The Avenger - The Hooded Circle

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Congress to raid the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years. But you can stop them

by voting yes by April 21st. Help put our elections back on a level playing field and let voters

decide not politicians. Vote yes by April 21st. Paid for by Virginians for fair elections.

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

The Avenger's sworn enemy of evil is actually Jim Brandon a famous biochemist. Through his numerous

scientific experiments Brandon 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. Brandon's assistant, the beautiful fern

collier, 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 certain calls for order. Gentlemen, gentlemen, your attention,

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

I, oh, uh, Benton, would you stand over there near the door, please? Don't let anyone

come in here. Right, my preparation? 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

honky-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 grifters who are ruining our city?

Just a moment, just a moment, gentlemen. Let me have a few opinions. Bob Clippard has

the floor. Well, I agree with you, Felicia. I think the situation here in Springville has become

intolerable. In fact, it's reached the point where the decent citizens must drive out the rift

rath, 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, it's not. Gentlemen, gentlemen,

there is a way to handle this. If you men have the courage to adopt it, 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

them 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 doomed. Well, he's got to be stopped. That's all. Let me continue with the

front. Second on this list is Jarvis. When Timber was badly needed, he brought up that farce land

beyond the lake and made a fortune chopping it. Now, he intends to ruin the entire woods in that

section in order to clean us more. That's fairing, profiteering a little bit too far. What about

that wring old tuple who runs the gambling boat out on the river? Places that disgrace to this

community. But what's to be done about it as far as I can see how we can do is start the ball rolling

to have a few laws and I could restrain these people. I would take too much time, Ben. 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,

is that anonymous note you received? Interesting, Nate. Inspector, what was in that note to bring you

and Jim tearing out here to Springville? Well, among other things, Fern had contained a warning

that Springville is in for a reign 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 at

nine times out of ten is written by a crank. How 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's topple.

Is everyone here? There are two less than at the last meeting, but we'll proceed

over there. Say, what kind of a deal is this? Why was I brought here? You're about to find that

out, topple. You can remove his blindfold now, number 14. Right. There you are, topple. Hey,

hey, what's the pitch here? If you heard a guy to try to put over a joke on me. It's no joke, topple.

The hooded circle is here to decide your fate. To decide my fate. What are you talking about?

Just this, topple. 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 profits

you're after, we can work out a deal. We don't want your money, topple. Our one and only purpose

is to rid our city of riffraff and properties. We're giving you a choice. We are requirements at once

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. He's 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.

Oh, 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. Here, get 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 we'd better keep our voices down so he can't hear us.

Then listen carefully, all of you. One member of this hooded circle was dealt with 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, he's been stuck in Jim, and I thought he was to meet us here on the porch of the hotel.

He's still out trying to replace that letter, friend.

Have you made any headbray on that, Jim?

No, and I'm glad we haven't. So glad it? 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 have 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.

You're 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 whales me on the dock, sticks a gun on my back and blindfolds me.

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

Any idea of the direction?

No, I lost all sense of that.

Go ahead.

Well, anyway, about a half an hour, I'd find myself in a big deserted barn,

some place 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.

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 that out the gamble.

Well, 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,

and 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 that money by the name of

fear of, well, maybe it was great 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 tag up with anybody I know around here.

Oh, 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. Graham.

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 Stream.

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

Greers 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 Ambrose Greer owns a whole string of sawmills.

Well, that sounds respectable enough.

Doesn't think 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 in there.

I think I will.

The door is open, Fern.

Come on.

Anybody home?

Hey, we hardly unless 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, Jim?

Go to the telephone quick.

Call Inspector White.

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

He's been murdered.

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Virginia, we are counting on you.

Republicans want to steal enough seats in Congress to raid the next election

and wield unchecked power for two more years.

But you can stop him by voting yes by April 21st.

Help put our elections back on a level playing field and let voters decide

not politicians.

Vote yes by April 21st.

Paid for by Virginians for fair elections.

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Now back to the avenger and the hooded turquoise.

Now back to the avenger and the hooded turquoise.

Now back to the avenger and the hooded turquoise.

Now back to the avenger and the hooded turquoise.

Now back to the avenger and the hooded turquoise.

Now back to the avenger and the hooded turquoise.

After all, when I was hired as General Secretary of Assistant, I was not informed that plain spelling would also be required.

Oh, will you answer it, please?

All right, then.

Hello?

Yes, it is me, Connor.

And once I be glad to take a message, I know which form is the trouble.

Go ahead.

Right, I have it.

Thank you very much, Connor.

What a trouble, taperen.

It 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, firms, act your sing.

We've got to get those costumes finished.

Here's the shed where we hide, Inspector.

Hey, hear more.

Would you mind explaining 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 god 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 of the circuit.

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.

If 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 dealings.

How won't that be obvious?

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

I had friend called Tuttle before we left tonight and told him just to pretend to deal cards for you and me.

But how unblasers will he know it?

Like this.

I'll hold out your hands, eh?

They'll 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 the hotel restaurant by one 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.

Why are these quiet?

The meeting of the Buddhist 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 venerous 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.

Well, 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 tomorrow morning.

That'll be time enough.

Now, bring in Tupple to 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.

Here's Tupple.

Here you are, Tupple.

20 cards.

Each man will leave as he receives his card.

Now, shuffle and deal, Tupple.

For a better Springville.

Tupple.

Do you miss him to join us for midnight snacks?

No, he went to bed. Looks like we're going to have a big date 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?

You do know he'll be there.

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 tumble 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, Heron.

The Avenger must be on hand in the morning

when Payton's murderer arrives.

Jarvis Payton.

What was that noise?

Who's there?

It's the Avenger Payton.

What do you want with 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 fate as Ambrose Greer.

A murder?

That is right.

But it can be prevented.

If you will do exactly as I tell you.

Oh, 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 may 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.

And 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.

And 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.

Hmm.

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 wrinkle tuple had 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 blabeless.

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 native city is not sufficient reason to set oneself up as a good citizen.

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

Let the lesson in good governments that you've 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 scamper with them.

Case dismissed.

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

Yes, Ferrin, 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 was 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 sought tuple parming a card 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.

Well, Jim, look, those men are starting a big bomb fire on 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.

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President Barack Obama.

Virginia, we are counting on you.

Republicans want to steal enough seats in Congress to raid the next election

and wield unchecked power for two more years.

But you can stop them.

By voting yes, by April 21st.

Help put our elections back on a level playing field

and let voters decide not politicians.

Vote yes, by April 21st.

Paid for by Virginians for fair elections.

Liberty Mutual customizes your car and home insurance.

And now we're customizing this ad for your morning commute to wake you up.

Which could help your driving?

Science says that stimulating the brain increases alertness.

So here's a pop quiz.

How many months have 28 days?

What gets wetter as it dries?

What is keys but can't open locks?

If you don't want to hear the answers, turn off this Liberty Mutual ad.

Now.

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