.The carder burns indicate that the gun was
within a foot of your shoulder whenit was fired. And yes, it
was close. But I thought thatyou said that you were fired on from
those curtains. They're all a fifteenfeet from the phone. Well, I
see you're tiring. Nice story,No matter to Tator. I'm just trying
to get the fact straight that you'dbetter come back tomorrow morning. I can

(18:02):
think more crely then, yes,sir, that'll give you more time.
What do you mean, Oh,nothing, mister Taylor, not a thing.
Good night, model. I calledto tell you that I'm sending that
box containing the black widow spider overto you in the morning. I want
you to take it to mister Taylor'shouse. You had a secret vice from

(18:22):
him as to whether or not it'sreally poisonous, and pay particular attention to
his reactions. In the meantime,the shadow has a call to me.
You'll say that you found this spiderin doctor Grant's steadiness, Lene. Yes,
yes, that's right. Well,why have you brought it to me?

(18:44):
Well, mister Cranston's protict you werean assorary on such things. Could
protee inject? Is really poisonous?Oh? This was mister Cranston's idea.
Yes, my laboratory is downstairs.Would you care to come down while I
make the example nation? Why?Yes, thank you, that's why?
Please? Would you mind opening thatgirl? Miss Lane my shoulder you know?

(19:07):
Oh yes, how did you showis the way? Oh? Yes,
yes, very nicely you first?Miss Lane? Is there a life?
Yes, right on the wall.There we are. I realized that
she must have noney more important hansto do, Missus Taylor, and started
along miss Lane, I know coveringit well while you're here? Why Crampston

(19:32):
central, he knows that's a poisonousspider, and I believe that he has
a fucking good idea what it wasdoing in doctor Grant's study, doesn't it.
I don't know what you're talking about, but he did make one mistake.
He sent you here alone. Waita minute, I'm getting out.
What do you mean that door thatwe editors in locked and bolted? That's

(19:53):
the only exit from this room.Oh, and I might mention that the
walls are sound coul quite immumed ascream. I don't understand why you're doing
very simple. You come to mewith a curiosity about poisonous black widow spiders.
Because of that interest, I amgoing to exhibit many of them for
you by turning them loose in thisrole that I forgot. He has companies,

(20:19):
very distinguished companies. A gentleman thatyou have heard a great deal about.
Who do you mean Hollister, themissing doctor Hollister? Do you have
an imprident use what doctor Hollister?Who committed the murder? It was you?
Mister? This is doctor Hollis,Oh in a cage? You having

(20:48):
an echage like some wild deal.That's an excellent similar considering his appearance at
this point. Look, it's agrange. I who thank you she is.
Yes, that's what comes of noteating for a week. Find me
doing human steam. That man ison the British salvation even death. You

(21:08):
must be leased in at one.That's what I intend to do. He
shall keep you company down here whileyou both entertain my collection of black widout
spiders. Do you all be releasedthrough? Oh? So very soon?
What are you doing? These boxescontain the spiders. I'm ready to release

(21:29):
the catch. Then I shall leadyou both here in the company. They're
hungry too, even more hungry thandoctor Hollister. All right the flames.
Now, shall we get a bobby? What was that? I wouldn't release
those spiders if I were you,mister Taylor. Well, I I am

(21:51):
might get in this room with you. Mister Taylor, I see no one.
Perhaps when I tell you my name, you'll know why? Who are
you? Men? Call me theShadow? The Shadow? No? Oh,
you've heard of me? Then youknow why I aren't here, mister
Taylor. No, No, youcan't spoil my revenge. I waited too

(22:11):
long, too long, that clitcoolong and too late, mister Taylor.
We'll see about that. You can'tstop me. Yes, I can't wait
taking it away from your boy?What happened? Give me add to your
list if I can. Mister Taylor, what do you mean you've already killed
Willoughby and doctor time? Oh soyou know that to you? But what

(22:32):
of it? What if I didkill him? Why? Why did you
do it? Because I wanted toavenge so wrong that was done me by
Hollist. He cheated me out ofaquatum a fossum. He wouldn't keep quiet
about those jules. No, hehad to be righteous, and because of
that righteous if I've been a course, struggling firesis all my life. That's
why I killed will to be ingrants so that they are murders to be

(22:53):
blamed on him. Oh you an't, mister killing personally? Why not?
None of us are leaving here anyway? Keep away from this box of spiders.
Do you think your power of invisibilitycan conquer me? Don't you?
Shadow? And I know a wayto put up an even terms I'm putting
out these lights. No stop,sorry, that's too late. I have

(23:17):
also had the spiders. When Iopen the box, they'll just si your
forward. Don't believe those spiders.Your pool a life touch death is the
dark. Don't get you too.Now I to wait in here with doctor
Mother kind of the head of stairs. You'll be safe for there. I'll

(23:38):
find that light. Quick find her. No one, don't find her.
Oh you didn't take a safe placeafter all? They told me like hello,
the long did no mong The spidersare still und up. You can

(23:59):
release why not, you see Margot? When I explained the whole case to
Commissioner West and he agreed that Taylor'sdeath should be listed as accidental. The

(24:23):
how is doctor Holliston? You'll beall right in a week or so?
Well? Not? How did Taylorever get the spider to bank Worthy in
doctor grab? It was rather agenious device. Do you recall the jelatin
like substance that I found on thebodies of both men us. The spider
was encased and especially prepared capsule,which in both cases Taylor slipped into the

(24:44):
clothing of the murdered men. Thiscapsule melted when exposed to heat the heat
of a human body. The boywas very clever. I first suspected Taylor
when he chose to be shot ratherthan be bitten, particularly when the shot
was quite obviously say conflicted boys prettycredit groups for the past three, I

(25:06):
thought drink the fighters crawling, that'sunderstandable. This experience has had one incredible
effect on my life though, andwhat's that I shall never again enjoy reading
about little mythmpics the weed of crime. I'm loved a welcome back. I

(26:19):
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(26:41):
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