The Shadow: Murders in Wax 05/15/1938

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A shadow knows.

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The shadow, Lamont Cranston, a man of wealth, a student of science, and a master of other people's minds,

devotes his life to writing wrongs, protecting the innocent, and punishing the guilty.

Using advanced methods that may ultimately become available to all law enforcement agencies,

Cranston is known to the underworld as the shadow.

Never seen, only heard, as haunting to superstitious minds as a ghost, as inevitable as a guilty conscience.

The shadow's true identity is known only to his constant friend and aide, Margo Lane.

Today's story murders in wax.

Ladies and gentlemen, we invite you to step inside and view the illuminating and educational exhibits

that are the features of our wax wax.

See Bluebeard actually slaying his eight wives.

See Custer's last stand. See the capture of George Keegan, public enemy number one,

and many other thrilling life-like tableaux.

The price of admission is only one dime, ten cents.

Our lecture is just starting, and if you are a harre, harre, harre, you will be just in time

to witness the complete show on the inside.

Step right up now. How many for the fair?

Two please, as all I have any help to hear.

All right, thank you. How many of you have any other ways?

Gentlemen, if you'll just step over here to the next platform,

I shall describe to you the tales of the feature tableaux of our exhibits.

Say they look like real people, don't they?

Yeah, how do they make them?

What's wax?

Cheese.

This tableau is a dramatic reenactment of the capture of George Keegan,

the notorious gang chief of Prohibition Day.

Oh!

He was arrested in the manner shown right here.

No doubt you all recognize the figures of the brave men

who personally led the police squad who made the capture.

On the left, the wax figure of our own male Lewis.

Center, our district attorney Armstrong.

And right, police commissioner Weston.

Where they really are when Keegan was passed?

George Keegan's arrest put an end to the wave of crime and lawlessness

that gripped our city for a decade.

He is now imprisoned in the state penitentiary for the rest of his natural life.

Gee, the girl in the table sure looks lifelike.

Yeah.

Ask them who she is.

Okay.

Hey, Cap.

Who's that girl?

I just coming to that brother.

A little lady seated in the chair was Keegan's gun mall at the Kelly.

She was with him in the hideout at the time of the raid.

Hey, look at that.

The wax figure fell off the chair.

Oh!

Don't get excited folks.

It's only a wax figure.

I'll just set it up again and...

Holy cat.

It's...

It's real.

It's a body.

A dead body.

A dead body.

A dead body of Etna Kelly.

It's really Etna Kelly.

Etna Kelly.

Etna Kelly, how'd she get here?

Oh, she's been murdered.

Murdered.

Murdered.

Murdered.

Murdered.

Murdered.

Murdered.

Murdered.

Murdered.

Murdered.

Hey, 3DX3.

I'm very mysteriously murdered.

We're not against the foulslay.

We're not.

We're not.

We're not.

We're not.

We're not.

We're not.

The Mont you do row beautifully, but if you don't pull a trisal harder on that ride awl, we'll hit that rock.

Sorry, there we are.

A little rusty on navigation, Margaret.

This is my first rowboat venture in the pocket spring.

I'm really enjoying it.

I need a little fresh air and sunshine.

After that experience of the wax work yesterday, it was pretty terrible.

Don't you ever happen to go to that place, Margaret?

Well, I was showing the town to my cousin Jane from upstate.

We passed the wax work's museum, and she insisted on going in.

She'd never seen a chamber of horror.

And she saw more horror than she bargained for.

Yes.

And so did I.

I'll never forget it.

Just what was that wax tableau like?

It was set in the replica of a furnished room in the house where Keegan was captured.

Yes.

The figures of Mayor Lewis, District Attorney Armstrong, and Police Commissioner Weston,

who were grouped about Keegan and Edna Kelly.

Did anyone notice the figure of the Kelly Goe was actually she, and so it fell from the chair?

No.

The wax figures were so lifelike, no one's a speckler.

I see.

I rode the island.

Oh, that'd be nice.

Le Mont.

Who do you think killed Edna Kelly?

Well, she was a gunman's girl.

I always the obvious suspects.

Her lovers, enemies, or even members of his gang who might be more comfortable with her out of the wave.

Come on, I don't think it was either of these.

Why, Le Mont?

Let's strike you that the substitution of the girl's body for the wax work in such a spectacular fashion, May.

We have some deeper significance than the mere bizarre effects.

What do you mean?

It must have been the girl's connection with the other people represented in that group.

I've motivated the murder and bringing her body there.

I don't quite understand.

My deductions are correct that taking a vet in a Kelly's life is only the first of a series of vengeful murders.

But no, Le Mont.

If that's true, isn't there anything you can do to forestall?

Perhaps.

I only knew a little more.

I only knew where the killer plans to strike next.

Surely the shadow can find that out.

If your help, Margo, perhaps he can.

I'll find a bunch of detectives I've got, Mr. Bartlett.

You call yourselves a homicide squad?

But, Commissioner Weston, we've come to the city.

Logan?

Have you checked on the story of the museum proprietor?

Commissioner, you talk to him yourself.

Have you verified your statements?

Yes, Chief, they're solid.

The murderer entered the wax work museum by a back door.

It was found Jimmy.

After he put it in the Kelly's body and the tableau, he took the wax image of her outside and buried under some trash on the alley.

Did you go over the image for fingerprints, Madonna?

Yeah, but we couldn't find anything. Tell them about the face.

Oh, yeah, Commissioner.

A funny thing.

The face of the wax dummy had been sliced with a knife across the left cheek.

Why didn't you tell me that before?

You know what that means, as well as I do.

That's right. That's the mark of a squilla.

But it couldn't put any mob stuff.

The probation report shows that Edna Kelly's been going straight ever since Keegan was sent away.

Yes, me. I think it was a lunatic that's done it.

No sane guy had set a dead girl's body up for exhibition in that wax work's joint.

No, it looks to me like one of them loves things.

Some guy carrying a torch for Kelly.

You're both wrong.

He was no lunatic that committed that murder.

And Edna Kelly hasn't gone out with anyone since Keegan started his stretch.

Then what, she...

Edna Kelly was murdered for vengeance by someone who wanted to settle a score with a lover George Keegan.

Keegan can't be reached in the big house so they take it out on the girl.

And what about the mark of the squilla on the face of the wax figure?

That ties right in.

That was the murderous way of telling Keegan what he thought of him.

Keegan is saved his neck by squealing on a dozen guys.

Say, that's right. Of course it's right.

For Donan, first thing in the morning, I want you and Hogan to conduct a general roundup of every known enemy of George Keegan.

That won't do any good commissioner.

It's the shadow. Don't worry. Don't trouble to find him.

Why are you here, shadow?

To aid you in capturing the murder of Edna Kelly.

What do you know about the case?

I know that you shouldn't be wasting your men's time rounding up possible suspects.

While the real assassin has left free to strike his next blow.

Now see here, shadow. Don't tell me how to run my department.

Hold on, Western.

I have every reason to suspect that the placing of the Kelly Gold body in the wax tabloos

was intended as a warning of other deaths to follow.

Other deaths? You think there's going to be more killings?

Be quiet, Hogan. Tell me what you mean, shadow.

I mean that the other people represented in that wax tabloos

are in danger of being killed too.

They are the mayor, the district attorney,

and you yourself, Commissioner Western.

That sounds reposterous.

Not at all.

Right, Vice, did you act quickly?

One of you may be at this moment, in imminent peril.

Come, come, shadow. What possible motive could the murderer of the girl

have for wishing to kill us as well?

I think that you're...

Excuse me.

Hello?

Mrs. Armstrong, the district attorney's wife wants to talk to you.

Put her on.

Hello? Hello?

Yes, Mrs. Armstrong. This is Commissioner Western.

I'm dreadfully worried about John.

What's wrong?

Well, shortly after dinner, he went out.

Said he might take a walk.

Several hours passed and he didn't return.

I must have fallen asleep.

And when I woke up a few minutes ago, he still hadn't come back.

Oh, this isn't like John, Commissioner.

What time is it now?

It's after 2 a.m.

Well, now don't be alarmed, Mrs. Armstrong.

He's probably detained somewhere on business.

I'll try to locate him for you and call you back.

Oh, thank you.

District attorney, you disappeared.

Disappeared, shame.

Well, Commissioner Western.

Do you think, shadow, that...

Yes, Commissioner.

I fear that the killer has struck again.

Can't be.

If I were you, I would go to the wax work museum.

At once.

You may arrive in time to stop this murderer

from completing his monstrous work.

Well, here's the wax museum, Commissioner Western.

Sergeant?

Take some men around to guard the back door.

Yes, sir.

Who don't know?

Is there anyone in the keys in this place?

No, sir. We'll have to force the lock.

All right, go to it.

Okay, John.

I'm going to help you.

Keep it in there.

All right, come in.

All right.

All right.

All right.

Now, where's the light switch?

Never mind that.

Use your flashlights.

Okay.

Kind of scary in there, ain't it?

Yeah, it gives you the creeps.

Hey, what's that?

Where?

A guy over there.

It's got a knife.

Don't you fool?

That's one of the wax dummies.

Oh.

Now, where is this keegan table?

It's right over here on the left.

Oh.

So, that's it.

Well, I guess nothing's happened yet, Chief.

Doesn't look like anything's been disturbed.

That's the wax dummy of District Attorney Armstrong sitting down in the chair.

Sitting down.

Hey, it seems to me.

His dummy was standing up the last time he was here.

Watch.

Give me a lift up on the platform.

Quick.

You think it may be this?

I don't know.

Flash the light over here.

Good heavens.

It's Armstrong.

Is it really this Attorney Armstrong?

Yes.

Dead.

Murder.

And he was brought here just like a shadow setting.

Yes.

Just as I said, gentlemen.

I'm sorry that I couldn't have warned you earlier.

Who did this thing, Shadow?

You know?

Who did it?

I'm not sure.

With your cooperation, Commissioner Weston.

Together, we may bring about his downfall.

Oh.

I am positive now.

But either you or Melius is the next victim mocked to go.

Guard yourselves well.

I'll attend to that, all right.

You'll hear for me soon, Commissioner.

The shadow finds out who the killer is.

He will be brought to justice.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Let's leave the shadows exciting adventure for a moment.

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The shadow knows.

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I think it's quite evident now, Margo,

even to Commissioner Weston, that the killer is aimed to do away

with everyone concerned in that tableau.

Then the Margo, you mean the Mayor, the Commissioner, and Keegan,

is there the only ones left?

Exactly.

And let's see, I should take a right turn yet.

Margo, do you believe these murders were the work of a madman?

Not at all.

I think that whoever is behind all, this is quite sane, Margo.

Quite sane.

What makes you say that?

There's an important civic figure in that group.

There are more who will be highly advantageous to a political rival.

But surely a political rival,

it wouldn't be sufficient motive for these horrible crimes.

I wonder.

And besides the girl, Edna Kelly,

how would she fit into that picture?

That's what we're driving up here to find out.

The prison now.

A cheerful-looking spot.

I'll drive you up to the gate and let you out.

I shall not go in with you.

Why not?

The warden, Mr. Briscoe, has never been a particular admirer of mine,

feeling which I reciprocate.

Why the mind?

Well, I had occasion to expose the graft-ridden conditions in this prison

a few years ago.

Naturally, that didn't make me too popular with Mr. Briscoe.

No.

Here we are.

Now, remember what I told you.

I think so.

I'm a reporter from the Daily Globe.

I'm asked for an interview with Edna Kelly's sweetheart, Keegan.

And when I see him, I'll try to find out.

Please tell me something, Mr. Keegan.

The readers of the Daily Globe have sent us thousands of letters expressing their interest

in your reaction to the tragic death of Miss Kelly.

I ain't got nothing to say about it.

Do you believe that the killing was executed by one of your enemies?

I wouldn't know.

You loved Edna Kelly, didn't you?

Hey, what are you giving out with?

The lonely heart's column?

No.

No, you see.

I off that love stuff.

Mr. Keegan, I...

I will send up here by my paper to get a human interest story from you.

And after all,

well, you were fond of Miss Kelly.

She was your girl.

My girl, oh no.

But I...

I'll tell you within the Kelly where she was the same as any other Dame C.

She was a double-crosser.

But I thought...

Wait a minute, Edna.

Wait a minute, I...

I didn't mean it.

Don't write nothing like I just said there, are you?

Get a little screwy sometimes when I think about what happened to you.

Of course.

I understand.

So, um...

Just don't write nothing, will you?

Well...

No.

No, but...

But what about this theory that she was laying by one of your enemies, Mr. Keegan?

I wouldn't know, are you?

I tell you, Lamani,

Lamani fled up so suddenly when I asked him if he really loved her.

I was scared of death.

He called a double-crosser, eh?

Yeah, but he regretted it the next second.

He asked me to be sure and not write anything about it.

It's the most interesting, Margon.

Thank you for your excellent work.

But has...

What I told you helped you unravel any?

Great, then.

Well, what happened now?

I think that there are many more interesting facts to be learned there at prison.

Yes?

I think the shadows will pay a call on his old friend, Warden Viscore.

Come in.

Can I see you for a minute, Warden?

What's the trouble, Carrie?

Well, it's about Keegan.

Well, what about him?

Well, I put him in solitary like you told me.

Yes, yes.

That was this morning I'd done that.

Hey, Carrie, what are you trying to tell me?

Well, he ain't at no food for the last three meals.

So?

So I was...

I was wondering if something should be done to make a meat.

He just lays quiet on his bonk.

I thought I told you that no one was to go near Keegan's cell without my orders.

Well, I thought if he wasn't...

Carrie, if you just perform your duties as guard around here, let the Warden do the thinking.

Everything will be satisfactory.

Sure, Warden, sure.

And leave Keegan alone.

Yeah, yes, sir.

I'm sorry.

Good night, Warden.

Close that door after you.

Yes, sir.

Hello?

Yes?

Oh, yes, Mike.

Oh, did he get away all right?

Good.

Yeah?

Well, get him back here before daylight no matter what happens.

Yeah, okay.

Tell him I hope he does a good job.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, goodbye.

You seem to be quite amused, Warden Driscoll.

Huh?

I want to... who's that?

Won't you share your little joke with me?

Carrie, are you outside that door?

Is that you talking?

Carrie, is this your idea of something funny?

This is not Carrie.

Well, who are you?

I am Machado.

Machado?

Yes, Warden.

Well, why are you here?

What do you want with me?

I came in when Carrie left.

I overheard your phone conversation, Driscoll.

It's very interesting.

Really?

Yes.

I'm more than curious to know who you were talking about.

Ah, listen, Shadow.

What business have you...

You wouldn't have been George Keegan.

Oh, now see here.

I have had enough of this.

Wait, Warden.

I wouldn't advise you to leave until we've finished our conversation.

Well, what are you after, Shadow?

I am seeking the murderer of Edna Kelly and District Attorney Armstrong.

Oh, why look here?

Because this is where he is to be found.

Who do you mean?

George Keegan.

Keegan?

Oh, that's preposterous.

How could a man in prison for the rest of his life suddenly commit to murder in a city 50 miles away?

Very simple, Warden.

You just go there.

Are you inferring that Keegan has escaped?

Oh, no.

Nothing as crude as that.

But if you were allowed to...

Shall we say take a leave of absence for a night?

Keegan has never left these buildings.

Where is he now?

In his...

Oh, no, he isn't.

I investigated before I came here.

And his cell is empty.

Oh, yes.

Yes, that's right.

I...

I forgot.

He's in solitary confinement.

You mean his cot is stuffed with pillows to make it appear if you're in solitary confinement?

Ah, that's not true.

I'll tell you where George Keegan is.

He's on his way to the city right now.

To add another link to his chain of cold-blooded murders.

He's gone there with your full knowledge and consent.

No, no.

It would be a great political advantage for you to have the District Attorney Armstrong.

The Mayor Lewis and Commissioner Western out of the way.

Wouldn't it, Warden?

Oh, you don't know what you're talking about.

And he's a thing to pray upon the susceptible jealousies of a man like Keegan.

Until you go to him into carrying out your evil wishes.

You can never prove what you're saying.

I have in time to right now, Warden.

The lives of the Mayor and the Commissioner at stake.

Unless I'm able to stop Keegan.

I shall present more than enough proof necessary to implicate you.

To the District Attorney's office in the morning.

So you'd better think hard and fast.

Warden, preschool.

Margo Lane.

Calling Margo Lane.

Telephone Police Commissioner Western immediately.

There's no time to lose.

Tell him that tonight both he and the Mayor and Greg Danger.

Even now it may be too late.

They do have time to follow up my instructions.

Tell them that they must follow my instructions.

All right, Mr. Mayor.

Stay sitting at that desk and keep you back to me.

I got a gun here. Don't turn around.

Just listen.

I'm George Keegan. Remember me?

You was one of the heroes that made the pinch when I was picked up.

You must remember.

Why they even got a little statue where you and me down at the wax museum.

Now do you know?

You'd better know, Mr. Mayor.

Because I'm sending you down personally to take that statue's place.

Well, why don't you say something?

Are you scared that's all?

Where's all that fancy gear that you hand out at Bankwoods and Meekings?

Come on, speak up.

Come on, what's the matter with you? Speak up, will you?

All right, then you'll get yours just the same.

Looks like I just brought about a special election.

Now, Mr. Mayor, I'll just take this court so you're as down to the museum.

Hey, what's this?

Say, nobody.

The dummy you're playing to.

What?

You've gotten your target's mixed.

Haven't you, Keegan?

Who's that?

Aren't you surprised to find yourself shooting at a wax dummy?

Come on out in the open, who are you?

I'm right here with you.

I am your shadow.

I'm a can at funny talk.

What are you, a copper?

No, just your personal nemesis, Keegan.

Now I'd advise you to drop that gun.

Better change.

Close it on him.

Wait.

Open your hands, Keegan.

Let go of me.

Let go of me.

Hey, that gun away from him.

Hey, Archie.

This is your wax works murderer commissioner.

Thank you, Shadow.

You guys ain't got nothin' at me.

How did you get out of jail, Keegan?

I flow out the wind.

With the help of Warden Driscoll.

Is this true?

It's Driscoll A.G. you and these crimes?

Driscoll.

Driscoll wasn't in.

Who's that?

Ah, I see you've caught him.

Good work, Commissioner.

Hello, Warden Driscoll.

What brings you here?

This man Keegan escaped from my prison tonight.

And I learned that his purpose in leaving was

to make good a threat he'd made on the life of our mayor.

Hey, where is this baloney you're throwing at, Warden?

You're quiet, you.

I've just learned that this isn't the first time he's got out either.

A very good story, Warden.

Only I think that George Keegan could tell us a different one.

Shadow.

You here?

Yes.

And I sort of expected you'd come to, Warden.

What's this all about, Shadow?

Perhaps Keegan can explain that to you, Commissioner.

How about that?

Yes, and I had no squeal of sea.

But that Warden ain't telling the truth, and that one bit.

That's all I got to say.

Hey, Commissioner.

What is this all about?

Am I being placed under suspicion here in the testimony of a shadow?

Just a minute, Warden.

What are you holding back, Keegan?

I can answer that for you, Commissioner Weston.

Keegan is shielding the Warden as the real instigator

of the Wax Works murder.

That's all I have.

You wanted you all of the way, Commissioner,

so we employed Keegan as his instrument of murder.

Don't listen to him.

At first, he had to give Keegan sufficient incentive

to perform these crimes, so he went to work on his emotions,

his jealousy.

Oh.

He told Keegan that his girl, Edna Kelly, had been double-crossing him

right along.

Keegan, this was a lie.

Huh?

What do you mean, she was on the level?

Absolutely, Keegan.

Why, Trisco?

You don't...

You got to get another gun!

You got to get another gun!

Go on.

Go on.

Go on.

Roll and paint.

Just like Edna had done before she died.

That's right.

Try to talk.

That's what she done, too.

When I left that...

I left that.

I left that.

I left that.

Take him away.

I left that.

Trisco is dead, Commissioner.

Well, perhaps that's for the best.

Oh, uh...

Shadow.

Are you still there?

Yes, Commissioner.

I want to thank you heartily for this night's work.

I seek no credit, Commissioner.

However, I have a suggestion for you.

What's that?

If the Wax Museum decides to create a new tableau

depicting this present event,

it might be wisefue to arrange to be excluded from it.

It gives people ideas.

You have been listening to a dramatized version

of one of the many copyrighted stories

which appear in the Shadow magazine.

The weed of crime bears bitter fruit.

Crime does not pay.

The shadow knows.

All the characters and all the places named are fictitious.

Any similarity to persons living or dead

is purely coincidental.