The Shadow - Death Shows the Way

Who knows? What evil lurks in the hearts of men? The shadow knows?

The shadow, the mysterious character who wage the forces of law and order, is in reality LeMont Crenston, wealthy young man about town.

The shadow uses his hypnotic power to cloud men's minds so that they cannot see him.

Crenston's friend and companion, the lovely Margo Lane, is the only person who knows to whom the unseen voice of the shadow belongs.

Today's story, death, shows the way.

What?

What?

Alan?

What in the world are you doing?

Take your clothes, sir.

I'm just a minute, Alan.

I'm going away for the weekend on the trip around the world.

These are all necessities, sir.

Hello, Alan.

All I need is a change of linen, a toothbrush and a razor.

I'm sorry, sir, but that's impossible.

Who do you mean?

I mean that I shan't send you any place without the proper appointments.

Oh, I have nothing to say about it, is that it?

Quite correct, sir.

Love?

Oh, well, I will say something about it and right here.

No, no, look, Alan, you come here.

Did I come in?

Oh, hello, Margo. Come ahead.

Are you already late?

Not quite.

I have to settle a small point with Alan first.

Oh, but I know what it is, too.

Something to do with your weekend wardrobe.

Yes, exactly.

Alan?

For the last time, I'm telling you not to pack my bags full of all that junk.

See, hunting jacket, golf shoes, dinner clothes, riding boots, business.

Oh, yes, yes, fishing tech, oh, fishing.

Did you hear me, Alan?

Quite so, sir.

I swear, jacket, polo shirt, tennis show.

Then why don't you do it, I say?

Because as I told you before, Mr. Crenston, you shan't go to the barton

unless you're correctly turned out.

And that, if I may display for Mr. Sir, is final.

There, you're all packed.

But the barton's don't care whether I'm correctly turned out or not.

It isn't the barton that I'm trying to impress, sir.

Then who is it?

The bottler.

What?

No.

Come on, pick up your bags, Lamont.

You've lost again.

Some time before this weekend is over, Lamont.

We must have the count tell us about his mother's experience on Cap Creek.

No, no, Mrs. Batten.

I'm afraid it would be too long and dull for Mr. Crenston.

Why not at all?

Oh, that's my special day.

Long dull stories.

I collect them.

Oh, Henry, what a beautiful dog.

Who did you get him?

He was just the other day.

Come here, ma'am.

Let me call that kind of dog.

Great man.

He's a pig for horses looking.

Yes, and I'll lie down, ma'am.

How about some crackers and cheese, people?

That's for me, Henry.

Okay, help yourself.

Henry, that's a nice way to talk to a guest.

What do you mean, guest?

Well, Lamont Crenston's friends are weekend with us on the country.

He's a member of the family.

Thank you, Henry.

Say, speaking of members of the family,

who's that young fellow approaching across the lawn?

Yes, sir.

Mummy, no, sir, there has to go in and have my face worse

and have my suffer.

Do you want to have some, Mummy?

Did he say, Mummy?

Why, Helen, I didn't know.

The Helen, then.

Don't be a love.

I didn't tell you that Henry and I adopted a child

a couple of months ago.

Oh, I see.

Do I have to, Mummy?

I was kippy.

I want you to meet some friends of ours.

Miss Margot named Mr. Crenston and Count Santa.

I was kippy.

I was kippy.

Do I have to have my face washed, Daddy?

Judging by its appearance, it wouldn't do any harm.

Aw, I think you'd better go in and do what Nurse tells you to do.

I don't want to.

Daddy, promise me a story.

Daddy will tell you a story after dinner.

Run along now.

I don't want to.

Oh, dear, what do I do?

Oh, I know.

Henry, call the dog.

Tell him it's his new pet.

Maybe that'll tease him.

Dear, Major.

Come here, boy.

There, there.

Now look, Skippy.

See what your mother and I bought for you.

Oh, a doggy.

Hello, nice doggy.

Hey, Major.

Get off of the house.

That dog is big.

Now, Helen, don't get excited.

The dog just isn't used to children.

That's all.

Now, Skippy, you run along.

Daddy.

Are you going to tell me a story after dinner?

I'm afraid not, son.

Daddy has a very important business date after dinner.

But you promise.

I run along, Skippy.

Mommy will be up to see you later.

I don't dare say it.

Say it for me to tell me a story.

Now, say what you've done.

I can't help it, Helen.

You know that Mr. Knight from Taylor.

The company is coming here tonight with your necklace.

But Henry, you promise.

Darling, we have guests here, remember?

I hope you all enjoyed the little visit back stage

in the home life of the farm.

Oh, we love that.

You spoke of the necklace, Mr. Barton.

Is it the same one that I read about your bag in the newspapers?

Oh, yes.

The great Harvey Diamonds.

The great Harvey.

Have you bought that, Henry?

Yes.

They're bringing it here tonight.

Well, isn't that the jewel with a great legend attached to it?

Legend?

What is the legend, Miss Lane?

Well, I believe the story is that it brings misfortune

to whoever owns it.

Isn't that it, Henry?

Hmm.

Some such silly yarn, yes.

I think it then that you do not believe in this legend.

That Mr. Barton, huh?

Oh, yeah, of course not.

Here, a brave man, Mr. Barton.

A very brave man.

Mr. Barton, I trust that you've arranged to keep the necklace

in a safe place, and at least until you've paid me in full.

Well, I guess our business has finished here then.

I imagine you'd like to get back to your guests.

I want to contrary.

I find it very difficult to tear myself away from this necklace.

Beautiful stone.

Yes, yes, yes.

It's all right, Skippy.

You can come in.

Skippy, this is Mr. Knight, a business friend of your father's.

Tonight, this is my son.

How do you do?

Henry, when are you going to tell me that story?

And Mommy said you're so forgetful.

Did you think all for Mr. Knight?

It's great.

Mommy is right.

It's usual.

Mr. Knight, would you forgive me and let me make you up one for the opposite?

Well, now that you've mentioned it, I wouldn't mind having a drink.

It's a long drive back to town.

Well, how do you have it?

Have a straight please.

Water on the side.

Straight it is.

There you are.

Thank you.

Aren't you drinking, Mr. Barton?

No, I've been on the wagon lately.

Oh, that's too bad.

Well, here's to the great Harvey Diamond.

May it bring you much happiness.

See, you drank it all in one go.

Skippy, that's not great for life.

Well, I've got to be going.

Oh, what's the matter?

I don't know how to feel, but...

The cure's out.

Your weight is a sheep.

It wasn't.

Get me some water.

If you can't, there's empty.

I'll run and get you some.

I...

Oh, gee.

Daddy!

Daddy!

Oh, here's the water.

Daddy!

Hey, what's happened?

Oh, daddy!

He's gone down like daddy!

Skippy!

Go out and play now and don't say anything to anyone about this.

You understand?

To no one.

Yes, Daddy.

I want to earn it one.

Hey, hello.

You think?

Someone told the shouting about it in here.

Yeah, it's just something wrong.

Oh, oh, oh.

Hello.

Mr. Knight's had a sudden attack of some kind.

I'm afraid he's very ill.

Maybe it's got him upstairs.

A counselor.

Will you lift his feet, please?

Surely.

I don't think that will be necessary, Henry.

But why not?

It's too late.

He's dead.

Dead?

Yes.

What happened, Henry?

What brought this on?

I don't know.

We were sitting here discussing the diamond then.

The diamond.

The diamond.

What about it?

It was right here on the desk.

It disappeared.

You know, Lamont, some day, sometime, we're going to go someplace, where we'll actually spend two consecutive days when absolutely nothing happens.

Margot, tell the truth now.

You'd be bored to death.

Yes, I suppose I would.

It's the fire horse in me, I guess.

Come on, what do you make of this thing?

It's undoubtedly murder.

The killer made off of the Harvey Diamond.

Well, why didn't Mr. Barton raise such a fuss about calling the police?

I'm not sure.

Probably didn't want his name dragged into a bad mess.

So, sadly, what's keeping the police?

Why haven't they gotten here?

We're out in the country, Margot.

They'll take them some time.

Meanwhile, we're faced with a familiar question.

Who'd done it?

Yes.

Margot, I think there's a partial answer to your question just leaving the back door of the house.

Who is it, Lamont?

I'm not sure, but it looks like a continental friend, Comsanto.

Oh, where's it going?

My guess would be to the garage.

Come on, we'll find out.

Do you know something, Lamont?

What?

I don't think he's any more of a count than I am.

Do you know something, Margot?

What?

Neither do I.

Do you think he's trying to make a getaway?

I don't think I know.

Come on, we'd better hurry.

What are you going to do?

Have a talk with Mr. Santo and find out why he's so anxious to leave here.

Oh, but Lamont, that's dangerous.

If he gives the murder, he'll try to kill you too.

Don't worry, Margot.

The shadow will take care of that.

I have some luggage with the starter on the fridge.

What was that?

I wouldn't bother wearing out the battery, Comsanto.

The ignition wires have been cut.

Who is speaking to me?

I am called the shadow.

Shadow?

So you've heard of me, Comsanto?

Third of you?

Why, why, why?

I thought probably you had.

My name is Margot.

I'm not going to say anything.

I'm not going to say anything.

I'm not going to say anything.

My name is quite familiar to those of the underworld.

Underworld?

Never heard of that either, I suppose.

Who are you?

Where are you?

I am right beside you.

Yeah.

In the shadows.

Oh, don't try to look for me.

You see, I have clotted your mind so you cannot see me.

Well, what do you want of me, Mr. Shadow?

May I suggest first that you forget your accent?

Oh, what do you mean?

I mean that when the starter of your car didn't work,

you had no difficulty with the English language at all.

You're a pretty smart guy, aren't you, Shadow?

That's better.

Well, what do you want of me?

I'd like to know why I, after a robbery and a murder,

have been committed in the bottom house.

You are leaving it so hurriedly.

That's my business.

It's also mine.

Now listen to me, Santo.

Whatever your real name is.

I am seeing to it that you're not leaving this place until the police arrive.

So you'd better tell me all you know about what happened in the house.

I don't know anything.

You're lying, Santo.

So I'm lying, but I still don't know anything.

What are you doing here?

Under this you name, accepting the bottom hospitality.

Shall I tell you?

Yes, do, Shadow.

You came to steal the Harvey Diamond.

No, no, no, that's a lot.

You'd better tell me the truth, Santo.

There's been a murder committed tonight.

The finger of your point straight at you.

All right, Shadow.

All right, I'll talk.

But you're not hanging any murder rap on me, see?

Because I don't want to think about that.

That's the truth.

How did you become acquainted with the bottoms?

I met them last year in Europe.

I made them think I was account because, well, that's my record, see?

When a sucker gets taken by nobility, they don't feel so bad about it.

Well, the bottoms look like a soft touch, so I get them a play.

I didn't tap them for anything over there.

I just had a hunch on them, that's all.

I felt like I'd build them up for a big attack later on.

I was right.

You mean the Harvey Diamond?

I mean the Harvey Diamond.

I read about Old Man's bottom plan and a buy it, so I looked them up again.

I swung this weekend because I knew he'd be getting the necklace.

I see.

And you came up here to steal it?

Yes.

Old Man was to wait till sometime late tonight, then I grabbed the stones

and make it get away while everyone was sleeping.

That somebody else beat me to it.

You wouldn't still be lying by any chance.

Listen, Shadow, I'm a high-class, respectable jewel, safe murder as out of my line.

Even murder for the Harvey Diamond?

You know, for a supposedly smart guy, you don't follow the ball too close to you.

What do you mean?

I mean there's somebody else in that house who wanted that diamond.

Somebody who'd kill for it.

Who are you talking about, Santo?

Well, maybe I'm not saying.

Come on, Santo.

I know enough about you to put you behind bars for life.

Name the killer.

Okay.

Okay.

I'm speaking.

Santo.

Santo.

Cut me.

Cut me too.

Who is a Santo?

Who is this murderer?

It's...

Mr.

Come on.

The morning you were right.

Hey, yes, ma'am.

Oh, I was standing just outside the door and I heard the shot.

Did you see anyone as you came in?

No, but I heard footsteps running down the driveway.

Come on, does he?

Yes, he's dead.

Come on, Muggle.

We've got to catch this killer before he makes a getaway.

Did you bring anything from Santo?

No.

Just as he was about to reveal the murderer's name, shots were fired.

I don't know about it.

I don't know about it.

I came from the house.

Come on.

What's happened now?

What's up?

What's about to hear?

It's busy.

What's happened to him?

I left him sitting here on the porch.

I came out and he was gone.

Then I looked in the lane at the foot of the grounds and two men had him.

They put him in the big suitcase and drove away.

Skippy.

Skippy has been kidnapped.

Well, Muggle.

How's everything, Skippy?

Well, he came to be well enough, the mom.

Did you tell him I wanted to see him?

Yes.

He'll be right down.

Okay.

Well, I can't understand.

Why should anyone want to kidnap the child and then let him go again?

Two hours later.

I don't know.

In fact, Muggle, I don't know or understand the happenings of this entire night.

The police are out in the garage.

Oh.

They find anything?

Well, they learn that the bullets, the kill counter, were fired through the back window.

That's a clever bit of deduction.

I found that out when the gun went off.

They also learned that Mr. Knight was poisoned.

Oh.

I see.

They're making remarkable progress, aren't they?

Le Monde.

Have you any suspicions at all as to who killed Mr. Knight in council, though?

Well, they're only five of us left here in the house.

I didn't do it.

And I'm reasonably certain you didn't.

Thanks.

That leaves no one but the buttons, isn't it?

Oh, Le Monde.

You're not saying they're Mr. Barton.

I'm not saying anything, Muggle.

If you want to see me, Mr. Grant.

Oh, yes.

Come in, Skippy.

I'd like to ask you some questions about what happened tonight.

You'll carry a gun.

I know, Skippy.

Why?

Because you're not much of a detective, then.

Oh, Muggle.

Do you mind leaving us men alone?

Oh, well, that's the way you feel about it.

All right.

I'll go down to the garage and see if the detectives who do carry guns will talk to you.

Oh, Muggle.

Why didn't he?

Skippy, if he tries to give you the third degree, you just call out.

Come on, Ronald.

Well, Skippy, now let's see you.

What was Ms. Lane said? You'll give me, Mr. Cranston?

Well, nothing's going to happen.

But she said you'll give me.

Well, let's forget what she said now.

Instead, suppose you tell me exactly what happened to you.

Well, I was sitting on the porch just like mommy told me.

And then the first thing I knew, there was a man standing beside me.

I see.

I got scared and I started to call for mommy.

But one of the men put his hand on my mouth and I couldn't.

Did you ever try to call your mommy with a hand over your mouth?

No, no.

I don't think I have.

What happened then, Skippy?

Well, he took me down to a car and he put me in the car.

We drove away.

Yeah?

And then we...

He wasn't Ms. Lane said you'll give me.

She was only having fun with you, Skippy.

Now tell me what happened, Nate.

Right.

He took me to an old, old house who was right in the middle of a big dark woods.

And they tied me up with rope and everything and then they went away.

And then what?

Then they came and got me and brought me back here again.

Is that all that happened?

Yup.

Well, what did they talk like?

Talk like?

What were their voices like?

What did they talk about?

If they talked awful funny, they didn't speak American at all.

And they had big, long knives.

I see.

Kidnappers must have gotten scared and brought you back.

Well?

Oh, here you are, Levant.

Henry, what's the matter?

It's about the diamond.

No, what about it?

It wasn't stolen at all.

What do you mean?

The police were just searching the late Mr. Night's clothing.

They came across this package.

Look.

What?

Why is the necklace?

Yes.

I've just finished examining it and there isn't a doubt that this is the genuine stone.

But the one that was stolen, it was a copy of the original.

It's customer, you know, for all valuable gems to have imitation substitutes.

And Night must have accidentally given me the wrong one first.

Then the murderer got nothing but a worthless imitation.

Exactly.

You know what this means, Barton?

No.

When the killer discovers his mistake, he'll come back for the original stone.

That's so.

He might have that.

Well, if he does, I'll be ready for him.

I have a better idea.

You can take this offer for what is worth, but I'd be glad to keep the necklace for you until morning.

Well, that's very kind of you, Lamont.

I know it's a rather large order asking you to trust me with such a priceless duel,

but I think you know me well enough.

Oh, yes, yes, of course, but...

Good.

Then let me have it.

Oh, now look here.

Oh, that's fine.

We can bring it into your vault and town in the morning.

Oh, I shouldn't do this.

I wonder who let the dog in the house.

I like to play with the dog, Daddy.

When I kick him, he makes a morning noise.

No, never let me catch you doing that, or I'll take him away from you.

Major?

Now, Major.

Get out of here.

Watch daddy, I'm gonna kick him.

Oh, Daddy, keep away from me.

Major, make yourself screaming, Skippy.

I've got one.

You'll even have to get rid of Skippy, or the dog.

And I'd suggest, I offer to the time being,

the dog is out of this house and stays at home.

Quiet, Skippy.

Oh, excuse me, Lamont.

Now, down, Major, quiet.

Now, quiet.

All right, now, Skippy.

The dog's gone, it's all right.

Are you through talking with me, Mr. Cranston?

I guess so, Skippy.

Yes.

Now, you can take of anything else to tell me.

Not at all.

Can I go upstairs to mommy now?

You certainly can.

And she has my good wishes.

Look, folks, thirsty, too.

Maybe I better have a glass of water.

There's someone at table over there.

Help yourself.

Would you like some water, Mr. Cranston?

Well, thank you very much.

Hey, y'all.

Thanks.

That...

What a taste for the heck.

What's that?

Uh...

Well...

Daddy!

Daddy, come quick!

That's it, Mr. Cranston!

F***!

I asked you, Major, to do it.

Why, in the name of the thunder, have I left him?

What do you mean, Henry?

Lamont was keeping the diamond for me.

That's why he was poisoned.

It must be.

The diamond, the real diamond, is missing.

Daddy, what was the matter with Mr. Cranston?

He looks so funny when he carried him upstairs.

Stop kidding.

Why doesn't that doctor come down?

Why was it so long?

No, Margot.

Doctor, how is he?

I'm afraid I have bad news for you.

No, no.

Mr. Cranston is dead.

No, he can't be.

I don't believe it.

Where are you going, Margot?

I've got to see him.

I'm back, Margot.

I wouldn't go up there now.

Please, please, Margot.

I'm on.

I'm on.

Take it easy, Margot.

What?

Did you...?

Yes.

I spoke, Margot.

Oh, well, now dear, take it easy.

What did the doctor say to you?

Yes, I know.

He said I was dead.

I fooled the good doctor with a little prick of suspended animation that I once learned.

I'm sorry, darling, that you suffered from my hopes.

It was very necessary.

Necessary enough to break me into pieces like this?

Yes, Margot.

Yes.

What do you mean?

Just this.

As far as everyone downstairs is concerned, I'm dead.

Do you mean permanently?

No.

Just for the next few minutes.

Now, you've got to help me with this.

How?

I want you to go back downstairs.

Behave just as you would have.

If I had really died.

Yes.

The shadow will join you down there.

But first, he must do what I say.

Well, Margot?

I can't believe he's dead.

Oh, dead, mommy.

Mr. Crabston, dad?

Quiet, Skippy.

Please.

Margot, why don't you get some rest?

I don't want to stay in the house with a dead man, mommy.

Please, can I go outside?

If that's a good idea, Skippy, why don't you?

Oh, Helen, you can't.

But that boy out of here after what happened to him before.

I want to go out, mom.

No, Skippy.

Miss Lane is right.

I don't care about Miss Lane.

I want to go outside.

Skippy, how dare you talk like that to your mom?

I want to go out.

No, you want, Skippy.

Don't call me.

I want to get out.

What was that?

I think you'd better stay right here, Skippy.

Daddy, who's talking to me?

I'm cold, the shadow.

Does my name sound familiar to you, Skippy?

No.

No.

What are you doing here, shadow?

And why are you trying to frighten this boy?

Because, Mr. Barton, this boy, as you call him, is at the bottom of everything that's happened here tonight.

What do you mean?

I mean that he is the murder of Mr. Knight in Consanto and the thief who stole the Harvey Diamond.

That's very puzzling.

How can a child, Skippy, is not a child, Mr. Barton?

Skippy hasn't been a child for many years.

Not a child?

No.

He's a midget.

What?

Oh, I know for Daddy.

Daddy, what'd you say about me?

If you don't believe me, Mr. Barton, then I suggest you look in his jacket pocket.

Do I think you'll find the missing Nicholas?

But, hi.

Go on.

Look.

Daddy, please, I want to go out.

I don't like that, man.

Come here, Skippy.

No.

Why don't you let him search you, Skippy?

Well, Skippy, there's no harm.

All right.

Keep away from me, Ollie.

Look out.

Henry's got a gun.

Yes, and I'll use it on the first one here that makes a move.

Let me warn you, Mr. Shadow.

I can't see you.

But if you lay a hand on me, I'll get these people before you get me.

Skippy, what are you saying?

All right.

All right.

Skippy, stop.

From now on, you can call me by my real name.

It's Mike.

Mike Ross.

See?

Mike Ross.

Sure, I got your diamond tomb, Mr. Barton.

Right here on my pocket.

Put that gun down, Harry.

Not a chance, Mr. Shadow.

I'm getting out of here right now.

He turned off the lights.

So long.

Daddy.

He's climbing out the window.

We've got to stop him.

He's running across the lawn.

No!

No!

No!

Quick, Harry.

Don't attack him.

No, he can't block him.

I'll go and help him.

I'm afraid that my karate is beyond help now, Mr. Barton.

Come on.

What made you suspect that Skippy wasn't a child?

Well, Margot.

That kidnapping for one thing.

It was too good to be on the level.

It was arranged to get him out of the house with the diamond.

Then when his Confederates found out that he stole on the phonage,

and they brought him back again to steal the real stone.

Well, I see.

And the clinch matters.

I asked Barton to let me keep the real necklace.

And after I killed over, after apparently drinking the water,

I felt him take the jewel from my pocket.

Nice business.

Well, it wasn't a doll we can.

I should say not.

Two murders and little Mike killed by the dog.

You know, Lamont, I'm going to have a funny attitude.

To our children from now on.

How's that?

Well, when I touch them on the cheek,

I won't know whether to pet them or feel for a beard.

Today's program is based on a story copyrighted by the Shadow magazine.

The characters, names, places, and plot are fictitious.

Any similarity to person's living or dead is purely coincidental.

The weed of crime.

Bear's bitter fruit.

Crime does not pay.

The Shadow knows.