The Shadow 060 - The Inventor of Death

Who knows what evil lurks. In the hearts of men. The Shadow knows. The Shadow, mysterious character who furthers the forces of law and order, is, in reality Lamont Cranston, wealthy young man about town. The Shadow uses his hypnotic power to cloud men's minds so that they cannot see him. Cranston's spring and companion. The lovely Margot Lane, is the only person who knows to whom the unseen voice of the Shadow belongs. Today's story the inventor of death. This is really fun. I thought you might enjoy it, Margot, and you asked. Me to come to an exhibit at the Hall of Science. I began trying to think of fast excuses about sick grandmothers. Yes, I pictured a lot of stuffy old men mumbling in their beards about. Relativity or something. I see. This is really exciting. Look what's that over there? Well, they have a sign of let's find out, demonstrating the scientific marvel of the age. The mechanical man. Mechanical man, that's what it says. It walks, talks, answers questions. Although made of metal, it can duplicate many things that man can do. Come on, Margaret, we can miss this. Oh Lamont you've seen Roberts before. Yes, but you never know when one may be different, more advanced. I'd like to bet this one's no different from the rest. Well, you thank your pardon. I couldn't help overhearing what you were saying just now. I hope that you'll forgive my intruding. But I think if you do go in, you will find that this robot is entirely different from any that you've seen before. Oh is it really? You seem to know quite a lot about it. Well, yes, I do. Was a matter of fact as well. You see, I invented it and built it myself. Oh really, I know I shouldn't be out here in front talking to perfect strangers about my invention, but you see, I'm very enthusiastic about it. Come on, George, they're waiting for you to stop a demonstration. Oh of course. This is my wife, mister Crenson name, and this is miss morgl Lane. How do you do? How do you do? My name is Alton? Well aren't you coming in to watch? Oh? Yes, certainly. I was trying to persuade mister Cranston to go in anyway, wasn't a la. Monte I have caught. Come right this way. Please. What a little liar you are, Margo, I know. Isn't it awful? If you'll come through the side door with me, I'll see that you get a good place to watch the demonstration. Wait, thanks very much, oh or here he is now. Ladies and gentlemen, I'd now. Like to present the inventor of this mechanical man, mister. George Arver, here on the platform. Thank you, Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. Before I proceed with the demonstration, I'd like to tell you a little about this invention of mine. This galvanized gargantua is constructed. Is constructed on an entirely new principle. He is electrically controlled and can be operated by this small box here on the table. But he also responds to commands in. The mind of the operator, rather than to certain sounds of the human voice, as. Has heretofore been the method of operations. Now I'll bring out the big fellow and. Give you a demonstration which I think will convince you that I have not exaggerated in any way. Oh the mond, do you think such a thing as possible? Well, in the realm of science these days, marggle anything. Is possible, I suppose, so the mond don't you know it's rude to stare? Was I staring? I'm sorry? That man over there and the crowd interests me? Who the hunchback? Yes? You notice anything peculiar about him? Peculiar? Yes? I I'm speaking of his size? Sighs. What do you mean? Have you ever seen a hunchback so tall? I? No, I don't believe I have. Now, gentlemen, I'd like you to meet my mechanical man, whom I have named Henry. Roll it right out here, if you please. Well, speaking of being tall, look at that robed lamar. You must be at least ten feet hard. I'm now going to order Henry to step down from this little. Platform that he's standing on. Now you will notice that I don't give him any particular word. I just think the command, and Henry will obey what. The things step probating down off the platform. Just as he did it. I will now ask Henry to answer a few questions. Henry, how much is two and two, four, seven and eight fifteen? Now, in case you think these answers are previously arranged I'll ask anybody in the audience to ask Henry. Some question which he will answer. I'll ask you, man, what time is it? Ay twenty? Hey, Helen, this is weird. How do you think he does it the month? You're not listening? Stop staring at that hunch part. I'm sorry when I was watching his expression, just look at him. Why his face is all contorted in pain? Not pain, Margo? Hate hate? Why? Well, unless I miss my guess, it's hate for your little inventor, mister Alton. Now I'll ask Henry to walk among you and pick up various objects, which I will pull out from the platform. Please, please, please, ladies and gentlemen, don't be alarmed. Henry is perfectly amiable and obeys my orders implicitly. He wouldn't harm a fly made me show. But if that two legged tanks should walk around here among us, Brother, I'm getting out. I'm very sorry to Louisa said. I guess I'll have to show. You that Henry is perfectly harmless. The mon of Henry toddles this way, harmless or not, you'll find me joining the parade to the eggs. And please please, Now you see the young lady sitting on the chair at the other end of the platform. That is my wife, who is not afraid of Henry. Therefore, I am going to ask him to walk over, pick her up in his arms, and carry her. Back to me, and you will find that. She's none the worse for the experience. All right, Henry, you know what I want you to do. She has more nerve than I have. That robot is almost human in this reactions Morgle. That right. Look that creature is picking missus alten up out of a chair. Oh she looks so small and helpless. Come on, I'm afraid. I don't know why you should be frightened. Muggle probably done this hundreds of times. See how he holds her in his arms. That's what he's trained to do, and now he walks with him. Look, come on, rob, it's done. Yes, good lord, No, Henry. Missus Orton is struggling to get down, But. Buggle, something's gone wrong. The machine is closing his arms about her. You'll question, no way. Put her down, you're telling herself. Oh my god. Jim, I simply got to get out of here, darling. The police have ordered us to stay here. How do you suppose it could have happened. I don't know, Margo, I don't like it. What do you mean there's something behind all this? Something sinister, something perhaps for the shadow to industin. Please don't ever mention that name in public. Oh I'm sorry. I'm sure no one. Could have overheard you think. So look behind you. Why the hunchback? He wasn't there none to go? But I'm sure he didn't. Hear I hope not the mon Look. The mechanical man. It's moving to speak shadow? Does it mean I haven't the faintest idea. I don't care what. I don't tell what anybody said. I got to do this before it's too late. Please let the wrong going up to the room. But what are you gonna do, Margo? We've got to get that boy out of here and drive a little slower, Margol. I think he's going to sleep. Oh the month, the poor fellow. Yes, I imagine that out first. When they broke the machine relieved, the nervous tension seems relaxed enough. Now, what a. Shock it must have been to him to see his wife killed in such a horrible accident. Yes, if it was an accident, then you think it was murder. I don't know, Machael, I I really don't know. Look Alton's eyes, alte me, I think he's sleeping. Now where where am I wonder? What's happened? Now? We're just taking into a place where you can get some rest. Uh oh, I see. My wife, my poor Why easy? Now, easy, mister Alton. You've got to help yourself at this point myself. What does it matter about me. Mister Olton? Do you have any enemies, anyone who might be jealous of you or your invention? Enemies? No? No, what? What? Well? It's doctor Zaruga, Doctor Zaruga? Who's he? What? He's an inventor. He devised a radio controlled and sendury bomb, which was turned down by. The army a year ago. It was too frightful a weapon to use even in modern warfare. What has doctor Zaruga got to do with you? What? Well? At the time the Board of Science accepted my invention for display, they turned down. The robe but invented by doctor Zaruga. He was check curious and oh what does it matter? Now? What does anything matter? Why? Was doctor Zaruga furious? He felt that he was being discriminated against in favor of others whose inventions were not as good as his made a scene about it, then went back to his laboratory next to mine on Providence Street and locked himself in. He wouldn't see anyone for days. I see one more question, mister Olten, this doctor Zaruga, is he a hunchback? No? No, I I believe he was at one time a high military officer in some European army, was distinguished by his military bearing and piercing black eyes. Why do you ask, Oh, just an idea. I guess it wasn't a very good idea. Welgo, see that car coming, Get over to the right hand side of the road. Wark the mon. Something's wrong the steering. M I can't control the car. Put on the brakes quick, I can't. That controls the lot. Eh, doctor Ewn. How do you think mister Crimston is going to live, sir? I of course a lot. Of course he's going to live. Takes more than a simple automobile smash up to permanently damage a man with a physique of Lemon Crimson, even if he has been unconscious for twenty four hours. If I helpe, sir, when mister Crimston comes to Ellen, see that he stays in bed and keeps those bandages on his arm. He's a very good doctor in bed, the advantages on m I'll do my best, sir. He good night, sir, good night dead. Oh duh, I'd better write it down so I shall forget it. Oh oh oh. He's coming to him, mister Crimston's u uh. Aaron, what happened? What am I doing here in bed wrapped up in bandages like a Christmas package? Don't you remember, sir? You've been unconscious for twenty four hours. If I've been hearn constry for twenty four hours, I could I remember? Well? Uh? Yes, sir, the kite so s well, what happened? How did I get here? Well? You're in bed, sir? Uh let me say now? Oh yes, keep in bed. The bandage is armed, keeping bed bend. Stop mumbling. How did I get here? Well? You were in a waltamobile accident, sir, yesterday your car ran off the road. And overturned in a ditch. Or from a bile accident, yes, sir, oh yes, yes, yes, of course, and the others. How about evers if you order funding to the young gentleman who is apparently riding in the car with you, sir, I'm I'm afraid well that is dead. Yes, sir, his neck was broken in the cross. Oh what about miss Lane? Miss slave? Yes, miss Laney wed what about her? What happened to her? It was miss Slave riding with you in the car. Miss Lane writing Alan, what's happened to miss Lane? And speak up? I don't know, sir. There was no sign of the scene of the accident. The police just reported finding you on the. Opper Jit, Alan, give me my clothes. I'm getting a footso the doctor said in bed the tranangization. With the doctor. But I've got to find out what happened to miss miss m Cranston. If you go out the dishes you're in, I shan't be responsible you. You're just flying in the face of providence. Providence. That's it. That's it on on Providence Street. It's a wild hunch, but it may be a good one. Hurry man, give me my closed once. But you, yes, you. Was hoping for someone else. I don't know what you're talking about. Ah, yes you do, my dear miss Lane. Why do you keep me here locked in your laboratory? Why don't you let me go? You? You inhuman? Inhuman? But that uh, perhaps my character disees you. I think you are being confused by my appearance my uh hunchbike. Oh why are you not? Now? That trump on my back contains the electrical equipment which I not only control my own inventions, but those other inventors, who unfortunately are not as brilliant. As I am. Then you're not a Christ now now. I tricked them on the silly fools. They wouldn't look at my inventions. So I cause your car to crash off the road, killing that little upstart. Often I made his Robert run amok. I forced them to kill his wife. You know what do you think of me? I think you're a man a maniac? Oh yeah, poor girl seeing her Christ like that? Oh murderer. Ah, you still don't believe I'm the greatest inventor of world? Has of a scene? God show you? What are you gonna do? Why are you keeping me here? Because miss Elaine, I ever help you make some reference to. The Shadow Shadow? Yeah, you see, I have always wanted to meet the Shadow, meet him on my own grounds, because the Shadow is the only man who could possibly about unmask me. I thought perhaps if you disappeared, the Shadow might try to rescue you. Oh no, but I see I overestimated his powers. The shadow has not appeared there if on miss Lane. I am going to slightly alter my plans. I am going to give you a treat. What what do you mean? I am going to demonstrate for you at all? But I have invented. When you have seen it, I think you will admit very terrible injustice has been done me. No, no, you will see it. Of course you may not survive the demonstration, but that can't be helped. As a matter of fact, it just as well. You'll know too much about me. Stop stop toning me. I keep it in a secret compound. I open this panel. Oh and Verity, Oh what gastly? I admit it is not a pretty sigh. You see, my. Dear, your little friend off and build his robot for constructive uses to benefit mankind. Mine is for destruction, weapon for war imature, A regiment of robots like this marching against flash and blood man. Horrible. And now I will. Show you how he works. Robert step part great places. Oh oh no, no, don't me. Ah. I want you to go to that girl, No, pick her up? What delicately, delicately I want her to see how gentle you can be. Urse, No, no, don't let it come near me. No use might be a place of sound. Bro don't Why shall bread pines run away? The robot is so devised that elect can be a living first worth following packably until he catches out, or until I give the command the. Spot watch. Robot, Let me out of here, well, lomaned the laboratory. Don run over the whole house. If you're like, a robot will follow you. Tell he tracks that. It's all right, my dear, I feel it will be over very quickly, robot. No, no, no, all right, pick her up in your arm. I do not like to be held in his arms. He won't crush her yet. Last he will not far us. Oh she's said, hmm. Lets her down the robot. Later later you will hold her again. There isn't going to be any later, doctor Zarula. Oh you did come after all. I'm looking forward to this meeting that you and I in my laboratory. You expected me, then, Yes, that's. Why the girl here I knew that you would come to her. I see very clever of you. I've been waiting to meet you for a long shadow. Meet you and pressed my powers against yours. Just what are your powers? Uber, I am the greatest inventor in the world. I have the greatest mind in the world. That's a modest estimate. You doubt me. Then, perhaps when we have finished, you will. Things differently finished with what you will find out? You see that, Robert, here's my saventh, my slave, obeeding to my every command. He's not bombed by human limitations. He can see you, Shadow, he can see you. Whenever you are in this room, he will find you. What he does. I think you know what the result will be. What you will be crushed? Crushed the bits in his arms. You want, A young lady told. Doctor Zuga, You've chosen a dangerous game, but let me warn you you can play it. Remember you can't talk yourself out of this shadow. Robert, find this man, rush him. I warned you, Doctor Saruga. You want me at last, Shadow, You've met your match. What a their's man's mind against a machine? I agree with you, Doctor Saruga, So I think we better eliminate the machine called me. What do you think with open I'm interested in knowing what's under your coult of his role. Oh Robot Loba. Help me. Yeah, your robot doesn't move very swiftly, does he? Now? Eh got off well an electrical control box. Oh so that's your secret, doctor. This contraction was a hump on your back which control the other Robert, that date affair, that pack. Oh no, doctor, he. Don't take you a gay in the upper hand. I will show you. Let's tell my policemer in this room. You can't leave here, and. You won't have a leaf. Where are your great powers? Now, Zaruga, I cannot break the robot my hand. Keep away from that robt. Zaruga came away, I say, and I have the doorist. Pick up this slammer. Hung of it. You'll be someone struck, not me, Fuck me, your fool, it's stuck me. That's help. You feeling alright? Manco Well, I guess don't think it does seem good to be out of that place. Yes, they're destroying Zeruga's robot. It's a pity. In a way, those mechanical gentlemen might. Be very serviceable. They were properly directed. Oh you think so? Huh? Well, after my little experience with a doctor and his mechanized murderer, I'll think twice in the future before I even use an Electric Toaster. Oh. 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 person's living or dead is purely coincidental. The Shadow Magazine is on sale at your local news. The wit of crime, There's bitter Fruit. Crime does not be A shadow note no, no,