The Shadow 025 - Murders in Wax

Who knows what people works in the Hearts of faith. A shadow lord, the Shadow la Mont Cranston, a man of wealth, a student of science, and a master of other people's minds, devotes his life to righting 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 aid, Margot Lane. To Day's story murders in wat. Headies and gentlemen, we invite you to step inside and you the illuminating and educational exhibits that are the features of our wax rex see blue Beard actually saying his eight wives, he custos us stand, He's the capture of George Keegan, put the Enemy. MBA, and many other threading life light tableaux. The price of admission is only one dime ten cents. Come on, our lecturer is just starting, and if you hurry, hurry, hurry, you'll be just in time. To witness the complete show on the inside. Step right up, now, how many for the tour? Please all him, ladies and gentlemen, If you'll just step over here on the next platform, I shall describe to you the tales of the feature tableau of our exhibits. Hey, they look like real people, don't they? Yeah? How did you make them? With waxe? This tableau is a dramatic reenactment of the capture of George Keegan, a notorious gang chief of prohibition days. 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 Mayor Lewis Better, our district Attorney Armstrong, and right police Commissioner Western Way Dear when Keith was power. George Keagan'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. He the girl on the cable sure looks lifelife. YEA, who she is? Okay? Hey, kep, who's that girl just coming to that brother. A little lady seated in the chair was Keegan's gun, Mam Edna Kelly. She was with it in the hide house at the time of the raid. Hey, the wax figure fell off the chair. Ah, they don't get excited, folks, only a wax figure. I set it up again, and holy cat, it's it's real. The body a dead body, a dead body of Edna Kelly. Wasn't really at the Kelly. That's the Kelly, the seriously murdered. We got to take the found lay. We are, we got of us. The waxword brunner up favor. The mind. You do roll beautifully, but if you don't pull a trifle harder on that right or we'll hit that rock there. We are a little rusty on navigation market. It's my first rowboat bench in the park is strange. I'm really enjoying it. I need a little fresh air and sunshine after that experience of the waxworks yesterday, that was pretty terrible. You ever happened to go to that face? Mago Well. I was showing the town to my cousin Jane from Upstates. We passed the Waxworth's Museum and she insisted on going in. She'd never seen a chamber of horror. And she saw or harder than she bargained for him. Yes, and so did I. I'll never forget it. Just what was that wax tableau? Like? It was set in a replica of a finished room and in the house ware kegans catched. Yes, the figures as Mayor Lewis, District Attorney Armstrong, and Police Commissioner Western were grouped about Keegan and Edna Kelly. Does anyone noticed the figures of the Kelly goer was actually she? And who? It fell from a chair? No? The wax figures were so life like it no one's the second I. Seem tire of the island. Will that'd be nice? Lamont? Whom do you think killed Edna Kelly? Well, she was a gunman's girl, and always the obvious suspects her lover's enemies or even members of his gang who might be more comfortable with her out of the way. But come on, I don't think it was either of these. Why, Lamar, Does that strike you that the substitution of the girl's body as the waxwork in such a spectacular fashion? May they have some deeper significance than the mere bizarre effects. Oh what do you mean? Must have been the. Girl's connection with the other people represented in that group have motivated the murder and bringing her body there. I don't quite understand my deductions are correct. The taking of the ni Kelly's life is only the first of a series of vengeful murders. But is that true? Isn't there anything you can do to for storm? Perhaps I only knew a little more. I only knew where the killer plans to strike next. Surely the shadow can find that out your help, Margol, Perhaps you can. A fine bunch of detectives I've got, mister Parkman, you call yourself a homicide squad. That's a laugh. But Commissioner West and we've calmed this city, logan. Have you checked on the story of the museum proprietor, commissioner you talk to him yourself, Have you verified his statements? Yes, Chief the solid The murderer entered the Waxworks Museum by a back door. It was found Jimmy after put that in mc kelly's body and a tableau. He took the wax image of her outside and buried under some trash. In the alley. If you go over the image for finger prints, could on her. Yeah, but we couldn't find anything about the faith. Oh yeah, Commissioner. A funny thing. The face of the wax stummy had been slashed 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 mock of. A squealer, but it couldn't put any mob stuff. The probation report shows that ed mc kelly has been gone straight ever since Keagan was sent away. Yes, me, I think it was a luna ticket done. No, same guy had set a dead girl's body up for exhibition in that waxworks joint. No, it looks to me like one of them love things, some guy caring a torch for Kelly. If you're both wrong, it was no lunatic that committed that murder, and Edna kelly hasn't gone out with anyone since Kegan started his stretch and watch. Ednic 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 squealer on the face of. The wax figure? Ties right in? That was the murderer's way of Kelly Keegan, what he thought of him? Keegan has saved his neck by. Squealing on a dozen guys. Say that's right, of course, is right, Cordona, First thing in the morning, I want you and Hogan to conduct a general round up of every known enemy of George Keegan. That won't do any good. Commissioner, pick the shadow. Don't trouble to find him. Why are you here, Shadow, to wait you in capturing them? 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 is 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 girls body in the wax tableau was intended as the warning of other deaths to follow other deaths. You think there's gonna be more killing me? Quiet? Hogan. Tell me what you mean, Shadow. I mean that the other people represented in that wax Tableau are in danger of being killed too. And they are the mayor, the district attorney, and you yourself, Commissioner Western. That sounds preposterous, not at all. My advice is that 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 a wishing to kill us as well? I think that you're excuse me, Hello. Missus Armstrong. The district attorney's wife wants to put her on Hello. Hello, Yes, missus Armstrong, this is Commissioner Western. Comissioner. I'm gresfully worried about John. What's wrong? Well, shortly after dinner he went out, said he might take a walk. Several hours passed, 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 two am. Well, now I don't be alarm, Missus Armstrong. He's probably detained somewhere on business. I'll try to locate him for you and call you back. Oh, thank you, This is Attorney disappear, disappeared. Say well, Commissioner Western, you think shadow. That's yes, Commissioner, I fear that the killer had struck again. Can't be. If I were you, I would go to the waxwork 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 takes the men around to guard the back door. Sir, don't know if anyone in the keys in this place. Now, say, we'll have to force the lock. All right, go to it, okay, help you? All right? Now, where's the lights? Wait? Never mind, use your flash lights? Okay. Hey, kind of scary in here, ain't it. Yeah? It gives you the creeps. Hey, what's that? Don't where that guy over there got a knife. Don't shoot you, fool. That's one of the wax dummies. Where is this Keegan tableau? It's right over here on the lab. Oh, so that's it. Well, I guess nothing's happened yet, cheap, doesn't look like anything's been disturbed. That's the wax dummy of district A Tony Armstrong sitting down on a chair. Sitting down, Hey, it seems to me his dummy was tanning up the last time he was here. What give me a lift up on the platform quick? There like it? Maybe I don't know, flash the light of it. Yeah, good, heavens it's arm frown? Is it really? Distan Attorney, I'm trious. 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 Western, together we may bring about his downfall. Oh I am positive now, but either you or male Lewis he's the next victim not to go God yourselves. Well, i'll attend to that, all right. You would here for me. Soon, Commissioner, the shadow finds out who the killer is, he will be brought to justice. And I think it's quite evident now, Margaret, even the Commissioner Western, that the killers aim to do away with everyone concerned in. That tableau, the Lamont you you mean, the mayor, the commissioner in keegan Is. They're the only ones left exactly. Let me see, I should take a right turn here Lamont. Do you believe these murders are the work. Of a maden Well? I think that whoever's behind all this is quite sane, Margot, quite sane. What makes you say that there's the. Important civic figures in that group? Never removal would be highly advantageous to a political rival. But surely political rivalry wouldn't be sufficient motive for for the horrible crime. I wonder, and besides the girl ed mc kelly, how would she fit into that picture? I've thot we're driving up here to find out uh as a prison now a cheerful a king spot. I'm drive you up to the gate and that you're out. I shan't go in with you? Why not? The Wharton mister Driscoll has never been a particular admirer of mine, feeling which I reciprocate, why Lamont Well, I had occasion to expose the graft written conditions in this prison a few years ago. Naturally, that didn't make me too popular with mister Drisas. So here we are. Now, remember what I told you? I think so. I'm a reporter from the Daily Globe, and I've for an interview with Edna Kelly's sweetheart Kegan, and when I see him, I'll try to find out from here. Please tell me something, mister Keeghan. The readers the Daily Globe of send us thousands of letters expressing your interest in your reactions with 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. You loved Edna Kelly, didn't you? Hey, what are you giving out with the Lonely Hearts column? No? No, you see pay off that love stuff. But mister Keighan, I I was send up here by my paper to get a human interest story from you. And after all, well you you were fond. Of miss Kelly. She was your girl, my girl. Oh no, but I'll tell you what in m Kelly was. She was the same as any other Dan See she was a double crossing thought. Wait a minute, when Wait a minute, I I didn't mean that. H don't write nothing like I just said there. I you. Get a little screwy sometimes when they think about what happened here. Oh of course I understand. So just don't write nothing. Well yeah what oh no, no, but but what about this series? That she was slain by one of. Your enemies, mister Keaton, I wouldn't know. I ten you la money fled up so suddenly when I asked him if he really loved her, I I was scared of that. He called a double crosser. Eh, yeah, but he he regretted it. The next second he h asked me to be sure and not write anything about it. It's the most interesting, my gone. Thank you for your excellent work. But but has what I told you helped you unravel any greatly? Well? What happens now? I think that there are many more interesting facts to be learned there at prison. Yes, this evening, the shadows prepare call on his old friends, Warden Driscoll. I mean, can I see you for a minute, Warden? What's the proper carry? 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, carry what are you trying to tell me? Well? He ain't had no food for the last three meals. So so I was I was wondering if something should be done to make him eat. He just lays quiet on. His bunk, and I thought I told you that no one was to go near Keegan Sell. Without my orders. Well, I thought if he wasn't. He, Harry, If you just perform your duties as guard around here and let the Wharton do the thinking, everything will be satisfac for Yah, sure, Warden, Sure and leave Keegan alone. Yeah, yes, I'm sorry, good night, Wharton. Close that door after you, yes, fool? Hello? Yes? Oh yes mag h Did he get away all right? Good? Yeah? Uh well I'll get him back here before a day like no matter what happens. Yeah, okay, tell him. I hope he does a good job. Huh yeah, yeah, yeah, goodbye. You seem to be quite amused, Warden' DRIs School, huh, I wa, who's that? Won't you share your little joke with me? Carry? Are you outside the door? Is that you're talking? Carry? If this is your idea of something funny? This is not Carrie? Well? Who are you? I am the shadow? The shadow? Yes, Warden? Well, why are you here? What do you want with me? I came in when Carry left. I overheard your phone conversation, DRIs School. It's very interesting. Really, Yes, I'm. More than curious to know who you were talking about. I listen Shadow, What business have you can't have been George Keegan? On I see here, I have had enough. Await Warden. I wouldn't advise you to leave until we've finished our conversation. Uh what do you after, Shadow? I am seeking the murderer of Edna Kelly and District Attorney Armstrong. Oh why look here, cause this. Is where he is to be found. Who do you mean, George Keegan? Keegan? Oh, let's be prosperous helper. A man in prison for the rest of his life suddenly commit to murders in the city fifty miles away. Very simple, Warden, he just go there? Are you inferrying that Keegan has escaped? Oh no, nothing as crude as that. But if he were allowed to, shall we say, take a leave of absence for a night? Keegan has never left these building? Where is he now in his suh? Oh no, he isn't. I investigated before I came here, and he's sure he's empty. Oh, yes, yes, that's right, I am I forgot he's in solitary confinement. You mean his contest with pillows to make it appears if you were in solitary confinement. Now that's 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 bludded murders. He's gone there with your full knowledge and consent. 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. An easy thing to prey upon the susceptible. Jealousies of a man like Keegan until you've goaded him into carrying out your evil wishes. Uh, you can never prove what you're saying. I haven't 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. Wharton driscal. O Margo Lane calling Margo Lane telephone police Commissioner Western immediately. There's no time to lose. Tell him that's a night book. He and the Mayor in great danger. Even now. It maybe too late. They do have time to follow up my instructions. Tell them if they must follow my instructions. Alright, 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, boy. They even got a little statue where you and me down at the wax Museum. Now do you know. You'd let her know, Mr Mayor, cause I'm sending you down personally to take that statue's place. Well, why don't you just say something? You're scared that to her? Where's all that fancy gabb that your hand out at bank? What's a meeting? Come on? Speak up? Come on, come matter? Won't you to speak up? Will you? All right? Then you get yours just the same, looks like I just brought about a special election. Now, Mr Mayor. Or, just take this corpse of yours down at the museum and then. They I's just this. Ain't nobody but tell me your plant. When you've gotten your targets mixed, haven't you? Peeken? Who's that? Aren't you surprised? To find yourself shooting a wax dummy. Come on out in the open. Who are you? I'm right here with you. I am your shadow. I cannot fully chalk. What are your copper? No, just your personal nemesis, Kegan. I'd advise you to drop that gun. Better chance. Blot on him. Commissioner Western, over in your hands, kick him, call me, got's go away from him? This is your waxworks murderer. Commissioner, thank you shadow. You guys say you got nothing at me? How did you get out of jail? I blow out the way with the help of Warden driscoes true briscol ate you in these crimes. Drisco, wasn't it? Who's that? Ah? I see you've caught him. Good work, Commissioner O Warden DRIs going. It brings you here? This man keeping escape 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, what is this blow you're throwing out? Warden? You're quiet? You I just landed. If this isn't the first time he's got out either. A very good story, Warden. Only I think that your Lord 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? And that's Keegan can explain that to you, Commissioner. How about that pleasure? I know, squillsy, but that boarden ain't telling the truth. That one better. That's all I gotta say, Commissioner, what is this all about? Am I being placed on a suspicion here in the testimony. Of a shadow of Stune minute Warden? What are you holding back? Kegan? I can answer that for you, Commissioner Western Keegan is shielding the Warden as the real instigator of the Waxworks murders. That's a lie. He wanted you all of. The way, Commissioner, so he employed Keegan as his instrument of murders. Don't listen to him more in shadow. 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 Keagan 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 a level? Absolutely, Keegan? Why Trescott have another. Oh oh, go on, go and roll in pain. Uh just like getting or done before she died. That's right. Uh fry to talk al that's what she'd done too. When I laughed at her, I laughed at it, laugh at it. That's what I did. Take it away, laugh at it. Driscoll is a dead. Commissioner, Well, perhaps that's for the best. Oh uh, shadow, are you still there? Yes, Commissioner, I wanna thank you heartily for this nice 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 wise for you to arrange to be excluded from it. Gives people ideas. The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The shadow nose