The Prepper Broadcasting Network - The Shadow 036- Shyster Payoff

Episode Date: May 30, 2026

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presents the Shadow. These half-hour dramatizations are designed to forcibly demonstrate to old and young alike that crime does not pay. The Shadow's adventure begins in just a moment. But first, do you know exactly what the blue coloring on blue coal means? Well, that's the trademark of the Glen Alden Coal Company, the world's largest hard coal producer. And it's placed on their product, blue coal, to guarantee that you're getting a superior quality anthracite. So insist on blue coal when you order anthracite for the coming winter. Your entire family will appreciate blue coal's greater heating comfort. You'll appreciate blue coal's greater heating economy. Call your dealer for your supply of blue coal tomorrow.

The shadow, mysterious character who waves those in distress, and helps the forces of law and order, is in reality, Lamont Cranston, wealthy young man about town. Cranston's friend and companion, the lovely Margo Lane, is the only person who knows to whom the unseen voice belong. The only one who knows the true identity of that master of other people's minds, the shadow. Today's story, Scheister Payoff.

Commissioner Weston, my paper wants to know what you're doing about this wave of hold-up. I hear you're resigning, Commissioner. What about the mayor's statement, Weston? Yes, come on, let's have your story. Wait a minute, wait a minute, boys. I'll give you a statement. Okay, Commissioner, thanks. Sure, we're having a crime wave.

But the police department is as good as you'll find in any city. We make arrests. The trouble is the district attorney's office can't get convinced. But it isn't the DA's fault that the work of his office is hampered by a political fixer and a schister lawyer Can we coach you on that? How about naming the Sheise, Commissioner Weston? Who's the political fixer? Come on, come on, come on, give us the moment.

Hold it, boys, hold it. What is it, Sergeant? There's the call in your office, Commissioner Weston. Sorry, boys, that's all. See you later. Come on. Who is it? The mayor?

No, it's him again. Who are you talking about? Who's him? The shadow. If I haven't got enough troubles. All right, I'll talk to him. I'll call you if I need you. Yes, sir.

All right, Shaddle, what is at this time? Afternoon, Commit. You enjoy your conference with the gentleman of the press. You know everything, don't you? You flatter me, Commissioner. All right, let's have it. Commissioner, do my ears deceive me, or did I really detect a note of, shall we say, welcome in your voice?

Listen, Shadow, I'll admit you have helped the police department at times, and I'm willing to accept tips or help from you, just as I would from any other citizens. I take it you are a citizen, and are interested in law enforcement? Yes, Commissioner Weston. I am a citizen, and I am interested in law enforcement.

I wish there were more like that. But you didn't call me to exchange compliments. What do you want? I called Commissioner to make a deal. A deal? For yourself, Shadow? No. Merely a deal whereby you will be ready

to round up a criminal syndicate, headed by Tiger the notorious sheister lawyer, Grogan the political fixer, and Red Doyle the gangster. You're crazy, shadow. We know they're all crooks, but we can't prove it. Suppose I could produce proof. I wouldn't arrest a combination like that without an ironclad case. I wouldn't last 24 hours if the rap didn't stick.

They'd have my job. You'll have your ironclad case, Commissioner Weston. Wait until you hear from me. May it please the court. I submit that the indictment against my client Harry Dale is improperly drawn and therefore after the state's case be dismissed. I object, Your Honor! The indictment against Harry Dale is penal code!

Just a moment, gentlemen. The jury will please retire where I hear your arguments on a point of law which is not within the province of their deliberation. May well, Mr. Tiger, Mr. Prosecutter, step to the bar. I will hear your arguments as to the polity of this indictment. Lord Cranston, would you mind telling me

why we've been following this lawyer, Rex Tiger, from court to court, watching and plead case after case? Just to give my very lovely assistant, Margo Lane, a cook's tour of the more unpleasant side of the legal profession. How do you like Tiger, Margot? He reminds me of a snake. What's he doing now, Lamont? Taggart is pulling another legal technicality

and snatching another criminal from the hands of the law. How did he get away with it? The law, Margo, is flexible, but its flexibility can be used by shyster lawyers like Tiger to provide loopholes. Order, silence in the court! Watch what happens now. Order, silence in the court.

Mr. Prosecutor, I regret I must agree with the arguments of counsel for the defense, Mr. Tiger. I protest, Your Honor. I protest this. You do the testimony? given by the defense, and because of this technical error in the indictment, I must dismiss the case against Harry Dale and discharge the jury. Lamont, Tiger just went into that apartment building. How much longer are we going to follow

him around in the car? I've got to follow Tiger, watch every move he makes, Margot. I promise Commissioner Weston an airtight case. I'm getting proof of a vicious racket, a racket that forces innocent people into a life of crime. Where are you going, Lamont? I'm going to follow Tigot into that apartment as the shadow. I have an idea Tickett is about to collect his fee for defending a recent client. Stay here, Margo. Wait till I return. Why have you come to my apartment? My brother's not here. My brother's not here, I tell you. I've given you every cent I have. Every cent I could raise for defending him.

For saving your brother from the electric chair, Ruthdale. But my brother was innocent. Yes, but the evidence was all against him. Your brother is alive. free only because of my knowledge of the law in your perjured testimony. Why, you made me testify falsely. You told me it was the only way to save my brother. Yes, yes, I did.

Do you want him tried again on the evidence? I can arrange it. And I can have you arrested for perjury, sent a prison. Oh, no, no, please let me alone. Your brother needs money. You need money. I can show you both how to make a lot of it quite easily. We won't do anything, criminal.

My plans are quite simple. You look like a girl accustomed to buying expensive jewels. You have only to go into jewelry shops and have to see certain gems. When they are shown to you, it won't be your fault if your brother and others have them in and take them away. And suppose we refuse. You will go to prison for perjury, and the electric chair will be waiting for your brother. Terrible night to be driving them on.

Sorry, Marco. Wherever Tiger goes, we go. I just care, Tiger. And I'm glad he was able to get Dr. Lambert's parole. I never did believe Dr. Lambert was responsible to that woman's death. Yes, Marco. I'm glad Lambert is out, too. But I'm sorry for anyone Tyquette helps.

Lamont... Do you think Tigott means to force him into his crimes in the good tools? Yes, Marco. The way he's done to Ruth Dale and her brother and many of us. Oh, but those poor people he's forcing into crime must be helped. Why don't you tell Commissioner Westing? I'm not ready, Marco. It takes a lot of fine threads to make a web of evidence to catch a slip real like Tyquette.

Besides, there are others. I'm out to get political picks a groves. Rogan, Red Doyle, the gangster. They're part of Tiger's crime syndicate. Vermont, it's raining so hard I can't see. Where are we? Outside the home of Dr. John Lambert, late of Lindgate Prison. And look, they're in the driveway.

Tiger's car. What's the next move, Lamont? Margot. You drive down the road. Yes, I know, Lamarton. Wait. I'm sorry, Marco. I know it's cold and wet, but I won't be long.

I have a notion, Margot, that we'll drive away from here with an iron-clad case for Commissioner West. We'll go on, the monster. I'll wait. Good luck, Sean. To get me out, Tiger. What good am I to myself or do anybody? A doctor convicted of murder without a right to practice.

Where can I go? The parole board said I can't leave the state. What can I do? The ball says I'll be sent back to prison if I don't get a job. Why didn't you let me serve out my sentence? Why didn't you leave me alone? Easy, because I can use you, Dr. Lambert. I have connections, friends who need a doctor that can trust.

Oh, who would trust me? You can be trusted because you have reason to hate and fear the law as much. much as these connections of mine. But I've got to have a legitimate job, or I'll be sent back to prison. I'll arrange that. All right, what do I have to do? It's right in your line as a surgeon. You'll be ready, day or night, to treat gunshot wounds, remove bullets,

perhaps grabbed skin and change faces which have unfortunately found their way into the rogue's gallery of the police. What's in it for me? Money. Money you'll need for that fresh start when your year's probation is over. You'd let me go with my probation's up a year from now? Sure. That's fair enough, isn't you?

Just... one year, 12 months, then money and a chance to get away. Far away. All right, Tiger, I'll do it. When do I start? I'm afraid, Doctor, you'll have to wait until one of my connections gets hurt. Meanwhile, he has 200 as a retainer. There's a probation board. You're working for me as an investigator, but keep away from my law office. Just stay here and wait till you hear from me. All right, all right, I understand. Maybe a week, even before you get a call. But when it comes, go where you're told, and keep your mouth shut. Or you'll go back to the big house for another stretch. Beto, Dr. Lambert.

A sheister lawyer. A sheister doctor. You're in good company, John Lambert. Good company. Oh, I've got to stop talking to myself. I'm not in solitary. I'm free. I'm not in prison anymore.

What was that? That voice. No, you're still in prison. You're not free, John Lambert. You'll never be free. They'll never let you go. A voice. It laughed.

It spoke to me and answered me. Oh, my... Am I losing my mind? No, Lambert, you're quite sane. But unless you listen to me, you're entering another kind of bondage. But what is this voice? It can't happen, it can't. There is more than a voice in this room.

I am quite real, quite close to you. As close as Rex Tiger was a few moments ago. Hypnosis. Yes, hypnosis. I'm here in this room, but I've clouded your mind so that you cannot see me. Who are you? What do you want? John Lambert? Haven't you ever heard a certain name whispered through the dark cells of Lingate prison?

A name associated with the unseen? A name criminals hate and fear? The shadow? You are the shadow? Yes. But you have no reason to fear me. I believe you're an innocent man, unjustly convicted. The newspaper said I was innocent, too.

But I went to prison just the same for seven long years. Now, Tiger has offered me money, then freedom after a year. What can you offer, shadow? A chance to be true to your profession, to yourself. I have no profession. They took that away from me, and they took my self-respect, too. I'm not Dr. John Lambert, the surgeon. I'm ex-con number 2847.

Convicted murderer. Out on parole because of a sheister, dirty sheister lawyer. There is no more, Dr. John Lambert. You're wrong. That was John Lambert speaking just now. Crying out against this bargain you've made with Tigot, a swine who never kept a bargain in his life. Oh, yes.

You're right, Shadow. I can't go through with it. And yet if I don't, Tiger will send me back. You know, he can. He has influence. Have influence in power, Dr. Lambert? Doctor. Dr. Lambert.

For seven years and anybody called me doctor? Without a sneer or a laugh. What would you give to regain your professional honor? To escape Tigots' bondage. Oh, don't, Shadow, please. The law can make a man. The law. It needs your help.

Why should I help the law? It destroyed me. You can help put an end to criminal slavery such as Tiger offers you and countless others. You can help wipe out a vicious racket that enslaves poor unfortunates more than the prison from which they were released. Prism. Bondage. Yes, that is.

It's bondage. Not freedom, not hope. You'll never be free. You'll never have hope. Unless... Unless what, Shadow? Unless you help me put Tiger in his kind behind bars. All right, Shadow.

I will. I'll do it. I'll do anything you say, because I know I can trust you. Even the men you sent to Lingate, the men who hate and fear you swear you never break your word. I'll keep my word, Dr. Lambert. Tell me what you want me to do.

Do nothing until Tiger's associates call you. Then go where they tell you. But before you go, you to phone a certain number. What number, Shadow? It's written on the old prescription pad on your desk. On the old prescription pad? Yes, Dr. Lamb...

In just a moment, we continue with the Shadow's gripping adventure. But first, a warning to all homeowners. Despite the present warm spell, advance reports from meteorologists predict the severest winter in 11 years. So there's no time like right now to order your supply of anthracite. It's the fuel furnaces in this section were especially designed to burn. And it's the fuel, which will give you more even, dependable and helpful heat at less cost. But when you order your supply, don't be content with just any anthracite, insist on blue

coal and be sure of getting America's finest anthracite. Blue coal is the only trademarked hard coal. It's a guaranteed product of the Glenaldon Coal Company, the world's largest anthracite producer. Each carload as it comes from their minds is carefully tested by inspectors. Only the coal which meets Glenaldon's highest standards of quality is accepted for shipment and trademarked a harmless blue for easy identification. You'll welcome, Blue Coal's greater economy. It burns better, banks better, gives you longer firing period. So call and order your supply of blue coal tomorrow. Your dealer's name is listed in the Where to Buy it section of your classified telephone directory under the words, Blue Coal. And be sure

to ask your dealer about the blue coal heat regulator. It's a thermostat which controls your furnace dampers automatically and saves you all the time and trouble of constant furnace attention. It costs only $18.95 plus a nominal installation charge. I believe this is the end of the trail, Margo. I hope so, Lambert. When did Dr. Lambert phone you? About an hour ago. Tiger ordered him to go to the old Empire hotel.

Where's that? Along the beach. About three blocks from here. Slow the car down, Margo. I thought every hotel out here was closed for the winter. They are. So it makes an ideal headquarters for Tiger's mob. Why don't you let Commissioner Weston round the muffler, Mark?

You've done enough. No, Margo. I promise Weston a nair tight case. I've got to be sure the whole outfit is caught with the goods before I give Weston the word to close in. What makes you so sure? Sure, this will be the finish. It's the logical time for the gang to be paid off, Margot.

Those three big jewel robberies this week, all unquestionably Tiger's gang, a girl going into the stores and asking to see certain valuable gems. Well, that was Ruth Dale all right. The description fitted perfectly. But why did they call for Dr. Lambert? The driver of the getaway car was shot, Margot. Are they two to one, Lambert is treating him right now. He carefully doesn't have to take a bullet out of the shadow.

Let's stop right here, Margo. This is close enough. Now, Margo. wait and keep the short wave tuned in on the band the shadow always uses. Phone Western the minute I give the word. Then go straight back to town and wait for me. Lamont, if I don't hear from you in an hour. You'll still stay away from the Empire Hotel, Margo Lane.

That's an order. Lamont's cranced at times when I wish I'd never heard of the shadow. Well, go on, Lamont, and get this over with. Let me think. Give me my cut. Dono! Sorry, got to get me out of it. Shut, daughter.

Tiger, you're growing up. I don't want to burn. I don't want to burn, Doyle. There, there, there, easy. Now, please, please take it easy. Listen, Doc. Keep that guy quiet. Give him something to shut him up.

That's what we're paying, you, fool. The man is delirious, Doyle. Why didn't you call me sooner? Beck some up and don't ask them any questions. Where's Tiger? Where's Tiger? He's in the next room. What do you care?

Now, you do as you're told, and shut that guy up. Come on, Doyle. Let's get this slip to get out. Okay, Tiger. Keep your shirt on. I'm coming. Doyle, don't ditch me. Bowley, darling.

I'm sorry, fellow, but I guess I'll have to put you under. Oh, why doesn't the shadow come? They're all here. Why doesn't he come? Shadow, thank heaven you found the place. Well, Tiger. Levin? I'm asleep.

I've already given it to him, but he should be in a hospital. He'll be on his way to a hospital in a few minutes. Are those the men you want out there, Shadow? Red Doyle is the actual leader of the gang, but Tiger gives the order. I don't know anything about Grogan. Grogan is the rottenest of the lot, without whom no big gang can operate. I know, but you're not going to tackle them alone. No.

But we're going to hold them in the next room until the police can close in. Commissioner Weston is waiting for word from me. Can you handle a gun? Yes, yes, here. This wounded man has gone under. He won't give us any trouble. Good. Quick now.

Take his gun over there on the table. All right, Shadow. It's loaded. Good old. All right, Shadow. You haven't failed me so far, and I trust you now. Listen at the 17th precinct station. He is there, ready and waiting.

Tell him to surround and raid the Empire Hotel, break into basement. Let no one escape. Let us all. It's all figured out. Here's the payoff sheet. All right, Doyle. They help the punsters. And get them out of you.

Okay. Come here, Root Dale. Now, here's your cut. Fifty bucks. I don't want it. I won't take it. $50. $50 for turning criminal,

helping rob three jewelry stores. You got $50,000 worth of gems. The newspaper said, so. Ah, quit reading the papers. They always stubble a haul. $50 for helping you. The fence only paid us $10,000 for the stuff. There was five of Marigler boys who did the dirty work.

A grand for Tiger, springers if things went haywire, a grant of Grogan for a fixed just in case and the getaway car. You better take it, Ruth. There's no other way. Take it or leave it. Only remember what I told you. The electric chair is still waiting for your brother here. Oh, please, I don't want the money. I don't care. Just let us go. Out of away, Dame. All right, Dale. Here's your cut. A hundred bucks. Don't take it, Harry. Don't. Better take your share, Dale. Next time I may not be able to spring you.

No, my sister's right. I didn't want to get mixed up in this. You made me, Tiger. I'm getting out with Ruth. Don't try it. Nobody quit. All right, now beat it, Funk. Go on upstairs. Doyle and Grogen and I have got some things to talk over. Well, what about me, Tiger? Oh, I almost forgot you, Lambert.

Didn't see you standing behind me. Give the dog 200, Doyle. How's the patient? As well as could be expected. Don't worry if you lose him. He's a dumbbell anyhow. Come on, Doyle. That's you, Tiger, and me get down a business.

Okay, okay, Grogan. Come on, Dale. You and your sister and Lambert, beat it. Not so fast, gentlemen. What's that? What was that? Just an unseen guest at the division of the spoils of crime. Cygat, there's only one guy that lays like that.

A guy nobody's even seen. The shadow. Yes, Tiger. The shadow. Of course, he's come for a cut, give it to him. He's poison. He'll get a cut. He'll get a cut.

He's on the payroll. Put the cops on her. Nice wood. Dave, you're a schice to breath for the trial, Tiger. Tell him and Sister Ruth and knock your lambent to my office. Get their statements and have them wait for me. Yes, Commissioner. There's a wounded man in the other room, Commissioner.

He's badly hurt. Sergeant, get him and rush him to the hospital. All right, boys. Take these trucks out of here. You certainly handed me an airtight case against three of the biggest crooks in the city. You kept your promise, I'll keep mine. That's all you ever.

Review of next week's exciting shadow adventure. But first, here's John Bartley, blue-co's heating experts, with some more helpful information to all householders. Mr. Bartle. Thank you, Ken Roberts, and good evening, friends.

Many people write in to tell me that they don't get the best heating results from the amount of coal they put on the fire. Well, that may be because by losing heat up the chimney. Chimney loss is a common source of trouble and unnecessary waste of cold. However, it's an easy matter to remedy. The next time you fix the fire, move the handle of your turn damper, that disc inside the smokepipe,

one 16th of an inch toward the closed position. If the fire continues to burn freely, turn it another 16th of an inch. Repeat this operation until you've moved the turn damper as near as possible to the closed position. For the nearer the turn damper to the closed position, the smaller the chimney loss. When you found the ideal adjustment, mark the position with a piece of chalk on the smokepipe and leave your dampers there throughout the burning season. If you find you have any other particular heating problem, I'd suggest you call your blue-cold dealer. He'll place a trained John Barkley heating service man at your disposal.

You'll find him fully qualified to check over your furnace and show you how to get a good deal. Get better heat at less cost. I thank you. Now, a preview of next week's shadow stories. Black Rock. Martin, and you two, Ward? You're working for me now, what I say goes. Okay, Baker, we get it.

What's the gag? A big business executive like you, Ty and Crook. Shut up, you two, and listen to me. Now, here's the setup. I'm going to steal, or shall I say a choir, the entire profits, $2 million of my company. Oh, boy, I get it, and then leave all the poor stockholders holding the bag. You'd take candy from a baby, wouldn't you?

Don't worry, you two guys, you'll get your cut. Will innocent stockholders be robbed by an unscrupulous profiteer, or will the Shadow be able to protect them? Find out next week, when you hear the Shadow's newest adventure, Black Rock. This program has been a dramatized version of one of the many copyrighted stories which appear in the Shadow magazine, now on sale at your local newsstand.

All the characters and all the places named are fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Weed of crime. Next week, same time, same station, Blue Coal, America's finest anthracite, will again present The Shadow. Be sure to listen, and be sure to burn Blue Coal,

the solid fuel for solid comfort.