The Avenger - The Hooded Circle

The Avenger.

The road to crime ends in a trap that justice sets.

Crime does not pay.

Crime does not pay.

Crime does not pay.

The Avenger's sworn enemy of evil is actually Jim Branden, a famous biochemist.

Through his numerous scientific experiments, Branden has affected several inventions to aid him in his crusade against crime as the Avenger.

Most remarkable of these inventions is the highly secret diffusion capsule, which cloaks him in the black light of invisibility.

Branden's assistant, the beautiful Fern Togger, is the only one who shares his secrets and knows that he is the man the underworld fears as the Avenger.

And now, the Avenger and the Hooded Circle.

A group of influential businessmen have assembled luncheon in a private dining room.

The conversation during the meal has been general, but as soon as the dishes have been cleared away, Howard Gleason, self-appointed gentleman calls for order.

Gentlemen, gentlemen, your attention please.

I know that all of you are wondering just why you were invited here.

Oh, uh, Benton, would you stand over there near the door please? Don't let anyone come in here.

Right, Mr. Grayson?

And now, gentlemen, I'll come straight to the point.

If you will look about you, you will see that this gathering is composed entirely of influential businessmen who have resided here in Springville for many years.

The reason for that is this.

You men have an investment in this town.

I mean the real Springville.

Not the noisy, hunky-tunk, it's become within the past few years.

Now, don't you think the time has come for us to project our homes and investments here and get rid of the gristers who are ruining our city?

Yes, sir.

Just a moment. Just a moment, gentlemen.

Let me have a few opinions.

Bob Clifford has the floor.

Well, I agree with you, Gleason.

I think the situation here in Springville has become intolerable.

In fact, the three to the point where the decent citizens must drive out the rip-wrap or they'll drive us out.

But what can we do to con just all of these people out of town as long as they're making money here, they'll stay?

That's just it.

They're within their legal rights.

But are we to stand by and let them destroy us because of that?

No, something's done.

Gentlemen, gentlemen.

There is a way to handle this.

If you men have the courage to adopt it.

Well, what is it? I think you'll find us willing to cooperate.

All right.

Here's the blacklist.

Let's see if we agree on that first.

Number one.

Ambrose Greer.

I think that Greer has stepped on the toes of every man here in one way or another during the past three years.

Well, let me acquaint you with his latest plans.

He is gradually buying up all that old mill property along the west fork of the river.

He intends to dam up that tributary and convert its power to his mill.

Now, if that happens, our hopes for a stake park on that fine land are due.

Well, he's got to be stopped, that's all.

And let me continue, Clifford.

The second on this list is Jarvis...

When Timber was badly needed, he bought off that forest land beyond the lake and made a fortune chopping it.

Now, he intends to ruin the entire woods in that section in order to keep us more.

Well, that's caring, profiteering, a little bit too far.

And what about that wringo tuple who runs the gambling boat out on the river?

Two places to disgrace this community.

But what's to be done about it as far as I can see how we can do a start the ball rolling to have a few laws and acted to restrain these people?

I have another plan, but I do not feel it liberty to discuss it here.

Well, where can we discuss it then?

The utmost secrecy will be required, but I think my plan will prove quick and effective.

Well, when can we hear it, Lisa?

We're willing to listen.

Those who are interested will meet in the deserted barn at Conan Corners tomorrow night.

I thought it might be well to adopt a plan to shield the identity of those who wish to work within this group.

There's a package here for each of you.

It contains a robe and hood.

Wear them tomorrow night.

Otherwise, you cannot be admitted to the hooded circle.

I'm glad you and Fern were able to drive out here to Springville with me, Jim.

My inspector, that anonymous note you received, interested in me.

The inspector, what was in that note, could bring you and Jim tearing out here to Springville?

Well, among other things, Fern had contained a warning that Springville was in for a rain of terror.

But isn't this outside your territory?

Yes, it is. I call the Springville Sheriff about it, but he's laid up, so he wants me to take over for the time being.

Well, of course, Inspector, we may be out here on a wild goose chase.

An anonymous letter, nine times out of ten, is written by a crank.

Now, this one's worth checking on, Jim.

Where do you think we ought to begin?

Drive down to the courthouse. I'll make a few inquiries of the officials there.

Who's there?

It's number 14, bringing in Ringo Tuffle.

Answer.

Is everyone here?

There are two less than at the last meeting.

But we'll proceed.

I'll sit over there.

Say, what kind of a deal is this?

Why was I brought here?

You're about to find that out, Tuffle.

You can remove his blindfold now, number 14.

Right.

Now you're a Tuffle.

Hey, hey, what's the pitch here?

If you heard it guys are trying to put over a joke on me.

It's no joke, Tuffle.

The hooded circle is here to decide your fate.

Decide my fate.

What are you talking about?

Just this, Tuffle.

We find your presence here in Springville undesirable.

You want you to clear out entirely

or convert your gambling boat into a respectable showboat.

And if I refuse, steps will be taken.

Now listen, I'm a businessman.

If it's cut on the gambling property after we can work out a deal.

We don't want your money, Tuffle.

Our one and only purpose is to rid our city of riffraff and properties.

We're giving you a choice.

We need our requirements.

Or get out.

Well, I've got a big investment here.

I can't very well pull out.

And we'll expect the gambling on your boat to just continue at once.

All right?

You've got me in a tight spot, so I'll play ball.

Now I'd like to get out of here if you don't mind.

Oh, you may not be afraid, but we have no intention of calling you.

After the meeting, you'll be escorted back to your boat.

However, in the meantime, we have a little job for you to do.

Now listen here.

I'm a gambler, not a mug.

If you haven't merely want you to shuffle these cards.

And deal one to each member of our circle.

What for?

I'll never mind that.

A pair of cards.

You'll note that all of the low cards have been removed in order that the number of cards

equal exactly the number of hooded men gathered around you.

Check the deck and tell us if the Jack of Spades is there.

Here's what's here.

Then shuffle the cards and deal them.

We have a mission for the man who gets the Jack of Spades.

Step up men and form a circle.

Number 14.

Did you lock a couple up in that small shed at the end of the barn?

And that's been done, but you'd better keep our voices down so we can't hear us.

Then listen carefully, all of you.

One member of this hooded circle was dealt with the Jack of Spades.

And that's what I'm going to tell you.

I'm going to tell you.

I'm going to tell you.

I'm going to tell you.

I'm going to tell you.

Simply all of you, one member of this hooded circle was dealt with the Jack of Spades.

Only the man who received that card knows that he has it.

And it is to him that I direct the following instructions.

Go at night, disguised as you are now, to Ambrose Greer.

Give him three days to clear out of Springville.

You may go armed for your own protection, but no violence will be sanctioned.

The hooded circle will meet here again on Thursday night when the next assignment will be given.

Good luck, Jack of Spades.

Well, the Inspector Jim, I thought he was to meet us here on the porch of the hotel.

He's still all trying to face that letter, friend.

Have you made any headway on that, Jim?

No, and I'm glad we haven't.

So glad? Why?

Because that means it probably was the word crank,

and that no reign of terror is threatening Springville.

I hated to think that perhaps a group of citizens here decided to take the law into their own hands.

Do you think that's what the letter implies?

Yes, and that sort of thing, regardless of its intention, is vicious and unpatriotic.

It should have no place in a civilized society where the law of the land is the best law for individual living under it.

The right, Jim.

Well, here comes the inspector now.

And he looks as though he swallowed a canary.

Jim, we've hit on something big here.

What have you found out, Inspector? Come upstairs, Jim.

In ten minutes, we're going to have a very interesting visitor.

Here, sure, nobody saw you coming here, Tuple.

No, I came in the side entrance and used the service elevator.

Good. Sit over there and we'll get down the business.

Thanks, Inspector.

Now, Tuple, repeat that story you told me to Brandon here.

Well, it's like this, Mr. Brandon.

I run that big gambling boat on Keller River.

The last night, some guy way lays me on the dock,

and I'm going to have a drink.

I'm going to have a drink.

I'm going to have a drink.

I'm going to have a drink.

I'm going to have a drink.

I'm going to have a drink.

The last night, some guy way lays me on the dock,

sticks a gun on my back and blindfolds me.

Next thing I know, we're in a car driving like man.

Any idea of the direction?

No, I lost all sense of that.

Go ahead.

Well, anyway, about a half an hour,

I find myself in a big deserted barn someplace

surrounded by about 20 guys and robes and hoods.

They call themselves the hooded circle, Jim.

Oh, that letter was on the level. That looks that way.

I'll go ahead, Tuple.

Well, these guys want me to get out of town

or cut out the gamble on my boat.

I could see that they meant business,

so I agreed to cut out the gamble.

I get to the part about the cards, Tuple.

Yeah, that was the craziest part of the whole thing.

They gave me cards to deal out to the men.

The man who got the jack of spades

was elected to pull some kind of a job.

What was the job?

I don't know.

They locked me up after that,

and I couldn't hear much of what was going on.

You did hear something, though.

Well, as far as I could make out,

they have it in for somebody by the end of the year

or maybe it was gray or something like that.

Have you any idea who that might be?

No, I've been trying to figure that one out all morning,

but I can't tie that tear up with anybody I know around here.

I'll thank you, Tuple.

You've been a great help to us.

We'll go right to work on this.

For the time being, Tuple, I'm for your own safety.

You better not take a chance on getting in touch with us directly.

But keep your ears and eyes open.

I sure will, Mr. Brandon.

If anything develops, suppose you've telephone this card

you're here at the hotel.

Vail your message carefully.

The Inspector and I will figure it out.

And thanks again.

That's the audition.

14 West Maple Street.

Well, Fern, I hope we have more luck with the...

Greer's than we had with the Spirit.

Which Greer is this?

Ambrose.

I'm being systematic in taking them in alphabetical order.

Oh, good.

Say, this is quite a potential-looking place.

Well, come on.

Let's take the bull by its horns.

Well, according to the telephone book,

this is the first time I've ever seen a bull.

It's the first time I've seen a bull.

It's the first time I've seen a bull.

It's the first time I've seen a bull.

It's the first time I've seen a bull.

It's the first time I've seen a bull.

Well, according to the telephone book,

this ambrose Greer owns a whole string of sawmills.

Well, that sounds respectable enough.

Doesn't seem to be anyone at home, Jim.

Well, it must be.

I can see a light burning on the back of the house.

Maybe you'd better buy the door, Jim, just in case

anything might be wrong.

I think I will.

Hmm.

The door is open, Fern.

Come on.

Anybody home?

Hey, we'd hardly have left the door unlocked if you went out, wouldn't you?

I don't think so.

Let's investigate that light in the back of the house.

All right.

Through the wall here.

Fern, stay back. Don't come in here.

What is it here?

Go to the telephone quick.

Call Inspector White.

Tell him we found the first victim of the hooded circle.

He's been murdered.

Damn it.

Damn it.

Damn it.

Now, back to the Avenger and the hooded circle.

Oh, there, just ahead is the third one we picked up for the plane that's after noon, Fern.

I want to get back more to third effect on the other, Jim.

Well, let's pull up and see him.

Oh, there's been some cars around here recently.

Look at those pyramas.

Hopefully, try them.

Come on, Fern, let's investigate the barn.

I think the place on the floor is at the door, isn't it?

It's got a big latch here on the inside.

We'll leave the door open so we can see.

Fern, this is the meeting place, all right?

Look, here are the remains of several candles and here's the wrapper from a pack of cars.

Damn.

What now, Jim?

The couple said he was locked in a small shed at the end of the barn.

Let's look for that.

Jim, here's the door.

This must be it.

Oh, yes.

This is the shed.

Everything ties up there.

Yes.

Now we've got to get back to town as fast as we can.

I want to put in a telephone call to topple.

topple?

What for?

I want a complete description of those robes and hoods.

For just one meeting, the inspector and I are going to pose as members of the hooded circle.

Well, how are you making up with your sewing, Fern?

Well, I seem to do all right on the safety.

But I get ahead of myself on the stopper.

Well, let's roll.

Look as if it might hold together for one meeting anyway.

Well, inspector, no remarks from you.

That's at all when I was hired as Jim a secretary in the system.

I was not informed that plain spelling would also be required.

Oh, will you answer it, Fern, please?

All right, Jim.

Hello?

Oh, will you answer it, Fern, please?

All right, Jim.

Hello?

Yes, it is your partner.

Oh, yes, I'd be glad to take a message.

I know which form is the couple.

Go ahead.

Right.

I have it.

Thank you very much.

What a topple, say, Fern.

Didn't make any sense to me.

He said, I've been invited to a private game of cards tonight at 10 o'clock.

Fine.

That means the hooded circle is meeting tonight.

Come on, Fern.

Here, sing.

We've got to get those costumes finished.

Here's the shed where we hide, inspector.

Hey, Jim, what you might explain why we came out here to this barn before 9 o'clock

when the meeting isn't scheduled to attend.

We had to be the first arrivals inspector in order to get in here.

When meeting time rolls around, they probably have a guard station at the door.

They may even have a password of some kind.

No, you're taking a chance on being challenging.

I guess you're right at that, but I'm not so sure we'll get away with this anyway, Jim.

Oh, chances are good if we're careful.

Ringo Tuttle said there were about 20 members ahead of the circle.

I don't think two more are likely to be noticed.

Now, come on.

Let's get into these hooded rooms.

Right.

Okay.

Hey, Jim, what about this angle?

Suppose Tuttle is called upon to deal a card each member.

There are 20 members.

He'll only be given 20 cards to deal out.

That means we'll have to be left out of the deal.

How won't that be, Ambi?

Well, it would be, except that I've arranged for that emergency.

I had a friend call Tuttle before we left tonight and tell him just to pretend to deal cards to you and me.

But how unbladed will he know it?

Like this.

I'll hold out your hands, eh?

Yeah, a palm up, eh?

There.

Now, that red mark I make in the center of your palm will identify you the Tuttle.

So far, so good, but of course, you realize we could be walking right into a perfect craft here.

I know that, but it's the chance we have to take.

However, if we don't show up at a hotel restaurant by 1 o'clock, Fern has instructions to call the state police.

Well, in the meantime, all we can do is wait and hope this scheme of yours works.

Quiet, these quiet.

The meeting of the hooded circle is called order.

The first and most important matter to be brought for this meeting is the unfortunate fate of Ambrose Greer.

A circumstance would indicate that someone present here tonight killed Greer.

I find it very difficult to believe that.

But if it is true, that man must be punished for his crime.

Who received the jack of spades at our last meeting?

Will no one answer?

Order the order.

Order.

Well, who that man was, only he himself knows.

Greer must have been killed in self-defense.

No member of this circle would kill in cold blood.

But what's all these finished papers are saying about Greer being robbed?

I don't believe those stories of any basis in fact.

However, let this tragedy be a lesson to all of us to act cautiously and wisely in the future.

Nothing more than a warning must be given to these others on our list.

Who's next? Let's get this over with.

Jarvis Payton.

Tell him his timber cutting days in Springville are over.

Give him 48 hours to get out of town.

Payton's away on business. He won't be back until the morning.

That'll be time enough.

Now, bring in Tupple.

We'll let him cut the cards.

Right.

The man who gets the jack of spades will handle this next assignment.

And I would caution him once more.

Give Payton a warning.

Nothing else.

Give Tupple.

Ah, here you are Tupple.

20 cards.

Each man will leave as he receives his card.

Now, shuffle and deal them, Tupple.

For a better Springville.

Do you miss him the inspector joining us for midnight snacks?

No, fairly inspector went to bed. Looks like we're going to have a big day tomorrow.

He found out plenty of that meeting tonight.

We did.

Well, you're not going to hold out on me, are you?

You can wait another day, can't you?

Yes, and by this time tomorrow, the criminal will be apprehended.

I hope so.

I'm anxious to get away from Springville and its hooded circle.

Well, one thing was evident at that meeting tonight.

The hooded circle is composed of a group of amateurs.

No professional troublemakers have moved in yet.

That'll make it easier to dissolve.

But how are you going to expose Greer's murder agent?

A man by the name of Jarvis Payton is next on the list to be visited by a number of the hooded circle.

Payton lives alone in the Tupple and beyond the lake.

He'll arrive home from a business trip in the morning.

And I think he's marked for murder.

And if I know you, you're going out there tonight to wait for him.

Right, Herin.

The Avenger must be on hand in the morning when Payton's murderer arrives.

Jarvis Payton.

What was that noise?

Who was there?

It's the Avenger Payton.

Well, what about me? I have committed no crime.

Your crimes are many, Payton.

And avarice and greed are not the least of them.

I've broken all law. You've nothing on me, Avenger.

That is true. That's why I've come here to protect you.

Protect me from what?

From the same Payton's Ambrose Greer.

A murder?

That is right.

But it can be prevented if you will do exactly as I tell you.

What? What tell me what to do?

Lock yourself in the cellar of this house.

And don't come out until I tell you to.

All right.

And hurry. Your murderer and they arrive at any moment.

Payton. Payton, where are you?

Got a message for you?

Payton, I know you're in here. I saw you arrive.

Don't be afraid to remember the hood of the circle.

I've brought you news that might save your life.

Then why have you come with a gun in your hand?

Who's that? Who spoke to me?

Come out or I'll shoot.

You can see the Avenger.

But he can see you.

What's your game, Avenger?

My game is law and justice.

I intend to see that you're given a big dose of both of them.

For what?

What can you prove against me?

The death of Ambrose Greer.

Motive robbery.

Also intend to kill and rob Jarvis Payton.

You'll have to catch me first before you can bring those charges.

You won't get out of here.

Oh, yes, I will.

Get away from that door.

No, honey, no.

I'm going to stop you.

This since you've insisted.

And there you'll stay until the police arrive.

You're loaded gun in one hand.

Now these two jacks of space you had in your pocket?

In the other.

That's the kind of evidence the police will like to see.

You wrinkle, tuple.

No.

No.

Order in the court.

The incident has been proved to the satisfaction of this court that the members of the hooded

circle were only inadvertently connected with the crime of murder, for which wringled

tuple has been convicted.

I hereby suspend the sentences of these 20 men in order to give them a chance to prove

themselves good citizens of their country.

These men are not the laborists, and they will be held answerable to this court for their

actions at all times.

Therefore, I would warn them to remember this.

Pride in one negative city is not sufficient reason to set oneself up as a good citizen.

The laws of your land must stand above all the petty aims of prejudice and pride.

Let the lesson in good government that you have learned here at this trial, vanish from

your minds all that is not tolerant and just and right for all.

Those who hide behind a mask to impose their will on others have robbed themselves of the

great protection of the laws that countless men have suffered to create and to preserve

down through the centuries.

Guard those laws.

Do not scample with them.

Case dismissed.

Well, Jim, I guess that winds up our assignment in Springer.

Yes, Baron, come on, let's duck out this side door.

Right.

Somehow one would never expect to encounter a clever criminal like Tuple in a town like Springer.

He would clever all right.

I'll admit he had me buffaloed at the beginning.

Tuple's led you to suspect him, Jim.

He never told me.

When the inspector and I attended that meeting of the hooded circle, I saw Tuple parming

a car as he dealt with him.

I realized then that he himself was taking the jack of space.

That way he was able to commit the crime.

Rob is wealthy victim and at the same time to see the members of the hooded circle into thinking

that one of their own number was guilty.

Tuple informed on the hooded circle just to throw sand in your eyes.

Right.

That anonymous letter was sent by one of the men who attended the first meeting of the circle

and then became frightened.

Check.

Jim, look.

Those men are starting a big bomb fire in the courthouse yard.

Yes, it's the ex-members of the hooded circle.

They are burning their robes in public.

Well, friend, I guess this town's growing pains are over.

Springville has come of age.

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.

A thought.

Remember.

Listen for another adventurer.

The Avenger.