The Avenger - Death Rings the Bell

The Avenger. The rote crime ends in a trap that justice sets. Crime does not pay.

The Avenger. The rote crime ends in a trap that justice sets.

The Avenger. The rote crime ends in a trap that justice sets.

The Avenger. The rote crime ends in a trap that justice sets.

the men, the underworld fears as the Avenger. And now, the Avenger and death rings the bell.

I'll drop you and Furn off at your office, Jim.

Okay, Inspector.

Thanks for taking us to lunch, Inspector.

There you welcome, Furn.

Oh, say, Inspector, I have those chemical reports ready on the

Hadley case, you can pick them up if you want to.

They're good, I'll do that.

Oh, look, they must be a big fire somewhere.

I'm not sure it looks that way.

Hey, the whole fire department's out.

This is something big. What do you say we tag along, Inspector?

I think we better, Jim.

There it is. That big cannon house at the end of the block.

I'm not able to save that. It's going up like Tinder.

Better park here, Inspector.

Yeah.

Come on.

Gosh, I hope no one was in that house.

Listen, Furnow, all right?

That building's ready to collapse.

They're turning the hose on the next house.

All right, as well. That first one is a gunner.

Now that the firemen have pulled out and I've sent Furn back to the office,

how about giving me the lowdown and why you're hanging around here, Inspector?

Our Jimless tenement house belonged to a man by the name of Roy Wade,

and it just happens that this is a fourth house owned by Wade

to burn down within the past few months.

Well, that's certainly a good enough reason for a thorough investigation

on what's your theory.

Awesome, insurance, or what?

I don't know yet, but in two of those other fires, a life was lost.

It's the same thing happened here today.

No, don't tell me you'd be willing to call it murder, Inspector.

Well, even if we couldn't find a thing to substantiate such a theory

with other cases, if anyone died in this fire,

I'm not going to be satisfied.

There was an accident, although we're in this turn.

Maybe I should make you convince me of that.

Come on, Jim.

Let's give this place a good going over.

Jim, here's a complete medical report on the remains of that body we found in the fire.

Who was it, Inspector?

An old recluse with a name of Adam Tanner.

He had lived in that house of Roy Wade's for almost 20 years, but

the important thing is that Tanner was dead hours before that fire broke out.

Oh, I thought so.

Yeah, the doctor says he was killed by a blow on the head at least four hours before the fire started.

Well, I suppose you've called in Wade for questioning.

Yeah, I got him waiting outside.

I wanted you to be here when I put him on the grill.

Fine, bring him in.

Right.

Okay, Wade, in here.

Listen here, Inspector.

Let's see, I do have him pick up like a common criminal.

If you had some questions, ask me.

Why did you just sit down, Wade?

Mr. Brandon and I will ask the questions.

This happens to be a murder investigation.

Murder?

Who's murder?

Adam Tanner's your tenant.

He didn't die in that fire.

He was killed beforehand.

Well, that's too bad.

I didn't have any use for telling you.

He did like you, either.

And during the past year, he wrote several letters of complaint to the Board of Health

about the rundown condition of that house of yours.

He lived in.

Tanner was a crank and a trouble maker.

Always behind in his rent, too.

And it wasn't because he didn't have the money.

He had plenty.

Do you have any idea who might have killed Tanner?

Well, no, no.

I only saw him once a month.

Oh, when did you see him last?

About a week ago.

Was that when you threatened to have him put out?

Well, yes.

Yes, we had an argument.

What are you two getting at?

Do you think I killed Tanner?

We're not ready to bring in a charge as yet, Wade.

But there's no doubt about it.

Tanner's murder puts you in a bad spot.

That's only your opinion inspector.

I'm in no spot.

I take a look at the facts, Wade.

Within five months, four heavily insured houses belonging to you have burned down.

Now, three lives were lost in those fires.

And we can prove that at least one of those persons was murdered.

Well, you can stack up those facts anyway you want to inspector.

I am getting a lawyer.

And I won't answer any more questions unless he tells me to.

And the next time you bring me down here,

you'd better have a warrant for me or you'll be in trouble.

Jim, all these samples of burnt wood look alike to me.

I don't think you'll find any clues here.

I've already found some, Fern.

You have?

Yes.

We believe Tanner was murdered in the kitchen of that house

and that the fire originated there.

Now, this is a piece of burnt wood taken from what was left of the kitchen wall.

Here, take a look at it through the spectacle.

I'm sorry, Jim.

It's just another piece of charcoal as far as I can see.

I know it is, in Fern.

That piece of wood didn't burn normally.

If it had had the crosschecks on it,

it would have a definite size.

Those are finer and closer together than they should be.

That proves that some outside agent was used to help the fire along.

That's awesome isn't what it used to be, is it?

No, science is fighting the fire bug every step of the way these days.

Do you think these fires were the work of a pyromaniac

or planned with a motor, Jim?

The murder of Tanner rules out the pyromaniac,

but murder wasn't the motor for those other fires.

Sure I made.

Well, 90% of all arson cases are attempts to collect insurance,

so we can't disregard that.

Then the case is solved.

Roy Wade was the only person who stood to gain anything by all those fires.

What may I ask did he have to gain by murdering Tanner?

Why that's a simple deduction, Jim.

This is what happened.

Tanner was out.

Wade used his passport to get into the house.

He was out in the kitchen preparing everything for the fire when Tanner came in and surprised him.

They had a fight and Wade killed Tanner.

Well, not so fast Inspector Collier.

It's been proved that Tanner was killed four hours before the fire broke out.

Well, Wade was terrified.

After he killed Tanner, he fled.

When his terror wore off, he realized that he could destroy all evidence of a murder merely by setting

fire to the house.

So we went back and did just that.

Okay?

No, Lindsay.

Lindsay?

Why?

Because so far we haven't been able to place Wade at the scene of the crime.

Oh, I'll take a friend.

Hello?

Inspector White, Jim.

I just wanted to tell you, I've closed the Wade case.

You've closed it.

Yes sir, so did I've tied.

Oh, how?

Well, I found two witnesses who saw Wade leaving Tanner's place few minutes before the fire broke out.

How do you like that?

Well, I'll admit that looks bad, but after...

Shut my men out there, pick up Wade on suspicion of murder.

Let's see him try to talk himself out of that.

Inspector, not so fast.

I certainly scooped you on this when Jim's so long.

Inspector!

Oh, he hung out.

Oh, what was it, Jim?

The inspector's arresting Wade on suspicion of murder.

You see, it's just like I said.

I knew Wade was guilty.

Well, you may be right, but so far all the evidence is circumstantial.

And the inspector won't be able to hold Wade long on the strength of him.

Well, after all, Jim, there aren't any other suspects.

You mean we haven't uncovered any other suspects?

Well, that doesn't mean there aren't any.

Come on, friend.

Let's set off that microtome.

I'm going back to work.

Jim, why are we making a check on all the houses Wade owes?

I'm just not satisfied with the set pattern of this case, friend.

A man in Wade's position would have to be awfully stupid to believe he'd get away with four fires and a murder.

And Wade is far from stupid.

Well, here's the last address I'll ask.

Oh, look, Jim, there's an antique shop in the basement.

Yes, and it seems to be either selling out or moving.

Come on, friend. Let's go in and have a look around.

Good day. Anything I can show you?

Well, we'd like to look around if you don't mind, of course not.

Here's a nice table, Jim.

Everything's in pretty much of a mess.

I'm in the process of moving.

Oh, why don't you find us a good section for antiques?

Oh, the section's fine.

Nearly all the old people living around here have wonderful old furniture.

I'm just moving across the street.

It's only this house I object to.

One of the house?

Yes.

It's owned by Roy Wade.

One of them being such a firebug.

You never know which of his houses will go up next.

After that last fire, I decided to get out of here.

After all, I've got a lot of money tied up in these antiques.

Why, you shouldn't have anything to worry about now.

That Wade's safely in jail.

What, he's not?

What?

They released him.

A flash came over the radio about 15 minutes ago.

Insufficient evidence, they said.

Hello, Mr. Douglas.

Hello, Winston.

I just dropped in a tent and I think I finally persuaded Uncle John to sell you a few of those old pieces

of furniture you asked me about.

Oh, good.

Up around it was house sometime this week and look them over.

And see that you offer them a fair price.

I'll do that all right.

OK.

I'll let me know how you make out of the old one.

I will.

Thanks, Winston.

Who was that young, Paul?

It looked familiar, but I can't place him.

He's Winston-Madden.

Old John Madden's nephew.

Oh, yes.

His uncle lives in that house Roy Wade owns on southern street.

That's right.

Jim, I found the table we need for the office.

OK, have it sent, Fern.

It's that one next to the China closet.

Send it to Jim Brand in 928.

Excuse me.

Are you Jim Branden, the detective?

I yes.

Well, I'm mighty proud to meet you.

My name's Hubert Douglas.

How do you do?

Say, Mr. Branden, maybe you could use your int for something

done about the shocking condition of this house.

I thought you said you were moving.

Well, I am, but I'm sorry for old Mr. Forsythe on the second floor.

He'll be left alone here and what about a top floor of often?

Well, those people moved out three days ago.

After tonight, old Forsythe will be here alone.

And I think Roy Wade should be forced to make certain repairs

for that old man's safety.

Why look into the matter, Douglas?

Come on, Fern, settle the matter of that end table.

We've got to be getting along.

Jim, you had the board of health summoner Mr. Forsythe

for an interview, so we could examine this house, didn't you?

Well, that's right, Fern.

Now, we'll take this empty top of often first and work our way down.

I felt like a thief sneaking in at that window.

Jim, why are you so interested in this particular house?

Because of the effects concerning it,

telling with those of the other wayd houses that have burned down.

Jim, would you open that window for me?

It's exciting, isn't it?

Okay, Fern.

Fair hookers coming to all the house.

Why, it's Mr. Wade.

What do you suppose he wants here?

I don't know, but I intend to stick around and find out.

Jim, if Wade finds us here, there'll be fireworks.

Now, don't worry.

There's no reason for him to come up to the empty apartment.

Look, Jim, he's leaving.

Yes, come on, Fern.

Let's continue with our investigation.

We haven't any time to lose.

Is it my imagination or do I smell smoke?

Why?

You're right, Fern.

We better get out of here.

Here, this way.

This door needs to stay away.

Fern, get back.

The whole floor below us is in flames.

Jim, what are we going to do?

Where's that?

Now, back to the Avenger and death ring the bell.

Jim, we can't stay in this room another minute.

The whole wall is burning.

The engines have arrived, Fern.

They'll have to ladder up in no time.

He's so hot.

Fern, over here.

That wall's begging you.

Here, you throw that on the ledge.

I'll hurry from the inside.

No, I won't go unless you come too.

Well, all right, take all of my hand and go ahead.

I won't hide.

Jim, just let you go if you wish is right.

I'll hide.

I'll hide.

Jim, I'll hide.

Jim, I'll hide.

Jim, I'll hide.

Jim, I'll hide.

Jim, I'll hide.

Jim, I'll hide.

I know.

Now, don't look down.

Steady now.

It'll only be for a minute.

They're putting the ladder up.

We're perfectly safe.

Now, I'm holding onto the window, sash.

Keep your nerve hurt.

I will, Jim.

Damn.

The ladder's right at your feet.

I'll steady you while you're step onto it.

OK?

I won't hide.

Come on, Jim.

Jim.

Inspector, I sent you to come over here

to the laboratory to watch a little experiment.

Oh, as not why I came, Jim.

I want an explanation of that statement you made on the phone.

Well, you mean my warning that you'd be making your fool

of yourself if you were arrested way to get it?

There!

Now, you yourself admitted that you saw a weight

in four-size house just before the fire broke out.

I said in front of the house, not inside it.

Oh, wait.

You know why don't you try to help me prove that instead of fighting me every step of the way because I know now how those fires

We're started and there's an even chance that someone is trying to frame wave

Come out to the kitchen and I'll show you the kitchen. Yes, friend and I have everything ready for the demonstration

I've got every good one more fire and I'll be back in the harness pounding a bee

Hello, Fern, what are you up to in here over here inspector?

Take a look at this doorbell. This is where it rings when anyone presses the bell out front

Oh, dear. What is your doorbell after do with an arson and murder case? Do you notice anything peculiar about this bell?

No good

Because right inside that bell I've rigged up a tiny container of sulfuric acid

Directly underneath is this waste basket containing paper and rag soaked in oil

And when the bell rings the hammer breaks the acid container

The waste ignites and presto our fire has a good start

Yeah, now if I really wanted to make sure this whole house would burn down rapidly

I would spray that wall with gasoline gunpowder or flashlight powder in a matter of seconds the whole place would be in flames

All the fire extinguishes ready, Fern. Yes, sir. Now here you take one of them inspector and I'll take the other

Be ready to put out the blaze in that basket

Okay, Fern, you can go out and ring the bell now

Well, tastes like this gym of perfectly innocent person might press the doorbell and set the fire going

Precisely the point of this demonstration inspector. That's why I didn't want you to rest weight again until we're certain

He did the rigging as well as the ringings

There how do you like that?

Get that extinguisher working. I haven't much insurance

Jim why are we going to Douglas's anti shop again? I want to find out Douglas or anyone going in or out of four science house yesterday, Fern

That demonstration you made this morning certainly needs to be wide open as far as

Suspects are concerned doesn't

Well, you mean you're no longer convinced it was way then. No, but I'm not convinced it wasn't right

We can't eliminate Wade, but on the other hand, the criminal could be someone we'd have no reason to suspect so far

Oh, Jim, there's all Mr. Forsyth

Forsyth, he's head of the Douglas's door too. Oh, yes. Well, good afternoon, Mr. Forsyth. Good day

We see now you're Mr. Brandon, aren't you? That's right. Have you found another place to live, Mr. Forsyth?

Not yet, mister. She spent a night at the settlement house

Everything I had went up in that fire. Oh, that's true. Oh, yes, everything

Even my wife Sam, take jewelry. I'd tell it on to it all these years to take him in and then was it valuable during Mr. Forsyth?

Oh, yes, she has indeed it was

Then Mr. Douglas offered me two thousand dollars for it more than once, but I could never bring myself to sell it

Oh, he has Mr. Douglas's shop. Are you coming in? Oh, yes

He's the only friend I have

The only one who's ever bothered to be very kind to me

Oh

Mr. Douglas, it's Forsyth. He's right with you

Oh, he has some wonderful old furniture here. Hasn't it?

Often bought old pieces for me. Oh, there. Oh, Mr. Brandon. Good afternoon, Douglas

Douglas, I came in to see if you could let me have

Some of that old furniture back. I sold you. I thought maybe I could rent a little room. Some facial features.

Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Forsyth. All that furniture has been sold

That's too bad

I was hoping Mr. Forsyth, I have a little room on the second floor that I don't use

Why don't you stay there for the time being?

It's very kind of you Douglas. Oh, you mentioned it. Go up now and take a look at it. Right at the head of the stairs

All right, I had won't impose on you. I'll kind this long. I'll find something

Oh, uh, Mr. Brandon

Douglas, do you see anyone entering or leaving Forsyth's house yesterday before the fire?

Well, I wasn't going to say anything about it, but I did see Mr. Wade going towards the house just before the fire broke out

No one else

No

Well, I guess you're a hunter right

You move just in time. There's no cure for a fire but Mr. Brandon

I wouldn't live in one of Wade's houses if he paid E-Rent for the privilege. Well, thanks Douglas

Concern

Well, it seems to be a different commodity these days

Forsyth gave us a clue, Cern

I'll tell you later. Right now we're going to call on John Matten

Matten lives in the last remaining house that Wade owns

I know, but you check him on him in the other day. Jim surely you don't think that way

I'm not stopping to think, Cern. This time I'm not going to give Jeff a chance to ring the bell

Well, there's old John Matten's house, Jim. He doesn't live in that big place all alone, does he?

Yes, his nephew Winston has an apartment on the other side of town

I'm going to lose the knocker on this door just to play save

Jim, you don't think Wade intends to go and down this lovely old house, do you?

No, Fred and I never said any such thing

What do you want, please? You're Winston, John Matten's nephew, aren't you?

That's right. Oh, I saw you in Douglas the shop the other day

I suppose Douglas sent you to pick up the furniture he bought. That's it, they're on the hall

Oh, Mr. Douglas did buy that furniture from your uncle then

Of course. See, aren't you from Douglas?

No, where is your uncle? Uncle John was taken in last night. He's in the hospital

May we continue, please? I'm Jim Brandon connected with the police department

Oh, what do you want? I'm busy packing. I'm taking Uncle John to live with me

We're coming in step aside

Just step aside, come on Fred

Now Winston, what's wrong with your uncle?

I don't know. There's something he ate, Dr. said

Anyway, it's not of your business. Are you moving your uncle's things out of here with or without his consent?

Now this is a private matter. I don't like your attitude Brandon

Get out of here and don't come back without a warrant

Okay, that's the way you wanted

Well, Mr. Brandon, I think that's what is known as the Bums, right?

Fern, go back to the office and call the inspector

Tell him to stand by for a call from me

Okay

Jimmy, it's that nephew with it. He's the guilty one

You'll know everything within a few hours, Fern

Now run along

What are you going to do, Jim?

I've got a date with a fireball as the Avenger

I know old matter and kept all his money in his bureau

Gotta be here somewhere

What's that?

Who's in here?

It's the Avenger, Douglas. I've been waiting for you

The Avenger?

What do you want?

He's in here

It's the Avenger, Douglas. I've been waiting for you

The Avenger?

What do you want?

I've been waiting for you

I've been waiting for you

Avenger, what do you want here?

I've taken the precaution of removing the money and valuables you hope to find this apartment

I don't know what you're talking about Avenger

I bought this furniture from Madden. It belongs to me

You took the furniture you bought out of here an hour ago when Winston went to visit his uncle

Then you came back to rob and burn this house

I'll make you wish you didn't know so much Avenger

You might as well give up, Douglas. The house is surrounded

No, no. I have another plan. When the police bring the bell they'll set this house afire

We'll be trapped here, Avenger. You'll die with me

You'd prefer death by fire to a trial by jury, Douglas

But the bell will not set off the fire this time

The Avenger will move the acid from the bell

Your schemes are over, Douglas. You'll stand trial for Austin and for murder

You'll die with me

Did Douglas confess?

Yes, Fern. And you were partly right in your deductions about the death of Tanner

Except that I accused Wade instead of Douglas of his murder

Yes, Douglas's motive throughout was robbery

He used his antique business as a means of getting into the homes of old people he thought had money

Under the pretext of examining various pieces of furniture he found out where the boat were hidden

Then later when he went back to load the furniture he stole the valuables

Rigged up his fire device and then the first person to rain the bell set off the fire and all the evidence went up and flanged

Right

And those first two persons who died really were caught in the fire

Yes, but Adam Tanner don't wise to what Douglas was to and Douglas killed him

But what led you to suspect Douglas, Jim?

Douglas had bought furniture from every house where a fire occurred

That in itself was suspicious but not conclusive

Oh, Mr. Forth, I gave me the real clue

He told us Douglas knew about that antique jewelry yet

I knew that jewelry hadn't been burned because we had put the ruins of that fire through the sieve

Therefore the jewelry had been stolen

And since Douglas knew of its existence and value he was the logical one to suspect

But why did Douglas concentrate on Roy Wade's houses?

For several reasons. Inuit would be easy to throw suspicion on Wade

Because Wade's houses were insured for all the traffic would bear

The traffic fire trance also

Besides Douglas knew enough about Wade's business to know when he made his rent collections

You mean he deliberately stayed some of those fires so that Wade would be the one to ring the bell?

Exactly, friend

But Jim, what made you so sure you could trap Douglas at Madden's house?

Well, I wasn't sure, friend. Matter of fact I wasn't sure until I discovered that Douglas had bought that furniture from Madden

Then I knew the stage was set

Now who do you suppose that is?

Probably the inspector bringing us the afternoon papers

His pictures on the front page of every one of them

All 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

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The Avenger

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