The Shadow - "The Ghost of Caleb Mackenzie" (Old Time Radio)
The Shadow presents “The Ghost of Caleb Mackenzie,” originally broadcast January 26, 1941. This is Street & Smith script number 100, written by Jerry Devine for the Mutual Broadcasting System and sponsored by Blue Coal.
On a stormy night at the MacKenzie family home, a wealthy, hostile patriarch summons the relatives he distrusts most. When the prospect of a new will raises tensions, Margo Lane calls on Lamont Cranston to investigate. Bill Johnstone stars as Lamont Cranston/The Shadow, with Marjorie Anderson as Margo Lane, in this old-dark-house mystery promoted as The Shadow’s tenth-anniversary program.
The Shadow presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.
Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:49 Original Broadcast
30:34 Closing
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Speaker 1: On a stormy night, an aging millionaire summons the relatives
he calls vultures waiting for his fortune, then announces he
has made a will. When Margot Lane calls Lamont Cranston
to the mackenzie home, a murder and the will's disappearance
set the Shadow on a dangerous search among the gathered family.
From January twenty sixth, nineteen forty one, This is The Shadow,
The Ghost of Caleb McKenzie, Street and Smith script number
one hundred, its tenth anniversary broadcast on the Mutual Broadcasting
System sponsored by Blue Coal. Bill Johnstone is Lamont Cranston
and the Shadow, with Marjorie Anderson as Margot Lane. Jerry
Devine wrote the script. Now back to the golden age
of radio, who knows what.
Speaker 2: Evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow Node.
Speaker 3: Today's broadcast marks the Shadow's tenth anniversary on the air.
On this specif occasion, the Blue Coal Dealers of America
are proud to present an unusually thrilling adventure of the Shadow.
This special dramatization resembles other Shadow dramas in but one
the like. It is designed to point out too old
and young the lesson. We have stressed for the past
ten years that prime does not pay. Before the Shadow
starts today's adventure, I want to ask all you householders
a timely question. When you consider buying a fuel, your
first question is what will it do for me? Well,
here's what blue Cold will do for you. It will
keep your home comfortably heated morning, noon and night. It
will make things easier for you all the way round,
and it will cut down your heating bills. You couldn't
ask for more than that, could you? But Blue Coal
gives you more, and without asking too. For with every
order you enjoy the full benefit of your neighborhood Blue
Coal Dealer's extra customer service. So phone him tomorrow. The Shadow,
mysterious character who aids the forces of law and order,
is in reality LAMONK. Cranston, wealthy young man about town.
As the Shadow, Cranston is gifted with a hypnotic power
to cloud men's minds so that they cannot see him.
Cranston's friend and companion, the lovely Margot Lane, is the
only person who knows to whom the voice of the
invisible Shadow belongs. Today's story, the ghost of Caleb Mackenzie.
Speaker 4: Well here we are gathered together, one big, happy family,
happy family. I wish you could all see yourselves as
I see you. You have vultures, have vultures waiting for
the poor old.
Speaker 2: Caucus to die.
Speaker 4: Because I don't include you in that description. Margle is
merely an old friend of the family. You understand that
I didn't mean you.
Speaker 5: No, I understood, Uncle Caleb.
Speaker 6: But she's the only one that I exclude. Still better
on't your dad.
Speaker 4: That you'd be the first to speak, Paul, You always
have been. You take after me in that respect.
Speaker 7: I guess.
Speaker 8: I hope that's the only characteristic of yours that I have.
Speaker 6: Now.
Speaker 4: That's what I call putting the cards on the table.
I've always admired you for that.
Speaker 7: Son.
Speaker 4: You make no pretense of your hatred for me, more
than I can say.
Speaker 6: For the rest of you.
Speaker 4: Oh, come now, Caleb, wedding you say that, my dear Damon,
no family gathering is ever complete without your injection of
the phrase, I'll come now, Caleb. I believe you first
said it when I was six and you were three,
and as I record, you were even then seeking something
from it toys. It was in those days. Why do
you insist that all of us hate you, Caleb, because
it's true, Damon. In each of you, the hatred has
a different basis. My son Paul hates me because he
feels that I've been a tyrant.
Speaker 2: That's why I left home.
Speaker 4: You, Damon, your hatred is based on envy. You're jealous
of the money I've made, the power I've gained.
Speaker 9: How do you classify me, Caleb?
Speaker 4: Well, now, Marie, you, my dear wife, you're in a
class by yourself. Yours is a long suffering hatred, a
patient one. I shouldn't do if I do that way.
When you left me ten years ago, your loathing was
stronger then, But being apart from me seeing me only
once a year has.
Speaker 6: Tempered the emotion I see.
Speaker 4: However, I can't say the time has lessened that feeling
in your son.
Speaker 9: His name has no place in this conversation.
Speaker 4: Mother, Please, they're protecting that misshapen, sniveling son.
Speaker 9: Of ours, So talk that way about it.
Speaker 6: How else could he be described?
Speaker 4: Look at it easy to think that he bears my name,
Caleb Junior. At least when my first wife bought me
a son, she bought me a man. Paul is a man.
Me finish. I haven't described his hatred yet. I've saved
that because his is the most bitter of all. It's
a cunning hatred, hate that you drilled into him from
the day he was born dead. Please, for mother's sake,
For mother's sake, always that been your cry, Caleb Junior.
Speaker 5: I think i'd better be leaving, Uncle Caleb. I have
someone waiting in.
Speaker 4: The night now, please, Margot. I asked you here tonight
so that I might see one friendly face, even if
it wasn't one of the family.
Speaker 7: No, no, you.
Speaker 2: Must stay well.
Speaker 6: I will sit down.
Speaker 7: Please, thank you.
Speaker 4: You see, Margot, this little ceremony only takes place once
a year. I invite all my beloved kin here so
that they may closely inspect my state of health. If
I look whan or pale, perhaps it reassures them that
the Mackenzie fortune will soon pass into their hands.
Speaker 8: Oh, come now, Caleb, let's break this up. Chary Dad,
I'm sleepy and I'm bored. Of course you are, ball,
of course you are. But I have a little announcement.
Make an announcement about my will. You've you've made out
a will, Caleb, Yes, yes, my eager brother, Yes, I hell,
where is it?
Speaker 2: Who has it?
Speaker 7: Now?
Speaker 4: Damon a little if you please, I'm still alive, you know.
Speaker 7: I beg your pardon, mister McKenzie.
Speaker 4: But it's ten o'clock now, Thank you, William, Thank you.
That means bedtime for all of you. Show them to
their rooms, Williams. Same old regimentation. I sha'n't see any
of you in the morning, so perhaps i'd better say
goodbye until next year.
Speaker 6: Good Night, Uncle Caleb, good night Margot.
Speaker 4: Oh, I hope none of you forgets about the will.
Speaker 6: Hello?
Speaker 5: Is this locus?
Speaker 2: Five?
Speaker 5: Four to three?
Speaker 2: Oh?
Speaker 6: Ring one hat shy it shady and ring one wal Come.
Speaker 2: Me, darn.
Speaker 5: I'd like to speak to mister Cranston please. I believe
he's staying at your inn.
Speaker 6: Oh yes, yes, zy city fellowshitting right in lobby.
Speaker 2: I'll fetch you for you.
Speaker 5: The joys of a Bucolic soul. Hello, Hello, Lamon, Margo.
Speaker 2: It's after midnight. I thought you'd be in.
Speaker 5: Ben No, I couldn't sleep, Lamont, would you mind terribly
coming out here? I'd like to go back to the city.
Speaker 6: Tonight was wrong.
Speaker 5: Well, i'll tell you when you get here.
Speaker 2: I'll be right over. Goodbye.
Speaker 6: Goodbye, sending out an sos Margo.
Speaker 5: Paul, you frighten me.
Speaker 2: I'm sorry.
Speaker 5: I thought everyone was in bed.
Speaker 6: I've been outside taking a walk cigarette.
Speaker 8: Yes, thanks, I'm sorry you had to be in on
that little session tonight. My uncle Damon sitting around whining,
my dear stepmother glaring at us, and my beloved half
brother simpering in the corner. You know, as much as
I disliked Dad, I can't blame him for despising him.
Speaker 5: Oh, Paul, it all seems so stupid, this yearly gathering
of your clan.
Speaker 6: It always will be stupid until till my father's dead.
Speaker 5: Paul, what's that?
Speaker 6: Sounds like someone coming down the hall?
Speaker 5: Who can is.
Speaker 6: Shoe looking for some.
Speaker 2: Oh? Oh, it's it's you, Paul.
Speaker 6: Yes, I was just going for for a glass of
water for mother.
Speaker 2: You'll excuse me, please?
Speaker 7: Sure?
Speaker 2: Sure?
Speaker 8: This guy gives me the creeps, always getting something from mother.
Speaker 5: Oh, now, Paul, is nothing wrong in that?
Speaker 6: No, I'll say, what is this Pennsylvania station? Everybody's up here?
Comes Williams. Why are you going with that sandwich for
your father?
Speaker 2: Sir?
Speaker 7: He's in his stead sandwich.
Speaker 6: Say that gives me an idea how's about we raid
the icebox? Margo?
Speaker 5: Don't good? Why not?
Speaker 8: I haven't done that in this house since I was sixteen,
And as I remember that, what was there sounded like Williams.
Come on, Margo, he's in dad studies. What is it, Williams?
Speaker 6: What's wrong?
Speaker 7: It's your father? Sir? What about him? He's been stabbed
in the chesty? He stared.
Speaker 5: Oh, La, Mona, I'm so glad you're here. We've just
found mister Mackenzie Senior's stabbed.
Speaker 2: Good heavens? Oh, where's the body?
Speaker 5: Right down the hall here in his study?
Speaker 2: When did this happen? Margot?
Speaker 5: Williams the butler just found him a few minutes ago.
I see it's right in here.
Speaker 8: Long Oh, come now, I still objected this whole Rick moarol. Unfortunately,
Uncle Damon, it's just one of.
Speaker 5: Those Paul, Oh, Margot, listen, everyone, this is Lamont Kranston.
Speaker 2: How do you do?
Speaker 7: How do you do?
Speaker 2: Do you do?
Speaker 5: Lamont has helped the police to solve many crimes, and
I'm sure that you won't object if he examines Uncle
Caleb not a.
Speaker 6: Tall Come now, Paul, don't you think that's a bit presuming?
Speaker 2: No?
Speaker 8: I don't, uncle, Damon, my dad is over here, mister Cranston,
I covered him with his show I see.
Speaker 2: Has the body been disturbed in any way?
Speaker 6: No?
Speaker 2: No, everything is just as we found it. Well, I am,
I'll have a look at you. Don't mind, mother? Oh please,
you mustn't look at him. No one has touched this knife,
no goodness. Have you phoned the police? No, not chet,
I'm afraid that'll be necessary. Oh no, you'll excuse me
when I phone commission to West.
Speaker 9: Yes, we don't want the police out here, Paul.
Speaker 2: No, why do you allow a stranger to step in
like this, Paul?
Speaker 8: Because that's our father sitting in that chair with a
knife in his heart? Or had you forgotten? Why should
you be so concerned about him all of a sudden
you hate him too?
Speaker 2: We all know that. Why are you sniveling?
Speaker 5: Please?
Speaker 7: I'm still darling.
Speaker 9: Stay out of this conversation, well.
Speaker 2: As you wish.
Speaker 7: Mother.
Speaker 6: Yes, that's right, Junior. Run the mother's apron string as I.
Speaker 2: Take the police about two hours to get here. Meanwhile,
they've ordered that nothing be disturbed.
Speaker 7: I beg your pardon, sir.
Speaker 5: Yes, this is Williams.
Speaker 7: Yes, inasmuch as mister McKenzie is is departed. I have
a duty to perform a duty.
Speaker 2: What is it?
Speaker 7: I've been told many times by mister McKenzie that if
if anything were to happen to him, say anything like this,
but I would find an envelope in his death draw
that should be opened at once.
Speaker 6: Are you saying that my father anticipated that he would
die this way?
Speaker 2: Well? Yes, why shouldn't you have anticipated this? We all
wanted to kill him.
Speaker 7: You know that.
Speaker 8: I do know that, Junior, and I also know that
one of us gathered here is his murderer.
Speaker 2: Oh, come now, Paul, I don't think that Williams. Would
you look for that envelope? Please? Yes, sir, perhaps it
will contain a clue to his death.
Speaker 8: In that case, don't you think we should wait until
the police arrive to look at it. I'm afraid of
its content, Uncle Damon. Oh come now, Paul, of course.
Speaker 7: Now here's the envelopes.
Speaker 2: I'll take it, William, thank you. There appears to be
writing on the outside. I read it to you. If
you wish, sure, go ahead. It says attention vultures? What's that?
What's that?
Speaker 6: Good old death?
Speaker 2: He who will have will to find the will we'll
look inside.
Speaker 8: Wow, did you hear that, fellow vultures? Dad dealing in
riddles even in death.
Speaker 2: Now, perhaps you'd like to hear the contents? Is it
about the wind? I don't know. You don't have to
figure that out yourself.
Speaker 7: Please.
Speaker 2: It says to find the one who's passed the test,
search the place where my soul will rest.
Speaker 6: Well, that's enlightening. Doesn't mean a thing to me.
Speaker 2: Now I'm afraid I must ask you all to go
to your room. And those are orders from Commissioner Western,
order to our room. That's right.
Speaker 8: What does the police all all right in the world? Damon,
come on, all of you. Let's obey instructions for once. Okay,
Margo coming Junior?
Speaker 2: Yes, if mother's with me, of course, I'll call you
when the police arrive.
Speaker 8: Okay, Well, fellow suspects, shall we march in single file?
Speaker 6: One of us will have to get used to that.
Speaker 2: Very clever, Paul.
Speaker 5: Oh, I'm so glad you come here, Laman Mugo.
Speaker 2: And have you any idea who could have done this?
Speaker 5: No, it could have been any one of them. They
all hated him me.
Speaker 2: See. Oh, do you know the whereabouts of this family burial? Ground.
Speaker 7: What.
Speaker 5: Oh, yes, yes, that's right here on the estate. There's
a large ball down near the brook.
Speaker 2: Well, then what are we waiting for? That sounds like
the answer to the riddle where is the missing will?
Speaker 8: To find the one who's passed the test sets the
place where my soul will rest.
Speaker 6: This must be it, it must be.
Speaker 2: Now.
Speaker 6: Now I shall find the wiz.
Speaker 8: But say, who's there? Who's there? Come now? Stop shining
that light in my eyes?
Speaker 2: Who are you? Speak up, Margot? Come along, Kenner's loose again?
Speaker 5: I seem to come from the ball.
Speaker 2: Yes, sorry, Look, Marco, someone just ran out of the ball,
see you running into the woods?
Speaker 5: Shall we go and see who it is?
Speaker 2: It's too late. We better look down on the mausoleum.
I better go first, Marco, give me that flashlight.
Speaker 5: Here you are, thank you.
Speaker 2: Oh wait a minute, I'll just.
Speaker 7: Oh uncle Damon, Yes.
Speaker 2: I'm afraid he is dead. Margo. Oh well we know now, Margo,
that this missing will is important enough for someone to
murder for it.
Speaker 3: More from the shadow in just a minute. But first
time out for a picture of a man getting up
in the morning.
Speaker 2: Coal this morning.
Speaker 10: I'll soon fix that one of those slippers, ah, there
they are. Now, I'll just set that blue coal heat regulator.
Speaker 3: Yes, more and more people are relying upon blue coal
and a blue coal automatic heat regulator for quick, dependable
heat these cold winter mornings. For blue coal sends up
quick heat the moment drafts are open and the heat
regulator opens drafts automatically, a flick of the finger and
the thermostat is set. Then presto, a steady flow of
heat ascends to those upstairs rooms before you can save
blue coal, and that heat will remain constant all day
long at whatever temperature you wish.
Speaker 10: Yes, blue coal in my furnace keeps my home comfortably
heated twenty four hours of the.
Speaker 3: Day, and the blue coal automatic heat regulator enables you
to control that heat without running up and down cellar
to regulate furnace dampers. Yes, blue coal and a blue
coal automatic heat regulator make the modern combination for convenience
and comfort. Phone your neighborhood dealer for blue coal and
ask for a free demonstration of the blue coal automatic
heat regulator. His name is listed in the where to
buy Its section of your classified telephone directory under the
words blue coal and now back to the shadow.
Speaker 5: Lamon. Do you think it's all right leaving Uncle Dane's
body out there.
Speaker 2: In the ward until western and has men arrived?
Speaker 5: Yes, why the concentrated sky?
Speaker 2: Oh, simply trying to reconstruct this thing from the beginning.
From what you've told me in Margot, there were three
people prowling about downstairs earlier in the evening, any one
of whom had access to Caleb senior study.
Speaker 5: Yes, that's right, Paul, Caleb Junior and Williams.
Speaker 2: Well, Margot, that makes three suspects that we know of
who could have killed Caleb Senior.
Speaker 5: Three you mean, oh, Williams is a suspect.
Speaker 2: Too, definitely, huh. I never thought of that, Never thought
of what, Margo.
Speaker 5: I'm suspecting Old Williams. Now that I do think of it,
he could have killed Uncle Caleburn he ended his study.
Speaker 2: Right, Perhaps it's time for the shadow to hear more
from this kindly old gentleman. Ah, what was that? Sorry
to disturb your reveries, Williams?
Speaker 7: What the name who's talking to me?
Speaker 2: I am called the Shadow.
Speaker 7: The Shadow, the man no one can see.
Speaker 2: That's right, Williams, the man no one can see.
Speaker 7: I know of you. But why have you come here
to see.
Speaker 2: Me seeking information, old man, information that you must give me.
Speaker 7: What what is it?
Speaker 2: First? I'd like to know why you aren't in bed
at this hour. Why are you sitting in that chair
fully clothed?
Speaker 7: Well, I couldn't sleep by.
Speaker 2: Would that be caused by a guilty conscience? Perhaps?
Speaker 7: No, No, it's just the shock, the shock of mister
mc kimsi's stabbing that keeps me up.
Speaker 2: Williams, did you feel told him as the others did?
Did you hate him?
Speaker 7: I had a great fondness and respect for mister mackenzie.
Speaker 2: You know, of course that you will be suspected of
his murder.
Speaker 7: I presume this much, But I shall have no trouble
proving my innocence. That's more than I can say for
some of the others.
Speaker 2: What do you know about the will that he left,
the one that he spoke of in the note?
Speaker 7: Why should I know about that?
Speaker 2: You were close to mister mackenzie. He confide it in you? No,
I know he did. He must have told you about
that will.
Speaker 7: You don't know what you're saying. Why I'm only said.
Speaker 2: What do you know the will? Was it in the burial? Vone?
Speaker 7: No? No, it wasn't in the I mean, how should
I know?
Speaker 2: You do know where it is? You also know the
answer to the riddle the place where his soul shall rest?
Tell me where is this place? Please tell me, Williams.
If you would avert another murder, you must.
Speaker 7: Tell me very well. I'll tell you the will is
someone's listening.
Speaker 2: Yes, whoever it was is gotten away.
Speaker 7: Please Shadow, I can't talk anymore. A count of his
hiding place, Williams.
Speaker 2: I'm going to give you time to reconsider, and remember
that by telling what you know, you may save another's life.
Think that over, Williams. Later you shall receive another visit
from the Shadow, and then Margot. Just when he was
about to tell whether the will was hidden, a noise
outside the window frightened him. Some one was listening to
our conversation. I couldn't see. I'd guess that it was
our murderer. Did you hear anyone moving about the house?
Speaker 5: No, I didn't. I met Paul though, as I was
coming in.
Speaker 2: Oh what was he doing?
Speaker 5: Just going into his room?
Speaker 2: I see? This is one time in which Western could
get to the scene of a crime a little faster.
We have too many people to keep track of alone, Margot.
Speaker 5: Laman, did you hear that?
Speaker 2: Yes, come on quickly, some seemed to come from down
the hall. Those shots we don't know yet, Paul, hold
Williams doors open. Perhaps we'd better look there first.
Speaker 5: I'll go down the hall and see if young Caleb
and Maria all right?
Speaker 2: Why what is it? There's no need of going there.
I have found the victim.
Speaker 5: Who is it? Then?
Speaker 2: It's all Williams?
Speaker 7: Oh?
Speaker 2: No, he's been shut through the head.
Speaker 5: The mon Who is the murderer? Have you any idea?
Speaker 2: Not yet? Can be any one of the three of them?
Speaker 5: Why should all Williams have been killed?
Speaker 2: Because he knew the whereabouts of the missing will The
person who was listening at the window when they shadow
talked to Williams must have come back to learn his secret.
Speaker 5: And do you think that that person found it out?
Do you think the old man talked?
Speaker 2: I have an idea that he didn't. If I could
only slow that riddle, search the place where my soul
will rest, that's the key to the mystery. Margo, do
you want to come into the study with me while
I inspect Old Caleb's corps again?
Speaker 5: Well, I'm not keen on it. I'd rather not be
alone either.
Speaker 2: I just want to take another look at the placement
of the knife in the old man's chest. I've just
had a fantastic notion about his stabbing, Margot, What the
knife is gone?
Speaker 5: Gone?
Speaker 2: Yes, a murderer has wasted no time in covering up.
Speaker 5: How could the killer get in here?
Speaker 2: Have plenty of opportunities, Margo, This sir is chep Paul.
What can you tell me about him?
Speaker 5: You don't suspect him.
Speaker 2: I suspect all three of them. Now, what can you
tell me why?
Speaker 5: I've known Paul all my life. He couldn't have killed
his father. I know it. We played together as children
right here on this estate. We used to have treasure
hunts in the Devil's playground and all the monitor.
Speaker 2: Where did you say you played.
Speaker 5: The Devil's playground. It's a large cable up above the brook.
Speaker 7: Margo.
Speaker 2: That's it. That solves the riddle.
Speaker 5: What are you talking about?
Speaker 2: Search the place where my soul will rest? That's what
Caleb Senior mean, Margo, I'm sure of it. The Devil's playground.
Speaker 5: If you're right, that's where the will is hidden.
Speaker 2: Exactly, and before many more moments, the shadow has an
appointment there with a murderer.
Speaker 9: I demand to know why you're here in the Devil's playground, Paul,
for the.
Speaker 6: Same reason that you're here my dear stepmother.
Speaker 5: Then you followed me, didn't you.
Speaker 6: No, that wasn't necessary. I know this place very well.
Speaker 9: And you've come here seeking the will exactly.
Speaker 5: You'll never get it, you understand.
Speaker 6: Oh, so you found it?
Speaker 9: Yes, I found the will and I'm going to keep it.
Speaker 2: What was that? You'll forgive my intrusion? I hope who spoke?
Speaker 7: Who was?
Speaker 2: I am known as the Shadow?
Speaker 6: Where are you?
Speaker 9: I can't see you.
Speaker 8: I don't worry too much, Marie. No one has ever
seen this follow What do you want here?
Speaker 6: Shadow?
Speaker 2: Well, my clever friend, I've come in quest of a murderer,
and I believe my search has ended. What do you
mean one of you has come here because of the
information that you learn from old Williams. Now which of
you is that one? Obviously one of you is lying. Well,
we'll switch to the next point of deduction, the search,
the search for the murderer's gun. I'm sure that neither
of you will object to this, so we'll just proceed.
Speaker 9: What makes you so positive? Shadow?
Speaker 2: But don't you see, missus McKenzie, this is your check.
Speaker 9: I warn you don't come near me.
Speaker 2: Why not, Missus McKenzie. Is it because you're afraid I'll
find that gun? Answer my question, Missus McKenzie, very well,
this is my answer.
Speaker 6: Believe you have the gun?
Speaker 11: Yes, so keep away from me, both of you, you
particularly mister Shadow.
Speaker 9: I don't like your inquisitive spirit.
Speaker 2: You forget I have the advantage of invisibility.
Speaker 9: I think this gun will remove that so called advantage.
Speaker 2: So you wish to add me to your list of victims?
Missus mackenzie.
Speaker 6: I can't believe that she's the killer.
Speaker 2: That is the same gun that chut Damon and old Williams,
isn't it, Missus mackenzie.
Speaker 11: If you're that clever, you shouldn't have to ask Shadow,
why did you do it?
Speaker 7: Marie?
Speaker 2: I'll answer that Damon was unfortunate enough to be in
her way, and all Williams was killed when he revealed
the hiding place of the will. Isn't that true?
Speaker 9: Yes, that's true.
Speaker 2: You also feared that they might be named in the
will as your husband's legates, didn't you?
Speaker 9: Very interesting?
Speaker 6: Go on? But what of Dad and she murdered him too. No,
I don't believe so she didn't murder dead.
Speaker 2: No, but she thought that her son, Caleb did.
Speaker 9: That's not true.
Speaker 11: My boy had nothing to do with my husband's murder.
Nor did I. I admit I I did kill Damon Williams,
but I had nothing to do with the first murder.
Speaker 6: Well, who did you? You did?
Speaker 7: Paul?
Speaker 6: That's a lie. That's a lie.
Speaker 2: You can't frame me for your crimes the moment. I
don't think either of you is guilty of the murder
of Caleb Senior.
Speaker 6: And who did do it?
Speaker 7: Shadow?
Speaker 2: We should learn presently.
Speaker 9: I've heard enough. I'm leaving here, and neither of.
Speaker 6: You had better try to stop me down at Grummery.
Speaker 9: I'm sorry, Paul, but you'll be the first to go.
Speaker 2: Forrie, don't, don't you, Poe.
Speaker 8: No, thank your Shadow for saving my life.
Speaker 7: Whatever it's worth.
Speaker 2: If you don't mind, I'll take that copy of the
will too, Paul. Now let's have a look at this
precious paper.
Speaker 9: Let go of me.
Speaker 2: Listen, listen to me, missus Mackenzie. I have something to
read to you. I'm sure it's irony. Will point out
a lesson even to you as I have said you
thought that your son Caleb killed your husband to protect
him and your share in the fortune. You murdered two men.
Now attached to this will, I find a single slip
of paper signed by Caleb McKenzie. Listen to what it says.
When you read this, I shall have committed suicide. In
my will, you shall learn that I have left my
entire fortune to my wife Marie and her son Caleb Junior.
Oh no, no, do you get to moral missus mackenzie.
It's one that I can't repeat too often. Crime does
not pay.
Speaker 3: And now before we hear from the shadow again, here's
John Barclay, America's home heating expert. Say, mister Barclay, may
I ask you a question? Certainly, mister King. Well, I've
often heard you mentioned the check damper on the furnace,
and I've never quite understood what function that performs.
Speaker 2: Is it really necessary?
Speaker 6: Mister King?
Speaker 12: The best way I can explain the function of the
check damper is by comparing it to the accelerator on
your car. You know how you press down on the
accelerator when you want to go faster. You mean that
the check damper speeds up the burning of the coal precisely.
When you want your furnace to produce more heat, you
just close the check damper, and when you want the
coal to burn slower, you open the check damper.
Speaker 3: I see, mister barclayle I should say the check damper
is very important.
Speaker 2: Mister King.
Speaker 12: The check damper is so important that anyone whose heating
plant is not equipped with one should have it installed immediately.
Speaker 2: Well, thank you, mister Barklay.
Speaker 6: Now I know what it's all about.
Speaker 12: Glad to help you out, mister King. And if any
of you listeners have a heating plant without a check damper,
or if you have a heating problem, here's what you do.
Simply call your neighborhood blue coal dealer tell him you'd
like the advice of a John Barclay trained serviceman. This
service is free.
Speaker 2: Thank you.
Speaker 3: Today's anniversary program is based on a story copyrighted by
The Shadow magazine, which, like this program, is also celebrating
its tenth birthday. And at this time I'd like to
thank all of you Shadow fans for the loyal support
you've given us during the past ten years. We will
continue to present these Shadow dramatizations and in return, we
hope we can count on numbering you among the listeners
to our future broadcasts. The characters' names, places, and plot
of today's drama are fictitious. Any similarity to person's living
or dead is purely coincidental. Next week of Crime Time,
same station, the Blue Coal Dealers of America. You one
of the most amazing adventures the Shadow has ever experienced.
Speaker 2: The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay.
I don't.
Speaker 3: Be sure to listen next week your friendly blue Coal
Dealer's presentation of this Shadow and for greater heating comfort
at less cost. Remember blue coal. This is Jean Paul
King saying, keep the home fires burning with blue coal.
Speaker 1: The Shadow's investigation in the Ghost of Caleb Mackenzie now concludes.
Follow the Shadow for more classic broadcasts.