The Shadow 050 - Friend of Darkness

Who knows what evil in the hearts of me? The shadow node. Your local blue coal dealer presents the shadow. These half hour a dramatizations are designed to forcibly demonstrate to old and young alike that crime does not pay. Before we start the first act of today's shadow story. Attention, homeowner, if you. Want better heat with less furnace attention, here's what you do. Get in touch with your nearest blue coal dealer. Order a supply of blue coal, the fine quality hard coal that's been mined and prepared by the most modern method and laboratory tested for quality. You'll find that blue coal. Offers you by far the most for your money in hating comfort and satisfaction. Don't fail to try it. Are they your supply of blue coal tomorrow? The shadow mysterious character who wads those in distress is in reality Lamont Cranston, wealthy young man about town. Cranston's friend and companion, the lovely Margot Lane, is the only person who knows to whom the unseen voice belongs Today's story, Friend of Darkness, It is. Not enough the few ladies and gentlemen give the blind her presences. They hardly need that, and most would rather not have it. They would rather win an appreciation of their attainments and talent. When one faculty is denied, its nature compensates by developing others. To illustrate that point, I've invited here to my home a young man who has been blind from birth. I take pleasure. Now I'm presenting to you mister Peter. Blair, and oh yes, I want you to meet Peter's best friend, his guide and companions. Ladies and gentlemen, Meet Wreck is going to demonstrate how generously nature has compensated him for the loss of his sight. You'll need a couple of volunteers to help with this, Lamark Preston, would you be a courageous soul and come up here in front of all these nice feamers. All right, Margaret, I hope I'm not going to be sword. In half or anything like that. It's usually a woman that's sawt in her Now we need one law volunteer. Commissioner Western. I know you're not afraid of a crowd. Would you be so kind. Grandy's Grave. That's fine. Now that we have our volunteers, I turn the platform over to you, Peter. Thank you, Miss Linge Okay, ladies and gentlemen, I first want to express my deep appreciation to Miss Lane and all you ladies and gentlemen who are launching this campaign for the economic and industrial advancement of the blind. As Miss Lane has told you, nature generously compensates for the loss of the site faculty. In my case, I've been endowed with a rare. Sense of touch, and I'll show you now to what extent that faculty has been developed. I hold in my hand a piece of steel three inches thick. Commissioner Western, would you hold this piece of steel against your chest? Hi? Yes, of course, thank you. And now, mister Cranston, will you take the Commissioner's hand and hold your middle finger on his pumps? Come, Come, West, Come. I suppose that's the first time you two men have been asked to hold hands. Now, ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to place my fingers on the piece of steel. It's against Commissioner Western's chest. I'll comp the beat of the Commissioner's heart through this steel, and then we'll verify my cau by the pulse beat, and we'll start on a signal from Miss Lane. All right, now, miss. Lane, whatever you say all right, and night they go go. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine ten. Stop the commissioner's heart beat ten times. We stopped on the eleventh beat, Mister Craston. Correct ten beats, called exactly on the beat. Where's the skinner, Joe? He's out with the police dog Princy for teaching himself, and he says, I wonder what the skinner has up his sleeve. He's been training that month for the past month. I don't give it. Birsty holds her up in his sheck and then he goes in for dog trainer. It's got me shut up here he comes, Hello, Skinner, Hi, skinner, how to not do tonight? I did, okay, he's a smug house. I had to slap her around, of b I but he gets the idea after a while. He misspoke him certainly. Well, I guess this is the night. And I for what the pull of stunt I've been planning on for a couple of months. I mean you got something on the fire. Yeah. They gonna make some real go no penniety stuff this time. You see. I thought it was gonna spend our lives just training him that much. That hound is gonna be more important the stunt I've got in mind than either. Of you guys. What's on the sleeve and you'll find out is the clip and I get out of a paper about a month ago. Well, it is a popular and beautiful Margo Lane launches Society for the Economic and Industrial Advancement. Of the Blind. Oh, it's very interested. You ain't going into society. He shut up. Though, there's a lot of stuff here about this Margo Lane. But here's what interests me. Among the demonstrations that. Amaze the guests was the feat performed by Peter Blair. Blind from birth, Blair registered the heartbeat. Of a guest through a thick piece of steel. This he did by placing the steel over the heart of one of the guests, with his own fingers on the outer side. So what so we can use that guy. Anybody that can feel our heart beat through a piece of steel could feel a tumblest falling the. Safe not swell. But how you gonna get the guy? Kidnap him? Neck snakes? That carries a dead sense in this stack. If you take a guy by physical force, it does, but it wouldn't be kidnapping if the guy walked in here without us laying a hand. On him, would it? You think the guy's nuts enough to do that? And I'm gonna make him do it. Oh, Prince here'll do it for us. This guy Blair is led around by a big police dog just like Prince here. Rex is his name. Takes his dog to the park for exercise every night. We're gonna watch for him tonight and he lets his dog off the leash, We grab him and leave Prince in his place and lead Brier here right His shack is between the park and glare his home. And that sounds all right, But wait a minute, what will Prince do when we beat it? Prince won't move from where I put him till he hears the name Rex, and he'll go to whoever says it. Oh, oh, that's what you've been teaching him, man, So both let hey sad about everything Blad's dog does. Boy, that's thinking, I'm m'a believe me? Or when do we go? Right now, I'll drive out of the park and wait for Blair. Come on, Prince, you're one of the gang now. And as Peter laying out sitting on that bench. Over there, there's his dog running around. Yeah, y'all. Let Prince out of the car. Right, this is where we make the switch. Okay, come on us. Soon as we get the wrecks over the head of the car, we'll trade dogs. Prince speak speak. Hey, look the other one stopped getting this stretch and now he sanks for it back here he comes. Alright, Prince, Oh, alright, boy, and do your stuff ready. The grad glass dog get guy. Said, well he won't get away. Hello, rax, nice racks he come here? Boy? Uh that said good stemma. Alright, fella's grabbing muscle in. I got him scabbed in the car to make it suppy. Shut up. You'll find your foss. In a little while. Okay, okay, skinner, we're all set up. Dogs in the car. Ride now right out on the grass Prince and I said, now stay put till black calls for Rex. No, no, no, no, boy down do hey right that Prince ain't moving a muscle. Well, you sure got in turning h hid the doll? Come on, n. Look at Prince. You hear him call alright, say look at the Prince jump all over blare. Like he knew 'em all his life. Uh, he'll never know it ain't Rex we go. Look at them. The prince is leaving the guy right out of the park, right out of the park and right into our heads. M Hey, erecting a bit strange tonight, Rex? I something wrong? Hey, Hey, why don't you answer? Ah? He's something that certainly isn't like you. I'm surprised. What an't is what I'm stopping here for. Rex. We're not in their home yet? Is the car? Come away? If fond your voice? At last? What reck you? You've taken me to somebody's door? Stop pulling like crest? Rex? Stop? What worl? Marma? What poce? Is? This? Is? Anybody here? They get easy, buddy, get among friends. M Margot, you're all excepted. Something wrong? Oh, yes them? A terrible thing has happened here. Sit down and tell me about it. No, the man. I can't sit down and out it, can you. We've got to get to work this minute. But what is it? Margo? Do you remember that nice blind boy Peter? Yes, that's tried. He's gone gone. I was just talking to his mother on the foe. Wait, buggle, will we come so and tell me where's he going? Cool? I don't know, nobody knows. He's just appeared his dog with him. When did this happened? Well, he left the house last night for his usual night he walks d He hasn't been heard some since his bull mother's nearly mad with anxiety. Come on, muggle, we've got to start from where Peter Blair started and see if it won't lead us somewhere. I take it easy plan. Nobody's gonna hurt you. Oh. I don't care what you do with me. What if you done with my dog Rex? He's okay for the time being. Oh, the boys are feeding him. Down on the cellar. I'll lets you and me get down of the business. Oh, we'll get it over with us. I have no money, if that's. What you're right now, but you can get plenty for us. At least you can help us get it. Help you? What do you mean? There's a dope. You've got a line on how to get into the state straight bank. There's plenty of dough in that big ball. All you've got to do is plant that educated fingers of yours against the Baull door and tell us when a tumble us fall. H you mean you'll want me to help you rob a bank? That's just what we want, and that's just what you're gonna do. Oh, you must be mad to think I'd do anything like that. Okay, Blair, I'd try to be nice to you. I guess I ain't the right treatment. I got another medicine. That's pretty bit of dose. Pretty mean. Wanna keep your dog, don't you? Of course I'd be lost with d him. He's my eyes. He seize for him a gun on the bank with us tonight or else. Oh, you wouldn't. You wouldn't hurt rex that. It'd be as bad as killing a person a helpless humor. You're gonna do what we say on that? Oh I wouldn't. I I'd be a criminal. I couldn't do it. Okay, you've had your chances. Money, that's gonna what are you gonna do? Go find out? And you got your gun money? Yeah, and I can't. Can I want you to plug that dog up? Blair? No, No, no, you can't. That's just how long you've got to make up your mind. It's a count of ten, right, all you wanted to do that you couldn't tell? Right? All right? No, alright, you forgot that takes seven eight? Way? All right? Oh do it? We'll continue with the second half of the Shadows Adventure. In just a moment, you know, householders, it's pretty hard to beat the satisfaction of having a perfectly heated home. And it's great to know that the fuel you're using is one hundred percent safe, always dependable, and that it keeps furnace attention down to an absolute minimum. Now that's exactly the kind of all around heating comfort and satisfaction blue coal provides for thousands of American families every year. And if you haven't yet tried. The superior quality fuel, don't put off a real treat. I can tell you that blue coal is America's finest hard coal, finest because it's mine from Pennsylvania's richest deposit, and then it's sized, screened, and prepared by the nation's largest hard coal producer. The Glen Alden Covenant. I can tell you, too, that each carload of blue coal undergoes a thorough laboratory test to ensure its quality before it leaves the yard. But if you'll just try blue coal and ask for it by name when you order your next fuel supply, then your heating problems will be over for you'll find that blue coal requires less furness, attention, and your family will appreciate blue coal steadier, more dependable heat. Just see if I'm not right, call your nearest blue coal dealer tomorrow. His name is listed in the Whare to buy a section. Of your classified phone directory under the words blue coal. All Well, good morning, commission A essen Adston. He must have written down here with a milkman. What are you doing around at this hour? I've been anxious to know what the police are doing about the disappearance of Peter Blair. Oh you've got your fist in that now, very much so, commissioned him. What news have you none? Who've been dragging the river for his body all night, but we've found no trace yet. I don't expect you will. Why not? That's the most likely place to find him. How do you think he was drowned? Who was blind? Wasn't He probably walked off the end of the pier. I'm afraid, Commissioner, you underestimate his dog. That animal would never lead Peter Blair near enough to fall into water. Well, and he might have jumped off committed suicide. Come what of the dog? Do you believe he also committed suicide? And certainly not, but if he saw his master go off the theory, he might follow him. That's likely what happened. The dog was drowned going after his master. I admit that such devotion is characteristic of dogs like Rex. But I'm afraid your water theory doesn't hold water. Granson. It's too in the morning to get into an argument with you. I don't want to start my day off wrong. Now, will you have your phone's ringing? Commissioner? I know what drinking there. Goes your day, Commissioner, Western speaking. Was that the State Street Bank? Why that's it? When did this happened? Yes, yes, I'll be right down. Well what do you know about that? What's up, Commissioner? This State Straight Bank. Was robbed last night. A big vault was cleaned out. Why. I can't believe it. It's impossible it happened. It couldn't it did? Or shut up? Well? This vault was opened by a cracksman. He's the best one I ever lived. There's not a mark on the vault anywhere, no drills, no soup, nothing, just open. That's all that seems to have been enough for the gang's preface. Commissioner Weston Cranston. If you're gonna let loose a theory. I'll lock you in that vault until I've completed this investigation. I wouldn't lock anyone in that one if I were you, Commissioner, it's too easy to open. Then keep out from under my feet. Have you fall an opinion yet as to how this thing was accomplished? Yes? I have. There's only one way it could be done. Only a person who knew. The combination could have opened that ball. Then you think it's an inside job. Obviously it'll be impossible. Otherwise, how grant you. It has all the earmarks of an inside job. Still, it doesn't seem possible that an employee would take such a chance. It doesn't there. Well, the harder you think it was done there. Certainly is baffling, say, Commissioner, I just thought of something. Yeah. What do you remember the night Margo launched the Society for the Advancement of the Blind? Yes, you recall Peter Blair, the boy who counted your heart beat through a piece of steel. Yes, yes, I remember that. Bye, George, I see it now. He could feel the tumblers and the safe, just as. He did the pete of my heart. There may be others with a talent such as that Quinston. You hit something at last. Thanks, Why didn't I think of him before? But he's the only man on the world wh could have done this job. Said just a minute, commissioner, you don't buy any chance. Think Peter Blair robbed this bank. Why the whole thing ties in perfectly. He disappears mysteriously the. Bank is rob Say Blair's a man, all. Right, No, Commissioner, heat never do anything. He's the only one who could do it. I've been hunting him dead. Now I'm after Peter Blair, dead or a lie? What are you hollering about? Blair? We're only asking you to do one more job for us and we'll beat it out of town and you can go home with your toe. But I can't do it again. I just can't. I'll do it all right. This job is a cinch. We got almost an open door of the National Bank. All right, man, here's a setup. Now. The watchman is coffee delivered from a lunch wagon every night at about twelve o'clock. Uh huh. He takes it from a kid at the side door. All we have to do is follow the kid into the alleys. Stick a gun in his ribs, make him ring the bell just as he always does, and the watchman opens the door to get his coffee. We go in, not and to it. Oh, you'll be caught sooner or later. Skin all right, Blair, it'll be later. Come on, fellas, let's go. Oh, Joe, I want you to stay here and get things together for the getaway. Well leaving town right after this the other what do you want me to do? Clean out everything, don't leave a thing behind and get me uh no evidence, right. Don't leave a thing? Eh? How about Blair will handle him on the. Way banking right, alright, you guys into the car, Barty, take care of la let on you. What's the matter much? You trying to be a boss and you won't miss him? Wrong, Skinner said, clean up everything. That means you too, and you too, Prince? Your numbery's up. I guess they might as well get it over with. Shut up. Hey, hey, Rex, get right there, get back. Right sort of window? Hey Prince, get down there, Cray say much? When did right? Let's get home. Missus Blair in just a few minutes before I called you, mister Crimston and he. Brought this other dog home with him. See why he is exactly like Rex, the same markings. But no, boy, no, we're not talking about you, Missus Blair. Yes, mister Crimston, have you noticed that this other dog responds when he hears the name Rex? Yes? Yes, he acts like Rex in every way. By George. I see it now, Missus Blair. This dog has been used as a substitute to lure your son away. What is it? Rex? What are you trying to tell me. Mister Crimson? Rex protting towards the door. Yes, you keep the other dog here, Missus Blair. All right, Margo, Margo, yes, Lamar, follow us in the car. All right, Rex, Oh boy, I think I understand. Come on, he's he Rex easy. I wonder why you've led us into this lonely neighborhood. Na what this hill is it? Boy? Huh uh mugo, stop the car. I think he's trying to call your attention to that shack up there, Lamar. Yes, Smuggle. Evidentally that's where Peter Blair is or was. Turn off the head laps, Muggle, wait here the shadows going to see what? Uh? Who is in that shack? Be careful, Laman, I. Would muggle come along, Ricks come on boy, come on, Yes, somebody's in here. Alright, let's see and doors locked. It speak wrecks. That's a boy. Yeah, somebody's coming. Well, so you come back, come U get in here. Come won't get away this time? The skinner said clean up everything. Hey, my hearing thinks. So the skinner told you to clear up everything? Well, what was that? I don't see nobody who laughed? I did know you. I am the shadow, shadow guy. Nobody can see. Yes, where is Peter player? I am telling you know I'm getting out of here. Stay where you are. I'm getting out of I'll shoot my way out. Off that can, off that gun, call him on, off arms. What do you want from me? I want you to tell me where. Peter Blair is. I'll tell you if you let me. I won't barking with you. I'm interested only in Peter Blair for the moment. All right, all right, I a'm gonna be the fault guy in this players with the Skinner. Where they're robbing the National Bank right now. You know there is no Western speaking you. Men, this is the shadow. I've got to talk fast, so listen carefully. The National Bank is being robbed right at this moment, robbed by home Skinner crossing this gang. They've got Peter Player with him. Oh so, my dope was right. He's a guy who's been doing the door they work. Don't be a fool. Player is innocent. The gang is forcing him to do this. Yeah, so skilled crows innocent. The boys are just doing this. There's alarm. Commissioner, You've got to believe me that boy is not a criminal. Maybe not, but I am not taking any chances. What do you mean that Skinner gang is a bad outfit. I'm taking a squad, a man all of that bank with orders to shoot to kill the commissioner. You can do that. You may kill an innocent boy. The order is shoot to kill. Margo. We've got to get to the National Bank before Western what happened to moms? Peter Blad may be killed by the police. Horymugo, drive us suss as you can. Okay, hold it. All right, Claire, What did you get on that tenne fifty five? Okay, spin the dial again? Kidding left this time? All right's ten? It's the last ten we open. Now that's a number of planning. I'm not gonna sell you, right, No, I'm not gonna be party the robbery anymore. You tell me that number, I'll blow you ahead, go ahead, you to it anyway, So. I can't give information to the police, I might. Don one more chance. You gonna tell us a number? No, I'm not you. What's that side? Door? B? Who gonna be? I'd be a friend of the Watchman. What are we gonna do? Skinner? Gotta answer it otherwise, I wonder what happened with the watchman. Come on, Alien, As soon as I open this up, your grab whoever it is, drag him inside, right right, all right here? Yeah, you guys, get back there. Palmier rods it. What is. Nobody out here? What that's funny? What a dore younna make of it? Skinner? I don't like it. You gotta finish this job quickly, Squam, you better not wait to finish the job. Skinner. Who is that the shadow? Shadow? Yes, I've got to tag the way skin out. Circumstances forssed me to be here alive at the moment. I've got to warn you that the police are on their way here with orders to. Shoot the kill. I ain't falling for that shadow. Maybe that guy's telling the truth. Skin, it'd hardly warn you if it wasn't necessarily just saved the life of an innocent man. Listen, Skinner, the cops. You hear your answer straight, Gods scri don't leave me here. The police will suit me be a plate. Peter, just do as I say, follow us out of my voice and now lead. You are, Skinner of this gang of run out of the police. Come along, Peter. We've got to hide this white dare. He is a real brain to the gang. We've caught up with your prayer. Just a minute, Commissioner, the shadow. Yes, Commissioner, you certainly got here fast, just barely pass enough to keep. You from making a complete fool of yourself. Where's myself? Where's Rex? What's happened to? If he's in the can not far from here. If you call out loud enough, you'll hear. You prece prece for Rex. It's Rex. He's hurt me. I'll stay here, Shadow, and I've got this fellow off easy. He's got a lot of explaining. The though very well, Commissioner, It'll all be explained, so even you will understand. I'm not sure you were done for him, all right, right, George. I've never seen a dog acts so happy cute son of again. Come on, Blair, I think we can talk this thing over. Well, you've got two fine animals now, Peter, are you going to keep them both? Creston, I'm going to give Prince to a sightless friend. He'll be a great companion for him, no doubt about it. Look at Rex and Prince Gobblet. I see. I don't know how to thank you, mister Cranston, and you too, Miss Laying, for everything you've done. I wish it were possible to thank our invisible friend, the Shadow too. I'm sure he feels your gratitude. Peter, I'll wager that none of his exploits brought him more satisfaction than the apprehension of the Skinner and his gang. Men do terrible things, but the man is particularly who would rob the sightless of a great and devoted friend his dog thou Here's blue coals eating expert John Barkworth, Thank you, Ken Roberts, and good afternoon friends. One investment every homeowner can make which will pay big returns and comfort and convenient, is to install a blue coal heat regulator. I've heard some people say what time and troublesavers their oil and gas burners are. But those people. Forget that their oil and gas burners are dependent upon thermostat control for their heating performance and for maintaining an even degree of temperature. By simply installing a blue coal heat regulator for your coal furnace, you too can control room temperatures and enjoy exactly the same kind of heating comfort that the most expensive oil or gas burner could give you. The blue coal heat regulator is the thermostat which controls your furnace tempers automatically. All you need to do is set the. Thermostat control at the exact temperature you wish. Your heat regulator will maintain that temperature day and night. What's more, it will stop your house from becoming overheated in warmer weather and save. You from wasting coal. Get in touch with your nearest blue coal dealer. He'll be glad to show you how a blue coal heat regulator can pay for itself in the time trouble. An amount of coal it saves you. I thank you. Today's program is based on a story copyrighted by The Shadow magazine. All the characters and all the places named are fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. The Shadow magazine is now on sale at your local You. Stand loed of crime, There's spit of fruit. Crime does not pay the Shadow Nods. Next week, same time, same station, Blue Coal America's finest antra site will again present another thrilling adventure of the Shadow. Be sure to listen, and be sure to burn blue coal, the solid fuel for solid comfort.